KINEMATIC INFORMATION CARRIER DEVICE

Abstract

 A kinematic information carrier device, comprising a support structure designed as a central supporting rod (7), a driving unit (11) connected to the support structure, at least one information carrier surface (1) fastened to a support frame rotatably mounted on the supporting rod (7) and moveably linked to the support structure and being in connection with said driving unit (11) that is designed as rotating structure fastened on the supporting rod (7) and being in friction contact with the information carrier surface (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a preferably portable kinematic information carrier device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Devices suitable for the movement of printed content, mock-ups - typically for promotional purposes - are particularly widely used in the internal areas of outlets, shopping malls, exhibitions. They have the common feature of comprising a support structure fixed in the premises or on a product storage device, e.g. shelf, stand; a moving unit connected to the support structure, and an information carrier surface moveably connected to the support structure and in actuator connection with the moving unit, and they are normally installed so that the consumers see them and notice their content even unintentional. With installation in open ground, compromises have to be struck between the design of the device and its potential uses: special attention needs to be paid to preventing any accidental or intentional damage, so its structural design is often highly simplified, and imposes limits also on its potential uses. It is deemed a further shortcoming that the devices designed and manufactured in consideration of the above have a "uniform appearance" and do not attract the attention of the consumer.

[0003] The well-known rotating information carrier devices include, for example, the illuminated rotating advertising column CLP with three posters, distributed by Metrum Kft., Hungary, that also comprises a support structure, a moving unit connected to the support structure and an information carrier surface moveably connected to the support structure and in actuating connection with the moving unit, but given its structure and dimensions, it requires major preparation and installation works, and it is thus not suitable to fulfil the targeted information carrier device function.

[0004] There is, therefore, an enhanced demand for an information carrier device of a smaller or, for that matter, any size that has a simple structure, that is safe and can be used at any location without special installation needs, may even be portable, can be installed substantially without limits, and is versatile in its appearance.

[0005] It has been realised that a closed or at least partially closed box-like unit could preferably be used for this purpose, the interior of which could host and conceal the structure supporting the device on the one hand and the moving unit responsible for movement on the other, and its shell-like design would provide for showing information of any kind simply and quickly and for bringing it in the proximity of the consumers.

[0006] Said task has been solved by a kinematic information carrier device with the characteristic features of claim 1. Major advantageous embodiments are listed in the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawing showing an exemplary embodiment and the use of the proposed device. In the drawing,

Figure 1

shows the device according to the invention in schematic perspective view,

Figures 2a and 2b

show the structure of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention each, partially in section,

Figure 3

shows the housing and the moving unit of the embodiment according to Figure 2a in more detail,

Figures 4a-4c

show exemplary information carrier surface arrangements made possible by the series of holes in Figure 4,

Figure 5

shows an example of the use of the series of holes of the movement unit of the embodiment according to Figure 3,

Figures 6a and 6ba

show a detail, partially in section, of a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention,

Figures 7 and 8

show schematic views of further preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention, and

Figures 9a and 9b

depict a further preferred, suspendable embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0008] Figures 1 shows what is only an exemplary possible embodiment of the kinematic information carrier device according to the invention, where the device is visible in its totality. As can be observed in the figure, the device comprises several information carrier surfaces 1: one information carrier surface 1 being a vertical cylinder wall, and several, in the present example four, information carrier surfaces 1 are formed and arranged above it as small boards. It is indicated schematically in the figure that the device is suspended in this case to a ceiling 2. During utilisation, the information carrier surfaces 1 perform a rotating movement around supporting rod 7 that is not shown in Figure 1.

[0009] Figures 2a and 2b show longitudinal sections of two possible embodiments of the proposed information carrier device. As can be seen in Figure 2a, the device 3 is fixed on a supporting surface 4 with the help of a console 3. The console 3 is preferably made of metal and has a shaped or hollow cross-section, and in the present case screwed joints 5 that make it possible to fix the device itself in the appropriate, preferably vertical, direction relative to the supporting surface 4 ever. The vertical position of the device relative to console 3 during operation is ensured by gravitation through a cardan joint 6, to which a central supporting rod 7 of the device is connected. A housing 8 is connected to the supporting rod 7 at its base, acting like a keel due to its volume and keeping the device in standing, vertical position and conveniently hosting internally a control unit 9 applied to control the movement of the device and, moreover, a battery unit 10 applied as exclusive or supplementary energy source for moving the device. The control unit 9 is indicated symbolically only in Figure 3 as it is being commonly known to a person skilled in the art.

[0010] Figure 2b shows a longitudinal section of a possible embodiment of the information carrier device proposed by the invention, meant not for being suspended, but for being erected on a flat supporting surface of some kind. Accordingly, the suspending elements shown in Figure 2a are omitted here, and the supporting rod 7 composed of several supporting rod sections 7a, 7b of telescopic design is connected to a base 36. As will be known to persons skilled in the art, the base 36 is of such size and weight as will hold it sufficiently securely even in case of the movement or even slight pushing of the device. The base 36 may be made of solid concrete, with supporting rod section 7b being plugged into its central bore, but it can also be a hollow element or even replace housing 8 presented in Figure 2a, and in the latter case, control unit 9 and battery 10 can be placed in the internal cavity of base 36. In this design, the supporting rod 7 is substantially a hollow shaft, receiving all necessary supply and control wiring being led inside it and not visible in the Figure.

[0011] A driving unit 11, designed as a rotating structure mounted on the supporting rod 7, is connected to the supporting rod 7 standing vertically above the housing 8. The driving unit 11 indicated schematically in the figures is fitted to the supporting rod 7 via a sheath 12, and on the sheath 12 or, as the case may be, its thickened part enhancing mechanical strength, screws 13 are placed through which the driving unit 11 is non-rotatably fixed on the supporting rod 7 at the desired height. The material of the sheath 12 can be metal, plastic or anything that provides sufficient strength for holding the driving unit 11, and the number of screws 13 is adjusted to the same, that is, the driving unit 11 can be fixed even by a single screw 13, and the connection can be secured further by making, for example, a vertical hole series formed in the supporting rod 7 - in a way that is not visible in Figure 2 - into which the end of a screw 13 can be introduced and the relative horizontal and vertical movement of the driving unit 11 relative to the supporting rod 7 can be prevented. The operation of the device is fundamentally not influenced by the usage of non-releasable connection means, e.g. rivets instead of screws 13, but then the vertical position of driving unit 11 cannot be modified any more.

[0012] On a driving unit 11 driving means, preferably and also in the present example an electric motor 14 arranged next to the supporting rod 7 is fastened, said motor 14 is connected directly or indirectly, preferably and advantageously through an in-built transmission means 15 to a ribbon-like internal bucket 16 made of metal, e.g. aluminium. There are hole series 17 formed in the mantle of the bucket 16 and, contrary to the driving unit 11, the bucket 16 is rotatably supported in bearings around the supporting rod 7. The bearing of the bucket 16 can be solved by plain bearings or, as can be seen in the later figures, by ball bearings 18. The vertical positioning of the bucket 16 on the supporting rod 7 is defined partly by the need to provide reliable connection between the bucket 16 and the motor 14 or, more precisely, its driving wheel 19, and in default case it is also satisfactory if ball bearing 18 of the bucket 16 rests on the sheath 12, without further fixing. Where the vertical position of the bucket 16 is to be ensured independent of the sheath 12, mechanical fixing similar to the sheath 12 needs to be fitted to the plain or ball bearing 18 of the bucket 16. Said fixing can be e.g. a collar 20 with one or more screw(s) 21 screwed into it, with screw(s) 21 fixing the collar 20 on the supporting rod 7. The bucket 16 can also be designed as cylindrical machine-turned supporting member made of aluminium, in which case threaded holes 26 are used instead of said hole series 17.

[0013] As can be seen in Figure 2, support pieces 23, constituting a support frame and holding the actual information carrier surface 1 by their external ends, are fastened to the mantle of the bucket 16 by screws 22. The connection between the support pieces 23 and the information carrier surface(s) 1 is also realised by screws in the case presented here.

[0014] Further details of the embodiment can be seen in Figure 3. It shows how a driving wheel 19 of the electric motor 14 is connected to the inner mantle surface of the bucket 16, where the contact can be non-slipping, if the driving wheel 19 is designed for example as a toothed gear, and an annular gear is built on the inner mantle surface of the bucket 16, but it is more advantageous to provide for relative movement between the motor 14 and the bucket 16, for example by designing the driving wheel 19 as a friction wheel, in the customary way, that ensures the drive of bucket 16 by being pressed against the inner mantle surface of bucket 16. The necessary force between the driving wheel 19 and the inner mantle of the bucket 16 can be set permanently, by fixing the motor 14 itself on the driving unit 11 in a position where the driving wheel 19 can always exert the necessary force on the bucket 16, or it can also be ensured in the known way by spring force, if the motor 14 is mounted on the driving unit 11 so that the spring, not shown in the figures, will always press the driving wheel 19 against the inner mantle surface of the bucket 16.

[0015] In other solutions, the bucket 16 can be made of plastic, for example Teramid, by e.g. turning, or the bucket 16 can be a pre-fabricated, injection-moulded piece.

[0016] Figure 3 shows schematically a battery 10 placed in the housing 8 and powering the electric motor 14 through a cable 25, as well as the control unit 9 being in connection in usual way with the battery 10. In a preferred embodiment, the motor 14 is a DC motor integrated with a transmission means 15, but in other solutions e.g. stepping motors can also be used, and the method of powering and controlling the DC or stepping motor, if the parameters ever are known, is well known from prior art. If the bucket 16 is made of plastic, threaded holes 26 formed in the external mantle of the bucket 16 are made instead of hole series 17, into which the screws 22 can be driven and the support pieces can be fixed. The design and arrangement of the hole series 17 or the threaded holes 26 along the mantle of bucket 16 enables the construction or conversion of the arrangement of the information carrier surface(s) 1 according to the diverse variants shown in Figures 4a-4c by way of example as simple as possible. Figure 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the hole series 17, on the schematic layout view of the mantle of the bucket 16. With their help, one can position the information carrier surfaces 1 also as shown in the horizontal sectional views in Figures 4a-4c, for example. To create the design shown in Figure 4b, comprising four information carrier surfaces 1, support pieces 23 need to be fixed by the screws 22 to the threaded holes 26 indicated in Figure 5 by numbers 4 and 0, respectively. Threaded holes 26 marked by 0 in Figure 5 are used for every design.

[0017] Of course, the information carrier surfaces 1 can also be designed differently from what was shown above, that is, not only as flat-faced sheets, but as bent or curved surfaces, through which even a closed cylinder mantle can be created, as can be seen in Figure 4a.

[0018] The details in Figure 6a and 6b show in schematic view an embodiment comprising not one, but two superimposed buckets 16 and two driving units 11 formed and arranged on the supporting rod 7, in which case motors 14 associated each with a 16 bucket can also be controlled independently of each other, in terms of both rotation direction and velocity, that is conducive to a difference, in the final appearance, in the movement of information carrier surfaces 1 connected each to a bucket 16, not shown in Figure 6, but this solution can also be used if the size and weight of the information carrier surfaces 1 is so big that a single motor 14 - the output of which is limited among other things due to the inner dimensions to be complied with - would not be enough for the lasting, reliable, movement of information carrier surface(s) 1. In this case, the motors 14 are connected to independent stages of the control unit 9, the relevant design being known to those skilled in the art. In a possible embodiment, the supporting rod 7 can have a telescopic design, to be easily adjustable to the number of the driving units 11 mounted one above the other. Figures 7 and 8 depict the design of two possible information carrier surfaces 1 where, as is visible in Figure 7, the upper driving unit 11 mounted on the supporting rod 7 turns the upper, cylindrical, information carrier surface 1 marked by "A", whereas the lower driving unit 11 turns the truncated-cone-shaped information carrier surface 1 marked "B", and Figure 8 shows two identical cylindrical information carrier surfaces 1 marked "A" and "B" arranged one below the other, that can be rotated, for example, in opposite directions.

[0019] The main criterion in designing the arrangement of information carrier surfaces 1 is that, considering the totality of the elements, the resultant mass centre shall lie in the axis line of the device, coinciding with the rotation axis.

[0020] If the device presented here is arranged in a suspended position, then a further possible embodiment of the proposed device can be designed as can be seen in Figures 9a and 9b. It can be suspended from the ceiling or false ceiling 2 of the building or premises, or any component that is sufficiently loadbearing that is at an ideal height for the use of the device.

[0021] Suspended fixing is feasible also on furniture standing on the floor, by using the console 3 shown in Figure 2, for example, on a merchandise-bearing shelf in a supermarket, the components of stands erected in exhibition halls, or - with the screwed joints 5 - on the wall, supporting rod etc. of the building or the premises.

[0022] As can be observed in Figure 9a, the already mentioned cardan joint 6 presented in Figure 2 is tiltably fixed to a support frame 27, that comprises in the presented case a motor-driven bobbin 28. Wire 29 - a fishing line or steel wire - of adequate wire strength is spooled on the bobbin, so that guiding rollers 30 rotatably mounted also on support frame 27 extend upward in a guided way from the frame 27, flung over, for example, a support wheel 31 fixed on the ceiling 2. The bobbin 28 is actuated through a chain 32 by a motor 34 provided with transmission gear 33. The motor 34 connects here to a known control unit that is not otherwise visible and not described, and is preferably remote-controlled and controls the rotation direction and rotation of the motor 34. That is how the wire 29 can be spooled on and off by the bobbin 28 and to set the height of support frame 27 and the device connected to it. The setting is partly meant to position the information carrier surface(s) not visible in the figure at the desired height where the consumers will actively notice them and their rotary movement and, on the other, it provides for lowering the device presented here to appropriate working height to do any repair and maintenance tasks.

[0023] In a further possible embodiment, the bobbin 28 can be associated with an automatically activated safety latch of the known structure and operation that prevents the turning of the bobbin 28 spooling the wire 28 every time when the motor 34 receives no controls/is not actuated. The above-mentioned control unit that is not described here separately ensures, simultaneously with the actuation of the motor 34, the release of the safety latch.

[0024] A person skilled in the art will know about and be able to solve the task of installing inside the device and/or outside it e.g. lighting that will preferably be fed from the same energy source as the device itself, that is, will be supplied externally, expediently from the mains, or from the battery 10. Lighting fittings 35 can be fixed either within the area defined by information carrier surfaces 1 or outside of it, for example on support pieces 23, and if the material of the information carrier surfaces 1 is transparent or translucent, then the surfaces concerned can have a lighting effect or if the material of the information carrier surfaces 1 is not transparent, light can exit the device through the slots and openings between information carrier surfaces 1, in a pre-designable way and pattern that can further enhance an attention-capturing effect.

[0025] Lighting fittings 35 can be fed through cables led in the inside of the supporting rod 7 designed as hollow shaft, and by using commercially available sliding contacts made on the supporting rod 7, not visible in the figures. Of course, there is nothing that prevents the arrangement of the one or more lighting fittings 35 not inside the device, but outside the information carrier surfaces 1, to illuminate the latter from the outside.

[0026] In the exemplary embodiment presented here, the supporting rod 7 is a tube made of aluminium of a diameter of 13 mm, the console 3 is made of aluminium, the sheath 12 is made of aluminium by turning and the bucket 16 is a piece made of Teramid industrial plastic by turning.

[0027] The smooth run of the bucket 16 is ensured by sunk ball bearings 18 around the supporting rod 7, such as the ones e.g. distributed by CONRAD ELECTRONIC, Hungary under Item No. 198653. The motor 14 used for driving the bucket 16 is, in the presented case, a solar motor equipped with two different gears available and known under Item No. 130441 at CONRAD ELECTRONIC, Hungary. The driving wheel 19 is a rubber roller, such as the one distributed e.g. by Árwill Electronic Kft., Hungary under product number 687487.

[0028] In the presented case by the combination of the rotational speed of the motor 14, the driving wheel 19, designed as a friction wheel with a diameter of 13 mm and the bucket 16 with an external diameter of 150 mm and inner mantle diameter of 120 mm, as well as the friction contact between the inner mantle surface of the bucket 16 and the driving wheel 19 a preferable rotation of the information carrier surfaces 1 is ensured at 2 to 6 revolutions per minute. The rotational speed of the motor 14 can be adjusted e.g. by modifying the power-supply voltage of the motor 14, e.g. by using PWM modulation known in the field of the invention.

[0029] In the embodiment shown the motor 34 used for driving the lifting structure shown by way of example in Figure 6, equipped with multiworm gears is a product of the company Ruian Haitie Import and Export Co. Ltd. distributed under Item No. 21030-3730000-00. It will be clear for a person skilled in the art that the parts and components named here by way of example can be replaced by other, adequate, parts.

[0030] In the embodiment presented here, the battery 10 is a 12 V 9.5 Ah lead gel battery, but other battery 10 can also be used in alignment with the dimensions of the housing 8.

[0031] The bucket 16 is of sufficient strength to provide for appropriately preparing the threaded holes 26 within in. The threaded holes 26, in turn, are designed to receive screws of size M4 in this example.

[0032] The battery 10 can be connected to solar panels arranged on the upper part of the device or even on its information carrier surfaces 1, not visible here, that will contribute to charging battery 10, but for a person skilled in the art it is also feasible based on his professional skills to design and arrange the solar panels so that, assuming satisfactory ambient light, they be sufficient in themselves to operate the presented device.

List of reference signs

[0033] 

1

information carrier surface

2

ceiling

3

console

4

supporting surface

5

screwed joint

6

cardan joint

7

supporting rod

7a, 7b

supporting rod section

8

housing

9

control unit

10

battery

11

driving unit

12

sheath

13

screw

14

motor

15

transmission means

16

bucket

17

hole series

18

ball bearing

19

driving wheel

20

collar

21

screw

22

screw

23

support piece

24

screw

25

cable

26

threaded hole

27

support frame

28

bobbin

29

wire

30

guiding roller

31

support wheel

32

chain

33

transmission gear

34

motor

35

lighting fitting

36

base

Claims

1. A kinematic information carrier device, comprising

- a support structure,

- a driving unit connected to the support structure,

- at least one information carrier surface moveably linked to the support structure, being in actuating connection with said driving unit,

characterised in that

- the support structure is designed as a central supporting rod (7),

- the information carrier surface (1) is fastened to a support frame,

- the support frame is rotatably mounted on the supporting rod (7),

- the driving unit (11) is designed as rotating structure fastened on the supporting rod (7),

- the rotating structure is in friction contact with the information carrier surface (1).

2. The kinematic information carrier device according to claim 1, characterised in that the rotating structure is in friction contact with the inner side of information carrier surface (1), facing the supporting rod (7).

3. The kinematic information carrier device according to claim 1, characterised in that the rotating structure is in friction contact with the support frame carrying the information carrier surface (1).

4. The kinematic information carrier device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the supporting rod (7) has a telescopic design providing for adjustable length.

5. The kinematic information carrier device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a mounting console (3) is connected to the upper end of the supporting rod (7).

6. The kinematic information carrier device according to claim 5, characterised in that the mounting console (3) can be fixed so that it is angularly rotatable.

7. The kinematic information carrier device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a base (36) is connected to the bottom end of the supporting rod (7).

8. The kinematic information carrier device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the rotating structure is powered electrically, preferably via an electric motor (14), more preferably via a stepping motor.

9. The kinematic information carrier device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the electric motor (14) is connected to the support frame through a transmission means (15).

10. The kinematic information carrier device according to any of claims 1-9, characterised in that a lighting fitting (35) is arranged inside it.

11. The kinematic information carrier device according to any of claims 1-10, characterised in that a lighting fitting (35) illuminating it externally is fixed to it through a support component.

12. The kinematic information carrier device according to claim 8, characterised in that an electric power cable is led in the interior of the supporting rod (7).

13. The kinematic information carrier device according to any of claims 1-12, characterised in that the rotating structure is at least partially supplied with solar energy.

14. The kinematic information carrier device according to any of claims 1-13, characterised in that the information carrier surface (1) is composed of a continuous cylindrical mantle, or of separate sheets surrounding the supporting rod (7) and the driving unit (11).

15. The kinematic information carrier device according to any of claims 1-14, characterised in that at least two driving units (11) are fastened on the supporting rod (7), one above the other.

Drawing