Sectional display system

• US 6,314,669 B1
• Filed: 02/09/1999
• Issued: 11/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daktronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Daktronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Tucker, Wayne R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOP, ANDREA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US09/246,511
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 404/52, 404/48, 406/05, 405/73, 340/815.45, 340/815.53, 345/55, 345/59, 345/82, 345/87
• US Class Current: 40/448
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/008 Sun shades, shades, hoods or louvres on electronic displays to minimise the effect of direct sun light on the display
• 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

Electronic alpha-numeric or symbol sectional display system featuring readily accessible access to internally located modular display and other components for quick changeout of modular and other components. Display panels, which are modular, having side-by-side display module/nested frame assemblies which include outer and inner nested frameworks, fine mesh screen, display circuit boards with LED character block displays, and driver circuit boards, are readily and quickly secured in stackable enclosure cabinets by the use of ¼ turn or other quick fastening hardware. Other changeout friendly hardware is incorporated within to promote economy of manufacturing and changeout functions. Viewability of alpha-numeric or other symbol information is preserved and enhanced by the use of small panel fine mesh screens which maintain planar attributes and which are located at the front of each modular display panel residing in close proximity to the LED character block displays. Spacing of LED character blocks from one modular display panel to an adjacent or stacked modular display panel is constant and consistent along the width and breadth of the sectional display system.

Claims

1. A modular display system comprising:

a. an enclosure cabinet having four sides and a back;

b. opposing outer brackets connected between two opposite of said sides, a plurality of inner brackets aligned between said opposing outer brackets and secured to said back of said enclosure cabinet; and

,

c. a display module connected to one of said opposing outer brackets and to one inner bracket of said plurality of inner brackets, said display module including;

(1) an inner frame;

(2) an outer frame nested over said inner frame;

(3) a vision enhancer captured between said inner frame and said outer frame nested over said inner frame;

(4) a display circuit board connected to said inner frame; and

,

(5) first and second framework channels connected to said inner frame, whereby said first and second framework channels reversibly connect to one of said inner brackets of said plurality of inner brackets.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said vision enhancer is retained and held in position by said inner and outer frames.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said vision enhancer is a fine mesh screen.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said display circuit board includes a plurality of LED display blocks of a size selected from a group consisting of:

a. 1.25″

H×

0.90″

W;

b. 2.10″

H×

1.50″

W; and

,

c. 4.20″

H×

3.00″

W.

5. The system of claim 4, including at least two brackets with upper and lower tabs and slots which affix to the back of said display cabinet.

6. The system of claim 5, further including two Z-bars, said Z-bars adapted for mounting on a substantially vertical surface, whereby said upper and lower tabs and slots facilitate vertical mounting of the system by engaging said two Z-bars.

7. An electronic sectional display system comprising:

a. a display cabinet;

b. a plurality of modular display panel mounting brackets secured to said cabinet;

c. a plurality of female fastener receptacles affixed to said display panel mounting brackets;

d. a plurality of modular display panels, each said panel including;

(1) a circuit board having a plurality of character display blocks;

(2) a frame secured to said circuit board;

(3) a plurality of frame mounting brackets affixed to said frame; and

,

(4) a plurality of male fastener elements positioned on said frame mounting brackets for engagement with said female fastener receptacles on said display panel mounting brackets; and

,

e. fastener element access holes positioned in said frame for accommodation of a tool for engaging and disengaging said male fastener elements from said female fastener receptacles, whereby said modular display panels may be dismounted from said cabinet from the front of said display cabinet.

8. The electronic display system according to claim 7, wherein said character display blocks are arranged in rows and columns.

9. The electronic display system according to claim 7, wherein said modular display panel mounting brackets are perpendicularly oriented with respect to said frame mounting brackets.

10. The electronic display system according to claim 9, wherein said modular display panel mounting brackets are vertically oriented and said frame mounting brackets are horizontally oriented.

11. The electronic display system according to claim 7, wherein:

a. said frame includes an inner frame;

b. an outer frame adapted to fit over said inner frame; and

,

c. a viewing enhancer positioned between and retained by said inner and said outer frames.

12. The electronic display system according to claim 11, wherein:

a. said inner and outer frames have abutting portions, at right angles to said circuit board, on opposite ends of said frames; and

,

b. said viewing enhancer has retention tabs which are positioned between said right angled abutting portions to be clamped and retained thereby.

13. The electronic display system according to claim 12, wherein said fastener element access holes are positioned on said inner frame, said outer frame and said circuit board.

14. The electronic display system according to claim 13, wherein said viewing enhancer includes a fine mesh screen.

15. The electronic display system according to claim 13, wherein said female fastener receptacles and said male fastener elements comprise one-quarter turn screw fasteners.

16. The electronic display system according to claim 13, wherein said male fastener elements include a captive screw.

17. An electronic sectional display system comprising:

a. a display cabinet having a front;

b. a plurality of vertically oriented modular display panel mounting brackets secured to said display cabinet;

c. a plurality of female fastener receptacles affixed to said plurality of vertically oriented mounting brackets;

d. a plurality of modular display panels, each panel of the plurality of panels including;

(1) a circuit board having a plurality of character display blocks arranged in rows;

(2) an inner frame;

(3) an outer frame adapted to fit over said inner frame;

(4) a viewing enhancer screen positioned between and retained by said inner and outer frames;

(5) a plurality of horizontally oriented mounting brackets affixed to said circuit board, said inner frame and said outer frame; and

,

(6) a plurality of male fastener elements positioned on said plurality of horizontally oriented mounting brackets for engagement with said plurality of female fastener receptacles on said plurality of vertically oriented mounting brackets; and

,

e. fastener element access holes positioned in said outer frame, said inner frame, said viewing enhancer screen, and said circuit board for engaging and disengaging said plurality of male fastener elements, whereby said plurality of modular display panels may be dismounted from said display cabinet from the front of said display cabinet.

18. An electronic sectional display system comprising:

a. a display cabinet having a front;

b. a plurality of vertically oriented modular display panel mounting brackets secured to opposite sides of said display cabinet;

c. a plurality of female fastener receptacles affixed to said plurality of vertically oriented modular display mounting brackets;

d. a plurality of modular display panels, each panel of said plurality including;

(1) a circuit board having a plurality of character display blocks arranged in rows and columns;

(2) a frame member;

(3) a plurality of horizontally oriented mounting brackets affixed to said frame member; and

,

(4) a plurality of male fastener elements positioned on said horizontally oriented mounting brackets for engagement with said female fastener receptacles on said plurality of vertically oriented modular display panel mounting brackets; and

,

e. fastener element access holes positioned in said frame member for accommodations of a tool for engaging and disengaging each said male fastener element, whereby said modular display panels may be dismounted from said display cabinet from the front of said display cabinet.