Support assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10317007-B2
Application number	US-201715853305-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2017
Priority date	May 23, 2008
Publication date	Jun 11, 2019
Grant date	Jun 11, 2019

Abstract

An electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets, whereby each slotted frame cabinet can conveniently be attached to one or more vertically or horizontally positioned adjacent slotted frame cabinets by using connecting components which are generally located around the periphery of one or more slotted frame cabinets. Connecting components including splice bars, splice plates, and mounting clamps are aligned in, positioned along, and secured to backing bars which are co-located in backing bar slots in one or more of the slotted frame cabinets. Lift eyes can be variably located in one or more lift eye slots. The use of externally located connecting components, which do not extend through the cabinetry, minimize the entry of environmental elements into the interior of the electronic sign. Multiple slotted frame cabinets can be connected without the removal of LED display panels. Bracket assemblies and clamping assemblies are provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly for at least partially supporting a display relative to a support structure, the assembly comprising:
one or more cabinets defining a mounting channel, the mounting channel including one or more retaining lips defining a slot-like opening into the mounting channel, each of the one or more retaining lips including a continuous slidable surface facing an interior of the mounting channel;
one or more mounting clamps positionable along the mounting channel at any desired location along a longitudinal length of the mounting channel, and directly or indirectly couplable to the mounting channel, each of the one or more mounting clamps having first and second engagement portions extending in opposing directions along a longitudinal length of the slot-like opening and selectively movable toward and away from the slot-like opening, the first and second engagement portions each including one or more outer portions each positionable adjacent to an exterior surface of a corresponding one of the one or more retaining lips, wherein the first engagement portion is configured to engage the one or more retaining lips and the second engagement portion is configured to engage the support structure; and
one or more members configured to slide at least partially within the mounting channel along the continuous planar slidable surface of the one or more retaining lips in a first direction, and inhibit being pulled from the mounting channel in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second engagement portions of the one or more mounting clamps are portions of a rocker clamp.

3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the rocker clamp includes a chevron-shaped body.

4. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the chevron-shaped body includes, at a first end, the first engagement portion configured to extend at least partially across the slot-like opening and, at a second end, the second engagement portion configured to selectively contact the support structure.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more members include one or more fastener heads or internally threaded connection members.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more members include a shaft at least partially extending out of the slot-like opening and through a lumen of a corresponding one of the one or more mounting clamps.

7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mounting track is manufactured using an extruding process.

8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second engagement portion includes an arcuate outer surface configured to selectively contact the support structure.

9. An assembly for at least partially supporting an electronic display relative to a support structure, the assembly comprising:
one or more cabinets including one or more retaining lips defining a slot-like opening and partially defining a mounting channel; and
a mounting clamp assembly, including:
a connection member; and
a mounting clamp body having first and second engagement portions extending in opposing directions along a longitudinal length of the slot-like opening and a lumen positioned between the first and second engagement portions and sized to allow passage of at least a portion of the connection member at least partially therethrough, the first and second engagement portions each including one or more outer portions positionable adjacent to an exterior surface of each of the one or more retaining lips;
wherein the connection member is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the mounting clamp body,
wherein the first engagement portion of the mounting clamp body is tilted toward the slotlike opening such that the one or more outer portions of the first engagement portion are clampingly engaged with the one or more retaining lips when the connection member is in the first position; and
wherein the first engagement portion of the mounting clamp body is tilted away away from the slot-like opening such that the first engagement portion is clampingly disengaged with the one or more retaining lips when the connection member is in the second position.

10. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the mounting clamp assembly, further comprises a slidable member configured to be received into the mounting channel.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the slidable member includes a shaft that at least partially extends out of the slot-like opening and is coupled to the mounting clamp assembly.

12. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the mounting clamp body is configured to pivot about the portion of the connection member at the lumen when the connection member moves between the first and second position.

13. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the mounting clamp body has a chevron shape.

14. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the second engagement portion includes an arcuate outer surface configured to selectively contact the support structure.

15. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the connection member includes a connection shaft and a connection body threadingly engaged with the connection shaft, wherein the lumen is sized to allow passage of the connection shaft, and wherein the first position of the connection member comprises the connection body being rotated in a first direction relative to the connection shaft and the second position of the connection member comprises the connection body being rotated in a second direction relative to the connection shaft.

16. A system for at least partially supporting an electronic display relative to a support structure, the system comprising:
one or more cabinets including one or more retaining lips defining a slot-like opening and partially defining a mounting channel; and
one or more mounting clamp assemblies each including:
a member configured to slide at least partially within the mounting channel along a first direction, wherein the one or more retaining lips inhibit the member from being pulled from the mounting channel in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the member including a shaft sized and structured to extend through the slot-like opening; and
a mounting clamp positionable along the mounting track at any desired location along a longitudinal length of the mounting channel, and directly or indirectly couplable to the mounting channel, the mounting clamp having first and second engagement portions extending in opposing directions along a longitudinal length of the slot-like opening, the mounting clamp further including a lumen positioned between the first and second engagement portions and sized to allow passage of the shaft of the member at least partially therethrough;
wherein the first engagement portion is configured to engage at least a portion of the one or more retaining lips and the second engagement portion is configured to engage the support structure.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the mounting amp includes a chevron-shaped body.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the first engagement portion of the mounting clamp is configured to extend at least partially across the slot-like opening.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the member includes a fastener head or an internally threaded connection member.

20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the second engagement portion includes an arcuate outer surface configured to selectively contact the support structure.

Assignees

• Daktronics

Inventors

• Kludt Kory D
• Mammenga Jon Michael
• Hart Nathan W
• Hulscher Michael A

Classifications

• A47B57/54

  consisting of clamping means, e.g. with sliding bolts or sliding wedges {(fixed on cords or the like A47B43/006)} · CPC title

• F16B2/02

  Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening · CPC title

• F16M13/02 Primary

  for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle · CPC title

• Y10T403/7067

  Threaded actuator · CPC title

• A47B57/58

  with means for adjusting partitions horizontally (book-ends A47B65/00) · CPC title