Abstract:
Disclosed is a mountable lighting module that uses solar energy to charge a power source for LEDs used in night illumination of both sides of a double-faced sign with the mountable lighting module comprising housing for the electronics conjoined with a clamp for mounting to a sign support and a pair of sign illuminating members with each extending over opposing sides of the sign directly illuminating the sign&#39;s copy area.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is subject to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/779,385 filed 3 Mar. 2006. 
   Please incorporate by reference all information in said provisional application into this instant application. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to signage lighting and, more specifically, to a mountable lighting module that uses solar energy to charge a power source for (Light Emitting Diode) LEDs used in night illumination of both sides of a double-faced sign. 
   The mountable lighting module comprises housing for the electronics conjoined with a clamp for mounting to a sign support and a pair of sign illuminating members with each extending over opposing sides of the sign directly illuminating the sign&#39;s copy area. 
   The impetus for the present invention is the need to extend the advertising usefulness of temporary signage and aid in their location, especially real estate signage. 
   Due to an ever increasing work load, many people find themselves performing personal task after dark, which in the case of the aforementioned real estate signs, locating one can be a daunting task for anyone looking for a sign in an unfamiliar neighborhood especially after sunset. The present invention provides that the sign can act as a beacon for the property through illumination whereby interested parties can more easily find the location. 
   It is well known and practiced within the prior art to provide sign illumination as a means of advertising including highlighting an aspect of a property whether it be a theater marquee or a favorite bush in your yard. 
   The present invention extends this usefulness into creating an avenue within the real estate industry that does not presently exist whereby a sign-support mountable portable light is used in a method of locating a listed real estate property by an interest party. The interested party includes those directed there by a real estate agent and those who have decided on a particular neighborhood and are looking for available properties or simple a random potential client. 
   The method providing the aforementioned an aid in communicating the agency&#39;s name, contact information and an other desirable copy; and an aid in locating available real estate by illuminating the sign. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other lighting device designed for signage. While these signage lighting may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   The present invention provides a mountable lighting module conjoined with a clamp for mounting to a sign support and a pair of sign illuminating elongated lamps with each extending over opposing sides of a sign directly illuminating both sides of the sign&#39;s copy area. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide portable lighting for signage. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage lighting that is mountable to a sign support. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage lighting wherein said mounting is a static bracket. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage lighting wherein said bracket includes a fastener to secure said bracket to said sign support. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage lighting wherein said mounting is a clamp with at least one adjustable jaw. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage lighting having housing extending from said mounting with a plurality of solar cells positioned on the top of said housing. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage lighting wherein said housing has a pair of curvilinearly extending elongated lamps with at least one LED serving as the illuminable element. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage lighting in one embodiment comprising a solar panel, eight “AA” rechargeable batteries, two LED bulbs, a circuit board, housing unit and mounting bracket. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a solar sign-light comprising an electronic components housing, clamp for mounting to a sign support and a pair of illuminable members for illuminating both sides of a double-faced sign. The electronic components housing is capped with a plurality of solar cells for charging at least one rechargeable battery used to energize the illuminable element located at the end of elongated curvilinear stems that extend from opposing sides of the housing to each side therein lighting both sides of the sign&#39;s copy area. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the prior art. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the solar sign-light being mounted to a sign support. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the solar sign-light mounted on a sign support. 
       FIG. 6  is an end view of the solar sign-light of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the solar sign-light. 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the solar sign-light illuminable element. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternate clamp of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another alternate clamp of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is prior art wherein signs that are posted for public viewing, such as real estate signs, typically are not illuminated at night limiting their usefulness to daylight viewing. The present invention provides that night time illumination would allow potential buyers that have free time only during the night time hours to be able to locate prospective properties thereby aiding the growth of the real estate business with more satisfied clients who do not get lost trying to find the property. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , shown is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The present invention  10  is a solar sign-light that is attached to a sign for night visibility. The solar sign-light charges during daylight hours and illuminates during the night time hours. It allows potential buyers that only have free time during the night time hours to be able to locate prospective properties. The solar sign-light will aid in the growth of the real estate business with more satisfied clients who did not get lost trying to find the property. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , shown is a perspective view of the present invention. The solar sign-light  10  of the present invention consists of an electronic components housing  30 , clamp  34  for mounting to a sign support, elongated bulb supports  38  and a pair of lamps  36  for illuminating both sides of a double-faced sign. The electronic components housing  30  having electronic components compartment  32  is capped with a plurality of solar cells  42  for charging at least one rechargeable battery  44  used to energize the illuminable elements  54  via electrical leads  52  situated in bore  40  of the elongated bulb supports  38  extending from housing  30  at interface  56 . Actuation of the solar sign-light  10  is controlled through circuit of circuit board  50  whereby the solar panel  42  receiving UV light goes into charge mode and in the absence of UV light goes into battery mode to illuminate LEDs  54 . Clamping member  34  provides for mounting to a sign support by straddling the sign support through clamp top  62  and sides  58 ,  60 . It is optionally provides for in other illustrations that the clamping member may include a fastener or movable jaw(s) to engage the sign support. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , shown is a perspective view of the solar sign-light being mounted to a sign support. The solar sign-light  10  of the present invention consists of an electronic components housing  30 , clamp  34  for mounting to a sign support  14 , elongated bulb supports  38  and a pair of lamps  36  for illuminating both sides of a double-faced sign  12 . The electronic components housing  30  having electronic components compartment  32  is capped with a plurality of solar cells  42  for charging at least one rechargeable battery  44  used to energize the illuminable elements  54  via electrical leads  52  situated in bore  40  of the elongated bulb supports  38  extending from housing  30  at interface  56 . Actuation of the solar sign-light  10  is controlled through circuit of circuit board  50  whereby the solar panel  42  receiving UV light goes into charge mode and in the absence of UV light goes into battery mode to illuminate LEDs  54 . Clamping member  34  provides for mounting to a sign support  14  by placement on the sign-support  14  whereby clamp top surface  62  engages sign support top surface  24  and clamp sides  58 ,  60  engage sign support side surfaces  20 ,  22  respectively. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the solar sign-light mounted on a sign support. As illustrated, the portable solar sign-light  10  provides a clamp  34  as means for mounting to an existing sign support  14  furnishing illumination  55  for a double-faced sign  12 . The solar sign-light  10  incorporates mounting means, solar cells, rechargeable power source and illuminable elements into a portable lighting module for night illumination of a desired sign. The solar sign-light  10  comprises electronic components housing  30 , clamp  34  for mounting to a sign support  14 , elongated bulb supports  38  and a pair of lamps  36  for illuminating both sides of a double-faced sign  12  comprising sides  16 ,  18 . The electronic components housing  30  having electronic components compartment  32  is capped with a plurality of solar cells  42  for charging at least one rechargeable battery  44  used to energize the illuminable elements  54  via electrical leads  52  situated in bore  40  of the elongated bulb supports  38  extending from housing  30  at interface  56 . Actuation of the solar sign-light  10  is controlled through circuit of circuit board  50  whereby the solar panel  42  receiving UV light goes into charge mode and in the absence of UV light goes into battery mode to illuminate LEDs  54 . Clamping member  34  provides for mounting to a sign support  14  by placement on the sign-support  14  whereby clamp top surface  62  engages sign support top surface  24  and clamp sides  58 ,  60  engage sign support side surfaces  20 ,  22  respectively. 
     FIG. 6  is an end view of the solar sign-light of the present invention. Shown is the solar sign-light  10  comprising an electronic components housing  30  that has a clamp  34  downwardly extending from the housing so the lighting module  10  can be mounted to a sign support  14 . The electronic components housing  30  has a solar cell module  42  mounted on the top surface in electrical communication through appropriate circuitry  50  to charge at least one rechargeable battery  44  also incorporated into circuitry  50  is a UV detector causing the circuit to switch between a charging mode in the presence of UV radiation and to energizes a pair of LEDs  54  in the absence of UV radiation with each LED positioned on the end of a curvilinearly extending elongated stem  38  depending from opposing sides of the electronic components housing  30  illuminating both sides  16 ,  18  of a double-faced sign  12 . 
     FIG. 7  is a side view of the solar sign-light. in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the solar sign-light  10  consists of a solar panel  42 , eight “AA” rechargeable batteries  44 , two led lights  54 , a circuit board  50 , housing unit  30  and clamp  34 . The solar panel  42  is located on top of the housing  30 , which contains appropriate circuitry  50  for the solar cells  42  to charge rechargeable batteries  44  and circuitry  50  for the rechargeable batteries  44  to selectively energize through electrical leads  52  each LED  54  located on the ends of two elongated supports  38  extending out of opposing housing sides with the LED  54  and beam reflector  64  (see  FIG. 9 ) elements located on respective ends of supports  38 . 
     FIG. 8  is a top view of the present invention. The solar panel  42  is positioned on top of the housing  30  as the sole source of recharge for the batteries within the electronic components compartment  32  used for illuminating two bulbs located on the ends of elongated bulb-support stems  38  having bore  40  for electrical leads  52 . The stems divergently extend from housing  30  with the bulbs converging toward opposing sign sides. 
     FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the solar sign-light illuminable element. Depicted is illuminable member  36  positioned on the end of elongated bulb-support stem  38  having LED  54  and reflector  64  for illuminating the copy on a targeted sign as seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternate clamp of the present invention. At the bottom of housing  30  is mounting clamp  34  as means for attaching the solar sign-light to a sign support that additionally provides fastener  68  and threaded bore  66  whereby  68  is selectively moved into engagement with the sign support crimping the solar sign-light  10  to the sign support. 
     FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another alternate clamp of the present invention. The present invention additionally provides that the clamp  34  having sides  58 ,  60  which are movable in respect to each other that can be adjusted to accommodate sign supports of varying thickness. 
   While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.