Improvements in Indicators for the Information of Visitors.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 25th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Indicators for the Information of Visitors.
I, GILBERT JOHN KING 4 Upper Park Place Queens Road Richmond Surrey Clerk
in Probate Registry Somerset House do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The front of the indicator is fixed on the front of the hall-door (say just below the
knocker) or on the entrance gate. It consists of a circular rim of wood or metal
having a glass face inside which is shown on the upper half the following words :-
winch revolves.
A similar contrivance is fixed on the back of the door or gate and by turning a
handle fixed there the two revolving shields will cover the upper halves of the
"Informant, " thereby causing the inscriptions on both sides to be concealed
simultaneously.
"
The object of the "Informant" is to prevent the unnecessary use of the bell or
knocker by visitors and their waiting to learn the information which the "Informant
will at once supply as also to save the time of servants in obtaining and furnishing it.
The object of the corresponding contrivance on the back of the door is to indicate
to the occupants that the "Informant" is correctly set.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Indicators for the Information of Visitors.
I, GILBERT JOHN KING, of No. 4, Upper Park Place, Queen's Road, Richmond, in
the County of Surrey, Clerk in the Probate Registry, Somerset House, 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 relates to improvements in indicators for the information of visitors;
and the objects of it are to prevent the unnecessary use of the door bell or knocker by
visitors, to save the time of servants in obtaining and furnishing an answer to the
visitor's enquiry as to the occupants being at home, and also to prevent their waiting
to learn the information which the indicator will supply.
In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a spindle adapted to be actuated by
a suitable handle. This spindle is mounted so as to be rotated within the door, near
the bell or knocker, by its handle, after the manner of an ordinary lock or latch
spindle.

page_text: On either side of the door there is a semi-circular plate bearing the following
inscription or one similar to it :
Both plates are opposite to each other. The name of the indicator, and notification
as to the cards, may both of them be omitted from the inside plate. Outside each such
plate, and fast upon the spindle above mentioned, are two semicircular plates, or
screens, so that half a rotation of the handle suffices to bring them in front of the
indicator upon both sides of the door; and as both of the said screens are fast upon
the spindle, and opposite each other, it follows that the indications from both sides of
the door will correspond.
It is obvious that the invention above described may be varied to the extent of
mounting the indicator plates upon the spindle, and making the screens fast. In
either case the construction and operation of the invention will be to all intents and
purposes identical.
In order that my invention and the means by which the same is to be carried into
practical effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will now describe them in detail
referring in so doing to the accompanying drawing which is to be taken as part of
this specification and read therewith.
Both the preceding
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the outside face of my existing indicator.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the inside face of the same.
figures shew the indicator as standing at "not at home."
Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation shewing the indicator fixed upon the front door near the
knocker.
A, A are two rings forming the frame of the indicator; and aa are two fixed
semicircular screens incorporated therewith. B is the spindle; and b, its knob. C, C
are the indicating plates fixed to backings c, c; and D, I) are the glazed fronts of the
indicator.
It is obvious that whether the indicating plates or the screens are movable, the
invention remains substantially the same, the one device being only a modification of
the other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
The combination of circular or semicircular indicating plates, screens, and a spindle
device by means of which the relative positions of the screens and plates may be
adjusted by the partial rotation of the said spindle, as and for the purpose hereinbefore
specified with reference to the accompanying figures.
Dated this 24th day of September 1889.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.