Patent Publication Number: US-7712238-B2

Title: Ceiling mounted display sign

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
   The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/448,507 filed on Feb. 19, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is related to display signs, including display signs that are suspended from a ceiling. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Signs for displaying information such as promotional information are generally known. In particular, one class of such signs comprises displays that may be suspended from a ceiling for displaying information such as point of purchase advertising or other information. Some signs may be adapted for suspension from a ceiling of the type that has a latticework of crossing members for holding ceiling tiles. Signs that are known in the art as “light thief” signs are so adapted, and may be suspended below a portion of the ceiling housing a light source, with the light from the source used to illuminate display panels of the sign. 
   The display panels may, for example, drop generally vertically or at an angle from the ceiling, so that they are visible to one looking from the floor towards that portion of the ceiling. A particular sign may comprise two or more display panels, with an example being a light thief sign that has four panels arranged about its periphery. 
   The lattice work used to support the ceiling tiles and display signs in such circumstances is generally in the form of a grid, with one set of lattice members, referred to herein as support rails, running along what may be though of as an X axis, and a second set running along what may be thought of as a perpendicular Y axis. The ceiling lattice thereby creates a grid with a plurality of substantially square or rectangular “grid cells” created between intersecting X and Y axis support rails. Each of these grid cells generally holds a square or rectangular ceiling tile, with an occasional cell having alight fixture such as a fluorescent ballasts and bulbs with a translucent panel. Generally, light thief signs are used to replace panels below a light fixture so as to be illuminated by the ceiling light source. Light thief signs can also be used to replace non-illuminated panels. 
   Display signs such as the described light thief displays as known are limited to placement depending on the lattice grid. That is, such display signs are generally limited to an orientation of display that is determined by the lattice ceiling grid orientation. By way of example, if a light thief display has four display panels oriented in a generally square manner, the panels will be displayed parallel to the X and Y axis of the ceiling lattice when the light thief is installed. 
   Often, this proves disadvantageous. For example, consider a store having a substantially square floor plan with a liquor department in one corner of the store. The main entry door to the store is at the opposite corner of the store. Further assume that a liquor vendor desires to use a light thief to display promotional advertisements using a light thief in the liquor department. Because the panels of the light thief run parallel to the ceiling lattice, however, the display panels are not oriented to the main entry to the store that is diagonal to the location of the liquor department. Disadvantageously, then, consumers entering the store may not be able to easily read or even see the display panels. 
   Recently, co-owned and currently pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/103,388 has been proposed. While the teachings of this application meet some of the aforementioned needs, others are left unresolved. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to display signs for mounting from a ceiling. One embodiment of the present invention includes a display sign for suspension from a ceiling of the type that has a plurality of support rails, the display sign comprising a sign mount configured for engaging a plurality of the ceiling support rails, and a graphics display supported by the sign mount and rotatable about 360°. The present invention thereby provides a display sign for mounting from a ceiling that may advantageously be rotated as desired. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one exemplary display sign embodiment of the invention shown with alternate exemplary graphics displays; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective of an exemplary display sign of the invention installed on a ceiling; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic cross section of an exemplary display sign of the invention installed on a ceiling; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an exemplary sign mount of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective of one exemplary graphics display of the invention; and, 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective of a second exemplary graphics display of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Turning now to the drawings in order to best describe practice of the present invention,  FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a display sign  10  of the present invention. The sign  10  includes a sign mount shown generally at  12 , and a graphics display  14  connected thereto. The graphics display  14  may be rotated about a full 360°. Different graphics displays are contemplated, with  FIG. 1  illustrating a generally cylindrical shaped first display  14  and an alternate generally cube shaped display  14 ′. Other configurations are also contemplated.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the display sign  10  installed on a ceiling, with the graphics display  14  rotatable about 360° as indicated by the arrow. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the sign mount  12  includes a cross member  16  with a mounting bracket  18  at each end. The preferred cross member  16  comprises a cross rail having a generally inverted-U shape, a substantially flat top surface, and is made of aluminum or similar lightweight metal or plastic. This configuration offers a desirable combination of strength, weight, and fabrication advantages. The sign mount  12  supports all other underlying elements of the display sign  10 . The mounting brackets  18  are configured to engage support rails of a ceiling grid, shown as element SR in  FIG. 3  (and  FIG. 2 ). It will be appreciated that the support rails SR are known in the art and generally have an inverted-T or an upright L shape for supporting the panels of a hanging ceiling. The support rails SR are not an element of the presently claimed invention, but are shown only for completeness of describing an environment in which the invention may be practiced. 
   One or both of the mounting brackets  18  are slidable along the cross rail  16 . This allows for ease of installation, and also allows for the display sign  10  of the present invention to be supported between differently spaced support rails SR. Preferably, one or both of the mounting brackets are biased into engagement with the support rails SR. 
   The arrangement of the exemplary mounting bracket is best illustrated in the views of  FIGS. 3-4 . The mounting brackets  18  include a base  20  that slides along the cross rail  16 . The base  20  may have side walls depending therefrom for engaging the sides of the inverted U shaped cross rail  16  as generally shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  for purposes of stability. Each base  20  has two slots  22  ( FIG. 4 ) through which guide studs  24  extend from the cross rail  16 . Preferably the studs  24  are threaded. A stud head  26 , which is preferably a nut, is removably attached to each of the studs  24 . In operation, the stud  24 , stud head  26 , and slot  22  cooperate to provide generally stable sliding motion in the direction along the length of the cross rail  16 , and also limit the extent of travel. The stud heads  26  also prevent the mounting brackets from separating from the cross rail  16 , and may be tightened to lock the mounting brackets in place at a desired position on the cross rail  16 . 
   The exemplary mounting brackets  18  include an inverted L-shaped engagement member  28  configured to engage the ceiling support rails SR. It will be appreciated that the inverted L shape cooperates with the inverted T or upright L shape that is typical of support rails SR. The exemplary mounting brackets  18  further include a biasing means for biasing the engagement member  28  into engagement with the support rail SR. The preferred biasing means is a spring, with the illustrated spring clip  30  one particular type of spring that has been discovered to be useful. A spring anchor  32  is connected to the mounting bracket base  20  and holds one end of the spring clip  30 . The spring anchor may be a threaded stud, with a nut provided as illustrated to hold the spring clip  30  in place. Likewise, the spring clip  30  is retained on the guide stud by the nut  26 . An opposite end of the spring clip  30  is held by one of the guide studs  24  that extend through one of the slots  22 . 
   Although the two mounting brackets  18  have been illustrated as being substantially identical to one another, it will be appreciated that use of different brackets is contemplated. For example, although both brackets  18  have been illustrated as being slidably adjustable along a portion of the length of the cross rail  16 , for purposes of cost and simplicity of design, it may be desirable to fabricate the sign mount  12  with only one mounting bracket  18  being movable, and a second being immovably attached to the cross rail  16 . Two movable brackets  18  may be desirable in order to center the cross rail  16  and its supported graphics display  14  between support rails SR. 
   Because the sign mount  12  and its cross member  16  support all of the under-hanging display sign  10 , it is desirable that they be strong and firmly attached to the ceiling support rails SR. Also, because the display sign  10  may be suspended from a ceiling, it is desirable that they be relatively lightweight. The preferred sign mount  12  with its cross rail  16  and mounting brackets  18  are believe to meet these needs, particularly when made of relatively lightweight and strong materials, such as aluminum, rigid plastic, and the like. 
   As shown by  FIGS. 1 , and  3 - 4 , a generally U shaped support arm  34  depends from the cross rail  16 . A motor housing  36  is held on the support arm  34 , with a motor  38  ( FIG. 1 , and shown in dashed in  FIG. 3 ) contained therein. The motor  38  includes a rotating shaft  40 . The motor  38  may be any suitable motor, with a lightweight motor such as a small toy AC or DC motor one example. Power to the motor  38  may be supplied through a traditional means such as connection to an AC power source, a DC battery, and the like. In addition or as an alternative to the motor  38 , a light source may be provided. For example, a bulb illustrated as element  39  in  FIG. 1  can be attached to be support arm  34  and to a power supply. This may be particularly desirable when using the display sign  10  in a position on a ceiling that is not below a ceiling light source. 
   It will be appreciated that although the exemplary display sign  10  has been illustrated with a motor  38 , other invention embodiments do not include a motor. In some invention embodiments, manual rotation of the graphics display  14  can be utilized, and may be desirable for considerations of cost, weight, complexity, and the like. If no motor  38  is provided, the rotating shaft  40  may be directly and rotatably connected to the support arm  34 . Bearings or other known means may be provided to aid rotation. 
   The graphics display  14  is linked to the rotating shaft  40 . It is noted that as used herein the terms “link” and “linked” are intended to be broadly interpreted as connected, but not necessarily directly connected. For example, two elements may be “linked” to one another if they are not directly connected but are instead each directly connected to a third element that is intermediate to both of them. Preferably, a turntable  42  is provided that is attached by an adhesive or other means to the graphics display  14 .  FIG. 3  shows a schematic cross section of the graphics display  14 , while  FIGS. 5-6  show exploded perspective views of alternate graphics displays  14  and  14 ′. The graphics displays  14  and  14 ′ generally include a bottom wall  44  and a sidewall  46 . The graphics displays  14  and  14 ′ preferably have a tapered shape from top to bottom to aid viewing of the sidewalls  50  from below. An internal raised portion  48  ( 48 ′ of  FIG. 6 ) is also preferably provided. 
   The graphics display  14  preferably includes an open top, so that light from a ceiling light fixture may enter it. Further, the graphics display  14  preferably has a top perimeter width (e.g., the diameter of a generally cylindrical graphics display, and the width of a generally square graphics display) shown as TPW in  FIGS. 5-6  that is greater than the length of the cross rail  16  (including its mounting brackets  18 ) shown as CRL in  FIG. 4 , so that when installed on a ceiling the graphics display  14  covers the entire light source. Although other dimensions are possible, it has been discovered that a top perimeter width TPW of at least 20″ is useful for many applications. A pleasing and functionally advantageous configuration results, in which generally the entire ceiling light source is covered and not visible, and in which all of the light radiating from the light source travels through the graphics display. 
   The preferred graphics display  14  is made of a translucent or clear material so that light from the ceiling light source may be transmitted therethrough. One exemplary suitable material of construction that offers desirable strength, weight, and light transmitting properties is plastic. A relatively thin sidewall  46  is preferred to provide low weight and good transmission of light. The sidewall should also have a thickness sufficient for sturdy use and handling. Although other dimensions will be useful, it is believed that a sidewall thickness for a plastic graphics display  14  of less than about 0.10″ is believed to be useful. 
   The graphics display  14  may be provided with a desired promotional message thereon, or may use interchangeable display sheets  50  as has been generally illustrated in  FIGS. 5-6 . Attachment means such as a fastener tab  52  that cooperates with a passage  54  may be provided to attach the sheets  50  to the sidewalls  46 . The sheets  50  may also be attached to the inside of the sidewalls  46 . A cover plate  56  is provided for attachment to the exterior of the bottom wall  44  in the region underlying the raised portion  48 . This provides for an aesthetically pleasing flat and continuous appearance. Signage may also be provided on the bottom wall  44  and cover plate  56 . 
   The bottom wall  44  is preferably linked to the rotating shaft  40 . In the exemplary display sign  10 , the turntable  42  is attached to the graphics display interior raised portion  48  using an adhesive or other fastener. The turntable  42  is then connected to the rotating shaft  40  with a locking screw or other known means. Although the graphics display  14  could be directly connected to the shaft  40 , use of a separate turntable  42  is believed to be advantageous. Such use allows for a relatively thin walled and lightweight graphics display  14  to be constructed, and a relatively sturdy turntable  42  later attached thereto using an adhesive. The raised portion  48  is also advantageous in that it allows for the graphics display  14  to be attached closer to a center of gravity of the graphics display  14  and with a shorter shaft  40  than if it were attached on a flat bottom wall. This adds to the stability of the graphics display  14 . The configuration of the graphics display  14  with its raised portion  48  is also advantageous in that the graphics display may be conveniently manufactured in a relatively straight forward plastic manufacturing process. 
   The display sign of the present invention thereby provides many advantages and solves many otherwise unresolved problems of the prior art. For example, a lightweight and robust display sign is provided that allows for 360° rotation and efficient and relatively low cost manufacture and fabrication. 
   It will be appreciated that although an exemplary display sign  10  has been described and discussed herein, the sign  10  is exemplary only and that other invention embodiments are contemplated. Those knowledgeable in the art will appreciate that many equivalents and alternatives to the various elements shown are within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, although two exemplary graphics displays  14  and  14 ′ have been illustrated, it will be appreciated that a wide variety of graphics displays may be practiced with the invention.