Locker with illuminated indicia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern athletic and sporting facility lockers lack innovative features to enhance both functionality and aesthetics, particularly in terms of visual appeal and customization, which are critical for recruiting members and maintaining prestige.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of illuminated panels with translucent materials and LED lighting, allowing for customizable graphic designs and dynamic lighting effects, which can include logos, artwork, and even motion graphics, to create a luxurious and engaging locker experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional non-illuminated panels are used in lockers, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but aesthetic appeal and visual customization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds LED lighting elements and graphic designs within the panel structure itself, creating a nested configuration where lighting components are integrated into recesses or channels in the panel. This nesting approach adds illumination functionality while maintaining a sleek, unified appearance and avoiding protruding elements that would increase overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the panel: structural support, graphic display, and illumination. By merging the panel with integrated lighting and customizable graphics into a single unified component, the design enhances aesthetic appeal while avoiding the need for separate mounting systems and control mechanisms that would increase device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed graphic designs are used on locker panels, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but adaptability and customization options are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the panel into modular sections with recesses or channels that can independently accommodate different graphic designs and lighting configurations. This segmentation allows individual graphics to be updated or replaced without affecting the entire panel structure, enabling customization while maintaining manufacturing precision for each modular component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic lighting elements that can change intensity, color, or patterns, and graphics that can be updated or reconfigured. This dynamic capability allows the panel to adapt to different team identities, events, or preferences without requiring complete panel replacement, enhancing versatility while using standardized mounting systems.
3Illumination intensity
If illuminated panels with complex graphics are installed, then aesthetic value and luxury are enhanced, but ease of installation and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates lighting elements and graphics within recesses or channels in the panel structure, creating a nested configuration. This nesting simplifies installation by eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets or external lighting fixtures, as components are designed to fit into pre-formed recesses that guide proper positioning and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates self-aligning features in the panel design, such as tapered recesses, magnetic mounting elements, or snap-fit mechanisms that automatically position components correctly during installation. These self-service features reduce the skill level and time required for installation and maintenance while maintaining the sophisticated appearance of illuminated panels with complex graphics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The illuminated panels enhance the aesthetic value of lockers, providing a luxurious and customizable environment that improves the overall locker room experience and organizational prestige, while also offering functional flexibility through adjustable lighting and easy graphic updates.
Implementation Method 1
The panel incorporates one or more lighting elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
Implementation Method 2
The panel itself may be constructed from a translucent or transparent material, such as acrylic or glass
Data Source
AI summary
A locker assembly having a backlit indicia includes a pair of sidewalls and a horizontal top defining a locker enclosure. At least one shelf extends at least partially between the sidewalls and defines a storage space in the locker enclosure. An illuminated panel extending at least partially between the sidewalls includes: an at least partially translucent sheet, a plurality of powered lighting elements disposed under the sheet, and a lighting enclosure cooperating with the panel to enclose the lighting elements.