ELECTRIC SIGN

Abstract: An electric sign in accordance with the present invention is provided with inserted light sources (4) in a plexiglass sheet (1), thus achieving an even light distribution and concealed mounting. In order to produce the light, grooves (5) can be milled out through a light-proof coating (2) on the surface of the sheet and a little below. In this way, the light will be emitted to the viewer in contrast to the remaining coating (2). This gives the sign the maximum effect.

Description: ELECTRIC SIGN Prior art The present invention concerns an electric sign comprising a clear plexiglass sheet in which there are beams of light from a light source. Signs of this type are widely used on account of the big effect which such a sign has in terms of both its advertising value and its elegant appearance. The light is normally supplied to the plexiglass sheet from one or more of the sheet's sides; a bright background is established for the looped areas on the front of the sheet. This produces a certain visual effect on account of the contrast, but side illuminants are not expedient, particularly because they are visible and cannot easily be concealed. The objective of the present invention The objective of the present invention is to remedy these deficiencies and disadvantages in signs of the prior art. This is achieved in accordance with the present invention by the light source being inserted in the sheet in such a way that the light is mainly emitted from the centre plane of the sheet. This produces, in surprisingly simple fashion, a light-conducting sheet with light distribution of a standard previously unknown. At the same time, the light source may comprise several light sources so that the brightness can be absolutely uniform throughout the sign. Moreover, the light source is completely invisible, which increases the effect of the sign on account of its elegant appearance with no light chambers at the edges of the sheet. By mounting a light-proof coating, as described in claim 2, such as writing or characters, on the front of the sheet and providing the coating with pierced areas, the contours of the coating will appear sharp against a bright background. By creating depressions or bevels, as described in claim 3, the light can be produced and the effect reinforced at any location on the sign. By creating cavity spaces, as described in claim 4, in which the light source is inserted, mounting becomes simple and completely concealed. By mounting one or more light sources, as described in claim 5, within each pierced coating area, it is possible to ensure uniform, powerful light emission to maximise the effect of the sign. By using low-voltage light sources, as described in claim 6, installation can be made very simple and, as the electricity conduction requirements are modest, this can be established using current-carrying film or similar. This makes the price of production and mounting low. By creating the coating, as described in claim 7, as an adhered light-proof film or painted coating, the sign can easily be manufactured. By designing the sign, as described in claim 8, to be equivalent to known signs, the sign according to the present invention can be manufactured and mounted much more cheaply. Finally, it is expedient, as described in claim 9, to design escape route signs and similar as the requirements for visibility and feeling in connection with touching the sign are met by the same sign. SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26) The drawing Examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail in the following with reference to the drawing, where fig. 1 shows a segment of an electric sign from the front, fig. 2 shows a section through the sign in the direction II-II on fig. 1, fig. 3 shows an example of an escape route sign from the front, fig. 4 shows a section through the sign in the direction IV-IV on fig. 3. Description of the examples of embodiments An example of a preferred embodiment of the electric sign according to the present invention is shown in figs. 1 and 2. The sign consists of a plexiglass sheet 1 , which is a rigid material with very fine optical properties, including light conduction. The thickness of the sheet 1 may vary depending on the size of the sign, but will normally be between 10 and 20 mm. Blind holes 3 are drilled on the back of the sheet 1 at suitable locations to create cavity spaces into which light sources 4, in the form of low-voltage bulbs, are inserted in their sockets or electrical connections. The light source 4 is connected to a voltage source in standard fashion. The connection of the voltage source is of low-voltage type and can, therefore, be simple in the form of current- carrying film or wire. The sign may also be fitted with means of suspension (not shown) in the form of distance stays, suspension fittings or similar, which can fix the sheet in the desired position and at a suitable distance from the base sheet. It should be noted that, as shown in fig. 2, the optical centre of the light sources 4 is in or near to the centre plane of the sheet. This ensures the best light distribution and effect. Coverings in the form of a light-proof film coating 2, which take the form of letters in the example shown, are placed on the front of the sheet 1. Instead of such a light-proof film, coatings in the form of paint can be applied. This covering may, naturally, be varied in size and form to create the desired sign. As indicated in fig. 1, several light sources 4 are mounted behind the coating 2 in order to achieve an even, suitable flow of light through the sheet 1 and thus uniform contrast. In order to increase the visual impression, in the example, grooves 5 are also created in the form of a milled groove through the coating 2 and down into the sheet 1. This groove runs, in the example, around the letters, which causes the light to be produced as a powerful contrast or band of light, whereby the emission of light becomes very conspicuous on account of its direction outwards towards the viewers. Figs. 3 and 4 show an example of a sign in which this depression or groove 5 contributes to making the sign's characters tangible. The example illustrates an escape route arrow, which must both be visible and tangible. The arrow is formed by milling out a groove 5 through the coating 2 and the surface of the sheet. Thus it is possible to feel the direction of the arrow by touching the sign. Moreover, the arrow will light up brightly on account of the emission of light from the groove 5. Furthermore, other processing of the sheet in the form of bevels, abrasions and similar on the back or sides can contribute to producing various light effects. SUBSTITUTE SHEET.(RULE 26)

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An electric sign comprising a clear plexiglass sheet, in which there are beams of light from a light source, which is new in that the light source (4) is inserted in the sheet (1) in such a way that the light is mainly emitted from the centre plane of the sheet (1). 2. An electric sign in accordance with claim 1 which is new in that the front of the sheet (1) is provided with a light-proof coating (2) which is pierced at those places where the light is to be visible. 3. An electric sign in accordance with claims 1 and 2 which is new in that depressions, bevels and/or channels (5) are created at those places where the light is to stand out. 4. An electric sign in accordance with claim 1 which is new in that the light source (4) is inserted in a cavity space (3) which runs from the back of the sheet (1) outwards. 5. An electric sign in accordance with claims 1-4 which is new in that one or more light sources (4) are mounted between the pierced areas (5) for equal brightness throughout the sheet (1). 6. An electric sign in accordance with claims 1, 4 and 5 which is new in that the light source (4) is of low- voltage type and that the electricity is supplied using current-carrying film. 7. An electric sign in accordance with claim 2 which is new in that the coating (2) comprises adhered film or painting. 8. An electric sign in accordance with each of the previous claims which is new in that it is designed as a standard sign with advertising text or similar (fig. 1). 9. An electric sign in accordance with each of claims 1-7 which is new in that it is designed as an escape route sign with a directional arrow (fig. 3).

Inventors: ANDERSEN JOERN, ANDERSEN, JOERN
Applicants: ANDERSEN JOERN, BOGSTAVHUSET A S, ANDERSEN, JOERN, BOGSTAVHUSET A/S
Application year: 1998
Main classification: F21V8
IPC codes: F21V8, G02B6