сурц, шан from a Cashier's Desk or Central Station.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Jan., 1888
Specification Accepted, 16th Mar., 1888
[Communicated from abroad by GEORGE BRADFORD KELLY, of Boston, and WILLIAM
AUGUSTUS WEBBER, of Medford, both in Massachusetts, United States of
America
for conѵсути сарц, шан
from a Cashier's Desk or Central Station.
PRICHTALK
I HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex 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 improved pneumatic tubes that are used for the trans-
mission of cash carriers or other articles therethrough and comprises a pneumatic
tube suitably arranged and adapted for the transmission of a carrier or other article
therethrough by means of an air exhaust apparatus suitably connected therewith.
The said tube is provided with an opening at any desired point or place in the side
for the delivery of a carrier or the like and is provided at such opening with a valve,
gate or door, preferably in the form of a closely fitting tube and arranged to move
backward and forward in the said tube, to open and close the said opening, the said
valve or gate being open from end to end, for the air in the operation of the air
exhaust apparatus to freely pass through it, and one of its ends is provided with an
internal seat adapted to receive the end of the carrier, or the like to close upon tho
said seat and thereby close the valve to the passage of air there through by making
an air tight, or substantially air tight connection therewith. By this means, in the
operation of the air exhaust apparatus connected to the said tube, the said valve with
the carrier will be moved as one, along the said tube within certain limits, the valve
being moved away from, and the carrier towards and opposite the opening which, is
then free and clear for the carrier to be removed from the tube or delivered therefrom,
at the said opening, after which the said valve is moved back by gravity or by any
suitable means, to its normal position to close the said opening and be in position for
the reception of another carrier and the movement thereof as before, substantially:as
hereinafter fully described.

page_text: In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 shows a pneumatic tube between and connecting two stations for the.
transmission therethrough from one station to another and vice versa, of a carrier or
other article for operation by means of an air exhausting apparatus.
Figure 2, is a detail front view at one of the stations.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal central section from front to rear of the tube or standard
at one of the delivery openings; showing the valve as closed, with a carrier in
connection therewith.
Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3 showing the valve as opened with the carrier
opposite to the delivery opening and in position to be removed from the pneumatic
tube.
Figure 5, is a central longitudinal section of the valve removed from the tube.
Figure 6 a central longitudinal section at one of the receiving or sending openings.
Figure 7, is a cross section on line 7-7, Figure 3.
Figure 8, a side elevation of the apparatus similar to Figure 1, except that the
pneumatic tube is arranged for the exhaustion of air therefrom in the reverse
direction.
Figures 9 and 10 are detail longitudinal sections of the pneumatic tube like that
shown in Figures 3 and 4, but according to the arrangement of the tube as shown in
Figure 8.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
In the drawings A, represents a pneumatic tube for the transmission of a carrier or
other article therethrough and to be connected at its end B, to any suitable air
exhausting apparatus, which need not therefore be hercin described.
The tube A extends from the exhausting apparatus to a standard C, secured to the
table D, at the station E, thence down through the said table and below the floor F,
to and up through the floor and through the table G, to a standard H, having return
bend J, secured to the table G, at the station K, and then returns from said standard H,
down through the table G and floor to the table D, at station E, where it terminates
in a vertical position having its end L, open and preferably flaring all substantially as
shown in Figure 1.
The standard C, is hollow and is adapted to receive the pneumatic tube A at each
end and the standard H, is also hollow, and is of an inverted U shape, receiving the
tube A, at each of its ends a, the tubes and standards making practically one con-
tinuous tube from its end B, to its end L; the standards enable the tube to be better
adapted and arranged, for operation at the stations, and for the better arrangement
and operation of the valves therein.
The tube A, has two receiving openings, one M, which is the open end L, of the
tube at station E, and the other P, in the standard H, at the station G, and two
delivery openings Q R one in each of the standards C and H of the tube A, at the
stations E, and G respectively. Each of the outlets or delivery openings Q. R has a
valve S, and the description of the construction, arrangement and operation of one.
will answer for both, one being a duplicate of the other and such opening and the
construction and arrangement of its valve is shown in Figures 3 to 5.
The receiving opening P is made in the front side of one of the arms of the
standard H, and the delivery openings Q. R, are made in the front side of the
standard C, and the other arm of the standard H, respectively in any suitable manner,
and each opening is of a length and width, for the carrier or other article to be easily
inserted or removed from the tube at such opening.
The valve or gate S, is made in the present instance of a short piece of the
tubing A, and the internal diameter of its standard is large enough for it to freely
slide backward and forward or up and down therein, and yet maintain a close fit
within the standard, to substantially prevent air from passing between the two, and it
is of such a length when opposite its opening in the standard to extend each way a
short distance above and below the opening as shown in Figure 3 to practically close
the opening to the escape of air therefrom or entrance thereto.
The valve when in its normal position over and closing its respective opening, rests

page_text: upon the upper end b, of the tube A, within the standard, and is limited in its
upward movement by a rim or flange d of the standard above the opening.
The valve S, is also open from end to end, so that in the operation of the air
exhausting apparatus, the air can freely pass therethrough, in order not to interfere
with its operation in exhausting air from the whole length of the tube for the trans-
mission of the carrier or the like.
Its lower end is shaped to form an internal seat, T which is of a construction to
receive the end of the carrier U, in the present instance circular in cross section,
as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
The operation is as follows:-
The air exhausting apparatus having been put in operation by its connection at the
end B, of the pneumatic tube acts to draw or suck air through the tube A, from the
end M, in the direction of the arrows, shown in Figure 1, and in Figures 3 and 4.
The carrier U, is then, for instance, placed in the opening M, at the flaring end L
of the pneumatic tube at the station E, its pointed end downward, when from the
action of the air exhausting apparatus it will pass along the pneumatic tube, until it
arrives at the outlet or delivery opening R, at the other station K, where it makes by
its end g a close union with the seat T, of the valve S, as shown in Figure 3, the
valve then moving with the carrier, because of the closing of the open end of the
valve by the carrier, to the passage of air, along the pneumatic tube until the valve
is stopped by its abutment against the flange or shoulder d the valve then being away
from the opening R, as shown in Figure 4, and the carrier U opposite thereto, the
valve leaving the opening free and clear for the carrier to be then removed from the
tube at such opening by hand or in any suitable manner.
As soon as the carrier is removed at the opening R, it leaves the seat end T of the
valve open and free for air to pass through the said valve, which will then fall by
gravity to its position in front of the opening R, resting on the end b, of the tube,
as shown in Figure 3, and close the opening to air entering or leaving to interfere
with the proper operation of the exhaust apparatus on the pneumatic tube.
It is desirable and preferable that the momentum of the carrier should cease or
substantially cease at the time it makes a union with the valve at its seat T, so that
it will not strike the valve too forcibly and injure the same and for the exhaustion of
air only to affect or operate on the valve and carrier to move the valve away from
the outlet or opening for the delivery of the carrier therefrom.
For such purpose the pneumatic tube can have a quick bend near the delivery
opening which will decrease its momentum and prepare it for its proper contact, with
the valve, or any suitable construction and arrangement of parts may be made, for
such purpose.
The valve can be of any suitable form and construction in lieu of a tube form as
shown, it only being necessary to properly close the delivery opening R, and to havo
a proper seat T for the carrier to close upon to prevent air passing through it and to
stop its movements at desired points but the tube form is practical and simple in its
construction and adjustment.
When desirous of returning the carrier from the station, K to the station E the
said carrier is inserted at the opening P, in the pneumatic tube which opening is
controlled by a valve V, of tubular form within the standard, like the valve S, open
from end to end, to allow air to pass through it, but dispensing with the scat T, and
having a knob or handle W projecting outwardly through the opening, for opening
and closing the same, although with the pneumatic tube vertical, as shown, it could
close by gravity; the knob W by its abutment against the upper end of the
opening P, and the valve by its lower end against the end of tube A in the standard
limits the opening and closing movements of the valve.
Raising the valve V at the opening P and inserting the carrier through the opening
into the standard H its point y downward and closing the valve, the carrier will then
from the operation of the air exhaust apparatus be drawn along the portion m of the
pneumatic tube, until it arrives at the delivery opening or outlet Q where it makes
contact and union with the valve S at such opening as shown in Figure & and then

page_text: with the valve it is moved along until the valve is stopped and uncovers the opening Q
as shown in Figure 4 when the carrier can be removed by hand as before, the valve
closing by gravity.
The carrier U is of any suitable construction and material suitable to hold money
or other small articles, and having a lid or cover at one end hinged thereto, for
opening and closing the same and provided with an apron Y, made of any suitable
flexible material, which in the operation of the apparatus makes a close connection
and joint with the tube by.means of the pressure of air behind it as the air is
exhausted in front of it, whereby the carrier is the more effectually made to travel
through the tube.
•
Figures 8, 9 and 10 show the pneumatic tube arranged for the exhaustion of the
air in the opposite direction to that shown in the other Figures the carrier in these
figures travelling in a reverse direction, that is, at the delivery openings it moves in
a downward direction in lieu of upward as before at such outlets, the valves all
operating in the reverse direction that is moving downward in lieu of upward,
which necessitates some slight changes in their operation; all of which are shown
in Figures 9 and 10 and more particularly the valve S which is held in its
closed position up against a flange or rim n by a spiral spring A¹ below it,
secured by its end to and within the standard, the seat T of the valve being
on its upper end for the reception of the carrier; as the carrier makes connection
with the valve as shown in Figure 9 the air exhaust causes it and the valve to
move downward the valve against the spring A¹, until the valve abuts against the
shoulder or rim t in the standard when the carrier will be opposite its opening Q
or R as shown in Figure 10, through which it can bo removed as before, when
the spring A reacts to move the valve up and over and close the opening as
shown in Figure 9.
The pneumatic tube shown as vertical at the delivery openings or outlets in
both illustrations, but, as is obvious, it can be arranged horizontally or at any
angle between the two and in such case the spring A can be used to return the
valve to its normal or closed position when the angle of inclination of the tube
would prevent action thereon by gravity.
The weight of the valve when the tube is vertical or the power of its spring
is sufficient to return the valve to its normal or closed position when relieved of
the air pressure as the carrier makes connection therewith, but such weight and
spring should be much less than the air pressure on the carrier and valve in
order that the valve should be opened at the proper time.
In the operation of the apparatus for the transmission of cash carriers or other
articles through the pneumatic tube, the air exhaust apparatus, is in operation
continuously, so that air being exhausted from the tube in the proper direction
constantly, and when desirous of transmitting a carrier or the like from one
station to the other, it only has to be inserted in the tube as described when the
air pressure behind caused by the exhaustion in front of the carrier, will cause
the said carrier to move or travel along the tube and be delivered as described,
it is therefore essential that the valves should be constructed to allow air to pass
through them when a carrier or the like is not joined thereto for the proper
action of the air exhaust apparatus on the tube in transmitting a carrier or the
like therethrough.
The end and flange d of the tube and the seat T of the valve are each
covered or protected with a yielding material such as india rubber in order to
relieve the force of the blow in closing and opening or acting on the valve, any
other suitable yielding or elastic material can however be used or they can if
desired be dispensed with.
In the use of the pneumatic tube it is preferable to have it arranged substantially
as shown in Figure 1 that is, pass from the tables at the stations down through and
under the floor, as in such case the tube is more out of the way and out of sight,
it can however be arranged either way as is obvious.
Among the many advantages of the present invention may be mentioned the

page_text: following; while a carrier is in connection with the valve, thus closing the valve to
air passing through and consequently interrupting the passage of air through the
tubo at the back of the carrier and valve, a second carrier if placed in the tube at the
receiving or sending opening will not be acted upon or moved along the tube,
remaining stationary so long, as the first carrier is joined to the valve by which
the crowding or jamming of carriers together in the tube is prevented and thus
injury to the tube or carriers obviated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, I declare that what 1 claim is :-
First In combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission of a carrier or
the like therethrough provided with an opening or outlet for the delivery thereat of
the said carrier, of a valve adapted to move backward and forward in the said tube to
open and close the said opening constructed to allow air to pass freely through it
and adapted to receive a carrier to close said valve to the passage of air through
it for the purpose specified.
Second In combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission of a carrier
or the like therethrough, provided with an opening or outlet for the delivery of a
carrier thereat, of a valve adapted to move backward and forward in the said tube to
open and close the said opening constructed to allow air to pass freely through it
and provided with a seat at one end for the reception of a carrier to close the valve
to the passage of air therethrough for the purpose specified.
Third In combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission of a carrier or
the like therethrough provided with an opening or outlet for the delivery of a carrier
thereat of a valve adapted to move backward and forward in the said tube to open
and close said opening made of tubular form open from end to end for air to pass
freely through it and provided with a seat at one end for the reception of a carrier to
close the valve to the passage of air therethrough for the purpose specified.
Fourth In combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission of a carrier or
the like therethrough provided with an opening or outlet for the delivery of a carrier
thereat of a valve adapted to move back and forth therein, to open and close the said
opening, made of tubular form, open from end to end for air to pass freely through
it and provided with a seat at one end, covered or protected with india rubber or the
like for the reception of a carrier to close the valve to the passage of air therethrough
for the purpose specified.
Fifth In combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission of a carrier or
the like therethrough provided with an opening or inlet for the insertion of the said
carrier thereat, of a valve V adapted to move backward or forward therein to open
and close said opening constructed to allow air to pass freely through it and provided
with a handle or knob W projecting through or at said opening for the purpose
specified.