Illuminated vehicular sign

• US 9,916,781 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2013
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Shipman
• Original Assignee: Michael Shipman
• Inventors: Shipman, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S
• Application Number:
  US14/070,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20140053437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,590 Days
• Field of Search: 362 84, 362 971- 974, 362227, 362238, 362240-247, 36224901, 36224902, 362479, 362484, 362493, 362496, 362540, 362542-546, 362800, 362802, 362812, 340 61, 340468, 340471, 340472, 3408154, 34081545, 340902, 40492, 40541-544, 40550-553, 40556, 40563, 40564, 40591, 40592
• 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: B64D 47/06 for indicating aircraft presence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/005 Illumination controller or illuminated signs including an illumination control system
• 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 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/225 with electroluminescent lamps
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/227 Electroluminescent displays for vehicles
• 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:

a vehicle having four or more wheels, the vehicle having at least one substantially planar surface in the form of a hood surface, cabin roof surface, or trunk surface;

two or more electroluminescent planar panels mounted upon said substantially planar surface, said two or more luminescent planar panels in the shape of two or more letters or numbers;

a power source for providing power to the two or more luminescent planar panels; and

a switching system electrically connected to said two or more luminescent planar panels and said power source for selectively controlling the transfer of power from said power source to said two or more luminescent planar panels, said switching system including a controller, two or more adjustable variable resistors with a first adjustable variable resistor electrically connected to a first planar panel for allowing one to selectively adjust the wattage provided to the first planar panel and a second adjustable variable resistor electrically connected to a second planar panel for allowing one to selectively adjust the wattage provided to the second planar panel.

2. The illuminated vehicular sign of claim 1 wherein said adjustable variable resistors are manually adjustable.

3. The illuminated vehicular sign of claim 1 wherein said switching system further comprises:

one or more resistance, current, voltage, or wattage sensors for measuring the resistance, current, voltage or wattage of said two or more luminescent planar panels, and

said controller for automatically adjusting the resistance of said adjustable variable resistors based upon measurements made by said sensors.