Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Illuminated sign – Luminescent
Patent
1995-09-18
1998-06-30
Green, Brian K.
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Illuminated sign
Luminescent
40565, 40570, 26427214, 362153, 362238, G09F 1322
Patent
active
057716170
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a display and, in particular, to a display device which may be incorporated in the floors or walls of a building structure.
Conventional illuminated display devices such as strip tube with lights are generally designed for mounting on a wall or like surface and may be arranged to display messages. One problem with such devices is that they can be fragile and temperamental so that, unless mounted beyond normal reach, they are unsuitable for use in public areas. For example, an illuminated "FIRE EXIT" message of the conventional display device must be mounted in a position where an exiting crowd will not damage the display.
Furthermore, conventional display devices as described above are designed for normal indoor use and are consequently not suitable for outdoor, all-weather conditions, or for use under water. Generally, known outdoor type display devices are complicated, sealed structures designed for specific environments.
An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and convenient display device which overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a display device comprising one or more illuminable devices embedded in a robust composition.
The robust composition may be an anti-slip composition as described in patent application number 9213885.8. This patent application discloses a composition for an anti-slip tread comprising an epoxy resin, a blocked polyurethane and an inert aggregate. The illuminable devices may be partially embedded so that the surfaces of the illuminable devices are visible at or above the surface of the robust composition. Alternatively, the illuminable devices may be wholly embedded and the surface of the robust composition may be ground until the illuminable device's surfaces are visible. Such grinding may include partial grinding of the illuminable device surfaces.
The illuminable devices may be incandescent bulbs, light-emitting diodes hereinafter referred to as LEDs, liquid crystal displays, optical fibres, laser diodes electroluminescent devices or the like and may be mounted on rigid or flexible printed circuit board (pcb), standard strip-board or wire loom.
Preferably the display device is in the form of one or more independent panels, each of which may be connected to a power supply via fly-leads or a conductor line and/or connected to a similar independent panel. The illuminable devices of each panel may be arranged to display a particular pattern, letter, numeral or symbol, and when interconnected, a number of such panels may combine to display a complete picture or message.
Alternatively, the display device may be in the form of a continuous strip. The illuminable devices may be mounted on a continuous strip of rigid or flexible pcb. In some applications the display device may be in the form of a single illuminable device embedded in a disc of robust composition.
Such a disc is particularly useful in for example precast concrete surfaces or terrazzo surfaces such as stairs or steps. The discs may be inlaid so that their surfaces are flush with the floor or wall surfaces. Alternatively, the discs may be partially or substantially raised above the surface to provide for example a non-slip or impact resistant tread.
Display devices of the invention in the form of continuous strips, with the illuminable devices preferably not grinded off, find particular application in the field of low location lighting such as in commercial premises and marine applications.
The display device of the invention may also be in the form of a small block which may fit within a suitably configured extrusion embedded or secured to a floor surface, carpet, skirting or the like. A miniature pcb having a single or multichip (for example four-orb) LED or other illuminable device mounted thereon may be encapsulated or embedded in the small block. Preferably a channel section extrusion having two grooves is provided to receive such display devices along the
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Chop Andrea
Gradus Limited
Green Brian K.
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