United States Patent [19]
`Miller
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`US005160195A
`Patent Number:
`[11]
`5,160,195
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Nov. 3, 1992
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`[54] DISPLAY PANEL BACKLIGHTING SYSTEM Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lahive & Cock?eld
`[75] Inventor: Eric A. Miller, Allston, Mass.
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`[73] Assigneei TigerMark’ Anglo“! Mass’
`A display panel system includes a peripheral frame
`[2]] Appl' No_; 328,741
`surrounding a translucent panel and an apparatus for
`.
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`backlighting the translucent panel. The backlighting
`Jan‘ 31’ 1992
`[22] F?ed'
`apparatus includes a support arm hingedly connected to
`[51] Int. Cl.5 ...............
`................... .. F21V 7/00
`a light source. The support arm includes a gripping
`[52] US. Cl. .................................. .7 362/300; 362/223;
`member, for securing the support arm to the peripheral
`362/297; 362/427
`frame for positioning the light source to radiate light
`[53] Field of Search ------------- -- 362/222, 223, 300, 297,
`through the translucent panel. In some embodiments,
`362/427
`the backlighting apparatus further includes a re?ector
`for re?ecting stray light toward the translucent panel.
`The support arm is foldable against the light source to
`facilitate packing and shipping of the backlighting appa
`rams.
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`Us‘ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,335,421 6/1982 Modia et a1. ...................... .. 362/223
`4,404,619 7/ 1983 Ferguson .......................... .. 362/223
`Primary Examiner—Carroll B. Dority
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`13 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 3, 1992
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`Sheet 1 of 3
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`5,160,195
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 3, 1992
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`5,160,195
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 3, 1992
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`5,160,195
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`FIG. 6A
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`DISPLAY PANEL BACKLIGHTING SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates generally to the ?eld of display
`panel systems. In particular, the invention concerns an
`apparatus for backlighting such a system.
`Display panel systems, such as foldable display panel
`systems, serve an important marketing function at trade
`shows, retail installations, and other commercial ven
`ues. It has been estimated that at a trade show, a graphic
`display has less than ?ve seconds to attract the attention
`of a potential customer. In this short time period, a
`message or image must be projected to make the cus
`tomer want to acquire more information about the dis
`played product or service.
`Studies have shown that backlighted images are up to
`three times more likely to be noticed than are re?ec
`tively lighted images. Indeed, various retailers have
`documented ?ve to six times higher sales with the use of
`backlighted displays.
`Backlighting systems currently available for use with
`display panel systems are heavy and bulky. Conse
`quently, they consume large volumes of shipping space.
`This is critical in the case of travelling exhibitions
`which must constantly be set up, broken down, shipped
`to a new location, and set up again.
`For example, one known system for backlighting a
`display panel includes a light box constructed of a plas
`tic shell with a fluorescent light ?xture attached to it.
`The shell is approximately four inches deep. When the
`?xture is completely assembled, it weighs approxi
`mately thirteen pounds.
`Standard shipping cases for display panel systems are
`twelve inches by twenty-eight inches by forty inches.
`Known light boxes are packed back to back or opening
`to opening so that three light boxes require a twelve
`inch deep space. Accordingly, only three light boxes at
`a time can be shipped in standard shipping cases.
`Another problem with known backlighting systems is
`“hot spots." Hot spots are bright spots which develop
`on backlighted graphic display panels because the back
`lighting source is positioned too closely to the back of
`the panel. When viewed from the front, these hot spots
`can distract a viewer from the image the display is de
`signed to convey.
`An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a
`backlighting system for a display panel system which is
`easy to assemble and install. Another object of the in
`vention is to Provide such a system that occupies less
`shipping space than known systems. Still another object
`is to provide such a system that eliminates the problems
`of hot spots such as are associated with known back
`lighting systems. Yet another object is to provide a
`backlighting system that has a very ?nished look from
`the back of a display panel system.
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`source is disposed at a distance from the back surface of
`the translucent panel for radiating light through the
`panel to evenly illuminate the front surface of the panel.
`It is a signi?cant feature of the invention that the
`support arm is hingedly connected to the light source.
`Accordingly, the support arm can be folded against the
`light source to provide a very compact structure for
`packing the system for storage or shipping.
`A generally preferred, but optional feature of the
`inventive backlighting system is a reflector for re?ect- '
`ing light from the light source toward the translucent
`panel. This feature of the invention further serves to
`eliminate hot spots as viewed from the front of the
`panel. It also encloses light radiated by the light source
`and thereby provides the rear of the display panel sys
`tem with a ?nished look.
`A suitable reflector comprises at least two planar
`reflective elements hingedly connected to one another
`and connecting means for connecting to the peripheral
`frame. The re?ective elements can be opened, in a tent
`like con?guration, and positioned on the rear of the
`display panel system. When not in use, the reflective
`elements can be folded together whereby they provide
`an extremely narrow pro?le for ease of packing and
`shipping.
`In a particularly advantageous embodiment of this
`aspect of the invention, the reflector further includes
`two foldable end members attached to the planar reflec
`tive elements. The end members, typically trapezoid
`shaped, prevent the reflective elements from opening
`too widely, and further enclose stray light to provide
`the back of the display panel system with an even more
`?nished appearance.
`These and other features of the invention will be
`more fully appreciated by reference to the following
`detailed description which is to be read in conjunction
`with the attached drawing.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a panel display system
`utilizing a backlighting apparatus constructed in accor
`dance with the teaching of the present invention.
`FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of a light strip and
`support arm suitable for use with the backlighting sys
`tem shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a reflector suitable for
`use with the backlighting system shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another graphic panel
`display system utilizing a backlighting apparatus of the
`invention.
`FIG. 5 is a plan view of a support arm suitable for use
`with the backlighting system shown in FIG. 4.
`FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial cross-section views of
`two arrangements of the support arm shown in FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`As stated above, in one aspect the invention features’
`an improvement in a display panel system .which in
`cludes a peripheral frame surrounding a translucent
`panel. The improvement features a backlighting appara
`tus for illuminating the front surface of the display panel
`from the rear.
`FIG. 1 shows a typical display panel system 10 in
`cluding a'peripheral frame 12 and a translucent panel
`14. In accordance with the teachings of the invention,
`the display system 10 further includes the improvement
`of a backlighting apparatus 20.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`These and other objects are achieved by the present
`invention which in one aspect features an improvement
`in a display panel system. The display panel system
`includes a peripheral frame which surrounds a translu
`cent display panel. The improvement comprises a back
`lighting system including a light source and a support
`arm which is hingedly .connected to the light source.
`The support arm includes securing means for securing
`the support arm to the peripheral frame. When the
`support arm is secured to the peripheral frame, the light
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`As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the illustrated back
`lighting apparatus 20 includes a light strip 22 to which
`two light sources 24 are connected. While the illus
`trated light strip 22 includes two light sources 24, it
`should be understood that various numbers of light
`sources can be used depending on the desired effect.
`Moreover, various types of light sources such as incan
`descent, ?uorescent, tungsten/halogen, and other gen
`erally known light sources can be used as well.
`A support arm 26 is hingedly connected as at 27 to
`the light strip 22. A gripping member 28 is connected to
`the support arm 26 at an end distal to the hinged con
`nection 27. As discussed below in greater detail, the
`gripping member 28 is suited for gripping both top
`peripheral frame member 12A individually, as well as
`two peripheral frame members arranged back to back
`such as when two display panels are stacked one on top
`of the other.
`While in the illustrated embodiment the support arm
`26 includes two hingedly connected support members
`26A and 26B, it should be understood that the support
`arm 26 can also comprise a single rigid element. Addi
`tionally, while the illustrated support arm 26 is con
`nected to the back of the light strip 22 via hinged con
`nection 27, it is equally suitable to connect the support
`arm 26 to the top or side of the light strip 22. These
`variations will be readily recognized by those skilled in
`the art of mechanical linkages.
`A significant feature of the invention is that by way of
`hinged connection 27, the support arm 26 can be piv
`oted with respect to light strip 22. As shown in FIG.
`2A, support arm 26 can be arranged for connecting to a
`peripheral frame and disposing the light strip 22 behind
`a translucent panel 14. Additionally, as shown in FIG.
`2B, support arm 26 can be folded against the back of
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`light strip 22. When in the FIG. 2B con?guration, the
`support arm 26 and light strip 22 provide a very com
`pact structure that can be packed many to a box and
`easily shipped.
`As shown in FIG. 1, generally, and in FIG. 3 particu
`larly, a preferred but optional feature of the backlight
`ing apparatus of the invention is a re?ector 30. The
`re?ector 30 includes two planar re?ective elements 30A
`and 30B. The re?ective elements 30A and 30B are con
`nected to one another along a hinged edge 32. Accord
`ingly, the re?ector 30 can be opened in a tent-like con
`?guration as shown in the Figures, or folded together to
`facilitate packing and shipping.
`The planar re?ector elements 30A and 30B have
`highly re?ective surfaces 34 for re?ecting light gener
`ated by the light source 24 toward the translucent panel
`14. Various re?ective ?nishes such as metallized, bright
`white, or other ?nishes are suitable for this purpose. In
`embodiments of the invention including the re?ector
`30, therefore, the disposition of the light source 24 a
`distance from the translucent panel 14 operates in com
`bination with the re?ector 30 to greatly diminish the
`above discussed problems associated with hot spots
`such as are experienced in conjunction with known
`backlighting system. The re?ector 30 can be attached to
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`the peripheral frame by various known mechanisms
`such as by snaps, pins, or a VELCRO TM type hook
`and loop fastening system.
`In some embodiments, the re?ector further includes
`foldable end members 36A and 36B. The end members
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`36A and 36B prevent the planar re?ective members
`30A and 30B from being opened too far, and enclose
`stray light radiated by the light source to provide the
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`rear of the display panel system with a generally more
`?nished look. Additionally, the end members 36A and
`36B enhance the re?ector’s re?ective ability thereby
`further serving to eliminate problems associated with
`hot spots. The end members 36A and 36B are foldable
`along axis F to enable the planar elements 30A and 30B
`to be folded together for ease of packing and shipping.
`Another signi?cant feature of the invention is the
`gripping member’s ability to secure the support arm 26
`to both the upper peripheral frame member 12A indi
`vidually, as well as to two peripheral frame members
`arranged back to back such as when, as shown in FIG.
`4, two display panels are stacked one on top of the
`other. In such systems, the gripping member 28 enables
`the light strip 22 to be positioned for backlighting either
`of panels 14A or 14B. Also, multiple backlighting appa
`ratus can be used for backlighting both panels 14A and
`14B.
`As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the gripping mem
`ber 28 includes an upper bracket 28A and a lower
`bracket 28B. The brackets 28A and 28B are connected
`to the support arm 26 in a manner generally known in
`the art. When secured to the upper frame member 12A
`(FIG. 6A), the upper bracket 28A hooks onto an upper
`?ange 11A. The lower bracket 28B supports the arm 26
`against brace 13A forming part of the upper peripheral
`frame member 12A. When secured to two peripheral
`frame members 12B and 12A as shown in FIG. 6B,
`however, the upper bracket 28A hooks against a ?ange
`15B of lower frame member 12B. In this con?guration,
`the lower bracket 28B supports the arm 26 against brace
`13A of peripheral frame member 12A which forms part
`of the peripheral frame border around translucent panel
`14B.
`It can be seen, therefore, that the invention provides
`a versatile, convenient apparatus for backlighting trans
`lucent panels in a panel display system. Moreover, the
`inventive backlighting apparatus is collapsible so that
`when not in use, it presents a very compact structure to
`facilitate packing and shipping.
`While various embodiments of the invention have
`been described in detail, various alterations to those
`embodiments, which will be apparent to those skilled in
`the art, are intended to be embraced within the spirit
`and scope of the invention. The invention is to be de
`?ned therefore, not by the preceding detailed descrip
`tion but by the claims that follow.
`What is claimed is: _
`1. In a display system including a peripheral frame
`surrounding a translucent panel having front and back
`surfaces, the improvement comprising an apparatus for
`lighting the panel from the back surface comprising,
`a light source,
`-
`a support arm hingedly connected to the light source,
`and including securing means for releasably secur
`ing the support arm to the peripheral frame,
`the support arm being arranged in relation to the' light
`source so that the light source is disposed at a dis
`tance from the back surface of the panel for radiat
`ing light through the panel to evenly illuminate the
`front surface when the support arm is secured to
`the peripheral frame, and
`the support arm being foldable against the light
`source to provide a compact structure for storage
`and transportation when the backlighting appara
`tus is not in use.
`2. Display panel system as set forth in claim 1 wherein
`the improvement further comprises a re?ector, includ
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`ing connecting means for connecting to the peripheral
`frame, arranged for re?ecting light radiated by the light
`source toward the panel when connected to the periph
`eral frame.
`3. Display panel system as set forth in claim 2 wherein
`the re?ector comprises two planar re?ective elements
`hingedly connected to one another along a ?rst edge.
`4. Display panel system as set forth in claim 3 wherein
`the re?ector further comprises a foldable end member
`attached to an edge of each planar re?ective element
`which is adjacent to the ?rst edge.
`5. Display panel system as set forth in claim 4 wherein
`the re?ector further comprises a second foldable end
`member attached to another edge of each planar re?ec
`tive element which is adjacent to the ?rst edge.
`6. Display panel system as set forth in claim 1 further
`comprising a second peripheral frame, and wherein the
`securing means is shaped for securing the support arm
`to the ?rst peripheral frame individually of collectively
`to said ?rst and second peripheral frames.
`7. Display panel system comprising
`a translucent panel having front and back surfaces,
`a peripheral frame surrounding the translucent panel,
`and
`an apparatus for lighting the panel from the back
`surface comprising,
`a light source,
`a support arm hingedly connected to the light
`source, and including securing means for releas
`ably securing the support arm to the peripheral
`frame
`the support arm being arranged in relation to the
`light source so that the light source is disposed at
`a distance from the back surface of the panel for
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`radiating light through the Panel to evenly illu
`minate the front surface when the support arm is
`secured to the peripheral frame, and
`the support arm being foldable against the light
`source to provide a compact structure for stor
`age and transportation when the backlighting
`apparatus is not in use.
`8. Display panel system as set forth in claim 7 further
`comprising a re?ector, including connecting means for
`connecting to the peripheral frame, arranged for re?ect
`ing light radiated by the light source toward the panel
`when connected to the peripheral frame.
`9. Display panel system as set forth in claim 8 wherein
`the re?ector comprises two, planar re?ective elements
`hingedly connected to one another along a ?rst edge.
`10. Display panel system as set forth in claim 9
`wherein the re?ector further comprises a foldable end
`member attached to an edge of each planar re?ective
`element which is adjacent to the ?rst edge.
`11. Display panel system as set forth in claim 10
`wherein the re?ector further comprises a second fold
`able end member attached to another edge of each pla
`nar re?ective element which is adjacent to the ?rst
`edge.
`12. Display panel system as set forth in claim 7 further
`comprising a second peripheral frame, and wherein the
`securing means is shaped for securing the support arm
`to the ?rst peripheral frame individually or collectively
`to the ?rst and second peripheral frames.
`13. Display panel system as set forth in claim 12
`wherein the ?rst frame is stacked above the second
`panel.
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