Patent GB-226419-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to indicating apparatus
IPC: H04L12/18
Filed: 1924-04-10
Abstract: 226,419. Gergacsevics, O. April 10, 1924. Reel and endless-web apparatus. - Apparatus visible from a considerable distance for indicating variable quantities with maximum and minimum limits attained, such as stock exchange values, comprises a mast supporting a lantern divided into four sections I, II, III, IV, in each of which appears a variable number. The section II shows the main number, and when this is altered tho numbers in sections I, III and IV adjust themselves to show respectively the initial number and the minimum and maximum numbers displayed by section II. The numerals in each of the sections are on endless bands geared together to build up units, tens and hundreds. The bands in section II are connected directly by chain drive to a vertical shaft a, Fig. 3, which can be given one revolution at a time by a crank k or by a motor 6 having two switches which when selectively pressed cause the motor to rotate the shaft a one revolution in one direction or the other. The sections I, III and IV are operated by Geneva stop mechanism, the pin members u of which are mounted on the shaft a and the slotted members v on secondary shafts 1<1>, 3<1>, 4<1>. The pin h on each member u is adapted to be brought into operation by solenoids m<1>, m<3>, m<4>. Alternatively, the slotted members r may be slidable and controlled by an electromagnet. The means for selectively actuating the solenoids m<1>, m<3>, m<4> is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The solenoid m<1> is put into operation by a hand-operated switch 5 moved into the left-hand position, Fig. 10, at the beginning of operations, so that step-by-step actuation of Section II effects also concurrent movement of Section I till the requisite starting number is shown by both Sections I and II. The switch 5 is then moved to the right permanently to disconnect Section I. The solenoids of Sections III and IV are respectively energized by switches 12 and 14, which are both at first closed by levers p, q held together by a spring 11 and a pivoted enfolding bar d. The levers p, q have detents C, C<1>. C<11>, c. c<1>, c<11> which engage in notches 8, 9 in discs R, R<1>, R<11>, r, r<1>, r<11> which are spring-pressed against double cones fixed on the units, tens, and hundreds spindles 2, 2<1>, 2<11> of Section II. The notches 8, 9 are so shaped that when the spindle 2 revolves in the direction x the lever q is pushed cut and the contact 14 broken, and when in the direction y the lever p is raised and contact 12 broken. The bar d is held over the levers p, q by current passing through a coil z, and is withdrawn by a spring 17 when the current stops. A spring strip 16 moves with the bar d to make-and-break contact at 18, 19. In operation, when the switch 5 has been moved to the right to fix section I, the coil z is de-energized and the bar d withdrawn. Rotation of spindles 2, 2<1>, 2<11> one way or the other will raise lever p or q, thus energizing only one of solenoids m<3>, m<4> out of action, and bringing the one originally cut out back again into operation only when the spindles 2, 2<1>, 2<11> have returned to show the number given on section I. Mechanical devices may be substituted for the switches 5, 12, 14. To prevent a continuous supply of current to the solenoid m<3> or m<4> and to supply said solenoids with current, before section II is operated, for a period of one revolution of the shaft a, a spring contact current distributor and interrupter 23 is provided. The hooked end of the spring 23 is brought against one of two conducting plates 20 according to the direction of rotation of the shaft a, this being effected by an inclined slot 22 in an insulating disc 21, thus supplying current to either contact 12 or 14. When the contacts 18 and 19 are connected by the spring 16 both contacts 12, 14 are supplied with current independently of the direction of rotation. The indications may be repeated round the sides of a prism, or be multiplied by optical means, such as projection through glass prisms. The indications of separate quantities may be shown on one board, the shaft a for each quantity being rotated by bringing a worm thereon into engagement with a constantly rotating screw by electromagnetic distant-control means. A uniformly moving band may be automatically printed with the number shown in section II at given intervals of time.