WO2002017282A1 - Curved illuminated displays - Google Patents

Curved illuminated displays Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002017282A1
WO2002017282A1 PCT/AU2001/001054 AU0101054W WO0217282A1 WO 2002017282 A1 WO2002017282 A1 WO 2002017282A1 AU 0101054 W AU0101054 W AU 0101054W WO 0217282 A1 WO0217282 A1 WO 0217282A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sheet
display
curved
half tone
illuminated
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2001/001054
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Thomas Addison Grant
Original Assignee
Eleven Lighting Pty Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eleven Lighting Pty Limited filed Critical Eleven Lighting Pty Limited
Priority to AU2001281592A priority Critical patent/AU2001281592A1/en
Publication of WO2002017282A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002017282A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0035—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G02B6/0036—2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0058—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide varying in density, size, shape or depth along the light guide
    • G02B6/0061—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide varying in density, size, shape or depth along the light guide to provide homogeneous light output intensity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to illuminated displays such as those used in shopping centres and, in particular, to such displays which are curved.
  • the object of the present invention is to extend the range of illuminated display incorporating a half tone array.
  • the prior art discloses flat sheet displays of this type
  • the present invention seeks to enable curved displays to be fabricated. In such a curved display the light from the side mounted lamp(s) must follow a curved path within the sheet prior to exiting the sheet.
  • a curved edge illuminated display comprising a transparent sheet, at least one elongate lamp mounted closely adjacent a side edge of said sheet, a half tone array being applied to a rear surface of the sheet and a transparent image intended to be rear illuminated being mountable adjacent a front surface of the sheet, wherein said sheet is curved and light from said lamp follows a curved path within said sheet prior to exiting via said front surface.
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a column mounted cylindrical display of the first embodiment
  • Fig. 2 is a exploded cross-sectional view along the line II-II of Fig. 1
  • Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the transparent sheet of the display of Figs. 1-2
  • Fig. 4 is an equivalent fragmentary view of the transparent sheet of a convex display
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view from the front of the transparent sheet of the display of Figs. 1-3,
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view from the rear of the transparent sheet of the display of Figs. 1-3, and
  • Fig. 7 is a representation of the half tone array applied to the rear surface of the transparent sheets of Figs. 3-6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
  • a concrete column 1 of a shopping centre is provided with a generally cylindrical display 2 formed from two semi-cylindrical displays 3.
  • the display 2 can be formed from two displays 3 as illustrated or from three displays each of which occupies a third of a hollow cylinder.
  • the radius of curvature of each of the displays 3 is preferably able to be selected within the range of 300 mm to 1.2m approximately.
  • the display 3 is formed from a centrally located curved transparent sheet 5 which is preferably fabricated from acrylic plastics, glass or Perspex.
  • the sheet 5 is preferably approximately 10-12 mm thick.
  • a reflective cover 6 which is preferably white in colour and formed from PVC or Mylar and 0.05 mm in thickness, or less.
  • a transparent front wall 7 In front of the sheet 5 is a transparent front wall 7 and a transparent image 8 is sandwiched between the sheet 5 and front wall 7.
  • Two fluorescent lamps 9 are vertically mounted one adjacent each opposite edge 10 of the sheet 5.
  • the diameter of the lamps 9 in typically 10-15 mm and lamps of the T5 type having power ratings of 11, 13, 14, 21, 24, 39, 54 or 80W are used depending upon the size of the display.
  • type T2 fluorescent lamps are used for small displays.
  • a housing 13 which extends around the perimeter of the sheet 5 and front wall 7 completes the assembly. If desired a sheet metal rear wall (not illustrated) can be positioned behind the rear cover 6.
  • the housing 13 is preferably repeatedly openable to permit the image 8 to be changed from time to time with changing advertising campaigns.
  • the rear surface 15 of the sheet 5 is provided with a half tone array 18 which is preferably silk screened onto the sheet 5 when flat using white ink or paint. Then the sheet 5 is placed on a drape mould and heated. The heat softens the sheet 5 which then adopts the curved shape of the mould.
  • the rear surface 15 is concave. However, in Fig. 4 the rear surface 15 is convex.
  • the density of the half tone array is at a minimum adjacent the side edges 10 and progressively increases towards the centre of the sheet 5 where it reaches a maximum.
  • the density of the half tone array is critical in achieving distribution of the light from the lamps 9 around the curved path presented by the interior of the sheet 5.
  • the longitudinal axis of the sheet 5 is vertical, however, in Fig. 7 the longitudinal axis of the sheet 5 is horizontal so the side edges 10 appear at the top and bottom of the page as indicated.
  • Half tone arrays are widely used in the graphic arts and the printing of photographic images in newspapers, in particular.
  • the displays of the present invention find particular application in advertising displays in shopping centres.
  • the low wattage of the lamp(s) 9 mean that the transparent front wall 7 is not hot to touch and the even illumination of the image 8 provided by the half tone array 18 means that the location of the lamp(s) 9 is hard to identify.
  • the display 3 appears to the observer as an evenly lit, self illuminated curved expanse. This provides an ideal advertising medium.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention discloses a curved edge illuminated display (2, 3) for use as an advertising medium on the columns (1), for example, of a shopping centre. A curved transparent sheet (5) has a half tone (18) applied to its rear surface. The edges (10) of the sheet (5) are illuminated by lamps (9). In this way a transparent image (8) is back illuminated. The display can be either convex or concave.

Description

CURVED ILLUMINATED DISPLAYS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to illuminated displays such as those used in shopping centres and, in particular, to such displays which are curved.
BACKGROUND ART
In many shopping centres and commercial premises it is known to provide back illuminated signs. Traditionally such signs have been fabricated from film and back illuminated by placing the film in front of a light box. Since such light boxes are relatively bulky, in recent times the light box has been replaced by a flat sheet of transparent edge illuminated plastic, such as acrylic.
Edge illumination has many advantages since the overall thickness of the illuminated display is kept to a minimum. However, previously the light emanating from the display was strongest near to the lamp at the edge of the sheet and weakest further away from the lamp. Australian Patent Application No. 720265 (43714/97) discloses a illuminated flat display which substantially overcomes this problem with the use of half tone array applied to one surface of the flat sheet. The disclosure of the specification of that patent application is hereby incorporated into this specification for all purposes by cross- reference.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to extend the range of illuminated display incorporating a half tone array. In particular whilst the prior art discloses flat sheet displays of this type, the present invention seeks to enable curved displays to be fabricated. In such a curved display the light from the side mounted lamp(s) must follow a curved path within the sheet prior to exiting the sheet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed a curved edge illuminated display comprising a transparent sheet, at least one elongate lamp mounted closely adjacent a side edge of said sheet, a half tone array being applied to a rear surface of the sheet and a transparent image intended to be rear illuminated being mountable adjacent a front surface of the sheet, wherein said sheet is curved and light from said lamp follows a curved path within said sheet prior to exiting via said front surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Two embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a column mounted cylindrical display of the first embodiment,
Fig. 2 is a exploded cross-sectional view along the line II-II of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the transparent sheet of the display of Figs. 1-2
(concave display),
Fig. 4 is an equivalent fragmentary view of the transparent sheet of a convex display,
Fig. 5 is a perspective view from the front of the transparent sheet of the display of Figs. 1-3,
Fig. 6 is a perspective view from the rear of the transparent sheet of the display of Figs. 1-3, and
Fig. 7 is a representation of the half tone array applied to the rear surface of the transparent sheets of Figs. 3-6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
As seen in Fig. 1 a concrete column 1 of a shopping centre, for example, is provided with a generally cylindrical display 2 formed from two semi-cylindrical displays 3. The display 2 can be formed from two displays 3 as illustrated or from three displays each of which occupies a third of a hollow cylinder. The radius of curvature of each of the displays 3 is preferably able to be selected within the range of 300 mm to 1.2m approximately.
As seen in Fig. 2, the display 3 is formed from a centrally located curved transparent sheet 5 which is preferably fabricated from acrylic plastics, glass or Perspex. The sheet 5 is preferably approximately 10-12 mm thick. To the rear of the sheet 5 is a reflective cover 6 which is preferably white in colour and formed from PVC or Mylar and 0.05 mm in thickness, or less.
In front of the sheet 5 is a transparent front wall 7 and a transparent image 8 is sandwiched between the sheet 5 and front wall 7. Two fluorescent lamps 9 are vertically mounted one adjacent each opposite edge 10 of the sheet 5. The diameter of the lamps 9 in typically 10-15 mm and lamps of the T5 type having power ratings of 11, 13, 14, 21, 24, 39, 54 or 80W are used depending upon the size of the display. For small displays, typically the size of an A4 page, type T2 fluorescent lamps are used.
A housing 13 which extends around the perimeter of the sheet 5 and front wall 7 completes the assembly. If desired a sheet metal rear wall (not illustrated) can be positioned behind the rear cover 6. The housing 13 is preferably repeatedly openable to permit the image 8 to be changed from time to time with changing advertising campaigns.
As seen in Figs. 3 and 6 the rear surface 15 of the sheet 5 is provided with a half tone array 18 which is preferably silk screened onto the sheet 5 when flat using white ink or paint. Then the sheet 5 is placed on a drape mould and heated. The heat softens the sheet 5 which then adopts the curved shape of the mould. In Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6 the rear surface 15 is concave. However, in Fig. 4 the rear surface 15 is convex.
The nature of the half tone array 18 is illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 7. Preferably the density of the half tone array is at a minimum adjacent the side edges 10 and progressively increases towards the centre of the sheet 5 where it reaches a maximum. The density of the half tone array is critical in achieving distribution of the light from the lamps 9 around the curved path presented by the interior of the sheet 5. In Figs. 3 and 4 the longitudinal axis of the sheet 5 is vertical, however, in Fig. 7 the longitudinal axis of the sheet 5 is horizontal so the side edges 10 appear at the top and bottom of the page as indicated. Half tone arrays are widely used in the graphic arts and the printing of photographic images in newspapers, in particular.
The foregoing describes only two embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, for displays 3 of substantial vertical height, two or more longitudinally aligned lamps 9 can be located on each side 10. Similarly, for displays having a limited width between the sides 10, only a single lamp 9 need be provided. In this circumstance, however, the half tone array 18 increases in density from adjacent the single lamp 9 and is at a maximum at the edge 10 opposite to, or furthest from, the lamp 9. That is, the arrangement of the sheet 5 illustrated in Fig. 3 or 4 is notionally centrally vertically split.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The displays of the present invention find particular application in advertising displays in shopping centres. The low wattage of the lamp(s) 9 mean that the transparent front wall 7 is not hot to touch and the even illumination of the image 8 provided by the half tone array 18 means that the location of the lamp(s) 9 is hard to identify. Thus the display 3 appears to the observer as an evenly lit, self illuminated curved expanse. This provides an ideal advertising medium.
The term "comprising" as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of "including' or "having" and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

Claims

1. A curved edge illuminated display comprising a transparent sheet, at least one elongate lamp mounted closely adjacent a side edge of said sheet, a half tone array being applied to a rear surface of the sheet and a transparent image intended to be rear illuminated being mountable adjacent a front surface of the sheet, wherein said sheet is curved and light from said lamp follows a curved path within said sheet prior to exiting via said front surface.
2. The display as claimed in claim 1 wherein the intensity of said half tone array increases with distance away from said lamp.
3. The display as claimed in claim 1 and having a pair of said elongate lamps, each of said lamps being mounted closely adjacent a corresponding one of two opposite side edges of said sheet, and wherein the intensity of said half tone array is at a minimum adjacent said side edges and is at a maximum intermediate said side edges.
4. The display as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 and including a reflective backing cover overlying said half tone array .
5. The display as claimed in claim 4 wherein said reflective backing cover is white.
6. The display as claimed in any one of claims 1-5 wherein said sheet is substantially rectangular and said sheet is curved about its longitudinal axis.
7. The display as claimed in claim 6 wherein said sheet is curved into a semi- cylindrical configuration.
8. The display as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 wherein said sheet rear surface is concave and said sheet front surface is convex.
9. The display as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 wherein said sheet rear surface is convex and said sheet front surface is concave.
10. The display as claimed in any one of claims 1-9 wherein said half tone array is substantially of the type illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings.
PCT/AU2001/001054 2000-08-25 2001-08-24 Curved illuminated displays WO2002017282A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001281592A AU2001281592A1 (en) 2000-08-25 2001-08-24 Curved illuminated displays

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU53662/00 2000-08-25
AU53662/00A AU5366200A (en) 1996-09-26 2000-08-25 Illuminated display systems

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002017282A1 true WO2002017282A1 (en) 2002-02-28

Family

ID=3739690

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2001/001054 WO2002017282A1 (en) 2000-08-25 2001-08-24 Curved illuminated displays

Country Status (2)

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AU (1) AU5366200A (en)
WO (1) WO2002017282A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6976915B2 (en) * 2002-07-31 2005-12-20 Igt Gaming device display with simulated halftones
US8556730B2 (en) 2001-10-15 2013-10-15 Igt Gaming device display having a digital image and silkscreen colors and process for making same

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2253301A (en) * 1991-02-26 1992-09-02 Jsb Electrical Plc An edgelit luminaire
JPH04328206A (en) * 1991-04-25 1992-11-17 Act Corp:Kk Lighting device and light guiding plate for that lighting device
US5178447A (en) * 1990-06-26 1993-01-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Meitaku Shisutemu Edge light panel
AU647834B2 (en) * 1990-09-20 1994-03-31 Prismex Technologies Pty Ltd A display system
US5363294A (en) * 1991-03-29 1994-11-08 Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. Surface light source device
US5394308A (en) * 1993-03-03 1995-02-28 Nec Corporation Lighting apparatus having asymmetric light intensity distribution of compensating for low contrast ratios of LCD panel
US5641219A (en) * 1990-06-22 1997-06-24 Mizobe; Tatsuji Uniform illumination light emitting device
WO1998012690A1 (en) * 1996-09-26 1998-03-26 Eleven Lighting Pty. Limited Improvements in illuminated display systems
JPH1185073A (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-03-30 Sasahara Hideki Display device
DE19848842A1 (en) * 1997-10-22 1999-05-06 Yazaki Corp Curved LCD has a flexible light emitting plate curved along a curved liquid crystal screen
JPH11327476A (en) * 1998-05-19 1999-11-26 Shoueisha:Kk Curved surface display device

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5641219A (en) * 1990-06-22 1997-06-24 Mizobe; Tatsuji Uniform illumination light emitting device
US5178447A (en) * 1990-06-26 1993-01-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Meitaku Shisutemu Edge light panel
AU647834B2 (en) * 1990-09-20 1994-03-31 Prismex Technologies Pty Ltd A display system
GB2253301A (en) * 1991-02-26 1992-09-02 Jsb Electrical Plc An edgelit luminaire
US5363294A (en) * 1991-03-29 1994-11-08 Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. Surface light source device
JPH04328206A (en) * 1991-04-25 1992-11-17 Act Corp:Kk Lighting device and light guiding plate for that lighting device
US5394308A (en) * 1993-03-03 1995-02-28 Nec Corporation Lighting apparatus having asymmetric light intensity distribution of compensating for low contrast ratios of LCD panel
WO1998012690A1 (en) * 1996-09-26 1998-03-26 Eleven Lighting Pty. Limited Improvements in illuminated display systems
JPH1185073A (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-03-30 Sasahara Hideki Display device
DE19848842A1 (en) * 1997-10-22 1999-05-06 Yazaki Corp Curved LCD has a flexible light emitting plate curved along a curved liquid crystal screen
JPH11327476A (en) * 1998-05-19 1999-11-26 Shoueisha:Kk Curved surface display device

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Derwent World Patents Index; Class P85, AN 1999-271388/23 *
DATABASE WPI Derwent World Patents Index; Class P85, AN 2000-079217/07 *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8556730B2 (en) 2001-10-15 2013-10-15 Igt Gaming device display having a digital image and silkscreen colors and process for making same
US6976915B2 (en) * 2002-07-31 2005-12-20 Igt Gaming device display with simulated halftones

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