Improvement in Carriers for Pneumatic Dispatch Tubes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1899-Accepted, 29th July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Carriers for Pneumatic Dispatch Tubes.
I, BIRNEY CLARK BATCHELLER, of 1518, North 15th Street, Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania, United States of Amerien, Mechanical 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 relates to the tubular shells used as carriers in pneumatic
despatch apparatus, and particularly to the means whereby the caps or lids of
the shells are locked in position, the object of my invention being to provide, in
addition to locks or bolts for fastening the cap to the shell and means for operat
ing such bolts, means for preventing the motion of the locking bolts in a diree-
tion to effect the locking at any other time than when the cap is in proper posi-
tion to be locked to the shell.
. In my American Patent, No. 540,133, of May 28th, 1895, 1 have shown und
described a device for locking the caps to the shells in which provision is made
against the insertion of the carrier in the despatch tube until after the locking
bolts have been shot. This mechanism is excellent as far as it goesy but it does
not exclude the possibility of shooting the bolts before the lid or cap is closed
down, and my preferred form of apparatus involves the device of my former
invention, together with the additional locking devices for preventing the shoot-
ing of the bolts when the cap and shell are not in proper relative position.
Reference being now had to the drawings in which my invention is illustrated.
Figure is a longitudinal section through the cap end of a carrier taken as onl
the section line 2-2 of Fig. 2.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken as on the irregular section line 11
of Fig. 1, looking toward the cap.
Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a simple form of locking cam which I have found
serviceable.
Figures 5 and 6 are plan views of two of the three eccentrics and co-acting
yokes. the third being shown in full lines in Fig. 2.
A indicates the shell of the carrier. B a supporting ring. C a block secured to
one side of the open end of the shell for the attachment of a hinge E.
| D Dare
bolts holes formed through the shell. F is the cap of the carrier hinged to it as
shown by the hinge E and formed with a flange which, in the plan shown.
extends over the open edge of the shell. is a circular opening formed through
the cap at some distance from the centre thereof and from the centre of the shell.
G. G and G are bolts moving in guide lugs yg etc., secured on the inside of the
cap and in position to enter the bolt holes D when the lid is closed firmly down
on the shell. Each of the bolts is secured to a plate such as HH' and He in
which is formed an eccentric yoke such as hand and which plates are also pre-
ferably provided with rear extensions, as indicated at HI³ etc. which moves
through guide lugs g' secured on the inside of the cap. I is a circular flanged

page_text: washer fitting in the opening and having a squared perforation through which
extends the squared shank bolt Jupon which and between the head of the bolt
and the outer face of the cap is secured the lever arm P. Also secured upon the
squared bolt and lying inside of the flanged washer is the locking cam K
having, preferably, as shown, the locking shoulders kk (see Fig. 4). Lying
inside of the cam K is the eccentric around which passes the yoke of the
bolt 6, then after the interposition of a washer I comes the eccentric 1' around
which passes the yoke of the bolt G', then comes another washer I', then the
third eccentric L around which passes the yoke 4 of the bolt G4, then, as shown,
washers and are secured on the squared portion of the bolt, inside of which
lie the washers 16 surrounding the rounded and threaded end of the bolt, and
then the nuts J' and J.
It will be observed that the lever P being pivoted eccentrically or away from
the centre of the cap and being of a length which will only permit it to lie
within the circumference of the cap when the bolts are shot, this construction
prevents effectually the unlocking of the cap in transit and when enclosed in a
tube.
To the extent above described, as illustrated in the drawings, the invention
does not differ in any substantial degree from that shown in my former patent
above mentioned with the single exception of the presence of the locking cam K
and as, in my former patented construction, the bolts are operated by moving the
lever and by its means turning the shaft J and the eccentrics secured thereto.
which in turn operate to simultaneously shoot or withdraw the bolts.
In my
present construction, however, I provide, in addition to the parts already
described, a locking device which prevents the motion of the lever to a position
to lock the bolts and consequently prevents the locking of the bolts at all times
except when the cap is in its proper position on the shell at which time only the
said locking device is withdrawn permitting the bolts to be shot. As shown.. I
pivot on a supporting lug M and to a pin N secured to the said lug a lever N N
the end of which in normal position, in which it is held by the action of a
spring 0, passes between the locking shoulders kk of the cam K when the bolts
are open and prevents the said eam from turning to a position corresponding to
a shot position of the bolts as long as it remains in the said normal position.
The other end N, of the pivot locking lever, arrange to go opposite to the edge
of the shell A, as shown in Fig. 3, and so that when the cap is shut down on the
end of the shell the shell will engage and push the end & of the lever to the
position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the result of which is to raise the lock-
ing end N to the position shown in dotted lines where it clears the locking cam K
and permits the lever P and the bolts in be thrown into the position to lock the
cap to the shell.
Of course the special construction shown in the drawings may be varied in
very many ways without modification of the essential features of my invention,
and it must be understood that I do not limit my claims to this special mech-
anism which is given simply as the best form in which I have heretofore embodied
my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is—
1. The combination with a carrier shell, a cap for closing the open end thereof,
bolts for securing the cap to the shell and means, as lever P. for operating said
bolts, of a lock, as N, arranged to normally prevent the motion of the bolts to
lock the rap, and means as described whereby the placing of the cap in proper
position on the shell withdraws the lock and permits the bolts to operate.
2. The combination with a carrier shell, a cap for closing the open end thereof.
bolts for securing the cap to the shell and a holt operating lever as P pivoted away
from the centre of the cap and arranged to lie partly outside of the periphery of

page_text: the cap at all times except when the bolts are shot, of a lock as N' arranged to
engage and hold the lever P in position corresponding to the open position of
the bolts. and means as described whereby the placing of the cap in proper posi-
tion on the shell withdraws the lock and permits the lever P to operate.
Dated this 2nd doy of Man 1800
EDWARDS AND CO.,
Chartered Patent Agents, 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London.
Agents for the Applicant.