GB2128390A

GB2128390A - Variable indicating devices

Info

Publication number: GB2128390A
Application number: GB08226137A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Charles William White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-09-14
Filing date: 1982-09-14
Publication date: 1984-04-26
Also published as: GB2128390B

Abstract

An indicia display, more particular but not exclusively a scoreboard arrangement, uses first and second discs mounted co-axially for rotation in relation to one another, each bearing a series of indicia, the indicia or selected indicia of the second disc being visible through a portion or portions of the first disc. As shown, further two disc units are provided so that multiple score or other indicia displays may be made, the scoreboard shown being for bowls. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Variable indicia display means The present invention relates to variable indicia display means.-The indicia with which the present invention is particularly concerned are numbers or figures.

The present invention is more particularly but not exclusively concerned with number bearing means such as score boards for example for use in sporting competitions such as bowls matches to indicate the score achieved by the competing participants. Conventional scoring systems range from the simple and inconvenient such as a board with hooks onto which are placed in succession the numbers required to be displayed to complex and therefore expensive modern electronic arrangements. It is an object of the present invention to produce a simple cheap and easily operable arrangement to indicate scores in a sporting competition. It will however, be appreciated that references to numbers, for example scores, may be replaced herein by references to letters or other indicia.As an example of the use to which a letter bearing equivalent to a numerical score board could be used is a course indicator for racing where the competitors are informed of the course to be made good by the indicia e.g. letters or a combination thereof, appearing on a course board.

There is provided according to the present invention indicia display means comprising first and second discs mounted coaxially for rotation to one another each bearing a series of indicia, the indicia or selected indicia of the second disc being visible through a portion or portions of the first disc.

The series of indicia of the first and second discs are preferably numerical figures for example the numbers 0 to 9 in sequence each series being disposed on its disc in such positions that if the disc is rotated the numbers on it will appear in substantially the same readable disposition successively at a given display point. The said display point for readable numbers for both discs is preferably substantially on a single radius such that the two numbers in the said readable disposition are juxtaposed on said single radius the one forming a "tens figure" and the other forming a "units figure" of a double figure number at the said display point.

The said display point may be substantially at either the 3 or 9 o'clock "horizontal positions" or the 1 2 and 6 o'clock vertical positions when the discs are considered as a normal clock face having a horizontal axis pointing towards the viewer. For the 9 o'clock horizontal position the series of tens figures will be disposed on a disc spaced radially from the disc axis by an amount slightly greater than the amount by which the units figures series are displaced from the axis of the other disc. For the 3 o'clock horizontal position the reverse applies.

For the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock vertical positions both series of figures will be disposed on their respective discs on the same radius from the disc axis, the figures of each series being located within spaced sectors such that they again produce a tens and a unit figure of a double figure number at the said display point.

The first disc is preferably constructed of transparent material. It may however be constructed partially of opaque material with a transparent insert through which the indicia of the second disc may be seen. Moreover it may be constructed partially of opaque material with holes through which the indicia of the second disc may be seen. In this form of the invention the first disc will resemble a ships wheel in having a control hub joined to a rim by spokes. The second disc may also be constructed of transparent material.

The indicia may be affixed to the respective discs by painting, etching, printing or any other suitable form of affixation. When the first disc is formed of transparent material the indicia are preferably affixed to the side of the disc adjacent the second disc in order to minimise the problems of parallax. The indicia of the second disc are preferably on that surface adjacent the first disc.

The indicia should be marked on the discs in a manner to provide maximum contrast. In embodiments of the invention when the said first disc is of transparent material the surface of the second disc should preferably be such as provides a high contrast with the indicia appearing on the first disc. In the embodiments where both discs are of transparent material the required contrast may be provided by the surface or background against which the viewer views the indicia.

Both discs are preferably of substantially the same overall radius.

The indicia display means of the present invention may further comprise means to outline or highlight the indicia, for example the two figure number, appearing at the said display point. This may in a preferred form of the invention comprise a face plate in which there is provided a transparent portion such as a window through which the selected indicia may be viewed at the said display point the window therefore providing a frame for the above-mentioned two figure number which number may be changed by rotation of one or both of the discs. In an alternative form of the invention a simple frame around the said display point may be provided affixed to the axis or to a framework attached to the said axis.

When the said face plate is provided the two discs are preferably mounted for rotation relative to one another on to the said face plate. The face plate preferably extends over substantially the whole of the area of the discs such that the indicia on the discs can only be seen through the said window. The periphery of the discs may however extend radially outwardly of the face plate over a small sector of the discs such that they may easily be rotated manually to change the number appearing in the window.

As indicated above one of the preferred application of the present invention is as a score board. It will be appreciated that with the arrangement described above with two discs each bearing numbers 0 to 9 a single display only up to 99 may be produced. In order to provide a score board on which a double figure score up to 99 for each of two competing participants can be shown a score board arrangement comprising two of the above two disc indicia display means is provided each of the said means having an axis spaced from the other such that the said display point of one pair of discs is, in its normal disposition, located radially outwardly of the circumference of the other pair of discs.For such a score board a face plate is preferably provided with two windows, say at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, the pair of discs providing the score at the 3 o'clock position having their axis displaced to the right of the axis of the pair of discs providing the score at the 9 o'clock position. This arrangement of the two pairs of disc means can be repeated in a single frame to provide facility for indicating the scores of a plurality of further competing participants.

As a further modification of the above described score board with a two pairs of disc means, further third and optionally fourth two disc means can be added to provide two figure numbers at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions respective axis of the third and fourth pairs being displaced somewhat above and below the line connecting the axes of the first two pair of disc means.

A preferred form on the score board embodying the invention uses three of the pairs of discs, with display points at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions to provide the respective scores of two competing participants in a game such as a game of bowls, the third indication being provided a third pair of discs located for example at the 6 o'clock position to give an indication for example of the number of ends played by two bowlers.

It will be appreciated that the present invention may further be extended to numbering arrangements requiring three figure numbers in games or sports where such scores are normal.

The above defined indicia display means may therefore be provided with a third disc mounted coaxially for rotation and bearing a further series of indicia such that the indicia of the third disc are visible through a portion of the said first and second discs and the indicia on the second disc are visible through a portion of the said first disc.

The relationship between the first and second discs and between the second and third discs are as defined above, the disposition in this case being such that a three figure number appears at the said given display point.

The present invention resides in any of the above described features or a combination of any of the above described features. The present invention may however be embodied in many ways and an embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the front view of a score board according to the present invention and Figure 2 shows the score board of the present invention in section along the line 1I--II.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a score board 10 comprising a face plate 12 having three windows 25. 26 and 27 cut into it. As will be seen from Figure 2 the score board 10 in addition to the face plate 12 comprises a back plate 13 and top and bottom plates 15 and 16 respectively.

There are provided within the framework comprising plates 12, 13, 15 and 1 6 three pairs of discs 35, 36 and 37 each of which is mounted for rotation about its axis of symmetry. The axis of symmetry of disc 36 is shown at 46. The axes of symmetry of discs 35 and 37 are shown at 45 and 46. Axes 45 and 46 are affixed respectively to the back and front plates 13 and 12 and at their inner distil ends to a fixed internal frame 17.

Each of the pairs of discs comprises discs A and B, disc A being that of each pair closer to the face plate 12 and B being that closer to the rear plate 1 3. Each disc A is constructed of transparent material such as polythyene or other plastics transparent material. Each of discs B comprises opaque material. Each opaque disc 35B, 36B and 37B has imprinted upon its surface closer to face plate 12 the numbers 0 to 9 each number being located within a sector at a radius from axis 45, 46 or 47 such that one number at a time may be positioned to show through one half of the appropriate window 25, 26 or 27, the disc 35 being relevant to window 25, discs 36 to window 26 and discs 37 to window 27.

Each of the discs 35A, 36A and 37A have imprinted on the surface closest to the back plate 13 the numbers 0 to 9 each number being located within a sector at a radius from axes 45 to 47 such that the figures are visible through the other half of windows 25, 26 or 27. It will be appreciated that for the numbers to be printed on the side of the discs A facing the back plate 13 to be visible through the windows 25, 26, 27 they will have to be printed in reverse or mirror fashion to be visible through the transparent material of discs A. Taking window 25 it will be seen there whichever disc 35A or 35B which is to provide the figure to the left of the window 25 will have its figures located at a radial distance from the axis 45 greater than those figures on the other disc of the pair. With regard to window 27 the reverse applies. With regard to window 26 the figures on both discs 36A and 368 will be at the same radius but will be arcuately spaced from one another such that each may interposed into the space afforded by the other to produce a two figure number without overlapping of the figures.

It is not critical in the case of any pair whether the tens and units figures are provided by A or B or B or A.

As will be seen from Figure 1 the pairs of discs 35, 36 and 37 each protrude slightly at 55, 56 and 47 beyond the face plate 12 so that each may be moved manually to locate within the windows 25, 26 or 27 the required score or end number. It will be seen that the face plate 12 has over the window 26 the words "ENDS" this being a particular application to a bowls match, the numbers appearing in windows 25 and 27 showing the scores of the participants and the number appearing at window 26 showing the number of ENDS played.

To revert to figure 1 the relative positions of the pairs of discs 35, 36 and 37 are shown in broken lines as are several of the figures on either side of those showing in the windows 25, 26 and 27. Although the axes 45 and 47 appear coterminus from figure 2 it will be seen from Figure 1 that they are spaced on either side of the vertical centre line of the score board shown in Figure 1 such that the circumference of each pair of discs 35 and 37 does not obstruct the window 27 or 25, The side view shown at Figure 2 is expanded somewhat in a lateral sense for clarity. Felt or similar material may be provided at appropriate positions between the various discs A and B for damping purposes.Moreover notches may be provided in the periphery of each disc to mate with an appropriate spring and pawl arrangement clearly to locate the numbers appearing on the various discs within their relevant window. The notch and spring/pawl arrangement is not shown in the drawings.

The numbers imprinted on the discs of this embodiment of the present invention are preferably in white, with the disc B of each pair 35, 36 or 37 of opaque material and preferably of matt black finish, the white number of the matt black finish providing a good contrast.

Whichever series of numbers are to form the tens of a two figure number may comprise on the numbers 1 to 9, the number 0 being replaced by a blank so that when single figure score or end numbers are required a blank rather than a O appears in the tens space.

Although the movement of the discs has been described above by having them protrude beyond the casing for manual rotation, a crank or other lever arrangement may be provided although this is less preferred as increasing complexity and expense of manufacture.

A minimum distance of 5 mm between the respective discs A and B is likely to be sufficient to enable the operator to more one disc of the pair by hand without moving the other. If felt is placed between the two this may affect the spacing.

It will be appreciated that discs 36 may be located behind discs 35 and 36 if wished or indeed the three pairs of discs located however else may be required with respect to one another.

The application of the numbers of figures to the various discs is dictated by the facts of geometry as follows: (a) With 10 figures (0 to 9)or otherwise a 'space' plus 9 figures (1 to 9)-each figure must fit within a sector of a circle whose angle is 36 degrees.

(b) In an assembly of two discs A and B forming a pair where the figures are to appear in a window which is horizontally level with the centre of the disc e.g. 35 or 37 the display point of each figure is such that a line drawn from top to bottom through the centre of the figure is at right angles to the radius which bisects the sector in which the figure is placed.

(c) the size of the figure is measured by its height and width and the radius (and hence the diameter) of any disc to be used in constructing the pair is determined by the size of the figure which is chosen. Height-Within the sector of a circuit with angle 36 , and with the figure in the display point described in (b) above the height of the figure is the length of the line which lies between the outer radii of the sector and at right angles to the radius which bisects the sector.

There is a minimum distance from the angle (or point) of the sector which will allow the figure to be set within the confines of the sector. That minimum distance is referred to hereafter as the "basic radius".

(d) Width-Having determined the basic radius by reference to the height of the figure, the width of the figure then determines what shall be the total radius of the disc-or the "disc radius". The addition to the basic radius to find the disc radius may be as desired but every such addition will comprise the following: (i) Twice the figure width (ii) A suitable space between the figures (iii) A space between the basic radius and the first figure-being a space for "leeway" or "margin" during manufacture (iv) An 'Edge margin' being the distance from the outer edge of the two figures to the rim of the disc. This margin must be sufficient to allow the rim of the disc to protrude from the side of any casing of the pair to permit rotation of the disc.

(Example for figures which are 75 mm high and 55 mm wide:- Basic Radius 120 mm 120 mm Twice figure width 110 mm Space between figures 5 mm 'Leeway Margin' 5 mm 'Edge margin' 38 mm Disc Radius 278 mm 27.8 cms (approx. 10.93 inches)) It is a matter of choice whether the 'units' figures are painted on the front disc A and the 'tens' figures on the rear disc B--vice-versa. The only part of the disc rim which is visible to a user from outside the casing of a pair is a short arc which allows movement of the discs with the fingerssee 55, 56 and 57. Users may expect to find the nearer arc as operating the 'units' figure, and the one behind it operating the 'tens' figure. Users may also expect to move the rim of the disc 'downwards' to increase the figure visible in a window.Where the window is to be on the right of the centre of the discs eg 27 the foregoing method of operation is achieved by painting the figures 1 anti-clockwise to 9 with the units on the transparent disc, and the 'tens' on the opaque disc.

Where the window is to be on the left e.g. 26 of the centre of the disc eg 25 the foregoing method of operation is achieved by painting the figures 1 clockwise to 9 with similarly the 'units' on the transparent disc and the 'tens' on the opaque discs.

It will be evident that if the pair of discs is constructed for a righthand window eg 27 the rim will protrude from the right side of the casing and if the window eg 25 is left of the disc centre, the rims protrude from the left side of the casing.

The same basic unit principle described from (a) above may be used to provide variable figures from 0 to 99 in a window 26 which is vertically below or above the centre of the discs 36. The positions of the figures on the discs are dictated by similar facts of geometry except that: (A) the basic radius is determined by reference to twice the figure width plus the space between the figures (B) The addition to basic radius to find the disc radius is found by adding to the basic radius i) the figure height ii) The 'leeway margin' (similar to paragraph (d) iii) above) (iii) The "edge margin" (similar to paragraph (d) iv above) (C) The figures are placed with the top edge at basic radius distance (plus leeway margin) from the centre of the disc (D) The 'units' figure is placed to the right of the radius which bisects the sector.

(E) The 'tens' figure is placed to the left of the radius which bisects the sector.

Placing the figures as in C, D and E above will produce a double figure number in a window 26 below the centre of the disc. If it is desired that the window should be vertically above the centre of the disc the only alteration in the placing of the figures is that in C the bottom edge of the figures is at basic radius distance (plus leeway margin) from the centre of the disc.

In these types of pairs the rims of the discs project below the casing sufficient to permit finger rotation of the discs, if the window is below the disc centre and conversely project above the casing if the window is above the disc centre.

Pairs of the type described for window 26 above may be constructed with figures and discs of the same dimensions as pairs for windows 25 and 27. In order to preserve the same sizes of figures and discs however it is necessary to allow a larger'leeway margin' and a smaller 'edge margin'. This places the window a little closer to the edge of the casing that are the windows of the pairs where the windows are level with the centre of the discs.

When the discs of the vertical pairs 36 are rotated the figures move across one another that is, the 'tens' figures move across the 'units' figures, and the units figures move across the 'tens' figures. The positioning of the figures on the discs, however, leaves a full figure space between each successive pair of figures so that when the required figure is visible in the window the two figures in the window are clear and visible on the same basic principle which is described above.

Other forms of score board comprising combinations of the score board described above or combinations of units of discs/windows of the score board described above may be formed to cater for differing requirements.

Claims (Filed on 6 Sept 83) 1. Indicia display means comprising first and second discs mounted co-axially for rotation in relation to one another, each bearing a series of indicia, the indicia or selected indicia of the second disc being visible through a portion or portions of the first disc.

2. Display means as claimed in Claim 2 in which the series of indicia of the first and second discs are numerical figures, the disposition of each series on its disc being such that if the disc is rotated the numbers on it will appear in substantially the same readable dispositions successively at a given display point.

3. Display means as claimed in Claim 2 in which the display point for readable figures for both discs is substantially on a single radius such that the two numbers in the said readable disposition are juxtaposed on the said single radius.

4. Display means as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the series of indicia on one disc are spaced radially further from the common axis with respect to the series of indicia on the other disc.

5. Display means as claimed in any preceding claims in which the first disc is constructed of transparent material.

6. Display means as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the first disc is constructed partially of opaque material with a transparent insert through which the indicia of the second disc may be seen.

7. Display means as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the first disc is constructed partially of opaque material with holes through which the indicia of the second disc may be seen.

8. Display means as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the second disc is constructed of transparent material.

9. Display means as claimed in claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the indicia on that disc are affixed to the side of the disc adjacent the second disc and in which the indicia on the second disc are affixed to that disc on the surface adjacent the first disc.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

nearer arc as operating the 'units' figure, and the one behind it operating the 'tens' figure. Users may also expect to move the rim of the disc 'downwards' to increase the figure visible in a window. Where the window is to be on the right of the centre of the discs eg 27 the foregoing method of operation is achieved by painting the figures 1 anti-clockwise to 9 with the units on the transparent disc, and the 'tens' on the opaque disc.

Where the window is to be on the left e.g. 26 of the centre of the disc eg 25 the foregoing method of operation is achieved by painting the figures 1 clockwise to 9 with similarly the 'units' on the transparent disc and the 'tens' on the opaque discs.

It will be evident that if the pair of discs is constructed for a righthand window eg 27 the rim will protrude from the right side of the casing and if the window eg 25 is left of the disc centre, the rims protrude from the left side of the casing.

The same basic unit principle described from (a) above may be used to provide variable figures from 0 to 99 in a window 26 which is vertically below or above the centre of the discs 36. The positions of the figures on the discs are dictated by similar facts of geometry except that: (A) the basic radius is determined by reference to twice the figure width plus the space between the figures (B) The addition to basic radius to find the disc radius is found by adding to the basic radius

i) the figure height

ii) The 'leeway margin' (similar to paragraph (d)

iii) above) (iii) The "edge margin" (similar to paragraph (d) iv above) (C) The figures are placed with the top edge at basic radius distance (plus leeway margin) from the centre of the disc (D) The 'units' figure is placed to the right of the radius which bisects the sector.

(E) The 'tens' figure is placed to the left of the radius which bisects the sector.

Placing the figures as in C, D and E above will produce a double figure number in a window 26 below the centre of the disc. If it is desired that the window should be vertically above the centre of the disc the only alteration in the placing of the figures is that in C the bottom edge of the figures is at basic radius distance (plus leeway margin) from the centre of the disc.

In these types of pairs the rims of the discs project below the casing sufficient to permit finger rotation of the discs, if the window is below the disc centre and conversely project above the casing if the window is above the disc centre.

Pairs of the type described for window 26 above may be constructed with figures and discs of the same dimensions as pairs for windows 25 and 27. In order to preserve the same sizes of figures and discs however it is necessary to allow a larger'leeway margin' and a smaller 'edge margin'. This places the window a little closer to the edge of the casing that are the windows of the pairs where the windows are level with the centre of the discs.

When the discs of the vertical pairs 36 are rotated the figures move across one another that is, the 'tens' figures move across the 'units' figures, and the units figures move across the 'tens' figures. The positioning of the figures on the discs, however, leaves a full figure space between each successive pair of figures so that when the required figure is visible in the window the two figures in the window are clear and visible on the same basic principle which is described above.

Other forms of score board comprising combinations of the score board described above or combinations of units of discs/windows of the score board described above may be formed to cater for differing requirements.

Claims (Filed on 6 Sept 83) 1. Indicia display means comprising first and second discs mounted co-axially for rotation in relation to one another, each bearing a series of indicia, the indicia or selected indicia of the second disc being visible through a portion or portions of the first disc.
2. Display means as claimed in Claim 2 in which the series of indicia of the first and second discs are numerical figures, the disposition of each series on its disc being such that if the disc is rotated the numbers on it will appear in substantially the same readable dispositions successively at a given display point.
3. Display means as claimed in Claim 2 in which the display point for readable figures for both discs is substantially on a single radius such that the two numbers in the said readable disposition are juxtaposed on the said single radius.
4. Display means as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the series of indicia on one disc are spaced radially further from the common axis with respect to the series of indicia on the other disc.
5. Display means as claimed in any preceding claims in which the first disc is constructed of transparent material.
6. Display means as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the first disc is constructed partially of opaque material with a transparent insert through which the indicia of the second disc may be seen.
7. Display means as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the first disc is constructed partially of opaque material with holes through which the indicia of the second disc may be seen.
8. Display means as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the second disc is constructed of transparent material.
9. Display means as claimed in claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the indicia on that disc are affixed to the side of the disc adjacent the second disc and in which the indicia on the second disc are affixed to that disc on the surface adjacent the first disc.
10. Display means as claimed in Claim 1 in

which both discs are transparent or have transparent inserts or holes provided further with a background surface against which the indicia on the said disc contrasts visually.
11. Display means as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 10 further comprising means to outline or highlight the said indicia appearing at the said display point.
12. Display means as claimed in Claim 11 in which a face plate is provided covering the two discs and further having a transparent portion through which the indicia may be viewed at the said display point.
13. Multiple indicia display means comprising plurality of display means as claimed in any of the preceding claims.
14. Multiple indicia display means as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. Multiple display means as claimed in Claim 13, each of said plurality of display means having two discs having their display points spaced from that of the other display means.

15. Indicia display means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 and multiple indicia display means as claimed in any of claims 13 to 14 in which each pair of discs is further provided with a third disc to enable a reading at the said display point of three indicia, the relationship between the second and third discs being, mutadis mutandis, as between the first and second discs.

1 6. Indicia display means as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 7. Multiple indicia display means as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 1 6 Nov 83 Superseded claims 1 to 17 New or amended claims: 1. Indicia display means comprising an at least partially transparent first disc and a second disc mounted co-axially for rotation in relation to one another, each bearing a series of indicia, the indicia or selected indicia of the second disc being visible through the first disc, wherein the indicia on the first disc are on the side of the disc adjacent the second disc and in which the indicia on the second disc are on that disc on the surface adjacent the first disc.

2. Display means as claimed in Claim 1 in which the series of indicia of the first and second discs are numerical figures, the disposition of each series on its disc being such that if the disc is rotated the numbers on it will appear in substantially the same readable dispositions successively at a given display point.

3. Display means as claimed in Claim 2 in which the display point for readable figures for both discs is substantially on a single radius such that the two numbers in the said readable disposition are juxtaposed on the said single radius.

4. Display means as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the series of indicia on one disc are spaced radially further from the common axis with respect to the series of indicia on the other disc.

5. Display means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the first disc is constructed partially of opaque material with a transparent insert through which the indicia of the second disc may be seen.

6. Display means as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the second disc is constructed of transparent material.

7. Display means as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which both discs are at least partially transparent provided further with a background surface against which the indicia on the said disc contrast visually.

8. Display means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7 further comprising means to outline or highlight the said indicia appearing at the said display point.

9. Display means as claimed in Claim 8 in which a face plate is provided covering the two discs and further having a transparent portion through which the indicia may be viewed at the said display point.

1 0. Multiple indicia display means comprising plurality of display means as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

11. Multiple display means as claimed in Claim 10, each of said plurality of display means having two discs having their display points spaced from that of the other display means.

12. Indicia display means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 and multiple indicia display means as claimed in any of claims 10 or 11 in which each pair of discs is further provided with a third disc to enable a reading at the said display point of three indicia, the relationship between the second and third discs being, mutadis mutandis, as between the first and second discs.

1 3. Indicia display means as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.