Importance

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Abstract

A reflector element intended to locate each light emitting diode of an array of light emitting diodes between outwardly angled, reflective surfaces in order to manage the distribution of light within an enclosure of an exit sign or other illuminated sign thereby illuminating a legend-bearing sign panel of the sign, the invention allows compact sign enclosure formation and provides even illumination of sign panels on all legend-bearing face walls of the exit sign even though multiple point light sources such as light emitting diodes comprise the illumination source. The reflector element of the invention is preferably embodied in a U-shaped dual wall configuration with each wall being formed substantially with a plurality of triangular tooth-like projections interspersed with substantially triangular openings, the projections angling outwardly from a reflector base, a series of apertures being formed in the reflector base for receiving the light emitting diodes of the array. The preferred reflector element of the invention is elongated in conformation and used with a linear array of light emitting diodes, each diode lying between projections forming opposing walls of the reflector element and being shaded thereby. The light emitting diode array is preferably located along at least one interior wall of the sign enclosure adjacent at least one of the legend-bearing face walls. The reflector element is particularly useful with relatively diffuse, medium-viewing angle light emitting diodes, the projections of the walls shading each diode acting to reflect light emanating from the diodes upwardly and outwardly of the reflector element and into interior portions of the sign enclosure to illuminate portions of one or more sign panels having at least edge portions disposed adjacent the LED array.

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First Claim