Patent GB-191029452-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Electric Illuminating Signs.
Inventor: ARNOLD WILLIAM WARREN
IPC: G09G3/00
Filed: 1910-12-19
Granted: 1911-09-14
Abstract: 29,452. Arnold, W. W. Dec. 19. Monogrammic signs.- Each panel or unit letter-space of an illuminated monogrammic sign is wired to a separate switch frame controlled by setting - keys. In some cases transfer mechanism is provided to enable a single keyboard to set a number of switch frames in turn. Three arrangements are described, in each of which the lamps of a panel are wired to a fixed series of parallel contact rods, over which are disposed transversely a second set of movable contact bars corresponding to the letters of the alphabet &c., with contact-pieces for engaging selected groups of the first set of rods when actuated. (1) In the arrargement shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 7, the switch frames of a series of panels are assembled side by side, each frame comprising a set of lamprods 6 and a transverse set of character bars 9, which carry bent spring selecting-contacts 12, Fig. 5, capable of snapping behind the rods 6 when the bars 9 are shifted lengthwise. Rows of self-locking keys 26, shown in detail in Fig. 7, are arranged on a board 25, each row being opposite a switch frame, and each key being alined with the head 11 of a character bar 9. When a key is depressed, the locking-plate 27, Fig. 7, is shifted to release any previouslyoperated key. This enables a mistake to be rectified. To display an inscription, the appropriate character-keys are depressed, one in each row, and a crank-handle 21 is turned. This first opens a main switch in the common-return circuit of the lamps, and then advances the resetting-plates 13, Fig. 5, of the switch frames. The previously-exhibited sign is thus deleted and the corresponding character bars 9 are reset without sparking at the contacts 12. Cams 30 on the shaft 31 next lift the keyboard 25, which is so guided by pivot-links 29 that it moves inwards and shifts the character bars 9 corresponding to the depressed keys. The bars 9 remain locked owing to the engagement of the springs 12, Fig. 5, behind the rods 6. As the keyboard 25 falls back, cams 32 lift the locking-plates 27 to release the keys 26, and the final movement of the crank 21 recloses the main switch so that the inscription appears illuminated on the signboard. The keyboard 25 may be dispensed with, the heads 11 of the character - bars 9 being directly operated by hand. (2) In the second arrangement, shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the character-bars 9 are arranged vertically, and are operated by keylevers 38, pivoted at 39. The keyboard carriage runs by wheels 36 on tracks 37, and steps from one switch-frame to the next after a key has been operated. To effect this, each key-lever 38, in its return motion, trips a universal bar 51, Fig. 12, which operates through a bell-crank lever 52 a cam 56, which lifts a catch 45 from a toothed rack 49, allowing a weight 41, Fig. 11, to draw the carriage a step forward. In a modification shown in Fig. 14, the catch 45 is operated by a solenoid 58, the circuit of which is closed by a contact 60, which is lifted and released during the return of any key. (3) In the third arrangement, shown in Figs. 15, 17, 18 and 26, the character bars 20<c> of all the switch frames are operated by a row of magnets 51<c>, which are mounted on a travelling carriage 52<c>, Fig. 18, and wired to the contacts of a controlling-keyboard C. When a key is depressed it connects, as shown in Fig. 26, a common-return contact 48<c> to an individual contact 60<c>, wired to one of the magnets 51<c>, connexion with which is made through a sliding spring 55<c>, Fig. 18. The magnet 51<c> is energized and attracts the armature-head 63<c>, Fig. 18, of a character bar 20<c>. The bar 20<c> has diagonal slots working on pins 25<a>, so that it moves diagonally and brings contacts 23<c> against selected transverse strips 17<c> wired to lamps of the corresponding panel. The rod 20<c> remains locked in its circuit-closing position by a sliding plate 27<c>. When the key is released it is pulled down by a spring-tensioned universal bar 36<c>, Fig. 26, which at the same time depresses and then releases a contact lever 35<c>, thus energizing momentarily the solenoid 46<c>, Fig. 17, of a stepping device, similar to that shown in Fig. 14, to allow the magnet carriage 52<c> to move into alinement with the character bars 20<c> of the next switch-frame. Thus, as the key-levers 29<c> are successively depressed, the circuits of successive panels of the sign are prepared, but the main circuit of the lamps is not completed until the carriage 52<c> completes its travel, whereupon the right hand plunger 75<c>, Fig. 17, is moved and operates through a cord 79<c> to close a main switch 81<c>, and the complete illuminated inscription appears. When the motive weight of the carriage 52<c> is lifted, a smaller oppositely-acting weight draws the carriage back to its starting position, and the lefthand plunger 75<c>, Fig. 17, opens the main switch 81<c>. At the same time a circuit is closed through magnets which actuate a bar for moving all the locking-plates 27<c> so as to release the character bars 20<c>.