Electric Light for a Certain Time.
Year: 1887

page_text: Electric Light for a Certain Time.
We, DIXON HENRY DAVIES of 88 Caledonian Road Leeds in the County of York,
Solicitor, and JOHN MESNY TOURTEL of 3 Princes Street Westminster in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Our invention relates to apparatus so arranged that the insertion of a coin, such as
a penny, enables the operator to close an electric circuit starting clockwork or its
equivalent which, acting for a certain time determines the duration of an electric
light, as for instance, in a railway carriage.
For this purpose, we provide under a slit, in which the coin is inserted two parallel
slides or discs disconnected from each other but having each slot or notch so arranged.
that when the coin is introduced it serves to connect them. One of these slides or
dises being then moved by a handle, the other is moved with it, and this winds up a
weight or spring driving clockwork, and at the same time makes an electrical contact
for an incandescent light. When the first slide or disc is fully moved over by hand
the coin is released and drops into a receptacle, and then the second slide or disc
returns at a speed determined by the clockwork to its original position, ultimately
breaking the electrical contact, the duration of the electric light being thus determined
by the time during which the clock-work acts. In some cases, as for instance
when the apparatus is used in a railway carriage or other vehicle, the clock-work may
be dispensed with, the contact being maintained as long as the person who uses the
light remains seated in a particular place. The act of his sitting down after
introducing a coin may have the same effect as the moving of the handle, and the
coin may remain connecting the slides or discs until the sitter rises.
Dotad this 7th day of June 1887
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: CUMIT LEIE DIECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Effecting by Insertion of a Coin the Production of
Electric Light for a Certain Time.
We, DIXON HENRY DAVIES of No. 88 Caledonian Road Leeds in the County of
York Solicitor, and JOHN MESNY TOURTEL of No. 3 Princes Street Westminster in
the County of Middlesex 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 :-
:-
Our invention relates to apparatus so arranged that the insertion of a coin, such as
a penny, enables the operator to close an electric circuit starting clockwork or its
equivalent which, acting for a certain time determines the duration of an electric
light, as for instance, in a railway carriage.
For this purpose, we provide under a slit, in which the coin is inserted two parallel
slides or discs disconnected from each other but having each a slot or notch so arranged
that when the coin is introduced it serves to connect them. One of these slides or
discs being then moved by a handle the other is moved with it, and this winds up a
weight or spring driving clockwork, and at the same time makes an electrical
contact, for an incandescent light. When the first slide or disc is fully moved over
by hand the coin is released. and drops into a receptacle, and then the second slide or
disc returns, at a speed determined by the clockwork, to its original position, ultimately
breaking the electrical contact, the duration of the electric light being thus determined
by the time during which the clockwork acts. In some cases, as for instance when
the apparatus is used in a railway carriage or other vehicle, the clock work may be
dispensed with, the contact being maintained' as long as the person who uses the light
remains seated in a particular place.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section and
Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional plans, illustrating the apparatus by which the light is
maintained for a determined time. Figs. 4 and 6 are vertical sections and Figs. 5
and 7 are sectional plans illustrating the modified arrangement by which the duration
of the light is made to depend upon the operator remaining seated..
The same letters are used as far as possible to designate similar parts in the various
figures.
A box is divided into two compartments A and B by the partition C; the compart-
ment A contains an electric incandescent lamp L the compartment B is subdivided
by the plate D, the space above the plate containing the mechanism for effecting the
production and determining the duration of the light; and the space below serving
as a receptacle for the coins. E and F are two slides, disconnected. from each other,
the slide E is kept against a spring H¹ by means of the spring e, and the slide F is
kept back against the partition C by means of the spring acting through the lever l.
The slide E has a transverse slot S immediately behind the shoulder S₁ of the slide F
and in line with the slot S2 in the cover M, when the slides are in the position shewn
in Fig. 1.
When a coin of the required value is introduced at S² it is not wholly contained

page_text: within the slide E, but projects above it behind the shoulder S₁ of the slide F; and
so long as the coin remains in this position both slides E and F can be moved together
in the direction of the arrow by means of the push P, Fig. 2. This push through
the bell crank lever QQ' moves the slide E, and it through the coin moves the slide F.
The slide E can at all times be actuated by means of the push P, but the slide F can
only be moved with it when a coin of the proper size occupies the slot S.
The depth of the slot S in the slide E is such that if a coin be introduced smaller
than that for which the machine is intended it does not project above the slide E and
consequently does not engage the slide F.
Under the slide E and attached to it by a spring e¹ is a slide E the front of which
is an armature F¹. This armature is brought into contact with the pole u of the
electro-magnet when the slide E is moved fully forward by the push P. The hinder
end of the slide El projects below the slot S of the slide E forming a bottom on which
the coin rests.
The slide F has a projection G and a shoulder J. the former for moving the lever
in opposition to the spring which drives the clockwork K, and the latter for com-
pleting the electric circuit by moving the lever g of the switch h into the position gl.
In Fig. 3. the clock lever 1, the switch and the slide Fare shewn in the advanced
position whilst the slide E is returning to its back position.
-
The lever and the ratchet wheel Rare fixed upon the shaft n on which is free to
turn the wheel W, that gears with the other wheels of the clockwork. When the
lever is moved by the slide F into the position shewn in Fig. 3 the pawl p escapes
the ratchet R and the spring fis strained. When the push P is released the spring f
pressing against the lever 1, tends to turn the ratchet wheel R and this by the engage-
ment of the pawl p turns the wheel W driving clockwork K.
When the switch lever g is moved over into the position g¹ it is brought against
the contact piece j and the wires Z Z which are connected to a battery or other source
of electricity, then have their circuit closed causing the light L to appear.
When after moving the slides the push P is released the spring e immediately
brings back the slide E to its original position, but the spring having to drive the
clockwork K brings back the slide F slowly, at a speed determined by the movement
of the clockwork.
When the electric circuit is closed by moving the slides E and F, the current
passing in its way through the coil & magnetizes the core u with which the armature F
is then in contact and the attraction holds the armature in contact. Thus when the
spring e brings back the slide E while the slide E' remains stationary the bottom of
the slot becomes uncovered and the coin drops through the opening H into the
receptacle below.
The lever 1, slowly returning as the clock runs down, eventually comes into contact
with the switch lever g at g', and carries it back until it leaves contact with the
metal; and then a light spring m, not strong enough to move the lever g while it is
bearing with friction on j, quickly throws back the switch lever
thus suddenly
opening the electric circuit and extinguishing the light. The electro-magnetu, being
thus rendered inert, no longer holds the armature F, and the slide E', in obedience
to the spring e returns to its hinder position.
9;
The spring having also through the lever 1, moved back the slide F the apparatus
is ready for operating again.
Should there be such failure of the electricity that no light appears, the slide E' is
not held by the magnet u and consequently, when the push P is released, the slides E
and E move back together, the coin still remaining in the slot S. The slide E has a
projection G which meets a flat spring H' sufficiently strong to overcome the strain
of the spring e and thus to act as an elastic stop to E. The operator may however
by pulling the push P move the slide E farther back in opposition to the spring H
leaving the slide E' which is retained by a shoulder l' on the plate D stopping the
armature F. The bottom of the slot S thus becomes opened and the coin drops into
a compartment J¹ which is open in front, so that the coin is returned to the operator
who has obtained no light.

page_text: According to the modification shewn in Figs. 4 and 5 the slide E' is dispensed
with and the slide F which is of iron or is faced with iron is drawn back by a
spring. When the slide E is moved forwards, with a coin in the slot S, the pressure
exerted by the coin in advancing Fin opposition to the spring prevents the coin from
dropping when it is over the opening H, and only releases it when the clectro-
magnet tt holds the slide. F by attraction while the slide E moves back. Should
there be no electrical current, the slide F returns with E, the coin still remaining in
the slot S. By pulling out the push P the operator can move the slide E, back in
opposition to the stop spring Hi and the coin then drops into J₁ whence it can be
removed. The projection J on the slide F moves the switch lever g to the position g'
as in the arrangement previously described; but in this case the spring m is made
sufficiently strong to move back the lever g from the contact. When g is moved
to gl, if the electrical circuit is otherwise closed the electro-magnet t is excited
and by its attraction holds the slide F in its forward position and so retains the
contact at g¹.
-
t
The slide being thus held while the slide E makes its back stroke the coin drops
through the opening H into the lower compartment B. If now the electric circuit
be opened at any point in its course the magnet t¹ will become inert and will no
longer hold the slide F, whereupon the springs m and will immediately draw
back the slide F and the switch lever J. Such opening of the electric circuit is
effected by the switch arrangement represented in Figs. 6 and 7. U U is part of a
bench under which is fastened a box T. V is a seat having a hollow boss W which
rests on the collar of a bolt X the lower end of which works in a guide c. A
spring a on the bolt X supports the seat V; but, when a person sits upon the seat,
the additional weight depresses the seat and moves a switeli lever d which is fulcrumed
at o, and has an insulated stud which is pressed against the collar by a spring Y.
The switch lever d is thus brought against the contact which is in circuit with the
lamp L. Thus a light cannot be obtained unless the operator is seated on V and
unless the circuit is completed by the introduction of a coin and the action of the
push P. The light thus obtained will remain only so long as the operator remains
seated; when he rises, the circuit is opened at the switch d thus extinguishing the
light, the electro-magnet t also becoming inert, the slide F and the switch lever g
move back; nor can the light be renewed by the operator rescating himself unless
he also introduces another coin at S2 and moves the push P; nor can light' be
obtained by merely introducing a coin and moving the push P unless the operator be
at the time seated; the coin however is retained in the slides until the slide F is held
by the electro-magnet and the light is obtained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. Apparatus for effecting by insertion of a coin the production of electric light
and maintaining it for a time determined by clockwork, substantially as described
with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
2 Apparatus for effecting by insertion of a coin the production of electric light
and maintaining it while the operator remains seated, substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7.
1
1
..
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.