US 6357153 B1 – Movable display multiple image tag and key chain

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/064,232, filed Nov. 4, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDisplaying multiple images in an animation-like manner is accomplished by placing a lenticular surface over a substrate having multiple interleaved images printed or formed thereon. A change in the position of the underlying substrate relative to the lenticular surface impacts which of the multiple images is displayed with respect to a fixed viewing angle. Likewise, a change in the viewing angle similarly impacts which of the multiple images is displayed.

Numerous different devices used to produce such displays are known. However, none of those devices are known to have a similar structure to or to function in a manner similar to the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to devices capable of displaying multiple images. More particularly, the invention relates to a pendant tag or key chain that utilizes detents and compound springs to display multiple interleaved images in an animation-like manner.

The present invention is a pendant tag or key chain casing with a reciprocating insert for displaying multiple images in an animation-like manner. The casing or outer shell forms a cavity therein for receiving the insert or slide. Multiple interleaved images are positioned on the slide and transparent lenticular surfaces are formed on the outer surfaces of the outer shell. As a result of the combination of those elements, movement of the slide within the cavity displays the images in an animation-like manner by creating motion, morphing, animation, text change or three dimensional (“3D”) images.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell may be made in two separate or hinged generally flat rectangular plates, which are then snapped, bonded or welded together. The plates are preferably joined together at one end by a living hinge. The plates are rotatable about the hinged end to a closed position in which they are generally parallel one another. A plurality of gripper extensions extending from peripheral regions of the inner surface of one of the plates are engageable with a plurality of cooperating depressions formed in peripheral regions of inner surfaces of the other plate to secure the plates together in the closed position. The cavity is created from complimentary depressions formed in central regions of the inner surface of each plate. Finally, an opening is formed in a first end of the outer shell opposite the living hinge for permitting access to the cavity and an aperture or slot is formed in a closed second end of the outer shell for attaching a ring or chain thereto.

Pockets on one or both faces of the outer shell contain lenticular lenses. The lenses are held in place by any means such as being press fit with the outer shell. Thus, the outer surfaces of the lenses are recessed below the shell edges to prevent scratching of the lens surfaces. In another preferred embodiment, lenticular surfaces are formed directly on the outer surfaces of the plates.

The inner slide/frame or mid-frame is insertable into the cavity through the opening. The slide is preferably rectangular having opposed faces and a pair of opposed edges and a pair of opposed ends that define the perimeter of the faces. Preferably, each face has pockets for receiving printed graphic inserts containing multiple interleaved images printed or otherwise formed thereon. In another embodiment, the graphics may be printed or otherwise formed directly onto the faces of the slide.

The invented device also includes means for reciprocating the slide in the cavity. As explained earlier, such movement of the slide with respect to the fixed lenticular surfaces of the outer shell alters the appearance of the displayed image. In a preferred embodiment, the reciprocating means includes an axial detent slot formed in an interior region of each of the side walls of the outer shell and a pair of corresponding detent tabs extending from the opposed edges of the slide. The detent tabs extend into the detent slots which thereby limit movement of the slide in the cavity. Preferably, the detent slots and the detent tabs are positioned proximate to the open end of the outer shell.

The reciprocating means also act to releasably secure or lock the slide within the cavity of the outer shell. In a preferred embodiment, the detent tabs are each mounted on a detent spring bar. Each detent spring bar is positioned adjacent a detent recess formed in the slide. The detent spring bars bias the detent tabs toward the detent slots which hold the slide within the cavity of the outer shell. By applying sufficient force to the push bar, the force of the detent spring bars can be overcome and the slide can be removed from the cavity of the outer shell.

Either one or both ends of the detent spring bars are connected to the slide. In a preferred embodiment, the side locking detent spring bars are molded on the sides of the slide. Detent recesses in the inner sides of the outer shell sidewalls hold the slide in place. The side locking detent spring bars engage the recesses in the outer shell side walls. The ends of the side locking springs are within the outer shell so that the slide cannot be removed. In another preferred embodiment, the ends of the side locking springs extend beyond the outer shell and squeezing the ends of the springs allows removal of the slide for replacing or mounting new images.

The slide being removable and being capable of removably receiving the graphics insert, enables the manufacturer, distributor, retailer or consumer to add/change multi-image graphic inserts at any time.

In a preferred embodiment, the slide has a push bar molded at a first end and a spring molded at a second end. The push bar protrudes through the opening in the first end of the outer shell. Pushing the push bar causes the slide to move within the cavity. Tabs are preferably positioned on a distal portion of the push bar exterior to the cavity for facilitate gripping the push bar.

The spring is preferably integral with the slide and acts to bias the slide away from the second end of the outer shell. In a preferred embodiment, the spring is a pair of dihedral spring leaves having proximate ends connected to a center of the second end of the slide and distal ends remote from the second end of the slide. When the push bar is pressed, the spring leaves are simultaneously and conjunctively elastically deformed as the spring is urged against the closed second end of the cavity.

In another preferred embodiment, two springs are utilized to bias the slide away from the second end of the outer shell. The first spring is a spring bar positioned generally parallel to the second end of the slide. The ends of the spring bar are preferably connected to the second end of the slide. The second spring is a pair of dihedral spring leaves having proximal ends connected to a center on the spring bar and distal ends remote from the spring bar. When the push bar is pressed, the spring leaves and the spring bar are simultaneously and conjunctively elastically deformed as the springs are urged against the closed second end of the cavity.

These and further objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the claims and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invented key chain assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner slide fitting into the outer shell of the key chain assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an unassembled outer shell of the key chain assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the inner slide of the key chain assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the outer shell of the key chain assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the inner slide within the outer shell of the key chain assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the inner slide with elongated side locking springs within the outer shell of the key chain assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the inner slide compressed within the outer shell of the key chain assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the invented key chain assembly.

FIG. 10 is a top elevation of the outer shell of the key chain assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top elevation of an unassembled outer shell of the key chain assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top elevation of the slide of the key chain assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a top elevation showing a blank slide inserted into the outer shell of the key chain assembly of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSAs shown in FIG. 1, the device has an outer shell 1 with transparent lenticular lens surfaces 3 and an inner slide or frame 5 with multiple interleaved images on surfaces. The outer shell 1 may be made in two separate pieces which are then snapped, bonded or welded together. Alternatively, the shell may be a unitary hinged piece.

One end 51 of the outer shell 1 has a hole 7 or slot for providing attachments such as, but not limited to a ring or chain. The other end 53 of the outer shell 1has an opening 11, shown as a rectangular one in FIG. 2, for receiving the inner slide 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, pockets 9 on opposite outer faces of the outer shell 1 contain lenticular lenses 3. The lenses 3 may be press fit in the outer shell 1. The outer surfaces 13 of the lenses 3 are preferably recessed below the shell edges 17 to prevent scratching of the lens surfaces.

The opposing sides of the slide/frame 5 have pockets 4 for receiving printed graphic inserts, as shown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the graphics may be printed directly onto the slide 5. Preferably, frame 5 is removably positioned in the outer shell. Also, frame 5 may removably receive the graphics insert, allowing easy replacement and interchanging of the graphics at any stage.

FIG. 3 shows the outer shell 1 made as a unitary piece. The two opposing pieces of the shell are joined by a living hinge 33. The outer shell may be of any material, preferably an opaque or a transparent material.

The inner slide 5, shown in FIG. 4, is fitted within the outer shell 1. Preferably, slide 5 is removably attached in the shell 1. The slide 5 has a spring 19 molded at one end and a push bar 15 at the other end. Spring 19 is preferably integral with the frame or slide 5. Side locking springs 21 are molded on the sides 23 of the slide 5.

Recesses 25 in the shell 1 (FIGS. 4 and 5) hold the inner slide 5 in place. The side locking springs 21 of the frame or slide 5 engage the recesses 25 in the outer shell side walls 27 when assembled.

As shown in FIG. 6, springs 21 engage recesses 25, so that the slide 5 cannot be easily removed. In preferred embodiments, ends 29 may be of similar length as ends 35 of the outer shell 1 and remain flush within the ends of the outer shell when the slide and shell are assembled. In FIG. 6, ends 29 are level with ends 35of the outer shell 1.

In another preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the ends 29 of the side locking springs 21 protrude from beyond the ends 35 of the outer shell 1. Pressing the ends 29 of the springs inward allows removal of the slide for replacing or mounting new images.

Pushing the push bar 15 causes the slide to move within its cavity creating motion, morphing, animation, text change or 3D images. The slide 5 is made from materials with a low coefficient of friction so that it slides easily within the outer shell 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the slide 5 moves within the outer shell 1 until the notches 31of the side locking springs 21 are stopped by the end of the recess 25 in the inner wall of the outer shell. As the slide 5 moves forward within the outer shell 1, the spring 19 is compressed. When the push bar 15 is released the spring 19 returns the slide 5 to its original position, as shown in FIG. 6. Frame or slide 5 may have two recessed top and bottom pockets to receive printed graphic inserts on one or both sides, as shown in FIG. 2. The graphics may be fitted in the frame 5 by any means, such as by press-fitting or snap-fitting.

As the inner frame is removable from the shell and is capable of removably receiving the graphics insert, it allows for the manufacturer, distributor, retailer or consumer to add/change multi-image graphic inserts in the frame at any time.

In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9 through 13, the slide 51 (FIG. 12) has a push bar 53 molded at a first end and a spring 55 molded at a second end. The push bar 51 protrudes through the opening 59 (FIGS. 9 and 13) in the first end 65 of the outer shell 57. Pushing the push bar 51 causes the slide 51 to move within the cavity 61. Tabs 63 are preferably positioned on a distal portion of the push bar 51 exterior to the cavity for facilitate gripping the push bar.

The spring 55 is preferably integral with the slide 51 and acts to bias the slide away from the second end 67 of the outer shell 57. In a preferred embodiment, the spring 55 is a pair of dihedral spring leaves 73 having proximate ends connected to a center of the second end 71 of the slide and distal ends remote from the second end of the slide. When the push bar 53 is pressed, the spring leaves are simultaneously and conjunctively elastically deformed as the spring 55 is urged against the closed second end 67 of the cavity 61.

In another preferred embodiment, two springs 55 and 69 are utilized to bias the slide 51 away from the second end 67 of the outer shell 57. The first spring is a spring bar 69 positioned generally parallel to the second end 71 of the slide. The ends of the spring bar are preferably connected to the second end 71 of the slide51. The second spring is a pair of dihedral spring leaves 73 having proximal ends connected to a center on the spring bar 69 and distal ends remote from the spring bar. When the push bar 51 is pressed, the spring leaves 73 and the spring bar 69are simultaneously and conjunctively elastically deformed as the springs are urged against the closed second end 67 of the cavity 61.

The invented device also includes means for reciprocating the slide in the cavity. Movement of the slide 51 with respect to the fixed lenticular surfaces 81 of the outer shell 57 alters the appearance of the displayed image 83, as shown in FIG.9. In a preferred embodiment, the reciprocating means includes an axial detent slot 85 (FIG. 11) formed in an interior region of each of the side walls 87 of the outer shell 57 and a pair of corresponding detent tabs 89 (FIG. 12) extending from the opposed edges of the slide 51. The detent tabs 89 extend into the detent slots 85 which thereby limit movement of the slide in the cavity. Preferably, the detent slots 85 and the detent tabs 89 are positioned proximate to the open end 59 of the outer shell 57.

The reciprocating means also act to releasably secure or lock the slide within the cavity 61 of the outer shell 57. In a preferred embodiment, the detent tabs 89 are each mounted on a detent spring bar 91. Each detent spring bar 91 is positioned adjacent a detent recess 93 formed in the slide 51. The detent spring bars 91 bias the detent tabs 89 toward the detent slots 85 that hold the slide 51 within the cavity 61 of the outer shell 57. By applying sufficient force to the push bar 53, the force of the detent spring bars 91 may be overcome and the slide 51 may be removed from the cavity 61 of the outer shell57. Additionally, tabs 63 on the push bar 53 are larger than the opening 59 in the end of the outer shell 57 so that the slide 51is prohibited from being pushed too far into the outer shell.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.

REFERENCED BY

* Cited by examiner

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