Abstract:
The present invention is for an alpha-numeric character display panel which is a low profile electronic alpha-numeric character display panel which utilizes pre-existing geometrically configured framework members. The low profile electronic alpha-numeric character display panel is of waterproof construction suitable for outdoor use and can be mounted in areas requiring minimal spatial impact with respect to depth.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is for a digital display panel and, more particularly, is for a low profile electronic alpha-numeric character display panel which utilizes existing geometrically configured frameworks which can be mounted and utilized in existing panel members. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     None. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide an alpha-numeric character display panel for mounting where minimal impact to structure geometry is required. The construction of the present invention presents a low profile alpha-numeric character display panel which includes existing pre-manufactured framework members such as but not limited to frameworks for recreational vehicle windows. The alpha-numeric character display panel is best suited where limited depth displays are useful, examples of which could be the panels of a tractor trailer, recreational vehicle, signboard, scoreboard or the like. Often the sidewalls of tractor trailers, recreational vehicles and the like are of multiple layers. Mounting of prior art display panels of excessive depth would require the cutting of two or more sidewall layers, such as an outer panel and an inner panel, and would result in protrusion of an excessive depth prior art display panel through the inner panel which, in many cases, would be protrusion into an area such as the cargo area of a tractor trailer, thus exposing an excessive depth prior art display panel to potential damage, to say nothing of occupying cargo space. Visible protrusion into the compartments of a recreational vehicle could be undesirable and often retrofitting to include an excessive depth prior art display panel could be difficult as components adjacent to an inner panel layer could cause spatial interference. The present invention, an alpha-numeric character display panel, includes a rectangular-shaped shroud or other configured-shape shroud, a shallow pan secured to the rear of the shroud, a circuit board including light emitting diode pixels aligned closely to and within the shallow pan, and a substantially clear or masked viewing panel of appropriate glazing which mounts in a waterproof framework which covers the circuit board and rear shallow pan assembly, and thus provides for weatherproofing of the included assembly. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an alpha-numeric character display panel of thin profile which can be mounted to a panel with minimal spatial impact to the surrounding structure, especially with regard to depth. The alpha-numeric character display panel includes a framework, a viewing panel which can be clear or masked which aligns to a rubber gasket in a channel of the framework, a circuit board having light emitting diode pixels for alpha-numeric or graphic display, and a shallow pan which secures to a shroud for accommodation of the circuit board. 
     One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an alpha-numeric character display panel being of thin design. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an alpha-numeric character display panel which utilizes existing framework, thus reducing the requirement for startup tooling. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an alpha-numeric character display panel which minimally impacts the area behind a mounting panel. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an alpha-numeric character display panel the electrical components of which are located behind existing geometrically configured frameworks. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an alpha-numeric character display panel which is of waterproof construction. 
     Having thus described an embodiment of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an alpha-numeric character display panel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     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: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric cutaway view of the alpha-numeric character display panel; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the alpha-numeric character display panel; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section view of the alpha-numeric character display panel along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the alpha-numeric character display panel of FIG. 3 mounted to a host panel; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section view along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; and, 
     FIG. 6 illustrates several alpha-numeric character display panels, the present invention, in use in the panels of a tractor trailer. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric cutaway view of the alpha-numeric character display panel  10 , the present invention. The major viewable components of the invention include a geometrically configured framework  14 , a viewing panel  16  of appropriate glazing which may be clear or of masked construction which seals to the framework  14  to provide a waterproof structure, a circuit board  18  having LED pixels  20 , a shroud  22 , and a shallow pan  24  secured to the rear of the shroud  22 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the alpha-numeric character display panel  10 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously or otherwise described. Pan  24 , being of shallow construction, is suitably secured to the rear of the shroud  22  to provide a cavity  26  for the accommodation of the circuit board  18 . In the alternative, the pan  24  can be integral to the shroud  22  such as by being formed by stamping or the like. The shroud  22  includes a plurality of louvers  28   a - 28   n  in the upper planar region as well as a plurality of body holes  30   a - 30   n  around and about the periphery of the shroud  22  which are incorporated to accommodate fasteners for fastening the shroud  22  and the included pan  24  and circuit board  18  to the rear of the framework  14 . One or more cutouts such as cutouts  32  and  34  are provided at and extend partially along the bottom planar surface  24   a  of the pan  24  and extend into the rear planar surface  24   b  for access to one or more multi-pin connectors such as multi-pin connectors  36  and  38  located at the bottom edge of the circuit board  18 . A plurality of standoffs  40   a - 40   n  extend from the rear planar surface  24   b  of the pan  24  for alignment with corresponding holes  42   a - 42   n  in the circuit board  18  for receiving fasteners for mounting of the circuit board  18  within the cavity  26  formed by the pan  24 . Each of the individual pixels  20  includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s)  44   a - 44   n.  The pixels  20  can be suitably arranged to provide numeric or alpha-numeric connotation as desired depending upon the required use. A plurality of spacers  46   a - 46   n  extend forwardly from the circuit board to provide support for the mid regions of the viewing panel  16 . 
     Geometrically configured framework  14  accommodates and contains the viewing panel  16 . The viewing panel  16  is preferably of transparent clear plastic or transparent colored plastic or of any suitable glazing material such as, but not limited to, clear or colored glass, shatterproof glass, Plexiglas® or any other suitable medium. The viewing panel  16  may include opaque masking on the front or rear planar side and can include front masking  48  having voids  50   a - 50   n  which can be of circular or other appropriate shape which are areas of no masking medium, and alternatively, as also illustrated in FIG. 3, may include rear masking  52  having voids  54   a - 54   n  which can be of circular or other appropriate shape which are areas of no masking medium. The viewing panel  16  can be entirely devoid of any masking medium, as desired. Front masking  48  and voids  50   a - 50   n  and opposing aligned rear masking  52  having aligned voids  54   a - 54   n  may also be utilized in combination, if desired. Passage of light generated by the LED&#39;s  44   a - 44   n  which correspondingly align with either voids  50   a - 50   n  or alternatively placed voids  54   a - 54   n  is permitted by the aligned voids  50   a - 50   n  or alternatively placed voids  54   a - 54   n.  The rear masking  52 , with the exception of the voids  54   a - 54   n,  conceals the components of the circuit board  18  from frontal view. Voids  50   a - 50   n  in the front masking  48  provide a well defined and contrasting area of pixel viewing and/or light projection with respect to the pixels  20 . A plurality of holes  56   a - 56   n  in the planar periphery of the geometrically configured framework  14  are included for suitably fastening the alpha-numeric character display panel  10  to the surface of a host panel surrounding a host panel mounting hole. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the alpha-numeric character display panel  10  along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously or otherwise described. Illustrated in particular is the accommodation of the shroud  22 , including the pan  24  and circuit board  18 , at the rear of the geometrically configured framework  14  and of the viewing panel  16  at the front of the geometrically configured framework  14 . A rubber gasket  58  is located in a channel  61  at the front of the geometrically configured framework  14  and accommodatingly mounts and seals the viewing panel  16  to the geometrically configured framework  14  to weatherproof the internally located compounds of the invention. Double-sided adhesive tape  57  is applied to an inner surface of the channel  61 , as shown in detail in FIG. 5. A continuous flange  60 , part of the geometrically configured framework  14 , accommodates the shroud  22  which is secured thereto by a plurality of fasteners  62   a - 62   n  extending through the body holes  30   a - 30   n  in the shroud  22 . A continuous flange  64  at the front of the geometrically configured framework  14  is provided for mounting of the geometrically configured framework  14  to a surface surrounding a mounting cutout region in a planar surface. The geometrically configured framework  14  can assume other geometric shapes for mounting of the viewing panel  16  and the shroud  22  containing the pan  24  and circuit board  18  and associated components and shall not be considered to be limiting to the scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the sectional view of FIG. 3 where the alpha-numeric character display panel  10  has been mounted in a panel  68 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously or otherwise described. The alpha-numeric character display panel  10 , the present invention, is illustrated mounted and secured about a cutout  66  in the host panel  68 , which is an outer panel. As an alternative to a plurality of screws  71   a - 71   n  extending through holes  56   a - 56   n,  a clamp ring  69  and plurality of screws  76   a - 76   n  can secure the framework  14  to the outer host panel  68 . The alpha-numeric character display panel  10 , for purposes of example and illustration, aligns into a thin space  70  which is formed between the outer host panel  68 , an inner panel  72  and one or more vertically oriented support channels  74 , a portion of one of which is shown separating the outer panel  68  and the inner panel  72 . of course, only one panel such as the outer panel  68  is actually required for mounting, but the inclusion of an inner panel  72  provides for protection of the invention from interfering objects such as but not limited to cargo residing in a tractor trailer. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously or otherwise described. Illustrated in particular is the double-sided adhesive tape  57 , one side of which adheres to an inner surface of the channel  61  and the other side of which adheres to the rear masking  52  of the viewing panel  61 , or in the alternative, adheres directly to the viewing panel  16  if the rear masking  52  is not utilized. The rubber gasket  58  aligns in the interior of the channel  61  and fits closely around and about the edge of the viewing panel  16  to effect, along with the double-sided adhesive tape  57 , a water-tight seal between the viewing panel  16  and the framework  14 , thus providing a weatherproof interior for protection of the circuit board  18 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates several alpha-numeric character display panels  10 , the present invention, in use, for purposes of example and illustration, in the side panels of a tractor trailer  12 . The alpha-numeric character display panels  10  can be utilized for alpha-numeric display or graphics display with the addition of additional pixels  20 , in other areas such as, but not limited to, recreational vehicles, sports score boards, stock market price displays and other numerous applications. 
     ALPHA-NUMERIC CHARACTER DISPLAY PANEL 
     PARTS LISTS 
       10  alpha-numeric character display panel 
       12  tractor trailer 
       14  framework 
       16  viewing panel 
       18  circuit board 
       20  pixel 
       22  shroud 
       24  pan 
       24   a  bottom planar surface 
       24   b  rear planar surface 
       26  cavity 
       28   a-n  louvers 
       30   a-n  body holes 
       32  cutout 
       34  cutout 
       36  multi-pin connector 
       38  multi-pin connector 
       40   a-n  standoffs 
       42   a-n  holes 
       44   a-n  LED&#39;s 
       46   a-n  spacers 
       48  front masking 
       50   a-n  circular voids 
       52  rear masking 
       54   a-n  voids 
       56   a-n  holes 
       57  double-sided adhesive tape 
       58  rubber gasket 
       60  flange 
       61  channel 
       62   a-n  fastener 
       64  flange 
       66  cutout 
       68  outer panel 
       69  clamp ring 
       70  space 
       71   a-n  screws 
       72  space 
       74  support channel 
       76   a-n  screws 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof.