Improvements in Apparatus for Calling or Signalling Carriages at Theatres and other Places.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left 9th July 1896-Accented 5th Sept. 1895
Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left 9th July 1896-Accented 5th Sept. 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Calling or Signalling Carriages at
Theatres and other Places.
I, FRANK WARREN, of 610 West 46th Street, in the City, County and State
of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
:—
This invention relates to apparatus for calling or signalling carriages, particularly
for use in connection with theatres, restaurants, assembly-rooms, and like establish-
ments where a large number of vehicles invariably surround the exit after the
termination of the entertainment, and which usually require to be orally called or
hailed as the owners or passengers thereof desire to leave therein.
Great inconvenience and confusion necessarily result from such calling of the
vehicles, and the object of my invention is to provide means for signalling the
carriages by number electrically displayed, and whereby such number will be
exhibited to all the drivers or coachmen waiting, who will upon seeing the either
permanent or temporarily provided number of their vehicles displayed, immediately
draw up before the exit, or if the numbers are displayed in rapid rotation, take
their places in proper order upon a line.
The invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts,
whereby the above-mentioned and other desirable results are attained, and herein-
after mere fully described.
In the practice of my invention, I secure to a suitable support or beam, projecting
from the wall of the building, a sign board or box, divided by longitudinal
horizontal partitions, and vertical partitions, into three series of ten compartments
with a continuous longitudinal compartiment at the top. Upon each side of the
box are secured doors, hinged at one end, having in the top thereof aligning with
the upper compartment, continuous longitudinal strips or panes of glass, the
remainder of said doors beneath the panes being divided by longitudinal strips,
aligning with the partitions and by intermediate vertical strips, aligning with
the partitions, to form a framework, comprising a plurality of hollow squares,
in which are inserted three longitudinal series of glass panes, each series
being definitely colored, usually one red, one white and one blue, said series
comprising each ten panes corresponding to the compartments. Upon the upper
strips are marked the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, in alignment with or
immediately above the panes of each series.
Within each of the three series of lower compartments, are suspended, from the
partitions, ten incandescent lamps, opposite to each of the colored panes. Similar
lamps of any desired number are suspended from the roof of the box in the upper
compartment to illuminate the panes, through the whole of which the light
constantly shines throughout the operation.
Within the building, I mount in some convenient position a switch board, having
thereon three longitudinal series of switches, corresponding in number and position
to the series of panes, and connected by means of the independent wires with the
respective lamps in the compartments opposite the panes with which each switch
registers in position and series. Return wires lead from all of said lamps to a
branch connecting with the dynamo from which extends oppositely a feeder,
connecting by wires with all the various switches, thereby completing the circuit.
An auxiliary branch or feeder extends from the feeder to the various lamps, in
the upper compartment of the box, and a return wire leads from said lamps to the
wire, whereby said lamps are included in a constant circuit.

page_text: The switches which are actuated by handles, all normally closed, whereby tho
lamps are normally extinguished, and the various feed and return wires are
respectively connected to said switchboard and to the dynamo or main conductor
through insulating tabes projecting from the sign.
The operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing
description. The numbers upon the pane being constantly visible, and it being
desired to display the number of a carriage, the first numeral or figure of the
number in question is displayed by illuminating the red pane immediately beneath
the counterpart of said number or figare upon the pane, which illumination is
effected by turning on the switch registering with said pane; the second figure of
said number is displayed by illuminating the white pane immediately beneath the
corresponding figure upon the pane by turning on the switch registering therewith
and the third figure of the vehicle number is displayed by likewise illuminating
the blue pane beneath said figure through the agency of the corresponding switch.
The number of the carringe being for example 135, the red pane beneath the
numeral the white pane beneath the numeral 3 and the blue pane beneath the
numeral 5, are successfully illuminated. The numbers indicated by the several
panes are then read by the various drivers in vertical rotation from the upper
nanes downwardly, and the carriage corresponding to the number 135, which may
be as with a cab the licence number or may be determined by checks or tickets
distributed to the carriages upon their first arrival at the building-then draws up
before the exit, receives its passengers therein and departs, whereupon the switches
are turned off, and another number similarly displayed. Not only does the
vertical rotation of the figures enable the number to be clearly and definitely
determined, and read in the proper rotation from both sides of the sign, but
furthermore, by the coloring of the panes, the various series are further
distinguished. This is particularly the case by the use of the colors, red, white
and blue, which are in this country associated in the order mamed, and thereby
convey to the mind certainty that if the one is rel the other white and the other
blue, the vehicle number innst be 135.
The advantages resultant from the use of the invention will be manifest to all
who are conversant with the general class of devices to which the same appertains.
I do not confine myself to the exact formation of parts or construction of details
herein set forth and illustrated; for instance may in lien of employing the panes,
mark the numerals directly upon the paues though in such case the employment of
the colored panes might not be as practicable, and furthermore believe the
particular arrangement will convey at all distances from the sign the clearest
impression of the numbers sought to be displayed.
Dated this 10th day of October 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Apparatus for Calling or Signalling Carriages at
Theatres and other Places.
1, FRANK WARREN, a citizen of the United States, residing at 692 Eleventh
A venue, in the City of New York, in the County of New York, and State of New
York, late of 610 West 46th Street, New York, United States of America,
Inventor, 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 apparatus for calling or signalling carriages, particularly

page_text: for use in connection with theatres, restaurants, assembly-rooms and like establish-
ments, where a large number of vehicles invariably surround the exit after the
termination of the entertainment and which usually require to be orally called or
hailed as the owners or passengers thereof desire to leave therein.
Great inconvenience and confusion necessarily result from such calling of the
vehicles, and the object of my invention is to provide means for signalling the
carriages by number electrically displayed, and whereby such number will be
exhibited to all the drivers or coachmen waiting, who will upon seeing the either
permanent or temporarily provided number of their vehicles displayed, immediately
draw up before the exit, or if the numbers are displayed in rapid rotation, take
their places in proper order upon a line.
The invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts,
whereby the above mentioned and other desirable results are attained, and herein-
after more fully described.
Referring to the drawings:
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of a device embodying my invention, secured to the
wall of a building to be conspicuously displayed therefrom.
Fig. 2, is a vertical section thereof upon the line -.
Fig. 3, is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits and switches for operating
the device.
In the practice of my invention, I secure to a suitable support or beam A
projecting from the wall of the building A', a sign board or box B, divided by
longitudinal horizontal partitions a and vertical partitions a' into three series of
ten compartments b, with a continuous longitudinal compartiment at the top
Upon each side of the box are secured doors C, hinged at one end, having in the
top thereof, aligning with the upper compartment 6', continuous longitudinal
strips or panes of glass c, the remainder of said doors beneath the panes c, being
divided by longitudinal strips d aligning with the partitions a and by intermediate
vertical strips d, aligning with the partitions a¹, to form a framework comprising
a plurality of hollow squares, in which are inserted three longitudinal series of
glass panes c, c², 3, each series being definitely colored, usually the series c¹, red,
the series c, white, and the series blue, said series comprising each ten panes
corresponding to the compartments . Upon the upper strips c are marked the
numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, in alignment with or immediately above the panes
of each series.
:
Similar
Within each of the three series of lower compartments b, are suspended, from the
partitions a, ten incandescent lamps e, opposite each of the colored panes.
lamps e, of any desired number are suspended from the roof of the box in the upper
compartment to illuminate the panes c, through the whole of which the light
constantly shines throughout the operation.
Within the building, I mount in some convenient position a switch board D,
having thereon three longitudinal series of switches D', D2, D3, corresponding in
number and position to the series of panes c', e², c³, and connecting by means of the
independent wires E', E2, E3, with the respective lamps e in the compartments
opposite the panes with which each switch registers in position and series. Return
wires E, lead from all of said lamps to a branch F, connecting with the dynamo G,
from which extends oppositely a feeder F, connecting by wires F³ with all the
various switches, thereby completing the circuit.
An auxiliary branch or feeder F³extends from the feeder to the various lamps &
in the upper compartiment of the box, of which lamps I have shown four, and a
return wire F, leads from said lamps to the wire F, whereby said lamps are included
in a constant circuit.
The switches D', D2, D3, which are actuated by handles f, are all normally
closed, whereby the lamps e, are normally extinguished, and the various feed and
return wires are respectively connected to said switch board and to the dynamo or
main conductor, through insulating tubes y projecting from the sign B.
The operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing

page_text: description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. The
numbers upon the pane e being constantly visible and it being desired to display
the number of a carriage, the first numeral or figure of the number in question is
displayed by illuminating the red pane e immediately beneath the counterpart of
said number or figure upon the pane c, which illumination is effected by turning on
the switch D. registering with said pane; the second figure of said number is
displayed by illuminating the white pane e immediately beneath the corresponding
figure upon the pane e by turning on the switch D registering therewith; and the
third figure of the vehicle number, if there be such, is displayed by likewise
illuminating the blue pane beneath said figure through the agency of the
corresponding switch D'.
The number of the carriage being for example 135, the red pane e beneath the
figure 1, the white e beneath the figure 3, and the blue pane e beneath the figure 5,
are successively illuminated. The numbers indicated by the several panes are then
read by the various drivers in vertical rotation from the upper panes el downwardly,
and the carriage corresponding to the number 135, which may be as with a cab the
license number, or may be determined by checks or tickets distributed to the
carriages upon their first arrival at the building then draws up before the exit,
recrives its passengers therein and departs, whereupon the switches are turned off,
and another number similarly displayed. Not only does the vertical rotation of
the figures enable the number to be clearly and definitely determined and read in
the proper rotation from both sides of the sign, but furthermore, by the coloring
of the panes, the various series are further distinguished. This is particularly the
cate by the use of the colors, red, white and blue, which are in this country
Associated in the order named, and thereby convey to the mind certainty that if
figure 1, is rel, the figure 3 white, and the ligure 5, blue, the vehicle number must
necessarily be 135.
The advantages resultant from the use of the invention will be manifest to all
who are conversant with the general class of devices to which the same appertains.
I do not confine myself to the exact formation of parts or construction of details
herein set forth and illustrated; for instance 1 may in lieu of employing the panes c,
mark the mumerals directly upon the panes c', c', c', though in such case the
employment of the colored panes might not be as practicable, and furthermoro I
believe the particular arrangement shown will convey at all distances from the
sign the clearest impression of the numbers sought to be displayed.
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. An apparatus for signalling vehicles or the like by numbers, which comprises
a sign conspicuously displayed, a series of switches for displaying the first figuro
of the vehicle number, one or more additional series of switches for displaying
the remaining figure or figures of said number, and means substantially as
shown and described, whereby the actuation of one of each series of said switches
will display upon said sign the said vehicle number.
2. An apparatus for signalling vehicles or the like by numbers, which comprises
a sign divided into a plurality of series of transparent panes, numbers marked
upou said sign, whereby the aligning panes of each series are caused to represent
such umbers, lamps secured behind each pane, a series of switches for indepen-
dently lighting each lamp of the first series of panes to display thereby the first
figure of the vehicle number, and one or more similar series of switches indepen-
dently connected to the lamps of the remaining series of panes to display thereby
the remaining figure or figures of said numbers, substantially as shown and
described.
3. An apparatus for signalling vehicles or the like by numbers, which comprises
a sign conspicuously displayed and divided into a plurality of series of ten
compartments, having lamps located therein, means upon said sign for indicating

page_text: by number each of the aligning compartments of the various series, a switch
board suitably located, a series of ten switches mounted thereon and connecting
individually with the various lamps of the first series of compartments, whereby
one of said lamps may be lighted by the actuation of the corresponding switch to
designate the first figure of the number desired to be displayed, and one or more
similar series of additional switches connecting individually with the various lamps
of the remaining compartments, whereby the remaining figure or figures of the
number are designated by the actuation of the switch or switches corresponding
thereto, substantially as shown and described.
4. An apparatus for signalling vehicles or the like, by numbers, which comprises
a sign box conspicuously displayed, having a continuous longitudinal compartment
in the top thereof and a series of ten compartments therein, and one or more
similar series beneath the same, numbers marked upon said sign, whereby the
vertically aligning compartments designate the same number, said compartments
having transparent panes upon each side thereof, whereby the sign is conspicuous
upon both its faces, lamps secured within each of said compartiments, a series of
switches corresponding in number to and communicating individually with each of
the lamps of the upper series to display the first figure of the vehicle number, and one
or more similar series of switches likewise connecting with the lamps of the lower
series, whereby the remaining figure or figures of the number are displayed beneath
the same, and said number is arranged in vertical rotation, to be visible and
corresponding upon both faces of the sign, substantially as shown and describe l.
5. An apparatus for signalling vehicles or the like by numbers, which comprises
a sign conspicuously displayed and consisting of a box divile by longitudinal
and vertical partitions into a plurality of series of ten compartiments, lamps
secured in ench of said compartments, panes upon each side of the sign opposite
the compartments, each series, or the horizontally aligning panes, being distinctively
colored, numbers marked upon said sign, whereby the vertically aligning panes
designate the same number, and a plurality of series of ten switches individually
connecting to the lamps of the corresponding series of panes upon the sign,
whereby the actuation of one switch of each series illuminates the correspon ling
lamps of the sign to display or designate several figures of the vehicle number in
vertical rotation upon said sign by panes of different colors, substantially as shown
and described.
6. An apparatus for signalling vehicles or the like by numbers, which comprises
a sign secured upon the outside of a building and visible upon both of its faces,
divided into spaces arranged to desiguate unitary numerals in vertical alignment,
lights secured within said sign at each space, a switch-board located within the
building, and a plurality of switches corresponding in position to and individually
connecting with the various lamps, whereby the actuation of said switches display's
the various figures of the vehicle number in vertical rotation, substantially as shown
and described.
7. An apparatus for signalling vehicles or the like by numbers, which comprises
a sigu conspicuously displayed, having a plurality of series of compartiments
enclosed by transparent panes visible upon both faces of the sign, each series being
distinctively colored, lamps secured in each compartment and normally closed or
shut off, a continuous longitudinal compartiment at the top of the sign provided
with panes to be visible upon both sides, having numerals marked thereon above
the vertically aligning compartments of each series, lamps secured within said
empartment whereby the same is constantly and wholly illuminated, and a plurality
of series of switches individually connecting to the various lamps of the series of
compartments, whereby the actuation of the switch of one of said series will
illuminate the compartment of the upper series upon the sign correspon ling in
position thereof, and the actuation of a switch of the remaining series will
illuminate the corresponding compartment or compartments of the lower series,
whereby the vehicle number is displayed by differently colored lights in vertical

page_text: rotation, to be visible upon both sides of the sign, substantially as shown and
described.
8. An apparatus for signalling vehicles or the like which comprises a sign,
conspicuously displayed and secured upon the outside of a building consisting of a
box divided by longitudinal and vertical partitions into three longitudinal series
of ten compartments, each above the other, with a continuous longitudinal
compartment at the top, doors hinged to each face of the sign, divided by corre-
sponding partitions into three similar series of spaces or sections, transparent panes
inserted in each of said sections, the panes of each series of compartments being
correspondingly colored and distinctively from the remaining series, a continuous
pane in the top of each of said doors, having numerals marked thereon above the
vertically aligning panes, whereby the saine are caused to designate the number
above, lamps in ench of the series compartments, and a plurality of lamps in the
continuous compartments at the top whereby the same is constantly and wholly
illuminated, a switchboard secured within the building having three longitudinal
series of switches thereon corresponding in position to the lamps in the series
compartments and individually connecting therewith, whereby the actuation of a
switch of the upper and lower series illuminates the corresponding lamps of the
same to display the vehicle number in vertical rotation upon the sign by illumination
of the colored panes beneath the hgures representing said number, substantially as
shown and described.
9. An apparatus for signalling vehicles or the like by numbers, which comprises
a sign conspicuously displayed upon the outside of a building, consisting of a box
divided by longitudinal and vertical partitions into three series of ten compartments
one above the other, an upper continuous compartment, doors hinged to each of the
faces of said sign and divided by like partitions into three series of spaces or
sections, having glass panes therein, and the panes of each series being corre-
spondingly colored and distinctively from the remaining series, n continuous strip
of glass at the top of each door, having numerals marked thereon above each
compartment of the several series, whereby the vertically aligning compartments
nre designated by the same number, lamps secured in each of the series compart
ments, and a plurality of lamps inserted in the upper compartment to wholly
illuminate the same, a switch-board secured within the building, three series of
switches thereon corresponding to the series compartments of the sign, individual
conductors leading from said switches to the lamp corresponding in position
therewith, return wires lending from all of said lamps to the dynamo, and a feeder
connecting said dynamo to the switches, said switches being normally clused
whereby the lamps are normally shut off, and adapted when actuated to display
the vehicle number in vertical rotation with the figures thereof in distinctive
colors, and brauch wires leading from the dynamo, feeder, and return conductor
to the lamps of the upper continuous compartment, said branch forming a constant
circuit, whereby the lamps in said upper compartment are normally lighted to
wholly illuminate the said compartiment, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 9th day of Jul 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.