An Improved System of Producing Luminous Electric Changeable Writing, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1894-Accepted, 15th Sept., 1894
COBIT LEIE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved System of Producing Luminous Electric Changeable
Writing, and in Apparatus therefor.
I, The Marquis ALFONSO THEODOLI, of Rome, in the Kingdom of Italy,"
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:-
The present invention has for its object a certain system, by which luminous
writings are made to appear, either fixed on a wall and made to change rapidly by
substituting one for the other; or else present a continuous writing or inscription
which appears permanently on a movable wall.
This invention consists in arranging in rows or any other suitable way, a certain
number of frames preferably all made alike. Upon each one of the said frames
are fixed some incandescent electric lamps, arranged in such a manner that by
lighting some of them and leaving others not lighted, it should be possible to
delineate with them by means of luminous points, either a letter, a number or any
other sign.
The dimensions of the frame, the number of lamps, their arrangement or
disposition, the intensity of light and the electric current required, are all subject
to the importance and extent of the installations, their different types, the size
of characters, the number of luminous points by which it is intended to delineate
them, and the luminous power to be given to said points.
In order to obtain the desired effect, the lamps are lighted up and extinguished
by means of special switching devices.
The switching devices or commutators must be of different construction, according
to the size and importance of the installation, and as required to produce either the
intermittent display of writings, or else the continuous unfolding or display of a
writing.
In the annexed drawings are represented three different types of installations;
the first two with a fixed permanent wall or surface, the third with a movable wall
or surface.
1st shows a limited number of frames prepared for the vision of characters
and produce a limited number of changes; this type being more suitable for
shop signs, and short inscriptions, we shall distinguish it by the name of Sign.
2nd presents a large number of frames prepared as the others with an unlimited
number of changes; this type which can even be adapted to the whole front of a
wall we will call it Facade.
3rd the frames arranged on an endless travelling chain or band with continuous
changes of the inscription, which will be distinguished by the name of Ribbon.
Sign. This machine can be constructed in models of different importance, either
with respect to the length of the inscriptions produced by it, or in reference to
the number of times the inscriptions can be changed. As we said beforehand, both
the effects are relatively limited. Figures 1 to 7 represent a device by which
writings or inscriptions of twenty letters can be produced, and of these inscriptions
eight different ones can be produced.
Figure,1 shows a frame on which the lamps a are disposed in such a manner as
to delineate the 26 letters of the alphabet.
In Figure 2 is shown a letter as an example.
Figure 3 is a front view of the switching device or commutator.
Figure 4 presents a side view of the same.
Kiours is a front wing of the shonito clah

page_text: Figures 6 and 7 show details of the two positions of the switching device or
commutator, corresponding to that of a closed circuit or open circuit.
All the lamps have a common conductor which serves to join them to one of the
poles of the generator of electricity; whilst each lamp has also a special conductor.
All these conductors set in order, duly numbered, and made into cables, terminate
(see y Figure 4) at the writing machine, namely the commutator.
This commutator or switching device is formed by a slab of ebonite or porcelain,
or any other suitable isolating material A, of 25 mm. in thickness, bored from side
to side by cylindrical holes b of about 3 mm. diameter and distant say 2 mm. one
'from the other.
The holes are closed up in the lower part by means of iron screws V which
penetrate therein for the length of 5 mm. said screws having at their extremity
a ridge on which is a hole where are tied all the conducting wires y coming from
the lamps.
The holes in the ebouite closed as aforesaid are filled with mercury or quick-
silver m up to a convenient level.
The table T on which rests the ebonite slab A, sustains by means of two
bearings S, the axis of a prismatic octagonal frame Q.
On the faces of the prism F are attached two copper plates; the upper one M
being fixed in such a manner as to avoid any electrical contact between it and the
frame, and consequently between the two are inserted some small ebonite discs N,
the second plate L is screwed on to the first. The lower plate has boles that
correspond with those on the ebonite slab but of smaller diameter. Through these
holes are passed some iron pins P having a suitable head, which remains closed
between the two copper plates; the points emerge from the holes of the ebonite
slab. Consequently by lowering the prism on the ebonite slab, and dipping the
iron points in the holes filled with quicksilver, the electrical contact can be
produced, whilst when the points or pins are not dipping in the mercury there will
be no contact.
The prism can present all its faces to the ebonite slab, by revolving on its own.
axis. To effect this each standard S is fitted on its inner face with a plate s (see
Figs. 21 and 22) which slides up and down in the guide strips g, and carries in a
suitable collar or bearing, on its upper end one end of the shaft O of the prismatic
arinature. The sliding plate s is joined by a connecting rod d to the lever r so
that when the latter is depressed the entire prismatic armature or frame is raised
sufficiently to withdraw to points or pins P from the mercury cups b, thus breaking
the electrical contact and setting the prismatic armature or frame free to rotate.
For this purpose a notch or slot is provided in the upper ends of the standards S in
which the extremities of the shaft O may move up and down. On the end of this
shaft O against the outer face of one of the standards S is secured a toothed wheel k
having as many teeth as the prismatic armature or frame has faces. In the contact-
position i.e. when the prism is lowered, and the pins or points are in the holes or
mercury cups b, one of those teeth engages in the notch , to hold the prism fast in
position so that the points or pins P may be vertically guided into and out of the
holes b. The ratchet-wheels zz secured to the ends of the shaft O serve to cause
the prismatic armature or frame to rotate when necessary. When, by the move-
ment of the lever-handle the shaft is raised, one of the teeth of one of the ratchet
wheels encounters the fixed stud p on the corresponding standard S which as the
upward motion continues causes the entire prismatic armature to rotate on its
shaft O; during the opposite or downward motion the same effect is produced by a
like stud p¹ on the other standard, which, encountering a toothed or other ratchet-
wheel, completes that part of a revolution which suffices to bring the next face of
the prism into the exact position over the slab A previously occupied by the
adjoining face.
At that moment the electric circuit is completed by the same means that serve
to accomplish the contact in the lamp conductors, because each copper plate has
also a pin that dips in a hole H filled with mercury or quicksilver which hole

page_text: corresponds with the pin's point; the closing screw has attached a conducting
wire Y which is in communication with the electrical-source by the other pole.
In order to prepare an inscription or writing, it is necessary to fix on the copper
plate, the iron points which correspond with the small quicksilver baths or holes,
from where start the conducting wires that go to the lamps, serving to delineate
he writing.
By the description of the device represented by the drawings it would follow
that on each frame there will be 118 lamps and on the ebonite slab 118 boles
multiplied by the number of frames. But practically both quantities are reduced
to less than half the number above-named; because the prism having eight faces,
each frame will be ready to delineate eight letters at the utmost; therefore even
on the ebonite slab it is sufficient to have an equal number of holes.
Facade. This is a type of apparatus which serves to produce inscriptions com-
posed of a greater number of letters, and by which can be produced an unlimited
number of inscriptions following one another.
1
Upon a facade or front are placed in a row on one or more wires some frames
similar to those described for the Sign; the frames, according to the importance to
be given to the model can be in a smaller or larger number.
The apparatus now described consists of forty-eight frames prepared for an
alphabet of 26 letters.
The Facade is represented by the Figures 8 to 14.
Figure 8 is a frame with all the lamps.
Figure 9 represents a frame on which are shown as an example the lamps that
remain lighted to delineate the letter R.
Figure 10 is a plan showing the arrangement of the commutators or switches.
Figure 11 is a side elevation of Figure 10.
Figure 12 shows a fraction of the ebonite slab of the switch.
Figures 13 and 14 are details of the switch table.
The frames Figure 8, are larger than those already described and have 189
lamps a.
All the lamps a are in their places. Each lamp has two conducting wires, of
which one becomes at once a sole conductor and ends at one of the poles of the
generator of electricity; the other wires formed in as many cables as are the
frames terminate at the spot where the writing machine is situated, namely
the commutator.
This device is similar to that described in the type Sign. It has the same holes
in an ebonite slab A¹ filled with quicksilver and stopped in the lower end by
screws V to which are attached the conductors that come from the lamps; iron
points P¹ soldered to copper plates L', dip in the mercury or quicksilver so as
to obtain the electric contact.
The copper plates L' are small and numerous. Each one of them forms the
commutator adapted for lighting the lamps that are to delineate a given
character on a certain frame; therefore they are in equal number to the characters,
multiplied by the number of frames.
They are of various dimensions according to the number of the points on them,
which number varies in conformity to that of the lamps required to delineate a
character.
The apparatus now described consisting of 48 frames with twenty-six letters, has
1248 plates whilst the ebonite slab A' measures metres 1.35 x metres 1-25..
The points of the switches or commutators (Fig. 13) when they are not dipping
into the quicksilver, are already inserted in the holes that are on the ebonite
slab, and are kept in that position by means of rod d which at one end finds
resistance from the spiral spring n and at the other end from the nut d'.
In order to obtain the immersion of the points in the quicksilver and get the
contact, pressure is applied to the copper plate L', overcoming the resistance
offered by the spring n as will be hereinafter explained.
Some of the lamps serve for the delineation of more characters, and consequently

page_text: their conducting wire, before reaching the ebonite slab A' is divided into as many
heads as are the characters that that particular lamp has to be prepared to form
or delineate; and each head terminates to those switches that need it."
For the purpose of completing the electric circuit of the lamps with the other
pole of the generator, on cach copper plate has been placed a pin of convenient
size which when lowered dips into the quicksilver (kept at a higher level than is
the case with the contacts for the lamps) which is in a corresponding hole H on
the ebonite slab. The conductor that starts from it, ends at the generator of
electricity.
To make a letter appear on a frame, pressure is made on one of the commutators
of the group that serve that special frame and in order to produce an inscription it
will be necessary to press simultaneously the commutators of each group which
correspond to the character required to make up the inscription.
The effect is obtained by laying on the copper plates a light wooden board T of
the dimensions of the ebonite slab. This has a number of screw holes V' which
correspond with the centre of each switch or commutator, and has a single
screw V for each group of them. By inserting the screw in one of the holes
sufficiently to make it project out, the corresponding switch will receive the
required pressure.
To change the inscription, it is necessary to take off one of the wooden boards
and substitute it with another already prepared, and at X (Figure 10) are
represented the shelves on which are kept the boards or tables that are to be
substituted.
As during this operation there will be an interruption in the writing, we have
provided, to overcome this inconvenience, for the use of two commutators
(Figure 10) to interpolate the change of the boards between the one and the other.
In such case the lamp conductors should be untied and made in two at the
point QFigure 10, and thus the whole system will become double.
Near the writing machines (Figure 11) the pavement or floor should be raised
above the level of the rest of the room in order to insure the conducting wires
from damage.
The Ribbon. In this type of our apparatus the characters appear on frames
which are identical to those already described; and these frames being in motion
and attached to an endless chain, a continuous inscription is constantly unfolded.
The type called Ribbon is represented by Figures 15 to 20.
Figure 15 shows the switch and the wires that pass on to the distributor.
Figure 16 is a vertical section, showing the interior of the operating chamber.
Figure 17 represents a plan showing the arrangement of the system.
Figure 18 is a detail of the motion drum.
Figure 19 is the distributor.
Figure 20 shows a detail of the switch or commutator.
Two drums T (Figures 17 and 18) revolve on their axis and put in motion
a chain C formed by metallic cables which between them, hold suspended the
frames.
The chain thus formed runs on rails R (Figure 16) that are on the immovable
post F of the construction. When the drums revolve they catch hold of the chain
at some suitable point and impart to it their own motion.
In one of the drums is a circular chamber S which does not receive the motion
of rotation.
In this chamber stands the operator.
Each frame with all its accessories forms a writing machine quite independent of
all the other frames.
The frame has already been described.
The switch or commutator (Figures 15 to 20) consists in a rigid metallic
conductor R which passes inside a cylindrical rod A made of ebonite, that is held
between two tables made of wood O and sustained by bearings L.
A washer of ebonite F, is fixed on the rod, and another M, is made to slide ;

page_text: both of them have some small holes near their circumference, and between the
holes of the one and those of the other, pass some conducting flexible wires P made
of a group of very thin copper wires.
This conductor terminates in a metallic stud B placed at the other side of the
running washer.
On the external side of the fixed washer, and at a similar stud is soldered an
ordinary covered metallic conductor N.
A small rod X having a stud at one end, traverses the table O, which by being
drawn as in X forces the washer to turn on the round rod A thus overcoming the
resistance presented by the spring Y which served to keep it away from the other
washer.
Then the flexible conductors take up the position shown in P₁ and proceed to
take the contact on the third metallic washer E which is placed between the other
two. This washer is attached to the conductor which passes through the cylindrical
rod made of ebonite, consequently it is always in contact.
Each one of these switches serves to light up the number of lamps required to
delineate a character on the frame, and therefore they have not all the same
number of conductors.
The two principal conductors that come from the generator, run all round the
machine and are fixed at point Q in Figure 16.
The conductors that come from the lamps, the one formed of the conductor
coming from the lamps and which does not pass through the commutators, and the
other conductor coming from the commutators are joined to the principal or main
conductors by means of a running contact.
As it is the case with the type of apparatus used for the Facade, many of the
lamps serve for the delineation of various characters and consequently their
conductor has to be divided in as many heads as are the characters, and each head.
is carried and terminates to the switch that needs it.
As a good number of divisions are required in the Ribbon apparatus, and as the
space is rather limited it will be useful to insert a distributor between the frame
and the switch, so as to ensure better order in the distribution.
This arrangement is shown in Figure 19 and consists in a wooden table K having.
at one end or side some numbers which correspond to the lamps; on the upper end
are placed in a row the characters that can be delineated by the frame.
An uncovered conducting wire ƒ starts from each number and running in a
groove reaches the opposite end. From there it is covered and goes on to
the lamp.
Under each character or letter, in a perpendicular line, the table is bored
through at the points where this line crosses the grooves; and at the place where
a given character requires a special lamp, starts a conductor which is joined to
that which runs in the groove or guide.
Consequently, these conducting wires will come out from the opposite side of the
table, and each perpendicular row, will represent the conductors of the lamps
required for the delineation of a letter, and these wires collected in a bunch or
group are then taken to a switch.
The operator or writer will place himself on the spot indicated in Figure 16.
Before him and under his hand will pass consecutively the switch frames; he
then will have to draw où. the stud or button corresponding to the character to be
illuminated, and which will continue so during the travel of the ribbon.
Before the same commutator or switch reaches again the spot where the
eperator stands, the stud or button returns automatically to its place, or it may be
pushed back to its place by hand.
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 system for producing luminous electric changeable writing which consists

page_text: in arranging on a wall a certain number of frames upon which incandescent electric
lamps are fixed these lamps having a common conductor joining them to one of the
poles of the generator of electricity the other conductors being connected with a
commutator which allows some of the lamps to be lighted and others not lighted
and so delineating on each frame by means of luminous points either a letter a
number or any other sign.
2. In a system for producing luminous electric changeable writing claimed in 1,
the commutator or switching device formed by a slab of ebonite A with holes b
closed in the lower part by means of iron screws V where are tied the conducting
wires coming from the lamps and a hole H closed also by means of a screw where
is tied the conductor K which communicate with one of the poles of the generator
of electricity the holes and H containing mercury in which may dip the iron
points P the heads of which remain closed between the two copper plates M and L
fixed on the faces of a prismatic polygonal armature which by elevating revolving
on its own axis and lowering on the ebonite slab produces the changes of the
inscriptions substantially as before described and represented by Figures 3 4 5 6
and 7.
•
3. In a system for producing luminous electric changeable writing claimed in 1
the commutator or switching device formed by an ebonite slab A1 with holes b
and H containing mercury in which can dip the iron points P soldered to copper
plates L the lighting of a character in a frame being produced by lowering the
copper plate L' corresponding to the character and frame and this is obtained by
laying on the commutator a light wooden board T having the screw V" in the
screwed hole corresponding to the copper plate L' which is desired to be lowered
substantially as before described and represented by Figures 10 11 12 13 and 14.
4. The system of producing luminous electric changeable writing which consists
in holding suspended to a chain C formed by metallic cables a certain number of
frames with incandescent electric lamps as claimed in 1 the said chain taking the
motion by two drums T in combination with an unrevolving chamber S where
stands the operator and two principal conductors Q with trolleys connected to the
conductors of the lamps substantially as before described and represented by
Figures 16 17 and 18.
5. In a system for producing luminous electric changeable writing as claimed
in 4 the commutator which consists of a rigid metallic conductor R passing inside
a cylindrical rod A made of ebonite a fixed washer of ebonite F and another M
made to slide between which the flexible copper wires P are stretched the said
wires P when the washer M is forced to turn by means of the rod X taking the
contact with the washer E made of metal substantially as before described and
represented by Figures 15 and 20.
6. In a system for producing luminous electric changeable writing as claimed in 1
and 4 the distributor which consists in a wooden table K with as many transversal
grooves containing uncovered wires as there are lamps in the points corresponding
to the characters the table K is bored through for the passage of conductors which
coming out from the opposite side of the table K are collected longitudinally in so
many bunches or groups as there are characters and are then taken to a switch or
commutator substantially as before described and represented by Figure 19.
Dated this 23rd day of May 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.