Illuminated sign insert

• US 20070236941A1
• Filed: 02/14/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wedell, Mark, Pickard, Paul, Logan, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,739,818 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/347
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/05 indicating exit way or orientation

Abstract

There is provided a sign insert that can house the inner components of a sign. The insert can be easily inserted into and removed from signs so that either of the sign housing or the sign insert with inner components can be salvaged and reused if the other becomes inoperable.

Claims

1. A removable insert adapted to fit within an illuminated sign comprising a sign housing and a sign legend to be displayed by the illuminated sign, the insert comprising:

(a) at least one inner wall and at least one outer wall, wherein the at least one outer wall is shaped to be inserted into the sign housing and the at least one inner wall is shaped so as not to encroach on the sign legend;

(b) at least one cavity defined between the at least one inner and outer wall, wherein the at least one cavity is adapted to house at least one sign component; and

(c) at least one structure for supporting a circuit board.

2. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one inner wall substantially conforms to an exterior of the sign legend.

3. The removable insert of claim 1, further comprising a reflector opposite a light source within the sign housing.

4. The removable insert of claim 3, wherein the reflector comprises two angled side walls oriented relative to each other and forming a cavity.

5. The removable insert of claim 4, where the angled side walls are oriented between about 40 degrees to about 120 degrees relative to each other.

6. The removable insert of claim 3, wherein the reflector comprises an inverted tip.

7. The removable insert of claim 3, wherein the reflector is integrally formed with the insert, removable from the insert, or hingedly attached to the insert.

8. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the insert snap fits into the sign housing.

9. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the insert snap fits into the sign housing via at least one cooperating protrusion and recess system located on portions of the removable insert and the sign housing.

10. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one structure that supports the circuit board comprises grooves into which the circuit board can slide.

11. The removable insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one cavity is adapted to store one or more of a battery, a voltage conversion device, an additional power supply, a directional indicator assembly, or a speaker.

12. The removable insert of claim 1, further comprising at least one biasing structure to secure the insert to a mounting device.

13. The removable insert of claim 12, wherein the at least one biasing structure is a spring.

14. An illuminated sign system comprising a sign housing and the removable insert of claim 1 positioned within the sign housing.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a mounting device comprising:

(a) a mounting plate comprising a mounting base having at least one positioning element and at least one lip element formed thereon;

(b) a canopy element adapted to be positioned over the mounting plate, the canopy element comprising (i) at least one positioning element aperture adapted to receive the at least one positioning element;

(ii) at least one lip element aperture adapted to receive the at least one lip element; and

(iii) at least one upstanding stabilizing element extending from an upper surface of the canopy; and

(c) a locking clip adapted to cooperate with at least a portion of the mounting plate and the canopy element.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the insert has at least one side wall with at least one guide track defined therein, and wherein the locking clip has at least one leg with at least one tab that is adapted to be received in the at least one guide track.

17. The removable insert of claim 1, comprising at least one mounting aperture adapted to receive one of a mounting device or a plug that covers any unused mounting apertures.

18. The removable insert of claim 17, wherein the plug comprises a base from which at least one leg extends and wherein the at least one leg comprises a protrusion distal the base and adapted to engage a biasing structure on the sign insert.

19. A method of assembling an illuminated sign comprising positioning a first removable insert according to claim 1 in a first illuminated sign.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising removing the first removable insert from the first illuminated sign and positioning the first removable insert in a second illuminated sign.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising removing the first removable insert from the first illuminated sign and positioning a second removable insert according to claim 1 into the first illuminated sign.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the first removable insert is adapted to be snap fit with respect to the first illuminated sign.