Improvements in apparatus for exhibiting adver tisements
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 12th July, 1887
Complete Left, 12th Apr., 1888
Complete Accepted, 29th June, 1888
I, FRANK SCHOYER of 30 Rue Faydeau Paris in the Republic of France, Merchant,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object Improvements in apparatus for exhibiting adver-
tisements.
The apparatus is contained within a box or case which is glazed in front and the
advertisements are presented so as to be visible through the glass front. The series of
advertisements to be presented are made up into an endless sheet and this is passed
around rollers in such manner that the sheet is held distended where it appears opposite
to the window, but at the back where the sheet is out of sight it is allowed to accumulate
in folds in a suitable receptacle. Along either side of the sheet eyelets are inserted at
regular intervals, and there are pegs on the periphery of the upper roller over which
the sheet passes which enter these eyelets so that when the roller revolves the sheet
is moved forward a distance corresponding exactly to the movement of the roller.
The apparatus is put in movement by means of a cylinder and piston. The cylinder
is arranged in an upright position, and upon the piston rod there is a rack. The rack
engages with a pinion which, together with a ratchet wheel, is mounted, so as to be
able to turn upon the axis of the upper roller carrying the endless sheet. In connection
with this roller also there is a pawl taking into the teeth of the ratchet. During the
upward movement of the piston it causes the roller to revolve, whilst during the
return movement the roller remains stationary. There is a handle upon the axis of
the roller by which it can be turned to move forward the advertisenient sheet inde-
pendently of the automatic mechanism, when this is desired. The piston is caused to
move upwards by the admission to the cylinder beneath it of either water or air under
pressure. Water is employed by preference. A small cock or tap at the lower end
of the cylinder is opened to admit the water, and another similar tap is opened at the
proper time to permit it to escape. As one tap opens the other closes. The taps are
turned by means of pinions upon them engaging with racks upon a rod parallel to the
axis of the cylinder and which receives its motion from tappets upon the piston rod.
As the piston rod approaches the end of its stroke, in either direction, these tappets
strike upon an arm and cause a partial rotation of an axis upon which the arm is

page_text: fixed. The axis also carries a toothed arc, and this engages with a rack upon the stem
which operates the cocks or taps in the manner already described. On the same axis
there is yet another arm carrying a weight. The weight is so applied as to aid in
completing the movement of the cocks or taps. The arm becomes vertical when the
cocks or taps are about in their mid position and the weight descends during the
further movement. There are other taps with inlet and outlet passages which are used
only in adjusting the apparatus. The piston rod is also provided with a tappet which
operating a ratchet mechanism winds a clock which forms a part of the apparatus.
Another tappet serves to sound a bell to give notice that a change in the advertisement
exhibited is about to take place.
The apparatus also serves to present address or advertisement cards; two card
holders are provided for this purpose in the upper part of the case.
In each holder the cards lie in a pile and the undermost card is supported in part
upon a roller. The surface of the roller is suitably roughened and it projects slightly
through an opening in the bottom of the card holder. This roller is immediately above
the upper roller carrying the advertisement sheet and it is turned by it. As the roller
revolves it thrusts forward the card resting upon it through a slit in the front of the
apparatus. The card is advanced until it is stopped by a spring. The card here
remains until it is withdrawn by a person requiring it and then at the next movement
of the roller another card is in like manner presented.
The apparatus is also fitted with a cigar lighter or lighters and automatically, by
the movement of the piston, each time that the advertisement changes a gas tap is
turned and a small flame issues from the lighting nozzle.
The apparatus is also provided with compartments for the permanent exhibition
of small advertisements-it is fitted also with a barometer, a calendar, a poor box
and other appliances.
11.5
1
1
1007

page_text: following conditions
1. When a placard is being shown to the public, it ought to be changeable at
will so as to attract the eye, and ought to be replaced mechanically and at equal
intervals.
2. The placard ought to be removable and cheap and capable of being divided into
several parts if necessary.
3. There should be means for distributing advertising cards to the public.
4. These united conditions render advertising very cheap but at the time complete.
My invention consists of a new system of mechanical advertising apparatus for
posting notices and for exhibiting them continually and perpetually; these advertise-
ments appear day and night momentarily and at equal or unequal intervals which
can be varied at will. In my new system of mechanical advertising I set myself to find
the best possible method of making a light cheap apparatus attracting the eye of the
public and which in a certain space proportional to the sizes of the placards a certain
number of different advertisements can appear simultaneously and at given times, so
that this arrangement of renewing advertisements constitutes a mechanical and so to
speak perpetual advertisement.
My apparatus is most simple, does not require any care and works automatically and
without interruption by means of water, air, gas or vapor pressure and its continual
movement cannot be influenced or altered.
The annexed drawings give the details of construction.
In the system shown the motive power is hydraulic pressure which whilst very
economical avoids the trouble of the continual winding up required for clock-work.
My apparatus can be made of different sizes and can be placed in all places appro-
priate to advertising, in railway stations, theatres, post offices, public houses, tobacco
shops, public thoroughfares, on walls, on ordinary or special lamp posts.
Its small dimensions and light weight allow it to be fixed anywhere by means of
4 nails or screws placed at each corner of the apparatus and the interior can be
quickly fitted the whole arrangement being perfectly movable and transportable.

page_text: mechanism is enclosed in the interior and also as the endless band of advertisements
and all the necessary accessories such as card distributors, winding mechanism for the
clock bell giving notice of each change of advertisement, electric or gas light apparatus
for the front exterior and cigar lighter, the whole forming part of the peculiar and
original realisation of my arrangement.
2. Of a small pump or metal cylinder in which is effected by any pressure the
upward movement of the single acting piston which works the mechanism.
3. Of a piston rod the end of which is provided with a rack gearing with a small
pinion which causes the circular or rotative movement of the cylinders and the rest of
the mechamısın.
4. Of two hollow metal rollers which roll up or unroll the advertisements at each
change and of dimensions proportional to the length and to the number of advertisements
which are to be exhibited by the same apparatus.
5. Of a band wound on the two principal cylinders and on the hanging rolls, and freely
unwinding itself in the interior of the box, this calico, metal or paper band is divided
into as many parts as there are advertisements to be exhibited and its two extremities
are united or sewn so that after it has finished it will recommence the same course,
stopping at every change, say for or of a minute, before the glass in front of the
apparatus exposed to the public.
The placards which may be prospectuses, photographs, drawings, price lists &c. may
be printed, painted, gummed or sewn on the said band the movement of which is
mathematically assured by the exact regulation of the motion of the piston and on both
sides of the whole length of the band holes are pierced provided with metal eyelets
engaging with pins fixed at equal distances apart on the circumference of the two ends
of the large cylinder.
This combination allows of the immediate change and the exact spacing of the
advertisements or pictures in unison with the indicator of the name or object which
should be announced before hand and also with two card distributors which push
outwards a card which the public may take, of the same name as the advertisement and
at the same time as it appears to the public view.
In the interior a bell indicates some moments before this change that the fresh
advertisement previously indicated is going to appear in a few seconds.
The front of the apparatus is provided with a glass of the same dimensions as the
advertisements, at the decorative front of the box a clock moved or wound by the
apparatus is placed and on each side. a disc one of which may contain an aneroid
barometer, the other a calender or an indicator of the names of the subscribers or any
other accessory. The framing of the transparent frame or of the glass exposing the
movable advertisements is intended for the permanent show of small enamel or other
placards, placed at will in small lateral frames, and both sides opening, they as well as
the rolling band can be changed at will, the whole system being completely detachable.
Figure 1 shows a sectional front elevation of the auto-hydrostatic apparatus.
The metal or wooden box A is rectangular and is divided into three compartments.
The middle one which is of the same length as the notices is intended to contain the
advertisements on the movable band, it is furnished in front with a glass which forms
the limit of the portion exhibited the two sides B B¹ and a sheet iron bottom G forming
a movable box independent to the box A. The empty space in the interior is reserved
for the advertisements which move and roll into folds the one over the other.
Figure 2 (a vertical section on the axis of the box A) shows the advertisements placed
in the space in the box A and of their working.
The lateral compartments D D' enclose the mechanism and its accessories.
The bottom portion of the right hand compartment D contains the pump or
hydraulic cylinder with its piston, the distributors and the inlet and outlet water cocks
with the escapement movement giving the alternate motions to the piston.
The left hand portion D¹ receives as in the right all the roller axles, a cigar lighter O,
a charity box G and a box H for the remarks orders for advertisements and complaints
of subscribers. The centre portion contains all the rollers, the top :-the motor
cylinder the stretching mechanism for the endless band and above the two boxes II of

page_text: the card distributor, the clock, the barometer, and the indicator, the whole being
placed on the sheet iron frame and opening to the exterior by means of brass
plates and hinges screwed on the sides of the box, the whole length of the
compartments D'D'.
WORKING OF THE APPARATUS.
The apparatus works automatically and in an intermittent and continuous manner,
by means of pressure of water the area of the piston being arranged in accordance
with the pressure at disposal and the mechanical power required for the working of
the apparatus which is at most of a kilogrammetre per minute.
The cylinder J placed and fixed on the bottom portion of the box A is connected
with the inlet and outlet water pipes j, j'. The piston L packed with leather or metal
works in the cylinder J receives the pressure on the lower surface, which causes its
upward movement.
Figure 3 is a sectional underside plan of the apparatus showing the part P fixed to
the box A and below the cylinder J and provided at its extremity, at the centre of the
apparatus with three cocks. The cock communicating with the pipe j admits
the inlet water to the cock N and consequently to the piston L, the cock /
communicates with the pipe and receives the outlet water after each upward
movement of the piston from the outlet cock N' with which the bottom of the pump
is provided. The cock admits the gas to the interior of the apparatus to supply the
illuminating lamp and the cigar lighter O.
These three cocks are safety cocks and can only be worked by a special key with
which the inspector alone is furnished. This arrangement allows the working of the
apparatus, its speed and if necessary its stoppage to be regulated from without. The
three cocks are placed in a common case P, and are hidden they join under
ground the gas or water mains.
The piston L during its downstroke rotates the ratchet wheel Q which turns loosely
on the shaft of the motor cylinder R and is attached to the pinion d which gears
with the rack S on the prolongation of the rod T of the piston L. The piston having
finished its stroke the stop t at the bottom of the rod T of the piston comes against
the small roller u which is mounted on the forked lever U. The lever U bas on the
other side of the fork a toothed arc which is supported on the axle V which is itself
carried by the two lugs cast on the upper part of the cylinder. As soon as the
stop has put the toothed arc in motion, the lever U rising rotates the cocks N N' at
the bottom of the pump, which communicate with the pipes jj and the external water
or air inlets. The cock N is shut when the cock N' is open and vice versa, so that the
cylinder of the pump being emptied the piston descends by reason of its own weight
together with that of the weight i situated immediately above the rod T of the
piston L. The rack on the rod moves the pinion which imparts the rotary movement
to the motor cylinder R which transmits it to the other tension rollers 1 and 2 which
guide the endless band of advertisements and which with the cylinder bis driven by
the motor cylinder R. The cylinder b causes the cards placed in the compartments I, I,
to be pushed out to the exterior and whilst their ends are retained in the interior by
two small springs which prevent them from falling, at the same time permit the
passers by to take them one by one. The stems of the two cocks N N¹ carry the two
toothed pinions h h which gear with the two sided rack at the bottom of the rod W
guided in the guide m on the cylinder. As soon as the pressure ceases the adjustable
stop n with its abutment screw stop n' strikes the roller u of the lever U on the
reverse side, the same movement as before is repeated but in an opposite direction
and pressure being renewed in the cylinder the piston is again moved and so on
without interruption.
The exact course of the piston and of the sheet are regulated by means of the
adjustable stop n which is raised or lowered to increase or diminish the travel of the
piston L which itself so to speak serves to regulate the apparatus.
On the axis V of the lever U is fixed a lever f the extremity of which carries a
weight g which if necessary is moved on the lever. This lever describes an arc of a

page_text: circle at each oscillation of the axis V, and the said weighted lever in either direction
of the piston L serves to destroy the equilibrium at the end of the stroke, by
moving in either direction taking with it the rod W which opens and shuts the
distributing cocks N N¹ breaking so to speak the dead point. The spring k fixed
between the cylinder and the rod W helps when necessary the return of the counter
balance weight g by proventing the rebound or too sudden unlocking movement of
the stop at each end of the piston stroke.
The rack W can with advantage be replaced by a locking cylinder provided with a
double acting piston whose rod would fulfil the functions of the rod W, and fed by
the inlet water pipe of the large cylinder J. The upper piston rod would carry a
small lever to replace the sector V₁ and to receive on one end the thrust of the stops t
and t¹ and at the other end to transmit the effect of this thrust to the slide valve
admitting water to the locking cylinder; the lower part of the rod remaining the
same as that of the rod W in order to work the cocks N N¹.
The advantage of this arrangement is that the intervention of the piston of the
locking cylinder produces on the arrival of the piston of the large cylinder at the
bottom of its stroke an action which makes the latter overcome the dead points
and return.
Figure 1 represents a front view of the box all the axes of the tension cylinders
and rollers are mounted on screw pins whose points enter counter sinks in the
onds of the rolls so as to allow of the ready taking out of the advertisement sheet.
Two doors S1 S2 opening into the interior are placed on the fixed sides B B' and
permit the folds and the movement of the endless bands to be seen in the box A.
The warning bell is a spring one and is rung at each upward movement or change
of the piston by the projection t on the piston rod T.
The clock placed at the middle of the top of the apparatus is similarly wound up
by a projection which comes against the spring end of the lever * which carries
a ratchet gearing with the ratchet wheel a fixed on the winding axis of the
clock.
The gas jet and cigar and cigarette lighter O is placed at each side of the bottom
of the box A and the gas jet may be thrust out to the exterior of the box permitting
passers by to light anything or to see at any part of the day or night.
The working of the apparatus and the mechanism being as hereinbefore described
I will observe that the printed or colored advertisements may be of any dimensions,
divided, placed, sewn or stuck on the calico sheet, of any total length and presented
one after the other behind the glass at the front of the box but previously the
small rectangular glass at the bottom of the frame indicates the name and the number
of the advertisement which will appear before that which precedes it disappears. It
is by the arrangement of bands interposed between the advertisements on the endless
band and which separate them, that this result is obtained, at the same time as the
advertisement is placed exactly at the stopping point.
The facade being formed of three parts, separated as shewn in Figure 5, which is
an exterior front view, the two sides with rounded angles are divided all the way
up by small frames arranged for non moving advertisements by placing in the interior
small painted or enamelled plates of any dimensions forming the frame of the
glass and equally efficacious. These sheet iron or cardboard placards can be changed
at will at the desire of the subscribers.
The card distribution compartments I I can each receive two hundred cards or
prospectuses of different dimensions, for different subscribers. These cards are only
sent out at every change, being propelled by the upper small toothed roll 6 on which
they rest. The rotation of the said roller being caused by the motor cylinder R
which drives it, so that the public may take away the name, address, price list or
speciality of every subscriber, with these cards thus automatically distributed. These
compartiments have in front a glass which allows the interior to be seen in order to
replace the cards after they are finished. In any case, the card cannot entirely
leave the apparatus unless someone takes it by the portion protruded through the
two openings x, x)..

page_text: The interior boxes or charity boxes are moveable and communicate with the exterior
by a special opening, one is intended to receive the money offerings of the generous
spectators who wish to give and intended for the poor or any charity.
The other is intended to receive the applications of fresh subscribers and the orders
or written complaints of the subscribers. These boxes are taken out every day by
the visiting inspectors and taken to the administrators who alone can open them.
Figure 5 which is an exterior front view of the apparatus, represents it placed
against a wall but this application may be varied as often as is desired. The apparatus
may be constructed with two faces forming a triangle with a wall or partition and so
that a front will be seen on each side by the passers by, it would then be mounted
on a simple iron table, fastened to the wall. The apparatus can also have 3 or 4
fronts placed on a special column and worked by the same water pipes and
mechanism.
The exterior appearance may be endlessly varied, it may be as much decorated as
possible, have caryatides on the top of the sculptured supports according to taste.
The same apparatus may be constructed of different sizes and can be used to advertise
the samples and price lists in large shops, and also to publish official notices in the
mini terial and public offices.
From the foregoing description it is easy to appreciate the advantages of this
invention and the peculiar combination of apparatus. First the constant and
permanent renewal of the advertisements left in the presence of the spectators and
the advertisement as soon as a predetermined time has elapsed, disappearing which
is effected instantaneously the next remaining till the same is repeated and so on,
which is just the continued alternate slow or fast movement which it is indispensable
to obtain in order to give the desired result and which is done as simply as it is
economically and ingeniously by this combination.
In conclusion-my arrangement of an aëro- or auto-hydrostatic intermittent
mechanical advertising apparatus is certainly an original and new apparatus and
altogether realises the practical means of advertising, being new and economical,
attracting the eye, small and capable of being placed everywhere or where it is
desired. The cost of the water or air for its working is not appreciable if the small
volume of the cylinder and the mechanical force of the motor which only requires of
a kilogram metre per minute be considered, for say 30 to 40 cubic décimetres of
air or water at the pressure of 2 or 3 kilogrammes per square centimetre for 15 hours
work suffices.
My apparatus is very simple to construct presents no danger, requires no super-
vision, cannot get out of order or stop, at the same time its simple and elegant
construction is not costly, its working is continuous and so to speak perpetual.
It is also optional to vary the form, resistance, material and arrangement of the
working parts of my arrangement of advertising apparatus.
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 :-
My improvements in apparatus for exhibiting advertisements substantially as
described.