Patent GB-626320-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in indicating devices for use on road vehicles
IPC: G06M1/08
Filed: 1946-09-02
Abstract: 626,320. Counting-apparatus; checking passengers. NICOLET, G. Sept. 2, 1946, No. 26334. [Classes 106 (i) and 106 (iii)] A device for indicating the number of vacant seats on the upper deck of a passenger vehicle comprises a spindle displaceable step-by-step in opposite senses by two elements, each movable into engagement with a peripherallytoothed wheel on the spindle, the selection of the element being determined by that one of two consecutive stair treads that is first actuated by a passenger and the operation of the selected element being effected by the actuation of the other stair tread. Two of the steps 16, 17, Fig. 2, are apertured to accommodate bars 26 ... 31 mounted on plates 20, 23 which comprise further bars 32 ... 35 supported on spring-urged arms 37, 39, 41, 43. Shafts 46, 47 to which the arms 41, 43 of the upper step are fixed, carry levers 52, 53 connected by a link 56 which engages a tappet 12 of a counting device 1 (see Fig. 4). Similar levers 57, 58 of the lower step are connected by a link 59, and the lever 57 is extended rearwardly and, through a system of push-rods and levers 61, 64, &c. controls a second tappet 11 of the counting device. Rollers may be employed to give smoother working, and pawls may be attached to the stair treads to operate the ratchet-wheels of the counting device directly. Counting device. In the first embodiment, blocks 66, 67, Fig. 4, secured to the lower ends of tappets 11, 12 have internal cam shapes 70, 71 which co-operate with rollers 76 ... 79 on sliding carriers 74, 75 (see also Fig. 8). The weight of a passenger on the lower step causes depression of the tappet 11 and the cam surface 70 coacting with the roller 76 forces both the carriers 74, 75 to the left. This movement brings the roller 78 into co-operative relationship with the cam 71 of the tappet 12 and when the latter is pushed down by the second foot of the passenger it forces the carrier 75 further to the left. Each carrier 74, 75 carries a pawl 82, Fig. 5, biassed to engage a respective ratchetwheel 93, 94, but normally held clear by its rear end 86 riding on a fixed edge 73 and also on an extension 85, 87, Fig. 8, of the other carrier 74, 75. When the pawl 82, Fig. 5, moves to the left with its carrier 75, its end 86 moves over a notch 87 in the fixed edge 73, but the pawl is prevented by the extension 85 from engaging the ratchet-wheel until, the passenger lifting his weight from the first step, the carrier 74 is withdrawn by its spring 91 to its initial position. The pawl 82 now engages the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 93, and when the second tappet returns, the carrier 75 slides back to the right and the pawl moves the ratchetwheel 93 one step in a counterclockwise direction. In a similar manner a passenger descending the stairs would cause the ratchet to be moved a step in the clockwise direction. In a second embodiment, Fig. 18, the tappets 11, 12 carry pins 163, 164 adapted to coact with cam surfaces 161, 162 on swinging levers 147, 148. When, for example, the tappet 12 is depressed, the lever 148 is swung to the right and a pin 157 engages in a slot 159 in a disc 160. Through a link 153 the opposite lever 147 is also swung to the right so that the cam surface 161 moves out of the path of the pin 163. When the tappet 11 is depressed it rocks a lever 144 about a pivot 145 and, since the lever 148 is held in the path of the opposite (shorter) portion of the lever 144, the lever 148 is lifted to an extent limited by a slot 152 and the pin 157 moves the disc one step in a clockwise direction. In a third embodiment, Fig. 19, switches 165, 166 take the place of tappets 11, 12, and closure of e.g. switch 165 energizes a solenoid 167 which pushes two carriers 74, 75 (as in the first embodiment) over to the left. This movement of the carrier 75 causes contacts 173 to be transferred so that, when the switch 166 is closed, current is led to a solenoid 172 which thrusts a projection 171 into a notch 170 to hold the carrier 75 in its left-hand position when the first switch 165 opens and the carrier 74 returns to its initial position. The counting disc is stepped on as described in the first embodiment. In a fourth embodiment (Fig. 20, not shown), switch-controlled solenoids control a counting disc similar to that of the second embodiment. In a fifth embodiment, Fig. 21, again employing switch-controlled solenoids, the closure of e.g. switch 165 energizes a solenoid 178 which pulls down an armature 186 and withdraws a pin 156 from a notch in the periphery of the counting disc 160. The action of the solenoid 178 also transfers-contacts 168 so that subsequent closure of the second switch 166 energizes a relay 185 which pulls the member carrying the pin 157 still engaged with the disc and so moves the latter one step clockwise. In a modification (Fig. 22, not shown), the pins 156, 157 are normally disengaged from the disc 160, and are pushed into engagement by energization of the relays 178, 188. A hydraulically-operated counting device is also suggested. Indicating device. An insulated disc 102, Fig. 10, rotating with the counting discs, comprises a conducting element 103 which cooperates with stationary contacts a, b, c, d ... so that while six or more seats are vacant, and at least one is occupied, all the lamps 1 ... 6 are illuminated. When only six seats are left, however, the next person to ascend will move the disc 102 a further step which will leave the contact a on an insulated area and the lamp 6 will be extinguished. Further movements of the disc 102 clockwise will cause successive lamps .5, 4, 3 ... &c. to be extinguished until, when the radially extended portion of the element 103 reaches the contacts g, j, k, a red lamp 9 is illuminated and a bell is rung to indicate that all seats are occupied. In a mechanical form of indicator, the counting disc 94, Fig. 11, is provided with a projection 109 which, when only three seats remain vacant, engages a sliding member 115 connected, through linkage 113, 119 with a spring-biassed indicator actuating member 120, Fig. 16. The member 120 comprises differentially-positioned cam surfaces 135 ... 138 which, as the member moves to the right, successively engage spring- biassed levers 129 ... 126 operating visual indicators 125 ... 122, marked " 3," " 2 " and " 1 " and " Full " respectively. The last two are arranged to be operated together. When the sliding member 115, Fig. 11, reaches the position corresponding to " Full," a pin 116 passes into a downwardly extending portion of its slot 112 and rocks the extension 117 out of the forward path of the projection 109. A key is provided for resetting the counting device in the event of its having failed to operate for any reason.