Control mechanism, particularly for information displayers with interchangeable boards

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an control mechanism, particularly for information displayers with interchangeable boards.

[0002] More particularly, the invention concerns a mechanism allowing the realisation of the change of the boards in a displayer of the above kind in a precise and reliable way.

[0003] As it is well known, during last years a remarkable diffusion of information displayers allowing the change of the message occurred, particularly in the advertising sector.

[0004] A first kind of displayer is that one providing different horizontal elements with a triangular cross-section, that can rotate about their horizontal axis, in such a way that synchronously rotating the different faces, it is possible to modify the message visible to the public according a pre-established timed sequence.

[0005] Obviously, this kind of device is rather limitative, since the number of messages that can be viewed is limited to three, and they can be viewed according to a rigid sequence.

[0006] Furthermore, it is difficult to replace the messages, since it is necessary the complete substitution of the viewer device.

[0007] A second kind of displayer for different images already known and available on the market is that comprising a sheet wound on a roll and upon which different messages in sequence are provided.

[0008] In this case, if the number of messages is limited only by the length of the sheet and by the dimensions of the device, it is evident that remarkable limitations exist for the displaying sequence. In fact, the sequence is rigidly constrained to the order by which the different messages are placed on the sheet, so that they cannot be proposed according to a casual order.

[0009] Furthermore, it is always necessary to replace the whole sheet to replace the messages.

[0010] In view of the above, in EP-A-0 649 554 assigned to the Applicant, an innovative solution for an information displayer has been described to solve all the problems according to the prior art.

[0011] Particularly, the solution described and claimed allows to provide a high number of different messages according to a casual sequence and that can be singularly replaced.

[0012] FR-A-2716 740 and US-A- 2195249 describe solutions that can be considered as relevant background with respect to the independent claim of the present application.

[0013] These results are obtained, as can be decuced from claim 1 of EP-A-0 649 554, by an information displayer with interchangeable boards, comprising at least a loader of boards provided with means to take out said nth boards; means to grasp the board to be displayed; and means to bring in a display position and to bring back the same into a container, whereby said boards are selectively interchangeable, said loaders are releasably coupled to the displayer, so that they can be replaced with other ones containing different boards, in that said loaders have a stepping motion, with a number of steps corresponding to the number of boards provided, and in that the movement is obtained by a stepping motor controlled by a preprogrammed microprocessor.

[0014] Now, the Applicant has realised a solution allowing to operate a displayer having the features as described in EP-A-0 649 554 in a still more precise and reliable way.

[0015] Obviously, the solution according to the present invention can be used also for different devices with respect to the one mentioned in the above mentioned European patent, having the same problems.

[0016] It is therefore specific object of the present invention a control mechanism, particularly for information displayers with intercheangeable message sheets provided with a higher message sheet supporting loader and a lower message sheet supporting loader, each message sheet supporting loader being provided with a respective control mechanism which is characterized in that it comprises a hooking element moving along a vertical path between said two loaders and being operated by a first operation means to bring the message sheets into a display position and to bring said message sheets back into the loader when not on display; at least a first micro switch provided along the vertical display path of said hooking element that interacts with said hooking element and controls the stop of said first operation means ; a pulley system located on the shaft of the loader powered by a second operation means and controlled by a pre programed control means; said pulley system including a wheel provided with a number of substancially equidistant eccentric peripheral surfaces corresponding to the number of display sheets; and at least a second micro switch interacting with eccentric surfaces; whereby the preprogramed control means determines the pitch of said wheel so that the eccentric surfaces face in a direction so as to release the display sheet, and whereby the motion of said wheel is reversed until the eccentric surface corresponding to a different message sheet to be shown interacts with the second micro switch which stops the second operation means operating the pulley system and starts the first operation means which brings the new message sheet into display position.

[0017] Preferably, according to the invention, said hooking element has two distinct zones of interference with said first microswitch, the first interference determining the slowing down of said first operation means and the second interference determining the stop of said first operation means and the start of said second operation means.

[0018] Always according to the invention, said hooking element provides an interference zone, a further microswitch being provided vertically aligned with said at least first microswitch, the first microswitch determining the slowing down of said first operation means and the further microswitch determining the stop of said first operation means and the start of said second operation means.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the invention, said second operation means operates a wheel rotating by a pulley couple whit a motor shaft and a transmission belt between said wheel and said pulley.

[0020] Preferably, according to the invention, idle wheels can be provided to stress said transmission belt.

[0021] Still according to the invention, a mechanical limit switch can be provided for the motion in any direction of said wheel with eccentric surfaces.

[0022] Preferably, according to the invention, said mechanical limit switch provides a slider movable in a substantially transverse direction, thrusted in a first direction by the interaction of a shaped tongue having a pin, provided on the same slider, the number of pins corresponding to the number of eccentric surfaces, up to the interference with a further microswitch, substantially provided aligned with said second microswitch, the stroke in this direction being delimited by a mechanical stop, and returned, in the opposite direction, following to the inversion of the rotation direction of the pulley with eccentric surfaces, by return elastic means.

[0023] Always according to the invention, the movements of said first and second operation means are controlled by control programmable electronic means.

[0024] The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a front view of an image displayer with interchangeable boards provided with a first embodiment of the mechanism according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a partially broken away lateral view of the mechanism of figure 1;

figure 3 shows a partially broken away lateral view of a second embodiment of the mechanism according to the invention; and

figure 3 shows a particular of the mechanism of figure 3.

[0025] Referring first to figures 1 and 2 of the enclosed drawings, it is shown an image displayer 1 with interchangeable boards.

[0026] As already mentioned, the invention will be described with particular reference to an image displayer with interchangeable boards, but it is well evident that the mechanism according to the invention can be adopted also on a different kind of device.

[0027] Image displayer 1 comprises two loaders 2 and 3, respectively upper and lower, each bearing four wound boards 4. Obviously the number of the boards 4 can also be different.

[0028] Said displayer further provides a dragging mechanism 5 to which a board of the lower loader 3 and a board 4 of the upper loader 2, which are respectively brought into exposition and wound again about the loader and vice versa.

[0029] When the board 4 to be displayed is completely extracted from its roll, the hooking mechanism 5 must hook the board of the upper loader 2 or of the lower loader 3 that will have to be then brought into exposition.

[0030] The motion of the two boards 4 hooked by the mechanism 5 is controlled by the motor 6.

[0031] A reinforcement element 7 is back provided for each board 4.

[0032] As to the hooking and releasing device of the board 4 to the mechanism 5, it is subject matter of a parallel patent application.

[0033] The choose of the board 4 to be shown is controlled by a preprogrammed microprocessor, not shown, in this way allowing to have the possibility of the casual showing mentioned before.

[0034] However, displayer 1 must provide a mechanism allowing to release the board 4 previously displayed, in the position on the free loader 2 or 3 and thus rotating the loader of the sufficient angle to allow to bring the established board 4 into exposition.

[0035] In fact, it is not sure that the board 4 to be shown is that following on the loader 2 or 3, so that in the case shown in figure it would be sufficient a rotation of 90°, or different in case the provided number of boards 4 is different.

[0036] The mechanism according to the invention is symmetrically provided both for the upper loader 2 and for the lower loader 3, so that it will be described only with reference to one of the two, on the figures being provided the same reference number.

[0037] Laterally, along the displayer 1 a microswitch 8 is provided which interferes with said hooking mechanism 5 of the boards 4.

[0038] Along the ascent or descent stroke of the mechanism 5 a double interference with the microswitch 8 occurs: the first one sends a slowing down control to the motor 6, since indicates the approaching to the limit switch, the second one determining a stop control of the same motor 6.

[0039] On the shaft of the loader 2 or 3 a pulley 10 is provided outward the frame of the displayer 1, said pulley having peripherally four eccentric surfaces 11 (or in any case a number corresponding to the number of boards 4 provided on the loader 2 or 3) suitable to interact with a second microswitch 12.

[0040] Said pulley 10 is rotated by a toothed belt 13 passing between two idle wheels 14, a second pulley 15, powered by a motor (not shown) always controlled by said microprocessor.

[0041] After the signal from the stop microswitch 8 of the motor 6, the microprocessor will rotate the pulley 10 of 90°, to release the board 4 previously shown, until the following surface of the pulley interferes with the microswitch 12.

[0042] Now the rotation of the pulley 10 is inverted, making the pulley rotating of 90° (or 180° or 270° according to the control deriving from the microprocessor) to hook a different board 4 to be shown.

[0043] The rotation will occur until the corresponding eccentric surface of the pulley 10 interferes with the microswitch, and then the motor operating the pulley 15 is stopped and the motor 6 dragging the displayed boards 4 is activated.

[0044] Coming now to describe the solution shown in figures 3 and 4, the same number reference will be used for the corresponding parts.

[0045] As it can be noted, this solution provides a mechanical limit switch 16 for the motion of the pulley 10 provided with eccentric surfaces 11.

[0046] The mechanical limit switch 16 is transversely movable, until interacting with a microswitch 17, at the bottom provided aligned with said limit switch 12, in such a way to determine the inversion of the rotation of the pulley 10, once the suitable eccentric surface 11 is brought to interact with the microswitch 12.

[0047] The transverse stroke of the mechanical limit switch 16 is bucked by the spring 18.

[0048] Furthermore, the limit switch 16 provides a shaped tongue 19 which interacts with pins 20 provided on the pulley 10, offset in a way corresponding to the eccentric surfaces 11.

[0049] Observing now figure 4, when the pulley rotates in a clockwise direction, the pin 20 acts on the straight surface of the tongue 19, thrusting the limit switch 16 rightward, until it interacts with the microswitch 17. Stroke of the microswitch 16 is in any case limited by the pin 21 within the slot 22 of the limit switch 16.

[0050] Microswitch 17 determines the inversion of the motion of the pulley 10, which will now rotate in a anticlockwise direction, bringing the following pin 20 beyond the tongue 19, sliding along the sloped surface of the tongue 19, to properly hook the following board.

[0051] In the solution shown in figures 3 and 4, the dragging mechanism 5 has a single interference surface, in this case two different microswitches, respectively 8 and 23 being provided, for the slowing down and the stop of the same mechanism.

[0052] Obviously, said solution can also be provided in the embodiment of figures 1 and 2, as well as the solution providing a single microswitch 8 can be provided in the embodiment shown in figures 3 and 4.

Claims

1. Control mechanism, particularly for information displayers (1) with intercheangeable message sheets provided with a higher message sheet supporting loader (2) and a lower message sheet supporting loader (3), each message sheet supporting loader (2,3) being provided with a respective control mechanism which is characterized in that it comprises a hooking element (5) moving along a vertical path between said two loaders (2,3) and being operated by a first operation means (6) to bring the message sheets (4) into a display position and to bring said message sheets (4 ) back into the loader when not on display; at least a first micro switch (8) provided along the vertical display path of said hooking element (5) that interacts with said hooking element and controls the stop of said first operation means (6); a pulley system (10) located on the shaft of the loader powered by a second operation means and controlled by a pre programed control means; said pulley system including a wheel (14) provided with a number of substancially equidistant eccentric peripheral surfaces (11) corresponding to the number of display sheets (4); and at least a second micro switch (17) interacting with eccentric surfaces (11); whereby the preprogramed control means determines the pitch of said wheel(14) so that the eccentric surfaces (11) face in a direction so as to release the display sheet (4), and whereby the motion of said wheel (11) is reversed until the eccentric surface (11) corresponding to a different message sheet (4) to be shown interacts with the second micro switch (17) which stops the second operation means operating the pulley system and starts the first operation means which brings the new message sheet into display position.

2. Control mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that said hooking element has two distinct zones of interference with said first microswitch, the first interference determining the slowing down of said first operation means and the second interference determining the stop of said first operation means and the start of said second operation means.

3. Control mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that said hooking element provides an interference zone, a further microswitch being provided vertically aligned with said at least first microswitch, the first microswitch determining the slowing down of said first operation means and the further microswitch determining the stop of said first operation means and the start of said second operation means.

4. Control mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said second operation means operates a wheel rotating by a pulley couple whit a motor shaft and a transmission belt between said wheel and said pulley.

5. Control mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that idle wheels are provided to stress said transmission belt.

6. Control mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a mechanical limit switch is provided for the motion in any direction of said wheel with eccentric surfaces.

7. Control mechanism according to claim 7, characterised in that said mechanical limit switch provides a slider movable in a substantially transverse direction, thrusted in a first direction by the interaction of a shaped tongue having a pin, provided on the same slider, the number of pins corresponding to the number of eccentric surfaces, up to the interference with a further microswitch, substantially provided aligned with said second microswitch, the stroke in this direction being delimited by a mechanical stop, and returned, in the opposite direction, following to the inversion of the rotation direction of the pulley with eccentric surfaces, by return elastic means.

8. Control mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that on said wheel 3 or 4 equidistant eccentric surfaces are provided.

9. Control mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movements of said first and second operation means are controlled by control programmable electronic means.

Ansprüche

1. Steuermechanismus, insbesondere für Informationsdarstellungsvorrichtungen mit austauschbaren Nachrichtenbahnen, der mit je einer oberen und einer unteren Nachrichtenbahnhalterungs-Ladevorrichtung (2 bzw. 3) versehen ist, wobei jede Nachrichtenbahnhalterungs-Ladevorrichtung (2, 3) mit jeweils einem Steuermechanismus versehen ist, der gekennzeichnet ist durch

- ein längs eines vertikalen Weges zwischen den beiden Ladevorrichtungen (2, 3) bewegliches Anhakelement (5), das durch eine erste Betätigungseinrichtung (6) so betätigt wird, dass es die Nachrichtenbahnen (4) in eine Darstellungsposition bringt und sie, wenn keine Darstellung erfolgt, zurück in die Ladevorrichtung bringt,

- mindestens einen ersten Mikroschalter (8) der längs des vertikalen Anzeigewegs des Anhakelementes (5) angeordnet ist und mit diesem zusammenwirkt und das Anhalten der ersten Betätigungseinrichtung (6) steuert,

- ein Riementriebsystem (10), das auf der Welle der von einer zweiten Betätigungseinrichtung angetriebenen Ladevorrichtung sitzt und durch eine vorprogrammierte Steuereinrichtung gesteuert wird und ein Rad (14) enthält, das mit einer Anzahl im Wesentlichen in gleichen Abständen angeordneter exzentrischer Umfangsoberflächen (11) entsprechend der Anzahl von Nachrichtenbahnen (4) versehen ist,

- und mindestens einen zweiten Mikroschalter (17), der mit den exzentrischen Oberflächen (11) zusammenwirkt, wobei die vorprogrammierte Steuereinrichtung mit der Teilung des Rades (14) abgestimmt ist, so dass die exzentrischen Oberflächen (11) in eine Richtung weisen, um die Nachrichtenbahn freizugeben, und wobei die Bewegung des Rades (14) umgekehrt wird, bis die einer anderen darzustellenden Nachrichtenbahn 4 (4) entsprechende exzentrische Oberfläche (11) mit dem zweiten Mikroschalter (17) zusammenwirkt, welcher die das Riementriebsystem betätigende zweite Betätigungseinrichtung anhält und die erste Betätigungseinrichtung startet, welche die neue Nachrichtenbahn in die Darstellungsposition bringt.

2. Steuermechanismus nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Anhakelement zwei ausgeprägte Angreifzonen mit dem ersten Mikroschalter hat, deren erste die Verlangsamung der ersten Betätigungseinrichtung bestimmt und deren zweite das Anhalten der ersten Betätigungseinrichtung und das Starten der zweiten Betätigungseinrichtung bestimmt.

3. Steuermechanismus nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Anhakelement eine Angreifzone bildet und dass ein weiterer Mikroschalter vertikal mit dem ersten Mikroschalter ausgerichtet ist, wobei der erste Mikroschalter das Verlangsamen der ersten Betätigungseinrichtung bestimmt und der zweite Mikroschalter das Anhalten der ersten Betätigungseinrichtung und das Starten der zweiten Betätigungseinrichtung bestimmt.

4. Steuermechanismus nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zweite Betätigungseinrichtung ein Rad antreibt, das sich über ein Riemenscheibenpaar mit einer Motorwelle dreht, und dass zwischen dem Rad und der Riemenscheibe ein Transmissionsriemen verläuft.

5. Steuermechanismus nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zur Spannung des Transmissionsriemens leerlaufende Räder vorgesehen sind.

6. Steuermechanismus nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein mechanischer Begrenzungsschalter für die Bewegung des Rades mit den exzentrischen Oberflächen in beiden Richtung vorgesehen ist.

7. Steuermechanismus nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mechanische Begrenzungsschalter einen im Wesentlichen in einer Querrichtung beweglichen Gleiter vorsieht, der durch Zusammenwirken einer auf diesem Gleiter vorgesehenen geformten Zunge mit einem Stift, wobei die Anzahl von Stiften der Anzahl exzentrischer Oberflächen entspricht, in eine erste Richtung gedrückt wird, bis zum Zusammenwirken mit einem weiteren Mikroschalter, der im Wesentlichen ausgerichtet mit dem zweiten Mikroschalter ist, wobei der Hub in dieser Richtung durch einen mechanischen Anschlag begrenzt wird, und der folgend der Umkehr der Drehrichtung der Riemenscheibe mit den exzentrischen Oberflächen durch elastische Rückführmittel in entgegengesetzter Richtung zurückgeführt wird.

8. Steuermechanismus nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Rad drei oder vier exzentrische Oberflächen in gleichen Abständen aufweist.

9. Steuermechanismus nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bewegungen der ersten und zweiten Betätigungseinrichtung durch programmierbare elektronische Steuermittel gesteuert werden.

Revendications

1. Mécanisme de commande, en particulier pour des afficheurs d'informations (1) avec des feuilles de messages interchangeables, doté d'un chargeur de support de feuilles de messages supérieur (2) et d'un chargeur de support de feuilles de messages inférieur (3), chaque chargeur de support de feuilles de messages (2, 3) étant doté d'un mécanisme de commande respectif, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un élément de raccordement (5) se déplaçant le long d'une trajectoire verticale entre lesdits deux chargeurs (2, 3), et en ce qu'il est actionné par un premier moyen d'actionnement (6) pour amener les feuilles de messages (4) dans une position d'affichage et faire revenir lesdites feuilles de messages (4) dans le chargeur quand on ne se trouve pas dans une situation d'affichage ; au moins un premier microrupteur (8) prévu le long de la trajectoire d'affichage verticale dudit élément de raccordement (5) qui interagit avec ledit élément de raccordement et commande l'arrêt dudit premier moyen d'actionnement (6) ; un système de poulie (10) situé sur l'arbre du chargeur, entraîné par un deuxième moyen d'actionnement et commandé par un moyen de commande pré-programmé ; ledit système de poulie incluant une roue (14) dotée d'un certain nombre de surfaces (11) périphériques excentriques sensiblement équidistantes, correspondant au nombre de feuilles d'affichage (4) ; et au moins un deuxième microrupteur (17) qui interagit avec les surfaces excentriques (11); moyennant quoi le moyen de commande pré-programmé détermine le pas de ladite roue (14) de telle sorte que les surfaces excentriques (11) sont orientées dans une direction permettant de libérer la feuille d'affichage (4), et moyennant quoi le mouvement de ladite roue (11) est inversé jusqu'à ce que la surface excentrique (11) correspondant à une feuille de messages (4) différente, devant être montrée, interagisse avec le deuxième microrupteur (17) qui arrête le deuxième moyen d'actionnement actionnant le système de poulie, et fait démarrer le premier moyen d'actionnement qui met la nouvelle feuille de messages en position d'affichage.

2. Mécanisme de commande selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément de raccordement présente deux zones distinctes d'interférence avec ledit premier microrupteur, ladite première interférece détérminant le ralentissement dudit premier moyen d'actionnement, et la deuxième interférence déterminant l'arrêt dudit premier moyen d'actionnement et le démarrage dudit deuxième moyen d'actionnement.

3. Mécanisme de commande selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément de raccordement fournit une zone d'interférence, un autre microrupteur étant prévu en étant aligné verticalement avec ledit au moins premier microrupteur, le premier microrupteur déterminant le ralentissement dudit premier moyen d'actionnement, et l'autre microrupteur déterminant l'arrêt dudit premier moyen d'actionnement et le démarrage dudit deuxième moyen d'actionnement.

4. Mécanisme de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit deuxième moyen d'actionnement actionne une roue tournant sous l'effet d'un couple de poulie avec un arbre de moteur et une courroie de transmission entre ladite roue et ladite poulie.

5. Mécanisme de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que des roues folles sont prévues pour solliciter ladite courroie de transmission.

6. Mécanisme de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'un interrupteur de fin de course mécanique est prévu pour le mouvement dans un sens quelconque de ladite roue avec les surfaces excentriques.

7. Mécanisme de commande selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que ledit interrupteur de fin de course mécanique fournit un coulisseau mobile dans une direction sensiblement transversale, poussé dans un premier sens sous l'effet de l'interaction d'une languette profilée comportant une broche, prévue sur le même coulisseau, le nombre de broches correspondant au nombre de surfaces excentriques, jusqu'à l'interférence avec un autre microrupteur, sensiblement prévu en étant aligné avec ledit deuxième microrupteur, la course dans ce sens étant délimitée par une butée mécanique, et revenant, dans le sens opposé, suivant l'inversion du sens de rotation de la poulie avec les surfaces excentriques, sous l'effet de moyens élastiques de renvoi.

8. Mécanisme de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, sur ladite roue 3 ou 4 sont prévues des surfaces excentriques équidistantes.

9. Mécanisme de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les mouvements desdits premier et deuxième moyens d'actionnement sont commandés par des moyens de commande électroniques programmables.

Drawing