GB2205190A - Display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A display unit has a light box in which there is a light source 102, an indicia bearing diffusion sheet 104 and a mirror 105 or transparent material having masked, transparent and translucent areas 106. The box has a reflective sheet 110 capable of allowing light to pass out from inside the box but reflecting light from the outside. Lighting of the lights displays the indicia and when the lights are extinguished, a mirrored surface only is apparent. The masked areas may be of a reflective material to give a repeated reflection effect when the lights are lit. A series of refractive layers 112-114 are placed over the diffusion sheet 104. On the light being lit, and the light rays passed outwardly through the transparent or translucent areas 106 and through the refractive layers 112-114, the indicia are each surrounded with a penumbra of light which gives a three dimensional effect to the display of the indicia. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPLAY UNITS This invention relates to display units.

The invention provides a display unit comprising a light box adapted to be illuminated by a light source, at least one surface of the light box comprising a sheet of material which in use will transmit light from the interior of the light box outwardly, but which will reflect light directed towards the sheet of material from the exterior of the light box, and image or indicia bearing means including translucent and/or masked areas mounted within the light box, the construction and arrangement being such that when the light source illuminates the box, the image or indicia bearing means will be displayed through the sheet of material and when the light box is not illuminated, the sheet of material will give an effect selected from a mirror effect, a limited glass effect and a darkened glass effect.

Preferably the masked areas have a reflective surface and the sheet of material has a reflective surface, both the reflective surfaces defining walls of a space between them, giving a multi-image view of indicia when illuminated.

Preferably the light box is divided into one or more compartments, each compartment having a different source therein.

Preferably the translucent areas comprise a sheet or sheets with a transparent sealed or substantially sealed envelope.

Preferably the translucent areas of the indicia bearing means comprise either one or more coloured translucent sheets and/or one or more photographic transparencies.

Preferably the light box is provided with a rabbet in the sides and ends thereof adjacent to the surface of which the sheet of material is fixed and a surround is provided comprising an angle member with a further flange, the further flange fitting in the rabbet in the light box and being held therein by screws or other fasteners, the sheet of material and the indicia bearing means being held in position by the surround.

Preferably a simple light source is provided to illuminate two sets of indicia bearing means disposed on opposite sides of the light source.

Preferably an enclosure is provided having partially light transmitting and partially light reflecting walls in which an object is mounted so that when the light source illuminates the box multiple images of the object appear when viewed from outside the light box.

In a further aspect the invention provides a display unit comprising a light box containing a source of illumination, one surface of the light box comprising a sheet of material which in use will transmit light from the interior of the light box outwardly, indicia bearing means including masked areas and areas selected from translucent and transparent areas mounted within the light box and a plurality of layers of refracting light transmitting material interposed between the sheet of material and the indicia bearing means, the construction and arrangement being such that wben the light source illuminates the box, the indicia will be displayed through the layers of refracting material and the sheet of material in a manner such that the indicia are displayed with a surrounding penumbra of light which gives a three dimensional effect to the display of the indicia.

Preferably the sheet of material is able to reflect light directed towards the sheet of material from exterior of the light base.

Preferably the indicia bearing means includes a mirror over a diffusion sheet and/or photographic transparency, the mirror having gapped areas not silvered so that the diffusion sheet or photographic transparency will be viewed through the gapped areas in the mirror.

Preferably the refracting layers comprise a plurality of individual sheets of transparent material arranged in dispositions selected from being positioned with arranged faces of individual sheets contacting the next sheet, positions with air spaces between adjacent sheets, and a combination of both.

Preferably the sheet of material and the plurality of layers of refracting material are held in a channel in a surrounding frame, the frame being removably held in the light box by fasteners.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a display unit with an upper sheet material removed therefrom; Figure 2 is a cross section of the construction of Figure 1; Figures 3 to 6 are cross sections to a larger scale of part of the display unit of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 7 is a cross section of a double display unit; Figure 8 is a perspective sketch of a display unit for displaying images of objects; Figure 9 is a partly diagrammatic perspective sketch of another light box; Figure 10 is a similar view of an alternative construction to that shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a diagrammatic front elevation of an image viewable in the light box of Figures 9 and 10; Figure 12 is a ray diagram applicable to the light boxes of Figures 9 and 10; and Figure 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a further display unit.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a display unit has a light box and the light box contains a light source, either a single light source or a plurality of light sources, for example, in a first compartment 2 a series of incandescent lamps 3; in the second compartment 4 a further series of different type of incandescent lamps 5; and in a third compartment 6 a series of fluorescent lamps 7. One or more of the compartments may be provided with mirrors, for example, the mirrors 10 and the base of the compartment 11 may also be mirrored. At one end of the light box is a fan 12 arranged to supply a current of air through the compartments of the light box to cool the interior of the light box. If necessary air exits may also be provided or air ducting used and preferably such air exits or ductings are arranged so as to be light tight.

Referring now to Figure 2, mounted on one surface of the light box is a sheet material 20 and that sheet material is such that light will be transmitted from the interior 21 of the light box but light from the ambient surroundings outside the light box will be reflected from the sheet material so that the sheet material acts as a mirror. Preferably that sheet material comprises grey MIRROPANE as manufacturered by Libby-Owens Ford of the United States of America. It is a surface coated, for example chromium coated, glass. Preferably the reflective surface of sheet 20 faces inwardly.

Mounted within the light box are indicia displaying means which comprise an upper panel 22 (Figure 3) which is a fully silvered mirror with gaps in the silvering made, for example, by etching the silvering to expose transparent portions of the panel 21 in any desired shape. The silvered portions enclosing the etched portions provide masks which prevent the transmission of light therethrough.

The next lower layer comprises, for example, one or more colour keys, sheets of translucent coloured material 23 bearing desired indicia, for example advertising material. The next lower layer is a diffusion material 24, for example tracing paper resting on the bottom layer which is a clear substrate 25, for example clear glass.

In Figure 4 these colour keys 23 are omitted and this will give a white (not coloured) graphic.

In Figure 5 both the colour keys 23 and the diffusion material 24 are omitted to give a bright sharp graphic.

In Figure 6 a DURATRANS full colour transparency picture 26 is inserted between the etched panel 22 and the clear substrate 25.

The graphics for example the colour keys 23 or colour transparency 26 are preferably mounted in a transparent envelope (not shown) and the edges of the envelope are substantially but preferably completely sealed. Thus the envelope is preferably a transparent plastics material and the sealing may be heat sealing or by an adhesive or combination of both. This envelope results in the transparencies being kept clean and otherwise protected during handling thereof.

In addition or alternatively to the etching of ihe panel 22, the graphics may be masked by a mask or masks so that only in the area where there is a transparency will light be transmitted from inside the light box through the sheet material 20.

The walls 30 of the light box are rabbeted as at 31 and frame members 32 are provided comprising angle members having intermediate flanges 33. The flanges 33 of the surround fit within the grooves 31 and are held therein by screws 34 passing through the flanges 33 and packer/spacer 35. The screw 34 preferably have an allen-headed socket therein which can be turned with an alien key so that the screws can be readily removed and the surround and sheet material 20 removed for replacing transparencies, replacing lights and for other purposes. The space between the panels 20 and 22 is preferably variable.

The packet/spacer 35 is a loose frame and is readily provided in various depths as desired. A pad 36 is preferably compressed by the packer/spacer 35 when the screws are in place.

The user of this form of display unit is as follows.

With the graphics in position and the lights switched on, light passes through the graphics through the transparent portion of the panel 22 and through the sheet material 20 to be seen from outside. Some of the transmitted light is reflected back from the inner surface of the sheet material 20 on to the reflective surface of the panel 22 and some of this reflective light passes outwardly. These partial transmissions and partial reflections are repeated, within limits. The result is that multiple images of the graphics are seen by a viewer giving an augmented display effect.

Referring now to Figure 7, a back to back arrangement is shown in which a single source of light 36 has disply means 37 and 38 on opposite sides thereof, each display means being constructed as above described, the graphics on the two sides being the same or different as desired.

Referring now to Figure 8, a display unit is shown therein which varies from the above unit in that lights are contained in a lower compartment 40, the upper surface 41 of which is a sheet of MIRROPANE, or partially silvered mirror. An image, for example an object to be advertised for sale, such as a watch or a piece of jewellery, is placed on the surface 41.

At least some and preferably all of the walls 42 to 45 of an image containing enclosure mounted on the surface 41 are also of MIRROPANE reflective sheet or partially silvered mirror. The top 46 of the enclosure and the upper surface 41 of the lower compartment 40 may be of MIRROPANE or be partially silvered or fully silvered mirrors. If mirrors, then such mirrors may be etched, for example the surface 41 may have transparent or translucent portions through which light is transparent from the compartment 40. In this mode the enclosure is illuminated externally. Illuminations of the object then result in multiple reflections being received form outside the enclosure.

The light sources may be switched to give a satisfactory on/off pattern so that parts of the indicia can be lit in sequence or together to give a satisfactory display depending on the requirements of the user. The rate of switching may be manually variable.

Additionally, if desired, a clock is provided displaying indicia, for example, by liquid crystal display or L.E.D. Preferably this clock is programmed so that the display will show the date during one cycle of sequence and the time during a succeeding cycle of sequence. These cycles may be alternated at a suitable time interval or by manual control as required.

In place of the MIRRORPANE, a half silvered mirror coating thereon is provided preferably backed by a clear lacquer for protection.

At least some of and preferably all of the light sources may be fluorescent lights and these may be controlled by shutters which are electronically controlled. Thus a fluorescent tube may pass through a dividing wall and light from it on one side of the wall may be controlled by such a shutter.

When the light sources are not energised the display unit has the appearance of a mirror or a tinted or darkened glass effect but when the light sources are energised, areas of the sheet material will be illuminated with a display giving, for example, an advertising message or some other form of communication of information, the display unit accordingly comprising a communication medium.

Referring now to Figures 9 to 13, a light box 101 is provided having a ight source, for example one or more fluorescent tubes 102 in a lower compartment 103. The lower compartment is separated by a diffusion sheet and/or photgraphic transparency 107, the diffusion sheet being, for example, frosted glass or tracing paper or a similar sheet which will give a diffused light effect. A mirror 105 is disposed above the diffusion sheet 104 and the mirror 105 has areas 106 thereof which are not silvered, for example parts from which the silvering of the mirror has been removed by for example etching.

Alternatively, such areas may be masked before silvering is effected and the mask then peeled off to leave the areas 106 as translucent or preferably transparent areas. The diffusion or transparency is arranged so that desired portions thereof bear indicia which may be viewed through the transparent areas 106 of the mirror 105.

An upper sheet of material 110 is preferably of a reflective nature while yet passing some light and is such that light from the ambient surroundings outside the light box will be reflected from the sheet material 110 but light will be transmitted from the interior 111 of the light box. Preferably that sheet material comrpises grey MIRROPANCE as manufactured by Libby-Owens Ford of the United States of America. It is a surface coated, for example chromium coated, glass. Although the coated or reflective side may be faced outwardly, it is preferably faced inwardly.

Alternatively a partially silvered mirror material may be used but the MIRROPANE material is preferred.

Interposed between the mirror 105 and the sheet material 10 are a plurality of refracting layers (of which the sheet 10 may form one layer) which preferably comprises a plurality of sheets of coloured to transparent glass 112, 113 and 114. A plastics material, for example a methacrylate resin (perspex) or other acrylic material may be used. The sheets of glass may be in contact with each other, as is shown by sheets 113 and 114, or may be spaced apart with an air space 115 between them, as shown between sheets 112 and 113. Any desired number of refracting layers may be provided but four to six sheets of glass of 2 to 5 mm thickness laid with their surfaces contacting provide a satisfactory result.

The sheets are held in place and suitably spaced by spacers 120 and 121 and these spacers are held in position by screws 122 engaging the upper spacer 121. A metal or plastics surround 123 is provided having a flange 24 through which the screws 121 penetrate so that the surround 123 holds the upper sheet of material 110 in position.

The use of this construction is as follows.

When the light source is illuminated, light passes through the diffusion sheet or transparency through the gaps 6 and through the refractive layers 112 to 114 and then through the sheet of material 110.

As a result of the refractive layers and because of reflections occurring off the surfaces of such refractive layers, an image of the indicia seen through the transparent area 106 will have multiple reflections which pass back to the mirror surface 105 to give a penumbral effect which may be seen through the surface material 110 to give a solid or three dimensional effect to any such indicia.

This three dimensional effect is illustrated in Figure 11 in which the indicia is shown in heavy outline 140 to spell out the word IMAGE. The figure is drawn as though the eye of a viewer is directly in front of the letter A, which accordingly does not show material refractive or reflective images. Should the viewer move his eye slightly from side to side, an effect of a tunnel is seen in the space 141 of the letter A. As shown in the drawing, the further the indicia are from the central letter A, the greater the refractive and reflective effect of a three dimensional solid bar is given as indicated by the areas 142 on the letters M and G and the areas 143 on the letters I and E. The umlaut 144 over the letter is intended as a focal point.It is believed that the effect is based on reflective and refractive effects as shown diagrammatically in Figure 12, where a single incident ray 145 is refracted and reflected at surface 146 and the refracted ray 147 is in turn reflected and perhaps refracted further, depending on whether there is glass to glass or glass to air contact at surface position 148. The process is repeated at successive surface junctions until the ray emerges as a series of refracted and reflected rays, only one set of which emanating from ray 145 through glass sheet 149 is shown giving a broadening effect to the incident ray and by multiplication of the incident rays and of the surface reflecting and refracting rays, giving the three dimensional effect shown in Figure 11.Of course losses due to reflection and other transmission losses result in fading and eventual extinction of the successively reflected and refracted rays but without deleteriously affecting the desired and attained result.

Thus the technique gives the effect of a solid block of layered light on a mirror and gives a single image on the mirror when not backlit.

In Figure 10 an alternative arrangement is shown in which layered sheets 130 and 131 of glass or other transparent material are provided, the lowest sheet 131 being etched to provide "windows" 132. A diffusion sheet 133 is placed below a partially or fully silvered mirror 134 which is positioned between the sheets 131 and 133. The assembly is mounted on compression rubber strips 135 resting on rebate bases 136 on the sides 137 and the assembly is held in position by the angle members 138.

In a further modification, the windows 132 are omitted and a print, for example a screen print of indicia with any suitable combination of opaque, translucent and transparent portions is placed on the outer or inner surface of the outer layer of the layers 130 of glass.

In a still further modification shown in Figure 13, the glass sheets 112, 113, 114 and 116 are fixed in a channel 150 in a frame 151, the mirror 105 and transparency 107 are supported on a resilient support 108 in turn supported by a strip 109 on a ledge 116. A screw 116 passes through part of the wall 117 of box 101 at flange 118 on the frame 151 and is threaded into the strip 109. This construction enables the glass sheets to be removed as a whole, for example for changing the etched mirror 105.

Claims (15)

1. A display unit comprising a light box containing a source of illumination, one surface of the light box comprising a sheet of material which in use will transmit light from the interior of the light box outwardly, indicia bearing means including masked areas and areas selected from translucent and transparent areas mounted within the light box between the source of illumination and the sheet, and a plurality of layers of refracting light transmitting material interposed between the sheet of material and the indicia bearing means, the construction and arrangement being such that when the light source illuminates the box the indicia will be displayed through the layers of refracting material and the sheet of material in a manner such that the indicia are displayed with a surrounding penumbra of light which gives a three dimensional effect to the display of the indicia.

2. A display unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is able to reflect light directed towards the sheet of material from exterior of the light box.

3. A display unit as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein the indicia bearing means includes a mirror over a diffusion sheet and/or a photographic transparency, the mirror having gapped areas not silvered so that the diffusion sheet or photographic transparency will be viewed through the gapped areas in the mirror.

4. A display unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the refracting layers comprise a plurality of individual sheets of transparent material arranged in dispositions selected from being positioned with arranged faces of individual sheets contacting the next sheet, positions with air spaces between adjacent sheets, and a combination of both.

5. A display unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet of material and the plurality of layers of refracting material are held in a channel in a surrounding frame, the frame being removably held in the light box by fasteners.

6. A display unit when constructed arranged and operable substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A display unit comprising a light box adapted to be illuminated by a light source, at least one surface of the light box comprising a sheet of material which in use will transmit light from the interior of the light box outwardly, but which will reflect light directed towards the sheet of material from the exterior of the light box, and image or indicia bearing means including translucent and/or masked areas mounted within the light box, the construction and arrangement being such that when the light source illuminates the box, the image or indicia bearing means will be displayed through the sheet of material and when the light box is not illuminated, the sheet of material will give an effect selected from the mirror effect, a limited glass effect and a darkened glass effect.

8. A display unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the masked areas have a reflective surface and the sheet of material has a reflective surface, both the reflective surfaces defining walls of a space between them, giving a multi-image view of indicia when illuminated.

9. A display unit as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the light box is divided into one or more compartments, each compartment having a different light source therein.

10. A display unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein translucent areas comprise a sheet or sheets within a transparent sealed or substantially sealed envelope

11. A display unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the translucent areas of the indicia bearing means comprise either one or more coloured translucent sheets and/or one or more photographic transparencies.

12. A display unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the light box is provided with a rabbet in the sides and ends thereof adjacent to the surface to which the sheet of material is fixed and a surround is provided comprising an angle member with a further flange, the further flange fitting in the rabbet in the light box and being held therein by screws or other fasteners, the sheet of material and the indicia bearing means being held in position by the surround.

13. A display unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein a single light source is provided to illuminate two sets of indicia bearing means disposed on opposite sides of the light source.

14. A display unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein an enclosure is provided having partially light transmitting and partially light reflecting walls in which an object is mounted so that when the light source illuminates the box, multiple images of the object appear when viewed from outside the light box.

15. A display unit when constructed arranged and operable substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 8 to 13 of the accompanying drawings.