Patent GB-114633-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Electrical Transmitting Apparatus, applicable to Controlling Advertising and other Devices from a Distance.
Inventor: HARRIS HENRY KINGSFORD
IPC: G09G3/00
Filed: 1916-07-27
Abstract: 114,633. Harris, H. K. July 27, 1916. Reel and web apparatus.-Relates to transmitting-apparatus for controlling advertising, cricketscoring, sign-telegraph, and other indicating devices from a distance by electrical impulses, the requisite number of impulses being determined automatically. The apparatus may be used, for example, with an indicator in which the letters &c. are shown on a band or web which is moved to bring the desired letter &c. to the exhibiting position, and is particularly applicable in connexion with apparatus of the kind described in Specitications 4635/13, 29597/13, and 109,367, [Class 78 (i), Conveyers &c.]. A disk or other movable member is provided with holes corresponding to the letters, &c. A peg is inserted in the hole corresponding to the letter it is desired to exhibit, and the member is then moved to bring the peg to a definite setting position, for example against a fixed stop. The necessary movement of the disk &c. serves to transmit the requisite number of impulses. The peg and hole arrangement may be replaced by any suitable equivalent such as a pawl and ratchet. Either tne transmitter or the receiver may be arranged to determine the direction in which movement should be made to give the desired indication with least displacement. Means may be provided to prevent movement in the wrong direction, and for sending impulses at constant speed for use in isochronous or synchronous systems, in which case the indicator is preferably timed to run faster than the controlling device. Any number of moving members may be provided in the transmitter for controlling a corresponding number of indicators, and a locking device may be provided to prevent movement of more than one member at a time. Signal lights or other indicators may be used to inform the operator when the steps in the operation of the indicating device are completed. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a number of transmitating wheels 12 are loosely mounted side by side on a shaft 11 and are provided on the upper part of their peripheries with letters or other signs and corresponding holes 30. When pegs 31 have been inserted in the holes corresponding with the desired letters, &c., a handle 42 is rotated so that a snail cam 29 operated by worm gear 41 gives an outward radial movement to a spring-pressed sliding member 35 connected to radial arms 32 at the ends of the apparatus by links 34. The arms 32 are thus moved towards each other, and transverse bars 33 carried by the arms engage the pegs and gather them into alinement. The movements thereby given to the wheels 12 serve to transmit the requisite impulses by means of teeth 13, on the lower parts of the wheels, engaged by rocking arms 14 serving to operate corresponding contacts 17. The rocking arms 14 may be replaced by reciprocating plungers serving to operate the contacts. The wheels 12 may be locked against movement by a cam 19 adapted to hold the arms 14 in engagement with the teeth 13. The cam is moved to the locking position by a spring 25 and is held in the free position shown by a catch 23, automatically released by a pin 28 on the snail 29 engaging a trip 27 connected to the catch 23 by a wire 26. The cam is held in the locking position by a catch 67 engaging a notch 60. The worm shaft 40 has a spring 43 which prevents the handle from being turned in the wrong direction. The handle 42 is locked by a catch 55 engaging a notched wheel 54. The apparatus is enclosed in a case 10 provided with a flexible shutter 59, and the catches 55, 67 are in engagement when the shutter is closed, but are automatically released by the shutter when opened. Movement of the indicating device in a direction corresponding to that of the movement of the wheel 12 is obtained by a reversing switch comprising an insulating drum 47 with conducting strips co-operating with plunger contacts 48. The drum is moved in one direction or the other, to effect the reversal of the current when necessary, by an arm 46 moved frictionally a limited distance by and in the same direction as the wheel 12. The various drums 47 are conveniently arranged in two rows, as shown. Contacts 106 in the signal &c. circuits are opened or closed by an arm 104, the position of which is controlled by a spring and the pin 28. An arrangement is described for locking all wheels 12 except the one being set, and for releasing them singly and successively. An earthing switch is included for successively closing circuits in the corresponding indicating-devices. A modification is described in which ratchet teeth and pawls replace the peg and hole arrangement in apparatus for sending single-step or multiple-step impulses particularly for use with apparatus as described in Specification 4635/13. A ratchet device for preventing movement of a transmitting member in the wrong direction also is described. Circuit diagrams are given illustrating the use of the transmitter with the various indicating-devices described in the Specification referred to. The Provisional Specification refers to Specifications 6784/10, 9254/11, 27793/11, and 3980/15, [Class 118 (ii), Signals].