Improvements in or pertaining to Advertising on the Risers of Stairs and other Places.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 28th May, 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
PROVIDIONAL ST EUITICATION.
Improvements in or pertaining to Advertising on the Risers of
Stairs and other Places.
HUGH OWEN TAYLOR GREEN STEPHENS c/o W. H. Kidson Esq 2 Gresham
Buildings Basinghall Street E.C. Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to advertising chiefly on the risers of the stairs of railway
stations exhibitions shops the stairs of trams buses and the like but may also
when desired be used at or on the sides of the stairs of railway stations exhibitions
trams buses and the like.
The chief novelty and feature of this invention is that it operates intermittently
in contradistinction to existing somewhat similar devices which are worked by
mechanical power or the like and are therefore for the time being always in operation
whether any person is perceiving them or not whereas this invention will only work
when there is some person near thereto who may see the advertisement which
advertisement moreover will be exhibited in a very suitable and effective manner.
Existing advertisements are worked by mechanical power or the like whereas this
advertisement is worked solely by the whole or part of the weight of the person or
persons within view of the advertisement.
To carry out this invention I fix a stud button or it may be a strip of metal or
wood or the like on the tread of a stair. This stud is connected to suitable bell
cranks wires pulleys or the like which are suitable connected to the advertisements so
that when a person treads on this stud an advertisement appears on a level with the
eye more or less it may be on a riser or risers a few steps higher up to disappear
when the persons weight is removed ready to again re-appear when the weight of the
same person or other person is again applied.
Again instead of the advertisement appearing on the riser of the stair it may if
necessary appear on the side of the wall or any other suitable place within view of the
operator. Again the advertisements may be made to appear in a similar manner by
having the studs attached to a floor pavement or the like to be similarly operated.
Again when desired two or more advertisements may be made to appear simultaneously.
When it is desired to use this invention after dark as effectively as in daylight I use
the same apparatus with the addition that the same is connected up with electricity
gas or the like so that when a person treads on the stud the advertisement appears
illuminated but when there is no person on the stud the electricity gas or the like is
not in use and is therefore not being consumed and wasted. Again owing to the
various constructions of the treads and risers of stairs it may be found suitable to have
the advertisements operated only after dark in which case I if necessary dispense with
bell cranks wires pulleys or the like and simply have the stud button and the like
which being pressed down by the weight of a person makes contact and thus
illuminates the advertisement which when this method is employed may be stationary.
Should it be necessary to protect the advertisement I put a sheet of iron glass or the
like in front and if necessary cut, holes or orifices therein to correspond with the
advertisement..
Again if desired the advertisement may be worked on the same principle as an
ordinary magnet thus dispensing with bell cranks and the like.
Dated this 20th day of July 1900

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or pertaining to Advertising on the Risers of
Stairs and other Places.
I HUGH OWEN TAYLOR GREEN STEPHENS of 2 Gresham Buildings Basinghall Street
in the City of London Engineer 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 my invention relates to advertising chiefly on the risers of the stairs of railway
stations exhibitions shops omnibuses tramcars and the like but it may also when
desired be used at or on the side or other walls of such stairs and elsewhere.
The object of this my invention is the exhibition of advertisements intermittently
and in such a manner as very surely and attractively to catch the eye while the
apparatus is so constructed and arranged that this intermittent exhibition of the
advertisements will have the further great advantage of effecting a large economy in
the consumption of whatever artificial light may be used as not only will the
advertisements be suddenly and intermittently exposed when some person is in the
proper and best position for seeing them but these advertisements will at that
precise moment be suddenly and intermittently illuminated when so desired.
In order the more clearly to explain this my invention and in what manner the
same is.to be performed I refer to the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a
longitudinal section of a part of ordinary stairs provided with my invention according
to one very convenient and efficient form and style thereof when arranged and fitted
to be operated by electricity. Figure 2 is an elevation of the back or inner side of
one of the risers of the stairs and Figure 3 is an elevation of the front or outer side
of such riser.
. On the tread A.of the stair which may be constructed in any ordinary manner is
fitted and arranged a strip B of metal or wood or other suitable material which may
extend across this tread A the whole width or nearly the whole width of the stairs
and is placed it may be at or near the outer edge of such tread A and parallel therewith
or thereabouts or elsewhere on the same as may be convenient in each particular
case. This strip B is normally maintained by springs or other suitable and usual
contrivances at a small elevation above the level of the surface of the tread A and at
each of one or more places in the length of the strip B preferably perhaps two places is
fitted a small small rod C which passes loosely down through the tread A terminating
below the same in an appropriate electrical bridge or contact piece D. In the proper
corresponding position below are arranged two contact posts E whereon the bridge D
can descend and which can be fitted on a bracket depending from the under side of
the tread A or on other suitable devices and one of these contact bars E is electrically
connected with a battery or other source of electricity by a conductor F while the
other contact bar E is electrically connected with the hereinafter described advertising
appliances under another tread of the stairs higher up by a conductor G.
Through the riser H of the stair which also may be constructed in any ordinary
manner are made certain apertures K of the desired shapes and sizes and in the 4
desired number and positions and close behind or on the inner side of the riser H is
placed it may be vertically or thereabouts a loose frame L which can move or slide on
edge longitudinally and horizontally or thereabouts behind such riser H and to enable
this movement to be produced with a minimum expenditure of power the frame L
can most conveniently be suspended by jointed hanging bars or links N which would
be pivoted in brackets P on the under side of the tread A or elsewhere as may be
appropriate and jointed to and on the lower part of such frame L. At one side of the
stairs is fitted a solenoid Q or it may be an electro-magnet or other suitable electrical
appliance which is electrically connected with the contact post E by the conductor G
hereinbefore described and the core of the solenoid Q or the armature or the like is

page_text: connected by a rod R to the frame L or perhaps perferably if so fitted to one of the
links N thereof it may be directly when the solenoid Q or other appliance is placed
horizontally or when such solenoid Q or other appliance is otherwise placed by and
through any appropriate and ordinary series of rods levers cranks and the like in auch
wise that when an electric current passes through the solenoid or other
appliance the frame L will be drawn towards the same or towards that side of the
stairs. At the other side of the stairs or elsewhere in an appropriate and convenient
position a spring S or other such like contrivance is applied to the frame L or perhaps
preferably if so fitted to one of the links N thereof in such wise as to draw this frame L
away from the solenoid Q or other appliance or towards the other side of the stairs
when an electric current does not pass through such solenoid Q or other appliance.
The frame L may be made of any desirable material but when it is made of an
opaque material as is perhaps preferable suitable apertures M are made therein in
the proper positions and corresponding with and complementary of the apertures K
in the riser H which apertures M are filled in with any suitable transparent material
as also may be the apertures K in the risers H. On the face of the frame L and
especially on the transparent material in the apertures M therein are displayed the
required advertisements as for example is shewn in Figure 3 where on each transparent
aperture M is one of the letters which together comprise the words "PEARS'
SOAP" and when desired the same or other letters or other advertisements may be
displayed on the opaque parts of the frame L between the transparent apertures M.
These two series of apertures K and M are generally so constructed and arranged in
respect of each other that when the frame is under the governance and control of
the spring "S or the like alone the opaque parts of such frame L are immediately
behind and in correlation with the apertures K in the riser H while when the frame L
is under the governance and control of the solenoid Q or other appliance because
an electric current is passing therethrough the transparent apertures M in such frame L
are immediately behind and in correlation with the apertures K in the riser H
although they may also be otherwise arranged as may be expedient in each particular.
case. Behind the frame L are arranged the desired number of small electric lamps T
which are electrically connected with the solenoid Q or other appliance by the
conductor G from which lamps T the electric current can pass back to the aforesaid
battery or other source of electricity by a suitable conductor led in any appropriate
manner. This electrical circuit therefore encloses the contact posts E the solenoid Q
or other appliance and the lamps T and it is normally broken or open at and between
the contact posts E but can there be closed by the bridge D. The lamps T can
conveniently be supported on and by a rod V which extends across the stairs and a
reflector W or other similar and suitable contaivance can perhaps preferably be
arranged behind each lamp T."
Therefore in this apparatus when constructed and arranged in manner as is
herein before described and as is shewn in these Figures the sequences of operations and
effects are as follows. When and while no weight is placed on the depressible strip B
on the tread A the opaque parts of the frame L are caused by the spring S or the
like to be alone visible through the apertures K in the riser H and the advertisements if
any thereon only are displayed but when a person places a foot on this strip B and
by weight depresses the same the electrical circuit is closed by the bridge D on the
contact posts E and the current passes through the solenoid Q or other appliance and,
the lamps T thus causing the solenoid Q or other appliance to move the frame L
against its spring S or the like until the transparent apertures M therein are visible
through the apertures K and the advertisements on such transparent apertures M are.
illuminated by the lamps T behind. This effect is perhaps most appropriately and
effectively displayed at about the level of the eye of the person whose weight has.
produced the several operations and therefore as is aforesaid this sudden exposure and
illumination of the advertisements displayed on these transparent parts of the
moveable frame will surely and attractively catch the eye while when such weight is
removed the electrical circuit is open or broken these advertisements and the
illumination there of disappear because the electric current is cut off until another

page_text: person trends on the depressible strip when these aforesaid operations and effects are
repeated and reproduced and so on intermittently.
Any appropriate and ordinary switches Y or other such like contrivances may be so
fitted in the customary manner as to cut off the electric current from the lamps or to
cut the same out of the electrical circuit when artificial light is not required as for
example during daylight or whenever the advertisements on the transparent parts of
the moveable frame would be visible without artificial illumination and they may also
be so fitted as to cut off the electric current altogether in which case and during such
cut off only the advertisements if any on the opaque parts of the moveable frame
would be visible as this frame would not be moved by the depression of the strip.
Instead of using electricity to operate and move the frame as is hereinbefore
described mechanical means may be employed and Figure 4 is a longitudinal section
of a part of ordinary. stairs provided with my invention according to one very
convenient and efficient form and style thereof when arranged and fitted for operation
mechanically.
To the underside of the tread A of the stair which likewise may be constructed in
any ordinary manner is fitted a rod X and this tread A may be so arranged and
constructed as to be entirely depressible or only the outer edge thereof may be depressible
in either case the depressible whole or part thereof being normally maintained by
springs or other suitable and usual contrivances at a small elevation above the upper
edge of the riser H or other appropriate part of the stairs. The rod X is jointed to a
bell crank lever Z which is duly mounted in the proper position on the frame work of
the stairs or elsewhere therefor which lever Z through other rods X and bell crank
lever Z or other similar and suitable mechanical devices can in the usual manner
cause the frame L to move in manner as is hereinbefore described when the tread A
is depressed and such depression of the tread A or movement of the frame L can at
the same time through any suitable electrical devices and in any ordinary manner
close the electrical circuit and illuminate the electric lamps when any such lamps are
provided in manner as is hereinbefore described...
It is sufficiently obvious but still I would emphasize the fact that I do in no wise
limit myself to the precise electrical and mechanical and other means and appliances
hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying drawing for allowing the
depression of the strip or the tread and for communicating such depression and the
effect thereof to the moveable frame and the lamps if any for any other ordinary and
appropriate means and appliances may similarly be provided and arranged and used in
any customary and convenient manner although I may state that those that are so
described and shewn are I consider extremely convenient and efficient as is aforesaid.
Instead of using a long depressible strip or a depressible tread whereby and
wherethrough the weigh tof the person treading thereon is utilized to operate this
apparatus although these arrangements may be and perhaps are the most efficient and
sure and certain in operation yet it is plainly evident that when it may be desired so
to do many other devices may be employed with a like purpose such for example as a
depressible stud or button properly mounted on or in the tread or when this tread is
composed of a number of small cubes of wood secured in a metallic frame some one or
more of these cubes may be so mounted as to be depressible.
Whensoever the profile of the stairs so allows the moveable frame and its lamps if
any duly enclosed in or fronted by a suitable casing or cover may be placed in front
of the riser in which case the apertures are not inade through the riser but are made
through the face of the casing or cover or the frame may be placed in front of the
riser while the lamps if any may be placed behind the riser and shine through the
apertures therein but in every case the frame must be so covered that only a certain
part or certain parts thereof can be visible at one and the same time.
Automatic or electrically worked stops or catches may also be provided in any
ordinary manner in such wise that the moveable frame properly made therefor can be
retained in more than the two positions hereinbefore described being moved into the
second position by the first depression of the tread or strip or other device held
therein by the stop or catch thence moved into the third position by the second

page_text: depression of the tread or strip or other device and so on until at its last position the
stop or catch is released and the frame is by its spring or the like returned to its first
position ready to recommence its aforesaid movement and in this case corresponding
numbers of advertisements inay be displayed on each frame and the whole moveable
frame may whenever desired be transparent.
Each tread and each riser of the stairs may be similarly constructed and fitted or
such and so many of them only may be similarly constructed and fitted as may be
expedient or desirable in each particular case.
Furthermore it is obvious that this moveable frame with its lamps if any can be
similarly fitted and arranged in many other places besides the risers of stairs as also
can the depressible device be similarly fitted and arranged in many other places
besides the treads of stairs in all cases however the depressible device when depressed
operates the moveable frame and its lamps if any.
When the surroundings of an apparatus may render it safe so to do gas or other
illuminant may be used instead of electricity in the same manner and to produce the
same effect by and through any ordinary contrivances and devices as may be
appropriate and convenient.
The frame also can plainly be fitted and arranged when desired to move vertically
or diagonally or otherwise instead of longitudinally.
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 :
1. A depressible tread A or strip B or other device and a moveable frame L
displaying advertisements in combination with electrical or mechanical means whereby
the depression of the tread or strip or other device moves the frame and a cover
whereby and wherethrough only part of the frame is visible at one time substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and declared.
2. A depressible strip B or the like a bridge D connected with the same contact
posts E for the bridge D a moveable frame L whereon are advertisements apertures K
in front of the frame L wherethrough advertisements are visible a solenoid Q or other
appliance connected with the frame L to move it in one direction a spring S or the
like connected with the frame L to move it in the opposite direction and lamps T
behind the frame L to illuminate the advertisements in combination with a conductor F
from a battery or source of electricity to one contact post E and conductors G from
the other contact post E through the solenoid Q or other appliance and the lamps T
to the battery or source of electricity substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described and declared.
3. A depressible tread A or the like a moveable frame L wheron are advertisements
and apertures K in front of the frame L wherethrough advertisements are visible
which advertisements can be illuminated from behind in combination with rods X and
bell crank or other levers Z whereby the depression of the tread A or the like moves the
frame L and can illuminate the advertisements thereon substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and declared.
4. The arrangement and combination of parts and appliances constituting my
improvements in or pertaining to advertising on the risers of stairs and other places
substantially as herein before described and shewn in the accompanying drawing.
Dadth: 71 11007
HART & Co.,
Agents, 168, Fleet Street, London, E.C.