Improvements in Means and Appliances for Delivering Receiving and Registering Tickets or Checks for Theatres, Halls, Athletic and Race Grounds and other places of Public Entertainment.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 6th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Means and Appliances for Delivering Receiving
and Registering Tickets or Checks for Theatres, Halls, Athletic
and Race Grounds and other places of Public Entertainment.
I, ALBERT MARSH, of the "Eccentric Club" Shaftesbury Avenue, Actor and
Theatrical Manager, 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 for improvements in means and appliances for delivering receiving
and registering tickets or checks for theatres, halls, athletic and race grounds and
other places of public entertainment relates to apparatus whereby the delivering
receiving and registering of the tickets or checks is effected mechanically and
electrically so that there is no possibility of tampering with the tickets or checks
and consists essentially first in the means for delivering and registering the
tickets or checks from the magazines, secondly, in means for receiving and
registering the tickets or checks as received by the check-taker and thirdly,
indicating electrically in a distant room or place both the delivery of the tickets and
the receipt of the same.
In order that this invention may be more clearly described reference is had to the
accompanying two sheets of illustrative drawings on which
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of one of the magazines detached from the delivery
machine.
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same taken on a plane at right angles.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of same on line A B (Fig. 1) the tickets and weight
being supposed removed.
Fig. 4 is a section on line CD (Fig. 3) of the bottom plate of the magazine.
Fig. 5 is a cross section of the delivery machine taken on line E F (Fig. 6).
Fig. 6 is a plan of the same the magazine being removed.
Fig. 7 is an underneath plan of the same, the bottom plate being supposed to be
removed.
Fig. 8 shows the device employed for lifting the weight into and out of the
magazines.
Fig. 9 is a section of the receiving machine.
Figs. 10 & 11 are views of the counting mechanism for the receiving machine.
Fig. 12 is a general view of the indicator.
Fig. 13 is a front elevation partly in section of the indicating mechanism and
Fig. 14 is a plan of the same.

page_text: Referring first to Fig-1, to-4 Figs. 1 to 4, the magazine consists of a case A of size
adapted to contain say 250 tickets or checks. The front A¹ of the case A slides in
grooves a and is provided with a lock B at its lower end the bolt 6 of which normally
projects. No key is provided for this lock and it cannot be operated until the magazine
is placed on the delivering machine. The sliding front A' does not fit quite to the
bottom of the case A so that an opening is formed of just sufficient size to admit of
the passage of a ticket or check. This opening is however closed by the bolt b and
until the lock B is operated to unlock it, that is until the magazine is properly
placed on the delivering machine, no tickets or checks can be removed from the
magazine. The bottom plate C is formed with a slot c and a side slot c¹ is also pro-
vided into which the bolt 6 can fit. Depressions c² are formed in the said plate and
in them spring blades having turned over ends c are fitted (see Fig. 4). These
serve to prevent the return of a ticket or check to the magazine, through the
opening when the magazine is nearly empty and it would be possible to force up the
tickets therein. The back of the magazine is recessed back at a' behind the slot c
as shown most clearly in Fig. 2.
..
At each side of the case A a toothed rack D is attached by screws the teeth being
of pitch equal to the thickness of the ticket or check in use. The tickets or
checks E are flat pieces of suitable material, of square (in this instance), round or
other shape and a weight F rests upon them pressing them down as the bottom
ticket or check is removed. This weight F is provided with an extension f and
two arms f f¹ are pivoted at their outer ends being adapted to engage in the
teeth of the rack D. A spring f presses upon said arms f¹ f¹ and keeps them in
engagement with the rack.
The weight F falls as each ticket is issued and as the arms ff are in engage-
ment with the teeth of the rack D it will be understood that this provides an
additional guard against insertion of a ticket or check through the delivery
openings.
Small grooves f f are formed in the arms f1 fi to allow of closing the arms
together so that the weight F can be lifted out of the case A by means of a key G
shown in Fig. 8.
The key is formed of bent wire or the like and is provided with the arins g g
having turned up ends g¹ which fit under the arms f f¹ of the weight F. As
the weight thereof comes on the key G the arms f¹ close together sufficiently to
escape the teeth of the rack D.
A lock is provided at the top of the case A by which the front A¹ is locked to the
case A the key of this lock being in charge of the person responsible for filling
the magazine. A metal band a² is fitted at the top of the case A for strengthening
purposes the sliding front A' passing down inside this band. A strap allows for
carrying the magazine about.
Referring now to the delivery machine shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 a plate I is
fitted in the base H and is provided with chamfered guides ii into which the
chamfered edges of the base plate C of the magazine are adapted to slide when the
magazine is placed in position on the machine. A groove I is formed in the plate I
extending for almost the whole length and an ejecting plate J is adapted to slide
in the said groove I¹. This ejecting plate J is provided with a finger piece J¹ for
operating and at its forward end a hinged piece j having a projection is fitted.
When the magazine is placed on the machine the projection fits into the slot c,
the magazine pressing the ejecting piece ; down against the influence of a spring
(not shown) while it is being slidden into place, and the projection j' then fits into
the space behind the tickets or checks in the magazine formed by the recessed
portion a¹ as seen in Fig. 5.
On the front of the plate I a vertical plate 12 is mounted. Into this plate 12 the
key K for operating the lock B is fitted and upon the key spindle a small pinion k
is mounted. A toothed sector k pivoted at k², gears with the toothed wheel k and
by moving the handle k³ the sector k¹ is caused to operate the pinion k and the
key K is rotated. The lock spindle is preferably pointed and when the magazine

page_text: is in place fits into the hollow of the key K. On rotating the key the bolt 6 of
the lock B is raised. While the bolt b is raised the key K is held in the lock B
and cannot be removed until the lock B is again actuated. It therefore follows that
the tickets or checks can only be obtained while the magazine is locked to the
delivery machine. A slot I³ in the plate 12 allows for the passage of the tickets or
checks as they are ejected.
The magazine being in position on the machine and the lock B unlocked, it will be
understood that on pushing the plate J by means of the finger piece J¹ the projection
pushes the lowest ticket or check out of the magazine. The spring L returns the
plate J after each operation.
In order to depress the ejecting piece ; to allow of the removal of the magazine, an
arm is attached to its under side. This arm ja comes normally under a knob M at
the side of the machine and it will be seen that by pressing this knob the arm j² and
therefore the hinged piece j are depressed sufficiently to enable the projection ;¹ to
clear the slot c.
An arm N is connected to the ejector plate J so as to partake of its movement.
This arm carries a roller n at its outer end and during its movement presses upon a
spring O. This causes a gradual movement of the arm o' to which the spring O is
attached and the pin o acts upon the teeth of the wheel o². The wheel o² is therefore
moved one tooth for each operation of the ejector plate J. Upon the same spindle a
wheel o³ having one tooth of is mounted and this gears with a wheel of having ten
teeth so that this wheel os is rotated once in 10 revolutions of the wheel o³. A wheel
o having one tooth o' gears with the wheel o' having ten teeth. These wheels 03 05 08
serve for registering the units, tens and hundreds respectively which are indicated by
the pointers over the dials o 010 011. The spring O' regulates the step by step move-
ment of the wheel o².
The receiving machine shown in Fig. 9, 10 and 11 consists of a box P, fitted with a
ticket slot through which the tickets or checks are inserted as collected by the check-
taker. The ticket or check falls upon the tray Q fixed on the lever Q1 pivoted at q
and provided with a balance weight Q2 adjustable according to the weight of ticket or
check in use. Upon the pivot q a ratchet toothed wheel R is mounted and this gears
with a wheel R pivoted at q¹ and having the same number of teeth. A spring blade
R2 is attached at q¹ q' to the lever Q', so as to engage in the teeth of the ratchet wheel
R. Every time a check or ticket falls upon the tray Q the lever Q₁ is overbalanced
and the spring blade R causes the wheel R to move 1 tooth. This movement is
transmitted to the wheel R' and a projection r¹ on the wheel R¹ engages with the
toothed wheel R' once in each revolution and causes it to move 1 tooth. The wheel
R' has in the arrangement illustrated 20 teeth and the wheels R R¹, 50 teeth and it
will therefore be seen that when the wheel R³ has completed a revolution 1,000 checks
or tickets have been collected. Pointers 3 working over the dial and operated
respectively by the wheels R R3 indicate outside the case the number of tickets.
It will of course be understood that any other arrangement of the counting wheels
may be employed and three or more dials may be fitted if desired.
In order that the mechanism may be prevented from shaking about while the case
is being carried about a rod S is fitted having small pins 8 which when the rod is
moved to one side by means of an operating knob working through the slot s¹, engage
over the end of the lever Q so that it cannot move. Stops q serve to restrain the
angle of oscillation of the lever Q¹. A projection S¹ on the rod S closes part of the
ticket slot so that when the rod S engages the lever Q¹ no tickets can be inserted.
Preferably a casing is placed round the mechanism so as to preserve it from contact
with the tickets. On the outside of the casing an indication is preferably given to
show whether the ticket slot is open or closed.
The electric indicating device illustrated in Figs. 12, 13, and 14 works in conjunc-
tion with both the delivery and receiving, machines. The indicator is fitted in the
manager's or secretary's room and serves to indicate the number of tickets sold and
received in all parts. Electric counting mechanism is provided in connection with
each delivery or receiving machine and these mechanisms are mounted in the case T

page_text: (Fig. 12) preferably hung upon the wall the numbers showing through openings t upon
a tabulated register.
The electrical contacts from the delivery and receiving machines are arranged as
follows although it will of course be understood that any other convenient and suit-
able contact devices may be fitted.
In the case of the delivery machines the terminals U U¹ are mounted on the casing,
these being connected by wires with the terminals of the corresponding indicator.
The terminals U₁ are insulated from one another so that normally no current passes.
As the ejector plate J is moved to issue a ticket or check, the spring O is pressed
towards the counting mechanism as herein before described and its end which is
provided with a brass contact piece u comes in contact with the contact spring u¹ and
the terminal U so as to make electric contact therewith. The terminal
presses upon
U is connected by loose wiring with the contact piece u. The circuit is therefore
completed and the corresponding indicating mechanisin is operated so that each time
a ticket or check is issued, such issue is shown on the indicator.
it
In the case of the receiving mechanism a contact piece u² is mounted on the end
of the lever Q¹ and a contact spring us is mounted on the casing The contact piece
u2 is electrically connected through the mechanism with the terminal ws. Each time
the lever Q is depressed by a ticket or check the contact piece u² presses the contact
spring upon the terminal u and the circuit is completed. The corresponding
indicator in the frame T is therefore operated to indicate the receipt of a ticket or
check.
The receiving mechanism is preferably arranged separate from its base plate V and
can be slidden into place thereon. To provide the necessary electrical connections,
contact plates v v are arranged on the bottom of the box P, and upon the base plate V
two similar contact plates v₁ v₁ are fitted connected by terminals (not shown) and
wires to the corresponding indicating mechanism. When the receiving machine is
in place the contact plates vv, v v are therefore in contact and the receiving
mechanism is in circuit.
The indicating mechanism in the indicator T from each delivery and receiving
machine is similar and one mechanism only therefore is illustrated and described.
In Fig. 13 the front plate and dials are supposed removed. The wires from the cor-
responding delivery or receiving machine are connected to suitable terminals on the
casing T and thence to the solenoids W W. An armature W¹ is mounted on the lever
W2 pivoted at w and is attracted by the cores of the solenoids W W each time they
are energised, and the lever W₁ lifted.
A pin w is mounted on the end of the lever W & normally just clears the teeth
of the ratchet wheel X having ten teeth. Each time the lever W' is raised the pin
w¹ presses on the inclined surface of a tooth of the wheel X and moves it one tooth.
A spring X¹ suitably shaped engages in the teeth of the wheel X and regulates its
movement.
On the spindle of the wheel X a wheel X2 is mounted so as to partake of its move-
ment and this wheel has a single tooth a. Upon the spindle 2 a wheel X2 having
ten recesses on its periphery is mounted and for each revolution of the wheel X the
tooth engages in one of the recesses and moves the wheel X³ one recess.
Upon the
spindle a wheel X similar to the wheel X2 is mounted having a single tooth ³
adapted to engage with the recesses on the wheel X' similar to the wheel X2 mounted
on the spindle x. Upon the spindles x, 2, 4, dials Y, Y', Y are mounted having
numerals on their faces serving to indicate units, tens, and hundreds. Each time a
ticket or check is issued or received the corresponding solenoids W W are energised
and the dial Y is moved one division, the tens and hundreds being indicated on the
dials Y¹ Y
To allow for adjusting the dials to zero an operating knob Z permits of turning the
dials quickly to zero. The knob Z is also fitted in the case of the delivering machine
as shown in Fig. 7.
The numbers on the dials Y Y Y for each indicating mechanism show through
openings t in the front of the indicator T. Preferably the front of the case is arranged

page_text: so that the mechanisın can be got at by the Manager or person in charge and set at
zero or any number required.
In the case of the indicating mechanism for half price tickets and transfers for
theatres and the like separate dials are necessary but the mechanism is similar.
In using this invention, the ticket or check magazines are distributed to the ticket
seilers. The magazines are then placed on the delivery or issuing machine through
which only the tickets or checks can be obtained. The tickets are preferably shot out
in front of a glass or wire screen so that the ticket seller does not touch them at all
and a counter shows the number of tickets or checks issued. The check taker or
collector is provided with a receiving machine into which the tickets or checks are
inserted as collected, and the counter of this machine should indicate the same as the
issuing machine. An electrical indication from both of these machines is provided
in the manager's or secretary's room or other suitable place so, that the number of
tickets or checks issued and received from all parts of the house can be seen during
and after operation.
By means of this system of checking delivery and receipt as well as registering the
number of tickets or checks, an arrangement is provided which effectually prevents
any dishonesty as the checks or tickets are registered both on delivery and on
collecting, the registering device automatically indicating the sale and receipt of checks
or tickets in the Manager's Office.
Thus a perfect check can be kept as to the number of persons in a theatre or various
parts of a theatre or any other place in which the apparatus is used.
Although this invention has been described more especially for theatrical and like
purposes it will be understood that it can also be applied for all kinds of public places,
and for sporting grounds etc. Further, some of the details of mechanism can be
varied slightly without departing from this invention.
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 a means for delivering receiving and registering tickets or checks for theatres,
halls, athletic and race grounds and other places of public entertainment, a
removeable magazine containing the tickets or checks and normally locked, a
delivering machine on which the magazine is placed and through which the tickets
or checks only can be obtained, a receiving machine in which the tickets or checks
are placed as collected and an electric indicator showing in a distant place the
operation of both delivering and receiving machines substantially as described and
for the purposes specified.
(2) In a means for delivering receiving and registering tickets or checks for
theatres, halls, athletic and race grounds and other places of public entertainment,
a magazine containing the tickets or checks and having a lock which normally
prevents the passage of the tickets or checks therefrom, a delivering machine on
which the magazine is placed a lock operating device on said delivery machine
whereby the lock of the magazine can be operated to allow of the issue of tickets
or checks the magazine being then fixed to the delivering machine so that tickets or
checks can only be obtained through the machine, a counting device by which the
number of tickets or checks is automatically registered, a receiving machine in
which the tickets or checks are placed as collected, a counting mechanism operated
by the tickets to show the number of tickets collected an electric indicator, contact
devices in the delivering machine, contact devices on the receiving machine and
electric counting mechanisms in the indicator operated from the delivering and
receiving machine to show their operation on the indicator substantially as
described and for the purposes specified.
(3) In a means for delivering receiving and registering tickets or checks for
theatres, halls athletic and race grounds and other places of public entertainment, a
magazine for the tickets or checks consisting of a casing having a sliding front, a
lock for use only by the person responsible for filling with tickets or checks, a lock

page_text: which normally prevents the passage of tickets or checks therefrom and which can
only be operated when the magazine is placed on the delivering machine, toothed
racks on the inner sides of the magazine, a weight pressing down the tickets as the
lower ones are removed from the magazine pivoted arms on said weight, a spring
pressing the ends of said arms into engagement with the rack teeth, and means for
preventing the return of tickets or checks into the magazine in combination with a
delivery machine on which the magazine is placed and locked thereto before any
tickets or checks can be issued, a receiving machine in which the tickets or checks
are placed as collected and an electric indicator showing in a distant place the
operation of both delivering and receiving machines substantially as described and
for the purposes specified.
(4) In a means for delivering receiving and registering tickets or checks for
theatres, halls, athletic and race grounds and other places of public entertainment, a
magazine for the tickets or checks consisting of a casing having a sliding front, a
lock for use only by the person responsible for filling with tickets or checks, a
lock which normally prevents the passage of tickets or checks therefrom and which
can only be operated when the magazine is placed on the delivering machine,
toothed racks on the inner sides of the magazines, a weight pressing down the
tickets as the lower ones are removed from the magazine, pivoted arms on said
weight, a spring pressing the ends of said arms into engagement with the rack
teeth and means for preventing the return of tickets or checks into the magazine, a
delivering machine having chamfered grooves in which the magazine is placed, a key
adapted to fit in the lock of the magazine when placed on the delivering machine,
sector and pinion gear for operating said key to allow of the issue of tickets or
checks the magazine being then prevented from removal, ejecting piece projecting.
through a slot in the magazine so as to engage behind the lowest ticket or check
therein, a sliding piece carrying said ejecting piece and provided with a finger piece
whereby the sliding piece can be operated to force the lowest ticket or check out
of the inagazine, means for depressing the ejecting piece to allow of the removal of
the magazine from the delivering machine, a spring for returning said sliding piece
after each operation, a spring lever on which an arm fixed to the sliding piece presses
during its movement, counting mechanism operated by the movement of said spring
lever to register each operation of the machine and an electric contact device
which completes an electric circuit at each operation, in combination with a receiving
machine in which the tickets or checks are placed as collected and an electric
indicator showing in a distant place the operation of both delivering and receiving
machines, substantially as described.
(5) In a means for delivering receiving and registering tickets or checks for
theatres, halls, athletic and race grounds and other places of public entertainment, a
magazine containing the tickets or checks and having a lock which normally
prevents the passage of the tickets or checks therefrom, a delivering machine on
which the magazine is placed, a lock operating device on said delivering machine
whereby the lock of the magazine can be operated to allow of the issue of tickets or
checks the magazine being then fixed to the delivering machine so that tickets or
checks can only be obtained through the machine, a counting device by which the
number of tickets or checks is automatically registered a receiving machine con-
sisting of a casing into which the tickets or checks are inserted as collected, through
a slot, a lever carrying at one end a tray on which each ticket or check falls as it is
inserted and at the other with an adjustable balancing weight, means whereby the
movement of said lever is caused to actuate a counting mechanism, an electric
contact device which completes the electric circuit each time the lever is oscillated by
a ticket or check, a device for preventing operation of the lever while the casing is
being carried about the said device also closing the ticket slot at the same time to
prevent insertion of a ticket or check, contact devices on the casing, corresponding
devices on the stand therefore so that when the machine is in place it is in an electric
circuit, and an electric indicator connected to both delivering and receiving machines
and showing in a distant place their operation substantially as described.

page_text: (6) In a means for delivering receiving and registering tickets or checks for
theatres, halls, athletic and race grounds and other places of public entertainment, a
magazine containing the tickets or checks and having a lock which normally prevents
the passage of the tickets or checks therefrom, a delivering machine on which the
magazine is placed a lock operating device on said delivering machine whereby the
lock of the magazine can be operated to allow of the issue of tickets or checks the
magazine being then fixed to the delivering machine so that tickets or checks can
only be obtained through the machine, a counting device by which the number
of tickets or checks is automatically registered, a receiving machine in which
tickets or checks are placed as collected, a counting mechanism operated by the
tickets to show the number of tickets collected, an indicator frame in a distant
place, electric solenoid mechanism in said indicator for each delivering and
receiving machine the said solenoid mechanism being energised and operated each
time a ticket or check is issued or collected, and counting mechanism operated by
the electric solenoid mechanism to show on dials the number of tickets or checks
issued or collected substantially as described.
(7) In a means for delivering receiving and registering tickets or checks for
theatres, halls, athletic and race grounds and other places of public entertainment
as claimed in Claims 1 to 6, a magazine for the tickets or checks comprising the
casing A sliding front A', lock B, bottom plate C having slot c, toothed racks D,
recessed portion a¹, spring pieces c³, weight F having pivoted arms fi f¹, spring ƒ³,
and strap a³ all arranged substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of
the drawings and for the purposes specified.
(8) In a means for delivering receiving and registering tickets or checks for
theatres, halls, athletic and race grounds and other places of public entertainment
as claimed in Claims 1 to 6, the delivery machine comprising base H
plate I having slot I¹ therein, chamfered grooves i for the bottom plate of the
magazine, front plate 12, key K for operating lock B of the magazine, sector k¹
handle and pinion for operating said key K, sliding piece J having finger piece J¹,
ejecting piece having projection j¹, spring L, arm 2, knob M, arm N carrying
roller n spring O, lever o¹, pin o, ratchet wheel 02, spring O¹, wheels 03, 05, 0° and 08,
dials o oo", contact piece u, contact spring u¹ and terminals U U₁ all arranged
and operating substantially as described with reference to Figs 5 6 and 7 of the
drawing and for the purposes specified.
(9) In a means for delivering receiving and registering tickets or checks for
theatres, halls, athletic and race grounds and other places of public entertainment
as claimed in Claims 1 to 6, the receiving machine comprising box P lever Q', tray Q
adjustable balance weight Q2, spring catch 92, ratchet wheel R, ratchet wheel R¹,
pins thereon, toothed wheel R³, dial 4, pointers 23, contact pieces u², contact
spring w, terminal u', arm S, base V, contact plates vv and contact plates v vall
arranged substantially as described with reference to Figs 9, 10 and 11 of the
drawings and for the purposes specified.
(10) In a means for delivering receiving and registering tickets or checks for
theatres, halls, athletic. and race grounds and other places of public entertainment as
claimed in Claims I to 6, an electric indicator electrically connected with the
delivering and receiving machines, comprising the solenoids W, armature W₁,
lever W, pin w¹, ratchet wheel X, spring X', wheels X2, X3, X4, X5, and dials
Y Y Y all arranged in the casing T so that the numerals on the dials show through
openings t substantially as described with reference to Figs, 12, 13 and 14 of the
drawings and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 20th d.... SManah 1900
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London,
Agent for the Applicant,