US3849918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous display device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-23
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1993-07-23
Abstract
Abstract An illuminated continuously moving display device which is suspended from a ceiling and having a series of panels each containing separate visual displays, the panels being arranged to follow one another in series about a closed loop of oval configuration with the panels being tilted slightly with respect to the vertical for ease in viewing. Special belt drive means and special track and panel means are provided to allow the individual panels to move in proper position for display at all times and to separate so as to accommodate the difference in path lengths which is required to maintain the panels at their proper tilted position.
Inventors
- 👤 D Mazzocco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 00:52
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F11/00; G09F11/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A visual display apparatus comprising a flexible conveyor loop, means for guiding and driving said loop for recirculating movement along a first endless path lying in a horizontal first plane, a guide track arranged to define a second endless path horizontally offset with respect to said first path and in a second plane parallel to and above the first plane, one of said paths being longer than the other, a plurality of flexible display panels each having a first edge and an opposite edge, each panel being secured along said first edge to said conveyor loop and means for guiding each display panel along its said opposite edge to follow said guide track whereby said panels are moved along while tilted from the vertical for convenient and continuous viewing at all positions of said panels along said paths.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A visual display apparatus comprising a flexible conveyor loop, means for guiding and driving said loop for recirculating movement along a first endless path lying in a horizontal first plane, a guide track arranged to define a second endless path horizontally offset with respect to said first path and in a second plane parallel to and above the first plane, one of said paths being longer than the other, a plurality of flexible display panels each having a first edge and an opposite edge, each panel being secured along said first edge to said conveyor loop and means for guiding each display panel along its said opposite edge to follow said guide track whereby said panels are moved along while tilted from the vertical for convenient and continuous viewing at all positions of said panels along said paths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
A visual display apparatus comprising a flexible conveyor loop, means for guiding and driving said loop for recirculating movement along a first endless path lying in a horizontal first plane, a guide track arranged to define a second endless path horizontally offset with respect to said first path and in a second plane parallel to and above the first plane, one of said paths being longer than the other, a plurality of flexible display panels each having a first edge and an opposite edge, each panel being secured along said first edge to said conveyor loop and means for guiding each display panel along its said opposite edge to follow said guide track whereby said panels are moved along while tilted from the vertical for convenient and continuous viewing at all positions of said panels along said paths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
A visual display apparatus comprising a flexible conveyor loop, means for guiding and driving said loop for recirculating movement along a first endless path lying in a horizontal first plane, a guide track arranged to define a second endless path horizontally offset with respect to said first path and in a second plane parallel to and above the first plane, one of said paths being longer than the other, a plurality of flexible display panels each having a first edge and an opposite edge, each panel being secured along said first edge to said conveyor loop and means for guiding each display panel along its said opposite edge to follow said guide track whereby said panels are moved along while tilted from the vertical for convenient and continuous viewing at all positions of said panels along said paths.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said display panels are each of composite construction having removable portions including display panel holding means and permanent portions for holding said removable portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said display panels are reinforced along the edges thereof which extend between said paths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said flexible display panels is resiliently biased, along its said opposite edge, to a flattened extended condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for guiding and driving said loop comprises a pair of drums.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means for guiding and driving said loop further comprises a pair of synchromous electric motors driveably coupled to said drums.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each display panel is loosely connected to said conveyor loop at two mutually displaced locations along its length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein collapsable intermediate panels are connected between adjacent ones of said flexible display panels, said intermediate panels having side edges connected to correspondinG edges of adjacent display panels, said intermediate panels being bendable to allow movement of said of said side edges toward and away from each other for expansion and contraction of said intermediate panels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said intermediate panels are of greater expanded extend along an edge thereof nearest said guide track.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second endless paths is of oval configuration with straight courses interconnecting semicircular ends.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the second endless path is larger than and surrounds the first path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
A visual display apparatus comprising an upper oval track, means for mounting said track to lie against a ceiling, a pair of drums, means mounting said drums to rotate in a lower plane parallel to and beneath said track, a flexible conveyor belt extending about said drums and lying along a lower oval path beneath said upper oval track, said lower oval path being smaller than and surrounded by said upper oval track, a plurality of display panels each having a first edge and an opposite edge and each being secured along said first edge to said belt and track engaging means along the opposite edge of each display panel and engaged with said upper track for following same.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
119 words
A visual display apparatus comprising an upper oval track, means for mounting said track to lie against a ceiling, a pair of drums, means mounting said drums to rotate in a lower plane parallel to and beneath said track, a flexible conveyor belt extending about said drums and lying along a lower oval path beneath said upper oval track, said lower oval path being smaller than and surrounded by said upper oval track, a plurality of display panels each having a first edge and an opposite edge and each being secured along said first edge to said belt and track engaging means along the opposite edge of each display panel and engaged with said upper track for following same.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said upper oval track and said lower oval path are relatively dimensioned such that said display panels extend at a substantially control angle with respect to the vertical as they move along between said track and said path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 12 wherein collapsable intermediate panels are arranged between adjacent display panels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said intermediate panels are of generally triangular shape with their base extending along said upper track and their apex located at said belt.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said intermediate panels are bendable inwardly of said tracks.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said display panels each include a permanent portion connected to said belt and engaging said upper track, and a removable portion detachable from said permanent portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
87 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said permanent portion of said display panels each comprise a flexible sheet-like member of generally rectangular configuration, a pair of elongated rigid members extending along opposite side edges of said sheet-like member and attached, at the ends thereof nearest the lower oval path, to said belt and loosely engaged at their other ends to said upper track and an elongated resilient bendable member attached to said sheet-like member along an edge thereof which extends nearest said upper track.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said permanent portions each include elongated rigid members forming side edges of the portions between the belt and the upper track and means on said rigid members for attachment of one of said removable portions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said removable portions comprise a pair of flexible transparent sheet-like members forming a pocket for containing a display sheet and means for attaching the removable portion along its edges to the rigid members of the permanent portions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said means for supporting said panels includes a lower track having a bottom opening for allowing emission of light from within said apparatus for general illumination.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said lamps are elongated fluorescent tubes extending generally horizontally within said apparatus between the upper and lower edges of said panels.
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) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |