GB2149657A - Improved illuminated display - Google Patents

Abstract

A picture frame provides the illumination of flat graphics 5 or three dimensional objects by the use of a light source 2 and light diffusing plates 3. By using a reflective plate as a substrate for painting, printing and engraving, an illuminated display with high contrast and brightness is achieved; this also applies when the graphic display is bonded onto the reflective plate. In all instances the subject matter can be protected from UV rays, theft and vandalism. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved Illuminated Picture Frame This invention relates to integrally illuminated decorative frames for hanging or free standing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and useful way of illumination of Art i.e. Water Colours, Prints, Photographs, Oils or indeed all display subjects which has not been achievable with separate direct lighting for reasons of disadvantageous reflections obscuring the subject (glare).

Another object is to provide a very compact illuminating device incorporated in a standard picture frame or any bespoke frame. It can be fitted to any form or shape of appliances and used for home, commerce, industries, galleries, museums, exhibitions, etc.

Still another object is to provide protection from UV rays which are harmful to subject matters. The display subject is also protected from heat and dust.

A still further object is to protect the complete decoration appliance from theft and vandalism by a simple alarm and/or by a special security panel.

The replacement of a graphic display by a mirror suitably treated can provide an effective make-upl shaving mirror without the usual disadvantage of the light blinding the user.

It should be understood that in the foregoing discussion of the present invention that any amount or type of light, white or coloured, or any type of plastic sheet or glass, transparent, opal or opaque, can be used and that for aesthetic appeal any combination or substitution of material might be introduced, or that an acrylic sheet suitably formed could be used without a frame surrounding it.

Therefore it is emphasized that the invention is not limited only to the disclosed embodiments but is embracing a wide variety of alternative devices and constructions which fall within the spirit of the claims described later.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a portion of a frame 1 where the light source 2 is placed, the disposition of a treated reflective plate 3, of the subject matter 5 and of a rear panel 6.

Figure 2 shows in perspective a portion of a frame 1 from one other side with the treated reflective plate, in this instance the treated surface 14 being opposite the subject matter 5, fitted with a reflective strip 8 and fitted with an extra protective plate 13.

Figure 3 as figure 1 but in addition fitted with a UV absorbent plate 9 to protect from the light source 2 as well as from the sun's ultra violet rays.

Figure 4 illustrates another form of assembly using a reflective plate 3, treated or not, with a diffusing strip 11 placed in this instance between mounting boards 10.

Figure 5 illustrates another way of placing light source 2 within a suitable profile 16.

Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of a reflective device 18 placed in frame 1.

Figure 7 shows a cross sectional view of an assembly using the treated substrate 3 or other transparent medium as a framing device, in this instance, sandwiching two graphic subjects 5 back to back on each sides, so that when used free standing front and back have an illuminated display.

Figure 8 illustrates a mirror 15 with grained surrounds 12fittedtoaframe 16.

Figure 9 shows in perspective the assembly of a treated mirror 15 in a suitable profile 16.

The device shown in Figure 1 comprises a main frame 1, a treated substrate 3 or other transparent medium, a graphic subject 5, a rear panel 6.

Using a conventional picture frame 1 a fluorescent tube 2 is positioned next to a thermoplastic substrate 3 which has a very fine grain 4 on one or two of its surfaces, the fineness of the grain being dictated by the aesthetic appeal required and depending on the amount of protection and size of grain used might be treated with a suitable lacquer.

If a substrate with only one textured plane is used, and provided it is fine enough not to be discernible to the naked eye, it is preferred to place the textured surface 14 opposite to the display subject 5 in order to obtain the maximum intensity and contrast.

Otherwise it will be placed facing the display, again depending on the graphic effect wanted might be treated with lacquer to attenuate or eliminate the pattern.

When using a single light source 2, the edge adjacent to the lamp will be fitted with a reflective device 18 enveloping the edge of the treated substrate 3 or other transparent medium, the graphic subject 5, the back panel 6 and the lamp 2 as shown in figure 6.

The important features of this novel approach are that it makes for easy and quick assembly, enables the uses of a thin treated substrate 3 or other transparent medium typically 3mm in thickness without the need to be bevelled, polished or curved, allows widertolerance in installation of light source, avoids making a recess in mouldings sometimes necessary to correctly position lamp.

As the lamp is located away from the back panel heat can escape quickly, the lamp be replaced easily without removing the back panel, the use of ultra thin and shallow frames are possible. High contrast and brightness is achieved.

Alternatively using one light source, the edge next to the lamp is bevelled 7, polished or not, so as to capture the maximum of light. On some picture frame assembly it might be desirable to bend the thermoplastic sheet so that the light source is as near as possible to the reflective panel.

The remaining edges are either fitted with reflective strips 8 or coated with paint or if preferred the inside of the frame will have been previously coated with reflective paint so as to keep the maximum of light within the reflective surfaces.

If wanted, the gap between the reflective plate 3 and the subject matter 5 will vary with the effect wanted or for 3 dimensional objects figure 4, whether or not a treated surface has been used. The angle of the reflective plate will then be parallel to the subject matter or angled depending on size of picture frame used. Mounting boards 10 or other materials can be introduced in between.

For the protection of the subject matter a protective plate 9 treated for UV protection will be introduced in front of the reflective plate 3 and/or between the lamp(s) and the side of the reflective plate 3. For economy reasons the UV plate can be textured and substituted for the normal reflective plate.

Taking advantage of power and light source a variety of security systems can be fitted, for example: (a) through disconnection of power supply; (b) change of transmittance or reflectance of light when a hand touches the cover which in this embodiment is a transducer/photocell, the sensitivity of which is set to react to a change in the level of light intensity received; (c) a movement sensitive device; (d) a pressure sensitive device; (e) an impact resistant sheet located in front of reflective plate.

When permanent and complete protection is required the subject matter 5 can be bonded to the polished plane of the reflective plate 3 by for example the use of pressure and film/adhesive (acrylic preferably) with or without heat, or heat and pressure alone. Having a complete bond the light is transmitted uniformly over the entire surface of the display subject. This method being the quickest, cheapest and most compact method of assembly.

Furtherto take advantage of the transmission of light through the reflective plate 3, decorative motifs, messages or pictures can be engraved and/or painted, printed orfilled in to complement the subject matter to be displayed, or used individually or in combinations on reflective plate(s) to produce an illuminated decorative exhibit of its own merit.

With recent development in the application of holography in a commercial context, holograms made by artist or by mechanical reproduction process called embossing for example could be used. The spatial and colour effects would appear by tilting the hologram into the light source.

By using a silvered acrylic sheet 15 instead of a graphic subject and by removing the silver in parts 12, for example around the edges, figure 6, a light is emitted from the unsilvered portions 12 which have become opal and is diffused towards the user without blinding nor glaring. A day or night filter can be introduced to simulate daytime or evening.

Claims (10)

1. A device comprising a frame housing 1 incorporating a reflective element 18 enveloping the treated substrate 3 or other transparent medium, the graphic subject 5, the back panel 6 and a lamp 2 as summarily shown in figure 6, or only enveloping the treated substrate or other transparent medium.

The edges without light source can be fitted with reflective strips 8. Alternatively can be used without a frame housing, an example is shown in figure 7.

2. A device when used as claimed in claim 1, when suitably designed and manufactured, can be used as a frame moulding/profile.

3. A device comprising a frame housing 1 where a light source 2 is introduced through an edge surface 7 of a transparent treated substrate 3 thereby reflecting the light uniformly over the entire area of the graphic display, figure 1.

4. A device comprising a frame housing 1 where a light source 2 is introduced between a plate 3, treated or not, thereby reflecting back the light onto the subject matter 5 and between the said display subject 5 by means of transparent or opal strips 11 on all sides thereby permitting flat or three dimensional objects to be illuminated uniformly, figure 4.

5. A device making a decorative display for subject matter by introducing a light source onto a suitably formed acrylic sheet thereby making it possible to depart from conventional picture frame designs.

6. A device comprising a suitably adapted profile 16 where the light source 2 is located inside the said profile 16, figure 5, thereby permitting a compact form of assembly, possibly with textured surfaces 17 incorporated or added to give an extra illuminated effect to the frame.

7. A device when fitted with a graphic display 5 bonded onto a reflective plate 3 will provide an economical and easy assembly and ultra compact display permanently protected. Other materials can be bonded to the reflective plate, alternatively casting over or embedding the subject matter with an acrylic resin to form a sheet plate and then fitted into the light source as previously described by any alternative methods considered.

8. A device when fitted with a reflective plate which has been previously engraved, painted or printed or any of three combinations will provide a different approach to illuminated display making it distinctly different from previous art.

9. A device in which a hologram tilted into a light source 2 would provide spatial and colour effects.

10. A device when fitted as claimed in Claims 1 to 9 in which the use of a treated UV absorbent plate will protect the display subject from UV rays when the subject matter is illuminated and when it is not.

10. A device when fitted as claimed in claims 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 with a transparent impact resistant sheet 13 will protect the subject matter from vandalism.

11. A device when fitted as claimed in claims 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13 with an alarm system will protect the decorative appliance from theft.

12. A device when replaced with a suitable treated mirror will make a decorative appliance without glaring or blinding.

13. A device when fitted as claimed in claims 1 to 11 in which the use of a treated UV absorbent plate 9 will protect the display subject 5 from UV rays when the subject matter is illuminated and when it is not.

Amendments to the Claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1 to 13 above have been deleted or textually amended.

(b) New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:-

1. A device for illuminating articles such as photographs or pictures integrally mounted in the frame containing the article to be illuminated and consisting of a thin panel of parallel faced optically transparent material having a lighting means disposed along or adjacent to at least one edge. The same said optically transparent panel having at least one surface treated or prepared to form a fine grain or textured appearance such that light from the interior of the panel exiting through the surfaces is scattered or diffused to illuminate the article.

2. A device as in Claim 1 wherein reflection strips are positioned around any or all of the non illuminated edges to enhance the reflection of light from said edges to improve the uniformity, brightness and intensity of illumination of the illuminated panel.

3. A device as in Claim 1 and 2 wherein the said reflection strips are partially coated or dispersed such as to transmit part of the light from the edge of the illuminated panel thereby acting as light guide bodies to create an illuminated edge to the article being illuminated or an illuminated strip dispersed around the frame.

4. A device as in Claim 1 wherein the grained textured surface is treated with an optically transparent coating to attenuate or eliminate the textured appearance while retaining the light scattering or diffusion properties of the surface.

5. A device fitted with a graphic display bonded onto a thin panel of parallel faced optically transparent material, alternatively casting over or embedding the subject matter with an acrylic resin to form a thin panel ofopticallytransparent material, having a lighting means disposed along or adjacent to at least one edge wherein reflection strips can be fitted as in Claim 2 and 3.

6. A device as in Claims 1, 2,3,4,5 has further treatment to the thin panel of optically transparent material by the addition of engraved, painted or printed subject matters used individually or in any combinations.

7. A device in which a hologram is tilted into a light source.

8. A device when fitted as claimed in Claims 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 with a transparent impact resistant sheet will protect the subject matter from vandalism.

9. A device when fitted as claimed in Claims 1,2, 3,4,5,6,7,8, 10 with an alarm system will protect the decorative appliance from theft.