IES60008B2 - A display device - Google Patents

Description

A DISPLAY DEVICE The present invention relates to a display device and more particularly to a stand-alone display device.

It has been noted that wall mounted advertisements do not attract much interest and consequently advertisers have directed their attention towards stand-alone display devices. These displays are usually placed where people will be walking by or will be siting for a time. However, the actual displaying of an advertisement in such a location does present problems. The displays are usually designed and situated in a way which may cause injury to passers-by and also are susceptible to being vandalized. Additionally, flat displays can only be seen from one side and an advertiser may have to place two adverts within one display or share the display with another advertiser. A further disadvantage is that where the display is not illuminated it will not be noticed after dark and will increase the risk of passers-by being injured and the display being damaged.

Our published United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2214691A discloses a display device having means for attachment to a support such as a pole, the display device being cylindrical in shape and having a surface adapted to support and display an information bearing sheet such as a timetable, the display device being co-axial with the pole when attached thereto. r The display device is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and is provided with a domed top and a domed end, whereby no sharp corners or edges are provided on the device. 560008 The present invention provides a display device comprising: a substantially cylindrical display device having a surface adapted to support and display at least one information bearing sheet; a support means including an element to which the display device is co-axially mounted; and drive means for rotating the device sequentially about its longitudinal axis.

Conveniently, the drive means is a motor, preferably an internally mounted electric motor.

Advantageously, the display device is provided with a control means to rotate the device sequentially about its axis at timed intervals.

Preferably, the rotation of the display device is controlled according to the number of information bearing sheets on the display surface, for example, if three information sheets are disposed equally about the surface then the display is rotated 120° at timed intervals.

In a preferred embodiment the display device is provided with a slipping clutch arrangement between the pole mounted motor and the rotating display device such that should the display device be prevented from turning the motor shaft continues to rotate without damaging the motor.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of a display device according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of the display device mounted on a ς support; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the display device; and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the display device and showing how the display device is attached to a support ; Figures 4a and 4b are a top plan view and a side elevation of an element of a drive means, respectively; and Figure 5 is a schematical plan view of a printed circuit board which forms a controller board.

Referring to the drawings, the display device comprises a cylindrical drum 10 which is manufactured from two identical mouldings 11. The drum 10 is rotatably mounted on two nylon dome-shaped bearings 14 each of which is secured to a support comprising a base B and a pole P. The drum 10 is attached by bolts engaging the pole P through holes 40. Mounted within the drum 10 and between the bearings 14 are two fluorescent tubes 17. The circumference of the drum 10 is divided into three recess panels 12 measuring 375 mm x 250 mm by two integrally formed longitudinal strips 18 and a single longitudinal strip 19 formed by two longitudinal bead members 20 one of , each provided on each moulding. Four mountings 21 are provided on each moulding 11 and in which screws 22 and i interengaging inserts 23 may be placed. The screws 22 are provided with alien-key heads 24. The holes 26 on the drum are plugged over by means of plugs 27 each having a key which engages in keyway (not shown).

The mouldings 11, which are identical, are injection moulded in a translucent polycarbonate derivative and the ends of the drum 10, may be painted as required. The polycarbonate derivative is a very tough material and thus improves the vandal resistance of the display device.

The rim of each moulding 11 is provided with a male rim section 50 and a female rim section 60. When a pair of mouldings 11 are aligned in mutually opposite directions, the male rim section 50 of one moulding 11 engages in the female rim section 60 of the second moulding. Each side of the female rim section 60 has ten supporting lugs 70 which support the male rim section 50 of the other moulding when engaged.

Each of the dome-shaped bearings 14 comprises a pair of identical mouldings 30 which are engaged about the pole. A dowel 32 on each moulding fits into a corresponding hole 34. Bolts (not shown) are fitted through mutually aligned holes 35 to tighten the bearing to the pole. Other bolts secure the bearing to the pole A through holes 40. The bearing 14 is manufactured from a nylon material which is self-lubricating and the dome shape corresponds to the dome shape inside the moulding 11. The dome shape is provided on the upper surface 36 of the bearing and is supported by webs 37.

Information sheets or advertising materials may be secured in the recess panels 12. Vinyl strips can be placed in the circumferential panels 25 and cover the plugs 27 from view.

The drum 10 is rotated on the bearings 14 by a pole mounted drive mechanism. The drive mechanism comprises a motor 80 which rotates a slipping clutch 82 which when engaged rotates a final drive wheel 85. The drive wheel 85 is fixed by bolts to the upper drum dome. The drive mechanism is controlled from a control board 90 which is mounted within the pole and has associated circuitry for the fluorescent tubes 17 and for controlling the rotation of the drum 10. The drive spindle 81 of the motor 80 penetrates an axially radial plate 92 which has a magnetically operated switch 94 mounted thereon. The slipping clutch 82 has a substantially identical axial plate 95 on which are mounted three magnets 96, at 120° from each other such that when the clutch plate rotates through 120° the switch 94 operates. The switch 94 deactivates the motor 80 for a predetermined interval before the motor 80 is reactivated to rotate another 120°. If for any reason the rotation of the drum is impeded the head of a nylon bolt 97 which forms part of the clutch 82 slips against the drive wheel 85 allowing the motor 80 to rotate. This slipping action prevents high loads being transferred to the motor 80 and damaging it. The nylon bolt 97 is held in a threaded portion 98 of the clutch 82 by one of a pair of grub screws 99. A cap 100 is provided to cover the drive mechanism and slipping clutch 82. - 6 It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope 5 of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. . A display device comprising: a substantially cylindrical display member having a surface adapted to support and display at least one information 5 bearing sheet; a support meax?.s including an element to which the display member is co-axially mounted; a drive means for rotating the member sequentially about its longitudinal axis; 10 and control means to rotate the member sequentially about its axis at timed intervals.

2. A display device according to Claim 1 in which the drive means is a motor, preferably an internally mounted electric motor. 15

3. A display device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the rotation of the display member is controlled according to the number of information bearing sheets on the display surface.

4. A display device according to any one of the 20 preceding claims, which is provided with a slipping clutch arrangement between the motor and the rotatable display member, whereby if the display member is prevented from turning, the motor shaft continues to rotate without damaging the motor. i 25

5. A display device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.