US1963964A - Sign - Google Patents

Description

June 26A, 1934. R E, BARCLAY 1,963,964

SIGN

Filed Julysl, 1931 '2 sheets-sheetA 1 June 26, 1934.

R. E. B ARCLAY SIGN Filed July 31, 1931 I 2 Sheets-Sheet, 2

Patented .lune 26, 1934 SIGN Robert E. Barclay, Chicago, Ill., assgnor to4 Federal Electric Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New York Application July 31, 1931, Serial No. 554,298

24 Claims.

My invention relates in general to signs and has more particular reference to illuminated signs for advertising display and other purposes, an important object being to provide a cheap, yet

serviceable and attractive sign, presenting bril'- liant, striking and artistic effect, which can be quickly and easily assembled or mounted in operative position, is inexpensive to operate and which has high visibility, aesthetic appeal and unusual eye arresting qualities, while occupying small space and requiring a minimum of accessories to mount the sign in position.

Among the other important objects of the invention is to provide an improved sign especially well adapted for marking the location of spots to be designated, signs embodying my present invention being particularly well adapted to mark exit doorways, ticket oices, magazine counters, elevators and in fact being adapted for use any- 2 0 Where that a small, location designating, or indicating sign is desired; to provide an advertising o r display sign having unusual eye arresting fea-' tures, a feature of the invention being the possibility of providing a shifting feature, whereby the characters of the sign may be caused to move in order to gain attention and interest and also to enable a relatively large sign or message to be displayed in small compass; and to provide avsign of the class described illuminated, preferably though not necessarily, by electrical discharge in a gaseous medium, my invention being more particularly adapted for application in the iield of discharge illumination.

These and other numerous objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of my invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sign embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view'taken substantially along the line 2 2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 in Figure 1 and Figures 4 and 5 are similar sectional views illustrating preferred constructions;

Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating a modified construction embodying my invention;

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line '7 7 in Figure 6;-

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a moving or travelling sign embodying my invention;

Figures 9 and 10 are sectional views taken respectively along the line 9 9 in Figure 8 and the line 10 10 in Figure 9; and l Figures 11 and l2 are sectional views taken respectively along the line 11 11 in Figures 3 and 4, and along line 12-12 in Figure 5.

To illustrate my invention I have shown on the drawings signs comprising means forming a suitable source of illumination and a vsign receptacle or holder paralleling the source of illumination.

'I'he light source is preferably enclosed in a casing or sheath of lany suitable light-transmitting material such as glass, and my inventionV more particularly contemplates the use of an electrically excited gaseous medium as the illuminating means, although other light-producing -means such as incandescent lamps, operated either by gas or electricity, may be employed. In the illustrated embodiments the light source is housed in a preferably glass envelope 11 comprising a channel 13 in which a light source is housed. l

The sign holding means also may be constructed in any suitable manner, extending parallel and adjacent to the light source, and, although I prefer to form sign-carryingchannels 15, as an integral part of the envelope 11, a. separate casing of suitable translucent material may be used for this purpose.

I prefer to form the sign receptacle as an integral part of the envelope 11 since this permits me to use multi-bore tubing of the type illustrated and described in my co-pending applications Serial Nos. 491,404; 540,950; 540,390 and 541,391, led respectively Oct. 29, 1930, May 29 and June 1, 1931 the tube having internal longitudinal partition means 19.

In Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, I have shown a sign comprising an envelope 11 yhaving a sealed, centrally located luminous channel 13 and sign receiving-channels 15 located on each side of the central light-emitting channel 13. The sealed channel 13 preferablyhas electrodes 21 of any ordinary or preferred construction in its opposed ends, the .light-producing electrical discharge taking place in the channel 13 between the spaced electrodes'in the manner Well known in the art of discharge illumination. The card-holding channels 15 carry sign strips 23 of any suitable, preferably bendable and opaque material. 'Ihe strips are provided with perforations 25r or otherwise out out to form a design or character which it is desired to display. The sign strips 23 containing the characters for display may beinserted in the channel or receptacle 15 by sliding them into place endwise through the open ends of the channel, the upper and lower grooved edges 27 of the channel serv- -ing to guide andsecure the strip in an aligned position with respect to the light-producing channel 13. When in place, the sign strip may be villuminated from behind by the light source in the channel 13 so that the cut out design, to be displayed, forms a silhouette against the light source.

One end of the envelope 11 may be fitted and secured into a cup-shaped shell 29, adapted to form a mounting for the sign, and the envelope may be secured in the shell as by means of the cement 31, the ends of the channels 15 being preferably plugged with Wads 33 of any suitable material, such as cotton, wool, etc., to exclude the cement from penetrating the channel. A suitable cap 35 is applied to the other end of the envelope in order to provide an attractive finish and to exclude dirt, moisture and lother foreign matter. The 'electrodes 21 within the discharge arc channel are electrically connected by means of suitable conductors 37y which -penetrate the sealed ends of the channel to an external source of power, the ends of the conductors 37 being preferably connected to terminals 47 mounted in and projecting outwardly of the shell 29. These terminals are adaptedto t into and form electrical connection with corresponding terminals 49 which are mounted in a suitable support base 53, the terminals 49 being in turn permanently connected to a suitable source of electrical power, as for instance, the secondary winding of a transformer. I prefer, however, to form the base 53 as a casing containing a suitable transformer 41, the primary winding 45 of which is connected to an external source of electrical power and the secondary winding 39 of which is connected tothe terminals 49, since in this way the sign mounting, having a suitable transformer ratio, may be manufactured as a standard itemA for connection in the ordinary commercial or house lighting electrical circuit. The mounting 53 also is provided preferably with an upstanding annular sleeve 55 into which the shell 29, which forms a part of the detachable sign, mayl snugly fit so that the sign will be rmly supported inthe mounting. Ordinarily, such a sleeve will provide ample support for the device which will require no further accessories for maintaining same in posin tion.

Alternatively, the transformer 41 may be arranged in the shell 29 and its primary connected to the terminals 47 and its secondary to 'the electrodes 21, while the electrodes 49 in the support base are connected in the house lighting circuit. The portions of the envelope 11 which define surface walls of the light-producing channel 13 which are not exposed to the sign strips 23, are

preferably coated with a film 57 of any suitable opaque material, such as blacls paint.

In Figure 4 of the drawings the external `wall of the sign-carrying channel is flattened in order`` to permit the sign strips to be mounted in sub-"s stantially flat condition so-as to avoid'the curved configuration required in the semi-circular channels illustrated in Figure 3 .V

' It is not essential, of course, that the electrodes 21 be mounted at opposite ends of the envelope, but thechamber 13 may be provided with a partition 191 as indicated in dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. Where this is the case the partition 191 may be terminated short of the outer end of the envelope as shown in Figure 11 so that the illuminated channel comprises parallel and adjacent legs, separated by the partition 191 and communicating at the outer end of the envelope, each leg being provided with an electrode at the inner end thereof. Alternatively, the construction illustrated in Figures 5 and 12 may be employed.' In this construction, thegliousing for the source of illumination comprises tube portions 119 assembled in parallel and adjacent relationship within the bore of a substantially largertube 117. The encircling tube may, of course, have any suitable or desired configuration and the tubev portions 119 may be connected together and/or placed in communication at the outer end of the device and provided with electrodes sealed therein at the lower or basal end of the assembly as shown in Figure 12.

Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings disclose a construction embodying a two-channel tube .wherein one of the channels forms the discharge arc path 13, while the other provides the sign strip housing 15. This construction is useful where the sgn is to be viewed from one side only, as where the sign is mounted on a supported panel 59 and extends in front of the panel in parallel relationship therewith. In the construction illustrated the discharge arc channel of the double bore tube is extended rearwardly-at both ends thereof and is received in terminal receptacles mounted in spaced perforations formed in the panel, and the thus extended ends are sealed, provided with electrodes and supported in suitable receptacles of any convenient type. A

The device may be energized through a transformer supported on the back of the panel, as shown; the primary of which is connected to a suitable source of electrical power as by means of the plug-in connection 69,-the secondary of the transformer being connected through the receptacles to the electrodes within the ends of the discharge arc channel 13.

` Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a travelling or similar to that indicated in Figure 6. In place of the stationary sign cards 23 the channels 15 receive a continuous, endless, perforated sign strip 231 which extends around a roller 61, mounted for rotation in the shell 291 which is suitably enlarged to receive this roller and the other associated apparatus. At the far end of the sign, the continuous strip 231 passes around a guide 63 which may conveniently be formed as an integral part of the cap closure 351. The roller 61 is driven as through a belt 64 -from a motor 65, which is or may be suitably mounted within the casing 291. The gaseous medium in the sealed chamber 13 is energized by power supplied through suitable leads 431 from a transformer 411 which is or may be mounted within the casing 291. The motor and transformer are connected by means of suitable leads 511v through a control switch 67 and cord conductor 69 to a suitable source of electrical power which is preferably the ordinary house lighting distribution system, and I have illustrated the cord connector 69 as terminating in a plug, adapted to be inserted in the socket outlet of an Velectric power system whereby the sign Amay bev most' conveniently-powered. When the device is properly connected and the switch 67 conditioned to place the device in operation, the channel 13v will be illuminated by the electrical power supplied through the transformer 411, while the continuous strip v231-will be caused to move down one sign channel 151 around the guide .shifting sign embodying a construction somewhat 63; thence through the othersign channel 151 and around the roller 61, the strip 231 being caused to move by the rotation of the roller which is driven by the motor 65. In this way the perforated strip passes in front of the discharge arc channel 13 on both sides of the device, and the sign formed in the strip by the perforations 251 thereof will be rendered highly visible by the illumination escaping through the perforations. Signs made in accordance with my present invention are unusually simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The effects created are brilliant and highly visible, and where the discharge arc illumination is produced as a neon light, socalled, the effect is extremely eye arresting, so that signs made in accordance with my present invention are readily seen since they gain the attention of the observer on account of their brilliant appearance.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing descrfption, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sign comprising an envelope, a gaseous medium adapted to be excited to glow within the envelope, and means formed integrally in the envelope for holding a silhouette sign in front of the gaseous medum, and means to excite the medium from a power' source outsidev of the envelope.

2. A sign comprising means forming a translucent envelope providing a compartment containing a conned gaseous medium capable of glowing when excited, said envelope being formed with a portion adapted for housing a sign strip in front of the compartment, and means to shift the sign strip in its housingwith respect to the compartment to produce a traveling sign.

3. A sign comprising a multi-channel glass envelope having a channel in which sign forming means may be demountably carried and means.y to create illumination in an adjacent channel of the envelope behind the sign strip.

4i. A sign comprising a multi-channeled tube of translucent material containing in at least one of its channels a gaseous medium adapted to glow when excited and means to excite the gaseous medium to create a light source in said channel, another of said channels being formed to receive and support a silhouette sign in the tube adjacent the light source whereby the sign will be housed within the tube and away from the external atmosphere in position to be visible through the translucent walls of the tube.

5. A sign comprising a glass tube having integral longitudinally extending partition means providing a plurality of parallel adjacent channels within the tube, means tocreate light in at least one of the channels and a sign strip in an adjacent channel silhouetted against the illumination penetrating the partition means from the illuminated channel.

6. A sign comprising a glass tube having longitudinally extending partition means providing a plurality of adjacent channels within the tube, means to create light in at least one of the channels whereby signs in adjacent channels will be illuminated through the partition means and at the same time housed and protected from the Weather.

7. A sign comprising an elongated glass envelope, means dening a sealed chamber extending in the envelope, vmeans creating light in said chamber, said means including a base mounted to one end of the envelope, terminals formed on the base and a receptacle for detachably receiving the base and connecting the terminals to an external power source, and conductors connecting the terminals with the sealed channels, and

means to support a sign in the envelope in front' of said sealed chamber whereby the design to be displayed will appear silhouetted against -the l'ght created in the chamber.

8. A sign comprising an elongated glass envelope, means defining a sealed chamber in the envelope, means to supply light creating power to said chamber to create light therein, said means including a basel mounted to one end of the envelope, terminals formed on the base and a receptacle for detachably receiving the base and connecting the terminas to an external power source, spaced electrodes' in the chamber at o pposed ends of the envelope, conductors 'connecting the terminals with the electrodes, one of said conductors extending from the base within the`enveiope andexteriorly of the chamber to the electrode in the far end thereof, and means to support a sign strip in said envelope in front of said sealed chamber whereby light created in the chamber mayilluminate the strip.

9. A sign comprising a gass tube, a sign strip carried in said glass tube and a sealed glass envelope supported within said glass tube behind the strip, means co-operating with the glass envelope for creating illumination therein and means enclosing the ends of the glass tube to exclude foreign matter.

10. A sign comprising an elongated glass envelope, means defining a sealed chamber extending longitudinally in said envelope, a frame mem-4 ber at each end of said envelope, guide means mounted in a said frame member opposite each` l1. A sign comprising translucent means forming a central elongated channel and lateral elongated channels on opposite sides of the central channel and adapted to receive silhouette sign means and means associated with the central channel to create a source of light therein to illuminate signs in the lateral channels.

12. A sign comprising translucent means forming a central elongated channel and lateral elongated channels on opposed sides of the central channel and adapted to receive silhouette signs, means associated with the central channel to create a source of light therein to illuminate signs in the lateral channels, and means to render the walls of the central channel opaque except where it faces the lateral channels.

13. A sign comprising translucent means formv DOWSI'.

cluding an electrode in each channel portion for exciting the medium in said portions, said translucent means forming an additional chanriel extending adjacent the portions containing the excitable medium and adapted to support a sign strip in front of said portions whereby the sign strip may be rendered visible against the illumination in said portions. 1

14. In combination with a panel, a lamp mounted in front of the panel, said lamp comprising an elongated member of translucent material forming in its rearward portions a housing for a medium capable of excitation to produce light and forming an elongated channel in front of the housing to receive and support a sign strip in position to be viewed against the light generated. in the housing, means to excite the medium in the housing, the housing having portions extending behind the panel, electrodes in' said portions and means behind the panel to connect said electrodes toa source of electrical 15. A sign comprising means forming a transf lucent envelope providing a compartment 'con-4 taining a connedatmosphere capable of glowing when excited and a housing affording means to support a sign strip in front of the compartvment, means to excite the atmosphere, and means Vto shift the sign strip in its housing with'l respect to the compartment. f

16. A sign comprising means forming an elongated translucent envelope providing a compartment containing a conned atmosphere. capable of glowing when excited, and a sign strip housing at the front of the compartment guide means at the opposite ends of the housing to support a signstrip in the housing between the guide means, and means to shift the sign strip on its guides.

17. A sign comprlsing-means forming an elongated translucent envelope containing a confined atmosphere capable of glowing when excited,

guide means including a roller for shiftably supporting a sign strip in front of the envelope,

means to excite the confined atmosphere, and means to rotate theroller to Vshift Athe sign in front of the envelope in order to provide a travelingsign eiect.

18. A sign comprising translucent means for-rn-- ingA a sealed envelope means containing a gaseous medium adapted to glow when excited, -said envelope means including parallel adjacent channel portions intercommun'icating at their 'adjacent ends, 'means cooperatively associated with said envelope means for holding a' silhouette `Asign member in front'of the envelope', and means to excite the medium in the envelope inorder to provide' a source of illumination behind the silhouette sign member. f.,

1'9. A' sign comprising translucent 'means forming a sealed envelopevproviding a' substantially U-shaped channel containinga' gaseous medium ing an envelope providing a support for a'silhouette sign member within the envelope, lmeans in said envelope forming a pair of translucent tubular portions containing a gaseous'medium adapted to glow `whenexcited, said portions extending parallel and relatively close together in said envelope behind the sign whereby to support the same in place, means connecting the adjacent ends of said portions together and their opposite ends toa source of power for exciting the medium, whereby to-create a light source behind a sign carried on the sign support.

21,. A sign comprising translucent means forming an envelope providing a support for 'a silhouette sign memberwithin the envelope, means snugly arranged in said envelope forming a pair of translucent tubularportions containing a gaseous mediumv adapted to glow when excited, said 100 portions extending parallel and'irelatively close together in said envelope behind the sign whereby to support the same in place, ,electrodes at opposite lends of said portions, and means to connect the electrodes together at one end of the portions and to connect the electrodes at the opposite ends of the portions to a power source in order to excite the gaseous medium therein.

22. A sign comprising a translucent cylindrical tube providing a mounting for a silhouette sign member within the tube, means forming a plurality of smaller tubular portions snugly nested within said housing behind said sign and holding the same in place, said smaller portions adapted to glow when excited whereby to provide a light source in said channel, and another of said channels being formed toreceive and support a silhouette signvwithin the confines of thetube in position housed fromthe external atmosphe're and adjacent thelight source whereby 130 the sign may be rendered visible to external observers.

24. A sign'as set forth in claim 23, including means for shifting the sign strip in the channel in which it is mounted. I

ROBERT E. BARCLAY.

Images