ILLUMINATABLE SIGN

Abstract: A sign element (2) arranged to define an alphanumeric character comprises a casing (4) which houses a printed circuit board (10) and an array of LEDs (12) and is closed by means of an upper member (14) which comprises a planar rectangular smoked panel (16) and an opaque plastics panel (18). The plastics panel (18) includes an opening therein which is in the shape of the alphanumeric character defined by the element and, furthermore, the array of LEDs (12) is also in the shape of the same character. The element (2) incorporates a solar cell, a battery and a light sensing device and is arranged so that, during daylight hours, the battery is recharged, and during darkness, the LEDs are illuminated thereby to illuminate the character defined by the element. A multiplicity of elements (2) may be placed side-by-side on, for example a shop front or the like to define a sign.

Description: ILLUMINATABLE SIGN This invention relates to an illu inatable sign and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a sign element, a sign comprising a plurality of sign elements and a method of constructing a sign. There are nany known ways of constructing illuminatable signs in which a plurality of alphanumeric characters are arranged to be illuminated. For example, a simple illuminatable sign may comprise a display panel upon which alphanumeric characters are painted and a series of spotlights arranged to direct light at the characters. A more complex known illuminatable sign comprises a neon rube which is arranged to define a plurality of alphanumeric characters. When power is supplied to the tube, the characters are illuminated with a pink colour, characteristic of the neon gas emission spectrum. Both of the signs described above are powered using mains electricity and, accordingly, installation of the signs can be both a complex and relatively time-consuming task. It is an object of the present invention to address problems associated with known illuminatable signs. According to the invention, there is provided a sign element comprising character defininα means arranged to define a character, an integral illumination means for illuminating a character and an integral power supply means for supplying power to the illumination means. Said character defining means is preferably arranged to define an alphanumeric character. Said character defining means is preferably arranged to define a single character. Said character defining means is preferably arranged to define a character against a background. Said character defining means is preferably arranged to define a character by the character and background being visually contrasting when the illumination means is in use. In one embodiment, the background itself may be illuminated in use, with the character being relatively unilluminated. In a preferred embodiment, however, the character is illuminated in use and the background is relatively unilluminated. Said character defining means is preferably arranged to allow light transmission through a character-shaped region arranged to define a character. A relatively opaque region preferably surrounds the character-shaped region. Said character-shaped region may be defined by means of a character-shaped opening in a first panel member. Said first panel member is preferably associated with, suitably by being in face-to-face contact with, a second panel member. Said second panel member is preferably arranged to transmit light, at least in a region on which said character-shaped region is superimposed. Said second panel is preferably arranged inwardly of the first panel. Said first panel preferably defines an outermost element of the sign element. Said first and second panel members are preferably secured to one another, preferably by adhesive means. Said integral illumination means preferably comprises a multiplicity of illumination elements. Said illumination elements are preferably arranged to define the character defined by said character defining means. Said illumination elements are preferably light emitting diodes (LEDs) . Said integral illumination means is preferably arranged inwardly of the character defining means. Said integral power supply means preferably comprises a battery. Said battery is preferably re-chargeable. Re¬ charging means is preferably provided for re-charging the battery. Said re-charging means preferably includes a solar panel arranged to convert light to electricity for charging the battery. Sensing means is preferably provided for sensing the ambient light level. Said sensing means is preferably arranged to allow power to be supplied to the illumination means when the ambient light level falls below a predetermined level. A manually operable switch means may also be provided for arming the sign element. A control means, for example, a printed circuit board is preferably provided and said illumination means and/or said power supply means and/or said sensing means and/or said manually operable switch means are in electrical contact therewith. Said sign element is preferably a self-contained unit. Said element preferably comprises a casing. Said casing is preferably a watertight unit. Said integral illumination means and said power supply means are preferably arranged within the casing. An outer wall of the casing is preferably defined, at least in part, by said character defining means. For example, where the character defining means comprises a first panel as described above, said first panel is preferably a component of said outer wall. Where the character defining means comprises first and second panels secured to one another, this arrangement may be a component of said outer wall. Preferably, said first panel or the arrangement comprising secured together first and second panels includes co-operation means for co-operating with other parts of the casing. Said co-operation means may comprise a stepped arrangement. Said sign element preferably includes securement means for securing the element to a surface. Said securement means is preferably associated with a lower surface of the element. Said securement means is preferably arranged to be wholly concealed when the element is secured to a surface. Said securement means preferably comprises an adhesive means, for example in the form of a double-sided adhesive material such as adhesive tape. The invention extends to a sign comprising a plurality of sign element of the type described above. Said sign elements of said sign are preferably juxtaposed. The invention further extends to a method of constructing a sign comprising securing a sign element which comprises character defining means, an integral illumination means and an integral power supply means, to a surface. Advantageously, in the method, no external power supply needs to be connected to the sign element. Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: - a - Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in cross- section of a sign element; and Figure 2 is a cross-section along line II-II of Figure 1. The sign element 2 comprises a rectangular casing 4 having a stepped peripheral rim 6. A re-chargeable battery (not shown) is secured, for example by means of an adhesive, to an upwardly facing surface of a lower wall 8 of the casing. A printed circuit board 10 is provided within the casing and is seated in a recess (not shown) defined in the casing. The printed circuit board is arranged to be powered by the battery. An array 12 of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided above the printed circuit board. The array 12 comprises a multiplicity of LEDs arranged to define an alphanumeric character. For example, in the element 2 shown in the figures, the LEDs are arranged to define the letter "A". The LEDs are arranged to direct light upwardly. The casinσ 4 is closed by means of an upper member 14. The member 14 comprises a smoked Perspex (Trade Mark) panel 16 and a white opaque plastics panel 18 which are bonded to one another in face-to-face contact. The panels 16, 18 are arranged to define a stepped arrangement which co-operates with the stepped peripheral rim 6 so that the upper member 14 and casing 4 can readily be secured to one another in a watertight manner. The smoked panel 16 is a planar rectangular panel. The opaque panel 13 is rectangular and generally planar, except that an opening 20, arranged in the shape of an alphanumeric character (for example the letter "A" in the figures) , is defined therein. In order to properly define the letter "A", a generally oval-shaped part 22, made of white opaque plastics material, is bonded to an upper surface 24 of the smoked panel 16. It will be appreciated that some alphanumeric characters can be defined by providing an opening in the panel 18 whereas others (e.g. the letters A, B, D, O, P, Q and R; and the numerals 0, 4, 6, 8 and 9) will require additional appropriately shaped parts to be bonded to smoked panel 16. When the upper member 14 is secured to the casing, the letter "A" defined therein is directly above the letter "A" defined by the LEDs in the array 12. The upper member 14 also incorporates a solar cell 26 which is arranged to re-charge the battery. A light level sensing device (not shown) is associated with the element 2. The device is arranged to sense when the ambient light level falls below a predetermined level and to cause the element 2 to operate automatically in this event. The element 2 is provided with a layer of double- sided adhesive tape (not shown) on its lower surface 28. A sign comprising a plurality of sign elements 2 of the type described above may be assembled, for example outside a shop, simply by securing selected elements to a planar surface using the double-sided adhesive tape provided on the elements. As an alternative, a sign comprising a plurality of sign elements 2 could be mounted on a free-standing and/or portable unit. When assembled each element of the sign operates as described below. During daylight hours, the solar cell generates an electric current which re-charges the battery of the sign element. When the light level falls below the predetermined level, the light sensing device communicates this fact to the printed circuit board 10 which, accordingly, allows current to flow to the LEDs which, therefore, emit light. The emitted light is transmitted through the smoked panel 16 and through the opening(s) defined in the opaque panel 18 and, accordingly, the alphanumeric character defined by the shape of the opening(s) appears as an illuminated character. It should be appreciated that it is very easy to construct a sign using a plurality of sign elements 2. For example, a surface on which the elements are to be secured does not need to be drilled. Also, since the elements are self-contained, sealed units they are substantially maintenance free. The sign elements may be made of any desired size. In a preferred embodiment the elements have a height of about 15 cm, a width of about 10 cm and a depth of about 2 cm. The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and - 3 - drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and αrawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A sign element comprising character defining means arranged to define a character, an integral illumination means for illuminating a character and an integral power supply means for supplying power to the illumination means. 2. An element according to Claim 1, wherein said character defining means is arranged to define a single character. 3. An element according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said character defining means is "rranged to define a character against a background. 4. An element according to Claim 3, wherein said character defining means is arranged to define a character by the character and background being visually contrasting when the illumination means is in use. 5. An element according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the character is illuminated in use and the background is relatively unilluminated. 6. An element according to any preceding claim, wherein said character defining means is arranged to allow light transmission through a character-shaped region arranged to define a character. 7. An element according to Claim 6, wherein a relatively opaque region surrounds the character-shaped region. 8. An element according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein said character-shaped region is defined by means of a character-shaped opening in a first panel. 9. An element according to Claim 8, wherein said first panel member is in face-to-face contact with a second panel member. 10. An element according to Claim 9, wherein said second panel member is arranged to transmit light, at least in a region on which said character-shaped region is superimposed. 11. An element according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein said first and second panel members are secured to one another. 12. An element according to any preceding claim, wherein said integral illumination means comprises a multiplicity of illumination elements. 13. An element according to Claim 12, wherein said illumination elements are arranged to define the character defined by said character defining means. 14. An element according to Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein said illumination elements are light emitting diodes. 15. An element according to any preceding claim, wherein said integral power supply means comprises a battery. 16. An element according to Claim 15, wherein re-charging means is provided for re-charging the battery. 17. An element according to Claim 16, wherein said re¬ charging means includes a solar panel arranged to convert light to electricity for charging a battery. 18. An element according to any preceding claim, wherein sensing means is provided for sensing the ambient light level. 19. An element according to Claim 18, wherein said sensing means is arranged to allow power to be supplied to the illumination means when the ambient light level falls below a predetermined level. 20. An element according to any preceding claim, being a self-contained unit. 21. An element according to Claim 20, wherein said element comprises a casing which is watertight. 22. An element according to any preceding claim, including securement means for securing the element to a surface. 23. An element according to Claim 22, wherein said securement means is associated with a lower surface of the element. 24. An element according to Claim 23, wherein said securement means is arranged to be wholly concealed when the element is secured to a surface. 25. An element according to any of Claims 22 to 24, wherein said securement means comprises an adhesive means. 26. A sign comprising a plurality of sign elements according to any of Claims l to 25. 27. A method of constructing a sign comprising securing a sign element which comprises character-defining means, an integral illumination means and an integral power supply means, to a surrace.

Inventors: PENDLEBURY WILLIAM RICHARD, SAWITZ ABRAHAM, PENDLEBURY, WILLIAM, RICHARD, SAWITZ, ABRAHAM
Applicants: PENDLEBURY WILLIAM RICHARD, SAWITZ ABRAHAM, PENDLEBURY, WILLIAM, RICHARD, SAWITZ, ABRAHAM
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G09F13
IPC codes: G09F13