Air supported frame for an LED display

An air supported frame is provided for supporting a large LED display wherein the frame includes upper, lower and side segments and has a front portion and a rear portion and the LED display is positioned when in use within the frame substantially midway between the front portion and rear portion. Further, an additional support structure may be attached to the upper and lower segments of the air supported frame wherein the additional support structure bends, curves, or angles away from the plane of the display so as to provide support to the upper segment without interfering with the display. In addition, the air supported frame may include vent seals that allow greater air pressure to be held within the air supported frame and a covering to block light along with a ventilation system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to large, portable display systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large LED displays for use in outdoor environments are known in the art. Such displays are typically mounted on aluminum or steel trusses or supported by buildings or other permanent structures. However, there is a need for portable, lightweight structures that can be relatively simply and quickly erected and dismantled and that are capable of supporting large LED displays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an air supported framework for mounting a large LED display wherein the framework includes upper, lower and side segments and has a front portion and a rear portion and the LED display is positioned when in use within the framework substantially midway between the front portion and rear portion.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an additional support structure that is attached to the upper and lower segments of the air supported framework wherein the additional support structure bends, curves, or angles away from the plane of the display so as to provide support to the upper segment without interfering with the display.

It is a further object of the invention to include vent seals that allow greater air pressure to be held within the segments of the framework.

It is a further object of the invention to include a back covering that blocks light from striking the rear of the LED screen wherein ventilation is provided to prevent overheating of the LED screen while the covering is in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1adepicts an embodiment of the current invention in which an air supported frame3is used to support an LED display4. Power supply cables5and video signal cables6connect to the LED display4to provide power and display information respectively. The air supported frame3can be erected on a temporary basis, including in outdoor environments. The air supported frame3can include a top portion7, a bottom portion8, and side portions (9a,9b). A blower10or other suitable mechanism is used to inflate the frame3and maintain sufficient pressure within. A series of stabilizing guy tethers (not shown) can be attached to the frame3in order to assist in holding the frame3in place and maintain the stability of the frame. The LED display4can be attached to the frame3by any suitable means such as hook and eye, for example. Once the frame3is fully inflated and the LED display4is attached and connected, images can be displayed. To improve portability of the whole system, LED display4is preferably flexible so that it can be rolled up or folded for easier transport and storage.

Preferably, as shown inFIG. 1b, LED display4is suspended midway between a front side11and a rear side12of frame3in order to prevent the weight of the display from destabilizing the frame.

Further support for an air supported frame may be required due to the extra weight associated with LED displays in order to prevent the top portion of the frame from bending or dipping too much. This may be accomplished by including additional support for the frame such as the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,961,388 to Deutsch et al, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIG. 2shows a support structure13attached by heat welding, sewing, hook and loop fastener or other suitable means, to top portion70on one end and at the other end to bottom portion80of frame30of air supported device14. The attachment mechanism can be reversible or be made more permanent. Support structure13can be made of plastic vinyl or other suitable materials. Support structure13is shaped such that it bends, curves, arches, or angles so that support structure13generally avoids the plane formed by the frame30in which LED display20resides when in use. For the embodiment shown inFIG. 3support structure13angles away from frame30near the top70and bottom80portions. In this manner support structure13can provide added stability to top portion70to assist in supporting the weight of LED display20without interfering with LED display20or causing the frame to lean forwards. Support structure13does not rest upon the ground or floor so that it does not serve to tip or tilt the frame in a forward direction.

In addition to placing the display in the middle of the framework and including an additional support structure, it may be necessary to use substantial air pressure within the air supported frame. Such pressures may be facilitated by outfitting the openings of the air supported frame with vents seals that are designed to withstand and maintain greater pressures. An example of such vent seals can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,192,245 to Deutsch et al, which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown inFIGS. 3aand3b, these vent seals include an inner flap51and outer flap52that cover an opening53wherein the inner flap51and the outer flap52can be releasably attached to both an inner wall54and an outer wall55of the frame respectively as well as to each other. In operation, when an air supported device is to be inflated, inner flap51and outer flap52are closed over vent opening53. As air pressure inside the air supported structure increases, the air pressure exerts an outward force upon inner flap51, thereby pushing inner flap against outer flap52, which serves to help maintain the attachment between the inner flap51and outer flap52. In this manner, the vent seal resists leakage and allows for higher pressures to be maintained in the air supported structure thereby enabling heavier displays such as an LED display to be better supported by the frame.

A sheet-like material or other suitable covering may be attached to the back of the framework to reduce the amount of stray light striking the back of the LED display. This may be especially useful when operating the display outdoors during daylight hours. The material would preferably be of sufficient size to largely cover the area framed by the framework. In a preferred embodiment, when a covering is in place a ventilation system would operate to facilitate air flow between and through the covering and the LED screen so that the LED screen does not overheat while in use. Such a system could be realized, for example, by a blower or other suitable air flow device forcing air into an opening at the bottom of one side of the device and allowing air to escape through another opening at the top of the other side of the device.