The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 25, 1983
Filed:
Jun. 05, 1981
John W Kraus, Teaneck, NJ (US);
Trans-World Manufacturing Corp., East Rutherford, NJ (US);
Abstract
A display having mechanically changeable characters and a support for the display are disclosed. The display comprises an array of mechanical flip-flop elements which can each be rotated between two orientations exposing one of two visually different sides. The flip-flop elements are bars secured resiliently by springs to a frame in such a manner that each flip-flop element can be manually pulled away from the frame, rotated to change its orientation, and released to snap back against the frame. The flip-flop elements are arranged in groups of seven, each group having its seven flip-flop elements arranged into two adjacent quadrilaterals of equal size, one flip-flop element being common to both quadrilaterals. Channels are provided on the rear side of the frame to receive the springs. Various lengths for the flip-flop elements are disclosed. The support maintains the display in an elevated position and draws up the display by means of a retractable cable. A securement device holds the display up. Guide posts on the support guide the display back up into position after being lowered, the retractable cable being passed through the posts.