Outdoor sign or covering for high value infrastructure

Abstract

An outdoor sign or covering configured to be applied outdoors to high value infrastructure includes a body configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure and a plurality of lenticules arranged on the body to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering. The plurality of lenticules may have a convex shape, be arranged parallel to one another, and be raised from a front surface of the body, with a rear surface opposite the plurality of lenticules being relatively flat. The lenticular effect may be observed from a distance of 2 to 20 metres and may be visible to an observer at a 25-60 degree viewing angle. The sign or covering may comprise indicia that appear to move and change relative to observer movement.

Description

[0001] OUTDOOR SIGN OR COVERING FOR HIGH VALUE INFRASTRUCTURE

[0002] RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application derives priority from New Zealand patent application number 819827 filed on 24 March 2025 with WIPO DAS code 4474, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor sign or covering for high value infrastructure and, more particularly, to an outdoor sign or covering having lenticules arranged to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the outdoor sign or covering. This may provide an illusion of movement and, as a result, be more noticed by a person moving relative to the outdoor sign or covering.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Lenticular drawings are often seen in books and cards that provide a lenticular effect where a combination of different images change between images as the angle of observation of the print changes. Lenticular drawings are made up of lenticules that are printed often with images thereon to give an illusion of depth or the ability to change or move images as they are viewed from different angles by an observer. An example of this is shown in Figure 1 where the observer 1 is located at varying positions relative to the sign or covering 2.

[0008] The angle of view of a lenticular print is the range of angles within which the observer can see the entire image. This is determined by the maximum angle at which a ray can leave the image through the correct lenticule.

[0009] Figure 2 shows a close up image of a side cross-section of a lenticular panel and how the most extreme ray within the lenticular lens that will be refracted correctly by the lens. This ray leaves one edge of an image strip (at the lower right) and exits through the opposite edge of the corresponding lenticule. Lenticules used in books and cards are generally manufactured from plastics that are clear but which also refract light. They are manufactured as individual and aligned cylindrical lenses. Based on the angle of the viewer, each cylindrical lens acts as a magnifying glass to enlarge and display the portion of the image. Many small lenses working in harmony form the entire lenticular image. In this way, lenticular print can appear to show motion or even three-dimensions because each eye is viewing the lenticular print from its own angle.

[0010] Book or card lenticular drawings are comparatively small, viewed from less than one metre away and do not require any significant longevity hence are made from materials with poor longevity.There is a trade off as well between signage and indicia with a loss in refraction and hence lenticular effect. In books, the image to be sign may be hidden behind the lenticules and the lenticules clear to maximise refraction. In a sign or covering this is less appealing since the indicia should ideally form part of the lenticules and obscure the item (infrastructure) behind the lenticules.

[0011] In books and cards, there are few issues with temperature effects. The image is small and viewed at ambient conditions. Distortion to lenticular images can occur when temperatures change hence, for a larger sign or covering structure, there are challenges in using thermally stable materials that are not prone to significant expansion and contraction, or at least which are dimensionally stable and expand or contract in a proportional manner.

[0012] A further issue with lenticular drawings is that, in books and cards, the drawing can be relatively stiff and non-resilient. In outdoor or larger sign or covering applications, some degree of resilience may be important to allow for expansion and contraction and to at least partly mould to the shape of a structure item to which the sign or covering may be applied. Thick signs or coverings may also not be desirable due to thin spacings available on which the sign or covering is placed and / or for aesthetic reasons. Flexibility and resilience may be important also for transportation e.g. to roll or fold the lenticular drawing or drawings until ready for installation on an item of infrastructure.

[0013] High value infrastructure located outdoors, such as utility assets and other fixed service installations, may be exposed to accidental impact, particularly where the infrastructure is positioned near trafficable areas or in locations where an observer may have only limited time to recognise and avoid the infrastructure. In these environments, improving the visibility of such infrastructure may reduce damage, service interruption, repair costs, and associated safety risks.

[0014] Outdoor signs and coverings may be used to identify, mark, or warn of the presence of infrastructure. Such signs and coverings may be expected to remain noticeable under a range of viewing conditions and over extended periods of use, while also withstanding weather exposure and other environmental conditions commonly encountered outdoors.

[0015] As noted above, many visual display techniques have been developed for comparatively small-format, close-range, or indoor applications, and may not translate well to larger outdoor installations.

[0016] Approaches that are effective in books, cards, or other novelty products may not provide satisfactory performance when adapted to outdoor infrastructure that is observed at greater distances and under changing environmental conditions.

[0017] In addition, outdoor applications may present further constraints relating to durability, dimensional stability, and long-term appearance. Exposure to sunlight, moisture, dust, temperature variation, and physical wear may affect the ability of a sign or covering to maintain its intended visual performance over time.

[0018] By contrast, infrastructure installations may also impose practical constraints on the form of a sign or covering. Available mounting space may be limited, the underlying surface may at times be less thanideal, and transport and installation considerations may favour structures that can tolerate handling without undue damage or deformation.

[0019] Conventional warning or identification arrangements may still be insufficient to attract attention promptly, particularly where the infrastructure has a subdued appearance or blends into its surroundings. A need exists for improved signage or covering arrangements for outdoor high value infrastructure that can enhance observer awareness while remaining suitable for outdoor deployment. It may be useful to provide a sign or covering having a lenticular effect that may be configured for outdoor use and which also overcomes at least one of the above drawbacks, or at least provides the public with a choice.

[0020] In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

[0021] Further aspects and advantages of the sign or covering and method of manufacture will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

[0022] SUMMARY

[0023] Described herein is an outdoor sign or covering configured to be applied outdoors to high value infrastructure. In some embodiments, the sign or covering comprises a body configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure and a plurality of lenticules arranged on the body to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering. The detailed description that follows sets out example arrangements of the sign or covering, the plurality of lenticules, the body, and optional indicia that appear to move and change relative to observer movement, and also refers to an example high value infrastructure item located outdoors to which the sign or covering can be fixed.

[0024] In a first aspect, there is provided a sign or covering, configured to be applied outdoors to a high value infrastructure, the sign or covering comprising:

[0025] a body configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure; and

[0026] a plurality of lenticules arranged on the body to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering.

[0027] In a second aspect, there is provided a method of protecting high value infrastructure, the method comprising:

[0028] applying a sign or covering substantially as described above to the high value infrastructure;wherein the lenticular effect changes as a position of the observer relative to the sign or covering changes to increase awareness of the high value infrastructure.

[0029] In a third aspect, there is provided a high value infrastructure item located outdoors, the high value infrastructure item comprising: a sign or covering substantially as described above fixed to the high value infrastructure item.

[0030] Advantages of the described sign or covering and method of use may comprise, greater awareness of the sign or covering by an observer due to the perceived movement the lenticules cause in the eye of the observer. This leads to better awareness of the sign or covering and hence items of high value infrastructure to which the sign or covering may be applied. For many electrical service infrastructure items, there is a need to provide greater awareness to observers of placement of infrastructure and hence avoidance by the observer of striking the infrastructure.

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Further aspects of the sign or covering and method of manufacture will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] Figure 1 illustrates a prior art image showing how the lenticular effect occurs as the observer position alters relative to the lenticular image;

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates a prior art image of a close up image of a side cross-section of a lenticular image; Figure 3 illustrates a front view of an example embodiment of a striped lenticular sign or covering; Figure 4 illustrates a close up image of a side cross-section of the above striped lenticular sign or covering; and

[0035] Figure 5 illustrates an electrical box with the above lenticular sign fixed to the electrical box.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] As noted above, described herein is an outdoor sign or covering configured to be applied outdoors to high value infrastructure. In some embodiments, the sign or covering comprises a body configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure and a plurality of lenticules arranged on the body to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering. The detailed description that follows sets out example arrangements of the sign or covering, the plurality of lenticules, the body, and optional indicia that appear to move and change relative to observer movement, and also refers to an example high value infrastructure item located outdoors to which the sign or covering can be fixed.For the purposes of this specification, the term 'about' or 'approximately' or 'substantially' and grammatical variations thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1% to a reference quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.

[0038] The term 'comprise1and grammatical variations thereof shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements.

[0039] It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7).

[0040] Unless otherwise stated, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural reference.

[0041] As used herein the term "and / or" means "and" or "or", or both.

[0042] As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and / or singular forms of the noun.

[0043] The term 'lenticular effect' and grammatical variations thereof describes the effect of a combination of different images changing between images as the angle of observation of the print changes.

[0044] The term 'lenticular printing' and grammatical variations thereof refers to lenticular lenses or lenticules used to print images with an illusion of depth or the ability to change or move as they are viewed from different angles.

[0045] Sign or Covering

[0046] In a first aspect, there is provided a sign or covering, configured to be applied outdoors to a high value infrastructure, the sign or covering comprising:

[0047] a body configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure; and

[0048] a plurality of lenticules arranged on the body to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering.

[0049] High value infrastructure located outdoors may be difficult for an observer to notice promptly, particularly where the high value infrastructure is positioned near trafficable areas, has a subdued appearance, or blends into its surroundings. Conventional warning and identification arrangements may not consistently attract attention in sufficient time, and approaches developed for books, cards, or other small-format lenticular products may be poorly suited to outdoor deployment. In particular, suchapproaches are commonly intended for close-range viewing and limited service life, and may not adequately address the durability, dimensional stability, handling, and mounting constraints associated with a sign or covering configured to be applied outdoors to high value infrastructure.

[0050] To address these issues, the present disclosure provides a sign or covering comprising a body configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure and a plurality of lenticules arranged on the body to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering. By providing the lenticular effect over a viewing condition more suitable for outdoor use, the sign or covering may increase awareness of the high value infrastructure as a position of the observer relative to the sign or covering changes. In some forms, the plurality of lenticules may be arranged on a front surface of the body and indicia may appear to move and change relative to observer movement, thereby making the sign or covering more readily noticeable while remaining suitable for installation on outdoor high value infrastructure.

[0051] As used herein, the term 'sign or covering' refers to an outdoor structure configured to be applied outdoors to high value infrastructure in order to identify, mark, warn of, and / or visually emphasise the presence of the high value infrastructure, the sign or covering comprising a body configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure and a plurality of lenticules arranged on the body to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering, and being suitable for outdoor deployment under conditions in which durability, dimensional stability, handling, transport, mounting space, and long-term appearance may be relevant.

[0052] High Value Infrastructure

[0053] As used herein, the term 'high value infrastructure' refers to infrastructure located outdoors for which improved observer awareness is desirable in order to reduce accidental impact, damage, service interruption, repair cost, and associated safety risk, and includes, without limitation where the context permits, utility assets and fixed service installations such as poles, transformers, pillar boxes, fire hydrants, isolators, electrical boxes, and other infrastructure items that may be expensive to replace or repair, may lack redundancy, or may benefit from increased visibility in trafficable or otherwise exposed environments.

[0054] Body

[0055] The term 'body' refers to the part of the sign or covering that supports the plurality of lenticules and is configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure, the body optionally comprising a front surface from which the plurality of lenticules are raised and a rear surface opposite the plurality of lenticules that is relatively flat, and in some embodiments comprising a sheet, such as a sheet of resinous material, which may be formed in a rectangular shape or another suitable shape for installation on the high value infrastructure.Lenticular Effect

[0056] The lenticular effect may be provided by a combination of different images. The different images may change between images as the angle of observation of the sign or covering changes by an observer.

[0057] Lenticules

[0058] The term 'lenticules' refers to lens-like structures arranged on the body to provide the lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering.

[0059] The lenticules in some embodiments may have a convex shape.

[0060] The lenticles may be arranged parallel to one another.

[0061] The lenticles may be raised from a front surface of the body.

[0062] The lenticles may be formed from a material capable of transmitting light and suitable for outdoor use. The lenticules may optionally be printed

[0063] The above features of the lenticles alone or in various combinations may be important due to the way the lens refracts and / or direct light into the sign or covering.

[0064] Observer

[0065] The term 'observer' refers to a person viewing the sign or covering from one or more positions relative to the sign or covering, wherein changes in the position of the observer relative to the sign or covering may cause the lenticular effect, and optionally indicia carried by the sign or covering, to appear to move and change so as to increase awareness of the sign or covering and thereby increase awareness of the high value infrastructure to which the sign or covering is fixed.

[0066] Front and Rear Surface

[0067] The term 'front surface' refers to an outwardly presented surface of the body from which the plurality of lenticules are raised and across which the lenticules may run parallel to one another, the front surface being the surface of the sign or covering that is presented for viewing by the observer and on or with which visual features contributing to the lenticular effect may be provided.

[0068] The term 'rear surface' refers to a surface of the body opposite the plurality of lenticules, the rear surface in some embodiments being relatively flat and providing a back side of the sign or covering suitable for placement against, attachment to, or facing towards the high value infrastructure to which the sign or covering is fixed.Lenticule Material

[0069] The lenticules may be manufactured from resin. The resin may be a clear to semi clear material that is able to transmit light therethrough. The resin may be prismatic. The resin may be tougher than acrylic. The resin may be more flexible than acrylic. The resin may be laser cut and / or vacuum formed. The resin may be a thermoplastic polymer. The resin may not be acrylic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The resin may be amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET). The resin may be polyethylene terephthalate (PETG). APET and PETG may be useful choices of resin owing to their inherent properties including:

[0070] High clarity that allows for a transparent finish with a glossy appearance;

[0071] High impact resistance that is capable of withstanding significant wear and tear anticipated in outdoor environments the sign or covering is likely to be used for;

[0072] Resistance to many chemicals, including harsh cleaners, ensuring a long product lifespan; Ease of moulding and manufacture owing to the low shrinkage and flexibility of these resins during thermoforming.

[0073] Choice of material may be important for the outdoor and sign or covering application described. In a book or card, the lenticules need not have resistance for example to weather, dust, UV light and so on. In an outdoor setting, the sign or covering must have longevity and resistance to weather and the other noted challenges. This requires a more versatile material but one that also still can be formed into lenticules and be formed to the shape(s) desired. Resins were found to be useful in this circumstance due to their resilience, colour or ability to be coloured and ability to be moulded or shaped into lenticules at comparatively low cost.

[0074] The lenticules may be parallel to one another.

[0075] Thickness

[0076] The lenticules may have a thickness or pitch of 1 to 5mm, or 2 to 4 mm. This largely or wholly corresponds also to the sign or covering thickness. Typically lenticules have a thickness or pitch of less than 2mm perhaps in part owing to the close range of the viewer or the complex effects desired in a book or card. A higher thickness or pitch from 2mm or greater was found to be optimal by the inventor in an exterior sign application.LPI

[0077] The lenticules may be located at a density of 10-20, or 11-19, or 12-18, or 13-17, or 14-16, or 15 lenticules per inch (LPI). The thickness and density may influence the lenticular effect. In this case, using a relatively thick lenticule and low density means that the lenticular effect to tuned for viewing by an observer at a distance from the sign or covering.

[0078] Viewing Distance

[0079] Best observations may be from 2-20m, or 2-15m, or 2- 10m, or 2-5m from the sign or covering. The sign or covering may be visible from distances greater than 20m e.g. from 50 or even 100m away. As may be appreciated, this thickness and density is very different from that observed with books and cards which use much narrower lenticules and higher densities of spacing.

[0080] The lenticules may be printed. Lenticular printing is a process consisting of creating a lenticular image from at least two existing images, and combining it with a lenticular lens. This process can be used to create various frames of animation (for a motion effect), offsetting the various layers at different increments (for a 3D effect), or simply to show a set of alternate images which may appear to transform into each other.

[0081] Viewing Angle

[0082] As used herein, the term 'viewing angle' refers to the angular region within which the lenticular effect is visible to an observer viewing the sign or covering, the viewing angle serving as a parameter indicative of the type and extent of the visual effect produced by the plurality of lenticules and, in some embodiments of the sign or covering, being a 25-60 degree viewing angle at which the lenticular effect may be seen clearly by the observer.

[0083] Viewing angle is a V-shaped region within which lenticular images can be seen clearly. In general, the viewing angle is a guideline to determine the type of lenticular effect. In the current sign or covering, the lenticular effect may be visible to an observer at a 25-60, or 25-55, or 25-50, or 25-45, or 25-40, or 29-36 degree viewing angle. This viewing angle combining with the above noted LPI gives a dynamic attention grabbing visual through a 47-50 degree viewing angle.

[0084] Warning and Indicia

[0085] The outdoor sign or covering may convey a warning to the observer.

[0086] The sign or covering may comprise indicia that appear to move and change relative to observer movement.The term 'indicia' refers to visible warning, identification, and / or attention-attracting matter associated with the sign or covering and appearing to move and change relative to observer movement, the indicia being selectable from stripes, text, shapes, and combinations thereof, and in some embodiments being provided on or with the lenticules so that the lenticular effect enhances or alters the appearance of the indicia as the observer changes position or viewing distance relative to the sign or covering.

[0087] The lenticules themselves generate a visually observed lenticular effect. This lenticular effect may be enhanced or altered by printed stripes, text or shapes onto the lenticules. The indicia visible may change dependent of observer position and or distance from the sign or covering. Examples of stripes may be 45 degree angle stripes across the sign or covering face. Alternatively, text such as the word DANGER or CAUTION may be spelled out on the sign or covering as the observer moves relative to the sign or covering. In a yet further alternative, the shapes may be diamond shapes or other polygonal shapes in a repeating matter designs to catch the eye of the observer and hence draw their attention to the sign or covering (and infrastructure on which the sign or covering is placed).

[0088] In one embodiment, stripes are used. The stripes may be alternately coloured. For example, the stripes may be red and black stripes across the body. The stripes may be yellow and black coloured across the body. The stripes may have a width of 25mm or less. Each stripe may have a width of 5, or 10, or 15, or 20mm. The sign or covering may comprise 2-10 stripes per 200mm of sign or covering width. This narrower stripe width and use of multiple stripes across a body was found to more visible to an observer than a single stripe or wider (25mm+) stripe.

[0089] Method of Protecting High Value Infrastructure

[0090] In a second aspect, there is provided a method of protecting high value infrastructure, the method comprising:

[0091] applying a sign or covering substantially as described above to the high value infrastructure; wherein the lenticular effect changes as a position of the observer relative to the sign or covering changes to increase awareness of the high value infrastructure.

[0092] In some embodiments, the method of protecting high value infrastructure comprises applying to the high value infrastructure an outdoor sign or covering comprising a body configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure and a plurality of lenticules arranged on the body to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering, wherein the lenticular effect changes as a position of the observer relative to the outdoor sign or covering changes to increase awareness of the high value infrastructure. The sign or covering may be fixed directly to an outwardly presented surface of the high value infrastructure so that the sign or covering is viewed as part of the high value infrastructure itself.A High Value Infrastructure Item

[0093] In a third aspect, there is provided a high value infrastructure item located outdoors, the high value infrastructure item comprising: a sign or covering substantially as described above fixed to the high value infrastructure item.

[0094] In some embodiments, the high value infrastructure item located outdoors may be selected from poles, transformers, pillar boxes, fire hydrants, isolators, electrical boxes, and other utility assets and fixed service installations, with a sign or covering fixed thereto so that the sign or covering is viewed as part of the high value infrastructure itself. The sign or covering may be fixed directly to an outwardly presented surface of the high value infrastructure, and the body of the sign or covering may be configured to conform to the available mounting space of the high value infrastructure while remaining suitable for outdoor deployment. In some forms, the body comprises a sheet and may have a rectangular shape, although the sign or covering may be selected and arranged on the high value infrastructure item according to the surface available on the high value infrastructure to which the sign or covering is fixed. These type of infrastructure may lack redundancy or be expensive to replace or fix. The process of replacement may also carry large costs in terms fixing or replacement of the item itself along with outage time and losses to customers. Ways to improve the visibility of high value infrastructure are valued in the infrastructure industry.

[0095] Advantages

[0096] Advantages of the described sign or covering and method of use may comprise, greater awareness of the sign or covering by an observer due to the perceived movement the lenticules cause in the eye of the observer. This leads to better awareness of the sign or covering and hence items of high value infrastructure to which the sign or covering may be applied. For many electrical service infrastructure items, there is a need to provide greater awareness to observers of placement of infrastructure and hence avoidance by the observer of striking the infrastructure.

[0097] A further advantages is that the described design is able to be used outdoors. To date, applications for lenticular structures are largely in books or cards used indoors and on relatively small surface areas. The inventor found that through design choices noted above, the sign or covering was highly versatile and had good longevity when used outdoors. The comparatively large size lenticules and low density relative to books meant that the effect observed could be seen from much further away than expected from a book or card which is observed up close.The embodiments described above may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features.

[0098] Further, where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the embodiments relate, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0099] WORKING EXAMPLES

[0100] The above described sign or covering and method of manufacture are now described by reference to specific examples and item numbering below:

[0101] 1 Lenticular sign or covering

[0102] 2 Front surface

[0103] 3 Lenticule

[0104] 4 Lenticular sign edge

[0105] 10 Electrical box

[0106] EXAMPLE 1

[0107] Referring now to Figures 3 to 5, an embodiment of the lenticular sign or covering 1 is now described. As shown in Figure 3, the sign or covering 1 in this embodiment comprises a sheet of a resinous material, on this example shown as a rectangular shape although various shapes could be manufactured.

[0108] The sign 1 comprises a front surface 2 with raised lenticules 3 (best seen in Figure 4) in a convex shape. The rear surface (not shown) may be relatively flat.

[0109] Figure 4 shows a close up view of the sign or covering 1 about one edge 4 of the sign or covering 1. As can be seen more easily in this view, the edge 4 shows the lenticules 3 and how these run parallel to one another across the front surface 2 of the sign or covering 1.

[0110] Figure 5 shows the sign 1 in use located on a piece of high value infrastructure 10. In this Figure, the sign 1 is loosely fixed to an electrical box 10. The electrical box 10 is a non-descript green colour that is not easy to identify in a hurry or to a distracted observer. The lenticular sign or covering 1 fixed to the outdoor electrical box 10 provides a more visible indicia of the electrical box 10. The fact that the observed image on the sign 1 changes relative to movement of an observer (not shown) makes the observer more likely to see the sign 1 and hence electrical box 10 and, avoid damaging the electrical box 10 e.g. by driving into the electrical box 10 (or other infrastructure 10). Humans are more tuned intoobserving movement than a static object and hence the electrical box 10 is more protected than would be the case by no sign or a static sign. Using a lenticular sign 1 fixed to the infrastructure 10 is a low cost way to attract attention to the infrastructure 10 item. Other moving image warnings such as screen displays and the like are relatively costly and require significantly more maintenance than the proposed sign or covering.

[0111] By configuring the sign or covering to be applied outdoors to high value infrastructure, and by providing a body configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure, the claimed arrangement allows the visual feature to be carried directly on the high value infrastructure itself. This assists in circumstances where the high value infrastructure may otherwise have a subdued appearance or blend into its surroundings, because the sign or covering becomes part of the outwardly viewed surface presented to an observer viewing the sign or covering.

[0112] The plurality of lenticules arranged on the body to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering causes the observed appearance of the sign or covering to change as the position of the observer changes relative to the sign or covering. In operation, this produces a visually apparent change that is more readily noticed than a static surface, thereby increasing awareness of the sign or covering and, in turn, the high value infrastructure to which the body is fixed. In this way, the claimed combination provides an outdoor warning or identification arrangement that is better suited to attracting attention to high value infrastructure than approaches intended for close-range book or card applications.

[0113] Aspects of the sign or covering and method of manufacture have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A sign or covering, configured to be applied outdoors to a high value infrastructure, the sign or covering comprising:a body configured to be fixed to the high value infrastructure; anda plurality of lenticules arranged on the body to provide a lenticular effect to an observer viewing the sign or covering.

2. The sign or covering of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lenticules each have a convex shape.

3. The sign or covering of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of lenticules are arranged parallel to one another.

4. The sign or covering of any one of the above claims, wherein the body comprises a front surface from which the plurality of lenticules are raised.

5. The sign or covering of any one of the above claims, wherein the body comprises a rear surface opposite the plurality of lenticules, the rear surface being relatively flat.

6. The sign or covering of any one of the above claims, wherein the lenticular effect is configured to be observed from a distance of 2 to 20 metres from the sign or covering.

7. The sign or covering of any one of the above claims, wherein the plurality of lenticules are printed.

8. The sign or covering of any one of the above claims, wherein the body comprises a sheet.

9. The sign or covering of any one of the above claims, wherein the body has a rectangular shape.

10. The sign or covering of any one of the above claims, wherein the lenticules have a thickness or pitch of l-5mm.

11. The sign or covering of any one of the above claims, wherein the lenticules are located at a density of 10-20 lenticules per inch.

12. The sign or covering of any one of the above claims, wherein the lenticular effect is visible to an observer at a 25-60 degree viewing angle.

13. The sign or covering of any one of the above claims, wherein the sign or covering comprises indicia and the indicia appear to move and change relative to observer movement.

14. The sign or covering of claim 13, wherein the indicia are selected from stripes, text, shapes, and combinations thereof.

15. A method of protecting high value infrastructure, the method comprising:applying a sign or covering of any one of claims 1 to 14 to the high value infrastructure;wherein the lenticular effect changes as a position of the observer relative to the sign or covering changes to increase awareness of the high value infrastructure.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the high value infrastructure is selected from poles, transformers, pillar boxes, and fire hydrants.

17. A high value infrastructure item located outdoors, the high value infrastructure item comprising: a sign or covering of any one of claims 1 to 14 fixed to the high value infrastructure item.

Images