US2068360A - Luminous sign - Google Patents

Description

1937. H. R. VAN DEVENTER ET AL 2,068,360

LUMINOUS S IGN Filed April 50, 1955 INVENTORS Harry R. vanDel/enfer' BY c/ohn cl Shive y ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,068,360 LUMIINOUS srcn Application April 30, 1935, Serial No. 19,039

14 Claims. (01. 40-132) s v This invention relates to improvementsin a luminous sign and more particularly to a 'sign of such construction that it is easily combined with other devices such asucash registers, gaso- 6 line and oil pumps, scales, coffee mills, meat slicers and the like.

.An object of the invention is to provide a sign adapted to employ a grid of luminous tubing and to resiliently mount same in the sign casing.

Another object is to provide a sign having an outer and inner glass and means between said glasses whereby the indicia of the sign can be changed.

A further object is to provide a sign to be combined with and if desired actuated by the operation of another device on which the sign is supported.

Other objects will appear from a perusal of the following specification, wherein one form of the sign is disclosed. adapted to be mounted on a cash register. This disclosure is however merely for the sake of illustration and the invention is not to be considered as limited thereto.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sign combined with a cash register and embodying the,

invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are detail views of the drawer switch mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sign, Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the grid and reflector shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a side view of a combined sign and cash register showing a modified transformer and switch arrangement.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a sign which may be combined with a device such as a cash register, gasoline or oil pumps, scales, cofiee mills or any other devices commonly used in stores. If desired, the sign can be so arranged as to be displayed at the manual operation of some part of the device on which it is mounted.

For the sake of illustration, the sign has been shown in Figure I mounted upon an ordinary cash register, and the numeral l0 denotes the body of the register, and the numeral II denotes the sign proper mounted thereon and wholly supported thereby.

The luminous tube 36, hereinafter fdescribed in detail, is connected to the transformer I! by means of the high tension leads I3 which ar covered by an insulating tube I4.

The main switch I5 is connected to the auxiliary switch l6 by means of a shunt connection I'l, switch l6 controlling a flasher l8 and said switch being controlled by a button l9 which extends through the side wall of the register. By means of this button, the switch can be turned on and off in order to control the flasher circuit.

A low tension lead such as an ordinary flexible cord 20 is provided with a plug 2i which may be inserted in any convenient electric outlet.

The main switch I5 is provided with a plunger 22 which has a spring 23 around the shank thereof which keeps the plunger in a normally extended position as shown in Figure 2. This plunger is under the control of the drawer 24 of the cash register. These drawers are usually so constructed that upon pushing one of the keys 25 of the register, the drawer is released and springs outwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 2, thereby controlling the switch l5 which is in its off" position when the plunger 22 is in the position shown in Figure 3, and on when the plunger is out as shown in Figure 2; or obviously the on and off" positions can be reversed.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the circuit from the plug 2| through the cord 20 and through the switches I 5 or i 6 and via transformer l2 to the luminous tube 26 is controlled by the movement of a part of the device on which the sign II is supported, and it will be obvious that this control could be effected not only by the drawer 25 but also by the depression of one of the keys 25.

It will also be understood that the control of a sign can be effected by other means when it is mounted on a device, for example, such as a gasoline pump commonly used at filling stations. Here the movement of the hose would control the sign by means of a switch of any suitable construction, replacing the drawer 24 in this respect.

In the 'case of cofiee mills or the like on which the sign ll may be mounted, it is obvious that it can be controlled by any suitable switching mechanism adapted to be controlled in unison with the switch for starting and stopping the motor of the device. Such switching arrangements are entirely within the skill of a competent engineer and donot require illustration here, it being sufficient for the purposes of this. application to disclose the broad idea of a lu- -of the apparatus .or device on which the sign is supported.

In use on any device, the sign cooperates therewith to call attention to the merchandise handled by the device, or to convey some message in respect to the sale or other transaction registered thereby.

For example in connection with the cash register shown in Figure 1, upon depressing one of the keys 25 and thereby releasing the drawer 2'4, switch I is operated, a circuit is established through the transformer to the luminous'tube 36 which lights, thereby displaying a sign on the transparency 35 to be presently described. This sign may consist of the words Thank you or it may convey any other sales message desired. In the type of registers where there are separate keys- 26 for each salesman or each department, it is possible to have the transparency 35 so arranged that only a part thereof is illuminated representing a certain department. For example, suppose the indicator 26 in the register window 21 is displayed in connection with they purchase of gloves by reason of the fact that all gloves are handled by salesman A who depresses the A salesmans key in the register when making a sale. Then simultaneously with the appearance of the registry number such as 26 in the window 21 of the register, the sign II will be illuminated across a portion of the transparency 35, which portion may read The gloves you have just purchased are fully guaranteed.

If the purchase were stockings sold by salesman B" then upon depression ofthe B key, the message illuminated on the transparency would be appropriate to stockings, etc.

The sign provided as shown in Figure 4, com-' prises a body or frame 26 preferably of insulatprovided with a suitable ing material having an inwardly extending flange 23a the rear side of which flange supports a transparent panel 29 of suitable material such as glass or the like, which is preferably held to the flange 28a by means of cement as shown at 33. This glass may carry the indicia to form a sign.

An outer transparent panel of glass or the like 3| is mounted in the outer frame 32 which is gasket 33 of soft rubber or the like.

The frame 28 is provided with a downwardly extending outer lip 34 around the 'top outer edge thereof, and it will be apparent from a study of Figure 4 that the frame 32 carrying the outer glass 3i is readily removable from the main frame 28 and that when placed therein in the position shown in the figure, a space exists between the inner and outer glasses.

In the space Just mentioned (when the glass 23 is left blank) may be placed a transparency 35 which transparency may be of any suitable form such as a piece of cellophane, celluloid, glass or any other transparent or translucent material having a solid black background with the letters or other design forming the sign transparent or translucent so that the light from the luminous tube 36 may find egress therethrough.

The luminous tube 36 may be of any suitable type, preferably of the gaseous type such as the well known neon type and this tube rests against the inner surface of the inner glass 29 and behind the tube is placed a plurality of reflector strips 31 behind which strips is placed the soft ordinary sponge rubber support 33 which support inturn is carried by the braces 39 forming part of the back 40 preferably of insulating material which back is secured by any suitable means such as the. screws 4| to the body 28.

Suitable high tension leads like those shown at l3, Figure 1, connect the terminals of the tube 33 with the secondary winding of the transformer l2.

Figure 6 may be employed. Here aregister 42 or other device on which the sign is to be unounted, carries the sign 4! thereon as shown, the back 40 having a rearwardly extending portion 43 in which the transformer is located.

A conduit 46 may convey the low tension or primary current to thatransformer and conduit may terminate in the switch 43 having an arm 44 extending therefrom adapted to be moved by, the opening and closing of the register drawer 24 in order to control the sign. Connection is made to the electric circuit via the cord 45 and plug 2|.

It will be observed that in connection with either of the signs shown in Figures 1 and 6, that the position of the sign may be reversed so that the face thereof can be turned either outwardly as shown or inwardly towards the keys 25. It .will also be evident that when the sign is built into a device such as the register shown in the figures, that the transformer l2 may be located either on the base of the regis ter frame inside the casing thereof or in any other suitable location; that the main distinction between the method of mounting as shown in Figures 1 and 6 is that in Figure 1 the transformer is mounted on the device supporting the sign. In Figure 6, the transformer is mounted upon the sign proper.

The body, frame or front casing 23 and back casing 40, Figure 4, and the corresponding front and back casings on the sign 41, Figure 6, are

preferably made of insulating material such as bakelite or the like, so as to enclose all of the parts of the sign that mightcome in contact with the circuits thereof.

It will also be observed that the sign proper can be detached from the device on which it is mounted without disturbing any parts of the said device, the sign body 23 being entirely separate and independent from the body ll! of the device on which the sign is mounted.

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with the specific details of preferred embodiments thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sign, a body having an inwardly extending flange, a transparent member resting against the inner surface of said flange, illuminating means adjacent the rear surface of said member, a reflector in the rear of said means, a rear casing and resilient means supported on said casing for positioning said illuminating means and reflector relative to said member.

2. In a sign, a body having an inwardly extending flange, a transparent member resting against the rear surface of said flange, illuminating means adjacent the rear surface of said u member, a reflector in the rear of said means, a rear casing secured to said body on which said means and reflector are supported, a second transparent member supported by said body in front of said flrst member, and means forming a sign adapted to be illuminated by said first means positioned between said members.

3. In a sign, a body, a transparent member supported therein, illuminating means in the rear of said member, a reflector in the rear of said means, a rear casing secured to said body and supporting said means and reflector in operative relation thereto, a second transparent member removably positioned in said body, and means forming a sign positioned between said members.

4. The sign as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second transparent member is provided with a frame removably mounted in the body.

5. The-sign as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second transparent member is provided with aframe removably mounted in said body, a gasket being interposed between said body and frame whereby egress of moisture to the space between the transparent members is prevented.

6. In a sign, a body, a transparent member supported therein, illuminating means in the rear of said member, a reflector in the rear of said means, a rear casing secured to said body and supporting said means and reflector in operative relation thereto, a second transparent member removably positioned in said body, means forming a sign positioned between said members, and a transformer supported in said body and having connections to said illuminat ing means.

'7. In a sign, a body, a transparent member supported therein, illuminating means comprising a tube having a plurality of substantially parallel portions, a reflector in the rear of said tube comprised of a plurality of individual strips lying substantially parallel with said tubes, a resilient support for said reflectors adapted to hold same in contact with the rear of said tube and to press the latter against the inner wall of said transparent member, a rear casing adapted to support said resilient means, and a transformer connected to said tube and supported by said casing.

8. In a sign, the combination of a body, a transparent member supported therein, a luminous tube grid adjacent the inner face of said member, a reflector positioned behind said grid, a resilient support for said. reflector, and a rear casing adapted to enclose said member,

grid and reflector, said casing having an inwardly extending portion adapted to support said resilient means.

9. In a sign of the class described, a body comprising a frame having an inwardly extending flange, a glass supported on the inside of said flange, a luminous tube behind said glass, a frame removably supported in said body and adapted to engage said flange on the outer side thereof, a glass in said frame spaced apart from said front glass, and a transparency between said glasses.

10. A sign as claimed in claim 9 having a rear casing secured to the frame, said rear casing enclosing and supporting a transformer connected to the luminous tube.

11. In a sign, a frame having a transparent front flxed therein, a second frame removably fitting within said first frame and having a transparent front flxed therein, a transparent panel between said transparent fronts, a casing secured to said front, and means within said casing for causing light to pass through said panel.

12. In a sign, a luminous tube, a casing having a transparent front adapted to position said tube therein and act as a front support therefor, a reflector partially supported on said tube, said casing having a rearwardly extending part serving to further and completely support said tube and reflector, a transformer mounted on said casing and having its secondary connected to said tube and entirely enclosed'by said casing, and a flexible connection extending outwardly through the wall of said casing and connected at its inner end to a winding on said transformer therein.

13. In a sign, a luminous tube, a casing having a transparent front adapted to position said tube therein and act as a front support, a reflector partially supported on said tube, said casing having a rearwardly extending part serving to further and completely support said tube and reflector, a transformer supported in a rearwardly extended portion of said casing, and a transparent panel overlying said transparent front and removably supported on said casing.

14. The sign as claimed in claim 13 wherein a resilient support is provided bearing against the tube and reflector, and said support being mounted upon an interior wall of the casing and enclosed thereby.

HARRY a. van Dnvms'raa. JOHN J. smvnLY.

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