GB957122A - Improvements in or relating to light-pattern generators - Google Patents

Abstract

957,122. Changing signs. F. J. MALINA. Jan. 22, 1962, No. 2315/62. Heading G5C. An illuminated mobile and ever-changing picture arrangement comprises illuminated stationary and moving transparent elements having formed upon them irregularly shaped and distributed opaque and variously coloured transparent parts so as to produce on a surface in front of the illuminated elements a picture of moving illuminated zones of ever-changing colours and shapes. Fig. 1 shows an ever-changing illuminated picture arrangment in which lamps 7 and fluorescent lamps 7a are mounted on a carrier board 1 and provide a source of light which passes through portions of a rotor 2 which is made of a transparent or translucent material such as glass or "Plexiglass" (Registered Trade Mark) partially covered by an opaque material 2a of irregular outline, the transparent portions 2b may be of different colours. Light transmitted through the rotor 2 passes through the irregular transparent portions of a stator element 3 which is constructed similarly to the rotor 2 and the final image is viewed on a diffusing screen 4 which may be made, for example, of frosted glass or translucent plastic material on which may be painted a picture or pattern. The rotor is driven from an electric motor via gearing which may impart to the rotor an intermittent or variable speed motion, Fig. 5 (not shown), and the elements are mounted in a ventilated box, Fig. 2, with provision for screening the lamps and changing the elements 3 or 4. The intensity of the illumination of the lamps may be controlled if necessary cyclically, by a further electric motor and control gear, Fig. 3 (not shown). The rotor may have the hexagonal form shown in Fig. 13. A multiplicity of rotors may be used, coaxial driven at the same or different speeds, Figs. 8 and 9 (not shown), or displaced relative to one another as shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 4 the rotors may have opaque portions of lamellated construction with portions of such elements bent out of the plane of the rotor. In the modification shown in Fig. 6 the rotor is comprised by an endless belt 30 of transparent material having irregular opaque portions 30a and variously coloured transparent zones 30b. The belt is moved transversely to the lights 7a over rollers 31, 32, by the action of electric motor 33. In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the moving element 34 is of a flat plate construction and is reciprocated in its plane by the action of an eccentric drive 31 from a motor 38. In a further modification shown in Fig. 11, two such plates are offset and are moved each in its own plane. A similar four bar linkage may be applied to the rotor 2 of Fig. 1.