[1]Un'i*ted St,..,ettes Pateri-c qC')ffice 2@893@148 2,@93,.148 ILLU%,BNATING FLUORESCENT HOUSE 5 NUMBER FIXTURE4 Murray Figman Brooklyn, N.Y. Application May 7, 1957, Serial No. 657.,694 10 9 Claims. (,Ql. 40-13;): The, present invention relates to an illuniinating fluores- 15 cent house-number fix,ture@ Al.though the present invention has a broad application to the mounting of signs, numbe rs and @o@ther indicial it has a pai@ticular application to outdoor illuminating devices which may be utilized either for indicating house numbers or street intersections. 20 1-t is among the objects of,,the present invention to provide. a simple, inexpensive, readily adjusted fluorescent house number or porch num,ber fixture which may employ standa rd fluorescent elee,tric bulbs of the hot or cold cathod e type, and it will readily enable the illuminated 25 displa y of the numbers or, locatioils of a house or building without undue glare and with sufficient visibility to be obser vable from, a hguse, substantiallv set bar-k from the road or street. Anoth er object is, tp provide a sini le, di-irable, pro- 30 tected fluorescent house number or street number fixtlire for outdoor ol@ porch use which mav be readilv adiusted or mounted by a,house owner and whigh will be resistant to weatheting, cold and heat, and iv e a reliable visual indication of the number of the house PT street by ni ht 35 or day. A furthe,r object of @ the prmnt, invention is to provid-@ a readily dismountable. kn<)ck-down ho-Lise nuniber fixture which ma be re dilv mounted upqn a hous6 and the . y changed in, 4ccordance@ with the reciuiremenls of the Partic,ular location in whij@11, the f@xtiqre is emplo ed y Still further objects: and, aoyantages will appear in the mo,re detailed@ d(@scriptioir se@t fprth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is 4.5 given by way of illustration and explanation o,.ily and not by way of lirni ation, since various changes therein may be maoe by those skilled in the art without departin@ from the scope and sp;rit of the pr,esent inventlion. In accomplishing the above objerts it has been found 50 most satisfartory, according to, @o@e embodiment of the present inven@ion, to,provide a metall.ic enclosure of sheet nietal@ which, will carry the necessarv transfortner, starter and otlier equipment necessary to mount eloniated ffuorescent tubes. 55 In thef@Teferred structure. there is an elongated casing having a @top aiid bottom wall aiid a rear wall of U crosssection in -,vhich is polsitioned :@ rear chariber for the fluoresce-@it app@urtenances and a froql chamb--r for receiving tjie bulb in icia, wheth it be. numeric or letters, and Go d C@r I I also, suitab-le glass protectors. The, rear chamber carr ymg the transfomier and starter and wiring arrangeinents may b--,enc@16sed Lt the factory against intrusion, while the front compartmen't may have removable comer ri,eces, a removabl@ glass protector aild 6.5 removable indicia. The indicia are preferably of re-latively rigid, yet resilient plastic structure, mthich will snap -on to, and, due to their resiliexicy, retain @themselves upo-n, thp tubular :ft,uorescent bulb. 70 Desirably, the fa" or wi]Rdo@v throu.,h Nvhich the indl dicia s ex,)6sed inclines downwar y and inwardly so as V a t e n t e d J u l y 7 , 1 9 5 9 2 to protect the indicia from the weather. Where a twofaced or double sided illuniinating @ign, i's empl,oyed, the chamber for t@e electric -equipii@eiit and wiring arrangements may be positio ed ab . o ve the sign or indicia in@ stead of to the rear of the sign as in the single view fixture. In this case the hol-der is de@irably of double-sided construction and may be slid upon the tiibe from the end 'Lhoreof, and wili be retained in position by the resiliency of the plastir, material. In this case, the double-view fixture wiJI have a top U-shaped structliral member carrying the transformer and starter as well as the electrical connections, and it may. liave a bottom plate which wi serve to support the side windows in conj'unction witli the top main structure. TI-ie front profile of the device is preferably converged in a deelilied angle so as to protect the front ihuminated rlia imber f--- om all outside weather conditions and enhance -Lhe visibil@ty, since the indicia being illuminated from aboi@ will slant downwardly toward the observer. A further im,3ortant featare reside-s in the fact tha@t the snap-on ho-Iders, the numeric lenses or letter lenses, and TTIC COIOT screens, may b-@ individuaby adjusted in osip tio@i directly on to the fluorescent bulb. A still flirther feature resides in the fact that by removiag the slide glass window ptotectors the numeric and letter lenses may be replaced and removable co-lor screens may be employed to give a desired color to the illun-iinatio@n. A furtiaer feature is the existence of easily removable corner bracl-,ets fastened onto@ each end of the fixture, which @vh--ii rernoved, allows the glass protector pane to be likewise readily reinoved, thus glv'mg acce-ss to the elements (bulb and indicia) of the front compartment. Another important feature is a calculated rectangular opening on the base of the illuminated front chamber which is intended to throw light downwardly for safe st@,,n walking. This reetangular opening requires a glass p;ece for protection a a' St outside weather conditions. g m With the. forego ing and other object s in view, the inPir.,d arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically desrribed, and illustrated in the accompanying, drawings, v-ilicrein isshown aii embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificatio@is can be resorted to. which fall within the scope of the. claims hereunto appended. in the drawings wherein like reference characters dejiote corresponding parts throughout the several views: Fig. I is a fro-,it p@r.@pective view of the ptreferred device, according to@ the present invention, partly separated ' ,c. show th-, interior construction. Fig. 2 is a transverse horizontal sectional view upon, ttio line 2-2 of Fig. I and upon an enlarged scale, as c(>ripar,-;d to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view upon the line 3-3 of Fig. I uppn an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 1 Fig. 4 is a @frlont perspect,ive view of one of the numeric CT letter lenses whiclh may be snapped on to the tubular bulb a@ld positioned in alignment thereon. Fig. 5 is a fra.9mentary diagraminatic view illustrating the enga,em-ent of the snap-on numeric or letter lenses upo@i t@ic bulb. Fig. 6 is a froiit perspective vielv from above of an alternative embodiment where the fixture is illuminated on both sides and - ives two-sided view. Fig. 7 is a tra-.isverse horiz,)ntal sectional viev; upon th.- line 0-6 of Fig. 6 upon a enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional vie-vy upon the line B-8 of Fig. 6 upon 4@i e@larged s(:ale as compared to Fig. 6. numbers, lenses @and@ othe indicia of which may be readily io vention consists of the novel construction, combination
[2]3 Fig. 9 is a top perspective view of a double clip device which may be utilized on the twosided view arrangement of Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a diagramrnatic view showing the aligiunent in which the clip-on devices are assembled. Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, there is shown a U-shaped housin@ A having the wall or mountin.- connection B, the rear chamber C for carryin- the electrical conneetions D, the transformer E and the starter F. The device has an intermediate separating wall G which separates the rear chamber C from the front c'@iamber P.. The front chamber H receives the sockets J for the bulb K. The bulb K in turn serves to receive the snap-on holder and plastic numeric or letter lens devices L. T'he front glass piece member M which protects the interior elements in front chamber H is held in position by the end brackets N which, upon removal, will enable removal of the glass M and a=ss to the snap-on members L and the bulb K. Referring particularly to h'ie snap-on holder of Fig. 4, tiiis device may be made of a one piece moldcd plastic interchangeable element, having the rearwardly ext.-nding locks or clip members 10 which have the rear lips 11 to clip on to the tube and the side ears 12 which fit on to the walls at the top and bottom of the tube K. I The flanges 14 which project inwardly from the side frame members 15 will contact the tube at 16, correctly placing the clips in respect to the bulb to achieve the desired illumination. The ridges 13 on the sides of the top locks 10 and the ridges 17 on the sides of the frame member 15 will interlock with one another, as indicated at 18 in Fig. 2, to align the clipon devices with one another along the length of the bulb K. Thc, front lens portions 19 are transparent, and then, may receive the numeric screen and color slide whicii will be illuminated from the bulb K. There is a recess formed by the side walls 20 and by the top and bottom walls 2! in which letters or numbers having transparent and opaque portions may be inserted for illumination purposes. The snap-on holder L of Fig. 4 may be clipped on to the bulb K readily, or removed in the direction indicated in Fig. 5, and the various elements may be positioned in side by side relationship, with the aligmnent being assured by the interlocking grooves and tongues 13 and 17. The resin has sufficidnt resiliency to enable it to cling to the bulb and to retain its position, as is shown in side el,@vational view in Fig. 3. The bulb, as indicated in Fig. 5, has the end caps 30 and the prongs 31 which fit into t:ie sockets J, which are mounted upon the intermediate separating waH G. On the back of the wall G are mounted the transformer E and the star' er F. The wiring D will extend through the rear chamber C be,tween the sockets J, vs shov7n in Fig. 2, and be connected to th(, transformer at 30, the sockets at 31 and the starter at 32 and 33, with the leads 34 passing outwardly through the mounting means B. The mounting means B has a reduced diameter portion 35 and a wide diameter portion 36 with the screw openings 37 for mounting upon a wall. The casing has the upper wall 45 with an in-turned forward edge 46 and with a rear angular member 47, which forms a track or channel 48 in which the upper edge of the glass M ma@ slide. The ends of the glass M, as shown in Fig. 1, are held in position by the comer brackets N. The comer brackets N consist of a main flange portion 53 which covers the side of the device, as shown in Fig. 1, and is held in position by the screws 54. The side walls 55 will cover the ends of the chamber C. The rear extreniities of the side members N and the rear 4 edges of the side plates 53 and the front edges of the side plat--s 55 will contact or abut at 56. The inturned flanges 57, the front members of the comer brackets N, will fit between the inturned portions 46 and 50 of the top and bottom wars 45 and 49, respectively. The corner brackets N, when attached, will hold the glass M in position and when removed at one or both sides wiR enable removal of tiie glass M and access to lo the snap-on devices L and the bulb K. The bottom wall 49 is provided with a window opening '65 which will be covered by the window pane or glass pane 66 held in position by the edge angle 67. This will permit il'.umination to be projected downwardly 15 under the sign and will permit illumination of a step or bannister as the case may be. The wall G is held in position by the angle brackets 68 (see Fig. 2). It is thus apparent that the applicant has provided a simple outdoor fixture which may be utilized for mount20 ing of street number or house number signs or designations, and which is simple to install and in which the numbers or indicia may be readily removed or replaced, and with ready access to the fluorescent bulb K. In the alternative form, as shown in Figs. 6 to 10, a 25 double view si,-n is provided. In this device there is a top structural member P whicn may be suspended from the right angular hanger member Q mounted on the wall R. The structure P has the lower support member S, the 30 window T and the corner members U. The upper structural member P will receive the transformer V and the electrical connections. The central bulb or tubular fluorescent light W receives the double-view holders X which carry the letters or 35 numbers and color screens as the case may be. The bottom window glass Y perniits illumination downwardly. The bulb W may be readily detached from or mounted in the side sockets Z. Referring particularly to Fig. 6, the hanger member 40 Q has a base flang@ or strip 75 which is mounted on the wall R by the bolts or other fasteners 76. The bar is then tumed at 77 and reduced in diameter to the rod 78 vihich receives the eyelets 79 projecting upward from the top wall 80 of the main structure P. The top waH 45 80 has the side downwardly converging waus 81 which terminate in the inturned portions 82. The separating wall 83 is held in position by the angle brackets 84 and it carries the transformer B by the bolts 85. 50 The interior angle members 86 form channels for the upper edges of the sliding glass panes T. The end wall members 87 will carry the bottom wall structure S having the opening 88 which is covered by the lower window pane 89. 55 The window pane 89 is held in position by the side angle members 90. The sides of the bottom structure S are beaded upwardly and inwardly, as indicated at 91 adjacent the angle members 90 to form channels for the lower edge of the glass panes T. 60 The ends of the glass pane are held in position by the corner members U, which have the main side flanges 92 and the short flanges 93. The flanges 93 project between the beads 82 and 91 to overlap and enclose the ends of the window panes T. 65 The main flanges 92 are held on the ends of the fixture by means of the screws 94. The double-view holder has the inturned curved flanges 112 which contact the tube as well as the upper ears 113 and the lower ears 114 which also engage the top and 70 lower faces of the tube. The ridges or grooves 115 and 116 will interfit with adjacent elements X and correctly align themselves along the length of the fluorescent tube or bulb W. As indicated in Fig. 10, these double-view holders 75 will be slid on as indicated by the arrow 117 to the ends
[3]ofth--tubesW. Thedevice6fFi @6@tolG,, Will@thug-,give a double view illuminatioir in. @both-.direttioin@ @with@,light also being directed downw,,,rdly. The window portions 118 niay ha:*e-letters@,or nunidrals applied thereto which are opaque m part@ ahd ttamparent in part to give full illumination@ in both,@diredtionswhen the sign is positioned in I the ifiannet indicated iii-Fig. 6-. The lower window p@ning 88 will @ also p@ermft illub2i@ nation downwardly. The fixture may be given7 differen't,,@4iolor@d illumineltions by insertion of transparent@colored-,'materials at. the, windows 19 and 118 of the devices'L and X@ 6f @Figs@. 4 and 9, or by applying colored ihat6riall @fo: the:glas @ipanes N and T, or by inserting @fran p@arent @glass@ therein. Referring particularly to the indicia carr@ihg. devices shown in Figs. 4 and 9, these devides may: be providdd with cup4ike inserts 125 which fit, intb a:,@receg& formed by the side walls 20 and the top and bottom;wallg 21 in Fig' 4 or the side wills 20a, and the top: And@ b6ttom, walls 21a in Fig. 9. As shown in the s'ections ilT'@Figs. 2.'and 7,ithe e- @;aplike m'embers 125 will frictioiially enga@6. the @walls 20 and, 21 of the recess of Fig. 4 or 20a @nd 21a of @ the- reces of Fig' 9. In these rups will be received @ thd flat plates or. letter or number carrying ryiembers 126 as Well. a@- the flat colored members 127. The mei-nbers 12@ 116@and 127 ffiay. ba,iiiolded of a plastic material, suc as, styrene, rigid@polyethylene or methyl metha&rylate resing ai id@dle-si@Abl@"Y'tlia@ are made of such thickness and flexibility that they c@Lji be wedg'ed into the recesses of the structures of Fig@@ 4 dhd 9. The indicia carrying, mem]Sdig,- i26-@ 'as w@ll E6, tlie cl Olored plates 127 may also be-providi@d with sid46@flajig@s to enable them to be frictionally engaged inside of the plastic ctip-like members 115. As many changes could be made-in the ab(ive illuminating fluore@cerit house number fixtute,-j:ind mziiiy widely different cmbodiments of this inventio& coul& bo: made without departure from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a Iiiniting sense. Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what is
