Moving virtual display apparatus

• US 6,249,998 B1
• Filed: 04/12/1994
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yoshiro Nakamats
• Original Assignee: Yoshiro Nakamats
• Inventors: NakaMats, Yoshiro
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, CASSANDRA HOPE
• Application Number:
  US08/226,520
• Time in Patent Office: 2,632 Days
• Field of Search: 404/52, 404/42, 404/31, 404/63, 362/811, 362/249, 362/251, 362/800, 362/817, 345/31
• US Class Current: 40/452
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0472 Traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes

Abstract

A two-dimensional display provides a virtual image of characters and figures that is produced by moving a body equipped with luminous devices and controlling the flashing position and time of each luminous device while moving the body.

Claims

1. A display apparatus for displacement through a swing arc to produce a light display, comprising:

a support member having a plurality of spaced luminous devices disposed thereon;

said support member being movable through said swing arc;

said support member having lighting control means for selectively lighting individual respective ones of said luminous devices at predetermined discrete positions of the respective luminous devices within said swing arc as determined by detection of positions of said support member along said swing arc to create said light display along the swing arc of said support member; and

said lighting control means including a self-contained position detection means disposed on said support member for deter said positions of said support member and thereby positions of the respective luminous devices by having a body displaceable relative to said support member by movement of the support member and determining said position based on displacement of said body relative said support member.

2. A display apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for moving said support member along a curvilinear path.

3. A display apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for moving said support member along a circular path.

4. A display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said luminous devices are selected from the group consisting of Light Emitting Diodes and Vacuum Fluorescent Displays.

5. A display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said luminous devices are arranged in a linear row.

6. A display apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said luminous devices are arranged in a plurality of linear rows.

7. A display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support member has an obverse side and a reverse side, said luminous devices being disposed on said obverse side and on said reverse side.

8. A display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support member is an elongated bar.

9. A display apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

said support member being an elongated bar on which said luminous devices are disposed; and

rotatable support means for rotatably supporting said elongated bar for rotation about a rotation axis.

10. A display apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said rotatable support means further comprises a motor means for rotating said elongated bar about said rotation axis.

11. A display apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said rotatable support further comprises a windmill means for rotating said elongated bar about said rotation axis.

12. The display apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising:

said elongated bar being mounted about said rotation axis at a substantial midpoint of said elongated bar; and

said elongated bar having first and second surfaces on opposing sides of said substantial midpoint having opposing angles of inclination to effect rotation of said elongated member in response to wind.

13. A display apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said elongated bar has an outer end which transcribes a circle when said elongated bar rotates about said rotation axis.

14. A display apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said elongated bar has a length substantially equal to the radius of said circle.

15. A display apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said elongated bar has a length substantially equal to the diameter of said circle.

16. A display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said body of said self-contained detection means includes a pendulum and said pendulum is a weight depending about a rotational support on said support member and contacts on said support member arranged such that said weight contacts a first contact when the support member is in one rotational position and said weight contacts a second contact when the support member is in another rotational position; and

said contacting of said first contact initiates said selective lighting of said luminous devices and said contacting of said second contact terminates said selective lighting of said luminous devices.

17. A display apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said self-contained detecting means includes a slip-ring means rotatable with said support member and contact shoes red by said weight and slidably contacting said slip-ring for determining said positions of said support member and the respective luminous devices.

18. A display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said self-contained detection means includes said body being a gyro means for detecting said positions of said support member and the respective luminous devices.

19. A display apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

said support member being an elongated bar on which said luminous devices are disposed;

rotatable support means for rotatably supporting said elongated bar for rotation about a rotation axis; and

said rotatable support means further including a means for rotating said elongated bar about said rotation axis.