Abstract:
A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed in a customized housing produce bright colored light simulating the appearance of a neon sign. The housing includes an opaque portion that reflects light from the LEDs and a translucent portion shaped in the form of an image or lettering that diffuses light from the LEDs. The inside surface of the opaque portion has a polished reflective surface while the outside surface has a dull textured surface. Light emanating from the LEDs propagates through the translucent portion of the housing appearing to a viewer as a bright uniform and colorful light similar in appearance to the light emitted from a neon sign.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates generally to signage devices, and more particularly, to lighting devices that simulate the appearance of a neon gas light sign with solid state light emitters. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Advertisers and business establishments make extensive use of neon lights to convey a message and their appearances have become acceptable to customers. The bright, uniform, and colorful light distribution emitted from a neon light attracts attention making neon signs a good advertising medium. Neon signs have been used extensively for close to one hundred years. 
   To construct a segment of a neon sign, an artisan can heat lead glass tubing using a small blow torch and can shape the lead glass tube into a desired shape. During the shaping process, the artisan attaches an electrode to each end of the tube. The artisan then attaches the tube to a manifold with a high quality vacuum pump. The pump evacuates air from the tube. During evacuation a high voltage pulse is applied to the electrodes resulting in arcing from one electrode the other creating a high temperature inside the tube. Dirt and other impurities gasify and are pumped out of the tube resulting in a very clean interior vacuum. The artisan then introduces into the tube one or more noble gasses such as Neon, Krypton, Xenon, Argon or Helium. 
   The gasses introduced into the tube effect the neon light color. Neon produces an orange red glow. Argon with a droplet of mercury produces an ultraviolet light. The interior can also be coated with a variety of phosphors that react to ultraviolet light and emit colored light in the visible spectrum. These components can provide polluting material that should be removed upon disposal of the signs. 
   After all the segments of the neon sign have been formed the artisan assembles the segments into a single structure. The artisan wires each segment of the neon sign by electrically coupling the electrodes to a transformer that steps the voltage up from 120 volts to somewhere between 3,000 and 15,000 volts. 
   Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) convert electrical energy into distinct colors of light. Tradition gallium arsenide LEDs emit red light when electrically stimulated. Advances in LED technology and material science have enabled semiconductor manufacturers to create very bright LEDs in a variety of colors. LED lighting offers numerous advantages over neon lighting. LEDs do not require transformers that step up voltages to dangerous levels instead LED&#39;s operate at low potentials of 3 to 24 volts. LED&#39;s can easily be packaged in a variety of safe materials and do not require large breakable tubular lead crystal structures. LED brightness can easily be controlled with very quick response allowing for visual effects not possible with neon lights. LED&#39;s may also be mass produced at low cost. 
   Those concerned with the use of neon signs have long recognized the need for more controllable, safer, less fragile and less expensive neon signs. The present invention significantly advances the prior art by simulating the bright uniform colorful appearance of a neon sign while using more efficient LED technology in unique housing configurations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention simulates the appearance of a neon sign. The invention comprises multiple housing portions composed of opaque and translucent materials and a plurality of LEDs arranged to produce light that propagates through the translucent portion of the housing. The housing portions mate to form a single rigid structure that surrounds the plurality of LEDs. The translucent portion has a shape that conveys a message via image, icon, lettering or other indicia. 
   The opaque portion of the housing has a shiny interior surface that reflects light emitted from the LEDs. The outer portion of the housing has a dark textured appearance making the surface appear flat and dull in stark contrast with the illuminated translucent portion. This contrast minimizes the visibility of the opaque portion of the housing creating a realistic neon like illumination particularly at night or in a dark setting. 
   The housing has a form that profiles the contours of the message to be conveyed. This contoured shape creates a more authentic neon sign like appearance. The housing is compartmentalized to focus the LED energy and prevent unwanted mixing of light from different colored LEDs. 
   One embodiment of the invention has an open structure wherein the desired message is cantilevered to permit a viewer to see through openings in the supporting housing adjacent the openings to further emphasize a neon sign effect. 
   A control circuit inside the housing controls the voltage applied to the LEDs. A control panel mounted on the outside of the housing provides user input to the control circuit. The control panel allows a user to select and control visual effects such as flashing and flash rate. A direct current (DC) port on the control panel receives electrical power for the control circuit and the LEDs. An alternating current (AC) adapter cable converts 120 volt AC power into DC power for powering the control circuit and the LEDs through the DC port. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     The exact nature of this invention as well as its objects and advantages will be readily understood upon consideration of the following specification as related to the attendant drawings wherein like reference numeral throughout the drawings indicate like parts, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the simulated neon sign. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the simulated neon sign of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an A-A cross section view of the simulated neon sign of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a B-B cross section view of the simulated neon sign of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the simulated neon sign. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the simulated neon sign of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is an A-A cross section view of the simulated neon sign of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of a control panel. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention which set forth the best modes contemplated to carry out the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  show a first embodiment of the neon sign simulator. The neon sign simulator includes a housing  2  formed approximately in the shape of indicia of a message to be conveyed. In this case, the indicia include the lettering “OPEN” with an underlining and an oval motif. The housing  2  defines a plurality of openings  4  that complement the lettering and design of the message and permits a viewer to see through the adjacent opening. This reinforces the concept of a neon sign with subjectively bent tubes at a fraction of the cost. 
   The housing has a base  6  with a textured outer surface to create a dull opaque appearance. The base  6  is composed of a lightweight rigid plastic such as Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Styrene (ABS) with black pigment. A cover member  8  mates with the base  6  to complete the housing  2 . The cover member  8  is composed of a lightweight sheet of plastic such as sanded or frosted acrylic with filler providing the cover member  8  with a textured translucent appearance. The cover member  8  is cut to complement the opening  4  and base  6 . 
   A silk screened inked portion  10  of the cover member  8  is not light transmissive, and forms an opaque template of the indicia of the message to be conveyed. First un-inked portions  12  shaped in the form of the indicia of the message to be conveyed provide surface areas for illumination (explained hereinafter). Second un-inked portions  14  complementary to the first un-inked portions  12  and located on the sides of the cover member  8  provide surface areas for illumination that cooperate to create a three dimensional visual effect emulating a bright glow having a halo characteristic of neon lights. Two ring posts  15  mounted on the base  6  provide convenient attaching structures for hanging chain fasteners. 
   In this embodiment the cover member  8  is composed of a frosted or sanded acrylic. The un-inked portions  12  and  14  of the cover member  8  act as diffusive lenses for light. Any suitable material that propagates and diffuses light may be substituted for the frosted or sanded acrylic, including plastic with filler particles. 
   The textured outer surface of the base  6  with its dull opaque appearance minimizes the visibility signature of the base  6  when the first and second un-inked portions  12  and  14  of the cover member  8  are illuminated. The bright colored light emitted is contrasted against the hard to see base  6  and makes each of the first un-inked portions  12  appear like an independent bright neon lamp segment. The plurality of openings  4  creates an illusion of transparency allowing a viewer to see objects on the other side of the housing  2 . This see through characteristic simulates the look of the federated lamp segments of a neon sign. The second un-inked portion  14  emits diffused light perpendicular to the diffused light emitted from the first un-inked portions  12  emulating the bright glow with halo characteristic of a neon signs. 
   The message to be conveyed by the sign through the “OPEN” lettering, underlining and oval motif is exemplary. The housing  2  may be constructed, and the cover member  8  inked, to convey any message through any indicia including lettering, images and icons. 
   The inked portion  10  of the cover member may be inked using a silk screening process. The inked portion  10  of the cover member  8  may also be rendered opaque through the use of dark paint bonding an opaque material to the cover member  8  or a masking template sandwiching the cover member  8 . 
     FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the neon sign simulator. The neon sign includes the cover member  8 , a printed circuit board (PCB)  17 , and the base  6 . The cover member  8  has a large flat surface area with a plurality of openings  4  that complement the lettering and design. The cover member  8  is partially inked with a dark opaque ink forming a template of indicia of a message to be displayed. The first un-inked portions  12  with frosted or sanded acrylic surfaces define discrete simulated neon light segments. The first un-inked portions  12  include an “O”  19 , a “P”  21 , an upper “E”  23 , a lower “E”  25 , “N”  27 , an underline  24  and an oval motif  26 . The second un-inked portions  14  radiate light perpendicular to the first unlinked portions  12  providing a neon like visual effects. 
   The PCB  17  has the same shape as the housing  2  with a plurality of LED&#39;s  16  mounted on the surface. The LEDs  16  provide illumination for the neon sign. The LED&#39;s  16  may be of one or more colors. For example, the LEDs  16  that form the lettering “OPEN” may be red and the LEDs  16  forming the underline and oval motif may be blue. In  FIG. 8 , a power and control circuit (not shown) accepts DC power at an input port  90  and control inputs  92 ,  94 , and  96  from a control panel  98 , which is shown schematically without defining a location on the housing  2 , to provide electrical signals to the PCB  17  and the LEDs  16 . 
   Using the control panel  98  in  FIG. 8 . a user can turn the LEDs  16  on using control input  92 , command the LEDs  16  to flash using control input  96 , or adjust the flash rate using control input  94 . The use of the control panel  98  to control a variety of visual effects such as sequencing, dimming, auto start and auto shutdown is also contemplated. 
   The base  6  features multiple concavities  18  that house segments of the PCB  17 . The interior surfaces of the concavities  18  have a smooth texture that reflects light emitted from the LEDs  16 . 
     FIG. 3  shows an A-A cross section of  FIG. 1 . The cover member  8  has inner edges  22  that mate with the inner edges  20  of the base  6 . The cover member  8  inner edges  22  and the base  6  inner edges  20  can be bonded together using ultrasound technology for further securing the cover member  8  to the base  6 . The PCB  17  is mounted to the base  6  with screws  24  that engage threaded mounting posts  27 . The LEDs  16  are mounted on the PCB  17 . The LEDs are embedded in the concavity  18  which has a dark polished surface that reflects light from the LEDs  16 . Light emitted from the LEDs  16  travels through the first un-inked portions  12  and the second un-inked portions  14  of the cover member  8  while diffusing in the process. The second un-inked portion  14  substantially perpendicular to the first un-inked portion  12  provides a three dimensional lighting effect. The inked portion  10  defining the indicia contours helps create this effect. 
   Inked portions  10  provide regions of non-transmissiveness in the cover member  8 . The inked portions  10  define the precise contours of the lettering and the design. The diffused light emanating from the first and second un-inked portions  12 ,  14  of the cover member  8  appears to an observer as a bright uniform light similar to the light emitted from a light segment of a conventional neon light. 
     FIG. 4  shows a B-B cross section of  FIG. 1 . The cover member  8  inner edges  22  mate with the base  6  inner edges  20 . The cover member  8  diffuses light emitted from the LEDs  16 . Inked portions  10  of the cover member  8  prevent light from radiating, forming a light mask that defines the contours of letters and images in the cover member  8 . The mounting posts  27  support the PCB  17  on which individual LEDs  16  are mounted. The concavity  18  surrounds the series of LEDs  16  in a channel like structure. 
     FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the simulated neon sign. The neon sign simulator includes a housing  28  that approximates the profile of the indicia of a message to be conveyed. Openings  37  on the top of the housing  28  further complement the profile. In this case, the indicia include the lettering for the word “OPEN” with an upper and lower design. The housing  28  includes a bottom  32 , a top  30 , and a plurality of translucent segments  34  that collectively define the message to be conveyed. The top is composed of a transparent plastic material. The bottom  32  is composed of transparent lightweight rigid plastic. The translucent segments  34  are acrylic with a diffusive frosting. 
     FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the simulated neon sign of  FIG. 5 . The plurality of translucent segments  34  include an “O”  36 , “P”  38 , “E”  40 , “N”  42 , an upper curvilinear design  44  and a lower curvilinear design  46 . The translucent segments  34  collectively convey the message “open”. Each of the translucent segments  34  has one or more latching members  48  for engagement with the top  30  (explained hereinafter). The translucent segments  34  have a domed shape that simulates the cylindrical glass tubing of a neon light. 
   The top  30  has multiple concavities  50  that accommodate the plurality of translucent segments  34 . Individual concavities “O”  52 , “P”  54 , “E”  56 , “N”  58 , upper curvilinear design  60  and lower curvilinear design  62  accommodate respective translucent segments  36   38   40   42   44  and  46 . Openings  37  in the top  30  further accentuate the lettering. The top  30  has a textured outer surface with dull opaque appearance. The top  30  is composed of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Styrene (ABS). 
   A plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)  64  are mounted on a plurality of printed circuit boards  66  that extend into the bottoms of the multiple concavities. Each of the printed circuit boards  68   70   72   74   76   78  correspond to each of the concavities  52   54   56   58   60   62  respectively. The diodes generate light that exits through the plurality of translucent segments  34 . The diffused light that emanates from the translucent segments has a uniform colored glow similar to the light emitted from a neon light. 
   The bottom  32  mates with the top  30 . A control circuit  35  mounted to the bottom is wired to each of the printed circuit board  66   68   70   72   74   76   78  and controls illumination of the LEDs  66 . 
     FIG. 7  shows the A-A cross section of the simulated neon sign of  FIG. 5 . Translucent segment  34  engages with the top  30  through latching member  48 . Latching member  48  engages with notch  88  located in the concavity  61 . The concavity  61  has a plurality of apertures  88  through which the LEDs  64  extend. The LEDs  64  are mounted on the PCB  76  that is affixed to the bottom of the concavity with screws  80 . 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the amended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.