Abstract:
Disclosed is a display assembly comprising a graphical or alphanumeric display and display source such as a clock or other timepiece; a display housing for retaining the display; self-righting means rotatably coupled to the display and display housing with a predetermined bias; a body; and a connecting means operatively engaging the display housing and body. The connecting means in the form of a Cassegrain assembly allows the display housing to swivel with respect to the body over 360 degrees through a vertical plane and horizontal plane independently. The display, when operatively coupled to the self-righting means, is automatically maintained in a substantially upright position independent of the orientation display housing, thereby allowing the display to be turned to face a viewer at any angle without repositioning the body or leveling the display.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   This invention relates to the field of variable orientation display structures. In particular, the invention relates to a self-righting display assembly with an articulated mounting structure that permits the direction of a display to be varied about at least two orthogonal axes, thereby allowing the display to be oriented at any angle with respect to the vertical or horizontal planes to which it attaches. 
   There are at least two prior art clocks that allow the orientation of the clock to be varied and can be attached to a mounting surface. These systems include the “clock with holder” disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,402 to Kallinke et al. and the “flex-clock with clip/stand,” model nos. FLCLC/S. 
   Kallinke discloses a clock fixed within a housing that is variably positioned between the arms of a V-shaped yoke. The inner surfaces of the yoke arms include a plurality of protrusions in the form of small detents and recesses that are adapted to engage corresponding recesses and detents, respectively, on the periphery of the clock housing. The clock housing is permitted to pivot with respect to the yoke about an axis created by two of a plurality of detents that engage the yoke on either side of the clock housing. The clock housing may rotate a total of approximately 90 degrees about the axis. One significant drawback of Kallinke&#39;s clock with holder is that the clock housing is restricted to rotate about one axis, generally described as the vertical axis or the horizontal axis, at any one time. Moreover, the angle of rotation of the housing about either axis is limited by the raised detents that physically obstruct and prevent the clock housing from rotating beyond the 90 degree angle. 
   The flex-clock with clip/stand, model FLCLC/S, includes a clock, fixed within a housing, attached to a clip or base by means of a flexible tubular structure. While the tubular structure permits the direction of the clock to be varied over a range of orientations relative to the clip or base, the flexible tubular structure fails to provide for pivotal movement between the clock housing and clip-type mounting structure. Nor does the clock have the ability to right itself which is important to maintain the clock face in position that is easily readable with minimal user intervention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the self-righting, variable-orientation display assembly of the first preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a frontal view of the self-righting, variable-orientation display assembly of the first preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the self-righting, variable-orientation display assembly of the first preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic cross section of the self-righting, variable-orientation display assembly of the first preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is a frontal view of the self-righting, variable-orientation display assembly of the second preferred embodiment. 
   

   SUMMARY 
   The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art with a display assembly comprised of a display that conveys graphical information generated by a display source; a display housing for receiving the display; self-righting means rotatably coupling the display and display housing; and a body operatively engaged to the display housing by a connecting means. The display source in some embodiments is an analog, or digital clock, calendaring device, temperature display, or other electromechanical display. In other embodiments, the display source generates advertising or promotional information, messages, or horoscopes, for example. 
   The self-righting means, when operatively coupled to the display, automatically maintains the display in a substantially upright position independent of the orientation display housing. The self-righting means in the preferred embodiment includes a bearing assembly and a biasing means for biasing the display into a substantially upright position. In the preferred embodiment, the bearing assembly includes a bearing and the biasing means includes a weight asymmetrically disposed with respect to the bearing&#39;s axis of rotation, although other structures including gyroscopes or position and motion actuators could be adapted to apply the torque necessary to bias the display. 
   The connecting means is comprised of at least one and preferably two pivotable connections that permit the display housing to swivel and or rotate with respect to the body, thereby allowing the display to be turned to face a viewer without repositioning the body. The connecting means, together with the self-righting means, enhances the readability or viewability of the display without the need to adjust the display housing so that the display is right-side-up. In the preferred embodiments, the connecting means is a cassegrain assembly that allows the display housing to swivel over 360 degrees through both a vertical plane and horizontal plane independently. 
   The body in some embodiments includes attaching means for permanently or removably affixing the display assembly to an object such as a smooth, planar surface. The attaching means in the first preferred embodiment is comprised of one or more suction cups, although clips, adhesive, and screws may be equally suitable. 
   In some embodiments, the display source includes a memory means capable of storing and recalling graphical or alphanumeric display indicia. The display source may further include a central processing unit for causing the indicia represented at the display to be varied over the course of time. The processing unit may, for example, cause the display to simultaneously or sequentially interleave images of the time in combination with advertising indicia. The assembly may further include an external communication means for operatively coupling to an external device from which display data is uploaded to the assembly&#39;s memory means. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The accompanying figures depict embodiments of the display assembly of the present invention, and features and components thereof. With regard to means for fastening, mounting, attaching or connecting the components of the present invention to form the apparatus as a whole, unless specifically described otherwise, such means are intended to encompass conventional fasteners such as machine screws, machine threads, snap rings, hose clamps such as screw clamps and the like, rivets, nuts and bolts, toggles, pins and the like. Components may also be connected by friction fitting, or by welding or deformation, if appropriate. Unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for making components of the present invention are selected from appropriate materials such as metal, metallic alloys, natural or synthetic fibers, plastics, elastomers and the like, and appropriate manufacturing or production methods including casting, extruding, molding and machining may be used. 
   Any references to front and back, right and left, top and bottom, upper and lower, and horizontal and vertical are intended for convenience of description, not to limit the present invention or its components to any one positional or spatial orientation. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the self-righting, variable-orientation display assembly of the first preferred embodiment is illustrated. The assembly  100  is comprised of a display housing  101  and a body  150  rotatably affixed to one another by a connecting means. The display housing  101  preferably includes a display window  103  through which the display  104  (see  FIG. 4 ) may be viewed. The display  104  may take the form of any of a one of a number of digital or analog devices for displaying graphics, alphanumeric data, information, or advertising indicia. 
   The display housing  101  is connected to the body  150  with connecting means permitting the direction of the display  104  to be independently adjusted about at least one axis, preferably two. The connecting means adjustably supports and maintains the orientation of the display housing  101  relative to the body  150  until an operator applies the force necessary to re-direct the display housing  101  relative to the body  150 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a frontal view of the self-righting, variable-orientation display assembly of the first preferred embodiment is illustrated. In the first preferred embodiment, the connecting means permits the orientation of the display housing  101  to be re-directed about at two independent degrees of freedom. The connecting means comprises a gantry  120  that is rotatably affixed to the housing  101  by a first swiveling means and to the body  150  by a second swiveling means, thereby permitting the orientation of the display housing  101  to be redirected about two independent degrees of freedom. The first swiveling means permits the housing  101  to rotate relative to the gantry  120  about a first axis  170  up to a full 360 degrees in what is illustrated as a vertical plane, and includes a pair of pins  121  (See  FIG. 3 ) that are affixed to the gantry  120  and rotatably engaged with the housing  101 . The second swiveling means permits the gantry  120  to rotate relative to the body  150  up to a full 360 degrees in what is illustrated as a horizontal plane about a second axis  160 , and includes a post (see  FIG. 4 ). Together, the first and second swiveling means allow the display  104  to be directed at any angle to the top, bottom, or sides of the assembly  100 . 
   In some embodiments, the body  150  is adapted to directly mate to the surface upon which it rests. In some embodiments, the assembly  100  includes attaching means for securing the display assembly  100  to an external object or surface. In the first preferred embodiment, the attaching means is comprised of one or more suction cups  152 ,  152  used to removably secure the display assembly  100  to a substantially planar surface  190 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of the self-righting, variable-orientation display assembly of the preferred embodiment is illustrated. The first swiveling means including pin  121  is shown to pivotably attach the housing  101  to the gantry  120 , thereby permitting the display housing  101  to rotate about what is characteristically described as the angle of declination for a display assembly  100  oriented in the vertical direction. The azimuth angle of the display housing  101  may also be adjusted by rotating the gantry  120  relative to the body  150  about the second axis  160 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , a diagrammatic cross section of the self-righting, variable-orientation display assembly of the preferred embodiment is illustrated. The display housing  101  in this embodiment protectively conceals the display  104 , which is internally mounted within the display housing  101  with a self-righting means described below. In some embodiments, the display may attach directly to or operatively couple with the connecting means. In other embodiments, the display may be co-extensive with or external to some structure directly connected to the gantry. 
   The display  104  in the preferred embodiment is an analog or digital display capable of conveying text, numerical, or graphical information. The display  104  may be implemented in combination with back-lighting or projection-lighting. The display in the preferred embodiment is an LCD display, although one skilled in the art will recognize the suitability of an LED or incandescent display. 
   The information represented on the display  104  is generated by the display electronics  105  operative couple to the display  104 . In the preferred embodiment, the display source  105  includes solid-state electronics or mechanical means for generating the time. Preferably, the time is entered, set, programmed, or otherwise modified using an input means that may be accessible on the display housing  101 , display source  105 , or other position on the exterior of the display assembly  100 . 
   In other embodiments, the display source  105  includes a central processing unit that generates or otherwise modifies the image depicted at the display  104  in a predetermined manner. The processing unit may, for example, cause the indicia represented at display  104  to be varied in time whereby a plurality of images elements are simultaneously or sequentially interleaved over the course of time. In some embodiments, the display  104  depicts the time which is periodically interrupted with an advertising slogan or message, for example. 
   In some embodiments, the display source further includes a memory means from which the central processing unit retrieves data stored therein, the data including the graphical or alphanumeric indicia to be presented at display  104 . The memory means in the preferred embodiment is a ROM (read-only memory) that is programmed during the manufacturing process. In other embodiments, the memory means may include a PROM (programmable ROM) or EPROM (erasable PROM) that allow the memory to be one or more times after manufacture. PROM and EPROM are preferable in embodiments of the assembly that include an external communication means for operatively coupling to an external device through which data is uploaded to the memory means. A USB port, radio frequency, or infrared communication link are examples of suitable external communication means, although one skilled in the art will recognize the suitability of alternative implementations. 
   The display  104  is visible through the substantially transparent lens  103 , which in some embodiments is a convergent lens capable magnifying the graphic information in the display  104  to increase its visibility and readability. The external surface of the display housing  101  is preferably substantially spherical in shape to facilitate handling by the user and minimize any external protrusions that might otherwise inhibit the 360 degree rotation of the housing  101  about the first axis  170 . The spherical shape of the external surface of the convergent lens  103  preferably compliments and smoothly transitions into the external surface of the shell  102  of the display housing  101 . 
   The self-righting means maintains the top of the display  104  in a substantially upright position relative to the bottom of the display  104  to enable a viewer to see and read the graphics represented on the display  104 . In the first preferred embodiment, the self-righting means comprises a bearing assembly and weight  130  mounted off-center from the axis or rotation of the bearing assembly. In first preferred embodiment, the bottom of the display  104  is the side associated with the weight  130 . Alternative self-righting means may be comprised of a gyroscope, motion-sensitive circuit, or electromagnetic controls to regulate the position and or direction of the display  104 . 
   The bearing assembly in this embodiment is comprised of a mounting structure  108  that is rigidly affixed to the display  104  and a bearing casing  122  that is rigidly affixed to the housing  101 . The mounting structure  108  and bearing casing  122  are adapted to engage one another by means of first set of ball bearings  126  held captive in the ball bearing races  109 , 123  and the second set of ball bearings  125  contained within the ball bearing races  110 , 124 . The mounting structure  108  is permitted to rotate freely with substantially no resistance, thus permitting the weight  130  that is operatively coupled to the display  104  to exert a torque that causes the display to settle under the force of gravity into a substantially upright position virtually independent of the orientation of the display assembly  100 . While the display  104  may be forced to assume and inclined position, the weight  130  will always urge the display  104  into a preferred orientation with respect to the vertical, unless of course the display is in a direction co-parallel with the force of gravity. One skilled in the art will recognize that assembly  100  is designed to prohibit the mounting structure  108  from sliding out or otherwise disengaging the bearing casing  122  during normal operation of the display assembly  100 . 
   As illustrated, the display housing  101  is operatively coupled to the gantry  120  in this embodiment with co-axial pins  121  that permit the rotation of the housing  101  about the first axis  170 . The pins  121  may be individual components or formed as an integral part of either the gantry  120  or the display housing  101 . The second swiveling means is comprised of a post  129  integrally incorporated in this preferred embodiment to the gantry  120  and rotatably engaged to the body  150  in a manner that permits these elements to swivel relative to one another about the second axis  160 . The post  129  preferably includes a locking head  128  that flexibly compresses during insertion of the post  129  into the body and then expands to inhibit the gantry  120  from separating from the body  150  under normal operating conditions. The first and second swivel means may alternatively be comprised of various hinges, a ball joint, or trunnion, for example. One skilled in the art will recognize that with two independent axes rotation, the housing  101  may be adjusted to face any angle about the horizontal or vertical planes. 
   In some embodiment, the attaching means permanently or removably affixes the assembly  100  to another object. As illustrated in the preferred embodiment, the attaching means is comprised of a pair of suction cups  151 , 152  that are secured to the body  150  by rods  153 , 154  and base plates  157 , 158  that are affixed to the housing  150  by means of screws  165  that threadedly engage the base receptors  161 ,  162 ,  163 ,  164 . 
   The attaching means may further include an anchor pad  180  with cavities  181  that are adapted to slidably receive the suction cups  151 , 152  such that the anchor pad  180  engages the body  150 . The pad  180  may then be secured to a surface or object by adhesive, screws goods sold under the trademark VELCRO, or the like. One skilled in the art will recognize the suitability of numerous alternative attaching means comprising, for example, one or more clips, springs, adhesives including adhesive pads, bolts, for example, used to directly or indirectly affix the body  150  to another object. 
   Illustrated in  FIG. 5  is a frontal view of the self-righting, variable-orientation display assembly of the second preferred embodiment. The second preferred embodiment  200  includes a display housing  101  complete with display  104  and self-righting means, rotatable gantry  120 , and body. The body is comprised of base section  250  and at least one middle section, illustrated in the preferred embodiment as middle sections  251 A and  251 B. The middle sections  251 A and  251 B are separate structures in some embodiments, but may be integrally connected to one another or to the adjacent gantry  120  or to the base section  250 . In still other embodiments, the middle sections  251 A and  251 B are rotatably affixed to one another at pivot  229 , to the gantry  120  at pivot  231 , or to the body section  250  at pivot  230  using a connecting means comprised of a pin, pivot, hinge, or other structure permitting relative motion. The motion may include axial rotation, or tilting forward or to the sides. 
   The second preferred embodiment  200  further includes one or more grasping means including, for example, flexible members  290 A and  290 B with clasps  292 A and  292 B, respectively, for releasably securing various stationary or office-related products such as notes sheets  294 . A flexible member  290 A or  290 B is preferably comprised of an elastic substance, including elastomer products or pliant wire or metallic links, that permit the clasps  292 A and  292 B to be repositioned at the convenience of the use. A clasp  292 A or  292 B preferably includes a clip, hook, binder, or fastener capable of holding or otherwise retaining the stationary or other article until the user disengages the product from the grasping device. 
   Although the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but rather as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. 
   Therefore, the invention has been disclosed by way of example and not limitation, and reference should be made to the following claims to determine the scope of the present invention.