Abstract:
A value oriented outdoor illuminated sign that is easily customizable is disclosed. It provides low energy use, efficient illumination for a minimum of 30 days when operated on included timer with no need for an extension cord or outlet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/064,972 filed Oct. 16, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to signage and, more particularly, to illuminated signage that is customizable. Currently, there is a challenge to have a custom outdoor sign lighted inexpensively without the need to plug into an electrical source. These current methods are expensive and require intensive labor. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a lighted advertising sign that may be easy to customize, inexpensive and with no need for plugging into a power source. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a signage device comprises a substrate having a channel defined in at least one surface of the substrate and has an inner portion to present indicia of a message conveyed by said signage. The signage also has a light strip comprising a plurality of lights disposed on a top surface of the light strip in a spaced apart relation and operatively connected to a power source and the lighting strip is received in the channel. 
     In some aspects of the invention, the channel is defined around a periphery the at least one surface of the substrate. The light strip may extend around the periphery of the at least one surface of the substrate. In other aspects of the invention the substrate and light strip are flexible. 
     The substrate may further comprise a hole defined in the at least one surface of the substrate; and an electrical connector disposed at an end of the light strip and the electrical connector is received in the hole. The hole may extend to a second surface of the substrate with a connector channel defined in the second surface, so that the electrical connector is received in the connector channel. 
     The power source of the apparatus may comprise a battery contained within the substrate or external to the apparatus, such as on a back surface thereof. 
     In some embodiments of the signage, the light strip is formed as an open loop and the connector is attached at a first end of the light strip. Alternatively, the light strip may be formed in a closed loop. In a preferred embodiment, a top surface of the light strip is substantially flush with the surface of the substrate when the strip is received in the channel. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 : is a perspective view of an illuminated signage according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2 : is a front exploded view of an illuminated signage. 
         FIG. 3A : is a detail exploded view of an embodiment of a closed loop LED light strip and power connection. 
         FIG. 3B : is a detail exploded view of an embodiment of an open loop LED light strip and power connection. 
         FIG. 4 : is a section view of the invention, taken along line  4  of the illuminated signage of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5 : is a detail section view of an illuminated signage power connection. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a value oriented illuminated signage that is easily customizable. 
     As seen in reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a lighted advertising sign device  10  may include a sheet, plate, or substrate material  10  such as corrugated plastic, chip board, foam board or the like. Preferably, the substrate  10  is formed of a material that is suited for outdoor use to withstand immersion in rain, high and low temperatures, exposure to the sun, and other environmental conditions. In certain preferred embodiments, the substrate material is selected from a disposable material. In certain other embodiments, the substrate  10  may be a substantially planar sheet. The substrate  10  may be formed as a rectangle, triangle, circle, square, or other geographic shape. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate may be 18 inches×24 inches×¼ inches. The substrate  10  may also be formed of a flexible material. The substrate of material  10  may include a front face and a rear face. 
     A channel  16  may be cut or formed into at least one face of the substrate  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the channel may extend around a periphery of the substrate  10 , proximal to an edge surface thereof. In certain preferred embodiments, the channel  16  and substrate  10  may be of a substantially rectangular shape, or in a shape corresponding to the geographic shape of the substrate  10 . The channel  16  frames or defines an inner portion  26  of the substrate  10 . The inner portion  26  of the substrate  10  provides a surface on which to present printed graphics, text, and other indicia associated with the message to be conveyed by the signage. 
     A light emitting diode (LED) light strip  12 , tube or bulb or the like may be attached or received in the channel  16 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light strip  12  is a waterproof, flexible LED tape. More preferably, the LED light strip  12  is a low cost and/or disposable. 
     The light strip  12 , comprises a plurality of LED lights  14 , operatively connected to a power source via a connector  22  and a power cord  24 . The plurality of LED lights  14  are spaced apart from each other along the length of the strip  12 , and may preferably be provided with about 3 inches of spacing between lights  14 . In some embodiments of the invention the connector  22  and cord  24  are defined at an end of the LED strip  12 . The light strip  12  may be defined in a closed or open loop. In some preferred embodiments, the light strip may be formed of a flexible material. However, as will be appreciated, the connector  22  placement is not critical to the functioning of the signage of the present invention. As best seen in reference to  FIG. 2 , the LED light strip  12  may be received in the channel  16 . More preferably, as seen in reference to  FIG. 4 , the light strip may be received in channel  16  so that a top surface of the light strip  12  is flush with the surface of the substrate  10 . The light strip  12  and associated LED lights  14  provide illumination to the inner portion  26  of the substrate  10  so that the message conveyed by the signage may be illuminated. 
     The LED light strip  12  may be powered by a power source, such as a battery (not shown), a wall outlet, or the like. The battery may be placed on a rear side of the substrate  10 . Alternatively the battery may be positioned within the substrate  10 , or external to a peripheral edge thereof, so as to provide both a front and rear surface of the substrate  10  for the presentation of the message conveyed by the signage and provide for a LED strip  12  to illuminate the signage on both faces. 
     As may be seen in reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the substrate may further comprise a hole  18 , through which an end of the LED strip  12 , connector  22 , or power cord  24  may extend so as to provide a connection with the power source. In the embodiment depicted, the hole  18  may extend through to a back surface of the signage and may further comprise a channel  20  for receiving an end of the LED strip, the connector  22 , and/or the cord  24 . Alternatively, the hole  18  may extend to the interior of the substrate  10  and the channel  20  may be in communication with a battery housing within the signage substrate  10 . 
     In certain embodiments, the LED light strip  12  may be glued onto the substrate  10 . A method of using the device may include the following. A person my print their custom message on a weather resistant board and then place the sign device  10  in a desired location. The person may then turn on the power source, such as a battery (power source may be solar or a/c). The power source may be on a selectable timer. For example the power may run for 4-6 hours, during darkness hours, turn off for approximately 18-20 hours, then turn back on again for approximately 4-6 hours. The light may continue the cycle for the life of the power source at a consistent level of illumination. At the end of the battery life, the signage may be disposed of, or the batteries may be replaced. 
     In certain embodiments, the sign may be used for traffic signs, seasonal decorations, store signage, events, or the like. The substrate  10  of the device may still be able to run through a flatbed printer since the LED light  12  may be flush with the surface of the board material  10 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a person who would have a need to advertise a product, service or event outdoors in a location that is not necessarily conducive to hard wire or use A/C power. Since this product is outside and it gets dark in the evening, the consumer can light the yard sign using alternate sources such as battery as the LEDs are efficient. Also key is the inexpensive nature of the product allowing it to be economical to acquire and run leading toward the possibility of having sings in multiple locations selling or calling attention to one&#39;s cause more effectively. Additionally, the invention could be used in any environment where an effective lighted sign is needed whether it is outdoors or not. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.