Patent ID: 6023869
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: G09F

Abstract:
An illuminated sign comprising:(a) a photoconductive plate having a front face, a back face, and an outer edge, the photoconductive plate being inset from the back face, toward the front face but not through the photoconductive plate, so as to define an inset indicium having a boundary,(b) a light-emitting diode of a type that has a viewing angle of approximately 8.degree., the light-emitting diode having a centerline and being pressed into a recess that opens at the outer edge of the photoconductive plate, between the front and back faces, the recess orienting the light-emitting diode so that a part of the boundary of the inset indicium is disposed within the approximately 8.degree. viewing angle of the light-emitting diode, the indicium being inset to a plane at a sufficient depth from the back face to cause the centerline of the light-emitting diode to pass through the boundary of the indicium and to be located between the plane and the back face,(c) an opaque material covering the back face, at least where the back face is visible through the front face, except where the photoconductive plate is inset so as to define the indicium, and(d) a fluorescent material covering the inset indicium, visible through the front face, and adapted to fluoresce when illuminated by ambient light, by light emitted by the light-emitting diode, and by both.