Patent GB-510943-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to indicators
IPC: G09F11/30
Filed: 1938-12-08
Abstract: 510,943. Electric signalling systems. HANDLEY, J., SUCKLING, C., and SUCKLING, R. H. Dec. 8, 1938, No. 33940/37. [Class 40 (i)] In an indicator comprising a stack of parallel indicator plates, means are provided for shifting the stack and bringing at least one of the plates into a predetermined selected position and for moving the selected plates out of the stack into an indicating position. Any one letter or numeral may be displayed-by selecting a plurality of plates bearing portions of the letter &c. and moving the selected plates out of the stack and into juxtaposition. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, each indicator plate 1 of a stack is provided with pins 5, 6 slidable in slots 2 in a supporting frame 3, 4 which is movable upwardly or downwardly by a threaded shaft 11, Fig. 2, into a selected position under the control of a motor-driven selector switch 44, Fig. 5, the banks of which may be selectively marked. Uprights 15, mounted on rollers 22 and movable along guides 23, carry four sets of lugs which co-operate with the pins 5 of four plates in the selected position of the stack and, when the uprights are moved towards the front, project the plates from the stack until the pins 6 engage slots in a member 34 which is movable upwardly or downwardly to turn the selected plates into vertical positions to expose their fop or under surfaces and thereby compose one or other of two letters or figures. The member 34 is moved upwardly or downwardly, depending on the direction of movement of the stack by cam operated links 30, 31, 33, the position of the link 30 in the slotted plate 36 being reversed when the stack reaches its upper or lower limiting position The banks 51, 52 of the switch 44 are individual to,the directions of movement of the stack, so that if, for example, a contact in the "down" bank 52 is marked after an upward movement of the stack, relay 48 is released and magnet 54 is energized to clutch the shaft 46, Fig. 2, of the motor on to the driving gears 59, of the shaft 21. Motor M also is started at contacts 55. The shaft 21 is at first driven to withdraw the uprights 15 and exposed indicator plates through the intermediary of links 16 - - 19, a contact 57 also being operated to lock up the magnet 54 over wiper 53 for half a revolution of the shaft. Contacts 58 are then closed and magnet 64 operates a clutch 60 to transfer the drive to the shaft 43 which, through the shaft 11, drives the stack upwardly to its upper limit when a slotted link 37 operates a clutch to reverse through the bevel gears 41, 42, the direction of movement of the stack. Contacts 45 also are reversed to connect the control relay 48 to the " up bank of the switch 44 and the stack is driven downwardly until when the wiper 51 engages the marked contact, relay 48 pulls up and clutch 60 restores the drive to the shaft 21. Contacts 75 in the clutch magnet circuit ensure that transfer does not take place until the shaft 43 has completed a revolution and the stack is accurately positioned. Shaft 21 is then driven through its seoond half revolution and the links 16 - - 19 move the uprights 15 and selected plates forward. When the pins 6 of the operated plates enter the slots 27 the member 34 is moved downwardly by the links 30, 31, 33 to rotate the plates and display their top surfaces. Locking means 65, 67 are provided to prevent the change over of the drive from one shaft to the other unless the shafts are in predetermined positions.