Patent Publication Number: US-8985812-B2

Title: Rear illuminated panel

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/537,870 filed Sep. 22, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/611,860, filed Mar. 16, 2012, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an illuminated panel for use with a support structure, and more particularly to an illuminated panel for use in theater products and the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In theater productions, a locking rail is a piece of equipment that stretches a depth of a stage, along side of a stage, and/or along the front or back of a stage, and is located at the stage floor or on a fly gallery. The locking rail generally contains rope locks that are attached at approximately six inch intervals. These locks control the battens that run up, down, and over the stage, wherein the battens contain lights, scenery, drapery, etc. During performances, the battens need to be moved up and down, but during such performances, the lighting in the theater is oftentimes dim, and spotlights are utilized to highlight cast members and/or scenery to highlight portions of the production. Due to the dimming of many lights in the theater, it is oftentimes difficult to see behind scenery, and thus, it is difficult for users to determine which rope lock they need to open. During a performance, operation of an incorrect rope lock can not only be disastrous in that it can ruin the performance, but can also injure a performer, stagehand, bystander, or audience member. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , lighting systems  8  incorporating a plurality of lights  10 , such as 40 or 60 watt light bulbs, are routinely used to provide guidance to persons behind scenery or on a portion of a stage in a theater production. The systems  8  generally include a rectangular frame  11  for securing and holding the lights  10 , which extend outwardly of the frame  11 . The frame  11  also houses wiring and other electronic circuitry  12 . A housing  13  extends outwardly from the frame  11  to cover at least a portion of the lights  10 , wherein the housing  13  includes an opening  14  for light to emanate therethrough. Eye bolts, hooks, or other attachment mechanisms  15  extend from a side of the frame  11  opposite the housing  13  for hanging the system  8  from a structure. Index cards with writing thereon are utilized to provide directions, indicate location, or provide other information to someone behind the scenes. Lighting systems such as that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are difficult and time-consuming to use and allow the lighting to bleed into the performance area, and therefore, are not desired for many theater performances. 
     SUMMARY 
     In illustrative embodiments, an illuminated panel includes a base member having first and second opposing sides and a pair of guide grooves formed on the first side of the base member. The panel further includes a translucent thermoplastic sheet of material having rubber channel strips on opposing longitudinal sides of the sheet of material. The sheet of material is disposed within the guide grooves of the base member such that channel strips prevent vibration of the sheet of material within the guide grooves. The panel still further includes an LED strip having a plurality of LEDs and disposed within a cavity formed by the base member and the sheet of material, wherein light from the LEDs illuminates the sheet of material. The second opposing side of the base panel is adapted to be fastened to a structure. Suitable structures include a locking rail and an index light. 
     In further illustrative embodiments, an illuminated panel includes a base member having first and second opposing sides and a pair of grooves formed on the first side of the base member. The illuminated panel further includes a translucent sheet of material disposed within the grooves of the base member. An LED strip having a plurality of LEDs is disposed within a cavity formed by the base member and the sheet of material, wherein light from the LEDs illuminates the sheet of material. A light directing wall extends from the first side of the base member for directing light emitting by the LEDs. 
     In additional illustrative embodiments, an illuminated panel includes a support structure attached to a beam or other support and having a panel for illumination. The illuminated panel further includes a housing having a first wall attached to the support structure, a second wall extending at an angle with respect to the first wall, and a third wall extending at an angle from the second wall. The panel for illumination and the second and third walls form a cavity. An LED strip having a plurality of LEDs is disposed within the cavity for illumination of the panel for illumination. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a prior art lighting system; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the prior art lighting system taken generally from the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top isometric view of a rear illuminated panel of the present disclosure attached to a support structure (in particular, a locking rail); 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the rear illuminated panel of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  with portions of the rear illuminated panel removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  and depicting a base member of the rear illuminated panel; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the rear illuminated panel of  FIG. 1  attached to the support structure (locking rail) and installed in a theater; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the rear illuminated panel of  FIG. 1  attached to a support structure (in particular, an index light); 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view (see section  7  of  FIG. 6 ) showing how the rear illuminated panel is attached to the support structure at an end of the support structure; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view (see section  8  of  FIG. 6 ) showing how the rear illuminated panel is attached to the support structure at center portions of the support structure; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the rear illuminated panel attached to the index light of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view (see section  10  in  FIG. 11 ) detailing an area where the rear illuminated panel is attached to the support structure; 
         FIG. 13  is a view of the rear illuminated panel attached to the support structure (index light) of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a view depicting the rear illuminated panels as seen in  FIGS. 7 and 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a top and front isometric view of an index light of the present disclosure suspended from a support structure; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged top and rear isometric view of the index light of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view of the index light of  FIG. 15  taken generally along the lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 ; and 
         FIGS. 18 and 19  are a further embodiments of an illuminated panel. 
     
    
    
     Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, wherein similar structures have like or similar reference numerals. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to a rear illuminated panel for attachment to a locking rail in one embodiment and an index light in another embodiment. Although the rear illuminated panels disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms, several specific embodiments are discussed herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered only as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure, and it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 3-5  depict a rear illuminated panel  20  having a base member  22  that is formed of an aluminum extrusion. While aluminum is used for the base member  22 , those skilled in the art would understand that any other extrudable or non-extrudable materials may be utilized, for example, plastic, steel, and the like, or combinations of two or more materials. The base member  22  includes a plurality of grooves and cavities for retention of various components of the rear illuminated panel  20  and attachment of the panel  20  to one or more different support structures  24  ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ), such as an index strip or a locking rail, which will be discussed in detail hereinafter. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , the base member  22  includes first and second lateral sides  26 ,  28  with an opposing pair of guide grooves  30 ,  32  being disposed on the first lateral side  26  of the base member  22  and extending an entire longitudinal length L 1  of the base member  22 . The rear illuminated panel  20  further includes a pair of rubber channel strips  34  that are generally U-shaped to form a channel  36  that can accommodate a sheet of translucent thermoplastic material  38 , such as Plexiglas. Preferably, although not necessarily, the thermoplastic material  38  is white in color and is adapted for writing thereon with a dry erase marker or other similar writing implement. Similarly, writing on the thermoplastic material  38  may be erased and/or illuminated so that a user can easily read writing on the material  38 . The thermoplastic material  38  provides an advantage over prior art systems in that index cards are no longer necessary. In prior art systems, the index cards could get lost or moved, thereby causing confusion and, possibly, mistakes. 
     The sheet of thermoplastic material  38  is inserted into the channels  36  formed by the rubber strips  34 . Preferably, the rubber strips  34  have a length L 2  that is the same as a length L 3  of the sheet of thermoplastic material  38 . The length L 3  of the sheet of thermoplastic material  38  is also about the same as the length L 1  of the base member  22 . After the rubber strips  34  are attached to the sheet of thermoplastic material  38 , the assembly is slid into the opposing grooves  30 ,  32  formed in the base member  22 . In this manner, the rubber strips  34  fit within the grooves  30 ,  32  with little space between the strips  34  and walls forming the grooves  30 ,  32 . In one embodiment, a friction fit is created therebetween. Further, when assembled with the base member  22 , the rubber strips  34  retain the sheet of thermoplastic material  38  and position and prevent movement or vibration of the sheet of thermoplastic material  38 . Although the strips  34  are shown and described as being rubber, the strips  34  may be made of any flexible, compressible material that will hold the sheet of thermoplastic material  38  in place within the grooves  30 ,  32 . Further, the sheet of thermoplastic material  38  may be replaced by any translucent semi-rigid material that would allow a user to write on a surface of the material, as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. Still optionally, a diffuser and/or a gel material may be used in combination with the thermoplastic material  38  or in place of the thermoplastic material  38 . 
     The rear illuminated panel  20  further includes a light-emitting diode (LED) strip  50 , as best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 7 . The strip  50  includes a plurality of LEDs  52  extending along a length of the strip  50  and the strip  50  is positioned within a cavity  54  formed after insertion of the assembly of the sheet of thermoplastic material  38  and the rubber strips  34  is inserted into the base member  22 . In particular, the strip  50  is attached by adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, or any other attachment mechanism known in the art to a surface  56  within the cavity  54 . Optionally, the strip  50  may be attached to any surface within the cavity  54  that would allow light emitted from the LEDs  52  to project through and illuminate the sheet of thermoplastic material  38 . When the sheet of thermoplastic material  38  is illuminated, a user can view the content of what has been written on the sheet of thermoplastic material  39 . This is useful in a theater setting, for example, during a performance or rehearsal to indicate to a user of a locking rail which counterweight set to operate. Optionally, light from the rear illuminated panel  20  may be utilized in any other relatively dark setting, wherein a user needs to be notified of particular directions and the user is unable to see without an illuminated panel. The benefit of this rear illuminated panel is that the light is muted and the light does not bleed into a performance area. In particular, because the rear illuminated panel may illuminate rearwardly of the performance area, as opposed to downwardly or forwardly as seen in the prior art, the light projected by the rear illuminated panel does not bleed into the performance area. In addition, the use of LEDs  52  allows for control of the amount and direction of the light emitted therefrom. In one embodiment, a subset of the LEDs  52  may be illuminated depending on the amount of light needed. 
     The LEDs  52  in the LED strip  50  may be all of the same color, such as white, red, blue, green, etc., but alternatively, one or more of the LEDs  52  may be tri-color (red, green, and blue) LEDs. If multiple or all tri-color LEDs are utilized, up to 16 million different colors may be utilized (e.g., using a DMX controller). 
     After the rubber strips  34 , the sheet of thermoplastic material  38 , and the LED strip  50  are mounted within the base member  22 , end caps  60 , preferably made of the same material as the base member  22  are attached by mounting screws  62  (which are mounted within extruded holes in the base member  22 ) to opposing ends  64 ,  66  of the base member  22 , as seen in  FIG. 4 . The end caps  60  retain the rubber strips  34 , the sheet of thermoplastic material  38 , and the LED strip  50  within the base member  22 , and also contain any wires or other elements disposed within cavities in the second lateral side  28  of the base member  22 , as discussed below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the base member  22  includes cavities  70 ,  72  contiguous with the cavity  54 . Further, the base member  22  includes a groove  76  and a generally C-shaped cavity  78  formed within the second lateral side  28 . At least one of the cavities  70 ,  72 ,  74  and the groove  76  are intended to support and house wiring for providing power to the LED strip  50 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , square head bolts  80  in combination with nuts  82  and washers  84  are utilized to attach the rear illuminated panel  20  to a locking rail  86  of the support structure  24 . Preferably, extruded holes are disposed within the locking rail  86  for insertion of the square head bolts  80 . Optionally, the rear illuminated panel  20  may be attached to the lock rail  86  in any manner known in the art. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a programmable controller  90  is utilized to control the LEDs  52 . The programmable controller  90  allows a user to remotely select a color, create a customized program for illuminating the LEDs, provide delays, dim the LEDs, and create color changing effects. The controller  90  may include any number of pre-programmed lighting effects or may allow a user to program any number of lighting effects or change lighting effects on the fly. In another embodiment, a wireless on/off and dimming switch  92  may be mounted into an electrical box that is attached to a wall, as seen in  FIG. 4 . Optionally, the electrical box may be provided with a manual override switch or control. In yet another embodiment, both the controller  90  and the switch  92  may be utilized. If a wireless switch  92  or other controller is utilized, cords and wires may be eliminated from the rear illuminated panel  20 . The elimination of cords and wires reduces the risk of injury due to tripping over such components and provides a neater area surrounding the rear illuminated panel  20 . 
     In a further embodiment, as detailed in  FIGS. 8-12 , the rear illuminated panel  20  includes a sheet of thermoplastic material  38 , such as Plexiglas, that is clear. As with other embodiments herein, the thermoplastic material  38  is adapted for writing thereon with a dry erase marker or other similar writing implement. In addition, in this embodiment, the base member  22  is preferably an aluminum extrusion with a mill finish and the LEDs  52  of the LED strip  50  are red, green, blue, white, and/or multi-colored (e.g., a tri-color LED of red/green/blue). The LEDs  52  may be controlled by a wall mount dimming switch  92 , which is not programmable. Optionally, a controller, such as a DMX controller, may be connected to a light board, for controlling operation of the LEDs. With an additional controller and/or a DMX controller and use of multi-colored LEDs, millions of different colors can be created. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-14 , the rear illuminated panel  20  of this embodiment is attached to a support structure, in particular, an index light  100 . Specifically, the index light  100  includes a plurality of generally horizontal T-beams  102  held in place by multiple additional beams, including a plurality of diagonal beams  104 , each set of T-beams  102  and diagonal beams  104  spaced a distance apart, for example, between 5 and 8 feet. The index light  100  further includes an L-shaped panel  106  and an elongate bracket  108  that are attached to one another and the T-beams  102 . In particular, the bracket  108  includes a first end  110  that curves inwardly and downwardly to form a generally cylindrical cavity  112  for holding a pipe  114  or other elongate tubular structure or structures. A central portion  116  of the bracket  108  is generally planar and a second end  118  of the bracket  108  includes a downwardly and inwardly extending portion  120  that is attached to a T-beam  102  by one or more bolts  122  or other attachment mechanisms. The L-shaped panel  106  includes a first, longer portion  130  that extends downwardly from the index light  100  and a second, shorter portion  132  that is attached by bolts  134  or other attachment mechanisms to the bracket  108 . A first side  136  of an L-shaped bracket  138  is also attached to the bracket  108  by one or more bolts  140  or other attachment mechanisms, wherein a second side  142  of the bracket  138  prevents movement of the L-shaped panel  106 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 12 , the illuminated panel  20  is attached by an end bracket  150  to a lower surface  152  of the elongate bracket  108  by the bolts  134 . Specifically, the bolts  134  attach the shorter portion  132  of the panel  106 , the elongate bracket  108 , and the bracket  150 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , at ends of the index light  100 , the brackets  150  include first and second planar portions  154 ,  156  connected by an angled portion  158 . The first planar portion  154  is attached at the bolts  134  to the short portion  132  of the panel  106  and the elongate bracket  108  and the second planar portion  156  is attached to the illuminated panel  20  in any fashion known in the art. An angle A 1  formed by the angled portion  154  with respect to a longitudinal axis  160  of the index light  100 , wherein A 1  is between about 45 degrees and about 60 degrees. End brackets  150  are disposed at ends of the index light  100 . 
     Central brackets  170  are utilized between ends of the index light  100  to attach the illuminated panel  20  to the index light  100 , as seen in  FIG. 10 . In particular, the central brackets  170  include first, second, and third planar portions  172 ,  174 ,  176 , wherein the first and second planar portions  172 ,  174  are separated by a first angled portion  178  and the second and third planar portions  174 ,  176  are separated by a second angled portion  180 . The first and third planar portions  172 ,  176  are attached to the illuminated panel  20  in any fashion known in the art and the second planar portion  174  is attached at the bolts  134  to the short portion  132  of the panel  106  and the elongate bracket  108 . Angles A 2  and A 3  are formed by the angled portions  178 ,  180  with respect to the longitudinal axis  160 , wherein A 2  and A 3  are about 75 degrees. While A 2  and A 3  are shown as being similar, A 2  and A 3  may be different. In addition, an angle A 4  of about  30  degrees is formed between the angled portions  178 ,  180  of the central bracket  170 . 
       FIGS. 15-17  depict an index light  200  incorporating a rear illuminated panel  20  similar to that disclosed in  FIGS. 3-6 . The index light  200  further includes a light directing wall  202  extending from a first side  204  of the light  200  and having a first generally vertical segment  206  and a second segment  208  that is angled toward a second side  210  of the light  200 . An outer side  212  of the wall  202  is preferably black to blend in with dark scenery and an inner side  214  of the wall  202  is preferably white to reflect light emitted by the LEDs  52 . The second segment  208  of the wall  202  is angled rearwardly to transmit reflected light rearwardly, rather than downwardly. The index light  200  further includes at least two attachment mechanisms  220  attached to and extending upwardly from an outer or upper surface  222  of the rear illuminated panel  20 . As best seen in  FIG. 16 , each attachment mechanism  220  is comprised of an L-shaped bracket having a first planar segment  224  that is attached by screws, bolts, or any other known attachment means to the outer surface  222  of the rear illuminated panel  20 . Each attachment mechanism  220  further includes a second segment  226  that is generally vertical and generally transverse to the first planar segment  224 . The second segment  226  includes a slot, aperture, or other connecting member  230  for attaching a chain  232  for connecting the attachment mechanism  220  and a structure  234  from which the index light  20  is to be suspended. The chain  232  may be adjustable in height and/or may be replaced by any other support mechanism known in the art. As described above, the index light  200  may be made in any length in that the rear illuminated panel  20  is modular. In addition, the additional components necessary for the index light  200  may be modular. 
       FIG. 18  depicts an illuminated panel  20  attached to a support structure  24 , such as an index strip or a locking rail. The support structure  24  includes a first generally vertical panel  300  having an inner surface  304  that is attached to an outer surface  306  of a beam or other support  308  by a bolt or other attachment mechanism  310 . A generally horizontal panel  312  extends outwardly from the vertical panel  300  past the beam  308  and a diagonal panel  314  extends outwardly and downwardly from the horizontal panel  312 . The illuminated panel  20  includes a housing  320  with a generally horizontal portion  322  with a lower surface  324  attached to the horizontal panel  312  of the support structure  24 . The housing  320  further includes an angled portion  326  that extends away from the horizontal portion  322  and the diagonal panel  314  of the structure  24  and a lip  328  that, together with the angled portion  326  and the diagonal panel  314 , form a cavity  330 . One or more LEDs  332  are disposed within the cavity  330  for illuminating downwardly along the diagonal panel  314 . Index cards may be utilized with this embodiment, wherein the LEDs  332  provide illumination for viewing the index cards. 
     The embodiment an illuminated panel  20  of  FIG. 19  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 18 , and thus only the differences will be discussed. The illuminated panel  20  includes a first diagonal portion  340  having an upper surface  342  secured to a rear surface  344  of the diagonal panel  314  of the structure  24 . The illuminated panel  20  includes a second diagonal portion  346  generally perpendicular to the first diagonal portion  340  and which abuts a lower end  348  of the diagonal panel  314 . A lip  350  extends inwardly of the second diagonal portion  346  and is generally parallel to the first diagonal portion  340 . The lip  350 , the second diagonal portion  346 , and the diagonal panel  314  form a cavity  352  that houses one or more LEDs  332  that shine light upwardly along the diagonal panel  314 . Again, index cards may be utilized with this embodiment. 
     The illuminated panels  20  as disclosed herein are modular in nature. In particular, each panel  20  may be provided in, for example 8 or 10 foot segments. As one skilled in the art would recognize, any size segments may be utilized and/or multiple different size segments may be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each segment would be provided, for example, in the form seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     If a user desires to create a rear illuminated panel  20  using two segments, adjacent end caps  60  may be removed and one or more connectors may be utilized to connect the panels  20 . Any connector may be utilized, for example, one or more clips, screws, bolts, an adhesive, tape, or combinations thereof. Optionally, one or more connectors may be formed in the shape of the grooves  30 ,  32  (or any other grooves within the base member  22 , wherein the connector is slid into the grooves of adjacent panels  20  to retain the panels  20  adjacent one another. In such arrangement, one or more retaining means may be utilized to retain the connector in place within the base member  22 . 
     The modular rear illuminated panels  20  provide a compact, portable, and adjustable illuminated panel for use in almost any environment. Prior art panels are bulky, hard to move and manipulate, and do not provide adjustability. 
     Any of the embodiments described herein may be modified to include any of the structures or methodologies disclosed in connection with other embodiments. 
     Further, although directional terminology, such as front, back, upper, lower, etc. may be used throughout the present specification, it should be understood that such terms are not limiting and are only utilized herein to convey the orientation of different elements with respect to one another. 
     Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the embodiments of the present disclosure and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.