Manually changeable displays
US5392546A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09F9/37
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Two thin sheets of material have slits to define coplanar flaps that are configured and arranged in conformity with segments of a segmental display such as a seven-segment digital display. The layers are superimposed such that corresponding segments are superimposed. The layers have contrasting colors. Applying a force against the overlying flap in a segment causes the overlying and underlying flaps to deflect in the same direction for the outer edges of the flaps to pass each other. When the force is removed the flaps restore to positions that are substantially coplanar with the layers in which they are formed. When the flap in the overlying layer is coplanar with its layer that flap and, hence, the segment is not visible because there is no contrast between the flap and the layer being viewed. When the flap of the underlying layer is caused to switch over the flap in the overlying layer there is contrast between the flap and the overlying layer so the segment represented by the flap is visible.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.