Improvements in an Automatic Passenger Fare Collector.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in an Automatic Passenger Fare Collector.
I, ARTHUR WELLESLEY BERNE, an Electrician, of 118 Royal Street, in New
Orleans, in the Parish of Orleans, and State of Louisiana, United States of America,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN AN AUTOMATIC
PASSENGER FARE COLLECTOR and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in an automatic passenger fare collector,
in which a case with a gravity, and lever trap placed therein are made to operate
in conjunction with a coin or fare bag, or other receptacle attached thereto, and
the objects of my invention are to provide a device for use of passenger con-
ductors, whereby the fare of a passenger once deposited is beyond the control of
any officer of the company excepting one officer in the treasurer's office.
I attain these.objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
in which
Figure 1 is a front view of the fare collector.
Figure 2 is a side view.
Figure 3 is a front view of the lower portion of the fare collector with bag
detached.
Figure 4 is a front view of the lower case..
In constructing my device I make a case of metal or other material as shown
by A, the top end of the case being funnel shaped and is designated by the letter B,
and is so graduated that it will admit of the passage of the fare, either ticket or
coin into the case. Within the case and near the bottom of the funnel B, I place
a gravity trap C which is pivoted to the sides of A. Near the lower end of case,
I place a trap D, which is operated by means of lever E.
This lever may be
placed either on the rear or side of the case, F, being a glass cover on case A.
Upon the lower end of case A, I place case G, and to which is rigidly and per-
manently fastened bag H, said case G, being adjusted to the lower or bottom end
of case A, in such a manner as to securely lock.
In practice the fare is placed into funnel B, and falls upon trap D, and by
means of glass F, the conductor is enabled to see that the proper fare has been
deposited, and when found correct the conductor compresses the lever E, which
withdraws the trap D, and permits the fare to descend through the case G, into
the locked bag or receptacle H, where it remains locked up.
Should it be attempted to pass the fare deposited out of the case A by turning
it upside down it will be found that such a procedure will be prevented by the
action of the gravity trap C, which will swing on its pivots and close the bottom
of funnel B, thus preventing the removal of fare through the opening in the top
of case A. Thus it will be seen that when the conductor is given his fare collector
by the proper officer who locks the bag or fare receptacle, and furnishes the con-
ductor with funds for making change, that the conductor simply presents the funnel B,
of fare collector to the passenger who deposits his fare, and that when said fare is
deposited, it virtually comes under the control of the company by being carried into the
locked bag, or receptacle. After completing his trip the conductor presents his fare
collector to the authorized officer who has charge of the key for unlocking the case G,
and removes the contents from the bag, or receptacle H, and having removed its
contents, the officer again locks the case G, which is with the empty bag, or receptacle,
attached to the case A, and the conductor starts anew on a trip.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In an automatic passenger fare collector such as described, the caso A, with
funnel shaped opening B, in combination with trap D, lever E, gravity trap C, and
glass F, for the purpose set forth.
2. In an automatic passenger fare collector such as described, the caso A, with
funnel shaped opening B, trap D, lever E, gravity trap C, and glass F, in combination
with case Ġ, and bag, or receptacle H, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 20th day of June 1880
ARTHUR WELLESLEY BERNE.
By H. B. Barlow,
Agent.
ARTHUR WELLESLEY BERNE.
By H. B. Barlow,
Agent.