IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE ISSUE OF TICKETS OR COUPONS WHEN PURCHASED, OR FOR CANCELLING THE SAME ON RETURN
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Smith Comrie, of 175, St. Vincent Street, in the
"
City of Glasgow, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
CHECKING THE ISSUE OF TICKETS OR COUPONS WHEN PURCHASED, OR FOR
CANCELLING THE SAME ON RETURN."
Sealed the 30th April 1880, and dated the 20th November 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Smith Comrie at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th November 1879.
JOHN SMITH COMRIE, of 175, St. Vincent Street, in the City of Glasgow.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE ISSUE OF TICKETS OR COUPONS
WHEN PURCHASED, OR FOR CANCELLING THE SAME ON RETURN."
This Invention has for its object to improve instruments or apparatus used for
checking the issue of tickets or coupons when purchased, or for cancelling same on
return. I construct instruments or apparatus for effecting these purposes in such
manner, that each time it is used to clip, print, or emboss a ticket at the time when
the ticket is issued or cancelled on collection a bell shall be caused to ring, and also
if the instrument or apparatus is caused to operate once, twice, thrice, or more on
the ticket according to its value, that the value of the ticket shall also be indicated
and recorded by a pointer on a dial visible both to the public and to the official
issuing or collecting the tickets.
The apparatus which may be portable or fixed has in one of its forms externally
the general appearance of a short cylinder, the front end of which is mainly
occupied by a dial; at the back or other end is a handle for holding same or for
fixing it to breast, on the one side is a collapsable case or cases for the holding of
tickets.
The dial is marked on its greatest circumference into graduations of 12, each
representing 1d, but the unit varies with the case, the minimum being the
minimum fare or charge; two or other number of smaller dials are engraved on
dial, one representing shillings, another pounds, and so on. The dials may be
phosphored to be luminous. Below the dial is a slit or aperture for the intro-
duction of ticket or coupon which may be of rigid card or paste-board. The main
features of the interior are an arrangement of wheels and other mechanism
propelled either by a wound spring, electricity, or by the force of introducing ticket,

page_text: or pressing a portion of the case which may be the lips of the slit or a point near
that aperture, and a printing apparatus, which may consist of one or several dises
or wheels of india rubber or other material, hung so as to possess both an oscillating
and revolving motion for setting; on the peripheries of these wheels there may be
various devices or numbers and dates, the device, number, or date to be used when
at rest being kept pressed against an inked pad hung over ticket slit, the periphery
entering same through aperture in its upper surface, and impinging by means of
oscillating motion on ticket when inserted; two levers also enter ticket slit, one on
each side which obstruct partially entry of ticket, yielding however to its pressure
and bringing down discs, these levers being connected with axles on which discs
are hung to produce oscillating motion, the discs themselves having one common
axle passing through box axles, which allow for the setting of their different
devices as dates and other circumstances require. Also obstructing entrance of
ticket is one end of a lever, the other end of which lever is connected with a single
stroke spring bell in dome on top of case, and at the remote end of ticket slit is a
plate forming its "cul-de-sac;" this plate is connected with an escapement, pressure
on the plate releases the escapement by means of a lever or other contrivance, and
allows by a double pawl a half movement of the unit dial hand, the other and
completing half being made on the removal of ticket; or instead of the oscillating
levers for putting in action the printing apparatus, the bell and the escapement
being separate all may be attached or connected with the plate at remote end of
ticket aperture.
The working of the apparatus in public vehicles would be as follows:-The
conductor would be supplied as at present with tickets of different colors for
different values, and consecutively numbered as at present; on passenger telling
distance conductor would insert ticket of printed value and color into aperture, the
force of same would work oscillating printing gear, release escapement, spring
would force large hand on dial half a unit forward, and bell at same time be rung;
the printing gear would inscribe on ticket No. of journey, date, day, month, year,
if necessary, or a plainer device and the removal of ticket would allow the other
half step of unit to be made; the insertion of ticket would be made immediately
before passenger, one in the possession of all his senses would bear bell ring and
see payment recorded, a deaf man would see record, and a blind hear the bell ring
and feel printing on ticket. In the case of double, treble, and quadruple fares, the
conductor wouid half withdraw ticket and re-insert once for every penny over, the
first bell would ring and indicator move on each, and the ticket could be printed in
a fresh place by withdrawing it, inserting other end, or reversing its surface, or
both be done in the case of treble and quadruple fares.
The utility and merits of the Invention are as follows:-The recorder check on
conductor is alike visible to the public and officials of the company as well as the
conductor. The quantity, consecutive numbering of the tickets, their colors, and
the printing of same are a check on both public and conductor, as it would not be
possible to or for the public to re-use a ticket even of that day, nor for the
conductor to issue same, as a notice in car would give the hours during which each
journey was made; the ringing of bell and moving a recorder for every penny paid
prevents the issue of tickets of inferior value, as may be and is done with present
checks. The dials being set at zero when instrument is given to conductor, he can
at any moment see amont of money he has taken, and check any inaccuracies on
part of clerks which might tell against him, the dials being calculators would also
simplify checking and make it instantaneous. In event of extraordinary tickets
not issued on car, the conductor would cancel same and return with his cash, he
might also collect all tickets on passengers leaving car.
The machine would be
handed into office at terminus of last journey, on being checked it would be set at
zero by milled screw inside being turned to lift escapement pawls, and largest hand
moved forward till smallest be at zero, printing discs could then be set with date
and number of first journey, and those of subsequent could be done either at
terminus office, or by the conductor with key furnished for purpose.

page_text: In steam boats, hotels, restaurants, theatres, and otbes places, the instrument
might be fixed on counter and some changes made in printing or cancelling device,
but the principle of action and check would always be the same. For large
restaurants and such like, coupons of face value might be issued at any time or
place, and same would be cancelled when purchases were made or viands consumed,
and several instruments with dial units of different values be used; as for example,
6d., 1/-, 2/6., 5/-, 10/-, L1, the use and number of such could be simplified and
lessened by repeated insertions, as in the case of double and treble fares. Should
electricity be used as a motor instead of spring or other, the necessary contacts for
working, the apparatus might be made by the insertion of ticket, and the whole
machine with or without battery be embodied in one case, or only the printing,
clipping, or embossing gear, and electrical contacts might be in one case, and the
recorder and bell be placed any where within sight or hearing, and be connected
with the contact apparatus by conducting wires, and if it be desired that the
pinted, clipping, or embossing and electrical contact apparatus shall be portable,
the lengths of the contact wires connected with the apparatus may be made
capable of sliding to and fro along metallic conducting rods, which are in electrical
connection with the fixed portion of the apparatus.
If a punch is used a cavity may be formed in the case of the instrument to
collect the cuttings, and such punch might be used along with printing gear or
substituted for it, but to the use of a punch and cavity for collecting the cuttings
I separately lay no claim.
The apparatus, mechanical or electric, might be fixed inside of omnibuses, while
collector might have another portable for outside passengers and those paying fare
on alighting.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Smith Comrie in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
May 1880.
"
JOHN SMITH COMRIE, of 175, St. Vincent Street, in the City of Glasgow.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE Issue of TICKETS OR COUPONS
WHEN PURCHASED, OR FOR CANCELLING THE SAME ON RETURN."
This Invention has for its object to improve instruments or apparatus used for
checking the issue of tickets or coupons when purchased, or for cancelling same on
return. I construct instruments or apparatus for effecting these purposes in such
manner that each time it is used to clip, print, or emboss a ticket at the time when
the ticket is issued or cancelled on collection, a bell shall be caused to ring, an i
also, if the instrument or apparatus is caused to operate once, twice, thrice, or more
on the ticket, according to its value, that the value of the ticket shall also be
indicated and recorded by a pointer on a dial visible both to the public and to the
official issuing or collecting the tickets.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed I have shown various views of an apparatus
constructed in the manner I prefer for carrying out my Invention.
Figure 1 shows a back view, Figure 2 a front view, and Figure 3 a side view
of the apparatus; Figures 4, 5, and 6 are sections of the same.
A is a cylindrical case closed at one end by a dial plate B, with glass in front
so that the hands of the dial cannot be got at and tampered with.
The other end
is closed by a back plate C, locked in place by any suitable bolt D, which may
itself be secured by seal, or in other suitable manner, so that. the apparatus cannot
be opened without its being known. Near the bottom of the apparatus is a slide E
by which the ticket to be marked is to be carried into the apparatus. The slide is
pressed outwards by a spiral spring F, its outward movement being limited by a
stop. A plan view of this slide is shown at Figure 7, and a cross section taken on
the line A, B, Figure 7, is shown at Figure 8. The slide is, as shown, made of two
plates, one above the other. The bottom plate is longer than the upper plate, and
projects beyond it at the end E', which is the outer end of the slide. The ticket
to be marked is placed on to the projecting end of the bottom plate, and is pushed
forward between the upper and lower plates until it is brought into the proper
position upon the slide for the required stamp or mark to be impressed upon it,
when the slide is pressed inwards into the case. The slide is prevented from being
pressed inwards whilst the ticket is being placed on to it, and at other times, by a
small lever catch G. held in position by a spring, but which can be withdrawn by
pressing on a stud H at the bottom of the case, as shown. The slide E has standing
up from it two plates I, I, slotted as shown, and with one end of the slot curving
downwards.
In each of these slots are received two pins projecting from the side of an ink
reservoir J, which carries a stamp K kept supplied with ink from the interior of
the reservoir, and which is for stamping or impressing any desired device or mark
on the tickets. The ink reservoir is also connected by a link L with a fixed point
of the casing, as shown, so that when the slide E stands out from the case A, the
stamp is held up away from the top face of the slide; but when the slide is pressed
inwards the ink reservoir is brought towards a vertical position, and the stamp
carried by it is pressed downwards on to any ticket there may be on the slide.
Other mechanical arrangements for causing a stamp to be brought down on to the
ticket, when it is carried into the apparatus by the movement of the slide, may
however be used in place of the arrangement shown in the Drawing.
Standing up from the slide E is also a projection M in which is a vertical
slot M¹ into this slot is received a pin which stands out from an arm that can
turn around the first spindle N of a counting and recording mechanism. The arm

page_text: carries a spring pawl to engage with the teeth of a ratchet wheel O, which is fast
on the spindle N, in order that each time the slide E is pressed inwards the ratchet
wheel may be turned a distance equal to one tooth. The counting mechanism is
all mounted on a plate P which is fixed across the interior of the case A. On the
spindle N there is, as shewn at Figure 9, a projecting pin or tooth N¹ which
engages with teeth or pins projecting from a wheel Q on the second axis of the
counting apparatus, and turns this wheel one tooth each time that the spindle N
makes one revolution. Projecting from the periphery of the wheel are also two
studs or teeth which gear with the teeth of a wheel R on the third axis S of the
counting mechanism, so that this third axis turns one tooth for every half turn
of the wheel Q on the second axis of the counter: Thus, as there are 12 teeth in
the ratchet wheel O the index hand on the axis of this wheel will register pence,
the hand on the axis of the wheel Q will register shillings, and the hand on the
third axis ten shillings. I do not however confine myself to any particular
arrangement of counting and recording mechanism, as the construction of this
mechanism may be greatly varied. The large dial might also be graduated to ten
figures instead of twelve, and the train of registering wheels be altered accordingly.
On the first spindle N of the train of registering wheels is a pin wheel T, and when
the spindle N is made to turn round one step one of the pins on this wheel comes
against the end of a lever U, and gives this lever a partial turn on its axis. On
the other arm of the lever is carried a small hammer V. When the lever U is
turned by the action of the pin wheel T the hammer is drawn back away from the
bell W. As soon as the pin of the pin wheel T, which previously was turning.
the lever U, passes beyond the end of this lever, the lever is quickly turned back
in the opposite direction by a bent spring X which presses upon it, the hammer is
thus caused to strike the bell. Y is a stop for the arm which carries the hammer
to rest against, so that the hammer shall not be held against the bell; Z is a
receptacle at the upper part of the case A for holding tickets.
On
The way of working the apparatus in public vehicles would be as follows:-
The ink bottle being partially filled with ink and all the indices set at zero, and
the ticket holder being supplied with tickets, the apparatus is ready for use. The
apparatus is to be held in the right hand with its face towards the passengers.
a passenger tendering his fare a ticket is taken from the ticket holder and pushed
into the ticket slide, the knob at the bottom of the case is then pressed on and the
slide pushed home, thus causing the bell to ring, the registering indicator to move,
and the ticket to be stamped; the slide is then pressed back again by its spiral
spring and the ticket is taken out and given to the passenger.
The insertion of the ticket into the apparatus being made immediately before
passenger, one in the possession of all his senses would hear bell ring and see
payment recorded, a deaf man would see record, and a blind hear the bell ring and
feel printing on ticket. In the case of double, treble, and quadruple fares the
conductor would half withdraw ticket and reinsert once for every penny over the
first, bell would ring and indicator move on each and the ticket could be printed in
a fresh place by withdrawing it, inserting other end or reversing its surface, or both
be done in the case of treble and quadruple fares.
The utility and merits of the invention are as follows:-The recorder check on
conductor is alike visible to the public and officials of the company as well as the
conductor. The quantity, consecutive numbering of the tickets, their colors, and
the printing of same are a check on both public and conductor, as it would not be
possible to or for the public to re-use a ticket even of that day nor for the conductor
to issue same as a notice in car would give the hours during which each journey
was made; the ringing of bell and moving of recorder for every penny paid
prevents the issue of tickets of inferior value as may be and is done with present
checks. The dials being set at zero when instrument is given to conductor, he can
at any moment see amount of money he has taken and check any inaccuracies on
part of clerks which might tell against him, the dials being calculators would also
simplify checking and make it instantaneous. In event of extraordinary tickets

page_text: i
not issued on car the conductor would cancel same and return with his cash, he
might also collect all tickets on passengers leaving car. The machine would be
handed into office at terminus of last journey.
In steam boats, hotels, restaurants, theatres, and other places the instrument
might be fixed on counter, and some changes made in printing or cancelling device,
but the principle of action and check would always be the same.
For large
restaurants and such like coupons of face value might be issued at any time or
place, and same would be cancelled when purchases were made or viands consumed
and several instruments with dial units of different values be used; for example,
6d., 1/-, 2/6, 5/-, 10/-, .1, the use and number of such could be simplified and
lessened by repeated insertions, as in the case of double and treble fares.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim as my improvements in apparatus
for checking the issue of tickets or coupons when purchased or for cancelling the
same on return,―
First. The construction of apparatus to be used for these purposes in such manner
that each time it is used to stamp or mark a ticket or coupon a bell
record made, substantially as herein before described.
rung and
Second. The construction of apparatus to be used for these purposes in such
manner that the stamping or marking of a ticket or coupon, the simultaneous
ringing of a bell, and the moving of the registering wheels are all effected by the
movement of a slide, on to which the ticket or coupon is placed and by which it is
conveyed into the apparatus, substantially as herein before described.
Third. The construction of the slide of the apparatus in such manner that when
a ticket has been placed onto it the exact place on which the ticket will be stamped
or marked can be clearly seen before it is conveyed into the apparatus.
.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Smith Comrie, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
T
C COMPIN