Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Illuminated sign – Lamp box
Reexamination Certificate
2003-04-11
2004-03-02
Davis, Cassandra (Department: 3611)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Illuminated sign
Lamp box
C040S606180, C040S603000, C040S607110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06698122
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to illuminated display devices which incorporate means for holding banners which contain the display information.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Illuminated signs which carry advertising and other display information contained on banners are well-known and often used in the field of advertising. One such example is outdoor pole-mounted banners. As shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,973 issued to Nelson, the banners are preferably quickly detachable and vertically suspended from an existing outdoor lamp post by upper and lower mounting brackets. The lamp post may include lighting from above impinging on opposite sides of the banner so that it may be viewed from either side. Thus, the banners typically include display information on both sides. Other examples of outdoor signage which utilize a lamp post and an enclosure which includes both advertising and a street address is shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,096 issued to Bayless et al. It is further known to suspend pole-mounted banners vertically a distance apart between parallel pull rods mounting the banners on opposite sides of the supporting pole as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,304 issued to Miller et al.
There is a problem, however, with the prior art banner displays and signage in that reflective sign illumination of vertically disposed banners have several deficiencies. First, they tend to exhibit uneven distribution of light, that is they are very bright on approximately the top third of the banner close to the light source and darker on the lower portion. Secondly, the vertical orientation of the banner is susceptible to glare created by an outside light source. There is a further problem with shadows on the banner caused by banner movement in strong wind. Then there is the added problem that reflective signage is overly reflective in the blank or unprinted areas such that reflective light from these areas distracts the viewer from the displayed information. There is a further need for a simple method to provide a banner display system with means to adjust and maintain the tension of the suspended banners. And finally, vertically disposed banners are very susceptible to color-fading due to the effects of UV radiation from sunlight. There is therefore a need in the art to solve these problems and provide an outdoor lighted banner display system which cures these deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above problems in the outdoor signage art have been overcome by the present invention which utilizes a unique method of backlighting a pair of hung banners rather than using a light box. This is possible by the use of properly selected semi-translucent banner material and the structure of lighting and suspending the banners that will be more fully described herein.
In accordance with the present invention, an illuminated display device includes an upper horizontal mount and a lower horizontal mount with two opposite-facing translucent banners suspended between the mounts. The upper mount supports an enclosure which includes illumination means for projecting light downwardly. Two banners being of substantially equal length are at an angle to each other, being spaced apart a greater distance at the top than at the bottom. The banners receive light projected from the enclosure which impinges on the inside angled surfaces of each banner. In order to most fully utilize the illuminated enclosure, it may also include translucent side surfaces which can carry an advertising display or other printed communication to supplement the information provided on the outside surfaces of the banners. The banners are conveniently suspended between the mounting means by rod-and-hook attachments so that the banners can be easily removed and replaced. Resilient suspension of the banners is provided both by the resilience of the banner material itself and also the resilience of the upper support arms. Suspended according to the invention, the banners are convergent in the downward direction at an included angle of approximately 20 degrees. Because banners of this type are typically pole mounted and elevated above the viewer's line of sight, the banners of the present invention more directly face the viewer. This provides the added advantage of reducing unwanted glare and reflections from sunlight overhead in the daytime.
The present invention has shown to significantly overcome the deficiencies in the prior art because the lighting of the banners provides a very even distribution of light due to the way in which light is funnel-trapped between the semi-reflective backside surfaces of each banner until it is emitted from the front of the banner toward the viewer. Also, the fact that the banners are backlit obviates glare from the blank or unprinted areas. It should therefore be appreciated that the deficiencies in the prior art have been overcome by the present invention which will be more specifically described with regard to the following drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1712355 (1929-05-01), Price
patent: 1820157 (1931-08-01), Prochazka
patent: 1974039 (1934-09-01), Bohannon et al
patent: 3034242 (1962-05-01), Gold
patent: 3831304 (1974-08-01), Miller et al
patent: 4662096 (1987-05-01), Bayless et al.
patent: 6493973 (2002-12-01), Nelson
patent: 2003091249 (2003-03-01), None
Davis Cassandra
Gore Gregory L.
Urban Graphics LLC
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