AU683874B2

AU683874B2 - A sign-display system

Info

Publication number: AU683874B2
Application number: AU61878/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Craig Edward Douglas
Original assignee: Jones Richard Arnot
Current assignee: Jones Richard Arnot
Priority date: 1993-05-05
Filing date: 1994-05-04
Publication date: 1997-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2014-05-04
Also published as: AU6187894A

Description

P/00/011 2P,5191 AUSTALIARegulation 3,2 Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIHFCATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: y slc... The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- A SIGN-DISPLAY SYSTEM The invention relates to a innovative sign-display system, in particular an illuminated sign-display panel.

The invention accommodates an illuminated sign-display system consisting of at least one transparent sheet having two opposing surfaces, wherein at least one of the said surfaces has a pattern or series of lines considerably covering said surface.

The invention also accommodates an item for use in an illuminated sign-display system consisting of a transparent sheet having two opposing surfaces, wherein at least one of said surfaces has a pattern or series of lines considerably covering said surface. Preference would lean to, each of said surfaces having a pattern or series of lines considerably covering said surface.

The invention further accommodates an item for fixing on to a transparent sheet used in an illuminated sign-display system consisting of a transparent film with a pattern or series of lines applied thereto.

20 The illuminated sign-display system of the present invention with a pattern or series of lines applied to both sides of the transparent sheet, allows for substantially and ext nsive uniform illumination of the sign-display. The sign-display generally requires just one light source located along one edge of the transparent sheet, for small sign-displays, larger sign-displays require an additional light source to be located in geaeral to the opposing edge of the foresaid light source.

The density of each line preferably increases along the transparent sheet in the direction from the edge where the light source is to be located.

To increase the density of lines, the lines can either thicken and the gaps between the lines decrease in size or alternatively, the gaps between the lines can thicken and 35 the lines remain the same in size.

"Lines" used in the specification and in the claims, can be of any shape, or connected to form regular or irregular shapes, for example, triangles, rectangles squares etc, they may be angled and or may vary in length and or thickness, be broken or staggered, be of one complete length, for example the lines may be, vertical, hoj:izontal, angled, curved, squiggly, and can in fact be of irregular shape. The lines are translucent or opaque, preference is made to lightcoloured for example, white.

The lines can be applied to the transparent sheet by etching, painting, sand-blasting, screen printing, laser or any other means of applying a medium to a transparent sheet.

Alternatively, the pattern or series of lines may be applied to a transparent film which then may be adhered to the transparent sheet.

PY---

2 The invention relates to a sign display system, and in particular a sign display system incorporating an illuminated panel. i Australian patent No. 6478334 discloses an illuminated display system wherein a transparent sheet is provided with a matrix of dots on on one of its surfaces with the sheet being illuminated by a light source on the edge of the sheet. The dots are designed to provide a more even illumination of a sign on the sheet. In some cases however dots still do not provide for sufficient transmission of light to ensure even lighting over.

substantially the whole of the sheet to which the dot matrix is applied.

The present invention aims to provide a sign display system which overcomes or alleviates the above disadvantage or at least provides an alternative to the known display systems of the above type.

The present invention thus provides an illuminated sign display assembly comprising a transparent panel adapted to support a 15 sign, said transparent panel having a pair of opposite planar surfaces, and at least one linear side edge, a light source adjacent said one edge of said panel, and wherein at least one of said surfaces is covered substantially with a pattern of straight lines, said lines extending substantially normal to i said one side edge. l a i; 20 The present invention also provides a transparent panel for i o. use in an illuminated sign display assembly, said panel having a pair of Sopposite planar surfaces and a substantially linear side edge adapted to be located adjacent a light source, and wherein at least one of said surfaces is substantially covered in a pattern of straight lines, said lines extending substantially normal to said one side edges. Each of said l surfaces of the panel may be provided with a said pattern of lines l' substantially covering the surface.

The illuminated sign display assembly of the present invention with a pattern or series of lines applied to both sides of the transparent sheet, allows for substantially and extensive uniform illumination of a sign supported by the panel. The sign display assembly normally requires a single light source located along the one edge of the transparent panel, for small sign displays. Larger sign displays may require an additional light source to be located in general at or adjacent the edge of the panel opposite the one edge.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, the pattern of lines may be provided by a series of adjacent rows of lines, the rows extending in a direction substantially parallel to the one edge and the lines in each row being substantially the same length, equi-spaced apart ana substantially parallel to each other. The lines in one row may be staggered in relation to the lines in adjacent rows. Where the pattern of lines is provided on both surfc,.ces of the transparent panel, the lines in corresponding rows on each face may be staggered. The lines may be translucent or opaque. Preferatbly, however, the lines are for example, white.

The width of the lines in respective rows may beincreased on 6 each row in a direction away from the edge of the transporent panel where the light source is to be located. Thus, the lines in the row furtherest from 20 the light source may have maximum thickness. This increases the density of the pattern to further issue even lighting over the full face of the panel.

The lines can be applied to the transparent panel by etching, painting, sand blasting, screen printing or any other means of applying a medium to a transparent panel. Alternatively, the pattern of lines may be applied to a transparent film, which then may be adhered to one or both surfaces of the transparent panel.

The transparent panel may be glass or plastic, preferably acrylic.

Generally to form the sign display assembly, in the example -I rurraraa n I of a single sided sign display, a reflecting sheet is provided at the rear of the panel, the reflecting sheet suitably being opaque and light in colour.

Preferably the sheet is white.

In the case of a double sided sign display assembly a sheet light in colour, preferably white and sufficiently translucent to allow light to pass through and illuminate the sign display is attached to both sides of the transparent panel having the pattern of lines applied to it. Either or both translucent sheets attached may have a sign display applied to the other side of the said translucent panel. The said translucent sheets may be made of any material including photographic, plastics and paper.

The light source can be contained in a housing which can also act as a support for the transparent panel. Preferably the light source is a fluorescent tube or depending on the size of the sign display, a number of fluorescent tubes.

15 In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the S: invention and wherein:- Fig. 1 illustrates a preferred form of an illuminated sign display 20 assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 2a illustrates a section of a single side sign display; Fig. 2b illustrates a section of a double side sign display; Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated an illuminated sign assembly 10 according to the present invention, including a substantially planar rectangular panel 20 formed of transparent material having opposite surfaces 21 and 22 and having patterns of lines 23 applied to at least one of the surfaces 21 thereof. The panel 20 is supported by, or located adjacent, a housing 30 which extends along one side edge 24 of the panel 20 and which incorporates a light r II~W source such as one or more fluorescent light tubes (not shown) which suitably extends substantially parallel to the side edge 24 and which is located adjacent to the side edge 24 of the transparent panel The pattern of lines 23 in this embodiment comprises a series of equi-spaced apart lines of substantially the same length which are substantially parallel to each other and arranged in rows 25 which extend substantially parallel to each other and to the side edge 24. The rows are arranged adjacent to each other. The lines 23, however, in one row are preferably staggered or offset relative to the lines 23 in the adjacent row or rows. The panel 20 may include patterns of lines 23 on opposite surfaces 21 and 22 with the lines 23 on opposite surfaces 21 and 22 arid in corresponding rows staggered or offset relative to each other.

Fig. 2a demonstrates an arrangement for a single sided sign display in accordance with the invention. The transparent panel 15 20 has the patterns of lines 23 applied to both side surfaces 21 and 22. A reflecting sheet 24 which is opaque and preferably white in colour, is fixed to one side of the transparent panel 20. Fig. 2A shows for clarity only, a gap between each of the layers. In use, however, the layers would be in contact with each other. Sheet 25 has the sign display on its front side.

20 Sheet 25 in contact with the transparent sheet 20 is light in colour, suitably white. The side of the sheet 25 in substantial contact with the ransparent panel 20 is light in colour, suitably white. Sheet 25 is sufficiently translucent to allow some light to pass through the sheet 25 and thus become illuminated. Materials found to be sufficiently translucent include paper, photographics, acrylic and plastic materials.

Fig. 2b demonstrates an arrangement for a double sided sign display in accordance with the invention. In the case of a double sided sign display, translucent sheets 26 are fixed to opposite sides of the transparent panel 20 which carries the pattern or series of lines thereon 6 on each surface 21 and 22. The sheets 26 may be plain or have a sign display applied to the outer face of the sheet 26. The face of the sheet 26 j r contacting the transpcaent panel 20 is light in colour, preferably white. *9 Similarly if the sheet 26 is plain, the sheet is preferably light in colour with greater preference being made to white. In the case where sheets 26 are plain, further sheets 27 may be added into the sign display system wherein the sheets 27 have the sign display applied thereto. Once again sheets 27: are sufficiently translucent or transparent to allow light to pass therethrough to illuminate the sign display thereon. Similarly, for the single sides sign display, sheet 25 may be plain and an additional translucent or transparent sheet (not shown) can be fixed in front of the plain sheet Edge channel, framework or the like (not shown) can be used to secure all of the layers/sheets together. Similarly the housing and light source carrier 30 can also retain the translucent sign display sheet.

15 It has been found that the pattern of lines as described above provides substantially even diffusion of light over the panel 20 thus enhancing the effectiveness of the panel in illuminated sign displays.

20 t e* S 5 2 5 U i i

Claims

1. An illuminated sign display assembly comprising: a transparent panel adapted to support a sign, said transparent panel having a pair of opposite planar surfaces and at least one linear side edge; a light source adjacent said side edge of said panel; wherein at least one of said surfaces is covered substantially with a pattern of lines comprising a series of adjacent rows of straight lines, each of said lines extending :10 substantially normal to said side edge, said rows extending in a direction substantially parallel to said side edge. 15 each other.

2. An illuminated sign display assembly as defined in Claim 2 wherein said lines in each row are of subtantiallytion the same lengthes equispaced apart and substantially paraadjalllcent rows.to

5. An illuminated 15 each other 3. An illuminated sign display assembly as defined in Claim 3 wherein said lines in one row are staggered in relation to the lines in adjacent rows. 4. An illuminated sign display assembly as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said lines are translucent or opaque. An illuminated sign display assembly as defined in any 8 one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein said pattern of lines are provided on each of said opposite surfaces of said panel.

6. An illuminated sign display assembly as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 5 further comprising at least one translucent sheet with at least one light coloured surface applied to one of said surfaces of said panel.

7. An illuminated sign display system as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the density or thickness of said i 'lines increases away from said light source. ".10 8. A transparent panel for use in an illuminated sign display assembly, said panel comprising a pair of opposite planar surfaces and at least one substantially linear side edge adapted to be located adjacent a light source, wherein at least one of said surfaces is substantially covered in a :15 pattern of lines comprising a series of adjacent rows of straight lines, each of said lines extending substantially normal to said side edge, said rows extending in a direction substantially parallel -to said side edge.

9. A transparent panel as defined in Claim 9 wherein said pattern of linef. ace applied to said at least of said surfaces by etching, painting, sand blasting or screen printing. I II II 9 A transparent panel as defined in Claim 9 wherein said pattern of lines are provided on a transparent film affixed to said transparent panel. DATED THIS twenty-second DAY OF August 1997. -i CRAIG EDWARD DOUGLAS By My Patent Attorneys PIZZEYS e *o 0 So• e e• r I I I I I