The present invention relates to video displays. More specifically, the present invention relates to video displays employing flexible supports.
In the performance industry, video displays are used in conjunction with multi-media systems utilized in productions. Video displays can be limited in size due to the complexity of arranging the video displays and/or due to the issues associated with weight distribution.
When being used as part of a touring production, video displays are often consolidated and stored for transportation. Known systems are rigid and require significant time for arranging (for example, consolidating, disassembling, and assembling). The video displays may be assembled by individuals of varying level of skill. The arranging of these video displays may require complex diagrams, may require several tools, and may be difficult to repair or replace.
In addition to limiting methods of arranging the video displays, rigidity may prevent aesthetic benefits associated with flexibility. Known systems do not adequately provide three-dimensional displays of two-dimensional videos and do not adequately permit rotation of displays. Also, known systems do not adequately permit video displays to be flexibly manipulated and/or rotated.
When video displays are partially assembled or fully assembled, inconsistent and/or undesired weight distribution can limit the size of the video displays. If the weight distribution puts stress on connectors in the video display, then the connectors can fail. Failure of connectors may result in failure of the video display.
Therefore, there is an unmet need to provide a video display, a method of displaying video, and a method of arranging a video display that may be more easily arranged, may be more flexible, and/or may selectably distribute weight.
The present invention relates to a video display system including a flexible support, a clipping member, and a display device. In the embodiment, the display device is detachably engaged to the flexible support with the clipping device, the clipping device selectively distributes the weight of the display device at a first location on the flexible support.
The present invention also relates to a method for displaying a video display including providing a flexible support, a display device, and a clipping device, illuminating the display device, and selectively distributing weight of the display device at a first location on the flexible support. In the embodiment, the clipping device detachably engages the display device to the flexible support at the first location.
The present invention also relates to a method of arranging a video display system including providing a flexible support, a display device, and a coupling device, engaging the coupling device thereby attaching the flexible support to the display device at a first location, selectively distributing weight of the display device to the first location, and advancing the flexible support to permit a second display device to be attached to the flexible support at a second location.
An advantage of the present disclosure is decreasing the number and type of tools required for assembly.
Another advantage of the present disclosure is the ability to have a flexible display component capable of being flexibly manipulated, while retaining the desired display characteristics.
Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is selectable distribution of weight, permitting the flexible display to provide an assembled set of display components that is large. Flexible displays according to the disclosure may extend tens or hundreds of feet in multiple dimensions.
Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is the reduction or elimination of the need for vertical supports within display devices, thereby significantly reducing the weight of the overall system.
Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is faster, more accurate assembly. In addition, assembly may be accomplished with personnel having little or no technical skill.
Further aspects of the method and system are disclosed herein. The features as discussed above, as well as other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.
Referring to
Flexible support 103 can be a cable or cables configured to enable system 100 to be suspended from an architectural members 105. While flexible support 103 is being described as a cable or cables, the disclosure is not so limited. Flexible support 103 may be any elongate, flexible structure capable of bearing significant weight. For example, suitable flexible supports 103 may include, but are not limited to, flexible tapes, ropes, wires, or any other suitable flexible structure. Architectural member 105 may be a steel beam, an existing stage system, another cables, a bridge, a wall, a telephone post, a trestle, a truss, or any other suitable type of architectural system. In one embodiment, flexible support 103 can be two weight-bearing cables suspended from architectural member 105. Weight bearing cables can be arranged such that display device 101, for example panels or other suitable light emitting devices, may be suspended from architectural member 105. Flexible support 103 may be attached to architectural member 105 in any suitable manner. In an exemplary embodiment, flexible support 103 may be high strength cables capable of supporting the weight of panels and any additional equipment or components below architectural member 105. In one embodiment, although not so limited, the cable is aircraft grade cable having an outer diameter of about ⅛ inch.
In another embodiment, flexible support 103 may include power and/or signal functionality. For example, flexible support 103 may be one or more communication and/or power providing cables, such as fiber optic or copper-based wires or cables, or Ethernet cables. The use of flexible support 103 can reduce the amount of weight in the system by removing bulky structural support systems like intermediate trusses. In addition, the use of flexible support 103 can permit flexibility for additional display options, such as rotating, bending, rounding, or flapping. For example, a rounded visual display may be formed using flexible support 103. In addition, the ability for flexible support 103 to curve can permit a display of a fixed image in motion, such as a flag appearing to wave in the wind. In another embodiment, system 100 can be moved by the motor or other device thereby creating a three-dimensional effect of the displayed image.
Referring to
System 100 of the present disclosure can be portable, allowing easy assembly and disassembly. Flexible support 103 can be detachably engaged to display device 101 by the coupling device, such as clipping mechanism 601. Assembly of system 100 can be easily done by manually or automatically mounting or detachably engaging the display device onto the flexible supports. In one embodiment, display device 101 may be attached to flexible support 103 at first location 201, flexible support 103 may be advanced thereby permitting a second display device 101 to be attached at another first location 201. The advancing of flexible support 103 may be incremental or constant. The sequential attaching and/or detaching of first display device 101, second display device 101, and any additional display devices 101 may permit use of fewer tools for stabilizing system 100 while partially arranged. The sequential attaching and/or detaching may permit fewer individuals to arrange system 100, may provide additional protection during arrangement of system 100, and may permit transportation of system 100. The advancing and the attaching can be repeated to arrange a desired number of display devices 101. While partially assembled and while fully assembled, system 100 can provide selective distribution of weight from display device(s) 101 to flexible support 103. The term “selective distribution” as utilized herein means a consolidation of the weight of the individual display devices 101 at one or a few first locations 201. In one embodiment, the selective distribution consolidates the weight of each display device 101 onto locations along flexible support 103 such that the flexible supports 103 bear the weight of all of the display devices 101. The selective distribution of weight permits the display devices to have less support structure within themselves and permits large numbers of display devices 101 to be assembled vertically.
In one embodiment, the advancing of the flexible supports 103 may be performed by a winding mechanism 205. System 100 can be raised by use of a motor and winding mechanism 205 (for example, a chain motor). In another embodiment, architectural member 105 may additionally and/or alternatively be raised. The ability to raise and lower system 100, including raising and lowering of portions of system 100 may permit incremental arrangement of display devices 101, for example, incremental assembly, disassembly, and/or consolidation of display devices 101. That is, display devices 101 may be attached to flexible support 103 at ground level and then lifted to the operational height. In one embodiment, display device 101 may be lifted from storage cart 901 (see
Controller 207 may be located in architectural member 105, for example, above or below display device 101. In another embodiment, the controller 207 may be remote to the system 100 and/or integrated into the controls of a theatrical performance. Controller 207 may be electrically connected to display device 101 thereby permitting power and/or signals to travel to display device 101. In one embodiment, controller 207 may be housed in any suitable architectural structure inside or outside system 100. Optional support members 203 may provide a desired stiffness to certain portions of panel 101 and may provide additional support horizontally and or vertically for display device 101. The selective distribution of the weight of the display devices 101 reduces or eliminates the need for support members 203 in a vertical direction (for example, the direction parallel to the flexible supports).
Referring to
In one embodiment, the light emitting devices may be connected to each other in a grid pattern of wires 303. Wires 303 may be connected to the light emitting devices by any suitable technique or connector. Wires 303 can provide support for adjacent light emitting devices within display device 101. Wires 303 can be arranged in conjunction with flexible support 103 to provide selective distribution of weight of display device 101. In another embodiment, the light emitting devices may be connected with wires 303 that are fiber optic cables permitting the light to be emitted from various sources. In yet another embodiment, wires 303 may be translucent, transparent, semi-transparent, semi-translucent, semi-opaque, opaque, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, system 100 may utilize wireless control and/or wireless power to provide control and power from a remote location, providing reduced weight and greater portability.
Referring to
In one embodiment, display device 101 may be powered by individual batteries housed with LEDs or other light sources. In another embodiment, LED can have a battery power source and another LED can use the battery as a power source by having wires carrying power from other LEDs.
Another embodiment includes OLEDs as LEDs. OLEDs may reduce power requirements and permit longer operation on the same charge. OLEDs may permit display device 101 to run on the same charge for a long period of time, for example, by providing power to the OLEDs and then disconnecting the power source from the OLEDs, and then displaying the system.
Referring to
Referring to
In one embodiment, interlocking feature 707 may be received by the interlocking receiving opening 705. In other embodiments, clipping member 601 may include other configurations of interlocking features 707 and/or interlocking receiving openings 705. Alternatively, the clipping member 601 may have no interlocking feature 707 and/or no interlocking receiving opening 705. Interlocking receiving opening 705 may be a recess or opening with one or more sides 713 forming a sloping geometry configured to correspond with the geometry of one or more side walls 715 of interlocking feature 707. Clipping member 601 can be configured to interlock or otherwise engage with substantially identical corresponding clipping member 601 or dissimilar clipping members 601 having corresponding interlocking features 707 and/or interlocking receiving openings 705. Magnetic clipping members 601 may be configured to correspond with other magnetic clipping members 601 and/or features of non-magnetic clipping members 601.
Clipping members 601 can include through-opening 717 configured to permit a wire, rope, circular metal, or other suitable fastener to be inserted through through-opening 717. Through-opening 717 can correspond to another through-opening 717 in another identical clipping member 601. When clipping members 601 are interlocked or otherwise engaged, through-openings 717 may used for the purpose of further securing clipping members 601 to each other by metal wires being pushed through the through-opening 717 and attached on each side of through-opening 717. Through-opening 717 in conjunction with suitable fasteners can engage flexible support 103 thereby stabilizing system and/or permitting rotation around flexible support 103.
Clipping member 601 can be magnetically attractive by inclusion of one or more magnets. Magnetic clipping member 601 may include recesses configured to house the magnets. In another embodiment, magnetic clipping member 601 can omit interlocking feature 707 and engage another clipping member 601 almost primarily by the magnets. In one embodiment, the magnets 607 are arranged in an arrangement that attracts and positions the first mating portion 603 and second mating portion 605. For example, a set of magnets arranged in a north-south-north polarity configuration which corresponds to a set of magnets in south-north-south polarity configuration. In other embodiments, multiple sets of magnets 607 may be used.
Interlocking feature 707 may correspond with the interlocking receiving opening 705. Clipping member 601 may be interlocked with a corresponding clipping member 601 by inserting interlocking feature 707 into interlocking receiving opening 705 of the corresponding clipping member 601. Interlocking feature 707 of the corresponding clipping member 601 may be interlocked with the interlocking receiving opening 705 thereby permitting interlocking feature 707 to be visible through interlocking receiving opening 705.
Referring to
While only certain features and embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed invention). It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/054,524, filed May 20, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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