1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed toward an information display device adapted to be mounted on a cylindrical support such as a bar. The invention is particularly directed toward a display device for mounting on the safety bar of a ski-lift chair.
2. Description of the Related Art
Display devices rotatably mounted on cylindrical bars are known. One such known device, mounted on the safety bar of a ski-lift chair, is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,095.
However, the known display devices are not well constructed to protect the information being displayed against the elements, such as blizzards. Further, the known devices are not very securely mounted to prevent tampering with the device and/or with the information carried by the device.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an information display device that: protects the information to be displayed against tampering and the elements; is easy to rotate about the cylindrical support, even with ski mitts, to display all the information carried by the device; is rugged in construction and securely mounted, and yet makes it easy to change the information displayed.
The display device of the present invention has a mounting base that is securely mounted on a support so as to prevent easy removal of the device. The display device has an information carrier rotatably mounted on the base, with the carrier provided with large, accessible, rotation means that can be operated to rotate the carrier on the base even by a person wearing ski mitts. The device presents information on the carrier that is normally well protected from the elements, located under a cover and sealed from exposure to the elements. In a preferred embodiment, the cover is easily opened to allow the information on the carrier to be changed if desired.
The invention is particularly directed toward an information display device for mounting on a support, the device having a tubular base adapted to be fixedly mounted about the support and a tubular carrier rotatably mounted on the base. The carrier provides a support surface. Information is provided on or adjacent the support surface. A tubular cover is mounted about the carrier and fixed to the base, the cover protecting the information carried by the carrier. The cover has a transparent portion through which the information can be read. Rotation means are provided on the carrier for use in rotating the carrier about the base within the cover to move the information past the transparent portion of the cover.
The display device 1 of the present invention, as shown in
In more detail, as shown in
The carrier 5 of the device supports the information to be displayed by the device. The carrier 5, shown in
The carrier 5 is formed from two half carrier sections 43, 45, as shown in
The information carried by the carrier 5 can be printed on the outer surface of the central wall 35 of the carrier. Preferably, a separate information sheet 73, shown in dotted lines, made from paper or other suitable material, with the information printed thereon, can be mounted against the outer surface of the central wall 35 between the ring sections 31, 33.
The carrier 5 carries rotation means 11 for use in rotating the carrier on the base 3. The rotation means 11 can be the outer walls 39 of the ring sections 31, 33. Preferably, the rotation means 11 comprises spaced-apart, radially extending, lugs 77 on the outer surface of the outer walls 39, the lugs 77 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar B when the carrier 5 is mounted on the base 3 which in turn is mounted on the bar B.
A tubular cover 7 is mounted over the carrier 5 when it is mounted on the base 3, the cover 7 attached to the base 3. The cover 7, as shown in
Sealing means 109 extend about both sides of the outer wall 39 of the ring sections 31, 33 on the carrier 5 and contact the inner edges 111 of the tubular end sections 81, 83 and the outer edges 113 of the tubular central section 85 sealing the interior the cover 7 from the elements.
The cover 7 is made in two parts 114, 115 to allow it to be mounted about the carrier 5 and the base 3 as shown in FIG. 12. The cover 7 is divided into the two parts midway between the side bars 87, 89. Each cover part 114, 115 is attached to the base 3 by fasteners 117 passing through brackets 119, in the areas forming the end sections 81, 83, into brackets 120 on the base 3. When attached to the base 3, the cover parts 114, 115 abut enclosing the carrier 5.
When the cover 7 is mounted on the base 3, the rotation means 11 on the carrier is accessible through the four slots 91, 93 in the cover so that the carrier 5 can be rotated on the base 3 under the cover 7. If the rotation means 11 comprise lugs 77 on the ring sections 31, 33 of the carrier 5, the lugs would normally project through the slots 91, 93 slightly above the cover 7 making it easier to rotate the carrier 5. The central section 85 of the cover 7 is spaced from the cylindrical wall 35 of the carrier 5, and the information that the wall carries. At least the top portion of the central section 85 in the cover 7, when mounted on the base 3, is transparent to provide the transparent portion 9 in the cover. This allows the information, carried by the carrier 5 under the cover 7, to be easily displayed to a person riding in the chair lift. The information can be moved past the transparent portion 9 of the cover 7 by operating the rotation means 11 to rotate the carrier 5 which carries the information.
In another embodiment of the invention only the bottom cover part 115′ of the cover 7′ is attached to the base 3′ by fasteners. The top cover part 114′ is hinged along one side bar section 89a′ to the one side bar section 89b′ of the attached, bottom cover part 115′ by a hinge 121. When the cover parts 113′, 115′ are closed, the other side bar sections 87a′, 87b′ of the cover parts abut, and a suitable locking device 123 can detachably connect them together. This hinged cover 7′ can be easily opened by unlocking the locking device 123 and pivoting the top cover part 113′ open about the hinge 121. This allows the information sheet 73 to be easily changed.
The rotation means have been shown as two ring members. The device could operate with just a single ring member located to either side of the device, or with just a single ring in the middle of the device with information in two sections, one section on each side of the central ring member.
The device is not very large in diameter when installed on the safety bar allowing a skier to comfortably grip the bar and/or the device. The carrier can be easily rotated, particularly with the lugs, even when wearing mitts to display all the information. The information, when carried on an information sheet, can be easily changed when the cover is hinged yet cannot be easily vandalized when the cover is locked.
The information displayed can be in the form of advertising or it can provide information concerning the skiing center such as the type and location of ski trails and the location of ski lifts.
While the device has been described as being used in connection with a safety bar on a ski-lift, it could be used in other locations as well. For example, the device could be mounted on the handles of shopping carts to display information on specials available in the store.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2386768 | May 2002 | CA | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20030213155 A1 | Nov 2003 | US |