US1594981A - Reflector for illuminated signs and the like - Google Patents

Description

'A. SCHALLER I REFLECTOR FOR ILLUMINAT ED SIGNS AND THE LI KE Aug. 3 1926. 1,594,981.

Filed August 21, 1922 A TTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 3, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW SCHALLER, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

REFLECTOR FOR ILLUMINATED SIGNS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed August 21, 1922. Serial No. 583,157.

This invention relates to illuminated signs and, particularly, to signs of the type in which the letters, symbols or other designs thereof are defined by reflector elements appropriately arranged and adapted to reflect the light rays received from a suitable source or sources. In signs of this type, proper effects are obtainable only when the reflector elements are set and maintained at proper angles with respect to the source of light. In some instances, it is necessary that the several elements comprising a sign be set at different angles, dependent upon the relative position of any particular element with respect to the light I source.

One ob ect of the present invention is the provision of improved mounting means for the reflector elements which will permit a universal adjustment of the individual elements to any angular position desired and retain them in the position so set.

Another object is to improve the construction of reflector elements for this and similar purposes.

Other objects and advantages will here inafter appear.

Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a face view of a signembodying the letter O and illustrating one type of sign in which the present invention may be advantageously used.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the sign of F igure' 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, of a reflector element constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 is a sectional View of a sign of somewhat diflerent type embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a reflector element of somewhat different form.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a reflector element of another form.

weather resisting qualities.

vided with a peripheral flange 11 prO ecting somewhat above or beyond the plane thereof in a manner known in signs of this type. The source of light is, in this instance, an electric bulb 12, mounted in the usual socket 13, secured to appropriate cross-pieces 14 within the plane of the portion 10. The forward end of the bulb 12 is covered with an opaque coating 15 to prevent the escape of light directly from the bulb to the eye of the observer in front of the sign; The light from the bulb is thus directed laterally to the several reflector elements 16 mounted upon the portion 10. Signs of this general type are 'old and well known in the art, so that a further Or more detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

The reflectors 16 and their individual supports 17 are believed, however, to be of novel cons uction. The reflector illustrated in Figure 3 comprises a disc-like body portion 18 of aluminum or other good weather resisting material formed to provide a slightly concave reflecting surface.

This surface may or may not be specially treated to improve its light reflecting and In the form shown, the edge 18 of the body portion is curved .or flanged vided with integral radially extending tabs 19 whose centrally disposed inner ends 20 are fashioned and cooperate to form an appropriate socket for an end 2l of a supporting shank or pin 17. The end 21 of the pin 17 is secured within the socket thus formed by any appropriate means, such as cement or solder 23. The other end 24 of the pin 17 is adapted to,be secured in or to the portion 10 of the sign. The reflector shown in Figure 3 is designed for use with wooden signs, so that in this instance the end 24: of the pin is screw threaded so that it may be readily screwed into the frame portion 10 until the flange or shoulder 25 is forced into firm contact with the surface thereof.

The pin or shank 17 is formed of copper or other readily bendable metal which will permit the the reflector to any position required and rearwardly and PTO-7" desired angular adjustment of retain it in any position so set. This adjustable feature is of marked importance, in that it simplifies the assembly and maintenance of signs of this character and leads to better permanent results.

The sign illustrated in Figure 4 is similar in many respects to that of Figures 1 and 2, except that the source of light is mounted within a reflector 26 mounted well in advance of the main frame 10 of the sign. The reflector elements 16 are of the same construction as that shown in Figure 3.

The reflector element shown in Figure 5 comprises a solid body 27 of porcelain or glass of substantially conical form whose base 28 constitutes the reflecting surface. It will be noted that this face has a slightly concave portion in the form of a concentric ring, leaving a relatively high spot in the center or about the periphery thereof. This reflector is mounted upon a shank 17 of bendable metal, substantially identical with that shown in Figure 3, and having one end 21 cemented in a suitable socket 22 formed in the apex of the conical body por tion. The reflecting surface is preferably silvered and then covered by a suit-able transparent lacquer to protect it from the weather.

The reflector element of Figure 6 comprises a hollow substantially conical body 28 of glass. The base of the cone is preferably of relatively thin material, the 1nner face 29 thereof being silvered to provide a good light reflecting surface. An opening in the apex of the cone is closed by a screw plug 30 constituting one end of the supporting shank 31 of the reflector. This shank is made of metal, the intermediate portion 32 being bendable for purposes of adjustment, as in the reflectors hereinabove described. In this instance, the other end of the shank 31 is provided with a screw plug '33 similar to the plug 30, by which it may besecured to sign boards of sheet metal construction. A very simple method of mounting this type of plug is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. A circular opening 34 is formed through the. sheet of metal, one

wall of the opening is slitted as indicated at 35, and the resultant corners 36 are pressed into relatively offset relation so that the wall of the opening thus provides in effect a screw thread adapted to fit between the threads on the plug 33. The plug 33 is screwed into position in this opening and retained in place by an appropriate lock nut 37.-

Various changes may be made in any of the. embodiments of the invention hereinabove described, without departing from,

or sacrificing, any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an illuminated sign having a base frame, the combination of a reflector constituting one of a series of symbol defining elements, and a support for said reflector having a portion adapted to be fixed to said base frame and an intermediate portion of bendable material permitting an angular adjustment' of said reflector in any direction desired, said reflector" having a reflecting surface extending across the axis of said support.

2. In'an illuminated sign having a base frame, the combination of a reflector constituting one of a series of symbol defining elements, and a shank for supporting said reflector, said shank having means at one end for attachment to said frame, and an intermediate portion of bendable material permitting an angular adjustment of said reflector in any direction desired, said reflector having a reflecting surface extending across the axis of said shank.

3. A reflector constituting one of a series of light reflecting symbol defining elements and comprising a body portion having a substantially disklike reflecting surface, and

a bendable shank adjacent the center thereof forming a support therefor, said surface extending transversely of said shank.

4:. A reflector constituting one of a series of light reflecting symbol defining elements r and comprising a substantially conical body portion having a substantially disklike reflecting surface, and an angularly adjustable shank portion connected with the apex of said conical body portion for'supporting said body, portion.

5. A'reflector constituting one of a series of light reflecting symbol defining elements and comprising a'hollow conical body portion having the inner surface of the base wall of said conical body portion coated with a light reflecting material, and a bendable 'shank portion for supporting said body portion connected with the apex of said conical body portion. r

6. An illuminated sign comprising a source of light and a. series of symbol defining elements for receiving and reflecting light from said source, each element comprising a body portion having a light reflecting surface, and a relatively short bendable shank connected to said body portion within the periphery of said surface.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day of August, 1922.

ANDREW SCHALLER.

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