US2102798A - Advertising device - Google Patents

Description

ec. ZI, 1937.

C. .ERABEK ADVERTISING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet l www Dec. 2L 1937. c. JERABEK ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed June 1, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec.. 2l, i937. c. JER'ABEK ADVERTISING lDEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 1 195e De@ 2i, 1937. 4 CTJERABEK vADVERTISING DEVICE Filed Jme 1, 195e 6 shets-sheet 4 my' 3 l (ma f5 eff/@455m Maf/1550 Dec. 2l, 1937. C, JERABEK ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed June l, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 LII j Allele' 2.,;

Dec. 2l, E937. Q JERABEK ZQIZJQS ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed June l, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Dec. 21, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y2,102,798 ADVERTISING DEVICE` adelphia, Pa.

Application June 1, 1936, Serial No. 82,822

3 Claims.

The invention relates to an advertising device of such construction and nature that it may readily be located in waiting rooms, subway stations, lobbies of hotels or amusement places, in trains, buses or street cars, in show windows, or on thestreet or hillside in view of the multitudes, or anywhere appropriate or desirable.

An object of the invention is to provide a device that is simple in construction, reliable and 10 automatic in operation, whereby a series of cards,

or mats, bearing advertising matter, samples of materials, announcements, patterns, or articles oi merchandise, may be successively displayed,

each being exposed to view for a predetermined i5 length of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the nature herein described adaptable to construction in any dimensions desired from the small device suitable for the show window or street car to one of proportions equal or greater than those of the huge billboards often seen on the hilltop or atop large buildings.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the nature described wherein attractive illumination features may be provided and controlled by the'same actuating mechanism as causes the display portions to be successively exposed to view. n l

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the nature described that is cheap, simple-and effective in construction, with parts that may be stamped, punched, formed, or cut from standard material such as sheets, bars and rods of metal or other suitable material,- on a production basis thus eliminating, as much as possible, expensive castings and special hand made and commercially complicated parts.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide a device of the nature described that is com- ,m pact and requires a minimum of space for the actuating mechanism and storage of a large number of displays, and yet readily accessible for adjustment, inspection and relling.

Other objects of the invention reside in they ,15 novel fea-tures of the mechanism and system hereinafter described and claimed.

The device preferably is formed of a framework provided with a pair of endless guideways arranged in parallel relation on opposite sides of 50 the framework in which the rods of card-supporting frames are adapted to ride in a continuous journey up and down the vertical portions of the guideways by means of elevating mechamsm, andv from rear to front at the top and front to rear at the bottom by gravity. The

(Cl. L1:0-36) portion of the guideway extending from Vfront to rear at the top, as well as a similar butoppositely inclined portion at the bottom, is utilized as magazine space, thus providing two magazines each holding a plurality of card-supprtln'g frames. The card in the foremost card-supporting frame in the upper magazine is exposed to view for a predetermined time and then passes down the vertical portion of the frontguideways to the lower magazine where it awaits its turn 10 to be elevated to the rear of the upper magazine. By means of a system of illumination properly timed and actuated by the card-changing mechanism the exposed card may be lowered duringa period when there is no illumination and various 15 combinations of lights and colors introducedl during the time a card is exposed to viewcorrelated, if desired, with the subject matter of the card. The arrangement of the cards in the upperv and lower magazines permits a large number of cardsV to be carried in much smaller space horizontally than if carried in a single bank. y f

For a better understanding of the vi'rver'ition reference is to be had to theaccompanying drawnigs forming a part of this specification' in 25 which;

Fig. 1 is a front elevation taken on line I--l of Fig. 3, showing the enclosing casing 6l' partly in section.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation taken on line 2'-,2 30

the upper and lower magazines, and the e- 3:5

closing casing in section.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation with the enclosing casing removed, showing `the card elevating mechanism andthe light switch actuating' cams.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation Vshowing tl lightrzioy actuating switches and also the elevating mech7- anism in position to elevate a card frame from the lower to the upper magazine. v

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View, somewhatY enlarged, of a sectional side elevation taken r'i|` 45 line of Fig. 9, showing the card frames in' their respective magazines withV the elevating".v mechanism about to elevate a cai-d frame fromthe lower to the upper magazine. ,Y y

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view, soin what enlarged, of a side elevation taken'oili e- 1-1 of Fig. 9, showing the reduced diametrlcal` bearing portions of the card frame sulpporti'rA rods.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary,sectioaf'gg side elevation taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 9 of the latch mechanism in the upper magazine, showing the card frame rods in position and the elevator approaching to open the latch and permit the foremost rod to drop into the elevator slideA Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial plan view, partly in section, taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6, indicating the position of one of the card frame supporting rods in the upper magazine and showing the latch mechanism adapted to prevent this rod from falling down the front vertical guideway until the elevator arrives at its uppermost position to receive it, and also showing the upper magazine guideway and the front and rear vertical guideways.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged partial plan View, partly in section, taken at the lower magazine on line Ill-I0 of Fig. 6, showing the lower magazine guideway, withy the rear guideways in section.

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line II--II of Fig. 6 through the loading slot, and also indicating the end of the card frame rod and its relative position as it enters the loading slot.

Fig. 12 shows one of the card supporting frames and its supporting rod.

Fig. 13 is a section taken on line I3-I3 of Fig. 12 showing a means for attaching the card frame to the supporting rod.

Fig. 14 is a partial sectional view taken on line I4--I4 of Fig. 4 showing the elevator actuating drum with its associated pinion and rack in section.

, Fig. 15 is a partial sectional View taken on line I5-I5 of Fig. 4, showing the electric switch actuating cams and followers.

Fig.l 16 is an elevational perspective view of the casing for enclosing the mechanism,

Fig. 17 shows a wiring diagram or system of connections for the illuminating lamps, together with a diagrammatic representation of the actuating cams, their driving mechanism and switches.

Secured to a base I, Figure 1, of wood, metal or any other suitable material, is a framework composed of side portions 2 and 2a each consisting of an upper and lower plate or sheet of steel, aluminum or other suitable metal, rigidly7 secured in spaced relation at the top by means of a spacing rod 3 and bracket 3a, and at the bottom by means of spacing rods 4 and 4a, Figures 1, 2, 3,

'and' 15. The lower end of each upper side plate and the upper end of each lower side plate is cut at a suitable angle and the upper and lower side plates on each side are spaced a suitable distance one above the other to form a parallel pair of inclined guideways or grooves 5 and 5a, Figures 3 and 4, inclined toward the rear comprising the lower magazine and forming a bearing surface for the ends of the card frame supporting rods 35. The upper end of each upper side plate is also cut at a suitable angle to form a parallel pair of inclined guideways 6 and 6a, YFigures 3 and 4, inclined toward the front, comprising the upper magazine and forming a bearing surface for the ends of the card frame supporting rods 35, The upper and lower side plates on each side have their front and rear vertical edges further strengthened by means of flat strips 1, la, and 'Ib and plates 8, Figure 9, which are secured together and to the side plates 2 and 2a by riveting,

Y spot welding or otherwise, and run practically throughout the entire vertical length of the side plates. This form of corner construction provides a guideway or slot 9 at each of the four corners of the framework in which the extreme end portions or heads of the card frame supporting rods ride and co-acting with upper and lower inclined guideways 5 and 6 forms an endless guideway around which the card carrying frames may travel by means of their supporting rods. These slots 9 also form the guideways for the card frame elevators. Vertical plates 8, Figures 4, 6, 8, and 10, are provided with vertical slots I0 through which the supporting members or tie plates I2 of the elevators operate.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 10, a pair of elevators, one on each of the two sides of the framework, are provided each consisting of a horizontal tie plate II, spacer I2 and slide I3 suitably secured together by means of screws or tap-bolts as indicated. The upper ends ofthe slides I3 are recessed or concave, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, in order to center the heads of the card frame supporting rods upon them when in contact therewith.

The elevator on each side of the framework is operated by means of individual hoist chains I4 and I4an secured at one end to the tie plates I I by means of a bracket I6, or in any other suitable manner as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, and cooperating with sprocket wheels I5 and I5a over which they respectively pass and these sprocket wheels are each secured to opposite ends of rotatable shaft I'I operating in bearing brackets V3a. The opposite end of hoist chain I4a is attached to hoist drum I8, Figures 1, 2, 4, and 14, while the opposite end Yof chain I4 is secured to a counter weight I9, Figures 2, 5, 6, and 7, protected by and operating Within tube or casing 2U which is supported by being secured at its upper and lower ends to side plate'2. This counter weight serves to keep the hoist chains taut but is sulciently lighter in weight than the elevators so as not to interfere with their downward motion by means of gravity. Hoist drum I8 is secured to drum shaft 2|, suitably provided with a bearing, to which is also secured a pinion 22 engaging a vertical rack member 23 slideably positioned in bracketV 24 and contacting and co-acting with or following the diametrical contour of actuating cam 25. Thus-whenever cam 25 is rotated in one direction a vertical reciprocating motion will be imparted to rack 23 which in turn will cause engaging pinion 22 and associated hoist drum I8 to rotate rst in one direction and then in the opposite direction, causing chain Illa to be wound upon the drum and thus causing the elevators, previously described, to go up and down their line of travel. Cam 25 is secured to or formed by a portion of the hub of gear 26 and secured to shaft 54. Gear 26 engages pinion 2l which in turn is secured to drive shaft 28 to be rotated at suitable speed by means of a driving motor 29 mounted on and secured to spacing rods 4 and 4a, belt 30, pulley 3|, speed reduction worm 32 and gear 32a which latter is secured to the opposite end of drive shaft 28.

Card supporting frame 33, Figures 12 and 13, consists of a sheet of aluminum, celluloid, or other suitable material and provided with a card retaining groove or channel formed along its lower horizontal and two vertical sides by bending same to form a U-shaped recess 33a Yfor retaining in position an advertising card or other display or material of suitable size that may be dropped or lowered into same from the top of the frame. The card frame 33 is provided at the top with two suitable suspension brackets 34 and 34a, riveted or otherwise secured to the sheet of which the card-frame is formed. At the upper rposition by means of cover plate 4I.

end of these brackets and integral therewith a bearing may be formed, as shown in Figure 13, coacting with the corresponding reduced portions 36 and 36a respectively of supporting rod 35. Supporting rod 35 may consist of a suitable length of round bar of steel,l bronze or other suitable material, provided with'reduced diametrical portions 36 and 36a, and 31 and 31a as shown. It will be readily understood that in lieu of the two suspension brackets 34 and 34a, a single bracket may-be used, or a portion ofthe sheet of material of which thev card vsupporting frame is made. may be bent .around the'` supporting rod 35 to form a suspension bearing in which rod 35 may rotate while the card frame proper remains stationary. The diametrically reduced portions 31 and 31a are respectively'supported on the upper inclined end of the upper and lower side plates 2 and 2a whose edges l.engage the reduced portions 31 and 31a of rods 35 as clearly shownin Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7.

It will thus be readily understood that if a plurality of card supporting frames are placed in the upper and lower magazines 5and 6 by inserting theml inv the rear elevator guideways through angular slots 38 and 38a and shifting them around into proper position those so placed in the upper reservoirwill flow toward the front of the machine due to the inclination of the upper guideways in that direction, and'those similarly placed in the lower 'reservoir will flow toward the rear due to the inclination of their guideways in a rearward direction. If now the driving motor 29 is placed in operation the lchain raised elevators, whose normal position of rest is atl the bottom of the vertical guides, will, by means of their rear slides, elevate the rearmost card frame from the lower reservoir to the rear of the upper reservoir. When this'card frame rod approaches the upper magazine guideways 6 and 6a it'will force back springs 65'and 65a which are secured to rear vertical members 1, Figure 9, and these front covering portion and enclosing casing, bey

exposed to view until lowered to the lower reservoir where it will await its turn to again complete the excursion.

At the top of each of the vertical front guideways 9 a suitable latch mechanism is provided to prevent the card frames in the upper magazine from falling down the guideways while the elevator is in a lowered position. These latcli mechanisms each consist of latchbar 39 slidably mounted on bearing piece 49 fand retained in Bearing piece 40 and cover plate 4l are riveted or otherwise secured together and to the side plates 2 and 2a, Figures 4, 5, 6, '1, and 8. The upper surface of latch bars 39 is located in parallel position with the upper magazine guideways 6 and 6a but placed slightly below them and are provided with angular ends extending over and thus covering the front elevator guideways being retained in this position by means of a U shaped spring 42 mounted at the center on a bolt their guideways they come kin contact with the f angular face of sliding latch bolts 39 and force these bolts back sufficiently to uncover the front vertical guideways and permit the foremost card framesupporting rod 35 to slip onto the front elevator slides. As these elevator slides descend the latch bolts 39 are released and slip back into their normal positions again covering the tops of the front vertical guideways and supporting the new foremost card frame rod 35 in front position.

The upper portion of the front side of the A frame work is covered by means of a suitable plate or sheet 4,4 of metal or other material,

Figures 1, 2, 'and 3, provided with an opening through which the card in the foremost upper card frame may be viewed. This plate together with an attached shelf portion 44a supports a plurality of electric light receptacles 45, 46, and 41 located along the top, bottom and sides of the opening and containing bulbs of any suitable size, color or combination ofl colors, for the purpose of illuminating the display matter`33. These receptacles may be suitablyconnected, -as for example, as shown in Figure 17, to flashswitches 48, 49, and'59, actuated by means of rotatable cams 5|, 52, and 53 located on shaft 54 driven through proper reduction gears by driving motorl 29. These cams are secured to shaft 54 by means y of set screws so that their relative rotatable positions may be varied accordingly to permit the bulbs in receptacles 45, 45, and 41 to be'illuminated at any desired time and in any suitable or desired combination correlated with the position of the display 33.

For example, it may be desirable to have the display 33 lowered from its position in front of the upper magazine. to the lower magazine with all lights extinguished andthen as soon as the next display is in position Vto be viewed the upper and lower bank of bulbs, in receptacles 45, of any suitable color may be ashed on and allowed to burnV for a few moments, as they are extinguished the bank of bulbs in receptacles 46, of'another color or combination of colors, may be illuminated followed by bank 41 of still another color and thuskcontinue so long as the mechanism is in operation. In this manner color combinations suitable or adapted to the coloring matter of the changeable display 33 may be providedand correlated therewith at will.

The detail of the mechanism for operating the flash switches is shown in part in Figures l, 2, 4, and 15 in which the cams 5|, 52, and 53, respectively, are secured to the same rotatable shaft 54 as are the elevator actuating cam 25 and gear 26. Cam followers 55, 56, and 51, respectively, are formed by suitably bendingone end of each of the rods 55a, 56a, and 51a at right angles. 'I'hese rods are passed through bearing holes in the side plates on each side of the framework and have suitable brackets 58, 59, and 6D, respectively, secured to their opposite ends, each of such brackets being adapted with spring-clip portions to hold a switch device of the usual mercury tube arrangement comprising a sealed glass tube containing a small quantity of mercuryA and twol sealed-in contacts projecting into v the enclosing casing or cover may consist of per# the inner recess of the vglass tube. When suchra tube is tilted, in this case by means of the cams 5|, 52, and 53 and co-acting followers 55, 56, and

51 acting' through shafts 55a, 56a, and 51a', the Y globule of mercury flows according to the inclination oi" the tube to either end, and in one inclined position closes the circuit between the pair of sealed-in contacts in one end of the tube, and in the opposite inclined position the mercuryV flows away from the contacts and thus opens their respective circuits.

An enclosing casing or cover 6l Ymade of suitable sheet material and provided with Va glass covered window 62, and a pair of ventilators 53, is adapted to be lowered over the top of the mechanism to protect same from the natural elements and prevent unauthorized tampering with the mechanism. This casing may be secured to the base I by means of screws 54 or in any other suitable manner. In the case of large display,

manent portions in which doors, or other suitable openings to permit oi access to the interior mechanism may be provided. If desirable, or necessary, the interior surface of enclosing cover 6l facing the light bulbs 45, 45, and 41, may be of, or covered with, a good light reflecting material, or reflectors may be attached or secured thereto, to reect a maximum oflight on display 33. It will also be understood that any suitable number and combination of lights and associated circuits, switches, and actuating mechanism may be used as desired depending upon the size and other requirements of any particular device of this or similar construction. A terminal block 65, Figure 5, is provided on one side of the framework to facilitate electrical connections and for readily altering the operating combinations of the lighting bulbs. In order that the mechanism may be allowed to rest and all illumination dispensed with during any desirable periods, an automatic main time switch has been provided in the feed line supplying the device as shown in Figure 17 at 66. A seco-nd automatic time switch 61 has been provided as shown operating only on the illuminating lamp circuit so that illumination may be provided if desired only during the hours oi darkness.

As indicated by the foregoing description this device may be constructed in a very inexpensive but thoroughly practical manner principally of such standard materials as sheets, rods, and bars, by cutting, bending, stamping or otherwise manipulating them as required, and also by the use of Vstandard shafts, gears, pulleys andthe like, of any suitable material thus being particularly adapted to rapid and low cost production methods rather than to the slow cumbersome as= sembly that would otherwise prevail were the parts so designed as to require special castings, complicated forgings and other special hand formed parts incidental to design of less emciency respective tormanufacturing costs.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as newV and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: Y Y

l.V In a device of the character described, the combination comprising an upper magazine, a lower magazine, a plurality of card carrying frames in each of said magazines, a pair of endless guideways around which said frames travel, a pair of elevators for elevating said frames from the lower magazine to the upper magazine and for lowering said frames from the upper to the lower magazine, and means operated by said elevators for releasing said card frames in the upper magazine to permit them to be deposited on said elevators.

2. In a device of' the character described, the combination comprising an upper magazine, a lower magazine, 'a' pluralityv of card carrying frames in each or said magazines, a pair of endless guideways around which said card frames travel, a pair of elevators for elevating said card frames from the lower magazine to the upper magazine and for lowering said card'frames from the upper to the lower magazine, and a latch operated by said elevators for releasing said card frames in the upper magazine to permit them to be deposited on said elevators.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising an upper magazine, a lower magazine, a plurality of card carrying frames in said magazines, a pair of endless guideways aroundY which said card frames travel, a

pair of elevators for elevating said card frames from the lower to the upper magazine and for lowering said card frames from the upper to the lower magazine, means for actuating said elevators comprising a, pair of hoisting chains supported by chain sprockets, a hoist drum upon which' one of said chains is adapted to wind, a rack and pinion cooperating with a camV device for imparting a reversible rotative motion to said drum, and means for driving said cam.

THERESA JERABEK, Administratrice of the Estateof Charles Jerabelc,

Deceased. Y f

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