Abstract:
A locker assembly having a backlit indicia includes a pair of sidewalls and a horizontal top defining a locker enclosure. At least one shelf extends at least partially between the sidewalls and defines a storage space in the locker enclosure. An illuminated panel extending at least partially between the sidewalls includes: an at least partially translucent sheet, a plurality of powered lighting elements disposed under the sheet, and a lighting enclosure cooperating with the panel to enclose the lighting elements.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to improvements in lockers or storage cabinets used in athletic or sporting facilities, and more specifically to illuminated panels incorporated into such lockers. 
       2. Description of Related Art 
       [0002]    The aesthetics and utility of lockers or storage cabinets in “locker rooms” of athletic and sporting facilities of sports teams and country clubs, for example, have become a measure of the quality and prestige of such organizations and an increasingly important aspect of recruiting new team or club members. Modern lockers are a far cry from the simple wood or metal cabinets of the past. 
         [0003]    Modern lockers incorporate storage for specific items of equipment, such as helmets and shoes, and features promoting comfort and luxury. There is a constant need for improvement in both functional and aesthetic aspects of such lockers. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0005]      FIGS. 1 through 4  are elevation views of lockers incorporating the illuminated indicia panel according to the present application; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are enlarged, section views of the panel incorporating the illuminated indicia according to the present application; and 
           [0007]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are enlarged, exploded views of illuminated panels according to the present application. 
       
    
    
       [0008]    While the assembly and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0009]    Illustrative embodiments of the locker seat assembly are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with assembly-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0010]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4  in the drawings, four configurations of lockers  1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  7 , each incorporating a panel with illuminated indicia  11  according to the present application are illustrated. As can be seen, each locker  1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  7  comprises a pair of upstanding sidewalls  13  that generally define the extent of the locker. Each locker may be installed adjacent to another, similar or identical locker, with its rear against a wall, and its front facing the interior of the locker room. 
         [0011]    Between the sidewalls  13  of each locker  1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  7 , a plurality of compartments  15  are defined by shelves or other horizontally extending surfaces or platforms. Multiple additional sidewalls may be placed between the “main” or exterior sidewalls  13  to define compartments along with horizontal shelves and the like. As used herein, “sidewall” or “sidewalls” may refer to either “main” sidewalls  13  or other sidewalls arranged between the “main” sidewalls. Each compartment  15  may be sized and otherwise configured for storage of clothing or sporting equipment or other items and may include one or more doors, which may be lockable. 
         [0012]    Each of the lockers  1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  7  also incorporates a panel with illuminated indicia  11  (illuminated panel) according to an embodiment of the present application. In each example, the panel takes the form of a door giving access to a compartment behind the door, but the panel may be merely structural or cosmetic and have no other function. The indicia  11  may take the form of graphic art (the paw print and wildcat profile of  FIGS. 1  and  2 ), lettering or logos comprised of stylized lettering (the UK of  FIG. 3 ), or printed artwork on a single, monolithic illuminated panel as in the case of  FIG. 4  (artwork is omitted for clarity). 
         [0013]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are enlarged section views of portions of locker  3  of  FIG. 2 , showing construction of the illuminated panel and indicia  11  according to the present application. In this embodiment, the panel comprises a door  21  formed of wood or wood-like material, such as particle board or oriented-strand board. In other embodiments ( FIGS. 4 and 8 , for example), door  21  may be formed mostly or entirely of translucent, light-transmitting material. Door  21  may be hinged at its upper extent to a horizontally extending surface of locker  3  so that it may be moved between open and closed positions. In other embodiments, door  21  may be hinged at the bottom or sides. An hydraulic or pneumatic hold-open strut  23  may be provided to assist in holding door  21  open and to prevent its slamming shut. 
         [0014]    Referring also to  FIG. 7 , indicia  11  is formed in this embodiment by an aperture  25  that is cut to correspond to the outline of the graphic matter to be represented by the indicia, in this case the wildcat profile shown in  FIG. 2 . In other embodiments, the outline may be of lettering or a combination of graphic art and lettering or stylized lettering or the like. Secured within, and generally coextensive with, aperture or outline  25  may be one or more sheets  27 ,  29  of at least partially translucent, light-transmitting material, such as 0.125 inch thick acrylic, which is available in a variety of colors. Other polymeric or other light-transmitting or translucent materials may be appropriate. 
         [0015]    For a single-color embodiment (as in the case of the paw of  FIG. 1 ), only a single sheet of appropriately colored acrylic may be required and is dimensioned slightly larger than aperture or outline  25  to permit it to be secured to the reverse side of door  21  by adhesives or fasteners. In multi-colored embodiments, two or more sheets of differently colored acrylic adhered together may be necessary. For example, in the UK embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a sheet of white acrylic  27  is cut coextensive with and in the same outline as aperture  25 , but 0.25 inch smaller. The white sheet then is adhered to a blue sheet  27  dimensioned to be secured to the reverse of door  21 . This produces an illuminated UK logo of white-outlined blue letters. 
         [0016]    Secured to the rear of door  21  is a stainless-steel sheet-metal enclosure  31 , which encloses and protects a light source  33  or at least one lighting element and its appropriate wiring for electric power. Lighting element  33  may be coupled either to a power supply contained elsewhere in or external to the locker or within enclosure  31 . The power source may include dimmers, timers, switches and the like to turn off, dim, blink or otherwise manipulate the lighting emitting from source  33 . Preferably, the lighting element is a panel array comprising a plurality white or colorless of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) molded or otherwise formed into a laminar sheet, as illustrated. Discrete LEDs, LED tubes, incandescent or fluorescent or other lighting elements may be appropriate. Colors other than white may be utilized, including combinations of colors. The LEDs or other lighting elements provides illumination for “back lighting” or transmitting light through the translucent portions or sheets secured to door or panel  21 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates construction of the single-layer monolithic panel embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, a single sheet of acrylic  41 , preferably translucent or light-transmitting white, may be mounted within a steel perimeter frame  43  by adhesives or fasteners. This combination then forms the door or panel. The panel LED  33  light source and enclosure  31  are secured to frame  43  behind sheet  41 . A removable graphics sheet  45  may be secured to the front of sheet  41  and is a translucent or transparent sheet (or may be opaque and contain graphic cut-outs or outlines) with printed or otherwise-applied graphics thereon. In a preferred embodiment, sheet  41  is magnetically secured to frame  43 . This embodiment permits the graphics to be changed simply by removing and replacing graphics sheet  41 . 
         [0018]    Graphics may also be implemented by combinations of the embodiments illustrated above, e.g. a translucent panel ( FIG. 4 ) may be combined with a multi-layer graphic ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The graphics may include an LED panel that is capable of displaying rudimentary or even full-motion or television-quality graphics. Such a panel may include the ability to display text banners and the like that are changeable via a programming module. 
         [0019]    It is apparent that a system with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description and claims. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.