US2223685A

US2223685A - Advertising display device

Info

Publication number: US2223685A
Application number: US235199A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lester E Herberger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-10-15
Filing date: 1938-10-15
Publication date: 1940-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1957-12-03

Description

Dec."3, 1940. E. HERBERGER ADVERTISING D ISPLAY DEVICH- I Filed Oct. 15, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l [vvE/vToe LESTER E. HERBEEGER av ATTOIQNE TS Dec. 3, 1940. 1.. E. HERBERGER Y ADVERTISING DISPLAY DEVICE Filed 001;. 15, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JIWE Nrog EGEE [ES TEE E. /7'EE5E ATrozrvEYs Patented Dec. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in illuminated electric signs, dealers displays, and signal lights, and an object of the invention is to provide a practical and inexpensive device of this character comprising a simple and efficient operating mechanism, whereby a motion illusion or animated effect of an object or figure may be obtained without the use of costly motors and other mechanical devices.

Animated signs, displays, and signals, as now commonly constructed, usually employ motors and/or other mechanical devices for operating them, when the figures or illustrated objects thereon are to have the appearance of being in motion or action. Such apparatus is expensive to install, and the maintenance cost may be high because of wear, breakage of parts, and motor failures, which may result from power line difficulties, and various other causes. It is therefore desirable that some simple and inexpensive means be provided for operating advertising display devices, animated electric signs, and various forms of signals, whereby the objectionable features, above mentioned, are entirely eliminated, and whereby such apparatus may be operated continuously over long periods at very small cost.

One of the primary objects of the invention, therefore, is to provide a simple and inexpensive method of operating an animated advertising display sign or signal, which comprises no movable parts or mechanisms, whereby the cost of operation and maintenance is reduced to a minimum.

A further object is to provide an advertising display device or sign comprising an opaque, perforated sheet, upon the front or outwardly exposed surface of which is printed or painted an illustration of the subject to be animated, and means being provided back of said plate for imparting action to thefigure appearing on the front of said plate.

,A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character described, comprising a plurality of plates or thin sheets of material having means embodied in the construction thereof, whereby when a light is placed back of said sheets or plates and intermittently turned on and off, a motion illusion or animated effect is imparted to a figure afiixedto an exposed surface of one of said sheets, thereby to attract attention.

A further and more specific object is to provide an illuminated display sign or signal comprising an opaque perforated sheet having one position of the figure to be animated printed or painted thereon, and a second sheet of transluoent material being arranged back of the perforated sheet and having the same figure provided on a surface thereof in another position, and a suitable flasher light being placed back of both of said sheets within a suitable enclosure, whereby the light is concentrated on the back of the inner sheet, whereby when the light is intermittently flashed on and off, it will create an illusion of action in the figure provided on said sheets.

A further object is to provide a simple and inexpensive means for imparting motion illusion or an animated effect to a figure affixed to the front side of a suitable display sign or signal.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is, to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings: 1

Figure 1 is a front view of an advertising display device showing the invention embodied therein;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the figure in another position; v

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view onthe line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the general construction of the apparatus; v Figure 4 is a detail sectional view substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the arrangement of the perforated and imperforate sheets, upon which the figure to be animated is aifixed;

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram;

Figure 7 shows a display device of slightly different construction wherein two light bulbs are utilized; and

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure '7, showing the general construction thereof.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, an advertising display device comprising a suitable supporting structure which may be made of cardboard or any other suitable material. This structure comprises a front 55 2 .7 11 panel 2 provided with an opening 3, through which the image or figure to be animated is shown.

A perforated sheet or plate 4, of any suitable thin, opaque, and preferably light weight material, provides a closure for the opening 3. The plate 4 has its entire surface perforated, and the figure or image to be animated, here shown to be in the form of a hand with pointing forefinger, is shown in a lowered position on this sheet. The figure is printed or painted on the outer exposed surface of the plate 4, as shown at 5 in Figures 2 and 5, in such a manner as not to obstruct or close the perforations'in the plate.

To the back side of the perforated plate-4,-

there is secured a translucentsheet 6 of a suitable thin material, such as parchment paper," laminated glassine, or any other material suit.-

able for the purpose. The translucentsheet 6 is imperforate, and may be secured directly to the .back side of the, perforated sheet 4 or it may have itsmarginal edges secured to the front wall 2 of the supporting structure, as shown at 1 in Figure 5. Av milk white translucent sheet hasbeen found to. serve admirably for many types of displavdevices.

On the back or rear surface of the translucent sheet 6, the illustration or figure to be animated hand intermittently moves up. and downwith the fore finger, alternately pointing at the informa-: tion or advertising matterappearing at 8 and v9 on the front face of the wall 2 of the structure. The figure-0f the hand is of a suitable color which may readily be seen through the sheet 6, when a light bulb l2 is placed behind the plates or

sheets

4 and 6, as shown in Figure 3.

To impart action to the hand, a light bulb is placed back of the two

sheets

4 and 6. The-light bulb is shown provided with a base 13, which may be conveniently supported in the rear wall 14 0f an enclosing structure, generally; indicated by the numeral 15. This enclosing structure has opaque walls, and is suitably secured to the front panel 2. It serves to concentrate the light rays on the back side of the plate 6, and whereby the lightbulb will not illuminate the area back of the display device. 7

The-light bulb I2 is provided with a suitable circuit breaker or flasher generally indicated by the numeral it, which may be mounted in the base l3 or, in any other suitable location in the current supply cord l1 of the light bulb. This circuit breaker or flasher is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 6, and may comprise a suitable bi-metal or thermostatic element I8 having a heating-coil I9 coiled thereabo-ut, which is arranged to be connected in series with the supply circuit. The thermostatic-element I8 is supported at one end and carries a movable contact 2| at its opposite end adapted to engage a fixed contact 22. In the circuit shown in Figure 6,

the tension in the bi-metal bar I8 is such that.

when the plug 20 is not connected to a power circuit (not shown), the movable contact 2| is electrically engaged with the fixed contact 22, to complete the circuit to the light bulb. When the plug 20 is connected to the power circuit, current will flow through the heating coil l9, whereby the coil will heat the bar I8 and cause it'to warp in such, 'a;direction as to move the contact 21' out of. engagement. with the fixed contact 22. The specific construction of the circuit breaker or flasher l6, forms no part ofthe present invention, and it is to be understood that any suitable flasher device which will cause intermittent operation of the light bulb l2, may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. The thermostatic element l8 may be located within the base l3 of the bulb, and operates continually when the cord I1 is connected to the supply circuit to alternately open and close the circuit to the light bulb'so that the operation of the light bulb is intermittent. This turning on and Off of the bulb in connection with the arrangement and construction or the

plates

4 and 6, is what causes the figure or illustration of the hand on the front of the display device to be animated, or have the ap- ."pearance of being in motion.

It will thus be seen, that by the use of a suitable flasher, which continually turns the bulb on and off, a dual two-view effect is obtained, and by showing the same figure or: subject in two diiferentpos-itions, on the

plates

4 and 6, that is, with the hand raised on the plate 6., s shown in Figure 1, and loweredon the plate 4, as shown in Figure 2, the hand will have the appearance of alternately moving up and. down and pointing atthe information or advertising matter provided on the front ofthe panel 2.. This animated action is obtained by reason of theperforated plate4 being disposed in flatwise relation to the translucent plate 6. 1 When the'lightbulb is on the figure of the hand appearing on the back plate 6 will show up in; a sharply-defined outline through the perforations in the front plate 4, and the-figure of the hand on the-front plate 4 will be substantiall blotted out, or becomeinvisible, because of the brilliancy of the light rays projectedthrough the perforations in the front plate 4. M turned off, the hand on the back plate 6 becomes invisible, and the hand on the front plate 4 then becomes clearly visible. It will thus be seen that to impart action or the effect of motion to the hand on the display device} as shown in Figures 1 and 2, no moving parts are employed, the only power required'being the fiasher light bulb l2 provided back of the

plates

4 and 6.

In Figures 7 and 8, I have shown a display device more particularly adapted for use in dark places, such as night windowdisplays. form here shown, a supporting structure is provided comprising an inner wall 25 having an openingZB therein corresponding to the'opening 5 in the panel 2 of the structure illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. A similar opaque perforatedplate 2 is fitted over the opening 26 and has secured to its back side, an imperforate translucent plate 28, upon which is provided the outline of The moment the light is t In the 1 numeral 3| arranged: in front ofsthe'panel 25 figure appearing on the perforated plate 28 may readily be seen therethrough.

A light bulb 34 is arranged in the lower portion of the box-like structure 3| below the Window 33, and illuminates the interior of the structure 3| so that the front side of the perforated plate 23 is well illuminated, when the light bulb 34 is turned on. A top wall 35 prevents the light rays from being projected above the structure 3 I.

Rearwardly of the panel 25 and preferably secured thereto, is a casing 36, in which is mounted a second light bulb 31. The light bulb 31 is shown mounted in a horizontal wall 38 which cooperates with the upper portions of the walls of the casing 36 to provide a light chamber 39 which is substantially imperforate so as to prevent the light from the bulb 31 from being projected through the walls thereof.

The two

light bulbs

34 and 31 are shown connected to a suitable flasher, generally indicated by the numeral 4i, to which current is supplied by a cord 42 having a suitable connecting plug 43 provided at one end thereof. The flasher 4| may be of conventional design, and is so arranged that the

light bulbs

34 and 31 are alternately turned on and off, whereby the figure appearing through the window or opening 33 in the boxlike structure 3! may readily be seen when the light 34 is turned on.

In the operation of the structure shown in Figures '7 and 8, when the light bulb 34 is on, the front side of the plate or perforated sheet 21 is illuminated so that the figure provided thereon may readily be seen through the opening 33. When the light 34 is turned off, the light 31 is simultaneously turned on, whereupon the light rays projected through the perforations in the plate 21 will obscure or blot out the figure appearping on the front side of the plate 21. The figure in its raised position then becomes clearly visible through the perforations in the front sheet or plate.

In the structure illustrated in Figures '7 and 8, when the lights are operating, the muscular arm of the figure on the perforated sheet will become animated or, in other words, will have the appearance of being alternately raised and lowered, as indicated by the full and dotted lines in Figure 7. The structure here shown is particularly well suited for use in store windows or, in other dark places, as it is not dependent upon any other illumination for its operation. The two

light bulbs

34 and 31 provide all the illumination necessary to obtain the desired results.

To render the display device still more attractive, a suitable window opening 44 may be provided in the front wall 32 of the box-like structure 3|, as shown in Figure 7. This window may be provided with a translucent sheet, upon which a suitable figure and advertising matter may be printed, so that each time the light bulb 34 is turned on, the window 44 will be illuminated, as will be readily understood.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the novel apparatus herein disclosed, is dependent entirely upon the intermittent operation of the light bulb or'bulbs for its operation. The perforations in the

front plates

4 and 21 may be of any suitable shape and are so spaced as to provide the most desired effects. The figure or illustration appearing on the front side of the perforated plate covers all or whatever portion desired, of the solid areas between the perforations thereof, to provide the desired effect. For exterior use, the entire apparatus is made from a suitable material which is impervious to moisture and unaffected by heat and light. The openings in the

panels

2 and 25, in which the

perforated plates

4 and 21, respectively, are mounted, may be of any suitable size and shape, depending upon the subject matter to be displayed.

The invention may also be embodied in various forms of traflic control signals or automobile lights, signals, or other indicating means, such as an arrow or a hand with pointing finger, to which an animated action may be imparted by a suitable flasher embodied in the lighting circuit. Thus, the invention may be used in the construction of apparatus for controlling automotive and pedestrian traffic, and other apparatus to which it may be found applicable.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an animated sign adapted to simulate motion, an opaque plate having a uniformly perforated area, a picture applied to the front side of the opaque plate in the perforated area, a translucent sheet adjacent the rear side of the opaque plate in the perforated area, a similar picture applied to the rear side of the translucent sheet in offset relation to the first picture, a light back of the translucent sheet, and means for intermittently operating the light whereby the two pictures become alternately visible and impart an animated effect to the sign.

2. In a sign of the class described, a casing having an opening in a wall thereof, an opaque plate closing said opening and having an exposed surface, the entire surface of which is uniformly perforated, the figure to be animated being shown in one position on the exposed surface of said plate, an imperforate sheet of a suitab e translucent material arranged directly back of said plate within the casing and having the figure applied to the rear surface thereof in another position, and a light bulb within the casing back of said sheet having a flasher device for intermittently turning said light on and off, whereby the two positions of the figure may be alternately seen, as the light is flashed on and off, whereby a motion illusion or animated effect is imparted to the figure.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a casing having an opening in a wall thereof, an opaque plate closing said opening and having an exposed surface, the entire surface of which is uniformly perforated, the figure to be animated being shown in one position on the exposed surface of said plate, an imperforate sheet of a suitable translucent material arranged back of said perforate plate and having the figure shown thereon in another position, and whereby that portion of the translucent sheet covered by the figure may be seen in sharp outline through the apertures in the opaque plate, when the interior of the casing is illuminated, a light within the casing directly back of said sheet for illuminating the interior of the casing, and means for intermittently turning the light on and mi, whereby the two positions of said figure become alternately visible and thereby impart a motion illusion or animated effect to the figure.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a casing having an opening in a wall thereof, an opaque plate normally closing said opening and. having an exposed surface the entire surface of which is uniformly perforated, and the combined areas of said perforations substantially equalling the total area of the solid portion of said surface the figure to be animated being shown in one position on said perforated surface, .an imperforate, plate of a suitable translucent material placed against the rear of said screen plate and having the figure shown thereon in another position, a light bulb within the casing directly back of said plates, and thermostatic means for interthe figure.

LESTER E; HERBERGER,