Patent GB-190715779-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Speed Indicating and Recording Instruments
Inventor: IMRAY OLIVER
Filed: 1907-07-09
Granted: 1908-03-12
Abstract: 15,779. Imray, O., [International Speed Register Co.]. July 9. Speed indicators; registering observations by instruments. -A recording speed indicator, in which distance is marked by a vehicle - operated punch on a clockrotated disk, is provided with improved mechanism for punching, for positioning the punch, for suspending the apparatus within the casing to avoid the effects of shock, and with an improved form of disk. The disk is divided concentrically and radially to represent time, and the diagram made thereon is in the form of a series of concentric circles. The arbor 61, Fig. 3, operated by the clock-work shown, makes a complete revolution once in six hours, and carries at its upper end between the disk 86 and spring clamping-button 89 the record disk 1<d>, shown more fully in Fig. 9. An arm 104, Figs. 1, 3, and 4, adjustably secured to the disk 86 by a frictional coupling 103<a>, carries at one end a pin 105 engaging with a mutilated star-wheel 99, to which is fixed a pinion 100 operating the spring-controlled rackbar 102. This rack-bar abuts against one of the shoulders 107 of the spring - controlled stepped plate 106 carrying the punch 92, and acts as a stop thereto, the distance between the shoulders being such that a movement to this extent of the plate 106 under the action of the spring 109 will carry the punch from beneath the space formed by two opposite pairs of teeth of the guiding-combs 95, 96 to the similar space next thereto, and thus will move it radially with respect to the disk 1<d> from its position beneath one of the cpncentric annular spaces on the disk to a position beneath the next outer concentric space. By suitably adjusting the arm 104 on commencing a journey, the star-wheel 99 will be rotated so as to cause the punch to perforate the dial at the proper points. The punch is operated at the completion of every quarter of a mile, or less distance, by a cam 104 or cams mounted on the toothed wheel 113, which is actuated at every revolution of the vehicle wheel 3, Fig. 8, by means of the cam 125 pushing in the spring-controlled plunger 122 and thus operating a pawl 115, shown in detail in Fig. 5, mounted upon the rocking arm 116. The punch has a pivoted needle point to allow it to travel over the dial without injuring the latter. In a modification of the punching-mechanism, Fig. 6, which permits of a larger perforation being made at the completion of a given distance, the cam 114 on the toothed wheel 113 drives a star-wheel 127, to which is attached a toothed sleeve 130 operating the punch 92. One of the teeth of this sleeve is longer than the others, and thus moves the punch a greater distance, causing the perforation in the record disk to be enlarged. The recording-mechanism is suspended within the casing 1, Fig. 3, by spring hangers 119 attached to the plate 59, and the apparatus is suitably enclosed in a casing and attached, as shown in Fig. 8, to an axle of the vehicle. In a modification of the apparatus intended to overcome the effects of the vibration of the vehicle, the cover 145, Fig. 14, is furnished with resilient packing 147 and with catches 148, which on the cover being rotated engage the portions 154 of the hanger arms 152 supporting the base-plate 59 of the clock-work and placed between the positioning- studs 134, Fig. 10. These banger arms are provided with resilient strips 163, which press against the casing 132, and also with resilient washers 157, 161, 162 serving to absorb shock. Resilient cams 136, Fig. 10, over which rides the roller 140 attached to the lower end of the punch, are also provided upon the toothed wheel 113 in place of the rigid cams 114, to obviate damage to the mechanism when the latter has not been accurately positioned in the casing. The cover of the apparatus may be secured in its place by means of the spring 164, Fig. 10, pivoted at 166, and connected at its other end with an arm bearing a lock 168 and catch 169, 170, thus preventing access to the record by the driver.