At a glance
| Patent number | CN109036175B (application CN201811065069) |
| Type | China invention patent (发明专利) - protects product shape, structure and method |
| Original title | Advertisement overturning display board (一种广告翻转展板) |
| Patent owner | Henan Lianhang Industrial Co ltd |
| Inventors | Not announced |
| Filing date | 2018-09-13 |
| Grant date | 2020-10-16 |
| Status (China) | In force in China until at most 2038-09-13 (if annual fees are paid) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 2 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN109036175B) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - an advertisement overturning display board comprising a frame panel (1) on the outermost side covering a box body (2), with a central opening forming a movable display board area. Inside is a rolling type display board combination (3) made of multiple vertical display columns (301) in a horizontal array. Each column is a quadrangular prism of four hinged display boards (310). A central shaft (302) runs through each column, connected to the frame panel. An elastic connecting piece combination (320) links the shaft to the inner sides of the boards, consisting of connecting pieces (321) arrayed along the shaft. Each piece has a collar (322) rotatably sleeved on the shaft with a torsion spring, a telescopic rod (323) fixed to the collar pointing toward the board hinges, and two symmetrically hinged movable plates (324) at the rod’s far end that slide along the board’s inner face.
Claim 2 - specifies two connecting pieces per shaft, with two telescopic rods symmetrically fixed on both sides of each collar. Claim 3 - adds horizontal fixing boards (4) with through holes at the top and bottom of the columns, secured inside the box body, receiving the shaft ends. Claim 4 - introduces a worm wheel (8) on the same end of each shaft, all engaged by a shared horizontal worm (9) driven by a worm motor (10). Claims 5-6 - describe bosses (5) protruding from the upper and lower ends of each display board, featuring round-angle edges and an outward arc surface. Claim 7 - the bottom end of the central shaft (302) rests on the inner bottom face of the box body (2) and carries a ball (311).
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and is currently in force there (until at most 2038-09-13, provided annual fees are paid). Making or selling this specific display board structure in China needs the owner’s permission. It has no US or other foreign counterpart.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Mechanical rotating signs and multi-prism displays have been patented widely in the US and Europe over several decades. Although no foreign patents cite this specific Chinese document, prior art in the trivision and rotating billboard space is dense, so a freedom-to-operate (FTO) review of the quadrangular prism geometry and the specific elastic linkage is needed before tooling for the US market.
- Motor and electrical safety. The worm motor and wiring must be specified for the installation environment; outdoor signs require sealed enclosures and appropriate voltage ratings for US commercial power.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Overall dimensions | Width and height of the frame panel and box body to fit standard sign posts or building facades |
| Column count | Number of display columns in the horizontal array, determining the total picture resolution |
| Board material | Aluminum composite panel, polycarbonate or coated steel sheet for the display boards |
| Surface finish | UV-printed vinyl application, direct flatbed print or snap-in graphic frames |
| Drive motor | Voltage, torque rating and IP enclosure class based on indoor or outdoor placement |
| Control logic | Timer-based rotation, remote trigger or integration with existing signage controllers |
| Color and trim | Powder-coated frame panel and box body colors to match brand guidelines |
Things to plan for (US market)
- UL 48 / UL 879 - Standard for electric signs and outline lighting; any illuminated or motorized sign installed permanently in the US generally requires listing or field evaluation.
- National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) - Wiring methods, grounding and overcurrent protection for the worm motor and control circuits.
- Local wind-load codes - Outdoor signs must meet municipal structural requirements; the box body and mounting brackets need engineering calculations for the target region.
- FCC Part 15 - If the motor controller or timer emits radio frequency signals (e.g., wireless remote triggers), it must comply with FCC limits for unintentional or intentional radiators.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - overall size, number of columns, indoor or outdoor placement, quantity and control preferences.
- Design - CAD layout of the frame panel, box body, column spacing, shaft lengths and worm-gear ratio; selection of motor and materials.
- Prototype - fabrication of a sample array to verify the elastic linkage folding action, board alignment and motor torque.
- Pilot run - cycle testing of the worm drive, environmental sealing checks for outdoor units, and graphic registration across the array.
- Production - sheet metal forming for the box and frame, extrusion or roll-forming for the columns, machining of shafts and worm wheels, injection molding or stamping of connecting pieces, assembly and wiring.
Quantities & timeline
The frame panel and box body require sheet metal dies sized to the chosen dimensions. Central shafts, worm wheels and the shared worm need precision machining. The connecting pieces, collars and movable plates may be stamped or injection-molded depending on material choice. Certification tests such as UL listing or wind-load engineering add lead time. Send us your overall dimensions, column count, material preference, motor requirements, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
