WO2003008170A1

WO2003008170A1 - A device useful for indicating signs and a method for production thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2003008170A1
Application number: PCT/IL2002/000581
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ofer Lidror
Original assignee: Lidror Ofer Ltd.
Priority date: 2001-07-18
Filing date: 2002-07-17
Publication date: 2003-01-30
Also published as: IL144393D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a device useful for the indication of signs in buttons, switches, handles, signs and control panels comprising a depicted member affixed to a light-transparent mold by means of a shaped anchor. The invention also relates to a method for the production of the device.

Description

A DEVICE USEFUL FOR INDICATING SIGNS AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device useful for the indication of signs in buttons, switches, handles, signs and control panels and more specifically to such a device comprising a depicted member affixed to a light-transparent mold by means of a shaped anchor; and to a method for its production.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buttons and related articles are commonly illustrated with indication signs, such as numbers, letters etc. To date, the production of those articles is carried out mostly by pressing metal sheets of width exceeding 1.0 millimeter (punktschweiβ) and rarely by LASER-based process. These technologies are characterized with notable drawbacks, such as the production of coarse signs of low-resolution illustrations, appearance of burns on said sheet and thus, requirement of additional and costly treatments. The production of said articles necessitates a respectively long period of time for graphical considerations, mold preparation etc. that negatively affects the market price of the article. Photochemical etching techniques are known in the literature for the production of lucid illustrations. This technology, however, fails to provide long-lasted buttons and signs, usually due to weak attachment of aforementioned metal sheet to the plastic mold of the button. Peeling of the metal sheet out of the buttonmold after moderate period of time and use thus typically occurs.

More than 130 US patents related to the indication of signs and in particularly elevator-car call-buttons and their assembly (US Pat. No. 3973296, US Pat. No. 5587567 and US Pat. No. 5477942 for example). Many other patents are referred to illuminated call-buttons (US Pat. No. 5914466, US Pat. No. 5243162, and US Pat. No. 5454448). Some other technologies focus on various applications for indicative signs, such as piezoresistive elevator button (US Pat. No. 5040640), control panels for elevators (US Pat. No. 5679933) and keyboard with illuminated keys (US Pat. No. 4163883). Nevertheless, none of the referred technologies provides for commercially feasible, finely illustrated and long-lasting devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention thus provides an improved device useful for indication of signs, comprising a pre-shaped depicted leaf like rigid member characterized by having a width of 0.05 to 0.8 millimeter and further characterized by at least one shaped anchors in its edge, and a light-transparent matrix, wherein said member is affixed by said matrix by means of said anchors.

Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the depicted leaf-like rigid member is made of either smooth or rough to touch material.

Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the depicted leaf-like rigid member is affixed to said shapeable light-transparent matrix by means of at least one shaped anchor, wherein said anchor is thinner than the member, providing a tight affix of the member and said matrix.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said member is a thin metallic sheet of a width in the range of 0.30 to 0.50 millimeter, selected from one or more composite materials or metal alloys comprising iron, aluminum, magnesium, chrome, nickel, cooper, brass, silver or gold.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said matrix is a plastic, selected from one or more of the group of polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer, and acryl copolymers.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the device is shaped as one of the group of button, switch, handle, sign and control panel.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said device is additionally comprising reflectors, facilities for electricity and a light source.

There is also provided in the present invention a method for the production of the device described above, comprising inserting said pre-shaped member to the injection mold, injecting said matrix towards said member so the member is affixed by the attachment of said anchor and the continuous matrix to the desired shape of said device.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide an improved device useful for indication of signs as described above, for the production of the device as described above, wherein the member is produce by the process of chemical etching, comprising (a) photo-chemically etching of said member in at least one operating step, each of which is either a complete operation providing a full penetration through the member or a partial penetration at one or more faces of the member; (b) shaping the member's anchor by means of a partial photo-chemically etching of at least one of the member's faces and (c), inject-molding of said mold, and at the same time, affixing said member to said mold by entrapping said anchor by the continuous matrix of the injected mold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross-section of asymmetrically etched thin member comprising one anchor.

Figure 2 is a cross-section of symmetrically etched thin member comprising two anchors.

Figure 3 is a cross-section of symmetrically etched thin member comprising one anchor.

Figure 4 is a top-view of three differently shaped depicted members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is appreciated that the detailed description that follows is intended only to illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, as set out in the claims.

In accordance with the present invention, a novel device was proven useful for the indication of signs, comprising a pre-shaped depicted leaf like rigid member characterized by having a width of 0.05 to 0.8 millimeter and further characterized by shaped anchors in a transparent matrix.

In the present invention the term "signs" refers to signs symbols comprising data or information, such as figures, pictures, images, photographs, cryptograms, numbers, Braille notes, written data or the like.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention is the introduction of indication sign' buttons, and particularly press, twist or switch buttons for elevator cars, for control panels of elevators and their assembly.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is the introduction of signs and signpost on for various uses in household and commercial areas, such as for the indication of either 'no smoking' or 'parking zones', either 'entrance' or 'emergency exits' directions, sings for office uses, for indicating queue status etc.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is the use of said article as advertisements signs in indoor and outdoor utilizations. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is the introduction of indicative signs for traffic uses, for traffic lights and for road & traffic other indications. Similarly, said indicative signs are useful for commercial, military and/or household utilizations, and particularly for signs providing indication in machines; for the assignment of said machine's status of operation; and for various accessories, comprising but not limited to handles, keys and switches. Furthermore, said indicative signs are preferably directed to the uses in toys, cards, casino coins, telephones, keyboards, cameras, clothing, confectionery and key-holders.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is the introduction of internal or external signs in vehicles, and particularly in cars, motorcycles, aircrafts and ships. Said signs are preferably useful for the introducing of data & information in dashboards.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is the production of aforementioned signs for the direction of blinds and of other disables and particularly signs comprising Braille symbols. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is an article hereto describe in size range of few millimeters, suitable for example for buttons as described above, to size of over 1 square meter, useful for advertisements and for traffic signs and for other utilizations.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is said article competent for indicating of said signs, comprising one or more depicted members, of at least one tinted, colored, illuminated or alternatively, comprising one or more faces of mechanically, chemically or physically engraved members.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method for the production of said depicted members by chemical etching, mechanical pressing or LASER processing. In one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, aforementioned metal members are photo-chemically etched, wherein partial or complete etching of the metal in one or more of its faces, enables the drawing of more than one tint or color on said member. The member may be chosen from various materials, whereas it is preferably selected from one or more metal alloys comprising iron, aluminum, magnesium, chrome, nickel, cooper, brass, silver or gold.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention are thin photochemical etched metal members of a width of 0.05 to 0.8 millimeter, and particularly preferred are members of a width of 0.30 to 0.50 millimeter.

Molds are referred in the present invention to shapeable articles, been able to tightly and strongly affix the member. Said mold are made of inorganic shapeable silica-based substances and other glassy materials. Preferably, molds comprise organic translucent matrices, and preferably made of injectable polycarbonate, ABS, SAN, acryl polymers and high-density polystyrene.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention are light transparent molds of various tints and colors, various shapes and models. Preferably, said molds are compatible with electricity, and preferably with light inducing apparatus, including but not limited to LEDs, reflectors, and AC/DC electronic circuits of 24V, 110V, 220V or any other suitable voltage.

In another embodiment of the present invention aforementioned molds comprise means to encore said member, such as clips, magnets. Preferably, said molds comprise inserts, wherein said members are been intimately and irreversibly grasped in. Preferably, said molds comprise clips or screw' burrows to provide the entrapment of the member in the mold.

In another embodiment of the present invention is a method to encore said member in said continuous matrix hereby referred as 'mold' by shaping and sizing the edge of said member by chemical etching, mechanical or LASER processing to produce a thin nook, wherein said nook is tightly clapped by the mold's continuous matrix.

Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method to encore said member in said mold by altering the edge width and shape of said member comprising by partial chemical etching of said member, allowing the formation of a thin nail in the member edge, wherein said nail is characterized with sufficient width to ensure a tightly clap of the member by the mold's continuous matrix.

Lastly, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method for the injection of said mold with high pressure, against thin members (generally thinner than 0.4 mm) and thus providing the member to bent in the direction of the injection. Protruding signs are hence facilitated, useful for Braille notes and for other indications based on the touch sense. According to said method of the present invention, the manufacturer has means to determine the degree of color changes in said protruding signs and hence to increase the artistic value of the resulted article.

Referring to Figure 1, a cross-section of a thin depicted member (1) is shown. Preferably the thin metal member is about 0.4 millimeter, and is shaped by means of partially acid etching to form two peripheral asymmetrical nooks (2). The thin nail (3) formed by said chemical etching is 0.05-0.35 millimeters width and characterized with sufficient strength to be encored in the continuous light-transparent matrix (4) for a prolong period of time.

Referring to Figure 2, a cross-section of the device, comprising symmetrical etching of the depicted member (1), a central nook (2) and two anchors (3) affixed in a continuous matrix (4) is shown.

Referring to Figure 3 a thin member (1), is shown, similar to that shown in Figure 1, wherein the chemical etching is directed to form two peripheral symmetrical nooks (2). The depicted member is thus encored by said anchor (3) in the continuous matrix (4) at three of its faces.

Referring to Figure 4, three examples (A, B and C) of top view of depicted members characterized with highly gentle illustrations providing for high-resolution signs.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A device useful for indication of signs, comprising a pre-shaped depicted leaf like rigid member characterized by having a width of 0.05 to 0.8 millimeter and further characterized by at least one shaped anchors in its edge, and a light-transparent matrix, wherein said member is affixed by said matrix by means of said anchors.

2. A device useful for indication of signs according to claim 1, wherein the depicted leaf-like rigid member is made of either smooth or rough to touch material.

3. A device useful for indication of signs according to claim 1, wherein the depicted leaf-like rigid member is affixed to said shapeable light-transparent matrix by means of at least one shaped anchor, wherein said anchor is thinner than the member, providing a tight affix of the member and said matrix.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said member is a thin metallic sheet of a width in the range of 0.30 to 0.50 millimeter, selected from one or more composite materials or metal alloys comprising iron, aluminum, magnesium, chrome, nickel, cooper, brass, silver or gold.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said matrix is a plastic, selected from one or more of the group of polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, and acryl copolymers.

6. The device useful for indication of signs according to claim 1, wherein the device is shaped selected from the group consisting of a button, a switch, a handle, a sign and a control panel.

7. The device useful for indication of signs according to claim 1, additionally comprising reflectors, facilities for electricity and a light source.

8. A method for the production of the device defined in claim 1, comprising inserting said pre-shaped member to the injection mold, injecting said matrix towards said member so the member is affixed to the device by the attachment of said anchor and the continuous matrix.

9. A method for the production of the device defined in claim 1, wherein the member is produced by the process of chemical etching, comprising i. photo-chemically etching of said member in at least one operating step, each of which either provides full penetration through the member or partial penetration at one or more faces of the member; ii. shaping the anchor of said member by means of partial photo-chemically etching of at least one of the faces of said member. iii. inject-molding of said mold, and at the same time, affixing said member to said mold by entrapping said anchor to the continuous matrix of the injected mold.