Rotating panel device

Abstract

The present invention provides a rotating panel device that allows a horizontally elongated panel to be rotated in a stable manner. [Solution] In the rotating panel device 1, one end of the upper edge of the horizontally elongated rotating panel 3 is pivotally supported by a vertical axis 81 of a pivoting means, and the other end of the upper edge of the rotating panel 3, which is spaced apart from the vertical axis 81, is movably suspended by a guide rail 4 that is roughly arc-shaped in plan view and centered on the vertical axis 81.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotatable panel device installed, for example, in stores, event venues, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] In stores, event venues, and the like, display panels may be installed as advertising media to create a space by appealing to the visual sense, giving customers a sense of satisfaction, and increasing their purchasing desire. Such display panels may be made movable or rotatable to enhance the visual effect in response to the arrangement of products in the store or the layout of the event venue.

[0003] When the display panel is rotatable, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to suspend and support the central portion of the upper edge of the panel body by a ceiling rail so as to be rotatable, or to support one side edge of the door panel by a hinge so as to be rotatable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, as described in Patent Document 1, if only the central portion of the upper edge of the panel body is suspended and supported by a ceiling rail so as to be rotatable, or only the side edge of the door panel is supported in a cantilever state by a hinge, when rotating a horizontally long panel or a heavy panel, the panel may wobble in the vertical direction and may not be able to rotate in a stable state. Further, if the panel wobbles in the vertical direction, a large eccentric load may be applied to the suspension shaft or the hinge, and their durability may be impaired.

[0006] This invention addresses these problems and aims to provide a rotating panel device that allows a horizontally elongated panel to be rotated in a stable manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the rotating panel device of the present invention, The horizontally elongated rotating panel is characterized in that one point in the width direction of the upper edge is pivotally supported by the vertical axis of a pivot support mechanism, and the upper edge of the rotating panel, which is spaced apart from the pivot support, is movably guided by a guide rail that is substantially arc-shaped in plan view and centered on the vertical axis. This feature allows the horizontally elongated rotating panel to rotate stably, as one point on the upper edge is supported by a vertical axis, and the upper edge separated from this support is guided by a guide rail.

[0008] The upper edge of the rotating panel, which is spaced apart from the pivot support, is movably suspended from the guide rail by a suspension support means. This feature allows the upper edge of the rotating panel, which is separated from the pivot point, to be suspended from the guide rail, thus enabling the horizontally elongated rotating panel to rotate in a more stable manner.

[0009] The rotating panel is characterized in that one end of the upper edge of the rotating panel is pivotally supported by the vertical axis, and the other end of the upper edge of the rotating panel is movably suspended from the guide rail. This feature allows the upper edge of the rotating panel, which is widely spaced in the width direction, to be supported by a vertical axis and a guide rail, thus enabling the horizontally elongated rotating panel to rotate in a more stable manner.

[0010] The lower edge of the rotating panel, which faces the aforementioned pivot support, is also pivotally supported by a vertical axis so as to be rotatable. This feature allows the horizontally elongated rotating panel to be supported by vertical axes at the top and bottom, enabling it to rotate in a more stable state.

[0011] The rotating panel is characterized in that at least one of its front or back surfaces serves as a display surface for displaying advertisements or the like. This feature allows the rotating panel to be used as an advertising display panel, effectively creating a visually appealing and engaging atmosphere in spaces such as stores and event venues.

[0012] The rotating panel, with one end of its upper edge pivotally supported, is characterized in that it is arranged to overlap with the surface of a fixed panel of approximately the same size as the rotating panel. This feature allows the rotating panel to be neatly superimposed on the surface of the fixed panel when not in use. Furthermore, rotating the rotating panel to any desired position and changing the opening angle with the fixed panel creates a screen-like effect, enhancing the aesthetic appeal.

[0013] The opposing surfaces of the rotating panel and the fixed panel are characterized by being display surfaces for displaying advertisements, etc. This feature allows the rotating panel to be rotated to any desired position, causing the display surfaces on the opposite sides to appear and expand simultaneously. Furthermore, the fixed panel and the rotating panel form a screen-like display panel, resulting in a significant effect in creating a visually appealing atmosphere in stores, event venues, and other spaces.

[0014] The rotating panel is characterized by having a stopping mechanism that is pressed against or locked to the floor surface at an appropriate location on its lower edge. This feature allows the rotating panel to be rotated to any desired position and safely stopped on the floor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of a rotating panel device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the BB line. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the CC line.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] A mode for carrying out the rotary panel device of the present invention will be described below based on an example.

Example

[0017] The rotary panel device according to the example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The rotary panel device 1 is installed, for example, in a store or an event venue and is used for advertising. In FIG. 1, the left and right sides of the rotary panel 3 shown by a solid line will be described as the left and right sides of the rotary panel 3.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary panel device 1 includes a fixed panel 2 attached to a wall surface W such as a store or an event venue, and a rotary panel 3 having substantially the same size as the fixed panel 2 and disposed so as to be polymerizable on the surface of the fixed panel 2, and a guide rail 4 having a substantially arc shape in plan view for supporting and guiding the left end of the upper edge of the rotary panel 3. The fixed panel 2 and the rotary panel 3 are formed in a horizontally long rectangle whose width dimension is larger than the vertical dimension. In this embodiment, a horizontally long one in which the width dimensions of the fixed panel 2 and the rotary panel 3 are in the range of, for example, 3 m to 4 m and the vertical dimensions are in the range of 2.5 m to 3.5 m is used.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the front and back surfaces of the rotating panel 3 are display surfaces 3a and 3b for displaying advertisements and the like, and the rotating panel 3 can be used as a display panel. The display surface 3a on the front side is formed by fitting an LED vision (digital signage) 6 for projecting images such as advertisement promotions into a horizontally long rectangular recess 5 formed at the central portion of the front surface of the rotating panel 3. The display surface 3b on the back side is formed by attaching a decorative panel 7 with an image such as advertisement promotion printed on the front surface to substantially the entire back surface of the rotating panel 3, for example. The front surface of the fixed panel 2 facing the display surface 3b of the rotating panel 3 is also a display surface 2a, and a decorative panel 7 with an image such as advertisement promotion similar to that of the display surface 3b of the rotating panel 3 is attached. Thereby, when the rotating panel 3 is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view, the display surface 2a of the fixed panel 2 appears, so that the fixed panel 2 can also be used as a display panel. Note that the display surface 2a of the fixed panel 2 may be an LED vision 6 similar to the display surface 3a of the rotating panel 3, or a sheet may be attached to a flat plate instead of the decorative panel 7 with an image printed thereon to form the display surface.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the right end portion of the upper edge of the rotating panel 3 is pivotally supported by upper pivot means 8 so as to be rotatable. The upper pivot means 8 includes a vertical shaft 81 protruding upward from the upper edge of the rotating panel 3 and a bearing portion 82 rotatably supporting the upper end portion of the vertical shaft 81. The lower half end of the vertical shaft 81 is a male screw portion 81a.

[0021] The vertical shaft 81 is attached to the rotating panel 3 as follows. By screwing the lower end portion of the male screw portion 81a into the nut portion of a support block 10 fixed in a hollow horizontal frame 9 at the upper portion of the rotating panel 3, the vertical shaft 81 is fixed to the upper end portion of the rotating panel 3 such that the upper half portion protrudes from the upper edge of the right end portion of the rotating panel 3. The lock nut 12 has a function of preventing the vertical shaft 81 from rising.

[0022] The bearing section 82 includes a bearing block 13 that rotatably supports the upper end of the vertical shaft 81 by passing through it, and a thrust bearing 14 that is fitted into a recessed hole 13a at the top of the bearing block 13 and rotatably supports the upper end of the vertical shaft 81. The lower surface of the enlarged diameter portion 81b of the upper end of the vertical shaft 81 abuts against the upper surface of the thrust bearing 14. The upper opening surface of the recessed hole 13a of the bearing block 13 is closed by a screw-fastened closing plate 15. The bearing section 82 is housed in a mounting member 16 with an upward-facing U-shaped cross section, and the bearing block 13 is fixed by countersunk screws 17, 17 inserted from below. The outer surface of the mounting member 16 is fixed to the ceiling or a fixed member 18 attached to the ceiling.

[0023] The right end of the lower edge of the rotating panel 3 is rotatably supported by a lower pivot means 19. The lower pivot means 19 comprises a lower vertical shaft 191 coaxial with the upper vertical shaft 81 and a bearing block 192 that rotatably supports the lower end of the lower vertical shaft 191. The upper side of the lower vertical shaft 191 has a male threaded portion 191a, which is screwed into a female threaded hole 20a of a support member 20 fixed inside the lower end of the rotating panel 3. By tightening a lock nut 21 screwed onto the male threaded portion 191a, the lower vertical shaft 191 is fixed to the lower end of the rotating panel 3 so as to protrude downward. The support member 20 may be a solid block or a hollow square tube. The height of the rotating panel 3 can be adjusted by moving the fastening position of the lock nut 21 relative to the lower vertical shaft 191.

[0024] An enlarged diameter portion 191b is formed at the lower end of the lower vertical shaft 191, and the lower end of the lower vertical shaft 191 is rotatably fitted into a stepped hole 192a formed in the bearing block 192, thereby rotatably supporting the lower end of the lower vertical shaft 191 by the bearing block 192. The bearing block 192 is fixed to the upper surface of a base plate 23, which is fixed to the floor surface F by bolts 22, by welding or the like. In this way, the upper edge and the right end of the lower edge of the rotating panel 3 are pivotally supported by the upper pivot means 8 and the lower pivot means 19, respectively, allowing the rotating panel 3 to be rotated while separated from the floor surface F.

[0025] Since the rotating panel 3 is positioned overlapping the surface of the fixed panel 2, if the rotating panel 3 is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view around its right end, the right end will come into contact with the surface of the fixed panel 2, preventing rotation. To prevent this, a recess 2b is formed on the right side surface of the fixed panel 2, recessing into the back side, so that the right end of the rotating panel 3 fits into the recess 2b when it rotates (see Figure 1). In addition, the right opening end of the recess 2b is covered with a long cap 2c, which improves the appearance and makes it less likely for other objects to get caught in the right end of the rotating panel 3 within the recess 2b. The long cap 2c is not essential and may be omitted.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the aforementioned guide rail 4 is formed by connecting multiple short, straight steel rail members 41. Specifically, the opposing surfaces of the multiple rail members 41 are joined by welding along an arc-shaped trajectory centered on the vertical axis 81, thereby forming the guide rail 4 in a roughly arc shape in plan view, starting above the fixed panel 2. The radius of the guide rail 4 is slightly smaller than the width dimension (3m to 4m) of the rotating panel 3.

[0027] The guide rail 4 is formed by connecting multiple short, straight rail members 41, but by providing play (not shown) in the width direction within the guide rail 4, the resistance when the running roller 252 moves is reduced. Furthermore, because multiple short, straight rail members 41 are connected, these connection positions can be used as a guide for aligning the rotating panel 3 to a predetermined angular position.

[0028] In this embodiment, the circumferential length of the guide rail 4 is set to a length that allows the rotating panel 3 to rotate approximately 113 degrees around the vertical axis 81, but it may be set to an appropriate length that allows it to rotate up to 180 degrees. If the guide rail 4 is formed by connecting multiple short rail members 41, even a guide rail 4 with a large radius can be easily manufactured.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each rail member 41 forming the guide rail 4 has a hollow, generally downward-facing U-shaped cross-section, comprising an upper wall 41a, side walls 41b, 41b hanging down from both ends thereof, and a bottom wall 41c continuous with the lower ends of both side walls 41b. An opening 41d continuous in the longitudinal direction is formed in the center of the bottom wall 41c. The lower ends of vertically oriented suspension members 24 are fixed to the upper surface of the upper wall 41a of the multiple rail members 41 by welding, and the guide rail 4 is supported horizontally by fixing the upper end of each suspension member 24 to the ceiling or a fixed member (not shown) attached to the ceiling.

[0030] A suspension mechanism 25 for suspending the rotating panel 3 by a guide rail 4 is attached to the left end of the upper edge of the rotating panel 3. The suspension mechanism 25 comprises a vertical suspension rod 251, a pair of running rollers 252, 252 that run along the upper surface of the bottom wall 41c of the rail member 41, and a roller support block 253 having a horizontal axis (not shown) capable of rotatably supporting both running rollers 252. The suspension rod 251 is fixed to the left end of the upper edge of the rotating panel 3 so as to protrude upward in the same way as the vertical axis 81 described above. That is, the male threaded portion 251a of the suspension rod 251 is screwed into the nut portion of the support block 10 in the horizontal frame 9 at the top of the rotating panel 3. The height position of the rotating panel 3 is maintained by tightening the lock nut 21. The central part of the roller support block 253 is horizontally rotatably attached to the upper end of the suspension support rod 251, which is inserted through the opening 41d of the rail member 41.

[0031] The lower ends of a pair of roller support shafts 26, 26, which are oriented vertically, are fixed to the upper surface of the roller support block 253, and a sway-preventing roller 27 is pivotally supported on the upper ends of the roller support shafts 26, 26 so as to be able to rotate horizontally. The opposing outer surfaces of the sway-preventing rollers 27, 27 are in rolling contact with the outer surface of a longitudinally continuous guide projection 28 that is fixed downward in the center of the lower surface of the upper wall 41a of all rail members 41. As a result, the pair of running rollers 252, 252 are restricted from moving in the width direction of the rail member 41, and can run smoothly in the central part of the guide rail 4 which is connected in a substantially arc shape. The outer opening surface of the rail member 41 at the final end, away from the fixed panel 2, is closed to prevent the running roller 252 from falling off.

[0032] A stopping mechanism 30 for the rotating panel 3 is attached to the left end of the lower edge of the rotating panel 3 so as to be approximately opposite the suspension support rod 251. The stopping mechanism 30 consists of a circular floor contact plate 301 and a vertical screw shaft 302 whose lower end is fixed to the center of the upper surface of the floor contact plate 301. The upper part of the screw shaft 302 is screwed into the female screw hole 20a of the support member 20 at the lower end of the rotating panel 3. By rotating the floor contact plate 301 manually or with a special tool to move the screw shaft 302 downward, the floor contact plate 301 is pressed against the floor surface F, so that the rotating panel 3 can be rotated to any position and safely stopped on the floor surface F.

[0033] As described above, in the rotating panel device 1 according to the embodiment, the upper edge and the right end of the lower edge of the rotating panel 3 are pivotally supported by the upper pivot means 8 and the lower pivot means 19, respectively, and the left end of the upper edge of the rotating panel 3 is movably suspended from the guide rail 4 by the suspension support means 25. Therefore, even a wide, horizontally elongated rotating panel 3 can be rotated in a stable manner.

[0034] Furthermore, since the front and back surfaces of the rotating panel 3 serve as display surfaces 3a and 3b for displaying advertisements, the rotating panel 3 can be used as a display panel, making it possible to effectively create a visually appealing atmosphere in spaces such as stores and event venues.

[0035] Furthermore, since the rotating panel 3 is positioned so as to overlap with the surface of the fixed panel 2, which is approximately the same size, the rotating panel 3 can be neatly overlapped with the surface of the fixed panel 2 when not in use. In addition, by rotating the rotating panel 3 to any desired position and changing the opening angle with the fixed panel 2, it can be made to resemble a folding screen, thus enhancing the design effect.

[0036] Furthermore, since the opposing surfaces of the fixed panel 2 and the rotating panel 3 are display surfaces 2a and 3b for displaying advertisements, etc., when the rotating panel 3 is rotated to any desired position, both the opposing display surfaces 2a and 3a appear and expand, and the fixed panel 2 and the rotating panel 3 form a screen-like display panel, which greatly enhances the spatial presentation in stores, event venues, etc.

[0037] Furthermore, a stopping mechanism 30 that presses against the floor surface F is attached to the left end of the lower edge of the rotating panel 3, so that the rotating panel 3 can be rotated to any position and safely stopped on the floor surface F.

[0038] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and additions and modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included.

[0039] For example, in the above embodiment, the guide rail 4 is formed by connecting a plurality of short rail members 41 in a substantially arc shape, but it is also possible to use a single guide rail that curves in an arc shape.

[0040] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, the upper and lower right ends of the rotating panel 3 are pivotally supported by the upper pivot means 8 and the lower pivot means 19. However, when using a rotating panel 3 with a relatively small width, only the right end of the upper edge of the rotating panel 3 may be pivotally supported by the upper pivot means 8, and the lower pivot means 19 may be omitted.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, the rotating panel 3 is arranged so as to be superimposed on the surface of the fixed panel 2, but the fixed panel 2 may also be omitted.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, the front display surface 3a of the rotating panel 3 is formed by an LED vision and the back display surface 3b is formed by a decorative panel 7. However, conversely to the embodiment, the front display surface 3a may be formed by a decorative panel 7 and the back display surface 3b may be formed by an LED vision 6, or both the front display surface 3a and the back display surface 3b may be formed by an LED vision 6 or a decorative panel 7. Alternatively, only one of the front display surface 3a or the back display surface 3b may be an LED vision 6 or a decorative panel 7.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, the stopping means 30 for stopping the rotation of the rotating panel 3 is made up of a contact plate 301 and a screw shaft 302, and the contact plate 301 is pressed against the floor surface F to prevent rattling. However, for example, a French bolt may be attached to the lower left side of the rotating panel 3, and this French bolt may be dropped into one of a plurality of locking holes formed in the floor surface F to mark the rotating panel 3 for a predetermined rotation position.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, the right end of the upper edge of the rotating panel 3 was pivotally supported by the vertical axis 81, but it may be pivotally supported at any position on the upper edge of the rotating panel 3. Moreover, the suspension support means 25 is not limited to being provided at the left end of the upper edge of the rotating panel 3, as long as it is positioned at a distance from the vertical axis 81.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, the left end of the upper edge of the rotating panel 3 is shown to be suspended from the guide rail 4 via the suspension support means 25. However, a guided portion may be provided at the left end of the upper edge of the rotating panel, and this guided portion may be guided by the guide rail. In other words, it may not be suspended from the guide rail, but only guided. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] Rotating panel device 2 Fixed Panels 2a Display surface 2b Recess 3-rotating panel 3a Display surface on the front side 3b Display surface on the reverse side 4 Guide rails 5 recesses 6 LED Vision 7 Decorative panels 8 Upper support means 9 Horizontal Frame 10 Support Blocks 11 Exterior Panels 13 Bearing block 14 Thrust Bearings 15 Occlusion plate 16 Mounting components 19 Lower shaft support means 23 Base Plate 25 Hanging support means 26 Roller support shaft 27 Anti-vibration roller 28 Guide protrusion 30 Stopping means 41 Rail members 81 Vertical axis 82 Bearing section 191 Lower vertical axis 192 Bearing Block 251 Suspension rod 252 Travel Roller 253 Roller support block 301 Floor plate 302 Screw shaft F Floor W Wall

Claims

1. A rotating panel device characterized in that one point in the width direction of the upper edge of a horizontally elongated rotating panel is pivotally supported by a vertical axis of a pivot support means, and the upper edge of the rotating panel, which is spaced apart from the pivot support, is movably guided by a guide rail that is substantially arc-shaped in plan view and centered on the vertical axis.

2. The rotating panel device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper edge of the rotating panel, which is spaced apart from the pivot support, is movably suspended from the guide rail by a suspension support means.

3. The rotating panel device according to claim 2, characterized in that one end of the upper edge of the rotating panel is pivotally supported by the vertical axis, and the other end of the upper edge of the rotating panel is movably suspended from the guide rail.

4. The rotating panel device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower edge of the rotating panel facing the pivot point is also pivotally supported by a vertical axis.

5. The rotating panel device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the front and back surfaces of the rotating panel is a display surface for displaying advertisements, etc.

6. The rotating panel device according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotating panel, with one end of its upper edge pivotally supported, is arranged to be superimposed on the surface of a fixed panel of substantially the same size as the rotating panel.

7. The rotating panel device according to claim 6, characterized in that the opposing surfaces of the rotating panel and the fixed panel are display surfaces for displaying advertisements, etc.

8. The rotating panel device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a stopping means is provided at an appropriate location on the lower edge of the rotating panel, which is pressed against or locked to the floor surface.

Images