Graphic displays employing electroluminescent panels

• US 4,195,431 A
• Filed: 12/12/1977
• Issued: 04/01/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eugene S. Neufeld
• Original Assignee: Eugene S. Neufeld
• Inventors: Neufeld, Eugene S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Louis G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Contreras, Wenceslao J.
• Application Number:
  US05/859,833
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 40/361, 40/362, 40/363, 40/364, 40/365, 40/366, 40/902, 40/544, 40/152.2, 40/367, 362/31, 362/97, 362/98, 313/495, 313/513
• US Class Current: 40/544
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 5/00 Sheets and objects temporarily attached together; Means therefor; Albums bookbinding aspects of albums B42D1/08; advertising or display aspects G09
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 7/00 Filing appliances without fastening means B42F17/00 takes precedence; suspension files B42F15/00; wallets, notecases, briefcases A45C, e.g. A45C1/00; furniture features A47B, A47F; envelopes B65D, e.g. B65D27/00

Abstract

A booklike article such as a menu, opera score, sports program, theatre program comprises a first relatively transparent layer having impressed thereon indicia representative of graphic data associated with the typical article. Underlying the transparent layer is an electroluminescent panel which upon application of a suitable operating potential, will emit radiation in the light spectrum, thus enabling the grahic data to be viewed in dark environments. A source of potential is located in the spine of the book. The source is battery operated and supplies an output for energizing the panel.

Claims

1. An illuminated graphic display apparatus, comprising:

(a) a booklet apparatus having a centrally located spine member including a hollow inner chamber, a first thin cover member pivotally coupled to said spine member at a first end and a second thin cover member pivotally coupled to said spine member at said other end, to thus form a booklet with at least one of said thin cover members of a sleeve configuration having a slit for insertion therein of a series of planar sheets, said surface of said one cover member having a large aperture for exposing to view one of said sheets when inserted in said cover member,

(b) a first planar sheet inserted in said sleeve having located thereon, graphic data to be viewed, said data as positioned on said sheet located within said aperture of said cover member, said graphic data impressed thereon by an electrostatic process,

(c) a second planar panel member underlying said first sheet and also inserted in said sleeve, said second planar member comprising an electroluminescent capacitor adapted to emit light when energized for illuminating the graphic data on said first sheet, and

(d) energizing means including an oscillator adapted to provide a repetitive waveform when energized by a battery located in said hollow inner chamber of said spine member for energizing said second planar member to thereby cause the same to emit light.

2. The display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first sheet comprises a relatively clear plastic sheet having graphic data located thereon.

3. The display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means located in said hollow inner chamber includes a rechargeable battery source.

4. The display apparatus according to claim 1 further including switching means coupled to said energizing means and operative to apply power to said panel via said switching means when said first and second cover members are in an opened position and to remove power when said first and second members are in a closed position.

5. The display apparatus according to claim 3 further including means for charging said battery located in said hollow inner chamber, and connector means for applying a charging source to said means.

6. The display apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a third sheet of a clear material located to cover said large aperture of said cover member to protect said first sheet as inserted in said sleeve.

7. The display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said graphic data is located on said first sheet by an electrostatic process.

8. The display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said graphic data is printed on said first sheet.

9. The display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said graphic data is indicative of a menu format.