Illuminated sign and method of assembly

• US 5,339,550 A
• Filed: 04/16/1992
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: I.D. Lite, Inc.
• Original Assignee: I.D. Lite, Inc.
• Inventors: Hoffman, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): GREEN, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US07/868,931
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 40/204, 40/205, 40/206, 40/544, 40/591, 40/594, 362/83.2, 362/84, 248/205.3
• US Class Current: 40/544
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/227 Electroluminescent displays for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/203 specially adapted to be attached to a transparent surface, e.g. the window of a car
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24736 Ornamental design or indicia

Abstract

An improved illuminated sign for adhesive bonding to the inner surface of a pane of transparent material such as the glass of an automotive window comprises a backing panel, a planar electroluminescent lamp, and an indicia-bearing member. The indicia-bearing member is smaller in planar extent than an assembly of the backing panel and the lamp. Strips of double-sided adhesive tape are applied to the border of the backing panel. The second adhesive surface of the tape is used to bond the assembly of the backing panel, the lamp and the indicia-bearing member to the inner surface of an automobile window or the like.

Claims

1. An illuminated sign in combination with structure of a motor vehicle configured to receive a license plate, said structure having a shape and size, said sign comprising:

a planar electroluminescent lamp;

a planar indicia-bearing member;

a backing panel having a shape and size corresponding to said shape and size of said structure, said lamp being disposed over said backing panel;

means for assembling said indicia-bearing member over said lamp;

a transparent cover sheet for being assembled over said indicia-bearing member with said indicia-bearing member disposed between said lamp and said cover sheet and having a shape and size corresponding to said shape and size of said structure, said sizes of said backing panel and said transparent cover sheet each being substantially 6 inches high by 12 inches wide;

means for mounting said backing panel, lamp, indicia-bearing member and cover sheet to said structure; and

means for supplying power to said lamp to energize said lamp.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said means for assembling said indicia-bearing member comprises a plurality of strips of flat tape having opposed faces and adhesive on said opposed faces for adhesively bonding said lamp to said indicia-bearing member.

3. An illuminated sign in combination with structure of a motor vehicle configured to receive a license plate, said structure having a shape and size, said sign comprising:

a planar electroluminescent lamp;

a planar indicia-bearing member;

a backing panel having a shape and size corresponding to said shape and size of said motor vehicle structure, said lamp being disposed over said backing panel;

means for assembling said indicia-bearing member over said lamp and backing panel;

a transparent cover sheet having a shape and size corresponding to said shape and size of said motor vehicle structure for being disposed over said indicia-bearing member;

means for mounting said backing panel, lamp, indicia-bearing member and cover sheet to said motor vehicle structure, said mounting means comprising at least two threaded fasteners extending through aligned holes in said backing panel, said cover sheet and said motor vehicle structure; and

means for supplying power to said lamp to energize said lamp.