AU2003246068B1 - Illuminated Display - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 Colin James Mahady COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: Illuminated Display The invention is described in the following statement: Illuminated Display Field of the Invention This invention relates to an illuminated display, and more particularly to a substantially transparent enclosure incorporating a sign which is illuminated for the purposes of display and/or advertisement.

Background to the Invention There have been numerous prior art documents disclosing inventions relying on the combination of audio and light, or audio and advertisements or light and advertisements. For example in US Patent No 3,927,402 there is disclosed a loud speaker arrangement which has a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in an array on the outside of the front face of the speaker cabinet. The LEDs are so arranged to be responsive to the volume of audio or sound input to a speaker in the speaker cabinet. For instance for very low volumes of input sound a small number, if any, of LEDs will light and as the volume increases the number of LEDs lit also increases.

This provides an indication to a user of the actual audio output level, without necessarily hearing the audio. It is particularly suitable for situations where a number of speakers are located in a particular area and the sound adjustment emanating from each speaker needs to be altered Thus the number of LEDs illuminated in the array directly indicates the level of sound emanating from a particular speaker.

Other documents such as US Patent No 5,920,634 disclose an audio advertising display standard which replays a pre-recorded audio message when activated by an attendant listener and provides a place to support a visual display. It also records as well as produces a sound and illuminates a visual display panel. The function is to increase the quantity and quality of information that a display standard can provide to reach a wider audience. In US Patent Application No 2003/066073 there is also disclosed an advertising system which includes a sensor, a display and a memory having instructions for illuminating the display in a predetermined pattern. The sensor detects the presence of a potential consumer within its vicinity and a particular controller illuminates the display according to a first pattern. Thus the system is responsive to the consumer and performs certain functions upon detecting the presence of a consumer in order to attract that consumer's attention and convey the message to the consumer. The controller can also read instructions from the memory to create sounds and transmit those sounds using a speaker in response to the detected motion.

The memory also can contain instructions for illuminating the display in a second m:\specifications\500000\501 000\501669capreo.doc pattern when the sensor does not detect the presence of a potential consumer. US Patent Application 2003/063052 to the same inventor contains similar features to those mentioned in relation to Application No 2003/066073.

Finally in US Patent No 5,673,329 there is disclosed a loud speaker system that has a speaker cone attached at each end of a flexible and compressible tube. This particular arrangement provides an improved sound dispersion capability achieving a 3600 radial sound dispersion about the axis of the tube. It also allows fabric sleeves to be mounted over the tube and have advertisement signs or logos depicted thereon.

All of the above prior art systems do not provide an aesthetic visual display device that enables a sign, particularly advertisements or a logo, to be illuminated such that a person can see through the display with the logo or sign illuminated. The present invention has particular application with illumination means fitted to a substantially transparent speaker cabinet having a logo or advertising particularly located on one or more of the sides of the cabinet. This provides an owner, or retailer, with a means of advertising that is fully illuminated, with the option of having an audio recording simultaneously being emitted to consumers or other persons within the vicinity of the display cabinet.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a transparent enclosure for illuminating a sign comprising: one or more surfaces for dispersing and reflecting the emitted light; wherein the sign is engraved on or attached to the one or more surfaces; whereupon activation of illumination means, light emitted from the illumination means is reflected from the one or more surfaces and the sign in order to provide an enhanced image of the sign within the enclosure; wherein further a person is able to see through the enclosure and sign.

The enclosure may be shaped as a rectangular prism and may further comprise one or more rebates formed within the surfaces for reflecting and acting upon the emitted light. The illumination means may form part of the enclosure and the light from the illumination means may be emitted into the enclosure.

The illumination means is preferably one or more light emitting diodes positioned preferably adjacent a base region of the prism such that the emitted light is generally directed away from the base region into the interior of the prism.

The enclosure is preferably an audio speaker cabinet having one or more apertures for receiving and supporting audio speaker components, the one or more apertures preferably providing further surfaces from which the emitted light reflects in order to further enhance the image of the sign.

The enclosure may further comprising audio speaker components to transmit live or recorded audio to promote the sign or products and services associated with the sign.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an enclosure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a partition for insertion into the interior of the enclosure; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the enclosure in separate components.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a front view of side 2 of a speaker enclosure 1 having a series of apertures adapted to receive various components of audio speakers such as a cone, woofer or tweeter. Two apertures 4 and 6 are of the same size and are generally used to receive a cone of the speaker and apertures 8, 10 and 12 are also each of the same size adapted to receive smaller components. With reference to Figure 3 the speaker enclosure 1 is made essentially of two portions 3 and 5. Other sides 7 and 9 of the portion 3 are of similar dimensions to the front side 2 and are substantially at right angles to the face or side 2. Located substantially at each of the corners or vertices formed by the sides 2, 7 and 9 at the lower sections thereof are illumination means 14, 16, 18 and 20. The illumination means are preferably in the form of light emitting diodes or LEDs and are situated in respective bores formed in the lower or bottom sides of the faces 2, 7 and 9.

Alternatively the illumination means 14 to 20 need not be located within the enclosure 1. They may reside, for example, in a channel of a base portion or a top portion to which the enclosure 1 is adapted to fit. The illumination means 14 to 20 may be located adjacent, but outside, the enclosure 1 and have light emitted therefrom travel within the enclosure 1 and reflect from the various sides, and/or sign, of the enclosure 1. In particular, a base portion may have the LEDs or illumination means 14 to affixed thereto and a top portion of the enclosure 1 together with respective sides is fitted over the base portion.

m:\specifications\500000\501 000\501669capreo.doc Preferably, a relatively thin strip of opaque material extends around the enclosure 1 to substantially cover the illumination means 14 to 20 from view by consumers/patrons or passers-by. This is so that the initial brightness from the bulbs or globes of the illumination means 14 to 20 is attenuated and the consumers or patrons focus on the emitted and reflected light within the enclosure 1 and the overall effect of the lighting is improved. This is particularly the case when the LEDs 14 to 20 are located adjacent the top or bottom of the enclosure 1.

Rebates 21 and 23 are formed in respective sides 9 and 7 preferably about in from the four edges of each side 9 and 7. The rebates 21 and 23 may be up to 3mm in depth and are generally formed as one continuous channel near the periphery of the sides 9 and 7. The rebates may be in other shapes, sizes/dimensions and be located at any part of the sides. The rebates may be engraved on the inner or outer surfaces of the sides and can be formed on any number of sides, such as for example on side 2 of portion 3 as shown by rebate 19 in Figure 1 or be located on any side, such as 27, of portion 5 shown in Figure 3. The rebates enable light emitted by LEDs 14 to 20 to interact therewith to create an improved visual lighting effect within the enclosure 1 and to prominently display a sign. The visual lighting effect within the enclosure 1 will be most effective in a darkened environment or at night.

The main purpose of installing the illuminating devices 14 to 20 is so that the LEDs and leads connecting the LEDs to a power source are out of the way and are not generally seen immediately, and more importantly to allow the light emanating from the illumination devices to travel as far as possible within the speaker cabinet 1 so that the emitted light can interact with edges, comers, sides and rebates within the enclosure as well as a sign or symbol preferably etched or engraved on one or more of the surfaces of the cabinet 1. As an example, the word Maha-D is shown on face 9 of the cabinet and is engraved so that the letters appear recessed into the face 9. Thus the light emanating from each of the devices 14, 16, 18 and 20 impinges on the edges and reflects from the letters of the word to create a visual effect that provides an outline of the speaker cabinet together with the advertising or sign to pedestrians or people adjacent the speaker cabinet 1. The emanating light is also able to reflect or change direction impinging on the recesses created by each of the apertures 4 to 12 when there are no speaker components mounted within the apertures 4 to 12. The material from which the speaker cabinet is made can be transparent acrylic, particularly 10mm thick green edge acrylic or 10mm clear acrylic. Preferably some or all of the edges are rebated to add to the visual effect. Typically the rebates may be 5mm in from each edge and up to 3mm deep.

m:\specifications\500000\501 000\501669capreo.doc The portion 5 is generally U-shaped and is arranged to fit within the portion 3, via suitable grooves or retaining means in order to fully enclose the speaker cabinet 1.

It is generally 10mm shorter in height than portion 3 allowing for a gap of about either end of portion 3 for leads/cables from a power source to the LEDs 14 to 20. A pair of apertures 22 allow passage of wires in order to connect to any speaker components used. Alternatively, a further aperture 24 located near the bottom of portion 5 in the back panel 27 allows connection of wires to the LEDs 14 to typically from a DC power source, when the devices are connected within the enclosure 1.

With reference to Figure 2 there is shown a partition or divider 26 having four substantially square apertures and is adapted to fit in corresponding grooves or slots 28 in portion 3 to separate the top two apertures 4, 8 from the three bottom apertures 10, 6 and 12 in face 2. The partition is simply for aesthetic appearance and also assists in reflecting or diverging light emanating from the four LEDs.

The LEDs may be of any particular type or emit a colour of choice such as blue/green or even yellow/red light. The skilled addressee will be able to select particular LEDs for any particular colour effect they require. The LEDs can be either standard, rectangular, high brightness or super bright, emit two or three or more colours or be infrared or ultraviolet. Furthermore any colour combination may be chosen and any particular light pattern such as flashing can be used. With regard to the ultraviolet LEDs a corresponding coating may be applied to any surface of the cabinet whether internal or external in order to convert the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet LEDs into visible light. Such coatings are typically made from or incorporate phosphor. In order to enhance or promote the advertisement, sign or symbol, the sign may be coated in phosphor, or a similar fluorescent material such as fluorescent paint or ink which will only be visible when exposed to the ultraviolet light emitting from the LEDs.

It is to be noted that the LEDs can be fitted to any part of the enclosure 1 and not necessarily at the bottom of the enclosure 1. Thus for instance LEDs can be mounted at the top of the enclosure emitting light in a generally downward direction into the enclosure. The LEDs can be suitably placed by a user in a position to obtain optimum reflection within the enclosure to display and illuminate the sign.

Speaker components such as cones, tweeters and woofers may be fitted to respective apertures in side 2 to provide audio, either live or recorded, in order to promote or advertise products and/or services associated with the sign displayed and illuminated in the enclosure 1.

m:\specifications\500000\501 000\501669capreo.doc Thus, in use, the enclosure 1 is constructed essentially in two portions 3 and from suitable materials with portion 3 including the various rebates 19, 21 and 23 and groove 28 for receiving the partition 26. LEDs 14, 16, 18 and 20 are positioned within respective bores at the base of the component 3 and connected to a suitable power source. A groove or retaining means may be provided at the top and base of component 3 for receiving component 5. Other rebates or grooves within the material may be formed in order to add to the effect of dispersed or reflected light from the LEDs. As part of the process of constructing either portion 3 or 5 advertising, writing, symbols or signs may be engraved or etched or otherwise secured to any one of the faces of the enclosure 1 which is then illuminated from the light emanating from the LEDs. The enclosure 1 may be of any shape, such as a square prism, spherical, elliptical, conical, etc.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

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Claims (7)

1. A transparent enclosure for illuminating a sign comprising: one or more surfaces for dispersing and reflecting the emitted light; wherein the sign is engraved on or attached to the one or more surfaces; whereupon activation of illumination means, light emitted from the illumination means is reflected from the one or more surfaces and the sign in order to provide an enhanced image of the sign within the enclosure; wherein further a person is able to see through the enclosure and sign.

2. An enclosure according to claim 1 shaped as a rectangular prism and further comprising one or more rebates formed within the surfaces for reflecting and acting upon the emitted light.

3. An enclosure according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the illumination means forms part of the enclosure and the light from the illumination means is emitted into the enclosure.

4. An enclosure according to claim 3 wherein the illumination means is one or more light emitting diodes positioned adjacent a base region of the prism such that the emitted light is generally directed away from the base region into the interior of the prism.

5. An enclosure according to any one of the previous claims wherein the enclosure is an audio speaker cabinet having one or more apertures for receiving and supporting audio speaker components, said one or more apertures providing further surfaces from which the emitted light reflects in order to further enhance the image of the sign.

6. An enclosure according to claim 4 further comprising audio speaker components to transmit live or recorded audio to promote the sign or products and services associated with the sign.

7. An enclosure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this twenty-ninth day of July 2004 Colin Mahady Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO