Improvements in Apparatus for Transmitting and Recording Orders or Messages.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 12th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Transmitting and Recording Orders
or Messages.
I, CATHERINE CRANSTON COCHRANE, of "Miss Cranston's," 91, Buchanan Street,
in the County of Glasgow, North Britain, Restaurateur, 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, that is
to say:-
My said invention has for its object to provide improved apparatus for trans-
mitting and recording orders or messages in a restaurant or similar establishment
so as to facilitate the execution of such orders and lessen the possibility of mis-
takes occurring especially in large establishments and where the number of possible
orders is considerable. My improved apparatus also provides for a record of each
transaction being kept if desired.
'
In carrying out my invention I provide a series of tubes each allotted to a par-
ticular order, and extending, with branches where necessary, from one or more
flats or parts of a building to a receiving station, where the ends of the tubes are
made of glass.
":
Balls, serving as order indicators, capable of being transmitted by gravity,
springs, compressed air, or suction, are used for the transmission of orders through
the tubes. Each orderer is provided with a number of these balls of a distinctive
color or specially marked, and on any article being required two of these balls are
dropped into the tube allotted to that article. On reaching the receiving station
the balls become immediately visible in the glass portion of the tube to an attendant
or attendants whose duty it is to attend to the execution of orders so transmitted.
The balls are extracted from each tube by the movement of a slide made with
suitable openings so that one ball may be led to a suitable receptacle to be kept
as a record of the transaction and the other be withdrawn to be returned with the
order for identification of the orderer. Where no check or record of orders is
required only one ball need be used in transmitting an order, the slide being made,
in this case, with only one opening and the record receptacles being dispensed with.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings to be
hereinafter referred to in particularly describing my improvements.
Figures, 1, and 2, on the accompanying sheet of drawings are sectional elevations
as at right angles to each other showing the application of my invention as arranged
for transmitting and recording orders or messages from two flats of an establish-
ment.
As shown in the drawings I provide a series of tubes, A, of any suitable material
the number of these tubes depending on the variety of possible orders. The tubes
are shown as a little apart, for distinctness, but may be close together. At each
flat, B, C, from which an order can be transmitted each tube, A, is made with a
branch, D, E, having its upper open end slightly flared. The tubes, A, extend to
a receiving station, F, in the lower part of the building where the end portions, G,

page_text: of the tubes are made of glass. Each tube, A, is provided at both the flats, B, C,
and at the receiving station, F, with a particular mark or label indicating one
distinct item.
Balls are used for transmitting orders through the tubes, A, these balls being
of a distinctive color or specially marked so as to identify the orierer and also the
flat where desirable. Each orderer is provided with a number of balls specially
colored or marked as stated; and on anything being required for which a tube, A,
has been allotted two of these balls are dropped into the open end of the branch, D,
or E, of that tube, A, and the balls on reaching the receiving station, F, are imme-
diately visible in the glass portion, G, of the tube to an attendant or attendants
whose duty it is to attend to the execution of orders so transmitted.
Underneath the lower open end of each tube, A, there is fitted small slide, H,
which has a travel, limited by stops, on a shelf, Q, covering a receptacle or record-
box, J, made with divisions for the several tubes, A. Each slide, H, is made with
two openings, K, L, into which the two balls representing an order drop in turn
on the slide being pushed in and drawn out by its handle, M. Supposing the first
ball representing an order to be in the opening, K, and the slide, H, to be pushed
in, that ball will then be brought over an opening, N, in the shelf, Q, covering a
division of the receptacle, J, and will fall therein whilst the second ball for that
order will have-entered the opening, L, and on the slide, H, being pulled out again
this second ball can be lifted out.
To secure regularity of action and prevent the possibility of mistake by the
slide, H, being pushed in before the ball in the opening, L, has been removed, an
angular recess, P, is cut in the shelf, Q, into which recess the ball partly drops
and locks the slide in a manner to prevent the slide. H, from being pushed in
until the ball has been removed. On pulling the slide, H, a little further outwards
the ball is raised again into such a position as to be easily lifted out by the fingers.
Instead of extracting the ball by hand as hercin before described the slide, H, may
be constructed so as to discharge the ball on to a shelf or, if necessary, into a tube
for conveyance of the ball to any other place.
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:
The improved apparatus for transmitting or transmitting and recording orders
or messages, and comprising a series of tubes severally allotted to particular orders
or messages, extending from one or more flats or parts of a building to a receiving
station; also distinctively colored or marked balls to be dropped or passed through
the tubes as indicators; also glass ends to the tubes at the receiving station to
allow the balls to be seen; also for each tube a slide with an opening to receive a
ball and move it out for removal, and if orders or messages are to be recorded, a
second opening in the slide for passing a ball into a record receptacle; all being
arranged, combined, and operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Twenty-third day of December 1897.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.