Improvements in Apparatus for Displaying Advertisements, Pictures, Samples, or other Articles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 15th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 21st Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Displaying Advertisements,
Pictures, Samples, or other Articles.
I, JAMES LITTLER, of 25 Stamford Street, Altrincham, in the County of
Cheshire, Hairdresser, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
-
This invention relates to apparatus for displaying advertisements, pictures, samples,
or other suitable articles in which the said articles (hereinafter termed the exhibits)
are successively and intermittently brought opposite an opening or openings in the
enclosing case by means of a travelling band.
Apparatus for this purpose is described in a Patent granted to me and num-
bered 393 of 1889.
This present invention specially relates to improvements in the form and
construction of the band or support for carrying the exhibits, also to improvements
in the method of and mechanism for driving same, so that a suitable intermittent
motion is imparted to the band by a continuous motion of the driving power or
motor, and by the expenditure of a smaller amount of driving power. It further
relates to improved details for instance, the means for and method of securing the
exhibits to the band, so that one or more can be readily removed or inserted
without disturbing the others.
In constructing an apparatus in accordance with this invention I use a suitable
sized case or enclosed frame, having one or more openings or windows therein through
which the exhibits can be seen.
Near the top of the case I place a light drum or roller to support the band of
exhibits, and capable of rotating freely upon its axis. I prefer to form the drum
of several strips of wood or other suitable light material attached to and supported
by two or more discs mounted upon a shaft that revolves in suitable bearings.
Each disc has a number of teeth upon its circumference so that it forms a sprocket
wheel.
The band is formed of two endless chains, consisting of links of a suitable size
and shape to secure sufficient lightness and strength combined. These are hung
round the drum so that the links engage with the teeth of the sprocket wheels as
the drum revolves. The advertisements or pictures to be exhibited are printed,
painted, fastened to, or otherwise formed upon sheets of paper, calico, or other
suitable flexible material. Small articles, such for instance as pens, buttons,
jewellery, ribbous, cloths, &c., may be fastened to a sheet in a suitable manner such
as is well known.
The sheets are held by clamping bars or clips having suitable connections by
which they may be attached to the chains. The clips may be formed in many
different ways but the construction that I prefer consists of a grooved strip of
wood, or other suitable material, into which a rod fits that presses the sheet into
the grove and firmly holds it. For the rod I prefer to use light tubing to secure
lightness combined with rigidity. Catches, turnbuttons, or other suitable fastenings
at each end of the clip hold the rod in its place. Each clip is provided with
catches, turnbuttons, or other suitable fastenings for securing it to the chains in
such a manner that it can be readily attached or detached when required.
A pair of clips are used for each sheet-one at the top and one at the bottom
and when attached to the chains they come two together-that is the bottom clip
of one sheet and the top one of the sheet below closely adjoin. By placing the
grooved sides of each adjoining pair so that they face each other the clips may be
entirely hidden from view by the sheets.

page_text: The intermittent driving motion is constructed as follows:-On the drum shaft,
and next the end disc, a loose pulley or barrel is fitted, round which a weighted
cord is wound. This barrel carries a ratchet tooth or stud that engages with a
spring pawl attached to the end of the drum. A main driving wheel or disc,
geared with the motor, is loosely fitted on to the drum shaft next the loose pulley.
This spring pawl is so placed that at a certain point in the revolution of the driving
wheel it shall come in contact with a stop-pin fixed on the case which will cause
the pawl to disengage itself from the ratchet tooth or stud.
The action is as follows:-Upon the main wheel being turned by the motor its
pawl engages with the ratchet tooth or stud on the barrel and continues to wind up
the cord and weight until the pawl comes in contact with the stop pin which there-
upon disengages the pawl from the ratchet tooth or stud. The barrel therefore
being released immediately commences to turn in a backward direction by the
unwinding of the weighted cord. Meanwhile, during the forward motion of the
barrel, the ratchet tooth or stud on the barrel has passed the pawl on the drum, so
that when the barrel turns backward it pulls the drum round also, and consequently
the band. The distance the weight may fall is regulated so that the travel of the
band is just sufficient to change the sheets visible through the opening in the case.
Stops may be used if necessary to limit the distance of travel. When the weight
has run down the driving pawl again engages with the barrel and the action is
repeated.
The parts are so arranged that the weight descends rapidly and is wound up
slowly, the advantage being that small power is required to lift the weight owing
to the work being distributed over a longer time.
To meet the larger amount of power required to start the drum and band into
motion, as compared with the amount required to turn it after starting, I form the
loose pulley or barrel of cam or snail shape, so that at the start the cord is further
away from the centre and consequently has a greater pull than when partly
unwound. It is therefore nearer the centre and has less pull when the drum has
got up a momentum and requires less power to turn it.
The exhibit remains stationary between each change for a short time, the
duration of which is regulated by the speed of the motor or by the gearing.
A spring, instead of weight, may be used to turn the drum, being wound up by
the motor in a similar manner.
For driving the apparatus I prefer to use a small electric motor, coupled to the
main driving wheel by spur wheels, bands, or other suitable gearing.
prefer to
derive the current from a main wire connected with a dynamo at a central dis-
tributing station from which a number of the machines may be controlled; or it
may be derived from the mains of existing supply stations. Switches and all other
well known electrical attachments required may be used.
In cases where the
current cannot be conveniently derived from main wires, accumulators or primary
batteries may be used, being placed inside the case where convenient.
Any other suitable form of continuous motor may be used, such as clockwork,
compressed air, hot air, gas, steam, or hydraulic engine, being self-contained as a
part of the apparatus or being placed elsewhere and connected by a band or
gearing.
At night the exhibits may be rendered visible by electric or other suitable
light placed inside or outside the case.
A suitable coin-freed detent may be used to start and stop the motor, or to throw
same into or out of action with the drum in any well known manner.
The sprocket wheel may have notches instead of teeth to engage with projections
on the chain if preferred, and an extra drum or drums may be used to form the
band into loops or to guide it at the bottom.
Dated this 15th day of December 1892.
JAMES LITTLER,
Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Displaying Advertisements,
Pictures, Samples, or other Articles.
I, JAMES LITTLER of 25 Stamford Street, Altrincham in the County of
Cheshire, Hairdresser, 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 :-
This invention relates to apparatus for displaying advertisements, pictures,
samples, or other like articles, in which the said articles which I hereinafter term.
exhibits, are successively and intermittently brought opposite an opening or
openings in an enclosing case by means of a travelling band passing over drums
or rollers, such as is described in the Specification of a Patent granted to me
numbered 393 of 1889, and actuated by electricity, clockwork, or other motive
power.
The objects of this invention are to effect improvements in the form and con-
struction of the band or support for carrying the exhibits; the method of and
mechanism for driving the same, so that a suitable intermittent motion is imparted
to the band by said mechanism with the application of a continuous driving power;
a, reduction in the amount of driving power required for actuating said mechanism ;
and the means for, and method of securing the exhibits to the band, so that one or
more of the exhibits can be readily removed or inserted without disturbing the
others.
I attain these objects by means hereinafter described and as illustrated in the
accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front view, and Fig. 2 a side
view of a case with my invention applied.
Fig. 3 is part side view, and Fig. 4 an end view drawn to an enlarged scale, of
the drum or roller for carrying the aforesaid band.
Fig. 5 is a front view, and Fig. 6 transverse section showing the endless chain
and the means for attaching the band upon which the exhibits are placed.
Fig. 7 shows modified positions of drums and rollers; in these views similar
letters refer to similar parts.
In constructing an apparatus in accordance with this invention, I employ a
suitable sized case or enclosed frame such as a having one or more openings or
windows therein, through which the exhibits can be seen.
Near the top of the case I place a light drum or roller c to support the band of
exhibits, and capable of rotating freely upon its axis.
I prefer to form the drum of several strips of wood as c¹ or other suitable light
material attached to, and supported by, two or more discs c¹ mounted upon a shaft d
that revolves in suitable bearings.
Each disc has a number of teeth c upon its circumference so that it forms a
sprocket wheel.
The band is formed of an endless chain e placed at each end of the aforesaid
drum c, consisting of links of a suitable size and shape to secure sufficient lightness
and strength combined. These are hung round the drum so that the links engage
with the teeth as the drum c revolves.
The advertisements or pictures to be exhibited are printed, painted, fastened to,
or otherwise formed upon sheets of paper, calico, or other suitable flexible material
as f. Small articles such as pens, buttons, jewellery, ribbons, cloths and the like
may be fastened to a sheet in any suitable manuer. The aforesaid sheets f may
be attached to the chains by means of a grooved strip of wood g or other suitable
material, into which a rod h formed preferably of light tubing is placed, pressing
the edge of the sheet finto the groove g' and firmly holding it therein,

page_text: Catches as v, turnbuttons, or other suitable fastenings hold the rod at each end
in its place.
Each of the grooved strips g is provided with catches, turnbuttons such as ; or
other suitable fastenings, for securing said strip to the chain e so that it may be
readily attached or detached when required.
A pair of clips or grooved strips are employed for securing each sheet, one
being placed at the top and one at the bottom of the sheet, and when said strips
are attached to the chains they come two together, the bottom clip of one sheet
and the top one of the sheet below closely adjoining.
By placing the grooved sides of each adjoining pair so that they face each other
as in Fig. 6, the fastenings for securing the sheets may be entirely hidden from view
behind the sheets. The aforesaid strips g will lie in the recesses 9 when passing
round the drum c. I obtain intermittent motion by placing on the drum shaft d,
and next the end disc e, a loose pulley or barrel l, round which a weighted cord m
is wound. This barrel carries a stud p that engages with a spring pawl q attached
to the end of the drum c. A main driving wheel r which is geared by means of
the pinion s with any suitable motor is loosely fitted on to the drum shaft d next the
loose pulley.
To this driving wheel a spring pawl t is attached, which engages with a stud u
on the loose pulley or barrel l. This spring pawl is so placed that at a certain
point in the revolution of the driving wheel it shall come in contact with a stop
pin w fixed on the case which will by these means cause the pawl t to disengage
itself from the stud u. The wheel being turned by the pinions that is actuated
by an electric or other motor, the pawl t attached thereto engages with the stud u
on the barrel which revolves said barrel, thereby winding up the cord m and
weight until the said pawl comes in contact with the stop w, which there-
upon disengages the pawl from the stud u. The pulley or barrel being
thus released, immediately commences to turn in a backward direction by the
unwinding of the weighted cord m; during the forward motion of the barrel 1, the
stud p on said barrel will have passed the pawl g on the drum c, so that when
the barrel turns backward it pulls the drum round also, and consequently the
band f.
The distance the weight may fall is regulated so that the travel of the band is
just sufficient to change the sheets visible through the openings b in the case.
Stops may be used if necessary to limit the distance of travel.
When the weight has run down, the driving pawl t again engages with the stud u
on the barrel and the action is repeated.
The parts are so arranged that the weight descends rapidly and is wound up
slowly, so that small power is required to lift the weight in consequence of the
work being distributed over a longer time.
To meet the larger amount of power required to start the drum and band into
motion as compared with the amount required to turn it after starting, I form the
loose pulley or barrel in the form of a cam or snail shape, so that at the com-
mencement of winding, the cord is further away from the centre and consequently
has a greater pull than when partly unwound; it is therefore nearer the centre
and has less pull when the drum has got up a momentum and requires less power
to turn it.
The exhibit remains stationary between each change for a short time, the
duration of which is regulated by the speed of the motor or by the gearing. A
spring, instead of weight, may be used to turn the drum c, said spring being wound
up by the motor in a similar manner to that hereinbefore described.
For driving the apparatus I prefer to use a small electric motor, connected with
the main driving wheel by spur wheels, bands, or other suitable gearing. I
prefer to derive the current from a main wire connected with a dynamo at a central
distributing station from which a number of the machines may be controlled; or
it may be derived from the mains of existing supply stations. Switches and all
other well known electrical attachments required may be used.

page_text: In cases where the current cannot be conveniently derived from main wires,
accumulators or primary batteries may be employed and placed inside the case
where convenient.
Any other suitable form of continuous motor may be used, such as clockwork,
compressed air, hot air, gas, steam, or hydraulic power, self-contained as a part of
the apparatus or placed elsewhere and connected by a band or gearing.
At night the exhibits may be rendered visible by electric or other suitable light
placed inside or outside the case.
Notches may be formed in the disc c in lieu of teeth to engage with projections
on the chain if preferred, and an additional drum or drums may be employed to
form the band into loops as at . Fig. 7, or to guide it at the bottom as at y in
Figs. 6 and 7.
I do not confine myself to the precise details herein before described, as it will
be obvious that they may be modified without departing from the main features
and principle of this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1st. In apparatus for displaying in successive order, advertisements, samples, or
other exhibits, the combination of sprocket wheels with connecting strips c¹ and
shaft d, forming together the drum e, substantially as herein before described and
as shown.
2nd. In apparatus for displaying in successive order, advertisements, samples, or
other exhibits, the combination of the chains e, grooved strips g, rods or tubes h, clips v
for securing the rods in the grooved strips, and buttons j for securing the strips to
the chains, substantially as herein before described and as shown.
3rd. In an apparatus for displaying in successive order advertisements, samples,
or other exhibits, the combination of the pawl y, stud p, snail or barrel l, stud u,
pawl t, wheel r, and stop to, substantially as herein before described and as
shown.
4th. The combination of an electric motor or other driving power with apparatus
for displaying in successive order, advertisements, samples, or other exhibits in the
manner and for the purpose substantially as herein before described.
5th. In apparatus for displaying in successive order, advertisements, samples, or
other exhibits, the combination of mechanism for imparting intermittent motion
actuated by an electric motor or other continuous motive power in the manner
substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 14th day of September 1893.
THOMAS PRESCOTT,
53, Arcade Chambers, St. Mary's Gate, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.
THOMAS PRESCOTT,
53, Arcade Chambers, St. Mary's Gate, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.