Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1888
Specification Accepted, 1st June, 1888
I, ALFRED ROBERTO PULLIN, of Sydney, in the Colony of New South Wales,
Artist, 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 signs and signals for display by night or by day, and
it has been specially devised in order to provide a sign-board or frame on which
a certain number of different signals, or announcements, or advertisements, or of
different combinations of various signals, &c., may be regularly and intermittently
exposed.
These improvements in signs and signals consist, first, in arranging a series of
lamps or lanterns or signs in such a manner that they may be intermittently and
simultaneously partially revolved to change the announcement or announcements
made by the exposed parts of such series of lamps or lanterns or signs, and these
improvements in signs and signals further consist in certain combinations and
arrangements and in the peculiar construction of several parts hereinafter more
particularly set forth.
But in order that my invention may be clearly understood, reference will now be
made to the drawings herewith, which show an application of my invention to a sign
or signal consisting of a series of lamps with names, pictures or other devices,
advertisements or signals painted or inscribed upon their faces or sides. Figure 1 is
a longitudinal side elevation of the framework. Figure 2 is a partial longitudinal
section on the line y y of Figure 4. Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal section on the
line of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross vertical section on the line. x of Figure 1.
Figure 5 shows a modified construction of framework, with a portion of the side
removed. Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of part of Figure 5. A is framework of
convenient and desirable form to suit the architecture of the building or structure to
which it is to be affixed. such as of rectangular (Figures 1 to 4) or of semicircular
outline (Figures 5 and 6). The vertical sides have a series of apertures of suitable
dimensions to disclose advertisements, signs or signals upon lamps within the frame.
The apertures or openings may be made in opposite sides of the frame and in
juxtaposition and have two lamps placed between them. The lamps B are journalled
in a horizontal partition A" and in the bottom of the frame. G is a pipe for gas,

page_text: but other illuminant may be employed. Apparatus for turning the lamps consists of
the vertical rod C and the horizontal cross-arms bb. In the present illustration, such
mechanism is shown in duplicate. Horizontal bevel-wheels D D are pivotted in
suitable projections or supports and each is provided with a downwardly-projecting
pin a arranged to revolve or turn the cross-bars bb and thus to turn or partially
rotate the lanterns B. The motion thus imparted to the end lantern is communicated
to the other lanterns in the series by a connection consisting of gears K secured to
the rods G, or to the upper extremities of the lamp-spindles, and intermediate
gears K, all gearing together. The rods or shafts that carry the gears have bearings
in the partitions or bars A and C. The horizontal bevel-wheels D D gear with
vertical bevel-pinions F F, mounted upon a horizontal shaft I journailed in suitable
hangers G. Power is applied to revolve the shaft I in any suitable manner, as for
instance by means of the pulley H. The revolutions of the shaft I will, through the
medium of the mechanism just described, partially revolve the lamps simultaneously
and intermittently, and present their several faces in succession through the apertures
in the framework; for, when the pins a come in contact with the arms b, each of the
lamps rotates through a segment of a circle and the several faces of the lamps are
thus exposed successively through the apertures, with a pause after each movement to
allow each face to be read before a change is effected.
By a modification of the above arrangement, the lamps are arranged in a semi-
circular instead of a rectilinear framework. In this case, it becomes necessary to
readjust and adapt the motive mechanism which revolves the lamps. One method of
doing this is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. A¹ denotes the frame. A single central
bevel gear D¹ takes the place of the bevel-gears D D in Figures 2 and 3, and is
actuated by the bevel-pinion F¹. The gear D¹ has a downwardly-projecting pin a¹,
which acts upon the cross-arms on the pivot or spindle of the central lantern B' in
the same manner that the pins a act on the arms of the pivots or spindles of the
end lanterns in Figures 2 and 3. The central lantern B¹ is the only one of the series
shown as provided with cross-arms on its spindle, but additional lamps may be so
provided, if preferred. The gear-wheels L, secured to the lantern-spindles C¹, and
intermediate gears I, convey the actuating power from the gear attached to the
spindle of the central lantern.
A modification of my invention consists in an arrangement of a system of signs or
signals adapted more particularly for advertising or signalling in the daytime and
more especially in cases where it is desired that the advertisement or signal may be
secu from long distances. Figure 7 is a side elevation of an arrangement of this
description; Figure S being a sectional plan view of the same. Figure 9 is a
perspective drawing of a few of the flaps and the mechanism for operating them.
Figure 10 is a top edge view of a number of the flaps; their paths of movement
being indicated by dotted lines. The framework consists of the vertical board or
partition A, the upper and lower horizontal bars Bx and B**, and the vertical end
and connections CCx. On each side of the board Ax, a series of swinging or
rotating flaps or leaves Dx and Dxx are arranged to move in relation to the
board A, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. On these flaps are inscribed or delineated
letters, names, pictures, signs or other devices. Each flap is pivotted by means of a
rod secured to its inner vertical edge and extending above and below the same so as
to enter the bars B and B**. There may be any number of flaps to suit the
purpose for which the device is used. The flaps D* on one side of the board A* are
preferably opposite the flaps D** on the other side of the said board. A horizontal
bar Ex, having projecting pins ex which enter slots 6* in the bottom edges of the
flaps Dx, connects the latter together. The flaps D** are provided with a similar
horizontal bar Exx fitted with pins e**. These bars Ex Exx are jointed to
cross-bars FX FX pivotted to the bar B**. A connecting rod G* leads from a
crank H (rotated by suitable means) to the said cross-bars F* F*, and imparts a
longitudinal movement to the bars Ex and Exx, causing the flaps or ribs to rotate
or swing alternately from one side to the other.
A further modification of my invention consists of an arrangement, by which

page_text: differently colored lights may be exposed and hidden at night time. This is carried
into effect with the gearing shown in Figures 6 to 10; the flaps D¹, instead of
shutting upon a flat surface, being arranged upon the outside of a box containing
gas or other lights and having windows of the colors desired. The flaps are caused
to close upon these windows or open out from them, as will be easily understood
without further drawings. This modification might also be combined with the other
apparatus described for exposing different parts of a series of lamps.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim:
First Arranging a series of lamps or lanterns within a frame in such a manner
that the sides or faces of such lamps or lanterns may be revolved against and exposed
through apertures in such frame, substantially as herein described.
Second Arranging a series of flaps or hinged signs within or against a frame
in such a manner that the flaps or signs may be closed to the right and to the left of
the hinge alternately, substantially as herein described.
Third-The combination and arrangement with one or a series of lamps pivotted
opposite appertures in a frame of mechanical devices consisting of a spindle or
spindles provided with cross-arms and appropriate gearing for intermittently rotating
the said lamp or series of lamps, substantially as herein described and explained and
as illustrated in the drawings.
Fourth-The combination and arrangement with one or a series of signalling
lanterns mounted on a vertical axis or axes opposite an apperture or apertures in a
frame of the horizontal pin-provided wheel or wheels engaging with the arms on the
axlo or axles of the lantern or lanterns, and of the connections for simultaneously
rotating the lanterns when more than one are employed, substantially as herein
described and explained and as illustrated in the drawings:
Fifth-One or a series of signalling lamps or lanterns arranged on a pivot or
pivots and caused by mechanical means to rotate or partially rotate intermittently,
substantially as herein described and explained.
Sixth-The combination and arrangement with a stationary frame of one or more
signs or flaps pivotted near their rear vertical edges to the frame and adapted to
vibrate or rotate and present opposite sides to view, and suitable mechanism
directly connected to and adapted for vibrating such flaps, substantially as herein
described.
a
Seventh-The combination and arrangement with a stationary frame having
back-ground or partition and one or more flaps pivotted near their rear vertical edges
to the said frame and adapted to vibrate therein and to form a flat surface when
nearing the limit of vibration as opposite sides are alternately presented to view of
mechanism directly connected to and operating to vibrate the said flaps, substantially
as described and explained.
Eighth The combination and arrangement with a stationary frame having hinged
signs or flaps of horizontal bars having pins which enter slots in the bottom or
top edges of the flaps; such bars being pivotted to cross-pieces and being operated
by a crank and connecting rod, substantially as described and explained and as
illustrated in the drawings.
Ninth One or a series of signalling flaps or leaves mounted on pivots and
operated by mechanical means so as to expose alternately opposite sides to view.
C
A. ROBERTO PULLIN.
Per G. G. M. Hardingham,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
A geni
A. ROBERTO PULLIN.
Per G. G. M. Hardingham,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent