INDICATING DEVICE

Abstract: The device is designated to display either one of two contrasting signals. The device comprises a number of plates (12) which are positioned essentially in parallel and in a slightly inclined position whereby gaps are formed between the plates. Flanges (18) are arranged to be displaced between a first position in which they are covered by the plates (12) and a second position in which the flanges (18) will be positioned in front of the plates (12). In this manner the indicating device in accordance with the invention may be made to display two different signals in that the flanges (18) and the plates (12) have colours of contrasting nature. The invention likewise concerns the use of the indicating device in which the latter forms part of a module unit used to form figures.

Description: Indicating Device The subject invention relates to an indicating device which may be switched to different contrasting positions to form a signal. The invention likewise concerns the use of the indicating device to display information. In many areas there is a need for well displayed and clear signs, preferably of comparatively, large dimensions and arranged to be rapidly switched from one condition to another to provide the required information. As examples of signs of this kind on which the information displayed may need to be changed frequently may be mentioned signs at petrol stations to indicate price, signs at stores and shops, information display signs in various positions, such as in sports grounds, and in many other applications where there is a need for rapid change of the information displayed. In such applications,prior-art display means comprise, in addition to expensive electronic displays, the simplest possible constructions, such as a board with nails from which the desired symbols, figures or letters for instance, are suspended. This arrangement suffers from a number of disadvantages. Since the sign preferably is mounted at as high a level as possible in order to be clearly visible it becomes very difficult to reach it when figures and other symbols need to be changed. In addition, it becomes necessary to store a large amount of different figures, symbols and so on for exchanges. Symbols loosely suspended as indicated above tend to fall off, assume oblique positions or flap in the wind. Electronic signs are expensive and are not easy to read in bright daylight. The light from the signs also is difficult to discern. The purpose of the subject invention is to provide an indicating device which is arranged to be easily switched to different contrasting positions to display the desired signal. The indicating device is of the kind which shows different symbols, such as figures or letters which are formed by a number of module units, each one com¬ prising its individual set of means for switching the module unit to different contrasting positions by individual control of each sepa- rate module unit. The indicating device is characterized therein that the switching means for each individual module unit consists of a number of plates which are arranged in mutual parallel relationship, and of a number of flanges the colour of which contrasts against the colour of the plates and which flanges are arranged for mutually coordinated adjustment within each separate module unit, that these flanges are arranged to cover the plates in one of the contrasting positions of the module unit, that the flanges are arranged,in a second position which contrasts against the first position, to assume a position wherein they are hidden by said plates and in that in order to allow operation between said two contrasting positions the flanges are disposed in gaps formed between the plates incorporated in the module unit. Another purpose of the subject invention is to provide for use of the indicating device in accordance with the invention to construct signs which are easily operable to form and display different signals and for this purpose the indicating device is provided with a motor. Further characteristics of the invention will become apparent upon reading of the following description and the appended claims. The invention will be decribed in closer detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figs, la and lb are partial cross-sectional views through an indicating device in accordance with the invention in two contrasting positions, viz. one light and one dark, Fig. 2 is a view of the indicating device as seen from the rear thereof, Fig. 3 is a view as seen from the side of the indicating device with part of its lateral wall partly broken away for more clarity, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of a figure-forming module unit made up from a number of indicating devices in accordance with the in¬ vent! ' on. The indicating device in accordance with the invention, designated generally by numeral 10, comprises a number of plates 12 having a uniform light colour on its outwardly facing side, the plates being attached to and extending between a pair of side beams 14. The plates 12 are arranged in parallel and in a slightly inclined position in relation to the lengthwise extension of the indicating device. The plates 12 are spaced a predetermined distance apart, so that gaps form between the plates 12 in the area where two neighbouring plates 12 overlap. In Figs, la and lb the indicating device in accordance with the invention is shown in perspective views are seen obliquely from the front. Behind the plates 12 a slab 16 is positioned. The slab is provided with a number of flanges 18 which have a colour contrasting against the colour of the plates 12, for instance a dark colour. The flanges 18 extend in the gaps formed between the plates 12. By moving the slab 16 the flanges 18 are displaced between a lower position (see Fig. la) in which they are covered by the plates 12, and an upper position (see Fig. lb) in which the flanges 18 have been raised to a position in which they hide the plates 12. By thus displacing the flanges 18 the indicating device thus may be switched or set to display either a light or a dark-coloured surface which surfaces form contrasting signals. In Fig.2 the indicating device in accordance with the invention is shown from behind after removal of the rear wall 20 (see Fig. 3). The rear wall 20 preferably is a cover of general box shape. The side beams 14 preferably have an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration and the plates 12 are attached to the side beams 14 in any simple prior-art manner, e.g. by rivets. The inclined position of the plates 12 is easily achieved by providing washers 22 intermediate the plates 12. Also the washers 22 preferably are secured by means of the same rivets as those used to secure the plates 12. On the rear face of the slab 16 is attached an elongate rail 23. The rail 23 is formed at its ends with stopper means 24, 26, which are formed respectively by a lower portion of the rail 23 which has been bent forwards to form a lower stopper means 24 and by an upper rail portion which has been bent rearwards to form an upper stopper means 26. A cross bar 28 is attached to the upper part of the device and extends on the rear face of the slab 16 between the beams 14. Downwards movements of the slab 16 are limited by abutment of the upper stopper means 26 against the cross bar 28. To limit upwards movements of the slab 16 the stopper means 24 abuts against the lower edge of the lowermost plate 12. The restrictions of the movements of the slab 16 prevent the flanges 18 from disengaging from the gaps between the plates 12 and also prevent the slab 16 from being moved downwards to such a low level that the flanges 18 risk being torn away from the slab 16. The stopper means likewise provide well-defined positions for resetting the slab 16 from one position to the other to display the contrasting signals. The side beams 14, the rear wall 20 and the plates 12 are made from a comparatively light material, such as aluminium sheet metal. The slab 16 and the flanges 18 preferably are made from a plastics material. To protect the indicating device a transparent plate (not shown) of plastics or glass is positioned in front of the plates 12/flanges 18. The indicating device in accordance with the invention is designed to form part of a module unit system for the purpose of displaying figures or letters. One example of such a module unit 30 is shown in Fig. 4. The module unit 30 is designed to display figures and is easily reset to display the desired one of the ten basic digits. The module unit 30 comprises nine individually operable indicating devices 10 of different sizes. The configuration of the various indicating devices appears from Fig. 4. By studying this drawing figure it is easily understood how the various digits are formed with the aid of the indicating devices 10 displaying dark or light areas. The slab 16 and the flanges 18 may be arranged for remote- -control operation, for instance by having a small electric motor attached thereto. When they are in an easily accessible position they* may be designed for manual operation. In order to make it possible to use the module unit in accordance with the invention in the dark it may be supplemented with some source of light, preferably light-emitting diodes (not shown) positioned e.g. along the perimeter of each indicating device. These sources of light are arranged to lit up when the flanges 18 are displaced to their display position. In this manner, the sources of light show the outlines of each "switched on" indicating device. The embodiment described in the aforegoing and its application is but one example of the invention and its fields of application. Several other embodiments and applications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Details such as the design of the stopper means 24, 26 may be designed in a variety of different ways. As indicated in Fig. 4 the plates 12 may extend either in the transverse or lengthwise direction relative to the indicating device 10. The slab 16 may be arranged for horizontal movements instead of vertically as shown and illustrated herein. It is also apparent that the flanges 18 may be arranged to cover the plates 12 in the lower position of the slab 16. The indicating device in accordance with the invention may be used to form other types of signals than in the form of figures, text or the like. Other signal module units may be produced by designing and combining the individual indicating devices in various ways. As one example may be mentioned the use of the device to form traffic-light signals. For this purpose some (two or three) devices in accordance with the invention are arranged in a manner corresponding to the traffic lights forming the traffic signal. To arrange traffic-light signals in this manner offers a number of advantages compared with conventional traffic-light signals. Such signals may ordinarily be difficult to discern against the light, which is not the case with the device in accordance with the invention. A further advantage with light signals made up of devices in accordance with the invention is that the flanges 18/plates 12 are directed obliquely downwards, that its towards the person to which the light-signal is directed. In this connection it may also be advantageous to provide the flanges 18 and/or the plates 12 with a picture, such as a "walk" symbol or a "don't walk" symbol . A further advantageous application of a device in accordance with the invention is to form surfaces of different reflecting properties. It is possible to mount one or several devices in accordance with the invention on building roofs or facade walls to form constructional areas therein which may be reset in such a way that they display a Tight surface in strong sun light and a dark surface in cool weather. In this manner important Savings may be achieved for heating and air-conditioning purposes in southern countries.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. An indicating device designed to display various symbols, such as figures or letters, which symbols are formed by a plurality of module units, each one comprising its individual set of means for switching the module unit to different contrasting positions, such switching operation being individually controllable separately for each module, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the switching means for each individual module unit consists of a number of plates (12) which are arranged in mutual parallel relationship, and of a number of flanges (18) the colour of which contrasts against the colour of the plates (12), said flanges (18) arranged for mutually coordinated adjustment within each separate module unit, that these flanges (18) are arranged to cover the plates (12) in one of the contrasting • positions of the module unit, that the flanges are arranged, in a second position which contrasts against the first position, to assume a position wherein they are hidden by said plates (12) and in order to allow operation between said two contrasting position the flanges (18) are disposed in gaps formed between said plates (12) incorporated in the module unit. 2. An indicating device as claimed in claim ^ c h a r¬ a c t e r i z e d therein that the plates (12) are positioned at a slight angle. 3. An indicating device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d therein that the flanges (18) are secured on a common slab (16) which is movable to displace the flanges (18) between the two contrasting positions thereof. 4. An indicating device as claimed in claim 3, c h a r- a c t e r i z e d that stop shoulders (24, 26) are provided to limit the movement of said slab (16) to the contrasting positions of the flanges (18). 5. An indicating device as claimed in claim ^ c h a r¬ a c t e r i z e d therein that it is provided with a motor to operate said slab (16).

Inventors: EWALD ROLF VIKTOR TORSTEN, EWALD, ROLF, VIKTOR, TORSTEN
Applicants: EWALD ROLF VIKTOR TORSTEN, EWALD, ROLF, VIKTOR, TORSTEN
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G09F9
IPC codes: G09F9, G09F13