GB2148040A

GB2148040A - Display devices

Info

Publication number: GB2148040A
Application number: GB08425389A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Peter Bishop
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-10-07
Filing date: 1984-10-08
Publication date: 1985-05-22
Also published as: EP0138513A2; GB8425389D0; ATE32540T1; DE3469388D1; GB2148040B; GB8326850D0; EP0138513B1; EP0138513A3

Abstract

A display device which includes a casing (11) in which is provided a mounting face plate (12) spaced from the rear of the casing (11) and supporting a number of display elements (14), and electromagnetic drive motors for moving each element (14) selectively between a display position in front of the plane of the mounting plate (12) and a retracted position behind the mounting plate (12), each element (14) being moved around the edge of the mounting plate (12) or through an aperture or slot in the mounting plate (12). Each element (14) has a tab like portion (16) serving to obscure the display surface of the element (14) when in its retracted position. <IMAGE>

Description

1

SPECIFICATION

Display devices This invention relates to display devices which consist of a n u m ber of f lat or genera 1 ly f lat elements movable selectively between an exposed display position and a retracted position so that by moving a selection of the elementsto their display positions a character orsymbol, such as a numeral or letter of the 75 alphabet, orother information may be displayed by the device. The device may be arranged to display more than one character or symbol or a number of devices may be positioned togetherforthis purpose.

It is convenieritto regard the display device being positioned vertically so that the exposed display position of each element can be regarded as a front position and the retracted position as a rear position.

In the prior art, such display devices usually have electro-mechanical means for moving the elements, and their construction tendsto be divided into those deviceswhich use afull face plate or mask in front of the elements to conceal the elementswhen in a retracted rear position and thosewhich use no face plateatall.

The advantage of using a face plate is that rotation of each element can be limited to generally less than 90'and often much less, such as 20', thus ensuring good magnetictorque. This assists in achieving a fast change of displaywith minimum power usage. The 95 main disadvantage isthatthe angle of viewing is reduced and the general appearance of the device is degraded sincethe elements areviewed through the face plate or are set deeper in the display. The devices that use no face plate have a greater viewing angle 100 sincethe elementswhen in the exposed position can be arrangedto be nearthefrontof the display. To overcomethe lackof aface platethe elements are usually arranged to be rotatedthrough about 120' thus increasing the powerrequiredto changethe display.Alsothe lackof aface plate gives little support or protection forthe elements which are generally fragile and easily bent out of shape when handling the device and so forth.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an 110 improved construction of display device.

The present invention consists in a display device which includes a face plate and a nu mber of display elements, wherein means are provided for moving each element selectively between a display position in 115 front of the plane of the face plate and a retracted position behind the face plate, each element being arranged to be moved around the edge of the face plate orth rough an aperture or slot in the face plate.

The present invention further consists in a display device which includes a casing in which is provided a mounting face plate spaced from the rear of the casing and supporting a number of display elements, and electromagnetic means for moving each element selectively between a display position in front of the plane of the mounting plate and a retracted position behind the mounting plate, each element being arranged to be moved around the edge of the mounting plate orthrough an aperture or slot in the mounting plate.

GB 2 148 040 A 1 The invention still furtherconsists in a display device as setforth in eitherof thetwo preceding paragraphs wherein each element is rotated through 90'and has a tab or like marginal portion at right anglesto the face of the element serving to obscure the view of the front display surface of the element when in the retracted position.

The invention still further consists in a display device as setforth in the preceding paragraph, wherein in the retracted position the tab or like marginal portion lies in, or to the rear of, the plane of the face or mounting plate.

By mounting the means for moving the elements on the face plate and limiting rotation to only 900 or less and rotating the elements around and/orthrough the face plate, the increased viewing angle is retained, angular movement is reduced ensuring good torque and thusfast change, excellent support is provided for theflimsy elements when in the display and retracted positions, powerto changethe display is reduced compared with that of the units rotating over 90', and the effect of the face plate makesthe overall display device very pleasing to the eye.

Mounting of the element offsetfrom its centre ensures thatwhen retracted, the element is moved deeper into the display device thus improving concealment of the element. This combined with a tab (although not essential in all positions) ensures that the retracted elements are well hidden.

This effect can also be achieved by mounting the means for rotating the elements on the rear of the unit and fitting a face plate arranged such that the elements rotate around or through it.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front view of part of one form of display device according to the present invention with segments shown in the display position; Figure 2 is a similar viewwith a segment in its retracted position; and Figures3 and 4 are diagrammatic sections in a horizontal plane corresponding to figures 1 and 2 respectively.

In carrying the invention into effectaccording to one convenient mode byway of example,the drawings show a display devicewhich includes an outercasing 11 in which is provided aface or mounting plate 12 supported upon posts 13fixed tothe rear board of the casing 11.

Upon the mounting plate 12 there are provided seven display elements 14 shaped and positioned so as to achieve a conventional seven-segment display. Each element has an electro-mechanical drive motor 15 for rotating the element between a display position (as shown in figures land 3) in which a brightlycoloured display face of the element is presented to the exterior of the casing 11 and a retracted position (as shown in Figures 2 and 4) in which the display face is concealed within the casing.

Each element is rotated through 90'between the display and retracted positions and in orderto assist in concealing the displayface of the elementwhen in the retraction position, each element has its front (with respectto its retracted position) longitudinal edge folded overtoform a tab 16 at right angles to the 2 display face, the front surface having the same colour as the front surface of the mounting plate 12 (preferably matt black).

Each drive motor 15 consists of a coil 17 having pole pieces 18 extending to each side of a diametrically magnetised magnetic rotor 19 fixed on a shaft 20 located in bearings 28. Also fixed to the shaft 20 is an arm 21 to one end ofwhich isfixedthe element 14.

To permitthe arm 21 to pass through the plane of the mounting plate 12, the plate 12 is provided with cut-outs or slots 22 and, in the case of the central element an aperture 23. In this waythe elements can be rotated around the edges of the mounting plate 12 orthrough its via aperture 23.

The end ofthe arm 21 is secured to the segment 14 at a point offset with respectto the centre line 24 of the element (as shown in Figu re 3) so that the distance between the shaft 20 and the mounting plate 12 is equal to or greaterthan the distance between the tab 16 and the point of attachement of the arm 21 to the segment 14. As a result, when the element is in the retracted position the tab 16 lies in or belowthe plane of the mounting plate 12.

An aperture 26 is provided to permitthe segmeritto be rotated from the retracted to the display position by means of a rod orstick in the event of a powerfailure. Each elementcan be balanced upon its arm 21 by means of a vertical rod 27fitted into a hole in the arm 21, the length of the rod being cut orchosen to achieve balance.

The display position of the elementis defined by engagementof the arm 21 with the margin of the mounting plate 12 in its cut-out22, and the retracted position is defined atgO'with respeetto the display position by engagementof the arm 21 with a stop 25 provided on the underneath of the mounting plate 12.

Electrical poweris required only when moving an elementfrom one position to another, and this is kept to a minimum by limiting the rotation to 90', with consequent savings in the power unit required. Atthe same time a good visual effect is obtained bythe use of thetabs 16 in combination with the mounting plate 12 and the casing 11.

The casing 11 and mounting plate 12 also serveto proteathe drive motors and the elements 14when in the retracted position and also give a good visual effect.

In an alternative arrangement (not shown), the drive motors 15 may be mounted upon the base of the casing instead of upon the mounting plate 12.

In a further alternative arrangement (not shown), the mounting plate may be enlarged and provided with seven apertures, onefor each element, orfive apertures, each aligned pair of elements sharing a single aperture, so that all the elements are moved through apertures between the display and retracted positions. In this arrangment, the casing maybe replaced by side walls, extending rearwardly from the marginsofthe mounting plate, thus forming a tray.

The mounting plate may be supported bythe side walls or by a base plate or bearers fitted tothe open end of the tray.

Although reference has been madeto front and rear to assistin description, itwill be appreciated thatthe display device maybe installed for use in a position in GB 2 148 040 A 2 which the display segments are not in a vertical plane.

Furthermore, although specific reference has been made to a seven-element displaythe numbers, positions and shapes of the elements and the colours of theirfaces and the colour of the front surface of the mounting plate maybe varied to achieve any desired visual effect. One particular useful arrangement isto mount a number of circular elements in the form of an array so that a dot-matrlx presentation can be

Claims

achieved. CLAIMS

1. A display device which includes a face plate and a number of display elements, wherein means are provided for moving each element selectively be- tween a display position in front of the plane of the face plate and a retracted position behind the face plate, each element being arranged to be moved around the edge of the face plate or through an aperture or slot in the face plate.

2. A display device which includes a casing in which is provided a mounting face plate spaced from the rear of the casing and supporting a number of display elements, and electro-magnetic means for moving each element selectively between a display position in front of the plane of the mounting plate and retracted position behind the mounting plate, each element being arranged to be moved around the edge of the mounting plate orthrough an aperture or slot in the mounting plate.

3. A display device as claimed in Claim 1 or2, wherein each element is arranged to be rotated through 9Wor less.

4. Adisplay device as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or3, wherein each element is arranged to be rotated through 900 and has a tabor like marginal portion at right angles to the face of the element serving to obscure the view of the front display surface of the element when in the retracted position.

5. A display device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein in the retracted position the tabor like marginal portion lies in, orto the rear of, the plane of the face or mounting plate.

6. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein seven elements are arranged to provide a conventional seven-segment display.

7. A display device substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Printed in the United Kingdom for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 8818935, 5185, 18996. Published at the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.