Nameplate

Abstract

To provide a nameplate which makes it difficult to visually recognize characters such as a first name and a last name at a long distance and makes it possible to always visually recognize the characters such as the first name and the last name when approaching the nameplate.SOLUTION: A nameplate 1 includes a character body 20 and a background portion 111 surrounding the character body 20 on a front face 11, where the character body 20 has the same color as that of the background portion 111, is slidable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the background portion 111, and is normally formed to be flush with the background portion 111.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nameplate. [Background technology]

[0002] Nameplates on homes serve the role of clearly identifying the resident's name to visitors and delivery companies. However, in recent years, from the perspective of protecting personal information, an increasing number of people wish to keep personal information such as the resident's name from unrelated third parties. For this reason, there is a growing need to keep the disclosure of personal information through nameplates to a minimum.

[0003] Conventionally, nameplates have been proposed that display text information only to visitors who have business with the nameplate. Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe nameplates in which the text portion lights up and is displayed only when contact with or approaching a human body is detected. Patent Document 3 describes the provision of a cover plate on the front side of the nameplate that can be switched between an opaque state and a transparent state by controlling the flow of electricity. The cover plate described in Patent Document 3 is opaque when no one is approaching, making the text on the nameplate invisible, and becomes transparent when a person approaches, making the text on the nameplate visible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-89328 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3215442 [Patent Document 3] Utility Model Registration No. 3237350 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the nameplates described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, when the mechanism for displaying the characters is not operating, the characters are completely hidden. Therefore, if the motion sensor or control unit breaks down, or if power is not supplied due to a power outage or dead battery, the characters on the nameplate cannot be seen.

[0006] Such nameplates cannot function as nameplates until the malfunction or power problem is resolved. This not only causes inconvenience during normal times, but can also be a hindrance to confirming the safety of people during disasters.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide a nameplate in which the characters of a name, etc. are difficult to see from a distance, but which can always be seen when approaching the nameplate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a nameplate is provided which comprises, on the front side, character bodies and a background portion surrounding the character bodies, the character bodies being the same color as the background portion, being able to slide in the front-to-back direction relative to the background portion, and always being formed flush with the background portion.

[0009] It is also preferable that the front surface is a flat plate.

[0010] It is also preferable for the nameplate to further include a sensor capable of detecting at least one of the approach of a human body and contact with a human body, and a control unit that slides the characters back and forth based on a detection signal from the sensor. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The present invention can provide a nameplate on which the characters of a name, etc. are difficult to see from a distance, but which can always be seen when approaching the nameplate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a nameplate in a non-operated state in an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a nameplate in an activated state in an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the nameplate of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a nameplate in which a background portion is formed of a material different from that of the housing. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view of the nameplate of the first embodiment, showing an example of a design different from the example of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the nameplate shown in FIG. 5 in an operating state. [Figure 7] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a nameplate of a second embodiment, in which (a) is a plan sectional view, (b) is a plan view of a sliding mechanism, (c) is a front sectional view, and (d) is a front view of the sliding mechanism. [Figure 8] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a nameplate of a third embodiment, in which (a) is a cross-sectional plan view in an inoperative state, and (b) is a cross-sectional plan view in an operative state. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing a nameplate in an inoperative state in a fourth embodiment, in which (a) is a cross-sectional plan view and (b) is a perspective view. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing a nameplate of a fifth embodiment, in which (a) is a cross-sectional plan view in an inoperative state and (b) is a cross-sectional plan view in an operative state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The following describes an embodiment of the invention. In this specification, as shown in Fig. 1, the side on which characters indicating the name, etc. are displayed is the front side of the nameplate 1, and the opposite side is the rear side. The up-down direction of the characters is the up-down direction of the nameplate 1, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear and up-down directions is the left-right direction of the nameplate 1. In this specification, a front view refers to a front view seen from the front side of the nameplate 1.

[0014] (Appearance of nameplate) An example of the external configuration of a nameplate 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The nameplate 1 of this embodiment has a housing 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 10 of this embodiment is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape and has six faces, a front face 11, a back face 12, a top face 13, a bottom face 14, and left and right side faces 15.

[0015] 1, the front surface 11 has a character body 20 and a background portion 111 surrounding the character body 20. The character body 20 has a display surface 21 on which characters are engraved. The character body 20 is formed so that at least the display surface 21 is the same color as the background portion 111 and is flush with the background portion 111.

[0016] 1 and 2, the characters 20 and the background portion 111 are made of the same resin material, and both are coated with a black metallic paint. In addition, the display surface 21 and the background portion 111 both have flat surfaces, and are arranged so that they are flush with each other. This makes it difficult to distinguish the boundary between the characters 20 and the background portion 111 from a position away from the nameplate 1, and the characters on the nameplate 1 cannot be seen from a distance.

[0017] The character body 20 is capable of sliding in the forward and backward directions relative to the background portion 111. When a person approaches the nameplate 1 or when an operation to slide the character body 20 is performed, the character body 20 slides forward or backward. Since the slid character body 20 is no longer flush with the background portion 111, unevenness in the shape of the character is formed as shown in Fig. 2, and the characters such as the name can be clearly seen.

[0018] Furthermore, even if the character body 20 does not slide due to a malfunction of the nameplate 1 or a power supply problem, the boundary line between the character body 20 and the background portion 111 is faintly visible from a position close to the nameplate 1, so the characters such as the name can be seen.

[0019] This makes it possible to provide a nameplate 1 in which the characters of the name, etc. are difficult to see from a distance, but the characters of the name, etc. are always visible when approaching the nameplate.

[0020] (First embodiment) A nameplate 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The nameplate 1 of the first embodiment includes a sliding mechanism that detects when a person approaches the nameplate 1 and automatically slides the characters 20.

[0021] 3, the housing 10 of the first embodiment has a structure that can be separated into a front member 10a and a rear member 10b, and the sliding mechanism is housed inside the housing 10. In the first embodiment, the sliding mechanism is attached to the rear member 10b, and the front member 10a functions as a cover.

[0022] The front member 10a of the first embodiment is a member that has a front surface 11, a top surface 13, a bottom surface 14, and a side surface 15, and is open on the rear side. The front surface 11 of the embodiment is formed with a through hole 112 into which the character 20 is slidably fitted, and a transparent window 114 for a human sensor.

[0023] In the first embodiment, the through-hole 112 is formed directly in the front surface 11 of the housing 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a background portion 111 made of a different material from the front surface 11 may be provided in front of the front surface 11.

[0024] In the first embodiment, the front surface 11, i.e., the background portion 111, is formed with a through hole 112 shaped to follow the contour of the display surface 21 of the character body 20, as shown in Fig. 3. The through hole 112 is formed slightly larger than the display surface 21 of the character body 20, and the character body 20 is slidably fitted into the through hole 112.

[0025] The back member 10b in the first embodiment is a member that constitutes the back 12 of the housing 10. As shown in Fig. 3, a motor M, a pinion 30, and a rack 40 that constitute a sliding mechanism for the character body 20 are attached to the back member 10b in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the character body 20 is fixed to the rack 40, and the rotation of the motor M is transmitted to the character body 20, causing it to slide in the front-rear direction. The sliding mechanism in the first embodiment will be described in detail later.

[0026] The character body 20 of the first embodiment is a character body formed three-dimensionally as shown in Fig. 3, and has a display surface 21 on which characters are modeled. The character body 20 is arranged in a direction such that the display surface 21 is exposed to the front surface 11. The arranged single or multiple character bodies 20 form a character string indicating a family name, etc. In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a character body 20 with the character "bell" modeled on the display surface 21 and a character body 20 with the character "tree" modeled on the display surface 21 are arranged side by side on the left and right, and these display surfaces 21 represent the family name "Suzuki".

[0027] The material of the character body 20 and the background portion 111 is not limited, and various materials such as stone, wood, and resin materials can be used. The three-dimensional character body 20 may be formed by cutting out a thick material, or may be formed by stacking resin materials in three dimensions using a 3D printer. Furthermore, the character body 20 is not limited to three-dimensional characters, and may have a structure in which the back of the display surface 21 formed in a plane is supported by any supporting member.

[0028] When the housing 10 of the first embodiment is assembled, the character body 20 is fitted into the through hole 112, and the display surface 21 of the character body 20 and the background portion 111 are flush with each other, as shown in Fig. 1. At this time, a small gap between the display surface 21 and the background portion 111 forms a boundary line 113 indicated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 1.

[0029] Since the display surface 21 and the background portion 111 are the same color, the boundary line 113 can be seen from a close distance to the nameplate 1, but cannot be seen from a position far away from the nameplate 1. This makes it possible to make the nameplate 1 such that the characters are always readable when approaching, but cannot be read from a distant position.

[0030] 1 and 2, for example, the display surface 21 and background portion 111 are painted with the same matte black metallic paint. In the case of a nameplate 1 that is dark overall like this, even if the border line 113 is somewhat thick, it is difficult to distinguish from a distance in the inoperative state shown in FIG. 1, and the name cannot be confirmed from a distance.

[0031] As another example, the nameplate 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is made entirely of a light gray resin material, with the display surface 21 being plain, and the background portion 111 having a fine diagonal line pattern. In this way, the patterns of the display surface 21 and the background portion 111 may be slightly different to the extent that they cannot be distinguished from a distance. This improves the visibility of the name from a close distance on the nameplate 1 in the inoperative state shown in Figure 5.

[0032] Next, the sliding mechanism of the character body 20 in the first embodiment will be described.

[0033] It is preferable that the nameplate 1 is provided with a sensor capable of detecting at least one of the approach of a human body and contact with a human body, and a control unit that slides the character body 20 back and forth based on the detection signal of the sensor. This makes it possible to automatically slide the character body 20 when a person approaches the nameplate 1, thereby making the character information such as the name stand out.

[0034] 3, the back member 10b is provided with a human sensor HS that detects the approach of a human body, and a control unit 50 that controls the rotation and stopping of the motor M and the direction of rotation based on a detection signal from the human sensor HS. Note that the control unit 50 in the first embodiment is a control board, but the components mounted thereon are not shown.

[0035] 3, the human presence sensor HS of the first embodiment is mounted on the control board and detects the approach of a human body to the nameplate 1 through the transparent window 114 of the front member 10a. The human presence sensor HS of the embodiment is a hand-wave sensor, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 50 when it detects that a visitor's hand is waved over the transparent window 114.

[0036] The human presence sensor HS is not limited to a hand wave sensor, and may be, for example, a sensor that automatically outputs a detection signal when it detects the approach of a human body within the detection range. For example, in the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, a human presence sensor HS that detects the approach of a human body within the infrared detection range is provided on the top surface 13 of the nameplate 1. In addition to these non-contact sensors, a touch sensor that utilizes weak static electricity may also be used.

[0037] A power supply unit (not shown) is provided on the back member 10b of the first embodiment. The power supply unit in the example shown in Fig. 3 is provided behind the control unit 50, and is specifically a dry cell. The configuration of the power supply unit is not limited to a battery type, and various configurations such as a solar panel power supply can be adopted. In the example shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a solar panel SP is provided on the top surface 13 as a power source for the nameplate 1.

[0038] 3, a motor M connected to a control unit 50 is attached to the back member 10b of the first embodiment. A pinion 30 is attached to a rotating shaft (not shown) of the motor M. The pinion 30 rotates in conjunction with the motor M. A rack 40 with which the pinion 30 meshes is provided below the motor M along the front-rear direction.

[0039] Furthermore, the letter bodies 20 in the first embodiment are each fixed to a back plate 22, and this back plate 22 is fixed to a rack 40. When the pinion 30 is rotated by the motor M, the rack 40 advances or retreats in the forward or backward direction. As the rack 40 advances or retreats, the letter bodies 20 fixed to the rack 40 also slide forward or backward.

[0040] In the first embodiment, when a visitor holds his / her hand over the transparent window 114 of the nameplate 1 in the inactivated state shown in Fig. 1, the human sensor HS outputs a first detection signal to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50, having received the first detection signal, drives the motor M. When the control unit 50 rotates the motor M, the rack 40 moves backward due to the forward or reverse rotation of the motor M. When the rack 40 moves backward, the characters 20 fixed to the rack 40 via the back plate 22 also move backward.

[0041] When the character body 20 recedes, as shown in Fig. 2, the display surface 21 of the character body 20 is displaced backward from the background portion 111, and a recess in the shape of a character modeled on the display surface 21 appears. The recess that appears on the front surface 11 creates a shadow of the character shape, and character information such as a name is clearly displayed. When the receding character body 20 reaches a predetermined position, the control unit 50 stops the rotation of the motor M.

[0042] When the visitor checks the information such as the name displayed on the nameplate 1 and then places his / her hand over the transparent window 114 again, the human sensor HS outputs a second detection signal to the control unit 50. The control unit 50, which receives the second detection signal, rotates the motor M in the opposite direction to the rotation direction when the character body 20 was retracted. This causes the rack 40 to move forward, and the character body 20 fixed to the rack 40 also moves forward. When the display surface 21 of the advanced character body 20 reaches a position where it is flush with the background portion 111, the rotation of the motor M is stopped and the nameplate 1 returns to the inoperative state shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] In the above example, the character body 20 is advanced based on the second detection signal when the second wave of the hand is detected, but the configuration for returning the nameplate 1 from the activated state to the inactivated state is not limited to this. The nameplate 1 may be set to automatically advance the character body 20 when a certain time has passed since the first wave of the hand was detected.

[0044] In this example, the character 20 moves back in response to the first detection signal, but is not limited to this. For example, the character 20 may move forward in response to the first detection signal and protrude forward from the background portion 111, and the character 20 may move back in response to the second detection signal and return to the original flush state.

[0045] Second embodiment Next, the nameplate 1 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Note that the nameplate 1 of the second embodiment differs from the nameplate 1 of the first embodiment in the configuration of a portion of the sliding mechanism of the character body 20. In the sliding mechanism of the second embodiment, the rotation of the motor M is transmitted to the rack 41 in the same manner as in the sliding mechanism of the first embodiment, but a transmission structure different from that of the first embodiment is adopted. Below, the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the explanation of the parts that are the same as in the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0046] 7, the sliding mechanism of the character body 20 in the nameplate 1 of the second embodiment includes a motor M, a drive gear 31, a driven gear 32, a first pinion 33, a second pinion 34, and a rack 41. The nameplate 1 of the second embodiment also includes a power supply unit P, a control unit 50, and a human sensor HS, and the motor M is connected to the control unit 50 by a cord (not shown).

[0047] As shown in Fig. 7, the motor M of the second embodiment is attached to the upper side of the front member 10a by a support member (not shown), and a rack 41, the front end of which is attached to the back plate 22 of the character body 20, is provided below the motor M so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The rack 41 of the second embodiment is generally U-shaped when viewed from the front, and has a pair of teeth extending in the front-rear direction facing each other. The rack 41 of this example is supported by a rack support portion 42 formed on the back member 10b.

[0048] As shown in Figures 7(c) and (d), a drive gear 31 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor M of the second embodiment. Also, as shown in Figures 7(a) and (b), a driven gear 32 is disposed on the left side of the drive gear 31 in the figure and meshes with the drive gear 31. Furthermore, a first pinion 33 that meshes with the left teeth of the rack 41 is engaged with the driven gear 32. As shown in Figures 7(b) and (d), the first pinion 33 of the second embodiment includes a gear 331 that meshes with the driven gear 32 and a sector gear 332 that meshes with the rack 41.

[0049] Further, a second pinion 34 that meshes with the teeth on the right side of the rack 41 is engaged with the drive gear 31. The second pinion 34 of the second embodiment includes a gear 341 that meshes with the drive gear 31 and a sector gear 342 that meshes with the rack 41, as shown in Figures 7(b) and (d).

[0050] As shown in Fig. 7(b), when the rotating shaft of the motor M and the drive gear 31 attached to this rotating shaft rotate forward, the driven gear 32 rotates reversely, the first pinion 33 rotates forward, and the second pinion 34 rotates forward. When the first pinion 33 and the second pinion 34 rotate forward, the rack 41 slides backward. When the motor M rotates reversely, the rotation is transmitted in the opposite direction and the rack 41 slides forward. This allows the character body 20 to slide forward and backward in the nameplate 1 of the second embodiment.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7(a), a spring 60 may be provided on the rear of the back plate 22 to bias the back plate 22 forward.

[0052] Third embodiment Next, a nameplate 1 of a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Note that the sliding mechanism of the character body 20 in the nameplate 1 of the third embodiment is provided with a solenoid rather than a motor as a driving means. Below, configurations different from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions of parts similar to any of these embodiments may be omitted.

[0053] The sliding mechanism of the character body 20 in the nameplate 1 of the third embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 8, the nameplate 1 of the third embodiment includes a solenoid S, a return spring 61, a fixed rail 70, and a movable rail 71 to slide the back plate 22 to which the character body 20 is attached in the forward and backward directions.

[0054] 8, the solenoid S of the third embodiment includes a coil (not shown) disposed inside a case, and a movable core C protruding from the front surface of the case to the outside. When the coil is energized by the control unit 50, the movable core C is attracted to the coil side by magnetic force and moves backward.

[0055] The back surface of the back plate 22 is fixed to the front end of the movable iron core C. The back plate 22 is slidable between a non-operating position (position in FIG. 8(a)) in which the display surface 21 of the character body 20 is flush with the background portion 111, and an operating position (position in FIG. 8(b)) retracted from the non-operating position. A return spring 61 is provided behind the back plate 22. The back plate 22 is constantly biased from rear to front by the return spring 61. When the coil of the solenoid S is not energized, the biasing force of the return spring 61 maintains the display surface 21 of the character body 20 flush with the background portion 111.

[0056] 8, the back plate 22 is further supported by a rail member so as to be able to slide. The rail member in this example includes a pair of fixed rails 70 provided on the back member 10b, and a pair of movable rails 71 engaged with the fixed rails 70. The back plate 22 is connected to the movable rails 71, and slides in the front-rear direction together with the movable rails 71 as the movable iron core C of the solenoid S advances and retreats.

[0057] Furthermore, the fixed rail 70 in this example is provided with a stopper (not shown) that restricts the range of movement of the movable rail 71. This prevents the display surface 21 of the character body 20 from protruding forward beyond the background portion 111 in the inoperative state. Note that the stopper for preventing the character body 20 from protruding forward beyond the background portion 111 may be provided on the fixed rail 70, or may be provided between the front surface 11 and the back plate 22, for example.

[0058] In the third embodiment, when the human sensor HS detects a person and outputs a detection signal, the control unit 50 controls the passage of electricity through the coil of the solenoid S. When electricity is passed through the coil, the movable iron core C retracts as shown in FIG. 8(b). As the movable iron core C retracts, the back plate 22 retracts against the biasing force of the return spring 61. This causes the character bodies 20 fixed to the back plate 22 to retract, forming character-shaped recesses on the front surface 11 of the nameplate 1.

[0059] In the third embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the current to the coil is stopped. When the attraction of the movable iron core C is released by stopping the current, the back plate 22 returns from the operating position to the non-operating position by the biasing force of the return spring 61. Note that the current to the coil is not limited to being released by the elapse of time, and may be released by a human operation as in the first embodiment.

[0060] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a nameplate 1 of a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In the nameplate 1 of the fourth embodiment, the character body 20 is manually displaced. Below, configurations different from the first to third embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions of parts similar to any of these embodiments may be omitted.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 9, the nameplate 1 of the fourth embodiment has an operation button B provided on the front surface 11. As shown in Fig. 9(a), the operation button B in this example is connected to a back plate 22, and when a person presses the operation button B, the back plate 22 is pushed backward and moves, causing the characters 20 fixed to the back plate 22 to move backward.

[0062] A return spring 61 is provided behind the back plate 22. The back plate 22 is constantly biased from rear to front by the return spring 61. When the operation button B is not pressed, the biasing force of the return spring 61 keeps the display surface 21 of the character body 20 flush with the background portion 111.

[0063] 9(a), the back plate 22 is further supported by a rail member so as to be capable of sliding. The rail member in this example includes a pair of fixed rails 70 provided on the back member 10b and a pair of movable rails 71 engaged with the fixed rails 70. This allows the back plate 22 to slide stably when the operation button B is pressed.

[0064] Moreover, the fixed rail 70 in this example is provided with a stopper (not shown) that restricts the range of movement of the movable rail 71. This prevents the display surface 21 of the character body 20 from protruding forward beyond the background portion 111 in the inoperative state. Note that the stopper for preventing the character body 20 from protruding forward beyond the background portion 111 may be provided on the fixed rail 70, or may be provided between the front surface 11 and the back plate 22, for example.

[0065] The direction in which the operation button B is operated is not limited to this, and the structure may be such that a person pulls the operation button B to cause the character body 20 to protrude forward from the background portion 111 .

[0066] Fifth embodiment Next, a nameplate 1 of a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the nameplate 1 of the fifth embodiment, the character body 20 is manually displaced using a cam mechanism. Below, configurations different from the first to fourth embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions of parts similar to any of these embodiments may be omitted.

[0067] 10, the nameplate 1 of the fifth embodiment includes a return spring 61 that biases the back plate 22 forward, a fixed rail 72 provided on the back member 10b, a cam slider 73 engaged with the fixed rail 72, and a slide lever 80 that slides the cam slider 73. The back plate 22 is always biased forward from the rear by the return spring 61.

[0068] 10 is a flat member that is roughly U-shaped in plan view, and is engaged with fixed rail 72 with the opening of the U-shape facing forward. The front end of cam slider 73 is connected to back plate 22. Cam slider 73 has cam inclined surface 731 in the center of the front side, and a space is formed between cam inclined surface 731 and back plate 22.

[0069] The slide lever 80 is a long rod-shaped member, and is provided with a button-shaped operating portion 81 at one end and a cam driver 82 at the other end, which engages with the cam inclined surface 731 of the cam slider 73. The cam driver 82 is provided with a cam inclined surface 821 which abuts against and slides on the cam inclined surface 731 of the cam slider 73.

[0070] 10(a), the slide lever 80 is attached to the front member 10a so that the cam inclined surface 821 of the cam driver 82 abuts against the cam inclined surface 731 of the cam slider 73. In addition, in the inoperative state shown in FIG. 10(a), the operating part 81 of the slide lever 80 protrudes outward from the side surface 15 of the nameplate 1 and can be pushed inward into the housing 10.

[0071] 10(b), when a person presses in the operating portion 81, the cam driver 82 slides from the right to the left in the figure while remaining in contact with the cam slider 73, and the cam slider 73 is pushed backward by the cam driver 82. As the cam slider 73 moves backward, the back plate 22 attached to the cam slider 73 moves backward against the biasing force of the return spring 61. As a result, the character bodies 20 fixed to the back plate 22 move backward, and character-shaped recesses are formed on the front surface 11 of the nameplate 1, and the characters are clearly displayed to the operator of the slide lever 80.

[0072] When the operator of the slide lever 80 releases the depression of the operating portion 81, the back plate 22 moves forward due to the biasing force of the return spring 61, and returns to the inoperative state of FIG. 10(a).

[0073] Although the present invention has been described above by taking the embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be embodied in various forms. For example, the font 20 is not limited to letters and may include designs such as logos. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Nameplate 10. Chassis 10a Front member 10b Rear member 11 Front 111 Background part 112 Through hole 113 Border 114 Transparent window 12 Back 13 Top 14 Bottom 15 Side 20 Fonts 21 Display surface 22 Back plate Medium motor 30 Pinion 40 racks HS Human Sensor 50 Control section P power supply section 60 Spring S solenoid 70 Fixed Rail 71 Movable Rail 80 Slide lever

Claims

1. A front surface includes a character body and a background portion surrounding the character body, The font is A nameplate having the same color as the background portion, capable of sliding in the front-back direction relative to the background portion, and normally formed flush with the background portion.

2. The nameplate according to claim 1, wherein the front surface is a flat plate.

3. A sensor capable of detecting at least one of the approach of a human body and the contact of a human body; 3. The nameplate according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control unit that slides the character body in the forward and backward directions based on a detection signal from the sensor.

Images