Improvements in Apparatus for Recording the Number of Passengers Conveyed in Public Vehicles.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1889-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Recording the Number of Passengers
Conveyed in Public Vehicles.
I, FRANK CHADWICK, of Staple Oak, Clitheroe in the County of Lancashire,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention (a communication to me
from abroad by James Frederick Baker of Gibraltar, Spain, Captain of the Port) to
be as follows:-
My Invention relates to an improved apparatus for registering the number of
passengers conveyed in omnibuses, tram-cars and other similar public vehicles and
consists in placing a small clockwork with a movable spring under each seat of the
vehicle. According to my invention the spring is fixed to a stud placed at the side
of the clock work and arranged to be thrown in and out of gear therewith the
whole being fitted in a small cylinder which can be placed in and withdrawn from
On
under the seat mornings and evenings, but is otherwise securely locked therein.
the passenger taking his seat the said spring which is arranged under the cushion is
depressed and pushes the stud which starts the clock, the latter remaining in motion
so long as the pressure is applied on the spring, and hence until the passenger rises
when the spring being released, the stud is withdrawn and the clock stops. The
number of times that the clock has thus stopped and started indicates the number
of passengers conveyed, supposing for instance 10 or 15 minutes to have elapsed
each time a suitable distance has been travelled over for which a penny fare is
charged.
D
100
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Recording the Number of Passengers
Conveyed in Public Vehicles.
I, FRANK CHADWICK, of Staple Oak, Clitheroe, in the County of Lancashire,
Gentleman, (a communication to me from abroad by James Frederick Baker, of
Gibraltar, Spain, Captain of the Port,) 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 my invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in apparatus
for recording the number of passengers conveyed in omnibuses, tram-cars, cabs or
other conveyance, and which is effected by means of a clock which is placed under
each seat, and which by aid of springs and other mechanism, hereinafter described
and illustrated in the drawings, is set in motion directly a Passenger occupies a seat
and ceases the instant he vacates it.
By this my invention the receipts of the conductor in charge of the vehicle can be
checked, as will be hereinafter pointed out.
I now proceed to describe my said invention, reference being had to the accom-
panying drawings and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon, like
letters referring to similar parts throughout.
Fig. 1. represents so much of a vehicle as will serve to illustrate the application of
my invention to the seat thereof. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through one of the
seats showing the construction in detail. Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are detail views of the
mechanism.

page_text: In the drawings, A refers to the seat or seats which, as shown at a, are hinged to
the frame-work B of the seats: the said frame-work being constructed with divisions b
to which are secured suitable arms C. It is not essential that the seats A should be
hinged as shown at a, inasmuch as they may be constructed in such a manner as to
be capable of being lifted entirely from out of the framework, as will be readily
understood.
The seats A consist for the most part of a frame D, the upper part of which may
be upholstered and stuffed as shown at d. Beneath the said stuffing, is a depressible
board E, supported by suitable springs e resting upon the board, F, in which is an
aperture f.
A suitable circular or other shaped receptacle G is secured to the framework B in
any convenient manner, such as by a collar g having lugs and screws as shown:-
the said receptacle being preferably constructed of thin metal.
The receptacle G is adapted to contain a time-piece or clock H having two dials I,
and J the former recording the time the seat has been used, and the latter, the
number of persons who have used the seat.
If preferred however the back dial may be dispensed with, and an additional pointer
may be applied to the hour dial.
The said time-piece or clock is of ordinary construction, but is additionally provided
with any suitable mechanism, such as a pivoted spring-lever adapted to bear constantly
upon the escapement wheel, which will stop the clock, except when the said spring
lever is raised by pressure applied to one end thereof by the rod has hereinafter
described. To the aforesaid spring-lever may be secured a spring-pawl, adapted to
engage with a ratchet-wheel, pivoted in the rear of the clock casing, and to which
pivot is secured the pointer j, which will record upon the dial J, the number of
times which the aforesaid spring lever has been lifted from off the escapement wheel,
and the number of the times the clock has been thereby started. Inasmuch therefore
as the rod is depressed each time the seat is occupied, it will be readily understood
that the number of passengers using the seat will correspond with the figure or figures
indicated by the pointer upon the dial J; and that the total time occupied by the
indicated number of passengers using the seat may be readily ascertained at the close
of the day by reference to the dial I; the clock of course having been set at the
hour in the morning at which the vehicle commenced to ply.
The time-piece H is mounted in a metal support or frame K, preferably consisting
of a band of metal, k, bent around the timepiece as shown and secured by a cross-
piece l, and by rivets or screws to a circular disc L. Passing freely through the
disc L, and the cross-piece is the rod h above referred to, and to which is secured
the knob or cap M.
A spring, m, contained within a tube, N, is secured at its upper
end to the rod h and serves to keep it elevated. A tube or collar, O, encircling the
rod h and supported upon the disc L, serves to limit the movement of the rod h, and
thereby prevent injury to the clock.
The clock H having been placed within the receptacle G, the disc L will form a
lid therefor; and the rod h and knob M will project through the aperture of when the
seat A is closed, and come into contact with the depressible board E, by means of
which it is depressed when the seat A is sat upon, as will be understood by reference
to the dotted lines in Fig. 2 :-the springs, e, serving to raise the seat again into its
normal position
Any suitable locks p are provided by means of which the seats may be locked to
the framework, in order to prevent tampering with the mechanism.
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:-
The combination, of a seat or series of seats A, with a time piece and indicator
secured to the framework of the said seat or seats, in such a manner as to be

page_text: operated by a person or persons sitting upon the said seat or seats, all substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the drawings
hereunto annexed.
DL: 00t T
T
1000
HORN & SON,
Agents on behalf of Applicant.