US3004359A - Illuminated window sign for automobiles - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 17,1961

5. s. PISCIOTTA 3,004,359

ILLUMINATED WINDOW SIGN FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Nov. 28, 1958 IN VEN TOR. 541/58/0 S. PAS c/ o T 74,

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United States Patent 3,004,359 ILLUMINATED WIND OW SIGN FOR AUTOMOBILES Saverio S. Pisciotta, 5223 Georgia Ave. NW., Washington, D.C. Filed Nov. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 776,893 2 Claims. (Cl. 40-129) This invention relates generally to signs and to illumination means therefor. More particularly, the invention has reference to an illuminated window sign, designed particularly for installation in the window of an automobile.

It is not uncommon, particularly in small businesses, for one to utilize a vehicle at times for personal purposes, and at other times for business purposes. In such instances, it is desirable that whenever the vehicle is being used for personal purposes, all signs and other com merical markings be readily removable, so as not to detract from the appearance of the vehicle.

Apart from the above, instances often arise in which even though the vehicle is to be used entirely for business purposes, sign means be provided therefore that will be exceedingly inexpensive, and yet attractive, and capable of full illumination.

It is also desirable, in signs falling within the general category described, to permit the sign to be installed with a minimum amount of labor cost, and with a minimum disfiguration of the vehicle. In this way, not only is the cost of installation reduced, but further, if the owner should desire, at some later time, to sell the vehicle, the sign means can be swiftly removed, to facilitate the resale of the vehicle and maintain the resale price thereof at a maximum level.

Yet another desirable aim, in signs of the character stated, resides in an ararngement wherein a sign member can be readily interchanged with other sign members, so that one may reflect tradename, address, and telephone number changes in the commercial markings provided upon the vehicle at a minimum cost.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated window sign for vehicles which will achieve the several aims set forth above as desirable in structures of this type.

Another object is to provide an illuminated window sign of the character stated which will be so designed as to be uniformly illuminated over its entire area, with the illumination being confined wholly within said area, and being limited against undesirable diffusion beyond the edges of the sign member. 'In this way, it is proposed to provide a highly attractive sign, designed to catch the eyes of passersby, and further designed to insure against undesirable distraction of vehicle operators in the immediate surrounding area.

Another object is to provide, in an illuminated window sign of the character stated, a combined lamp holder and spacer means, which is designed to support a small bulb of very low wattage, in an arrangement such as to provide fora high degree of illumination of an area of substantial size with a completely in consequential depletion of electrical power.

Another object is to so design the combination lamp holder and spacer as to cause the same to space the lower edge of the sign member outwardly from an adjacent plane or glass, whereby the sign member will be inclined slightly relative to theglass, to produce a wedge-shaped area through which the light beams will be cast and in which said beams will be substantially confined, thus to increase to a maximum extent the efficiency of the device in providing illumination of a sign member.

Another object is to so design the combination lamp r 3,004,359 Patented Oct. 17, 1961 holder and spacer member as to facilitate its incorporation in a conventional electrical system of a vehicle.

A further object of importance is to provide a combination lamp holder and spacer of the character. stated, so designed that the means that holds the spacer in place upon the sill or bottom molding of the window will also serve to provide a ground connection.

Yet another object is to provide a sign of the character stated wherein the sign member is a readily removable element, so that when the vehicle is in use for wholly personal purposes, the sign member can be swiftly taken out, leaving only the lamp holders, retaining brackets, all of which are designed to be so small as to not be visible to the casual observer.

A further object of importance is to provide an illuminated window sign, the design of which is such as to permit the sign member to be a simple, inexpensive cardboard sign of the type readily prepared by sign shops at low cost, with the arrangement being such that when the sign member is installed, it provides the appearance, to a casual observer, of a vehicle sign of the type usually prepared at a cost substantially greater than that involved in the preparation of the sign member of the invention.

Still another object is to provide an illuminated window sign of the character stated having a plurality of components, namely, the lamp holding spacers, retaining brackets, abutments, etc., that can be used in any vehicles, regardless of the make or body type, requiring only the proper shaping of the signmember with which said components are used. In other words, it is proposed to so design the illuminated window sign so that in packaging the invention, the manufacturer can provide standard components usable in any vehicles, with the purchaser being thereafter enabled to merely purchase a sign member shaped to fit the particular window in which the device is to be used.

Another object of importance is to provide an illuminated window sign capable of manufacture at a very low cost, considering the attractiveness thereof and the benefits to be obtained from its use, with the sign, nevertheless, being rugged so as to be usable for a long period of time.

Another object is to so design the sign as to cause the same to represent a minimum interior Projection in the vehicle, the construction being such that the sign projects inwardly from the adjacent window glass no more than a distance of perhaps one inch at the most.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a vehicle with the illuminated window sign of the invention mounted therein;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view substantially on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational' view of the sign and of adjacent portions of the vehicle, on the same scale as FIGURE 2, as seen from the right of FIGURE 2, that is, as seen from within the vehicle;

FIGURE 4 is a still further enlarged perspective view of one of the lamp-holding spacer members, showing one side thereof; and

FIGURE 5 is a view on the same scale as FIGURE 4, showing one of the lamp-holding spacer members in perspective and illustrating the other, open side thereof.

Referring to the drawing in detail, generally designated at 10 is a conventional automobile. In the illustrated example, a station wagon is shown, but as will be apparent, the invention is designed for use in any of various makes and body types of vehicles. For example, it will be ap-' 'ice parent that the sign can be readily installed in a selected side window of a twodoor or four-door sedan.

By way of example, the vehicle shown has a forward side strip or post .12, and a rear side strip or post 14. These are inclined in the illustrated example, but obviously, could extend vertically.

The vehicle also is provided with a top strip or molding 16, and a bottom strip or molding 18, cooperating with the posts 12, 14 in defining a window area across which extends the window glass or pane 20.

All this is conventional construction in a vehicle of modern design, and as will be understood, the particular shape or size of the window opening defined by posts 12 and 14 and strips 16, 18 is capable of variation, without departure from the spirit of the invention. The construction, in fact, is such as to impart versatility to the an rangement, to adapt the device for installation in window openings of different sizes and shapes, the only change from one device to another residing in the particular shape imparted to the sign member 22 thereof.

The sign member 22, thus, in the illustrated example, has inclined forward and rearward edges, extending in closely spaced, parallel relation to the posts 12, 14. The top and bottom edges of the sign member extend in close proximity to or in contact with the top and molding strips 16, 1,8, In this way, the sign member 22 completely fills the area of the window opening, being shaped correspondingly to the window opening.

' The sign member can be of relatively inexpensive con struction, and could, for example, be a conventional cardboard sign readily produced to a size and shape ordered by the customer in any conventional sign shop, without requirement of ones leaving the vehicle at the shop during the making of the sign.

In accordance with the invention, there are provided clamp-holding spacer members generally designated 24. In the illustrated example, there are two of these, but the number couldbe varied, according to the length of the particular sign and the area'thereof that is to be illuminated.

. In any event, when two of the members 24 are used, as in the illustrated example, they would be disposed adjacent the forward and rear edges of the sign member, being mounted upon the lower molding strip 18. The spacer members are identical, so that the description of one will suflice for both.

Each spacer member 24 includes a shell open at its top, one side, and one end, as shown in FIGURE 5. The shell can be of thin metal material, preferably having a surface that will reflect light to the maximum extent. In any event, the shell of the member 24 includes a vertical side wall 26 adapted to be disposed in face-to-face contact with the lower portion of the glass as shown in FIG- URE 2. Side wall 26 is integral along its bottom edge with a horizontal bottom wall 28, and the walls 26, 28 at .one endare integral with an end wall 30 which, in the illustrated xample, is of quadrantal shape.

' Mounted in the end wall 30 is a conventional lamp bulb socket 32,, in which is engaged a lamp bulb 34. Bulb 34 is of the type commonly used in vehicles, to illuminate-dials on the instrument panel, etc. Bulb 34 is thus of a very low wattage, sothat there is minimum depletion of the electrical power of the vehicle when the device is in use.

Connected with one terminal of the socket 32 is a single wire 36, the other terminal being electrically connected to the end wall 30 to provide a ground to the vehicle body through the shell.

To insure a good ground connection, and also to mount the shell upon the bottom strip 18, there is provided a right-angular tongue 38 extending downwardly from the shell, into engagement with the under side of the strip 18 (see FIGURE 2). Tongue 38 is soldered, as at 40, or is otherwise fixedly, permanently attached, to the strip 18.

This arrangement provides for a good electrical connection, through ground.

The members 24 are thus readily incorporated in a conventional vehicle electrical system of the single-wire type.

It will be understood that in atypical embodiment, the sockets would .be connected to provide for conjoint illumination of the lamp bulbs, through the medium of a switch connected in circuit with said sockets, said switch not being shown. The switch would thus permit the bulbs to be energized independently of any other electrical components of the vehicle.

Secured to the top strip 16 are spaced upper retaining brackets generally designated 41. Each of these includes a holder member 42 of U-shape, carrying a roughened rubber roller 44.

The brackets 41, per se, are of conventional construction, being of the type used as anti-rattling means for automobile windows.

In any event, the brackets 41 are secured by screws or similar means to the upper strip 16, in position to engage the top edge portion of the sign member 22 at locations spaced longitudinally of said member.

Also provided is a stop or abutment element 46, secured by a screw or equivalent fastener to the lower strip 18, at a location midway between the lamp-holding spacer members 24 (see FIGURES 2 and 3). The stop element 46 is spaced laterally outwardly from the glass 20 a distance slightly greater than the maximum lateral projection of the members 24 from said glass (see FIGURE 2). As a result, there is defined a space within which the lower edge portion of the sign member 22 is snugly engaged between the members 24 and the element 46.

In use of the device, the members 24 are installed upon the bottom strip 18, together with the element 45, with the upper retaining brackets 41 being connected to the top strip 16. The wires 36 are connected to one side of the electrical system of the vehicle, with the tongues 38 providing ground connections. 7

The necessary electrical connections, wiring, etc., are believed well within the skill of those working in the art, and accordingly, no special description or illustration of the circuits involved would appear necessary, other than to state that from one side of the vehicle battery, there would extend a lead in which is disposed a manually operable switch. Said lead would be connected to Wires 36, extending to the individual bulbs 34, with the switch being disposed between the battery and the connection of said lead to the respective wires 36.

The bulbs, or" course, as will be readily perceived, have their individual ground connections to the source of electrical power through the medium of their associated tongues 38. I

With the members 24 installed as described above, and with the retaining'brackets 41 and element 46 in place, sign member 22 is inserted in the manner and position shown in FIGURE 2. The top edge portion of the sign member is held in direct contact with the glass 20 by the retaining brackets 41. The bottom edge portion of the sign member is spaced outwardly from the glass by the spacer members 24, and is held in position by the abutment element 46.

Therefore, the sign member 22 is in a plane inclined slightly from the vertical, assuming the glass 26' to be in a vertical plane. In some vehicles, the glass 20 might not be in a vertical plane, but. in each instance, the glass and sign member would be disposed in upwardly convergent planes. The lower. edge of the sign member, however, is spaced laterally inwardly from the glass 20 only a very short distance, probably an inch, more-orless, in a conventional installation.

This produces a space 48 between member 22 and glass 20 (see FIGURE 2), said space being closed at its forward and rear ends by the posts 12, 14. The space is thus enclosed, and is of progressively narrowing width in an upward direction. Into this space the beams emanating from the bulbs 34 are cast, illuminating the full area of the sign member, with the light being confined within the periphery of the sign member. This provides a highly attractive installation, adapted to arrest the eye of passersby and hold their attention. At a very low cost, considerable illumination is provided, and in addition, it will be observed thatwhen the sign is used in the daytime without illumination, there is still provided a highly attractive sign means on the vehicle.

Whenever one desires to remove the sign, the same is swiftly disengaged from under the rollers 44, freeing the sign member for complete removal. There now remains only the brackets, spacer members, etc., which are so small and inconspicuously located as not to be normally observed by the casual viewer.

Of course, the invention is designed for installation in any of the various makes and body types of vehicles, at very low cost, since the spacer members, retaining brackets, etc., are capable of manufacture at a low cost, and are usable in any selected vehicle. One need only have a sign member prepared to a selected size and shape.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carry out said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any changes in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appanded claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a window frame having spaced upper and lower horizontal moldings and spaced vertical side members, a transparent panel secured in said frame, a pair of horizontal reflector members secured upon and spaced along said lower molding at the inward side of and engaging said transparent panel, said members having upstanding end walls having free laterally inward ends spaced inwardly from the transparent panel, light bulbs mounted on said end walls, upstanding stop flanges fixed on the lower molding and spaced inwardly from the transparent panel, a sign plate coextensive with said transparent panel, said sign plate having upper and lower side edges, the lower edge of the sign plate being supportably engaged upon said lower molding and engaged between the inward ends of said end walls, the upper edge of the sign plate bearing against the laterally inward surface of the transparent panel in the region of said upper molding, and bracket means mounted on the upper molding and releasably engaged with the laterally inward side of the sign plate at the upper edge thereof.

2. In combination, a window frame having spaced upper and lower horizontal moldings and spaced vertical side members, a transparent panel secured in said frame, a pair of horizontal reflector members secured upon and spaced along said lower molding at the inward side of and engaging said transparent panel, said members having upstanding end walls having free laterally inward ends spaced inwardly from the transparent panel, light bulbs mounted on said end walls, upstanding stop flanges fixed on the lower molding and spaced inwardly from the transparent panel, a sign plate coextensive with said transparent panel, said sign plate having upper and lower side edges, the lower edge of the sign plate being supportably engaged upon said lower molding and engaged between the inward ends of, said end walls, the upper edge of the sign plate bearing against the laterally inward surface of the transparent panel in the region of said upper molding, and bracket means mounted on the upper molding and releasably engaged with the laterally inward side of the sign plate at the upper edge thereof, said reflector members having hook flanges which are engaged over and beneath said lower molding.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,232,037 Jaminet July 3, 1917 1,633,635 Harmon et a1. June 28, 1927 1,848,951 Hayes Mar. 8, 1932. 1,950,548 Fuller Mar. 13, 1934 2,220,262 Miller Nov. 5, 1940 2,602,254 Dickmann July 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 192,231 Great Britain Feb. 1, 1923

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