Refrigerated Case

Abstract

A refrigerated display case has a body ( 72 ), at least one door ( 28; 32 ) coupled to the body, and an internal refrigerated compartment ( 24 ). The case includes a lighted sign apparatus ( 32 ) mounted to the body. The apparatus includes a bulb ( 64 ), a housing ( 60 ), and an at least partially transparent and/or translucent sign ( 62 ) carried by the housing. A number of extractable snap fasteners ( 120 ) extend through associated holes ( 150 ) in the housing and engage the sign to retain the sign in an installed condition.

1 . A refrigerated display case ( 20 ) comprising:
 a body ( 72 );   at least one door ( 28 ;  32 ) coupled to the body;   an internal refrigerated compartment ( 24 );   a lighted sign apparatus ( 32 ) mounted to the body and comprising:
 a bulb ( 64 ); 
 a housing ( 60 ); 
 an at least partially transparent and/or translucent sign ( 62 ) carried by the housing; and 
 a plurality of extractable snap fasteners ( 120 ) extending through associated holes ( 150 ) in the housing and engaging the sign ( 62 ) to retain the sign in an installed condition. 
   
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 the plurality of snap fasteners ( 120 ) include:
 a first group along a bottom of the housing; and 
 a second group along a top of the housing. 
   
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 the snap fasteners ( 120 ) consist essentially of nylon.   
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 3  wherein:
 the snap fasteners comprise:
 a head ( 200 ); and 
 a transversely-apertured ( 206 ) shaft ( 202 ). 
   
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 the housing comprises first and second pieces, the first piece ( 130 ) essentially forming a top ( 90 ) and first side ( 122 ) of the housing ( 60 ) and the second piece ( 140 ) essentially forming a bottom ( 92 ) and second side ( 124 ) of the housing.   
     
     
         6 . With the case of  claim 1 , a method for replacing the sign comprising:
 extracting at least one of the fasteners ( 120 );   removing the sign ( 62 );   replacing the sign with a replacement sign ( 62 ); and   replacing the extracted fasteners ( 120 ).   
     
     
         7 . With the case of  claim 1 , a method for replacing the bulb comprising:
 extracting at least one of the fasteners ( 120 );   removing the sign ( 62 );   removing the bulb ( 64 );   replacing the bulb ( 64 ) with a replacement bulb ( 64 );   replacing the sign ( 62 ); and   replacing the extracted fasteners ( 120 ).   
     
     
         8 . A method for forming the case ( 20 ) of  claim 1  comprising:
 removing screws from the holes ( 150 ) or hole precursors thereof; and   replacing the screws with the snap fasteners ( 120 ).   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 enlarging the hole precursors to form the holes ( 150 ).   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein:
 the snap fasteners comprise:
 a head ( 200 ); and 
 a transversely-apertured ( 206 ) shaft ( 202 ). 
   
     
     
         11 . The case of  claim 2  wherein:
 the snap fasteners consist essentially of nylon and comprise:
 a head ( 200 ); and 
 a transversely-apertured ( 206 ) shaft ( 202 ). 
   
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 the snap fasteners comprise:
 a head ( 200 ); and 
 a transversely-apertured ( 206 ) shaft ( 202 ). 
   
     
     
         13 . A refrigerated display case ( 20 ) comprising:
 a body ( 72 );   at least one door ( 28 ;  32 ) coupled to the body;   an internal refrigerated compartment ( 24 );   a lighted sign apparatus ( 32 ) mounted to the body and comprising:
 a bulb ( 64 ); 
 a housing ( 60 ); 
 an at least partially transparent and/or translucent sign ( 62 ) carried by the housing; and 
 non-screw means ( 120 ;  150 ) for retaining the sign in an installed condition.