Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Display with special effects
Patent
1987-03-11
1988-11-08
Mancene, Gene
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Display with special effects
272 8M, 353 10, G09F 1312, G09F 1912
Patent
active
047826142
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a display unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Display units are known which create an image in space. Such display units typically comprise a light source, a beam splitter comprising a sheet of titanium coated glass, a layer of retroreflective material and a stencil so arranged that, in use, light passing through the stencil causes an image of the stencil to be formed in space. WO 83/03019 discloses one such display unit.
Whilst such display units provide an interesting visual effect they do not catch the eye, nor do they hold an observer's attention for more than a few seconds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved display unit which catches the eye of and observer and captivates his attention.
According to the present invention, there is provided a display unit for producing an unsupported image in space, which display unit comprises: splitter; and
Preferably, the display unit includes a shelf for supporting said stencil.
Advantageously, the means for disturbing the undulations in said stencil comprises an electric motor.
Preferably, the stencil comprises a central portion disposed between two borders of flexible plastics material.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display unit in accordance with the invention with parts removed for clarity;
FIG. 2 is a detail of the display unit shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of part of a modified display unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a display unit which is generally identified by reference numeral 1. The display unit comprises a wooden box having a back 2, two sides 3 and 4, and a bottom 5.
The box is divided into an upper section 6 and a lower section 7 by a transparent clear PERSPEX (RTM) shelf 8.
The front of the lower section 7 comprises a beam splitter formed by a sheet of titanium coated glass 9. The lower section 7 also houses a sheet of retroreflective material 10 which extends from the bottom of the front of the wooden box to the back 2 adjacent the clear PERSPEX (RTM) shelf 8.
The upper section 6 of the display apparatus comprises a pair of 8 watt 30 cm fluorescent tubes 11 which are mounted in tube holder 12 inclined at an angle .alpha. of about 25.degree. to the vertical.
A stencil 13 is mounted on the clear PERSPEX (RTM) shelf. The stencil 13 comprises a central portion 14 disposed between two borders 15 of flexible plastics material. The stencil 13 is secured at either end to the clear PERSPEX (RTM) shelf 8 by tape 22. The stencil 13 is however somewhat larger than the clear PERSPEX (RTM) shelf 8 so that instead of laying flat on the clear PERSPEX (RTM) shelf 8 the stencil 13 lies in an undulant manner. The central portion 14 of the stencil 13 comprises a sheet of film bearing the numbers `101010`. The numbers `101010` are transparent whilst the remainder of the central portion 14 and the border 15 are opaque. In the embodiment shown the clear PERSPEX (RTM) shelf 8 is 320 mm.times.150 mm whilst the stencil is 350 mm.times.210 mm. The central portion 14 of the stencil is 350 mm.times.100 mm and is made of polyester film 0.25-12 mm thick whilst the border 15 is made from flexible black polythene strips each 350 mm.times.55 mm.
A motor 16 is mounted on the tube holder 12 and is arranged to rotate a shaft 17, and lower end 18 of which is cranked as shown and passes through a hole 19 cut in the border 15 of the stencil 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the hole 19 is reinforced by two thin discs 20 and 21 secured fast to the border 15 to either side of the hole 19.
When the motor 16 is actuated the shaft 17 rotates thereby disturbing the undulations in the stencil 13.
In use, the top and the upper half of the front of the box are closed by opaqu
REFERENCES:
patent: 720820 (1903-02-01), Kraus
patent: 1680855 (1928-08-01), Burns
patent: 1728610 (1929-09-01), Horton
patent: 2132474 (1938-10-01), En Holm
patent: 4509837 (1985-04-01), Kassies
Lewen Bert J.
Living Images Limited
Mancene Gene
Sternberg Henry
Stone Cary E.
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