Patent GB-939891-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to apparatus for producing the visual effect of variable colours
IPC: G09F19/18
Filed: 1962-03-29
Abstract: 939,891. Colour mixing apparatus. VALSPAR CORPORATION. March 29, 1962 [Apri 28, 1961], No. 12141/62. Class 97 (1). [Also in Group XXIV] Colour mixing apparatus comprises a stack of overlying opaque colour discs, one face of the stack being visible and each disc being formed from a number of sectors connected together in fixed angular positions with one radial edge of each sector overlapping the adjacent edge of the next sector, the sectors being interleaved with each other in such a way that relative angular movement of the discs causes varying areas of the different discs to be visible on the one face of the stack, the discs having a driving mechanism for rotating them in unison to mix the exposed portions of the discs optically and an adjustment mechanism for moving the discs angularly relative to each other. The apparatus shown in Fig. 3 has five opaque colour discs 31-35, each formed from three metal sectors arranged so the trailing edge of one sector overlaps the leading edge of the next one. Each disc is attached by tabs to the upturned flange of one of five annular carriers 36-40 having inner ring gears 56-60, which are each supported and centred by three planet gears. All the planet gears are mounted on a common carrier 87, rotatable around a hub 79 which is itself rotatable around a shaft 77. Each set of three planet gears meshes with one of five sun gears 71-77 75, each connected by a pin which passes through an arcuate slot in each of the other sun gears and is connected to one of five pulleys 101-105, mounted on a hub 76 which is rotatable around-the hub 79. Attached to this hub 79 is a drive plate 83 which supports the stack of colour discs and is fixed at 85 to the ring gear 56. On energizing an electric motor 175, the hub 79 and drive plate 83 are rotated by a pulley and cable arrangement. The ring gear 56 is therefore rotated and causes the planet gears 61 meshing therewith to move around the sun gear 71. Since the planet gears are on a common carrier 87 this will rotate to move the other planet gears and so cause rotation of the ring gears meshing therewith. In this way, all the colour discs 31-35 are rotated in unison to effect mixing of the colours of the exposed portions of the discs. To vary the exposed portions of the different discs, provision is made for selective angular adjustment of the colour discs. For this purpose, each pulley 101-105 is connected by cables 161-165 to a respective shaft, such as 148, which passes outside the apparatus to a control knob, such as 158, operation of which thus moves the sun gear connected to the pulley. By pin and slot connections, it is arranged that adjustment of any one sun gear also moves those sun gears in front of it, but not those beeind it. The mixed colour can be seen through a front opening 151, there being a no accurate opening 202 through which can be seen indicator panels showing the composition of the mixed colour. These panels 191-195 are each attached by an arm to one of the pulleys so that, there it can be relatively adjusted when the colour is varied, they do not rotate with the colour discs to mix the colours. In a modification, Fig. 13, each colour sector has a central ring such as 241 to receive a locating pin, and hook ended tabs, such as 251, to engage notches 258 in the flange of its annular carrier. Another alternative is described, Figs. 17-20 (not shown), in which the central ring of each sector has a radial slit and the several rings are spirally interleaved; outwardly extending tabs attach the various sectors to the respective annular carriers. To reduce friction and noise caused by the planet gears, each such gear may be supported on its pin by an anti-friction bearing 275, Fig. 22, and be formed from a relatively soft material (e.g. plastic, buterane rubber). Peripheral teeth are formed, an integral flange 278 at one side extending out to the tips of the teeth for circumferential support. Support plates 279, 280 as of a harder plastic material are mounted on opposite sides of the gear and are held together by integral pins 282.