AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING FRAUD BY TRAMWAY AND OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS AND OTHER COLLECTORS OR RECEIVERS OF MONEY
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
'AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING FRAUD BY TRAMWAY AND
OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS AND OTHER COLLECTORS OR RECEIVERS OF MONEY."
A communication from abroad by George Beadle, of Syracuse, New York,
United States of America, Gentleman.
Sealed the 15th February 1878, and dated the 20th December 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th December 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING
FRAUD BY TRAMWAY AND OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS AND OTHER COLLECTORS OR
RECEIVERS OF MONEY." [A communication from abroad by George Beadle, of
Syracuse, New York, United States of America, Gentleman.]
The said Invention relates to an apparatus which I term a "fare box," and which
is designed for the prevention of fraud by ticket or money collectors, conductors
and drivers of omnibuses, tram cars, and other vehicles, and for similar purposes.
In each of the inner sides of the said box are formed grooves for the reception of
the front glass and back glass, the front of the box being turned towards the
These glasses are remov-
passengers and the back toward the driver or conductor.
able upwardly when the cover or top of the box is removed, and firmly secured in
their places when said top is secured in its place. In this manner I secure access
to all of the glass portions of my box for the purpose of cleaning or replacing such
portions. In the inner side of the box other grooves are formed for the reception of
other glasses which form the change chute. These latter grooves are so disposed
that they diverge from each other as they approach the botton of the box. The
object of this divergence is to obviate the clogging of the chute as the change
accumulates therein. I prefer this form, though may dispose such grooves parallel

page_text: with each other. This change chute is divided into two or more sections by means
of a series of sliding gates.
A plate of metal of a width about equal to the width of the chute and of a length
greater than the inner width of the box constitutes the gates, and its ends enter
slots in rods which are connected with push bars passing across the rear of the
box.
In front of one gate are placed about the said rods coiled springs which bear
against screws, which readily permit the substitution of a new for a weak or worn
spring.
In one of the sections I have constructed the gate to be opened by a pull bar
instead of a push bar as in the other sections.
The drawer in which the fares are delivered is made to slide into an ordinary
casing. At or near the rear end of this drawer, and passing through a slot in the said
casing, and projecting into the chamber wherein is located the register, is a bolt
which, as the drawer is drawn out, impinges against the lever of the register and
actuates the same, causing the alarm to sound and the register to indicate an
additional number to that shown by it before the drawer was thus drawn out. The
said drawer is closed at its top by means of a cover which is permanently secured
thereto, excepting a portion which is hinged to the permanent portion, and is caused
by stops and springs to fly open as it emerges from the said casing.
A portion of the bottom of the drawer is permanently secured to its sides, and a
portion is also hinged to this permanent portion and provided with sides independent
of the sides of the drawer, which independent sides are curved in their outlines, and
thus adapted to form with said hinged bottom a discharge chute or slide for the
ready removal of the contents of the drawer.
I place in the rear end of the said drawer an inclined plane, in order that when
the discharge chute is dropped there shall be a continuous plane, down which the
entire contents shall slide, thus preventing any lodgment of tickets or money in the
drawer. Upon the edges of these curved sides of the discharge chute I form a
depression, into which a pivotted lever is forced by a spring for the purpose of
retaining the discharge chute in a closed position.
A suitable lock is usually provided to secure the drawer in the casing. Upon
the outside of the box is affixed a lamp for the purpose of lighting the box at
night.
The change chute as above described is adapted for only one rate of fare; but
the said chute can readily be changed to allow of two or more rates of fare by
dividing it into two or more compartments, and by inserting it in a perpendicular
partition fitted within the space between the glass plates. Notches are cut in it
at the proper places to receive the edges of the slides, and corresponding notches
are cut in the slides so that they will fit closely on both sides of the said partition.
This partition is held up by a knob on the upper end or by bending the top over
the edge of the glass and fitting it into the lower side of the top piece, which fits
closely, holds it in position, and prevents its movement laterally. The top of the
box in this case will be changed by making the necessary additional holes through
which to deposit the fares.
To permit ready access to the gates, holes are cut in the side of the box opposite
one end of each gate, and are covered by plates screwed on or otherwise secured.
Upon removing either of the said plates or the covering, the end of a gate is exposed,
and by a pair of pinchers it can be easily pulled out and replaced, or a new one
inserted when necessary.
If desired, suitable catches or locks may be attached to the back of the box to
fasten the push bars or pull bar, so that no one except the driver or conductor can
operate the same, or so that the fares cannot be dumped into the drawer by the
driver or conductor until after the inspection.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
June 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING
FRAUD BY TRAMWAY AND OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS AND OTHER COLLECTORS OR
RECEIVERS OF MONEY." A communication from abroad by George Beadle, of
Syracuse, New York, United States of America, Gentleman.
The said Invention relates to an apparatus which I term a "fare box," and
which is designed for the prevention of fraud by ticket or money collectors,
conductors and drivers of omnibuses, tram cars, and other vehicles, and for similar
purposes.
In the accompanying Drawing,-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the said apparatus; Figure 2 is a side elevation;
and Figure 3 is a back elevation of the same.
Figure 4 is a side elevation with portions removed to show the construction and
operation of parts of the mechanisın.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of the said apparatus.
In each of the inner sides of the said box are formed grooves for the reception
of the front glass A and back glass A¹, the front of the box being turned toward
the passengers and the back toward the driver or collector. These glasses are
removable upwardly when the cover or top B of the box is removed, and are firmly
secured in their places when said top is secured in its place. In this manner I
secure access to all the glass portions of my box for the purpose of cleaning or
replacing such portions. In the inner side of the box other grooves are formed for
the reception of other glasses which form the change chute. These latter grooves
are so disposed that they diverge from each other as they approach the bottom of
the box. The object of this divergence is to obviate the clogging of the chute as
the change accumulates therein. I prefer this form though I may dispose such
grooves parallel with each other. This change chute is divided into two or more
sections by means of a series of sliding gates C, D, E. In this instance, I have con-
structed three sections for a purpose herein-after described.
It will be observed that the front glass W of the chute extends over sections I
and 2, while the back glass W₁ extends over section 1 only. The object of this
construction is to permit the passage of the sliding gate C. In like manner and for
a like purpose, the back glass W³ extends over sections 2 and 3, while the front
glass W only covers section 3.
Two sections are sufficient for all practical purposes, but I have constructed the
model in this case with 3 sections for the purpose of showing different methods of
operating the sliding gates.
In order that the ends of such parts may enter the side of the box, a plate of
metal of a width about equal to the width of the chute, and of a length greater than
the inner width of the box, constitutes the gates C, D, E, and its ends enter slots
in the rods F, which are connected with the push bars G passing across the rear of
the box.
In front of the gate D are placed about the rods F the coiled springs H which
bear against the screws I, the removal of one of which screws permits the easy
substitution of a new for a weak or worn spring.
In section 1 I have constructed the gate to be opened by a pull bar instead of
push bar, as in sections 2 and 3, just described. This change from a push bar to
a pull bar is effected by placing the spring H behind the gate and allowing said
spring to press against the plate 5, as shown in Figure 4.
It will readily be seen, by pulling out the bar M of section 1, that the fares in.
that section will fall into section 2, and by pushing in the bar G of section 2, the

page_text: fares fall into section 3, and the same operation at this section delivers the fares
into the drawer S. This drawer S is made to slide into an ordinary casing P.
At or near the rear end of the drawer, and passing through a slot in the casing P,
and projecting into the chamber, wherein is located the register R, is a bolt b which
as the drawer is drawn out, impinges against the lever of the register and actuates
the same, causing the alarm to sound and the register to indicate an additional
number to that shown by it before the drawer was thus drawn out. I hereby
attain infallible proof that the drawer has been opened. After the bolt b has
actuated the lever, it returns to its normal position, when the cover of the box is
forced down against the stop d or the drawer is closed, thus actuating the register
only during the outward movement of the drawer.
I also provide further details of construction as follows:-The drawer S is closed
at its top by means of a cover which is permanently secured thereto, excepting that
portion c which is hinged to the permanent portion, and is caused by the stops d
and springs x to fly open as it emerges from the casing P, as is shown in dotted
lines in Figure 5. The object of this construction is to facilitate the opening of the
portion c of the cover, and to provide stops d which shall impinge against the casing
P to prevent closing the drawer without first closing the hinged portion c, and
furthermore and principally to prevent the pushing in of the drawer far enough to
enable the projections b to actuate the register on a partial opening of the drawer.
In other words, the stop & prevents the operation of the register except by a com-
plete opening of the drawer, and renders it necessary to completely close the drawer
before it can again actuate the register.
A portion of its bottom is permanently secured to its sides, and a portion is also
hinged to such permanent portion and provided with sides independent of the sides
of the drawer, which independent sides are curved in their outlines and thus adapted
to form with said hinged bottom a discharge chute or slide T for the ready removal
of the contents of the drawer.
As a further aid to this object, I place in the rear end of the drawer S the inclined
plane U, in order that when the discharge chute T is dropped, there shall be a con-
tinuous plane, down which the entire contents shall slide, thus preventing any
lodgment of tickets or money in the drawer.
Upon the edges of these curved sides of the discharge chute I form a depression,
into which the pivoted lever m is forced by the spring n for the purpose of retaining
the discharge chute in a closed position.
It will be observed that the spring x, n, performs a double office, that of holding
the lever in its place and that of forcing the stop d upward as soon as the drawer
is opened.
I may dispense with the discharge chute T and still retain many of the benefits
of my Invention, but I prefer the use of the discharge chute T.
A suitable lock is usually provided to secure the drawer in the casing P. Upon
the outside of the box is affixed a lamp for the purpose of lighting the box at
night.
The change chute, as above described, is adapted for only one rate of fare; but
the said chute can readily be changed to allow of two or more rates of fure by
dividing it into two or more compartments by inserting the perpendicular partition
O. This partition is made of metal of such size as to fit within the space between
the glass plates W, W1, W2, W³. It may extend clear down, or, as shown in the
Drawings, only part of the way. Notches are cut in it at the proper places to
receive the edges of the slides, and corresponding notches are cut in the slides so
that they will fit closely on both sides of the partition. This partition is held up
by putting a knob on the upper end, or by bending the top over the edge of the
glass and fitting it into the lower side of the top piece B, which fits closely, holds
it in position, and prevents its movement laterally. The top of the box in this case
will be changed by adding the necessary additional holes through which to deposit
the fares.

page_text: To permit ready access to the gates C, D, E, holes are cut in the side of the box
opposite one end of each gate, and are covered by plates a, a, a, screwed on or
otherwise covered. Upon removing either of the plates or the covering, the end of
that gate is exposed, and by using a pair of pincers, can be easily pulled out and
replaced, or a new one inserted when necessary.
If desired, suitable catches or locks may be attached to the back of the box to
fasten the push bars G or pull bar M, or any of them, so that no one except the
driver can operate the same, or so that the fares cannot be dumped into the drawer
by the driver until after the inspection.
The operation of this Invention is as follows:-The fares are deposited through
the hole or holes in the cover or top of the box at N and fall upon the gate C and
in section 1, where they are easily seen by the passengers and driver, who, after
inspection, pulls the bar M and deposits them in section 2. Here the fares remain
until a certain point in the route of the cars has been reached. In the meantime
a detective or officer of the company has inspected the fares in section 2, and com-
pared them with the number of passengers; and a certain point on the route having
been reached, the driver, detective, or other persons authorized may push the bar G
of section 2 and deposit the fares in section 3, where they remain until the end of
the route is reached. They are then deposited within the drawer. If section 1 is
omitted, section 3 is preferred for the detective inspection.
The sides of the box are held in the proper position by means of a cross bar dove-
tailed into them at the top.
The top is put in place and secured as follows:-It is inserted between the sides
and is retained at its front end by means of dovetailed projections which enter
similar slots in the sides of the box. At the back side of the top are suitable locks
where bolts pass into the sides of the box and securely fasten the top to the box.
The money having been deposited in the drawer by the aperture 8 at the end
of a day's business or at any desired time, the said drawer is opened by means of
the handle t, and during the movement of opening it, the bolt b, advances and
actuates the register and alarm, as herein-before described.
As the drawer is completely opened, the hinged portion of the cover c is forced
upward by the spring, the pivoted lever m is then raised out of the depression in
the sides of the discharge chute T, which falls, and the contents are deposited in a
bag or other suitable receptacle held beneath the drawer to receive such contents.
To close the drawer the discharge chute T is raised, when the spring n forces the
lever m into place, thereby firmly locking the said chute.
The hinged cover portion c is closed by forcing it down flush with the top of the
drawer, and the drawer is then pushed within the casing P. It will be readily seen
that no access can be had to the discharge chute fastening lever m when the drawer
is closed.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. The combination of the box having dovetailed recesses in its sides, the
cross bar, and top, each provided with corresponding dovetailed projecting ends
with the front and rear sides and receiving chute and locks, as above described.
Second. A fare box provided with a change chute, consisting of two or more
parallel or downwardly diverging plates of glass, the space between which is divided
into two or more sections by means of sliding gates, whereby the fares may be
retained in such sections for inspection, as above set forth.
Third. The combination of the bottom, the front glass, the back glass, the parallel
or downwardly diverging change chute divided into sections by means of sliding
gates, and the cover, as above set forth.
Fourth. The combination of the rods provided with slots, the gate whose ends
are inserted in the said slots, the springs placed around the said rods and abutting
against the said gate, with the side of the box provided with an aperture, and a

page_text: removable plate placed over the same to facilitate the removal of the gate, as
above described.
Fifth. The drawer provided with the bolt, and the register provided with the
lever, in combination with the casing, as above set forth.
Sixth. The drawer provided with the hinged cover portion, the stop, and spring,
in combination with the casing, as above set forth.
Seventh. The combination of parts comprising the drawer provided with the
discharge chute, the inclined bottom, the lever, and spring, as above set forth.
Eighth. The partition for dividing the receiving chute into compartments, con-
structed substantially as above described.
Ninth. The partition in combination with the fare receivers, the receiving
chute, and the gates, constructed and operating together as and for the purposes
above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
TIM
DAD
TIT