Illuminated interconnectable sign module

• US 4,532,579 A
• Filed: 04/13/1984
• Issued: 07/30/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bill Merryman
• Original Assignee: Bill Merryman
• Inventors: Merryman, Bill
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US06/600,018
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 362/29, 362/154, 362/236, 362/367, 362/429, 362/457, 362/812, 362/239, 362/248, 362/812, 40/152.2, 40/452, 40/508, 40/509, 40/530, 40/531, 40/552, 40/575, 40/576, 40/596, 40/618, 40/628
• US Class Current: 362/239
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/005 for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/02 Wall, ceiling, or floor bases; Fixing pendants or arms to the bases F21V21/08 takes precedence; bases for movable standing lamps F21V21/06
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0404 the light source being enclosed in a box forming the character of the sign
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/06 using individual cut-out symbols or cut-out silhouettes, e.g. perforated signs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

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.

Claims

1. An illuminable module connectable with one or more substantially similar modules in a linear or non-linear, zigzag arrangement, said module comprising:

an enclosure with at least one surface having a portion capable of transmitting light therethrough;

an illumination source in said enclosure;

at least two electrically-conductive receptacle devices provided on a light non-transmitting surface of said enclosure, said devices being electrically coupled to said illumination source, each of said devices capable of completing an energizing circuit for said illumination source independently of the other device;

an electrically-conductive connector removably received within any one of said receptacle devices to electrically interconnect the illumination source with an adjacent similar module; and

electrical power means connectable to said illumination source through one of said receptacle devices to energize said source, said module connectable with one or more adjacently-disposed similar modules in a linear arrangement by interconnecting with said connector one of said receptacle devices of said module with the corresponding, aligned receptacle device of the adjacent module such that the adjacent module enclosures are linearly arranged horizontally or vertically, or in a non-linear, zigzag arrangement by interconnecting with said connector one of the receptacle devices of adjacent modules such that the adjacent module enclosures are not linearly aligned.

2. A module as defined in claim 1, wherein at least two receptacle devices are provided on each of two light non-transmitting surfaces of said enclosure.

3. A module as defined in claim 2, wherein said two light non-transmitting surfaces are parallel, oppositely-disposed surfaces.

4. A module as defined in claim 1, wherein each light non-transmitting surface of said enclosure is provided with at least two receptacle devices.

5. A module as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface of said enclosure having a light-transmitting portion is provided with an indicia or character.

6. A module as defined in claim 5, wherein said surface having a light-transmitting portion is removable from said enclosure.

7. A module as defined in claim 1, wherein the interior surfaces of said module, other than the surface having a light-transmitting portion, are provided with a light-reflective layer.

8. A module as defined in claim 1, further comprising an electrically non-conductive connector element removably received within any one of said receptacle devices to mechanically interconnect adjacent modules.

9. A module as defined in claim 1, further comprising a cap member removably received in any one of said receptacle devices to cover said receptacle device.

10. An illuminable display formed from an assembly of two or more individual modules electrically connected together, each module comprising;

an enclosure with at least one surface having a light-transmissive portion and an indicia or character on said portion;

an illumination source disposed within said enclosure;

at least two electrically-conductive receptacle devices provided on a light non-transmissive surface of said enclosure, said devices being electrically coupled to said illumination source, each of said devices capable of completing an energizing circuit for said illumination source independently of the other device, said surface having said receptacles devices being adjacently disposed surfaces when the modules are assembled;

an electrically-conductive connector removably received within any one of said receptacle devices to electrically interconnect the illumination source in each adjacent module; and

electrical power means connectable to said illumination source through one of said receptacle devices to energize said source, the modules forming said display being assembled in a linear arrangement by interconnecting with said connector one receptacle device of a module with the corresponding, aligned receptacle device of the adjacent module such that the module enclosures are linearly assembled horizontally or vertically, or in a non-linear, zigzag arrangement by interconnecting with said connector the receptacle devices of adjacent modules such that the assembled module enclosures are not linearly aligned.

11. A display as defined in claim 10, wherein at least two receptacle devices are provided on each of two light non-transmitting surfaces of said enclosure.

12. A display as defined in claim 10, wherein said two light non-transmitting surfaces are parallel, oppositely-disposed surfaces.

13. A display as defined in claim 10, wherein each light non-transmitting surface of said enclosure is provided with at least two receptacle devices.

14. A display as defined in claim 10, wherein said surface having a light-transmitting portion is removable from said enclosure.

15. A display as defined in claim 10, wherein the interior surfaces of said module, other than the surface having a light-transmitting portion, are provided with a light-reflective layer.

16. A display as defined in claim 10, further comprising an electrically non-conductive connector element removably received within any one of said receptacle devices to mechanically interconnect adjacent modules.

17. A display as defined in claim 10, further comprising a cap member removably received in any one of said receptacle devices to close said receptacle device.

18. A display as defined in claim 17, wherein said cap member comprises a resilient surface and a dielectric element extending from said surface, said dielectric element being receivable in said receptacle device and said resilient surface covering said receptacle device.

19. A display as defined in claim 10, further comprising support means removably disposed in said enclosure, said illumination source being supported on said support means.

20. A display as defined in claim 10, wherein said electrically-conductive connector comprises a conductive element supported on a dielectric piece, one end of said conductive element being receivable in a receptacle device on one of said modules and the other end of said conductive element being receivable in a receptacle device on the adjacent module.