Reflective sign

• US 5,442,870 A
• Filed: 09/08/1993
• Issued: 08/22/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hallmark Technologies, Inc. (HTI Acquisitions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: George E. Kochanowski
• Inventors: Kochanowski, George E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Look, Edward K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERDIER, CHRISTOPHER M
• Application Number:
  US08/119,291
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 40/582, 40/612, 40/615, 359/515, 359/527, 359/531, 359/547, 359/552
• US Class Current: 40/582
• CPC Class Codes: B09B 3/00 Destroying solid waste or transforming solid waste into something useful or harmless
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/44 by use of inert gas for filling space above liquid or between contents
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0472 Traffic signs
• 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

Abstract

A retro-reflective sign is provided having a front face member attached to a back member. The face member has a plurality of cube corners disposed along its back surface. The sign can be of any shape or color and provides superior light reflection at night as compared to conventional signs. Thus, the sign can be easily seen while driving at night. In an alternative embodiment, the cube corners are disposed along the inner surface of the back member. The front face member or the entire sign can be coated with a silicone material to provide added protection to the sign from scratching and vandalism.

Claims

1. A retro-reflective sign providing for increased conspicuity and legibility of said sign during viewing at nighttime, comprising:

a face member constructed from polycarbonate and having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a plurality of cube corners disposed along the inner surface of said face member; and

a virtually opaque back member constructed from polycarbonate and operatively associated with said face member, said back member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of said back member having a smooth and glossy finish.

2. The retro-reflective sign of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said face member is coated with a surface hardener.

3. The retro-reflective sign of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said face member and said back member are coated with a surface hardener.

4. A retro-reflective sign providing for increased conspicuity and legibility of said sign during viewing at nighttime, comprising:

a face member having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a plurality of cube corners disposed along the inner surface of said face member; and

a back member operatively associated with said face member, said back member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of said back member having a smooth and glossy finish to provide reflective means in addition to said plurality of cube corners.

5. A retro-reflective sign providing for increased conspicuity and legibility of said sign during viewing at nighttime, comprising:

a single layer face member incorporating information therein and having an outer surface and an inner surface; and

a back member operatively associated with said face member, said back member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of said back member having reflective means operatively associated therewith.

6. The retro-reflective sign of claim 5 wherein at least a portion of said face member is coated with a surface hardener to help reduce fading of and extending the useful life of said sign.

7. The retro-reflective sign of claim 5 wherein at least a portion of said face member and said back member are coated with a surface hardener to help reduce fading of and extending the useful life of said sign.

8. The retro-reflective sign of claim 5 wherein said inner surface of said face member has a smooth and glossy finish to provide a second reflective means.

9. The retro-reflective sign of claim 5 wherein said reflective means is a plurality of cube corners disposed along the inner surface of said back member.

10. The retro-reflective sign of claim 5 wherein said face member and said back member are constructed from plastic.

11. The retro-reflective sign of claim 5 wherein said back member is virtually opaque.

12. A retro-reflective sign having a desired shape and providing for increased conspicuity and legibility of said sign during viewing at nighttime, comprising:

a single layer face member incorporating information therein and having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of said face member incorporating reflective means operatively associated therewith, said face member molded into the desired shape of said sign; and

a back member operatively associated with said face member, said back member having an inner surface and an outer surface, said sign having a front side and a back side, wherein said information is seen only when viewing said sign from said front side;

wherein the inner surface of said back member has a smooth and glossy finish to provide a second reflective means.

13. The retro-reflective sign of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said face member is coated with a surface hardener to help reduce fading of and extending the useful life of said sign.

14. The retro-reflective sign of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said face member and said back member are coated with a surface hardener to help reduce fading of and extending the useful life of said sign.

15. The retro-reflective sign of claim 12 wherein said reflective means is a plurality of cube corners incorporated within said face member along the inner surface of said face member.

16. The retro-reflective sign of claim 12 wherein said face member and said back member are constructed from plastic.

17. The retro-reflective sign of claim 12 wherein said back member is virtually opaque.

18. A retro-reflective sign having a desired shape and providing for increased conspicuity and legibility of said sign during viewing at nighttime, comprising:

a single layer face member incorporating information therein and having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of said face member incorporating reflective means operatively associated therewith, said face member molded into the desired shape of said sign; and

a back member operatively associated with said face member, said back member having an inner surface and an outer surface, said sign having a front side and a back side, wherein said information is seen only when viewing said sign from said front side;

wherein said reflective means is a plurality of cube corners disposed along the inner surface of said face member and the inner surface of said back member, said cube corners disposed along the inner surface of said back member acting as a secondary reflector.

19. The retro-reflective sign of claim 18 wherein the inner surface of said face member has a smooth and glossy finish to provide a second reflective means.