Display Rotating Device (Patent No: 593983)

Inventor: MacDonald, Norris S.

Location: Calgary

Comments: N/A

Description: The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows
1. A mechanism for revolving and supporting an electrical illuminated sign comprising a hollow shaft, means for causing said shaft to rotate, a base plate, a unitary housing integral therewith, said housing and base plate providing a longitudinally extending central passage therethrough adapted to receive said shaft, a pair of bearings mounted in said housing in alignment with said aperture, one towards each end of the housing, said bearings being adapted to retain and support the shaft therein in rotative relationship relative to the housing, said shaft extending beyond the bearings on both ends of the housing; means for securing one projecting end of the shaft to said electrically illuminated sign, a pair of electrical contacts mounted towards the opposite end of the shaft a pair of electrical conductors attached to each of said contacts, said conductors extending through the interior of the shaft and being connected at their opposite extremities to the display illuminating means, and means for transmitting electrical current from a source to said contacts to cause illumination of the sign.
2. A mechanism for revolving and supporting an electrical illuminated sign comprising a hollow shaft, means for causing said shaft to rotate, a base plate, a unitary housing integrally secured to said base plate, said housing and base plate providing a longitudinally extending central passage therethrough adapted to receive said shaft, a pair of bearings mounted in said housing in alignment with said aperture, one towards each end of the housing, said bearings being adapted to retain and support the shaft therein in rotative relationship relative to the housing, said shaft extending beyond the bearings on both ends of the housing; means for securing one projecting end of the shaft to said electrically illuminated sign, a pair of electrical contacts mounted towards the opposite end of the shaft a pair of electrical conductors attached to each of said contacts, said conductors extending through the interior of the shaft and being connected at their opposite extremities to the display illuminating means, and means for transmitting electrical current from a source to said contacts to cause illumination of the sign.

3. A mechanism for revolving and supporting an electrical illuminated sign as claimed in claim 1 wherein the unitary housing has a longitudinally extended body, and a laterally projecting flange at one end thereof, said flange being securely bolted to the base plate.

4. A mechanism for revolving and supporting an electrical illuminated sign as claimed in claim 3 wherein the base plate has an aperture adapted to receive the housing, the housing being inserted thereinto so that the flange butts against the base plate, the base plate being secured to the housing flange by means of bolts.

5. A mechanism for revolving and supporting an electrical illuminated sign as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for causing the shaft to rotate comprises a motor, a gear reducer connected to said motor, a first sprocket on the output end of the speed reducer, a second sprocket connected to the shaft, and a chain connecting the two sprockets in driving engagement.

6. A mechanism for revolving and supporting an electrical illuminated sign as claimed in claim 5 together with a torque limiter effecting connection between said second sprocket and said shaft, said torque limiter being adapted to slip when the torque required to revolve the sign exceeds a predetermined amount.

7. A mechanism for revolving and supporting an electrical illuminated sign as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for transmitting electrical current from a source to said contacts comprises a plurality of slip rings mounted peripherally on said shaft in direct electrical contact with said contacts, a plurality of stationary brushes adapted to brush said slip rings in electrical contact making engagement said brushes being connected to the source of electrical current.

8. A mechanism for revolving and supporting an electrical illuminated sign as claimed in claim 1 together with means for precluding longitudinal movement of the shaft within the housing.

9. A mechanism for revolving and supporting an electrical illuminated sign as claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for precluding longitudinal movement of the shaft within the housing comprises at least one retaining ring secured to the shaft and projecting laterally therefrom adapted to butt against, the exterior of the housing.