MXPA98001789A - Illuminated sign and plate of the mi - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminated signal comprising a light source, a transparent sheet having a signal, which attempts to be adjacent to the light source to receive this light from it, this light, during use, is transmitted along the transparent sheet, a front image layer, which is disposed on a front face of the transparent sheet and has a reflective surface directed backward and a subsequent image layer, which is disposed on the rear face of the transparent sheet, substantially in register with the front image layer, whereby, during use, the light is reflected from the reflecting surface on the subsequent image layer, thereby increasing the illumination of the image layer after

Description

ILLUMINATED SIGN AND PLATE OF THE SAME The present invention relates to an illuminated signal and to a signal plate for said illuminated signal. Illuminated signs are known at the edge, in which a transparent sheet of plastic is illuminated by a light source, arranged along its edge, so that the light passes through the sheet material in one direction through the plane of the sheet. An image, which is to be displayed, is formed on one of the faces of the sheet, whereby the light contrasts between the image and the rest of the sheet and increases the visual impact of the image to a person who sees the signal . A known, typical edge illuminated signal is illustrated in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 1, a transparent sheet 2 of plastic, typically of acrylic plastic material, which is rectangular in shape, has an edge 4 received in a lamp housing 6, in which an elongated bulb 7, typically a fluorescent bulb, and its electrical accessories 9, are received, the bulb extends substantially along the length of the edge 4. During use, a cap 8 of end is mounted on each end 10 of the lamp housing 6. In Figure 1, which is a view with partially separated pieces, an end cap 8 is shown in its removed configuration and the bulb and electrical accessories 9 are partially removed, so that the edge 4 of sheet 2 is easily removed. visible. The sheet 2 is provided either on its most frontal face 12 or its most posterior face 14, the direction is with respect to the attempted position of a signal observer, with an image 16. This image can be formed by engraving the surface of the sheet 2 or printing a layer of printed, partially transmitting ink on the surface of the sheet, for example by screen printing. When the bulb 7 is illuminated, the light emitted from the bulb 7 passes along the sheet 2 from the edge 4 and is reflected internally at the interface of the sheet / air. When the image 16 is recorded, the light, which passes along the sheet 2, is reflected and refracted on the etched edges, thus illuminating the edge of the image 16. When the image 16 is printed, the light, reflected internally , it is incident on the rear surface of the image 15 and is partially transmitted to the front surface of the image 16, whereby it supplies an illuminated image. When the image is recorded, this increases the cost and manufacturing complexity of the illuminated signal. When the image is printed, the degree of contrast of the image is not particularly high and thus the signal is not particularly effective under ambient conditions of high light intensity. Also, for both prior arrangements, the nature of the images, which can be transported by the signals, is relatively limited. US-A-5009019 and WO-A-93/07605, both in the name of the present inventor, refer to signal plates for illuminated signals. Both of these above specifications describe a signal plate for an illuminated signal, which attempts to be illuminated by a light source disposed behind the rearmost face of the signal plate. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved illuminated signal at the edge. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an illuminated edge signal, which can be manufactured with an effective cost and can provide enhanced illumination of the image compared to known signals illuminated at the edge. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an illuminated signal at the edge, which makes it possible to display a wide variety of images. Therefore, the present invention provides an illuminated signal comprising a light source, a transparent sheet having its edge, which is assembled adjacent to the light source to receive the light thereof, which, during use, is transmitted along the transparent sheet, a front image layer, which is disposed on a front face of the transparent sheet and has a reflective, backward directed surface, and a rear image layer, which is disposed on a rear face of the transparent sheet, substantially in recording with the front image layer, whereby, during use, the light is reflected from the reflective surface on the subsequent image layer to intensify the illumination of this subsequent image layer. The present invention also provides a signal plate for an illuminated edge signal, this signal plate comprises a transparent sheet, having one of its transparent edges to receive, from a light source, this light for transmission along the transparent sheet, a front image layer, which is disposed on the front side of the transparent sheet and has a reflective surface, directed backwards, and a subsequent image layer, which is disposed on the rear face of the transparent sheet , substantially in register with the front image layer; during use, the light is reflected from the reflective surface on the subsequent image layer, thus intensifying the illumination on the subsequent image layer. Modes of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which.

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partially with separate pieces, of a known signal illuminated at the edge; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a signal illuminated at the edge, according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross section on the line A-A of the signal illuminated at the edge, illustrated in the Figure 2; Figures 4 and 5 are schematic views, similar to that of Figure 3, illustrating the mechanism of the transmission of light along and out of the transparent plastic sheet of the signal illustrated in Figure 2; and Figure 6 is a cross section through a signal illuminated at the edge, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, an illuminated sign on the edge, generally designated 20, is shown according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The signal 20 comprises a lamp housing 22 in the form of a cylindrical tube. At the opposite ends of the lamp housing 22, electrical accessories 24 are supplied for a fluorescent bulb 26, which extends along the length of the lamp housing 22. This lamp housing 22 is provided on its lower surface with an elongated slot 28, axially directed, which receives the upper end edge 30 of a transparent sheet 32 of plastic, which is supported by and depends downwards from the lamp housing 22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the transparent sheet 32 of plastic is rectangular in configuration, has two erect side edges 34, 35 and an end lower edge 38. As clearly shown in Figure 3, the lower end edge 38 is inclined to the plane of the blade 32 with the inner face of the edge 38 facing the front face 40 and away from the rear face 42 of the blade 32. The slanted edge 38 is preferably at an angle less than about 452 to a line perpendicular to the blade 32 , so that the light is reflected back from the edge 38 on the sheet 32 at a relatively low angle, in order to subsequently be internally reflected back up through the sheet 32 with minimal loss of light intensity. In an alternative arrangement, the inclined edge 38 faces the rear face 42 rather than the front face 40. The front face 40 of the sheet 32 is coated with a front image layer 44 having a pattern in the configuration of an image which is to be displayed by the signal 20 (in the illustrated embodiment, the letter A, which is merely shown as an example). The rear face 42 of the sheet 32 is covered with a subsequent image layer 46, correspondingly configured, which is arranged in registration with the front image layer 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the back image layer 46 (in the plane of the layer 46) is dimensionally larger than the front image layer 44, whereby the back image layer 46 defines, in regions such as the regions 48, 50, 52, 54, illustrated in Figure 3, a peripheral margin 56 that surrounds and highlights the image conveyed by the front image layer 44. This front image layer 44 has a rearwardly directed surface 58, which is reflective. Preferably, the front image layer 44 comprises a film of a self-adhesive plastic (e.g. vinyl), which has a reflective surface 58, self-adhesive underlay. The plastic film can be fluorescent and translucent. The front image layer 44 or its reflective surface may be provided by a layer of metallic and / or bright-colored paint (for example white jel) or by a metallic or bright-colored coating on or in the plastic film. The paint layer 44 can be fluorescent and at least partially translucent. The front surface 60 of such a front image layer 44 may have been provided with any suitable color, pattern or image, or by such color, pattern or image being present in the film or that has been applied to the same. The front image layer 44 may alternatively comprise a printed film of any desired color or colors. The back image layer 46 comprises a layer of fluorescent material of any desired color or color combination, which has preferably been printed, for example by screen printing, on the back face 42 of the sheet 32. Preferably, the image layer posterior 46 is partially transmitting visible light. In an alternative embodiment, the subsequent image layer may comprise a self-adhesive plastic film (eg vinyl), which is preferably fluorescent and translucent. The front and back image layers can incorporate phosphorescent materials. A support sheet 52, is mounted behind and is parallel to the sheet 32. This support sheet 62 has a front face 64, which is preferably spaced slightly from the back side 42 of the sheet 32. The support sheet 62 it preferably comprises a substantially opaque plastic sheet, having a desired color and / or a fluorescent coating. This support sheet 62 can have any desired image or pattern of the front face 64 or its back face 66, when the support sheet 62 is translucent. Alternatively, the support sheet 62 may comprise a transparent sheet of plastic having a substantially opaque coating on the front face 64. The lamp housing 22 is configured to provide a mounting 68 for the upper edge 70 of the support sheet 62. A bottom mount 72 is provided along the respective adjacent bottom edges 38, 74 of a transparent sheet 32 and the support sheet 74. Preferably, the inner surface 76 of the bottom mount 72 abuts the edge. of inclined bottom 38 of transparent sheet 32 is reflective. As shown schematically in Figure 3, fastening devices 78, 80 can be provided to hold together the transparent sheet assembly 32 and the support sheet 62. The operation of the signal 20, illuminated at the edge, will now be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. During use, the fluorescent bulb 26 is illuminated and, as shown in Figure 4, light beams, such as the light beam 82, which are not parallel to the plane of the transparent sheet 32, are transmitted through the plane of the sheet 32 by the internal reflection to alternately the internal and external faces 40, 42 of the transparent sheet 32. It will be seen that since in the embodiment illustrated the only layers that are formed on the faces front and rear 40, 42 of the transparent sheet 32, are the front and rear image layers, 44, 46, there is an increased degree of internal reflection of the light that is transmitted along the sheet 32, the light being reflected internally in the interface of sheet / air. If additional layers are present, which intimately cover the faces of the sheet, then the degree of internal reflection will be reduced because the light will be absorbed in these additional layers, thereby correspondingly reducing the illumination level of the desired image. For this reason, the support sheet 62 may be adjacent to, but not adhering to or intimately contacted in another way, joining or adhering to the transparent sheet, because this would reduce the total amount of light reflected internally on the transparent sheet. . As shown in Figure 5, any light beam 84 that is parallel to the plane of the transparent sheet 32 is transmitted down the entire length of the sheet 32 and subsequently reflected by the internal reflection on the inclined face 38 or reflected by the reflection on the reflecting face 76 of the lower assembly 72, and the reflected beam 86 is again transmitted upwards to the transparent sheet 32 and subsequently reflected internally on the inner and outer faces., 41 of the transparent sheet 32. In this way, the light from the bulb 26 is transmitted to the entire body of the transparent sheet 32. The light beams, which are not parallel to the plane of the transmission sheet 32, are reflected in a significant extent to the reflective surface 58 of the front image layer 44. This reflected light (e.g., an arrow 86) is reflected in a significant extension back onto the fluorescent back image layer 46. This provides an intensified illumination of the fluorescent back image layer 46, so that the edges of the back image layer 46 are not covered directly by (i.e. they are exposed, at least partially) the front image layer 44 appears very bright to an observer of the signal (for example, an arrow 90). This brightness is increased by the fluorescent effect of the subsequent image layer 46, which strongly emits fluorescent radiation as a result of being illuminated by the light coming from the bulb 26. The overall illumination effect to an observer of the signal 20 is an edge fluorescent ring, strongly illuminated, or highlighting the periphery of the image defined by the front image layer 44. This provides a profile illuminated, at least partially, around the indications defined by the front image layer. This front image layer 44 may be substantially opaque or partially transmissive. If the front image layer 44 is partially transmissive, then, as shown in Figure 4, some light (for example arrow 92) will be reflected from the back face 42 of the sheet 32 forward through the layer front image 44, whereby the image defined by the front image layer 44 is partially illuminated.

The fluorescent layer 46 is partially transmitted and correspondingly the light (for example, in the arrow 94) passes back through the fluorescent layer 46 and onto the support sheet 62. Such light is reflected from the support sheet 62 in its front face 64 (for example, on arrow 94) and such reflected light is transmitted forward through the transparent sheet 32. Such light reflected from the support sheet 62 provides an image of a halo or aura of light surrounding the image defined by the light reflected from the fluorescent back image layer 46. This halo of light is illustrated in Figure 1. The color of the light halo is preferably the same as that of the fluorescent back imaging layer 46. The color may not vary by applying an additional color layer to the back of the back image layer or to the front of the backing sheet. The side width of the halo may vary by altering the spacing between the transparent sheet 32 and the backing sheet 62. One more mode of an illuminated signal 90, according to the present invention, is illustrated in Figure 6, which is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, except that the opaque backsheet 62 is replaced by a transparent backing sheet 96 having a reflective overlay 98 on its back face 100. The reflection overlay 94 comprises a self-adhesive plastic film 102 which it has a front surface 104 of reflection. Alternatively, the reflective coating 94 is a printed layer. In a manner similar to that illustrated and described with reference to Figures 4 and 5, a halo effect is provided around the fluorescent back image layer 46 by the light that is reflected off the reflection surface of the film 98 ( for example on arrow 106). Since the reflective film 102 is on the face 100 of the support sheet 96, which is remote from the transparent sheet 32, there are no requirements for the support sheet 96 to be spaced in order to provide a visible halo effect. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments, within the scope of the invention. In the illustrated embodiments, the front image layer lies entirely within the lateral periphery of the posterior margin layer, so the strong peripheral light is defined by the edge portion of the subsequent image layer, which surrounds the image layer frontal. In alternative embodiments, although the back image layer will generally be in register with the front image layer, the back image layer may be offset laterally relative to the front image layer or may have smaller dimensions than this front image layer in one of its sides, so as to provide an embossing that moves and does not extend all the way around the periphery of the front image layer. Thus, intense light can appear as a "shadow" highlighted on one side of the image defined by the front image layer. In a further embodiment, the front and back image layers may be aligned and have the same size and configuration. With this mode, a highlighted light or profile can be seen by the observer looking at the signal at an angle. In the embodiments of the invention, the front and rear image layers are separated by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the transparent sheet. When the image layers, front and rear, are illustrated in the manner described above, the observer can detect a spatial difference between the front and back image layers. This creates a three-dimensional effect, whereby the image layers, front and rear, seem to be connected by an inclined edge, giving general indications of a massive and solid appearance. The thickness of the three-dimensional image corresponds to the thickness of the transparent sheet. The configuration and inclination angle of the inclined edge can vary by alternating the relative sizes and arrangements of the front and rear image layers. For example, if the rear image layer is slightly larger in the lateral dimension than the front image layer, all around its periphery, then a relatively steep inclined edge will be apparent to an observer of the signal, when this signal is illuminated. The image to be transported may comprise alphanumeric characters or other representative images. The front image layer itself may be printed or otherwise supplied with images on its front surface. Although the transparent sheet is illustrated as dependent downwardly of the lamp housing 22, in alternative configurations, this lamp housing can be provided beneath the transparent sheet and can constitute a support post for the entire signal. In addition, although the illustrated embodiments use a fluorescent bulb as the light source for the illuminated signal, any other suitable light source can be employed, for example an incandescent bulb, a neon bulb, etc. In alternative embodiments, a self-adhesive plastic layer, reflecting light, for example white or silver, adheres to the edge of the sheet, which is remote from the light source, in order to reflect light again through the sheet. Mounting along that edge can be square rather than inclined, particularly for small-sized signals.

According to the invention, the provision of a fluorescent layer, which surrounds, at least partially, the front image layer on the transparent sheet, together with the provision of a reflective surface on the back of that front image layer, supplies real technical advantages, as opposed to the illuminated signals on the edge of the prior art, forming an illuminated image, which has a relatively high intensity. This means that the illuminated edge signal is clearly visible to the observer, even in ambient light of relatively high intensity and when the signal is attempted to be viewed from a substantial distance away. This signal of the present invention also has great flexibility in use, making it possible for a wide variety of visual effects to be reproduced. For example, different colors can be displayed with or without fluorescent layers. An aura of one or more colors may surround, totally or partially, the indications. The color, size, configuration and orientation of an intense light around the indications can be selected as desired. The images printed or with a pattern, which define or surround the indications, can be provided. The signal can be manufactured at very low cost using known printing techniques and known techniques for applying self-adhesive plastic films with patterns or rigid plastic sheets in the required positions.

The provision of a reflective device of light at the edge of the sheet, which is remote from the light source, ensures that the amount of light reflected internally on the sheet, will cause the illumination of the indications to be substantially at the maximum . This not only increases the visibility of the signal, but also provides even and uniform illumination of the indications on both sides, ie on the sides that are close to and remote from the light source.

Claims (46)

1. CLAIMS 1. An illuminated signal, comprising a light source, a transparent sheet, having one of its edges which is assembled adjacent to the light source, to receive the light thereof, which, during use, is transmitted along the transparent sheet, a front image layer, which is disposed on a front face of the transparent sheet and has a reflective surface, directed backward, and a subsequent image layer, which is disposed over a back side of the transparent sheet, substantially in register with the front image layer, whereby, during use, the light is reflected from the reflective surface on the subsequent image layer, thereby intensifying the illumination of the back layer. back image.
2. 2. An illuminated signal, according to claim 1, wherein the front image layer comprises a self-adhesive plastic film.
3. 3. An illuminated signal, according to claim 1, wherein the front image layer comprises a printed film.
4. 4. An illuminated signal, according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the front image layer is partially transmitter.
5. 5. An illuminated signal, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the subsequent image layer comprises a fluorescent layer.
6. 6. An illuminated signal, according to claim 5, wherein the fluorescent layer comprises a self-adhesive plastic film.
7. 7. An illuminated signal, according to claim 5, wherein the fluorescent layer comprises a printed film.
8. 8. An illuminated signal, according to any of the previous claims, in which the front image layer and the subsequent image layer are mutually oriented and oriented, whereby the front image layer exposes, at least partially, the image layer back behind her.
9. 9. An illuminated signal, according to claim 1, wherein an annular peripheral portion of the subsequent image layer, which surrounds the front image layer, is exposed by the front image layer.
10. 10. An illuminated signal, according to claim 8, in which the front image layer is offset laterally with respect to the subsequent image layer.
11. 11. An illuminated signal, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front and rear image layers have such dimension and placement with respect to each other, so as to provide an illuminated profile that at least partially surrounds the indications defined by the first Image layer
12. 12. An illuminated signal, according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a support sheet, placed backward from the rear face of the transparent sheet.
13. 13. An illuminated signal, according to claim 12, in which the support sheet is opaque.
14. 14. An illuminated signal, according to claim 12, in which the support sheet comprises a second transparent sheet, which carries an opaque layer.
15. 15. An illuminated signal, according to claim 14, wherein the opaque layer is disposed on the rear face of the second transparent sheet.
16. 16. An illuminated signal, according to any of claims 12 to 15, in which the front face of the support sheet is spaced from the rear face of the transparent sheet.
17. 17. An illuminated signal, according to any of claims 12 to 16, in which the subsequent image layer is partially transmitting, whereby, during use, the light transmitted on the support sheet creates an illuminated aura around the layer of back image.
18. 18. An illuminated signal, according to any of the preceding claims, in which a second edge of the transparent sheet, which is opposite the first edge, is adapted to reflect the light back on the transparent sheet. «
19. 19. An illuminated signal, according to claim 18, in which the second edge is inclined to the plane of the transparent sheet.
20. 20. An illuminated signal, according to claim 19, wherein the second edge is inclined at an angle up to about 45s to a line perpendicular to the plane of the transparent sheet.
21. 21. An illuminated signal, according to any of claims 18 to 20, further comprising a reflection element, which covers the second edge, whereby it reflects the light in the sheet.
22. 22. An illuminated signal, according to claim 21, when referring to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the reflection element comprises a mounting for the transparent sheet and the support sheet. ^
23. 23. A signal plate, for a signal illuminated at an edge, this signal plate comprises a transparent sheet, having one of its transparent edges to receive, from a light source, this light for transmission along the transparent sheet, a front image layer is disposed on a front face of the transparent sheet and has a reflective, backward directed surface, and a rear image layer, which is disposed on a rear face of the transparent sheet, substantially in register with the front image layer, whereby, during use, the light is reflected from the reflective surface on the subsequent image layer, thereby increasing the illumination of the subsequent image layer.
24. 24. A signal plate, according to claim 23, wherein the front image layer comprises a self-adhesive plastic film.
25. 25. A signal plate, according to claim 23, wherein the front image layer comprises a printed film.
26. 26. A signal plate, according to any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the front image layer is partially transmitter.
27. 27. A signal plate, according to any of claims 23 to 26, wherein the subsequent image layer comprises a fluorescent layer.
28. 28. A signal plate, according to claim 27, wherein the fluorescent layer comprises a self-adhesive plastic film.
29. 29. A signal plate, according to claim 27, wherein the fluorescent layer comprises a printed film.
30. 30. A signal plate, according to any of claims 23 to 29, wherein the front image layer and the subsequent image layer are mutually oriented and oriented, whereby the front image layer at least partially exposes the Rear image layer behind it.
31. 31. A signal plate, according to claim 30, in which an annular peripheral portion of the subsequent image layer, which surrounds the front image layer, is exposed by the front image layer.
32. 32. A signal plate, according to claim 30, wherein the front image layer is offset laterally with respect to the subsequent image layer.
33. 33. A signal plate, according to any of claims 23 to 32, wherein the front and rear image layers have such dimension and placement, with respect to each other, so as to provide an illuminated profile that at least partially surrounds the indications defined by the first image layer.
34. 34. A signal plate, according to any of claims 23 to 33, further comprising a support sheet, placed rearwardly of the rear face of the transparent sheet.
35. 35. A signal plate, according to claim 34, in which the support sheet is opaque.
36. 36. A signal plate, according to claim 34, in which the support sheet comprises a second transparent sheet, which carries an opaque layer.
37. 37. A signal plate, according to claim 34, wherein the opaque layer is disposed on the rear face of the second transparent sheet.
38. 38. A signal plate, according to any of claims 34 to 37, wherein the front face of the support sheet is spaced from the rear face of the transparent sheet.
39. 39. A signal plate, according to any of claims 34 to 38, wherein the back image layer is partially transmitting, whereby, during use, the light transmitted on the backing sheet creates an illuminated aura around the Rear image layer.
40. 40. A signal plate, according to any of claims 23 to 39, wherein a second edge of the transparent sheet, which is opposite the first edge, is adapted to reflect the light back on the transparent sheet.
41. 41. A signal plate, according to claim 40, in which the second edge is inclined to the plane of the transparent sheet.
42. 42. A signal plate, according to claim 41, wherein the second edge is inclined at an angle of up to about 452 to a line perpendicular to the plane of the transparent sheet.
43. 43. A signal plate, according to any of claims 40 to 42, further comprising a reflective element, which covers the second edge, whereby it reflects the light in the sheet.
44. 44. A signal plate, according to claim 43, when referring to any of claims 34 to 39, wherein the reflective element comprises a mounting for the transparent sheet and the support sheet.
45. 45. An illuminated signal, substantially as described above with reference to Figures 2 to 5 or Figure 6.
46. 46. A signal plate for a signal illuminated at the edge, substantially as described above with reference to Figures 2 to 5 or Figure 6.