US1828177A

US1828177A - Electric display device

Info

Publication number: US1828177A
Application number: US406231A
Authority: US
Inventors: Merritt E Curtiss
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1929-11-11
Filing date: 1929-11-11
Publication date: 1931-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 1948-10-20

Description

Oct. 20, 1931. M. E. CURTISS 1,828,177

ELECTRIC DISPLAY DEVICE Filed NOV. 11, 1929 v 11. Pm ZZZ. uuuuuxn j a 5 I i q A 4:69 i 2 i E 10 A B c 10 z B 1 l I h no volt A.C. Line INVENTOR Patented Oct. 20, 1931 UNITED STATES MERRITT E. GURTISS, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC DISPLAY DEVICE Application filed November 11, 1929. Serial 110,406,231.

The present invention relates to an electric display box.

The object of the invention is to provide a display box, and a poster associated therewith, so constructed and arranged that the effect of movement is imparted to a feature or features of a human or animal face shown on the poster.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and inexpensive means for securing such effect of motion.

In the accompanying drawings Figure I is an isometric view showing a display box made in accordance with the present invention; Figure II is a vertical sectional View through the display box, looking toward the poster from the rear, and showing the positioning of light sources therein; Figure III e is a cross sectional view through the light box; and F igure IV is a cross sectional detail of a translucent figure or window which is to be illuminated, taken on line IVIV, Figure I.

In the drawings reference numeral 1 designates the light box as a whole, and reference numeral 2 the poster forming the front of the light box. In the specific arrangement illustrated in Figure I of the drawings, the poster 2 carries the representation 3 of a human face, both of the eyes 4 of which are arranged, and are illuminated in such manner, as to impart the effect of motion thereto.

As shown in Figures I and IV of the drawings, each of the eyes comprises an opaque iris 5, which may be the original material of the poster remaining after cutting out the sclera 6 on one or both sides of the iris. The pupil 7 may be cut away, or may be allowed to remain opaque, as desired. Against the rearward face of the poster 2 and covering the window produced by cutting away the sclera 6 is a layer 8 of mica or other suitable glistening translucent material. Upon this material is laid a sheet 9 of less translucent material such as paper. This layer 9 may be delicately colored to give the appropriate color effect I to the sclera 6 of the eye.

WVithin the box 1, and disposed rearwardly ofthe poster 2, are a plurality of intermittent light sources, such as electriclam ps A. B, and 0 set in interrupter sockets 10, and receiving currentfrom a circuit 11.

reference to Figures II and III of the drawings, it will be seen that the light sources are disposed angularly with reference to each of the translucent windows represented by portions of the eyes 4:. Thus the light source A is disposed below andslightly to one side of the eyes 4:, the light source B is disposed below and to the other side of the eyes 4, and the light source C is disposed further below the eyes 4. Both the eyes as shown, will be illuminated equally by the light source B and unequally by the light sources A and C.

If light impinges upon the eyes 4 from all three sources simultaneously, and the light sources be all simultaneously intermittent, a winking eflect is produced. If, however, the

interrupter sockets 10 be so selected as toprovide illumination successively, an effect of rolling the eyes will be produced. Thus if the sequential illumination is from source A, then source B, and then source C, one or two sources only providing illumination at any instant the effect will be the rolling of the eyes in one direction. If the sequence be re versed the efiect will be the rolling ofthe eyes in the other direction. I It will be readily understood that the angular position of the light sources contributes to this effect of movement.

If the eye of an animal, rather than a human eye, is to be apparently energized, the cut away portion may be of the iris rather than the sclera of the eye. Thus either the pupil or the entire iris of the eye in a pic ture of a member of the cat family may be cutout and intermittently illuminated in the same manner. mouth of a human being or animal isto be If another feature such as the apparently energized, the retention of an opaque portion such as the lips in conjunction with translucent teeth will, because of the intermittent illumination, give the effect of opening and closing the mouth. Desirable comedy effects may be obtained in the same manner by means of the association of intermittent light sources with a human or animal nose, part of which is rendered translucent.

In any case the angular positioning of the light is im ortant, in that it contributes to the efiqlet '0 movement, and renders such aparent movement more natural;

What I claim is:

1. In a display device the combination of a poster comprising the representation of a face having a portion of a feature thereof of opaque material and a portion thereof represented by translucent material, with a plurality of intermittent sources of light disposed rearwardly of said poster and at an angle to the feature com rising the translucent material, whereby t e intermittent il- 25 lamination provided by the several light sources imparts the effect of movement to the feature.

, In a display device the combination of a generally opaque poster comprising the representation of an eye having at least a portiqn of the eye ball represented by translucent material, with an intermittent light source disposed rearwardly of said poster and lying wholly behind the opaque body of the poster out of alignment with the representation of the eye.

'3, In a display device the combination of a;generally opaque poster comprising the representation of a face having therein a it feature with at least a portion thereof repr ted by translucent material, with an interinittent light source disposed rearwardly of-said poster and spaced a substantial distancefrom any line extending through the & translucent portion perpendicular to the plane of the poster.

4. In a display device the combination of :1V generally opaque poster comprising the representation of a face having at least a portion of one feature thereof represented by translucent material, with an intermittent source of light disposed rearwardly of said poster and lying wholly behind the opaque body of the poster out of alignment with the feature comprising the translucent material. 5. In a display device the combination of a,poster comprising the representation of a face having at least a portion of the feature w thereof represented by translucent material withaplurality of intermittent sources of light disposed rearwardly of said poster and at i, angle to the feature comprising the translucent material, the various light sources ibe ng arranged to provide illumination at A ldifl'grent intervals.

my hand.

MERRITT E. CURTISS.