WO2003005331A1

WO2003005331A1 - Apparatus for displaying plural images

Info

Publication number: WO2003005331A1
Application number: PCT/KR2002/001120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yang-Jin Kim
Original assignee: Quad System, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-06-15
Filing date: 2002-06-14
Publication date: 2003-01-16
Also published as: KR200245427Y1

Abstract

Multi-image display apparatus includes a base frame (20), moving frame (50), multi-image plate (60), mask (70). Base frame (20) has drive device (26), horizontal adjuster (30), vertical adjuster (36). Drive device (26) includes motor (27) and eccentric shaft that is rotated by the motor (27). Rotation of eccentric shaft moves the moving frame (50) that is coupled with the multi-image plate (60). Horizontal adjuster (30) adjusts the horizontal location of the mask (70). Vertical adjuster (36) adjusts the vertical location of the mask (70). Multi-image plate (60) includes curved transparent glass plate (62), muti-image film (64), diffusing film (66). Multi-image film (64) is attached to convex surface and diffusing film (66) is attached to sunken surface of the glass plate (62).

Description

APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING PLURAL IMAGES

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a display apparatus, and more particularly, to a multi-image display apparatus capable of repeatedly displaying a plurality of images in sequence.

Background Art

Generally, propaganda or advertising towers and the like are apparatuses for displaying contents, which are intended to be provided to the general public, in the form of images and letters. A great variety of image display apparatuses have appeared thanks to the development of display device technology and computer technology. Particularly, a moving picture display apparatus capable of realizing various moving pictures and letters using a computer has an advantage in that an arbitrary image can be realized as a moving picture full of movement. However, its production costs are very high and it is inefficient in transmitting a simple image.

Accordingly, various types of billboards for sequentially displaying a plurality of still images have been put to practical use and usually utilized. As a typical example, there was a type of billboard in which plural advertisement contents are displayed by intermittently rotating a semitransparent advertisement film on which predetermined pictures, letters or the like are printed. Although the production unit cost of such a type of display apparatus is relatively low, there are problems in that a rotating roll for rotating the film has to be installed and thus the thickness of the apparatus is inevitably increased, and also that operation noises are generated during the change of the advertisement contents while rotating the film at a low speed.

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the present inventor has proposed a multi-image display apparatus comprising a base frame with a drive device, a moving frame with a multi-image film, and a mask film. The multi-image display apparatus is constructed so that multiple images can be sequentially exhibited through the mask film by repeatedly circulating the moving frame with the multi-image film toward upper left, upper right, lower right and lower left corners as an eccentric cam provided in the drive device rotates. At this time, the moving frame may also be moved upward, leftward, downward and rightward in a similar manner to achieve the same purpose. The above methods may also be performed through circulation in reverse order.

Since the images are switched according to the displacement of the moving frame with the multi-image film, it is preferable that the mask film be correctly installed in the base frame. In a situation where the mask film has been installed, if there is no additional adjuster capable of adjusting the position of the installed mask film, inconvenience occurs in that an operation to install the mask film has to be repeatedly performed when an error in the installation position of the mask film occurs. Furthermore, upon construction of the display apparatus, the multi-image film is attached to a transparent, planar glass plate which in turn is fixed to the moving frame. At this time, there is a likelihood that the multi-image film comes off the planar glass plate due to air getting into therebetween. In such a case, since the film would be folded or crumpled, there are problems in that it puts the operation to inconvenience and clear images cannot be displayed. It is preferable that a step motor having a precise control function be used as a drive motor for the display apparatus. However, since the step motor is expensive, the production costs of the display apparatus are increased.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-image display apparatus, wherein a driven mask film is placed onto a film on which multiple images are combined with one another so that the multiple images can be sequentially displayed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-image display apparatus, wherein a mask and a mask film can be easily installed onto a base frame. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multi-image display apparatus, wherein a mask film and a multi-image film are in close contact with each other so that light is uniformly distributed to display clear images.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a multi-image display apparatus including a drive unit of which structure is improved. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi- image display apparatus capable of repeatedly displaying a plurality of images in sequence, comprising a multi-image plate including a transparent support plate having a convex surface, and a multi-image sheet which is attached to the convex surface of the support plate and in which pixel cells constituting the respective images are regularly arranged and combined such that unit pixel cells constituting any one of the images are adjacent to unit pixel cells constituting the other images; a mask disposed in the front of the multi-image sheet and including a plurality of viewing cells which have a size corresponding to that of the pixel cells and are arranged such that the respective pixel cells of any one of the images can be seen therethrough; and a drive device for moving either of the multi-image plate and the mask so that the pixel cells constituting the respective images can be sequentially aligned with the viewing cells of the mask.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi- image display apparatus capable of repeatedly displaying a plurality of images in sequence, comprising a multi-image plate including a transparent support plate, and a multi-image sheet which is attached to a surface of the support plate and in which pixel cells constituting the respective images are regularly arranged and combined such that unit pixel cells constituting any one of the images are adjacent to unit pixel cells constituting the other images; a mask disposed in the front of the multi-image sheet and including a plurality of viewing cells which have a size corresponding to that of the pixel cells and are arranged such that the respective pixel cells of any one of the images can be seen therethrough; and a drive device for moving either of the multi-image plate and the mask so that the pixel cells constituting the respective images can be sequentially aligned with the viewing cells of the mask. Brief Description of the Drawings

For the purpose of clear understanding of the above and other objects, and features of the present invention by those skilled in the art, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a base frame of the display apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a drive device of the display apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the display apparatus shown in FIG. i;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a fixing frame of the display apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the display apparatus shown in FIG. 1, with a front frame removed therefrom.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a multi- image display apparatus 10 comprises a base frame 20, a moving frame 50, a multi- image plate 60, a mask 70, and a front frame 80. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the base frame 20 includes a rectangular base plate 21 placed in parallel with an x-y plane, side walls 22 extending vertically (in a z- axis direction) from edges of the base plate 21, and brims 23 formed by inwardly bending free ends of the side walls 22 to extend in parallel with the base plate 21. Step portions 221 are provided in the middles of and around the side walls 22. The step portions 221 are formed to face forward, and the front frame 80 to be explained later is tightly fitted around front parts of the step portions 221 and thus coupled to the base frame 20. Upper and lower brims 23 are provided with through-holes 231, 231a in the centers thereof, respectively. Upper and lower portions of the base plate 21 are provided with catching members 211, 211a in the form of elongated circular rods extending through the through-holes 231, 231a of the brims 23 to the exterior. The two catching members 211, 211a are installed to be freely moved while pivoting on portions coupled with the base plate 21. Therefore, distal ends of the two catching members 211, 211a can be freely moved in all directions including an up and down direction and a right and left direction. The lower catching member 211a is always subjected to a downward force from a torsion spring 24 installed at the relevant brim 23. Annular catching grooves 212, 212a recessed into and around the catching members 211, 211a are provided at distal end portions thereof. Two coupling strips 74, 74a of the mask 70 to be explained later are caught in and coupled to the catching grooves 212, 212a. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the base frame 20 includes a drive device 26 installed within an upper portion of the based frame 20, horizontal adjusters 30, 30a and film coupling members 34 provided at the exteriors of upper and lower portions of the base frame 20, a vertical adjuster 36 provided at the exterior of the upper portion of the base frame, and a resilient member 38 provided at the exterior of a right portion of the base frame. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the drive device 26 includes a drive motor 27, two connection belts 28, 28a extending laterally in opposite directions from the drive motor 27, and first and second rotary units 29, 29a connected to the two connection belts 28, 28a, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 3, a drive pulley 272 is coupled to a drive shaft 271 of the drive motor 27 and rotated therewith. The two connection belts 28, 28a are connected to the drive pulley 272. The two connection belts 28, 28a extend leftward and rightward, respectively. The second rotary unit 29a connected to the right connection belt 28a includes a connection pulley 291 around which the connection belt 28a wraps, a rotatable shaft 292 coupled to the center of the connection pulley 291, two support plates 293, 293a fitted around the rotatable shaft 292, and a position sensing portion 294. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the two identical support plates 293, 293a are fitted around the rotatable shaft 292 in front and rear of the connection pulley 291, respectively. The two support plates 293, 293a have bearings 295, 295a for supporting the rotatable shaft 292 so that the rotatable shaft 292 can freely rotate with respect to the support plates 293, 293a. The support plates 293, 293a are triangular plate members. Coupling holes 296, 296a are formed at three comers of each of the support plates 293, 293a. The two support plates 293, 293a facing each other are coupled by coupling rods 297 interposed therebetween. Internal female threads are formed on one side of each coupling rod 297, whereas external male threads are formed on the other side thereof. Fastening bolts 298 are inserted from the front of the upper brim 23 into the coupling holes 296 of the front support plate 293 and then engaged with the female threads of the coupling rods 297. In such a way, the front support plate 293 is fixed to the base frame 20. Next, first fastening nuts 299 are screwed on the male threads of the coupling rods 297, the coupling holes 296a of the rear support plate 293a are subsequently fitted around the male threads of the coupling rods, and then second fastening nuts 299a are screwed thereon so that the coupling rods 297 and the rear support plate 293a are coupled with each other. The support plates 293, 293a coupled with each other in such a way are fixedly secured to the base frame 20 and the rotatable shaft 292 is rotatably supported at that position. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an eccentric shaft 2921 offset from the rotatable shaft 292 is provided in the front of the rotatable shaft 292. The eccentric shaft 2921 is provided with a roller 2922. The roller 2922 is coupled via a bearing with the eccentric shaft 2921 to be rotatable about the eccentric shaft 2921. As the rotatable shaft 292 rotates, the eccentric shaft 2921 and the roller 2922 perform circular motions about the rotatable shaft 292. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the eccentric shaft 2921 and the roller 2922 provided in the front of the rotatable shaft 292 protrude forward beyond the brims 23 of the base frame 20. The roller 2922 drives the moving frame 50 as will be explained later.

Referring to FIG. 3, the position sensing portion 294 provided in the rear of the rotatable shaft 292 includes a rotary plate 2941 installed to rotate together with the rotatable shaft .292, and two opposing sensors 2942 with the rotary plate 2941 interposed therebetween in a stationary state. Four slit portions 2943 are formed by radially slitting the rotary plate at an angular interval of 90 degrees on an outer periphery of the rotary plate 2941. The sensors 2942 are optical sensors for sensing the positions of the slit portions 2943 and outputting signals corresponding thereto to a control portion (not shown). The control portion controls the general electric motor 27 in response to the signals from the sensors 2942 so that the motor is stopped for a predetermined period of time whenever the rotary plate 2941 rotates by 90 degrees. The first rotary unit 29 connected with the left connection belt 28 is identical with the second rotary unit 29a in view of their constitutions except that the first rotary unit does not have the position sensing portion 294.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the horizontal adjusters 30, 30a having the same constitution are mounted on front surfaces of the upper and lower brims 23 of the base frame 20, respectively. The constitution will be described with reference to the lower horizontal adjuster 30a. The horizontal adjuster 30a includes a tension spring 301, a first connection bar 31, a connection shaft 32, a second connection bar 33, and an adjustment bolt 338, which are connected to one another from the left and the right (in an x-axis direction).

One end of the tension spring 301 is coupled with the catching member 211a and the other end thereof is fixed to the lower brim 23 of the base frame 20. The tension spring 301 always pulls the catching member 211a leftward. One end of the first connection bar 31 is coupled with the catching member 211a and the other end thereof is coupled with the connection shaft 32. The other end of the first connection bar 31 coupled with the connection shaft 32 is perpendicularly bent forward, and the bent portion thereof is formed with a coupling hole (not shown). One end of the connection bar 32 is fitted into the coupling hole, and the connection shaft 32 and the first connection bar 31 are fixed to each other by fastening two coupling nuts 321, 321a on both sides of the bent portion. The other end of the connection shaft 32 is coupled with one end of the second connection bar 33. This coupling is performed in the same manner as the coupling of the first connection bar 31 with the connection shaft 32. The other end of the second connection bar 33 is coupled with the adjustment bolt 338.

A fixing bracket 304 is fixed to be in contact with the brim 23 and has vertical plates 305, 305a, which are bent perpendicularly and extend in a predetermined length, at the left and right ends thereof. The left vertical plate 305 is provided with a slit 306 into which the second connection bar 33 is fitted. The second connection bar 33 can freely move in a right and left direction through the slit 306. The adjustment bolt 338 penetrates through the right vertical plate 305a from the outside into between the vertical plates. A head 3381 of the adjustment bolt 338 is disposed at the outside. The adjustment bolt 338 penetrates through a hole formed in a bent portion of the other end of the second connection bar 33 between the two vertical plates 305, 305a and is then coupled therewith by means of a fastening nut 3382. The fastening nut 3382 is installed not to be rotated with respect to the bent portion of the second connection bar 33. Therefore, as the adjustment bolt 338 is turned, the fastening nut 3382 moves in the right and left direction along threads of the adjustment bolt 338. When the fastening nut 3382 moves rightward by turning the adjustment bolt 338 in one direction, the first connection bar 31 pulls the tension spring 301 and thus causes the catching member 211a to move rightward. When the fastening nut 3382 moves leftward by turning the adjustment bolt 338 reversely, the first connection bar 31 is moved leftward with the aid of the pulling force of the tension spring 301. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the vertical adjuster 36 is provided on the front surface of the upper brim 23 of the base frame 20. The vertical adjuster 36 includes a fixing bracket 361, an adjustment bolt 365, a lifting bar 37 and a leaf spring 375. The fixing bracket 361 is fixed to the upper brim 23 and the catching member 211 protrudes through the through-hole 231 in the middle of the brim. Both lateral ends and an upper portion of the fixing bracket 361 are bent perpendicularly to a plane of the bracket and then extend to form support plates 362a, 362b and 362c. The left and right support plates 362b, 362c are provided with slits 3621b, 3621c, respectively, so as to allow the tension spring 301 and the first connection bar 31 of the horizontal adjuster 30 to penetrate through the slits. The adjustment bolt 365 penetrates through the upper support plate 362a of the fixing bracket 361 downward from above of the upper support plate. A distal end of the adjustment bolt 365 penetrates through and is fixed to a support portion 363 formed in the fixing bracket 361.

The lifting bar 37 is in contact with a lower portion of the catching member 211 and disposed to extend in the right and left direction. An adjustment nut 371 is formed integrally with one end of the lifting bar 37 and engaged with the adjustment bolt 365. Therefore, as the adjustment bolt 365 is turned, the adjustment nut 371 moves along the adjustment bolt so that the end of the lifting bar 37 moves in an up and down direction. The other end of the lifting bar 37 is thinned and then fitted into a slot in the right support plate 362c of the fixing bracket 361. The leaf spring 375 is interposed between the lifting bar 37 and the upper plate 362a of the fixing bracket 361 and downwardly urges the lifting bar 37. With such a constitution, the catching member 211 can be moved in the up and down direction by turning the adjustment bolt 365. At this time, the leaf spring 375 supports the lifting bar 37 to be pivoted on the other end of the lifting bar 37, i.e. the end fitted into the slot of the right support plate 362c of the fixing bracket 361, upon raising of the lifting bar 37 with one side thereof in contact with the catching member 211.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, two film engagement members 34 are provided on each of the upper and lower brims 23 of the base frame 20. Each film engagement member 34 includes a first member 341 fixedly coupled with the brim 23, and a second resilient member 342 fixedly coupled with the first member 341. One end of the first member 341 is bent to provide a stopper 3411, and an outer periphery of the moving frame 50 to be explained later is movably disposed inside the stopper. The second resilient member 342 urges and fixes the coupling strips 74, 74a of the mask 70 to be explained later toward the base frame 20. Referring to FIG. 1, the resilient member 38 is provided on an outer surface of the right brim 23 of the base frame 20. The resilient member 38 is a return spring for applying a rightward force and has a bearing 39 at an end thereof. The resilient member 38 is fitted into one side of the moving frame 50 so as to apply the force for urging it rightward (see FIG.5). Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the moving frame 50 has a brim defining a rectangle. An inner portion defined by the brim is empty. The multi-image plate 60 to be explained later is fixed onto a front face of the moving frame 50. First and second grooves 51, 52 are formed along inner and outer peripheries of the brim on a rear surface thereof, respectively. The inner first groove 51 is narrow in width, whereas the outer second groove 52 is wide in width. Upper or lower portion of the first groove 51 is provided with two rolling balls 511 for allowing the moving frame 50 to easily move on the base fame 20. A support 53 is fixedly provided in the outer second groove 52 so that the support is adjacent to the bearing or roller 2922 installed on the eccentric shaft 2921 of the drive device. Since the moving frame 50 is caught in the stopper 3411 of the first member

341 of the film engagement member 34 of the base frame 20, it is prevented from escaping from the base frame 20. The first member 341 provides an extra space so that the moving frame 50 can move a little in the up and down direction and the right and left direction on an x-y plane while being prevented from escaping from the base fame 20. The roller 2292 of the drive device is snugly fitted into the outer second groove 52. Furthermore, the resilient member 38 and the bearing 39 provided on the right brim of the base frame 20 are fitted into a lateral side portion of the second groove 52. The roller 2922 and the resilient member 38 of the base frame 20 are shown in dotted lines at positions within the second groove 52 of the moving frame 50 in FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the multi-image plate 60 fixed onto the front face of the moving frame 50 includes a support plate 62 made of a transparent supporting sheet material such as a plastic resin plate or a glass plate, a multi-image film 64 attached to a front surface of the support plate 62, and a diffusing film 66 attached to a rear surface of the support plate 62. The glass support plate 62 is curved forward while defining a gentle arc. Although the glass plate is shown as being formed more convexly toward the center from the top and bottom thereof in FIGS. 1 and 4, it is possible to use a glass plate that is formed more convexly toward the center from the right and left thereof. At this time, it is preferred that if the glass plate is convex in any one direction, the glass plate be kept straight in section in a direction peφendicular to the one direction. For instance, if the glass support plate 62 is further convex toward the center from the top and bottom thereof, it is desirable that the glass support plate 62 be kept straight in section in a horizontal direction (x-axis direction). On the contrary, if the glass support plate 62 is further convex toward the center from the right and left thereof, it is desirable that the glass support plate be kept straight in section in a vertical direction (y-axis direction). The multi-image film 64 is attached to a front surface of the convex glass support plate 62.

The multi-image film 64 bears a combination of, for example, four images. Since the glass support plate 62 is convex, the multi-image film 64 can be in close contact with a mask film to be explained later without any gap therebetween. For example, the multi-image film has the following constitution. The multi-image film

64 includes a plurality of square unit pixels. Each unit pixel includes first, second, third and fourth square pixel cells having the same size obtained by quadrisecting the unit pixel with vertical and horizontal lines. The respective pixel cells are sequentially arranged in a clockwise direction by starting from the first pixel cell at an upper left position. First to fourth images having the same size to be combined in the multi- image film are prepared. At this time, the size of the respective images is equal to that of the multi-image film. As to the first pixel cells of all the unit pixels of the multi- image film 64, the first image is divided according to the size of each pixel cell, and then, pixel cells of the first image at positions corresponding to those of the first pixel cells^' in the multi-image film are extracted and arranged at the respective positions in a film. Similarly, as to the second, third and fourth pixel cells, respective pixel cells are extracted from the second, third and fourth images and arranged at such relevant positions in the film. By manufacturing a single film in such a manner, the multi- image film 64 can be manufactured. Those skilled in the art can fully understand the constitution of the multi-image film from the above description. The constitution of the multi-image film is also disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration Publication No. 20-0190618 of which disclosure is considered as being incorporated herein. The diffusing film 66 attached to the rear surface of the glass support plate 62 causes light emitted from a light source 90 of the base frame 20 to be diffusely reflected, so that the light is diffused uniformly throughout the support plate 62, thereby eliminating the difference in illumination to provide clear and distinct images. The curved surface of the glass support plate also contributes to the uniform diffusion of the light.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the mask 70 includes a mask film 72, and the coupling strips 74, 74a attached to the top and bottom of the mask film 72, respectively. The mask film 72 is provided with a plurality of viewing cells 76. It is desirable to make the viewing cells relatively smaller than the unit pixel cells in consideration of tolerance. Each of the viewing cells is arranged so that any one pixel cell of the first to fourth pixel cells of the unit pixels can be seen therethrough. Hanging holes 741, 741a are formed through the centers of the two coupling strips 74, 74a, respectively. Inner peripheries of the hanging holes 741, 741a are caught in catching grooves 212, 212a of the catching members 211, 211a, respectively. Further, the two coupling strips 74, 74a are pressed down by the second members 342 of the film engagement members 34 provided on the base frame 20 so that the mask film 72 comes into close contact with the multi-image film 64. The catching member 211a disposed in the lower brim of the base frame 20 is urged downward by one end portion of the torsion spring 24 of which the other end portion is fixed to the base frame 20. Therefore, the catching member 211a is kept in a state where it has been moved downward on the base frame 20, so that the mask film 72 is installed in a fully spread state. Meanwhile, in order to reduce friction between the multi-image film 64 and the mask film 72 upon operation of the multi-image film 64, a solid lubricant can be used or the multi-image film 64 can be coated with a lubricant and wear-resistant resin material.

Now, the operation of the multi-image display apparatus 10 of the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, when the drive motor 27 of the drive device 26 provided on the base frame 20 is driven, the connection pulley 291 of each rotary unit is rotated by means of the drive pulley 272 and one of the connection belts 28, 28a. Then, the rotatable shaft 292, the eccentric shaft 2921 and the roller 2922 of each rotary unit are rotated by the rotation of the connection pulley 291. At this time, the eccentric shaft 2921 and the roller 2922 perform the circular motions about the rotatable shaft 292. As the rotatable shaft 292 is rotated, the roller 2922 rotates within the second groove 52 of the moving frame 50 provided with the multi-image film 64 so as to cause the moving frame 50 to move. When the roller 2922 rotates once about the rotatable shaft 292, the moving frame 50 is also rotated along the same locus as the roller 2922. The rotational movement of the moving frame is facilitated by the balls 511 provided in the first groove 51 of the moving frame 50. During the rotational movement of the moving frame, the moving frame is stopped at every predetermined position (i.e., positions where the viewing cells 76 of the mask 70 are aligned with the respective first, second, third and fourth pixel cells) under the control of the control portion. Accordingly, the images in the multi- image film 64 are selectively displayed through the viewing cells 76 of the mask film 72, and thus, desired images can be accurately and clearly displayed depending on the position of the mask film 72.

The drive device 26 is controlled based on the signals transmitted from the position sensing portion 294 provided in the second rotary unit 29a. Such control is made in such a manner that the rotary plate 2941 having the slits 2943 formed at the angular interval of about 90 degrees in correspondence with the displacement of the moving frame 50 is integrally interlocked and rotated with the rotatable shaft 292, and then, the sensors 2942 detect the slits 2943 and send the signals corresponding to the detection to the control portion. The control portion controls and stops the drive motor 27 in response to the signals inputted from the sensors. The drive motor 27 is rotated only by 90 degrees at a time and the moving frame 50 is moved along the rotation locus by the roller 2922 interlocked with the drive motor, as described above. Therefore, according to the multi-image display apparatus of the present invention, the moving frame can be controlled to be accurately stopped at desired positions by means of the conventional rotary motor 27 without using an expensive step motor. In the meantime, upon installation of the mask film 72, the inner peripheries of the hanging holes 741, 741a formed through the coupling strips 74, 74a of the mask 70 are inserted into and caught in the catching grooves 212, 212a of the catching members 211, 211a of the base frame 20. At this time, after the inner periphery of the lower hanging hole 741a is caught by the lower catching member 211a, the inner periphery of the opposite hanging hole 741 is caught by the relevant upper catching member 211. Then, since the lower catching member 211a is in a state where it has been moved downward on the base frame 20 by the torsion spring 24, the upper catching member 211 is pulled downward on the base frame 20 to come into close contact with and to be supported by the lifting bar 37 of the vertical adjuster 36. Thus, the mask film 72 is in the fully spread state by means of the upper and lower catching members 211, 211a.

Furthermore, the mask film 72 that is in the fully spread state as described above is supported by the second members 342 of the film engagement members 34 of the base frame 20 and is in firm close contact with the multi-image film 64.

Thereafter, the horizontal adjusters 30, 30a of the base frame 20 are adjusted. The adjustment is made in such a manner that by screwing or unscrewing the adjustment bolts 338, the second connection bars 33 are moved in the right and left direction by means of the fastening nuts 3382 to cause the catching members 211, 211a coupled with the first connection bars 31 to be moved in the right and left direction. At this time, the stretched lengths of the tension springs 301 are changed by means of the movements of the catching members 211, 211a.

Moreover, after the horizontal adjustment of the mask film 72 as such, the mask film 72 is adjusted in the up and down direction by the vertical adjuster 36. If the adjustment bolt 365 of the vertical adjuster 36 is screwed or unscrewed, the one end of the lifting bar 37 is moved in the up and down direction by the adjustment nut 371. At this time, the lifting bar 37 is moved like a lever by means of the other end thereof fixed to the right vertical plate 362c of the fixing bracket 361 and the leaf spring 375 provided between the fixing bracket 361 and the lifting bar 37, and thus, causes the upper catching member 211 and thence the mask 70 to be moved in the up and down direction. That is, if the upper catching member 211 is lifted or lowered in a state where the upper and lower catching members 211, 211a by which the mask 70 is caught are resiliently supported by the mask film 72, the lower catching member 211a is also moved in the up and down direction by the mask 70. Through such processes, the mask can be set such that the viewing cells of the mask are accurately aligned with the pixel cells. With the adjustment configuration of the present invention, the mask film 72 can be easily installed and the position of the mask film 72 can also be conveniently adjusted even after the installation thereof.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it can be understood that various modifications, changes and additions can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-image display apparatus capable of repeatedly displaying a plurality of images in sequence, comprising: a multi-image plate including a transparent support plate having a convex surface, and a multi-image sheet which is attached to the convex surface of the support plate and in which pixel cells constituting the respective images are regularly arranged and combined such that unit pixel cells constituting any one of the images are adjacent to unit pixel cells constituting the other images; a mask disposed in the front of the multi-image sheet and including a plurality of viewing cells which have a size corresponding to that of the pixel cells and are arranged such that the respective pixel cells of any one of the images can be seen therethrough; and a drive device for moving either of the multi-image plate and the mask so that the pixel cells constituting the respective images can be sequentially aligned with the viewing cells of the mask.

2. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a light source positioned on a side opposite to the mask with respect to the multi-image film.

3. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a base frame on which the light source and the drive device are mounted.

4. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multi-image plate further includes a moving frame coupled with the support plate.

5. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the drive device includes a drive motor, a rotatable shaft to be rotated by the drive motor, and an eccentric roller which is connected to and offset from the rotatable shaft; and the eccentric roller is coupled with the moving frame.

6. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the drive device further includes a position sensing portion connected to the rotatable shaft for sensing a rotation position of the rotatable shaft, and a control device for driving the drive motor such that the drive motor can be stopped in response to signals from the position sensing portion.

7. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the base frame includes pivotable support rods, and the mask is coupled with the support rods.

8. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base frame further includes position adjusters for adjusting horizontal and vertical positions of the mask.

9. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the support plate is a glass plate taking the shape of an arc in section to be more convexly curved toward the center from both ends thereof.

10. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a diffusing film is attached to a sunken surface corresponding to a reverse side of the convex surface of the support plate.

11. A multi-image display apparatus capable of repeatedly displaying a plurality of images in sequence, comprising: a multi-image plate including a transparent support plate, and a multi-image sheet which is attached to a surface of the support plate and in which pixel cells constituting the respective images are regularly arranged and combined such that unit pixel cells constituting any one of the images are adjacent to unit pixel cells constituting the other images; a mask disposed in the front of the multi-image sheet and including a plurality of viewing cells which have a size corresponding to that of the pixel cells and are arranged such that the respective pixel cells of any one of the images can be seen therethrough; and a drive device for moving either of the multi-image plate and the mask so that the pixel cells constituting the respective images can be sequentially aligned with the viewing cells of the mask.

12. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the multi- image plate further includes a moving frame coupled with the support plate.

13. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the drive device includes a drive motor, a rotatable shaft to be rotated by the drive motor, and an eccentric roller which is connected to and offset from the rotatable shaft; and the eccentric roller is coupled with the moving frame.

14. The multi-image display apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the drive device further includes a position sensing portion connected to the rotatable shaft for sensing a rotation position of the rotatable shaft, and a control device for driving the drive motor such that the drive motor can be stopped in response to signals from the position sensing portion.