GB2056647A - Apparatus for producing a variable visual light display - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a lightproof box 2 containing (in a separate part 3) a light source 4, e.g. a fluorescent tube, and having a translucent cover 5 through which light from the source can be viewed. Interposed between the source and the cover are a rotatable multi-coloured filter 6 driven by a motor 7 and a translucent screen 13. In a modification the screen 13 is replaced by an array of light- transmitting rods or optical fibres. The source 4 is mounted on runners 16 to facilitate replacement. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for producing a variable visual light display Technical field of the invention The invention relates to apparatus for producing a variable visual light display, and relates particularly to such apparatus comprising a table or wall mounting.

Background art Tables or wall hangings or fixtures are often decorated with the same design or motif such as a mosaic of tiles. However, the design of such a table or wall hanging cannot usually be varied.

Disclosure ofthe invention It is an object of the invention to seek to provide apparatus which mitigates this disadvantage.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for producing a variable visual light display, comprising a light-proof box, a light source in the box, a translucent cover of the box through which light from the source can be viewed, and means associated with the light source for producing light emission from that source providing a variable visual light display.

The advantage provided by the invention is that apparatus embodying the invention can provide a pleasing visual effect using relatively simple means, and which can be used as a table or wall mounting.

The means associated with the light source may comprise mechanical means. This provides a relatively simple construction which is nevertheless effective in producting the various visible light display.

The mechanical means may comprise a rotatable disc which can intermittently interrupt light from the source. This is again a relatively simple construction, and is relatively inexpensive.

There may be a translucent screen in the box between the light source and the cover and extending substantially parallel with the cover. This screen is viewed through the cover and receives the light images from the source and disc and because it is in the box is effectively invisible.

Alternatively there may be a plurality of discrete means for channelling light from the light source towards the cover. the construction provides an apparent plurality of "spots" of light which become alternately visible and invisible. This provides a pleasing visual effect.

The means may be a plurality of separate plastics rods, or optical fibres.

For ensuring a relatively simple construction, the light source may comprise a fluorescent tube.

The fluorescent tube and the disc may be housed in a separate part of the light proof box. This is a particularly advantageous construction as the separate part can form a base or mounting of the apparatus. Thus the base can be a base on which the apparatus stands on the floor when it is a table.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description ofthe drawings Figure lisa vertical sectional view through an end of apparatus, according to the invention, in the form of a table; Figure 2 is a plan view of a base of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic side elevational view of light channelling means of an embodiment of the apparatus; and Figures 4A and 4B show respective end and front elevational views of a bracket.

Best modes for carrying out the invention Referring to the drawings, the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a table which has a surface at which is provided a variable visual light display. The apparatus 1 comprises a box 2 made light-proof by an interior black lining of felt or other material and housing, in a separate part 3 which forms a base on which the table stands on a floor or other substrate (not shown), a light source in the form of a white strip light comprising a mains-operated fluorescent tube 4. The box 2 has a translucent cover in the form of a glass plate 5 through which light from the tube 4 can be viewed, and means (in the separate part 3 of the box 2) associated with the tube 5 consisting of a rotatable plastics translucent disc 6 driven by a motor 7.

The disc 6 comprises two superimposed discs 8 and 9 which are joined together by rivets 10 and which are mounted on a drive spindle 11 of the motor 7. The longitudinal axis of the spindle 11 is offset from the central axis 12 of the table 2. The centre line of the tube 4 lies on the central axis 12 of the table.

The disc 6 is intersected by the central axis 12 of the table and lies between the plate 5 and the tube 4.

The disc 6 has masks of different colours so that when it rotates, different colours are illuminated by the tube 4.

Between the plate 5 and the disc 6 there is a translucent plastics, in this case perspex, screen 13 which is oval in shape and which is parallel to the plate 5. The screen 13 is secured in a false base 15 which is secured in the interior of the box on fillets 15 so that it is 3 inches from the plate 5.

The separate part 3 of the box 2 has a mounting comprising parallel runners 16 which seat in grooves 17 of a seat for the fluorescent tube 4. The runners and grooves co-operate to enable the fluorescent tube 4 to be withdrawn as a unit from the box in order to replace the tube if necessary.

In operation, the tube 4 is switched on and so is the motor 7 so that the disc rotates, different alternate light patches being projected onto the screen 13 and, when viewed through the plate 5, providing a variable visual display which is apparently at the plate 5.

In a modification, the intermediate screen 13 and false bottom 14 are dispensed with, and there is provided instead a template 18 carrying a plurality of discrete light channelling means in the form of a plurality of plastic rods 19 as shown in Figure 3. The rods 19 may be Perspex (Registered Trade Mark) and extend from a base 20 of the main box 2 to the underside of the plate 5. Light from the tube 4, interrupted by the coloured disc 6, is projected onto the rods 19 which then transmit it to the plate 5, where a changing, variable pattern of coloured lights is visible.

The rods 19 are engaged in a symmetrical array and are held in holes in the template 18. There is an outer ring of rods inclined to the vertical at varying inclinations for example 831/2 , 811/2 ,68 ,591/2 and 51", and a central ring of vertical rods. Not all the rods extend to the plate 5. Some stop short thereof.

In yet another embodiment without an intermediate screen 13 and false bottom 14, optical fibres mounted in a clamp ring 21 (Figure 1) extend from that ring 21 to the plate 5 in a desired pattern. The light from the source is carried by the fibres to or towards the underside of the plate 5, where a series of pulsating points of light are visible. Not all the optical fibres reach the undersurface of the plate 5.

The tips of the fibres are always illuminated, even when the light is changing colour as the disc rotates.

Also, the fluorescent tube is a standard daylight bulb strip tube of 20 watts, which spread over the length of the tube, does not generate enough heat to fuse the lower, as viewed, ends of the fibres. Also, the disc when it rotates provides a rapid change of colour.

Referring now to Figures 4A and 4B, there is shown a bracket 40 which is used in all the embodiments mounted to the plate 5 and a side panel with the lining of felt attached thereto. The bracket 40 is a right bracket with screw holes 41 and a turned-down lip 42 separated from the rest of the upper (as viewed) flange 43 by a slit or siot 44. In use, two or more brackets are screwed to the inner surface of the outer side wall of the apparatus. The side panel is forced into the gap between flange 45 and the lip 42, and the plate 5 is supported on the flange 42. To make the bracket, the slot or slit is made in the upper flange 43 and the lip 42 is then turned down as shown.

It will be understood that in every embodiment described, the disc 6 provides light of different colour. Also, the outside of the apparatus can be covered in any desired way as by upholstery 22 as shown in Figure 1. Also, the apparatus 1 may be affixed to a wall, rather than used as a table. The plate 5 is made of unbreakable glass, and the apparatus 1 is also waterproof.

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for producing a variable visual light display, comprising a light-proof box, a light source on the box, a translucent cover of the box through which light from the source can be viewed, and means associated with the light source for producing light emission from that source providing a variable visual light display.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the means associated with the light source comprising mechanical means.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, the mechanical means comprising a rotatable disc which intermittently interrupts light from the source to produce the variable visual light display.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a translucent screen in the box between the light source and cover and extending substan-.

tially parallel with the cover.

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3, comprising a plurality of discrete means for chan-.

nelling the light from the light source towards the cover.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, the plurality of discrete channelling means comprising separate plastic rods.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, the rods comprising a plurality of rods inclined with respect to the cover and a plurality of rods extending at right angles to the cover.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 5, the plurality of discrete channelling means comprising optical fibres.

9. Apparatus according to any of Claims 3 to 8, the light source comprising a fluorescent tube.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, in which there is a separate part of the box housing the flurorescenttube and the rotatable disc.

11. Apparatus for producing a variable visual light display, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.