Electric sign.

F. SCHAEFER ELECTRIC SIGN, APPLICATION FILED NOV, 11, 1911.

Patented Aug. 5,1913.

1^069^582.

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SHEETS—SHEET 1.

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WITNESSES

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1,069,582-

F. SCHAEFER.

ELECTRIC SIGN.

APPLICATION PILED NOV. 11, 1911.

Patented Aug. 5,1913.

SHEETS—SHEET 2.

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A-

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INVENTOR

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EEEDEBIC SCHAEEEB, GE PITTSPEG H EEIV^SYL-VAIIIA.

, _ -n™—. ELECTBIG SI-3-x'T, ,S^:£$T jfv^OO'RT’P' (ΑΑργ’ -.....——.....ββ,ΰΒ2, Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Ang.S,i9i

Application, -filed Sove-nber 11. 1011. geriai. Bo. 659.724,

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1,069,582 face of tlie display device, while xvhen the solenoids 13 are actuated the cores are moved in wardly to the position shown in the second from the top solenoid in Fig. 2 to expose 5 the other face of the display device. Since each solenoid of the group of solenoids composing the unit is capable of separate energization it is possible to expose the “visi. hie” or. display faces of any desired combi; ]() nation of display devices, as, for instance, in Fig. 1 xvhere the letter F is represented, or as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, xvhere various other letters are represented. As illustrated in Fig. 2, each core 15 is reduced at each end 15 and moves loosely in the bobbin 14 of its solenoid, so that it can slide easily endxvise and also tilt sidewise, thus compensating for the movement of tlie end of its extension in the arc of a circle around the pivot of the 20 display member. In other xvords, as each core moves endxvise, the angular relation of its axis varies xvith relation to the axis of its core.'

Figs. 3 and 4 shoxv a modification xvhere25 in the display devices ll^a comprises a display face 24 and blank face 25 arranged at an acute angle to each other and also pivotally or rotatably mounted, as m Fig. 1 and con. neeted to the solenoid core 15, as clearly 30 shown, by a pin and slot connection 2G“, Tlie operation of this form is identical xvith the form shoxvn in Figs. 1 arid 2.

The display faces of the several display devices or shutters can be of any suitable 3. color, and the surrounding frame part of the sign is preferably of the color of the blank faces. For instance, in Fig. 5 the unit A iias the frame and blank faces black, while tlie display faces are xvhite, while in the 4 0 unit B the reverse is the case, and in the unit (' the frame and blank faces are xvhite ami the display faces are of different color. The number of display devices can of course, be increased to any desired number. Fig. 5 45 represents each unit composed of 30 shutters or display devices, by different combinations of which every letter of the alphabet-can be represented. Fig. G shoxvs the unit composed of a very much larger num50 her of display devices, 252 in all.

Various arrangements of wiring system and circuit closers can. be used for actuating the desired group of magnets in each,unit in order to display or spell out the desired 55 symbol, xvord or message. The circuits of the several magnets may be closed , in the proper .order or sequence entirely automatically, such as from a motor driven rotary drum having thereon tlie necessary pro<>o jections for closing the various circuits in the proper group relations.

_ I⁽ig. 7 represents a simple arrajigeincntof circuits and hand-actuated circuit closers for securing the desired result. In this dia gram only three units are shoxvn and only 65 four of the double magnets, to-wit, four setting magnets 12 and four re-setting magnets 13, but the principle. applies . to any number of such magnets. 30 represents a suitable group circuit closer 70 xvhich may be actuated in any suitable xvay, such, for instance, as from a key board like a typewriter key board and so arranged as to close the desired group of circuits to each of the units. 31, 31^a and 31“ represent 75 selective switches, one for each of the units. 32 is the re-setting sxvitch and 33 a suitable source of electric energy. When the selective switch 31 is dosed,' the closing of group sxvitch 30 closes the circuit from the so battery through the setting magnets. 12 of unit A, and by properly closing selective sxvitch 31“ and 31“ the closing of group switch 30 directs · the current through the setting magnets 12 of units B and C respec- 85 tix'ely. There is, therefore, one selective switch for each unit, and there must be as many group switches 30 as the letters or symbols.to be displayed on each of the units. By closing the proper selective sxvitch and 90 the proper group switch the desired letter or symbol is shoxvn on. the desired unit. When re-setting switch 32 is closed the current from battery 33 is directed through the re-setting coils 13 of each of the-magnets. 95 A single re-setting switch for tbe entire series of units issuffieient.

, Fig. 8 represents a further development of this elemental system. In this diagram there, are four units shown, to-wit, A, B, C loo and D, each composed of four double magnets, that is, four setting magnets 12 and foiir re-setting . magnets’ 13. The group sxvitch is indicated at 30“ and xvhen closed directs the current from battery 33 through 105 the group of setting coils 12 for which said group switch is arranged in the particular unit to xvhich the circuit is closed by the selective switch. The selective switch , shown comprises an arm 3G arranged to travel· 110 over a circularly arranged scries of contacts 37 each of xvhich is connected to one of the units of the sign. '.This arm is adapted to be rotated clockwise by means of ratchet xvheel 38 and paxvl 39, the latter being actu- 11,5 ated from armature 40 of magnet 41’in the circuit xvith battery. 33, but which magnet is energized by actuation of each group switch 30“ As shoxvn, this is effected by providing the group switch 30“ with a contact projection ] 20 42 arranged to contact, a yielding arm 43 connected to one terminal of magnet -11 so that whenever group switch 30“ is actuated to close the circuit to a certain group of magnets, say in unit A, the magnet 41 is 125 energized slightly in advance of closing the group circuits to' step the selective sxvitch 3G · one step forward to connect the desired unit in eireiiiL Hence the successive actuations of the group switch closes the circuit to successive units.

Fig. 9 illustrates another modification 5 wherein the selective switch 3<> is mechanically actuated directly from the group circuit closer 3d“, by having the -pawl act'uat-. > _:g rod 45 connected to a projecting end 40 of the switch actuating arm. A crank 37^a0 on the shaft of the ratchet wheel 38· enables he selective switch to be. set by hand to bring into circuit the desired unit. This view also shows the group switch actuated from a device resembling an ordinary type's writer. This view shows three type bars with actuating members 47, 48 and 49. The 'dots 50 represent, contacts for the series of wires going to each of the units of the sign. Each lever carries a contact member 51 of :0 such size as to contact with the desired mini,l»er of contacts 50 to close the circuit to the ’group of magnets necessary to represent the letter or symbol of the particular key which is depressed. There will be as many keys >5 as symbols or letters io be represented, and each key controls a different arrangement or combination of groups of magnets in each of the units of the sign. A single key board of group sw’tehes only is necessary for the to whole sign and a single re-setting switch alone is necessary, connection to' the desired units of the sign being, successively and automatically effected by selective switch 36. It is therefore possible for an operator acts tuating the keys, much as in a type 'iter, to spell out upon the sign any desired word, symbol, or group of words or symbols to display any bulletin or other message intended to be 'displayed. The selective 40 switch of course breaks the circuit to any one unit as soon as the next group switch is closed, but as the setting magnets of tlie prior unit have been energized, and as the display devices or shutters ot the units are 4 5 mechanical and not electric, such as an electric light, tlie letter or symbol which has been set remains displayed until the re-setting key 32 is closed, I me entire sign, therefore, man be retained m visible condt50 tion as long as desired.

All parts of the entire system are quite simple and inexpensive to construct and easy to operate. When displaying advertisements or other matter whibh is displayed 55 in rotation tlie various group circuit closers can be actuated from some mechanical means, such as a drum or tlie like and complete sentences made to appear at once. For displaying bulletins, for instance, such as &lt;30 election returns, or foot ball returns, the various group switches will be operated by hand, in a maimer similar to tne operation .if the km· board of an ordinary typewriter.

Various modifications can be made par niovamv r one no’ □ e m u 95 ts to m momentary energization or a display member and the said shifted position until yf rhe other solenoid of the ticularly in rhe forms and arrangement of 65 the various circuit closers and switches without departing from the invention hereinafter claimed.