Improvements in Illuminated Advertisements, signs, or the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Nov., 1899-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1900
Improvements in Illuminated Advertisements, signs, or the like.
A communication from abroad by GEORGE LAFAYETTE MASON, of 1272, Broadway,
New York City, State of New York, United States of America, Electrician.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of 46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of London,
Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to advertising devices of the class in which a series of
electric incandescent lamps are employed within a given space to exhibit in light
any desired character. Said invention consists essentially in providing a means
for enclosing and isolating the respective lamps, whereby the light emitted
respectively, from said lamps may be reflected in bars or blocks of light to form
thereby illuminated elements which in their combined arrangement form a
universal monogram, from which any desired letter or character may be produced
in light; and the combination therewith of a circuit closer for varying said
element combinations by closing the circuit through any desired series of lamps.
Figure 1 represents in front elevation the combined display box and a multiple
circuit closer, in electrical connection with the lamps therein. Figure 2 represents
the box in front elevation with the front lid removed; together with the cir-
cuit closing device in side elevation. Figure 3 represents a cross-section of
the lamp box taken on line ea in Figure 2, while Figure 4 represents in per-
spective, the monogramic framework, as it appears when removed from the
lamp-box.
In said drawings A¹ represents a box that is provided with darkened interior
walls and at suitable points with ventilative openings d. Within said box
is mounted a number of lamps 11 to 120, which are screwed into sockets e.
B represents a universal monogramic frame-work that is adapted to be intro-
duced and seated within the box, to provide a means for isolating from each
side-walls d', and a
other the respective lamps. Said framework comprise
backing plate f, the latter being provided with lamp receiving holes that register
and fit about the neck portion of the respective lamps when the framework is
properly positioned in said box.
The framework comprises interiorly a series of spaced and angularly arranged
dividing partitions, that extend as shown, to form open front compartments for
enclosing separately the lamps mounted in said box. The lamp-box is provided
at its front with a transparent lid C₁, against which the edges of the open front
compartment structure abut at right angles to form the outline or tracery of
the elements comprising said monogram, and which admits of the effect of
blocking out in bars of light, the illumination of any lamp thus surrounded.
In the centre of said framework is arranged an octagonal shaped compartment
from each plane of which radiate eight drawn out heptagons, the vertical and
horizontal extending pairs of which terminate in pyramidal shaped ends. The
structure thus formed is surrounded by a compartment border comprising twelve
irregular hexagonal figures, divided in configuration as follows; those at the
corners forming nearly regular hexagon extensions; the side pairs of which
consist of drawn out hexagons comprising in their configuration oblique and

page_text: acute angles,, extending from the respective planes of the abutting acute angles
of the corners and meeting at the apex of the adjacent acute angles of the
oppositely disposed member of the pair, while the end pairs comprise irregular
drawn-out hexagons, the exterior portion of which consists each of a two sided
configuration, one member of which is formed in a curve, while the other joins
at an angle thereto and extends in an acute angle to the apex of the adjacent
like figure. The compartment structure thus formed provides a monogramic
means which by the illumination of the compartments thus arranged will admit
of displaying any desired letter by the different groupings of compartment
elements.
To suppress all fugitive light the back-plate of said framework extends
sufficiently from the outer walls thereof to the walls of the box and is sup-
ported at a suitable distance from the bottom of said box to provide an air space
for ventilative purposes.
For the purpose of switching the lamps into and out of circuit I provide the
following multiple commutator switch or circuit closer F represents a block of
insulating material upon which is mounted a series of electrically conductive
spring strips 1 to 620 that extend inwardly in spaced parallelism from a like
series of binding posts. These circuit selecting spring strips are provided each
with raised contact portions that are disposed so as to align centrally throughout
the block. From one pole of each lamp a wire w¹ to 20 extends to a connexion
respectively to a selected spring strip. From the other pole of this series of
lamps a wire extends to a lead-wire connected with a pole of a generator
or battery D. From the other pole of the generator a wire leads to a circuit.
closer, which I will now describe.
Journalled between standards SS" in a line parallel with the raised contacts
is a rotatable shaft I¹ of conducting material, which is connected through one
of the standards at to the terminal of the wire leading from the generator.
Mounted on said shaft are a series of discs J which are designated from s¹ to $20
and which correspond in number and disposition to the spring strips, and with
which they are intended to co-operate for making and breaking the respective
circuits. These discs are provided on their peripheral edges with extensions
or teeth L and inter spaces L of varying length. The face of each tooth
maintains the circuit closed when brought into contact with its spring strip.
Each disc may be adjusted on the shaft so as to bring any tooth on its peripheral
edge in alignment with the lineal groupings of the others to provide a circuit
closer which permits of a quick and synchronous closure of different combina-
tions of terminals, with the teeth so lineally grouped. To obtain the same result
I may employ a cylinder instead of a shaft and upon its periphery provide for
contact portions in various groupings by the employment of small screws that
may be readily set and changed to form different lineal groupings that may be
successively and synchronously brought into contact with the corresponding spring
strips. In connection with the contact making means I employ an indicator
which comprises a dial N that is provided with an annularly arranged series of
letters A B C etc., said disc being shown as stationary, while it is provided with
a pointer that is mounted at the end of the shaft, as shown, and which is
provided with a hand turning knob P¹ P
I may employ in lieu of the stationary dial a gear wheel mounted at the end
of said shaft, and which is provided on its outer face with an annularly arranged
series of letters so disposed as to indicate the relative lineal groupings of the
contacts, while travel may be imparted to said gear by a clock or other motor
means.
D
.
1000

page_text: Improvements in Illuminated Advertisements, Signs, or the like.
A communication from abroad by GEORGE LAFAYETTE MASON, of 1272, Broadway,
New York City, State of New York, United States of America, Electrician.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of 46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of London,
Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement: --
This invention relates to advertising devices of the class in which a series of
electric incandescent lamps are employed within a given space to exhibit in light
any desired character. Said invention consists essentially in providing a means
for enclosing and isolating the respective lamps, whereby the light emitted,
respectively, from said lamps may be reflected in bars or blocks of light to form
thereby illuminated elements which in their combined arrangement form a
universal monogram, from which any desired letter or character may be produced
in light; and the combination therewith of a circuit closer for varying said
element combinations by closing the circuit through any desired series of lamps.
Figure 1 of the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification repre-
sents in front elevation the combined display box and a multiple circuit
closer, in electrical connection with the lamps therein. Figure 2 represents
the box in front elevation with the front lid removed; together with the cir-
cuit closing device in side elevation. Figure 3 represents a cross-section of
the lamp box taken on line X-X in Figure 2, while Figure 4 represents in per-
spective, the monogramic framework, as it appears when removed from the
lamp-box.
In said drawings A represents a box that is provided with darkened interior
walls and at suitable points with ventilative openings d. Within said box
is mounted a number of lamps 11 to 120, which are screwed into sockets e.
B represents a universal monogramic frame-work that is adapted to be intro-
duced and seated within the box, to provide a means for isolating from each
other the respective lamps. Said framework comprises side-walls d, and a
backing plate f, the latter being provided with lamp receiving holes that register
and fit about the neck portion of the respective lamps when the framework is
properly positioned in said box.
The framework comprises interiorly a series of spaced and angularly arranged
dividing partitions, that extend as shown, to form open front compartments for
enclosing separately the lamps mounted in said box. The lamp-box is provided
at its front with a transparent lid C, against which the edges of the open front
compartment structure abut at right angles to form the outline or tracery of
the elements comprising said monogram, and which admits of the effect of
blocking out in bars of light, the illumination of any lamp thus surrounded.
In the centre of said framework is arranged an octagonal shaped compartment
from each plane of which radiate eight drawn out heptagons, the vertical and
horizontal extending pairs of which terminate in pyramidal shaped ends. The
structure thus formed is surrounded by a compartment border comprising twelve
irregular hexagonal figures, divided in configuration as follows; those at the
corners forming nearly regular hexagon extensions; the side pairs of which
consist of drawn out hexagons comprising in their configuration oblique and
acute angles, extending from the respective planes of the abutting acute angles
of the corners and meeting at the apex of the adjacent acute angles of the
oppositely disposed member of the pair, while the end pairs comprise irregular

page_text: drawn-out hexagons, the exterior portion of which consists each of a two sided
configuration, one member of which is formed in a curve, while the other joins
at an angle thereto and extends in an acute angle to the apex of the adjacent
like figure. The compartment structure thus formed provides a monogramic
means which by the illumination of the compartments thus arranged will admit
of displaying any desired letter by the different groupings of compartment
elements.
To suppress all fugitive light the back-plate of said framework extends
sufficiently from the outer walls thereof to the walls of the box and is sup-
ported at a suitable distance from the bottom of said box to provide an air space
for ventilative purposes.
For the purpose of switching the lamps into and out of circuit I provide the
following multiple commutator switch or circuit closer F represents a block of
insulating material upon which is mounted a series of electrically conductive
spring strips 1 to 620 that extend inwardly in spaced parallelism from a like
series of binding posts. These circuit selecting spring strips are provided each
with raised contact portions i that are disposed so as to align centrally throughout
the block. From one pole of each lamp a wire to 20 extends to a connexion
respectively to a selected spring strip. From the other pole of this series of
lamps a wire extends to a lead-wire connected with a pole of a generator
or battery 1. From the other pole of the generator a wire leads to a circuit
closer, which I will now describe.
Journalled between standards SS in a line parallel with the raised contacts
is a rotatable shaft I of conducting material, which is connected through one
of the standards at a to the terminal of the wire leading from the generator.
Mounted on said shaft are a series of discs J which are designated from 1 to $20
and which correspond in number and disposition to the spring strips, and with
which they are intended to co-operate for making and breaking the respective
circuits. These discs are provided on their peripheral edges with extensions
or teeth L and inter spaces L" of varying length. The face of each tooth
maintains the circuit closed when brought into contact with its spring strip.
Each disc may be adjusted on the shaft so as to bring any tooth on its peripheral
edge in alignment with the lineal groupings of the others to provide a circuit
closer which permits of a quick and synchronous closure of different combina-
tions of terminals, with the teeth so lineally grouped. To obtain the same result
I may employ a cylinder instead of a shaft and upon its periphery provide for
contact portions in various groupings by the employment of small screws that
may be readily set and changed to form different lineal groupings that may be
successively and synchronously brought into contact with the corresponding spring
strips. In connection with the contact making means I employ an indicator
which comprises a dial N¹ that is provided with an annularly arranged series of
letters A B C etc., said disc being shown as stationary, while it is provided with
a pointer that is mounted at the end of the shaft, as shown, and which is
provided with a hand turning knob P¹ P.
I may employ in lieu of the stationary dial a gear wheel mounted at the end
of said shaft, and which is provided on its outer face with an annularly arranged
series of letters so disposed as to indicate the relative lineal groupings of the
contacts, while travel may be imparted to said gear by a clock or other motor
means.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The combination with an enclosing casing having darkened inner walls
and a plurality of ventilative openings, of an interior monogramic frame-work
or shell having an open front provided with a transparent covering and com-
prising partitions that extend at right angles to said covering, to form mono-

page_text: gramic elements; and means for illuminating the spaces formed by said partitions,
substantially as described.
2. The combination with a rectangular shaped lamp box having a transparent
lid, of a substantially rectangular shaped shell or framework adapted to be intro-
duced into the body of said box, said framework comprising the following arranged
compartment structure; an octagonal shaped compartment from each plane of
which radiate eight drawn-out heptagons, the vertical and horizontal extending
pairs of which terminate in pyramidal shaped ends; the structure thus formed
being surrounded by a compartment border comprising twelve irregular hexagonal
figures, that are divided in configuration as follows: those at the corners forming
nearly hexagon extensions, the side pairs of which consist of drawn out hexagons
comprising in their configuration oblique and acute angles extending from the
respective planes of the abutting acute angles of the corners and meeting at
the apex of the adjacent acute angles of the oppositely disposed member of the
pair; while the end pairs comprise irregular drawn-out hexagons, the exterior
portion of which consists each of a two sided configuration, one member of which
is formed in a curve, while the other joins at an angle thereto and extends on an
acute angle to the apex of the adjacent like figure, and a back-plate having a
plurality of holes that correspond and register with the lamps when the shell
is introduced in said box, the whole arranged as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The combination with a series of electric lamps of circuits from each
lamp to a source of current, supply, a switch for synchronously introducing the
current to a given number of lamps, said switch comprising a series of rotary
contact disks corresponding to the number of lamps and which are mounted
and keyed concentrically to a single shaft, each of said disks having extensions
or teeth and interspaces arranged adjacent to each other to afford contacts for
different combinations of lamp circuits, said contact extensions being adapted
to be brought into operative relations successively with an operating circuit
selecting spring raised contact insularly mounted in the pathway directly beneath
the respective disks, and a dial arranged concentrically with said shaft and disks,
whereby the relative lineal groupings of the peripheral contacts can be indicated
when in operative relation to the commutator plates.
T
. 00
ր AT
1000
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.