MXPA99008524A - Display billboard and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A billboard for displaying for an image is provided comprising a three-dimensional structure having at least one panel which forms a recess leading towards an apex, a display surface formed on an interior surface of the recess, whereby the interior surface of the recess can appear to protrude instead of recede providing an apparently protruding display surface for an image. A method of displaying an image on a billboard is also provided.

Description

EXHIBITION BILL AND METHOD Field of the Invention This invention relates to a billboard and a method for displaying an image on a billboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional advertising display systems, such as billboards, typically comprise two-dimensional images on posters that adhere to a flat support panel. Although this system is inexpensive to produce, it does not provide a very realistic or lasting impression of the object or objects exhibited. There are also known three-dimensional structures that protrude from billboards. A famous example is that of a car, such as a Cadillac, sticking out of a flat billboard. Conventionally, these three-dimensional billboards (3D) are provided forming an exact hollow replica of the item to be displayed. Then it protrudes from the billboard, so you can see it from all sides. These replicas are complex and difficult to manufacture, because they are often several tens of times larger than the original. In addition, the design requirements for replication are also different from the original, and it is usually necessary to form a lightweight version that will be supported in a manner different from that of the original. This means that each replica is normally unique to meet the specific requirements of each exhibit. Therefore, manufacturing costs and complexity are burdensome for each replica. Also, the level of consumer interest in these replicas is limited, because the three-dimensional replica is just that, a replica. Accordingly, it would be desirable to produce an exhibit apparatus that is more interesting in view than a replica, while being relatively simple and inexpensive to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the foregoing, the present invention provides: a billboard for displaying an image, which comprises: a three-dimensional structure having at least one panel forming a recess leading to an apex; an exhibit surface formed on an inner surface of the recess; whereby the inner surface of the recess may appear to protrude rather than recede, providing an exhibit surface - seemingly outstanding for an image. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for displaying an image on a billboard, which comprises: providing a billboard for displaying an image according to the invention; provide an image on the display surface on the inner surface of the recess. Preferably, the at least one panel forms an apex. Preferably, at least one panel is substantially flatter. Preferably, at least one panel is four sides. Preferably, the three-dimensional structure has three or more panels configured to form the recess leading to the apex. Preferably, the three or more panels are substantially flatter. Preferably, each panel has at least one first corner, and the first corners of the panels meet to form the apex. Preferably, at least one of the first corners of a panel forming the apex is substantially at right angles.

Preferably, all corners of the panels forming the apex are substantially at right angles. Preferably, the panels are four sides; Preferably, a second corner of the at least one of the panels opposite the first corner of that panel is obtuse. Preferably, the panels are joined together along the neighboring edges to form the recess. Preferably, the neighboring edges of adjacent panels that are joined together are of a substantially equal length. Preferably, three panels of four sides are provided, the first corners of the panels forming the apex; each of the first two edges of each panel, which are each side of each first corner, joins with a first edge of a neighboring panel to form the recess; and the second edges of the panels opposite the first edges are configured in such a way that, if the three-dimensional structure were opened along one of the pair of first edges of the panels, at least one of the second edges was angled with with respect to the first corresponding edge opposite to it, to lead towards an apparent meeting point of the edges at some distance from the three-dimensional structure. Preferably, the first corner of at least one panel is at a substantially right angle. Preferably, all the first corners are at a substantially straight angle. Preferably, an image displayed on the inner surface of the recess contracts to the second edges of the panel. Preferably, the solid angle of the apex is substantially equal to, or less than, 90 ° in any plane passing through the recess and the apex. Preferably, the three-dimensional structure is mounted on a substantially planar support structure. Preferably, the three-dimensional structure is mounted at least partially in an orifice formed in the substantially planar support structure, whereby, the three-dimensional structure passes at least partially through the holes. Preferably, the hole is substantially triangular. Preferably, the three-dimensional structure comprises three panels configured to form the recess and the apex, the panels forming a pyramid-shaped structure, and a triangular hole being provided to accommodate pyramid-shaped structure in the substantially planar support structure. The segments of the panels can be formed of paper, wood, metal, or plastic. The apparatus of the invention, which has the benefits of simplicity of manufacture and cost of a two-dimensional system, and which provides a three-dimensional printing of an object, is highly desirable from both a commercial and manufacturing point of view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a plan view of display panels in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, with images formed on each of the surfaces. Figure 2A is a plan view of display panels according to the embodiment of Figure 1, before assembly. Figure 2B is a front perspective view of the display panels of Figure 2A, which form a three-dimensional structure when assembled. Figure 3A is a plan view of the panels of a second embodiment of the invention opened, before assembly, showing the angular relationship between the edges of the remote panels of the apex with respect to a vertical axis, in the plane of the paper, as shown.

Figure 3B is a plan view showing the manner in which the shape of the panels in Figure 3A has been determined, according to the principles of perspective, using bidirectional reference points. Figure 4 shows a flat support structure for mounting the three-dimensional structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 shows a side view of the three-dimensional structure of Figures 1, 2A, and 2B, mounted on the flat support structure of Figure 4. Figure 6 shows a front view of an assembled apparatus in accordance with the invention, in the process of mounting on a flat support structure or billboard. Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C show the visual effect of the invention, when going through the billboard from left to right. Figure 8 shows the manipulation of the images to produce an outdated image, which gives an impression of a perspective view. Figures 1, 2A, and 2B show a first embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, three substantially flat panels 1, 2, and 3 are provided. The panels 1, 2, 3 have a display surface on one side, for displaying images. Figures 1 and 2A show the relative sizes of the three panels. Referring to Figure 2A in particular, the four-sided panel 1 has two sides 1A and IB, corresponding in length to a bank or side of a neighboring panel against which it is to be placed. In this case, the side 1A of the panel 1 is of the same length as the side 2B of the panel 2. In a similar manner, the side IB is of the same size as the side 3A of the panel 3, and the side 2A is of the same length as the side 3B of the panel 3. Although the panels are illustrated as being placed adjacent to each other in Figure 2A, they do not necessarily have to be joined together along the sides 1A, 2B, IB, 3A, 2A , and 3B, but preferably they are joined together when mounted in their ready position for display. It is also not necessary that the attached sides be of the same length, but that it is simply preferable. In Figure 2B a perspective view of the three panels is shown when they are assembled. Panel 1 is attached to panels 2 and 3 along edges 1A and IB, respectively. The panel 1 is substantially at right angles to the panel 2 in this particular case, along the entire length of the side 1A of the panel 1. In a similar manner, the panel 1 is substantially at right angles to the panel 3 throughout of substantially the entire length of the panel IB, and the panel 2 is substantially at right angles to the panel 3 along the entire length of the side 2A. The view shown in Figure 2B is a perspective view looking inward of the recess formed by the three panels, when placed at an angle with respect to each other. The recess leads, in this particular embodiment where the panels have corners, to an apex 5 which, again in this preferred embodiment, forms the deepest point of the recess. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that different numbers of panels can be provided, and that the panels do not need to be four sides. Also, the angle of a panel with respect to a neighboring panel need not be 90 °. The display surface will produce the desired effect, regardless of whether the panels are exactly 90 ° with respect to each other. ' The meaning of whether the panel is greater than, 'or less than 90 °, will be explained later. The surfaces of the panels facing the recess form an exhibition surface to display images. The actual number of sides for each panel is determined not only by the desired shape for the display surface, but also by the shape of the object, whose image is to be displayed on the display surface. The simplest image to be displayed is that of a box with rectangular sides. The panels shown are particularly suitable for displaying the image of a box, helping the actual shape of the four-sided panels to the impression that the display surface protrudes instead of recedes. The sides of the t panels denoted by the suffixes C and D are remote from the apex 5, and constitute the edges of the recess formed by the t panels when joined together in the configuration shown in Figure 2B. Referring to Figure 2B, the display surface provided by the inwardly facing surfaces of panels 1, .2, and 3, gives the impression that the apex 5 protrudes instead of recedes. 'This effect is improved by the shape of the panels, as will be described with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. In Figures 3A and 3B, a second embodiment of the invention is shown prior to assembly. The second embodiment also has t four-sided panels 6, 7, and 8. Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the principles for configuring the panels in order to provide a particularly suitable display surface for displaying a four-sided rectangular box on the display surface, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Suffixes A, B, C, and D denote the corresponding sides of panels 6, 7, and 8 to those illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B in relation to panels 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Also, in this particular embodiment, the panel edges 6A and 6B (or 7A and 7B, or 8A and 8B) are substantially at right angles to one another when assembled. The corners of the panels, opposite those corners that form the apex, form obtuse angles. This means that the sides adjacent to these corners, that is, 6C, 6D, 7C, 7D, and 8C and 8D are angled with respect to opposite sides 6A and 6B, 7A and 7B, and 8A and 8B, respectively. In Figure 3B, it can be seen that the sides 6D and 7C are angled with respect to the opposite sides 6B and 7A, to the same degree, although in opposite directions. Accordingly, the sides 6B and 6D lead to a remote apparent point 11 of the structure, while the sides 7A and 7C lead to an apparent point 12, also remote from the structure, and the distance between the point 11 and the apex 5. , and point 12 and apex 5, is the same. In contrast, the side 7D is angled with respect to the side 7B, leading the two sides towards a point 9 at some distance therefrom. However, the side 8C is at a relatively greater angle with respect to the side 8A, and leads to an apparent point 10 that is closer to the apex 5 than the point 9. It can also be seen that the side 6C opposite the side 6A is angled to a sufficient degree that, if it extends, find side 6A at the same point where side 7D would find side 7B, ie, point 9. The same principle is applied to side 8D that is angled with respect to side 8B, such that, if extended, it would lead to point 12, in other words, to the same point where side 7C would find side 7A if it were extended. Therefore, the outermost sides 6C, 6D, 7C, 7D, 8C, and 8D have been offset to give the impression of driving to a point in the distance according to the well-known principles of perspective drawings. Although it is preferred that all the panels be offset in this manner, in order to improve the effect of the invention, and moreover, the corresponding sides are preferably offset to the same degree, this is not necessary. Actually, perspective principles can be applied to selective sides of selected panels. In Figure 4, a substantially flat panel 13, 13 'is modified by the provision of a triangular hole 14, 14' for mounting the three-dimensional structure illustrated in Figure 2B. The precise shape of the hole will be determined by the shape of the three-dimensional structure itself. In the case of a three-panel structure, each of the panels having four sides, as shown in Figure 2B, the hole is triangular. The degree to which the three-dimensional structure passes through the hole will depend on the size of the hole. For example, if the hole has the shape 16, as shown by the dotted line of Figure 2B, the three-dimensional structure will pass through the panel 13, and will be angled with respect to the panel 13 in a particular manner. If the hole has the shape 17, then the three-dimensional structure will not pass so far through the panel 13, and will be mounted at a different angle with respect to the panel 13. The three-dimensional structure of the invention could also be mounted independently without a structure of flat support, or it could be mounted on the front of a conventional flat support panel without a properly configured hole, for example, by means of support posts. In Figure 5 a side view of the structure of Figures 1, 2A, and 2B is shown, passing partially through a panel 13. In Figure 6, a three-dimensional structure is shown in the process of mounting on a billboard. through a hole 1. In Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C, the effect of providing a display surface on the inward facing surfaces of a recess is illustrated. Here, three views of a three-dimensional structure similar to that seen in Figure 6 are shown, but taken from three different angles, as if a viewer were walking from left to right in front of the three-dimensional structure. In Figure 7A, a viewer is directly opposite the mounting panel 13. The viewer walking from left to right, just past the left most edge of the left panel 6, and consequently, the internal surfaces of panels 6, 7, and 8 have just been in their full view. The apex 5, panels 6, 7, and 8, and the images displayed on panels 6, 7, and 8, appear to protrude rather than recede into the recess. In Figure 7B, the viewer has moved a little more to the right with respect to the mounting panel 13, and is now viewing the panel 13 from an angle beyond that directly opposite. However, the display surface, formed by the panels that reads 6, 7, and 8, appears to the viewer as if it had moved slightly to the left with respect to the panels. This produces a surprising visual effect. In Figure 7C, the viewer has traveled even further to the right with respect to panel 13 and panels 6, 7, and 8. It is now at a very sharp angle with respect to mounting panel 13. However, the viewer is it seems to have traveled even further to the left of the apparently protruding panels 6, 7, and 8, in such a way that it seems to him that it is now almost directly opposite panel 6, while in fact, it is still further away from panel 6. To assist in the printing of an outstanding display, the displayed images may be offset according to the principles of perspective, as shown in Figure 8. The apparent angular velocity of the display surface is in the opposite direction to the velocity Real angular viewer. The exhibition recess really seems to move as if the viewer were walking in the reverse direction. However, the display recess apparently moves at a higher or lower speed, depending on the angle of the panels with respect to each other. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, when a viewer moves on a line in a particular direction, whether the angular relationship of the panels with respect to each other in a plane passing through "that line and the apex is less than 90 °, then the apparent angular velocity of the display surface carrying the image in that direction is greater than the actual angular velocity of the viewer.This situation produces the most striking visual effect, although of course, the angular range of vision is more limited.In a similar way, if the angle of the panels relative to each other in a plane through the line of the direction of travel and the apex is greater than 90 °, then the apparent angular velocity of the display surface is less than the actual angular velocity of the viewer, therefore, when a viewer moves with respect to the display recess, it will also appear that the recess is moving but not in the expected direction. The effect is improved if the images on the flat surfaces are out of phase as illustrated in the images of Figure 1, and again in Figure 8. A further improvement of the visual effect produced by the three-dimensional structure is achieved by mounting the system on a flat support surface, such as the substantially flat mounting panel 13, which itself can have images. The principles of the invention can be applied to any three-dimensional structure that provides a recess, the inner surface of the recess providing a display surface. It is not always necessary for the inner surfaces of the recess to lead to a real physical apex, which, for the three panels of four sides illustrated, is an apex in the form of a pyramid, but rather, that the internal surfaces apparently lead to an apex. However, the provision of a real apex is preferred, since this not only simplifies the construction of the three-dimensional structure formed by the panels, but also improves the impression that the recess protrudes instead of recedes. The entrance to the recess should not be so narrow that the spectator can not see into it. It is for this reason that the angular relationship between the panels when they are on the site, it is around or just less than 90 °, say anywhere between 75 ° and 90 °, and preferably between 85 ° and 90 °. The panels can be separate entities, or can be formed from a single sheet of material, for example, by bending or creasing. Preferred materials for the panels include wood, -paper, metals, and plastic. Preferably, the display surface is adapted to support panels carrying images in the same way. Panels that carry separate images can be adhered or otherwise mounted onto the panels of the display surface. This configuration has the advantage that the image can be removed and replaced by a new one, which increases the flexibility and utility of the invention. An additional advantage of forming the image on a separate sheet of material is that it can be less expensive. Accordingly, the invention provides a very simple apparatus for forming a three-dimensional structure which, when carrying an image, gives an impression of a three-dimensional object, while it is made of two-dimensional pieces. The simplicity of the apparatus minimizes manufacturing costs, while the surprising and realistic images that can be presented on the display surfaces of this apparatus provide a distinct advantage over conventional two-dimensional display boards or posters.

Claims (28)

1. A billboard for displaying an image, which comprises: a three-dimensional structure having at least one panel, is formed to provide a recess leading to an apex; an exhibition area formed on a surface that faces inward from the recess; whereby the surface facing inward of the recess seems to protrude rather than recedes, providing a seemingly protruding display area for an image.

2. A method for displaying an image on a billboard, which comprises: providing a billboard for displaying an image according to claim 1; provide an image on the exhibition surface, on the surface that faces inward of the recess.

3. A billboard according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one panel forms an apex.

4. A billboard according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein more than one panel is provided, and at least one panel is substantially planar.

5. A billboard according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one panel is four sides.

6. A billboard according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the three-dimensional structure has three or more panels configured to form the recess leading to the apex.

7. A billboard according to claim 6, wherein the three or more panels are substantially flatter.

A billboard according to claim 6 6 1, wherein each panel has at least a first corner, and the first corners of the panels meet to form the apex.

9. A billboard according to the claim 8, wherein at least one of the corners of a panel forming the apex is substantially at right angles.

10. A billboard in accordance with the claim 9, wherein all the corners of the panels forming the apex are substantially at right angles.

11. A billboard according to any of claims 8, 9, or 10, wherein the panels are four sides.

12. A billboard according to claim 11, wherein a second corner of at least one of the panels opposite the first corner of that panel forming the apex is obtuse.

13. A billboard according to any of claims 6 to 12, wherein the panels are joined together along the neighboring edges to form the recess.

14. A billboard according to any of claims 6 to 13, wherein the neighboring edges of the adjacent panels are of a substantially equal length.

15. A billboard according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein: three panels of four sides are provided, the first corners of the panels forming the apex; each of the first two edges of each panel, which are each side of each first corner, joins with a first edge of a neighboring panel to form the recess; and also wherein the second edges of the panels opposite the first edges are configured in such a way that, if the three-dimensional structure were opened along one of the pair of first edges of the panels, at least one of the second edges it was angularized with respect to the first corresponding edge opposite it, to lead towards an apparent meeting point of the edges at some distance from the three-dimensional structure.

16. A billboard according to claim 15, wherein: the first corner of at least one panel is at a substantially right angle.

17. A billboard according to claim 16, wherein: all the first corners are at a substantially right angle.

18. A billboard according to claim 14, 15, 16, or 17, wherein an image displayed on the surface facing inward of the recess, contracts as a function of the distance of the image from the apex, to appear more distant towards the second banks.

19. A method according to claim 2, where an image displayed on the surface facing inward of the recess, Contracts as a function of the distance of the image from the apex, to appear more distant towards the second edges.

20. A billboard according to any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the solid-apex angle is substantially equal to, or less than, 90 ° in any plane passing through the recess and the apex.

21. A billboard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the three-dimensional structure is mounted on a substantially planar support structure.

22. A billboard according to claim 21, wherein the three-dimensional support structure is mounted on a flat support panel by means of support posts. .

23. A method according to claim 2 or 19, which comprises mounting the three-dimensional structure in a substantially planar support structure.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the three dimensional support structure is mounted on a flat support panel by means of support posts.

25. A billboard according to claim 21 or 22, or a method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the three-dimensional structure is mounted at least partially in an orifice formed in the substantially planar support structure, whereby , the three-dimensional structure passes at least partially through the holes.

26. A billboard according to claim 21, 22, or 25, wherein the three-dimensional structure comprises three panels configured to form the recess, the panels forming a pyramid-shaped structure, and providing a triangular orifice to accommodate shaped structure. of pyramid in the substantially flat support structure.

27. A billboard for displaying an image substantially as described herein with reference to, and / or as illustrated in, the accompanying Figures.

28. A method for displaying an image substantially described herein with reference to, and / or as illustrated in, the accompanying Figures.