Illuminating device of the electric gaseous discharge type
United States Patent 1 no 3,875,475 Townsend Apr. 1, 1975 l l ILLUMINATING DEVICE OF THE ELECTRIC GASEOUS DISCHARGE TYPE Primary Examiner-John Kominski [76] Inventor: John M. Townsend. 13458 Attorney, Agent, or F!rm-Cullen, Settle, Sloman &amp;  
 Grandview. Gibraltar, Mich. 48173 [22] Filed: Oct. 17, 1973 [2]] Appl. N0.: 407,l9l [57] ABSTRACT An illuminating device of the electric gaseous dis- 52 us. Cl 315/193, 313/515. 315/123. charge We is provided. The device is adapted to 340/336 play various selected configurations such as numbers. [51] llil. Cl. 609i 9/34 letters and h like Gas filled tubgs are formed into [58] held of Search 340/336; 313M095 5l53 configurations which are segmented, a pair of elec- 315/123 13L 193 trodes being provided for each segment to control illumination of the segment. A shunt circuit is provided [56] Rderences Cited across each pair of electrodes to prevent illumination UNITED STATES PATENTS of the associated segment when desired. The various 2.290.261 7/l942 wclch 340/33 devices are preferably connected together in series 158mm 1/l952 McCarty. .lr. ct a1 340/336 circuit for energization by a single transformer. 3.543.263 ll/l97() Sukamoto ct alt 313N095 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 Claim 9 Drawing Figures 354.968 5/l948 Switzerland 340/336 EHTED AFR H95 FIG.4  
  @Q Q Q Q lllllllllll szzzsran s FZTENTEB APR 1 I975 ILLUMINATING DEVICE OF THE ELECTRIC GASEOUS DISCHARGE TYPE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Illuminating devices of the electric gaseous discharge type have been in wide-spread use for a considerable period of time. Such devices are frequently referred to as neon tubes because of the common use of neon gas in such illuminating devices. Neon tubes are frequently used to display numbers or letters as. for exampie. to display such information as temperature, time. stock market averages. gasoline prices. weigh scales and the like.  
  In the past. it has been necessary to provide a separate number or letter or combinations of stacked tubes to permit selective display of the desired number or let ter. Such techniques have been costly in that it has been necessary to provide a separate transformer for each number or letter in order to provide the high voltage necessary for exciting a tube. it being appreciated that if the output of a transformer is connected in parallel to individual indicia. the voltage applied to each indicia falls considerably from that necessary for excita tion. The problem in connection with stacking of tubes is the dimness of tubes further down in the stack.  
  Various modes of prior art manipulation of such illuminating devices to create displays are illustrated in the following patents:  
 Moore 702.33] .Iunc Ill, I902 Seaman Zfihlijh? Sept. 25. IJFI Mauer 2.811.400 Feb. 4. I958 Kupsk) Re 17.273 Jan. ll. W72  
  In such prior art systems. one general technique, as illustrated in the Mauer and Seaman patents, for varying the portions of a given device which are illuminated. have depended upon placing different electrodes within a single device and then selectively encrgizing an electrode in order to cause illumination of a portion of the tube. However. no provision has been provided in such devices for selectively nonillumination of a given portion of a tube while illuminating other selected portions of the tube as desired.  
  In accordance with the present invention. it has been made possible to selectively illuminate or not illuminate any particular portion of a given tube to thereby permit a single tube to display, for example. the digits through 9 or all ofthe alphabet. Further. devices may be connected in series so that a single transformer may be used to energize an entire display consisting of several illuminating devices. This is possible because when the transformer is connected in series, the voltage drop across the entire system remains the same thus permitting energization of the entire display. As will be appreciated. a considerable cost saving may thus be effected both in the cost of the display per se and in the cost of the necessary transformer to operate the display. Furthcr. the present system is easily manipulated by means of remote control systems which conveniently are capable of making use of modern computer technology.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An illuminating device of the electric gaseous discharge type having a gas filled envelope is provided. The device comprises an elongated fluid-tight translucent gas filled tube. At least two spaced apart projec- [ions extend from the tube. The projections are in fluid communication with the tube. An electrode is disposed in each projection. Electrical means are provided for external electrical connection to each of the electrodes. A low resistance shunt circuit is connected across each pair of adjacent electrodes. Switch means are provided in the shunt circuit. Closure of the switch means prevents illumination of the gases in the tube between the pair of electrodes even ifa voltage sufficient to normally cause illumination is applied to the electrodes.  
  The tube may be configured into various designs to produce a desired effect of various indicia including numbers and letters and other characters such as plus and minus signs and the like as desired. Several devices are preferably connected in series to provide a complete display which is energized by means of a single high voltage transformer.  
 IN THE DRAWINGS:  
  FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an illuminating device of the electric gaseous discharge type formed of a single length of tubing which is configured in the shape ofthe figure eight having a plurality ofelectrodes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
  FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic of a numeric display incorporating three of the FIG. 1 units along with the unit of FIG. 3 and an additional unit;  
  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another illuminating device of the electric gaseous discharge type configurcd differently from that shown in FIG. 1;  
  FIG. 4 is a front view of the display of FIG. 2 incorporated into a frame.  
  FIG. 5 is a front view of an illuminating device of the electric gaseous discharge type configured to provide alpha numeric characters;  
 FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 5;  
  FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating remote control of a numeric display;  
  FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating remote control of an alpha numeric display: and  
  FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating remote control for time and temperature ofa numeric display.  
  FIGS. I 4 disclose the structure and arrangement in a display of variously configured numeric illuminating devices of the electric gaseous discharge type.  
  Referring first to FIG. 1. it will be noted that the device l0 comprises a single length of transparent tubing, normally glass. which is configured into the shape of a figure eight. The upper portion of the figure eight comprises side segments 12, 14 and upper segment 16. The lower portion comprises central segment 18. lower segment 20 and lower side segments 22. 24. A tubular projcction 26, 28. 30. 32, 34, 36 extends outwardly from the juncture of each of the various segments of the device. Additional projections 27. 29 are provided at the end of the tube which has been bent into the figure eight shape. The projections are hollow and are in fluid communication with the segments from which they ex tend so that gas may flow freely both through the segments and the projections. A metallic electrode 33, 35. 37, 38, 40, 42, 44. 46 is provided in the end of each of the projections and secured thereto to make a fluidtight connection. A pair of leads extends from each of the electrodes for connection to switching means which will be described hereinafter. The tube is filled with a gaseous material. normally neon, although other gaseous materials such as argon is known to be effective in such illuminating devices and may be used in connection with the present invention if desired.  
  In operation of the illuminating device 10. a voltage potential is applied to the end electrodes 33. 46. The applied voltage is relatively high. in the nature of 15.000 volts. Application of this voltage. as is generally known. causes the gaseous material, which is normally a very poor conductor. to ionize sufficiently to reduce the resistance throughout the length of the tube and permit electrical discharge through the length of the tube. This electrical discharge is accompanied by the gaseous material glowing with a brilliant color. The color is different for different kinds of gases. ln accordance with the present invention, various of the segments defining the device may be electrically bypassed so that the device It) may be energized to produce any number from 0 to 9.  
  The means for accomplishing this are illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 represents a display useful for displaying various numeric information as. for example. time. temperature. stock market reports and the like. The first illuminating device 47 in the display (FIG. 3) is a plus or minus one device. It includes a short vertical segment 48 which overlies a short horizontal segment 50. the segment 50 being connected to a downwardly extending segment 52 which. at its lower end, is connected to a long vertical segment 54. The segment 52 is blocked out. as an example, with paint to prevent this segment from ever glowing as it does not form part of the desired character. It should also be noted that the segment 48 is not attached to the segment 50 but forms a separate illuminating device. Projections 58. 60. 62. 64. 66. having electrodes in the ends thereof with leads extending therefrom as previously described in connec tion with FIG. I. are provided. The FIG. 3 construction may be utilized to show the number I by illuminating segment 54. a minus sign may be shown by illuminating segment 50 and a plus sign by illuminating segments 50 and 48.  
  One of the devices I0 is placed adjacent to the plus or minus one device. The next device. 68, is a single relativcly short tubular section adapted to display a colon. The center portion is blocked out with paint material and electrodes are provided at each end. Thus. when the device 68 glows, only end portions 72. 74 will illuminate thus giving the appearance of a colon.  
 Two additional devices I0 are provided adjacent to device 68. The last device has been greatly enlarged with respect to the remaining devices for purposes of illustration of the electrical circuitry utilized to cause selective illumination of the various segments.  
  As will be noted. the display is provided operating power from a single step-up transformer 76. The pri mary winding 78 is connected to a source of AC power. This voltage is stepped up in the secondary winding 80. One side 82 of the secondary winding is connected to the electrode 46 via lead 43. The other side 84 is connected to electrode 86 of the device 47 via lead 88. The other electrode 90 is connected to electrode 92 at the end of segment 48 via lead 94. The electrode 96 at the end of segment 54 is connected to electrode 33 of the adjacent device 10 via the lead 98. Electrode 46 is connected to electrode 100 of device 68 via lead 102. The electrode 104 is connected to electrode 33 of the adjacent device 10 via lead 106. Electrode 46 of the second device 10 is connected to electrode 33 of the third device 10 via lead 108. It will thus be apparent that all the devices are connected in series to the output of the secondary winding 80. The various devices form. in essence. a single discontinuous illuminating device.  
  Operation of the third device 10 in the display will now be explained. It should be appreciated. however. that all of the other devices operate in basically the same fashion. A shunt circuit is connected across the electrodes of each segment 12. 14. I6. 18. 20. 22. 24. The shunt circuits include leads I10. H2, H4. [16. 1 I8, I20. l22. in each of which is provided a normally open magnetic switch 124. I26. I28, 130. I32. I34.  
 136. which operates in the manner of a relay.  
  In operation. whenever one of the switches is closed by energization of the associated coil. a very low resistance path is provided across the segment affected whereby most of the current flowing in the overall circuit will pass through the shunt rather than through the associated segment of the illuminating device. As a consequence. a segment of the illuminating device will not be sufficiently ionized to result in the glowing effect necessary to create visible illumination. This will result in that particular segment not forming a part of the illuminated portion of the device. For example. if switch 124 is closed. segment 14 will not be illuminated while other segments. assuming the associated switches remain open. will be illuminated. This will result in the device appearing to be a 6. If switch 130, on the other hand. is closed. segment 18 will then be illuminated with the result that the illuminating device will appear to be a zero. A one may be achieved by illuminating only segments l2 and 22. a two may be achieved by not illuminating segments 12 and 24. a three may be achieved by not illuminating segments 12 and 22. a four may be achieved by not illuminating segments 16. 22 and 20. a five may be achieved by not illuminating segments 14 and 22. a seven may be achieved by not illuminating segments l2. 18. 20 and 22, an eight may be achieved by illuminating all of the segments and finally. a nine may be achieved by not illuminating segments 20 and 22.  
  It will be appreciated that the other devices in the display illustrated in FIG. 2 may be actuated in a similar manner. it being understood that shunt circuits are provided across segments 48. 50. with one shunt circuit being provided across both of the segments 52. S4 and also a shunt circuit is provided across the device 68. The segment 50 will appear as a minus sign if the segment 48 is not illuminated. Illumination of segment 48 and segment 50 results in a plus sign. illumination of segment 54 results in the showing of a one while lack of illumination thereof leaves the area blank. Illumination of the device 68 results in the showing of a colon as would be used. for example. in displaying time. The device 10 may be used in conjunction with the plus and minus symbols to display temperature. The plus and minus sign may also be used in conjunction with the other devices for displaying stock market information as. for example. the rise and fall in the Dow-Jones average for a single day.  
  Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6. it will be noted that another configuration for use in connection with a display is illustrated. The device [38 is adapted for the display of letters or numbers. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the device 138 consists of one long tube forming the principal portion of the device with four shorter tubes being configured to complete the device 138. The long tube comprises central segment I40. MI. end segments I42. I44. end segments I46. I48 and side segments I50. I52. I54. 156 which together define a rectangle with a tube bisecting the center thereof.  
  Tubes formed into a generally V shaped configuration are provided in two quadrants. These tubes have segments I58. 160 which divide the rectangle in half diagonally extending segments I62. I64. each extending from the central apex to an outer corner. Single seg ments I66. I68 are provided extending diagonally in the remaining quadrants of the rectangle.  
  Each of the segments terminates in outwardly projecting portions at the end of which is provided an clec trode having a pair of leads extending therefrom as previously described in connection with FIG. I. A shunt having a magnetic relay is provided across each of the segments as described in connection with FIG. 2. Additionally. each of the segments is connected in series so that the entire device 138 may be energized by means of the output of a single transformer secondary. The various letters of the alphabet may be achieved by illuminating or not illuminating various segments as de scribed in connection with the FIG. I embodiment. For  
 example. an A may he achieved by illuminating segments I44. I42. I50. I52. I46. I48. I64. 158. I60. I54. The rest of the alphabet may be similarly achieved by appropriately illuminating the proper segments of the device I38. Numbers may be achieved in the same fashion as. for example. illuminating only segments I40. I4I to obtain a one. illuminating segments I46. I48. I56. l6().158. I50. I42. I44 to achieve a 2. Similarly. the remaining numerals may be obtained by proper illumination of the necessary segments.  
  The characters achievable in accordance with the present invention have been illustratively shown in connection with numbers. letters and associated symbols. However, it will be understood that any desired configuration may be obtained by use of the invention which could be utilized. for example. in connection with animated cartooning. various lighting effects. various design effccts and. generally. in any configuration where it is desired to modify the display being shown.  
  FIGS. 7. 8 and 9 illustrate systems for selectively energizing three different displays in accordance with a particular alpha numeric need. The control systems illustratively include components derived from com puter technology which might be compared to the read out of a computer. However. it will be understood that various other control systems. both electric and mechanical. may be utilized as desired.  
  In FIG. 7. three of the devices 10 are used in a display to result in a three digit display. The devices II] are connected together as shown in FIG. 2 and are driven by a single transformer as in FIG. 2. The displays associated with FIGS. 8 and 9 are similarly connected.  
  A numeric selector I74 forms the first component in the control system of FIG. 7 for one of the devices 10. This is a mechanical or electronic device that will select any one of 10 positions 0 through 9. Once a number has been selected. it is sent to a numeric generator 176 which converts the number to a four-wire binary coded decimal output. This binary coded decimal output is sent to a seven segment decoder driver I78 which converts the four wire binary coded decimal output to any of seven outputs. It also isolates the output of the decoder driver from the binary coded decimal input. The  
 seven segment output of the decoder driver is then sent to interface equipment I which amplifies the signals for driving the high-voltage relays of one device I0 to display the desired digits. A control circuit is also provided for each of the other devices I0.  
  FIG. 8 illustrates another system for operating an alpha numeric display including two of the devices 138 which are connected together in series and which are driven from a single transformer as previously described. This selector 182 may be either a mechanical or electronic unit capable of selecting any of the letters of the alphabet or digits 0 through 9 for displaying de sired characters. Upon selection of an alpha numeric character. the information is sent to an alpha numeric generator 184. The generator 184 converts the infon mation to a 7-wire alpha numeric code. This information is sent to a l6-segment alpha numeric decoder driver I86. The decoder driver I86 converts the infor mation for driving the 16 segments of each of the devices 138. Additionally. the decoder isolates the output of the driver from the input. The output is then sent to interface equipment I88 which is connected to one of the devices 138. The interface equipment amplifies the signals for driving the high-voltage relay switches to illuminate the devices I38 as desired.  
  Referring finally to FIG. 9. it will be noted that the display illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 is utilized to display either time or temperature. In this configuration. a time generator and a temperature generator 192 are provided. Each of these units is connected to a 7- segmcnt decoder driver 194. As is common practice. the time and temperature generators are alternately energized to alternately provide the time and temperature on the display. The time generator is an electronic device which converts the frequency of a stable oscillator to a numerical time output in binary coded decimals. The temperature generator is an electronic device which converts the temperature by means of varying resistcnce. to a numerical output in binary coded decimals. This information. whether time or temperature. is individually selected and sent to the decoder driver I94. The decoder driver takes the binary coded dcci&#39; mal signals to any of seven outputs and isolates the output of the driver from the binary coded decimal input. This input is then sent to interface equipment I96 which is connected to one of the devices of the display. The interface equipment amplifies the signals for driving the high voltage relays. The same controls are provided for each of the devices of the display.  
 What I claim as my invention:  
  I. An illuminating display device of the electric gascous discharge type for permitting selective representation of a plurality of characters including letters from A to Z and arabic numerals from O to 9. comprising five elongated fluid-tight translucent gas filled tubes located in the same plane without one of the tubes crossing an other tube. the first of said tubes being configured into the shape of a rectangle. with two of the sides of the rectangle being longer than the remaining two sides thereof. with a portion of said first tube being straight and extending from the center of one side of the rectangle to the center of the side opposite of said one side in a direction parallel to the two longest sides thereof. said portion of said first tube dividing the rectangle into a pair of sections. each section consisting of two quadrants. said first tube having two free ends. one end of said first tube being located near the center of said one side ofthe rectangle and the other end of said first tube being located near the center of the side opposite of said one side. an electrode being provided in each of said ends of said first tube and thus located near the center of said one and said opposite sides. additional electrodes being provided at each corner of said first tube. an electrode being provided centrally between each corner electrode. an electrode being provided centrally of said portion extending from the center of one side wall of the rectangle. and an electrode being provided at one juncture of said portion with a side wall. second and third elongated fluid-tight translucent gas filled tubes formed into a generally V-shape each having two ends. an electrode being provided at each end and at the apex of the Vshape of each of said second and third tubes. said second and third tubes each being positioned within a quadrant of one of the sections of the rectangle defined by the first tube. with one of the legs thereof extending from a point adjacent the center of one of the sides of said rectangle. the other leg of the V-shape extending to a point adjacent a corner of the rectangle defined by the first tube. and fourth and fifth generally straight elongated fluid-tight gas filled translucent tubes. an electrode being provided at each end of each of said fourth and fifth tubes. said fourth and fifth tubes being positioned within the remaining quadrants of the other of the sections of the rectangle defined by the first tube and extending diagonally from the center of the rectangle to the quadrant corner, said second and fourth tubes being located in one of the sections and said third and fifth tubes being located in the remaining section. all of said electrodes being located in projections extending in the same di rcction from said tubes, electrical means including a single step-up transformer provided for external elec&#39; trical connection to each of the electrodes. application of a sufficient voltage to a pair of adjacent electrodes being operable to cause illumination of the gases be tween said electrodes. a low resistance shunt circuit connected across each pair of electrodes. and normally opened switch means in each ofsaid shunt circuits. closure of any of said switch means preventing illumination of the gases between said electrodes when .1 voltage is applied thereto normally sufficicnt to cause illumination. said first. second. third. fourth and fifth tubes being connected to form a series circuit capable of illumination to display either letters or numerals. said switch means comprising magnetic relay means and means for remotely actuating said magnetic relay means. and said transformer having a secondary winding which is connected to the electrodes at each end of the series circuit.