Modular system for luminous signals, particularly for road signals

• US 7,635,214 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2007
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
• Original Assignee: Cefla Societa' Cooperativa
• Inventors: Perlo, Piero
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi; Jacob Y
• Application Number:
  US11/683,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20070209254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 362/812, 362/183, 362/555, 362/559, 362/576, 362/26, 362/551, 405/41, 405/47, 405/46, 406/12
• US Class Current: 362/559
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/22 Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated

Abstract

A modular system for illuminated signs, in particular for road signs, includes a plurality of bars that can be put together so as to form a frame structure. Each bar has a full body made of a material usable as light-guide, for example polycarbonate, substantially transparent to the color of the light that propagates inside it, in which a LED light source is integrated. The system moreover comprises a plurality of modules in the form of letters, figures or symbols, which can be positioned within the aforesaid frame and are each also constituted by a body of material usable as light-guide, for example polycarbonate, substantially transparent to the color of the light that propagates inside it, with at least one LED light source integrated within each module. Each of the aforesaid modules is provided with at least one pair of terminals for connection of the respective LED source with a source of electrical supply.

Claims

1. A modular illuminated sign system comprising:

a plurality of bars connected to each other to form a supporting structure, each bar comprising a bar body forming a light-guide such that said bar body is substantially transparent and at least one LED light source set within said bar body, each bar comprising connecting terminals electrically and mechanically connecting each bar to an adjacent bar of the plurality of bars;

a plurality of modules connected to, and located within a perimeter formed by, said supporting structure, each module comprising a module body forming a light-guide such that said module body is substantially transparent, with at least one LED light source set within said module body and at least one pair of terminals for electrical connection of the LED light source to the source of electrical supply; and

each module monolithically forming at least one of a letter, number and symbol, each module mechanically and electrically connected to said supporting structure.

2. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of said bars and said plurality of modules is made of at least one of polycarbonate and polymeric material transparent to the colour of the source used and reinforced with additives according to known procedures to be resistant to yellowing caused by sunlight.

3. The modular system according to claim 2, wherein each bar has a pair of male terminals projecting axially from each end, said terminals configured for electrical connection of an LED source set within the bar with the electrical source and for mechanical connection of the bar to an adjacent bar.

4. The modular system according to claim 3, wherein each bar has at least one side surface, said at least one side surface having two female terminals at ends thereof, said has-two female terminals configured for electrical and mechanical connection to two male terminals of an adjacent bar.

5. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein each module of said plurality of modules has a body defining an outline of the letter or symbol designed to improve the visibility of the said letter or symbol.

6. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein each of said modules has an opaque panel having on two modules visible from opposite sides of the sign system on two opposite faces of said panel.

7. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the modules are supported by a supporting bar extending horizontally vertically or diagonally in the space internal to the aforesaid frame, between two vertical bars forming the frame.

8. The modular system according to claim 7, wherein said supporting bar comprises a bar of said plurality of bars.

9. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein said source of electrical supply comprises one or more batteries.

10. The modular system according to claim 9, wherein said battery is of the rechargeable type and is associated to a power generator.

11. The modular system according to claim 10, wherein said generator is made up of one or more photovoltaic solar panels.

12. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure includes a road sign of a conventional type, comprising a panel with a front surface bearing wordings or symbols in general, and in that said modules in the form of letters or symbols with light-guide body and at least one LED integrated therein are fixed on the front surface of the road sign, so as to cover the original wordings or symbols.

13. The modular system according to claim 12, wherein said modules are fixed on said front surface with the interposition of a layer of coating material, of a colour contrasting with that of the modules.

14. The modular system according to claim 13, wherein the letters or symbols of the modules are of dimensions larger than those of the original road sign.

15. The modular system according to claim 12, wherein fixed behind the panel is a supporting structure for the batteries and for the generator.

16. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein said supporting structure further comprises a spacer member which is non-lightable, said spacer member located between, and connected to, a connecting bar of the plurality of bars and said plurality of modules, such that a non-lit space appears between the plurality of modules and the connecting bar when the plurality of modules and the connecting bar are lighted.