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(11) | EP 0 370 414 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Mechanical drive between parallel shafts, especially in apparatus displaying advertisements through rotary bodies forming together different advertisements sequentially |
| (57) A mechanical drive between parallel shafts, especially in apparatus displaying advertisements
through rotary bodies forming together different advertisements sequentially, comprising,
according to the invention, a planate rigid member (21) movable in a plane substantially
perpendicular to the axes of said shafts (15, 15.1), rotatably connected with a plurality
of end cranks (23) integral with said shafts (15, 15.1), in such a way that the rotating
movement imparted from a main shaft (15.1) is transmitted, by means of its end crank
(23) and the aforesaid rigid member (21), to the secondary shafts (15), by means of
the respective end cranks (23). |
[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical drive between parallel shafts, especially in apparatus displaying advertisements through rotary bodies forming together different advertisements sequentially.
[0002] For the broadcasting of advertisements in open places to the public, advertisement displaying apparatuses are largely utilised today in which different advertisements are, sequentially and cyclically, presented to the public by means of programmed and synchronised rotations of a plurality of rotating bodies.
[0003] These rotating bodies can, for example, be substantially prismatic with the cross section of an equilateral triangle - properly called prisms -, which are enveloped about parallel rotating shafts and are rotatably mounted integral with said shafts. These shafts, and hence the prisms are made to perform, sequentially, rotational steps substantially of 120 degrees, in such a way as to dispose one by one the faces of each prism complanate with the corresponding faces of the other prisms, thus presenting to the public, in combination between them and at successive times three different advertisements in a cyclically repetitive manner.
[0004] In other displaying apparatuses the rotating bodies are substantially in the form of a plate and are set in rotation by means of chains pulled on corresponding pairs of toothed wheels fitted at the end of pairs of parallel rotating shafts. In apparatuses of this kind a comparatively high number of rotating bodies can be brought to assume, in sequence, a complanate disposition, providing equally as many pairs of parallel rotating shafts. Also in such apparatuses the shafts are driven to perform angular rotational steps of adequate amplitude for the rotating bodies pulled between a pair of shafts to assume, one by one, a disposition complanate with the corresponding rotating bodies pulled between the other pairs of shafts.
[0005] The advertisement displaying apparatuses of the type indicated above, as well as other displaying apparatuses of similar type, can present advertisements, formed as described as for the preceding, on only one of their displaying faces or two opposite displaying faces, said devices being correspondingly monofacial or bifacial.
[0006] However a serious disadvantage of such advertisement displaying apparatuses lies in the fact that the known means of transmission of the movement between parallel shafts (such as pairs of toothed wheels, belts, chains, cam means and the like) used in said displaying apparatuses, are of a complex structure and hence a high cost, and are also easily subject to damage.
[0007] The main object of the present invention is that of providing a mechanical drive between parallel shafts, especially in apparatuses displaying advertisements through rotary bodies forming together different advertisements sequentially, which is of a simplified structure and hence a relatively low cost and which functions safely and reliably.
[0008] In view of this aim the present invention provides a mechanical drive between parallel shafts, especially in apparatus displaying advertisements through rotary bodies forming together different advertisements sequentially essentially characterised in that it comprises a rigid member rotatably connected with a plurality of end cranks integral with said shafts, in such a way that the rotating movement imparted from a main shaft is transmitted, by means of its end crank and the aforesaid rigid member, to the secondary shafts, by means of the respective end cranks. Preferably, said rotatably connected rigid member is planate.
[0009] These cranks present the respective rotating arms between them substantially parallel, while the axes of the crank pins of the shafts with complanate axes are set in rotation in a reciprocally complanate disposition.
[0010] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings provided by way of non-limitative example, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective, schematic view in partial cross-section of a bifacial advertisement displaying device with a rotating body, integral with vertical parallel rotating shafts, incorporating the mechanical drive according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a planar view of it from above in the direction of the arrow II-II of Fig. 1, in which the top cover is removed for illustrative clarity;
Fig. 3 is a schematic and enlarged view in section according to the line III-III of Fig. 1 taken in correspondence with the axis of the main shaft and with parts in partial section for illustrative simplification (also in this figure the top cover is omitted).
Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3 but in an exploded view and in which, for illustrative simplification the base plate and top plate of the casing are omitted.
Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 showing however a monofacial displaying apparatus, incorporating the mechanical drive according to the present invention, in one of its embodiments;
Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 showing however another embodiment of the mechanical drive according to the invention;
Fig. 7 is a perspective, schematic and sectional view, showing another embodiment of the means for controlling the rotation of the main shaft.
[0011] With reference first of all to Figs. 1-4 of the drawings, with 10 (Fig. 1) is indicated in its entirety a bifacial advertisement displaying device, presenting in sequence different advertisements on its two display faces with a larger surface.
[0012] The display device 10 comprises a casing 11 formed from a box-shaped base 12, for example made of metallic plate, with a base plate 12.1 from which 4 robust angular supports 13 extend, having for example a box-shaped body. A horizontal top plate 14 is fixed on these supports 13.
[0013] In the casing 11, between the base plate 12.1 and the top plate 14 a plurality of rotating shafts 15 with parallel and vertical axes are supported, rotatably mounted in respective bearings 12.2 and 14.1 (compare Figs. 3, 4). One of said shafts, which is indicated with 15.1, is the main shaft. Said rotating shafts 15, 15.1 are arranged in 2 longitudinal rows according to the length of base 12. The main shaft 15.1 is rotated by means of an electric drive motor 16 and a pair of bevel gear wheels 16.1 installed in the base 12 and kinematically connected to the shaft 15.1 by means of an intermediate device 17 (known per se and therefore not subsequently described and illustrated), which controls the angular rotation of the main shaft 15.1, by steps for example of 120 degrees, according to a pre-arranged temporal sequence of rotation and pause.
[0014] Close to the base 12, each rotating shaft 15, 15.1 has, fixed coaxially by means of screw gibs 15.2, a prismatic support 18 with a triangular base, for example made of metal. Between said prismatic support 18 and the base plate 12 an anti-friction ring 18.2 is inserted, made for example of polytetrafluoroethylene (registered name "teflon").
[0015] In each support 18 is situated a corresponding end zone of a hollow prismatic body 19 having the cross section of an equilateral triangle. Each hollow prismatic body 19 is formed of three sections 19.1 (Fig. 4) for example made of aluminium, mutually connected and juxtaposed along the respective longitudinal edges so as to wrap round the rotating shaft 15 or 15.1 with which said prismatic body 15 is integrally in rotation by means of support 18. Said rotating bodies 19 extend over a substantial part of the height of shafts 15, 15.1 even close to the top plate 14.
[0016] According to the invention, the transmission of the motion of the main shaft 15.1 to the other secondary parallel shafts 15 is realised by means of a mechanical drive, indicated in its entirety by 20 (Figs. 1, 2).
[0017] This mechanical drive 20 comprises a rigid planate member which is composed of a flat rigid rectangular frame 21 formed for example from mutually welded metallic bars with a rectangular section. Each of the two beams 21.1 of the frame 21 has a plurality of ball-bearings 22 (corresponding in number to those of the shafts 15, 15.1 of each longitudinal row), lodged by shrinkage in corresponding holes passing through the normal axis to said beams.
[0018] Moreover, each rotating shaft 15, 15.1 has, integral with its end zone remote from the motor 16 and extended beyond the respective bearing 14.1 mounted in the top plate 14, a simple crank 23. This end crank 23 is composed of a crank arm 23.1, for example made of metal, with an eccentric (Figs. 2, 4) fixed with its foot (hub) 23.2 on the respective shaft and locked in position there by means of a tightening nut 23.3 cooperating with the correspondingly threaded end 15.3 of said shaft. Each end crank 23 has fitted, in a position remote from its foot 23.2, a cylindrical crank pin 23.4 with axis parallel to that of the respective shaft and received in a corresponding bearing 22 of the frame 21.
[0019] Thus, the flat rigid frame 21 is supported in a rotatable manner by means of the end cranks 23 of the rotating shafts 15, 15.1 in a substantially normal disposition with regard to the axes of said shafts. Said frame 21 ensures the rotative connection of all the end cranks 23, in synchronism with the rotation of the main shaft 15.1 in such a way that the rotating movement imparted from shaft 15.1 is transmitted, by means of its end crank 23 and the aforesaid frame 21, to all the secondary shafts 15, by means of the respective end cranks 23. The secondary shafts 15 are set in rotation in conformity with the rotation of the main shaft 15.1.
[0020] These cranks 23 present their rotating arms 23.1 with the respective axes X-X (Fig. 2) between them substantially parallel. Moreover, the axes of the crank 23 pins 23.4 integral with the shafts with complanate axes in the same longitudinal row (that is the axes of the cranks pins connected with respect to the same beam 21.1 of the frame 21) are set in rotation in a reciprocally complanate disposition (parallel to the longitudinal vertical median plane of said beam 21.1).
[0021] When assembling, before locking the crank arms 23.1 on the respective shafts their correct parallelism is ensured, the crank pins 23.4 being engaged in the bearings 22 of the frame 21, then the corresponding nuts 23.3 are tightened.
[0022] A removable protective lid 24, fixed on the plate 14, is provided for the protection of the drive 20.
[0023] Fig. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the mechanical drive according to the invention which is shown in its entirety by 30, in application in a monofacial advertisement displaying device, shown in its entirety by 31. In Fig. 5 the parts similar to those illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 are shown with the same reference numbers and are not described later.
[0024] In the displaying device 31 is mounted a single longitudinal row of vertical parallel rotating shafts 15 between which is the main shaft, indicated by 15.1. The corresponding prisms 19 are provided integrally in rotation with said shafts 15, 15.1.
[0025] In transverse alignment with respect to the first and the last shaft 15 two idle shafts 32 are supported in the displaying device 31, behind said shafts 15 with respect to the display face of the prisms 19 and extended from the top plate 14. These shafts 32 present their axes parallel to those of the shafts 15, 15.1.
[0026] Each shaft 15, 15.1, 32 has an integral end crank 23, the pin of which is received in a corresponding bearing of a rigid flat frame 33, substantially similar in structure and disposition to the frame 21 according to Figs. 1 to 4.
[0027] However, the structure and functioning of the drive 30 are analogous with those of the drive 20 described above.
[0028] Fig. 6 illustrates an other embodiment of the mechanical drive according to the invention which is shown in its entirety by 40, in application in a monofacial advertisement displaying device, indicated by 41. By 41.1 is indicated a top plate of the displaying device 41. With 42 are indicated the vertical parallel rotating shafts supported in the displaying apparatus and between them, the main shaft is labelled with 42.1, disposed at one extremity of the longitudinal row of shafts. With 43 are indicated the rotating bodies, integral with said shafts and with 44 the group (electric drive motor, pairs of bevel gear wheels, intermediary) for controlling the rotation of the main shaft 42.1.
[0029] The drive 40 comprises a rigid planate member, which is composed of a robust flat metal bar 45. Similarly to one of the beams 21.1 of the frame 21, this flat bar 45 has a plurality of ball bearings (corresponding in number to those of the rotating shafts 42, 42.1) lodged by shrinkage in corresponding holes arranged in the normal axis to said bar 45.
[0030] Moreover, each rotating shaft 42, 42.1 has, integral with its end zone remote from the group 44 for controlling the rotation of the secondary shaft and extended beyond the top plate 41.1 of the displaying device 41 a simple crank 46, the crank pin of which is received in a corresponding bearing of said flat bar 45.
[0031] The structure and assembly of these end cranks 46 are completely similar to those of cranks 23, according to Figs. 1 to 5, for which reason subsequent description is omitted.
[0032] Therefore, the flat bar 45 is supported in a rotatable manner by means of the end cranks 46 of the rotating shafts 42, 42.1 in a substantially normal disposition with regard to the axes of said shafts. Said bar 45 ensures the rotative connection of all the end cranks 46, in synchronism with the rotation of the main shaft 42.1, having the same function as the planate member illustrated in the Figures from 1 to 4 or 5.
[0033] However, in order to guarantee a uniform and dynamically compensated transmission of the motion a flexible supplementary drive is also provided, indicated in its entirety by 47, cooperating with continuity and in synchronism with the mechanical drive 40 for the transmission of the movement between the parallel shafts 42.1 and 42.
[0034] This flexible drive 47 has, according to the illustrated example, a pair of toothed pulleys 47.1 fitted respectively on two rotating outermost shafts of the longitudinal row of shafts, one of which is the main shaft 42.1 A correspondingly toothed belt 47.2 is pulled in rotation between these pairs of toothed pulleys 47.1. The two branches of the belt 47.2 are held in tension by means of respective tension rollers 47.3.
[0035] However the drive 40 is no different from drives 20 or 30 described in the foregoing for which reason subsequent description is omitted.
[0036] It goes without saying that instead of a drive with toothed belts and pulleys other flexible drives can be used for engaging drives, such as a chain engaging on cog wheels, or a drive with a flexible frictional member, such as a belt or a rope stretched on pulleys.
[0037] Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the means of controlling the rotation of the main shaft, comprising an electric drive motor 50 disposed coaxially to said shaft, with a synchronous coupling 51 inserted for the control of the angular rotations of said shafts, according to a pre-arranged temporal sequence of rotation and pause. The drive motor 16 or 50 is preferably of the braked type.
[0038] As results from the foregoing, the drive 20, 30 or 40 according to the invention is of a simplified structure and hence of a limited cost, and functions safely and reliably and is easily maintained. It ensures a precise and uniform transmission of the movement.
[0039] Naturally, without detriment to the principle of the invention, numerous variants can in practice be produced with respect to that described and illustrated by way of non-limitative example, without departing from the scope of the invention and hence of the domain of the present industrial monopoly.
[0040] Thus, for example, although a mechanical drive is illustrated and described in which a planate frame or a flat bar is provided as the planar rigid member rotatably connected between the end cranks of the rotating shafts, a simple plate or another planate rigid member could be provided as variants. Moreover, the rotatably connected rigid member is preferably, but not necessarily, planate. It stands to reason, moreover, that the drive according to the invention is applied just as well in parallel shafts in horizontal disposition, or in displaying devices in which the parallel shafts set rotating bodies in rotation not constituted by the so-called prisms.
1. Mechanical drive between parallel shafts, especially in apparatus displaying advertisements
through rotary bodies forming together different advertisements sequentially, characterised
in that it comprises a rigid member (21; 33, 45) rotatably connected with a plurality
of end cranks (23; 46) integral with said shafts, in such a way that the rotating
movement imparted from a main shaft (15.1; 42.1) is transmitted, by means of its end
crank (23; 46) and the aforesaid rigid member (21; 33; 45), to the secondary shafts
(15; 42), by means of the respective end cranks (23; 46).
2. Mechanical drive between parallel shafts, according to claim 1, characterised in
that said cranks (23; 46) present the axes (X-X) of the respective rotating arms (23.1)
between them substantially parallel, while the axes of the crank (23;46) pins (23.4)
integral with shafts (15, 15.1; 42, 42.1) with complanate axes are set in rotation
in a reciprocally complanate disposition.
3. Mechanical drive according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises
moreover a flexible supplementary drive (47) between the main shaft (15.1; 42.1) and
at least one secondary shaft (15; 42), cooperating with continuity and in synchronism
with said mechanical drive in order to ensure a uniform and balanced transmission
of the movement.
4. Mechanical drive according to claim 3, characterised in that the flexible supplementary
drive (47) comprises rotating members for transmission of the motion by friction or
engagement (47.1), fixed on the main shaft and on at least one secondary shaft, and
on which is engaged, by friction or engagement, at least one corresponding flexible
transmission member (47.2).
5. Mechanical drive according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in
that the rotatably connected rigid member (21; 33; 45) is planate and has a plurality
of bearings (corresponding in number to those of the shafts between which the transmission
of the movement is realised), in which are received respectively the pins, (23.4)
of the end cranks (23; 46) of said shafts, in such a way that the rigid planate member
is supported in a rotatable manner by means of the cranks, in a disposition substantially
normal with regard to the axes of said shafts.
6. Mechanical drive according to frame 5, characterised in that said rigid planate
member is constituted by a frame (21).
7. Mechanical drive according to frame 5, characterised in that said rigid planate
member is constituted by a bar (45).
8. Mechanical drive according to frame 5, characterised in that said rigid planate
member is constituted by a plate.