GB2257811A

GB2257811A - Display system.

Info

Publication number: GB2257811A
Application number: GB9114567A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James David Corrin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-07-05
Filing date: 1991-07-05
Publication date: 1993-01-20
Also published as: GB9114567D0

Abstract

A display system has four-sided rotatable elements 10 arranged in close parallel relationship, each element having concave faces (12, Figure 1), whereby one element can rotate past adjacent elements without interference. Suitably, alternate elements are rotatable together then stoppable and remaining elements are rotatable in same or opposite direction and stoppable. Alternatively one set is rotatable in one direction and remaining elements rotatable in the opposite direction; in a further alternative each element is rotatable successively to bring a new face into view. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Display System DESCRIPTION This invention concerns a display system.

Display systems are known in which three sided rotatable elements are arranged in close parallel relationship. The sides of the elements are in three sets, each set bearing a different advertisement so that rotation of the elements as a set brings each advertisement into view sequentially. Such a system is known from British Patent No. 2105895B.

The object of the invention is to provide a display system in which more than three advertisements may be shown sequentially.

According to the invention this object may be achieved by a display system having four-sided rotatable elements arranged in close parallel relationship, each element having concave, preferably arcuate faces, whereby one element can rotate past adjacent elements without interference.

A face of an element preferably has a line of curvature that has a slightly longer radius than the distance from the axis of rotation of an adjacent element to a corner thereof.

It will be appreciated that all of the elements of the display system may not be rotated in the same direction at the same time but various arrangements may be possible to achieve advertisement changes easily and speedily, In one preferred arrangement alternate elements are rotated together then stopped and the remaining elements are then rotated in the same or the opposite direction and stopped in order to bring a new set of faces into view.

In another preferred arrangement one set of alternative elements are rotated in one direction and the remaining elements rotated in the opposite direction when the faces of the first set of elements are offset relative to the faces of the remaining elements by 450.

In yet another preferred arrangement each element is rotated successively to bring a new face into view.

With this arrangement, it may be possible to achieve an appearance of movement in an advertisement displayed.

Rotation of the elements may be achieved in any suitable manner according to a desired sequence of operation. -A drive system for the display system of the invention may involve use of one or more motors with suitable belt, chain or gear connections to the elements themselves. Microprocessor control is also envisaged.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in-which: Figure 1 shows an element for a display system; Figure 2 is a schematic end view of a display system comprising elements of Figure 1, showing a first sequence of operation; Figure 3 is a schematic end view of a display system comprising elements of Figure 1, showing a second sequence of operation; and Figure 4 is a schematic end view of a display system comprising elements of Figure 1, showing a third sequence of operation.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a display system comprises a closely spaced parallel arrangement of four faced elements 10. Each face 12 is arcuately concave, the radius of curvature being slightly greater than the distance from the axis of rotation 14 of an adjacent element to a corner thereof. Each face 12 carries a part of an advertisement which is made up of a series of parallel faces as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Thus, the display system carries four advertisements which can be shown sequentially by rotation of the elements through 900 at a time. The sequence of rotation of the individual elements is controlled to avoid interference between adjacent elements.

In Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings advertisements A, B, C and D are to be displayed and the advertisement parts are arranged on the faces of the elements so that one set of alternative elements 10' are rotated first through 900 and then the other set of alternative elements 10ill also through 900 in the same direction.

In Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, advertisements A, B, C and D are to be displayed and the advertisement parts are arranged so one set of alternative elements 10' are rotated through 900 in one direction and the other set of alternate elements are rotated through 900 in the other direction but commence rotating only when the first set of elements have rotated through 50.

In Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, advertisements A, B, C and D are to be displayed and the parts thereof arranged on each element 10 so that the elements can be rotated through 900 sequentially in the same direction.

Other arrangements and sequences of operation of the display system of the invention may be possible and the drive system designed accordingly.

Claims

1. A display system having four-sided rotatable elements arranged in close parallel relationship, each element having concave faces whereby one element can rotate past adjacent elements without interference.

2. A display system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said concave faces are arcuate.

3. A display system as claimed in claim 2, wherein a face of an element has a line of curvature that has a slightly longer radius than the distance from the axis of rotation of an adjacent element to a corner thereof.

4. A display system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, having means whereby alternate elements are rotatable together then stoppable and the remaining elements are then rotatable in the same or the opposite direction and stoppable in order to bring a new set of faces into view.

5. A display system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 having means whereby one set of alternative elements are rotatable in one direction and the remaining elements are rotatable in the opposite direction when the faces of the first set of elements are offset relative to the faces of the remaining elements by 450.

6. A display system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 having means whereby each element is rotatable successively to bring a new face into view.

7. A display system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.