Simulated neon sign

Claim 2

A simulated neon sign comprising: (a) a frame; (b) non-neon internal lighting means within the frame; (c) a front plastic panel formed of a light transmitting plastic held by the frame and having an outer face, the outer face comprising outwardly projecting indicia and a non-projecting region, the non-projecting region being substantially opaque to light from the internal lighting means; (d) a first pigmented translucent coating on the indicia so that light from the lighting means can pass through the indicia; and (e) additional pigmented coating on the non-projecting region of the panel adjacent to the indicia, the additional coating being of substantially the same color as the first pigmented coating so that it appears that light from the lighting means passing through the indicia is reflected off the opaque non-projecting region to achieve the halo effect of neon lights; wherein the thickness of the first coating is greater at the center than at the sides of the indicia so that the intensity of light through the sides of the indicia is substantially the same as at the center.

Claim 3

The sign of claim 1 including a substantially transparent glossy coating over substantially the entire outer face of the front panel, including over the translucent coating and the additional pigmented coating, so that at least the indicia appear glass-like.

Claim 4

The sign of claim 1 wherein the front panel has indicia of different colors, and wherein the additional pigmented coating adjacent indicia is the same color as the color of the first coating on the corresponding indicia.

Claim 5

The sign of claim 1 wherein the non-projecting region has an opaque coating thereon, the additional pigmented coating being on top of the opaque coating.

Claim 6

The sign of claim 4 in which the opaque coating is black.

Claim 7

The sign of claim 1 wherein the lighting means is fluorescent or incandescent.

Claim 8

A simulated neon sign comprising: (a) a frame; (b) non-neon internal lighting means within the frame; and (c) front and a rear plastic panels, both panels formed of light transmitting plastic, held by the frame with the internal light therebetween, each plastic panel comprising: (i) an outer face having outwardly projecting indicia and a non-projecting region, the non-projecting region being substantially opaque to light from the internal lighting means; (ii) a first pigmented translucent coating on the indicia so that light from the lighting means can pass through the indicia; and (iii) additional pigmented coating on the non-projecting region of the panel adjacent to the indicia, the additional coating being of substantially the same color as the first pigmented coating so that it appears that light from the lighting means passing through the indicia is reflected off the opaque non-projected region to achieve the halo effect of neon lights; wherein the thickness of the first coating is greater at the center than at the sides of the indicia so that the intensity of light through the sides of the indicia is substantially the same as at the center.

Claim 9

A simulated neon sign comprising: (a) a frame; (b) non-neon internal lighting means within the frame; and (c) front and a rear plastic panels, both panels formed of light transmitting plastic, held by the frame with the internal light therebetween, each plastic panel comprising: (i) an outer face having outwardly projecting indicia and a non-projecting region, the non-projecting region being substantially opaque to light from the internal lighting means; (ii) a first pigmented translucent coating on the indicia so that light from the lighting means can pass through the indicia; and (iii) additional pigmented coating on the non-projecting region of the panel adjacent to the indicia, the additional coating being of substantially the same color as the first pigmented coating so that it appears that light from the lighting means passing through the indicia is reflected off the opaque non-projected region to achieve the halo effect of neon lights; wherein the thickness of the first coating is greater at the center than at the sides of the indicia so that the intensity of light through the sides of the indicia is substantially the same as at the center.

Claim 10

The sign of claim 7 including a substantially transparent glossy coating over substantially the entire outer face of both panels, including over the translucent coating and the additional pigmented coating, so that at least the indicia appear glass-like.

Claim 11

The sign of claim 7 wherein the non-projecting region has an opaque coating thereon, the additional pigmented coating being on top of the opaque coating.

Claim 14

The method of claim 10 including the additional step of applying a substantially transparent glossy overcoat over substantially the entire face of the front panel, the overcoat being on top of the first pigmented coating, the opaque coating, and the additional pigmented coating.

Claim 15

The method of claim 10 wherein the step of applying additional pigmented coating comprises air brushing the additional pigmented coating.

Claim 16

The method of claim 10 wherein the step of masking the indicia comprises the steps of (i) applying masking means to substantially the entire outer face of the plastic panel, and (ii) removing the masking means except on the indicia.

Claim 17

A simulated neon sign comprising: (a) a frame; (b) internal fluorescent or incandescent lighting within the frame; (c) a light emitting sheet of plastic vacuum formed to form a front plastic panel having an outer face comprising outwardly projecting indicia and a non-projecting region, the panel being supported by the frame; (d) an opaque coating on the non-projecting region, the opaque coating being substantially opaque to the light from the internal lighting; (e) a first pigmented translucent coating on the indicia that is thicker at the center than at the sides of the indicia so that the intensity of light passing through the sides is substantially the same as the intensity of the light passing through the center of the indicia; (f) additional pigmented coating air brushed onto the non-projecting region of the panel adjacent to the indicia, the additional coating being on top of the opaque coating, the additional coating being of substantially the same color as the first pigmented coating so that it appears that light from the lighting means passing through the indicia is reflected off the opaque non-projecting region to achieve the halo effect of neon lights; and (g) a substantially transparent glossy coating over substantially the entire outer surface of the front panel, including over the translucent coating, the additional pigmented coating, and the opaque coating, so that at least the indicia appear glass-like.

Claim 18

A simulated neon sign comprising: (a) a frame; (b) internal fluorescent or incandescent lighting within the frame; (c) a light emitting sheet of plastic vacuum formed to form a front plastic panel having an outer face comprising outwardly projecting indicia and a non-projecting region, the panel being supported by the frame; (d) an opaque coating on the non-projecting region, the opaque coating being substantially opaque to the light from the internal lighting; (e) a first pigmented translucent coating on the indicia that is thicker at the center than at the sides of the indicia so that the intensity of light passing through the sides is substantially the same as the intensity of the light passing through the center of the indicia; (f) additional pigmented coating air brushed onto the non-projecting region of the panel adjacent to the indicia, the additional coating being on top of the opaque coating, the additional coating being of substantially the same color as the first pigmented coating so that it appears that light from the lighting means passing through the indicia is reflected off the opaque non-projecting region to achieve the halo effect of neon lights; and (g) a substantially transparent glossy coating over substantially the entire outer surface of the front panel, including over the translucent coating, the additional pigmented coating, and the opaque coating, so that at least the indicia appear glass-like.