US 6,631,575 B1Granted

LED and light diffuser for a lighted sign

AssigneeDaktronics, Inc.

InventorsVernon P. Voelzke, Eric S. Bravek, Randy Scott Uehran

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Abstract

An LED lighted sign with a light diffuser sheet with embedded diffusion particles which provides a 20%-40% increase in lighting transmittance. There is also provided a light divider assembly having partitions which serve to segregate groups of LEDs for lighting only selected segments of the light divider assembly for displaying numerical images. Alternatively, there is provided an injection molded light diffuser lens of the same material which secures to each of several light diffuser chambers which combine to display numerical images. optionally, colored LEDs may be used to create color displays. Color filters may also be overlaid the light diffusers or color pigment may be added to the diffusion material during injection molding to create color displays. A molded light divider assembly is also provided in the alternative.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A lighted alpha-numeric display assembly, comprising:

a. a printed circuit board;
b. a light divider assembly mounted on said printed circuit board, said light divider assembly comprising a plurality of partitions upstanding from said printed circuit board, said partitions forming seven geometric chambers of identical shape arranged in the form of a figure eight, each of said seven geometric chambers having an open top, and each of said seven geometric chambers further having a plurality of outwardly protruding tabs adjacent to its open top;
c. light emitting diodes associated with said printed circuit board and extending therefrom into said seven geometric chambers for providing illumination in each of said seven geometric chambers, there being a plurality of said light emitting diodes received in each of said seven geometric chambers;
d. separate light diffuser lenses corresponding in shape to the shape of said seven geometric chambers, said light diffuser lenses covering said open tops of said seven geometric chambers, each light diffuser lens having downwardly extending tab receivers corresponding in number to the plurality of outwardly protruding tabs of each of said seven geometric chambers, each tab receiver receiving one of said outwardly protruding tabs;
and,
e. a face plate arranged over said light diffuser lenses and secured to said light divider assembly, said face plate having seven geometric cutouts corresponding in shape to the shape of said seven geometric chambers and light diffuser lenses, and said seven geometric cutouts being in alignment with said seven geometric chambers and light diffuser lenses.

3 more elements

A lighted alpha-numeric display assembly, comprising:

a. a printed circuit board;
b. a light divider assembly mounted on said printed circuit board, said light divider assembly comprising a one-piece, unitary member having walls forming seven geometric chambers of identical shape arranged in the form of a figure eight, each of said seven geometric chambers having an upper surface, an open top, and a recess around the entire perimeter thereof adjacent to the open top;
c. light emitting diodes associated with said printed circuit board and extending therefrom into said seven geometric chambers for providing illumination in each of said seven geometric chambers, there being a plurality of said light emitting diodes received in each of said seven geometric chambers;
d. separate light diffuser lenses corresponding in shape to the shape of said seven geometric chambers, said light diffuser lenses being disposed in said recesses around the perimeters of said seven geometric chambers, covering said open tops of said seven geometric chambers, and lying flush with said upper surfaces of said seven geometric chambers;
and,
e. a face plate arranged over said light diffuser lenses and secured to said light divider assembly, said face plate having seven geometric cutouts corresponding in shape to the shape of said seven geometric chambers and light diffuser lenses, and said seven geometric cutouts being in alignment with said seven geometric chambers and light diffuser lenses.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/927,149Filed 10 Aug 2001 · continuation in part
Priority: 8 Nov 2000
Granted: 14 Oct 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G02B 5/0205
Diffusing elements; Afocal elements: characterised by the diffusing properties
G09F 9/3023
Characterised by the form or geometrical disposition of the individual elements: segmented electronic displays
G09F 9/33
In which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements: being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
G02B
Optical elements, systems or apparatus