Abstract: A flexible sign face has uniform luminosity. The sign includes an elongated enclosure having a rear wall and a flexible face translucent front wall, spaced from the rear wall. A plurality of point sources of light are spaced along the rear wall between the front and rear walls. A reflector is provided between each pair of adjacent point sources for reflecting light received from each adjacent point source, toward the flexible face. A diffusion panel is in front of each point source, and between each point source and the front wall. The diffusion panel has perforations in a pattern which increase in density from a center of the panel outwardly toward edges of the panel. The panel also includes a metal corrugated portion carrying the perforations and a translucent acrylic portion attached to the corrugated portion.

Abstract: An illuminable decorative sign having a backing member, and a display member which is mismatched in size thereto, which are fastened together to form an accessible, covered illumination space.

Abstract: A lighting device (32) is provided to illuminate indicia (18) of an EXIT sign (10) having a sign housing (12) defining an enclosure (22) therein and having a primary electrical power source. The lighting device is provided with a reflector (40) having a shallow V-shaped contour (43,44,45) defining a centrally located valley in the reflector and a source of illumination (42) positioned in the valley of the reflector and powered by the primary power source, the source of illumination including two rows of LEDs (65), each row having a plurality of LEDs, and the rows being separated from one another and positioned on either side of the valley. The LEDs are positioned on either side of the valley (44,45) a sufficient distance from the valley to illuminate the edges of the sign parallel to the valley while preventing areas within the valley from having dark and/or unilluminated spots. The rows of LEDs are mounted on opposite edges of a printed circuit board (70) positioned in the valley of the reflector.

Abstract: A fluorescent backlit display or the like embodying a generally planar light transmissive display panel, a back wall having a generally planar diffusely reflective surface facing, spaced from and parallel with the display panel an array of spaced parallel cylindrical lamps between and parallel with the display panel and back wall, improved light leveling means including masking means on the side of each lamp facing the display panel, and a light spreader associated with each lamp at the diffusely reflective back wall surface and effective to reflect laterally outwardly onto the back wall surface light flux directed thereat from the side of said lamps facing said back wall, whereupon the thus reflected light flux is directed forwardly toward areas of said display panel in front of the respective lamps.

Abstract: A lighting system (10) is provided to allow a plurality of overlapping virtual images (16-16"') to be viewed by an external observer. Lighting mechanisms (18) are positionally located adjacent reflectors (20) to form virtual images (16-16"') and provide a wide solid band of lighting to be viewed by the observer. Housings (32 and 32') enclose the combination of the light mechanism (18) and reflectors (20) and a sign member (12) is formed on a frontal wall for viewing of particular indicia (14) formed on or through sign member (12). Reflector (20) may be bonded to a reflector support (38) fixedly mounted within housing (32). A color transmissive housing may be mounted over light mechanism (18) to provide a particular color to be passed external to housings (32 and 32'). In this manner, the external observer is provided with a substantially constant illumination density for light emission from light mechanism (18) passing through a sign member (12).

Abstract: A thermally-protected display includes at least one display panel, a cover panel, a manifold and a blower mechanism. The display panel has a front panel surface and a rear panel surface and supports at least one signal element on the front panel surface. The cover panel is disposed in a spaced-apart relationship forwardly of the front panel surface to form a plenum chamber therebetween. The manifold is in fluid communication with the plenum chamber. The blower mechanism is in fluid communication with the manifold and supplies an airflow to the plenum chamber. The airflow enters an air inlet disposed at one end of the display panel and into the plenum chamber so that the airflow moves across the display panel and the signal element between the front panel surface and the cover panel thereby anticipating heat therefrom before the airflow exits the plenum chamber through an exhaust outlet disposed at an opposite end of the display panel.

Abstract: An electric sign advertising element with at least one light source and a cover hood, which is at least partially light transmissive and envelops the light source(s) and which has an at least partially light transmissive outer segment, which is bent off toward the rear and which is bordered by a reflector segment, whose inside reflects light at least partially, extends from its rear end to the front, is bent off outwardly and which reflects light coming through the outer segment, wherein the reflector segment protrudes toward the front beyond the outer segment by at least one-third its height, at least by about 1".

Abstract: In lighting fixture such as an exit sign, a light emitting diode lighting device is provided for mating engagement with an electrical socket of the lighting fixture. The light emitting diode lighting device has a plurality of light emitting diodes with a light directing member spaced therefrom for directing light into a desired illumination pattern. The light directing member can be wedge or parabola shaped.

Abstract: A lighting system of the kind having walls defining an enclosure, one or more display faces and electrical light sources located within the enclosure. Adjacent to individual light sources there are affixed light diffusers, interposed between the light sources and the display faces so as to prevent light rays emanating from the sources from directly reaching the display faces, but allowing light rays reflected from internal surfaces of the walls of the enclosure and from the diffusers, to reach the display faces.

Abstract: An improved illuminated sign is provided for names and the like which consists of a housing. Transparent indicia is on the housing. A device is within the housing for producing light. The indicia can be illuminated on the housing to be easily seen at increased distances therefrom.

Abstract: An illuminatable sign advertising element with a substantially light-impermeable installation carrier, whose interior is provided with at least one light source and is covered with a generally opaque front panel, whose outer side is provided with at least one light transmissive advertisement, which exhibits a different coloration than the region of the front panel adjacent to it, wherein the inside of the front panel is light transmissive in the region of the advertisement and is light impermeable in the adjacent regions, whereby the light transmission intensity of the light transmissive region of the front panel inside varies.

Abstract: A mechanism for improving the installation and access to the interior of large illuminated signs and lightboxes is disclosed. A plurality of rotatable arm members are connected between light modules mounted on a building or wall surface and a removable front panel module. Mating pairs of brackets hold the two modules together when they are coupled. In order to gain access to the interior of the lightbox, the brackets are disconnected and the front panel module is rotated via the arm members to another position adjacent the light module.

Abstract: A solar powered display device comprising a housing, a generally transparent cover, a solar panel disposed within the housing in planar parallel position with respect to the transparent cover, a battery disposed within the housing and electrically interconnected with the solar panel so as to facilitate charging of the battery via the solar panel, and an illuminator disposed within the housing so as to illuminate display indicia, the illuminator being in electrical communication with the solar panel and the battery so as to receive electrical power therefrom. The display indicia are formed upon plates removably disposed within the housing in planar parallel position with respect to the transparent cover, each plate preferably having a character or the like formed thereupon. A rack is configured to hold plates of a plurality of different sizes.

Abstract: A natural daylight window simulation unit includes a thin supporting structure, a sheet of transparent material with imprinted indicia thereon representing a view, supported in this structure, and a thin, natural-like daylight backlighting system provided in supporting structure for supplying evenly diffused backlighting to the sheet of transparent material, to create in combination with the imprinted transparency a simulation unit supplying natural daylight especially to a windowless interior. The simulated daylight window units can be made in the form of a window or a skylight or a door with window panels.

Abstract: A recessed light fixture for a burial casket that provides a source of illumination to light decorative art work installed in the lid; at the same time it provides softly diffused light for a more pleasing illumination of the interior of the casket. The unit fits inside the concave area of the lid of the standard burial casket and requires no design changes. It is constructed of light weight rigid insulation. The housing is described in two forms; a modular unit with alternate methods of joining the walls; novel corner fittings (24), (26), (28) (30) and brackets (20) (22) attached by clips (32); self retaining "single half-blind dovetail" joints (76) or adhesive surfaces (74). It is also described as a single molded unit (78) formed of insulating material. The fixture has a powered light source (36), a reflector (84) and integral reflective surfaces (82).

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 back-lighted illuminated sign includes a vented light sign cabinet having a light-transmitting front panel , with two side panels, top panel, a bottom panel, and a rear cabinet panel enclosing a cabinet interior having a light source contained therein and wherein said bottom panel includes passive vent openings for admitting a thermally induced draw of cooler ambient air flow there through into the cabinet's interior. The rear cabinet panel includes vent openings arranged adjacent the top panel, for exhausting thermally-induced air flow, at a first temperature, from the cabinet's interior. The cabinet includes spacers for spacing the cabinet from an adjacent freezer in chimney defining relation between the rear cabinet panel and an adjacent exterior panel of the freezer, with air flow admitting and exhausting openings at the lower and upper ends, respectively, of that chimney.

Abstract: An assembly convertible between a raised house ID display sign configuration and a lowered support shelf configuration includes a lower base plate stationarily attached on a wall portion of a house adjacent to an entry door, an upper face plate mounting ID indicia to identify the house, and a plurality of hinges attached respectively between the lower base plate and upper face member to enable pivoting of the upper face plate relative to the lower base plate between the raised and lowered configurations. The assembly also includes an electrical light mounted at a side edge portion of the lower base plate to provide illumination to an area of the entry door adjacent thereto. The light is switched on and off by a button mounted on the lower base plate being respectively engaged and disengaged by the upper face plate when the assembly is correspondingly converted between the support shelf and ID display sign configurations.

Abstract: A method or system, and the appropriate structural components therefor to allow for readily identifying which particular coded load side conductors of a ballast feed which particular lamp sockets and thus lamps of an advertising sign illuminated by florescent lamps. Coded markers indicative of particular coded load side conductors of the ballast are placed on or adjacent each lamp socket within the open interior of the sign to allow for the quick identification of the sign wiring circuitry without the need to remove lamps or an excessive number of wire raceway covers. In a preferred embodiment, the coded markers are durable, inexpensive to manufacture, readily attachable, readily changeable yet cannot inadvertently be dislodged, and are viewable from generally any angle once a translucent display panel of the sign has been moved to expose the sockets, lamps and adjacent raceways within the interior of the sign.

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 thin light box comprising a thin structural frame less than about 3 inches thick for supporting a transparency to be illuminated along a frontal plane; a thin tubular cold cathode lamp between about 1/2 and 5/8 diameter (about 1.2 cm and 1.6 cm) having a planar serpentine configuration with a length of more than about 8 feet and less than about 16 feet which cold cathode lamp is supported within and by the frame substantially in a light tube plane parallel to the frontal plane spaced apart from the frontal plane about 3/4 of an inch (about 2 cm); and a thin solid state transformer sized to fit within and to be supported by the thin frame, which solid state transformer produces a sufficiently high voltage to illuminate the cold cathode tube lamp to provide sufficient illumination for backlighting the transparency.

Abstract: A display assembly 10 is adapted to selectively illuminate those numerals associated with a home address. Moreover, display 10 includes a mounting member 12 which is adapted to be mounted to the surface of the house and a flat plate 26 which is adapted to overlay the mounting member 12 and which further is adapted to receivably mount neon tubes 30 which are selectively illuminated and which are configured in a shape which is substantially similar to numerals associated with a home address.

Abstract: An annunciator apparatus has a light directing device that efficiently causes light to pass from a light source, such as a lamp, toward a generally flat surface of the light directing device in an efficient manner. The light pipe of the annunciator incorporates parabolic rear surfaces that are reflective. In addition, discs of partially reflective and partially transmissive material are disposed directly between a light source and the preselected plane toward which light is directed perpendicularly. The annunciator comprises an indicia plate which incorporates layers to accomplish the desired effect of having a reduced reflection characteristic. Indicia are represented on front and back surfaces of a substrate and aligned with each other to define a "pinhole" effect that significantly reduces light reflected back from the light directing device toward the viewer.

Abstract: An artificial window comprises a box having a rear wall, and walls bounding an interior space which faces longitudinally forwardly; sheet structure extending laterally crosswise of the space, and a viewable pattern associated with the sheet structure to be illuminated by light passing forwardly from the box interior; first and second light sources in the box; a reflector structure in the box to reflect light from the first source in a direction toward the sheet structure for effecting illumination of the viewable pattern; and there being control structure for controlling the illumination of the viewable pattern to independently, differentially, and progressively change the illumination of the viewable pattern.

Abstract: An illuminated sign consisting of: a message carrying wall having a front display side and a rear side, with the message carrying wall having a portion that is opaque to block light transmission therethrough from a source on the rear side of the message carrying wall and a transparent and/or translucent portion that allows light transmission therethrough from a source at the rear side of the message carrying wall to produce an illuminated message that is visually detectable at the front side of the message carrying wall; and a lenticular structure at the front of the message carrying wall for intercepting light transmitted from a source on the rear side of the message carrying wall through the transparent and/or translucent portion of the message carrying wall to diffuse the light in such a way as to give the appearance of a light source being at the front of the message carrying wall.

Abstract: A merchandise accentuator for a store shelf having a molding along the forward edge thereof, the molding forming a channel strip of uniform cross-section having flanges laterally bounding a web portion and providing mutually opposed grooves forwardly of the web portion, the accentuator including a board having a circuit on one side for electrically developing display drive signals, a display mounted on said one side of said board and being operatively connected to said circuit for providing a visual representation corresponding to said drive signals, an independent voltage source mounted on the other side of said board and being operatively connected to the circuit, the accentuator being mounted in the board in the channel in the molding.

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 back-lit display having a window including a light-collimating film. The light-collimating film has an opaque material on a surface thereof. A material of a predetermined color is on the opaque material in registration therewith.

Abstract: In an illuminating device, in which a plurality of straight tube type discharge lamps B are arranged in parallel with an interval and there is disposed a translucent sheet a for advertising display in front of a row of the lamps, a reflector C is arranged behind each of the lamps B.

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, box-type telephone sign having an integral display box supported by a rigid member at only one end of the box. The support member is in the form of a rectangular trough made of resin formed by a cold casting process. The display box have five sides and an open end that fits over and is secured to edges of the supporting member. Support for electrical lamps such as concentric fluorescent bulbs and other electrical components is provided by a bracket connected to the support member and without any connection to the display box. A U-shaped sleeve that slides over front, back, and end faces of the box is also disclosed. The structure avoids the use of a peripheral metal frame for the box and braces connected to such frame, thus providing easier installation and more ready access for maintenance. The lack of a peripheral frame also makes additional faces of the sign available for graphics.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for fluorescent lamp holders in a fluorescent sign frame including a stationary and a compressible lamp holder for each lamp detachably connectable to an attachment bracket having a forward projecting pair of parallel latch tongues adapted to snap-fasten into a pair of corresponding slots in a mounting plate or raceway cover from the rear of the raceway cover.

Abstract: A device for illuminating residence information. More specifically, it relates to a device which can be quickly and easily installed on a new or existing vertical lamppost and connected to a power supply for illuminating the resident's name and/or street number.

Abstract: An illuminated sign system, e.g., an illuminated canopy or roof ridge for petrol stations and the like, comprising a trough with one or more electrical fluorescent tubes partially covered by a light shield having areas of differing light transmissivity, e.g., filters or translucent areas, with reflecting screens in oblique position in the rear, optionally colored to reflect light of one or more selected colors, and a front side of transparent weather-proof material covered with translucent colored indicia.

Abstract: A solar house-number indicating device comprises a box-like body having a front opening and an inner space for receiving a solar-powered battery, a digital L.E.D. device with its control circuit for presetting a series of number corresponding to the house number, a door member pivotally attached to the box-like body for closing its front opening and having means for retaining and displaying a house-number plate and a road-name plate and a sensor unit for automatically turn off the L.E.D. device in bright time and turn on the L.E.D. device in dark time to produce a digital light sign of the house number.

Abstract: To produce outdoor advertising installations which are equipped to be illuminated and have different areas appearing, respectively, dark and light by daylight, with the brightness of the different areas being reversed by night under the influence of artificial light acting from the back, areas which appear bright by daylight on the outermost plate (information plate) are back printed with a bright covering and behind that with a dark covering and areas which appear dark by daylight are back printed dark with a regular pattern of lines or points.

Abstract: A wall system for partitioning floor space includes a framework comprising top and bottom horizontal rails interconnected by a plurality of vertical struts. The wall system further includes the use of diagonal support bars for open frame structures and the use of side and septum display panels for closed frame structures.Also, structural inserts may be inserted between adjacent struts to reinforce open framed structures. Such inserts are planar members with an irregular perimeter edge which defines an aesthetic design for use in assembling attractive displays. Additionally, such inserts may be used in conjunction with translucent panels and lighting fixtures to create a silhouette affect for the assembled display.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved display sign system including a sign face and a plurality of vertically spaced longitudinal ribs defining tracks located on the sign face. The longitudinal tracks are designed to support indicia elements adjacent the sign face. In a preferred embodiment, the sign system further includes two side frame members disposed on opposite lateral sides of the sign face, each including a curved surface which is substantially flush with the sign face at its lateral side edge. The curved surface extends outwardly and away from the lateral side of the sign face to provide a guide for inserting indicia elements within a longitudinal track from the front side edges of the sign.

Abstract: An internally illuminated sign employs retroreflective sheeting with optically transmissive bonds between cover layer and base layer, thereby making the sign suitable for applications where visibility of the sign is required if the internal illumination source fails. A light conduit may be employed to allow the source of internal illumination to be remote from the interior of the sign enclosure. Total internal reflection type sheeting also may be employed to diffuse the internal illumination.

Abstract: A sign box for an illuminated sign, having side walls, namely top and bottom walls and end walls, and having a front face frame movably attached to one of the side walls, the four side walls each defining a generally-planar wall panel with front and rear edges and a forwardly-directed hinge formation, offset from the plane of the planar wall panel, and a junction wall formation formed between the hinge formation and the planar wall, and extending forwardly, and having a rear junction formation formed along the rear edge of the wall panel, one of the front and rear junction members being interengageable with the other of the front and rear junction formations on another wall panel, so that two wall panels may be joined together forming the side walls of the sign box.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sign holder comprising a housing including a back wall, opposed and spaced side walls extending from the back wall and opposed and spaced top and bottom walls extending from the back wall and from the opposed side walls, a first panel of light transmitting plastic removably supported by the housing and providing a second panel of light transmitting plastic removably supported by the housing in closely adjacent but rearwardly spaced relation to the first panel and in forwardly spaced relation from the rear wall to provide an illumination space, an indicia on the second panel preventing light transmittal there-through, and a light bulb in the housing rearwardly of the second panel for illuminating the space between the second panel and the rear wall, whereby the indicia on the second panel is visually observable by being outlined by illumination.

Abstract: A system for identifying a house includes a display unit mounted outside the house, the display unit housing a plurality of bulbs for back lighting a translucent panel, with numbers affixed thereto. A combined control module/power pack within the house and in electrical communication with the display unit. The power pack includes an electronic control circuit for selectively providing a plurality of modes of operation, including an automatic operation (e.g. the display unit goes on at dusk and off at dawn), manual operation, blinking white display, and blinking red display, plus an override in any mode, including an off mode. The blinking display signals an emergency condition. A separate status display enables a home owner to give a status signal to a person outside the house to give warning of such thing as the presence of a home invader, for example.

Abstract: A frame member having first and second faces at right angles to one another and recesses in the faces for receiving panels or the like for producing a sign having the frame members as a surround. Each face has at least two recesses and the sign can be in the form of a cuboid.

Abstract: An improved front loading transparency illuminator having a transparency retaining frame with a side wall mounting flange and an open, substantially perpendicular transparency receiving channel. The multipiece frame includes an internal channel for connecting adjacent pieces of the frame to one another prior to assembly onto the illuminator light box. The frame includes an outer open trim channel which has retaining lips to retain decorative inlay trim therein.

Abstract: An illuminated building number assembly (10) includes a one-piece box-like housing (12) constructed of hard molded opaque resinous plastic material and a separate one-piece front panel (14) of molded hard resinous opaque plastic. The front panel covers a housing opening (32) and includes vertical tracks (38a-e) with stops (46) at the bottom ends thereof on each side of the housing opening which allow the insertion of translucent number plates (16) from the tops thereof. A fluorescent light bulb (18) is mounted in the housing along with energizing equipment. When the front panel is mounted at the opening of the housing, the vertical tracks extend into the housing so that the number plates are prevented from moving upwardly by a top wall of the housing. Removable hard plastic mounting strips (20) are attachable at a rear wall (28) of the housing for allowing the housing to be attached externally on a building wall.

Abstract: A solar powered illuminated yard maker including a solar powered battery recharging network that recharges a storage battery at a constant rate and can be selectively operated to burn continuously to produce a continuous light or to burn intermittently to provide a flashing light. A solar cell recharges the storage battery in the light when sunlight is impinging upon the solar cell to provide virtually maintenance free and long term operation of the illuminated yard marker during the dark or twilight hours.

Abstract: A lighting system for a translucent plastic car top sign having three side panels forming a truncated triangular pyramid and a top is disclosed. A convex reflector surface depends from the top and has three electric lamps oriented to be aligned with the apexes of the triangular pyramid such that each panel is illuminated by overlapping of direct and reflected light from the lamps. A translucent diffuser dome may be disposed over the reflector and lamps.

Abstract: A back illuminated frame for displaying translucent plates. A frame assembly with four side walls and a top wall of suitable dimensions to display the plate is covered with a back cover member that includes several lighting fixtures mounted thereon for uniform back lighting of the translucent portion of the plate being displayed. A plate support member keeps the plate being displayed in a spaced apart relationship with respect to the cover housing in between the light fixtures.

Abstract: A wrap around valance system physically mounted to the top of a convenience store interior wall system, beneath the ceiling, is formed of end abutting, horizontally aligned, standard size interchangeable illuminated and non-illuminated modules of fabricated sheet metal formed with open front windows slidably mounting respectively, color display photo panels and color graphic decor panels. The non-illuminated modules have at least two sets of top and bottom facing open ended horizontal slots so that a color graphic display card may be superimposed over the color graphic decor panel to display temporary or seasonal information. A continuous wiring system is formed within the end to end coupled modules with electrical junction boxes mounted, respectively to opposite end walls of each illuminated module leading to a fluorescent lamp mounted internally of the illuminated module housings for backlighting of the photo panels.

Abstract: A display unit has a light source, an indicia bearing diffusion sheet or transparent having masked, transparent and translucent areas and a series of refractive layers are placed over the diffusion sheet. On the light being lit, and the light rays passed outwardly through the transparent or translucent areas and through the refractive layers, the indicia are each surrounded with a penumbra of light which gives a three dimensional effect to the display of the indicia.