Abstract: Display devices are disclosed using a display surface through which are seen a plurality of indicating elements. The indicating elements have an axis parallel to the display surface and are provided with at least two information display faces preferably of different colors. The indicating elements are provided with permanent magnets and are rotatable about axes which allow alternative faces of the indicating elements to be viewed through the display surface. Locking elements are provided so that the indicating elements are maintained with one of the information carrying faces aligned with the display surface. The arresting elements may include a permanent magnet. The arrangement is particularly applicable for manually-controlled signal display devices.

Abstract: A signal display device with passive components is disclosed, in particular for displaying characters which consist of a plurality of matrix-arranged picture elements. The device has an information-carrying base plate, suitable in particular for color information. Display elements made of generally cylindrical bodies can preferably swivel around an axis that coincides with their centroidal axis. Said display elements are provided with at least one signal display surface which can swivel in the direction of the information display surface of the base plate and which is suitable for carrying information, preferably information that differs from the information carried by the base plate. The invention is characterized in that the display elements are provided with three such parts which are mutually offset in the direction of their axes and of which two front faces are arranged perpendicularly to the axis and are secured to each other forming a single piece with the signal display surface.