Abstract:
An illuminated display stand that is decorative, functional, and provides a stand for laser milled acrylic or plastic objects. The objects can be formed from any shape with the milled portion providing an outline with definition of most any two dimensional item. The milling of the object can include various depths and widths wherein the illumination from the display stand will highlight the object.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/663,174, entitled “ILLUMINATED DISPLAY STAND”, filed Jun. 22, 2012. The contents of which the above referenced application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to illuminated display stands and more particularly to an illuminated display stand for highlighting milled translucent objects. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Lighting devices are used in nearly all areas in modern culture. Lights are used generally to allow people to see indoors and when ambient light is insufficient. Lighting is used during the night because of the need to see and work, but also because many people, especially children, have varying degrees of fear of the dark. As such, children have often requested lights to be left on throughout the night which has led to child focused night-lights. 
         [0004]    More recently lighting displays have been designed and used to draw the attention of people nearby, sometimes for marketing purposes, other times to showcase items of importance. It is a natural tendency to feel pride of accomplishments and when appropriate, to show those accomplishments off through means of a display. Many displays incorporate lighting to set off the item from the surrounding environment; museums create special lighting around artworks, display cases have focused lights to draw attention to the items inside. 
         [0005]    There are numerous illuminated display stands. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,865 discloses an illuminated display stand wherein the backside of a transparent object is engraved by removing a layer of paint. The stand provides a light reflective surface by use of a frontal light shining through the transparent material and striking a reflective surface. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,581 discloses an illuminated apparatus mounted to an exterior of a dwelling for alerting the location of a delivery site, such as a pizza delivery. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,890 discloses a display board that consists of transparent acrylic plastic plates in which surface desired letters or pictures are grooved, and a panel made by fitting together a number of the bricks of transparent acrylic plastic. The light receiving edges of the plate and bricks are colored to produce a colored light. This invention utilizes light-bulbs that when turned on illuminates the edges from the grooves cut in the plate and from the emerging edge of the brick. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,623,312 discloses a sign which may be illuminated wherein edge lighting is employed to obtain illumination of the legend, the sign includes inscribing indicia on the backside of the sign, wherein indicia illumination may be obtained from a light source of given intensity disposed near an edge of the sign, particularly in stances where the distance between the light source and the most remote indicia is relatively large, or where the number of indicia on the sign is relatively great. 
         [0009]    What is lacking in the prior art is an illuminated display stand that is ornamental in and of itself, can be configured and re-configured by a user to personalize the display, and employs upward lighting to provide an illuminated display stand for use in illuminating milled translucent objects and other objects placed upon the stand. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An illuminated display stand for laser milled acrylic or plastic objects, or other objects of similar size, which would benefit from being lit from the bottom for display purposes. The objects can be formed from any shape with the milled portion providing an outline with definition of most any two dimensional item. The milling of the object can include various depths and widths wherein the illumination from the display stand will highlight the object. The laser milled object can also serve as a backing or frame for opaque objects, such as photographs, certificates, or other similar objects to be displayed. 
         [0011]    The base plate can be formed to any geometric shape, such as a rectangle or other polygon, or an ellipse, based on the overall shape design. Light is focused upward by a reflective top surface of the base plate and opaque vertical panels. The vertical panels fit into a groove on the upper surface of the base plate to hold them in place. This groove can form to match the geometric shape of the base plate, or form a different geometric shape. The vertical panels can be a uniform height or varied depending on the type of display sought. Additionally, having additional reflective surfaces within the enclosure to help focus light towards the objects displayed can be incorporated, an example of this is having the front vertical panels have an inwardly reflecting surface so that more light from the internal light source will reflect up towards an opaque object on display increasing the overall illumination of the display. 
         [0012]    When displaying translucent objects, such as laser milled plastic, acrylic, or similar objects, the bottom surface of the laser milled object should be conjugate to the mounting groove, where the two surfaces in contact pair together, to aid in light passing into the edge of the translucent object to utilize total internal reflection to illuminate the laser etching, known as edge lighting. 
         [0013]    It is an objective of the instant invention to provide an illuminated display stand that is decorative and available for illuminating objects, especially laser milled translucent objects. 
         [0014]    Still another objective of the instant invention is to provide an illuminated display stand for holding of translucent objects milled by use of a process that engraves plastic or acrylic pieces wherein edge lighting enhances the engraved element. 
         [0015]    It is another objective of the instant invention to provide an illuminated display stand having an enclosure which encapsulates an LED light source. 
         [0016]    It is another objective of the instant invention to provide an illuminated display stand having a top surface with grooves for positioning of user-configured objects for display purposes. 
         [0017]    It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide an illuminated display stand having an enclosure having a reflective base plate and opaque sidewalls having reflective characteristics to further concentrate and direct lighting towards the objects that are displayed. In addition to reflecting light upwards, the sidewalls may be milled allowing illumination of indicia placed thereon. 
         [0018]    It is a further objective of the instant invention to disclose the use of laser milled objects wherein the resulting indicia engraved thereon may receive various depths and thicknesses burn for use in diffracting light for enhancing of the displayed item. 
         [0019]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the present invention without interchangeable front or side panels; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is rear view of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the base plate of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the top plate of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the present invention, without interchangeable front or side panels; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a fastener of the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating how the positionable objects engage with the illuminated display. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]      FIGS. 1-9 , which are now referenced, illustrate one embodiment of the present invention; a rectangular shaped user configured illuminated display. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the illuminated display  10  includes a substantially rectangular base plate  12 , a top plate  30 , a sidewall support structure  130 , and a light source  122  with electricity from a power cord  124 . 
         [0030]    The base plate  12  includes a front edge  14 , a rear edge  16 , a right edge  18 , a left edge  20 , a bottom surface  24 , and an upper surface  22  which is preferably highly light reflective. The reflective upper surface  22  may be integral with the base plate  12  or it may be a coating which is subsequently applied to the base plate  12 . The base plate  12 , as depicted in  FIG. 5 , also has a base plate support groove  28  on the reflective base plate upper surface  22 . The base plate support groove  28  is spaced inwardly from the front, rear, left, and right edges of the base plate  12 . Additionally, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the base plate includes base plate fastener apertures  29  which are used in combination with fasteners  128  to hold the illuminated display  10  together. 
         [0031]    The sidewall support structure  130  extends vertically from the base plate  12 , and forms an upstanding enclosure having an interior space or volume. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the sidewall support structure  130  is formed from a front wall  132 , two side walls  134 , and an opaque rear wall panel  70 . The rear wall panel  70  further includes an inner surface  72 , an outer surface  74 , a top edge  76 , a bottom edge  78 , a right edge  80 , and a left edge  82 . In one embodiment, the front wall  132  and side walls  134  of the sidewall support structure  130  can be made entirely of translucent material, such as acrylic or other similar material. Alternatively, the sidewall support structure  130  can be formed such that only specific regions on the front wall  132  and side walls  134  are translucent. 
         [0032]    The top plate  30  has and upper surface  40  and a lower surface  42 , a front edge  32 , a rear edge  34 , a right edge  36 , and a left edge  38 . The upper surface of the top plate  40  includes at least one object mounting groove  46 , and in the preferred embodiment it includes two object mounting grooves  46 . The lower surface  42  of top plate  30  includes a top plate support groove  44 . The top plate support groove  44  is spaced inwardly from the front, rear, and side edges of the top plate  30  in the preferred embodiment. The distance that the groove is spaced from the front, rear, and side edges of the top plate  30  can vary. The support groove  44  can also be along the front, rear, and side edges of the top plate  30 . The top plate  30  is secured on top of the sidewall support structure  130  by fasteners  128  passing through top plate fastener apertures  48 . The sidewall support structure  130  engages with the base plate  12  and the top plate  30  in the base plate support groove  28  and top plate support groove  44 , respectively, to prevent the sidewall support structure  130  from moving with respect to the base plate  12  or the top plate  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the top plate  30  has top plate fastener apertures  48  to engage with the fasteners  128 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the upper surface of the top plate  40  has an object mounting groove  46  for resting items to be displayed on the top of illuminated display  10 . 
         [0033]    The illuminated display also includes an interchangeable front wall panel  50  and two interchangeable side wall panels  90 . The interchangeable front wall panel  50  has an outer surface  52 , an inner surface  54 , a top edge  56 , a bottom edge  58 , a right edge  60  and a left edge  62 . Each of the two interchangeable side wall panels  90  has an outer surface  92 , an inner surface  94 , a top edge  96 , a bottom edge  98 , a front edge  100 , and a rear edge  102 . These interchangeable wall panels are also supported between the base plate  12  and the top plate  30  by the base plate support groove  28  and the top plate support groove  44 , respectively. The top plate support groove  44  is designed to be a greater depth than the base plate support groove  28 , so that when the interchangeable front wall panel  90  or interchangeable side wall panels  90  are positioned in the base plate support groove  28 , the top plate support groove  44  overlaps the top edge of the front panel  56  and the top edge of the side panels  96  and prevents the panels from moving. However, when the interchangeable front wall panel  50  or interchangeable side wall panels  90  are fully inserted into the top plate support groove  44 , the base plate support groove  28  does not overlap with the bottom edge of the interchangeable front wall panel  58  or the bottom edge of the interchangeable side wall panels  98 , allowing the interchangeable wall panels to be removed and changed for a different set of interchangeable wall panels at a user&#39;s discretion. When supported in the support grooves  28  and  44 , the interchangeable front wall panel  50  and two interchangeable side wall panels  90  are predominantly flush with the front wall  132  and side walls  134  of the sidewall support structure  130 . The two interchangeable side wall panels are supported adjacent to one of the ends of each of the interchangeable front wall panel  50  and rear wall panel  70  respectively. Each of the two interchangeable side wall panels  90  are secured to the interchangeable front wall panel  50  along the front edge of the interchangeable side wall panels  100 . Each of the two interchangeable side wall panels  90  are secured to the rear wall panel  70  along the rear edge of the interchangeable side wall panel  102 . 
         [0034]    The inner surface of the interchangeable front wall panel  54 , the inner surface of the rear wall panel  72 , and the inner surfaces of the interchangeable side wall panels  94  have a light reflective surface. This inner surface is preferably highly reflective of visible light. Alternatively a coating or a layer of light reflective material can be applied to the inner surfaces of the interchangeable front wall panel  54 , the rear wall panel  72 , and the interchangeable side wall panels  94 . 
         [0035]    Fasteners  128  are secured to the base plate  12  and to the top plate  30 . The present invention uses bolts, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , as fasteners  128 . The fasteners  128 , secure the interchangeable front wall panel  50 , rear wall panel  70 , and two interchangeable side wall panels in the between the base plate  12  and top plate in the base plate support groove  28  and the top plate support groove  44 . Fasteners  128  also permit the illuminated display to be easily disassembled and for parts to be reconfigured by a user. In the preferred embodiment, fasteners  128  enable the top plate  30  to be removed from the sidewall support structure  130  so that a user can gain access to the interior space or enclosure where the light source  122  is housed. 
         [0036]    The light source  122  within the enclosure formed by the sidewall support structure  130  is preferably an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In a preferred embodiment a plurality of LEDs are secured along a strip within the enclosure. The strip is positioned along the base plate  12  and extends along the enclosure in a longitudinal direction predominantly parallel to the object mounting groove  46  on the top plate upper surface  40 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . An electrical power cord  124  is connected to the illuminated display  10  through a power cord aperture  86 . The power cord aperture  86  is preferably located in the rear wall panel  70 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  7  an electrical power switch  120  is provided to turn on and off the electrical power to the LED light source  122 . 
         [0037]    Feet  26  are secured to the bottom surface of base plate  24 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 , and  7 . In the preferred embodiment there are four feet  26 . However, any number of feet can be employed. Feet  26  are preferably formed of a material which will not mar or damage a surface on which the illuminated display  10  is set. In the preferred embodiment the feet  26  are made from rubber. The feet  26  raise the bottom surface  24  of base plate  12  and create a space between the base plate  12  and the surface on which the illuminated display is placed, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  7 . Feet are preferably secured the base plate bottom surface  24  by glue or similar adhesives. The base plate bottom surface  24  can optionally be provided with recesses into which the feet  26  can be placed to decrease the distance between the base plate  12  and the surface on which the illuminated display is placed. 
         [0038]    Each interchangeable wall panel preferably includes an opaque layer or is composed of opaque material. Milled portions can be carved into each interchangeable wall panel of the illuminated display  10  in the shape of indicia which are visible from the exterior of the illuminated display  10 . The milled indicia on the interchangeable front wall panel  64 , and milled indicia on the interchangeable side wall panels  104  permit the passage of light through the opaque layer and create pleasing decorative images which can be reconfigured by a user. The interchangeable front wall panel  50 , rear wall panel  70 , and interchangeable side wall panels  90  can be formed from various colored plastics, so that the milled indicia are various colors when illuminated. 
         [0039]    The LEDs of the light source  122  can each provide a light having the same visible wavelength. Alternatively, two or more LEDs can provide light having two or more distinct and different wavelengths. This arrangement produces a light which appears to have two or more distinct colors. These different and distinct colors are visible through the milled indicia on the interchangeable front wall panel  64  and the indicia on the interchangeable side wall panels  104  of the illuminated display  10 . A dimmer can also be provided to regulate the electrical power provided to the light source(s)  122 . This will vary the brightness or intensity of the light produced by the light source(s)  122 . In the preferred embodiment a dimmer is secured to the power cord  124 . However, the dimmer can also be secured to another portion of the electrical supply to the light source(s)  122 . 
         [0040]    The top plate upper surface  40  is provided with at least one object mounting groove  46 . In a preferred embodiment, two object mounting grooves  46  are employed, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 9 . One or more positionable objects  110  are constructed to be placed within the mounting groove(s)  46  and illuminated by the light source(s)  122 . In the present embodiment the positionable objects  110  are formed from a translucent plastic which are readily illuminated by a light source  122  utilizing total internal reflection to illuminate milled indicia on the positionable objects  114  to produce an aesthetically pleasing image. The objects  78  can be milled or formed into various shapes. In  FIG. 9  an example of golf related positionable objects  110  are illustrated. Any other imaginable shapes can also be formed and utilized. 
         [0041]    Preferably these positionable objects  110  are milled utilizing a laser process. Other types of processes to form indicia on the positionable objects  110  can also be employed. The milling of a positionable object having detail and three dimensional characteristics allows light entering a mounting edge of the positionable object  114 , formed as a conjugate surface to object mounting groove  46  surface, to escape through the milled design to create a pleasing image. Additionally, the intensity or brightness of the light produced from the positionable objects  110  can be varied by the milling of the positionable objects  110 . The milling of the positionable objects  110  controls the concentration, absorption, and scattering of the light. Thus, visually the intensity or brightness of the light varies. The positionable objects  110  can be milled or formed into various shapes to create letters, words, advertisements, restaurant menus, trophies, instructions, memorial displays, and other viewable indicia. 
         [0042]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0043]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
         [0044]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.