The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 24, 1994
Filed:
Feb. 17, 1993
Andrew B Spencer, Manchester, CT (US);
Richard J Guastamachio, Broad Brook, CT (US);
Bryan D Marsh, South Windsor, CT (US);
American Ingenuity, Inc., Bloomfield, CT (US);
Abstract
Reflecting and luminous layered material is provided which combines the advantages of a light reflective component and a luminescent component. The material includes a first layer of prismatic light reflective plastic material having an underlying surface formed with a plurality of minute prism-like formations projecting therefrom at regular spaced intervals and an overlying substantially smooth light transmissive surface. The material also includes a second layer of plastic luminescent material attached to the underlying surface of the prism-like formations. The layers are joined at a first region as by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, sewing, or stapling into a unitary structure such that the prism-like formations are substantially destroyed. A second region is thereby defined at which the first layer and the second layer are physically distinct. An electroluminescent lamp is received in the second region and can be selectively energized. When the lamp is energized, its light radiates through the underlying surface of prism-like formations and through the smooth light transmissive surface. Simultaneously, reflected light from the prism-like formations partially energizes the second layer of luminescent material. When the lamp is deenergized, phosphorescent light radiates from the second layer through the underlying surface of prism-like formations and through the smooth light transmissive surface. Other embodiments are disclosed which can be tailored to a variety of applications.