CA2015221A1 - Display sign - Google Patents
Display signInfo
- Publication number
- CA2015221A1 CA2015221A1 CA 2015221 CA2015221A CA2015221A1 CA 2015221 A1 CA2015221 A1 CA 2015221A1 CA 2015221 CA2015221 CA 2015221 CA 2015221 A CA2015221 A CA 2015221A CA 2015221 A1 CA2015221 A1 CA 2015221A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sign
- carriage
- rollers
- face
- belts
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
- Displays For Variable Information Using Movable Means (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A sign having a display face (2) and a pair of belts (5) and (6) which carry display material and two rollers (9) and (10) which during operation of the sign remain mounted on a carriage (11A) which travels back and forth across the Ease. each of the belts are secured at one end to anchorages (12G) at opposite sides of the sign face and at the other end wind around the rollers. In use of the sign the belts wind onto or off their respective rollers as the carriage travels back and forth across the sign face to continuously and sequentially exhibit the display material on each belt. The drive mechanism for the carriage comprises a clip (12E) on an endless belt (12D) which engages the carriage and continuously moves it along a rail.
A sign having a display face (2) and a pair of belts (5) and (6) which carry display material and two rollers (9) and (10) which during operation of the sign remain mounted on a carriage (11A) which travels back and forth across the Ease. each of the belts are secured at one end to anchorages (12G) at opposite sides of the sign face and at the other end wind around the rollers. In use of the sign the belts wind onto or off their respective rollers as the carriage travels back and forth across the sign face to continuously and sequentially exhibit the display material on each belt. The drive mechanism for the carriage comprises a clip (12E) on an endless belt (12D) which engages the carriage and continuously moves it along a rail.
Description
DISPLAY SIGN
BACKGRO~ND OF T~E INVENTION
This inven~ion relates to sign displays and more particularly although not exclusively to ch~geable exhibits for advertising or other information disseminating purposes.
Whi.le ~here are many known types ofchan~eable display signs these normally require the extensive use of electronic gadgetry. The capital cost of such signs is therefore high as are the running expenses due to their considerable energy consumpt-ion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIO~
It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly thi.s inven~lon discloses a sign comprising at least one belt for carrying di.splay materl.al and at least one roller means which is adapted for movement across the face of said sign wherein the belt is disposed to wind over the roller means as it moves across said face so that said display material is progressi.vely exhibited for view or concealed in accordance with ~he direction of travel of said rollers.
. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The c.urrently preferred forms of this invention will now be described with reference to the a~tached drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of one form of sign according to this invention, Figure 2 shows an example of the type of animation which may be obtained from this sign, - -Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C show the preferred form of carriage, rail and drive mechanism for the sign illustrated schematically in Figure 1, with Fig. 2D showing a drive belt as an alte~native to the drive cable of Fig. 2C, Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a modification to the sign of Figure 1, Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of this invention, and Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of -the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE IN~ION
Referring first to figure 1 the sign may comprise a frame 1 with an open display area or face 2 on one side. Preferably the display ~ace is sealed against the ingress of dust or moisture by a sheet of transparent plastic or glass 3 which sits between flanges 4 at each end. Immediately behind the sheet 3 a pair of belts 5 and 6 are extended across the display area. Although it is not apparent from this sectional view the belts have sufficient width in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing to allow the exhibition of graphic material.
Each of the belts are secured to a respective frame section of the sign at one end 7 and 8, and at the other end they wind around rollers 9 and 10. These rollers are spring loaded to maintain the belts in a substantially taut and crease free configuration so that the display is presented to best advantage. The rollers are mounted on a carriage 11 ~hich in turn is adapted to travel back and forth along a rail 12 from one side of -the display face to the other.
Although not shown in the drawings the carriage may for example be propelled by a small onboard motor or by a system of pulleys and cables from a stationary motor as described later. To illuminate the sign face the belt material may at lea~t in part be translucent and a light tube 13 may be rnounted along the back face of the sign frame.
An example of the effect produced by the sign is shown in figure 2. When the roller carriage is adjacent one slde 14 of the display face the graphics carried by the unwound belt are clearly displayed. However as the carriage moves towards the other side 15 this material is progressively concealed from view as it winds onto its respective roller and is replaced by the graphics on the second unwinding belt. The result of this arrangement is that two completely independent images can be displayed on the same sign face.
Each in turn is displayed in its entirety and then smoothly merged into the other as the carriage is moved across the sign face.
Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show in greater detail the currently preferred embodiment of the aforementioned carriage and rail.
The carriage comprises an elongated chassis lIA with pairs of flanges llB at each end which rotatably hold the rollers 9 and 10. Transverse bars llC are located across the back of the carriage (as shown in figure 2B) and these mount sets of wheels llD. The vertical spacing of these wheels is such that they run within upper and lower channels 12A in the outer flanges of the U shaped rail m,ember 12 (see fiyure 2C). The drive mechanism for the carriage preferably consists of a pair of pulleys 12~ and 12C with an endless drive cable or belt running be~een them. One of the pulleys is driven from a stationary motor so that this cable or belt continuously traverses the length of the rail in the direction shown by arrows 12F.
In -the case of a drive cable lshown as 12D in figure 2C) there is an attached clip 12E with an aper-ture 12G which fits onto a protruding lug llE on the back of the carriage chassis llA.
In the case of a drive belt (shown as 12H in figure 2D) the said belt fits directly onto the protruding lug llE by passing between three fingers 12I on said lug. This drive belt alternative eliminates the need for the clip 12E.
By attaching said cable or belt to the carriage the reciprocating movement is thus transmitted to the carriage to operate the sign as described earlier~ To accomodate the vertical displacement of the clip as it rounds the pulleys at each end of the rail the lug preferably is mounted in a slide on the back of the chassis formed between two bars llF and a disk llG. The aforementioned anchorages 7 and ~ of figure 1 may be formed by pins 12G protruding out from each side of the rail.
A modification of the embodiment of figure 1 is shown in figure 3.
The basic mechanism here is similar except that additional rollers 15A and 16 are provided at each end of the display area to increase the length of the belts and thus the amount of material that can be displayed thereon. By changing the segment of each belt that is unwound across the sign face between the carriage rollers 9 and 10, and the respective outer rollers 15A and 16 the combination of images displayed can be readily varied. With this particular example stationary motors 17 are shown at each end of the sign fr~lme which drive the ~ 7 --4a-rollers lS and 16 to move the carriage across the sign face.
Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the sign is adapted to use only one continuous belt 18 to display on two opposite faces 19 and 20. Both ends 21 and 20~ of the belt are affixed to the top end of the sign frame and the section therebetween extends around two horizontal rollers 22 and 237 and a central drive roller 24. The sign is intended to operate in the vertical orienta-tion shown so that the weight of rollers 22 and 23 serves to tension the display area of the belt without the assist-ance of springs. Any suitable type of reversible motor drive 23A and 23B may be used to rotate roller 24 so that lengths of belt l8 with suitable graphics thereon are displayed alternately on each of the sign faces 19 and 20. Transparent background displays 25 are also located on each side of the central light fixture 26 which are alternately overlayed by the graphics on the belt to produce an effect similar to that described earlier with reference to igure 2.
A modification of the sign of figure 4 is shown in figure 5.
In this case two separate belts 27 and 28 are used so that the background display can be omitted. The belts are arranged in a similar manner to that of figure 4 with the ends 29, 29A
and 30, 30A being secured tothe top and bottom respectively of the sign frame and the mid-sections extending around pairs of horizontal rollers 31, 32, 33, 34 and centràl rollers 35 and 36. The upper roller 35 is rotated by a reversible motor drive 37 and 38, and it thereby displaces belt 27 in an identical manner to the device of figure 3. Each pair of ad~acent hori~ontal rollers 31-32 and 33-34 are mechanically linked so tha~ the displacement of the upper belt 27 causes a corresponding movement in lower belt 28. Roller 36 is also preferably mounted in a slotted aperture 37 so that it's weight serves to tension the belts and prevent creasing of the display. The effect of this arrangement is that an animated exhibit is produced on each side of the sign which is similar to that of figure 2.
It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiments described provides a novel, unique and low cost construction for animated signs. Clearly however the examples disclosed are only the currently preferred forms of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a man skilled in the art. For example the apparatus for driving the rollers may comprise any suitable kind of electrical, mechanical or hydraulic arrangement. Further, the invention iS not limited to any particular material for constructing the belts or the other components of the sign.
BACKGRO~ND OF T~E INVENTION
This inven~ion relates to sign displays and more particularly although not exclusively to ch~geable exhibits for advertising or other information disseminating purposes.
Whi.le ~here are many known types ofchan~eable display signs these normally require the extensive use of electronic gadgetry. The capital cost of such signs is therefore high as are the running expenses due to their considerable energy consumpt-ion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIO~
It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly thi.s inven~lon discloses a sign comprising at least one belt for carrying di.splay materl.al and at least one roller means which is adapted for movement across the face of said sign wherein the belt is disposed to wind over the roller means as it moves across said face so that said display material is progressi.vely exhibited for view or concealed in accordance with ~he direction of travel of said rollers.
. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The c.urrently preferred forms of this invention will now be described with reference to the a~tached drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of one form of sign according to this invention, Figure 2 shows an example of the type of animation which may be obtained from this sign, - -Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C show the preferred form of carriage, rail and drive mechanism for the sign illustrated schematically in Figure 1, with Fig. 2D showing a drive belt as an alte~native to the drive cable of Fig. 2C, Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a modification to the sign of Figure 1, Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of this invention, and Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of -the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE IN~ION
Referring first to figure 1 the sign may comprise a frame 1 with an open display area or face 2 on one side. Preferably the display ~ace is sealed against the ingress of dust or moisture by a sheet of transparent plastic or glass 3 which sits between flanges 4 at each end. Immediately behind the sheet 3 a pair of belts 5 and 6 are extended across the display area. Although it is not apparent from this sectional view the belts have sufficient width in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing to allow the exhibition of graphic material.
Each of the belts are secured to a respective frame section of the sign at one end 7 and 8, and at the other end they wind around rollers 9 and 10. These rollers are spring loaded to maintain the belts in a substantially taut and crease free configuration so that the display is presented to best advantage. The rollers are mounted on a carriage 11 ~hich in turn is adapted to travel back and forth along a rail 12 from one side of -the display face to the other.
Although not shown in the drawings the carriage may for example be propelled by a small onboard motor or by a system of pulleys and cables from a stationary motor as described later. To illuminate the sign face the belt material may at lea~t in part be translucent and a light tube 13 may be rnounted along the back face of the sign frame.
An example of the effect produced by the sign is shown in figure 2. When the roller carriage is adjacent one slde 14 of the display face the graphics carried by the unwound belt are clearly displayed. However as the carriage moves towards the other side 15 this material is progressively concealed from view as it winds onto its respective roller and is replaced by the graphics on the second unwinding belt. The result of this arrangement is that two completely independent images can be displayed on the same sign face.
Each in turn is displayed in its entirety and then smoothly merged into the other as the carriage is moved across the sign face.
Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show in greater detail the currently preferred embodiment of the aforementioned carriage and rail.
The carriage comprises an elongated chassis lIA with pairs of flanges llB at each end which rotatably hold the rollers 9 and 10. Transverse bars llC are located across the back of the carriage (as shown in figure 2B) and these mount sets of wheels llD. The vertical spacing of these wheels is such that they run within upper and lower channels 12A in the outer flanges of the U shaped rail m,ember 12 (see fiyure 2C). The drive mechanism for the carriage preferably consists of a pair of pulleys 12~ and 12C with an endless drive cable or belt running be~een them. One of the pulleys is driven from a stationary motor so that this cable or belt continuously traverses the length of the rail in the direction shown by arrows 12F.
In -the case of a drive cable lshown as 12D in figure 2C) there is an attached clip 12E with an aper-ture 12G which fits onto a protruding lug llE on the back of the carriage chassis llA.
In the case of a drive belt (shown as 12H in figure 2D) the said belt fits directly onto the protruding lug llE by passing between three fingers 12I on said lug. This drive belt alternative eliminates the need for the clip 12E.
By attaching said cable or belt to the carriage the reciprocating movement is thus transmitted to the carriage to operate the sign as described earlier~ To accomodate the vertical displacement of the clip as it rounds the pulleys at each end of the rail the lug preferably is mounted in a slide on the back of the chassis formed between two bars llF and a disk llG. The aforementioned anchorages 7 and ~ of figure 1 may be formed by pins 12G protruding out from each side of the rail.
A modification of the embodiment of figure 1 is shown in figure 3.
The basic mechanism here is similar except that additional rollers 15A and 16 are provided at each end of the display area to increase the length of the belts and thus the amount of material that can be displayed thereon. By changing the segment of each belt that is unwound across the sign face between the carriage rollers 9 and 10, and the respective outer rollers 15A and 16 the combination of images displayed can be readily varied. With this particular example stationary motors 17 are shown at each end of the sign fr~lme which drive the ~ 7 --4a-rollers lS and 16 to move the carriage across the sign face.
Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which the sign is adapted to use only one continuous belt 18 to display on two opposite faces 19 and 20. Both ends 21 and 20~ of the belt are affixed to the top end of the sign frame and the section therebetween extends around two horizontal rollers 22 and 237 and a central drive roller 24. The sign is intended to operate in the vertical orienta-tion shown so that the weight of rollers 22 and 23 serves to tension the display area of the belt without the assist-ance of springs. Any suitable type of reversible motor drive 23A and 23B may be used to rotate roller 24 so that lengths of belt l8 with suitable graphics thereon are displayed alternately on each of the sign faces 19 and 20. Transparent background displays 25 are also located on each side of the central light fixture 26 which are alternately overlayed by the graphics on the belt to produce an effect similar to that described earlier with reference to igure 2.
A modification of the sign of figure 4 is shown in figure 5.
In this case two separate belts 27 and 28 are used so that the background display can be omitted. The belts are arranged in a similar manner to that of figure 4 with the ends 29, 29A
and 30, 30A being secured tothe top and bottom respectively of the sign frame and the mid-sections extending around pairs of horizontal rollers 31, 32, 33, 34 and centràl rollers 35 and 36. The upper roller 35 is rotated by a reversible motor drive 37 and 38, and it thereby displaces belt 27 in an identical manner to the device of figure 3. Each pair of ad~acent hori~ontal rollers 31-32 and 33-34 are mechanically linked so tha~ the displacement of the upper belt 27 causes a corresponding movement in lower belt 28. Roller 36 is also preferably mounted in a slotted aperture 37 so that it's weight serves to tension the belts and prevent creasing of the display. The effect of this arrangement is that an animated exhibit is produced on each side of the sign which is similar to that of figure 2.
It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiments described provides a novel, unique and low cost construction for animated signs. Clearly however the examples disclosed are only the currently preferred forms of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a man skilled in the art. For example the apparatus for driving the rollers may comprise any suitable kind of electrical, mechanical or hydraulic arrangement. Further, the invention iS not limited to any particular material for constructing the belts or the other components of the sign.
Claims (5)
1. A sign comprising at least one display face, a pair of belts which carry display material and two rollers which during operation of the sign remain mounted on a carriage which travels back and forth across said face; each of said belts being secured at one end to respective fixed anchorages at opposite sides of said face and at the other end winding around respective ones of said rollers wherein said belts wind onto or off their respective rollers as the carriage travels back and forth across said face to continuously and sequentially exhibit for view and conceal the display material on each belt, wherein the carriage travels along a rail member and the drive mechanism for said carriage comprises a clip means on an endless belt which engages said carriage and continuously moves said carriage end to end along said rail.
2. The sign as claimed in claim 1 wherein said endless cable runs between a pair of pulleys one at each end of said rail.
3. The sign as claimed in claim 2 wherein said clip has an aperture which fits into a lug on the back of the chassis of the carriage.
4. The sign as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lug is mounted in a slide on the back of the chassis to accomodate the vertical displacement of the clip as it rounds the pulleys at each end of the rail.
5. The sign as claimed in claim 4 wherein the slide is formed by a disk which is slidable behind two vertical bars in the back of the chassis.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2015221 CA2015221A1 (en) | 1990-04-24 | 1990-04-24 | Display sign |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2015221 CA2015221A1 (en) | 1990-04-24 | 1990-04-24 | Display sign |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2015221A1 true CA2015221A1 (en) | 1991-10-24 |
Family
ID=4144812
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2015221 Abandoned CA2015221A1 (en) | 1990-04-24 | 1990-04-24 | Display sign |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2015221A1 (en) |
-
1990
- 1990-04-24 CA CA 2015221 patent/CA2015221A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |