US4741118A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sign with improved scrolling mechanism
Assignee: Signstrut Ltd
•
Filing: 1986-06-05
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Granted: 1988-05-03
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Expires: 2006-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A scrolling sign has a sign face member with windows in which indicia appear. A framework is mounted proximate the interior surface of the sign face member. A pair of shafts are mounted on the framework to contain a plurality of web rolls between which webs containing indicia extend. Guides adjacent the windows guides the web and prevent light leaks. The guides are so formed as to avoid shadows on the sign face member. A drive mechanism simultaneously rotates the shafts. Clutches, interposed between the web rolls and the shafts, are selectively operable to move the webs in one or the other direction across the window to alter the displayed indicia. A constantly applied differential brake is also coupled to said web rolls to maintain tension on the webs and to assist in their movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B. Aiken
- 👤 Dennis M. Bauer
- 👤 James R. Hogan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:29
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F11/00; G09F11/24; G09F11/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
An improved scrolling sign comprising: a sign face member having at least one window in which indicia may appear; a framework mounted proximate one side of said sign face member; a pair of spaced, parallel shafts journalled in said framework; drive means for rotating said shafts; at least one web roll mounted on each of said shafts such that said shafts can rotate relative to said web rolls; a web containing indicia extending between said web rolls for being unwound and rewound on said rolls, said web having indicia arranged in series therealong, said web extending across said window on said one side of said sign face member; clutch means interposed between each of said web rolls and the shaft on which same is mounted, said clutch means selectively coupling one or the other of said web rolls to the associated shaft for moving said web across said window to selectively display said indicia by unwinding and rewinding said web on said rolls; and constantly applied differential braking means, said braking means being coupled to each of said web rolls for applying tension to, and maintaining tension on, said web, said braking means applying a greater braking action to the web roll from which said web is being unwound than to the web roll on which said web is being rewound.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
An improved scrolling sign comprising: a sign face member having at least one window in which indicia may appear; a framework mounted proximate one side of said sign face member; a pair of spaced, parallel shafts journalled in said framework; drive means for rotating said shafts; at least one web roll mounted on each of said shafts such that said shafts can rotate relative to said web rolls; a web containing indicia extending between said web rolls for being unwound and rewound on said rolls, said web having indicia arranged in series therealong, said web extending across said window on said one side of said sign face member; clutch means interposed between each of said web rolls and the shaft on which same is mounted, said clutch means selectively coupling one or the other of said web rolls to the associated shaft for moving said web across said window to selectively display said indicia by unwinding and rewinding said web on said rolls; and constantly applied differential braking means, said braking means being coupled to each of said web rolls for applying tension to, and maintaining tension on, said web, said braking means applying a greater braking action to the web roll from which said web is being unwound than to the web roll on which said web is being rewound.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 wherein said sign face member includes a plurality of windows and wherein said scrolling sign includes a plurality of web rolls and webs to provide one web for each of said windows in which selectively displayed indicia is desired.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 2 wherein said shafts are journalled in said framework at a plurality of bearings along said shafts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 3 wherein said shafts are further defined as having removable segments on which said web rolls are mounted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 4 wherein said web rolls are mounted at spaced intervals along said shafts and wherein said bearings are positioned intermediate said web rolls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 4 wherein said segmentation of said shafts occurs within said bearings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 5 wherein said bearings may be disassembled to permit removal and replacement of one of said shaft segments and web rolls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 further including idler means along the path of movement of said web, said idler means being fixed to said frame work and having a predetermined fixed relationship with respect to said window and sign face for guiding said web across said window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 8 wherein said idler means are further defined as spacing said web from the inner surface of said sign face member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 further including bracket means mounted on said framework and extending toward said sign face member for limiting deflection of said sign face.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 8 further including bracket means mounted on said framework and extending toward said sign face member for limiting deflection of said sign face, said idler means being mounted on said bracket means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 11 wherein said idler means and brackets are formed of light transmitting material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 wherein said sign face member has guide means mounted on said one side of said sign face member for positioning said web in said window.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 13 wherein said guide means is formed of light transmitting material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 14 wherein said guide means has a guide along each side of said web, each of said guides having a generally S shape with parallel end portions and a normal intermediate portion, one of said end portions being affixed to the one side of said sign face member, said other end portion and said intermediate portion embracing said web, said intermediate portion having reduced light transmission properties for reducing light leaks in said sign.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 wherein said web has portions with light transmission properties corresponding to those of said sign face member along the edges of the web overlapping with the edges of said window for reducing light leaks in said sign.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 wherein said web has translucent portions intermediate said serially arranged indicia positionable adjacent and said window when an indicia is in said window.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprise electric clutch means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 18 wherein said clutch means is further defined as located within said web rolls.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
79 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 wherein said braking means comprises a bent spring wire anchored at one end, said wire being bent in a generally triangular configuration having an open corner, said bent spring wire compressively engaging said web roll within said triangular configuration, said bent spring wire providing increased braking action in one direction of rotation by the tendency of the web roll to wrap said wire around said roll when rotating in said one direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a single drive motor having power transmission means for coupling same to said shafts.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 wherein said drive means simultaneously rotates said shafts.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 wherein said framework has a pair of spaced frame members and wherein said shafts run parallel to said frame members and are journalled thereon.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The scrolling sign according to claim 1 wherein said sign has a plurality of sign face members and wherein said scrolling sign further includes a plurality of the elements recited in claim 1 for displaying indicia in the window of each of said sign face members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
199 words
A scrolling mechanism for a sign with a sign face member having at least one window in which indicia may appear, said mechanism comprising: a framework mountable proximate one side of said sign face member; a pair of parallel shafts journalled in said framework; drive means for rotating said shafts; at least one web roll mounted on each of said shafts, such that said shafts can rotate relative to said web rolls; a web containing indicia extending between said web rolls for being wound on said rolls, said web having indicia arranged in series therealong; clutch means interposed between each of said web rolls and the shaft on which same is mounted, said clutch means selectively coupling one or the other of said web rolls to the associated shaft for moving said web by unwinding and rewinding said web on said rolls; and constantly applied differential braking means, said braking means being coupled to each of said web rolls for applying tension to, and maintaining tension on, said web, said braking means applying a greater braking action to the web roll from which said web is being unwound than to the web roll on which web is being rewound.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
199 words
A scrolling mechanism for a sign with a sign face member having at least one window in which indicia may appear, said mechanism comprising: a framework mountable proximate one side of said sign face member; a pair of parallel shafts journalled in said framework; drive means for rotating said shafts; at least one web roll mounted on each of said shafts, such that said shafts can rotate relative to said web rolls; a web containing indicia extending between said web rolls for being wound on said rolls, said web having indicia arranged in series therealong; clutch means interposed between each of said web rolls and the shaft on which same is mounted, said clutch means selectively coupling one or the other of said web rolls to the associated shaft for moving said web by unwinding and rewinding said web on said rolls; and constantly applied differential braking means, said braking means being coupled to each of said web rolls for applying tension to, and maintaining tension on, said web, said braking means applying a greater braking action to the web roll from which said web is being unwound than to the web roll on which web is being rewound.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mechanism according to claim 25 wherein said shafts are further defined as having removable segments on which said web rolls are mounted.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mechanism according to claim 25 further including idler means along the path of movement of said web for guiding said web across said window.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mechanism according to claim 25 including guide means for said web mountable on the one side of said sign face member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mechanism according to claim 28 said guide means is formed of light transmitting material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
79 words
The mechanism according to claim 28 wherein said guide means has a guide along each side of said web, each of said guides having a generally S shape with parallel end portions and a normal intermediate portion, one of said end portions being affixable to the one side of said sign face member, said other end portion and said intermediate portion embracing said web, said intermediate portion having reduced light transmission properties for reducing light leaks in said sign.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
78 words
The mechanism according to claim 25 wherein said braking means comprise a bent spring wire anchored at one end, said wire being bent in a generally triangular configuration having an open corner, said bent spring wire compressively engaging said web roll within said triangular configuration, said bent spring wire providing increased braking action in one direction of rotation by the tendency of the web roll to wrap said wire around said roll when rotating in said one direction.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a scrolling sign having a sign face member with a window in which indicia may appear, a pair of rotatable web rolls with a web containing serial indicia wound thereon and extending therebetween and across said window for selectively displaying an indicium in the window, the improvement comprising: constantly applied differential braking means, said braking means being coupled to said web rolls for applying tension to said web, said braking means applying greater braking action to the web roll from which said web is being unwound than to the web roll on which said web is being rewound.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a scrolling sign having a sign face member with a window in which indicia may appear, a pair of rotatable web rolls with a web containing serial indicia wound thereon and extending therebetween and across said window for selectively displaying an indicium in the window, the improvement comprising: constantly applied differential braking means, said braking means being coupled to said web rolls for applying tension to said web, said braking means applying greater braking action to the web roll from which said web is being unwound than to the web roll on which said web is being rewound.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
78 words
The improvement according to claim 32 wherein said braking means comprise a bent spring wire anchored at one end, said wire being bent in a generally triangular configuration having an open corner, said bent spring wire compressively engaging said web roll within said triangular configuration, said bent spring wire providing increased braking action in one direction of rotation by the tendency of the web roll to wrap said wire around said roll when rotating in said one direction.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
64 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said braking means comprises a bent spring wire anchored at one end and compressively engaging said web roll, said bent spring wire being so formed as to provide increased braking action in one direction of rotation by the tendency of the web roll to wrap said wire around said web roll when rotating in said one direction.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
64 words
The improvement according to claim 25, wherein said braking means comprises a bent spring wire anchored at one end and compressively engaging said web roll, said bent spring wire being so formed as to provide increased braking action in one direction of rotation by the tendency of the web roll to wrap said wire around said web roll when rotating in said one direction.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
64 words
The improvement according to claim 32 wherein said braking means comprises a bent spring wire anchored at one end and compressively engaging said web roll, said bent spring wire being so formed as to provide increased braking action in one direction of rotation by the tendency of the web roll to wrap said wire around said web roll when rotating in said one direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-03 | 1991-11-02 | 1992-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-03 | 1995-11-02 | 1996-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-03 | 1999-11-02 | 2000-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |