Illuminated sign
OwnerLance Mueller, Patrick F. Gleesoninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An illuminated grid sign designed to be viewed at a maximum viewing angle (α) from a horizontal line of sight of an observer, the sign comprising: a frame, a partially transparent face thereon, tubing mounted therein and having an inside radius (r), and a plurality of concavely-curved, reflective channels each having an angle of wrap (β) and positioned at a minimum distance (d) from the luminous tubing; wherein the improvement comprises each channel being substantially semi-cylindrical and having a radius (R) approximately equal to 80 to 120% of r×(1+1/(sin α))+d.
Claims19
An illuminated grid sign designed to be viewed at a maximum viewing angle (α) from a horizontal line of sight of an observer, the sign comprising:
- a frame having a width;
- a partially transparent face supported thereon;
- a plurality of lengthwise sections of luminous tubing mounted in the frame and having a tubing inside radius (r) and an inner surface having a reflector-closest edge, and;
- a plurality of concavely-curved, reflective channels each having an angle of wrap (β) and a concave surface having a tubing-closest edge positioned at a minimum distance (d) from the tubing inner surface reflector-closest edge;
- wherein the improvement comprises each said reflective channel having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape with a radius of curvature (R) approximately equal to about 80% to about 120% of r×(1+1/(sin α))+d and an angle of wrap (β) that is no greater than 180°.
An illuminated grid sign designed to be viewed at a maximum viewing angle (α) from a horizontal line of sight of an observer, the sign consisting essentially of:
- a frame having a width;
- a partially transparent face supported thereon and adapted to present display matter;
- a transformer adapted to be connected to an electrical power supply;
- a plurality of lengthwise sections of neon or fluorescent tubing connected to the transformer, mounted in the frame, and having a tubing inside radius (r) and an inner surface having a reflector-closest edge, and;
- a plurality of plastic, concavely-curved, reflective channels each having an angle of wrap (β) and a concave surface having an tubing-closest edge positioned at a minimum distance (d) from the tubing inner surface reflector-closest edge, each said reflective channel having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape with a radius of curvature (R) approximately equal to about 80% to about 120% of r×(1+1/(sin α))+d and an angle of wrap (β) that is no greater than 180°.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.