IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING, INDICATING, AND RECORDING THE MOTIONS AND STOPPAGES OF VEHICLES AND VESSELS, AND REVOLVING SHAFTS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Theiler and Meinrad Theiler, both of Canonbury
[
Road, in the County of Middlesex, Telegraph Engineers, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING, INDICATING, AND RECORDING
THE MOTIONS AND STOPPAGES OF VEHICLES AND VESSELS, AND REVOLVING
SHAFTS."
Sealed the 6th October 1877, and dated the 21st April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Theiler and Meinrad
Theiler at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st April
1877.
"
"
RICHARD THEILER and MEINRAD THEILER, of Canonbury Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Telegraph Engineers. IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING,
INDICATING, AND RECORDING THE MOTIONS AND STOPPAGES OF VEHICLES AND
VESSELS, AND REVOLVING SHAFTS."
Our Invention relates more particularly to apparatus to be employed in con-
nection with locomotive engines for the purpose of ascertaining, indicating, and
recording the speed, distance travelled, stoppages, and backing of the same, but
it is also applicable to other vehicles and to vessels, and to the revolving shafts
of machinery, where it is required to ascertain, indicate, and record the speed,
the number of revolutions performed, and cessations or variations of motion of
the same.
According to one mode of carrying out our Invention as applied to vehicles, for
example, we employ a wheel (herein-after designated the type wheel) having
engraved on its periphery a certain number of figures or characters which denote
feet, yards, or miles, or any other measurement, number, or quantity. This wheel
is mounted upon an axis which is connected by suitable gearing with the wheels of
the vehicle, the speed of which is to be recorded in such a manner that each
revolution or a number of revolutions of the said wheels will propel the type wheel
one step forward, each step corresponding to the space or interval between two of
the figures engraved on the wheel; thus, if there be twenty characters or figures on
(the type wheel twenty steps will be a complete revolution.

page_text: A lever or hammer is provided having a pad fixed to it and actuated by an
electro-magnet or other suitable force, so as to cause it to press at certain periods a
ribbon of paper or other suitable material against that figure on the type wheel
which is for the time being facing it, whereby the figure representing the number
of revolutions completed by the wheels of the vehicle within that period, or, what
is equivalent, the number of feet, yards, or miles travelled will be printed thereon.
The faster the vehicle travels the greater will be the number of steps the type
wheel will perform within a given time, and consequently the higher will be the
figure presented to the paper; but the mechanism is so arranged that the highest
speed possible will not enable the type wheel to complete an entire revolution
before the printing hammer is put into operation. The interval of time between
any two impressions is determined by a clock or other similar mechanism, which at
certain moments, say, for example, every ten seconds, connects the said electro-
magnet actuating the hammer with a battery, or releases a printing mechanism
driven by a spring weight, or by the motion of the vehicle itself.
An important feature in our Invention consists in the means whereby the type
wheel is set back to zero point, and thus caused to present the figure 0 immediately
after each impression. In order to effect this object, according to one modification,
we mount the type wheel upon its axis in such a manner that the former is capable
of sliding on the latter longitudinally, but cannot revolve independently of it. On
the same axis, but loose thereon, is mounted another wheel, herein-after termed the
driving wheel, which receives its motion from the vehicle by a ratchet wheel and
pawl or any other suitable gearing, and in its turn imparts motion to the type
wheel, the two wheels being connected by clutches so as to be brought into gear,
and disengaged at the requisite periods. For this purpose we may make the
driving wheel crown shaped, and its teeth to correspond in number to the figures
on the type wheel. A pin fixed to the type wheel enters one of the teeth of the
driving wheel, and the two wheels thus revolve together until the type wheel is caused
to slide upon its axis by the means herein-after described, the said pin then moves
out of gear with the driving wheel, and the motion of the type wheel is arrested, the
driving wheel is loose on the axis, being free to revolve without the type wheel.
This sliding action of the type wheel on its axis takes place as often as the printing
hammer is put into operation, and is accomplished by a crank or lever acted upon
by the hammer as it moves towards the type wheel, and is limited by a disc or
collar fixed to the axis. The motion of the hammer, however, is not limited by this
means, but only arrested when the pad of the hammer presses against the periphery
of the type wheel. For this purpose the crank which forces the type wheel along
its nxis is not acted upon direct by the hammer, but by a trigger which yields and
enables the hammer to continue its motion after the type wheel has been forced out
of gear with the driving wheel.
During the operation of printing the type wheel is held stationary by the crank
before mentioned, which is caused to engage with the teeth of a ratchet or other
wheel with which the type wheel is provided.
The return motion of the hammer after the impression on the paper has been
effected is arrested by a detent, for the purpose of allowing the type wheel to
return to zero point by revolving on its axis by the force of a spring or weight
attached thereto. The same action removes the detent and allows the hammer to
fall back completely, thereby pressing the type wheel into gear again with the
driving wheel, the teeth of the same being V shaped to enable the pin to enter
freely.
In order to distinguish in the printed record whether the vehicle had been
travelling or revolving backwards or forwards, we cause an extra mark or figure to
be printed, such mark varying according to the direction of the motion in the
following manner :-A small arm or stamp turning on a centre or pivot carries
on its extremity a die representing the extra marks, say, for example +,
which arm is so placed that the said extremity will face the paper on
a level with the type wheel figures. By a series of levers this arm is caused to
and

page_text: -
turn slightly on its pivot, so that either the + or the sign faces the paper.
Thus, in the forward motion of the vehicle, this extra stamp will be pressed in one
direction, and will remain in the position into which it has been brought until the
reversed motion of the vehicle carries it in the other direction, and in this manner
either the or the mark will appear beside the record denoting backward or
forward motion of the vehicle.
-
We sometimes prolong the pivot of the type wheel axis and attach a hand
thereto, which indicates on a dial the highest speed attained during a given time.
According to another mode of carrying out our Invention, we employ a ribbon of
paper or other suitable materal which is conducted between two rollers receiving
their motion from the wheels of the vehicle by suitable gearing, a certain speed of
the vehicle thus paying out a determined length of paper.
At suitable intervals a hammer or style actuated by clockwork or electricity,
either alone or in combination, is caused to produce a line or other mark on the
paper, the distance of such lines or marks from one another therefore depending on
the speed of the vehicle and being an accurate measurement of such speed. This
arrangement possesses the distinct advantage over similar apparatus that the highest
speed, which it is generally alone important to record, will produce lines at a distance
apart instead of in close proximity to one another.
:
In lieu of simply producing a line on the paper, as herein-before described, we
sometimes so arrange the clock that the time is printed on the paper in figures.
For example, a wheel similar to the type wheel herein-before described, but the
figures of which represent hours and minutes, is arranged to revolve by means of
suitable gearing in unison with the hands on the dial. Whenever therefore the
printing lever is pressed against this wheel the hour and minute shewn on the dial
of the clock will be printed upon the paper, the distance or interval between any
two impressions varying as the speed of the vehicle varies. Thus this automatic
printing of the time upon the paper will enable the hour and minute at which a
certain speed had been attained or exceeded to be readily ascertained. The speed
recording and the time recording type wheels may be combined in one apparatus if
desired.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Richard Theiler and Meinrad Theiler in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th October 1877.
RICHARD THEILER and MEINRAD THEILER, of Canonbury Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Telegraph Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING,
INDICATING, AND RECORDING THE MOTIONS AND STOPPAGES OF VEHICLES AND
VESSELS, AND REVOLVING SHAFTS."
Our Invention relates more particularly to apparatus to be employed in con-
nection with locomotive engines for the purpose of ascertaining, indicating, and
recording the speed, distance travelled, stoppages, and backings of the same, but it
is also applicable to other vehicles and to vessels, and to the revolving shafts of
machinery where it is required to ascertain, indicate, and record the speed, the
number of revolutions performed, and cessations and variations of motion of the
same.
According to one mode of carrying out our Invention as applied to vehicles, for
example, we employ a wheel (herein-after designated the type wheel) having
engaged on its periphery a certain number of figures or characters which denote
feet, yards, or miles, or any other measurement, number, or quantity. This wheel is
mounted upon an axis which is connected by suitable gearing with the wheels of
the vehicle, the speed of which is to be recorded in such a manner that each revolu-
tion or a number of revolutions of the said wheels will propel the type wheel one
step forward, each step corresponding to the space or interval between two of the

page_text: figures engraved on the wheel; thus if there be twenty figures or characters on the
type wheel, twenty steps will be a complete revolution.
A lever or hammer is provided, having a pad fixed to it, and actuated by an
electro-magnet or other suitable force, so as to cause it to press at certain periods a
ribbon of paper or other suitable material against that figure on the type wheel
which is for the time being facing it, whereby the figure representing the number of
revolutions completed by the wheels of the vehicle within that period, or what is
equivalent, the number of feet, yards, or miles travelled, will be printed thereon.
The faster the vehicles travel the greater will be the number of steps the type
wheel will perform within a given time, and consequently the higher will be the
figure presented to the paper; but the mechanism is so arranged that the highest
speed possible will not enable the type wheel to complete an entire revolution before
the printing hammer is put into operation. The interval of time between any two
impressions is determined by a clock or other similar mechanism, which at certain
moments, say for example, every ten seconds connects the said electro-magnet
actuating the hammer with a battery, or releases a printing mechanism, driven by a
spring, weight, or by the motion of the vehicle itself.
An important feature in our Invention consists in the means whereby the type
wheel is set back to zero point, and thus caused to present the figure 0 immediately
after each impression. In order to effect this object, according to one modification,
we mount the type wheel upon its axis in such a manner that the former is capable
of sliding on the latter longitudinally, but cannot revolve independently of it. On
the same axis, but loose thereon, is mounted another wheel, herein-after termed the
driving wheel, which receives its motion from the vehicle by a ratchet wheel &
pawl or any other suitable gearing, and in its turn imparts motion to the type
wheel, the two wheels being connected by clutches so as to be brought into gear and
disengaged at the requisite periods. For this purpose we may make the driving
wheel crown-shaped, and its teeth to correspond in number to the figures on the
type weeel.
A pin fixed to the type wheel enters one of the teeth of the driving
wheel, and the two wheels thus revolve together until the type wheel is caused to
slide upon its axis by the means herein-after described; the said pin then moves
out of gear of the driving wheel and the motion of the type wheel is arrested; the
driving wheel which is loose on the axis being free to revolve without the type
wheel. This sliding action of the type wheel on its axis takes place as often as the
printing hammer is put into operation, and is accomplished by a crank or lever
acted upon by the hammer as it moves towards the type wheel and is limited by a
disc or collar fixed to the axis. The motion of the hammer however is not limited
by this means, but only arrested when the pad of the hammer presses against the
periphery of the type wheel. For this purpose the crank which forces the type
wheel along its axis is not acted upon direct by the hammer but by a trigger which
yields and enables the hammer to continue its motion after the type wheel has been
forced out of gear with the driving wheel.
During the operation of printing the type wheel is held stationary by the crank
before mentioned, which is caused to engage with the teeth of a ratchet or other
wheel with which the type wheel is provided.
The return motion of the hammer, after the impression on the paper has been
effected, is arrested by a detent for the purpose of allowing the type wheel to return
to zero point by revolving on its axis by the force of a spring or weight attached
thereto. The same action removes the detent and allows the hammer to fall back
completely, thereby pressing the type wheel into gear again with the driving wheel,
the teeth of the same being V shaped to enable the pin to enter freely.
In order to distinguish in the printed record whether the vehicle had been
travelling or revolving backwards or forwards, we cause an extra mark or figure to
be printed, such mark varying according to the direction of the motion in the
following manner :-A small arm or stamp, turning on a centre or pivot, carries on
its extremity a die representing the extra marks, say for example + and, which
arm is so placed that the said extremity will face the paper on a level with the type

page_text: the pad p will press against that figure on the type wheel which is facing it for the
time being, and the paper ribbon V, being placed between the pad and the type,
will receive that impression on the cessation of the electric current through E, M,
the lever or hammer G falls back, but the detent W does not permit it to do so com-
pletely until the small weight w causes the type wheel to return to zero point and
by this action removes the detent. The hammer G now falls back completely,
thereby pressing the pin in the disc P into gear again with the wheel O, and thus
causing the type wheel to resume its rotary motion in unison with the wheel O.
t' is the arm carrying the extra stamp or die to denote backward or forward motion
and is acted upon by the levers t and m and the excentric e, which latter is not fixed
to the axis of the wheel E, but carried by friction only, in order to permit the
wheel E to revolve when the arm t¹, and consequently the excentric e also, is stopped
by the pins q, q¹. B, B¹, are two rollers which are propelled by the pawls n, n¹, the
latter being actuated by the hammer G. Z, Z¹, are two reels which may carry an
inking ribbon that is caused to pass between the paper and the type wheel. U, U¹, is
a "switch" which is arranged to cut off the battery and to put the type wheel out
of gear when the apparatus is not in use.
Having thus fully described the nature of the said Invention, we wish it to be
understood what we claim is,―
First. The use, for the purpose of recording speed, of a type wheel which is set to
zero point after each impression.
Second. The use of apparatus constructed and arranged substantially the same as
described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
Third. The combination of a time recording with a speed recording type wheel, as
herein described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Richard Theiler and Meinrad Theiler, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twentieth day of October, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
RICHARD THEILER,
(LS.)
MEINRAD THEILER. (LS.)