WO2000016300A1

WO2000016300A1 - Improved display apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2000016300A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/000778
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip Delich
Original assignee: Lumitex Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1998-09-15
Filing date: 1999-09-15
Publication date: 2000-03-23
Also published as: AUPP593698A0

Abstract

An improved display apparatus (10) characterised by an amount of electroluminescent material (36) and one or more capping means (28), the or each capping means (28) being adapted to co-operate with at least a portion of the electroluminescent material (36) such that light may be transmitted from the material (36) and through the capping means (28).

Description

TITLE

IMPROVED DISPLAY APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved display apparatus. More particularly, the improved display apparatus of the present invention is intended for, but is not to be limited to, use as signage on public transport and the like.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

Presently, advertising applied to the sides of vehicles, including public transport, has been limited to non-illuminated posters. The lack of illumination decreases the effectiveness of the advertising at night.

Illuminated advertising, in the form of signs illuminated by one or more fluorescent tubes, is presently common. However, a display utilising fluorescent tubes is required to be bulky or "deep" to accommodate the tube(s). This is the basis for such forms of display not having been utilised to date in a variety of applications, including on the sides of vehicles, and in particular public transport. Further, any protrusion from the side of a vehicle is often illegal.

Additional reasons for illuminated prior art displays not having yet been utilised on vehicles include the weakening of a vehicle if the bulk of a fluorescent display were to be recessed into the outer surface. This may compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle. Any impact on the vehicle may break the glass tubes and generate a health hazard. Further, it is the nature of fluorescent tubes to require a lethal voltage for operation. This may have provided additional impediment to use of such in advertising displays on vehicles because of practical engineering considerations, together with the readily apparent health and safety issues. The improved display apparatus of the present invention has as one object thereof to substantially overcome the above problems associated with the prior art.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved display apparatus characterised an amount of electroluminescent material and one or more capping means, the or each capping means being adapted to co-operate with at least a portion of the electroluminescent material such that light may be transmitted from the material and through the capping means.

Preferably, a base sheet is provided on which the electroluminescent material is positioned, the capping means sandwiching the electroluminescent material between it and the base sheet.

A rear face of the capping means is preferably provided with a recessed portion in which the electroluminescent material may be positioned. The capping means preferably stands proud of the base sheet and has a rounded profile to improve viewing thereof from an angle. The electroluminescent material may be provided in the form of a sheet.

A single display apparatus may comprise a number of largely independent electroluminescent sheets, each provided in a shape of a desired logo or letter and which together provide a desired message for display or advertising purposes.

It is preferred that the capping means provided over each electroluminescent sheet have a tint formed therein or applied thereto, whereby the display apparatus displays the same colours whilst illuminated and during daylight hours or whilst otherwise not illuminated.

A method of producing an improved display apparatus comprising an amount of electroluminescent material and one or more capping means, characterised by the method steps:

• punching or cutting desired shapes, letters and the like from an electroluminescent sheet;

• providing the desired shape, letters and the like with terminals; and

• sandwiching the desired shapes, letters and the like of electroluminescent sheet between a similarly shaped capping means and a backing sheet.

A method as described above, characterised in that the electroluminescent material is applied directly to the backing sheet and the capping means affixed thereover.

A method as described above, characterised in that the electroluminescent material is applied directly to the or each capping means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The improved display apparatus of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an improved display apparatus in accordance with the present invention, shown affixed to a vehicle;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional elevation along line A-A of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a plan view of an electroluminescent sheet as utilised in the preparation of the improved display apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the electroluminescent sheet of Figure 3 cut to a form utilised in the improved display apparatus of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an electroluminescent sheet showing how a number of components of a display apparatus may be punched therefrom.

DESCRIPTION

In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown an improved display apparatus in the form of a sign 10, the sign 10 comprising a rectangular base or backing sheet 12 and an advertising message 14. The sign 10 is shown affixed to the side of a public transport vehicle 16 by way of a plurality of fixing means, for example rivets 18.

The base sheet 12 is preferably about 2 to 4 mm thick and has a forward face 20 and a rear face 22. The rear face 22 abuts the side of the vehicle 16 whilst the forward face 20 is exposed.

The message 14 comprises, for example, a series of logos 24 and letters 26. Each logo 24 and letters 26 in turn comprises a capping means, for example a cap 28 that is formed in the shape of the described logo 24, letter 26 or other item desired for the message 14. In profile, as shown in Figure 2, the cap 28 stands proud of the base sheet 12 and has a gently rounded profile 30. The cap 28 has a rear face 32 and in which is provided a recessed portion 34.

A length of electroluminescent (EL) sheet 36 cut to the shape of the logo 24 is located in the recessed portion 34 and held therein against the base sheet 12. The cap 28 is preferably formed of translucent polycarbonate or similar material and is tinted to a colour desired for the logo 24. In such an arrangement the EL sheet 36 may be provided simply as white and need not itself be coloured. ln Figure 3 there is shown a known electroluminescent sheet 38, typically provided in the rectangular form shown. For the improved display apparatus of the present invention the electroluminescent sheet 38 is, as shown in Figure 4, able to be cut or punched from its rectangular form to provide an EL sheet 36 in the shape of the desired logo 24, letter 26, or other desired portion of the message 14. The sheet 38 is provided with terminals 40 to allow driving thereof by a known electrical power source (not shown). Alternatively, the terminals 40 may subsequently be applied to the cut or punched sheet 36.

In Figure 5 there is shown an EL sheet 38 in which a number of logos 24 and letters 26 have been cut or punched. Preparation of the logos 24 and letters 26 in this manner allows efficient use of an EL sheet 38.

It is to be understood that the or each logo 24 and/or letter 26 forming the chosen message 14 may be applied directly to a surface on which the display apparatus is to be provided, without the base sheet 12. In such an arrangement, the surface to which the apparatus is applied fills the role of the base sheet 12.

In use, the sign 10 is affixed to the vehicle 16 by way of rivets 18. Additionally, the EL sheets 36 present in the sign 10 are each connected to an electrical power source (not shown) by way of terminals 40, as shown in Figure 4. The EL sheets 36 are able to be utilised with commercially available electronic circuitry and it is envisaged that the batteries present in the vehicle 16 will be sufficient to drive the EL sheets 36. Further, the sign 10 is provided with a known light sensor (not shown) which will ensure that the EL sheets 36 are illuminated only at night. This will prevent current draw during daylight hours when the sign 10 is otherwise visible.

The light sensor allows power to be provided to the EL sheets 36 at night which results in light being transmitted therefrom and through the tinted polycarbonate cap 28. This light is subsequently visible to passes by, at whom the advertising message 14 is directed. The upstanding and gently rounded nature of the cap 28 allows the advertising message 14 to be visible to observers at a broad spread of angles from the perpendicular. It is envisaged that an EL material may be applied directly to a substrate material, such as the base sheet 12 described herein above. A silkscreen process may be used to achieve this. Further, it is anticipated that some form of cartridge printing may similarly be used to achieve the direct application of EL material in a desired shape or configuration on the substrate material.

It is further envisaged that the cutting or punching of the logos 24 and/or letters 26 from the EL sheet 38, and the potential direct deposition of EL material in a desired shape or configuration, may be governed through use of appropriate software and other programmable means, including computers and programmable logic controllers (PLC's). Accordingly, it is anticipated that the EL material may be applied directly to the capping means, if considered desirable.

It is envisaged that the translucent polycarbonate material forming the caps 28 will have provided therein an ultra-violet stabiliser which will in turn protect the EL sheets 36 from harmful sunlight.

The improved display apparatus of the present invention is seen above to overcome substantially each of the problems associated with the prior art. In particular, the EL sheets 36 employed in the present invention are typically less than 1.0 mm in thickness, are both vibration and impact resistant, and operate at safe, low current levels.

Further, the use of the caps 28 in combination with the EL sheets 36 to form each individual component of the advertising message 14 allows individual colouration thereof, allows the colour thereof to be visible both during the day and at night, and allows a broad viewing angle for those observing the advertising message 14.

A still further advantage in providing the caps 28 is the protection of the EL sheet 36 thereunder from intentional disruption, such as may be caused by vandalism.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the improved display apparatus of the present invention may be used as a billboard type display, powered by solar panels. Such an arrangement would provide a significant cost and energy saving compared with existing technology. Installation costs are reduced due to there being no need for a mains power supply.

Claims

1 . An improved display apparatus characterised by an amount of electroluminescent material and one or more capping means, the or each capping means being adapted to co-operate with at least a portion of the electroluminescent material such that light may be transmitted from the material and through the capping means.

2. An improved display apparatus to claim 1 , characterised in that a base sheet is provided on which the electroluminescent sheet is provided on which the electroluminescent material is positioned, the capping means sandwiching the electroluminescent material between it and the base sheet.

3. An improved display apparatus to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a rear face of the capping means is provided with a recessed portion in which the electroluminescent material is positioned.

4. An improved display apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the capping means stands proud of the base sheet and has a rounded profile to improve viewing thereof from an angle.

5. An improved display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the electroluminescent material is provided in the form of a sheet.

6. An improved display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the capping means has a tint formed therein or applied thereto, whereby the display apparatus displays the same colours whilst illuminated and during daylight hours or whilst otherwise not illuminated.

7. An improved display apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the sheet of electroluminescent material is punched or cut from a larger electroluminescent sheet, terminals therefor able to be applied thereafter.

8. An improved display apparatus to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base sheet is formed by a surface to which the display apparatus is to be affixed.

9. An improved display apparatus to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the capping means have provided therein a ultra-violet stabiliser.

10. A method of producing an improved display apparatus comprising an amount of electroluminescent material and one or more capping means, characterised by the method steps:

ΓÇó punching or cutting desired shapes, letters and the like from an electroluminescent sheet;

ΓÇó providing the desired shape, letters and the like with terminals; and

ΓÇó sandwiching the desired shapes, letters and the like of electroluminescent sheet between a similarly shaped capping means and a backing sheet.

1 1. A method according to claim 10, characterised in that the electroluminescent material is applied directly to the backing sheet and the capping means affixed thereover.

12. A method according to claim 10, characterised in that the electroluminescent material is applied directly to the or each capping means.

13. An improved display apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of producing an improved display apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.