ZA200605563B

ZA200605563B - Address identification units

Info

Publication number: ZA200605563B
Application number: ZA200605563A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Harmse Johannes Daniel
Original assignee: Harmse Johannes Daniel
Priority date: 2005-07-07
Filing date: 2006-07-06
Publication date: 2007-09-26

Description

SR 111 eB2006/05363

DE 2 =

ADDRESS IDENTIFICATION UNITS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to address identification units that generally comprise a number, letter, or combination thereof (collectively referred to herein as a number), that serves to identify one premises from others, typically others in the same street or road.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It can be extremely difficult to locate a particular address under poor lighting conditions, typically at night, due to the fact that the identification number or letters are not easily visible. As far as applicant is aware the only measures that have been taken to combat the difficulty is to illuminate the identification number with separate lighting means or to illuminate the background against which the number may be viewed in silhouette. In either instance, separate light fittings, typically of weatherproof quality, need to be installed in order to effect such illumination and this is not always convenient or practical having regard to the surrounding environment in which the identification numbers are to be located.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide an address identification unit that can be used to overcome the difficulty mentioned above whilst obviating the necessity for installing separate light fittings.

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CL 282006405563 . 3 oo

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided an address identification unit suitable for mounting to a support surface and comprising a single identification numeral or letter and illumination means forming part of the identification unit itself for illuminating the number or a surround to the number, or defining an illuminated contour thereof under poor lighting conditions.

Further features of the invention provide for the illumination means to be a plurality of individual light sources, in particular light emitting diodes, that may be mounted within the confines of the number itself so as to trace a contour of the number when illuminated or, alternatively, for the plurality of light sources to be arranged to illuminate a translucent backing that supports an opaque identification number; for each address identification unit to have either its own power supply or for the identification unit to be adapted to be connected to, and be energized by, a separate power supply unit that may be associated with an address identification unit; for the power supply either to embody a transformer for providing a suitable output from an electrical mains supply, or, alternatively, to be a self-contained, optionally rechargeable, battery; for the power supply to embody light sensitive switching means for switching the illumination means on and off according to prevailing lighting conditions so that the identification unit becomes illuminated under poor lighting conditions; and for the power supply to have associated therewith control means for adjusting the voltage output in order to adjust the intensity of light emitted by the illumination means.

Still further features of the invention provide for the mounting means to be a base of generally rectangular shape that has formations enabling it to be attached to other similar address identification units to form a composite

H51-002 P0449 identification number composed of a plurality of individual identification units; for the bases to have male and female dovetail formations extending along co-operating edges thereof; and for the bases to assume the form of fiat boxes containing associated electronic components and each of which has a power supply connection that can be attached one to the other and ultimately to a power supply unit for energizing the illumination means of each of the address identification units.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention the illumination means comprises a plurality of light sources, typically light emitting diodes, arranged in the well-known seven segment figure eight formation in which instance switching means are provided for switching the various segments on and off to form a required numeral or letter.

Further features of this aspect of the invention provide for the switching means to comprise either a single and separate switch for each of the numerals 0 through 9 so as to enable segments corresponding to a particular 1 to be connected to the power supply, in use, or alternatively, for each of the segments have associated therewith an on/off switch in which instance information is provided as to the particular permutation of switch positions corresponds to each of the numerals 0 through 9 and, if required, each of the letters A through Z; and for each segment to comprise a plurality of light sources arranged in a straight line with a common light source at each intersection between the segments of figure eight.

In order that the above and other features of the invention may be more fully understood a description of the invention follows with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a schematic elevation of a composite number defined by a plurality of address identification units according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of a single address identification unit of the general type illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but illustrating one variation of the illumination means;

Figure 5 is a front view illustration of an identification unit with diodes arranged in a digital numeral eight according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a back view illustration of the identification unit in

Figure 5 showing the switching means associated with each diode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, an address identification unit comprises a base (1) of generally rectangular shape and that preferably has a male dovetail groove (2) extending along one

H51-002 P0449 operatively vertical edge thereof and a cooperating female dovetail tongue (3) extending along the opposite operatively vertical edge thereof. The base is conveniently made in the configuration of a flat box.

Applied to the operatively exposed face (4) of each base is a single numeral (5) positioned centrally on the face and occupying a major portion of its dimensions. Different units are, in this embodiment of the invention, produced for each of the numerals "1" through "9" and "0" so that any required combination thereof can be assembled by inter-engaging the male and female dovetail formations to form a composite number, as may be required. Thus the number "258" illustrated in the drawing is composed of three individual address identification units assembled together as indicated.

Clearly, a letter of the alphabet can be treated in exactly the same way, should this be required.

In each case, in this embodiment of the invention, the relevant numeral is formed from a plurality, typically from eight to ten, light emitting diodes (6) installed along its contour so that, when illuminated, the light emitting diodes will trace out the contour of, and be capable of being read as, the relevant numeral (or letter should this be the case).

Each address identification unit in this embodiment of the invention has a pair of contact assemblies (7), typically in the form of electrical sockets arranged one on each side, conveniently at the bottom of the unit, to enable a power supply to be connected to the unit by means of a short electrical lead (8) having a suitable cooperant plug at each end. In the case of a pair of adjacent identification units the leads interconnect them one to the other and one terminal address identification unit (1a) is connected in the same way to a power supply unit (9) that is attached to the one side of the composite unit by means of a dovetail arrangement as described above.

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The power supply unit, in the embodiment of the invention, embodies a transformer (10) for transforming electrical mains supply, indicated by numeral (11), to the required voltage, typically 12 volts DC, on which the light emitting diodes operate. The circuit also includes a light sensitive switching diode (12) that receives light through a window (13) in the housing of the power supply unit so that the output from the power supply is energized under poor lighting conditions only. An adjustable resistor (14) can be employed to set the sensitivity of the switching function. Another adjustable resistor (not shown) can be included in series with the output in order that the brightness of the illumination means may be adjusted according to requirements.

The above arrangement is such that the address identification units and associated power supply unit can be mounted on any suitable surface, such as a wall of a building or a boundary wall.

In use, the relevant numerals (or letters, if this be the case) will be clearly visible during the daytime and when poor lighting prevails, and in particular as night-time falls, the switching function operates to illuminate the light emitting diodes so that they can be read as the relevant numeral, as indicated above.

It will be understood that numerous variations may be made to the embodiment of the invention described above without departing from the scope hereof.

Thus, as illustrated in Figure 4, an array of light emitting diodes (15) may be mounted to a carrier board (16) internally of a translucent box (17) with the numeral (18) being opaque so that, when the light emitting diodes are illuminated, it appears in silhouette against a lighted background. [f required, a light dispersing panel (19) could be included.

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A further alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. In this embodiment of the invention the well-known seven segment figure 8 is employed together with switching means so that a single identification unit can be used to create any numeral from 0 through 9 or, for that matter, any letter from A to Z. In this instance, a plurality of light sources, in this case light emitting diodes, are arranged in rows of five in the digital figure eight formation (20) with a common light emitting diode at the junction of adjacent pair of segments.

In this particular instance, the switching means (21) comprises a row of ten switches each of which corresponds to one of the numerals 0 through 9 and each of which is connected, by way of a simple printed circuit board, to outputs to the seven segments such that a selection of a single appropriate switch results in the required numeral being displayed, when energy is supplied to the illumination means.

Alternatively, each of the seven segments could be energised through a separate switch with the switches be identified typically with numerals 1 through 7 or letters A through F in which case information is provided as to which switches should be on and which should be of corresponds to each numeral 1 through 0 through 9 or letter A through Z that may be required. In this way, each identification unit can be changed to represent the particular letter or numeral required in the particular position.

Numerous other variations are possible within the scope of the invention. In particular the power supply could be a battery power supply with the battery optionally being of a rechargeable type and even optionally rechargeable by means of a solar panel energised charging arrangement. Also, each individual unit may have its own built-in power supply should this be convenient from a production point of view. Still further, the manner in which the electrical power supply is connected to the various units may be varied

H31-002 P0449 widely and could assume the form of contacts that automatically connect to those of an adjacent unit once the units are attached one to the other.

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Claims

Co | cL CLAIMS:

1. An address identification unit suitable for mounting to a support surface and comprising a single identification numeral or letter and illumination means forming part of the identification unit itself for illuminating the number or a surround to the number, or defining an illuminated contour thereof under poor lighting conditions.

2. An address identification unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the illumination means is a plurality of individual light sources mounted within the confines of the number itself to trace a contour of the number when illuminated.

3. An address identification unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the

. . ] illumination means is arranged to illuminate a translucent backing supporting an opaque identification number.

4. An address identification unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the illumination means is a plurality of light emitting diodes.

5. An address identification unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which each address identification unit has its own power supply for the unit.

6. An address identification unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which each address identification unit is adapted to be connected to, and be energised by, a separate power supply that is associated with an address identification unit. H51-002 P0449

7. An address identification unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the power supply embodies a transformer for providing a suitable output from an electrical mains supply.

8. An address identification unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the power supply is a self-contained, optionally rechargeable, battery.

9. An address identification unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the power supply embodies light sensitive switching means for switching the illumination means on and off according to prevailing light conditions.

10. An identification unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the mounting means is a base of generally rectangular shape.

11. An identification unit as claimed in claim 10 in which the mounting means has formations for attachment to other similar address identification units to form a composite identification number composed of the individual identification numbers of each of the identification units.

12. An identification unit as claimed in either one of claims 10 or 11 in which the bases have male and female dovetail formations which extend along cooperating edges thereof.

13. An identification unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the bases assume the form of flat boxes containing associated electronic components in which each has a power supply connection that is attached one to the other and to a power supply unit to energise : the lighting means of each of the identification units. H51-002 P0449

14. An identification unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the illumination means comprises a plurality of light sources, arranged in a seven segment figure eight configuration in which instance switching means are provided for switching the various segments on and off to form a required numeral or letter.

15. An identification unit as claimed in claim 14 in which the switching means comprises a single and separate switch for each of the numerals 0 through 9 so as to enable segments corresponding to a particular numeral to be connected to the power supply, in use by the selection of a single switch.

16. An identification unit as claimed in claim 14 in which the switching means comprises a single and separate on/off switch for each of the seven segments in which instance information is provided as to the particular permutation of switch positions corresponding to each of the numerals 0 through 9 and, if required, each of the letters A through Z.

17. An identification unit as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 in which each segment comprise a plurality of light sources arranged in a straight line with a common light source at each intersection between the segments of the figure eight configuration.

18. An identification unit substantially as herein described and exemplified with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings; or with reference to Figure 4 the accompanying drawings; or with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings. H51-002 P0449

1 w@R2006/0% fey Dated this 1% day of July 2006 Patent attorney for the applicant

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