US2511411A

US2511411A - Display device for house numbers and the like

Info

Publication number: US2511411A
Application number: US58686A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mitchell John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-11-06
Filing date: 1948-11-06
Publication date: 1950-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1967-06-13

Description

J. MITCHELL` 2,511,411

DISPLAY DEVICE FOR HOUSE NUMBERS AND THE LIKE y `Iulne 13, 1950 Filed Nov. 6, 1948 Patentecl .lune 13, 1950 UNITED STATES ATENT G'FFICE 2,511,411 DisPLaY DEVICE' Fon 'tionen NUMBERS AND THE LIKE .lohn Mitchell, Chicago, ll. Attrici-tion November e, 194s, serial N6. 58,686 claims. (cl. 40-132) This invention relates to a display device'for house numbers and the like, and relates particuiariy to an iiiumiiiate'd dispiay device.

Display devices for house numbers and the like are sometimes constructed of a base membervhaving' means thereon 'for attachingr number plates soV that the correct number can be made by assembling a base plate and the proper nmber plates. Some of these display devices have included means for illuminatingA the numbers sol that they become visible atv night. The present invention is concerned withY an improved display device comprising a `base plate having at least one' opening therein, a number plate ex'- tending across said opening and at least oneml proved holding member attached to the base plate and located adjacent to one edge of the number plate. This holding member includes a pair of yextended fingers arranged on opposite sides ofthe number plate to preventY substantial lateral displacement thereof and a lip overlying vat least a portion of the side of the number plate that is opposite the base plate to prevent substantial displacement of the vnumber plate away fromy the base plate. The holding member or members may be readily attached to the base plate and will positively lock the number plates in position. If desired, the number plate or plates may be' transparent ata portion thereof to denne a number. Where this type of plate is illuminated an electric light may be located behind the base plate and number plate so that the light Will shine through the transparent lJ'Ortion. y y s In a preferred construction, the base plate' is 'provided with a box-like structure on the rear thereof having an open side normally closedby the base plate. VThis box-like structure isl preferably removably held in place by providing flanges on adjacent opposite sides of the base plate, with these flanges adapted to engage frictionally corresponding sides of the box-like structure and hold this structure and the base plate in assembled relationship. Where the display device iS illuminated, the illuminating means may be located within the box-like structure. In a preferred construction, this illuminating means comprises an electric bulb adapted to be held in a socket which is mounted on a clamp, with this clamp` being held upon a na'nge located within the box-like structure. The clamp may be a spring clamp and the flange may be formed of a tongue struck from the material of the boxlike structure. y

One of the features of this invention is to provide a display device for house numbers and the like comprising a base plate having at least one opening therein together with a number plate extending across the opening and an improved holding member attached to the base plate for holding the number plate in position; another feature o'f the invention is to provide such a structure wherein the rear side of the base plate is covered by a removable box-"like structure preferably held in place thereon by frictional engagement with a pair of flanges located on the rear o'f the base plate; still another feature of invention isY the provision of such a structore rwherein illuminating means are provided within the boX-lik'e 'structure for illuminating the numbers. Other features and advantages vof the invention will become apparent in the following description 'of one embodiment thereof taken in cohjnc'tion 'with the accompanying drawings. @if theY rawirl" 1 i n Fig; 1 is a fr nt elevation of a display device for' house numbers and the like embodying the invention. w n

Fig'. 2 iS a longitudinal Section taken through tiiefieviee of Fig'. 1 and looking' toward the rear sr'faee's of the nu'mberplates and the base plate.

Fig. 3 a nsection taken along line 3 3 of Fig". .2z p

Figi: 4 is a section taken along line i4 of Fkig; 2. 4

5 1S af th likfl al'lg lille 5;"-5 f Fig- 2';

display device shown in the accompanying dra'wingsv comprises a basesplate Il)v having a plurality of spaced openings' lila therein arranged sfide byside iorigitudinauy of the plate |01, and a plurality of number plates Il with each number plate positioned across an opening and having marginal portions extehding over the mar'- 'ginalareas' o f the base plate that are around the openings. The openings Illa have their top edges substantially aligned and their bottom edges also substantially aligned'. Each number plate Il is positioned against the rear surface of the base plate le' and is soy held that the numeral por- 'tionll thereof is Visible through the corresponding plate opening Illa.

The rear surface of the base plate I0 is pro*- vi'ded with a pair of rearwardly extended flanges l2 arranged at substantially right angles t0' the base plate. Each ange is arranged adjacent the end edge of an opening Illa and the flanges are substantially parallel to each other. In order to locle the ndmber plates Il in position, there are'provided a pair of holding members I3 adiacent the top and bottom edges of the number plates II. Each holding member I3 is preferably constructed of a single piece of sheet metal and is provided with a plurality of lateral portions i3d with each lateral portion adapted t0 abut against the adjacent end of a number plate and prevent substantial displacement of the number plate in a direction toward the holding member, Each holding member is also provided with a plurality of extended ngers I3b with each nger being positioned between an adjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantial lateral displacement of the number plates toward each other. There is also provided a plurality of lips I3c on each holding member I3, with each lip overlying a portion of the side of a number plate that is opposite the base plate I to prevent substantial displacement of the number plate away from the base plate.

As is shown in the drawings, the lateral portions Id, extended fingers lab and lips I3c are made integral with the remainder of the holding member and the entire holding member including these portions may be made from a single sheet metal stamping. Each holding member I3 y is also provided with means for locking the holding member in place. In the embodiment shown, this locking means comprises a portion I3d on the end of the holding member with this portion extending through a slot in a flange I2 and then bent up against the iiange. This portion I3d prevents longitudinal movement of the holding member I3. In order to prevent lateral movement there is provided another portion I3e on the inner side of each holding member and bent around a small section 52a of metal displaced from a flange I2. The portion Ie locked around the section I2a prevents lateral displacement of the holding member I3 in a direction away from the openings lila. Displacement of the holding member in a direction toward the openings is prevented by the portion i3d which engages the slot in the flange I2.

Each ange I2 is provided with an inwardly directed pin I, upon which is mounted an annular resilient member i5. Each annular resilient member is positioned against the inner surface of a ange I2 in contact with the adjacent edge of a number plate II. These resilient members are each provided with an annular groove I5a on the outer surface thereof so that they can be easily compressed. As these annular members bear against the end number plates, they permit considerable tolerances in the widths and location of the extended ngers I3b. In the embodiment shown, there are no fingers 13b adjacent the outer edges of the outer number plates II. Thus, the number plates in a series of display devices may be separated by varying distances without harm as the resilient members I 5 always bear against the outer edges of the end number plates.

In the embodiment shown, the display device includes a box-like structure I6 having an open side normally closed by the base plate I0, as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive. This structure I@ is normally held in place by frictional engagement of the ends la thereof with the nanges I2. In order to aid in maintaining this engagement, each end Ita is provided with an opening IBb adapted to hold the outer rounded head of the pin Iii on which the annular resilient member I5 is mounted.

In the preferred construction, the number plates l l are made of glass with the numeral portion Ila. of each number plate being raised, as shown in Fig. 5, and the areas surrounding the numeral portion being covered -with an opaque material such as black paint. The inner surface of each numeral portion IIa is preferably provided with a knobbed surface, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, so as to provide for better light diffusion.

In order to illuminate the display device of this invention, there is provided an electric light bulb Il within the box-like structure I6 and located substantially centrally thereof. This light bulb Il is held in a socket I8 mounted upon a spring clamp I9. This spring clamp is removably held on a flange 20, as shown in Fig. 4. This ange may be formed of a tongue struck from the material which comprises the rear wall of the box-like structure I5. The socket I8 is provided with an electric cord 2l extending through an opening at the bottom of the boxlike structure I6 with this opening preferably being provided with a rubber grommet 22.

In order that the display device may be suspended from a wall or other base member, there is provided a. hole through the rear wall of the box-like structure I6 with this hole being located substantially midway between the ends of the structure and near the top thereof. In a preferred construction, this hole is provided with a rubber grommet 23. A nail or other suspending means may be used with this suspending means extending through the opening in the grommet.

From the above description of one embodiment of the invention, it is believed apparent that the invention provides a relatively simple display device in which one or a plurality of number plates are held so as to make an easily visible number. In the embodiment shown, four separate number plates are employed to display a number having four numerals. The same device, however, could be employed to display one, two, or three numerals. If less than four numerals were used, those openings Illa. which were not used to hold a number plate could be closed by a light impervious plate. Thus, with the device of this invention, as many numerals may be provided as desired by providing a base plate having the required number of openings therein. Any number of numerals smaller than the maximum could be employed by merely closing olf the unwanted openings.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the'appended claims.

I claim:

1. A display device for house numbers and the like, comprising: a base plate having a Iplurality of spaced openings therein arranged side by side and extending longitudinally of the plate, said openings having one of their ends substantially aligned, and said base plate having a flange opposite each end of the series of aligned openings with both flanges being on the same side of the base plate, each of said flanges being adjacent an end opening; a Iplurality of number plates with each number plate positioned across an opening and having marginal portions extending over marginal portions of the base plate around said opening, said number plates being located on the same side of said base plate as said flanges and located between said anges; and a holding member located against the base plate and adjacent said aligned ends of the openings, said holding member including a plurality of lateral portions each adapted to abut against the adjacent end of one of said number "plates and prevent Substantial displacement of the number plate in a direction toward the holding member, a, plurality of extended lingers adjacent the edges of said number plates with a linger being located between an adjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantial lateral displacementl thereof toward each other, and lips with each lip overlying at least a portion of the side of a number plate that is opposite the base plate to prevent substantial displacement f s aid/ number plate away from the base plate, 'and said holding member including an end portion extending through an opening in a iiange and bent up to prevent longitudinal displacement ofthe member and a lateralp'ortion bent around an extended portion on said flange to prevent lateral displacement of vSaid member'.

2. A display device 'for house numbers and the like, comprising: a base plate having a plurality of spaced openings therein arranged side by side and extending longitudinally of the plate, said openings having one of their ends substantially aligned, and said base plate having a flange opposite each end of the series of aligned openings with both flanges being on the same side of the base plate, each of said lianges being adjacent an end opening; a plurality of number plates with each number plate positioned across an opening and having marginal portions extending over marginal portions of the base plate around said opening, said number plates being located on the same side of said base plate as said iianges and located between said iianges; a holding member attached to said flanges and located against the base plate and adjacent said aligned ends of the openings, said holding member including a plurality of lateral portions each adapted to abut against the adjacent end of one of said number plates and prevent substantial displacement of the number plate in a direction toward the holding member, a plurality of extended lingers adjacent the edges of said number plate with a finger being located between an adjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantial lateral displacement thereof toward each other, and lips with each lip overlying at least a portion of the side of a number plate that is opposite the base plate to prevent substantial displacement of said number Iplate away from the base plate; and a resilient member attached to each flange and bearing against the adjacent side of the adjacent number plate.

3. A display device for house numbers and the like, comprising: a base plate having a plurality of spaced openings therein arranged side by side and extending longitudinally of the plate, said openings having their top and bottom ends substantially aligned, and said base plate having a iiange o-pposite each end of the series of aligned openings with both flanges being on the same side of the base plate, each of said iianges being adjacent an end opening; a plurality of number plates with each number plate positioned across an opening and having marginal portions extending over marginal portions of the base plate around said opening, said number plates being located on the same side of said base plate as said iianges and located between said flanges; and a pair of holding members attached to said flanges and located against the base plate and adjacent each series of said aligned ends of the epenihgs, each of said aoidig members intiem ing a plurality of lateral portions each adapted to abut against the adjacent end of one of said number plates and prevent substantial displacement of the number plate in a direction toward the holding member, a plurality of exteided fingers adjacent the edges of said number plate with a finger being located between an adjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantial lateral displacement thereof toward leach other, and lips'r with each lip overlying at least a portion of the side of a number plate that opposite the base plate toprevent substantial displacement of said number plate away from the base plate l ,l

4. A display device for house numbers and the like, lcomprisingi a b ase plate having apluality of spaced openings therein arranged side by side and extending' longitudinally lof the plate, said openings having their Atop and bottrn ends substantially aligned, and said b'as'e plate ha ing a flange opposite each end f the series of aligned openings with both flanges being on the same side of the base plate, each of said flanges being adjacent an end opening; a plurality of number plates with each number plate positioned across an opening and having marginal portions extending over marginal portions of the base plate around said opening, said number plates being located on the same side of said base plate as said anges and located between said flanges; a pair of holding members located against the base plate and adjacent each series of said aligned ends of the openings, each of said holding members including a plurality of lateral portions each adapted to abut against the adjacent end of one of said number plates and prevent substantial displacement of the number plate in a direction toward the holding member, a plurality of extended iingers adjacent the edges of said number plate with a finger being located between an adjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantial lateral dsplacement thereof toward each other, and lips with each lip overlying at least a portion of the side of a number plate that is opposite the base plate to prevent substantial displacement of said number plate away from the base plate, said holding members including an end portion extending through an opening in each ange and bent up to prevent longitudinal displacement of the member and Ia lateral portion bent around an extended portion on each flange to prevent lateral displacement of said member; and a resilient member attached to each flange and bearing against the adjacent side of the adjacent number plate.

5. An illuminated display device for house numbers and the like, comprising: a base plate having a plurality of spaced openings therein arranged side by side and extending longitudinally of the plate, said openings having one of their ends substantially aligned, and said base plate having a flange opposite each end of the series of aligned openings with both flanges being on the same side of the base plate, each of said flanges being adjacent an end opening; a plurality of number plates with each number plate positioned across an opening and having marginal portions extending over marginal portions of the base plate around said opening, said number plates being located on the same side of said base plate as said flanges and located between said flanges, said number plates being transparent at a portion thereof defining a numeral; a pair of holding members located against the base plate and adjacent each series of said aligned ends of the openings, each of said holding members including a plurality of lateral portions each adapted to abut against the adjacent end of a number plate and prevent substantial displacement of the number plate in .a direction toward the holding member, a plurality of extended lingers adjacent the edges of said number plates with a finger being located between an adjacent pair of number plates to prevent substantial lateral displacement thereof toward each other, and lips with each lip overlying at least a portion of the side of a number plate that is opposite the base plate to prevent substantial displacement of said number plate away from the base plate, said holding members including an end portion extending through an opening in each ange and bent up to prevent longitudinal displacement of the member and a lateral portion bent around an extended portion on each flange to prevent lateral displacement of said member; a resilient member attached to each ange and bearing against the adjacent side of the adjacent number plate; an

electric light bulb Within said structure; a socket therefor; a spring clamp upon which said socket is mounted; and a flangel within said structure upon which said clamp is removably held, said flange being formed of a tongue struck from said box-like structure.

JOHN MITCHELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS