Improved Means of Advertising, and for Indicating the Departure, Arrival, and Stopping Places of Trains.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 20th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 16th Nov.. 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Advertising, and for Indicating the Departure,
Arrival, and Stopping Places of Trains.
ALFRED WILLIAM ARMSTRONG 132 Southwark Street London S.E. Electrical
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention is for the purpose of producing a thoroughly Automatic Machine to
enable shop keepers, advertizers and others to be able constantly, and with little
trouble to change their advertisements, said advertisements to be kept shewing
themselves by the means of electricity, clock work or reflectors, or the both in
combination.
I can
In carrying my invention into practice I use an ordinary set of magic lantern or
other lenses, or two or three sets combined lighted by any suitable means; the object
glasses or pictures, to be made to rotate horrizantilly or vertically or following, as for
instance on a tape, in a frame or disks or suitable means, the rotation to be caused by
electro magnets or clock work or the both in combination at stated intervils.
also use a shutter which immediately excludes the light from the lenses while the
picture is changeing & can remain closed for any period suitable, the whole mechanism
may be actuated by a clock placed in any desired possition which shall make the periods
of change by means of its rotation this clock can be by means of combination with an
induction coil & electro magnets or any other suitable device be made to ignite the
gas or oil lamp or be the means of imparting any kind of light used. I can also if
desireable use an aphengescope so that opaque objects may be exhibeted & changed as
many times as desired by useing mirrors in connection with the mechanism I
diflect the picture or advertizement at any angle desired or even get the picture
transmitted behind the machine itself, this machine may also be adapted for railway
use by means of which the different times of departure & arrival of trains may be
shewn & also in the carriages the next place of stoping.
November 24th 1888
may
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Advertising, and for Indicating the Departure,
Arrival, and Stopping Places of Trains.
1, ALFRED WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, of 132 Southwark Street, in the County of Surrey,
Electrical 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:
The main object of my invention is to provide for exhibiting pictorial and other
advertisements at night or in dark places, and for automatically changing the said
advertisements at predetermined intervals, so that any desired number of different
advertisements may be automatically exhibited one after the other.
My improved apparatus is, moreover, applicable for use in railway stations
or carriages for indicating the times of departure or arrival or the stopping places of
trains, and for similar purposes.
An important feature of my said invention is the construction of the apparatus in
such a manner that the advertisements or the like will be projected thereby upon vertical
or nearly vertical surfaces in a street or other place, so that the whole of the advertise-
ment or the like will be plainly visible, the apparatus not obstructing the view thereof.
For this purpose I so arrange the magic-lantern, or the mirrors that the projected or
Price 1 371

page_text: reflected rays will fall obliquely upon the said vertical or approximately vertical
surface.
Another feature of my said invention is the provision of means for automatically
extinguishing and re-igniting the lamp, for example when changing the advertise
ments or the like.
In carrying my said invention into practice I employ an ordinary set or sets of magic
lantern or other lenses provided with any suitable light or lights. The object glasses
or pictures intended to be reflected are carried upon a tape, or in a frame or disc and
are caused to move at predertermined intervals between the lens and light by electro-
magnets or by a train of clockwork or by both combined. In some instances I employ
a shutter which excludes the light from the lenses while the picture is changing and
remains closed for any suitable period. The apparatus may be either governed by
means of a clock situated at a distance or by clock-work placed in the apparatus. The
said clock-work is arranged so as to govern the periodical changing of the advertise..
ment or information, by making or closing, and breaking or interrupting an electric:
circuit, and is combined with an induction-coil, electro-magnet or other suitable device.
for igniting the gas, oil or other illuminant.
In some instances I provide suitable means for automatically lighting - and
extinguishing the lamp at any predetermined times.
In order to exhibit reflections of opaque objects I employ an asphingescope. More-
over, by combining suitable reflectors or mirrors with my apparatus, I can throw the
reflection of the picture, advertisement or information obliquely upon a wall, screen or
other suitable surface above below, or at either side or at the rear of the apparatus at,
any angle desired.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be con-
veniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a front elevation.
Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 the clock face or front of the apparatus being
removed.
Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line a, a Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line y, y Figures 1 and 2 and
Figure 5 is a rear elevation showing one form of my improved apparatus.
Figure 5* is a plan drawn to an enlarged scale shewing a detail of construction
hereinafter described.
Figure 6 is a plan, and
Figure 7 is a front elevation the front portion of the box or case being removed
showing an improved switch-board hereinafter described.
Figure 8 is a section on the line z, z Figure 6 showing some of the parts in a
different position.
:
Figure 9 is a front elevation.
Figure 10 is a plan some of the parts being removed, and
Figure 11 is an underside view some of the parts being in a different position
showing a modification hereinafter described.
Figure 12 is a front elevation showing a further modification hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the box or case of the apparatus, B is the clock face, C, C, are the
hands.thereof D is an ordinary train of clockwork for imparting motion thereto.
a, a are the object glasses or pictures intended to be reflected. The said object
glasses a are carried in frames 6 supported upon radial arms ¹ firmly attached to a
boss 6² keyed or otherwise secured upon a shaft or spindle c. The shaft or spindle cis
carried in suitable bearings c¹ in frames or plates & supported upon a bracket d¹ attached
to the box or case A. e is a pinion firmly secured in any suitable manner upon the
said shaft or spindle c, and gearing with one of an ordinary train of clockwork
wheels which normally tends to rotate the said pinion e and shaft or spindle c. g is
a wheel or disc provided with teeth or projections g¹. The said wheel or disc g is
secured upon a shaft or spindle g² also supported in suitable bearings in the frames or

page_text: plates d, and is connected with the shaft or spindle c by means of toothed gearing h.
One or other of the teeth or projections g₁ mormally engages with a tooth or
projection i¹ upon a wheel or pinion i, and thus prevents the rotation of the spindle c
under the action of the train of clockwork f.
The wheel or pinion i is firmly secured upon a shaft or spindle supported in suit-
able bearings in the plates or frames d, so as to be free to rotate therein. is another
pinion also firmly secured upon the shaft or spindle 2 which gears with a toothed wheel k
the shaft or spindle of which is rigidly secured to the armature 7 of an electro-
magnet m as more clearly shown in Figure 5. The said armature is so arranged
that it moves freely with the shaft or spindle which is carried in suitable bearings
in the plates or frames d and is provided with a spiral or other suitable spring
which tends normally to retain the said armature out of connection or away from the
poles of the said electro-magnet m. n, n are the wires or conductors which connect
the said electro-magnet with the poles of a battery o. The said circuit n is normally
broken or interrupted and is periodically made or completed for a given length of
time in the manner hereinafter described. During the time for which the said
circuit is made or completed the armature 1 is drawn down or attracted against the
poles of the electro-magnet m, the toothed wheel & the shaft or spindle k¹ of which is
rigidly secured as above described to the said arniature partakes of this motion and
consequently moves the pinion j through a certain angle, and therefore also the wheel
or pinion i so as to release the tooth or projection g' from the tooth or projection i
and permit the wheel g to make half a revolution under the action of the train of
clockwork and moreover at the same time to rotate the shaft or spindle c and the
object glasses a so as to bring the next following or succeeding one into the requisite
position for throwing a reflection of the picture or other matter that may be thrown
upon the face B of the clock in the manner hereinafter described. P is a spring which
acts as a brake by bearing against one of the projections or teeth g' of the wheel or
disc g during the latter part of its movement and before it engages with the tooth or
projection on the wheel or pinion i.
To make or complete the circuit n periodically or at stated intervals for a given
time the escapement wheel D¹ of the clockwork D is provided with contact studs pins
or projections D2 adapted to form contact with the spring contact 9 and to remain in
contact therewith for a predetermined period twice in each revolution of the said
wheel thus making or completing the circuit n which is normally interrupted or
broken and releasing the detent wheel g in the manner above described so as to permit
the clockwork to rotate the arms b' the frames and the object glasses a so as to
bring another of the said object glasses into position. is a gas jet or other suitable
light which is preferably placed edgeways to the object glass u. r is the burner,
² a pipe communicating with any suitable source of gas supply. s is a lense for
condensing the said light upon the said object glass a. The lenses is carried in a
suitable frame s¹ provided with a stem s² which fits into a corresponding hole provided
in a brackets secured to the frames or plates d. The height of the said lense can be
regulated by means of the thumb screw s. t, t are telescopic sections provided with
an ordinary magic lantern or other lens u. v is a reflector formed of any suitable
material. The reflector v is carried upon an arm secured to the box or case A.
is a joint permitting of angular adjustment and v³ is a joint permitting of vertical
and angular adjustment of the said reflector in relation to the magic lantern or other
lens u.
The images of the pictures or other advertising matter or information upon
the object glasses a are thrown upon the said reflector and from the latter are
reflected back upon the clockface B, or upon any other suitable surface. By varying
the number of contact studs, pins or projections D2 upon the escapement wheel D' the
object glasses a and consequently the picture or other matter reflected upon the
clock face or other surface may be changed any suitable number of times in a
minute.
When gas is employed for producing the light I employ a device for effecting the
lighting thereof automatically comprising an electro-magnet wo, which is electrically
connected by means of wires or conductors w' with a an electric lighter x of any

page_text: ordinary construction, y is the cock or valve for closing or opening the supply of gas
to the burner ¹. The plug of the cock or valve y is provided with a square portion y¹
adapted to receive a key for turning the said cock or valve so as to open or close the
same, y² is a contact piece either attached to or formed in one with the plug and
adapted to move therewith, which forms or makes contact with a spring contact
piece when the said plug is turned so as to open the cock or valve y and thus
completes the circuit n which is normally broken when the said cock or valve is closed
(as shown by the dotted lines Figure 2).
I thus provide for breaking or interrupting the electric circuit to the clockwork D
when the light is extinguished, and thus prevent the mechanism from operating
to rotate the object glasses a when there is no light in the apparatus, and for com-
pleting the said circuit when the gas is turned on. is another spring contact
piece against which the said contact piece y² bears during the movement of turning
the plug to open the cock or valve y. The contact piece y², and close or com-
plete the circuit w¹ through the electro-magnet w and the electric lighter x thus
heating the wire or filament of the said lighter to incandescence and thereby lighting
the jet of gas issuing from the burner provided upon the extremity of the
pipe 2
In some instances instead of placing the clock which regulates or governs the
periodical changing or movement of the object glasses in the same apparatus, I
employ a separate clock which may be situated in any convenient position at a
distance therefrom for that purpose. The operation of the apparatus is as follows
that is to say-The clock which regulates or governs the said periodical changing
or movement of the object glasses, and the clockwork which imparts motion to the
latter being wound up, the gas is turned on and the jet is automatically lighted
in the manner hereinbefore described. The picture or other matter upon the object
glass situated between the magic lantern or other lens u and the condensing lenses
is thrown upon the reflector v in the usual manner and from thence is reflected
back upon the clock face B. The escapement wheel D' of the clock work D during
its rotation causes one of the contact pins studs or projections D² to engage with
the spring contact piece p thereby completing the circuit n, and through the electro-
magnet m, armature l, and toothed wheel k moving the pinion and the wheel or
pinion i so as to release the tooth or projection 9 of the wheel and allow the
clockwork to work so as to rotate the arms b₁ and frames sufficiently to bring
another of the object glasses in front of the magic lantern or other lense u. The
contact between the pieces D2 and p is arranged to be of sufficient duration to
release clockwork when this contact ceases the circuit n is again broken, con-
sequently the armature / resumes its normal position under the action of the spring 12
and the wheel or pinion is moved back to its original position by the pinion j
and toothed wheel k so that the next or succeeding tooth or projection 9 engages
with the tooth or projection i¹ upon the wheel or pinion i, the force with which it
would otherwise come into contact with the said tooth or projection is reduced by
the brake spring p. The alteration of the object glasses a may be arranged to
take place any desired number of times per minute by increasing or diminishing
the number of the studs, pins or projections D2 upon the escapement wheel D'.
Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a device which I sometimes employ for extinguishing the
light at any given time, E is a switch board provided with suitable binding posts
or terminals F for the circuit n, and with suitable binding posts or terminals F' for
the circuit w to the electric lighter. G, G are contact pieces attached to a disc H
secured to the plug of the cock or valve y so as to turn therewith. When the said
cock or valve is closed the circuits n and w¹ are broken, but when the said cock or
valve is open the contact pieces G engage with other contact pieces I attached to
the switch board E so as to complete the circuits n and w'. In order to provide for
automatically extinguishing the light by turning off the supply of gas, and arresting
the operation of the object glass changing mechanism at a given time I provide a
spring J one extremity of which is attached to the switch board E and the other
extremity to the stem of the plug of the said cock or valve y in such a manner that

page_text: when the said plug is turned so as to open the cock or valve y a portion of the
aforesaid spring will be caused to wind or coil round the same thus causing a con-
stant tendency of the said plug to turn so as to close the cock or valve y. To maintain
the said cock or valve open, I provide upon the disc H ratchet teeth H' and upon
the armature K of an electro-magnet L a tooth or pawl K₁ adapted to engage
with the said ratchet teeth H.. The said armature is carried upon a flat or ribbon
spring K² which tends to maintain the tooth or pawl K¹ upon the said armature
engaged with the ratchet teeth H. Upon the face of the clock I provide a suitable
contact piece which can be adjusted so as to form or make contact with the hour hand
of the said clock at any given predetermined time, and thus close or complete a
circuit in which the electro-magnet L is included. The armature K is thus attracted
or drawn down to the poles of the said electro-magnet, and the tooth or pawl K! is
released from the ratchet teeth H' upon the disc H thus permitting the plug of the
cock or valve y to turn so as to close the latter under the action of the spring J and
shut off the supply of gas in the pipe from the burner, and moreover at the
same time interrupt or break the circuits n and w¹.
To complete the circuit w¹ to the electric lighter when the gas is turned on [
provide in this instance a push piece M attached to the switch board E. When the
stop-cock or valve y is opened and the contacts G and I are made the push piece M
is operated so as to complete the circuit w¹ to the said electric lighter and thus light
the gas jet in the usual manner.
Figures 9 to 12 illustrate a modification wherein I provide for rotating the object
glasses a by means of electricity. In this case the said object glasses a are carried
in frames the rods or stems 6' of which are supported vertically in sockets 63 attached
to a circular frame or carrier N arranged horizontally. 64, 64 are set screws by means
of which the height of the said frames 6 may be adjusted. The circular frame or
carrier N is firmly attached to a shaft or spindle O which is provided with a hole O'
in which is adapted to fit a pin P firmly attached to a base plate or bed plate Q. Upon
the shaft or spindle O is keyed or otherwise secured a ratchet wheel R.
S is a hooked spring pawl attached to one extremity of the armature T of an
electro-magnet U and arranged to engage with the teeth of the said ratchet wheel R.
The armature T is pivoted at T¹ to a plate T2 attached to the base plate or bed plate Q
by means of a screw T³ or in any other suitable manner. The said plate T2 is con-
nected with or formed in one with the cores U₁ of the electro-magnet U. V is a
spiral spring which is attached at one extremity to the armature T and at the other
to the bed-plate or base plate Q. The said spring tends to retain the said armature
normally away from the poles of the electro-magnet U, and the hooked spring pawl S
engaged with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel R. W is an adjustable stop for
regulating the throw of the armature T. X is a catch provided with a spring X¹ and
arranged to engage with the teeth upon the ratchet wheel R so as to prevent any
backward movement of the latter.
Y, Y are binding posts or terminals for the wires or conductors n from the clock
which regulates the periodical changing of the object glasses a. When the circuit n
has been made or completed by the said clockwork in the manner hereinbefore
described or in any other suitable manner, the electric current passing through the
electro magnet U draws or attracts the armature T thereto, overcoming the strength
of the spring V and the resistance of the circular frame or carrier N and by means
of the hooked spring pawl S and the ratchet wheel R rotating the said circular frame
or carrier N through a given angle, so as to bring another of the object glasses a into
position between the condensing and magic lantern lense. When the circuit n is
again interrupted by the action of the clockwork, the armature T resumes its position
under the action of the spring V and engages again with another tooth of the ratchet
wheel R. Z, Z are stops provided upon the underside of the carrier N against which
is adapted to engage a projection T attached to the said armature T, during the motion
of the latter, thereby ensuring the rotation of the said circular frame or carrier N
through the requisite distance.
Figure 12 is a modification illustrating an application of my invention to a double-

page_text: faced clock. A is the casing which is provided with two clock faces B, each of which
is fitted with telescopic slides t, magic lantern or other lenses and reflectors v similar
to those herein before described.
:
I can if desired provide other suitable means for periodically changing the object
glass in front of the lens or lenses and instead of combining the device with a clock
can cause the reflection to be thrown upon any other suitable surface.
It is obvious moreover that my apparatus may be fitted with a suitable device for
automatically lighting the gas or other light at any predetermined time as well as
extinguishing the same, and for forming or completing the electric circuits so that the
apparatus may be set to cominence and cease its operation at any desired times.
For this purpose 1 employ another train of clockwork provided with an electro-
magnet, substantially similar to the train of clockwork and electro magnet hereinbefore
described for periodically rotating the object glasses or slides The said clockwork
is connected with the plug of a stop cock placed in the gas supply pipe in such
a manner that when the said clockwork is permitted to rotate at predetermined periods,
the said plug will be turned so as to open or close the said cock, and thus permit the
gas from the said supply pipe to pass to the burner, or to cut off the supply there-
from, as the case may be. When the gas supply is opened to the burner, the circuit
to the electric lighter is temporarily established by means of the said train of clock-
work, or otherwise, so as to light the jet of gas therefrom. In order to complete the
electric circuit to the electro-magnet (which is normally broken) and draw down
the armature of the latter so as to release the clockwork and permit the operation
thereof at any desired periods for opening or closing the supply of gas, I provide
upon the clock face suitable adjustable contact pieces which can be arranged to forin
contact with the hour hand of the clock at any predetermined times and thus complete
the electric circuit to the said electro-magnet.
In some instances I so arrange the above described clock work that the light will
be automatically extinguished and relighted while the pictures are being changed.
In order to exclude the light from the lenses while the picture is changing I
sometimes employ a shutter carried upon an arm or lever pivoted to any suitable
support and provided with a spring which tends normally to retain the said shutter
away from the light. The arm or lever is provided with an extension adapted to
engage with the arms 6 when the latter are rotated so as to move the said shutter in
front of the light when the said arms are rotated to change the object glass or slide.
When the next or succeeding object glass or slide is in position in front of the light,
the said extension is released, and the shutter resumes its normal position under the
action of the above mentioned spring so as to again uncover the light.
Instead of a gas or oil lamp I may employ an electric light.
In some instances I employ a suitable device for reproducing reflections from opaque
objects.
It is moreover obvious that I can, if desired, place the lantern instead of the mirror
on a bracket in such a manner that the rays of light projected from it will fall
obliquely upon the frame or case or other surface for the purpose above specified.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood that I
claim
First-The combination, with a magic-lantern having pictures or slides arranged
to be moved successively into position between the light and lens, of a mirror so
arranged that the rays of light passing through the said lens and reflected by the said
mirror will fall obliquely upon a vertical or nearly vertical surface beneath or at either
side of the said lens, for the purposes above specified.
Second The combination of a frame or case, a magic lantern and means for auto-
matically changing or shifting the pictures or slides thereof enclosed in the said frame
or case-and a mirror whereby the rays of light passing through the said lens will be
reflected upon the said frame or case or upon a surface in front of the same, for. the
purposes above specified.

page_text: :
Third The improved means substantially as hereinbefore described for auto-
matically changing the pictures, advertisements or the like at predetermined
periods.
Fourth-The improved means for automatically lighting the lamp when the supply
of the illuminant is turned on, and for closing or completing the electric circuit to the
clockwork mechanism by the same operation substantially as described.
Fifth The improved means, substantially as hereinbefore described for auto-
matically extinguishing the light at any predetermined time.
Sixth-In an apparatus such as I have hereinbefore described, the provision of
means for shutting off or obscuring the light during the changing of the pictures or
slides, as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Seventh-The employment, in an apparatus such as I have herein before described
of a screen of semi-opaque glass on the exterior of which the advertisement or the
like will be projected or reflected and on the interior of which the direct rays from the
lamp will fall, for the purpose above specified.
Eighth The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 5 and 5* or to Figures 6, 7 and 8 or to Figures 9, 10
and 11 or to Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings and operating in the manner
and for the purposes above specified.
Dated this 90th day of August 1980
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.