Patent Grant
7556403
None
This invention relates generally to the field of display signs using illuminating elements to display a message, and more specifically to a face plate with hoods over the illuminating elements.
Display signs are found virtually everywhere. They provide important information to our society, particularly regarding commerce and travel. Static signs provide a medium for displaying a message, but cannot be changed without a significant effort and expense. A solution for this shortcoming is a display sign that is easy to change. Typically, these signs have a plurality of illuminant elements in a matrix that can be selectively illuminated to create an image or a message. However, these signs have some shortcomings.
The first shortcoming is that ambient light, such as direct sunlight, may make all or some of the illuminating elements in the matrix appear illuminated even when they are not. In addition, direct sunlight on the pixels (illuminating elements) will significantly degrade the contrast between the pixels. Large, one-piece hoods or visors have been incorporated across entire matrices to address this problem, but these visors create more problems, such as excess weight and additional materials and costs.
A second shortcoming is that the exposed illuminating elements may collect water, ice and dirt, particularly on their tops. Sign manufacturers have incorporated glazing over the entire matrix to keep the elements out, but again, more problems are created, such as glare from the large flat piece of glass or other material. In addition, the weight and cost penalty for glazing is very large.
Thus, what is needed is a display sign with a plurality of illuminating elements that provides contrast enhancement by minimizing or eliminating the problems of direct sunlight upon the illuminating elements and protects the illuminating elements from the water and dirt without heavy glazing.
It is intended that any other advantages and objects of the present invention that become apparent or obvious from the detailed description or illustrations contained herein are within the scope of the present invention.
A display and messaging sign includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, such as light bulbs, LEDs, or groups of LEDs that may form a pixel; and a hooded face plate near the pixels. The hooded face plate includes a number of hooded apertures, with a hood over each of the light emitting elements or pixels. Each pixel may enter an aperture and may be even with, or extend beyond, an outer surface of the face plate. Each hood may be curved over its light emitting element.
The hoods are designed so that each pixel obtains the most protection from direct sunlight and still provides the field of view necessary for the sign's application. As a result, the greatest contrast enhancement for direct sunlight is obtained. The hooded face place is inexpensive to manufacture and costs no more than punching holes in the face plate for each pixel.
The following is a discussion and description of the preferred specific embodiments of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It should be noted that such discussion and description is not meant to unduly limit the scope of the invention.
The following is a discussion and description of the preferred specific embodiments of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It should be noted that such discussion and description is not meant to unduly limit the scope of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, the attached figures illustrate a hooded face plate for a message and display sign. The hooded face plate has a hood for each pixel of light. A pixel may include more than one LED or other light source. The hoods may be punched into a sheet of metal. As a result, the hooded face plate has the same manufacturing costs as a face plate with holes for each pixel. The hood is designed to provide the most protection from direct sunlight as possible and still allow the pixels to be seen from all necessary angles. This provides the greatest contract enhancement for the sign in direct sunlight.
Display and messaging signs are typically oriented to maximize their visibility along the most common routes, such as roads. Further, the signs are oriented with their faces vertical. It is not common, nor is it appropriate to place a sign below the field of view. Such an orientation would be hard to see, or ignored, by passersby. Reorienting the signs to point up toward the audience would simply encourage precipitation and dirt to accumulate on the face plate 12, LEDs 18 and in the apertures 16. The curved hood 22 or a peaked hood is very good at shedding precipitation and dirt.
Thus there has been described a hooded face plate that is inexpensive to manufacture and provides significant contrast enhancement of the pixels in direct sunlight.
While the invention has been described with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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