US1849552A - Display stand - Google Patents

Description

c. J. QUILL March 15, 1932.

DI SPLAY STAND Filed Oct. 13, 1930 INVENTOR. GI /476455 d. @U/& L-

Patented Mar. 15, 1 932 CHARLES J. QUILL, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA- DISPLAY STAND Application filed October 13, 1930.. Serial No. 488,488.

This invention relates to illuminated pedestals, columns, and the like.

The primary object of, the invention is the provision of a protective container within which a tube filled with inert gas, such as a neon tube, may be disposed to illuminate the container; the contalner reinforcing said tube so that the former may provide the strength to support a display thereon, and otherwise protect the comparatively weak and fragile gas filled tube from injury and also to insulate said tube.

Other objects and advantages are to provide an illuminated pedestal, column, and 1 the like, that will be superior in point of .simplicit inexpensivenessof construction, positiveness of operation, and facility and convenience in use and general efiiciency.

In this specification and the annexed drawzo ings, the invention is illustrated in the form considered to be the bestabut it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such form, because it may be embodied'in other forms; and it is also to be understood as that in and by the claims following the description, it is desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side'view partly in section, of a pedestal constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2, is a fragmentary front View of the up er end of the pedestal.

ig. 3 is a side elevational view of a bottle witlh the illuminating tube display therein; an

Fig. 4 is a fragmental sectional view of the top lof a modified embodiment of the pedesta Tubes filled with inert gases that are used for signs and for other advertising display, are usually mounted on a plate or board, because the tubes are co'inparatively weak and fragile to withstand any load or weight thereon, or any unusual vibration. The conspicuous and attractive appearance of these tubes renders them very desirable to be used in display windows, stands, pedestals, and other similar devices, where, however,

the illuminating element must support some article, or withstand vibration.

In order to permitthe use of luminous gas filled tubes in the aforementioned types of display, it is necessary to reinforce, pro-- tect and insulate the tubes. In my construc tion, for the aforesaid purposes, I make use of a transparent container in which the tube is held.

An embodiment of my invention is shown in Fig. 1, wherein on a base 6 is mounted a vertical column. 7, preferably made of a strong tubular glass column, the upper or free end of which is covered by a rigid cap 8, Within the column 7 is disposed a tube 9 which is so bent that both ends of said tube 9 are within the lower end of the column 7. The tube 9 is filled with an inert gas, such as neon gas, in the usual manner, and is provided on the ends thereof with electrodes 11. The electrodes 11 are connected .thru the customary transformer 12 and conduits 13 to a source of electricity,'to conduct a suitable electriccurrent to the tube, thereby to cause the glowing'of the inert gas and the illumination of the tube 9. The column 7' is also closed at its bottom, and the conduits are extended thru the closed bottom in such manner as to prevent the escapement of any material from the'column 7'. The inside of said column 7 is completely-filled with a soft, semi-transparent substance, such as gelatin, glucose, and the like, which substance provides a cushion for the tube 9. This soft filler is colored according to requirements to produce the desired combination of color effect, at the same time it covers the tube 9; so that the outline of the'tube 9 does not appear any more distinct and sharp than necessary 1n the particular device.

The column 7 provides a firm, stron pedestal or support, thereby permitting t e use of gas filled tubes in connection with such standards or the like. On thetop of the cap 8 is a bracket or clevis 14 to pivotally support a display plate 16 thereon, which latter is held in an adjusted position by means of a wing nut 17 or the like. Upon the plate 16 is displayed the article 18, in an attractive Jnanner.

The modified form shown in Fig. 4, difiers ing at least one openin therethrou h a confrom the aforedescribed pedestal only in respect of the tube-9in the column 7'. The tube 9' is straight, but its upper end 19 has a return conduit 21 connected thereto which extends downwardly to the lower end of the column 7 to connect the tube 9 into the electric circuit.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, a bottle 22 is used as a column. The bottle is so designed as to be an enlarged likeness of the bottle in which the advertised beverage is sold. The bottle 22 rests on a base 23. In the bottle is disposed a tube 24 filled with inert gas. The tube 24 extends thruthe neck and top opening or mouth of the bottle and is bent as at 26 to a shape of the desired advertisement, such as the name of the product advertised. The tube 24 is rebent at 27 to extend again thru the neck of the bottle and be returned to the bottom of said bottle 22. Thus both electrodes 28 of the tube 24 are adjacent the bottom of said bottle or container, to be connected to a transformer 29 mounted on the base 23 which in turn is adapted to be connected to an electric circuit to illuminate the tube 24 in the usual manner.

The bottle or container 22 may be frosted and colored to the color of the advertised product, or it may be filled with a colored liquid, or soft gelatin like, semi-transparent filler substance to cushion the tube 24.

It is to be noted that the same arrangement may be accomplished in columns and containers of any shape and size, for various (purposes. The circuit to operate the gas fille tubes may be either the conventional transformer circuit for connection to house current, or it may be a suitable battery circuit to render the device independent of the house circuit.

It is understood that the gas filled tubes may be supported in hollow columns or the like, without the use of any soft, semi-transparent filler, because the walls of the columns or the like may be frosted, or colored, or stained, either externally or internally, and such column can be used with or without the soft gelatin-like filler.

Having thus described this invention, what i I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In combination a transparent bottle, a tube filled with an inert gas disposed therein, electrodes in said tube; and means disposed below said bottle to connect the said tinuous tube filled wit inert gas aving its ends extended through said opening into said container, the portion of the tube outside of the container being curved into theshape of a display, electrodes on the ends of the tube, and means of connection to connect a source of electricity to said electrodes.

3. In combination a container simulating an article to be advertised; a luminous tube supported in said container being extended outside the container and formed with curvatures to represent an advertising display, and means to connect said luminous tubes to a source of electricity.

In testimon whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at an Francisco, California, this 11th day of April, 1930.

CHARLES J QUILL.

electrodes to a source of electricity to cause 4 the glowing of said inert gas and to illuminate said bottle, said tube extending thru the neck and openin of the bottle and be- 1ng bent and rebent into the shape of a dis-. play and rebent to return thru said bottle, said connecting means extending thru the lower portion of the bottle.

2. In combination a container formed to simulate an article to be advertised, and hav-

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