GB2033126A - Mechanical display panel for representing adaptable programs - Google Patents

Abstract

A mechanical display panel for representing adaptable programs comprises a primary endless display sheet 6 entrained about a pair of axles at either end of a display area and a plurality of endless transparent auxiliary tapes 7 entrained about additional axles and passing over the sheet 6. The tapes may be manually advanced together with or separately from the sheet 6 and can have indicia or other markings applied thereto for showing changes in an initial program indicated diagrammatically on the sheet 6. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mechanical display panel for representing adaptable programs This invention relates to a mechanical display panel for representing adaptable programs.

Various systems, for example the PERT-CPM, exist regarding programming which allow for a graphic form expression of different programs such as may be used in industrial, building, urbanistic, scientific, political or economic situations and, in general, in all such activities that require time controlled organisation.

The programming systems known until now are generally expressed by means of static diagrams that although they can correctly indicate a program, are not readily broughtup-to-date according to changes and circumstances of the same diagram, this consequently implying the need to make up another up-to-date diagram reflecting the changed situation, this need for fresh diagrams leading to undesirable large time and cost requirements for making adjustments and projections into the future of the program.

With the known methods any alterations in the critical activity of the program, within its graphic representation, leads to total reprogramming within the diagram requiring the need for new plates with consequential time and cost penalties.

The present invention is directed at providing a panel which can represent adaptable programs allowing for the representation of situations to be adapted readily to changes as they occur with the continual manufacture of new representative diagrams and plates being avoided while still permitting ready control of modified scheduling.

According to the invention there is provided a mechanical display panel for representing adaptable programs, said panel comprising primary display means for displaying a program and a plurality of sliding transparent tapes mounted for sliding movement over at least part of the primary display means whereby the program set out on the primary display means can be adapted by use of information provided on the tapes. In its preferred form as later described in detail, the display panel comprises a box that has mounted on its inside a display sheet upon which the original program is drawn and that is supported by being passed about two axles. The tapes extend over the display sheet and are themselves supported by being stretched as bands around two axles externally of the axles supporting the sheet.By movement of these horizontal tapes activities can be totally or partially changed in the program in accordance with those circumstances requiring changes in the program. Preferably one of the axles supporting the tapes is provided with a plurality of reels thereon, one for each tape, with the movement of the tapes being achieved by an exterior control which can be used to move both a sheet supporting and a tape supporting axle together or separately. Individual movement of the tapes can be achieved by sliding the appropriate tapes with movement of the reel supporting it. A time indicating tape, for example a calendar tape, is preferably supported on one of the exterior and one of the interior axles so that it is movable with the primary display sheet.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a panel embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the panel of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a plan detailed view showing the arrangement of two axles at one end of the panel; and Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing axles at the other end of the panel.

Referring to Figure 1, the display device is shown as comprising a rectangular frame or box within which is a display aperture area in which can be shown a primary display means comprised by a sheet 6 extending over the depth of the box and a plurality of transparent tapes 7 stretched over the display sheet 6. The parallel tapes 7 can be sufficient in number to cover the entire area of the sheet 6 or may only cover part of that area as required.

Along one side of the frame is provided a display area 5 upon which can be listed the various activities or sections of the program to be displayed, this area 5 being provided adjacent one side of the display area as shown.

A time indicating tape 8 is provided which can be moved with the primary display sheets 6 and may, for example, be provided with a calendar associated with the change in program.

Figure 2 illustrates the panel of Figure 1 from below in diagrammatic form again showing how the primary display sheet 6 is contained within the auxiliary display tapes 7.

A knob 11 is provided as an external control by means of which the tapes can be advanced simultaneously across the display area.

Figure 3 illustrates in cross-section the provision of first and second axles 1 and 4 about which are tensioned the auxiliary transparent display tapes 7 and two inner axles 2 and 3 about which is tensioned a sheet 6 comprising the primary program display.

Sheet 6 is located between the two runs of the endless bands comprised by the tapes 7. Spring means 16 are provided in the sheet and the various tapes for tensioning the same about the axles. Not apparent from Figure 3 is the fact that the time indicating or calendar tape 8 is entrained about the axles 1 and 3 for a purpose to be explained later.

Figure 4 illustrates the mounting of the axles 1 and 2 at the left hand end of the panel shown in Figure 3.

The axles are supported in bearings 9 with the axle 1 rotatably supporting a plurality of reels 10, there being provided an individual reel 10 for each tape.

The axle 2 is of a smaller diameter than the reels 10 and has tensioned thereabout the primary display sheet 6.

Figure 5 illustrates the mounting of the axles 3 and 4 at the other end of the display panel with the axle 4 being of similar external diameter to that of the reels 10 and with the axle 3 of similar diameter to the reel 2. These axles also are mounted in bearings 9.

A drive connection is provided between the axle 4 and the external control knob 11 so that by rotation of the knob 11 the axle 4 can be rotated in order to advance simultaneously the tapes 7. A gear 13 is rotatable with the axle 4 and drives by an idler gear 14, a gear 12, the ratio of teeth in the gears 12 and 13 being equal to the ratio of the diameter of the axles 3 and 4whereby rotation of the member 11 can cause rotation of both axles 3 and 4 at the same peripheral speed to cause simultaneous advancement of the tapes 7 and the sheet 6. A clutch or equivalent latching device is provided at 15so that the drive to the axle 3 from the gear 12 can be selectively provided as required whereby in use of the panel if required the tapes 7 can be advanced by rotation of the external control 11 without simultaneous movement of the sheet 6.

Annular grooves 18 are provided in the axle 4 for locating the tapes 7 axially of the axle.

Conveniently the tapes can be made of acetate or other transparent material joined at their ends by tensioning devices 16 which may be of spring, rubber or other resilient material that keep them permanently tight and yet which can pass about the axles 1 and 4. With the tension devices the tension can readly be such that although normally driven by rotation of the axle 4 any individual tape can readily be held so as to be slidable with respect to the periphery of the axle 4 when relative motion is required between different ones of the tapes 7.

Conveniently for indicating program changes a piece of adhesive paper or other indicia may be applied to the tapes 7 for suitable position above the indication on the primary program sheet 6.

Mounted within the two runs of the sheet 6 is a supporting plate 17, as shown in Figure 3, which acts as a support beneath the main display area with the axles 1,2,3 and 4 being mounted at either end thereof as clearfrom the showing of Figure 3.

In use of the device an initial program can be applied to the sheet 6 which can be advanced in conjunction with the calendar or time indicator tape 8 as required. When modification is required the appropriate modification can be entered on one or more of the tapes 7 which with further advancement of the sheet 6 and the time indicator or calendar tape 8 will be advanced simultaneously therewith. If necessary a number of program changes can be entered using the display panen and once the final advantageous program has been obtained it can be copies and inser-ted on the primary display sheet for use and for possible modification depending upon unexpected occurrences which may occur in practice.

Claims (13)

1. A mechanical display panel for representing adaptable programs, said panel comprising primary display means for displaying a program and a plurality of sliding transparent tapes mounted for sliding movement over at least part of the primary display means whereby the program set out on the primary display means can be adapted by use of information provided on the tapes.

2. A display panel according to claim 1, wherein the primary display means comprises a display sheet which is itself movably supported in the panel.

3. A display panel according to claim 2, wherein one of the tapes is a time indicating tape with means being provided for moving it simultaneously with movement of the display sheet.

4. A display panel according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the tapes are movable individually or together as required.

5. A display panel according to claim 4, wherein the tapes are in the form of endless bands tensioned around the first and second axles mounted at opposite ends of the panel, the primary display means being mounted between the two runs of the endless bands.

6. A mechanical display panel according to claim 5, wherein means are provided for rotating one of the axles from externally of the panel for simultaneous advancement of different ones of the tapes.

7. A display panel according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the primary display means is a display sheet in the form of an endless band tensioned about third and fourth axles.

8. A display panel according to claim 7, wherein an endless time indicating tape is trained about the first and fourth axles for movement simultaneously with movement of the display sheet.

9. A display panel according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a disconnectable drive is provided between the second and fourth axles to permit simultaneous movement of the tapes and the display sheet.

10. A display panel according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein means are provided for locating the tapes axially of at least one of the first and second supporting axles.

11. A display panel according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein each tape is trained around an individual reel rotatably supported by the first axle.

12. A display panel according to any preceding claim, which includes means adjacent at least one side of the primary display means for displaying the reference date.

13. A mechanical display panel for representing adaptable programs, such panel being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.