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:
Feb. 15, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 10, 1998
Martin J Durbin, Oak Forest, IL (US);
Lumenids, Ltd., Hazel Crest, IL (US);
Abstract
An illuminated sign comprises a photoconductive plate and a series of light-emitting diodes of a type having a centerline and having a viewing angle of approximately 8.degree.. Being made from polycarbonate in a single piece, the photoconductive plate is inset from its back face, toward its front face but not through it, so as to define a series of indicia, each having a boundary. Each light-emitting diode is pressed into a recess opening at an outer periphery of the photoconductive plate, between the front and back faces. The recesses orient the light-emitting diodes so that a part of the boundary of each of the indicia is disposed within the viewing angle of at least one of the light-emitting diodes and so that another part thereof is not disposed within the viewing angle of any of the light-emitting diodes. An opaque material covers the back face of the photoconductive plate, at least where the back face is visible through the front face thereof, except where the photoconductive plate is inset so as to define the indicia. A fluorescent material covers the indicia and is adapted to fluoresce at a color matching the color of light emitted by the light-emitting diodes when energized.