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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a portable, foldable, light weight image
display system comprising plural flexible weblike panels supporting rows
and columns of discrete light sources, such as an array of light emitting
diodes (LEDs), particularly adapted for image and information displays.
BACKGROUND
Large scale image display systems have become increasingly popular for use
in connection with indoor and outdoor stage performances, as image and
information displays in various entertainment venues and as information
displays for viewing by large audiences in stadiums, theaters or other
public gathering places.
Heretofore, large scale image display systems have been characterized by
large, rigid structural panels which are assembled and supported by
complex support structure on or adjacent to performance stages in both
indoor and outdoor arenas. One type of large scale image display system
actually utilizes a large array of relatively small cathode ray tube (CRT)
image projection elements arranged in rows and columns and supported by
complicated, heavy structure. Prior art display systems are not only heavy
and complex but the requirements for transporting these displays from one
location to another for use by touring entertainment groups, for example,
requires complicated erection and derigging or disassembly procedures and
equipment as well as several large over-the-road vehicles for transporting
the display system, from one locale to the next. Moreover, the electrical
power requirements for prior art display systems have been significant as
well as the influence of these systems on the heating and cooling
requirements for indoor arenas.
Accordingly, there has been a strongly felt need to develop an improved
large scale portable image display system which is capable of being
erected on, behind, or adjacent to a performance stage, on a facade in a
public gathering place, such as a stadium or arena, or otherwise
positioned at a location for projecting large scale animated images,
including video images and/or information to audiences which are usually
located substantial distances from the display system itself. Certainly, a
reduction in weight and size of the system, when disassembled for
transport or storage, is welcome. Moreover, it has also been deemed
desirable to provide image display systems which have reduced power
requirements while possessing the ability to project multicolored images
with good image resolution. These desiderata have been strongly felt in
the entertainment industry. It is to these ends that the present invention
has been developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a portable large scale image display system,
particularly adapted for use in conjunction with stage performances,
athletic performances, and other public or private gatherings in both
indoor and outdoor arenas. The image display system is also adapted for
use in locations wherein it is desirable to provide a large image display
for viewing by an audience disposed a substantial distance away from the
display system itself, such as in a stadium, a large theater or other
facility where entertainment or information display for a large audience
is carried out.
In accordance with one important aspect of the invention, a large scale,
portable, image display system is provided which is characterized by a web
of generally flexible strap-like members, not unlike a net, on which is
mounted a matrix (rows and columns) of light sources which are
controllable to project single or multicolored animated, still or video
images as well as alphanumeric information to a viewing audience. The
flexible fabric straps are suitably interconnected to each other to form a
web or net-like panel structure supporting the rows and columns of light
sources which are arranged spaced from each other a suitable distance so
that an image of suitable resolution may be projected. The display system
may be made of up a plurality of panels, each panel supporting a
predetermined number of light sources thereon. The light sources are
adapted for control by a suitable control system connected to the light
sources by way of control circuits, selected ones of which may be
supported in enclosures mounted on the panels.
The present invention further provides a large scale, portable image
display system which may be easily erected or rigged and derigged for
transport or storage. At least portions of the display system may be
stored in part of the system rigging and support structure which may
advantageously be used as a carrying or storage container. The web or
netlike support structure for the light sources is lightweight, easily
stored in a folded or rolled condition and provides minimal wind
resistance when erected in various outdoor settings.
Still further in accordance with the invention, a portable large scale
image display system is provided which is characterized by a matrix of
light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are adapted for projecting multicolor
images. The LEDs are preferably clustered in groups of LEDs supported on
housings or modules which are mounted on the weblike support structure in
a manner which provides for easy removal and replacement of the clustered
light sources, individually. Each cluster or module of LEDs is
electrically connected to a control circuit disposed in an enclosure
mounted on the flexible weblike support and conductor elements between the
light sources and the control circuits are routed along the rows and
columns of strap members making up the web.
Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the advantages and
features of the invention mentioned above together with other important
aspects thereof upon reading the detailed description which follows in
conjunction with the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a large scale portable image display system
in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one panel of the display system shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a portion of one of the bottom panels of
the display system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3B is a detail section view taken along line 3B--3B of FIG. 3A;
FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view showing a preferred arrangement for
connecting the column straps of a panel to a bottom support beam or truss
for the display system;
FIG. 5 is a detail section view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a detail front elevation of one of the clustered LED modules;
FIG. 7 is a detail rear elevation of a portion of one of the display system
panels; and
FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view showing a preferred arrangement for
routing the conductors for the clustered LED light sources.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the description which follows like elements are marked throughout the
specification and drawing with the same reference numerals, respectively.
The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain elements may
be shown in generalized or schematic form in the interest of clarity and
conciseness.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a portable image display system
in accordance with the invention and generally designated by the numeral
10. The display system 10 is shown erected at the rear of a performance
stage 12 wherein various forms of entertainment may be carried out for an
audience, not shown, seated or standing beyond the front edge 14 of the
stage 12 and facing the display 10. The display system 10 may be
interposed between spaced apart upstanding tower or column members 16 and
18 which may be of a conventional truss type construction and suitably
guyed or otherwise supported adjacent to the rear edge 15 of the stage 12,
for example. A suitable support, such as a cable 20, may be stretched taut
between the towers 16 and 18 at the upper ends thereof, respectively.
Alternatively, a suitable beam may extend between and be connected to the
towers 16 and 18 at their upper ends in place of the cable 20. Elongated
beamlike members 22 extend end to end between the towers 16 and 18 at the
respective bases of the towers and are disposed on the stage 12. The beam
members 22 may be generally rectangular box truss type structures, similar
to the towers 16 and 18, but having one longitudinal side of the truss
being substantially devoid of transverse truss members for purposes to be
described in further detail herein.
The display 10 comprises a plurality of panels, each generally designated
by numeral 24, which may be interconnected. In the exemplary display shown
in FIG. 1, plural panels 24 are arranged in four columns and three rows
per column. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that various
other combinations of the panels 24 may be connected to each other to
provide other configurations of the overall display. In certain
applications, the display system 10 may be made up of just one panel 24,
as will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art from the following
description.
Referring now to FIG. 2, one of the panels 24 for the display system 10 is
illustrated in further detail. Each of the panels 24 is characterized by
plural, vertically extending, spaced apart, generally parallel, flexible
support members 26 interconnected by plural spaced apart, generally
horizontally extending, parallel flexible support members 28. The support
members 26 and 28 form a web or netlike structure and may be formed of
woven fabric straps, respectively. In particular, by way of example, each
of the support members 26 may comprise flexible nylon strapping of about
1.75 inches to 2.0 inches width and having a tensile working strength of
about 1,000 pounds. The horizontal support members 28 may also be woven
nylon strapping of 1.75 inches width and having a working strength of
1,500 pounds. The support members 28 are preferably of slightly greater
thickness or strength rating to give added stiffness thereto so as to
facilitate maintaining the panel 24 as a generally planar member when it
is supported alone or in the display system 10. The dimensions and spacing
of the strap members may be varied in accordance with panel size, image
resolution and materials used for the weblike panel structure. Opposite
ends 28a and 28b of support members 28 are provided with suitable
fastening means, such as strips of hook fastener 30 and loop fastener 32,
see FIGS. 2, 3A and 7. The fastening strips 30 and 32 are applied to
opposite sides of the straps 28 so that adjacent panels 24 may be secured
to each other at the fastening strips 30 and 32, respectively.
Referring further to FIG. 2, each of the flexible support members 26 is
adapted to support a plurality of spaced apart light sources 34 and such
that these light sources are arranged in plural columns. The spacing of
the light sources 34 along each of the members 26 is such that a matrix of
vertical columns 34a and horizontal rows 34b of light sources is provided,
as indicated in FIG. 2. In this way a large, multi-point light source
array may be provided wherein each of the light sources may be energized
selectively to generate various stationary or animated images, various
video images and alphanumeric text. One preferred spacing of the support
members 26 and the light sources 34 is on about 6.0 inch centers for a
panel 24 having a horizontal length of about twenty feet and a height of
about ten feet. Although only three spaced apart horizontal support
members 28 are shown in FIG. 2, additional horizontal support members may
be used, if necessary. Moreover, for a large scale image display system
the vertical spacing of the light sources 34 may also be approximately 6.0
inches. The viewing distance from the display 10 and the image resolution
desired may dictate other spacings. The support members 26 and 28 may be
suitably interconnected at their contiguous surfaces by conventional means
such as stitching 36, for example, see FIG. 5. Each of the support members
26 preferably includes. suitable fastening means disposed at its opposite
ends. By way of example, as shown in the drawing figures, each support
member 26 is provided with a somewhat D-shaped connector ring 40 suitably
attached to each end thereof.
As further shown in FIG. 2, each panel 24 may also be provided with spaced
apart weathertight enclosures 42 suitably supported thereon and adapted to
enclose certain control elements for energizing and de-energizing the
light sources 34 by a suitable control system 44. In particular, if the
light sources 34 are clusters of light emitting diodes, in accordance with
the preferred embodiment of the invention to be described in further
detail herein, the control system 44 may include a suitable electronic
digital computer or central processing unit (CPU) 46, a suitable memory
circuit 48, a decoder and input/output control circuit 50 and suitable
driver circuits 45 disposed in the enclosures 42. Control system 44 is
operable for energizing selected ones of the light sources 34 in the
respective rows and columns 34a and 34b indicated in FIG. 2, to provide an
alphanumeric display, stationary or animated graphics displays of selected
designs or video images. The control system 44, if adapted for energizing
an array or matrix of light emitting diodes, may be of a type commercially
available and is believed to be within the purview of one of ordinary
skill in the art of image display systems utilizing light emitting diodes
as well as other light sources for providing large scale animated image
display systems and the like.
Each of the panels 24 is provided with a suitable number of enclosures 42
for the appropriate control circuits for the respective light sources 34.
For example, the driver control circuits 45 disposed in the enclosures 42
may comprise suitable switches for energizing and deenergizing the light
sources 34 at particular locations in the respective rows 34a and columns
34b so that a suitable image is displayed by each panel 24 in concert with
the adjacent panels to provide a coherent image by the display system 10.
Referring further to FIG. 2, each panel 24 is also preferably adapted to
support enclosures 47, two shown by way of example, which enclosures
include suitable circuitry for providing DC electrical power to the
circuits 45 disposed in the enclosures 42. The enclosures 47 may be
suitably connected to a source of AC electrical power, for example, and
are operable to provide DC electrical power to each of the enclosures 42
whereby the circuitry 45 in the enclosures 42 is then operable to control
energization and de-energization of the respective light sources 34.
Although the enclosures 42 and 47 are shown mounted on the panels 24
across an upper edge strap member 28, these enclosures may also be mounted
along the lower edge of each panel so that the weights of the enclosures
will aid in supporting the panels to be suspended in a generally planar
configuration.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A through 5, and FIG. 5 in particular, there is
illustrated one preferred arrangement for attaching the respective panels
24 of the display system 10 to each other and to support structure
including the cable 20 and beam 22. Each of the support members 26 may be
secured to the cable 20 by a suitable connecting member 50 comprising a
hook having a throat 51 closeable by a latch 52, for example. A hook 50
may be provided for interconnecting each fastening member or D-ring 40 of
each upper panel 24 with the cable 20 or other suitable support structure.
A preferred form of the connecting member or hook 50 may be a carabiner of
a type commercially available, for example. Carabiners 50 may also be used
to releasably connect panels 24 to each other at cooperating aligned ends
of adjacent support members 26, as shown by way of example in FIG. 5. As
also shown in FIG. 5, each of the straplike support members 26 may be
folded back on itself at opposed distal ends 26e and 26f and stitched to
form an eye for retaining the respective connector members 40. As
previously mentioned, the support members 26 may be suitably connected to
respective ones of the horizontal strap support members 28 at their
respective crossing points by conventional stitching 36. Connecting
members between each of the panels 24 as well as between the panels and
panel support structure may be other forms of connecting elements, such as
shackles or any suitable element which is capable of supporting panel
weights and any tensioning forces applied thereto.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 4, in particular, a preferred arrangement is
illustrated for attaching the panels 24 of the lowermost row of panels to
the beam members 22. Each of the support members 26 may be secured to the
beam 22 at its lower end by a suitable flexible tensioning device 60, for
example. Moreover, the truss style beam 22 may be characterized by
elongated longitudinal beam members 22a which are interconnected by
transverse members 22b, as illustrated. However, transverse members 22b
are omitted between the uppermost longitudinal members 22a except at
opposite ends of a section of support beam 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A
and 3B. In this way the rectangular boxlike truss beam members 22 may
function as storage containers for the panels 24 in that, when the panels
are released from the upper support member 20 they may be rolled or folded
and, if desired, placed in the confines of the beam members 22, as shown
in FIG. 3B, and transported therewith from one site to another.
Preferably, each beam member 22 is an elongated section of truss, plural
ones of which may be required, placed end-to-end, for the display system
10, as shown in FIG. 1. The box truss type beam members 22 may also
receive suitable weights disposed therein when a system 10 is erected in a
working position, such as water ballast containers or sandbags, not shown,
for maintaining the working position of the members 22 when the system 10
is erected.
Accordingly, the tensioning devices 60 may be connected to the lower
connector rings 40 of each of the support members 26 of the lowermost
panels 24, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4. The tensioning devices 60 may
comprise flexible strap, ratchet-type tensioning devices, such as are used
in various applications for securing articles to a deck or pallet, for
example, as well as used in tensioning flexible support members such as
guy wires and cables. In particular the tensioning devices 60 each include
a flexible strap 62, connected at one end to a ratchet type locking
mechanism 64, trained through a connector ring 40, around a truss member
22a and then through the mechanism 64 whereby actuation of a manual
actuating lever 66 will cause the strap 62 to be tensioned so that a
distal end 62a is moved toward the ring 40, for example, viewing FIG. 4,
to increase tension in the loop formed by the strap. Other means may be
provided for tensioning the respective support members 26 when erecting
the display system 10.
Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, the light sources 34, as previously
mentioned, are spaced apart at predetermined distances along the column
support members 26 and are suitably secured thereto. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, each of the light sources 34 comprises a
cluster of light emitting diodes 70 disposed in a suitable, generally
cylindrical housing 72, having a peripheral sidewall 74 and a backwall 76.
The light emitting diodes 70 are preferably arranged in clusters of four
in somewhat diamond shaped patterns, for example, and each cluster of four
diodes may comprise, for example, one blue LED, one green LED, and two red
LEDs. Each light source 34 may have plural clusters of LEDs 70 as shown in
FIG. 6. Light sources 34 may each comprise seven clusters of four LEDs.
The housing wall 74 may be scarfed at a front edge 75 at a somewhat
downward angle, as shown in FIG. 5, to project light in a slight downward
direction, depending on the expected placement of the light sources 34
with respect to the viewing audience. Each light source 34 may have its
housing 74 constructed in such a way that the LEDs 70 may be disposed to
be generally normal to the plane of the scarfed edge 75. The shape of
housings 72 and angle of projection of light from the housings may be
varied in accordance with their expected working positions on the display
10 relative to the viewing audience. In most large stage applications of
display system 10, for example, the audience is below the display and a
slight downward tilt of each of the light sources 34 is desirable.
Each of the light sources 34, or selected ones of the light sources, may be
provided with a suitable light filter or focusing lens 77, FIG. 5, which
may be formed on a suitable cylindrical cap which can be removably secured
to respective ones of the housings 72. In this way, the light projected
from each light source 34 may be focused in a particular direction for the
purposes described above or suitable filtering techniques may be carried
out to modify the light intensity and/or color.
Referring further to FIG. 5, each of the housings 72 may be secured to the
column support members 26 by a suitable mechanical fastener, such a
machine screw 80 projecting through a suitable grommet 82 secured to and
projecting through the support member 26 to accommodate the screw so that
it may be threadedly engaged with the housing 72. A suitable bundled
conductor such as a flat cable insulated conductor 84 extends between each
light source 34 and a nearby enclosure 42, see FIG. 7, whereby each panel
24 has an array or matrix of light sources 34 subdivided into groups which
are controlled by the circuitry 45 in the respective enclosures 42.
Each conductor 84 leading from a light source 34 to an enclosure 42 may be
trained along the backsides of the column members 26 and the horizontal
support members 28, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8. Suitable
conductor retention devices 90, such as conventional flexible cable ties,
may be suitably secured to the backsides of the support members 26 and 28,
as shown by way of example of FIG. 8, for securing the conductors 84 to
the respective support members so that they are trained along the support
members between the respective light sources 34 and the enclosures 42. The
light sources 34 are preferably spaced apart on the support members 26 at
positions which do not correspond to the locations where the support
members 28 are contiguous with and connected to the support members 26, as
indicated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7. However, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 light
sources 34 may be placed on the positions where the support members 26 and
28 cross each other. It is preferable, however, to avoid possibly
weakening the support members 26 and 28 by forming fastener receiving
holes in these members at the locations where they are attached to each
other.
The fabrication of the panels 24 is believed to be within the purview of
one of ordinary skill in the art based on the foregoing description. The
flexible support members 26 and 28, as previously mentioned, are
preferably formed of woven nylon or similar polymer material and may be
similar to flexible strapping used for various industrial applications.
The support members 26 and 28 are suitably connected to each other by
conventional stitching at their contiguous points, although other
fastening means may be utilized to connect the members to each other to
form the web or net like structure for supporting the respective light
sources 34.
Insertion of the grommets 82 in the support members 26 at predetermined
spaced apart points may be carried out using known techniques and
assembling the light sources 34 to the support members may also be carried
out in a conventional manner. The light sources 34 may be constructed
using known techniques for manufacturing clusters of light emitting
diodes. By grouping plural ones of the light emitting diodes or LEDs 70 of
selected colors and by controlling their operation in accordance with
known techniques, a wide variety of multicolor images may be created on
the display system 10.
Although the panels 24 shown and described herein are arranged such that
the light sources 34 are disposed on the vertical column support members
26 only, those skilled in the art will also recognize that additional
light sources 34 may be placed on the horizontal support members 28 and
additional horizontal support members 28 may be provided, each supporting
plural spaced apart light sources 34, if desired. The netlike web of panel
24 may also be constructed with the support members 26 and 28 extending
diagonally rather than vertically and horizontally and with the light
sources 34 arranged on each of the support members, in the manner in which
the light sources are supported on the support members 26. Moreover, the
web formed by members 26 and 28 may be an integral structure of woven or
nonwoven fabric or a sheetlike layer of material.
As previously mentioned, the panels 24 of the display system 10 may be
stored for transport in the box truss beam members 22 and upon arrival at
a location for erection the panels may be unfolded, secured to each other
at their lateral sides by the cooperating hook and loop fasteners strips
28a and 28b or by other suitable fastening means. Each panel 24 which is
vertically disposed above an adjacent panel may then be connected to that
panel by the hooks or carabiners 50 and then suitably erected for
attachment to the cable 20 using known, conventional rigging techniques.
Once the display system 10 has been substantially erected the tensioning
devices 60 may be actuated to tension the column support members 26 so
that the panels 24 may be substantially co-planar. However, those skilled
in the art will recognize that the flexibility of the panels 24 also
provides for arranging the display system 10 so that it may curve around
the stage area either in a concave or a convex manner, as desired. In
fact, one advantage of the display system 10 permits this flexible
arrangement of the panels 24. Once the panels 24 have been erected, or
prior to erection, suitable control conductors are connected to the
respective circuits 45 disposed in the enclosures 42 and to the control
system 44 for operation of the display system 10.
Disassembly of the control system 10 may be carried out by substantial
reversal of the steps described above. Thanks to the provision of the
flexible panels 24 with the web or netlike construction provided by the
support members 26 and 28, each panel may be easily folded in one of
several selected directions, rolled or otherwise arranged in a
substantially compacted manner. In particular, the panels 24 may be merely
lowered into the confines of the truss beams 22 whereby these structures
may be used as storage containers for the panels for transport purposes.
The display system 10 may weigh less than fifty percent of the weight of
prior art image display systems and occupy less than fifty percent of the
space, in a derigged storage condition, of such prior art systems.
Moreover, the power requirements of the light sources 34 may be a small
fraction of that required for prior art display systems.
Although a preferred embodiment of a large scale, portable, image display
system has been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that various substitutions and modifications may be made
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth
in the appended claims.
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