Improvements in Apparatus for Displaying Advertisement Notices, Pictures, and the like
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Displaying Advertisement Notices,
Pictures, and the like
I, PEARSON JACQUES JACKSON, Advertising Agent, of Coatham House, Whitley, in
the County of Northumberland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to apparatus for displaying advertisement notices, pictures
and the like and refers to that type in which the said matter is carried by a
clockwork operated disc into the line of the luminous rays proceeding from a light,
whereby, with the aid of interposed optical arrangements, illuminated and enlarged
images of such advertisement notices or pictures are cast upon a suitable surface.
In the usual design of this apparatus it is only possible to cast the image or
images upon one surface at a time, hence if it is desired to utilise another surface it
is necessary to change the position of the whole or part of the apparatus, which is
very inconvenient and often quite impossible thereby rendering the fitment of new
apparatus indispensable with the accompanying expense and other disadvantages.
The chief object of my improvements is to provide an apparatus whereby
one advertisement or more can be displayed at the same time upon one or several
surfaces, such as a foot pavement, or a ceiling, or a wall or hoarding, or the like, and
at any angle thereon; a further object is to furnish simple but efficient devices for
governing the periodic movements of the carrying disc.
Generally, an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention comprises a
lamp, reflecting, magnifying and directing means part of which are capable of rotary
movement in a carrier or support, clockwork mechanism and a disc or discs to which
are adjustably attached holders bearing transparent discs or plates whereon the
advertisement notices, pictures or the like are inscribed, the whole being arranged and
operated so that one advertisement or several can be projected on one surface at the
same time, or one or several advertisements shown simultaneously on different
surfaces, in short this arrangement of parts admits of one advertisement or multiple
advertisements being displayed by one and the same lamp at will and with ease and
expedition.
My improvement in the operating mechanism consists in the combination with the
ordinary clockwork of a pin or stud wheel, cam, ratchet wheels, pawls, catch arms and
so forth disposed in such manner as to effect the revolution, stoppage and retention
of the disc for predetermined periods to procure the requisite projections.
The light may be of any ordinary kind, that selected being decided by
circumstances, and in the accompanying drawings, with the assistance of which I
will now fully describe the arrangement and working of my improved apparatus,
I illustrate, for giving the light, the use of an incandescent gas burner in a lamp
casing of ordinary shape and construction which, too, may be varied as required.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the general arrangement of the apparatus. Figs. 2 and 3
represent details hereinafter referred to. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the clockwork
mechanism and Fig. 5 is a plan of same.
A is the gas burner and B a reflector both mounted within the casing C constructed
with the usual frame and sides, which may be of sheet iron or other opaque material,
or they may be transparent in which case the lamp would serve as an ordinary
illuminating medium as well. D is a tube containing a condenser E disposed at or

page_text: about right angles to the burner A and in line with a prism or mirror F connecting
with the tube D and another tube G containing a lens H; these parts are all fixed
together to form an integral optical arrangement which is mounted in, and supported
by, an adjustable carrier, such as a clamp I fitted on a pedestal J fastened to the
casing C and within it. Thus it will be seen that, by simply slacking and
tightening the clamp I, the united parts D, E, F, G, and H can be set to various
positions or inclinations, a feature not possible in existing apparatus, and in Fig. 2,
which is an elevation of the clamp I at right angles to the view in Fig. 1, eight
different positions or adjustments are indicated, to facilitate which there may be a
scale on the clamp to co-operate with a pointer on the tube D. Instead of supporting
and adjusting the position of the tube D as described, I may employ other equivalent
known means for the purposes as will be obvious without illustration by drawings; for
instance, the pedestal J might have a sleeve to receive and retain the said tube fitted
with a worm wheel designed to gear with a worm operated from the outside of the
casing C to effect the desired alteration, with the aid of a convenient index.
The clamp I is shown furnished with a stem i fitting and secured by a pin "¹ in the
socket of the pedestal J whereby the height of the tubes D and G can be varied, or
the pedestal J may be forked and the clamp pivoted on the pin i¹ to admit of the
lateral oscillation of the said tubes, or the connection may be designed to provide for
both adjustments if necessary. K is another magnifying lens fixed in a tube Ladapted
to be fastened at one end in or opposite an orifice in a side of the casing C in any fitting
manner, while its other end is preferably formed splay-mouthed as represented to
procure large illuminated area.
M is the disc which is centered on a spindle 2 of the actuating mechanism and
carries the transparent discs or plates N, having inscribed on them the notices or
pictures to be displayed, of which there may be any number depending on the
dimensions of the lamp and the length of the interval required between each
illumination.
In the example, thirty advertisements are intended to be fitted around the periphery
of the disc M which I preferably arrange to revolve in a vertical plane as illustrated
because more varied displays are obtainable, but of course it may be arranged to
revolve horizontally if required. I do not connect the discs N directly and rigidly to
the carrying disc, the customary practice, but attach them indirectly and adjustably
by holders P in which I make a hole to receive and retain them by cement or
otherwise. Each holder P is connected to the disc M by a screw p passing through
holes in both, that in the former being made in a flange p¹ thereof as shown in Fig. 1
and in plan in Fig. 3, or otherwise equivalently. By this mode of attachment I am
enabled to set and retain the holder P and therefore the disc N in any position or
inclination to permit angular projections or adjustment to correspond with the adjust-
ment of the optical arrangement. Further, it admits of the discs N being easily
displaced from and replaced on the disc M so facilitating expedious changes of
advertisements without the risk of breakages inherent to the common method.
The disc M, as is well understood in this type of apparatus, is so revolved from the
spindle as to bring each disc N centrally into the rays of light passing between
the tubes G and L, and be stopped and locked to retain the disc in that position to
permit the projection of its image, then again revolved, stopped and locked to convey
another notice or picture into the same position and so on consecutively, the
mechanism for effecting which I will now explain.
3 is a frame supporting all the spindles of the mechanism. 4 is a spring drum,
which, by the aid of the wheels 5 and 6, revolves the wheel 7 mounted on the
spindle 2 carrying the disc M. The wheel 7, in addition to having peripheral teeth,
is furnished with lateral studs or pins 8 designed to engage and disengage a lever 9
pivoted on the frame 3. This lever 9 has rigidly joined to it a pawl 10 gearing with
a ratchet wheel 11 also on the spindle 2 and fastened to the disc M. Consequently,
when motion is given to the wheel 7 its pins 8 depress the lever 9 thereby causing
the pawl 10 to turn the wheel 11 and hence the disc M to bring the plates N into the
proper position between the tubes G and L. The mechanism producing this motion

page_text: is combined with and controlled by the other mechanism shown wherein 12 is
another spring drum, similar to the other one 4, connecting with an escapement or
other equivalent device. It drives a ratchet wheel 13 through the wheels 14, 15, 16
and 17. 18 is a fan which is revolved from the drum 4 by the wheels 7, 19, 20 and 21.
On the same spindle as the wheel 19 and revolving therewith I mount a cam plate 22
provided with a groove or notch 23. 24 is a lever formed with a gib-head 25 that
works in unison with, and is operated by, the teeth of the ratchet wheel 13. This
lever 24 is integral with a spindle 26 from which two arms 27 and 28 project, one, 27,
makes and breaks contact with a projection 29 of the spindle of the fan 18, while the
other 28, co-acts similarly with an arm 30 of a bell crank lever centred at 31, whose
other arm 32 engages and disengages with the cam groove 23, a spring or weight
being applied if necessary to ensure efficient engagement.
In operation, when the ratchet wheel 13 is actuated, it pushes the gib-head 25
upwardly and outwardly, thus the spindle 26 is turned and its arm 28 pushes forward
the arm 30 of the bell crank thus lifting its other arm 32 clear of the cam 22, where-
upon the disc M is rotated the predetermined distance as aforesaid, the speed being
regulated by the fan 18 whose free revolution is obtained by its arm 29 overcoming
the opposition.of the arm 27 on the removal of the resistance at the cam groove 23.
On the gib-head 25 falling, its normal tendency due to the weight of its connec-
tions, into contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 13, the parts assume their
initial positions again, the arm 32 falling into the groove 23 thereby restoring the
resistance necessary to stop the motion of the mechanism and likewise that of the
disc M until the next cycle of operations.
In this way the necessary change of the advertisement notices or pictures is
effected and the period of each projection determined simply and positively,
but of course it will be understood that other ordinary and suitable mechanism
may be adopted, and in place of arranging same within the casing C, it may be
located in a separate external casing and appropriately connected to the disc M.
Having described the construction of my improved apparatus I will now explain its
practical operation to obtain the varied displays before stated.
Fig. 1 illustrates the arrangement for projecting one image vertically downwards,
the luminous rays passing from the burner A through the tube D, condenser E,
prism F, tube G, lens H, disc N, lens K, and tube L whereby a magnified and
illuminated image of such advertisement is projected upon the surface below, for
example a foot pavement.
To provide for varied projections of the same image, I form in the casing Ca
series of orifices at each of which I permanently secure a tube L containing a lens K
or I may supply only one such device to the lamp adapting it to be readily removed
from and fitted to every orifice, but in either case, the orifices not required
for use are closed by a dark shutter or cap in the known way. Now,
supposing a projection is wished in the direction signified by the arrow X in
Fig. 2, I fit the orifices as just described and then rotate the tube D with its
connected parts to the requisite extent whereon the tube G is in position opposite the
proper orifice as indicated in the said figure, when the apparatus is ready to project
the image on the desired surface, this adjustment of position and maintenance of
same being effected as before described. In like manner the apparatus may throw
images in the other directions denoted, and at any inclination by adjusting the
holders P by means of the screws p to suit the angle required.
The preceding refers to the display of a single notice or picture at a time, but I
will now show how more than one can be displayed concurrently in one or several
directions, which, however, will be evident without specific drawings. Thus to
project several advertisements, say, eight on different surfaces, I provide eight
orifices in the lamp casing C, which appropriately may be in the shape of an octagon,
securing at each a lens K and tube Land in connection with the prism or mirror F
a like number of tubes G as indicated in Fig. 2. Therefore, on every revolution and
stoppage of the disc M, eight images will be projected, which may be all different, or
they may be alike, by arranging the notices or pictures in series so that each plate N.

page_text: of the series will come into the respective lines of the luminous rays together and
opposite the corresponding tubes G and L.
For projecting more than one image at the same time on the same surface I
locate the light centrally instead of laterally and provide an advertisement carrying
disc Mat each side with the necessary operating mechanism and optical arrangement
so forming a duplicate apparatus in the one lamp, or the apparatus may be triplicated
or even extended to a greater degree if desired by correspondingly increasing the
dimensions of the lamp as will be apparent.
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 :-
1). Apparatus for displaying advertisement notices, pictures and the like com-
prising a lamp, reflecting, magnifying and directing means part of which are capable
of rotary movement in a carrier or support, clockwork mechanism and a disc or discs
to which are adjustably attached holders bearing transparent plates or discs whereon
the notices, pictures or the like are inscribed, the whole being arranged, combined
and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2). In apparatus for displaying advertisement notices, pictures and the like, the
combination with a clamp or equivalent adjustable carrier supporting part of the
optical arrangement, of holders bearing the advertisements or pictures and adjustably
connected to the mechanically actuated disc that conveys each into the luminous
rays, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described in reference to and
shown in the annexed drawings.
3). In apparatus of the kind referred to, the use of a clamp or equivalent adjust-
able carrier adapted to support part of the optical arrangement so that the said
optical arrangement can be set to and retained at any desired angle to obtain various
projections, substantially as described and shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying
drawings.
4). In apparatus of the kind referred to, the use of a plate or holder adapted to
receive and retain the transparent disc or plate on which the notice or picture is
inscribed and be adjustably connected to the mechanically actuated disc so that each
advertisement can be fixed at any required angle or expeditiously displaced and
replaced, substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 of the accompany-
ing drawings.
5). In an arrangement of clockwork mechanism for apparatus for displaying
advertisement notices, pictures and the like, a wheel 7 with studs 8, a pivoted
lever 9 with pawl 10 and ratchet wheel 11 in combination with a ratchet wheel 13, a
cam plate 22 with notch 23, a lever 24 with spindle 26 and arms 27 and 28 and a
bell crank lever with arms 30 and 32, all arranged and adapted to operate to effect
the actuation of the disc carrying the advertisements to be projected, substantially
as described in reference to Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
6). The combination of the various parts before defined constituting a complete
apparatus for displaying advertisement notices, pictures and the like, all arranged
and adapted to operate substantially as described and shown in the accompanying
drawings.