US3846926A

US3846926A - Planetary gear driven rotary display device

Info

Publication number: US3846926A
Application number: US00432091A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Sullivan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-01-09
Filing date: 1974-01-09
Publication date: 1974-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-12

Abstract

An animated sign or display device embodying a novelly improved and direct drive planetary gear assembly in conjunction with a plurality of axially spaced, rotatable, and collectively revolveable identical sized display members. The display members are of generally disc form with arcuate cut out portions, and are mounted so as to have their cut out portions collectively form an openable and closeable circular viewing area, and also have their varied color indicia intimately and repeatedly rotatively blended to form new color combinations while synchronously gradually and repeatedly covering and uncovering advertising indicia affixed upon background or other related portions of the display device. The display device and the attention generated thereby is further enhanced by the use of preferably fluorescent lighting surrounding the revolving assembly of rotatable display members.

Description

United States Patent Sullivan PLANETARY GEAR DRIVEN ROTARY DISPLAY DEVICE 1 lnvenwrr HBFSXQ-. W1YEL 3.Q-3 9 1X St., DeLand, Fla. 32720 22 Filed: Jan; 9,1974

[21] Appl. No.: 432,091

[52] US. Cl 40/34, 40/70 R, 40/132 G [51] Int. Cl......'. G09f 11/04 [58] Field of Search 40/132 E, 132 F, 132 G, 40/132 R, 34, 33, 70 R, 77, 106.53, 106.52,

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,082,612 6/1937 Bourquin 40/34 2,205,937 6/1940 Sullivan 40/34 2,360,536 10/1944 Avery 40/34 2,527,803 10/1950 Fleak 40/34 2,586,641 2/1952 Gabrielsen 40/34 3,050,888 8/1962 Myers et al. 40/34 X 3,155,430 ll/l964 Schindler 40/34 X 3,363,348 l/1968 Lopez-Castillon... 40/34 3,562,936 2/1971 Schoenung 40/34 X Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-John F. Pitrelli Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mason, Fenwick & Lawrence [57] ABSTRACT An animated sign or display device embodying a novelly improved and direct drive planetary gear assembly in conjunction with a plurality of axially spaced, rotatable, and collectively revolveable identical sized display members. The display members are of generally disc form with arcuate cut out portions, and are mounted so as to have their cut out portions collectively form an openable and closeable circular viewing 21 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PLANETARY GEAR DRIVEN ROTARY DISPLAY DEVICE BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates generally to a display device, and more particularly to an animated display device or sign wherein a plurality of collectively moveable display members are provided with blending colors and lighting in conjunction with predetermined advertising indicia and associated lighting to attract attention from the public. Animated display devices of various forms have been in common uscage in various commercial establishments, and their primary function is to draw the attention of a potential customer to observe an advertising message realting to a particular product. While many different types of animated display devices have been provided in the past, such as blinker signs, illuminated perforated signs and the like, my present display device is an improvement over previously known rotary color blending signs which include the following patents. My own U.S. Pat. No. 2,205,937 issued June 25, 1940; U.S. Pat. No. 2,360,536 issued Oct. 17, 1944 to Avery; U.S. Pat. No. 2,527,803 issued Oct. 31, 1950 to Fleak, and subsequently assigned to me; and the considerably more sophisticated U.S. Pat. No. 3,562,936 issued Feb. 16, 1971 to Schoenung. My improved present rotary sign also utilizes a plurality of arcuately notched color discs positioned in intimate overlapping relationship and rotatable through a common drive medium so as to produce ever-changing color-blending combinations while the discs alternately,

collectively cover and uncover related advertising or other message-transmitting indicia.

Therefore, it is a principle object of this invention to provide an improved color-blending rotary display as sembly with improved means for positively providing synchronous. relative movement of the rotary display members so as to alternately collectively cover and uncover an advertising or other message-transmitting indicia related therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary sign of the aforegoing character which utilizes the plurality of generally three-quarter moonshaped discs whose arcuate cut out portions collectively coact during the synchronous rotation so as to form an open circular center portion to reveal a message or other indicia which is periodically hidden from sight by the collective synchronous rotation of the rotary display members.

Still another object of the invention is to provide mounting of a plurality of preferably four such collectively moveable display discs in conjunction with respectively rotatable planetary gear members rotatively carried on a planetary gear carrier and which are collectively synchronously driven in an-improved manner by the improved planetary gear drive'system hereof.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a direct drive for my improved planetary gear drive system, which eliminates the use of drive pulleys and belts thereby reducing the tendency for the rotatable display members to get out of synchronism and otherwise cause poor performance of the display device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved-rotary display sign of the foregoing character for simultaneously rotating and orbitally moving a plurality of the arcuately notched, uniform sized, axially spaced display discs or members so as to produce a generally circular color-interference pattern of changing blending colors for alternately or progressively covering and uncovering relatively fixed display areas partially covered thereby.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with illustrative accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My improved display device provides an arrangement wherein the collectively rotatable display members are mounted within 3 preferably rectangular casing or housing having a forward circular cut out viewing area through which to view at least portions of a preferably fixed display background upon which all or a portion of the advertising or message-transmitting indicia is placed. The plurality of collectively rotatable, identical planetary gear driven display members are mounted on a shaft-supported, revolving combined planetary gear carrier and disc-like display means. The support shaft is non-rotatably disposed within and upon the housing.

The planetary gear drive system includes an output planetary compound drive gear whose gear diameters are much smaller than that of the planetary gears driven indirectly thereby, as well as substantially smaller than the diameter of the preferably disc type rotor or planetary gear carrier member. The planetary gears are supported on individual stub shafts uniformly spaced circumferentially around the rotor/planetary gear carrier and equidistantly from the axis of the stationary support shaft. The output planetary compound drive gear is carried by the said carrier on a stub shaft disposed in a preferably more closely axially offset manner from the fixed shaft than the planetary gears, and has its larger gear portion mesh with while rotating around a non-rotating first sun spur gear affixed to the stationary axle or shaft. The smaller'diameter gear of the planetary compound outputdrive gear meshingly drives a rotatable compound second sun gear via its larger diameter gear portion and which latter sun gear is mounted concentrically on said axle or shaft but is rotatable relative thereto andto said first sun gear. Opposed pairs of the preferably generally disc-like relatively moveable display members are disposed in noninterfering parallel planes forwardly of and parallel to the planar planetary gear carrier, and are connected respectively to the corresponding plurality of planetary driven gears generally hidden behind both the rotary display members and the preferably fixed, indiciabearing, display panel associated therewith. The planetary driven gears are parallel to the rotary display members, and are synchronously meshed with the smaller gear of the rotatable compound second-mentioned sun gear, whereby the respectively rotatably display members synchronously and repeatedly cover and uncover a message or some advertising indicia associated therewith during orbital revolving thereof. The planetary transmission or drive system of the present invention is driven directly preferably by an electric motor whose output shaft has a relatively small diameter spur gear meshing with a substantially larger diameter drive gear unitarily connected with the planetary gear carrier and freely rotatably mounted upon the said fixed axle shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of my improved display device in which the moveable disc-like display members are positioned so that they cover or hide a centrally disposed display indicia.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are fragmentary front elevational views showing the rotary disc like display members in variously moved positions, whereby the position shown in FIG. 3 shows the arcuately notched display members disposed so that the respective arcuate notches collectively form a circular opening to expose or display the central display indicia.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of FIG. 3 showing the detailed interrelationship of the planetary drive and display components.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the same scale as FIG. 4, and taken substantially on line 5-5 thereof, and better showing the interrelationship of certain of the drive components.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the display device shown in FIG. 1, with the rear cover removed to better see certain of the drive components therein.

FIG. 7 is a view on the same scale as that of FIGS. 4 and 5, but viewed on the line 77 thereof, and better showing the detailed relationship of the planetary gear members;

FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of the basic planetary drive system and associated rotary display members in conjunction with the fragmentarily illustrated portion of display indicia; and

FIG. 9 is a reduced scale fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a. modified embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in different forms, there is shown one preferred embodiment in the illustrative drawings which will be described in detail herein, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered merely as an exemplification of the principle of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Reference should be made to the appended claims at the end of the specification for the scope of the invention as defined therein.

Referring to the drawings, the improved display device or sign assembly is generally designiate A and briefly comprises preferably a rectangular housing H within which preferably both fixed and rotary display members R and F respectively are viewable through an open window W. A stationary main support shaft means is designated generally at S and has rotatably mounted thereon a planetary gear drive assembly generally designated P, all of which components will be described in more detail hereinafter. Furthermore, lighting means generally designated L are provided within the housing so as to illuminate and enhance the viewing of the display members R and F as viewed through the window W.

Referring in more detail to the illustrated embodiment, the housing I-l preferably is of square rectangular box-like form having the usual four peripheral side walls and a transverse front wall in which the window W is formed. The housing could also be of other shapes or forms, such as of cylindrical form, and is provided with a removeable rear cover C (FIG. 4).

Any suitable means, such as a rigid strap member 10 (FIGS. 4-8) preferably bridging diametrically across a pair of the side walls, is provided on which to rigidly mount a horizontal stationarymain supporting shaft S. While the motor M is preferably also mounted on member 10, it could be supported in other conventional ways.

The support member 10 may work in cooperation with a similar spaced apart member, or it may have an integrally formed boss or a separately attached shaft support and bearing member as depicted at 12 (FIGS. 4 and 8). Member 12 is unitarily affixed to provide appropriate stability to the main support shaft S. As shown, shaft S has its mounting end threaded and projected through a close fitting mounting aperture in 10, and is secured thereto by a nut 14. The shaft S is disposed preferably centrally of the housing and window W, and is of appropriate length to receive thereon the planetary gear drive assembly P.

A stationary spur gear 11, constituting a first sun gear, is affixed to the shaft S intermediate its ends and will be described as part of the drive mechanism for effecting a planetary movement of the rotary display members R. The rotary display members R, connected to planetary gear assembly P, may project forwardly of the shafts free end toward the viewing window W.

Viewable through the window W is a central area in which a preferably disc type display member 16, having any desired form of indicia thereon, is suitably secured in a preferably stationary manner to the free end of the shaft S. Disc 16 forms part of the fixed display members F, as does the panel means 18. Panel means 18 includes a panel member 20 of sufficient size as to conceal the planetary gear drive assembly P when the panel 18 is secured within the housing preferably in a substantially coplanar manner with the disc 16. Panel 20 is centrally apertured to provide clearance for the orbiting rotary display members R.

The panel 20 can be selectively embellished with other replaceable but normally stationary display members, such as the ring-shaped member 22 which is also preferably provided with some display indicia such as a product name to be advertised. Disc 16 may be provided with a pictorial representation, if desired, relating to a word message provided peripherally on the ring member 22. It is understood that this is merely an optional arrangement of the indicia and any combination of pictorial or legend indicia may be used, and member- 22 may be segmented.

These fixed display members F are periodically covered and uncovered'for distinctive viewing by the rotary display members R, as generally described in the preceding summary description, and to be described in more detail hereinafter. v

Proceeding to the planetary gear drive assembly P, FIGS. 4 through 8 collectively clearly illustrate its improved constructional andoperational facets. Assembly P comprises a preferably disc-shaped rotor or planetary gear carrying member 24. Rotor 24 has connected unitarily therewitha relatively large diameter drive gear 26. The rotor 24 and drive gear 26are interjoined by any suitable means, such as by the illustrated bearing hub 28 (FIGS. 4 and 8), so as to be freely rotatable as a unit upon the shaft S. They are driven by the motor M via a motor-shaft-mounted spur gear 29 which is directly enmeshed with the drive gear 26 of the rotor.

A plurality of preferably four stub shafts 30 are suitably attached in parallel to the rotor at equal circumferentially spaced intervals, in parallel with and equidistantly from the axis of the main shaft S. Stub shafts 30 project forwardly and each receives rotatably thereon one of four identical planetary gears 32 having central bushed hubs. The bushed hubs of the gears 30 are of sufficient length to enable tubular sleeves 50 of the rotary display members R to be slidably telescoped on and set-screw-attached thereto.

The gears 32 are parallel to the rotor or carrier 24, and are retained on their stub shafts 30 in any suitable manner, as by headed retaining screws 34 (FIG. 4).

The rotor 24 also carries a relatively much smaller diameter planetary output drive gear means 36. Said gear means 36 comprises a compound gear freely rotatably mounted on another stub shaft 37 which is radially spaced from and parallel with the main shaft S. Gear means 36 has a small diameter gear portion 38 corresponding generally in size to that of the spur type sun gear 11 which is non-rotatably fixed to the stationary shaft S, and further has its larger diameter gear portion 40, which is about three times larger than the small gear portion 38,directly meshed with the fixed sun gear 1 l.

A second sun gear 42 of compound form is rotatably and concentrically bushed upon the forward end of themain shaft S. In this embodimentthe rotatable compound sun gear 42 is generally of similar relative size to that of the compound planetary output drive gear 36, and has its larger diameter gear portion 44 enmeshed with the smaller diameter gear portion 38 of I the said planetary output drive gear 36. Sun gear 42 has an axially elongated, smaller diameter gear'portion46 to provide enmeshment with axially or longitudinally offset opposed pairs of the planetary gears 32.

Planetary gears 32 are of a relatively large diameter, corresponding generally in size to that of the depicted planetary carrier drive gear26. Because of their relatively large diameter, the gears 32 are disposed in diametrically opposed coplanar pairs, with one pair being axially offset slightly from the other to preclude physical interference with the other pair, but still enabling all four gears 32 to be synchronously enmeshed with and driven in part by the smaller diameter gear portion 46 of the rotatable sun gear 42. This arrangement contributes to an important part of the planetary drive and provides synchronous rotative movement of the respective rotary display members R during their orbital travel with the rotor 24, to be described in more detail hereinafter.

Referring in more detail to the rotary display members R, these preferably comprise arcuately notched planar discs 48, each having a general appearance of a three-quarter moon, and except for their arcuate notch area, correspond generally in diameter to that of the planetary gears 32 of which they are mounted. As briefly mentioned before, each rotary display disc 48 has an axially centrally disposed tubular sleeve 50 (FIG. 4) and set screw therein for telescopically attach ing them to the extended hub portion of each planetary gear 32, for rotation therewith.

Rotary display discs 48 are disposed forwardly of the fixed display panel and annular display area 22, and are of such a size and are so mounted that they substantially collectively overlap one another to alternately uncover and cover the front viewing surfaces of the fixed display members F (16, 20 and 22) periodically and continuously during operation of the device.

An arcuate notch is provided in each disc 48, which notch is computed to be a segment of a circle having a circumference and diameter corresponding essentially to those of the fixed display disc 16. Each disc 48 is oriented in a particular manner so that during certain predeterminable relatively rotating positions of the discs 48, their arcuate notch portions collectively define a circle corresponding to that of disc 16 so as to fully uncover the indicia contained thereon as shown in FIG. 3, while substantially covering the peripheral indicia on the ring member 22. When cyclically rotated out of said positions, as shown by FIGS. land 2, greater uncovering of the indicia on ring 22 is achieved. Other shaped rotary display members 48may be optionally used, such as of the angular type 62 shown in the Schoenung US. Pat. No. 3,562,936, which utilizes a more complex drive system.

The discs 48, like their corresponding related planetary discs 32, are disposed in opposed coplanar pairs, with one pair being slightly offset axially from the other so that the opposed pairs can closely overlap and perform without interference as hereinabove explained. Discs 48 are disposed essentially parallel to the major planes of the planetary gears 32 and the fixed panel 20. Discs 48, like the planetary gears 32, are all generally much smaller in diameter than that of therotor 24, and

the relative ratio of the planetary gearing is such as to assure that the rotary display discs 48respectively will progressively rotate on their own axes-while collectively rotating in an orbital 'manner via the rotor or planetary gear carrier '24, when driven by the motor M. By selectively varying the relative gear ratios, the discs 48 can be made to rotate either faster or slower than the rotor 24 or the speed of the drive pulley 29 on the motor output shaft.

As shown in "the drawings, the rotary discs 48 are each provided on their viewing faces with predetermined distinctive indicia. The indicia may be of letter or numerical form in some instances, but as shown in this embodiment the indicia is in the form of varying colors. The colors are placed ina particular pattern on each disc and each disc is preferably oriented in the same relative manner, suchas relative to the respective arcuate cutout portions and/or to the sun gear 42 or shaft 8. During rotation of the device, it is apparent that, due to the synchronous relationship and relative movements, a continuously changing rotation provides a most distinctive visual display of continuously blending and changing colors, thereby producing a circular color-interference pattern of apparently changing area in conjunction with other fixed indicia observable through the viewing window as provided on the disc 16 and ringmember 22.

To enhance the display during evening or other darkened conditions, electrical illumination preferably in the form of fluorescent lighting means L is provided around the interior of the housing adjacent the window W.

The-window W may be either left open, as shown or may be a preferably interchangeable transparent member, not shown. When fluorescent lighting is used, a

' suitable starting transformer and/or balast means 52 (FIGS. 1 and 4) usually-is operatively associated therewith in a conventional manner. More modern tubular lighting may eliminate the need for such a heavy transformer and/or balast assembly. Appropriate motor and

light switches

54, 56 are shown on the housing H in the FIGS. 1 and 6.

SUMMARY OF OPERATION The operation is believed to be fundamentally clear from the foregoing detailed description, but a review of the operation will follow, particularly relating to that of the planetary drive train.

Energization of the electric motor M imparts rotation to the rotor or planetary gear carrier 24 via the motor output shaft gear 29 which meshes with the rotor drive gear 26. The rotor 24 and gear '26 sub-assembly are mounted to freely rotate upon the stationary main shaft S. As rotor 24 commences to rotate, it carries with it the planetary output compound gear 36 which walks around the stationary first sun gear 11 with which its larger gear portion 40 is enmeshed. During this rotation, the smaller gear portion 38 of output gear 36 is enmeshed with the larger gear portion 44 of the rotatable sun gear 42, and imparts positive rotation to it and its axially elongated smaller diameter hub gear portion 46. The respective pairs of planetary gears 32,which are rotating orbitally with rotor 24, are each directly enmeshed with the now rotating second sun gear via its hub gear portion 46. This relationship therefore causes rotation of each of the planetary gears around its own axis or stub shaft 30, and in turn imparts the same relative rotation to the rotary display discs 48 carried thereby.

Accordingly, the distinctive visual display afforded by the positive non-slip drive and intermeshing gear engagement is achieved. The display indicia is alternately progressively. covered and uncovered by the noninterfering rotating display members R in conjunction with the ever-changing color bands or pattern areas, or other suitable indicia provided thereon.

It is apparent that a novelly improved display device of the character described, has been evolved which achieves all of the objectives and advantages set forth in the preamble and throughout thisapplication.

While a preferred, successfully operable embodiment of my improved device has been described and illustrated in some particular detail, other variations and modification of gear ratios and arrangements, or the like may be made without departing from the principles and spirit of my improved invention. For example, while the planetary gearing and the fixed and rotary display members would remain essentially the same as already described, in a modification, such as shown in FIG. 9, a motor output shaft may be coupled more directly to the planetary gear carrier 24' thereby eliminating the previous embodiment gears 26 and 29. The main support shaft 8' could be cantilever-supported in a preferably transparent strong plastic, combination window and bearing member WB, thereby essentially eliminating the shaft-supporting function of support member 10. This will enable the foregoing proposed more direct drive to be effected without having a support standard attempted to be transposed or placed closely forwardly adjacent of the rotor 24 and thus causing interference with and precluding full drive rotation of the planetary gear carrier or rotor 24. Also the motor may-be of a variable speed type if desired to give further variation to the relative rotation of the rotary display members. Reference should be made to the appended claims for a definition of the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A planetary gear driven rotary display device comprising in combination:

a. a relatively stationary main support shaft with means axially centering it relative to a central viewing area and viewing member, indicia on said viewing area and said viewing member, and a stationary relatively small diameter first sun gear fixed to said shaft;

b. a second sun gear but of compound form and rotatably mounted forwardly adjacent said first sun gear and upon said main support shaft;

c. a rotatable-display-member-support constituted by a rotatable planetary gear carrier mounted for rotation upon said stationary support shaft which passes through a center axis thereof;

d. a plurality of stub shafts fixedly attached to said planetary gear carrier with the respective shaft axes parallel to and uniformly spaced radially from said main support shaft;

a like plurality of driven, uniform size planetary gears, and a corresponding like plurality of rotatable display members respectively mounted parallel to said planetary gears with one of each rotatably disposed on each of said plural stub shafts for collective orbital movement around and with said planetary gears in engagement with said rotatable second sun gear; said rotary display members being of predetermined shape so as to progressively collectively cover and uncover at least portions of the central viewing area during operation of the dev1ce;

f. a planetary compound output drive gear carried with and upon said planetary gear carrier and freely rotatably disposed on a further stub shaft radially spaced from said main support shaft, said compound output drive gear being of substantially lesser size relative to said planetary gears;

g. said compound planetary output drive gear meshing with both said stationary sun gear and with said second compound rotatable sun gear as mounted for free rotation upon said main support shaft;

h. certain of said planetary gears being axially offset in parallel planes from others; said rotatable compound sun gear having an axially extended hub gear portion so as to intermesh with the axially offset planetary gears, and the respective gears being proportioned so as to uniformly impart thereto a continuous positive rotation of said planetary gears and correspondingly connected display members at a relatively different speed than that of said planetary gear carrier, whereby said respectively rotatable display members are periodically synchronously and cyclically collectively orbitally moved during their individual rotation about their respective individual axes so as to effect said progressive covering and uncovering of the indicia in the central viewing area.

2. A display device as defined in claim 1, wherein said compound planetary output drive gear and compound second sun gear are of generally like relative diameters, with their corresponding smaller diameter gear portions being of generally the same relative size to one another and to the fixed first sun gear.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said larger diameter gear portion of said planetary output drive gear enmeshes with said stationary first sun gear; and the corresponding larger diameter gear portion of said rotatable compound sun gear enmeshes with the smaller diameter gear portion of said planetary output drive gear.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of orbitally moveable display members are four in number, disposed in diametrically opposed coplanar pairs with one pair offset axially from the other pair, said display members being spaced so asnot to engage one another during rotation, and grouped so that adjacent non-coplanar display members each overlap partially with one another; and each display member having predetermined indicia provided thereon so that during relative rotation of each display member and the collective orbital rotation thereof, a distinctful visual display is provided by the collective display members and the central viewing area and member.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said display device further includes a stationary viewing panel having viewing surfaces with further indicia thereon disposed near the outer periphery of and adjacent to said collectively rotatable display members; and said rotary display members each being of generally discshape but having a common cutout portion interrupting otherwise continuous display surfaces to constitute their predetermined shape so that at certain relatively rotating positions of the collective display members, both the centrally disposed viewing indicia and the outer peripheral disposed viewing area indicia are alternately and periodically cyclically essentially covered anduncovered from viewing.

6. A deviceas defined in claim 4, wherein the indicia upon said respective display members include a variety of different colored areas generally placed in the same relative position on each member so that during operation of the display the distinctful visual display includes a continuous blending and changing of different'colors to produce a circular color-interference pattern of changing area in conjunction with the other viewing areas.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid device includes wall means defining a stationary housing and within which said planetary gear drive and display members are mounted, and said wall means having a circular open viewing window through which to view the operation of said rot'ary display members.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 further including a drive motor mounted in said housing, said motor having a rotatable'ou'tput shaft, and an output drive gear of relatively small diameter mounted on said motor output shaft; said planetary gear carrier having a relatively large diameter drive gear generally approximating the diameter ofsaid'plural planetary gears, and attached in parallel to saidplanetary gear carrier, and said motor-shaft-mounted output gear directly enmeshed with said large diameter drive gear as attached to said planetary gear carrier.

9. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said housing is provided with electrical illuminating means around an inwardly peripheral portion of said housing so as to enhance the visual display seen through said circular viewing window.

10. In a motor-powered planetary gear driven animated display device embodying relative stationary panel means affixed to support means, and having at least a centrally disposed stationary viewing indicia means, a plurality of uniformly axially spaced, collectively rotatable display members each of uniform size and mounted generally parallel to and for rotation with corresponding planetary gears on respective parallel support shafts which are carried collectively on a revolving disc-type planetary gear carrier, said carrier being freely rotatably. mounted upon a stationary support shaft passing through the center axis of said planetary gear carrier and concentric to said axially spaced display members, whereby the motor induced rotation of said planetary gear carrier effects simultaneously uniform relative rotation of the respective planetary gears and their directly connected display devices at substantially different relative speeds, and in a manner such that the display members collectively periodically cover and uncover said centrally disposed viewing indicia, with said display members each having a common cutout portion interrupting otherwise continuous display surfaces so that at certain relatively rotating positions of the collective display members, the centrally disposed viewing indicia is essentially periodically and cyclically fully uncovered to and recovered from viewing thereof, the improvement of a novel planetary gear driving system in association therewith and comprising in combination:

a. a stationary relatively small diameter first sun gear fixed to said stationary support shaft;

c. a rotatable-display-member-support constituted by a planetary gear carrier also mounted for rotation upon said main support shaft;

d. a planetary compound output drive gear carried with and upon said planetary gear carrier and freely rotatably disposed on a further stub shaft radially spaced from said main support shaft, said compoundoutput drive gear being of substantially lesser size relative to said planetary gears;

e. .said compound planetary output drive gear meshing with both said stationary sun gear and with said second compound rotatable sun gear as mounted for free rotation upon said main support shaft;

f. certain of said planetary gears being axially offset in parallel planes from others; said rotatable com- .pound sun gear having an axially extended hub gear portion so as to intermesh with the axially offset planetary gears and the respective gears being proportioned so as to uniformly impart thereto a continuous positive rotation of said planetary gears and correspondingly connected display members at a relatively different speed than that of said planetary gear carrier, whereby said respectively rotatable display members are synchronously and cyclically collectively orbitally moved during their individual rotation about their respective individual axes so as to periodically cover and uncover indicia in the central viewing area; and

g. means for imparting drive rotation to said planetary gear carrier.

11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein the means for imparting drive rotation to said planetary gear carrier include an electrically operated drive motor with output shaft means connected with said planetary gear carrier.

12. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein the means for imparting drive. rotation to said planetary gear carrier include an electrically operated drive motor with coupling drive means operatively connecting it with said planetary gear carrier.

13. A device as defined in claim 12, wherein said planetary gear carrier is provided with a unitarily connected drive gear of a diameter size greater than the radius of said planetary gear carrier; and the coupling drive means operatively connecting the motor to said planetary gear carrier include a relatively small diameter spur gear on a motor output shaft, and said spur gear directly enmeshed with said drive gear of said planetary gear carrier. 1

14. A display device as defined in claim 10, wherein said compound planetary output drive gear and compound second sun gear are of generally like relative diameters, with their corresponding smaller diameter gear portions being of generally the same relative size to one another and to the fixed first sun gear.

15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said larger diameter gear portions of said planetary output drive gear enmeshes with said stationary first sun gear; and the corresponding larger diameter gear portion of said rotatable compound sun gear enmeshes with the smaller diameter gear portion of said planetary output drive gear.

16. A device as defined in claim 10, where said plurality of orbitally moveable display members are four in number, disposed in diametrically opposed coplanar pairs and grouped so that adjacent non-coplanar display members each overlap partially with one another; and each display member having predetermined indicia provided thereon so that during relative rotation of each display member and the collective orbital rotation thereof, a distinctful visual display is provided by the collective display members and the central viewing area and member.

17. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said display device further includes a stationary viewing panel having viewing surfaces with further indicia thereon disposed near the outer periphery of and adjacent to viewing area indicia are alternately and periodically cy-' clically essentially covered and uncovered from view-' ing.

18. A device as defined in claim 16, wherein the indicia upon said respective display members include a variety of different colored areas generally placed in the same relative position on each member so that during operation of the display the distinctful visual display includes a continuous blending and changing of different colors to produce a circular color-interference pattern of changing area in conjunction with the other viewing areas;

Y 19. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said device includes wall means defining a stationary housing and within which said planetary gear drive and display members are mounted, and said wall means having a circular open viewing window through which to view the operation of said rotary display members.

20. A device as defined in claim 19 further including a drive motor mounted in said housing, said motor having a rotatable output shaft, and an output drive gear of relatively small diameter mounted on said motor output shaft; said planetary gear carrier having a relatively large diameter drive gear generally approximating the diameter of said plural planetary gears, and attached in parallel to said planetary gear carrier, and said motor-shaft-mounted output gear directly enmeshed with said large diameter drive gear as attached to said planetary gear carrier.

21. A device as defined in claim 19 wherein said circular viewing window.

Claims

1. A planetary gear driven rotary display device comprising in combination: a. a relatively stationary main support shaft with means axially centering it relative to a central viewing area and viewing member, indicia on said viewing area and said viewing member, and a stationary relatively small diameter first sun gear fixed to said shaft; b. a second sun gear but of compound form and rotatably mounted forwardly adjacent said first sun gear and upon said main support shaft; c. a rotatable-display-member-support constituted by a rotatable planetary gear carrier mounted for rotation upon said stationary support shaft which passes through a center axis thereof; d. a plurality of stub shafts fixedly attached to said planetary gear carrier with the respective shaft axes parallel to and uniformly spaced radially from said main support shaft; e. a like plurality of driven, uniform size planetary gears, and a corresponding like plurality of rotatable display members respectively mounted parallel to said planetary gears with one of each rotatably disposed on each of said plural stub shafts for collective orbital movement around and with said planetary gears in engagement with said rotatable second sun gear; said rotary display members being of predetermined shape so as to progressively collectively cover and uncover at least portions of the central viewing area during operation of the device; f. a planetary compound output drive gear carried with and upon said planetary gear carrier and freely rotatably disposed on a further stub shaft radially spaced from said main support shaft, said compound output drive gear being of substantially lesser size relative to said planetary gears; g. said compound planetary output drive gear meshing with both said stationary sun gear and with said second compound rotatable sun gear as mounted for free rotation upon said main support shaft; h. certain of said planetary gears being axially offset in parallel planes from others; said rotatable compound sun gear having an axially extended hub gear portion so as to intermesh with the axially offset planetary gears, and the respective gears being proportioned so as to uniformly impart thereto a continuous positive rotation of said planetary gears and correspondingly connected display members at a relatively different speed than that of said planetary gear carrier, whereby said respectively rotatable display memBers are periodically synchronously and cyclically collectively orbitally moved during their individual rotation about their respective individual axes so as to effect said progressive covering and uncovering of the indicia in the central viewing area.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of orbitally moveable display members are four in number, disposed in diametrically opposed coplanar pairs with one pair offset axially from the other pair, said display members being spaced so as not to engage one another during rotation, and grouped so that adjacent non-coplanar display members each overlap partially with one another; and each display member having predetermined indicia provided thereon so that during relative rotation of each display member and the collective orbital rotation thereof, a distinctful visual display is provided by the collective display members and the central viewing area and member.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said display device further includes a stationary viewing panel having viewing surfaces with further indicia thereon disposed near the outer periphery of and adjacent to said collectively rotatable display members; and said rotary display members each being of generally disc-shape but having a common cutout portion interrupting otherwise continuous display surfaces to constitute their predetermined shape so that at certain relatively rotating positions of the collective display members, both the centrally disposed viewing indicia and the outer peripheral disposed viewing area indicia are alternately and periodically cyclically essentially covered and uncovered from viewing.

6. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein the indicia upon said respective display members include a variety of different colored areas generally placed in the same relative position on each member so that during operation of the display the distinctful visual display includes a continuous blending and changing of different colors to produce a circular color-interference pattern of changing area in conjunction with the other viewing areas.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said device includes wall means defining a stationary housing and within which said planetary gear drive and display members are mounted, and said wall means having a circular open viewing window through which to view the operation of said rotary display members.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 further including a drive motor mounted in said housing, said motor having a rotatable output shaft, and an output drive gear of relatively small diameter mounted on said motor output shaft; said planetary gear carrier having a relatively large diameter drive gear generally approximating the diameter of said plural planetary gears, and attached in parallel to said planetary gear carrier, and said motor-shaft-mounted output gear directly enmeshed with said large diameter drive gear as attached to said planetary gear carrier.

10. In a motor-powered planetary gear driven animated display device embodying relative stationary panel means affixed to support means, and having at least a centrallY disposed stationary viewing indicia means, a plurality of uniformly axially spaced, collectively rotatable display members each of uniform size and mounted generally parallel to and for rotation with corresponding planetary gears on respective parallel support shafts which are carried collectively on a revolving disc-type planetary gear carrier, said carrier being freely rotatably mounted upon a stationary support shaft passing through the center axis of said planetary gear carrier and concentric to said axially spaced display members, whereby the motor induced rotation of said planetary gear carrier effects simultaneously uniform relative rotation of the respective planetary gears and their directly connected display devices at substantially different relative speeds, and in a manner such that the display members collectively periodically cover and uncover said centrally disposed viewing indicia, with said display members each having a common cutout portion interrupting otherwise continuous display surfaces so that at certain relatively rotating positions of the collective display members, the centrally disposed viewing indicia is essentially periodically and cyclically fully uncovered to and recovered from viewing thereof, the improvement of a novel planetary gear driving system in association therewith and comprising in combination: a. a stationary relatively small diameter first sun gear fixed to said stationary support shaft; b. a second sun gear but of compound form and rotatably mounted forwardly adjacent said first sun gear and upon said main support shaft; c. a rotatable-display-member-support constituted by a planetary gear carrier also mounted for rotation upon said main support shaft; d. a planetary compound output drive gear carried with and upon said planetary gear carrier and freely rotatably disposed on a further stub shaft radially spaced from said main support shaft, said compound output drive gear being of substantially lesser size relative to said planetary gears; e. said compound planetary output drive gear meshing with both said stationary sun gear and with said second compound rotatable sun gear as mounted for free rotation upon said main support shaft; f. certain of said planetary gears being axially offset in parallel planes from others; said rotatable compound sun gear having an axially extended hub gear portion so as to intermesh with the axially offset planetary gears and the respective gears being proportioned so as to uniformly impart thereto a continuous positive rotation of said planetary gears and correspondingly connected display members at a relatively different speed than that of said planetary gear carrier, whereby said respectively rotatable display members are synchronously and cyclically collectively orbitally moved during their individual rotation about their respective individual axes so as to periodically cover and uncover indicia in the central viewing area; and g. means for imparting drive rotation to said planetary gear carrier.

12. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein the means for imparting drive rotation to said planetary gear carrier include an electrically operated drive motor with coupling drive means operatively connecting it with said planetary gear carrier.

13. A device as defined in claim 12, wherein said planetary gear carrier is provided with a unitarily connected drive gear of a diameter size greater than the radius of said planetary gear carrier; and the coupling drive means operatively connecting the motor to said planetary gear carrier include a relatively small diameter spur gear on a motor output shaft, and said spur gear directly enmeshed with said drive gear of said planetary gear carrier.

17. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said display device further includes a stationary viewing panel having viewing surfaces with further indicia thereon disposed near the outer periphery of and adjacent to said collectively rotatable display members; and said rotary display members each having a common cutout portion interrupting otherwise continuous display surfaces so that at certain relatively rotating positions of the collective display members, both the centrally disposed viewing indicia and the outer peripheral disposed viewing area indicia are alternately and periodically cyclically essentially covered and uncovered from viewing.

18. A device as defined in claim 16, wherein the indicia upon said respective display members include a variety of different colored areas generally placed in the same relative position on each member so that during operation of the display the distinctful visual display includes a continuous blending and changing of different colors to produce a circular color-interference pattern of changing area in conjunction with the other viewing areas.

19. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said device includes wall means defining a stationary housing and within which said planetary gear drive and display members are mounted, and said wall means having a circular open viewing window through which to view the operation of said rotary display members.

21. A device as defined in claim 19 wherein said housing is provided with electrical illuminating means around an inwardly peripheral portion of said housing so as to enhance the visual display seen through said circular viewing window.