US2360438A

US2360438A - Color illumination

Info

Publication number: US2360438A
Application number: US427703A
Authority: US
Inventors: Maurice A Mills
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1942-01-22
Filing date: 1942-01-22
Publication date: 1944-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 1961-10-17

Description

Oct. 17, 1944.

M.VA. MILLS COLOR ILLUMINATION Filed Jan. 22

R5. m w M MMM n p. WWW ""hllhl'llfllhhua w Patented Oct. 17, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l Claim.

This invention relates to illuminated signs and, more particularly, to signs empleying illumination in changing colors.

Although signs have been made and used employing illumination in changing colors by the use of various combinations of colors, the problem of satisfactorily combining these colors to obtain a uniform distribution of the various colors produced by the combinations requires special equipment and sometimes precludes the use of changing color.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the pres- The above and other objects of the invention 4 will appear more fully from the following detailed description, and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and wherem:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sign constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention herein disclosed.

Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section and partially diagrammatic taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fg. 1.

Fig. 3 is a Vertical cross section takenlsubstantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a modified form of structure for fastening the ends of the sign.

Referring to the drawing the numerals Ill, and |2 designate lamp sockets of the thermal flasher type mounted on a base |3 in substantial alignment as shown in plan view in Fig. 2. The base 13 is formed with'a substantially straight front edge |3iand a curved rear edge |3b. A front panel |4 is secured to the front edge |3EV with a series of cut-out letters, or other characters 15 desired to be displayed, mounted at the top of the panel |4. A rear panel IB is secured to the rear curved edge I?b of the base and extends upward preferably a distanc'e above the top of the characters 15 on the panel I 4. The rear panel IB is thus formed in a curve in plan view as shown in Fig. 2 but with the panel formed straight in Vertical section as shown in Fig. 3. The ends of the panels |4 and 16 nearly meet at the ends ofthe sign and are preferably secured in slots ll, l8 and 19, 20 of Vertical end pillars 2| and 22.

An important part of the combination is the provision of a refiecting and light blending surface 25 on the inside of the curved rear panel 16. This surface 25 may be described as employing a reflecting and light blending surface by provision of embossed, multiple faceted, raised, criss-crossing, wrinkled or pebbled formations on the said reflecting and light blending surface. The surface 25 extends above panel |4 and bebind the cut-out or silhouette characters [5.

VThe three' lamp sockets IO, l and l2 carry light sources preferably of red, blue and green lamps respectively as marked on the perspective view Fig. 1. The front panel |4 is of such height as to extend slightly above the lamps and the curved rear panel |6 with its blending surface 25 is shown extending well above the characters l5, thus forming a background.

The lamp sockets IO, I and l2, as previously noted, are of the thermal flasher type and may be purchased commercially. The general structure of such a socket, however, is shown diagrammatically in Fig, 2 where the three sockets IO, ll and |2 are shown connected in parallel from 'a source of electric current brought in by suitable wiring 26 thru the back panel. In each socket there is a bi-metallic element 28 having a winding of resistance wire for heating the element. The element 28 is supported at one end and normally closes contacts 29 at its opposite end. However, when the current is on the element is heated and the defiection of the element caused by the heat breaks the contact 29. When the element cools sufiiciently the contacts 29 again come together. The flasher unit being in series with the lamp filament as shown, the result is a constant making and breaking of the circuit fiashing the lamp on and off at intervals depending upon the time required to heat and cool the thermal element.

With thermal fiasher units in each of the sockets IO, ll and |'2 controlling the fiashing on and off, the three lamps having such colors as for instance red, blue .and green respectively there results a haphazard combination of these colors as the flashers are not entirely uniform in their timing when operated continuously. The result is that one lamp 'may be lighted alone at one time, any combination of two, or all three, and if the light is properly diffused and mixed the result results in blending the colors in a satisfactory manner thus to attain the desired result of blending the various combinations of primary colors. Also by using a light blending surface in combination with a curved back, a uniform distribution of light is obtained even when one of the end lamps is Operating alone. For the purpose of making the sign characters easily readable this uniform distribution of light is essential. A fiat background with smooth reflector would reflect each color back of its respective lamp and would produce little uniformity of blending and furthermore would produce poor distribution of light when individual lamps are lighted alone, particularly the end lamps. The pleasing result produced by the surface 25 curved in plan view,

in combination With the light sources in a substantial line, has resulted after experiment with various arrangements and is considered advantageous, particularly since it produces desired results of color blending with equipment of relative simplicity and commercially practical of use.

Some Variation in arrangement is possible while maintaining the principles above outlined and Fig. 4 shows a modified structure where a curved back panel 30 is formed at 3| into an end pillar and has a front panel 32 secured thereto. In this case the panels are preferably constructed of sheet metal. Either cardboard or metal may be employed in the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

A form of embossed or pebbled bright metal coated paper readily obtained commercially has been satisfactory as the material for the surface 25 although other materials may be used which will produce like results such as reflecting surfaces With embossed, criss-crossing, faceted, raised, wrinkled, pebbled or like surface. In order that there may be no misunderstanding of terms used in the claims in this regard the term light blending surface is selected for defining a surface of the general type herein described as distinguished from a surface which would reflect only, without blending.

In mentioning modifications which may be used and still maintain the fundamental principle I do not ntend that departure shall be made from the combination of light blending surface With the curved back panel which I have found essential to satisfactory results.

I claim: i

In a sign of the character described having sign characters to be illuminated, a plurality of intermittent and irregularly fiashing light sources of different colors, spaced apart in substantial alignment, 'a front panel of height to cover the space in front of said light sources and adapted to support said characters to be illuminated above said panel, a back panel higher than said front panel and curved in plan view and extending back of and above said light sources, a light blending surface on said curved back panel forming a background for blending said light combinations, producing a blending and uniform distributon of changing colored light when said light sources are lighted singly or in combnation.

MAURICE A. MILIS.