Kit using led units for retrofitting illuminated signs

• US 5,388,357 A
• Filed: 04/08/1993
• Issued: 02/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Computer Power, Inc. (Randstad NV)
• Original Assignee: Computer Power, Inc. (Randstad NV)
• Inventors: Malita, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Brittain, James R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silbermann, Joanne
• Application Number:
  US08/045,483
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 40/570, 40/542, 40/544, 40/580, 40/564, 362/235, 362/247, 362/800, 362/812
• US Class Current: 40/570
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0422 Reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/05 indicating exit way or orientation
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/145 curved reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

A kit retrofits a conventional exit sign, which normally uses internally mounted incandescent or fluorescent lamps, to operate using multiple LED sources in a group or assembly on a board. Indicia lighting is accomplished substantially indirectly through reflection of light from the LED sources. The LED source is electrically powered through an adapter that fits into the socket of the original incandescent lamp or fluorescent lamp, which is removed in the retrofit process. Metalized plastic light reflective panels are provided in the kit for adhesively connecting to inner surfaces of the enclosure for improved lighting efficiency of the indicia. Reduction of energy consumption by 10 or 20 times is coupled with virtually zero maintenance costs over long periods of time.

Claims

1. An illuminated sign, comprising:

a housing with a display panel at the front, said display panel having a translucent portion defining at least one indicia, said indicia being visible outside said at least when said sign is illuminated;

at least one LBD light source in said housing, said at least one light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes that generate light when supplied with electrical energy, said at least one light source including a base having a first face with said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on said first face;

fastening means, said at least one light source being positioned in said housing by said fastening means;

reflector means within said housing for receiving light from said at least one light source and reflecting at least a portion of said received light onto said display panel, whereby said indicia are illuminated and visible externally of said housing; and

electrical connection means for connecting said at least one light source to an electrical power supply so as to selectively supply electrical energy to said at least light source, said electrical connection means including a socket within said housing for one of an incandescent lamp and a fluorescent lamp, and said electrical connection means further including electrical adaptor means positioned between said socket and said light source for electrically and mechanically engaging both said socket and also said at least one light source to bring electrical power to said at least one light source when power is made available at said socket, said electrical adaptor means including means for engaging said socket and a female receptacle, said electrical connection means further including a plug connected electrically to said at least one light source, said plug having contacts for engagement in said female receptacle.

2. An illuminated sign as in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a back panel with an interior surface, and there are at least two light sources, said reflector means includes one of a reflective interior surface on said back panel and a reflective material mounted to said interior surface.

3. An illuminated sign as in claim 2, wherein said reflector means is said reflective material, said reflective material being mounted to said back panel by adhesive means positioned between said back panel and said reflective material for fixing the location of said reflector means in said housing.

4. An illuminated sign as in claim 3, wherein said reflective material includes a sheet having a reflective face and having said adhesive means on the opposite face of said sheet.

5. An illuminated signs as in claim 2, further comprising a bottom panel, wherein one of said light sources is positioned adjacent said top panel and one of said light sources is positioned adjacent said bottom panel.

6. An illuminated sign as in claim 2, wherein, said reflector means includes one of a reflective interior surface of said back panel and a reflective material mounted to said interior surface of said back panel, said at least one light board being positioned on an inside surface of said display panel with said diodes facing said back panel.

7. An illuminated sign as in claim 2, wherein said further includes side panels, one of said two light sources being positioned adjacent each of said side panels.

8. An illuminated sign as in claim 2, wherein said housing further comprises a bottom, and side panels, and further including surfaces on at least one of said top panel, bottom panel, side panels, and an surface of said display panel.

9. An illuminated sign as in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of light emitting diodes is electrically connected in series.

10. An illuminated sign as in claim 1, wherein the number of light sources is at least two and said at least two sources are connected to operate 180 degrees out of phase with each other when said sign is to be powered from an a.c. source, whereby illumination is provided at a steady level.

11. An illuminated sign as in claim 1, wherein said display panel includes at least a mask with indicia openings thereon, and a translucent panel positioned adjacent to said mask.

12. An illuminated sign as in claim 1, wherein at least one of a capacitor and a resistor is connected in series with said at least one LED light source.

13. An illuminated sign as in claim 1, wherein all of said light sources are connected to emit light simultaneously, said sign being operable on AC and DC voltage.

14. An illuminated sign as in claim 1, wherein said adaptor includes first contact means for connecting with said at least one light source, said adaptor means further including second contact means connected to said at least one light source for electrically connecting with said first contact means of said adaptor.

15. The illuminated sign as in claim 1 wherein the base is a longitudinal strip with at least some of said light emitting diodes aligned one behind the other along said longitudinal strip.

16. The illuminated sign as in claim 1 wherein the plug is connected to the light source by flexible wires.

17. A kit of parts for retrofitting an illuminated exit-type sign having a housing with a display panel, said display panel including a translucent portion defining at least one indicia, said indicia being visible outside said sign at least when said sign is illuminated, and a lamp socket mounted within said housing for connection with a lamp, said kit retrofitting said sign without removal of said socket, said kit of parts comprising:

at least one LED light source, each said light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes; and

electrical connection means for electrically connecting said at least one light source to said socket in said housing, said electrical connection means includes a plurality of adaptors, each said adaptor being compatible for connection with a different type of lamp socket.

18. A kit as in claim 17, wherein each of said adapters includes similar first contact means, said electrical connection means further including second contact means suitable for engagement with said first contact means, said second contact means being connected to said at least one light source and connectable to each of said adapters to bring electrical power to said at least one light source when power is made available at said socket.

19. A kit of parts for retrofitting an illuminated exit-type sign having a housing with a display panel, said display panel including a translucent portion defining at least one indicia, said indicia being visible outside said sign at least when said sign is illuminated, and a socket mounted within said housing for connection with a lamp, said kit of parts comprising:

at least one LED light source, each said light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes;

fastening means for connection of said at least one light source to a surface within said housing; and

electrical connecting means for connecting said at least one light source electrically to said socket in said housing, said electrical connection means including electrical adaptor means for positioning between said socket and said light source for electrically and mechanically engaging both said socket and also said at least one light source to bring electrical power to said at least one light source when power is made available at said socket, said electrical adaptor means including means for engaging said socket and a female receptacle, said electrical connection means further including a plug connected electrically to said at least one light source, said plug having contacts for engagement in said female receptacle.

20. A kit as in claim 19, wherein said fastening means is connected to said at least one light source.

21. An illuminated sign, comprising:

a housing with a display panel at the front, said display panel having a translucent portion defining at least one indicia, said indicia being visible outside said sign at least when said sign is illuminated;

at least one LED light source in said housing, said at least one light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes that generate light when supplied with electrical energy, said at least one light source including a base having a first face with said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on said first face, said base being in the form of a longitudinal strip with at least some of said light emitting diodes aligned one behind the other along said longitudinal strip;

fastening means, said at least one light source being positioned in said housing by said fastening means;

electrical connection means for connecting said at least one light source to an electrical power supply so as to selectively supply electrical energy to said at least one light source, said electrical connection means including a socket within said housing, and said electrical connection means further including electrical adaptor means positioned between said socket and said light source for electrically and mechanically engaging both said socket and also said at least one light source to bring electrical power to said at least one light source when power is made available at said socket, said electrical adaptor means including means for engaging said socket and a female receptacle, said electrical connection means further including a plug connected electrically to said at least one light source by flexible wires, said plug having contacts for engagement in said female receptacle.

22. A kit of parts for retrofitting an illuminated exit-type sign having a housing with a display panel, said display panel including a translucent portion defining at least one indicia, said indicia being visible outside said sign at least when said sign is illuminated, and a lamp socket mounted within said housing for connection with a lamp, said kit retrofitting said sign without removal of said socket, said kit of parts comprising:

at least one LED light source, each said light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes, said at least one light source being in the form of a longitudinal strip with at least some of said light emitting diodes aligned one behind the other along said longitudinal strip;

electrical connection means for electrically connecting said at least one light source to said socket in said housing; and

fastening means including adhesive located on a surface of the board for contacting a surface within said sign housing and mounting said board within said housing.

23. An illuminated sign, comprising:

a housing with a display panel at the front, said display panel having a translucent portion defining at least one indicia, said indicia being visible outside said sign at least when said sign is illuminated;

at least one LED light source in said housing, said at least one light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes that generate light when supplied with electrical energy, said at least one light source including a base having a first face with said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on said first face, said base being the form of a longitudinal strip with at least some of said light emitting diodes aligned one behind the other along said longitudinal strip;

fastening means, said at least one light source being positioned in said housing and mounted directly on said housing by said fastening means; and

electrical connection means for connecting said at least one light source to an electrical power supply so as to selectively supply electrical energy to said at least one light source.

24. A kit of parts for retrofitting an illuminated exit-type sign having a housing with a display panel, said display panel including a translucent portion defining at least one indicia, said indicia being visible outside said sign at least when said sign is illuminated, and a lamp socket mounted within said housing for connection with a lamp, said kit retrofitting said sign without removal of said socket, said kit of parts comprising:

at least one LED light source, each said light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes, said at least one light source being in the form of a longitudinal strip with at least some of said light emitting diodes aligned one behind the other along said longitudinal strip;

electrical connection means for electrically connecting said at least one light source to said socket in said housing; and

fastening means for mounting said board within said housing directly on said housing.