US1964549A - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1934. E. M. WELSH 1,964,549

DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet l June 26, 1934. E. M. WELSH 1,964,549

DI SPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 E E a i 10 I 50' |& r

y a 19 l L/ June 26, 1934. E M WELSH DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 26, 1934. WELSH 1,964,549

DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 26, 9 E. M. WELSH 1,964,549

- DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 z-': 4z J a K561 z/lg 45 June 26, 1934. E. M. WELSH 1,964,549

DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 v Sheets-Sheet 6 1?? zfircfo 7, ala farafl 7. 6 7672.

WW w June 26, 1934. E. M. WELSH DISPLAY APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 4, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented June 26, 1934 Ui TiED STATES ATENT GFFliCE DISPLAY APPARATUS Application October 4, 1930, Serial No. 486,373 Renewed November 16, 1933 66 Claims.

My invention relates to a display apparatus and is concerned more particularly with mechanism of this character which intended for the automatic presentation of a variety of advertisements, or other information, in the form of wound, roller curtains which are unrolled and rolled for periodic display of their subject matter.

One object of my invention is to devise an apparatus of the character indicated in which the wound curtains are unrolled across a display opening by a carrier which is guided at or near its ends and moved by a force applied substantially at its mid-portion to prevent any canting tendency during movement and possibility of binding in its guideways.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for the purpose noted wherein a plurality of wound curtains are removably positioned in each of a pair of magazines, which are disposed at opposite ends of the display opening, with a carrier reciprocating therebetween for simultaneous engagement with a curtain from each magazine, movement of the carrier in one direction accomplishing a rolling of one curtain for removal from the display opening and an unrolling of the other curtain for observation, while movement of the carrier in the opposite direction effects a reversal of these conditions, the carrier being actuated in both directions by a member engaging therewith substantially at its mid-point and each of the magazines being progressively indexed by said member through a simple lever and gear arrangement to present the respective curtains in succession to the carrier for unrolling in the display opening.

A further object is to devise a display apparatus as above set forth in which a movable, endless member, generally in the form of a belt, is utilized to both reciprocate the carrier which exposes the curtain for display and also to index the curtain magazine to present the curtains held therein successively to the carrier for unwinding, the belt having embedded therein a lever, flexible in one plane and substantially rigid in a plane normal thereto, which is provided with an externally rojecting stud member on one side thereof for driving engagement with the carrier and also with a similar stud member on the opposite side thereof which actuates the indexing mechanism.

A further object is to provide means for holding the carrier in position adjacent the magazine for a predetermined time during the removal of the previously displayed curtain and the insertion of a new curtain roller from the magazine, the curtain from the other magazine then being in a position for observation, the holding means for the carrier being in the nature of a latch plate on the frame which is automatically and lockably engaged with the carrier by the driving belt just prior to the releasing or" the latter from the carrier, and disengaged by said belt subsequent to the renewal of the latter connection with the carrier.

A further object is to devise a simple driving mechanism for an apparatus of the character described comprising generally an endless belt operating over a plurality of pulleys which are disposed to secure the desired indexing of the magazines and, between the latter, to confine the belt to a path of movement for reciprocating the carrier, the pulleys which accomplish the latter result having a relatively large radius in order to insure a gradual increase or decrease in speed of the carrier as it recedes from or approaches its terminal position and consequently an initiation of movement or a stoppage, respectively, which is free from shock.

A further object is to incorporate in a display apparatus, embodying a magazine for the support of the curtain rollers and a carrier reciprocably mounted with respect to the magazine for the abstraction therefrom of one of the curtain rollers, its subsequent display and return to the magazine, cam surfaces on the magazine and carrier engageable by the ends of one of the curtain rollers during indexing movement or" the magazine to draw the carrier into correct transfer position, thereby rendering unnecessary a precise accuracy of the several parts and neutralizing any tendency of the carrier to occupy a slightly displaced position by reason of the wear of parts or for other reasons.

A further object is to provide simple devices on the carrier for receiving and retaining the ends of the curtain rollers, the opposite end of the curtain being secured to a magazine, the devices permitting automatically a release of the roller then held upon the completion or" the carrier movement toward a magazine, and a reception of a new roller upon the indexing of the magazine.

A further object is to devise a novel curtain roller for use in the above apparatus in which the spring mechanism, utilized as the re-rolling agent, is centralized with respect to its actuation of the roller, thereby insuring a smooth action during the re-rolling operation, free from any frictional drag arising from misalignment of the parts.

A further object is the provision of a support for the driving motor, or other power agency,

I capacity for efficient operation of the parts wholly independent of changes occurring in the curtain material due to climatic variations, design and combine the several parts of the mechanism so that the power requirements are comparatively small, and finally to arrange the machine for substantially noiseless operation so that it is capable of use in a wide range of locations.

These and further objects of my invention will be set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the novel means by which said objects are efiectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved display apparatus, the reciprocating carrier being shown in an intermediate position between the magazines and the display curtains attached thereto partially broken away to show certain details in the rear of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the upper and lower magazines, the reciprocating carrier, parts of the driving and indexing mechanism, and the means for holding the carrier in position adjacent both magazines.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1, looking in the direction or the arrows, and showing the arrangement of the curtain roller ends in the upper magazine, the same construction being employed also for the lower magazine.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the position assumed by the concealing bar when the reciprocating carrier has moved to a position adjacent the lower magazine.

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 55 in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the reciprocating carrier in plan.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevation of the left end of the reciprocatin carrier, looking in the direction of the arrow 6 in Fig. 5, showing the devices on the carrier which receive the ends of the curtain roller and one of the roller shoes which operate along appropriate guideways.

Fig. 7 is a section along the line 7-7 in Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the specially shaped jaws on the carrier which receive the ends of the curtain rollers.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the indexing mechanism for the upper magazine, as viewed in the direction of the arrow 8 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an elevation of the indexing mechanism shown in Fig. 8, as viewed in the direction of the arrow 9 in said figure.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged View of the central part of the traveling bar portion of the reciprocable carrier, as viewed in the direction of the arrow 10 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a plan view, partly in section, of so much of the traveling bar as is shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a section along the line 1212 in Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the stud formed thereon which engages with a suitable hook provided on the frame for re taining the carrier for a predetermined time in either of its terminal positions.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged, side elevation of the driving belt, as viewed in the direction of the arrow 13 in Fig. 2, the portion of the belt selected showing the laterally projecting indexing and driving studs.

Fig. 14 is a plan view, partly in section, of the portion of the driving belt shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a section along the line 15-15 in Fig. 13, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the internal, fabric reenforcement for the belt.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of the lower, right end of the upper magazine, the reciprocating carrier being shown immediately adjacent thereto for the purpose of discharging one of the curtain rollers carried thereby and receiving a new roller from the magazine, the curtain from the lower magazine occupying at that time a fully displayed position.

Fig. 17 is a section along the line l717 in Fig. 16, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the relation of the cam surfaces formed on the magazine and the carrier to the ends of the curtain rollers.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the apparatus, the traveling bar being shown in section and in held position adjacent the upper magazine (not shown), showing the relation of the parts when the reciprocating carrier is occupying the indicated position and the driving belt has left its engaging position with the carrier and is moving toward the indexing mechanism for the upper magazine.

Fig. 19 is a View corresponding to Fig. 18, but showing the similar portion of the lower mechanism, the retaining hook for the carrier when the latter is occupying its lower position being shown in a position to receive the stud on the traveling bar when the latter is moved downwardly toward the lower magazine.

Fig. 29 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of one of the curtain rollers, showing the novel internal arrangement whereby the several parts of the roller are centralized with respect to each other so that the several parts may rotate freely without excessive frictional drag.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, of a portion of either one of the magazines, showing the mounting of a rod which is detachably positioned in the magazine and to which one end of the curtain is permanently secured, there being one of these rods for each of the curtain rollers and all of the rods being retained in their respective magazines during the operation of the machine.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged section along the line 22-22 in Fig. 18, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the frictional mounting of the retaining hook for the reciprocating carrier, whereby the hook will be maintained in any position to which it may be moved.

Fig. 23 is a side elevation looking in the direction of the arrow 23 in Fig. 1 and showing the relation of the motor driven pulley and one of the guiding idler pulleys on the principal mechanism.

In its most general aspect, my improved display apparatus comprises a skeleton frame which is enclosed by a suitable, decorative housing having a display opening through which the curtains may be observed as successively presented by the mechanism.

Mounted in the skeleton frame are upper and lower magazines which carry the wound curtains and between these magazines operate a reciprocable carrier which is arranged for simultaneous engagement with a curtain from each of the magazines, the downward movement of the carrier exposing a curtain from the upper magazine and re-rolling the pr viously displayed curtain from the lower magazine, while an upward movement of the carrier reverses this condition. Certain automatic devices ar employed to extract the curtain rollers from the magazine, one end of each curtain remaining fixed in the magazine; to index the magazine to successively present the curtain carried thereby to the reciprocating carrier; to effect a movement of the carrier and an indexing of the magazines by a continuously moving, end less belt; to insure a correct transfer of the curtain rollers to and from the reciprocating carrier at all times, regardless of wear which may occur in the several parts; and to provide a novel type of curtain roller and driving belt. All of these parts will be described more fully hereinafter.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 designates the external casing of the apparatus which may be decorated in any appropriate manner. For the style of apparatus presently described, the casing 10 will be closed at the rear thereof as at 11 (see Fig. 2) and on the front side thereof will have an observation opening 12 having a size and shape just sufficient to expose to view the display curtains hereinafter described.

Within the casin 10 is supported a skeleton frame 13 comprising the side, supporting standards 14, 1 whose distance apart substantially defines the width of the skeleton frame and which, in the form shown, are formed of simple tubing. The ends of the standards 14 are threaded to receive plugs 15 whose outer ends are shaped as o l spikes 16 for reception in correspondingly shaped depressions provided in the casing 10. The several plugs 15 provide for such adjustment as may be necessary to adequately seat the spikes 16 in the depressions of the external casing 10 and these points of attachment are the only locations in which the skeleton frame contacts with the casing 14), so that the frame is substantially insulated from the latter in addition to performing its primary duties as a support for the principal mechanism. Adjacent their ends, each standard 14 has secured thereto a bracket 15, the arms of which project toward each other and are bored to receive the ends of upper and lower brace tubes 16 which are bridged between the standards 14. At an intermediate point between the brackets 15, each tube 16 has secured thereto one end of a bracket arm 17 (see Figs. 1 and 2), the opposite end of each projecting rearwardly for secureinent to the adjacent end of a vertical, centrally disposed tube 18 which is utilized for the support of parts hereinafter described. The parts above noted complete the major elements of the skeleton frame which supports the operative parts of the mechanism and it will be particularly observed that this frame is composed simply of two main supporting standards appropriately spaced by bracing tubes, between which a third standard is connected for the support of certain parts of the mechanism.

Referring again to Fig. 1, there depends from a convenient location on the floor of the casing 10 a pair of spaced, U-shaped hangers 19, the horizontal portions of which are provided with rubber sleeves 19 or sleeves formed of an equivalent shock absorptive material. Bridged between said sleeves and gripping the same is a pair of clamp members 19 and 19 which are secured in position by a cap screw 19 the shank of which is threadedly received by the upper member 19 The latter member serves as a support for a motor 20 which is fixedly attached thereto in any convenient manner and therefore completely insulated from the main casing by the sleeves 19 The motor 20 is suitably connected to a source of electric power and the shaft thereof drives the pulley 21, over which rides a belt 22 for driving connection with a second pulley 23 which is located in the lower right-hand corner of the machine (see Fig. l). The pulley 23 is fixedly attached to a hub 24 (see Fig. 23) which in turn is loosely mounted on a shaft 41, said shaft being journaled in a bearing provided by the junction of a pair of downwardly and laterally projecting arms 26 and 27, respectively, provided on the bracket 15. Forwardly of the pulley 23, an idler pulley 42 is fixedly mounted on the hub 24 for driving engagement with the endless belt 29. At the opposite side of the frame 13 and at the same elevation as the pulley 42, an idler pulley 40 is also loosely mounted on a shaft 39 which is likewise journaled in bearings provided by the junction of the arms 26 and 2'? provided on the lower lefthand bracket 15. A bracket 35 is secured to the central standard 18 and is provided with a pair of laterally projecting arms 36, 36, disposed on opposits sides of the standard 18, and in the ends of which are journaled stub shafts 3'7, 37. The shafts 37 are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the tube 18, which constitutes the vertical median line of the casing 10, and on said shafts are journaled idler pulleys 38, the spacing of the stub shafts 37 on each side of the tube 18 being such that vertical lines tangentially disposed to peripheries of the idler pulleys 38 will be positioned relatively close to the aforesaid median line, as shown clearly in Fig. 1, for a purpose hereinafter explained. Likewise, the vertical disposition of the shafts 3'? are such that a tangent drawn between the upper of the pulley 4c and the lower side of the left-hand pulley 38, and a tangent drawn between the upper side of the pulley and the lower side of the right pulley 38, will lie in substantially a horizontal plane al o for a purpose hereinafter explained. Adjacent the upper end of the tube 18, a bracket 31 is secured thereto, said bracket being similar in construction to the bracket 35 but reversely positioned to provide a pair of laterally extending arms 32 disposed on opposite sides of the tube 18 and whose ends have journaled therein stub shafts 33 for the bearing support of idler pulleys as, 34, said pulleys 3a occupying the same position with respect to the vertical, median line of the casing 10 as do the pulleys 38 above described. At the upper left corner of the casing 19, an idler pulley 28 is loosely mounted on a shaft which is journaled in a bearing provided by the junction of the arms 26 and 27 on the upper, left bracket 15 and at the opposite side of the skeleton frame 13 and disposed substantially at the same elevation as the pulley 28, is a pulley which is journaled on a shaft 31 also having bearing support in the junction of the arms 26 and 27 on the upper right bracket 15. As with the lower group of pulleys, the vertical dexing mechanism for the magazine.

disposition of the pulleys 34 with respect to the upper pulleys 23 and is such that tangents drawn between the upper side of the pulleys 34 and the lower sides of the pulleys 28 and 30, re spectively, will lie in substantially a horizontal plane.

The pulley 42, which constitutes the driving pulley of the system, and the idler pulleys 28, 30, 34, 38 and 40, comprise the system of driving and guiding members over which the belt 29 operates in order to actuate the mechanism hereinafter described. The pulley 42 constitutes the sole driving element in this system, while the several idler pulleys merely serve to guide the belt 29 in certain definite directions. The direction of movement of the belt 29 is around the outside of the pulleys 28 and 30, also the pulleys and 42, and in between the pairs of idler pulleys 34 and 38, the portion of the belt 29 between the last named pulleys traveling downward between the left- hand pulleys 34 and 38 and upward between the right-hand pulleys of the same number, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

The belt 29 is featured by a special construction which will be more clearly understood by referring to Figs. 13 to 15, inclusive. Preferably, the belt 29 is formed of a suitable composition of rubber having the sectional profile shown in Fig. 15, which is substantially rectangular in shape with the centrally disposed ribs 43 'formed integrally therewith on opposite sides thereof. For the purpose of reenforcing this belt, it may have embedded therein throughout the length thereof, a plurality of superimposed strips of 85- sitely ext-ending arms 46 which are joined by an intermediate portion 46 having a width substantially that of the belt, the central part of the portion 46 being bowed slightly as at 4'7 to provide a curved, bearing surface for the support of a pintle 48 which extends transversely of the belt and has journaled on one exposed end a roller 49 which is intended for driving engagement with the reciprocable carrier as hereinafter described, and on the other exposed end a roller 50 which is intended to actuate the in- A clamping plate 51 is mounted over the intermediate portion 46 to retain the pintle 48 and said plate is secured in position by ears 46 formed on the portion 46 and bent over for the purpose indicated. Of the parts just described, all, except the rollers 49 and 50 are completely embedded within the body of the belt 29 and the disposition of the arms 46 within said belt is such that said arms will conform easily to the curvature of the several pulleys when the belt is traversing the same, but will effectively resist deformation of said belt in a plane normal thereto, so that when load is superimposed upon either of the rollers 49 and 50, the belt 29 will remain substantially rigid and will effectively resist any tendency towards deflection.

As before stated, the belt 29, through. its laterally projecting roller 49 which functions substantially as a stud member, has, at predetermined times, driving engagement with a reciprocable carrier 52 for the purpose of displaying the curtains for obseravtion, which carrier will now be described.

The reciprocable carrier 52 comprises a traveling bar 53 (see Figs. 2, 5, 6, 10 and 11) which extends across the width of the machine and each end thereof is secured to a roller shoe 54 (Fig. 6) which consists of an elongated bar 55, the ends of which are symmetrically disposed with reference to the bar 53, being positioned above and below said bar, and in said ends are rotatably mounted rollers 56 having peripheral grooves 57 which ride on the thin rail 58 which is set in the adjacent side of each of the standards 14. The rollers 56 are spaced sufficiently far apart so that the shoe 54 is adequately supported for guidance along the standards 14 without any possibility of the traveling bar 53 assuming a canted position between its guideways, said bar being therefore arranged for free and easy movement during its reciprocation between the upper and lower magazines.

Adjacent the extremities of the traveling bar 53, a pair of arms 59 project forwardly of the machine (see Figs. 2 and 5) and each forward end of said bars is provided with an upper slot 60 and a lower slot 61, (see Fig. 7) these slots being normally disposed to the direction of the carrier traverse and facing inwardly of the machine. The rear portion of the upper side of the slot 60 is curved upwardly to provide a cam surface 62 and rear portion of the lower side or" the slot 61 curved downwardly to provide a cam surface 63, the shape and disposition of said cam surfaces serving to increase the width of said slots on the rear sides thereof for a purpose hereinafter explained. The minimum widths of the slots 60 and 61 are of such dimension as to freely receive the ends of the curtain rollers as hereinafter described and in order to prevent inadvertent, trans erse movement of the roller ends while occupying the slots 60 and 61, the following instrumentalities are provided. The forward ends of the arms 59 terminate in blocks 64 (see Figs. 5 and 6), which blocks include the slots 60 and 61 above described. Each block 64 is provided with a pair of holes 65 and 66 which are aligned with the center, respectively, of the slots 50 and 61, and also with the axes of the respective curtain rollers, as hereinafter described, when said rollers are positioned in said slots. In the ends of the holes 65 and 66 (see Fig. 16) which. are adjacent the bases of the slots 60 and 61, seats 67 and. 68 are formed, against which rests balls 59 and '70, respectively, under the action of springs 71 and 72, the inner ends of which rest against their respective balls and the opposite ends of which are compressed by plugs '73 and 74 mounted in the blocks 64. The dispositions of the balls 69 and are such that they project slightly beyond the bases of the slots 60 and 61, which bases are vertically disposed, when the curtain rollers are positioned on the traveling bar. said balls will be received in suitable holes provided in the ends of said rollers as described more particularly hereinafter. The spring actuated balls 69 and '70 interpose sufiicient resistance to prevent any normal tendency on the part of the curtain rollers to move transversely, but this resistance is capable of being overcome by a positive force applied transversely to said ourtain rollers. When so applied, this force moves the curtain rollers out of the slots 60 and 61 and in so doing, depresses the balls 69 and 70 into the holes 65 and 66.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the traveling bar 53 carries adjacent its ends between the roller shoes 54 and the arms 59 a pair of closely wound, spiral springs '75, the rear end of each spring being provided with an internally threaded bushing 76 which receives the shank of a screw '77 that extends through a hole '78 provided in said bar. The forward extremities of the springs are likewise provided with bushings '79, similar to the bushing '76, and attached thereto by means of screws 80 are the opposite ends of a concealing bar 81 which partially shields the curtain rollers (see Figs. 2 and 6) when in position on the reciprocating carrier, so that when one curtain is being unrolled for display and the other curtain is being rolled for removal, the concealing bar creates the impression that one curtain is disappearing into another, a factor which is intended to stimulate and attract attention. Intermediate the extremities of the movements of the carrier, th springs '75 occupy a substantially horizontal position, but for reasons that will presently appear, it is important that the concealing bar 81 be capable of a slight yielding action upon the completion of either end of the ment of the carrier, this yielding being in a downward direction when the carrier is occupying uppermost position and in an upward direction (see Fig. 4) when said carrier is occupying its lowermost position. The flexible nature of the springs 75 permits this yielding action, for when the latter occurs, the springs 75 are slightly bent between the traveling bar 65 and the concealing bar 81 and when the force which occasions the yielding action is removed, said springs will straighten and return the bar 81 to its normal horizontal position. The yielding movem nts of the concealing bar 81 are effected during the reciprocating movements of the carrier, just prior to the completion of its movement in either direction, by a striking of either the upper or lower edges of said bar against bumpers 82 which are carried on the magazine structure hereinafter described.

Since the endless belt 29 has driving engagement with the reciprocable carrier 52 only during movement of the latter between the upper and lower portions of the machine and vice versa, and is free of driving engagement at other times, it is necessary to provide means whereby the continuously moving belt may automatically engage with-said carrier to move the same in one direction and to automatically disengage therefrom upon the completion of said movement, these steps being carried out during the movement of the carrier in both directions. The mechanism whereby this mode of operation is obtained will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 2, 10, 11 and 18, the traveling bar 53 is formed substantially as a hollow shell which extends in opposite directions on each side of he aforesaid median line of the casing 10 and terminates adjacent the arms 59 (see Fig. 5). in cross sectional profile, the bar 53 may have a square or rectangular shape and the rear side of said bar is provided with a pair of open-ended slots 82 and 83, the open ends of said slots being located adjacent the arms 59 and consequently adjacent the upper pulleys 28 and 30, when the traveling bar occupying its uppermost position, and adjacent the lower pulleys 40 and 42, when said bar is occupying its lowermost position, for a purpose hereinafter explained. The inner ends of the slots 82 and 83 terminate relatively close to the center point of the bar 53, thereby enabling a substantially center point rive of said bar by the roller 49 when engaged with either of the aforesaid slots as hereinafter described. Wearing strips 84 are secured to the upper and lower, inside surfaces of said bar for direct engagement with the roller 49 and said strips extend for a predetermined distance on opposite sides of the mid-point of said bar, sufficient to insure maintaining the engagement of the roller 49 with said bar until the temporary holding means of said bar have been released or engaged, dependent upon the direction of movement of the belt 29.

As before stated, the belt roller 49 engages with the walls of the slots 82 and 83 in order to achieve reciprocation of the carrier and the relative dispositions of the idler pulleys 34 and 38 with respect to the upper pulleys 28 and 30, and the lower pulleys 40 and 42, respectively, are such that the aforesaid driving engagement is attained by directing said roller through an end of one of said slots and the disengagement of the driving connection is eirectua ed in the same manner, the particular slot engaged being dependent upon the direction of movement of the reciprocating carrier, the slot 82 being employed, for example, during the upward movement of said carrier and the slot 83 during its downward movement. Considering the lower right-hand corner of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1, it will be observed that, as the particular portion of said belt which carries the roller 49 leaves the pulley 42 said roller will be immediately guided into the open end of the slot 82 and subsequently into positive engagement with the wear plates 84. At this time, the roller 49 is moving in a direction that is substantially normal to the direction of carrier movement and consequently in a zero state so far as the last movement is concerned, although the belt maintains at all times a constant rate of speed. As soon as the roller 49 passes the vertical diameter of the right pulley 38, it imparts a slowly increasing speed to the carrier as it rounds the periphery of said pulley until it reaches a point lying in the plane of the horizontal diameter of said pulley at which point full speed is attained by the carrier 52. At the upper portion of the machine and on the same side, the same series of steps will be passed through by the roller 49,

but in reverse order, so that the carrier is gradual- 1 ly brought to rest. Accordingly, these phases of the operation are achieved in a manner which is substantially free from shock and in a manner which insures a gradual starting of the carrier from its position of rest at either end ofthe machine until it attains its maximum speed of movement, and also a gradual slowing down of said carrier from its maximum speed of movement until it reaches its point of rest at either end of the machine.

At such times as the belt roller 49 is free of driving engagement with the carrier, which it will be remembered occurs when said carrier is at either end of its reciprocatory movement, an arrangement must be provided to hold the carrier in either of the indicated positions, pending reengagement of the roller with said carrier. In order to accomplish this result and referring to the upper portion of the machine (see Figs. 2, 18

and 22), a latch plate 85 is pivotally mounted on a pin 86 which extends between the arms 87 of a bracket 88 which is secured to the central tube 18 and which extends forwardly of the machine to support on its front end the aforesaid latch plate. The end of the pin 86 between the arms 87 has threaded thereon a nut 89 and a coil spring 90 encircles said pin between said nut and the adjacent face of said bracket in order to provide an adjustable tension on said spring and accordingly adjust the friction with which the its latch plate engages the face 91 of the bracket 88. This frictional mounting of the latch plate 85 insures that it will retain itself in any position to which it moves, a factor which is important as insuring the positive and uniform operation of the machine, preventing any inadvertent movement of said plate due to jars or shocks external of the machine. A similar latch plate 92, described more particularly hereinafter, is located in inverted position at the lower end of the machine on the tube 18, as shown in Fig. 19. The latch 85 is provided with a hook extension 93 which projects from the lower edge of said plate and the retaining pocket of which, when said plate occupies the position shown in Fig. '18, embraces a roller 94 which projects rearwardly from the traveling bar 53 (see Figs. 11 and 12), thereby holding the carrier in its uppermost position. It will be observed from an examination of Fig. 12 that the roller 94 projects from that side of the traveling bar 53 in which the slots-82 and 83 are formed. To the right of the hook 93, the latch 85 is provided withan inclined cam surface 95, formed by a depending finger 96 and which is directed downwardly and away from said hook, as shown in Fig. 18, and on the opposite side of said hook with a curved cam surface 97 whose inclination, relative to a horizontal plane, is less than that of the surface 95, but whose direction of inclination is generally the same. Owing to the frictional mounting of the latch plate 85, if the latter has been moved so that the hook 93 engages the roller 94, said plate will remain in that position until positively released by some external force. Similarly, when either of the latch plates 85 and 92 are occupying the released position, as shown by the latter plate in Fig. 19, said plates will also maintain such position until moved by some external force.

After the roller 49 is released from driving engagement with the carrier at either end of its movement, the belt 29 passes over either of the groups comprising pulleys 28 and 30, or the pulleys 40 and 42, and during such movement the roller 50 actuates an indexing mechanism which is operatively connected to a curtain roller magazine for the'purpose of rotating the same through a definite angular distance and rendering avail- .able a new curtain for display. The mechanism whereby this indexing movement is achieved will .now be described.

Considering the upper portion of the appara- "tus and referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 9, it will be remembered that the shaft 31 upon which the idler pulley 30 is loosely mounted is journaled in the right bracket 15 at the junction of the arms 26 .and 27. The shaft 31 extends forwardly 'of the machine and at its forward end has secured thereto a bevel pinion 98 which constantly meshes with a bevel gear 99 secured to a magazine shaft 100 which extends across to the opposite side of the machine and is journaled in its ends in bracket extensions 101 which are formed integrally with the brackets 15 and which comprise a part of the magazine structure. Fixedly attached to the rear end of the shaft 31 is a pair of striker arms 102 which extend in opposite directions radially from said shaft so that the angular distance between the tips of said arms measures a distance represented by an angle of 180 degrees. As shown in Fig. 1, these arms are shaped to generally present a turnstile effect, each arm being slightly bowed with the concave side thereof disposed for actuation by the roller 50. This curved shape of the arms 102 insures a positive retention of the roller 50 within the tip thereof, adequately preventing any tendency of said roller to slide over the ends of the tip as might occur were the machine subject to stoppage of any kind, originating in another source. When either of these arms is actuated in the manner hereinatfer described, they are moved approximately through the angle indicated for the purpose of indexing the curtain roller magazine through the interaction of the bevel gears 98 and 99, the extent of the move ment being such that the degree of rotation as indicated causes a rotation of the magazine through an angular distance equal to the spaces between successive pairs of curtain rollers in the magazine, as explained more particularly hereinafter. At the lower part of the apparatus, a similar construction for indexing the lower magazine is provided, the sole difference between the two constructions being one of location, the lower indexing mechanism being disposed adjacent the left end of the lower magazine, while the upper indexing mechanism is disposed closely adjacent the right end of the upper magazine, thus insuring a maximum time display of acurtain from either magazine. The lower magazine shaft 102 (see Figs. 1 and 2) is journaled in the bracket extension 103 which correspond generally to the similar, upper bracket extensions 101, and are likewise formed integral with the lower brackets 15. The left end of the shaft 102 is provided,

with a bevel gear 103 which meshes with a bevel pinion 1'04 fixed on the shaft 39. The shaft 39 has also rigidly attached thereto on the rear end thereof a pair of striker arms 105, which are similar to the arms 102 and function in an identi cal manner.

The wound roller curtains showing the subject matter which is to be displayed are carried in upper and. lower magazines, provision being made for abstracting the curtain rollers singly from each of th magazines at periodic times, and the structure whereby these curtain rollers are carried will now be described.

Referring to Figsl, 2, 3, 8 and 9, and considering the upper magazine 106, the latter comprises a pair of end disks 107 which are rigidly mounted on a hub 108, each hub being fixed on the magazine shaft 100. Each of the disks 107 is'provided with a plurality of equi-spaced slots 109 extending inwardly from the periphery thereof (see Fig. 3) and each of the slots 109 is intended to receive the squaredends 110 of 'a special form of curtain roller 111, which roller will now be described. Specifically, the curtain roller 111 comprises a tube 112, in the right end of which, as viewed in Fig. 20, is fixedly secured a plug 113 having a threaded extension 114 of reduced-diameter extending for a predetermined distance within the interior of the tube 112. The outer end of the plug 113 may be provided with a partispherical surface 115, against which rides the inner face of one squared end 116 of the roller.

The end 116 is provided with a stem 117 which passes completely through the plug 113 in a suitable hole provided for that purpose and is secured against outward movement by a ring 118 which is seated in an annular groove provided on the inner end-of the stem 117 and which seats against the stem 117 as a bearing. Extending inwardly from i' 1 the outer end of the head 116 is a hole 119 which is intended to receive one of the bails 69 or 70, as above described, when the curtain roller is positioned in the carrier. At the left end of the tube 112, a plug 120 is inserted in the end of said tube and fixedly attached thereto. The outer end of the plug 120 is provided with a parti-spherical surface 121, against which bears the inner face of a square head 122 also provided with a hole 122 similar to the hole 119, which constitutes the left end of the curtain roller and which is provided with a stem 123 extending through a suitable hole in the plug 120 beyond the inner face thereof and the stem has fixed on the inner end thereof a threaded sleeve 124 having a diameter less than the inside diameter of the tube 112. Threaded on the sleeve 124 and the extension 114 are the op-- posite ends of a coil spring 125 which, when wound in the usual manner, provides the necessary energy to insure a return of the roller from an unrolled to a rolled position. The specific advantages of the foregoing type of rciler construction resides in the that the heads 115 and 122, the plugs 120 and 113, the coil spring 125 and the tube 112 have a common, longitudinal axis and are maintained in th relative positions indicated. so that when the curtain which is attached to the tube 112 in any approved manner is unrolled for display, thus storing nergy in the spring 125, none of the above parts are capable of assuming axially misaligned positions with respect to each other, so that the several parts of the cur ain roller always operate freely and easily with a minimum of energy expenditure. When a curtain is unwound, the curtain ends 116 and 122 are held fixed. as described more particularly hereinafter, while the tube 112 rotates. At the left end of the roller, the tube 112 is journaled on the stem 123 through the plug 120, the sleeve 124 being held fixed with the end 122, while at the opposite end of the roller the tube 112 is journaled on the stem 117 by means of the plug 113 which includes the threaded extension 114. Accordingly, the spring 125 wiil be held fixed at one end by the sleeve 124 and at the opposite end will be rotated through the medium of the extension 114, thus winding the spring and storing up the necessary energy therein. As a further refinement in structure. it will be noted that the parti- spherical surfaces 115 and 121 provide for a minimum of irictional contact with the ends 116 and 122.

The squared ends 116 and 122 fit closely within the slots 109, so that as long as the curtain rollers lie positioned in the magazine, there is no possibility of the spring 125 losing such energy as may be stored therein through an inadvertent release of the ends 115 and 122 for rotation. Each roller 111 has secured thereto one end of a curtain 126 which is thereafter wound on said tube for the major portion of its length and the opposite end of said curtain is secured to a rod 127 which is bridged between the disks 107 (see Fig. 21). As a means of permitting any or all of these curtain rollers to be removed entirely from the magazine F for the purpose of inserting new rollers, or efffecting a repositioning of the same around the disk 107, one end of the rod 127 is provided with an axial hole 128 extending inwardly from the end of said rod for a predetermined distance, within said rod is reciprocably mounted one end of a stem 129. The inner end of the stem 129 may be bored as at 130 to receive one end of a coil spring 131, the opposite end of which abuts against the base of the hole 128, the inner end of the stem 129 in its normal position being spaced from the base of said hole so that said stem may be moved toward said base to eiiect a removal of the rod 127. The outward movement of the stem 129 under the pressure exerted by the spring 131 is prevented by curling the end edge of the annular shell formed by the hole 128 to provide a retaining lip 132. Externally of said lip, the stem 129 fits freely within an aperture provided in the adjacent disk 107 and a washer 133 is attached to said stem and is normally pressed against the inner face of the disk 107 by the spring 131. When the curtain rollers 111 and their accompanying rods 127 are assembled in the disk 107, they are located with respect to each other in the manner shown generally in Fig. 2, the rods 127 being circumferentially spaced around a cir cle which is concentric with the circle which includes the centers of the rollers 111, but within the last named circle. It will be further noted by referring to Fig. 2 that the axis of each rod 127 is angularly advanced with respect to the axis of its companion roller tube 112, as is required by the successive convolutions of the curtain as it is wound upon the roller and thereby insuring that the roller can wind and unwind with a high degree of freedom with respect to the rod 127.

In order to prevent a dropping out of the curtain rollers when occupying positions in those slots 109 which are located beneath the shaft 100, each bracket extension 101 is provided with a peripheral flange 134 (see Figs. 8 and 9) which extends toward the adjacent disk 107, this construction being employed for each end of the upper magazine. As shown in Fig. 1, the supporting ends 116 and 122 of each curtain roller extend completely through the disks 107. so that the lowermost curtain rollers are retained in position in th magazine by means of the peripheral flanges 134 which contact with the indicated ends of each curtain roller. The disks 107 are also provided with a slot 135, each of which has a suflicient width and. depth to receive the upper ends of the blocks 64, which are located on the carrier 52, this reception occurring at a time of roller transfer from the magazine to the carrier and from the carrier to the magazine when the carrier is occupying its uppermost position. The slot 135 extends from the lower side of the extension 101 vertically upward for the desired distance, wh ch distance will be that necessary to secure such an insertion of the blocks 64 in the slots 135 as will place the ends of the curtain rollers then carried by said carrier at the same radial distance from the magazine shaft 100 as are the remaining curtain rollers in the magazine 105. Referring to Fig. 17, it will be noted that the peripheral flange 134. adjacent the right side of the slot 135 as viewed in said figure, is bent downwardly and toward the left to provide a cam surface 136 for a purpose hereinafter explained. The peripheral flange 134 carries the bumpers 82, above referred to, which contact with the concealing bar 81 to properly shift the same as above described.

t lower end of the apparatus, is located a magazine 137 which. is identical in every respect with the magazine 106 already described and to such an extent that said magazines may be inter chang d without affecting the operation of the mechanism. Therefore. it will be not necessary i to describe the lower magazine in detail. Asregards the support for the lower magazine 137, the bracket extensions 103 are provided with slots 138, which correspond in size to the slots 135, but the former slots are located on the upper side of the extension 103, so that the reciprocable carrier may move into correct operative relation with the lower magazine in the same manner as described for the upper magazine.

The operation of my improved display apparatus will now be described:

The motor operates constantly during the functioning of the apparatus and the ratio of the diameters of the driving and driven pulleys 21 and 23, respectively, will be so arranged that the normal speed of the motor will be suitably reduced so that the mechanism of the apparatus proper will operate at the slow speed desired for the visual operation of the curtains as successively displayed. For purpose of description, the position of the parts of the machine will be considered as they are shown in Fig. 1, with the reciprocating carrier in an intermediate position between the upper and lower magazines and moving upwardly to effect an unrolling of a curtain from the lower magazine for display and a rerolling of a curtain from the upper magazine for removal from observation. During this movement, the supporting ends of a curtain roller from the lower magazine are carried in the slots 61 provided in the block 64, while the supporting ends of the curtain roller from the upper magazine are supported in the slots 60- which are also provided in said blocks.

Also, in this position of the reciprocating carrier, the driving connection between the belt 29 and said carrier is as shown generally in Fig. 2, the roller 49 riding freely between the wear strips 84 in the right slot 82 on the traveling bar 53. Referring now to- Fig. 18, the roller 49, bringing with it the reciprocating carrier, gradually approaches the right pulley 34 and begins to move through the arc represented by the left, upper quadrant of said pulley, until said roller reaches a position lying in the vertical plane which includes the stub shaft 33 of the pulley 34 in question, at which point, further upward movement of the reciprocating carrier ceases, since the roller 49 is at that time moving substantially in a horizontal plane toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 18. During the traverse of the left, upper quadrant of the right pulley 34, the embedded strip bends freely and easily around said pulley and in order to counterbalance the load carried by the roller 49, which at this time is in driving engagement with the reciprocable carrier, the roller 50 is caused to ride along a curved surface formed by a rib 139 which is provided on the bracket 31 (see Fig. 18). Owing to the length of the wear strips 84, supporting connection between theroller 49 and the carrier is maintained until after the portion of said roller between the bar 53' and the belt contacts with the cam surface 95 on the latch plate 85. When so contacted, said latch is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 18, to engage the hook 93 with the roller 94 on said carrier, thereby securely retaining the latter in the position to which the belt has moved the same, and also at the same time moving the cam surface 9'? downwardly for upper magazine 106, the concealing bar 81 has moved in a downward direction by contact with the bumpers 82, and the upper ends of the blocks 64 on the carrier have been inserted in the slots 135 to place the ends of the curtain rollers then occupying the slots 60 in substantially the position shown in Fig. 17, this position also correspending with those slots 109 from which the curtain ends in question have been previously extracted.

Thereafter, the belt 29 with its rollers 49 and 50 passes around the pulley and the roller 50 engages during contact of the belt with said pulley with an end of one of the striker arms 102 to move the same angularly a distance corresponding to the distance between successive slots 109 in the disk 107, and this movement is transferred through the bevel gears 98 and 99 to the magazine shaft 100. This indexing movement therefore moves away from registration with the slots 185 the ends of the curtain roller which has just been returned to the magazine and brings into registration with said slots the ends of the next curtain roller to be displayed, the direction of rotation being indicated by the arrow 140 in Fig. 17. It is during this transfer period that the cam surface 62 formed on the slot 60 and the cam surface 136 formed on the peripheral flange 134 become effective, if by reason of wear or inaccuracy of parts, the carrier exhibits a tendency to settle downwardly from the correct position indicated in Fig. 17. If the carrier should occupy such a depressed condition, it will be noted that, when the disk 10'? is rotated, thereby moving out of the slot 60 the curtain roller ends then held, said ends will contact with the cam surface 136 and will serve to pull the carrier upwardly to its correct position. In the same manher, the ends of the curtain roller next to be received by the carrier will contact with the cam surface 62 in the slot 60 to perform a like service in raising the carrier to its correct transfer position. After the roller 50 passes out of engagement with the striker arms 102, the belt travels around the pulley 28 and finally approaches the left end of the traveling bar 53 for the purpose of reengaging the reciprocating carrier. During the time that the roller 49 was released from driving engagement with said car rier until said roller has traversed the pulley 28, the curtain from the lower magazine 137 has been displayed for its full length.

Referring now to Fig. 18, the roller 49 approaches the left, or open end of the slot 83 and becomes engaged with the left extremities of the wear strips 84, so that full supporting engagement of the carrier by the belt is first obtained. Immediately thereafter, the roller 49 contacts with the cam surface 9'7 to thereby rock the latch 85 in a clockwise direction and free the hook 93 of engagement with the roller 94. The carrier is thereupon free to be moved downwardly, but it will be particularly noted that such downward movement does not begin until the latch 85 is completely released from engagement with the roller 94, since the unlatching movement of the roller 49 is accomplished while the latter is moving in a substantially horizontal plane and therefore incapable of imparting any directional tendency to the carrier. Thereafter, the roller 49 travels around the periphery of the left pulley 34 represented by the right, upper quadrant of said pulley, the roller 50 at this time bearing against the curved rib 139, until the roller 49 leaves said pulley for vertical movement downward.

It will be understood that the indexing of the upper magazine 106 will have been completely accomplished prior to any downward movement of the carrier and that also prior to such movement, said magazine will have become substantially fixed in position owing to the impossibility of inadvertently rotating said magazine except by an actuation of the striker arms 192. During the downward movement of the carrier, the curtain roller from the upper magazine is carried thereby with the opposite ends of the curtain retained in position on the magazine through being connected to the rod 127. Therefore, since the squared ends 116 and 122 are prevented from turning by the walls of the slot 60, the downward movement of said carrier for display of the curtains from the upper magazine will effect a winding movement of the tube 112 and a storage of energy in the spring 125, so that when the carrier begins its upward movement, the tube 112 will wind itself easily and naturally without any necessity for extraneous mechanism. a

When the carrier reaches the limit of its downward movement, the same operative steps are followed as just indicated for the upper magazine, namely, the roller 49 is released from driving engagement with the carrier just subsequent to the actuation of the lower hatch 92 into holding position with the roller 94, it being understood by referring to Fig. 19 that the lower latch 92 is similarly shaped to the upper latch 85, but is reversely positioned relative thereto, so that the hook 141 of the lower latch projects upwardly. Similarly, the latch 92 is provided with cam surfaces 142 and 143 which correspond in profile and function to the cam surfaces 95 and 97, respectively, and the latch 92 is maintained in either holding or releasing position relative to the carrier by means of a spring similar to the spring 90, the mounting of the latch 92 and the tube 18 being identical with that of the latch 85. During this movement of the roller 49 at the lower part of the machine, the curtain roller from the lower magazine that has just been displayed is positioned in the awaiting slots 109 in the disks 107 of the lower magazine, whereupon said magazine is indexed by actuating one of the striker arms 105 by the roller 50 to place the next curtain roller in position to be abstracted by the slots on the carrier. The roller 49 then returns to renew its driving engagement with the carrier, so that the latter reciprocates between the two magazines to successively display in alternative order curtains from each of the magazines, the time for the display of the full length of any one curtain being determined by the time required for the travel of the roller 49 from releasing engagement with the carrier to a renewal of the driving engagement therewith. In renewing its driving engagement with the carrier when the latter is adjacent the lower magazine, it will be observed by referring to Fig. 19, and considering that the traveling bar 53 is occupying its lowermost position, that the roller 49 first engages with said bar between the wear strips 84, thereby insuring a correct engagement of the roller 49 with the cam surface 143 and a releasing of the latch 92 to permit movement of the carrier upwardly.

Under certain conditions, it may happen that less than the total capacity of the magazine is employed, so that unless something were pro vided to index the magazine a distance greater than that possible by a half revolution of either of the striker arms 102 or 105, the carrier might move in one direction without efiecting the display of a curtain from its trailing side. For purpose of illustration, it will be assumed that only half of the total capacity of each of the magazines shown in the drawings is utilized. Under these conditions, the curtain rollers would be spaced around the disk 10'? with an empty slot 109 located between adjacent rollers. Hence, it would be necessary to index each of the magazines a distance which is twice that required when each magazine is completely filled. For this purpose, the belt 29 would be provided with a second roller, corresponding generally to the roller 50 and spaced therefrom a distance slightly greater than the semi-circumference of either of the pulleys S0 or 39, so that immediately upon completion or" an actuating movement of one of the striker arms 102 or 105, as the case may be, which would correspond to an indexing of either magazine from one slot 109 to the next slot 109 around the periphery of the magazine, the second roller would engage with that striker arm which was originally opposite to the striker arm engaged by the roller 50 to thereby move either the shaft 31 or the shaft 40 through an additional half revolution, thus indexing to the next slot which is occupied by a curtain roller. Similar dispositions in the locations of additional rollers, corresponding tothe roller 50, may be adopted, dependent upon the number of rollers which are mounted in the magazine and the angular relation between adjacent rollers.

While I have shown one set of elements and combinations thereof for effectuating my improved display apparatus, it will be understood that the same is intended for purpose of illustration only and in no wise to restrict the mechanism to the exact forms and structures shown for many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame andarranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, and movable means operating on the frame and engageable with said carrier substantially close to the center thereof for reciprocating the same, said means comprising oppositely moving portions disposed on opposite sides of the center of said carrier and the spacing of said portions being not greater than required for adequate clearance.

2. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, and an endless, movable member operating on the frame and engageable with said carrier substantially close to the center thereof for reciprocating the same, said member comprising oppositely moving portions disposed on opposite sides of the center of the carrier and the spacing of said portions being not greater than required for adequate clearance.

3. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, and a continuously moving, endless member operating on the frame and engageable with said carrier substantially close to the center thereof for reciprocating the same, said member comprising oppositely moving portions disposed on opposite sides of the center of said carrier and the spacing of said portions being not greater than required for adequate clearance.

4. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, guide members on said frame adjacent the movement limits of said carrier and oifset from the median line of the carrier traverse, and a movable member operating over I said guide members for engagement with said carrier substantially close to the center thereof to reciprocate the same.

5. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the members of each pair being offset on opposite sides of the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable, endless member operating in one direction over the guide members on one side of said median line and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for engagement with said carrier substantially close to, and on opposite sides of, the center thereof to reciprocate the same, the spacing of the oppositely moving portions of said member from the center of said carrier being not greater than required for adequate clearance, and means for guiding said endless member during its movement between the guide members of each pair.

6. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the members of each pair being offset on opposite sides of the median line of the carrier traverse, a continuously moving, endless member operating in one direction over the guide members on one side of said median line and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for engagement with said carrier substantially close to, and on opposite sides of, the center thereof to reciprocate the same, the spacing of the oppositely moving portions of said member from the center of said carrier being not greater than required for adequate clearance, and means for guiding said endless member during its movement between the guide members of each pair.

'7. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the members of each pair being offset on opposite-sides of the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable endless member operating in one direction over the guide members on one side of said median line and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for engagement with said carrier substantially close to, and on opposite sides of, the center thereof to reciprocate the same, the spacing of the oppositely moving portions of said member from the center of said carrier being not greater than required for adequate clearance, means for guiding said endless member during its movement between the guide members of each pair, and means for retaining said carrier in position for the return traverse during the last-named movement of said endless member.

8. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the members of each pair being offset on opposite sides of the median line of the carrier traverse, a continuously moving, endless member operating in one direction over the guide members on one side of said median line and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for engagement with said carrier substantially close to, and on opposite sides of, the center thereof to reciprocate the same, the spacing of the oppositely moving portions of said member from the center of said carrier being not greater than required for adequate clearance, means for guiding said endless member during its movement between the guide members of each pair, and means for retaining said carrier in position for the return traverse during the last-named movement of said endless member.

9. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of pulleys on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the pulleys of each pair being offset on opposite sides of the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over the pulleys on one side of said median line and in the opposite direction over the pulleys on the other side of said line, said belt having a projecting stud engageable with said carrier relatively close to the center thereof for reciprocating the same, and other pulleys for guiding said belt during its movement between the pulleys of each pair.

10. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said our tain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of pulleys on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the pulleys of each pair being offset 3 I on opposite sides of the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over the pulleys on one side of said median line and in the opposite direction over the pulleys on the other side of said line,

said belt having a projecting stud engageable with said carrier relatively close to the center thereof for reciprocating the same, other pulleys for guiding said belt during its movement between the pulleys of each pair, means for releasing said stud from engagement with said carrier prior to said guiding movement of the belt and reengaging said stud with said carrier upon the completion of said guiding movement, and means for holding said carrier during said guiding movement.

11. A display apparatus comprising in cornbinaticn, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain Wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said ourtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of pulleys on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the pulleys of each pair being oilset on opposite sides of the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over the pulleys on one side of said median line and in the opposite direction over the pulleys on the other side of said line, said belt having a projecting stud engageable with said carrier relatively close to the center thereof for reciprocating the same, other pulleys for guiding said chain during its movement between the pulleys of each pair, means for releasing said stud from engagement with said carrier prior to said guiding movement of the belt and reengaging said stud with said carrier upon the completion of said guiding movement, and means for holding said carrier during said guiding movement, said holding means being engaged and released prior and subsequent to, respectively, the releasing and reengaging of said stud with said carrier.

12. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, guide members on said frame offset from the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable member operating over said members and periodically engageable with the walls of said slot substantially close to the center of said carrier for reciprocating the same, and means for guiding said member to engage and disengage the same with said slot through the end thereof.

13. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, said slot being normally disposed to the direction of curtain display, guide members on said frame offset from the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable member operating over said members and periodically engageable with the walls of said slot substantially close to the center of said carrier for reciprocating the same, and means for guiding said member to engage and disengage the same with said slot through the end thereof.

14. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, guide members on said frame offset from the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable member operating over said members and periodically engageable with the walls of said slot substantially close to the center of said carrier for reciprocating the same, and means for guiding said member to engage and disengage the same with said slot through the end thereof, said engagement and disengagement being effected at the same end of said slot, respectively.

15. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, said carrier comprising a hollow bar provided with a pair of aligned slots normally disposed to the direction of curtain display along one side thereof, the inner ends of said slots terminating relatively close to the mid-point of said carrier and the outer ends being open, a movable member periodically engageable with the walls of said slots for reciprocating said carrier, said member engaging with said slots, respectively, to move said carrier in opposite directions, and means for guiding said member to engage and disengage the same with said slots through the ends thereof.

16. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, guide members on said frame offset from the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable meniher operating over said members and periodically engageable with the walls of said slot substantially close to the center of said carrier for reciprocating the same, and rotary guide members for controlling the engagement of said member with and disengagement from said slot through the ends thereof.

17. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a movable, endless belt periodically en gageable with the walls of said slot for reciprocat ing said carrier, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, said belt operating in one direction over one guide member of each pair and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for reciprocating said carrier, and said members guiding said belt to engage and disengage the same with said slot through the ends thereof, and means for guiding said belt during its movement between the guide members of each pair.

18. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain slots reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, said slots being normally disposed to the direction of curtain display withtheir inner ends terminating relatively close to the mid-point of the carrier and their outer ends open, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, the members of each pair being offset on opposite sides of the median line of the carrier traverse, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over the guide members on one side of said median line and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for engagement with the walls of said slot substantially close to the center thereof to reciprocate said carrier, said members guiding said belt to engage and disengage the same with said slot through the ends thereof, and means for guiding said belt during its movement between the guide members of each pair.

19. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain having an open-ended slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over one guide member of each pair and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for reciprocating said carrier, said members guiding said belt to engage and disengage the same with said slot through the ends thereof, means for guiding said belt during its movement between the guide members of each pair, and means for retaining said carrier in position for the return traverse during the last-named movement of said belt.

20. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening, and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over one guide member of each pair and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for reciprocating said carrier, said members guiding said belt to engage and disengage the same with said slot through the ends thereof, and means comprising other guide members for guiding and driving said belt during its movement between the guide members of the pair adjacent the mounting of said roller.

21. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier having an open-ended, centrally disposed slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, said slot being normally disposed to the direction of curtain display, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over one guide member of each pair and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for reciprocating said carrier, said members guiding said belt to engage and disengage the same with said slot through the ends thereof, and means comprising other guide members for guiding and driving said belt during its movement between the guide members adjacent the mounting of said roller in said frame.

22. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, a movable, endless belt having a projecting stud operating in one direction over one guide member of each pair and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for reciprocating said carrier, said members driving said belt to engage and disengage said stud with said slot through the ends thereof, and means comprising other guide members for guiding and driving said belt during its movement between the guide members of each pair, each of said pairs of guide members releasing said stud from engagement with said slot prior to its movement between the guide members of each pair and re-engaging said stud with said slot upon the completion of said movement, and means for holding said carrier during the disengaged periods of said stud.

23. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a curtain roller positioned in said frame, a curtain wound on said roller, a carrier having an open-ended slot reciprocable in said frame and arranged to cooperate with said curtain to unwind the same for display in said opening and to rewind for removal, a pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, a movable, endless belt having a projecting stud periodically engageable with the walls of said slot operating in one direction over one guide member of each pair and in the opposite direction over the other guide members for reciprocating said carrier, said members guiding said belt to engage and disengage the same with said slot through the ends thereof, and means comprising other guide members for guiding and driving said belt during its movement between the guide members of each pair, each of said pairs of guide members releasing said stud from engagement with said slot prior to its movement between the guide members of each pair and re-engaging said stud with said slot upon the completion of said movement, and means for holding said carrier during the disengaged periods of said stud, said holding means being engaged and released prior and subsequent to, respectively, the releasing and re-engaging of said stud with said slot.

24. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a magazine adjacent said opening, a plurality of wound curtains positioned in said magazine, a carrier reciprocabie in said frame and adapted to efiect' an unwinding of said curtains singly for display in said opening and a rewinding for removal, means for connecting each of said curtains to said carrier, and a movable member engageable with said carrier substantially close to the center thereof for reciprocating the same, said member comprising oppositely moving portions disposed on opposite sides of the center of said carrier and the spacing of said portions being not greater than required for adequate clearance.

25. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a rotary magazine adjacent said opening, a plurality of wound curtains disposed in said magazine, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and adapted to effect an unwinding of each of said curtains successively for display in said opening and a rewinding for removal, means for indexing said magazine to place each of said curtains in position for unwinding, and a movable ember engageable Vv'ltll said carrier substantially close to the center t eef for reciprocating the and with said means for indexing said magazine.

26. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a rotary magazine adjacent said opening, a plurality of wound curtains disposed in magazine, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and adapted to effect an unwinding of each of sa d curtains successively for display in opening and a rewinding for removal, a movable member having a projecting stud engageable with said carrier for reciprocating the same, a second stud formed on said member, a rotatable shaft having a finger attached hereto, a driving connection between said shaft and magazine, and means for guiding the movement of said member including an idler loose on said shaft, said second stud en aging said finger to rotate said magazine during the contact of said member with said idler to bring the next curtain into cooperative relation with said carrier.

27. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a rotary magazine adjacent said opening, a plurality of woun curtains disposed in said magazine, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and adapted to effect an unwinding of each of said curtains successively for display in said opening and a rewinding for removal, a movable, endless belt having a projecting stud engageable with said carrier for reciprocating the same, a second stud formed on said belt, a rotatable shaft having a finger attached thereto, a driving connection compri ing meshing gears on said shaft and magazine, and means for guiding the movement of said belt including an idler loose on said shaft, said second stud actuating said finger to rotate said magazine during contact of said belt with said idler to bring the next curtain into cooperative relation with said carrier.

28. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a rotary magazine adjacent said opening, a plurality of wound curtains disposed in said magazine, a carrier reciprocable in frame and adapted to efiect an unwinding of each of said curtains successively for display in said opening and a rewinding for removal, 2. pair of guide members on said frame adjacent each movement limit of said carrier, a movable, endless belt, having a projecting stud operating in one direction over one guide member of each pair and in the opposite direction over the other guide member for reciprocating said carrier, a second stud formed on said belt, means for guiding said belt during its movement between the pair of guide members remote from said magazine, a rotatable shaft having a finger attached thereto, a driving connection between said shaft and magazine, and means for guiding the movement of said belt during its movement between the pair of guide members engaging said magazine including an idler loose on said shaft, said second stud actuating said finger to rotate said magazine during contact of said belt with said idler to bring the next curtain into cooperative relation with said carrier.

29. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a rotary magazine adjacent an end of said opening, a plurality of wound curtains disposed in each of said magazines, a carrier reciprocable between said magazines and adapted to effect an unwinding of the curtains of each magazine singly for display in said opening and a rewinding for removal, the display movement of a curtain one of magazines being concurrent with a rewindin novement of a curtain from the other of said azines, a of guide members on said frame a acent each movement limit of said carrier, the members of h pair being offset on opposite sides of medi line of the carrier traverse, a movable, endless belt operating in one direction over the members on one side of said median line and in the opposite d rection over the other guide members, said belt having a projecting stud engegeable with said carrier relatively close to the center thereof for reciprocating th same, a secand stud formed on said belt, a rotatable shaft provided with a finger mounted adjacent each of said magazines, a driving connection between each of said shafts and the coacting magazine, said second stud being engageable with one of said fingers while moving between the adjacent guide members of each pair for rotating the corresponding magazine to place each of the curtains thereof successively in position for unwinding by said carrier.

30. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a rotary azine adjacent said opening, a plurality of wound curtains disposed in said magazine, a carrier reciprocable in said frame and adapted to effect an unwinding of each of said curtains successive 1y for display in said opening and a rewinding for removal, a movable member having a pro ecting stud engageable with said carrier for reciprocating the same, a second stud formed on said member, a rotatable shaft having an arcuate finger attached thereto, a driving connection between said shaft and magazine, and means for guiding the movement of said m mber including an idler loose on said shaft, said second studengaging the concave side of said finger to rotate said magazine during the contact of said member with said idler to bring the next curtain into cooperative relation with said carrier.

31. A display apparatus comprising in combination, a frame having an opening, a rotary magazine adjacent each end of said opening, a plurality of wound curtains disposed in each of said magaz nes, a carrier reciprocable in said frame between said magazines and adapted to effect an unwinding of the curtains of each magazine singly for display in said opening and a rewinding for removal, the display movement of a curtain from one magazine being concurrent with a rewinding movement of a curtain for the other magazine, means for indexing said magazines to place each of the curtains thereof in position for unwinding, and a movable. endless member engageable with said carrier substantially close to the center thereof for reciprocating the same and with said means for indexing said magazines.

32. A display apparatus comprising in combination. a frame having an opening, a rotary magazine adjacent said opening having end members provided with a plurality of radial slots opening outwardly, a plurality of curtain rollers'removably positioned in said magazine with the ends of said rollers located in a cooperative pair of said slots, a curtain wound on each of said rollers and having one end thereof secured to said roller and the

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