Patent Application
20170295960
The present invention relates generally to improvements in lockers or storage cabinets used in athletic or sporting facilities, and more specifically to illuminated panels incorporated into such lockers.
The aesthetics and utility of lockers or storage cabinets in “locker rooms” of athletic and sporting facilities of sports teams and country clubs, for example, have become a measure of the quality and prestige of such organizations and an increasingly important aspect of recruiting new team or club members. Modern lockers are a far cry from the simple wood or metal cabinets of the past.
Modern lockers incorporate storage for specific items of equipment, such as helmets and shoes, and features promoting comfort and luxury. There is a constant need for improvement in both functional and aesthetic aspects of such lockers.
The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
While the assembly and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.
Illustrative embodiments of the locker seat assembly are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with assembly-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Referring now to
Between the sidewalls 13 of each locker 1, 3, 5, 7, a plurality of compartments 15 are defined by shelves or other horizontally extending surfaces or platforms. Multiple additional sidewalls may be placed between the “main” or exterior sidewalls 13 to define compartments along with horizontal shelves and the like. As used herein, “sidewall” or “sidewalls” may refer to either “main” sidewalls 13 or other sidewalls arranged between the “main” sidewalls. Each compartment 15 may be sized and otherwise configured for storage of clothing or sporting equipment or other items and may include one or more doors, which may be lockable.
Each of the lockers 1, 3, 5, 7 also incorporates a panel with illuminated indicia 11 (illuminated panel) according to an embodiment of the present application. In each example, the panel takes the form of a door giving access to a compartment behind the door, but the panel may be merely structural or cosmetic and have no other function. The indicia 11 may take the form of graphic art (the paw print and wildcat profile of
Referring also to
For a single-color embodiment (as in the case of the paw of
Secured to the rear of door 21 is a stainless-steel sheet-metal enclosure 31, which encloses and protects a light source 33 or at least one lighting element and its appropriate wiring for electric power. Lighting element 33 may be coupled either to a power supply contained elsewhere in or external to the locker or within enclosure 31. The power source may include dimmers, timers, switches and the like to turn off, dim, blink or otherwise manipulate the lighting emitting from source 33. Preferably, the lighting element is a panel array comprising a plurality white or colorless of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) molded or otherwise formed into a laminar sheet, as illustrated. Discrete LEDs, LED tubes, incandescent or fluorescent or other lighting elements may be appropriate. Colors other than white may be utilized, including combinations of colors. The LEDs or other lighting elements provides illumination for “back lighting” or transmitting light through the translucent portions or sheets secured to door or panel 21.
Graphics may also be implemented by combinations of the embodiments illustrated above, e.g. a translucent panel (
It is apparent that a system with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description and claims. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
