WO1998026401A1 - Arrangement for lighting of road signs, advertising signs, information signs, etc. - Google Patents

Arrangement for lighting of road signs, advertising signs, information signs, etc. Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998026401A1
WO1998026401A1 PCT/NO1997/000332 NO9700332W WO9826401A1 WO 1998026401 A1 WO1998026401 A1 WO 1998026401A1 NO 9700332 W NO9700332 W NO 9700332W WO 9826401 A1 WO9826401 A1 WO 9826401A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signs
light source
plate
sign
lighting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO1997/000332
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Lars Gundersen
Kim Edward Hughes
Original Assignee
Skiltprodusenten G.O. Mekaniske As
Botne Fabrikker A/S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Skiltprodusenten G.O. Mekaniske As, Botne Fabrikker A/S filed Critical Skiltprodusenten G.O. Mekaniske As
Priority to AU53501/98A priority Critical patent/AU5350198A/en
Publication of WO1998026401A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998026401A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0013—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide
    • G02B6/0023—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed between the light guide and the light source, or around the light source
    • G02B6/0025—Diffusing sheet or layer; Prismatic sheet or layer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0013—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide
    • G02B6/0023—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed between the light guide and the light source, or around the light source
    • G02B6/0028—Light guide, e.g. taper
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0035—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G02B6/0038—Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/005—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide
    • G02B6/0055—Reflecting element, sheet or layer

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an illumination device for a traffic sign, advertising s signboard, information sign and the like, where there are used illuminated plates together with general lighting, as disclosed in the preamble of the claim.
  • the light sources have thus been arranged so as to reflect or radiate the light directly onto the illuminated plate.
  • Such an arrangement means that the signs and associated lighting source will have a rather large and awkward form.
  • these types of signs is utilized above a roadway, it will be necessary to block off the roadway when changing the light source, with the disadvantages that this entails.
  • the objective of the present invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages, and this is accomplished by means of a devide of the type introduced above, the 2o characterizing features of which are set forth in the claim,
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of an illuminated sign, according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows the construction of the illuminated sign according to the present 35 invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the present invention used for a traffic sign 10 having text 7 arranged on the surface 1' of the sign 10.
  • Sign 10 is illuminated via optical fiber cables 8 which are connected to a light producing source 9, where the light is focused into the end of the fiber bundle 8 via lenses and reflectors in a manner known er se.
  • Light producing source 9 may thus be disposed outside of the actual sign and at a place where it is convenient with respect to both power supply, maintenance, etc.
  • the light source may be positioned remote from the place of illumination will make it possible to use the device for the display and lighting of locations that may be exposed to explosion as there would be no form of electrical connection at the actual site of illumination.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the construction of the sign for provision of a uniform illumination of the subject to be shown.
  • the light source is formed by a plate 2 of transparent material, e.g., glass or acrylic.
  • the light is supplied via optical cables connected to the end faces, indicated by reference numerals 5, 5', and 6, 6'.
  • two lighting connections are indicated on each end face, but it would be possible, of course, to have fewer or more, and these may optionally be on the short sides or on one of the side surfaces only, with the number and the placement being dependent on the size of the plate, i.e., the required amount of light in relation to the surface that is to be illuminated.
  • the back of plate 2 is provided with ridges to disperse the light backwards toward a reflecting plate 3, which may be provided with a white coating or another reflecting material and may consist, e.g., of aluminium.
  • a transparent plate having a diffuse surface 1' e.g., a white coating, on which is arranged text, a picture, or similar element 7 that is to be illuminated and displayed.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)

Abstract

An illumination device for a traffic sign, advertising signboard, information sign and the like, where there are used illuminated plates, together with general lighting. The sign consists of a transparent light source plate (2) having a known per se light connection thereto via optical cables on at least one of the side surfaces thereof. The back of the light source plate (2) is provided with ridges (4) and oriented toward a reflecting plate (3). Oriented toward the top side of the light source plate (2) is a diffuse plate (1) having display symbols (7) arranged thereon.

Description

Arrangement for lighting of road signs, adversiπg signs, information signs etc.
The present invention relates to an illumination device for a traffic sign, advertising s signboard, information sign and the like, where there are used illuminated plates together with general lighting, as disclosed in the preamble of the claim.
In illumination of the aforementioned type it has currently been common to use light sources in the form of lightbulbs or fluorescent tubes that are arranged in the immediate 10 vicinity of the surfaces to be illuminated.
The light sources have thus been arranged so as to reflect or radiate the light directly onto the illuminated plate. Such an arrangement means that the signs and associated lighting source will have a rather large and awkward form. When these types of signs is are utilized above a roadway, it will be necessary to block off the roadway when changing the light source, with the disadvantages that this entails.
The objective of the present invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages, and this is accomplished by means of a devide of the type introduced above, the 2o characterizing features of which are set forth in the claim,
Through the design in accordance with the present invention there is provided a lighter and slimmer form of sign, and replacement of the light source may be accomplished without incurring any detrimental effect on the surroundings, i.e., stopping of traffic, for 2. example. Service personnel would also be able to work in peace and quiet without having to give consideration to potential automobile traffic or other factors that could also be a danger to the persons.
The invention will be described in more detail in the following, with reference to the 30 drawings, where:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of an illuminated sign, according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows the construction of the illuminated sign according to the present 35 invention. Figure 1 illustrates the present invention used for a traffic sign 10 having text 7 arranged on the surface 1' of the sign 10. Sign 10 is illuminated via optical fiber cables 8 which are connected to a light producing source 9, where the light is focused into the end of the fiber bundle 8 via lenses and reflectors in a manner known er se. Light producing source 9 may thus be disposed outside of the actual sign and at a place where it is convenient with respect to both power supply, maintenance, etc.
If there are several signs in one area that are to be illuminated, it will also be possible to gather all of the light producing sources into one central place, if desired.
The fact that the light source may be positioned remote from the place of illumination will make it possible to use the device for the display and lighting of locations that may be exposed to explosion as there would be no form of electrical connection at the actual site of illumination.
Figure 2 illustrates the construction of the sign for provision of a uniform illumination of the subject to be shown. The light source is formed by a plate 2 of transparent material, e.g., glass or acrylic. The light is supplied via optical cables connected to the end faces, indicated by reference numerals 5, 5', and 6, 6'. In the example shown, two lighting connections are indicated on each end face, but it would be possible, of course, to have fewer or more, and these may optionally be on the short sides or on one of the side surfaces only, with the number and the placement being dependent on the size of the plate, i.e., the required amount of light in relation to the surface that is to be illuminated.
The back of plate 2 is provided with ridges to disperse the light backwards toward a reflecting plate 3, which may be provided with a white coating or another reflecting material and may consist, e.g., of aluminium.
Above the light source plate 2 is positioned a transparent plate having a diffuse surface 1', e.g., a white coating, on which is arranged text, a picture, or similar element 7 that is to be illuminated and displayed.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i m
1.
An illumination device for a traffic sign, advertising signboard, information sign and the like wherein there are used illuminated plates, together with general lighting, where the back of the light source plate (2) is provided with ridges (4), there being arranged a reflecting plate (3) oriented toward the back of the light source plate (2), and oriented toward the top side of the light source plate (2) there being arranged a diffuse plate (1) having display symbols (7) arranged thereon, characterized in that the light is introduced via optical cables from a light source situated remotely from the sign.
PCT/NO1997/000332 1996-12-11 1997-12-11 Arrangement for lighting of road signs, advertising signs, information signs, etc. WO1998026401A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU53501/98A AU5350198A (en) 1996-12-11 1997-12-11 Arrangement for lighting of road signs, advertising signs, information signs, etc.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO965312 1996-12-11
NO965312A NO965312L (en) 1996-12-11 1996-12-11 Device for illuminating traffic signs, advertising signs, information signs and the like

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998026401A1 true WO1998026401A1 (en) 1998-06-18

Family

ID=19900174

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO1997/000332 WO1998026401A1 (en) 1996-12-11 1997-12-11 Arrangement for lighting of road signs, advertising signs, information signs, etc.

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5350198A (en)
NO (1) NO965312L (en)
WO (1) WO1998026401A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0495273A1 (en) * 1991-01-16 1992-07-22 Lumitex Inc. Thin panel illuminator
EP0520368A2 (en) * 1991-06-27 1992-12-30 Poly-Optical Products, Inc. Improved fiber optic backlighting panel and dot process for making same
FR2679363A1 (en) * 1991-07-17 1993-01-22 Desvallees Eric Method of manufacturing ultra-flat signals and visual display panels with plastic optical fibres
EP0544332A1 (en) * 1991-11-28 1993-06-02 Enplas Corporation Surface light source device
FR2732494A3 (en) * 1994-03-25 1996-10-04 Photogramme Sarl Erasable illuminated transparent plate using bundle of optical fibres

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0495273A1 (en) * 1991-01-16 1992-07-22 Lumitex Inc. Thin panel illuminator
EP0520368A2 (en) * 1991-06-27 1992-12-30 Poly-Optical Products, Inc. Improved fiber optic backlighting panel and dot process for making same
FR2679363A1 (en) * 1991-07-17 1993-01-22 Desvallees Eric Method of manufacturing ultra-flat signals and visual display panels with plastic optical fibres
EP0544332A1 (en) * 1991-11-28 1993-06-02 Enplas Corporation Surface light source device
FR2732494A3 (en) * 1994-03-25 1996-10-04 Photogramme Sarl Erasable illuminated transparent plate using bundle of optical fibres

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO965312D0 (en) 1996-12-11
AU5350198A (en) 1998-07-03
NO965312L (en) 1998-06-12

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