Apparatus for illuminating channel letters and light boxes

• US 7,575,355 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2007
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Megapull Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Megapull Incorporated
• Inventors: Lowry, Brian C., Shotwell, Clark, Sheffield, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Jong-Suk (James)
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shallenberger; Julie A
• Application Number:
  US11/699,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20070195547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 934 Days
• Field of Search: 362/551, 362/555, 362/560, 362565-566, 362/252, 362/249, 362/812, 362/554, 362/559, 362567-568
• US Class Current: 362/551
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• 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

Abstract

A channel letter or light box illumination apparatus wherein the channel letter or light box is illuminated from a luminaire located at some distance from the channel letter or light box, ideally in a location expeditious to servicing replaceable components such as lamps and driver electronics. A light engine includes one or more light ports, with each port capable of conveying light via optical light guides for the purpose of illuminating a portion or entirety of the light box or channel letter. A singular light guide or plurality of light guides enters the side or rear of the channel letter or light box and are coupled to side-lit light guides. The side-lit light guides, which may be bent and formed, convey light and distribute it through out the channel letter or light box.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing illumination, said apparatus comprising:

a primary illumination element, wherein said primary illumination element comprises a side-lit fiber optic fiber; and

a light provision conduit connected to said primary illumination element, wherein said light provision conduit further comprises an end-lit fiber optic fiber therein;

said end-lit fiber optic fiber acting to propagate light towards said primary illumination element via a terminal block connecting an end of said end-lit fiber optic fiber and said side-lit fiber optic fiber;

said primary illumination element being disposed in accordance with a predetermined pattern;

said primary illumination element acting to provide illumination in directions outwardly from the predetermined pattern.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting element which holds said primary illumination element;

said mounting element comprising wall portions disposed in accordance with the predetermined pattern of said primary illumination element.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said mounting element comprises a channel letter can.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said primary illumination element comprises a thermoplastic rod.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said primary illumination element is formed from an acrylic sheet material.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection element which interconnects said primary illumination element and said light provision conduit.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said connection element is formed from a translucent material.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said connection element provides an interference fit with respect to at least one of said primary illumination element and said light provision conduit.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said connection element provides a form fit with respect to at least one of said primary illumination element and said light provision conduit.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said primary illumination element comprises a first end and a second end;

said light provision conduit connecting with said primary illumination element at said first end of said primary illumination element.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a reflection medium disposed at said second end of said primary illumination element, said reflection medium acting to reflect back through said primary illumination element light which has travelled from said light provision conduit through said primary illumination element.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a second light provision conduit which connects to said second end of said primary illumination element.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a second light engine which provides light to said second light provision conduit.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said primary illumination element is a first primary illumination element;

said apparatus further comprises a second primary illumination element disposed adjacent to said first primary illumination element, said first and second primary illumination elements aggregately being disposed in accordance with a predetermined aggregate pattern.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a second light provision conduit connecting with said second primary illumination element.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said primary illumination element is disposed along an axis which defines the predetermined pattern;

said primary illumination element acting to provide illumination in directions radially outwardly with respect to the axis defining the predetermined pattern.