Edge illuminated visual display apparatus

摘要

A visual display apparatus, comprising a first panel formed of a substantially transparent first substrate material, the first substrate material being substantially colorless and the first substrate material defining a first major forward surface and an opposed first major rear surface spaced in a rearward direction from the first major forward surface. The first substrate material defines a continuous first outer edge connecting the first major forward surface and the first major rear surface, and the first outer edge comprises a first edge light entrance area. A second panel is disposed in parallel relation to the first panel and comprises a substantially transparent second substrate material having a color. The second substrate material defining a second major forward surface and an opposed second major rear surface spaced in a rearward direction from the second major forward surface. The second substrate material define a continuous second outer edge connecting the second major forward surface and the second major rear surface, and the second outer edge comprises a second edge light entrance area. A light source is operable to produce light for illuminating the first edge light entrance area and the second edge light entrance area. The first edge light entrance area is adapted to transmit the illuminating light into the first substrate material to illuminate the first panel. The second edge light entrance area is adapted to transmit the illuminating light into the second substrate material to illuminate the second panel. The first substrate material has defined therein a plurality of spaced light extracting first deformations disposed to cause emission of a portion of the illuminating light in the first panel. The second substrate material has defined therein a plurality of spaced light extracting second deformations disposed to cause emission of a portion of the illuminating light in the second panel.