Abstract: A modular neon sign control system with a plurality of discrete neon letters, numbers or symbols, each with plugs to plug into at any place along a continuous electrical rail. Each neon letter, etc. is a single tube having its own driving inverter and digital decoder. Dip switches set a unique digital code into the decoder for each letter. A programmed memory controls a system encoder which sends coded signals to each decoder to compare with each letter's unique code. Those letters receiving the matching digital signals are activated or deactivated according to the program. The letters, etc. of the sign can be operated simultaneously, serially, randomly, in a pattern, or in a flashing manner. Power from an ac adapter is supplied along with the signals from the encoder to the electrical rail, and the decoder separates the power from the coded signals. The letters may be individually and easily prearranged and substituted in a sign.

Abstract: A channel letter has a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sides defining the figuration of the letter or shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure. To retain the lens to the open front of the enclosure, a shoulder is provided along the inner surface of the sides thereof where the shoulder defines a plane parallel to the outer ends of the sides but is recessed therefrom. A planar transparent lens having an outer edge which is in the shape of the letter and sized to fit within the sides of the enclosure is retained against the shoulder by a suitable retaining means such as screws.

Abstract: An assembly for illuminating a sign having an enclosure covered by a translucent panel includes a plurality of track molding sections, each having at least one circuit board electrically connecting a plurality of LEDs mounted thereon, integrated into a unitary structure by brackets or a stencil with the molding sections secured in a configuration suitable to be inserted into the enclosure and to illuminate the translucent panel. The unitary structure is secured in the enclosure into which has been inserted by sheet metal screws, epoxy glue, double backed adhesive strips or the like. Preferably, if brackets are used, at least two of the brackets extend to a side wall of the enclosure and a plurality of screws fasten the brackets to the side walls of the enclosure to which they extend.

Abstract: A display device is describes which forms contained formed figures such as symbols, letters or numbers, ideograms, and which can be a sign, billboard, signal, message board, etc. Each figure is formed as a narrow but high projection which stands out of the external face of a sheet which permits the passage of light originating from a source behind the sheet. Each figure is surrounded by a sector of this same sheet capable of intercepting at least part of the light, so that the figure stands out in marked high relief. Also described is a mold particularly useful for production of the formed sheet, which includes a large number of very thin rigid straight rods, abutting one another within an adjustable frame, which are movable laterally among themselves in a slidable tight relation and able to stay locked among themselves by friction against sliding during vacuum or pressure molding.

Abstract: A new illuminated address sign for displaying a street address on a building. The illuminated address sign includes a light housing having at least one open face, a light source disposed in the light housing, a face plate mounted on the open face of the light housing, and at least one alphanumeric member being accepted by the face plate.

Abstract: A light assembly is made up of a circuit board and a plurality of individual light units which can be installed on and removed from the circuit board to form a desired design or pattern. Each individual light unit includes an electro-luminescent light panel and a resilient contact arrangement which permits an electrical connection between the contacts in the individual light unit and contact terminals on the circuit board to be established by the act of mounting the individual light unit on the circuit board. The light unit itself may form a sub-assembly of a larger lighting arrangement, and each sub-assembly may include a plurality of individual light units arranged into groups, with each group having a different color.

Abstract: An illuminated sign apparatus comprised of a reflector with dedicated cavities. Each letter and, optionally, background area, comprises a shaped cavity, illuminated indirectly by a plurality of near-point sources such as light-emitting diodes located in the center of the cavity, either on a separate perpendicular circuit board or on a central projection formed in the bottom of the cavity, with the light emitted by the sources pointed outwards. In another embodiment, the letter cavities and background are illuminated by parallel boards along the top, bottom, and (optionally) middle of the letter cavities, with the light sources directed along the axes of the letter strokes. In another embodiment, the light sources in the center of the cavity are electroluminescent and ultraviolet emitting, and the cavity can be coated with a UV activated flourescent coating which is activated by the EL light source. The light is evenly reflected upward toward the viewer, giving the illusion of a solid letter or background.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp and associated method for manufacturing the same having coplanar contact pads, thereby allowing the lamp to be positioned at any point along a conductive bus bar. The lamp includes a base nonconductive film having an electrically conductive coating. A first layer of illuminative material is screen printed on to the base film. A second layer of insulative material is applied over the first layer of illuminative material. A third layer comprised of a conductive ink coating is then screen printed over the second layer of insulative material in inlaid fashion. An insulative coating is then applied over the third layer of conductive material to effectively seal the first, second, and third layers between the base nonconductive film and the insulative coating. First and second coplanar contact pads are then formed on the lamp for electrically connecting the lamp to a power supply. The first electrical conductive contact pad is electrically connected to the base film conductive coating.

Abstract: A simple, yet well-constructed illuminated display has characters appearing as glistening ice chunks. The illuminated display includes a light source which is partially surrounded by a diffusion member. This illuminated display includes a generally opaque sign panel with raised transparent characters having a chiseled ice-like configuration whereby the light from the light source, following multiple diffusion passes through the raised transparent characters to form a lighted display with features which appear as if they were chiseled from blocks of ice.

Abstract: A simple, yet well-constructed illuminated sign has characters appearing as glistening ice chunks. The illuminated sign includes a light source which is surrounded by a diffusion member. This illuminated sign also includes a reflecting member disposed on one side of the light source and a diffusion panel disposed on the other side of the light source. This illuminated sign further includes a generally opaque sign panel with raised transparent characters having a chiseled ice-like configuration whereby the light from the light source, following multiple diffusion and reflection, passes through the raised transparent characters to form a lighted sign with characters which appear as if they were chiseled from blocks of ice.

Abstract: A reel for a gaming or amusement machine, of the type commonly known as a fruit machine, has a reel strip which has symbols at least partially within sunken regions of the reel strip. The symbols may be formed in relief in the sunken regions but do not project above a frame which surrounds the sunken regions. The surface of the frame may be arcuate, such that the reel is cylindrical in shape, or flat, such that the reel is polygonal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illuminated sign incorporating an enclosure to give the sign a three-dimensional perspective. A front panel of the enclosure includes a plurality of individual embossed characters which are translucent to light. The remaining portion of the front panel is opaque to light such that an illumination source within the enclosure only shines through the characters on the front panel of the sign. The front panel is spaced from a back panel by a side panel to form the enclosure. The front and back panels substantially follow the contour of each individual character except for a middle supporting portion such that it appears that each character is illuminated by a separate light source and that each character is spatially separate and distinct from each adjacent character.

Abstract: A simple, yet well-constructed illuminated sign has characters appearing as glistening ice chunks. The illuminated sign includes a light source which is surrounded by a diffusion member. This illuminated sign also includes a reflecting member disposed on one side of the light source and a diffusion panel disposed on the other side of the light source. This illuminated sign further includes a genrally opaque sign panel with raised transparent characters having a chiseled ice-like configuration whereby the light from the light source, following multiple diffusion and reflection, passes through the raised transparent characters to form a lighted sign with characters which appear as if they were chiseled from blocks of ice.

Abstract: An illuminated display vehicle ornament includes an elongated power cord having a cigarette lighter adaptor plug at one end for engagement with a vehicle lighter socket. In a first embodiment, a plurality of sockets are spaced along the power cord, and mount replaceable ornamental bulbs. Magnetic, hook and loop, and resilient clips are disclosed for securing the sockets within a vehicle interior. In a second embodiment, a base includes suction cups for engagement with an interior vehicle window surface and a display sign is releasably secured to the base. An elongated light bulb is mounted within the base in optical communication with the display sign. The display sign may be selected from a variety of available signs to allow replacement of different holiday displays.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the attractive and simple display of an illuminated address or sign comprising an elongated cover, which is adapted with slots for plugs; one or more illumination figures; and electrical conduction strips. The apparatus may further be adapted with mounting and weatherproof covering members for outdoor use and also with an automatic on/off switch for power conservation. The device is meant to facilitate the simple modification, installation, and interchange of any desired pattern of illuminated numbers or letters.

Abstract: An illuminated sign is comprised of single piece molded plastic front, intermediate and rear frame members which are substantially coextensive with the width of the sign. All of the characters are formed on the intermediate frame member and they fit into a front frame which serves not only as a support but as a means for masking those parts of the intermediate frame which connect between characters, for example, and which should not be illuminated. The sign is hingedly mounted to a fixed support member which, in turn, supports fluorescent tubes which run along the length of the sign for illuminating the characters to make them visible at night as well as during the daytime. The sign swings down on its hinges to its normal readable position wherein it is secured to the support member by means of quarter-turn fasteners which effectuate a seal for compressing a gasket which is interposed between the sign and the supporting structure.

Abstract: A modular illuminated display has individual symbol elements each with small electric ampules spaced apart therein and selectively mounted on a U-section rail so that terminals of the symbol elements can mechanically support them on the rail and effect electrical connection between conductors and the inner walls of the rail with the lamp ampules of the mounted symbol elements.

Abstract: A three-dimensional road sign portraying the International "DO NOT ENTER" symbol for warning traffic approaching a one way side street from either side of the street. The International "DO NOT ENTER" sign uses vertically separated red and white zones which retain the information content when expanded into a three-dimensional shape. The sign is painted or embossed such that when in place and approached front end on, it is virtually indistinguishable from a conventional "DO NOT ENTER" sign. When approached from either side of the sign, the vertically separated red and white zones are seen as the information that warns the approaching traffic of the one way restriction. A single sign thus warns at a greater distance and angle than the conventional sign and reduces ambiguities.

Abstract: A simulated neon sign comprises a frame, non-neon internal lighting, and a front plastic panel having an outer face. The outer face of the front plane comprises outwardly projecting indicia and a non-projecting region that is substantially opaque to the internal light. Pigmented translucent coating is applied on the indicia so that light from the internal lighting can pass through the indicia. To simulate the halo effect of a neon light, additional pigmented coating is applied to the non-projecting region of the panel adjacent the indicia. A method for manufacturing the neon sign is also disclosed.

Abstract: An emergency light (48) is mounted within a central rear portion of a housing (12). The emergency (48) is positioned closely adjacent the central portion of a planar reflective surface (52) which is parallel to a translucent wall (30) of the housing (12) on which address indicia appears. The housing (12) also includes a light (44) which is turned on when it becomes dark, and which stays on to illuminate the address. A remote control circuit is provided for the emergency light (48) so that the light can be turned on by a person inside of a house or building on in front of which the lighted address display is located, so that such person can signal to a neighbor or a passer-by that help is needed in the house or building, or that an intruder is inside the house or building.

Abstract: An illuminated module connectable with similar modules to form an illuminated sign, especially an address or like location sign, comprises an enclosure for an illumination source having an indicia-bearing surface and a plurality of electrical and mechanical interconnecting means on at least two surfaces to permit the assembly of adjacent modules into different configurations.

Abstract: An illuminated sign letter structure made up of an extruded plastic strip having a metal foil encased therein. One end of the strip is enlarged and has a ledge projecting outwardly from the strip. The opposite sides of the ledge are parallel and smooth for receiving the edges of a letter-form. The extruded plastic strip is formed into a letter shape and a letter-form of the letter shape is fixed in the frame to engage either the inner or the outer parallel, smooth ledge side. The metal foil may be straight or the end of the foil at the enlarged end of the extruded strip may be bent inwardly into the enlarged end.

Abstract: A relatively thin thermoplastic sheet material, vacuum molded to form a sign letter base including hollow wall members and hollow light-fixture supports upstanding from a single-thickness horizontal bottom member. The base inverted forms a mold itself for receiving a flexible plastic foam inserted to a suitable height and disposed within the vertical walls and fixture supports for providing compressible elasticity to the thin molded sheet in predetermined locations for enabling cooperative interaction of the same with retainer members used to secure a display sign face and gas filled lighting tube structures in proper location onto the base. A rigid polyester resin is cast as a ring encircling the letter walls, located and supported by the flexible foam to stabilize and support the thin nature of the base.

Abstract: A relatively thin thermoplastic sheet material, vacuum molded to form a sign letter base including hollow wall members and hollow light-fixture supports upstanding from a single-thickness horizontal bottom member. The base inverted forms a mold itself for receiving a flexible plastic foam inserted to a suitable height and disposed within the vertical walls and fixture supports for providing compressible elasticity to the thin molded sheet in predetermined locations for enabling cooperative interaction of the same with retainer members used to secure a display sign face and gas filled lighting tube structures in proper location onto the base. A rigid polyester resin is cast as a ring encircling the letter walls, located and supported by the flexible foam to stabilize and support the thin nature of the base.

Abstract: A relatively thin thermoplastic sheet material, vacuum molded to form a sign letter base including hollow wall members and hollow light-fixture supports upstanding from a single-thickness horizontal bottom member. The base inverted forms a mold itself for receiving a flexible plastic foam inserted to a suitable height and disposed within the vertical walls and fixture supports for providing compressible elasticity to the thin molded sheet in predetermined locations for enabling cooperative interaction of the same with retainer members used to secure a display sign face and gas filled lighting tube structures in proper location onto the base. A rigid polyester resin is cast as a ring encircling the letter walls, located and supported by the flexible foam to stabilize and support the thin nature of the base.

Abstract: A sign letter structure for use in an illuminated sign and a composite extruded thermoplastic strip conforming to the periphery of a generally flat letter-form making up the sign, the extruded strip having parallel longitudinally extending spaced opaque sections with a transparent thermoplastic section therebetween, the perimetrical edging of the strip extending inwardly of the frame with the front surface of the edge in contact with the front surface of the letter-form, the transparent section having a convex outer surface and a ridged inner surface for picking up light rays and for diffusing such light rays after they have passed through the transparent section.

Abstract: A reel for a gaming or amusement machine, of the type commonly known as a fruit machine, has a reel strip which has symbols at least partially within sunken regions of the .[.reel strip.]..Iadd.reel-strip.Iaddend..The symbols may be formed in relief in the sunken regions but do not project above a frame which surrounds the sunken regions. The surface of the frame may be arcuate, such that the reel is cylindrical in shape, or flat, such that the reel is polygonal.