Patent GB-1261451-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to tarriff collection systems
Inventor: MUDE ERNEST HENRY
IPC: G07F17/08
Filed: 1969-02-28
Abstract: 1,261,451. Tariff collection system. BELL PUNCH CO. Ltd. 27 Feb., 1970 [28 Feb., 1969], No. 10766/69. Heading G4T.  In a tariff collection system, each available position has associated with it a coin receiving mechanism each having an electric circuit for sensing a coin held therein and an occupier sensing mechanism, scanning means being provided to scan each circuit in turn associated with means to indicate to an operator that a position is occupied but not paid for. The particular embodiment described is concerned with the seats on an omnibus (Fig. 4, not shown). Each seat (7) has a coin receiving mechanism (10) conveniently located and the occupier sensing mechanism comprises a plunger (8) connected to a micro switch device 9, Fig. 5. The omnibus (Fig. 1, not shown) preferably has separate entry and exit positions (2,) (3) which may have photo-electric passenger sensing mechanisms. The driver is equipped with a control panel (5) and there may also be a coin exchange mechanism (4). The control panel (Fig. 3, not shown) has an indicating light 20 for each seat and a fare stage switch 21. There may also be a fare stage indicator 22, and numerators 23, 24 and 25 which show the total numbers of seats occupied, passengers aboard and fares collected respectively. The coin receiving mechanism, Fig. 2, is intended for use with a double seat and has two similarly operating coin shoots, 11. When a coin is inserted into, for example, the right hand shoot it is prevented from passing through the mechanism by one arm of a star wheel 15 and comes to rest displacing the feeler arm 18 of a micro switch 17. The passenger sensing and coin sensing micro switches 9, 17 are scanned by scanning device 40 on operation of fare stage switch 21 so as to light the appropriate indicator 20 on the driver's control panel if a seat is occupied, but no coin is in the mechanism. Operation of the fare stage switch 21 activates a solenoid 12 and the armature 13 of the solenoid, which carries a cone 14 is moved upwardly, rotating the right hand star wheel clockwise. The blocking arm of the star wheel is removed from the shoot and the coin falls into a container. Another arm of the star wheel rotates into the shoot to prevent the passage of further coins. When the solenoid is deactivated the armature is returned by the spring 14a and the right hand star wheel rotates anti-clockwise permitting the second coin to fall into contact with the lower arm of the star wheel. A coin return mechanism consisting of an arm 30, mounted on a shaft 32, projects into a cash return shoot 31. The shaft is rotatable by a coin return knob on the outside of the mechanism and permits the return of second and further coins. When the indicator 20 is lit the driver may inform the passenger, possibly with a loudspeaker, to insert further coins if he wishes to continue his journey. The lamp 19 in the coin receiving mechanism may be arranged to indicate to the passenger that additional fare is required. The system may be adapted for standing passengers by providing foot-operated sensing mechanisms. Details of the various numerator systems are contained in the body of the Specification.