Abstract: An illuminated picture frame is in the shape of an open box provided with two rows of spaced incandescent, small bulbs arranged on opposite sides of a picture attached to the rear wall of the box. The bulbs on each side are positioned in the apex of a reflector of parabolic cross section, the axis of which is directed towards the picture surface. Fixation of each bulb is in longitudinally slotted bushings extending from the reflector's rear side, permitting the adjustment of each bulb filament in the focus of the parabola. Two bare wire conductors are fastened on the rear side of the reflector, and the terminals of each bulb are soldered to these conductors. One or more batteries are located in a housing on the outside of the rear wall and are connected to the conductors by means of switch.

Abstract: A device for a front lit illuminated panel for the directional illuminated of a display surface having at least one luminous source emitting a light flux which penetrates into a plate of transparent material and exits after encountering striations whose depth increases as a viewer observing the display moves away from the light source lighting the field of the plate. The individual striations are distributed along lines parallel to the lighted field of the plate, while being spaced from one another on each line. The length of the increased striations along their respective lines increase and the space along the same line, between individual striations, decrease as a viewer observing the display moves away from the light source.

Abstract: The invention provides an illuminated board for use in sign boards, advertisement boards, drawing boards or similar planar objects to be illuminated comprising an elongate transparent and translucent wedge-shaped slab or prism with one essentially rectangular end face, two essentially triangular parallel side faces, one essentially rectangular smooth front surface and one essentially rectangular smooth rear surface, at least one light source arranged at said end face for illuminating said end face, one opalescent front panel arranged in a distance from said front face and essentially parallel to said front face and one reflective rear panel arranged in a distance from said rear face and essentially parallel to said rear face.By arranging the panels and the wedge so that they are not in mutual contact an attractive uniform and bright illumination can be practically obtained even in sign boards in sizes up to 1.1 m by 1.5 m.

Abstract: A lamp base houses a source of black light. An upstanding transparent acrylic sheet is edge lit by the black light source. Fluorescent paint on the surface of the acrylic sheet is excited by the black light, which causes the sign to light with an appearance somewhat similar to the appearance of a neon sign. The acrylic sheet is designed to snap into and out of the lamp base so that one sign may be substituted for another, quickly and easily.

Abstract: An edge lighted display in which light is transmitted through a translucent planar panel to be refracted by the presence of indicia, such as a crayon marking to provide a luminescent appearance. In the disclosed embodiment, the translucent panel which is made of synthetic resinous materials is provided with a thin coating on an outer surface thereof of a harden silicate material, whereby light rays pass in the plane of the junction between the outer surface of the panel and the inner surface of the coating prior to refraction for improved brilliance.

Abstract: In a display device employable for telephone or the like electric appliance, a light permeable member with information carried thereon includes a first reflective portion at which a light beam emitted from a light source is reflected in the light permeable member in the radial direction relative to the optical axis of light beam from the light source and a second reflective portion at which a part of the reflected light beam moving in the light permeable member in the direction away from the information is reflected again to be transmitted to the latter. The information on the light permeable member can be clearly recognized by an user with the aid of the light beam which has been collected around the information after reflection at the first and second reflective portions.

Abstract: An illuminated information display including a standard planar active display, such as an LCD display, covered by a rigid transparent plate with fixed graphics on its rear surface illuminated by light transmitted laterally through the plate.

Abstract: An advertising apparatus for a telephone includes a box provided with an advertising plate disposed in the front thereof and illuminating lamp disposed inside thereof, a power source for the illuminating lamp, detection means for detecting used and unused conditions of the telephone and a control for controlling an on and off condition of the illuminating lamp in response to an output of a detection device. An information display apparatus includes a light source, a light transmitting plate for transmitting light incident from the light source, a light scattering transmissive plate for irregularly reflecting light produced from one side surface of the light transmitting plate, an information display film disposed at the front of the light scattering plate and on which information is displayed, a light transmissive front plate disposed in the front of the information display film, a frame for supporting the preceding members and a control unit for controlling an on and off condition of the light source.

Abstract: A personal reading and writing light or illumination device having a tapered transparent body with an opening at one end for receiving an illumination source and with a discontinuity adjacent the opening to improve uniformity of illumination of the body and of a reading or writing work surface in contact with the body. The ends and sides of the body are configured or otherwise treated to maximize reflection and minimize illumination of adjacent areas.

Abstract: A display panel illumination device has a display member for transmitting predetermined information, a light source for illuminating the display member, and a light guiding member for guiding light emitted from the light source to the display member. The light guiding member is made of a flexible transparent or translucent material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an illuminated display which includes a light-transmitting member having at least one face, a light source adjacent to the member, and an image applied to the face. The image is formed by adhering a plurality of light-transmitting particles to the face by means of a light-transmitting adhesive in the shape of the image, whereby, when the light source is lit, the image appears to be brighter than the rest of the light-transmitting member.

Abstract: An improved edge-illuminated sign includes a transparent plate, a hollow housing secured to one or more edges of the transparent plate, and a light source disposed within the housing for illuminating an edge of the transparent plate. The housing can take the form of a frame surrounding the transparent plate on four sides, allowing operative elements of a light unit to be disposed inside of one or more hollow frame sections. According to a further aspect of the invention, the light source housing includes a pair of elongated members releasably fastened together. The edge-illuminated sign of the invention is simple to construct, light in weight, compact, and has an attractive appearance.

Abstract: The price display module has a clear plastic light pipe and support member mounted on the back of a bezel to display an indicia on the pre-coiled strip through the bezel aperture and illuminated by light piped through the member from the back light source to the front of the member. The coiled ends of the strip are supported by and separated by the pipe so the illumination of the displayed indicia is uniform.

Abstract: An internally-illuminated medical data card in a credit card format containing a summary of the medical history of the bearer germane to his existing medical condition. The card, which is of laminated construction, includes a plastic core panel having light-transmitting properties, one face of the panel having formed thereon a metallized layer functioning as a double-faced mirror. Mounted on the layer and on the other face of the panel, respectively, are front and rear film transparencies containing medical data in a directly legible scale, the combined data affording the required summary. The long edges and one end of the panel are in a concave formation to define reflective convex terminations whereby light entering the remaining flat end is transmitted through the panel and is reflected by the convex terminations and by the inner face of the mirror to provide multiple internal reflection, causing the light to illuminate the front transparency to enhance its readability.

Abstract: A portable changeable sign is provided. The sign includes a base and a removably attached folded screen element constructed of translucent material. A source of light is disposed within the base to emit light to and through the screen element for illuminating a message disposed on an outer surface of the screen element.

Abstract: An improved illuminated sign construction utilizing a single source of illumination to back-light a transparency and a surrounding synthetic resinous frame element, the exposed edges of which emit a glow resembling that of a fluorescent tube. The exposed edges may be optionally of rounded configuration to achieve additional brightness.

Abstract: A sensor responsive display device includes a common display section for displaying various messages and/or warnings for a given period of time, and plural individual display sections, each corresponding to one of the messages and/or warnings displayed in the common display section.

Abstract: An illuminated display assembly comprising a display plate having an illumination source connected thereto wherein a supporting frame and/or shield structure is opaque but includes non-opaque portions defining predetermined words, letters or like indicia. The illumination source may be selectively actuated to illuminate the display plate causing light to be transmitted or directed through the non-opaque portions of the shield structure thereby providing an illuminated display of the non-opaque formed indicia.

Abstract: A self-containing accessory providing illuminated decoration of a cake or like, comprising, in certain preferred versions, an externally applied decorative cover of eye-defining light-transmissive portions and including a module, secured to the underside of said cover, to provide flashing illumination by means of an electric light source, battery, and interconnecting circuitry contained therein; the module being positioned such as to locate the electric light source beneath or within said light-transmissive portions so as to give the visual appearance of winking eyes; a recess being within the cake to receive the module. Another embodiment carries circuitry beneath the cake with illumination being provided atop a probe-like extension inserted upward from beneath said cake. Another embodiment achieves illuminiation by use of phosphorescent devices. Yet another embodiment achieves illumination by filtering light through various light-transmissive materials.

Abstract: An edge lighted display sign is disclosed which provides a base portion, defining a housing for a light source and a variable duty cycle oscillator including an exteriorly disposed ratio control device whereby the light source may be controlled from an "off" position, through an "on" "off" blinking range, from a very slow to a very rapid blinking, to a completely "on" position. A longitudinally extending slot is provided along the top length of the base to receive a lower end length of a transparent panel, formed of a clear or translucent glass or a suitable plastic material, whereby the lower edge portion of the glass panel is directly exposed to the light source. In a preferred form, the light source comprises a fluorescent light tube, and a removable bottom panel is provided for the housing to permit access to the light source and the cycle oscillator. A back side of the transparent panel is provided with an opaque coating or covering. Alternatively, the back side may be frosted.

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.

Abstract: An educational device utilizing light as the displaying medium is provided. The device has a light-impervious housing having a hole in the top and a light source therein. There is a plexiglass panel inside said housing, accessible through the hole in the top of the housing. The light source is located directly offset one edge of the plexiglass panel such that light rays from said light source enter the plexiglass panel through this edge and are entrapped therein. The housing also has slits in the sides thereof directly below the plexiglass panel so that paper inserts can be placed inside the housing directly beneath the plexiglass panel. The device is employed by turning on the light and by either inserting materials into the above-described slit or by writing on the outer surface of the plexiglass panel with a grease pencil. The light entrapped in the plexiglass panel will escape thru the top of the plexiglass panel and illuminate the inserts and the writing for the user's viewing.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a thin-panel illuminator for uniform, high contrast lighting of large area graphic displays such as maps, photographs, charts, and the like. Light is introduced through one edge 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 such 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 diffusing surface is fabricated by roughening the back surface of the substrate to form relatively deep depressions which are then partially filled with an optically transparent liquid to thereby form relatively shallow depressions.

Abstract: An optic art kit is disclosed comprising one or more pieces of a pre-cut frame material (a section of which is constructed with an internal light source), a sheet of abradable material, a one scriber having engraving and abrasive portions, several triangular supports for freestanding assembly, and line drawings or other pictorial material for use as a pattern when abrading the sheet material. The pre-cut frame material is extruded from plastic and has a flat base, substantially perpendicular side portions and rounded top portions which terminate in parallel spaced apart clamping flanges which engage opposing sides of the sheet material. This frame material is preferably mitered so that it may adhere to all the edges of the sheet material to frame the sheet or, alternatively, to cooperate with one or more triangular supports to create a freestanding assembly. The resulting kit produces a professional, attractive edge-lit product which may be used for decoration or to provide information.

Abstract: A display device includes a hollow base having a slot in its top wall and a bottle simulating transparent shell has its rear opening covered by a plurality of superimposed transparent sheets having relatively vertically staggered, translucent faced dimples formed in their rear faces, their lower border interfaces opaque with these lower borders engaging the slot and the remaining borders opaque. A longitudinally slotted hollow cylinder is motor rotated in the base and a lamp is located in the cylinder so that the bottom edges of the sheets are cyclically successively illuminated whereby the light dispersing dimples provide the illusion of rising bubbles in the bottle.

Abstract: A lamp is located in a housing which has a top wall formed of a sheet of light-conducting material, silvered on its internal surface, and having a light emitting hole for internally illuminating a transparent object d'art placed thereon. Light striking the edge of the hole is transmitted by the sheet to the beveled perimetral edges of the top where the conducted light is emitted. One side wall has an opening which provides an edge for receiving light which is emitted from the side wall perimeter.

Abstract: A biorhythmic cycle indicator having three, sine-wave-contoured plates that slidingly overlay a backing plate that has a calendar strip. The plate contours and the calendar register to provide a graphic representation of a person's biorhythmic cycle.The contours of the sliding plates are illuminated to accent the component cycles.

Abstract: An optical display presenting a display field at least one digit in a seven segment arrangement, a stack of seven plate elements for each digit and arranged in a stack, a single light source directing light into the light inlet ends of all of the seven plates, a movable shutter element wth transparent and opaque areas movable across the light source and light inlets of the plates, each plate having a chamfered edge portion remote from the light inlet end and reflecting light transversely of the plate and onto the display field.

Abstract: A keyboard for use in an automotive control panel or the like has a pattern of switches on a base and has a key member overlying the switches, the key member having a frame mounting the member relative to the base and having a plurality of keys each comprising a button integrally joined to the frame by a self-hinge portion of the key so that the keys overly the respective switches and are individually movable for selectively actuating the switches. The key member is molded of a light transmitting material and an opaque escutcheon is fitted over the key member to permit the key buttons to extend through openings in the escutcheon.

Abstract: An illumination device for establishing an array of point light sources, wherein the light sources are generally closely spaced. In a first embodiment a planar substrate is provided with an array of apertures. One surface of the substrate is coated with a first coating having a first index of refraction, the coating extending into the sides of the apertures. A second coating having a second and higher index of refraction is applied on top of the first coating and is coextensive therewith. Light fed into the edges of the second coating passes by internal reflection to the apertures where it exits, parallel with the aperture axes. In a second embodiment, the array of point sources is defined by beam-compressor lenses supported on a rigid, planar substrate. Each column of lenses is positioned adjacent an edge of an internally reflecting sheet, there being as many sheets as columns. An opposite edge of each sheet receives light, to thereby illuminate the input ends of the beam-compressor lenses.

Abstract: A multiplicity of preferably coherent light sources are disposed along a common axis and are separated from one another by interposed opaque shields in the form of disks of progressively increasing diameters transverse to that axis. Each source confronts an associated screen with an annular light-receiving zone, which (except in the case of the last screen) may be integral with the respective shields, illuminated by light from all the preceding sources. The light sources may be individually modulated by external signals, e.g. oscillations derived from sound waves, to provide a visual pattern thereof.