Abstract:
A backlit display system including a main body which is formed from a single sheet of flexible light-transmissive material. The display system can be shifted from a compact, substantially flat collapsed position to an assembled position with minimal effort by simply folding the main body along predetermined bend lines. Once the main body is assembled, hooks can be attached to the ends of the main body, and the hooks used to couple the display system to a suspended ceiling under a light source. Graphical and/or textual information on or in the main body is illuminated by light emitted from the light source for easy viewing by persons traveling under the display system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to lighted signs for displaying advertisements or other information. In another aspect, the invention concerns backlit display systems that can be mounted under conventional recessed light fixtures in suspended ceilings.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Various conventional systems exist for displaying illuminated information using light emitted from an existing recessed light fixture in a suspended ceiling. One such conventional display system utilizes a light-transmissive trough-shaped rigid body that is coupled under the light fixture by fasteners positioned around the upper edge of the trough-shaped body. Although this type of system is effective for utilizing existing light fixtures to illuminate the displayed information, a number of drawbacks are associated with utilizing a rigid body for the lighted display system. For example, the rigid body can be difficult and expensive to transport and store because of its bulk and weight. Thus, a collapsible display system would be preferred.  
           [0005]    Existing collapsible display systems that utilize light from an existing recessed light fixture are typically formed of a relatively flimsy material that is bent or folded into a generally V-shaped trough. The V-shaped trough of such a display system typically extends completely across the light fixture and is attached to the ceiling supports on opposite sides of the light fixture. This type of display system has a number of drawbacks. For example, such a display system typically covers a substantial portion of the light fixture and can block an undesirably large amount of the light emitted by the light fixture. Further, in order to make the display system more structurally sound, this type of system requires a number of additional support members to be attached to the relatively flimsy material that makes up the body of the display system. The use of additional support structure can add significantly to the expense of the display system, and can add to the difficulty of assembling the system.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a backlit display system that is collapsible for easy storage and transportation.  
           [0007]    A further object of the invention is to provide a backlit display system that is formed of a minimal number of relatively inexpensive components.  
           [0008]    Another object of the invention is to provide a backlit display system that is structurally sound, but does not require the use of various additional structural supporting members.  
           [0009]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive method of displaying information using a backlit display system that can readily be shifted between a collapsed configuration, where the size and thickness of the display system is minimized, and an assembled configuration, where the display system is configured to display illuminated information.  
           [0010]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive method of making a backlit display system.  
           [0011]    It should be understood that the above-listed objects are only exemplary, and not all the objects listed above need be accomplished by the invention described and claimed herein.  
           [0012]    Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a backlit display system comprising first and second light-transmissive side panels hingedly coupled to one another along a juncture, a first outer end panel hingedly coupled to one of the side panels proximate a first end of the juncture, and a second outer end panel hingedly coupled to one of the side panels proximate a second end of the juncture.  
           [0013]    In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying information comprising the steps of: (a) shifting a display system from a substantially collapsed configuration to an assembled configuration, with the assembled display system including a generally V-shaped trough and a pair of end panels hingedly coupled to generally opposite ends of the trough; and (b) mounting the assembled display system on a support structure surrounding a light fixture by fastening the end panels to the support structure.  
           [0014]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of making a backlit display system comprising the steps of: (a) providing a display body integrally formed from a substantially flat sheet of light-transmissive material, with the display body comprising a generally rectangular main panel and first and second end panels extending from generally opposite ends of the main panel; (b) folding the display body along a main bend line extending through the main panel to thereby manipulate the main panel into a generally V-shaped trough having a first side panel and a second side panel, with the first and second end panels extending from generally opposite ends of the trough; (c) folding the first and second end panels so that the first and second end panels extend substantially perpendicular to the first and second side panels; (d) using the first end panel to couple the first and second side panels to one another at one end of the trough; and (e) using the second end panel to couple the first and second side panels to one another at the other end of the trough. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an inventive backlit display system that is mounted under a recessed light fixture of a suspended ceiling;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a top view of the main body of an inventive backlit display system in an unfolded configuration, particularly illustrating that the substantially flat main body can be folded along various bend lines which divide the main body into a variety of different structural components that give the body three dimensional size and support when folded in the prescribed manner;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a top view of the main body in a collapsed configuration, particularly illustrating the main body being folded in upon itself at a number of the bend lines so that the main body has a minimal size and thickness;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4A is an isometric view of an inventive backlit display system in a partially assembled configuration, particularly illustrating one end of the display system being fully assembled and the opposite end of the display system being completely disassembled;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4B is an isometric view of the backlit display system shown in FIG. 4A, particularly illustrating the manner in which an inside end panel is folded during assembly of the display system;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4C is an isometric view of the backlit display system shown in FIG. 4B, particularly illustrating the manner in which an outside end panel and overlap tab are folded during assembly of the display system and also illustrating the manner in which a translucent sheet with an image printed thereon can be inserted into the display system;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is an enlarged partially cut-away side view of an inventive backlit display system in an assembled configuration, particularly illustrating a hook that is attached to an end of the main body and used to support the main body under a light fixture; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a partial sectional side view taken along line  6 - 6  in FIG. 5, particularly illustrating the manner in which the hook is coupled to the main body and the support member of the suspended ceiling. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]    Referring initially to FIG. 1, a backlit display system  10  is illustrated in an assembled configuration. Display system  10  includes a hook  12  which is used to fasten display system  10  to a structural member  14  of a suspended ceiling  16 . Suspended ceiling  16  can be any conventional suspended ceiling utilizing a grid of structural members  14  to support a plurality of ceiling panels  18  and a recessed light fixture  20 . In general, display system  10  is a triangular-shaped trough with closed ends and an open top. The open top of display system  10  is positioned under a portion of light fixture  20  and allows light emitted from light fixture  20  to enter into display system  10  from above. The light in display system  10  can be used to illuminate advertisement or other information formed on/in a translucent portion of display system  10 .  
         [0025]    Referring to FIG. 2, a main body  22  of display system  10  is illustrated in a substantially flat, unfolded configuration. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, main body  22  is formed from a single sheet of a thin, flexible, light-transmissive material. As used herein, the term “light-transmissive” shall denote any object/material that is not opaque. Most preferably, main body  22  is formed of a sheet of transparent synthetic resin material that is capable of being repeatedly folded (i.e., at least 20 times) along a bend line (thereby forming a “living hinge”) without causing cracking/fracturing of the material along the bend line. The shape of main body  22 , shown in FIG. 2, can be made by simply stamping the sheet using a preformed die or cutting the sheet along a preformed template. Thus, main body  22  is formed of a relatively inexpensive material in a relatively inexpensive manner.  
         [0026]    Referring again to FIG. 2, in order to form the assembled display system  10  (shown in FIG. 1), main body  22  must be folded along a number of bend lines. The bend lines represent living hinges between various substantially flat components/panels of main body  22  that are bent relative to one another. Thus, various components that are joined at bend lines are referred to herein as being “hingedly coupled” to one another. Bend lines  24 , 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34  outline a generally rectangular main panel section  36  of main body  22 . A main bend line  38  divides main panel section  36  into a first side panel  40  and a second side panel  42  and defines a living hinge junction between first and second side panels  40 , 42 . Bend line  24  defines a living hinge junction between first side panel  40  and a first side flange  44 . Bend line  26  defines a living hinge junction between first side panel  40  and a first inner end panel  46 . Bend line  28  defines a living hinge junction between second side panel  42  and a first outer end panel  48 . Bend line  30  defines a living hinge junction between second side panel  42  and a second side flange  50 . Bend line  32  defines a living hinge junction between second side panel  42  and a second inner panel end  52 . Bend line  34  defines a living hinge junction between first side panel  40  and a second outer end panel  54 . A bend line  56  defines a living hinge junction between first outer end panel  48  and a first connection tab  58 . A bend line  60  defines a living hinge junction between first outer end panel  48  and a first overlap tab  62 . A bend line  64  defines a living hinge junction between second outer end panel  54  and a second connection tab  66 . A bend line  68  defines a living hinge junction between second outer end panel  54  and a second overlap tab  70 . A first slot  72  is defined in first inner end panel  46  adjacent bend line  26 . A second slot  74  is defined in second inner end panel  52  adjacent bend line  32 . First and second slots  72 ,  74  are adapted to releasably receive and hold first and second connection tabs  58 , 66 , respectively, when main body  22  is in the fully assembled configuration (shown in FIG. 1). First inner end panel  46 , first outer end panel  48 , and first overlap tab  62  each define respective first openings  76   a,b,c.  Second inner end panel  52 , second outer end panel  54 , and second overlap tab  70  each define respective second openings  78   a,b,c.  When main body  22  is in the fully assembled configuration (as shown in FIG. 1), first openings  76   a,b,c  are substantially aligned with one another and second openings  78   a,b,c  are substantially aligned with one another.  
         [0027]    Referring to FIG. 3, main body  22  is shown in a collapsed configuration where the size and thickness of main body  22  is minimized. When in the collapsed configuration, main body  22  can be easily stored and transported. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to shift main body  22  from the unfolded configuration (shown in FIG. 2) to the collapsed configuration (shown in FIG. 3), first inner end panel  46  is pivoted relative to first side panel  40  along bend line  26  through an angle of about 180 degrees, first outer end panel  48  is pivoted relative to second side panel  42  along bend line  28  through an angle of about 180 degrees, second inner end panel  52  is pivoted relative to second side panel  42  along bend line  32  through an angle of about 180 degrees, second outer end panel  54  is pivoted relative to first side panel  40  along bend line  34  through an angle of about 180 degrees, and first side panel  40  is pivoted relative to second side panel  42  along main bend line  38  through an angle of about 180 degrees. As used herein, the term “about 180 degrees” shall denote 180 degrees plus or minus 15 degrees. In the above-described manner, the largest components of main body  22  are essentially folded in upon one another so that first and second inner and outer end panels  46 , 48 , 52 , 54  are disposed generally between first and second side panels  40 ,  42  when main body  22  is in the collapsed configuration (shown in FIG. 3). When main body  22  is in the collapsed configuration, it is preferred for the maximum thickness of main body  22  to be less than about 4 inches, more preferably less than about 2 inches, and most preferably less than 1 inch. Further, when main body  22  is in the collapsed configuration, it is preferred for the angle formed between first and second side panels  40 , 42 , which are hingedly coupled to one another along bend line/junction  38 , to be less than about 10 degrees, more preferably less than about 5 degrees, and most preferably less than 2 degrees.  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, backlit display system  10  can be shifted from the collapsed configuration (shown in FIG. 3) to the assembled configuration (shown in FIG. 1) with minimal effort. The first step in shifting main body  22  from the collapsed configuration to the assembled configuration is to pivot first and second side panels  40 , 42  at bend line  38  through a pivot angle of at least about  10  degrees, more preferably at least about  20  degrees, and most preferably in the range of from 30 to 60 degrees. When first and second side panels  40 , 42  are pivoted relative to one another in this manner, first and second side panels  40 , 42  form a generally V-shaped trough. The next step in shifting main body  22  from the collapsed configuration to the assembled configuration is to use the first and second outer and inner end panels  46 , 48 , 52 , 54  to connect first and second side panels  40 , 42  to one another, thereby supporting first and second side panels  40 , 42  in the generally V-shaped configuration. When shifting main body  22  from the collapsed configuration to the assembled configuration, first and second outer and inner end panels  46 , 48 , 52 , 54  are pivoted relative to first and second side panels  40 , 42  at bend lines  26 , 28 , 32 , 34  (shown in FIG. 3), respectively, through a pivot angle of at least about 30 degrees, more preferably at least about 60 degrees, and most preferably in the range of from 75 to 105 degrees. It is preferred for main body  22  to have a minimum thickness when in the assembled configuration that is at least twice the maximum thickness of main body  22  in the collapsed configuration, more preferably at least four times maximum thickness of main body  22  in the collapsed configuration.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 4A, 4B, and  4 C illustrate the manner in which first inner end panel  46  and first outer end panel  48  can be folded relative to one another and coupled to one another so that they support first and second side panels  40 , 42  relative to one another. As shown in FIG. 4B, first inner end panel  46  is first folded into a position where it extends substantially perpendicular to second side panel  42 . As shown in FIG. 4C, first outer end panel  48  is then folded over first inner end panel  46  so that first connection tab  58  is extended into first slot  72 . When first connection tab  58  is received in first slot  72 , first inner and outer end panels  46 , 48  extend substantially perpendicular to first and second side panels  40 , 42 . After first connection tab  58  has been received in first slot  72 , first overlap tab  62  can be folded over the top portion of first inner end panel  46  so that the top portion of first inner end panel  46  is received between first overlap tab  62  and first outer end panel  48 . Once first overlap tab  62  has been folded over first inner end panel  46 , first openings  76   a,b,c  are substantially aligned with one another. Although the assembly of only the first end of display system  10  is discussed above, it should be understood that both ends of the display system are assembled in substantially the same manner. FIG. 4A also shows that first and second side flanges  44 , 50  should be folded relative to first and second side panels  40 , 42 , respectively, until side flanges  44 , 50  extend substantially parallel to the top edges of the first and second ends. In this configuration, side flanges  44 , 50  help strengthen side panels  40 , 42 .  
         [0030]    Referring to FIGS. 4 through 6, when second openings  78   a,b,c  are substantially aligned with one another, a fastener (such as a bolt  80 , shown in FIG. 6) can be extended therethrough. After extending the fastener through second openings  78   a,b,c,  the fastener can be extended through an opening  81  (shown in FIG. 5) in a hook  82  (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). Thereafter, the fastener can be fixed (e.g., by a wing nut  84 ) in opening  81  of hook  82  and second openings  78   a,b,c  so that second outer end panel  54 , second inner end panel  52 , second overlap tab  70 , and hook  82  are rigidly coupled to one another by the fastener. Referring to FIG. 4C, prior to coupling display system  10  to suspended ceiling  16 , a translucent sheet  88  with an image to be displayed formed thereon can be inserted into main body  22 . Alternatively, translucent sheet  88  can be eliminated if main body  22  has a translucent image to be displayed formed thereon.  
         [0031]    As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, once display system  10  has been shifted and locked into the assembled configuration, display system  10  can be coupled to a structural member  14  of a suspended ceiling  16  by attaching hook  82  to a flange  86  of ceiling support member  14 . This can be done for both ends of display system  10  so that display system  10  extends across light fixture  20 . Ceiling panel  18  of suspended ceiling  16  can rest on the top of hook  82  to thereby aid in holding display system  10  in place.  
         [0032]    The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be used in a limiting sense to interpret the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, set forth above, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0033]    The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as it pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.