NON-RECTANGULAR FRAME MENU BOARD AND ILLUMINATED DISPLAY

DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] This invention relates to a non-rectangular frame menu board and an illuminated display device incorporating one orαnore of the menu boards. Such display devices are particularly suitable for indoor or outdoor use, such as at restaurants, for example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Various display boards are known in the art, such as illuminated menu display boards, which are commonly utilized at fast-food restaurants, for example, to display food items, associated pricing, advertised specials, and other information. These menu display boards are commonly used in outdoor locations at "drive-through" windows and indoors behind and above typical restaurant counters. Changes to the displayed information frequently need to be made due to customer demand, menu changes, pricing changes, or for other reasons. Thus, there is a need for a menu display board wherein the displayed information is easily changed and yet is of simple construction.

[003] Display boards are made in just a few plants and distributed nationally. The display boards may be partially assembled at the plant or at a distributor or installer's

locatifp _r' Tihe!'qjigp,tot:mtJ$itiWit|istanid repeated changing of the displayed information. Thus, there is a need for a lightweight yet durable menu board.

[004] However, lightweight frames tend to be flexible. This reduces the desirability of complete off-site assembly of menu boards because parts of the menu board may loosen after transportation. Thus, there is a need for a rigid frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an illuminated display device is provided. The illuminated display device has at least one translucent or partially translucent display member or menu strip, a frame, and a light source. The translucent display member is generally used to describe and/or picture an item from a restaurant menu. The light source is located behind the display members to backlight the display member. The frame has two substantially parallel frame members and at least one cross member. Preferably the frame members are substantially vertical. The frame members are connected to the cross member, and the cross member is offset from and behind the display members. The display members are removably mounted to the frame so that they can be easily changed.

[006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a menu board is provided. The menu board has a frame and a series of retention members. The frame has two substantially parallel frame members and at least one cross member. Preferably the frame members are substantially vertical. The frame members are

u bS- ii g 90 degrees to the frame members. The retention members are formed in or positioned on the frame members. The retention members are meant for holding display holders for holding the translucent display members.

[007] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a menu board is provided. The menu board has a frame and a series of retention members. The frame has two substantially parallel frame members and two cross members which intersect. The retention members are formed in or positioned on the frame members. The retention members are meant for holding display holders for holding translucent display members.

[008] The cross members reinforce the frame. The offset between the frame members and the cross members allows cross members to be connected to the frame members in various positions without casting shadows onto the translucent display members. Thus the frame members can be reinforced near their middle and near their ends. This allows the frame to be lightweight, durable, and rigid.

[009] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from reference to the drawings.

.

[010] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view illustrating a menu board in accordance with the present invention;

[011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the illuminated display device including the menu board of FIG. 1 with all but two of the display holders and one of the display members removed;

[012] FIG. 3 depicts the connection between two cross members and a frame member;

[013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a frame member along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 ;

[014] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a frame member along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 ; and

[015] FIG. 6 is a sectional side elevation view of a display holder retained by a retention member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[016] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described in detail herein specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as exemplifications of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[017] Referring to the figures generally, and in particular to FIG. 1 , a menu board 10 is shown. The menu board has a frame 28. Frame 28 has two substantially parallel frame members 2Ol and 2Or. Preferably, frame members 2Ol and 2Or are substantially vertical. Frame members, 2Ol and 2Or are fixed relative to each other by one or more diagonal

,, ., _f . . , ι «, aMu most preferably four or more cross members 22 to provide rigidity.

[018] Cross members 22 are preferably arranged in pairs that intersect or form an "X." Preferably one cross member 22 will cross another one at an angle in the range of from about 30° to about 150°, more preferably in the range of from about 45° to about 135°, still more preferably in the range of from about 60° to about 120°, and most preferably about 90°. It should be understood that the cross members and frame members do not have to contact each other for there to be an angle or an intersection for purposes of this invention. Where two cross members do not contact each other, the cross members are considered to intersect if the orthogonal projections of the cross members onto a plane containing the two parallel frame members intersect. Similarly, where two cross members do not contact each other, the angle between the cross members can be measured by measuring the angle between the orthogonal projections of the cross members onto a plane containing the two parallel frame members.

[019] Cross members may also share a common portion. For example, two cross members may both be at a 45° angle to the frame members at a first connection location, may converge together at a 90° angle at a point between the frame members, share a common vertical portion, diverge at a 90° angle, and make a 45° angle to the frame members at a second connection location. Cross members 22 can be arranged in other patterns. For example, they can be parallel to each other (not shown),

g v ψ ψw m, ^^ connec o rame mem ers, an r, ai αiπerent angles. Preferably the angle is greater than 10 degrees, more preferably greater than 20 degrees, yet more preferably in the range of from about 30° to about 60° or in the range of from about 75° to about 105°, still more preferably in the range of from about 40 to about 50 or in the range of from about 85° to about 95°, and most preferably about 45° or about 90°.

[021] Cross members 22 can connect to frame members, 2Ol and 2Qr _3^ anywhere along the length of the frame members. Preferably cross members 22 connect to the frame members, 2Ol and 2Or, both near the middle of a frame member and near the end of the other frame member as seen in FIGS 1 and 2. Alternatively one cross member 22 is connected near the middle of both frame members 2Ol and 2Or and other cross members 22 are connected near the ends of frame members 2Ol and 2Or. This preferred arrangement provides a frame that is lightweight, strong, and rigid.

[022] Cross members 22 can connect to frame members, 2Ol and 20/, by any suitable structure or means. One such structure is shown in FIG 3. FIG 3 depicts a bracket or connecting member 26 attached to frame member 2Or. Connecting members 26 preferably provide an offset between cross members 22 and display members 16, which is discussed below.

[023] Frame members 2Ol and 2Or support a series of retention members 18. Retention members 18 may be formed as integral parts of frame members 2Ol and 2Or

by, θ.g^iBC|jqιnøi!Bj|i|(rø^ιaDrø<λ«il®, depending on the type of material of which frame members 201 and 2Or are made. Alternately, retention members 18 may be separate parts or strips of parts which are directly secured to frame members 2Ol and 2Or, for example, by welding or suitable fastener materials such as rivets, screws, adhesive, or by any other suitable material or means. Retention members 18 are preferably regularly spaced along the length of frame members, 2Ol and 2Or. A spacing of approximately 3.8 cm is most preferred. Retention members 18 support display holders 14. Retention members 18 and display holders 14 may have any structure suitable for allowing retention members 18 to hold display holders 14. For example, retention members 18 could simply be screws. Preferably, however, retention members 18 and display holders 14 are designed so that display holders 14 can be removed and replaced without tools. Preferably, each display holder 14 is only engageable to retention member 18 in a direction perpendicular to a plane containing the two frame members so that display holders can be easily added and removed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, retention members 18 can have a female portion into which a male portion of a display holder 14 can be inserted into. Preferably retention members on opposite vertical frame members 20 are arranged so that the display holders 14 are held in a horizontal position.

[024] Display holders 14 can have any suitable structure for holding translucent display members 16. Preferably display holders 14, frame members 20, cross members 22, and connecting members 26 are extruded aluminum, but any suitable rigid material can be used. Preferably each display holder 14 has top and bottom longitudinally extending

w ι - shaped" cross-section and an integral rear male portion as shown in FIG 6.

[025] Display holders 14 may be spaced apart from one another as desired, for example, by approximately 3.8 cm to receive an approximately 3.8 cm inch display member 16, or alternatively display holders 14 may be spaced apart by 7.6 cm or more as desired to retain larger display members 16. Thus, it is further contemplated that all available retention members need not be used in ordejr to incorporate larger display members in the display module.

[026] Display members 16 are translucent or have portions which are translucent. The display members of the present invention may include indicia which provide food descriptions, pricing information, restaurant or company information, artwork, or any other desired information. Display members 16 are preferably elongated strips, as shown in FIG. 4, which have translucent portions such that light from light source 24 may project through the translucent portions of, display member 16 such that the indicia on display members 16 are easily viewable, particularly in darkness. Preferably display members 16 are held in the channels of two adjacent display holders 14, i.e., with one display holder 14 below and another above. Typically, display members 16 are plastic so as to enable the display member to flex in order to be inserted within display holders 14; however, any other suitable material which has a translucent portion may be used. The capability for insertion is desirable because it allows display members to be replaced without having to disassemble other parts of the menu board.

[027] Display members 16 are preferably flexible because frame members 2Ol and 2Or are designed to prevent display members from accidentally sliding out. Referring to FIG

4, frame member 2Ol surrounds a display member 16 on three sides. Referring to FIG

5, frame member 2Or surrounds a display member 16 on two sides allowing a display member 16 to be slid into the channel of two adjacent display holders14. However, frame member 2Or extends forward of the display holders 14 to prevent display members 14 from accidentally sliding out. ^» - ^ ^■ * ^■

[028] As shown in FIG. 2, illuminated display device 12 includes menu board 10 and lighting source 24 for backlighting display members 16. Lighting source 18 preferably includes fluorescent lights tubes, of a suitable length and wattage, but alternatively any other suitable lighting source can be utilized as is known in the art. Cross members 22 are located in between display members 16 and lighting source 24. Thus, cross members 22 could cast a shadow onto display members 16, which would undermine the legibility of the display members and could be distracting to people looking at the Tien u board.

029] To avoid casting shadows, cross members 22 could be located immediately Dehind and parallel to display holders 14. However this reduces the flexibility of arrangements of display holders and display members. Preferably, cross members 22 are offset from display members 16 so that they do not cast a shadow. Anything that ncreases the likelihood of casting a shadow increases the necessary offset. Factors

jø s ii c i em ers , e na ur g 24, and how close the cross members 20 are to source of light 24. In the preferred embodiments of the menu board, a distance between the front of cross member 22 and the front of display member 14 of about 5.4 cm has successfully prevented shadows from being cast. In the preferred embodiments, the cross members have a rectangular cross-section with a width of about 1.3 cm and a thickness of about 0.3 cm and the light source is two parallel fluorescent tubes located between about 0.8 to about 5.1 cm behind cross members 22. The width dimension of cross members 22 is perpendicular to a plane containing frame members 2Ol and 2Or.

[0030] Illuminated display device 12 typically includes a housing (not shown) having at least one door secured to the housing via a hinge. The door has a suitable latching or locking mechanism (not shown) for securing the door in a closed position to protect the interior of illuminated display device. It is contemplated that any number of substantially transparent doors with viewing windows and latching or locking mechanisms may be utilized. The housing is preferably formed from any desirable relatively rigid and relatively weatherproof material, such as metal or plastic, and preferably aluminum, and which is suitable to protect the housing and door from the deleterious effects of sun, wind, rain, snow, freezing temperatures, and elevated temperatures, particularly when the display device is used in an outdoor environment. The door is also preferably of a weatherproof material and has a transparent portion so as to enable display modules to be viewed through door. Thus, the transparent portion is preferably a glass, but may be any other suitable transparent or substantially translucent material which is substantially

a fif rpfy Si PIS? giS.rπPl..§:Brovι e wi suia e vening no s own or e interior.

[031] It is contemplated that illuminated display device 12 may include as few or as many menu boards 10 as is desired. Thus, for example, one menu board may be for breakfast and a second menu board may be for lunch/dinner items.

[032] While the invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of numerous changes, modifications, and rearrangements without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.