Illuminated sign
First Claim
1. A sign comprising:
- a light diffusion layer having front and back faces;
means for lighting disposed on or in close proximity to said light diffusion layer;
a masking layer covering at least a portion of the front face of the light diffusion layer and defining at least one character or symbol of said sign; and
a reflective layer disposed between the front face of the diffusion layer and a rear face of the masking layer, wherein said reflective layer covers at least a portion of the front face of the diffusion layer.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An illuminated sign or nametag achieving the even glow and brightness of neon light displays without neon light tubes. Each character or symbol of the sign or nametag contains a plurality of light emitting members. Each such indicia comprises a light diffusion layer illuminated by light emitting members disposed on, near or in the light diffusion layer. A permanent or temporary masking layer partially covers the light diffusion layer to form a glowing border around the masking layer. Reflective layers covering either or both faces of the light diffusion layer may be used to intensify the light emitted therefrom. By the particular arrangement of the reflective surfaces relative to the light diffusion layer, electromagnetic radiation in the form of visible light from the light emitting members is controlled to provide an aura that enhances formed outlines or contours of light around the indicia making up the sign.
53 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A sign comprising:
-
a light diffusion layer having front and back faces; means for lighting disposed on or in close proximity to said light diffusion layer; a masking layer covering at least a portion of the front face of the light diffusion layer and defining at least one character or symbol of said sign; and a reflective layer disposed between the front face of the diffusion layer and a rear face of the masking layer, wherein said reflective layer covers at least a portion of the front face of the diffusion layer.
-
-
2. A sign comprising:
-
a light diffusion layer having front and back faces; means for lighting disposed on or in close proximity to said light diffusion layer; a masking layer covering at least a portion of the front face of the light diffusion layer and defining at least one character or symbol of said sign; a first reflective layer disposed between the front face of the diffusion layer and a rear face of the masking layer, wherein said first reflective layer covers at least a portion of the front face of the diffusion layer; and a second reflective layer covering at least a portion of the back face of the diffusion layer.
-
-
3. A sign having at least one character
or symbol wherein each character or symbol comprises: -
a light diffusion layer having front and back faces, wherein said light diffusion layer defines a plurality of cavities; a plurality of light emitting members wherein each light emitting member is at least partially disposed within one of said plurality of cavities; and a masking layer covering at least a portion of the front face of the light diffusion layer. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A sign having at least one character or symbol wherein each character or symbol comprises:
-
a light diffusion layer having front and back faces, wherein said light diffusion layer defines a plurality of cavities and a longitudinal axis of each cavity is oriented substantially perpendicular to the back face of the light diffusion layer; a plurality of light emitting members wherein each light emitting member is at least partially disposed within one of said plurality of cavities; an opaque masking layer covering at least a portion of the front face of the light diffusion layer; a first reflective layer disposed between the front face of the diffusion layer and a rear face of the opaque masking layer, wherein said first reflective layer covers at least a portion of the front face of the diffusion layer; and a second reflective layer covering at least a portion of the back face of the diffusion layer.
-
Specification