Highway sign
First Claim
1. A highway sign comprising an indicia on a color contrasting background, and a narrow strip of retro-reflecting material forming a border between said indicia and background so as to accentuate said border at night when illuminated by headlights of an oncoming vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A three-dimensional sign, which may include an angularly disposed perimeter with a mirror-like surface, for reflecting light from the headlights of oncoming vehicles so as to gather light on the sign and make the symbols or letters and background stand out and become easily visable at night. An illusion is created by placing a total accentuated subject or message in a bed of scotch-like retro-reflecting background. Contrasting colors or contrasting density, such as black to white, are provided as well as a border on the figure or numerals of the sign to accentuate the message thereof. This is particularly so if the border is made at least partially of retro-reflective material. The angularly disposed mirror-like perimeter enhances the light on the sign through additional collection of light and redirecting it to the internal retroreflecting and fluorescent materials.
In some situations, the reflective angular border may be eliminated and contrasting symbols, figures etc. may be made more visible in either daylight or by headlights at night by being surrounded by mirror-like strips which, in turn, are surrounded by border strips of contrasting density. The background may be of translucent plastic material.
36 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A highway sign comprising an indicia on a color contrasting background, and a narrow strip of retro-reflecting material forming a border between said indicia and background so as to accentuate said border at night when illuminated by headlights of an oncoming vehicle.
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13. A highway sign comprising an indicia on a color contrasting background, and a narrow strip of retro-reflecting material forming a border between said indicia and background so as to accentuate said border at night when illuminated by headlights of an oncoming vehicle, together with a perimetrical frame extending at an angle in excess of zero degrees up to about 45°
- from an imaginary extension of the plane of said sign, the surface of said perimetrical frame being highly polished and of mirror consistency so as to angularly reflect light from said headlights and collect and concentrate it, at night, on the surface of said sign to accentuate its message, and electrical means responsive to light from said headlights to oscillate said perimetrical frame throughout said angular range to animate said indicia and sign.
Specification