Improvements in Illuminated Signs, and in Apparatus connected therewith for Advertising, Signalling, and like purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 18th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 18th July,
1898
Improvements in Illuminated Signs, and in Apparatus connected
therewith for Advertising, Signalling, and like purposes.
We, WILLIAM ROUTLEDGE, of 32, Woodbine Street, South Shields, Electrical
Engineer, and ANTHONY STRONG FRAZER, of 19, Percy Gardens, Tynemouth,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to certain improvements in illuminated signs and in
apparatus connected therewith for advertising, signalling and like purposes, and
has for its object the better arrangement and manipulation of such devices.
In carrying our invention into effect we arrange a number of lamps, (prefer-
ably electric lamps) upon a frame in such a manner that one frame or board may
when illuminated present one letter, figure or pattern, and a series of said frames
or boards may represent a complete word or words, figures, or patterns, and by
manipulation may be caused to present other letters figures or patterns upon the
same frames or boards.
Lines and curves suitably connected form every combination of letters, figures
and patterns that may be desired. Therefore in the case of using electric lamps,
we connect those lamps forming separate curves and lines in parallel groups, each
to be operated independently of the others, and by a suitable switch the manipula-
tion is effected at will. Preferably we connect one terminal wire of each group to
a spring, brush or other contact, arranging these in parallel order upon a hoard,
hereinafter called the operating board. In the case of words or letters, each row
of spring contacts are connected to such terminals of a group of lamps that when
illuminated present a complete letter, requiring 26 rows for each set of frames
or boards forming a diagram, including the letters of the alphabet from A to Z.
Since some lines and curves are common to several letters, in order to produce
a letter or word the main contact is connected with all the corresponding con-
tacts in the series. The return wire or lead is common to all the lamps in each set
or diagram, and is coupled to one of the supply terminals or main leads, the other
supply terminal or main lead being connected to a metal rod mounted on suitable
vertical bearings fixed to the operating board at right angles to the parallel rows
of contacts. Said rod is surrounded by a set of 26 metallic bars which may freely
revolve upon it. The short projecting end of each bar is attached to a spiral
spring affixed to the operating board, the tension of which is sufficient to retain
each bar in a normal position of no contact. The longer ends of said bars project
horizontally over the contact springs, in such a manner that when said longer
end is depressed it may make contact with all the contact springs in the row over
which it is suspended. Thus the bars form a keyboard, the keys representing
a series of complete alphabets, and the method of operating is as follows, that is
to say-
In front of, and at a suitable distance from the bars, a drum or barrel of
insulating material is caused to revolve slowly by means of a clock train or any
suitable motor. Said barrel is divided into sections, each corresponding in length
with the alphabetical series of bars herein before described, and which are in
proximity to the periphery thereof. Certain holes, properly arranged and spaced
are pierced in the barrel, to coincide with the pitch of the bars aforesaid upon the

page_text: keyboard, and metal pegs or pins are provided to fit said holes. As an example,
if it be desired to illuminate the letter A upon the diagram, we place a peg in
the hole marked A upon the rotating barrel. As said barrel revolves it depresses
the bar opposite to the peg, said, bar completing the circuit by contact with the
spring contacts upon the operating board of all the lamps forming said letter A,
the other required letters being formed by the insertion of other pegs into their
respective holes, and a word or word thus formed. As hereinbefore stated, we
prefer to divide the barrel into sections, so that we may set one line of holes on
each section slightly in advance of the line of holes on the next section, whereby
the illuminated letters upon the diagram are caused to follow each other in more
or less rapid succession, or we may place all the lines of holes in the same plane
in order to cause the illuminated letters forming the word or words to appear
The circumference of the barrel is sufficiently large to allow of similar
lines of holes to be repeated at suitable intervals, so that the pegs or pins may be
placed in position before the apparatus is started for an exhibition. In order to
maintain the contacts forming each letter so that the illumination is continued
until the whole of the word or words is or are formed, we arrange a spring trigger
catch to retain each bar when depressed by its pin in position of contact:
A pro-
jection upon the barrel is arranged to liberate said spring trigger catches and
allow all the contacts to be broken simultaneously.
at once.
In cases of adaptation in which electric lamps are not available, we may use
gas as an illuminant, forming the diagrams of iron or other suitable piping divided
into sections corresponding to the the groups of electric lamps herein before
described. Said pipes are perforated and fitted with burners, and each section
is provided with an inlet separately arranged in connection with the main supply,
and provided with a valve capable of opening and closing said mains, the series
of valves being controlled by a system of levers in combination with the barrel
and pins as described with reference to electric lamps. A bye-pass or "pilot
burner attached to cach section ensures the illumination under ordinary con-
ditions.
For daylight effects we employ a screen or shutter of any transparent or semi-
transparent substance or material, and place this in front of the lamps or lights,
and the device may be traced thereon.
We may dispense with the barrel in any case of adaptation, and employ as a
substitute a perforated disc, with or without projections upon it, or an endless
strip with perforations or projections, which by rotation or traverse as the case
may be, shall operate the bars controlling the electrical contacts or valves as
described.
For signalling purposes we prefer to employ a single diagram upon which a
code may be displayed, and in lieu of the revolving barrel we may in this case
employ a keyboard similar to that of a type writing machine, the keys of which
operate the levers controlling the bars which make electrical contact or move
valves according to the desired arrangement.
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T
1007
FREDK. WALKER,
73, St. Stephen's Road, Upton Park, London, E.,
Agent for the Applicants.
Improvements in Illuminated Signs, and in Apparatus connected
therewith for Advertising, Signalling, and like purposes.
We, WILLIAM ROUTLEDGE, of No. 32, Woodbine Street, South Shields, Electrical
Engineer, and ANTHONY STRONG FRAZER, of No. 19, Percy Gardens, Tynemouth,

page_text: Merchant, 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:-
_
Our invention relates to certain improvements in illuminated signs, and in
apparatus connected therewith, for advertising, signalling and like purposes, and
has for its object the better arrangement and manipulation of such devices.
In order that our invention may be the better understood we have appended
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1, Sheet 1 represents the
surface of a proposed sign board; and Figure 2 Sheet 2 shows method of making
and breaking contacts, 3 out of the 26 bars affording sufficient illustration.
Figure 3 shows one bar with its contacts. Figure 4 Sheet 3 shows in plan an
alternative method of controlling contacts, and Figure 5 is an end view thereof.
Figure 6, Sheet 4 is an enlarged view of the key in two positions. Figure 7, Sheet 5,
is an end view of four contact boards, details being omitted for sake of clearness.
Figure 8 shows the front of the sliding carriage. Figure 9 Sheet 6 shows the
arrangement of double racks hereinafter to be described. Figure 10, Sheet 4
is a sectional view of a preferred form of lamp holder or shade.
In carrying our invention into effect we arrange a number of lamps (shown
by circles on Figure 1, Sheet 1) upon a frame in such a manner that one frame
or board may present when illuminated one letter, figure or pattern and a series
of said frames or boards may represent a complete word or words, figures or
patterns, and by manipulation may be caused to present other letters figures or
patterns upon the same frames or boards.. The lamps are grouped where shown.
and the isolated circles show lamps with independent circuits, although connected
to a common return. The angles and curves are connected in separate groups
to conform to the requirements of different styles of letters or patterns, each group
being operated independently of the others, the connection being in multiple or
parallel in respect of one conductor. Each isolated lamp may, for purposes of
illustration be considered as a group, and although connected to the common return
conductor, has a separate conductor and contact. The groups in the diagram
Figure 1, chosen for illustration are 45 in number, and contain from 1 to 15
lamps cach, and are in this case intended to represent the letters of the alphabet.
The straight lines indicate the common return, and the free ends of the looped
lines of each group are carried to the contacts. Preferably we connect one ter-
minal wire of each group to a spring, brush, or other contact, arranging these in
parallel order upon a board, hereinafter called the operating board.
In the case
of words or letters each row of spring contacts is connected to such terminals of
a group of lamps, that when illuminated a complete letter is presented. Thus 26
rows of such spring contacts are required for each frame or board to show the
letters of the alphabet from A to Z inclusively. Since some lines and curves
are common to several letters, in order to produce a letter or word the main contact
is connected to all the corresponding contacts in the series. The return_conductor
is common to all the lamps, and is coupled to one of the supply terminals or main
leads. The other supply terminal or main lead is connected to a metal spindle A
Figure 2 Sheet 2, which is supported by suitable bearings, carrying a set of 26
key bars B (3 only of which are shown). These move freely upon A, and a spiral
spring at the shorter end keeps them in the normal position, i.e., out of contact.
Referring to Figure 3 showing a side view of one of the contact bars, the contact
springs C fixed to the base and each connected to a lamp or group of lamps. In
the drawing, the key is supposed to present the letter I upon the frame or board,
by the lamps indicated by 1, 2, 3, 4, Figure 1 Sheet 1, and corresponding to the
same numbers upon the contact springs C. When the key bar B is depressed,
the circuit is completed through A B and the springs C to the groups 1 and 3
and single lamps 2 and 4, and through the common return to the other terminal.
It is obvious that the same group or single lamp may form part of several letters,
in this case the contact springs C appertaining to the different key. bars B are
coupled together by a wire.

page_text: When operating two or more sets of lamps as above described for showing
complete words, we may cause an entire set to be operated by one key. Referring
to Figures 4 and 5 Sheet 3, a series of rods D are set vertically in a frame E, all
being in electrical contact with each other. Six only of these rods D are shown by
the drawing. The rods and frame are connected to one terminal of the electrical
supply, the other terminal being connected to the return wire common to all the
lamps. Placed over each rod 1, but normally out of contact with it are contact
springs C connected to the lamps or groups by wires or leads F. Referring to
Figure 5, which is an end sectional view, 26 levers are superimposed one over the
other, three only being shown, G. These extend the whole width of the rods D
and are depressed by a set of keys B, corresponding to the number of letters in the
alphabet. If the letter I is to be formed upon the screen or frame Figure 1, the
groups 1 and 3 and lamps 2 and 4 are to be placed in circuit. The rods correspond-
ing to said groups and lamps are fitted with pins p all placed at the same level
so that when the lever G is raised by the depression of the key B the contacts 1,
2, 3, 4 are placed in the circuit. The other rods corresponding to other letters
or words have pins p fitted at other levels, corresponding to other levers and keys.
By suitably connecting and arranging the grouping of the lamps each key may
present an entire word. A tail piece t is formed upon each lever G, which is
connected by a rod r to the key B pivotted at s. A pawl u, rigidly fixed to a
spindle locks each key when it is depressed, as shown by Figure 6, Sheet 4.
As the pawl u extends the whole width of the keys, it follows. that when one key is
depressed it is held down in contact position until the depression of another key
releases the pawl u, releasing said key in the act of becoming itself locked.
For controlling several boards or frames from one keyboard we modify the con-
tact making and breaking device as shown by Figures 7 8 and 8*, Sheet 5. The
contact rods D are exactly the same as those shown by Figures 4 and 5, Sheet 3.
In this example four boards or frames are supposed to be in use, and the side view
Figure 7 represents a series of rods D in each of the four sets: The ends of the
rods are connnected to bell crank levers H. Each bell crank H has an
horizontal rod I passing through a plate J, said rods hereinafter being called
the push rods. Two vertical guide rods K are fitted to the key frame L, and
carry a sliding carriage M, bearing 26 short pushes i which exactly coincide with
any of the sets of rods I. At the top of the frame L is mounted 'a
horizontal spindle N carrying 26 key levers B, each opposite to the
corresponding short push in the sliding carriage Both the key
levers B and short pushes i are. kept in a normal position of "off contact"
by springs and b. The sliding carriage M tends to fall by its own weight, but is
retained in position by a pawl h which engages with a rack, (shown in detail by
Figure 9-Sheet 6,) and is released to drop one space when the pressure is taken
off the key, thus bringing the row of pushes into line with another row of push
rods I. Each of the push rods I is provided with a projection into which a
pawl y may engage, holding in the contact or "on" position, until the ascent of
the carriage M causes the trip catch e to release it. Figure 8 is an end elevation,
and Figure 8 a plan view of the carriage M. When said carriage is raised up by
hand to its highest point, the trip e is caused to release each of the pawls y con-
trolling the push rods I.
On the carriage are a pair of upright standards kk carrying a spindle pro-
jecting at one end, to which is fixed the jointed catch or pawl h, Figure 9, Sheet 6
(in which the device is shown drawn to a larger scale, and detached) said pawl h
is similar to a pair of pliers, one leg n of which is fixed to the spindle 7, and the
other leg o is free to move, but retained in position by a spring N, and an adjust-
ing screw O. In use, the first position is shown by 6 Figure 9, the leg o sustain-
ing the weight of the carriage M. When the spindle is partly rotated by the
depression of a key lever B, through a crank Figure 7, the weight of said
carriage is transferred to the opposite leg n of the pawl and the opposite rack as
shown by Figure 7: When the pressure upon the key lever B is released, the,

page_text: crank z under the tension of a spring by turning the spindle / forces n from the
rack, and the carriage falls until the leg o engages with the next tooth of the rack
as at 6. This intermediate position is shown by S on Figure 9. These three
positions of the bifurcated pawl sufficiently indicate its action.
In arranging a series of lamps upon a board we prefer to slope the members of
the letters of figures we wish to depict, so that a slight variation may form parts
or the whole of several letters. Each lamp Q Figure 10 Sheet 4 is enclosed in
a cylinder R with a glass front T to focus the light and prevent side reflections.
This is attached to the frame or board U, and ventilating holes V V₁ are provided.
In cases of adaptation in which electric lamps are not available, we may use
gas, as an illuminant, forming the diagrams of iron or other suitable piping divided
into sections corresponding to the groups of electric lamps herein before described.
Said pipes are perforated and fitted with burners, and each section is provided with
an inlet separately arranged in connection with the main supply and provided with
a valve capable of opening and closing said mains, the series of valves being con-
trolled by a system of levers similarly disposed and operated as hereinbefore
described with reference to electric lamps. A byepass' or "pilot burner”
attached to each section ensures the illumination under ordinary conditions. In
daylight, the letters may be distinguished by painting or the like as to constitute
an ordinary signboard.
66
For signalling purposes we prefer to employ a single diagram upon which a
code may be displayed, and we may in this case employ a keyboard similar to
that of a type writing machine, the keys of which operate the contact levers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
First. In illuminated signs for advertising, signalling, and like purposes the
arrangement and disposition of electric or other lamps, and manipulation thereof
substantially as herein described.
Second. In illuminated signs for advertising, signalling and like purposes, the
method of and means for grouping lamps upon an electrical circuit so that those
which are always used together are coupled to one contact plate of the operating
board by one wire or lead, substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
Third. In illuminated signs for advertising, signalling and like purposes, the
method of arranging the lamps in a sloping direction relatively to the horizon
substantially as herein described and for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. In illuminated signs for advertising, signalling and like purposes, the
employment of a key board controlling other sets of keys or contacts, sets of levers
or the like, substantially as herein described.
Fifth. In illuminated signs for advertising signalling and like purposes, the
method of enclosing each lamp in a separate opaque box or tube, with a transparent
front for concentrating and projecting the light rays and to avoid side reflection
or glase substantially as herein described.
Dated this 15th day of March 1898.
FREDK. WALKER,
73, St. Stephen's Road, Upton Park, London, E.,
Agent for the Applicants.