US3726032A

US3726032A - Display device

Info

Publication number: US3726032A
Application number: US00121486A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Atkins
Original assignee: Connecticut Bank and Trust Co
Current assignee: Connecticut Bank and Trust Co
Priority date: 1971-03-05
Filing date: 1971-03-05
Publication date: 1973-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-10

Abstract

An active display device which varies between recognizable geometric shapes and presents continuously moving, unrecognizable shapes intermediate of the two recognizable shapes. The device may also carry indicia which is alternately covered by the recognizable shapes, and/or is alternately electrically actuated by the moving portions of the display and indicia may be carried directly on the moving portions.

Description

- United States Patent [191 Atkins I [54] DISPLAY DEVICE [75] Inventor: Henry M. Atkins, Newington, Conn.

[73]. Assignee: The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, Hartford, Conn.

221 Filed: Mar. 5, 1971 211 Appl.No.: 121,486

52 Us. Cl. ..40/33, 35/34, 273/155 51 Int. Cl ..G09f 11/00 [58] Field of Search ..40/33, 36, 35, 61, 40/62, 67, 65, 139, 53 A, 52 A, 53 B 56] References Cited UNITED'STATES'PATENTS 3,394,674 7/1968 Downing ..40/35 X 3,562,936 2/1971 Schoenung ....40/6l R 1,822,798 9/1931 Carroll ..40/6l R [451 Apr. 10, 1973 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Gardner, Martin; Scientific American, June, 1958 Vol. 198,N0. 6, Pages 108, 110, 112.

Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Vance Y. Hum Att0rney-Fishman & Van Kirk [57] ABSTRACT An active display device which varies between recognizable geometric shapes and presents continuously moving, unrecognizable shapes intermediate of the two recognizable shapes. The device may also carry indicia which is alternately covered by the recognizable shapes, and/or is alternately electrically actuated by the moving portions of the display and indicia may be carried directly on the moving portions. 1

7 Clains, 5 Drawing Figures P N /5.2101273 V 5, 3

" SHEEIlUF2 FIG. 2

INVENTORS HENRY ATKINS B IZMW ATTORNEYS DISPLAY DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION or moving display devices. Accordingly, the general obl jects of the present invention are to provide novel and improved methods and apparatus of such character.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are, of course, presently available numerous display devices of both the static and active variety. In preparing an animated or moving display, care must be taken to maintain the prominence of the message to be conveyed. In many cases, particularly when animated figures are employed, the message will be eclipsed by the animation and the display as a whole loses its value as an advertising medium. A second important design criteria in the production of a display device is the provision of an intermediate stage or stages of animation during which no recognizable message or design is presented to a viewer by the moving portion of the display. In the prior art it has been common to achieve this intermediate animation stage by removing members from view in a jack-in-the-box fashion. However, in the interest of holding attention, it is preferable that the viewer be provided with a display which is in continuous motion and varies between the unrecognizable state and the message transmitting state or states.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a novel technique and apparatus for achieving the above, briefly discussed display design criteria. In obtaining these objectives the present invention provides a display device which moves in substantially continuous fashion from a first recognizable geometric figure through an intermediate and unrecognizable state to a second recognizable geometric figure and thence returns to the first geometric figure via another unrecognizable state. Either one or both of the recognizable geometric shapes will, in addition, define some form of indicia and this indicia will vary so that a first presentation will be given by the first figure and a second presentation will be given by the second figure. The invention may also be provided with either or both static and electrically actuated means for producing subsidiary displays when the moving portion is in either one or both of the recognizable geometric configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several figures and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the moving. portion of the display in a first recognizable geometric figure defining position;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the moving portion of the display in a second recognizable geometric figure defining position;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 depicting the motion producing mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a first intermediate condition, the condition of FIG. 4 being assumed in the course of proceeding from the FIG. 1 position to the FIG. 2 position; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4; the display having proceeded further towards the FIG. 2 position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED I EMBODIMENT In accordance with the present invention, the animated or moving portion of the display defines a pair of recognizable geometric shapes. The display also defines, in the course of moving between the two recognizable shapes, intermediate conditions wherein there is both movement and nothing recognizable presented to a viewer. In these intermediate stages, therefore, the viewers curiosity and thus attention is attracted to the display. In accordance with the dis closed embodiment, the two recognizable shapes are a triangle, as shown in FIG. 1, and a square as shown in FIG. 2.

The cutting of an equilateral triangle into four pieces and thereafter reassembling these pieces to define a square is in accordance with a mathematical puzzle attributed to Henry E. Dudeney. Dudeney referred to this puzzle as the haberdashers problem. Considering the drawing of the present invention, the four elements of the puzzle are indicated at 10, 12, 14 and 16. By hinging the four elements together at three vertices by means of

hinges

18, 20 and 22, the pieces form a chain that can be closed in one direction to define the triangle and in the opposite direction to define the square.

In accordance with the present invention it has been determined that Dudeneys haberdashers problem can be employed as a display device if certain criteria are met. In order to function as a display it is, of course, necessary that the puzzle be operated in such a manner that the plane defined by its front or viewed surface is oriented vertically or with only a slight deviation from the vertical so as to facilitate viewing. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the puzzle moves against or immediately in front of a panel 30. Panel 30 has, extending from the front surface thereof, supporting shelf means indicated generally at 32. The shelf means 32, as will be described further below, may take several forms depending upon the manner in which motion is transmitted to the puzzle. In the disclosed embodiment, shelf means 32 is defined by

platform members

34 and 36 which are separated by a gap or cut-out indicated generally at 38. Also for reasons to be discussed below, cut-out 38 is preferably provided with a stepped portion 40 as shown. It is considered desirable, but not essential, that a shock absorbing member be provided in the vicinity of step 40. In the disclosed embodiment, the shock absorbing member comprises an upwardly extending finger 42 of resilient material.

It is to be noted that in actual practice the platform means 32 and the cut-out 38 will be covered so as not to be visible to one viewing the display. The covering means will typically be colored so as to blend in with panel 30. Panel 30 may also be provided with suitable means so that additional or supplemental messages may be provided on the display. For example,- panel 30 may include a pair of windows 44 and 46 which, in the disclosed embodiment, have translucent portions which define a written message. Switch means, which will be discussed below in the course of the description of FIG. 3, are provided for energizing light sources positioned behind

windows

44 and 46. In addition, if desired, further written messages may be provided on panel 30 so as to be alternately exposed; a first message being covered by the puzzle when in the triangular position and a second message being covered by the puzzle when in the square position. In either or both cases, the written message on the panel will change as the geometric shape changes.

The puzzle itself may also, as may be seen from a joint consideration of FIGS. 1 and 2, carry indicia. In the example shown, the indicia carried by the puzzle is in a scrambled state with the display in the FIG. 1 position and the indicia is in an intelligible state with the puzzle in the FIG. 2 position. Numerous alternatives are, of course, possible. Thus, for example, a pair of separate messages or designs may be provided on the puzzle whereby the region at the center of the puzzle will define a first design or message when in the FIG. 1 position and a second design or message when in the FIG. 2 position.

In addition to the vertical or near vertical orientation, the manner of driving the puzzle has been found to be critical. That is, operation of the display is possible only with the drive shaft 48 attached to the smaller of the two elements which forms the base of the triangle as shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment disclosed, the drive shaft must be connected to element 12. Operation may, however, also be achieved with the drive shaft connected to element 14 provided that the puzzle, as viewed in FIG. 1, is turned such that element 14 forms the smaller of the two elements defining the triangle base. If the drive is connected to element 14 it is necessary that hinge 18 be relocated so as to connect elements and 12 where they abut one another along the right leg of the triangle as viewed in FIG. 1.

The point of attachment of shaft 48 to the appropriate puzzle element determines the relative vertical levels of

platforms

34 and 36 and also whether the square" and triangle will appear to an observer to be tilted. From an asthetic viewpoint, the preferable arrangement is to align

platforms

34 and 36 at the same level. Considering the embodiment of FIG. 1, the foregoing may be accomplished only by connecting drive shaft 48 to puzzle element 12 along a line indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1. The location of the broken line is determined by the points of intersection of lines H, and H, of equal length and perpendicular to the respective adjacent sides of the puzzle element.

Considering FIG. 3, animation of the puzzle is achieved by means of an oscillating device which includes an electrical drive motor 50. The output shaft 52 of motor is provided with an eccentric drive including circular cam 54 and arm 56; arm 56 being coupled to cam 54 at a first end via a pivotable connection 58. The other end of arm 56 is pivotably connected at 60 to a ratchet mechanism 62. The teeth on ratchet mechanism 62 engage teeth on a gear 64 which is keyed to drive shaft 48. Accordingly, as motor 50 rotates, reciprocating motion will be transmitted to ratchet 62 and drive shaft 48 will be rotated alternately clockwise and counterclockwise.

The ratchet 62 is provided with a projection 66 which, at the opposite limits of motion of the ratchet, will contact and cause closing of switches 68 and 70. The closing of switches 68 and 70 will alternately energize

light sources

74 and 72 positioned behind

windows

46 and 44. In the interest of clarity, the electrical connections between switches 68 and 70 and the

lamps

72 and 74 have been omitted from FIG. 3. It is to be noted that, in the interest of emphasis, one of the lamps may be permanently energized and, in the disclosed embodiment, the GIVE lamp 72 is shown as being in this condition.

Considering now operation of the display, and starting from the FIG. 1 state, transmission of clockwise rotational motion to drive shaft 48 will cause the puzzle to turn to the intermediate position shown in FIG. 4. In

accordance with the invention it has been found thatsuccessful operation may be obtained only by providing the cut-out 38 which affords clearance for partial movement of

elements

12 and 16 below the plane defined by the shelf means 32. In addition, proper operation depends upon the throwing of

elements

10 and 14 outwardly so as to define the intermediate chain configuration of FIG. 5. In order to achieve this throwing it has been found necessary to provide for transmission of energy to

elements

10 and 14 via element 16. The foregoing is accomplished by insuring that element 16 will free fall a short distance in proceeding from the position depicted in FIG. 4 to that shown in FIG. 5. However, in the interest of drive system integrity, the step 40 and shock absorbing member 42 are provided to limit the amount of free fall and thus to limit the shock transmitted via element 12 to the drive mechanism. It will be observed that it is necessary only to transmit sufficient energy to

elements

10 and 14 to cause these elements to fall off element 16 since the throwing action is gravity assisted. It is to be noted that successful operation can be achieved, at the expense of long term reliability, merely by employing a pair of separated

support platforms

34 and 36. In proceeding from the FIG. 2 condition back to the FIG. 1 condition the element 16 will initially ride on platform 34 and

elements

10 and 14 will be thrown to the chain intermediate configuration by the partial rotation of element 16 which is produced by the movement of element 12.

While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, for example, vertical rather than horizontal relative positioning of the two recognizable geometric shapes may be obtained through the use of electromagnets positioned behind panel 30 and a magnetic material insert in one of the puzzle elements; energizing and de-energizing of the magnets in the proper sequence permitting free fall of the entire chain between the position of FIG. 1 and that of FIG. 2 and vice-versa. Alternatively, vertical positioning may be achieved through the use of a retractable pin or pins. Also, as noted previously,

platforms

34 and 36 may be on different levels and the shock absorbing device 42 may take a variety of forms. Similarly, the hinges between the puzzle elements may be mechanical devices or, as is usually preferred, the hinges may be comprised of a suitable flexible material. Accordingly, it may be seen that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

What is claimed is:

l. A display device comprising:

an indicia member having states commensurate with at least two recognizable shapes, said member being comprised of four elements interconnected by hinge means, said recognizable shapes being a square and a triangle;

means for transmitting motion to one of said elements of said member whereby said member may be caused to alternately assume said shapes, said motion transmitting means including a drive shaft connected to the smaller of the two elements which define the base of the triangle with the display in the triangle state;

means for producing and coupling oscillatory motion to said drive shaft whereby said shaft alternately rotates in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions; and

a pair of spaced platform means for at least partly supporting said indicia member in the triangular and square states.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pair of planar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises:

an indicia display affixed to a first of said planar surfaces, said display changing as the state of said member is varied.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said planar surfaces; and

indicia applied to said backing member in the vicinity of said indicia member, a first portion of said indicia applied to said backing member being exposed with said member in the triangular state and a second portion of said indicia being exposed with said member being in the square state.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said indicia member planar surfaces;

supplemental message transmitting means mounted on said backing member; and

means operatively connected to said oscillatory motion producing means for periodically energizing said supplemental message transmitting means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pair of planar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises:

a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said planar surfaces; and

indicia applied to said backing member in the vicinity of said indicia member, a first portion of said indicia applied to said backing member being exposed with said member in the triangular state and a second portion of said indicia being exposed with said member in the square state.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pair of planar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises:

a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said indicia member planar surfaces; supplemental message transmitting means mounted on said backing member; and

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a third platform positioned between said pair of platforms, said indicia member falling off a first of said pair of platforms onto said third platform in the course of changing from a first to a second state whereby said indicia member elements are caused to assume a serial intermittent arrangement supported by said first platform.

I)! i l

Claims

1. A display device comprising: an indicia member having states commensurate with at least two recognizable shapes, said member being comprised of four elements interconnected by hinge means, said recognizable shapes being a square and a triangle; means for transmitting motion to one of said elements of said member whereby said member may be caused to alternately assume said shapes, said motion transmitting means including a drive shaft connected to the smaller of the two elements which define the base of the triangle with the display in the triangle state; means for producing and coupling oscillatory motion to said drive shaft whereby said shaft alternately rotates in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions; and a pair of spaced platform means for at least partly supporting said indicia member in the triangular and square states.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pair of planar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises: an indicia display affixed to a first of said planar surfaces, said display changing as the state of said member is varied.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said planar surfaces; and indiCia applied to said backing member in the vicinity of said indicia member, a first portion of said indicia applied to said backing member being exposed with said member in the triangular state and a second portion of said indicia being exposed with said member being in the square state.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said indicia member planar surfaces; supplemental message transmitting means mounted on said backing member; and means operatively connected to said oscillatory motion producing means for periodically energizing said supplemental message transmitting means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pair of planar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises: a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said planar surfaces; and indicia applied to said backing member in the vicinity of said indicia member, a first portion of said indicia applied to said backing member being exposed with said member in the triangular state and a second portion of said indicia being exposed with said member in the square state.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia member defines a pair of planar surfaces and wherein said device further comprises: a backing member positioned adjacent a first of said indicia member planar surfaces; supplemental message transmitting means mounted on said backing member; and means operatively connected to said oscillatory motion producing means for periodically energizing said supplemental message transmitting means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a third platform positioned between said pair of platforms, said indicia member falling off a first of said pair of platforms onto said third platform in the course of changing from a first to a second state whereby said indicia member elements are caused to assume a serial intermittent arrangement supported by said first platform.