US3002061A

US3002061A - Moving electric sign apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3002061A
Application number: US775675A
Authority: US
Inventors: Forrest G Perkins
Original assignee: LEONARD L BISHOP
Current assignee: LEONARD L BISHOP
Priority date: 1958-11-17
Filing date: 1958-11-17
Publication date: 1961-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 1978-09-26

Description

Sept. 26, 1961 F. G. PERKINS MOVING ELECTRIC SIGN APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 26, 1961 F. G. PERKINS 3,002,061

MOVING ELECTRIC SIGN APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 26, 1961 F. G. PERKINS MOVING ELECTRIC SIGN APPARATUS e E@ n 4MM@ MAMA/w sew @"Ilwweww u is@ y I. AWA

l INVENTOR.

/JW! @s Sept. 26, 1961 F. G. PERKINS MOVING ELECTRIC SIGN APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. IW,v 1958 United States Patent C 3,002,061 MOVING ELECTRIC SlGN APPARATUS. Forrest G. Perkins, Elsinore, Calif., assigner to Leonard L. Bishop, St. Joseph, Mich. Filed Nov. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 775,675 19 Claims. (Ci. 200--46) This invention is concerned with display advertising and the like and is concerned particularly with a moving or animated electric sign.

Moving electric signs are well-known in the art. This invention is concerned with the type of sign wherein a plurality of electric bulbs or lamps is provided on a display board, and wherein the lamps are selectively illuminated from a control apparatus so as to provide words or the like which travel across the board. Signs of this type can present a relatively long message and generally are most `successful in attracting the eye of the public after dark. Such signs generally are controlled by a coded tape. The tape is provided with openings or apertures therein which correspond to the letters, words, or other indicia which are to appear on the illuminated board. The tape is passed over a scanning apparatus to complete electrical contacts in accordance with the apertures in the tape.

The provision of a long message on the tape requires the necessity of a long tape. Such tapes may run as much as several hundred feet in length. It is desirable that a message should repeat itself time after time, and to this end it would be desirable if the tape could be continuous.

One object of the invention is to provide tape controlled, moving electric sign apparatus ofthe above character having an improved construction and mode of operation which afford many functional advantages in the use of the apparatus while at the same time minimizing the manufacturing cost of the apparatus and providing for dependable and trouble-free operation of the apparatus over a long service life.

Another object is to provide for use with moving electric sign apparatus or the like, which is controlled by an endless tape, tape storage means having a construction and mode of operation that serve in a highly advantageous manner to store an extensive segment of an endless tape while at the same time providing for continuous circulation of the tape through a working zone.

A further object is to provide endless tape storage means, as recited in the preceding object, that provides at once for highly emcient and advantageous circulation of an endless tape through a working zone and for high capacity storage in a small space of a progessively changing portion of the tape, which tape portion can be of extensive and indefinite length.

Another object is to provide improved endless tape storage means of the above character that is compact and simple in construction and which .achieves many functional advantages through its mode of operation.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a transcription or a pick-up apparatus for a moving electric sign wherein the major portion of `an endless coded tape is fed over a conical surface into a spiral wound upon itself, the tape being fed into the center of the spiral and taken off from the outside thereof, the major portion of the tape thereby being stored or handled in a very small space.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus as contemplated by the foregoing claims, wherein the endless tape is not forced in any direction, but rather is guided along natural curves whereby the serv- Patented Sept. 26, 1961 ice ice life of the tape is increased immeasurably, the tape lasting from a practical standpoint almost forever.

The scanner board or actual pick-up element of prior art moving sign apparatus generally has utilized a plurality of feelers or fingers rubbing against the tape and extending through the apertures therein to engage a conductive plate or the like behind the tape for completing the circuit to illuminate the sign. Such fingers or feelers have had a decided tendency to tear the tape, particularly at the trailing edge of the apertures. Furthermore, the feelers or the like have contacted the plate or the like beneath the tape at iixed points, thereby leading to pitting and burning of the plate at such points. Such pitting and burning results in unreliable electrical contact, and in short service life of the apparatus. Furthermore, to minimize deterioration of the contacting elements through arcing and the like, it has been necessary to utilize relatively expensive materials which have not been as well adapted to resist physical wear and abrasion as other materials such as steel.

In order to avoid the foregoing diiculties of the prior art, the apparatus herein disclosed utilizes a scanner board having a plurality of cooperating balls and rollers. A succession of rollers positioned beneath the moving tape and the rollers are energized through carbon brushes. A plurality of balls is provided for contact with each roller, the balls being positioned above the tape, and hence being on the opposite side of the tape from the rollers. Each ball is engaged by a carbon brush. Whenever a punched aperture in the tape passes between a ball and roller, electrical contact is established between the ball and roller. The rolling contact of the balls and rollers avoids damage to the tape, and actually is thought to extend the life of the tape. There is remarkably little pitting of the balls and rollers, and itis thought that this is due in large measure to carbon particles carried around by the balls and rollers. Such carbon particles reduce arcing, and what arcing is present is largely between carbon particles rather than between the balls and rollers.

It has been found that when a moving electric sign apparatus has not been used for some time, response is not uniformly reliable. This has been overcome in the present invention by providing an electric heater for dispelling moisture which tends to lcondense on the scanner board during idle periods, particularly during conditions of high humidity. f

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus including an illuminated sign board or the like;

FIG. 2 is a top View of the device or apparatus With the upper portion thereof removed for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal plan view with certain parts broken away and taken substantially lalong the line l-i of FIG. 3; i

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is another fragmentary vertical cross sectional View, taken substantially along the line 6--6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional View taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. Sis a view similar to FIG. 7 but taken at right angles thereto substantially along the line 8*-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view looking upwards substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7

FIG. is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of a section of the coded ta e;

IFIG. 12 is a top view of the tape storage device taken generally along the line 12-12 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a generally vertical sectional view of the tape storage device or mechanism taken substantially along the line 13-.13 of FIG. l2;

FIG. 14 is another generally vertical sectional view of the tape storage mechanism or device taken substantially along the line 14--14 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is a side view of the tape storage device or mechanism taken substantially along the line 15-15 of FIG. 12.

Referring rst to FIGS. l and 2 for a general understanding ofthe invention, there will be seen an illuminated display board or panel 20. This board or panel is of conventional construction and does not comprise a part of the invention insofar as the constructional details are concerned. YThis board includes a plurality of individually wired lamps or light bulbs 22. The lamps are arranged in Vertical rows, which, for example, might contain six lamps, and in horizontal rows, which, for example, might include 50 lamps. It will be understood that this number could vary within wide limits, and that each of the lamps 22 might comprise a plurality of light bulbs rather than a single light bulb each. The lamps or light bulbs preferably are of the gas-lled variety which light upV and die out instantaneously upon energization to avoid the formation of tails or trailing lights such as are occasioned by the use of ordinary incandescent bulbs in such boards. Certain of the light bulbs are illuminated in FIG. l to spell a portion of the word customer and it will be appreciated that the illuminated bulbs subsequently will be darkened with the corresponding bulbs immediately to the left thereof illuminated in the same fashion so that the word or words travel from the right to the left side of the board and readily may be discerned. A cable 24 is provided which leads from the board for controlling illumination of the bulbs thereon.

The transcription or pick-up or play-back apparatus 26 forming the' subject of the invention may be located at a position remote relative to the board 20 and includes a coupler board 28 to which the wires of the cable 24 are individually connected. The connections on the coupler board are individually wired to a plurality of pick-up elements shortly to be described and forming a part of the scanner board or assembly 30. A hood 32 is hingedly mounted to cover the coupler board and the scanner board, and the parts heretofore mentioned as forming a .part of the Vapparatus 26 are supported on a frame 34 which conveniently can be made of angle irons. An endless tape 36 is arranged for passage through the machine or apparatus 26in a manner hereinafter to be described.

Adjacent the left end of the machine as viewed in FIGS. l and 2, there is provided a drive roller 38 that either is made of rubber, or is provided with a tire of rubber or the like. The shaft of the drive roller 38 is journaled in pillow blocks 40 on the frame and extends rearwardly of the machine to a coupling 42, the other half of which is mounted on the output shaft of a speed reducer 44. The speed reducer may be of any known commercial type, for example, a worm and wormwheel arrangement. The input shaft of the speed reducer 44 is coupled at 46 to the drive shaft of an electric motor 48. The motor 48 is energized through a cable 50 leading from a control unit 52 comprising a pair of switches 54 and a timer 56.

A pressure or back-up roller 58 is mounted generally opposite to the drive roller 38 on a frame part 60 pivotally connected at 62 to the main portion of the frame 34. The roller 58 likewise is of rubber or rubber-tired construction and is journaled in pillow blocks 64. A spring 66 is detachably stretched between a cross member 68 on the hinged frame portion 60 and a cross member 70 on a corresponding xed frame portion in order to hold the roller 58 tightly against the tape 36 where it'passes over the drive roller 38.

The apparatus or machine 26 is provided at the opposite end of the machine with an idler roller 72 journaled in pillow blocks 74 on the frame. The roller 72 is substantially on the same horizontal level with the drive roller 38. The remainder of the parts beneath'these two rollers for handling and storing the tape will be described subsequently.

The scanner board 30 to which reference previously has been had is shown in detail in FIGS. 3-10 and lies between the

rollers

38 and 72. The scanner board comprises a pair of longitudinal angle irons 76 mounted on a base plate 78 supported by a portion of the machine frame 34. The scanner board is supported by the machine frame along the back edge of the scanner board, so that the tape l36 readily can be inserted and removed from the machine. A channel-shaped subframe 88 isconnected directly to the frame y34 and is provided with transverse insulating spacers 82 on which the base plate 78 rests.

A pair of side supports 84 is spaced inwardly from the angle irons 76 by means of pairs of spacers 86, and the side members 84 are spaced apart by spacer blocks 88 adjacent their opposite ends. Bolts 90 extend through the angle members 76, the spacers 86, the side members 84, and the spacers 88 to hold the parts together.

Although the side members 84 could be made of metal, it is preferred that they be made of insulating material in order insulatedly to support electrical contact elements as hereinafter will be set forth without exposing anyone to the shock hazard that would be present if the side members 84 were made of metal or other conductive material.

Each of the side members 84 is provided with a horizontal row of spaced bores 92. The bores are equal in number of the vertical rows on the board 20, and the bores of the opposite side members 84 are axially aligned. An anti-friction bearing 94 (FIG. 8) is seated in each bore or recess 92., and the reduced end 96 of a roller 98 is received therein. The rollers are equal in numberto the pairs of recesses, and hence to the vertical rows of the board 20. The rollers in a speciiic apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention are made of s; inch drill rod, and this preferably is of high carbon steel. A portion of the tape 36 hereinafter referred to as the horizontal reach 100 passes over the rollers 98 between the idler roller 72 and the drive roller 38.

A contact or energizing bar 102 of conductive material which conveniently can be steel, is mounted on top of an insulating insert 184 (FIGS. 5, 7 and 8) extending longitudinally along the center line of the base plate 78 and extending between the side members 84. The contact bar 102 is provided with a plurality of vertical bores or recesses 108 opening upwardly beneath the rollers 98, each bore or recess being aligned with one roller. A helical spring 110` is compressed in each recess and urges a carbon brush 112 up against the underside of each corresponding roller 98. A lead wire 114 (FIG. 8) is connected by means such as a screw 116 threaded into an aperture in the side of the contact bar 102 to energize the contact bar, and hence through the springs and carbon brushes to energize all of the rollers 98.

The scanner board 30 includes also a pick-up assembly 114. The pick-up assembly in operative position lies directly above the parts of the scanner board heretofore described. The pick-up assembly comprises a steel frame having front and rear longitudinal bars 116 andtrans- `Vverse bars 118 spaced inwardly slightly from the ends of the longitudinal bars. YThe transverse bar at the right end is held between the longitudinal bars by means of bolts 120, While the transverse bar at the left end of the pickup assembly is held in place by shouldered bolts 122 (FIGS. 3, 4` and 6). The auxiliary frame members 60 on which the pressure roller 58 is mounted are provided with ears 124, and these ears receive the shouldered portions of the bolts 122 whereby the auxiliary frame members 60 and the pressure roller 58 carried thereby can be pivoted out of engagement with the drive roller 58 for replacement or adjustment of the tape 36.

A pair of hinge members 126 is connected to the rear bar 116 in spaced relation, and also is connected to the side supports or members 86. A generally U-shaped handle 128 is provided on the front bar 116 for lifting the pick-'up assembly to pivot the same about the hinges 126 from the operative position shown in FIG. 5 in solid lines to the raised position shown in dashed lines for replacement or adjustment of the tape 36. Bifurcated lugs 130 also are provided on the front bar 116 generally in alignment with the hinges 126, and pivotally mounted bolts 132 are arranged for positioning in these lugs as shown in solid lines in FIGSL4 and 5, or for pivotal movement away from the lugs as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5. When the bolts 132 are in the solid line position shown in FIG. and wing nuts 134 are tightened thereon, the front and rear frame members 116 rest on top of the longitudinal members 84 and the pickup assemblyis held firmly and rigidly in place.

The pick-up assembly 114 further is provided with a central insulating block 136 which may be made, for eX- ample, of Bakelite. The insulating block 136 is provided with a plurality of vertical bores 138 (FIGS. 7, 8 and l0). These bores are arranged in tarnsverse rows each aligned with one of the rollers 98, and also in longitudinal rows. The bores 138 correspond in position to the lamps 22 of the illuminated board 20. Each of the bores 138 is provided at its lowermost end with a counterbore 140 in which there is rollingly mounted a ball 142. The balls 142 are conveniently of the same diameter as the rollers 98, and they preferably are of a highy carbon steel construction, and may be commercial bearing balls. Between each set of four balls there is provided a washer 144 held in place by means of a screw 146 passing through the Washer and threaded into the insulating block 136 as best maybe seen in FIGS. 9 and l0. The washers have bevelled edges and partially overlie the counterbores 140 to hold the ball in the counterbores. The washers necessarily are made of insulating material so that the balls may be insulated from one another, and nylon has been found to be a preferred material for these washers. It will be apparent that this means of retaining the balls allows ready removal of a ball for servicing or replacement without the necessity of loosening all of the balls, which then might fall from -the insulating block 136.

A carbon brush 148 is mounted in each bore 138 above and bearing against each ball 142. A helical spring 150 in each bore bears down against the corresponding brush to hold it firmly in engagement with the associated ball. Each brush is provided with a pigtail lead 152 to insure proper electrical contact to -the brush, the upper end of the pigtail being aixed to a conductive disk 154 mounted in the bore.

The reduced lower ends 156 of a plurality of binding posts 158 are threaded into ythe top ends of the bores 138. The binding posts -are provided on the lowermost extremities of the reduced end portions with small projections or teats 169 bearing against the disks 158 to insure adequate electrical contact therewith.l The binding posts preferably are non-circular in cross section, conveniently being hexagonal, to facilitate threading thereof into the bores 138. Additionally, the tops Iof the binding posts are bored and tapped for threadedly. receiving connecting screws 160, and the non-circular configuration of the binding posts allows them to be gripped by a wrench While `the screws 160 are removed to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the binding posts from the bores 138. Eyelets 162 (FIGS. 7 and 8) are held beneath the heads of the screws and are connected to lead wires 164, and these lead Wires extend individually to binding posts 166 (FIG. 1) on the coupler board 28. These binding posts, of course, are individually connected to the sockets for the lamps 22.

The tape 36, as readily may be seen in FIG. 11, comprises an elongated web which preferably is made of a heavy jute base paper. The tape is provided with punched apertures which may be of short length such as at 168 for illuminating the vertical portions of the characters to appear on the board 2t). The punched openings also may be longer as at 170 for the horizontal portions of the characters. The letter "0 will be observed at 172, while the letter will be observed at 174. As the tape moves between the balls and rollers, the balls and rollers are insulated from one another by the tape. lEach time one of the punched openings such as 168 or 170 passes between a ball and its associated roller, the ball contacts the roller. The rollers are at substantially 110 volts electrical potential by virtue of the wire 114 connected to the contact bar 162, and the plurality of brushes 112 carried by the contact bar and engaging the rollers. Thus, the same electrical potential is applied to whichever ofthe balls 142 engages the rollers through the apertures in the tape, and this potential is transmitted Aby means of the carbon rushes 148, the pigtails 152, the binding posts 158, the wires 164, and thence to the binding posts 166, these binding posts in turn being connected by means of the cable 24 individually to the lamps 22 of the board 2t?. The lamps of the board thereby are illuminated in accordance with the punched openings inthe tape. It will be observed that the rolling engagement of the balls and rollers with the edges of the tape prevents tearing of the tape. The tape has been found to last easily 300 hours, which approximates a years run, and the tape actually seems to become stronger with use, probably through some rearrangement of Vthe fibers as the tape is pulled and rolled.

The housing of the contact balls 142 substantially within the insulating body 136 and behind the washers 144 protects the balls against oxidation to a large degree. This lack of oxidation of the balls is thought to help somewhat in minimizing pitting. Furthermore, the rolling contact of the balls with the rollers in large measure eliminates sparking and pitting, inasmuch as the only sparking that occurs is at initial contact when a ball enters one of the apertures in the tape, and just as the balls leave the rollers upon reaching the ends of the apertures. It is thought also that carbon granules carried around by the balls and the rollers from their respective brushes help to elect an excellent electrical contact between the balls and rollers without any undue arcing and pitting. In fact, in an experimentalmachine constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention it has been lfound that after three years of operation the rollers need be turned down only .001 inch on a centerless grinder to restore them to the sameoperating condition as when new. This is not at all in accordance' with the results that would be predicted with steel-to-steel contact. In addition t0 the lack of oxidation of the balls, and to the possibility of minimizing arcing and pitting through the transfer of carbon granules, it is thought that the service life of the balls and rollers is materially increased by the wiping action of the tape thereon. This wiping action tends to polish the rollers and balls, thereby eliminating any slight pitting effects which might otherwise be formed. Y

The mechanism for handling and storing the tape between the drive roller 38 and the idler roller 72 is carried by the frame work 74 beneath the upper portion of the apparatus. This mechanism comprises a bucket or basket 176 indicated generally in FIGS. 1 and 2, and more specically in FIGS. 12-15. This bucket or basket is tilted as will be apparent from the drawings and includes a hub 178 upstanding from a base 180 supported by cross members forming a portion of the frame 34. A short drive shaft 182 is rotatably journaled in the hub 178 and is coupled by means of a clutch 184 to a drive shaft 186 extending up through a bearing and bearing support 188 (FIG. 2) to a pulley 190 on substantially the same level as the output shaft of the speed reducer 44. A pulley 192 is provided on the output shaft of the speed reducer, and an endless belt 194 is passed over the

pulleys

190 and 192 to drive the

shafts

186 and 182 in timed relation to the movement of the drive roller 38. Preferably the speed of shaft 186 is such that the lineal speed of cone plate 232 at its smallest diameter is somewhat in excess of the lineal speed of drive roller 38 so that the cone plate produces a slight drag or pull on the tape in operation.

A triangular spider comprising three arms 196, which preferably are equally arcuately disposed, and which extend radially out from the hub 178, comprises a portion of the basket or bucket. The spider further includes upturned ends 198 on a pair of the arms 196. These upturned arms support a generally cylindrical shield or wall 200 to which the ends are attached by means such as suitable brackets 202. The generally cylindrical shield or wall 200 is provided with a discontinuity 204 starting at 206 and continuing to 208. Beneath this discontinuity there is provided a plate 210 which may be supported by the third spider arm 196, and which is provided with outwardly projecting

portions

212 and 214. Posts 216 at the opposite ends of the projecting

portions

212 and 214 extend upwardly past the shield or wall 200 to which they are secured by any suitable means such as welding, and a pair of posts 218 also extends upwardly from the projection portions near the confronting edges thereof. Plates '220 and 222 which are generally similar in configuration to the projecting

portions

212 and 214 are secured to the tops of the

posts

216 and 218 by means of bolts 224 extending through the plates, through the posts, and through the projecting portions, and having nuts threaded on each end thereof. These plates serve to support and stabilize the upper ends of the posts 218.

Within the contines of the generally cylindrical wall or shield 260 there is provided a cylinder 226 encircling the shaft 182 and afiixed thereto for rotation by means of a flanged collar 228 having a cross pin 230 extending diametrically through the collar and through the shaft. The ange of the collar is aixed to the top wall of the cylinder 226 by any suitable means. 'Ihe cylinder is provided adjacent its lower region with a frusto-conical skirt 232 extending downwardly and outwardly toward the cylindrical wall or shield 200, and having a radially outwardly directed peripheral flange 234 extending beneath the wall or shield.

A curved sheet metal guideway 236 extends from directly beneath the drive roller 38 down to the bucket or basket 176. The guide 236 starts out in parallelism with the axis of the drive roller 38, and curves and twists to approach parallelism with the drive shaft 182. A guide flange 238 is provided near the bottom edge of the guide 236. The curve and twist of the guide 236 is such as to guide the tape 36 along a natural path from between the guide roller 38 and pressure roller 58 to a position resting on the cone 232 about the cylinder 226. As the cone rotates, the tape works from the center of a spiral coil 246 of the tape resting on the cone 232 and on the flange 234 to the outer surface of a spiral. The tape along the outer portion of the spiral passes out of the basket or bucket through the discontinuity I204 in the cylindrical shield or wall 200 and between the posts 218.

The tape then passes around a roller 242 supported on the end of the apparatus frame by a bracket 244 at a proper angle to feed the tape from the generally vertical position leaving the basket or bucket around the roller 242 to the idler roller 72. A spring plate 24S holds the tape down against the roller. The angle of the basket or bucket and the angle of the roller 242 are so arranged thatthe tape moves along a natural path to the idler roller 72. Thus, no side thrust or pulling forces are imposed on the tape either in moving from the drive roller 38 to the basket or bucket 176, orl in moving from the basket or bucket over the roller 242 to the idler roller 72, and the service life of the tape thus is materially increased.

It has been found that, when certain atmospheric conditions prevail, the apparatus when left idle from one night to the next will not always work properly when started up. Specifically, improper contact is made by the balls and rollers and the board therefore does not light up with the proper lamps illuminated to produce the desired characters thereon. Extended investigation revealed that this was due to condensation of minute amounts of water in the apparatus from humid air. In order to correct this condition, an electrical resistance heater 246 (FIGS. 1 and 5) has been provided beneath the scanner board to heat the scanner board for driving 0E any condensed moisture. This heater also will dry the tape to insure that the tape will have proper insulating characteristics `and will not carry any leakage currents between the rollers and the balls.

Operation of the device should be apparent from the foregoing description. The drive motor 48 is turned on and the contact bar 102 is energized respectively through the timer 56 by pulling the switches 54. (An auxiliary switch is provided for the heater 246, and such switch is not shown herein.) The tape 36, which has been placed by hand in the bucket or basket by raising the shaft 186 to separate the coupling or clutch 134, is to some extent pushed by the cone 232 and ange 234 out of the bucket or basket, and also is pulled therefrom over the

rollers

242 and 72 by the drive roller 38. Each time one of the openings or apertures 168, 1170 in the tape passes beneath one of the contact balls, the ball enga-ges the corresponding roller and is energized thereby, and acts through the connections heretofore described to energize and thus illuminate the corresponding lamp of the sign board 20.

As has been noted or intimated heretofore, there may be any number of contacts within wide variation. In the specific example of the apparatus herein shown and described, there are 300 contacts, six across, and 50 length- Wise corresponding to the 300 balls and the 50 rollers cooperating therewith. This number can be changed both as to the number of rollers, and as to the number of balls per roller, and the number of lamps on the board 20 would be changed accordingly. It will be appreciated that each ball could be electrically associated with a plurality of lamps ron the board, such as four lamps, for example, and that the number of lamps therefore would be a multiple of the number of balls and a very large sign thereby would be provided.

'Ihe guide leading to the basket or bucket preferably should be constructed of stainless steel and waxed for eas-y sliding of the paper tape, although this is not necessary for operation. However, it does materially increase the life of the tape. The bucket or basket may vary substantially in size in accordance with the length of tape to be handled, and 400 or 500 feet of tape, and perhaps more, readily can be handled by the machine.

By virtue of the unique tape handling mechanism herein shown and described, the machine or apparatus is of relatively small size, being no larger than an ordinary desk. This is an outstanding improvement over the prior art wherein a rather large-sized room has been necessary for handling an endless tape. The guide and the guide roller which move the tape along a naturally curved path without imposing stresses thereon lead to long service life of the tape, and preclude tearing or jamming of the tape in operation.

The unique construction of the scanner board including the pick-up assembly allows the use of a steel-to-steel contact which otherwise would be electrically unfeasible, and which has tremendous advantages in wear resistance.

The completely recessed housing of the balls and associated brushes reduces corrosion of these parts to a minimum. The wiping action of the paper tape on the balls and rollers, the smooth engagement of the balls and rollers, the carbon granules carried along by the balls and rollers from their respective brushes, and other factors, contribute to long service life of the rollers and balls with substantially no pitting.

The machine is reasonably simple in construction and is inexpensive to produce. Furthermore, it has all of the parts thereof readily accessible for servicing, although its rugged construction indicates that servicing would be necessary only at infrequent intervals. For example, it has been found that machining of the rollers to 'remove all traces of contact thereof with the balls need be done only every three years, and that the rollers need only be turned down .001 inch on a centerless grinder to restore them to an operating condition undistinguishable from new.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 498,142, filed March 3-1, 1955.

The structure herein shown and described is to be understood as being for illustrative purposes only. Various changes in and modifications of structure will no doubt occur to those skilled in the art, and are to be understood as forming a part of the invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A tape handling apparatus including a rotary support of generally conical shape having a radially extending peripheral flange, means for rotating said support at a predetermined rate, means for guiding a tape onto said conical shaped support generally near the apex thereof into a spiral configuration, a fixed peripheral wall having a discontinuity therein, and means for guiding tape from said generally conical shaped support off of the flange thereof and through said discontinuity.

2. Tape feeding apparatus as set forth in claim l and further including a curved guide extending above the top of said fixed peripheral wall for feeding said tape onto said conical shaped support adjacent the apex thereof, said tape being fed from the peripheral flange out through the discontinuity in said peripheral Wall.

3. Tape handling apparatus comprising a rotary support of conical configuration, means for rotating said rotary support at a predetermined rate about a generally Vertical axis, a curved chute for feeding tape along a curved path onto said rotating support generally near the center thereof whereby said tape assumes the position of a spiral of increasing diameter on said support and `gravitationally settles toward the outer edge, and means for feeding tape from said rotary support near the periphery thereof.

4. A tape'handling apparatus as set forth in claim l wherein the axis of the rotary support is inclined at an acute angle to the vertical.

5. Tape feeding apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the axis of the rotary support is inclined at an acute axis to the Vertical and wherein the guide terminates above a portion of the support approaching the uppermost'position thereof whereby the tape is fed onto said support substantially at the uppermost position thereof.

6. Tape handling apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the axis of the rotary support is inclined at an acute angle to the vertical.

7. A transcription apparatus for a moving electric sign or the like comprising a bed, feed means arranged at the opposite ends of the bed for feeding a continuous tape to and across and from the bed, detecting means associated With the bed for detecting coded signals from the tape while on the bed, tape storage means for storing a quantity of tape in a spiral coil, said tape storage means including a drum having a rotary coil supporting bottom for controlling the action of the tape in said storage means,

and means for driving said feed means and said bottom in predetermined timed relation, said driving means being constructed to drive said bottom in the rotary direction in which a coil supported on said bottom spirals radially outward.

8. A transcription apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said driving means'is constructed to drive said 4bottom rotatably at a rate of speed higher than the driving speed of said feed means.

9. A transcription apparatus as defined in claim 7 'wherein guide means is provided for guiding the tape from the feed means to the storage means, and from the storage means back to the feed lmeans, said guide means having provisions for changing the `direction of movement of the tape.

10. A transcription apparatus for a moving electric sign or the like comprising a horizontal bed, a feed roller extending across the bed at one end thereof, a feed roller extending across the bed at the other end thereof, said feed rollers being arranged for the feeding of a continuous tape to and across and from the bed, detecting means associated with the bed for detecting coded signals from the tape while on the bed, and tape storage means comprising a drum below the bed for storing the tape in a spiral within the drum, said drum having a rotary cone member forming the bottom thereof.

11. A transcription apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the axis of the rotary cone is inclined somewhat from a vertical position.

l2; Apparatus for handling an endless tape comprising a frame, an elongated substantially horizontal bed carried by said frame at a relatively elevated position, means carried from said frame adjacent said bed for feeding an endless tape longitudinally along said bed with the tape so fed in substantially horizontal position, tape storage means carried by said frame below said bed and substantially within the end-to-end confines thereof, said storage means comprising a rotary support member deining an upwardly facing annular support surface adapted to support a spiral coil of said tape with the tape in vertical position, tape coil conning means disposed in general overlying relation to said support surface in gencrally encircling relation thereto to limit radial expansion of atape coil resting on said support surface, guide means carried by said frame between said bed and said storage means for guiding said tape from horizontal to vertical position fro'rnsaid bed into edge engagement with said support surface at a position spaced a substantial distance radially inward of said coil confining means, and guide means lcarried by said frame between said storage means and said bed for guiding `said tape from vertical to horizontal position from said coil confining means to said bed.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein the axis of the tape storage means is tilted from the vertical at its upper end.

14. Apparatus for handling an endless tape comprising a frame, an elongated substantially horizontal bed carried by said frame at a relatively elevated position, means carried from said frame adjacent said bed for feeding an endless tape longitudinally along said bed with the tape so fed in substantially horizontal position, tape storage means carried by said frame below said bed and substantially within the end-to-end connes thereof, said storage means comprising a reservoir having a cone bottom and being vadapted to store a quantity of said tape with the tape in vertical position resting on said cone bottom, guide means carried by said frame between said bed and said storage means for guiding said tape from horizontal to vertical position from said bed to said storage means, said guide means being positioned to feed tape from said bed toward the apex of said cone bottom, and guide means carried by said frame between said storage means and said bed for guiding said tape from vertical 11 to horizontal position from said storage means to said bed.

15. Tape storage means for storing a coiled segment of a circulating endless tape, comprising, in combination, a rotary support member defining an upwardly facing annular tape coil support surface substantially concentric with the rotary axis of lthe support member and adapted to support a spiral coil of tape placed on edge on the support surface, tape coil expansion limiting means encircling said tape coil support surface in generally overlying adjacent relation thereto, said tape coil expansion limiting means defining a coil braking surface located above the adjacent portion of said coil support surface in position to frictionally engage the outermost turn of a tape coil supported by said support surface, means defining a tape outlet opening radially outward through said expansion limiting means, drive means connected to rotate said rotary support member, tape inlet guide means positioned to direct tape into engagement with said support surface to initially engage the support surface a substantial distance radially inward from said expansion limiting means, and said tape inlet guide means being oriented to direct tape onto said support surface in a direction of movement conforming to the direction of movement of the underlying portion of support surface to continually form on said support surface a spiral coil of tape which spirals outwardly in a rotary direction which is the same as the direction of rotation of said support member.

16. Tape storage means for storing a spirally coiled segment of a circulating endless tape, comprising, in combination, a tipped rotary support member defining an upwardly facing annular tape coil support surface rotatable about a central axis tipped from the vertical, tape coil expansion limitin-g means defining a generally cylindrical tape coil expansion limiting and braking surface extending upwardly from said support surface in encircling relation thereto to frictionally engage the outermost turn of a tape coil supported by said support surface, means defining a tape outlet opening radially outward through said expansion limiting means, drive means connected to rotate said rotary support member, tape inlet guide means positioned to direct tape into edge engagement with said support surface to initially engage the support surface a substantial distance radially inward from said expansion limiting means to continuously form on saidvsupport surface a spiral coil of tape whichspirals outwardly in a rotary direction which is the same as the direction of rotation of said support member, yand power driven tape circulating means for pulling tape from said tape outlet at a speed less than the peripheral speed of the coil supportv surface, yand returning the tape tosaid inlet guide means.

17. Means for continuously storing a spirally coiled portion of -a circulating endless tape, comprising, in cornbination, a rotary support member defining an upwardly facing annular coil support surface, means supporting said support member in a tipped position for rotation about an axis inclined away from the vertical, coil expansion limiting means encircling said support surface to limit radial expansionof a tape coil supported on said surface, means forming a tape outlet through said expansion limiting means, tape inlet guide means positioned to guide tape into edge engagement with said support surface to initially engage the latter at a position spaced a substantial distance radially inward from said expansion limiting means, said tape Iinlet guide means being oriented to direct tape onto said support surface in a direction which defines the rotary direction in which tape spirals radially outward on said support surface to said expansion limiting means, and drive means connected to said support member to rotate the latter in said direction in which a tape coil admitted to said support surface by said inlet guide means spirals radially outward toward said expansion limiting means.

18. Continuously operative transcription apparatus for a moving electric sign or the like, comprising, in combination, a perforated endless control tape, drive means for continuously moving said tape through a detecting zone, electrical detecting means mounted in |association with said tape to electrically sense the perforations in the tape moving through said detecting zone, a rotary tape support member dening .an upwardly facing annular support surface which slopes upwardly toward the center thereof, a major portion of said endless tape being formed into a spiral coil supported on edge on said annular support surface, drive means connected to said support member to rotate the latter in the direction in which said coil spirals radially outward to effect through frictional engagement of said support surface with said coil a continuous urging of the turns of said coil to expand radially outward, coil expansion limiting means encircling said coil to limit expansion of the outermost turn thereof, means defining ya tape outlet through which the tape is removed from the outermost turn of said coil, guide means for directing tape from said outlet to the inlet side of said detecting zone, and guide meansV positioned to guide tape from the outlet side of said detecting zone into edge engagement with said coil support surface to initially engage the latter at the radially inward side of said coil.

19. Continuously operative transcription apparatus for a moving electric sign or the like, comprising, in combination, 'a perforated endless control tape, electrical tape perforation detecting means, means defining a tape inlet to said detecting means and a tape outlet from said detecting means, drive means connected to drive the tape past said detecting means at a predetermined speed, a rotary tape support member defining an upwardly facing annular support surface, a major portion of said endless tape being formed into a spiral coil supported on said annular support-surface, said drive means being connected to said support member to rotate the latter in the direction in which said coil spirals radially outward and at a rotary speed which provides a support surface speed exceeding said predetermined speed to effect through frictional engagement of said support surface with said coil a continuous urging of the turns of said coil to expand radially outward, coil expansion limiting means encircling said coil to limit expansion of the outermost turn thereof, means defining a tape outlet through which the tape is removed from the outermost turn ofsaid coil, guide means" for directing tape from said last mentioned tape outlet to said inlet to said detecting means, and guide means positioned to guide tape from said detecting means outlet into edge'engagement with said annular support surface at the radially inward side of saidgcoil.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDl STATES PATENTS 1,605,222 Deres et al. Nov. 2, 1926 1,844,770 Limenez et al. Feb. 9, 1932 2,290,280 Freedman et al July 21, 1942