GB2328062A - Display elements - Google Patents

Abstract

A unitary element (1) for use as a display vane in display apparatus, comprising an elongate core (2) having a drive surface (3) arranged to cause rotation of the element (1) about the longitudinal axis of the core (2) and having indicia bearing means (4,5) extending at least partially along the length of the core (2). The drive surface (3) may have teeth extending along the length of the core and may be driven by a toothed belt or gear wheel. Alternatively, the teeth may be on an interior surface of the core. In a further alternative, the drive surface (3) may be smooth.

Description

DISPLAY ELEMENTS DESCRIPTION This invention relates to display elements for use as vanes in display apparatus of the type comprising a plurality of such vanes which are rotatable about respective parallel, longitudinal axes and of which each has two or more longitudinallyextending 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 vane. This invention is especially, but not exclusively, related to a display element for use as a vane in display apparatus in which a plurality of such vanes are rotatable about generally horizontal, parallel, longitudinal axes.

Known types of display vane generally comprise an elongate element which is usually tubular and of suitable cross-section, such as square or triangular, means for rotating the element about its longitudinal axis and means for bearing, on respective faces of the elongate element, indicia forming part of a complete image defined by a set of the faces in side-by-side relationship, whereby the number of complete images corresponds with the number of faces of each vane, as discussed above.

The means for rotating the elongate element about its longitudinal axis is usually in the form of a wheel, pulley or the like which is attached to one or each end of the element and which can be coupled drivably to, say, a motor associated with the display apparatus. Such rotation means can be coupled drivably by a corresponding-toothed belt to the motor.

A plurality of such vanes are usually so-coupled drivably together, so that they can be rotated about their respective longitudinal axes in synchronism with each other.

The indicia-bearing means may be the respective flat faces of the elongate element itself or may be in the form of elongate panels extending along the length of the element and securable, preferably detachably, thereto by means of suitable fixing means extending fully or spaced along the length of the element.

In all the known types of display vane discussed above, at least the elongate element and the rotating means attached to at least one end thereof, and in certain cases the indicia-bearing panel fixing means, are manufactured as separate components which have to be assembled together to provide the complete vane.

This involves comparatively high manufacturing costs and is labour intensive and, hence, costly.

Accordingly, it is a object of the present invention to provide an element for use as a display vane in display apparatus which overcomes, or at least substantially reduces, the disadvantages associated with the known types of display vane discussed above, including the manufacture thereof.

One aspect of the present invention resides in a unitary element for use as a display vane in display apparatus, comprising an elongate core having a drive surface arranged to cause rotation of the element about the longitudinal axis of the core, and having indicia-bearing means extending at least partially along the length of the core.

Throughout this specification, the term drive surface is used in connection with the elongate core of the unitary element to embrace any type of surface which, when coupled drivably to corresponding and moving drive means, causes the element to undergo consequential rotational motion about the longitudinal axis of the elongate core.

Examples of such a drive surface include longitudinal teeth extending along a portion of the length of the elongate core and spaced around the exterior periphery of the core, in which case, the corresponding drive means may be a toothed gear wheel or drive belt. Such a toothed drive surface may also be provided, as an alternative, on the interior periphery of the core when the latter is tubular.

Also, the drive surface may be a friction surface extending along a portion of the length of the elongate core, either exterior or interior thereof, in which case the corresponding drive means may be a friction wheel or belt. It is also possible that the drive surface could be generally smooth, in which case, the friction between that surface and the corresponding drive means would have to be sufficiently great to prevent slippage therebetween.

As indicated above, the drive surface may be provided on the exterior periphery of the elongate core as a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially-spaced teeth. Such teeth can be coupled drivably with corresponding teeth of a drive member, such as a gear wheel or, preferably, a toothed drive belt coupled to, say, a motor of the display apparatus with which the elongate vane element is associated. Alternatively, and as discussed above, the drive surface of the elongate core of the element may comprise any other suitable form of drive surface which, when coupled drivably to suitable drive means, is capable of causing rotation of the core, and hence the element, about the longitudinal axis thereof.

Throughout this specification also, the further term "indicia-bearing means" is used in association with the elongate core of the unitary element to embrace any suitable means for bearing indicia applied to the element. In one form, the indicia-bearing means comprises a plurality, preferably three, of spaced, outwardly projecting fins extending at least partially along the length of the core, for detachably securing, between each adjacent pair thereof, a panel bearing indicia. Such panels define the corresponding indicia-bearing faces of the vane element.

Alternatively, the panels may be formed integrally with the core, to provide a corresponding number of indicia-bearing faces of the element.

In order to provide a continuous, circumferential drive surface on the core of the element at one or each end thereof, or indeed intermediate the ends thereof, corresponding lengths of the indicia-bearing means can be removed from the core by any suitable means.

The inventive display element is preferably extruded as a unitary structure, to form a part-formed element with its components of all the same length.

Subsequently, portions of the length of the indiciabearing means can be removed from one or each end of the core of that part-formed element, to provide a fully-formed element with a continuous circumferential drive surface at that core end(s).

A second aspect of the invention resides in a method of manufacturing an element for use as a display vane in display apparatus, which method comprises forming, preferably by extrusion, a partformed element comprising an elongate core having a drive surface which extends along the length and around the periphery thereof and indicia-bearing means also extending along the length thereof, wherein a portion of the length of the indicia-bearing means is removed from the core of the part-formed element to provide a fully-formed element having a continuous drive surface extending around the periphery of the core.

Again, the partially-formed element is preferably formed as an extrudate which may be cut to any suitable length prior to removal of the required portion of the length of the indicia-bearing means.

The indicia-bearing means may be in the form of a plurality of longitudinally extending fins spaced regularly around the outer surface of the elongate element, between adjacent pairs of which can be detachably received indicia-bearing panels.

Alternatively, the panels may be formed as an integral part of the extruded vane element, to define respective outer faces thereof.

The inventive display vane elements may be incorporated in any suitable display apparatus, for example, that to be described in detail hereinbelow or that described in our co-pending British Patent Application No. 9705924.0 (Publication No.

wherein the elements are rotatable, in side-by-side relationship and in synchronism with each other, about respective generally vertical or horizontal axes, preferably the latter, with a motor for causing such synchronous rotation being housed within at least one of the elements. Where the elements are rotatable by the motor about respective horizontal axes, the uppermost element is preferably that in which the drive motor is housed, with the motor being mounted interiorly of that element in such a manner that it remains substantially stationary whilst the element is rotated therearound and whilst the other elements, which are coupled drivably thereto, are rotated in synchronism therewith by any suitable means.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment of display vane element and associated display apparatus will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of an extruded, part-formed display vane element; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one end of the element shown in Figure 1, immediately after its extrusion; Figure 3 if a perspective view of the one end of the element shown in Figure 2 but with the element fully-formed; Figure 4 is a full side view of the vane element shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is an elevational view of display apparatus embodying a plurality of vanes shown in Figure 4.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, an aluminium extrudate, indicated generally at 1, constitutes a part-formed display vane element comprising, as a unitary structure, a circularly cross-sectioned, tubular elongate core 2 having longitudinally extending teeth 3 spaced around its outer circumference and three indicia-bearing panel fins 4 which project radially from the outer surface of the elongate core 2, which are spaced equally, at 120" to each other, around the circumference of the core 2 and which extend along the whole length thereof. The free, radially outer end of each fin 4 is provided with a pair of lips 5 on respective opposed sides thereof, for receiving detachably corresponding indicia-bearing panels (not shown) between adjacent pairs of fins 4.

Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings show a fullyformed display vane in accordance with the invention, as indicated generally at 11, wherein a portion of the length of each fin 4 has been removed at each end (only one shown) of the elongate core 2, thereby exposing a continuous drive surface of longitudinal teeth 3. That toothed drive surface is arranged to receive partially therearound a correspondingly toothed drive belt for rotating the fully-formed display vane 11 about its longitudinal axis.

In Figure 5, there is shown generally at 21 a display apparatus comprising an upper support member 22 in which is housed a motor (not shown).

Suspended from the output shaft(s) of that motor by respective toothed drive belts 23 is a plurality of display vanes 11 of which the uppermost vane 11' is coupled to the motor output shaft(s) by a pair of opposed toothed drive belts 23' engaged around respective toothed ends 24 of the vane.

When the motor in the upper support member 22 of the display apparatus 21 is operated, it drives the uppermost drive belts 23' which, in turn, rotate the uppermost vane 11' and, as a consequence, the lower seven vanes 11 are also rotated in synchronism with the uppermost vane 11', by means of respective toothed drive belts 23 and toothed vane ends 24.

It is to be appreciated that, although the embodiment of display vane element described above is initially extruded from aluminium, it may be extruded from any other suitable material, for example, a rigid plastics material. Such a plastics material may be semi-opaque or transparent, in which case, each vane may be illuminated from its interior by means of a light source located therein.

Also, the inventive vane elements 11, 11' are not restricted to the type of display apparatus 21 described above in relation to Figure 5 of the drawings but may also be used in other types of display apparatus, particularly those in which a plurality of the vane elements are rotated in synchronism to provide a plurality of complete images.

Such display apparatus may have the vane elements 11 rotatable about respective vertical axes.

Additionally or alternatively, the inventive elements 11, 11' may be incorporated in display apparatus, such as that described in our co-pending British Patent Application No. 9705924.0 (Publication No. ), wherein the display vane elements are rotatable, in side-by-side relationship and in synchronism with each other, about respective generally vertical or horizontal axes, with a motor for causing such synchronous rotation being housed within at least one of the elements. In the case of the elements being rotatable by the motor about respective horizontal axes, the uppermost element 11' is preferably that in which the drive motor is housed.

In this manner, the motor can be mounted in the interior of the corresponding vane element in such a way that it remains stationary whilst that element is rotated therearound, with the other elements being rotated in synchronism therewith by any suitable means, for example, by means of their drive surfaces and cooperating toothed belts, as described above.

It is to be appreciated that the indicia-bearing means, such as the fins or panels of the aboveidentified embodiments, which extend longitudinally along the core, provide added strength to the vane elements, particularly when the elements are extruded from aluminium or a rigid plastics material. Such additional strength permits the elements to be made in longer lengths than previously, whilst retaining their linear configuration during use.

Further, and when the drive surfaces of the elements are in the form of teeth at each end of the core, those teeth lie in angular registration with each other, to ensure that each element is rotated evenly along its length and that a plurality of the elements can be rotated in proper synchronous phase with each other.

Claims (23)

1. A unitary element for use as a display vane in display apparatus, comprising an elongate core having a drive surface (as defined hereinabove) arranged to cause rotation of the element about the longitudinal axis of the core, and having indicia-bearing means (as defined hereinabove) extending at least partially along the length of the core.

2. An element according to claim 1, wherein the drive surface comprises longitudinal teeth extending along a portion of the length of the elongate core and spaced around the exterior periphery of the core.

3. An element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive surface comprises or also comprises, as the case may be, longitudinal teeth extending along a portion of the interior periphery of the core.

4. An element according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the drive surface comprises or also comprises, as the case may be, a friction surface extending along a portion of the length of the elongate core, either exterior or interior thereof.

5. An element according to claim 1, wherein the drive surface is generally smooth.

6. An element according to any preceding claim, wherein said indicia-bearing means comprises a plurality, preferably three, of spaced, outwardly projecting fins extending at least partially along the length of the core, for detachably securing, between each adjacent pair thereof, a panel bearing indicia.

7. An element according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said indicia-bearing means comprises panels formed integrally with the core.

8. An element according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive surface is a continuous, circumferential drive surface on the core of the element at one or each end thereof or intermediate the ends thereof.

9. An element according to any preceding claim, when provided as an extruded unitary structure, forming a part-formed element with its components of all the same length.

10. An element according to claim 9, wherein, portions of the length of the indicia-bearing means have been removed from the core of the part-formed element, to provide a fully-formed element with a continuous circumferential drive surface at each end thereof.

11. A display vane element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of manufacturing an element for use as a display vane in display apparatus, which method comprises forming, preferably by extrusion, a partformed element comprising an elongate core having a drive surface which extends along the length and around the periphery thereof and indicia-bearing means also extending along the length thereof, wherein a portion of the length of the indicia-bearing means is removed from the core of the part-formed element to provide a fully-formed element having a continuous drive surface extending around the periphery of the core.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said indicia-bearing means is formed as a plurality of longitudinally extending fins spaced regularly around the outer surface of the elongate element.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said indicia-bearing means is formed as longitudinallyextending panels.

15. A method of manufacturing a display vane element, substantially as hereinbefore described.

16. Display apparatus incorporating at least one display vane element in accordance with any of claims 1 to 11.

17. Display apparatus incorporating at least one display vane element in accordance with any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the apparatus further includes drive means coupled drivably to the drive surface of the or each element.

18. Display apparatus incorporating at least one display vane element in accordance with claim 2, further including a toothed gear wheel or belt coupled drivably to the toothed drive surface of the or each element.

19. Display apparatus incorporating at least one display vane element in accordance with claim 4, further including a friction wheel or belt coupled drivably to the friction drive surface of the or each element.

20. Display apparatus incorporating at least one display van element in accordance with claim 5, further including drive means which is coupled drivably to the generally smooth drive surface of the or each element and wherein the friction between the drive means and the drive surface is sufficiently great to prevent slippage therebetween.

21. Display apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 20 further including a motor for rotating a plurality of side-by-side display vane elements in synchronism with each other.

22. Display apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the motor is housed within at least one of the display vane elements.

23. Display apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described.