GB2385190A

GB2385190A - Illuminated display

Info

Publication number: GB2385190A
Application number: GB0202886A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Patrick Marsh
Original assignee: W M SIGN CONSULTANTS Ltd
Current assignee: W M SIGN CONSULTANTS Ltd
Priority date: 2002-02-07
Filing date: 2002-02-07
Publication date: 2003-08-13
Also published as: GB0202886D0

Abstract

An illuminatable display comprises a translucent support substrate in the form of a panel 11 having applied thereto an indicia 12 having a different property of light transmissivity than the substrate, the substrate also including a light source contiguous with an edge region thereof The light source is preferably a Light emitting diode and may be controlled by a microprocessor 14 either in response to external influences or to light in a predetermined sequence. Preferably the panel 11 is bent so that the light source and controller 22 are maintained out of vision in one portion 20, the indicia being carried on the other portion 21, at an angle to the other and being illuminated by light transmitted through the panel.

Description

Illuminated Display This invention relates to illuminated displays, especially of designs or other indicia contained in a light-transmitting support.

The object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated display which may, for example, comprise a house number, an item for display in a shop or other retail outlet, an advertising sign or board or indeed any other embodiment in which it is desired to display a sign or other indicia in a highlighted fashion but without an external light source.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an illuminated display comprising a translucent support substrate in the form of a panel having applied thereto an indicia having a different property of light transmissivity than the substrate, the substrate also including a light source contiguous with an edge region thereof.

In displays according to the invention, the light source preferably comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) especially of the high-brightness variety, whereby light is transmitted internally within the panel and the indicia is rendered more visible to the observer by virtue of a light-scattering effect caused by reflection and/or refraction of the transmitted light by the indicia externally of the panel. Preferably, the display also includes means to control the light source either in response to external influences or according to a predetermined internal display pattern or sequence. External influences may include ambient lighting conditions, vibration or other movement and ambient temperature and display patterns may include intermittent lighting, sequencing and dimming effects.

Preferably, the control means comprises a printed circuit board optionally including microprocessor control; it has been found that flexible PCB's are ideal for the purpose.

The support substrate may comprise a plastics material such as an acrylic resin or glass and is preferably transparent. The panel may be flat or curved, either to form a simple or complex shape, and can be of any desired profile and dimensions when viewed from the front. The light source is applied either to an internal edge face or region thereof, defined by a slot or other aperture or a depression formed in the panel, for example by machining,

or to an external edge face or region of the panel. Preferably, the light source and PCB are mounted on an edge region of an internal slot and at least part of the outer edge of the panel carries a light-reflective coating or layer, for example of reflective aluminium tape. In embodiments where the light source is mounted on the external edge of the panel, at least part of the remainder of the external edge preferably includes such a coating or layer.

The indicia may comprise letters, numbers, a design or any other mark or emblem and may be applied to the substrate by printing or engraving, etching, by the use of self-adhesive materials, decalcomanias or in any other way. Replaceable indicia may be carried in mounting means such as brackets attached to the support panel the indicia preferably being in contact with a face of the panel for optimal visual effect.

The substrate may be adapted for standing on a surface or being suspended, or for a shelf display in which, for example, the light source and PCB are mounted on a horizontal portion for resting on the shelf and the indicia is applied to an overhanging front edge portion. It is particularly advantageous that the panel substrate may be bent whereby the light source and PCB are maintained out of direct vision in one portion, the indicia being carried on another portion at an angel to the first and subject to illumination through the light transmissivity of the substrate.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 shows a front view of one embodiment in the form of a house number; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of an embodiment for a free-standing advertising sign; and Figure 4 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 3.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the display is for a house number and consists of an acrylic circular panel 11 which numerals 12 attached to the rear surface. The numerals are themselves preferably translucent so that they project. light through the front surface but, should the numerals be of an opaque material, they would still be visible by contrast with the illumination of the panel itself. The exterior edge of the panel carries a layer of aluminium adhesive tape (not shown) and an arcuate slot 13 is formed in the upper portion of the panel. The slot carries high-intensity LED's and a flexible PCB 14 and is connected to a transformer or battery via wires 15. The PCB may be programmed, for example, to activate the LED's under conditions of low ambient light. The support can be secured to a wall or other supporting surface in known manner.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the support panel is in the form of a rectangle of acrylic plastics material bent to form a base 20 (Figure 4) and an upstanding display portion 21. A slot 22 is formed in the base portion and carries LED's and a PCB in similar manner to that described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The upstanding display portion includes a permanently mounted indicia 23 and, mounted to the rear surface, support brackets 24 for receiving a removable sign, for example in the form of an advertisement, 25. As with the embodiment described with reference to Figure 1 and 2, the indicia 23, which may be textual or graphic, may be formed in the material of the support by engraving or etching or may be formed from another material and separately applied. The removable panel 25 may carry advertisement material or other indicia relating, for example, to dates, price or other information.

Claims

Claims 1. An illuminatable display comprising a translucent support substrate in the form of a panel having applied thereto an indicia having a different property of light transmissivity than the substrate, the substrate also including a light source contiguous with an edge region thereof.
2. A display according to claim 1, in which the light source comprises a light-emitting diode
3. A display according to claim I or claim 2, further including means to control the light source either in response to external influences or according to a predetermined internal display pattern or sequence.
4. A display according to claim 3, in which the control means comprises a printed circuit board optionally including microprocessor control.
5. A display according to any preceding claim, in which the support substrate is transparent.
6. A display according to any preceding claim, in which the edge region to which the light source is applied comprises an internal edge region defined by an aperture or depression formed in the panel.
7. A display according to any preceding claim, in which at least part of the outer edge of the panel carries a light-reflective coating or layer.
8. A display according to any preceding claim, in which the indicia comprise letters, numbers, a design mark or emblem and may be applied to the substrate by printing, engraving, etching, by the use of self-adhesive materials or by decalcomanias.
9. A display according to any preceding claim, in which the support substrate includes means for mounting replaceable indicia in contact with a face of the panel.
10. A display according to any preceding claim, in which the panel substrate is bent whereby the light source and PCB are maintained out of direct vision in one portion, the indicia being carried on another portion at an angel to the first and subject to illumination through the light transmissivity of the substrate.
11. An illuminatable display substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.