Patent Publication Number: US-6212806-B1

Title: Display apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field Of The Invention 
     The present invention relates to a display apparatus, and more particularly to a display apparatus with moveable panels that form selected numeric characters. Although the present invention finds utility in applications such as price signs at fuel service stations, it may operate in a large number of other applications, including those using alphabetic characters or letters. 
     2. Description Of The Prior Art 
     The prior art includes a variety of display devices, including manually operable numeric displays with interchangeable characters and automated devices that alter selected segments to form one or more numbers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,356 that issued on Feb. 14, 1995 to Kalivas describes a changeable numeric display with seven panels that form numbers. The seven panels include four vertical panels mounted to revolve about horizontal axes and three horizontal panels mounted to revolve about vertical axes. 
     Like other prior display devices, however, the Kalivas sign suffers a number of disadvantages. The number of panels in the Kalivas apparatus preclude it from forming readily recognizable numbers. In addition, the method of operation of the Kalivas sign requires the display panels to project outwardly of a background surface during number changes, making the sign susceptible to wind and other forces and increasing the likelihood of malfunction. 
     The display apparatus of the present invention avoids the disadvantages of the prior art devices. It is a simple construction that forms highly recognizable numeric characters in an effective and consistent manner; and it minimizes the cost of fabrication and assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a display apparatus includes a base member that defines a display surface and nine panel segments mounted to the base member. At least eight of the panel segments move between a first position in which a panel segment lies in a general parallel and overlapping relation with the display surface and a second portion in which the eight panel segments lie generally perpendicularly to the display surface, along edge portions of the surface. 
     Driving means move the eight panel segments between the first and second positions. The driving means pivots the panel segments between the first and second positions about pivot axes disposed generally parallel to edges of the display surface. One of the nine panel segments remains stationary, while one of the eight moveable segments moves through a central opening in the display surface as it pivots between its first and second positions. Alternatively, a moveable panel segment that operates in the same manner as the other moveable panel segments may replace the stationary panel segment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of this invention, one should now refer to the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of an example of the invention. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the display apparatus of the present invention with a portion of a panel segment cut away to show a drive assembly that moves the panel segment; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  in FIG. 2; 
     FIGS. 4A-4F are schematic plan views of the display apparatus, showing various numbers; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a service station price sign incorporating the display apparatus of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a control circuit of the display apparatus of the present invention. 
    
    
     While the following disclosure describes the invention in connection with one embodiment and modifications of that embodiment, one should understand that the invention is not limited to this embodiment and modifications. Furthermore, one should understand that the drawings are not to scale and that graphic symbols, diagrammatic representatives, and fragmentary views, in part, illustrate the embodiment. In certain instances, the disclosure may not include details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Turning now to the drawings and referring specifically to FIGS. 1,  2  and  5 , a display apparatus  10  of the present invention generally includes a base member  11  and nine panel segments  12 - 20  that form selected numeric characters over a background display surface  21  of the base member  11 . One or more of these apparatus may form a sign, such as the service station sign S shown in FIG.  5 . This sign S includes two sets of apparatus  10 , with each set comprising three large apparatus  10  to show price and two smaller apparatus  10  to show the octane of gasoline for that price. (This sign S may alternatively include permanent octane characters such as those painted onto the surface of the sign.) 
     The panel segments are flat, light-weight components made out of metal (e.g., aluminum), plastic or any other suitable material. The panel segment  12  remains stationary, in the position shown in FIG. 1, while the remaining eight panel segments  13 - 20  move between a first position shown in FIG. 1 and a second position generally perpendicularly of the display surface  11 , as described in the text below. The color of the display surface  21  is significantly different than the color of the outward surface of the panel segments  12 - 20  (when disposed in the first position shown in FIG. 1) so that the numeric characters formed by the segments are readily recognizable from long distances. 
     Although the embodiment shown includes a stationary panel segment  12 , this panel segment  12  may be a moveable one (like the panel segments  13 - 20 ) that operates in the same member as the panel segments  13 - 20 . In addition and as stated above, the display apparatus  10  may include additional panel segments or repositioned panel segments that cooperate to form letters as well as numbers. 
     The base member  11  includes a rectangular base plate  22  and a rectangular display surface plate  23  disposed in parallel, overlapping relation and spaced a predetermined distance apart by coil drive assemblies  24 - 31  that move the panel segments  13 - 20 , respectively. The base plate  22  supports a control circuit  32  (See FIG. 6) which activates the drive assemblies  24 - 31  to selectively place the panel segments in either the first or second positions depending on the numeric character that the apparatus  10  forms. The display surface plate  23  defines the display surface  21  which serves as a background for the segments  12 - 20 . 
     The base plate  22  is made of plastic material or any other suitable material typically used to encase an electronic circuit, while the display surface plate  23  is made out of metal (e.g., aluminum), plastic or any other material of sufficient strength and rigidity. The display surface plate  23  is slightly smaller than the base plate  22 . Thus, when two or more of the apparatus  10  lie in abutting side-by-side relation, a gap remains between the display surface plates  23  of adjacent apparatus  10  to allow the segments to move between their first and second positions. 
     The display surface plate  23  includes an opening  33  at its center with edge portions of the plate surrounding the opening. The plate segment  13  extends through this opening when moving between its first and second positions. When this segment  13  moves into its second position, it lies along an edge portion of the display surface plate  23  adjacent the opening  33 . When the plate segments  14 - 20  move into their second positions, they lie along outer edge portions of the display surface plate  23 , as shown in FIGS. 4A-4F. 
     The coil drive assemblies  24 - 31  are known, conventional devices. They all have the same components; and, like all the others, assembly  31  includes a body segment  31   a , an arm segment  31 b, and a coil segment  31   c . (See FIG. 3) One end of the body segment  31   a  lies secured (e.g., screwed or adhered) to the base plate  22 , and an opposite end receives an edge portion of the display surface plate  23  as at  31   d . The arm segment  31   b  includes an end portion  31   e  secured to the panel segment  20 , an opposite end portion  31   f  with a metal insert  31   g  upon which the coil segment  31   c  acts, and a middle portion  31   h  pivotally secured to the body segment  31   a.    
     The apparatus controls, including the control circuit  32 , activate the coil segment  31   c  to move the arm segment  31   b  from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 to the position shown in phantom lines. In this manner the controls may selectively move the panel segments  12 - 20  in either their first or second positions to form the numeric characters shown in FIGS. 4A-4F. 
     As stated above, the base plate  22  functions as a circuit board, printed with the circuit  32 . It also supports a twenty pole flat cable connector  40  for connection to a control unit (not shown), which along with the coil drive assemblies  24 - 31  and diodes  41 , seats and unseats the plate segments. A jumper  42  identifies which position in a given sign S that that particular apparatus  10  occupies. This is necessary since all the apparatus  10  have similar constructions. Alternatively, a small switch or commutator or any other similar means may perform switching or conductor selection in place of the jumper  42 . 
     While the above description and the drawings disclose and illustrate one embodiment and various modifications, one should understand, of course, that the invention is not limited to this embodiment and modifications. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains may make other modifications and other embodiments employing the principles of this invention, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. For example, solenoids may replace the coil segments in the driving assemblies. Therefore, by the appended claims, the applicant intends to cover any modifications and other embodiments as incorporate those features which constitute the essential features of this invention.