Outdoor menu display device

• US 5,983,543 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Marketing Displays Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Marketing Displays Incorporated
• Inventors: Hillstrom, David U.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE
• Application Number:
  US08/893,603
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 40/574, 40/576, 40/564, 40/568, 40/585, 40/607, 40/605, 40/611, 312/139, 362/362, 362/812
• US Class Current: 40/574
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0413 Frames or casing structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/045 Signs, boards or panels specially adapted for doors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0454 Slidable panels or parts
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/05 indicating exit way or orientation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

An improved outdoor illuminated display device. The device generally comprises a modular housing, a base member and a plurality of lights positioned in the housing--either horizontally or vertically. A plurality of display modules are positioned on the housing and backlit by the lights. A door member is pivotally connected along its upper edge to the housing covering the modules. A pair of gas-assisted spring members are provided between the door member and the housing. Air gaps or air vents are provided in order to allow air circulation in the housing. A second member above the door member is provided for holding and displaying posters and other advertising and promotional materials. A plurality of clamping members hold the display materials in place. The second member can be illuminated or non-illuminated. Various modular units can be provided to increase the size and display space provided by the device. The display modules include a plurality of horizontal divider members removably secured to retainer members. Menu strips, pricing units and display members can be positioned between channels in the divider members and/or the frame members forming the display modules. The pricing units are adapted to be backlit by lights in the display device.

Claims

1. A display device having a housing with a first illuminated portion and a second illuminated portion, said display device comprising:

a) said first illuminated portion comprising;

a generally rectangular first housing portion;

said first housing portion having a lower wall member, an upper wall member, two side wall members, a rear wall member, and a front section;

an illumination means positioned within said first housing portion for projecting light through said front section;

display means positioned in said front section;

said display means having at least one partially transparent or translucent portion in order to allow light from said illumination means to project through said front section;

transparent door member covering said display means;

air vent means in said rear wall member to allow circulation of air in said housing and venting of high temperature air;

at least one hinge mechanism hingedly connecting said door member to said upper wall member; and

b) said second illuminated portion comprising;

a second housing portion positioned adjacent to and contiguous with said upper wall member of said first housing portion;

said second housing portion comprising a front member, at least two sidewall members and a rear member;

an illumination means positioned within said second housing portion for projecting light through said front member and backlighting display members positioned on said second housing portion;

first display securing means on said upper wall member of said first housing portion and on said two sidewall members for securing display members in said second housing portion;

said first display securing means having biased clamping members hingedly secured to said upper wall member of said first housing portion and to said sidewall members for securing said display members in place.

2. The display device of claim 1 further comprising at least one gas-assisted spring member secured at one end to said first housing and secured at the other end to said door member.

3. The display device of claim 1 further comprising at least one latching means, said latching means being positioned on said lower wall member of said first housing and releasably securing said door member to said first housing.

4. The display device of claim 1, wherein said hinge mechanism comprises a first forwardly projecting mating hinge member positioned on said door member and a second rearwardly facing mating channel hinge member positioned on said upper wall member of said first housing, said first hinge member and said second hinge member being hidden from view.

5. The display device of claim 1, wherein said clamping members are biased with spring members.

6. The display device of claim 1 further comprising second display securing means on said second housing for assisting said first display securing means in securing display means in said second housing.

7. The display device of claim 6, wherein said secured display means comprises at least one turn-lock mechanism.

8. The display device of claim 1, wherein said display means comprises a frame made from a plurality of frame members, a plurality of graphic display members, and a plurality of retention members securing said graphic display members in position.

9. A display module for an illuminated display device, said display device comprising a housing and light means positioned in said housing and projecting light through a portion of said housing, said display module comprising:

a generally rectangular frame made from a plurality of frame members, said frame having first and second opposed vertically disposed frame members and third and fourth opposed horizontally disposed frame members;

a plurality of retention members, said retention members provided on said first and second opposed frame members;

a plurality of horizontally disposed divider members positioned on said frame, each of said divider members being individually removably held in place by opposed pairs of retention members;

first channel means in said divider members for securing portions of display members;

second channel means in said third and fourth opposed frame members, said second channel means for securing portions of display members; and

a plurality of display members positioned between opposed sets of channel means, said display members having translucent portions thereon;

wherein said display members allow light from said light means to be projected therethrough and can be provided in various vertical dimensions in order to be positioned on said frame between any opposed sets of channel means.

10. The display module as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of said divider members have recesses therein and each of said retention members have projection means thereon for mating with said recesses and thereby removably securing said divider members to said frame.

11. The display module as set forth in claim 9, wherein said display means can be positioned between one of said first channel means and one of said second channel means.