U.S. patent number 3,707,792 [Application Number 05/164,069] was granted by the patent office on 1973-01-02 for graphic display system.
Invention is credited to Richard C. Fogelson, Lindell E. Mabrey.
United States Patent |
3,707,792 |
Mabrey , et al. |
January 2, 1973 |
GRAPHIC DISPLAY SYSTEM
Abstract
A display system for graphic indicia includes a source of
illumination mounted in a cabinet having an open viewing side. A
light-diffusion plate is mounted in the opening of the cabinet; and
a glass plate having a low light transmissivity is mounted in front
of the diffusion plate, and it forms part of the cabinet structure
for the light source. A plastic plate bearing a negative
reproduction of the indicia to be displayed is removably interposed
between the diffusion plate and the glass plate; and there is
provision for overlapping of opaque areas of superposed
indicia-bearing plates to form a complete light seal except of the
transparent indicia itself. A transparent color film of plate may,
if desired, be interposed between the diffusion plate and the
indicia plate or film.
Inventors: |
Mabrey; Lindell E. (Highland
Park, IL), Fogelson; Richard C. (Chicago, IL) |
Family
ID: |
22592835 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/164,069 |
Filed: |
July 19, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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734414 |
Jun 4, 1968 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
40/219; 40/361;
40/575 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
13/0409 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
13/04 (20060101); G09f 013/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;40/63,133B,132,219 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Michell; Robert W.
Assistant Examiner: Carter; Richard
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 734,414, filed June
4, 1968, now abandoned.
Claims
We claim:
1. A building directory system comprising: a cabinet provided with
a front opening; a source of illumination mounted in said cabinet;
a laminated faceplate mounted in said opening, said faceplate
including first and second glass panels laminated together by a low
light transmission film having a light transmissivity between 2
percent and 25 percent to thereby form an integral unit; a
plurality of indicia-bearing film members behind said faceplace,
each film member having transparent indicia on an opaque ground,
each film member further being provided with means for sealing with
adjacent members to prevent light leaks between adjacent members,
all of said members cooperating to provide a uniform opaque ground
and being individually replaceable; and a diffusion plate
interposed between said indicia-bearing members and said source of
illumination to provide a uniform field of illumination for said
transparent indicia.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said film members is
constructed and arranged to at least partially overlap adjacent
such members for preventing light leaks, said display system being
characterized by presenting a uniformly continuous ground for said
indicia interposed between said light source and said faceplate
whereby joints between adjacent of such film members are
substantially invisible to an observer and the contrast seen by an
observer at the indicia is enhanced by attenuation of the ambient
light by said low light transmission film.
Description
BACKGROUND June
The present invention relates to a display system; more
particularly, it relates to a system for displaying graphic
messages or other information wherein the information, although
composed of separate elements, is displayed on a field having the
visual appearance of a continuous, uninterrupted opaque ground.
Display systems are known which have a source of light for
illuminating an indicia-bearing film or plate with a diffusion
plate interposed between the two or forming an integral part of the
message being displayed. However, in the main, such prior systems
have not attained the effect achieved by the present system, namely
achieving a continuous, uninterrupted ground for the information
being displayed. For example, in a building directory wherein each
of the names on the directory are on separate elements, prior
directories have given the overall appearance of being composed of
individual and separate elements which, from the viewpoint of
graphic arts design, is undesirable.
Further, other disadvantages have been inherent in prior systems in
replacing or relocating individual ones of the indicia-bearing
elements in such directories. In addition to overcoming these
shortcomings, the present system has found application in more
generalized display systems, such as store front signs, location
indicators, etc., as illustrated by the embodiments described
herein.
SUMMARY
One embodiment of the present invention provides a housing or
cabinet which contains a source of light (which may be a plurality
of fluorescent tubes) and has an open window or face side. Mounted
in the face side of the housing are, in the order named and
proceeding away from the light source, a diffusion plate, a
transparent color plastic film or plate (if any), an
indicia-bearing plastic plate or film which has the negative of the
message imprinted photographically on a light-imprevious ground;
and an exterior glass faceplate having a very low light
transmissivity, of the order of 10 percent.
The instant system, as indicated by the number of embodiments
disclosed in the following detailed description accompanied by the
attached drawing, may be used in any number of display situations.
A unique visual impression is caused by a uniform illumination
field behind the transparent indicia being displayed together with
the use of the darkened glass faceplate having a low optical
transmissivity. Thus, exterior light is greatly attenuated before
it strikes the indicia-bearing surface; and the opaque ground on
which the indicia is formed appears as though it is continuous even
though it may in fact be formed of a number of separate replaceable
elements cooperating to form a light seal between adjacent
edges.
In the case of the directory a film acts as the message-bearing
medium, and an overlapping of these elements forms the light seal
to prevent the escape of light at adjacent edges. If the medium is
a plastic plate, abutting edges of the separate elements are
darkened to prevent light escape through the message plate.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following detailed
description.
THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in
combination with a bank counter top;
FIG. 2 is a transverse cross section view of the display channel of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the light-transmitting
subassembly of the channel of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partially-sectioned plan view of the display channel of
FIG. 1;
FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a similar display system as might be used
above a store front;
FIGS. 8-9 illustrate another embodiment of the inventive principle
in connection with an elevator floor display;
FIGS. 10-10a illustrate another embodiment of the inventive
principle in connection with a building directory; and
FIGS. 11-15 illustrate still another type of building directory
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawing, in FIG. 1 there is illustrated one
embodiment of the present invention as it might be used to display
tellers' names, station functions, advertising messages, etc. at a
bank. A counter is generally designated by reference numeral 10;
and in plan view, it may have a generally rectangular layout. The
front of the counter 10 is provided with a shelf 11 for writing or
resting things on; and the top 12 of the counter 10 is about
chest-high. A back counter 10a is also provided for the teller's
use.
Each of the stations arranged along the counter 10 may be further
provided with a dish or receptacle 13 for receiving money, checks,
books, etc. Mounted on the top 12 of the counter 10, a display
channel, generally designated 14, extends longitudinally of the
counter and is located more toward the teller side of it. The
display channel 14 is attached to the counter top 12 by means of a
number of upstanding legs 15 spaced therealong and permitting
access to the dish 13 from either side of the counter 10.
It is desirable to use an open-top type of counter for tellers'
cages as illustrated; but this has presented certain problems,
namely, easier access to cash, etc. on the back counter 10a by
customers at the front of the counter In this particular embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1, the display channel 14, in addition to
displaying the name of the teller as well as certain messages to
customers, provides the function of limiting access to the teller's
side of the counter. Thus, the height of the legs 15 is arranged so
that, although the teller may easily pass money and bank books to
the dish 13; nevertheless, the reduced vertical spacing between the
display channel 14 and the counter top 12 is such that an arm
cannot freely pass completely between the two. Further, since the
counter top is chest-high, and the front table 11 protrudes from
the counter 10, the height of the display channel 14 is such as to
limit access behind the counter.
Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the details of the display channel 14
are seen more clearly. The display channel has a cabinet or housing
having a bottom 16 and back 17 which are extruded as an integral,
L-shaped member extending longitudinally of the channel. A recess
18 is formed lengthwise of the channel in the top surface and
adjacent the front of the bottom 16 for receiving a
vertically-placed advertising subassembly generally designated 19,
described in greater detail presently.
A top or cover 20 is removably attached to the top of the back 17
to form a removable cover for the channel 14 thereby providing
access to its interior both for replacing the electrical components
therein and substituting the names, advertising slogans, etc. in
the advertising subassembly 19. A recess 21, similar to the
previously-described recess 18 is formed in the lower surface of
the top 20 in vertical register with the recess 18; and it also
receives the advertising subassembly 19. Thus, the top 20 together
with the bottom 16 and back 17 provide a cabinet having an open
front or face side for receiving the advertising subassembly 19
which forms part of the structure of the channel.
The channel 14 is separated into modules extending lengthwise with
each module, containing a first section generally designated 22
(FIG. 4) for storing a ballast 23 and starters 24, and a number of
other separately-excited compartments 26, each containing a
fluorescent tube 27 mounted in sockets 28. The sockets 28 are
mounted inboard of separating spacers 29 which define the sides of
the compartments 22 and 26. Each of the tubes 27 may be provided
with a toggle switch so that each compartment may be selectively
lighted. The spacers 29 are arranged to prevent the transmission of
light between adjacent compartments so that if one compartment is
lit, an adjacent compartment will not display its message unless
its fluorescent tube is also excited, as more fully explained
within.
Selected ones of the legs 15, for example, the leg 31, are hollow
to provide a conduit for coupling feed wires 32 through the counter
top into the display channel 14. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
wires 32 are then routed through a rear corner raceway 33
longitudinally of the display channels 14 for coupling to each of
the pins associated with the sockets 28.
Turning now to the advertising subassembly 19, proceeding outwardly
from the interior of the channel 14, there are arranged in the
order named and extending vertically of the face or window of the
channel, a diffusion plate 34, a transparent plastic plate 35, a
first opaque plastic plate 36, and a second plastic plate 36a, and
a glass faceplate 37. The diffusion plate 34 may be formed of any
number of conventional materials which will cause diffusion of the
light generated by the fluorescent tube 27 to provide a uniform
illumination field behind the advertising being displayed.
Preferably it is a commercially-available plastic marketed under
the tradename and it is translucent but not transparent and has
fairly good transmissivity. Each of the plates 35, 36 and 36a, as
shown, are rigid plastic plates; however, the transparent plate 35
provides a color background for its associated advertising indicia,
if desired. It may be a plastic film marketed under the tradename
Mylar with like results. The plate 36 has an opaque section 36b on
which is formed transparent indicia designated by reference numeral
36c. The indicia 36c may contain the name of the particular teller
so that a simple replacement of the plate 36, the display will
indicate the name of a replacement teller.
The plate 36a is similar to the plate 36 in that it has transparent
indicia 36d formed on an opaque ground 36e. The plate 36a is
provided with an aperture 36f in register with the teller's name to
be displayed. The ground 36b of plate 36 cooperates with and
overlaps the ground 36e of plate 36a to form a light seal between
them. Thus, the only light transmitted through the two indicia
plates is that which is transmitted through the indicia itself; and
the effect is to form a continuous, unbroken opaque ground when
combined with the faceplate described below.
The indicia is formed by a conventional photographic technique on
the indicia-bearing plates 36 and 36a so that they bear the
negative of the message or information. That is, the lettering or
characters appear as transparent portions of an opaque ground. One
such machine is sold under the name FILM-O TYPE machine; and it is
manufactured by the FILM-O-TYPE Co. of Skokie, Ill.
The faceplate 37 has a substantially reduced light transmissivity,
preferably about 10 percent although a transmissivity of 2-25
percent is satisfactory. In one embodiment, the faceplate 37 is
laminated and composed of two separate layers of conventional plate
glass with interposed films so that all the elements of the display
subassembly are tightly secured together. This particular glass is
manufactured by Amerada Glass Co. of Elk Grove, Illinois.
It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, however, that
any architectural-type glass which has good optical qualities
including low distortion and has a reduced light transmissivity may
be used. Specifically, glass having a substance uniformly
distributed throughout and comprised of a single layer may also be
used; however, in this latter, when a particular indicia is viewed
from an angle, the transmissivity varies as compared with that
which is observed when viewed from a head-on position.
The width of the recesses 18 and 21 are just sufficient to receive
the advertising subassembly and to hold it firmly in place. The
bottom and lower front edge of the faceplate 37 is adhesively
secured to the front corner of the recess 18; and it forms a
structural part of the cabinet. The interior edges of the aperture
36f are preferably covered with an opaque paint.
The transparent indicia, illuminated by the uniformly-intense field
caused by the diffusion plate 34, contributes to the aesthetically
pleasing and easy-to-read display of the information. Further, a
very high degree of resolution is obtained in forming the indicia
36c and 36d, it being understood that conventional photographic
techniques may be used for forming it to provide an optical
resolution of very great accuracy, similar to that found in
photographs and the like.
Turning now to FIGS. 5-7, there is illustrated a somewhat larger
display system incorporating some of the principles previously
described. The sign illustrated is designed for placement above the
display windows of a store front; and it will be apparent that it
may run continuously in front of and above a number of different
such doors, it being modular as was the previously-described
channel.
As seen in FIG. 5, the overhead display channel is greatly enlarged
from the counter-top type described previously; and it is generally
designated by reference numeral 50.
The display channel 50 may either be fully extended in front of the
face of the building to which it is secured as seen in the drawing,
or it may be recessed in the face of the building. The embodiments
shown in FIGS. 5-6 includes a three-sided channel including top 51,
back 52, and bottom 53 which define an open face into which is
fitted the advertising subassembly 54. Interior of the channel 50 a
plurality of fluorescent tubes 55 extend longitudinally and may be
mounted according to conventional methods. Again, a lower corner
raceway 56 (see FIG. 7) is provided for routing the electrical
wires. There is also provided, proceeding outwardly from the
fluorescent tubes 55, a diffusion plate 56, a support plate 57
which may be of clear or colored plastic, and the architectural
glass faceplate 58.
A slightly different embodiment is shown in that the letters
forming the indicia being displayed (denoted by reference numeral
60) are of three dimensional form; and they are secured directly to
the support plate 57. As seen in FIG. 7, the block letters 60
engage the rear surface of the architectural glass 58, although
this is not necessary. In this example, the block letters 60 are
impervious to light, whereas the support plate 57 on which the
block letters 60 are mounted is transparent. Again, the uniform
field of illumination is provided by the light source 55 and the
diffusion plate 56; and color, if any, is provided by the plastic
supporting plate 57. A unique display arrangement is obtained by
virtue of the fact that the outward face of the block letters is
darkened due to the low transmissivity of the glass 58 whereas the
sides of the block letters 60 appear fully illuminated by the
background illumination field.
The arrangement is more clearly illustrated in the perspective
section view of FIG. 6 wherein the fluorescent tubes are again
numbered 55, the diffusion plate 56, and the block letters 60, and
the architectural glass 58. Here, however, although the display
effect is the same, the block letters 60 are realized that such
display arrangements are usually more permanent than the
previously-described embodiment; and, therefore, the capability of
having replacable elements is not as important as in the previous
example.
Another modification of the display system illustrated in FIGS. 1-4
is shown in FIGS. 8-9. As seen in FIG. 8, a conventional elevator
operator panel has its display area modified to incorporate the
present invention. The overall panel is generally designated 65
with the call buttons 66. Associated with each of the call buttons
66 is an indicia representing a floor. The present invention
includes the exterior faceplate 67 of architectural glass followed
by an indicia-bearing plate 67a (FIG. 9) on which the numbers
representing the floors are imprinted; and, not seen, are the
diffusion plate and a source of illumination.
In the present application, the light source illuminating the panel
may be compartmentalized into a number of different sections, each
pertaining to a different group of floors being serviced at
different times by the elevator associated with the illustrated
panel. For example, the panel could be divided into the
compartments 67b and 67c as shown, with the central controls for
the elevators set such that floors 3-6 are serviced at a particular
time. With the inventive principle employed, the floor numbers
associated with the compartment 67b would not be illuminated, and
the corresponding numbers associated with the buttons would be
imperceptible thereby indicating that the elevator is not presently
servicing these floors. The upper indicators 68 are made according
to the same principle so that the number corresponding to the floor
at which the elevator is stopped is illuminated. Other arrangements
could be conceived employing this principle of selectively
energizing different compartments using the improved arrangement of
display indicia in glass.
Still another embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11; and
this particular application relates to a directory or register of
names or offices as might be found in a lobby of a large building.
Referring to FIG. 11, the directory is housed in a cabinet 80
having an open front face or window and containing a plurality of
fluorescent tubes 81 behind a plastic diffusion plate 82 which may
be of the same type as the previously-described diffusion plate
34.
Each of the names being displayed is formed in negative on a strip
(FIG. 15) of Mylar flexible film 83, the ends of which are provided
with a patch of magnetic tape, as at 84. After the proper indicia
are formed on the film 83 so that the indicia, see reference
numeral 85 is transparent and the remainder of the film is opaque.
Each individual element is die cut to specification and crimped
longitudinally as at 86 to provide a forwardly projecting lip 87
which extends slightly forwardly and downwardly from the film strip
83. The reason for the lip 87 is so that when each of the film
strips is placed in the directory, the lip 87 will overlap with the
name strip immediately below and thereby form a light seal at the
interstice between the two. This is seen in side section view in
FIG. 12 wherein an upper name strip is designated 89 having a
lower, forwardly-projecting lip 90 which overlaps the top portion
of the next lower name strip designated 91.
Referring again to FIG. 11, the portions of the diffusion plate 82
which form the border or periphery about the column of film strips
is shaded or otherwise darkened to form an opaque ground, seen at
92 in the drawing. For each of the columns formed in the directory,
there are two side grooves formed in the front of the diffusion
plate 82; and two such grooves are designated 93 and 94 in FIG. 11.
The groove 94 is seen in greater detail in section view in FIG. 12;
and a metal strip 96 is mounted in each of these
vertically-extending grooves. The width of each of the vertical
grooves is just sufficient to receive the tabs of magnetic tape on
the film strips; and the depth of the grooves is just sufficient to
receive its associated strip of metal 96 and a tab of magnetic tape
so that the name strip secured to the magnetic tape lies flush with
the front surface of the diffusion plate 82. This is seen in
greater detail in FIG. 13 wherein it can also be seen that a
faceplate 97, similar to the previously-described faceplate of
architectural glass having low light transmissivity, presses the
columns of name strips in place. FIG. 14 shows an exploded section
view of the elements comprising the display subassembly which fits
into the directory cabinet 80.
The display subassembly is then slidable within grooves 98 at the
top and bottom of the directory housing; and one of the housing
sides 99 is removable so that the display subassembly can be slid
to one side and the name strips easily replaced.
With this arrangement, it can be seen that very little time is
needed to completely update a directory, while at the same time,
the appearance to an observer is very pleasing in that the entire
background of the film strips appears as an integral, unitary
opaque ground which is darkened, and all of the names displayed by
the directory are in proper vertical and horizontal alignment.
Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 10a, an alternative embodiment of the
mechanism for securing the name strips to the diffusion plate is
illustrated. As shown therein, a strip of film 100, similar to the
previously-described film strip 83, is provided at each end with an
aperture for receiving a pin (seen in detail in FIG. 10a and
designated 102) is integrally formed with a pin 103.
The height of the head of the stud 102 is equal to the height of
its associated film strip 100; and each of the film strips is again
provided with a lower lip 104 which projects in front of the film
strip and beneath it, and is formed by means of a fold line 105
longitudinally of the strip. The lip 104, as described above, forms
an overlap with the film strip beneath it to prevent the leaking of
light between adjacent films.
A pair of vertical slides 106 and 107 is mounted on a diffusion
plate 108; and each slide is provided with a central vertical
groove 109 and 110, respectively, for receiving the pins 103 of the
studs 102. The studs 102 are preferably magnetic; and the slides
are formed of metal so that the film strips are held in vertical
alignment by means of the groves 109 and 110 which receive the pins
on the studs which, in turn, hold the plastic film. The film strips
are held in horizontal alignment by means of the heads of the studs
resting upon each other and pressed in place by a covering sheet of
glass or plexiglass. Each film strip is conveniently removed by
simply pulling out its associated stud; and it may be replaced by
an opaque film strip, if desired. Covering the open face of the
cabinet housing the register is a sheet of the previously-described
architectural glass having transmissivity of the order of 10
percent.
Having thus described in detail a number of preferred embodiments
and applications of the inventive principle, it will be obvious to
persons skilled in the art that certain materials and
configurations may be modified and materials substituted for those
which have been described without departing from the inventive
principle; and it is, therefore, intended that all such
modifications and equivalents be covered as they are embraced
within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *