GB464023A - Improvements relating to advertising and like signs comprising luminous electric discharge tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

464,023. Supply systems for discharge lamps ; signs. FODOR, J., and PISAGUA HOLDINGS, Ltd. Aug. 21, 1935, Nos. 23476, 23616, and 23617. [Class 38 (iv)] [Also in Groups XVIII and XL] An illuminated sign for advertising, or boundary lighting in aerodromes and race tracks, comprises one or more conductors supplied with high-frequency current, and a lamp or lamps carried on a base which is provided with corresponding conductors, the base being arranged to co-operate with the supply conductors so as to connect the lamp to the conductors by conductive or capacitative coupling. An advertising sign comprises a sheet 3 of glass carrying a strip 4 of insulating material in which one or more conductors 5, 6 are embedded and covered by a thin strip 10 of insulating material. The sheet 3 is mounted on feet and the conductors 5, 6 are supplied from a source 7 of high frequency current. Each discharge lamp is mounted in caps 16, 17 which may constitute the electrodes of the tube, arranged in a base 12 having conductors 13, 14 embedded in its lower surface which are connected to the caps 16 and 17 and covered with a thin sheet 15 of insulating material. When the base 12 is placed on the stand 3 capacitative coupling is established with the tube 11 and the degree of coupling can be varied by altering the thickness of the insulating strips 10, 15 and for the length of the conductors 13, 14 in the base 12. The base 12 and insulating strip 4 may be covered, on their unconnected surface, with shielding metal which may be earthed. The strips 10, 15 of insulating material may be dispensed with and capacity coupling across an air gap or direct connection between the conductors obtained. When direct connection is used, the supply conductors are of channel shape and the conductor in the base 12 of knife form. As applied to boundary lighting, the highfrequency generator is located in a cavity in the ground and a strip of insulating material carrying the conductors is run just below ground level around the boundary. A further strip of insulating material level with the surface of the earth covers the conductors. The lamps are of inverted V-shape arranged vertically and carried in bases having conductors on their under surfaces which are covered with insulating material. The two limbs of the V may be of different colours and may be formed of separate tubes. A transparent cover reinforced with wire mesh, covers the tube and may have coloured rings painted thereon which are visible in daylight. The tube bases may be located on the supply strips by projections which engage sockets in the supply strips. The highfrequency generator or generators may be controlled for flashing &c. Referenee has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 376,545, [Group XVIII].