MXPA05014061A - Illuminable sign - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an illuminable sign (1) comprising a plate (2) of a light-transmitting material, at least one three- -dimensional body, such as a convex strip (7), also of a light-transmitting material, in the form of a symbol, lettering, decoration or the like, and positioned on or over a surface of the plate (2), and a light source (4). The light source (4) is positioned along at least part of an edge (3) of the plate (2), such that, when the light source (4) is switched on, light from the source (4) is coupled into the plate (2). The illuminable sign (1) according to the invention more closely resembles a neon sign.

Description

For Twodenerc des and olher a &breviaifons, rejer to the "Guid-ance Notes on Codes nd? Bbrsvuttions" appearing at the begin-re? Itg ofcctck regular issuß ofdta PCT Gautaír ». 1LIGHTABLE PHOTO DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY The invention relates to an illuminable sign comprising a plate of a light transmitting material; at least one three-dimensional body, such as a convex strip, also of a light-transmitting material, in the form of a symbol, sign, decoration or the like, and placed on or on a surface of the plate; and a light source. Such labels are known and comprise a housing, for example in the form of a logo. The housing is provided with a light transmitting plate comprising an opaque coating on the front side, in which openings are present, for example in the form of letters or a margin. In said openings a strip having a convex upper side is applied, consisting of a light transmitting paste. TL tubes are mounted across the plate, at least under the openings; said TL tubes make the convex strips light up. An object of the present invention is to provide an illuminable sign of the type described in the first paragraph, which more closely resembles a neon sign. For this purpose, the illuminable sign according to the invention is characterized in that the light source is placed along at least a part of an edge of the plate, in such a way that when turn on the light source, the light of the source is attached to the plate. It is preferable that the plate, or at least the parts of the plate in or on which the three-dimensional body (at least one) is placed, is made of a transparent material, thus providing a clear and transparent area around said body or bodies, and also increasing the perception that they are floating respectively. To improve the coupling of light in the three-dimensional body, it is preferable to provide the plate with at least one notch or recess in the form of at least a part of a symbol, sign, decoration or the like, and it is preferable that the three-dimensional body ( at least one), preferably a convex strip, is placed in at least one part of this notch or recess, or in register therewith, for example on the opposite side of the notch (s), or in an additional plate opposite of the (main) plate, as will be discussed below. In a further embodiment of the invention, the tag comprises at least two parallel or substantially parallel plates of a light transmitting material. In this way, three-dimensional effects can be obtained, for example by providing different decorations or signs on different plates, or by including plates of different color or shade, for example increasingly darker towards the back of the label. You can also avoid the traditional neon mirror images seen on the back side of a neon sign by placing an opaque plate between two light-transmitting plates with decorations or signs identical The two plates (at least two) can be provided with one or more light sources for each plate. Alternatively, two or more plates can be illuminated by a common light source. It is preferable to provide an additional plate of a transparent material on the front surface of the plate. The (main) plate is thus protected from scratches, finger spots, dirt and the like, which can cause the guided light on the main plate to be decoupled, that is, to illuminate said irregularities and make them more noticeable. It seems that the similarity with traditional neon signs increases more if the light source has a color temperature greater than 5000K, preferably on the scale of 7000K to 10000K. Within the framework of the present invention, the term "light transmission" means both transparent (clear) and translucent (cloudy). For integrity purposes, it is noted that US 6,240,664 refers to a plaque for a sign illuminated at the edge. The label plate includes a front image layer disposed on a front face of the transparent sheet, wherein the front image layer has a reflective surface. A rear image layer is disposed on a rear face of the transparent sheet, substantially in register with the front image layer, wherein the front image layer and the subsequent image layer are positioned so that the light within the sheet transparent is reflected from the reflective surface on the subsequent image layer, to increase the illumination of the subsequent image layer. The tag plate has a structure such that a portion of the light within the transparent sheet forms an image of a halo or aura of light surrounding the rear image 1a. US 6,240,664 does not disclose three-dimensional bodies of a light transmitting material. In addition, the previously unpublished European patent application, EP 02080018.1, discloses an illuminated sign comprising one or more light guides for coupling the light of the light source in the body or three-dimensional bodies, respectively. These light guides make it possible to capture the light, for example of a centrally arranged TL tube, and to couple said light in at least one three-dimensional body, in such a way that an effective illumination of said body is obtained. The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of several preferred embodiments shown in the figures. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first illuminated sign according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows a cross section of the embodiment of Figure 1 provided with a housing. Figures 3A-3D show four different types of notches containing a convex strip of a light-transmitting material. Figures 4A and 4B show two different ways of illuminating a sign according to the invention. Figures 5A-5E and 7 show cross sections of six additional embodiments of the label according to the invention. Figure 6 shows cross sections of two profiles used in the embodiment of Figure 5B. Figures 8A-8I show cross sections of nine additional embodiments of the sign according to the invention. Identical components and components that perform the same function, or substantially the same, are denoted by the same numbers. Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a first illuminable sign 1 according to the invention, comprising a plate made for example of a transparent polymer, such as acrylate or PETG. The plate 2 is shaped to comprise a straight edge 3, and otherwise to correspond to a logo, for example. A light source, such as a TL 4 tube, a cold cathode fluorescent illumination (CCFL) or a light emitting diode (LED), is placed parallel to the edge 3 within a housing (Figure 2). The housing consists of an extruded profile 5 which, in addition to the TL tube 4, accommodates a power source (not shown), and which is attached to the plate 2 by means of clamping. The front side of the plate 2, that is, the side facing the observers during use, is provided, by means of a milling cutter, with a notch 6 of triangular cross-section and in the form of a symbol, sign, decoration or similar. The notch 6 has been filled, for example by means of a tracer, with a convex strip 7 of a translucent UV curable paste, which subsequently hardens and adheres to plate 2 by exposure to UV radiation. Suitable pastes are known and preferably contain a UV curable resin (for example acrylic urethane oligomer), a photoinitiator, a filler (for example silica) and color pigments. When the light source 4 is turned on, the light of the source 4 (indicated by broken lines) is attached to plate 2 and guided towards the notch. On flanks of the notch 6 that are facing the light source, the light is transmitted to the convex strip 7 and is subsequently emitted therefrom. The light guided by the plate 2 is invisible to the observers, who will see through the transparent plate 2 and will only see the light emitted by the translucent convex strip (cloudy) 7, which will be perceived by the observers as a floating neon tube . At this point, it is to be noted that the label according to the present invention has many advantages over traditional neon. For example, you can operate at low voltages, it is easier to clean, it can be equipped with a light reducer, it requires less service and maintenance or it does not require them, and it is less vulnerable (that is, it is less breakable or unbreakable). Figures 3A-3D show four different types of notches containing a convex strip of a light-transmitting material, for example notches of triangular, semicircular, square and rectangular cross-section. Other shapes, such as a parabolic shape, can also be used.

The depth of the notch (at least one) is preferably greater than 2 mm, preferably greater than 3 mm and usually less than 15 mm. The depth may be constant or variable along the notch (s). For example, if a symbol formed by the notch and the convex strip contains a straight line that extends perpendicular to the light source, the section closest to the light source will receive more light directly from the transparent plate than the more distant sections of the light source. However, if the depth of the notch increases in a direction away from the light source, the farther sections of the light source will also receive light directly from the plate. If the label comprises two or more light sources, as shown in Figure 4B, the depth of the notch could increase in a direction away from the first light source, and increase towards the second light source to obtain an emission homogeneous light along the notch. However, the depth can also be varied to deliberately cause relatively bright and relatively dark areas in the same notch or convex strip, for example to highlight or accentuate specific parts of the same. Figures 5A-5E and 7 show cross sections of six additional embodiments of the sign according to the invention. The first of these embodiments comprises a triangular notch 6 in the form of for example a symbol on the back surface of a transparent plate 2. A convex strip 7 has been deposited on the side front of the plate 2 in register with the notch 6. The light emitted by a light source 4 and coupled in the plate 2, is reflected upwardly by the flank of the notch 6 closest to the light source 4 and towards the strip convex 7. The second modality is similar to the first modality. However, the front surface of the plate 2 has been provided with an additional plate 10 of a transparent material, and the convex strip 7 has been deposited on this additional plate 10. This assembly and the light source 4 are held together by two profiles 11, 12, which are preferably made of aluminum, and amplified versions of which are shown in figure 6. The first profile 11 comprises a lumen 13 for accommodating a light source, such as a CCFL 4, having a diameter less than 10 mm and a color temperature (black body equivalent) of 9000K, a first slot 14 for receiving the main plate 2 and a second slot 15 for receiving the additional plate 10. The first slot 14 communicates with the lumen 13 by means of of a relatively wide opening 16 extending along the profile 11. The light emitted by the light source 4 passes through the opening 16 and engages in the plate 2. To prevent the light from engaging in the additional plate 10. , the second slot 15 is U-shaped (it does not contain an opening) and thus is optically isolated from the lumen 13. The second profile 12 comprises corresponding grooves 14 ', 15', to receive the opposite edges of the plates 2, 10. The additional plate 10 serves to protect the (main) plate from scratches, finger spots, dirt and the like, which can cause the Guided light on the main plate is decoupled, that is, illuminate these irregularities and make them more noticeable. Also, in case one of the plates 2, 10, is damaged during production or use, it is possible to replace only the damaged plate. Figures 5C-5E show more self-explanatory modalities, wherein, in comparison with Figure 5B, the symbols have been cut from the additional plate 10 and the convex strips 7 have been placed in the cutting portions (Figure 5C), the notch 6 has been milled on the front side of the plate surface 2 (Fig. 5D), and a combination of these characteristics (Fig. 5E). The label shown in Figure 7 is identical to that shown in Figure 5A, both in configuration and in operation, except for the fact that plate 2 is curved instead of straight. Figures 8A-8I show cross sections of nine additional embodiments of the sign according to the invention. The embodiments shown in Figures 8A-8I comprise the same profile 17 provided with two lumens 13, each suitable for accommodating a light source 4, two slots 18 for receiving two transparent plates 2 and a central slot 19 for receiving an additional plate or the like. The embodiments of Figures 8A-8C comprise, respectively, a single plate 2 provided with at least one notch 6 containing a convex strip 7 in the form of a symbol, sign, decoration or the like (Figure 8A); two of these plates 2 with different symbols (Figure 8B); and one of these plates and a mirror or an opaque plate 20 provided with printed material in front of the transparent plate 2 (Figure 8C). The embodiments of Figures 8D-8F comprise, respectively, two transparent plates 2, separated by an opaque plate 20 or a mirror of two views, and provided with identical symbols, both facing the opaque plate 20 (Figure 8D); two of these plates separated by a third transparent and optionally colored plate 21, and provided with different symbols, facing in the same direction (Figure 8E); and a similar arrangement comprising an opaque back plate 22 provided with printed material (Figure 8F). The embodiments shown in Figures 8G-8I comprise a profile 23, provided with two lumens 13, each suitable for accommodating a light source 4, two slots 18 for receiving two transparent plates 2 and three additional slots 19 for receiving more plates or Similar. Figure 8G shows a sign comprising two plates 2, each provided with at least one notch 6 containing a convex strip 7 in the form of a symbol, sign, decoration or the like, and separated by an opaque plate 20 or double mirror view. The symbols on the plates 2 are identical and face the opaque plate 20. An additional protective plate 10 is placed in front of each plate 2. On the label according to Figure 8H, the plates 2 are separated by a transparent plate and optionally colored 21, and provided with different front symbols in the same direction. In addition, additional front and rear plates 10 have been provided. The back plate 10 it can optionally be provided with printed material. The tag according to Fig. 81 is identical to the tag shown in Fig. 8H, except for the absence of the transparent and optionally colored plate 21. The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above; of course, they can be varied in many ways within the scope of the invention defined in the claims. For example, the profiles containing the light source can be internally coated with a reflective layer. In addition, the three-dimensional body or bodies may comprise, for example, concave or bi-or multi-lobed portions.

Claims (1)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1- An illuminable sign (1) comprising a plate (2) of a light transmitting material; at least one three-dimensional body, such as a convex strip (7), also of a light-transmitting material, in the form of a symbol, sign, decoration or the like, and placed on or on a surface of the plate (2); and a light source (4); characterized in that the light source (4) is positioned along at least a part of an edge (3) of the plate (2), such that when the light source (4) is turned on, the light of the source (4) is coupled to the plate (2). 2. The illuminated sign (1) according to claim 1, further characterized in that the plate (2), or at least the parts of the plate (2) in or on which the three-dimensional body (7) is placed. (at least one), is made of a transparent material. 3. The illuminated sign (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the plate (2) is provided with at least one notch or hollow (6) in the form of at least a part of a figure, a sign, a decoration or the like, and wherein the three-dimensional body (7) (at least one) is placed in at least a portion of the this notch or hole (6) or in register with it. 4. The illuminated sign (1) according to claim 3, further characterized in that the notch or recess (6) (at least one) is provided on the front surface of the plate (2). 5. The illuminated sign (1) according to claim 3 or 4, further characterized in that the depth of the notch or recess (6) (at least one) varies along the figure, sign, decoration or the like . 6. The illuminated sign (1) according to claim 5, further characterized in that the depth of the notch or recess (6) (at least one) increases in a direction away from the light source (4). 7. The illuminated sign (1) according to any of claims 3-6, further characterized in that the width of the notch (6) (at least one) is greater than 3 mm, preferably greater than 4 mm. 8. The illuminated sign (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that it comprises at least two parallel or substantially parallel plates (2) of a light transmitting material. 9. The illuminated sign (1) according to claim 8, further characterized in that at least two of the plates (2) are provided with at least one three-dimensional body, such as a convex strip (7), also of a light transmitting material, in the form of a figure, a sign, a decoration or the like. 10. The illuminated sign (1) according to claim 8 or 9, further characterized in that an additional plate (20, 21) is provided between the two plates (2) (at least two). 11. - The illuminated sign (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that an additional plate (10) of a transparent material is provided on the front surface of the plate (2). 12.- The illuminable sign (1) in accordance with the claim 11, further characterized in that at least the edge of the additional plate (10) closest to the light source (4) is optically separated from said light source (4), in order to prevent light from the source of light (4). Light (4) is fitted directly on the additional plate (10). 13. The illuminated sign (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that it comprises at least two light sources (4, 4 ') placed along different, preferably opposite, edges of the plate ( 2). 14. The illuminated sign (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the light source (4) has a color temperature greater than 5000K, preferably greater than 7000K. 15. The illuminated sign (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said three-dimensional body (7) (at least one) is comprised of a paste, preferably a UV hardened or self-hardening paste.