Abstract: A physically-discrete sign component comprises an internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic character having a front-facing profile and at least one connecting bar disposed at least substantially horizontally with respect to the front-facing profile of the alphabetic character and at least partially within the front-facing profile of that alphabetic character. By one approach the physically-discrete sign component includes two of the connecting bars. If desired, these two connecting bars are disposed at least substantially parallel to one another. By one approach, a first one of the connecting bars extends partially, but not wholly, above an upper periphery of the aforementioned front-facing profile while the second connecting bar extends partially, but not wholly, below a lower periphery of the front-facing profile. The connecting bars can include a connecting-bar interface configured to physically and electrically interconnect to an adjacent sign component.

Abstract: A physically-discrete sign component comprises an internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic character having a front-facing profile and at least one connecting bar disposed at least substantially horizontally with respect to the front-facing profile of the alphabetic character and at least partially within the front-facing profile of that alphabetic character. By one approach the physically-discrete sign component includes two of the connecting bars. If desired, these two connecting bars are disposed at least substantially parallel to one another. By one approach, a first one of the connecting bars extends partially, but not wholly, above an upper periphery of the aforementioned front-facing profile while the second connecting bar extends partially, but not wholly, below a lower periphery of the front-facing profile. The connecting bars can include a connecting-bar interface configured to physically and electrically interconnect to an adjacent sign component.

Abstract: A support component comprises a tab configured to be coupled to a bar (as comprises a part of an item to be suspended), the tab including a plurality of openings disposed therethrough and configured to receive an overhead support interface (such as a corresponding flexible link) to thereby provide overhead support to the bar. These openings can be laterally offset from one another to facilitate selecting a particular pitch orientation for the bar. The tab can have a non-circular hole disposed therethrough sized and configured to receive the bar. This hole can include a surface that is configured to key with respect to a corresponding bar surface to thereby prevent the bar from rotating.

Abstract: A physically-discrete sign component comprises an internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic character having a front-facing profile and at least one connecting bar disposed at least substantially horizontally with respect to the front-facing profile of the alphabetic character and at least partially within the front-facing profile of that alphabetic character. By one approach the physically-discrete sign component includes two of the connecting bars. If desired, these two connecting bars are disposed at least substantially parallel to one another. By one approach, a first one of the connecting bars extends partially, but not wholly, above an upper periphery of the aforementioned front-facing profile while the second connecting bar extends partially, but not wholly, below a lower periphery of the front-facing profile. The connecting bars can include a connecting-bar interface configured to physically and electrically interconnect to an adjacent sign component.

Abstract: A physically-discrete sign component comprises an internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic character having a front-facing profile and at least one connecting bar disposed at least substantially horizontally with respect to the front-facing profile of the alphabetic character and at least partially within the front-facing profile of that alphabetic character. By one approach the physically-discrete sign component includes two of the connecting bars. If desired, these two connecting bars are disposed at least substantially parallel to one another. By one approach, a first one of the connecting bars extends partially, but not wholly, above an upper periphery of the aforementioned front-facing profile while the second connecting bar extends partially, but not wholly, below a lower periphery of the front-facing profile. The connecting bars can include a connecting-bar interface configured to physically and electrically interconnect to an adjacent sign component.

Abstract: A support component comprises a tab configured to be coupled to a bar (as comprises a part of an item to be suspended), the tab including a plurality of openings disposed therethrough and configured to receive an overhead support interface (such as a corresponding flexible link) to thereby provide overhead support to the bar. These openings can be laterally offset from one another to facilitate selecting a particular pitch orientation for the bar. The tab can have a non-circular hole disposed therethrough sized and configured to receive the bar. This hole can include a surface that is configured to key with respect to a corresponding bar surface to thereby prevent the bar from rotating.

Abstract: A physically-discrete sign component comprises an internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic character having a front-facing profile and at least one connecting bar disposed at least substantially horizontally with respect to the front-facing profile of the alphabetic character and at least partially within the front-facing profile of that alphabetic character. By one approach the physically-discrete sign component includes two of the connecting bars. If desired, these two connecting bars are disposed at least substantially parallel to one another. By one approach, a first one of the connecting bars extends partially, but not wholly, above an upper periphery of the aforementioned front-facing profile while the second connecting bar extends partially, but not wholly, below a lower periphery of the front-facing profile. The connecting bars can include a connecting-bar interface configured to physically and electrically interconnect to an adjacent sign component.

Abstract: A support component comprises a tab configured to be coupled to a bar (as comprises a part of an item to be suspended), the tab including a plurality of openings disposed therethrough and configured to receive an overhead support interface (such as a corresponding flexible link) to thereby provide overhead support to the bar. These openings can be laterally offset from one another to facilitate selecting a particular pitch orientation for the bar. The tab can have a non-circular hole disposed therethrough sized and configured to receive the bar. This hole can include a surface that is configured to key with respect to a corresponding bar surface to thereby prevent the bar from rotating.

Abstract: A physically-discrete sign component comprises an internally-electrically-illuminated alphabetic character having a front-facing profile and at least one connecting bar disposed at least substantially horizontally with respect to the front-facing profile of the alphabetic character and at least partially within the front-facing profile of that alphabetic character. By one approach the physically-discrete sign component includes two of the connecting bars. If desired, these two connecting bars are disposed at least substantially parallel to one another. By one approach, a first one of the connecting bars extends partially, but not wholly, above an upper periphery of the aforementioned front-facing profile while the second connecting bar extends partially, but not wholly, below a lower periphery of the front-facing profile. The connecting bars can include a connecting-bar interface configured to physically and electrically interconnect to an adjacent sign component.

Abstract: A support component comprises a tab configured to be coupled to a bar (as comprises a part of an item to be suspended), the tab including a plurality of openings disposed therethrough and configured to receive an overhead support interface (such as a corresponding flexible link) to thereby provide overhead support to the bar. These openings can be laterally offset from one another to facilitate selecting a particular pitch orientation for the bar. The tab can have a non-circular hole disposed therethrough sized and configured to receive the bar. This hole can include a surface that is configured to key with respect to a corresponding bar surface to thereby prevent the bar from rotating.

Abstract: An illumination device for simulating neon lighting comprises a rod-like member having a predetermined length and a curved light emitting surface, an elongated light source extending substantially along the predetermined length of the rod-like member at a fixed distance from the light emitting surface, and a housing for said elongated light source. The housing includes opposing and substantially parallel side walls with internally light reflecting surfaces, such that the housing serves to collect and direct light emitted by said light source into the rod-like member, with such light then passing through and being scattered by the rod-like member so as to exit the curved light emitting surface in a substantially uniform light intensity pattern.

Abstract: An illumination device for simulating neon lighting comprising a plurality of spaced point light sources positioned adjacent a lateral light receiving surface of a substantially rod-like waveguide made of a material that preferentially scatters light entering the light receiving surface such that the light intensity pattern exiting a lateral light emitting surface of the waveguide has a substantially uniform light intensity pattern.

Abstract: An illumination device utilizes a profiled rod or material having waveguide that preferentially scatters light entering a light receiving surface so as to along the length of the rod. A light source is positioned adjacent the light receiving surface with a reflecting member or coating juxtaposed against that surface for reflecting light into the light receiving surface.

Abstract: An illumination device for simulating neon lighting comprising a plurality of space point light sources positioned adjacent a lateral light receiving surface of a substantially rod-like waveguide made of a material that preferentially scatters light entering the light receiving surface such that the light intensity pattern exiting a lateral light emitting surface of the waveguide has a substantially uniform light intensity pattern.

Abstract: An illumination device for simulating neon lighting comprising a plurality of space point light sources positioned adjacent a lateral light receiving surface of a substantially rod-like waveguide. The waveguide is made of a material that preferentially scatters light entering the light receiving surface such that the light intensity pattern exiting a lateral light emitting surface of the waveguide has a substantially uniform light intensity pattern.

Abstract: An illuminating device comprising an optical waveguide having at least one set of LEDs positioned adjacent one end surface and having a portion of the surface area treated so as to cause a portion of the light directed along the length of the waveguide to be reflected out of the waveguide through a second surface area located intermediate the length of the waveguide. Indicia may be located within the treated portion of the surface area so as to be illuminated and made visible to a viewer through the second surface area.

Abstract: An illumination device for simulating neon lighting comprising a plurality of space point light sources positioned adjacent a lateral light receiving surface of a substantially rod-like waveguide made of a material that preferentially scatters light entering the light receiving surface such that the light intensity pattern exiting a lateral light emitting surface of the waveguide has a substantially uniform light intensity pattern.