Improvements in or relating to Fare and Distance or Route Indicating for Public Vehicles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 16th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 16th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Fare and Distance or Route
Indicating for Public Vehicles.
I, FRANCOIS NICOLAS SANTENARD of 101 Boulevard Voltaire, Paris in the
Republic of France, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a device for public vehicles such as cabs and the like
adapted to indicate the amount or "fare" to be paid by the occupier when his
journey is completed which amount is automatically calculated according to the
duration of the journey or to the distance travelled.
The apparatus consists of mechanism for recording the distance travelled and
time spent.
The distance recording mechanism consists of an eccentric mounted upon one of
the wheels or other similarly rotating part and adapted to operate a lever the
oscillatory motion of which is transmitted to a liquid compresser which a pipe
possessing a. sufficient resistance but not rigid connects to the liquid pump forming
part of the counter whereby the gearing of the latter is set in motion and enabled
to mark the units of distance and the amount due for each.
The counter proper consists of ordinary clockwork indicating the correct time
and at the same time arranged to operate the different other parts of the counting
device viz. the index drum or roller adapted to indicate the amount due a series of
other index rollers marking the units of distance travelled, a slot or window
exposing an indication as to whether the carriage is occupied or not or waiting for
a fare an index roller recording the distance travelled in an hour upon which
runners trace a diagram of the course taken by the carriage, at the same time
marking the variations of speed and lastly a series of graduated plates for adding
up the total receipts for the day according to the amount of work done. These
different organs are operated by the clockwork mentioned above and also by the
carriage itself through a combination of liquid and air pumps, gearing, coupling,
and movement-converting mechanisms operated partly by the carriage itself and
partly by the clockwork.
Dated this 16th day of February 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Fare and Distance or Route
Indicating for Public Vehicles.
I, FRANCOIS NICOLAS SANTENARD of 101 Boulevard Voltaire, Paris in the
Republic of France, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a device for public vehicles such as cabs and the like
adapted to indicate the amount or "fare" to be paid by the occupier when his
journey is completed, which amount is automatically calculated according to the
duration of the journey or to the distance travelled.
The apparatus consists of mechanism for recording the distance travelled and
time spent.

page_text: The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 represent the different parts of the distance recording
mechanism, Fig. 1 being a plan, Fig. 2 a side elevation and Fig. 3 a front elevation
of the same.
Fig. 4 is an external front elevation of the recording device the lower part of
which only is visible to the occupier of the carriage while the upper portion
thereof may be intended only for the view of the company or person hiring out the
vehicles.
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section showing the position of the parts of the
recording device when signifying that the carriage is unoccupied and available
for hire.
Fig. 6 is an elevation of the front part of the recording device with its dial the
front shutter being removed.
Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken on a line with one of the indicating drums or
rollers.
Fig. 8 is a view partly in horizontal section taken on a level with the shaft
carrying the drums or rollers the several parts of the mechanism being in the
position which they assume when notifying that the carriage is engaged.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the lever Q to be operated by the driver and of
the sector or quadrant q' whereby it is retained in the required positions.
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section showing the back portion of the recording
device.
Fig. 10 is a transverse section taken in a line with the ratchet spindle and the
racks of the converter of motion.
In all these figures the same letters of reference designate like parts.
The mechanism for recording the distance travelled by the vehicle an example
of which is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, consists of an
eccentric mounted upon one of the wheels V or other similarly rotating part, and
adapted to operate a frame the motion of which is transmitted to a liquid
compressor L which a pipe w possessing sufficient resistance, but not rigid connects
to the liquid pump G forming part of the counter whereby the gearing of the
latter is set in motion and enabled to mark the units of distance and the amounts
due for each.
The counter proper (see Figs. 4 to 10) consists of ordinary clockwork A
indicating the correct time and at the same time arranged to operate the different
other parts of the counting device viz. the index drum or roller B adapted to
indicate the amount due, a series of other index rollers C C¹ marking the units of
distance travelled, a slot or window D exposing an indication as to whether the
carriage is occupied or not or waiting for a fare, an index roller E recording the
distance travelled in an hour upon which, runners trace a diagram of the course
taken by the carriage at the same time marking the variations of speed, and lastly
a series of graduated plates F F' for adding up the total receipts for the day
according to the amount of work done. These different organs are operated by
the clockwork A mentioned above and also by the carriage itself through a
combination of liquid pumps G and air-pumps H H', gearing, coupling I l' and
movement-converting mechanisms K operated partly by the carriage itself and
partly by the clockwork A.
In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it will be seen that upon one of the axles of the wheel V
(of which only a small portion is shown) is mounted a nave or boss o¹ provided
with an eccentric collar or tyre r. As this wheel (which may be of any suitable
diameter) revolves the eccentric or cam will raise the yoke r which carries a
roller through the medium of the screwed rod e. This yoke which by virtue
of its own weight constantly presses against the eccentric r, in moving upwardly
presses upon a plate, which is applied against the surface of a compressor L
filled with liquid. The walls of this compressor are strong, resilient and impervious
to moisture and the pressure which it thus sustains results in a depression of its

page_text: surface whereby the liquid it contains is driven through a flexible pipe c into the
liquid pump G of the recording device (Figs. 4 to 10). It will thus be readily
understood that at each turn of the wheel V, such a compressing effect takes place,
the wall of the compressor L being each time correspondingly depressed and the
piston or plunger of the pump G displaced. A spiral spring 9 (Fig. 10) is
provided for carrying back the plunger to its initial position.
Referring now to Figs. 4 to 10 it will be seen that the series of what may be
called pulsations," or periodical depressions of the flexible compressor L are
transmitted from the plunger G to the air-pistons H and H' (Figs. 5, 8 and 10)
through the medium of the flexible pipe w connecting the compressor L with the
recording device proper arranged upon the driver's box preferably behind the scat
and the pipe Fig. 5 between H and H¹.
At each pulsation of the resilient compressor L, the plunger G moves once up
and down under the liquid pressure emanating from the pipe w. In its upward
stroke it raises the plunger-rod gl and thereby also causes the frame K of the
motion converting mechanism, rigidly attached to the said plunger-rod g¹ to rise.
Within this frame K is arranged a parallelogram K¹ both sides k k¹ of which
parallel to the plunger-rod g' are provided upon their inner surfaces with racks.
The teeth of these racks k project in opposite directions in relation to the ratchet
wheel a, as shown, so that the rack A¹ engages with the said ratchet wheel in rising
and the rack k engages therewith in descending both however co-operating in
constantly turning the said ratchet wheel a in the same direction. To obtain this
result the parallelogram K is correspondingly guided in the frame K by
means of inclined guides in addition to which the diameter of the ratchet
wheel a is such that it can in no case get into gear with both racks at the same
time.
The ratchet wheel a thus always receives from the carriage itself, moving either
forwards or backwards an angular rotary movement in the same direction the
amplitude of which angular movement will vary according to the diameter of the
carriage wheel; and it is this amplitude which always exactly corresponds with
the distance travelled by the carriage.
The ratchet wheel a (Figs. 7, 8 and 10) transmits its motion to the drum B
indicating the amount due and to the drums C C¹ recording the distance travelled,
through the medium of worm gearing a wheels a² a³, worm or screw a¹ and teeth
or pinions a formed on the edges of the said drums B and C. The gear-wheel or
pinion operates by means of the shaft the mitre gearing, worm
gearing, and bevil gearing whereby is rotated the screw e upon which
slides the point or tracer e¹ (Figs. 5, 7 and 9).
The periphery of each of the drums B C and C' is divided into a number of
equal sections. The sections marked upon the drum B represent each a settled
price per unit of time and of distance. The graduations of the drums C and C¹
similarly represent units and parts of units of distance. These drums B, C and C¹
are mounted upon shafts c c¹. The drum C is firmly secured upon the
shaft c which also carries the toothed wheel d while the drum C¹ is loose
upon the same shaft and only receives motion through the medium of the gear
wheels and pinions & d' d' so that it may indicate fractions of units of distance
if any.
In the example shown the division or graduations of the drum B are supposed to
represent francs and centimes, and those of the drums C C' kilometres and parts of
kilometres.
Upon the shaft c is rigidly mounted a gripping clutch I arranged to engage with
another similar clutch I fitted to a pinion loose upon the shaft c. This pinion
is adapted to engage with a toothed wheel A¹ of the clockwork A Figs. 5, 8 and 9
of ordinary construction which indicates the time upon an externally visible dial A*
(Fig. 4). One or more levers /* operated by the rod h' of the piston of the air-
pump H cause the clutches I and I' to recede from each other, overcoming the

page_text: resistance of the spring (Fig. 8) which constantly tends to bring them closer
together. In this manner the clockwork A has a constant tendency to rotate the
fare-indicating drum B.
While the carriage is in motion however the pulsations of the compressor L by
producing corresponding strokes within the liquid pump G displace the air in the
air-pump H. The air forced into the cylinder H' through the pipe h operates the
piston and rod which then disengages the clutches II from each other, so that
it is the carriage itself which by its connection with the screw a' operates the
drums B, C and C¹. When the carriage stops so does also the plunger G so that
no more air is forced into H' and the spring s may draw the two clutches I I¹ into
engagement with each other so that the clockwork A imparts motion to the drum B.
The fare-indicating drum B constantly turns in the same direction as though
the carriage continued to travel at a fictitious rate of say eight kilometres
per hour.
Upon the periphery of the drums B and C are arranged teeth or projections y
(Figs. 5, 7 and 8) which when the said druins turn, engages with a catch bolt m
(Figs. 6 and 7) attached to a trap or door m¹ sliding within the exposed wall of the
recording device in front of an aperture m² during the whole of the upward stroke
of the trap m; so that when the said trap attains its uppermost position the
catch-bolt or pawl m gets out of engagement with the teeth y and thereby enables
the trap m¹ to drop down instantly and to expose a fresh graduated section of the
drums to the view of the occupier of the carriage. Thus the dropping of the said
traps m' or doors in each case involves the advance of a fresh section of the graduated
fare and distance indicating drums.
This trap or shutter m' (Figs. 6 and 7) in dropping as aforesaid causes the rod
also to descend and by this means operates the pawl attached to the rod or arm
of the ratchet wheel which is rigidly secured to the disc F divided into degrees
representing (in the example shown) twenty-five centimes each. After each
revolution of this disc F a small plate F advances one step or degree and exposes
a figure so as with the other figures marked on the disc F to represent the money
received by the driver. Upon the shaft of the disc F is also rigidly mounted
another ratchet wheel R (Fig. 9). With the teeth of this ratchet wheel engages a
pawl provided on the lever r.
When the passenger alights and pays his fare it is the duty of the driver by
operating a lever Q to bring the word " disengaged" ("libre ") in front of the
aperture D and by the same operation to cause the drums B C and C¹ to return to
their initial position as will be hereinafter explained; for in turning under the
impulse of the moving carriage or under the action of the clockwork these drums
compress or otherwise energise springs enclosed in cases or barrels 2 (Fig. 5)
around which are wound the tapes attached to the drums B and C where their
graduation begins.
=
When the carriage is hired or occupied by a passenger there will appear at the
opening or window D the word "engaged." If the carriage be moving along at a
slow pace a corresponding indication such as "slow" may similarly be made visible
at the place where in the example shown appears the French word "libre."
At whatever pace the carriage may be driven the route is faithfully traced by
the point e moving upon the drum E which is operated by the clockwork through
the medium of gear wheels e* e.
32
To enable the driver to alter the board in front of the opening or window D say
from "empty to "engaged" or vice versa, the hand-lever Q (Figs. 8, 8 and 9) is
arranged within his reach. This lever Q is pivotted on a shaft q extending along
the external vertical wall of the recording device. The said lever is guided in its
motion by a toothed sector q' with the notches qyq of which engages a spring 9º.
The notch corresponding to the "disengaged" position; the notch 9 to the
"slow pace" position; and q³ to the intermediate or engaged" position. Upon
the screw threaded portion 9 of shaft q operated by lever Q, is arranged to slide a
66

page_text: nut P which causes the various parts of the apparatus to move so as to answer the
requirements of the passenger and driver. For this purpose the shaft of the lever Q
is arranged to operate a plate or disc p² provided with an incline or cam surface p³
and with an arm or rod p adapted to actuate a valve s arranged at the end of the
cylinder H¹. The said cam pacts upon a rod u, the point u¹ of which takes up its
position between the drum-shaft sections c c¹.
When the carriage and recording mechanism are in the "engaged" condition, as
in the example shown in Fig. 8, the plate p' assumes a position in which it prevents
the camp from pressing upon the rod u so that the clutch I' remains out of contact
with the clutch I and so that the motion of the carriage alone may set the
drums B, C and C in operation. If however the carriage should stop, while the
mechanism is in this position, the cylinder H¹ receiving no more air from the pump H
the drum B is thrown into gear and set in operation by the clockwork until the
carriage starts again.
In leaving the carriage the passenger reads off the drum B the amount to pay,
while the drums C and C' inform him of the distance he has travelled. The driver
then operates the lever Q and brings the word " disengaged" in front of the
window D by pushing the plate p² to the left and moving the cam p³ so as to force
the rod u with its point ¹ between the shaft c and c' and thereby disengage the
clutch I from the clutch I. The drums C and C after being simultaneously
disengaged from the screw a and clutch I are swiftly returned to their initial
position, under the action of the springs z¹ connected with the drums B and C by
tapes which springs are compressed or wound up as aforesaid by the forward
motion of the drums BC and C whether such motion be caused by the carriage or
by the clockwork. Spiral springs c³ arranged around the shafts card c' at their
respective ends serve for bringing the said shafts c and e' in contact with each other
in the vicinity of the point u.
When the passenger wishes to travel at a slow pace the driver moves the lever Q
from the central position to the extreme position on the right as at q whereby he
moves the nut P and the plate p³ to the right thereby releasing the valve s. The
air conveyed into the pump H owing to the slow motion of the carriage is thus
enabled steadily to escape through the valves and the spring constantly manifests
the tendency to maintain the clutches 1' and I in gear. The clockwork Å therefore
alone will keep in operation the fare-indicating drum B although the distances
travelled and the routes are nevertheless duly recorded on the drums C C and E.
The driver in moving the plate p² (Fig. 9) by operating the lever Q displaces
the tracing point attached to the said plate p2 by means of the arm j and causes
it to sketch out upon the drum E in one of the sections labelled "disengaged
engaged" or "slow" the route taken by the carriage, the drum E constantly
remaining in operation under the action of the clockwork A.
↑
"
When the carriage is "disengaged" the lever Q pushes the nut P to the left and
thereby moves the lever by the displacement of the pin secured upon the arm R¹
which is attached to the plate . In this manner the pawl which a spring
constantly tends to hold back, is enabled to slide over the teeth of the ratchet
wheel R say for three spaces without catching.
to
When the carriage becomes "engaged" the driver moves back the lever Q from
the rearward position q³ to its central position and thereby enables the spring
actuate the lever r and consequently set in operation the disc F (Fig. 6) indicating
the amounts collected by the driver. In the example shown this disc moves the
distance of three tooth spaces equivalent to 75 centimes. During this action of
the spring the pawl ¹ of the disc F is prevented from moving forward by the
stop
When the driver requires the carriage to advance at a walking pace, he moves
the lever to the right as far as the ping thereby displacing the nut P also to the
right and producing a corresponding movement of the plate p³ and arm R. While
this takes place however the lever cannot alter its position inasmuch as it is stopped
at its lower end by the pin r so that the plate R may not advance.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is ;-
1. Apparatus for recording time and distance adapted for use in connection
with public vehicles and comprising the recording device proper provided with a
clock and with indicating drums and discs adapted to be operated either by the
clockwork or by the running vehicle itself; a combination of liquid and air-pumps
gearing coupling and movement converting mechanisms a transmission mechanism
arranged to convey from one of the axles of the carriage in motion a record of the
distance travelled and the route taken to the recording device such mechanism
consisting of an eccentric or cam adapted to operate a lever so that it may act
upon a liquid compressor connected by a strong flexible tube with the liquid
pump of the recorder the whole substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In time and distance recording apparatus the combination of ordinary
clockwork with a series of indicating drums representing units of distance and
currency such as kilometres and francs, and with a compressor and liquid and
air-pumps for the purpose of causing when required certain shutters or traps to
drop and expose figures indicating respectively the distance travelled by the
carriage and the fair due for the journey substantially as described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
3. In time and distance recording apparatus mechanism for converting rectilinear
motion into absolutely or partial rotary motion consisting in the combination with
a ratchet wheel of a frame such as K guided by inclines and having parallel racks
the teeth of which are inclined in opposite directions in relation to the teeth of the
ratchet-wheel with which alternately engages with one or other of the two racks
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the improved time
and distance recording machine substantially as and for the purposes described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 16th day of November 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.