Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of displays, and in particular, a method and apparatus for displaying an image for marketing or promotional purposes.

Background of the Invention

Lenticular displays typically include a horizontal array of cylindrical lenses placed in front of interleaved images. Only one of the interleaved images is able to be seen from a given angle.

In order to vary the angle at which the lenticular display is viewed by a viewer, the display is typically picked up and manually rotated relative to the line of sight of the viewer. However, a number of problems tend to be associated with this practice.

Firstly, when a person physically handles the lenticular display, there is a risk that the display surface may become contaminated by dirt, sweat or other pollutants found on the person's hands. Consequently, the clarity of the displayed images tends to diminish over time as a result of continued handling.

Secondly, in certain circumstances, a disabled user may not be able to hold the lenticular display, or at least, hold the display steady in his or her hands.- As a result, the disabled user will find it difficult to view the varying images on the display with a degree of control or steadiness.

Thirdly, where the lenticular display happens to be large and bulky, it may be impracticable for a user to physically handle and/or move the lenticular display about, and it may instead be necessary for the user to re-position himself/herself relative to the display. However, if it is impracticable for the user to reposition himself or herself - for instance, in a confined space - or, where the user is otherwise immobile, then it will not be possible to conveniently view the various images on the display from the range of viewing angles.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to alleviate at least one of the problems described above in relation to the prior art.

The present invention involves different broad forms. Embodiments of the invention may include one or any combination of the different broad forms herein described.

In a first broad form, the present invention provides a display including; a lenticular surface; abase; a positioning means for controllably positioning the lenticular surface relative to the base between at least a first orientation wherein a first image is able to be viewed on the lenticular surface, and, a second orientation wherein a second image is able to be viewed on the lenticular surface.

Typically, the base includes a circular shape. Also typically, the lenticular surface includes a circular shape.

Typically, the lenticular surface is mounted in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the base. However, it would be understood that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the angle may be variable.

Preferably, the lenticular surface is rotatable relative to the base.

Preferably, the positioning means includes a lever for manually rotating the lenticular surface relative to the base. Typically, a first end of the lever is coupled to the lenticular surface, a second end of the lever projects from a slot disposed in the base, and the lever is pivotably coupled to the base wherein, as the second end of the lever is manoeuvred about the slot, the angle of the lenticular surface relative to the base is able to be varied.

Preferably, the lever may include a decorative figurine disposed on the second end. Preferably, the figurine is removably attached to the lever. Typically, the decorative figurine may be indicative of a sporting theme. For instance the figurine may include a representation of a famous soccer player such as David Beckham, or, a tennis player such as Roger Federer. Alternatively, the figurine may include a representation of any theme to which the user may have an interest or affiliation with, such as a celebrity, cartoon character, an animal or the like. Advantageously, the option of customising the figurine which is attached to the lever is able to accommodate the user's changing interests. This may also provide an additional revenue stream whereby new figurines may be sold on an on-going basis to consumers.

Preferably, the present invention includes a means of playing an audio recording.

Preferably, the present invention includes a means of automatically rotating the lenticular display relative to the base. For instance this may include the use of a battery-powered motor coupled to the lever for rotating the lenticular surface. Typically, the motor may be activated via an electric switch disposed on the figurine.

Preferably, the base includes an adhesive surface. Alternatively, the base may include a magnetic surface. Advantageously, the adhesive and/or magnetic surface may assist in anchoring the present invention to various platforms where it would be otherwise be difficult or awkward to do so - for instance, on a sloping surface.

Preferably, the lenticular surface includes a means of removably receiving a picture card - typically this may include the use of a slot disposed on the lenticular surface. Also preferably, the picture card includes a first and a second image disposed on a first surface of the picture card, wherein when the picture card is received in the slot of the lenticular surface, said first and second images are able to be selectively and independently displayed by re-positioning the lenticular surface relative to the base.

Preferably, the picture card includes a third image disposed on a second side of the picture card.

Preferably, the first image and second images may include a sequence of images depicting a sporting event.

In a second broad form, the present invention includes a method for use in displaying images including the steps of: (i) providing a lenticular surface; (ii) movably mounting the lenticular surface to a base; (iii) selectively positioning the lenticular surface relative to the base between at least a first orientation wherein a first image is able to be viewed on the lenticular surface, and, a second orientation wherein a second image is able to be viewed on the lenticular surface.

Typically, the base includes a circular shape. Also typically, the lenticular surface includes a circular shape.

Typically, the lenticular surface is mounted in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the base. However, it would be understood that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the angle may be variable.

Preferably, the lenticular surface is rotatable relative to the base.

Preferably, the positioning means includes a lever for manually rotating the lenticular surface relative to the base. Typically, a first end of the lever is coupled to the lenticular surface, a second end of the lever projects from a slot disposed in the base, and the lever is pivotably coupled to the base wherein, as the second end of the lever is manoeuvred about the slot, the angle of the lenticular surface relative to the base is able to be varied.

Preferably, the lever may include a decorative figurine disposed on the second end. Preferably, the figurine is removably attached to the lever. Typically, the decorative figurine may be indicative of a sporting theme. For instance the figurine may include a representation of a famous soccer player such as David Beckham, or, a tennis player such as Roger Federer. Alternatively, the figurine may include a representation of any theme to which the user may have an interest or affiliation with, such as a celebrity, cartoon character, an animal or the like. Advantageously, the option of customising the figurine which is attached to the lever is able to accommodate the user's changing interests. This may also provide an additional revenue stream whereby new figurines may be sold on an on-going basis to consumers.

Preferably, the present invention includes a means of playing an audio recording.

Preferably, the present invention includes a means of automatically rotating the lenticular display relative to the base. For instance this may include the use of a battery-powered motor coupled to the lever for rotating the lenticular surface. Typically, the motor may be activated via an electric switch disposed on the figurine.

Preferably, the base includes an adhesive surface. Alternatively, the base may include a magnetic surface. Advantageously, the adhesive and/or magnetic surface may assist in anchoring the present invention to various platforms where it would be otherwise be difficult or awkward to do so — for instance, on a sloping surface.

Preferably, the lenticular surface includes a means of removably receiving a picture card - typically this may include the use of a slot disposed on the lenticular surface. Also preferably, the picture card includes a first and a second image disposed on a first surface of the picture card, wherein when the picture card is received in the slot of the lenticular surface, said first and second images are able to be selectively and independently displayed by re-positioning the lenticular surface relative to the base. Preferably, the picture card includes a third image disposed on a second side of the picture card.

Preferably, the first image and second images may include a sequence of images depicting a sporting event.

Preferably, the present invention includes a light emitting means such as a battery-powered LED for illuminating the display in the dark.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 depicts a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Best Modes For carrying out the Invention

A first embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Fig. 1 including a lenticular surface (1) rotatably coupled to a base (2), a means of rotating the lenticular surface (1) relative to the base (2) such that a plurality of images disposed on the lenticular surface (1) are able to be sequentially viewed by a user as the lenticular surface (1) is progressively rotated through a range of viewing angles.

The lenticular surface (1) includes a pocket (3) and a slot (4) via which a picture card (5) is able to be inserted in to the pocket (3) of the lenticular surface (1). In this way, various picture cards are able to be interchangeably inserted in to the pocket (3) of the lenticular surface (1) depending upon the interests of the user.

The picture card (5) includes a 40mm x 50 mm piece of cardboard having a sequence of photographs disposed on a first surface. A third image is disposed on a reverse surface of the picture card (5).

In the present embodiment, the lenticular surface (1) is approximately 70 mm in diameter, and made from either glass or plastic. The lenticular surface (1) would also include a surface characteristic which is adapted to provide the interleaving effect of the sequence of photographs disposed on the first surface of the inserted picture card (5).

The base (2) includes a circular-shaped plate of approximately 100 mm in diameter and is made of plastic. The base (2) further includes a housing (6) and first and second arc-like slots (7,8) disposed at opposite ends of the housing (6).

An arm (9) extends from the first slot (7) to the second slot (8) within the housing (6) of the base (2). A first end (10) of the arm (9) protrudes from the first slot (7) and is coupled to the lenticular surface (1), whilst a second end (11) of the arm (9) protrudes from the second slot (8) and is coupled with a figurine (12) as shown in Fig. 1.

The arm (9) is generally concealed from view within the base housing (6) and a pivot pin (13) pivotally couples the arm (9) to the base (2).

It is envisaged that the figurine (12) is moulded from a single piece of plastic in accordance with techniques commonly known by a person skilled in the art. In the first embodiment, the figurine (12) includes a life-like representation of a famous soccer player. The figurine (12) is removably mounted to the second end (11) of the arm (9).

Thereafter, by slidably moving the second end (11) of the arm (9) around the arc of the second slot (8), the arm (9) pivots around the pivot point (13), and the first end (10) of the arm (9) is rotated around the arc of the first slot (7) thereby rotating the attached lenticular surface (1). In this way, a user may selectively re-position the lenticular surface (1) relative to the base (2) whereby a plurality of images disposed on the picture card (5) inserted in the lenticular surface (1) may be viewed sequentially. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described without departing from the scope of the invention. All such variations and modification which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps and features, referred or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It would be apparent to a person skilled in the art that there are other configurations which may be achieved by the adjustable piece of furniture which have not been described in the specification, and the aforementioned configurations are by way of example only.