Geoffrey Wayne Bickel

US Patent:

20020162256, Nov 7, 2002

Filed:

May 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/849475

Inventors:

Rodney Wardle - Henderson NV, US
Todd Stih - Lawrenceville GA, US
John Williams - Las Vegas NV, US
Kenneth Roostee - Las Vegas NV, US
Graham Beland - Las Vegas NV, US
Blake Gover - Las Vegas NV, US
Todd Orme - Henderson NV, US
Geoffrey Bickel - Henderson NV, US
Laurence Ishida - Las Vegas NV, US

International Classification:

G09F003/04

US Classification:

040/452000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for integrating an illuminated sign system with a dasher board in a hockey rink. The illuminated sign system includes an outer frame with an impact resistant transparent sheet secured to a front surface of the outer frame. The sign system includes a display panel member having a white front surface and a plurality of apertures therein. The display panel member includes a circuit board assembly having a plurality of LED trios positioned proximate the rear surface of the display panel member so that LED trios register and protrude through a corresponding aperture in the display panel member. The illuminated sign system includes a power supply and a controller for controlling the power supplied to specific LEDs in each of the LED trios. In addition, the controller controls the intensity emitted by the LEDs to thereby manipulate the color contrast with the white front surface of the display panel member. The illuminated sign system also includes shock absorbers for absorbing the impact of hockey play to the outer frame and the transparent sheet.