Elevated Display Characters via Spacer Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sign displays often lack conspicuity and visibility due to poor design, leading to navigation issues in unfamiliar environments, as they may be obscured, have reflective surfaces, or illegible lettering, resulting in reduced effectiveness in way-finding and advertising.
Innovation Solution
A display and fastening system that includes a spacer portion to elevate display characters above the surface, using a fastener with a front engaging portion, a rear engaging portion, and an adhesive for secure mounting, along with a method of manufacturing elongated metal display characters through extrusion and cutting to ensure consistent font width and improved legibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If display characters are mounted directly on the surface, then installation is simple, but conspicuity and visibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener introduces a spacer portion that extends in the dimension perpendicular to the display surface, raising the display character above the surface plane. This dimensional change creates a floating appearance that enhances conspicuity and visibility while maintaining simple installation through the integrated fastening mechanism.
2Illumination intensity
If display characters are elevated above the surface, then conspicuity is improved, but mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides the mounting mechanism for attaching the display character, incorporates the spacer portion for elevation, and includes the engagement features for secure attachment. This consolidation achieves character elevation without proportionally increasing mounting complexity.
3Strength
If display characters have reflective surfaces, then material durability is improved, but visibility is reduced due to obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer portion acts as an intermediary element that physically separates the display character from the display surface. This intermediary structure allows the display character to be elevated above obstructions, improving visibility and legibility while the character itself can maintain reflective surfaces for durability without being directly obscured by the mounting surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A character display system and method making the same are disclosed. In the system, the display is provided on a display surface. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one display character and a fastener for mounting the at least one display character to the display surface. The fastener includes a front engaging portion, a rear engaging portion, and a spacer portion located between the front engaging portion and the rear engaging portion. The spacer portion is configured, upon assembly, to raise the at least one display character a predetermined distance above the display surface.