Photo display device

Abstract: A device for storage and display of photographs consisting of a housing 14 with front frame and a spindle 62 containing photo envelopes 50 supported mid-way across the front frame. The spindle carries a large number of photo envelopes by heat welding each envelope to the spindle in close spacing. Each envelope contains two photos back-to-back, and rotation, either manually or motor controlled, indexes intermittent display of the successive photos with two photos always in view in the frame.

Description: The invention relates to a rotary-type photo display device capable of exhibiting a number of photographs in either automatic or manually controlled mode of operation. There have been a number of different developments in the past that relate to card or picture display devices of the rotary type. Card index devices usually are arranged so that only one side of the card need be displayed after indexing. US-A-1813442 disclosed a mechanized rotary-type sign display which includes the two fields of view, i.e., the front of the top card is displayed simultaneously with the backside of the bottom card. US-A-1126814 disclosed another form of picture display device wherein rotary cartridges each contain a number of pictures which can be selectively displayed. US-A-1214732 discloses a rotary indexing apparatus for bringing successive single pictures into view. There is no viewing of the backside of the photo holder and only a single card or picture presentation is made. US-A-978162 discloses a different form of sign or picture exhibiting apparatus wherein a multiple of pictures is rotated in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis. US-A-3218743 discloses a picture exhibiting apparatus that uses an album-type collection of individual photographs wherein each album can be inserted in the display device for subsequent individual viewing of the pictures. Finally, US-A-421266 discloses a rotary-type photograph viewing exhibitor in combination with parlour or office furniture wherein the picture exhibitor may be selectively rotated to exhibit photos while other utilitarian aspects of the combination are available. In this case, an extremely delicate and complicated structure of hinge-stubs, pintles, tubes and spaces are utilized to hingedly secure the individual album-leaves leaves for selective rotary viewing. EP-A-0066784 discloses a menu device for a microwave oven, said device comprising a housing including a viewing frame defining a field view; a spindle removably and rotatably supported by said housing and generally bisecting said viewing frame field of view; a plurality of display elements hingedly secured to said spindle, said display elements being secured to said spindle at angularly spaced locations around said spindle and means for rotating said spindle to move successive display elements through the viewing frame intermittently with each element displaying successfully a first side and then a second side so that a first side of one element and a second side of the previous element can be viewed simultaneously. While such a device is suitable for its purpose, it would not be useful for displaying photographs. The present invention is characterised in that the display elements each comprise envelopes, each having first and second transparent sides, said envelopes being hingedly secured to said spindle and each being adapted to contain first and second photographs that are visible through said respective first and second transparent sides of said envelope. In order that the present invention may more readily be understood, the following description is given, merely by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a front view of one embodiment of display device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded side view of the housing member and front frame of the device; Figure 3A is a top plan view of an envelope as used in the device of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3B is a side elevation of the envelope of Figure 3A; Figure 4A is a top plan view of an envelope as it is heat welded onto a spindle; Figure 4B is a side elevation of the envelope and spindle; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the spindle with a full complement of envelopes partially shown; Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a partial side view with parts shown in phantom illustrating the drive mechanism of the device; Figure 8 is a side elevation of a spindle knob as used in the device; Figure 9 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the knob of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a block diagram of electric control circuitry for the present invention; Figure 11 is a side view in vertical cross-section of a second embodiment of housing design for the display device; and Figure 12 is a front elevation of the housing member with front frame and interior components removed. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a photograph display device 10 includes a front frame 12 snap-fit over a housing 14. The rectangular front frame 12 includes opposite sides 16 and 18, top 20 and bottom 22 that provides a double picture field of view. A comb 23 is formed around the inner edge of frame 12. Thus, the front viewing area 24 is divided into an upper area 26 for viewing a first picture and a lower viewing area 28 displaying a second picture. The viewing areas 26,28 are each adapted to receive standard-sized photographs, e.g., 3½ x 5 inch (9 x 12.7 cm) snapshot prints. Identical spindle knobs 30L and 30R, are disposed one on each side of front frame 12, and together with spindle 32 (to be described) are maintained in operative position by assembly of front frame 12 and housing 14 (Figure 2). Unitary housing 14 has side members 34L and 34R and curved back member 36 which extends all the way around from housing peak 38 to the forward portion of base 40. A semi-circular journal bearing race 42 is formed on each of housing sides 34L and 34R, this including a small upper race portion 44L and 44R, which serves as a pawl to coact with an annular groove of the respective spindle knob 30L to prevent contra-rotation. The frame sides 16 and 18 each include semi-circular journal race formations 46L and 46R that are adapted to coact with the race formations 30L and 30R rotatably to support the spindle assembly. The front frame 12 may include a plurality of catch formations 48 which coact with mating bar formations (not shown) in the housing 14 to provide a removable snap-in closure. Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, a photograph envelope 50 is constructed by folding a rectangular sheet of plastic along a fold line 52 slightly offset from the centre, to form sides 54 and 56 while leaving a tab portion 58. A heat weld 60 is then formed across the envelope 50 to form the compartment having opposite sides 54 and 56. While any of several plastic films may be utilized, very good results have been achieved using polypropylene. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the individual envelopes 50 are secured to the spindle 62 in like manner. Thus, the spindle 62 is formed from tube stock of similar plastic, e.g., polypropylene, and another heat seal or weld 64 is drawn along the tab portion 58 of envelope 50 to cause secure adherence to the spindle 62. The use of the same types of polymer for formation of the envelopes 50 and spindle 62 enables an easy, secure weld to be achieved. As shown in Figure 5, a large number of envelopes 50 can then be secured around the spindle 62 in close spacing with each envelope 50 freely movable in hinge-like attachment. With about a 25 mm (one inch) diameter spindle 62, as many as 50 envelopes can be secured in the array, thus accommodating 100 photographs with two per envelope. Figure 6 shows a lower rear compartment 66 in which is mounted a suitable type of gear motor 68 providing reduced speed rotational output to a drive pulley 70 driving a timing belt 72 (see Figure 9). The timing belt 72 is led upward and meshed into engagement with a timing belt sprocket, as will be further described in Figures 7-9. The spindle 62 is maintained in position by the journal bearing races 42L and 42R. Actually, the tubular spindle 62 having inside cylindrical surface 74 receives spindle knobs 30L and 30R in opposite ends in force-fit. Referring to Figure 8, each of the spindle knobs 30 includes a reduced diameter portion 76 having roughened surface adapted to press-fit into the inside diameter 74 of the spindle 62, and this formation extends into a timing belt sprocket gear formation 78 which, in turn, extends to a smooth circular bearing race 80 that provides rotational support within the housing/frame journal bearings. The outer end of spindle knob 30 is then formed with a knurled knob 82 that serves for manual rotation. As shown in Figure 9, the underside of knurled knob portion 82 includes an annular recess 84 that includes ratchet notches 86 for coaction with the ratchet pawls 44L and 44R as shown in Figure 2, which serve to prevent backward rotation of spindle 62. Referring to Figure 6, the spindle 62 rotates to move successive envelopes 50 past the upper horizontal comb 23a whereupon the envelope 50 falls forward to the lower position to bring two new photos into view. Figure 7 illustrates, in addition to the drive system 68,70,72, the ratchet pawl 44L as it rides in annular groove 84 in ratcheting coaction with notches 86L. A suitable type of gear motor 68, either AC or DC, can be selected from commercially available types. Primarily, selection should ensure that the revolution rate of drive pulley 70 be slow enough to allow ample viewing time per photograph presentation. A timing disk 90 rotated synchronously with drive pulley 70 includes a notch 92 that controls operation of a cycle switch 94, a selected type of microswitch. Thus, when notch 92 allows outward projection of feeler arm 96 the gear motor is in the OFF position; however, upon rotating by momentary switching or manual rotation whereupon feeler arm 92 is depressed, the energization of gear motor 68 will continue for one full rotation, the equivalent of a complete rotation of photograph spindle 62. An alternative mode of energization is to use a light activated switch that will cause the gear motor 68 to run continually any time there is ambient light, as will be further described. Figure 10 illustrates the control circuits 100 used with the display device 10. It is contemplated that there be three different types of operation, and these can be provided as separate production units or as a combined unit capable of all three modes of operation. A manual mode of operation is effected simply by rotating the manual control knob 30 to bring up successive pairs of photos for view. A second mode of operation, what may be termed cycle mode, operates under DC power source 102 through the cycle switch 94 to energize drive motor 68. That is, initial movement of manual control 30 moves the timing disk 90 so that microswitch 94 is energized, and this then energizes drive motor 68 for one full revolution or until timing disk 90 completes its revolution to deactivate feeler arm 92. A third or automatic mode of operation functions from an AC power source 104 to energize drive motor through a control switch 106 whenever any ambient light is present and light sensor 108 actuates control switch 106. The gear motor or drive motor 68 must be selected from AC or DC types, depending upon the mode of operation. When the spindle 62 is rotated the picture envelopes 50 are intermittently released from the upper position to the lower position (see Figure 6). This is due to the positioning of spindle 62 relative to the comb 23a along the upper part 20 of frame 12. It can be seen that the envelopes 50 closest to comb 23a drag downward therealong before release for a certain short duration of arcuate movement of spindle 62. When envelope 50 clears comb 23a it then falls down to the lower level and the display includes in view the next photo from each of the top envelope and bottom envelope. The amount of time of view for successive pairs of pictures is a function of the rotational output speed of gear motor 68. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate an improved form of housing 14a that includes a pair of stabilizer segments 110 and 112. The basic shape and formation of housing 14a remain the same but this housing includes stabilizer segments 110 and 112 which are each affixed to the housing back wall 36 to extend in parallel to a point just inside the respective bearing race 42L and 42R. The segments 110 and 112 extend from the secured back edge 114 to define a front edge 116L and 116R that lies generally parallel with and slightly inside of the front edge of respective side members 34L and 34R. The front edges 116L and 116R are then formed with a respective semi-circular cut-out 118L and 118R which are disposed in juxtaposition to respective journal bearing races 42L and 42R but of slightly larger radius. Thus, when a spindle 62 of photo envelopes 50 is put in the housing 14a for viewing, the segments 110 and 112 will be closely positioned on each side of the envelopes 50 to prevent any sideways movement of photographs from within their respective envelope 50. Segments 110 and 112 tend to maintain orderly positioning of the multiple of photographs thereby to enhance the viewing sequence while also protecting the individual pictures. The display device disclosed has the capability of reliable exposition of a large number of photographs. The unit is trim and capable of achieving desirable aesthetic effect, and it may be utilized in any of several different modes of operation. Additionally, picture storage is effected by the use of a plurality of spindle/envelope units, each of which may contain upwards of 100 photographs and each being readily interchangeable in the display device.

Claims: A device for storage and display of photographs, said device comprising a housing (14) including a viewing frame (16) defining a field of view; a spindle (62) removably and rotatably supported by said housing (14) and generally bisecting said viewing frame field of view; a plurality of display elements (50) hingedly secured to said spindle (62), said display elements being secured to said spindle at angularly spaced locations around said spindle and means for rotating said spindle to move successive display elements through the viewing frame intermittently with each element displaying successfully a first side and then a second side so that a first side of one element and a second side of the previous element can be viewed simultaneously, characterised in that said display elements (50) each comprise envelopes, each having first and second transparent sides (54,56), said envelopes being hingedly secured to said spindle (62) and each being adapted to contain first and second photographs that are visible through said respective first and second transparent sides (54,56) of said envelope. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that each envelope includes a securing tab (58), said securing tabs being connected to said spindle. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that said envelopes are formed from a plastics material which is heat welded to said spindle. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that said spindle and said envelopes are formed of the same plastics material to facilitate welding thereof. A device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said envelopes are equally spaced around said spindle. A device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said spindle (62) is mounted in bearings (42,44,46) in said housing to extend substantially horizontally and in that means (23a,110,112) are provided to constrain pivoting movement of said envelopes relative to said spindle. A device according to claim 6, characterised in that said means comprise an element (23a) adjacent the upper surface (23) of the viewing frame (16). A device according to claim 7, characterised in that said means comprise first and second stabilizing segments (110,112) secured within said housing in parallel spaced relationship, each extending in juxtaposition to respective opposite sides of the envelopes carried by said spindle means.

Inventors: BYERS THOMAS L, BYERS, THOMAS L.
Applicants: BYERS THOMAS L, BYERS, THOMAS L.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G09F11
IPC codes: G09F11