Display units

• US 4,641,442 A
• Filed: 06/12/1985
• Issued: 02/10/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Development Finance Corporation of New Zealand Limited DFC House CNR Queen and Rutland STS Auckland New Zealand A Body Corporate of New Zealand
• Original Assignee: Development Finance Corporation New Zealand
• Inventors: Filmer, Alan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEHNER, CARY ELLEN
• Application Number:
  US06/743,919
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 40/219, 40/577, 40/152.2, 272/8 M
• US Class Current: 40/219
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/12 using a transparent mirror or other light reflecting surface transparent to transmitted light whereby a sign, symbol, picture or other is visible only when illuminated

Abstract

A display unit for displaying indicia such as advertising material has a light box in which there are a series of lights. The box has a reflective surface capable of passing light outwardly from inside the box but reflecting light applied exteriorly of the surface. Indicia are mounted within the box carrying translucent and washed areas. Lighting of the lights displays the indicia and extinguishing the lights results in a mirrored surface only being apparent.

Modification include making the masked areas of a reflective material to give a repeated reflection effect when the lights are lit.

Claims

1. A display unit comprising a light box containing a series of light units, one surface of said light box comprising a sheet of material which in use will transmit light from the interior of the light box outwardly, but which gives a darkened glass effect when light is directed towards the sheet of material from exterior of the light box, indicia bearing means including translucent and masked areas mounted within the light box, the construction and arrangement being such that on the light source within said light box being illuminated, said indicia will be displayed through said sheet of material and when said light box is not illuminated, said sheet of material will give a darkened glass effect wherein said masked areas have a reflective surface and said sheet material has a reflective surface both said reflective surfaces defining walls of a space between them, giving a multi image view of indicia when illuminated.

2. A display unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light box is divided into compartments, each compartment having a different light source therein.

3. A display unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said translucent areas comprise sheets of a transparent substantially sealed envelope.

4. A display unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the translucent areas of said indicia bearing means comprise a photographic transparency.

5. A display unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light box is provided with a groove in the sides and ends thereof adjacent the surface to which said sheet material is fixed and a surround is provided comprising an angle member with a further flange, the further flange fitting in the groove in the light box and being held therein by screws or other fasteners, said sheet of material and said indicia bearing means being held in position by said surround.