US2681814A

US2681814A - Service facilitating equipment

Info

Publication number: US2681814A
Application number: US172158A
Authority: US
Inventors: Darrell M Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-07-05
Filing date: 1950-07-05
Publication date: 1954-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 1971-06-22

Description

'7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 5, 1950 ATTORNEY June 22, 1954 D. M. JOHNSON 2,681,814

SERVICE FACILITATING EQUIPMENT Filed July 5, 1950 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 u v' n INVENToR. D. M. JOHNSON ATTORNEY June 22, 1954 D. M. JOHNSON 2,681,814

SERVICE FACILITATING EQUIPMENT Filed July 5, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 9 I0 FIG- 12 INVENToR.

D. M JOHNSON l ATTO RNEY June 22, 1954 D. M. JOHNSON SERVICE EACILITATING EQUIPMENT N 4 LO n .t RS e o m e 7 mm m hw e 2 1 .5 ,M S 7 8 NJ n flu 1M e s F m1 D 7 6l FIG Filed July 5, 195o FIG June 22, 1954 Filed July 5, 1950 D. M. JOHNSON SERVICE FACILITATING EQUIPMENT J-zo 22 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 rims ATTORNEY June 22, 1954 1h/JOHNSON 2,681,814

SERVICE FACILITATING EQUIPMENT Filed July 5, 19,50 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTUR. D. M. JOHNSON ATTORNE."

June 22, 1954 D. M. JOHNSON 2,581,814

SERVICE FACILITATING EQUIPMENT Filed July 5, 1950 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 DATE IN FRONT WHEELS INVENTOR. D. M. JOHNSON CTION ATTORNEY Patented June 22, 1954 vUNITED sTATEs PATENT ori-lcs SERVICE FACILITATING EQUIPMENT Darrell M. Johnson, Thomson, Ga. Application July 5, 1950, Serial No. 172,158

4 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to the scheduling and docketing of a series of service operations, the sum of which constitutes the fulfillment of a satisfactory service prescription indicating the requisite attention to mechanism in order to obtain maximum satisfactory operation and use of the same. In addition to the scheduling, the invention relates to the distribution and integration of tasks to be performed in the fulfillment of the servicing schedule, the selection and assignment of trained or qualified personnel to perform such tasks or services, and the allocation and listing of materials which should be used in the service rendered.

Stated in greater detail, the invention relates to the keeping of records of the above character including the simplified handling of such records whether in the nature of sheets, tickets, or other data bearing or receiving material having to do with the scheduling and assignment ofl work along with the allocation and listing of appropriate materials and personnel, and the utilization of records relative thereto in order to simplify and facilitate the rendering of the prescribed service with minimum time loss and expense and a maximum eiiiciency, the overall result of which inures to the benefit of all parties concerned.

Numerous types of equipment have been employed, in the conduct of businesses, in which service is rendered to the public, in an eort to simplify and otherwise improve the operation of such businesses and to reduce the confusion, irritation, and inconvenience in connection with the same. Such priorequipment has failed to satisfactorily accomplish the desired results although incertain elds, as in the servicing of automobiles, some improvement has been obtained in an occasional more progressiveestablishment by the keeping of a closer tab on the service to be performed and the actual accomplishrnent of the same with some conservation of labor and materials.

Among the objects of the invention are to overcome the above indicated and other problems in the conduct of a business which consists largely in the service of the public, by the provision of work scheduling and personnel and material allocation equipment, of simple and inexpensive character and by the use of which a business enterprise as, for example, the servicing and maintenance of automobiles, may be simply, eiciently and satisfactorily conducted, and maximum durability or life of the automobile or other mechanical device obtained, to the advantage not only of the customer and the servicing agency, but also to the manufacturer of the automobile because of the favorable publicity resulting from such greater life of the mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide the proper service including lubrication and the like'and in the caseof automobiles toimprove the smoothness of operation and riding qualities thereof, as well as to teach or instil into the customer and the public, greater care and consequently increased respect for the automobile or other machinery having wearing parts, and by so doing increase the self-respect of the customer and the general public thereby promoting local thrift and, eventually, national and international prosperity.

Another object is to provide equipment of sufricient flexibility to enable its use in connection with nonanalogous services or courtesies without extra effort or expense.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attractive salable package, the contents oi which are of simple and inexpensive character requiring no special skill or operator in the use of the same, but inspiring greater coniidence in the employee as well as in the customer with consequent reduction in direct supervision by the employer as well as the elimination of waste in job transfer resulting in reduced overhead and lower operating costs.

A further object of the invention is to provide equipment which will be of material aid or advantage in the conduct of a business and which will afford a running inventory or estimate of anticipated business and the amount of contemplated income.

A further object of the invention is to provide equipment by the use of which the establishment employing the same will be more businesslike, better employer-employee relations as well as customer relations will exist, and the equipment will serve to constantly advertise the business by reminding the customer and the public of the particular establishment thus serving to promote, enlarge, and improve the general nature of the business.

Further objects and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent from the following specification and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates a master Work sheet or basic form of the present invention;

Fig. 2, a set of twelve service arranged consecutively;

Fig. 3, a rear view of one of the tickets of Fie. 2;

Fig. 4, a vertical section through a ticket dispensing container;

Fig. 5, a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6, a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7, a perspective illustrating the application of the ticket dispensing container secured to the instrument panel of a vehicle;

i Fig. 8, a front elevation of a ticket exhibiting 1rack illustratingone embodiment of this invenlon;

Fig. 9, an enlarged section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 illustrating one way in which tension is applied to the strips to retain tickets therein;

Fig. 10, an enlarged section on the line l-I or work tickets formed between the strips;

Fig. 11, an'enlarged section on theline li--l'l of Fig. 8V illustratingthe manner of securing in place an indicia-bearing strip as well as the pocket forming strips;

Fig. 12, an enlarged section on'the line l2-I2 of Fig. 8 illustrating the ticket receiving pockets and a central indicia-bearing strip;

Fig. 13, a. front elevation similar to that bi Fig. 8 of another form of ticket exhibiting rack;

Fig. 14, an enlarged section on the line lll-I4 of Fig. 13 illustrating the manner oi securing the strips formingV the ticket receiving pockets in place as well as a portion of a channel member for removably receiving an indicia-bearing strip;

Fig. 15; an enlarged section on the line IES- l5 of Fig. 13'showing the ticket receiving pockets;

Fig. 16, an enlarged section on the line iS-i of Fig. 13ish0wing the channel for removably receiving an indicia-bearing strip and the strip in position therein, Fig. 17, a further enlarged fragmentary section similar to those of Figs. 14. and 15 but with a ticket in one of the card-receiving pockets; Fig; 18, a fragmentary front elevation of a further modified form of rack with a sign;

Fig. 19, a top plan viewof the rack and sign of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20, an' enlarged section on the line Zik- 20 0f Fig. 18;

Fig. 20A, a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 20 lshowing a rnodied form of clamping means;

Fig. 2l, aV section on the line 2l-2I of Fig. 18;

Fig. 22, a section on the line 22'-22 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 23, a fragmentary perspective of a supporting upright or bracket as utilized in Fig. 20.

Fig. 24, a perspective of the letter E shown on sign in Fig. 18;

Fig. 25, a fragmentary perspective of a modied supporting upright similar to that shown in Fig. 23';

Fig. 26, a front elevation of a further modied form of sign; Y

Fig. 27; a section on the line 21-21 of Fig. 26; Fig. 28, a section on the line 28-28 of Fig. 26; Fig. 29', an' enlarged perspective of a letter having securing means slightly differentV from that shown in Fig. 24; f

Fig. 30, a perspective of a modified form of sign;

Fig. 31, a perspective of" a further modified form; 1 'Y Fig'. 32, an elevational View of a device to facilitate coding of the tickets show-n in Fig. 2 and the master sheetshown in Figi; and

Fig. 33, a sectional view on the 1ine33e-33 of Fig. s2. y

Briefly stated, the invention comprises equip? ment including a master guide or work sheetfor indicating or recording pertinent information about the customer as Well as the customersy needs over apredeterminedperiod of time, with a'dispensersupplied for the customers use containing service tickets bearing. indicia for conveying information correlated Vwith the Work sheet the number' of ticketssupplied being suficient for the same period of time as on work sheet and having' the services to be rendered indicated by code 'on'V such tickets. structed to permit visibility of the top ticket and a portion of the data thereonv is a reminder indicating when the next trip tothe service station is' to be made. Removall ofY thetop ticket The dispenser is con-V renders the next ticket visible and so on through the entirefpack..

Also therefis provided afollowup-board or Vrack for holding the tickets received from the I dispenser so that they may readily be observed and by means of which the proper scheduling of customer reminder service may be carried out'.

The equipment also includes a work distribution and time adjustment rack for aiding in the allocation of the work to be performed and the amount of time to be spent on the work as well as the adjustment of the` time schedule in accordance with any variations therein. Y

With continuedreference tolthe drawings there is shown in Fig. 1 a master work sheet or chart l0 having a verticalV Maintenance Guide column il with twenty-four horizontal spaces I2 for eighteen standardized maintenance or service items I3 and six additional spaces for the indication of a particular service or other items requested by ,the customer. l

In' addition to the Maintenance Guide column il there is a vertical'Pri'ce column i4, a Mileage Interval columnA l5, a Last Mileage column I6, a Next Mileage column il, a series. of twelve numbered Basis Miles columns I8, 19, 26,. 2122, 23, 2li, 25, 26, 2, 28Y and 29, respectively of' one thousand mile intervals. There is also a Gontinued Mileage column Bilfrom which the gures can be transferred to Va succeeding sheet or chart for continuing the operation when the sheet is exhausted.

Along the top of this master work 'sheet or chart are located spaces 3|, 32, Stand-34 for` the Name and Address,v Phone and License number, Make and Model andMotor and Serial number oi the car, respectively.

When a customer comes into the service station or department thereof, from him is learned approximately how many thousand milesV he drives per year, the kind of driving that he does,

the nature of services desired, the frequency of service and all pertinent facts that will enable such service requirements to be met. If, forexample, he brings his car in with 3019 miles showing on the speedometer and he drives twelve thousand miles a year, there shouldbe approximately twelve mileage intervals of- 1000- miles each" during the year. However lany number of ser-vice interval-s may be scheduled should such prove desirable. It having been found that is one of the most frequent service requirements this lubrication appears as the first item in the ll/iaintenance-Guide column of services to be rendered adjacent the numeral 1. Accordingly the desired lubrication. mileage intervall is employed as -a basis or keyv on which the chart isset up and the mileage intervalsrat which the customer is to come in forservice. In view of the fact thatfthere: are twelve of these one-thousand mile intervals, thecalls for service are approximately thirty days apart. In the Mileage Interval column the number G will be recorded, in the last Mileage column 3019 will be recorded in the Next Mileage column the mileage 4019 will be placed, and such marking will be continued to the end of the succeeding Basis Miles columns.

In the Maintenance Guide'column l I, eighteen standard services are indicated and two additional special services, 19 and 20,.such asiilushing the brake system andy lubricating lawn mowerare included.

Any operation or service not desiredV by the customer may be markedout as Not wantedf such as the ushing the motor service asindicated by the designation.

Operations

17 and 18, namely, transmission and differential change, and radiator service are seasonal, sl, meaning one change during a year, and s2, meaning a change twice yearly.

While the lubrication operation is normally performed most frequently, certain other of the operations are intended to be performed less frequently. For example, item 4 in the Maintenance Guide column, namely, Repacking the Rear Springs, is to be done every three thousand miles and in the Last Mileage column the speedometer reading of 3019 is placed, and in the Next Mileage column three thousand miles is added and the speedometer reading of 6019 is inserted and checks are placed in the Basis Miles columns at the proper speedometer readings.

After the master chart is completed by filling in the desired information, such `information is supplied to the customer. The twelve columns or Basis Miles form the twelve maintenance visits set up for the customer. He is supplied with a dispensing container holding tickets, one each for the twelve maintenance visits. The `dispenser may be formed of plastic or other desired material. The twelve tickets contain in condensed coded form the information from the master Work sheet. Of these tickets, the first ticket I8 has a space adjacent its top beneath the word Miles for the speedometer reading 4019 of the Basis Miles column `I8 at which the next visit for service is to be made. Beneath this space there are twenty-four numerals corresponding tothe twenty-four services listed in the Mainten nanceGuide column and by checking these numerals the service item of the master work sheet is recorded. The ticket I8 has

operations

1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 checked which means that when the speedometer of the automobile registers 4019 miles, the car is to be taken in for

service operations

1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 of the Maintenance Guide column, as indicated by checks in the first Basis Miles column. The ticket I 8' is further provided with characters sl and s2 appearing over numerals I1 and I8 on this and each of the other eleven tickets to indicate that these services, namely, Transmission and Differential, and Radiator service, are to be performed if it is the proper season. The remainder of the tickets I3 through 29' are similar, each succeeding ticket carrying a speedometer reading corresponding to the mileage shown in the Basis Miles column, andthe respective operations checked thereunder being indicated on the coded tickets.

Each of the twelve tickets on its reverse side is divided into upper, intermediate, and

lower sections

35, 36 and 31, respectively. In the upper section is carried the number of the customers account, in the lower section is the number of the ticket corresponding to the number of the Basis Miles column, and in the intermediate section is indicated the number of estimated days between visits to provide a follow up reminder. It will therefore be apparent that the only` difference in these numbers is the bottom number indicating the number of the ticket.

The tickets I8 to 29 are supplied to the customer, and for convenience a plastic dispensing container 38 having a dispensing opening 39 is employed having a slot 40 through which the ticket can be engaged and thereby removed from the dispenser. In order that the tickets can be removed one at a time from the dispenser they are held upwardly by means of a pair of springs` 4I in relation to the opening 39. The plastic dispenser 38 may be mounted in any desired manner as, for example, on a bracket 42 secured thereto by means of rivets or other fastening elements 43. This bracket may be attached to the instrument board 44 by means of a bolt or other fastening element 45 extending through the opening 46 in the bracket 42. 'Ihe instrument board is conventional and preferably the plastic dispenser case 38 is in proximity to the speedometer 46 having a mileage indicator 41 so that when the speedometer is observed the dispenser 38 will likewise be observed and the customer reminded to take his car in for service.

At the bottom of the master work chart are Date In and Mileage In

columns

48 and 49 at the foot of the Basis Miles columns I8 through 29, inclusive, for indicating the time and actual mileage when the customer comes in. for comparison/with the Basis Miles indicated at the proper period.

In Fig. 8 is disclosed a card or ticket exhibiting rack of a construction illustrative of the invention. 'I'his rack has a rear or foundation panel 60 which may be of plywood or the like and of any desired configuration, but which,I for convenience of illustration, has been shown as substantially square.

The rear panel 60 may have an edge molding 6i there around to improve its appearance and protect the edges thereof and, if desired, this molding may have a protecting sheath or coating of metal, plastic, or other desired material.

As shown in Fig. 8, the panel 60 may be divided into a plurality of vertically spaced recesses by ribs.62 nailed or otherwise secured to the front surface thereof and projecting outwardly any desired distance. Obviously, the configuration or spacing of these recesses may be changed, as desired, without in any way departing from `the instant invention.

In order to support a plurality of tickets on the front surface of the panel 60 so that they can be easily observed, strips or slats 63 are provided which, as shown in Figs. 9 to 12, are of concavoconvex formation, these strips being preferably formed of resilient sheet metal similar to those employed in conventional Venetian blinds but, if desired, the strips may be constructed of certain plastics. The strips or slats 63 may be of any desired length corresponding to requirements and the foundation panel or back board will be of corresponding dimensions. In this manner, the rack may be very economically constructed by forming the strips from an endless length of stock and detaching the same in desired lengths for a particular size of rack.

As shown in Fig. 10, the strips 63 are :arranged in parallel overlapping relation with their convex sides disposed rearwardly adjacent the front surface of the rear panel 60. The first or uppermost strip 63 may engage one of the ribs 62 and the second or next succeeding or lower strip overlaps the first and, due to its curvature, the upper edge thereof extends forwardly of and in spaced relation to the upper strip or slat 63, thus providing a space therebetween. On account of the curvature of the rst or uppermost strip 63, the lower edge of the latter contacts the rear surface of the second or next succeeding or lower strip 63 along substantially the longitudinal center line thereof to provide a substantially closed pocket 64 capable of receiving a relatively thin object such as a ticket and this structure is repeated throughout the surface of the panel 60. YIt will thus be seen that' a` plurality ofv horizontally disposed vertically spaced ticket receiving pockets Vld' are thus-formed by the strips or slats` 63 disposed in the proper position-just described.

Y Thestripsor slats 63 may beconvenientlysecured to the foundation or basepanel G- in any desired manner and may have vertically dis posed horizontally spaced pressure ribs rnrmly secured in contact with the outer surface ofthe strips or slats 63 by screwsor other fastening meanslanchored in the panel 60; The ribs 65-` press tightly against the strips te and at the point of engagement therewith flatten these strips against the panel BEB- to firmly secure the same thereto, however; immediately adjacent the ribs 65 the resiliency of the strips 6%V is sufflcient to restore the curvature thereof thereby providing sufcient spacev for Vthe insertion of tickets to be engaged and held on display.

As will be seen from an inspection of 8, thev ticket exhibiting rackis' dividedinto an up per section Si' and a lower section et, these sectionsin turn being divided into a Yplurality of horizontally spaced sections e9 by vertically disposed l'ines- 'Eli applied tothe surface of the strips or'slats t3y inn any desired manner, such as by paint of a contrasting color.

, For convenience'v in locating the desired ticket orpocket 54 in which a ticket is tof be inserted, theremay be provided inthe upper recess 'E lan indicia'fbearing strip lrhaving numbersfor other indiciarelating' to the horizontally spaced pockets and conveniently the strip l2 may comprise one` of the strips Se preferably with the convex face thereof outermost, as shown in Figs.

9 andf1`0; Thestrp' 12 may be secured in position by screws 13' or other desired' fastening means.

VA secondl indicia-bearing strip '115;' having numbers `or other indicia relating to the horizontally spaced pockets A in the lower section 5S may beA disposed substantially midway of the height' of the rack, asshown in Figs. 11l and 12, This strip Ml may be secured in position by the same ribs (5`wfhicli:y secure the strips t3 to the panel E0 and preferably with the convex` face' of the strip thereof outermost. Y

The uppermost recess 'i5 of the vertically spacedrecesses may receivea strip 'le ofthe same material as the strips or slats t3 andy preferably as shown in Fig. 9, the convex surface thereof is outermost. Thefstrip T6 may carry on its facea title,` advertising matter, orotherindicia asmay be desired in' accordance with the intended use of' the lrack. The lowermost recess 'V` may receive indicia, spare tickets', or other miscellaneous items which. may be utilized in conjunction with the rack.

A somewhat modified form of the inventionmay beemployed as' is disclosed in Figs. 13 to 16 which differ from the disclosure of the preceding figures mainly in that it is substantially rectangul'ar in shape, has marginal portions at thel sides: aswell as at the topand bottom, andinas vertical channels for receiving indicia-hearing strips instead of merely the ribs e5. *jiny Figs. 13 to 16 a panel 'iii' is provided' with upper and lower horizontally disposed members '2'9- and similar vertically disposed' end or side membersl Sii; the panel being preferably' provided with an edge molding Si corresponding tothe edge molding 6l ofthe precedinglgures';

Ticket holding strips or slats B3 identical in construction to those utilizedl in the formof' the invention previously described; are'mounted iny parallel relation as in the' structure of the preceding gures, such strips being securedin positionv by vertically disposed horizontally spaced ribs 82 corresponding to but wider than ythe ribs te of Fig. 8. The ribs- 32 are secured to the panel 18 by screws S3 or other fastening elements.

The vertically disposed ribs 32 in additionto fastening the strips or slats in place divide the rack intoa plurality of horizontally spaced areas or sections with ticket receiving pockets EllI in each section, as previously described. rThere is provided on each rib 82 aA channel B4 secured in place by screws 33 or other fastening means, channel 84 serving to removably receive and support an indiciabearing strip 85 corresponding to strips or slats S3, but being disposed in the channel 3d, preferably with the convex surface thereof outermost. The ribs 32v and strips may be disposed at right angles each to the other.

The use of both forms of the invention is best iliustrated in Fig. 17 in which av ticket 86 of any desired length is held securely after being inserted in one of the pockets Sii. The lower portion of the ticket 86 extends below the bottom edges of one or more of the adjacent strips or slats 63. Tickets of varying lengths may easily be retained in the device, a relatively short ticket extending slightly below the edge of the uppermost strip 63 forming the pocket in which the` ticket is inserted with a relatively longer ticket extending below this point, as shown in' Fig. 1'7'.Y

Due to the resiliency of the strips or slats 3-, the' ticket 8e is firmly retained in the pocket 64 since' the lower edge of the upper strip 53 resiliently engages the rear surface of the ticket to fric-` tionally hold the same'in place, but this'frictionaly engagement is `not sufficient to prevent the ready removal of the ticket from the rack. Likewise, the pressure exerted by the lower edge of the uppermost strip or slat t3 upon the rear surface of the nextlower strip is not suiicient to'preclude" the relatively easy insertion of the ticket 86 into' the pocket $4 without bending even with tickets of relatively thin material. The pressure is varied in accordance with tension needfo'r thick@ ness of ticket used. If desired the panel el)J or 'I8 may be omitted andthe slats 63 supported by a rectangular framework and the ribs may be duplicated on the rear in order to clamp the l slats 63 therebetween.

it will be seen that by the above-described invention there is provided a relatively simple, economical ticket exhibiting and holding rack which may be constructed to accommodate tickets of any desired size and said tickets maybe rei attention on thepart of the car owner.

frequency' with whichsuch service is tov be performedv withdueY regardl for the average mileage which the customer may drive during a given period of time and with dueregard to the condi` tions of such driving', i. e. type of roads', speeds;` loading of vehicle etc.

The information relativeA to the.Y service' to be performed is entered'on` al master work sheet HP 9. there being oneof these sheets for each customer, the mileage intervals for service being entered in the basis milescolumns and the particular service jobs being indicated by check marks in the appropriate vertical and horizontal columns.

The information provided by the check marksl is entered in coded form on the tickets shown in Fig.Y 2 by crossing out the numbers corresponding to the numbered service operations bearing a check mark on the master sheet. At the same time three numbers are entered on the opposite side of the ticket the upper number designating the customer each of whom is assigned a number when the master sheet is prepared, the `second representing the number of days between service visits and the third `number representing the number of the ticket which corresponds to the number of the vertical column on the master sheet of Fig. 1 numbered from 1 to 12.

The coded tickets for a given period of maintenance, for instance a year, are placed in a transparent dispenser such as that shown in Fig. 4 and the dispenser installed in the customers car adjacent the speedometer. It is to be noted that each ticket bears a mileage indication correspondingr to the mileage indications in the bases miles columns on the master Work sheet. The customer is informed that when the speedometer reading corresponds with the mileage indication on the ticket which is visible he should come in for service.

Upon reaching the service station the visible top ticket is removed from the dispenser and the service foreman prepares a work order in accordance with the maintenance operations indicated by the crossed out numbers on the ticket.

After completion of the work order the foreman turns the ticket over and from the second number appearing thereon ascertains the number of days until the customers next visit and by adding that number to that days date ascertains the date on which the customer may be next expected. From this information the ticket with the rear face outermost is placed in the appropriate pocket 64 of the rack shown in Fig. 8.

Filing of the tickets in the rack as designated above provides a means whereby at a. glance the shop foreman or service manager may ascertain what customers are due for service and on what days and therefore more efliciently schedule the work. This also provides visible information as to what customers are overdue thus facilitating a reminder or follow-up service.

It will be seen that the above described system operates in a very simple and efficient manner i and after the customer has rst indicated his service requirements it is only necessary for him to compare the mileage indication on the visible ticket with the mileage reading on the speedometer and take the car to the service station at the appropriate time the correct services operation then being automatically performed. This reduces the servicemans overhead, contributes to the eiciency of the car and relieves the car owner of the necessity of indicating what operaf tions he desires performed each time he takes the car in for service. The automatic follow-up feature provided by this system also guards against a lapse of memory on the part of the customer and further contributes to good customer relationships.

While the above-described system and usefof the rack illustrated in Fig. 8 is the primary purpose therefor, nevertheless, this rack may obviously be utilized for many otherpurposes and in fact in any situation where it is desired to visually support a plurality of cards or tickets which may be readily removed at any time and also, as eX- plained above, which may be of varying dimenslons.

The rack illustrated in Figs. 13 to 16 may have many uses, but is particularly suitable to facilitate the scheduling of repair or service work in a garage or service station and serves to provide visual indication of the particular job on which a particular mechanic is employed and the probable time when this job will be completed. This is accomplished by providing cards or tickets in duplicate to be inserted in the appropriate pockets 64 provided by the strips 63, these tickets bearing the name or number of the mechanic, the repair order number and the work to be performed by this mechanic. The original of this ticket is placed in the appropriate pocket to indicate the starting time and the duplicate is likewise placed in the appropriate pocket to indicate the estimated time of completion of the job. In the event another customer comes into the service station, the foreman, by a glance at the board, could immediately tell what mechanic would be available for the required work and when. This system would hold true provided that the time estimates were r'eliable but in the event unforeseen circumstances arose which prolonged the time of any particular job the clock strip is merely moved to properly adjust the time. In the present instance it will align with the appropriate pocket E4 holding the duplicate which would indicate the correct time at which the job was expected to be completed. When the job is actually started the original ticket is removed from the board and when the job is completed the duplicate is also removed. This provides at a glance an indication of the work actually in progress.

It will thus be seen that by this particular modication of the invention the complete working day of a mechanic or any part thereof in one-half hour or other desired intervals may be scheduled and the rack with the job ticket inserted therein provides a quick visual indication of the work being performed in the shop and permits the shop foreman at any time to accurately predict when a job may be finished or when a mechanic may be expected to be available for a subsequent job.

A modied form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 18 through 25 wherein an illuminated sign is employed on a rack which is somewhat similar to the racks illustrated in Figs. 8 and 13. The sign is of the interchangeable bulletin type upon which is supported letters 8l which the user may selectively employ to change the text of the sign at convenient intervals. As illus-l trated, the managers name may occupy an important position thereon but the use and location of the same is optional.

The sign comprises upper and lower plate or

shelf members

88 and 39 respectively and may be maintained in spaced relation by upright slat supporting and tensioning members 9i! and 9|. The upright 9E may have struck out portions 92 from the slots 93 so that such struck out portions or tongues may engage spaced strips or slats 9'4 whichform the face or letter-carrying portion of the sign.

If desired a trim or molding 95 may be employed at the upper and lower portions of the sign to cover the joint between the plate members 88 and 3s and the spaced strips or slats 94,

slats 94 maybe retained thereon by means'of an angularly disposed tip or tongue extremity Sl on the outward `extremity ofthe Atongue 92, thereby maintaining the partsin the proper '-assembled relation. The slats 94 like ythe slats 163 of Figs. 8 and 13 are preferably of Atransversely curved strips of sheet metal. YAlso as in the earlier figures the slats -94 Vare spaced 'fapart in a horizontal plane and thereby tend to bow outwardly spacing themselves apartbetween the upright bracing and slat supporting members i 9G, in which are connected Aas shown in Figs. `2-1 and '22. Where the slatsV 94 are-engaged by the brackets B no horizontal vspacing of the slats will be evident. However, 'tensioning and horizontal spacing of the slats `94 may be accomplished by the arrangement vof the braces or brackets 9%. For example, if 'the brackets '39 are spaced `'apart'as illustrated in the drawings, relative spacing between the slats 94 -will be'appreciable, but if the brackets rarelocated closer together as by using a greater number of the same, a 'lesser spacing of .the slats will be had providing a more severe tension between the same. Y

A modified form of upright slat supporting ,or bracing member is shown atfiiil in Fig. 25. This member is providedwit'h a struck out tongue 92' having a downwardly extending lip or'extremity 91. Member 99 is also'provided with a flange |08 to facilitate attachment to the "frame of the :sign or 'card exhibiting rack. The manner of application of the modied supporting member 91-is-shownfin Fig. 28 in which the slats'94 are provided with periorations `Sii-disposed substantially along the Alongitudinal .center line thereof with the struck out portion or tongue'92" extending through `the perforation in `each lsl'at and with the downwardly depending lip V'i' overhanging and engaging .the upper edge of the slat54 disposed immediately below the opening 96. This structure serves to support'and retain the slats in prcper'operative position.

The location of the brackets Se is 'preferably proportionate to the lettering 'to be supported and which -iorms the message carried bythe sign. -Each of the letters 3l Vis .provided with one or more rearwardly extending arms 98 having downwardly depending legs 99, these legs to be inserted between the slats 94 for'supportingthe letters in proper position and allowinglight 4to shine through the opening thus formed toillu'rninate the letters. The brackets 9i! may b`eoi` any desired height/and likewise may be-'of any desired widthgand Vthe 'number thereof may be supplied in :accordance with the customers particular needs. y Also, the

brackets

90 and 9| may have angularly-disposed upper'and lower frange porn tions Y:Hm Yfor rigid attachment to the upper and iower'plate or shelf members and bymeans offa rivetll o'r-other fastening element extending through openings |62 in the iiange' it.

The supporting `and embracing members 8| are similar to members-9i! except that the members 9|V areprovided with 'struck out Aportions 9|V which'do Anot-*engageraround the edge of the slat 12 to tclamp .the Vsame H'but merely engage'bineath the 'edge'of each slat to .prevent sagging of the same `or downward movement. Struck 'out .portions or tongues 9| maybe rseen in Figs. 22, 28 and 30.

Due 'to the'fiexibility of the slats 84 and the manner in which `they are connected by the brackets 90 there maybe provided'a sharpcurve in the sign vas :illustrated in Fig. r9 and it is in such curved portion that vthe uprights 91 are employed which permit 4the slats 94 to Iflatten lin intimate contact with the same as `shown in rFigs. :19 and V22.

'On 'the `lower plate 89 is a longitudinally `a'rranged :neon or' other 4light '|04 mounted von brackets 4|05 and :powered by electrical energy from :a source of supply by 2a 'transformer |106 also =mounted onthe lower plate 89 and deriving its energy through an-electri'c conduit |01, such ccnduithaving aplug |5i8ion the-endfof zthezsarne.-

4ita-ys of ylight emanating fromthe bulb |04 Iwill-shine between the yspaced Aslats i911 Aand :cause the :letters :81 to vbefvisibleinsilhouette or 'to :be indirectly lighted; Legs `99 shold the Vslats 1.94 apart and :permit vsuch illumination 4giving the completed sign an `.unusual 4and `artistic 'appearance aswell as aproviding'a-'distinctly 'legible and `easily readable sign.

A'further'rnodied 'form `of signis `illustrated in Figs. 26 and 27, such sign being 'of the .simplest and most inexpensive construction and-comprisingupperand llowergplate or shelf members I0 and I Inl "with a back 'l l2. Thelslats .9'4 have their ends attached `to forwardly extending extremities |f|3 and V'i I4 ofthe vback by suitable `fastening means :such as rivets-'or the like, the Yslats vt4 being substantially longer than the back H2 and such 'slats-being bent-adjacent their endsto.' space the intermediate `portions yor" ithe :same-from the 'back and thereby fprovide a light chamber or housing. The slats are `held insuch 'bent rela tion by means -oi upright brackets 9| identical with "those of Fig. 22, vthe horizontal `extremities |00 Vci which are 'fastened by rivets 'tti :to the upper an'dlower .plate members 1| Iii and `Onplatemember is y'preferably longitudinally-disposed a light Vin thefiormof la tube for bulbv |04, mounted onbrackets H35, andfpowered by electrical energy fromfa source of supply by transformer |06 also mountedfon the lower plate liz-and 'deriving its energy through 4an electric conduit iii'i, such conduit having a plug |08 on the end of the same. `Rays Voilight from the tubevorbulb |04 Awill shine between the spaced slats 94 so 'that -the fsilhouette of 'any lletters 1| |15 will 'be -visibl'e as Vdescribed above, v.such indirect lighting giving Ythe sign a very 'attractive 'and unusual :appearance fas well as providing afsign which isk distinctly legible andeasily readable.

The lettersoithe sign-V may be Vof the'character of those disclosed Vin k24.01", lif preferred, likev those of Fig. `29 wherein the 'letter H5 'is provided -with'a 'rear bracket i6 oi relatively thin stripmaterial welded or'oth'erwise secured oniits upper'endto'the upper portionof the letter '2| I5 and having a reverselybent portion fi il iat vits lower r:end for hooking beneaththe lower edgefof af'slatto which thesame is applied. In'applying the .fletter `'rear bracket ||6 'is inserted fbetween the slats and its lower rend ishooked beneath a slat. The letter H5 is swung outwardlyby its.

free lower end .until the fletter is sub'stantiaily at rightfan'glesitothe main portion'of the bracket whereupon the `bracket is snappe'diover-the upper portion'of 'thefslat `mation on both the tickets 1n Fig. 30 is disclosed a modied type` of sign which consists lsubstantially of a triangular housing including a top and bottom |18 and ||9 with a back, not shown, having forwardly extending fianges |9 and |20 to which slats 94 are attached, the bracket 9| being employed for assisting in holding the slats 94 in bent position. Otherwise, the sign is similar to that previously described.

In Fig. 31 is a very simple modified type of sign consisting of a box or housing comprising upper and lower plate members |2| and |22 and end members I 23 and |24, such box being mounted on a frame or supporting structure |25. Slats 94 are secured as described in the preceding figures at the front face of the box by means of brackets 90 having struck-out tongues 42 with up-turned portions 91 or downturned portions 91. This sign may be illuminated as previously described.

Each of the signs disclosed in Figs. 26, 30 and 31 may have an access opening |26 in its rear with a closure |21 slidably mounted in brackets |23 Vand with an operating handle |29.

While the above signs have all been described as having a back panel or board if desired it is only necessary to provide the rectangular or skeleton frame work to which the slats are attached since the back panel or board performs no function in supporting the side but merely provides a closure therefor and presents a iin ished appearance at the rear face.

The invention also contemplates the provision and `useiof a device to facilitate coding of the tickets I8', etc., this device permitting the simultaneous coding of the ticketsiand the master work sheet." As shown in Figs. 32 and 33 the coding device comprises a generally rectangular frame Work |30 this frame being provided with opposed grooves |3| to slidablyreceive a modified form of master work sheet |32. One end of the frame |30 is open to permit convenient insertion and removal of the work sheet |32. Sheet |32 is `identical with master work sheet with the exception that the vertical columns numbered 1 to 12 of work sheet l0 are replaced by twelve rectangular spaces |33 each of which is identical to one of the tickets I8.

| is provided with an upwardly opening groove |44. Arms |31, |38, |39 and |40 are provided with ,abutments 45 adjacent their inner ends the pur pose of which will be presently described.

Inthe operation of the device shown in Figs. 32 and 33 tickets I 8', etc. are inserted in the grooves |4| and |42 and likewise in the remaining grooves until the required number of tickets have been received. The arms |31, |33, |39 and |40 together with the tubular member |35 are rotated about the rod |35 to bring the tickets I8 into superimposed registering relation to .the spaces |33 on the master sheet |37.. At this time it is only necessary to utilize a punch to punch out the required numbered spaces on the tickets and in the spaces |33 of the work sheet |32 thereby simultaneously recording` the coding inforand the work sheet |32 to indicate the desired service operations for each visit of the customer. This precludes the necessity for manually marking both the master sheet and the ticketswhich is a time consuming operation and may well result in error. The abutments |45 on the arms |31, |38, |39 and |40 provide a convenient means for accurately locating the tickets I8 when they are inserted in the grooves in the arms, thus insuring registration with the rectangular spaces |33 on the master sheet |32. Obviously a suitable abutment will be supplied on the frame work |30 to insure the proper location or position of the master sheet |3|.

The above described system and apparatus pro.- vides a convenient and eiiicient manner of operating a repair or service station in order to main,- tain overhead costs at a minimum and at the same time provides fast and eilicient service for the customer and one in which the customer need only concern himself with providing the service man with information as to his service requirements at the beginning of the servicing period; the system thereafter automatically taking care of all matters, it only being necessary for the customer to compare the mileage reading on the top ticket in his dispenser with the mileage reading on the speedometer and take the car in for service. This system also provides a convenient follow-up feature whereby the service man may ascertain which customers are overdue and contact these customers by mail or phone in order to insure that their cars are properly serviced. The apparatus also provides a convenient means for simultaneously coding the tickets and master work sheet whereby human error is reduced to a minimum and the racks or supporting means for the tickets provide instantly available, visible information, the scheduling rack whereby the mechanics in the shopare assigned their work providing information to the shop superintendent as to when work is completed, actually what work is in progress and enables him to accurately pre dict when a specied job will be done and to inform a prospective customer when his work will probably be started. The ticket supporting. and display rack of this invention may likewise iind wide application in other fields of endeavor, their use not being restricted to the particular service operations described in this application.

The system described above together with the apparatus is relatively inexpensive to install and in View of the very material contribution to shop efliciency and to vastly improved customer Irelationships, the financial standing and .sense of well being of both the service man and thel cstomer is greatly improved.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore this invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing or` described in the specification, but only as indicated `in the appended claims.

lhaving boxes numbered in accordance with said list, said sheet also indicating the mileage intervals between service calls as well as specific information regarding the customer and the aulacs-15814 Y"tomoloile to be lserviced, a series of Iticket/siden- Ltical'in size and shape to saidfspaces-and haviing-numbered boxes corresponding to the num- Yberedtboxes in each -of saidspaCeS, each ticket :also bearing information indicating the mileage fat which the service Vdesignated should be per- "forznedy-the name ofthe customer, the time interval between-service calls and the number of theeticketfmeansvfor facilitating the simultane- .1011s recording of coded information indicating ithe services-to be performed on both said tickets `and'said master sheet comprising a rectangular frame open --at one end, grooves in opposed side bars of said frame to slidably receive and support said master sheet, -a member pivotally 'mounted on said frame, 'bars extending from said -member at right angles thereto, said bars fhaving opposedgrooves to slidably receive said tickets, abutments on 'said bars to limit movevment of 'said'tickets and accurately position the 'same with respect to said master sheetsupported in said frame, whereby upon .pivotal movement Aof said bars toward said frame the tickets carried thereby will be disposed in superimposed `registering relationship with said spaces `and vcoded information may be simultaneously recorded'by Npunching out the appropriate boxes in said tickets and said master sheet, the information on said tickets .being de-coded by comparison with said master sheet.

i2. Equipment for luse in the recording of .auto- Vmobile maintenance services :to be rendered and the planning `and performance thereof comprising Ain combination a master work sheeet hav- ,ingindicated thereon anumberedilist of maintenance services, a plurality of spaces, each space having'boxesnumbered in accordance with said "list, `said sheet also indicating mileage intervals between service calls as wellas specific informa- 'tion vregarding the customer and automobile to be serviced, `a series of tickets identical in size and shape vto said spacesV and .having numbered boxes corresponding to .the numbered boxes in .each of said spaces, each ticket also `bearing information indicatingthe mileage at which the services designated .should be performed, the name of the customer, the time interval between service calls, and the number ofthe ticket, means "for facilitating .the simultaneous recordingof coded information indicating the services to be 5' performed on both said tickets and said master vSheet comprisinga frame, grooves in said frame to'sli'dably.receive and support said master sheet, a member pivotally mounted on saidframe, bars 'extending 'from said member at ,right angles thereto, said bars" having opposed-,grooves toslid- .ably receive said tickets, abutments on said bars to limit movement ofsaid tickets and accurately Yposition the same with respect to said master v"sheet :supported in said frame, whereby upon pivotal movementof said bars toward said frame the ticket `carried thereby will be disposed in Isuperimposed registering relationship with said spaces and coded information-maybesimultaneously recorded by punching out the appropriate -boxesiin said tickets'and said master sheet, the information on said tickets being de-coded b 'comparison with said master sheet.

f3. Equipment for usein the recording of auto- Amobile-r'naintenance services to be rendered and fthe-,planning and performance thereof comprising incombination a master work sheet having indicated thereon a numbered list of maintefnancenservices, a plurality of spaces, each space --having boxesfnumbered in accord-ance with said list, said sheet also-indicating the mileage 'in tervals between service calls'as 4well as speci'iic informationregarding the customer 'and lautomobile to be serviced, a series of ticketsidentical in size and shape toisaid spaces andfhaving numbered boxes corresponding to-the numberedboxes in each of said spaces, each ticket also bearing i information indicating the mileage at 4which the yservices designated should be performed, ithe name ofthe customer, the time interval between service calls, and the number ofthe ticketfmeans for facilitating the simultaneous recording Jof coded information indicating the Vservices'tobe performed on both said tickets andsaidToaster sheet comprising a frame, `means cn said'frame to receive and support-saidmaster sheet, aemember pivotally mounted onsaid frame, means Iextending from said A'member to -receive vand 'ac-V curately position said'tickets'with respect-to said master sheet supported insaid framawhereby upon pivotal movement 'of said means toward said frame tickets carried thereby will be `disposed in superimposed registering relationship with said spaces and coded information-maybe simultaneously recorded by punching out theapspaces and vhaving numbered boxes corresponding to the numbered boxes in each of said spaces,

-each ticket also bearing information indicating the time at which the services designated should be performed, the name of the customer, the time 'interval between service calls and `the number .of the ticket, means for facilitating vthe simultaneous recording of coded information indicating the services to be performed -on both said tickets and said master sheet comprising a frame, means onsaid frame to receiveand support said master sheet, a member pivotally mounted on said frame, `means extending from said member Vto receive and accurately position said tickets with respect lto said mastersheet supported in said frame, whereby upon pivotal movement of said means `toward said frame the tickets carried thereby Will be disposed in superimposed registering relationship-With saidspa'ces and coded information may be simultaneously recorded by punching out the Aappropriate boxes in-saidj tickets and. said master sheet,-the information on said tickets being decoded-by comparison withsaid master sheet.

References ACited in the file-0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number .Name Date 1,240,621 story sept. 13, .19.17 1,514,579' Corrie Nov. 1, 1924 1,535,997 Y Halansky Apr. .213, 1925 1,579,471 Copony Apr. 6; 1926 1,791,671 Herschel Feb. 1G, 1931 1,889,095 l-Iicks` Nov. .29, `1932 2,030,517 .Eldridge .Feb. 11,1936 2,035,920 McCoy July e, 1937