Mobile information display system

• US 4,110,792 A
• Filed: 04/22/1977
• Issued: 08/29/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas A. Long, Frederick A. Burke
• Original Assignee: Douglas A. Long, Frederick A. Burke
• Inventors: Long, Douglas A., Burke, Frederick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Psitos, Aristotelis M.
• Application Number:
  US05/789,833
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 358/240, 340/324 M, 340/343, 340/166 EL, 340/334, 40/129 R, 40/129 C, 40/125 N, 40/125 H, 315/169 TY
• US Class Current: 348/383
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/28 Signs formed by filament-type lamp by selective lighting G09F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles

Abstract

A mobile information display system which may be transported to the site of a sports or entertainment event and then erected to provide a large screen display of video images produced by a live T-V camera so that even those members of the audience who are unable to obtain a full view of the activity may see the field action as well as instant replays. The system includes a lamp matrix display screen board, each lamp of which is individually controlled by a computer to pesent black-and-white video images derived from the live camera or other source. The matrix board is divided into a central panel and a pair of side wings hinged to the central panel and foldable thereover to form a compact stack which is carried horizontally on the bed of a trailer hauled by a tractor. The stack lies over a turntable provided with a hydraulically-operated lifting beam assembly mechanically linked to the rear of the center panel, whereby when the trailer is at the site, the lifting beam assembly is then operated to raise the board stack to a vertical viewing position, the side wings being swung out to complete the display screen. The turntable is then operated to cause the erect screen to assume the desired orientation with respect to the viewing audience.

Claims

1. A mobile information display system transportable to the site of an event to afford a large screen display of video images derived from a live camera so that the audience may be presented with an enlarged view of the activity, said system comprising:

(A) a lamp matrix screen board having an array of individually-controllable lamps, said board being sectioned into a central panel and a pair of side wings hinged thereto which are foldable thereover to form a compact stack;

(B) a computer responsive to signals derived from said live camera and coupled to said lamps to cause said matrix to produce black-and-white images of said activity; and

(C) transport means for carrying said stack and said computer to said site, said transport means including a turntable and a lifting assembly thereon coupled to the rear of said center panel and adapted to raise said stack from a horizontal position to vertical viewing position at which said wings may be unfolded to render said screen effective, said turntable functioning to orient said screen in the direction of the audience.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transport means is constituted by a trailer hauled by a tractor, said turntable being mounted on the bed of said trailer.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said trailer is provided with a control booth for housing said computer.

4. A system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said booth includes an observation dome to permit an operator to check the screen.

5. A system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said trailer is provided with retractable outriggers to stabilize the bed.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said panel and said wings are all of the same size, one of said wings being hinged to said panel to fold directly thereover, the other wing being hinged to said panel to fold over the one wing to provide a stack of superposed screen sections.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said lifting assembly is formed by a pair of foldable short beams whose respective ends are pivotally attached to the turntable and to the lower end at the rear of the center panel, and a pair of foldable long beams whose respective ends are pivotally attached to the turntable and at a more elevated position at the rear of the center panel.

8. A system as set forth in claim 7, further including hydraulic means to unfold the long beams and thereby erect the stack.

9. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said screen board includes a lower section free of lamps to support replaceable advertisements.

10. A system as set forth in claim 1, further including motor means to rotate said turntable within a 360°

scale.