An Improved Shop or like Sign.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Shop or like Sign.
I, GEORGE HENRY CROKER, of 18, Bellevue Road, Seacombe, Cheshire, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to signs used over shops, hotels, etcetera, and the
like; and it has for its object to render such signs more attractive, so as to call
the attention of passers-by to the place over which the sign is used, or to the
fact or thing or information exhibited by the sign.
According to this invention, the sign comprises a wheel of the tension spoked
type, viz., a cycle wheel, or wheel similar to it, and having upon it words, letters,
or signs, arranged circularly around it, having their surfaces disposed at an
inclination, so that the wind blowing upon them would tend to cause the wheel
to rotate; and the wheel being mounted on a shaft, and free to rotate, it does so,
and so calls attention of the passers by.
In one arrangement this wheel may be supported on, say, a cycle fork, stand-
ing out horizontally from a wall or surface on which it is fixed; and the letters
forming the words to be exhibited, say the name of the proprietor or other
person, and his business or what not-are provided and fixed radially on the
exterior of the rim of the wheel and at an inclination transversely. Across the
wheel, and supported from the fork, other words, letters or the like, may be
supported, and carried on a stationary board or backing of any suitable kind.
In some cases there may be used in connection with this wheel, and geared from
the centre preferably, other moving mechanical devices to be advertised, or to
which attention is to be called, or for calling attention.
The article constitutes-a new mechanical sign and advertising mechanism,
and when made up, as described, of the parts of a cycle, constitutes a very service-
able mechanical sign and device for people whose business is connected with
cycles.
I, GEORGE HENRY CROKER, of 18. Bellevue Road, Seacombe, Cheshire, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
Price 8d.1

page_text: is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
This invention has reference to signs used over shops, hotels, etcetera, and the
like; and it has for its object to render such signs more attractive, so as to call
the attention of passers-by to the place over which the sign is used, or to the
fact or thing or information exhibited by the sign.
According to this invention, the sign comprises a wheel of the tension spoked
type, viz., a cycle wheel, or wheel similar to it, and having upon it words, letters,
or signs, arranged circularly around it, having their surfaces disposed at an
inclination, so that the wind blowing upon them would tend to cause the wheel
to rotate; and the wheel being mounted on a shaft, and free to rotate, it does so,
and so calls attention of the passers by.
In one arrangement this wheel may be supported on, say, a cycle fork, stand-
ing out horizontally from a wall or surface on which it is fixed; and the letters
forming the words to be exhibited, say the name of the proprietor or other
person, and his business or what not-are provided and fixed radially on the
exterior of the rim of the wheel and at an inclination transversely. Across the
wheel, and supported from the fork, other words, letters or the like, mav be
supported, and carried on a stationary board or support of any suitable kind
In some cases there may be used in connection with this wheel, and geared from
the centre preferably, other moving mechanical devices to be advertised, or to
which attention is to be called, or for calling attention.
The article constitutes a new mechanical sign and advertising mechanism,
and when made up, as described, of the parts of a cycle, constitutes a very service-
able mechanical sign and device for people whose business is connected with
cycles.
This invention is illustrated in the annexed drawing, in which Figure 1 is a
side elevation, shewing the sign, Figure 2 is a plan shewing a part of the wheel
outside; and Figure 3 is another plan illustrating the wheel at the hub.
Referring to the drawings, a represents a cycle wheel of ordinary formation,
namely a wheel having spokes 6 of wire, in tension, connecting the rim a¹ with
the hub a c is the support for the wheel, consisting preferably of an ordinary
"front fork" of a cycle, carrying the axle d, on which the wheel a runs freely;
the head of this fork being suitably secured to a wall or other base or fixture.
d are the letters or signs, which are set or fixed on the rim a¹ of the wheel at
an inclination, as shewn in Figure 2; and by means of which through the force
of the wind blowing over them, the wheel a is rotated on its axle. e are segmental
arms or supports on the fork c, carrying letters el above and below.
Further, in connection with the wheel a, additional devices for calling atten-
tion are provided-namely, electric lamps f; and these lamps are operated, that
is the current is conveyed to and from them through the centre or hub a, through
rings a³ on the outside of the hub, and brushes a, through which the electric
current is conducted by supply and return wires to and from the wires of the
lamps, so that the apparatus would be illuminated, and attention called to the
sign at night.
The lamps f in the case shewn are attached on the inside of the rim but this
is not essential, as they may be supported from the hub of the wheel, instead
of the rim, if desired, in any suitable way.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :---
1. An improved shop or like sign comprising the wheel, carried as described,
and free to revolve, and having letters, signs, or the like, upon it, disposed at
an inclination to the plane of the wheel, and adapted to act as propellers; sub-
stantially as described.
2. An improved shop or like sign, comprising a free or rotatable wheel, as a

page_text: with the letters or signs at its periphery or rim, disposed at an inclination, to
serve as propellers for revolving it, and additional devices for calling attention,
as electric lamps, supplied with current and operated from the centre of the
wheel; substantially as set forth.
3. The shop or like sign consisting of the parts combined, arranged, and
adapted to operate, particularly as shewn in and set forth with reference to the
drawings.
1000
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.