[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.
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.
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.
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.