Patent ID: 7259691

Claim:
A safety alert sign for providing a visible warning, the safety alert sign comprising: a display board having a first set of LEDs supported thereon and a second set of LEDs supported thereon, wherein the first set of LEDs are disposed on the display board in a first given pattern, the second set of LEDs are disposed on the display board in a second given pattern, the first given pattern forms a textual message, and the second given pattern forms a floodlight for illuminating an area; a control system in electrical connection with the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs, an actuator in electrical connection with the control system for selectively operating the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs; and a first voltage source and a second voltage source, the first voltage source in electrical connection with the first set of LEDs and the second voltage source in electrical connection with the control system and the second set of LEDs; wherein the first set of LEDs operates within a first given voltage range, the control system and the second set of LEDs operate within a second given voltage range, and the first given voltage range and the second given voltage range are different voltages from one another, and further wherein the first voltage range has a first given lower limit, the second given voltage range has a second given lower limit, and the second given lower limit is less than the first given lower limit; and further wherein the first voltage source and the second voltage source are selectively interchangeable with one another; whereby, when the safety alert sign has been operated for some period of time so that the first voltage source is no longer able to adequately power the first set of LEDs, the second voltage source may be interchanged with the first voltage source, thereby providing a power reserve that multiplies the usable life of the safety alert sign.