Color Selector Device

Abstract

A color selector device has a plurality of drums each mounted for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis and each having a weight fixedly mounted therein to position the drum in a predetermined rotational position and to return the drum to said position from a different rotational position. Each drum carries a plurality of different color indicators on its outer periphery. A mirror is mounted above the drum.

Description

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Color selection for any particular product provides a problem of presenting various colors in a position where they can be seen conveniently by the viewer. This presents a particular difficulty to the sellers of cosmetic preparations who have limited space in which to present the colors available. This invention solves the problem by providing rotating drums carrying color indicators and always returning to the same rotational position which permits the viewer to see at the commencement of his selection operation the designation of the product to which the color indicator is applied.

The color selector device of the invention has one or more drums mounted for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis with a weight fixedly mounted in each drum to position the drum in a predetermined rotational position and to return the drum to said position from a different rotational position. The outer periphery of the drum carries a plurality of different color indicators and means indicating the product to which the color indicator is applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a color selector device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation of the color selector device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the color selector device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through a drum of the device of FIG. 1 taken on the plane indicated by the line 4--4 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A color selector device 2 in accordance with the invention has a hollow base 4. Standards 6 and 8 respectively pass through openings 10 and 12 in base 4 and are welded as indicated at 14 and 16 respectively to the bottom 18 of base 4. Standards 6 and 8 in turn are welded to a frame member 22 which supports a panel 24 which can be used, for example, for advertising.

A pair of standards 26 and 28 are secured to base 4 by machine screws as indicated at 30. As best seen in FIG. 3, a fixed shaft 32 is secured by a pressed fit into opening 34 in standard 26 and by a pressed fit to bearing 36. Bearing 36 in turn is secured by a pressed fit to the interior of hub 38 of drum 40. Drum 40 is molded from a synthetic resin such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride, phenolic, polyester acrylic or alkyd resin. Other materials such as metals may be used, the drum being first formed into two halves and secured together along the line indicated at 42, either by sonic welding or by an adhesive. A metal weight 46 of, for example, lead or steel, is fixedly secured within drum 40 between wall 48 and drum periphery 50. A plurality of lipstick simulators 52 each being of a different color from the other are secured, for example, by an adhesive, to the periphery 50 of drum 40 in an arc extending clockwise and counterclockwise from weight 46 as viewed in FIG. 4. Just above the lipstick simulators 52 facing forwardly there is printed on periphery 50 at 54 the designation of the lipstick involved, namely, "lipstick A" as best seen in FIG. 1.

Shaft 32 is also secured by a pressed fit in opening 60 in standard 6 and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 supports a second weighted drum 40 mounted on a bearing 38 and differing only from the first described drum 40 in the product designation indicated at 62 and the coloring of the lipstick simulators 52. Shaft 32 is secured by a pressed fit to the bearing 38 of the second drum 40.

Two additional weighted drums 40 are similarly mounted on a second fixed shaft 32 which is secured by a pressed fit in standard 28 and in standard 8. The innermost drum 40 of the last mentioned pair of drums has printed thereon the writing "lipstick C" at 66 and color indicators 52 of different colors. The outermost drum 40 of this pair carries imprinted thereon "color brush" at 68 and has imprinted thereon strips 70 of different colors.

OPERATION

In operation, the customer observes the drums 40 to first determine which drum relates to the product the customer is interested in. Assuming this to be "lipstick A", the customer places his hand on the right end drum 40 as viewed in FIG. 1 and rotates it clockwise and counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 in order to rotate the various lipstick color indicators 52 to a position where they can be readily seen in order to facilitate selection of the desired color. After the color is selected, the customer releases the drum and weight 46 rotates the drum to restore it to its original position shown in FIG. 4 where the printing "lipstick A" at 54 is again clearly in view. After having selected the desired color, the customer may then ask the sales person for a sample to actually try out. The operation of the other drums 40 is the same.

It will be understood that the above described embodiment is by way of illustration and is not intended to be limiting.

Claims

1. A color selector device comprising:

a drum mounted for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis,

a weight fixedly mounted in said drum to position the drum in a predetermined rotational position and to return the drum to said position from a different rotational position,

a plurality of different color indicators spaced on the periphery of the

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 having means indicating the product

3. A color selector device in accordance with claim 2 having a plurality of

4. A color selector device in accordance with claim 2 having lipstick replicas on the perimeter of the drum.