Improvements in Apparatus for Classifying and Distributing Railway Tickets, Coupons, Bills, Letters, and the like-
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 31st July, 1890-Accepted, 18th Apr., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Classifying and Distributing
Railway Tickets, Coupons, Bills, Letters, and the like-
A communication from JEAN BAPTISTE FONDU, of Vilvorde, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Manufacturer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
M.L.M.E., 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 improved rotary railway ticket distributor is so arranged that the various
compartments containing the required tickets place themselves within easy reach of
the official or attendant without its being necessary for the latter to move from
place to place, and it consists (1) of a cylindrical or polygonal metal casing or
drum unprovided with any divisions or partitions, and (2) of horizontal or slightly
inclined rows of cases or compartments from the upper portion of the forward end
of which the tickets or the like may be removed by an upward motion. The
cases or compartments are so arranged as to expose to view the entire surface of
the ticket or coupon; and there are (in the instance illustrated in the accompanying
drawings) 1312 such compartments adapted to contain in all 144320 tickets or the
like, which the employé can readily distribute without leaving his place the whole
arrangement occupying a space not exceeding one metre square.
The apparatus consists of a simple drum or cylinder movable by hand or
machinery practically in the same way as a turnstile.
:-
Motion may be imparted to it however by different means, for example:
(1). By gear wheels driven by pinions the diameters of which are about a quarter
or half the size of the respective gear wheels, or if preferred by means of gearing
of equal size.
(2). By applying to the lower or upper disc of the drum a spring, one end of
which is fixed to the shaft and the other to the disc so that when the said spring is
wound up, it will cause the drum to turn automatically until it is stopped by a lever
in order to present to the booking clerk the proper compartment. To enable the
cases or compartments to be thus arrested at the required intervals, there should
be along their periphery about 8 levers and 8 stops, preferably of india-rubber,
attached to the drum and an opening of about one eighth of the circumference of
the drum should be provided for the exposure of the tickets.
Or the spring employed in this arrangement may be an ordinary spiral spring
wound along the rod, one end of which spring would then have to be fixed to this
rod, and the other to the plate.
(3). By imparting a continuous rotary motion to the drum from any suitable
source of motive power, the stoppages being in this case effected by means of a
pedal or foot-lever as the desired compartments present themselves to the clerk.
In fact the different driving or operating devices applicable to this improved
ticket distributor are numerous and need not therefore be enumerated, the
arrangement herein described being taken merely as an example, owing to its
simplicity.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Sheet 1 represents the rotary ticket distributor, Fig. 1 being an elevation thereof
partly in section on the line A B of Fig. 2, and Fig. 2 a section on line C D
while Fig. 3 illustrates the manner in which the same distributing arrangement
may be applied to the classifying of letters and other papers in offices. Figs. 4
to 17 Sheets 2 and 3 show the various forms of cases that may be arranged in this
improved distributing mechanism or in existing distributors or classifiers. On
D
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Sheet 4 Figs. 18 to 23 melusive are a number of views of still other forms of cases
applicable both to this invention and. to existing classifiers or distributors.
Sheet Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings show a ticket distributor
or classifier arranged in such a manner that the tickets contained in the different
compartments are delivered automatically either by means of a key-board similar
to that used in type-writing machines, or by some other suitable mechanism. The
drum may be arranged horizontally if desired. The cases or compartments may
be horizontal instead of being inclined and partly open in front so as to enable the
gripping hook operated by means of a key-board or the like, to remove the desired
ticket as the drum is turning or upon its being stopped. This arrangement of a
circular ticket distributor with a rotary drum offers very considerable advantages
over anything of a similar nature that has been devised hitherto, its main
superiority being that it exempts the clerk or official from the necessity of
constantly going to and from the different compartments, which distance traversed
has been calculated to represent at the close of the day a total of from 10 to
20 kilometres.
With two of these improved distributors which would not occupy more than the
space of two metres altogether, 2624 ticket or coupon cases could be arranged
within easy reach of the attending employé.
For ordinary railway stations one apparatus measuring one metre and containing
1312 compartments would prove amply sufficient even to keep two booking clerks
occupied.
For stations of minor importance the size of the apparatus and the number of
compartments may further be reduced.
The advantages presented by this improved ticket distributing arrangement may
be summed up as follows:-
(1). Speed of distribution tlie official losing no time in moving from place to
place.
(2). Saving of space since tickets of all classes and for all the stations on the
line may be delivered through the same window so that where there are several
windows in the station intending travellers may choose the one that is least
crowded.
(3). Facility and rapidity of selection of the desired tickets owing to the fact
that the full surface of each ticket is exposed to the view of the clerk, who at
once can see what place or destination the ticket is for.
(4). The impossibility for the tickets to slip out of their respective compart-
ments they being only capable of removal from the top of the compartment in an
upward direction, while in the apparatus brought out hitherto the shocks or
vibrations attending their operation frequently cause tickets to slide downwards and
get lost.
(5). Economy of space in the arrangement of the packets or bundles of tickets,
which being placed in a horizontal position instead of being piled up vertically as
usual, enable the compartments containing the tickets to be placed one upon the
other so that the space to be provided for each row of tickets is only equal to the
height of one individual ticket, plus the small space necessary for the attachment
of the next compartment; while hitherto each series of tickets has necessitated the
provision of a space equal to the total height of a pile of say 110 tickets in addition
to which room was to be allowed for the insertion of the fingers to grasp the
tickets.
(6). Safety from fire and fraud, owing to the whole of the apparatus being
constructed of metal and to the fact that the tickets facing the seat of the
booking-clerk are alone visible and removable so that no part of the different
bundles of tickets can be withdrawn unnoticed.
(7). Saving of light since a limited space only need be lighted up.
The construction of this apparatus is most simple. It consists of two meta
plates or discs A and B kept the proper distance apart.by round or polygonal rods C
between which sufficient space is left for the insertion of a row of ticket holding

page_text: cases or compartments in the vertical direction. These rods which may be hollow
or tubular if desired may be enclosed in a sheath of cloth, rubber, or the like to
prevent shaking and noise when the apparatus is set in motion. The said rods C¹
are riveted screwed or otherwise secured to the lower and upper discs respectively.
A cylinder D¹ is fixed between the said discs or plates A and B and retained in
position by means of angle irons or iron rings suitably provided on the said plates.
Openings D' are provided in the cylinder D' for the attachment of the ticket
holding cases.
To the upper plate or disc A' is secured a nut E into which is screwed the
screw F the conical end of which enters the end of the vertical shaft G, so that
the cylinder or drum together with all its cases or compartments is held in position
by the point of the said screw F.
The upright shaft G rests upon the bed or base H passing through the cross-
piece or guide I and disc B₁ and retains the lower portion of the drum in position.
The method of fitting and securing in place the ticket holders is most simple and
may with advantage be applied even to existing rectangular classifying cases or
pigeon holes, which may be formed of vertical rods C, between which and a metal
plate fitted in the rear the papers may be distributed in the proper manner.
The device used for closing the compartment is also exceedingly simple and
convenient. It consists of an outer casing L suitably secured to the metal base K
by angle irons or equivalent means. An opening equal to say of the circumference
of this casing is provided on the side turned towards the booking-clerk if the
apparatus be single that is intended to serve one person only, but if it be double
two such openings are provided. These openings are closed by means of two
doors M fitted with a sliding rod or bolt V adapted to be operated by means of a
key. The cornice N and the ornamental crown N¹ as also the head or finial N"
are purely ornamental. As before stated the drum may be turned by means of a
handle Osecured to the shaft R and adapted to impart motion to a pinion Pa
quarter of the size of the gear wheel Q so that it requires four revolutions of the
handle to cause the drum to complete one revolution.
The gear wheel Q is secured to the lower plate or disc B' and the polygonal
metal base or pedestal K of the drum fulfils the office of a reservoir or store-box
for containing tickets intended for future use. This pedestal is provided with
four bevel rollers S whereby the distributing apparatus may readily be caused
to make half a revolution when it is intended for the use of two persons at the
same time.
Supposing the booking-clerk be seated at F so that the crank handle is situated
on his left hand side he may through the medium of such handle impart motion to
the shaft R carrying the pinion P and thus bring the distributing apparatus to such
a position as only to expose the compartment comprised in the space between A."
and B Fig. 2 inclusive.
The partitions F and G2 divide the apparatus into two main parts so that the
clerk cannot remove any tickets except from his own compartment and so that the
apparatus only moves the distance necessary to bring the compartment C" back
to the point B where it is arrested by a stop T provided on the circular plate or
disc and engaging with the stops T¹.
Each ticket-holding apparatus contains 1312 cases or compartments which at
stations of ordinary size will prove sufficient to supply with tickets two booking
clerks each of whom will at the same time be prevented from touching any of the
tickets to be distributed by his colleague..
Before going off duty either of the booking-clerks closes the doors M of his
compartments by means of the bolt V whereby the said doors are locked both at
the top and bottom.
The other clerk may then cause his own compartment to move away the
distance of half a revolution of the drum, take over the work of the first clerk and
continue distributing the tickets contained in the compartment D" E".
For this purpose the second clerk will make use of the shaft R' whereon may be

page_text: secured the crank handle O or which may be provided with a hand wheel a pedal
or equivalent.
Upon the lower movable disc B' letters of reference may be written of
sufficient size to enable them to be recognised at a glance as the drum is turned
round.
It will be seen from inspecting Figs. 1 and 2 that the octagonal metal base is
divided into four parts by means of transverse partitions X and Y. Thus each
of the clerks has two of these compartments at his disposal and can store up
therein the required number of spare tickets. These four compartments or
divisions are also provided with doors W adapted to be closed by suitable locks
and keys.
I have before alluded to the advantages resulting from the exposure of the whole
surface of a ticket each time and from its being removable in an upward direction
only. This latter result may be attained in a variety of ways of which I will only
name a few by way of example.
The compartments A-% Sheet 2 expose to the booking-clerk practically the
whole surface of the tickets which are successively pressed against the flanges E
and by means of a spring piston or pusher B. The two sides are open thus
enabling the ticket to be grasped by the thumb and fore-finger.
But before the ticket is thus taken out from the side it is necessary to move it
upwards to disengage it from the lower flange so that it is really removed from
the compartment by an upward movement.
The opening H4 only enables one ticket at a time to be withdrawn from the
compartment so that more than one ticket cannot be delivered at once.
The direct removal of the tickets from the top of the case A renders it
necessary for the cases or compartments containing them to be inclined so that the
tickets may be easily withdrawn there being sufficient space for the insertion of the
fingers.
The manner of removing the tickets from these compartments will be readily
understood the hook Vis integral with the plate W upon which rests a
flanged bottom piece X guiding the case A. Underneath the bottom of the
case whercon travels a carriage and the pile of tickets a spring Y is secured to the
plate W
At the end of the case A an opening is provided for the reception of the
ejector Zagainst the end of which rests the first ticket that is retained by the
flange a¹
To the upper portion of the case is secured a plate the space being provided
for the passage of the ticket.
When therefore the tickets are introduced into the case it is sufficient to press
upon the said plate with the thumb and middle finger to cause the spring 1 to
yield when the ejector Z will push the ticket through the opening provided at the
front end of the plate bt.
When the ticket is thus disengaged from the upper part of the case it is
removed with the fingers as shown at the lower part of Fig. 28, Sheet 4.
The case then rises until it reaches its original position as shown in Fig. 4
Sheet 2 in which it is retained by the stop V. To remove the tickets from the
top of the case the latter should be stationary though hinged at C*.
A small metal carriage moves the tickets up to the plate a*. The tickets may be
removed if required by means of a metal ball pressing upon a small glass or metal
plate placed upon the pile of tickets. The openings u' Figs. 4 and 6, Sheet 2, are
provided to facilitate inspection and through them it can be at all times ascertained
whether there are a sufficient quantity of tickets left in each compartment while the
plates E and F are to be used as labels to indicate the name of a place to
which the tickets contained in the corresponding compartment entitle the bearer
to travel.
Another form of apparatus differing from those before described in certain details
is also represented on Sheet 2. The tickets here too are arranged to be removed

page_text: Irom the top. is a compartment the upper side cages of which are cut away so
as to facilitate the grasping of the outermost ticket with the fingers.
As the top plate does not allow more than one ticket to pass at a time it is never
possible to withdraw two tickets at once from the compartment. The distributor
may be closed in front as shown in the plan or cut out as shown in dotted lines. In
the latter case the front of the ticket would be exposed to view and the plate **
which receives the last ticket would have to be underneath the case as shown.
The case should be inclined similarly to the case A' and the feeding of the tickets
is effected by means of a metal ball or a plunger acted upon by a spiral spring 134.
The form of case d* I would recommend as particularly advantageous on account
of its simplicity and convenience. At E" and G Fig. 9 slight modifications of
the case are shown. These simply consist in substituting for the checking
plate E' a small roller E" so that the ticket is arrested against a small piston or
plunger G
The case C' Fig. 22 Sheet 4 permits the tickets to be raised freely for removal
in the same way as in the preceding arrangement. № Fig. 23 is a spring-cap
which must be raised to release the ticket from its stop which consists of a
piece of wire.
At J in Figs. 24 and 25 is illustrated the method of applying new tops to
existing cases. At K Figs. 18 and 19-a means is shown for removing the tickets
by pulling them downwardly and towards the person effecting the removal.
A small pivoted lever L overcomes the resistance of a spring whereby the
ticket is released.
At n Figs. 20 and 21 is indicated a means of removing tickets by pressing
with the finger upon the top of each ticket and thereby causing a spring 05
to yield.
At p 7 Fig. 26 and and Fig. 27 means are shown for removing tickets
edgewise by cutting away the upper angle of the case and sliding the ticket
sideways.
This apparatus may also be applied for classifying letters, bills, etc. at Government,
banking, post and other offices.
In this case the compartments should be inclined as shown at y Sheet 1 and be
provided with a looking glass or reflector at the back so that it may be ascertained
at the first glance whether the compartments contain anything or not. The sides of
Sheet 3 clearly shows the novel features of the cases described above with
reference to Figs. 6 and 7 and Figs. 18, 21 and 23.
these cases may be open.
In Fig. 10 is shown a case K³ the same as that represented in Fig. 18 applied to
an ordinary classifying apparatus to which a perforated metal bottom-plate has been
fitted for the different cases or compartments to be suspended from.
In this case is arranged a comparatively thick ring or solid cylinder A A arranged
to cause the tickets to descend.
In Fig. 11 is shown a case similar to that represented in Fig. 6 also applied to an
ordinary file. The ticket may here be removed directly from the top the two upper
side edges and part of the top being cut away for this purpose. The tickets descend
under the action of a spring plunger located in a tube or socket arranged on the
outside of the case. This new combination enables the case to be entirely filled
with tickets, which it cannot be when the plungers are situated within the case as in
this case they take up more than half of its length.
Fig. 12 shows a case substantially the same as that represented in Fig. 9 except
that the arrangement is here reversed for the tickets instead of being raised so as
to enter the passage or shoots are caused to descend within these shoots overcoming
the resistance of a spring which resistance is rather slight as this spring has only
the weight of one individual ticket to sustain while the remaining tickets are
retained on the bottom of the case. When the ticket is released from its upper
stops Fit is raised by an upward motion out of its place and then pulled in the
direction of the operative or clerk. The cross-shaped piece B B provided with a

page_text: '
roller at each of its four arms is a novel form of counterweight which may be used
as an advantageous substitute for the carriage mentioned above it being reversible
without alteration in the effect produced as it will at all times rest by means of two
of its rollers upon the bottom of the case.
In Fig. 13 is shown the same case as that represented at 23 provided with a hinged
cap but also inverted so that the tickets are removed from below instead of from the
top. In the same way as in the preceding case the hollow space H of the cap d³
can only receive one ticket at a time while the remaining tickets are retained upon
the bottom of the case. When the ticket is pressed upon with the finger so as to
release it from the catch the resistance of the spring is overcome and the cap is
tilted upon its pivot until its end meets the stop din
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A rotary distributing or classifying apparatus adapted to be used either by
one or more employés at a time without their being obliged to move from place to
place in so doing and enabling a variable but considerable number of compartments
or cases to be compactly fitted together in a comparatively very small space so as
to expose the front sides of the tickets to the view of the booking-clerk substantially
as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. The exclusive application of this rotary distributing apparatus arranged
substantially as shown in the drawings for the delivery of railway, admission and
other tickets letters etc. consisting of paper or any desirable material.
3. The application of the apparatus to the sorting of "until-called-for" and
other letters at post-offices and other such places also of bills, cheques, coupons,
money orders or bank notes or other articles that may be preserved in pigeon holes
and the like the apparatus being made of metal thereby affording security against
fire while its fast closing doors effectively prevent theft.
4. The construction of a distributing apparatus without any partitions the com-
partments being separated from each other by vertical bars which at the same time
serve as means of connection to the upper and lower portions of the apparatus a
metal plate being provided at the back and suitably perforated for the reception of
the hooks or junction pieces of the cases or compartments substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. The automatic removal of the tickets by means of key boards applicable to
distributing apparatus whether in the shape of vertically or horizontally revolving
drums or of any other suitable construction.
6. The method of arranging the cases or compartments in such a manner that the
pile of tickets is always in a horizontal position so that the tickets may be grasped
at their upper edges both in cases where machinery is used for their extraction and
where they are removed by hand either upwardly or sideways, this improvement
being most important inasmuch as it offers the double advantage of (1) enabling a
comparatively great number of ticket holding cases to be located in a limited space
and (2) of preventing the tickets from slipping out from underneath the cases
containing them as they frequently do at present owing to the shaking motion of
the distributing devices now known; the method of upwardly removing the tickets
being therefore attached particular importance to by the inventor it being applicable
to all existing distributing or sorting cases etc.
7. The combination of ticket cases or compartments with a stationary ticket
extractor forming part of the means of suspension of such cases whereby the said
extractor is prevented from deviating substantially as described.
8. The method of attaching the cases to a perforated metal sheet whereby cross
pieces angle irons hooks and other supporting devices may be dispensed with being
substituted for by the perforations formed in the said sheet or rear wall substantially
as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
9. The lozenge-like arrangement of compartments as shown in Fig. 29 and their

page_text: application to any desired system of rectangular or other cases no matter whether
the latter are arranged horizontally vertically or inclined and whatever the manner
in which tickets are removed therefrom..
10. The method of removal of the ticket from its case by raising it upwardly so.
as to disengage it from its holder below or by sliding it sideways from the left to
the right.
11. The arrangement of horizontal or slightly inclined distributing or sorting
cases in combination with a compressing piston or pusher controlled by a spiral.
spring or metal ball.
12. In apparatus for classifying and distributing railway tickets and the like a
cylinder such as A. A either solid or hollow adapted to cause the ticket to descend
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
13. In apparatus for classifying and distributing railway tickets and the like a
cross-shaped or four-armed piece such as B B having a roller at each arm and also.
arranged to effect the downward movement of the tickets substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
14. In apparatus for classifying and distributing railway tickets and the like a
spring plunger arranged to slide within a tube or a socket situated outside of the
case thereby enabling the latter to be entirely filled with tickets substantially as
described and illustrated in Figare 14 of the accompanying drawings..
15. In apparatus for classifying and distributing railway tickets and the like the
simple method of removing tickets with the fingers by an upward movement
facilitated by the two upper side angles and a portion of the front plate of the case
being cut away a cross piece only being left. so that the place of destination for
which the tickets are available may be clearly seen substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
16. In apparatus for classifying and distributing railway tickets and the like the
novel arrangement enabling the ticket to be removed by an upward movement after
having caused it to descend into a shoot where it is retained by a spring substantially
as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
17. The whole of the novel features substantially as hereinabove described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings whether applied simultaneously or
separately wholly or partly, the metals or materials used for the construction of
the cases and compartments and other parts of this improved system of cases or
files being variable at will and it being optional to use either perforated or solid
metal sheets for supporting the same.
18. In apparatus such as described the combination and arrangement of parts
substantially as and for the purposes described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 31st day of July 1890
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.