Patent GB-357616-A (GB)
Abstract: 357,616. Monogrammic signs; totalizators. SIEMENS BROS. & CO., Ltd., Caxton House, Tothill Street, and BROOME, J. H., 64, Heathwood Gardens, Charlton, both in London. May 28, 1930, No. 16489. [Class 118 (ii).] An electrically-operated indicator o the monogrammic type, particularly adapted for displaying totals in connection with totalizators or distantlycontrolled score indicators, comprises for each unit a number of movable slats or bands which co-operate to produce different digits &c. at each rotary movement. A unit is provided for the numerals in each digit place, the units when in their normal position being adapted to display blank surfaces which are changed to a zero digit when a unit of a higher digit place is operated to display a zero or numerical digit. Each unit is set under the control of a rotary step-by-step switch, the unit being lined up with counting mechanisms such as described in Specification 339,591, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.]. Alternatively, the counting mechanisms may be composed of electric relays as described in Specification 338,184, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.]. A common driving member is provided for several units, the units having individual electromagnetically operated clutch mechanisms for connecting them to the driving member. The control is such that the clutch can be engaged and disengaged only when a mechanical jam of the clutch parts is impossible. Each indicator unit comprises a series of slats 11 carried by endless chains 10, in a casing having a display window 5, the corresponding slats on the several chains bearing painted or upraised portions of the digit to be displayed. Alternatively, the portions of the figures may be in the form of a stencil through which a light beam is passed. Continuous bands may be used instead of slats. The sprocket wheels 9 for the chains have their spindles supported by brackets 3a adjacent to inclined slots 3b in bars 3 which are spaced from the back of the casing by packing pieces 14. A main driving sprocket 20 drives the endless chains 10 through the chain gear 21, 60, 57, 7, a jockey pulley 13 being adjustably mounted as shown. Members 8 maintain the chain 7 in engagement with its sprockets 6. The continuously driven sprocket 60 is adapted to be clutched to the sprocket 57 by mechanism, Fig. 4, comprising an electromagnetically actuated stop 75 adapted to lock the carriage 62 carrying the planet wheels of an epicyclic gear train 59, 61, 63, 64 coupling the driving and the driven members. When the electromagnet is energized, the stop 75 is removed from a slot in an annulus 58 on the driven shaft 55 and engages a slot in a disc 65 attached to the carriage 62 which is thereby held stationary, the sprocket 60 being thus enabled to rotate the shaft 55 together with a cam 66 and the sprocket 57. The cam 66 closes contact springs 67 for a certain period each time the respective portion of the indicator is operated to display a fresh digit, and a cam 68 on the continuously driven shaft 56 operates a centre lever contact spring 69 as shown in Fig. 6, so as to allow the two lower contact springs to break contact and to force the two upper contact springs into contact, the object of these switch springs being to prevent the electromagnet being energized or released when the slots in the members 58, 65 are radially aligned, in which position a mechanical jam might be caused, owing to one of these members being stationary and to the possibility of the stop being caught between the two members. A circuit arrangement involving rotary step-by-step switches for controlling the setting of the unit is described, with provision for displaying blanks and zeros, as described above, by the use of an extra position in the controlling switch, which position precedes the position for the digit 0, the extra position being under the control of a relay energized when the controlling switch leaves normal. Each relay may also be energized when the next higher relay is rendered operative. Fig. 8 shows five shelves of units driven from a common source 30, while Fig. 9 shows a display board for indicating four totals. Specification 358,895 is referred to.