Improved Method of and Apparatus-for Signalling or Advertising by Electricity.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1898 --Accepted, 19th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus-for Signalling or Advertising by
Electricity.
I, ALEXANDRE GINISTY, of 30, Rue de la Comédie, Havre, in the French
Republic, 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 an improved method of and apparatus for signalling or
advertising at night by electricity.
With the systems of electrical signs or advertising devices at present in use,
an expensive installation is necessary for the production of each word or advertise-
ment that is required, and when this large initial outlay has been incurred, it is
only possible to repeat the same word or advertisement over and over again.
Now according to my invention, after the apparatus to be presently described
is once erected, I am enabled to produce any word or advertisement that may be
required, at a moment's notice, on the same frame or series of frames.
In order that this invention may be fully understood I will proceed to describe
the same with reference to the drawings accompanying this specification in which,
Fig. 1 shews a front view of a table (frame) on which the signals or advertisements
are exhibited. Fig. 2 is a plan of the fixed part of a special arrangement of
switches. Fig. 3 is a vertical section, on line 3-3 Fig. 2; Fig. 4 an elevation of
the movable part of the switch arrangement Fig. 5 under plan of same. Fig. 6
a transverse section of the whole of the arrangement of switches as it would appear
at the moment of action of the apparatus. Figs. 7 and 8 shew detail views of
pieces constituting the fixed part of the arrangement of switches. Fig. 9 view of
the general arrangement of parts constituting the whole apparatus.
The apparatus now to be described consists of two parts: the one, a frame
on which the signals or advertisements appear, the other, an arrangement of
switches for transmitting the desired signal or advertisement to the frame or
board A.
The signal board shewn at Fig. 1 on the drawings is formed' of a frame A
provided with bars a, so arranged as to allow of the formation of all the signals
which it may be desired to transmit.
The drawing shews a special form of signal board, in which the bars a together
with the frame A, form a combination of all the letters of the alphabet, of some
of the numerals, and of various international signs, such as a triangle, a cross;
an inverted V, etc. It is evident that other forms of signal frames or boards,
suitable to the formation of other signs, may be substituted for that shewn.
To permit of the exhibition of the various signs or signals grouped within the
frame A, incandescent electric lamps B are provided to the apparatus.
These lamps B must be insulated one from the other and the mounting of the
different parts constituting the frame should be such that the letters or other signs
which it carries may be quite distinct; thus each sign will be represented by a
quitable number of lamps B, so arranged as to ensure the exact transmission of
the sign.

page_text: All the wires which convey the current to the lamps B on the frame A are
brought together at a suitable part of this latter, and form two cables, C and D ;
the one of the cables, C, goes directly to the switch arrangement, previously
described; the other D, is connected with one of the terminals (poles) of the
source of electricity, the other terminal of which is in connection with the said
switch arrangement.
The arrangement of the switches of the apparatus consists of two parts: the one
fixed (shewn at Figs. 2 and 3), and the other movable and changeable (shewn at
Figs. 4 and 5).
The fixed part of the switch arrangement consists of a block or framework E of
insulating material, having on its upper surface grooves e so arranged as to make
an exact reproduction of the bars a and frame A. In these grooves e are fitted
contact pieces G at points corresponding to the positions of the lamps B upon the
signal board A. These contact pieces G (shewn in detail at Figs. 7
and 8) consist of plungers g terminating at their upper ends in rounded
heads g¹. The contact pieces are normally kept in a raised position by
springs h, and their upward movement is limited by washers or nuts i screwing
upon the lower ends of the plungers g.
Each contact piece G is electrically connected, by a wire c, with its correspond-
ing lamp on the frame A. Each wire c is held upon its plunger g by a second
washer which presses it upon the washer i already mentioned.
All the wires c are brought together at a suitable part of the switch board, and
from the cable C, which proceeds directly to the frame A.
To one of the sides of the framework is fixed a support j to which is hinged an
arm J of metal, the free end of which is provided with a knob or button K of
insulating material below which is fitted a contact piece j¹ of metal.
The arm J is electrically connected, by means of the wire D, with one of the
poles of the source of electricity before mentioned.
As many movable parts are provided to the switch arrangement as there are
distinct signals. Each of these movable parts is formed of a plate L (see Figs. 4
and 5) of insulating material, in which are set strips of metal representing one
of the signs of the combination adopted for the frame A, and consequently for
the upper face of the block E.
The strips project somewhat from the plate L and must be so disposed that
they fit exactly into the corresponding grooves on the block E.
Upon the opposite face of the plate L is fitted a metal contact piece m furnished
with two projecting pieces m¹ m¹ of metal which form a spring (see Fig. 6).
This contact piece m is electrically connected in any suitable way, with the sign
formed by the beforementioned strips l¹.
The apparatus acts in the following way: -
To indicate a signal or advertisement, that plate L is selected which represents
the desired letter or sign. This plate is then placed upon the block E, as shewn at
Fig. 6 of the drawing, in such a way that the metallic strips enter the corres-
ponding grooves e in the said block. Then by bringing over the arm J and
pressing down the button K, the piece j¹ enters between the two projections m¹ m¹
of the piece m carried by the plate L.
It will be seen that immediately the arm J is thus in contact with the piece_m,
the electric circuit is completed: for one of the poles of the source of electricity
is connected with the contact piece G (by way of the lamps B) and the other pole
is in electrical communication with the arm J, which latter is in communication
with the strips resting upon the heads g¹ of the plungers G.
It should be noted that the electric current can only pass through those contact
pieces G upon which the strips rest and that in consequence only those lamps B
which correspond to the signal represented by the said strips 11 are illuminated,
thus producing the desired signal.
As soon as the arm J is raised clear of the projections m³, the circuit is broken,
end the signal ceases to shew.

page_text: The springs h of the contact pieces G are provided to compensate for any differ-
ences which might exist in the heights of the said contact pieces.
In
In the preceding description the apparatus has been considered as being
furnished with one frame A, but it would be easy, with only one switch board, to
actuate several sets of lamps B, upon frames A situated at different places.
order to do this it would suffice to mount these frames in series, and to attach
the wires leaving them to the contact pieces G, whilst the wires that proceeded to
them should be in connection with one of the terminals (poles) of the electric
source. the other terminal being connected with the lever J.
It would be equally possible to arrange several frames A side by side, each
frame to produce its own particular and distinct sign. An arrangement of this
kind is generally represented at Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings. It will
be seen that it is necessary, in this case, to have as many switch boards as there are
frames A. Each switch board is connected, on the one hand, with the source of
electricity, S, and on the other hand with the corresponding frame A, which is
itself connected with the source S.
In order to use this apparatus, plates L representing the desired signs are placed
upon the blocks E, and the arms J are brought into contact with the projections m¹.
Suitable means may be employed, if desired, for simultaneously completing the
connections of all the switch boards.
This latter system is especially applicable to advertising by night, as the frames
could be so arranged that entire phrases might be shewn.
The bulbs of the lamps B should be preferably made to form reflectors, in order
to improve the outward projection of the rays of light.
Instead of having the plate L, provided with metal conductors as described, for
completing the circuit, the plate L may be made entirely of insulating material,
and be furnished on its under surface with the sign or letter in relief, so that when
it is depressed, it shall act on plungers working spring contact pieces (which may
he analogous to those commonly used for electric bells) each of which is in
electrical connection with its corresponding lamp and with the source of electricity.
This invention is particularly applicable for signalling words or codes at sea, in
which case it would be preferable to employ only one frame and produce each
letter or sign successively.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The improved method of and apparatus for signalling or advertising by
electricity substantially as set forth.
2. In apparatus for signalling or advertising by electricity, the particular con-
struction and arrangement of parts shewn at Fig. 1 on the accompanying drawings.
3. In apparatus for signalling or advertising by electricity, the employment
of an arrangement of switches in connection with the frame carrying the lamps,
in combination with a series of plates corresponding with the various letters or
signs on the frame for completing the circuit through the desired lamps.
4. In apparatus for signalling or advertising by electricity the employment of
an arrangement of switches in connection with the frame carrying the lamps, in
combination with a series of plates corresponding to the various letters or signs
on the frame all arranged and operated substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
1000
BROWNE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant, 9, Warwick Court, Gray's Inn, London, W.C.