AU2020102900A4

AU2020102900A4 - Sign Module

Info

Publication number: AU2020102900A4
Application number: AU2020102900A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Damien Russell
Original assignee: Iona Global Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Iona Global Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-20
Filing date: 2020-10-20
Publication date: 2020-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-20

Abstract

A sign module (10) comprising a housing (12) having an illumination device (24) and a front panel (14) formed from a transparent material. An opaque inner 5 panel (28) is including a plurality of transparent or translucent regions (30) through which light may pass from the illumination device (24). A plurality of adhesive coverings (34) may be secured to the inner panel to cover one or more of the regions (30 and thereby form a symbol visible on the front surface of the sign module (10). 10 2/3 co N 00 CN v- .4 0 1 0 a A I a A A Co A A A A AA Aa A A A AA AA A A o C . ..sI A . . . A A Coe

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION For an Innovation Patent

Invention title:

"Sign Module"

Applicant:

Advanced Fleet Signs Pty Ltd

Associated provisional applications:

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

"Sign Module"

Field of the Invention

[001] The present invention relates to a sign module of the type that may be used on vehicles for displaying identification numbers.

Background to the Invention

[002] Vehicles in many industries must have numbers or other markings displayed for identification purposes. Heavy vehicles on mining sites, for example, often use a series of numbers to identify the vehicle. The numbers are generally displayed on signage that can be illuminated and/or includes reflective elements on the numbers to allow visibility of the identification numbers at night.

[003] A common type of sign used for this purpose comprises a module having a single digit displayed. A series of modules must then be purchased for a particular vehicle and made up showing the specific digits required.

[004] The present invention relates to an improved sign module for displaying one or more symbols to be used as part of an identification marking on a vehicle. The sign module is aimed at allowing configuration of the symbols into one of a number of symbols, such as numbers, using a cost effective common module.

Summary of the Invention

[005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sign module comprising: a housing having an illumination device therein; a front panel formed from a transparent material securable to a front surface of the rear panel; an opaque inner panel provided between the rear panel and the front panel, the inner panel including a plurality of transparent or translucent regions through which light may pass from the illumination device; and a plurality of adhesive coverings; wherein the adhesive coverings may be secured to the inner panel to cover one or more of the regions and thereby form a symbol visible on the front surface of the sign module.

[006] Preferably the adhesive coverings comprise flexible members of an opaque sheet material having adhesive on a surface thereof.

[007] Preferably the housing includes a recess in a front surface thereof and the illumination device comprises a light panel received within the recess.

[008] Preferably the illumination panel includes an array of LED lights.

[009] Preferably a diffuser panel is provided between the light panel and the inner panel.

[010] In one embodiment, the regions are configured in one or more figure eight shapes such that the regions can be used to display one or more individual numbers from 0 to 9.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[011] The invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the following drawings:

[012] Figure 1a is a front view of a sign module in accordance with the present invention;

[013] Figure lb is a cross sectional view of the sign module of Figure la through the line A-A;

[014] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the sign module of Figure 1; and

[015] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a sign module including additional numbers.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[016] Referring to Figures, there is shown a sign module 10 comprising generally a housing 12 and a front cover 14. The sign module 10 is provided to display one or more symbols, being numbers in the embodiment shown. While the sign module 10 shown is used to display a number, it will be appreciated that the sign module 10 may be configured to display other symbols.

[017] In the embodiment shown, the housing 12 and the front cover 14 are both rectangular in shape. The front cover 14 is securable to a front side of the housing 12 by suitable means, such as securing screws 16.

[018] The housing 12 includes a recess 18 in a front side thereof. The recess 18 comprises a central rectangular recess defining a raised edge portion 20 extending around the periphery of the front side of the housing 12. The periphery of the front cover 14 engages with the edge portion 20 of the housing 12 and the securing screws 16 are received through holes in the periphery of the cover 14 aligned with corresponding holes in the edge portion 20 to secure the front cover 14 to the housing 12. The raised edge portion 20 is provided with a seal 22 to engage with a rear surface of the front cover 14 and thereby seal the recess 18.

[019] The housing 12 of the sign module 10 is provided with an illumination device such that the illumination device emits light in a direction towards the front cover 14. The illumination device in the embodiment shown comprises a light panel 24. The light panel 24 comprises a rectangular panel including an array of light emitters 26 extending across its surface. The light emitters 26 are arranged across the surface of the light panel 24 such that light is emitted outwardly in the direction of the cover 14. In the embodiment shown, the light emitters 26 comprise LEDs arranged in an rectangular array across the surface of the light panel 24.

[020] The sign module 10 is provided also with an inner panel 28. The inner panel 28 comprises a planar member secured in use between the light panel 24 and the front cover 14. The inner panel 28 is generally opaque and may be formed from an opaque material, or from a transparent or translucent material with an opaque coating.

[021] The inner panel 28 is provided with a plurality of transparent or translucent regions 30. The regions 30 are provided such that the regions 30 may define one or more symbols visible from the front of the sign module 10. In the embodiment shown, the regions 30 comprise elongate regions configured in one or more figure eight shapes such that the regions 30 can be used to display one or more individual numbers from 0 to 9. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the regions 30 define three such numbers, however it will be appreciated that an alternative number of numbers or other symbols may be defined by the regions 30. Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which four numbers are defined by the regions 30.

[022] The regions 30 may be formed from a clear material, or from a coloured material such that the illuminated numbers are coloured in appearance. A reflective material may also be provided within the regions 30 such that regions may reflect some light incident on the front cover 14 back out through the front cover 14.

[023] The sign module 10 is provided also with a diffuser panel 32. The diffuser panel 32 is located between the light panel 24 and the inner panel 28 in order to diffuse light from the light emitters 26 which passes through the regions 30 of the inner panel 28.

[024] The sign module 10 is provided further with a plurality of adhesive coverings 34. The adhesive coverings 34 comprise flexible sheet material having an adhesive on one side and being opaque. The adhesive coverings 34 are provided in shapes corresponding to the regions 30 such that application of an adhesive covering 34 to a front surface of the inner panel 28 covers completely over one of the regions 32, thereby prevent light from passing through that region 30.

[025] In use, the sign module 10 may be configured to display a required set of symbols by removing the front cover 14 and applying adhesive coverings 34 over a selection of the regions 30 of the inner panel 28. The adhesive coverings 34 are provided to define the desired symbols for the apparatus on which the sign module 10 is to be displayed. The front cover 14 may be secured into the sign module 10 and the sign module 10 secured to the equipment. Light emitted from the light panel 24 passes out through the regions 30 of the inner panel 28 not having adhesive coverings 34 to display a required set of symbols corresponding to the equipment.

[026] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A sign module comprising: a housing having an illumination device therein; a front panel formed from a transparent material securable to a front surface of the rear panel; an opaque inner panel provided between the rear panel and the front panel, the inner panel including a plurality of transparent or translucent regions through which light may pass from the illumination device; and a plurality of adhesive coverings; wherein the adhesive coverings may be secured to the inner panel to cover one or more of the regions and thereby form a symbol visible on the front surface of the sign module.

2. A sign module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the adhesive coverings comprise flexible members of an opaque sheet material having adhesive on a surface thereof.

3. A sign module in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing includes a recess in a front surface thereof and the illumination device comprises a light panel received within the recess.

4. A sign module in accordance with claim 3, wherein the illumination panel includes an array of LED lights.

5. A sign module in accordance with claim 3 or 4, wherein a diffuser panel is provided between the light panel and the inner panel.

Advanced Fleet Signs Pty Ltd by its Patent Attorneys Armour IP