GB2029067A - Decorative display device - Google Patents

Abstract

A decorative display device has front and rear spaced apart reflective surfaces (1, 2) and one or more light sources (9). The or each light source is arranged to give multiple images (10) with the two reflective surfaces, and the front reflective surface (2) is of the "two-way" kind so that it normally acts as a mirror but it reveals the multiple images when the or each light source is illuminated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Decorative display device This invention relates to a decorative display device.

According to the present invention there is provided a decorative display device comprising at least one light source and a pair of spaced apart reflective surfaces, the or each light source being positioned in relation to said reflective surfaces so that multiple images of the source or sources are produced with the reflective surfaces, and a front one of said reflective surfaces being semi-transparent so that the multiple images can be viewed through such front reflective surface when the or each light source is illuminated but so that such front reflective surface acts as a mirror through which said images cannot be seen when the or each light source is not illuminated.

With this arrangement the device can be utilised both as a mirror and also to provide an interesting and pleasing display of multiple light source images depending on the operational state of the or each light source.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device comprises two spaced apart parallel planar mirrors formed from clear colourless glass sheets, one of which is appropriately partly silvered to define the said semi-transparent (or "two-way") reflective surface and the other of which is fully silvered to define the other (rear), totally reflective, surface. If desired however, other materials and arrangements may be utilised including: appropriately coated plastics materials instead of silvered glass for one or both of the reflective surfaces, a polished metal sheet for the said other reflective surface, a relative disposition of the reflective surfaces departing slightly from a strict parallel arrangement, a slight curvature or distortion of one or both reflective surfaces, a colouration and/or degree of translucency for one or both surfaces.

Also, if desired, there may be more than two reflective surfaces with the or each intermediate one of such surfaces also being semitransparent and there being light sources between each pair of adjacent reflective surfaces so that different superimosed sets of multiple images can be obtained.

Further, the arrangement may be such that multiple light source images can be viewed through said front reflective surface and also through a rear reflective surface at the opposite side of the device. Thus, where there are only two reflective surfaces both may be "two-way mirrors; and in the case where there are more than two mirrors with light sources between each adjacent pair thereof, all mirrors may be two-way, or alternatively an arrangement may be adopted utilising a central double-sided mirror (or pair of back-toback fully reflective mirrors) in conjuction with two-way mirrors on opposite sides thereof so that different multiple image displays can be seen from different sides.

With regard to the or each light source, any suitable light-emitting device may be used including electrical filament lamps, discharge lamps, and light-emitting diodes. The or each such device may be located between the pertaining reflective surfaces so as to be directly visible, when illuminated, through the appropriate semi-transparent surface. Alternatively or additionally, the or each such lightemitting device may be provided with at least one light-transmitting element, arranged to transmit illumination to a position between the reflective surfaces which is directly visible through the semi-transparent surface. Thus, fibre optic techniques may be utilised so that, for example, light is transmitted from a lamp, LED or the like along a light-transmitting fibre to a free end of such fibre which is positioned between the reflective surfaces.The or each said light source may be arranged to emit illuminations of any desired colour or combination of colours.

In a particularly preferred embodiment there are multiple light sources between the pertaining reflective surfaces and these may be arranged in any suitable manner to produce any suitable decorative effect. Thus, the light sources may be arranged around the periphery of a circle or square or other closed twodimensional shape (preferably corresponding to the peripheral shape of at least the said front reflective surface) so that the multiple images give the effect of a tube or tunnel which disappears into the distance. Alternatively, any other suitable arrangement may be utilised involving a peripheral disposition of the light sources and/or positioning or suspension of same in the central region of the field of vision.

The or each light source may be batteryoperated in which case the display device may include a battery and a suitable on/off switch or the like. Alternatively, a mains operated light source or sources may be used and a mains lead (and if desired also an on/off switch on the device) may be provided. In one embodiment a number of low voltage miniature filament lamps which are connected in series so as to be mains operable are used.

The display device of the invention may also incorporaate automatic control circuitry for controlling operation of the or each said light source. Thus electrical and/or electronic control circuitry may be provided which acts to switch the or each light source on and off at a predetermined (and possibly adjustable) rate and/or which acts to switch off the or each light source after a predetermined (and possibly adjustable) period of operation thereof, and/or which acts to switch the or each light source on at a predetermined time or in response to a predetermined change in surrounding conditions (e.g. when a light sensor detects an increase in external illumination, or a decrease in external illumination due for example to a person standing in front of the device) and/or which acts to switch on or off selectively a plurality of light sources in a predetermined light pattern or sequence. It is also possible to use flashing lights utilising bimetallic strips, mechanical time delay switches and other controls of aa mechanical rather than electronic nature.

The reflective surfaces of the display device may have any suitable size and may be round or square or of any other suitable shape.

Conveniently all reflective surfaces are of the same size and shape. A plurality of display devices may be mounted side-by-side, backto-back or in any other suitable manner to give a larger display construction of any desired form. Alternatively, the display device may be formed as a single, housed unit which is appropriately formed and/or fitted with appropriate auxiliary structures or devices so that it can be utilised, for example in a domestic setting, hanging on a wall or standing on a table or the like.

In one embodiment, a pair of said reflective surfaces of like size and shape are mounted within a peripheral frame, the or each light source being wholly disposed within the confines of said reflective surfaces and frame, and the frame being constructed, or supplemented with an appropriate inner cover member or screen, such that light from the or each light source cannot escape between the edges of the reflective surfaces. The or each light source may be spaced inwardly (towards the central region of the front reflective surface) from the outer periphery of the front reflective surface, and such source may be screened from the region between the source and the said outer periphery, and/or said region may be covered or coated to render same fully reflective, so that wiring, and/or fittings and the like positioned adjacent such region can be maintained concealed from view.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one form of a display device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device; and Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram.

The device comprises a pair of mirrors 1, 2 of like size and shape which are firmly held in spaced apart parallel relationship by a mounting structure 3 extending around and between the mirror peripheries.

A rear one of the mirrors 1 is formed from a clear colourless planar glass sheet which is fully silvered on a rear side thereof which rear side is supported against a back board 4 secured to the mounting structure 3. The other, front mirror, is a clear colourless planar glass sheet partially silvered on the rear side thereof so that it is in the form of a semitransparent or "two-way" mirror.

The rear side of the front mirror 2 has a peripheral region 5 thereof covered with card 6 or other opaque material so that only central square region 7 of the mirror can in fact act as a two-way mirror.

Four strips 8 of a stiff, opaque material are fixed perpendicularly between the two mirrors 1, 2 level with the inner edges 20 of the opaque material 6. Electric filament bulbs 9 or the like are mounted behind such strips 8 with the heads thereof projecting through openings in the strips. There are several bulbs 9 for each strip 8. Preferably each strip 8 has the same number of bulbs and these are equally spaced and aligned parallel to the respective inner edge 20 of the opaque material 6. Behind the strips 8, the bulbs 9 are connected via control circuitry 10 to a battery 11 and to a press-button 1 2 mounted on the mounting structure 3 so as to be accessible externally of the display device at one side thereof. The control circuitry 10 comprises a switching circuit and a timing circuit.

The display device also includes an external peripheral trim 13, in the form of an aluminium or wooden frame or the like, which fits over the mounting structure 3; and a suspension device 1 4 is provided on the back board 4 so that the display device can be hung from a hook on a wall surface.

The frame 1 3 and mounting structure 3 are appropriate constructed, or provided with a suitable opening therein, to allow for access to the interior of the display device for replacement of the battery 11 and bulbs 9.

In use, the display device is mounted on a wall and, when the bulbs 9 are not illuminated, the front mirror 2 provides a totally reflective surface. When the button 1 2 is pressed, the bulbs 9 are illuminated for a period of time determined by the timer of the circuitry 10. At the end of this time the bulbs 9 are switched off and remain switched off until the button 1 2 is again pressed. In this way, battery life can be prolonged.

When the bulbs 9 are switched on, the central region 7 of the two-way mirror 2 becomes transparent and the bulbs 9, and also multiple images 1 5 of same produced by the parallel mirrors 1, 2, are clearly visible.

The bulbs 9 are arranged at equally spaced positions around the periphery of a square and multiple aligned discrete images receding to infinity are produced giving to a viewer looking into the device through the said central region the effect of a tunnel of light squares progressively decreasing in size and brightness into the distance. This effect is particularly interesting and pleasing.

It will be noted that fittings for the bulbs 9, wiring, control circuitry and the like are concealed from view at all times behind the region 5 of the mirror 2. Also, light cannot escape from between the peripheral edges of the mirrors 1, 2 due to the screening action of components 8, 3, 1 3.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Claims (11)

1. A decorative display device comprising at least one light source and a pair of spaced apart reflective surfaces, the or each light source being positioned in relation to said reflective surfaces so that multiple images of the source or sources are produced with the reflective surfaces, and a front one of said reflective surfaces being semi-transparent so that the multiple images can be viewed through such front reflective surface when the or each light source is illuminated but so that such front reflective surface acts as a mirror through which said images cannot be seen when the or each light source is not illuminated.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of light sources.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the light sources are arranged around the periphery of a square, circle or other twodimensional closed shape.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each light source comprises an electrical light-emitting device which is positioned between the said reflective surfaces so as to be directly visible when illuminated, through the said front reflective surface.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the or each light source comprises at least one electrical lightemitting device which is provided with at least one light-transmitting element arranged to transmit light from said light-emitting device, when illuminated, to a position between said reflective surfaces directly visible through the front reflective surface.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each said light source is a mains operable electrical lightemitting device, and an electrical lead is provided for connection of same to a mains supply externally of the display device.

7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each said light source is a battery-operable electrical lightemitting device, and provision is made for connection of same to a battery mounted within the display device.

8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the or each said light source is an electrical light-emitting device and control means is provided for automatically controlling switching of same on and/or off.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said control means includes a timer.

10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is adapted to be hung on a wall.

11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the or each light source is disposed between the reflective surfaces inwardly of peripheral edges thereof and at least one screen is provided to prevent escape of light from such light source between the edges of the reflective surfaces.

1 2. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein an outer peripheral region of the front reflective surface is rendered fully reflective and wiring and/or fittings of the display device are concealed behind such region.

1 3. A display device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.