WO1986007016A1

WO1986007016A1 - Self-orientating display device

Info

Publication number: WO1986007016A1
Application number: PCT/GB1986/000301
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin Frederick Fletcher
Original assignee: Zcol Limited
Priority date: 1985-05-30
Filing date: 1986-05-30
Publication date: 1986-12-04
Also published as: GB2176044A; EP0222868A1; GB8613206D0

Abstract

A device for displaying a badge or the like on a vehicle wheel, especially a road wheel, comprises a first member (3) adapted to be secured to the vehicle wheel and a second member (5) freely rotatably mounted in the first member so that the axis of rotation of the second member substantially coincides with the axis of rotation of the vehicle wheel. The second member (5) has a display surface (6) for displaying the badge or the like, and includes an eccentric weight (7) to keep the badge upright, at least when the vehicle wheel is stationary.

Description

SELF-ORIENTATING DISPLAY DEVICE

This invention relates to a self-orientating display device, for example for displaying a badge or the like on a vehicle wheel, particularly a motor vehicle wheel. In one alternative embodiment of the invention the device is a wrist-watch or the like.

It is common practice to display the motor vehicle manufacturer's identifying badge at the centre of a motor vehicle wheel. One disadvantage of such a location is that, if the badge is designed to be viewed in one orient- ation only, a parked vehicle will typically display the badge in the wrong orientation. The present invention seeks to overcome this problem.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a device for displaying a badge or the like on a vehicle wheel, the device comprising a first member adapted to be secured to the vehicle wheel, and a second member freely rotatably mounted on the first member such that, in use, the axis of rotation of the second member substantially coincides with the axis of rotation of the vehicle wheel, wherein the second member has a display surface for displaying the badge or the like and includes a weight arranged to ensure that, at least when the vehicle wheel is stationary, the display surface always adopts the same orientation relative to the horizontal. The weight may comprise two segments, a first segment being fixed to the second member, the second segment being freely slidable about the axis of rotation of the second member between a balance position diametrically opposite the first segment and a rest position adjacent to the first segment, the segments being arranged such that the second segment tends to move from the rest position to the balance position if the second member is caused to rotate, in use, and to return to the rest position when the second member ceases to rotate. The second segment may be rotatably mounted on a central post extending from the second member and having an axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the second member. Alternatively, the weight may comprise a fluid contained within an annular chamber in the second member, the chamber having an enlarged portion at one segment of the annulus substantially filled with the fluid when the second member is not rotating, the annular chamber being dimensioned and arranged such that the fluid can distribute uniformly therearound if the second member is caused to rotate. The fluid may be a liquid, suitably of high specific gravity, or a free-flowing particulate, material, for example a smooth-grained sand.

Another aspect of the invention provides a watch having a watch body and a face displayed therein, wherein the face is mounted in such a manner that the body can be rotated to any vertical orientation, while the face remains upright.

Preferably, the watch has a first case member and a second case member freely rotatable within the first case member, the second case member carrying a watch mechanism and a watch face operatively associated with the mechanism and visible from outside the case, the second case member having the centre of gravity thereof displaced from the axis of rotation of said member whereby the face always adopts the same orientation to the horizontal.

According to one embodiment, the mechanism is mounted eccentrically in the second case member in order to displace the centre of gravity. Alternatively, or additionally, an eccentric weight is provided in the second case member.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 illustrates the location of a badge display device of one aspect of the invention on a motor vehicle wheel;

Figure 2 is a partially cut away perspective view of the device according to a first embodiment, with the badge bearing plate separated therefrom; Figure 3 is a view of a second embodiment; Figure 4 is a view of a third embodiment; Figure 5 is a section on line X-X in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view of a fourth embodiment; Figure 7 shows a modification to the device of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an exploded side elevation of a fifth embodiment;

Figure 9 is an elevation of a wrist watch constructed in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 10 is a view corresponding to Figure 9, but with the face and hands removed from the watch;

Figure 11 is a cross-section of a seventh embodiment, showing a badge display device and a hub-contacting component;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the badge display device of figure 11;

Figure 13 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow XIII shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow XIV shown in Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a side elevation of the hub-contacting component shown in Figure 11; Figure 16 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow XVI shown in Figure 15; and

Figure 17 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow XVII shown in Figure 15.

Referring first to Figure 1, a wheel 1 has mounted centrally thereof a device 2 in accordance with the invention displaying a badge, in this case represented by the letter A, which is correctly viewed in only one orientation. The device 2 ensures that the badge is always correctly orientated when the vehicle is stationary, and may also approximately orientate the badge correctly when the vehicle is moving at a low speed. All three embodiments as illustrated by Figures 2, 3 and 4 have a first member in the form of a mounting ring 3 which carries within it, by means of a ball race 4, a freely rotatable second member 5. A badge bearing plate 6 is securable to the second member 5 by means of, for example, dowels 6a and screws 6b cooperating with suitable holes in the second member.

Referring to Figure 2, the simplest embodiment of the invention provides a fixed weight 7 in the lower part of the second member 5, the fixed weight 7 forming an integral part of the second member 5. When the vehicle is stationary, the weight 7 returns under gravity to the lowermost position, thus ensuring that the badge is upright.

As no bearing can be' made completely free of friction, it will be seen that, as the vehicle wheel rotates at increasing speed, the second member will tend to follow the rotation of the wheel as friction increases, until it begins to spin with the wheel. It is possible that, for some high performance vehicles, the very small vibration potentially introduced by an eccentric weight spinning on the vehicle wheel would be unacceptable. In such circumstances, the embodiments illustrated by Figures 3 and 4 may be used to overcome the problem.

In the second embodiment shown in Figure 3, the weight is replaced by a body of suitably dense free flow- ing liquid, or particulate material, contained within a chamber 10 formed within the second member 5. The chamber 10 is in two parts, a main part 10a defining in elevation a segment of a circle, and an annular part 10b extending b around the remainder of the circumference of the second members. As the friction in the ball race 4 causes the second member 5 to follow the rotation of the first member 3 at higher speeds, the liquid or particulate material is distributed evenly round the circumference of the chamber

10 by the centripetal force arising, thus ensuring balance and so avoiding vibration.

The embodiment shown in Figure 4 has within the second member 5 a pair of solid weights 12 and 13, each weight representing a sector which is approximately a quarter of a circle in elevation. The first weight 12 is fixed within the second member 5, or is integrally formed therewith, while the second weight 13 is freely slidable therein, being pivotally mounted on a central post 14 (Figure 5). The movable weight 13 may also slide between a rest position as shown in Figure 4 wherein, together with the fixed weight 12, it forms an eccentric weight which returns the badge to the correct orientation, and a balance position against a stop member 15 wherein it equally balances the fixed weight 12 and thus' avoids vibration. As the second member 5 rotates, in the direction indicated by arrow A, the inertia of the move- able weight 13 causes it to lag behind the movement of the fixed weight 12 until it reaches the stop 15. Figure 6 shows an alternative construction suitable for mass-production from simple moulded plastics components. The device comprises a moulded casing 60 of generally hollow cylindrical form having a flange 61 at one end thereof and a plurality of fixing lugs 62 spaced circumferentially around the casing and tapering stepwise rearwardly away from the flange. The lugs 62 permit the device to be attached as a simple press-fit into the hub- cap socket of a motor car wheel, the tapering stepped formation of the lugs enabling the one device to be fitted on a number of different wheels. The casing is moulded with a back-plate 63 therein, which is suitably spaced from the rearmost end of the casing. A badge plate 64 has a weight 65 integrally moulded or separately formed and secured to the rear surface thereof, the weight 65 being generally a quarter sector of a circle in elevation, formed with a centre post 66. A second weight 67, also generally a quarter sector of a circle is positioned on the rear face of the plate 64 so as to slide thereon about the centre post 66, the second weight being shaped to conform with the centre post. A hollow member 69 is moulded or fixed to the rear surface of the badge plate 64 adjoining and above the weight 65. The hollow member 69 serves th.e purposes of holding the badge plate 64 and the weights 65 and 67 correctly aligned in the casing 60 to ensure free rotation therein, and of serving as a stop to limit movement of the second weight 67. For the latter purpose, the hollow member 69 is in elevation slightly more than a quarter sector of a circle so that the second weight 67 always returns to its rest position adjacent to the weight 65. The badge plate 64 and the second weight 67 are positioned so as to be freely rotatable within the casing 60, with the front face of the plate 64 visible from the front end of the casing. This front face carries the badge or other display material. A clear plastics cover 68 is sealed to the flange 61 to encapsulate the whole device to ensure that there is no ingress of dirt or moisture to interfere with the free running of the device.

The plastics or other materials chosen at least for forming the sliding surfaces of the device of this embodiment have a low coefficient of friction, for example polytetrafluoroethene. The device of this embodiment functions in essentially the same manner as that described with reference to Figure 4.

It will be seen that a device operating in a similar way to that described with reference to Figure 3 may also be constructed in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figure 6, a suitable plastics moulding, if necessary formed in two parts, serving as .a sealed liquid- containing body functioning in a similar manner to the badge plate 64.

The device described with reference to Figure 6, being in the form of a sealed encapsulated unit, is particularly adaptable to a form suitable for attachment to a generally flat surface, for example by adhesive or by screws passing through a fixing flange surrounding the casing 60, where a suitable socket for push-fitting is not available.

A modified form of the device described with reference to Figure 6 is shown in front elevation in Figure 7. The centre post 66a is formed separately of the fixed weight 65a, and the second weight 67a is provided with a lug 67b with a bore which fits on to the centre post 66a to permit rotation of the second weight 67a about the post 66a. In other respects, the device is the same as shown in Figure 6, but has the advantage that the friction between the outer surface of the second weight 67a and the inner surface of the casing is reduced. Each of the embodiments of Figures 6 and 7 may be further modified by making the hollow member 69 as an exact quarter of a circle in plan so that a more precise balance can be achieved. A light compression spring may then be provided between a recess in the internal face of the hollow member 6.9 or 69a and the opposed face of the second weight 67 or 67a to return the second weight to its rest position when not rotating.

Figure 8 shows another simple construction especially suitable for forming from plastics injection mouldings. A casing 80 is integrally formed with a compressible hollow spigot formation 81 to permit the device to be secured in a recess in a motor vehicle wheel. A cylindrical recess 82 is moulded in the opposite face of this casing 80, the recess containing a central post 83 projecting along the axis of rotation and a circumferential groove 84 around the wall of the recess. The recess 82 is stepped around the rim thereof so as to provide a portion 85 of slightly larger diameter than the remainder of the recess. The casing 80 is moulded of a plastics material having a slight .degree of flexibility.

The badge plate 86 is moulded in the form of a cylinder having at one end a recessed surface 87 for receiving thereon a badge or other material to be displayed. In the other end, a socket 88 is provided to fit over the post 83 in the casing 80 so as to permit the badge plate 86 to rotate therearound. The badge plate 16 has a fixed weight moulded into it, and is provided with a recess in which a movable second weight may slide around the axis. A circumferential rib 89 is provided on the outer curved surface of the badge plate 86 to be received in the groove 84 in the casing 80 to locate the badge plate during assembly. The flexibility of the casing 80 permits the badge plate 86 to be fitted into the casing. A cover plate 90 fits into the stepped portion 85 of the recess, the portion 85 having a tapering wall to return the plate 90.

In a modification of this embodiment, the groove 84 is provided with a compressible retaining flange at its free end, while socket 88 has a corresponding enlarged portion.

The device of this aspect of the invention is simple in construction and can readily be fixed on any existing wheel or wheel cover, or may be made as an integral part of a factory fitted wheel cover. The device is applicable not only to vehicle road wheels, but also to the steering wheel. It may also be readily adapted for use on a bicycle or motor-bicycle wheel.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate another aspect of the invention, wherein the display is the face of a watch, for example of the analogue type having hands to indicate the time. The device comprises a watchcase 70 having a circular recess 71 therein covered in conventional manner by a watch glass. The recess 71 is formed on the cylindrical surface thereof as a bearing surface, either as a circumferential miniature ball-race or the like, or as a solid low-friction surface, such as a low-friction plastics surface, for example a layer of polytetrafluoro- ethene. An inner case 72 fits into the recess 71 so as to be freely rotatable therein, and is in the form of a hollow disc having a thickness substantially equal to the depth of the recess. In the embodiment illustrated, the upper portion 72a of the inner case is substantially empty of components, while the lower portion 72b contains the mechanism of the watch, including, where appropriate, the electric cell powering the watch. In an alternative embodiment, the mechanism is distributed more conventionally, but a weight is provided in the lower portion 72b.

To permit adjustment of the time displayed, an adjusting plunger 73 is provided. This passes through the watch case 71 and is biased outwardly, for example by a spring plate, so that the inner end thereof is clear of the inner case 72. At a position corresponding, for example, to the conventional orientation of the watch face relative to the strap, a socket is provided in the cylind¬ rical outer face of the inner case 72, the socket being arranged to receive the end of the plunger when depressed, which may either engage a drive member to permit the hands to be adjusted by rotation of the plunger, or may simply press upon an electric switch to permit electronic adjustment, for example in watches having no mechanically adjustable components.

A watch in accordance with this aspect of the invention may be read more easily regardless of the orientation of the watch relative to the eyes.

Figure 11 shows a preferred embodiment, and shows a component 101 for fitting to a wheel hub and to a badge display device 102. As with the earlier embodiments the device 102 ensures that the badge (in this case represented by the legend "NAME" - see Figure 14) is always correctly orientated when the vehicle is stationary. As shown in Figures 12 to 14, the device 102 includes a badge bearing surface 103 which is surrounded by a bevelled edge 104. "This bevelled edge 102 facilitates flush fitting of the device 102. The device 102 includes bearing post 105 which extends beyond a spacing lug 106 positioned on the opposite surface of the device to the surface 103. The device 102 also includes a sector-shaped recess 107 for containing a weight (not shown - but similar to any of the weights described above with respect to the earlier embodiments). A friction fit cap 108 is provided for fitting over the free end of the bearing post 105.

The component 101 has a central aperture 109 for receiving the bearing post 105 with a slight clearance. The component 101 also has a recess 110 for receiving the cap 108 with a slight clearance, and a countersunk shoulder 111 for preventing the cap 108 coming into contact with the front surface of the hub. As with the emobdiment of Figure 8, the rear face of the component 101 may be provided with a hollow spigot formation for fitting to the wheel hub.

In use, the device 102 (minus the cap 108 but with the weight positioned within the recess 107) is lined up with the component 101 with the bearing post 105 in alignment with the aperture 109. The bearing post 105 is then pushed through the aperture 109, and the cap 108 is- forced over the free end of the bearing post 105. The clearance between the post 105 and the aperture 109, and between the cap 108 and the recess 110 ensures that the device 102 is freely rotatable upon the component 101. The spacing lug 106 ensures that the rear surface of the device 102 does not frictionally engage the front surface of the component 101.

It will be apparent that the embodiment described above could be modified in a number of ways. For example, each embodiment may incorporate any suitable type of minimum friction bearing, such as a ball race, a low friction (e.g. polytetrafluoroethene) bearing or even a simple "floating" bearing constituted by, say, four equispaced balls for supporting the badge plate or watch inner case.

Claims

1. A device for displaying a badge or the like on a vehicle wheel, the device comprising a first member adapted to be secured to the vehicle wheel, and a second member freely rotatably mounted on or in the first member such that, in use, the axis of rotation of the second member substantially coincides with the axis of rotation of the vehicle wheel, wherein the second member has a display surface for displaying the badge or the like and includes a weight arranged to ensure that, at least when the vehicle is stationary, the display surface always adopts the same orientation relative to the horizontal.

2. A device according 'to Claim 1, wherein the weight comprises two segments, a first segment being fixed to the second member, the second segment being freely slidable about the axis of rotation of the second member between a balance position diametrically opposite the first segment

.and a rest position adjacent to the first segment, the segments being arranged such that the second segment tends to move from the rest position to the balance position if the second member is caused to rotate, in use, and to return to the rest position when the second member ceases to rotate.

3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the second segment is rotatably mounted on a central post extending from the second member and having an axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the second member.

4. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the weight comprises a fluid contained within an annular chamber in the second member , the chamber having an enlarged portion at one segment of the annulus substantially f iled with the f luid when the second member is not rotating, the annular chamber being dimens ioned and arranged such that the fluid can distribute uni formly therearound if the second member is caused to rotate.

5. A device according to Claim 4, wherein the fluid is a liquid .

6. A device according to Claim 4 , wherein the fluid is a free-flowing particulate material .

7. A watch having a watch body and a face diplayed therein, wherein the face is mounted in such a manner that the body can be rotated to any vertical orientation while the face remains upright .

8. A watch according to Claim 7 , wherein the body comprises a f irst case member and a second case member freely rotatable within the first case member, the second case member carrying a watch mechan ism and a watch face operatively associated with the mechanism and- visible from outs ide the case , and the second case member having the centre of gravity thereof displaced from the axis of rotation of said member whereby the face always adopts the same orientation to the horizontal .

9. A watch according to Clai m 8 , wherein the mechan ism is mounted eccentrically in the second case member in order to displace the centre of gravity.

10. A wa tch accord i ng to C lai m 8 or 9 , where i n an eccentric weight is provided in the second case member