Electroluminescent Patents (Class 40/544)
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Patent number: 5388357Abstract: A kit retrofits a conventional exit sign, which normally uses internally mounted incandescent or fluorescent lamps, to operate using multiple LED sources in a group or assembly on a board. Indicia lighting is accomplished substantially indirectly through reflection of light from the LED sources. The LED source is electrically powered through an adapter that fits into the socket of the original incandescent lamp or fluorescent lamp, which is removed in the retrofit process. Metalized plastic light reflective panels are provided in the kit for adhesively connecting to inner surfaces of the enclosure for improved lighting efficiency of the indicia. Reduction of energy consumption by 10 or 20 times is coupled with virtually zero maintenance costs over long periods of time.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1993Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Computer Power Inc.Inventor: Mark Malita
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Patent number: 5367806Abstract: An improved illuminated sign for adhesive bonding to the inner surface of a pane of transparent material such as the glass of an automotive window comprises a backing panel, a planar electroluminescent lamp, and an indicia-bearing member. The indicia-bearing member is smaller in planar extent than an assembly of the backing panel and the lamp. Strips of double-sided adhesive tape are applied to the border of the backing panel. The second adhesive surface of the tape is used to bond the assembly of the backing panel, the lamp and the indicia-bearing member to the inner surface of an automobile window or the like.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Inventor: Peter Hoffman
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Patent number: 5339550Abstract: An improved illuminated sign for adhesive bonding to the inner surface of a pane of transparent material such as the glass of an automotive window comprises a backing panel, a planar electroluminescent lamp, and an indicia-bearing member. The indicia-bearing member is smaller in planar extent than an assembly of the backing panel and the lamp. Strips of double-sided adhesive tape are applied to the border of the backing panel. The second adhesive surface of the tape is used to bond the assembly of the backing panel, the lamp and the indicia-bearing member to the inner surface of an automobile window or the like.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1992Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Inventor: Peter Hoffman
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Patent number: 5243504Abstract: A sales promotion system and method is provided for attracting consumer attention to each individual article of a plurality of articles being sold and which are typically arranged on a store shelf. Each of the items to be sold has its own blinking light circuit arranged at a display surface of the product. Preferably, the display surface is a front surface or side surface of a box or package containing the item being sold. A light such as an LED driven by the blinking circuit protrudes through an aperture in the display surface. The blinking circuit blinks for a period of time sufficiently long to permit the items to be sold from the store shelf. Thereafter, the purchaser of the item, after opening the package, may remove the blinking circuit and wear the blinking circuit as a promotional button or the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1992Date of Patent: September 7, 1993Inventor: Daniel A. Sejzer
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Patent number: 5162696Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an outer light transmissive envelope consisting of transparent rubber-like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing light emitting diode (LED) display panels comprised of a plurality of LED elements arranged in matrix formation. Aforementioned apparatus will have flexibility characteristics giving it the ability to conform to curved vertical surfaces that are flat and non-porous. Suction cup devices made of PVC will be bonded to the light transmissive envelope thus enabling the LED apparatus to be attached to vertical surfaces, making the unit self-supporting.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1990Date of Patent: November 10, 1992Inventor: Frederick S. Goodrich
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Patent number: 5114157Abstract: A TV game machine includes connectors for detachably connecting a plurality of memory cartridges each having at least non-volatile memories containing a game program, picture data and sound data, a cartridge selecting circuit for selectively accessing one of the memory cartridges in cooperation with an externally controllable switch and the connectors, and a processor for executing the game program of the selected game cartridge while processing the picture data and sound data contained therein. A display panel is provided which is divided into a plurality of panel units each corresponding to the respective game cartridges for illuminating one segment at a time in response to a switch command.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1990Date of Patent: May 19, 1992Assignee: SNK CorporationInventor: Toshihiko Kita
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Patent number: 5005306Abstract: An illuminated vehicle display apparatus has a flexible electroluminescent panel having a front planar surface which directly generates illumination when excited by an alternating current. A thin flat flexible opaque shield has cutout areas to form designs therein and is attached over the electroluminescent panel planar surface so that portions of the panel are visible through the opaque shield so that indicia and graphic designs are defined by the visible electroluminescent light. A thin flexible magnetic sheet of material is attached over the rear surface of the electroluminescent panel for removably attaching the vehicle sign to the side of a vehicle. The electroluminescent panel has a pair of conductors coupled thereto and through a DC to AC converter and is attached to the vehicle battery, such as through the vehicle cigarette lighter.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1989Date of Patent: April 9, 1991Inventor: William G. Kinstler
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Patent number: 4999936Abstract: An illuminated sign (10) that produces a luminescent display that is especially suitable for attachment to an article of clothing such as a jacket (60) or cap (70). The sign (10) consists of an electroluminescent lamp (12) that produces a luminescent cool light, in either, white, yellow or green/blue, that is visible through the openings of an indicia stencil (26) affixed to the front of the lamp (12). The lamp is encapsulated in a film (24) that is further protected by a sign protecting cover (28) having an opening (30) into which is inserted the stencil (26). The signs power circuit consists of an inverter (46) that is powered by a battery (44). The inverter produces an output of 140-volts a-c at 400 Hz that is applied directly to the input of the electroluminescent lamp (12) and that is controlled by a power switch (48).Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1989Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Inventors: Thomas J. Calamia, David W. Fairfield
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Patent number: 4882659Abstract: A vacuum fluorescent (VF) display having integral graphic patterns backlit by an alternate light source to produce emissive graphic images in substantially the same plane as the VF graphic patterns. The backlit graphic patterns are defined by patterned openings in the anode insulation layer of a conventional VF display, and color of the backlit graphic images is determined by the color of the alternate source light, independent of the color of the light emitted from the VF phosphor.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1988Date of Patent: November 21, 1989Assignee: Delco Electronics CorporationInventor: Jeffrey M. Gloudemans
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Patent number: 4874226Abstract: License plate lenses to be affixed over the license plate area of automobiles and/or vehicles and carrying a communicative or decorative symbol to the car enthusiasts liking. The lenses are constructed from a plurality of plastics with a logo and/or design vacuum formed into the various plastic materials.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1988Date of Patent: October 17, 1989Inventor: Kevin McDonald
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Patent number: 4733488Abstract: A luminous decorative display apparatus to be employed in setting off the design of a Christmas tree or commodities. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of two-sided flat luminous display elements each having an electroluminescent layer formed contiguously between opposite transparent electrodes and capable of shining in a specific color and a specific shape when a voltage is applied to the transparent electrodes. Each display element is connected through the electrode terminals extending from the transparent electrodes respectively, in parallel connection to power supply lines. The display elements are distributed on an article to be decorated and made to shine for decorating the article.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1985Date of Patent: March 29, 1988Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Meiso Yokoyama, Makoto Takahashi, Hiroshi Ohkawa
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Patent number: 4645970Abstract: A decorative panel assembly for vehicles, appliances or other applications including illuminated indicia, isignia or designs in registry with at least one transparent area in one of two panels. Illumination of the insignia/designs is made with a thin, composite electroluminescent lighting assembly which substantially avoids lamination problems between the supporting panels. Electrical connections are made through at least one transparent, electrically conductive coating on at least one of the panels such that the illuminated insignia, indicia or designs appear to "float" within the panel assembly without any electrical connections being visible around the illuminated element.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1984Date of Patent: February 24, 1987Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventor: Michael D. Murphy
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Patent number: 4637148Abstract: A transparent overlay is back lit using an electroluminescent panel which is energized, either continuously or intermittently, by a battery operated electronic DC-AC inverter circuit with flasher circuit. The entire assembly including battery is housed in a lightweight plastic case, which has a fastener on the back for fastening to the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1985Date of Patent: January 20, 1987Inventor: Dane D. Barlow
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Patent number: 4603065Abstract: The decorative part of this invention, which means a part having an aesthetically treated indication, comprises a first indicator which permits the transmission of light, a semitransparent part placed behind the first indicator which reflects the light coming from the front and passes the light coming from the rear, a second indicator which permits the partial transmission of light and is placed behind the semitransparent part, and an illuminant placed behind the second indicator. Thus, it is possible to switch the display of the decorative part as desired by turning on and off the illuminant at proper time.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1985Date of Patent: July 29, 1986Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takaaki Mori, Toshiyasu Ito, Tetsuya Fujii
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Patent number: 4599816Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating passive liquid crystal displays is proposed, in which bright display elements appear in negative contrast against a dark background. Masks (21) in the vicinity of the support points (18) of the liquid crystal display (10) are supposed to effectively disappear from the apparent image of the display. To this end, a photoconductor (22) into which light outside the display enters is disposed in front of the liquid crystal display (10), and this photoconductor has surface regions (22a), in the vicinity of the masks (21), which put out a portion of the light toward the front (drawing figure).Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1984Date of Patent: July 15, 1986Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Ziegler, Hans Petermann
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Patent number: 4578617Abstract: The weight of an electroluminescent instrument panel is substantially reduced by manufacturing it from a pair of complementary plastic shells, which are molded together by a potting compound. The front shell of the panel is made by vacuum drawing a sheet of plastic over a first die plate, which forms in the back of the sheet a central recess, which has therein a plurality of rearwardly projecting, hollow bosses, and which is surrounded by a shallow overflow trough. One or more EL lamp elements are placed in the central recess with registering openings therein positioned over and surrounding the rearwardly projecting bosses, after which a potting compound is poured into the central recess to cover the EL elements. The complementary rear or back shell, which is also vacuum formed over a second die plate, is then forced into the back of the front shell, thereby causing excess potting material to flow out of the central recess in the front shell and into the surrounding overflow trough.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1983Date of Patent: March 25, 1986Assignee: Astronics CorporationInventors: Charles Kerr, III, Mark Forell
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Patent number: 4494326Abstract: In a marking display structure for a motor vehicle window, a means is provided which is arranged to illuminate, from inside, a marking display element so that the marking, which represent the type, model or the like of the motor vehicle, can be recognized not only during day time but also at night.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1982Date of Patent: January 22, 1985Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, LimitedInventor: Hiroshi Kanamori
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Patent number: 4466208Abstract: An emergency exit sign utilizes an EL lamp in combination with a pilot light which is connected to the EL lamp via a photoelectric link. The photoelectric link monitors the brightness of the EL lamp and keeps the pilot light on so long as the EL lamp is lit. The pilot light is necessary because the illumination provided by the EL lamp may be less than the illumination of background brightness making it difficult to tell by looking at the EL lamp whether or not the EL lamp is energized. Since the pilot light provides a "point" of illumination, it is easy to see when it is on so that one can tell whether or not the sign is lighted by simply looking at the pilot light.In order to see the exit sign even if power to the EL lamp is interrupted and the room is dark, a translucent sheet of phosphorescent material is placed over the EL lamp to transmit light from the EL lamp while at the same time storing energy so as to "glow in the dark" should the EL lamp be extinguished.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1982Date of Patent: August 21, 1984Inventors: Emanuel L. Logan, Jr., J. William Walsh
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Patent number: 4457089Abstract: An automotive decorative display panel is devised to provide a reflective black insignia on a bright field during daylight conditions and illuminated insignia on a dark field during night-time conditions. The illuminated display panel is comprised of a lens panel having a reflective, opaque field and a translucent insignia field. A screen is disposed behind the insignia field. The screen is characterized by being partially reflective and partially transmissive. During the day, light is reflected from the screen through the insignia portion to form a black insignia field against the bright reflective field. During the night the screen is back lit to form a bright insignia field against a relatively dark background. A solid state electroluminescent panel is used as the light source in a hermetically sealed package.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1981Date of Patent: July 3, 1984Inventor: Wilbert H. Phillips, Jr.
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Patent number: 4420898Abstract: An "EXIT" sign utilizes a flat fluorescent lamp for illuminating the word "EXIT" through a stencil. The sign also includes a phosphorescent material which cooperates with the stencil to display the word "EXIT" when power to the lamp is cut.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1982Date of Patent: December 20, 1983Inventor: John R. Moses
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Patent number: 4378649Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1980Date of Patent: April 5, 1983Assignee: Cherry Electrical Products CorporationInventor: Jon Cokefair
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Patent number: 4376145Abstract: An electroluminescent display device is provided in which electroluminescent portions are defined by first laying down a layer of electroluminescent host material and thereafter doping this layer in selected portions with an electroluminescent activator.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1982Date of Patent: March 8, 1983Assignee: W. H. Brady Co.Inventor: Norman J. Frame
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Patent number: 4327511Abstract: A sheet of electroluminescent material in the shape of an alphanumeric character is embedded in a rigid base. An exciter unit for transforming incoming electric power to the appropriate voltage and frequency for driving the luminescent material is also embedded in the base behind the character. Each character, base and exciter unit thus form a self-contained display module. A universal interconnecting member is used to electrically and mechanically interconnect the module to any other module with the proper horizontal or vertical spacing. The gap between adjacent display modules may be filled with either a cover or an electrically active header which contains such devices as an electric eye for applying power to the modules after dark or a rechargable battery charged by either an external power supply or an internal solar cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1980Date of Patent: May 4, 1982Inventor: Paul R. Rodriquez
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Patent number: 4268896Abstract: A novel lampshade concept, in formation and assembly. Support means support a pair of bowed sheets of design panels, achieving an inwardly-illuminated effect for the design, thus providing that many decorative sheet panels, such as are provided for place mats or wall pictures, may be conveniently used as lamp shade components with no assembly task except merely inserting them into support grooves, with no glue or other fastening means whatever being required.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1980Date of Patent: May 19, 1981Inventor: Ray R. Mann
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Patent number: 4195431Abstract: A booklike article such as a menu, opera score, sports program, theatre program comprises a first relatively transparent layer having impressed thereon indicia representative of graphic data associated with the typical article. Underlying the transparent layer is an electroluminescent panel which upon application of a suitable operating potential, will emit radiation in the light spectrum, thus enabling the grahic data to be viewed in dark environments. A source of potential is located in the spine of the book. The source is battery operated and supplies an output for energizing the panel.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1977Date of Patent: April 1, 1980Inventor: Eugene S. Neufeld
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Patent number: 4172333Abstract: A writing and display apparatus which includes a unified writing and display surface exhibiting a reference luminosity; and a hand-held write/erase instrument which is used to apply writing energy to said surface of reference luminosity thereby causing writing to be displayed and retained for an appropriate length of time, and which is also used to apply erasing energy directly to said retained, displayed writing thereby causing the writing to be erased.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1977Date of Patent: October 30, 1979Inventor: Marvin S. Towsend
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Patent number: 4142782Abstract: Display arrangements useful as art forms and useful in advertising applications can be constructed by coating areas of the surface of a support with differently colored compositions, each of which is capable of appearing as being of one color at one temperature and as being of another color at a different temperature. The compositions should be differently colored at at least one temperature. The color-temperature effects achieved are obtained through the use of what are termed reversible thermochromic compounds or compositions. Elements may be provided on the support for regulating the temperatures of the various areas.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1975Date of Patent: March 6, 1979Inventor: Edward D. O'Brian
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Patent number: 4139261Abstract: A display comprises a plurality of addressable display panels each having a display zone for displaying visual information and arranged in a formation so as to collectively provide a composite display of increased area. A fibre optic image transform construction is arranged in front of the display panels for transforming an image collectively provided by the panels into a corresponding continuous image in which discontinuity between adjacent panel display zones is eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1977Date of Patent: February 13, 1979Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nothern IrelandInventor: Cyril Hilsum
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Patent number: 4138620Abstract: A multi-panel electroluminescent panel assembly is provided in which an area extending over several panels may be uniformly illuminated by light produced by the panels, and over which non-illuminated areas, stripes or the like resulting from electrode contacts are eliminated. Each panel is constructed such that the light produced per unit area is substantially uniform throughout the panel, including that from an area immediately adjacent at least one edge thereof. The panels are assembled in an overlapping arrangement such that non-illuminating areas of one panel are covered by illuminating areas of at least one other panel. The assembly of panels provides a large area source of uniform illumination suitable for back-lighting graphic indicia, and may be desirably included as signboards on the sides of motor vehicles such as transport trucks, buses, etc.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1978Date of Patent: February 6, 1979Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Arthur D. Dickson