Changeable alphanumeric sign with opaque tape display forming segmented characters and words

A changeable sign formed of plural alphanumeric characters, said sign comprising:

• plural window areas each adapted to display only a single character with discrete segments of the character allocated to discrete window segments of the window area, plural sets of display tapes, each set of display tapes being disposed at a different one of said window areas for collectively forming any of said characters one at a time, each tape having character segments imprinted thereon in a predetermined order at discrete parts of the tape along the length thereof, the number of character segments corresponding to the number of characters to be displayed and each segment corresponding to that portion of a character which is to occupy the corresponding discrete window segment when the character is displayed, movable support means for supporting each set of tapes so that only one of said tape segments can be seen at a time at each discrete window segment, with all segments of a selected character displayed together in the respective window area, each tape being one character wide and the plural sets of display tapes being arranged side-by-side so that plural characters can be displayed side-by-side whereby a word is formed by selectively positioning each set of tapes, a motor, a separate clutch means connected between said motor and the movable support means of each set of display tapes, and means for selectively actuating said clutch means for concurrently but independently displacing all sets of display tapes to change the characters of the sign.