GB2141280A

GB2141280A - Display device

Info

Publication number: GB2141280A
Application number: GB08413924A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Colin Reid; Timothy Mclellan Gowar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-06-10
Filing date: 1984-05-31
Publication date: 1984-12-12
Also published as: GB8413924D0

Abstract

A display device which functions in one state as a mirror and in another state to display a picture or information comprises a box 10 containing a lining of aluminium foil 11 and a fluorescent tube 12. The front panel is supported in a clip-on frame 13 and consists of an outer layer 15 of glass, on the inner surface of which is formed a reflecting layer 16 of aluminium which is sufficiently dense to act as a mirror when there is no illumination in the box but sufficiently thin to transmit light when the fluorescent light is illuminated. On the inside of the mirror is an intermediate layer of light diffusing material e.g. perspex (R.T.M.) and a colour transparency 18 forms the image which may be a picture of written or printed material such as advertising material. When the light is not illuminated the device acts as a mirror. Alternatively, the information may be etched or projected and a changing display may be provided. The box may be divided (Fig. 2, not shown) and provided with selective switches (19A, 20A, 21A, 22A, 23A & 24A). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display device This invention relates to a display device. An object of the invention is to provide a display device which may function in one state as a mirror and in another state to display a picture or information such as advertising information.

In accordance with the present invention the display device comprises a panel forming one face of a box, the box containing a source of illumination, the panel including a mirror, an intermediate opalescent layer of light diffusing material and an inner layer forming an image such as a picture or advertis ing or other information, such that when the source of illumination is on the image appears but when the source of illumination is off the device acts as a mirror.

Preferably a switch is included in the device or in electric wiring leading to the device so that the user may change the display device from the mirror state to the image or picture state by operating the switch which switches the source of illumination on and off.

A timer may be included so that the device automatically reverts to the mirror state after a predetermined period, say, half a minute.

The mirror surface is preferably formed on the inner surface of a layer of glass or clear plastic and may be formed by aluminising the surface with a thin layer of aluminium. Alternatively Titanium may be used or Silver but if silver is used it is preferable to protect it with a clear lacquer to prevent oxidation.

The image, which is preferably coloured, may be formed as a colour transparency or it may be etched on to the intermediate layer of light diffusing material. Alternatively the image could be etched onto opalescent plastic to form a combined diffuser and image layer.

The panel could be a clip-on panel onto the front of a box, or hinged, to allow access to the light source.

The light source could be a fluorescent tube or an incandescent lamp or a diffused light panel.

The device might be used for example as a toilet mirror, shaving mirror or in a hairdressers, beauticians or in a changing cubicle in a boutique to advertise or display different styles of hair or clothes etc.

The box could be divided into a number of compartments like an egg-box, each with its own light source and switch to illuminate different panels at will so as to show a selection of styles etc.

Alternatively the device could be used as a passive light source (mirror) by day and an active light source - illuminated picture - by night.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical section through a box-like display device embodying the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a front elevation of a modified form of the display device with the front panel removed.

The specific embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 comprises a moulded plastics box of rectangular shape 10 containing a lining of light spreading material such as Aluminium foil 11.

Mounted in the box 10 is a light source, in this instance an 18 watt fluorescent tube 12.

Afront panel is supported in a clip-on frame 13 which carries a push button-switch 14forthe fluorescent light. The panel consists of an outer layer 15 of glass on the inner surface of which is formed a reflecting layer 16 of aluminium which is sufficiently dense to act as a mirror when there is no illumination in the box but sufficiently thin to transmit light when the fluorescent light is illuminated.

On the inside of the mirror is an intermediate layer of light diffusing material e.g. perspex (R.T.M.) and a colourtransparency 18formsthe image which may be a picture or written or printed material such as advertising material. When the light is not illuminated the device acts as a mirror. When the light is illuminated the device appears to be a picture as the image on the colour transparency is clearly seen through the front panel.

In Figure 2 is shown an alternative display device divided by light-proof walls into nine sections each with its own light source 19 to 27 and each light source has its corresponding switch 1 9A to 27A. The front panel, not shown, has nine different pictures any one or more of which may be projected by operating the appropriate switch. The remainder of the front panel is in the form shown in Figure 1 so that non-illuminated sections act as mirrors.

The box could be made of wood, metal or plastic material e.g. plywood, aluminium or P.V.C. orA.B.S.

The image could be projected onto the back of the mirror or other suitable surface. A rotating wheel could be used to change the image in known manner so that the whole image can be changed.

1. A display device comprising a panel forming one face of a box, the box containing a source of illumination, the panel including a mirror, an intermediate opalescent layer of light diffusing material and an inner layer forming an image such as a picture or advertising or other information, such that when the source of illumination is on the image appears but when the source of illumination is off the device acts as a mirror.

2. A display device according to claim 1 and in which a switch is included in the device or in electric wiring leading to the device so that the user may change the display device from the mirror state to the image or picture state by operating the switch which switches the source of illumination on and off.

3. A display device according to any preceding claim and including a timer so that the device automatically reverts to the mirror state after a predetermined period, say, half a minute.

4. A display device according to any preceding claim in which the mirror surface is formed on the inner surface of a layer of glass or clear plastic.

5. A display device according to claim 4 and in which the mirror surface is formed by aluminising the surface with a thin layer of aluminium.

6. A display device according to claim 4 and in which the mirror surface is formed by a thin layer of silver protected by a layer of clear lacquer, or by a

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Display device This invention relates to a display device. An object of the invention is to provide a display device which may function in one state as a mirror and in another state to display a picture or information such as advertising information. In accordance with the present invention the display device comprises a panel forming one face of a box, the box containing a source of illumination, the panel including a mirror, an intermediate opalescent layer of light diffusing material and an inner layer forming an image such as a picture or advertis ing or other information, such that when the source of illumination is on the image appears but when the source of illumination is off the device acts as a mirror. Preferably a switch is included in the device or in electric wiring leading to the device so that the user may change the display device from the mirror state to the image or picture state by operating the switch which switches the source of illumination on and off. A timer may be included so that the device automatically reverts to the mirror state after a predetermined period, say, half a minute. The mirror surface is preferably formed on the inner surface of a layer of glass or clear plastic and may be formed by aluminising the surface with a thin layer of aluminium. Alternatively Titanium may be used or Silver but if silver is used it is preferable to protect it with a clear lacquer to prevent oxidation. The image, which is preferably coloured, may be formed as a colour transparency or it may be etched on to the intermediate layer of light diffusing material. Alternatively the image could be etched onto opalescent plastic to form a combined diffuser and image layer. The panel could be a clip-on panel onto the front of a box, or hinged, to allow access to the light source. The light source could be a fluorescent tube or an incandescent lamp or a diffused light panel. The device might be used for example as a toilet mirror, shaving mirror or in a hairdressers, beauticians or in a changing cubicle in a boutique to advertise or display different styles of hair or clothes etc. The box could be divided into a number of compartments like an egg-box, each with its own light source and switch to illuminate different panels at will so as to show a selection of styles etc. Alternatively the device could be used as a passive light source (mirror) by day and an active light source - illuminated picture - by night. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical section through a box-like display device embodying the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a front elevation of a modified form of the display device with the front panel removed. The specific embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 comprises a moulded plastics box of rectangular shape 10 containing a lining of light spreading material such as Aluminium foil 11. Mounted in the box 10 is a light source, in this instance an 18 watt fluorescent tube 12. Afront panel is supported in a clip-on frame 13 which carries a push button-switch 14forthe fluorescent light. The panel consists of an outer layer 15 of glass on the inner surface of which is formed a reflecting layer 16 of aluminium which is sufficiently dense to act as a mirror when there is no illumination in the box but sufficiently thin to transmit light when the fluorescent light is illuminated. On the inside of the mirror is an intermediate layer of light diffusing material e.g. perspex (R.T.M.) and a colourtransparency 18formsthe image which may be a picture or written or printed material such as advertising material. When the light is not illuminated the device acts as a mirror. When the light is illuminated the device appears to be a picture as the image on the colour transparency is clearly seen through the front panel. In Figure 2 is shown an alternative display device divided by light-proof walls into nine sections each with its own light source 19 to 27 and each light source has its corresponding switch 1 9A to 27A. The front panel, not shown, has nine different pictures any one or more of which may be projected by operating the appropriate switch. The remainder of the front panel is in the form shown in Figure 1 so that non-illuminated sections act as mirrors. The box could be made of wood, metal or plastic material e.g. plywood, aluminium or P.V.C. orA.B.S. The image could be projected onto the back of the mirror or other suitable surface. A rotating wheel could be used to change the image in known manner so that the whole image can be changed. CLAIMS

6. A display device according to claim 4 and in which the mirror surface is formed by a thin layer of silver protected by a layer of clear lacquer, or by a thin layer of titanium.

7. A display device according to any preceding claim and in which the image is formed as a colour transparency.

8. A display device according to any preceding claim and in which the image is etched on to the intermediate layer of light diffusing material.

9. A display device according to any preceding claim and in which the box is divided into a number of compartments like an egg-box, each with its own light source and switch to illuminate different panels atwill.

10. A display device substantially as hereinbefore particularly described and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A display device substantially as hereinbefore particularly described and as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.