Improvements in Self Registering and Checking Apparatus for Tramcars and Omnibuses and like Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 29th July, 1889-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self Registering and Checking Apparatus for
Tramcars and Omnibuses and like Purposes.
I, THOMAS GREGORY, Watchmaker, 76 Lord Street, Southport, in the county of
Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to self registering and checking apparatus for traincars
and omnibuses, and like purposes; and have for object the automatic registration or
checking of the number of passengers travelling, and also the distances travelled, in
such like vehicles.
To effect this and to accomplish my improvements, I employ-by preference-a
door or wicket, at the entrance to the vehicle, constructed, in plan, in the form of two
segments of circles or other curves; which segments, or one of them, are enabled to
partially turn on a suitable pivot or hinge, or to move in a slide, in such manner that
the curve becomes closed on one side, as it is opened or broken on the other.
So that when a person passes within the curve, the same must be closed behind
him to enable exit to be made on the opposite side thereof. But in lieu of such
special door, the ordinary or other forms of turnstile, or sliding or other doors, single
or double, may be employed as a modification.
The door or turnstile is fitted with a suitable lever or attachment, and link or other
connection, which enables it to actuate (on the opening and closing thereof) a ratchet
and paul motion attached to or driving a drum or pulley, or it may be more than one,
carrying a ribbon or tape of paper or suitable substitute, on which are printed, or
otherwise marked, consecutive numbers. By preference one of these numbers always
comes opposite to a slot or opening in the box or casing of the apparatus, so as to be
exposed to view, and thus each time the completo motion is given to the door or
wicket the next following number is brought opposite the slot, and thus this portion of
my improvements indicates how many persons or passengers have entered the vehicle.
Within the wicket, or at any other suitable point at the entrance, a moveable step
or platform is placed on which each entrant has to step. This is, by means of a
balance weight or spring, set to resist a certain fixed weight, to be determined as that
of a child or half fare, but which will be depressed by the weight of a full grown
person. This step or platform is connected by any suitable mechanical means to a
lever or other stamper, which is set to act on the ribbon or tape of figures or numbers,
and thus, when the platform is depressed, the number is stamped as a full fare; on
the other hand, when the platform is not depressed, this stamper is not operated, and
thus, by omission, registers a half fare.
For the purpose of registering the distance travelled, I employ, in addition to the
foregoing, a disc and pointer, and also additional stampers, which disc and stampers
are of varying colours or devices. The disc, or it may be the pointer, has revolving
motion given thereto by means of a lever operating a ratchet and train of wheels,
which lever takes its motion from one of the wheels or axles of the vehicle, and thus
enables a continuous measure of the distances travelled to be indicated on such disc.
These distances, or it may be only the desired stages of the journey, are indicated
on the disc or dial by dividing the same into coloured or otherwise marked spaces
corresponding with the distances of the stages. To produce a register of these
distances, I employ an arrangement of stampers of colours or devices or markings,
one to correspond with each stage or distance as shewn on the dial. These stampers
are consecutively brought into juxtaposition with the ribbon or tape of paper, as the
different stages are reached, and as they are brought into gear they are actuated in
turn by the opening and closing of the door or wicket or otherwise, and thus shew
the particular stage at which the passenger enters the vehicle. These coloured or

page_text: other stampers may be fixed on a sliding rod and be drawn into position, by means of
lever and link or other connections, by a suitably formed cam, cut to the required
stages, and placed either behind the dial aforesaid or otherwise, and may be actuated
by the same means.
Similar apparatus may be employed for outside passengers, by using a duplicate set
of stampers acting on the same or a second ribbon, for which purpose I prefer to
make the ascending steps depressable, so that one or more may be utilized for
actuating the stamps or ribbon or both.
To complete the registration, when such is necessary, I cause the stampers to again
act when the passenger comes out of, or down from the vehicle, thereby shewing at
what stage exit as well as entrance was made, thus shewing the distance travelled;
but where this is not required the stamping operation may be limited to act in one
direction only, as will be readily understood.
1
For the purpose of satisfying the passenger, and preventing disputes with the
guard, I may provide tickets bearing the same colour or device as that indicated on
the dial and stamper operating at the moment of entrance, so that on comparing the
ticket with the dial on exit, the proper fare can be accurately determined.
The dial or disc, or the travelling ribbon, or other moving or fixed parts of the
apparatus may or may not be employed partly for advertising purposes, and variations
in detail and modifications may be made without departing from the peculiar character
of the invention.
201
October 1888
WILLIAM GADD, E.,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self Registering and Checking Apparatus for
Tramcars and Omnibuses and like Purposes.
1, THOMAS GREGORY, of 76 Lord Street, Southport, in the county of Lancaster,
Watchmaker, 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 :-
The improvements relate to self registering and checking apparatus for tramcars
and omnibuses, and like purposes; and have for object the automatic registration or
checking of the number of passengers travelling, and also the distances travelled
in such like vehicles.
To affect this and to accomplish my improvements, 1 employ-by preference-a
door or wicket, at the entrance to the vehicle, constructed, in plan, in the form of
two segments of circles or other curves; which segments, or one of them, are enabled
to partially turn on a suitable pivot or hinge, or to move in a slide, in such manner
that the opening between the curves becomes closed on one side, as it is opened or
broken on the other.
So that when a person passes within the space enclosed by the curves, the same
must be closed behind him to enable exit to be made on the opposite side thereof.
But in lieu of such special door, the ordinary or other forms of turnstiles, or sliding
or other doors, single or double, may be employed as a modification.
The door or turnstile is fitted with a suitable lever or attachment, and link or
other connection, which enables it to actuate, (on the opening and closing thereof)
a ratchet and paul motion attached to or driving a drum or pulley, or it may be
more than one, carrying a ribbon or a tape of paper or suitable substitute, on which
are printed, or otherwise marked consecutive numbers. By preference one of these
numbers always comes opposite to a slot or opening in the box or casing of the
apparatus, so as to be exposed to view, and thus each time the complete motion is
given to the slot or wicket the next following number is brought opposite the slot
and thus this portion of my improvements indicates how many persons or passenger
have entered the vehicle.

page_text: Within the wicket, or at any other suitable point at the entrance, a moveable step
or platform is placed, on which each entrant has to step. This is, by means of a
balance weight or spring, set to resist a certain fixed weight, to be determined as that
of a child or half fare, but which will be depressed by the weight of a full grown
person. This step or platform is connected by any suitable mechanical means to a
lever or other stamper, which is set to act on the ribbon or tape of figures or numbers,
and thus, when the platform is depressed, the number is stamped as a full fare; on
the other hand, when the platform is not depressed, this stamper is not operated, and
thus, by omission, registers a half fare.
For the purpose of registering the distance travelled, I employ in addition to the
foregoing, a disc and pointer, and also additional stampers, which disc and stampers
are of various colours, or devices. The disc, or it may be the pointers, has revolving
motion given thereto by means of a lever operating a ratchet and train of wheels,
which lever takes its motion from one of the wheels or axles of the vehicle, and thus
enables a continuous measure of the distances travelled to be indicated on such disc.
These distances, or it may be only the desired stages of the journey, are indicated
on the disc or dial by dividing the same into coloured or otherwise marked spaces
corresponding with the distances of the stages. To produce a register of these
distances, I employ an arrangement of stampers of colours or devices or markings,
one to correspond with each stage or distance as shewn on the dial. These stampers
are consecutively brought into juxtaposition with the ribbon or tape of paper, as the
different stages are reached, and as they are brought into gear they are actuated in
turn by the opening and closing of the door or wicket or otherwise, and thus shew
the particular stage at which the passengers enters the vehicle. These coloured or
other stampers may be fixed on a sliding rod and drawn into position, by means of
lever and link or other connections, by a suitably formed cam, cut to the registered
stages, and placed either behind the dial aforesaid or otherwise, and may be actuated
by the same means.
Similar apparatus may be employed for outside passengers, by using a duplicate
set of stampers acting on the same or a second ribbon, for which purpose I prefer
to make the ascending steps depressible, so that one or more may be utilized for
actuating the stamps or ribbon or both.
To complete this registration, when such is necessary, I cause the stampers to
again act, on the same or other ribbons, when the passengers comes out of, or down
from the vehicle, thereby showing at what stage exit as well as entrance was made,
thus shewing the distance travelled; but where this is not required the stamping
operation may be caused to act in one direction only, as will be readily understood.
For the purpose of satisfying the passengers, and preventing disputes with the
guard, I may provide tickets bearing the same colour or device as that indicated
on the dial and stamper operating at the moment of entrance so that on comparing
the ticket with the dial on exit the proper fare can be accurately determined.
The dial or disc, or other travelling ribbon, or other moving or fixed parts of the
apparatus may or may not be employed partly for advertising purposes.
But that the improvements may be better understood, I will with the aid of the
accompanying drawings proceed more fully to describe means employed by me.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1. shews a front elevation and Fig. 2. a side view of portions of checking and
registering apparatus arranged in accordance with my invention.
Fig. 3, shews a transverse section parily in plan view of one form of door or
wicket, while Figs. 4 and 5 shew details of attachment or connection of various parts.
The same letters indicate corresponding parts wherever they occur: a, a, a, a', a², a²,
and as, as, are sets of geared roller apparatus for carrying and moving forward the
ribbons of paper, or substitute therefor, on which the registration and checking of the
passengers is recorded. These ribbons or strips may or may not be provided with
consecutive numbers thereon, but I prefer they should so be prepared.

page_text: regory
Motion is given to the ribbon roller a, a, and a', a, vy
rough the shafts b, b, and b, b, one of which is operated by the door on the entranc
f a passenger, while the other is operated by the door on the exit of a passenger, in
banner to be hereinafter described.
are for
As any 5
c, c, is the slide carrying the stampers d, d, d', d¹, d², d², and d³, d³.
tamper comes opposite the spurt wheel e, e, e', e', or the bent levers f,f,f, f, they
re caused to stamp the ribbon of paper. The stampers d, d, and d², d,
registering the entrance and exit of inside passengers; while the stampers d², d²,
and d³, d, fulfil the same purpose for outside passengers; y, g, is the revolving disc
which can be marked into stages of the journey by colours or devices; and h, h, 10
is the notched wheel or cam, cut to correspond with such stages. These are driven
through the operation of suitable toothed wheel or other gearing by means of the paul
and ratchet motion j, j, operated by the pin or sliding rod k, k, which is lifted each
time the wheel of the car makes a revolution by means of the projection 1, 1, on the
The stop u, u, attached to the slide c, c, bearing 1
axle, and intervening lever m, m.
against the cam h, h, by pressure from the spring o, o, keeps the first of the
stampers d, d, and d', ', opposite the spurt wheels e, e, and e', e', until by travelling
the distance of a stage of the journey the spring is allowed, by the fall in the cam, to
force the second stamper into gear, and so on as each stage is reached.
Although four stages and stampers are shewn, more or less than that number may
be employed according to the number of stages desired. As each stamper is provided
with a different colour or device, by preference to correspond with the colour or device
on the disc, a register is kept showing at what stage a passenger enters or makes his
exit. In the example shewn the two halves of the door or wicket are composed of
seginents of circles in their plan formation, which circularly formed doors run or slide
in circular grooves both top and bottom; but the curved doors may swing, by
means of projecting arms or cross pieces, on centre pivots, top or bottom or both,
as will readily be understood.
The two halves of the door communicate motion to the spurt wheels p, p, at the
ends of the shafts 1, 2, and ³, 1³, by means of a swinging catch or paul, operating
in one direction only; one segment of the door actuating one shaft, and the other
This is accomplished by one segment being slided open o
segment the other.
Suitable stops or bolts, or other controlling
entrance and the other on exit.
devices, may be employed in connection with the door, to enable the guard t
regulate the traffic in and out.
To enable registration of full fares as distinguished from half-fares, I employ th
extra stamper on each ribbon 9, 9, 9', q', which is actuated, through the operation
link and lever connections, by the levers s, s, and s¹, s, extending underneath or to t
movable platform or step, r, within the wicket or door; so that on entrance or es
when a person of sufficient weight steps thereon, the platform is depressed and t
stamper is actuated, and thus marks the ribbon with the letter F, or any other oth
device, in black or other colour, or punches or embosses the ribbon, to denote a f
fare, or it might be a pencil mark drawn across the ribbon, or other mark thereo
whereas when a person steps on the platform under the weight at which the coun
balance t, t, is set to act, in manner which will be readily understood, the same
not be depressed, and, by omission of the stampers 7, 9, or y', q', acting, will regi
a half-fare. The opening by sliding or swinging of one door segment puts
stamping lever and mechanism into operation by means of the projection attac
thereto pushing the swivel bar *, u*, into gear, with the lever s, s, whereas by
opening of the other, by like means the other stamper is put into gear, with
lever s¹. Thus the registration is independent on entrance and exit.
-Wh
The guard controls the entrances and exits in the following manner :-
person desires to enter, the segment or curve which is geared to register the
is held fast in its normal position, so that the segment or curve which is g
to register the entrances is alone free to be moved. On the entrant stepping
the circular or curved wicket, this segment is slided so far round as to clos
curve, or opening therein, behind the person, and at the same time provid

page_text: opening or way out in front. To enable a person to follow, the curve or segment
is first slided back to its normal position, when the operation can be repeated.
When a person desires to make exit, the other or entrance segment or curve is
held fast in one position, and the exit curve alone is allowed to be moved; thus
reversing the entrance operations, and completing the registration.
The stampers d², d², and d³, d³, are actuated by the outside passengers, by means of
moveable steps leading to the roof of the car. Two steps are rendered operative, on
passengers going up, to register their getting on the car; while two other steps are
operative in registering their coming down again. Any steps may be used, and
I prefer to make the whole of the steps moveable and changeable in operation, so that
neither passengers nor guard may know which steps for the time being are utilized.
The steps are connected with levers and links to the terminal rods e, r, u², 1, 10, 10,
w², w¹. The first step operates the rod w², w¹, and by this the ratchet and paul motion,
thus drawing the ribbon forward one number or space, and at the same time allows
the small disc or guard a, a, at the end of the lever a, a, to uncover the paper for
the stamping process, which the second step effects by operating the rod and the
lever. The third step actuates in like manner the stamping rod v, and lever f;
but as the guard plate or disc is not first removed, there is no mark produced upon
the paper, which simply ratcheted on without stamping by depression of the fourth
step. On the passenger coming down the operation is reversed, and the second
ribbon is stamped, while the first is guarded. y, y, is a ratchet or star wheel for
registering the number of times the sliding bar is put back, thus showing the journeys
made, and forming a check against attempts at fraud on the part of the guard or
attendant.
The improvements and modifications thereof, are applicable to other and analogous
entrances than those of tramcars.
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 checking apparatus, the operating of a travelling ribbon or ribbons, and
stamping the same by means of a sliding or moving segment or segments of a curved
door forming a wicket, for the purpose and in manner substantially as herein shewn
and described.
2. In checking apparatus, the operating of a stainper by means of a depressible step
within or about the wicket, in combination with the apparatus named in claim 1, for
the purpose and in manner substantially as herein shewn and described.
3. In checking apparatus, the operating of a travelling ribbon or ribbons, and
stamping the same by means of depressible steps leading to the roof of the car, for
the purpose and in mannor substantially as shewn and described.
4. In checking apparatus, the employment of a sliding bar on which varying
stampers are mounted and actuating the same by a notched wheel, or equivalent, so
as to bring the same consecutively into gear, whether combined with a disc or not,
for the purpose and in manner substantially as herein shewn and described.
5. In checking apparatus, the combination of parts, for the purpose and in manner
substantially as berein shewn and described.
Dated this 26th day of July 1889.
WILLIAM GADD, C.E.,
Agent.