Abstract:
A hanging display system is provided comprising an electrified grid system adapted for operative communication with display animation modules.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference thereto, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/188,810 filed on Aug. 13, 2008 entitled Hanging Display System. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a system for hanging displays. In particular, the invention relates to an electrified hanging display system adapted for use with a wide variety of advertising and promotional signage typically used in retail environments. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Suspended ceiling tile systems are well-known in the art. These systems are found in a wide variety of commercial buildings, and even in residential homes. Sometimes called drop-down ceilings, the systems typically are comprised of a support grid secured to the walls and/or suspended from the ceiling/roof, wherein tiles fit between the grid units. 
         [0004]    Characteristic systems will include a perimeter molding, or edge piece, that can be affixed to the wall. The molding establishes the perimeter of the grid. Next, a series of runners are installed. The runners usually run perpendicular to the support joists and run from one wall to the next. The runners are periodically spaced to accommodate the size of the tile. The runners are often secured to the joists with chains or the like, which attach between the joists and the runners. Crossing members, or cross-tees, are then attached between the runners to complete the grid. Alternatively, in commercial applications the drop-down ceiling can be suspended from the roof or other ceiling support structures, but are otherwise similar in configuration. 
         [0005]    With the grid in place, often electrical wiring is completed to allow for lighting, or plug access is provided for powering other electrical devices that might be attached or located in the ceiling. Furthermore, preparation for duct work is made as well. Finally tiles are fitted within the grid and dropped down into place thereby supported by the grid. Also, lighting/electrical fixture can be added at predetermined locations. 
         [0006]    In retail environment, and elsewhere, it is not uncommon to use the grid to support signage of various types. The signs include commercial or product displays, informational signs, or any other types of signs. The signs are attached to the channels in the runners or the cross-tees. In many situations the use of these types of signs has become quite common. 
         [0007]    In still further situations, powered or lighted signs can be used in the same manner, but only in limited circumstances. The desired location for a sign may just happen to be near an electrical outlet that can accommodate the sign. If an electrical outlet is not nearby or accessible, battery power can be used. 
         [0008]    Both of these approaches have drawbacks. First, the location of electrical outlets is purely coincidental in connection to the decision to place signage. In the retail environment, the location of product and therefore signage is constantly changing, but the electrical outlets are static, and the layout of outlets is too sporadic and normally not designed with product layout in mind. Batteries powered signs have limitations as well. Batteries need to be replaced, and can only provide a minimal amount of power. Further, the use of batteries adds weight to the installation which can be problematic given the ceiling grids are not normally designed to support a great deal of additional weight. Also, the batteries usually will need to be turned on when the retail establishment is open, and off when closed. This is inconvenient, and can lead to simply letting the batteries run all the time, which is wasteful. Finally, batteries are a relatively expensive source of electricity. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, a need exists for a hanging display systems that overcomes the limitations of conventional ceiling grids when it comes to the meeting the needs of hanging signs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and system for hanging displays. 
         [0011]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification, drawings, and claims. 
         [0012]    The present invention intends to overcome the difficulties encountered heretofore. To that end a hanging display system is provided comprising an electrified grid system adapted for operative communication with display animation modules. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of a ceiling grid of a hanging display system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a close up view of one grid section of the ceiling grid of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a grid member of the ceiling grid of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a hanger box of the system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5   a  shows a spot light for use with the system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5   b  shows a spinning motor for use with the system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5   c  shows a drop down power connector for use with the system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5   d  shows a crank motor for use with the system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5   e  shows a sound module for use with the system. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6   a  shows a grid for use with the system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6   b  shows the grid in use with a drop down ceiling. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows the spinning motor of the system. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows the spinning motor and a sign of the system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9   a  shows the crank motor of the system. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9   b  shows the crank motor and a sign of the system. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10   a  shows the hanger box of the system. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10   b  shows hanger boxes and signs of the system. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11   a  shows the drop down connector of the system. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11   b  shows the drop down connector and a sign of the system. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12   a  shows the sound module of the system. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12   b  shows the spot light of the system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    In the Figures, is shown a hanging display system  10 .  FIG. 1 , shows a ceiling grid  12  of the system  10 , which is adapted to attach to an existing drop-down ceiling. The ceiling grid  12  includes a plurality of grid members  14  which make up the structural components of the grid  12 . The grid  12  is sized to fit the pattern and size of an existing ceiling tile system. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the size of the grid  12  can and will vary. The grid  12  also includes a plurality of grid mounts  16  which connect to the existing ceiling grid. The grid mounts  16  can connect using any conventional connection system, such as, screws, bolts, snap on connectors, or they can be adapted to secure to the existing runners and cross-tees of the existing drop down ceiling. Sufficient grid mounts  16  can be included to accommodate the size and weight of the ceiling grid  12 . In place, the grid  12  will mount nearly flush with the existing drop-down ceiling. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a view of a portion of the grid  12 , showing the connection between the grid members. In this case the grid  12  is sized to match 24″×24″” tiles; however, the grid  12  can be sized to a accommodate larger or smaller tiles. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  shows in detail a portion of a grid member  14 . The grid member  14  includes periodically closely spaced holes  18  to allow for the various modules  22  of the present invention to attach above the grid  12 , for example to attach to the existing drop-down ceiling grid or to roof/ceiling supports above the ceiling. The grid members  14  are also electrified with copper strips  20 , or the like, to provide a continuous supply of electricity to the entire grid  12 . The copper strips  20  can be located in the interior of the grid members  14 , and sufficient electrical insulation is provided. 
         [0037]    In other applications, the electrical wiring  20  can be encased within an insulated plastics housing located in the grid members  14 . The wiring  20  is then partially exposed adjacent to the holes  18 , or at other points along the length of the grid members  14 , such that the various modules  22  can form an electrical connection with the wiring  20 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 4-5  shows some of the various modules  22  of the system  10  designed for use with the grid  12 . One such module  22  is a hanger box  24 . The box  24  includes a body  26 , a locking device  28 , channel mounts  30 , a cable  32 , and a hook  34 . The box  24  affixes to the grid members  14  of the grid  12  by affixing the channel mounts  30  to the grid members  14 . The cable  32  can be drawn downward to the appropriate distance to allow for hanging a display at the optimum distance from the ground or floor. The locking device  28  can be used to hold the cable  32  in exactly the correct position. The locking device  28  can use a thumb activated pressure, or can be a more sophisticated mechanical device. The cable  32  can include markers  36  located at fixed distance along the length of the cable  32  to allow for easily determining the correct distance to draw down the cable  32 . The hanging display is then secured to the hook(s)  34  for display. The hanger box  24  can be located at any point along the grid  12  as needed depending on the size and shape of the sign being secured thereto. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 5   a - f  shows additional modules  22  that are part or the system  10 . The modules  22  are electrical and generally usable to animate signage. The modules  22  are configured with channels similar to the channel mounts  30  of the hanger box  24 , which allow the modules to easily connect to the grid members  14 . The modules  22  connect and slidably adjustable along the length of the grid members  14 , such that they maintain or come into electrical contact at any point or at predetermined intervals via the open insulated electrical connections in the grid members  14 . 
         [0040]    The modules  22  include a spot light  32  which can be used to provide sign illumination, a spinning motor  34  which can spin a sign in an attention getting manner, a drop power connector  36  to provide an easy access to an electrical outlet to be used with other modules  22  or signs, a crank motor  38  to move a sign up and down or in circles; and a sound module  40  to provide sound in association with a display. These and other modules can be used with the system  10  to provide desired animation and other effects. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 6   a - b  show a general configuration of the system  10 .  FIG. 6   a  shows the grid  12  of the system  10 .  FIG. 6   b  shows the grid  12  secured to a conventional drop down ceiling though mounts  16 .  FIG. 6   b  shows the system  10  configured with conventional signage  42  for illustrative purposes. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  shows the system  10  used with the spinning motor  34 . The spinning motor  34  is secured by the channels  30  to the grid member  14 , which also makes the electrical connection to power the spinning motor  34 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  shows the system  10  used with the spinning motor  34 . The spinning motor  34  is secured by the channels  30  to the grid member  14 , which also makes the electrical connection to power the spinning motor  34 . A sign  42  is connected to the spinning motor  34  to show the system  10  in practical application. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 9   a - b  show the system  10  used with the crank motor  38 . The crank motor  38  is secured by the channels  30  to the grid member  14 , which also makes the electrical connection to power the crank motor  38 .  FIG. 9   b  shows a sign  42  connected to the crank motor  38  to show the system  10  in practical application. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 10   a - b  show the system  10  used with the hanger box  24 . The hanger box  24  is secured by the channels  30  to the grid member  14 .  FIG. 10   b  shows a sign  42  connected to two hanger boxes  24  to show the system  10  in practical application. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 11   a - b  show the system  10  used with the drop power connector  36 . The drop power connector  36  is secured by the channels  30  to the grid member  14 , which also makes the electrical connection to power the drop power connector  36 .  FIG. 11   b  shows the drop power connector  36  in use to power a sign  42  to show the system  10  in practical application. 
         [0047]      FIG. 12   a  shows the system  10  used with the sound module  40 . The sound module  40  is secured by the channels  30  to the grid member  14 , which also makes the electrical connection to power the sound module  40 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 12   b  shows the system  10  used with the spot light  32 . The spot light  32  is secured by the channels  30  to the grid member  14 , which also makes the electrical connection to power the spot light  32 .  FIG. 12   b  shows the spot light  32  used to illuminate a sign  42  to show the system  10  in practical application. 
         [0049]    In general the system  10  is designed for low voltage operation and has the advantage of being continuously electrified. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment of the system  10  is designed for attachment to a conventional existing drop down ceiling, the invention is not so limited. Drop down ceilings, or grid systems, can be built originally with the design of the present invention in mind; however, the present invention can be practiced without removing and replacing the existing ceiling through use of the add on system  10 . 
         [0050]    In this manner, the present invention provides an electrified hanging display system that allows for great flexibility and for the use of numerous animation and enhancement modules. In this manner, the present invention substantially eliminates the problems of the prior art. 
         [0051]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. 
         [0052]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.