US3905679A - Reflector plate - Google Patents

Reflector plate Download PDF

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Publication number
US3905679A
US3905679A US432189A US43218974A US3905679A US 3905679 A US3905679 A US 3905679A US 432189 A US432189 A US 432189A US 43218974 A US43218974 A US 43218974A US 3905679 A US3905679 A US 3905679A
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United States
Prior art keywords
reflector plate
feet
triple
reflector
plate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US432189A
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English (en)
Inventor
Erwin Langenbach
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ERWINSICK OPTIK ELEKTRONIK
ERWINSICK OPTIK-ELEKTRONIK
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ERWINSICK OPTIK ELEKTRONIK
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Publication of US3905679A publication Critical patent/US3905679A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/12—Reflex reflectors
    • G02B5/122—Reflex reflectors cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type
    • G02B5/124—Reflex reflectors cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 15, 1973 Germany 2301868
  • a reflector plate of transparent thermoplastic material having a planar surface designed to face the reflecting 52 US. Cl. 350/103; 350/106; 404/9 light Source and a Second Surface having triple reflee- 51 Im. cl. G02B 5/12 tors uniformly distributed and cleeely juxtaposed with 58 Field of Search 350/97 103, the Surface having the triple reflectors, characterized 3 50/106; 404/9 16 by the presence of a plurality of feet projecting above the tips of the triple reflectors.
  • the invention relates to a reflector plate of thermoplastic material, whose one surface is planar and whose other surface has triple reflectors uniformly distributed and closely juxtaposed according'to a regular pattern.
  • the triple reflectors comprise cubes whose one angle projects upwards from the plane of the plate. 7
  • Such reflector plates have the property within a certain space angle of reflecting back into themselves light inciding on the planar, side independent of its direction of incidence.
  • Such reflector plates are used, e.g. in accident prevention light curtains.
  • a reflector plate comprising several partial plates is i to be assembled into an uninterrupted, large reflecting surface area the, material of the edges not provided with a triple pattern must first be cut away.
  • the partial plates with the side carrying the pattern must now be placed against a fixed support plate e.g. an aluminium sheet, whilst from the opposite, optically effective side a glass plate is applied.
  • the overall arrangement of support plate, partial plates and glass plate is fixed, in a housing.
  • the sensitive tips of the individual triple reflectors can then be damaged e.g. by vibrations, which can greatly impair the optical efficiency of the reflector plate.
  • the problem of. the invention is therefore toso further develop a reflector plate of the type described hereinbefore that even after cutting away the edges and placing the tips of the reflector plate on a base there is no danger of damaging or impairing the sensitive triple reflector plates.
  • this problem is solved in that at several spaced points of the triple pattern feet projecting over the tips of the triple pattern are arranged over at least part of the triple reflector. Prefera: bly they are located where due to the triple positioning there would in any case be dead zones. it is surprising that inspite of this interruption of the triple pattern at the points defined by the invention the optical quality of the reflector plate is in fact improved rather than impaired because damage to the sensitivetriple tips is effectively prevented.
  • the feet are preferably provided pattern and are uniformly spaced.
  • the feet are located on those sides where smooth edges projecting over the triple area are provided which on assembling the reflectorplates to form larger units can be cut away in the intersection areas.
  • the triple reflectors which are hexagonal inplan view with .two facing sides run parallel to the sides of theoverall pattern.
  • the sides of the overall pattern preferably coincide alternately with one hexagonal side of a triple reflector and the central axis of the next triplereflector.
  • Another embodiment is constructed sothat the feet have the cross-section of anequilateral triangle and in each case are located on the pattern sides in one of the triangular areas. Thus, only one sixth of each hexagonal surface zone is required for each foot.
  • the ends of the feet are preferably flat so as to provide a good support surface
  • the feet project more than 0.5 mm but less than i mm above the tips
  • the reflector plate according to the invention comprises hexagonal partial plates, whereby the edges thereof run along the sides of the hexagonal triple reflector and the feet are provided solely in the hexagons bisected by. the cut. This construction has the advantage that the cut-triple reflectors, which are in any case not effective from an optical standpoint are provided for receiving the feet.
  • the reflector plate according to the invention comprises rectangular partial plates, whereby one edge of the partial plate runs along the sides of the hexagonal triple reflector and the other rectangular edge runs along the tips of the hexagons.
  • the feet are only provided in the bisected hexagons on the first edge.
  • the feet are once again located in the dead zones which i in any case occur at the intersections
  • the triplereflectors have a sawtoothed shape along the first edge.
  • the feet are located on the short flanks of the sawteeth.
  • the flat isosceles triangles remaining onthe second edge are cut out. if they are cut out with the optically'necessary precision the partial plates can be fitted into one another at the sawn intersections, so that the dead zones are there reduced to a minimum. At the same time the perfect mounting of the part plates on the other edges by the feet is ensured.
  • the part plates with the feet are mounted on a common support plate. From the opposite side a glass plate is appropriately placed against the part plates and the overall arrangement is secured in place.
  • a slip-proof, vibration-proof and very stable mounting is obtained if the aluminium support plate rests in a housing on a rubber buffer.
  • all the partial plates are arranged level with a step which passes completely round the housing which is covered with a sha'pable casting compound up to the outer edge of the partial plates.
  • the casting compound protrudes slightly above the planar surface of the partial plates and therefore also rests sealingly against the glass plate.
  • FIG. 1 a plan view of a reflector plate according to v the invention
  • FIG. 2 a section along side 13 in FIG. 1"
  • FIG. 3 a plan view of a reflector plate according to the invention comprising a plurality ,of hexagonal partial plates a
  • FIG. 4 a section along line IV IV of FIG. 3
  • FIG. '5 a plan view of a reflector plate according to the invention comprising rectangular partial plates FIG. 6 a section along line'VI VI of FIG. 5.
  • a rectangular partial reflector plate 19 whilst leaving two edges 16 and 17 is provided with a regular pattern of triple reflectors ll extruded on the plate made from thermoplastic material.
  • the triple reflectors 11 are hexagonal and aligned and arranged inthe manner shown in FIG. 1 relative to sides l2, 13 or edges 16, 17.
  • the feet l5,having a planar. surface according to the invention are extruded in a uniformly spaced manner on the edges. Feet 15 project somewhat further from theplate then the tips 14 of the triple reflectors 11. It is essential that in the manner indicated in detail vin FIG. 1 the feet are in each case arranged within a bisected hexagonal triple reflector on one of the edges l2, 13.
  • the optical function of the reflector plate is in noway impaired and at the same time a support surface for the reflector plate is provided which effectively prevents the sensitive tips being damaged or impaired.
  • FIGS. and 6 show how a partialreflector plate 19 according to FIGS. land 2 can be combined with similar partial plates to form a larger reflector plate. It is assumed that the beam of light scanning the reflector plate performs a scanning movement according to the double arrow f. According to the invention the individual partial plates 19 are so arranged relative to scanning direction f that the edges carrying feet pointin thescanning direction. Perpendicular to the edges l2 l3 carrying feet 15 thev reflector plate is cut in such a way that thetwo other edges run along the tips of the hexagons, whereby isosceles triangles 20 are lefttbehind which are juxtaposed in the manner shown in FIG. 5. Triangles 20 can also be cut out, whereby the dead zone in the particular intersection area is greatly reduced in size or even completely eliminated.
  • Partial plates 19 cut so as to give a desiredreflector plate size are then according to FIG. 6 placed on an aluminium support plate 21 common to all the partial plates and which via a round rubber member 24 rests on the base of a housing 23.
  • the arrangement is such that the feet 15 rest on the aluminium plate21, whereas the tips of the triple reflector 12 are at a reasonable distance therefrom.
  • Theplanar surfaces of partial plates 19 facing the triple tips are covered by a glass plate 22 common to all the partial plates.
  • a step 26 which surrounds the outer edges of partial plates 19 and is cast with a silicone casting compound to reliably prevent entry of moisture or dirtinto the housing.
  • the casting compound protrudes slightly above the planar surface of the partial plates 19 so that glass plate 22 which projects on all sides over partial plates 19 rests sealingly against'casting compound This prevents moistureand dirt from penetrating between partial plates 19 and glass plate 22.
  • support plate 21, partial plates 19 and glass plate 22 is compressed by v clamping members 27 fixed to housing 23 by means of screws.
  • the connection can also be provided by sheet steel springs bent into a U-shape instead of screws.
  • the reflector plate according to the invention comprises hexagonal partial plates 18.
  • the hexagons are completely symmetrical and are out along the sides of the triple hexagons.
  • the feet l5 areprovided in the bisected hexagons on the edge where they have no disadvantageous optical effect and can perform their mechanical function completely satisfactorily.
  • the hexagons are aligned in theinventive manner according to FIG. 3.
  • the hexagons are bisected at the edges as shown in FIG. 3, so that the feet provided at the edges of the hexagons can also satisfactorily hold in place the cut side plates.
  • Reflector plate of thermoplastic transparent material whose surface facing .the reflecting light is planar and whose other surface has triple reflectors uniformly distributed and closely juxtaposed according to.a regular pattern wherein the improvement comprises providing in at least part of the triple reflectors a plurality of feet arranged at spaced points of the triple pattern and projecting above the tips of the triple reflector thereof.
  • Reflector plate as claimed in claim 2 wherein the feet are arranged with a uniform spacing on the sides of the pattern.
  • Reflector plate as cl'aim'ed in claim 1 wherein the feet are provided on the sides where there are smooth edges protruding above the triple area.
  • Reflector plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the in plan view hexagonal triple reflectors with two facing sides are located parallel to the sides of the overall pattern.
  • Reflector plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein it comprises hexagonal partial plates, whereby the edges of the partial plates run along the sides of the hexagonal triple reflector and the feet are provided exclusively in the bisected hexagon formed by the cut.
  • Reflector plate as claimed in claim 16 wherein the aluminium support plate is placed in a housing on a rubber buffer.
  • Reflector plate as claimed in claim 16 wherein all the partial plates are positioned level with a step which passes round the inside of the housing and which is covered by a shapable casting compound up to the outer edge of the partial plates.
  • Hexagonal partial reflector plate of thermoplastic transparent material whose surface facing the reflecting light is planar and whose other surface has hexagonal triple reflectors uniformly distributed and closely juxtaposed according to a regular pattern wherein the improvement comprises cutting the edges of the partial plate along the side of the hexagonal triple reflector, said improvement further comprising a plurality of feet spaced exclusively in the bisected hexagon formed by the cut.
  • Rectangular partial plate of thermoplastic transparent material whose surface facing the reflecting light is planar and whose other surface has hexagonal triple reflectors uniformly distributed and closely juxtaposed according to a regular pattern wherein the improvement comprises having a first edge of the partial plate running along the side of the hexagonal triple reflector, and the other edge, which is at right angles thereto, running along a tip of the hexagon, said improvement further comprising a plurality of feet spaced exclusively in the bisected hexagon and present on said first edge.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
  • Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
  • Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
US432189A 1973-01-15 1974-01-10 Reflector plate Expired - Lifetime US3905679A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2301868A DE2301868C3 (de) 1973-01-15 1973-01-15 Reflektorplatte

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3905679A true US3905679A (en) 1975-09-16

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ID=5869049

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US432189A Expired - Lifetime US3905679A (en) 1973-01-15 1974-01-10 Reflector plate

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3905679A (it)
DE (1) DE2301868C3 (it)
FR (1) FR2325063A1 (it)
IT (1) IT1006868B (it)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4123181A (en) * 1977-12-02 1978-10-31 Astro Optics Corporation Roadside barrier marker system
US4221498A (en) * 1979-05-07 1980-09-09 Astro Optics Corporation Roadside barrier reflector
US4523734A (en) * 1982-09-09 1985-06-18 Hans Grohe Gmbh & Co. Kg Holding device for a shower post
US5237449A (en) * 1991-01-29 1993-08-17 Nelson Optics Company, Inc. Biased lenticular sign system

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3012500C2 (de) * 1980-03-31 1982-11-18 Erwin Sick Gmbh Optik-Elektronik, 7808 Waldkirch Retroreflektor
SE463947B (sv) * 1990-02-07 1991-02-11 Storraa Ab Reflektor, saerskilt foer skyltar och vaegmaerken, samt daerav tillverkad skyltanordning
DE19751012A1 (de) * 1997-11-18 1999-06-10 Fotoelektrik Pauly Gmbh Optischer Reflektor

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2037773A (en) * 1932-11-18 1936-04-21 Benjamin G Eynon Motor vehicle registration marker
US3359671A (en) * 1962-05-02 1967-12-26 Nier Erich-Arthur Signboard, more particularly traffic sign
US3417959A (en) * 1966-11-14 1968-12-24 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Die for forming retro-reflective article

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2037773A (en) * 1932-11-18 1936-04-21 Benjamin G Eynon Motor vehicle registration marker
US3359671A (en) * 1962-05-02 1967-12-26 Nier Erich-Arthur Signboard, more particularly traffic sign
US3417959A (en) * 1966-11-14 1968-12-24 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Die for forming retro-reflective article

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4123181A (en) * 1977-12-02 1978-10-31 Astro Optics Corporation Roadside barrier marker system
US4221498A (en) * 1979-05-07 1980-09-09 Astro Optics Corporation Roadside barrier reflector
US4523734A (en) * 1982-09-09 1985-06-18 Hans Grohe Gmbh & Co. Kg Holding device for a shower post
US5237449A (en) * 1991-01-29 1993-08-17 Nelson Optics Company, Inc. Biased lenticular sign system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2301868C3 (de) 1980-10-30
DE2301868B2 (de) 1980-02-28
FR2325063A1 (fr) 1977-04-15
FR2325063B1 (it) 1978-02-10
IT1006868B (it) 1976-10-20
DE2301868A1 (de) 1974-07-18

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