CA1222371A - Sign letter structure - Google Patents

Sign letter structure

Info

Publication number
CA1222371A
CA1222371A CA000447108A CA447108A CA1222371A CA 1222371 A CA1222371 A CA 1222371A CA 000447108 A CA000447108 A CA 000447108A CA 447108 A CA447108 A CA 447108A CA 1222371 A CA1222371 A CA 1222371A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
letter
illuminated
strip
transparent
sign
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000447108A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William Bank
Jay B. Shapiro
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Voplex Corp
Original Assignee
Voplex Corp
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 Voplex Corp filed Critical Voplex Corp
Priority to CA000447108A priority Critical patent/CA1222371A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1222371A publication Critical patent/CA1222371A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

ABSTRACT
An illuminated sign letter structure made up of an extruded plastic strip having a metal foil encased therein. One end of the strip is enlarged and has a ledge projecting outwardly from the strip. The opposite sides of the ledge are parallel and smooth for receiving the edges of a letter-form. The extruded plastic strip is formed into a letter shape and a letter-form of the letter shape is fixed in the frame to engage either the inner or the outer parallel, smooth ledge side. The metal foil may be straight or the end of the foil at the enlarged end of the extruded strip may be bent inwardly into the enlarged end.

Description

jl This invention relates to sign letter structures and, I' more particularly, to letter structures having translucent letter-¦l forms for Mounting on an opaque sign frame usually containing a I light source for illuminating the letter and desired portions of 5 I the letter structure.
In ll.S. Pat. Nos. 3,25b,436, dated June 7, 1966 and 1 4,140,405, dated February 20, 1979, there are shown and described ¦ sign letter construction in which letter-forms of translucent material are mounted in a letter frame. The letter frames in 10 both patents are made up of a metal strip, or foil, embedded in transparent plastic. When the sign is illulDinated, the illumina-tion passes forwardly through the letter-form and through pre-designated areas of the letter structure. Thus, in the '436 patent, in addition to the letter-form, the light source illumi-15 nates the transparent plastic around the letter edge. In the ¦ '405 patent, transparent or translucent areas are provided in thewall of the letter structure behind the letter-form to improve and enhance the attractiveness ani appearance of the sign.
I In the instant invention it has been discovered that the 20 j attractiveness and appearance of such sign letter structures can be further enhanced and improved and that such sign letters can be made more readily adaptable for use in the manufacture of new signs or the conversion of existing signs. Thus, as will be more I fully described later herein, the sign letter structure of the 25 j instant invention might be Mounted on the face of an opaque sign frame, around the edges of a letter cut-out in the sign frame or the sign letter structure migi,t be slipped over an existing letter structure on the opaque sign frame froM which the pre-existing letter face has been removed. In either even~, a trallslucent
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letter-form is fixed to the face or projecting end of the letter structure, as mounted on the opaque sign frame, for illumination by the light source in the frame.
In the instant invention, as will be more fully described, the letter-form might be mounted on the letter frame from the front of the letter frame so as to rest on the outer side of an inwardly projecting ledge or protuberance on the inner wall of the letter frame or the letter-form mlght be mounted from the back or sign frame side of the letter so as to rest on the inner side of the ledge or protuberance. The direction from which the letter-form is mounted, i.e., from -the front or from the back will affect the appearance and the edge illumination of the letter.
In summary, the present invention is considered as providing an illuminated sign letter structure for use in a sign illuminated from a light source positioned rearward of the letter structure, a generally flat letter-form through which light can pass, a strip material bent to conform to the perimeter of the letter-form and forming a side frame therearound, the strip material comprising inner and outer plies of plastic material extruded about the opposite surfaces of a metal foil, at least the inner of the plies being of a transparent material, and an enlarged ,, .
side frame end for receiving a letter-form~ the metal foil in the enlarged frame end being flat between the plies and ~ 3 _ ..

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forming on the letter-form side of the frame a transparent ply area extending forwardly from the front and around the periphery of the flat letter-form and being illuminated by the illuminating source at the rear of the letter-form, the illuminated transparent ply area around the periphery of the letter-form forming an illuminated edge area in the transparent inner ply around the inner peripheral edge of the letter-form when the letter-form is illuminated from the rear and viewed from the front.
Furthermore, the present invention may be considered as providing an illuminated sign letter structure for use in a sign illuminated from a light source positioned rearward of the letter structure, a generally flat letter-form through which light can pass, a strip material bent to conform to the perimeter of the letter-form and forming a side frame therearound, the strip material comprising inner and outer plies of plas~ic material extruded about the opposite surfaces of a metal foil, at least the inner ply material being of a transparent material and forming an enlarged side frame end ! for receiving a letter-form, the enlarged side frame end inwardly of the edge of the strip terminating in an outwardly extending ledge, the ledge having opposite ~i parallel surfaces for mating inter-fit with the surface of a letter-form engaged therewith, the extruded, transparent plastic material at the letter-form side of the frame - 3a -~2~237~

extending forwardly and outwardly from the flat letter-form and being illuminated by the light source rearward of the letter-form to form the illuminated edge area in a transparent inner ply around the inner peripheral edge of the letter-form when the letter-form is illuminated from the rear and viewed from the front.
The invention of the instant application will be more fully described and will be better understoo~ from the following description taken with the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a letter structure embodying the invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view, in section, taken at 2-2 Figure l; and Figùre 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the letter~form in alternate position.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3 but showing a ~odified form of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, the sign letter, generally designated 2, incl-udes a generally flat, -transparent or translucent letter-form in a frame, generally designated 6. Letter-form 4 may be cut or cast from a suitable transparent or translucent material, preferably, transparent or translucent plastic. The - ~b -~:2~37~L .

1 ~ transparent or translucent material may be colorless, may be white or may be colored depending upon the design of the sign. Frame 6 is of material bent and shaped to conEorm to the letter frame I¦ contour. For reasons more apparent hereinafter, sign letter 2 is 5 I mounted on an opaque or translucent support 8.
Referring to Figure 2, frame 6 includes an outer ply 10, an inner ply 12 and strip 14 of metal foil or other opaque inter-; face material positioned between and embedded in inner and outer j plies 10, 12. At the forward end of frame 6, the end remote from support 8, inner ply 12 is thickened or enlarged to form enlarged ¦ outer end 16 and inwardly projecting ledge or protuberance 18 I spaced inwardly from outer end 16 and having, at its outer and ¦ inner surfaces 20, 22, flat surfaces for flush engagement with the outer or inner surface of letter-form 4 for reasons more apparent later herein. At its inner end, for contact with support 8, frame 6 may be smooth or provided with an outwardly projecting ledge 24 for mounting frame 6 with letter-fol~ 4 on support 8.
Preferably, plies 10, 12, with strip 14 therein, are extruded as a continuous strip which may be cut and formed into 20 ~I the letter. The continuous composite strip might be suitably mitred and grooved in order to form the desired letter shape.
I In any event, letter-form 4, of transparent or translucnet I material, is fitted into letter frame 6 abutting ledge 18 at I surface 20 or 22, as the case may be, and forming a fitted, 25 !I mating inter-fit therewith, Letter-form 4 is affixed to frame 6 1 with a suitable cement, adhesive or solvent which fuses the ¦l letter-form and frame materials.

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1 Letter frame 6, after the letter has been formed and shaped, may be affixed to the face support 8 around the edge of the letter cut-out with a suitable cement, adhesive or solvent, ' Figure 2, or may be sleeved over existing letter body 30, Figure 5 li 3~ afEixed to Eace support 8 and from which the letter face has ¦¦ been removed and is being repl.aced. Letter frame 6 may be affixed to body 30 with a suitable cement, adhesive or solvent.
1 Letter-form 4 may be placed on the inner side of ledge ¦1 18, Figure 2, and affixed, attached and sealed to s~lrface 22 by 10 !¦ a suitable cement, adhesive or solvent, or may be placed on the ¦l outer side of ledge 18, Figure 3, and similarly affixed, attached and sealed to surface 20, Figure 3. The placing or positioning of letter-form 4 on the inner or on the outer side of ledge 18 will, of course, change the appearance of the letter.
When positioned on the inner side of ledge 18, Figure 2, the letter-form 4 face of the letter is recessed, will have a recessed appearance and ledge 18 around tlle edge of letter-form 4 and against wllich letter-form 4 is affixed or attached will be I ill~uninated by the illumination of the light behind the letter 20 I illuminated through inner ply 12. Depending upon the color of ¦' letter-form 4 and the color of the transparent plastic, a halo ! of plain or colored light might be provided around letter-form ~l, ¦I to highlight or accentuste the letter or to subdue the recessing 1, depending upon the effect desired.
25~l When positioned on the outer side of ledge 18 against surface 20, Figure 3, the letter-form 4 face of the letter will have a more flush letter appearance. Indeed, the depth of the ,, 1, Il -5-form of letter frame ~ from surface 20 of ledge 18 to the front edge of the frame as compared to the thickDess of letter-form 4 can be designed and letter frame 6 can be extruded so that the , front edge of frame 6 and the surface of letter-form 4 are flush 5 1~ or substantially flush. Because the letter-form 4 is in front of ledge 18, the ill~mmination of the transparent plastic of ledge 18 will be behind letter-form 4 in the embodiment of Figure 3 and will not be visible from the front of the letter.
I It is to be understood that the positioning of letter-10 I form 4 in front or in back of ledge 18 is a matter of choice andis not dependent upon the configuration of support 8. Thus, the positioning of letter-form 4 on the front of ledge 18, as in I Figure 3, can be employed with the embodiment of Figure 2 and ¦ vice versa. Where desired the exposed or outer surface of ply 10 15 ¦l inwardly from the letter-form, might be painted or otherwise ¦I finished to match the surface of support 8 or to highlight the ¦l exposed letter side. Such finish might be opaque and prevent passage of illwnination through the side of letter frame 6.
ll As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the end of foil 14 at 20 l¦ the enlarged end of letter frame 6 might be straight, as shol,m ¦¦ in Figures 2 and 3, or might be bent backward onto itself in the enlarged end of the latter frame and toward the direction of letter-form 4, as shown at 14a, Figure 4. Whether letter frame 6 is formed with straight foil, as ln Figures 2 and 3, or with bent 25 ll or curved end foil, as showm at 14a, Figure 4, illumination of ¦ inner ply 12 by the light source behind letter-form b will be s trans-nitted by the transparent or translucent material of inner ply 12 from behind letter-form 4 to the front of the letter-form.

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l The degree of illumination transmitted, the effect and the appear-ance of such transmitted illuloination at the front of the letter-!~ fonn will depend upon whether the foil edge is straight or bentor curved. With the edge straight, inner ply 12 around the 5 ~ letter-form will be illuminated. With the edge bent or curved, such as 14a, Figure 4, a part of the transmitted illumination will~
be shielded or blocked by the curved or bent back foil. The ' amount of illumination shielded or blocXed will, of course, depend j upon the degree of the bend or curve in the foil, the width of 10 j such bend or curve and the length to which the foil is returned ~l in the enlarged end.
¦I The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is I no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of 15 ¦ excluding any equivalent of the :Eeatures shown and described or I¦ portions thereof but it is recognized that various modifications ¦l are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.
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Claims (3)

WHAT IS CLAIMED:
1. In an illuminated sign letter structure for use in a sign illuminated from a light source positioned rearward of the letter structure, a generally flat letter-form through which light can pass, a strip material bent to conform to the perimeter of said letter-form and forming a side frame therearound, said strip material comprising inner and outer plies of plastic material extruded about the opposite surfaces of a metal foil, at least the inner of said plies being of a transparent material, and an enlarged side frame end for receiving a letter-form, said metal foil in said enlarged frame end being flat between said plies and forming on the letter-form side of said frame a trans-parent ply area extending forwardly from the front and around the periphery of said flat letter-form and being illuminated by the illuminating source at the rear of said letter-form, said illuminated transparent ply area around the periphery of said letter-form forming an illuminated edge area in the transparent inner ply around the inner peripheral edge of the letter-form when said letter-form is illuminated from the rear and viewed from the front.
2. In an illuminated sign letter structure, as recited in claim 1, in which the end of said metal foil in said enlarged frame end is bent inwardly toward the letter-form side of said frame at the outer end of said frame end but leaving a trans-parent area in said inner ply abutting said letter-form and extending forwardly and outwardly therefrom said inwardly bent metal foil at the outer end of said transparent area blocking the transmission of illumination to the outermost end of said trans-parent area from said illuminating source at the rear of said letter-form while permitting the transmission of illumination from said illuminating source to said transparent area in said inner ply abutting said letter-form to form said illuminated edge area in the transparent inner ply around the inner peripheral edge of the letter-form when said letter-form is illuminated from the rear and viewed from the front.
3. In an illuminated sign letter structure for use in a sign illuminated from a light source positioned rearward of the letter structure, a generally flat letter-form through which light can pass, a strip material bent to conform to the perimeter of said letter-form and forming a side frame therearound, said strip material comprising inner and outer plies of plastic material extruded about the opposite surfaces of a metal foil, at least the inner ply material being of a transparent material and forming an enlarged side frame end for receiving a letter-form, said enlarged side frame end inwardly of the edge of said strip terminating in an outwardly extending ledge, said ledge having opposite parallel surfaces for mating inter-fit with the surface of a letter-form engaged therewith, said extruded, transparent plastic material at the letter-form side of said frame extending forwardly and outwardly from said flat letter-form and being illuminated by the light source rearward of said letter-form to form said illuminated edge area in the transparent inner ply around the inner peripheral edge of the letter-form when said letter-form is illuminated from the rear and viewed from the front.

4. In an illuminated sign letter structure, as recited in claim 3, in which said strip material is formed into a letter shape.
5. In an illuminated sign letter structure, as recited in claim 11, in which a letter-form of the letter shape of said strip is mounted in said letter shaped strip with the surface at the edge of said letter-form in engagement with the outer parallel surface of said ledge.
6. In an illuminated sign letter structure, as recited in claim 4, in which a letter-form in the letter shape of said strip is mounted in said letter shaped strip with the surface at the edge of said letter-form in engagement with the inner parallel surface of said ledge.
7. In an illuminated sign letter structure, as recited in claim 4, in which said strip material formed into a letter shape is affixed to the face of a support around a letter cut-out in said support to form on said support an outwardly projecting letter conforming to the cut-out.
3. In an illuminated sign letter structure, as recited in claim 7, in which said support with said letter cut-out therein includes a letter body in the shape of said letter-cut-out and projecting outwardly from said support and sakd strip material formed into a letter shape is sleeved over said letter body to form on said support with said letter body an outwardly projecting letter conforming to the cut-out.
CA000447108A 1984-02-09 1984-02-09 Sign letter structure Expired CA1222371A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000447108A CA1222371A (en) 1984-02-09 1984-02-09 Sign letter structure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000447108A CA1222371A (en) 1984-02-09 1984-02-09 Sign letter structure

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1222371A true CA1222371A (en) 1987-06-02

Family

ID=4127148

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000447108A Expired CA1222371A (en) 1984-02-09 1984-02-09 Sign letter structure

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1222371A (en)

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