Patent Abstract:
A conveyor panel for use on an endless conveyor including a base plate, an indicia plate and an indicia sheet. The base plate includes an upper surface, the upper surface having a recess formed therein and bounded by a slot on at least one side. The indicia plate includes a first sheet overlying a second sheet, with the indicia sheet captured between the first sheet and the second sheet. The indicia plate is removably carried in the recess of the indicia plate, and extends into the slot on at least one side.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to methods and devices for advertising. 
     More particularly, the present invention relates to visual information such as advertising on endless conveyors. 
     In a further and more specific aspect, the instant invention concerns panels having visual information forming the load carrying platforms on baggage carousels. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conveyors for carrying items from one location to another location are well-known in the art. In a specific example, conveyors are placed into an endless essentially circular orientation for dispensing baggage at airports. Recently, panels have been developed for carrying and presenting advertising to passengers waiting for their baggage. Notable among these devices is a sheet containing advertising adhered to the top surface of the conveyor panels. While presenting advertising to waiting passengers, this method is relatively ineffectual as the baggage and items carried by the carousel damage the sheets, obscuring the advertising. A much more effective approach has been adhering sheets containing indicia to the bottom of a transparent panel. In this manner the relatively fragile sheet containing indicia is protected from the baggage and items carried by the carousel. While very effective, this method has a drawback of being relatively expensive. 
     In both of the foregoing devices, sheets containing the indicia are adhered to the carousel panels. Thus when the sheets and indicia are damaged or when new indicia is desired, the entire panel must be replaced. Replacement of the panels on a baggage carousel is labor-intensive as well as costly. 
     It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved baggage carousel. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a conveyor panel with easily replaceable indicia. 
     And another object of the invention is to provide a new improved method of advertising a conveyor. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an advertising device which is highly visible and durable. 
     And yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new improved method for making and using an advertising device for use on conveyor systems, which is relatively inexpensive, and produces highly visible and durable advertising devices. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a panel which can be used with conveyors, a plurality of which may be used on each conveyor, in which can be individually replaced are changed to change visual information without replacing the panel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided is a conveyor panel for use on an endless conveyor including a base plate, an indicia plate and an indicia sheet. The base plate includes an upper surface, the upper surface having a recess formed therein and bounded by a slot on at least one side. The indicia plate includes a first sheet overlying a second sheet, with the indicia sheet captured between the first sheet and the second sheet. The indicia plate is removably carried in the recess of the indicia plate, and extends into the slot on at least one side. 
     Also provided is a method of displaying indicia on an endless conveyor. A plurality of conveyor panels are provided. Each panel includes a base plate and an indicia plate. The plurality of conveyor panels are installed on the endless conveyor. The indicia plate is removed and the first sheet is separated from its overlying engagement with the second sheet. An indicia sheet carrying the desired indicia is placed between the first sheet and the second sheet. The first sheet is replaced in its overlying engagement with the second sheet, and the indicia plate is inserted into the recess so it extends into the slot on at least one side. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baggage carousel according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a conveyor panel according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating overlapping conveyor panels of the baggage carousel of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the indicia plate according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the conveyor panel of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial end view of the panel of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the conveyor panel of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a baggage carousel according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a base plate of the baggage carousel of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 it is end exploded view of the conveyor panel of the baggage carousel of FIG. 8; and 
     FIG. 11 is a partial end view of the conveyor panel of FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 illustrating a baggage carousel generally designated  10 . While the present invention may be used with endless conveyors in general, it is especially useful for improving baggage carousels well known in airports. Baggage carousel  10  includes a plurality of conveyor panels  12  that move around the periphery of carousel  10  carrying baggage and other items to waiting people. Panels  12  are upstanding between an elevated platform  14  with an upper rail  16  around its periphery and a lower rail  18  around the periphery of the entire carousel. A section is removed from elevated platform  14  for baggage loading means such as a belt conveyor  20 . Belt conveyor  20  carries the baggage from a baggage loading area, generally placed at a lower level. Belt conveyor  20  carries the baggage up to the height of elevated platform  14  to slide the baggage onto conveyor panels  12 . Since conveyor panels  12  are at an inclined angle, the baggage slides down conveyor panels  12  from the level of upper rail  16  to the level of lower rail  18 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 1, an exploded section of carousel  10  shows individual conveyor panels  12  and a section of the transport means that causes panels  12  to be transport around the circumference of carousel  10 . An upper rail section  16 A is shown removed from the remaining portion of upper rail  16 . Likewise, a lower rail section  18 A is removed from the remaining section of lower rail  18  located around the periphery of carousel  10 . This permits panels  12  to be removed from the transport system itself. Conveyor panels  12  are fastened with screws, for instance, to a plurality of spaced apart support bars  24 . Each support bar  24  is interconnected with adjacent support bars forming a continuous circuit. The structure of the baggage carousel will not be described in detail as it is well known to those skilled in the art. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, conveyor panel  12  is illustrated in exploded view. Panel  12  includes a base plate  30  having a leading edge  32 , a trailing edge  33 , a top edge  34 , a bottom edge  35 , and a top surface  37 . A recess  38  is formed in top surface  37  intermediate top edge  34  and bottom edge  35 , and extending from leading edge  32  to a point spaced from trailing edge  33 . A slot  39  is formed in base plate  30  contiguous with recess  38 , extending parallel to top surface  37 , and directed toward top edge  34 , bottom edge  35 , and trailing edge  33 . Conveyor panel  12  further includes an indicia plate  40  consisting of a sheet  42  and a sheet  43  with an indicia sheet  44  sandwiched therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, sheets  42  and  43  are transparent, permitting indicia on indicia sheet  44  to be viewed. It will be understood however, that the bottom sheet  42  need not be transparent as indicia is only viewed in one direction. 
     Still referring to FIG. 2, sheet  42  and sheet  43  of indicia plate  40  have an upper edge  47 , a lower edge  48 , a leading edge  49 , and a trailing edge  50 . With additional reference to FIG. 4, sheet  42  and sheet  43  are hingedly coupled at leading edges  49 . The hinge coupling is achieved by adhering a material, such as tape  41 , to aligned leading edges  49  of sheet  42  and sheet  43 . In this manner, sheets  42  and  43  can be opened to receive indicia sheet  44  therebetween, while maintaining the desired alignment. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the hinge coupling may be omitted as desired, resulting in slightly increased difficulty in aligning sheet  42  with sheet  43 . Furthermore, while in the preferred embodiment the hinge coupling is formed with tape extending along the leading edge from the upper edge to the lower edge, it will be understood that one or more small sections of the leading edges may be hingedly coupled to achieve the same effect. It is also contemplated that the trailing edges or one of the top edge or the bottom edge of sheet  42  and sheet  43  may be hingedly coupled instead of the leading edge. This, however, would not be as effective as the preferred embodiment. 
     After indicia sheet  44  has been positioned between sheet  42  and sheet  43 , indicia plate  40  is inserted within recess  38  of base plate  30 . Insertion of indicia plate  40  onto base plate  30  may be accomplished in various manners. In the preferred embodiment, sheet  42  and sheet  43  are constructed of a material having a degree of flexibility such as plastic or resin materials like polycarbonate. Thus indicia plate  40  can be flexed, reducing the distance between upper edge  47  and lower edge  48 . This reduced distance permits indicia plate  40  to be inserted into recess  38 . Upon relaxing the flex, upper edge  47  and lower edge  48  are received within slot  39  proximate upper edge  34  and lower edge  35 , respectively, of base plate  30 . Trailing edge  50  of indicia plate  40  can then be inserted into slot  39  proximate trailing edge  33  of base plate  30  by exerting pressure on leading edge  49 , thereby sliding indicia plate  40  toward trailing edge  33  of base plate  30 . It should be understood that other materials of a more rigid nature may be employed for sheet  42  and sheet  43 . In this case the flexed may be eliminated, requiring trailing edge  50  to be inserted in slot  39  at leading and  32  of base plate  30 . Pressure exerted on leading edge  49  will result in indicia plate  40  moving along slot  39  toward trailing edge  33  of base plate  30 . 
     The tolerances between slot  39  and indicia plate  40  may be close enough to provide for a friction fit therebetween, eliminating the need for other retaining apparatus. However, for added security, or if a tight fit has not been achieved or is not desired, a fastening element may be employed. With additional reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the preferred embodiment, an aperture  52  is formed in sheet  42  proximate lower edge  48  and an aperture  53  is formed in sheet  43  proximate lower edge  48 . Aperture  52  is aligned with aperture  53  with sheet  42  overlying sheet  43  in the close position. An aperture  54  is formed in base plate  30  at slot  39  proximate lower edge  35 . With indicia plate  40  positioned in recess  38 , apertures  52 ,  53 , and  54  align. A fastening member  55  such as a pin, screw, peg, etc., extends concurrently through apertures  52 ,  53 , and  54 , securely retaining indicia plate  40  in position. 
     When installed on baggage carousel  10 , conveyor panels  12  overlap adjacent panels  12  as illustrated in FIG.  3 . Leading edges  32  of the overlapping panels cover a portion of trailing edges  33  of the panels to a point adjacent trailing edge  50  of indicia plate  40 . This present a substantially unbroken view of indicia sheets  44  of adjacent panels, at least on the straight stretches of the baggage carousel. The overlap of panels  12  typically results in wear on the top surface of conveyor plate  12 . To prevent damage to indicia plate  40 , a buffer strip in  60  is affixed to the underside of base plate  30  along leading edge  32  (FIGS.  5 - 7 ). Additionally, wear on indicia plate  40  is substantial reduced because the top surface thereof is recessed with respect to top surface  37  of base plate  30 . Indicia plate  40  is recessed by the thickness of base plate  30  between slot  39  and top surface  37 . It will be understood that this recess may be eliminated if desired, by forming a groove in the top surface of sheet  43  having a depth corresponding to the previously described thickness of base plate  30 . The slight recess will not effect the movement of baggage on the panels because the raised portions are very near rails  16  and  18 . 
     Thus, panels  12  are installed on baggage carousel  10 , as illustrated in FIG. 1, to form one or more single panel or compound panel images, as desired for advertising, etc. Changing the indicia employed is easily accomplished by removing the desired indicia plate  40 , separating sheet  42  and sheet  43  with alignment maintained by the hinge coupling, and replacing sheet  44  with an indicia sheet containing the desired indicia. Sheet  42  and sheet  43  are then closed into aligned and overlying relationship with the new indicia sheet captured therebetween. Indicia plate  40  containing the new indicia is then inserted into recess  38  of base plate  30 . During this entire procedure, base plate  30  can remain in position, attached to baggage carousel  10 . Furthermore, sheet  42  and sheet  43  are reusable with only indicia sheet  44  being replaced. 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, a baggage carousel generally designated  110  is illustrated. In this embodiment, baggage carousel  110  is the flat type of carousel including a plurality of conveyor panels  112  each having a generally crescent shape. Carousel  110  includes a base  113  supporting a track  114  extending in a continuous circuit. A plurality of rollers  115  extend from base  113  on both sides of track  114 , around the continuous circuit of track  114 . Attachment members  116  are attached to drive means, supported by track  114  in a spaced apart relationship to one another. Conveyor panels  112  each have a convex edge and an opposing concave edge, which gives them a crescent shape. Each panel  112  is attached to a separate attachment member  116  by an attachment assembly. The attached panels  112  form a continuous platform around carousel  110 , with each convex edge nesting against a concave edge of adjacent panel  112 . Sides of panels  112  ride upon and are supported by rollers  115 . The attachment assembly consists of bores  117  formed through a medial portion of panel  112 , through which bolts  118  extend, to be received within corresponding bores  119  formed in attachment member  116 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 8, rails  122  and  124  are attached to opposing edges of base  113 , covering rollers  115 , and partially overlapping panels  112 . Panels  112  slide under overlapping trim portions  125  and  127  of rails  122  and  124  respectively. Overlapping trimmed portions  125  and  127  prevent items from dropping within carousel  110  and, since they are raised above the level of panels  112 , also prevent items from falling off the platform created thereby. Further details of baggage carousel  110  have been omitted, as this type of carousel is well known to those skilled in the art. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, conveyor panel  112  is illustrated in exploded view. Panel  112  includes a base plate  130  having a leading edge  132  (convex edge), a trailing edge  133  (concave edge), an edge  134 , an edge  135 , and a top surface  137 . A recess  138  is formed in top surface  137  intermediate edge  134  and edge  135 , and extending from leading edge  132  to trailing edge  133 . A slot  139  and a slot  141  is formed in base plate  130  contiguous with recess  138 , extending parallel to top surface  137  spaced from and directed towards edge  134  and edge  135 , respectively. Conveyor panel  110  further includes an indicia plate  140  consisting of a sheet  142  and a sheet  143  with an indicia sheet  144  sandwiched therebetween. Sheets  142  and  143  are preferably transparent, permitting indicia on indicia sheet  144  to be viewed. As with the previous embodiment, it will be understood that the bottom sheet  142  need not be transparent as indicia is only viewed in one direction. 
     Referring specifically to FIG. 10, sheet  142  and sheet  143  of indicia plate  140  have an edge  147 , an edge  148 , a leading edge  149 , and a trailing edge  150 . Sheet  142  and sheet  143  are hingedly coupled at edges  148 . The hinge coupling is achieved by adhering a material, such as tape, to aligned edges  148  of sheet  142  and sheet  143 . In this manner, sheets  142  and  143  can be opened to receive indicia sheet  144  therebetween, while maintaining the desired alignment. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the hinge coupling may be omitted as desired, resulting in slightly increased difficulty in aligning sheet  142  with sheet  143 . Furthermore, while in the preferred embodiment the hinge coupling is formed with tape extending along the edge from the leading edge to the trailing edge, it will be understood that one or more small sections of the edges may be hingedly coupled to achieve the same effect. It is also contemplated that edge  147  or leading edge  149  of sheet  142  and sheet  143  may be hingedly coupled instead of edge  148 . Leading edge  149  would be difficult to form a hinged coupling on in this manner, however, due to its curvature. 
     After indicia sheet  144  has been positioned between sheet  142  and sheet  143 , indicia plate  140  is inserted within recess  138  of base plate  130 . Insertion of indicia plate  140  onto base plate  130  may be accomplished in various manners. In the preferred embodiment as described in the previous embodiment, sheet  142  and sheet  143  are constructed of a material having a degree of flexibility such as plastic or resin materials like polycarbonate. Thus indicia plate  140  can be flexed, reducing the distance between edge  147  and edge  148 . This reduced distance permits indicia plate  140  to be inserted into recess  138 . Upon relaxing the flex, edge  147  and edge  148  are received within slots  139  and  141 , respectively. 
     The tolerances between slot  139  and indicia plate  140  may be close enough to provide for a friction fit therebetween, eliminating the need for other retaining apparatus. Also, indicia plate  140  cannot slide from recess  138  because leading edges  149  and trailing edge  150  of adjacent panels abut However, for added security, or if a tight fit has not been achieved or is not desired, a fastening element may be employed. With additional reference to FIG. 11, in the preferred embodiment, an aperture  152  is formed in sheet  142  proximate edge  147  and an aperture  153  is formed in sheet  143  proximate edge  147 . Aperture  152  is aligned with aperture  153  with sheet  142  overlying sheet  143  in the close position. An aperture  154  is formed in base plate  130  at slot  141  proximate edge  135 . With indicia plate  140  positioned in recess  138 , apertures  152 ,  153 , and  154  align. A fastening member  155  such as a pin, screw, peg, etc., extends concurrently through apertures  152 ,  153 , and  154 , securely retaining indicia plate  140  in position. 
     When installed on baggage carousel  110 , conveyor panels  112  abut adjacent panels  112  as illustrated in FIG.  8 . This presents a substantially unbroken view of indicia sheets  144  of adjacent panels. Thus, panels  112  are installed to form one or more single panel or compound panel images, as desired for advertising, etc. Changing the indicia employed is easily accomplished by removing the desired indicia plate  140 , separating sheet  142  and sheet  143  with alignment maintained by the hinge coupling, and replacing sheet  144  with an indicia sheet containing the desired indicia. Sheet  142  and sheet  143  are then closed into aligned and overlying relationship with the new indicia sheet captured therebetween. Indicia plate  140  containing the new indicia is then inserted into recess  138  of base plate  130 . During this entire procedure, base plate  130  can remain in position, attached to baggage carousel  110 . Furthermore, sheet  142  and sheet  143  are reusable with only indicia sheet  144  being replaced. 
     Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1