Improvements in Advertising Devices.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug:, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 1st. Oct., 1896-Accepted, 23rd Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL, SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Advertising Devices.
PAUL TAYLOR KENNY, 26 Cortlandt Street, Havemeyer Building, New York,
U.S.A. Electrical Contractor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention consists in devices for exhibiting advertisements upon a large scale
and. automatically moving the figures of animals for attracting attention to the
advertisements. I will use a rotating polygonal drum having on each of its sides
a different advertisement, the drum being placed on top of a building.. A pole is
arranged on the front of the building and a monkey is seen climbing up the pole.
At the top of the pole is a second monkey who stands with a raised club looking
over the eaves at the climbing monkey in a menacing attitude. The figures are so
operated that when the climbing monkey reaches the top of the pole the upper
monkey strikes at him with a club and the climber simultaneously appears to drop
to the bottom when he begins to climb immediately again hand over hand up the
pole preparatory to going through the same cycle of operations again..
I contemplate using the figures of different animals and human...beings. in
connection with my devices..
Dated this Seventh day of August 1896.
PAUL TAYLOR KENNY.
Improvements in Advertising Devices.
PAUL TAYLOR KENNY 26 Cortlandt Street, New York, United States of
America, Electrical Contractor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention consists in devices for exhibiting advertisements upon a large scale
and automatically moving the figures of animals for attracting attention to the
advertising matter. In the illustration accompanying the specification, I have
shown a rotating polygonal drum having on each of its sides a different
advertisement, the drum being placed on top of a building so as to be visible from
the street.
A pole is arranged on the front of the building and a monkey is seen climbing
up the pole. At the top of the pole and connected to the advertising drum is a
second monkey who stands with a raised club looking over the eaves at the climbing
monkey in a menacing attitude. The figures are so operated that when the climbing
moukey reaches the top of the pole the upper monkey strikes at him with a club
and the climber simultaneously appears to release his hold upon the pole and drops
to the bottom, when he immediately begins to climb again hand over hand up the
pole preparatory to going through the same cycle of operations. again.

page_text: I contemplate using the figures of different animals and human beings in connec
tion with my advertising devices. I may use the figure of a bear climbing up the
pole to be tomahawked by an Indian; or a parrot climbing up to be struck by a
monkey; or a piccaninny ascending the pole to be surprised and whacked on the
head by a negro woman; or a colored gentleman climbing up to a hen roost to be
surprised and clubbed by a farmer as he is about to lay hold of a chicken. I shall,
therefore, for convenience in the following specification refer to the animal portion
of the apparatus as the "Climbing Figure" and the "Striking Figure" respectively,
it being understood that these terms include any figures which I may desire to
substitute for the monkeys shown. The advertising device proper may be any
moveable device which will display a series of advertisements successively and, in
some instances I may use my invention in connection with a single stationary
advertisement. I provide a motor and mechanism connected therewith for actuating
the climbing figure and the striker at the proper times and also for shifting the
advertisements. The climbing figure is connected to the moving mechanism by a
suitable cord or rope and within this figure there is mechanism constructed to move
the arms and legs of the figure when it is going up the pole, in imitation of the
usual climbing movements. When the figure is falling down, the arms and legs are
not actuated by this mechanism so that the figure appears to slide down. I will now
proceed to describe the invention in detail, reference being had to the accompanying
drawing, in which
Fig. 1. is a front view of a building upon which my invention is mounted.
Fig. 2. is a side view of the front of the building.
Fig. 3. is a plan view of the operating mechanism.
Fig. 4. is a side view, parts being shown in section.
Fig. 5. is an enlarged view of the climbing figure partly in section to show the
interior mechanism.
Fig. 6. is a rear view of the same, a part being broken away.
Fig. 7. is a front view of the advertising device.
Fig. 8. is a side view of the train of gearing which operates the advertising
device.
Fig. 9. is an edge view of the pawl and ratchet mechanism for operating this
gearing.
and
Fig. 10. is an enlarged view showing the construction of the striking figure,
Fig. 11. is an end view.
Fig. 12. is a plan view showing apparatus for giving the striking figure an
additional movement.
Referring to the drawings, (A.) indicates a pole attached to the front of a
building, the pole being of any suitable length and material, such for instance
as a malleable iron pipe. Upon the pole is a climbing figure (a.) and on
top of the building just above the pole stands a figure (b.) holding a club
or weapon in a menacing attitude. Close to the striking figuro (b.) is the
advertising device (B.) which, as shown, is a polygonal drum having different
advertisements upon its several sides. The figure (a.) is attached to the
pole by means of a yoke or band (1.) which encircles the pole, and a rail (2.) in
the rear of the pole is provided to prevent the figure from turning upon it. Within
the figure is a friction wheel (3.) which turns upon the pole, the wheel (3.) being
loosely mounted upon a shaft (4). Rigidly connected with this shaft is a ratchet
wheel (5.) which is driven by the friction wheel while the figure is ascending
through the medium of a pawl (6.). When the figure is descending the ratchet
wheel remains stationary and the mechanism for operating the limbs of the figure
is also stationary. This mechanism consists in a pair of cranks (7.) upon the
shaft (4.) and connecting rods (8.) which connects the cranks to the limbs (9) of
the figure, which limbs are mounted upon pivots (10.). Upon the base (11.) which
carries the friction wheel I have shown a pair of guide rollers (12.) adapted to
run upon the pole and keep the figure in its proper vertical position. In order to

page_text: hold the friction wheel (3.) against the pole with any desired tension, I provide a
spring bearing in the yoke (1.) opposite the wheel. As shown, this consists of a
shoe (13.) which bears upon the pole or the rail (2.) and a spring (14.) interposed
between the shoe and an adjustable screw threaded bearing (15.).
The climbing figure is connected by the rope or wire (16.) with a winding
drum (17.) upon a shaft (18.). This rope (16.) passes over suitable pulleys (19.)
and down in the rear of the pole, where it is hidden from view, and connects with
the yoke (1.) of the climbing figure. In line with the shaft (18.) is a power
shaft (2.) which is constantly rotated by a suitable motor (21.). The shaft (18.)
and (20.) are connected by a clutch (C.) which, as shown, consists of a member (22.)
fixed upon the shaft (18.) and a member (23.) arranged to slide upon and turn with
the power shaft (20.). The two members of the clutch are normally disengaged by
an interposed spring (24.) and they are engaged at proper times by means of a
lever (25.) one arm of which interlocks with a circumferential groove (26.) upon
the hub of the moveable clutch member (23.). Upon the drum shaft (18.) is a
worm (27.) which engages a worm gear (28.) upon a cross shaft (29.). Upon the
worm gear (28.) is a circular slot or groove (30.) in which are adjustably fastened
two projecting pins (31.) and (32.). The clutch lever (25.) carries a pin (33.)
which is engaged by the hook of locking lever (34) when the clutch is closed, the
locking lever (34.) thus holding the clutch closed until it is operated to release the
pin (33.) when the spring (24.) automatically opens the clutch. The levers (25.)
and (34.) project into the paths of the pins (31.) and (32.) respectively.
The operation of the mechanism so far described is as follows: The motor shaft
is rotated continuously and we will assume the clutch (C.) is closed and that the
drum (17.) is winding up the rope (16.) which draws up the figure. The rotation
of the shaft (18.) turns the worm wheel (28.) and just as the figure reaches the
top of the pole the pin (32.) moves the locking lever (34.) which unlocks the clutch
lever (25.) and permits the spring (24.) to open the clutch. As soon as the clutch
is open the shaft (18.) is free to revolve independently of the motor shaft and the
weight of the climbing figure causes it to slide down the pole and unreel the rope
from the drum (17,). The backward movement of the shaft (18.) and the worm
wheel (28.) brings the pin (31) into engagement with the clutch lever (25.) and
again closes the clutch just as the figure reaches the bottom of the pole. The
figure then climbs the pole and the operations above outlined are repeated con-
tinuously. In Fig. 4. the levers (25.) and (34.) are shown locked together in full
lines. The pins (31.) and (32.) are adjustable in the worm wheel so that the range
of movement of the climbing figure, can be regulated to suit the length of the pole
and other circumstances.
The device (B.) for displaying the advertisements and the striking figure are,
as shown, operated by the worm wheel shaft (29.) and a connecting train of gearing.
Upon the shaft (29) is an arm (35) carrying a pawl (36) which engages in notches
in a disk (37.)-the disk 37 being attached to a gear wheel (38.) which is loose
upon the shaft (29.) It will be evident that the shaft (29.) is a rock shaft which
is driven backward and forward by the worm and worm gear.
While the climbing
figure is falling, the shaft (29.) moves backward and the gear wheel (38.) remains
stationary. While the figure is climbing up the pole, the pawl (36.) rides upon a
shield (36) until near the end of its travel, when it drops into a notch in the
disk (37.) and the gear wheel (38.) is driven forward and a new card on the
advertising device is displayed, the gear (38.) being connected with the gear (39.)
upon the rotary drum (B.) through an intermediate gear (40.).
One leg (41.) of the striking figure is attached rigidly to the roof or other
suitable support, and the body is pivoted to the upper part of this leg, as shown
in Figure (10.). The leg (42.) is connected rigidly to the body and upon it is a
projecting pin (43.). Upon the shaft of the drum (B.) is a disk (44.) carrying
tappets (45.) which, at proper times, engage the pin (43.) and throw the leg (+2.)
backward and the body of the figure forward causing it to strike downward with
the club or other weapon held in its hand. The leg (42.) is weighted so that the

page_text: figure will immediately return to the vertical position after the pin (43.) is freed
from the tappet (45.). The tappets are so located on the disk (44.) that. they
will operate the striking figure just as the climbing figure reaches the top of the
pole.
In Figs. (11.) and (12.) I have shown mechanism for giving an additional.
movement to the striking figure so that as the climbing figure descends the striking
figure will turn towards the advertising device one or more times and thereby call
attention to the newly displayed sign. In these illustrations (46.) is a circular
This
platform near the edge of which the striking figure is to be mounted.
platform is journalled upon a stationary shaft or support (50.). A spiral
spring (49.) connects the platform to the support (50.) and the platform is thereby
normally maintained in the proper position for the striking figure to be moved by
the tappets (4).). A grooved pulley (195) is arranged close to the platform (46)
and the hoisting rope (16.) passes round this pulley to give it motion. The
pulley (19) is provided upon its upper surface with a pivotted arm (47) which is
positively driven in one direction by the stop pin (51) arranged upon one side of
the arm, while a spring (52) pressing upon the other side of the arm allows it to
yield when the pulley is rotated in the opposite direction. This arm (47) is
adapted to engage with a projection (48) upon the underside of the platform (46).
When the figure is descending the pulley (19b) will turn towards the right and the
arm (47) engaging the projection (48) will turn the platform (46) upon which the
striking figure is mounted, towards the left, as indicated by the arrows Fig. 12.
After the platform (46) has made about a quarter of a revolution, the arm (47)
will clear the projection (48) and the platform (46) will be drawn back to its
normal position by the spring (49.).
This movement may be repeated as many times as may be desirable during the
descent of the climbing figure by varying the diameter of the pulley (19). When
the climbing figure is being drawn upward the pulley (19) will rotate in the
opposite direction and the arm (47), being adapted to yield when the pulley is
turned in this direction, will pass the projection (48) without turning the
plate (46).
It will be evident that the details of the operating mechanism shown and
described may be considerably varied without departing from the spirit of my
invention. Without therefore limiting myself to the precise construction and
arrangement of parts illustrated and described, and
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with a device for displaying advertisements, of the pole
adjacent to said device, the climbing figure moveable on the pole, the striking
figure adjacent to the top of the pole, and means for operating said figures,
substantially as described."
2. The combination in an advertising device, of the pole, the climbing figure
upon the pole, a striking figure adjacent to the top of the pole, means for raising
the climbing figure and imparting a climbing movement thereto, means for operating
the striking figure as the climbing figure reaches the top of the pole, and means
for releasing and dropping the climbing figure simultaneous with the operation of
the striking figure, substantially as described.
3. The combination in an advertising device, of the pole, the climbing figure
upon the pole, a suspending wire or rope for said figure, a drum for winding said
rope to raise the figure, a continuously operating motor, a clutch between the motor
and the drum, and means for disengaging the clutch when the figure reaches the
top of the pole, whereby the drum is permitted to unwind freely, and means for
engaging the clutch members as the figure reaches the bottom of the pole whereby
the drum is again set in motion to wind the rope and raise the figure, substantially
as described.

page_text: 4. The combination with the device for displaying advertisements and the pole,
of a figure having movable limbs, a friction wheel mounted in the figure and
engaging the pole, mechanism for moving the limbs of the figure and a pawl and
ratchet device constructed and arranged to engage said mechanism with the friction
wheel during the upward movement of the figure, whereby the limbs are given a
climbing movement, and to disengage said mechanism from the friction wheel as
the figure descends the pole, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the device for displaying advertisements, the pole, the
climbing figure upon the pole, movable limbs upon the figure and mechanism for
operating the same, the friction wheel for operating said mechanism, the yoke
surrounding the pole, and means for varying the pressure of the friction wheel
upon the pole, substantially as described.
6. The combination with the pole and the climbing figure, of the striking figure
adjacent to the top of the pole and having its body movably mounted upon a pivot,
the motor, the drum shaft and drum, the suspending rope connecting the climbing
figure with the drum, the disk (44) operated periodically by the drum shaft through
a suitable train of mechanism, and tappets upon said disk arranged to engage and
move the striking figure, substantially as described.
7. In an advertising device, the combination with the pole and the climbing
figure, of the motor shaft, the drum and the drum shaft, the rope connecting said
figure with the drum, the clutch connecting the motor shaft with the drum shaft,
the clutch lever for operating the clutch, the locking lever for locking the clutch
in its closed condition, the worm on the drum shaft, the worm wheel meshing with
said worm, and the adjustable pins on the worm wheel, said pins being arranged to
engage alternately with the clutch lever and the locking lever, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
Dated thin Simah Jahan Wighteen hundred and ninoto six
PAUL TAYLOR KENNY,
26 Cortlandt Street, New York, U.S.A.