US1276091A - Day and night sign. - Google Patents

Description

A. E. MAIDEN, C. SCHINDLER ISL W. NEWHOUSE.

DAY AND NIGHT SIGN. APPLICATION FILED FEB.16| I914.

Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

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Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

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DAY AND NIGHT SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 16. I914.

1,276,091. Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

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Illllllilll VVI'INESSES: ,6 j-NV'EN'POR w aram M M BY ATTORNEY lTESD STATES it j ARTHUR E. MAIDEN AND CARL SUHINDLER, OF (JAKLANI), AND WILLIAM 1). NEW HOUSE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, QAIJIFOB NIA.

DAY AND NIGHT SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

Application filed February 16, 1914. Serial No. 818,941.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR E. MAIDEN and CARL SGHINDLER, both of Oakland, California, and WILLIAM D. Nnwr-iousn, of the city and county of San Francisco, Califor nia, all citizens of United States, have invented new and useful Improvements in Day and Night Signs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for displaying signs, signals and other appro priate matter, and has particular reference to a sign-board useful with equal facility both day and night.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sign-board or advertising apparatus involving means for readily and effectively displaying for any length of time a great variety of letters, words, sentences, pictures, and in fact any suitable display character. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sign or display apparatus involving a panel or panels in which are mounted a plurality of disappearin sheets or curtains; and to provide means whereby the sheets or curtains are rendered semi-automatic, and whereby they are mechanically exposed or drawn into view. Another object of the invention is to provide a sign or advertising apparatus involving panels, each including a multiplicity of display sheets, cards or curtains, mechanically operated, to be drawn into View and automatically retracted, with means controllin an electric illuminating system whereby the/device is rendered plainly visible and of SGIYlCG at night. A further object of the invention is to provide an advertising or signboard apparatus involving the combination of a plurality of board. sections which may be designated hereinafter as panels, each embodying a plurality of appropriately featured sheets or curtains; means being provided for mechanically drawing said curtains into an exposed position, and which means are controlled by an electric wiring system, whereby in any given panel each and any of its curtains may be mechanically drawn into visible position through a 1nanually controlled selecting mechanism or keyboard. Another object of the invention is to provide further for the automatic selection of any of the curtains or display sheets in a given panel or board section; and to pro n de means for automatically simultaneously actuating the curtain exposing mechanism of a plurality of the sign-board panels or sections whereby a complete change of the subject-matter displayed by the combination sheets of a multiplicity of the panels can be produced. Other objects of the invention will be made apparent in the following specification.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, havin reference to the accon1panying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section through a single panel or unit of a sign board disclosing diagrammatically a key circuit for one display sheet.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section through a single section or unit of the signboard and discloses diagrammatically the illun'iination circuit and spacing or blank key circuit.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of an automatically and electrically controlled curtain release device.

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail showing one of the circuit breakers operative by its re spective curtain.

Fig. shows a detail of an automatic spring roller and its bearings.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view partly in side elevation showing the ma netically controlled pulley clutches.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section through the clutch. shaft.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring for controlling the operation of sheets or curtains in any given panel; and for controlling automatically the sheets of any given panel; and also fer coi'itrolling simultaneously in predetermined relation a multiplicity of sheets in any desired number of panels.

Fig. 9 is a chart of displays.

Fig. 10 shows a modified wiring system.

In Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a casing or box structure 2, which may form a unit of a sign-board, which board may include as many of the units as is desired. Within the casing :2 and at the upper portionthereof there are mounted in suitable relation, a

plurality of sheets or curtains 3 which are here shown as connected to automatic rollers 4, shown in detail in Fig. 5; one end of each roller being turnably journaled as at 6, and the opposite or stem-winding end 7 being engaged in a rectangular recess 8, holding it against rotation; the rectangular opening being contiguous to and ii-itersecting a rounded aperture 9, into which the stem end 7 of each roller may be elevated by the operator, whereby with the application of a suitable key the spring roller 4 may be properly tensioned.

, The sheets or curtains 3 preferably are of a sufficient width to extend substantially from one side of a box or casing 2 to the other; the lower end of each curtain being provided with a selvage bar or stiffener 10 which acts as a guide bar, the ends thereof operating in respective guide-ways 11; the several guide-ways being disposed in close parallel position so that the distance from the foremost curtain 3 in the front of the casing 2 to the rear will be as small as is commensurate with practical construction When the spring rollers 4 with their respective curtains 3 are mounted in the journals 67, and properly tensioned, the urtains will be normally wound to concealed position behind the open front of its respective box or casing, and for the purpose of unwinding and drawing down any of the curtains to exposed position in the casing, they are each provided with a pulley cord 12 formed with a bight 13, which is freely slidable through the selvage bar or stiffener 10; being guided at the lower side corners of the casing 2 around suitably fixed guides 14 from beneath which at one side the ends of the pulley cord 12 extend outwardly and are connected to a winding drum or sheave 15, of which there is one for each sheet or curtain 3.

The several winding drums or sheaves 15 are loosely mounted upon a hollow shaft 16 through which extends concentrically a driving shaft 17 the ends of which are mounted in appropriate bearings 18, one of which is shown in Fig. 6. The pulley wheels or drums 15 are appropriately spaced and free of each other along the tubular shaft 16, and the hub of each is provided with an aperture 19 registering with apertures 19 in shaft 16, Fig. 7, into which registering apertures may be projected a coiiperative clutch arm 20 of a lever 21 which is loosely mounted in a suitable bearing, here shown as a tube 22 mounted between the outer hollow shaft 16 and the inner shaft 17. At the opposite end of the clutch lever 21 is formed an upstanding arm which projects radially from its respective bearing 22 into the chamber of a hollow driving pulley 24, ever the face of which runs a belt 25 driven by a suitable motor 26.

When the motor is energized it is understood that the hollow pulley wheel 24 will be rotated and this in turn will drive the shaft 17 upon which the outer tubular shaft 16 is secured, but since each of the pulleys 15 is loose on the outer shaft 16 and is connected to its respective tensioned pulley cord 12 and the latter is attached to its respective curtain 3, the resistance of the winding roller 4 of the curtain will overcome the tendency of the loose pulleys 15 to rotate.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a reliable, effective and yet safe means for connecting the loose pulleys 15 to the shaft 16 when it is desired to pull down or expose one of the curtains 3 in the panel or box 2, and it is for that purpose that the rocker levers 21, of which there is one for each curtain 3 mounted in and spaced longitudinally and circumferentially around the driver shaft 17 and within the outer hollow shaft 16. Normally the clutch faces or arms 20 of the levers 21 are thrown inwardly and thus clear the apertures 19 of the several pulleys 15, so that unless one of the clutch arms 20 is projected to encounter the hub of a sheave or pulley there will be no rotation thereof. To accomplish the operation of coupling a clutch lever to a pulley 15, there is mounted in the hollow driving pulley 24 a number of magnets 27, one for each clutch lever 21; the poles of the magnets 27 bein so positioned that when the magnets are energized they will attract a re spective armature 28, pivotally hung at 29 in the sides of the pulley 24; the armature upon oscillating under the attraction of a magnet will engage the radially extending respective lever arm 23 and thus rock the lever 21 and throw the clutch face 20 thereof outwardly so that during the rotation of the shaft 16 upon the energization of the driving motor 26, the actuated clutch lever will be coupled to the respective pulley 15 by the entrance of the face 20 of said lever into the aperture 19 of the drum. This coupling of any particular clutch device and its respective curtain pulley 15 will cause the winding of the curtain cord 12 of the selected curtain and thereby draw this froi'n concealed position into view in the casing 2. When the clutch mechanism energizing current is discontinued, so that the lever 21 is freed from the influence of the magnet 27, it will automatically drop back or disengage itself from the opening 19 as soon as the tension of the winding spring in the automatic roller 4 is sufficient to cause a reactionary movement of the pulley 15 upon the shaft 16, so that the frictional contact between the lever and walls of the opening is relieved.

In order to obviate any tendency of uneven winding of the two ends of the curtain cord 12 on its winding pulley 15, we have provided that the bight 13 of the cord can play back and forth in the stiffening rod 10 of the curtain and thus insure that the latter will be drawn down evenly.

Having so far described the mounting and operation of exposing a curtain 3 to view, it will now be in order to explain the releasing mechanism.

Each of the curtain stiiiener bars 10 is provided at its central portion with a dartshaped bolt 30, which when moved down ward toward its lowermost position by the winding action of the curtain cord 12 will enter a suitable restraining or locking device which is designed to temporarily hold the exposed sheet or curtain 3 a predetermined time. This locking device is shown at Fig. 3 in the present instance as comprising a pair of bars 81 which extend from the front to the back and in the lower portion of the casing 2; the bars being adapted to spread or separate in suitable guide slots 82 formed in suitable standards 33, in which the link pivots 34; of each of the lock levers 31 are pivotally mounted; springs 35 being provided and reacting upon the downwardly turned ends of the locking levers 31 to hold the same in close parallel relation. as the dart or lock point 30 of a curtain approaches the yieldable lock bars or levers 31 it will spread the same against the reaction of the closing springs 35 and the continued downward movement of the dart 30 will be suiiicient to allow the lock bars 31 to snap toward each other again over the contracted shoulders of the dart bolt 30 and thereby effectively hold the exposed curtain down against the tension of its winding roller 4.

As each curtain or sheet 3 is provided with a suitable subject-matter or insignia, which is shown in Fig. 1 as consisting of the letter 7, it is desirable that a suitable illuminating circuit or system be provided for rendering the sign of value and use at night, and to that end a plurality ot electric lights 86 are mounted in suitable position in or on the casing 2; these being connected by suitable lead wires 37, one of which is connccted to a common contact bar 88 at the lower portion of one side of the casing, Fig. 1, and the other of which, 39, is led out of the casing at a suitable point. This circuit is closed when a curtain is drawn downwardly and its locking device engages the cooperative levers or bars 31, and as the bar 10 engages the brush plate 38 the current will enter the wire 37, pass through contact plate 38, bar 10 of the curtain, thence through the bearing 33 when the lock members are engaged and travel along a wire connection 40 to the light series 36 and out at 39.

Thus it will be seen that the lock device utilized with the double function of cooperating with the lock structure 31 for holding the curtain in exposed position and also completing the illuminating circuit by the energization of the lamps through the medium of the circuit closing bar 10, when the latter engages the brush bar 88, which is common to all of the curtains 3.

For the release of a curtain after it has been drawn down and is temporarily locked by the device 31, as another curtain is being drawn down after selection by the clutch ing of its respective pulley 15 with the driv ing shaft 16, the downwardly moving curtain is adapted to encounter a trip bar 41, which is shown in detail in Fig. 8 as mounted in the path of movement of one end'oi the stiffening bar 10; the trip bar ll being connected by a cord or other suitable equivalent 42 to the expander 43, which is shown as comprising a V-shaped lug or wedge adapted to be drawn downwardly between the separable bars 31, which latter when spread the requisite distance will release such curtain as may have been previously drawn down and locked at its dart bolt 30. It will be seen then, that as one curtain is being drawn down to exposed position it will cause the operation oi the trip bar ell, which is common to all of the curtains, and this latter will. operate to force the wedgeshaped expander l?) against the curtain restrainers 31 and release a curtain therefrom before the downwardly moving curtain is in fully exposed position.

As there are a plurality of curtains in each casing or panel 2 of a sign-board, it is desirable that any one of the curtains may be selected, either manually or automatically, for the display of the matter on each curtain, and this control of the operation of the curtain displaying mechanism is shown diagrannnatically in Fig. l as comprising a key 44. of which there is one for each eurtain; the key being pivotally mounted and adapted to be depressed so as to throw a circuit closer or switch 4L5 into electrical contact with a common conductor bar 46 ex tending along beneath the several keys and to which a feed wire 47, from a suitable sourcev of supply, is connected. The feed wire 47 is shown as wound in series upon a. magnet 48 which is adapted to attract a lock bar 49 upon the closing of the circuit, that the bar will swing into such position with relation to the Several keys 44-. that the one depressed will be cleared in its lower most position while the remaining keys are locked against downward movement, so that no two keys can be pressed down at one time to energize more than one curtain lowering circuit at once, so long as the circuit is closed at 51-52. lVhen a key at is actuated to close the circuit at the switch a the current from the line a? traverses a continuing wire 50, which is shown as led into the casing 2 and connected to a contact piece 51, one oi which is shown in Fig. 4, and which is normally pressed into electrical contact with a complementary fixed contact 52 by a bell-crank 58 movable on a pivot 54:, one end of the bell-crank 58 projecting into the bifurcated end of an actuator 55, of which there is one for each curtain 3, all being mounted upon a suitable pivot device 56. Current traverses the closed contacts 5l52, passes over the latter outwardly over a line 57 where it is transmitted through a rotary sliding contact device 58; said device comprising a disk mounted and insulated on the shaft 17 which carries the sheaves or pulleys 15. There is one rotary disk 58 for each curtain 3 and for each magnet 27; each of these latter being connected by a respective wire 59 to its respective disk 58, so that upon the closing of the circuit at the switch 45 by the operation of a key 44, the current will traverse the several wires just described and ultimately energize such magnet. 27 as is in the circuit of a selected key, whereupon the energized magnet will draw over its respective armature 28 and this in turn will throw the lever arm 28, rock thelever 21, and throw its clutch face 20 into cooperative engagement with such pulley 15 as is connected to the curtain 3 to be exposed.

The several magnets 27 are each joined by terminal wires 60 to the adjacent portion of the pulley 24, so that the latter becomes a common conductor in conjunction with the supporting frame and bearing; current be ing tapped off as from the bearing 18 by a wire 61, which is shown in Fig. 1 as connected in series to a magnet 62, for control ling a switch 63, which is mounted in the circuit of the driving motor 26. From the foregoing it will be seen that the motor 26 and the clutch operating magnet 27 will be energized practically simultaneously, so that the power will be delivered from the motor to drive the pulley 24 instantly upon the clutching operation by the actuation of the clutch lever 21.

As soon as the downwardly moving curtain encounters the switch 55, which is mounted in its path, the latter will be depressed sufliciently against the reaction of its spring 55 to throw the circuit breaker or crank 53 and allow the yieldable contact member 51 to spring from engagement with the coacting fixed contact 52 and thus operate to break that particular curtain lowering circut which is energizing the selected magnet 27 As it is possible by providing a suflicient number of curtains 3 to afford the successive display of a sufficient number of letters of the alphabet to spell words, in which event it would be desirable to release one of the locked curtains without drawing down another merely for the operation of the curtain release trip 11, we have provided electrical means for operating the curtain releasing device 43 which comprises in the present instance a magnet 64, Fig. 2, the armature 65 of which is adapted to engage the expander 43 and actuate the same to re lease a restrained curtain; the magnet Gal being connected by a wire 66 having a cir cuit closer 67 which is adapted to be act-uacted by the space key 68 forming one of the key-board in which the several keys 4% are arranged; the switch or circuit closer 67 being adapted to engage, when depressed, the common contact bar 46 of the feed line 17.

Thus it will be seen that by the actuation of any key 44 its respective curtain will be drawn into exposed position and locked by the restraining device 31, whereby the curtain can be held exposed a desired length of time, and may be released at will by the operator upon pressure of the space key (38, which will close the circuit of the magnet 6%; which being energized causes the actua tion of the expander 13 to release the restrained curtain.

The wiring shown in Figs. 12 is such as would be used when but one panel or casing 2 is utilized for exhibition or signaling purposes; the several keys 1 1 providing for the energizing of the clutch operating magnets 27 and the motor switch magnet 62 to cause the drawing down of any particular curtain, but it is desirable to provide means for successively operating individual curtains of a multiplicity of panels when these are arranged in suitable numbers and arrangement so as to afford a sign-board or signaling apparatus of suflicient or great capacity; several sign-boards being indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 8, and when several such panels are arranged for cooperation it is desirable that certain curtains in each panel may be pulled down or exposed in given order in successive panels, for instance for the spelling of words and the display of news items, by the exposure of curtains in each panel bearing the proper letter to complete the words.

To that end in Fig. 8 there is shown a keyboard in which several manually operable keys 4A: are arranged; the feed wires 47-61 being engageable by a switch 65 which tap buss lines 66 and 67 connectible to a suitable source of supply.

lVhen there are a plurality of the sign panels or sections 2 combined in a sign-board, the leading out wire 61 of each is led to an automatic switch or stepper device 70 having contact points 71, one for each panel 2, and over which is successively movable a circuit closing switch or blade 72 connected to a ratchet wheel 7 3 which is actuated in one direction by a magnetic pawl 74, so that the blade 72 is carried successively from one contact point 71 to another around the device 70; the stepper operation being automatic and coincident with the closing of a circuit in one panel as #1, Fig. 8, so that upon the manual operation of another key 44L at the key-board, the circuit will be thrown into panel #2, by reason of the shift of the circuit closer 72, to the contact point 71 or the stepper 70 related to #2 panel, and so on successively according to the number of panels in the sign-board. When subject-matter, whether an advertisement comprising words or pictures, or whether a news item, is to be displayed on the sign-board by the manual. operation of the keys ll, switches 75, Fig. 8, which are mounted in the several wires 50 which lead to the circuit closer 51 of the respective panels, are closed, so that the circuit is from a key switch 45 over the wire 50, through switch 74C to circuit closer 51, through the clutch operating magnet 27, and motor switch magnet 62, and by wire 61 to the respective contact button 71 of the stepper 70, returning thence through the brush 72 over the leading out wire 61 to switch 65.

When the curtains of but one panel are to be operated successively, the current is passed directly to the circuit line 61 so that the brush 72 will remain constantly on the contact point 71 of the particular panel, the curtains of which are to be actuated but when curtains of a plurality of the panels are to be utilized, then the current is run through the wire 64 to the brush 7 2 by closing a switch 76, which carries the current to a magnet 77, which when energized attracts the magnetic pawl 74 of the stepper 70 and upon the breaking of the circuit in the magnet 77 and after the exposure of the curtain of a particularly selected panel, then a spring 7 8 will actuate the pawl 7e and the latter turns the stepper brush one step around to the next successive contact point 71.

If it be desired to test any one of a number of panel sections as #1#2#3, the operator simply brings the stepper brush 72 to the contact point 71 of the stepper 70 to such position as will energize the panel to be tested, and then throws the switch 7 6 so as to out out the stepper magnet 77 and throw in a parallel line 6 1- which will become the con'unon return line for all of the magnets in the selected panel.

A further very important object of the present invention is to provide electrical means for automatically simultaneously changing curtains of a plurality of panels or sections #1-#2-#3, etc, of a sign board without the attention of the operator; the exposed curtains being retained in visible position a desired length of time and a shift of curtains being produced, to expose another sign or other subject-matter, as desired. To that end suitable wiring and means is utilized for energizing the several magnets of each panel so that there will be a simultaneous change in each panel of curtains for the display of the desiredsubject-matter; and when this system is in operation the switch 75, Fig. 8, is disconnectedso as to cut out the circuit including the wires 50 of the key-board and the common line 61. When the feed switch 7 5 is cut out, the circuit from the several wires 50 of each panel is completed by traversing respective plug strips 80, of which there is one for each cur tain in a panel or box 2; the plug strips 80 being provided with a suitable number of apertures 81, preferably in number equal to the number of panels in the sign-board, and in the apertures 81 of each plug strip there is adj ustable the terminals of plug lines 82, the opposite ends of which are electrically connected to contacts 83 of another automatic stepper 8%, of which there is one for each panel, and each of which steppers is provided with a number of contact points 83, equal to the number of displays; the several stoppers 8% having respective rotary brushes 85 adapted to be shifted step by step over the contacts 83 by the respective energization of magnets 86 operative upon magnetic pawls 87 engaging ratchets 88 attached to the stepper brush 85.

From the stepper brush 85 there is led a conductor 89 which is common to all of the automatic steppers 84, and terminates with a contact 90 engageable by a switch which also closes a circuit, including a feed wire 92 connected to a multiple blade switch 93, which when closed engages the return wires 94 to which the lead-out common wires 61 of each panel are connected.

When the key-board of keys 4H is to be utilized, the operator closes a switch 95 which taps into the feed busses 66--67 and closes one circuit through wires 96, connected in multiple to a magnet 97 which 0perates and closes the switch 75; this being locked closed by a latch 98 and simultaneously with the closing of the switch 7 5 for manual operation of the sign panels a circuit is also closed through a branch 96 from the open circuit wires 96 to a magnet 99, which throws open the switch 93 of the automatic circuits and thus breaks the circuit from the wires 8992; the switch 93 being held open, while the switch 7 5 is closed, by a latch 100.

"When the sign-boardapparatus is to be used for automatic operation and the several automatic steppers 84: utilized and the keyboard 44 thrown out of circuit, the operator momentarily closes an open circuit including a switch 101 connected to the buss wires 6667, and wires 102 in which are mounted. a plurality of magnets 103, one of which 0perates to pull latch 100 to release the switch 93 and permits its closing, and another of which operates to pull latch 98 and permit the automatic opening of the switches 75.

The magnets 86 of each stepper 8-fl are connected in multiple to wires 105, in which is mounted a circuit closer 106, automatically closed by a suitable device or mechanism, here shown as a cam 107 rotatively operated by a motor 108; the cam 107 being of suitable design and adapted to close the circuit in the wires 105 at suitable predetermined intervals; the wires 105 being connected to the buss lines 6667 and controlled by a switch 109. The motor 108 is connected to the buss lines 66-437 by cir cuit wires 110 in which there is a switch 111. The operation of the automatic system is as follows:

Current is delivered to the motor 108 over the feed wires 110; motion is transmitted to the circuit closing mechanism 107 from the motor 108 and the circuit closer 106 operated in predetermined time, so that upon the closing of the circuit at 106 the several stepper magnets 86 will be energized, and the stepper brushes 85 simultaneously advanced in successive steps in predetermined order from one contact 83 of the steppers to another, and thus complete simultaneously circuits through such wires 506% of each panel board as will be determined by the ad justment oit plug wires 82 in the plug strips 80 of the circuit wires 50; it being understood that the operator has previously so set the plug wires 82 in the steppers 80 that with a given number of panels there will be simultaneously completed in such selected panels, circuits which will draw down in each panel a curtain bearing a desired charactor or subjectanatter for the display either of a word, letter or pictorial illustration.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a small chart in which with three panels in operation the first setting of the plug wires 82 will pro dues in the panels #1#2-#3 the letters CAB; this being accomplished by the adjustment of a plug wire 82 in the plug strip 80, which is correlated to curtain C of panel #1, and for panel #2 a plug wire is adjusted in plug strip 80 which is correlated to the curtain bearing character A in panel #2, and for panel #3 a plug wire 82 is adjusted in the plug strip 80 which is correlated to the letter B of panel #3; the plug wires being connected to such respective contact points 83 of their steppers 8. so that when the brushes 85 of the steppers 84: simultaneously arrive at given stepper points 83, circuits will be instantly completed in each of the panels for the actuation of the mechanism necessary to draw down or expose the curtains involved in the spelling of the selected word.

In Fig. 10 is shown an arrangement of wiring and control mechanism whereby the sign-board can be controlled from any distance by a comparatively few individual wires considering the great number of combinations which may be set up or displayed. This control comprises a common lead wire 61 from all the panels as #1, #2 and #3 and a lead 47". The magnets of the panels have individual wires 50, which may form a cable, terminating in plug plates 80 with holes 81 and located at any distance from the sign. For setting up a given display, plug lines 82 are connectible at one end to selectable letter plates 80, the other ends terminating in brushes 114, of which there is one for each panel, The feed wire 17 is connected to a circuit closer 115, having contacts movable into engagement with the brushes 11a to complete the circuit over wires 82*, 50 to panel magnets 27, 62, thence out over 61. There may be as many circuit closers 115, with respective plug wires 82 as there are to be display combinations.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A changeable sign structure, comprising in combination, a series of automatically disappearing display sheets, means governable to select the sheets in any order and spread the same, a normally set locking de vice for engaging any spread sheet to hold it in open position, and means for releasing the first sheet when a second sheet is in process of extension. I

2. A changeable sign structure, comprising in combination, a series of disappearing display sheets, a guide bar carried by each sheet, means to spread said sheets, means to be engaged by said guide bar to lock the sheet in extended position, an illuminating circuit for the display sheets, and means also to be engaged by said bar to complete said circuit, when the sheet is locked in extended position.

A changeable sign structure, comprisin g in combination, plurality of normally retracted display members, means for selectively disclosing said members, a means for locking any of said members in extended position, means operative by each member for opening said locking means to release a previously extended member, and a means for independently opening said locking means.

1. A sign display apparatus, comprising in combination with a casing, a plurality or curtains rolled into the upper portion of said casing, a rotative shaft mounted in the latter, means for driving said shaft, a series of normally idle take-up devices on said shaft, cords connecting said take up devices and said curtains, and a plurality of cl tch elements carried by the shaft driving means for selective rigid connection of said take-up devices with said shaft.

5. A sign display apparatus, comprising in combination with a casing, a plurality of curtains rolled into the top of said casing, a plurality of spools corresponding to said curtains, a rotatiye shaft carrying said spools, cords connecting each of said ourtains with one of said spools, clutch mechanism for connecting any of said spools to said shaft, electro-magnetic means for op erating said clutches, and means for act-uating said shaft and supporting the electromagnetic means.

6. In a sign display apparatus, a plurality of curtains, a plurality of reels corresponding to said curtains, cords connecting said curtains and reels, a common mounting for said reels, a plural clutch mechanism for the rigid locking of any of said reels to said common mounting and a driving means for said common mounting and supporting the clutch mechanism.

7. Ina display apparatus, movable, disappearing display members each with a lock member which is an electrical conductor, a locking device cooperable with said member, and an electrical illuminating system connected to said device and closeable by said member when engaging said device.

8. In a sign display apparatus, a plurality of curtains, a casing, rollers for holding said curtains in concealment in said casing, a curtain exposing mechanism including a plurality of reels, a winding connection between each curtain and a corresponding reel, means for actuating said reels to draw said curtains into exposed position, a means for temporarily locking each curtain in ex tended position and a means controlled and actuated by each of the curtains when moving to exposed position for releasing a pre vionsly extended curtain.

9. In a changeable display or sign apparatus, a plurality of automatically disappearing display members arranged to move in close parallel planes, means for selectively disclosing any of said members, locking mechanism common to all of said mem bers, means operative by each member for actuating said mechanism for the release of a locked member, and an. instrumentality for operating said mechanism independently of said means for the release of a disclosed locked member.

10. In a sign display apparatus, roller curtains, a suitable casing with. bearings therefor and guides for the curtains, said curtains being arranged. for movement in compact, parallel relation, curtain cords, one for each curtain, a curtain exposing mechanism including a plurality of cord reels, one for each curtain cord, a driving shaft upon which the several cord reels are loosely mounted, means for driving said shaft and a clutch mechanism whereby any of the reels may be selectively clutched to said shaft.

11. In a sign display apparatus, roller curtains, a suitable casing with bearings therefor and guides for the curtains, said curtains being arranged for movement in compact, parallel relation, curtain cords, one for each curtain, a curtain exposing mechanism including a plurality of cord reels, one for each curtain cord, a revoluble shaft carrying said reels, means for selectively connecting said reels and said shaft, and a locking device cooperative with each of said curtains when in the fully exposed position for holding the same temporarily.

12. In a sign display apparatus, roller curtains, a suitable casing with bearings therefor and guides for the curtains, said curtains being arranged for movement in compact, parallel relation, curtain cords, one for each curtain, a curtain exposing mechanism including a plurality of cord reels, one for each curtain cord, a locking device cooperative with each of said curtains when in the fully exposed position for holding the same temporarily, and a device controlled and actuated by each of the cur tains when moving to exposed position for tripping the locking device to release a previously engaged curtain.

18. In a display sign apparatus, a plurality of automatically disappearing members, each having a pulley cord with a bight which runs loosely through a portion of the curtain for the equalizing of pulley effect thereupon, and awinding mechanism whereby any one of the curtains may be drawn into exposed position.

14. In a display sign apparatus, a plurality of automatically disappearing members, each having a pulley cord with a bight which runs loosely through a portion of the curtain for the equalizing of pulley effect thereupon, and awinding mechanism whereby any one of the curtains may be drawn into exposed position, said mechanism comprising a shaft, a plurality of winding reels loosely mounted upon said shaft and to which respective curtain cords are connected, and a clutch mechanism whereby any one of said reels may be selectively coupled to said shaft for the winding of the desired curtain cord for exposing a curtain.

15. In a display sign apparatus, a plurality of automatically disappearing members, each having a pulley cord with a bight which runs loosely through a portion of the curtain for the equalizing of pulley effect tl'iereupen, and a winding mechanism where by any one of the curtains may be drawn into exposed position, said mechanism comprising a shaft, a plurality of winding reels loosely mounted upon said shaft and to which respective curtain cords are connected, and a clutch mechanism whereby any one of said reels may be selectively coupled to said shaft for the winding of the desired curtain cord for exposing a curtain, and said clutch mechanism being adapted to automatically disengage from its respective reel when the winding tension of the curtain cord reaches a predetermined degree.

16. In a display sign apparatus, a plurality of disappearing display members, means for selectively exposing any of said members, a lock device for temporarily restraining the selected member in exposed position, a trip device for releasing the restrained device from said lock, and a trip mechanism controlled by a member moving into exposed position for releasing a re strained member independently of the operation of said device.

17. In a display sign apparatus, a plurality of concealed display members, a means associated with each display member for selectively exposing said members, a locking device for temporarily restraining the selected member in exposed position, and a trip device for releasing the restrained member from said locking device, said device comprising a member operative upon the locking device and actuating means operatively connected to said locking device and disposed in a position to be actuated by any one of the display members.

18. In an electro-mechanical day and night sign apparatus, a plurality of disappearing display members, guide-ways in which said members are movable, means for moving the members to concealed position, a mechanism for moving said members into an exposed position consisting of a common drive shaft and winding devices carried thereby, and a selective mechanism for and controlling the movement of any particular member by said mechanism, said selective mechanism comprising individual normally open coupling devices for connecting said winding devices to said drive shaft and keys for controlling and selecting each of said coupling members.

19. A sign display apparatus, comprising a display media, consisting of a plurality of movable display members, means operative to move said members to a concealed position, an electric motor and a shaft driven thereby, a plurality of reels loosely mounted upon said shaft, a connection be tween each of said reels and a respective member, selective clutch mechanism arranged in part within the shaft for connecting said reels to the shaft whereby said connection can be v-round upon the reel to moveits respective member to an exposed position, and a control instrumentality for said clutches whereby any one of the same may be actuated to connect its reel with the operating shaft.

20. A apparatus involving a plurality of members bearing suitable subjectmat-ter, means for retracting said members to a concealed position. a plurality of winding drums, one for each of said members, and

a cord connection between each of said drums and its respective member, a power shaft upon which said drums are loosely mounted, and means arranged in part within the shaft for connecting said drums to said shaft.

21.1%. sign apparatus involving a plurality of members bearing suitable subjectmatter, means for retracting said members to a concealed position, a plurality of winding drums, one for each of said members, and a cord connection between each of said drums and its respective member, a power shaft upon which said drums are loosely mounted, means arranged in part within the shaft for connecting said drums to said shaft, and selective instrumentalities for controlling the actuation of said means.

22. A sign apparatus involving a plurality of members bearing suitable subjectmatter, means for retracting said members to a concealed position, a plurality of wind ing drums, one for each of said members, and a cord connection between each of said drums and its respective member, a power shaft upon which said drums are loosely mounted, and magnetically controlled means arranged in part within the shaft for connecting said drums to said shaft.

23. A sign apparatus involving a plurality of members bearing suitable subjectmatter, means for retracting said members to a concealed position, a plurality of wind ing drums, one for each of said members, and a cord connection between each of said drums and its respective member, a power shaft upon which said drums are loosely mounted, magnetically controlled means arranged in part within the shaft for connecting said drums to said shaft, and electric selective instrumentalities for controlling the actuation of said means.

24-. In a sign display apparatus, a plurality of movable display members, means operative to move the display members to a concealed position, a mechanism for moving each of said members to an exposed position, said mechanism including a power shaft and cord connections between said power shaft and each of said members and normally disengaged from the shaft, and electrically controlled means arranged in part within the shaft for selecting and looking said connections to said power shaft.

25. In a sign display apparatus, a plurality of movable display members, means operative to move the display members to a concealed position, a mechanism for moving each of said members to an exposed position, said mechanism includin a power shaft and cord connections between said power shaft and each of said members and normally disengaged from the shaft, electrically controlled means for selecting and connecting said connections to said power shaft, a mo tor driving the power shaft and an electrically controlled switch in the motor circuit and controlled by said. means.

26. In a sign display apparatus, a plurality of movable display members, means operative to move the display members to a concealed position, a mechanism for moving each of said members to an exposed position, said mechanism including a power shaft and connections between said power shaft and each of said members and normally disengaged from the shaft, electri- :ally controlled means for selecting and connecting said connections to said power shaft, a motor driving the power shaft, an electrically controlled switch in the motor circuit and controlled by said means, and a circuit breaker disposed in the path of each movable member and adapted when engaged by the latter in the exposed position to render said selective means temporarily inoperative.

27. In a sign apparatus, a plurality of movable members each bearing suitable subject-matter, means for retracting said members to an inconspicuous position, means connected to each of said members for moving the same to a conspicuous position, a driving mechanism for said means and including a clutch for each of said means, and an electrical control system for said clutches and said driving mechanism, said control system including a key-board with keys for each of said display members, electric circuit closers, one for and operated by each key to close an individual circuit related to each of said display members, said individual circuit including a magnet controlling a respective clutch and also including a magnet controlling the operation of the power mechanism, and also a circuit breaker mounted in the path of movement of its respective display member, so that when the latter is moved to display position the individual circuit of the selective mechanism is deenergized.

28. In a sign apparatus, a plurality of movable members each bearing suitable subject-matter, means for retracting said members toan inconspicuous position, means connected to each of said members for moving the same to a conspicuous position, a driving mechanism for said means and including a clutch for each of said. means, an electrical control system for said clutches and said driving mechanism, said control system including a keyboard with keys for each of said display members, electric circuit closers, one for and operated by each key to close an individual circuit related to each of said display members, said individual circuit in eluding a magnet controlling a respective clutch and also including a magnet controlling the operation of the power mechanism, and also a circuit breaker mounted in the path of movement of its respective display member so that when the latter is moved to display position the individual circuit of the selective mechanism is deenergized, and a universal key lock with an actuating-magnet for locking the several keys in one or the other of its positions upon the closure of any circuit by an actuated key.

29. In a sign apparatus, a plurality of movable members each bearing suitable subject-matter, means for retracting said members to an inconspicuous position, means connected to each of said members for moving the same to a conspicuous position, a driving mechanism for said means and including a clutch for each of said means, an electrical control system for said clutches and said driving mechanism, said control system including a keyboard with keys for each of said display members, electric circuit closers. one for and operated by each key to close an individual circuit related to each of said display members, said individual circuit including a magnet controlling a respective clutch and also including a magnet controlling the operation of the power mechanism, and also a circuit breaker mounted in the path of movement of its respective display member so that when the latter is moved to display position the individual circuit of the selective mechanism is deenergized, and a universal automatically disengaging key lock with an actuating magnet for locking the several keys in one or the other of its positions upon the closure of any circuit by an actuated key.

80. A sign apparatus, including a plurality of groups of members, each bearing suitable subject-matter and which members are arranged in compact parallel relation, means for retracting said members to an inconspicuous position, mechanism for moving the members to.a conspicuous position and including electrically controlled clutches, one for each of said members, electrical cir cuits for each of said clutches, power mechanism for each group of display members, a magnetic switch for controlling the operation of said mechanism, and which is common to the electrical circuit of each group, said electrical circuit including a se lective circuit closer, and an electrically controlled. automatic device for successively electrically controlling the operation of disclosing the display members of said groups.

31. A signal comprising, in combination with a casing, indicating curtains mounted in the upper portion thereof and movable to display position across an aperture with which the casing is provided, a motor, a rotative shaft in operative connection with the motor, spools carried on the shaft, cords attached to the curtains and the spools respectively, clutch means cooperating with the respective spools for connecting them severally to the rotative shaft, e1ectr0-mag- In testimony whereof we have hereunto 10 nets having their zn'matures 1n operatlve reset our hands in the presence of two sublation with the clutch devices, respectlvely, scribing Witnesses.

and switches for controlling the circuit of ARTHUR E. LIAIDEN.

the motor and the respective circuit of each CARL SCHINDLER.

of the elect-ro-inagnets whereby operation of \VILLIAM D. NEVVH-OUSE. the motor may be initiated and any one of \Vituesses':

the curtains connected to the motor drawn A. LUGOT NEWHoUsE,

across the display aperture. M. E. MARDEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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