JP2003295795A - Signboard device by rear illumination - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signboard for an illumination signboard device which can be manufactured at a low cost, which has high lightness, in which the size of a whole signboard device is smaller in depth or in thickness, which has more adaptability both in structure and in contents, and for the manufacture of which such utilizable materials and utilizable methods can be used. <P>SOLUTION: The signboard giving stereoscopic impression is manufactured by printing with ink or by sticking a film thereon. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signboard for an illuminated signboard device. The signboard includes a substrate made of a photoconductive material, with at least one surface of the photoconductive substrate provided with an opaque reflective or coating layer. The integrity of the opaque reflective layer is broken by the contours that make up the message, art display, or other content or information to be transmitted when the sign is illuminated. On the opposite side of the substrate there is a corresponding contour formed by the light-reflecting material. The signboard is also
Electromagnetic radiation in the form of visible light from the light source is controlled in response to the light from the light source to generate an aura that highlights the contour of the light formed around the transmitted display of the sign.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional illuminated signboard device of this type is disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,009,019. In the invention, an aura is formed around the contour shape of the contour transmitted by the signboard device. This aura is achieved by the fluorescent material covering the entire break in the opaque layer of the sign. The fluorescent material is cut from the plate of fluorescent plastic in the form of contours and applied to the surface of the photoconductive substrate opposite the surface having the opaque or coated layer broken in the contours. This break corresponds to the desired contour to be transmitted. This contour made of fluorescent plastic may be cut from the plastic plate using, for example, a router. When this contour is attached to the surface of the substrate, the contour becomes a shape protruding from the surface of the substrate. This ridge is on the surface of the sign of the invention, i.e. the surface facing the viewer when the sign is used.

The light source is directed to the back side of the sign, that is, the side of the sign opposite the viewer. In the present invention, it is most effective when the light source is ultraviolet light and the light rays pass through the substrate, pass through the opening of the break portion of the opaque layer and proceed forward, and then hit the fluorescent material to cause the fluorescent material to emit light. The result is obtained.

A layer of opaque reflective material is provided on the front surface of the raised fluorescent material facing the viewer. The opaque reflective material is preferably of a size smaller than the break so that light exits only around the edges of the light reflective material, embossing the contour shape of the contour being transmitted. Therefore, some of the emitted light from the fluorescent material passes through the exposed side edges of the fluorescent material, and the remaining light is reflected from the light-reflecting layer and passes through the fluorescent material again, from which it is photoconductive. It goes through the substrate to its back surface and hits the front surface of the opaque reflective layer on the back side of the substrate. From there, the light is reflected forward in the direction of the viewer. This reflected light causes an aura around the contour shape.

To the person looking at the sign, the effect of this arrangement appears as a glowing outline and aura along the outline of the display being transmitted, such as letters, graphics or pictures.

The '019 patent, at the time of its filing, was a significant improvement over the prior art. For example, 1
Danish patent application No. 4729/87, published internationally under publication number WO-A-89,02637 on March 23, 989, under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, has a front surface broken into portions corresponding to letters or figures. Disclosed are transparent or UV translucent plates or sheets coated with a transparent or UV opaque layer or coating.

A groove is cut around this break in the transparent sign and a string of fluorescent plastic material is embedded in the groove. Both of these steps are fairly difficult and time consuming. The invention of the '019 patent is also an improvement over Burger's U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,599. In this patent, the text portion is raised away from the viewer and toward the light source to collect light rays to increase the amount of light directly entering the viewer's eyes and to outline the breaks in the opaque layer. Make the whole stand out. There is no light-reflecting surface covering the openings of these breaks, and therefore the entire character portion is seen illuminated, rather than the contour shape and aura around the character portion.

The invention of the '019 patent is also an improvement over the signage disclosed in US Pat. No. 2,071,239 to Spencer et al. In this patent, a design, a letter or an inscription is formed on solid glass by excavation work (preferably by sandblasting). As a result, designs, letters, etc. are clearly raised on the temporary surface roughened by sandblasting, forming a raised lenticular body of translucent or transparent material, with the background contrasting against it. , It appears to stand out clearly. It is believed that ambient light reflects differently from different surfaces, resulting in a particular effect.

The invention of the '019 patent is also an improvement over Schenkel US Pat. No. 1,887,523. The Schenkel patent utilizes an opaque (black) layer. Black blocks light but does not reflect it. The Schenkel patent shows a method for blocking light to give the impression of depth and shading effects similar to block letters and gas filled tubes. However, this patent discloses or suggests the use of a reflective surface for guiding light, such as to enhance the effect, ie to form an aura around the contour of the display to be transmitted. There isn't.

In contrast to the devices of these patents, the '01
The structure disclosed in the 9 patent is easier and cheaper to fabricate, and also provides advantages not found in other devices. The structure of the '019 patent can create strong contour shapes with an aura around the indicia to be transmitted. In particular, when the side edge of the raised fluorescent material overlaps with the outline of the broken portion on the back side of the substrate on the front surface of the substrate as a whole, and the side edge is inclined with respect to the front surface of the signboard. This effect is remarkable. In this regard,
The preferred angle of the beveled edge is about 120 to 150 degrees with respect to the front of the sign.

According to the '019 patent, the characters, graphics or pictures are particularly sharp if a color layer is added to the front light reflecting layer, especially if the color is different from the color of the rest of the sign. is there. Thus, in the preferred embodiment of that patent, an opaque layer is provided on the backside of the substrate or photoconductive plate, but a color layer is first provided between the backside of the photoconductive plate and the front side of the opaque layer. It is provided in. Such a structure allows the color to be viewed from the front through the photoconductive plate and gives the sign its basic color. The opaque layer in the invention may be made of a light-reflecting material, or at least includes a light-reflecting layer on the back surface thereof to reflect the light from the light source so that when the signboard is used, the entire light from the signboard is used. The amount of light emitted can be increased.

[0012]

As a result of experimentation with the above-mentioned apparatus of the '019 patent, it was found that there are some elements to be improved. For example, it is desirable that the light source is ultraviolet (black) light. Therefore, the signboard device manufactured according to the patent is most effective when the amount of light is low or when the surroundings are dark. It has a low illumination intensity and the aura is not very noticeable in room or daylight conditions. Furthermore, the process of forming the fluorescent plastic into the desired contour with a router is a labor-intensive and relatively time-consuming process, including pre- and post-use steps before and after the router is used. Affect the ability to create. Milling or molding or casting in the automatic process may reduce the processing cost per piece to some extent, but the work of attaching the fluorescent material to the signboard is done by hand, and accurate and skilled manual work is required. It costs.

[0013]

In order to solve the above problems, it is desired to provide a signboard having a structure with higher productivity, more flexibility, lower cost and higher illumination. . Since such a signboard can be used not only in a dark place but also in daylight, it becomes more marketable. Another issue is the space required to install the entire signage box. For the most effective use in the '019 patent, it is desirable that the light source be located some distance from the back of the sign and still away from the opaque layer. This allows more rays to pass through the opening in the break in the opaque layer and through the thickness of the substrate to reach the fluorescent plastic on the front of the substrate,
It can emit light. The spacing between the light source and the substrate, of course, limits the minimum thickness or depth of the physical structure of the signage device box that houses the signage and the light source.

The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be summarized below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional signboard. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the prior art signboard taken along line 2-2 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the signboard of the present invention. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the signboard of the present invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of a portion of the signboard of FIGS. 3 and 4, showing details of a possible construction of the opaque light reflecting layer 11 with the corners removed to show the constituent layers.
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing a part of the signboard of FIG. 3 and shows another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a line 7-7 of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a signboard showing the another embodiment of the present invention in FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a rear layout panel and a corresponding front overlay panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. 9 is an exploded end view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in assembling a sign. FIG. 10 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 after the signboard is assembled.

Detailed Description of the Drawings 1 and 2 (Prior Art) With reference to the prior art, FIG. 1 shows a sign including a photoconductive plate 9. This plate forms the basic structure of the sign. The photoconductive plate 9 is
Can be made of UV conductive acrylic plastic. This plate has an opaque reflective layer 11 on one surface thereof.
Is provided. The top surface shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the front or front surface of the sign, which is the side that is seen by a person when the sign is attached to a box or other suitable structure along with a light source for illumination. . In FIG. 2, the opaque reflective layer 11 is shown attached to the back or back surface of the photoconductive plate 9.

The "TE" on the front surface of the photoconductive plate 9 of FIG.
The term "XT" is a word that represents a display visually transmitted when a signboard is installed and illuminated in a completed signboard device. This information or communication display is
Includes graphics, decorations, inscriptions, etc. The details that make up the indicia to be transmitted include the breaks 13 in the entire complete opaque layer 11. The breaks form the contours that make up the indicia to be transmitted. A ridge 15 is provided which coincides with this contour of the break and is superposed to form a relief with respect to the front side of the plate 9. The ridges 15 are preferably made of a fluorescent material such as fluorescent acrylic plastic. The raised portion 15 can be attached in a superposed manner in line with the fractured portion 13 by a suitable method, for example by adhering to the front surface of the plate 9 with an acrylic adhesive.

The ridge 15 has an inclined side edge 17, and the width of the bottom of the ridge 15 is the broken portion 1 of the reflection layer 11.
It is desirable to be slightly larger than the width of 3. Ridge 15
Has a contour that matches the contour of the fractured portion 13.
Therefore, due to the slightly larger width, the contour of the fractured portion 13 can be completely covered by the contour of the raised portion 15. When light strikes the back of the plate 9, the light passes through the breaks 13 in the opaque layer 11 and the thickness of the substrate 9 causing the fluorescent material of the ridges 15 to emit light. A light reflection layer 19 is provided on the front portion of the raised portion 15 (that is, the surface facing the viewer). This layer 19 may be an opaque ink applied by a suitable method or may be a foil. Further, the coloring layer 21 is provided on the front surface of the light reflection layer 19.

At the rear part of the signboard 9, a base coloring layer 23 is provided between the rear surface of the signboard 9 and the reflecting layer 11, and the base coloring layer passes through the transparent portion of the signboard 9. , Determine the basic color of the sign. The front coloring layer 21 can be selected to match the base coloring layer 23.
When the sign 9 is exposed to a light source (not shown) on its back (downward in FIGS. 1 and 2), preferably UV light, some of the light rays are directly from the reflective layer 11 at the rear of the sign 9. Is reflected. The other ultraviolet light passes through the broken portion 13 of the reflective layer 11 to the transparent plate 9 and then to the ridge 15 to cause the fluorescent material to emit light and shine it. Some of the light rays generated by the emission of the fluorescent material escape through the inclined side edges 17. When viewed from the front, the contour shape of the contour of the display to be transmitted is clearly illuminated. In this way, the center of the contour is dark due to the opacity of the material,
Only the contour shape or the border of the contour is illuminated.

The other ultraviolet light generated by the light emission of the fluorescent material is reflected by the reflection layer 19, hits the front surface of the reflection layer 11, and is reflected to the front part of the signboard. These rays illuminate the colored base layer 23 and appear as auras around the contours forming the display to be transmitted. If the opaque reflective layer 11 is provided on the rear part of the plate 9 facing the front part of the plate, the effect of the aura is further enhanced. Therefore, as a whole, the illustrated structure is desirable. Layer 11 preferably has both opaque and reflective properties.

As mentioned above, the contours of the fluorescent material can be milled in an automatic process or cut by molding, casting or router. If a router is used, it is easy to adjust the angle of scraping the side surface 17. Although creating such a contour and attaching it to the front surface of the signboard as a raised portion is an improvement over the conventional techniques described above, it increases the illumination level of the signboard, reduces the manufacturing cost, and reduces the overall size of the signboard device. In order to make it smaller, to have more flexibility in the production of signboards, and to give the possibility of higher creativity in displaying transmissions, it is desirable to improve the structure and production method of the signboard of the '019 patent. It has been found.

[0021]

In accordance with this desire, FIGS. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of the present invention that produces a light effect similar to that of the '019 patent, which produces a bright contour with aura around letters, graphics and designs. Show. On the other hand, in this example, while the fluorescent plastic material was raised in the '019 patent,
Both sides of the signboard 12 are substantially flat. Further, while the light diffusion layer which is a fluorescent material or contains at least a fluorescent material needs to raise the fluorescent material on the front surface in the '019 patent, a thin layer is provided on the rear surface of the signboard 12 in this embodiment. Or just apply.

[0022]

As will be described below, in the present invention, the concept of guiding light rays by reflection can be used more effectively, and colors can be erased, increased, or changed. Greater creativity is provided in design and use.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the preferred embodiment of the sign 12 of the present invention includes a photoconductive plate 9 which underlies the sign. The photoconductive plate 9 can be made from a sheet of photoconductive material such as transparent plastic or glass. As an example of such a plastic material, there is a sheet of solid resin material sold under the trademark "Plexiglass" of Rohm and Haas Company. However,
There are many other suitable materials for this purpose and are not limited to the above example. The photoconductive plate 9 is provided with an opaque layer 11 on one side thereof. The upper surface shown in FIG. 3 is the front surface 14 of the signboard 12,
The face of the signage device that faces the viewer when installed in a box or other suitable structure (not shown) with a light source for illumination. In FIG. 4, the opaque reflective layer 11 is shown attached to the back surface, or back surface 16, of the photoconductive plate 9.

The word "DISPLAY" and the optional design 18 are shown on the front surface 14 of the photoconductive plate 9 of FIG. 3, which are visible when the entire signage device, including the signage, is installed and illuminated. Represents information or a display that should be transmitted to. In addition to the communication display already mentioned, figures, decorations, inscriptions, etc. are also included.

The details that make up the indicia to be transmitted include breaks 13 that break the integrity of the opaque reflective layer 11. The breaks form the contours of the information or display to be communicated. The opaque layer 11 and the broken portion 13 are preferably provided on the back surface 16 of the photoconductive plate 9.

A very important aspect of the present invention is the control of light rays,
Guidance, comfortable three-dimensional, specific with minimal material
And / or a color effect can be achieved. For example, instead of sticking additional material to the surface of the photoconductive plate 9, the thickness of the plate itself can be used to create a hallucinatory effect inside the plate. How to control and guide the light beam to produce these effects is described below.

On the opposite side, that is to say the front face 14, another front reflection layer 10 is provided which is at least a reflection layer and which has a contour corresponding to the contour of the fractured part 13, which is superposed in a generally coincident manner with the fractured part 13 on the front side 14. It is provided. Therefore,
If, for example, the break is the word "DISPLAY", the contour of the front reflective layer 10 on the front side 14 of the plate on which it is viewed is also the word "DISPLAY". As presumed, the opaque reflective layer 11 has both opaque and reflective properties. These properties are
Obtained by using printing inks, silk screen paints, foils and the like. One example of a material that can be used is polyvinyl chloride adhesive foil, which is commercially available in many colors. Thus, the foil is already coloured, reflective and has at least one side coated with an adhesive tinged with the color of the material. Such foils are useful in terms of reflectivity and color, but may be unsuitable in terms of opacity. Thus, if opacity is also required, a light-tight layer such as a dark paint or ink can be applied to the non-adhesive side of the foil. This layer is opaque, but the dark layer is not necessarily reflective.

Generally, thin layers of reflective color are not opaque and dark colors or black are not reflective. The reflective surface is
An additional reflective layer can be provided on top of the light opaque layer, if not necessary, on the backside of layer 11 on the backside of the plate.

An example of the constituent layers forming the opaque reflective layer 11 is shown in FIG. In the figure, there are 27 basic adhesive layers (adhesive side down, not shown) and 2 light opaque layers.
9, an additional reflective layer is shown at 31.

For example, assume that a printing design such as that shown in FIG. I chose white for the background. A white polyvinyl chloride adhesive foil was selected. Foil is generally sold on the market in rolls, and the adhesive surface is covered with release paper (not shown). The release paper can be removed when the foil is applied to the surface of the photoconductive plate. A light impermeable layer 29 is then applied to the underlying adhesive layer 27 on the surface facing the adhesive / release paper. If an additional reflective layer 31 is attached, it is applied on top of the light opaque layer 29. While the release paper is still covering the adhesive surface, the design or letters are cut out from the sheet by a known method such as a computer controlled plotter to form a message or the desired break contour of the design in the basic adhesive layer 27. To do. Peel off the cut-off portion that is not attached to the photoconductive plate. A so-called application tape is applied over the remaining material surrounding the contour. The adhesive of the application tape is slightly stronger than the adhesive of the release paper, the rest of the material sticks to the application tape, leaving the contoured openings untouched. The plotter cuts the material exactly to the release liner that covers the adhesive layer, but not the release liner. In this way, the application tape can be removed from the release liner only on the rest surrounding the contour, exposing the rest of the adhesive layer and applying it directly to the back surface 16 of the photoconductive plate 9. it can. The application tape with this remaining part is then placed on the back surface 16 of the photoconductive plate 9 with the adhesive side against the back surface 16 and pressed firmly against the plate 9 and the remaining part is transferred to the plate 9. Be done. The adhesion of the plate is
Now the adhesive strength of the application tape is stronger and the application tape can be removed from the rest. The position of the contoured opening in the integrity of the opaque reflective layer 11 is thus determined on the back surface of the photoconductive plate 9 to control the light rays and display the signage in a way that achieves the purpose for any signage device. Form a base or reference base for each subsequent reflective layer that will be used to complete.

To attach the front reflective layer 10 to the front surface 14 of the photoconductive plate 9, the reverse operation is performed. The contours for the front reflective layer 10 are, for example, similarly cut out by a computer controlled plotter.

In this case, anything other than the transfer contour is first peeled off, removed from the release paper, and then another application tape is carefully glued to the cut contour and it is removed from the release paper. The application tape leaves the entire contour intact and the application tape then overlaps the front surface 14 with the front surface 14 approximately coincident with the open break 13 on the back surface 16 of the photoconductive plate 9. Used to position and mount on top of.

It should be understood that these front and rear contours can also be attached by known printing processes and known silk screen processes. The printing process is particularly convenient for mass production, and is particularly advantageous for manufacturing a large number of signs having the same message or design. The cut foil method is more widely used and useful for swatches and small volume production.

A light absorbing layer 22 is then applied to at least the exposed plate surface inside the contour break 13 on the back surface 16 of the photoconductive plate 9. Light absorption layer 2
The first purpose of 2 is to absorb a specific band of the light emitted from the light source and to color the light emitted to the front of the signboard.
The light absorbing layer 22 may be a paint, a printing ink, a colored light selective transmission film or a colored plastic or a colored glass.

The layers 10, 11, 21, and 22 of FIGS. 4 and 7 are depicted in enlarged cross-section for purposes of illustration. Therefore, the drawings of these layers do not represent the relative thickness of the layers. In reality, the thickness of the layer is about the same as the film, but the cross section is enlarged in the drawings for convenience of description.

Unlike the conventional device of FIG. 2, where the fluorescent material is attached to the signboard surface 14 as relatively thick ridges 15, the light absorbing layer 22 of the present invention includes a backside 16 of the plate.
At, it is attached so as to directly cover the fractured portion 13.

In this regard, the light sources are incandescent, fluorescent, neon, ultraviolet, light-emitting diodes (LED: rectifying semiconductor devices that convert electrical energy into electromagnetic radiation), electroluminescence (electric fields are substances, usually fluorescent plastic plates, for example). Etc.) and any kind of light). In the case of electroluminescence, any electrically excited material combined with a fluorescent sheet can serve as a light source and can be used as a light source. Further, when neon of a desired color is used in combination, a good illumination effect can be achieved even if the light absorption layer 22 is covered. However, due to the sensitivity of neon and the need for maintenance, this method should generally be avoided. When the plate 9 is applied to a light source (not shown), preferably a light source placed facing the back surface 16 of the sign 12, the light rays cause it to directly illuminate the light absorbing layer 22. All of these layers mainly cover only the fracture portion 13. The brilliance of the emitted light-absorbing layer, which directly covers the fractured part 13 of the reflective layer 11, then proceeds through the transparent plate 9. Some of these rays travel directly along the side edges of the front reflective layer 10 to the viewer, displaying the contour shape of the contour to the viewer.

With respect to the shape of this contour, according to the invention, the front reflective layer 10 is an opaque reflective layer or is merely a reflective layer. In either case, some of the light from the back surface 16 is retroreflected from the reflective surface of the front reflective layer 10 to the opaque reflective layer 11 from which it travels in the direction of the viewer, forming an aura around the contour shape. To do. The difference in whether the front reflective layer 10 includes opacity lies in the appearance of the core portion 20. If the front reflective layer 10 is opaque including the light impermeable layer 29, the contoured core portion 20 is illuminated only by the forward light rays from the surroundings and the core portion 20 is
Is the color of the front surface of the front reflection layer 10 (which may be the front coloring layer 21).

On the other hand, when the front reflection layer 10 lacks the light opaque layer 29, a part of the light from the rear affects the core portion 20 and illuminates it to some extent, and the core portion 20 If (explained) contains a fluorescent substance, it is irradiated with light from the fluorescent color substance of the front reflection layer 10. Since the front reflection layer 10 is reflective and reflects light, the core portion 20
The intensity of the irradiated core portion 20 is low compared to the direct light that travels around the lateral edges of the and reaches the viewer from behind. In this way, the contour shape of the contour is displayed. However, the contrast between it and the core 20 is weaker than when the core 20 is opaque.

The front reflective layer 10 can also be a fluorescent layer that reflects the light from the light absorbing layer 22 and emits fluorescent light by the light to irradiate the core portion 20 with fluorescent light.
Depending on the colors selected, this allows interesting color combinations. For example, when the rear light absorbing layer 22 is blue and the front fluorescent layer at the position of the front reflective layer 10 is red, the core portion 20 has a mixed color of red and blue (purple) having a blue contour. As can be seen, if the rear light absorbing layer 22 is white and the front layer is yellow, then a yellow core 20 with a white contour is seen. The aura in these examples is also affected by the base color of the sign, which is determined by the color of the opaque reflective layer 11.

The color to achieve the special effect is selected by the desired combination of the opaque reflective layer 11, the light absorbing layer 22, the front reflective layer 10 and the additional front coloring layer 21. In this connection, the color of the light is made to oppose the color of the other light and, depending on the choice of color and intensity, cancels the color,
It is known that it can be enhanced or changed. This technique can be effectively utilized in the structure of the present invention.

Another important aspect of the present invention is the ability to use a variety of color bases in ways that would not have been previously used. When using the light absorbing layer 22, the color gradually changes along the layer. For example, using a length of fluorescent blue and adding a length of fluorescent red from the middle of the blue, half covering the blue and half illuminating the exposed opalescent material. In this way, in the entire band of the illuminated fluorescent color layer, the color changes from blue to purple, violet to red, without exact dividing lines between each color. Other colors can be added as desired. The effect of this over the entire length of the sign is that the contour shape and the color of the aura will change with position. This method allows for more or less color changes to be used on the sign.

At a point along the edge of the break 13 the layer 11
The angle of the imaginary line connecting the edge of the to the corresponding point on the edge of the front reflective layer 10 of the front surface 14 corresponds to the sloping side edge 17 of the conventional device shown in FIG. To form. This angle can be increased or decreased by reducing or increasing the corresponding dimension of the contour of layer 10. This hallucination can be achieved without requiring the physical presence of a ridge 15 on the front surface 14 of the plate 12 of the prior art device.

The phantom thickness of the beveled side edge is 0.0 m, depending on the thickness of the material selected for the photoconductive substrate 9.
It can be adjusted between m and 20 mm or more.
Further, the front coloring layer 21 can be provided on the front portion of the front reflection layer 10. This coloring layer 21 is, if desired,
It can be selected in harmony with the background color of the opaque reflective layer 11, that is, the basic color of the signboard.

The characters, figures, designs or pictures on the front face correspond to the contours of the fractured portion on the rear face. According to the invention, the front contour can be dimensionally smaller, the same, or larger than the rear contour. Light rays traveling from the light source through the break will be wrapped around the front contour unless the front contour dimensions are intentionally made larger than the rear contour dimensions to obscure the contour shape, if not the aura. Form a contour shape. However, the illusion and three-dimensional sensation of the beveled edge is most effective when the front dimension is not larger than, and preferably smaller than, the rear contour dimension.

The illusion of a sloping edge and the depth or three-dimensionality of the aura, as well as the effect of many colors used to achieve the special purpose of a particular signage device, is due to several factors described below. It is produced by adjusting. Suffice it to say here that after taking these factors into consideration, the dimensions of the front contour are selected and the contour for the front reflection layer 10 is cut out from the other sheet by the method already described. Let's do it.

In addition to the hallucination of the slanted side edge of the present invention, which corresponds to the physically slanted edge 17 of the prior art device shown in FIG. There is a depth effect or a three-dimensional effect of being visible. As already mentioned, this substrate is made of transparent plastic and is preferably transparent. The object is at most "out of focus" when looking at the milky layer through the clear plastic
You can see it. This is desirable when considering the nature of the three-dimensional effect.

The objects or layers on the rear surface of the photoconductive plate 9 appear as sharp and clear as when viewed through transparent plastic. On the other hand, the distance between the rear reflective layer 11 and the front layer 10 is recognizable, even though there is no direct connection between them. In this way, the mixed colors appear in space as an aurora-like phenomenon. These colors appear to be inside the plate itself. The rear light-absorbing layer 22, in particular when the front light-reflecting layer 10 is a fluorescent layer as described above, collides with the reflected light from the front light-reflecting layer 10 to produce an interesting three-dimensional effect. Therefore, if an unusual depth effect is desired, the light absorption layer 2
It is desirable to use 2 as the fluorescent color.

Another interesting effect can be achieved when the front contour is aligned with the break in the rear contour. The two contours are slightly laterally offset or offset from each other so that each character has only one contour. For example, the left side of the character may have no contour shape and only the aura, and the right side may have both the contour shape and the aura. When cutting out both contours, it is also possible to further widen the contour shape by first appropriately choosing their relatively dimensions.

As described herein, the present invention is capable of producing a high-quality three-dimensional effect inside the plate by a relatively inexpensive method and material without requiring a physically existing three-dimensional object. The flexibility of the invention is advantageous. The viewer wants to touch the three-dimensional front surface rather than the actual flat surface, and cannot recognize the distance between the light sources.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. The principles already described for FIGS. 3 and 4 apply for this embodiment as well. Moreover, this embodiment further extends the range of applications of these principles. For example, in this embodiment, as described above, the art design can be displayed and transmitted, and at the same time, the layer of characters for transmitting the message can be displayed on or next to the art design or in the opposite relationship. . In practice, it is possible to have one at the foreground and the other at the background at one point, and vice versa at another point. This means that within or across other "contours with auras", "contours and auras"
Is made by forming.

This flexibility is illustrated by an example. Figure 7
Referring to, the rear surface 16 of the signboard 12 is a light source (not shown).
When exposed to light, the light beam diffuses through the plate layer 9 from the breaking portion 13 and is diffused by the front reflecting layer 10 to make it uniformly shine. The light absorption layer 22 preferably contains a fluorescent color. A part of the light rays generated by the light emission of the fluorescent material has a spatially biased opaque reflection layer 11 and front reflection layer 1 shown in FIG.
Proceed forward towards the viewer in the area between the generally opposite side edges with 0 and 10a. As explained previously, the light traveling between these opposing edges forms the contour shape.

The fact that the light rays are also reflected from the front reflective layers 10 and 10a means that some of the light rays are reflected back from the deflected more forward front reflective layer 10a to layers 10 and 11 and from there to the front. Go to the viewer. These rays reflected from the front of the opaque reflective layer 10 provide an aura around the contour formed at the edge of 10a. As previously explained, there is also another contour shape around the outer edge of the layer 10 which has an aura due to the reflection from the front of the back opaque reflective layer 11. This creates a contoured profile with an aura in or across another contoured profile with an aura.

As previously mentioned, layer 1 is provided by attaching coloring layer 21 to the front surface of front opaque reflective layer 10a.
In addition to the 1, 10, and 10a colors, special color effects can be produced. Although the opaque reflective layer also has useful colors in its own right, it will be appreciated that mixing the colors in the various layers can have interesting effects. In addition, the front part of either reflective layer is (10
It is possible to include not only a) but also a color layer 21 to form a multicolor layer for obtaining these desired color effects. When the color of the coloring layer 21 is different from the color of the light absorbing layer 22, the color of the aura looks different from the color of the contour shape formed by the rays of light traveling directly from the fluorescent layer towards the viewer. Will be done.

Further, as described above, the light absorption layer 22 is
It changes along its surface to become even more interesting. And
It is known that when colored light is directly opposed to other colored light, the resulting color is offset, enhanced or altered. This example provides a great setting for implementing such uses of color. It will thus be seen that this arrangement allows for many new creations.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGS.
It shows in 0. The effect of this signboard in the signboard device may be the same as or may be the same as that of the embodiment already described, but the structure of this signboard further increases flexibility in the use of the signboard device of the present invention. Is.
Instead of attaching the opaque light-reflecting layer directly to the back surface 16 of the photoconductive plate 9 with an adhesive material, characters, figures,
Art design, for example, with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 0.5
It is printed directly on mm transparent and thin plastic foil or film. Printing costs are reduced by using standard printing techniques using standard styles, letters, graphics, etc. rather than silk screen and other special or custom methods. One example of the use of such signage devices is in situations where conditions often change and so must the transmission. The cycle of such changes is from every other day or every two days to every few hours. A specific example is when a restaurant advertises a menu or meal for the day.

The rear foil or film 33 shown in FIG.
Are printed with opaque, reflective colored inks in their background, leaving transmission contours as breaks 13 through which the light rays pass. The front foil or film 35 shows a transfer contour which coincides with and overlaps the film 33. The front foil 35 has an opaque transmission contour on a transparent background. As shown in FIG. 9, several layers comprising films 33 and 35 are combined to form a sandwich of stacked separate layers, which layers are of the individual layers in the previously described embodiment. Unlike laminating, it maintains the integrity of its individual removable layers in the sandwich.

In this embodiment, the sandwich further comprises a light absorbing layer 22 and the two photoconductive plates 9 already described. Printed film 33 and 35
Are placed between the layers that make up the sandwich. The rear film 33 is located between the layer 22 and the rearmost photoconductive plate 9, and the front film 35 is between the rearmost photoconductive plate 9 and the frontmost photoconductive plate 9. Placed in. All layers are aligned, but film 33
Note the mutual position of and 35.

In the previously described embodiment, the front print 35 has a narrower contour than the corresponding contour printed on the rear film 33. Due to this dimensional difference, when the layer 22 is emitted by a light source (not shown), the light rays directly originate from the layer 22 and pass through the photoconductive plate 9 to reach the viewer, forming a contour shape around the contour. To do. Therefore, the film is positioned such that the two contours are generally coincident and overlapped. However, as previously described for the other embodiments, an interesting contour effect is achieved by staggering the top and bottom contours with respect to each other, ie laterally.

Once positioned and aligned, the layers are secured using suitable means, represented by brackets 37, and maintained in a sandwich relationship. The sandwich signboard is placed in its signboard box (not shown), which completes the illuminated signboard, along with the light source. According to this configuration, since the constituent parts of the signboard are separate, it is possible to easily change the transmission content.

Similar to the previously described embodiments, the layers of FIGS. 9 and 10 are drawn with their widths enlarged for convenience of description and description, and therefore the drawings of the layers are shown in their drawings. It does not represent a relative thickness. Also, as in the previous embodiment, the back of the sign (the side on which the light source is placed) is on the right in these figures.

The signboard principle disclosed herein has many different applications depending on the creativity of the person using the principle. For example, in addition to using these principles for artistic displays, information dissemination, advertising, or combinations thereof, they also have other applications, such as clock faces, relief maps and globes. It can be applied.

The advantages of the invention disclosed herein are numerous. This structure facilitates standardization of various parts of the signboard. In addition, the luminous intensity is increased, and it can be used more effectively even in an environment of natural light. The labor time for signboard production is shortened, the sample can be assembled quickly, and its change is easy. Almost any kind of light source can be used, and the light source can be placed directly adjacent to the back surface of the signboard, so that the volume of the entire signboard device (frame, signboard and light source) can be made extremely thin. The concept of guiding light rays allows for greater creativity and flexibility in the manufacture and use of signs. The amount of material needed is generally low.

While the present invention has been shown and described only with respect to preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate various changes in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It will be appreciated that modifications of

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional signboard.

2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the prior art signboard taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a signboard of the present invention.

4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the signboard of the present invention taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of a portion of the signboard of FIGS. 3 and 4,
Corners have been removed to show details of possible constructions of the opaque light reflecting layer 11 and to show the constituent layers.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing a part of the signboard of FIG. 3, showing another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sign, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6 and showing the other embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a rear layout panel and a corresponding front overlay panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

9 is an exploded end view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in assembling a sign.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 after the signboard is assembled.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Cutting line (for Figure 2) 4 cutting line (for Figure 4) 7 Cutting line (for Figure 7) 9 Photoconductive plate 10 Front reflective layer 10a Front reflective layer 2 11 Rear opaque reflective layer 12 signs 13 fractured part 14 signboard front 15 Raised part 16 signboard back 17 Sloping side edges 18 arbitrary figures 19 Light reflection layer 20 core 21 Color layer 22 Light absorbing layer 23 Base color layer 27 Basic adhesive layer 29 Light impermeable layer 31 additional reflective layer 33 rear film 35 front film 37 bracket

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A signboard, having a display that constitutes the content of a visual transmission, used in a signboard device having a light source for illuminating the display, including: A sheet of photoconductive material. An opaque light reflecting layer provided on one surface of the sheet. A contour formed on the opaque light-reflecting layer by a portion that breaks the integrity of the light-reflecting layer and constitutes the display of the visually transmitted content. And a light-reflecting layer provided on the sheet on the side opposite to the side having the contour, the light-reflecting layer having the same shape as the contour and being overlapped with the shape in general. The light generated in the presence of a light source is projected through the display and the photoconductive material, and at least a substantial part of the projected light hits the display light reflecting layer, and the light reflecting layer is formed on the display. The light is reflected around to form a highlight portion. 2. The signboard according to claim 1, further comprising an opaque light absorbing layer that is provided adjacent to the opaque light reflecting layer and absorbs light in a specific band. 3. The signboard of claim 1, wherein the opaque light reflecting layer comprises a polyvinyl chloride foil having an adhesive layer on one side thereof. 4. A signage according to claim 5, wherein the polyvinyl chloride foil comprises a light-impermeable layer on its non-adhesive side. 5. The signage of claim 6 wherein the polyvinyl chloride foil having a light impermeable layer further comprises a light reflective layer adjacent the light impermeable layer on the non-adhesive side of the foil. 6. The signboard according to claim 1, wherein the photoconductive material is a transparent plastic. 7. The signboard according to claim 1, wherein the photoconductive material is glass. 8. The signboard of claim 1, wherein the light reflecting layer on the opposite side of the sheet further comprises a light impermeable material for providing opacity. 9. The light-reflecting layer in the form of the indicia has a dimension smaller than the corresponding dimension of the contour formed in the opaque light-reflecting layer, whereby the periphery of the indicia formed in the reflective layer. The highlight portion of the display includes a clear contour of the display formed by the exposed light passing directly through the light aperture and through the edge of the display, and an aura around the contour of reflected light. Signboard described in Range 1. 10. The high light around the display formed in the reflective layer, wherein the light reflective layer in the form of the display has a dimension equal to a corresponding dimension of the contour formed in the opaque light reflective layer. The signboard according to claim 1, wherein the light portion includes an aura from reflected light around the display when viewed from a position immediately before the display formed on the light reflection layer. 11. The display surround formed in the reflective layer, wherein the light-reflecting layer in the form of the display has a dimension greater than a corresponding size of the contour formed in the opaque light-reflecting layer. The signboard according to claim 1, wherein the highlight portion is an aura from reflected light around the display when viewed from a position almost immediately before the display formed on the light reflection layer. 12. A signboard, having a display that constitutes the content of a visual transmission, used in a signboard device having a light source for illuminating the display, including: A light conducting means that constitutes the basic structure of the signboard and that conducts light from the light source when assembled into a signboard device having a light source. An opaque reflective layer provided on one side facing the light source of the light conducting means when assembled. A light aperture in the shape of the display provided in the opaque reflective layer that allows light from a light source to pass through the opaque layer when assembled. A light-reflecting layer in the form of a display, which is provided on the side of the light-conducting means remote from the light source when assembled and is overlaid in general alignment with the light opening. The light-reflecting layer in the form of a display becomes the core, around which the light from the light source passes, then through the light aperture and further through the light conducting means, the visual contour of the light around the display. Form a shape. The core portion also retroreflects light from its attached surface to the opaque reflective layer from which the light is reflected back away from the light source to form an aura around the contour of the light. 13. A signboard used in a signboard device having a display that constitutes the content of a transmission and having a light source for illuminating the display, including: A plurality of sheets of photoconductive material, the sheets being substantially parallel to each other when attached to a signage, forming a sandwich, and facing the light source when assembled. The outside of the seat is the back of the sandwich,
The front of the sandwich is the outer side of the plurality of sheets facing the viewer, opposite the light source when assembled.
An opaque light-reflecting layer that is provided on at least the back surface of the rear sheet facing the light source when assembled in the signboard device. A contour formed by a portion of the opaque light reflecting layer that breaks the integrity of the layer. The contour constitutes the display. And a light-reflecting layer provided between adjacent sheets of the plurality of sheets, and a light-reflecting layer provided on the front surface of the sandwich-like sheet. A contour is formed on each of these light reflecting layers, and the entire combination of the contours has the same shape as that of the contour formed on the opaque light reflecting layer on at least the back surface of the rear sheet, and matches the contour. Are overlaid. 14. The signboard of claim 13 further including a bracket for releasably securing and adjoining adjacent layers of the sandwich of sheets of photoconductive material to a signage device. 15. A signboard for use in a signboard device having a display that constitutes the content of a visual transmission and having a light source for illuminating the display, the signboard including a plurality of layers,
Such layers can be assembled, sandwiched, and then assembled again at any time to make and modify the sign, the sign further including: A first layer of photoconductive material. A layer of opaque reflective material for attachment to one side of the first layer of the photoconductive material. A contour formed by a light opening in the layer of opaque reflective material to form the display. A layer of first light-reflecting material provided on a surface of the first photoconductive material facing the layer of opaque reflecting material. The first layer of light-reflecting material has at least a strip shape which generally conforms to the contour shape of the contour, leaving a gap in the center of the contour shape open. A second layer of photoconductive material provided parallel to the first layer of photoconductive material and adjacent to the first layer of light reflective material. A second layer of light reflective material provided on a side of the second layer of photoconductive material that faces the first layer of light reflective material. The second layer of the light-reflecting material has a shape that is generally the same as the opening gap in the central portion of the strip-shaped contour of the first layer of the reflecting material, and that Are superposed according to. And bracket means for releasably retaining the entire layer in a sandwich for further assembly into a signage device having a light source. 16. A method of manufacturing a signboard used in a signboard device having a visual transmission display and having a light source for illuminating the transmission display, the method including the following steps.
Prepare a sheet of photoconductive material. Prepare a sheet of opaque reflective material. Create the contours that make up the visual display. Contours are formed as openings in the sheet of opaque reflective material. The sheet of opaque reflective material having the contour formed as an opening is attached to one side of the sheet of photoconductive material. Thereby, the contour provides an opening for exposing a corresponding portion of the sheet of photoconductive material through the sheet of opaque reflective material. From the sheet of light reflective material, a contour is formed that corresponds to the contour formed as an opening in the sheet of opaque reflective material. The contour formed from the sheet of light-reflective material on the side of the sheet of photoconductive material opposite to the side having the sheet of opaque reflective material, and the opening of the sheet of opaque reflective material. The contour formed as the mouth portion is entirely overlapped and pasted. 17. A signboard for use in a signboard device having a display that constitutes visual transmission and having a light source for illuminating the display, including: A photoconductive means having two facing flat surfaces and forming the basic structure of a signboard. An opaque reflective layer provided on one of the two sides of the photoconductive means. An opening formed in the opaque reflective layer to form a display. Light reflecting means in the form of a display formed on the other of the two sides of the light conducting means, generally coinciding with the light opening. Producing light in the presence of a light source and projecting the light through the light aperture and the light conducting means, at least a substantial portion of the light impinging on the display light reflecting means, the light reflecting means around the formed display. It reflects light and forms highlights. 18. A light aperture in the opaque layer forming an indicia on one side of the light conducting means is formed in a light reflecting means generally aligned with the other side of the light conducting means. The highlight portion around the display, which is larger than the display and is formed in the reflecting means, has a clear contour shape of the display formed by the light directly passing through the light opening and passing through the edge of the display, and the reflected light. 18. A sign according to claim 17 including an aura around the contour shape from. 19. A light aperture forming an indicia on said opaque layer on one side of said light conducting means is formed in a light reflecting means generally aligned with the other side of said light conducting means. The highlight portion around the display formed on the reflection means is smaller than the displayed display, and when viewed from the direction almost immediately before the display formed on the light reflection means, the highlight part is an aura from the reflected light around the display. The signboard according to claim 17.