Illuminated vehicular sign

• US 9,010,976 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2013
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Shipman
• Original Assignee: Michael Shipman
• Inventors: Shipman, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S
• Application Number:
  US14/070,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20140059904A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/97.3, 362/183, 362/227, 362230-232, 362/238, 362/240, 362/243, 362/249.01, 362/249.02, 362/479, 362/493, 362/496, 362/540, 362542-546, 362/555, 362612-613, 362/800, 362/802, 362/812, 40541-544, 40550-553, 405/56, 405/91, 404/92, 340/6.1, 340/468, 340/471, 340/472, 340/815.4, 340/815.45, 340/902
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/544 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/18 Edge-illuminated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/20 with luminescent surfaces or parts luminescent compositions C09K11/00; light sources using luminescence F21K2/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/225 with electroluminescent lamps
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/042 the advertising matter being fixed on the roof of the vehicles

Abstract

An illuminated vehicular sign is provided including a vehicle and luminescent planar sheet. The luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alpha-numeric characters which are mounted to the horizontal planar surfaces of a vehicle. The alpha-numeric characters are mounted substantially horizontally so as to be seen from the air such as by helicopters or planes. The illuminated vehicle sign includes a switching system electrically connected to the luminescent planar panels for selectively controlling the transfer of power from said power source to the luminescent planar panels. The switching system including one or more adjustable variable resistors electrically connected to the luminescent planar panels for allowing one to selectively adjust the wattage provided to them.

Claims

1. An illuminated vehicular sign comprising:

one or more luminescent planar sheets, said one or more luminescent planar sheets constructed to provide luminescent indicia in the form of one or more letters or numbers, said luminescent planar sheets are constructed to selectively illuminate said indicia in at least one visible color and selectively illuminate said indicia in the infrared spectrum primarily invisible to the human eye;

a power source for providing power to the one or more luminescent planar sheets; and

a switching system electrically connected to said one or more luminescent planar sheets and said power source for selectively controlling the transfer of power from said power source to said one or more luminescent planar sheets, and for allowing a person to select illumination of said indicia in a visible color or for allowing a person to select illumination of said indicia in the infrared spectrum produced.

2. The illuminated vehicular sign of claim 1 wherein said one or more luminescent planar sheets are electroluminescent panels wherein said luminescent planar sheets can display infrared light.

3. The illuminated vehicular sign of claim 1 wherein said one or more luminescent planar sheets comprise one or more light pipes connected to light emitting diodes (LEDs) wherein said LEDs can display infrared light.

4. The illuminated vehicular sign of claim 1 wherein said switching system is mounted so as to be easily controllable by an operator of the vehicle.

5. The illuminated vehicular sign of claim 1 wherein said letters or numbers have a length of at least 18 inches.

6. The illuminated vehicular sign of claim 1 wherein said letters or numbers have a length of 18 inches to 48 inches.

7. The illuminated vehicular sign of claim 1 wherein said one or more luminescent planar sheets and said switching system are capable of making said luminescent indicia to strobe, and said switching system allows one to selectively activate or deactivate the strobing indicia.

8. The illuminated vehicular sign of claim 1 wherein said one or more luminescent planar sheets include an electrically resistant material in the shape of said indicia to provide heat to form infrared indicia.