Improvements in or relating to Electrically Illuminated Advertising Mediums or the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Electrically Illuminated Advertising
Mediums or the like.
I, WILLIAM THOMSON BELL, of 64, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, in
the County of Nottingham, Advertising Manager, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to unproved means for automatically closing the circuit
of the requisite lamps of electrically illuminated advertising mediums or the like,
(such as described in the specification of Letters Patent No. 16220, dated the 8th
of July 1897) in order to produce letters words or devices in illuminated lamps on
the said advertising medium, and also for changing the letters words or devices
exhibited, at convenient intervals.
According to my invention the main part of the mechanism is comprised of
two end standards, which may be connected to each other by suitable longitudinal
stays. Secured at the back and front of the standards are two longitudinal beams
or stays of non-conducting material, which form together with the end' standards
a preferably horizontal framings, on which a number of transverse wires are
stretched with a convenient and regular interval between each, in the same
manner as the wires of a piano.
Above or below these wires is a longitudinal cylinder, on the periphery of which
are secured a convenient number of longitudinal raised ribs or bars, provided
with notches corresponding to the position of the wires.
This cylinder is carried in bearings secured to or formed in the end standard,
and thus 1otates in a plane which is parallel to the wires.
The position of the cylinder is so adjusted, that as it rotates each longitudinal
rib in its turn rubs on the wires, and each of the latter engage in the correspond--
ing notch in the said bars or ribs. A good electrical contact is thus obtained
between the longitudinal notched rib on the cylinder, and the contact wires, and
they are kept free from oxidation by the friction between the two.
One wire of each lamp is connected to the source from which the electric cur-
rent is obtained, whilst the other wire is connected to one of the contact wires
before mentioned, and the longitudinal ribs on the cylinder to the other pole of
the source of electrical supply.
As the cylinder is rotated the electrical circuit for each lamp is closed by the
longitudinal ribs on the cylinder making contact with the contact wires
.
In order to produce letters, words, or devices, the longitudinal ribs are cut away
at the requisite points, so that they will not make contact with those wires which
are connected to the lamps which are not required, and these lamps will in conse-
quence not be illuminated. Each contact bar or rib may be cut to produce
different letter. word, or device.
a

page_text: The longitudinal ribs are made detachable from the cylinder so that they may
be readily interchanged. This may be effected by forming the ribs with lugs
which are secured to the surface of the cylinder, or forming the latter with longi-
tudinal dovetailed or like grooves in which one edge of each rib is inserted. Or
if preferred the longitudinal ribs may be carried by wheels placed, at intervals on
a central shaft, or other suitable means may be employed.
In order to prevent or reduce sparking, I may place a switch in the circuit
between the cylinder and source of supply, and operate such switch by cam sur-
faces or striking parts on or connected with the cylinder, so that the current is
cut off just before each longitudinal rib leaves the contact wires.
Where a large number of lamps are employed I preferably arrange the wires on
two or more frames placed preferably one above the other, and employ a separate
cylinder for each set of wires.
In this case the whole of the cylinders are operated' simultaneously by suitable
gearing.
In order to produce a greater number of changes than may be obtained by
using a cvlinder of convenient diameter, I may instead of using larger cylinders
mount the contact bars or ribs on endless chains or the like, which latter are
carried on a suitable system of rollers. Or I may employ contact bars or ribs which
are say star shaped in section, and are mounted axially, so that each may be
rotated through a space-sufficient to bring the next point of the star into position
to make contact with the contact wires, each revolution of the main cylinder, on
which the bearings of the said bars are mounted.
In an alternate arrangement instead of employing a cylinder or the like, I may
secure each contact rib or bar on a frame which is reciprocated approximately at
right angles to the contact wires. Each frame is preferably pushed up to the
contact wires in turn preferably by a suitable cam, or by cam surfaces or striking
parts on a cylinder. To prevent lateral movement of the frames relatively to
the wires, the latter may be provided, in addition to the contact bars, with combs
of non-conducting material which are constantly in engagement with the contact
wires.
1941 1
Bahu 1909
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Electrically Illuminated Advertising
Mediums or the like.
I, WILLIAM THOMSON BELL, of 63, Henry Road, late of 64, Loughborough Road,
both in West Bridgford, in the County of Nottingham, Advertising Manager, 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:-
i
This invention relates to improved switch mechanism, or means for auto-
matically opening and closing the electric current of the requisite lamps of
electrically illuminated advertising media or the like, (such for example as
described in the specification of Letters Patent No. 16220 dated the 8th of July
1897) in order to produce letters words or devices in illuminated lamps on the
said advertising media, and also for automatically changing the letter's, words, or
43
+

page_text: devices exhibited, for others in regular predetermined order, and at suitable
intervals.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation, and
Fig. 2 a plan of apparatus constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of the arrangement for interrupting the main current.
Fig. 4 is an elevation partly in section showing a modification.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
According to my invention the base of the apparatus is comprised of, a fram-
ing A, at the two ends of which are secured bars or beams B B', formed preferably
of wood or other non-conducting material. These beams B B¹ are preferably
placed parallel to each other, and their ends are connected to the framing A by
Screws C, which pass through slots C in the beams, so that the distance between
the beams may be increased or reduced as desired. A piece of non-conducting
material C may be placed between the ends of the beams and the framing if
desirable.
Over the beams B B are stretched a number of transverse wires 1), arranged
parallel to each other, and having a regular space or interval between each. The
ends of these wires are preferably, carried round the back and to the underside
of the beams, and are connected to rows of pins E as shown. At one end, the
wires are formed into loops to engage with the pins E, and then a short
length D is turned downwards, to which the lamp wires may be readily connected.
The tension of the wires D) is adjusted by means of screws F passing through
the said beams, each screw, being provided with a collar F to engage with the
inner face of one beam B', and a screwed end to engage with a nut B? in the
beam B
Above the wires D and at right angles to them, is a preferably skeleton drum,
'comprised of two ends G, connected by longitudinal bars G. The ends of the
drum áre secured on a shaft H, which latter is carried in bearings. H secured to
or formed integrally with the framing A.
Secured to the longitudinal bars..G are interchangeable.contact bars J; these
contact bars are, preferably secured in position by.s
F.screws J and registering pins J,
the latter being secured to the bars G.
The outer edge of each contact bar J is notched or toothed as shown. The
pitch of the said 'notches or teeth corresponds to the spaces between the wires D,
so that as the edge of each contact bar comes into contact with the said wires,
as they move round the shaft H, each wire enters its corresponding notch, and
they are thus prevented from touching or moving towards each other, when they
are pressed down by the contact bars..
59)
.1.
A good electrical contact is obtained between the notched contact bars“J, and
caused by
the wires D, and they are both kept free from oxidation by the friction cau
the contact bars rubbing on the wires.
"
תי
I 1
J.
One terminal of each lamp on the advertising media or the like, is connected
to one pole of the source from which the electric current is obtained, whilst the
D. The
other terminal' is connected to one of the ends D'of the contact wires.
contact bars are connected to the other pole of the source of electrical supply,
by means which are hereinafter described.
53 1
As the drum G.Grotates, the electric current for each lamp is closed by the
contact bars, making contact with the wires D.
In order to produce letters, words, or devices the contact bars J are cut away
as shown at J³ so that they will not make contact with those wires which are
connected to lamps which are not required, and these lamps' will in consequence
remain out of circuit.
ny
- t
no
Each contact. bar J may be so cut as to produce one or more different letters
words; or devices
91
$20!

page_text: .f
The contact bars J are connected to the source of electrical supply, by a wheel K
(see Figs. 2 and 3) on the shaft H, the periphery of which engages with a spring L
secured on an insulating block L' on a lug L on the framing A.
connected by a wire L3 to the pole of the source of electrical supply.
The spring Lis
The wheel K is formed with teeth K' and insulating block K2, the number of
each of which is equal to the number of contact bars, and as it revolves the spring
falls from the point of the teeth K on the insulating blocks K. The position of
the wheel K is so adjusted that the spring L rests on one of the blocks K³ and
thus cuts out the main current whilst one contact bar J leaves the wires D, and
another makes contact with them, thus preventing sparking between the said
bars J and wires D.
or formed
The shaft H is rotated by means of a worm wheel M on the said shaft, engaging
with a worm M₁ on a shaft N, carried in bearings N¹ secured to
integrally with the framing A. This shaft N may be connected to any source
of power by a pulley N, and a belt, or other suitable means.
When a large number of lamps are employed, I preferably arrange the wires
on two or more frames placed preferably one above the other, and employ a
separate drum for each set of wires. In this case, the whole of the drums may be
operated by suitable gearing.
In order to produce a greater number of changes than may be obtained by
using a drum of convenient diameter, I may instead of using larger drums,
mount the contact bars on endless chains or the like, which latter are carried on
a suitable system of rollers. Or I may employ contact bars or ribs P (see Fig. 4)
which are say star shaped in section, as shown, and are mounted axially in the
outer ends of arms P¹ on the shaft H, so that each bar P may be rotated on its
own axis or advanced through a space sufficient to bring the next point of the
star into position to make contact with the contact wires, each revolution round
the shaft H. The bars P are advanced as they move round the shaft H, by a fixed
striking part Q on the framing A engaging with the points of the bars, and the
latter are held in their several positions by a notched wheel R on each bar, and
a spring R' engaging in the notches in the wheel R.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In apparatus for operating electrically illuminated advertising media or the
like, switch mechanism comprised essentially of wires such as D stretched between
supports, said wires being connected to the lamps, and contact bars such as J
which are moved into and out of contact with the said wires between their
supports, substantially as described
2. In apparatus for operating electrically illuminated advertising media or the 4
like, switch mechanism comprised essentially of wires such as D stretched between
supports, said wires being connected to the lamps, and contact bars such as J
which are notched or toothed on those parts which are to make contact and are
cut away at the remaining parts substantially as described.
3. In apparatus for operating electrically illuminated media the combination
with a drum or other device provided with contacts of wires stretched between
supports to engage with the said contacts substantially as described.
4. In apparatus for operating electrically illuminated advertising media or the
like the combination with wires such as D which are stretched between supports
of contact bars such as J which are mounted on a drum such as that provided 5
by the ends G and bars G¹ and which is rotated to bring the contact bars J in
contact with the wires D in succession substantially as described.
'
5 In apparatus for operating electrically illuminated advertising media or the
like the combination with wires such as D of beams such as B B₁ over which the
said wires are stretched means for forcing apart the said beams, con- 5:

page_text: tact bars such as J which are mounted on a drum such as that
provided by the ends G and bars G¹ and which is rotated to bring the contact by J
into contact with the wires D in succession substantially as described.
6. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete switch
mechanism for operating electrically illuminated advertising media or the like
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of December 1900
W. T. BELL.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.