US2053351A - Device for operating animated signs - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 8, 1936. F. J. STENGl ER DEVICE FOR OPERATING ANIMATED SIGNS Filed July 5, 1955 Patented Sept. 8, I936 entree STATES 2,053,351 H DEVICE FOR OPERATING ANIMATED sIGNs Francis J. Stenger, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Charles Brooks, West Los Angeles, Calif.

Application July 5, 1935, SerialNo. 29,974

13 Claims.

This invention relates to signs and relates more particularly to a mechanism or device for operating animated signs, advertising displays, models "or the like, having active or moving parts to attract the attention of the passer-by. A general object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and particularly effective device for operating animated signs, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned that is so constructed that it may be readily and quickly altered or modified to operate animated signs or advertisements of various classes and types and animated signs and advertisements having various numbers of movable parts.

' Another object of the invention is to provide an animated sign operating device of the character mentioned that is particularly smoothand quit in operation and which requires little-power, making the sign very economical to operate.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sign operating device of the character mentioned that is in the form of an especially simple, compact, and self-contained unit that is readily portable and whichoccupies a minimum amount 'of space, which is an important factor when the device is being employed to operate signs displayed in the windows of stores and'like situations where the space is limited.

Another object of this invention is tov provide a device of the character mentioned that is simple and inexpensive of manufacture in that it is made up of a minimum number of simple parts that are easily machined or finished and assembled. The device has only a few simple parts and there is a minimum of wear in its operation and, therefore, practically'no upkeep cost.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and ap-, plication of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

,Fig. 1 is a front elevation of. a sign showing the device in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is a vertical detailed sectional view of the device and sign taken as indicated by line 22 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlargedfragmentary detailedsectional viewtaken substantially as indicatedby line 33 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 5-4 on Fig. 3. Fig, 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view illustrating'one of'the pivotal mountings, and Fig. 6

is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line E35 on Fig. 5.

The animated sign operating device provided by the invention is adapted to be varied or modified to actuate various classes and types of an- 5 imated advertising signs, displays, etc. In this way the signs or displays can be altered or changed with very little modification of the actuating device. For instance,- the sign may be displaying an advertisement for a certain com- 10 pany or concern, and after a period of time may be changed to have different figures or moving parts, or may be easily changed to present an advertisement for a different concern with but very little modification of the operating device. 15

All that is necessary is to relocate the rotatable mountingsfor the moving parts, replace or insert new cams designed to give the movable parts their desired motion, and reconnect the movable 'parts with their respective cams, as will be hereinafter described. Further, the sign actuating device of the present invention is adapted to beemployed for operating signs, etc. of diiTerent sizes, types, etc.

The particular animated sign illustrated in the drawing is not to be taken as limiting or restricting invention as it may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the invention. The particular advertisement or sign I3 illustrated in the drawing includes a figure or image H of a person having a movable head l2 and movable arms 83. The advertisement also includes a figure or image of an animal l4, having a movable head l5 and a movable tail H5. The movable parts of the advertisement or sign may all be mounted in substantially the same manner and in the manner to be hereinafter described.

The device provided by the present'invention includes, generally, a board or mounting panel ill for carrying or mounting the display'or sign it, rotatable mountings it for mounting the movable parts of the sign to, a variable cam drive l9 that may be readily altered or modified when desired, a, suitable power means it, and means 2| operatively connecting the drive 59 with the movable parts.-

' The board or panel H for forming or carrying the background, lettering, etc., of the advertisement or sign iii, and for carrying the rotatable mountings it for the moving parts, may be considered as forming a part of a sign which the device of the present invention may operate or may be considered as an element of the device of the invention. The panel ll may be of any shape or '55 configuration. In the construction illustrated in the drawing the panel is of substantially rectangular configuration and may be made of wood for the easy attachment of the mountings I 8. The 5 panel ll projects substantially vertically from a base 22 and may be attached thereto by angle brackets or braces 23. The base 22 projects forward of the panel ii a short distance to accommodate advertising that may consist of superimposed parts one in front of the other to give a relief effect, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. Sides 24 and a top '25 may be provided around the panel ill to form a frame, and may project forwardly the same distance from the panel as the base The outer ends of the sides 24, the top 25 and the base 22 may be finished ofi'with amolding 25. The base 22 projects rearwardly from the panel to carry or mount the drive l9 and the means 20. The sides 24 and the top 25 may also project rearwardly to house the operat- .ing mechanism. A removable cover or closure C is provided on the back of the device and extends from the top to the base 22 and from one side 24 to the other. When the closure C is removed 25 the operating mechanism is readily accessible for alteration or repair. It may be desirable to have parts of the advertisement or sign project beyond the edges of the panel H, in which case the sides 25 and top 25 may be omitted, reduced in size or provided with openings to allow the advertisement parts to extend or move beyond the panel H.

The rotatable mountings id for the several movable parts of the advertisement or sign It) may be identical. the description of one of the mountings l8, which description may apply equally well to the several mountings. Each mounting l8 includes a bearing 27. .The bearing 27 is provided with a mounting flange 28 for attaching the bearing 21 to the rear side of the panel ET. The bearing 21 is removably secured to the panel N by screws 29 passed through openings in the flange 28. A bearing 21 may be located at each point of pivotal connection of the members or parts of the images or figures H and I4 with the panel 51'. A clip or fastener in the form of a flat metal plate 30 is secured to the movable part of the sign by spaced lugs 3| formed on the plate. The lugs 3| may be integral with the plate 35 and project through slots in the movable part and are then bent over to secure the plate 33 to the part. A stub shaft 32 is rotatably carried by the bearing 27 and projects forwardly through an opening 33 in the panel El. The shaft 32 is provided with an en- 5 largement or head 33 on its outer end. The head 34 is sweated, soldered, or otherwise fixed to. the plate 33 of the fastening to rigidly connect it thereto.

The cam drive l9 includes a cam shaft 35 60 mounted'for rotation by spaced bearings or brackets 36 and 37. The base 22 may project rearwardly from the panel ii to carry the brackets 36 and 37 The brackets 33 and Bi are provided with mounting flanges 38 which are secured to the base by screws 39 passed through openings in the flanges 38 and screwed into the base. The major portion of the shaft 35 is preferably polygonal for reasons to be hereinafter set forth. The outer 0 ends 43 of the shaft 35 are cylindrical and are received in the bearings or brackets 36 and 31. A series of cams 49 is arranged on the polygonal portion of the shaft 35. The cams 4|. have polygonal openings for cooperating with or re- I 7 5 ceiving the polygonal shaft 35. The walls of the Therefore, I will proceed with polygonal openings 42 cooperating with the polygonal shaft form driving connections between the shaft 35 and the cams 4|. The several cams 4| of the series are provided with surfaces S that give their respective movable parts of the sign l0 their desired or proper movement.

In the preferred construction the shaft 35 is proportioned to carry a considerable number of cams 4| In the particular construction illustrated in the drawing the shaft 35 is proportioned so that it may carry as many as ten cams. In the drawing I have only shown six cams 4| on the shaft 35, as that is all that is required for the on; the portion or portions of the shaft not occupied by the cams 4| and their spacers 44. The assembly of the cams 4 spacers 44 and the washers 43 or any part thereof may be easily removed or slid from the shaft 35 for replacement or rearrangement by detaching a. bracket 36 or 3'! from thebase 22 to leave one end of the shaft free andexposed for the removal and rearrangement 'of the cams, spacers and washers.

N The drive l9 includes a countershaft 45 carrying rockers 46 for cooperating with the cams 4|.

The end portions of theshaft 45 aressupported in bosses 41 onthe brackets 36 and 3'l. Thecountershaft 45 is parallel to the shaft 35 and is in substantially the same horizontal plane. The rockers are mounted for rotation or oscillation on the countershaft 45. The rockers 46 are each provided with a depending arm 48. The arms 48 are provided with projections 49 extending upwardly and outwardly toward the shaft 35 to be substantially radial to the axis of the shaft 35. The outer ends of the projections 49 are bifurcated-or yoked to have slots 5| for receiving the peripheral portions of the cams 4 Rollers R are rotatably mounted in the slots 5| on pins 52 and are adapted to contact or cooperate with the surfaces S of the cams. Springs 53 are connected with the lower ends of the rocker arms 48 and a cross bar or rod 54 carried between the brackets 35 and 31 to yieldingly urge the rollers R into cooperation with the cam surfaces S.

Q [The power means 20 provided by the invention includes an electric motor M which may be of relatively low horse power to be economical in operation. It is also preferable to employ a motor that has a relatively low R. P. M. rating. The motor is provided with conductors 10 that may be connected with a convenient source of electrical energy. The motor vM is attached to the bracket 36 to be adjacent one end of the cam shaft 35. Theinvention provides a drive or gear transmission; between the motor M and the cam shaft 35. The transmission includes a worm 55 keyed to the outer end of the motor shaft and a worm wheel 56 onthe cam shaft 35. The worm wheel 56 has a polygonal opening to cooperate with or receive the polygonal portion of the shaft 35'. A plate 15 may be provided on the bracket 36 to enclose the worm 55 and the outer side of theworm wheel 56 so that the bracket 36 and its plate 15 forms ahousing for the gearing or transl mission. One end 40 of the cam shaft. 35 may be or modifications that may appearto those skilled rotatably supported in an opening I6 in the plate I 75. It is apparent how rotation of the motor M is transmitted to the cams 4| and how the cams 4| operate the rockers 46.

. The means 2| for operatively connecting the drive l9 with the movable parts l2, |3, I5 and |6 of the sign proper l6 includes arms 58 on the 1 rockers 46. The arms 58 project at substantially right angles to the arms 48 and project forwardly to be in substantially the same horizontal plane as the shafts 35 and 45. The arms 58 of the rockers 46 are each provided with a series of holes 59 spaced different distances from the axis of the shaft 55. Levers 66 are provided on the ends of the stub shafts 32 and are locked against rotation relative thereto by set screws 6 A series of holes 62 may be provided in each of the levers 66. Suitable linkage connects the levers 66 with the arms 560i" the rockers 46 and includes link members 64. It is believed that it is clear how the leverage of the linkage and the amount of movement of the linkage members 64 may be varied. The

ends of the link members 64 may have angular or bent parts inserted in the holes of the arms 58 and the levers 60. These end parts of the link members 64 may be inserted in any of the spaced holes in the arms 58 or the levers 60 to obtain the desired relative movement of the movable parts of the sign It. The linkage may be varied considerably without departing from thespirit of the invention, and its character depends upon the locations of the rotatable mountings I8 relative to the actuating arms 58. In most instances all that is required is a single link member 64 to constitute a connection between a rocker arm 58 and its related lever 60, while in some cases where the rotatable mounting I8 is in a remote place it may be necessary to provide a bell crank 65 and two connecting link members 64 such as shown for operating the movable part I6.

It is believed that the operating of the sign operating device provided by the present invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. The device is driven or actuated by the simple power means 2|] consisting of an inexpensive electric motor 'M that may be connected in a convenient outlet of a supply line. Rotation of the motor M is transmitted through the worm 55 and worm wheel 56 to the cam shaft 35 to cause rotation of the series of cams 4|. The cams are shaped to have active surfaces S of special or given contours, depending upon the action or movement to be given the movable parts of the advertisement or sign. Rotation of the cams 4| causes movement of the rockers 46 through the cooperation of the rollers R on the rocker arms 48 with the surfaces S of the cams 4|. This movement of the rockers 46 is transmitted to the movable parts of the advertisement or sign through the link member 64 connecting the arms 58 of the rockers 46 with their respective levers 66 fixed on the shafts 32 that carry the movable parts. As described above, the cams 4| may be exchanged, replaced or modified in shape and the linkage suitably modified to adapt the device to operate animated signs of various characters and to adapt the device to changes in the particular sign in which it is employed. Thus the device has a wide range of use and is readily adaptable for use in various situations.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not Wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims: I

Having described my invention, I claim: 1. A device for operating an animated sign having a movable part including, a power means,

-a link operatively connected with the movable sign part, and a cam drive between the power means and the link including a shaft driven by the power means, a cam on the shaft for operating thelink, and means retaining the cam on the shaft for ready removal whereby said cam 'ent configuration to change the motion of the 'movable sign parts.

3. A device for operating an animated sign having movable parts including a power means, operating members operatively connected with the sign parts, a shaft driven by the power means, removable cams on the shaft for actuating the operating members, and a bracket supporting one end of the shaft and removable therefrom 'to permit replacement of said cams by cams operable to impart different movements to said sign parts.

4. A device for operating an animated sign having movable parts including a power means,

operating members operatively connected with the sign parts, a shaft of polygonal cross section driven by the power means, a plurality of cams having polygonal openings receiving the shaft to turn therewith for the purpose of actuating the operating members, and means removably retaining the cams on the shaft whereby the cams may be easily removed for replacement by cams of. different configuration to impart different movement to the said sign parts.

5. A device for operating an animated sign having movable parts including a power means, operating members operatively connected with the sign parts, a shaft of polygonal cross section driven by the power means, a plurality of cams having polygonal openings receiving the shaft to turn therewith for the purpose of actuating the operating members, and a bearing supporting one end of the shaft and removable to permit removal of the cams for replacement by cams of different shape.

6. A device for operating an animated sign having movable parts including, operating members to be .operatively connected with the said movable parts, an electric motor, a cam shaft, a speed reducing drive between the motor and shaft, a plurality of cams on the shaft, a rocker shaft, and rockers on the rocker shaft actuated by the cams to operate the said members.

'7. A device for operating an animated sign having movable parts including, operating members to be operatively connected with the said movable parts, an electric motor, a cam shaft, a speed reducing drive between the motor and shaft, a plurality of cams on the shaft, rockers operatively connected with said members, and anti-friction members on the rockers engaged by the cams whereby the cams actuate the rockers and said operating members.

8. A device for operating an animated sign having movable parts including, operating members to be operatively'connected with thesaid movable parts, a motor, a cam shaft, a speed reducing drive between the motor and shaft,'a plurality of cams on the shaft, rockers operatively connected with said members, anti-friction rollers on the rockers engageable by the cams to provide for the movement of the operating members and sign parts, and springs acting on the rockers to hold the rollers in contact with the cams.

9. A device for operating an animated display having a plurality of movable parts including members operatively connected with the sign parts, a power means, a cam shaft, a worm drive between the power means and shaft, a plurality of spaced cams removably arranged on the shaft .to turn therewith, a rocker shaft substantially parallel with the cam shaft, a plurality of rockers independently turnable on the rocker shaft and engageable by the cams for pivoting thereby, spring means urging the rockers into active cooperation with the cams, operative connections between the rockers and said members and a bearing supporting an end of the shaft and removable to permit replacement of said cams by cams of different shapes for cooperating with said rockers.

10. In combination, an animated display including aplurality of movable parts, and an actuating means including operating members connected with said parts, a power means, a cam shaft driven by the power means, cams on the shaft, a rocker shaft'substantially parallel with the cam shaft, and rockers on the rocker shaft each having an arm engageable bya cam, and

an arm operatively connected with one of said members.

11. In combination, an animated display including a plurality of, movable parts, and an actuating means including operating members connected. with said parts, a power means, a cam shaft driven by-the power means, exchangeable cams on the shaft, rockers operated by the cams, and adjustable connections between the rockers and the operating members.

12. Mechanism for operating an animated sign having a plurality of movable parts comprising, a camshaft, means for rotating the cam shaft, a rocker shaft substantially parallel with the cam shaft, a plurality of cams arranged on the cam shaft for rotation therewith and for removal therefrom, rockers arranged on the rocker shaft for'removal therefrom and for individual engagement by a cam, a member retaining the cams and rockers on their respective shafts removable" to permit replacement of the cams' and rockers, and operative connections between the rockers and said parts. V

l3. Mechanism for operating an animated sign having a plurality of movable parts comprising,

rockers and said parts.

FRANCIS J. STENGER.

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