GB2383181A

GB2383181A - Illuminable sign element

Info

Publication number: GB2383181A
Application number: GB0224971A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Kaluba; Peter Ludwig; Ewald Stantizok
Original assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2001-11-12
Filing date: 2002-10-28
Publication date: 2003-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-28
Also published as: GB0126999D0; GB0224971D0; GB2383181B

Abstract

A illuminable sign element 10 comprises a base plate 12 made from a transparent material. A three dimensional character, symbol, letter or numeral 14 is formed from transparent material and protrudes from a first surface 20 of the base plate 12. A cover plate 16 is also formed of transparent material and has a negative form 26 of the three dimensional character 14 which it overlies. An illumination means 18 is provided for illuminating a second surface of the base plate 12. This second surface may be opposite of adjacent to the first surface 20. The base plate 12 may be moulded in one-piece.

Description

ILLUMINABLE SIGN ELEMENT Technical Field The present invention relates to an illuminable sign element, and in particular to a construction for the illumination of symbols or written characters to provide a three-dimensional illumination effect.

Background of the Invention Inside a motor vehicle, certain symbols and words need to be clearly visible to the vehicle occupants. In some cases, other symbols, such as the vehicle manufacturer's logo, for example, may need to be visible. The symbols or words can be used, for example, for switches, and for trim parts, inside or outside the vehicle. It is necessary for the symbols and words to be visible both in daylight, and at night. For this, the sign element (symbol or word) has to have uniform backlighting. In known arrangements, this is achieved using foils, stamped materials, or laser-cut elements as the sign elements.

Summary of the Invention The aim of the present invention is to provide an illuminable sign element, where the light can come out of the side of the illuminated character (word or symbol), so that a three-dimensional effect appears, thereby providing the sign element with a special appearance.

An illuminable sign element in accordance with the present invention comprises a base plate having a first surface and a second surface and formed from transparent material; a three-dimensional character formed from transparent material protruding from the first surface of the base plate; a cover plate having a negative form of the three-dimensional character secured to the first surface of the base plate with the negative form overlying the three-

dimensional character, the cover plate being formed from transparent material; and illumination means for illuminating the second surface of the base plate.

The present invention an illuminable sign element in which it is possible to achieve a three-dimensional effect for the illuminated symbol or word when the illumination means is actuated.

The present invention provides a simple construction, which is easy to produce.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure 1 is an exploded view of an illuminable sign element in accordance with the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawing, an illuminable sign element 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a base plate 12, one or more three-dimensional characters 14, a cover plate 16, and illumination means 18.

The base plate 12 is formed from transparent material and includes a first surface 20, and a second surface 22 on the opposite side to the first surface. The or each three-dimensional character 14 is also formed from transparent material, and is mounted on the first surface 20 of the base plate 12. The or each three-dimensional character 14 and the base plate 12 may be moulded in one-piece. The surface 24 of the or each three-dimensional character 14 remote from the base plate 12 may be coated (by painting, plating, etc.).

The cover plate 16 is also formed from transparent material and includes a negative form 26 of the or each three-dimensional character 14.

The cover plate 16 is secured to the first surface 20 of the base plate 12 with the negative form or forms 26 overlying the three-dimensional character or characters 14. The illumination means 18 is shown as incandescent bulbs, but

may, alternatively, be a light pipe, LED's, or electroluminiscent foil, or any combination of these. The illumination means 18 is positioned adjacent the second surface 22 of the base plate 12 for illuminating the base plate by way of the second surface.

An annular plate 28 preferably surrounds the cover plate 16 and is secured to the first surface 20 of the base plate 12. The annular plate 28 is preferably formed from opaque or non-transparent material.

In an alternative arrangement to the above described embodiment, the second surface (the illuminated surface) of the base plate 12 may be one or more of the surfaces (side surfaces 30) adjacent the first surface 20, rather than the opposite surface. Further, rather than the surface 24 of the character or characters 14 being coated, the innermost surface 32 of the negative form or forms 26 of the cover plate 16 may be coated.

The cover plate 16 provides protection for the threedimensional character or characters 14. The assembly is illuminated homogeneously from below (or the side) by the illumination means 18. Due to the assembly, light is emitted from the sides character or characters 14 when the illumination means 18 is actuated. Because of this arrangement, a three-dimensional effect appears inside the cover plate 16. The assembly can be positioned in a housing (not shown) together with the illumination means 18, and additional light sources, such as LED's, if required. With this invention, a compact, flat, and robust design is possible for three-dimensional lighting effects for symbols or characters.

Claims

1. An illuminable sign element comprising a base plate having a first surface and a second surface and formed from transparent material; a three-dimensional character formed from transparent material protruding from the first surface of the base plate; a cover plate having a negative form of the three-dimensional character secured to the first surface of the base plate with the negative form overlying the three-dimensional character, the cover plate being formed from transparent material; and illumination means for illuminating the second surface of the base plate.

2. An illuminable sign element as claimed in Claim 1, wherein surface of the three-dimensional character remote from the first surface of the base plate is coated.

3. An illuminable sign element as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the surface of the negative form in the cover plate positioned adjacent the surface of the three-dimensional character remote from the first surface of the base plate is coated.

4. An illuminable sign element as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the first surface of the base plate is on the opposite side of the base plate to the second surface.

5. An illuminable sign element as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, further comprising a annular plate of non-transparent material secured to the first surface of the base plate and surrounding the cover plate.

6. An illuminable sign element as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the illumination means includes a light-pipe.

7. An illuminable sign element as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the illumination means includes LED's.

8. An illuminable sign element as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the illumination means includes an incandescent bulb.

9. An illuminable sign element as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the illumination means includes an electroluminiscent foil.

10. An illuminable sign element as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the base plate and the three-dimensional character are moulded in one-piece.

11. An illuminable sign element substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.