US1385236A - Changeable illuminated display device - Google Patents

Description

L. H. WILLIAMS.

CHANGEABLE ILLUMINATED DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 192 0.

Patented July 19, 1921.

metal and wood, the

LYONS H. WILLIAMS,

or NonroLx, v11; onmsmnnn rnnumrnmrnn mm DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

GINIA.

Patented July 19, 1921.

Application filed March 9, 1920. Serial No. 864,452.

To allwhomz'tman concem: 2

Be it knownthat I, Lyons H. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented certainnew and useful Improvementsin Changeable Illuminated Display Devices, of which thefollowing is a specification. The primary object of the invention is the provision of a display device primarily designed for illuminatmn that is exceedingly aim 1e and inexpensive to manufacture, as wel as li ht-in weight calculated for easily and quic ly changing the subject matter visually displayed to the purchasing Ipublic.

In carrying out my invention have aimed at producing a casingor holder posmessing great strength and durability as well as lightness in weight by the particular manner of its construction from sheet desideratum being the provision of an advertising device highly 1 ornamental in appearance and of such low cost that any merchant having one or more sales departments cannot afford to be without the device.

The usual lighting facilities of a building such. as electric lights are adapted for employment with the invention without requiring additional connections while display members or signs made as artistic and attractive as desired are instantly changed at the will of the owner.

My invention consists ofthe novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described in the accompanying drawing setting forth the preferred embodiment thereof, and in which like reference characters designate corresponding arts thoughout the several views.

In the rawing,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete invention illustrating its manner of use,

Fig. 2 is a central transverse vertical sectional view thereof illustrating by dotted lines one of the slides or signs removed from the casing and broken awa Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectlonal view of an end Iportion of the device taken upon line 111- II of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail pe tive view of an upper corner portion of the device, showing the slot formation employed.

ferring more in detail to the drawlng, my invention comprises a rectangular metal the top and bottom having angularly bent end flanges 13, overlapping the upper and lower edges ofthe ends 10 and secured in any desired manner. A circular opening 14, centrally of the top 11, ofpthc frame, is adapted to receive an electric drop light such as 15, suspended by the usual conducting cord16. Hooks 17 at the endsof the frame are attached to support ing wires or similar means 18; whereby the framers suspended at the roper elevation for maintaining the drop light or lamp 15, substantially centrally within the device.

Parallel slots 19 are formed in the to 11 by cutting the metal forming the top ongltudlnally and transversely at 20, formmg the endsof the slots 19, with opposite portions of the severed metal bent angularly inwardly forming parallel guide flanges 21, at the opposite margins of the slots 19. A triangular sheet metal brace 22 within the upper corners of the frame are soldered or otherwise secured centrally between the adjacent portions of the ends 10 and top 11 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

right guide "strips 23 arranged in para1 clism are flatly secured to the inner sides of the ends 10 having the adjacent inner flanges 21 of the slots 19 countersunk in the other ends of said strips as at 24.

A rectangular margin member or stay 25 formed of wood is closely fitted within each open side of the metal frame heretofore described, with longitudinal ooves 26 provided in the upper rail 2? of each stay member 25, adapted for snugly receiving the adjacent outer flange 21 of the slots 19 when the stays 25 are in their assembled positions with the outer faces of the stays 25 flush with the edges of the top, bottom and ends of the frame. The fitting of the stays 25 into the outer sides of the frame insures great strength and stability to the device by reason of the flanges 21 which strengthen the top 11 and are incapable of vertical edgewise bending being fitted within the grooves 26 with the inner edges 27 of the flanges contacting the longitudinal shoulders 28 at the bottom or lower sides of said grooves 26.

Display slides or signs 29 are provided with seml-transparent panels 30 upon which panels suitable advertising matter or announcements are arranged such as the words 31 and picture 32. The slides 29 are provided with handles 33 upon the top thereof, and it will be understood that my means are handles 33. The signs 29 may be readily inserted through the slots 19 for sliding downwardly into the frame between the stays 25 and end strips 23 with the panels 30 positioned outwardly substantially contacting the inner faces of the stays 25 for viewing therethrough. The drop light illuminates the panels rendering thewords 31. and picture 32 moredistinct while it will be understood that the signs 29-are readily removed from the frame by means of the handles 33 for changing the signs to advertise difi'erent goods or display any different subject matter that may be found desirable. a

I A sheet metal frame of the form herein described having the corner braces 22 and strengthening flanges, 21 cooperating with the marginal stays provides a structure of light weight and great strength, the

formation of the slots -19 in the manner described providing serviceable entrance guides for the signs 29. In stores the different counters, booths or departments may be properly designated by the use of my device and the signs displayed thereby varied and :changed at will. 1

1 The opening-14 for accommodating the electrical'connections for the lamp 15, may

; be changed to suit requirements, such as providing asmall tube or conduit through the top 11 0f the frame through which the -wire 16 will' pass. It will be evident that the construction disclosed may be formed completely of metal or wood excepting the panels 30 while the different kinds of wood such as mahogany may be used and suit able finishing such as oak or other finish may be provided for either the metal or the wood.

While the form of the invention herein set forth is believed preferable, it will be understood that" changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of m invention.

Having thus escribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A device of the class described comprising a metal rectangular frame with top, bottom and ends, the top of the frame having a central opening adapted for the reception of a lamp therethrough, and with a longitudinal slot having inwardly projecting oppositely positioned marginal flanges adapted for the guiding reception of a sign when positioned within the frame, upright guide strips secured to the ends of the frame between the top and bottom thereof with the inner one of said flanges countersunk in the upper end portions of said strips and a rectangular sta closely fitted within the open side of the rame having a longitudinal groove in the upper rail of the stay snugly receiving the outer flange of the slot when the device is assembled with the' outer face of the stay flush with the adjacent edges of the top, bottom and ends of the frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

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