Open-closed sign

• US 4,622,770 A
• Filed: 02/11/1985
• Issued: 11/18/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John A. Howard
• Original Assignee: John A. Howard
• Inventors: Howard, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEHNER, CARY ELLEN
• Application Number:
  US06/700,492
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 40/491, 40/488, 40/907
• US Class Current: 40/491
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 11/00 Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the complete information is permanently attached to a movable support which brings it to the display position showcases or showcabinets with arrangements for continuously or intermittently moving the merchandise A47F3/08; using static means to present variable information G09F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/00 Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols vehicle registration number plates B60R13/10; Panels or boards show-cards G09F1/00; indicating arrangements for variable information G09F9/00, G09F11/00; illuminated signs G09F13/00; boards for notices or posters G09F15/00

Abstract

A compact "OPEN-CLOSED" sign is disclosed, consisting of multiple panels overlying one another and slidable to display "OPEN" or "CLOSED" depending on the relative locations of the panels. The letters "O" and "E" are displayed in either covered or displayed according to the apertures in the top two panels.

Claims

1. In a sign intended to convey the words "OPEN" or "CLOSED" alternatively, the improvement comprising (1) a back panel containing six display spaces;

the first being blank, the second bearing the letter "L", the third "P", the fourth "S", the fifth "N" and the sixth "D";

(2) a slidable middle panel, shiftable between a left mode and a right mode containing seven display spaces corresponding in size to those in the back panel;

the first bearing the letter "C", the second, fourth and sixth spaces being apertures for viewing through the middle panel to the back panel, the third space bearing the letter "O", the fifth bearing the letter "E", and the seventh being blank;

(3) a front panel having a width of eight spaces corresponding in size to those of the middle and back panels enclosing an aperture six spaces in width and a solid panel on each side of the aperture at least as wide as a single space, whereby the left-hand solid front panel covers the letter "C" of the first space of the middle panel when the middle panel is shifted to the left-hand mode of the sign as viewed from the front and (4) registry means to allow the aperture of the front panel to display the word "OPEN" when the middle panel is in the left mode and the word "CLOSED" when the middle panel is in the right mode.

2. A sign as in claim 1 wherein the back panel has an opening sufficiently wide to accomodate a detent on the middle panel in either left or right mode, whereby the detent can control registry of the panels between left and right modes.

3. A sign as in claim 1 wherein the apertures in the front and middle panels are clear areas of transparent plastic in an otherwise opaque panel.