US1150053A - Display apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

C. G. MILLER.

DISPLAY APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1913.

Pateted Au 1 15.

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C. G. MILLER.

DISPLAY APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13. 1913.

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nmen sra'rns ra'rnnr oriucn CLIFFORD G, MILLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AS SIG1\ R TO THE UNDERSELLER COMPANY, ING., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPOBATION OF-NEW YORK.

DISPLAY APPAEATUS.

me es&

Specificaton of Letters Patent.

` v Patentcd Aug'. 17,'1915.

Application filed September 13, 1913. Serial No. '789,607.

To azz whom it may conccrn Be it known that I, CLIFFORD G. MILLER, a, citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, hare invented certain new and useful Improvements in Display Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin. the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same.

This nvention relates to improvements in display apparatus, and has as its essential object the production of a novelty designed and adapted especially for attracting the attention and arousing the curiosity of prospective purchasers.

lVith this and other detail objects in View, as willin part be hereinafter ponted out and in part become a'pparent, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as subthe plate-glass show-window of a store or shop, and to the outside surface of said plate lS cemented or otherwise' appropriately fixed an annular housing 2 whose'interior is formed into a circular space in which is disposed a disk 3 forned of soft iron or other magnetic substance, the said disk being free 'to be shifted within the housing toward and away from the plate 1.

To insure maintenance of the disk 3 spaced" to the farthest extent permitted -by 'the' housing from the plate 1, a spring 4 is interposed between the plate and the disk 3. An appropriate button 5 engages the disk 3 and eXtends through an aperture in the housing 2 for enabling an operator to press disk 3 toward plate 1 against the tension of spring 4. As a convenient means of' manufacture, the button 5 is preferably stamped Fig. 1 is an enlarged, detail from the material of disk 3, the button being therefore hollow, and the spring 4 hava case 6, suspendedupon a cable 7, or otherwise appropriately supported with the front of the case 6 Contacting with the inner face of plate l, the case being opened toward the plate. A cross piece 8 is fixed within the casing 6 and sustained by said cross piece 8 is an electrical motor 9 of any ordinary and conventional type, the armature of which has its shaft 10 extending beyond the regular bearings of the motor, the outer end portion of the shaft end extending centrally through a disk 11, the disk being appropriately locked onto the shaft by nuts or other convenient attaching means. The inner face of the plate, is preferably painted or coated with opaque material throughout that portion corresponding to the outline of the outermost parts of the case 6,

and the presence of this opaque substance is e indicated in Fig. 1 by the showing in dotted linos of parts which would otherwise appear in full lines. By preference, however, segments or other appropriate portions of the plate 1 immediately in front of the disk 11 are left transparent as indicated at 12-12 and 13 13. The disk 11 may be of any substance, but is preferably opaque, and is provided on its front face with colored insignia, such as a star 14, or other design adapted to attract attention of one standing on the outside of the window, when the star or other design is partly exposed through the transparent portions 12 and 13, the appearance being rendered especially attractive when the disk 11 is revolved by the operation ofthe motor 9.

One binding post of motor 9 is connected by a conductor 16 to a binding post 17 carriedby one side'ofthe case 6, aconductor 18 leading fromthe binding post 17 to a battery or other source of sup Jly 19, and a conductor 20 leads 'from the battery 19 to a binding post 21 similar to the post 17 and a conductor 22 leads from the post 21 to a contact 23 of a 'switch 24, a conductor leading from the switch 2 1 to that binding post of motor 9 opposite the binding post with which conductor 16 connects. i Thi s, when switch 24, which is of the spring type, is pressed laterally sufliciently to touch the contact 23, the circuitis closed through the several parts just described for supplying current to motor 9, and thereupon, the disk 11 is caused to revolve.

The switch 24 and contact 23 are supported by and insulated .from a cross bar 26 fired to the outer edges of the sides of case 6, and a similar cross bar 27 'is similarly arranged above the bar 26. Fixed to and projecting inwardly from the inner face of bar 27 are brackets 23-28 from which is Suspended an arm 29, the said arm having laterally extending fingers 30 at its upper end projecting across and resting upon the brackets 28, each finger 30 being preferably provided with-a knife edge for enabling the i arm 29 to remain vertical when free, and to readily Swing laterally upon said knife edges as pivots when subjected to lateral pressure. A horse-Shoe magnet 31 is disposed for having its arms inclose the greater portion of the arm 29, and plates 32 and 33 are bolted together as indicated at 33'--33', the bolts 33' passing through the material of the arm 29, of course, efiectively fixing plates 32 to said arm, and the outer end portions of the plates extend on relative opposite sides of the respective arms of the horseshoe magnet 31, and are firmly clamped thereagainst when the bolts 33' are threaded home. Thus the horse-Shoe magnet 31 is free to swing therewith, it being the intent and purpose to have the plates 32 engage the arms of the magnet 31 at those points which represent the transverse line of balance of the magnet, so that that portion of the magnet 31 above the plates 32 weighs approximately the same as those portions of the arms of the said magnet below said plates. Hence, there is no natural tendenoy to overbalance in either direction, and the magnet is elfectively Suspended and pivotally supported to Swing freely, the main portion of arm 29 being disposed centrally in the width and thickness of the magnet as indicated clearly in Fig. 2, for preventing any overbalance in the direction of the thickness'of the magnet 31. I p

Merely as a matter of facility of construction and operation, the lower eXtremity of arm 29 is extended below the magnet as indicated at 34, extending down past the spring switch 24: in position for pressing the same outwardly into contact with contact point 23, when the arm has its lower portion swung outwardly. It is to be observed, that the lower extremities of the arms of the magnet 31 are approximately in the horizontal planes of disk 3, and the disk is so dispgsedas to be sufficiently beyond the field of the magnet, when the' disk is in its outermost position, to allow the ,magnet 'to remain* vertical, and when the disk is pressed inwardly, it enters said'field, and becoming magnetized, causes the lower portion of the magnet 31, in its effort to shorten the magnetic lines of force, to move outwardly, thereby moving the arm 29 and closing the contact between switch 24 and contact piece 23.

A lever 35 is pivoted to bar 26, and has its outer portions extending through a slot in one side of case 6, so as to provide an appropriate handle for manual manipulation. The inner portion of the lever 35, terminates in a soft iron piece or piece of other appropriate material adapted to serve as a keeper 36 for the magnet 31, the lever 35 being pivoted in position for causing the keeper to move up to a position eXtending across the poles of the magnet when the lever 35 is depressed from the outside of the case 6. hen the said keeper 36 is disposed across the poles of the magnet, the device is maintained positively out of operation, and the disk 3 is incapable of influencing the magnet, so that contact cannot be made between switch 2-1 and contact point 23 so long as the keeper 36 Contacts with the poles of the magnet. r

Segmental slides 37 are pivotally connected as at 38 to the back of the case 6, the aXis of the pivot of these slides being connected with the aXis of revolution of disk 11. Said slides are provided with Operating knobs or handles 39 adapted to be grasped manually for moving the slides pivotally toward and away from each other. The back of the case 6 is cut away at its lowerportion for leaving an opening, indicated at 40, for enabling ready inspection of the lower portion of the rear 'face of the disk 11, and the slides 37 are employedto Supplement the back to enable concealiug variable portions of the disk. An. arrow or other insignia, as indicated at 41, is painted or otherwise displayed on the rear face of the disk 11, and it is the object of the slides to render it more or less difficult to cause the arrow 4-1 to show when the disk 11 ceases revolving at any given time. For instance, if the slides 37 are moved upwardly to their widest open position, nearly one-half of the rear face of the disk is eX- posed, and there will, therefore, be much more opportunity for the arrow to be exposed when the disk ceases to revolve than would be the case if the slides 37 wereadjusted downwardly' toward each other until there was only sufiicient space between them for-the width of thearrow. The former condition might be considered that of the maximum chance, and the latter, that of the `minimum. Obviously, an unlimited number of variations in the possible chances of maximum and minimum is made possible by varable adjustments, and relative adjustments of the slides 37. V

It is believed that the operation of the invention will be obvious from, the f oregoing,

and it is apparent, of course, that the structure lS adapted for numerous uses, such, for nstance, as that of advertising a particular brand `of goods, as, for example, theistore-` keeper 'might offer 25% reduction from the sale price of certain goods if a customer could make the arrow show. Such an apparatus* in front of the shop-window would naturally interest passers-by, who only need to press the button 5, and thereupon the circuit for the motori), being closed by the action ofthe magnet 31, disk ll would be revolved. Upon releasing the button, the operatorwould naturally be curious to know whether he had succeeded in making the ar row show, and to learn this fact, he would have to'go into the store and look at the 'real: of the apparatus,which would have the eifect of bringing him into the place of business and of giving him an opportunity to see the display of goods, which he prob ably would not have taken ,the time to note had his attention not been drawnby the ad vertising apparatus. Of course, `the percentage of discount to be allowed as an in:

ducement would naturally be varied according to the distances apart of the'slides 37, since the chances of having to allow' the discount would be proportionally varied.. Ob-

viously, the apparatus is adapted for many other uses, such as, for instance, a child s game apparatus with appropriate rules for governing the number of times the button could be pressed by any one operator with the' greatest number of exposures of, the arrow as the Winning score. i 4 i l. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination, of a glass plate of a show window, of a movable advertising device on the inside of the plate, and means at the outside of the plate for controlling movements of the advertising device.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination, with an imperforate plate, of a movable advertising device at one side of the plate, an electrical motor for actuating said advertising device, and means at the opposite side of the plate for effecting a closing of the circuit of the motor.

3. In an apparatusof the classdescribed,

the combination, with an imperforate plate,

of a movable advertising device at oneside of the plate, an electrical motor at the same side of the plate for actuating the advertising device, and means at the other side of the plate for controlling the making and breaking of the circuit of the motor.

4; In a display apparatus, the combination with an imperforate plate, shiftable display means at one side of the plate, a motor for actuating the display means, and means on the other side of the plate from the display means adapted to act through the plate for controlling Operations of the display means. I 5. In display apparatus, with a plate of glass, movabledisplay means at one side of the glass plate, the glass plate being imperforate, and means at the other sideofthe glass plateadapted to act through the-plate for controlling movements of the display means through theglass platc.

6. In display apparatus, movable display 1neans, a switch for controlling movements thereof, a magnet for positionng the switch, and a disk'of magnetic material spaced from and movable into and out 'of the field of'the magnet foreffecting'switch" actuating movements' of the magnet.

7. In display apparatus, the combination with an imperforate, non-magnetic plate, a

the combination magnet at one sideof the plate, and a disk i of magnetic materialat the other side of the plate shftably, mounted and disposed tobe shifted relative tolth'e field of the magnet for actuating the magnet.`

` 8. In a" device of the class describ`ed, the combination, with an imperforate plate, of

ahousing fixed thereto, an armature shift-` able in ,the housing towardand away froni the :plate.a spring disposed between the plate and armature for pressing the arma-f ture away from the'plate, and a magnet disposed at the oppositegside of `the plate in position for being infiuenced relative'to rear of the plate, an indicator adapted tobe' positioned by the movable element and visible only at the rear of the plate, and means at the front of the plate for effecting movement' of the movable element.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination, with a support, of a movable element sustained thereby, and visible at the front of the support, an indicator adapted to be positioned by the movable element, concealed from View at the front of the support and visible at the rear thereof, and means for moving the movable element.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the combination, with a support, a disk revolubly carried by the support, and visible from the front of the support, means disposed in front of the support for actuating the disk, and an indicator carried ,by the disk, and visible only from the rear of the support.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination, with a support, of a disk movably carried by the support, and visible at the front of the support, means for actuating the disk, means at the front of the support for controlling the actuation of the disk, and an indcator at the rear of the disk visible only at the rear of the support, and means for varying the range of Visual display of the indicator.

el3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination, With a support, of a revolubly mounted disk carried thereby and visible at the front of the support and also visible at the rear of the support, the disk bearing an jindicator at its rear face visible at the rear of the support but invisible at the front of the support, mean s for revolving the disk, and means for concealing variable portions of the disk at the rear of thesupport.

14:. In apparatus of the' class described, the combination, With a support, of a disk revolublv carried thereby and Visible at the front of the support, an indicator on the rear face of the disk invisible from the front of the support, means at the front of the trolling actuation' of the disk, and a slide for concealing variable portions of the disk at the rear of the support, the slide being pivotally mounted to Swing about an aXis alined With the aXis of rotation' of the disk.

V 16. In, apparatus of the class described, the combination, With a support of a revolubly mounted disk, visible at the front and rear of the support, means 'for actuating the copies of this patent may be 'obtained for disk, means at the front of the support for from the front of the support, and a plurality of slides disposed in the rear of the disk and adaptedto be coperatively slid to various positions'in the rear of the disk for concealing Variable portions of the y disk from the rear. I

17. In apparatus of the class described, the combination, With a transparent plate, of a pivotally pendent arm, a horse-Shoe magnet inclosing the arm and supported thereby, the magnet being disposed at one side of the plate, and an armature at the other side of the plate adapted to be moved relatively to the field of the magnet for moving the magnet.

18. In apparatus of the class described,

the combination, With a support, and a transparent plate in front of the support, of an arm pivotally pendent from the support, a horse-Shoe magnet eXtending longitudinally of and inclosing a `portion 'of the arm, means clamping the magnet to the arm, thearm having a projection eXtending beyond the magnet, a switch'in the path of the movement of said projection, and an armature at the opposite side of a transparent plate from the magnet and disposed to be moved-With respect to the field of the magnet for efiecting movements of the magnet. In testimony Whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

p v CLIFFOR-D G. MILLER. VVitnesses: EDGAR M. KITGHIN, R. M. PARKER.

five cents each, by addressing the "Commissoner of Patents, Washington, I). C."

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