An improvement in Showcases.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 24th July, 1900-Accepted, 25th Oct., 1900
FRANK SKINNER, 8, Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, in the County of Kent,
Cabinet Maker and Shop Fitter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention consists of a silvered glass or mirror lined air tight revolving or
fixed show case for displaying goods. The frame work to be built in parts. The
base or bottom to be fixed on wheels, rollers, or castors. On this base is built a
set of compartments. These compartments are formed by fixing frames on a
centre-pole or rod radiating outwards and fitted with silvered glass or mirrors,
these being placed at suitable angles to reflect in each other to have the effect
of displaying the articles placed in them, that they may be seen several times at
a glance. The compartments to be fitted on rollers, wheels, or castors at outer
edge. Centre pole to be fitted with a spring weight or other geer to assist it in
revolving when required.
An improvement in Showcases.
I, FRANK SKINNER, of 8, Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, in the County of
Kent, Cabinet Maker and Shop Fitter, 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 object of this invention is to so arrange and construct a mirrored show case
that articles displayed therein may be reflected any number of times desired, and
my improved show case may be portable and arranged so that it may be revolved
or reciprocated continuously or intermittently by clock work or otherwise as
preferred.
To attain which, I arrange and construct my said improved portable or movable
show case in the manner substantially as described by the aid of the accompany-
ing drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a plan partly in section of my improved revolvable and portable show
case, and Fig. 2 is an elevation partly in section of same.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 4, a plan of a modified form of my
improved revolvable show case, and
Fig. 5 is an elevation Fig. 6 a plan of ratchet wheel and pawl for operating
spring work of show case shown at Figs. 3 and 4, and

page_text: .
Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the escapement mechanism for regulating the
speed of the intermittent revolving movement of said show case shown at
Figs. 3 and 4.
Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional plans of further modified forms of said show case
and
Figs. 10, and 11, are diagrams for explaining the multiplying reflections of a
single article displayed in any one compartment of my improved show case.
Similar letters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 I build the frame work of my improved show case
in parts composed of a top a¹ and bottom a² supported by perpendicular parts a³
and a.
The annular space so formed by this frame is divided into any number of com-
partments by means of partitions as so constructed as to permit of reflectors,
silvered glass, or mirrors M to be fitted thereto in such a manner that the face
of each mirror runs to a true radial line from centre of case as shown.
The show case is carried by runners R which work or run on an annular
track m¹, fitted in top of a base or carrier C, and the latter has preferably casters c
so that the whole may be moved from place to place as required.
The revolvable show case is fixed to a centre pole, rod or vertical axle B which
has its lower end b¹ fitting or resting into a suitable conical bearing or step b²
fixed into the centre of movable base C.
In order to revolve the show case the underside of frame part a² may have an
annular cogwheel N fixed thereto having inner teeth which mesh with a suitable
pinion P worked by means of a clock D which may be wound up when required
by means of a key d¹.
Each compartment of show case is closed on the outside by a glazed door K
arranged with hinges and rebatted so as to make the compartments when the
said doors are closed as airtight as possible.
Shelves S may be fitted to each compartment for the suitable display of goods
as will be obvious.
Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The show case is formed in a square
fashion and has four compartments but it is mounted on the round base C in
order to be revolved thereon.
The upper part of axle B is fixed to top a¹ of case by a nut a³ and washer a¹.
The lower end b₁ of axle B rests in the step b². A wheel bears freely on the
axle B and gears with a wheel a. To the top or boss of the wheel is secured
the lower ends of a double coil spring 6 which coils round the axle B and is
secured by its upper ends to the upper part thereof. The wheel 5 has a radiating
pin fixed to it on which is mounted a pawl which meshes into an annular
ratchet X fixed to an annular projection s¹ formed in base C.
The show case is carried by the casters R upon the circular track m¹ fitted in
the base C.
An annular toothed plate or wheel N is fixed under the lower part a³ of case
and has gearing into it a wheel T mounted or carried in the base C, and to the
wheel T is arranged an escapement or oscillating double ratchet Q having an
extended part or lever q² to which is secured an adjustable weight q¹.
The wheel is mounted on and worked by the shaft which may be wound
or turned by the key d¹.
By turning the key d¹ to the right the wheel a revolves the free wheel 5 and
winds up the double spring a round the axle B the said axle being prevented
from revolving at any quicker speed than is permissable by the escapement Q
or obviously the case may be held still by the hand during the winding up of the
spring. The pawl and annular ratchet X retain the wheel 5 in wound up
position and prevents the unwinding of the spring when key d is removed as will
be well understood.
By using the adjustable pendulum escapement Q the revolving speed of the

page_text: show case may be adjusted by highering or lowering the weight q¹ on the pivotted
escapement lever q³.
In Fig. 8 a square show case is shown which may be carried on an axle mounted
at B, and in Fig. 9 a hexagonal show case is formed as shown. I would have it
understood however that by improved show case may partake of any 'shape provid-
ing the mirrors radiate therein and may have any number of compartments and
may be arranged with revolvable mechanism or not as desired.
Referring to Figs. 10 and 11 I have found that by running the surface of each
mirror which is represented by the radial lines M at a true radial line, when the
eye Y looks from the angle shown at the article H displayed in any compartment
three reflections of said article are produced making it appear that four articles
are displayed instead of one when the face of mirrors run at an angle of 90° with
each other and radially with the centre of case as shown at Fig. 10; and when
the mirrors are placed at an angle of 45° then the article is reflected seven times,
as shown at Fig. 11, therefore by narrowing the angle of radiation the reflections
of the displayed articles may be multiplied indefinatly as will be well understood.
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. A show case arranged in radial compartments and the side walls or parti-
titions of said compartments composed of mirrors or reflectors whose surfaces run
radially with the axis of said show case substantially as described.
2. An enclosed show case' of portable construction arranged with radiating
mirrors or reflectors which form said show case into compartments substantially
as described.
3. Arranging a show case with radial mirrors as described with centre pole
or axle and mounting same on runner base or otherwise substantially as described.
4. In a show case arranged as previously claimed the combination of hinged
outer glazed doors therewith substantially as described.
5. In a show case as previously claimed the combination therewith of clock or
spring mechanism for revolving same intermittently or otherwise substantially as
described.