GB2163999A

GB2163999A - Pictographic display device

Info

Publication number: GB2163999A
Application number: GB08420734A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harley Bishop; Roma Bishop
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-08-15
Filing date: 1984-08-15
Publication date: 1986-03-12
Also published as: GB8420734D0; GB2163999B

Abstract

The device, which in one embodiment is a novelty card, has a first surface 8 on which are marks forming incomplete parts of an image, and at least one additional surface which is on a circular disc 6 of transparent material and which has marks forming other incomplete parts of the same image. The surfaces are relatively moveable to bring the marks into registration so as to complete the image. In order to ensure rotation of the disc 6 without obscuring the central area of the image, the disc is mounted in a recess the edges 12 of which form a bearing for the disc. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A pictographic display device The present invention relates to a pictographic display device and is applicable to greetings cards.

Greetings cards are known having relatively movable parts which can be moved to display a message. The message is either displayed or covered so as not to be displayed. The effect of displaying the message is therefore instant and there the amusement ends.

A pictographic display device according to the present invention comprises on a first surface a plurality of first marks in a defined area which marks are incomplete parts of an image, on at least one additional surface which is on transparent material a plurality of additional marks forming incomplete parts of the image, the surfaces being relatively movable from an unregistered position to bring the marks into registration so as to complete the image.

The image may be a picture, phrase, word, device, symbol, letter device or numeral or a combination of these.

The effect of seeing the device of the invention brought suddenly into registration from an unregistered and apparently random marks to complete an unsuspected image has a surprising and amusing effect suitable for a greetings card.

The effect is more surprising if the marks are formed as white dots with the background of the first surface dark as blue or black so that the marks look like stars in the sky.

A further enhancement of the effect is if the surfaces are rotatable between each other. In which case a plurality of registration positions can be provided so that a continued rotation of the surfaces produces several complete images one after the other. In this case you can play a game such as "what is in your stars".

In the case of relatively rotatable surfaces, the material of the additional surface or surfaces is or are formed as a circular disc and are retained in a circular recess to ensure rotation without a central pivot which could obscure a central image. The disc of the or each additional surface preferably has holes around its periphery and the rear of the device a curved slot which with one said hole located at one end of the slot defines one registration position whilst movement of said hole to the other end of the slot defines an adjacent registration position.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the display device out of registration, Figure 2 is a front view of the display device in registration, Figure 3 is a front view of the device showing the first surface only, the additional surface removed, Figure 4 is a front view of the additional surface on a disc, Figure 5 is a rear view of the device, Figure 5A is a cross section of the view of Figure 5 taken at AA, and Figures 6 to 13 show different registration positions of the same device as Figure- 1 to 5.

The display device of the invention is suitably formed as a greetings card and this form of the invention is shown in the drawings. It will be appreciated however that the invention is not limited to use in greetings cards but may also be used in so called 'executive toys' or in ordinary toys.

The device comprises four main elements, namely a front sheet of card 2, an intermediate member 4, a rotatable translucent disc 6 and a rear sheet 8 (see Figure 5A). The front sheet has a circular hole 10 in the middle through which disc 6 and the front of rear sheet 8 can be seen.

The intermediate member in sheet form has a circular hole in the middle the edge 12 of which forms a bearing for disc 6.

Disc 6 has marks 14 in the form of white dots forming a number of incomplete images on one surface 16. Around the periphery of disc 6 are eight holes 18, 18'.... The holes 18 can also be formed as at 18"" as a U-shaped open sided hole.

Rear sheet 8 has an arcuate slot 20 corresponding in length to the distance apart of the extremities of two adjacent holes 18, 18' and is of the same width as the holes so that a finger tip can be inserted in a disc hole and moved from one registration position at one extremity of the slot to the other extremity defining a second registration position. In use the disc can be rotated through eight registration positions by this means. The sheet 8 also has a front face 22 of similar size to hole 10 which provides a surface on which are marks 24 in the form of white dots forming a number of incomplete images which when in registration with marks 14 form eight differing images. The background to the marks 24 may be blue or black to represent the night sky whilst marks 14 and 24 represent stars.

The differing images are shown in Figure 2 as the word 'HAPPY' and a star at 25, in Figure 6 as the word 'BIRTHDAY' and a heart at 26, in Figure 7 as a clown at 27, in Figure 8 as a house at 28, in Figure 9 as a cracker at 29, in Figure 10 as a candle at 30, in Figure 11 as a butterfly at 31 and in Figure 12 as a smiling moon at 32.

It will be seen that out of registration as in Figure 1 the white dots appear as a mere scramble of apparently random marks. Figures 3 and 4 also show that no readily discernible image may be seen on the separate surfaces.

Whilst one movable translucent disc is provided above it is possible to have a further movable disc with additional marks. Furthermore, other variations may be made for instance the marks may be formed as holes in the surface through which light may be seen. Furthermore the front sheet 2 can have a plain translucent protective sheet over the hole or this sheet can have the sets of marks for part of the images whilst the other set are on the disc as before whilst the rear sheet may be substantially plain on its front surface.

Claims

1. A pictographic display device comprising on a first surface a plurality of first marks in a defind area which marks are incomplete parts of an image, on at least one additional surface which is on transparent material a plurality of additional marks forming incomplete parts of the image, the surfaces being relatively movable from an unregistered position to bring the marks into registration so as to complete the image.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the marks are substantially white dots, the background of the dots on the first surface being dark.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the surfaces are rotatable relative each other.

4. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the marks are provided on the surfaces such that there are a plurality of registration positions.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the or each additional surface is on a circular disc.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the disc is mounted for rotation in a substantially circular recess.

7. A device according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the discc has holes or notches round its periphery for assisting movement of the disc into registration position.

8. A pictorial device substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the rear of the device is provided with a curved slot through which access to the or each disc is possible.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the slot is long enough to encompass two registration positions of the or each disc.

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

1. A pictographic display device comprising on a first surface a plurlity of first marks in a defined area which marks are incomplete parts of an image, at least one additional surface which is on a circular disc of transparent material on which are a plurality of additional marks forming incomplete parts of the image, the surfaces being relatively movable from an unregistered position to bring the marks into registration so as to complete the image wherein the disc is mounted for rotation in a substantially circular recess, the recess providing the bearing for the rotation.

5. A device according to Claims 1 to 4 wherein the disc has holes or notches round its periphery for assisting movement of the disc into registration position.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the rear of the device is provided with a curved slot through which access to the or each disc is possible.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the slot is long enough two encompass two registration positions of the or each disc.