AU767471B2 - Improved display device - Google Patents

Description

WO 99/66484 PCT/AU99/00461 -1- IMPROVED DISPLAY DEVICE Technical Field The present invention relates to a display device, and in particular, to a rotating 41splay device. The display device may be used in a variety of commercial applications, but r is particularly suitable, but not limited to, rotating menu boards for use in fast food ;taurants.

-ground of the Invention Menu boards used in fast food outlets are typically positioned at more than 2m above nd level, usually behind and/or above the serving counter, or, in a driveway for a ive-thru service.

One such presently known display device is described in the Applicant's Australian Patent Application No. 692771 (68371/94).

The Applicant's above mentioned display device includes at least two rotatable rollers, about which the 'carrier' is supported. The carrier is embodied as a belt, band or the like, and is formed of lightweight polycarbonate material or light plastics, such as "LEXAN" (Trademark).

In the Applicant's above-mentioned Patent Application, the display device is embodied whereby one or more discrete rest positions is/are automatically identified after the display device is rotated. The device provides significant advantages over prior art display devices, in that it is unnecessary to provide a motor, handle, or other means to effect movement between different displays. An extremely useful characteristic feature of the Applicant's aforementioned Patent Application is the "self-alignment" feature, whereby the displayed image is centrally and automatically aligned.

Whilst the Applicant's aforementioned Patent Application provides significant WO 99/66484 PCT/AU99/00461 -2advantages over prior art display devices, mainly due to its less complex design and elimination of many moving parts, which would otherwise be prone to wear and/or breakage, the Applicant has now devised certain inventive improvements and modifications, which may be applicable either to the display device of the Applicant's earlier Patent Application, or, to other display devices.

Summary of the Invention The present invention seeks to provide a display device which provides 'tension' to the carrier such that it is tightly retained about the rollers.

The present invention also seeks to provide a display device in which the 'carrier' may be quickly and easily removed/installed.

In one broad form, the present invention provides a display device, including at least two rotatable rollers located in a substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship and adapted to receive a carrier thereabouts, characterised in that at least one end of at least one of the rollers is supported on an axle which, in its assembled position, is biased to retain said carrier under tension.

Preferably, said at least one end of at least one of the rollers is biased by means of a spring.

Also preferably, at least one of the rollers is supported by an axle in which at least one end thereof may be displaced between first and second positions, whereby in a first position said display device is ready for use, and, in a second position, said axle is displayed more proximal relative to the other roller(s) such that the carrier may be removed/installed from said rollers.

Preferably, the displacement of said axle is achieved by movement of said axle within a slot which is substantially J-shaped or inverted J-shaped.

WO 99/66484 PCT/AU99/00461 -3- Preferably, at least one side plate supporting said rollers is formed such that, at least in said second position, said carrier may be slid over said side plate.

Also preferably, to facilitate removal/installation of said carrier from/onto said rollers, said at least one side plate is formed of removable and/or pivotal sections.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates, in Fig. l(a) and Fig. a schematic view of the display device of the type used in the present invention, and a side elevational view of the device installed in its casing; Fig. 2 illustrates, in Figs. 2(a) to various schematic views of alternative roller arrangements useful for the present invention; Fig. 3 details in Figs. 3(a) to left elevational, plan and right elevational views, respectively, of the device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 illustrates details of the side plate and components therefor, including the main side plate shown in Fig. the upper and lower end plates shown in Figs. 4(b) and 4(c), respectively, and, the spring plate and spring assembly in Figs. 4(d) and respectively; and, Fig. 5 details, in Figs (5a) to 5(e) thereof, how, with the use of a tool, the carrier is able to be removed, replaced and/or installed.

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

As shown in Fig. 1, the display device of the type used in the present invention, and, generally designated by the numeral 1, comprises a pair of rotatable roller members, 2 and WO 99/66484 PCT/AU99/00461 -4- 3, located in parallel spaced apart relationship. A carrier means 4 is mounted between the roller members 2 and 3, in a belt like manner. The rollers may rotate in either direction or 6. Rotation of the carrier 4 may be effected either by a manual, or a powered drive means. The drive means may either drive one or both of the rollers 2 and 3, to thereby selective move the carrier 4. The carrier 4 is preferably adapted to receive at least one display means 7 on the front of the display device 1, and one of the rear of the display device 1. By operation of the drive means, the display means 7 may be selectively moved between a viewing position and a storage position. That is, the viewing position will be at the front of the display device and the storage position will be at the rear of the display device. Lights or other illumination means 8 may be provided between the roller members 2 and 3, to illuminate the display means 7 when in a viewing position. This is achieved by constructing the carrier 4 and/or the display 7 of at least partly transparent and/or translucent material or the like, such that the light can shine there through. In an alternative embodiment, the illumination means may be omitted, and the display 7 may be constructed of luminescent material. As shown in Fig. the display device 1 may typically be provided within a housing 9 being intended to be provided in overhead position behind a serving counter in a restaurant, shop, bar or the like. It will be appreciated that, by installing the device 1 in the housing 9, the device 1 faces a person in front of the counter. Many other commercial applications of the device are, however, envisaged.

Whilst the Applicant's earlier aforementioned Patent Application No. 692771 provides certain distinct advantages over prior art display devices, the Applicant has now devised certain inventive improvements or modifications to the display device, which may be appropriate to the display device of the Applicant's earlier application, or to other display devices. Details of these improvements/modifications are hereinafter described.

In particular, the Applicant has devised a means for ensuring that the carrier 4 remains tensioned as it rotates about the rollers 2 and 3. The Applicant has also devised means by which the carrier 4 may be easily installed onto and removed from about the rollers 2 and 3, without leaving the rollers 'hanging' in a manner liable to be easily damaged.

WO 99/66484 PCT/AU99/00461 It will be appreciated that whilst the present invention will be primarily hereinafter described in relation to a device which comprises a pair of spaced apart rollers 2 and 3, any number of rollers may be provided. Furthermore, rather than rotating about spaced apart rollers, the carrier may be supplied in a spool like manner about rollers. Examples of the different types of arrangements are shown in Fig. 2, although, many other arrangements will also be envisaged, and should be considered to be incorporated within the scope of this invention.

An embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown in its assembled format in Fig. 3, whilst various components of the device are detailed in Fig. 4. The main additional components provided in the present invention are the incorporation of biasing means 10 on at least one end of at least one of the axles of the rollers, whilst, a displacement means 11 may be provided on the same or another axle of a roller. In the embodiment described, a spring is provided to bias axle 12 of roller 3, whilst a slot 13, which is substantially J-shaped is provided to cooperate with axle 14 of roller 2 between the two positions. The slots 13 and roller 2 may be keyed together such that, after removing plate 16, the roller 2 is easily moved between the operational and disassembly positions. Roller 2 is able to be easily removed from the assembly. The embodiment of the invention also shows how side plate 15 is constructed with a separate upper end plate 16 and a lower end plate 17, attached to a main body portions in it's assembled position. Each of the end plates 16 and 17 are removable for installing/removing the carrier from about the rollers. End plates 16 and 17 are also provided at opposite ends of the device.

Fig. 3 shows how the side plate configuration need only be provided on one side of the display device. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that providing such an arrangement on only one side will be sufficient to effect the required functions. Of course, there is no disadvantage to providing it on both sides of the device.

It will therefore be appreciated that by the provision of the biasing means 10, in this case embodied as a spring, the axle 12 is biased in the direction of arrow 18, that is, the WO 99/66484 PCT/AU99/00461 -6roller 3 is biased outwardly or away from roller 2, consequently retaining the carrier 4 in a tensioned state. It will be appreciated that if the carrier 4 is of varying thickness, perhaps due to the provision of translates or slats at certain positions thereon and due to the means for attaching the translates to the carrier (such as by using Velcro), the biasing means 10 will allow certain movement of the axle 12 in the directions of arrow 19. This is effectively acts as a 'shock absorber' to achieve a smoother operation of movement. The provision of the spring mechanism also assists to relieve the stresses which may otherwise be placed on transparencies and fixings, to consequently assist in longevity of useful life of the transparencies. Furthermore, the provision of the spring mechanism overcomes irregularities in roller shape and/or dimensions.

Fig. 5 details, in Figs 5(a) to how the carrier 4 may be installed and removed from the display device 1 with the use of a tool 22. Fig 5(a) illustrates a tool 22, which may be permanently or removably connected to axle 14 of roller 2, wherein the roller 2 is in its operational position prior to lowering but with the detachable plate (not shown), which holds the axle firmly in position, removed. A downward force, in the direction of arrow 25 is firstly applied such that the axle 14 is raised upwardly, against the bias of the biasing means over the centre "hump" 21 of the J-shaped slot 13, whereat the axle 14 is then guided towards the end 20 of the J-slot. As will be understood, the force to the tool 22 is applied at one end thereof, such that an intermediate portion 23 of the tool 22 pivots against a lip 24.

In the position illustrated in Fig. the top roller 2 is in its drop down position, such that the carrier 4 is slack and may be easily removed from the rollers 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that some support is still provided to roller 2, such that the roller 2 is not simply "hanging" in a position which is liable to be easily damaged.

Fig. 5(c) is showing the assembly with the top roller 2 again in the drop down position, but with the tool 22 in its position ready to raise the top axle 14 of roller 2. As shown, the carrier 4 is in its slack position, and, by applying a force to the tool 22 in the direction of arrow 27, the axle 14 is raised in the J-slot 13, over the hump 21 and moved to WO 99/66484 PCT/AU99/00461 -7the operational position in Fig. Fig. 5(e) shows a front view of the top roller removal tool locating notch or lip.

In the Fig. 5 drawings, a mounting bracket 28 is depicted which is different to that shown in the embodiment of Fig. 3. It will be appreciated that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the mounting bracket, including brackets that are foldable or collapsible, that may be easily used to hook the device into it's required display position. As such, the configuration of the mounting bracket should not be considered to be limited to the embodiments depicted in the drawings.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the present invention has a number of advantages over earlier known display devices in that, although it would be preferable for a biasing means or spring to be provided at each end of the rollers, as a minimum requirement, such a precise manufacture of the carrier and of the rollers is no longer required, whilst the appropriate tension is still achieved. Other advantages include the allowance for any stretch of carrier 4 and the smoother operation to accommodate the varying thicknesses of carrier 4 as well as variances in roller tolerance.

It will be appreciated that numerous variations and modifications may be envisaged to the present invention. It will be appreciated that only one biasing means needs to be provided on at least one end of one roller, regardless as to the number of rollers that might be utilised. It will also be appreciated that the biasing means and the displacement axle may be embodied on at least one end of only one roller, rather than on two separate rollers. It will also be appreciated that any number of rollers may be provided.

It will further be appreciated that, whilst a particular embodiment of a removal tool 22 has been illustrated in relation to Figs. 5(a) to that, the removal tool is optional, and may be eliminated in place of an alternative means for manual adjustment of the position of one of the axles 14. The tool may be permanently or removably installed on the axle 14 in a variety of configurations.

WO 99/66484 PCT/AU99/00461 -8- These and any other variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art should be considered to fall within the scope of the present invention as broadly hereinbefore described and as hereinafter claimed.

Claims (6)

1. A display device including: a carrier, embodied as a belt or band, and formed of lightweight plastic material, being tightly supported by and rotatable about at least two roller members in a spool-like manner, said carrier constructed to receive at least one display means thereon, each of said carriers and said display means being constructed at least partially of substantially flexible and translucent material; said at least two rotatable rollers being located in a substantially parallel spaced- apart relationship and adapted to receive the carrier thereabouts, at least one end of at least one of the rollers being supported on an axle which, in an assembled position, is biased to retain said carrier under tension, at least one of the rollers being supported by an axle in which at least one end thereof may be displaced between first and second positions, whereby in the first position said display device is ready for use, and, in the second position, said axle is displayed more proximal relative to the other roller(s) such that the carrier may be removed/installed from said rollers; .i said display means each embodied as at least one of translite(s) and slat(s) sized and shaped to fit between a pair of adjacent rollers such that at least one discrete rest position(s) is automatically identified after said display device is rotated, whereby, in said rest position(s), one of said display means is centrally positioned between a respective pair of rollers; and illumination means, provided behind at least a portion of said carrier means to illuminate a viewing portion of said carrier means and said display means thereon.

2. A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one end of at least one o 25 of the rollers is biased by means of a spring. go ooooo

3. A display device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said axle is displaced by omovement of said axle within a slot which is substantially J-shaped or inverted J-shaped. •oo movement of said axle within a slot which is substantially J-shaped or inverted J-shaped. P:\WPDOCS\AMD\SPECI7111263.doc-31 Mach. 2003

4. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one side plate supporting said rollers is formed such that, at least in said second position, said carrier may be slid over said side plate.

5. A display device as claimed in claim 4, wherein to facilitate removal/installation of said carrier from/onto said rollers, said at least one side plate is formed of removable and/or pivotal sections.

6. A display device, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 31st day of March, 2003 COATES SIGNCO PTY LIMITED By Their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE