EP0871950A1

EP0871950A1 - Kit for mounting lamps on a road sign

Info

Publication number: EP0871950A1
Application number: EP96911750A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roni Friedman
Original assignee: Interplex Solar Inc
Current assignee: Interplex Solar Inc
Priority date: 1995-04-06
Filing date: 1996-03-27
Publication date: 1998-10-21
Also published as: EP0871950A4; AU5483696A; IL113273A0; WO1996031863A1

Abstract

A roadsign illumination kit including a frame (14) which is fixed to the periphery of a roadsign (12) and includes at least one light emitting device (15) having a pair of connection terminals. An energy source (19) for the at least one light emitting device (15) is connected to the rear surface of the roadsign (12). The frame (14) is connected to the roadsign (12) with a dual-sided adhesive tape.

Description

KIT FOR MOUNTING LAMPS ON A ROAD SIGN

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to roadside illumination devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At one time, roadsigns were illuminated at night by means of an overhead lamp which cast a fairly broad beam over the area of the roadsign so as to reflect hght thereon and render it visible to oncoming motorists. In recent years, however, the tendency has been to fix miniature lamps such as LEDs around the periphery of the roadsign so that, when the LEDs are illuminated at night, the outline of the roadsign will be readily apparent to an oncoming motorist even from a distance. Furthermore, since LEDs require much less power than conventional roadside lamps which were employed previously for illuminating roadsigns, the LEDs themselves may be energized by a compact power source, including a rechargeable battery which is preferably maintained in a charged state by means of a solar panel. Such a power source is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5, 252, 893 relating to a miniature lamp flasher, in the names of the present Applicants, the contents of which are incoiporated herein by reference.

When it is desired to illuminate a roadsign using, LEDS as described above, what is currently done is first to remove the roadsign and transport it to a suitable assembly point where holes are drilled around the periphery of the roadsign for accommodating therein the LEDs and also for mounting the electrical power source for energizing the LEDS. Such transportation and assembly is an expensive procedure which adds significantly to the overall cost of roadsign illumination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a roadsign illumination kit which allows for in situ assembly thereof in a simple and inexpensive manner. According to the invention there is provided a roadsign illumination kit, comprising: a frame for fixing to a periphery of a roadsign and having mounted therein at least one light emitting device having a pair of connection terminals, and an energy source for providing electric power to said at least one light emitting device and having a pair of connection points for connecting to said connection terminals and further having a fixing means for mounting the energy source in fixed spaced relationship to the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, some preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a pictorial representation of a roadsign having mounted thereto a roadside illumination kit according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a pictorial view showing a detail of a reverse side of the roadsign shown in Fig. 1; and Figs. 3a and 3b show component parts of a frame for use with the kit shown in Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 and 2 show a roadsign depicted generally as 10 comprising a post

11 to which is mounted a triangular plate 12 representative of a "Give Way" sign. Mounted on to a front face 13 of the plate 12 is a triangular frame 14 having mounted therein a plurality of LEDs 15 commonly connected to a pair of connection leads 16 and 17. Mounted on a reverse side 18 of the plate 12 is an energy source depicted generally as 19 and containing therein a pair of connection points in the form of a terminal strip 20 for electrically connecting thereto the respective leads 16 and 17. Also connected to the terminal strip 20 is the circuit subject of Applicants' U.S. Patent No. 5,252,893 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereby obviating the need for further detailed description.

The energy source 19 is fixed to the rear surface of the plate 12 by means of rivets 21. The triangular frame 14 is pre-assembled as a complete unit so dimensioned as to match the periphery of the plate 12 and having all of the LEDs mounted therein at suitable spaced-apart intervals. The frame 14 is also provided on a rear surface thereof with a dual-sided adhesive tape, one surface of which is stuck to the rear surface of the frame 14 and the other surface of which is provided with a peel-off form which is removed prior to fixing the frame 14 to the plate 12.

The frame illustrated in Fig. 1 is sold as a complete unit: there being provided a plurality of different frames each suitable for use with a corresponding shape of roadsign. However, if desired, the frame 14 may be sold as separate sections which are assembled in situ prior to mounting on the roadsign. Thus, as shown in Figs. 3a and 3b there are partial sections 25 and 26 of a triangular frame each having internal connection strips 27 and 28 for connection thereto a plurality of LEDs at spaced-apart intervals. An edge 31 of the section 25 is provided with protruding electrical pins 32 and 33 respectively connected to the connection strips 27 and 28 for inserting into complementary sockets 34 and 35 formed in a mating edge of the section 26 and being electrically connected to the corresponding connection strips 27 and 28 therein. When the complete frame is assembled in situ, the protruding pins 32 and 33 are inserted into the respective sockets 34 and 35 in order that the corresponding connection strips 27 and 28 in each component section are interconnected, thereby connecting all of the LEDs to a common pair of connection terminals. Once each of the component sections 25 and 26 is fixed to the front surface 13 of the plate 12, electrical connection between the protruding pins 32 and 33 and the corresponding sockets 34 and 35 is maintained, there being no need to reinforce the interconnection between the adjacent sections 25 and 26, although this may be done, if desired, in known manner.

It will be appreciated that modifications may easily be effected to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, although the flexible leads 16 and 17 are shown as being connected to the LEDs 15, it is equally possible to connect the LEDs to a common terminal strip and to provide flexible leads in the energy source for connecting thereto. Likewise, the internal connection strips 27 and 28 can be constituted by any suitable internal wiring and other forms of interconnection between adjacent sections will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Similarly, whilst in the preferred embodiment the energy source 19 is attached to the plate 12 by means of rivets, other forms of connection will be readily apparent and although it is shown as being fixed to the plate itself, it can equally well be mounted on the support pole 11, providing that, when mounted, it maintains a fixed spatial relationship to the frame.

It will also be appreciated that whilst the preferred embodiments make particular reference to the use of LEDS, any suitable miniature lamps may be substituted therefor. Likewise, the use of the specific miniature solar-powered lamp flasher subject of Applicants' U.S. Patent No. 5,252,893 is optional and any other suitable energy source/lamp combination may be used, as appropriate.

Finally, it will readily be appreciated that the component parts of the kit may be provided separately, and this is clearly reflected in the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A roadsign illumination kit, comprising: a frame for fixing to a periphery of a roadsign and having mounted therein at least one light emitting device having a pair of connection terminals, and an energy source for providing electric power to said at least one light emitting device and having a pair of connection points for connecting to said connection terminals and further having a fixing means for mounting the energy source in fixed spaced relationship to the frame.

2. The kit according to Claim 1, wherein the frame comprises at least two component sections each terminated in complementary electrical connectors.

3. The kit according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame is fixed to the roadsign with adhesive.

4. The kit according to Claim 3, wherein the adhesive is in the form of an adhesive tape bonded to the frame.

5. A kit according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein: the connection terminals are a pair of connection leads, and the connection points are mechanical clamps for clamping respective ones of said connection leads.

6. A kit according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein: the connection points are a pair of connection leads, and the connection terminals are mechanical clamps for clamping respective ones of said connection leads.

7. A kit according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein said at least one hght emitting device is a plurality of spaced-apart LEDs extending along a length of said frame.

8. The kit according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the fixing means are rivets.

9. For use with the kit according to Claim 1, a frame for fixing to a periphery of a roadsign and having mounted therein at least one light emitting device having a pair of connection terminals.

10. For use with the kit according to Claim 1, an energy source for providing electric power to said at least one light emitting device and having a pair of connection points for coimecting to said connection terminals and further having a fixing means for mounting the energy source in fixed spaced relationship to the frame.