Patent Application
20200302836
This disclosure relates to easy-to-assemble and disassemble illumination display platforms.
Illumination of signage has many applications. Consider the example of conferences, tradeshows, and other large-scale events. There, exhibitors generally seek to use signs that attract attention to distinguish themselves from others. In recent years, some such signs have included illumination to catch the eyes of attendees. For conferences and the like, however, such illuminated signs can be challenging and time consuming to set up and break down. This is because certain electrical illumination configurations involve extensive and intricate wiring arrangements. Additionally, and the mechanical assembly and disassembly of the support structure with the illuminated signs typically involves the use of tools. Additionally, these illuminated signs sometimes leave exhibitors to use curtains, drapes or sheets to hide otherwise exposed fasteners and wiring.
There is a need for an elegant illumination display platform that permits rapid setup and/or breakdown.
An illumination display platform is provided. The platform includes one or more art elements that are removably connectable to a panel system via magnets and contacts. An illumination source is positioned on or near select art elements to provide a lighting effect in connection with at least a part of the art elements and/or the panel system. When the art elements are magnetically connected to contacts receiving power, an electrical circuit is completed. This complete circuit includes an illumination source, which then lights and produces visual effects in connection with the art elements. The panel system may include a frame of mechanically connectable frame sections that can be assembled without tools and without fasteners that would be visible to one viewing an outward facing surface of the panel system.
All figures and examples herein are intended to be non-limiting; they are mere exemplary iterations and/or illustrative embodiments of the claims appended to the end of this description. Modifications to specifically-described system, device, the order of steps in processes, etc., are contemplated. The display platforms and assembly methods are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. Moreover, discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Generally, illumination display platforms include a panel system and an art element that are magnetically removably connectable to one another, as well as one or more illumination sources positioned on one or both of the panel system and art element.
Referring to
The
Power may be supplied to contacts by an external source or an on-board source. Electrical current may emanate from a power source in electrical communication with contacts on or in or supported by the panel system 21, such as through apertures 80 in a cover of panel system 21. Power sources may be from any of a number of standard electrical services, including by way of non-limiting example, 120V AC converted to DC to power light emitting diode (LED) lights.
When electrical power is applied, the combination of the relative mounting position between the outward-facing surface of panel system 21 and the art elements 30 and 40, and the placement and use of selected illumination sources, may cause visually pleasing lighting effects in the illumination display platform 20. For example, a stand-off distance between the outward-facing surface of panel system 21 and the art elements 30 and 40 may be selected to achieve a variety of lighting effects.
In addition to the visually pleasing lighting effects, the display platform 20 may have an enhanced aesthetic appeal due to the absence of visible wiring, switches, connectors, fasteners and/or other conventional accessories.
Generally, panel systems include a mounting plate and mounted electrical components, at least one magnetic element to attach to an art element, and a cover and frame. Certain contemplated configurations may not include one or more of a cover or a frame.
Referring to
Cover 19 is shown as an outward facing surface of panel system 21. Covers may comprise any number of materials, including fabric (woven or non-woven), glass, or plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, cover 19 comprises dye-sublimated tension fabric. Whether or not including cover, the outward-facing surface of panel system 21 may be optionally be coated for any number of purposes, such as UV protection, sheen, gloss, texture, color, waterproofing, etc. Covers may be secured as part of panel system 21 in any of a number of ways, including mechanical and chemical attachment mechanisms. One non-limiting way to attach a fabric cover is by using a silicone edge graphic bead (SEG) adhesive in an SEG channel provided in a mounting plate or frame or combination of both.
Referring to
Referring to
In
Generally, art elements may be nearly nay decorative object. Art elements include at least one magnetic element to attach to a panel system, an illumination source and a stand-off member. In certain contemplated configurations, one or more of the illumination source and stand-off member may be supported by the panel system rather than the art elements.
Referring to
As illustrated in
Illumination sources may include light emitting diodes (LEDs) in any suitable carrier, such as the illustrated LED strips. Generally, LEDs run at a relatively cool temperature and produce little infrared or ultraviolet light, which may alter certain fabrics or color applications. Other suitable illumination sources may include halogen, incandescent, laser, fluorescent and CFL lighting sources. A wide range of colors and brightness/intensities are contemplated.
Stand-off members provide a distance between the illumination sources and the panel system 21. Stand-off members can be made of nearly any material, and may be static in height at a predetermined height or adjustable within a range of predetermined dimensions. In the depicted embodiment, the stand-off members are acrylic cylinders. The length of the stand-off members creates different light effects. A shorter length may provide an art element with a backlight, and little to no halo effect. As length is increased, the backlight may fade and a halo glow effect around a some or all of a perimeter of an art element may appear. As length continues to increase, a point is reached at which the halo effect and backlight effect fade until diminished. It is contemplated that certain variables would impact the effect. Front-lighting and through-lighting is also contemplated for use with different art elements of different light transmission/absorption/reflection properties. Similarly, panel system covers may include materials having different light transmission/absorption/reflection properties. Additional reflective surfaces, including foils and mirrors, may be included on the panel and/or on the art element to create different visual effects or amplify certain effects. Light barriers may be added near illumination sources for shadowing effects. It is contemplated that lighting effects may target entire art elements, or one or more portions thereof.
Art elements 30 and 40 can be placed and stored in their predetermined orientation and position onto the panel system 21 when the panel system 21 is not powered. When this occurs, the art elements 30 and 40 will audibly snap into place as their respective magnetic connectors join magnetically with their counterpart magnets on the substrate. Magnets capable of high power connections are suitable in the disclosed apparatuses.
Electrical communication of positive DC current may be achieved by soldering a connecting wire to bridge a discrete magnet 31 with a positive terminal on the LED light strip. Similarly, to achieve a mechanism for transmission of negative DC current, a connecting wire 39 may bridge a different discrete magnet 31 with a negative terminal on the LED light strip. In this manner, there are two separate magnetic components that correspond to the positive and negative sides of the LED light circuit.
The illuminating sources relating to art element 40 receive power externally in the illustrated embodiment. Connectivity for the transmission of positive DC current may be achieved by using a connecting wire 51 to bridge a discrete magnet 41 component (that also includes metallic screw 43) with a positive terminal on an LED light strip. Similarly, to achieve a mechanism for transmission of negative DC current, a connecting wire 50 may bridge a different discrete magnet 41 with a negative terminal on the LED light strip. In this manner, there are two separate magnetic connectors 41 that correspond to the positive and negative sides of the LED light circuit.
Once an electrical circuit is complete via magnetic attachment of the art elements 30 and/or 40 to panel system 21 and external power is applied, illumination of the illumination sources 34, 35, 44 and 46 is achieved, producing a halo visual effect. If the electrical circuit is caused to become open (e.g., by removing an art element 30 or 40 from the panel system 21), then power to respective illumination sources will be cut off and illumination will cease.
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the art elements 30 and 40 have a connection to both a positive DC power source and a negative DC power source. Positive DC wire 75 is routed to a discrete magnetic connector 73 that corresponds upon connection with a magnet 41 that is hosting wire connecting wire 51. From there, a positive DC traveler wire 76 is routed and attached to a discrete connector 71 that corresponds upon connection with a magnet 31 that is hosting wire bridge positive lead 38.
Analogously, negative DC wire 77 is routed first to a discrete connector 71 that will correspond upon connection with a magnet 31 that is hosting wire bridge negative lead 39. From there, a negative DC traveler wire 78 is routed and attached to a discrete connector 73 that corresponds upon connection with a magnet 41 that is hosting wire bridge negative connecting wire 50.
Other electrical configurations are contemplated. As an example, when using AC electrical power directly to the illumination sources on the art elements, there is no need to specify positive or negative.
Illumination display platforms 20 are easy to assemble and disassemble. Generally, it can be done without tools and without complex wire routing.
An assembler may insert or otherwise secure a mounting plate into a first frame section if not already inserted, and optionally further secure it with an adhesive or mechanical fastener. An assembler may, without tools, mechanically lock a second frame section to the first section, creating a framed panel system that includes channels for wire routing and other purposes. The lock may be a simple snap fit, and may be activated by pressure or a push button. Additional tool-free securements may lock the frame for additional strength and stability. The assembler can wire the system so that the contacts on the mounting plate are adapted to be in electrical communication with a power source. The assembler may, if it has not already been done, attach a cover to the outward-facing surface of the panel system thereby causing the cover to become the outward facing surface of the panel system.
The assembler can prepare the art elements if not already prepared, This may involve attaching a magnetic member, stand-off member, and illumination source to the art element. The magnetic member (illustrated as magnet held by screw) will be in electrical communication with the illumination source. The assembler can attach the art elements to the panel system, and then turn on power. When power is on (an internal or external power source has been activated) and magnetic and electrical contact between the art element and the panel system is made, an illumination source lights. The illumination source stays lit until the art element is removed or the power is turned off.
Taking apart the frame of an illumination display platform requires engaging a button or otherwise applying force to separate frame sections. No tools are required for separating the frame sections from one another. Taking the art elements off requires no disassembly effort other than to overpower the magnet holding the art elements in place. The assembler may store the art elements on the panel system if so desired because the magnetic force holds the art elements in position when power is off.
With regard to the processes described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, have been described as occurring in a certain sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the exemplary order. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claimed invention.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur, and that the disclosed systems and processes will be incorporated into such future embodiments. The invention is capable of modification and variation.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. Use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.
This disclosure claims the benefit of the priority date of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/821,938, filed Mar. 21, 2019, incorporated herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62821938 | Mar 2019 | US |
