Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
This invention relates to a Graphic Display Illuminator
for the display of transparent or translucent graphic materials.
Many types of illuminators are in present use. Most
require that the artwork, transparency, or other graphic medium
be attached to a receptacle containing an illuminant with a sup-
porting frame, necessitating the use of various fastening devices,
i.e. screws, bolts, hinges, adhesives, etc. These add substan-
tially to the manufacturing expense and cause difficulty andwasted time in changing the display.
Existing units generally present the display as a flat
surface, resulting in a static appearance; and , even when
protected with glass, or some other rigid transparent material,
it is difficult to prevent the display from warping or wrinkling
with time.
These deficiencies are absent in the subject illuminator.
By fo~ming the illuminant carrying receptacle as a rigid unit,
and utilizing the resiliency of the display components to maintain
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the display in position, there is no requirement for the expensive
and time consuming fastening arrangements for the display mount.
It is the object then of the present invention to produce
a display illuminator in which the resiliency inherent in some
polymers, utilized as components of a translucent graphic display,
provides the pressure required to maintain the display in contact
with a receptacle containing an illuminant, without the need of
fasteners or adhesives.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce the
cost of manufacture of units of comparable s~ze by substantially
reducing the materials and labour involved in their manufacture.
Another object of the present invention is to maintain
the original configuration of the display, avoiding the distor
tions which may occur during the display period, by providing
adequate support for the display material.
Still another object of the present invention is to
protect the display material surfaces from the effects of weather,
humidity, or vandalism by means of protective materials in close
contact with both surfaces.
Yet another object of the present invention is to create
a more dynamic display through the use of a curved surface, thus
avoiding the static appearance of a flat surface unit.
A further ob~ect of the present invention is to facilitate
display changes, by eliminating the necessity to disassemble and
reassemble cumbersome support devices.
An additional ob;ect of this invention is to make transl-
uscent display illuminators available to a variety of markets
reviously unable, because of cost and lack of availability, to
take advantage of such units.
Other ob~ects and advantages of the present invention
will be more apparent from the following description, which
makes reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the components of a
display group (A) separated, and (B) assembled in close contact
and compressed to form an arc;
Figure 2 is a fragmented perspective view of a preferred
embodiment;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an enlarged section of
the same embodiment, showing recession detail;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an enlarged section of
the same embodiment, showing alternate recession detail;
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Figure 5 is a fragmented perspective view of a variation of
the same embodiment, showing recession in edge of base material;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of another variation of the
same embodiment;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a third variation of the
same embodiment;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a variation of this
embodiment;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment, and
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment
The illuminator comprises
(a) referring to Figure 1, a rectangular assembly consisting of
i. a flexible resilient transparent anterior material 100
ii. a flexible transparent interior display material 101, and
iii. a flexible resilient translucent posterior material 102,
all of identical dimensions, in close contact, hereinafter being
designated the display group 103;
(b) referring to Figure 2, a rigid structure 104, hereinafter
being designated the base; and
(c) an illuminant.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the base 104 is formed of
one-quarter inch thick sheet acrylic. This or any of the embodi-
ments could be formed alternately of wood, metal,olded polymer or
other suitable material. The invention can be formed in horizontal,
square or vertical displays of whatever dimensions are required.
The base 104 is formed of a plurality of surfaces, two of
the surfaces being parallel and opposed 105, separated by a distance
less than the equivalent dimension of the display group 103.
Referring now to Figures 2 & 3, in each opposing surface 105
parallel to, and located a suitable distance from, the leading edge
of the base 104, is a recession 106, the length of which is equal
to the equivalent dimension of the display group 103. The width of
the recession is sufficient to contain the thickness of the display
group, andthe depth is sufficient to maintain the display group in
position.
Referring to Figure 4, the recession 107 may be terminated
above the bottom of the base, with a corresponding area 108, Figure
1, removed from the two bottom corners of the display group, allow-
ing the bottom edges of the display group and base to coincide.
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Referring to Figure 5, a variation of the embodiment shown in
Figure 4 presents a base structure 109 in which the parallel
opposing surfaces 110 are in the edges of the base material.
Referring again to Figure 1, to assemble the invention it is
only necessary to place the display group materials 100, 101, and
102 in contact, flex this assembly 103 to a convex or concave arc,
insert the edges in the opposed recessions 106, Figure 2, and
release. The tendency of the display group 103 to return to a
flat condition applies pressure to the base of the recessions,
holding the display firmly in place. The dimensional difference
betweenthe distance separating the opposing parallel surfaces
and the equivalent dimension of the display group creates a perm-
anent curvature in the display group surface, and becomes a
permanent feature of the display. Further variations of this
embodiment are shown in Figures 6 & 7.
Some display materials are translucent in themselves, and a
diffusion material is unnecessary. Therefore, in an alternative
embodiment, the display group would consist of only two compon-
ents, the flexible resilient transparent anterior material 100
and a flexible translucent posterior display material 101.
Some displays can be produced directly on durable flexible
resilient translucent material. Another embodiment would therefore
present only one display material 101, requiring neither protect-
lon or diffusion.
Referring to Figures 8 & 9, a further embodiment defines
configurations in which a plurality of displays is presented
within a base 1ll.
A further embodiment defines the adaption of the invention
to an existing illuminant, an example of which is shown in
Figure 10.
Figure 11 depicts an additional embodiment in which the
invention is adapted to an existing illuminant and presents a
plurality of displays.
Most illuminators in present use are large and elaborate,
used primarily for display advertising. The sub~ect invention
would perform this function at a reduced production cost, and be
adaptable for custom installation in commercial applications where
existing illuminators would be impractical.
In addition, smaller units can be produced for markets other
than advertising. Several uses which present themselves are;
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.Home units for displaying transparencies of personal photographs,
in the form of table or television lamps, wall fixtures, hanging
lamps, or lamp shade adaptions.
.Decorative fixtures for restaurants, hotels, reception areas, etc.
.Warning signns, notices, directions, and other public service
messages which require illumination to draw the public's
attention.
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