US3590505A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotatable display device
Assignee: TRANS WORLD DISPLAY CORP
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Filing: 1969-07-23
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A display device including a stationary bracket provided with one or more openings each loosely accommodating a spherical ball. Two rotatable plates, on opposite sides of the bracket, sandwich the balls between them. Each plate carries a display member. A motor rotates one of the plates and its display member in one direction, and the balls transmit the rotation to the other plate and display member, so that the latter rotate in the opposite direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Benchley Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:58
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F11/00; G09F11/02; A; A47; A47F; A47F5/00; A47F5/02; A47F5/025; G09F11/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A display device comprising: a stationary support, a bracket fixed with respect to said support, said bracket having at least one opening, a spherical ball loosely accommodated within said opening, first and second plates on opposite sides of said bracket and rotatable with respect to said support, said plates sandwiching said ball between them, first and second display members rotatable with said first and second plates, respectively, and a motor for rotating said first plate and first display member in the same direction, rotation of said first plate being transmitted via said ball to said second plate, whereby said first and second display members rotate in opposite directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A display device comprising: a stationary support, a bracket fixed with respect to said support, said bracket having at least one opening, a spherical ball loosely accommodated within said opening, first and second plates on opposite sides of said bracket and rotatable with respect to said support, said plates sandwiching said ball between them, first and second display members rotatable with said first and second plates, respectively, and a motor for rotating said first plate and first display member in the same direction, rotation of said first plate being transmitted via said ball to said second plate, whereby said first and second display members rotate in opposite directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second plates are arranged below and above said bracket, respectively, said ball rests by gravity on said first plate, and said second plate rests by gravity on said ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A display device as defined in claim 2 wherein said plates are arranged in parallel horizontal planes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said support includes a vertical pole, said motor and bracket being mounted to the upper end of said pole, said motor having a vertical shaft, said first plate and display member being fixed to said shaft, and said second plate and display member surrounding but rotatable with respect to said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said support includes a vertical pole, said plates and display members surrounding and being rotatable with respect to said pole, said first plate being spaced above said first display member, and a tubular member surrounding said pole and joining said first display member and plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises a sheet metal element provided with at least one hole, the diameter of said hole being slightly larger than the diameter of said ball.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket includes a pair of discs, means for holding said discs in face-to-face relation, and each disc having an opening in registry with an opening in the other disc, at least a portion of the sides of each opening tapering outwardly, and the exterior diameter of each opening being smaller than the diameter of said ball, so that said ball cannot drop out of said opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket includes a flat element provided with at least one noncircular opening, said opening being elongated in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis about which said ball rotates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |