CASH AND PARCEL TRANSMISSION APPARATUS FOR SHOP AND OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE
Year: 1885

page_text: DOLOR
[Communicated from abroad by Irving Allison Watson, Sanitary Officer of
Concord, New Hampshire, George Washington Fifield, Mechanical Engineer,
of Lowell, Massachusetts, John Winick Currier, Capitalist, of Boston,
Massachusetts, James Patfield Cook, Brewer, of Boston, Massachusetts,
Channing Hazeltine, Patent Broker, of Boston, Massachusetts, and Willard
Herbert Gilman, Patent Broker, of Boston, Massachusetts, all in the United
States of Americal
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of the firm of Allison Brothers, of 52 Chancery
Lane, London, in the County of Middlesex, England, Patent Agents, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for "CASH AND PARCEL TRANSMISSION
APPARATUS FOR SHOP AND OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE," (a communication to me
from abroad by Irving Allison Watson, Sanitary Othcer, of Concord, New Hamp-
shire, George Washington Fifield, Mechanical Engineer, of Lowell, Massachusetts,
John Winick Currier, Capitalist, of Boston, Massachusetts, James Patfield Cook,
Brewer, of Boston, Massachusetts, Channing Hazeltine, Patent Broker, of Boston,
Massachusetts, and Willard Herbert Gilman, Patent Broker, of Boston, Massa-
chusetts, all in the United States of America) and in what manner the same 13
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making
part of this specification, in which,–
-
Figure 1 represents a permanently fixed horizontal way consisting of a single
wire track extending from the cashier's desk over a sales counter for the common
use of the several salesmen there stationed, the said single way serving as a
combined forwarding and return way, and for that purpose being provided with
certain graduated devices which form an important feature of this invention
Figure 2 also represents a single wire way having one end capable of being
raised or lowered to alternately incline the way in opposite directions and having
my graduated devices applied thereto to adapt it for the purposes above
referred to
Figure 3 represents two oppositely inclined fixed single wire ways-the lower
one only being provided with my said graduating devices,

page_text: Figure 4 two single wire ways permanently located, the upper one being
inclined down to the cashier's desk, and the lower one horizontal and having my
said devices applied thereto.
Figure 5 is a plan of my improved shop service system having a single way and
referred to in the descriptions of figs 1 and 2
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a carrier embodying one form of my invention
- said carrier being represented in its normal position on the track
Figure 7 a perspective view of the same carrier in the position it assumes when
being derailed.
Figure 8 an elevation of said carrier looking from the salesman's side
Figure 9 a longitudinal section of the same
Figure 10 an end elevation of the carrier
Figure 11 a perspective view of another carrier embodying a modification of my
invention
Figure 12 represents the manner of supporting the ways when two independent
single wire tracks (one for forwarding and the other for returning the carriers) are
eniployed the receiver for the derailed carrier being also shown.
Figure 13 detail in section of lower end of track support on which receiver
slides.
Figures 14 and 15 modifications of the spring tripping device of the carrier
Figure 16 is a perspective view of one form of the device I employ for locating
the carrier and its contents upon the common single track when used for forwarding
the carriers with their contents to the cashier
Figure 17 represents the arrangement of the tripping devices of a series of
carriers
My present invention has special reference to Cash and Parcel Carrier Systems
for Shop Service in which one or more single wire or rail tracks extend between
the Cashier's and Salesman's stations for the passage thereon of a wheel carrier
and one of the leading features of this invention consists in a single wire or rail
either horizontal or capable of being alternately inclined in opposite directions,
provided with a series of graduated tripping devices in combination with and for
automatically derailing a series of wheel carriers also provided with graduated
tripping devices which are actuated by contact with the tripping devices of the
track said single track being employed as a common forwarding and return way
for all the carriers of a number of salesmen-each carrier with its contents having
an uninterrupted passage from the salesman's station to the cashier and being so
constructed as to maintain its normal position upright on the track until its return
―to its proper station when the centre of gravity of each carrier is moved to one
side of its previous location and thus being unsupported by the track is free to
descend into a receiver at the station to which it belongs and from which it started,
and the carriers descending the track by gravity when the track is inclined in
either direction and being actuated on a horizontal track by a spring or other
suitable well known motive power-my aforesaid common fowarding and return
single rail track being particularly adapted for the joint use of a number of
salesmen in shops of ordinary size where many are not required to transact its
limited business
My invention also consists in an inclined single rail forwarding track for common
use and a single rail return track provided with a series of graduated tripping
devices for common use in combination with a series of carriers also provided with
a series of graduated tripping devices for common use in combination with a series
of carriers also provided with graduated tripping devices and so constructed as to
automatically lose their equilibrium and be derailed at their proper stations this
latter embodiment of my invention being adequate for the transmission of cash
and parcels in large stores having numerous sales stations
My invention also consists in a certain receptacle for receiving and lowering the
carrier of each station-the receiver descending by the weight of the carrier and
when the latter is removed returning automatically to its elevated position for the

page_text: reception of the carrier when it again returns to the same station, and my invention
also consists in a convenient device for conveying and locating the carrier with its
contents upon the forwarding track-the details of the construction of which
together with that of the carriers and track or tracks with their tripping devices
will be fully herein explained and claimed
To enable others skilled in the art to understand and apply my invention, I will
proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it out
To comprehend the first portion of my improved apparatus in which a single
wire way is employed as a common forwarding and return way for a number of sales-
men, reference will be had to figs 1-2-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-14 and 15, în
which figs A represents the sales counter where a number of salesmen are stationed,
-B the cashier's desk and C the packing counter below and in front of the same―
a represents a horizontal taut wire extending from the cashier's desk longitudinally
over a sales counter A to the side wall of the shop opposite the cashier both ends
of the wire being permanently fixed-bb are a series of projections extending
down from the track a at points designed to be vertically above the several stations
from which the carriers are forwarded and returned-each station being for the
use of one salesman or common to two or more salesmen contiguous thereto
cc are rods depending from the ceiling-the bottom of each rod being preferably
connected with a projection b of the track These projections are of varying
length the shortest being at the station nearest the cashier and gradually increasing
in length to the most remote station-these graduated projections serving the office
of tripping devices with which come in contact a series of similarly graduated
tripping devices d d secured to the carriers DD-each station having its individual
carrier for the exclusive use of that station and bearing some distinguishing mark,
color or character if desired
The tripping devices d d of the carriers are so located at varying distances that
when the carriers are on the track the tripping device of the carrier belonging to
the first station occupies a position nearer the underside of the track than that of
the tipping device of the carrier belonging to the next station-this distance
of the location of the tripping devices d d below the track increasing slightly with
each successive carrier to the last one belonging to the most remote station-see
fig 17 by which arrangement this last carrier whose tripping device d is situated
the greatest relative distance below the track is free to pass all of the tripping
devices b of the track stations except the last one where it belongs-the length of
the last tripping device 6 of the track, being such as to oppose its passage
One form of carrier and tripping device therefore embodied in my present
invention will now be described e (figs 6-7-8-9-10) is a cylindrical receptacle
for receiving the cash and parcel and record of its sale, from the cylindrical surface of
this receptacle rises an upright standard f which serves as a truck having bearings g
for a horizontal axis h the ends of which project beyond the bearings and are bent
at right angles to the main or central portion of the axis the bent ends also being
horizontal when the carrier is in its normal position This axis when free may be
swung or rotated in its bearing and carries at its ends a pair of grooved wheels 22
adapted for the size of the wire or rail on which it is to travel the wheels running
loosely on the axis To keep the wheels and their axis in their normal position to
allow of the movement of the carrier on the track I provide the following means
for locking the axis and prevent its rotation in the bearings k is an upright arm
pivoted at its lower end between a pair of lugs 7 projecting from one end of the
receptacle and between the inside of the arm and outside of the receptacle 18
located a spring m represented in figs 8 and 9 as being flat the upper end of the
spring resting against the end of the receptacle and the bottom of the spring
pressing outwardly against the heel of the arm k below where it is pivoted, which
causes the upper hooked end n of the arm to be locked over the contiguous bent
end of the axis, figs 6-8-9 and 10 a short stop g being provided to limit the
pressure of the spring and thereby prevents the undue friction of the hooked end
upon the axis-the several parts remaining in this position during the passage of

page_text: the carrier and contents over the track to the cashier and during the return of the
same carrier until it arrives at the station to which it belongs where it is to leave
the track, which is effected by the graduated tripping device 6 of the track at this
station being struck by the tripping device d of the carrier which device being
secured to the arm k causes the latter to be pressed outwardly against the resistance
of its spring m until the upper hooked end n of the arm is disengaged from the
axis h, which (as the centre of gravity of the carrier is shifted to one side of the
vertical plane of the longitudinal axis of the track) is then free to swing over into
the position seen in fig 7, and the wheels being unsupported, the equilibrium of
the carrier is destroyed and it descends into a receiver G thereunder fig 12 This
receiver consists of a receptacle (preferably of wire) projecting from the side of a
sleeve p surrounding the track supporting rod c the lower portion of which is
hollowed out for the reception of a spiral spring g the base of which rests on the
closed bottom of the rod c This tubular portion of the rod c (fig 13) has a
vertical slot r for the reception of a pin s projecting from the inside of the sleeve
said pin extending across the tube and serving as a bearing for the upper end of
the spring the tension of which is carefully adjusted in order that it may be com-
pressed and allow the receiver when the return carrier is contained therein to
descend within convenient reach of the salesman who then removes the carrier and
locates it in a holder or conveyor H preferably of wire (of the form shown in
fig 16) and provided with a handle t The receiver on being relieved of the
weight of the carrier is elevated to its former position under the tripping device d
of the station by the expansion of the spring
With this conveyor H the salesman replaces the carrier with the cash and parcel
of the next sale-upon the forwarding way a slight distance in front of the
tripping device b contiguous to his station-this operation being readily performed
by facing the front of the carrier outward and moving it forward till the wheels
reach the vertical longitudinal plane of the axis of the track when a projection u
extending from the standard fat one end of the carrier (figs 6-7-8-9 and 10)
and the locking device k at its other end serving as stops coming into contact
with the rail, the holder 18 slightly depressed bearing the carrier in its upright
or normal position on the forwarding way in advance of the device b at this
station
Should the spring under the receiver refuse to act as promptly as desired the
latter may be drawn down within reach of the salesman by pulling on the hooked
rod w connected with the sleeve p
The second form embodying my invention is shown in figs. 3 and 4 in which
two independent tracks a¹ a¹ each consisting of a single wire is employed-the
upper track a¹ being permanently inclined and used as a common forwarding way
for a number of salesmen and the lower track a¹¹ as a return way also common to
them the latter track only being provided with graduated tripping devices similar
to those b and actuating the tripping devices of carriers of any construction which
are adapted to be derailed thereby-this second form of my invention being better
suited for large shops My device for supporting the two tracks shown in fig 12
-consists in the rod c depending from the ceiling with a sleeve as adjustable
thereon and having a T shaped projection extending horizontally out therefrom
the upper and lower tracks being supported by the bifurcations y of said
projection
It will frequently happen where one way only is employed for forwarding and
returning the carriers that the height of the wire will be within convenient reach
of the salesman and also that where two ways are employed-both in the same
vertical plane one way for forwarding and one for returning-that the latter can
also be easily reached in which case the receiver may be stationary and the carrier
being removed therefrom by hand
Where two tracks located side by side are employed both may be accessible
to the saleman without the use of a movable receiver or of a conveyor for the
carriers.

page_text: And should the inclined forwarding way be beyond the reach of the hand of the
salesman when standing on the floor one or more portable steps may be used for
the salesman to stand on when replacing the carriers with their contents on said
forwarding way said step or steps being located under the counter when not in
use in which case also the conveyor H may be dispensed with
Where an inclined track is employed in connection with my improvements the
lower terminal point of the track is provided with a suitable cushioning device
for instance a rubber tube or spiral spring surrounding said end of the wire, and
where a horizontal wire or track is used each end thereof may be provided with
such cushion and also a hook or other device for retaining the carrier or the carrier
itself may be so provided with both cushion and retaining device The within
described improvements have reference only to a single track or a pair of tracks in
which each track consists solely of a single wire or rail said rail being of metal or
wood or a single line cord or cable of hemp etc may be employed-but I prefer
wire on account of its lightness, strength, and the limited space it occupies
Another description of carrier embodied in my present invention consists in a
receptacle e of parallelogram shape and pivoted at its upper rear corner to the
bottom of an upright standard or truck 21-each wheel having a short independent
axis-the locking arm k hooking over a foot piece 22 projecting from the standard
at right angles to and integral therewith the tripping devices of the carriers and
track being constructed and operated in a manner similar to the first form of carrier
previously described-the receptacle when unlocked by said tripping devices
swinging freely on its pivot into the dotted position fig 11-the location of the
centre by gravity being thereby changed and the equilibrium of the carrier
destroyed causing it to be derailed and to fall into a receiver as before explained
Instead of a flat spring m as shown in figs 8-9 and 10 a spiral spring z figs 14
and 15 may be employed for keeping the hooked end of the arm k engaged in its
normal position-the spring shown in fig 14 being distended and drawing the arm
into its locking position, and the spring in fig 15 being compressed and exerting
a constant pressure ontwardly on the heel to effect the same result The receiver
and one or both tracks may be supported by a rod rising from the floor or by a
bracket secured to a part
The assemblage of the several features of my invention herein enumerated
constitute a practical org inised system for shop service which combines and insures
rapid transit, convenience of manipulation reliability of action, exceeding simplicity
and economy of construction, besides being noiseless in its operation and occupying
but little space
I do not allege to be the inventor of a simple rail track or of two tracks each
having a single rail-but lay claims only to a return track having a single ruil or
wire provided with graduated tripping devices in connection with a series of wheel
carriers having corresponding tripping devices-said carriers being automatically
derailed thereby
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
An organized cash and parcel transmission apparatus for shop service in which
a track consisting of a single wire or rail embodies the following features viz
A common forwarding and return way-ze a single way employed for both of
said purposes
One way common to a number of salesmen's stations and such
way constructed substantially as described in order to promptly insure the automatic
derailment of a series of carriers at the respective stations to which they belong
for the purpose described
A way common for both the forwarding and return of the carriers for a number
of salesmen said way consisting of a single wire or rail either permanently
horizontal or capable of being alternately inclined in opposite directions and
having a series of graduated tripping devices connected therewith or located

page_text: contiguous thereto in combination with a series of carriers so constructed as to
engage therewith for the purpose of being automatically derailed at their proper
stations substantially as set forth
A single wire or other single rail track having graduated tripping devices and a
series of carriers having tripping devices adapted to engage therewith and effect
the automatic derailment of the carriers at their proper stations when said carriers
are moving in one direction, and allow of the uninterrupted passage of the carriers
when moving in the opposite direction-constructed and arranged to operate for
the object desired
A single rail or wire track having a series of graduated tripping devices and
a series of carriers provided with devices to engage therewith in such manner, that
each carrier on arriving at its proper station may be liberated from its normal
upright position on the track and have its centre of gravity changed so as to
destroy its equilibrium in order that the carrier may assume an inclined position
and be free to be automatically derailed and removed-the co-acting parts being
constructed to operate substantially as described
A continuous unbroken track having a single wire or rail forming a straight line
or a line partly straight and partly curved for the common use of a number of
salesmen as a combined forwarding and return way, and provided with a series of
tripping devices in combination with carriers provided with tripping devices to
engage therewith-said carriers being so constructed that their equilibrium will be
automatically destroyed and the carriers automatically derailed at their respective
stations on their return from the cashier for the purpose enumerated
A continuous track without switches having a single wire or rail forming a
straight line on a line partly straight and partly curved, as a combined forwarding
and return way for the common use of a number of salesmen-and having a series
of graduated tripping devices, in combination with a series of carriers provided
with tripping devices which when the carriers are moving on the track occupy
positions under the same at graduated distances increasing from the carrier of the
first station to the carrier of the last station, and so constructed that the carriers
will lose their equilibrium and be automatically derailed at their respective stations
on their return from the cashier, for the purpose set forth
In combination-A forwarding way consisting of a single wire or rail-a
return way consisting of a single wire or rail-the latter provided with a series of
graduated tripping devices a series of carriers having tripping devices to engage
therewith, all constructed and arranged to destroy the equilibrium and insure the
automatic derailment of the carriers at the stations to which they respectively
belong
A single wire or rail inclined downward to the cashier's station and used by the
salesmen as a common forwarding way-a single wire or rail provided with
graduated tripping devices and extending either horizontally or inclining down
from the cashier's station to the several stations of the salesmen, and constituting
a common retuin way, in combination with carriers provided with tripping devices
as and for the purpose explained
A carrier having one or more wheels, the axis of which is so hung in bearings
that the wheel or wheels are capable of being swung over and automatically
derailed from a return way provided with graduated tripping devices, the carrier
leaving the track only at the station to which it belongs as set forth
A carrier having one or more wheels an axis supported in bearings and free to
swing or rotate therein a device actuated by a spring for locking the axis in its
normal position a tripping device connected with the carrier a single rail track
having a tripping device for actuating the carrier tripping device, and releasing
the spring locking device-all constructed and arranged to cause the automatic
derailment of the carrier in combination with a receiver located at its station for
the purpose specified
The receptacle el pivoted to the truck (or standard in which the axis of the
carrier wheel or wheels) bears, in combination with the device for locking and

page_text: retaining the receptacle in its normal or upright position and devices for tripping
and unlocking the same to allow it to swing on its pivot and automatically leave
the track on its return from the cashier substantially as herein shown and
described.
A carrier having one or more wheels an axis h and the bearing or bearings g in
which it is adapted to rotate a hooked arm k pivoted to the carrier and its
spring m for pressing it into a position for locking the axis-a tripping projection d
connected with the carrier and a single rail track having a graduated tripping
device 6 extending out into the path of the carrier tripping device & all combined
and arranged to operate substantially as set forth
A wheel carrier-an axis an upright bearing having a foot piece 22-integral
therewith or secured thereto a receptacle e' pivoted to the lower end of the
bearing a spring actuated hooked arm k and a tripping device d projecting
therefrom, in combination with a track having a single wire or rail and a tripping
device projecting therefrom as described
In combination with a single rail or wire forwarding track and a single wire or
rail return track-a series of supports common to both ways as specified
A receptacle for receiving the carrier when derailed from the return way, in
combination with and secured to the track supports cc and a spring for auto-
matically allowing the gradual descent to the receiver, when the carrier etc. 18
contained therein and automatically elevating the receiver when empty contiguous
to and under the carrier station as described
The carrier receiver G-its sliding sleeve p and spring of thereunder for auto-
matically raising the same to its receiving position, and the rod w for depressing it
in combination with the track supporting rod c as set forth
A device for conveying the carrier and its contents to its position on the
forwarding way-said device consisting of a receptacle H of a shape adapted
for holding the carrier and a handle ₺ for elevating the same, substantially as
set forth
A carrier conveying device, in combination with a track support having a hook v
as and for the purpose described