Electrostatic display device

Abstract

An electrostatic display device includes an insulative base, a substantially transparent fixed electrode mounted on the base, a substantially transparent dielectric layer such as silicon dioxide applied on the outer surface of the fixed electrode, a resilient sheet electrode fixed at one end thereof to the base and extending therefrom adjacent to the fixed electrode, a means for applying a voltage between the fixed electrode and the sheet electrode, and a display placed on or behind the inner surface of the fixed electrode. When there is no voltage between the fixed and the sheet electrodes, the display is visible through the transparent fixed electrode and the dielectric layer, whereas upon applying a voltage between the fixed and the sheet electrodes, the sheet electrode is attracted to and covers the outer surface of the fixed electrode, thereby concealing the display. The fixed electrode preferably comprises a transparent glass mold having a layer of an electrically conductive material such as stannic oxide chemically vapor-deposited on the outer surface thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.