Sign Construction with Sectional Sign Assemblies and Installation Kit and Method of Using Same

Abstract

An electronic sign constructed from a kit for converting a static sign into a dynamic electronic sign comprises a plurality of display modules; a plurality of sign sections each having a front-facing portion and a rear-facing portion, the front facing portion defining a two dimensional array of bays arranged in a plurality of rows along a vertical direction and a plurality of columns along a horizontal direction, each bay configured to receive one of the display modules, the rear-facing portion for coupling to an anchored signage mounting structure; and a plurality of power routing systems, each power routing system having a power input for coupling to a power source and a plurality of power extensions, each power extension for coupling the power source to one of the plurality of display modules.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An electronic sign comprising:
 a plurality of display modules; a plurality of sign sections each having a front-facing portion and a rear-facing portion, the front facing portion defining a two dimensional array of bays arranged in a plurality of rows along a vertical direction and a plurality of columns along a horizontal direction, each bay configured to receive one of the display modules, the rear-facing portion for coupling to an existing signage mounting structure; and a plurality of power routing systems, each power routing system having a power input for coupling to a power source and a plurality of power extensions, each power extension for coupling the power source to one of the plurality of display modules.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic sign according to  claim 1  wherein the array of bays is two bays wide and includes at least five rows of bays. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic sign according to  claim 2  wherein the array of bays includes at least 10 rows of bays. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic sign according to  claim 1  wherein each rear-facing portion is a mounting structure and each front facing portion includes a compound structural frame mounted to the existing signage mounting structure. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic sign according to  claim 4  wherein the front facing portion includes two adjacent compound structural frames mounted along the vertical direction. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic sign according to  claim 1  wherein each sign section defines a plurality of openings, each opening having a sufficient width dimension and a sufficient height dimension to couple one bay to a rear surface of the sign section enabling a display module to be removed and replaced from a bay through the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic sign according to  claim 1  wherein each power routing system includes a hub mounted to the rear-facing portion, and wherein each power extension has one end coupled to the hub and another end disposed within a bay configured to be coupled to one of the display modules. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic sign according to  claim 7  wherein each hub is configured to receive AC power from the power source, rectifies the AC power, and delivers DC power to the bay. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic sign according to  claim 1 , wherein each power routing system includes a wiring harness; wherein the power input is an end of the harness that couples to a DC power source; wherein the wiring harness includes a plurality of nodes; and wherein each power extension extends from an individual one of said plurality of nodes to a power output end disposed in a bay for coupling to one of the display modules. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic sign according to  claim 1 , wherein each individual one of said plurality of display modules is a weatherized display module. 
     
     
         11 . An electronic sign comprising: a plurality of display modules; a plurality of sign sections each having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion defining at least two vertical columns of bays that span and define a height of the sign, each bay configured to receive one of the display modules, the rear portion configured to be coupled to a beam surface of the existing signage structure to allow most of a rear surface of the rear portion to be exposed for servicing; and a plurality of power routing systems each including at least one node associated with each sign section with a plurality of individual power extensions each extending from one node to one of the bays. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic sign according to  claim 11 , wherein the front portion defines two columns of bays. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic sign according to  claim 11 , wherein each rear-facing portion is a mounting structure and each front facing portion includes a compound structural frame coupled to the mounting structure. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic sign according to  claim 11 , wherein the front portion and the rear portion collectively define a plurality of openings that each couple a rear surface of the rear portion to each one of the bays whereby at least some of the display modules installed in the array of bays can each be removed and replaced through one of the openings thereby enabling rear side servicing. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic sign according to  claim 14 , further comprising: a plurality of access doors, wherein each individual access door is configured to cover an individual one of said plurality of openings. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic sign according to  claim 15 , further comprising: a plurality of latches in each bay configured to affix each display module to an individual bay in the array of bays, the latches configured to be actuated by a particular tool inserted through either a front portion of the display module or the rear portion; and wherein each individual access door is configured to be opened using said particular tool. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic sign according to  claim 11 , wherein each individual one of said plurality of display modules is a weatherized display module. 
     
     
         18 . An electronic sign comprising: a plurality of display modules; a sign section assembly having a front portion and a rear portion; said front portion defining a two dimensional array of bays that span the height of the electronic sign and a portion of the width of the electronic sign whereby a plurality of sign section assemblies are required to fully form the electronic sign; said rear portion configured to be coupled to a beam surface of an existing signage mounting structure to allow most of a rear surface of the rear portion to be exposed for servicing individual ones of the plurality of display modules; wherein for at least some of the array of bays each bay defines a passageway opening to the rear surface to enable a display module removably supported within the bay to be removed and replaced through the passageway opening; and a plurality of power routing systems each including at least one node associated with each sign section assembly with a plurality of individual power extensions each extending from one node to one of the bays. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic sign according to according to  claim 18 , wherein the front portion and the rear portion of said sign section assembly are integral. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic sign according to according to  claim 18 , wherein each display module is a weatherized display module.