Abstract:
An improved roadway sign (2) comprising a light retroreflective indicia region and colored retroreflective background region is provided. The retroreflective properties of the regions are selective such that the ratio of the retroreflective brightness of the indicia to that of the background is substantially larger at observation locations within the legibility zone (8) for the sign, than the ratio is at observation locations outside (12) the legibility zone. The sign is conspicuous by virtue of the bright retroreflection and distinctive color of the background outside the legibility zone, yet is legible because of the increased contrast ratio of the indicia to the background in the legibility zone.
Abstract:
A reflecting material, especially for display signs and road signs, is in the form of a plate (20) which is made of a transparent material and has a front surface (21) and, substantially parallel thereto, a reflecting rear surface (22). The rear surface has juxtaposed reflectors (23) with a reflecting surface coating (24). The reflectors are concave, as seen from the front surface of the plate, and so designed that light rays having an angle of incidence of about 7-65 DEG are reflected at an angle of reflection of about 0 DEG to the normal of the front surface of the plate.
Abstract:
There is provided an integral array of retroreflective lenticular elements (1), each of which elements (1) being based on an imaginary, substantially prismatic body of a polygonal cross section and has two convexly curved end surfaces (4, 6), wherein the ratio of the angular range of retroreflection in the elevational plane thereof is predeterminable by the geometry of the cross section. There is also provided an integral array (2) of retroreflective lenticular elements (1) wherein the retroreflective lenticular elements (1) are arrayed in such a way that their convexly curved end surfaces (4, 6) constitute a tesselation pattern, with the major surfaces of the array (2) substantially fully tesselated.
Abstract:
An article comprising a transparent plano-convex base sheet having first and second broad faces, the second face being substantially planar and the first face having an array of substantially hemi-spheroidal microlenses thereon, the shape of the microlenses and thickness of the base sheet being such that collimated light substantially orthogonally incident to the array is focused approximately at the second face. The article optionally further comprising a specularly reflective layer on the second face which renders the base sheet retroreflective. An optional layer of adhesive over the reflective layer permits the article to be adhered to a document as a tamper-indicating, authenticating, and protective overlay. Special images can be formed within the article to enhance the security provided thereby. Also, a method for forming such articles.