ELECTRONIC DISPLAY MOUNTING IN DISPLAY CASE DOOR
20230184481 · 2023-06-15
Inventors
- Pedro Almaguer (North Hills, CA, US)
- David Briggs Baugh (Palmdale, CA, US)
- Mark Sandnes (Granada Hills, CA, US)
- Dexter Maluto (Sylmar, CA, US)
Cpc classification
F25D2400/36
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D23/028
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
A47F11/06
HUMAN NECESSITIES
F25D23/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D29/005
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
A47F3/001
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
A display case door includes an insulated panel assembly, a door frame, and one or more mounting blocks. The insulated panel assembly is transparent to visible light. The door frame extends about and is coupled to the insulated panel assembly. The one or more mounting blocks are coupled to and extend inwardly from the door frame. The electronic display assembly includes an electronic display, and one or more side brackets coupled to the electronic display. At least one of the side brackets of the electronic display assembly is coupled to at least one of the one or more mounting blocks. The electronic display is at least partially supported on at least one of the one or more mounting blocks.
Claims
1. A display case door comprising: an insulated panel assembly, wherein the insulated panel assembly is transparent to visible light; a door frame extending about and coupled to the insulated panel assembly, the door frame comprising: a left side rail; a right side rail; and two or more mounting blocks comprising: one or more left side mounting blocks coupled to and extending inwardly from the left side rail; and one or more right side mounting blocks coupled to and extending inwardly from the right side rail; and an electronic display assembly comprising: an electronic display; and one or more left side brackets coupled to the electronic display; and one or more right side brackets coupled to the electronic display; wherein: at least one of the left side brackets of the electronic display assembly is coupled to at least one of the one or more left side mounting blocks, at least one of the right side brackets of the electronic display assembly is coupled to at least one of the one or more right side mounting blocks, and the electronic display is at least partially supported in the door frame on at least one of one or more left side mounting blocks and at least one of the one or more right side mounting blocks.
2. The display case door of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two or more mounting blocks comprises a spacer plate configured to define a lateral spacing of the electronic display with respect to the door frame.
3. The display case door of claim 1, wherein at least one of the side rails comprises an inner rim, wherein at least one of the two or more mounting blocks spans a gap between the inner rim of the at least one side rail and a corresponding one of the side brackets of the electronic display assembly.
4. The display case door of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more left side brackets or at least one of the one or more right side brackets comprises a hinge.
5. The display case door of claim 1, wherein: the door frame comprises one or more display supports, the electronic display assembly further comprises one or more hangers configured to couple with at least one of the display supports, and the hangers are configurable to support the electronic display in the door frame such that at least one of the side brackets is aligned with a corresponding one of the mounting blocks.
6. A display case door comprising: an insulated panel assembly, wherein the insulated panel assembly is transparent to visible light; a door frame extending about and coupled to the insulated panel assembly; one or more mounting blocks coupled to and extending inwardly from the door frame; and an electronic display assembly comprising: an electronic display; and one or more side brackets coupled to the electronic display, wherein: at least one of the side brackets of the electronic display assembly is coupled to at least one of the one or more mounting blocks, and the electronic display is at least partially supported on at least one of the one or more mounting blocks.
7. The display case door of claim 6, wherein at least one of the mounting blocks comprises a spacer plate configured to define a lateral spacing of the electronic display with respect to the door frame.
8. The display case door of claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more mounting blocks spans a gap between an inner rim of the door frame and a lateral edge of the electronic display assembly.
9. The display case door of claim 6, wherein: the door frame comprises one or more display supports, the display supports are configurable to support the electronic display on the door frame such that at least one of the side brackets is aligned with a corresponding one of the mounting blocks.
10. The display case door of claim 6, further comprising a bezel configured to overlay at least a portion of at least one of the mounting blocks.
11. The display case door of claim 6, wherein at least one of the side brackets comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge is configured to allow the electronic display to swing out relative to the door frame.
12. The display case door of claim 6, wherein at least one of the side brackets comprises an angle bracket.
13. The display case door of claim 6, wherein: the door frame comprises a side rail comprising an inner rim, and at least one of the mounting blocks is coupled to the inner rim.
14. The display case door of claim 6, wherein: the door frame comprises one or more side rails each comprising an inner rim, and the one or more mounting blocks comprise an upper mounting block and a lower mounting block coupled to the inner rim of at least one of the one or more side rails.
15. The display case door of claim 6, wherein: the door frame comprises a pair of opposing side rails each comprising an inner rim, and the one or more mounting blocks comprise: one or more left mounting blocks coupled to a left inner rim, and one or more right mounting blocks coupled to a right inner rim.
16. The display case door of claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more mounting blocks spans a gap between an inner rim of the door frame and a corresponding one of the side brackets of the electronic display assembly.
17. The display case door of claim 6, wherein: the door frame comprises an inner rim, the display case door further comprises one or more fasteners configured to secure at least one of the one or more mounting blocks to the inner rim of the door frame.
18. The display case door of claim 6, wherein: the door frame comprises an inner rim, the inner rim of the door frame comprises one or more mounting holes, wherein at least one of the mounting holes is aligned with a corresponding aperture in at least one of the mounting blocks, and the display case door further comprises one or more fasteners configured to secure the at least one mounting block to the inner rim of the door frame.
19. A method of supporting an electronic display in a display case door, comprising: positioning an electronic display assembly in front of an insulated panel assembly of the display case door such that each of one or more side brackets of the electronic display assembly align with a corresponding spacer plate inwardly extending from a side rail of the door frame; and securing at least one of the one or more side brackets of the electronic display assembly to the corresponding spacer plate such that the electronic display is at least partially supported in the door frame.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising, before positioning the electronic display assembly in front of the insulated panel assembly of the display case door: selecting one or more spacer plates each having a width that at least partially spans a gap between the door frame and a lateral edge of the electronic display assembly, and coupling the selected one or more spacer plates with the door frame such that each of the one or more spacer plates extends inwardly from a side rail of the door frame.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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[0096] In some implementations, a display case door includes one or more bezels (omitted from
[0097] Insulated panel assembly 104 can include one or more panes of glass. In some implementations, insulated panel assembly 104 includes two or more layers of transparent panes bounding a sealed space in between, forming a sealed glass unit (SGU). Door frame 106 extends around and is secured to a peripheral edge of insulated panel assembly 104. As further described in detail below, door frame 106 defines a channel or tunnel that receives one or more power cables that provide electrical power to the electronic display assembly.
[0098] Display case door 100 can include a single electronic display or multiple electronic displays. For example, display case door 100 can include two or more electronic displays vertically stacked and together covering the insulated panel assembly 104.
[0099] Electronic display 110 can include, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a field emission display (FED), a plasma display panel (PDP), or an electroluminescent (EL) display. For example, electronic display 110 can be a smart television with streaming capabilities for receiving content over a wireless network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network). Electronic display 110 is generally opaque and, when mounted on the display case door 100 partially or completely obstructs the view through the insulated panel assembly 104. In some implementations, electronic display 110 can be a custom sized display configured to correspond with dimensions of the display case door 100. In some implementations, electronic display 110 can be a commercial off the shelf (COTS) display.
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[0101] Electronic display assembly 102 includes electronic display 110, left side hinge brackets 112, right side brackets 114, and hangers 116. Left side hinge brackets 112 are attached to electronic display 110 along the left side of electronic display 110. Right side brackets 114 are attached to electronic display 110 along the right side of electronic display 110. Each of left side hinge brackets 112 and right side brackets 114 is secured to a corresponding one of mounting blocks 108 by way of screws 113 and screws 115, respectively. Door frame 106 includes top rail 120 and side rails 122. Electronic display assembly 102 is mounted on mounting blocks 108 on the left side rail 122 of door frame 106 and mounting blocks 108 on the right side rail 122 of door frame 106. Each of hangers 116 can be coupled on a corresponding one of display supports 118.
[0102] In the example shown in
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[0104] Display case door 100 includes handle 130. Electronic display assembly 102 includes circuitry module 132, top sensor 134, and handle-side sensor 136. The outside edges of circuitry module 132 are secured to left rail 206 and right rail 208 of door frame 106. Left bezel 124 and right bezel 128 can be attached to their respective rails. Top sensor 134 passes through an opening or cutout in top bezel 126. Handle-side sensor 136 is accessible through a corresponding aperture in right bezel 128.
[0105] Hold open bracket 138 is provided on a top edge of display case door 100. One end of hold open bracket 138 is pivotally coupled to door frame 106. In service, hold open bracket 138 can be used to maintain door in a desired open position.
[0106] Circuitry module 132 is positioned in a bottom portion of door frame 106. Circuitry module 132 overlays a portion of insulated panel assembly 104. Circuitry module 132 can be attached to electronic display 110 such that, with electronic display 110 releasably coupled to door frame 106, circuitry module 132 is releasably coupled to door frame 106. Circuitry module 132 can include a media player in electronic communication with electronic display 110 to control media content presented on electronic display 110.
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[0108] In the example shown in
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[0110] In some implementations, one or more of the mounting blocks serve as a spacer plate. The mounting blocks can define a position of the electronic display relative to a door frame.
[0111] Along the top edge of electronic display 110, hangers 116 are coupled on display supports 118. In the example shown in
[0112] Display supports 118 include support plate 164 and locating pins 166. Locating pins 166 can pass through slots 160. Display supports 118 are fastened to upper rim 168 of insulated panel assembly 104.
[0113] In some implementations, hangers 116 are used to initially support electronic display assembly 102 such that the brackets on either side of electronic display assembly 102 are aligned with corresponding mounting blocks. In this context, aligning the brackets with the mounting blocks 108 can include aligning corresponding features of the brackets and mounting blocks so that one or more fasteners can be installed to secure the electronic display assembly.
[0114] Once some or all of the fasteners are installed to secure the brackets of electronic display assembly 102 to corresponding mounting blocks 108, the hangers 116 may no longer be needed to support the electronic display. Thus, in some implementations, hangers 116 serve as an interim support during installation of the electronic display on mounting blocks on the sides of the electronic display. In some implementations, hangers 116 remain in place on electronic display assembly 102 in service. Hangers 116 can thus be reengaged and reused to support the electronic display during maintenance operations (e.g., removal and repair of the electronic display). In certain implementations, hangers 116 can be removed after installation of electronic display assembly 102, and then re-installed as needed to remove electronic display assembly 102 at a later time.
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[0116] Inner rim 174 includes bosses 180. Mounting block 108 is secured to rail 170 at bosses 180 by way of fasteners 142. In the example shown in
[0117] In some implementations, a side rail of a door frame includes captive nuts at each spacer plate fastener location. Each captive nut can receive a corresponding fastener (e.g., fastener 142). Bosses 180 can be omitted.
[0118] In the implementation shown in
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[0120] Slots 192 allow for fasteners 142 to pass through for securing mounting block 108 to door frame 106. In one example, mounting blocks 108 are mounted to a door rails glass mount rib. Screws 113 can be installed in mounting holes 194 of mounting blocks 108 to secure each of left side hinge brackets 112 to mounting blocks 108. (In a similar manner, screws 115 can be installed in mounting holes 194 of mounting blocks 108 to secure each of right side brackets 114 to mounting blocks 108.) In some implementations, a mounting block includes clearance holes instead of slots 192.
[0121] In certain implementations, the internally threaded holes are the form of threaded inserts installed in body 190. In some implementations, the internally threaded holes are tapped holes in body 190. In the example shown in
[0122] In the example shown in
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[0125] To produce electronic display assembly 102, left side hinge brackets 112 are attached to electronic display 110 by installing fasteners 152 through mounting holes 216, and right side brackets 114 are attached to electronic display 110 by installing fasteners 154 through mounting holes 234. Hangers 116 are attached at the top edge of electronic display 110.
[0126] In some implementations, mounting hardware installed in door frames accommodates an electronic display of a given size in door frames of different widths and different heights. For example, a system for mounting electronic displays in display case doors can include a set of mounting blocks of different sizes. Each mounting block can serve as a spacer plate that defines the spacing of the electronic display relative to the door frame. The mounting blocks can span a gap between an electronic display assembly and the door frame in which the electronic display assembly is installed. In some implementations, each size of mounting block can accommodate an electronic display of a given size for two or more different size door frames.
[0127] In some implementations, the mounting blocks span an inner portion of the door frame and the exterior edge of the electronic display to be installed in the door frame. The mounting blocks define a spacing of the electronic display relative to the door frame. The mounting features of each of the mounting blocks can be aligned with corresponding mounting features of a corresponding bracket on the electronic display assembly. For example, through holes in each bracket of an electronic display assembly can be aligned with corresponding threaded holes in a mounting block. Once the mounting features of the brackets and corresponding mounting blocks are aligned, fasteners can be installed to secure the electronic display assembly to the door frame.
[0128] In various examples described herein, an electronic display is centered in a door frame by installing mounting blocks of equal length on either side of the display. In other implementations, the spacer plates on the left and right sides can be of different lengths. In certain implementations, a system can include spacer plates on only one side or the other of an electronic display.
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[0130] In some implementations, all of the mounting blocks in the set (e.g., mounting blocks 108a, 108b, and 108c) are all produced from the same extruded material. Each size of mounting block can be cut to length for the door installation on which it will be used (e.g., based on the spacing between a door frame and the electronic display to be installed in the door frame). In one example, the extruded stock is aluminum. In certain implementations, spacer plates are machined from bar stock.
[0131] In some implementations, mounting blocks and support plates are selected to accommodate an electronic display of a given size. Mounting blocks can be selected so that the electronic display is centered horizontally. Display supports can be selected so that mounting brackets on the electronic display are vertically aligned with the mounting blocks on the door frame when the electronic display is hung on the display supports. In this manner, an electronic display of a given size can be installed in doors of several different sizes.
[0132] In some implementations, display supports of on a door frame support an electronic display such that the electronic display mounting features of the electronic display vertically align with corresponding mounting features on a door frame when the electronic display is hung on the display supports. In some examples, the length of support brackets and/or the installed height of a locating pin are selected such that mounting blocks on the door frame vertically align with brackets on the electronic display when an electronic display is supported on locating pins of the display supports.
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[0136] In one example, a system includes one 64 inch LCD screen that fits door widths that span 26 ⅜ inches to 30 ⅞ inches and heights from 69 1/16 inches to 71 1/16 inches. The hinges and brackets are common through the various door sizes. A common space profile can be extruded and cut to length to span the appropriate gap for each installation. In each installation, bezels mount to the door surface, overlap the gap, extend over the screen, and align to the screen’s active area perimeter.
[0137] In certain implementations, the size of mounting blocks in door system can be selected to accommodate different sizes of an electronic display for a given size door frame. For example, for a given door frame size, opposing left and right pairs of mounting blocks 108b shown in
[0138] In some implementations, an electronic display assembly is initially supported on support elements using hangers on the electronic display assembly. While the electronic display assembly is supported on the hangers, the electronic display assembly is fastened to mounting blocks extending from the door frame. In some cases, the position of the electronic display assembly is adjusted while the electronic display assembly is hanging so that mounting features on the electronic display assembly align with corresponding mounting features on the mounting blocks and/or door frame.
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[0140] Referring to
[0141] Referring to
[0142] Referring to
[0143] In some implementations, electronic display 110 can be swung on right left side brackets 112, away from glass panels 150 of insulated panel assembly 104 while display case door 100 is in service on a refrigeration system.
[0144] In certain implementations, hangers 116 are used to support electronic display 110 during maintenance operations to remove, replace, or repair the electronic display. Screws 113 securing left side hinge brackets 112 and screws 115 securing right side brackets 114 can be partially or completely removed so that electronic display 110 can be separated from mounting blocks 108 and withdrawn from insulated panel assembly 104. Electronic display 110 can be supported on locating pins 166 of display supports 118 until maintenance personnel lift electronic display 110 away from insulated panel assembly 104.
[0145] With the electronic display 110 removed from the insulated panel assembly 104, service can be performed on the electronic display. Once service has been completed, the electronic display 110 can be repositioned in front of insulated panel assembly 104 and rehung on display supports 118. Screws 113 and screws 115 can be retightened or replaced to once again secure the electronic display assembly 102 in the door frame.
[0146] Referring back to
[0147] In various implementations described above, an electronic display assembly 102 can be hung on display supports 118 and then the electronic display assembly 102 fastened to mounting blocks 108 that have been pre-installed on the sides (side rails 122) of a door frame 106 (such as shown in
[0148] In various implementations, door frame 106 has a width and thickness that allows display case door 100 to be installed and operated in an existing refrigerated display case without the need of retrofitting the display case. Display case door 100 can be operated with or without electronic display 110.
[0149] In certain implementations, electronic display 110 can be secured to door frame 106 by a latch assembly. For example, one or more of right side brackets 114 can include a latch member that couples with a complementary latch member on mounting block 108 that allows the right side of electronic display assembly 102 to be selectively latched and released from mounting blocks 108.
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[0151] Similar to the display case door shown in
[0152] In certain implementations, circuitry module 526 can include one or more quick disconnect plugs. A quick disconnect plug can be attached to the first end of a control cable. The quick disconnect plug can also be attached to power cable 529. The quick disconnect plug may include a power, audio, visual, or ground wire.
[0153] Referring also to
[0154] In some implementations, a power switch for a display case door is inset into the door frame below a bottom surface of the frame.
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[0156] Referring again to
[0157] In various implementations described above, a system includes hinge brackets on a left side of an electronic display assembly and angle brackets on the right side of the electronic display assembly. In other implementations, the hinge bracket can be included on the right side of an electronic display. In still other implementations, a system can include only angle brackets (e.g., with both left and right sides having brackets similar to right side brackets 114), without any hinge brackets. In certain implementations, a system can include brackets on only one side, or include no brackets.
[0158] In various implementations described above, mounting blocks for an electronic display are in the form of a plate. Other forms of mounting blocks can be used, however. Other examples of mounting blocks include a bar, a rod, a tube, an angle, or channel.
[0159] In various implementations described above, an electronic display assembly includes hangers that be used to support an electronic display a door frame while the electronic display assembly is fastened to a door frame. In other implementations, an electronic display can be supported with other components. For example, a door frame can include a shelf on which an electronic display assembly can be rested while the electronic display assembly is fastened to the door frame (e.g., on a set of mounting blocks such as described above relative to
[0160] While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims. Furthermore, one of skill in the art would appreciate that features described in reference to a specific embodiment are not limited to that embodiment and can be interchanged with features of other embodiments.