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

page_text: Date of Application, 19th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 19th May, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Signalling or Advertising
by Electricity.
We, ALEXANDRE GINISTY, of 30, Rue de la Comédie, Engineer, and VALENTIN
METZ, of 59, Rue de St. Quentin, Merchant, both of Havre, in the French Republic,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements on a former invention for which Letters
Patent were granted to Alexandre Ginisty No. 1017 dated the 13th January 1898
and the present improvements relate to the formation of the switch portion of the
said invention by which we are enabled to employ a simple switch complete in
itself, instead of one composed of a number of movable parts, as in the aforesaid
former invention.
To effect this we modify the electric installation of each frame indicated by the
letter A in the drawings accompanying the Specification of the aforesaid Letters
Patent, without altering the design of the said frames. The modification consists
in electrically connecting one of the poles of the lamps to a single terminal and
the other pole of the said lamps to other terminals; each of these latter terminals
corresponding to one of the designs to be transmitted and being connected with
only those lamps which form the sign.
Thus upon all the aforesaid frames there is a single terminal and there are as
many of the other terminals as signs to be transmitted :—for instance, to produce
the letters of the alphabet there would be 26 of these terminals.
In the first arrangement, which is designed more particularly for the trans-
mission of signals, the single terminal of the frame or frames is connected by a wire
to one of the poles of the source of electricity and the other terminals are respec-
tively connected by wires forming a cable to a rod of conducting metal surmounted
by a key or button of insulating material upon which is represented the sign corre-
sponding to the terminal in question in communication with the said rod. Each
button with its rod is constantly pressed upwards by a spring. Under the keyboard
formed by the group of buttons is placed a metal plate connected by a wire with
the remaining terminal of the source of electricity.
The key board formed by the buttons may be actuated after the manner of a
typewriting machine, recording the signals sent at the same time as it acts as
a switch, and thus providing a check.
According to a second arrangement which is especially applicable for advertising
purposes, the keyboard switch is replaced by dials, one dial corresponding to each
frame in use.
Each of the dials (which are of insulating material) is provided with as many
metal keys or buttons as there are signs to be represented upon the corresponding
frame and these keys or buttons are respectively attached by wires forming
a cable to the series of terminals of the corresponding frame.
A revolving hand or bar is mounted on a metal axle at the centre of each dial.
This axle is in electrical communication with a source of electricity by means of

page_text: a wire. The source of electricity is also in communication with the single terminals
of the frames by means of a wire. The revolving bar is provided with a handle of
insulating material.
By this arrangement of frames, the original switch is dispensed with and the
number of wires connecting the frame with the switch is reduced and made equal
to the number of signs to be transmitted-26 for the alphabet.
The insulating of the wires connecting the lamps with the series of terminals is
necessary in order to avoid the illumination of all the lamps when one circuit is
completed. This insulation of the wires necessitates a particular construction and
arrangement of the said terminals, which are attached to the frame or disposed m
the proximity of the latter. The following is an arrangement we have found to
answer well in practice.
In a supporting piece of insulating material we set and fix in a suitable way con-
tact pieces, each receiving the extremity of one of the wires coming from a lamp or
lamps.
It is evident that the number of these contact pieces will vary according to the
sign corresponding to the terminal of which they form part, each sign being repro-
duced in space by a certain number of lamps.
An electro-magnet corresponds to each terminal and its, entering wire is con-
nected with the corresponding button of the switch, while its emerging
wire is electrically connected with a piece fixed upon the armature
of the electro-magnet and insulated from the latter. This said piece is
provided on one side with a number of spring blades equal in number to the con-
tact pieces carried by the corresponding terminal, and on the other side with a
single spring blade; the said piece acts in combination for the one part, with the
said terminal, and for the other part with the contact piece electrically connected
with the source of electricity by the single terminal and a wire.
All the electro-magnets of the terminals are constructed in the same way. An
analogous result may be obtained by mounting the magnets in a special circuit,
independent of that supplying the lamps, the source of which would be connected
on the one side with the aforesaid contact piece, and on the other with the single
terminals of the frames.
In a third arrangement the frames are disposed in exactly the same manner as
previously indicated.
This apparatus is composed of a guide piece of insulating material provided with
a groove, and has as many metal buttons as there are signs or letters to be repre-
sented upon the frame, and these buttons are connected by wires with the frame.
In the interior of the groove is mounted a metal axle held in place by a helical
thread; at the centre is a copper bolt, kept in a horizontal position by the said axle,
which is insulated from this copper bolt by a washer of insulating material; above
and below are two flanges which keep the copper bolt in position upon the button.
Dated this 19th day of May 1898.
BROWNE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Signalling or Advertising
by Electricity.
We, ALEXANDRE GINISTY, of 30, Rue de la Comédie, Engineer, and VALENTIN
METZ, of 59, Rue de St. Quentin, Merchant, both of Havre, in the French Republic,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to

page_text: be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to improvements on a former invention for which Letters
Patent were granted to Alexandre Ginisty No. 1017 dated the 13th January 1898
and the present improvements relate to the switch portion of the said invention
by which we are enabled to employ a simple switch complete in itself instead
of one composed of a number of moveable parts as in the aforesaid former invention.
And in order that our said invention may be better understood, we will now
proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawings accompanying this
specification in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a frame furnished with incandescent
electric lamps. Figs. 2 and 3 are modifications of this frame. Figs. 4, 5 and 6
shew in detail the method of operating the lamps on the frame. Figs. 7, 8 and 9
are various systems of switches by which a sign can be exhibited on the frame.
Figs. 10 and 11 shew another description of switch. Figs. 12 and 13 shew a
modification of this last mentioned switch. Fig. 14 is a view shewing the entire
arrangement of one way of exhibiting on one or more frames, distinct signs.
Fig. 15 is also a view shewing the whole general arrangement for exhibiting on one
or several frames distinct signs such as words.
On reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 will be seen frames A on which the signs will
appear, these are of a rectangular shape for example and are furnished with electric
lamps a the said frames may be solid or open.
The frames represented on the drawing are furnished with a certain number and
arrangement of lamps a, by means of which any ordinary sign, likewise any letter
of the alphabet can be exhibited.
The arrangement shewn at Fig. 1 would be employed for very large signs and
the arrangement shewn at Fig. 2 for signs of a height varying from 2 feet to 4 feet
and the arrangement shewn at Fig. 3 is applicable to frames of less than 2 fect
high. In the last two arrangements we prefer to fix the lamps in grooves b,
of suitable shape and length as shewn at Fig. 2. These grooves may be of white
enamelled metal in order to shew up the lamps a to the best advantage and thus
exhibit perfectly defined signs or letters.
One of the poles of all the lamps a on a frame A is electrically connected to a
terminal e fixed on the frame (see dotted lines at Fig. 3) and the other pole of the
said lamps is electrically connected independently to corresponding terminals c
etc. (see "chain" dotted lines Fig. 3) in the mechanism equal to the number of
lamps a.
In the frame A or in proximity thereto we fix a box for example, in which we
operate as many contact making mechanisms as there are distinct signs or letters
to exhibit on the frame A as represented at Figs. 4 5 and 6. For instance 26 for
the alphabet.
Each of the contact makers is provided with an electro magnet C to attract an
armature D pivotted at d. The armature has a piece E fixed at its free end, to
this piece I is attached on one side a strip of steel e forming a spring and on the
other side forming a number of strips el.
The piece E is insulated from the armature D but is connected by a wire a
with the wire coming from the magnet C.
When the magnet C is not excited the armature D is kept away from the said
magnet by the spring in this position the strip e of the piece E touches a con-
tact electrically connected with the terminal c of the frame A (see Fig. 3). When
the armature D is attracted by the magnet C the strips e¹ of the piece E follow
the movement and come against the contacts g mounted in the support G made
of insulated material.
From what has been above stated it will be seen that for each frame as many
supports G are necessary as there are distinct signs to exhibit.
Each contact g of these supports is electrically connected by a special wire to
the terminal of one of the lamps which form by their grouping the desired
sign.

page_text: opposite the key h¹ corresponding to the letter or sign which it is required to
produce, by making the rod N slide in the groove m then tightening the sliding
piece upon the said key h¹ by rotating the rod N upon its own axis by means of
the large button n', the said rod turning freely in the sliding piece. On account
of this rotation, the inclined thread n taking against the inclined sides m m' of
the block M, causes the said rod N to be moved in the direction of its axis, towards
the inner side of the block, which causes the sliding piece to be forced strongly
down upon the key h. The electric circuit is thus closed and the current passes
through the electro magnet C corresponding to the key h¹ in question, then to the
contacts and the lamps a connected with these latter as previously described.
In order to change the slide h from one key to another, the rod N and conse-
quently the inclined surface are set in the original positions, and then the
whole is forced to slide in the cavity m.
Hitherto it has been assumed that a switch corresponds to a single frame and
consequently that there are as many switches as frames. However for the trans-
mission of signals, it can easily be understood, that the switch which causes the
sign to appear on a frame A can make the same sign appear on several frames
arranged as shewn at Fig. 14; a general view of this arrangement in connection
with a system of switches is shewn in detail at Figs. 7, 8 and 9, that is to say
where the terminals c as well as c¹³ete would be connected together respec-
tively. This arrangement would be equally applicable for advertising, which
would enable the same word on the same frame to be rendered visible in various
places by the same manipulation.
Fig. 15 is a general view shewing the application of the system shewn at Figs. 10
and 11 in detail for advertising.
In the general views 14 and 15 the letter Z is employed to denote the mechanism
corresponding to each of the terminals C* of the frames.
In the arrangement shewn at Fig. 15 when changing the signs on the frames A
to prevent the series of keys h¹ put successively in contact with the slide h from
causing the corresponding signs to appear on the said frames, an interrupting
device is interposed in the circuit. The current being interrupted it is possible
to set all the slides on the keys h', then all the signs corresponding to the said
keys will appear at one time in the space by closing the circuit by manipulating
the interrupted device u.
It is allowable to fix two switches in connection with a frame A which will be
found very desirable in advertising; it will then be possible, whilst one word or
phrase is appearing in the space, to arrange the second set of switches for a second
frame, which can be made to appear immediately after the first by manipulating
the interrupting device, common to the second switches, after operating the
interrupting device of the first switches, cutting off the circuit from them.
It is to be remarked that in the apparatus described above, it would be easy
to substitute for the electro magnet C of the frames A, solenoids, the movable cores
of which would be fixed on the pieces D and govern their movement.
Again, the apparatus would act in the same way, if on the one hand the electro-
magnets C and the switches are interposed in one circuit, and on the other hand
the terminals c and c¹, 2, c³, as well as the contacts F, g, in another circuit,
intended for supplying the lamps a with current, but in this case it would be
necessary, on displacing the armature D, that the plates e, e¹ of the piece E (which
is no longer in electrical communication with the electro-magnet C corresponding)
should be sufficiently long to make connection between the contacts F and g.
According to another form of switch; shewn at Figure 16 of the drawings, A is
a plate of suitable insulating material, on which are represented in circles all the
signs or letters which are intended to be rendered visible in the space on the frame.
The letters or signs are formed on the plate-A by means of a certain number
of copper pieces V, insulated from one another. For every letter or sign the
number of pieces V must be equal to the number of lamps required to make
up each of these letters or signs.

page_text: On the plate A, on either side of a group of pieces V representing a sign or letter,
are fixed partitions or stops B, between which the palette C of the extension D
of the switch can be introduced, which serve to guide the palette when moved into
position.
The extension D is mounted on a pivot E, jointed to the centre of the plate A;
in the normal condition, a spring G constantly tends to force the palette C away
from the plate A.
In order to manipulate the piece D, it is consequently necessary to press upon
it and compress the spring to disengage the palette C from the stops B, between
which it is resting, whereupon the said piece D can be moved into a new position.
In order to insure perfect contact between the palette C and the pieces V of
the disc A, the lower surface of the said palette is composed of a metal foil H (see
Figure 19) fastened on in any suitable manner, under which is placed a thick
piece of rubber I forming a cushion. It will be seen that owing to this arrange-
ment when the metallic foil H of the palette C under the action of the spring G
is pressed on the pieces V representing a sign, the electrical contact between these
latter and the foil H is rendered certain, assuming at the same time that the
said pieces project from the surface of the plate A.
Figure 17 of the drawings shews the method of arranging the wires connecting
the lamps of the frame and the pieces V. One of the poles of the source of
electricity is connected directly with one of the poles of the lamps
of the frame, and the other pole of the source of electricity is con-
nected to the piece D. A wire runs from the free pole of each
lamp and is connected to as many wires as the times a lamp is
used in the different combinations of signs or letters represented on the
frame A. Figure 18 shews diagrammatically the arrangements for two
letters Band P. Amongst the lamps on the frame which form these
letters by their grouping, there are several which have to be actuated
in both cases.
Two conductors have therefore been led from these common lamps,
one connected to one of the pieces V representing the letter B and the other to
one of the pieces V representing the letter P (see Figure 16). If these lamps
form part of another sign or letter, they will again be connected with the corre-
sponding pieces V on the plate A.
The same method of fitting is employed for all the lamps on the frame. The
pieces V beino electrically insulated from one another, the current cannot pass
from one to the other, and when the palette C is set on one series of pieces V,
corresponding to a letter or sign, it is certain that only the lamps intended to
represent that sign on the space in the frame will be supplied with current.
By successively putting the palette C in contact with each of the series of
pieces of the disc A all the signs represented on the disc will be made to appear
successively on the frame.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. In an apparatus for the transmission of illuminated signs to a distance and
for advertising at night, a frame A provided with incandescent lamps a one of
the poles of which is connected to the terminal c and the other to separate
terminals cc etc., the said frames carrying a number of sets of mechanism
equal to the number of signs to be transmitted, and each of these sets of mechanism
consisting of an electro magnet C (or solenoid) actuating an armature D carrying
insulated piece E and in electrical communication with the end of the coil of
the electro magnet G, the said piece E actuating in combination with contacts F, g;
F being connected to the terminal c and those denoted by g being respectively
connected, in each set of mechanism with terminals & c³ corresponding to
lamps A, calculated by their grouping to form any sign in the frame, the free

page_text: terminal c on the one hand and the starting of the coils of the electro magnets G
on the other hand being connected to two poles of a source of electricity with a
switch interposed, the whole manipulated substantially as and for the purposes
herein before set forth and as shewn on the accompanying drawings.
2. In combination with the frame claimed in Claim 1, a switch consisting
of a type-writer I resting on a bed plate H furnished with contacts each of which
consists of a fixed piece h¹ in electrical communication with the starting of the
coil of one of the electro magnets G of the frame A (corresponding) and of a
moveable piece connected with the source of electricity, said piece / controlled
by a spring being set in motion by one of the keys of the type writer, the
whole manipulated substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth and
as sliewn on the accompanying drawings.
3. In combination with the frame, the subject of Claim 1, a switch consisting
of a dial plate K, carrying keys insulated from one another, and respectively
in electrical communication with the starting of the coil of each of the electro
magnets of the corresponding frame, A, in the centre of which is mounted a
hand, which can be manipulated by hand and which is in electrical communica-
tion with the source of electricity, the whole acting in the manner herein before
described for the purposes set forth, and as shewn on the accompanying drawings.
4. In combination with a frame, the subject of Claim 1, a switch consisting of
a block M carrying keys h' insulated from one another and respectively in electrical
communication with the starting of the coils of each of the electro magnets G of
the corresponding frame A, the said block M having a cavity m with inclined
sides m² m² in which a rod N formed with an inclined head is moveable, a button n¹
for manipulating same and a slide h in electrical communication with the source
of electricity all acting substantially as and for the purposes set forth and as
shewn on the accompanying drawings.
5. In a frame such as is the subject of Claim 1, the arrangement of the lamp a
in grooves b of different size and shape for the purpose of increasing the luminous
effect of said lamps in a particular manner as hereinbefore set forth with reference
to the drawing.
6. In an apparatus for transmitting illuminated signals and for advertising by
night such as that the subject of the preceding claims, an arrangement consist-
ing in interposing electro magnets C of a frame as well as the corresponding switch
in a special electric circuit and the terminals cccc of the frame as well as the
contacts and g in the circuit intended to supply current to the lamps, the
piece E carried by the armature 1 being intended during the operation to connect
the contacts F and gas herein before described.
7. The apparatus for the transmission of luminous signals and advertising by
night, as a whole and in detail as herein before described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
8. The system of switches described and represented on the annexed drawings
at Figs. 16 to 19 for purposes set forth.
Dated this 20th day of Wa 1000