SIMULATED NEON SIGN

• US 20150371570A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 12/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Firebolt Group Inc.
• Original Assignee: Firebolt Group Inc.
• Inventors: Sciackitano, Brian, Sharp, Joel
• Granted Patent: US 9,449,539 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/16 Signs formed of or incorporating reflecting elements or surfaces, e.g. warning signs having triangular or other geometrical shape
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/18 Edge-illuminated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/1895 Imitating a neon tube
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs

Abstract

A lighted sign has a front side and a back side, and includes a planar substrate and a light source. The light source is substantially coplanar with the substrate. A distressed area reflector is formed on the substrate and redirects light from the light source out of the planar substrate. The lighted sign also includes a cover layer disposed adjacent the planar substrate toward the front side and a linear graphic that is printed on the cover layer.

Claims

1. A lighted sign having a front side and a back side, comprising:

a planar substrate;

a light source substantially intersecting a plane of the substrate;

a distressed area reflector formed at specific locations on only a portion of the planar substrate;

a cover layer disposed adjacent the planar substrate toward the front side, wherein the cover layer is substantially planar and substantially continuous; and

a linear graphic printed on the cover layer.

2. The lighted sign of claim 1,

wherein the light source is an LED light source formed from a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) elements.

3. The lighted sign of claim 2,

wherein the linear graphic geometrically correlates to the distressed area reflector.

4. The lighted sign of claim 3,

wherein the portion of the cover layer on which the linear graphic printed is transparent and the remainder of the cover layer is translucent.

5. The lighted sign of claim 4,

wherein the LED light source is embedded within the planar substrate.

6. The lighted sign of claim 5,

wherein the linear graphic includes a solid portion directly overlaying the distressed area reflector and a gradated portion fading outward from the solid portion.

7. The lighted sign of claim 6, further comprising:

an open edge defined on the planar substrate opposite the LED light source from the linear graphic, such that the open edge casts a halo from the planar substrate.

8. The lighted sign of claim 7, further comprising:

an opaque mask coving the LED light source.

9. The lighted sign of claim 8, wherein the open edge of the planar substrate is beveled.

10. The lighted sign of claim 2,

wherein the linear graphic includes a solid portion directly overlaying the distressed area reflector and a gradated portion fading outward from the solid portion.

11. The lighted sign of claim 1,

wherein the distressed area reflector is formed on the planar substrate facing the back side of the lighted sign.

12. The lighted sign of claim 1,

wherein the light source is embedded within the planar substrate.

13. The lighted sign of claim 12, further comprising:

an opaque mask coving the light source.

14. The lighted sign of claim 13, further comprising:

an open edge defined on the planar substrate opposite the light source from the linear graphic, such that the open edge casts a halo from the planar substrate.

15. A lighted sign, comprising:

a planar substrate having a front side and a back side;

a light source substantially coplanar with the planar substrate;

a distressed area reflector formed at specific locations on only a portion of the planar substrate, wherein the distressed area reflector redirects light from the light source out of the planar substrate;

a cover layer disposed adjacent the front side of the planar substrate, wherein the cover layer is substantially planar, substantially continuous, and covers substantially the entire planar substrate; and

a linear graphic printed on the cover layer, wherein the linear graphic geometrically correlates to the distressed area reflector.

16. The lighted sign of claim 15,

wherein the light source is an LED light source formed from a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) elements.

17. The lighted sign of claim 16,

wherein the LED light source is embedded within the planar substrate.

18. The lighted sign of claim 17,

wherein the distressed area reflector is formed on the back side of the planar substrate.