GB2027551A - Illuminated panels - Google Patents

Illuminated panels Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2027551A
GB2027551A GB7909954A GB7909954A GB2027551A GB 2027551 A GB2027551 A GB 2027551A GB 7909954 A GB7909954 A GB 7909954A GB 7909954 A GB7909954 A GB 7909954A GB 2027551 A GB2027551 A GB 2027551A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
lamina
switch
screen
switches
light
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB7909954A
Other versions
GB2027551B (en
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.)
Decca Ltd
Original Assignee
Decca Ltd
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 Decca Ltd filed Critical Decca Ltd
Priority to GB7909954A priority Critical patent/GB2027551B/en
Publication of GB2027551A publication Critical patent/GB2027551A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2027551B publication Critical patent/GB2027551B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0081—Mechanical or electrical aspects of the light guide and light source in the lighting device peculiar to the adaptation to planar light guides, e.g. concerning packaging
    • G02B6/0086—Positioning aspects
    • G02B6/0091—Positioning aspects of the light source relative to the light guide
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/83—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02B—BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02B15/00—Supervisory desks or panels for centralised control or display
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0066—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide
    • G02B6/0068—Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/18—Edge-illuminated signs
    • G09F2013/1804—Achieving homogeneous illumination
    • G09F2013/1831—Achieving homogeneous illumination using more than one light source
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/014—LED
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/028—Printed information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
    • H01H2219/04—Attachments; Connections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
    • H01H2219/044—Edge lighting of layer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2223/00—Casings
    • H01H2223/034—Bezel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/062—Maintenance or repair facilities

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Abstract

A self-illuminating panel in which characters are unobtrusively illuminated by projection of light into a narrow face of a transparent flexible lamina 3 marked with the characters 4. Each character 4, which may be a translucent printed figure, provides an optical discontinuity which disperses the light so that the diffusely illuminated character can be viewed in contrast against a dark background behind the lamina. Pressure applied on and through the flexible lamina enables operation of an array of switches 11 disposed behind the lamina. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Illuminated panels The invention described relates to illumination of panels, in particular, but not exclusively, to press button switch-panels of which the indicators are illuminated unobtrusively whatever the intensity of the ambient light might be.
According to the invention there is provided a self-illuminating panel comprising a transparent flexible lamina, an optical source which projects light into the lamina through a narrow face thereof, the lamina bearing markings which constitute optical discontinuities that define visible characters, and an opaque screen which is behind the lamina and is spaced therefrom.
In a preferred embodiment an array of switches is disposed behind the screen, the switches being operable by the application of pressure on and through the lamina and screen.
The characters, which may be in approximate register with the locations of the switches, may be exposed by apertures in a mask disposed in front of the lamina. The characters may be translucent and printed on the obverse, or preferably the reverse of the lamina. The switches may be operable by a spring sheet disposed behind the lamina. The screen is preferably an opaque flexible sheet interposed between the lamina and the spring sheet but could be constituted by the spring sheet itself. The lamina is preferably less than .3 mm in thickness.
The invention is now described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of a switch panel, and Figure 2 is an expanded isometric view of the switch panel of Figure 1.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 an inflexible switch cover 1, made of metal, plastics or other materials, has suitable openings 2, to provide switch button access, through which a transparent lamina 3 may be viewed. This cover may be hinged at one end to enable access to the surface of the film beneath and facilitate cleaning. Behind each of the openings 2 of the cover the lamina 3 is marked with symbols 4 indicating the switch to be operated. Marking of the symbols on the lamina is by silk-screen printing or other suitable method of marking which provide a translucent surface or impression on or in optical contact with the lamina. White is an effective colour for such symbols which may be marked on the back surface of the lamina for protection and so that the lamina is easier to clean.A polyester film such as "Mylar" film having a thickness of .007 inches is a suitable material for the transparent lamina. At one or more edges of the lamina 3 there are strips 5 made of metal, plastics or other suitable materials having a slot 6 along one edge to receive the edge of the lamina 3, and suitable mounting spaces 7 to receive illumination means such as high intensity light emitting diodes 8. Such an arrangement provides edge lighting for the lamina, the strip 5 serving the purpose of restricting the light to the required area and providing supporting meansforthe lamina.
Red light is particularly favoured for applications where maintenance of 'night-vision' is required.
When using an illumination system comprising a number of separate light sources it is desirable that the light sources should not be located directly in line with the symbols, as this resu Its in uneven illumination due to the symbols first in line in the light path receiving and emitting a greater intensity of light than those subsequent. A flexible screen 9 with a black surface facing lamina 3 provides a dark background against which the symbols may be viewed. There should be no contact and hence no optical contact between the sheet 9 and lamina 3, or the lamina 3 and cover 1.
An embossed spring sheet 10 is preferably located behind sheet 9 to provide a snap action for switches of which the terminals are disposed on a circuit board 11. Between spring sheet 10 and circuit board 11 a second 'Mylar' lamina 12 of, for example, .1 mm thickness acts as a spacer. This lamina 12 has apertures 13 through which the corresponding regions of the spring sheet 10 can contact the circuit board 11 when depressed. It will be readily apparent that a self illuminating panel according to the invention may be incorporated in a hand computer in which such an embossed spring sheet is commonplace. Other forms of pressure-responsive switches could be used.
Each switch is operated by the insertion of a member, such as a finger into the aperture: the lamina, screen and sheet are sufficiently flexible to be brought together locally when a switch is operated.
1. A self-illuminating panel comprising atrans- parent flexible lamina, an optical source which projects light into the lamina through a narrow face thereof, the lamina bearing markings which constitute optical discontinuities that define visible characters, and an opaque screen which is behind the lamina and is spaced therefrom.
2. A self-illuminating switch panel according to claim 1 further comprising an array of switches disposed behind the screen, the switches being operable by the application of pressure on and through the lamina and screen.
3. A switch panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the lamina is less than .3 mm in thickness.
4. A switch-panel according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which a mask is disposed in front of the lamina, and apertures in the mask expose the markings on the lamina which are in approximate register with the switches.
5. A panel according to any preceding claim in which the optical source comprises a plurality of light emitters aligned on opposite narrow faces of the lamina, and each emitter projects light into the lamina at a point offset with respect to the two nearest markings on the lamina.
6. A switch-panel according to any of claims 2 to 5 in which the switches are operable by a spring sheet disposed behind the lamina.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Illuminated panels The invention described relates to illumination of panels, in particular, but not exclusively, to press button switch-panels of which the indicators are illuminated unobtrusively whatever the intensity of the ambient light might be. According to the invention there is provided a self-illuminating panel comprising a transparent flexible lamina, an optical source which projects light into the lamina through a narrow face thereof, the lamina bearing markings which constitute optical discontinuities that define visible characters, and an opaque screen which is behind the lamina and is spaced therefrom. In a preferred embodiment an array of switches is disposed behind the screen, the switches being operable by the application of pressure on and through the lamina and screen. The characters, which may be in approximate register with the locations of the switches, may be exposed by apertures in a mask disposed in front of the lamina. The characters may be translucent and printed on the obverse, or preferably the reverse of the lamina. The switches may be operable by a spring sheet disposed behind the lamina. The screen is preferably an opaque flexible sheet interposed between the lamina and the spring sheet but could be constituted by the spring sheet itself. The lamina is preferably less than .3 mm in thickness. The invention is now described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of a switch panel, and Figure 2 is an expanded isometric view of the switch panel of Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 an inflexible switch cover 1, made of metal, plastics or other materials, has suitable openings 2, to provide switch button access, through which a transparent lamina 3 may be viewed. This cover may be hinged at one end to enable access to the surface of the film beneath and facilitate cleaning. Behind each of the openings 2 of the cover the lamina 3 is marked with symbols 4 indicating the switch to be operated. Marking of the symbols on the lamina is by silk-screen printing or other suitable method of marking which provide a translucent surface or impression on or in optical contact with the lamina. White is an effective colour for such symbols which may be marked on the back surface of the lamina for protection and so that the lamina is easier to clean.A polyester film such as "Mylar" film having a thickness of .007 inches is a suitable material for the transparent lamina. At one or more edges of the lamina 3 there are strips 5 made of metal, plastics or other suitable materials having a slot 6 along one edge to receive the edge of the lamina 3, and suitable mounting spaces 7 to receive illumination means such as high intensity light emitting diodes 8. Such an arrangement provides edge lighting for the lamina, the strip 5 serving the purpose of restricting the light to the required area and providing supporting meansforthe lamina. Red light is particularly favoured for applications where maintenance of 'night-vision' is required. When using an illumination system comprising a number of separate light sources it is desirable that the light sources should not be located directly in line with the symbols, as this resu Its in uneven illumination due to the symbols first in line in the light path receiving and emitting a greater intensity of light than those subsequent. A flexible screen 9 with a black surface facing lamina 3 provides a dark background against which the symbols may be viewed. There should be no contact and hence no optical contact between the sheet 9 and lamina 3, or the lamina 3 and cover 1. An embossed spring sheet 10 is preferably located behind sheet 9 to provide a snap action for switches of which the terminals are disposed on a circuit board 11. Between spring sheet 10 and circuit board 11 a second 'Mylar' lamina 12 of, for example, .1 mm thickness acts as a spacer. This lamina 12 has apertures 13 through which the corresponding regions of the spring sheet 10 can contact the circuit board 11 when depressed. It will be readily apparent that a self illuminating panel according to the invention may be incorporated in a hand computer in which such an embossed spring sheet is commonplace. Other forms of pressure-responsive switches could be used. Each switch is operated by the insertion of a member, such as a finger into the aperture: the lamina, screen and sheet are sufficiently flexible to be brought together locally when a switch is operated. CLAIMS
1. A self-illuminating panel comprising atrans- parent flexible lamina, an optical source which projects light into the lamina through a narrow face thereof, the lamina bearing markings which constitute optical discontinuities that define visible characters, and an opaque screen which is behind the lamina and is spaced therefrom.
2. A self-illuminating switch panel according to claim 1 further comprising an array of switches disposed behind the screen, the switches being operable by the application of pressure on and through the lamina and screen.
3. A switch panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the lamina is less than .3 mm in thickness.
4. A switch-panel according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which a mask is disposed in front of the lamina, and apertures in the mask expose the markings on the lamina which are in approximate register with the switches.
5. A panel according to any preceding claim in which the optical source comprises a plurality of light emitters aligned on opposite narrow faces of the lamina, and each emitter projects light into the lamina at a point offset with respect to the two nearest markings on the lamina.
6. A switch-panel according to any of claims 2 to 5 in which the switches are operable by a spring sheet disposed behind the lamina.
7. A switch-panel according to claim 6 in which the screen is an opaque flexible sheet interposed between the lamina and the spring sheet.
8. A switch-panel according to claim 6 in which the spring sheet also comprises the opaque screen.
9. A switch-panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
10. A calculator including a switch-panel according to any preceding claim.
GB7909954A 1978-03-15 1979-03-21 Illuminated panels Expired GB2027551B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7909954A GB2027551B (en) 1978-03-15 1979-03-21 Illuminated panels

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1035078 1978-03-15
GB7909954A GB2027551B (en) 1978-03-15 1979-03-21 Illuminated panels

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2027551A true GB2027551A (en) 1980-02-20
GB2027551B GB2027551B (en) 1982-08-11

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB7909954A Expired GB2027551B (en) 1978-03-15 1979-03-21 Illuminated panels

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Country Link
GB (1) GB2027551B (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2159654A (en) * 1984-05-29 1985-12-04 Toshiba Kk Display device for telephone or the like electric appliance
GB2161638A (en) * 1984-07-11 1986-01-15 Glosign Illuminated display apparatus
WO1990013885A1 (en) * 1989-05-02 1990-11-15 Lydia Wustlich Vertrieb Elektronischer Bauteile Surface display for illuminating background surfaces
GB2208545B (en) * 1987-08-04 1992-02-26 Josef Franken An electric push switch
GB2285518A (en) * 1994-01-10 1995-07-12 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd Sheet-like light guide for illuminating keypad
WO2001018776A2 (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-15 Mireille Georges Economical and self-powered electronic luminous display device
GB2419742A (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-03 Mcgavigan John Ltd Switch panel

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2159654A (en) * 1984-05-29 1985-12-04 Toshiba Kk Display device for telephone or the like electric appliance
US4776120A (en) * 1984-05-29 1988-10-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Display device for telephone or a similar electric appliance
GB2161638A (en) * 1984-07-11 1986-01-15 Glosign Illuminated display apparatus
GB2208545B (en) * 1987-08-04 1992-02-26 Josef Franken An electric push switch
WO1990013885A1 (en) * 1989-05-02 1990-11-15 Lydia Wustlich Vertrieb Elektronischer Bauteile Surface display for illuminating background surfaces
GB2285518A (en) * 1994-01-10 1995-07-12 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd Sheet-like light guide for illuminating keypad
GB2285518B (en) * 1994-01-10 1998-02-18 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd Light guide
WO2001018776A2 (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-15 Mireille Georges Economical and self-powered electronic luminous display device
WO2001018776A3 (en) * 1999-09-03 2002-03-21 Mireille Georges Economical and self-powered electronic luminous display device
GB2419742A (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-03 Mcgavigan John Ltd Switch panel
GB2419742B (en) * 2004-11-02 2008-04-30 Mcgavigan John Ltd Switch panel
US8506101B2 (en) 2004-11-02 2013-08-13 John Mcgavigan Limited Back-illuminated switch panel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2027551B (en) 1982-08-11

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee