Track score board
4 claims: 3 independent, 1 dependent
- 1What is claimed is:1. In a display device, a display panel, a plurality of 20 light array means disposed within different areas of said panel for imparting numerical information to an onlooker, each light array means including at least one -array of individual illuminating means wherein the individual illuminating means ’are arranged in a plurality 25 of closely spaced vertical rows, a plurality of relays for energizing said individual illuminating means, each relay being connected to a plurality of different illuminating means within -the array establishing basic combinations of illuminating means -for each relay, said basic combina- 30 tions being such that ’the indicia 0-9 inclusive may be represented by energizing not less (than one and no more than two of said relays, and control means for selectively energizing said relays.
- 2In a display device, a panel haring -a plurality of 35 light array means disposed thereon for displaying information, each such means including a plurality of individual -illuminating members with such members disposed in -a plurality of closely spaced vertical rows, a plurality of relays for each array means, each relay being con- 40 nected to a plurality of different illuminating members whereby each -relay is effective to energize a different combination o-f said illuminating members, said combinations being such as to represent every indicia from 0-9 inclusive by a total of not more than two such combinations, and 45 control means for selectively energizing said relays to represent a desired indicia.
- 3In a display device, a display panel, a plurality of light array means disposed within different areas of said panel for imparting numerical information to an onlooker, each light array means including -at least one array of individual illuminating means wherein the indi-. vidual illuminating means -are arranged in a plurality of closely spaced vertical rows, -a group of ten relays, each corresponding to a different indicia from 0 to 9 and each, except those relays corresponding to the indicia 1, 2 and 7, being connected to a plurality of individual illuminating means less than the total number required to fully display the corresponding indicia, a first -auxiliary relay connected to those individual illuminating means which, in combination with the individual illuminating means to which the relay of the stated group which corresponds to the indicia 5, will fully display the indici-a 5, a second i auxiliary relay connected to those individual illuminating '· means which, in combination with any one of the .relays of the stated group which correspond to the indicia 3, 6, ί 8, 9 and 0, will fully display the corresponding indicia, the relays of said stated group corresponding to the indicia 1 and 4 being, in combination, effective to Tully display the indicia 4.
Independent claims3
279 paragraphs in 52 sections, as filed
Sept 24, 1963 c. f. wood 3,104,484
TRACK SCORE BOARD
Filed March 22, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 1
<img file="US3104484A_D0001.tif" />
>77-7O/?A/£-XS·
Sept. 24, 1963
3,104,484
C. F. WOOD
TRACK SCORE BOARD
Filed March 22, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 2
<img file="US3104484A_D0002.tif" />
Sept. 24, 1963
Filed March 22, 1961 \ DAILY \ooU8LE
SWITCH
246
242 ;gmc<sub>t44</sub>
ΓΛ?.[SUPPLY^
<img file="US3104484A_D0003.tif" />
132
C. F. WOOD
TRACK SCORE BOARD
3,104,484
Sheets-Sheet 3 ________£-282 . <sup>254 </sup>84V.A.C. INDICATOR
<td> -250 <sub>(</sub></td><td> 248</td>
MAIN C^iOVAC SWITCH
<td> l 240</td><td></td>
1st rage winner
SWITCH
<img file="US3104484A_D0004.tif" />
fST RACE WINNER SELECTOR
<img file="US3104484A_D0005.tif" />
I TERMINALS )
TOA.C. CONTACTOR RELAY. MAIN POWER
23¾
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/ND/CATOfi
V· DC. „ —1 174 / toA.C.conI <sup>Z3</sup>°Z 3 TACTOR,/ST
RACE WINNER
----- 4
S4V.o.c.
/118 <106 <108 /110
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<td> 8</td><td> tt</td><td> 4</td>
<td> 9</td><td> tt</td><td> 5</td>
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ΧΞ
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124 -13 -i4 230 ,-232 / NEON ) INDICATOR <sub>r</sub>2l4
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CONTACTOR -------!& 24 V.D.C.
224
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<td> /148</td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="5"> s 4 5 6 7 a</td>
<td> /150</td><td> gU -P/</td><td> ff</td>
<td> /162</td><td></td><td></td>
<td> /154</td><td> ~“CG</td><td> u</td>
<td> /1.56</td><td> -24</td><td></td>
<img file="US3104484A_D0009.tif" />
2nd race winner selector
Sept. 24, 1963
Filed March 22, 1961
MCE WINNER AND PAY NEON SWITCH
270
<img file="US3104484A_D0010.tif" />
WINNER PA YS RACK SWITCH
C. F. WOOD
TRACK SCORE BOARD
<img file="US3104484A_D0011.tif" />
NO V.A.C.
HO V.A.C.
54V.D.C.'
3,104,484
Sheets-Sheet 4 ,-186 k TERMINALS J (frH-271 CONTACTOR * GROUND £^v.o.c.
NEON INDICATOR
A.C.GROUNO
264 —272 ηΊΗΝΕΡΕΑΥΕ --29 RACK CONTACTOR
<img file="US3104484A_D0012.tif" />
<img file="US3104484A_D0013.tif" />
286
Sept. 24, 1963
3,104,484
C. F. WOOD
TRACK SCORE BOARD
Filed March 22, 1961
Sheets-Sheet 5
2nd race HEAD AND RACK } S!MTCHN°Si
HO KA.C.
S4V.D.C:
/νεΟΝ /ND fCA TO^ *-490
4-92
410 | Λ/-2/ j F SELECTOR TFRM/NXILS \s6 ..------·ϊζ · a-κ
SELECTOR ARM
4-72
494 j RACKN22 [ _ f 'TO SELECTOR TERMINALS
4-38
AJA3nd race HEAD ANO RACK ,452 lCO/y7XC7O/?A/.2S
TO RELAYS <sub>χ</sub>470 454 --t— 2.
TO RELAYS
456 i---------1 r'70 SELECTOR ARM <sup>1</sup> SELECTORS FOR\---<sup>U</sup> —~~ --T
<img file="US3104484A_D0014.tif" />
<td></td><td> -TO SELECTOR ARM</td><td></td>
<td rowspan="2"> | ^4OTAZS>^ J___£ <sub>Z</sub>IS ^<sup>42</sup> '</td><td> '70 SELECTOR TERM/NALS</td><td></td>
<td></td><td> 1 ' 476</td>
<td> 5\'</td><td></td><td></td>
<td rowspan="3"> ^SELECTORSFOR^.---<sup>C</sup> j RACK NSS J---C ^i-2O 444</td><td> 'TO SELECTOR ARM</td><td></td>
<td> 'TO SELECTOR TERMINALS</td><td></td>
<td></td><td> / » 478</td>
<td></td><td></td><td></td>
<td rowspan="3"> ^SELECTORS R3r\—^ |_RACKRS&_j---C 446 ' 422 _</td><td> •TOSELECTOR ARM</td><td></td>
<td> -TO SELECTOR TERMINALS</td><td></td>
<td></td><td> , / ' 480</td>
<td></td><td></td><td></td>
<td rowspan="3"> ^SELECTORS FOR 1--- _ RACKN5 Τ’__£ 448 <9\J_____________</td><td> -TO SELECTOR ARM</td><td></td>
<td> -TO SELEC7ORTERM/NALS</td><td></td>
<td> Φ J</td><td> > 4^2 ? GROUND</td>
।---------1 f-7O SELECTOR ARM '^jFac/Fn23<sup>>R</sup>_ f~7~O SELECTOR TERMINALS <4SO
TO RELAYS
458
TO RELAYS
460 /__
TO RELAYS \----- 70 RELAYS
484
Sept. 24, 1963
Filed March 22, 1961
C. F. WOOD
TRACK SCORE BOARD
3,104,484
Sheets-Sheet 6
<img file="US3104484A_D0015.tif" />
174
IQO
24V.O.C.
TO fST RACE WINNER = SWITCH
<img file="US3104484A_D0016.tif" />
^:102 g±Q8-x © 11
<img file="US3104484A_D0017.tif" />
:20
TO f ST RACE WINNER SELECTOR gJ.I2N oJJ4n zqJI6n /2-12£Lx .^NUMERAL + BOX AND RELAYS /stRace
<img file="US3104484A_D0018.tif" />
212 •ro-n
NEON SIGN /stRACE
WINNER .94 /st RACE~\,<sub>r</sub> 2Ι4χ M£ONSW. \·*>-----24 Y.D.C.f£--Z~224
104
126.
206
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208
222
2nd RACE WINNER* Selector <sub>m</sub> τΐΑ-4 /3-^20 <sup><l4a </sup>p/r>50 <sup>rJ-52</sup>
25-Zi<sup>54</sup> /156 · E4V.BRO.
140 neon pays /<sup>194 SZSV</sup>'^ =>498
25—<sup>5</sup>θ •numeral · BOX AND % RELAYS ^PhoRACE
180
190 *496
192
2nd RACE WINNER ANO PAYS NCONSfvj
160
186
264
182
<img file="US3104484A_D0020.tif" />
204 ^24IT.O.C.
<sup>l</sup>202
<img file="US3104484A_D0021.tif" />
200
TO WINNERS PAYS RACK
TO HEAD RACKS
<img file="US3104484A_D0022.tif" />
INVENTOR.
CHARLES F. WOOD by:
<img file="US3104484A_D0023.tif" />
<img file="US3104484A_D0024.tif" />
Sept. 24, 1963
3,104,484
C. F. WOOD
TRACK SCORE BOARD
Filed March 22, 1961
Sheets-Sheet 7
Γ
-/
Γterminal /-288 ..
NUM<sub>e</sub>RRs/<sub>e</sub>^<sub>oc</sub> , <sup>L</sup>----W-REIAYS^'^^^ 302-s .290
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3!
SPARE<
-£ -3
-5 -6
-8 -9 -O -XI
RELAY’S — 33 —
34— — 36 — —
— —
— 4t~ —
: 43—
-8 -9 -O
-XI -X2
44— 45~ 46474849505! ~ 52~ 53~ 5455GROUND
HERO NUMBER /THRU 8->
.380
-8 -9 -O
-XI -X2
5657· 58' 59' 606/
63
65·
67
-8 ~9 -O
-X! -X2
6869
7/72
7374
79'
<img file="US3104484A_D0026.tif" />
292
HUNDREDS
294
296
TENS
298
CENTS
300 ^THOUSANDS
<img file="US3104484A_D0027.tif" />
<img file="US3104484A_D0028.tif" />
.380
400
ZERO CENTS
384* PERIOD
<img file="US3104484A_D0029.tif" />
402 <sup>f</sup> y382
DASH
USED ON RACKS t—S
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PIN PIN PIN PIN PIN PIN PIN PIN PIN PIN PIN ~ ~ 3 IO H
V. 24V-
<img file="US3104484A_D0031.tif" />
<img file="US3104484A_D0032.tif" />
UNITS
PERIOD
404
<img file="US3104484A_D0033.tif" />
ZERO CENTS
406
USED OA/PAYS RACK ONLY
<img file="US3104484A_D0034.tif" />
<img file="US3104484A_D0035.tif" />
C. F. WOOD
TRACK SCORE BOARD
Sept. 24, 1963
Filed March 22, 1961
3,104,484
Sheets-Sheet 8
<img file="US3104484A_D0036.tif" />
INVENTOR.
by:
CHARLES F. WOOD
<img file="US3104484A_D0037.tif" />
ATTORNEY’S.
Sept. 24, 1963
C. F. WOOD
3,104,484
Filed March 22, 1961
<img file="US3104484A_D0038.tif" />
TRACK SCORE BOARD
Sheets-Sheet 9
<img file="US3104484A_D0039.tif" />
<img file="US3104484A_D0040.tif" />
<img file="US3104484A_D0041.tif" />
<img file="US3104484A_D0042.tif" />
INVENTOR.
CHARLES F. WOOD by:
<img file="US3104484A_D0043.tif" />
ATTORNEY'S.
United States Patent Office . .. <sub>s</sub> f’’®<sup>4</sup>;<sup>4</sup>®<sup>4</sup>
Patented Sept. 24, 1963
3,104,484
TRACK SCORE BOARD
Charles F. Wood, 3017 School View Road, Eden, N.Y.
Hied Mar. 22, 1961, Ser. No. 97,510
Claims. (Cl. 40—130)
This invention relates to a display device and pertains more particularly to an electrical sign or track score board particularly adapted for indicating race results.
At the present time, the Daily Double is very popular with horse racing fans. However, there is usually very little effort made to post the results of the combination. For example, after the first race of the Daily Double has been run, quite a period of time may elapse before the second race of the Daily Double is run and in the interim interested spectators often -are not apprised of the results. Also, after the second race of the Daily Double has been run, it is of interest to the fans to know what the total odds are for the combination of the two races involved. It is of primary concern in connection with this invention to provide an electrical system and associated sign particularly adapted for use in systems such as is described above.
An object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a display device in which a display panel is provided with a plurality of illuminating means within different areas of the panel -and having associated control means for the various illuminating means whereby different areas of the panel may be selectively illuminated in such fashion as to apprise an onlooker of certain information, as for. example, the winner of the first race of a Daily Double, the subsequent winner of the second race of the Daily Double, the total adds pay-off for the two winners combined and the individual odds of the horse in either race, -all to the end -of imparting such information in a continuous as well as sequential fashion so that the onlooker is fully informed of -all factors at -any given instant.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device in accord with the preceding object so that -all information is indicated at one location and may be conveniently and easily ascertained.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as described in which the several light array means are controlled as to brightness whereby to accommodate for variations in ambient conditions and so to achieve maximum effectiveness and wherein also, such control is selective -as to the individual light array means so that the different areas of the display panel , can be varied as to their visual predominance, one with respect to the other.
A further object of this invention is to provide an electrical sign and system therefor as set forth hereinabove in which the number of component electrical parts is maintained at a practical minimum while at the same time establishing sufficient illumination whereby the sign is easily and quickly read even at great distances and wherein no likelihood of -confusion as to the odds posted will tend to result.
A -further object of this invention is to provide an improved sign as set forth hereinabove wherein -an electrical control system therefor incorporates a novel -arrangement of relays for controlling selected ones of an array of illuminating means, such -as individual light bulbs, whereby a minimum number of such relays is utilized to represent the indicia 0-9 while at the same -time obtaining a clear definition of the integers desired to be displayed by virtue of the closeness of spacing between the individual illuminating means in the array.
A further object of this invention is to provide an electrical sign and control system therefor which is particu10 larly adapted for sequential and simultaneous operation wherein the face of the sign.is divided into sections which are separately or cumulatively illuminated for apprising the spectators of sequentially occurring events and in which the sign and its control system are characterized by their compactness and by the simplicity of the circuitry involved as compared to the number of units serviced -and the combinations and permutations available for display.
FIG. 1 is an elevational view -of a sign constructed in accordance with this invention and showing the -associated control panel;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the control panel illustrating the various control components thereon;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the portion of the circuitry incorporated in the control panel and more specifically shows the circuitry for controlling the upper area of the sign shown, in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the control system in -association with a portion of the head rack;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing further circuitry of the control panel;
FIG. 6 is a -diagrammatic view showing circuitry associated with the current supply and relay mechanisms and illustrating the fashion in which the power is diverted between the several sets of head racks;
FIG. 7 is -a diagrammatic view of a portion of the system corresponding to FIG. 4 and illustrating the manner -in wh-ich the individual indicia arrays are illuminated;
FIG. 7A is -a diagrammatic view of a portion of one of the head racks;
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of one of the relays;
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of one of the illuminating arrays and -indicating thereon the various combination and permutations for indiciating the indicia 0-9; and
FIG. 110 is -a diagrammatic illustration of the combination of relays -utilized in association with each other -and singly so as to achieve all the possible combinations with a minimum of relay mechanisms.
Referring more particularly now to FIG. 1, as shown therein, the invention consists of an indicator or sign designated generally by the reference character 10 in such fashion as hereinafter set forth to control the various areas thereof. The various areas of the sign are the designation array indicated generally by the reference character 14 which -is simply a neon or other suitable heading to identify the sign assembly. In this particular case, the portion 14 spells out “Daily Double” since the particular sign shown is to be used for this purpose. The second area of the sign as indicated generally by the reference character 16 is another neon portion or its equivalent identifying the first race winner and the selective panel portion 18 associated therewith is controlled by the panel 12 to indicate the number of the horse winning the first -race of the Daily Double series. Below this portion of the sign is a variable-area indicated generally by -the reference character 20 -which is controlled by the panel 12 and indicates the number of the winning horse in the second race of the Daily Double series and immediately adjacent thereo is the word “pays” indicated by the reference character 22 which is illuminated at the proper time in association with the numeral in the box 20. Opposite the area 22 are a series of boxes 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 which are selectively controlled -from the panel 12 to indicate the odds for. the Daily Double series, that is, the odds for the two races combined.
The lower region of the mechanism is divided into a series of head racks indicated respectively by the reference characters 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50-. Each of the head racks is of -similar construction except that each ,484
3,104 has the first box portion 52 thereof permanently connected so as to be illuminated with the number of the horse to which it corresponds and this box also contains a “dash” 54. Adjacent this first box 52 are the sequentially occurring boxes 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 and 66 which 5 corresponds respectively to -thousands, hundreds, tens, units, and the two remaining boxes to the cents, indicating the particular odds for the specific horse under consideration. The head racks 36-50 relate to the horses in the second race of the Daily Double series and are used 10 only during the second race.
A description of the operation of the mechanism is as follows since it will greatly clarify the sequence of events involved in the circuitry hereinafter more particularly described. Before the first race of the Daily Double, 15 the area 14 is illuminated, the remainder of the sign being dark and after the first race of the series has been run, the areas 16 and 18 are illuminated with the box 18 designating the number of the particular horse which won this first race. These areas of the sign remain lit at all 20 times during the interim between the end of the first race of the series and the end of the second race of the series. Before the second race is run, the various horses are posted in the head racks 36-50 and the odds at post time are indicated also .therein, the areas 20-34 being dark at 25 this time. At the end of the second race, the winner of that race of the Daily Double series is posted in the box 20 and the composite odds for the two races of the series is posted in the boxes 24-34. At the same time the area 22 is illuminated at this time, the area 16 is darkened and 30 after a reasonable period of time the head racks 36-50 are also darkened leaving only the areas 14, 18 and 20-34 illuminated.
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 6 together, the circuitry as shown therein constitutes foe main 35 power supply as well as controls for the Daily Double sign, the first race winner and the second race winner. As shown therein, the main circuit consists of a three phase 220 volt alternating current line whose conductors are designated by reference, characters 70, 72 and 74 and 40 which are connected to a circuit breaker which is indicated by the reference character 76. From the circuit breaker 76, the lines 70, 72 and 74 lead respectively to junction boxes 78, 80 and 82 each of which is in turn connected to associated rheostats which are indicated 45 by reference characters 84, 86 and 88, the purpose of such rheostats being pointed out more particularly hereinafter.
From each of the rheostats 84-88 are main lines 90, 92 and 94 which lead to the various light arrays as des- <sup>50 </sup>ignated in FIG. 6. The rheostat 88 is also connected in its main line 94 to conductors 96 and 98, the former of which extends to a relay indicated generally by the reference character 100 which is of normally open type and from the other side of this relay extends a conductor 102 <sup>55 </sup>leading to the relay box indicated generally by reference character 104. Contained within the relay box 104 are 10 relays and corresponding conductors 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 12®, 122 and 124 extend thereto and the opposite side of each relay is connected to a 'ground <sup>60 </sup>conductor 126, ’substantially as shown. The corresponding conductors 106-124 extend to a selector switch mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 130 in FIG. 3 and which is mounted on .the control panel as is shown in FIG. 2. This selector switch is of a compound type having two sets of stationary contacts 132 and 134 and each section has a rotatively movable contact 136 and 138 so that the movable contacts will move in unison to any one.of the positions designated in FIG. 3.
Similarly,as shown in FIG. 6, there is a further relay 70 box indicated by reference character 140 and having the leads 142-160 connected individually to the 10 relays located within this box. These conductors 142-160 extend to the . selector switch 162 illustrated in FIG. 3 which switch is constructed identically with the switch 75
130 described hereinabove. Both the relay boxes 104 and 140 have connections to a ground conductor 170 for alternating current and the relay box 104 is connected to the hot side of the alternating current through the previously mentioned conductor 102. Thus, the relay 10Φ, which is connected through conductor 174 to the first race winner switch 176 in FIG. 3 energizes the alternating current portion of the relay box 104 when such first race winner switch 176 is closed. The other relay box 140 is connected by means of conductor 180 to a fixed contact of. a relay member indicated generally by reference character 182 and is connected to the previously mentioned A.C. conductor 98 when such relay 182 is closed. This relay 182 is a 24 volt D.C. relay, as is the relay 100 and is connected by means of conductor 186 to the second race winner and “pays” switch 270 illustrated in FIG. 4 so that any time that this switch is closed, the conductor 180 will be connected to the supply through the rheosat * 88. At the same time, the relay 182 will make a connection between conductor 196 and conductor 192, the latter of which extends up to the junction box 82 and is „ connected to the 110 volt A.C. thereat. Tims, when relay 182 is energized, the primary winding 194 of the neon “pays” sign transformer 196, the secondary of which 198 is connected to this sign, as will be understood the opposite side of the primary 194 being connected to the ground conductor 170 substantially as is shown.
FIG. 6 also illustrates the manner in which the “dash” 20® (see also FIG. 1) is illuminated at any time that the relay 182 is energized inasmuch as one side of this dash is connected by conductor 2®2 in common with the A.C. supply conductor 18® for the relay box 149 and the other side of the dash is connected by means of conductor .294 to the ground conductor 170.
The relay 296 is connected in series parallel with the relay 182, both being connected through conductors 208 and 210, respectively, to the common ground connection 212 to which the relay 100 is also connected. The other side of the relay 206 is connected by means of conductor 214 to the “first race” neon switch 188 and energizes the neon transformer 22® by connecting the same, through conductor 222 to the conductor 192 previously mentioned. The relay 206 also serves to energize conductor 224 supplying the switch 162. - .
To apprise the operator of the preparation of the 24 volt D.C. circuitry in association with each of the various selector switches, neon indicators on the control panel are utilized. For example, conductor 214, see FIG. 3, is connected, in addition to its connection to the switch 188, to the relay 239 which, when it becomes energized, completes the circuit through the associated neon indicator 232 which indicates that .the first race winner neon sign switch has been closed.
In association with the main switch 234 there is a 24 volt relay 236 which when energized completes the circuit through the associated neon indicator 238. At the same time, when the main switch 234 is closed, the primary 240 of a 24 volt transformer 242 is energized, the secondary 244 of which is in the Daily Double sign circuit, establishing 24 volts alternating current in such circuit which is completed by closing the Daily Double switch 246. When the main - switch 234 is closed, the . relay 248 is energized to complete the circuit including, conductors 250.and 252 through the neon indicator 254...
For establishing the 24 volt D.C, supply, there is provided a power pack 260, see FIG. 6, whose output is through the conductor 262 and 264.
Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4 and 7, the f previously mentioned conductor 186 will be seen to be connected to the second race winner and pay neon switch 270 which completes, when closed, the circuit through the previously mentioned relay 182 establishing its asso- . ciated circuits. At the same time, the conductor 264 is connected through conductor 272 to the winner pays rack switch 274 and is also connected through conductor 276
3,104,484 to the several selector switches 278, 282, 284 and 286. When the switch 274 is closed, conductor 288 is energized to complete the circuit through relay 29® which completes the circuit from the main A.C. power supply and conductor 94 so as to energize the various relays within the relay boxes 292, 294, 296, 298 and 30®, associated with the selectors 278-286, respectively, all as established by the common conductor 302.
The several selector switches 278-286 are utilized to correspond to the thousands, hundreds, tens, units and cents for the light system within the areas 24-34 of the assembly, see FIG. 1. The area 20 of the sign is controlled by the previously mentioned selector switch 162 and the area 22 of the sign is controlled by the means of switch 270.
Each of the relay boxes 294-300 contain 12 relays, hereinafter more particularly described, whereas the relay box 292 need carry only two relays since only this number is needed to establish the particular integer in the . thousands which will normally be paid off although it will be understood that additional relays may be used to establish figures greater than 2.
Each of the relay boxes 294-300 have a system of relays such as is illustrated in FIG. 10 wherein 12 relays numbered as shown are illustrated, each being of similar construction. Referring to the relay number 1, for example, same as designated by the reference character 310 and will be seen to have two pins or conductors 312 and 314 connected to the D.C. supply and to have an A.C. pin or conductor 316 which would correspond to the connection made by the conductor 302. In addition, each of these relays has 8 further pins or conductors 318-332, which are the A.C. outlets therefrom as established between the pin 316 and these latter pins when the relay is energized. Conductors from these pins or connections 318-332 are made to the individual lights of an array such as is illustrated in FIG. 9, the entire array being designated generally therein by the reference character 334. As can be seen in FIG. 9, there are 35 individual lights represented diagrammatically therein and having sequential numbering as designated. These lights are arranged in 6 vertical rows of which there are 7 lights in a complete row. Rows containing the lights 1, 4 and 6 are complete whereas the rows containing lights 2, 3 and 5 contain only 5 lights, all arranged in a predetermined pattern to establish as great a density of individual light sources for all of the integers 1-0.
To control the total number of lights, 35, in an array, only 12 relays as shown in FIG. 10 are used. In FIG. 10, there is provided a legend which illustrates the relays used for the individual integers designated generally by reference characters 336 and 338. For example, the numeral 3 is achieved in the array by energizing relay 3 plus relay X2. Normally, it is desirable to energize the relays first for all the selective switches 278-286 and to then close associated alternating power switch 274 so as to avoid arcing of the relay contacts. Likewise, it is preferable to throw the switch 274 before the individual selector switches 278-286 are turned to “off” position.
As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, certain of the lights in the array are always energized together. For example, lights 9, 13, 24 and 28 as shown connected with the pin or connector 322 of relay number 1 in FIG. 10 are simultaneously energized or more particularly are i connected in parallel by their connection to this relay. Thus, when any one of them is lit, all are lit. As a further example, consider relay 340, relay number 2, wherein the pin 342 thereof establishes a common connection to lights 14, 23, 27 and 30.
For the numerals 1, 2, 7 only one relay is used, the relay numbers 1 and 2, 310 and 340, respectively, and the relay number 7 which is designated by reference character 344. By comparing the connector or pin con6 nections from these several relays with the array shown in FIG. 9, the requisite numerals will be seen to be established when such relays are individually energized. The numeral 5 is established by the simultaneous energization of relays 5 and XI, designated by numerals 3, 4, 6 and δ 348, respectively. On the other hand, all of the numerals 3, 6, 8, 9 and 0 are established by energizing simultaneously their corresponding relays 3, 6, 8, 9 and 0 plus the common relay X2 designated by the reference character 350. Thus, the basic pattern in 'the light array estab10 fished by the relay X2 is used in common with all of these latter numerals and the particular variations from this basic pattern to achieve the corresponding particular numerals is achieved by the individual relays 3, 6, 8, 9 and 0. The only remaining combination of the relay 15 system is the combination of relay number 1 and 4 designated 310 and 352, respectively. The numeral 4 is achieved by this combination in the light array 334 and naturally utilizes the basic vertical column of lights established by the relay 310 in addition to those further lights 20 necessary to complete the numeral 4 as established by relay 352.
Thus, >a great number of lights, arranged in an array of high density, are controlled by relatively few relays, 12 in total number, to establish all the numerals 1-0. As 25 previously described, when less than the total number of 10 numerals is desired, a fewer number of relays may be utilized as for example is the case with the selector switch 278 as previously mentioned in association with the relay box 292.
<sup>30</sup> It will be appreciated that numbers in the head racks 36-50 are permanently wired and need no selector switches and, additionally, the dash and period as well : as the “0” associated with each head rack are permanently filled in also. - This relationship is shown in FIG. 7A 35 wherein the head rack number is designated generally by reference character 380, -the dash by reference character 382, the period by reference character 384 and the 0 and cents array by the reference· character 386.
FIG. 8 illustrates the diagrammatic construction of 4° each of the relays and relating this figure to the relay number 310 in FIG. 10, the pins 6 and 7 in FIG. 8 would correspond to pins 342 and 314 in FIG. 10 whereas the pin number 1 in FIG. 8 would correspond to the connector 316 in FIG. 10. The remainder of the pins in 45 FIG. 8 would correspond to the various pins or connectors 318-332 in FIG. 10.
Whereas the circuitry in FIGS. 4 and 7 relates to the control of areas 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 of the panel 10, the circuitry more diagrammatically 50 shown in FIG. 5 relates to the control of areas 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50. In FIG. 7A, the conductors 400 and 402 would be connected to the A.C. circuit servicing the relay units with which the FIG. 7A circuit is associated, corresponding to connection to ground and to con55 ductor 302 in FIG. 7, in similar fashion to the manner in which the “period” 404 and “zero” 406 are connected in FIG. 7.
Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 5, it will be appreciated that there are eight control mechanisms on 60 the control panel for the corresponding member of head racks 36-50. Thus, for the eight switches 410-424 in FIG. 5, there are eight corresponding positions on the control panel, only two of which are shown in FIG. 2. Each control position has five selector switches 426-434 65 which are respectively indicated in cumulative fashion as at 436-450 in FIG. 5. Each of these series of selector switches is similar to the series of switches 298-286 in FIG. 4. Thus, in FIG. 5, conductors 452-466 correspond to conductor 288 in FIG. 4, conductor 467 corresponds 70 to conductor 276 in FIG. 4, and conductor 468 corresponds to conductors 272, 288 in FIG. 4, which conductor 468 will be seen to have common connection to all of the control assemblies through conductor 470. Also, in FIG. 5, the single conductors 472-484 in each case repre75 sent, for the sake of clarity, one of the conductors corre3,104,484
8 spending .to those conductors extending to terminals SO79 in FIG. 4. Thus, in FIG. 5, for each of the conductors 472-484, there will actually be fifty such conductors. These fifty conductors in each case will extend to relay assemblies corresponding to relay assemblies 292-300 in 5 FIG. Ί. Such corresponding relay assemblies will each have a relay switch such as relay switch 299 in FIG. 7 controlled by one of the associated switches 410-424 through conductors 456-466.
When each switch 410-424 is closed, it energizes, 10 through a relay such as that shown at 49& in FIG. 5, a neon indicator such as the indicators 492 and 494, also shown in FIG. 2. It will, of course, be understood that whereas only one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail hereinabove, various 15 changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.
Contents52
52 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10 Sheet 11 Sheet 12 Sheet 13 Sheet 14 Sheet 15 Sheet 16 Sheet 17 Sheet 18 Sheet 19 Sheet 20 Sheet 21 Sheet 22 Sheet 23 Sheet 24 Sheet 25 Sheet 26 Sheet 27 Sheet 28 Sheet 29 Sheet 30 Sheet 31 Sheet 32 Sheet 33 Sheet 34 Sheet 35 Sheet 36 Sheet 37 Sheet 38 Sheet 39 Sheet 40 Sheet 41 Sheet 42 Sheet 43 Sheet 44 Sheet 45 Sheet 46 Sheet 47 Sheet 48 Sheet 49 Sheet 50 Sheet 51 Sheet 52
Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
|---|---|---|---|
| US4263736A | Cited by | United States of America | Search report |
| US2006168854A1 | Cited by | United States of America | Pre-grant |
| US4901461A | Cited by | United States of America | Search report |
| US3513440A | Cited by | United States of America | Search report |
| US7607403B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Search report |
| US2008072814A1 | Cited by | United States of America | Pre-grant |
| US2132912A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US2230152A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US2239894A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US2263281A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US2307173A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US2966616A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US3068440A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
2 priority claims, no other members on record
Priority claims2
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9751061 | United States of America | A | |
| US19610097510 | – | – | – |
Numbers
- Publication, DOCDB
- 3104484
- Publication, EPODOC
- US3104484
- Application
- 97510
- Application, DOCDB
- 9751061
- Application, EPODOC
- US19610097510
Titles
- English
- Track score board
Classification
- CPC, 1
- A63B71/06
- IPC, 1
- A63B71 06
