Abstract: A lighted display field for writing, symbols or the like, is provided on a wall part, for example, a door entrance strip of a vehicle. The wall part includes openings forming the writing or the symbols. A luminous foil is mounted on the covered side of the wall part and is visible through the openings.

Abstract: Detachable chevron-shaped panels that fit within chevron-shaped apertures in the cover of an exit sign. The panels are dimensioned to fit integrally into the apertures in order to withstand years of stress, temperature changes, and wear and tear but continue to perform in a light-fast and reliable manner. Yet they may be easily installed from the exterior of the exit sign, with minimum risk that they will fall into the interior during installation. Surprisingly, the present devices permit such easy installation without the need to use conventional "slide `n` snap" exit sign arrow fasteners that usually allow reliable installation but have proven to be destructive of a secure fit and light fastness. The panel accomplishes this by employing at least three tabs positioned in a certain manner about the perimeter of each wing of the panel which engage the (preferably bevelled) edge of the chevron-shaped aperture.

Abstract: A multi-color illuminated panel is made up of a decorative frontsheet having windows cut therein and which may include decorative patterns printed thereon, a transparent supporting sheet, which may also have decorative printing thereon, and a pre-wired backsheet in the form of a printed circuit board having multiple individual electro-luminescent light panel segments of different colors affixed thereto and electrically connected to traces on the circuit board, the electro-luminescent light segments of different colors emitting light which shines through corresponding windows and thereby provides a spectacular multi-color lighting effect.

Abstract: A transflective optical filter comprises a single transparent or transluscent substrate; a colored slice made up of a plurality of layers, each corresponding to one color out of at least two colors; a light diffusing layer; and an opaque mask on which the marks to be displayed in color are represented by transparent zones, the colored slice and the mask consisting of photographic emulsions. A method for making that filter involves multiple exposures of a same film having a multi-colored "slice" and a monochrome photosensitive layer.

Abstract: A point of purchase channel display sign includes an elongated channel member, a stencil formed of flexible sheet material received within the channel having openings defining the sign and a flat lamp including an elongated flat flexible electroluminescent lamp panel received in the channel between the web and the stencil, and a voltage source coupled to the flat lamp panel to illuminate the same to provide illumination through the openings in the stencil.

Abstract: An illuminatable sign advertising element with a substantially light-impermeable installation carrier, whose interior is provided with at least one light source and is covered with a generally opaque front panel, whose outer side is provided with at least one light transmissive advertisement, which exhibits a different coloration than the region of the front panel adjacent to it, wherein the inside of the front panel is light transmissive in the region of the advertisement and is light impermeable in the adjacent regions, whereby the light transmission intensity of the light transmissive region of the front panel inside varies.

Abstract: A removable and reinsertible arrow cover for a sign stencil. The cover is equipped with an edge bevel, a tongue and an edge snap rail positioned remotely of the tongue to facilitate snap action insertion and removal as well as a snug, flush fit which provides a closed seal to the passage of light with an arrow shaped void in the stencil.

Abstract: A file cabinet door is disclosed whose front carries a contrasting design or pattern. Decorative openings are provided through a front panel in the door in the form of a pattern. A decorative interior panel of contrasting appearance to the front panel is provided rearward of the front panel. A person on viewing the front panel sees a contrasting design by reason of the openings rendering the interior panel visible therethrough.

Abstract: An illuminated sign consisting of: a message carrying wall having a front display side and a rear side, with the message carrying wall having a portion that is opaque to block light transmission therethrough from a source on the rear side of the message carrying wall and a transparent and/or translucent portion that allows light transmission therethrough from a source at the rear side of the message carrying wall to produce an illuminated message that is visually detectable at the front side of the message carrying wall; and a lenticular structure at the front of the message carrying wall for intercepting light transmitted from a source on the rear side of the message carrying wall through the transparent and/or translucent portion of the message carrying wall to diffuse the light in such a way as to give the appearance of a light source being at the front of the message carrying wall.

Abstract: An illuminated sign assembly is provided, of the type that includes illuminated alphanumeric characters lying on a dark background, wherein the characters and/or color can be readily changed at low cost. The sign includes a thick rigid structural plate (26, FIG. 3) of colorless translucent material which can be readily placed in a lightbox that shines light through the plate. A thin color sheet (30) which passes light of a selected color, lies on the front face of the translucent plate, and an opaque character sheet (34) which has apertures (20) defining alphanumeric characters, lies on the front face of the color sheet. The color and character sheets are each thin, so new color and character sheets can be provided at low cost for mounting on the plate. The color and character sheets each have a layer of water-soluble adhesive so a water spray (62, FIG. 11) can be applied to greatly reduce the adhesive viscosity to enable squeegeeing (at Z) of each sheet to remove air bubbles.

Abstract: A file cabinet door is disclosed whose front carries a contrasting design or pattern. Decorative openings are provided through a front panel in the door in the form of a pattern. A decorative interior panel of contrasting appearance to the front panel is provided rearward of the front panel. A person on viewing the front panel sees a contrasting design by reason of the openings rendering the interior panel visible therethrough.

Abstract: A decorative cover for a ceiling mounted light, comprising a translucent decorative sheet or film attached to the ceiling so that the light is located above the cover, at least a portion of the illumination from the light source passing through the cover, thus providing back-lighting for the decorative design on said cover.

Abstract: An illuminated sign comprising a housing, illumination component within the housing and electrical components for powering the illumination component. The housing has a front wall with apertures representing information to be illuminated, sidewalls, a bottom wall, a back wall, an upper wall, the housing also has interior thereof a translucent panel positionable behind the front wall, a stencil panel with the apertures representing the information to be illuminated mounted behind the translucent panel, and a reflector within the housing. The illumination component is mounted on the rear of the stencil panel facing the back wall whereby illumination of the illumination component will reflect light from the back through the stencil panel, translucent panel, and the front wall. Electrical components feed current from the battery to the illumination component for effecting the illumination of the sign.

Abstract: A sign plate for an illuminated sign having a light source includes an opaque layer on one of its faces which layer is broken by zones corresponding to a configuration of text or figures to be communicated, the zones being covered with fluorescent material, and the surface of the fluorescent material facing the viewer and opposite the light source being covered with a light reflective layer.

Abstract: A simulated neon sign comprises a frame, non-neon internal lighting, and a front plastic panel having an outer face. The outer face of the front plane comprises outwardly projecting indicia and a non-projecting region that is substantially opaque to the internal light. Pigmented translucent coating is applied on the indicia so that light from the internal lighting can pass through the indicia. To simulate the halo effect of a neon light, additional pigmented coating is applied to the non-projecting region of the panel adjacent the indicia. A method for manufacturing the neon sign is also disclosed.

Abstract: A display device includes a component in the form of a plate bearing one or more display indicia on one plate surface and having a passage extending through the plate adjacent the display indicium. An integral light-transmissive element is fixedly secured in the plate passage and has a first lensed surface at one end adjacent the display indicium. At its opposite end, the light-transmissive element defines both a second lensed surface and a flat surface in abutting relation to a stepped part of the passage within the plate. The first lensed surface is convex relative to the light-transmissive element and the second lensed surface is concave relative to the light-transmissive element. The element, comprised of a polycarbonate film which is highly resistant to impact damage, is of dimension relative to the passage such that an interference-fit exists therebetween.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed that is secured in a frame for holding the indicia forming material and is used to cover a housing that includes a light source which may be controlled through a photoelectric cell. The sheets making up the indicia are formed in such a manner that the characters are all created in a stylized "8" digital format with a centrally located "1" superimposed down the middle of the "8". The "8" characters with the "1" superimposed are diestampted in a separate sheet so that it alone may be changed to change the indicia to be displayed.The circuit is designed to produce a flashing light under normal conditions to attract an observer. When an emergency is created such as detected by a smoke detector, a red light flasher is seen giving an additional warning at the front of a house.

Abstract: An emergency exit sign utilizes an EL lamp in combination with a pilot light which is connected to the EL lamp via a photoelectric link. The photoelectric link monitors the brightness of the EL lamp and keeps the pilot light on so long as the EL lamp is lit. The pilot light is necessary because the illumination provided by the EL lamp may be less than the illumination of background brightness making it difficult to tell by looking at the EL lamp whether or not the EL lamp is energized. Since the pilot light provides a "point" of illumination, it is easy to see when it is on so that one can tell whether or not the sign is lighted by simply looking at the pilot light.In order to see the exit sign even if power to the EL lamp is interrupted and the room is dark, a translucent sheet of phosphorescent material is placed over the EL lamp to transmit light from the EL lamp while at the same time storing energy so as to "glow in the dark" should the EL lamp be extinguished.

Abstract: A reflector with illuminated indicia, such as for automotive use, comprising a translucent sheet-like material having reflecting elements on at least a portion of at least one surface thereof and indicia defining means on the rear surface portion of said translucent sheet-like material; reflecting material on the reflecting elements but not on the indicia; a dark, translucent material adjacent to the indicia on the rear surface portion of the translucent sheet-like material; translucent diffusing material adjacent the dark translucent material and located more remote from the translucent sheet-like material than the dark translucent material; and a source of illumination rearward of the translucent material. The invention is also directed to a method of making such a reflector and a method of modifying conventional reflectors.

Abstract: A marquee false front consists of a sheet of pennant cloth of one color, e.g. yellow, of dimensions equal to those of the desired marquee false front. The front surface of the sheet, except for letters-defining areas, is coated with matter which inhibits light passage through it. The matter's color is one, contrasting with the pennant cloth's color. Pockets are formed around the sheet's periphery about its back side. These pockets accept interlocking rods, which together form a frame, used to taut the pennant cloth sheet as well as to attach it to a marquee to form its false front.