[0001] The patent of invention has the object to guaranty the monopoly of a system devised
to immediately display graphic, numerical or alphabetical symbol exchangeable sets
in any language which may be exchanged by other symbols of same series, all of it
with the aim of allowing the user to have available before him, perfectly visible,
a set of graphic symbols which will State, for example, the price of a product in
a certain currency and allowing to immediately exchange, by simply handling it, any
of the graphs. The essential characteristics of the systems are disclosed below.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] The state of the art known up to now offers innumerable devices, always from the
standpoint of hand control, having multiple characteristics ranging from common slate
or board on which with pencil, chalk, etc. one writes the prices of any article to
be sold to the public to others which by means of paperboard cards having exchangeable
figures usually on flat surfaces provided with windows allows to see through said
paperboard cards related figures or graphs.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Thus, the system for the immediate display of exchangeable graph sets, object of
this patent of invention, will be applied to an element provided with the suitable
mechanism which will allow to very easily locate, through a preset array of openings
or windows, the symbols or graphs required, providing for it several identical means
and in parallel arrangement, as many as graphic symbols have to be visible through
the windows so that by means of a simple handling, operating the device corresponding
to the symbol to be exchanged, a displacement of a sliding band will be provoked,
the said band being the support of the said symbols sequentially until once the wished
graphic symbol appears, the user stop operating the said device and the support-band
stop sliding.
[0004] As it has been stated, a display made according to the system object of this invention,
will have different and useful applications, the most usual applications being preferably
in the commerce. The arrangement in one or several sets of graphs of the ordinary
numerical series will allow to display at the several windows a figure equivalent
to the cost of the object or product to be sold while, for example, and in an application
currently very useful, in the other windows will appear the numbers corresponding
to the former price, but stated in Euros or any other currency, displayed figures
which will greatly facilitate purchase and sale and exchange operations, as well as
the assimilation of the cost or value of the products in the currency currently in
force and in any other currency or in Euros, mainly for the member states to which
they are applicable.
[0005] The system for displaying graphs which is disclosed will therefore allow, when produced
in the practice, to locate the numerical or alphabetical symbols so that they are
visible from outside through an opening split into windows, situated on the display
front face. A practical embodiment provides the arrangement of several openings to
display an identical amount of numbers by changing the amount of windows depending
on the device application.
[0006] An embodiment can be likewise provided with a front window and another back window,
the display having so a double band mechanism and duplicating the thickness of the
body involved.
[0007] The display will be provided within it with a series of identical elements, situated
parallel to each other, as many as graph sets have to be visible, the said elements
being designed so that by the user simply handling it, any of the sockets arranged
for such aim will be hand rotated and this will provoke the displacement of the sliding
continuous or discontinuous band on which said graphs are located in logical sequence,
(in the event of numbers, by its ordinal sequence from zero to nine) stopping the
operation at the moment when the wished graph appears at the stated window, the band
remaining from this moment stopped until it is interesting to newly operate the device.
[0008] In order to be able to disclose with every details the as well technical as operative
features and characteristics of the system to display the sets of graphical symbols
object of this invention, a series of drawing is attached to this specification in
which for no limitating example purpose practical embodiments of a display has been
illustrated to which the system features have been applied.
[0009] In said drawings:
Fig. 1 is a sectional front view of the display in the version of embodiment with
two sets of multiple rolls or shafts, to guide the bands supporting the graphical
symbols;
Fig. 2 is a likewise sectional front view equivalent to that of above figure but in
a simple version with shafts or rolls and with a single tightening shaft.
Fig. 3 is a sectional front view of the display according to figure 1, showing all
the sliding supporting bands placed at their respective place;
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical detail of the device with rolls or shafts in the multiple
version, showing a way of locating a sliding endless supporting band;
Fig. 5 is also a diagrammatical detail of the device with rolls or shafts in the simple
version of Fig. 2, also showing the location of the likewise endless sliding supporting
band.
Fig. 6 is another diagrammatical detail in perspective of a lengthwise cut type socket
to hook a normal band, i.e. not endless.
Fig. 7 is a front view of the display showing its front face, with two openings each
provided with rows of aligned windows;
Fig. 8 is a view equivalent to the preceding figure, but showing the display back
cover or face.
Fig. 9 is a side view of the device object of this embodiment, showing a top element
for fastening;
Fig. 10 is a view of the display, identical to the preceding figure, showing the arrangement
of a flange for fastening it.
Fig. 11 is also a side view of the display, as the two preceding figures, showing
the fastening of the display by means of a hooked nail or the like.
Fig. 12 shows a practical variation in a likewise side view, of the location of the
display on a shifted foot support.
Fig. 13 is a view of another practical embodiment of the system disclosed, which consists
in a display provided with operating elements different from those of the preceding
embodiment, said display being shown by its front and in a rectangular prismatic version.
Fig. 14 is a front elevation view according to section AA of the body or cover in
correspondence with the preceding figure.
Fig. 15 is another front view, according to section BB of the said body or cover and
also in correspondence with Fig. 13;
Fig. 16 is a side view, according to section CC, of the display body, corresponding
as the preceding ones, to Fig. 13.
Fig. 17 is a detail, at larger scale, of the back area of the body hinge, according
to Fig. 16.
Fig. 18 is a front or ground plane part view of the display, and at larger scale,
shoving the arrangement of the elements it possesses within it for tightening and
operating the continuous bands supporting the graphs;
Fig. 19 is a front elevation view, according to section AA, corresponding to the preceding
figure;
Fig. 20 is a side elevation view, according to section BB, also corresponding to Fig.
18.
Fig. 21 is a ground plane view, at larger scale, of one of the supports of the device
shafts;
Fig. 22 is an elevation view of same support, according to the preceding figure;
Fig. 23 is a side view of the support, corresponding to Fig. 21;
Fig. 24 is a view according to section AA, of the said support, according to figures
21 and 22;
Fig. 25 is another view of the support head, according to section BB of same figures
21 and 22;
Fig. 26 is a side view of one of the sockets operating the continuous bands with which
the device is provided;
Fig. 27 is an elevation view of the socket itself of the preceding figure;
Fig. 28 shows the diagrammatical section of a version of the device with front and
back windows, and simplified as for the rotation of the continuous or endless bands;
Fig. 29 is equivalent to the preceding one in simplified version with a continuous
band and a with single front window;
Fig. 30 is a view analogous to that of Fig. 26 of a socket for discontinuous band;
Fig. 31 is also an analogous to Fig. 27 but for discontinuous band;
Fig. 32 illustrates a shaft with a series of sockets of the type adapting the discontinuous
bands, and
Fig. 33 is a diagrammatical way of embodiment with discontinuous bands and joined
to their respective sockets arranged on related sustaining shafts;
[0010] According to the drawings, the system to display sets of exchangeable graphic symbols,
object of this invention consists , in a first version, in a not too thick rectangular
prismatic body (1), provided at its front face (2) with one or two horizontal rows
of rectangular windows (3) (3'), in the illustrated case seven windows at each row,
through which the graphic symbols (4) and (4') will be visible, such as numbers or
letters, as suitable and according to the device concrete use.
[0011] On the back face or cover (5) of the said body (1), there is suitable self-adhesive
bands (6) which will allow to definitely or occasionally stick the said body (1) against
any surface.
[0012] The external part of the body (1) is completed with a top tilting or fixed ring or
hoop (8) which will allow, in the different modalities of support, to place, for example,
a flexible flange (9) for fastening, as shown in Fig. 10, or to be suspended from
a suitable eyebolt (10), fixed on avail (7), as shown in Fig. 11, as well as, eventually,
to fasten it from the top part of the foot support (11) as illustrated in Fig. 12.
[0013] Within the display body (1), are arranged the sets of rolls or shafts which will
sustain due sliding supporting bands and will allow they slide in order to visibly
display through related window the graphical symbol wished each time.
[0014] As diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4, the sliding supporting band (12) is an
endless band, wound around the two end rolls or shafts (13), provided with protruding
disks (14) which serve as a guide for the said bands (12) in their sliding, allowing
at same time the user, quite simply and easily to provoke the said bands (12) rotation
by hand and therefore that they slide in one direction or the other, concretely the
band the position of which it is wished to change in order that any other graphical
symbol (4) appears at related window (3).
[0015] The band (12), coming from the end roll or shaft (13) in an embodiment (Fig. 4) is
wound around the opposite internal plain shaft (15a), immediately passing to be wound
around the other plain internal shaft (15b), and from this later, to be eventually
wound around the guiding roll (13) of the other end, all of it in full continuity,
the said band remaining preferably tightened by the action of the double set of internal
shafts.
[0016] Fig. 5 shows a simpler system of rolls or shafts, for a shorter band (12), likewise
provided with two end shafts or rolls (13), provided with guiding disks (14) but with
a single central plain shaft (16) with acts as tightener for said sliding supporting
band (12).
[0017] The band (12) could be endless and wound, like a film reel (13'), in sockets having
a longitudinal cut (13'') as illustrated in Fig. 6.
[0018] The practical embodiment explained and illustrated in Fig. 1 is that of a display
provided with two multiple sets of rolls or shafts and more particularly and for example
purpose, having seven bands (12) each, as it can be seen in Fig. 3, while Fig. 2,
where the bands were not drawn, shows a display with a simple set of rolls or shafts,
corresponding to Fig. 5.
[0019] In the first case, the embodiment allows to dispose of two horizontal rows of windows
(3) and (3') because there is two groups of sliding bands (12) (12'), while in the
embodiment of Fig. 2, the display will only have a single row of windows (3), not
shown, as it is provided with a single set of sliding bands (12) (not drawn).
[0020] It must be said that the graphical symbols (4) or (4') may be as well numbers as
letters, as required, according to the display use.
[0021] It is obvious that the user who is willing to use the device of the invention may
interrelate Fig. 3 and 7, by moving the back cover being open and with the fingers
the bands (12) arranged on the rolls or shafts (13) until situating them in suitable
position while the symbol, number, etc. (4) appears though one of the windows (3)
and so on, in the windows top row. Thereafter, he will move in same way the lower
bands (12') which will slide, allowing in turn to see other figures (4') on the windows
row (3'), figures which will be the suitable ones to have the relation with those
of the formerly mentioned windows (3). Thus, and for example purpose, an amount of
up to seven figures may let be displayed at the device drawn and more concretely an
amount which may correspond to the price of an item in any currency and at the lower
row, another amount different but equivalent to another currency thus the public can
see, at once, the equivalence of the price in two different currencies. It is logical
that on the body (1) external surface or front cover, to best understand, the currency
to which each amount or price correspond will be written.
[0022] The system for the immediate display of exchangeable graph sets, object of this invention,
shows as a variation to its embodiment, the display constituted by a body (16) preferably
rectangular prismatic, having blunt vertices and not too thick with relation to its
size. It possesses, at its back edge, cylindrical recesses (17) to house the fastening
shafts (18) and to move the back cover (19) which conveniently closes the set, protecting
its interior and constituting a box.
[0023] It is obvious that the way disclosed may vary depending on the function to which
it is applied and even on its size, because the application in commerce requires it
so.
[0024] On the body (16) front external face a rectangular opening (20) remains situated,
arranged lengthwise and split into a row of identical windows (20a), six in the example
illustrated and which will correspond with six continuous bands (21) with which the
display is provided in the drawn example (Fig. 18). Through these windows (20a) the
coincident areas of each continuous band (21) situated below will be visible. The
sides of each window (20a) are delimited by a suitable signalling (20b) which allows
to form the said windows (20a) on the opening (20) and which help to correctly check
the graphs (21a).
[0025] On the body (16) internal and front face are located a series of slightly frustum-shaped
spindles (22), arranged in a row just close to the edge of a rectangular opening (20)
and seven in total in the example drawn, spindles which will serve as guides to prevent
an accidental side displacement of the said bands (21).
[0026] On same body (16) back part internal face, are arranged and close to the hinging
edge, U-shaped supports (22a) placed in a row and so that on them a back lengthwise
shaft (23) is placed while the said supports (22a) also constitute guides to prevent
the displacement of the bands (21), when sliding around said shaft (23).
[0027] The said continuous bands (21) moving and supporting device is constituted, in addition
by the back shaft (23), in the case shown in Fig. 18 to 20, two tightening intermediate
shafts (24) and (25) and the front shaft (26), which is provided in turn with a series
of sockets (27) having a preferably grooved surface which constitute the bands (21)
pulling element on the said front shaft (26), the said element allowing to individually
pull each band (21) as each of these sockets (27) possesses a protruding edge (28)
having a likewise grooved surface, on which, by hand, it will be operated to make
the socket rotates and, together with it, to provoke the respective band (21) move
by pulling it. The possibility to operate by hand on respective band, without operating
on the edge (28), in an extreme case, is perfectly admissible.
[0028] The said sockets (27) in a total of six in the example illustrated, are placed juxtaposed
on the front shaft (26), constituting an homogenous set. Each band (21) runs around
the socket (27) grooved external surface, while the larger diameter grooved edge (28)
also constitutes a guide which will prevent the accidental side movement of the respective
continuous band (21). The arrangement of the end shafts (23) and (26) as well as the
tightening shafts (24) and (25) that of the bands is clearly and concretely drawn
in Fig. 20.
[0029] On the body (16) internal side faces supporting parts (29) are arranged, which will
be sustained by means of the spindles (30) which are engaged under pressure in related
holes (31) of the body (16) side faces. These supports are provided with offsets on
which the band roll or sliding and tightening shaft ends will be situated, numerals
(23 to 26), the said shafts remaining, thus perfectly socketed and fastened.
[0030] The said supports possess first three equal offsets (32) having a flanged mouth and
a rounded and larger bottom so that the end of related shaft is engaged under pressure
to remain tightly fixed in said rounded bottom (32'). These shafts will be, concretely,
the back shaft (23) and the tightener intermediate shafts (24) and (25).
[0031] On the front part these supports possess an offset (33), having a profile equivalent
to the one of the front supports, but situated on an emerging stub (29a) so that the
front shaft (26) when being housed there under pressure will remain somewhat apart
from the body internal face, allowing the sockets (27) arrangement and rotation motion
together with the grooved edges (28) thereof. The said stub will likewise keep the
sockets set (27) situated on the shaft (26) very close to one of the following ones
and without possibility to be displaced sidewards.
[0032] Every element constituting the display object of this invention being arranged, as
it was disclosed before, the operation will be as follows:
[0033] First and once every and each continuous band (21) are placed in the arrangement
shown in Fig. 20, they are suitably tightened while their external face on which the
graphs (21a) are situated are facing and against the opening (20) windows (20a), the
coincident graph appearing and being visible from the exterior, which in the case
shown is an ordinal number.
[0034] At the moment when it is wished to change the graph (21a) visible through any of
the windows (20a) it will be enough to open the body (16) back cover (19) and there
will be a direct access to the sockets (27) situated on the front shaft and provided
with the larger diameter rib and grooved surface (28). Acting on said ribs the rotatory
motion of related socket will be achieved and, together with it, the band (21) situated
around it will slide, until another wished graph coincides with related window. The
band tightening is secured thanks to the tightening shafts (23), (24), and ((25).
[0035] In this practical use, the display can be used as a single element, or several, therefore
the user will have the possibility to have two or several window sets (20a) through
which displaying different graph sets, as suitable.
[0036] Between the windows, the gaps (20b) can be signalled with other graphs, such as dots,
commas, etc. in order that the figures appear through the general opening or window,
for example, with decimals.
[0037] Very diagrammatically, several variations of the body or box (16) have been shown
in Fig. 28 and 29, with continuous band without tightening shafts to show it is also
possible to arrange a single window (20) on one face, either the front or the back
one or even in both (20) and (20').
[0038] In an advantageous embodiment, discontinuous bands (21') can be used as those illustrated
in Fig. (33) and, in that case, respective rolls or shafts (23') and (26') will be
occupied by a series of sockets (27') in a way equivalent to the formerly disclosed
but provided with protruding studs (34) on which due holes (35) will be housed which
have been drilled close to the bands (21') ends.
[0039] In this case, applying the rotatory motion on respective sockets (27') edges (28')
in one direction or the other, subsequent motion of the discontinuous band will occur
because the stud which corresponds to it will pull said band, being wound on the socket
this can be done so in both directions and on any of the reference sockets.
[0040] These examples could be extended to the concrete use of names or styles in a window
row and price in the lower one, styles in different languages in each row, etc., i.e.
this device allows multiple matching as well in numbers of rows as in number of windows,
as well as length of sliding bands, either endless or not, which will be directly
proportional to the number of symbols, numbers or letter arranged on each band.
[0041] It must be stated too that any change in size, aspect and external shape, as well
as decoration and types and quality of the materials used in the practical embodiment
of the displays, shall not impair the essence of this patent of invention, the said
essential characteristics being summarized in following claims.
1. System for the immediate display of exchangeable graph sets characterized in that
it is constituted by a not too thick rectangular, circular prismatic body or having
any other geometrical shape, on the front face of which are situated one or several
horizontal rows of windows in a regular and equidistant way, while on its back face
or cover are situated several adhesive fastening bands on a suitable surface, and
on its top edge a tilting or fixed ring is arranged to make possible the body is fastened
in different ways, being likewise characterized in that within the body one or several
guiding rolls and tightening shafts are located which will sustain the sliding supporting
band, on whose external surface are located the graphs, number or letters which successively
will appear , when moving by hand each band, through the respective window of the
display itself.
2. System for the immediate display of exchangeable graph sets, according to above claim,
characterized in that said rolls or shaft sets can be multiple, with two intermediate
rolls or plain tightening shafts, or single, with a single intermediate roll or plain
tightening shaft and in that the end rolls and shafts are provided with sockets with
disks, as many as bands are arranged in each roll or shaft set, plus an end one which
guide the bands in their sliding, allowing to carry out the said sliding by hand,
in one or the other direction.
3. System for the immediate display of exchangeable graph sets according to claims 1
and 2, characterized in that the windows situated on the body top face, will remain
situated in rows, as many as multiple or single roll or shaft sets are housed within
it, each window corresponding to the row with a single of the sliding supporting band
situated within the body and in the corresponding rolls or shafts set, all of it so
that from the exterior at each window there is only visible the graph, letter or number,
which has been situated behind the said window when making the band slides operating
by hand the end socket disk.
4. System for the immediate display of exchangeable graph sets, according to claims 1
to 3, characterized in that the sliding bands bearing the graphic symbols can be endless
or more or less long bands and joined at their ends to sockets of the type preferably
having a longitudinal cut.
5. System for the immediate display of exchangeable graph sets, according to preceding
claims, characterized in that it shows as variation of embodiment the rectangular
body, on the front face of which is arranged an horizontal rectangular opening, signalled
in equal divisions, like windows in consecutive rows, said body being closed by a
tilting back cover or of any other type on its end supports, fixed on related housing
situated at the back edge and characterized in that it has within it a set of shafts
and guiding and separating elements which will allow the arrangement of a series of
continuous or discontinuous bands, as many as divisions or windows the front opening
possesses, on the external surfaces of the said bands the sets of required graphs
will be located and which will be visible from the exterior through related divisions
of the front opening.
6. System for the immediate display of exchangeable graph sets according to the preceding
claim, characterized in that the sustaining device and the operation of the continuous
bands are constituted by a plain back end shaft, two identical intermediate shafts,
for tightening, and a front shaft, on which a series of sockets with grooved surface
are situated and with one of its ribs protruding like a disk and likewise grooved,
all of them fastened on the said front shaft and forming an even set, constituting
the pulling element of the continuous bands situated around it, an action which is
carried out independently for each band, rotating by hand the rib protruding from
related socket, so that the band is displaced coinciding with different graphs through
related openings of the front window.
7. System for the immediate display of exchangeable graph sets, according to claims 5
and 6, characterized in that on the body internal face a set of upright studs is situated,
close to the horizontal opening and located equidistant, so that they constitute guides
which will prevent the bands sidewards displacement and characterized in that at the
back shaft area it also shows a set of U-shaped supports, symmetrically arranged and
in whose recesses just said shaft is located, constituting guides which prevent the
continuous bands displacement.
8. System for the display of exchangeable graph sets, according to the claims 5 to 7,
characterized in that on the internal face of both sides of the body two symmetrical
or no symmetrical supports are fastened by means of the pressurized engagement of
the studs they possess to that aim, the said supports being provided with offsets
on which are housed under pressure the ends of the back tightening shafts , while
at its front end they possess identical offsets, situated on a trapezoidal stub, so
that the front shaft is engaged and fastened, sufficiently apart to allow positioning
and rotating the grooved sockets pulling the band and characterized in that in the
case that said bands are discontinuous bearing graph holes can be provided close to
its ends to house them on studs emerging from each of the sockets.
9. System for the immediate display of exchangeable graph sets, according to claim 5
characterized in that the display box can show the front window as well at the front
part as at the back part or both at same time because the group of continuous or discontinuous
bands shows its graphs as well on the front as usual as also on the back.