US3787991A

US3787991A - Automated animated display device

Info

Publication number: US3787991A
Application number: US00298349A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Siksai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-10-17
Filing date: 1972-10-17
Publication date: 1974-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-29

Abstract

A device for displaying and animating a plurality of transparencies in succession. A cabinet is provided with a polarizing light projection means located in its central section and an endless carrier for removing transparencies from a storage section to a viewing window and back to the storage section. A transfer section is provided so that the transparencies may be moved to and from display and storage without interfering with the light projection. Animation is provided by a rotary polarizer, a stationary polarized sheet and transparencies carrying embossed motion lines.

Description

R 57: v QC 1 nnu Dnfik/i XR 3117874991 was 7 7 Siksai 1 1 Jan. 29 1 9741 1 AUTOMATED ANIMATED DISPLAY 2,061,030 11/1936 Heath ..1 40/36 DEVICE 934,890 9/1909 Davidson 40/36 UX [76] Inventor: Anthony Siksai, 2705 Lahser Rd.,

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48013 [22] Filed: Oct. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 298,349

[52] US. Cl 40/106.52, 40/36, 40/7807 [51] Int. Cl 350 159, G09f 11/32 [58] Field of Search..... 40/36, 32, 78, 78.03, 78.07,

Primary Examiner Joseph S. Reich Assistant Examiner-John F. Pitrelli Attorney, Agent, or Firm [57] ABSTRACT A device for displaying and animating a plurality of transparencies in succession. A cabinet is provided with a polarizing light projection means located in its central section and an endless carrier for removing transparencies from a storage section to a viewing window and back to the storage section. A transfer section is provided so that the transparencies may be moved to and from display and storage without interfering with the light projection. Animation is provided by a rotary polarizer, a stationary polarized sheet and transparencies carrying embossed motion lines.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures TEDJM 29 1974 3Q787l991 sum 1 or 4 PATENTEDJAN 29 m4 SHEET 2 BF 4 FIG. 5.

PATENTEI] JAN 29 i974 SHEET u 0F 4 1Q AUTOMATED ANIMATED DISPLAY DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an automated display device for the successive display of transparencies carrying advertisements or the like, wherein the transparencies are animated by polarized light.

The prior art discloses a variety of automated display devices for the successive display of sheets bearing advertisements or other legend. Because such devices are commonly used in store-front windows, on showroom floors, etc., where space is of premium value, there has existed a need in the art to manufacture such devices in compact units. One approach to the manufacture of compact units of this type involves the use of a display cabinet having a storage area wherein a number of display sheets are suspended from an inclined ramp by means of supporting rods affixed to the upper edge of each display sheet (see for example, US. Pat. No. 1,038,149 issued Sept. 10, 1912 to Kelley, US. Pat. No. 1,251,555 issued Jan. 1, 19l8 to Meese, and U.S. Pat.- No. 2,135,207 issued Nov. l, 1938 to Bramer). While such devices provide an automated display in a compact cabinet, they are unsuitable for use in displaying animated transparencies which require projection of polarized light from a source within the display cabinet. Moreover, these devices may tend to jam or bind due to fractional drag at the pulleys and other defects in the design of the sheet transport means. The prior art devices also tend to be somewhat noisy which noise is created by the display sheets dropping onto the inclined ramp and/or by the nature of engagement of the sheet supporting rods by the transport means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a display. device suitable for use in displaying display sheets animated by polarizing light by providinga transfer section within the cabinet through which the transparencies may be routed in such a way as to avoid interference with the projection of the polarizing light. The device of the present invention avoids the problem of the binding and jamming of the display sheets by providing the cabinet with an anti-drag device and an improved transport means. The improved transport means, together with a spring damping device, also serves to minimize the operating noise.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an automated device is provided for the successive display of a plurality of transparencies wherein each transparency -is individually suspended from a supporting rod and wherein each transparency is moved by a transport means between a storage area and a viewing window where the transparency is illuminated or animated by a light source situated within the central portion of the cabinet. The cabinet is provided with a storage section, a central section including the viewing window, and a transfer section, with the sections being arranged one above the other with the central section between the storage and transfer sections. A light projection means is provided for projecting light from the central section of the cabinet out through the viewing window. An endless carrier is provided for engaging each end of each supporting rod for transporting the rods in a vertical plane past the viewing window and consecutively from said storage section into said central section to said transfer section arid back into the central section and return to the storage section. The rods move in a generally horizontal path through the storage and transfer sections in a manner that the transparencies suspended from the rods do not interfere with the light projection. The device also includes a driving means for driving the endless carrier and for holding each transparency stationary within the viewing window for a predetermined period of time.

The present invention also provides an improved transport means wherein the endless carrier is provided with at least one pair of front and rear hooks facing each other in a closely spaced relationship, and a camming mechanism which is engaged by-a tripping member provided on the endless carrier in such a way as to lift a display sheet by its supporting rod from an inclined ramp provided in the storage area and into the space between the hook pair where it is engaged by the trailing hook or rear hook and transported as previ ously indicated.

An anti-drag device is also included to prevent jamming by canting the transparency toward the center of the cabinet as its suspending rod passes over an upper pulley.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automated device suitable for the display and animation of sheets bearing advertisement or other legend.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automation means forthe successive display of a plurality of transparencies in a cabinet wherein the transparencies are illuminated by rear projection.

his a further object of the present invention to provide such an automated device wherein the display sheets are stored compactly in a stacked relationship and wherein removal and return to the storage area is effected with a minimum of noise.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro vide such a device that will minimize occurrences of jamming and binding.

Other objects and features of the novelty of the present invention will be specifically pointed out or will otherwise become apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, in cross-section, of the automated animated display device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed fragmentary view of the interior of the storage section showing the bottom portion of the transport mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a detailed fragmentary view of the transport hooks associated with the endless carrier of the transport mechanism;

FIG. 5 is 'a detailed fragmentary view showing the transport hooks of FIG. 4 in engagement with a dropout mechanism; v

FIG. 6 is a detailed fragmentary view of a portion of the storage area showing the camming mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a detailed fragmentary view of the anti-drag device;

FIG. 8 is a detailed-fragmentary view indicating the operation of the transport means within the transfer section; and

FIG. 9 is a detailed fragmentary view illustrating the operation of the anti-drag device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes of illustration, FIGS. 1-8 show an embodiment of the present invention that includes means for automated display of a plurality of transparencies in succession in combination with means for the animation of each transparency, as it is displayed. FIGS. 11 and 2 show a cabinet having a storage section, a central section, and a transfer section, generally designated by the

numerals

12, 14 and 16, respectively, arranged one above the other with the central section 14 between the storage section 12 and the transfer section 16. FIG. 1 shows a viewing window 18 located at the front side of the central section 14.

The cabinet encloses a plurality of display sheet as semblies, generally designated by the numeral 249. Each display sheet assembly includes a supporting rod 22 and a transparency 24suspended therefrom. Light is projected from a suitable source within the cabinet such as

lamps

26, 28, 30, and 32, onto the rear of the transparency 24 situated within viewing window 18.

Two

timing belts

34 and 36 form an endless carrier for the transport of the display sheet and rod assemblies. Each timing belt is arranged over a set of four pulleys. With reference to FIG. 2, the travel of timing belt 36 is clockwise around the drive pulley 38 and

pulleys

40, 42 and 44. In similar fashion, belt 34 is driven by a drive pulley 46, and additionally travels over ptilleys 48, 50 and 52.

Drive pulleys

38 and 46 are mounted on a drive shaft 54 which is driven by a chain or belt 55 which is, in turn, driven by a motor 47.

Each timing belt is provided with a number of hook pairs, generally designated by the numeral 56. Each hook pair, best illustrated in FIG. 4, with respect to the direction of the travel of the belt, includes a front or leading hook 58 and a rear or trailing hook so. These hook pairs 56 serve to catch and transport the display sheet and supporting rod assemblies 2h vertically through the central section and generally horizontally through the transfer section.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of the storage section having an inclined ramp 62 mounted therein for the support of the stored display sheet and support rod assemblies. The force of gravity tends to move these display assemblies down the ramp, with the lowermost assembly abutting a stop or tongue portion 64 of the inclined ramp 62. A cammin'g mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 66, is mounted adjacent to the lower extremity and tongue 64 of the inclined ramp 62. The carnming mechanism 66 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 68 and is provided with two arms, a tripping arm 70 and a lifting arm 72. The camming mechanism is shown in FIG. 3 in a disengaged position with the lifting arm 72 biased against a stop member 74 by means of the spring 76. Each leading hook 58 of the hook pairs 56 is provided with a roller extension 78 that engages the indent 71 of the tripping arm '78, which engagement serves to rotate the lifting arm 72 upward to lift the lowermost supporting rod into the space between the front and rear hooks. The rear or trailing hook 60 engages and retains the supporting rod of that assembly for transport in the manner previously described. As the roller member 78 leaves the indent 71 of the tripping arm 70, the cam spring 76 operates to bias the lifting arm 72 back to a disengaged position against the cam stop 74.

The lowermost supporting rod 22 has one end trapped in the indent of the trailing hook 60 on timing belt 36 and its opposite end or extremity trapped by the corresponding trailing hook (not shown) carried by belt 34. After the display sheet and rod and assembly is picked up in the manner described above, it travels around drive

pulleys

38 and 46 and is carried vertically upward. As the display sheet and rod assembly 20 approaches the viewing window 18, the supporting rod 22 trips a timer switch (not shown). The timer switch then operates to disconnect the drive motor 47, to activate a solenoid break 94 mounted on the motor 47, and to engage a timer 96. This operation causes the transparency 24 to be suspended within the viewing window 18 for a predetermined period of time. At the end of the predetermined time, the timer 96 operates to release break 94, whereupon the belts are again placed in motion until the timer switch 92 is again tripped by a supporting rod 22.

After leaving the viewing window 18, the display sheet and rod assembly 20 continues its upward vertical movement through the central section 14, to pulleys 40 and 48, located within the transfer section. A travel guard 39 prevents the supporting rod 22 from disengaging from rear hooks 60 during travel around drive pulleys 38 and 46. At

pulleys

40 and 48, the vertical movement of the display sheet and rod assembly is converted to movement in a generally horizontal direction. As the display sheet and rod assembly passes over pulleys 40 and 48, the change in direction coupled with the friction between the supporting rods and the transport hooks, produces a drag that tends to force the bottom portion of the transparency to swing backward or outwardly away from the center of the cabinet. This swinging effect could cause the bottom portion of an upper display sheet and rod assembly to jam between the cabinet wall 1 l and trailing sheet and rod assemblies. This effect is prevented by at least one anti-drag device, generally designated by the numeral 80 in FIG. 7. The antidrag device 80 is a lever member rotatably mounted on a shaft 82. The lower extremity of the lever member or drag eliminator arm 84 is'biased backwardly against the front cabinet wali 11 by means of a spring 86. As the lead hook 58 approaches pulley 40, the supporting rod 22 engages the upper arm portion 88 of lever member 84, causing it to rotate counterclockwise about shaft 82. The lower extremity of lever member 84 is provided with a rubber button 90. The counterclockwise rotational motion of the anti-drag device 80 carries the rubber button 90 into engagement with the transparency 24, causing it to cant inwardly, thereby counteracting the tendency to swing against the front cabinet wall 11.

The display sheet and rod assembly continues to follow a generally horizontal path until it passes over pulleys 42 and 50. As it passes over pulleys 42 and 50, the force of gravity causes it to fall from'the trailing hook 50 into the leading hook 58, as shown in FIG. 8. A travel guard 43 insures that the rod 22 enters hook 58.

From pulleys 42 and 50 the display sheet and rod assembly 20 follows a generally vertical path downwardly through the central section 14 of cabinet and into the storage section where the supporting rod 22 passes around pulleys 44 and 52. The supporting rod 22 is carried around pulley 44 until it hits a transport drop-out rod or a disengagement rod 98 mounted on the shaft of pulley 44. Engagement with rod 98 forces suspending rod 22 out of hook 58 from which it falls onto a dampening spring 100. The supporting rod 22 slides off the dampening spring 100 onto the surface of the inclined storage ramp 62. The purpose of the dampening spring 100 is to minimize noise.

The arrangement described above results in each transparency stopping at five points on the carrier belts between the time it leaves the storage ramp 62 and the time when it is returned thereto. The first stop is at a point just after it is picked up by the camming mechanism 66. The second stop is at the viewing window 18. The third is just before being kicked by the anti-drag device 80. The fourth stop is just after transfer from the trailing hooks to the lead hooks at pulleys 42 and 50 and the fifth is just before striking the disengagement rod 98.

In the preferred embodiment, means to animate the display transparencies 24 is provided. A preferred animation means is shown 'in FIGS. 1 and 2 as including a rotary polarizer 102, mounted between

lamps

26, 28, t

30 and 32 and the viewing window 118. The rotary polarizer is driven by a motor 104. Each transparency 24 includes a light-intercepting sheet that carries a pattern of embossed motion lines. Such light-intercepting sheets are described in US. Pat. No. 3,609,003 issued Sept. 28, 1971, to Anthony Siksai, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The preferred animation effect also requires a stationary polarized sheet. The stationary polarized sheet may either be located permanently within the viewing window 18 or, alternatively, a polarized sheet may be carried with each of the transparencies 24. This animation technique is more fully described in US. Pat. No. 3,437,401 issued Apr. 8, 1969 to Anthony Siksai, the teachings of which are also hereby incorporated by reference. Other conventional animation techniques may also be used in connection with the device of the present invention.

As will be appreciated from a consideration of the foregoing description, the device of the present invention represents a simple construction requiring only a few moving parts and is designed for periods of extended continuous operation with a minimum of maintenance.

Changes and modifications in the device described above will become apparent to those skilled in this art, and obvious and equivalent changes are tended to be included in the scope of this invention.

1 claim:

1. An automated device for the successive display of a plurality of transparencies, wherein each transparency is suspended from a supporting rod, said automated device comprising:

a cabinet enclosing the transparencies, said cabinet comprising a storage section, a central section having at least one window for viewing, and a transfer section, said sections being arranged one above the other with the central section between the storage and transfer sections;

' light projection means for projecting light from said central section ontothe rear of one of said transparencies for illuminating the transparency in said window;

an endless carrier and rod engaging means attached to said carrier for engaging each end of each rod for transporting said rods in a vertical plane past said viewing window and consecutively from said storage section, into said central section, to said transfer section, back to said central sectionand to said storage section; said rods moving generally horizontally through said storage and transfer sections in a manner such that the transparencies depending therefrom do not interfere with the light passing through said window;

means for driving said endless carrier intermittently to position each transparency in said window for a predetermined period of time;

an inclined ramp mounted within said storage section, said transparency supporting rods within the storage section being suspended on the upper surface of said inclined ramp; and

a camming mechanism, rotatably mounted within said cabinet, for successively lifting said transparency supporting rods from said ramp into position for engagement by said rod engaging means, said camming mechanism comprising a lifting arm, biasing means to retain said lifting arm in a disengaged position, a second arm for engaging an extension provided on said endless carrier, which engagement operates to rotate the lifting arm upward to remove a supporting rod and suspended sheet from said inclined ramp'and into said position.

2. An automated device for the successive display of a plurality of transparencies, wherein each transparency is suspended from a supporting rod, said automated device comprising:

light projection means for projecting light from said central section onto the rear of one of said transparencies for illuminating the transparency in said window; 7

an endless carrier and rod holding means attached to said carrier for engaging each end of each rod for transporting said rods in a vertical plane past said viewing window and consecutively from said storage section, into said central section, to said transfer section, back to said central section and to said storage section; said rods moving generally horizontally'through saidv storage and transfer sections in a manner such that the transparencies depending therefrom do not interfere with the light passing through said window;

means for driving said endless carrier intermettently to position each transparency in said window for a predetermined period of time; and

an anti-drag device comprising a rotatably mounted lever arm within the path of the supporting rod, said lever am being rotated by engagement with the rod in such a manner as to cause the lower extremity of said lever arm to force the bottom portion of the suspended transparency toward the interior of the cabinet.

3. The device of claim 2 additionally comprising means adjacent to the approach to said storage section for removal of supporting rods from engagement with said rod holding means and for deposit within said storage section.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said rod holding means comprises at least one pair of spaced front and rear hooks attached to said endless carrier for the transport of the transparencies, said pair of hooks being arranged with their openings in a facing relationship.

5. The device of claim 4 additionally comprising lifting means to successfully lift said transparency supporting rods into the space between said pair of hooks, so that the rear hook engages a supporting rod for movement from said storage section.

6. The automated device of claim 5 wherein said storage section is provided with an inclined ramp, said transparency supporting rods within the storage section being suspended on the upper surface of said inclined ramp and sliding downwardly on said inclined ramp upon removal of the lowermost supporting rod by said lifting means.

7. The display device of claim 6 wherein said lifting means is a camming mechanism rotatably mounted within said cabinet, said camming mechanism comprising a lifting arm, biasing means to retain said lifting arm in a disengaged position, a second arm for engaging an extension provided on said endless carrier, which engagement operates to rotate the lifting arm upward to remove a supporting rod and suspended sheet from said inclined ramp and into the space between said front and rear hooks.

8. The automated device of claim 2 further comprising a timing device, and means responsive to said timing device for stopping said means for driving said endless carrier so that a transparency will remain stationary within the viewing window for a predetermined time.

9. The automated device of claim 2 additionally comprising a motor driven rotatable polarized sheet mounted between said light projection means and the viewing window, and wherein each transparency comprises a light intercepting sheet having motion lines embossed thereon and wherein the viewing window is provided with a stationary polarized transparency.

10. The automated device of claim 2 additionally comprising projection means comprising at least one light source and a motor driven rotatable polarized sheet mounted within the cabinet between said light source and the viewing window, and wherein each transparency comprises a light intercepting sheet having embossed motion lines thereon and a polarized sheet.

Patent No. 3,787,991- Dated January 29y1974 Anthony Siksai Inventor(s) 7 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below;

Add the following claim:

11 In an automated display device having an endless I carrier for transporting assemblies comprising display sheets suspended from supporting rods to and from a viewing area, means for removing said sheet and rod assemblies from a support within a storage area and returning said sheet and rod assemblies to the support comprising: 1

at leastone pair of spaced front and rear hooks, said hooks opening toward each other; and f a camming mechanism rotatably mounted within the display device comprising a lifting arm, biasing'means to retain said lifting arm in a disengaged position, a second arm for engaging anextension provided on said front hook of the endless carrier, which engagement operates to' rotate said lifting arm upward to remove the rod and sheet-assembly from said support and into the space between said front and rear hooks.

0n the cover sheet "10 Claims" should read 11 Claims Signed and sealed this 20th day of August 1 974.

(SEAL) Attest: I

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. I C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) USCOMM-DC cove-Pea 0.5. GOVERNMENTIRINHNG OFFICE 21". OSlG-38l,

Claims

1. An automated device for the successive display of a plurality of transparencies, wherein each transparency is suspended from a supporting rod, said automated device comprising: a cabinet enclosing the transparencies, said cabinet comprising a storage section, a central section having at least one window for viewing, and a transfer section, said sections being arranged one above the other with the central section between the storage and transfer sections; light projection means for projecting light from said central section onto the rear of one of said transparencies for illuminating the transparency in said window; an endless carrier and rod engaging means attached to said carrier for engaging each end of each rod for transporting said rods in a vertical plane past said viewing window and consecutively from said storage section, into said central section, to said transfer section, back to said central section and to said storage section; said rods moving generally horizontally through said storage and transfer sections in a manner such that the transparencies depending therefrom do not interfere with the light passing through said window; means for driving said endless carrier intermittently to position each transparency in said window for a predetermined period of time; an inclined ramp mounted within said storage section, said transparency supporting rods within the storage section being suspended on the upper surface of said inclined ramp; and a camming mechanism, rotatably mounted within said cabinet, for successively lifting said transparency supporting rods from said ramp into position for engagement by said rod engaging means, said camming mechanism comprising a lifting arm, biasing means to retain said lifting arm in a disengaged position, a second arm for engaging an extension provided on said endless carrier, which engagement operates to rotate the lifting arm upward to remove a supporting rod and suspended sheet from said inclined ramp and into said position.

2. An automated device for the successive display of a plurality of transparencies, wherein each transparency is suspended from a supporting rod, said automated device comprising: a cabinet enclosing the transparencies, said cabinet comprising a storage section, a central section having at least one window for viewing, and a transfer section, said sections being arranged one above the other with the central section between the storage and transfer sections; light projection means for projecting light from said central section onto the rear of one of said transparencies for illuminating the transparency in said window; an endless carrier and rod holding means attached to said carrier for engaging each end of each rod for transporting said rods in a vErtical plane past said viewing window and consecutively from said storage section, into said central section, to said transfer section, back to said central section and to said storage section; said rods moving generally horizontally through said storage and transfer sections in a manner such that the transparencies depending therefrom do not interfere with the light passing through said window; means for driving said endless carrier intermettently to position each transparency in said window for a predetermined period of time; and an anti-drag device comprising a rotatably mounted lever arm within the path of the supporting rod, said lever arm being rotated by engagement with the rod in such a manner as to cause the lower extremity of said lever arm to force the bottom portion of the suspended transparency toward the interior of the cabinet.