Improvements in connection with Electric Lamps for Signalling and Advertising Purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Sept.. 1891
Complete Specification Left, 11th July, 1892-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Electric Lamps for Signalling and
Advertising Purposes.
1, CORNELIUS EDWARD KELWAY of 71, Shardeloes Road, New Cross, London,
Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in signalling apparatus whereby the
letters of the alphabet are made distinctly visible thus rendering the use of a
code unnecessary and effecting a great saving in time and reducing the probability
of mistakes in reading signals. It consists firstly in arranging in a suitably
sized and shaped frame a number of electric incandescent lamps preferably in
Each of these lamps is con-
parallel lines and at any desired distance apart.
nected to suitably arranged insulated wires forming part of a circuit or circuits
connected with an electric current producing apparatus such as a dynamo, or
primary or with a secondary battery. In the circuit is placed a key-board or
compound switch having a terminal for each letter of the alphabet and any
symbols it may he desired to signal. I prefer to make this key-board or switch
in the form of the well known type-writing key-board having the letters of the
alphabet on the finger plates. The levers or keys may be insulated at the fulcrum
in any suitable manner and are otherwise so arranged, in any manner familiar
to electrical engineers or electric telegraph experts, that pressure on them will
cause an electric circuit to be completed. To avoid sparking at each point of
contact sometimes arrange a second and single switch in the main circuit
which, attached to the first named switch, can be easily operated by the signaller.
To this second switch is affixed a plate of metal or other suitable material having
slots or projections which effectually prevent the movement of the levers or keys
so as to complete the electric circuit when the second switch is in the position
which allows the current to pass. Catches or detents or other suitable devices
are added to the levers or keys which, on the latter being depressed, engage
with the metal or other plate and prevent the contact from being broken until
the single switch is moved and the circuit thereat broken, thus limiting sparking
to the single switch.
The application of this apparatus is as follows. Commencing with the letter A
its shape is traced through the necessary lamps arranged on the frame and from
cach lamp making up the required shape an insulated wire is led to the A terminal-
on the aforesaid key-board or compound switch, the lamps being otherwise con-
nected with the main circuit in the usual manner. In like manner the letter B
is traced through the suitable lamps, and wires led to the B terminal-this process
being continued throughout the alphabet and for any symbols that may be
arranged. On the two switches being operated the current passes only through
the lamps making up the desired letter which is then plainly visible.
I sometimes arrange the wires so that they are led to terminals placed on the
frame carrying the lamps, and in this case it is only necessary to connect each
If a transmitter
corresponding terminal on the frame and key-board by one wire.
similar to a Wheatstone's A B C instrument be used. only one wire with the
necessary "carth" or return circuit is necessary. In this case prefer that the
receiving instrument should actuate a "relay" with a "delay action" so arranged
that the lighting circuit single switch attached to the "main" as previously
described should be operated after the lamp circuit is closed at the key-board.
The closing of the lamp circuit is caused by a second relay in the transmitting

page_text: circuit bringing pressure to bear on the desired. key and so depressing it when,
by the movement of the metal locking plate attached to the lighting circuit
single switch, it will be held in position until the metal plate is again moved.
The delay action" relay actuating the "main" single switch I prefer to make in
the following manner. It consists of a small electro-motor carrying on its armature
spindle an insulated quadrant or other shaped piece of metal which by the partial
rotation of the armature is caused to bridge together two contact studs and so
complete the main lighting circuit. The rotation of the armature is opposed in
a measure by a spiral or other spring which may be attached to the quadrant.
The tension of this spring is regulated so that, while not preventing rotation,
when the transmitting circuit is broken the quadrant is drawn back, the lighting
circuit thus broken and the locking plate attached to the. quadrant is moved,
allowing the depressed key to spring back from contact. To prevent fracture
of the lamps' filaments owing to the variation in number in the several groups
of lamps I make the resistance of the groups equal by the introduction of suitable
resistance coils or other devices. I sometimes suspend the lamps from wires
stretched across the frame, or the lamps may be fixed on a panel in such a
manner that they may only be visible from the direction in which it is desired
to signal. To further obscure the signals from any other direction except the
direct front place the lamps in a flat box the cover of which consists of two
doors hinged at the sides and forming flaps which may be laid right back or, by
suitable struts or catches, be opened at right angles to the bottom or back of
the box.
It is obvious that this invention is applicable on land and at sea. In long
distance signalling the frame and lamps may be substituted for the "single
needle," or "sounder," or other telegraphic receiving instrument. It is also useful
for advertising purposes.
In applying the invention to the last named purpose and in cases where frequent
repetition of a message or symbols is required I sometimes arrange a device
whereby the keys of the compound switch may be depressed mechanically by pro-
jections or pins on a revolving barrel similar to those used in musical-boxes and
hand-pianos. This barrel may be driven by clockwork or by an electro-motor.
The pins or projections are made to actuate levers which in turn press the keys.
These levers or the switch-keys may be electrically connected with any number
of signalling frames which can be operated simultaneously from a single station.
Dated this 11th day of September 1891.
C. E. KELWAY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Electric Lamps for Signalling and
Advertising Purposes.
1, CORNELIUS EDWARD KELWAY of 71 Shardeloes Road, New Cross, London,
Electrical 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 :-
My present invention relates to improvements in signalling (also applicable to
advertising and other display purposes) and my said invention consists in arranging
and mounting a group of incandescent. electric lamps in a suitable frame or holder
and connecting the conducting wires from these lamps to a keyboard in such a
manner that on operating any key on such keyboard the shape or configuration of
the letter or sign marked on such selected key will be reproduced by the circuits
being thereby completed through certain of the said electric lamps which are thus
lit up so as to thereby form such letter or sign while the lamps not required for the
moment to form the letter displayed will remain switched "off"-thus any letter or
sign is rendered distinctly visible (especially by night) and in rapid succession the

page_text: different letters of the alphabet (or other signs such as numerals etcetera) can thus
be shown.
Thus by my invention the use of a code is rendered unnecessary and a great
saving of time in signalling is effected and furthermore the probability of mistakes
in reading signals is obviated or reduced.
My said invention consists firstly in arranging in a frame of suitable size and
shape a number of electric incandescent lamps (advantageously about 45 lamps)
suitably arranged and mounted at any desired distance apart. advantageously in
the same plane and either in parallel lines or not.
Each of these lamps is connected to suitably arranged insulated wires forming
part of a circuit or circuits connected with an electric current-producing apparatus
such as a dynamo or primary battery or with a secondary battery.
In the circuit is placed a keyboard or compound switch having terininals
thereon leading to each lamp respectively by which to switch "on
"certain lamps
out of the whole-to form the shape of the selected letter of the alphabet or
any numerals signs or symbols it may be desired to signal.
I find it very
advantageous to make this keyboard or switch in the form of the well known
type-writing keyboard having the letters of the alphabet etcetera signified on the
finger plates thereof after the manner of a type-writing machine. The levers
or keys may be insulated in any suitable manner and are otherwise so arranged in
any manner familiar to electrical engineers or electric telegraph experts that
pressure on them or otherwise operating them will cause an electric circuit
(or electric circuits) to be completed and the selected lamps illuminated and the
desired letter etcetera displayed.
To avoid sparking at each point of contact I may arrange a second and single
switch in the main circuit which attached to the first named switch can be easily
operated by the signaller. To this second switch is affixed a plate of metal or
other suitable material having slots or projections which effectually prevent the
movement of the levers or keys so as to complete the electric circuit when the
second switch is in position which allows the current to pass. Catches or detents
or other suitable devices are added to the levers or keys which on the latter being
operated engage with the metal or other plate and prevent the contact from being
broken until the single switch is moved and the circuit thereat broken thus limiting
sparking to the single switch.
Commencing with the letter A its shape is traced through the necessary lamps
arranged on the said frame and from each such lamp (making up the required
shape as shown in black in the diagram hereunto annexed) an insulated wire is led
to terminals on the aforesaid keyboard or compound switch the lamps being other-
wise connected with the main circuit in the usual manner-so that the operating of
the type bar marked A will complete the circuit of each such lamp.
In the like manner the letter B is traced through the suitable lamps (mounted
in said frame which go to form its shape and some of which lamps also go to
form the said letter A as above) and wires led to their terminals-this process
being continued throughout the alphabet and for any signs numerals or other
symbols that may be desired.
On the type bars being operated respectively the current passes only through
the lamps thereby respectively switched on and thus making up the desired
letter etcetera which is then rendered plainly visible until the type bar is released-
and the next letter etcetera is shown by operating another type bar and so on.
may arrange the wires so that they are led to terminals placed on the frame
carrying the lamps and in this case it is only necessary to connect each corre
sponding terminal on the frame and keyboard by one wire.
If a transmitter similar to Wheatstone's A B C instrument be used only one wire
with the necessary "earth" or return circuit is necessary. In this latter case the
receiving instrument should advantageously actuate a "relay" with a "delay
action" so arranged that the lighting circuit single switch attached to the "main
as previously described should be operated after the lamp circuit is closed at the

page_text: keyboard. The closing of the lamp circuit is caused by a second "relay" in the
transmitting circuit bringing pressure to bear on the desired key and so depressing
it when by the movement of the metal working plate attached to the lighting
circuit single switch it will be held in position until the metal plate is again
moved.
The delay action" relay actuating the "main" circuit single switch may
advantageously be made in the following manner :-It consists of a small electro
motor carrying on its armature spindle an insulated quadrant or other shaped
piece of metal which by the partial rotation of the armature is caused to bridge
together two contact studs and so complete the main lighting circuit. The
rotation of the armature is opposed in a measure by a spiral or other spring
which may be attached to the quadrant. The tension of this spring is regulated
so that while not preventing rotation when the transmitting circuit is broken the
quadrant is drawn back the lighting circuit thus broken and the locking plate
attached to the quadrant is moved allowing the depressed key to spring back from
contact.
Provision may be made to prevent fracture of the lamps filaments owing to the
variation in number of lamps which go to form the various letters etcetera and for
this purpose the resistance of the groups can be made equal by the introduction of
suitable resistance coils or other devices but I would here remark that in practice
I have found that no serious harm or injurious effect is caused by such variations.
I sometimes suspend the lamps from wires stretched across the said frame or the
lamps may be fixed on a panel in such a manner that they may only be visible
from the direction in which it is desired to sigual-and reflectors may be added
behind the lamps if desired. To further obscure the signals from any other
direction except the direct front the lamps may be placed in a flat box the cover of
which consists of two doors hinged at the sides and forming flaps which may be laid
right back or by suitable struts or catches be opened at right angles to the bottom
or back of the box.
It is obvious that this invention is applicable on land and at sea.
::
In long distance signalling the frame and lamps may be substituted for the single
"needle or sounder or other telegraphic receiving instrument. It is also
useful for advertising purposes or other displays.
In applying the invention to the purpose of advertisements and in cases where a
frequent repetition of a message or symbols or advertisements is required I some-
times arrange a device whereby the keys of the keyboard may be operated
mechanically by projections or pins on a revolving barrel similar to those used
in musical boxes or hand pianos. This barrel may be driven by any suitable
power such as clockwork or by an electro-motor. The pins or projections are
made to actuate levers which in turn press the keys.
The keys on the keyboard may be electrically connected with any number of
signalling frames at different localities which can be operated simultaneously from
a single station.
I would here remark that the various details of construction of the various parts
will be easily, understood by any competent electrician without the necessity of
illustrating same.
A suitable keyboard for obtaining the objects of my invention is as follows
(but do not confine myself to same or to any of the other precise details of
description) :-
:-
Each key consists of an independent type bar which at one end is pivotted to a
plate forming one general terminal (that is connected to the "negative" current)
leading to all the lamps and the other or free end of each such type bar is kept
pressed (by any suitable spring) away from contact bars leading to the other
individual (or positive") terminals or wires which respectively lead to each lamp
or instead of being pivotted each type bar may be made to slide or be otherwise
mounted so as to be normally kept out of contact with the "positive" terminals
.e. the contact bars leading to the lamp terminals.
С6

page_text: Each type bar carries a number of selecting springs or contact pieces which are
so arranged thereon as to make contact (when the type bar is acted on) with the
necessary "positive" contact bars which lie in close proximity thereto and thus
complete the respective circuits and illuminate the selected lamps to form the
shape of the letter or other sign required.
A sign plate or finger striking plate is suitably mounted on each such "type-
bar" and advantageously insulated therefrom.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. A frame or holder carrying a group of about 45 or more or less incandescent
electric lamps arranged and mounted thereon with their conductor wires connected
to a suitable keyboard in such a manner that any number or combination of said
lamps may be selected and lit up by operating one key in such keyboard to thus
form a letter of the alphabet or other sign substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
2. Electrically connecting each key of a keyboard or electric contact making
device to a distinctive combination or selection out of a group of incandescent
electric lamps arranged in a frame so that thereby the lamps selected are lit
up to form the desired letter or sign substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before set forth.
3. In apparatus for electrically signalling letters of the alphabet or other
symbols claim a keyboard-for selecting and switching "on" the desired
incandescent electric lamps to form the shape of the desired letter-consisting
of a series of type bars which at one part are in connection with the negative
terminal leading to all the lamps and the other part of said type bars carrying
contact springs or contact pieces to make contact with contact bars leading to
the other and individual terminals of the respective lamps in combination with
a sign plate mounted on each said type bar substantially in the manner and for
the purposes herein before set forth.
D
1
T..1.. 1900
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.