Method and apparatus for retrofitting backlit signs with light emitting diode modules
First Claim
1. An LED module, comprising:
- a first support member having a first mounting surface;
a first plurality of LEDs mounted to the first mounting surface;
first and second support arms attached to the first support member;
a first mounting mechanism attached to the first support arm;
a second mounting mechanism attached to the second support arm;
each of the first and second mounting mechanisms include;
first and second scissor arms each having an upper portion, a lower portion and a mid portion therebetween, wherein the mid portions of the first and second scissor arms are rotatably connected together and each of the lower portions includes an engagement surface; and
a first screw engaged with the first and second scissor arm upper portions for adjusting a distance therebetween and a separation distance between the engagement surfaces of the first and second scissor arm lower portions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for retrofitting a backlit sign with an LED module. The housing includes sidewalls with translucent portions. The LED module includes linear arrays of LEDs supported by support arms having mounting mechanisms for engaging with the housing sidewalls. The mounting mechanisms include scissor arms rotatably attached together about mid-portions thereof, and a tightening screw that adjusts the distance between the scissor arm ends to press engagement surfaces of the scissor arms against the housing sidewalls. Adjustment screws at the lower ends of the support arm can be adjusted to further extend the engagement surfaces, so that a single LED module can be installed inside a wide range of backlit sign sizes. The retrofit method includes removing the conventional fluorescent lamp from the backlit sign, and installing the LED module using the scissor arm mounting mechanisms.
94 Citations
32 Claims
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1. An LED module, comprising:
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a first support member having a first mounting surface;
a first plurality of LEDs mounted to the first mounting surface;
first and second support arms attached to the first support member;
a first mounting mechanism attached to the first support arm;
a second mounting mechanism attached to the second support arm;
each of the first and second mounting mechanisms include;
first and second scissor arms each having an upper portion, a lower portion and a mid portion therebetween, wherein the mid portions of the first and second scissor arms are rotatably connected together and each of the lower portions includes an engagement surface; and
a first screw engaged with the first and second scissor arm upper portions for adjusting a distance therebetween and a separation distance between the engagement surfaces of the first and second scissor arm lower portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A backlit sign, comprising:
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a housing having first and second side walls, wherein at least a portion of the first sidewall is translucent;
a first support member disposed in the housing and having a first mounting surface facing the first sidewall;
a first plurality of LEDs mounted to the first mounting surface for illuminating the first sidewall;
first and second support arms attached to the first support member;
a first mounting mechanism attached to the first support arm;
a second mounting mechanism attached to the second support arm;
each of the first and second mounting mechanisms include;
first and second scissor arms each having an upper portion, a lower portion and a mid portion therebetween, wherein the mid portions of the first and second scissor arms are rotatably connected together and each of the lower portions includes an engagement surface that is pressed against one of the first and second sidewalls to form a friction fit therewith; and
a first screw engaged with the first and second scissor arm upper portions for adjusting a distance therebetween and a separation distance between the engagement surfaces of the first and second scissor arm lower portions to increase or decrease a force with which the engagement surfaces are pressed against the sidewalls. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of retrofitting a backlit sign having a housing with first and second sidewalls, and a light source disposed inside a housing, wherein at least a portion of the first sidewall is translucent, the method comprising:
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removing the light source from the housing;
inserting an LED module into the housing, the LED module including;
a first support member disposed in the housing and having a first mounting surface, a first plurality of LEDs mounted to the first mounting surface for illuminating the first sidewall, first and second support arms attached to the first support member, a first mounting mechanism attached to the first support arm, a second mounting mechanism attached to the second support arm, and each of the first and second mounting mechanisms include;
first and second scissor arms each having an upper portion, a lower portion and a mid portion therebetween, wherein the mid portions of the first and second scissor arms are rotatably connected together and each of the lower portions includes an engagement surface, and a first screw engaged with the first and second scissor arm upper portions for adjusting a distance therebetween and a separation distance between the engagement surfaces of the first and second scissor arm lower portions; and
rotating the first screw to press the engagement surfaces against the first and second sidewalls to form a friction fit therewith for securing the LED module within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification