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  Frame mounted unfurling apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20060219835Title: Frame mounted unfurling apparatus Abstract: A display roller is driven in bidirectional rotation to deploy a plurality of commercial sheets which are coiled around the roller. Each one of the sheets is fixed to an outer surface of the display roller with the sheets coiled about the display roller such that the distal ends of the sheets are spaced apart. A pressure contactor applies pressure in contact with the coiled sheets and is positioned on the coiled sheets such that as the display roller rotates, each distal end of each one of the sheets that passes the pressure contactor in turn, is free to partially unwrap the corresponding sheet, so as to fall from the display roller thereby assuming a vertical deployment as an unwrapped sheet and may be further extended by counter rotation of the display roller. (end of abstract)
Agent: Gene Scott Patent Law & Venture Group - Costa Mesa, CA, US Inventor: Raymond Saar USPTO Applicaton #: 20060219835 - Class: 242570000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Winding, Tensioning, Or Guiding, Coil Holder Or Support (e.g., Spindle, Dispenser, Or Spool) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060219835. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority of a prior filed Provisional Patent application having Ser. No. 60/667,811 and filing date Apr. 1, 2005. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Present Disclosure [0003] This disclosure relates generally to commercial displays and signs and more particularly to such a display having plural screens that may be interchangeably viewed, viewed in sequence or viewed randomly with automated functionality. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Graphic art works are used as backgrounds in photography studios and theatre, and also in static or moving commercial signs, billboards and presentation boxes. Pull-down art sheets may depict a particular scene or provide a particular colorful background, and such sheets are wound on a roller and deployed like a window shade. When a particular background is to be used, the background is unrolled to give the desired effect. Portrait studios must have a variety of such sheets to meet a wide range of needs. Likewise, displayed commercial sheets such as billboards and signs must be changed frequently to maintain commercial interest. [0006] It is known to provide a series of backgrounds employed end-to-end to form a continuous web which is moved in sequence past a display aperture. As indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,688 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,993, such webs are wound between two shafts to form a scroll. When a new background or artwork is desired, the web is scrolled from one shaft to the other until the desired background is in position. This is an inconvenient and impractical approach because of the need to attach the various scenes to each other, and the inability to display a selected scene without rolling through others of the scenes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,993 teaches the inclusion of a stabilizing roller weight disposed on a web positioned between the shafts. By adding an optical detection system and computer, this system is capable of accurate automatic positioning. While such systems perform adequately under optimal conditions, initial setup and continued operation may be labor intensive. U.S. Pat. No. 624,111 teaches a rotating carrier with journals holding a plurality of reels wound with pictorial screens. A ratchet system enables the carrier to position any one of the reels for unwinding and display. [0007] These and other forms of changeable pictorial display are well known in the art, as for instance my prior patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,213 which teaches a background support system which includes a single-roller assembly upon which a number of backgrounds are mounted and from which any specific background may be rapidly deployed. [0008] The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below and which distinguish over the prior art, including U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,213, by providing a cabinet within which a multi-sheet mounted roller is housed with side and bottom frames for concealing the edges of any one of the displayed sheets, and in which, in one embodiment, light is projected frontally onto a displayed sheet, and in which a press roller is situated so as to select a sheet that is to be displayed, and in which, in a further embodiment, illumination is rear projected to illuminate a translucent sheet. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE AND OBJECTIVES [0009] This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below. [0010] The present apparatus is a display roller driven in bidirectional rotation to deploy a plurality of commercial sheets which are coiled around the roller. Each one of the sheets is fixed to an outer surface of the display roller with the sheets coiled around it such that the distal ends of the sheets are spaced apart. A pressure contactor applies pressure in contact with the coiled sheets and is positioned on the coiled sheets such that as the display roller rotates, each distal end of each one of the sheets that passes the pressure contactor in turn, is free to partially unwrap the corresponding sheet, so as to fall from the display roller thereby assuming a vertical deployment as an unwrapped sheet and may be further extended by counter rotation of the display roller. In this manner, the sheets may be displayed to a viewer at one side of the sheets and any one of the sheets may be deployed by merely sensing the ends of the sheets as the roller rotates. [0011] A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art. [0012] Another objective of the invention is to provide a means for displaying plural sheets commercial messages that may be viewed in alternating or sequential manner. [0013] A further objective of the invention is to provide such a means capable of selecting an ordered sequence differing from the physical sequence of the plural sheets which are wound on a single roll. [0014] A still further objective of the invention is to enable such a means capable of displaying opaque, transparent and translucent sheets. [0015] In summary, the objective of the present apparatus is to provide a system which: utilizes a single roller assembly upon which a plurality of sheets are stored and selectively displayed; obviates the need for multiple support rollers and excessive front-to-back studio space; eliminates the mounting problems associated with a two-shaft continuous web scrolling configuration; has a minimum number of components, thus assuring increased reliability and low maintenance; allows rapid acquisition and display of any desired background in inventory on the roll; repeatedly locates the plane of the displayed background to within plus or minus a few centimeters thereby eliminating the need to reposition background lighting equipment or to refocus a camera when backgrounds are changed; and which eliminates the need for optical-electronics background positioning equipment, recalibration requirements and need for skilled labor management of the system. [0016] Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the several embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The accompanying drawings illustrate the best mode embodiments of the present invention. In such drawings: [0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of one embodiment of the disclosure showing placement of a front illumination source; [0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment thereof; [0020] FIGS. 4A-4E are end elevational views of a winding of sheets of the invention about a roll of the invention; and Continue reading... Full patent description for Frame mounted unfurling apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Frame mounted unfurling apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Frame mounted unfurling apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Arrangement for controlling the rolling of a cylindrical object Next Patent Application: Adjustable height coil dispenser Industry Class: Winding, tensioning, or guiding ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Frame mounted unfurling apparatus patent info. 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