US1698416A - Clutch mechanism for sign changers - Google Patents

Description

Jan; 8, 1929. I 1,698,416

P. REISS CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR SIGN CHANGERS Filed Jan. 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY at 22 Wok EY Jan. 8', 1929.

P. REISS CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR SIGN CHANGERS Filed Jan. 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheetv 2 (PM 72 .INYENTOR ATTO NEY Patented Jan. 8, 1929.

UNITED TAT PATE- rmir. nnrss, on BROOKLYN, new YonK, AssIGNon TO VIKING moon A1\TD MAGHI1\TR 00., mo. on BROOKLYN, new YORK, A CORPORATION on NEW yonx.

CLUTCH MECHANISM non SIGN CHANGERS.

Application filed January 5, 1927. Serial No. 159,172.

My invention relates to clutches for use in apparatus for successively exhibiting a plurality ofsigns and it is my object to produce a-clutch for such apparatus which may-be controlled from a remote point, if desired, and which will operate to remove one sign and substitute another therefor. The invention is particularly applicable to changlng the announcement cards in vaudeville theatres and is so constructed that the stage manager may change the sign visible to the audlence by simply closing a conveniently located electric switch.

In the drawing Fig. 1 isa front view of my sign changer a portion of the frame be1ng broken away; Fig. 2 a View of the structure of Fig. 1 on the line 22 thereof; Fig. 3 a

View of the structure of Fig. 1 on the line 33 thereof, the parts having revolved to a new position; Fig. 4 a view of the structure of Fig. 1 on the line 4-4 thereof; Fig. 5 a detall view of the magnet latch and trip and Fig.

6 a sectional View of the shaft mechanism.

As is common to sign changers ofthis type the apparatus consists of a frame lhaving grooved uprights 2 and 3 in which the signs 8 slide. A shaft 4 at the top carries sprocket wheels 5 and 6 and a like shaft 7 at the bottom carries sprocket wheels 8 and 9. Chains 3o 10 and 11 run over these sprockets and carry pins 12 which engage lugs on the sign frames to lift the signs to the upper part of the frame and to draw down the sign at the top after exhibition. These'movements are all old and well known in the art andwill not be described. in'detail, my invention being confined to the apparatus for starting'and stopping the travel of the chains.

A source of power, such as electric motor 20 drives a worm gear 21 and is constantly running. The worm gear shaft 22 carries a ratchet wheel 23 which is continuously revolving. A disk 24 is mounted on a shaft 25 which shaft is free to revolve independently of the shaft 22 and a gear 26 is also mounted on the shaft 25 which gear meshes with a gear 27 on the sprocket wheel shaft 7.

The disk 24 has a notch 28 (see Fig. 1)

in its edge and an arm 29 is pivoted to the frame and pulled upwardly by a spring 30. A roller 31 is mounted in a slot 32 in the arm 29 in position to bear on the edge of the disk and when the notch and roller are engaged the sign on display is properly centered in the frame, the slot 32, in which the roller is locked, permitting accurate adjustment at this position.

The disk 24 carries a dog 33 on one face which is adapted to engage the ratchet wheel I 23 and a latch 34 on the opposite face. The

dog and latch are solidly mounted on a short shaft 35 which is free to oscillate on the disk so that the dog and latch will rise and fall as a unit. A trip 36 whose nose 37 is in the with the roller 31 in the notch 28. The nose of the latch is against the trip 36 holding the dog 33 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 23. When the circuit is closed to energize the magnet 40 the nose 37 of the trip swings clear of the latch 34 .and the spring 42 pulls the dog 33 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 23. This clutches the disk and ratchet wheel together and they revolve as a unit driving the shaft 7 through one revolution thereby changing the signs by drawing down the one on exhibition and lifting up the one to be shown. When the current is cut off the spring 41 will pull the nose of the trip back into the path of the latch and when the latch strikes the trip the dog will be lifted out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and the disk, gears and sprocket wheel shaft will come to a stop with the notch in the disk engaging the roller on the arm.

By this means the signs are changed at any desired time by simply touching a conveniently located switch. If desired the switch can be permanently closed and the signs continuously changed without further attention, but the device is peculiarly adapted for the successive exhibitionof signs at irregular intervals of time and under the control of an operator.

I claim Control means for sign changers comprising a constantly driven shaft, a ratchet wheel thereon, a second shaft independently revolvable and alined with the first shaft, a notched edge disk on the second shaft adjacent the ratchet Wheel, an arm, a roller on said arm bearing on the disk edge, means for adjusting the position of the roller on the arm, a short shaft extending through said disk, a dog on one end of the short shaft adapted to engage the ratchet Wheel, a latch on the short shaft on the opposite face of the disk, a trip in the path of travel of the latch,

In testimony. whereof Ihave affixed my signature.

PAUL REISS.

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