Illuminated map device

• US 5,226,725 A
• Filed: 12/23/1991
• Issued: 07/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul J. Trusiani
• Original Assignee: Paul J. Trusiani
• Inventors: Trusiani, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cole, Richard R.
• Application Number:
  US07/813,897
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 434/150, 434/153, 434/145, 434/147, 362/98, 362/253, 362/809, 362/351, 362/812, 40/547, 40/579, 40/541, 40/564, 40/569, 40/580
• US Class Current: 362/351
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/045 Signs, boards or panels specially adapted for doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/809 Terrestrial globe
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

A hollow housing which may be flat or in the shape of a sphere has a map extending over at least part of its outer surface representing at least some of the topographical features of the Earth'"'"'s surface. The map is formed at least partially by openings in the surface, and a light source inside the housing illuminates the openings so that they will stand out in a darkened room. The openings may be holes at the locations of major cities, cuts extending along the continents and rivers separated by bridges, and cut-outs representing major lakes and inland seas.

Claims

1. An illuminated display device, comprising:

a hollow housing having an outer surface surrounding an inner cavity;

at least part of the outer surface of the housing having a series of linear cuts at spaced intervals extending along predetermined lines to form a selected graphical display, the graphical display comprising a map having selected topographical features and the linear cuts extending along the outlines of the selected topographical features; and

a light source positioned in the inner cavity for illuminating said cuts.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing has holes at predetermined locations corresponding to the locations of at least the major cities on the Earth'"'"'s surface.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein some of said linear cuts extend along predetermined lines corresponding to the contours of at least some of the rivers and lakes on the Earth'"'"'s surface.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a hollow sphere and the outer surface of the sphere has cuts across at least substantially the entire surface area for representing selected topographical features of the Earth'"'"'s surface.

5. An illuminated map device comprising:

a hollow housing having an outer surface surrounding an inner cavity;

at least part of the outer surface of the housing comprising a map, representing at least some of the topographical features of the Earth'"'"'s surface, the map having a plurality of openings at predetermined positions corresponding to selected topographical features;

a light source positioned in the inner cavity for illuminating said openings;

the housing comprising a picture frame and a flat front panel mounted in the picture frame, the front panel comprising said map and being of at least substantially opaque material apart from said openings; and

said openings including linear cuts along predetermined lines at spaced intervals corresponding to the boundaries of the Earth'"'"'s continents.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said openings include at predetermined locations corresponding to the locations of at least the major cities on the Earth'"'"'s surface.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the holes are of at least two different sizes, the larger size holes representing capitol cities.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein each hole is of a predetermined size proportional to the population size of the city represented by the respective hole.