US1894380A - Panel unit sign - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 17, 1933. E, L N 1,894,380

PANEL UNIT SIGN March 51; 2 Sheetssheet INVENTOR Joklz zl' wag ATT RNEY Patented 12111.17 1933 JOHN E. LONG, or MULTNOMAH, OREGON OFFICE;

I PANEL UNIT sren Application filed March 31, Serial No. 440,462. a

My invention relates to electric signs of the, type shown in the United States Re-issue Patent issued to myself December 6, 1927, which bears'Patent No. 16,809, and more particularly to the display board or sign proper illustrated in Patent No. 1,681,491, issued August 21, 1928,- to myself. v j i In such patents, a display or sign board comprises a bank of lights mounted upon an integral conducting face plate, which Constitutes a common terminal for all of the lamps. Each of the lamps is intermittently energized thru'a separate wire and such separate wires constitute the other terminal for each of the lamps. F or this reason,'it is dif-- licult to provide adequate fuses or protective devices for the circuits, as required by the underwriters and by the authorities in various communities, as it is necessary to fuse each separate wire or to fuse the entire sign by a single fuse, such fuse being arranged in the return circuit from such terminal plate to the source of energy. Also because of the large number of separate wires necessary for feeding the individual lights, it is difficult to keep an accurate check upon the path of each wire. "o The object of my present invention is to provide a sign of this character having aface plate comprising a series of panels of substantially uniform size, thus dividing the return circuit into a number of branches, each feeding a proportionately less number of outlets, such panels being arranged side by side and being insulated fromeach other.

' A further object of my invention is to provide a sign composed of panels. of uniform character, in which the face plates are mounted upon an insulated. base and spaced therefrom, except upon the bounding or marginal edges, the latter being fitted tightly to the face plate and being sealed relatively with the latter. A further object of my invention is to provide a sign or display board of this character made of panels, in which the insulating base board and the conductive face plate areproportioned relatively to each other so that the adjacent panels are electrically insulated from their support'from each othersolely by the relative proportions of such'parts and -independent of auxiliary insulating means.

A further object of my invention is to so arrange the portions of the face plate'ina sign of this character that such face plate is formed to constitute a plurality of spaced integral sockets capable of receiving and holding light bulbs having bases of the so-called bayonet types, as opposed screw bases and in this manner eliminating to those having the necessity for providing separate sockets. I

A further object of my invention is to, provide a convenient arrangement of the connections with each ofsuchspaced sockets so that all of such circuits are provided with terminals grouped in predetermined'pattern to expedite the completing and matching of such pluralityof such individual circuits.

The details of construction and themode ofoperation are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which"! Fig. 1 is an elevation of two display units shown connected, as for example in a double faced sign, and shows somewhat in diagram the electrical connections and control apparatus for such sign;

Flg. 2 1s a sectlon on a somewhat enlarged scale taken. substantially on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1; I

Fig.3 is a somewhat similar section taken on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1;

Fig.3A shows portions Fig. 3detached and in plan; 7

Fig. 4: is a fore-shortenedsection taken on a smaller scale and on substantially the line 44; and j Y v 5 is a diagrammatic elevation of the back portion of one of the panel units embodying my invention.

I have shown my invention as being embodied in an electric sign having two display boards 1 and 1a. Upon the face of each of such display boards embodying myinvention, I arrange a plurality of alined electric lamps 2 covering substantially the entire display surface of such board. The electric circuit control apparatus for such board comprises an open-top receptacle 3, having av body 8a, and a bottomportion 3b, preferof the" devices in I ably made of non-conducting material, because it is. in such bottom that the terminals 4 are embedded.

The upper surface of such bottom is plane except at the ends to receive guide rolls 5. The terminals 4 of the electric lamps 2 are connected by conduits 6, each contact being separately connected to its corresponding lamp. A ribbon-like control element of non-conducting material such, for example, as paper is led into such receptacle and be neath said guide rolls 5 and slidingly engages the upper surface 30 of the bottom 3?).

A body of mercury is contained within a receptacle and is adapted to overlie such ribbon-like control element and is adapted to serve as a common terminal for all of the terminals arranged in suchbottom 3?). Such body of mercuryis connected to the lamps 2 in'the sign l, through a return conduit 9, having branches 9a,.which conduit is connected toa source. of supply of electric energy shown diagrammatically as a battery 10. The ribbon-like control element 7, havingperforations 7a, referably is arranged 'inendless form and is moved continuously by "a driving element 11. In addition to the guide rolls 5, provided within the receptacle5 other guides 12 and 12a are provided to lead such endless ribbon-like controlinto such receptacle and out of the latter.

Each display board embodying my invention},comprises a plurality of electrically separated panels, such panels being shown as mounted i'n two opposed slotted racks 13 and 13a, which constitute the border portions for such display board. Each panel comprises a base 14 made of electrically non-conductive material and spaced uniformly over such base are a plurality of terminals 15.

Carried by such'base is an electrically conductive face plate 16, the marginal or border portions 17 and 17 a being inclined downwardly and abutting tightly against such base. These'inarginal portions of such face plate which aline with the horizontal margin of "the display board are finished in ogee curves respectively, so asto constitute mold- 18, which pass thru spacers 18a and except for the marginal portions, the face plate extends in a plane substantially parallel to that of the base. Arranged in registration with theterminals 1-5 and mounted upon such base are apertures 19 in theface plate and the marginal portions of such apertures arefianged inwardly relatively to the base to constitute integral sockets 20. Such sockets are shown as being formed to receive elec-' tric lights 21 of the automobile type, which lights are provided with cylindrical bases 21a having pins or trunnions 21?) extending radially outward from such cylindrical bases.

Such sockets have radial openings 20a for v receiving such pins or trunnions and theportions 20?) adjacent such openings 20a are turned downwardly and are provided with a central recess 200. The lamps are fitted in place by forcing them into the sockets and givingthem a turn of approximately so that the pins or trunnion's are adapted to fit in such recesses 20c.v The terminals 15 Carry strips 15d of hard copper having a substantial degree of resiliency and are proportioned and arranged to flex to permit'the lights to be fixed in place and tobear tightly against such strips and in electrical contact therewith. An inspection of Fig. 1 will disclose that the uniform spacing of such apertures 19 is with c respect tothe overall width of the bases in certain respects and not with respect to the overall width of the face plates and thus the space between the vertical rows of lights at the ends of the panels is exactly equal tothe though such face plates are spaced from the adjacent panels. In standard signs, I provide a space of approximately one-fourth of an inch between face plates. Each ofthetermlnals 15 1s provlded with a pin 15a, which extends thru the base and is connected with a wire22 extending across the rear surface of such base. A terminal 23 is fast and preferably brazed to the face plate 3.1

16 and constitutes the electrical connection with such face plate. Such terminal preferably is a threaded brass or copper bolt and is provided with a threaded shank 23a with which the return wire 24 for each connected. In each of such wires 94 1 arspacing between other vertical rows, even panel is 5:1

range fuse or protective devices 25, so that each panel of the sign is fuscd'independently of the remainder and in case that any portion of one panel shouldbecome short-circuitcd,

its effect on such protective device or fuse would indicate'the presence of such overloaded condition. Arranged upon theback of such'primary base 14 is an auxiliary base 26 arranged along the bottom edge of such panel and being offset from the primary base .14 provides a shoulder for supporting the weight of such panel in the lower rack 1341-, as

is apparent in Fig. 4.

The portions of the base constitut horizontal margins of the sign are arranged. to extend a substantial distance beyond the face plate and being uniform in thickness provide a convenient support and fastening for the sign. Inasmuch as the baseis made ing the of non-conductivematerial, the margin per, time extending beyond the face plate are non-conductive of electricity and thus such marginal portions provide a supportfor the sign completely insulated from the racks without requiring auxiliary insulation. As is apparent in Fig. 4, the upper. rack 13 is grooved substantially deeper than'the width of the marginal portion extending therein. This is to permit the sign to beslipped inio place to permitthe lower marginal portion to become seated in the lower rack 13w with thefauxilia'ry offset base 26 seated upon the face of the rack.

Preferably carried by such auxiliary base are a series of upstanding pin-like contacts 27 preferably provided with heads 27a, which in position lie between the auxiliary base and the primary base with the shank portions 27?) extending thru the auxiliary base. The heads of such contacts provide asupport for holding the pin-like terminals upright. Such terminals are arranged in groups corresponding in number to the number of lamps in a Vertical row on the display. board. ,Each group is preferably offset relatively to the adjacent groups and each group is arranged in substantial alinement with the vertical row with which it is connected by the wires 22.

The Wires 28 which constitute the remainder of the individual circuits are fastened to connecting blocks 29 and preferabl one connecting block is provided for each panel. Such connecting blocks are provided with a series of perforations or recesses 29a, spaced and proportioned to correspond with. the spacing and proportions of the. contact pins 27, with which they are adapted to connect. The end 28a of the wires 28 are bared of insulation and passed respectively thru the proper perforations in the connecting block 29. Thus when the connecting block is arranged in alinement with the contacts 27, the perforations with the wiresv associated there'- With are arranged in registration with the terminals and fit tightl thereover.

When two display boards 1 and 1a, as shown in Fig. 1, are connected for simultaneous. operation, such for example as in a double-faced sign, the panels of each sign corresponding with each other are connected together by wires formed into cable-sand provided with contacts which are a duplicate of the ones providedfor the wires 28. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1, in which such wires are illustrated as being connected together into short-length cables 30 and connected across to opposite ends of the sign. The terminals are arranged to exend a sufficient. distance thru the auxiliary block so that two connecting blocks can be arranged thereon and can be electrically connected therewith. 1

I claim:

1. In an electric sign of the character described, including a display board, such board comprising a plurality of uniform separately removable panels, each electricallyseparated from theothers and consisting'of an electrically non-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged thereon, an electrically conductive faceplate carried by such base, such face plate being provided with'apertures arranged in registry with such terminals, means adjacent such 'apertures'to constitute lightreceiving sockets and an electric circuit, one portion comprising aplurality of branches, each serving as an individual electrical connection for one of SllCll'.l78IH1lIl&lS and an other portion serving as a common return connection for the face plate of such panel. a 2. In an electric sign of the character described, including a display board, such board comprising a pluarlity' of uniform panels, each electrically separated from the others and consisting of an electrically non-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged thereon, an electricallyconductive face plate carried by such base, suchface plate be provided with apertures arranged in registry with such terminals, means adjacent such apertures to constitute light-receiving sockets, an electric circuit, one portion comprising a plurality ofbranches, each serving as an individual electrical connection for one of such terminals and another portion serving as a common return connection for the face plate of such panel and a fuse element arranged in such common return connection.

- 3. In an electric sign of the characierde scribed,includinga display board, such board comprising an electrically non-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged there-- on, spaced uniformly over the surface of said base an electrically conductive face plate carried by such. base, individual electric circuits connected to such'terminals and a series of alined-contacts carried by the base portion and spaced'from said terminals inpredeiermined groups, each of such terminal circuits including a conduit'leading to one of said contacts, the latter being arranged upon the base atone edge thereof.

4. In an electric sign of the character described, including a display board, such board comprising an electrically. non-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged thereon, spaced uniformly over the surface of said base an electrically conductive face plate carried by such base, individual electric circuit-s connected to such terminals, a series of alined contacts carried by the base portion and spaced from said terminals in predetermined groups, each of such terminal circuits including a conduit leading to one of said cont-acts,

the latter being arranged upon the base at one edge thereof, the contacts in each group being arranged in predetermined relation.

5. In an electric sign of the character described, including a display board, such board comprising 7 a primary electrically nonconductive base,-'a plurality of terminals'arranged thereon, an electrically conductive face plate carriedby such base, individual electric circuits connected to such terminals, a series of contacts carried by the primary base portion, each of such terminal circuits including a conduit leading to one of a series of contacts, the latter being arranged upon the'base, and carried by a removable auxiliary non-conductive base fastened to and offset from the surface of such primary base.

6. In an electric sign of the character described, including a display board, such board comprising a primary electrically n n-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged thereon, an electricallyconductive face plate carried by such base, individual electric circuits connected to such terminals, a series of contacts carried by the primary base portion, each of'such terminal circuits including a conduit leading to one of a series of contacts, the latter being arranged upon the base and carried by a removable auxiliary non-conductive base fastened to and offset from the surface of such primary base, such contacts comprising pins having head poitions lying between such bases and shanks extending thru such auxiliary base.

7. In an electric sign of the character described, including 'a display board, such board comprising a plurality of grouped elements, each consisting of an electrically nonconductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged thereon, an electrically conductive face plate carried by such base, individual electric circuits connected to such terminals, a series of contacts carried by the base portion of each group, each of such terminal circuits including av controller and a conduit leading to one of a series of contacts, the latter being arranged upon the base, such series of contacts being arranged in grouped relation in such series and individual conduits connecting the terminals With such controller, such conduits for each group being physically connected but electrically separated by a connecting block the latter provided With connectionsgrouped and spaced to connect electrically With such panel contacts.-

8. In an electric sign of the'cliaracter described, incliiding a display board, such board comprising a plurality of uniform panels each consisting of an electrically nonconductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged thereon, an electrically conductive face plate carried by such base, such face plate being provided With apertures arranged in registry With such terminals, individual electric circuits connected to such terminals and individual electric circuits from the face plates of such panels, a series of contacts carried by the base portion of each panel, each of such terminal circuits including a controller and a conduit leading to one of a serie's'of contacts, the latter besuch conduits for'each panel being physi- V cally connected but electrically separated by a connecting blockthe latter provided with connections grouped and spaced to connect electrically with such panelcontacts. 9. In an electric sign of the characterdescribed, including a plurality of separated display boards adapted forsimulta 'ieous manipulation, each board comprising a plurality of grouped elements each consisting of an electrically non-conductive base,a plura1 ity of terminals arranged thereon, an electrically conductive face-plate carriedby such base, individual electric circuits connected to such terminals, individual electrical circuitsconnecting the elements of each display board to be manipulated simultaneously, the electrical conduits defining such circuits being physically connected With each other but electrically separated by insulating connecting blocks adapted to engage the contacts on e cli display board. i

10. In an electric sign of the character described, including a plurality of separated display boards adapted for simultaneous manipulation, eachboard comprising a plu-- rality of uniform panels, an electrically nonconductive base, a plural ty of terminals arranged thereon, an electrically conductive face platecarried by such base, such face plate being provided With apertures arranged iii registry With such terminals, individual electric circuits connected to such terminals and individual electric circuits from the face plates of such panels, individual electrical circuits connecting the elements of each display board to be manipulated simultaneously, the electrical conduits defining such circuits being physically connected With each other but electrically separated by insulating connecting blocks adapted to en gage the contacts on each display board.

11. In an electric sign of the character de scribed, including a plurality of separated display boards adapted for simultaneous manipulation, each board comprising a plurality of uniform panels, an elect *ically nonconductive base, a plurality of terminalsan ranged thereon, an electrically conductive face plate carried by such base, such face plate being providedv with apertures. arranged in registry with such terminals, iiidividual electric circuits from the face plates of such panels, a series of contacts carried by the base portion of each panel, each of such terminal circuits including a controller and a conduit leading to one of'a series of contacts, the latter being arranged upon the base, such series of contacts being arranged in grouped relation in-su'cli series, individ- 3 ets.

14:. In an electric sign of the character de-- ual conduits connecting the terminals with such controller such conduits for each panel being physically connected but electrically separated by a connecting block the latter provided with connections grouped and spaced to connect electrically with such panel contacts and individual electrical circuits connecting the elements of each display board to be manipulated simultaneously, the connections providing such circuits also being physicallyv connected but electrically separated by connecting blocks adapted to engage the contacts on each display board.

12. In an electric sign of the character described, including a display board, such board comprising an electrically non-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged thereon in uniform alined spaced relationship, an electrically conductive face plate carried by such base, theyborder portions of such face plate abuttingcloselyagainst such base thereby sealing such plate with the latter, and auxiliary devices arranged across the central portions spacing the latter uniformly from said base, such face plate being provided with apertures arranged in registry with such terminals and means adjacent such apertures to constitute light-receiving sockets.

13. In an electric sign of the character described, including a display board, such board comprising an electrically non-c0nductivebase, a plurality of terminals arranged thereon in uniform alined spaced relation ship, an electrically conductive face plate carried by such base, the border portions of such face plate flanged downwardly toward such base thereby stiffening said face plate,

and auxiliary devices arranged across thecentral portions spacing the latter uniformly from said base, such face plate being provided with apertures arranged in registry with such terminals and means adjacent such apertures to constitute light-receiving sockscribed, including a display board, such board comprising an electrically n0n-conduc tive base, a plurality of-terminals arranged thereon in uniform alined spaced relationship, an electrically conductive face plate carried by such base, such face plate being pro vided with apertures arranged in registry with such terminals, means adjacent such I apertures to constitute light-receiving sockets and the ends of the base portions of each panel extending beyond the face portions a substantial distance to provide an insulated marginal support for such panels.

15. In an electric sign of the character described, including adisplay board, such board comprising an electrically non-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged thereon in uniform alined spaced relationship, an electrically conductive face plate carried by such base, suchface plate being provided with apertures arranged in registry with such terminals, means adjacent such apertures :to constitute light-receiving sockets and the ends of the base portions of each panel extendingbeyond the faceportions a substantial distance to provide an insulated emarginalsupportforsuch panels, the ends of with apertures arranged in registry with such terminals, means adjacent such apertures to constltute light-receiving sockets and the opposed edge of such face plates in ad jacent panels being foreshortened with respect to their bases thereby being spaced apart when the base portions of adjacent panels are arranged in abutment.

17. In an electric sign of the character described, including a display board, such board coni'prising a plurality vof panels each consisting of anelectrically non-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged thereonin uniform alined spaced relationship, an electrically conductive face plate carried by such base, such face plate being provided with apertures arranged in registry with such' terminals, means adjacent such apertures to The opposed edges of such face plates in adjacent constitute light-receiving sockets.

panels being foreshortened with respect to their bases thereby being spaced apart when the base portions of adjacent panels are arranged in abutment, such apertures and terminals being spaced with relation to the di mensionsof the base thereby making such spacing longitudinally of such sign uniform thruout.

18. In an electric sign of the character described, including a display board, said board comprising'a' plurality of uniformseparately removable panels, each panel beingelectrically separated from the others and comprising an electrically non-conductive base, a plurality of terminals arranged thereon, an elec Itrically conductive face plate carried by said base, such faceplate being provided with apertures arranged in'registry with such terminals, means located adjacent each of said apertures and constituting light-re'ceiving sockets, an electric circuit, one portion comprising a plurality of branches, each branch serving as an individual electric connection for one of said terminals, and another. portion serving as a] common return colihedtieri foi the face plate (if such panel, ind a protective device limiting excess curient, which device i common to all of the te'ffiiifiml of said panel, arranged in said r.e- 5 tuiti connection. Iii testimdhy whereof he has affixed his signatilre;

JOHN E. LONG;

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