AU725685B3 - Illuminated house number display device - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 P/00/012 Regulation 3.2 Original Complete Specification Petty Patent Invention Title: Illuminated House Number Display Device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing known to me: 2 ILLUMINATED HOUSE NUMBER DISPLAY DEVICE The present invention relates to an illuminated house number display device and, more particularly, to such a device particularly adapted to facilitate the viewing of house numbers and the like when viewed from the street at night time.

The present application is a divisional application of Australian Petty Patent Application 17387/99 to the same applicant.

BACKGROUND

Certain kinds of illuminated sign systems are known including those disclosed in US4,901,461 and US4,937,499.

A problem with such prior art systems including, but not exclusively, those intended for use as house number display devices is that they are not often easily installable by the home handyman. Particularly those which have high intensity lighting require mains voltage supplies which leads to the requirement for a skilled, specialist installer.

Even after installation many such systems require a skilled technician to make adjustments to ensure the sign arrangement is suited to prevailing ambient conditions. It is often the case that prevailing ambient conditions can I t 3change for example on a seasonal basis thereby requiring adjustment on a seasonal basis.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate or at least provide a useful alternative to one or more of the abovementioned problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is provided an illuminated house number display device comprising a housing; an indicia plate supported by said housing; said indicia plate having a viewing side and an illumination side; a source of illumination supported by said housing and arranged to shine light onto said illumination side so that at least some of said light shines through at least parts of said indicia plate from said illumination side to said viewing side of said indicia plate thereby to aid discernment of indicia on said indicia plate when viewed from said viewing side under ambient lighting conditions; electric power supply means mounted within said housing for powering said source of illumination; control means for controlling said source of illumination, and wherein said control means include ambient light sensing means whose sensitivity can be adjusted in discrete steps.

4 Preferably said source of illumination includes low voltage to high voltage step up means mounted within said housing.

Preferably said ambient light sensing means comprises a sensing element whose electrical characteristics are sensitive to quantity of light impinging thereon; said element having a removably applicable filter mounted thereover so as to be interposed between said element and a source of ambient light.

Preferably said ambient light comprises lighting conditions which pertain at nighttime.

Preferably said low voltage is in the range 1-50 volts either AC or DC.

More preferably said low voltage is in the range 9-24 volts either AC or DC.

Even more preferably said low voltage lies in the range 12-15 volts AC or DC.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of an illuminated house number display device according to a first embodiment of the invention; 5 Fig. 2 is an electronic circuit diagram of circuitry adapted for use within the illuminated house number display device of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Fig. 1 there is illustrated an illuminated house number display device.

In this instance the display device 10 comprises a housing 11, a planar indicia plate 12 and an indicia plate retention panel 13.

The housing 11 is, in this instance, an open container shaped structure defining a housing volume 14 therein of sufficient depth and dimension to contain a mounting plate having mounted thereon power supply means and control means which, in this instance, are combined into a single power and control unit 16 which is adapted to receive electric power at low voltage via low voltage input conductors 17 and is further adapted to supply electric power at high voltage and high frequency via high voltage output conductors 18 to a source of illumination which, in this instance, comprises fluorescent lamp 19.

The power and control unit 16 receives information as to ambient light conditions exterior to housing 11 from light sensor 20 via ambient light sensor conductor 21.

6 In this instance the light sensor 20 comprises a light dependent resistor 22 mounted in housing 11 so as to receive ambient light thereon via filter 23.

The filter 23 is removable insertable within filter mounting 24 wherein filters 23 can be interchanged by a user for the purpose of adjusting sensitivity of the control means to ambient light as to be described in greater detail below.

The indicia plate 12 is comprised of a plastics material having an opaque region 25 which surrounds a light transmitting region 26 defining indicia 27, in this instance in the form of numerals 43.

In use indicia plate 12 is sealed against rim 28 of housing 11 by indicia plate retention panel 13 and held in place by screws 29.

The arrangement is such that light from fluorescent lamp 19 passes through the light transmitting region 26 of indicia plate 12 from an illumination side 30 to a viewing side 31 thereof thereby to make visible at a distance by positive illumination indicia 27 in this instance in the form of numerals 43.

Typically a user (not shown) will order the illuminated house number display device 10 complete with desired indicia 27 already incorporated therein. With minimal tooling the user can mount housing 11 at an appropriate location at the 7 front of their house (not shown) whereby indicia 27, when illuminated, will be visible from the street or equivalent.

The user can then run a low voltage input conductor 17 from the housing 11 to a power supply unit 32 which is adapted for connection to the mains 33. Such power supplies 32 are available commercially from many hobbyist and consumer electronic stores including, in Australia, Dick Smith Electronics, Tandy stores and the like. Because conductor 17 is low voltage it can be installed by a handyman or the like and without the absolute necessity of employing a licensed tradesman to do the job.

However, the preferred arrangement is that the power supply unit is supplied with the rest of the assembly as a total package to ensure that the power supply is correctly specified for the fluorescent lamp 19.

Once installed the user can adjust the sensitivity of the power and control unit 16 to ambient light by selecting the appropriate one of filters 23 from a set 34 of filters, each filter 23 of the set 34 adapted by composition to transmit a different amount of ambient light there through.

This allows a user to adjust the sensitivity of the control system to input received from the light dependent resistor 22, not by adjustment to the resistor itself, but by selection of the characteristics of a filter 23 selected from 8 a set 34 and interposed between the light dependent resistor 22 and ambient light Further details on manner of construction of a preferred embodiment of the device 10 of Fig. 1 are as follows: A rectangular housing made of cast aluminium with all sides angled at 250 sloping inwards as shown in Fig. 3.3.

The housing comes in three sizes as indicated on Figs. 4, and 6. Mounted inside each housing, is the electronic ballast complete with terminal posts, a light dependent resistor, and the light socket fitted with a PL 2-pin fluorescent tube as shown in Fig. 3.3. Computer generated numbers cut from a translucent PVC-vinyl material is laminated on to pearl coloured Perspex as indicated on Fig.

3.2 This is then mounted on to the housing as shown on Fig.

3.3 A metal cover made of cast aluminium fastens the Perspex onto the rim of the housing; and is fixed in place by stainless steel self-tapping screws.

A rubber flat gasket seal placed between the Perspex and the housing, as shown on Fig. 3.3.7, seals the unit to prevent entry of water, dust or any form of moisture; thereby, preventing malfunction of the electronic circuit.

An illuminated house numbering display as claimed in Claim i, wherein said cast aluminium housing, comes in three sizes designed to accommodate single, dual and three digit 9 house numbers. The sides are angled inwards at 25° to reflect light evenly throughout the surface of the Perspex; thereby preventing uneven lighting, and producing clearer and definable display from a distance of at least 50m. The housing comes in white powdered-coated baked enamel to ensure durability and designed to withstand the elements. The housing is sealed by a rubber flat gasket glued into place by an industrial strength contact glue.

An illuminated house numbering display as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the number displays are made of computer generated numbers cut from PVC-vinyl translucent material and laminated on to the external surface of the Perspex. These come in a wide range of colours and cut to 125mm in height and 120mm wide. The pearl-coloured Perspex is made of the same material commonly used in industrial signage and interior commercial displays.

With reference to Fig. 2 details of circuitry for implementing the power and control unit 16 of the embodiment of Fig. 1 are as follows: An illuminated house numbering display as claimed in Claim 1, where the unit is powered by ll0v or 240v step down to 12v DC. This is designed to allow use of the product in different countries. To prevent potential electrical shock, the power supply is transformed to 12VDC. Transformers with 10 suitable power pack will be supplied to international users.

The design for the 12V high voltage electric ballast is to overcome high-powered street lighting. This fluorescent light will outshine street lighting; and thus, can be easily seen by the passing traffic.

An illuminated house numbering display as claimed in Claim 1, where the switch control is activated by a "Light Dependent Resistor" (LDR) placed on the centre underneath the housing as indicated in Fig. 3.3.8. This is enhanced by a sensor photosphere regulator, which allows variation in ambient light shining through to the LDR. The regulator is made of plastic and comes in 6 varying Colour density. The density of the colour determines the amount of ambient light shining through to the sensor. In effect, the regulator allows 6 modes to trigger the LDR. This allows flexibility in the location of the unit. Refer Figs. 4, 5, 6 DD Section.

An illuminated house numbering display as claimed in Claim 1, where the compact electronic circuitry comes in one piece and is mounted into one housing assembly. The whole circuit board is replaceable by simply removing 4 screws.

The circuitry is composed of Al and B1 circuit indicated as Figs. 1 and 2 drawing.

The circuit as indicated in Fig. 1 is 12v DC standard design fluorescent circuit with high frequency oscillating 11 voltage that operate a 2-pin PL tubes from 7w to 13w. The circuit indicated as Fig. 2 is configured with standard electronic parts to power the board with 12vDC with amperage of lamp.

With reference to Figs. 1 (Al) and Fig. 2 the circuit operates as follows: A light dependent resistor (LDR) Resistor, Part 12 is connected between positive Fuse 13 and R1 and R2. When LDR is in the state of darkness, it does not allow enough positive current to flow to the transistor (indicated as part 9 on the drawing) to turn it on. In daylight enough current can flow to the transistor (part 9) to turn it on. In daylight enough current can flow to the transistor (part 9) base via R1 Transistor which wills witch on this transistor to allow a flow of negative current through the emitter and collector of transistor Part 9 to Part 10 relay magnetic windings and in doing so will pull and change contacts from Part 10.B to Part 10A Part 10 Relay; and will open circuit power to the fluorescent circuit.

Although daylight conditions Part 10 will be energized with a consumption of .02amp. At night the coil will be open circuit and all power will flow to the fluorescent circuit via contact Part 10.B. Diode (Part 14) is placed in the 12 circuit to protect an accidental reversal connection at Part 11 terminal post.

When relay is switched on, Part 10.A will come into contact with Part 10.B and current will flow in two directions. One direction goes in Inductor (Part 7) which is the ferrite choke; and the other flows through resistor (Part R3) to base transistor (Part This will cause an output signal to the primary winding (Part and the base transistor (Part which will induce feedback on coil 2.

The capacitor (Part Cl) across base transistor (Part 5) and transistor (Part 6) determine the frequency of oscillation, which will take place. The result of AC 'voltage in the secondary winding (Part 1) causes the fluorescent tube to turn on. The result of AC voltage in the secondary winding (Part 1) causes the fluorescent tube to turn on. The capacitors Part C2, C3 and C4 will smooth out high voltage.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (3)

1. An illuminated house number display device comprising a housing; an indicia plate supported by said housing; said indicia plate having a viewing side and an illumination side; a source of illumination supported by said housing and arranged to shine light onto said illumination side so that at least some of said light shines through at least parts of said indicia plate from said illumination side to said v'iewing side of said indicia plate thereby to aid discernment of indicia on said indicia plate when viewed from said viewing side under ambient lighting conditions; electric power supply means mounted within said housing for powering said source of illumination; control means for controlling said source of illumination, and wherein said control means include ambient light sensing means whose sensitivity can be adjusted in discrete steps.

2. The display device of Claim 1 wherein said ambient light sensing means comprises a sensing element whose electrical characteristics are sensitive to quantity of light impinging thereon; said element having a removably applicable filter mounted thereover so as to -14 be interposed between said element and a source of ambient light.

3. The display device of Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said source of illumination includes low voltage to high voltage step up means mounted within said housing. COLIN ATTWOOD By his Patent Attorneys WALLINGTON-DUMMER Dated: 21 June, 2000