Improvements relating to Apparatus for the Display of Illuminated. Transparencies, Applicable to Advertising and other Purposes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 10th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 14th Dec., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Apparatus for the Display of Illuminated.
Transparencies, Applicable to Advertising and other Purposes.
I, CHARLES NORMAN MORRIS of 36 Red Lion Street, Holborn, London, W.C.
Designer and Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
My invention has reference to an improved means for the display of illuminated
transparencies, such for instance as theatrical notices, scenes from plays which are,
at the time, being performed, trade notices, and the like, as also for recreational and
other purposes.
The device or appliance according to my invention comprises an enclosing case of
any suitable size and material to serve as a lantern, within which is arranged a gas
burner, oil lamp or other means of illumination, a suitable reflector being provided.
for the purpose of concentrating the light. In the roof of the lantern, immediately
above the illuminating medium, is suspended a wheel formed of a number of vanes
or wings disposed within a ring or hoop, which wheel is caused to rotate by an
upward current of air set up by the heat of the illuminant. Upon two sides of the
hoop above referred to, are arranged segmental racks which engage with pinions
formed upon two spindles carrying rollers for the purpose hereinafter to be described.
During the rotation of the wheel above referred to, the spindles rotate therewith until
the last tooth of the first segmental rack has passed beyond the pinion, when both
pinions stop, the wheel however continues to rotate until the second segment becomes
engaged with the pinion. During the interval when the first segment leaves the
pinion, and the engagement therewith of the second pinion, the tendency of the
revolving wheel would be to rotate with greater speed, this however is checked by a
spring which comes into action at the proper moment and, pressing upon the
rotating wheel, regulates the speed thereof.
Upon the rollers, above referred to secured to the spindles, is mounted a web or
band of paper or cloth, rendered transparent by any of the well known methods,
upon which is printed, painted or otherwise delineated facsimiles of Theatrical
notices, Scenes from plays or operas, trade announcements, posters, and the like, or,
if the improved apparatus is to be employed for recreational purposes, I may cause
to be painted, lithographed or otherwise produced upon said web or band landscapes,
seascapes or other scenes of interest, such as illustrations of domestic, political,
historic and other episodes. In the representation of Theatrical notices, I prefer to
surround such notice with a border, illustrating some of the characters of the cast, as
also scenes emblematic of the play, or, if desired said border may be simply
ornamental, either medieval, antique, modern or in any other attractive style.
The web or band above mentioned being fixed to the rollers is, when the revolving
wheel is in motion, rolled upon one roller and unrolled from the other, each scene
dwelling a limited time determined by the distance between the two segmental racks
upon the wheel aforesaid, and the speed at which the wheel revolves. Suitable guide
pulleys are employed to keep the web or band from sagging whilst the latter is moving.
When the winding of the web or band upon either of the rollers has been completed,
the mechanism will cease to operate, but the current of air impinging against the
wheel will cause the latter to move to the opposite side, where the segmental racks
would engage with the pinion of the roller from which the web or band had been
previously unrolled, setting it in motion and thus causing the web or band to be
rewound upon the last referred to roller. In the employment of lanterns for the
lisplay of large transparencies wherein greater power would be required tban in the

page_text: case of small lanterns, I employ a hot air chamber by means of which I am enable
to obtain my degree of pressure upon the wheel suited to the size, and the special
requirements of the lantern, but I do not confine myself to the automatic working of
the mechanism by the pressure of a current of hot air, as
under some
circumstances effect the same purpose by mechanical means or other source of
power.
may
With a view to the protection of the transparency from injury from the heat of the
illuminant I may interpose there between a sheet of thick clear glass, and in order to
guard the web or band from becoming wet from rain when the appliance is employed
in the open air, I cover the whole with a sheet of glass fitted into a suitable frame,
ornamental or otherwise as may be desired, the two sheets of glass forming a
chamber between which the transparency is caused to move.
Dated this Ninth day of January 1889.
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Apparatus for the Display of Illuminated
Transparencies, Applicable to Advertising and other Purposes.
I, CHARLES NORMAN MORRIS of 36 Red Lion Street, Holborn, W.C., Designer
and Draughtsman, 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 has reference to an improved means for the display of illuminated
transparencies, such for instance as theatrical notices, scenes from plays-which are,
at the time, being performed, trade notices, advertisements and the like, as also for
use with magic lanterns and for other recreational purposes; and consists of the
employment of a transparency on which the illustrations are depicted which is
automatically caused to travel alternately in an opposite, or in the same direction, so
as to allow of one representation being exposed to view, and remaining stationary,
for a predetermined period. Upon the gelatine, (web or band of paper or cloth
rendered transparent by any of the well known methods) is printed, painted or
otherwise delineated facsimilies of theatrical notices, scenes from plays, operas, trade
announcements and the like; or, if the improved apparatus is to be employed for
recreational purposes 1 may cause to be painted, lithographed or otherwise produced
upon said transparent web or band, landscapes, seascapes or other scenes of interest,
such as illustrations of domestic, political, historical and other episodes or events.
In the representation of theatrical notices, I prefer to surround such notice with a
border, illustrating some of the characters of the cast, as also scenes emblematic of the
play; or, if desired said border may be simply ornamental, either medieval, antique,
modern or in any other attractive style.
In order that the nature of my Improvements may be the more readily understood,
reference is had to the accompanying explanatory sheets of drawings in which
Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation, Figure 2 a sectional plan taken on line A B
Figure 1, Figure a sectional plan taken on line C, B, Figure 1, and Figure 4 a
plan of the actuating mechanism disposed in the upper part of the apparatus; the
arrangement shown in said Figures illustrating one of the uses to which my Invention
may be applied. Figures 5 and 6 represent a sectional elevation and plan respectively
of my improvements applied in a modified form.
Having reference to the drawings A represents the enclosing case or framing
composed of a series of structural bars having thin metallic perforated plates at top
and bottom, with opening doors a at side, back, and top if preferred, the several
parts when fitted together enclosing a central hot air chamber B fitted with a gas
burner, an oil or electric lamp, or other means for illuminating and for producing

page_text: heat, and provided with suitable reflectors for the purpose of concentrating the light
through the sheet of plate glass employed for brightening the effect and protecting
the transparency from the heat of the illuminant. In the roof F of the enclosing
case thus constructed I mount-in pivoted shifting bearings C hereinafter particularly
described, a vertical spindle D which supports a ring or hoop E carrying a
series of horizontally disposed vanes or wings c and a corresponding number
of curved vanes or wings, the products of combustion after passing between
the lower vanes or wings coming into contact with the curved upper vanes or
wings e¹ the exit openings of the latter being arranged at opposite positions to the
lower vanes e so that the upward current of air is again utilized as the motive power
for revolving the spindle D with its ring or hoop E, after which it escapes to the
atmosphere through perforations or openings provided in the dome or roof F of the
apparatus. The ring or hoop E, on which the fan is arranged, is provided with one
or more set of corrugations or teeth which alternately engage with the pinions or
toothed wheels which actuate the rollers or drums for winding and unwinding the
transparency. In the arrangement shown, I have by way of illustration, employed
one set of teeth, formed by the corrugations of a strip or band G of india rubber
or like flexible, elastic, substance loosely fastened on the peripheral edge of the hoop E
and retained in position by the projecting rim d.
The transparencies are carried by two strengthening tapes one at top and bottom,
which are wound and unwound alternately from each of the rollers or drums H
arranged on the spindles I. To permit of the winding drums being as light as
possible and to allow of the spindles rotating with the least amount of friction, I
provide each of the latter with two perforated metallic discs e through the perforations
of which are threaded suitable flexible wires to form a compact, strong, yet withal
light winding drum or hobbin. Each spindle I is carried at its lower end by a
support and by its upper termination in a detachable socket h screwing into the
bush, h, by which means the spindles I and drums H may be removed; and, the
play of the spindles may be adjusted to a nicety. Each spindle 1 carries a light
wooden pinion or toothed wheel J which is rotated by the segmental rubber toothed
portion G of the ring or hoop E aforesaid. A light metallic disc retains the
pinion or toothed wheel in position on its spindle.
The upper curved vanes or wings c of the fan aforesaid may be detached from
the hoop or ring E and removed to permit of the introduction of clockwork
mechanism for rotating said vertical spindle in combination with the heated air,
or, when the heating device is rendered inactive from any cause, the clockwork K
may be employed solely as the motive power for working the apparatus; although,
I wish it to be understood, that I may employ any of the well known mechanical
arrangements for imparting the necessary power to the spindle D of the fan.
As herein before described each scene of the transparency delivered from one
roller to the other dwells before the gaze of the observer for a predetermined period,
the transparency in its travel passing round guides and thence between the two
protective sheets of glass k arranged in a recessed manner in the front of the apparatus,
the strengthening tapes or bands aforesaid being engaged by the needle pointed rim
of the loosely mounted discs arranged at top and bottom of the guides; so as to
ensure the travel of the transparency with as little resistance as possible.
The working of the apparatus is as follows:-The hoop or ring E is rotated by
its spindle D actuated by the vanes or wings of the fan, or by the clockwork
mechanism, either separately or in combination, and engages with one of the pinions J
of the spindle I of the bobbin H on which the transparency is to be wound by its
segmental teeth formed by the corrugated elastic strip G aforesaid, the length of the
latter determining the distance which the transparency travels at one revolution of
the ring or hoop E. To prevent the increased speed of the fan after the toothed
strip G disengages from the pinion J I provide a spring M carrying a friction roller I
bearing upon a projecting edge m of the fan, which spring and roller being capable of
adjustment determine as required the period the transparency is to remain stationary

page_text: until the next engagement of the strip G with the pinion J. Upon the winding of
the transparency upon the drum or roller in gear with the ring or hoop. E being
completed. further rotation and travel in the same direction is suddenly stopped by
the unwound bobbin or drum exerting a pull on the bands of the transparency the
ring or hoop continues however, though retarded, still to turn, causing the elastic
toothed strip G-mounted loosely on the hoop F-to stretch or extend, and, on the
last tooth disengaging from the pinion J of the now wound drum, the tension of the
stretched strip, on being thus released, causes the ring or hoop E with its fan and
central spindle D to be thrown forward on the pivoted bearings C out of gear with
the wound drum and into gear with the empty one thus reversing the travel of the
drums and transparency.
The vertical spindle of the fan is arranged in bearings C, C, which are pivoted
eccentrically on the centres n, n. An adjustable flexible spring or equivalent device
retains the ring or hoop E in gear with the pinion J of whichever drum it is required
to operate so that, on the completion of the winding in one direction, and, after the
release of the tensioned elastic strip, sufficient impulse is imparted to the ring or
hoop E to enable the free end of the lower pivoted bearing to swing past the
adjustable spring o into gear with the pinion J of the opposite drum or hobbin to be
rotated. The automatic working of the apparatus is thus maintained until either the
clockwork K runs down or the supply of heated air ceases.
When the apparatus, constructed in accordance with my Invention as above
described, is to be suspended from any point, I propose to hang same in a ball and
socket or other universal joint adjustable by a regulating screw or equivalent; also
when same is to be placed on any horizontal surface such for instance as a table or
platform, I adapt thereto suitable adjustable bearings p, Figure 1.
In the employment of lanterns for the display of large transparencies wherein
greater power would be required than in the case of small lanterns, I employ any
suitable independent means for producing motive power so as to obtain any degree of
pressure upon the wheel or fan, suited to the size and the special requirements of the
lantern or other like contrivance in which the apparatus may be contained.
From the foregoing it will be obvious that the above specified improvements
according to my Invention can be applied to other advertising or scene illustrating
devices in forms differing from the application herein shown and that the details in
working will be modified and varied to suit the conditions under which they may be
used, without departing from the main or chief characteristics of my said Invention.
For instance, Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings show respectively a
sectional elevation and plan view, also in section, of one of said modified applications,
amongst others, to which the Invention may be put. The arrangement, here shown,
would be specially adapted for the display of illuminated transparencies over the
entrances to theatres and like places of amusement facias, signboards and the like.
It comprises an enclosing rectangular frame or box A¹ with two sheets of glass k
through which the transparency passes. An arrangement of clockwork K is provided
for rotating the spindles I' and drums or rollers Halternately in opposite directions;
or, if preferred, instead of attaching each end of the transparency to each of the drums
or rollers it may be made continuous thus travelling from one roller or drum to the
other in an endless manner from the front to rear portion of the enclosing case,
Under the last
passing round suitable guides and toothed rollers or discs .
described arrangement, wherein the transparency travels continuously in one
direction, the fan, with its heating device to serve as the motive power, would be
especially applicable; and, by the employment of fluted reflectors N for concentrating
the illuminating power, which preferably consists of a series of electric are lamps
the transparency would be shown, at night, to advantage.
Also, may employ a shutter or blind O, arranged behind the sheet of clea
plate glass herein before mentioned, which would be closed or lowered in the day
time when the illuminant would not be required, by which means the effect of th
transparency would be considerably heightened:

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare, that what I
claim is
The improvements relating to apparatus for the display of illuminated transparencies.
applicable to advertising and other purposes, and the means herein specified for
carrying out said improvements substantially as described and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
בד
ay of October 1889.
JAMES STEVENSON.
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant..