Improvements in Totalisators.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application; 1st Apr., 1895-Accepted, 3rd Aug.,
1895
Improvements in Totalisators.
I, RANALD MACINTOSH MACDONALD, of 71', Cathedral Square, Christchurch,
in the Provincial District of Canterbury, in the Colony of New Zealand, Engineer,
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 relates to what are known as "Totalisators" or "Wagering
Machines which are used at races and other sporting competitions to record and
indicate to the public the total number of backers using the machine in an event,
and also the number of Backers of individual competitors therein.
bu using totalisators it is common to employ a number of officials who receive
the subscriptions of backers and issue ticket receipts therefor, impressed with the
number or name of a competitor backed, and at the same time operate a recording
and indicating apparatus; a single indicating. dial being used for each competitor
and an additional dial for the grand total of backers of all the competitors.
Now it may happen that all the officials at the same moment receive a subscription
from backers of the same competitor, and consequently wish to operate upon the
same dial simultaneously.
In totalisators with which I am acquainted this is either impossible or effected
in a very imperfect manner while other imperfections' exist which I desire to
overcome.
My invention provides improvements in such machines whereby the records and
indications are absolutely accurate, the totals referred to alter and indicate at the
exact moment when a ticket receipt is impressed or printed; and any or all of the
officials may indicate upon the same dial at the same instant; while fraud is
prevented on the part of the public or of the officials in charge of the machine:
In practice provide a printing or impressing apparatus, for each operator;
capable of printing upon a ticket receipt the number or name of any competitor
in an event at the will of the official operating it.
The operation of printing a ticket actuating mechanism similar to what is known
to engineers as" differential gear," through the medium of which the records and
indications are made by an ordinary counting gear and upon ordinary indicating
dials: The employment of differential gear enabling operations upon the same
dial to be conducted simultaneously by a number of officials.
I also provide means for instantaneously arresting the action of the machine
from any distance.
Referring to the accompanying drawings :
Fig. 1'is a sectional elevation.
Fig. 2 a sectional plan; and
Fig. 3 a front elevation of my apparatus for stamping tickets and thereby
actuating the recording mechanism.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation partly in section of a portion of my improved
mechanism for actuating the recording and indicating gear.

page_text: Fig. 5 is a plan thereof partly in section.
Fig. 6 is a front elevation partly in section illustrating the mechanism employed
for actuating the grand total indicator, and
Fig. 7 is an end elevation thereof.
.
Fig. 8 is a view of similar apparatus to Fig. 4 but illustrating the use of spur
instead of bevil-gearing therein.
Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
A ticket stamping apparatus similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is
furnished to each of the officials receiving subscriptions and issuing tickets.
It consists of a cylindrical chamber (a) in the centre of which is mounted the
vertically sliding spindle (b), which can be operated by an ordinary treadle gear;
a connecting rod leading from the treadle lever being connected to the spindle (b)
by a pin through the eye (1).
The spindle (b) carries upon its upper end the arm (c) which is free to rotate
upon it and is provided at one end with three pins (d) (e) (f). Upon the centre
pin (e) is pivoted a printing or impressing roller (9) which is caused to revolve
by a pinion (g) attached to it, which gears into a toothed quadrant (9) rigidly
fixed upon the spindle (b).
The roller (g) is provided upon its periphery with suitable rubber or other type
or means for perforating or printing any desired matter such as the names or
numbers of the competitors in an event; when type is used it is inked by the
inking rollers (h) and (¹) which bear against it, the opposite end of the arm has
a conical recess (c) which engages over the conical point of one of a number of
actuating pintles, such as (i) (j) (k) which are free to slide vertically and one of
which is provided for each competitor, a separate cord such as (25) is attached to
each of these pintles and is used to actuate recording and indicating gear as
hereafter described.
Fixed pintles such as (1) and (m) are placed one between each of the pintles
referred to, and serve as a guide to ensure the end of the arm (c) engaging
upon one of the actuating pintles in its downward descent, the underside of the
arm being formed into a V or knife edge (1) for the same purpose.
A semicircular carriage or frame (n) which is free to rotate for a portion of a
revolution is arranged within the casing (a), this frame is provided with a slot (o)
having a mouth piece (o') in which may be inserted the ticket receipt which it is.
desired to print or impress.
The vertical spindle (6) when moved down by treadle gear before referred to
brings the printing roller (g) down upon the table (o') and it is evident that the
particular type or perforating apparatus which comes into contact with the ticket
which rests upon the table is regulated by the position of the pinion (g') on the
tooth quadrant (9) so that it is only necessary to rotate the frame (n) and with it
the arm (c) in order to cause the printing roller to revolve and bring the desired
type into operative position.
The arm (c) is caused to rotate with the carriage (n) by the pin (e) which
projects through the roller (g) into the carriage (n) in which is a vertical slot (¹)
to permit of the downward travel of the pin (e) when the spindle (b) is operated.
In order to show when the carriage (n) is in desired position, an indicating
pointer (p) is attached to the arm (c) and projecting upwards through the top of
the casing (a) indicates upon a semicircular dial (a) which bears similar names
or numbers to those on the printing roller.
When the end of the arm (c) is in position to print the number or name of a
competitor the opposite end thereof is ready to engage upon the point of the
pintle to which is attached the cord which actuates the recording mechanism of
backers of that competitor; and when the arm (c) is caused to descend it forces
down that pintle thus pulling the cord and actuating the mechanism, a dash pot (r)..
is placed around the spindle (a) which is provided with a piston for the purpose
of preventing injury to the mechanism from rough usage.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate my transmitting apparatus in which "
differential gear'
"

page_text: is used to convey the operations of two officials simultaneously or separately to
the indicating dial of the same competitor, but as will be clearly shown it is
capable of extension for the use of any number of operators upon the same dial.
The spindle (1) is rigidly secured in the brackets (2) (3) and has mounted upon
it the double bevil wheels (4) (5) consisting of two wheels formed integral which
are free to turn upon the spindle (1) and the bevil wheel (6) which is secured
thereon by any convenient means.
The pinions (7) and (8) connect the wheels (4) (5) and (5) (6) respectively.
The pinions are carried by the pins (9) (10) within the recesses (11) and (12)
formed in the drums (13) (14), which are free to revolve upon the spindle (1),
external drums (15) and (16) encircle each of the drains (13) (14), a single
spring (17) coiled round and secured to both of them serving to maintain them in
their relative positions. The pius (18) engaging in the grooves (19) serving to
prevent the drums (15) (16) moving end wise. The drums (15) (16) are provided
with pawls (20) (21) which severally engage with ratchet teeth (22) and (23)
formed on a flange, on the drums (13) and (14).
The grooves (24) formed in the periphery of each of the drums (15) (16)
receive the cords (25) and (26) which are carried round in opposite directions and
connected to them at one end and being carried over suitable guide pulleys are
severally attached at the other to an actuating pintle in the ticket stamping
apparatus of each of the operators.
It is obvious that instead of the double bevil wheel (6) a single bevil wheel
might be employed the object of using a double wheel being to provide for the
extension of the apparatus when more than two persons are required to operate
upon the indicating dial of each competitor.
The double bevil wheel (4) communicates motion to the apparatus now to be
described.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7 which illustrate the apparatus for communicating
the motion of the gear just described to the indicating dials.
(A) and (B) represent two similar gears for operating the mechanism of the
indicating dials of two competitors and also the mechanism of the grand total.
The bevil wheel (4) referred to, gears into a bevil wheel (27) formed upon the
drum (28) revolving upon the fixed spindle (29).
This drum is recessed to receive a pinion (30) which is revolvable upon a pin (31)
and gears into both the double bevil wheels (32) and (33), the bevil wheel (27)
communicating its motion to another bevil wheel (34) secured upon the spindle (35)
which is connected at its other end by suitable gearing to any ordinary counting
mechanism and indicating dial, which may be employed to indicate the number of
backers of one competitor.
The pin (33) is for the purpose of communicating motion from the apparatus (A)
to the total recording and indicating spindle (36) through the gear described and
the pinion (37) and bevil wheels (38) and (39). The spindle (36) actuating
through suitable gearing any ordinary counting and indicating mechanism.
The bevil wheel (40) fulfils the same office as the bevil wheel (4) in
communicating the operations of two or more officials to the recording and
indicating spindle (41) of another competitor, it does this through the bevil
wheel (42) upon the drum which gears into the bevil wheel (43) upon the
spindle (41). The drum (44) is similar to the drum (28) before described, and
carries the pinion (37), which conveys the motion of both bevil wheels (4) and (40)
to the total recording and indicating gear.
In practice it may be advisable to duplicate the pinions (7) (8) and (30)
and (37) placing one opposite the other in the drums (13) and (14) and (28)
and (44) so as to balance the mechanism. It will be evident to all persons skilled
in mechanics that it is only necessary to reproduce the parts of the apparatus shown
in order to enable any number of officials to operate upon the indicating dials of
any number of competitors, it will also be evident that many parts of the apparatus
might be substituted for their mechanical equivalents, for instance an apparatus in

page_text: which spur wheels is employed instead of bevil gearing, is illustrated in Fig. 8
which will now proceed to, describe.
A drum, (45) revolving upon the shaft (4%) by means of an external oscillating
drum as in the apparatus previously described carries, an, arm (47), which has
mounted upon it the. double wheel (48), gearing into the wheel (49), fixed, on the
shaft (46) and also into the. internal teeth of a wheel, (50) which is fixed. on the
shaft (51). One of these apparatuses is required, for each person indicating
on a dial, the operation being similar to that of the gear illustrated in Figs. 4
and 5.
When it is desired by the authorities or others using the machine, to make it
impossible to issue. tickets.after the race has, been started, or at any other time
agreed upon, an electric apparatus is used consisting of a lever (s) placed in position
as, shown in Fig. 1.
The end (s) of such, lever being slightly the lighter is held down by an electro
magnet (t) having wires, connected with, and leading to any desired place. When
the circuit is broken the end is released and rises sufficiently, to prevent the treadle
being depressed, the machine is thereby, effectually locked preventing further issue
of tickets.
In operation, when, one of the officials, in, charge of the machine receives a
subscription with. instructions, to back, a competitor,, he inserts a ticket in the
slot (o) in the carriage or frame (n) which is then rotated, until the impressing, or
printing roller (9) has come into a position to print the number or name of the
competitor on the ticket, this will also bring the opposite end of the lever (c)
immediately over the pintle having a cord attached to it which leads to the
indicating mechanism of that competitor. By pressing a treadle the arm (c), and
with it the printing roller is brought down, and, the desired name or number is
printed or impressed upon the ticket while the end of the arm (c) engages, with
and depresses a pintle, thus pulling a, cord, as herein before described;
Upon the official releasing, the treadle the spindle (b) is raised by a spring, or
counterbalance weight thus lifting the printing roller (g) from the ticket;, the
opposite end of the lever is also, lifted from the pintle with which it is in
contact, thus, slackening the cord and allowing the drum around, which it is
wound to return to its normal position by the action of the coiled; wire
spring (17).
It will be seen that separate or, simultaneous, operations may be performed by
two operators; for if the drum, (16), Fig. 4, be revolved in the direction of the
arrow it will communicate its, motion through the ratchet teeth and pawl to the
pinion (8) which is caused to revolve through being in gear with the fixed
wheel (6) the motion is thus transferred through the double bevil, wheel (5) to
the, pinion. (7) and thence to the double, bevil, wheel (4), which will revolve in an
opposite direction, to the drum (16).
If; the drum, (15) be revolved in, the direction of the arrow while the drum, (16),
is stationary, then the double, wheel (5) takes the place of the fixed wheel (6)
in, the operation just described, the pinion (7) is thus caused to revolve in the
direction, of the arrow, such revolution being communicated, to the double
wheel. (4); while it the drum, (15) be revolved simultaneously, but in an opposite
direction, to the drum (16) the pinion, (7) will convey the motion of the drum to
the double. wheel (4), but, as, the double wheel (5) is, revolving, in an, opposite
direction; the revolution, of the pinion (7) will be augmented by an amount
equal to the revolution of the double wheel (5), and will convey the aggregate
motion due to the revolution, of, both drums. (15) and, (16), to the double wheel (4)
and so on to the recording, and, totaling gear as herein before described..
The same description, applies, to the operation of the total recording and
indicating apparatus, and, it is evident that the totaling spindle (36) actuating.
the counting and indicating mechanism, may be revolved, by the gear (A) or the
gear, (B) alternately or both together, through the mechanism described and
ilustrated..

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what L
claim is :-
--
1. In a totalisator the combination and arrangement of parts constituting my
ticket or receipt stamping or impressing apparatus constructed, arranged, and
operated substantially as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in.
the accompanying drawings.
2. In a ticket or receipt stamping or impressing apparatus of a totalisator the
employment of a cylindrical roller arranged to be operated vertically and provided
with type or other means for printing, perforating, or impressing tickets, such
roller being caused to revolve for the purpose of bringing any desired type into.
position by a toothed wheel gearing into a rack or quadrant or their mechanical
equivalent as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. In a totalisator the combination and arrangement of parts whereby a portion
of the ticket or receipt stamping or impressing apparatus is used to actuate the
recording and indicating mechanism consisting of the employment of an arm such
as (c) oscillating horizontally upon a spindle such as (b) which is free to slide
vertically when operated by an ordinary foot treadle or its equivalent, such arm.
being arranged to carry a printing roller at one end and at the other to engage
with and depress one of a number of pintles such as (i) (j) (k) to each of
which is attached a cord or line for operating a recording and indicating gear
as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
4. In a ticket or receipt stamping or impressing apparatus of a totalisator the
employment of a cylindrical casing such as (a) provided with a carriage or framing
such as (n) arranged to vibrate through an are within it so as to bring a ticket or
receipt inserted in a slot such as (o) and moving with such carriage, beneath type
or other means for printing or impressing it as and for the purposes herein
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. In a totalisator the employment of what is herein described as "differential
gear" whereby the operations of two or more operators may be transmitted simul-
taneously or separately to the same counting and indicating mechanism as and for
the purposes herein described and illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, and 8 of the accom-
panying drawings.
"
6. In a totalisator the employment of my improved "transmitting apparatus
consisting of the combination of parts arranged and operated as and for the
purposes herein described and illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, and 8 of the accompanying
drawings.
7. In a totalisator the employment of one or more drums capable of being
actuated so as to oscillate or revolve and communicating motion through a pawl
and ratchet teeth to internal drums carrying bevil or spur wheels arranged to
operate through suitable gearing ordinary counting and indicating mechanism as
and for the purposes herein described and clearly illustrated in Figs. 4, and 5 of
the accompanying drawings.
8. In a totalisator the employment of the apparatus herein described and
illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings whereby the operations
of any number of operators are conveyed to the recording and indicating mechanism
of individual competitors and also to the grand total recording and indicating
mechanism of all the competitora.
9. In an apparatus used for simultaneously actuating the recording and
indicating mechanism of individual competitors and the grand total of all the
competitors the employment of a drum such as (28) (Fig. 6) caused to revolve by
the operations of one of a number of operators, such drum being provided with a
gear wheel such as (27) (Fig. 6) arranged to actuate the recording and indicating
mechanism of a competitor and being also provided with an internal wheel such

page_text: as (30) (Fig. 6) for the purpose of conveying motion to the grand total recording
and indicating mechanism of all the competitors.
Dated this 1st day of April 1895.
Ant
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Associate Agent.