Improvements in Name Plates, Shop Signs, and the like, and in Means for Illuminating the same.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 23rd Feb., 1839
Improvements in Name Plates, Shop Signs, and the like, and in
Means for Illuminating the same.
WILLIAM SPARROW Builder and Contractor Harpenden, Hertfordshire I do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
The sign or Illuminating receptacle to be made of parallel sheets of sheet iron-
with bottom and cover the width between each sheet regulated according to sizes of
sign and lighting power required. The letters to be cut out of face of sign and
ground-or colored glass inserted behind in a rabitt. A service of gas to be laid on
where required-one light at one end being sufficient to illuminate six feet in length.
The apparatus to be composed of non inflamable materials and so constructed that
an air passage renders the Gas chamber perfectly safe.
To fix in a convenient position anywhere a Battery with coil to produce an electric
spark to ignite the gas when required. The arrangement enables the sign to be placed
in an inaccessible position and lighted or extinguished instantaneously from any place
where most convenient.

page_text: Means for Illuminating the same.
I WILLIAM SPARROW of Harpenden in the County of Hertford Builder and
Contractor 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 relates to the construction and application of improved illuminated
signs or advertisements for shop fronts or the like.
Refering to the accompanying drawings and the figures and letters of reference
marked thereon.
Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a shop front the facia of which is provided with
my improved illuminated sign.
Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation of one end of my device.
Figure 3 is a vertical end section on line a-b of Fig. 2.
I provide
a plate A or pair of parallel plates A A¹ in the front, or in both front
and back of which letters or figures or other devices are cut out or otherwise formed.
I place glass or other transparent plates B over the holes constituting such letters
figures or devices, such plates fitting into rabbets or otherwise on the frame.
The said pair of parallel plates A A¹ are closed or confined at top and bottom,
by plates or strips C (see Fig. 3). Thus the whole forms a long gallery.
At either one or both ends of the gallery I provide a chamber D in which I place
a gas lamp or lamps E or other suitable illuminating power and with a reflector or
reflectors behind.
This light can be reflected down the gallery thus shewing up the sign device or
advertisment formed in one or both of the sides of the gallery.
If desired I may use the lamp ventilator exhaust as a means of working a fan
which by suitable slow motion gearing or quick motion gearing may drive a
multicoloured screen or a disc so as to change the colour displayed on the sign at
intervals.
I may also use a battery and coil to send a spark through the gas jets when the
tap is turned and so ignite the gas, or use equivalent means for the same purpose.
I am aware that translucent screens with lights placed behind have been used for
signalling purposes and for shop use as advertisments and I do not claim broadly
the principal of placing a light behind a translucent screen, but
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 :
:
First The construction and application for advertising purposes, of a closed
gallery or chamber with letters, signs or devices cut or formed in its front or back

page_text: or both over which glass or other translucent material can be fitted, said gallery or
chamber being provided at one or other ends with a chamber or chambers for
containing illuminating and reflecting agents so as to deflect a reflected light into the
gallery or chamber substantially as described.
Second-The general construction and arrangement of apparatus substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore described and as shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated th: 00-1 dow of To 1000
POPPLEWELL, COLTON & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.