US3699698A

US3699698A - Animated display device and method

Info

Publication number: US3699698A
Application number: US127678A
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter D Shiu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-03-24
Filing date: 1971-03-24
Publication date: 1972-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-24

Abstract

A method and apparatus for animating a display device including a figure mounted for rotation on a support for the device and having a laterally extending element from the body of the figure with a flexible tendon secured thereto and an action element secured to the free end of the tendon is disclosed. Additionally, a stationary reaction rod is positioned adjacent the figure, and figure driving means is connected to rotate the figure. On rotation, the weighted action element swings outward under centrifugal force, and the figure dwells or remains in a stationary position facing a predetermined side of the display when the tendon engages the reaction rod winds, unwinds and swings free thereof in the manner of an escapement mechanism. The reaction rod, weighted element and preferably the projecting element are all formed as objects relating to an activity being simulated by the figure. Various constructions of the driving means are shown.

Description

United States Patent Shiu [54 ANIMATED DISPLAY DEVICE AND- METHOD [72] Inventor: Peter DQ' Shin, 1935 Hopkins Street,

Berkeley, Calif. 94707 [22] Filed: March 24, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 127,678

[52 U.s.c|..'...., ..40/106.35 51 Int. Cl ..c09r 19/10 [58 Fieldoi'Search ..40/l06.3,106.31,106.34,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,964,477 6/1934 OBrien ..40/106.35 2,629,966 3/ 1953 Russ ..40/ 106.34 X 3,442,040 5/1969 Dore ..40/ 106.35 3,503,613 3/1970 Caya .......46/148 X Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Richard Carter Attorney-Warren, Rubin, Brucker & Chickering [451 Oct. 24, 1972 [57]. ABSTRACT' A method and apparatus for animating a display device including a figure mounted for rotation on a v support for the device and having a laterally extending element fromthe body of the figure with a flexible tendon secured thereto and an action element securedv to the free end of the tendon is disclosed. Additionally, a stationary reaction rod is positioned adjacent the figure, and figure driving means is connect'ed to rotate the figure. On rotation, the weighted action element swings outward under centrifugal force, and the figure dwells or remains in a stationary position facing a predetermined side of the display when the tendon engages the reaction rod winds, unwinds and swings free thereof in the manner of an escapement mechanism. The reaction rod, weighted element and preferably the projecting element are all formed as objects relating to an activity being simulated by the figure. Various constructions of the driving means are shown.

10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED 24 I97? 3.699 ,698

SHEET 2 0F 2 F/GZ L" um H lm "Wm pgrzsg s'zw ATTORN E YS ANIMATED DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of an animated display as an advertising device has become widespread. These displays appear in gas stations, liquor stores, drugstores, and supermarkets, to name a few, and are known in the advertising industry as pointfof-purchase or P.O.P. displays. The devices are widely varied in construction and range from simple pendulums to involved animated optical illusions. Such animated displays have been found by industry to be an effective way of catching-the attention of the consumer in order to communicate an advertising message.

It has been found to be highly desirable to incorporate a figure, and particularly a human figure, into an animated display. The animated display device of the present invention utilizes the principal of operation of a form of early clock escapement mechanism in order to achieve animation of a figure and simulate some activity of the figure. Clock escapement mechanisms have been formed which include a center rotating element, normally powered by the clock spring, a laterally projecting element, a flexible tendon affixed to the projecting element, and a weighted element affixed to the end of the tendon. The escapement further includes a plurality of rods or posts spaced about the periphery of the central rotating element and projecting element. As the central element rotates, the weighted tendon swings outwardly under centrifugal force until the tendon engages one of the rods. Upon engagement of the rod by the tendon, the tendon, as urged by the weight, winds around the rod while the central element remains stationary or dwells. The tendon then unwinds, swings free of the rod and begins rotation again with the flexible tendon and weighted element swinging outwardly until they intersect another rod, where the winding and unwinding process is repeated. While this type of escapement mechanism is useful as incorporated clocks, other practical uses have not been widespread.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an animated display device in which the simulation of the movement of a figure during an activity can be achieved in a visually interesting although repetitive manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an animated display device which may be readily adapted to simulate a wide range of sports activities.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for animating a display device and apparatus therefore which provides a relatively complex visual representation and yet is easy to construct, operate and maintain.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for animating a display device and apparatus therefore which is durable, inexpensive, and readily adaptable to a variety of animations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the method and apparatus of the present invention includes the mounting of a figure to be animated on the central element of an escape mechanism and incorporating the laterally projecting arm of the element is formed as a moving object normally related to the activity depicted by the figure. A reaction rod, preferably formed as'a representation of the stationary object related to the activity depicted by the figure, is positioned relative to a side of the display device so that the figure repetitively rotates to and stops, presenting the same side of the figure for viewing on each rotation of the display device, while the weighted action element winds and unwinds from the reaction rod. The driving means for the rotating figure is preferably an electric motor driving the figure directly or provided with clutch means to accommodate dwelling of the figure during winding and unwinding. Spring driving means are also provided. The figure is preferably formed to represent a human being engaged in a sports activity with the projecting element formed to represent a piece of sporting equipment. A second stationary reaction rod may be provided to cause dwelling of the figure while facing a second side of the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a display device constructed in accordance with the present invention. 7

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the base and driving means of the display device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alternative construction of the driving means illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a universal connection construction illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a reduced perspective view of the display device of the present invention illustrating the geometry and the use of a background.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a further alternative .drive mechanism suitable for use in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is aside elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the display device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a further alternative drive mechanism suitable for use 'in the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the drive mechanism illustrated in FIG. 10.

1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. '1, the display device of the present invention can be seen to be comprised of a support or base 11, having a front side 12 from which direction the display device is generally viewed. Rotatably mounted to support 11 is a figure, generally designated 13, which is formed to depict, in this instance, a golfer represented during a portion of the golf swing, namely, at the end of the swing. FIG. 13 is pivoted for rotation about a generally vertical axis 14 and is mounted on platform 16, which is preferably flush with the top 17 of base 11. Projecting laterally away from body 18 of the figure is element 19, here formed as a golf club having a head 21, the club is gripped at end 22 thereof by the hands of the figure. 2

a weighted action element 24, here formed to represent a golf ball, is secured to free end 26 of tendon 23. Secured to base support 11 is a reaction rod 27 around which tendon 23 can be seen to be wound or wrapped. Reaction rod 27 is formed as the flag stick normally found at each green on a golf course and has a flag 29 secured thereto. The platform 16 on which figure 13 is mounted is rotated by driving means 28, which is shown in FIG. 1 schematically.

' In operation, driving means 28 rotates platform 16 about axis 14 in a direction asshown by arrow 31 from a position of rest, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 1. Rotation of FIG. 13 will cause action element 24 to move outwardly and upwardly under the centrifugal forces generated during rotation. Flexible line 23 will allow the action element to swing away from the body. 18 of the figure. Thus, when the golf club or projecting element 19 rotates to a position pointing toward reaction element or flag stick 27 tendon 23 will be distended beyond the reaction element, which will cause the reaction element to interrupt the arcuate path of ball 24, with the result that tendon 23 will wrap or wind around the flag stick in the direction indicated by arrow 34, as illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 1. While the tendon winds around the flag stick and stops and then begins to unwind, FIG. 13 will be held in a stationary or dwelling position with side 32 generally faeing reaction rod 27 and the front of FIG. 13 facing the front 12 of the display device. The figure will be maintained in a stationary or dwelled position until the ball and tendon unwind from and swings free of the reaction rod 27, whereupon driving means 28 will again cause the figure to rotate about axis 14.

It will be seen, therefore, that in the case of a golfer, the animated display device repetitively simulates the pivoting of the golfer during the swing, with the figure coming to a rest or dwelling position for viewing from the front of the display device.

The device of the present invention essentially utilizes the basic principles incorporated into clock escapement mechanisms, and additionally mounts a figure in a predetermined orientation upon the central rotating element of the escapement and positions the reaction rod so that a predetermined or normally viewed side of the figure will be presented to the front side of the display device repeatedly upon rotation of the projecting element into alignment with the reaction rod. The laterally extending arm of the central rotating element in a clock escapement mechanism has been incorporated into and is formed as a piece of sporting equipment, such as golf club 19, and other types of objects which relate to the activity of the figure may be used, as well as morefully set forth in connection with the description of the device of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the golfer is at the completion of his swing and the normally viewed side is the front of the golfer. As will be readily understood, other portions of the golf swing could be illustrated and other sides of the golfer presented merely by positioning of the reaction rod and/or the direction in which golf club 19 extends.

It is an important feature of the present invention that the animated display device be suitable for use in simulating the movement of various sports figures during a sports activity through the use of interrupted motion. For example, instead of a golfer, FIG. 13 may be formed to represent a baseball player with element 19 being a baseball bat, element 24 being a ball and element 27 being a flagpole on a scoreboard or foul line pole or the like. Figure 13 could be formed as a bowler with element 19 being an outstretched arm, action element 24 being a bowling ball and reaction pole 27 being a representation of a bowling pin. Although it is not necessary that reaction rod 27 be thin, the action of the weighted element is more interesting and in the case of a bowling pin, a somewhat thinner or stylized version of a bowling pin would be preferable. Similarly, a fisherman catching fish, a tennis player hitting a tennis ball, and a football player kicking or passing a football could be represented as figures during an activity. Most of these sports activities include movements of all or parts of the body which can be simulated to some extent by rotation of the figure.

While the abovedescribed display device can be advantageously employed in connection with the advertising and sale of products, to which end advertising messages might appear on front side 12 of base 11 or on the figure or flag, or on background 33, in FIG. 6, the display device of the present invention can also be advantageously used to animate sports trophies and the like. Instead of the stick-figure representation shown in FIG. 1, a standard trophy figure could be mounted on platform 16 with the addition of the flexible tendon, action element and reaction rod.

As is true for an escapement mechanism of the type incorporated into the present display device, the length of tendon 23 from end 21 of arm 19 to action element '24 and the positioning of reaction rod 27 should be selected so that the ball' or weighed action element 24' does not strike body 18 of the figure on the first winding of tendon 23 around pole 27. The solution to this problem may be understood by reference to FIG. 6. If the reaction rod is positioned at a distance from the end of element 2l.which is less than the length of the tendon and yet is greater than about one-half the difference of the length of tendon 23 less the length which element 19 projects form body 18, the ball 24 will miss body 18. Stated alternatively L the length to rod 27, must be selected so that L is not greater than the length that element 19 projects beyond body 18 plus L,. It has been found preferable that reaction rod 27 be located relatively close to the end 21 of element 19, with the length of tendon 23 only being slightly greater than the distance which element 19 projects from the outside of body 18. 7

FIG. 6 also includes a background or backdrop 33 which may relate to the activity portrayed. As will also be understood, backdrop 33 in FIG. 6 must be mounted on base 11 at a distance which is greater than the distance to which ball 24 rises under centrifugal force during rotation.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a form of driving means suitable for use in animating the display device of the present invention is disclosed. The driving means must be formed and/or connected to the figure so as to allow the figure to dwell or maintain itself in a stationary position while. the tendon is winding around reaction rod 27. One driving means suitable for operation in the animated display device of the present invention is a hysteresis synchronous type of electric motor. As illustrated in FIG. 2, hysteresis motor 36 is mounted to the base with platform 16 mounted on shaft 37, which extends and is affixed to the motor armature.

Electrical leads 39 may be directly connected to a power source without switching. Hysteresis synchronous motors have the characteristic of allowing the shaft to be forceably stopped without generating excessive heat in the motor or exerting excessive force on the gearing. Thus, the armature will dwell with 13 and yet provide a rotating torque to shaft 37 upon release of the tendon from reaction rod 27. A self-starting hysteresis synchronous motor with shading rings for positive direction of rotation may be advantageously used. This type of motor is manufactured by Hansen Manufacturing Co., Inc. of Princeton, Ind., and sold under the brand name SYNCHRON.

An alternative driving means for use in the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. Platform 16 extends through a relatively small opening 41 in top 17 of the display support or base. Mounted in base 11 is an electric motor which runs continuously, such as a shaded pole induction motor 43. Standoff spacers 45 secure the motor to base 11. Mounted to rotate with armature 46 is shaft 47 and a first disc member 48. A second disc 49 is superimposed over and frictionally engages disc 48 and is further connected to shaft 42 which extends through opening 41 to platform 16. Mounted to disc 49 are vertically oriented fibers 54 and mounted to disc 48 is wire mesh 55. Together

discs

48 and 49 provide a frictional clutch so that motor 43 may run continuously while

platform

16 and 13 are stationary during the dwell portion of the cycle. The fiber and mesh clutch facing material willtransmit the rotary motion and then slip upon stalling of the figure. A fiber-mesh clutch facing material suitable for use in the present invention is made by 3M Company and sold under the trademark FIBER-TRAN. One advantage which accrues from use of a fiber-mesh friction clutch, as opposed to use of other clutch surfaces, is that the axis of shaft 42 does not need to be tediously aligned with the axis of shaft v If

discs

48 and 49 are not faced with a special clutch facing, the addition of a universal connection is highly desirable in order that the discs engage each other completely during rotation, notwithstanding misalignment of

shafts

42 and 47. This may best be seen by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 shaft 42 may be modified to have a pin 51, preferably a spring-type slotted pin, driven there through. A DRIVE-LOK grooved pin made by Driv-Lok, Inc., of Sycamore, Ill., will function properly as pin 51. Pin 51, extends through an opening 52 in collar 53 of disc 49. Thus, the pin allows rotation about an axis perpendicular to the length of the pin, while the oversized opening 52 allows limited gertical displacement of shaft 42 while disc 49 continuously follows the same plane as disc 48. This provides a universal connection which allows disc 49 to track or follow disc 48, even if

shafts

47 and 42 are relatively skewed. As will be understood, the universal connection can be provided for disc 48 instead of 49, with disc 49 being rigidly mounted to shaft 42. In this case, the driving disc would track or follow and rotate in the same plane with the driven disc 49.

In most advertising displays, the use of an electrical driving means is highly advantageous and easily accommodated. When the device of the present invention is to be employed inorder to animate a trophy, it may not be advantageous to provide electrical driving means. Accordingly, a spring motor mechanism, such as is illustrated in FIG. 7, may be employed with the device of the present invention. Furthermore, it is advantageous to employ a constant output torque mechanism such as is found in 'a band-type of torque motor or spring. In this type of driving means shaft 61 passes through opening 62 and top 17 of base 11 and is connected to the output drum 63 of a spring motor. The motor is wound by pulling thread or tendon 64, which rotates drum 66 attached to shaft 62 and drum 63. The bandtype spring 67 is unwound from take-up drum 68 which rotates about fixed shaft 69. Upon release of tendon 64, spring 67 will unwind from drum 63 to drum 68, causing rotation of shaft 62 and accordingly of the figure mounted thereon. It should be noted that a thrust bearing 71 may be provided to support rotating shaft 61. Spring motors of the type suitable for use in the present invention and illustrated in FIG. 7, are produced by Hunter Spring, a division of Ametek, Inc., of Hatfield, Pa., under the trademark NEGATOR B. The advantage of having a constant torque spring motor is that the action of the weighted element will be relatively uniform and can be selected so as not to be violent or rapid. An added benefit of the constant torque spring motor is that the running time can be made considerably longer than that of a clock spring.

It is an important feature of the present invention that the direction of rotation of the figure be selected to be in a direction which best simulates the sports activity represented by the figure. For example, in FIG. 1 rotation of the golfer shown by arrow 31 corresponds to the direction of the pivot of a right-handed golfer during his golf swing, and the golfer terminates his swing in a direction of rotation giving the appearance that he has hit the ball toward the front 12 of the display. If the golfer were rotated in a direction opposed to arrow 31, the illusion or simulation of movement of the figure in this activity would be very ineffective.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of the display device of the present invention is illustrated in which 81 is formed as an animal, namely a frog, instead of a human being. The figure is mounted for rotation above driving means 82 on shaft 83. A laterally projecting element 84 simulates the tongue of the frog. Affixed to the end of the tongue is flexible tendon or string 86 onto which weighted action element 87 is secured. Action element 87 is here formed as an insect or bug with the frog chasing or attempting to catch the bug with his tongue. Reaction rod 88 is formed as a reed or cattail, and a pair of

reaction rods

88 and 89 are provided in order that the frog will remain stationary in two positions. Thus, side 91 is presented upon engagement of tendon 86 with reaction rod 88, to front 92 of base 93, and an opposite side of the frog is presented to the front 92 upon engagement of tendon 86 with reaction rod 89. The display device shown in FIG. 8 does not have a background and can be viewed from any one of the four sides. Since the activity represented by the figure can be realistically viewed from a number of different sides, the selection of a front side for viewing the display is not too significant to obtaining a realistic simulation. It might be noted further that the direction of rotation shown by arrow 94 is similarly not particularly critical, since simulation of the activity of the frog would be as effective visually if the direction of rotation were opposite to that shown in FIG. 8. A variety of driving means such as above described would be suitable for use in the display device of FIG. 8.

As was noted in connection with the driving means of FIG. 7, the method and apparatus of the present invention can be advantageously employed to animate sports trophies. The drive means illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 is particularly well suited for use in providing an electrical drive for a trophy. The drive includes DC. motor 56 powered by battery 65 (shown schematically in FIG. 10). Electrical leads 58, 59 and 60 connect the motor to the battery through switch 57. While a commercial display is normally continuously operated, a trophy would normally be only intermittently operated. Accordingly, switch 57 allows selective operation of the D. C. motor, and use of a DC. motor and battery affords a self contained unit, desirable for use in a trophy. One type of D. C. motor satisfactory for use in the device of the present invention is the l-IANKSCRAFT Series 3,000 D. C. Gearhead motor, which can be used with 3-, 6- or 12- volt batteries and is manufactured by I-Iankscraft Company, Reedsburg, Wis.

The timing sequence of a device formed as illustrated in FIG. 1 is about 9 seconds per complete revolution, with about 7.8 seconds of dwell during winding and unwinding and about 1.2 seconds during pivoting of the figure. Thus, the drive motor preferably should operate at a speed of about 50 r.p.m. or greater. A drive of about 60 r.p.m. allows some slippage in the clutch and yet provides the desired rotational velocity.

I claim:

1. An animated display device for simulation through interrupted motion of the movement of a figure during an activity, comprising:

a. a support having a front side for viewing of the display device;

b. a figure rotatably mounted to said support for rotation about a generally vertical axis and formed to depict an object during an activity including movement, said figure further having a body including a normally viewed side thereof and a projecting element extending laterally from said body;

. flexible tendon means secured to said projecting element and extending therefrom to terminate in a free end;

a weighted action element secured to said tendon means adjacent said free end and formed to represent a moving object related to the activity depicted by said figure;

a stationary reaction rod secured to said support in spaced relation to said figure and extending upwardly of said support to at least the height of said projecting element, said reaction rod being formed to represent a stationary object related to the activity represented by said figure and being positioned at a distance from said projecting element less than the length of said tendon means and greater than about one-half the difference of length of said tendon means less the length of said projecting element, said reaction rod being further positioned relative to said front side of said support so that rotation of said projecting element to a position pointing toward said reaction rod presents said normally viewed side of said figure toward said front side of said support; and I f. figure driving means formed and operatively connected to said figure to rotate said figure about said vertical axis to allow said figure to dwell and to resume rotation of said figure whereby said action element swings outwardly of said body under centrifugal force during rotation causing said tendon means to engage said reaction rod when said projecting element points toward said reaction rod, said figure dwelling with said normally viewed side thereof facing said front side of said support while said tendon means winds around said reaction rod, unwinds and said action element and tendon means swing free of said reaction rod for renewed rotation of said figure. 2. An animated display device as defined in claim -1 wherein,

said figure driving means is comprised of an electric motor formed to run continuously, and clutch means connected to said motor and said figure and formed to go into slip condition upon engagement of said reaction rod by said tendon means and dwelling of said figure. 3. An animated display device as defined in claim 2 wherein,

said clutch means is a friction clutch comprising a first disc member mounted to said motor for rotation therewith, a second disc member superimposed over and frictionally engaging said first disc member, said figure being mounted for rotation with said second disc member, one of said disc members further being formed with a universal connection formed to cause both of said disc members to rotate in substantially the same plane to provide maximum surface contact between the two disc members at all positions during rotation. 4. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 wherein,

said figure driving means is comprised of a hysteresis-type electric motor connected directly to drive said figure. 5. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 wherein,

said figure driving means is comprised of springmotor mechanism. 6. An animated display device as defined in claim 5 wherein,

said spring motor mechanism is formed to provide a.

substantially constant output torque. v

7. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 and,

a stationary additional reaction rod secured to said support at a second position thereon, said additional reaction rod being formed substantially as defined for the first named reaction rod and being positioned to cause said figure to dwell with said normally viewed side facing a second side of said support.

8. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 wherein,

said figure is formed to represent a human being engaged in a sports activity, said projecting element is formed to represent a piece of sporting equiping:

ment, and said driving means rotates said figure in a predetermined direction to correspond to simulation of the sports activity in a direction toward a side of said display.

. A method of animating a display device comprismounting an escapement mechanism to a support for the display device, said escapement mechanism including a central rotating element having a laterally projecting arm, a flexible tendon affixed to said arm adjacent the end thereof, a weighted action element affixed adjacent the free end of said tendon, driving means connected to rotate 7 b. mounting a figure to be animated on said central element and incorporating said arm into an object related to the activity depicted by said figure;

c. forming said weighted action element as a representation of a moving object normally related to the activity depicted by the figure;

d. forming said reaction rod as a representation of a stationary object normally related to the activity depicted by the figure;

e. positioning said reaction rod in predetermined relation to the side of said display device to be viewed in order that said figure repetitively rotates and stops upon engagement of said reaction rod by said tendon with said figure at an orientation to said side of said display device presenting the same side of said figure for viewing for each rotation.

10. A method as defined in claim 9 wherein,

said figure is formed as a human being and said arm is formed as a piece of sporting equipment; and

mounting a second reaction rod to said support for said display device in a position for repetitive viewing of a side of said figure upon stopping of said figure .upon engagement of said second reaction rod from a second side of said display device.

Claims

1. An animated display device for simulation through interrupted motion of the movement of a figure during an activity, comprising: a. a support having a front side for viewing of the display device; b. a figure rotatably mounted to said support for rotation about a generally vertical axis and formed to depict an objEct during an activity including movement, said figure further having a body including a normally viewed side thereof and a projecting element extending laterally from said body; c. flexible tendon means secured to said projecting element and extending therefrom to terminate in a free end; d. a weighted action element secured to said tendon means adjacent said free end and formed to represent a moving object related to the activity depicted by said figure; e. a stationary reaction rod secured to said support in spaced relation to said figure and extending upwardly of said support to at least the height of said projecting element, said reaction rod being formed to represent a stationary object related to the activity represented by said figure and being positioned at a distance from said projecting element less than the length of said tendon means and greater than about one-half the difference of length of said tendon means less the length of said projecting element, said reaction rod being further positioned relative to said front side of said support so that rotation of said projecting element to a position pointing toward said reaction rod presents said normally viewed side of said figure toward said front side of said support; and f. figure driving means formed and operatively connected to said figure to rotate said figure about said vertical axis to allow said figure to dwell and to resume rotation of said figure whereby said action element swings outwardly of said body under centrifugal force during rotation causing said tendon means to engage said reaction rod when said projecting element points toward said reaction rod, said figure dwelling with said normally viewed side thereof facing said front side of said support while said tendon means winds around said reaction rod, unwinds and said action element and tendon means swing free of said reaction rod for renewed rotation of said figure.

2. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said figure driving means is comprised of an electric motor formed to run continuously, and clutch means connected to said motor and said figure and formed to go into slip condition upon engagement of said reaction rod by said tendon means and dwelling of said figure.

3. An animated display device as defined in claim 2 wherein, said clutch means is a friction clutch comprising a first disc member mounted to said motor for rotation therewith, a second disc member superimposed over and frictionally engaging said first disc member, said figure being mounted for rotation with said second disc member, one of said disc members further being formed with a universal connection formed to cause both of said disc members to rotate in substantially the same plane to provide maximum surface contact between the two disc members at all positions during rotation.

4. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said figure driving means is comprised of a hysteresis-type electric motor connected directly to drive said figure.

5. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said figure driving means is comprised of spring motor mechanism.

6. An animated display device as defined in claim 5 wherein, said spring motor mechanism is formed to provide a substantially constant output torque.

7. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 and, a stationary additional reaction rod secured to said support at a second position thereon, said additional reaction rod being formed substantially as defined for the first named reaction rod and being positioned to cause said figure to dwell with said normally viewed side facing a second side of said support.

8. An animated display device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said figure is formed to represent a human being engaged in a sports activity, said projecting element is formed to represent a piece of sporting equipment, and said driving means rotates said figure in a predetermined direction to coRrespond to simulation of the sports activity in a direction toward a side of said display.

9. A method of animating a display device comprising: a. mounting an escapement mechanism to a support for the display device, said escapement mechanism including a central rotating element having a laterally projecting arm, a flexible tendon affixed to said arm adjacent the end thereof, a weighted action element affixed adjacent the free end of said tendon, driving means connected to rotate said central element, and a stationary reaction rod positioned in spaced relation to the end of said arm to interrupt the rotation of said central element upon engagement of said tendon with said rod; b. mounting a figure to be animated on said central element and incorporating said arm into an object related to the activity depicted by said figure; c. forming said weighted action element as a representation of a moving object normally related to the activity depicted by the figure; d. forming said reaction rod as a representation of a stationary object normally related to the activity depicted by the figure; e. positioning said reaction rod in predetermined relation to the side of said display device to be viewed in order that said figure repetitively rotates and stops upon engagement of said reaction rod by said tendon with said figure at an orientation to said side of said display device presenting the same side of said figure for viewing for each rotation.

10. A method as defined in claim 9 wherein, said figure is formed as a human being and said arm is formed as a piece of sporting equipment; and mounting a second reaction rod to said support for said display device in a position for repetitive viewing of a side of said figure upon stopping of said figure upon engagement of said second reaction rod from a second side of said display device.