Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: MATRIX DISPLAY
This relates generally to changeable displays used for portraying
visual or written information by a plurality of pivotable disks movable
between contrasting conditions for day or night viewing conditions. The
movable display assembly itself can be used in any desired spatial
arrangement. This includes pre-arranged positions where the display
assemblies might be alternately used to indicate one or two or more limited
words or messages. More commonly, the dispiay assembly will be used in
a rectangular or geometric matrix. In such a matrix, the individual
display assemblies will be typically arranged in multiple vertical columns
and horizontal rows so as to be generally usable in pOl ll dyillg unlimited
combinations of pictorial or written information.
A typical element used today in such a display matrix is a lighted
lamp. Lighted lamps are used in both daylight and darkened environments
to provide a visual contrast with a dark background panel. While very
effective as a visual display, large matrix displays of this type require
substantial amounts of energy for operation and also generate substantial
amounts of heat, most of which is typically wasted to the environment.
2 0 The present display was developed in an effort to provide an
economic alternative to a lighted lamp bank or lamp matrix display. To
provide visual contrast under darkened or night conditions, a backlighted
panel was desired. However, backlighting does not normally provide
adequate contrast in such a display when viewed under bright daylight
conditions. For these reasons, a re-flective daylight display was desired as
well.
The present apparatus provides two modes of operation. For daylight
usage or for display under relatively bright environmental lighting
conditions, a reflective or fluorescent contrasting display is available in
30 combination with the background of the panel. For nighttime use or
display under darkened environmental conditions, a backlighted contrasting
display is used. This versatility in display application required
development of controls for moving the individunl disks between three
positions, each of which must be a stable rest position which can be
maintained without continuous energization.
The present apparatus pivots a thin disk from a sealed background
position to an opposed reflec$ive or fluorescent position or to an
intermediate light-transmitting position. In each of these alternate stable
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positions, the disk and its supporting elements are movable by magnetic
forces to the alternate positions. This assures certainty in the disk
movement and removes visual hesitancy that might otherwise affect the
visual impact of an instantly changeable display. The resulting mechanical
apparatus has a visual impact under all environmental lighting conditions
similar to that achieved by instantly turning a multitude of lamps on or off
to change a lamp bank matrix.
Fig. 1 is a front view o-f an assembled matrix showing display of a
letter;
Fig. 2 is a front view of a single display assembly in the reflective
condition;
Fig. 3 is a rear view of the display assembly in the reflective
condition;
Fig. 4 ia a side view of the display assembly;
Fig. 5 is a front view of a single display assembly in the closed or
background condition;
Fig. 6 is a front view of a single display assembly in the backlighted
condition;
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 3;
Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a disk assembly;
Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a disk;
Fig. 10 is a front elevation of an armature;
Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in Fig. 8;
Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 13-13 in Eig. 5;
Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 14-14 in Fig. 6;
Fig. 15 is a schematic view of the display assembly in the reflective
condition;
3 0 Fig. 16 is a schematic view of the display assembly in the closed
condition; and
};ig. 17 i8 a schematic view of the display assembly in the backlighted
condition .
The drawings illustrate a specific form of the invention, which is an
individual movable display assembly. It is adapted to be arranged in a
spatial display arrangement forming discrete informational patterns or in a
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mntrix having multiple vertical columns and horizontal rows for display of
general pictorial or written information.
Each assembly is individually controlled and movable between three
different positions. In one position, the assembly displays a surface that
contrasts with the background of the matrix. In the second position, it
displays a surface having a color common to the background. In the third
position, it transmits light from behind the assembly in a backlighted
display mode. The first and second positions are designed for use in a
reflective mode; the second and third for use in a backlighted mode.
The assembly basically comprises a shell 10 that supports the
assembly components; an armature 20 and disk 25 that pivot relative to the
shell as a unit; and a magnetic operator, shown as a permanent magnet 26
on the armature 20 and a pair of driving magnets 27 and 28 at the back of
shell 10. By selectively reversing magnets 27 and 28, disk 25 can be
instantly positioned in one of the three above-described positions. The
three operational positions of the assembly are shown in sectional views 12,
13 and 14. Schematic views illustrating operation of the assembly in the
three positions are shown in Figs. 15, 16 and 17.
As shown in the drawings, shell 10 is molded of plastic resin or other
2 suitable structural material as an integral member . Shell 10 can be
integral with a supporting panel or frame for the display or can be a
separably formed component as shown. It includes a surrounding rim 11
having a front surface 12 and an oppositely facing back surface 13. The
surfaces 12 and 13 are bounded by an outer peripheral edge 14 and an
inner peripheral edge 15. The edge 15 surrounds a centrally open window
through the shell 10.
Bearing means for the armature 20 are provided integrally in the
molded shell 10 and are cle~ign:~ted in the drawings specifically a-t 17. The
bearings 17 are shown as inwardly open apertures aligned along a
30 transverse pivot axis X-X.
Armature 20 comprises a transverse axle 22 having offset support
stubs 21 complementary in both size and location to the bearings 17.
Stubs 21 are adapted to be inserted into the opposed bearing apertures to
pivotally mount armature 20 about axis X-X. The offset between axle 22
and stubs 21 facilitates flexure of the armature 20 for insertion of the
stubs 21 into the bearing apertures at each side of shell 10. It also
facilitates overlapping of the enlarged reflective or fluorescent area of disl~
25 in front of shell 10 when in the position shown in ~ïgs. 2, 3 and 12.
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The resulting forward projection of disk 25 significantly increases the
visibility of the reflective or fluorescent area on disk 25 in contrast to the
m ore recessed position assumed in the closed disk condition. It brings
disk 25 forward to minimize overlap of adjacent shell surfaces which might
otherwise obscure viewing of the disk.
Armature 20 is provided with a pair of opposed slotted tabs 23 and 24
aligned across one of its sides and partially overlapping axle 22. The tabs
23 grip the side edges of disk 25, which is provided with complementary
notches 38 and 39 formed inwardly from its side edges (Fig. 9). As
shown, notch 38 is complementary to tab 23 and notch 39 is complementary
to tab 24. The tabs and notches are of differing width so that the interfit
between them automatically indexes and locates the flap 25 properly across
the armature 20.
Armature 20 also supports a cylindrical permanent magnet 26 having
opposed magnetic poles located about its periphery along a plane that
intersects axis X-X and is perpendicular to it. The angular position of
armature 20 is controlled by switchable magnets 27 and 28 fixed to shell 10
within an integral magnet housing 30 protruding from the rear shell
surface 13 (see Fig.7). The magnets 27 and 28 have inwardly facing
20 permanent magnet poles located adjacent to the periphery of the cylindrical
magnet 26. ~lagnets 27 and 28 are electrically switchable by electronic
controls ~not shown) which reverse their polarity. A substantial amount
of such polarity remains as residual magnetism without the requirement for
continuous electrical current.
The shell 10 also includes complementary angular extensions 31 and 32
which limit one angular position of disk 25. The lower extension 31
projects forwardly -from the front shell surface 12 about a first window
section 40 located beneath axis X-X. The upper extension 32 projects
rearwardly from the rear shell surface 13 about a second window section 41
3 0 located above axis X-X . Extension 31 terminates along an outer edge 33
which converges outward from axis X-X when viewed from the side. A
similar outer edge 34 is formed about extension 32. As seen from the
side, the two extensions 31 and 32 terminate along substantially coplanar
outer edges 33 and 34, these edges being offset only by an amount
equivalent to the thickness of the flap 25 which selectively contacts them.
The assembly including shell 10, armature 20, disk 25, and the
magnets mounted to them, is releasably mounted to an upright support
panel shown at 36, which might be in a matrix configuration and include
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vertical columns and horizontal rows of aligned apertures having a shape
suitable to provide clearance for the moving disks 25 and for the
projecting extension 32 and magnet housing 30. Panel 36 might further
include printed circuitry (not shown) for connection to the terminals of
magnets 27 and 28 in each assembly. Mounting projections 35 at the top
and bottom of the rear shell surface 13 are engageable through
complementary apertures in the panel 36 to releasably fix the shell 10 and
its components to the matrix panel 36. Shell 10 and its components are
removable from panel 36 as a unit for repair or replacement purposes.
As shown, the disk 25 is not symmetrical about the axis X-~. It is
operationally divicled into a first disk end 42 and a second disk end 43
extending oppositely from armature 20 and pivot axis X-X. The disk ends
42 and 43 are bounded on their sides by substantially parallel convex
edges 44 and 45 which t~imini~h in width outwardly from axis X-X. They
intersect convex end edges 46 and 47 which are symmetrical across the
width of disk 25.
It is to be noted that the first disk end 42 has a cross-sectional
configuration complementary to and capable of passing through the first
window section 40 on shell 10 when pivoted about axis X-X. Also, the
2 0 cross-sectional configuration of the first disk end 42 is greater in both
length and width than that of the second window section 410f shell 10.
The second disk end 43 has a cross-sectional configuration greater than
that of the first disk end. Its length is such as to extend outwardly to
the peripheral edge 14 of shell 10 when in the reflective or fluorescent
position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
The operational positions of disk 25 are best understood from Fig. 12,
which shows the reflective disk position, Fig. 13, which shows the
background or closed disk position and Fig. 14 which shows the light
transmitting disk position. During normal use OI the sign under daylight
30 conditions or where external lighting is adequate to provide substantial
contrast to the flat surfaces, only the reflective or fluorescent position
(Fig. 2) and the background position (Fig. 5) would be used. In
darkened environments and in night conditions outdoors, only the
background position (Fig. 5) and the light transmitting position (Fig. 6)
would be used.
Disk 25 has visually contrasting outer surfaces 4~ and 50 at opposite
sides thereof. Surface 48 shall be termed a "reflective" surface and
surface 50 shall be termed a "background" surface. Surface 48 can be
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covered or coated with any material or coloring that visually contrasts with
the background color of shell 10 and panel 36. Fluorescent coatings have
been preferred for maximum visibility ~mder both natural and artificial
lighting conditions. Normally surface 50 and armature 20 will be painted
or colored identically to the finish of shell 10 and the exposed portions of
panel 36 so as to fade into the background of the display when viewed
from the front. This background color is preferably black, but other
colors can be utilized where desired. Surface 50 is overlapped by
armature 20, but since they are identically colored, this is not visually
objectionable.
It is noted that surface 48 faces outwardly opposite to the armature
20. Since it overlaps armature 20, it is unobstructed other than by the
small area overlapped at each of its sides by the inwardly projecting
mounting tabs 23 and 24.
Figs. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate the alignment of the magnetic poles on
permanent magnet 26 with respect to the plane of disk 25. The magnets
27 and 28 continuously maintain disk 25 in each of its three alternate
preset positions until they are reactivated $o move it to another position.
No mechanical latches or dampeners are included in the assembly.
The reflective position (~Ygs. 2 and 3) exposes most of the area about
surface 48 to the front of the assembly to provide maximum visual contrast
with the background elements about the matrix panel 36. In this position,
disk 25 assumes an upright position exposing surface 48 to the front of
the assembly. The first disk end 42 is located within the Eirst window
section 40 of shell 10 and the second disk end 43 overlaps the front
surface 12 of shell 10 about the second section 41. The only portions of
the reflective or fluorescent surface 48 not visible are those overlapped by
the tabs 23 and 24. The maximum av~ilable area on disk 25 is exposed for
visual impact in existing light.
In the second or background position (Fig. 5), the disk 25 is rotated
approximately 150 from the first position and rests with its edg~es against
the edges 33 and 34 of' extensions 31 and 32, respectively. This exposes
the background surface 50 to the front of shell 10. The second disk end
43 overlaps and seals the outer edges 33 of the lower extension 31 about
the first window section 40 of the shell 10. The first disk end 42 overlaps
and seals the outer edges 34 of the upper extension 32 about the second
window section 40. While less of the disk 25 is thereby visible when
viewed from the front, this is of no material consequence since the surface
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50 is colored identically to the surfaces about shell 10 and the surrounding
panel 36. Disk 25 becomes part of the matrix background in this position.
When the display is backlighted, disk 25 substantially stops passage of
light in this position.
Transmittal of light through shell 10 i6 accomplished by selectively
moving disk 25 to an intermediate position (Fig. 6) between the two
above-described positions. In this position, disk 25 will normally be
almost horizontal, although it is preferable that the forward edge of disk
25 be inclined downwardly where the display is elevated and is to be
viewed from a somewhat lower location.
The assembly can be backlighted by incandescent or fluorescent tubes
or by any other source of light located rearward of the assemblies as
diagrammatically shown at 51 in ~igs. 15-17. In this position, it is
desirable that the thin disk 25 be viewed on edge so as to obscure as little
of the transmitted light as possible. In addition, interior surfaces
viewable behind the panel 36 might be colored so as to contrast with the
background coloring of the panel 36 and shell 10 when disk 25 is in this
intermediate position.
With the disk 25 substantially aligned parallel to the magnetic poles on
permanent magnet 26, armature 20 is moved to the first position by driving
the magnets to polarities opposed to the permanent magnet poles when disk
25 is upright. Movement of disk 25 to its background position is achieved
by reversing the polarity of the magnets 27 and 28. The intermediate
position of disk 25 is achieved in alternation with the background position
by reversing the polarity of one magnet 27 or 28 only, using the other as
a magnetic dampener to minimize fluttering of the disk 25 as it reaches the
intermediate position.
The magnets 27 and 28 are arranged at approximately 45 orientations
with respect to the upright position of disk 25 and the front and rear
surfaces 12 and 13 of shell 10. They are also arranged at 45 from the
horizontal and 90 from one another. Their magnetic axes converge and
intersect at axis X-X. The 45 orientation of magnets 27 and 28 assures
substantially horizontal positioning of disk 25 when in its intermediate
position. The actual position of disk 25 in any of its three positions is a
resultant of the magnetic moments exerted on the armature 20,
The above display assembly provides maximum areal contrast between
the reflective and background conditions for daylight or frontlighted use
and between the backlighted and background positions for nighttime use or
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in darkened environments. The operation of the display requires little
energy, since the con-trolling magnets need only to be energized during
resetting of individual disks 25. In many instances, no external lighting
will be required during daylight hours. The backlighting necessary in
darkened environments requires substantially less energy than is the case
with conventional lamp banks used in prior matrix ~isplays.
The assembly is designed for simplified replacement of disks 25 to
compensate for fading or aging of the reflective finish on its surface48.
Each disk 25 can be readily flexed inward toward its transverse center to
release it from the armature tabs 23 and 24. Similarly, the entire
armature assembly can also be released from shell 10 by flexing axle 22
and pulling stubs 21 from bearings 17. Replacement of a disk or armature
is no more difficult than replacement of a lamp bulb in a lighted lamp
matrix .
Various modifications might be made with respect to the details of the
assembly without deviatingr from the general features described above.
