AU2020207784A1 - Sign module - Google Patents

Abstract

A sign module (10) comprising a rear panel (12) having an illumination device 5 (22) and a cover (12) formed from a transparent material and having an opaque coating on a rear surface. A plurality of recesses (28) are provided in the inner surface of the front cover (14) extending through the opaque coating such that light may pass through the recesses (28). A plurality of opaque first inserts (30) are provided, each being receivable in one of the recesses (28) and a plurality 10 of transparent or translucent second inserts (32) are also provided. Each of the recesses (28) may receive either one of the first inserts (30) or the second inserts (32) such that light from the illumination device passes through the second inserts to form a symbol visible on the front surface (26) of the cover (14). 15

Description

"Sign Module"

Field of the Invention

[001] The present invention relates to a sign module of the type that may be used on vehicles for displaying identification numbers.

Background to the Invention

[002] Vehicles in many industries must have numbers or other markings displayed on the vehicle for identification purposes. Heavy vehicles on mining sites, for example, often use a series of numbers to identify the vehicle. The numbers are generally displayed on signage that can be illuminated and/or includes reflective elements on the numbers to allow visibility of the identification numbers at night.

[003] A common type of sign used for this purpose comprises a module having a single digit displayed. A series of modules must then be purchased for a particular vehicle and made up showing the specific digits required.

[004] The present invention relates to an improved sign module for displaying a single symbol to be used as part of an identification marking on a vehicle. The sign module is aimed at allowing easy reconfiguration into a series of symbols, such as numbers, using a common module.

Summary of the Invention

[005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sign module comprising: a rear panel having an illumination device therein; a cover formed from a transparent material securable to a front surface of the panel such that the front cover includes a rear surface adjacent the body and a front surface opposite the rear panel, the rear surface of the front cover having an opaque coating; a plurality of recesses in the inner surface of the front cover, the recesses extending through the opaque coating such that light may pass through the recesses from the rear surface of the front cover to be emitted outwardly through the front surface thereof; a plurality of first inserts each being receivable in one of the recesses, the first inserts being opaque; and a plurality of second inserts each being receivable in one of the recesses, the second inserts being translucent or transparent; wherein each of the recesses may receive either one of the first inserts or the second inserts such that light from the illumination device passes through the second inserts to form a symbol visible on the front surface of the cover.

[006] Preferably the thickness of the first and second inserts is greater than the depth of the recesses.

[007] Preferably each of the first and second inserts includes a lip portion extending outwardly from around the periphery thereof to engage with the rear surface of the cover around the periphery of the recesses.

[008] Preferably the second inserts include a reflective sheet material secured to a side thereof such that light may pass through the second inserts but wherein light incident on the front surface of the cover is reflected back out through the front surface.

[009] In a preferred embodiment, the rear panel includes a recessed portion and the illumination device comprises a light panel received within the recessed portion having an array of light emitters extending across the surface thereof.

[010] Preferably edges of the first and second inserts includes a plurality of lugs to be received in corresponding indents provided around the inner edges of the recesses.

[011] Preferably a plurality of clips are provided extending outwardly from adjacent the edges of the recesses, each of the clips being resilient and including a lug on a side thereof facing the recess such that, as the insert is pressed into the recess, the clip is flexed outwardly and then moves back such that the lug is above the rear surface of the insert.

[012] Preferably a power cable is provided comprising a first cable portion connected to a first side of a splitter and second and third portions connected to a second side of a splitter such that the first cable portion is connectable to the third cable portion of a further sign module and the second cable portion is connectable to the illumination device

[013] Preferably the power cable is located within a rear recess on the rear panel.

[014] Preferably the rear recess comprises a recess extending around the periphery of the rear panel on a rear side thereof.

[015] In one embodiment, the second inserts are formed from a coloured transparent material.

[016] In one embodiment, the first inserts include an opaque coating on a rear surface thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[017] The invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[018] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a sign module in accordance with the present invention;

[019] Figure 2 is a front view of the sign module of Figure 1;

[020] Figure 3 is a side view of the sign module of Figure 1;

[021] Figure 4 is a top view of the sign module of Figure 1;

[022] Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the sign module of Figure 1;

[023] Figure 6 is a rear view of the sign module of Figure 1;

[024] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the sign module of Figure 1;

[025] Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the front cover of the sign module showing all of the segments prior to engagement with the cover;

[026] Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the front cover of the sign module showing some of the segments prior to engagement with the cover;

[027] Figure 10 is a front perspective view of the sign module showing internal features;

[028] Figure 11 is a first side cross sectional view of the sign module;

[029] Figure 12 is a second side cross sectional view of the sign module;

[030] Figure 13 is a side cross sectional view of the cover showing the segments removed;

[031] Figure 14 is an upper perspective view showing four of the sign modules connected together; and

[032] Figure 15 is a rear view of the four connected sign modules.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[033] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a sign module 10 comprising generally a rear panel 12 and a cover 14. The sign module 10 is provided to display a single symbol, being a number in the embodiment shown. While the sign module 10 shown is used to display a number, it will be appreciated that the sign module 10 may be configured to display other symbols.

[034] In the embodiment shown, the rear panel 12 and the cover 14 are both rectangular in shape. The cover 14 is securable to a front side of the rear panel 12 by suitable means, such as securing screws 16.

[035] The rear panel 12 includes a recessed portion 18 in the front side. The recessed portion 18 comprises a central rectangular recess defining a raised edge portion 20 extending around the periphery of the front side of the rear panel 12. The periphery of the cover 14 engages with the edge portion 20 of the rear panel 12 and the securing screws 16 are received through holes in the periphery of the cover 14 aligned with corresponding holes in the edge portion to secure the cover14 to the rear panel12.

[036] The rear surface 27 of the cover 14 includes an outwardly protruding flange 56 provided to be received inside the inner edge of the recessed portion 18. A seal 52 is provided around the connection between the cover 14 and the rear panel 12 to seal sign module 10.

[037] The rear panel 12 of the sign module 10 is provided with an illumination device such that the illumination device emits light outwardly through the cover 14. The illumination device in the embodiment shown comprises a light panel 22. The light panel 22 comprises a rectangular panel including an array of light emitters 24 extending across its surface. The light emitters 24 are arranged across the surface of the light panel 22 such that light is emitted outwardly in the direction of the cover 14.

[038] The cover 14 includes a front surface 26 and a rear surface 27. The front surface 26 is located opposite the rear panel 12 in use and the rear surface 27 is located adjacent the rear panel 12 in use. The rear surface 27 of the cover 14 includes a plurality of recesses 28 (as best seen in Figures 8 and 9). The recesses 28 are provided in a configuration such that the recesses 28 may form one or more symbols when the recesses 28 are either illuminated or blacked out. In the embodiment shown, the recesses 28 are provided in a standard figure 8 type configuration such that the recesses 28 may form each of the numerals from 0 to 9.

[039] The sign module 10 is provided with a plurality of first inserts 30 and a plurality of second inserts 32. Each of the first inserts 30 and the second inserts 32 have a shape corresponding to the shape of the recesses 28. Each of the first inserts 30 and second inserts 32 may therefore be received into one of the recesses 28. Peripheral edges of the first and second inserts 30 and 32 include a plurality of lugs 54. The lugs 54 are provided to be received in corresponding indents 55 provided around the inner edges of the recesses 28, when the inserts 30 and 32 are received in the recesses 28, to locate the inserts 30 and 32 within the recesses 28.

[040] The cover 14 is formed from a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic material. The rear surface 27 of the cover 14 is provided with an opaque coating. The opaque coating is preferably black and may be formed by painting or by application of a suitable adhesive sheet material. The opaque coating extends across the rear surface 27 in areas between the recesses 28 such that the opaque coating does not extend within the recesses 28. Inner surfaces of the recesses 28 are therefore transparent such that light passing into the recesses 28 will be emitted outwardly from the front surface 26 of the cover 14.

[041] The first inserts 30 are provided such that when the first inserts 30 are received into the recesses 28, the first inserts 30 block passage of light into the recesses 28 from the light panel 22. The first inserts 30 may therefore be formed from an opaque material or may include an opaque coating on a rear surface thereof.

[042] The second inserts 32 are formed from a transparent or translucent material such that light may pass through the second inserts 32 into the recesses 28. The second inserts 32 may be formed from a coloured transparent material such that light passing through the second inserts 32 and outwardly from the front surface 26 of the cover 14 is coloured. The second inserts 32 include a reflective sheet material 36 secured to a side thereof. The reflective sheet material 36 is a material through which light may pass but which also provides a reflective characteristic such that light incident on the front surface 26 of the cover 14 is partially reflected back out through the front surface 26 by the reflective sheet material 36.

[043] A plurality of clips 48 are provided also around the edge of each of the recesses 28. The clips 48 extend outwardly from adjacent the edges of the recesses 28. Each of the clips 48 is resilient and includes a lug on a side thereof facing the recess 28 such that, as the insert 30 or 32 is pressed into the recess 28, the clip 48 is flexed outwardly and then moves back such that the lug is above the rear surface of the insert 30 or 32. The clips 48 engage with rear surfaces of the inserts 30 or 32 to further secure the inserts 30 or 32 to prevent the disengagement due to vibration or impact.

[044] Each of the first and second inserts 30 and 32 includes a lip portion 34 extending outwardly from around the periphery thereof adjacent the rear surface of the insert 30 and 32. As best seen in Figures 11 to 13, the thickness of the inserts 30 and 32 is greater than the depth of the recesses 28. The rear surfaces of the inserts 30 and 32 therefore extend outwardly from the rear surface 27 of the cover 14 when the inserts 30 and 32 are received in the recesses 28. The lip portions 34 of the inserts 30 and 32 thereby engage with the rear surface 27 of the cover 14 around the periphery of the recesses 28. The lip portions 34 thereby prevent light passing between the inserts 30 and 32 and the inner edges of the recesses 28. Therefore, when the first inserts 30 are used, light is completely blocked from passing through the recesses 28.

[045] Each of the sign modules 10 includes a power cable 50 provided to receive power from a power source to operate the light panel 22. The power cable 50 includes a first cable portion 38 connected to a first side of a splitter located within a rear recess 42 on the rear panel 12. The rear recess 42 comprises a recess extending around the periphery of the rear panel 12 on a rear side thereof.

[046] The power cable 50 includes second and third cable portions 44 and 45 extending outwardly from a second side of the splitter 40. The first cable portion includes a first connector 46 thereon and the second and third cable portions 44 and 45 include a second connector 47 on an end thereof. The first cable portion 38 extends outwardly through a side edge of the rear panel 12 to connect to the third cable portion 45 of adjacent sign module 10. The second connector 47 on the second cable portion 45 is provided to connect to the light panel 22 within the sign module 10. In this way, a plurality of sign modules 10 may be connected together in series such that power from an external source only needs to be connected to a first of the sign modules 10 in the series.

[047] In use, a plurality of sign modules 10 are mounted adjacent each other as shown in Figures 14 and 15 and connected together as described previously. With the cover 14 removed, a plurality of the second inserts 32 are placed within the appropriate recesses 28 to form the required number and the remaining recesses 28 are filled with the first inserts 30 and the cover 14 is then connected to the rear panel 12. When power is provided to the sign modules 10, the light emitted from the light panel 22 passes outwardly through the second inserts 32 to display the required number. When power is not supplied, the number is still visible via light which is reflected back from the reflective sheet 36 of each of the second inserts 32.

[048] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims (12)

Claims

1. A sign module comprising: a rear panel having an illumination device therein; a cover formed from a transparent material securable to a front surface of the panel such that the front cover includes a rear surface adjacent the body and a front surface opposite the rear panel, the rear surface of the front cover having an opaque coating; a plurality of recesses in the inner surface of the front cover, the recesses extending through the opaque coating such that light may pass through the recesses from the rear surface of the front cover to be emitted outwardly through the front surface thereof; a plurality of first inserts each being receivable in one of the recesses, the first inserts being opaque; and a plurality of second inserts each being receivable in one of the recesses, the second inserts being translucent or transparent; wherein each of the recesses may receive either one of the first inserts or the second inserts such that light from the illumination device passes through the second inserts to form a symbol visible on the front surface of the cover.

2. A sign module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first and second inserts is greater than the depth of the recesses.

3. A sign module in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of the first and second inserts includes a lip portion extending outwardly from around the periphery thereof to engage with the rear surface of the cover around the periphery of the recesses.

4. A sign module in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second inserts include a reflective sheet material secured to a side thereof such that light may pass through the second inserts but wherein light incident on the front surface of the cover is reflected back out through the front surface.

5. A sign module in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear panel includes a recessed portion and the illumination device comprises a light panel received within the recessed portion having an array of light emitters extending across the surface thereof.

6. A sign module in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein edges of the first and second inserts includes a plurality of lugs to be received in corresponding indents provided around the inner edges of the recesses.

7. A sign module in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of clips are provided extending outwardly from adjacent the edges of the recesses, each of the clips being resilient and including a lug on a side thereof facing the recess such that, as the insert is pressed into the recess, the clip is flexed outwardly and then moves back such that the lug is above the rear surface of the insert.

8. A sign module in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a power cable is provided comprising a first cable portion connected to a first side of a splitter and second and third portions connected to a second side of a splitter such that the first cable portion is connectable to the third cable portion of a further sign module and the second cable portion is connectable to the illumination device

9. A sign module in accordance with claim 8, wherein the power cable is located within a rear recess on the rear panel.

10. A sign module in accordance with claim 9, wherein the rear recess comprises a recess extending around the periphery of the rear panel on a rear side thereof.

11. A sign module in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the second inserts are formed from a coloured transparent material.

12. A sign module in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first inserts include an opaque coating on a rear surface thereof.