Scrolling sign retrofit kit

Details Scrolling sign retrofit kit Scrolling sign retrofit kit

1999-02-16

2001-06-19

Silbermann, Joanne (Department: 3628)

Card, picture, or sign exhibiting

Changing exhibitor

Motor operated

C040S518000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06247256

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to back lighted signs and display devices and more particularly a to-back lighted scrolling banner signs and displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Back lighted signs and displays are commonly used both indoors and outdoors in connection with many commercial operations. Typically, such a sign or display comprises an enclosure having an opaque back panel mounting one or more light fixtures, and a front panel having a cutout window mounting a transparent or semi-transparent panel carrying a message display. In some cases, the message or display is applied to a translucid banner mounted behind the transparent panel. It is sometimes desirable to change the message or display which necessitates the replacement of the front panel or of the translucid banner. Examples of this type of display can be found in most fast food establishments where menus are presented by large back lighted displays mounted above the ordering counter. As available breakfast, lunch time, and evening menus may differ, those displays must be impractically very large to accommodate all menus, or their display banners must be replaced three times a day.
Prior attempts at resolving the aforesaid problems by means of hand-powered banner moving mechanisms have resulted in complex structures that are prone to jamming.
The invention results from attempts to develop a practical and inexpensive means and manners to retrofit display devices of the prior art into a self-powered and quickly updatable display system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The principal and secondary objects of this invention are to provide a simple, rapid, and economical method for implementing a self-powered scrolling display within an existing sign enclosure with or without back-lighting, and a minimum number of components to achieve this implementation. The aforesaid objects are achieved within all applicable governmental and insurance underwriter norms and specifications with minimal use of a low skill labor force. The preferred embodiment of the kit of components necessary to implement the scrolling display is limited to two rail assemblies, an electrical assembly, a pair of rollers and a banner scroll. A pair of motor drive units are mounted on the upper and lower end of one of the rails. A pair of spring-biased pintles are mounted at corresponding opposite locations on the other rail. A double-pole, three-position switch is used to apply a rectified voltage to the motor drive units across a pair of oppositely wired diodes. The latter create a slight difference between the voltages applied to the leading and trailing motors in order to maintain the tautness of the scroll. A step-down transformer mounted near or upon the existing light fixture avoids having to carry high voltage anywhere else within the device.
Some of the technology used in the preferred embodiment of the invention are drawn from the parent U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,410,330, 5,493,802 and 5,717,424 which parent patents are incorporated within this specification by this reference.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1024044 (1912-04-01), Tucker
patent: 3426461 (1969-02-01), Miller
patent: 3726031 (1973-04-01), Singer
patent: 3780458 (1973-12-01), Jacoby et al.
patent: 3829997 (1974-08-01), Singer
patent: 5392549 (1995-02-01), Castro
patent: 5517778 (1996-05-01), Simson
patent: 5809677 (1998-09-01), Wamser et al.
patent: 5953840 (1999-09-01), Simson et al.

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