Edge lighted article holder

• US 4,446,508 A
• Filed: 01/17/1983
• Issued: 05/01/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Plast-Aid Corporation
• Original Assignee: Plast-Aid Corporation
• Inventors: Kinzie, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lechert, Jr., Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US06/458,299
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 362/31, 362/101, 362/97, 362/154, 362/190, 362/208, 362/145, 362/153, 362/253, 362/355, 362/431
• US Class Current: 362/602
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/02 Glass or bottle holders serving trays with openings for carrying glasses or bottles A47G23/0641; bottle racks A47B73/00; for feeding-bottles A61J9/06; in vehicles B60N3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/101 fixed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/229 Cup holders

Abstract

An edge lighted article holder including a body having an upper wall and a lower wall connected by a web. Openings are formed in the upper wall which conform to the outer shape of the article so that articles may be placed within the openings and supported by the lower wall. The upper and lower walls and the web are formed of light transmitting material. A light source is placed within the plane of the walls or web to allow light to be transmitted through the holder to illuminate the edges of the article openings.

Claims

1. In an article holder having an upper wall and a lower wall connected by a web, opening means in said upper wall defined by an edge for receiving an article, said lower wall adapted to support said article when the article is placed within said opening means, said upper and lower walls and said web formed of light transmitting material, the improvement in said article holder comprising a lighting element means secured within the plane of one of said upper and lower walls and said web for transmitting light through said one wall or web to illuminate said opening means edge in the upper wall.

2. The article holder of claim 1 wherein said upper wall and said lower wall are substantially parallel to one another and connected by said web at corresponding edges to give said article holder a C shape.

3. The article holder of claim 2 wherein an opposite edge of each upper wall and lower wall terminates in an outturned flange to permit said article holder to be attached at said flanges to a vertical surface.

4. The article holder of claim 1 wherein said one wall or web has a recess, said lighting element secured within said recess.

5. The article holder of claim 1 wherein said upper wall is supported upon a pedestal base.

6. The article holder of claim 5 and a second lower wall connected by a second web, each first mentioned and second lower wall spaced from said pedestal base, said opening means including an article receiving opening located over each first mentioned and second lower wall, said second lower wall and web formed of light transmitting material.

7. The article holder of claim 6 wherein said first mentioned and second lower wall are located on opposite sides of said pedestal base.

8. The article holder of claim 7 wherein said lighting element means is secured within the plane of said first mentioned lower wall.

9. The article holder of claim 8 and a second lighting means secured within the plane of said second lower wall.