Patent Application
20170178550
Backlit displays are widely used for signage, advertising and, increasingly, trade show displays. In general, a backlit display include a light-permeable substrate including an image applied thereto, a framework for supporting the image-bearing substrate, and a light source situated behind the substrate such that, when the light source is energized, light emitted therefrom impinges upon a rear side the image-bearing substrate and passes therethrough, thereby illuminating the image for viewing by persons situated forward for a front side of the image-bearing substrate.
One issue with existing backlit displays including light sources aimed directly at the rear side of the image-bearing substrate is that the lighting is uneven. More specifically, so-called “hot spots” representing illumination of relatively greater intensity are readily discernable from the viewing side of the substrate. An unwanted distraction, uneven image illumination detracts from the message-sending power of the displayed image and is therefore a source of frustration for those employing backlit displays for messaging.
Another difficulty associated with existing backlit displays relates to the mounting within the framework of the image-bearing substrate, which may be, for example a flexible polymeric sheet (e.g., plastic) or fabric upon which an image is printed, for example. A common mechanism for retaining the image-bearing substrate with the framework is an elongated strip of flexible, elastomeric material configured for jamming within a bead channel defined about the periphery of the framework. An example of such a strip is known in the industry as silicon edge bead. Using silicon edge bead, an image-bearing substrate is temporarily secured to the framework in much the same way the mesh of a window screen is secured to and within the window screen frame. It is not difficult to appreciate that a relatively high degree of skill is required to mount such an image-bearing substrate within its frame with introducing ripples and wrinkles. Moreover, even for those with experience and requisite skill, the process is time-consuming. This time-consuming and arduous tasks might be acceptable for semi-permanent or other long-duration displays, but present substantial unwanted delays in the setting of short-duration displays such as those employed at trade shows, for example.
Accordingly, a need exists for a backlit display system that that can be deployed simply and rapidly, and which evenly illuminates a displayed image.
Alternative embodiments of a backlit display system have in common a display fabric and a display framework configured for selectively supporting the display fabric. The display framework includes frame front and rear sides and an outer perimeter and inner perimeter, with the inner perimeter defining a central open space. The display fabric has mutually distinct back-lighting and image-display panels and is configured such that, when the display fabric is being supported by and about the display framework, (i) the back-lighting panel is adjacent and rearward of the frame rear side, (ii) the image-display panel is adjacent and forward of the frame front side, and (iii) at least a portion of the central open space is situated between the back-lighting and image-display panels.
Peripherally disposed about the central open space along the inner perimeter of the display framework is a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged such that the light-emitting elements selectively emit light into the central open space. Although the particular form or type of the light-emitting element is not regarded as central to the novelty of the invention, illustrative examples nevertheless include (i) incandescent bulbs, (ii) light-emitting diodes (i.e., LEDs), and (iii) fluorescent bulbs.
When the display fabric is supported by and about the display framework, the image-display panel has an inside surface facing the central open space and an outside surface facing forwardly of the display framework. The back-lighting panel has an interior surface that is at least partially reflective and faces the central open space and an exterior surface facing rearwardly of the display framework. The image-display panel is at least partially light-permeable such that a portion of the light that is emitted from the light-emitting elements and reflected by the interior surface of the back-lighting panel impinges upon the inside surface of the image-display panel and exits through the outside surface of the image-display panel, thereby illuminating an image defined by the image-display panel.
It is to be understood that within the scope and contemplation of the invention are configurations in which both of two mutually joined panels of the display fabric function as both image-display and back-lighting panels. In such an embodiment, for instance, reference to one panel as an image-display panel and the other, opposed panel, as a back-lighting panel is entirely arbitrary since each such panel defines an image and also serves to partially transmit (pass) light and partially reflect light emitted into the central open space for exiting (passage) through the opposite panel. Although, in association with such configurations, reference to one panel as an image-display panel and the other as a back-lighting panel is arbitrary, such reference may be necessary in order to distinguish the panels for discussion purposes. Accordingly, for example, that panel adjacent and rearward of the frame rear side might still be principally referred to as the back-lighting panel, while the panel that is adjacent and forward of the frame front side might still be principally referred to as the image-display panel.
In each of an illustrative set of embodiments, the display framework is modular. More specifically, the display framework is comprised of a plurality of selectively and mutually joinable frame segments. Each frame segment may include longitudinally opposed segment male and female ends such that longitudinally adjacent first and second frame segments are joined by fitting the segment male end of the first frame segment into the segment female end of the adjoining second frame segment. In at least one version, an assembled frame segment comprises at least two selectively decoupleable frame sub-segments. In still an additional version, the frame sub-segments of a frame segment are mutually linked by a tether which is at least one of flexible and elastic. Although the frame segments and, where applicable, frame sub-segments may be variably configured, in at least some versions, they are of tubular configuration. Moreover, it will be readily appreciated that the frame segments can be fabricated from various alternative materials, metal and plastic being illustrative examples.
Representative embodiments are more completely described and depicted in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
The following description of variously embodied backlit display systems is demonstrative in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or its application of uses. Accordingly, the various implementations, aspects, versions and embodiments described in the summary and detailed description are in the nature of non-limiting examples falling within the scope of the appended claims and do not serve to restrict the maximum scope of the claims. Moreover, among the various depicted embodiments, like reference numbers are used to refer to similar or analogous components.
Referring initially to
The display fabric 50—a cutaway view of which is depicted in
With the backlit display system 10 thusly assembled, the image-display panel 52 has an inside surface 52SI facing the central open space SO and an outside surface 52SO facing away from the central open space SO and forwardly of the display framework 20. The back-lighting panel 54 has at least an interior surface 54SI that is at least partially reflective (i.e., light-reflective) and an exterior surface 54SE. The image-display panel 52 is at least partially light-permeable such that a portion of the light L that is emitted from the light-emitting elements 28 and reflected by the interior surface 54SI of the back-lighting panel 54 impinges upon the inside surface 52SI of the image-display panel 52 and exists through the outside surface 52SO of the image-display panel 52. The displayed image ID is thusly illuminated (i.e., backlit) by the passage of light L through the fabric image-display panel 52.
In various embodiments, the display fabric 50 is comprised of “tension fabric.” Tension fabric is somewhat stretchable and exhibits a memory property. Accordingly, a display fabric 50 that is properly sized and configured relative to the display framework 20 is such that—when supported by the display framework 20 in a display-operative mode—at least the image-display panel 52 is taut (e.g., stretched under tension). It will be appreciated that configuring the display fabric 50 and display framework 20 in observance of such parameters facilitates a displayed image ID that is smooth and free of creases and wrinkles. Still additional embodiments are such that both the back-lighting and image-display panels 54 and 52 are taut when the display fabric 50 is supported by the display framework 20 in a display-operative mode.
In still more specific versions, the image-display and back-lighting panels 52 and 54 are mutually joined along their peripheries so as to define a “slip-cover” having an opening 56 through which the display framework 20 can be introduced. With reference to the illustrative version of
In various embodiments discussed with principal reference to the illustrative version of
Referring to
It will be readily appreciated that, when at least two frame sub-segments 40 are cooperatively coupled to form an assembled frame segment 30 (top portion of
The foregoing is considered to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since modifications and changes to various aspects and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that the foregoing does not limit the invention as expressed in the appended claims to the exact constructions, implementations and versions shown and described.
Priority based on Provisional Application, Ser. No. 62/242,906 filed Oct. 16, 2015, and entitled “BACKLIT DISPLAY SYSTEM” is claimed. Moreover, the entirety of the previous provisional application, including the drawings, is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth fully in the present application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62242906 | Oct 2015 | US |
