Improvements relating to Advertising Devices.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Advertising Devices.
1, WALTER FREDERICK JONES, of Albert Works, Hammersmith, in the County
of Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:--
My invention relates to advertising devices and has for its object to construct
an improved sign in which the lettering or device is changed at different times
and also changes according to the position of the observer.
According to my invention I provide a board or panel to which are pivotally
secured a number of vanes or ribs which are L-shaped in cross section. These
vanes or ribs are arranged parallel to each other, the axes of the pivots being at
the corners of the vanes, and the axes being placed as near as possible to the
panel. All of said vanes are preferably of the same size and arranged at a
distance apart from each other so that they will clear each other when revolved.
It will readily be seen that the vanes can assume two main positions in one of
which one of the wings is flat against the board or panel and in the other of
which the other wing is flat against the board or panel. The appearance of the
sign as viewed by an observer will be as follows:-
If the observer be standing in front of the sign in one position of the vanes one
side of the left wings will be seen, and a part of the panel, and in the other
position of the vanes one side of the right wings and another part of the panel.
If the observer stands sufficiently far to the left he will see in one position of
the vanes one side of the right wings and in the other position of the vanes a
second side of the left wings, while if he stands sufficiently far to the right he
will see one side of the left wings in one position of the vanes and in the other
position of the vanes another side of the right wings. It will be readily under-
stood therefore that in all the sign can present four different appearances, namely,
one in which the observer stands to the left and sees one side of the left wings,
two in which he stands in the middle and sees another side of the left wings or
one side of the right wings, and a fourth in which he stands to the right and
sees another side of the right wings. Hence these portions of the vanes may be
painted with different devices and the appearance of the sign will vary both as
the observer changes his position and also according as the vanes are turned to
one or other of their two main positions. Preferably all the vanes are connected
together in such a manner that a similar movement may be communicated to all
of them simultaneously, but it is obvious that they may be connected in various
ways and the device or wording be so arranged that it is necessary to alter the
position of some of the vanes without altering the others. The vanes may be so
located that in one or both of their main positions a part of the panel or board
may be seen if desired.
Any suitable means may be used for changing the position of the vanes either
automatically or otherwise. I prefer to use, however, an electrical device con-

page_text: Each vane being composed of two wings indicated at A2 and A³ approximately at
right angles to one another it will be seen that they can assume when the rod C
is reciprocated two main positions in one of which one of the wings A², for
example, is flat against the board or panel E and in the other of which the other
wing A is flat against the board or panel. The appearance of the sign as
viewed by an observer will be as follows:-
If the observer be standing in front of the sign and looking in the direction of
the arrow 1 he will see in the position of the vanes shewn in the drawing one
side of the wings A3 and a part of the panel and if the vanes be rotated on their
pivots by movement of the rod C in the direction of the arrow 2 the observer
will see one side of the wings A2 and another part of the panel E. If the ob-
server is looking at the sign in the direction of the arrow 3 and the vanes be
in the position shewn in the drawings he will see one side of the vanes A2 and
in the other position of the vanes he will see a second side of the wings A³, while
if the sign be viewed in the direction of the arrow 4 he will see when the vanes
are in the position shewn in the drawing a second side of the wings A² and in
the other position of the vanes another side of the wings A³. It will be readily
understood therefore that in all the sign can present four appearances, namely,
one in which the observer stands to the left looking in the direction of the
arrow 3 and sees one side of the wings A when the vanes are in the position
opposite to that shewn in the drawing: two in which he stands in the middle
looking in the direction of the arrow I and sees another side of the wings A³
(when the vanes are in the position shewn in the drawing) or one side of the
wings A (when the position of the vanes is reversed), and a fourth in which
he stands to the right looking in the direction of the arrow 4 and sees another
side of the wings A2 (when the vanes are in the position shewn in the drawing).
Hence if the wings and panel are painted with different devices on their sides
the appearance of the sign will vary both as the observer changes his position and
also according as the vanes are turned to one or other of their two main
positions.
Preferably all the vanes are of the same size with the wings of the vanes of
equal width, and are connected together in such a manner that a similar move-
ment may be communicated to all of them simultaneously and this is the case
with the sign shewn in the drawing. It is obvious, however, that the vanes may
be connected in various ways and the device or wording be so arranged that it
is necessary to alter the position of some of the vanes without altering the others.
The vanes are so arranged that in their two positions they cover and uncover
parts of the panel when they are revolved. They must of course be arranged at
such a distance apart from each other that they will clear each other when
revolved. Any suitable means may be used for changing the position of the
vanes either automatically or otherwise.
The vanes may be either in one or more pieces and of any suitable material and
construction and any desired devices, pictures, words etc., may be painted or
otherwise placed thereon.
For use at night I may arrange lamps on the vanes so as to form the device or
words. Where electric lamps are used they may be run continuously or caused
to flash intermittently by a suitable switch in a well known manner.
The vanes may be arranged in horizontal lines if desired in which case the
wording or pictures will alter, according to the position of the observer, above or
below or level with the sign.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. An advertising device comprising a number of vanes L-shaped in cross
section and pivoted in front of a board or panel with means for rotating said