Variable copy command apparatus

Claim 1

A variable copy command apparatus having particular utility on a vehicle for providing distinct command type messages to oncoming motorists, said apparatus comprising: A. a support means adapted for attachment in a generally horizontal position on a vehicle; B. an enclosed rigid container pivotably supported by said support means for movement in relationship to said support means between a first position wherein said container is positioned parallel to said support means and generally horizontal on a said vehicle, and a second position wherein said container is positioned in an upstanding position on said support means and relative to a said vehicle, said container including: 1. a rectangular shell including side walls, a cover, and a face plate secured to the side walls opposite the cover, said face plate including a rectangular first transparent area and second transparent areas, 2. a pair of driven rolls mounted within said shell, 3. a movable transparent copy web within said shell with portions thereof wound on each said roller and positionable to locate various copy messages thereon adjacent said first transparent area, 4. copy motor means connected to said rolls for driving said rolls to move said web between said rolls to change the copy message at said first transparent area, and 5. lamp meanS disposed within said shell adjacent said second transparent areas for providing emergency and directional light flashing coordinated with the various copy messages of said copy web; 6. light reflective means located with said shell on the side of said copy web opposite said first transparent area for providing a reflective background to said copy messages, said reflective means including a. light diffuse reflecting areas for diffusely reflecting light passed through said first transparent area and through said copy web back through said copy web and said first area to provide relatively brilliant daytime viewing of said copy message, and b. areas which are retroreflective and interspersed with said light diffuse reflecting areas for retroreflecting light passed through said first transparent area and through said copy web back through said copy web and said first transparent area toward the source of such light to provide nighttime viewing of said copy message; and C. actuation means connected to said container for moving said container between said first and said second positions, and D. control means adapted to be controlled from within the vehicle by the driver and connected to said support means to energize said copy motor means, said lamp means and said actuation means for positioning a preselected copy message at said first transparent area, for illuminating said lamp means in a desired manner and for placing said container in said second position without stopping or stepping from said vehicle.