GB2323462A - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Display apparatus comprising a plurality of elongate elements (2 to 8) which are rotatable in side-by-side relationship about respective parallel, longitudinal axes (10) and of which each has at least two longitudinally-extending faces (2' to 8') each bearing indicia or other markings forming part of a complete image defined by a set of the faces in side-by-side relationship and facing in the same direction, wherein the elements (2 to 8) are operably connected together for rotation in synchronism with each other and wherein the apparatus further comprises an electric motor which is arranged to cause said synchronous rotation of the elements and which is housed within at least one of the elements (2 to 8). The elements are rotatable about horizontal axes and are suspended freely one below the other. The electric motor is preferably housed in the uppermost element, and powered by solar power.

Description

DISPLAY APPARATUS DESCRIPTION This invention relates to display apparatus of the type comprising a plurality of elongate elements which are rotatable about respective parallel, longitudinal axes and of which each has two or more longitudinally-extending faces each bearing indicia forming part of a complete image defined by a set of the faces in side-by-side relationship and facing in the same direction. Thus, the number of complete images which can be viewed over a period from either side, but usually one, of the apparatus corresponds with the number of faces of each element. This invention is especially, but not exclusively, related to this type of display apparatus in which the plurality of elongate elements are rotatable about generally horizontal, parallel, longitudinal axes.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides display apparatus comprising a plurality of elongate elements which are rotatable in side-by-side relationship about respective generally horizontal, parallel, longitudinal axes and of which each has at least two longitudinally-extending faces each bearing indicia or other markings forming part of a complete image defined by a set of the faces in side-by-side relationship and facing in the same direction, wherein the apparatus further comprises means arranged to rotate the elements in synchronism with each other and means arranged to suspend the elements freely one below the other.

The rotation means preferably comprises an electric motor arranged to drive a pulley wheel attached to one or both ends of at least one of the elements. Each element preferably has a pulley wheel at one or both ends thereof, with the pulley wheels of adjacent elements being rotatably connected together by an endless flexible elongate member and, more preferably, with the pulley wheel(s) of the uppermost element being rotatably drivable by, say, the electric motor. In this manner, the elements are rotatable in synchronism with each other by means of respective endless elongate members, such as toothed belts, extending over the pulley wheels of the adjacent elements. Also, the flexible, endless elongate members preferably constitute the means arranged to suspend the elements freely one below the other.

In a preferred embodiment of inventive display apparatus to be described in more detail below, an electric motor for rotating the elements in synchronism with each other is preferably housed within the uppermost element and may be powered by solar energy. In this manner, a self-contained display apparatus is provided, in that it can be moved from one location to another without the need for any extraneous components, such as a separate electric power supply, for example, a mains supply.

Alternatively, the motor can be powered by, say, rechargeable batteries, although the solar powered arrangement is preferred.

A second aspect of the invention resides in display apparatus comprising a plurality of elongate elements which are rotatable in side-by-side relationship about respective parallel, longitudinal axes and of which each has at least two longitudinally-extending faces each bearing indicia or other markings forming part of a complete image defined by a set of the faces in side-by-side relationship and facing in the same direction, wherein the elements are operably connected together for rotation in synchronism with each other and wherein the apparatus further comprises an electric motor which is arranged to cause said synchronous rotation of the elements and which is housed within at least one of the elements.

The elements may be rotatable about respective generally vertical axes or generally horizontal axes.

In the latter case, the elements may be suspended freely one below the other, in which case, the electric motor is preferably housed in the uppermost element.

Also, the electric motor(s) may be solar powered, so that the display apparatus provides a generally self-contained display unit, as discussed above.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment of display apparatus in accordance therewith and in the form of a self-contained display unit, will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a display unit; Figure 2 is an elevational view of a rotatable element of the display unit shown in Figure 1 on an enlarged scale; and Figure 3 is a perspective side view of part of the display unit shown in Figure 1, again on an enlarged scale.

Referring the accompanying drawings, inventive display apparatus in the form of a self-contained display unit indicated generally at 1, comprises a plurality, in this case seven, of elongate elements 2 to 8 which are rotatable in side-by-side relationship about respective generally horizontal, parallel, longitudinal axes 10 and of which each has three longitudinally-extending faces 2' to 8' each bearing indicia or other markings (not shown) forming part of a complete image defined by a set of side-by-side faces facing in the same direction.

Secured to each opposed end of the uppermost element 2 is a single-grooved, toothed pulley wheel 12, although double-grooved toothed pulley wheels may be used. To each of the opposed ends of each lower element 3 to 8 is secured a double-grooved, toothed pulley wheel 13 to 18, although single-grooved, toothed pulley wheels may be used with the lowermost element 18.

Respective toothed, endless drive belts 22 to 25, as shown in Figure 3, extend around corresponding pairs of pulleys 12 and 13, 13 and 14, 14 and 15 of adjacent pairs 2 and 3, 3 and 4, 4 and 5 of the elements.

Although the drive belts are omitted from Figure 1, for reasons of clarity, two such belts 22, 23 are shown in Figure 2 in association with one of the elements, namely, the element 3. The drive belt 22 extends around one of the grooves of the doublegrooved, toothed pulley wheel 13 secured at either end of the element 3 and also around the single-grooved, toothed pulley 12 of element 2, whilst the toothed drive belt 23 extends around the other groove of the pulley wheel 13 and around the corresponding groove of the double-grooved, toothed pulley wheel 14 (not shown in Figure 2) of the adjacent lower element 4.

Thus, the lower elements 3 to 8 are suspended freely one below the other from the uppermost element 2 by means of the respective pairs of drive belts 22 to 25 at the opposed ends of the elements 2 to 8.

Housed within the uppermost element 2 is a solarpowered electric motor (not shown) arranged to rotate the corresponding pair of single-grooved pulleys 12 which, upon such rotation, rotate the lower elements 3 to 8 in synchronism therewith and with each other.

In this embodiment, the electric motor is mounted within the element 2 such that it remains stationery whilst the element 2 is rotated therearound, although any other suitable arrangement may be used.

It is to be appreciated that in Figure 3 only five 2 to 6 of the seven three-sided elements 2 to 8 are shown but that the other two elements 7 and 8 are also included, as shown in Figure 1.

The display unit 1 is provided with a top frame member 30 which can be used to support the unit 1 in any suitable location and with respect to which the uppermost element is rotatable.

It is to be appreciated that the electric motor can be housed, and thus concealed, in any other element 3 to 8 of the unit 1, for example, in the lowermost element 8, although the uppermost element 2 is preferred. Also, the electric motor can be powered by a battery, for example, a rechargeable battery, or a mains supply. However, solar power for the electric motor is preferred, in that no extraneous electric power supply is required and, also, the unit 1 can be used in any location exposed to light, thus eliminating the need to recharge or replace any batteries which might otherwise be used.

Also, due to the suspended nature of the display elements 2 to 8, the need for any supporting frames of substance is eliminated, thereby providing a selfcontained, lightweight unit which can be supported in any suitable location by any appropriate means.

Further, additional display elements can be readily added to the unit 1 or removed therefrom, depending upon the complete displays which are required for any particular application.

The display elements 2 to 8 may be illuminated individually and solar panels for providing solar power to the electric motor for rotating the elements 2 to 8 in synchronism with each other, can be mounted in an unobtrusive manner on or in one or more of the elements, for example, the uppermost element 2, or separate therefrom; for example, upon the frame member 30.

Although the elements 2 to 8 of the unit 1 described above in relation to the drawings, are generally triangular in cross-section and, thus, each provides three display faces, other multi-faced elements may be used, for example, two-faced or fourfaced.

In operation of the preferred embodiment of inventive display unit described above, the unit 1 is supported in any suitable location and a timing circuit associated with the electric motor is actuated. Upon such actuation, the motor is operated at predetermined time intervals to rotate the suspended elements 2 to 8 through 120 , such that successive faces 2' to 8' of these elements define respective complete images viewable from one side of the unit. If, however, the elements have an even number of faces, such as two or four, then complete images may be viewed from either or both sides of the unit, depending upon the particular location thereof.

As indicated above, the elements 2 to 8 can be illuminated individually, in which case, any combination of so-illuminated elements may be employed and/or changed, in dependence upon the particular displays to be viewed.

Claims (12)

1. Display apparatus comprising a plurality of elongate elements which are rotatable in side-by-side relationship about respective parallel, longitudinal axes and of which each has at least two longitudinally-extending faces each bearing indicia or other markings forming part of a complete image defined by a set of the faces in side-by-side relationship and facing in the same direction, wherein the elements are operably connected together for rotation in synchronism with each other and wherein the apparatus further comprises an electric motor which is arranged to case said synchronous rotation of the elements and which is housed within at least one of the elements.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elements are rotatable about respective generally vertical axes or generally horizontal axes.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the elements are rotatable about respective generally horizontal axes and are suspended freely one below the other.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the electric motor is housed in the uppermost element.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the elements are so-suspended by endless flexible elongate members arranged to rotate the elements in synchronism with each other.

6. Display apparatus comprising a plurality of elongate elements which are rotatable in side-by-side relationship about respective generally horizontal, parallel, longitudinal axes and of which each has at least two longitudinally-extending faces each bearing indicia or other markings forming part of a complete image defined by a set of the faces in side-by-side relationship and facing in the same direction, wherein the apparatus further comprises means arranged to rotate the elements in synchronism with each other and means arranged to suspend the elements freely one below the other.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said rotation means comprises an electric motor arranged to drive a pulley wheel attached to one or both ends of at least one of the elements.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each element has a pulley wheel at one or both ends thereof, with the pulley wheels of adjacent elements being rotatably connected together by an endless flexible elongate member.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pulley wheel(s) of the uppermost element is rotatably drivable by, say, the electric motor.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the endless flexible elongate members constitute said means arranged to suspend the elements freely one below the other.

11. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein an or the electric motor for rotating the elements in synchronism with each other is housed within one, and preferably the uppermost, of the elements.

12. Display apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.