WO2005036506A1

WO2005036506A1 - Multiple sided display device

Info

Publication number: WO2005036506A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Bernard Coates
Original assignee: Coates Signco Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Coates Signco Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-10-13
Filing date: 2004-10-13
Publication date: 2005-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2006-04-13
Also published as: HK1098863A1

Abstract

A display device (1) including a rotatable frame (2), having a plurality of display surfaces (9), wherein said frame (2) is rotatable about a central axis (3). The device (1) also includes an alignment means (16) associated with said rotatable frame (2), to identify a plurality of discrete rest positions, corresponding to the number of display surfaces (9). The alignment means operates such that one of said display surfaces (9) is selectively displayed at an optimal viewing angle (see Fig. 5). The discrete rest positions may be defined be use of a spring loaded ball bearing, cam or other mechanical device, or by use of magnetics.

Description

MULTIPLE SIDED DISPLAY DEVICE

Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a multiple sided display device, and in particular, to a display device which is able to be mounted in a variety of different positions to optionally display one of a plurality of menus of a quick service restaurant.

Description of the Prior Art Display devices are known to be used in quick service restaurant, being mounted below the ceiling behind the counter, such that customers can easily view same to make their menu selections whilst being served by the restaurant personnel. Likewise, drive-thru restaurants typically have menu display mounted to a ground or other substrate surface, for customers to view and order their selections. Some quick service restaurants may have more than one menu, used at different times of the day. For example, a first menu might be used at breakfast hours, and a second menu might be used during the remainder of the day. Narious devices are known for optionally displaying one of two menus, in a box like frame, mounted as hereinbefore described.

Summary of the Invention The present invention seeks to provide a display device which enables display of one of a plurality of display surfaces, such as, but not limited to, menus in a fast food outlet, otherwise known as a quick service restaurant.

The present invention also seeks to provide such a display device which is adapted to display only one of the selected display surfaces, preferably at an optimum viewing angle. The present invention also seeks to provide a display device wherein discrete rest positions are enabled for ease of rotating and alignment of the selected display surface. In one broad form, the present invention provides a display device including: a rotatable frame, having a plurality of display surfaces, wherein said frame is rotatable about a central axis; and, alignment means associated with said rotatable frame, to identify a plurality of discrete rest positions, corresponding to the number of display surfaces provided, such that one of said display surfaces is selectively displayed.

Also preferably, said discrete rest positions are enabled by use of a spring loaded ball bearing, cam or other device.

Alternatively, but also preferably, said discrete rest positions are enabled by use of magnetics. In a most preferred form, the display device has three or more display surfaces.

Preferably, said device is supported from a ceiling, wall, floor, ground or other support surface. Preferably, said device is fitted to enable retrofit from more than one support surface.

Preferably, a translite is housed or otherwise supported on each display surface. Also preferably, each display surface is provided by a pre-curved rigid but flexible backing, formed of acrylic or like material, which is enclosed within a track in a compressed state to provide for retention of each translite.

Alternately, or in addition, each translite is attached to a respective display surface using magnetics. Alternatively, but also preferably, each said display surfaces may be embodied as either a static or dynamic display surface, including, but not limited to a translite or other static display, or, a plasma, LCD, rear-projection or other dynamic display, etc. Preferably, the selected display surface is displaced at an optimum viewing angle, say between 10° and 50°, and perhaps most preferably this angle is approximately 20° (as shown in Fig. 5).

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a display device having a substantially triangular shaped cross-section to have three discrete display surfaces for display of each display surface at an optimal viewing angle and an ability to locate close to a ceiling structure in its rest position; Figure 2 illustrates how the displays may be withheld in the display device; Figure 3 illustrates an alternative, but also preferred, embodiment of a display device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates an alternatively but also preferred embodiment of a display surface which is modified to be mounted on the floor, ground or other substrate surface; and, Fig. 5 illustrates the optimum viewing angle of the display device.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Throughout the drawings, like numerals will be used to identify similar features, except where expressly otherwise indicated.

As shown in the drawings, the display device, generally designated by the numeral 1, has a rotatable frame body, generally designated by the numeral 2, adapted to rotate about a central axis 3. The axis 3 may be interconnected by appropriate framework 4 to a ceiling 5. The device may alternatively be supported by another support surface, including a wall, floor or other surface, as hereafter described in relation to Fig. 4.

A first embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the drawings, is for displaying a plurality of static translite displays. In this embodiment, connected to the framework 4, and within the rotatable frame body, is provided an illumination means, shown in the representations as fluorescent tubes 6 and a reflector device 7. Alternative illumination means, such as LEDs may be used. The illumination means is arranged in a static manner within the rotatable frame 2, such that only one of the display surface is illuminated for display. In the device shown in Figure 1, the display surface 8 is illuminated by an illumination means 6, 7, whilst the display surfaces 9, 10, which are not on display, are not illuminated. This achieves both savings in light emission losses and as such electrical consumption through reduced required quantity of illumination means. In addition, or alternatively, dynamic displays may be displayed from one or more of the display surfaces, this may be achieved by using plasma, LCD, rear projection or the dynamic-form displays.

The display device as illustrated in Figure 1 may also incorporate a cam surface 11 and a roller bearing cam follower 12 having an associated biasing means or spring 13 which is formed integrally with, or attached to, the rotatable frame 2. Therefore, the rotatable frame 2 effectively stops at discrete rest positions. The roller bearing cam follower 12 also provides for control of the height of the rotating display device 1 from a ceiling 5, such that as the said display device 1 is rotated to selectively display one of display surfaces 8,9 and 10. That is, the display device 1 is allowed to lower in position during rotation between display surface 8,9,10 to provide further clearance from said ceiling whilst relocating closer to ceiling in said rest position.

The device may be displayed at an optimum viewing angle for menu systems located in a quick service restaurant environment, as shown in Fig. 5. This angle may typically be about 20° (from vertical), but may vary, say between about 10° and about 50°, depending upon the particular installation.

The embodiment illustrated in the drawings shows three display surfaces, each of which is slightly arcuate or of curved shape, arranged in a triangular cross-sectional configuration. It will, however, be appreciated that any number of display surfaces may be formed, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. Obviously, an appropriate cam profile 11 or rotation bearing 16 would be utilised according to the external shape of the display device and the number of display surfaces.

Figure 2 illustrates how a translite may be housed or otherwise supported on each display surface. The embodiment illustrated shows the display surface 8 as a pre-curved backing made of acrylic or similar which may be adapted to clip-in and flex between the end extrusion members 15 and the end cap infills 14. A translite or other flexible but translucent sheet member having appropriate advertising or other indicia thereon, may then be inserted and retained between the display surface 8 and the end extrusion members 15 and may be clamped in place due to the pre-curved display surface 8 which is embarking to return to its natural shape, or, by other suitable attachment means. The attachment means may alternatively be embodied using magnetics to attach the translites, instead of, or as well as, using clips. This may be achieved by having magnet(s) attached to the display surface and another magnet(s) attached to the translite, the two magnets being adapted to attract and thereby retain the translite to the display surface. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is similar to that of the previously described embodiments, with the exception that instead of utilising a cam surface 11, a rotation bearing 16, preferably with self-positioning means associated therewith, is adapted to enable the display device 1 to find its discrete rest positions. Alternative embodiments, which should be considered to be within the scope of the invention, include the alignment means being embodied with the use of magnetics to enable the display device to find it discrete rest positions. This may be achieved by having an arrangement of magnets on the axis and on the rotatable frame, such that, at certain intervals, the magnets may attract to form discrete rest positions of the rotatable frame. Oppositely polarised magnets may additionally or alternatively be used to cause the rotatable frame to repel from intermediate positions between the discrete rest positions. Various arrangements of magnetics to achieve this functions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art.

The embodiment of Figure 4 is also similar to the previously described embodiments, but adapted to be supported on a substrate surface, on one end-wall of the device. Obviously, in this arrangement, the displays are mounted perpendicular to the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3. It will be appreciated that other arrangements are possible, such as being attached in a vertical position to a wall, a combination of floor and wall supports, etc.

It will be appreciated that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the display device as hereinbefore described and as shown in the drawings. All such variations and modifications should be considered to fall within the scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described and as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

THE CLAIMS

1. - A display device including: a rotatable frame, having a plurality of display surfaces, wherein said frame is rotatable about a central axis; and, alignment means associated with said rotatable frame, to identify a plurality of discrete rest positions, corresponding to the number of display surfaces provided, such that one of said display surfaces is selectively displayed.

2. A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said discrete rest positions are enabled by use of a spring loaded ball bearing, cam or like alignment means.

3. A display device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said discrete rest positions are enabled by use of magnetics.

4. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display device having three or more display surfaces.

5. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said device is supported from a ceiling, wall, floor, ground or other support surface.

6. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, said rest positions, said device is located proximal to the support surface.

7. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said device is fitted to enable retrofit from more than one support surface.

8. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in a static display form, a translite is housed or otherwise supported on each display surface.

9. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each display surface is provided by a pre-curved rigid but flexible backing, formed of acrylic or like material, which is enclosed within a track in a compressed state to provide for retention of each translite.

10. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each translite is attached to a respective display surface using magnetics.

11. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each said display surfaces may be embodied as either a static or dynamic display surface, including, but not limited to a translite or other static display, or, a plasma, LCD, rear-projection or other dynamic display.

12. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the selected display surface is displayed at an optimum viewing angle.

13. A display device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the optimum viewing angle is between 10° and 50°, and preferably approximately 20°.

14. A display device, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.