Modular signage systems, assemblies, components, and methods

• US 9,548,008 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2016
• Issued: 01/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joshua Manning
• Original Assignee: Joshua Manning
• Inventors: Manning, Joshua
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoge, Gary
• Application Number:
  US15/076,567
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0404 the light source being enclosed in a box forming the character of the sign
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/02 Signs, plates, panels or boards using readily-detachable elements bearing or forming symbols
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/04 the elements being secured or adapted to be secured by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/302 characterised by the form or geometrical disposition of the individual elements
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

The present inventor devised, among other things, one or more exemplary systems, kits, methods, devices, assemblies, components, and/or software and related graphical interfaces related to signs with interchangeable illumination elements. One exemplary embodiment includes an illuminated sign assembly of two or more alphanumeric lighting elements formed of a transparent or translucent injection- or blow-molded plastic and including a number of surface-mounted light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Each of the alphanumeric elements plugs into power track, and can be independently rotated to a desired orientation relative the power track. In some embodiments, the each of the elements can be wireless controlled or programmed via a smartphone to blink or change colors according to a desired pattern or in response to ambient conditions. In still other embodiments, the lighting elements vertically stack onto a recharge station, and in yet others the elements are powered or recharged via resonant inductive coupling.

Claims

1. A signage assembly comprising:

a power track having first and second power conductors and at least one opening configured for accessing the first and second power conductors; and

a set of two or more alphanumeric lighting elements, each having a translucent or transparent plastic housing containing a set of two or more electrically coupled LEDs, with each lighting element having a rotary dial plug structure positioned on a back portion of the housing and configured to removably plug into the one opening in the power track and allow rotational adjustment of the housing relative to the dial plug and the power track.

2. The signage assembly of claim 1, wherein each rotary dial plug includes a magnetic member for magnetically retaining the lighting element in contact with the power track.

3. The signage assembly of claim 1, wherein each lighting element includes circuitry configured to receive wireless control signals from a suitably programmed smartphone.

4. The signage assembly of claim 3, further including a smartphone having stored in memory instructions for communicating with and controlling the set of two or more alphanumeric lighting elements.

5. The signage assembly of claim 1:

wherein each of the alphanumeric lighting elements includes a rechargeable battery;

wherein each of the lighting elements is configured to stack on, mechanically connect to, and electrically couple to a lighting element above it and/or below it; and

wherein the assembly further includes a recharge module configured to electrically couple to and recharge the battery in each of the alphanumeric lighting elements when they are in a stacked arrangement.

6. The signage assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the alphanumeric signage elements is configured to resonantly inductively couple to an external power device.

7. The signage assembly of claim 1, wherein the power track includes:

a channel structure containing the first and second power conductors and having an opening;

an insulative membrane positioned between the opening and the first and second power conductors; and

at least one slit in the membrane configured to allow electrical connection of at least one of the lighting elements to at least one of the first and second power conductors.

8. The signage assembly of claim 1, further including at least one hook configured to mount on the power track and allow mounting of the power track to a gutter.

9. The signage assembly of claim 1, further including at least first and second ground stakes configured to removably attach to the power track.

10. A signage assembly comprising:

a channel structure having a longitudinal opening;

a set of two or more alphanumeric lighting elements, each having a translucent or transparent plastic housing containing a set of two or more LEDs coupled to a rechargeable battery and a wireless control circuitry configured to receive control signals from a suitably programmed smartphone, with each lighting element having a rotary dial plug structure positioned on a back portion of the housing and configured to removably plug into the longitudinal opening in the channel structure and allow rotational adjustment of the housing relative to the dial plug and the channel structure.

11. The signage assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the LEDs can change color in response to electrical input and wherein the wireless control circuitry is further configured to change color of the LEDs in response to signals from a smartphone having stored in memory instructions for communicating with and controlling the set of two or more alphanumeric lighting elements.

12. The signage assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the alphanumeric lighting elements includes a rechargeable battery;

wherein each of the lighting elements is configured to stack on, mechanically connect to, and electrically couple to a lighting element above it and/or below it; and

wherein the assembly further includes a recharge module configured to electrically couple to each of the alphanumeric lighting elements in a stacked arrangement.

13. The signage assembly of claim 10, wherein each of the alphanumeric lighting elements is configured to resonantly inductively couple to an external power device which wirelessly powers each of the alphanumeric lighting elements.

14. The signage assembly of claim 10, wherein one of the alphanumeric lighting elements is configured to resonantly inductively couple to an external power device which wirelessly powers each of the alphanumeric lighting elements through the one alphanumeric lighting element.

15. The signage assembly of claim 10, further including at least one hook configured to mount on the power track and allow mounting of the track to a gutter.

16. The signage assembly of claim 10, further including at least first and second ground stakes configured to removably attach to the track.

17. A signage assembly comprising:

a channel structure having a longitudinal opening;

a set of two or more alphanumeric lighting elements, each having a translucent or transparent plastic housing containing a set of two or more LEDs coupled to a rechargeable battery and a wireless control circuitry configured to receive control signals from a suitably programmed smartphone, with each lighting element having a rotary dial plug structure positioned on a back portion of the housing and configured to removably plug into the longitudinal opening in the channel structure and allow rotational adjustment of the housing relative to the dial plug and the channel structure; and

a first resonant inductive power circuit electrically coupled to at least one of the sets of two or more LEDs.

18. The signage assembly of claim 17, wherein each of the LEDs can change color in response to electrical input and wherein the wireless control circuitry is further configured to change color of the LEDs in response to signals from a smartphone having stored in memory instructions for communicating with and controlling the set of two or more alphanumeric lighting elements.

19. The signage assembly of claim 17, further comprising a second resonant inductive power circuit configured to wirelessly transfer power to the first resonant inductive power circuit.

20. The signage assembly of claim 19, wherein the first resonant inductive power circuit includes a rechargeable battery that powers two or more of the alphanumeric lighting elements via conductors within the channel.

21. The signage assembly of claim 19, wherein each of the lighting elements is configured to stack on, mechanically connect to, and electrically couple to a lighting element above it and/or below it;

and wherein the assembly further includes a recharge module configured to inductively resonate with the first resonant inductive power circuit and charge each of the alphanumeric lighting elements in a stacked arrangement.

22. The signage assembly of claim 19, wherein first inductive resonant power circuit is positioned within a portion of the channel and electrically coupled to one or more of the alphanumeric lighting elements through one or more conductors in the channel.

23. The signage assembly of claim 17, further including at least one hook configured to mount on the power track and allow mounting of the track to a gutter.

24. The signage assembly of claim 17, further including at least first and second ground stakes configured to removably attach to the track.