A New or Improved Apparatus to Form its Surface or Front into Letters, Numerals, Designs, and the like by the Manipulation of Keys, applicable for Visual Signalling, Advertising, and for other purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 13th May, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Apparatus to Form its Surface or Front into
Letters, Numerals, Designs, and the like by the Manipulation of
Keys, applicable for Visual Signalling, Advertising, and for other
purposes.
I, RICHARD JOSEPH CROWLEY 17 George Street Euston Road, London, N.W.
and Queenstown County of Cork, Ireland, Telegraph Operator do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
1. This invention has for its object the transformation of the surface or front
part of a suitably constructed instrument so that the said surface or front part will
form from itself any letter, number, word, sentence, design or the like by one or
more of a series of keys or levers, which form part of the invention, being actuated
by the operator and which are suitably connected to the surface or front part of
the apparatus each one of the keys being lettered or marked according to its
relation to the surface or front of the instrument.
2. Of the said surface or front of the instrument being divided into a suitable
number of parts, cach part to be of a suitable size and shape, and to be pivoted
and supported in a framework of horizontal, vertical or otherwise placed. rods or
bearings and each one of the said parts so pivoted to be connected to one of the
keys or levers by cord, wire, a rod, chain or other suitable device so that the
actuating of a key will cause the parts connected to it to revolve or turn on their
respective pivots thereby moving them from their normal position and consequently
effecting the desired change on the surface or front of the instrument.
Upon the
key being released the parts return to their normal position by means of springs or
other suitable mechanism.
3. Of a series of keys or levers which may represent the letters of the alphabet,
each key having a suitable connection with a number of the pivoted parts
composing the surface or front of the instrument so that the depression or other
action of the key and the consequent motion of the parts connected to it will cause
a desired letter, number or symbol to form from these parts.
4. As each key has a different connection to the surface or front of the
instrument each key causes a different letter or symbol to form, therefore, parts
that help to form, or form, one letter or symbol with one key may be utilized by
the action of another key to form an entirely different letter, number or design.
5. In applying this system to signalling purposes or as a medium for attracting
attention, giving information or advertising the parts may be coloured to suit the
requirements of the case and so that the different letters, numbers or designs
appearing may obtain the benefit of the colouring while it will be invisible, or
nearly so, in those parts keeping their normal position.
6. The size, shape and construction of the instrument can be considerably
modified to suit the many uses to which it can be applied as, for instance, in a type
writing or printing machine on this principle or to use it for puncturing designs in
paper or other material, stamping etc. its construction would have to be materially
altered from that which would meet the requirements of a signalling apparatus
though the principle of all would still be identical.
Dated thin 12th dex of Nay 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Apparatus to Form its Surface or Front into
Letters, Numerals, Designs, and the like by the Manipulation of
Keys, applicable for Visual Signalling, Advertising, and for other
purposes.
I, RICHARD JOSEPH CROWLEY of Queenstown, Ireland, Telegraphic Operator
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 :-
The invention relates to a new or improved apparatus the surface of which is
adapted to be formed into letters, numerals, designs or the like by the manipulation
of keys suitable for visual signalling, advertising and other purposes and has for
its object the formation of the surface or front of the instrument in such manner
that it is capable of being transformed to represent different letters, numerals,
symbols or the like at the will of the operator.
The entire surface or front of the instrument is broken up or divided into a
number of parts each of which is supported or arranged in such manner as to be
capable of being caused to appear in or moved out of the line of sight and a number
of these parts selected so as to form a letter figure or sign are actuated by a key
lever so that the movement of a key lever will bring about the desired change in
the surface or front of the instrument and cause the appearance of the corresponding
⚫letter or sign.
A number of such key levers are employed one to represent each letter or sign
and the parts or divisions forming the acting surface of the instrument are so
connected with or actuated by key levers that whilst each key causes a different
letter or symbol to form or appear, parts that help to form or form one letter or
symbol with one key may be utilized by the action of any other key to form or form
part of an entirely different letter or symbol.
Each key lever is marked with a letter or sign corresponding with a letter or
sign to which it relates, so that the instrument may be operated in a somewhat
similar manner to a type writing machine and thus the signals may be transmitted
with great facility.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more fully to
describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a sectional front elevation of an apparatus constructed according to
my invention and intended for visual signalling.
Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section thereof taken on the line 1-1 of
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a rear elevation thereof.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a rear clevation of one of the operating keys and connected parts
separately.
Figure 6 is a plan thereof.
Figure 7 is a view taken at right angles to Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a front elevation to a reduced scale illustrating more clearly the
distinctive appearance of a symbol signalled by this apparatus and
Figure 9 is a similar view representing a slight modification.
In the several figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
a represents the frame of the apparatus which may be formed of wood or metal
or combinations thereof as may be found most suitable for the purpose to which the
apparatus is to be applied, a¹ represents a number of vertical bars or partitions
which at their ends are fixed to the frame a and a represents a number of horizontal

page_text: rods or bars which pass through the vertical bars a¹ and at their ends are fixed in
the frame a thus dividing the entire area of the front of the apparatus into a
number of squares of equal size, whilst the frame a, bars a' a², tubes b' and other
parts are blacked or rendered absorbent of light so that at a distance the entire
area of the front of the frame will have the appearance of a blackboard.
Within each of these squares is located a disc formed of metal or other
suitable material the outer surface of which is painted white or otherwise caused to
reflect light, and these discs normally occupy a horizontal or recumbent position
with their edges presented to the line of sight so as to be invisible at a distance
whilst they are adapted to be raised into a vertical position in the desired order to
form any selected letter or symbol by the means hereinafter described when they.
will appear with great distinctness against the black background.
Each disc is at or near its lower edge hinged to one of the horizontal rods or
bars 2 by means of a length of tube or pipe 6 fixed at the back of the disc b and
mounted upon the horizontal rod a between the vertical bars or partitions a¹ which
act as distance pieces to the tubes or pipes 6 and thus hold the discs in correct
position or the discs might be otherwise mounted with capability of exposing
either their edges or faces to the line of sight.
At the back of each disc is pinjointed at 6* one end of a link or connecting
rod which at its other end is pinjointed at 6** to a vertical bar 64 mounted with
capability of a limited vertical movement in guides a formed in the frame a so that
by imparting an upward movement to a vertical bar the corresponding disc b
will be raised into a vertical position.
The vertical bars extend across the apparatus in the same vertical plane and
they are divided into groups of seven corresponding with each vertical row of discs.
At the back of each vertical bar are fixed at different elevations four pins or
studs and these pins or studs 6*** collectively constitute four horizontal tiers
so that there are four pins or studs 6*** arranged in the same vertical plane to
correspond with each disc b.
Beneath each tier of pins or studs ** are located nine horizontal selecting bars
or comb bars e which are arranged in different vertical planes and extend across
the apparatus and at their ends are guided by fixed guides c* so as to be capable
of a limited vertical movement whilst they are each formed with downward
projections to which are pinjointed the inner ends of a key lever c¹ in the form
of a yoke which is mounted upon a rod or axis of motion c* extending across the
apparatus and at its ends supported by the frame a and at various other points by
vertical bars a³.
The key levers c¹ of each tier are so proportioned and shaped as to lie one within
the other in the same horizontal plane, and each key lever e' represents a letter or
symbol, and is provided upon its outer end with a button or key e** mounted upon
a stud or post ***
1*** and which is marked or engraved with the character or symbol
to which it relates.
Each selecting bar or comb bare is as shown more particularly at Figures 5, 6,
and 7 formed with a number of selecting teeth or projections e of varying width
which in the upward movement of the selecting bar e act upon certain of the pins
or studs ** in that tier the selecting teeth c** being so arranged and of such width
as to select the pins or studs 4** of those bars 1 which correspond with the discs b
required to be raised in order to represent the desired letter or symbol and which
in this instance is the letter "A."
#3
A loose weight of lead **** traverses the tops of the vertical bars and assists
to restore those which have been raised to their normal position which is determined
by a horizontal stop bar e* arranged beneath each tier of key levers except the
bottom one where the case or frame a serves that end whilst a fixed guide
comb ***** receives one tier of selecting pins or studs *** and assists to separate
and guide the vertical bars in their movements.
In the example given the apparatus is arranged to signal the twenty six letters
of the alphabet, ten numerals and a stop, the first tier of keys representing the

page_text: letters A to I (the letter I also serves for the numeral 1) the second tier J to R,
the third tier S to Z and a stop, and the fourth tier the numerals 0 to 9 with the
exception of 1 which is in the first tier as above explained.
It will thus be seen that by depressing one of the key levers by its button or
key as represented more particularly at Figure 2 where the key corresponding
with the letter Ais depressed any desired signal may be telegraphed whilst by
employing additional tiers of selecting pins or studs *** and co-acting parts, the
instrument may be adapted to convey other signals than those hereinbefore described.
By employing a number of selecting pins or studs 6*** upon each vertical bar b*
one to correspond with each tier of keys ** any disc may be caused to form part
of any letter or sign to the shape of which its position renders it applicable and
as an illustration of this principle a reference to Figure 1 will show that the two
central discs employed to form the letter "A may also be utilized to form the
letter or Figure 1.
22
Although I have shown and described the discs as mounted by their lower
edges upon horizontal axes I would have it understood that such horizontal axes
might be arranged centrally thereof or the discs & might be mounted upon vertical
axes located at one side or centrally thereof and instead of the discs normally
presenting their edges to the line of sight and being brought into position to face
in that direction according to the selection thereof in order to convey the desired
signal they may normally face the line of sight thus covering the entire face of the
instrument and those selected may be removed by similar means to those herein-
before described so as to leave spaces which would at a distance give a sharply
defined black representation of the letter or sign being signalled.
For some purposes, such for example as advertising I may colour or mark the
faces of the discs in any desired manner.
When employing the instrument for night signalling I cover the front of the
instrument with a cloth or other screen, and I electrically or otherwise illuminate
the whole of the front of the instrument from within, so that the discs may be
shadowed thereon to form the letters or signs or I normally cover the screen or the
front with a number of small shutters in place of the discs bcach shutter completely
covering its square or division, and by connecting the links to the shutters or
dises below their axes a² 1 cause the keys clevers and other interposed
means hereinbefore described to open the shutters in the order necessary to leave
an uncovered illuminated space in the form of the desired letter or sign.
Or each square which I have hereinbefore described as occupied by a disc may
be fitted with an incandescent electric lamp and the letters or signs formed by
electrically illuminating such of the squares as are required to form the same, the
same arrangement of the key levers selecting bars or comb bars c and the vertical
bars being preferably adopted; the latter being employed with slight modifi-
cations which will be readily understood by a competent electrician to make and
break the electric circuit with each lamp.
I have hereinbefore shown and described the best means that I am at present
acquainted with, for carrying my invention into effect, but I would have it
understood that I do not confine myself thereto as it will be evident that the same
may be varied without departing from the peculiar character of my invention.
In the sixth and final paragraph of my Provisional Specification I described the
application of the principles of my invention to type writing, printing, puncturing
paper and other purposes, but since filing my said Provisional Specification I have
discovered that such applications do not possess such an amount of utility as to
render it desirable to make any claim thereto, and I have therefore omitted any
further description of such arrangements and I do hereby disclaim the same.
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. An apparatus for visual signalling or the like formed with the front thereof

page_text: broken up or divided into a number of parts adapted to be moved or otherwise
brought into or taken out of the line of sight in any desired order so as to form and
display a letter or sign substantially as herein shown and described.
2. In an apparatus for visual signalling or the like the combination of a number
of parts or divisions capable of illumination or not constituting the front of the
instrument and adapted to be moved or otherwise brought into or taken out of the
line of sight in any desired order so as to form and display a letter or sign and a
number of keys each representing a letter or sign and means interposed between
the keys and the parts or divisions for selecting and actuating or causing to appear
or disappear those parts required to form the desired letter or sign substantially as
herein shown and described.
3. In an apparatus for visual signalling a number of keys representing the letters
of the alphabet or the like for moving or illuminating or otherwise causing to
appear or disappear a number of parts or discs or divisions located at the front of
the instrument and required to form the desired letter or sign substantially as
herein shown and described.
Dated this 13th day of February 1892
LESLIE ANTILL,
1, Gresham Buildings, Basinghall Street, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.