US2174446A - Display - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 26, 1939.` c. w. ons 2,174,446

DISPLAY Filed Nov. 2'?, 1955 Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE s' claims.

My invention relates to displaying devices, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved bubbling fluid sign.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sign embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig, 3;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken from the position indicated by line 5 5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of one of the tubes;

Fig. rI is a sectionalview of a similar tube provided with a reflector;

Fig. 8 is a. sectional view along the line 8 8 of Fig'. 7 t

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a diiierent tube;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of another form of tube construction; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a tube including interior lighting. f

In the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, I make use of a base I in the nature of a housing above which the sign I2 projects. In Figs. 2 and 3, the base I0 includes a wide part I4 and a neck I6 terminating in a flat top I8 provided with a slot 28 through which the sign projects.

'I'he reading matter of the sign comprises glass tubes shaped to dene the necessary letters of the alphabet. In Figs. 2 and 3, the letters 22, 24, 26, and 28 are illustrated as comprising glass tubes removably inserted in socket assemblies 30. The letters 22 and 28 each comprises a single tube 32 and 34, respectively, while the letter 26 comprises two tubes 36 and 38, and the letter 24, three tubes 40, 42, and 44.

Each socket assembly 30 comprises two sockets 46 mounted upon a plate 48 slidably mounted upon a plate 50 comprising an integral part of the T-bar 52 (see Fig. 2). In the latter View, the plates 48 are illustrated as having two opposite edges bent at 64 to embrace both sides of the marginal edges of the plate 58 for connecting purposes. The plates 48 may be shifted upon the plate 58 to secure precise locations of the sockets 30 for spacing the letters at proper distances.

All the individual tubes such as those illustrated at 32 to 42, inclusive, are hermetically sealed and partly iilled with a liquid 56 characterized by a low boiling point, such as wood alcohol or ether. The liquid may be suitably colored. In Fig. 6, I illustrate the level of the liquid 56 at 58. The air is exhausted from the space 60, which space provides accommodation for the expansion of the liquid and a heat dissipating chamber.

Within the lower end of the tube I place a wood plug 62 having a central bore 64. The plug 62 iits tightly within the tube and is arranged in spaced relation with the bottom of the tube, as indicated at 66. The upperA end of the tube is bent at 68 to provide a right angular reach 10. All the tubes are provided with the right angular reach 16.

Means for heating the liquid in the letters of the sign I2 comprises an asbestos covered wire 'I2 attached to the ange14 of the T-bar 52. One end of the ange is notched at 'I6 for the reception of the wire 12, While openings I8 are provided in the flange near its opposite end through which the wire is threaded. The

.two ends of the wire are electrically connected at 80 with wires 82 which may be connected with a suitable source of electric energy.

When the wire 12 is energized, the lower ends of the tubes comprising the letters of the sign I2 are heated which causes liquid in the tubes to be heated to the boiling point. Bubbles generated because of the boiling liquid move upwardly through the liquid to be condensed in the upper part of the tubes. 'Ihe space 68 illustrated in Fig. 2 aids in the conversion of the vapors to their liquid state, which converted.

vapor is accumulated in the liquid 56.

An important feature of my invention resides in the provision of the plug 62. Because of the liquid in the pores of the wood adjacent the glass wall of the tube, the liquid is quickly converted into a vaporous state. After the plug 62 has reached a predetermined temperature, additional bubbles will be formed because of the heated plug. Large bubbles are formed within the bore of the plug. I have found that the incorporation of the plug 62 provides a construction in which effective bubbling is attained without the necessity of enlarging the lower end of the tube into the form of a bulb. This feature eliminates the necessity for diillcult and expensive formations.

In the cold condition of the liquid, the level in the tube is below the bend 68. The space 6U provides accommodation for expansion incident to boiling. In my construction, expanded liquid flows into the horizontal -reach 18. Since the tubes cannot be completely filled with liquid,

the empty space is visible under it is necessary to provide a certain amount of space at their upper ends. In an unbent tube boiling conditions, which tends to impair the ornamental appearance oi the sign In my construction, all portions of the tube dening the contour of the letters are completely tllled with liquid. Thus, the horizontal reaches 10 provide an overow reservoir, in addition to heat dissipating chambers to the end that the letters are complete. In many cases it is difficult to determine the exact amount of liquid which should be placed in the tubes. My angular reach 10 compensates for variations in the volume of the liquid so that no harm is done if too much liquid is placed in a tube. All that is necessary is to place a sulcient quantity of liquid in the tube.

Figs. 1 and 3 illustrate the significance of the angular reaches 10. These reaches extend backwardly from the-reading face of the sign and are not generally visible. In Fig. 2, I illustrate a bulb 84 as being mounted to the base |0 through the medium of a bracket 86. This bulb illuminates the liquid in the tubes so as to increase their visibility and pictorial aspects.

In Figs. 2 and 3, I illustrate the novelty of my socket assemblies 30. The tubes 40 and 44 are carried'by the sockets 46 of one tube assembly 80, while the tube 42 is carried by one of the sockets 46 in a second socket assembly 30. The tube 42 is positioned behind the tube 40 and extends horizontally between the tubes 40 and 42. The horizontal part of the tube inclines slightly, which is necessary to permit the bubbles to travel through the liquid body. The inclination is not suiiicient to mar the structural balance of the letter.

Because of the slidable nature of the socket assemblies 30, and the fact thateach socket assembly includes two sockets, all letters of the alphabet may be formed and the socket assemblies are adjustable to accommodate letters or other designs of various sizes and shapes. In Figs. 2 and 3, I illustrate the lamp 84 as being electrically connected Awith the terminals through the medium of wires 88.

In Fig. '1, I illustrate a tube 90 provided with a silvered area 92 extending about a portion of the exterior thereof. All the tubes in a sign such as that illustrated at |12 may be provided with reflectors, whereby I eliminate the necessity for an illuminating bulb in locations where the street lighting is of suiiicient intensity to provide the necessary degree of illumination.

Fig. 9 illustrates a tube 94 having its upper end tooled to provide a chamber 95. This chamber corresponds to the angular reach 10 for functional purposes. I distort the lower end of the tube 94 at 91 to provide a narrow passage 98 for the reception of the liquid in the tube, which passage functions to cause quick boiling. In Fig. 10, I illustrate a tubular structure suitable for defining borders and ornamental configurations other than reading matter. The tubular structure comprises two reaches 99 arranged at an angle to each other and provided with short tubular extensions |00 projecting laterally therefrom.

The extensions |00 are provided with plugs corresponding to the plug 62. A heating wire |02 is wrapped about the extensions |00 and connected with a suitable source of current |04. I illustrate the vertical reach 99 as being provided with an angular extension |06 corresponding to the reach 10 of Fig. 6. In a construction according to Fig. 10, the extensions |00 are spaced at such intervals as to provide a bubbling action of the liquid throughout the entire length of the design. Obviously, one orvmore than two reaches 99 may be used. In border designs of the type illustrated, the horizontal reach or reaches will incline slightly to facilitate travel of the bubbles.

Fig. 1l illustrates a tube comprising an inner wall |08 and an outer wall I0 arranged in spaced relation therewith to provide accommodation for the liquid ||2.' 'I'he lower end of the tube is detachably connected within a socket ||4, which socket supports an electric bulb ||8 positioned within the inner wall |08 for heating and illuminating the tube. This tube is providedv with a displacement plug ||5 of the same type as `the plug 62, with the exception that it is not bored.

While I have illustrated the tube in Fig. 6 as Ibeing provided with a wooden plug, it will be understood that other materials may be employed. Without a plug or equivalent element, the tube is diilicult to heat and the high temperature frequently causes the tubes to burst. In Fig. 4, I illustrate the bulb 84 as being provided with a conventional switch ||8, which permits the illumination to be controlled independently of the heating facilities.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing willl so fully explain my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim: l. In a display device, a base, a transparent display tube carried by said base and containing a liquid, a heating device associated with the base for agitating said liquid, and a bored liquid displacing means positioned inside 'the display tube in close proximity to said heating means.

2. In a display device, a base, a support carried by the base1 a plurality of sockets slidably mounted upon said support, and a transparent display tube detachably positioned Within each socket, said display tubes containing liquid, and electrically energized heating means wrapped about said support for heating and agitating the liquid in said display tubes.

3. In a display device, a liquid containing display tube of transparent properties, and a wood liquid displacing element positioned inside the tube near one end, to cause rapid boiling of the liquid, the wooden element being shorter than the display tube and fitting snugly therein.

4. In a bubbling sign, an upright doublewalled display tube containing liquid between the walls, a porous liquid displacing element positioned betweenthe walls near their lower ends, said liquid displacing element being submerged in the liquid, and heating and illuminating means positioned in heat transfer relation with the lower end of the double-walled display tube, to boil the liquid and illuminate the same.

5. In a device of the type described, a hollow display character, liquid in said display character, means for supporting the display character in an uprightposition, means for heating the lower end of the display character, and a porous means tting snugly within the display character in slightly spaced relation with its lower end, to provide a chamber subjacent said last means, to facilitate bubbling of the liquid.

. CARL W. OTIS.

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