Patent GB-190613284-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Apparatus for the Production at a Distance of Illuminated Letters, Words, Numbers, or the like.
Inventor: VACHERON EMILE LOUIS EUGENE
Filed: 1906-06-08
Granted: 1907-06-08
Abstract: 13,284. Vacheron, E. L. E., and Vacheron, E. L. C. June 8. Signals, electric-lamp.-Consists in an electric apparatus of the type described in Specification No. 5996, A.D. 1905, for the production at a distance of any desired inscription in luminous characters, which apparatus is termed a "photo- "lexigraph." Each of the keys of a manipulator causes the switching-in of a combination of lamps corresponding to the character it bears, such lamps being so arranged on panels that any desired character may be formed. An automatic distributor causes each panel to be lit up in succession, arrangements being also made by which the lamps remain lighted after the corresponding key has been released. The keys I, Fig. 1, of the manipulator depress bars K so that teeth L formed thereon, in positions corresponding to the combination of lamps required, enter mercury grooves B in a fibre block A, such grooves being connected to terminals C. A spring M returns each bar to its normal position on release, breaking off all communication with the rest of the apparatus. The manipulator is also provided with a spacing-bar, with keys for throwing out the distributor and interrupting the main lamp circuit, and with cutouts E arranged on each side of the frame. A general relay arranged to connect up in pairs the terminals shown at the foot of Fig. 12, transmits the current to the distributor and to the contact-switches, and also puts in circuit a condenser for reducing the break, sparks at the manipulator. The distributor, Fig. 6, comprises an electro-magnet a, which, in attracting an armature b, actuates pivoted lever e which controls a piece c carrying a click h. The return of the lever by a spring j moves a ratchetwheel i one tooth. A second click k on a pivoted piece l acts as a stop. The arbor of the ratchetwheel carries a counterbalanced lever q, provided' with springs r to make contact with pieces t, and brushes x which move round a metal hoop z, from which the current is conveyed successively to the pieces t, which are connected with the various panels. A pointer s<1> moving over a dial x<1> indicates the particular panel then in circuit. By the distributor, the contact-switch a', shown diagrammatically in Fig. 12, corresponding to the position of the arm q, is brought into action. Each of these switches comprises an electro-magnet a' having an armature d<1> to which is attached an insulating- piece i<1> carrying springs j<1>, which make contact with terminals n<1>. A contact-making switch then transmits the current to each of the lamps thrown in by the key. It consists of an electro-magnet 2 having an armature on a spring 4 which is in metallic connexion with the base 1, and hence with terminal 11. An insulated terminal 9 is connected to the main. The magnet being once energized pulls up the armature against the contact-screw 9, the current then flowing from the main 10 through the armature 6, base 1, terminal 11, and coils 2 to the lamp through a cut-out 12, the remainder of the apparatus being short-circuited, so that the lamps remain alight when the actuating-key is released. Fig. 12 shows the general arrangement of the connexions, one key being shown depressed so that the teeth L have entered the grooves B, which communicate with the terminals n<1> and also a common groove c<2> which allows current to pass through the distributor E<2> to the second electromagnet a<1> which has attracted its armature d<1>, thus making contact between the springs j<1> and the screws n<1>. The relay devices V, controlling the lamps corresponding to the position of the teeth L, have thus been brought into action to bring such lamps in on the direct circuit independent of the manipulator. The spacing-bar H advances the distributor without lighting up the lamps.