Rotating display

• US 6,018,899 A
• Filed: 12/22/1997
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael G. Hanitz
• Original Assignee: Michael G. Hanitz
• Inventors: Hanitz, Michael G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann, Joanne
• Application Number:
  US08/995,863
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 40/473, 40/431
• US Class Current: 40/473
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/02 Signs, boards, or panels, illuminated by artificial light sources positioned in front of the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/20 with luminescent surfaces or parts luminescent compositions C09K11/00; light sources using luminescence F21K2/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/02 incorporating moving display members

Abstract

A rotating display, particularly for use as a point of purchase inducement to customers in a retail environment, includes a two-sided display panel with fluorescent printed indicia or graphics on at least one side which are illuminated by ultraviolet light. The panel is rotated about its central longitudinal axis at a rotational velocity of at least approximately 300 RPM. The spinning fluorescent indicia, when illuminated in this fashion, create the illusion of a solid through the persistence of vision.

Claims

1. A display for creating a persistence-of-vision illusion comprising:

a panel having first and second sides and a central longitudinal vertical axis passing along a length of said panel between said first and second sides;

a first fluorescent pattern disposed on said first side of said panel;

an ultraviolet light for illuminating said fluorescent pattern; and

a drive mechanism for rotating said panel about said central axis at a speed of at least 300 revolutions per minute;

whereby when the display is rotated at a speed of at least 300 revolutions per minute the pattern appears to be hanging motionless and may be viewed from all sides.

2. The display of claim 1, wherein said panel is opaque.

3. The display of claim 2, further including a second fluorescent pattern, said second fluorescent pattern being disposed on said second side of said panel.

4. The display of claim 3, wherein said second fluorescent pattern is different in design from said first fluorescent pattern.

5. The display of claim 3, wherein said second fluorescent pattern is of the same design as that of said first fluorescent pattern.

6. The display of claim 1, wherein said pattern further comprises a message.

7. The display of claim 1, further including first and second blades extending from at least a first edge of said panel, said blades each including a side having at least one fluorescent pattern disposed thereon.

8. The display of claim 7, wherein said side of each of said blades is flat.

9. The display of claim 7, wherein each of said blades includes a plurality of angled sections.

10. The display of claim 7, wherein said panel is circular in shape, and said blades extend horizontally from opposite sides of said panel.

11. The display of claim 7, wherein each of said blades is formed from a flexible material.

12. The display of claim 1, wherein said panel is generally flat, but is shaped like a three dimensional object.

13. The display of claim 12, wherein said object comprises a ball.

14. A method for creating a persistence-of-vision illusion in a display comprising the steps of:

providing a panel having first and second sides, a central longitudinal vertical axis passing along a length of said panel between said first and second sides, and a first fluorescent pattern on one of said sides;

illuminating said fluorescent pattern with ultraviolet light; and

rotating said panel about said central axis at a speed of at least 300 revolutions per minute to generate said persistence-of-vision illusion;

whereby when the display is rotated at a speed of at least 300 revolutions per minute the pattern appears to be hanging motionless and may be viewed from all sides.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises the step of providing first and second blades extending from at least a first edge of said panel, said blades each including a side having at least a second and a third fluorescent pattern, respectively, disposed thereon.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each of said blades is selected to be flat.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said panel is selected to be circular in shape, and said blades extend horizontally from opposite sides of said panel.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of providing a panel further comprises providing a second flourescent pattern disposed on said second side of said panel.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said second fluorescent pattern is different from said first fluorescent pattern.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said first flourescent pattern comprises a message.