Improvements in or connected with Turnstiles and Electric Counters connected therewith.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1893-Accepted, 11th May, 1894
Improvements in or connected with Turnstiles and Electric Counters
connected therewith.
I, RAMON CHAVARRIA-CONTARDO, of 48 Rue de Malte, Paris, in the Republic
of France, 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 :-
My invention has for its object an apparatus which registers electro-automatically
the number of persons who enter or leave public places.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents, in perspective, the apparatus
arranged for erection in a passage serving for a public entrance or exit, in such a
manner that all persons are compelled to pass between the two columns or posts M
and N. The arrow U shows the direction of entrance, the direction of exit being
in the contrary direction. It will be seen that the apparatus consists of two stiles
or wings, A and A', forming a barrier which closes the passage between the two
columns and of four other stiles (or wings) B, B, and C, C, at right angles with
the first. The stiles or wings are each mounted on a vertical shaft or pivot, the
three to the right are enclosed in the column or post N, the three to the left in the
column M.
All persons entering in the direction of the arrow U push before them the two
stiles or wings A and A' which separate the one to the left the other to the right:
and at the same time the two stiles or wings B, B' turn upon their pivots and close
behind the person who enters.
When this person has entered, the wings A and A', left to themselves, return to
their normal positions and the wings B, B¹ also return to theirs. It is only after
the return of the wings to their normal positions that another person is able to
enter or pass. During the first part of the movement the counter or index (shown
diagrammatically) H has been actuated electrically to indicate one unit.
When a person wishes to go out, that is to say to pass in a contrary direction to
that of the arrow U, he pushes before him the two stiles or wings A, A' which
open in the contrary direction to that of the arrow U and then the wings C and C'
close behind him. The counter G (shown diagrammatically) records an exit and
the wings return to their normal position.
The arrangements and combinations by which I obtain these results will now be
described.
My apparatus is so constructed that employees are able to enter and leave
without the counters being actuated. In this case an electric apparatus rings a
special bell which gives an additional guarantee against fraud.
It will be obvious firstly that by the use of my invention it is impossible for an
entrance or an exit to take place without being either recorded by one of the
counters or signalled by the special bell. Secondly if in consequence of an
organised attempt at fraud the passage of a person other than an employee
actuates the special bell this fact is signalled to the public and the fraud
prevented.
My invention is applicable generally to all ordinary cases which are likely to
present themselves. It consists of two main portions which are symmetrical with
relation to a vertical plane passing through the line x y Figure 1.
I have adopted this particular arrangement on account of the narrowness of some
approaches (or entrances) such as those to omnibuses, tramways and the like.
But in cases where the distance between one column (or post) M for example

page_text: and the vertical plane passing through a y is wide enough for one person one half
of the apparatus may be used. In such a case it would be sufficient to give to the
stiles (or wings) A, B and C sufficient width for the passage of one person and to.
accomplish the closing and the blocking of the passage.
When space is limited as above referred to I set up my apparatus with stiles (or
wings) which come back into their normal positions after each entry or exit,
differing in this respect from that which takes place in the ordinary turnstiles in
general use.
My electric apparatus is capable of application in a simple manner to the
ordinary turnstiles at present in use as will be described hereafter.
I give in what follows a description of my invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Similar parts are designated by similar letters of reference and each letter, as B
accompanied by a sign or index (for example B') indicates a corresponding or
similar part in the second half of the apparatus.
Figure 1 is a general exterior view of the apparatus in perspective.
Figure 2 is a horizontal plan of the mechanism contained in the left part of the
box or case T. (Figure 1). The mechanism contained in the two sides or halves of
this box are similar and symmetrical with reference to the centre line a y.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the mechanism seen on edge from the left side.
Figure 4 is a view in elevation and partly in section through 'y' of Figure 2.
Figure 5 shows in elevation two arms b, and c which are hidden in Figure 3.
Figure 6 shows in plan a toothed wheel and the flat spring which is shown in
elevation in Figure 3.
Figure 7 shows in plan a system which connects the left hand portion of the
apparatus with the right hand portion.
Figure 8 shows the platform in perspective.
Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 represent an electrical contact or circuit closing device
and its different arrangements.
Figure 13 shows the application of the contact devices to an ordinary form of
turnstile at present in general use.
EE (Figures 3 & 4) is part of a framing upon which are mounted all the
movable parts.
The vertical shaft or pivot A is that which carries the wing A and its foot turns
in a socket D (Figures 3 and 4).
The shafts or pivots B and C carry respectively the stiles or wings B and C
(Figure 1) and their feet turn in sockets which are fitted on the bridge piece F, F,
which is fastened upon the framing.
The three pivots pass transversely through a circular disc J (Figure 8) which is
supported by three supports or legs which are fixed upon the frame of the 4
structure. Upon a transverse bridge-piece K (Figures 2 and 4) fixed upon the
frame are fitted the levers R and S whose socket shaped extremities turn upon
the vertical pivots d and e fitted to the bridge-piece K. These levers are caused
to meet by means of the spiral spring g the extremities of which are fixed to the
lugs and on these levers. These levers are arrested by the stop k fixed upon 4
the bridge-piece K.
The pivot B carries on its top the stile or wing B (Figure 1) which is represented
in plan (Figure 2) but in part only in order to better show the arm b which is fixed
to the foot of this pivot. The pivot C carries on its top a similar stile or wing C
(Figure 1) and at its foot the arm c.
These two arms b and c seen in plan (Figure 2) and in elevation in Figure 5 are
flat and curve inwards and. they are cut or recessed at 2, 2, (Figure 5) each being
provided with a lug 3, 3.
5
The lug 3 of the arm b is connected with the lever R by a rod or bar t pivotted
upon the said lever and upon the said lug. In a similar manner the lug of the 5
arm e is connected with the lever S by a bar or lever pivotted on each in such a
manner that it may pass over its equivalent t.

page_text: The pivot A carries at its top the wing A (Figure 1) which is not represented
on the plan (Figure 2) the extreme end only being indicated by broken lines A2
(Figure 2). This same pivot carries at its base an arm a at the end of which is a
roller o, on a vertical pin, which when in its normal position is held in place
between the two levers R and S (Figure 2). The socket of this arm a is wide and
flat at its lower part (Figure 6) and on its flat surface rests the flat spring plate L
whose extremity B is fixed. The toothed wheel V is keyed on the said pivot and
serves as will be seen to connect the two portions of the apparatus.
The apparatus is operated as follows. A person entering in the direction of the
arrow U (Figure 2) pushes the wing A (Figure 1). The extremity of the arm a
(Figure 2) which is at the base of the pivot A pushes forward the lever R which
by means of the bar t causes the arm b to turn and consequently the pivot B
with its wing B turns, closing behind the person who enters. In this movement
the roller o rolls on the inside edge of the lever R.
When this lever has reached the position R2 represented by broken lines, the
roller has arrived at the point r at the beginning of the concave part of the
lever R.
At this moment the wing A. pushed by the person who enters has arrived at
the position indicated by its projection A² (Figure 2). The passage is not quite
open enough to enable the person who enters to pass. At the same time the
wing B takes the position indicated by broken lines at B3, in Figure 2, being closed
enough at this moment to allow of no one passing but the person entering. From
this moment the roller o rolls along the concave part of the lever which concave
part is shaped in such a manner that its curve has for its centre the pivot A. The
result is that the wing A continues to open (before the person entering) leaving
the passage free to the person entering, whilst the stile or wing B remains
motionless, but in a position in which it closes the turnstile. At the moment when
the roller enters the concave part of the lever Rthe electric apparatus will advance
the counter H one unit.
When the wing A returns to its normal position by the action of the flat spring 1,
the wing B in order to return to its normal position can only open, when the roller
leaves the concave part of the lever R, but at this moment the wing A is already
sufficiently closed to exclude a person from passing in, so that even in case that
person might endeavour to enter through the wing B, before it had quite returned
to its normal position (open position), that person would be unable to clear the
passage without pushing before him the wing A, which it will be seen would again
bring the counter into action and would register his entrance. The action is
similar if a person passes in the opposite direction to the arrow U. Then the
lever S which is pushed by the arm a operates on the arm c and turns the
wing C (Figure 1) behind the person who goes out. The electric arrangement
then actuates the counter G. From the moment when the lever R is displaced it
has become impossible to push the stile or wing C because the arm c would strike
against the end of the lever R but the stile or wing B has been able to make its
movement without striking against the end of the lever S because of the cutting
away or recessing of the arm b at 2 (Figure 5). In the same way the lever S when
it has been displaced prevents the wing B closing.
The two toothed wheels V (V') at the foot of the pivot A (A¹) (Figures 2, 3 and 4)
are represented in plan in Figure 7 and in this figure all the parts which are above
the plane of the wheels are omitted for the sake of clearness. These two wheels
gear with one another through the rack X X which is guided by the rollers m, m².
Two spiral springs p, p', acting on the rack X, X, pull back the wheels V, VI and
the wings A and A.
The levers R and S (Figure 2) are brought back to their original position by
means of the springs g and g' and in so doing bring back the wings B B' to their
normal positions.
The springs v p¹ (Figure 7) permit the holding back of the flat spring L

page_text: I shall now describe the electrical apparatus. It is composed of a flat contact
spring or brush 4 hereinafter called the brush 4 (Figures 9 and 11) fitted upon an
insulated support fixed at the foot or base of the pivot A, acting on a contact
device shown in plan in Figure 9 and in elevation in Figure 10.
This contact device is composed of an insulated support 9 carrying on a bracket
an inclined plane 8 and a pawl 5, working on a pin 6 which projects laterally in
such a manner that the brush 4 when moving in one direction passes underneath
without coming in contact with the contact surface on the plane 8. On the inclined
plane is fitted an insulated contact surface, which when the brush 4 comes in contact
with it, completes a circuit through conductors one of which is carried by and
moves with the brush 4. A battery as well as the counter H is fitted in the
circuit.
A small lever 7 of which the pin is pivotted horizontally at 10 is lifted by the
weight of the armature 12 above which is an electromagnet 11. When the pivot A
is rotated by a person entering, the brush 4 fitted at the proper height rises by
sliding on the pawl 5.
At the moment when the roller o (Figure 2) arrives at the angle of the lever R
(Figure 2), this brush 4 falls on the inclined plane 8 (Figure 10) and the circuit
which actuates the counter H is closed. A little further on the brush 4 leaves the
plane 8 and when the pivot A returns to its normal position the brush 4 coming in
contact with the bracket which carries the plane 8 passes underneath the said plane
without closing the circuit by making electrical contact.
It should be remarked that if at the moment when the brush 4 falls on the
contact plane 8 the person who is entering should make a backward movement the
brush 4 in moving back a trifle passes underneath the pin 6 of the pawl 5 without :
losing contact with the surface 8 so that the backward movement does not move
the counter more than once.
When an employee enters, the electromagnet 11 is put in action (in a manner
which will be explained later on) attracting the armature 12. This lowers the
lever 7 the brush 4 then passes above the lever and falls away from the contact 3
plate 8 without having closed the circuit or actuated the counter. A contact
device similar to the one we have described is fitted near the right pivot A' which
carries a brush 4' but this apparatus is placed in the opposite direction to the
previous one and actuates the counter G. When a person makes an exit the
pivot A does not act at all as the brush 4 does not meet a contact device. Then
the electric apparatus of pivot A¹ actuates the counter G indicating an exit.
The arrangement for the passing of the employees is as follows.
The platform T (Figure 8) is made of metal plates (brass or copper for example)
which are grooved to prevent slipping.
Two recesses are made in this platform and two metal pieces 13, 14, 15 and 16
are fitted on each of these recesses and are fitted in insulating material advantage
being taken of the grooves to disguise them. In Figure 8 part of this platform has
been removed in order to better show these pieces.
The piece 13 is in electric connection with the piece 15. The piece 14 which is
also insulated like its neighbour and separated from it by a small interval is also
connected electrically by a wire with the piece 15 which is also insulated and
separated from the piece 16 by a small interval.
In this circuit between the plates 13 and 15 is a battery as well as a special
bell destined to signal the passage or entrance of an employee. In the same
circuit is the electromagnet 11 of the contact device (Figures 9 and 10). Under
the soles of the boots of each of the employees are fixed pieces of copper.
Whenever one of them desires to enter he places his left foot on the plates 13
and 14 bringing his right foot to the front and placing it on the plates 15 and 16
and then pushes forward the stile or wing A.
The circuit having been closed from the time when his right foot has stepped on
the plates the bell in the circuit rings and the electromagnet 11 placed in the same
circuit depresses the lever 7 so that the brush 4 passes without actuating the

page_text: counter H. Instead of placing the said bell in the same circuit as the electro-
magnet 11 the said bell can, by means of a conductor attached to the bridge-piece 7
as shown in Figure 10, be placed in the circuit installed as described for the
counter H. In this case the brush 4 (Figure 11) closes the circuit in passing
over the bridge piece 7 which causes the bell to ring again. It will have been,
noted that in the case of entrance of a person other than an employee this spring.
passes under the bridge piece, falls on the inclined plane 8 and in this case
actuates the counter H. Returning now to the employee. who is passing it will
be seen that as soon as he lifts his left foot and makes his entrance the circuit
is opened and all parts at once resume their normal positions. The employee-
when he wishes to go out places his left foot on the plates 15 and 16, his right
foot on the plates 13 and 14 and pushes the wings; the contact device then.
operates as has been described.
In order to employ only a single battery to actuate the bridge pieces on the
entrance or exit of an employee the electromagnet 11 of the contact device in
connection with the pivot A and the electromagnet 111 in connection with the
pivot A are put in the samę circuit in such a manner that the two levers 7
and 71 are lowered one being in action and the other out of action.
We have already indicated how with stiles or wings sufficiently large one half
only of the apparatus can be used. In this case our contact devices are only
changed in arrangement. It is only necessary to fit on the pivot of the stile.or
wing A which is then alone two blades or contact brushes 4 and 4' (Figure 12) the
one above the other, and to fit at corresponding heights and in reversed positions.
one to the other as shown in Figure 12 two contact devices in such a manner that.
the brush 4 meets its contact device when the wing A is pushed in the direction.
for entrance and whenever the wing A is pushed in the contrary direction for exit
the brush 4 encounters nothing, but the brush 4' encounters its contact device and
vice versa. My contact devices are applicable to any ordinary turnstile with four
wings as in Figure 13 serving for entrance or exit.
In this case there would be fitted on the one pivot A two small insulated
collars 17 and 18 from each of which standing out at right angles are four contact.
brushes.
The conducting wire of the circuit is in constant connection with all the said.
brushes one after another by means of the brush 19 which is fixed to a support.
resting on the collar 17.
These brushes actuate alternately the contact device shown in Figure 10 placed.
in front at each entrance of a person in the direction of the arrow U they pass
underneath the plane 8 (Figure 10) at each exit. In the same way the brushes of
the collar 18 actuate another contact device at each exit of a person in the direction.
of the arrow U₁ and pass underneath the plane 8 at each entrance.
The contact device can be fitted in front of the pivots at the most convenient.
point according to the use to which the apparatus is put.
In the case represented by Figures 1, 2 and 3 they can be placed underneath the
platform in the open space which is above the levers R S.
The counters G and H are of any known form which by the action of an
electromagnet with which each of them is provided advances one unit.
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. The new or improved registering turnstile substantially as set forth.
2. In a turnstile a wing constructed, arranged, and acting substantially as set.
forth.
3. The arrangement and combination of parts by means of which a wing is caused
to close behind a person passing through the turnstile substantially as set forth.
4. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the electric contact.
levice for actuating the counter substantially as set forth.

page_text: 5. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the device by means
of which the turnstile can be passed through without actuating the counter
substantially as set forth.
6. In a turnstile the employment of couples of insulated plates designed to be
connected by conductors on the boots of employees substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
7. The herein described modification of the contact device for use when a single
stile or set of stiles only is employed.
8. The herein described modification of the contact device serving for use with
turnstiles of ordinary type.
Dated thin with
SM 1000
J. G. LORRAIN,
Chartered Patent Agent.