Patent Application
20060070279
Retail establishments typically use a wide variety of display systems to display products to consumers. Common display systems used in retail environments include hanging racks, gondolas, horizontally oriented display shelves, peg board systems, racks, end caps, display cases, and other devices. In order to draw attention to the products displayed, to assist the consumer in locating the particular item for which they are searching, and/or to add to the overall or departmental aesthetics of a retail establishment, signs are often placed in proximity to the displayed products. Such signs generally indicate the type of product, brand of product, advertising, other information helpful to the consumer or adding to an overall aesthetic feel of a retail establishment.
One aspect of the present invention relates to a light box display for use in a retail environment including a light box, a graphic, and a graphic cover. The light box includes a base, a plurality of light sources secured within the base, and a light box cover. The light box cover includes an end wall, and the light box cover extends over the base to enclose the plurality of light sources between the base and the light box cover. The graphic extends over the end wall of the cover and is configured to be backlit by the plurality of light sources. The graphic cover extends over the graphic and the light box cover to secure the graphic to the light box. The graphic is viewable through the graphic cover. Other features and advantages are also disclosed.
Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
As illustrated in
Side wall 30 includes a plurality of outwardly protruding registration rails 38 extending from opening 36 perpendicular to and toward end wall 28. In one embodiment, the plurality of registration rails 38 includes three protruding rails each circumferentially spaced from one another. A pin or flat headed peg 40 extends radially outwardly from each registration rail 38 near end wall 28. The plurality of registration rails 38 are positioned on base 20 to decrease or minimize the view of pegs 40 from the front of light box 12 upon assembly.
Base 20 is homogenously formed of a translucent or transparent material. In one embodiment, base 20 is formed of a translucent and diffuse plastic or acrylic material. More specifically, in one embodiment, base 20 is vacuum-formed of a milk colored acrylic, such as the frosted OPTIX® acrylic material. The diffuse and translucent or transparent nature of base 20 contributes to an even distribution of light projected from light box 12, as will be further described below. Even distribution of light from light box 12 contributes to the general aesthetics of light box display.
Ballast assembly 22 fits within base 20 and provides electricity to light box 12. In one embodiment, ballast assembly 22 includes a first ballast box 50, a second ballast box 52, and a ballast cover sheet 54. Ballast boxes 50 and 52 are spaced from one another, and in one embodiment, are electrically coupled to one another. Ballast cover sheet 54 is a metal plate extending between and over the front of ballast boxes 50 and 52 to increase the safety of light box 12. A plurality of sockets 56 and a plurality of bulb holders 58 extend from ballast cover sheet 54 in an alternating and staggered pattern.
Each of the plurality of sockets 56 is electrically coupled to one of ballast box 50 or ballast box 52, and each ballast box 50 and 52 provides electricity to support at least one of the plurality of sockets 56. An alternating current cord 59 extends from at least one of ballast boxes 50 and 52 for interfacing with an electrical source or outlet to introduce electricity to ballast assembly 22 and, thereby to sockets 56.
Each of the plurality of light bulbs 24, preferably fluorescent light bulbs, defines a first fixture end 60 and a second end 62. First fixture end 60 of each light bulb 24 selectively interfaces with one of the sockets 56, and second end 62 of each light bulb 24 is placed within one of the bulb holders 58. Accordingly, each light bulb 24 is securely positioned within base 20 between a socket 56 and a bulb holder 58. In one embodiment, the orientation of each light bulb 24 (i.e. positioning from first fixture end 60 to second end 62 or from second end 62 to first fixture end 60) is alternated and light bulbs 24 extend in an at least partially staggered manner. The staggered and alternating positioning of light bulbs 24 provides for an evenly dispersed emission of light from light box 12.
More specifically, in one example illustrated in
Ballast assembly 22 is received by placing each ballast box 50 and 52 in a respective recessed portion 32 and 34 of base 20. In one embodiment, at least one recessed portion 32 or 34 includes a hole 64 for cord 59 to extend from a ballast box 50 or 52 and through base 20. As a result, each socket 56 and bulb holder 58 is maintained within base 20 and extends toward base opening 36.
Light box cover 26 includes an end wall 70 and a side wall 72. End wall 70 is circular and, in one embodiment, generally planar. End wall 70 of cover 26 is sized slightly larger than end wall 28 of base 20. Side wall 72 extends perpendicularly from the perimeter of end wall 70 to form a hollow cylinder with an opening 74 opposite end wall 70. Side wall 72 extends from end wall 28 a distance similar to a distance side wall 30 extends from end wall 28 of base 20. In one embodiment, cover 26 is rounded at the interface between end wall 70 and side wall 72 to form a smoother, less abrupt transition between walls 70 and 72.
Side wall 72 includes a plurality of registration grooves 76 extending generally perpendicular to end wall 70 from opening 74. In one embodiment, three registration grooves 76 are circumferentially spaced about side wall 72. Each registration groove 76 is configured to receive one of the registration rails 38 of base 20. A locking notch 80 is defined within each registration groove 76. Each locking notch 80 extends entirely through the thickness of side wall 72 and includes a first portion 82 and a second portion 84. First portion 82 extends from opening 74 parallel to the general extension of registration groove 76 and partially toward end wall 70. Second portion 84 extends from first portion 82 opposite opening 74 with an orientation generally perpendicular to first portion 82. Each portion 82 and 84 has a width sufficient to receive peg 40. In one embodiment, each locking notch 80 includes a stop end 86 extending from second portion 84 opposite first portion 82 configured to selectively maintain peg 40 of base 20.
Cover 26 is homogenously formed of a translucent or transparent material. In one embodiment, cover 26 is formed of a translucent and diffuse plastic or acrylic material. More specifically, in one embodiment, cover 26 is vacuum-formed of a milk colored acrylic, such as the frosted OPTIX® acrylic material. The diffuse and translucent or transparent nature of cover 26 contributes to an even distribution of light projected from light box 12 as opposed to spot or line lighting, which is readily identifiable by consumers and other passersby. Accordingly, even distribution of light from light box 12 contributes to the general aesthetics of light box display 10.
As illustrated in
Base interface portion 96 is secured to back of end wall 28 between recessed portions 32 and 34 with at least one screw, rivet, adhesive or other attachment device such that hanger interface portion 100 extends parallel to but spaced from end wall 28. In one embodiment, mounting brackets 92 and 94 are laterally aligned and vertically spaced from one another. More specifically, first mounting bracket 92 is secured to end wall 28 relatively near a top of end wall 28, while second mounting bracket 94 is spaced from first mounting bracket 92 and secured to end wall 28 relatively near a bottom of end wall 28. Each mounting bracket 92 and 94 is secured with a similar orientation, in particular, with hanger interface portion 100 extending downwardly from intermediate portion 98.
Referring to
Graphic cover 16 is formed of acrylic, plastic, or other relatively rigid material that is translucent or, more preferably, transparent. For example, graphic cover 16 is vacuum-formed of clear acrylic or plastic. Graphic cover 16 is shaped similar to and sized slightly larger than light box cover 26. With this in mind, graphic cover 16 includes an end wall 120 and a side wall 122. In one embodiment, end wall 120 is round and generally planar and sized slightly larger than graphic 14. Side wall 122 extends around and generally perpendicularly from the perimeter of end wall 120 to define graphic cover 16 as a shallow cylinder with an open end 124. Side wall 122 extends from end wall 120 a distance similar to or slightly larger than the distance side wall 72 of light box cover 26 extends from end wall 70. In one embodiment, graphic cover 16 protects graphic 14 from staining or other incidental wear and tear during display of graphic 14 in a retail environment.
As illustrated in
Each of the plurality of cross members 146 is secured to each of and extends between vertical supports 142 and 144. The plurality of cross members 146 are vertically spaced from one another, in particular, in one embodiment, at least two of the plurality of cross members 146 are vertically spaced apart from each other a distance equal to the vertical distance mounting brackets 90 are spaced apart from each other on base 20. In one example, each vertical support 142 and 144 and each cross member 146 is formed of powder-coated steel. Vertical supports 142 and 144 are channels and cross members 146 are rectangular plates.
More specifically, in one embodiment illustrated in
Each vertical support 142 and 144 defines a top end 160 and a bottom end 162 opposite top end 160. Top end 160 includes a hook 164 or other connection device for interfacing with a support rod 170. Hook 164 is configured to selectively receive support rod 170 to hang mounting assembly from support rod 170. In one embodiment, bottom end 162 of each vertical support 142 and 144 additionally includes a spacer 172 extending perpendicularly from vertical support 142 or 144 in a similar direction as hook 164 curves from vertical support 142 or 144.
Referring to
Support rod 170 additionally includes a hook or clip 182 or other attachment mechanism at each end of support rod 170. In one embodiment, clips 182 of support rod 170 interface with support struts 174 extending over a display area. As illustrated in
Additionally, in one embodiment, following coupling of support rod 170 with support struts 174, a safety bar 196 is placed on each support strut 174 over at least a portion of clips 182. In particular, safety bar 196 is sized to be received between first and second side panels 190 and 192 of each support strut 174. More specifically, safety bar 196 extends between side panels 190 and 192 following insertion of clip 182 onto side panel 190.
In one embodiment, safety bar 196 includes a latch mechanism 198 extending from one end of safety bar 196 to a position beneath bottom panel 194. Safety bar 196 selectively latches or locks around bottom panel 194 of support strut 174. In one embodiment, latch mechanism 198 includes a screw or pin 200 that is selectively secured across bottom panel 194 to lock support rod 170 in place with respect to support strut 174. Accordingly, safety bar 196 increases the safety of the hung light box display 10 by decreasing the chance that support rod 170 would inadvertently be dislodged from support struts 174.
In order to hang light box display 10, mounting assembly 18 is lifted up to place hooks 164 over support rod 170. In one embodiment, spacers 172 of mounting assembly 150 interface with wall 186 to maintain the spacing of vertical supports 142 and 144 from wall 186. More specifically, in one example, vertical supports 142 and 144 extend parallel to a front surface 202 of wall 186. Once mounting assembly 18 is hung from support rod 170, base 20 of light box 12 with ballast assembly 22 is lifted and each mounting bracket 90 is placed to interface with one of cross members 146. In particular, one of the cross members 146 is placed between end wall 28 of base 20 and hanger interface portion 100 of mounting bracket 90. Accordingly, base 20 of light box 12 is hung from support rod 170 via mounting assembly 18.
Once base 20 is hung, light bulbs 24 are placed to interface with sockets 56 and to be held by bulb holders 58. Cord 59 is run up vertical support 142 or 144 to be electrically coupled with an outlet or other electrical source. With this in mind, light bulbs 24 are illuminated when electricity flows from the outlet or electrical source to sockets 56 via ballast boxes 50 and 52. Cover 26 is placed over base 20 such that each registration groove 76 receives a corresponding registration rail 38 of base 20. Cover 26 is slid further onto base 20 until peg 40 slides along first portion 82 of locking notch 80. Then, cover 26 is given a partial, clockwise turn to forward peg 40 through second portion 84 of locking notch 80 and to stop end 86 of locking notch 80 to selectively lock cover 26 to base 20.
Once cover 26 is secured to base 20, graphic 14 is placed over cover 26 to block direct viewing of end wall 70 of cover 26. In one embodiment, graphic 14 selectively adheres to cover 26 due to static cling or with an other adhesive. In such an embodiment, graphic cover 16 is optional. In some instances, directly adhering graphic 14 to cover 26 due to static cling or other adhesive causes wrinkles to be formed in graphic 14. Therefore, in other embodiments, graphic 14 is characterized by a lack of direct adherence to cover 26 due to static cling or use of adhesive. Graphic cover 16 is placed over graphic 14 and light box cover 26. Graphic cover 16 is secured over light box cover 26 to interpose and secure graphic 14 between end wall 120 of graphic cover 16 and end wall 70 of light box cover 26. In this manner, graphic cover 16 also protects graphic 14 from wear during display.
In one embodiment, graphic cover 16 is secured to light box cover 26 by a friction fit and/or static build up between side wall 122 of graphic cover 16 and side wall 72 of light box cover 26. In other embodiments, graphic cover 16 is secured to light box cover 26 with plastic clips. Once assembled, graphic 14 is viewable to consumers or other passersby in a backlit manner. Graphic covers 16′ and 130 can similarly be attached. In other embodiments, in which graphic cover 16, 16′, or 130 is painted or otherwise depicts the image to be displayed, use of graphic 14 is optionally eliminated.
In one embodiment, mounting assembly 18 includes four cross members 146 wherein each set of two cross members 146 supports one light box display 10. Accordingly, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, clips 210 and 212 are laterally aligned and vertically spaced from one another to interface with mounting brackets 92 and 94 of light box display 10. More specifically, to hang light box display 10, light box display 10 is positioned such that hanger interface portion 100 of mounting brackets 92 and 94 are placed between display interface portion 216 of the respective clip 210 and 212 and front surface 202 of wall 186, thereby securing light box display 10 to wall 186.
In one embodiment, one or more light box displays 10 are arranged for use in combination with product display articles, such as the display articles described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ for a “Retail Display Article and System” (Attorney Docket No. T634.117.101), filed concurrently with the present application on Oct. 4, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In one example, one or more light box displays 10 are hung above, below, beside, spaced from, and/or aligned with a display article imitating a mannequin wearing or displaying a product for sale. In other examples, one or more light box displays 10 are hung with display panels hung in a three-dimensional manner, such as in front of a recessed panel between triangular spacers of adjacent panels.
Light box displays according to the present invention provide for an aesthetically pleasing way of presenting text or other images to a retail audience including retail consumers and other passersby. By providing for the backlit display of the graphics with a diffused light, the light display draws consumer attention and is yet pleasing to the eye of the consumer or other passersby. In addition, the modular nature of the light box display allows a single light box to be interchangeably used with various graphics and/or graphic covers. In this manner, the overall look of the light box display can be altered by changing the graphic and/or graphic cover without the added expense of providing a new light box for each altered display.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, such embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to limit the invention. Various alternatives and change will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, although generally described as being round or cylindrical, a light box can be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes. Additional modifications and changes will further be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
