US3825923A - Visual display apparatus with character matrix - Google Patents

Visual display apparatus with character matrix Download PDF

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Publication number
US3825923A
US3825923A US00287267A US28726772A US3825923A US 3825923 A US3825923 A US 3825923A US 00287267 A US00287267 A US 00287267A US 28726772 A US28726772 A US 28726772A US 3825923 A US3825923 A US 3825923A
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United States
Prior art keywords
base body
lines
character matrix
adjustment component
cover
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00287267A
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English (en)
Inventor
G Pirchl
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Romay AG
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Romay AG
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Priority to US00456544A priority Critical patent/US3846605A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
    • G09F9/37—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being movable elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
    • G09F13/34—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with light sources co-operating with movable members, e.g. with shutters to cover or uncover the light source
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/16—Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"

Definitions

  • Forelgn Apphc atlon Priomy Data a base body and of which characters there is visually Sept. 15, 1971 Switzerland 13490/71 indicated during each adjustment or Setting the Chap acter associated therewith.
  • the base body comprises a [52] US. Cl. 340/336, 340/378 R visual Surface composed of a character matrix consist [51] Illt. Cl. G09f 9/32 ing of lines for the characters to be displayed or indi [58] held of Search-m 340/336 378 324 cated.
  • cover elements adjust- 340/324 324 S able by the adjustment component for the lines of the character matrix in order to cover during successive [56] References C'ted adjustments the excessive lines of the character matrix UNITED STATES PATENTS which are not needed for the visual display of the rele- 2,426,079 8/1947 Bliss 340/336 4 V nt character. 3,399,474 9/1968 Rinder.. 340/336' 3,573,813 4 1971 Burns.... 340/336 l5 Chums, Drawmg Flgules 17 a 30a 30b 30c 30d PATENTEDJUL23I974 3.825.923
  • this invention relates to the use of the visual indicator or display apparatus for encoding the decimal numerical characters according to a binary or dual code wherein the binary numbers are portrayedby open and closed switches.
  • code or coding switches For encoding numerical characters there are known in the art so-called code or coding switches, wherein there is provided for each binary place or position of the code a switch element, for instance at a base body. At the base body there is mounted an adjustment component consisting generally of a rotatable disk or plate which is adjustable to engaging or locking positions associated with the individual numerical -characters and for each locking or engaging position indicates both the therewith associated numerical character and alsoappropriately actuates the switching elements of the coded word of the adjusted or set numerical character. At the periphery of the adjustment disk there are usually provided finger recesses for facilitating setting to the locking positions.
  • Another and more specific object of the present invention relates to a new and improved construction of apparatus for the visual indication of characters which is equipped with clearly recognizable, sufficiently large characters, especially numerical characters and possessing small dimensional size, can be fabricated at low cost, and additionally can be advantageously employed in-a versatile manner, especially in combination with a coding switch for encoding decimal numerical characters according to a binary code.
  • Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to a new and improved construction of apparatus for the visual indication of characters orthe like which is relatively simple in construction and'design, extremely economical to manufacture, highly reliable inoperation, particularly indicatingin a clearly descernible manner the desired characters which are to be portrayed at any given time, further is not readily subject to malfunction and requires a minimum of servicing and maintenance.
  • the base body possesses a visual surface with a character matrix consisting of lines for the characters which are to be displayed or indicated.
  • cover elements adjustable by the adjustment components for the lines of the character matrix in order to cover during successive adjustments the lines which are excessive or unnecessary for thedisplay of the momentary relevent character at the character matrix.
  • the visual surface of the base body is provided with a numerical character matrix and each of the successive adjustments or settings of the base body and adjustment or setting component are clearly fixed by locking or engaging means and for each binary position of the code there are provided two contact pieces or elements which can be closed, these contact elements being appropriately opened and closed during adjustment of the adjustment component to the setting of the coded message or word of the numerical character associated with the adjustment.
  • the apparatus can be designed as a slidingor rotary visual indicator or display apparatus.
  • the adjustment component and base body in successive adjustments or settings can be displaced transverse to the transverse lines or markings of the character matrix.
  • the adjustment or setting component can possess a cover surface which slides over the visual surface of the base body, upon which are arranged as cover elements transverse extending cover lines for the transverse lines which are to be covered of the character matrix in the successive settings or adjustments.
  • the character matrix can be arranged at the visual surface of the base body with lengthwise or longi tudinal extending lines which extend at an inclination with regard to the displacement direction of the adjustment or setting component and the cover elements for the longitudinal extending lines which are to be covered of the character matrix can be longitudinal extending cover lines arranged at the cover surface in the successive settings or adjustments, whereby it is possible to obtain close or short spacing of successive settings or adjustments, and therefore, a small total length of the equipment.
  • there can be obtained sufficiently wide matrix lines for achieving good visual display or indication in that the lengthwise extending lines of the character matrix are inclined with regard to the displacement direction of the adjustment or setting component through an angle of to preferably 18.
  • Each lengthwise extending line of the character matrix which is to be covered can be also formed by a slot-shaped opening at the visual surface of the base body, and the cover elements for such lengthwise extending lines can be resilient tongues of the base body having front surfaces located at a front surface of the base body, and which can be adjusted by the adjustment component in the successive settings or adjust ments and cover the lengthwise extending linesby closing the slot-shaped openings.
  • the adjustment or setting component can be rotatable in successive adjustments at the base body about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the planar front surface and extending through the diagonal point of intersection of the character matrix, wherein each of the four lengthwise extending lines and both of the outer transverse extending lines of the seven-line character matrix is formed by a slotshaped opening at the front surface of the base body.
  • the cover elements for these lines of the character matrix constitute reilient tongues of the base body with surfaces lying at the front surface, these tongues being adjustable by the adjustment component in the successive adjustments or settings and cover the aforementioned lines of the matrix by closing the slotshaped openings.
  • the central transverse line of the character matrix can be continuously visible, so that there are produced characters, each of which possess such central transverse line, or the central transverse line can be also covered in that a cover surface with appropriately arranged transverse extending cover lines is arranged over the front surface of the base body.
  • the base body can consist of a parallelepiped-shaped or cylindrical plastic block, wherein the resilient tongues can be formed by notches or cutouts at the front surface and lateral or peripheral separation or parting cuts, so that the base body can possess small width and small diameter and the size of the front surface is essentially determined by the size of the character matrix.
  • Such relatively high exemplary embodiments of base body afford the advantages that the base body can be formed by a hollow body member and the character matrix by slot-shaped openings at the hollow body wall possessing the front surface.
  • embodiments of the invention can be realized with resilient tongues as cover elements possessing visual surfaces in order to only render visible the character matrix with deep black appearing lines. Additionally, there then exists the possibility of internally illuminating by means of a light source arranged in the hollow compartment of the base body, the character matrix consisting of slotshaped openings.
  • the base body also can be fabricated from plastic in the form of a disk or plate, wherein for forming the resilient tongues and the lines associated therewith of the character matrix there can be provided lateral separation or parting cuts and at the front surface thin notches or cuts, so that during bending of a tongue the cut spreads apart and the walls of the cut are visible as lines of the character matrix. Beneath the thin cuts at the front surface there can be provided at the plastic plate hollow compartments or spaces.
  • the adjustment or setting component can possess a travelling or running surface having recesses and associated with the tongues, wherein the cams of the tongues engage with such recesses in order to render visiblethe lines of the character matrix.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the visual surface of the base body or foundation of a visual indicator or display apparatus designed according to the teachings of the present invention and having a seven-line character matrix;
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a cover surface with a cover line pattern belonging to the visual surface of the arrangement of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the ten decimal numerical characters obtained during displacement of the cover surface and visual surface of FIGS. 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a simple flat visual indicator or display apparatus having an adjustment component designed as a slide member and a planar visual surface and cover surface;
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates in side view a visual indicator or display apparatus having cylindrical visual surface and cover surface
  • FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a rotatable visual indicator or display apparatus having a seven-line character matrix, the peripheral lines of which are covered by resilient tongues and the central transverse line of which is continuously visible;
  • FIG. 7 illustrates the ten decimal numerical characters indicated at the visual surface during rotation of the adjustment component of the apparatus of FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view of a base body with a character matrix of the type shown in FIG. 1 for a parallel code switch for encoding decimal numerical characters according to a binary-coded-decimal notation;
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view of an adjustment component designed as a slide and belonging to the base body of the arrangement of FIG. 8 and having the cover line pattern of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the base body, the adjustment component and the switch elements of a parallelepiped-or quadratic-shaped slide code switch with visual indication or display of the numerical characters;
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a coding switch with illumination of the character matrix and an adjustment disk with cylindrical lens;
  • FIG. 12 is aplan view of the base body of a slide visual indicator apparatus wherein the lines of the character matrix can be covered by resilient tongues;
  • FIG. 13 is a plan view of the adjustment slide belonging to the base body of the arrangement of FIG. 2 and with a cover line pattern consisting of transverse lines;
  • FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a-slide coding switch consisting of the base body of the arrangement of FIG. 12 and the adjustment component of FIG. 13;
  • FIG. 19 is a plan view of a rotary visual indicator or display apparatus having a seven-line character matrix I wherein the central transverse line can be covered during setting or adjustments;
  • FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a coding switch having a visual indicator or display apparatus of the type depicted in FIG. 19.
  • FIGS. 1 to 4 there is illustrated by way of example an embodiment of the invention which is of particularly simple design, of flat or planar construction and serving for the visual indicaview through this visual indicator or display apparatus.
  • a base body or foundation 10 which has the form of a flat parallelepiped and consists for instance of a black dyed plastic.
  • a slide member or slide consisting of transparent plastic and serving as an adjustment component or part 20.
  • the front surface of the base body 10 is designed as a visual surface 11 (FIG.
  • this seven-line character matrix 12 will be understood to consist of three parallel transverse extending lines 13a, 13b, 13c and four longitudinal or lengthwise extending lines 140,
  • FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional 14b, 14c, 14d which collectively, as known, form a stylized 8.
  • the adjustment or setting component 20 consisting of transparent plastic forms a window 22 which during displacement slides over the visual surface 11 of the base body 10.
  • the face or side of the window 22 which confronts the visual surface 11 carries a cover line pattern 23 (FIG. 2) and is referred to hereinafter as the cover or covering surface 21. Since the ten decimal numbers or numerical characters should be displayed there are provided at the base body 10 and the adjustment component 20 ten successive adjustments or settings 0 9, which in the illustrated exemplary embodiment have the same spacing from one another. The decimal numbers 0 9 have been shown in FIG. 3. If the marking 0 of the cover surface 21 is located at the marking X of the visual surface 11, then, for instance, there should be displayed or indicated the character null.
  • the cover line pattern 23 of the cover surface 21 accordingly consists of black transverse extending cover lines 13 and longitudinal extending cover lines 14 which, in the displacement direction V of the adjustment component 20, are offset with respect to one another in'accordance with the successive settings or ad justment positions 0 9. It is only possible to obtain a close spacing of the successive settings or adjustment 0 9 if the lengthwise or longitudinal extending lines 14a 14d of the character matrix 12 and accordingly the longitudinal or lengthwise extending cover lines 14 of the cover surface 21 extend at an inclination or obliquely with respect to the displacement direction V of the adjustment component 20.
  • the illustrated character matrix 12 extends over eight settings or adjustment positions (FIG. 2) from the setting 0' to the setting 9' and its longitudinal extending lines are inclined of two successive settings or adjustments and the symbol B the angle of inclination.
  • the character matrix is accordingly 8 mm. high and the longitudinal extending lines 14a 1421 can have a width of approximately 0.3 mm..
  • the width of the matrix transverse extending lines 13a, 13b, 13c at most can amount to one-third a.
  • the lower transverse extending line 13a is located at the lower third of an adjustment band or region between two successive adjustments or settings, the middle transverse extending line 13b at the central third, in the illustrated embodiment at the adjustment region or band between the adjustment positions or settings 3' and 4, and the upper transverse extending line 13c at the upper third of an adjustment band or region.
  • the spacing of the left lengthwise extending lines 14a, 14b, from the right lengthwise or longitudinal extending lines 14c, 14d of the character matrix 12 amounts to lOa-sinB, that is to say 10 line widths" a" sink).
  • the upper transverse extending line 13c applied to the upper end of the left upper longitudinal extending line 14b extends a distance corresponding up to three line widths towardsthe right longitudinal extending line 14d, and similarly, the lower transverse extending line 13a arranged at the lower end of the right lower longitudinal extending line 14c extends a distance corresponding up to three line widths forwardly of the left longitudinal extending line 14a of the character matrix 12, as best seen by referring to FIG. 2.
  • the central transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix 12 possesses a length corresponding to five line widths and from the left longitudinal extending line possesses a spacing of one line width and from the right longitudinal extending line a spacing of three line widths.
  • the cover or covering line pattern 23 six transverse extending cover lines 13 and ten longitudinal extending cover lines 14 in the arrangement depicted in FIG. 2.
  • Such visual indicator or display apparatus can be employed, for instance, in order to digitally indicate linear displacements of a machine component.
  • FIG. schematically illustrates in front view a visual indicator or display apparatus by means of which there can be digitally indicatedsmall angles of rotation.
  • the adjustment component 20 fabricated for instance from metal, possesses a cylindrical cover surface 21 which, for instance, carries at the black background the cover line pattern 23 of FIG. 2 consisting in this case of light lines.
  • the base body which can be displaced over the cover surface 21 possesses a visual surface 11 which is .curved in accordance with the cover surface 21, the
  • the character matrix consists of transparent line-shaped recesses at the base or background of the visual surface, so that there is visible therethrough the black base surface or background of the cover surface and a line of the character matrix is practically non-visible when a cover line of the cover surface is displaced beneath the opening.
  • FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an embodiment of visual indicator or display apparatus wherein through rotation of a ringshaped adjustment component at a circular front surface there can be successively indicated the ten numerical characters or numbers 0 9. The successive settings or adjustments are designated by reference character 0 9..
  • the four longitudinal or lengthwise extending lines 14a 14d and the upper as well as lower transverse extending lines 13a, 130 of the character matrix 12 are formed by slot-shaped openings between the peripheral sides of a rectangular central portion of the base body 10 and appropriately arranged resilient tongues or tongue members 15a 15f which bear at the inner wall of the ring-shaped adjustment component 20.
  • These tongues possess surfaces which lie at the front plane and which, together with the surface of the central portion, form the front surface of the base body 10 and, for instance, can be in a white color.
  • the walls of the slot-shaped openings are for instance black, so that the matrix lines formed by the openings are clearly visibly discernible.
  • the central transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix is, for instance, a black transverse line at thev central portion of the base body 10.
  • each tongue 15a 15f possesses-a radially protruding cam or dog 16 which can engage with suitable recesses 26 provided at the inner wall of the ring-shaped adjustment component 20.
  • the recesses 26 are arranged in such a fashion that for each adjustment or setting 0' 9 of the adjustment component 20 the cams 16 only engage for those tongues 15 which form the lines at the character matrix required for the portrayal or representation of the relevant numerical character.
  • the cams and the recesses can be arranged in a track, wherein the cams of the successive tongues are always offset by at least one cam diameter.
  • the cams and associated recesses must be arranged in two or three tracks. This will be considered in greater detail hereinafter during the disclosure of this development.
  • code or coding switches there are indicated in ten settings or adjusted positions the individual numerical characters and in each adjusted position or setting switches are closed and opened, so that by means of the switch positions there can be reproduced the code messages or words of the set numerical characters.
  • code switches of small dimensional size which particularly manifestthemselves by their large and clearly discernible numerical characters.
  • the base body 10 consists of a rectangular plastic plate, the left half of which is thicker than the right half thereof and possesses a planar, for instance, black visual surface 11 with, for instance, a yellow seven-line character matrix 12 of a construction of the type depicted in FIG. 1.
  • the code or coding switch should serve for encoding the numerical characters or numbers according to a binary-coded-decimal notation.
  • At the right half of the plastic plate there are arranged for each binary place or position of the binarycoded-decimal notation two contact pieces or elements 17a, 18a 17d, 18d.
  • the contact pieces 17a 17d are stationary contacts which are mounted in a row next to one another at the base body at the region of its upper edge and possess connection pins 30a 30d protruding from the base body 10.
  • the other contact pieces or elements 18a 18d are contact springs or blades which are connected at their lower ends with one another and possess a common onnection 31.
  • At the four corners of the plastic plate there are mounted blocking or engagement balls or spheres
  • the adjustment component 20 consists of a plate formed of transparent plastic which bears upon the visual surface 1 1 of the base body 10 and is guided at both end or side surfaces 19 of the base body 10.
  • the window 22 of the adjustment component 20 which bears upon the visual surface 11 carries at the cover surface a cover line pattern 23 of black transverse extending cover lines 13 and longitudinal extending lines 14, as such have been shown in FIG. 2.
  • the adjustment component 20 switching means for the pairs of contact pieces 17a, 18a 17d, 18d of the base body 10. Since contact springs are provided for the switching pieces or elements the stationary contacts can be depressed.
  • the switching mean-cams 34 are arranged in accordance with the provided binary-coded-decimal notation at the points of intersection of four columns A, B, C, D and ten lines corresponding to the settings or adjustment 0 9, wherein the columns A, B, C, D are aligned at the pairs of contact pieces of the base body 10.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the arrangement of the switching mean-cams 34 (full line circles) for a purely binary or dual coding of the decimal numbers wherein for the code switch the binary value 1 is portrayed by a closed contact and the binary value 0 by an open contact.
  • the adjustment component 20 there can be provided instead of the cams also recesses into which noses of the contact springs engage.
  • For code switches with a different binary-coded-decimal notation, for instance an Aiken or Stibitz code there are employed adjustment components of the same design, wherein only the cams or recesses are appropriately differently arranged for the actuation of the contact springs.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the individual components of a parallelepiped or quadratic-shaped sliding code switch.
  • the base body or base body member 10 consists of a plastic block, the one jacket or outer surface of which is designed as a visual surface 11' bearing the seven-line character matrix 12.
  • Recesses 35 for receiving a substantially U-shaped resilient or spring'element 36 are provided at both sides of the base body 10 which bound the visual surface 11.
  • Each leg 36a of the resilient element or component 36 possesses three resilient projections or fingers 36b, wherein in each case two such projections 36b form two contact pieces or elements 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d and one projection serves as a locking or clamping spring .38.
  • each resilient projection 36b there is formed at the region of the free end thereof an outwardly directed or flexed nose member 37, and additionally there is provided a common connection or connection means 31.
  • the resilient or spring element 36 is merely pushed onto the base body 10, whereby the resilient projections 36b laterally protrude and their noses 37 extend somewhat past the side planes of base body 10. Both of the lower located spring projections forming the contact pieces 18a and 18d are shorter, as shown, than the remaining resilient projections.
  • the contact pieces or elements 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d contact elements 17c, 17b not being visible in FIG.
  • the adjustment or setting component 20 is formed from transparent plastic and is designed as a parallelepiped-shaped hood which can be placed upon base body 10, whereby the wall opposite the hood opening bears upon the visual surface 11' of the base body 10 and forms the window 22.
  • the window underside constitutes the cover surface and carries the cover line pattern which has not been particularly shown in FIG. 10.
  • the base body 10 thereof essentially has the same configuration as the base body of the embodiment of FIG. 10, however is designed as a closed hollow body.
  • This base body 10 which is open during fabrication at its head end for instance is closed by a cover 39'.
  • the lines or markings 13a, 13b, 13c and 14a 14d of the character matrix are line-shaped slots at the wall 10a of the base body which supports the visual surface 11.
  • the base or background of the visual surface 11, in this case, is maintained in a bright color at which there can be particularly well discerned the deep black appearing lines of the character matrix.
  • the cover line pattern at the cover surface 21 of the adjustment or setting component 20 is maintained at the same color tone or color as the background or base of the visual surface 11.
  • a cylindrical lens 29 is arranged at the window of this adjustment component. By means of the cylindrical lens 29 there is ensured for good visibility, especially of the narrow longitudinal length-wise extending lines of the character matrix. It is advantageous if the cylindrical lens 29 and the adjustment or setting component 20 are formed from transparent plastic as an integral or onepiece component. With such design of the base body 10 there is additionally realized the possibility of internally illuminating the character matrix consisting of slotshaped openings at the visual surface in that a light source 40, for instance a glow lamp, is mounted at the cover 39.
  • a light source 40 for instance a glow lamp
  • FIGS. 12 to 15 there is illustrated by way of example a sliding or slide-visual indicator or display apparatus in combination with a coding switch for instance, wherein there is employed a character matrix with longitudinal lines disposed in the displacement direction, that is to say a linear character matrix and the line width can be chosen independent of the adjustment or setting spacing.
  • the base body 10 is for instance, in the form of a parallelepiped-shaped plastic block, the one jacket or'outer surface of which constitutes the visual surface of the frontsurface 11''.
  • two resilient tongues 15a, 15b, and 15c, 15d respectively, the
  • the tongues can be mounted at the base body 10, however they are advantageously, as best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, formed as one piece with such base body 10, in that there are provided cuts or cut-out portions 27 at the plastic block which extend from the front surface towards the inside having walls substantially parallel to the side surfaces of the base body 10 and lateral separation or parting cuts 28, as best seen by referring to FIG. 12.
  • an adjustment cam 16 which is preferably formed of a steel ball embedded or inserted at the associated tongue.
  • a recess 24 at the underside of the base body 10 contains contact pieces or elements.
  • the adjustment or setting component 20 in this case is also a parallelepiped-hood formed of transparent plastic which its upon the base body 10 and at the window 22 of which there is mounted a cylindrical lens 29.
  • the side walls 20a, 20b of the adjustment component or element 20 exhibit at the inside shaped or formed recesses 26 for the tongue earns 16.
  • the base body 10 and theadjustment component 20 are displaceable relative to one another through ten successive settings or adjusted positions 0' 0', wherein in each adjusted position or adjustment there can be set tongues 15a, 15b, etc. of the base body 10 in order to form the numbers associated therewith from the character matrix 12.
  • a cover line pattern which, for this embodiment of visual indicator or display apparatus, however, only consists of transverse extending cover lines 13.
  • a cover line pattern of only five transverse extending cover lines 13 there are obtained the numerical characters or numbers ofthe form depicted in FIG. 3.
  • the cams 16 are arranged at different heights.
  • the cams 16 of thetongues 15a and 15c are located at the same height and closer to the front surface than the cams of the tongues 15b and 15d.
  • a longitudinal extending line of the character matrix is visible at the front visual surface 11' when the cam of the associated tongue 15 engages in a corresponding recess 26 of theadjustment component 20.
  • each of the ten numerical characters or numbers (FIG. 3) contain at least two longitudinal extending lines of the character matrix 12 at least two tongue cams engage during each of the settings or adjustments 0' 9, so that the individual adjustment or settings are exactly determined and there are not required therefor any further locking or engaging elements.
  • For coding the numericalcharacters according to a binarycoded-decimal notation there are secured to the floor of the recess 24 at the base body 10 five contact strips or fingers 41 which are electrically insulated from one another, wherein four of them are associated with the binary positions of the code and one serves as the common connection for the electrically interconnected contact elements 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d.
  • the contact elements or pieces 18a 18d are contact springs or blades of a comb-shaped spring or resilient component 42 mounted at the one end wall 20c of the adjustment component 20 (FIG. 15) and possess an additional contact spring or blade 18e. These five contact springs 18a 18e bear upon the five contact strips 41 of the base body and during displacement of the base body and adjustment components scan the contact strips.
  • the contact strip serving as the common connection is bare at its top surface whereas the other contact strips possess at their top surface appropriate electrically insulated locations 43 corresponding to the individual settings 0 9' of the binary code. By means of such electrically insulated locations 43 there can be interrupted contact with the contact springs.
  • the contact strips 41 are, for instance, connected to pins 45 of a socket 44 mounted at the base body 10.
  • the base body 10 consists of plastic and is in the form of a cylinder with a planar or flat front surface.
  • the base body 10 By means of two parallel cuts or cut portions 46a and three cuts or cut portions 46b perpendicular to such atthe front surface there are formed at the base body 10 resilient tongues 15a 15f for the four longitudinal lines 14a 14d and both of the outer transverse lines 13a and 13c of the character matrix as well as four corner tongues 47.
  • the base body can be solid or hollow.
  • the adjustment component or setting 20 has the shape of a cylindrical sleeve and is rotatably placed upon the base equal parts.
  • the cams 16 of the tongues 15a 15f are located in two planes; the cams of the tongues 15a, 15c, 15f, for instance, in an upper plane and the cams of the tongues 15b, 15d, 15:: ina lower plane (FIG. 18).
  • each tongue extends over 36.
  • the cams of each plane are offset by 9 with regard to one another.
  • the recesses 26 of the adjustment component are located at the same planes as the cams and are arranged in the manner depicted in FIG. 18.
  • FIG. 17 illustrates the mode of application of the contact pieces or elements for a code or coding switch setting component 20 carries a five-track code contact strip 52 with the fourdual or binary locations or positions of tracks 52a 52d associated with a code and a null track52e (FIG. 18) which can be scanned by the contact springs 50a 50e during rotation of the adjustment component 20.
  • the code contact strip 52 can be fabricated from an adhesively bonded sheet metal strip with recesses corresponding to the code or as a metallic covering at the adjustment component.
  • a light source 40 for illuminating the character matrix from the inside or, in order to permit the character matrix to appear in a deep-black color, there can be provided a closure cover.
  • FIG. '18 illustrated a development of the inner wall of the adjustment component 20 with the recesses 26 arranged in two rows for the tongue cams 16 and the code contact strips 52. Additionally shown in FIG. 18 are the resilient tongues 15a 15f with their cams l6 and the contact springs 50a 50e, and specifically in the adjusted position or setting 0'.
  • the thick graduation or partial lines designated by 0 9' represent the position of the settings or adjustments, the spacing of two graduation lines amounts to 36.
  • By means of thin auxiliary graduation lines having a spacing of 9 the regions between successive settings are each divided into four ent that then only the cams of the tongues. 15c engage and therefore there is indicated the character 1.
  • FIGS. 19 and 20 a flat rotary code switch with digital visual indication is depicted in FIGS. 19 and 20.
  • the base body 10 consists of a circular plastic disk or plate from which there are cut-out the four corners, as best seen by referring to FIG. 19.
  • Thesix. resilient tongues 15a 15f are obtained by cylindrical bores 53 parallel to the front surface of the base body,
  • the base body 10 can consist of, for instance, black plastic and the front surface can carry a white color covering, so that with flexed tongues the character matrix appears black upon a white background or base.
  • the central line 13b of the character matrix can be a colored line.
  • the central transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix is located off center and the tongues 15b, 15d are narrower than the tongues 15a, 15c.
  • the earns 16 for adjustment or setting of the tongues are located at the side of the floor or bottom of the base body and are arranged at two tracks.
  • the adjustment component 20 possesses a planar or flat contact or traveling surface 56 upon which bears the base body 10.
  • Recesses 26 are formed along two tracks at the contact or sliding surface 56 and into which can engage the cams 16 of the resilient tongues 15a 15f.
  • the recesses 26 can be arranged, for instance, in the manner depicted in FIG. 18.
  • a shaft or axle 59 is secured to a socket plate 57, and upon this shaft 59 there is rotatably mounted the adjustment component or part 20.
  • the other end of the shaft 59 carries the base body 10.
  • a disk or plate 60 formed of transparent plastic is secured to the front surface of the base body 10. At the face or side of the disk 60 confronting the front surface, and which face provides the visual surface 11, there is applied for instance a colored covering or coating, so that the locations disposed above the cut-outs 54 are left free so that the character matrix is clearly visible.
  • the adjustment or setting component 20 forms a housing which is closed at the top by a lens 49, by means of which there is visible on a magnified scale the visual surface 11 of the disk 60.
  • a code contact disk 63 is arranged in a circular ring-shaped recess 62 of the adjustment component 20, the code tracks of which are scanned by contact springs 64.
  • the contact springs 64 are secured for instance to contact pins 58 of the socket plate 57.
  • the central transverse extending line 13b of the character matrix is continuously visible in this embodiment, so that there are obtained the numerical characters of FIG. 7.
  • decimal numerical characters comprising a base body having a front visual surface, said front surface being equipped with a line-character matrix for the portrayal of the characters, said line-character matrix being in a configuration substantially corresponding to the numeral eight and composed of three parallel transverse extending lines and two pairs of longitudinally extending lines, and an adjustment component successively adjustable through different settings operatively associated with the line-character matrix of the base body for selectively rendering visible predetermined lines of the line-character matrix in each setting of the adjustment component corresponding to an associated character, said adjustment component and said base body being selectively adjustable into different successive positions due to relative to-and-fro movement of said adjustment component and base body,
  • said adjustment component being provided with a window which in each adjusted position covers the front visual surface of the base body, said window having a cover line pattern formed of transverse lines for covering the transverse lines of the character matrix as well as means for rendering non-visible selective lines of the longitudinally extending lines of the character matrix such that in each position there is only clearly visibly discernible the lines of the character matrix which portray the character associated with such given setting.
  • the character matrix at the visual front surface of the base body is arranged with its longitudinally extending lines disposed at an inclination with respect to the displacement direction-of the adjustment component, the nonvisible rendering means for the longitudinally extending lines of the character matrix which are to be covered comprising longitudinally extending cover lines arranged at the cover surface in successive settings.
  • said visual surface of said base body sliding over the cover surface of the adjustment component, and having a background of the same color as the cover lines of the cover surface forming the lines of the character matrix through slot-shaped openings in said cover surface.
  • each pair of closable contact elements comprises a stationary contact and a contact spring.
  • said contact elements include contact springs, asocket secured to the base body, said socket having contact pins electrically connected with the contact springs.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
  • Displays For Variable Information Using Movable Means (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
US00287267A 1971-09-15 1972-09-08 Visual display apparatus with character matrix Expired - Lifetime US3825923A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00456544A US3846605A (en) 1971-09-15 1974-04-01 Visual display apparatus with character matrix

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1349071A CH539359A (de) 1971-09-15 1971-09-15 Vorrichtung zur Sichtanzeige von Zeichen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3825923A true US3825923A (en) 1974-07-23

Family

ID=4392890

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00287267A Expired - Lifetime US3825923A (en) 1971-09-15 1972-09-08 Visual display apparatus with character matrix

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US3825923A (de)
JP (1) JPS4862394A (de)
AT (1) AT328207B (de)
BE (1) BE788644A (de)
CA (1) CA959148A (de)
CH (1) CH539359A (de)
DD (1) DD103074A5 (de)
DE (1) DE2147402A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2153958A5 (de)
GB (2) GB1407041A (de)
IT (1) IT965305B (de)
NL (1) NL7212278A (de)
SE (1) SE385058B (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4152853A (en) * 1977-10-11 1979-05-08 Lewis Robert L Multiple shutter digital device
US4551717A (en) * 1982-11-10 1985-11-05 Recognition Equipment Incorporated Intelligent key display
US5867149A (en) * 1995-08-14 1999-02-02 Intertactile Technologies Corporation Switch key image display and operator/circuit interface

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114120827B (zh) * 2021-11-02 2023-07-21 深圳市高展光电有限公司 柔性显示模组

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2426079A (en) * 1944-06-19 1947-08-19 Veeder Root Inc Remote-controlled electrical indicator
US3399474A (en) * 1968-01-18 1968-09-03 Robert M. Rinder Digital display device using reflected light
US3573813A (en) * 1968-10-25 1971-04-06 Tektronix Inc Light image display apparatus including selectively illuminated light piping elements

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2426079A (en) * 1944-06-19 1947-08-19 Veeder Root Inc Remote-controlled electrical indicator
US3399474A (en) * 1968-01-18 1968-09-03 Robert M. Rinder Digital display device using reflected light
US3573813A (en) * 1968-10-25 1971-04-06 Tektronix Inc Light image display apparatus including selectively illuminated light piping elements

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4152853A (en) * 1977-10-11 1979-05-08 Lewis Robert L Multiple shutter digital device
US4551717A (en) * 1982-11-10 1985-11-05 Recognition Equipment Incorporated Intelligent key display
US5867149A (en) * 1995-08-14 1999-02-02 Intertactile Technologies Corporation Switch key image display and operator/circuit interface

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT965305B (it) 1974-01-31
DD103074A5 (de) 1974-01-05
SE385058B (sv) 1976-05-31
JPS4862394A (de) 1973-08-31
CH539359A (de) 1973-07-15
FR2153958A5 (de) 1973-05-04
ATA833871A (de) 1975-05-15
BE788644A (fr) 1973-01-02
GB1407042A (en) 1975-09-24
NL7212278A (de) 1973-03-19
DE2147402A1 (de) 1973-03-22
GB1407041A (en) 1975-09-24
CA959148A (en) 1974-12-10
AT328207B (de) 1976-03-10

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