Modular System for a Display Panel Assembly

1 . A modular system for a display panel assembly, comprising:

a plurality of modular frames connectable into a two-dimensional matrix of at least one row and at least one column of the frames;

at least one power bus connected along frames of one of the row and the column;

a plurality of modular display units connectable to the frames and the power bus; and

a communication device configured to communicate signals to the display units.

2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the power bus comprises bus bars.

3 . The system of claim 2 wherein the bus bars are configured to at least partially support the frames.

4 . The system of claim 2 wherein the bus bars are connected to all of the frames in the column.

5 . The system of claim 1 wherein the frames comprise a first connecting structure with a first portion and a second portion configured so that the first portion on one of the frames nests with the second portion on another of the frames.

6 . The system of claim 1 wherein the display units are configured to connect with the frames in a snap-connect relationship.

7 . The system of claim 1 wherein the display units are configured to mechanically connect to the frames and electrically connect to the power bus in a single operation.

8 . The system of claim 1 wherein the display units comprise an array of LEDs.

9 . The system of claim 1 wherein the communication device is configured for wireless communication.

10 . The system of claim 1 wherein the communication device comprises cables.

11 . The system of claim 1 wherein the display units comprise at least one aperture configured to receive a tool for disengaging and removing the display units from the frames.

12 . A modular display system, comprising:

a plurality of modular frame members connectable to form a network;

at least one bus bar connectable to the frame members and configured to at least partially support the frame members in one of a row and a column of frame members in the network; and

a plurality of modular display units connectable to the frame members to form a display panel assembly.

13 . The system of claim 12 wherein the frame members further comprise a first retainer structure and the display units further comprise a second retainer structure, the first retainer structure and the second retainer structure configured to interlock in a snap-connect relationship.

14 . The system of claim 12 wherein the frame members further comprise positioners configured to align the display units.

15 . The system of claim 12 wherein the frame members further comprise at least one projection and at least one socket configured to interface in a nesting relationship for connection of adjacent frame members.

16 . The system of claim 12 further comprising a data bus for communicating signals to the display units.

17 . The system of claim 12 wherein the frame members further comprise brackets configured to be supported by the bus bar.

18 . The system of claim 12 wherein the display units and frame members are configured to mechanically and electrically interconnect in a plug-in relationship.

19 . The system of claim 12 wherein at least one bus bar extends along each column of frame members in the network.

20 . The system of claim 12 further comprising an enclosure coupled to the network and housing one or more power supply components configured to interface with the bus bar.

21 . The system of claim 12 wherein the display units comprise a rear panel, a driver board, an array of LEDs, and a front panel having an array of apertures aligned with the array of LEDs.

22 . The system of claim 21 wherein the rear panel and the front panel comprise at least one aperture and at least one edge feature configured to receive a tool for disengaging a connection between the frame members and the display units, so that the display units can be removed from the frame members.

23 . The system of claim 22 wherein the connection is formed by coacting resilient tab members.

24 . A modular frame member for receiving a modular display element of a display panel assembly, comprising:

a base;

a socket and a projection coupled to the base, the socket on the base configured to receive the projection on another base to connect and align adjacent frame members; and

a connecting structure configured to receive the display element.

25 . The modular frame member of claim 24 further comprising a receiving structure configured to receive a bus bar.

26 . The modular frame member of claim 25 further comprising a bracket configured to be supported on the bus bar.

27 . The modular frame member of claim 24 wherein the connecting structure comprises at least one resilient tab.

28 . The modular frame member of claim 24 further comprising at least one positioner configured to align the display element.

29 . A method of assembling a modular display panel, comprising:

requesting that a plurality of interconnectable modular frames and modular display units be delivered to a first location;

connecting the frames at the first location to form a network;

connecting at least one bus bar to at least one of a row and a column of frames in the network; and

connecting a plurality of modular display units to the frames.

30 . The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of providing a data bus for communicating signals to the display units.

31 . The method of claim 30 wherein the data bus is configured for wireless communication of signals.

32 . The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of supporting the display units on the bus bars.

33 . The method of claim 29 wherein connection of the display units to the frames also electrically couples the display units to the bus bars.

34 . The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of assembling the display units from at least a front panel, a rear panel, a driver board and a plurality of LEDs.

35 . The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of shipping the frame members, the bus bars and the display units for assembly into a display panel at a jobsite.

36 . A modular display panel assembled according to the method of claim 29 .