Modular display system

• US 20070000849A1
• Filed: 11/10/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daktronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Daktronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Dennis, Mark, Lutz, Robert, Hansen, Ryan, Gloege, Chad, Neyens, Russell, Burghardt, Neil, Mehlum, Harvey, Wendler, Brett, Nearman, Nathan, Mueller, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US11/271,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20070000849A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/3026 Video wall, i.e. stackable semiconductor matrix display modules video wall control systems G06F3/1446, G09G2300/026
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes

Abstract

A modular display system having individual stackable electronic display panels of convenient and portable size and mounting structures for the support thereof where the stackable electronic display panels mutually juxtapose, mate, and robustly and mutually and adjustably secure together by the use of connector plates at the top of stackable electronic display panels interfacing with interlocking lower connector assemblies and lower connector plate receptors at the bottom of an overhead vertically situated stackable electronic display panel and by interfacing of latches and cams of latch keeper assemblies at the sides of horizontally situated stackable electronic display panels to form a large electronic sign display. Spring-loaded slide pin assemblies foster rapid and secure connection between vertically situated stackable electronic display panels. Adjustment features are also incorporated to align each stackable electronic display panel.

Claims

1. A modular display system, comprising:

a. a plurality of stackable electronic display panels, each stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels including;

(1) an LED display module; and

,

(2) a connector framework carrying the LED display module, the connector framework having a top channel and a bottom channel together having at least one connector means for vertical securing to another stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels, and a right side panel and a left side panel together having at least one latching means thereon for horizontal securing to another stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels, such that connector frameworks of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels may be removably attached to one another to bring the LED display modules carried by each into closely aligned proximity to provide a substantially seamless display.

2. The modular display system of claim 1, wherein the LED display module of each stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels is carried on the connector framework by an LED display module latching system, the latching system having a centrally located actuator mechanism.

3. The modular display system of claim 2, wherein the centrally located actuator mechanism is accessible from front or back.

4. The modular display system of claim 1, wherein the connector framework is a one-piece framework.

5. The modular display system of claim 1, wherein the connector framework is formed of aluminum or molded plastic with an anti-EMI coating.

6. The modular display system of claim 1, wherein the connector means include:

(a) a connector plate on either of the top channel or the bottom channel;

(b) a connector plate receptor on the opposite channel from the connector plate; and

,

(c) a slide pin for releasably capturing the connector plate of one stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels within the connector plate receptor of another associated vertically aligned stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels.

7. The modular display system of claim 6, wherein the connector means is one of four connector means for vertical securing to another stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels.

8. The modular display system of claim 7, wherein the four connector means are paired with one pair adjacent to a front face of the connector framework and one pair adjacent to a rear face of the connector framework.

9. The modular display system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the paired connector means further includes means for “

X”

axis pivotal adjustment about an “

X”

axis defined between vertically adjoining connector frameworks.

10. The modular display system of claim 9, wherein the means for “

X”

axis pivotal adjustment includes a threaded thumbwheel adjuster in the paired connector means adjacent to the rear face of the connector framework of each stackable electronic sign of the plurality of electronic signs.

11. The modular display system of claim 10, wherein the connector means includes a pair of forward connector plates and a pair of rearward connector plates on the top channel and a pair of forward connector plate receptors and a pair of rearward connector plate receptors on the bottom channel, and further wherein the rearward connector plate receptors include means for “

X”

axis pivotal adjustment by threaded thumbwheel adjusters, which threaded thumbwheel adjusters control vertically movable threaded shafts.

12. The modular display system of claim 11, wherein at least one bevel is present on the top or bottom channel.

13. The modular display system of claim 6, wherein the slide pin includes a tapered end.

14. The modular display system of claim 6, wherein the slide pin includes an actuator shaft.

15. The modular display system of claim 14, wherein the actuator shaft of the slide pin may be supported in an open retracted and disengaged position and released to a closed, extended and engaged position.

16. The modular display system of claim 1, wherein the latching means include:

(a) a side latch on either of the right side panel or the left side panel; and

,

(b) a side latch keeper assembly on the side panel opposite the side panel having the side latch.

17. The modular display system of claim 16, wherein the right and left side panels further include means for assisting initial alignment.

18. The modular display system of claim 17, wherein the latching means further include means for “

Y”

axis adjustment between horizontally latched connector frameworks.

19. The modular display system of claim 18, wherein the means for “

Y”

axis adjustment includes a cam for vertically adjusting horizontally latched connector frameworks along the “

Y”

axis.

20. The modular display system of claim 19, wherein the cam is spring loaded to lock when not being manipulated.

21. The modular display system of claim 1, further comprising mounting structure selected from the group consisting of a suspension mount, a floor stand, and a ground stand.

22. A method of assembling a modular display system, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a plurality of stackable electronic display panels, each stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels including;

(1) an LED display module; and

,

(2) a connector framework carrying the LED display module, the connector framework having a top channel and a bottom channel together having at least one connector means for vertical securing to another stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels, and a right side panel and a left side panel together having at least one latching means thereon for horizontal securing to another stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels, such that connector frameworks of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels may be removably attached to one another to bring the LED display modules carried by each into closely aligned proximity to provide a substantially seamless display; and

,

b. attaching the stackable electronic display panels together to provide the substantially seamless display.

23. The method of assembling a modular display system of claim 22, wherein the LED display module of each stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels is carried on the connector framework by an LED display module latching system, the latching system having a centrally located actuator mechanism;

and comprising the further step of assembling the LED display modules to the connector frameworks.

24. The method of assembling a modular display system of claim 22, wherein the connector means include:

(a) a connector plate on either of the top channel or the bottom channel;

(b) a connector plate receptor on the opposite channel from the connector plate; and

,

(c) a slide pin for releasably capturing the connector plate of one stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels within the connector plate receptor of another associated vertically aligned stackable electronic display panel of the plurality of stackable electronic display panels; and

further comprising the step of inserting a connector plate in a connector plate receptor and capturing the connector plate with the slide pin.

25. The method of assembling a modular display system of claim 22, wherein the latching means include:

(a) a side latch on either of the right side panel or the left side panel; and

,

(b) a side latch keeper assembly on the side panel opposite the side panel having the side latch; and

further comprising the step of engaging the side latch keeper assembly of one connector framework with the side latch keeper assembly of a horizontally adjoining connector framework.

26. The method of assembling a modular display system of claim 25, wherein the right and left side panels further include means for assisting initial alignment and further comprising the step of initially aligning the horizontal connector frameworks prior to engaging the side latch.

27. A modular display system comprising:

a. a plurality of suitably sized individual stackable electronic display panels that can be juxtaposingly stacked and aligned vertically, or juxtaposingly placed and aligned side by side horizontally, or juxtaposingly aligned and placed both vertically and horizontally, and that are mutually securable together at locations on or near mutual horizontal sides and vertical sides;

b. rearwardly located connector plate receptors and forwardly located connector plate receptors of an upper stackable electronic display panel being removably attachable to connector plates of a lower stackable electronic display panel; and

,

c. side latches of one stackable electronic display panel being engagable with adjustable cams of side latch keeper assemblies of a horizontally adjacent stackable electronic display panel to thereby offer stable and sturdy connectibility for a vast arrangement of stackable electronic display panels in a modular display system.