US2836912A - Display device - Google Patents

Description

June 3, 1958 E. R. RANUCCI 2,336,912

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed April 22, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig./

E. R. RANUCCI June 3, 1958 DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 v 8 3 E z 4 2 W l 6 a 5i 1 n M. 2 w 9 Lil w 3 1+ mes? R. fianucei INVENTOR.

nited States 2,8353% Patented June 3, 1958 DISPLAY DEVICE Ernest R. Ranucci, Fanwood, N. J.

Application April 22, 1957, Serial No. 654,249

3 Claims. (Cl. 40-30 The present invention generally relates to a display device and more particularly to a device that is eyecatching so that merchandise displayed therein will be observed by prospective purchasers.

An object of the present invention is to provide a display device incorporating in its construction a pair of spaced, vertically aligned disks, with one disk being rotatable in relation to the other and the peripheries of the disks being interconnected by a series of flexible and elastic members, whereby oscillation of one of the disks will cause sequential expansion and contraction of the elastic cords, thus forming a dynamic pattern which is eye-catching, thus permitting merchandise to be displayed within the confines of the elastic cords.

Another important object of the present invention isto provide a display device which is extremely simple in construction, eye-catching, well adapted for its intended purposes and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the display device of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a plan sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 33 of Figure 2, showing the details of the driving mechanism; and

Figure 4 is a plan sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 44 of Figure 2 illustrating the construction of the bottom plate.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 19 generally designates the display device of the present invention which includes a bottom, stationary, circular disk or plate 12 supported rigidly with a bottom portion or arm 14 of a supporting bracket 16. The upper end of the supporting bracket 16 is provided with an upper arm 18 in parallel relation to the lower arm 14, with a depending shaft 20 being journaled in a bearing 22 depending from the arm 18 and held thereon by a collar 24. On the lower end of the shaft 20 is an upper circular disk or plate 26 being disposed in vertical alignment with the bottom plate 12.

Also supported on the arm 18 is a motor 28 of the electric type having a rotatable plate 30 driven thereby with a connecting arm 32 being attached to the plate 30 by an eccentric 34. The other end of the arm 32 is connected to an upstanding eccentric 36 on the upper disk 26, whereby rotation of the plate 30 will cause oscillation of the disk 26 about the axis of the shaft 20. By varying the position of the eccentrics 34 and 36 and the dimensions of the arm 32, the scope of oscillation of the upper disk 26 may be varied.

Extending between the disks 26 and 12 is a plurality of elastic cords 38, with these cords extending through the plates and connected thereto adjacent the peripheral edge of the plates or disks and being disposed in circumferentially spaced relation. Figure 2 illustrates the normal position of the elastic cords 38 when they are in parallel relation. However, actuation of the motor 28 will cause oscillation of the upper disk 26, thus causing sequential or alternating expansion and contraction of the elastic cords as illustrated in Figure 1, thus forming a pattern which is eye-catching, and any merchandise disposed on the upper surface of the bottom disk 12 within the confines of the pattern formed by the cords 38 will be observed by prospective customers, thus advertising the merchandise in a highly successful manner.

it is pointed out that any mechanism may be employed for supporting the disk, with the supporting mechanism and driving mechanism being normally hidden from view, thus further lending to the eye-catching ability of the device.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A display device comprising a stationary bottom plate, an upper plate rotatable with respect to said stationary plate, a plurality of elastic cords extending between the peripheral edge portions of the plates in circumferentially spaced relation, and means for oscillating said upper plate, thereby causing alternating expansion and contraction of the elatic cords and alternating expansion and contraction of the cylindrical space enclosed by the cords for drawing attention to merchandise displayed on the bottom plate.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plates are circular, with the upper plate being suspended from a support arm.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said oscillating means includes an electric motor having a circular plate mounted on the drive shaft thereof, a connecting arm having one end eccentrically pivotally connected with the plate on the drive shaft of the motor and the other end eccentrically connected with the upper plate, thereby causing oscillation of the upper plate in relation to the lower plate.

Great Britain Apr. 10, 1893 France May 26, 1924

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