GB1007257A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for producing coloured light effects - Google Patents

Abstract

1,007,257. Illuminated sign. J. E. WINSTANBY. Jan. 24, 1964 [Oct. 24, 1962; Dec. 27, 1963], Nos. 40311/62 and 51051/63. Heading G5C. [Also in Divisions F4, G2 and H2] An illuminated sign comprises a chamber 1 having at least one translucent screen 3 illuminatable by a series of differently coloured electric lamps R<SP>1</SP>, R<SP>2</SP>, B<SP>1</SP>, B<SP>2</SP>, G<SP>1</SP>, G<SP>2</SP>, indepen. dently switched to produce varying coloured effects by their various combinations. The box is painted matt white inside and the lamps are enclosed by a similarly white cylindrical ring 5. Two shades each of red, green, blue lamps are shown. Screen 3 (Figs. 4 ... 7, not shown) bears opaque or coloured translucent symbols, attached by adhesive or sliding in guides, or indicia may be painted or dyed into the screen, either indicia or screen being coloured, or alternatively an opaque stencil possibly having coloured filters over the cutout parts may be placed over the screen 3. Screens 3 and/or coloured filters may be removable and exchangeable. Coloured symbols will change in appearance and visibility as the light is changed in colour. Figs. 14 ... 19 (not shown) illustrate a two-sided device, which may employ fluorescent or neon tubes. Lamps may have coloured bulbs, or normal bulbs in combination with filters may be used. The ring 5 may be replaced by an opalescent sphere. Figs. 8 ... 13 (not shown) illustrate switching arrangements for use with the device. In one case each of the six lamps is controlled by an on/off switch coacting with a cam. Three cams, controlling one lamp of each colour, are driven directly on a common shaft by an electric motor, the other three are mounted on a second shaft, geared to the first via a Maltese-cross device, moving part of a turn for every turn of the first shaft. An alternative arrangement comprises the six lamps controlled by solenoid operated switches, the solenoids each controlled by a photo-cell, and a rotating mask having slots disposed to allow light from a common source to illuminate the photo-cells in desired combination and sequence, to produce a wide range of colours in the sign itself. The switch means may incorporate means for varying the power supplied to each lamp as well as merely switching it, and may be manually operated.