Outdoor menu display device

• US 6,631,576 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2001
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marketing Displays Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Marketing Displays Incorporated
• Inventors: Hillstrom, David U.
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann, Joanne
• Application Number:
  US09/812,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20010032404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 405/74, 405/76, 405/64, 405/68, 405/85, 406/05, 406/07, 406/11, 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 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 defining a plane, 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 being positioned along said first and second opposed frame members and projecting outwardly substantially perpendicular to the plane of said frame;

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

said divider members being held in place by said retention members by mating male and female connection members;

first channel means in said divider members 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 divider members and display members can be removed and replaced in said frame without disassembly of any frame members or translucent members; and

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.

2. The display module as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a second channel means in said third and fourth opposed frame members, said second channel means for securing portions of display members.

3. The display module as set forth in claim 1 wherein said divider members are positioned in place on the opposed retention members in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said frame.

4. The display module as set forth in claim 1 wherein said divider members have engaging members thereon for being removably secured to said retention members.

5. The display device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mating male and female connection members comprise male connection members on said retention members and female connection members on said divider members.

8. 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 defining a plane, 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 retention members;

said divider members being held in place by said retention members by mating male and female connection members;

said divider members only being secured in said frame by said retention members and being engaged in place on said retention members in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said frame;

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

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

wherein said divider members and display members can be removed and replaced in said frame without disassembly of any frame members or translucent members; and

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.

6. The display device as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of said divider members has a rearward extending female connection member which is adapted to be releasably engaged with at least one male connection member.

7. The display device as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said divider members has a pair of rearwardly extending leg members forming said female connection member.

9. The display module as set forth in claim 8 further comprising second channel means in said third and fourth opposed frame members, said second channel means for securing portions of display members.

10. The display module as set forth in claim 8 wherein said retention members comprise a plurality of projecting finger members projecting outwardly substantially perpendicular to the plane of said frame.

11. The display module as set forth in claim 8 wherein said retention members comprise a first elongated set of engagement fingers positioned along the length of said first frame member and a second elongated set of engagement finger members positioned along the length of said second frame member.

12. The display device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said mating male and female connection members comprise male connection members on said retention members and female connection members on said divider members.

13. The display device as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said divider members has a rearwardly extending female connection member which is adapted to be releasably engaged with at least one male connection member.

14. The display device as set forth in claim 13 wherein each of said divider members has a pair of rearwardly extending leg members forming said female connection member.

15. An illuminated display device comprising:

a housing;

at least one lighting source positioned in said housing for projecting light through an opening in said housing; and

at least one display module removably disposed within said opening in said housing, said display module comprising

a generally rectangular frame assembled from a plurality of frame members connected together at their ends, said frame members comprising first and second opposed, spaced-apart, vertically disposed, elongated upright frame members and third and fourth opposed, spaced-apart, horizontally disposed, elongate cross frame members, said upright and cross frame members lying in a plane when assembled together to form said frame,

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

a plurality of horizontally disposed, vertically spaced-apart elongate divider members for supporting between adjacent pairs of divider members one or more display members, each of said divider members being individually removably secured to the frame only on their respective ends by opposed retention members by movement of said ends of said divider members toward and away from said retention members in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane defined by the frame, wherein said divider members are only secured in the frame by said retention members and may be secured to or removed from the frame while the frame is disposed within the opening in the housing,

said divider members being held in place by said retention members by mating male and female connection members;

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

second channel means in said third and fourth opposed cross 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 divider members and display members can be removed and replaced in said frame without disassembly of any frame members or translucent members; and

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

16. The display device as set forth in claim 15 wherein said mating male and female connection members comprise male connection members on said retention members and female connection members on said divider members.

17. A method to assembling an illuminated display device comprising the steps of:

providing a display device housing;

positioning at least one lighting source within said housing and attaching the lighting source thereto so as to project light through a portion of said housing; and

providing at least one assembled display module by the steps of;

assembling first and second opposed vertically disposed frame members and third and fourth opposed horizontally disposed frame members so as to form a generally rectangular frame defining a plane, said third and fourth opposed frame members each including channel means for securing portions of display members,

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

individually removably securing by means of their ends only a plurality of horizontally disposed elongate divider members on said frame by opposed retention members in a direction intersecting the plane defined by the frame, wherein said divider members are only secured in the frame by said retention members, may be removed from or secured to the frame while the frame is disposed within the housing and wherein said divider members include channel means for securing portions of display members,

said divider members being held in place by said retention members by mating male and female connection members;

securing the display module within an opening in the housing; and

inserting a plurality of display members between the opposed sets of channel means while the display module is secured within the housing opening;

wherein said divider members and display members can be removed and replaced in said frame without disassembly of any frame members or translucent members.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said mating male and female connection members comprise male connection members on said retention members and female connection members on said divider members.