Improvements in Advertising and like Facia.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Advertising and like Facia.
_I, GEORGE COTTON, of Bank View, Holmes Chapel, in the County of Chester,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:
My invention relates to a novel construction of facia for advertising signs,
name plates and the like, whether for use by day or night, illuminated or other-
wise, and the object of my invention is chiefly to produce the letters or other
characters of the facia in a manner which attracts attention without being
hurtful or tiring to the eyes.
"
In carrying out my invention, and as applied, for example, to a shop window
sign for displaying a tradesman's name, by day or night, I employ a suitable
frame, casement or holder, the front of which I glaze with, by preference, what is
known as Murenese" glass. i.e., glass having a figured or frosted appearance.
At all points upon the back of such glass excepting where the letter or
figures have to appear, I coat or cover with enamel or other suitable paint, in
suitable colors, thereby rendering such parts of the glass opaque or non-trans-
parent, and leaving the other parts, corresponding to the outlines of the letters
or figures, transparent or capable of transmitting light.
In the lettering thus formed, and upon the front or rear face of the glass,
I affix small prismatic or polygonal "star" like mounts,-in pure white, colored
or multi-colored glass or other transparent material.
"
Within the sign casing I arrange a set of mirrors or reflectors, suitably dis-
posed to concentrate the light upon the said " star devices, or to diffuse the
light in the casing, which at night time may be any ordinary illuminant, gas,
oil or electricity, and which in shewing through the said "Murenese" glass and the
"star" like devices, gives a most striking optical effect, and at the same time
an effect that does not strain or tire the eyes.
Within the casing I may also fix devices for intermittently obscuring, or
changing the light.
Although preferring "Murenese" glass I may use other kinds of glass, or
transparent material, and adapt my invention to various contrivances for dis-
playing advertising or like matter."
A further feature of my invention consists in combining a series of signs made as
aforesaid with means for obscuring one or other of the signs intermittently, also
an arrangement for making the signs inter-changeable so as to provide for varying
the advertisement.
Dated this 18th day of December 1808

page_text: I, GEORGE COTTON of Bank View, Holmes Chapel, 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 invention relates to a novel construction of facia for advertising signs,
name plates and the like, whether for use by day or night, illuminated or other-
wise, and the object of my invention is chiefly to produce the letters or other
characters of the facia in a manner which attracts attention without being
hurtful or tiring to the eyes.
In carrying out my invention and as applied for example to a shop window
sign for displaying a tradesman's name by day or night, I employ a suitable
frame, casement or holder, the front of which I glaze with glass.
At all points upon the back of such glass excepting where the letter or
figures have to appear I coat or cover with enamel or other suitable paint in
suitable colors thereby rendering such parts of the glass opaque or non-trans-
parent, and leaving the other parts corresponding to the outlines of the letters
or figures transparent or capable of transmitting light.
In the lettering thus formed and upon the front or rear of the glass I affix small,
prismatic or star-like mounts in pure white, colored or multi-colored glass or other
transparent material.
Within the sign casing I arrange a set of mirrors or reflectors, suitably dis-
posed to concentrate the light upon the said "star" devices, or to diffuse the
light in the casing, which at night time may be any ordinary illuminant, gas,
oil or electricity, and which in shewing through the said glass and the
star" like devices, gives a most striking optical effect, and at the same time
an effect that does not strain or tire the eyes.
"
Within the casing I may also fix devices for intermittently obscuring or
changing the light.
A further feature of my invention consists in combining a series of signs made as
aforesaid with means for obscuring one or other of the signs intermittently, also
an arrangement for making the signs inter-changeable so as to provide for varying
the advertisement.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and
carried into practical effect I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings upon
which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a part exterior and part sectional view of a sign casement and
sign constructed in accordance with my invention.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line a- and Fig. 3 is an exterior plan.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate details to a large scale.
(A) designates the sign casement or frame constructed of wood or metal secured
or mounted in position above a shop window or other like situation by any
suitable means.
In the front portion of the casement I arrange, by preference, colored or
figured glass (B). Upon the back of such glass I apply a coat of paint or varnish
in such a manner as to leave certain parts unpainted and corresponding to (and
thereby producing) the intended letter, figure or other matter to be advertised,
whilst rendering all other and painted parts of the glass opaque.
Immediately behind such glass, and either cemented or otherwise fastened to
the glass, or, by preference, carried by a metal plate (C) I mount a series of

page_text: prismatic or polygonal glass mounts (D), which are so arranged relatively to
each other, and the glass, as to come opposite and immediately behind the letters
or transparent parts of the glass (B). Within the casement I also arrange a
series of lamps (E) supplied with gas, oil or electricity, from one, or more sources,
and upon the inner faces of the casement I apply mirrors or reflectors (F), or
other light reflecting media.
A sign casement thus constructed constitutes a unique advertising device;
the light shewing through the prismatic mounts (D), and the glass (B), producing
a peculiar twinkling or star-light effect, which, whilst attracting attention, does
not distress the eyes of the persons looking at it.
For ventilating purposes the casement has a few small holes at (G), and
for facilitating access to the interior of the casement the rear side or end is
formed with openings covered or uncovered as required by sliding doors (H),
(see Fig. 3).
Whilst in some signs the advertising matter will be always the same, in others
it may be necessary to change it periodically, or to facilitate the manufacture of
the signs it may be desirable to make the advertising matter interchangeable,--
so for such purposes I make the glass (B) in sections, one for each letter, etc.,
and provide the frame with cross-pieces (A) to hide the join, so that by the
judicious transposing of the sections any spelling may appear, and the letters be
adapted for any sign, the sections being, by preference, lowered and slid into
position, one by one, through opening (I) in the top of the casing, which is
afterwards covered by a lid (J).
The plate (C) is, by preference, in one continuous length, pierced with holes,
in which the prismatic mounts (D) are fixed, and the said holes are either
arranged in keeping with the lettering etc., on the glass, or are formed all
over the plate (C) so as to remain a permanent fixture and suit whatever lettering
is placed before it.
To produce glow-and-fade effects I apply a bye-pass to the tap which controls the
supply of light, and connect the plug of such tap to a clock or motor, which,
when wound up, is capable of operating the tap and causing the light to be
periodically turned up and down.
With a sign which comprises two or more advertisements (or parts) I may
employ separate taps for each advertisement arranged to turn the lights up
and down at different intervals.
To assist in the more effective distribution of light upon the mounts (D) I
may apply a series of reflectors (K) pivoted at each end, and by a cord or
connection between each arranged to occupy varying angles in relation to the
lamps (1) for throwing the light down, forward, or up; or by sudden movements
producing flash-like effects.
To prevent the mounts (D), or inner face of the glass (B) getting dimmed by
dust or dirt, 1 pack the same with asbestos.Whilst chiefly for night use the
improved sign presents with, or without artificial light a pleasing and effective
appearance in the daytime.
Having thus 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 sign casement, a glass front in one two or more sections painted to
produce letters or other matter to be displayed, prismatic or polygonal mounts
upon the rear of such glass, lamps and reflectors within the casement, and
openings and doors in the top and sides of the casement, substantially as and for
the purposes herein set forth.
2: A sign casement of the kind described, a plate in one or more sections
behind the glass front, with perforations or preparations adapted to hold pris-
matic or polygonal mounts, substantially as set forth.
3: A sign casement of the kind described, lamps within such casement, a tap

page_text: or taps with bye-pass for controlling the lights, and a clock or like motor adapted
to operate the tap or taps, substantially as herein set forth.
4: A sign casement of the construction described with openings and doors,
or lids, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5: In sign facia, a sheet of glass painted to produce lettering or advertising
matter, in combination with prismatic or polygonal mounts, substantially as
and for the purposes herein set forth.
Dated this 14th day of September 1899.
GEORGE COTTON.
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Patent Agents to the Applicant, Manchester.