Remote controlled image display device

Claim 2

An electrostatically controlled visual display device comprising, in combination: a contrast body having an electrically conductive portion and mounted for movement between a rest position and an optionally arrestable position, said contrast body comprising a planar member mounted for movement about a pivotal axis and exhibiting to a viewer a contrast which depends upon which of the said positions it occupies; impelling means optionally operable for bringing said contrast body from its rest position to its optionally arrestable position, said impelling means comprising a compressed air source, an on-off control for said compressed air source and a nozzle positioned adjacent a surface of said contrast body for directing a jet of the compressed air against said surface for a short period of time; electrostatic arresting means sufficient to retain said contrast body in said optionally arrestable position after being brought to said optionally arrestable position by said impelling means, said electrostatic arresting means comprising a fixed electrode and a movable electrode constituted by said electrically conductive portion of said contrast body which is brought into a position adjacent to but spaced from said fixed electrode to establish an electrostatic attractive force therebetween; and means optionally operable for energizing and de-energizing said electrostatic arresting means comprising a voltage source to which said fixed and movable electrodes are connected through a charging resistor and relay controlled switch means for closing a discharge path directly between said electrodes and which serves to eliminate the electrostatic attractive force therebetween, said contrast body being self-restorable to its rest position when said electrostatic arresting means is in its de-energized state.

Claim 3

An electrostatically controlled visual display device comprising, in combination: a contrast body having an electrically conductive portion and mounted for movement between a rest position and an optionally arrestable position, said contrast body comprising a planar member mounted for movement about a pivotal axis and exhibiting to a viewer a contrast which depends upon which of the said positions it occupies; impelling means optionally operable for bringing said contrast body from its rest position to its optionally arrestable position, said impelling means comprising a compressed air source, an on-off control for said compressed air source and a fixed nozzle positioned adjacent a surface of said contrast body which directs a fine jet directly at a region of said surface that is located eccentrically with respect to said pivotal axis; electrostatic arresting means sufficient to retain said contrast body in said optionally arrestable position after being brought to said optionally arrestable position by said impelling means, said electrostatic arresting means comprising a fixed electrode and a movable electrode constituted by said electrically conductive portion of said contrast body which is brought into a position adjacent to but spaced from said fixed electrode to establish an electrostatic attractive force therebetween; and means optionally operable for energizing and deenergizing said electrostatic arresting means comprising a voltage source to which said fixed and movable electrodes are connected through a charging resistor and relay controlled switch means for closing a discharge path directly between said electrodes and which serves to eliminate the electrostatic attractive force therebetween, said contrast body being self-restorable to its rest position when said electrostatic arresting means is in its de-energized state.

Claim 4

An electrostatically controlled visual display device comprising, in combination: a contrast body having an electrically conductive portion and mounted for movement between a rest position and an optionally arrestable position, said contrast body comprising a planar member mounted for movement about a pivotal axis and exhibiting to a viewer a contrast which depends upon which of the said positions it occupies; impelling means optionally operable for bringing said contrast body from its rest position to its optionally arrestable position, said impelling means comprising a compressed air source, an on-off control for said compressed air source and a fixed nozzle positioned adjacent a surface of said contrast body which directs a fine jet directly at a region of said surface that is located eccentrically with respect to said pivotal axis; electrostatic arresting means sufficient to retain said contrast body in said optionally arrestable position after being brought to said optionally arrestable position by said impelling means, said electrostatic arresting means comprising a fixed electrode and a movable electrode constituted by said electrically conductive portion of said contrast body which is brought into a position adjacent to but spaced from said fixed electrode to establish an electrostatic attractive force therebetween; and means optionally operable for energizing and deenergizing said electrostatic arresting means comprising a voltage source to which said fixed and movable electrodes are connected through a charging resistor and relay controlled switch means for closing a discharge path directly between said electrodes and which serves to eliminate the electrostatic attractive force therebetween, said contrast body being self-restorable to its rest position when said electrostatic arresting means is in its de-energized state.