• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
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    • 专利摘要:
    Abstract An indicia display assembly for displaying street address information comprising: a reflective media bearing an indicia; a translucent media bearing an indicia; a support structure for supporting the reflective media and the translucent media at an angle to each other; and a light source located within the support structure; wherein the light source is arranged to transmit light through the translucent media for viewing of the indicia.
    公开号:AU2013204777A1
    申请号:U2013204777
    申请日:2013-04-12
    公开日:2013-11-07
    发明作者:David Johnson
    申请人:David Johnson；
    IPC主号:G09F13-08
    专利说明:
    AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A NUMBER STACKER FOR HOUSE NUMBERING The following statement is a description of the invention: 1 A NUMBER STACKER FOR HOUSE NUMBERING TECHNICAL FIELD [01] The present invention relates to an apparatus for improved visibility in house numbering. BACKGROUND ART [02] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge. [03] There are many workers who need to be able to quickly and readily identify a property by its street address and in particular by the street number with which a property is marked. [04] For example, police and emergency workers, such as ambulance officers, firefighters, taxi drivers and even pizza delivery people all need to be able to readily identify a premises by its number both during the day and at night. [05] Some of the problems that arise when searching for a property by its street number, especially at night, are that it may be difficult to work out on which side of the street the property is located and/or how far along the street it may be found. [06] The inventor has personal knowledge of having to search for premises by its street address and has experienced the frustration of knowing the property number but not being able to readily discern any consistent numbering system or numbers driving up to the sought address. Difficulties in locating a premises by its street address can greatly increase the time taken to reach the premises. Furthermore, the person seeking the premises may have to frequently slow down or stop in the road which poses a safety risk.
    2 [07] It would be advantageous if a solution to the above problem were provided that would save time in finding an address and which would make the search for a premises by its street address easier. [08] In the circumstance that a resident of the premises has called a particular service and requested that a house call be made, then it would be advantageous if the premises could be particularly highlighted so that it is readily visible to the service provider. [09] It would be advantageous if a method and/or apparatus were provided that addressed one or more of the above-described problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [10] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an indicia display assembly for displaying street address information comprising: a. a reflective media bearing an indicia for viewing from across a suburban street ; b. a translucent media bearing an indicia; c. a support structure, such as a housing, for supporting the reflective media and the translucent media at an angle to each other; and d. a light source located within the support structure; e. wherein the light source is arranged to transmit light through the translucent media for viewing of the indicia thereon from across a suburban street. [11] The indicia will typically comprise premises identification indicia [PII] which usually comprises numbers, but can also comprise numbers and letters e.g. "25A", or occasionally only letters e.g "Block A". It is envisaged that the assembly will be used to clearly identify house numbers but the assembly can also be used to clearly identify commercial premises and particularly those with street exposure, or any other situations where similar identification of road or building locations is required which may include private properties such as mine roads and buildings.
    3 [12] In another form, the invention comprises an indicia display assembly to enable premises identification indicia [PII] to be visible from multiple viewing angles and at nighttime, comprising a support structure, a translucent media bearing PII, a light source located within the support structure and arranged to transmit light through the translucent media to enable the PII to be visible at nighttime, a first reflective media bearing PII adjacent one side of the translucent media and angled relative to the translucent media and a second reflective media bearing PII adjacent another side of the translucent media and angled relative to the translucent media. [13] The translucent media can be backlit at nighttime and is preferably angled to be best visible at right angles to the road direction. Thus when a driver is directly opposite the assembly at nighttime and the vehicle headlights cannot shine onto the assembly, the house number is clearly visible by being backlit. Each side reflective media is best visible when approaching the assembly so that the car headlights can shine onto the reflective media to be clearly visible. In daylight, the reflective media angle is such that the house number is clearly visible when approaching the assembly from either direction. [14] It is envisaged that the assembly will enable a single identifying indicia to be displayed at multiple viewing angles and also at nighttime. However as most house numbers comprise two or more identifying indicia - e.g. 25, or 225 etc., it is envisaged that the required number of display assemblies can be connected together or positioned relative to each other to provide the complete house number. As an example, the house number 225 can require three display assemblies, each displaying a single number at multiple viewing angles. Of course, it is envisaged that the translucent and reflective media may contain multiple indicia such as "5A" such that a house with the number 25A requires only two display assemblies. It is also envisaged that the translucent and reflective media may be sufficiently large to display the entire house number - e.g. 25A such that only one display assembly is required.
    4 [15] It is envisaged that the translucent and reflective media will comprise separate parts each having a single number or letter so that the correct indicia for a particular premises can be selected and attached to the assembly. [16] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the display assembly is configured to be stacked upon itself. For example, the support structure may include a top (or bottom) side shaped to be received into a complementary bottom (or top side). Preferably the support structure includes complementary recesses and indentations for retaining two or more of the display assemblies in a stack. [17] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the support assembly comprises a frame or housing including a window for receiving the reflective media. [18] Preferably the light source is part of a light module that is received within the housing. [19] The light source may comprise one or more light emitting diodes for example. [20] Preferably the light module is solar powered. [21] The light module may include a baseplate that is received through a slot in the housing. Preferably the light module includes one or more light sources and a rechargeable battery. The light source and battery are preferably held by a common housing. Preferably the housing is received on an internal wall of the light module. For example, the housing may be received on a housing formed on a rear wall comprising a back mounting plate. [22] Preferably the light module is solar powered by means of a photovoltaic (PV) cell in electrical communication with the one or more light sources and rechargeable battery.
    5 [23] The PV cell may be fastened to a member that is arranged to be engaged by one or more of the complementary recesses and indentations for retaining two or more of the display assemblies in a stack. Preferably the member covers the slot that receives the baseplate therethrough. [24] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the display assembly comprises a second reflective media bearing an indicia. Preferably the translucent media is located on the housing intermediate the first and second reflective media. [25] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first reflective media, translucent media and second reflective media are angled at about thirty degrees to each other. [26] Preferably the first reflective media and the second reflective media are differently coloured. For example, the first reflective media may have black indicia with an orange reflective background whereas the second reflective media may have white indicia on a blue reflective background. Of course, the colours may be other colours or may comprise combination on colours. The background colour may be a single colour of a combination of colours or comprise zones/stripes, or areas of different colours. [27] In another form, the invention comprises an indicia display assembly to enable premises identification indicia [PII] to be visible from multiple viewing angles comprising a support structure, a first reflective media bearing PII and having a first background colour, and a second reflective media bearing the same PII as the first reflective media and having a different background colour, the first reflective media and the second reflective media being angled away from each other. [28] In another form the invention comprises a method for identifying a plurality of premises on a street, the method comprising providing each premises with an indicia display assembly identifying the premises, the indicia 6 display assemblies being arranged such that the all the first reflective media are at substantially the same angle and all the second reflective media are at substantially the same angle, the first reflective media and the second reflective media being angled away from each other. [29] A significant advantage of the method is that when driving up the street, consistent colours are seen on the left side, which are different to the consistent colours seen on the right side, it follows then that when driving in the opposite direction the colours are reversed. [30] Put differently, when driving along the street, each house has its own display assembly. Thus, there will be display assemblies on both sides of the street. The display assemblies on one side of the street are all orientated such that the first reflective media on each assembly all face along one direction (say, up the street) and the second reflective media all face along the other direction (say, down the street). The background colours are different for the first media and the second media. So, when driving along the street, the driver will see only the same reflective media (the same background colour) on one side of the street. Figure 10 illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of this method. [31] The other side of the street is similar, but the reflective media are reversed. So, when the driver drives down the street the reflective media on the other side of the street will all have the same background colour, but which is different to the background colour on the first side of the street. [32] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for improving the identification of premises including installing display assemblies of the type described above at said premises along a street. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [33] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient 7 information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [34] Figure 1 is an exploded view of an indicia display assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention. [35] Figure 2 shows the underside of the indicia display assembly of Figure 1 in an assembled state. [36] Figure 3 shows the topside of the indicia display assembly of Figure 1 in an assembled state. [37] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a stack of three indicia display assemblies with a topmost solar panel member. [38] Figures 5, 6 and 7 are exploded views of an indicia display assembly according to a further and preferred embodiment of the invention. [39] Figures 8 and 9 are isometric and front views of a stack of three indicia display assemblies in an assembled form. [40] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the use of a number of the indicia display assemblies. [41] Figure 11 is an exploded view of a display assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. [42] Figure 12 is a view of a PV panel assembly for use with the display assembly 8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [43] Referring initially to Figure 1, an indicia display assembly 2 is depicted in exploded form. As will be explained, the indicia display assembly 2 is for displaying street address information and includes a first reflective media 4 bearing an indicia, in this case the number "7" for viewing from a distance. For example, the indicia is preferably dimensioned for a motorist to view from across a suburban street. The display assembly 2 also includes a translucent media 6 which also bears an indicia, in this case also the number "7". [44] The translucent media 6 and the reflective media 4 are both held by a support structure or as it might also be called a housing or frame, 8. [45] It will be noted that the translucent media 6 is held within an opening 10, i.e. a window, formed at the front of frame 8. The reflective media 4 is held on a side of the frame at an angle 0 (indicated in Figure 2) to the window 10. A light source module 12 is located within the housing. The light source module includes a light source 14, which may for example comprise one or more light emitting diodes (LEDS) in combination with a rechargeable battery. The LEDs and rechargeable battery is mounted on a baseplate 16. The baseplate 16 extends from a bracket 18 and is inserted through a slot 20 formed in the topside of housing 8 wherein the bracket is screwed or otherwise fastened to the topside as shown in Figure 3. The rear of housing 8 is closed by means of a rearplate 9. [46] Consequently, the light source 14 is arranged to transmit light through the translucent media 6 for viewing of the indicia thereon from a distance such as across a suburban street. [47] Figures 2 and 3 show the underside and topside of the apparatus of Figure 1 in an assembled format respectively.
    9 [48] Referring now to Figure 4, in a preferred embodiment of the invention a number of the display assemblies 2 are configured to be stacked upon themselves. For example, with reference to Figure 2, the support structure or housing 8 may include a top 22 (or bottom 24) side shaped to be received into a complementary bottom 24 (or top side 22). Preferably the support structure includes complementary recesses 26 and protrusions 28 for retaining two or more of the display assemblies in the stack. [49] Referring again to Figure 4, preferably the light module 14, comprising the LEDs and rechargeable battery, is solar powered by means of a photovoltaic cell 30 which is mounted in a mounting tray 32. The mounting tray fits onto the topside of the uppermost display assembly unit 2 and is fitted with recesses and/or protrusions that complement the recess and protrusions 26 and 28 on the topside of the uppermost assembly 2. [50] As shown in Figure 2, the underside of each display assembly unit 2 includes a slot 11 so that electrical cabling may be threaded through for each unit's lighting module so that all can be powered by the photovoltaic cell 30 and battery. [51] Figures 5 to 7 show a further and preferred embodiment of the invention. With reference to the exploded isometric view of Figure 7, in this second embodiment a housing 40 is provided which holds four LEDs 42 that are powered by a rechargeable battery (or batteries) located within the housing. The housing 40 is in turn received into a molding 44 integrally formed on the inside wall of rear plate 9. Holes 46 are formed in the topside and underside of the lighting module so that the batteries in the housing 40 may be electrically connected by wires to the previously described solar cell 30 on the top of the final stacked assembly. [52] Figures 8 and 9 show the stacked assembly of either Figure 4 or Figures 5 to 7, assembled and in isometric and front view respectively. With reference to Figure 9 it will be observed that there are three indicia display assemblies stacked one on top of each other with each displaying two 10 reflective media bearing indicia, i.e. items 4 and 3 and one intermediate translucent media also bearing indicia, i.e. item 6. Consequently, the three stacked assemblies combine to present three vertical presentations of a street number, in this case the number "728" in three vertical groupings, 34, 36 and 38, which are angled for viewing from down, across and up the street, respectively. [53] Preferably the first reflective media 4 and the second reflective media 3 are differently colored. For example, the first reflective media may have black indicia with an orange reflective background whereas the second reflective media may have white indicia on a blue reflective background. Consequently, a driver driving up or down a street that has premises numbered with a stack of the indicia display assemblies, as shown in Figure 7, will observe differently coloured numbers and backgrounds depending on whether he/she is driving up or down the street. Furthermore, when adjacent the street numbers the illuminated intermediate street address (item 36 of Figure 6) will be directly visible. The colours referred to in Figure 10 are by way of example only. [54] Referring to figure 11, there is illustrated another exploded view of the display assembly. The display assembly comprises a plastic frame 50. Frame 50 comprises a forward central portion 51, and a pair of rearwardly extending and outwardly diverging side portions 52. Side portions 52 flare outwardly at an angle of about 300 relative to the main portions. The central portion 51 and each side portion 52 is provided with a window or cutout portion. These portions accommodate insert tabs. Specifically, the front portion 51 can accommodate a translucent snap in/snap out tab 53, and each side portion 52 can accommodate a reflective snap in/snap out tab 54. Each tab contains identical indicia which, in the particular embodiment illustrated in figure 11, comprise the number 1. [55] A rear plate 55 can be attached to the otherwise open rear end of frame 50. Located within the frame 50 and generally behind tab 53 is a light module 56. The module 56 comprises a self-contained printed circuit board which enables the module to be produced as an OEM component. Module 56 11 comprises three light emitting diodes 57 which receive their electricity from the light module above it, or in the case of the top module, from the PV cell. The number of diodes can vary as can the type of light. A rechargeable battery 58 can be located behind and supported by module 56 but need not be present. Module 56 screws onto small projections 59 on the rear plate 55, [56] The top portion of frame 50 is capped by a top member 60 which is provided with a PV cell 61. Top member 60 snap fits to the top of frame 50 via small tabs on the top member (not illustrated) snapping into corresponding recesses 62 the frame 50. The PV cell 61 is connected to an output plug 63 which plugs into a socket 64 on the light module 56. A light sensor (not illustrated but of known design) is provided on the apparatus to switch on the light module at night-time to backlight translucent tab 53. During daytime, the PV cell recharges the rechargeable battery 66. [57] As described previously, a number of these assemblies can be connected to each other with each assembly displaying a particular number or letter. A lower assembly can be snapped fitted or otherwise connected to the top assembly illustrated in figure 11 (the top assembly contains the PV cell). The lower assembly is almost identical to the assembly illustrated in figure 11 except that it does not contain the PV containing top member 60. However, each lower assembly does contain a light module 56. To power the lower light modules, a piggyback plug 65 is provided on module 56 to provide power to the lower light module. The lower module may also have a plug to any additional lower modules. It is envisaged that each lower light module will be simple in design and will not contain the battery and will probably only consist of the light emitting diodes which can be switched on or switched off by the PV Cell module. [58] Figure 12 illustrates a further variation or embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the top member 60 contains the PV cell but further contains the rechargeable battery 66 and a charging and control panel 67. This means that the light module of each assembly can be identical and just 12 contain light emitting diodes with the top member 60 containing all the required circuitry to control the light emitting diodes of each assembly. [59] It will be realized that an organization, for example a body corporate or a council may install street numbering of the type discussed so as to produce the effect illustrated in Figure 7. [60] When driving along the street, each house has its own display assembly. Thus, there will be display assemblies on both sides of the street. The display assemblies on one side of the street are all orientated such that the first reflective media ( say, a blue background colour) on each assembly all face along one direction (say, up the street) and the second reflective media ( say, an orange background colour) all face along the other direction (say, down the street). The background colours are different for the first media and the second media. So, when driving along the street, the driver will see only the same reflective media (e.g. orange background colour) on one side of the street. Figure 10 illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of this method. [61] The other side of the street is similar, but the reflective media are reversed. So, when the driver drives down the street the reflective media on the other side of the street will all have the same (blue) background colour, but which is different to the (orange) background colour on the first side of the street. [62] The selection of background colours can vary. For instance, instead of a blue background, the background can be green. [63] Also, the house numbers (indicia) can have a different colour on each side of the road. So, the odd house numbers on one side of the street might have black numbers, and the even house numbers on the other side might have white numbers. [64] A significant advantage of the present invention is that when driving up the street, consistent colours are seen on the left side, which are different to 13 the consistent colours seen on the right side, it follows then that when driving in the opposite direction the colours are reversed. [65] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. [66] The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. [67] For example, the angles at which the indicia are presented, the size and shape of the photovoltaic cell, the colors of the indicia and the reflective and translucent media might all be varied from the exemplary embodiment discussed herein. The structure of the housing might also be varied while still conferring the functionality discussed herein. [68] Furthermore, the media may bear indicia that are letters or other symbols other than numerals. The mechanism for stacking the assemblies might also be varied, for example differently shaped clip on attachments might be used. [69] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art. [70] Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.
    14 [71] Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [1] 1. An indicia display assembly for displaying street address information comprising: a reflective media bearing an indicia; a translucent media bearing an indicia; a support structure for supporting the reflective media and the translucent media at an angle to each other; and a light source located within the support structure; wherein the light source is arranged to transmit light through the translucent media for viewing of the indicia.
    [2] 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the reflective media comprises a first reflective media adjacent one side of the translucent media and a second reflective media adjacent the other side of the translucent media, each reflective media being angled relative to the translucent media so enable the indicia to be visible from multiple viewing angles.
    [3] 3. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including at least one battery to power the light source.
    [4] 4. The assembly of claim 3, including a PV cell to recharge the battery.
    [5] 5. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the translucent media is arranged to be most visible when viewed directly in front of the assembly, and the reflective media is arranged to be best visible when viewed from a side of the assembly.
    [6] 6. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source operates only when the ambient light falls below a certain level. 16
    [7] 7. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including connection means to enable the assembly to be connected to a second assembly.
    [8] 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein one assembly contains the PV cell which provides power for the other assemblies.
    [9] 9. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly comprises a top member containing a PV cell, a rechargeable battery and charging and control means.
    [10] 10. A display apparatus comprising a top assembly as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 9 and at least one underneath assembly as claimed in claim 1 and which is powered and controlled by the top assembly.
    [11] 11. An assembly to enable premises identification indicia [Pill] to be visible from multiple viewing angles and at nighttime, comprising a support structure, a translucent media bearing PII, a light source located within the support structure and arranged to transmit light through the translucent media to enable the PII to be visible at nighttime, a first reflective media bearing PII adjacent one side of the translucent media and angled relative to the translucent media and a second reflective media bearing PII adjacent another side of the translucent media and angled relative to the translucent media.
    [12] 12. An indicia display assembly to enable premises identification indicia [Pill] to be visible from multiple viewing angles comprising a support structure, a first reflective media bearing PII and having a first background colour, and a second reflective media bearing the same PII as the first reflective media and having a different background colour, the first reflective media and the second reflective media being angled away from each other.
    [13] 13. A method for identifying a plurality of premises on a street, the method comprising providing each premises with an indicia display assembly identifying the premises and comprising a support structure, a first reflective 17 media bearing PII and having a first background colour , and a second reflective media bearing the same PII as the first reflective media and having a different background colour, the first reflective media and the second reflective media being angled away from each other, the indicia display assemblies being arranged such that the all the first reflective media are at substantially the same angle and all the second reflective media are at substantially the same angle, the first reflective media and the second reflective media being angled away from each other.
    [14] 14. A method for improving the identification of premises from the street including installing display assemblies of the type described in any one of claims 1-11 at premises throughout a street.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    AU2013204777B2|2015-01-22|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US5165187A|1987-01-30|1992-11-24|Fiber Sense & Signals Inc.|Edge illuminated sign panel|
    GB2410598A|2004-01-28|2005-08-03|Amanda Burton|Reflective character for house name or number.|
    US20060097888A1|2004-11-05|2006-05-11|Omoregbee Morgan U|High intensity plastic reflective plates for houses, signs, roads and vehicles|
    法律状态:
    2015-05-21| FGA| Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent)|
    2017-11-09| MK14| Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    AU2012901557||2012-04-20||
    AU2012901557A|AU2012901557A0||2012-04-20|A Number Stacker for House Numbering|
    AU2013204777A|AU2013204777B2|2012-04-20|2013-04-12|A Number Stacker for House Numbering|AU2013204777A| AU2013204777B2|2012-04-20|2013-04-12|A Number Stacker for House Numbering|
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