Abstract: This invention is an electrically illuminated sign, consisting of a rectangular box containing therein a fluorescent light; a cover for said box in the form of an open frame containing therein interchangeable and interconnectable plates which are stamped into stencil type numbers, letters, or designs, and blank plates which serve as spacers; and a translucent plate located behind said stenciled plates, through which the fluorescent light passes, to illuminate the stenciled characters.

Abstract: A holder for holding thin rigid planar signs includes a base having a trough for receiving and seating an edge of the sign. An essentially planar wall extends from the trough against which the sign is urged by a pressure pad in order to maintain the sign in a stationary position. The pressure pad is mounted in the base and has a plurality of blades projecting essentially normal to and abutting the surface of the planar wall. Upon insertion of the sign in the holders, the blades exert a resulting force on the sign to urge the sign flush against the planar wall. By virtue of the seating of the sign edge in the trough, the sign is prevented from rotation away from the wall and out of the holder as a result of wind forces acting on the sign.

Abstract: A transparency viewing system employs an illuminated viewer adapted to be used with an overlay device and/or film retaining clips. Brackets are provided to define longitudinal open channels at opposite edges of the illuminated viewing surface. The overlay device is of a size to span the viewing surface such that the marginal edges thereof, which have a configuration similar to that of the open channels, may be inserted into the open channels so that the overlay device is held against the viewing surface. Each retaining clip includes a mounting portion having a configuration similar to that of the channels and may be adjustably positioned along the channels so that its operating portion is biased against the viewing surface to hold transparencies placed between the clip and the viewing surface in position.

Abstract: A photo display apparatus utilizing an assembly of slats having dados for permitting them to be meshed together in two or three dimensional configurations and provided with grooves in the sides for supporting the photographs.

Abstract: This sequentially highlighting copy holder employs fields of light as the frame of reference for an operator of a keyboard machine in keeping the place in the text of a document page. The page is affixed upon the copy holder for processing and is illuminated, portion by portion, as the place in the text advances. In one place keeping function the perceived effect of this highlighting delivered in sequence is that of a slender field of light slowly descending the document page. In another, the field of light disappears as a second field appears lower on the page, overlapping the position of the first field of light and disappearing in turn as a third field appears, overlapping the position of the second, so that as the place in the text moves downward the field of light moves with it in salient changes of position, holding to the moving place of attention in the text. In yet another function, ongoing input entered into the keyboard machine sets the downward pace of the field of light.

Abstract: A shelf display is constructed for vertical elastic mounting of a product information member between upper and lower shelves. The product information member extends outwardly from the edges of the shelves so as to be viewable to a prospective purchaser moving down an aisle parallel to the shelves. The air movement caused by the normal walking of the prospective purchaser causes the sign to vibrate or quiver, and thereby further attracts the prospective purchaser's attention.

Abstract: A device and method for framing and displaying pictures or printed matter uses a transparent carrier panel and a bracket or affixed to the back of the panel for retaining a picture. A mat may be applied to the panel to block out a portion of the picture to be displayed. The portion of the picture to be displayed is centered within the mat by applying a clear centering sheet having a target area designated thereon over the picture so that the desired portion of the picture appears within the target area. A mounting board of the same size as the centering sheet and containing pressure sensitive adhesive is aligned with the centering sheet and fixed to the back of the picture. A picture so centered and mounted is inserted between the bracket and the rear face of the carrier panel resulting in a perfectly centered and matted picture which is attractively framed.

Abstract: A self-luminous safety sign with variable legend capability. A housing supports a faceplate having safety warnings or symbols thereon. Self-luminous lights, adapted to illuminate selected characters or symbols on the faceplate without external electrical connections, are selectively mounted in the housing. The lights are removable from and displaceable within the housing so that the desired characters or symbols on the faceplate can be illuminated.

Abstract: A novelty writing instrument having cap and body members, each carrying part of an illusion producing device, is shown and described. By moving the cap and body members relative to one another, an illusion can be created.

Abstract: A hoop toy related to the well-known "Hula Hoop" is constructed in the form of detachable arc segments, different numbers of which can be used by the player in fastening the entire hoop, allowing the hoop toy to be adjustable as to diameter, and further allowing complete disassembly for ease and convenience in storage and transportation. The fastening by which said arc segments are joined provide integrity and rigidity for the hoop and maintain the orientation of the entire hoop in a single geometric plane.

Abstract: A display assembly in the form of a supporting shell that mounts the assembly in an upright display panel in a matrix configuration. A disk assembly is pivoted to each shell and includes a thin disk movable about a transverse horizontal axis. The disk is moved by magnetic forces between a reflective position exposing one disk surface to the front of the panel, a closed condition exposing its opposite surface to the front of the panel, and a backlighted condition which is intermediate the other two.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis and process of making and installing the same, wherein a plurality of individual artificial teeth are assembled on an arched contoured longitudinal support, are disclosed, as well as a kit containing detailed instructions and necessary supplies and equipment for carrying out the process. The artificial teeth are made of an acrylic resin, other composites or plastics or porcelain. Anterior natural teeth adjacent the space to be filled are step shaped lingually and etched to provide a base for bonding. Posterior teeth adjacent the space have the fossae deepened if needed. The arched contoured longitudinal support carrying the proper number of artificial teeth integrated with the support and each other is placed in the formed steps or deepened fossae on opposite sides of the space and bonded in place, lapped and smoothed.

Abstract: A novel hand tool for dental use for dispensing wire, pins or rod and for manipulating the dispensed material in a dental procedure. In a preferred embodiment, the dispensed material is a strip of notched pins for cementing to tooth dentin in a retentive pin procedure.

Abstract: A plant tag is provided for placement on a plant. The plant tag has a resilient tag portion with first and second holes formed therethrough. Guide notches are provided at exposed edges of the tag portion on either side of a scored line. Cuts extend from each of the first and second holes to a guide surface on the same side of the scored line. The tag is foldable about the scored line to align the first and second holes. The guide surfaces guide the tag onto the plant with the edges of the cuts being separated to permit the plant to pass through and into the first and second holes. The resilient tag unfolds to lock the tag on the plant and the cuts are nonaligned to form tabs to lock the tag to the plant by resisting simultaneous separation of the edges of the cuts.

Abstract: In display panels consisting of an envelope formed by a face plate and a base plate sealed together and filled with a gas suitable for supporting cathode glow, and having masking of the sealing material within the envelope to prevent spurious reflection therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved design associated with photographic albums and method for the fabricating thereof such that an individual is capable of mounting on the pages of said album pictures such that by the utilization of the various methods of matting, there is achieved a uniform plane over the surface of each of said album's pages resulting in what appears to be an album that has been individually bound thereby creating a prefabricated photographic album which is capable of having pictures mounted in accordance with this invention upon the blank pages thereof by use of mats incorporating this invention thus giving the appearance of an individualized prebound album. Additionally, the blank pages of said album are bound together in such a manner so as to provide a uniform plane surface at the binding of the album independent of the page to which said album is opened.

Abstract: An improved selection panel having a plurality of touch-actuated capacitive switches thereon. Each capacitive switch in the panel includes a transparent glass substrate having transparent conductive coatings on opposite sides thereof to form a capacitor. A display support is positioned behind and adjacent to the plurality of capacitive switches, and provides a separate display card support for each capacitive switch. A removable display card is positioned in each separate support in a manner such that each of the display cards may be changed periodically.

Abstract: First and second superposed members are mounted for relative back and forth movement along a predetermined path and one of the members has a generally rectangular window formed therein. The other of the members includes number indicia arranged in seriatim repetitively in coordinates of seven extending along the path with the coordinates spaced transversely of the path. The window is of a dimension transverse to the path to view the six laterally spaced coordinates of indicia therethrough and of a dimension longitudinally of the path to view seven indicia in each coordinate. A view masking panel is disposed intermediate the first and second members and includes a pair of elongated side-by-side indicia masking zones thereof extending along the path and including one pair of corresponding ends facing in one direction along the path and staggered lengthwise relative to the path a distance equivalent to at least seven of the indicia spaces.

Abstract: A picture viewer has a housing for a pile of pictures, a window for viewing the pictures, and a slider which is used to transport a picture from one side of the pile and guided to the other side of the pile again as the slider is operated. A retaining device selectively operates to prevent the remainder of the pile from being transported out of the housing.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a display surface. Light is introduced through an end surface of a transparent substrate having front and back plane parallel opposed surfaces and thereby directed into the interior of the substrate. The back surface is textured with a multiplicity of shallow depressions such as grooves or dimples which have shallow sloped sides. These sides are configured so that light is selectively directed from the interior of the substrate through a limited angle out of the substrate towards a display surface adjacent and coextensive with the back surface of the substrate and away from a viewer observing the display surface through the substrate. The device provides uniform, high contrast illumination of underlying large area graphic displays such as maps, photographs, charts, and the like.