Patent ID: 6269568
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: G09F,Y10T

Abstract:
A variable billboard apparatus comprising:(a) a decorative housing having a substantially hollow base seat;(b) a billboard assembly disposed on said base seat, said billboard assembly including a frame and a plurality of substantially parallel elongate columns pivotally coupled thereto, each said column having a triangular sectional contour defined by a plurality of indicia bearing faces, each said column having first and second mandrels extending from axially opposed ends thereof, said first mandrel pivotally engaging said frame, said second mandrel having a driven gear portion formed thereon;(c) an intermittently rotating mechanism disposed in said base seat, said intermittently rotating mechanism including:(1) a ratchet rotatable through at least approximately 120 degrees;(2) a driving gear coaxially coupled to said ratchet, said driving gear engaging at least one said driven gear of said billboard assembly for pivoting at least one said column responsive to said ratchet rotation; and,(3) a click engaging said ratchet; and,(d) an energy reserving device coupled to said rotating mechanism for selectively actuating said rotation of said ratchet.