Displaying Prices and the like in Shop Windows and other Places by Electric Illumination.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 21st July, 1897-Accepted, 21st Oct., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Displaying Prices and the like in Shop Windows and other Places
by Electric Illumination.
I, JOHN RICHARDSON CRAIG, Junior, of 191 Argyle Street, Glasgow, N.B..
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to displaying prices and the like in shop windows and
other places, by electric illumination.
In carrying out my invention I employ the ordinary electric globes at present
in use but have the wires within them shaped into figures denoting prices, each
numeral or figure being connected to the other in the same way as they are
connected in writing.
The usual wires from the back of the globes would all lead to a centre at
the back of the shop window or other convenient position where I would have a
small motor placed to put the electric current on to each wire separately so that
a price might be illuminated at one corner of the window and remain so for say
three seconds when the current would be directed to the next wire which might
illuminate a price on an article of ware placed at the opposite end of the window,
then one in the centre, one at the front, one at the back, and so on until the first
one was again reached An elapse of half a second might be allowed between
the going out of one price and the illuminating of another.
The globes would be fitted with little clips or pins to clip or to pin same to
goods or wares exhibited, and would of course be made in size and shape to
suit any class of window goods.
Or the globe might be made of opaque white glass with the prices enamelled
on the inside, in say red or other coloured letters, which would be visible only
when the wires were illuminated.
The shop windows would be illuminated in the ordinary way with electricity
and in the case of large Warehouses I would have a little iron safe built into
the wall to open out to the street, in which would be the tap to turn off the
hydraulic motor, and also to turn off the price lights and the window illuminators
so that although the Warehouse were shut the windows could be illuminated
and the prices set agoing or put out without the necessity of opening the business
premises.
The consumption of electricity required to work the apparatus would only
be equal at the most to one of the wires burning continuously while the motor
was at work.
A long shaped globe might also be made of opaque glass with a word and price
enamelled on the inside such as those used on price cards for example.
L: 00th day of October 1896
JOHNSONS,
115 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Petitioner's Agents,

page_text: Displaying Prices and the like in Shop Windows and other Places
by Electric Illumination.
I, JOHN RICHARDSON CRAIG, Junior, of 191 Argyle Street, Glasgow, N.B.,
Gentleman, 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:-
This invention relates to displaying prices and the like in shop windows and
other places, by electric illumination.
In carrying out my invention I employ an incandescent electric globe and
a holder of any suitable material or metal such as vulcanite, celluloid or
aluminium, with the globe, which is detachable, blown in tubular form, the
carbon being stretched from end to end of same, with terminals at both ends,
the entire globe being suspended in the holder by two springs, the case or holder
having outer terminals for wire attachment. The above shape is preferable, but
any other electric globe may be used inside the case, which will be made to suit
the requirements of the globe.
The holder has attached to it a pin, clip, strap, cleek, or other means of attach-
ment, to fix lamp and holder to any manner of goods, material etc.... the said
globe of course being made in size and shape to suit requirements.
In front of this globe, and held in position by the holder, there is a glass
detachable front, which is made of obscure glass behind which the prices are dis-
played or any phrase which may be used for the sale of articles etc. in shop 2
windows, warehouses, etc. such as "A Bargain £2 20"; "Only £1 10";
"Sale price 10/-" "Reduced to one guinea"; "Whiteley's price 63/-"; "Maples
for bargains"; "Bargains innumerable"; and such like inscriptions to be slid
in behind the glass front by the users. The inscription may be upon an insoluble
paper, glass or other material, so that the inscription cannot be read until the 2
holder be illuminated and the prices, phrases, etc. are seen through the, glass
by the aid of the light from the globe.
By removing the glass front, and sliding it behind the inscription, the prices
etc. may be seen during the day without illumination.
By the use of a switch the current is put to the different lamps at different 3
intervals, so that lamp after lamp may be lit and extinguished,, and in this
manner illuminate the prices etc. One or more lamps may be illuminated at
once at different places according to the desire of the users.
But in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and
easily carried into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to 3
the accompanying drawings in which.
Fig. 1 is an elevation and
Fig. 2 a plan of a double windowed shop shewing one method of arranging
the globes.
Referring to the said drawings the globe holders A with the inscriptions B 4
at the front thereof are shewn as suspended by clips or wires a to the handle
bars C of cycles; the electric wires 6 of the globes being led by the cable D to
the switch E which is driven by clock work or other suitable means.
At the side of and below the windows of the shop are arranged a number of
similar inscriptions F which as well as those upon the articles displayed in the 4
windows are alternately lit and extinguished by the switch E which in this
particular case is provided with 13 terminals corresponding with the number of
globes employed, the revolving arm e of which directs the current to the different

page_text: globes so that the inscription marked 1 is lit and extinguished, then that
marked 2 and so on till No. 7 is reached. Nos. 8, 9 and 10 are then lit and
extinguished in a similar manner and finally Nos. 11, 12 and 13; both windows
being lit simultaneously.
The shop window would be illuminated in the ordinary way with electricity
and if desired in large warehouses a small iron safe may be built into the wall
to open out to the street, in which would be the tap to turn off the motor, and
also to turn off the price lights and the window illuminators so that although
the Warehouse were shut the windows would be illuminated and the prices set
agoing or put out without the necessity of opening the business premises.
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.―
1. Displaying prices and the like in shop windows and other places by electric
globes arranged to illuminate all the prices at once or alternately at stated
intervals, substantially as set forth.
2. In displaying prices and the like in shop windows and other places, the
employment of electric globes each provided with a holder for the price card,
arranged and operating in the manner as set forth.
n day of July 1897.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.