US1324810A - Electric abvektisihg-siot - Google Patents

Description

M. GOLD.

I ELECTRIC ADVERTISING SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED APR- |2| IQI].

Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

3 SHEETS SHEET 1.

a THE BEST THE MFIRICET FOR THE MONEY M; GOLD.

ELECTRIC ADVERTISING SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 12. 1917.

1 324,8 1 O. Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- M. GOLD.

ELECTRIC ADVERTISING SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 12. 1911- 1 324,8 1 0. Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

F wllfqm MARTIN GOLD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINQIS. I

nnncrarc ADVERTISING-SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ratcm a nee; is, rare,

Application filed April 12, 1917. Serial no. 161,469;

designed to be used for advertising purposes, and the object of the invention is the production of an attractive sign of convenient size for display in shop windows, on counters, etc., which through periodic illumination and change of color is adapted to attract the attention and arouse the interestof any one who might chance to observe it.

-Sp eaking generally, my novel sign comprises a casing havingl two windows, in one of which is displaye a transparency consisting of a single illuminated advertising phrase or design while at the other window there is arranged to be displayed in succession a series of transparencies which, as they are presented are illuminated with flashes of light of quickly changing colors, producing an extremely novel and pleasing effect. The changing of the si s and flashing of differently colored lig ts is produced through suitable electrical and mechanical apparatus arranged within the casing. My invention consists in the organization and arrangement of. parts and mechanisms, electrical and mechanical, which make up my new sign as a whole; in certain desirable fea- 4 tures of construction which I have devisedin forming my new structure and organiza tion; and in novel subordinate structural features which I employ in carrying out and embodying my invention in a practical and desirable form; all as more particularly stated and set forth in the appended claims,

in which the essential elements of my invendrum, showing portions of the mechanism for rotating the outer and inner drums and a portion of the supporting framework, the

casing of the machine being removed; Fig; 3 is a similar view on a smaller, scale broken away in part to exhibit a portion of the inner drum; Fig. 4 is also a View of the same end of the drum, but viewed onthe line 44= of Fig. inside the supporting frame plate; Fig. 5 1s a central vertical section through the drums, on the line 55 of Fi 3;Fig. ii is a front View of the lower portion of'the nside frame, outer drum and drum-operat- 1ng mechanism, and ortions of the electrical apparatus; Fig. is a view on the line 77 of Fig. 6, looking toward the lefthand end frame plate, and illustrating the electric switch connection for causing periodic illuminations; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, and ig. 9 is a fragmentary detail of a corner of the'outer drum on the line 9 of Fig.5 and on a larger scale than the remaining figures of the drawings.

' The-same reference characters indicate the suitable manner, as by a spring-pressed plunger-2 and lugs 3, the casingor cover 4 of the machine; Ihis casin is provided with a lower window 5 in w ich is seated any transparency of translucent or colored glass suitable for display by illumination that may be desired. The upper window 6 is preferably glazed with clear, uncolored glass, and the. series of changeable transparencies are displayed through it.

The base 1 of the machine is provided with a supporting framework of any suitable construction afiording proper support to themoving parts and electrical apparatus of the machine. The framework may conveniently be formed. as shown, of sheet metal plates 7 and 8 riveted by means-of base flanges to the base 1, a flanged cross plate 9, and bracing strips 10, 10.

Pivotally supported between the upper ends of the frame plates 7 and 8' are two hexagonal drum structures, concentrically arranged. flanged hexagonal end plates 11 and 12,

within the flanges of which are arranged hexagonal frames 13 and 14 (of right angled shape in cross-section), the plates and frames at the opposite ends of the drum structure being spaced apart andsecured together by spacing rods arranged adjacent but slightly within the angles of the hexa- The outer drum consists of t ing rods together with the parallel portions of the frames 13 and 14 provide seats for the reception of six translucent rectangular glass plates 17 carrying any desired legends or designs which make up a series of transparency signs which, in a manner hereinafter explained, are one by one periodically displayed through the window 6 of the casing. To provide for the ready insertion and removal of the glass plates the end plates 11 and 12 are each provided with the slots 18.

.the three slots on one end being staggered or arranged in alternation with respect to the slots on the other end. Pivoted retaining clips 19 are provided to prevent the glass slipping out of place.

The inner drum may be conveniently formed in the same manner, with end plates 20 and 21, frames 22 and 23, tubes 24, and rods 25. The glass plates 26, however. are transparent colored glass.that not frosted or translucent, but permitting direct passage of rays of light colored according to the color of the glass. The end plates 20 and 21 are provided with alternately arranged slots similar to the slots 18 of the outer drum. and the end plates 11 and 12 of the outer drum are provided with one or more slots 27 arranged opposite or in alinemcnt with the slots of the inner drum, to

, permit the plates 26 to be passed through the slots of the ends of the inner drum into their seats between the flanges of the plates and the rings. An enlargement 27 of the slot 27 is made to permit the insertion of a tool to adjust or remove the nuts on the rods 25.

At the righthand side of the machine, the frame plate 8 is equipped with a supporting block 28 through which passes a tube 29 which supports the electric lamp 30, the conductors for the lamp being carried in through the tube. Preferably a reflector 30 is arranged behind the lamp 30 in position to reflect the light toward the window (3. The tube 29 is secured to the bearing block 28 by a set screw 31. and forms a pivot bearing upon which both the inner and outer drums are journaled at their righthand ends.

At the lefthand side of the machine, the frame plate 7 is equipped with a bearing block 32 bored to receive the hollow spindle 33 of the end plate 11 of the outer drum. The inner drum is provided with a spindle 34, in the present instance such spindle consisting of a short rod secured in the hollow hub of the end plate 20 of said drum by means of a set screw 35, which spindle is revolubly mounted in the bore of the hollow spindle 33 'of the outer drum. Fast upon the spindle 34, and therefore rigidly connected with the inner drum, is a ratchet wheel 36 which forms part of the operating means for rotating the inner drum, and loosely mounted upon the hub 33 of the outer drum is the hub of an oscillating lever 37 which, in a manner that will now be explained, imparts a step-by-step rotary movement to the outer drum.

The upper end of the lever 37 just mentioned, through a connecting link 38 pivoted at both ends, is connected to the armature 39 of a solenoid 40 which is intermittently energized to draw the lever smartly down against the resistance of a coiled spring 41 connected with the lower end of the lever and anchored to the framework. The link 38, it will be observed (see particularly Fig. 6, and also Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 7,) is formed with a short transverse bend 42 a short distance below its top pivotal connection, the portion of the link above the bend lying outside the path of a series of six lugs 43 carried by the end plate 11 of the outer drum and which in the present instance are cut out or struck up from the metal of such end 11, while the lower portion of such link lies in a plane intersecting said lugs. On the inner face of the lever 37 is arranged apivoted spring-pressed pawl 44 adapted to cooperate with the lugs 43. The lower end of the lever 37 carries a pin 45 upon which is pivoted a spring-pressed pawl 46 arranged to cooperate with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 before mentioned, which it will be remembered is rigidl connected with the inner drum. The bearings of the inner drum are so fitted and finished as to be as freerunning as possible, so that under the sharp stroke of the solenoid the inner drum will be rotated. and continue to rotate until stopped by the friction of the bearings and the pawl 46 playing over. the spinning ratchet wheel and the resistance of the air. \Vhen the lever 37 is at rest in uppermost position, the pawl 4-4 will lie immediately in front of the top foremost lug 43, while the lower part of the link 38 will lie immediately in front of the foremost lower lug 43, as seen in Fig. 4. Upon the actuation of the solenoid and forward rocking of the lever, the pawl 44 will snap idly over the middle forward lug 43 and travel some distance past the same, while the bend 42 of the link will sink below and out of the path of rotation of the lu 43. When the solenoid is deenergized, the parts will return to the 180 position first mentioned and the pawl 4-1, engaging the middle forward lug 43, will turn the outer drum one-sixth of-a revolution, while the portion of the link below the bend 42 will rise to the rear of the lug last engaged and in position of interference in front of the lug43 which is advancing to lower forward position, thus preventing any overthrow of the drum, and retaining the drum in its advanced position- The electric system of my machine includes an electric lamp 50 arranged in the lower part of the casing back of the lower window 5, the lamp 30 within the inner drum, the solenoid 40, and the conductors and intermittently-acting switch mechanism for controlling the circuits in a periodic manner, illustrated more particularly in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

The switch arm 51 (Fig. 7) i yieldingly drawn upwardly by the spring 52,.1novement in such direction being retarded, however, by the dash-pot 53. In uppermost pooted at the other end to a lug upon the 7 frame and is formed with a slot engaged by a stud carried by the upper end of said armature into engagement with the end of the switch arm 51 and carries such arm out of contact with the upper switch point and into contact. with, the lower one, the momentum of the connected parts carrying the armature downwardly to lowermost position after connection with the upper contact is broken. The current is now directed through the lamp 30 to illuminate the sign displayed at the time by the upper drum at the window 6,the inner drum, which is then spinning rapidly, producing rapidly changing flashes of different colors,by way of conductors 58 and 58; while the lamp 50 is also lighted through conductors 58 and 58 to illuminate the sign shown at the window .5. As the solenoid returns to upward position, and while the switch arm is passing neutral position, the lever 37 rotates the outer drum of the machine to bring the succeeding face of the hexagon before the window 6 in position for illumination by the'next actuation of the solenoid.

It is of course obvious that while a hexparting from the spirit of my invention,.and

that other intermittently-acting forms of switch for periodically interrupting the cir cuits through the solenoid and lamps might be employed, as certain well known thermostatic forms of current breakers.

I claim:

1. An advertising-sign comprising a display window, a revoluble polygonal outer drum having transparency faces and arranged to display its faces at such window, a revoluble inner drum concentrically mounted with said outer drum, and having 4 sheets of glass dlfl'erently colored in its shell,-

illuminatmg means within said inner drum, an oscillating lever pivoted coaxially with said drum, a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism intermediate said lever and said inner drum for imparting an unrestrained whirling movement to such drum by a stroke of the lever in one direction, and means intermediate said lever and outer drum for giving the latter a measured angular movement corresponding to the angle included by one of its sides by the return stroke of the lever. "j

2. In 'a deviceof the character described,

a revoluble outer drum arranged to display a series of transparencies in its. periphery, a concentrically mounted revoluble inner drum having its face formed of glass of various. colors, and reciprocating electromagnetic means for giving said outer drum a step-by-step rotary movement and also giving said inner drum a 'dissimultaneous unrestrained rotary movement.

3. In a device of the character described, a revoluble outer drum arranged to display a series of transparencies in its periphery, a concentrically mounted revoluble inner drum having its face formed of glass of various colors, an electro-magnet having a reciprocating member operatively connected with said inner drum and arranged when energized to impart to item unrestrained whirling movement, and a spring put under tension by said reciprocating member when the magnet is energized and having aoneway connection with said outer drum to give it a measured movement when the magnet is denergized.

4. In a device of thecharacter described and including rotatable outer and inner drums concentrically mounted, means for rotating said drums comprising a rocking lever, a link and electro-magnetic means for rocking the lever in one direction, a

spring tending to rock the lever in the other direction, pawl-and-ratchet mechanism comprising a pawl on said lever and a ratchet wheel rigidly connected with said inner drum for giving said drum an unrestricted whirling movement at each stroke of the lever in one direction, a series of lugs on the end of said outer drum adjacent said lever,

a pawl on said lever cooperating with the lugs seriatim to turn said outer drum a measured distance at each return stroke of the lever, said link being arranged to enter into position of interference with a lug at the conclusion of each such return stroke to prevent overthrow of the outer drum.

5. In a device of the character described and including a rotatable drum, means for turning said drum with a step-by-step movement including a rocking lever mounted coaxially with the drum, a series of lugs carried by the head of said drum adjacent said lever, a pawl on said lever arranged to seriatim to turn cooperate with said lugs distance at 7 each said drum a measured stroke in one direction, a link pivoted to said lever and formed with an upper portion lying outside the plane of the lugs and a lower portion adapted to be projected between two lugs into the path ofrotation of the lugs during the latter portion of a turning stroke and to be withdrawn from position of interference during the earlier portion of a succeeding turning stroke.

6. In a device of the character described, a revoluble drum having a series of transparencies on its periphery, a second rev-.

7. In a device of the class describedpa revoluble drum having a series of transparencies on its periphery, a second revoluble drum concentrically mounted within said first mentioned drum and having differently colored sections of glass arranged on its periphery, an electric light arranged within said inner axially with said drums, an electro-magnet having a spring-pressed armature arranged to oscillate said lever, means intermediate said lever and first mentioned drum for rotating it when the magnet is deenergized,

means intermediate said lever and second mentioned drum for rotating it when the magnet is energized, an electric switch arranged to establish a circuit either through the-magnet and not through the lamp or vice versa, and a member carried by the armature of the magnet arranged to me.- chanically shift said switch.

8. In a deviceof the class described, a

. of the polygon,

drum, a lever mounted co-v revoluble drum having a series of transpariencies on its periphery, a second rev- 'oluble drum concentrically mounted within said first mentioned drum and having differently colored sections of glass arranged on its periphery, an electric light arranged within said inner drum, a lever mounted coaxially with said drums, an electro-magnet having a spring pressed armature arranged to oscillate said lever, means intermediate said lever and first mentioned drum for rotating it when the magnet is denergized, means intermediate said lever and second mentioned drum for rotating it when the magnet is energized, an electric switch arranged to establish a circuit either through the magnet and not through the lamp or vice versa, a member carried by the armature of the magnet arranged to mechanically shift said switch, and a-dash pot arranged to delay the return of the switch from the position in which the circuit is established through the lamp.

9I"\In a device of the character described,

a polygonal drum comprising flanged end plates, spacing rods disposed at th angles of the polygon, the flanges of saidend plates and said rods forming seats, and transparencies forming the sides of the polygon arranged in said seats.

10. In a device of the characterdescribed, a polygonal drum comprising flanged end plates, spacing rods disposed at the angles of the polygon, the flanges of said end plates and said rods forming seats, and transparencies forming the sides of the polygon arranged in said seats, said end plates being formed with slots arranged to permitendwise insertion of the transparencies.

11. 'In a device of the character described, a polygonal drum comprising flanged end plates, spacing rods disposed at the angles the flanges of said end plates and said rods forming seats, and transparencies forming the sides of the polygon, arranged .in said seats, said end plates being formed with slots arranged in alternation to permit endwise insertion of the transparencies.

12. Ina device of the character described, a polygonal drum comprising flanged end plates, opposite flanged polygonal frames of smaller dimensions arranged concentrically within said end plates, spacing rods dis- 1 posed at the angles of the polygon, the flanges of said end plates and said rods forming seats, and transparencies forming the sides of the polygon arranged 111 said seats and between the flanges of the end plates and the polygonal frames.

, MARTIN GOLD.

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