Pro-Lite Inc. (Costa Mesa, CA), the first company to introduce the 32-in. indoor red LED sign in 1981, a three-color sign in 1984 and outdoor LED sign in 1987, was awarded Patent # US 7,467.486 B2 on December 23, 2008 for a method and apparatus for simulating the appearance of a neon sign.
The invention comprises multiple housing portions, which are composed of opaque and translucent materials, and LEDs that are arranged to produce light that propagates through the translucent portion of the housing. The housing portions mate to form a single, rigid structure that surrounds most of the LEDs. The translucent portion’s shape conveys a message via an image, icon, lettering or other indicia.
The opaque portion’s shiny interior surface reflects light emitted from the LEDs. The outer portion’s dark, textured appearance makes the surface appear flat and dull in contrast with the illuminating, translucent portion. This contrast minimizes the visibility of the opaque portion of the housing to create neon-like illumination, particularly at night or in a dark setting. The housing’s form profiles the contours of the message to be conveyed, and the contoured shape creates a more authentic, neon-sign-like appearance. The housing is compartmentalized to focus the LED energy and prevent unwanted mixing of light from different colored LEDs.
One model has an open structure wherein the desired message is cantilevered to permit a viewer to see through openings in the supporting housing adjacent the openings to further emphasize a neon-sign effect. A control circuit inside the housing controls the voltage applied to the LEDs. A control panel mounted on the outside of the housing provides user input to the control circuit. The control panel allows a user to select and control visual effects such as flashing and flash rate. A DC port on the control panel receives electrical power for the control circuit and the LEDs. An AC adapter cable converts 120VAC power into DC power for powering the control circuit and the LEDs through the DC port.
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