Reinforced housing structure for a lighted sign or lighting fixture
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lighted sign, comprising:
- a plurality of sign elements that are interconnected with each other and that together form a sign, wherein at least some of the sign elements are separated from each other by open areas therebetween, and wherein one or more of the sign elements are formed by a housing having a pair of sidewalls separated by a space, wherein the sidewalls and the space therebetween cooperate to define a shape of the sign element, and wherein the housing sidewalls are connected together by a plurality of axially spaced apart reinforcing members that extend across the space between the sidewalls and that are interconnected with facing inner facing surfaces defined by the sidewalls, wherein the reinforcing members maintain the space between the sidewalls, and wherein the one or more sign elements further include a translucent diffuser configured for engagement with the sidewalls of the housing over the space between the sidewalls, and a light emitting arrangement located within the space between the side walls, configured to emit light through the diffuser.
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Abstract
A lighted sign or lighting fixture includes a housing that contains a series of LEDs. The housing has a pair of side walls and a series of spaced apart reinforcing members that extend between and interconnect the side walls. The reinforcing members may be formed integrally with the side walls, or may be in the form of separate members that are securely attached to the side walls. An LED mounting structure, such as a PCB, may be attached to the reinforcing members, or alternatively a separate bottom wall may be secured to the reinforcing members.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A lighted sign, comprising:
a plurality of sign elements that are interconnected with each other and that together form a sign, wherein at least some of the sign elements are separated from each other by open areas therebetween, and wherein one or more of the sign elements are formed by a housing having a pair of sidewalls separated by a space, wherein the sidewalls and the space therebetween cooperate to define a shape of the sign element, and wherein the housing sidewalls are connected together by a plurality of axially spaced apart reinforcing members that extend across the space between the sidewalls and that are interconnected with facing inner facing surfaces defined by the sidewalls, wherein the reinforcing members maintain the space between the sidewalls, and wherein the one or more sign elements further include a translucent diffuser configured for engagement with the sidewalls of the housing over the space between the sidewalls, and a light emitting arrangement located within the space between the side walls, configured to emit light through the diffuser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A lighted sign, comprising:
a plurality of sign elements that are interconnected with each other and that together form a sign, wherein at least some of the sign elements are separated from each other by open areas therebetween, and wherein one or more of the sign elements are formed by a housing having a pair of sidewalls separated by a space, wherein the sidewalls and the space therebetween cooperate to define a shape of the sign element, and wherein the housing sidewalls are connected together by a plurality of axially spaced apart reinforcing members that extend across the space between the sidewalls and that are interconnected with facing inner surfaces defined by the sidewalls, wherein the reinforcing members maintain the space between the sidewalls, and wherein the side walls and each reinforcing member cooperate to define an H-shaped cross-section, and wherein the one or more sign elements further include a translucent diffuser configured for engagement with the sidewalls of the housing over the space between the sidewalls, and a light emitting arrangement located within the space between the side walls for emitting light through the diffuser.
Specification