US2395947A - Exhibiting machine - Google Patents

Description

March 5, 1946. B. A; WALKER EXHIBITNQ NUSLCHINE Filed June 1o, 1.942 5 sheets-sheet 1f March 5, 1946. B. A. WALKER EXHIBITING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 -Filedl June 10, 1942 maentor j J7. Wa/er f@ Gttomegs Fray/9 BWK-@M March 5, 1946.` v v E4.'y A. WALKER 2,395,947

I EXHIBITING MACHINE l' v Filed June 1o, v1942 3 sheets-sheet 3 Snbentor Gttornegs Patented Mar. 5, 1946 UNITED stares VnXiHrirrING lviaonnml Bradley A. Walker,'Birmingham, Mich., assigner Y to Poster Machines Corporation, Detroit, Mich.,

a corporation `of Michigan Application .rune 1c,

17r Claims.

This invention relates to exhibiting machines and more particularly `to changeable exhibitors for displaying a series of postersor the likein succession.

One object of the invention,V is to provide an exhibiting machine operated byvk endless chains withhooks which pick up the. posters one by one and convey them to the rear of the machine, droppingthem against a movable guide or'cam which in turn is operated in timed relationship by a clip carried by the chain for directing the poster supporting rods upon inclined guide-ways which deliver them again to the front ofthe machine. l Another object is to provide an exhibiting machine as set forth in the preceding object wherein a separator isprovided atthe bottom of the machine for separating the foremost poster rod from the following poster rod, the separator being operated in timed relation by means of another clip on the conveyorl chain.

Another object is to provide. an exhibiting machine as set forth in the preceding objects wherein guide means are provided for loading the postersinto the machine at the commencement of operations.'

Another` object is to` provide an ,exhibiting machine including posters mounted upon rods,

the posters being held ,upon'the rods by resilient Y washers engaging annular grooves near the end of the rods, the resilient washers being preferably formed o-f a rubber like material.

Another object is to provide a poster ro'dfconstruction for exhibiting machines asset forth in the object immediately above', wherein theposter tating its motion.

Another object is to provide an exhibiting machine operated by endless chains driven from an electric motor through reduction belts toY a pulley upon the drum shaft over which the posters pass on their way from the front to the rear of 'the machine.

respectively, without the clips interfering with one another or with the operation of their re-V spective devices.' f

' In the drawings:

' Figure 1 is "a front elevation, partly in section,

.25 the speed reduction ,.35 rod at its end is provided withrollers for iacilig- 1942, serial No. 446,486 'l (omo-L36) f' of a changeable exhibiting machine accordingY to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows showing the Aforemost poster about to be picked up and conveyed over the top of the machine by the hooks ,o n the chains.

Figure 3 is 'a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the position of the parts after the postershas been conveyedover the top of the machine and the following poster rodis ready to be Adirected upon the Vvinclinedguide-way leading back tothe front of the machine. Figure 4 is a horizontal irregular cross section 1 5 taken on line --ilv ofFigure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows showing the manner in which the poster rods are engaged and pickedup. Figure 5 a horizontal irregular cross section taken en "linev AF- -5 of Figure 2 looking in the 20 direction of the arrows showing 'the mannerl in which the trailing poster rod is detached from the chain hooks.

Figure 6 is'a horizontal cross sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2 showing one of pulleys andits supporting means. y i

"Figure Tis a horizontal irregular'cross section taken on the irregular line l-"I of Figure 2 illustrating'detaus of construction.

Figure 8 is a horizontal irregular cross section taken on the irregular line 8-"8of Figure 2 illus'- trating inf'detail various features of vtheseparating'mechanism.

Figure 9 isA afdiagonal'cross section taken on the' diagonal line 9 9 of Figure 2,1o`oking i'n the direction of the arrows illustrating 'the idle sprocket support andthe separator shaft. I Figure 10is a vertical cross sectional view taken 4Q tion of the arrows showing thelmainA drive pulley andanoiselessbearing therefor;

' Figure ll is an enlarged fragmentary side elevationof the poster supporting rod. 'Y T Figure 12 a perspective view. showing a fragmentary portion of one of theconveyor chains and a clip forinitially' engaging the lowermost poster rod. A 'v v* f Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective View 'of -the poster rod hook for engaging the upperposter rod and causing the same to be moved rearwardly of themachine and;` Figure 14' is a fragmentary perspective view of 5.5 vcarried ontheends thereof.

on line lli- I0 of Figure 2 looking inthe direc- Y l General arrangement In general, the invention comprises a skeleton framework capable of being' housed within a suitable display casing having a window for exhibiting a series of posters which are caused to move in sequence from said window and the line of vision to the rear of the machine where said poster is received on an inclined guide-way in back of a stack of posters arranged for sequential display. Such poster movement being ac- Y complished by endless chains having hooks for picking up the posters and clips for operating suitable mechanism to causethe posters to be released from the front of the machine indi vidually so that they will travelV tothe back of the machine and be released for guidance upon an inclined track-way or guide.

Further, the invention consists of an arrangement of posters, carrying chains and poster guide-ways with means for causing the auto; matic operation of the machine by the circuitous travel of the conveying chains.

i Frame and driving structure Referring` to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 to 13 inclusive-` the reference character I!! designates a base of the `exhibitor frame structure having Y an upturned marginal `iiange Ii in the front thereof and a similarly formed ange I2 at'the rear connected by end iianges Il?.v

Extending upwardly from the side fianges I3 and secured theretor are identically formed side plateswI having the upper ends thereof previded with inwardly directedr flanges I5'and I6 for receiving a top coverv plate I1, the front portion of which is bent downwardly as at i8 'and is welded or otherwise secured to the fiange I5, while the rear portion I9y slopes in theopposite direction and is likewise attached to the ange I6. Thevertica-l edges of the side plates I4 vare provided with inwardly directed side flange pori tions 2D and ZI in the front and back thereof respectively; Y

spaced inwardly and supported by each side frame plate I4 is a mechanism supporting plate 22 held in placel byA variously spaced rods V23 anchored in position bymeans ofv suitable machine screws 24 extending through apertures in j e Y the plate and provided with reduced threaded Aends 25 threaded iri the' aperturesin the supporting frame plate 22. Said supporting frame plate is held throughout its length at convenient points. entirely removed from the exhibitor mechanism which will be hereinafter more fully described.

Positioned on the base ID is an electric motor 26 having 'its armature shaft 21 coupled with a a phenolic condensation product to eliminate vi- Ablatioll. and Shook; vThe bearing 29 is held against rotationinan opening in the frame plate V22 and is retained by means of a machine screw 30;. The bearing bushing is provided with a reduced portion 3| which projects through the opening to limit axial movement thereof. A flexible tubular coupling member 32 is provided and -receives the free ends of the stubl shaft 28 and placement by bolts or the like 34. The opposite end of the stub shaft 28 is provided with a pulto' the free swinging end of the lever 40 is a pulley spindle 44 for supporting the pulley 39. The hub portion of the pulley 39 is provided with a suitably grooved reduction pulley 45 over which is trained a drive belt 46. The speed of the armature shaft is further reduced by providing a pulley 41 which .is likewise supported on a freely swinging arm 48 pivotally attached to the frame plate 22 by means of a rivet set pivot pin 49 very similar to the pivot pin 4I. The free swinging end of the pivoted arm 48 carries a pulley spindle 50 riveted or otherwise secured thereto as at 5I. Formed integral with the hub 52 `of the pulleyl 41 is a reduced V-groovedA pulley 53 over Vwhich passes a belt 54 for` driving a roller Shaft 55 the ends of which are journaled in suitable `bearings provided in thev upper end of the frame plates 22; One end of said shaft is provided with a pulley 56 rigidly attached thereto. and having-a V-groove for receiving a final drive belt 54 whereby rotation of the armature shaft 21 will effect the rotation of the shaft 55 at a greatly reduced rate of speed. The drive means l has been shown in the drawings as being arranged on one side of the exhibiting machine but ofcourse, the drive means could be positoned on either side without seriously affecting the mode of operation.

Guide' rollers and poster conveying mechanism yAlso mounted in the side frame members 22 is :Ia-shaft 59 which extends parallel with the-shaft 58 and is journaled in the side plates 22 by suitable bearings. A roller-60 is likewise secured to `the shaft 59,- Secured to the ends of the shaft 55 and outside of the frame plates 22 are sprocket f ist `drive shaft 28 (Figure 10) and said drive shaft Y Yis suitably jrournaled in a bushing k29 formed of wheels 6I and one of said sprocket wheels is located between the side frame plate 22 and the pulley Eli-while the other sprocket 6I is mounted adjacent the free end of said shaft. Similar sprocket wheels 62 are mounted on the free ends of theshaft 59 and are aligned with the sprocket wheels 5I and are mounted forwardly of the exhibitcr.- n

Located on each side of the exhibitor frame at the bottom thereof andcarried by the frame plates 22 are stub shafts 63, 54 and 65 each of which is spaced from the other and arranged to guide the conveyor chains during exhibiting operations. The stub shafts 63 are anchored to their respective'side plates 22 as at B6 and the ystub shaft 64 on each side of the machine is mounted between a pair of triangular shaped plates 51 and 68 held in spaced relation by means of spacer sleeves 59 through which is passed a Yrivet or the like 1D FigurcrS); The other stub shaft B5 extends through the triangular shaped plates 61 and 68 and also extends through the frame plate 22. The stub shaft 65 on one side of the machine or exhibitor is elongated as at II to project inwardly, and 'while' both stub shafts 65 provide pivotal bearings for the /triangula'r plates El and 68, one of said shafts is elongated for a purpose which will be hereinafter more fully described. Each of said stub shafts 65 are spun as at 'l2 to securely lock the same in position whereby the stub shafts 54 may swing on' an arc about the stub shafts 65. A coil spring 18a has one end fastened to a pin or the like carried by the frame plate 22 while the oppositev end is fastened to an offset portion of the triangular plates 61 and 68 to normally urge the idle stub shaft rdownwardly to increase the tension on the conveyor chains.

Mounted on the stub shafts 63, 64 and 65'are sprocket wheels 73, I4 and I5 respectively the hubs of which as atv 16, 11 and'18 are keyed to the sprocket wheels or formed integral therewith so that said sprockets may freely-rotate onv their respective stub shafts. The Vstub shaft 65 has its outer end grooved forreceiving a resilient locking ring Il to retain the sprocket in position and prevent lateral displacement of the stub shaft 65.

' Poster carrier and control Adjacent each side of the exhibitor and trained over the upper and lower sets of sprockets are conveyor chains 19 of usual formation andV said chainstraverse the sprockets 6| and 62 on the ends of the shafts 55 and 59 and also the sprockets 73, i4 and 'i5 on their respective stub shafts at the lower portion of the exhibitor. The sprocket chains are identical and are adapted to pick up the posters 80 and convey them from the front of the machine to the rear thereof for sequential exhibition. As shown in the drawings, a number of such posters are employed and each poster 80 is formed of a fiexible material and of a translucent nature preferably rectangular in shape and having secured to the ends thereof transverse supporting rods 8| (Figures l, 2, 3, 4 and 8). edges of the posters as at 82 and are provided with reduced end portions 83 for receiving a rubber or fiber retaining ring 84 (Figure 11).

LThe free ends of the poster rodsV terminate a short distance from the conveyor chains but are of a suf'rlcient length to be guided by andsupported on a guide frame plate 85 located at each side of the exhibitor.

There are twosuch frame plates 85, one for each side of the machine and said plates'are centrally dished as at 88 for attachment to the inner walls of the side frame plates 22 as by Vweldingat spaced intervals indicated at 81 (Fig- -ures 2 and 3).

Y Since both frame plates 85 are identical, a description of one will be sufficient. The vertical edge 88 forms a front guide edge vfor the poster rods and said edge projects for- Likewise, a rear guide wardly of the exhibitor. edge 89 is provided and said front and rear guide edges are connected at the top by an inclined rack edge 99. A projection 9| is formed'at the as at 92, and extends. downwardly for the rest ofits length where it terminates in aforwardly finclinedg'uide edge 93 and connects with'the` .front guide ,edge 88 by a., beveled cornerportion 94. It will benoted,.that when the posters 80 are supportedv on the 4top edge 90 of they guide plate, the lower endsand rods will fall below the inclined lower edge 93 when'said posters .are in their operative position.

In order to reduce noises and rattles, the guide edges 89 are provided with buffer strips 95 held in place by a'clamping strip, 96 and said buffer strip extends from the top inclined edge 90downwardly to the cut away portion 92 where it is interrupted and a buffer strip 91' is provided for the rest of the length ofthe rear guide edge. The buer strip 9'.' is held in position by a clamping strip 98 which extends downwardly to the inclined bottom edge of the guide frame plate 93.

Mounted directly above the guide plate 85 is a cooperating guide plate 99 secured to the frame Y direction coinciding with the projection 9I,

whereby the poster rods will be guided outwardly when lifted upwardly by the conveyor chains.

a resilient strip ofV material such asfelt |06 for Said rods project beyond the vertical engaging theposter rods during. the traversal thereof in `front of the display opening. It will be noted, that each angled strip I 04 extends sub,- stantially the full length of the endless conveyor chain course and terminates at` the top a short distance from the upper end of the guide plate 85. An additional angled strip |01 has its flanged edge |703 secured to theside plate I4 by means of rivets or the like yto provide aguide for the rest of the length of the conveyor course. The free Vends of the angledrplateV Ill'ljare beveled as at |09 so that the free ends of the poster rods will traverse said guide strip |01 without undue friction. Also, an additional guide strip IIO is lo'- cated adjacent the lower end of the guide frame plate and is secured to the frame plate I4 by a bolt or the like H2. The plate-like portion II-0 has the' upper edge thereof beveled as yat I I3, which edge extends parallel with the beveled edge 94 of the guide plate 85. A vertical guide edge I4v is also formed on the plate-like portion IIO andis directed inwardly and is adapted to abut the lower poster rods 93 (Figures Zand 3).

Positioned rearwardlyv of the exhibitor is an angled guide strip I5 attached to the frame plate I4 as at `I I5 and the outer edge of said guide is return bent as at I |17 for receiving a resilient strip I|8 of feltgorY vthe like. Said angled strip'hasits edge extending parallel with the rear edge 'of the guide plate'85 and cooperatesv therewith for guiding the poster rods 9 I. during their downward ytravel in the rear portion of the exhibitor.

In opposed relation from the guide plate-.|10 and mounted in the rear of the exhibitor is an angled plate |20 welded or otherwisev attached to the rear frame flange 2l, and the angled Vplate is provided with a guide edge |2I inclinedwforV ya portion of its length'as at I22so that the poster rods will be directed inwardly of the exhibitor vand urged toward thefront thereof.

Poster rod pick-up mechanism Each endless chain 19 is provided with a clip |23 (Figure 13) which is in the form of a hook and'is adapted to engage the upper ends of the poster rods and remove the poster from its posi- 'tion' of` rest on the inclined rack edge90. The hook clip comprises a base portion |24 adapted to be welded to overturned lugs |25 formed on certain links of the conveyor chain 15. The base portion is return bent as at |426 providing a relatively dat surface for engaging the guide strips vand retaining the hook clip'in a vertical posi- 'tion during its travel along the front and rear guide strips. Formed on the clip |23 is an arm extension |21 directed inwardly and formed at right angles to the arm is a hook 28 of sulhcient Vlength to engage the poster rods at the ends thereof slightly rearward of the projection 9|.

In spaced relation from each hook clip |23 on each endless conveyor chain 19 there is also provided a hook clip 35, the hook end of which extends in the opposite direction (Figure 12). Likewise, the hook clip |30 isattached to a pair of specially constructed chain links so that the arm extension I 3| of the -hook clip may be welded to lugs |32 carried thereby. The hook clip |30 has its hooked portion |33 formed co-extensive with a relatively long tail portion |34 to assist in holding the hook clip aligned during its movement between the side frame plate i4 and the guide plate H as shown in Figure 2, and also to hold the same in position during its circuitous travel. The hook clip |33 does not extend inwardly far enough to engage the poster rods when it passes the upper ends thereof, resting on the inclined rack 30 and moves past the area adjacent the upper poster rods freely so as not to 'interrupt or vibrate the poster being displayed. The hook clips |23 and |30 are spaced on the conveyor chains a distance slightly less than the length of the posters so that `when the poster is carried rearwardly by the hook |28, the poster will drop and will fall into the hooked portion |33 of the clip |30 and prevent the poster from falling when inverted. Y After the poster has traversed the rollers 58 and 60, a clip |35 carried by each chain slightly in advance of the vhook clip |35 and similarly secured thereto engages a switch lever |36 pivoted to the side frame guide plates as at |31 so that the upper pointed end |38 will engage the poster rod Iand remove it3from the hook clip |30. VAs the tripping clip |35 engages the lower .weightedcam-shaped portion |40 of the switch lever |36, the upper end projects into the path of the poster rod ends Vfor switching said poster rod onto the inclined track-like edge 90 so that said poster rod will come to rest and be in posi- `tion to be displayed again as the other posters are removed to the rear of the exhibitor. The tripping clip |35 is formed with a shank portion |4| and is secured to the conveyor chain 19 by attachment to the links thereof as by welding. Formed integral with the shank portion is a .plate portion |42 having its edges curved as at |43 so as to slidably engage the pivoted lever |35 and ride thereover without causing undue vibration. The shank of the clip |4| is comparatively short in order to freely pass all obstacles in its path except the pivoted trip lever |35. It isV to be noted, that the upper edge or end of the guide strip H5 is angularly bent as at |39 to allow the #free passage ofi the poster rod and assist in guid- "ing the same downwardly between` the triangular guide plate and the guide. strip edge l l5 in addition to positioning the hook clip |33 for receiving the poster rod during its downward drop as it reaches the rear of the exhibitor.

Mounted ony each shaft .extension 1| of each stub shaft- 65 is a bell crank lever |45 adapted to be retained in place by a lock washer |44. One end of the bell crank lever |45 is offset as at |41 and is arcuately curved as at |48 to project into the path of a-relatively long tripping clip |45 secured to the conveyor chain 19 by attachment to -one of the chain links in the same manner as the clip |35 such as by welding or the like. The clip |46 is provided with a relatively long shank portion |49 terminating in a bell crank engaging portion |50, the ends of which are slightly curved to reduce friction as the clip traverses the arcuately curved portion |48 of the bell crank. The contacting portion |50 ofthe clip extends inwardly a sufficient distance (Figure 8) to be in alignment and in the path of the bell crank lever |48. The clip |46 will also engage the pivoted lever |40, but this will occur after the posterhas passed onto the inclined rack 90 and will not effect the operation of the machine. The opposite end of each bell crank lever |41 projects upwardly as at |5| and has its free end bifurcated'as at |52 for receiving a pin |53 carried on a releasing lever |54 pivoted to the side frame plate- 22 as at |55. The opposite end of the lever is hooked as at |56 and is adapted to enter the lower poster rods and force one of the poster rods outwardly while retaining the remaining rods in place. In this manner, the lower .poster rods are released singularly and in proper sequence. An extension arm |50 is provided on the bellicrank arm |5| and has attached thereto a coil'spring |B| the opposite end of which is anchored to a pin |62 to normally urge the arcuately curved portion |48 of the bell crank lever forwardly of the exhibitor and a stop pin |53 is carried by the frame plate 22 to limit the upward swinging movement of the releasing lever |54.

A limiting stop is provided for the switch lever |35 as at |51 and one end thereof as at |58 is welded or otherwise secured to the Side frame plate |4. VThe opposite end projects inwardly into engagement with each switch lever and is provided with a rubber covering or sleeve |59 to eliminate noises'.

A belt is provided and includes a lever |65 pivoted on a suitable pivot pin |06 carried by the side frame plate I4; and a coil springy |51 has Vone of its ends fastened to the pivoted lever while the opposite end is connected to a pin |59 also carried by the side frame plate |4. A roller |10 is carried on the free swinging end of the lever |65 and said roller is mounted on a pivot pin |1| so that theV roller |10 will engage the final drive belt 54 and tighten the same upon its respective pulleys in addition to tightening the belts 38 and 46. Y

`Means is provided for facilitating the insertion of additional posters and said means comprises spaced' guide strips. |15 and |15 adjacent each side of the exhibitor, and said inclined guide strips connect to an interrupted portion |11 of the guide strip ||5. The inclined guide strips |15 and |16 have their lower ends welded to the interrupted portion |11 of the guide strip i |5, while the upper ends of the guide strips are adapted to be suplported by 'a transverse angle bar |18, the ends of which are welded or otherwise secured to the rear' frame plate flanges 2|. v'I'he upper end of the inclined guide |16 is angularly bent as at for welding to the transverse strip |18 and the lower guide strip may likewise be welded at its upper end to the transverse angle bar |18. During loading operations, the outer ends of the lowermost guide rod are inserted between the opposed pairs of guides |15 and |16 so that the rod will fall by gravity downwardly'between the guide strips 95 and H8. When the lowermost guide rod has thus been inserted the upper guide rod is placed over the end of the latch lever |33 to position the upper rod on the rack 90. When the lowermost rod has reached the deilector plate |20, it is forced inwardly and finally comes to rest at the back of the pack of poster rods already'in the display machine.

In Figure 14 there is shown a modified poster 80a having a poster rod Bla similar to the poster rod 8|. The poster rod Bla ls reduced as at 83a for receiving a ber or rubber retainingsleeve 84a. The free ends of the poster rod 8|a are reduced as at 82a for receiving anti-friction rollers 85a adapted to be held in place by a resilient locking ring 86a. The rollers 85a are adapted to reduce friction and assist in allowing the poster rods to ride down the inclined rack 90 and to be guided on the guide flanges of the side guide plates 85.

It is to be understood, that the clip |46 is sufficiently spaced from the hook clip |30 so that said clip will trail the hook clip and release another lower poster rod after the passage of the hook clip |30 and the removal of a poster by its upper rod as by means of the hook clip |23.

Mode of operatiOn |23 at each side of the machine will engage the rod and carry the same downwardly along the chain path and the upper poster rod of the poster can then be positioned over the end of the latch lever |38 so that it will finally come to rest on the rack 80 and will slide downwardly therealong until limited by the projection 9|. The lowermost poster rod will then be disengaged from the hook clips |23 so that it will position directly against the limiting stop member |56. The next poster fed to the machine will likewise be engaged by the hook clip |23 and carried to a similar position and disposed in back of the poster previously inserted. When the machine has been loaded with two or more posters in the manner above described, the remaining Posters maybe inserted by feeding the lowermost rod thereof while the hook clips |23 and |30 are in the back portion of the machine by permitting said rod to be engaged by the conveyor hook |23 until it reaches the deector plate |20. The hookclip 23 is large enough to accommodate'the poster rod of a poster already in the machine as well as the poster rod of a poster being fed to themachine through the guide ways |15 and |16. In other words, if a poster is being conveyed by the conveyor chains, and a poster is being fed to the machine while the poster already in the machine is in the back thereof, the hook clip |23 will engage the lower rods of each poster and convey Athem to the stack of previously Vfed posteurA Y the event that there are several posters in the* display machine' and lit is desired to add another poster so as to follow lin sequencethepostersK4 successive order. AfterV theposters .have thusV een inserted in themachine, the continued travel of the endless chains A1|lwil1V cause the hook clip |23 to engage the upper poster rod 8| of theV foremost poster 80 so that the poster will be, carr red over the rollers 601 and 58 and the upperend will then be invertedl as shown in Figure v3 when the poster rod in'its inverted position reachesthe guide plate'20, it isV movedinwardly by reason of the inclined cam face |22. o ut of the path of,y the following hook clip |28. Simultaneously; the

trip clip engages the weightedswitch lever |36 and projects the pointed end |33. into the path of the Vupper poster rod during its down-V ward travel also showninFigure 3 so thatsaid rod will be removed from the hook clip |30 'and will be guided upon the inclined rack 90.

Upon continued travel of the endlessconveyor chains, the clip 46 will have previouslyreleased a poster rodas shown in Figures 2 and 3 by len- Y gaging the arcuate releasing lever |54 causing the release lever |56 to move downwardly a sulcient distance andlength of'time to release a single poster rod and allow the-same to abut Vthe cam plate ||0 so that when the upper poster vrod is again engaged bythe hook clip, the lower'rod will pass between the inclined edges 94 andA ||3 of the guide .plates 85 and ||0 respectively so that the lower end or poster'rod will traverse the front guide members 88 and |06. After said poster has been carried upwardlyfand overth rollers 58 and 60 as Abefore,the clip |46 again trips the arcuately curved lev'r 58 and releases another poster rod rby jallowingthe pointed end |56 of the lever, |54'to drop down and then be moved upwardly by the coil spring 18a.Y

, The time of display of the foremost poster depends on the lengthof the conveyorchains 19, and it is tobe noted that the foremost poster` is displayed for a length of time equalto the time required for the endless chain conveyors'to make a complete cycle.

The switch lever operating clip |35 andthe release lever clip |46.are ofV different lengths'so that theV arcuately curved trip lever |48 Willbe ,Y

operated by only one of said clips. However, both clips |35 and |46will operate the switchlev'er'but at the time that the switch lever is operated by the Yclip |46, the posterr has been removed from Vthe conveyor chain and the operation oflthe switch lever is ineffective. A e v Itis to be understood, that the'V form of Athe invention herewith shownand'described is toV be taken as a preferred embodiment of theY same and that various changes in the shape,VK sizeand arrangement of parts may be resortedtowithout departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. 'I Y Y 1. An exhibitingl machine comprisingfa plurality of display elements, conveying means,

spaced display elementn engaging members carried by the conveying meansA for removing-theV means for feeding said display elements into and out ofthe path of the display element engaging members andA means carried by the conveyor means in spaced relation thereon for operating said feeding means one of said feeding means being Ycontrolled by one of the spaced means on the conveyor means to feed the `display elements tothe conveyor at the front of the machine and the other spaced means on theconveyor means being operable Ato feed the display elements from the' conveying means in the rear of the display machine to said position of rest.

2.v An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of display elements, 'conveying means engageable with said'display elements vto move the same from a display position to a position of rest in the rear of the exhibiting-machine, means for feeding saidelements to the conveyor means during the initial movement of the display elements from their display position, means for removing said display elements from said conveyor meansV as they arev conveyed to the rear kof the exhibiting machine to a position of rest, said feeding and removing means being Apositioned at the bottom and top of themachine and'oper- Vated by the conveyor means whereby said display elements will be moved upwardly' and rearwardly to said Position of rest in the rear of the machine.

3. An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of display elements, conveying means engageable with said display elements to move 'said display elements upwardly from a display position toa position of rest in the rear of the machine, feeding means for feeding the display elements to said conveyor means in the front of the machine, means for removingthe display elements from the conveyor mean-s in the rear of the machine to said position of rest and means carried by the conveyor means in spaced relation thereon for operating the feeding and removing means in timed relation with the conveyorl means whereby the lower end of the foremost display element will be fed to the conveyor means prior to the engagement ofthe upper end of said display element by Ythe conveyor means.

4. An exhibiting machine comprising e. plurality of display elements at rest,` conveyor means engageable with said display elements for moving the same upwardly. and rearwardly 'from display position to said position of rest, means for feeding the lower ends of the display elements intermittently to the conveying means, means for removing the display elements at 'the rear of the exhibitor to said position of rest and means carried' by the conveying means in spaced relation thereto for operating said feeding and removing means in timed relationship lvhereby the foremost display element will be released a short time interval before being engaged by the yconveyor meansfor movement from said display position to said position of rest.

5. An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of stacked display elements suspended from the upper end of the machine, conveying means engageable-With said display elements to carry the display elements upwardly tothe rear of the machine individually from a display position `to a position of rest, means for feeding the lower` ends of the suspended display elements to the conveying means, means for intercepting the display elements at `the rear of the machine after they yhave been moved rearwardly toward their position of rest, said feeding and intercepting means being operated by the spaced operating clips carried by the'conveyirigmeans toitripsaid feeding and intercepting'lmeansin timed Vrelationship therewith. l 'h 6. An exhibiting machinecomprising a plurality of stacked display elements suspended from the upper end of the machine, conveying means engageable with said display elements to singularly remove the sa ne from the stack and cause the display element to move upwardly toward the rear of the machine from a display position to a position of rest, means for feeding the lower ends -of the display elements intermittently in the .front of the machine to the conveying means and means for intercepting the following end oi the display elements at the rear of the machine for being guided to said positions of rest and means operable by the conveying means to effect the operation of the feeding and intercepting means in timed relationship. l

'7. -An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of display elements, means for supporting the display elements in a suspended position, .ccnveying means engageable with the top and bottom of said ydisplay elements for moving the sainefrom a display position to a position oi rest, means carried by said conveying means in spaced relation thereon, feeding means for feeding said display elements into and out of engagement with the conveying means, means for releasing the'lower end of one of said display elements at a time-to be fed to the conveying means, means for intercepting the following end of display element in the rear of ther machine as they are moved from a display position to a position of rest and means carried by the conveying means in spaced Yrelation thereon for operating the releasing and intercepting means.

`8. An exhibitingmachine comprising a plurality oi`stacked display elements, means for'supporting the display-elements in a suspended position so that the foremost display clement will be in a position of display, conveying means for shifting said display elements from said display position upwardly and rearwardly to a position of rest, means carried by the conveying means for removing the upper end of display elements from said stack'one at a time from their display positions, means for releasing the lower ends of said display elements simultaneously to be fed into the'path of the removing meanameans in the rear of the exhibitor for removingfthe following end of display elements from the conveying means and means carried by the conveying means in spaced relation thereon for operating the releasing and Vremoving display element means whereby said display elements will be moved from their positions of display and inverted duringY their movement to a position of rest. 1 A

9. An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of stacked display elements, means for supporting the display Ielements in a suspended position so that the foremost display element will be in a position of display, conveying means for shifting said elements from said display position upwardly and rearwardly to a position of rest, means carried by the conveying meansl for removing the upper end of said display elements from the front of thestack singularly, means for releasing; the lower end ofthe display elements-from its display position individually for engagement with the conveying mean-symeans in the rear yof the machine for 'interrupting the circuitous travel of the display elements and guiding the following ends to said position of rest in the rear of the stack and means'spaced apart on and operable by the conveying means for operating said releasing and interrupting means whereby said display elements will be moved from theilpositions of display and inver-ted during their movementl to a position of rest.

10. An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of display elements arranged in end stacked relation, means for supporting said display element in suspended relation, conveying means for shifting the display elements from the front of the exhibiting machine from a display position upwardly to the rear thereof to a position of rest, means carried by the conveying means for singularly removing the upper end of one of said display elements at a time from the front of the stack, means for releasing the lower end of said display element in advance of the removing means, means in the rear of the machine for interrupting the circuitous travel of the display element and positioning the following end on the supporting means at the rear of the stack and means carried by the conveying means in spaced relation thereon for operating the releasing and interrupting means in timed relation whereby said display elements will remain in a display Y position for relatively long periods of time.

ments, means for interrupting the circuitous travel of the display element and guiding the following end to said position of restin the rear of the machine, means carried by the conveying means and spaced from the hook elements for operating the releasing and interrupting means and means for driving the conveying means at a uniform speed whereby said display elements will be successively moved from a position of display to a position of rest and will remain in a position of display for relatively long period of time.

12. An exhibiting machine comprising a series of display elements suspended in stacked relation, conveying means, hook members spaced on said conveying means a distance slightly less than the length of the display elements, said hook members being engageable with said display elements for independently shifting the same from a display position in the front of the machine to a position of rest at the rear thereof, means for releasing the display elements singularly for engagement with the lowermost hook member on the conveying means, means for interrupting and removing the display elements from the following hook members on the conveying means for returning the display elements to the rear of the stack to their position of rest, means carried by the conveying means for operating the interrupting and removing means in timed relation and guide means presented to the conveying means in the rear of the machine for feeding additional display elements to the exhibitor at a point removed from the interrupting means.

13. An exhibiting machine comprising a circuitous trackway having an inclined supporting rack, a plurality of display elements supported by and suspended from said supporting rack, conveying means, hook members on said conveying means engageable with said display elements for individually shifting the display elements to the rear of the machine from a display-position, means for releasing the lower end of the display elements selectively for being fed to one of said hook members, means for interrupting and removing the followingV end of the display felements from the conveying means and returning said following end to the supporting rack as they reach aV position rearwardly of said rack and means carried by the conveying means in spaced relation from Said hook members for operatin the interrupting means. 1

14. An exhibiting machine comprising a circuitous trackway having an inclined supporting rack at the upper end thereof, a plurality of display elements suspended from said rack, conveying means extending about said trackway, spaced hook members on said conveying means independently engageable with the upper and lower ends of said display elements for shifting the same from a display position in the front of the machine to the rear` of the machine toa position of rest, means for releasing the lower ends of the display elements singularly into the path of the following hook members, means for removing the following end of the display elements as they approach the rear of the machine and switching them onto the inclined supporting rack and trip members carried by the conveying means in spaced relation from the hook members for sequentially operating said releasing means and removing means.

15. An exhibiting machine comprising a circuitous trackway having an inclined supporting rack, a plurality of display elements suspended from said rack, conveying means movable about said trackway for shifting said display elements from a display position upwardly to the rear of the machine onto the inclined supporting rack to a position of rest, means for selectively releasing the lower ends 'of the suspended display elementsfor entrance into the trackway, hook members carried by the conveying means for releasably gripping the ends of said display ele-v ments, means for removing the following ends of the display elements from the hook members on the conveying means for positioning on the rear I of the inclined supporting rack, means for 0perating the releasing and removing means, said operating means being carried by the conveying means atspaced intervals thereon adjacent one of said hook members. i

16. An exhibiting machine comprising a circuitous trackway having an inclined supporting rack at the upper end thereof, a plurality of display elements suspended from said Track, conveying means, hook members on said conveying means spaced aparta distance slightly less than the length of said display elements for shifting the displayelements independently from a display position in the front of the machine to a f moving the display elements from the following hook members on the conveying means and trackway to the rear of said suspended display elements to 'said position of rest, `means carried bythe conveying means in spaced relation :there- .on for operating the releasing and removing means Yin succession, and guide means in the exhibiting machine presented to the conveying means for independently feeding and guiding additional display elements to the conveying means in the rear of the exhibitor.

17. An exhibiting machine comprising a circuitous trackway having an inclined .supporting rack at the upper end thereof, a, plurality of display elements suspended from said rack adapted to move by gravity to a display position, conveying' means, hook members on said conveying means for removing the display elements singularly and shifting them to the rear of the ex hibiting machine to a position of rest onsaidsupporting rack, means `for selectively releasing the lower ends of `said display elements for guidance into the circuitous trackway and engagement by one of said hook members, means for removing the following end of the display elements from the hook members on said conveying means and from said trackway for positioning at rest on the rear portion of the inclined supporting rack, means carried by the conveying means for 0perating the selective releasing and removing means .in timed relation and guide means presented to the conveying means for feeding additional display elements to the rear portion of the circuitous trackway and engagement by said hook members during the operation `of the exhibitor.

BRADLEY A. WALKER.

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