A SIGNThis invention'relates to signs. In particular, this invention relates to signs which can be illuminated.
Illuminated signs are well known in the art.
Commonly, these signs are made from two plates which define the faces of the sign and cut into these plates are the letters or other pattern which is to be illuminated. A lamp is usually disposed within the sign to provide the illumination.
These signs suffer from the disadvantage that they are very wide, about 4 inches (100 mm) and are, thus, very bulky. This also made them aesthetically unappealing.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved sign.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a sign comprising first and second substantially flat face members disposed in face to face relationship with each other and having illuminating means disposed in the region intermediate said face members, and illuminating means being adapted to illuminate the face members wherein the material from which at least one of the face members is formed is selected such that the heat emitted by the illuminating means is dissipated to allow the first and second face members to be arranged at a distance of between 30 mm and 50 mm apart.
Preferably the illuminating means comprises a fluorescent tube having a diameter of between 16 mm and 20 mm.
Preferably the sign comprises a plurality of elongate edge members arranged along the edges of the face members to hold the face members in said face to face relationship.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a sign comprising first and second substantially flat face members arranged in face to face relationship at a distance of between 30 mm to 50 mm apart, a fluorescent tube arranged in the region intermediate the face members, said tube having a diameter of between 16 mm and 20 mm and being adapted to illuminate the face members, and a plurality of edge members arranged along the edges of the face members to hold the face members in said face to face relationship.
At least one of said edge members may comprise an elongate front portion defining a main body of the edge member and an elongate second portion integrally attached to the first portion such that the longitudinal axes of > he first and second portions are substantially parallel, wherein the first portion defines an elongate recess with the second portion, said recess having an opening facing in the direction parallel to the plane defined by the face member such that an edge of the face member can be received in said recess.
At least one of said edge members may comprise an elongate first portion defining a main body of the edge member and an elongate second portion integrally attached to the first portion such that the longitudinal axes of the first and second portions are substantially parallel, wherein the first portion defines an elongate recess with the second portion, said recess having an opening facing in a direction transverse to the plane defined by the face member.
The edge of the face member to be held by the edge member may have attached thereto an elongate flange such that the longitudinal axis of the flange is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the face member, and said flange being disposed transverse to the plane defined by the face member such that the flange can be received in the recess.
A clamping portion may be provided having a first elongate part disposed transverse to a second elongate part wherein the longitudinal axes of the first and second parts are substantially parallel to each other,the first part of the clamping portion being adapted tobe received in said recess and the second part of theclamping portion defining a further elongate recess withthe first portion of the edge member whereby the openingof the further recess faces in the direction parallel tothe plane defined by the face member such that the edgeof the face member can be received in said furtherrecess.
A shaped rebate may be provided in the first portionto hold desired components of the sign.
The fluorescent tube may have a diameter ofsubstantially 16 mm.
The fluorescent tube may be one selected from suchtubes having the following operating parameters.
Power Length Volts Current (A) Lighting design lumens4W 150mm 29 0.17 1406W 225mm 42 0.16 2608W 300mm 56 0.15 37013W 525mm 90 0.17 855 The material from which the, or each, face member is formed may have a thermal conductivity of between 0.5 and 0.8 cal cam~1 C, preferably of between 0.57 and 0.72 cal cm1 - OC.
Preferably the material from which the, or each, face member is formed is aluminium or a plastics material.
The plastics material may be perspex.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a sign assembly comprising first and second signs as described above wherein an edge of the first sign is secured to a corresponding edge of the second sign by means of cooperating formations on said edges.
The cooperating formations may comprise a male mating member on said edge of the first sign and a female mating member on said edge of the second sign, the female mating member being adapted to receive the male mating member.
Locking means may be provided to lock the first and second signs together. The locking means may comprise a locking screw adapted to be threadably received in the sign having the female mating member whereby the locking screw can engage the male mating member to lock the male mating member in the female mating member.
Connection means may be provided for electrically connecting the first and second signs to each other.
The connection means may comprise a socket in one of said first or second signs and an electric plug adapted to be received in the socket, the plug being provided on the other of the first or second signs.
Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 is a front view of a sign according to the invention;Figure 2 is a sectional view along the lines II-II of Figure 1;Figures 3a and 3b are perspective views of signs according to the invention;Figure 4 is a front view of a sign according to one embodiment of this invention with the first face member removed for clarity;Figure 5 is a front view of a sign according to another embodiment of this invention with the first face member removed for clarity; Figure 6 is a top view of a sign according to one embodiment of the invention mounted parallel to a wall;Figure 7 is an end view of a first type of an edge member;Figure 8 is an end view of a second type of an edge member showing also a clamping member; ;Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a sign according to one embodiment with the components removed for clarity; andFigure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 of another embodiment.
Figure 1 shows a front view of a sign generally designated 10. The sign comprises a frame 12 (shown in phantom) made from tubes of mild steel which have been welded together. The sign 10 comprises a first face member 14 and a second face member 16 which are welded together at positions 18 and 20 (see Figure 2). The first and second face members 14, 16 thus form a sleeve which fits around the frame 12 and is attached to the frame 23 by attaching means in the form of, for example screws 17.
The first and second face members 14, 16 define respectively first and second faces 14a, 16a of the sign 10.a The first and second face members 14, 16 are each formed from an aluminium sheet, for example, a 14gNS4H3 aluminium sheet.
The reference 14gNS4H3 is a recognised code for aluminium which can be used in the embodiment described.
"14g" refers to the thickness of the material in BritishStandard Wire Gauge terms; "N" is the reference for aluminium; "S" specifies sheet material; "4" is the percentage of magnesium and "H3" is the hardness/temper standard.
In the sign 10 shown in the drawings, the frame 12 comprises a cross-member 22 and a bottom-member 24 in the lower half of the frame 12. Attached to the cross-member 22 and to the bottom-member 24 are suitable fluorescent tubes 26a, 26b which can be, for example, T5 fluorescent tubes which burn blue/white. These are commonly known as "DAYLIGHT" fluorescent tubes. Each tube 26a, 26b is approximately 300 mm with 8w power to produce a brightness of about 400 lumens.
The fluorescent tubes 26a, 26b project towards each other from the cross-member 22 and the bottom-member 24 respectively. Thus, the fluorescent tubes 26a, 26b can illuminate a portion 28 of the sign 10.
Control means 30 is also provided to control the fluorescent tubes 26a, 26b. The control means 30 can be any control means well known in the art, for example, high power factor (HPF) control.gear. The control gear is balanced with a capacitor to provide a power-factor of 0.85 to 0.9 (of 1 unit of energy).
The pattern which it is desired to illuminate is disposed in the portion 28 of the sign 10. In the embodiment shown, the pattern comprises letters 31 which are cut from one or both sign plates 14, 16. This allows corresponding letters 31a formed of a clear acrylic material to protrude through the letters 31 cut into the sign plates 14, 16. Thus the letters 31a are raised from either or both faces 14a, 16a of the sign 10.
The letters 31a formed from the acrylic material can be painted using any suitable acrylic paint.
When the fluorescent tubes 26a, 26b are switched on, the letters 31 are illuminated by the tubes 26a, 2gob.
The construction of the sign 10 enables the sign to be of a such narrower profile than some previous illuminated signs.
The material from which the sign plates 14, 16 are manufactured and the fluorescent tubes 26a, 26b are selected so that the heat radiated by the tubes 26a, 26b is conducted by the sign plates 14, 16 and dissipated. In this way, the sign plates 14, 16 act as heat sinks for the heat radiated by the fluorescent tubes 26a, 26b.
The material from which the face members 14, 16 are manufactured is selected from materials having thermal conductivities in the range of 0.57 and 0.72 cal cam~1 OC-l It has been found that by correct selection of the material for the sign plates 14, 16 and of the fluorescent tubes 26a, 26b the profile of the sign can be as narrow as 25 mm or 30 mm between the first face 14a and the second face 16a without any component of the sign 10 overheating. Any such overheating could lead to premature failure of, for example, the fluorescent tubes 26a, 26b.
In order to mount the sign 10 on a suitable article, for example, a post, mounting means is provided which can be any suitable mounting means well known in the art, for example a bracket 50. Alternatively the sign 10 could be suspended from a horizontal bar (not shown) by the use of vertical steel tubes (not shown).
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the invention which comprises a sign 110. The sign 110 comprises a frame 112 which is formed of four edge members 114 connected together at their ends as shown in Figure 4.
Corner pieces 115 are provided to attach the edge members 114 together at the corners.
The sign 110 also comprises a first face member (which has been removed to show the components inside the sign) and a second face member 116. The first and second face members are in the form of panels which can be removed from the frame 112.
A fluorescent tube 118 is provided in the region intermediate the first and second face members and is attached to the second face member 116 by means of clips 120. The fluorescent tube is a 13 Watt T5 fluorescent tube but others can be used as will be explained below.
Also, provided in the region intermediate the first and second face members is a starter 122, a fused terminal block 124 and a ballast/choke 126. These are connected to one of the edge members 114 in shaped rebates therein, as will be explained below. Details of the starter 122, the fused terminal block 124 and the ballast/choke will also be explained below.
A suitable switch, for example a rocker switch (not shown) can also be provided to switch the fluorescent tube 118 on and off. The rocker switch can be provided in one of the edge members 114.
It will be appreciated that a suitable electric circuit is also provided to connect the various electrical components together electrically.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the sign 110 is suspended from a track 130. The track 130 can be of a kind similar to the tracks used in known track lighting systems. A track adaptor 128 is provided to connect the sign 110 electrically to the mains. A pair of connecting stays 130 are also provided to reduce the risk of the sign 110 being accidentally knocked from the track.
Although the embodiment of the sign 110 shown inFigure 4 is attached to a track, it will be appreciated that other forms of attachment may be used. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the sign 10 is mounted on a stand 50 to be attached to a wall. A similar such stand can be used for the sign shown in Figure 4.
There are other ways of mounting the sign and examples of these will be explained below.
Figure 5 shows a front view of a sign 210 which can be suspended from a ceiling 212 by means of support members which may be in the form of suspension rods 214.
The sign 210 is shown detached from the support rods 214 for ease of understanding. Appropriate apertures (not shown) are provided in the top edge member to receive the support rods 214 and the support rods 214 are secured thereto by nuts and washers.
In the sign shown in Figure 5 the same components as those in the sign shown in Figure 4 have been given the same reference numerals.
Figure 5 also shows one embodiment of another aspect of the invention, namely a sign assembly which comprises a first sign 210 and a second sign 310. It will be appreciated of course that any suitable number of signs can be used to form the sign assembly.
The first sign 210 is secured to the second sign 310 by means of cooperating formations in the form of a pair of male mating members, 216 and a pair of female mating members 218 adapted to receive the male mating members 216. A locking means in the form of a pair of locking pins 220 is also provided to lock the male mating members 216 in the female mating members 218. The locking pins 220 are threadably received by the second sign 310 and can be screwed therein until they engage with the male mating members 216;Electrical connection between the first sign 210 and the second sign 310 is maintained by means of an electric plug 222 which can be received in an electric socket 223.
If it is desired to suspend a third sign from the second sign 310 then a pair of male mating members 216 and an electric plug 222 can be included on the bottom edge of the sign 310.
it will be appreciated that the second sign 310 can be provided with the male mating members 216 and the first sign 210 with the female mating members 218 provided in the first sign 210. The electric plug 222 can, if desired, be provided in the second sign 310 and the electric socket 224 can be provided in the first sign 210.
Figure 6 shows a top view of a sign 410 which is similar to the sign 210 but which is mounted on a wall 412 by suitable brackets 414, screwed into the wall 412 by screws 416. It will be appreciated that the sign 410 can be part of a sign assembly similar to that described with respect to Figure 5 if desired.
Details of the components which make up the signs according to this invention are as follows:Fluorescent tubesTubes which are suitable for use with this invention are T5 tubes having a 16 mm diameter.
Power Length Volts Current(A) Lighting design lumens4W 150 mm 29 0.17 1406W 225 mm 42 0.16 2608W 300 mm 56 0.15 370 13W 525 mm 90 0.17 855StarterA suitable starter for use with the fluorescent tubes is one which is 4-22 watt (110-240 volt) single or series glow switch or electric starter.
Lighting Ballast/chokeThis will depend upon the amount and size of the lamps required within a sign, and for example the following can be used.
) 8 watt ballast/chokeTube Volts Amp Hz Cost(PF) Length Height Width 1x4-8 watt 240 0.175 50 0.4 110mm 23mm 26mm b) 13 watt ballast/chokeTube Volts Amp Hz Cost(PF) Length Height Width 2x8 watt 240 0.165 50 0.5 l10mm 23mm 26mm lox13 watt 210 0.145 50 0.5 llOmm 23mm 26mmFused Terminal BlockThis provides the connection to the power supply and can be fused with 3A-5A fuse depending on the power.
Rocket SwitchA single pole on/off rocket switch can be used.
Maximum rating: 2A, 250V A.C.
Contact resistance: < 10 milliohmInsulative resistance: > 104 megohmDielectric strength: > 5 kilovolts A.C.
Operating temperature: -200C to 700C.
When the sign is to be part of a sign assembly (as an example of this see Figure 5) an electric plug and socket are used. Details of a suitable such plug and socket are as follows:Current rating, individual contacts: 10 ampsVoltage rating rms: 750V; 250VNo. of contacts: 3Plug contact material: Brass cadmiumplatedSocket contact Phosphor bronze,cadmium plateddouble wipecontact engage bothsides of plugcontactsBase insulating material High grade phenolicThe first and second face members are made of a material suitable to act as a hear sink to dissipate the heat generated by the fluorescent tube. The first and second face members of the embodiments shown in the drawings are made of aluminium or perspex.
Figure 7 shows a profile of a first type of edge member 114a used to form the frame. The edge member 114a is shown viewed from one end thereof, and comprises an elongate first portion 150 defining the main body of the zdge member 114a and an elongate second portion 152 integrally attached at each side of the first portion 150. Each second portion 152 defines with the first portion 150 an elongate recess 154 to receive one edge of a face member 116 (not shown in Figure 7). The edge member 114a also has a rebate 156 which can hold desired components of the sign.
Figure 8 shows a profile of a second type of edge member 114b which can also be used to form a frame. the edge member 114b comprises an elongate first portion 160 defining the main body of the edge member 114b and an elongate second portion 162 integrally attached to the first portion 160 and defining with the first portion a recessl64 which can receive an elongate first part 166 of a clamping member 168. The clamping member 168 also has an elongate second part 170 which when the clamping member 168 is received in the recess 164 (as shown in phantom) defines therewith a further recess 172 which can receive an edge of one of the face members 116. The first and second types of edge member 114a and 114b and the clamping member 168 are formed as aluminium extrusions.
The edge member 114b also has a rebate 174 which can hold desired components of the sign.
Referring now to Figure 9, a frame 112a is shown which comprises three of the first type of edge member 114a and one of the second type of edge member 114b. The edge members 114a and 114b are secured together at the ends thereof to form a substantially rectangular frame.
The frame member 116 is slid in the direction of arrow A along the recesses 154 of the edge members 114a until the edge 180 of the face member 116 is received in the recess 154 of the edge member 114a at the right of the frame 112a in Figure 9. When the face member 116 is in place the clamping member 168 can be received in the recess 164 of the second type of edge member 114b thereby to define the further recess 172 in which is received an edge of the face member 116. The clamping member 168 is secured to the second type of edge member 114b by means of screws 176.
Referring to Figure 10 a frame 112b is shown which is formed of four of the second type of edge member 114b.
With this type of frame, the face member 116 is provided with flanges 180 which are received in the recess 154 and are secured there by means of screws 182. Thus, it is not necessary to use the clamping member 168.
This invention is particularly suitable for use as a sign which can be fixed to a wall by a suitable attachment so that the sign is disposed either -rerpendicularly to the wall or parallel thereto. The sign can also be suspended from the ceiling or from a track system which is used for track lighting. The sign can also be part of a sign assembly which comprises first and second signs secured to each other one on top of the other. The sign can also be used as an external fascia projection sign.
Another use of the sign is as a transparency display box. When the sign is to be used as a transparency display box the poster or film to form the transparency is sandwiched between a sheet of clear plastic (front) and a sheet of translucent white plastic (rear). The transparency or film can then be used as one of the face members 116.
In view of the close proximity of the face member 116 to the fluorescent tube 118 an effect known as "striping" is produced which is a brighter portion of the transparency adjacent the tube than further away from it.
The effect of striping is overcome by disposing onto the translucent plastic a series of a desired colour, the thickest being disposed on that portion of the plastic to be disposed adjacent the fluorescent tube and the thinnest being disposed on the plastic remote from the portion of the plastic to be disposed adjacent the tube.
thereby an even illumination of the transparency is created across the visual area thereof. A suitable technique for doing this is screen printing.
It is an advantage of this invention that it allows the sign to have a profile of approximately 25 mm or 30 mm. This means that the sign is less bulky to handle and lighter than some previous signs. A further advantage is that the sign is aesthetically more appealing than some previous signs.