Improvements in Displaying Advertisements and the like and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1886.
Complete Left, 14th June, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 15th July, 1887.
Improvements in Displaying Advertisements and the like and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, LANCASTER HARBORD, of Great Crosby in the County of Lancaster, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide an effective means or apparatus for
displaying advertisements or other announcements.
It consists essentially of a travelling endless sheet or band, mounted on rollers, or
their equivalent, and actuated by clockwork or other mechanism or motor.
In carrying out the invention, I construct a framework of suitable form, shape,
and size to carry two rollers, rods, or their equivalents over which is stretched an
endless sheet or band of a textile fabric or other flexible material, which will pass over
the rollers. One of these rollers, preferably the top one is connected with, or attached
to clockwork, or other spring or weight mechanism, which will impart a rotary motion
thereto. Or instead of such mechanism a small water, gas, or other motor may be
employed. Where it is desired to have a sheet or band longer than what will merely
stretch between two rollers, a number of rollers may be employed, the sheet or band
passing in a zig zag form, from one to the other. The bottom roller is held tight by
means of india-rubber or other springs, which may be connected with the bearings in
which it revolves, or they may be otherwise affixed either in tension or compression.
Painted or printed upon, or attached to the endless sheet or band are the advertisements
or announcements to be displayed. When the driving roller is set in motion, the
endless sheet or band travels continuously along, displaying consecutively the adver-
tisements or announcements upon it.
2
1 100C
LANCASTER HARBORD.
Wm. P. Thompson & Co.,
Liverpool & London,
Agents.

page_text: Improvements in Displaying Advertisements and the like and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, LANCASTER HARBORD, of Great Crosby, in the County of Lancaster, 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:
The object of this invention is to provide an effective means or apparatus for
displaying advertisements or other announcements.
It consists essentially of one or more travelling endless sheets or bands mounted
on rollers or their equivalent, and actuated by clockwork or other mechanism, or by a
motor.
The invention may be best described by reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which the apparatus is shown in a portable form, such as I at present employ.
Figure 1 is an end, and
Figure 2 a side elevation.
The framework A of any suitable form, shape or size is preferably nounted on a box
or carriage B, which is provided with the necessary wheels C, and shafts or handle D
for the purpose of propulsion. The framework A carries a number of rollers E, or
their equivalents over which are stretched one or more endless sheets or bands F of a
textile fabric or other flexible material, on which is painted or printed, or to which is
attached the advertisements or announcements required to be displayed. In the
apparatus depicted in the drawings, five endless bands are employed; two at each
side, and one at the front end, this arrangement giving a large amount of advertising
space in a comparatively small compass. The above sheets are each stretched over
two rollers only, though in cases where it is desired to have a sheet or band longer
than what will merely stretch between two rollers, a number of rollers may be employed,
the sheet or band, passing in a zig zag form from one to the other. The bottom roller
may be held tight by means of india rubber or other springs, which may be connected
with the bearings in which it revolves, or they may be otherwise affixed either in
tension or compression.
The rollers are mounted so as to be easily removed when it is desired to replace one
band for another, and where necessary they are held in position by a pivoted catch G.
One roller of each pair of rollers, preferably the lower one, is provided with a grooved
wheel H on which the actuating cord or chain works. In the apparatus under
consideration, the motive power is derived from the axle I of the front wheel of the
carriage. This axle carries five grooved wheels, J, K, L, M, N, similar to the wheels H.
The wheel J, by means of the cord, chain or band J', actuates the front sheet.
Wheels K and L work the lower side sheets by the bands K' and L³, and the
wheels M and N, work the upper side sheets by the bands M' and N¹. Though
1 prefer this arrangement of wheels and bands, it is obvious that it might be varied
considerably.

page_text: When the carriage is set in motion, the endless sheets or bands travel continuously
along, displaying consecutively the advertisements or announcements thereon.
Though I have shown the apparatus in a portable form, and driven from the axle I,
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to this mode of actuating the
bands. The apparatus whether portable or stationary may be connected with or
attached to clockwork or other spring or weight mechanism, which will impart a rotary
motion to the rollers. Or instead of such mechanism, a small water, gas or other
motor may be employed.
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
-
1st. The method of displaying advertisements, which consists in affixing them
to one or more endless travelling sheets or bands, the said bands being actuated, either
conjointly or independently, by suitable mechanism, substantially as described.
2nd. An apparatus for displaying advertisements or other announcements, printed
or painted, or otherwise attached thereon, consisting of endless travelling bands, which
are stretched on rollers or their equivalent, and are actuated either conjointly or
independently, by any suitable mechanism, so as to travel forward at such speed, as to
allow of the easy reading of the advertisements or other matter.
3rd. The advertising apparatus as a whole, constructed substantially as herein shown
and described.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.