GB2224217A

GB2224217A - Toy theatre or sales promotion device

Info

Publication number: GB2224217A
Application number: GB8924002A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Retsu Asanuma
Original assignee: Takara Co Ltd
Current assignee: Takara Co Ltd
Priority date: 1988-10-25
Filing date: 1989-10-25
Publication date: 1990-05-02
Also published as: FR2638272A1; JPH02114985A; DE3935352A1; CA2001523A1; GB8924002D0

Description

4 1.

2224217, DEMONSTRATION DEVICE This invention relates to a demonstration device, and more particularly to a demonstration device adapted to permit a sales place such as a salesroom, a salesfloor, a shop or the like to attract a lot of customers.

This invention provides a demonstration device which is capable of permitting a sales place to attract many customers--- as well as functioning as an interior decoration or a gorgeous toy in itself.

Many means have been conventionally employed to promote an increase in the proceeds of sales at a sales place. However. the conventional means have become highly commonplace to a degree sufficient to fail in attracting customers.

Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, a demonstration device is provided. The demonstration device comprises a plurality of objects, a stage on which the objects carry out performance, and a performance mechanism for causing the objects to perform on the stage; background means may be detachably arranged on the stage.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stage is formed with a plurality of guide grooves corresponding to the objects, and the performance mechanism includes a plurality of drive means each arranged for moving each of the objects along.each of the guide-grooves and revolving it therein.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the performance mechanism further includes a control circuit for controlling the drive means.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit comprises a computer control circuit for carrying out the moving and revolving operation of the objects in various modes through the drive means depending upon an operation pattern indicating signal input thereto.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the objects each are made in the form of a doll. Alternatively, the objects each may be made in the form of a fashion model.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the background means is made in the form of a castle. present invention can provide a demonstration device which is capable of exhibiting a propaganda effect sufficient to contribute to sales promotion.

The present -invention ban provide a demonstration device which is capable of permitting a sales place such as a shop to attract a lot of customers.

The-present invention can provide a demonstration device which is capable of functioning as a gorgeous toy or a movable decoration in itself.

The invention variously comprises features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts., and is exemplified by the following description of currently preferred embodiments, to be taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like

0 -3reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view generally showing an embodiment of a demonstration device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view in partly section showing a performance mechanism; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation view partly in section of the performance mechanism shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a computer control circuit for carrying out the program controlling of the performance mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a demonstration device according to the present invention.

Now, a demonstration device according to the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figs. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a demonstration device according to the present invention. A demonstration device of the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, generally includes a plurality of objects 10, a stage 12, a performance mechanism 14 for causing the objects 10 to perform on the stage 12, and a background means 16 detachably mounted on the stage 12.

The objects 10 each are adapted to carry out performance on the stage 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the objects 10 each are made in the form of a doll. The dolls 10 may be different in type from each other. Alternatively, the dolls 10 may be made into the same form.

The stage 12 comprises a plate member formed into a desired shape, which may be provided thereon with any desired decoration. The stage 12 is formed with a -4plurality of elongated guide grooves 18 in association with or corresponding to the objects or dolls 10. The performance mechanism 14 includes a plurality of drive means 20 each arranged corresponding to each of the objects 10 for moving the object 10 along the guide groove 18 while revolving it in the guide groove 18. The drive means 20 may be controlled by a control circuit. For example, it may be programcontrolled by a computer control circuit 22 described hereinafter.

The background means 16 is constructed in a manner to be detachable with respect to the stage 12 and, in Fig. 1, is made in the form of a castle. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of the background means 16 which are shaped into different forms are provided, so that the demonstration device of the illustrated embodiment permits the objects 10 to perform in various backgrounds or atmospheres by exchanging the background means 16.

Now, the drive means 20 of the performance mechanism 14 will be described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

The drive means 20 each include a carriage 24 which is constituted by a turntable 26 arranged through the guide groove 18 above the stage 12 and a base 28 arranged under the stage 12. The turntable 26 comprises a table body 30 which is arranged above the stage 12 and on which the object or doll 10 is mounted and a support shaft or leg 32 fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the table body 30 so as to support the table body 30 thereon and arranged in a manner to downward extend from the table body 30 through the guide groove 18 of the stage 12. The leg 32 is loosely inserted through the guide groove 18 of the stage 12. The base 28 is formed with a through-kole 34 and the leg 32 is loosely inserted via the through-hole 34 of the base 28 so as to be rotatable in the through-hole 34.

Under the base 28 is mounted a motor 36 for rotating the turntable 26 with respect to the base 28 and the stage 12. For this purpose, the leg 32 is operatively connected to the motor 36. Also, under the stage 12, as shown in Fig. 2, is arranged a guide member 38 for slidably support the base 28 thereon to guide the base 28 along the guide groove 18. The drive means 20 also includes a drive belt 40 which is connected at both ends thereof to the front and rear ends of the base 28 through a pulley 42 provided in proximity to one end 44 of the guide groove 18 in the longitudinal direction thereof and a revolving shaft 46 of a belt drive motor 48 provided at the other end 50 of the guide groove 18. Such construction, when the drive motor 48 is actuated, causes the base 28 and therefore the turntable 26 to be moved or slid along the guide groove 18 through the drive belt 40.

At both ends 44 and 50 of the guide groove 18 are arranged limit switches 52 and 54, respectively, which are adapted to be contacted with the table body 30 when it is moved to both ends of the guide groove 18, resulting in being actuated to move the carriage 24 in the opposite direction through the performance mechanism 14. Further, the slide base 28 is provided with a limit switch 56 for detecting the revolution of the turntable 26.

Now, the computer control circuit 22 for programcontrolling the drive means 20 will be described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 4. The computer control circuit 22 includes a keyboard 60 for generating an operation pattern signal indicating a pattern of operation of the drive means 20 and therefore the objects 10, a power supply section 62 for supplying the motors 36 and 48 with an electric power, a microprocessor section 64 for supplying a pattern control signal which serves to control the pattern of operation of the objects programmed according to the operation patter signal supplied from the keyboard 60 and operation indicating signals from the limit switches 52, 54 and 56 which indicate the operation of the objects 10, and a universal board 66. The universal board -666 is adapted to receive an electric power from the power supply section 62. Also, the universal board 66 is supplied thereto the operation pattern signal from the key board 47 and the operation indicating signals from the limit switches 52, 54 and 56, as well as supplies the motors 36 and 48 with the pattern control signal of the microprocessor section 64 and the electric power of the power supply section 62. Thus, it will be noted that the universal board 66 serves as an interface in the computer control circuit 22. The universal board 66 is provided with an input terminal 68 through which a sound signal indicating narration or the like is supplied to the universal board 66 from a suitable means such as a tape recorder or the like. Correspondingly, the microprocessor section 64 includes a control program for controlling the objects or dolls 10 depending on the sound signal.

In the computer control circuit 22 constructed as described above, when the keyboard 60 generates an operation pattern signal indicating, for example, a pattern of operation of each of the objects that it advances, revolves a time and then retreats, the signal is supplied through the universal board 66 to the microprocessor section 64. This results in the microprocessors section 64 supplying a pattern control signal through the universal board 66 to the motors 36 and 48 depending upon the operation of the objects according to the signal, so that the objects may carry out the operation of the abovedescribed pattern.

The pattern of operation of the objects is not limited to the foregoing. Various kinds of patterns may be previously programmed.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the demonstration device of the embodient is constructed so as to carry out complicated and brilliant operation like a show. Accordingly, when it is put on display at a sales place such as a show window, a salesfloor, a shop or the S like, it causes the sales place to attract many customers, to thereby promote or contribute to an increase in the proceeds of sales. Also, the demonstration device per se functions as a gorgeous toy and a movable decoration suitable for an interior decoration.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a demonstration device according to the present invention, which is constructed in the form of a fashion show. Objects 10 each are made in the form of a fashion model. However, the demonstration device of the illustrated embodiment may be basically constructed in substantially the same manner as the embodiment of Fig. 1. Thus, it will be noted that the demonstration device of Fig. 5 exhibits substantially the same performance as the embodiment described above.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the demonstration device of the present invention is so constructed that the performance mechanism causes a plurality of objects on the stage and the background means is detachably arranged on the stage. Accordingly, the present invention readily produces an atmosphere like a theater at a sales place, resulting in many customers being attracted to the sales place.

Also, the demonstration device of the present invention may incorporate the computer control system therein, to thereby operate the objects in view of the condition of the objects being operated and/or in association with a sound signal indicating narration or the like. Thus, it will be noted that the present invention various kinds of performance.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently atta:ned and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted -Bas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

Clairs

1. A demonstration device comprising:

plurality of objects; stage; performance mechanism for causing said objects to perform on said stage; and means for detachably arr.anging-,a background on said stage.

2. A demonstration device as defined in Claim 1, wherein said stage is formed with a plurality of guide grooves corresponding to said objects; and said performance mechanism includes a plurality of drive means each arranged for moving each of said objects along each of said guide grooves and revolving it therein.

3. A demonstration device as defined in Claim 2, wherein said performance mechanism further includes a control circuit for controlling said drive means.

4. A demonstration device as defined in Claim 3, wherein said control circuit comprises a computer control circuit connected to said drive means for causing the moving and revolving operation of said objects to be carried_out in various modes through said drive means depending upon an operation pattern signal input thereto.

5. A demonstration device as defined in Claim 1, wherein said objects each are made in the form of a doll.

6. A demonstration device as defined in Claim 1, wherein said objects each are made in the form of a fashion model.

7. A demonstration device as defined in Claim 1, wherein said background means is made in imitation of a castle.

8. A demonstration device comprising:

plurality of objects; stage formed with a plurality of guide grooves corresponding to said objects; i a performance mechanism including a plurality of drive means each arranged for moving each of said objects along each of said guide grooves and revolving it therein and a computer control circuit connected to said drive means for causing the moving and revolving operation of said objects to be carried out in various modes through said drive means depending upon an operation pattern signal input thereto; and a background means detachably arranged on said stage.

9. A demonstration device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1-3 of the drawings.

10. A demonstration device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 4 of the drawings.

11. A demonstration device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 5 of the drawings.

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