Nova Patents
EP1524640A2

Electronic display module

Abstract

An electronic display module having a four-point latching system (10) for incorporation into an electronic sign and process where more than one latch mechanism can be actuated simultaneously to deploy to engage the mounting panel assembly (39) of an electronic sign. Gear operated actuating arms (32) incorporated in an overcenter arrangement position latch in opposing latch mechanisms to position latch arms (26, 30) outwardly in a linear direction over a mounting panel assembly followed by pivotal latch positioning to rotationally engage the latch arms against the mounting panel assembly to secure the electronic display module to the mounting panel assembly.

EP1524640A2, drawing sheet 1
Sheet 1 of 19

Term

Term ended

Projected expiry passed 14 October 2024, 1.9 years ago.

  1. Priority
  2. Filed
  3. Published
  4. Projected expiry
  5. Today

18 claims: 3 independent, 15 dependent

  1. 1
    A latch mechanism incorporated with an electronic display module comprising:a. a latch housing formed on a panel of the electronic display module;b. a latch lock plate mounted to the latch housing, the latch housing and the latch lock plate together bounding a cavity;and, c. a latch, the latch being moveable within the cavity and being guided by the cavity along a latch pathway from a retracted position through an intermediate position to an engaged position, the latch pathway following a linear path between the retracted position and the intermediate position and a rotational path between the intermediate position and the engaged position.
  2. 17
    A main housing for an electronic display module comprising:a. a panel;b. a peripheral wall bounding the panel;c. a plurality of latch mechanisms located on the panel adjacent to the peripheral wall, each of the latch mechanisms including a latch housing and a latch moveable within the latch housing, the latch having at least one latch arm, the latch arm being moveable between an extended engaged position and a more compact retracted position;and, d. at least one actuator system, the at least one actuator system being capable of simultaneously moving at least two of the latches of the plurality of latch mechanisms between the engaged position and the retracted position for each latch being moved.
  3. 18
    A process for attaching a housing to a mounting panel assembly in an electronic sign comprising the steps of:a. providing a housing and a mounting panel assembly, the housing being complementary to the mounting panel assembly and having a four-point latching system which includes latches actuatable in pairs by an actuator gear for each pair, each of the latches having inboard and outboard latch arms, the housing further having locator posts, and the mounting panel assembly having tabs with alignment holes for accepting the locator posts;b. rotating the actuator gears to ensure full retraction of the latches towards the actuator gears;c. positioning and aligning the locator posts with the alignment holes of the mounting panel assembly and bringing the housing into contact with the mounting panel assembly;d. rotating the actuator gears to position the outboard latch arms and the inboard latch arms over the tabs of the mounting panel assembly;and, e. continuing rotation of the actuator gears to rotationally position the outboard latch arms and the inboard latch arms against the tabs of the mounting panel assembly.