US3389483A

US3389483A - Illuminated sign

Info

Publication number: US3389483A
Application number: US589926A
Authority: US
Inventors: William B Piper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1966-10-27
Filing date: 1966-10-27
Publication date: 1968-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 1985-06-25

Description

June 25, 1968 w. B. PIPER 3,339,483

ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Oct. 27, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 25, 1968 w. a. PIPER 3,339,433

ILLUMINATED SIGN med oct. 27, 196e 2 sheets-sneer z FIGS INVENTOR, WILL/AM B. PIPER United States Patent Office 3,3%,433 Patented june 25, 1968 3,389,483 ILLUMINATED SIGN William B. Piper, 1472 Carruthers Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38112 Filed ct. 27, 1966, Ser. No. 589,926 8 Claims. (Cl. ill-32) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in illuminated signs, and more particularly to illuminated signs provided with changeable visual displays.

There have been heretofore numerous illuminated signs and display devices, but none of these prior devices have provided suicient illumination for transparent and translucent intermittently exposed panels. These prior devices have further been unable to provide efficient drive means for moving a display panel into and through the viewing area `of the sign, and adequate braking means for maintaining a display panel in proper alinement in a viewing area for a selected length of time.

The device of the present invention is further provided with novel means for utilizing a plurality of display panels detachably connected in end to end engagement to form a substantially endless belt.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated sign having intermittent rearlighted translucent display panels.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated sign wherein the display panels are linkably attached to form a substantially endless belt.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated sign having oppositely spaced rollers for carrying a belt comprising a plurality of translucent display panels.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for rthe intermittent shift of an illuminated sign having a plurality of translucent display panels.

A further object of the present invention is to provide drive means for a belt comprising a plurality of end to end display panels in an illuminated sign.

Another object of the present invention is to provide van illuminated sign having timing means for the intermittent exposure of a display panel in a viewing portion of the sign; and

A further object of the present invention is to generally improve the design, construction and eiiiciency of illuminated signs.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 as taken on the line Il-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. l as taken on the line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an inverted sectional plan view of the device of FIG. 1 as taken on the line lV-IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the display panels of the device of FIG. l; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry of the device of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the present invention comprises a sign 11 having a top 13 and a bottom 15 of rectangular configuration substantially parallel, a pair of substantially

parallel side members

17, 19 interposed in spaced parallel relation between the top 13 and the bottom 15, a rear closure 21 and a face member 23 preferably in spaced relation to each other to form a substantially box-like housing.

The sign 11 is provided with a pair of elongated preferably box-type slotted

beams

25, 27 disposed substantially vertically within the chamber of the sign 11, spaced in substantially parallel relation respectively inwardly from the

sides

17, 19 thereof. A plurality of brackets 29, interposed between the

sides

17, 19 and the

beams

25, 27 and afxed therebetween as by welding or the like, is provided to support the

beams

25, 27 within the sign 11 in substantially parallel spaced alinement with the

sides

17, 19 of the sign 11. The upper ends of the

beams

25, 27 below top 13 are provided with bearing blocks 31 attached to the beams, and the lowermost ends of the

respective beams

25, 27 above bottom 15 are similarly provided with bearing blocks 33. The bearing blocks 31 are provided with shaft means 35 journally supported and disposed therebetween and upon which is` rigidly mounted a substantially cylindrical roller 37. A similar roller 39, of substantially equal diameter and length of the roller 37, is affixed to a shaft 41 which is suitably journalled in the lower pair of bearing blocks 33 attached to the lowermost ends of the

beams

25, 27. It will be readily seen upon reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 ofthe accompanying drawings that the

rollers

37, 39 are thus maintained in vertically spaced relation in substantially horizontal parallel alinement.

The present invention further provides a substantially endless belt -45 preferably formed of a :resilient pliable material, such as plastic or the like, mounted upon the

rollers

37, 39 and drivingly engaged thereby, and the belt comprises a plurality of translucent. display panels 47 in substantially end to end abutment. The several panels 47 are further detachably connected to each other by means of a plurality of interleaved clips 49 and rod means 51 interposed longitudinally between the alternately interleaved individual clip loops. The clips 49 are preferably formed of metal similar to the metal of the

rollers

37, 39, to lessen friction and thus enhance the ability of the belt 45 to aline itself on the

rollers

37, 39 when the clips 49 fall into overlying adjacency with the periphery of the

rollers

37, 39 as the belt 45 travels therearound.

Snap fasteners, buttons or tape means :may -be utilized for detachably connecting the ends of the several panels 47 to form the substantially endless belt 45 without changing the structure or design thereof.

The present invention further comprises an electric motor 53 suitably attached to one of the beams 25 as by bolts or similar fastening means. A reduction gear box 55, interconnectingly ailixed to the motor 53 and the shaft 4l carried by the roller 39 is provided as the means for transmitting the driving impetus from the motor 53 to the roller 3@ at a pre-selected rate of speed.

A microswitch 57 is attached to the face of the beam 25 somewhat below the top of the beam, with a pair of contacts extending from the switch 57 inwardly of the sign 11 overlying the outer surface of the belt 45. The microswitch 57 is electrically connected to a relay 59 and a timing device 61 as by a lead 63, and to the primary switch 65 as by a lead 67. The primary switch 65 is attached to the outer face of the side 17 of the sign 11 and is provided with

electrical leads

67, 71 connected to a ll() volt alternating current source of power (not shown) for the energization of the electrical circuit within the sign 11.

The sign 11 is additionally provided with a series of illuminators 73, preferably of the glow discharge type, substantially evenly spaced between the upper roller 37 and the lower roller 39. It will thus be readily seen, upon reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings that the illuminators 73 are additionally disposed in vertical alinement with the opposite flat flights of the belt 45 intermediate the

rollers

37, 39 and spaced substantially equidistantly therebetween to provide a suitable diffused luminosity of even intensity. The illuminators 73 are maintained in xed position within sockets 75 attached to the inner surfaces of the

respective beams

25, 27 with the electrical leads from the illuminators 73 aliixed to one of the beams.

The face panel 23 of the sign 11 is provided with a window 77 formed therein to dene a sight area for viewing a display panel framed thereby. The sign 11 further comprises a resilient substantially transparent windscreen 79 rollably mounted upon a shaft 81 disposed within the sign 11 in vertical alinement with the beam 25 and the side 17, and spaced preferably centrally therebetween. The shaft 81 is provided at its upper end with a ratchet 82 for selective locking engagement with a pawl 33. The ratchet S2 and the pawl 83 are preferably positioned in overlying adjacency with the top 13 of the sign 11. A handwheel 84 is attached to the lower end of the shaft 81 below the bottom 15 of the sign 11 to facilitate the winding and unwinding of the windscreen '79 upon the shaft 81.

The face of the sign 11 is further provided with an elongated slot 85 somewhat longer than the width of the windscreen 79 to allow the windscreen 79 to extend therethrough outwardly to overlie the window 77 to protcet a selected one of the display panels exposed in the window 77 from the weather and other external elements. The windscreen 79 is held in overlying abutment with the face 23 by a plurality of snaps 87.

A pair of doors 89 pivotally swingably attached to the side 19 are provided in combination with a pair 0f apertures formed in the side 19 for easy accessibility to the structural components within the sign 11.

In the use of the device of the present invention the primary switch 65 is manually engaged permitting the electrical current passing therethrough to light the illuminators 73 behind one of the panels positioned in the window 77. The timer 61 is energized simultaneously with the illuminators 73 to hold the panel 47 in the area of view formed by the window 77 for a pre-selected length of time. At the end of the timing cycle the relay 59 is energized, closing its switches and allowing the current in the electrical circuit to actuate the motor 53 and the roller 39 to move a succeeding display panel into the area of View. When the succeeding display panel is substantially framed by the window 77, the clips 49 being of somewhat greater thickness than the adjacent panels 47 are moved against one of the contacts of the microswitch 65 urging the one contact against the other contact causing a cessation `of electrical current to the motor 53 allowing the interconnected gear box 55 to brake the motion of the belt 45, reenergizing the timer for the preselected time in the area of view of the window 77.

It will be further readily seen upon reference to the aforementioned specification and the accompanying drawings that a plurality of rollers may be mounted in the housing 11 in substantially vertically spaced alinement to permit the belt 45 to move horizontally therewithin with additional viewing windows formed in the back of the sides thereof. It will thus be seen that the lights will provide even, shadowless illumination over the respective several viewing areas simultaneously.

I claim:

1. An illuminated sign comprising a housing therefor, beam means within the said housing, bearing means attached to the upper and lower ends of the said beam means, rollers journally carried by the said bearing means, belt means mounted upon the said rollers having a plurality of display panels, means for driving the said rollers and the said belt means mounted thereupon, intermittent means for .Step-b'y-step energizing and cle-energizing the said means for driving the said rollers and the said belt means, said intermittent means carried by one of the said beams, a contact portion of said intermittent means overlying the surface of the said belt means, electrical means for connecting the said intermittent means and the said means for driving the said rollers and the said belt means to a source of power, a series of lights in the said housing illuminating the said belt means and a window formed in the face of the said housing for successively viewing the illuminated panels of the said belt means therein.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said belt means mounted upon the said rollers is comprised of translucent panels in end to end engagement upon which is axed advertising material.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said beam means are attached to the said housing and alinably supported therein by bracket means.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the said window formed in the face of said housing is provided with a transparent screen in overlying adjacency therewith, the said screen affixed to shaft means mounted with the said housing, slot means in the said face of the said housing for the egress of the said screen therethrough and snaps carried by the said screen for detachable engagement with the face of said housing to cover the said window.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the said shaft means is provided with a ratchet at one of the ends, a pawl mounted upon the said housing adjacent the said ratchet, the said pawl bearing against the teeth of said ratchet for selective engagement and disengagement with the said pawl to apply tension to the said screen aliixed to the said shaft and wheel means attached to the opposite end of the said shaft for winding and unwinding the said screen therearound.

6. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said series of lights are disposed in a vertical plane and said vertical plane in substantial alinement with the axis between the said rollers to effect a balanced intensity of illumination over the said panel exposed in a viewing area described by the said window in the said face of the aforesaid housing.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said contact portion of the said intermittent means is actuated by the passage thereunder of clips, the said clips attached to the ends of the said panels of the said belt means in interleaved engagement, rod means hingedly connecting the said clips attached to the ends of the said panels to complete the said belt means, the said rod means in combination with the said clips extending above the surface of the said belt means to trigger the contact portion of the said intermittent means and actuate a timer for exposing a selected said panel of the said belt means within the said window for a prescribed period of viewing therethrough.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the said means for driving the said rollers is provided with gear means, said gear means journalled upon shaft means carried by one of the said rollers, the said gear means in meshing engagement with the said means for driving the said rollers and the said meshing engagement providing instant stopping of said said rollers of the said belt means to position the selected said panel of the said belt means positively within the said viewing area formed by the said window.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,102,243 12/1937 Van Deventer et al. 40-32 XR 2,185,249 1/1940 Ferrigno 40-32 3,010,233 11/1961 Wells et al. 40-36 3,187,451 6/1965 Fontaine 40-32 EUGENE R. CAPC'ZIO, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM H. GRIEB, Examiner.

Claims

1. AN ILLUMINATED SIGN COMPRISING A HOUSING THEREFOR, BEAM MEANS WITHIN THE SAID HOUSING, BEARING MEANS ATTACHED TO THE UPPER AND LOWER ENDS OF THE SAID BEAM MEANS, ROLLERS JOURNALLY CARRIED BY THE SAID BEARING MEANS, BELT MEANS MOUNTED UPON THE SAID ROLLERS HAVING A PLURALITY OF DISPLAY PANELS, MEANS FOR DRIVING THE SAID ROLLERS AND THE SAID BELT MEANS MOUNTED THEREUPON, INTERMITTENT MEANS FOR STEP-BY-STEP ENERGIZING AND DE-ENERGIZING THE SAID MEANS FOR DRIVING THE SAID ROLLERS AND THE SAID BELT MEANS, SAID INTERMITTENT MEANS CARIED BY ONE OF THE SAID BEAMS, A CONTACT PORTION OF SAID INTERMITTENT MEANS OVERLYING THE SURFACE OF THE SAID BELT MEANS, ELECTRICAL MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE SAID INTERMITTENT MEANS AND THE SAID MEANS FOR DRIVING THE SAID ROLLERS AND THE SAID BELT MEANS TO A SOURCE OF POWER, A SERIES OF LIGHTS IN THE SAID HOUSING ILLUMINATING THE SAID BELT MEANS AND A WINDOW FORMED IN THE FACE OF THE SAID HOUSING FOR SUCCESSIVELY VIEWING THE ILLUMINATED PANELS OF THE SAID BELT MEANS THEREIN.