Flexible incasements for LED display panels

• US 5,162,696 A
• Filed: 11/07/1990
• Issued: 11/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frederick S. Goodrich
• Original Assignee: Frederick S. Goodrich
• Inventors: Goodrich, Frederick S.
• Primary Examiner(s): O SHEA, SANDRA L
• Application Number:
  US07/609,756
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 313/511, 313/512, 362/800, 362/812, 362/806, 40/597, 40/544, 340/782, 340/786
• US Class Current: 313/511
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/301 flexible foldable or roll-able electronic displays, e.g. thin LCD, OLED
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0753 the devices being arranged next to each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an outer light transmissive envelope consisting of transparent rubber-like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing light emitting diode (LED) display panels comprised of a plurality of LED elements arranged in matrix formation. Aforementioned apparatus will have flexibility characteristics giving it the ability to conform to curved vertical surfaces that are flat and non-porous. Suction cup devices made of PVC will be bonded to the light transmissive envelope thus enabling the LED apparatus to be attached to vertical surfaces, making the unit self-supporting.

Claims

1. A display panel comprising an outer light transmissive envelope having several light emitting diode panels are composed of a matrix of light emitting diode elements arranged on a flexible substrate, a plurality of suction cup devices are mounted on said outer envelope so that said display panel will be self-supporting and, said outer envelope and said plurality of suction cup devices are composed of a transparent, rubber-like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which is heat resistant and flexible.

2. The display panel of claim 1 wherein said outer light transmissive envelope is not limited to any certain size, configuration or dimension.

3. The display panel of claim 1 wherein the design of the suction cup devices used to make the unit self-supporting are mounted onto the outer light transmissive envelope or incorporated into the body of said envelope by a stamping process of said envelope.

4. The display panel of claim 1 wherein the light emitting diode elements emit the same color.

5. The display panel of claim 1 wherein the light emitting diode elements emit any combination of colors.