Improvements in Electric Signalling and similar Apparatus.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 16th July, 1895--Accepted, 7th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Signalling and similar Apparatus.
I, LUCIEN STEPHEN CRANDALL, of 9 Laight Street, in the City, and County
of New York, and State of New York, United States of America Manufacturer,
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 signalling apparatus and to that class embodying a
compound monogram, embodying all of the elements of all of the letters of the
alphabet, and means to define, and outline each element and each group of elements
which together create any letter of the alphabet either by illuminating each
element or group or series of elements to display any letter desired, or any
sequence of letters necessary to spell a word; or by any other means adapted to
the purpose of rendering prominent any single element, or any group or series of
elements.
My object is to produce a compound monogram, subdivided into a plurality of
elements, each element representing a portion of a letter of the alphabet and all
together embodying all of the constructional elements necessary to construct or
build any letter; and to provide means whereby each element, or any group or
series of elements can be illuminated, or otherwise rendered prominent over the
remaining elements, whereby any letter can be produced in outline or configuration,
or any series of letters necessary or desired to spell any word; such illumination
of elements (for instance) being produced by the operation of the different keys of
a key-board, each key being adapted to make multiple electrical contacts and
circuits, each circuit representing and illuminating an element of the monogram, and
the number of the circuits made by each key equalling the number of monogramic
elements in each letter, and of which cach letter is composed; and in which the
monogram is illuminable in divisional parts, in elementary parts and in groups of
elementary parts; and in which, when illumined, each element is designated and
displayed by and, in fact, consists of a plurality of electric lamps or lights.
My invention consists in the several novel features of construction hereinafter
described and which are specifically set forth in the claims hereunto annexed.
The apparatus is constructed and operated as follows, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings in which,
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of the monogramic or display frame pivotally mounted
to rotate upon a standard.
Fig. 2, is a top plan of a system of keys, and the multiple contact board, under
the keys.
Fig. 3, is a sectional side elevation of the key-board and the contact board and
he wires connected to the contact bars.
Fig. 4, represents in front elevation the monogramic or display frame when the
lements are illuminated which create the letters A, B and F, respectively, the
lormant elements being indicated by the dotted circles.
In this Specification, the name," signal apparatus" is used in a generic sense,
nasmuch as signalling is only one of the many uses to which the apparatus can be
pplied and only one of the objects or objectives of the invention for it can with
ffect be applied for advertising purposes or the display of visual signs of all
inds; and will herein describe only the manner in which it is operated by and
onstructed for, the use of electric lights divided into a plurality of groups, cach
D71

page_text: group representing an element of the monogram, and one of the component parts
of the members of the letters of the alphabet, and other characters, signs or
symbols; and the word, "battery" is also used as designating any source of
generation of electricity.
A, is the monogram frame, comprising the vertical rails, 1, 2, 3, the horizontal
rails 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.9 and the diagonal or branching rails 10, 11, 12, 13, all of any
suitable material, and shown as pivotally mounted upon a standard B, though it
may be mounted in many other ways; but for some purposes the pivotal mounting
is preferable whenever it is desired to change the direction of the presentation of
the monogram according to different points of vision.
-Upon-these-rails I show incandescent electric lights X, mounted in groups, each
group constituting a monogramic element, and each element consisting of said
lights, the number of which may be varied as desired.
These elements are here shown as sixteen in number, and are marked a, b, c, d, e,
f, g, h, i, j, k, m, n, p, and s; and a, b, c, d, e¹, ƒ¹, g', h¹, i', j',.k¹, m³, n', p¹, r³, sl
are the positive wires which connect these respective elements to the battery (not
shown) and a", 6", c¹¹, d", e¹¹, ƒº¹¹g", h", i", j, k, m, n, p, r, sl are the
negative or return wires to the battery, each positive wire and each negative wire
being connected to the lights in the usual manner.
Each positive wire and its negative wire constitute a separate circuit, and all of
these circuits are normally broken at the contact-board D.
This contact board consists of a box or box-like frame 14 in which the metallic
contact bars 15 are placed, arranged in parallel lines and insulated from each other
and from the box which contains them, the strips w being of insulating material,
ard each contact bar represents an element in the monogram, and each of the
positive wires a to s¹ inclusive, is connected to its contact har. This contact
board is shown as pivoted upon the trunnions 16, but it may be mounted in any
other manner which will ensure the simultaneous making of the respective multiple
contacts hereinafter described.
Keys 17 are rearwardly mounted upon the rear bar 18 of the main frame 19,
and each may be insulated from the others in any ordinary manner, or all may be
electrically connected to said bar 18 which is connected to the battery by the
wire 20; and in case the keys are insulated from each other, then 20 indicates the.
bunch of wires, the separate wires thereof being connected to the separate keys.
Each key is provided with multiple contact points 21, each contact point
representing an element of the monogram, and the points together representing
the aggregate constituent elements of the letter indicated by the button upon
the key.
Each key-bar has either a self-contained spring, or is provided with or connected
to a suitable spring which will act normally to hold, support or carry the key out
of contact with the contact board; and inasmuch as the keys are rearwardly
mounted and each key is adapted to make multiple contacts with the contact
board, and inasmuch as the contact points, when a key is depressed, swing or move
vertically in arcs of circles, the centre of which is adjacent to the rearward
mounting of the key, and inasmuch as the front contact point must travel a greater
distance, vertically, than the rear one, or the intermediate ones, the contact board
is mounted so as to oscillate, rock or yield so as to ensure the practically simul-
taneous making of all of the multiple contacts by any key, and particularly of
those which are provided with the larger numbers of such points.
Each key is, in effect at least, a multiple contact armature; and no two keys
make the same group of contacts; but each key makes such contacts as are
necessary to produce the illumination of the elements necessary to produce the
outline of the letter indicated upon the button upon each key. The illumination
of the elements continues as long as the circuit made by the contact is maintained
and when the pressure upon the key is removed the circuit is broken and the lights
extinguished.
In this manner the letter A is produced by the illumination of the monogramic

page_text: elements c, f, e, k, m, i, j, n, p and d; F, by illuminating a, e, f, c, n, k, m and b as
shown in Fig. 4.
It will be readily understood from the above, how the other letters can be
produced by various combinations of the monogramic elements.
One button shows a dash and when this armature key is operated either of the
elements k, m, n, p, r or s will be illuminated, and only one because that key has
only one contact point and makes contact with only one bar.
Another button shows a cross and when its armature key is operated, the
elements g, n, p
are illuminated.
Another button shows the whole monogram, and when its key is operated the
whole monogram is illuminated, this armature key being adapted to make contact
with all of the contact bars.
I do not limit myself to the precise number or arrangement of the elements in
the monogram, as I can make such connections as to cause elementary illumination
of various kinds of signs, symbols, characters, numerals, fanciful designs for cipher
communication, cipher code signals, punctuation marks of all kinds, and the code of
telegraphic signs, including the Morse and other alphabets, and also including the
letters of any language. The monogram may consist of any number of elements
and such elements may be illuminated, displayed, exhibited, thrown onto screens,
or otherwise made prominent and active, over those which are left dormant, either
singly or in groups of elements.
Also the lights or lamps may be erected behind a screen, either solid or provided
with openings, slots or apertures; or behind either plain, opaque or colored glasses
in the ordinary manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with a monogrammic display-frame of rectangular form, and
having central cross-bars and corner extensions, and also having series of incan-
descent lamps disposed thereon, of a key-board comprising a series of spring-
controlled key-bars, each having a series of contact-points, a contact-board
comprising a series of insulated contact-bars, a battery and electrical connections
between the battery and display-frame, between the battery and key-board and
between the contact-board and display-frame; substantially as described.
2. The combination with a display-frame having series of incandescent lamps
disposed thereon, of a key-board comprising a series of spring-controlled key-bars,
each having a series of contact-points disposed longitudinally thereof, an oscillating
contact-board comprising a series of insulated contact-bars arranged transversely
of the key-board, whereby is ensured a practically simultaneous making of all of
the contacts by any key, a battery, and electrical connections between the battery
and display-frame, between the battery and key-board and between the contact-
board and display-frame; substantially as described.
3. The herein described monogrammic display-frame, consisting of end and side
bars, central, bisecting cross bars and corner extensions, the respective bars having
disposed along their lengths illuminable signalling devices, whereby on the one
device the several letters of the alphabet or other predetermined symbols may be
produced; substantially as described.
Toon day of my 1099.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.