Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Illuminated sign – Lamp box
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-20
2001-12-11
Green, Brian K. (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Illuminated sign
Lamp box
C362S812000, C040S600000, C040S594000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327802
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a window display arrangement and particularly to an arrangement for illuminating images displayed in the windows of business and retail premises. Illumination of images displayed in business and retail premises' windows enhances their appearance thereby drawing the attention of passers by to the images so that they serve as an improved form of advertising.
Previously window displays with illuminated images have used spotlights or ceiling mounted lights to illuminate the images by reflecting light off the images. However, this requires that the images are not flush with the window which can lead to unsightly multiple reflections and uneven illumination. Lightboxes which hang from the ceiling or are supported on the ground have also been provided previously. However, such an arrangement requires that the images are not flush with the window, so the images are not in the best position for viewing from outside the window. Further, they are bulky in size and take up space in a window display area. Furthermore, they are not adapted to allow easy changing of the images and are generally constructed to contain one image only.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a window display arrangement comprising a support and a lightbox, in which:
the support has a first side to which an adhesive is applied so that the support can be secured to a window and a second side having support releasable fastening means;
the lightbox comprises a housing having housing releasable fastening means which can co-operate with the support releasable fastening means so as releasably to fasten the lightbox to the support so that light from an illumination source in the housing is directed towards an image located, when the arrangement is in use, between the window and the lightbox, so that the illuminated image can be viewed through the window.
Providing a support which is permanently secured to a window and a lightbox which can be releasably fastened to it makes it easier to change the images being illuminated. This also makes it easier to remove the lightbox so as to fix any faults in it. The support may be permanently secured directly to the surface of the window or permanently secured to the window by an intervening member. The adhesive may be in the form of double sided adhesive tape or it may be a spreadable adhesive, such as an epoxy resin or commercially available glues. The adhesive may cover regions of the first side of the support or the entire surface area of the first side of the support. Although the support is permanently secured to a window by an adhesive, it will be understood that it will still be possible to remove the support form the window should the display arrangement no longer be required, or its position in the window need to be changed.
Preferably, the support releasable fastening means and the housing releasable fastening means are formations which can mate with each other so as releasably to fasten the lightbox to the support.
Preferably, the first side of the support is substantially planar. This maximises the surface area of the support that adheres to the window which increases the supporting force provided by the support. If less surface area of the support were in contact with the window then the shear force required to remove the support would be less and so the support would provide a weaker support for the lightbox.
Preferably, the lightbox has an illumination source in it, the support has a viewing region and a masking region and the masking region masks the illumination source when the lightbox is fastened to the support. This helps reduce direct illumination of the image and so provides a more uniform illumination of the image and prevents unsightly bright patches. Although this is the preferred arrangement, the illumination source may be positioned directly behind the images so as to directly illuminate them without being masked. The positioning of the illumination source depends on the nature of the images being illuminated. When the images are paper prints bearing text then the masked arrangement is preferred. When the images are colour transparencies then the illumination source may be directly behind the images.
Preferably, the support has more than one viewing region and the illumination source comprises more than one light source. As more than one viewing region and more than one light source are provided, a number of different images may be illuminated and it is possible to selectively illuminate the different images.
Preferably, the lightbox has a reflective internal surface which directs light from the illumination source towards the image. This helps to provide a more uniform illumination of the image.
Preferably one of the support releasable fastening means and housing releasable fastening means are studs and the other one are holes. Preferably, the support releasable fastening means and housing releasable fastening means co-operate magnetically. The housing releasable fastening means may be a magnet and the support releasable fastening means may be a material to which the magnet will magnetically adhere. However, any other form of releasable fastening means is also envisaged, such as snap-fit fasteners, slide together formations, threaded nuts and bolts and holes, hooks and eyes or press-stud fasteners. The support releasable fastening means and the housing releasable fastening means may have locking devices releasably to lock the support and the housing together when mated.
The support may have a locating formation which co-operates with the lightbox to ensure that the lightbox and support are correctly aligned when the arrangement is assembled.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4277904 (1981-07-01), Leuthesser
patent: 4450640 (1984-05-01), Shapiro et al.
patent: 4848017 (1989-07-01), Bailey et al.
patent: 4860476 (1989-08-01), Hall
patent: 4953315 (1990-09-01), Romaine
patent: 5367806 (1994-11-01), Hoffman
patent: 5533289 (1996-07-01), Hoffman
patent: 5557869 (1996-09-01), Douglas
patent: 2 733 074 (1996-10-01), None
patent: 2038526A (1980-07-01), None
patent: 2224385A (1990-02-01), None
Baxter Philip William
Tyas Malcolm
Edward Pryor & Sons, Ltd.
Green Brian K.
Hewitt James M
Madson & Metcalf
LandOfFree
Window display arrangement does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Window display arrangement, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Window display arrangement will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2599615