US3063180A - Display devices - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 13, 1962 E. M. DILLON 3,063,180

[DISPLAY DEVICES Filed Oct. 29, 1959 FIGS FIG-4 F|G.5 F|G.6

FIG. 8 W 38 INVENTOR,

EDWARD M. DILLON,

ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,063,180 DISPLAY DEVICES Edward M. Dillon, New York, N.Y., assignor of onesixth each to George Morgese, Huntington, Louis Perrone, Plainview, Peter Gabriel, Long Island City, Harry Littman, Mount Vernon, and James R. Kellogg, Richmond, N.Y.

Filed Oct. 29, 1959, Ser. No. 849,51 2 Claims. (Cl. 40-32) The present invention relates to display devices and more particularly to the type in which cards bearing indicia appear successively at a window in a panel; said cards being hingedly joined to form an endless belt which is driven by a rotatable member over which the belt rides; such driving member rotating continuously during operation of said device.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved display device of the character mentioned, in which there occurs an' automatic halt of each card successively as they assume full framed position at the window respectively, though the driving member continues in motion.

A further object thereof is to provide a novel and improved display device of the nature set forth, in which the halt or dwell is for an appreciable interval.

Another object thereof is to provide a novel and improved display device having the feature mentioned, which is of simple construction, easy and reasonably cheap to manufacture and eflicient in carrying out the purposes for which is is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosure proceeds.

For the practice of this invention, one form it may assume, is to have a motor-driven horizontal shaft carrying a vane. An endless belt made of identical rectangular panels in hinged relation across the belt, sits on said vane and depends downwardly therefrom; said vane being in contact of course with the inner surface of said belt. The outer surface of each panel has any desired indicia thereon. This belt, propelled by the vane, rides past and against a window in a stationary wall panel. The window, which may be a mere cut-out, is of a size which is within the confines of a belt panel. In one embodiment of this invention, the shaft is centrally of the vane and the width of the vane is that of a belt panel. Although the vane rotates continuously, there automatically occurs a dwell or rest in belt movement for a discernable interval when each belt panel is framed by the window respectively. In another embodiment taught herein, the vane extends only to one side of the shaft; the width of the vane in such instance being half the dimension of a belt panel along the belt. The belt, the vane and the stationary frame structure having the window, may all be of cardboard, or of other suitable materials. All dimensions mentioned, are along the inside surface of the belt.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a display device embodying the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof shown in perspective.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section taken at line 33 in FIG. 2; the vane being shown horizontal.

FIGS. 4-6 are sections similar to FIG. 3, with the front panel which has the window omitted.

FIG. 4 shows the vane in position after it has moved a bit from its position shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 employs a vane of modified construction.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of FIG. 5, after the vane has moved a bit from its position shown in FIG. 5.

3,063,180 Patented Nov. 13, 1962 "ice FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vane included in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a vane made of wire and as shown here, is adaptable for use in the embodiment illustrated in the FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are drawn to a scale somewhat smaller than that of the other figures.

In the drawing, the numeral 15 designates generally a display device having a front wall panel 16, whose window cut-out 17 is of a size to frame one of the equi-sized indicia-bearing, rectangular panels 18-23 which are hinged together to form an endless belt denoted generally as 24. This belt is around the vane 25, from which it hangs downwardly. This vane is of course against the inside surface of the belt and the indicia as 18', 19 22, are on the outer surface of the respective panels 18, 19, 22. The horizontal shaft 26 carrying the vane 25, is driven by an electric motor 27 which is powered by dry cells not shown. The belt panels are freely hinged along the lines indicated at 28-33. Any suitable means, as for instance the wire 34 fixed on the frame 35, serves to hold the belt panel which is at window position, fiat against the inner surface of the wall panel 16.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the vane width is equal to the distance between two successive hinge lines, along the belt; the shaft 26, being centrally of said vane 25. In the modified construction shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vane 25 is only to one side of the shaft 26, and is of a width equal to half the distance between successive hinge line on the belt 24.

In the FIGS. 3-6, the indicia 22' on the belt panel 22 is framed by the window 17, and the direction of rotation of the continuously rotating shaft 26 is counter-clockwise, though it may be operated'in either direction. The panel 22 is brought to such viewing position when the vane 25 has assumed horizontal position as shown in FIG. 3, or when the vane 25 has assumed horizontal position as shown in FIG. 5. For each revolution of the shaft 26, in either embodiment, a new belt panel is presented at the window 17, because the rotating vane propels the belt 24 by engagement therewith at a hinge line on said belt.

It is to be noted that due to the restriction and friction imposed on the belt 24 by the guide wire 34, there is an interval of movement of the vane 25 from its hori zontal position in FIG. 3 to its partial turn position as shown in FIG. 4, during which the belt is shifted by contact of the vane 25 with the belt at axis line 30, but panels 21 and 22 remain at rest while the hinge lines 31, 33 and 28 merely fold. This dwell condition continues a slight interval, but very soon, belt movement again commences. This dwell occurs every time a belt panel has come to proper position to be viewed through the window 17.

The wire 34 holds the panel at window position against the front frame panel 16, and such wire is positioned outside the locus of movement of the vane or being thin and the vane flexible, the vane would pass it while being driven by the motor 27.

To accomplish a much longer dwell period, the half vane 25 is used as included in the FIGS. 5 and 6. It is evident that the belt 24 will remain at rest a half turn of the shaft 26 during each revolution of the said shaft.

In each instance mentioned, the dwell period commences at the instant the belt has assumed a position where one of its panels is framed by the Window. Motor speed of course is relatively slow. Belt panels are relatively stiff. The belt may be made of one piece of cardboard which score line thereacross to serve as the hinge lines between panels. In such instance a miniature motor 27 may be used and the whole structure be rather cheap in cost. The face of the stationary wall panel 16 and the viewable panel surfaces may carry any desired advertising or decorative indicia.

The vanes 25, 25' may be of cardboard and it is to be noted that by making the vane flexible, the dwell period may be somewhat augmented because the vane in engaging the hinge line as 30, would bend a little thereafter, become flexed and then unbend. This would add to the time the vane begins its actual propulsion of the belt 24. To make the vane more flexible, it may be provided with openings as 35 and the vane may be made of two thin perforated sheets 36, 37 pasted together and mounting the shaft 26 between them as is shown in FIG. 7. Also, the vanes may be of open wire structure; one example being shown in FIG. 8 where the numeral 38 indicates welded joints of the assembly to indicate one manner of construction.

If desired, the belt 24 may be transparent or translucent and offered illumination by an electric bulb (not shown) placed between its flights.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It is therefore intended and desired that the embodiments shown herein be deemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall cover all patentable novelty herein set forth; reference being had to the following claims rather than to the specific description herein to indicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a display device of the character described, a frame including a Wall panel having a Window, a series of panels hingedly connected substantially end to end to form an endless belt; all belt panels being of equal length along said belt, a horizontal shaft journalled on the frame behind the wall panel, a vane carried on said shaft, extending only to oneside of the shaft, a distance substantially equal to half the distance between successive hinge connections; said belt being behind said wall panel, around said vane and suspended downwardly therefrom, supported by said vane, and said belt covering said window, means on said frame holding a belt panel against the window panel and means for continuously rotating said shaft.

2. A display device as defined in claim 1, wherein the vane has flexible quality.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 149,340 Roulstone Apr. 7, 1874 512,163 Dales Jan. 2, 1894 654,778 Boschen July 31, 1900 678,936 Bronori July 23, 1901 943,893 Rider Dec. 21, 1909 945,652 Weniger Jan. 4, 1910 966,083 Cochran Aug. 2, 1910 1,072,861 Koike Sept. 9, 1913 1,078,742 Mevis Nov. 18, 1913 1,330,991 Tas Feb. 17, 1920 1,816,716 Beddison July 28, 1931 2,066,662 Wheeler Jan. 5, 1937 2,679,705 Rainous June 1, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 710,677 Great Britain June 16, 1954

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