Improvements in Exhibiting or Advertising Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 2nd July, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Exhibiting or Advertising Apparatus.
I, CHARLES SORVER JENKINS, of Lansdale, County of Montgomery, State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Banker, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
More particularly my invention relates to exhibiting apparatus in which a serips
of sheets are connected, each at one edge, with a rotatable drum or support, so
that the outer or free edges of the sheets will project one beyond the other when
the sheets are wound up. By rotating this drum, or support, in one direction, any
desired sheet may be brought to the front and by then reversing the rotation of the
drum, all the sheets may be unwound and permitted to hang down with the desired
sheet in front so as to be exposed to view.
The present invention includes certain improvements in the manner of attaching
the series of sheets to the rotary drum, so that any sheet may be easily detached
or removed, if desired. By this means the sheets may be changed whenever
desired.
My invention also includes the employment of compensating devices in con-
nection with the rotary drum to compensate for the variation in weight acting upon
the drum due to the rolling up and unrolling of the sheets. When the sheets
consist of large and heavy charts, or maps, this variation in the weight of the
amount unrolled is considerable.
My invention includes certain means for easily and positively bringing a desired
sheet into proper position and exposing it to view.
My invention also relates to devices for illuminating the exposed sheet, and to
the construction and arrangement of the apparatus whereby it may be conveniently
employed in stations, &c., for indicating the arrival and departure of trains,
vessels, &c.
My invention also includes other improvements in construction and combination
of parts, all of which are fully described hereinafter and claimed.
In the drawings :-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved exhibiting apparatus ;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same ;
Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same;
Fig. 4 is a vertical, sectional view of the same on the line a, a of Fig. 2 on an
enlarged scale;
Fig. 5 is a detail view of the rotary ratchet which is connected with the
compensating spring;
Fig. 6 is a front view of the apparatus adapted for indicating railway trains, &c.;
Fig. 7 is a vertical, sectional view of the same on the line y, y, of Fig. 6 ;
Fig. 8 is an end elevation of a portion of the same, showing the dial by means
of which the desired sheet may be brought to the front without examining or
inspecting the positions of the sheets within the enclosing case;
Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a portion of the supporting drum and of the
devices for rotating it, illustrating a modification therein;
Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating a modification of the compensating
spring devices ;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the 'supporting drum showing one
manner of attaching the sheets thereto;
Figs. 12 and 13 are similar views showing modifications of the manner of
attaching the sheets to the drum ;
Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view of a portion of Fig 13 ·

page_text: Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of that form of the clamping device
which is shown in Fig. 12, for holding the sheet on the drum ;
Fig. 16 is an end elevation of the apparatas similar to that shown in Fig. 6,
with the devices for illuminating the sheet applied thereto;
Fig. 17 is a vertical, sectional view of the same on the "ne w, 10, of Fig. 18;
Fig. 18 is a horizontal sectional view on the line y yo. Fig. 17, and
Figs. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 are diagrams illustrating the manner in which
a desired sheet is brought into position and exposed to view.
A is the frame or bracket in which is journaled the shaft of the rotary drum
or cylinder B.
Cis a sheare connected with the drum or cylinder B over which passes the
endless cord or band D. This endless band or cord D may be guided below by a
roller carried by a spring wire H. The wire H may be detachably connected
with the frame A or other stationary part and acts as a spring to hold the cord D
taut.
In
The drum or cylinder is rotated by means of this cord or band D and sheave C:
Other convenient means, may, however, be employed for rotating the drum.
Fig. 9 is shown a construction in which there is a sprocket wheel cupon the end of
the shaft b, and a second sprocket wheel carried by the wire H with a chain I
between the sprocket wheels.
E are the sheets which are carried by the drum or cylinder B and which are to
be exposed to view one at a time.
F is a curved guide arranged above and in the back of the cylinder or drum to
guide the free edges when the sheets are wound up upon the cylinder. Carried by
the guide F are the rollers which by means of springs G bearing upon the edge
of the guide F, are pressed in contact with the cylinder or drum.
J is a compensating spring preferably arranged in the top of the frame A, as is
shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and connected by the band j with a drum Kloosely mounted
upon the shaft b.
Jis a guide for the band j. Carried by this drum K is a
ratchet disc L, the teeth of which are engaged by a spring pawl / carried by the
drum or cylinder B. This pawl is arranged to engage the ratchet teeth only
when the cylinder B is rotated in the direction to unroll the sheets E, and does
not engage the ratchet teeth when the cylinder is rotated in the opposite direction.
When the sheets are rolled up upon the cylinder or drum and the latter is rotated
there is no movement of the ratchet disc L and consequently no compression of
the spring J. When, however, the drum or cylinder B is rotated in the other
direction and the sheets E begin to unroll therefrom, the pawl 1 engages the
ratchet disc L and turns it winding the band j upon the drum K and corre-
spondingly compressing the spring J. The compression of the spring J continues
with the unrolling of the sheets and is proportional to the extent to which they
are unrolled, so that it compensates for the weight of the amount unrolled, and
thus prevents that weight from causing the druin or cylinder to rotate with undue
rapidity or without the continued action of the cord D, or of such other devices
as may be employed for operating the drum or cylinder. When the rotation of
the drum is reversed to roll up the sheets E, the ratchet disc L turns with the drum
and correspondingly relieves the tension of the spring J.
While I prefer this construction of the compensating devices, it is apparent that
they may be arranged differently if desired while still accomplishing the same
object. In Fig. 10 I have shown a modification in the construction and arrange-
ment. L' is a ratchet disc fixed to the frame A. K' is a disc rotatable upon
the shaft carrying the spring ratchet I. J' is a compensating spiral spring
between the shaft and the disc K. When the drum or cylinder rotates in one
direction, the pawl / snaps over the teeth of the ratchet L without winding. up
the spring, when, however, the direction of rotation is reversed the pawl / engages
the teeth of the ratchet and locks the disc K' against rotation so that the spring J'
is wound up, and thus compensates for the weight of the sheets E unrolled, in the
manner heretofore described.
เ

page_text: For the purpose of detachably fastening the sheets E upon the drum or
cylinder B, I form the latter with a series of longitudinal grooves a having their
interiors enlarged. In these interior enlargements of the grooves are inserted rods
or bars M having the end of the sheet passed about them. By this means the
sheets are attached to the drum or cylinder and any one thereof may be dis-
connected by drawing out the bar which carries it.
In Figs. 12 and 15 is shown a modification in which the bars M are divided
longitudinally and the sheets are clamped between the two parts. Another
modification is shown in Figs. 13 and 14, in which a series of longitudinal strips N
are employed with the edges of the sheets placed between them and the surface
of the cylinder. These strips N are secured to the cylinder and clamped down
upon the edges of the strips by means of end bands O and clamp o (Fig. 13).
The rods or bars M or the strips N, thus constitute clamping pieces for detachably
clamping the sheets upon the drum B.
In Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, I have shown my invention applied to an open bracket or
support which may be hung or fixed upon the wall of a room, office, or school
building. This form is particularly adapted for displaying large maps and charts
and for displaying samples of paper, &c.
I shall now describe the invention as especially adapted for advertising purposes,
station indications, &c., where it is desired to have the supporting drum or cylinder
within a closed case or cover within which the shaft of the drum B is journaled
as in the bracket or support A. P is a glass or sight opening in the front of the
box or case through which the front sheet may be exposed to view. To bring a
desired object into position upon the drum or cylinder without inspecting the
sheets in the interior of the box, 1 employ a disc Q carried upon the shaft
upon the exterior of the case A' provided with a series of holes corresponding in
number to the sheets upon the drum. Arranged upon the outside of the case is a
stop Q' against which a ping inserted in one of the holes is adapted to strike
to stop further rotation of the drum or cylinder in that direction. This stop is
so adjusted with reference to the location of the holes 9 and the sheets E, that
when the pin in a hole of a certain number strikes the stop, the end of the sheet E
corresponding to that number will just have dropped from under the rollers as
is shown in diagram Fig. 20, now by rotating the drum in the opposite direction
the sheets are unrolled with this desired sheet E in front immediately behind the
glass or opening P as is shown in Fig. 7.
In Fig. 9 this disc Q is shown carried by the lower sprocket wheel h. Such a
construction would be preferable where the drum is to be located at an altitude.
In Figs. 16, 17, and 18 I have shown the same form of apparatus with means
for illuminating the front sheet.
R is a rod journaled in the back of the case A¹, carrying arms r, r, adjacent to
its ends, which support a transverse rod or roller S.
T is a lever pivoted at t to the case A', and having its inner end connected by
a link T with a crank arm T' of the rod R. The rod or roller S is normally in
the lower portion of the case A' a distance below the drum or cylinder B, as
indicated in Fig. 17. By operating the lever T the rod or support may be raised
into the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 17 adjacent to the drum or
cylinder B. The arrows in Figs. 16 and 17 show the direction of movement of
the parts.
U is a lamp or source of light which may be arranged on the bottom of the
case A¹ or may be carried by the rod or roller S as indicated in dotted lines.
V is a catch to hold the free end of the lever when it has been depressed.
Carried by the lever T are two stops or projections t, which are adapted to be
successively struck by the pin or stop g in the dial Q. The stop t¹ is so located
that when the pin g strikes it, the sheet E, corresponding to the number of the
hole in the dial Q in which the pin g is inserted, will be just ready to pass from
under the roller, as shown in diagram Fig. 21.
I will now describe the operation of the apparatus. The roller S is normally

page_text: '
in the position shown in Fig. 17 and the sheets E may pass over it when the
drum B is rotated. The arms r,, are separated a greater distance apart than the
width of the sheets so that they may hang between them. The ping is inserted
in the hole of the dial Q corresponding to the sheet which it is desired to expose
to view. In the drawings it is shown inserted in hole No. 1, corresponding to the
sheet E. The dial Q and drum 1 are now rotated in the direction of the arrow
in Fig. 19 rolling up the sheets upon the drum as shown. When the pin g strikes
the stop, the sheet is in the position shown in Fig. 19, with its end under the
roller. The lever T is now depressed lifting the rod S adjacent to the drum B,
as shown in Fig. 21. This movement also moves the stop t¹ out of the path of
the ping, and brings the second stop 2 in its path. The dial Q is now turned
one point more until the pin a strikes the stop 2. The movement of the drum B
causes the sheet E to drop from under the roller f, upon the rod or roller S as
shown in Fig. 22. Now when the dial Q is rotated in the opposite direction the
sheets are all unrolled; and the sheet E is upon one side of the rod S while the
other sheets are upon the other side thereof, and are held back by the rod so as
to permit the rays of light from the lamp U to fall directly upon the back of the
These last movements are as shown in
sheet E and thoroughly illuminate it.
Figs. 23 and 24. It will thus be seen that the rod S constitutes a movable
separator that inay be moved to and from the drum B.
While I prefer the minor details of construction which have been here shown
I do not limit my invention to then as it is apparent that they may be modified in
many ways without departing from it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion ar in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
clain s
st. The rotary drum with the series of sheets attached thereto combined with
lamp or other source of light and a movable separating rod movable to and from
the drum for the purpose described.
2nd. In combination with the rotary drum having the sheets applied thereto and
the separating rod, the dial Q, pin g and stops t¹ and t³.
3rd. In combination with the rotary drum having the sheets applied thereto,
the dial Q, stop Q₁and movable pin carried by the dial.
4th. The rotary drum having the series of longitudinal grooves with contracted
openings and the sheet attaching rods fitting said grooves.
5th. The rotary sheet carrying drum with its shaft combined with a pawl and
ratchet device one member of which is carried by the drum or its shaft and the
other member loose upon the shaft, a compensating spring and a flexible con-
nection between the compensatory spring and the loose member of the pawl and
ratchet device for the purpose of compensating for the weight of the sheets
.unrolled.
6th. The rotary drum carrying the scries of sheets with a driving wheel, endless
band over the driving wheel, guide for the lower part of the driving wheel and
spring wire H carrying the guide to put tension upon it and hold the cord tant.
Dated this Twenty-first day of March A.D. 1892.
CHAS. SORVER JENKINS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.