GB2139391A

GB2139391A - Digital display apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2139391A
Application number: GB08310999A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John J Halliday
Original assignee: EDWARDS ENGINEERING Ltd A
Current assignee: EDWARDS ENGINEERING Ltd A
Priority date: 1983-04-22
Filing date: 1983-04-22
Publication date: 1984-11-07
Also published as: GB8310999D0; GB2139391B

Abstract

The digital display apparatus comprises a board (10) having one or more seven-element displays (12A to 12G and 14A to 14G) marked thereon. A flap (16A to 16G and 18A to 18G) is provided for each element and is pivotal from a first position in which the associated element is exposed, to a second position in which it covers its associated element. Selective pivoting of the flaps enables each display to form any required digit. The flaps are pivotally mounted on spring-loaded studs (20). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An improved digital display apparatus The present invention relates to a digital display apparatus.

As is well known, the selling of certain commodities such as petrol, necessitates frequent changing of the signs displaying the price to the public and at the present time this is being effected by the changing of plates bearing numerals which is time consuming and requires the holding of a large number of plates or, alternatively, the use of an electronic digital display which is extremely costly.

The object of the present invention is to provide a digital display apparatus which is of simple mechanical construction and overcomes the disadvantages referred to above.

The present invention consists in a digital display apparatus comprising a board having one or more seven-element displays marked thereon and a flap or shield for each element of the, or each, display which is pivotal from a first position in which the associated element is exposed to a second position in which it covers the associated element, the arrangement being such that selective pivoting movement of the individual flaps enables the elements to form and display any required digit.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. lisa front elevation of a digital display apparatus according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2---2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the apparatus, similar to Fig. 1, but showing a selected number, and Fig. 5 is a detailed exploded view of the flap hinging arrangement In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode, by way of example, the digital display apparatus comprises a display board 10 of rectangular configuration having two seven segment displays 1 2 and 14 indicated thereon which each simulate the basic pattern of a digital display.The display 1 2 comprises elements 1 2A to 1 2G and the display 14 comprises elements 1 4A to 1 4G. For convenience, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the board 10 is transparent or coloured white with each seven segment display 12,14 coloured black, but it will be readily appreciated that a reverse arrangement can be utilised with the board 10 being black, or of any dark colour and the respective seven segment displays 12,1 4 in white or translucent so that they may, if desired, be illuminated from the rear.

Each element 1 2A to 1 2G has, respectively, an associated flap or shield 1 6A to 1 6G and each element 1 4A to 1 4G has, respectively an associated flap or shield 1 8A to 1 8G of the same colour as the board 1 0. Each flap is shaped and mounted on spaced pivots 20 so that it can be pivoted from the position shown in Figure 1 where all the elements 1 2A to 1 2G and 1 4A to 1 4G of the displays are exposed, to a position in which it covers its associated element as hereinafter described so that a required numeral is displayed as shown in Figure 4.

The pivoting arrangement for each flap 1 6A to 1 6G and 1 8A to 1 8G is clearly shown in Figures 2,3 and 5 in which slots 22 are provided adjacent the extremities of each flap on the side thereof lying adjacent its associated element when the latter is exposed. Each pivot 20 comprises a stud member 24 of plastics material provided with a transversely extending aperture 26 and longitudinal slot 28 extending from the aperture 26 to the end of the stud which is provided with an outwardly extending flange 30.

In assembly, a stud 24 is mounted in each slot 22 so that, for example, the edge of the flap 1 8A (Fig. 3) is accommodated in the stud aperture 26 and the stud 24 is then passed through an aperture in the board 10 and retained on the other side thereof by a coil spring 32 and cotter 34 which engages the stud flange 30. Thus, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, when a flap, for example 1 8A is pivoted in a direction indicated by the arrow, as the flap 1 8A passes to a vertical position relative to the board 10, the stud flange 30 is moved towards the rear side of the board 10, thus compressing the spring 32 via the flange 30 and cotter 34. As it pivots downwardly towards a position covering its associated element 1 4A, the spring 32 re-asserts itself and urges the flap 1 8A into a position parallel with the board 1 0.

Thus, it can be seen that selective pivoting of the flaps 1 6A to 1 6G, or 1 8A to 1 8G enables the elements 1 2A to 1 2G or 1 4A to 1 4G to form and display any desired numeral. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, pivoting of the flaps 1 6E and 1 8D to 1 8G so that they cover their associated elements 1 2E and 1 4D to 1 4G causes the number "97" to be displayed.

It will be appreciated that the display board 10 may comprise any required number of sevensegment displays.

1. A digital display apparatus comprising a board having one or more seven-element displays marked thereon and a flap or shield for each element of the, or each, display which is pivotal from a first position in which the associated element is exposed to a second position in which it covers the associated element, the arrangement being such that selective pivoting movement of the individual flaps enables the elements to form and display any required digit.

2. A digital display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivotal arrangement for each flap or shield comprises spaced apertured studs each received in a slot adjacent the edge of the flap, the studs being mounted in spaced apertures in the board.

3. A digital display apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each stud is passed through its associated board aperture and is resiliently

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION An improved digital display apparatus The present invention relates to a digital display apparatus. As is well known, the selling of certain commodities such as petrol, necessitates frequent changing of the signs displaying the price to the public and at the present time this is being effected by the changing of plates bearing numerals which is time consuming and requires the holding of a large number of plates or, alternatively, the use of an electronic digital display which is extremely costly. The object of the present invention is to provide a digital display apparatus which is of simple mechanical construction and overcomes the disadvantages referred to above. The present invention consists in a digital display apparatus comprising a board having one or more seven-element displays marked thereon and a flap or shield for each element of the, or each, display which is pivotal from a first position in which the associated element is exposed to a second position in which it covers the associated element, the arrangement being such that selective pivoting movement of the individual flaps enables the elements to form and display any required digit. In the accompanying drawings Fig. lisa front elevation of a digital display apparatus according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2---2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the apparatus, similar to Fig. 1, but showing a selected number, and Fig. 5 is a detailed exploded view of the flap hinging arrangement In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode, by way of example, the digital display apparatus comprises a display board 10 of rectangular configuration having two seven segment displays 1 2 and 14 indicated thereon which each simulate the basic pattern of a digital display.The display 1 2 comprises elements 1 2A to 1 2G and the display 14 comprises elements 1 4A to 1 4G. For convenience, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the board 10 is transparent or coloured white with each seven segment display 12,14 coloured black, but it will be readily appreciated that a reverse arrangement can be utilised with the board 10 being black, or of any dark colour and the respective seven segment displays 12,1 4 in white or translucent so that they may, if desired, be illuminated from the rear. Each element 1 2A to 1 2G has, respectively, an associated flap or shield 1 6A to 1 6G and each element 1 4A to 1 4G has, respectively an associated flap or shield 1 8A to 1 8G of the same colour as the board 1 0. Each flap is shaped and mounted on spaced pivots 20 so that it can be pivoted from the position shown in Figure 1 where all the elements 1 2A to 1 2G and 1 4A to 1 4G of the displays are exposed, to a position in which it covers its associated element as hereinafter described so that a required numeral is displayed as shown in Figure 4. The pivoting arrangement for each flap 1 6A to 1 6G and 1 8A to 1 8G is clearly shown in Figures 2,3 and 5 in which slots 22 are provided adjacent the extremities of each flap on the side thereof lying adjacent its associated element when the latter is exposed. Each pivot 20 comprises a stud member 24 of plastics material provided with a transversely extending aperture 26 and longitudinal slot 28 extending from the aperture 26 to the end of the stud which is provided with an outwardly extending flange 30. In assembly, a stud 24 is mounted in each slot 22 so that, for example, the edge of the flap 1 8A (Fig. 3) is accommodated in the stud aperture 26 and the stud 24 is then passed through an aperture in the board 10 and retained on the other side thereof by a coil spring 32 and cotter 34 which engages the stud flange 30. Thus, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, when a flap, for example 1 8A is pivoted in a direction indicated by the arrow, as the flap 1 8A passes to a vertical position relative to the board 10, the stud flange 30 is moved towards the rear side of the board 10, thus compressing the spring 32 via the flange 30 and cotter 34. As it pivots downwardly towards a position covering its associated element 1 4A, the spring 32 re-asserts itself and urges the flap 1 8A into a position parallel with the board 1 0. Thus, it can be seen that selective pivoting of the flaps 1 6A to 1 6G, or 1 8A to 1 8G enables the elements 1 2A to 1 2G or 1 4A to 1 4G to form and display any desired numeral. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, pivoting of the flaps 1 6E and 1 8D to 1 8G so that they cover their associated elements 1 2E and 1 4D to 1 4G causes the number "97" to be displayed. It will be appreciated that the display board 10 may comprise any required number of sevensegment displays. CLAIMS

3. A digital display apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each stud is passed through its associated board aperture and is resiliently retained in said first or second position by spring means.

4. A digital display apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the spring means comprises a coil spring encircling the outer surface of said stud.

5. A digital display apparatus substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

5. A digital display apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the board is black or dark coloured and the, or each, seven-element display is white or translucent.

6. A digital display appratus as claimed in claim 5, wherein electric lamps are provided adjacent the rear surface of said board.

7. A digital display apparatus substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 10 November 1983 New or amended claims:

1. A digital display apparatus comprising a board having one or more seven-element displays marked thereon and a flap or shield for each element of the, or each, display which is manually pivotal from a first position in which the associated element is exposed, to a second position in which it covers the associated element, the arrangement being such that selective pivoting movement of the individual flaps enables the elements to form and display any required digit and wherein the pivotal arrangement for each flap or shield comprises spaced apertured studs each received in a slot adjacent the edge of the flap, the studs being mounted in spaced apertures in the board with each flap or shield resiliently retained in said first or second position by spring means.

2. A digital display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring means comprises a coil spring encircling the outer surface of said stud.

3. A digital display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the board is black or dark coloured and the, or each, seven-element display is white or translucent.

4. A digital display apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein electric lamps are provided adjacent the rear surface of said board.