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US1213528A - Apparatus for displaying advertisements, signaling, and the like. - Google Patents

Apparatus for displaying advertisements, signaling, and the like. Download PDF

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Publication number
US1213528A
US1213528A US789930A US1913789930A US1213528A US 1213528 A US1213528 A US 1213528A US 789930 A US789930 A US 789930A US 1913789930 A US1913789930 A US 1913789930A US 1213528 A US1213528 A US 1213528A
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contact
elements
keys
contacts
monogram
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US789930A
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James Priestnall Naylor
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/14Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
    • G06F3/147Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units using display panels
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09GARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/04Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of a single character by selection from a plurality of characters, or by composing the character by combination of individual elements, e.g. segments using a combination of such display devices for composing words, rows or the like, in a frame with fixed character positions

Definitions

  • This invention relates to controlling mechanism for operating groups of electrically actuated elements being more particularly applicable to those operated by two or more magnetic functions as described in my Patvent No. 1,191,023, granted July 11, 1916, of
  • the combination of the controller as herein described together with the elements and monograms as described in the specification referred to enables apparatus to be constructed usable for displaying advertisements, signaling or communicating messages by day or night, wherein letters or characters are caused to appear upon a background by the selection and operation of the proper elements from a. group of elements upon a support or background, a series of said mono grammic formations or groups of elements hereinafter termed monograms being suitably juxtaposed so that words or sentences of the required length. can'be caused to appan and disappear upon the background.
  • One type of element described in the prior specification consists-of a white screen for daylight display, a black shutter Ior flap arranged to cover such daylight screen, and a lamp to cause illumination. of the daylight eration of bringing the shutters into the.
  • a display position and the non-display position may be effected by two magnetic devices, the momentary excitation of one of which causes the display, and the momentary excitation of the other causes the nondisplay, and-to elements of this type the controller described hereinafter is more particularly applicable, although it will be obvious that such, a controller may be utilized for elements for daylight only, that is, elements without a self-contained lamp, and
  • the object of my invention is to provide improved controlling apparatus foroperating groups of elements as described herein,
  • Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the composing keys and means by which they cooperate with the monogram selector and indicator;
  • Fig. 2 is a further diagram illustrating the electrical connections between the elements, composing keys. illuminating circuit, clearing circuit. and monogram selector;
  • Fig. 2 is a detail of the contact stud'and conductive'elements;
  • Fig. 3 illustrates the general arrangement of the apparatus;
  • Fig. 4 is a detail of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 5 is a view of one of the monogrammic units; and
  • Fig. 6 isa, view of means for moving and rewinding the strip, which-is used for automatically controlling the contact keys.
  • B is a lever capable of rotating upon the pivot P and it is caused to travel in a direction remote from the catch G by means of the tension of the spring S. It is normally their mode of actuation w retained in the position shown by the catch G engaging with the pin F so that when the catch is lifted the arm B will travel toward the lamp by the tension of the spring S thus establishing electrical contact between the member C which is insulated from the arm B and the two contacts Cz when this mechanism is utilized to operate daylight members they are actuated by suitable mechanical connections to the member B and they will then display or cease to display in unison with the opening and closing of the lamp contacts C", C.
  • the coil C When it is desired to clear the sign, that is bring all daylight members into the nondisplay position or extinguish all lamps, the coil C is energized by momentarily connecting the conductors C, C with the source of electricity when the magnet C is then energized and will attract the armature CA. which is attached to the member B causing it to travel toward the said magnet. In doing this the spring S is brought under tension, the catch G is raised sufiiciently to allow the pin F to be retained thereby, and the contacts (3 C are opened. The energization of the coils C may then be discontinued, and the mechanism will remain in the position shown in the drawing, as the catch G prevents the spring S from imparting motion to the member B.
  • the conductors D 1) are connected with the source of electricity thus energizing the coil D which will draw up the catch G out of engagement with the pin F thus allowing the spring S to draw the member B so that the contacts C C are established.
  • the coil D may be deenergized and the element will remain displayed until the coil C is again energized. It will; be obvious however, that when the lamp L is illuminated it will consume current during the period of display, or while contact is established between (1 and C.
  • a plurality of monograms one of which is substantially shown in Fig. 5, each composed of a sufiicient number of elements is indicated by M M, 2, and when suchv groups form a sign or signaling device they can be operated by controlling mechanism (as described herein) capable of: (a) manual operation by means of a single keyboard, (b) automatic operation by means of a perforated strip or the like, (a) determining the time and duration of the display of the message or character. It is not necessary that controlling apparatus for operating the sign shall comprise the whole of the above features as for example, a controller comrising the features (a) and (6) only may be employed or either of these two features alone may be employed.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates the composing keys and ereby they are caused to cooperate with the monogram selector.
  • the composing keyboard consists of an insulating support or base K upon which are mounted contact bars K preferably of equal number to the elements comprised upon one monogram of a plurality of similar monograms, each bar being connected by conductors 1 to 6 to the display coil of each of the corresponding elements throughout a plurality of monograms, and such connection being normally open until the monogram selector causes such coils to be connected to the circuit in the manner described and illustrated in reference to Fig. 2, enabling the group of elements upon any one monogram to be electrically connected to a single composing keyboard in a manner already known to those skilled in the art.
  • the composing key bars K each of which is furnished with projecting contacts K in electrical connection therewith and for the purpose of energizing the group of contact bars K such groups corresponding with the number of elements upon each monogram.
  • the disposition of the contacts K determines the number and the disposition of the contacts K to be energized by the bar K and thereby enabling groups of elements corresponding with the disposition of the contacts K to be energized upon the face of the sign when the bar K is actuated into the contacting position.
  • the bar K is attached to a stem K which passes through guide plates K", K", supported by the member K Upon such stem is affixed an iron concentric projection or armature core K and below such projection is located a spring K which rests upon the supporting guide K, and such spring is of sufiiclent strength to maintain the bar Kv out of contact as shown in the drawing.
  • a magnetic coil I will when energized by connecting conductors K and I with a source of electricity, act upon the iron core K thus causing operation of the key by means alternative to manual pressure upon K and the object of which is described in connection with Fig. 2.
  • the key-board is also provided with a member K which engages with all keys and is capable of being moved against the pressure of the sprin K by means of the projection K carrie upon the key stem K so that when the finger-key K is depressed, the inclined surface of K" operating against the aperture K” causes the member K to travel toward the spring K” and bringing the said spring under compression, so that when the key K is released the member K is returned into I the member K in the manner described the said member carrying the pawl K which is arranged to engage with the wheel K so that when any finger-key is depressed, the said pawl due to its attachment with the member K is advanced to engage a ratchet tooth of the wheel K and when this finger-key is released the spring K causes the return of the sliding member K and the paw
  • the automatic selection of the monograms is accomplished by the manipulation of the keyboard by means of that part of the mechanism illustrated in the upper section of the Fig. 1. It consists of a fixed insulating drum 3* carrying the six contacts S and the contacts S, the contacts S being arranged in the same relative position as the monograms forming the sign (and in the example it is assumed that there are six monograms arranged in two rows of three). Each of the contacts S is connected by the conductors M to M to the monogram circuits so that when they are energized they cause the setting coils of a group of elements in the same relative position upon the sign to be connected to the group of conductors part of which are numbered 1 to 6.
  • a concentric internal carrier S is supported by the spindle S attached to the traveling carriage Swhich slides in the bearings S S and the carrier S in addition to the lateral motion which it acquires through its supporting carriage is also rotatable upon the spindle S in such manner that a point upon the carrier S may be successively brought int a position coinciding with the various contact studs S 8*.
  • Upon the concentric carrier S is mounted a contact stud S fed by the conductive strip S which is connected to a source opposite to that feeding the coils actuating the multicontact switches which connect the display coils to the conductors 1 to 6 as shown in Fig.
  • the contact stud S may be both rotated and moved laterally it may successively establish electrical contact with the studs S S thus causing the setting coils of the elements comprised within the monograms to be successively connected to the contact bars K of the keyboard as determined by the motion of the said quently the drum S acquire the same lateral motion and consequently the frame S.
  • Drum S continuously rotates in one direcequal to the distance between the centers of i the contact studs S a click S being provided to correctly lock the carrier in its position until the pinion S is forced around another step
  • a click S being provided to correctly lock the carrier in its position until the pinion S is forced around another step
  • Upon the outside of the drum S and in the position of the contacts S may be placed markings to indicate the relative positions of the various monograms upon the sign, and a pointer S attached to the drum S with its point coinciding with the center of the stud S will then always indicate upon the externl drum S the position. of the next monogram which will be operated when a key is pressed or alternatively when the end of the line has been reached.
  • step by step selective operation previously described will then continue till the end of the next line when it will be seen that the contact stud S in addition to establishing contact on one ofthe contact studs S causing the previously described cycle of operations to be performed also establishes contact upon the stud S thus permitting current to flow from the source through conductive strip S through contact stud S conductor S to the magnetic coil of the electric switch C and thus through the conductor S to the pole of the source causing the switch C to close a subsidiary circuit communicating with the clearing coils of the elements upon the sign so as to effect the clearing or non-display of the said elements.
  • the said switch C engages the conductors S, S and consequently the coil C (Fig.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates in detail the internal connections of the elementswhich have already been described toconnections to the control conductors, the method by which the setting coils are successively placed in relation with the composin keyboard, the method by which the clearing devices are operated and the means adapted for utilizing a perforated paper strip to vary the connections of the circuit so as to manipulate the whole functions of the sign without the said paper strip device having to break an electric current of sufficient strength to generate a destructive arc.
  • a metallic bar B connected to a positive pole of a source of electricity is located under the brushes B, B B, etc., and such brushes are maintained out of contact with the said bar by means of a paper strip PP or other convenient arrangement producing eqllxlivalent results.
  • Means are also provided w ereby the paper strip may be traveled under the contact brushes as by winding upon a roller, and the brushes which it is desired to cause to contact with the said bar are permitted so to do by the provision of holes in the paper as P P, P allowing the desired sequence of contacts to be made as the paper is wound upon a containing spool, and allowing successive combinations and sequences of brushes to make and interrupt electrical connection with the bar B".
  • FIG. 6 A preferred form of means for moving and rewinding the perforated paper strip PP, is shown in Fig. 6 in which a perforated paper strip PP, moves forward over contact bar 13, under contact brushes B to 12 B.
  • the strip PP is wound from roller 237 and upon roller 237 and any suitable means (not shown) may be used to rewind the same.
  • the action of the contact fingers upon the bar B through the perforations 12 P and so forth, is such as tocause the excitation of the proper electro-magnets under the keys, said electro-magnets being connected to the proper contact fingers in the same order and sequence as the perforations upon 1! the record and in the same way as if the keys were being manually operated.
  • Contact fingers 39 and 39 are provided so that when-the end of a record is reached, a perforation travels under the contact 39'and operates the reversing switch 240, causing the motor 241 to rewind the record and at the same timedisconnect the monogram circuit so that the elements are not operated upon during the rewinding process.
  • a perforation passes under the contact 39, thus causing the reversing switch 240 to operate again, causing the record to movein a normal direction with the monogram circuit reconnected and the elements operating. Now if for example it is desired to operate ele.
  • Excitation of the coil SR will cause the switch SR to establish contact with the pins SR.
  • a subsidiary circuit is then established from the positive pole of the source to the contact SR through SR to the conductor SR to the magnetic coil M0 and thus to the negative pole of the source.
  • Excitation of the coil MC causes attraction of the armature MC and consequent operation cf the insulating rod MC causing the contacts MC*, M0 M0 to contact with the pairs of terminals MC MC and MC", thus placing all the display coils on the monogram M- in electrical connection with the conductors 1,
  • a subsidiary circuit is then established from the positive pole of a source through the armature (J to the contact C to the conductor C thence to coil C of element E to theconductor C and thus to the opposite pole of a source, simultaneous excitation of similar coils in elements E and E taking place.
  • the armature CA is operated thus causing the elements to assume their non-display position, both elements E and E and as the element has not been displayed its coil C is excited, but no motion of the display element takes place due to the fact that it is already in the position to which it would be drawn had its condition been otherwise.
  • the .5 tien of the paper P having interrupted contact between tit-e brushes B" and the positive pole of the source the magnetic apparatus just enumerated assumes its normal open cirouit position and the elements upon monogram l t 1 remain cleared or in the nondisplay position without any further current being consumed, and when it is desired that other combinations upon other monograms shall be actuated, different combinations of the devices described may be operated in the method described to produce the desired results. It will therefore be understood that ifthe paper PP is traveled at a constant rate of speed that the perforations P P may be caused to establish their contacts at a given time of day-and that the space intervening between P l? and P will determine the would otherwise result due to'passing the paper perforations backward under the brushes B to B.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates the arrangement of a keyboard for practical working, but for the sake of clearness I have omitted the automatic contacting device operated by a paper strip or equivalent which I have clearly shown in Fig.
  • the present figure shows the means whereby I may alternatively clear or bring to the non-display position the elements upon individual monograms or collectively by the depression or operation of one of the individual clearing relays C to C causing current to flow from the source to the bar C through the hinge C to the movable conductive section of the relay C" and thus to the clearing coil C of the sign elements.
  • the'conductors S and S are energized in the manner shown in Fig.
  • the keys K, and relays C to C, and SR to SR in addition to makin the contacts already described may eac be provided with an additional contacting device such as R connected by a conductor R to the terminal R so that when such terminals are connected to suitable time or character recording devicesthe manipulation of the key will not only cause the performance of operating functions of the sign, but will also cause such functions to be recorded.
  • the key K is a space ke whose sole function is to operate the rate et gear shown in Fig. 1 without making a group of contacts upon the bars K and for the sole object of causing the automatic monogram selector stud S to pass over a contact S communicating with a monogram which it is desired to leave vacant of displayed elements.
  • any of the composing relays may be operatedby the excitation of their individual magnetic devices and in the manner already described and shown in reference to Fig. 2, it will also be obvious that the keys controlling these three functions may be manually manipulated so that if for example when using the automatic selector (in the manner described in connection with Fig.
  • an advertisement and signal display device the combination of a plurality of similar monogrammic groups of elements, three systems of contact keys, circuit connections between the keys and the monogrammic groups, one system of said keys being for the selection of the monogrammic group, another system comprising composing keys for selection of elements upon the particular monogrammic group, and the third system being for the deletion of displayed elements, manually operative means for controlling the said three systems of keys and automatically operative means for controlling the said three systems of keys,
  • said automatically operative means being constructed and arranged for alternative manual operation.
  • said automatic means including a control device having only as many contacts as there are systems of keys, the duration of the display of the selected elements being determinable by the distance between the contacts and the speed of the control device,

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Description

J. P. NAYLOR.
APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING ADY ERTISEMENTS, SIGNALING, AND THE LIKE.
APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15. I913- 1,213,528. Patented Jan. 23,1917.
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.1. 'P NAYL0B. APPARATUS FUR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS, SIGNALING, AND THE LIKE.
APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15. I913- ihiented Jan.23,1917@ 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.
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APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS, SIGNALING, AND THE LIKE.
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JAMES PRIESTNALL NAYLOR, or nULwIci 'LonnoN, ENGLAND.
APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS, SIGNALING, AND THE LIKE.
Original application filed August 2, 1911, Serial No. 642,030. Patent No. 1,191,023, dated July ll, 1916.
Specification of Letters Patent.
Divided and this application filed September 15, 1913. Serial No. 789,930.
Be it known that I, JAMES PRmsTN'ALI. NAYLOR, a subject of the King of England, residing at Dulwich, London, in England, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Apparatus 'for DisplayingAdvertisements, Signaling, and the like, of which the followingis a specification.
This invention relates to controlling mechanism for operating groups of electrically actuated elements being more particularly applicable to those operated by two or more magnetic functions as described in my Patvent No. 1,191,023, granted July 11, 1916, of
which this application is a division.
The combination of the controller as herein described together with the elements and monograms as described in the specification referred to enables apparatus to be constructed usable for displaying advertisements, signaling or communicating messages by day or night, wherein letters or characters are caused to appear upon a background by the selection and operation of the proper elements from a. group of elements upon a support or background, a series of said mono grammic formations or groups of elements hereinafter termed monograms being suitably juxtaposed so that words or sentences of the required length. can'be caused to appan and disappear upon the background.
One type of element described in the prior specification consists-of a white screen for daylight display, a black shutter Ior flap arranged to cover such daylight screen, and a lamp to cause illumination. of the daylight eration of bringing the shutters into the.
display position and the non-display position may be effected by two magnetic devices, the momentary excitation of one of which causes the display, and the momentary excitation of the other causes the nondisplay, and-to elements of this type the controller described hereinafter is more particularly applicable, although it will be obvious that such, a controller may be utilized for elements for daylight only, that is, elements without a self-contained lamp, and
.for elements for night display only, that is,
for similar magnetic mechanism operating the lamp contact only.
The object of my invention is to provide improved controlling apparatus foroperating groups of elements as described herein,
the said controlling apparatus to be capawhich Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the composing keys and means by which they cooperate with the monogram selector and indicator; Fig. 2 is a further diagram illustrating the electrical connections between the elements, composing keys. illuminating circuit, clearing circuit. and monogram selector; Fig. 2 is a detail of the contact stud'and conductive'elements; Fig. 3 illustrates the general arrangement of the apparatus; Fig. 4 is a detail of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a view of one of the monogrammic units; and Fig. 6 isa, view of means for moving and rewinding the strip, which-is used for automatically controlling the contact keys.
In my prior application above noted I have described various forms of elements adapted to be operated so that their visual members may be brought into the display position by the momentary passage of an electric current and again to be'operated for bringing them into the non-display position by the momentary passage of another electric current. The arrangement of the electro-magnetic mechanism of one of such elements is illustrated for convenience in Fig.
2, the lamp display member only being shown.
. B is a lever capable of rotating upon the pivot P and it is caused to travel in a direction remote from the catch G by means of the tension of the spring S. It is normally their mode of actuation w retained in the position shown by the catch G engaging with the pin F so that when the catch is lifted the arm B will travel toward the lamp by the tension of the spring S thus establishing electrical contact between the member C which is insulated from the arm B and the two contacts Cz when this mechanism is utilized to operate daylight members they are actuated by suitable mechanical connections to the member B and they will then display or cease to display in unison with the opening and closing of the lamp contacts C", C.
When it is desired to clear the sign, that is bring all daylight members into the nondisplay position or extinguish all lamps, the coil C is energized by momentarily connecting the conductors C, C with the source of electricity when the magnet C is then energized and will attract the armature CA. which is attached to the member B causing it to travel toward the said magnet. In doing this the spring S is brought under tension, the catch G is raised sufiiciently to allow the pin F to be retained thereby, and the contacts (3 C are opened. The energization of the coils C may then be discontinued, and the mechanism will remain in the position shown in the drawing, as the catch G prevents the spring S from imparting motion to the member B. \Vhen it is desired to cause display, the conductors D 1) are connected with the source of electricity thus energizing the coil D which will draw up the catch G out of engagement with the pin F thus allowing the spring S to draw the member B so that the contacts C C are established. After the catch G has released the pin F the coil D may be deenergized and the element will remain displayed until the coil C is again energized. It will; be obvious however, that when the lamp L is illuminated it will consume current during the period of display, or while contact is established between (1 and C.
A plurality of monograms, one of which is substantially shown in Fig. 5, each composed of a sufiicient number of elements is indicated by M M, 2, and when suchv groups form a sign or signaling device they can be operated by controlling mechanism (as described herein) capable of: (a) manual operation by means of a single keyboard, (b) automatic operation by means of a perforated strip or the like, (a) determining the time and duration of the display of the message or character. It is not necessary that controlling apparatus for operating the sign shall comprise the whole of the above features as for example, a controller comrising the features (a) and (6) only may be employed or either of these two features alone may be employed.
Fig. 1 illustrates the composing keys and ereby they are caused to cooperate with the monogram selector.
The composing keyboard consists of an insulating support or base K upon which are mounted contact bars K preferably of equal number to the elements comprised upon one monogram of a plurality of similar monograms, each bar being connected by conductors 1 to 6 to the display coil of each of the corresponding elements throughout a plurality of monograms, and such connection being normally open until the monogram selector causes such coils to be connected to the circuit in the manner described and illustrated in reference to Fig. 2, enabling the group of elements upon any one monogram to be electrically connected to a single composing keyboard in a manner already known to those skilled in the art.
Mounted above the contact bars and connected to a pole of the electrical circuit opposite to that of the display coils are the composing key bars K each of which is furnished with projecting contacts K in electrical connection therewith and for the purpose of energizing the group of contact bars K such groups corresponding with the number of elements upon each monogram. The disposition of the contacts K determines the number and the disposition of the contacts K to be energized by the bar K and thereby enabling groups of elements corresponding with the disposition of the contacts K to be energized upon the face of the sign when the bar K is actuated into the contacting position.
The bar K is attached to a stem K which passes through guide plates K", K", supported by the member K Upon such stem is affixed an iron concentric projection or armature core K and below such projection is located a spring K which rests upon the supporting guide K, and such spring is of sufiiclent strength to maintain the bar Kv out of contact as shown in the drawing.
A magnetic coil I will when energized by connecting conductors K and I with a source of electricity, act upon the iron core K thus causing operation of the key by means alternative to manual pressure upon K and the object of which is described in connection with Fig. 2. The key-board is also provided with a member K which engages with all keys and is capable of being moved against the pressure of the sprin K by means of the projection K carrie upon the key stem K so that when the finger-key K is depressed, the inclined surface of K" operating against the aperture K" causes the member K to travel toward the spring K" and bringing the said spring under compression, so that when the key K is released the member K is returned into I the member K in the manner described the said member carrying the pawl K which is arranged to engage with the wheel K so that when any finger-key is depressed, the said pawl due to its attachment with the member K is advanced to engage a ratchet tooth of the wheel K and when this finger-key is released the spring K causes the return of the sliding member K and the pawl K thus causing, the required partial rotation of the ratchet wheel K Mounted fast upon the same spindle K as the wheel K and rota edthereby, is the pinion S which actuates the monogram selector which I will now describe.
a The automatic selection of the monograms is accomplished by the manipulation of the keyboard by means of that part of the mechanism illustrated in the upper section of the Fig. 1. It consists of a fixed insulating drum 3* carrying the six contacts S and the contacts S, the contacts S being arranged in the same relative position as the monograms forming the sign (and in the example it is assumed that there are six monograms arranged in two rows of three). Each of the contacts S is connected by the conductors M to M to the monogram circuits so that when they are energized they cause the setting coils of a group of elements in the same relative position upon the sign to be connected to the group of conductors part of which are numbered 1 to 6. A concentric internal carrier S is supported by the spindle S attached to the traveling carriage Swhich slides in the bearings S S and the carrier S in addition to the lateral motion which it acquires through its supporting carriage is also rotatable upon the spindle S in such manner that a point upon the carrier S may be successively brought int a position coinciding with the various contact studs S 8*. Upon the concentric carrier S is mounted a contact stud S fed by the conductive strip S which is connected to a source opposite to that feeding the coils actuating the multicontact switches which connect the display coils to the conductors 1 to 6 as shown in Fig. 2 and hereinafter described so that as the contact stud S may be both rotated and moved laterally it may successively establish electrical contact with the studs S S thus causing the setting coils of the elements comprised within the monograms to be successively connected to the contact bars K of the keyboard as determined by the motion of the said quently the drum S acquire the same lateral motion and consequently the frame S.
Drum S continuously rotates in one direcequal to the distance between the centers of i the contact studs S a click S being provided to correctly lock the carrier in its position until the pinion S is forced around another step Upon the outside of the drum S and in the position of the contacts S may be placed markings to indicate the relative positions of the various monograms upon the sign, and a pointer S attached to the drum S with its point coinciding with the center of the stud S will then always indicate upon the externl drum S the position. of the next monogram which will be operated when a key is pressed or alternatively when the end of the line has been reached. As the motion of the monogram selecting stud S takes place after the release of the key K it will be seen that the motion takes place after the contacts K K are opened, thus connecting the next monogram in readiness for operation by the next key depressed, and step by step it successively connects the monograms until the last monogram of one of the horizontal rows has been connected when it is then necessary to lift the pawl K and draw the carrier to the left and rotate the drum S so that the contact S contacts with the first stud of the next line, this is electrically accomplished in the following manner :On release of the key K contact is established between the contact S and the stud S causing current to flow from the source to conductors S to bar S and stud S to top stud S to conductor S and S to the magnetic coil S to conductor S and thus to the opposite pole of the source, causing the coil S to be energized and exert traction upon the armature S Current also flows from the conductor 5 and S to the coil S through conductor S to the bridged contacts S to the conductor S and thus to conductor S leading to the opposite pole of the source thus causing the armature attached to the pawl lever K to be drawn toward it lifting the pawl out of contact with the wheel K and also causing the contact K to enter the mercury cup ,K when the operatingcurrent will have a path alternative to that already described through the conductors, mercury. cup K and contact K to the flexible bridge wire S to the conductor S so that the conductor S feeding the two magnetic coils S, S is then connected to the conductor at the contact S S and the mercury cup K K ias with the pawl raised out of mesh from the wheel K". The coil S exercising tractive force on its armature S" causing the carriage S to be drawn toward it and consequently interrupting the contacts S with S but owing to the alternative path through the mercury cup contact being maintained it enables the coil S to continue to draw the carrier S and consequently the concentric rack S toward the pawl S" with which [it is constructed to engage, and the continuing motion will further cause the pawl pivoted at S to engage with the rack and the continuing lateral motion of the carriage will cause the carrier S to be rotated through an angle equal to the distance between the rows of studs, 8, the motion continuing until the said pawl assumes a osition indicated by its dotted outline and in contact with the device S which connects together the two conductors S, S which it causes to open so the remaining path K, K, S S, S", S, S and S is interrupted deenergizing the 25 magnet coil S allowing the pawl to assume its position of engagement with the wheel K and consequent interruption of the mercury cup contact and deenergization of the magnetic device S All parts concerned 30 have now been returned to normal. The step by step selective operation previously described will then continue till the end of the next line when it will be seen that the contact stud S in addition to establishing contact on one ofthe contact studs S causing the previously described cycle of operations to be performed also establishes contact upon the stud S thus permitting current to flow from the source through conductive strip S through contact stud S conductor S to the magnetic coil of the electric switch C and thus through the conductor S to the pole of the source causing the switch C to close a subsidiary circuit communicating with the clearing coils of the elements upon the sign so as to effect the clearing or non-display of the said elements. The said switch C engages the conductors S, S and consequently the coil C (Fig. 3) thus causing the compound contact-maker or gang-key (1 to operate the group of clearing devices including relays C to C With a sign of sufiicient lines of monograms the action described would be equal to one revolution of the contact drum S so that the sign would be cleared and be ready to receive actuation of the group of elements upon the first monogram of the first line as 60 soon as the keyboard is manipulated.
When there are insufficient lines of monograms to permit disposition around the periphery of the drum they may as above described be geometrically repeated and each I 6i stud in a position relative to the monograms would be connected together so that after partial revolution of the selector drum the sign is cleared and the controller keyboard :is again placed in relation with the first mono am in the first line. The action of the clz arin circuit is described in connection with Pig. 2. It will also be obvious that if the sign consisted of one row of monograms that the rotation of the contact S would be unnecessary.
Fig. 2 illustrates in detail the internal connections of the elementswhich have already been described toconnections to the control conductors, the method by which the setting coils are successively placed in relation with the composin keyboard, the method by which the clearing devices are operated and the means adapted for utilizing a perforated paper strip to vary the connections of the circuit so as to manipulate the whole functions of the sign without the said paper strip device having to break an electric current of sufficient strength to generate a destructive arc.
The group of elements E E, E repre- 96 sent an equipment of the monogram.M and the group of elements E, E, E, represent a group of elements on monogram M.
I will now proceed to describe the action of the controller when operated by means of a perforated strip as shown by Fig. 2.
A metallic bar B connected to a positive pole of a source of electricity is located under the brushes B, B B, etc., and such brushes are maintained out of contact with the said bar by means of a paper strip PP or other convenient arrangement producing eqllxlivalent results. Means are also provided w ereby the paper strip may be traveled under the contact brushes as by winding upon a roller, and the brushes which it is desired to cause to contact with the said bar are permitted so to do by the provision of holes in the paper as P P, P allowing the desired sequence of contacts to be made as the paper is wound upon a containing spool, and allowing successive combinations and sequences of brushes to make and interrupt electrical connection with the bar B". 111
A preferred form of means for moving and rewinding the perforated paper strip PP, is shown in Fig. 6 in which a perforated paper strip PP, moves forward over contact bar 13, under contact brushes B to 12 B. The strip PP is wound from roller 237 and upon roller 237 and any suitable means (not shown) may be used to rewind the same. The action of the contact fingers upon the bar B through the perforations 12 P and so forth, is such as tocause the excitation of the proper electro-magnets under the keys, said electro-magnets being connected to the proper contact fingers in the same order and sequence as the perforations upon 1! the record and in the same way as if the keys were being manually operated. Contact fingers 39 and 39 are provided so that when-the end of a record is reached, a perforation travels under the contact 39'and operates the reversing switch 240, causing the motor 241 to rewind the record and at the same timedisconnect the monogram circuit so that the elements are not operated upon during the rewinding process. When the commencement of a record is reached, a perforation passes under the contact 39, thus causing the reversing switch 240 to operate again, causing the record to movein a normal direction with the monogram circuit reconnected and the elements operating. Now if for example it is desired to operate ele. ments E and E upon monogram M perforations would be provided in the paper strip in the positions P P so that simultaneously the brushes B and B establish .contact with the source by contacting the bar B Current wvill then flow through the following circuits from the source through the contact bar B under the paper strip through perforation P? to the brush B through the conductor M to the magnetic coil SR and to the negative pole of the source.
Excitation of the coil SR will cause the switch SR to establish contact with the pins SR. A subsidiary circuit is then established from the positive pole of the source to the contact SR through SR to the conductor SR to the magnetic coil M0 and thus to the negative pole of the source. Excitation of the coil MC causes attraction of the armature MC and consequent operation cf the insulating rod MC causing the contacts MC*, M0 M0 to contact with the pairs of terminals MC MC and MC", thus placing all the display coils on the monogram M- in electrical connection with the conductors 1,
then flow through the brush if, conductor B coil K connected therewith and to the opposite pole of the same source thus causing the armature K to be up and establish the following subsidiary circuit, from the positive conductor of a source to keyboard bar 4 through contact K engagingtherewith to the stem K of the key and thus to the contacts K which engage with the bars connected with the conductors l and 2, current will then flow from a positive source to bar 4 through the stem K of a key K through the contacts K engaging with the bars connecting conductors 1 and 2 through the conductors 1 and 2 to the contacts MC and MC which are bridged by the switches MC" and M0 and thus through the conductor D in element E through the coil D to the conductor D and thus to the opposite pole of a source, an exactly similar contact being established in the element E In the manner previously described the two elements are then displayed. Due to the motion of the paper strip contact with the brush B is broken and the whole of the circuits just described as being made are then opened but the elements will remain displayinguntil the clearing coils Care energized. This is accomplished by the perforation P being brought under brush B when a circuit is established from the positive pole of the source through the erforation P to the brush B, conductor 6 coil C to the negative pole of a source. This causes the arma= ture C to contact with C from which it is normally kept out of contact by the spring C". A subsidiary circuit is then established from the positive pole of a source through the armature (J to the contact C to the conductor C thence to coil C of element E to theconductor C and thus to the opposite pole of a source, simultaneous excitation of similar coils in elements E and E taking place. In the manner already described the armature CA is operated thus causing the elements to assume their non-display position, both elements E and E and as the element has not been displayed its coil C is excited, but no motion of the display element takes place due to the fact that it is already in the position to which it would be drawn had its condition been otherwise. The .5: tien of the paper P having interrupted contact between tit-e brushes B" and the positive pole of the source the magnetic apparatus just enumerated assumes its normal open cirouit position and the elements upon monogram l t 1 remain cleared or in the nondisplay position without any further current being consumed, and when it is desired that other combinations upon other monograms shall be actuated, different combinations of the devices described may be operated in the method described to produce the desired results. It will therefore be understood that ifthe paper PP is traveled at a constant rate of speed that the perforations P P may be caused to establish their contacts at a given time of day-and that the space intervening between P l? and P will determine the would otherwise result due to'passing the paper perforations backward under the brushes B to B.
- source The manner in which the automaticselector described by Fig. l cooperates with the system of conductors shown by Fig. 2 is indicated again showing the conductive strips S, the stud S two of the contacts S, two of the conductors M and M leading therefrom, and the conductor S leading from the source of the contact strip S. When it is desired to operate automatic se lection from the keyboard it is necessary that the brushes B to B are insulated or disconnected from the contact bar B and this may be done by introducing an unperforated section of paper between them and the contact bar. Operation of the keyboard will then cause simultaneous selection of inonogrammic groups of elements together with the actuation of combinations of the said groups, clearing being then effected by manual manipulation of the clearing keys, and in order that such manipulation shall be convenient for practical purposes I should construct my apparatus as. illustrated by Fig. 3 illustrates the arrangement of a keyboard for practical working, but for the sake of clearness I have omitted the automatic contacting device operated by a paper strip or equivalent which I have clearly shown in Fig. 2, in connection with which figure I have already described the action of the contact maker S and S and shown the mode of connecting the relays SR and SR I have also described the action of the clearing relays C to C and the method by which the keys K energize groups of the composing conductors 1, 2 and 3, and the method whereby the coils I 12 are energized from the automatic contact device.
The present figure shows the means whereby I may alternatively clear or bring to the non-display position the elements upon individual monograms or collectively by the depression or operation of one of the individual clearing relays C to C causing current to flow from the source to the bar C through the hinge C to the movable conductive section of the relay C" and thus to the clearing coil C of the sign elements. When it is desired thatthe whole of the sign shall be cleared the'conductors S and S are energized in the manner shown in Fig. 1, thus energizing the coil C and causing the gang key C to contact with the corresponding gang of studs C which are connected by the conductors C to the group of conductors C and the coils of the clearing relays are then energized by a circuit that is established from a positive source to the hinge C and thus to the contacting device C contact C conductor C, the coils of the relays C to C and to the bar C" and thus to the opposite pole of the The contactin devices on the relays are normally held in the non-contacting awe.
position 3y the spring C as illustrated in Fig. 2. he selective relays are of similar construction and are similar in their mode of operation, but as it is seldom desirable to cause the same letter to appear upon every monogram of the sign, no means of collectively operating the keys are provided as with the clearing circuit.
The keys K, and relays C to C, and SR to SR in addition to makin the contacts already described may eac be provided with an additional contacting device such as R connected by a conductor R to the terminal R so that when such terminals are connected to suitable time or character recording devicesthe manipulation of the key will not only cause the performance of operating functions of the sign, but will also cause such functions to be recorded. The key K is a space ke whose sole function is to operate the rate et gear shown in Fig. 1 without making a group of contacts upon the bars K and for the sole object of causing the automatic monogram selector stud S to pass over a contact S communicating with a monogram which it is desired to leave vacant of displayed elements.
By an inspection of the diagram it will be clear that any of the composing relays may be operatedby the excitation of their individual magnetic devices and in the manner already described and shown in reference to Fig. 2, it will also be obvious that the keys controlling these three functions may be manually manipulated so that if for example when using the automatic selector (in the manner described in connection with Fig. 1) an error were made in one letter the said letter may be deleted by operating the clearing key and the monogram so cleared may be placed in relation with the keyboard by the operation of the correct selective key while manually operating the correct composing key by this means (as for correction purposes) may be substituted upon any one of the monograms, and it will also be obvious that by hand manipulation of the three groups of keys shown, letters may be displayed and cleared in any desired manner or sequence either letter by letter, row by row, line by line, or erratically, and it will be seen that when electric lamps are used for the purpose of visualizing the elements the individual contacts within the elements may be made and broken independr' ently of the energization of the circuit feeding such lamps as when elements are utilized with daylight flaps for displaying in the daylight, the illuminant then bein unnecessary, or alternatively the lig ting switch may be actuated after the closing of the lamp contacts and before the opening of the lamp contacts individual to the elements so as to preserve such contacts from damage which might result from arcing.
energization of a plurality of electro-mag-' netic devices, three systems of contact keys, circuit connections between the keys and the monogrammic groups, one system of said keys being for selection of a monogrammic group, a second system including composing keys for selection of elements on the particular monogrammic group, and a third system for deletion of displayed elements by operating those elements only which have been displayed, and manipulative .means for controlling the said three systems of keys.
2. In an advertisement and signal display device, the combination of a plurality of similar monogrammic groups of elements,
I three systems of contact keys, circuit connections between the keys and the monogrammic groups, one system of said keys be ing for the selection of the monogrammic group, the second system formed of composing keys for selection of elements upon the particular monogrammic group, and a third system being for the deletion of displayed elements, and automatically operative means for controlling the said three systems of keys, said automatic means including a control strip having only as many contact devices as there are systems of keys.
3. In an advertisement and signal display device, the combination of a plurality of similar monogrammic groups of elements, three systems of contact keys, circuit connections between the keys and the monogrammic groups, one system of said keys being for the selection of the monogrammic group, another system comprising composing keys for selection of elements upon the particular monogrammic group, and the third system being for the deletion of displayed elements, manually operative means for controlling the said three systems of keys and automatically operative means for controlling the said three systems of keys,
said automatically operative means being constructed and arranged for alternative manual operation. I
4. In an advertisement and signal display device, the combination of a plurality of similar monogrammic groups of elements, three systems of contact keys, circuit connections between the keys and the monogrammic groups, one system of said keys being for the selection of the monogrammic group, another system including groups of keys for selection of elements upon the particular, monogrammic group, and a third system being for the deletion of displayed elements,
and automatically operative means for controlling the said three systems of keys, said automatic means including a control device having only as many contacts as there are systems of keys, the duration of the display of the selected elements being determinable by the distance between the contacts and the speed of the control device,
5. In an advertisement and signal display device, the combination of a plurality of similar monogrammic groups of elements, each element individually capable of operation to display and non-display position by the energization of a plurality of electromagnetic devices, three systems of contact keys, circuit connections between the keys and the monogrammic groups, one system of said keys being for selection of a monogram= mic group, a second system including composing keys for the selection of elements on the particular monogrammic group, and a third system for the deletion of displayed elements by operating those elements only which have been displayed, manipulative means for the said three systems of keys andv automatically operative means for controlling the said three systems of keys, said automatic means including a control strip having contact devices corresponding in number to the systems of keys.
In witness whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two witnesses.
JAMES PRIESTNALL NAYLOR.
Witnesses:
TRACY LAY, O. J. WORTH.
US789930A 1911-08-02 1913-09-15 Apparatus for displaying advertisements, signaling, and the like. Expired - Lifetime US1213528A (en)

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