Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02822135 2013-07-24
DYNAMIC MESSAGING SIGN
This is a divisional application of Canadian application number
2,759,092, filed July 16, 2003, which is a divisional application of Canadian
application number 2,435,353, filed July 16, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is directed towards dynamic messaging signs, and in
particular to signs that are used to display messages large enough to be
viewed
from a substantial distance.
[0002] The use of large electronically controlled signs to display changing
or dynamic messages is expanding, particularly in the highway environment
where there is a growing need to provide motorists with current information in
an
attempt to reduce traffic congestion. Such signs typically include an
enclosure
having a forward facing display surface that includes an array of pixel
display
elements that can be selectively activated to collectively generate a visual
message that can be viewed by motorists or others from the front of the sign.
The
enclosure will typically house the electronic components required for
operation of
the sign, and may include an internal work space that is accessible by a door
or
hatch. Depending on the climate where the sign is located, the sign may have
internal cooling and/or heating systems. The size and complexity of large
dynamic
messaging signs make such signs expensive to manufacture, and the location of
the signs, for example, mounted over or beside busy highways, can make them
difficult to maintain.
[0003] In one common sign configuration, the display surface includes one
or more large transparent or semi-transparent polycarbonate sheet lenses that
are
supported by a frame in a front opening of the enclosure. Metal panels,
typically
painted black on their forward facing sides, are located behind the lenses,
and
pixel display elements are aligned with holes provided through the metal
panels.
Such a configuration often requires the use of large potycarbonate sheets,
which
can be expensive and difficult to transport and install, and which require an
intricate framing system to support. Maintenance of signs employing such a
configuration can also be expensive and cumbersome.
[0004] Another common sign configuration makes use of lens frames that
are hinged to the front of the enclosure. The frames each support a metal
panel
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having an array of holes formed therethrough, with a polycarbonate lens
located
behind the metal panel. The lens frames are located in front of pixel display
elements that are supported by the enclosure and which are located in
alignment
with respective holes through the
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CA 02822135 2013-07-24
metal panel when the lens frame is shut. Again, such a configuration can be
expensive
to build and maintain.
[0005] Thus, there Is a need for a dynamic messaging sign that can be
manufactured and maintained in a cost effective manner, and which can offer
high
reliability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an
informational display unit for a dynamic messaging sign, having at least two
display
panels that are arranged adjacent each other, each display panel Including (i)
a rigid.
front panel having a planar central portion with an array of aperture holes
formed
therethrough, (ii) a planar sheet lens through which light can pass secured
behind the
planar central portion, the sheet lens passing over the aperture holes, and
(Ili) a plurality
of pixel display modules located behind the sheet lens, each pixel display
module being
aligned with one of the aperture holes for selectively displaying an indicator
visible from
a front of the display panels; the rigid front panels being joined along
adjacent sides
thereof and arranged with the front panel planar central portions
substantially aligned in
a common plane.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
dynamic
messaging sign having an enclosure having a forward facing opening and a
plurality of
display panels arranged side by side across the forward facing opening. Each
of the
'display panels include (i) a rigid front panel having a substantially planar
central portion
with integral rearwardly extending peripheral sidewalls along opposite side
edges
thereof, the central portion having an array of aperture holes formed
therethrough; and
(ii) a plurality of pixel modules arranged rearward of the front panel in
alignment with the
aperture holes for selectively generating indicators visible though the
aperture holes.
The planar central portions are substantially aligned along a common plane
with
adjacent front panel sidewalls of adjacent display panels being secured
together.
[0008] According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided
a
dynamic messaging sign that includes an enclosure having a forward facing
opening, a
plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel, elongate support columns
connected to
the enclosure and extending across the forward facing opening, and a plurality
of
display panels arranged side by side across the forward facing opening. Each
of the
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CA 02822135 2013-07-24
display panels include a substantially planar rigid front panel having an
array of aperture
holes formed therethrough; and a plurality of pixel modules arranged rearward
of the
front panel in alignment with the aperture holes for selectively generating
indicators
visible though the aperture holes, the front panels being substantially
aligned along a
common plane, the support column being located between side-edges of the front
panels of adjacent display panels.
[0009] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided
a
dynamic messaging sign that includes (a) an enclosure having a forward facing
opening;
(b) a plurality of rigid front panels having an array of aperture holes
therethrough, the
front panels being arranged side-by-side across the forward facing opening;
(c) a
plurality of circuit boards mounted to the enclosure rearward of the front
panels, the
circuit boards having pixel modules arranged thereon in alignment with the
aperture
holes for selectively generating indicators visable through the apertures from
a viewing
direction forward of the sign, the circuit boards being spaced apart from the
front panels
to define air gaps therebetween; and (d) at least one fan located in the
enclosure for
directing air into the air gaps between the front panels and the circuit
boards.
[0010] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become
apparent to
those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description
of specific
embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Example embodiments of the invention will be described with reference
to the
following Figures.
[0012] Figure lie a front perspective view of a dynamic messaging sign
according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the sign of Figure 1.
[0014] Figure 3 is a front view of a pixel module of the sign.
[0015] Figure 4 is a partial elevational view of a front of the sign of Figure
1, as viewed
from an inside of an enclosure of the sign.
[0016] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of two front panels of the sign of
Figure 1.
[0017] Figure 6 is a sectional view, taken along the lines VI-VI of Figure 4.
[0018] Figure 7 is an enlarged portion of Figure 4.
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[0019] Figure 8 is a partial elevational view of a front of the sign, as
viewed from an
inside of the enclosure of the sign, showing display panels according to
another
embodiment of the invention.
[0020] Figure 9 is a partial sectional view, taken along the lines IX-IX, of
Figure 8.
[0021] Figure 10 is a sectional side view of the sign of Figure 8.
[0022] Figure 11 is a sectional plan view of the sign of Figure 8.
[0023] Figure 12 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the
display panels
of Figures 1 and 8.
[0024] Figure 13 is a front perspective view of a dynamic messaging sign
according to
another embodiment of the invention.
[0025] Figure 14 is a front perspective view of the enclosure of the dynamic
messaging sign of Figure13.
[0026] Figure 15 a partial horizontal sectional view of the dynamic messaging
sign of
Figure 13.
[0027] Figure 16 is a partial vertical sectional view of the dynamic messaging
sign of
Figure 13.
[0028] Figure 17 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 13.
[0029] Figure 18 is a side view of a clamp used in the sign of Figure 13.
[0030] Figure 19 is a partial sectional view, taken across the line XIX-XIX of
Figure 17.
[0031] Figure 20 is a sectional side view of the sign of Figure 13.
[0032] Figure 21A and 21B are enlarged views of part of Figure 20, showing a
front
panel of a display unit in sliding and secured positions, respectively.
[0033] Figure 22 is a front view of a front panel of the sign of Figure 13.
[0034] Figure 23 is a sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the
sign of
Figure 13.
[0035] Figure 24 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 23.
[0036] Like numbers are used throughout the description to refer to the same
or
similar elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Figure 1 shows a dynamic messaging sign indicated generally by
reference
numeral 10, according to embodiments of the present invention, The sign 10
includes a
walk-in enclosure 12 that, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, has a front wall 14,
side walls
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16, a back wall 22, a top wall or roof 18, and a bottom 20. A door 24 may be
located on
one of the side walls 16 to provide access to the inside of the enclosure.
Inside the
enclosure there is a floor 26. The enclosure may include support beams 28
which
provide a support frame for the walls, bottom and roof of the enclosure.
Although sign
includes a walk-in style enclosure, other embodiments of the invention may
include
enclosures that are not walk-in enclosures.
[00381 A large rectangular opening 30 is provided within the front wall 14 in
which is
mounted an informational display unit 32. The display unit 32 is made up of a
number of
vertically elongated abutting modular display panels 34, including first and
second end
display panels and a plurality of intermediate display panels. Each display
panel 34
includes an array of pixel modules 36. In the illustrated embodiment, each
display panel
34 includes a 5 by 28 array of pixel modules 36, however, different array
sizes can be
used, and in some embodiments, different display panels 34 within the same
sign can
have different array sizes. Figure 3 shows a single pixel module 36 in greater
detail.
The pixel module 36 includes a number of LEDs 38 which collectively light up
when the
pixel module is activated. The LEDs 38 are housed within a shroud 40, which
prevents
leakage of light between adjacent pixel modules. Using techniques known in the
art, the
pixel modules 36 can each be selectively activated in order to collectively
display a
message visible to viewers located in front of the sign 10. Although LED based
pixel
modules are described in the current embodiment, other pixel modules could
alternatively be used, for example, modules that use light sources other than
LEDs (for
example laser, incandescent or fluorescent light sources) or modules that use
indirect
lighting arrangements such as flip-dot pixels. Accordingly, broader aspects of
the
invention are not to be limited to LED pixel modules.
[0039] With reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the configuration of modular
display
panels 34 will now be explained in greater detail. Figure 4 shows, from the
inside of
enclosure 12 the back side of two display panels 34, which are secured to the
front wall
14 of the enclosure. With references to Figures 4, 5 and 6, each modular
display panel
34 includes a rigid outer front panel 42, a sheet lens 44, and a rigid printed
circuit board
46 on which are supported the pixel modules 36. The front panels 42 are
elongated
structures that are preferably each formed from a unitary metal sheet and have
a
truncated-U shaped cross section. A portion of one of the circuit boards 46 is
cut away
in Figure 4 to show a back side of the sheet lens 44 and front panel 42. The
front panel
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42 has a substantially planar central portion 48 with integral rearwardly
extending
peripheral side walls 50 along opposite elongate side edges thereof. As will
be
explained in greater detail below, adjacent modular display panels 34 are
secured
together by clamping together adjacent side walls 50 of the front panels 42 of
the
display panels, with the central planar portions of the front panels arranged
in a common
plane. An array of aperture holes 52 are provided through the planar central
portion 46
of each front panel. in the illustrated embodiment, the aperture holes are
circular;
however other configurations could alternatively be used in some embodiments.
In a
preferred embodiment, a row of horizontal slots 90 are provided through the
front panels
48 underneath the bottom row of aperture holes 52 to permit any water that
gets
between the front panel 42 and the sheet lens 44 to drain out.
[0040] In each display panel, the sheet lens 44 is secured rearwardly of the
central
portion 48 of the front panel 42 and extends over the aperture holes 52. The
sheet lens
44 is preferably a planar polycarbonate sheet through which light can pass,
such as a
Lexan (trade-mark) sheet. Preferably, a single sheet of Lexan is used for the
sheet lens
in each display panel 34. The sheet lens 44 is preferably nested between the
sldewalls
50 of the front panel 42.
[0041] The rigid printed circuit board 46 of a display panel is secured
rearward of the
sheet lens 44, between the sidewalls of the front panel 42. Pixel modules 36
are
supported by the circuit board 46 in alignment with the aperture holes 52 so
that, when
activated, the visual signals generated by the pixel modules 36 can be seen
from a front
of the sign 10.
[0042] As best seen in Figure 6, the side walls 50 of adjacent front panels 42
are
arranged adjacent to each other and clamped together by a series of inter-
panel bolts
54 which extend through holes provided along the length of the adjacent side
walls 50.
In particular, an elongate L-shaped bracket 60 is provided along the length of
the Inner
side of each side wall 50, and the inter-panel bolts 54 extend through aligned
openings
55 (see Figure 5) provided through the side walls 50 and the L-brackets 60 of
adjacent
front panels 42. In addition to adding structural strength to the joined side
walls, each of
the L-brackets 60 has a planar front flange 62 that Is perpendicular to the
rest of the L-
bracket body 60. The front flange 62 is arranged opposite the central portion
48 of the
front panel 42 to secure the sheet lens 44 in place. In particular, the sheet
lens 44 is
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CA 02822135 20 13-0 7-24
secured along both of its longitudinal edges by a clamping force provided by
the front
flanges 62 of brackets 60 and the central portion 48 of the front panel 42.
[0043] An inter-panel resilient water impervious gasket 56 is squeezed between
the
side walls 50, by inter-panel bolts 54, along the length of the joint between
adjacent
panels 42 in order to provide a weather tight seal to impede outside elements
from
entering the enclosure. An elongate metal spacer 58 may also be provided
between the
adjacent side walls 50, behind the gasket 56. The spacer 58 is calibrated so
that a
desired degree of compression is provided to the gasket 56. During assembly,
screws
68, which pass through holes 69 in the sidewall 50 (Figure 5), may be used to
secure
the L-Bracket 60 to its corresponding sidewall and spacer 58.
[0044] As best seen in Figure 6, a resilient gasket 64 is also provided as the
contact
interface between the central portion 48 of the front panel 42 and the sheet
lens 44.
The gasket 64 serves a dual purpose of providing a sealant along the elongate
edges of
the sheet lens 44 and the front panel central portion 48 in order to protect
against
outside elements entering the enclosure, and also to act as a spacer so that
the front
surface of the sheet lens 44 is set back or spaced from the back surface of
the central
portion 48. Such spacing permits water to enter through aperture holes 52 into
a narrow
area between the central portion 48 and the sheet 44, run down along the sheet
44,
subsequently exit through drainage holes 90 (see Figure 5) provided near the
bottom of
the display panel. Dynamic messaging signs are frequently used In high traffic
locations
where build-up of grime and dirt on the face of the sign are a common problem.
The
present configuration allows natural rain water to reduce the build-up of
contaminants on
the sheet lens 44, and also facilitates scheduled cleanings. In the
illustrated
embodiment, resilient back gaskets 66 are also provided between the L-brackets
60
and the sheet lens 44 to further prevent water from entering the inside of the
enclosure.
[0045] The circuit board 46 of each display panel is secured such that a
forward
surface of the circuit board 46 is spaced back from the back surface of the
sheet lens
44. In
order to secure the circuit board 46, maintain correct spacing between the
sheet
lens 44 and the circuit board 46 and add structural strength, in one preferred
embodiment, a pair of intermediate support bars 70 extend the length of each
display
= panel 34, between the circuit board 46 and the sheet lens 44. With
reference to Figure
4, the support bars 70 are secured by bolts or other fastening means at their
respective
top and bottom ends to the front panel 42. With reference to Figure 6, the
elongate
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portion of the support bar 70 which passes between the sheet lens 44 and the
circuit
board 46 has a generally '2" shaped cross-section, with a front planar member
72
secured by adhesive along its length to a back surface of the sheet lens 44,
and a back
planar member 74 to which the circuit board 46 is secured by bolts 76. The
front and
back member 72,74 are joined by a perpendicular intermediate member 78. The
front
planar member 72 and back planar member 74 extend In opposite directions from
the
opposite side edges of the intermediate member 78. =
[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the shrouds 40 that surround each of the
pixel
display modules 36 each have a forward end which is set back from the rear
side of the
sheet lens 44. The enclosure 12 will typically house an electronic controller
to which all
the pixel display modules are electrically connected such that desired dynamic
messages can be displayed in dot matrix fashion on the sign 10. The circuit
board 46
associated with each modular display panel 34 may be broken up along its
length into a
number of smaller circuit board sections.
[0047] In order to secure the sides of the two end modular display panels 34
to the
front wall 14 of the enclosure, elongate L-brackets 82 (see Figures 4 and 6)
are secured
to the front wall 14 along the sides of the large opening 30. As best seen in
Figures 4, a
series of bolts 84 or other fastening devices can be used to secure the L-
brackets 82
along the vertical sides of the opening 30 in front wall 14. As best seen in
Figure 6,
bolts 54 are used to secure the outer side wall 50 of an end display panel 34
to the L-
bracket 82. Preferably, an elongate gasket 56 is provided between the opposing
faces
of the L-bracket 82 and the side wall 50 in order to seal the joint
therebetween against
external elements. A spacer member 58 may also be located between the outer
wall
50 and the L-bracket 82. Thus, the juncture between the L-bracket 82 and the
side wall
50 is similar to the inter panel clamping that occurs between the side walls
50 of
adjacent front panels 42. The tops and bottoms of the modular display panels
34 are
each secured, in the illustrated embodiment, to the front wall 14 of the
enclosure by
bolts 80, which pass through the front panel 42 into the supports 28 for the
front wall 14.
As can be seen in Figure 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the display unit 32
is set in
from an outer surface of the front wall 14, with the front wall and display
unit being
angled slightly downwards to facilitate viewing when the sign is mounted in an
overhead
position. A waterproof gasket 92 is provided along the top joint between front
wall
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support members 28 and the front panels 42 to resist against external elements
entering
the enclosure. =
[0048] Figure 7 shows the mounting of L-bracket 82 to the front wall 14 and
side wall
50 of panel 42 in greater detail, being an enlargement of the portion of
Figure 4
indicated by call out numeral VII. As shown in Figure 7, inane preferred
embodiment,
horizontal slots 86 are provided through the L-bracket 82 for receiving the
bolts 84 that
secure the L-bracket 82 to the front wall 14 of the enclosure. Such a
configuration
provides some horizontal adjustment when assembling the sign. Similarly,
horizontal
slots 88 may be provided though front panels 42 for receiving the bolts 80
that secure
the front panels to the front wall 14. Such a configuration assists in
allowing the display
unit 32 to be properly centered within the front wall opening 32 during
installation and
removal.
[0049] The front panels 42 are generally painted black on at least their outer
surface,
and pixel modules 36 are also typically black when not activated. In some
embodiments,
the sheet lens 44 in each modular display panel 34 may be omitted and replaced
with
individual lenses which are secured to the shroud 40 of each pixel display
module 36.
[0050] As noted above, in the illustrated embodiment, each modular display
panel 34
comprises a 5 by 28 array of pixel display modules 36. In an example
embodiment, the
aperture holes 52 are uniformly spaced. The openings located closest to the
side walls
of the panels are spaced from the sides a distance such that the uniform
spacing
between aperture holes is maintained between adjacent panels. It will be
appreciated
that such dimensions are exemplary and a number of different other
configurations
could alternatively be used. Although the elongate display panels 34 are shown
vertically arranged in the Figures, in alternative embodiments, the panels may
have
different orientations.
[0051] In the present invention, the modular display panels 34 can be
individually
removed and replaced from the inside of the enclosure. The Interconnected U-
shaped
front panels 42 of the display panels 34 provide a lightweight support
structure for the
display unit 32, and protect the sheet lenses 44 that are located behind them.
[0052] With reference to Figure 2, in some embodiments of the invention, one
or more
blower units 94 could be located at the bottom of the enclosure 12 under the
floor 26.
The blower units 94 are arranged to take in air through an intake vent 96, and
then blow
the air up into the space provided between the sheet lens 44 and the circuit
board 46 of
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each of the display panels, as indicated by arrows 96. The blower units are
housed
within shrouds in the enclosure 12 such that the air output by the blower
units is directed
up into the space between the sheet lens 44 and the circuit board 46. In
warmer
climates, the air flow over the circuit board can cool the board. In cooler
climates, one or
more heating elements 98 may be provided for heating the air output by the
blower units
94, for the purpose of reducing condensation on the sheet lens and on the
circuit board.
10053] Referring now to Figures 8 to 11, a further embodiment of an
informational
display unit, indicated generally by 100, is shown. The informational display
unit 100 can
be mounted instead of informational display unit 32 in the large rectangular
opening 30
that is provided through the front wall 14 of enclosure 12 of the sign 10, and
from a front
viewing side (such as shown in Figure 1) informational display unit 100
appears
substantially similar to informational display unit 32. Informational display
unit 100 is
made up of vertically elongated abutting modular display panels 102. In order
to support
the display panels 102, a plurality of vertically extending T-shaped columns
106 are
secured at uniformly spaced intervals across the rectangular opening 30 at the
front of
the sign. The columns 106 are secured by bolts 116 or by welding at their top
and
bottom ends to horizontal support bars that are secured to the front wall 14.
Each
display panel 102 Includes a vertically elongated planar front panel 104
through which
apertures 52 are formed. The sheet lens 44 is secured behind the front panel
104, and
circuit boards 46 are located behind and spaced apart from the sheet lens with
an air
gap 202 being located there between. Elongate J-shaped mounting brackets 110
are
used to secure the sheet lens 44 and front panel 104 against the elongated
front portion
107 of the T-column 106. The mounting bracket 110 is preferably secured with
screws
or bolts (not shown) to the rearward portion 109 of T-column 106 that extends
rearwardly between the adjacent front panels 104. As can be appreciated from
Figure 9,
the T-column 106 and J-bracket 110 cooperate to clamp the sheet lens 44 and
front
panel 104 of each display panel together, the front surface of the adjacent
front panels
104 each being engaged by the front portion 107 of the 1-column, and the rear
surface
of each sheet lens 44 being engaged along its edge by a respective J-bracket.
In an
example embodiment, U-shaped gaskets 108 surround the edge areas of panels 104
and sheet lens 44 to provide a water impervious seal around the edges of the
display
panels 102. In various embodiments, U-shaped gasket 108 is replaced with
separate
flat gaskets located a) in front of the panel 104 and behind the sheet lens
44; b) In front
CA 02822135 2013-07-24
of panel 104 and between the panel 104 and the sheet lens 44, or c) in front
of the panel
104 and behind the sheet lens 44, and between the panel 104 and the sheet lens
44.
Spaced apart flanges 112 are provided along the length of each bracket 110 to
porrnit
circuit boards 46 to be secured thereto by bolts 114.
[0054] With reference to Figures 10 and 11, a further climate control system
that can
be applied, in various embodiments, to messaging signs 10 having display units
100 or
32 wiil now be described. The system shown in Figures 10 and 11 includes fans
203
that are mounted horizontally inside fan boxes 210 provided under the floor 26
of the
enclosure. Each display panel 102, or in some embodiments, groups of display
panels
102, has or have an associated fan 203 for forcing air up into the gap 202
between
= circuit boards 46 and the sheet lens 44. Each fan box 210 includes a
relatively narrow
air channel 204 in which the fan 203 is mounted with an exhaust side directed
towards a
front wall 216 of the air channel 204. The air channel 204 communicates with
the air gap
202. As indicated by representative air flow lines 208, air enters the fan box
210 through
an inlet 214, and passes through filter 206 into air channel 204. After
passing through
fan 203, the air is forced into gap 202 at the bottom of the associated
display panel 102.
The air passes through gap 202, then exits into the enclosure 12 at the top of
the
display panel 102. An exhaust vent 218 provided on an upper section of a back
wall of
the enclosure 12 allows air to escape from the enclosure 12.
[00551 A further fan unit 212 is located on the back wall of the enclosure 12
for
circulating air within the enclosure 12 behind the circuit boards 46. In an
example
embodiment, bolted or otherwise secured panels 220 are located above the air
channels
204. A resilient gasket 222 is provided at a forward end of each access panel
220 to
provide a seal at the top of the air channel 204 such that air leaving the air
channel 204
is directed into gap 202 and not otherwise lost. Such an air circulating
system permits a
relatively high static air pressure build up in the air channels 204,
resulting In a relatively
high air flow through the associated air gaps 202. In some embodiments, a
heating unit
Is placed adjacent to fan 203 to permit heated air to be directed into air
gaps 202 in cold
weather applications.
[0056] As suggested above, in some embodiments of the invention, individual
lenses
may be used for each pixel module 36 in the place of sheet lens 44. In this
regard,
Figure 12 shows a partial sectional view of embodiments of display panel 34,
102 in
which lens sheet 44 is omitted, and Individual lens caps 140 are used for each
of the
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pixel modules 36. In the illustrated embodiment, a forward end of the
cylindrical shroud
40 protrudes through the aperture 52 on the front panel 42,104. The lens cap
140
includes a circular transparent or translucent lens portion 142 through which
light from
LEDs 38 can be observed. Lens portion may be a convex or other shaped lens to
provide a desired light distribution. An annular wall 144 is provided around a
peripheral
edge of the lens portion 142. The annular wall 144 is sized so that it can be
inserted
through aperture 52 and snuggly fit over and frictionally engage the forward
end of
shroud 40. The annular wall 144 may have an enlarged back end portion 146 with
an
outer circumference larger than the circumference of aperture 52 for engaging
the front
panel 42,104 about the aperture 52 to resist removal of the lens cap 140 once
it has
been mounted on shroud 40. The front panel 42, 104 and or the annular wall 144
are
sufficiently resilient to allow enlarged end 146 to pass through aperture 52
for snap-
fitting of the lens cap 140 onto the pixel module 36. An annular flange 148
having an L-
shaped cross-section is also provided about the peripheral edge of the lens
portion 142.
The annular flange 148 has an outer flange portion that is spaced apart from
wall 144
has an end that bears against the front surface of panel 42, 144, thereby
limiting the
distance that the lens cap 140 can be pushed into the aperture 52.
[0057] Another messaging sign, indicated generally by reference 160, is shown
in
Figure 13 according to various embodiments of the invention. Messaging sign
160 is
configured to permit front access to the display panels, rather than internal
access. In
this regard, the messaging sign 160 includes a enclosure 162 to which is
mounted an
informational display unit 164 that is made up of a number of vertically
elongated
adjacent display panels 166, including a pair of end display panels separated
by a
plurality of intermediate display panels. As with messaging sign 10, each
display panel
166 includes a uniform array of pixel modules 36. Enclosure 162 may have
enlarged
accessories box 168 for housing ventilation and heating fans, controllers,
power
supplies, and other accessories typically associated with the messaging sign.
Although
the box 168 is shown at the bottom of the display unit 164, the box 188 (or
additional
boxes) could alternatively be located elsewhere, such as above or to the sides
of the
display unit 164.
[0058] Figure 14 shows the enclosure 162 of sign 160 without display panels
166.
Enclosure 162 defines a large front opening 163 in which the display panels
166 are
mounted. A number of spaced apart vertically extending C-channel supports 180
are
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CA 02822135 2013-07-24
provided across the opening 163 for supporting the display panels166, along
with a
number of spaced apart horizontally extending Z-bar supports 176.
[00581 With reference to Figures 15, 16,17, and 20, the configuration of
display panels
166 will be described in greater detail. Figure 15 shows a partial horizontal
sectional
view of two adjacent display panels 166, Figure 16 is a partial vertical
sectional view of
one of display panels 166, and Figure 17 an enlarged partial front perspective
view of
two display panels 166. Figure 20 shows a sectional side view of sign 160.
Each display
panel includes a rigid outer front panel 170, a sheet lens 44, and a rigid
printed circuit
board 46 supporting pixel modules 36. Similar to the front panels 42 of sign
10, front
panels 170 are each formed from a unitary metal sheet and have a truncated U-
shaped
horizontal cross-section. As best seen in Figure 15, each front panel 170
includes a
substantially planar central portion 172 with integral rearwardly extending
peripheral
side walls 174 along opposite vertically extending side edges thereof. As with
sign 10,
the front panels 170 of adjacent modular display panels 166 are secured to the
enclosure 162, with the central planar portions 172 arranged in a common
plane.
Aperture holes 52 are provided through the planar central portion 170 of each
front
panel 170, each aperture hole 52 being aligned with an associated pixel
module.
[0060] In each display panel, the sheet lens 44 is secured rearwardly of the
central
portion 172 and extends over the aperture holes 52, and the circuit board 46
is secured
rearwardly of the sheet lens. As best seen in Figures 14, 15 ,16 and 20, one
or more
horizontal support "Z" bars 176 are mounted within and supported by the
enclosure 162.
In various embodiments, the support bars 176 are supported by further vertical
supports
230 secured within the enclosure 162. The circuit boards 46 of each of the
display
panels 166 are secured to the horizontal support bars 176 by bolts 178.
[0061] The vertical C-channel support bars 180 are secured to the enclosure
162 at
spaced intervals across the front opening of the enclosure forwardly of
horizontal bars
176 for supporting the front panels 170 and sheet lenses 44. In an example
embodiment, the rearward edges of pairs of adjacent sidewalls 174 engage a
forward
surface of a corresponding support bar 180. Vertical resilient gaskets 184 are
provided
between the back surface of sheet lens 44 and the forward surface of support
bar 180 to
sealably retain the sheet lens 44 in place. Clamps 182 are used in combination
with the
gaskets 184 to secure the front panels to each other and vertical support bars
180., A
number of clamps 182 are located along each of the junctures between the
abutting side
13
CA 02822135 20 13-0 7-24
walls 174 of adjacent front panels 170. As best seen in Figures 17-19, each
clamp 182
includes a bolt 188 having an enlarged head 190 and threaded shaft 192. The
shaft 192
passes through grooves 186 that are provided in the side walls 174 of the
front panels
170, and into a threaded opening 198 provided through the vertical support bar
180.
The shaft can be tightened into the support bar 180. A semi-circular shaped
swivel
head 194 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 192 to apply clamping force to the
outer
surface of adjacent front panels 172. The swivel head 194 is movable between
three
positions. In the position shown in Figure 17, the head 194 engages the front
surface of
two adjacent front panels 170, thereby applying a clamping force to both
panels. In the
further two positions, the head 194 can be selectively rotated to only apply
clamping
force to a selected one of the two front panels 170, thereby allowing the non-
clamped
front panel 170 and associated sheet lens to be removed for maintenance or
replacement purposes. As best seen in Figures 18 and 19, the head 194 is
mounted on
a tubular member 196 that surrounds shaft 192. In one embodiment, a flat
washer-like
gasket 199 surrounds the circumferences of tubular member 196 in an area
between
the panel 170 and sheet lens 44, providing a seal against outside elements
entering
between the panel and lens from the clamp area. In an example embodiment,
strips of
adhesive tape 200 or other adhesive are provided between the sheet lens 44 and
the
front panel 170 to secure the two components relative to each other.
[0062] Various aspects of messaging sign 160 according to embodiments of the
invention will now be explained with reference to Figures 20-22. In an example
embodiment, a pair of J shaped connectors 232 are provided along a top edge of
front
panel 170. The connectors 232 cooperate with a J-shaped ledge 234 (see also
Figure
14) that extends the length of the enclosure 162 along the upper side of the
front
opening through enclosure 162. The J-shaped connectors 232 extend towards the
front,
viewing side, of the sign, and each define a downward opening channel, and the
J-
shaped ledge 234 extends into the enclosure 162, towards the back of the sign,
defining
a cooperating upward opening channel. Such a configuration permits the front
panels
170 (and adhesive-attached sheet lens 44) to be supported by ledge 234 and
slid along
ledge 234 when mounting the front panels 170 to the enclosure 162 and to
access pixel
modules 36 for maintenance purposes.
[0063] Figures 20 and 21A show the front panel 170 (and associated sheet lens
44) of
a display panel 166 in a "sliding" position, in which clamps 182 that normally
secure the
14
CA 02822135 2013-07-24
panel and sheet lens have been released. In the sliding position, the front
panel 170 is
moved towards the front of the sign 160, such that it is spaced forward of
circuit board
46 and pixel modules 36. In such position, the front panel 170 is supported by
ledge
234 and can be slid sideways along ledge 234 to permit full frontal access to
the pixel
modules 36 and circuit boards 36 normally located behind the front panel 170
(and
associated sheet lens 44). The forward movement permitted by cooperating ledge
234
and J-connectors 2321$ sufficient to allow the front panel 170 (and integral
sidewalls
174) and associated sheet lens 44 to be moved far enough forward that they can
subsequently be slid sideways in front of the front panel 170 of an adjacent
display
panel 166. Figure 21B shows the front panel in a "secured" position in which
it is slid into
its normal position and secured in place by clamps 182.
[0064] An air gap 236 is provided between circuit board 46 and the back of
sheet lens
44 when the front panel is in the normal secured position. As with the
messaging sign
described above, a climate control system is also provided in embodiments of
messaging sign 160. As best seen in Figure 20, in an example embodiment, a one
or
more horizontally arranged blower or fan units 203 are located in compartments
provided in the accessories box 168 of enclosure 162. The fan units 203 draw
air into
the accessories box 168 through shrouded air intake vents 214 and filters 206,
and
force the air up into air gaps 236 of display panels 166, as shown by air flow
lines 208.
The air exits air gaps 236 through the upper ends of the display panels 166.
Exhaust
vents 218 are provided on the back of the enclosure 162 for air to escape the
enclosure.
In one embodiment, dividing walls 238 are provided between the fan
compartments in
accessories box 168 and the rest of the enclosure 162 to ensure that air from
the fans is
forced up into the air gaps 236, rather than generally into the enclosure 162.
Although
fan 203 is horizontally arranged, other fan orientations such as vertically
arranged can
alternatively be used. In this regard, Figures 23 and 24 show a further
ventilation'
arrangement according to embodiments of the invention. In such configuration,
a
vertically oriented fan 203 is located next to a controller 242 and power
supply 240 In
accessories box 168. The fan 203 draws in air through air intake 214 and
filter 206, and
forces it up into enclosure 162. In the embodiment of Figures 23 and 24, the
enclosure
162 Is not fully closed off from the fan compartment, thus air flows upward in
parallel
both through enclosure 162 and through the gap 236, on both the front and back
sides
CA 02822135 2013-07-24
of circuit boards 46. Air can pass from the enclosure behind the circuit
boards 46 into air
gaps 236 and vice versa through spaced provided between adjacent circuit
boards 46.
[0065] Individual lenses 142 are, in various embodiments of sign 160, used in
place of
a sheet lens 44. In an example embodiment, the spacing between aperture holes
52 is
uniform across the sign 160.
[0066] As will be apparent to those skilled In the art In light of the
foregoing disclosure,
many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this
invention without
departing from the claimed scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the
invention is to
be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
= 16
