Patent Application
20130107566
The apparatus, systems and methods disclosed, illustrated and claimed in this document pertaining generally to signs. More particularly, the new and useful edge illuminable wayfinder disclosed and claimed in this document pertains to signage that is uniformly brightly illuminable, allows in situ changes to the graphics of the signage, and includes means for illuminating the signage that is removably replaceable following installation of the wayfinder in an operational environment. The edge illuminable wayfinder is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for directing visitors through public environments including but not limited to airports, malls, sports facilities, ground transportation depots, and other locations in which people must move from one place to another.
Until now, conventional wayfinder products have been back-lit through a single diffusion panel. In such conventional wayfinder products the source of light has been positioned behind the panel on which graphics have been substantially permanently mounted with substantially permanent wayfinding instructions. Conventional wayfinder products are not uniformly illuminable with uniformly bright light.
Limitations associated with such conventional wayfinder products include high operational energy costs attributable to use of light sources that are energy inefficient and excessively costly. It has been estimated that over 90% of energy costs associated with the use of fluorescent or incandescent lighting sources are wasted as heat.
Conventional wayfinder products also fail to include means for field accessibility to removable and replaceable components, a limitation that adds to maintenance costs and, in some instances, replacement of an entire wayfinder product.
A need therefore exists in the industry for new and useful apparatus, systems and methods for uniformly and brightly displaying more than one illuminable graphic capable for displaying identical or different messages and directions in a single wayfinder housing. A need also exists for displaying uniformly illuminable graphics in both dry and wet environments without degradation of the graphic presentation. In addition, a need exists for a wayfinder that is designed for field accessibility to components of the wayfinder in situ in an operational environment to accommodate repairs, component changes, installation of new components, and similar reasons.
The apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed, illustrated, and claimed in this document solve the limitations and problems noted above by displaying uniformly and brightly illuminable removable and replaceable selectively dissimilar graphics in dry and wet environments. The solutions are achieved by operatively connecting a sealable light-emitting diode platform to an edge-illuminable graphic sandwich mounted in a housing in such a way that the graphic sandwich, sealable light-emitting diode platform, and other components of the sealed illuminable wayfinder are field-accessible.
More specifically, in one embodiment, a plurality of diodes is positioned on the sealed light-emitting diode platform in such a way that each of at least two lighting panels included in the edge-illuminable graphic sandwich are uniformly and brightly illuminable. If an edge illuminable wayfinder having a single graphic display is needed, a plurality of diodes is positioned on the sealed light-emitting diode platform in such a way that a single lighting panel is uniformly and brightly illuminable. A substantially opaque sheet disposed between opposing inner surfaces of a plurality of engraved lighting panels prevents light from bleeding between the two lighting panels, producing a uniform and bright illumination of wayfinder graphics that are removably positioned on the lighting panels. The combination of components enables the wayfinder to be illuminable by directing the light through a single edge of the illuminable graphic sandwich. Because components of the wayfinder are field accessible, selectively dissimilar graphics may be mounted on opposing outer surfaces of the two lighting panels to provide different information as needed; in other words, a double-faced edge illuminable graphic sandwich with a different graphic on each face is achieved. As indicated, however, the wayfinder also made be placed in an operative environment as a single-faced wayfinder. Accordingly, an apparatus is provided that includes an illuminable graphic sandwich that is operatively connectable to a sealed light-emitting diode platform.
In another embodiment an edge illuminable wayfinder includes an illuminable graphic sandwich that in turn includes one or more layers of materials forming a plurality of engraved lighting panels. A substantially opaque sheet is disposed between opposing inner surfaces of the a plurality of lighting panels. One or more replaceable graphics is mountable on or adjacent to opposing exterior surfaces of the plurality of engraved lighting panels. In addition, a light-emitting diode platform operatively connectable to the illuminable graphic sandwich is provided for displaying the one or more graphics. The light-emitting diode platform is sealed in such a way as to enable operation of the edge illuminable wayfinder in either a wet or dry environment. A housing is provided for removably enclosing the illuminable graphic sandwich and the light-emitting diode platform.
In another embodiment, an illuminating system is provided that includes means for displaying uniformly illuminable graphics. The system also includes means for illuminating the means for displaying uniformly illuminable removable graphics. Also included are means for energizing the means for illuminating the means for displaying uniformly illuminable removable graphics that is operatively connectable to the means for displaying and to the means for illuminating.
In yet another embodiment, a method of uniformly displaying graphics is provided that includes providing an illuminable graphic sandwich, forming a sealable light-emitting diode platform, connecting the illuminable graphic sandwich and the light-emitting diode platform, energizing the sealable light-emitting diode platform, and removably enclosing the illuminable graphic sandwich and the sealable light-emitting diode platform in a housing.
The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important features of the invention to better understand the detailed description that follows, and to better understand the contributions to the art. The edge illuminable wayfinder is not limited in application to the details of construction, and to the arrangements of the components, provided in the following description or drawing figures, but is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.
The phraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of description, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the conception on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems. The claims, therefore, include equivalent constructions. Further, the abstract associated with this disclosure is intended neither to define the edge illuminable wayfinder, which is measured by the claims, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims.
It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and utilities.
The structure and co-operation of structure of the edge illuminable wayfinder will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, drawing figures, and appended claims.
The novel features of the edge illuminable wayfinder are best understood from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
To the extent that the numerical designations in the drawing figures include lower case letters such as “a,b” such designations include multiple references, and the letter “n” in lower case such as “a-n” is intended to express a number of repetitions of the element designated by that numerical reference and subscripts.
As used in this document the term “exemplary” means serving as an example, instance, or illustration; any aspect described in this document as “exemplary” is not intended to mean preferred or advantageous over other aspects or embodiments of the edge illuminable wayfinder.
The term “engraved” means that at least one surface of a lighting panel has been engraved or etched with a series of spaced-apart substantially parallel lines of varying depth, width and spacing that contribute to increasing the uniformity of distribution of light across a lighting panel and to increase the brightness of a lighting panel.
The term “field-accessible” means a condition and/or action involving a component of an edge illuminated wayfinder that may be performed after installation of the wayfinder in an operational environment. Thus, for example, the one or more components of the edge illuminable wayfinder may be changed, removed, replaced or otherwise accessed in situ after installation of the edge illuminable wayfinder in an operational environment.
The term “graphic” and/or “graphics” mean a visual display of words, symbols, pictures and/or other images. The term includes but is not limited to the meaning of “graphic” contemplated by the Society of Environmental Graphic Design.
The term “graphic sandwich” means one or more layers of materials including, in one non-exclusive example, two lighting panels, a substantially opaque sheet disposed between opposing inner surfaces of the two lighting panels, and one or more graphics mounted on or adjacent to opposing exterior surfaces of the two lighting panels.
The term “in situ” means in an operational environment following initial installation.
The term “sheet” means a substantially flat material disposed between opposing lighting panels.
The term “seal” and/or “sealed” means closed securely to render the apparatus and system disclosed in this document substantially watertight and/or airtight.
The term “uniformly” means substantially unchanging, to always display the graphics in the same quality, degree, character or manner in a consistent way.
The term “wayfinder” means at least an illuminable apparatus for guiding people through public areas.
As shown in
More specifically, in one embodiment, a plurality of diodes is positioned on the sealed light-emitting diode platform in such a way that each of at least two lighting panels included in the edge-illuminable graphic sandwich are uniformly and brightly illuminable. If an edge illuminable wayfinder having a single graphic display is needed, a plurality of diodes is positioned on the sealed light-emitting diode platform in such a way that a single lighting panel is uniformly and brightly illuminable. A substantially opaque sheet disposed between opposing inner surfaces of a plurality of engraved lighting panels prevents light from bleeding between the two lighting panels, producing a uniform and bright illumination of wayfinder graphics that are removably positioned on the lighting panels. The combination of components enables the wayfinder to be illuminable by directing the light through a single edge of the illuminable graphic sandwich. Because components of the wayfinder are field accessible, selectively dissimilar graphics may be mounted on opposing outer surfaces of the two lighting panels to provide different information as needed; in other words, a double-faced edge illuminable graphic sandwich with a different graphic on each face is achieved. As indicated, however, the wayfinder also made be placed in an operative environment as a single-faced wayfinder. Accordingly, an apparatus is provided that includes an illuminable graphic sandwich that is operatively connectable to a sealed light-emitting diode platform.
Thus, in one embodiment, as illustrated by cross-reference between
The edge illuminable graphic sandwich 12 and the sealed light-emitting diode platform 14 are removably enclosable in the housing 16. When assembled, the apparatus may be stationed in a public area as illustrated in
The edge illuminable graphic sandwich 12 includes a plurality of lighting panels 22a,b as perhaps best illustrated by cross-reference to
Regarding the plurality of lighting panels 22a,b, at least one exemplary manipulable material used to fabricate the plurality of lighting panels 22a,b is white acrylic. In one embodiment, the white acrylic material is approximately ⅛ inch thick. In another embodiment, the plurality of lighting panels 22a,b may be made of polycarbonate, but as a person skilled in the art will appreciate, neither the material nor the dimensions of the material are limitations of the disclosures and claims in this document.
The edge illuminable graphic sandwich 12 also includes a substantially opaque sheet 24 as also illustrated by cross-reference between
In addition, the edge illuminable graphic sandwich 12 also includes one or more graphics 30a,b. The embodiment illustrated in
To enhance the uniform intensity and brightness of distributed light through, across and from the plurality of lighting panels 22a,b, either or both of the opposing inner surfaces 28a,b and the opposing exterior surfaces 32a,b of the plurality of lighting panels 22a,b may be engraved. Such engraving is partially illustrated in
As illustrated in
As a person skilled in the art also will appreciate, the one or more graphics 30a,b will generally include at least one visual display of words, symbols, pictures and/or other images (collectively, “images” 38) as illustrated in
As illustrated by cross-reference between
As also illustrated in
As illustrated diagrammatically in
The apparatus 10 also includes other means for accessing, removing and replacing one or more components of the sealed light-emitting diode platform 14 as well as the graphics 30a,b. In one nonexclusive example, the means for accessing, removing and replacing one or more components of the sealed light-emitting diode platform 14 and the graphics 30a,b is by opening and/or closing the access cover 20 of the housing 16. As illustrated, perhaps best by cross-reference between
Illustrated by cross-reference between
In one embodiment of the light-emitting diode platform 14, is manufactured as a “plug and play” light-emitting diode platform 14 to simplify replacement of the light-emitting diode platform 14, if necessary. As manufactured, the light-emitting diode platform 14 includes thermal management features to reduce heat and to avoid the consequences of unexpectedly lower temperatures. Either DMX or easy interface to a 0-10 control device is provided.
In yet another embodiment, a method of uniformly displaying identical or different graphics 30a,b is provided that includes providing an illuminable graphic sandwich 12, forming a sealable light-emitting diode platform 14, connecting the illuminable graphic sandwich 12 and the light-emitting diode platform 14, energizing the sealable light-emitting diode platform 14, and enclosing removably the illuminable graphic sandwich 12 and the sealable light-emitting diode platform 14 in a housing 16. In one embodiment, as illustrated in
The method further includes mounting one or more graphics 30a,b on or adjacent to opposing exterior surfaces 32a,b of the plurality of lighting panels 22a,b included in the illuminable graphic sandwich 12. In one embodiment, “lift and shift” graphic replacement is employed to enhance field accessibility. The graphics 30a,b are removably mountable on the opposing exterior surfaces 32a,b of the plurality of lighting panels 22a,b by any number of means including application of heat, stamp pressing, contact pressure. The combined graphics 30a,b and the plurality of lighting panels 22a,b are insertable into the plurality of grooves 58a,b formed in the extruded beam 52 which holds the graphics 30a,b on the opposing exterior surfaces 32a,b of the plurality of lighting panels 22a,b. In addition, one or more corner clips 60a,b may be inserted to hold the graphics 30a,b against the opposing exterior surfaces 32a,b of the plurality of lighting panels 22a,b. As illustrated in
The method also includes selecting one or more sealing materials for the seal 42 from the group of materials consisting of rubber, resin, plastic, and insulation among other malleable and elastomeric materials.
Claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered solely as an aid in understanding the description. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as intending to, indicate the ordering of elements and steps in the claims. In addition, the apparatus, methods and systems shown in drawing
Method steps may be interchanged sequentially without departing from the scope of the edge illuminable wayfinder.
Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function that include not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. In addition, to improve the readability of the claims that include means-plus-function clauses, the means for displaying uniformly illuminable graphics is shortened in the dependent claims to “means for displaying”; and the means for illuminating the means for displaying uniformly illuminable removable graphics is abbreviated to “means for illuminating”; and the means for energizing the means for illuminating the means for displaying uniformly illuminable removable graphics is abbreviated to “means for energizing.”
Although the apparatus, systems, and methods provide for use with LED devices and technologies, that is not a limitation of future uses of the LED-enabled edge illuminable wayfinder, but only recognition of the current nature of LED technologies as sources of light and lighting which may, however, change over time.
