Signaling and control apparatus slidably and swingably mounted on a supporting cabinet

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a framework affixed to said cabinet, said hinge means comprises two shutters adapted to open in opposite directions, a hinge secured to said framework mounting each of said shutters for turning around a substantially vertical axis, and slide means mounting said housing structure for sliding movement in a selected one of two opposite directions on said shutters until said housing structure is borne by only a selected one of said shutters.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the dimension of said housing structure parallel to said shutters is substantially equal to the sum of the corresponding dimensions of said shutters, and the distance of sliding of said housing along one of said shutters is substantially equal to said corresponding dimension.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating latch means on said shutters and said framework for locking each of said shutters in a closed position relative to said framework.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating latch means on said housing structure and at least one of said shutters for locking said housing structure in a normal position aligned relative to said shutters.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating stop means on said housing structure and said shutters for limiting the extent of sliding of said housing structure in the direction towards the respective hinge of each of said shutters.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating retractable pawl and stop means on said housing structure and said shutters for preventing said housing structure from being displaced after it has been made to slide to the maximum position on one of said shutters in the direction towards the hinge of the respective one of said shutters.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said stop means includes a retractable pawl lever on said housing structure and a stop on each of said shutters.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating locking means on said framework and housing structure for locking said housing structure and the corresponding shutter supporting the Same in an open position.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said slide means includes said shutters each including a rail member having a flange and said housing structure having a frame including two sides each of which carries a grooved beam of length sufficient for the groove thereof to always engage the corresponding flange of said rail member of at least one of said shutters.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 7, together with adjustable stop means mounted on said framework for retracting said pawl means so long as said shutters have not begun their movement of opening.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein there are locking means for locking said housing structure in a normal position relative to said shutters and stop means limiting the extent of sliding of said housing structure relative to said shutters, said locking means at least in part being carried by said framework.

Claim 14

The machine of claim 1 wherein said machine includes a control console positioned in front of said cabinet front panel and connected to said electric circuits, said control console being disposed below said signaling and control apparatus.

Claim 15

A signaling and control apparatus for displaying information represented thereon in a plurality of directions, comprising: a housing structure bearing visual signaling elements; a support, a pair of movable rigid members, mounting means mounting said members on said support for movement to a closed position in registration; means disposed between said members and said housing structure for slidably supporting said housing structure on said members in a manner whereby said housing is slidable along both of said members when both of said rigid members are closed in registration with said housing structure being slidable clear of a selected one of said members so as to be supported solely by the other of said members; said mounting means including means for supporting said members for individual opening movement in opposite directions when solely supporting said housing structure for selectively displaying the visual signaling elements carried by said housing structure in different directions; and means connected to said visual signaling elements for transmitting electrical signals to said visual signaling elements in all positions of said housing structure.

Claim 16

A signaling and control apparatus for displaying information represented thereon in a plurality of directions, comprising: a housing structure bearing visual signaling elements; a support, a pair of movable rigid members, mounting means mounting said members on said support for movement to a closed position in registration; means disposed between said members and said housing structure for slidably supporting said housing structure on said members in a manner whereby said housing is slidable along both of said members when both of said rigid members are closed in registration with said housing structure being slidable clear of a selected one of said members so as to be supported solely by the other of said members; said mounting means including means for supporting said members for individual opening movement in opposite directions when solely supporting said housing structure for selectively displaying the visual signaling elements carried by said housing structure in different directions; and means connected to said visual signaling elements for transmitting electrical signals to said visual signaling elements in all positions of said housing structure.