Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Illuminated sign – Luminescent
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-06
2001-01-16
Melius, Terry Lee (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Illuminated sign
Luminescent
C040S541000, C040S550000, C362S240000, C362S800000, C362S812000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173517
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lighted display element which comprises a light line coupled to a light-conducting housing. Due to the design of the light-conducting housing, the light element is particularly suitable for indirect lighting.
2. The Prior Art
Lighted display elements are disclosed in the prior art DE 4,311,018 A1. Here, pc board strips consisting of surface mounted light emitting-diode (SMD-LED) components are arranged in the light-conducting housing in recesses above an optical coupling medium. These pc board strips are arranged in the horizontal and/or vertical direction of light incidence. If the luminous elements are placed in the light-housing the horizontal direction of incidence provides the housing with at least one additional reflector edge. In this case, the display element has an unsealed outer surface with good optical conductivity, and the other side surfaces of the housing are sealed.
German Design Patent No. 29 603 006 discloses another light display device. This solution comprises a mounting rail, in which a reflector with a recess is installed, and at least one SMD-LED pc board strip is arranged in the recess. In this case, the reflector with the pc board strip is embedded in a cover in the mounting rail. In addition, an information carrier is disposed on the light-conducting housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to develop a luminous display element having high light yield.
It is another object of the invention to provide a display element that is inexpensive to manufacture, simple in design and easy to install.
Accordingly, the invention provides a display element that is formed by the combination of a light line fed into a transparent housing. The light or luminous line is composed of a series of surface mounted LED (SMD-LED) elements that are mounted on a carrier material in the form of a pc board strip. The housing has a non-rectangular cross-section and its length is multiple times its height. The light line is fed into the long side of the housing and extends along its longitudinal axis. This design allows for high light density.
According to one feature of the invention, the light-conducting housing has a profile with a circular cross-section that extends in the form of a rod or a bar.
The circular cross-section-housing houses a pc board strip that is arranged on or in a recess of the light-conducting housing depending on the desired reflection angles. A flat angle of reflection is obtained with a flat recess directly within the marginal area of the light-conducting housing. The depth of the recess is variable for obtaining different luminous effects. The greater the depth of the recess, i.e., the farther such recess is removed from the marginal area, the greater the angle of reflection. The circular cross-sectional shape of the light-conducting housing is suitable, for example, for indirect illumination, as well as for illuminating narrow areas. To avoid loss of light, it is important to assure a good optical connection when coupling the light line to the housing.
The luminous display elements designed in the form of a light bar or strand have a standard length. The elements are designed in such a way that they are connectable with each other and form oblong luminous surfaces. In this case, the elements have mechanical and electrical connection elements.
In another embodiment of the invention, the light-conducting housing has a profile that is not in the form of a rod or bar. For example, the housing can be designed in the form of a letter. The carrier material is designed to be transparent and flexible so that it is capable of adapting to the given shape. The SMD-LED-components are pressed into the flexible carrier material, which is designed as a deformable reflector. The components are received in the strip material in a positively locked way, whereby the strip material acts at the same time as a diffuser and supports the distribution of light across the entire width of the strip material. This novel field of application opens new possibilities especially in the field of advertising. The illuminated lettering is free of glare and has minimal energy costs. Furthermore, since the system is almost totally free of maintenance it constitutes a significant advantage for this illumination technology.
In another embodiment of the invention, the light-housing has a substantially T-shaped cross-section. A reflector is coupled to the light-housing and is designed to form a rectangule cross-section. In addition, the light line is arranged on a surface of the reflector and the connection between the light-reflector and the light-conducting housing is designed for good optical conductivity. As a rule, the light line exits only on one surface; the other surfaces of the light-conducting housing are designed to be reflecting.
An optimum condition of total reflection is produced due to the substantially T-shaped cross-sectional profile of the transparent cover in the rod-like or bar-like light-conducting housing. Based on the minimal dimensions of the reflector, this means that the light-conducting housing provides many new applications. With one possible variation in the cross-sectional profile, the height and width dimensions can amount to only 8×8 mm. Typical fields of application include the illumination of house or street numbers, street signs, systems for providing directions in buildings, signs of medical offices, pictograms, advertising displays, company logos, etc. These luminous elements referred to as light strips may be used just as well for luminous markings, on the contours of building and commercial facilities. The following applications are stated as examples: border or guide lines, edges of railway station platforms, staircase steps, staircase railings, or also line-shaped luminous markings on commercially used installations. To obtain a luminous effect during daytime hours, a colored foil can be arranged in front of the luminous surface.
According to another feature of the invention, the light-conducting housing is designed in the form of a rod-like or bar-like hollow housing. The inlet and outlet opening of the hollow housing is designed to be sealed in a reflecting way. The light line is fed into the housing along its longitudinal axis. The light line can be coupled into the light-conducting housing horizontally, vertically, or also through a combination of both, depending on the purpose of the application and the requirements.
Furthermore, it is possible to fit the carrier material with lights having two or more colors, and to control these lights with a generally known electronic control system.
If possible, the reflector, which is preferably made of plastic material, has a white color shade. The luminous line is embedded in the reflector in such a way that no loss of light can occur. As a rule, the strip is mounted by gluing the strip into the reflector.
When used as a display element, a separate light-conducting housing is adapted to the size of the displayed symbol. In this case, the symbol is arranged on the light-housing and the light-housing has good optical conductivity. A light outlet surface and the separate light conducting housing is arranged on the crossbar of the letter “T” on the T-shaped cross-section of the light-housing.
Another embodiment of the invention includes a light-housing having a triangular cross-section for special applications. One surface of the triangular cross-section is a reflector. Such profiles are usable, for example for indirect illumination as well.
For purposes of providing chain-shaped luminous elements, the reflector and the light-conducting housing are joined with each other in an airtight manner. The elements are designed so that they can be connected to each other by gluing. To do this, the elements are provided with specific electrical and mechanical connection elements on their ends. Furthermore, this invention allows the light-housing to have any technologically manageable cross-secti
Albrecht Wolf
Eibner Wolfgang
Illner Hartmut
Collard & Roe P.C.
Hewitt James M
Melius Terry Lee
osa Elektronik GmbH
LandOfFree
Luminous display element with a light coupled into a light... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Luminous display element with a light coupled into a light..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Luminous display element with a light coupled into a light... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2524294