Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Illuminated sign – Lamp box
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-11
2001-05-08
Silbermann, Joanne (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Illuminated sign
Lamp box
C040S716000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226908
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a system for creating visually perceptible messages that can be easily and readily changed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system that includes a plurality of illuminable letter boxes and a plurality of image panels that have desired images or indicia defined thereon. The image panels can be removably and interchangeably mounted to the letter boxes and arranged in any desired order to create any desired design or message.
At various times throughout the year, homeowners, businesses, and other individuals desire to display messages to the public. Such homeowners and businesses desire to display decorative and/or inspirational messages on their homes and/or facilities, particularly during holiday seasons, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Valentine's Day and other holidays. There are presently a number of ways in which such messages are displayed. For instance, a message can be displayed by use of a wire form which has been configured into a particular message. Such wire forms may have lights wrapped therearound so that the message can be displayed at night. Likewise, messages can be displayed with the use of neon signs and plastics molded into various shapes. While such products effectively display a message, they are limited. A wire form typically cannot be reshaped effectively into a different form or message. Likewise, while neon signs and molded or formed messages can be reused, different signs and/or messages must be purchased if a different message is desired. To Applicant's knowledge, there are no systems which provide for the creation of readily changeable decorative, informational and/or inspirational messages, so that different message and/or design configurations can be displayed. Thus, there is a need for a system where apparatus for creating and displaying decorative messages and which allows the message and/or design being displayed to be easily changed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system for creating desired or selected messages which can be mounted to virtually any desired mounting site.
The system includes a plurality of illuminable letter or image boxes, a plurality of letter or image panels and a plurality of lights. The letter panels are removably mountable to the letter boxes, and are interchangeable, so that letter panels having selected images can be removably mounted to the letter boxes and the letter boxes arranged in any desired order or configuration to create a desired design or message such as MERRY CHRISTMAS, NOEL or any other desired message.
The image defined on each letter panel may comprise a letter, a combination of letters, a symbol or any design. The letter boxes are adapted to be mounted to a variety of structures including a rooftop, ceiling, vertical surfaces such as a wall, or can be simply mounted to a ground surface.
Each letter box comprises a rear panel and a wall extending outwardly therefrom to define a forward opening. The outwardly extending wall preferably comprises upper, lower, left and right side walls which define the forward opening. The letter panels are adapted to be removably mounted to each letter box to cover the forward opening. The light source, preferably a light received in each letter box, illuminates the letter box and the letter panel. The images imprinted on the letter panels are darker than the surrounding area thereon which is preferably translucent. The image is preferably opaque. Thus, the image defined on each letter panel will be easily visually perceptible when the letter panel is illuminated by the light. Each letter box includes a retainer lip for holding the letter panels to the letter boxes.
The letter boxes are nestable in one another so that the letter boxes can be nested for shipping, storage or other purposes. Thus, a system or kit including a plurality of letter boxes nested together, a plurality of lights and a plurality of letter panels may all be placed in a single package. The lights utilized with the messaging system are preferably typical Christmas lights connected by interconnecting wires and adapted to be connected to a power source.
The present invention thus provides a kit or system which can include any number of illuminable letter boxes, letter panels and lights so that any desired message and/or design can be presented and mounted to virtually any desired mounting site.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2623314 (1952-12-01), Lombard
patent: 2902787 (1959-09-01), Cook
patent: 5359506 (1994-10-01), Koleno
patent: 5454181 (1995-10-01), Rothman et al.
patent: 5761838 (1998-06-01), Chisholm et al.
patent: 5813747 (1998-09-01), Kale
patent: 5911501 (1999-06-01), Katz
Gary Products Group, Inc.
Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP
Silbermann Joanne
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