GB2210490A

GB2210490A - Infinity-mirror display device

Info

Publication number: GB2210490A
Application number: GB8722868A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Lucius John Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-09-29
Filing date: 1987-09-29
Publication date: 1989-06-07
Also published as: GB8722868D0

Abstract

An infinity-mirror display device comprises a first reflective member 1 and a second reflective member 2 disposed with their reflective surfaces 1a, 2a spaced and opposed. The first member 1 is at least partially transparent to permit viewing of the second member through it. A source of illumination such as a circular neon tube 6 is disposed to project light onto the reflective face 1a, 2a of at least one of the two members 1, 2 such that a viewer may see a multiple reflection of the illumination stretching away to the rear of the second member. The inclusion of clock hands 9, 10 gives a multiple reflection of clock hands surrounded by a neon tube. <IMAGE>

Description

INFINITY-MIRROR DISPLAY DEVICE This invention relates to a display device which takes advantage of the multiple reflection effect which is obtained when two mirror surfaces are placed opposite each other and a viewer is enabled to view the series of multiple reflections which are obtained.

Such an effect is termed for convenience an "infinity-mirror". The resultant is to obtain a series of reflections each of which is spaced in the series by the spacing of the two reflecting surfaces, and the series stretches away (in theory) to infinity. In practice, the extent of the series is limited by the losses incurred at each reflection, and the impracticability of providing two mirror surfaces which are theoretically absolutely plane and absolutely parallel.

The object of the present invention is to provide a display device which utilises the effect to obtain an attractive multiple image of apparent great depth behind the device.

According to the present invention a display device comprises a first reflective member and a second reflective member each of which has a reflective face which is at least partially reflective, the first and second members being disposed with their reflective surfaces spaced and opposed, the first member being at least partially transparent to permit viewing of the second member through it, and a source of illumination disposed to project light onto the reflective face of at least one of the two members such that a viewer may see a multiple reflection of the illumination stretching away to the rear of the second member.

In a preferred arrangement, the source of illumination is disposed between the reflective surfaces of the two members, and advantageously it is positioned near to or on the reflective surface of one of the members.

To enhance the visual effect, other display-forming means may be disposed so as to be included in the multiple image obtained, e.g. between the two reflective surfaces. Advantageously, the source of illumination may be arranged to illuminate also the other display-forming means. By way of example, the illuminating means may be arranged to frame the other display-forming means. In a preferred embodiment described in more detail below, the further display-forming means comprise the hands of a clock, and the illuminating means comprise a circular light source, such as a neon tube, centered on the clock hands.

To minimise light losses, and thus to provide a maximum of multiple images which are adequately visible, the second member is advantageously fully mirrored so as to be as near as possible totally reflective.

The partial mirroring of the first member may be obtained by making all of its viewing area of only a partially-reflective nature, or by providing it with island sites of reflective nature separated by transparent areas, or by a combination of these effects.

In order that the nature of the invention may be readily ascertained, an embodiment of infinity-mirror display device in accordance therewith is hereinafter particularly described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device, with some minor components omitted for clarity.

In the construction illustrated, the infinity-mirror device is in the form of a clock.

The structure comprises a front partial mirror 1 and a rear mirror 2 which are secured in spaced position by means of spacers 3 and bolts 4 with nuts 5.

The device is intended for viewing in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2. The front mirror 1 is "partial" in the sense that, over all or part of its area, it is mirrored in such a manner that the interior of the device can readily be viewed through it, but its inner surface la is sufficiently reflective to coact with the rear mirror 2 to give the "infinity" effect. The rear mirror 2 is a full mirror at its inner surface 2a.

At a small spacing from the inner face la of the front mirror 1 there is positioned a circular neon tube 6 which is visible through the front mirror 1, and shines into the mirror face la of the front mirror, and onto the mirror face 2a of the rear mirror.

Mounted at the rear of the rear mirror 2 there is a casing 7 which houses (i) a conventional electric motor and gear-reduction mechanism for a lock, and (ii) electrical components and circuitry suitable for driving the neon tube 6 from, say, a mains supply received via a lead 8. The hour hand 9 and minute hand 10 are visible through the front mirror 1.

Due to the presence of the two mirror surfaces la and 2a, there is obtained the known "infinity-mirror" effect such that a person viewing the device in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2 sees a succession of sets of clock hands and of neon tubes stretching away into the distance. The result is a very intriguing and attractive appearance for the clock, which can add a dimension of apparent great depth behind its rear mirror 2. Each set of clock hands in the multiple image is surrounded by a respective image of the neon tube.

The lighting means need not be within the space defined between the two mirror surfaces, but for example the lighting means could be situated in front of the front mirror 1, or to the rear of the rear mirror 2 if the latter is made only partially mirrored.

The lighting may be obtained by external illumination of a structure situated between or externally of the two mirror surfaces, e.g. a reflective or fluorescent structure receiving light or energisation from an external source.

The mirror surfaces need not necessarily be plane, and with non-plane surfaces a different nature of "infinity-mirror" effect is obtained. One or both of the mirror surfaces may be concave or convex. The contour of the mirror surfaces may be changeable, e.g.

by change of fluid pressure behind a flexible mirror diaphragm, and in particular may be made to change continuously to give a varying effect visually.

The neon tube is advantageously a known blue coloured neon, but may likewise be a "flowing" type neon.

Direct lighting may be replaced by ultra-violet energising of a fluorescent material, especially for the hands of the clock, which may be made of a transparent material, so as to be substantially invisible except when and where energised by the ultraviolet. Where ultraviolet energising is used, the visual effect may be enhanced by the use of "black" glass.

Claims

CLAIbiS

1. A display device comprising a first reflective member and a second reflective member each of which has a reflective face which is at least partially reflective, the first and second members being disposed with their reflective surfaces spaced and opposed, the first member being at least partially transparent to permit viewing of the second member through it, and a source of illumination disposed to project light onto the reflective face of at least one of the two members such that a viewer may see a multiple reflection of the illumination stretching away to the rear of the second member.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the source of illumination is disposed between the reflective surfaces of the two members.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the source of illumination is positioned near to or on the reflective surface of one of the members.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein another means is disposed so as to be included in the multiple image obtained.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said another display-forming means is disposed between the two reflective surfaces.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the source of illumination is arranged to illuminate also said another display-forming means.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the illuminating means is arranged to frame said another display-forming means.

8. A device as claimed in any one of Claim 4 to 7, wherein said another display-forming means comprises the hands of a clock.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the illuminating means comprises a circular light source centered on the clock hands.

10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second member is fully mirrored.

11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partial mirroring of the first reflective member is obtained by making all of its viewing area of only a partially-reflective nature.

13. A device as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.