GB2077973A - Display devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a lighting unit which is a flat structure, and the side of the structure to be viewed carries a number of low power light sources 14 arranged in a pattern. The light sources are preferably arranged in bores 12 in a flat base sheet 10, and the side of the base sheet which is viewed is covered by means of a transparent front sheet 16. The sheets may be held together by a U-profile frame 20, the whole comprising a slim, flat sheet structure which can, for example, be inserted in a ceiling in place of a ceiling tile. If desired, sets of lamps 14 may be illuminated in sequence to provide an animated display. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to lighting units This invention relates to lighting units, and in particular concerns lighting units which are usable dor display and/or decoration purposes.

The objective of the invention is to provide a lighting unit of novel construction and capable of providing a display, which unit will be quick and inexpensive to make, and in the preferred form will be easy to handle and install.

Many forms of the decorative and display lighting units are known, including neon light tubes, and arrays of small low power light bulbs. To our knowledge however, there are no units of the type to which the present invention relates, or have the advantages of the present invention.

The invention, in its simplest form, comprises a lighting unit in which a base plate structure locates small, low power light sources, arranged in the outline of the pattern to be displayed. The said pattern may be the outline of a numeral, or a symbol, or one or more letters, in the latter case possibly making up a word. The said light sources may be arranged in recesses, apertures or holes in the base plate structure which are arranged in the said pattern.

The unit light sources may be coupled in series, and in groups, the voltage rating of a group corres ponding to the supply voltage to be supplied to the unit. Such supply voltage may be for example 24 volts, and if each light source is rated at 5 volts, then the groups would comprise 5 or 6 of said light sources. The more light sources in a group, the loss will be the intensity of illumination of each light source, but conversely each will have a longer life.

The base plate may be sandwiched between a front plate through which the illuminated light sources can be viewed, and a rear plate mounting a suitable electrical connector/electrical controller by which the unit may be coupled to a source of electrical power, and a U-profiled frame, suitably in plastics or metal, can be arranged to hold the layers of the sandwich together.

In the preferred construction, the base sheet has bores therethrough arranged in the said pattern, and each bore houses a small light source which is located in the end of the bore adjacent the front sheet of the unit. The lead wires to the light sources extend rearwardly in the bores and are coupled at the rear side of the base sheet into groups in series, the electrical connections to the light sources being made to the electrical connector/controller mounted on the rear sheet of the unit.

The unit can be made quite slim, and of an easily manually handable construction.

It is preferred that the units be interchangeable with ceiling tiles, so that the units can be fitted in ceilings provided with acoustic tiles, so that the front sheet lies flush with the ceiling surface. It is not intended that the invention be limited to this use, because the units can be mounted individually on walls, and in groups to provide a special effect overall display. It is possible to provide an animated display using one or more of the units according to the invention, by providing an appropriate electrical controller. The animated effect may be achieved by having the small light sources illuminated in sequence, or by arranging for different groups of light sources to be illuminated in a particular sequence.

Where groups are illuminated in sequence, the groups may be within a single unit, or may be in different but specially relatively arranged units.

Any number of the units may be arranged on any particular ceiling or wall, and the units may be used at home or in public places.

One example of the invention will now be given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure lisa sectional view of part of a tile unit in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view similar to Figure 1, but showing the various elements of the unit in exploded view; and Figure 3 comprises a perspective view of the unit shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, the unit comprises essentially an insulating board 10 having therein a plurality of bores 12 to receive the low voltage lamps 14 at one end of the bores, corresponding to the front face of the unit. To the front face is an acrylic sheet 16, which may be clear or coloured, and which covers the lamps 14, whilst to the rear of the unit is a non-combustable board, such as the board sold under the trade marks MASTERBOARD or SUPA LUX. Preferably, the board 18 should be of a material other than asbestos.

The elements 10, 16 and 18 are held together in sandwich configuration by means of U-sectioned strip 20, which may be of plastics material or metal.

Finally, the terminal box 22 enables the electrical coupling of the unit to mains supply, for the distribution of electrical power to the lamps 14.

Figure 2 shows the portions of the elements shown in Figure 1, but in exploded configuration, whilst Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the completed panel, showing in particular the terminal box 22.

In each of the Figures 1 and 2, seven lamps 14 are shown as being connected in series, but each may be provided with a plurality of such groups of lamps as necessary in order to create the necessary illuminated outline which will be visible through the front sheet 16, when the unit is in use.

These units are particularly suitable for use in grid type suspended ceilings, as the units can correspond in dimension to standard acoustic-ceiling tiles, and can be interchangeable with said tiles.

By the connection of a suitable low voltage lighting controller, the minature low voltage lamps can be illuminated in sequence in order to provide an animated display.

The unit is. in fact for connection to a 24 volt supply, and this may be derived from the mains by means of a suitable transformer.

The unit described is easy to manufacture, and can be manufactured at relatively small cost, care being taken to ensure that the construction complies with fire and building regulations. As the unit operates on low voltage it is safer and more economic to install.

Installation can be carried out with minimum disruption.

The actuai pattern which is displayed by the array of lamps can be any suitable, and a plurality of the units may be used in juxtaposition in orderto provide a sign or composite display.

It will be appreciated that in orderto achieve the desired outline, the recesses 12 in the board sheet 10 must be drilled in conformity with the pattern to be defined.

Claims (9)

1. A lighting unit which in a base plate structure locates small, low power light sources, arranged in the outline of a pattern to be displayed.

2. A lighting unit according to Claim 1, wherein the light sources are arranged in recesses, apertures or holes in the base plate structure, the said recesses, apertures or holes being arranged in the said pattern.

3. A lighting unit according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the light sources are coupled in a series.

4. A lighting unit according to any of Claims 1,2 or 3 wherein the base plate structure is sandwiched between a front plate through which the illuminated light sources can be viewed, and a rear plate mounting a suitable electrical connector/electrical controller by which the unit may be coupled to a source of electrical power, and a U-profile frame, suitably in plastic or metal, holding the layers of the sandwich together.

5. A lighting unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base sheet has bores therethrough arranged in the said pattern, and each bore houses a small light source which is located in the end of the bore and, when provided, adjacent the front sheet of the unit.

6. A lighting unit according to Claim 5, wherein the lead wires to the light sources extend rearwardly of the bores and are coupled atthe rear side of the base sheet into groups and series.

7. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim wherein the unit is interchangeable with ceiling tiles.

8. A lighting unit according to any preceding claim wherein the light sources are arranged with a supply of electrical current and a controller to provide an animated display when groups of the light sources are adapted to be illuminated in sequence.

9. A lighting unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.