Indexing drive device and method for periodic stopping and starting of a rotating output

A sign assembly comprising:

• (A) a frame;
• (B) a drive shaft rotationally supported by the frame;
• (C) a drive motor operatively connected to rotationally drive the drive shaft;
• (D) a plurality of display elements supported by the frame in a row, where each of the display elements:
• (i) defines a plurality of display faces;
• and
• (ii) is rotationally supported adjacent another one of the display elements;
• where the plurality of display elements can be selectively rotated to align one display face of each of the display elements in a co-planar relationship to form a substantially planar display, whereby the plurality of display elements can selectively display one of a plurality of displays;
• (E) an output shaft operatively associated with each of the display elements, where the output shaft of each of the display elements:
• (i) is operatively connected to rotate an associated one of the plurality of display elements;
• and
• (ii) is in non-parallel relationship to the drive shaft;
• and
• (F) a means for periodic stopping and starting of a rotating output, wherein a partial rotation is imparted to each output shaft with one full rotation of the drive shaft.

A method of periodic stopping and starting of a rotating output, the method comprising the steps of:

• (A) operatively positioning a driving cog to engage a driven cog,
• (a) wherein the driven cog comprises:
• (i) a plurality of outer surfaces equally spaced around a periphery of the driven cog;
• and
• (ii) a plurality of driven lobes equally spaced around the driven cog;
• and
• (b) wherein the driving cog comprises:
• (i) at least two driving lobes, whereby the driving lobes on the driving cog engage the driven lobes of the driven cog during a turning cycle of the driven cog;
• and
• (ii) a semi-circular disc that mates with one of the outer surfaces during a dwell cycle of the driven cog that holds the driven cog in a fixed position during the dwell cycle, wherein the disc has a blank section in the region of the driving lobes to allow the driven cog to turn during a turning cycle of the driven cog;
• and
• (B) rotationally driving the driving cog.