Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02581486 2007-03-13
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Please incorporate by reference all information in said
provisional application into this instant application.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to signage lighting and, more
specifically, to a mountable lighting module that uses solar energy to charge
a
power source for (Light Emitting Diode) LEDs used in night illumination of
both sides of a double-faced sign.
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The mountable lighting module comprises housing for the electronics
conjoined with a clamp for mounting to a sign support and a pair of sign
illuminating members with each extending over opposing sides of the sign
directly illuminating the sign's copy area.
The impetus for the present invention is the need to extend the advertising
usefulness of temporary signage and aid in their location, especially real
estate
signage.
Due to an ever increasing work load, many people find themselves
performing personal task after dark, which in the case of the aforementioned
real
estate signs, locating one can be a daunting task for anyone looking for a
sign in
an unfamiliar neighborhood especially after sunset. The present invention
provides that the sign can act as a beacon for the property through
illumination
whereby interested parties can more easily find the location.
It is well known and practiced within the prior art to provide sign
illumination as a means of advertising including highlighting an aspect of a
property whether it be a theater marquee or a favorite bush in your yard.
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The present invention extends this usefulness into creating an avenue
within the real estate industry that does not presently exist whereby a sign-
support mountable portable light is used in a method of locating a listed real
estate property by an interest party. The interested party includes those
directed
there by a real estate agent and those who have decided on a particular
neighborhood and are looking for available properties or simple a random
potential client.
The method providing the aforementioned an aid in communicating the
agency's name, contact information and an other desirable copy; and an aid in
locating available real estate by illuminating the sign.
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Description of the Prior Art
There are other lighting device designed for signage. While these signage
lighting may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they
would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as
hereinafter
described.
The present invention provides a mountable lighting module conjoined
with a clamp for mounting to a sign support and a pair of sign illuminating
elongated lamps with each extending over opposing sides of a sign directly
illuminating both sides of the sign's copy area.
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SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide portable lighting
for signage.
Another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage
lighting that is mountable to a sign support.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage
lighting wherein said mounting is a static bracket.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide portable
signage lighting wherein said bracket includes a fastener to secure said
bracket
to said sign support.
Another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage
lighting wherein said mounting is a clamp with at least one adjustable jaw.
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Yet another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage
lighting having housing extending from said mounting with a plurality of solar
cells positioned on the top of said housing.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide portable
signage lighting wherein said housing has a pair of curvilinearly extending
elongated lamps with at least one LED serving as the illuminable element.
Another object of the present invention is to provide portable signage
lighting in one embodiment comprising a solar panel, eight "AA" rechargeable
batteries, two LED bulbs, a circuit board, housing unit and mounting bracket.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description
proceeds.
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The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by
providing a solar sign-light comprising an electronic components housing,
clamp for mounting to a sign support and a pair of illuminable members for
illuminating both sides of a double-faced sign. The electronic components
housing is capped with a plurality of solar cells for charging at least one
rechargeable battery used to energize the illuminable element located at the
end
of elongated curvilinear stems that extend from opposing sides of the housing
to
each side therein lighting both sides of the sign's copy area.
.g.
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The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the
description to follow. In the description reference is made to the
accompanying
drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.
These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled
in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like
reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the
several
views.
The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a
limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the
appended claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be
described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in
which:
FIGURE 1 is an illustrative view of the prior art.
FIGURE 2 is an illustrative view of the present invention in use.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the present invention.
FIGURE 4 js a p~!rspective view of tj~e solar sign-light being mounted to a
sign support.
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the solar sign-light mounted on a sign
support.
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FIGURE 6 is an end view of the solar sign-light of the present invention.
FIGURE 7 is a side view of the solar sign-light.
FIGURE 8 is a top view of the present invention.
FIGURE 9 is an enlarged view of the solar sign-light illuminable element.
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of an alternate clamp of the present
invention.
FIGURE l 1 is a perspective view of another alternate clamp of the
present invention.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the
Figures illustrate the system for locating an individual of the present
invention.
With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used
throughout the various drawing figures.
solar sign-light of the present invention
12 sign
14 sign support
16 sign first side
18 sign second side
side of 14
22 top of 14
24 side of 14
light module housing
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32 electronic components compartment
34 clamp
36 lamp
38 elongated support
40 bore of 38
42 solar cells
44 rechargeable batteries
50 circuit board
52 electrical leads
54 LED
56 lamp/housing connection
58 clamp arm
60 clamp arm
62 housing base
64 beam reflector
66 clamp fastener
68 clamp bore
70 clamp track
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the
invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should
not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular
embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other
embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention,
the
reader is directed to appended claims.
Referring to Figure 1, shown is prior art wherein signs that are posted for
public viewing, such as real estate signs, typically are not illuminated at
night
limiting their usefulness to daylight viewing. The present invention provides
that
night time illumination would allow potential buyers that have free time only
during the night time hours to be able to locate prospective properties
thereby
aiding the growth of the real estate business with more satisfied clients who
do
not get lost trying to find the property.
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Referring to Figure 2, shown is an illustrative view of the present
invention in use. The present invention 10 is a solar sign-light that is
attached to
a sign for night visibility. The solar sign-light charges during daylight
hours and
illuminates during the night time hours. It allows potential buyers that only
have
free time during the night time hours to be able to locate prospective
properties.
The solar sign-light will aid in the growth of the real estate business with
more
satisfied clients who did not get lost trying to find the property.
Referring to Figure 3, shown is a perspective view of the present
invention. The solar sign-light 10 of the present invention consists of an
electronic components housing 30, clamp 34 for mounting to a sign support,
elongated bulb supports 38 and a pair of lamps 36 for illuminating both sides
of
a double-faced sign. The electronic components housing 30 having electronic
components compartment 32 is capped with a plurality of solar cells 42 for
charging at least one rechargeable battery 44 used to energize the illuminable
elements 54 via electrical leads 52 situated in bore 40 of the elongated bulb
supports 38 extending from housing 30 at interface 56. Actuation of the solar
sign-light 10 is controlled through circuit of circuit board 50 whereby the
solar
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panel 42 receiving UV light goes into charge mode and in the absence of UV
light goes into battery mode to illuminate LEDs 54. Clamping member 34
provides for mounting to a sign support by straddling the sign support through
clamp top 62 and sides 58, 60. It is optionally provides for in other
illustrations
that the clamping member may include a fastener or movable jaw(s) to engage
the sign support.
Referring to Figure 4, shown is a perspective view of the solar sign-light
being mounted to a sign support. The solar sign-light 10 of the present
invention
consists of an electronic components housing 30, clamp 34 for mounting to a
sign support 14, elongated bulb supports 38 and a pair of lamps 36 for
illuminating both sides of a double-faced sign 12. The electronic components
housing 30 having electronic components compartment 32 is capped with a
plurality of solar cells 42 for charging at least one rechargeable battery 44
used
to energize the illuminable elements 54 via electrical leads 52 situated in
bore 40
of the elongated bulb supports 38 extending from housing 30 at interface 56.
Actuation of the solar sign-light 10 is controlled through circuit of circuit
board
50 whereby the solar panel 42 receiving UV light goes into charge mode and in
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the absence of UV light goes into battery mode to illuminate LEDs 54.
Clamping member 34 provides for mounting to a sign support 14 by placement
on the sign-support 14 whereby clamp top surface 62 engages sign support top
surface 24 and clamp sides 58, 60 engage sign support side surfaces 20, 22
respectively.
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the solar sign-light mounted on a sign
support. As illustrated, the portable solar sign-light 10 provides a clamp 34
as
means for mounting to an existing sign support 14 furnishing illumination 55
for
a double-faced sign 12. The solar sign-light 10 incorporates mounting means,
solar cells, rechargeable power source and illuminable elements into a
portable
lighting module for night illumination of a desired sign. The solar sign-light
10
comprises electronic components housing 30, clamp 34 for mounting to a sign
support 14, elongated bulb supports 38 and a pair of lamps 36 for illuminating
both sides of a double-faced sign 12 comprising sides 16, 18. The electronic
components housing 30 having electronic components compartment 32 is
capped with a plurality of solar cells 42 for charging at least one
rechargeable
battery 44 used to energize the illuminable elements 54 via electrical leads
52
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situated in bore 40 of the elongated bulb supports 38 extending from housing
30
at interface 56. Actuation of the solar sign-light 10 is controlled through
circuit
of circuit board 50 whereby the solar panel 42 receiving UV light goes into
charge mode and in the absence of UV light goes into battery mode to
illuminate
LEDs 54. Clamping member 34 provides for mounting to a sign support 14 by
placement on the sign-support 14 whereby clamp top surface 62 engages sign
support top surface 24 and clamp sides 58, 60 engage sign support side
surfaces
20, 22 respectively.
FIGURE 6 is an end view of the solar sign-light of the present invention.
Shown is the solar sign-light 10 comprising an electronic components housing
30 that has a clamp 34 downwardly extending from the housing so the lighting
module 10 can be mounted to a sign support 14. The electronic components
housing 30 has a solar cell module 42 mounted on the top surface in electrical
communication through appropriate circuitry 50 to charge at least one
rechargeable battery 44 also incorporated into circuitry 50 is a UV detector
causing the circuit to switch between a charging mode in the presence of UV
radiation and to energizes a pair of LEDs 54 in the absence of UV radiation
with
n
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each LED positioned on the end of a curvilinearly extending elongated stem 38
depending from opposing sides of the electronic components housing 30
illuminating both sides 16, 18 of a double-faced sign 12.
FIGURE 7 is a side view of the solar sign-light. In the illustrated
embodiment of the present invention, the solar sign-light 10 consists of a
solar
panel 42, eight "AA" rechargeable batteries 44, two led lights 54, a circuit
board
50, housing unit 30 and mounting bracket 34. The solar panel 42 is located on
top of the housing 30, which contains appropriate circuitry 50 for the solar
cells
42 to charge rechargeable batteries 44 and circuitry 50 for the rechargeable
batteries 44 to selectively energize through electrical leads 52 each LED 54
located on the ends of two electrical conduits 38 extending out of opposing
housing sides with the LED 54 and beam reflector 64 (see Figure 9) elements
located on respective conduit 38 ends.
FIGURE 8 is a top view of the present invention. The solar panel 42 is
positioned on top of the housing 30 as the sole source of recharge for the
batteries within the electronic components housing 32 used for illuminating
two
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bulbs located on the ends of elongated bulb-support stems 38 having bore 40
for
electrical leads 52. The stems divergently extend from housing 30 with the
bulbs
converging toward opposing sign sides.
FIGURE 9 is an enlarged view of the solar sign-light illuminable element.
Depicted is illuminable member 36 positioned on the end of elongated bulb-
support stem 38 having LED 54 and reflector 64 for illuminating the copy on a
targeted sign.
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of an alternate clamp of the present
invention. At the bottom of housing 30 is mounting clamp 34 as means for
attaching the solar sign-light to a sign support that additionally provides
fastener
68 and threaded bore 66 whereby 68 is selectively moved into engagement with
the sign support crimping the solar sign-light 10 to the sign support.
FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of another alternate clamp of the
present invention. The present invention additionally provides that the clamp
34
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having sides 58, 60 which are movable in respect to each other that can be
adjusted to accommodate sign supports of varying thickness.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred
embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the
particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such
alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the
spirit
and scope of the invention as Oefine4 by the appended claims.
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