Improvements in Displaying Advertisements on Tram Cars and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Mar., 1886
Complete Left, 20th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1887.
Improvements in Displaying Advertisements on Tram Cars and
similar Vehicles.
We CHARLES SOMERVILLE NELSON of 13 Crawford Street, Portiman Square, in the
parish of Marylebone, in the County of Middlesex Gentleman, and WILLIAM NEWBY
COLAM of 6 and 8 High Street, Highgate in the County of aforesaid, Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to an arrangement for displaying advertisements on tram cars
and similar vehicles, so that they may be more conspicuous and more likely to attract
attention. To attain this end we arrange the advertisements on a series of square,
octagonal, or other poly-sided rollers, which receive an intermittent revolving motion
from the action of the vehicle, the rollers being arranged so that one or more of their
sides are visible at the same time, either inside, or outside the vehicle, or both inside
and outside at the same time.
We are aware that the broad principle of displaying advertisements on tram cars
and other vehicles by means of moving bands, curtains or aprons, or by revolving
rollers, set in motion by the revolving axle of the vehicle, is not new and we therefore
limit our invention to the particular arrangement hereinafter described. As applied
to a tram car our invention consists in mounting a square, octagonal, or other poly-
sided roller along each side of a car on the inside, above the window and as near the
pitch of the roof as convenient. These rollers are enclosed in suitable cases which are
fitted with glass fronts inside, so that at least one side of the rollers may be visible to
the occupants of the car, and the sides of the car are also glazed so that the rollers
also may be seen from outside. Instead of having one continuous roller running the
whole length of the car, a series of short rollers of any convenient length, may be
mounted on the same axle. The axles carrying these rollers are connected with one
of the axles of the car by an arrangement that will presently be described, so that
they will receive an intermittent motion, which thus causes each side of the roller in
turn to be visible both inside and outside the car; by this means the advertising space
on a car is materially increased and the advertisements are made more attractive. In
order that each side of the roller may remain visible long enough for all the adver-

page_text: tisement, or advertisements on it to be read, it is essential in communicating the
motion necessary to operate the rollers from one of the axles of the car to the axles of
the advertising rollers, that it should be geared down enormously, and the method we
adopt for doing this is an essential feature of our invention. In all previous moving
advertisements on tram cars the mechanism used to impart the very slow motion
necessary for the moving advertisement, from the quick motion of the revolving axle
of the car, has been heavy and complicated so much so that the extra weight to be
carried has proved a complete objection to their use. The mechanism we use is both
light, simple, and effective. We connect the axles of the advertising roller, or rollers,
on each side of the car by a band, belt, or other equivalent arrangement, so that the
motion of the one is communicated to the other. We drive the axle of one roller as
follows: On any convenient part of the roller axle we fix a ratchet wheel and in
close proximity to it we mount a rod free to slide vertically up and down, on the end
of this rod we mount a pawl which engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel and is
kept thereto by a suitable spring: When this sliding rod is pulled down the pawl
mounted on it engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, and so turns the axle the
necessary distance to revolve the roller, or rollers, the required distance to bring
another side into position. A suitable spring restores the sliding rod to its top
position, and a fixed spring pawl engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel to
prevent it revolving backwards during the return of the sliding rod. The sliding rod
receives its motion in the following manner :-
.
In any convenient position under the seat of the car is mounted a light lay shaft.
which carries a large pulley which is connected with a small pulley on one of the
axles of the car by a belt, rope, or chain, so that the motion from the car axle is
considerably geared down. On the lay axle is mounted a small pulley which is
connected to a similar pulley fixed on another lay axle mounted as nearly under the
vertical sliding rod as possible by a suitable band, belt, or chain; On this latter lay
axle is mounted a small eccentric pulley the periphery of which is connected to the
sliding rod which actuates the advertising roller axle, by two cords or chains so that
a movement of the eccentric pulley in either direction pulls the sliding rod down.
On the belt connecting the two lay axles is a wiper which engages with a projecting
stud or lever on the eccentric pulley, and as the belt travels round it carries the
eccentric pulley with it, until the wiper releases itself from the projecting stud or
lever, when the spring connected with the sliding rod restores it to its normal position
and brings the eccentric pulley back to its first position ready to engage with the
wiper the next time it comes round. It will be seen that this arrangement is equally
effective which ever way the car is travelling, and permits of the axle of the advertising
rollers being geared down to any extent. In practice we find that 30 seconds is a
convenient time for each side of the rollers to be exposed to view, and therefore the
gearing hereinbefore described should be arranged to effect this at the average rate at
which the car travels.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71, & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Displaying Advertisements on Tram Cars and
similar Vehicles.
We CHARLES SOMERVILLE NELSON of 13 Crawford Street, Portman Square in the
Parish of Marylebone in the County of Middlesex Gentleman, and WILLIAM NEWBY
COLAM of 6 and 8 High Street, Highgate in the County aforesaid Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
Our invention relates to an arrangement for displaying advertisements on tram
cars, omnibuses, and similar vehicles, so that they may be more conspicuous and more
likely to attract the attention of the occupants. To attain this end we arrange the
advertisements on a series of square, octagonal, or other polysided rollers, which
receive an intermittent revolving motion from one of the axles of the vehicle, the
rollers being arranged so that one or more of their sides are visible at the same time,
either inside, or outside the vehicle, or both inside and outside at the same time. As
applied to a tram car our invention consists in mounting a series of square, octagonal,
or other polysided rollers, in a line on one continuous axle, along each side of a car
on the inside thereof above the window, and as near to the pitch of the roof as
convenient. These rollers are enclosed in suitable cases, certain portions of which
may be left open, or glazed, so that at least one side of each of the rollers may be
visible to the occupants of the car, and if desired the sides of the car approximate to
the rollers may also be glazed, so that the sides of the rollers may be seen from
outside. Instead of having a series of rollers, one continuous roller running the
whole length of the car may be used. The axles carrying these rollers are connected
with one of the axles of the car by an arrangement that will presently be described,
so that they receive an intermittent motion, which thus causes each side of each of the
rollers in turn, to be visible inside, or both inside and outside the car; by this means
the advertising space on a car is materially increased, and the advertisements are
made more attractive.
In order that each side of the roller or rollers may remain visible long enough for
all the advertisement, or advertisements on it, or them, to be read, it is essential in
communicating the motion necessary to operate the rollers, from one of the axles of
the car, that it should be geared down considerably, and the method we adopt for
doing this is an essential feature of our invention. In all previons advertisements on
tram cars and similar vehicles, the mechanism used to impart the very slow motion
necessary for the moving advertisements, from the quick motion of the axles of the
has been heavy and complicated, so much so that the extra weight to be carried
has proved a complete objection to their use.
car,
Having now generally stated the nature, objects, and purposes, of our invention we
shall proceed to more particularly describe how the same may be carried into practical

page_text: effect, making reference to the accompanying drawings throughout the several views
of which similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
Fig. 1 sheet No. 1 is a view showing a longitudinal section of a part of a tram car
fitted up according to our invention.
Fig. 2 sheet No. 1 is a transverse section of a tram car fitted up according to our
invention.
Figs. 3 and 4 sheet No. 1 are views on an enlarged scale showing a side, and an
end, elevation of a detail of the mechanism for imparting an intermittent motion to
the advertising rollers.
Fig. 5 sheet No. 2 is a view showing a longitudinal section of a part of a tram car
fitted with a modified form of our invention.
Fig. 6 sheet No. 2 is a view showing a transverse section of a tram car fitted up
with a modified form of our invention.
Fig. 7 Sheet No. 3 is view showing a transverse section of a part of the frame of a
tram car showing the end of one of the advertising rollers.
Fig. 8 Sheet No. 3 is a view showing the mechanisın for operating the axle
carrying the advertising roller, or rollers, according to the modified form of our
invention.
Fig. 9 Sheet No. 3 is a view showing an advertising roller with six sides.
Figs. 10. 11. 12 and 13 Sheet No. 4 are views showing the mechanism for imparting
an intermittent reciprocating motion to the cords, or chains, operating the axles
carrying the advertising rollers, from the rotary motion imparted by one of the axles
of the car according to the modified form of our invention.
Figs. 14 and 15 Sheet No. 4 are views showing an alternative method of imparting
an intermittent reciprocating motion to the rods, cords, or chains, operating the
axles carrying the advertising rollers, from the rotary motion of one of the axles of
the car.
The advertising rollers A, A, etc. which may if convenient be made in continuous
lengths on each side of the car-though there are many advantages in favour of
making them in short lengths-are mounted on axles B, B, carried in suitable
The rollers
bearings C, C, etc., fixed to any convenient part of the frame of the car.
on each side of the car are enclosed in suitable cases D, D, etc., having openings d d
etc., formed either on the inner faces thereof, or on both the inner and outer faces,
such openings being glazed if necessary. The axles B, B, or the operating mechanism
thereon, may be connected together by a belt or chain B as illustrated by Fig. 2 of
the accompanying drawings, so that the motion of the one may be imparted to the
other, or they may each be driven independently as illustrated by Figs. 4 & 5 of the
accompanying drawings. Each axle carrying the advertising rollers is caused to
rotate by the following mechanism :-On one end of each of the axles B, B, we fix a
ratchet wheel band in convenient proximity thereto, we mount loosely on the axle an
arm 6 carrying a pawl 62 engaging with the teeth of the ratchet wheel b, a spring 68
being provided to keep it engaged therewith. Connected with the arm is a rod,
cord, or chain, which receives an intermittent reciprocating motion from mechanisin
to be hereinafter described; the rod, cord, or cliain, being carried down to the floor
of the car by suitable guides. When the rod, cord, or chain, & is pulled down, the
pawl b² on the arm bengages with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel b, and so
imparts rotary motion to the axle B, and as the rod, cord, or chain, is pulled up again
by the spring 6, the pawl rides over the teeth of the ratchet wheel b, the axle is thus
moved sufficiently to bring the next side, or face, of the roller, or rollers, opposite to
the opening, or openings, d d etc., in the cases D, D, etc., which encloses it, or then.
It may sometimes be more convenient to effect the rotation of the axle carrying the
advertising rollers by the pull of the spring 65 as illustrated by F 5, 6 & 8 of the
accompanying drawings, instead of by the converse movement hereinbefore described,
in which case the pawl and ratchet wheel are arranged as shown by Fig. 8. On the
bracket carrying or forming the bearing C, or on any other convenient fixture to the
frame of the car, is fixed a spring 66 which engages with one of a series of flat sides b
ete., cut, or formed, on the boss of the ratchet wheel b, to hold the axle B in position
i...

page_text: while the operating mechanism is quiescent, and while the pawl is travelling back-
wards over the teeth of the ratchet wheel, or we may use a pawl mounted on any
convenient fixture, and engaging with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 6 instead of the
hereinbefore described device.
We do not bind ourselves to the use of rollers having four sides as shown by
Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6. & 7 as roilers with six, eight or more sides, or even round rollers may
be used, though unless very large rollers are used, the curved surface presented by a
round roller is not advantageous to the proper display of advertisements. A roller
with six sides is illustrated by Figs. 8 & 9. It will be obvious that the number of flat
sides etc. cut, or formed, on the boss of the ratchet wheel must coincide with the
number of sides on the roller or rollers.
The sliding rods, cords, or chains receive their intermittent reciprocating
motion through the following mechanism --Under one of the seats of the car is
mounted in suitable bearings E, E, a lay axle F which carries a large pulley G
connected by a band or cord y with a small pulley G¹ on one of the axles of the
car X. On the axle F is also fixed a pulley H which is connected by a belt or band
with a similar pulley J carried by an axle K mounted in suitable bearings kk, so that
the axle is as nearly under the rod, cord, or chain, 6 as possible. On the axle K in
close proximity to the pulley J is loosely mounted an eccentric pulley k¹ which is
connected with the cord, or chain, by two cords, or chains, k², k, so that a move-
ment of it in either direction pulls the rod, cord, or chain, 64 down. On the belt or
band his a wiper h, which engages with a projecting stud ³ on the eccentric
pulley, so that as the belt or band travels round, it carries the eccentric pulley with
it, until the wiper releases itself from the projecting stud, due to its tangential motion,
when the spring connected with the cord or chain restores it to its normal
position ready to engage with the wiper the next time it comes round. If desired
more than one wiper may be fixed to the band. Instead of using an eccentric pulley,
two plain arms fixed to the axle may be used as illustrated by Figs. 14, & 15 of the
accompanying drawings; one arin being connected with the cord or chain 6+, and
the other arm 3 being arranged so that the wiper will engage with it as it travels
round.
A modification of the gear for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to the rods,
cords, or chains is illustrated by Figs. 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, & 13, of the accompanying
drawings.
To
In this case the motion is communicated from the axle of the car to the first lay
axle by friction. Under one of the seats of the car is mounted in suitable bearings E, E,
the lay axle F which carries a large pulley G, the periphery of which is in frictional
contact with one of the axles X of the car, or with a small pulley fixed thereto.
attain sufficient driving contact the bearings E, E, are mounted in horn plates E', E¹,
so that the whole weight of the pulley G bears on the axle X; and if necessary the
periphery of the pulley, or that part of the axle with which it is in contact, may be
covered with leather, rubber, or analogous material.
On the axle F is fixed a pulley H connected with a similar pulley J carried by an
axle K mounted in bearings k, k, so that the ends of the axle are as nearly under the
rods, cords, or chains, 4, 6, as possible. On each end of the axle K is fixed or
formed, a projecting arm with a small roller mounted on a pin at its free end.
In suitable brackets L, L, either forming part of the bearing brackets for the axle K,
or mounted independently on the under frame of the car, are pivotted levers l, l.
The ends of these levers on one side of their fulcrums, are connected, to the rods,
cords, or chains, 4, 4, and their opposite ends engage with the rollers k², k², carried
on the ends of the arms k, k, thus imparting an intermittent reciprocating motion to
the rods, cords, or chains, , the springs 65, 6, ensuring the contact between the
levers and the rollers.
When the sides of the body of the car adjacent to the rollers are glazed, or left
open, so that the rollers are visible from the outside of the car, it must be understood
that some device must be used for making the advertisements appear the right way
|up, as what appears right from the inside of the car, would be upside down as seen

page_text: from the outside. The simplest device is a continuous mirror running the whole
length of the car on each side, placed at such an angle as will display the advertise-
ments in a readable manner. When rollers with six, or more, sides are used, the
advertisements on alternate sides may be placed the reverse way, and the rollers
caused to move through a space equivalent to two sides at a time. It will be under-
stood that the gear herein before described is equally effective for operating the
advertising rollers, whichever way the car is travelling, and permits of the axles
carrying the rollers being geared down to almost any extent. In practice we find
that 30 seconds is a convenient period for each side of the rollers to remain stationary,
and exposed to view, though it will be obvious that this period may be lengthened, or
shortened, by varying the proportions of the motion wheels.
We are aware that endless revolving, or travelling, bands, or aprons, have already
been used on tram cars, and similar vehicles, for displaying advertisements; and we
are also aware that revolving rollers have been used on advertising machines, and
other vehicles, used solely for the purpose of advertising. We therefere do not claim
the use of revolving rollers broadly, but having now particularly described and
ascertained the nature of our said invention, and in what manner the same is to he
performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
1. In a tram car, omnibus or similar vehicle, the longitudinally mounted polysided
rollers, receiving an intermittent revolving motion from one of the axles of the car,
as, and for the purpose, herein before described and shown.
2. In a tram car or other vehicle for the conveyance of passengers, the use of
intermittent rotating rollers for displaying advertisements to the occupants thereof, in
the manner herein before set forth.
3. In a tram car, or similar vehicle, mounting and arranging, revolving polysided
rollers carrying advertisements, so that the said advertisements are visible both inside,
and outside, the vehicle, as herein before set forth.
4. In a tram car or similar vehicle, the mechanism hereinbefore described and
shown, for converting the continuous rotary motion of one of the axles of the vehicle,
into the intermittent rotary motion of the advertising rollers, or any mere modification
thereof.
5. The combination with the car body, of two or more revolving polysided adver-
tising rollers, arranged longitudinally along the sides of the car, as near to the pitch
of the roof as convenient, and the mechanism for imparting intermittent motion thereto,
substantially as described.
6. In a tram car or other passenger vehicle, having revolving advertising rollers,
the combination of the axle F driven directly or indirectly, by one of the revolving
axles of the vehicle, and carrying the pulley H, the axle K carrying the pulley J, the
band or belt h carrying one or more wipers, the eccentric pulley or equivalent
device, having a projecting stud or arm 3, all combined, arranged, and operating, as,
and for the purpose, hereinbefore set forth.
7. In a tram car or other similar vehicle for the conveyance of passengers, the
combination with the car body, of the polysided rollers, the cases to enclose the rollers,
and the openings in the cases and sides of the body of the car to allow but one side of
each roller to be visible from the inside, or outside, of the car at one and the same
time, substantially as set forth.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer & Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71, & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.