GB732142A - Improvements in artificially illuminated signs - Google Patents

Abstract

732,142. Signs. PEARCE SIGNS, Ltd., and PEARCE, J. H. G. Nov. 3, 1953 [Nov. 3, 1952; Dec. 22, 1952], Nos. 27658/52 and 3247/52]. Class 3 (2). In a letter for use in artificially illuminated signs comprising a casing in the shape of the letter to be displayed and carrying a similarly shaped tubular lighting unit, the casing or a transparent or translucent front plate associated therewith is provided with a surrounding bevel which is composed of a material such as stainless steel or is otherwise specially treated to give it good daylight reflecting properties. The casing, Fig. 2, is cast or moulded from a synthetic resin or other non-metallic substance and is recessed to receive a neon or fluorescent tube 2 as shown. The bevel 3 may be straight or curved and may be coated with gold leaf, painted or plated. In a modification, Fig. 5 (not shown), the letter is fabricated from sheet metal or a blank of stainless steel; the component parts being soldered together, if so desired. In a further modification, Fig. 8, the tube 2 is wholly disposed within the recess 1 and the metal casing carries a transparent or translucent plate 4; the edge 3 being coated with gold leaf or appropriately painted. Again, the edge 3 may form an extension of a metal casing and overlie the bevelled edge of the plate 4. The casing and the tube may be of different colours. The sign may also be provided with an additional or alternative source of illumination 2a; the tubes 2, 2a being of the same or contrasting colours. The tubes 2, 2a may be arranged side by side to form an outline or a double outline. In a further modification, Fig. 12, the letter is moulded from Methyl methacrylate and contains a tube 2a arranged as shown or in the recess 1. A transparent or translucent centre plate 5 may be provided as shown. The letter may be produced from plastic material of a transparent or translucent nature and parts of the letter may be opaque; selected portions being painted or otherwise treated so that they will be of a different colour or translucency. The sign may be made from the front part of one moulding connected to the back part of a second moulding of a different or contrasting colour. The letters may be secured to rails or to a base board.