Improvements in Illuminated Changing Signs and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Nov., 1897-Accepted, 8th Jan., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Illuminated Changing Signs and the like.
We ARTHUR BALLANCE, of 11 Ferries Street, Electrician and JAMES PIGGorr, of
48 Portland Place, Electrician, both in Hull in the County of Yorkshire, do
hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to construct improved illuminated changing signs
whereby the letters, words or the like change colour, the apparatus being simple
of construction, therefore reducing the cost of such sigus, making them more
within the reach of ordinary tradespeople and others than the expensive signs at
present in use.
For the purpose of our invention we employ an endless blind or piece of any
suitable material or metal passed over two, three, or more rollers, this piece of
material or the like has letters, devices or the like eut out of it, pieces of white or
coloured muslin, paper or other suitable material are pasted or otherwise fastened
over the parts cut, on the inside of such endless blind.
One, two or more electric lamps, may be placed in the space between the rollers
which take the said endless piece. The said blind is made to revolve by turning
one or more of the rollers, the roller or rollers may be driven by means of a band
or bands connected to any suitable motor, clockwork mechanism or the like, as
the rollers are turned, the endless blind being in frictional contact with them
revolves, the said blind coming round and round brings the different words, devices
or the like into view.
If desired the glass of the sign may be frosted, with clear letters or the like
showing, the endless blind being made up of different coloured strips of material,
as the strips come around and show themselves through the clear glass, the letters
or devices show a different colour as the different coloured strips of the said blind
come around.
This arrangement of endless blind with coloured devices and the like, and
motor, can be fitted in a case to form a projecting or any other kind of sign, or
can be fitted up inside shop windows for advertising purposes.
JOHN E. WALSH,
Savile Street, Hull, and Crossley Street, Halifax,
Patent Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: We ARTITUR BALLANCE, of 14 Ferries Street, Electrician and JAMES PIGGOTT of
48 Portland Place, Electrician, both in Hull, in the County of Yorkshire 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 our invention is to construct improved illuminated changing signs
whereby the letters, words or the like change colour the apparatus being simple
of construction therefore reducing the cost of such signs making them more
within the reach of ordinary tradespeople and others than the expensive signs at
present in use.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1. Shows a front view of a projecting sign made according to our inven-
tion with parts of case removed to show motor and roller ends.
Fig. 2. Is an end view of Fig. 1, with end of case removed showing rollers
blinds lamps and the motor for driving purposes.
Fig. 3. Shows side view of a double sign in which two blinds are employed one
at each side.
Fig. 4. Is a view showing one arrangement for turning a side or end roller
from a front or back roller.
For the purpose of our invention we employ an endless blind or piece of any
suitable material or metal A passed over two three or more rollers B this piece
of material or the like A has letters devices or the like C cut out of it pieces of
white or coloured muslin paper or other suitable materials are pasted or otherwise
fustened over the parts cut out on the inside of such endless bliud or if desired
the letters or the like may be painted coloured woven or otherwise formed or made
on the blind instead of being cut out as described.
One two or more Electric lamps D may be placed in the space between the
rollers B which take the said endless piece or they may he placed in any suitable
position to shine on the blind so that the devices thereon can be distinctly seen
on the outside of the case or window in which the blind is fitted.
When in a case a glass or other transparent front is preferably fitted and if
desired it may also have a glass or other transparent back and sides one or more
of which may be constructed so as to open to allow of access to the inside.
The said blind or blinds A is or are made to revolve by turning one or more of
the rollers B which are mounted in suitable brackets E the roller or rollers may
be driven by means of a band or bands or the like F connected to any suitable
motor clockwork mechanism or the like G or by means of worm or other suitable
gearing the band preferably running over a pulley or wheel on the roller and
motor.
As the rollers B B are turned the endless blind A being in frictional contact
with them revolves the said blind coming round and round brings the different
words devices or the like into view.
If desired the sign may be made to have two three four or any suitable number
of blinds which may show at the same time depending on the shape of the sign
see Figs. 3 and 4. When two blinds which face one another (that is having their
respective rollers parallel) are used preferably two separate driving bands are
employed one for each blind that is a separate band runs from the motor or driving

page_text: mechanisun to a roller of euch blind the rollers being proferably provided with
pulleys for taking such driving band.
Where more than two blinds are employed the side or other blinds may be
driven from the front or back rollers by means of bevel wheels as shown at Fig. 4
or by mechanical equivalents which may be best suited to the construction of the
sign.
In place of employing electric lamps; gas oil or any other suitable illuminant
may be employed but where such electric lamps are employed an additional
feature may be given to the sign by cutting the light off and switching it on at
intervals by means of any suitable switching apparatus.
If desired the rollers may be arranged so that the blind or blinds pass across
the sign in a horizontal direction instead of in an upward or downward direction
as shown in the drawings this would simply mean the placing of the roller or
rollers in a vertical position and the gear arranged to drive it or them in that
position or one or more blind may pass across as before mentioned and one or
inote in an upward or downward direction or the blind or blinds may be arranged
to move in any direction either vertically, horizontally diagonally or at any suitable
angle by suitable gearing or by any of the known mechanical means for driving
in different directions.
If desired the glass of the sign may be frosted with clear letters or the like
showing the endless blind being made up of different coloured strips of material
as the strips come around and show through the clear glass the letters or devices
show a different colour as the different colours of the said blind come around.
This arrangement of endless blind with coloured devices and the like, and motor
can be fitted in a case to form a projecting sign, or any other kind of sign or can
be fitted up inside shop windows for advertising purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. In illuminated or other changing signs the employment of a revolving or
moving blind with letters devices or the like on it, or made up of strips of different
coloured material to show behind letters on a glass or other surface in the manner
and for the purposes substantially as shown and described.
2. In connection with illuminated or other changing signs the employment of
a revolving or moving blind in the manner and for the purposes substantially as
shown and described.
3. In signs the employment of a revolving or moving blind driven by a motor,
clockwork, worm, or other suitable gearing in the manner and for the purposes
substantially as shown and described.
4. In illuminated or other changing signs the combination of the revolving or
moving blind turning on rollers such rollers being driven by band or the like
vorm gearing or other suitable mechanical means and electric lamps or other
uitable illuminant in the manner and for the purposes substantially as shown
nd described.
Dated this Kirst day of Novambas 100
JOHN E. WALSH,
Savile Street, Hull, and Crossley Street, Halifax,
Patent Agent for the Applicants.