IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING RAILWAY AND OTHER FARES, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING RAILWAY AND OTHER FARES,
AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Archibald
Hance, Railway Superintendent, and William Hans Hornum, Engineer, both
of the City and State of New York, United States of America.
Scaled the 21st July 1876, and dated the 1st June 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st June 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING
RAILWAY AND OTHER FARES, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES." A communication
from abroad by Archibald Hance, Railway Superintendent, and William Hans
Hornum, Engineer, both of the City and State of New York, United States of
America.
The first part of this Invention relates to the combination of two cylinders, one
working inside the other, said cylinders being made to revolve step by step, both in
the same direction but with different velocities in the interior of a cylindrical case
with a rectilinear slot. The surface of the inner cylinder is divided into 100 spaces
forming ten rows of ten spaces each, which extend in slightly oblique directions
from end to end of said cylinder, and which contain the figures from 1 to 9, one
space in each row being left blank, while the outer cylinder is marked with
figures from 0 to 9, arranged in a spiral line extending all around the surface of said
cylinder on the sides of openings also arranged in a spiral running parallel to the
spiral of the figures, so that by imparting to the two cylinders the required step-by-
step motion the figures from 0 to 99 are successively brought opposite the slot in
the rectilinear case. The inner cylinder is moved by a pawl, and ratchet, and is
geared with the outer cylinder by cog wheels and pinions of the proper propor-
tion. The pinions are mounted on a shaft from which motion is transmitted to a
supplemental registering mechanism arranged to register hundreds, thousands, and
so on.
The second part of this Invention relates to a fare register wherein two slides or
prime movers are used, each of which serves to actuate a different registering
mechanism. With said slides is combined a cam lever mounted on an arbor which
carries the pointer, said cam lever being acted on by tappets secured by the actuating
[Price 6d1

page_text: slides, so that whenever one of the slides is pulled out the pointer (unless the same
is already in the required position) is moved and caused to point to the registering
mechanism which is to be actuated by the motion of said slide, and at the same
time the cam lever forms a stop so that only one slide can be moved at a time.
The registering mechanism which is used with one of the slides consists of a unit
disc and a ten disc, each of which is marked with figures from 1 to 9, and which
are mounted on different arbors geared together by a pinion and cog wheel. The
unit disc covers a portion of the ten disc, and it is provided with a series of openings
placed in a convolute curve, one opening to each figure. For each up-and-down
stroke of the appropriate slide the unit disc turns one-tenth of a revolution so as to
bring a new figure opposite to an opening in the face plate, at the same time the
ten disc is rotated sufficiently to keep the same figure opposite the successive
openings in the unit disc until said unit disc has completed a full revolution, when
the next succeeding figure of the ten disc is brought under the opening next to
the O on the unit disc. A general registering mechanism entirely independent of
the single trip registering mechanism is also combined with this slide. With the
other slide is combined a registering mechanism composed of a main unit disc
inarked with figures from 0 to 9 which are successively brought opposite to an
opening in the face plate of the case, and a second unit disc and a ten disc, each of
which is marked with figures from 0 to 9, that are successively brought opposite
to openings in the back plate of the case. The unit disc revolves loosely on its
spindle, being connected to the same by a ratchet wheel and spring pawl. In the
unit disc are two openings for the introduction of a suitable key which is so formed
that it throws the spring pawl out of gear with its ratchet wheel and that the unit
disc can be turned on its arbor in one direction, a stop pawl preventing its being
turned in the opposite direction. The secondary unit disc is mounted firmly on the
arbor of the main unit disc, and it is provided in its periphery with ratchet teeth
which engage with a spring pawl secured to the appropriate slide, so that for each
stroke of the slide both unit discs are turned one-tenth of a revolution and the
figures marked on their faces are successively brought opposite to the respective
openings in the face plate and back plate of the case.
This part of the said Invention relates also to the combination in one and the
same case of two or more distinct registering devices and a single bell, said
registering devices being moved by different prime movers and intended to register
different fares.
The third part of this Invention relates to means for converting reciprocating
into rotary motion, and consists in the combination of the shaft to be rotated and
the reciprocating device of a swinging arm which is pivoted at one end to the
reciprocating bar, and has at its other end a pin which extends through the bar so
as to project from both its sides, one end of said pin playing in a radial slot made
in a disc fitted on the rotating shaft, and the other end of the pin which projects
from the opposite side of the bar playing in an elliptical groove formed in a plate
arranged adjacent to and parallel with the slotted disc. This groove is arranged in
such a manner that its longer axis is inclined with respect to the vertical plane
which passes through the axis of the rotating shaft or to the path of the recip-
rocating device, the inclination being either to the left or to the right, according as
the direction of rotation of the shaft is to be in one direction or the other. By
inclining the groove in this manner the pin of the swinging arm when at its highest
point and in a state of rest is brought to one side of the axis of the groove, so that
in its descent it will follow that side and complete its course through the groove in
that direction, returning at the end of the reciprocating movement to the same
position in the groove. The movement is prevented from being reversed by means
of a spring detent which engages ratchet teeth formed to point in a direction
opposite to the direction of rotation. The direction of rotation is changed at
pleasure by changing the inclination of the axis of the groove, and this object is
accomplished in practise by making the heart of the groove or that part whose
periphery forms the inner surface of the groove of a separate piece from the rest of

page_text: the plate and by inclining it in one direction or the other, the groove being made of
such a width as to allow of this change without making the passage too narrow for.
the pin.
The first part of this Invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, in which Figure 1
represents a plan of my apparatus complete; Figure 2 is a sectional plan of the
same; Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line x, x; Figure 4 is a similar section
on the line y, y; and Figure 5 is a similar section on the line 2, 3, Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a plan showing the supplemental registering wheels situated above the
back plate; Figure 7 is an inverted plan of the same; Figure 8 shows the inner
cylinder detached.
A, B, designate two cylinders which work one inside the other in the interior of
a cylindrical case C provided with a rectilinear slot s extending nearly through it
lengthwise (see Figure 1). The inner cylinder A is firmly mounted on an arbor a
which has its bearings in the heads of the case C, and on which the outer cylinder B
revolves loosely. On the shaft a is firmly secured a cog wheel b which gears in a
pinion c, Figure 6, mounted on a shaft on which is fastened a second pinion e
which gears in a cog wheel secured to the end of the outer cylinder B, the pro-
portion between the cog wheels d, f, and pinions c, e, being such that when tho
inner cylinder is turned the outer cylinder is caused to move at a different speed
from that of the inner one. The surface of the inner cylinder is divided into
100 spaces arranged in ten rows which extend in slightly oblique directions from
one end of the cylinder to the other, or nearly so.
Each row contains 10 spaces,
and the figures from 1 to 9, one space in each row being left blank (see Figure 8).
The outer cylinder is marked with the figures from 0 to 9, which are arranged on a
spiral line extending all round said cylinder on the sides of openings g, Figure 2,
which are also arranged on a spiral line running parallel to the line of the figures.
It will be readily seen from this description that the two cylinders can be turned
to such a position that one of the blank spaces of the inner cylinder comes under
the opening alongside the 0 on the outer cylinder, and in line with the slot s in the
case. If the inner cylinder is then turned so as to bring successively its blank
spaces in line with the slot s, while the outer cylinder is turned to bring successively
the figures 1, 2, 3, in line with said slot, the apparatus will indicate the figures 0 to
9. As the motion continues the spaces of the inner cylinder containing the figure 1
are successively brought in line with slot 8, and at the same time the figures 0 to 9
on the outer cylinder come in line with said slot, and the apparatus registers the
numbers 10 to 19, and so on. It is obvious that the motion of the two cylinders
can be easily regulated by the cog wheels b, f, and pinions c, e, so as to produce the
desired result, according to the manner in which the figures are placed on the inner
and outer cylinders, which may be changed in various ways.
In the example of this Invention shown in the above enumerated Figures of the
Drawing the motion of the inner cylinder is produced by a finger lever D, which
carries a pawl h that engages with a wheel & situated close to the back plate E of
the apparatus. On the under side of this cog wheel, or on a disc secured on its
arbor, are 100 marks, which show through an aperture in the back plate, and said
wheel is geared with additional registering wheels m, n, the figures marked on which
show through apertures o, p, in the back plate (see Figure 7). By these means a
supplemental registering mechanism is connected with the two cylinders A, B, to
register hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, and so on.
The second part of this Invention is illustrated in Figures 9 to 12, in which
Figure 9 is a face view of my fare register; Figure 10 is a similar view when the
face plate has been removed, some of the parts being broken away to expose the
mechanism beneath them; Figure 11 is an inverted plan, portions of the case being
broken away to expose the working parts; Figure 12 is a transverse section on the
line 7, 8, Figure 10.
A designates a case which is made of sheet metal or any other suitable material
in the form best adapted for the purpose for which it is intended to be used. In
the middle of this case are situated two slides or prime movers B, C, which serve to

page_text: actuate the registering mechanisms D, E, and which extend through slots in the
edge of the case, each slide being provided with a finger piece b, c, and with a guide
slot a catching over a stud a°, so that the same are compelled to move in rectilinenr
paths. Between said slides is situated an arbor d, which has its bearings in the
front and back plate of the case A., and which extends through the front plate a
sufficient distance to receive an index hand F. On said arbor and in the interior of
the case is firmly mounted a cam lever e, and each of the slides is provided with a
tappet f. If one of the slides is drawn out its tappet acts on the cam lever c, and
the index hand F is thrown over to that side of the case A which contains the
registering mechanism controlled by that particular slide. For instance, if the
registering mechanism on one side of the case is intended for fivepenny fares, and
that on the other for sixpenny fares, if the slide C is drawn out the index hand is
thrown over to the fivepenny fare, see Figure 9, and it remains in that position
until the sixpenny faro slide B is pulled. Neither of the slides can be drawn out
without showing by the index hand what kind of a fare has been registered. The
cam levere also forms a stop, so that only one slide at a time can be drawn out. If
desired said cain lever may be so formed that it acts merely as a stop, and that each
slide can be drawn out only after the index F has been turned by hand to the fare
which is to be registered.
Instead of the aforesaid slides other prime movers, such as levers, triggers, or push
bars may be employed.
The registering mechanism D consists of a unit disc g, and a ten disc h, which are
geared together by a pinion i and cog wheel j. In the unit disc are 10 apertures 1,
which are arranged in a convolute curve, and on the face of said disc are marked
the figures 0 to 9, one opposite to each of the apertures k. On the face of the ten
disc are marked the figures 0 to 9 in a circular line. A step-by-step movement is
imparted to the unit disc by means of an anchor lever l, which engages with a
ratchet wheel mɩ mounted on the arbor of the unit disc, said anchor lever being
actuated by a stud n. secured in the slide B, so that when this slide is pulled out
and then pushed in the unit disc makes one-tenth of a revolution, and thereby the
figures on its face are successively brought opposite to an opening o (Figure 9) in
the face plate of the case. At the same time the ten disc receives a slow revolving
motion, so that each of its figures will successively appear through the convolute
apertures in the unit disc. By this arrangement 99 fares can be registered in
succession. On the arbor of the unit disc is secured a button, or said arbor may be
constructed to fit an appropriate key, whereby the registering mechanism D can be
returned to its starting point after each trip. With the slide B is combined a
general registering mechanism L, which works independent of the single trip
registering mechanism D, and which is moved one step for each stroke of the slide B.
The device which is used by preference for imparting motion to the general regis-
tering mechanism forms the third part of this Invention, and is hereafter fully
described. With the slide B is also combined a hammer H, which strikes the bell I
each time the slide is drawn out.
Kach
The registering mechanism E consists of a main unit disc p, which is mounted
loosely on an arbor g, being connected to said arbor by a ratchet wheel and spring
pawl 8, said ratchet wheel being firmly secured to the arbor q. On this arbor is
also secured a secondary unit disc t, which is geared with the ten disc u.
of these discs is marked on its face with figures from 0 to 9, the figures of the
main unit disc being brought successively o posite to an opening in the face plate
of the case, while the figures on the secondary unit and ten dises come successively
opposite to openings win the back plate of the case.
The edge of the secondary unit disc forms ratchet teeth, which are acted on by
a spring tappet y secured to the slide C. A stop pawl z retains the secondary unit
disc, and with it the entire registering mechanism firmly in position, and if the
slide C is pulled out said stop pawl is raised out of gear with the ratchet teeth
before the tappet y takes action. For each stroke of the slide C the main unit disc
and the secondary unit disc are turned one-tenth of a revolution.

page_text: With the main unit disc may be combined a ten disc to enable this portion of
the registering mechanism E to register at least 99 fares, and with the secondary
unit and ten discs will be combined in practice a hundred and thousand discs to
connect it with a general registering mechanism capable of registering a large
number of fares.
In the face of the main unit disc are two slots a' for the reception of a suitable
key, said slot being so situated that by inserting the key the spring pawls is
thrown out of gear with the ratchet wheel , and the main unit disc can be turned
forward and set to its starting point; a stop pawl c¹ prevents said disc from being
turned in the wrong direction. By this arrangement the main unit disc with its
appendages forms a single trip registering mechanism, which can be set back to the
starting point after each trip, while the secondary unit disc with its appendages
forms a goneral registering mechanism which cannot be set back, and continues
registering all the fares taken during a number of trips.
With the registering mechanism E is combined a hammer J, which is actuated
by the ratchet teeth r of the secondary unit disc, and which for each movement of
the registering mechanism strikes the bell I.
The third part of this Invention is illustrated in Figures 13 to 15, in which
Figure 13 is a sectional side elevation; Figure 14 is a side elevation, the cam device
being removed; Figure 15 is a plan, the lever being removed.
A designates the shaft to be rotated, and B, B, designates standards in which it
has its bearings; upon one end of the said shaft is fixed a disc C, whose periphery
is provided with ratchet teeth D, pointing in a direction opposite to that in which
the shaft is to be rotated; a spring detent E is arranged in such a position as to
engage the ratchet teeth and prevent the reverse movement of the shaft, while it
does not oppose the motion in the direction of the arrow.
The disc C has in it a radial slot F, into which extends a pin G that projects
from one side of an arm H pivoted to a lever I, whose fulcrum is on the standard J.
The slot F is elongated sufficiently to allow the pin to adjust itself therein and to
accommodate itself to the shape of the groove. The lever I is pressed upwards by
a spring K, which restores it to the proper position after it has been operated to
rotate the shaft one complete revolution, so that it is ready to be again operated.
The pin G, which extends from the swinging arm H into the slotted disc, extends
through the swinging arm, and projects from its opposite side into a groove L formed
in a plate M arranged parallel with the disc C. The groove is in this example
elliptical, its longer axis extending in an upward direction, but its axis is inclined
away from the vertical plane, which passes through the shaft or the plane of recipro-
cation, so that the apex of the groove (see Figure 1) is to the right of such plane,
whereby the pin G in its normal position is brought to the left of the apex or highest
O point of the groove, and consequently is compelled to descend the groove on that side
when the reciprocating device is operated; and when the pin is pushed down in its
reciprocation to its lowest position it passes the lowest projection 1 in the groove,
and the ascent of the pin takes place in the right-hand portion of the groove, the
completion of the ascent taking the pin past the projection 2.
The heart N, whose periphery forins one side of the groove, is separate from the
plate M, and can be adjusted to set its longer axis to the right or left of the plane
of reciprocation, or of a vertical plane passing through the shaft, without disturbing
the plate M, care being taken that space is left for the passage of the pin.
By the combination of the ratchet teeth D and spring detent E with the above
O described apparatus, the return of the reciprocating device to its higher position may
be prevented, unless it has first completed its descent, so that the pin has passed the
projection 1 in the groove.
If the lever I or reciprocating device is pushed down only part of the way, and
the force exerted against it is then removed, the shaft and ratchet wheel will be
5 turned to a correspondingly degree, and will be held stationary in that position by
the operation of the detent, the lever being also held stationary in its partly

page_text: depressed position, because the pin G of the reciprocating device is locked in the
slot F of the ratchet wheel.
O represents a standard which supports the plate M. and the "heart" or central
part, whose edge forms one side of the groove.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,-
Referring to Figures 1 to 8 inclusive,-
First. In a registering apparatus the combination of two cylinders A, B, one
working inside the other, and geared together to move at different velocities in a
cylindrical case C with a slot s, the inner cylinder A being divided into 100 spaces
containing figures, while the outer cylinder B is inarked with the figures from 0
to 9, arranged on a spiral line alongside of apertures g, all constructed and operating
as above described.
Second. The combination in a registering apparatus of the two cylinders A, B, one
working inside the other, with the supplemental registering mechanism composed of
a worin j and wheels k, m, n, as above set forth.
Referring to Figures 9 to 12 inclusive,―
Third. The combination with two independent registering devices D, E, and with
their prime movers B, C, of a cam lever e and index F, whereby only one of the
prime movers can be moved at a time, the index pointing to that registering
mechanism which is to be actuated, as above described.
Fourth. The registering mechanism D, composed of a unit disc and a ten
disch geared with each other, said unit disc being provided with apertures le
arranged in a convolute curve in combination with a slide or prime mover, and
with a general registering mechanism, all constructed and operating as above set
forth.
Fifth. The registering mechanism E, composed of a main unit disc p, with or
without a ten disc, and a secondary unit disc t and ten disc u, with or without addi-
tional discs, the main unit disc being connected to the arbor of the secondary unit 3
disc by a ratchet wheel and pawl in combination with a prime mover acting on the
secondary unit disc, whereby the main unit disc with its appendages can be turned
back to the starting point, while the secondary unit disc with its appendages con-
tinues to register, and all constructed and operating in the manner above described.
Sixth. The combination in one and the same case of two or more distinct 3
registering devices and a single bell, said registering devices being moved by
different prime movers, and intended to register different fares, as above described.
Referring to Figures 13 to 15 inclusive,―
Seventh. The shaft A, slotted disc G, lever 1, or device having a reciprocating
motion, and eccentric groove L, combined and operating as above described.
Eighth. The combination of the ratchet wheel C, mounted on the shaft A, and
the spring pawl E with the lever I or other reciprocating device, as above described.
Nintli. The adjustable heart N of the groove plate M, as above specified and for
the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my 4
hand and seal, this First day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
Witness,
JA³. EDWARDS,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
WN. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)