Improvements in Advertising or Signalling.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Advertising or Signalling.
I, CHARLES RALEIGH, of West-by-Thames, Kingston, in the County of Surrey,
Milling Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to advertising or signalling with the aid of letters or other
signs delineated by means of electric or other lamps, or by means of discs suitably
shaped and coloured, or by illuminating a suitable background with portions form-
ing the letter or signs.
Hitherto it has been the practice to employ a series of lamps set up in the form of
the required letters or signs. The present invention is designed with the object
of producing the maximum number of letters or signs with a minimum number
of illuminating or equivalent devices, an appreciable saving of space being effected.
In carrying out my invention with the aid of incandescing electric lamps, a
number of such lamps are so grouped or arranged that each lamp is utilized in
representing a large range of letters or signs; that is to say, given a group of
lamps suitably arranged, any desired letters or signs may be produced by utili-
zing those lamps which occupy positions most favourable to the formation of the
particular configuration of letter or sign for the time being required.
**
.
As an example, it may be supposed that it is desired to delineate the letters
pertaining to the word HILL." The number of lamps required would be twelve
and they would be arranged in two vertical rows of five each, separated by two
other lamps, each disposed equidistantly between the two centre lamps and the two
lowermost lamps of the vertical rows. Thus, in producing the letter "H", all the
lamps except the lower intermediate one would be utilized; in producing the
letter "I" one of the vertical rows, and in producing the letters "L" the first
vertical row of lamps, the lower intermediate lamp and the lowermost lamp of the
second vertical row would be utilized. By these means, the whole word is repro-
duced within the space of one letter.
Similarly, the whole alphabet with the numerals and the £, s, d signs may be
produced with the assistance of a group of sixty-nine lamps. By employing a
number of such groups, words or other combinations may be produced.
According to the old method, in the production of the word "HILL," thirty lamps
would be required to effect the same amount of illumination, and in the production
of the alphabet, etc., instead of sixty-nine, seven hundred would be required. The
number of lamps employed may however be varied.
For working the several groups which form a given letter or sign, multiple
switches may be employed, and the illumination of the lamps pertaining to each
group may be effected simultaneously, consecutively or otherwise. The working
may be accomplished by means of a commutator composed of insulated bars equi-
valent in number to that of the lamps, each bar being in electrical communication
with one lamp of the group. At right-angles to the commutator-bars are switch-
levers having contacts for making connection with the bars; each lever operating

page_text: the lamps pertaining to a particular letter or sign. Or a revolving contact-maker
may be employed for making connection with the commutator-bars.
The apparatus may be employed for signalling or receiving messages from a
distance by combining therewith an instrument such as the alphabetical tele-
graph; the receiver whereof, instead of indicating a mere letter, actuates a relay
or solenoid which in turn operates a switch-lever and illuminates the lamps per-
taining to a particular letter.
If desired the illumination of the lamps may be effected by the employment of
means other than electric.
When advertising or signalling in day-time, discs or other suitable indicators
may take the place of the lamps; the letters being produced by means of coloured
spots or discs of any desired shape upon a suitable ground.
Instead of letters or numerals, pictorial representations, shorthand or other signs
or devices may be reproduced, the lamps or other reproducing means employed
being suitably coloured, and arranged or grouped accordingly.
The lamps, instead of being naked, may be enclosed in translucent casings of
hexagonal or other shape adapted to form letters, numerals or signs having con-
tinuous or approximately continuous lines. When discs or indicators are employed
they may be specially shaped with the same object.
1
004
1
T 1
1007
Improvements in Advertising or Signalling.
I, CHARLES RALEIGH, of West-by-Thames, Kingston, in the County of Surrey,
Milling 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 invention relates to advertising or signalling with the aid of letters or
other signs delineated by means of electric or other lamps, or by means of discs
suitably shaped and colored, or by illuminating a suitable background with por-
tions forming the letters or signs, the lamps or other delineating media being
arranged on a monogrammic principle.
The present invention comprises improved means for producing the maximum
number of letters and signs with a minimum number of illuminating or equivalent
devices, and in the space occupied by a single letter, and means for controlling
such arranged devices.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagram illustrating the method of
arranging the lamps or indicators in constructing a monogrammic advertising or
sigualling device according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing
the positions occupied by the various lamps. Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the
monogrammic advertising or signalling board, the construction lines being
omitted. Fig. 4 is a view of a revolving switch showing the contacts for the
several letters of the alphabet and the mode of connecting them up. Figs 4^
and 4" are views in elevation and transverse section respectively of a switch-board
operated by an alphabetical telegraph instrument. Fig. 5 is a face view and Fig. 6
a side view of the switch-board and means for "switching on" a particular letter.
Fig. 7 is a face view of an alternative construction of "switching on
gear. Fig. 8

page_text: is a diagrammatic view of a switch-board and means for operating same. Fig. 9
is also a diagrammatic view of a means for "switching on a particular letter by
means of levers provided with contacts for making electrical connection with a
series of commutator-bars.
My improvements consist, first, in an improved method of arranging the lamps
or indicators to form a monogrammic design or combination, whereby the whole
alphabet may be represented within the space occupied by a single letter; secondly,
in means for switching on," or coupling up, the lamps or indicators; and, thirdly,
in means for controlling and operating such switch mechanism, electrically or
otherwise, whether the same be located near or remote from the operator.
The letters on the monogrammic lamp-board are approximately uniform in width
and height, being constructed upon a common centre-line whereby equal spacing of
the letters is secured when producing words. The letters, moreover, instead of
being of grotesque or unnatural formation retain their well known configuration--
rounded curves and straight lines-the lamps constituting the same being equally
and artistically spaced. No useless lamps in any letter are illuminated, and with
the aid of the improved designs constructed according to my methods, the maximum
amount of definition is obtained with a minimum number of lamps.
According to my method, the arrangement of the lamps or indicators may be
arrived at by constructing a parallelogrammic figure, as shown in Fig. 1, and
dividing the same by two centre-lines, a-a and b, at right-angles to each
other. The figure is then bisected by two diagonal lines, c-c and d, while
the parallelograms on either side of the centre-line a-a¹ are each similarly divided
by two diagonal lines. The longer sides of the parallelogram are each divided by
say six points, or lamps, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51 (Fig. 2).
The centre-line a a' is divided by seven points, or lamps, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
and 28. The points of intersection of the several lines are indicated by the
lamps 17, 10, 19, 32, 40 and 31; the four diagonal lines a-d, a-c¹, a¹-
and are each divided by a number of equally spaced lamps, viz:-
7, 9, 20,
33, 38, 37 and 12, 11, 16, 30, 42, 44, in conjunction with the lamps at the points of
intersection. The lines c-c and d-d when divided mark, in addition to the lamps
at the points of intersection, the lamps 13, 36, 8, 43; the horizontal lines c-d
and being divided by the equally spaced lamps 15, 29, 21 and 34., The
design is completed by the lamps 14, 18, 45, 41, 39 and 35 not situated on any of
the constructional lines, but so disposed as to give the proper contour to the letter
to which they pertain.
It will be apparent that this arrangement of lamps is produced by eliminating the
letters or portions of letters which are common to each other, and superposing
the remaining letters or portions of letters upon the common centre-line a-a
the remaining constructional lines serving as a guide in arranging the letters in
a correct and true form. Thus, by eliminating the letters T, L, M, N, E, F, Y,
J, U, Z, C, G, W, Q, D, P, R, and K, and superposing the remaining letters
O, H, V, A, X, I, S and B upon a parallelogrammic figure such as shown in Fig. 1,
the minimum number of lamps capable of being employed-in representing the
letters comprising the alphabet, spaced at a definite distance will be arrived at.
The number of lamps comprised in the arrangement shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is
fifty-one, with the aid of which the entire alphabet may be rendered distinctly and
legibly, the letters being of the same size and occupying from four to five feet in
height. I do not however restrict myself to the employment of this particular
number of lamps.
In a similar manner, numerals, the signs pounds, shillings and pence (£-s-1)
may be included in the illuminating design, but these have been omitted from the
example illustrated, as the drawing would otherwise be rendered too complex.
In Fig. 3, as an example of the form of letter, those lamps which would be
illuminated in representing the letter "N" are indicated by the darkened circles.
By employing a number of such groups, words or other combinations may be
produced.
•

page_text: The lamps may be electrically connected in series if occasion require, resist-
ances being inserted to equalize the varying number of lamps.
For working the several groups which form a given letter or sign, multiple
switches may be employed, and the illumination of the lamps pertaining to each
group may be effected simultaneously, consecutively or otherwise. The working
may be accomplished by means of a commutator composed of insulated bars equi-
valent in number to that of the lamps each bar being in electrical connection with
one lamp of the group. At right-angles to the commutator-bars are switch levers
having contacts for making connection with the bars, each lever operating the
lamps pertaining to a particular letter or sign.
Or a revolving contact-maker may be employed for making electrical connection
with a series of commutator-bars or contacts.
The revolving contact-maker or switch may be arranged and coupled, by work-
ing to my improved method, in the following manner: The switch-board A is
mechanically of ordinary construction and preferably situated at the back of, or
in close proximity to, the monogrammic design of lamps. When of circular form,
the switch-board consists of a number of contacts C arranged in rows representing
the several contacts required for operating the group of lamps pertaining to one
letter of the alphabet, while each contact indicates a particular lamp (or in some
cases lamps) in such group. A revolving metal arm B serves to make electrical
connection with one row of contacts at a time.
On reference to Fig. 4 which is a diagrammatic view showing the contacts neces-
sary for producing the alphabet, it will be seen that the contacts in the several
rows which pertain to any one lamp are coupled together, the contacts being
numbered to correspond with the lamps in Fig. 2. This particular arrangement of
contacts obviates the necessity for any two wires crossing each other. 1, Fig. 4,
indicates the wire for coupling contact No. 4, pertaining to the letter B with No. 4
lamp (the figure being viewed on the reverse side of the monogrammic lamp-board).
Upon applying the current to contact No. 4 in any letter in which the lamp bear-
ing that No. is used, the current will pass through the series of No. 4 contacts until
it arrives at a direct connection to lamp No. 4, and so on with reference to each
contact pertaining to the several series. From any separate numbered contact
(1 to 51), it is only necessary to run a single wire to the lamp of the same number,
the returns of all lamps being joined.
In coupling up the switch, should there be any two lamps always in use together
in the formation of any of the letters, one contact may be omitted and the pair
of lamps coupled together on the board and treated as one. In the example illus-
trated in Fig. 2, the paired lamps are 15 and 29, 26 and 27, 14 and 18, 20 and 33,
11 and 16, 23 and 24, 35 and 39, 21 and 34; these pairs of lamps being set under
one contact as will be seen in the diagram Fig. 4.
The apparatus may be employed for signalling or receiving messages from a
distance by combining therewith an instrument such as is known as the alpha-
betical telegraph, the receiver whereof, instead of indicating a mere letter, actuates
a relay or solenoid which in turn operates a switch-lever and illuminates the lamps
or indicators pertaining to a particular letter.
Figs. 4 and 4 illustrate the employment of alphabetical telegraph instruments
for controlling or operating the lamps or indicators of the monogrammic design
from a distance.
On the switch-board A, arms W1, W2, etc., are mounted, one arm being required
for each letter or sign. Only one of these arms, W1, which operates the letter" G,"
is shewn in the drawing. A pivot is provided at V₁, and a spring S¹ serves to
keep the arm W1 off the contacts 3, 4, 7, 12, etc., until it is drawn down by the
solenoid Tacting on the core U¹.
7 is the receiver of an ordinary alphabetical telegraph. The pointer Y¹, when
swinging round to the required letter, makes circuit with the metal contacts X¹
A separate contact is provided for each letter or sign arranged in the same order
as the contacts of the main switch-board.

page_text: The current for the lamps or indicators enters the arm W₁, and if it is desired to
reproduce the letter "G" on the monogrammic design, the operations are as
follow: The receiving alphabetical instrument 7, operated by the transmitting
instrument 72 (through wires z¹, 2), registers and makes contact with the metal
plate X (letter "G") which allows an electric current from the battery t¹, by
means of the wires 2, 3 and t, to circulate through the solenoid T¹, drawing down
the core U and causing the arm W to make electrical contact with points 3, 4,
7, 12, etc.; the main current then travelling direct through wires 1, 2 (or through
a switch operated by a relay, as m²) to the lamps or indicators of the letter "G"
of the monogrammic design. The contacts of the receiving alphabetical instru-
ment may take the form of mercury pots to lessen friction. It is obvious that the
switch arms W, etc., could be operated direct by means of separate wires to each
solenoid.
The electric current required to operate, through the wires 122, the receiving
instrument is very small, and in some cases may be generated by the operation of
working the transmitting instrument 72; therefore to prevent each letter of the
alphabet on the monogrammic design being illuminated in turn until the required
one is reached, the wires conveying the current from the transmitting to the
receiving instrument are used also to operate a main switch and relay m² by means
of a solenoid m³ the latter being unaffected by the negative normal current
which flows through and actuates the receiving instrument, but coming into
operation when a positive current stronger than, or otherwise differing from, the
normal negative current is used. For example a battery may be brought into
action by a two-way switch the normal current from Z2 being negative and
insufficient to draw down the core m against the resistance of the spring m³ to
make contact with the main wire contact me.
Instead of employing a separate relay and main switch to "light up," the
finger Y¹ of the receiving instrument may revolve clear of the contact pieces X¹
when operated by the normal current; the stronger current serving to depress
the finger on to the contact piece X, in the same manner as previously
explained with reference to the relay and main switch m². Obviously separate
wires could be employed to operate the main switch or depress the finger Y¹.
Where the distance between the transmitter (operator) and the receiver or
switch-board is not great, bevel gearing and shafting may be employed for opera-
ting the rotating contact-arm, but in cases where a greater distance exists between
the instruments, wire rope or chains may be used, and in exceptional cases
hydraulic gear can be introduced.
In Figs. 5 and 6, X is the back of a board bearing the lamps, A is the switch-
board, B the rotating contact-arm, the spring contacts being indicated at C.. The
arm B is mounted upon a shaft E, together with a wheel or pulley F, a wire rope G
passing round the said pulley and serving to transmit motion thereto. The arm B
is shown in position for effecting electrical connection with the contacts pertaining
to lamps necessary for the illumination of the letter "G." One of the lamps is
indicated at L, Fig. 6. In order to insure the arm being always in position to
engage with the contacts, a spring e may be interposed. between the boss of the
pulley F and a washer e. The shaft E may be secured to the board B by means
of the plate e².
The necessary lamps may be illuminated by means other than electric, by rota-
ting the contact-arm B mechanically:
In Fig. 7, I have shown a construction other than electric for illuminating the
lamps. G is a shaft which may be operated by any suitable mechanism, g being
a bevel pinion on said shaft meshing with a bevel wheel in connection with the
arm B.
The transmitting instrument consists of a dial T (Fig. 8), having the alphabet
disposed thereon in the same order as the switch and is connected to the switch A
by means of wire ropes or cables G, the contacts (not shown) being directly con-

page_text: nected with the lamps L by the wires L'. Only one or two wire ropes would be
required when working with fifty-one or any other number of lamps.
I do not confine myself to any particular means for communicating motion from
the transmitter to the combined switch and lamp-board, as any suitable apparatus
capable of causing the arm (or arms) on the switch to synchronize with the pointer
on the transmitting instrument according to the various circumstances prevailing,
may be employed, and in any circumstance a main switch situated at the trans-
mitting station may serve to control the actual illuminating of the lamps on the
design board, after the necessary contacts have been made on the switch-board,
thus preventing the lamps pertaining to the intermediate letters becoming illu-
minated.
Fig. 9 illustrates the usual complicated method of controlling monogrammical
alphabetical designs, the switch A* being capable of sending current to any group
of lamps at L by way of the leads D (direct or through relays). For a design
of fifty-one lamps, an equal number of wires or leads would, according to this com-
plicated method of working, be required, and, for twelve such designs, six hundred
and twelve wires or leads would have to be laid between the transmitting switch
and lamp-board.
When it is desired to reproduce "set" advertisements, the rotating arm of the
switch may be driven direct by means of a suitable motor. The rows of contacts
in that case should be arranged to suit the order of letters required, while the-con-
tacts would be coupled up in a similar manner to that indicated in Fig. 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The herein described means for producing in monogrammic form, letters and
other signs, the same being represented by lamps or indicators arranged in such
a manner that the design of the several letters or signs appears within the space
occupied by one letter and upon a centre-line common to all such letters or signs.
2. The method of arranging a series of lamps or indicators for use in advertising
or signalling in the manner herein described; same consisting in eliminating such
letters and portions of letters as are common to each other, superposing the remain-
ing letters and portions of letters upon a centre-line common to such letters, and
arranging the lamps or indicators in accordance with the lines produced by the
said superposed letters and portions of letters, substantially as set forth.
3. A monogrammic lamp- or indicator-board constructed or arranged substan-
tially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
4. In apparatus for advertising or signalling, the herein described means for
operating the several letters or signs, same comprising a switch consisting of a
switch-board and a rotatable contact-arm mounted thereon, the contacts being
arranged upon the switch-board in rows which radiate from the centre of the board,
substantially as set forth.
5. In apparatus for advertising or signalling, the combination with a lamp-
board, of a switch having a rotatable contact-arm, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
6. In apparatus for advertising or signalling, the combination, with the lamp-
or indicator-board and switch pertaining thereto, of an instrument, such as the
alphabetical telegraph, comprising a transmitter and a receiver electrically con-
nected with the switch, together with means for controlling the "lighting up
of the lamps, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
"
-
7. In apparatus for advertising or signalling, the combination with a lamp- or
indicator-board, of a transmitting instrument, such as T, and a receiving instru-
ment, such as A, and means, such as a wire rope or bevel-gearing, for operating
the pointer and the contact-arm respectively, substantially in the manner and for
the purpose set forth.
8. In apparatus for advertising or signalling, in which a set" advertisement or

page_text: sign is illuminated or indicated, the herein described method of coupling the switch
for operating the lamp- or indicator-board directly with a motor, whereby the
contact-arm is caused to rotate in a continuous manner, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
.
Dated this 26th day of April 1898.
For the Applicant,
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
Chartered Patent Agent, 191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.