US1673113A - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Description

w. F; G'EHRING DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1925 June 12, 1928.

2am@ MMf/@ June 12, 192s. 1,673,113

w. F. GEHRING Y DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1925` 2 sheets-*sheet 2 .wlmm Y A UIMM Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED .STATES WILLIAM F. GEHRING,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DISPLAY APPARATUS.

Application filed May 6,

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as display apparatus, and relates particularly to a device for displaying designs, words or the like, for use wherever desired. The same is particularly convenient and applicable for use by fraternal organizations for displayingI their various emblems in an impressive, ornamental, attractive and convenient manner. The invention has among its objects the production of a device of the kind described vthat is simple, convenient, attractive, ornamental and satisfactory, and which, as before mentioned, may be used wherever found applicable. f

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and vmore particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts-z Fig. 1 is a fiont elevation of my improved f device and .stand therefor; v

Fig. 2 is-a side lelevation of the same Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the controlling mechanism therefor.;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the device with the front panels removed;

Fig. 5 is substantially a sectional view ltaken =on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. l6 is a sectional view taken substan tially on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view Ataken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 4; l

Fig. `v8 is a fragmentary section looking in the same direction as Figs. 1 Iand 4 and illustrating certain details of construction:

Fig. 9 'is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation of the improved device; and

Fig. 10 is an elevation of controlling mechanism vemployed in another form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which my device is constructed to display the emblems suitable for fraternal organizations,

the device being constructed in this ,caser in f the form of a star, 1 represents the back. or bottom of a casing, which isprovided with sides 2 Vextending-from the bottom 1 alongi-ts edges. The sides 2 are arranged in the form of a star having points. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. These sides maybe secured to the bottom in any suitable manner `and may be made ofk side of the bottom 1.

1925. serial No. 28,398.

any number of pieces, but preferably are U- shaped in the cross-section to provide flanges 2a which may be secured to the bottom 1 and flanges 2b to which other parts of the apparatus may be secured. I al'so'provide sides 9 arranged between the points of the star, the sides 9 being so dispensed in this vinstance that they form. a ,pentagon Likewise, I provide a plurality of partit-ions l0extending from the bottoni. The partitions 1() .and the sides 2 and 9 form a series of compartments or pockets which are preferably closed by panels 19 of any suitable vtransparent material, such as glass.

The glass faceor top may be constructed of one panel or a .plurality of panels. Preferably I employ a plurality of panels 19as shown,a panel 19 being provided for each of` the pockets or 'compartments formed by the partitions 10 and the vsides .2 and 9. The glass panels may be maintained in position in any -desired vmanner but I prefer K to provide a frame 20 secured to the flanges the device, there being preferably one forl each compartment, which carry lamps 25. Hand holes 13 arranged in thebottom lare for conven-iencer in renewing the lamps. The handholes 13are normally closed by plates 131a pivotallymounted upon the outer Asl illustrated in Fig. 9, a clip 13b is provided for each plate 1,32L and ,provides means whereby the plate 13tnt may be held in a position wherein it closes the associated hand hole 13. Holes 13C in' the bottom 1 are providedl for ventilation.

In my ,preferred construction, I provide mechanism for independently controlling each lamp. Any preferred form of controlling switch may be employed for the purpose. I have shownin Fig. 3 a suitable switch for controlling the different lamps, the switch being adapted to independently control the lamps successively in series of three. shown, 26 is a cable carrying conductors I prefer tov is connected in parallel with the several lamps 25 and is connected in parallel to contacts 32 forming parts of the switch.`

Intermediate its ends the conductor 2T is connected to any suitable source (not shown) of electrical energy. the conductor 2T com prising a plurality of pieces, one of which is secured to one terminal of said source of electrical energy and another of which is connected to the other terminal of said source of electrical energy. Switch members 33 carrying afplurality of contacts 34, 35 and 36 are slidably mounted in a casing 28 which encloses the contacts 3l. and 32. Movement of the switch members 33 is controlled by stops 87 and 38. Assuming that the uppermost contacts 3l in Fig. 3 are connected with the lamps 25 lin three compartments. these compartments will he successively illuminated as the corresponding rodV 33 is pushed in to engage the contacts 31. v First, the contact 34 closes a circuit and one of the -lamps Awill be lighted. As the switch member 33 is vpushed in farther, contact 35 will close the first circuit and contact 34 will close al second circuit. As the switch member is moved in still farther, the three contacts 8l will be 'operatively connected with the corresponding contacts 32 and three lamps will be lightedl The member 33 may be withdrawn, as desired"q to open all of the circuits; The other members 33 may then be operated in, any desired order, and combination Aof them operated at the same time. Y l

i If desired, an addltional chamber or comy partment may be arranged at the ytop of the emblem. This consists'of sides 45 having a suitable bottom 46,'two or more lamps 25 being mounted in this compartment. I have shown thecompartment without partitions so that only one setv of contacts is required.

The latter compartment'may be secured .to

the remainder of the apparatus by spring fingers 47 formed upon the sides 45 andfadapted to be engaged by clips 48 secured to the sides 2`(Fig. 8). Orf course. other compartments may be arranged about the emblem similar to the compartments described, in which case additional contacts andconductors may he arranged in the switch box. Upon the cover may be arranged words, mot-toes.r or other emblcms. While I have referred to the front cover of the device being transparent, and preferably of glassI mean that it is of such material and so constructed that the illumination of lamps will show through, lighting up the panels, which are preferably incolor, but so that the lamps will not clearly show through; in i other fwords, the panels forming the covers or top, when colored, may be termed translucent, so that while the light comes through the source of the light is not clearly seen.

The device is particularly desirable for displaying symbols or designs in a predetermined order or sequence. and displaying advertising in the same manner, the emblems being printed or painted upon the glass panels, which 'panels may be colored as desired. The results are most effective and impressive.v i Of course, when the lamps are out practically nothing shows onthe panel, at least/,not enough to clearly distinguish the same. 'Of course, other compartments vmay be arranged about'the emblem.

vice which is employed in another form of the invention. This device comprises a switch 50 which may be substituted for the switch above described. The switch 50 pret-` erably comprises a plurality ot suitable `switch mechanisms (not shown) which are controlled by push buttons'l. Each switch mechanism is operatively connected in series with one ofthe lamps 25 and with a suitable source (not shown) of electrical energy. Obviously, each lamp 25 is controlled solely by its associated switch mechanism.

lHaving thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifi-` cations maybe madel in the lsame without departing from thespirit'of-my invention; hence I do not wish to `be understood as limiting myself'tothe exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and 1 described or luses mentioned. Y j

lVhat I claim as' new and desire tov secure by Letters Patent is: i

1, In a display device of the character described including a star-shaped wall, said wall 'being substantially U-shaped in cross section, radially disposed partitions of'substantially U-shap'ed cross section arranged centrally within the confines O-said'Wall, each' of said radially disposed partitions meeting said star-shaped wal] Vat the bottom eta valley of the star, angularly disposed substantially U-shaped partitions connecting the outer ends 'of said'` radial partitions thus forming an inner and outer series of compartments, a plurality of short walls of substantially U-shaped cross section angularly disposed across each valley ofv the` star` shaped wall thus forming a third series of compartments, a frame for holding. panels ico secured to said partitions and Walls and in contact with one leg of the U thereof, the pjeripheral members of said frame being of -shaped cross section to accommodate a panel on one edge, and the inner members' of said frame being of H-shaped cross section to accommodate panels on opposite edges, and a cover engaging the other leg of the U of said Walls and partitions, said cover having an inwardly turned flange on its peripheral edge.

2. In a display device of the character described including a star-shaped Wall, radially disposed partitions arranged centrally Within t-he confines of said Wall, each of said centrally arranged partitions meeting said star-shaped Wall at the bottom of a valley of the star, angularly disposed partitions connecting the outer ends of said radial partitions, thus forming an inner and outer series of compartments, a plurality of short walls angularly disposed across each valley of the star-shaped wall thus forming a third series of compartments, a cover for one Side of said compartments comprising a frame and panels, said frame secured to one edge of said partitions and of said Walls and in contact with fianges on said partitions and on said vvalls,the eripheral members of said frame being of -shaped cross section to accommodate a panel on one edge, the inner members of said frame being of H-shaped cross section to accommodate panels on opposite edges, and a cover for the other side of said compartments and in contact With flanges on said partitions and on said Walls,

said secondsnamed cover having openingsr therein for access to said compartments.

3. In a display device of the character described, a star-shaped casing, ay separable casing mounted between points of said starshaped casing, clips carried yby said starshaped casing, and spring fingers carried by said separable casing, said spring fingers removably engaging said clips to retain the separable casing in position between said points. Y

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

WILLIAM F GEHRIN G.

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