Patent GB-147721-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus for disabling and recording use of motor vehicles
IPC: G01P1/12
Filed: 1920-07-08
Abstract: 147,721. Ohmer, J. F., and Ohmer, F. L. Oct. 6, 1916, [Convention date]. Electric speed indicators with distance registers; time-distance recorders.-In apparatus for use with motor-driven vehicles whereby the owner may be informed as to the extent the vehicle is being used, means are provided for disabling the vehicle against use by unauthorised persons and, in the case of those having authority to use it, for obtaining a record of the distance (trip and total) travelled, the date, and the identification number of the driver. An identification key carried by the driver is inserted in a slot in the apparatus and unlocks the printing-mechanism, which is then manually operated to effect the printing and to close an electric switch in the ignition system of the motor; the key is locked in inserted position until a second impression is made on the record strip at the end of the journey, whereupon the key can be withdrawn, thus locking the printing-mechanism and moving the switch to the inoperative position. Means are also described for indicating the speed of the vehicle, and for recording the serial number of the entry on the record-strip and the number of the apparatus. A shaft 23, to which is attached a flexible shaft connected to the wheel of the vehicle, is adapted to drive, through bevel gearing, a shaft 19, and thereby through worm gearing a shaft 12 which transmits the movement to trip and total counters 5, 7 and 6, 8 respectively of any known form. The counters 7, 8 are provided with type numerals, and the trip counters are adapted to register the mileage by tenths and can be zeroized in a known manner by rotating a knob 27. The shaft 19 carries a bevel gear 28, Figs. 4, 5, which engages a bevel wheel on a shaft 30 and thereby drives a speed indicator of the magnetic type comprising a rotating magnet 37 and an inverted cup 38, the movement of which is controlled by a spring 41. The type counter shaft 4 carries day and month type wheels 43, 42, which can be adjusted from the outside of the casing by means of milled l:nobs 48, 49 provided with pointers which can be set to indicate the date on a dial 50. A serialnumbering type-counter 51 is mounted on the shaft 4 and is actuated by the printing-mechanism as described below. A stationary type member 55 is provided to record the number of the apparatus. To obtain an impression from the above described type counters, &c., a record strip 65, Fig. 5, is provided which passes over a pivoted platen 67 adapted to be actuated by a cam 68 on a shaft 69 rotatable by means of a knob 70 through a shaft 71 coupled thereto. The shaft 69 is provided with disks 72, Figs. 5 and 6, having pins 73 adapted, on the initial movement of the shaft, to engage a slot in the end of a pivoted spring-controlled lever 74 to rock said lever and permit an inking-roller thereon to move into engagement with and ink the type members. A single tooth 81, Fig. 6, on the right-hand disk 72 is adapted to rotate a Geneva wheel 80 on a shaft 79 provided with feeding-rollers so as to advance the record strip after a printing operation. The frame carrying the printing-mechanism is pivoted at 59 and is supported by hooks 62 which can be removed from engagement with pins 63 to allow the frame to be lowered to insert a fresh record-strip. A single tooth 109, Fig. 11, on the disk 72 is adapted to actuate a Geneva wheel 110 provided with a pinion 111 engaging a wheel 112 associated with the serial-numbering counter 51. The printing-mechanism is controlled by the operator's key 57, Fig. 13, which is provided with an identification letter and number type 58. The key when inserted in the housing 56, by means of a pin 82 thereon, rocks a pawl 83 out of the path of a shoulder 86 on the right-hand disk 72 and thereby unlocks the printing-mechanism. The key is locked in its housing after the first impression has been taken by means of an arm 94, Fig. 6, which is allowed to fall in front of a pin 96 on the key and cannot be removed therefrom until the printing-mechanism has been operated a second time; the arm is held in its inoperative position by a projection 92 on a wheel 90 engaging with a projection 93 on the arm. The wheel 90 which rotates through half a revolution when the printing-mechanism is first operated carries a drum 98 provided with contact and insulated surfaces 99, 101 and forms with a contact brush 100 an electric switch that constitutes part of the ignition system of the motor. The apparatus is enclosed in a casing which is provided with a hinged bottom-plate 103 and suitable lock 105.