Panelized/modular electronic display

[0002] None.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention pertains to electronic displays and, in particular, relates to large scale electronic displays which are subjected to heavy wind loading. Reinforced light emitting structure in the form of adjacent and connected modular face panel assemblies extends across a large clear span area and maintains uniform pixel spacing without the requirement of intermediate structure.

[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] Prior art sturdily constructed electronic displays were constructed having intermediate structure between light panels which paid little attention to uniform and even pixel spacing, or, if no intermediate structure was visible from the front, the light emitting structure was such that changeout of components was required by frontal access only, as support structure behind the light emitting structure often hampered rearward access.

[0007] The present invention, a panelized/modular electronic display, provides a modular electronic display which is sturdily constructed to withstand heavy wind loading and which overcomes difficulties encountered in prior art devices.

[0008] The present invention is a panelized/modular electronic display system capable of withstanding high wind loading. A substantial framework and walk-in or rear access enclosure provides a large clear span area for accommodation of a series of connected face panel assemblies which secure therein. The major structure of each face panel assembly, which is modular, is a vertically aligned channel which has columns of apertures and a polycarbonate face secured to the inward surface thereof. Planar reinforcement bars are secured between the channel sides to form vertically oriented laminated and reinforced cross section junctions, thereby imparting strength to the series of connected modular face panel assemblies. Modularity is also enhanced by a plurality of LED modules which secure by quarter-turn hardware to the rear of each modular face panel assembly. Geometrical configurations are incorporated for uniform spacing of the pixels with respect to vertical and horizontal alignment. Uniform pixel display is maintained from left to right by the relationship of the vertical sides of each modular face panel assembly, and uniform spacing is maintained vertically by interlacing of the upper and lower edges of adjacent vertically aligned LED modules.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a panelized/modular electronic display including a sturdy framework, a large clear span area within the framework which accommodates a series of vertically aligned and connected modular face panel assemblies, laminated and reinforced cross section junctions common to and formed by members of adjacent modular face panel assemblies, and a plurality of LED modules aligned to the rear of each modular face panel assembly. An alternate embodiment involves a thin profile panelized/modular electronic display having a plurality of rear located access doors.

[0010] One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a panelized/modular electronic display which is able to withstand high wind loading.

[0011] Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a panelized/modular electronic display which includes modular face panel assemblies.

[0012] Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a panelized/modular electronic display which includes modular LED assemblies.

[0013] An additional significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a panelized/modular electronic display which includes laminated and reinforced cross section junctions common to adjacent modular face panel assemblies to provide structural integrity when subjected to wind loading.

[0014] A still additional significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a panelized/modular electronic display having rearwardly located accessibility to modular LED assemblies.

[0015] A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a panelized/modular electronic display having vent chambers for cooling of the modular face panel assemblies and of the modular LED assemblies and removal of solar heat gain.

[0016] A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a panelized/modular full matrix electronic display which includes black painted metal face panel assemblies whose surface between the matrix of aperture openings provides sun shading for the internally mounted LED assemblies, and also a contrast background for the LED assemblies which enhances viewability, legibility, and readability of the LED messages displayed. The display appears to some people to be continuous to the visible eye, while other people can barely detect each modular face panel assembly, only after careful viewing.

[0017] Having thus set forth aspects and features of embodiments of the present invention, it is the principal object hereof to provide a panelized/modular electronic display capable of withstanding high wind loading.

[0018] Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a panelized/modular electronic display, the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the panelized/modular electronic display;

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view in cutaway of the panelized/modular electronic display;

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric rear view in partial cutaway of the modular face panel assemblies with LED modules attached to the respective modular face panel assemblies and with one LED module detached;

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded isometric rear view of a modular face panel assembly, an LED module, and intermediate structure;

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an LED module and portions of adjacent LED modules aligned thereto;

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of an LED module;

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an LED module;

[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates an expanded isometric view of the modular face panel assemblies;

[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the laminated and reinforced junction between modular face panels;

[0029] FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of the modular face panel assemblies including module mounting rails and face panel stiffeners secured thereto;

[0030] FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of the modular face panel assemblies including module mounting rails and face panel stiffeners secured to upper and lower framework members;

[0031] FIG. 13 illustrates a vertical cross sectional view illustrating the relationship of an LED module to a modular face panel assembly;

[0032] FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the parts shown in FIG. 5 assembled and thereby creating the vent chamber;

[0033] FIG. 15 is an exaggerated cross sectional view taken along line 15—15 of FIG. 9 prior to hardware tightening illustrating the drip cap secured over and about the lower edge of the polycarbonate face;

[0034] FIG. 16 illustrates a left side view in cutaway of a thin profile panelized/modular electronic display, an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and,

[0035] FIG. 17 illustrates a rear view of the thin profile panelized/modular electronic display.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a panelized/modular electronic display 10, the present invention. A plurality of mutually connected and reinforced vertically aligned modular face panel assemblies 12a-12nare distributed and secured to an underlying framework and along and about the large clear span of the front of the panelized/modular electronic display 10 and form a front face 13, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The front face 13 is tilted, and the angle of tilt can be in the range of about 0° to 10° or even greater, but is preferably about 3°. Of course, the entire display 10 can be mounted at an angle at installation, thus causing a further or lesser angular tilt of the front face 13. Each of the similarly constructed modular face panel assemblies 12a-12nincludes rows and columns of apertures behind which are located LED pixel assemblies which appropriately illuminate to present a visual display such as alpha-numeric, symbols, graphics or other such significant information. A plurality of upper shrouds 14a-14nand a plurality of lower shrouds 16a-16nalign over and about the upper region and the lower region, respectively, of the modular face panels assemblies 12a-12n. A heavy framework 32, illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 12, is located behind the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12n, part of which provides mounting surfaces for the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12n. A paneled enclosure 18 houses the inwardly located components of the panelized/modular electronic display 10. Walk-in or rear access to the enclosure 18 and the inwardly located components is provided by opposing access doors 20 and 22 at the ends of the enclosure 18, or in the alternative, by doors on the back of the enclosure, such as shown in FIG. 17.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the panelized/modular electronic display 10. A plurality of large internally located exhaust fans 34a-34n, shown in FIG. 3, on the rear wall of the enclosure 18 ventilate the interior of the enclosure 18 as required in conjunction with a plurality of filtered air intakes 24a-24nand fan air exhausts 26a-26n. Upper, mid and lower Z-brackets 28, 29 and 30 are secured along the rear of the enclosure 18 for mounting to a suitable structure.

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view in cutaway of the panelized/modular electronic display 10. A heavy framework 32 is provided to enhance structural integrity with respect to wind loading and for mounting of components thereto. Modular face panel assemblies 12a-12nshown in FIG. 1 secure to the framework 32 and form the inwardly angled front face 13 of the enclosure 18. A plurality of similarly constructed LED modules 36a-36nalign to and secure to the rearward portions of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12n. A plurality of fans 38a-38nfor ducted cooling of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12nand the LED modules 36a-36nare mounted to the lower regions of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12n. Additional fans 39a-39nare also provided for the cooling of the rearward sides of the LED modules 36a-36n. The front face 13 is at a 3° angular tilt, but such tilt is not to be construed as limiting to the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric rear view in partial cutaway of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12cwith LED modules 36a-36dand 36f-36iattached to the respective modular face panel assemblies 12a-12cand with LED module 36eshown detached. LED module 36eis shown distant to the LED modules 36a-36dand 36f-36ito reveal the structure including the polycarbonate face 50 and the columns of apertures 62a-62nto which the LED module 36ealigns. The remaining LED modules 36j-36nalign and mount to the remaining modular face panels 12d-12nin the same manner as LED modules 36a-36i. Fans 38a-38care secured to fan mounting panels 40a-40cbelonging to a plurality of fan mounting panels 40a-40nwhich secure to the lower regions of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12n. A drip cap 42c, belonging to a plurality of similarly placed drip caps 42a-42n, is shown mounted to the lower region of the modular face panel 12c.

[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded isometric rear view of the modular face panel assembly 12a, LED module 36c, and intermediate structure. Included in the figure are a plurality of horizontally aligned module mounting rails 46a-46nwhich align to and can span the width of one or more face panels 44 (or one or more modular face panel assemblies 12a-12n) and a plurality of horizontally aligned face panel stiffeners 48a-48nwhich align and span the inwardly extending opposing planar flanges 58 and 60 of each face panel 44. Each of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12n, such as modular face assembly 12a, includes a face panel 44, a polycarbonate face 50 aligned to the rearward surface of the face panel 44, and a drip cap, such as drip cap 42c. The outwardly facing surface of the polycarbonate face 50 includes an ultraviolet resistant solar coating. With reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, the face panel 44 includes a major planar region 52 having perpendicular opposing planar sides 54 and 56 extending therefrom and opposing planar flanges 58 and 60 extending inwardly from the planar sides 54 and 56. The polycarbonate face 50 aligns to the major planar region 52; and the outer edges of the polycarbonate face 50 are suitably sealed such as with silicone or other such suitable sealant 103 to the face panel 44, as shown in FIG. 10. The drip cap 42cof a plurality of drip caps 42a-42nis suitably secured to and sealed such as with silicone to the lower portion of the polycarbonate face 50. Columns of apertures 62a-62nare located on the major planar region 52 of the face panel 44. The LED module 36c, being a member of the plurality of similarly constructed LED modules 36a-36n, includes a configured panel 64 having a major planar region 71, a plurality of readily mountable display boards 66a-66n, a display driver board 68, and a display driver board bracket 70.

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the LED module 36band portions of adjacent LED modules 36aand 36caligned to LED module 36b. LED module 36b, having like components having the same description and reference numbers as other LED modules 36aand 36c-36n, includes a plurality of LED pixel assemblies 72a-72nwhich are aligned with and are visible through the columns of apertures 65a-65n. The LED pixel assemblies 72a-72nsecure to display boards 66a-66nwhich position to the rear side of the configured panel 64 shown in FIG. 5. Upper mounting tabs 74aand 74bextend upwardly from the major planar region 71 of configured panel 64, and a lower mounting tab 76 extends downwardly from the major planar region 71. A cutout area 80 which accommodatingly aligns with and loosely interfaces with the lower mounting tab 76 of a higher placed LED module, such as LED module 36a, is located between the upper mounting tabs 74aand 74b. The interlaced upper mounting tabs 74aand 74band lower mounting tab 76 mount in mutual alignment to the module mounting rails 46a-46n. The interlacing provides for uninterrupted and constant vertical and seamless spacing between the rows containing the LED pixel assemblies 72a-72n. Quarter-turn fasteners 82aand 82bextend through the upper mounting tabs 74aand 74b, and a quarter turn fastener 82cextends through the lower mounting tab 76 to secure to appropriately located quarter-turn receptacles located in the module mounting rails 46a-46nshown in FIG. 5. The use of quarter-turn fasteners 82a-82cand associated quarter-turn receptacles facilitates rapid changeout of each LED module 36a-36n. It is to be noted that, with reference to FIG. 4, the fan mounting panels, such as fan mounting panel 40c, each includes upwardly extending mounting tabs 86aand 86band a cutout area 88 located therebetween to facilitate interfacing with the lower mounting tabs 76 of the lower of the LED modules 36a-36nfor mounting of the fan mounting panels to the module mounting rails 46n.

[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the LED module 36b. Illustrated in particular are the plurality of display boards 66a-66nand the plurality of LED pixel assemblies 72a-72n, shown in hidden lines, which mount and secure to the far and opposite side of the display boards 66a-66n. The LED pixel assemblies 72a-72n, which in fact are LEDs surrounded by a tubular surround, extend from the far and opposite side of the display boards 66a-66nto align to the columns of apertures 62a-62nof the major planar region 52 to intimately contact the major planar region 52. A plurality of mounting studs 83a-83nextend from the configured panel 64 and through the display board 66ato receive a plurality of wing nuts 84a-84n. Like mounting studs to receive wing nuts extend from the configured panel 64 and through the display boards 66b-66n. The incorporation of wing nuts facilitates quick changeout of the display boards 66a-66n. The display driver board bracket 70, including the mounted display driver board 68, secures to a tab 90 (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) extending from the configured panel 64 and secured thereto by an arrangement of hardware including wing nuts 92 and 94. A plurality of quick-connect connectors 97a-97non the display driver board 68 connect to a quick-connect connector 99 on each of the display boards 66a-66n.

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the LED module 36b.

[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates an expanded isometric view of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12c. Consideration is given to the frontal structure of the panelized/modular electronic display 10 with respect to the ability to withstand large wind loading in a largely otherwise unsupported large clear span region where the mutually connected and reinforced vertically aligned modular face panel assemblies 12a-12nare distributed along and about the large clear span of the front of the panelized/modular electronic display 10. Sturdy reinforcement along the vertical is provided by the incorporation of a junction of planar reinforcement bars 96 clampingly secured between the illustrated modular face panel assemblies 12a-12cas well as between other successively located modular face panel assemblies 12d-12n. More specifically and for purposes of example and illustration, a planar reinforcement bar 96 is placed between and along the length of the planar side 56 of the modular face panel assembly 12aand along the length of the planar side 54 of the adjoining modular face panel assembly 12b. Nut and bolt fastening hardware 98, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 10, secures through the planar side 56 of the modular face panel assembly 12a, the planar reinforcement bar 96 and the planar side 54 of the modular face panel assembly 12bto draw together the mentioned planar members, thus forming a laminated and reinforced cross section junction 100 (FIG. 10) to provide for increased structural integrity and to provide resistance to horizontal wind load components.

[0045] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the laminated and reinforced junction 100 between modular face panel assemblies 12aand 12b. Silicone or other suitable sealant 102 is incorporated between the planar sides 54 and 56 and the planar reinforcement bar 96. Silicone or other suitable sealant 103 is also utilized to seal the vertically aligned edges of the polycarbonate faces 50 to the face panels 44. The lower region of the face panel 44 is also sealed, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0046] FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12cincluding module mounting rails 46a-46nand face panel stiffeners 48a-48nsecured thereto. The module mounting rails 46a-46nsecure horizontally over and about the planar flanges 58 and 60 of each of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12cand include a plurality of quarter-turn receptacles 104a-104nwhich receive the quarter-turn fasteners 82a-82cof each LED module 36a-36c. The face panel stiffeners 48a-48nare horizontally distributed parallel to the module mounting rails 46a-46nand secure over and about the planar flanges 58 and 60 of each of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12c. The face panel stiffeners 48a-48nas well as the module mounting rails 46a-46ncounteract any twisting moment of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12cencountered under high wind loads and contribute to the structural integrity of the combined modular face panel assemblies 12a-12c. Although the module mounting rails 46a-46nand face panel stiffeners 48a-48nare shown spanning only combined modular face panel assemblies 12a-12c, the lengths of the module mounting rails 46a-46nand face panel stiffeners 48a-48ncan be such that the entire combined width from modular face panel assembly 12athrough modular face panel assembly 12ncan be spanned by module mounting rails 46a-46nand face panel stiffeners 48a-48nof appropriate single length.

[0047] FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12cincluding module mounting rails 46a-46nand face panel stiffeners 48a-48nwhere the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12csecure to the upper and lower framework members 32aand 32b, respectively. Securement of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12cat the upper and lower regions to the framework members 32aand 32bis accomplished by the use of pluralities of upper and lower brackets 106a-106cand 108a-108c, respectively. Others of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12ncan also be attached in a similar fashion at the upper and lower regions and also joined together side by side along the large clear span length to form laminated and reinforced junctions 100 between successive modular face panel assemblies 12a-12n, as previously described.

[0048] FIG. 13 illustrates a vertical cross sectional view illustrating the relationship of the LED module 36bto the modular face panel assembly 12a. The plurality of LED pixel assemblies 72a-72nalign with and are visible through the columns of apertures 65a-65n. Tubular surround 110 houses a plurality of LEDs 112 and also provides a mounting structure and spacer between the display boards 66a-66n. Illustrated in particular is the vent chamber 114 which is the space between the polycarbonate face 50, the panel 64 of the LED module 36b, the planar side 54 of the face panel 44 and the planar side 56 (FIG. 5) of the face panel 44. Fans 38a-38c(FIG. 4) circulate air in the vent chamber 114 to remove solar absorption heat from the modular panel face assembly 12aand heat created by the LEDs 112 on the LED module 36b.

[0049] FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the parts shown in FIG. 5 assembled and thereby creating the vent chamber 114.

[0050] FIG. 15 is an exaggerated cross sectional view taken along line 15—15 of FIG. 9 prior to hardware tightening illustrating the drip cap 42asecured over and about the lower edge of the polycarbonate face 50. Moisture which can enter the apertures located in the columns of apertures 62a-62ncan flow downwardly between the face panel 44 and the outwardly facing surface 50aof the polycarbonate face 50. Downwardly flowing moisture flows into the drip cap 42aand exits through a plurality of drain holes 116a-116n. Silicone or other suitable sealant 118 is applied between the top region of the drip cap 42aand the lower region of the polycarbonate face 50 and between the lower region of the drip cap 42aand the lower and inner surface of the face panel 44 to prevent moisture from entering the region behind the face panel 44. The vertical edges of the polycarbonate face 50 are also sealed as shown in FIG. 10 to prevent moisture from entering the region behind the face panel 44.

[0051] FIG. 16, an alternative embodiment, illustrates a left side view in cutaway of a thin profile panelized/modular electronic display 120. The thin profile panelized/modular electronic display 120 incorporates the majority of the features, components and structure of the panelized/modular electronic display 10 but is of a thinner profile for use in space-restricted mounting and display locations. A heavy framework 122 having many of the attributes of but of lesser depth than framework 32 is provided to enhance structural integrity with respect to wind loading and for mounting of components thereto. Modular face panel assemblies 12a-12nshown in FIG. 1 secure to the framework 122 at the inwardly angled front of an enclosure 124. A plurality of similarly constructed LED modules 36a-36nalign to and secure to the rearward portions of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12n, as previously described. Access to the interior of the thin profile panelized/modular electronic display 120 and to components such as, but not limited to, the LED modules 36a-36nis provided by a plurality of access doors 126a-126nlocated on the rear surface of the enclosure 124. A plurality of fans 38a-38nfor ducted cooling of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12nand the LED modules 36a-36nare mounted to the lower regions of the modular face panel assemblies 12a-12n. Additional fans 39a-39nare also provided for the cooling of the rearward side of the LED modules 36a-36n. Additionally, a plurality of large internally located exhaust fans 128a-128nare collocated with a plurality of air exhausts 130a-130nat the upper regions of the access doors 126a-126n, and a plurality of filtered air intakes 132a-132nare located at the lower region of the access doors 126a-126n.

[0052] FIG. 17 illustrates a rear view of the thin profile panelized/modular electronic display 120. Illustrated in particular is the plurality of access doors 126a-126nprovided to gain access to the interior of the thin profile panelized/modular electronic display 120.

[0053] Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof.