US2116542A

US2116542A - Advertising device

Info

Publication number: US2116542A
Application number: US110198A
Authority: US
Inventors: James E Sayre
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-11-11
Filing date: 1936-11-11
Publication date: 1938-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 1955-05-10

Description

May 10, 1938. J SAYRE 2,116,542

ADVERTISI I, ABC.

May 10, 1938. J JESAYRE 2,116,542

ADVERTISING DEVICE 7 Filed Nov. 11, 1936 .2 Sheets$heot 2 I 'HMWWW i wamnwmaw.

' a MMW INVENTOR Patented May 10,1938 1 2,116,542

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADVERTISING DEVICE James E. Sayre, New York, 1v. Y.

1 Application November 11, 1936, Serial No. 110,198

14 Claims. (oi. o-1st) This invention relates to the art of advertising ing from top to bottom thereof with spaces 4 for devices for the purpose of attracting the attention the admission of light. At the rear of grid l and i of persons to a sign or the like bearing anadadjacent to it is placed another grid 2 similarly r vertisement. 1 formed with slats 5, spaces 6 being provided be- The embodiment of the invention consists of a tween the slats. The two grids are placed at a device composed of two or more non-parallel vertical angle to each other. The rear grid 2 grids, each grid being formed of relatively narmay be attached to the supports 1, 8 of the signrow slats with spaces therebetweenfor the adboard.

mission of light, such grids being so arranged This construction, when set up in such a way with respect to each other that light may be that light is passed from behind the device to an passed through them to the observer, as is more observer who is passing horizontally as along a fully describedhereinbelow. road in front of the device, gives the effect of Among theobjects of my invention is the conhorizontal parallel lines or streaks of light which struction of a" device to beused as part of an are in fact composed of rows of adjacent open advertising board, or other display structure, for spaces t and B. These rowsappear as lines or the purpose ofattracting attention to the board, streaks of light because of the vertical angle or other display element. It may be used as a at which the grids are placed, thus cutting standard for an advertising board, or may be oli the admission of light through the entire adapted to beused as an integral partoi the device, except where the spaces in one grid coboard, or other advertising medium; 1 incide, from the observers standpoint, with In the accompanying drawings, spaces in the adjacent grid. Thisappearance Fig. l is a front elevationof a signboard which is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. includes as an integral part thereof a device con- 7. As the observer passes the device horizonstructed in accordance with my invention; tally, such rows or streaks of light give the re- Fig.2is aside elevation of the signboard shown markable illusion of rising or falling, dependr in Fig. 1; i ing upon the direction in which the observer is Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same; moving with respect to the device, and upon Fig. lls a side elevation of two grids placed whether thegrids are placed with the vertical in juxtaposition in accordance with my invention angle converging at the top or at the bottom. In

showing convexly curving slats; i

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of such a device show- 1, 2 and 3, where the slats in each grid are vering concavely curving slats; tically disposed, the illusion of rising or falling Figifi is a side elevation of adevice constructed rows, streaks or waves of light, is obtained when in accordance with my invention showing three the observer is passing and is situated at any Fig. l is a front elevation of a deviceshowing front. At such position, of course, the spaces two parallel grids, the individual slats in one grid in the rear grid correspond exactly with the being disposed angularly with respect to the inspaces in the front grid and the rows of apertures dividualslats in the adjacent grid; caused by'the apparent crossing of the slats in the particular embodiment illustrated in Figs.

grids placed in juxtaposition; position in front of the device except directly in 4Q Fig.8 is a s'idesectional view of the device of the several grids are not seen. This may be Fig. l, the section being taken along the line 8-8 remedied by placing the slats of one or more of Fig.7; it shows also amechanism adapted to of the grids at an angle other than ninety demove one of the grids with respect to the other grees, to the horizontal top or bottom of the grid, grid; i as shown, for example, in Fig. '7, or by some of 4 Fig. 9 is a sectional view or" the device in Fig. 8 the other constructions described hereinafter.

along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; If used in a field adjacent to a highway on rela- Fig. 10 is a iront elevation of a device havtively high ground, so that light from the sky ing a grid formed in the shape of a cylinder, the may pass through the grids of the device to an front part being broken away to show mechanism observer seated in a passing automobile, the efiect adapted to rotatethecylinder about its axis; of rising or falling rows or streaks of light will Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a grid having be so striking that it cannot fail to attract the irregularly curved slats; and attention of suchpassing motorists. I

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of a board with a In order that the device may be effective at grid painted thereon, adapted to be used as a night, or in such a place that daylight will not rear grid. give the effect, artificial light may be placed on The simplest embodiment of my invention is the far side of the device from the observer so illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. This embodiment that the same effect as with daylight may be seis made part of a signboard S, such as is used for cured. This artificial light may come from a roadside advertising. In the upper part of the small source, or may be reflected light from a 50 board isplaced a grid l formedof slats 3 extendlarge plane or other surface, as IS in Fig. 8.

The length and width of the slats in the grids may, of course, be varied according to the efiect desired and the desirability of wide or narrow spaces, depending on the distance of the device from the observer, the lighting conditions obtaining and the type of row or streak of light desired.

The vertical angle at which the grids are placed may be varied for the purpose of determining the speed with which it is desired the streaks or rows of light should rise or fall which, in turn, depends upon the horizontal speed of movement of the observer. The vertical angle may be varied also, for the purpose of determining the width or apparent width of the rows or streaks of light, the less the vertical angle, other things being equal, the greater the apparent width of the row or streak .of light.

Another variation is in the regularity of the width of the slats and of the spaces. The effect of straight horizontal rows of light may be supplanted by irregular rows or waves of varying width and intensity, if the slats are made with curved or crooked edges, of varying width from top to bottom, or are placed different distances apart, the distances varying either from top to bottom, or from one part of the grid to another part of the grid. A grid composed of irregularly curved slats is shown in Fig. 11.

The grids may be placed at any angle with respect to each other, provided the individual slats in one are not parallel to the individual slats in the other grid. The slats of one grid may be placed in such a way that their edges, if straight, will be contained in a plane containing one or more slats in the other grid, or they may be placed in such a way that no slat, or edge thereof, in one grid is in a plane which contains a slat, or edge thereof, in the other grid. In the latter case, to wit, absence of parallelism between slats in different grids, the grids themselves need not be so placed that the principal plane of one is at an angle to the principal plane of the other in order to produce the effect of rising or falling rows, streaks, or waves of light.

The grids may be plane or they may be composed of surfaces curved regularly or irregularly, depending upon the lighting effect desired. Fig. 4 shows two grids'juxtaposed in accordance with my invention whose surfaces 9 and I0, respectively, are curved convexly. Fig. 5 shows a device composed of juxtaposed grids whose surfaces I! and I2 are curved concavely.

A third grid may be added to the device, as shown in Fig. 6. By the use of a third grid, as light from behind the device will reach the observers eyes only when openings in all three grids coincide, unusual lighting effects may be obtained, for instance intermittent and irregular flashing of the rows, streaks or waves of light.

The same effect is produced when the grids are placed in parallel relation to each other, as in Figs. '7, 8 and 9. In such case, it is necessary to the production of the effect above referred to, that the slats in one grid be not parallel to the slats in the other grid with which they are in operative relation. By placing the slats in one grid almost or quite parallel to the slats in the juxtaposed grid an eifect of intermittent flashes or interrupted flashes of the light showing between the slats is produced.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the front grid I3 is parallel to the rear grid I4, but the slats in the two grids are not parallel. The device is provided with an artificially lighted background i5 for use. at times or in places where artificial light is not available to provide the light background. The device shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 utilizes the grid device as part of a signboard, for the purpose of attracting attention thereto, that shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 as part of a store window sign. The proportions of the device may be varied according to Whether the board is to be used as a roadside sign or as a store window sign.

In Figs. '7, 8 and 9, the rear grid [4 is provided with wheels I6, I! and is attached to one end of a connecting rod l8, the other end of which is connected to a crank l9 operated through gear 20 and worm 2| by motor 22. The operation of the motor 22 thus gives to the rear grid a reciprocating movement, which gives the effect of rising or falling rows, streaks or waves of light without movement on the part of the observer. Such an arrangement is desirable when the device is used in a store window, before which observers are likely to stand motionless.

The same effect may be secured by rotary motion of the grids. In that event I prefer to use a form such as is illustrated in Fig. 10, the slats 23 formingand running from top to bottom of, a cylinder 24, the light, as in all other instances hereinabove referred to, being situated on the far side of the device from the observer. Obviously, a cone or frustum thereof or a cube or other geometrical form bearing grids may be substituted for the cylinder 24. In Fig. 10, cylinder 24 and gear wheel 25 are fixedly mounted on shaft 26. Source of power 21 operates worm 28 which actuates gear 25 and so rotates cylinder 24'.

The same striking effect of rising or falling rows, streaks or waves of light may be secured by the substitution for the rear grid of an i1lu minated surface painted or otherwise having applied thereto parallel strips or sections of alternating black and white or other contrasting colors, to correspond to the slats and spaces between them for the admission of light, such as shown in Fig. 12. The lighting eifect may be varied by the use of curved, tapered or irregularly formed slats in one or more of the grids or by similarly varying the outline of the painted strips .or sections of a painted rear section substituted for a grid. The lighting effect may be varied by the use of one or more gratings formed substantially of slats, but having relatively small cross pieces between the slats, operating to strengthen the structure. This form might be used were the grid to be manufactured by stamping it out of a piece of sheet metal.

It will thus be seen that there are numerous variations in the devices in which the objects and functions of this invention may be achieved and which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention and as various changes in addition to those set forth might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, are to be regarded as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A device composed of a plurality of grids disposed adjacent to each other and one behind another, each grid consisting of slats and having spaces between the slats, the slats of one grid being non-parallel to the slats of another grid, and a light background behind such plurality of grids, capable of creating in a passer-by an illusion of animation, placed in association with an advertising display so that the attention of a passer-by may be attracted by the device and directed to the advertising display.

2. A device composed of a plurality of grids disposed adjacent to each other and one behind another, each grid consisting of slats and having spaces between the slats, the slats of one grid being non-parallel to the slats of another grid, and a light background behind such plurality of grids capable of creating in a moving observer an illusion of motion of the light areas bounded by the slats of such grids.

3. A device composed of a plurality of adjacent grids consisting of slats and having spaces between the slats, the slats of one grid being nonparallel to the slats of another grid and the slats of neither of such grids being horizontal and a source of light adapted to be seen through the spaces in such grids so as to create in a passerby an illusion that the light areas bounded by the slats of such grids move, placed in association with an advertising display so that the attention of a passer-by may be attracted by the device and directed to the advertising display.

4. A device composed of two grids disposed adjacently and one behind the other, consisting of slats and having spaces between the slats, the slats of one grid being non-parallel to the slats of the other grid and the slats of neither grid being horizontal and a light background, capable of creating in a passer-by an illusion of animated light areas, in association with an advertising display so that the attention of a passer-by may be attracted to the device and directed to the advertising display.

5., A device composed of two non-parallel grids disposed adjacently and one behind the other each grid consisting of slats and having spaces between the slats, none of the slats being horizontal, and a light background so that an illusion of moving light areas is created in one passing the device, in association with an advertising display.

6. Two independent, adjacent, non-parallel grids disposed one behind the other consisting of slats and having spaces between the slats, none of the slats being horizontally placed and a light background, capable of creating an illusion of animation in a passer-by, in visual association with an advertising or other display.

7. A device composed of two adjacent, independent, non-parallel grids, one disposed behind the other, each grid composed of bars having substantially straight edges and having spaces between the bars, none of the bars being horizontally placed and a light background so as to create in a moving observer an illusion of animation, in visual association with an advertising display.

8. Two independent grids disposed one behind the other, each grid composed of bars and having spaces between the bars, the bars in one grid being non-paralle1 to the bars of the other grid, and none of the bars being in the same plane with the direction of motion of a passer-by and a light background so as to create in a passer-by an illusion of moving light areas, in visual association with an advertising display.

9. Two substantially flat, adjacent grids, disposed one behind the other, composed of slats and having spaces between the slats, the slats of one grid being non-parallel to the slats of the other grid, one grid being adapted to be moved substantially horizontally, and means for so moving such grid, and a light background so that an illusion of non-horizontal motion of light areas visible between the slats of the grids is induced in a stationary observer, in visual association with an advertising display.

10. A device composed of two grids disposed adjacently and one behind the other, each grid consisting of bars and having spaces between the bars, the bars of one grid being non-parallel to the bars of the other grid, one such grid being adapted to be independently moved, and means for moving such grid and a light background so that an illusion of moving light areas bounded by the slats of such grids is induced in a stationary observer, in visual association with an advertising or other display.

11. A device composed of two adjacent grids disposed one behind the other, consisting of slats and having spaces between the slats, the slats of one grid being non-parallel to the slats of the other grid and an illuminated background visible through the spaces in the grids, one grid being adapted to be moved independently, and means for so moving such grid, none of the slats of either grid being parallel to the direction of motion of the movable grid, so that an illusion is produced in an observer that light areas bounded by the slats vary and an advertising or other display in visual association therewith.

12. A device composed of two or more nonparallel, adjacent grids placed one behind the other, each grid consisting of slats and having spaces between the slats, one grid being adapted to be moved independently in a substantially horizontal direction, and means for so moving such grid, none of the slats in the movable grid and in one other grid being horizontally placed, so as to create an illusion in an observer of nonhorizontal motion of light areas bounded by the slats of such grids, in visual association with material to be displayed.

13. An advertising device capable of producing an illusion of animation whereby passers-by will be attracted to the advertising matter associated therewith comprising two grids, each composed of spaced slats substantially vertically disposed, one of said grids being disposed adjacent to and in back of the other grid and the spaced slats of each of said grids being substantially parallel to each other and in non-parallel relation with respect to the slats of the othergrid and a light background in back of said grids adapted to be seen through the spaces between the slats of said grids so that as the passer-by moves relative to said grids the light areas bounded by the slats of said grids will vary.

14. An advertising device capable of producing an illusion of animation whereby passers-by will be attracted to the advertising matter associated therewith comprising two grids, each composed of spaced slats substantially vertically disposed, one of said grids being disposed adjacent to and in back of, the other grid and the spaced slats of each of said grids being substantially parallel to each other and in non-parallel relation with respect to the slats of the other grid and a source of light adapted to project light beams from in back of said spaced grids forwardly through the spaced slats of such grids so that as such grids move relative to the observer the light areas bounded by the slats of such grids will vary.

JAMES E. SAYRE.