Advertising, display or decorative panel

Abstract

 A panel (18) comprises a laminate of metal (20) on a backing (22), a suitable laminate being a copper circuit board photographically etched with a pattern or advertisement. The panels (18) may be located in a frame comprising channel-shaped frame units (10) to form a lampshade, the light of the lamp being adapted to shine through the translucent backing (20).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to advertising, display and decorative panels and is particularly concerned with translucent or part-translucent panels for use in front of lamps and other sources of light.

[0002] The field of lampshades is very vast and the variety of designs, colours and other aspects is legion.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a very attractive form of panel which not only has an infinite number of possibilities but which is also easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0004] According to the invention a panel.-for advertising, display or decoration includes a laminate comprising a metallic sheet and a translucent base plate, portions of the metallic sheet being removed or partly removed for transmission of light through such portions.

[0005] The portions removed will correspond to the pattern or design or advertisement or the like required.

[0006] The metal may be chosen from a wide range of metals and alloys but it is preferred to use copper and in a preferred form of the invention use is made of backed circuit board, the backing being of some translucent material.

[0007] According further to the invention a method of forming a panel for advertising, display or decorative purposes includes the steps of coating the metallic sheet with a photo-resist material, locating a printing screen or the like, such as a photographic negative or transparency in the desired position, exposing to light and then treating the sheet with a suitable acid or other chemical to remove the exposed portions of the sheet.

[0008] A final lacquer may be provided to maintain the fresh appearance.

[0009] The panels are very useful for lamps and they may be held in a suitable framework surrounding a lamp so that the design or advertisement or the like will be illuminated through the panel.

[0010] According further to the invention a frame for a panel of the invention includes a channel section with one or more tongues pressed into the channel. In the case of a metallic frame, the tongues will have sufficient resiliency to bear against the panel in frictional relationship to hold it in the panel. A lampshade may be made of three, four or more members each having a pair of channels for adjacent panels. In this way a collapsible lampshade may be provided which is easily transported.

[0011] By using copper circuit board, for example pheonolic paper backed circuit board an elegant panel may be made which will have the appearance of solid copper and consequently a very "expensive" look.

[0012] It will be appreciated that an infinite variety of patterns may be applied to the panels of the invention. Wild life scenes may be particularly popular, and advertisements such as, for example, beer and other alcoholic beverages will be very suitable for bars, lounges and the like.

[0013] Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross-section of a frame unit for a hexagonal lampshade incorporating panels of the invention; and

Figure 2 is a cross-section of a frame unit for use with the panels of the invention.

[0014] Referring to Figure 1 each frame unit 10 has a pair of channels 12, 14 at an angle of 120° and these channels have small tongues 16 pressed thereinto. These tongues frictionally hold the panels 18 of the invention in position. The panels 18 comprise a metallic sheet 20 and a plastics backing 22 which is translucent. The metallic sheet 20 has portions removed by treatment with a suitable acid or other chemical to form a design or advertisement.

[0015] The frame unit 24 seen in Figure 2 has channels 26, 28 disposed at right angles to each other. The outer surface of the junction of the arms of the frame unit 24 is radiused to remove sharp corners from the unit. The frame unit 24 is suitable for use in a lampshade having a rectangular top. Panels used with the frame unit 24 may be anchored in the channels 26,28 by any suitable conventional means.

[0016] The panels assembled on the frame units are anchored on a suitable stand provided with conventional fittings to constitute a lampshade.

Claims

1. A panel (18) for advertising, display or decoration singly or in combination including a laminate which comprises a metallic sheet (20) applied to a translucent base plate (22), portions of the metallic sheet being at least partially removed for transmission of light through such portions.

2. A panel according to claim 1, in which the metallic sheet (20) is a low gauge copper sheet having portions removed to form a pattern or design.

3. A panel according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the laminate comprises a circuit board which includes a copper sheet (20) bonded on a backing (22) of translucent material with the copper being at least partially removed to form any suitable design or pattern.

4. A method of forming a panel for one or more of advertising, display or decorative purposes including the steps of coating a metallic sheet (20) with a photo-resist material, locating a photographic negative or transparency in the desired position, exposing the assembly to light and then treating the sheet with a suitable chemical to remove the exposed portions of the sheet.

5. A method according to claim 4, which includes the steps of bonding to the metallic sheet a translucent base plate (22) and applying a coat of lacquer to the metallic sheet.

6. A lampshade including a panel formed from a laminate which comprises a metallic sheet (20) applied on to a translucent base plate (22) with portions of the metallic sheet being at least partially removed for transmission of light through such portions, the panel being held in a framework (10) provided with suitable fittings (12,16) to comprise a lampshade.

7. A lampshade according to claim 6, in which the framework includes frame members (10) each provided with at least a channel (12,14) for anchorage of a panel.

Drawing