Improvements in Apparatus for Use in Shops, Offices, and the like, for Conveying Cash-carriers or other Articles to and from a Cashier's Desk or Central Station.
Year: 1889

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by GEORGE BRADFORD KELLY, of Boston, Massachusetts,
Manufacturer, and WILLIAM AUGUSTUS WERBER, of Meriden, New Haven,
Connecticut, Music Arranger, both in the United States of America.]
Improvements in Apparatus for Use in Shops, Offices, and the like,
for Conveying Cash-carriers or other Articles to and from a
Cashier's Desk or Central Station.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firmn of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the county of Middlesex, 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 :-
This invention consists in the combination with a pneumatic tube for the trans-
mission therethrough of a carrier or other article, of intermediate sectional tubes,
arranged on a suitable frame or support, which is adapted to move transversely back
and forth, for each of said intermediate sectional tubes to be placed in line with the
pneumatic or main tube as desired, one of said intermediate sectional tubes having
an internal slide arranged to move back and forth therein and adapted to receive the
carrier or other article, said frame being arranged to be locked and secured in place
when said slide sectional tube is in line with the pneumatic or main tube, and said
slide when moved along its sectional tube being adapted to release said tube carrying
frame from its locked position, so that said slide sectional tube will be then moved out of
line, and the other sectional tube in line. with the pneumatic or main tube, for the
discharge of the carrier from said slide and for the other sectional tube to make the
pneumatic or main tube continuous at such point or place, substantially as hereinafter
fully described.
In the accompanying drawing is illustrated the present invention.
Figure 1, representing in plan view a portion of a pneumatic tube with this invention
applied thereto.
Figure 2, a plan view of the same parts moved into other positions.
2

page_text: Figure 5, is a detail horizontal section."
In the drawing A, represents a portion of a pneumatic tube for the transmission
therethrough in the direction of the arrows, of a cash carrior or other article, laving
the present invention applied thereto, and it being located at the sales counter or
single station and the tubo loading thereto and from in any suitable and desirable
manner.
The pneumatic tobe A, at such station Iras a portion out out or removed or discon-
tinued, the two emis B, C, of the tube being a short distance from each other, and
they are secured respectively in uprights or standards 1), E.
Between these two standards is a frame F, pivoted at a, by its end pieces (i, H,
which are connected together by a horizontal bar J, the frame carrying two short
Lubes K, L, of the same diameter as the main tube secured in and extending to the
outside of each end piece the tubes being parallel with each other and in a line
concentric with the frame pivots and in such relation to the main tube, that as it is
swung between the two standards, it will bring either one or of the two short tubes
coincident with and in longitudinal line between the ends B, (', of the main tube as
desired.
Figure 1, shows this frame F, with its intermediate or sectional tubes in its normal
position, and in this view the tube K, is in line with the main tube and it then forms
practically a continuation of the main tube, the frame resting by its end pieces GI
against screw pins b, screwing into the standards, the screwing in or out of which
adjusts such bearing or rest so that the sectional tubs K, when the frame is at such
rest will be in exact line with the main tube; it is held to such bearing by the tension
of a spiral spring N, secured by one end to the end pieer, and by its other end to the
upright at d, which returns it to such position when not otherwise acted upon.
Within the sectional tube 1, is a slide, P, made in the prosent instance of a tube
form, its external diameter fitting closely the internal diameter of the sectional tube,
but so it can freely slide back and forth therein and yet maintain a close fit within the
tubo to substantially prevent air from passing between the two.
Qis a cross pin secured to and extending diametrically across the slide and
projecting throngh longitudinal slots one on each side of the sectional tube
diametrically opposite to each other, the slide being of a length to extend beyond and
fully cover the slots, when in its normal position, to prevent air from entering into
or escaping from the sectional tube, L. at such slots.
The slide P, is open from end to end, for air to freely pass through it, in the
operation of the air exhausting apparatus, in order not to interfure with the exhausting
of air from the whole length of the tube, in the transmission of the carrier or other
article therethrough, its right hand or lower end is shaped to form an internal seat g
circular in cross section and which is adapted to receive the end h, of the carrier R,
as shown in figure 3.
Securel to each end of the cross piu Q, on the outside of, and extending along, the
sectional tube L is a bar or rod S, their other ends being rigidly secured to a loose
sleeve T, surrounding the tube and adapted to froely slide forward and backward
thereon.
Secured to this sleeve one on each side and between the rods S, are spiral springs U,
their other ends being secured to the end pieco H, which springs act to hold the slide
in its normal position, and to return it to such position, when moved along the tube
unless otherwiso acted upon, and whon in such position the slide rests by its cross
pin Q, against the ends in, of the slots f.
Pivoted at n, to a bracket r, socured to the outside of the tube L, over or in line
with one of the connecting rods S, is an arm or lever or latch V, having a flat spring t
bearing by its free end against the under side of its end u, secured to the end
piece H, which holds such ond by its tension up in the position shown in figures 1
and B.
Taking hold of the cord or wiro W, secured to the end pioco H, and pulling upon
it in the direction of the arrow v, figure 1, the frame F, with its intermediato

page_text: and sectional tubes will swing upon its pivots a, from the position shown in
figure 1, into the position shown in figures 2 and 3, and as it is moved into such
position the end u, of the latch passes under a plate w, secured to the upright E,
which plate is in such position for such end as it moves thereunder to be pressed
down against its spring t, and when the frame moves into the position shown in
figures 2 and 3 the end, of the latch will have passed from under and beyond the
edge y, of the plate, and being then free to rise, it is forced by the reaction of its
spring, and abuts against plate edge y, locking and preventing the frame from
swinging back from and into the position shown in figure 1.
When the frame is swung into the position shown in figures 2 and 3, the other
sectional tube or slide tube L, is in line with the main tube, and the stop plate wo, and
latch V, are so adjusted in relation to the frame and each other that the latch V,
will be locked by the plate to, when the slide tube is exactly coincident with the main
tube.
The pin Q. extends beyond the slide of its sectional tube a short distance so that
with the slide tube in line with the main tube and locked as described, if the slide is
then moved up into the position shown in dotted lines, figure 3, the end d, of the pin
will strike against the under inclined face of the latch end a¹, and raising the same
dopress its other end, so that it will be free to pass under the plate c, leaving the
frame spring N, free to act, to return the frame and sectional tubes to their positions
shown in figure 1, the slide tube out of and the other sectional tube in line with the
main tube.
The operation is substantially as follows:-
The intermediate or sectional tubes and their supporting frame are connected with
the main tube at any point or place along its line where it is desired to transmit a
carrier or other article such as the sales counter or single station, the main tube
extending from the cashier's desks or central station to such station, and from thence
to the air exhausting apparatus, the air being exhausted through the tube in the
direction of the arrows in Fig. 1.
The frame F, with its intermediate or sectional tubes when in its normal position,
at the single station, is as shown in figure 1, that is, with the sectional tube K, in line
with the main tube in which position it remains until the cashier or person at the
cashier's desk or central station desires to transmit a carrier or other article to the
station, when with the air exhausting apparatus in operation, he pulls upon the cord
or wire W, connecting his desk with the frame at such station, in any suitable manner,
which swings the frame with its sectional tubes into the position shown in figures 2
and 3, the latch V, then locking with the plate w, and holding it in such position a
carrier or the article desired to be transmitted is placed by the cashier in the end of
the main tube A, at his desk, which by the exhaustion of the air from the tube in
front of it, is forced along the main tube until it arrives at the slide P, making by its
end, a close union with the seat g, of the slide closing the slide to the passage of
air through it, which then moves with the carrier, along the sectional tube 1, into the
position shown in dotted lines figure 3, the end d', of the cross pin Q, of the slide
abutting or striking against the under side of the end a', of the latch V, forcing it to
swing on its pivot and releasing its other end u, from the plate w, as shown in dotted
lines figure 3, when the spring N, acts upon the frame to return it and its tubes to their
normal positions, the tube L, with the slide P, and carrier in it, out of line with the
main tube, into line with an opering ƒ³, see figure 5, in the standard E, so that then
the sectional tube L, being out of line with the main tube the carrier is relieved of the
air pressure upon it, when the springs U, attached to the slide sleeve T, will act to
return the slide to its normal position, and force or throw the carrier out of the tube L,
through the standard opening f, into a receptacle g', as shown in figure 5, in proper
position therefore.
When the salesman wishes to return the carrier or other article to the cashier's
desk or central station, he places the same in the open end of another pneumatic tube
leading thereto in connection with the air exhausting apparatus and with the carrier
in the usual manner.

page_text: There can be as many of these separate intermediate sectional tubes arranged in
connection with the main tube, as desired, according to the number of single stations,
and the cashier will have as many strings or wires W, at his desk as there are
stations, one to each station, so that when desirous of transmitting a carrier to any
particular station in the series, he will pull the wire for such station which will put
the slide tubo L, at such station in line with the main tube, ready for the reception of
the carrier, and its delivery at such station as has been described, and which after
being delivered leaves the sectional tube K. in connection and coincident with the
main tube, so that if desirous a carrier can be transmitted past the station to any
desired station beyond.
The arrangement of the intermediate sectional tubes in a horizontal position is very
desirable because they can be placed under the sales counter or table at the single
station and thus be out of the way leaving the counter free for the goods, and the
like, the main tube leading thereto and from in any suitable and desirable manner;
the slide P, can be of any suitable form other than tubular, it only being essential it
should have a proper seat to receive the carrier, and of a length and width to ensure
its free and easy guidance and movement in the tube, and cover up the slots, when
in its normal position.
The carrier seat of the slide can be of any suitable shape in cross section, but
obviously must be of a shape for the end of the carrier to fit the same closely, but with
the enl of the carrier flat, it need only bear against the end of the slide covering the
opening.
The intermedinte or sectional tubes can be arranged in a vertical position if
desired, and if so the slide can be adapted to return to its seaf by gravity, dispensing
with its springs, but it is preferable to have them horizontal für the reasons stated,
the spiral springs are of sufficient power to return the slide with the carrier to it
normal position, when the air pressure ceases, but not sufficient to prevent the air
pressure moving it with the carrier back, as described, only one spring and one slot
in the tube need be used, but it is preferable to have both springs and slots.
The standard E, can he cut away opposite the end of the intermediate tube when in
its position to discharge the carrier, in lieu of making an opening through it, as is
obvious.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:
First. The combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission therethrough of
a carrier or other article, of intermediate suctional tubes, suitably supported and
arranged to be moved transversely back and forth, for each of said intermediate tubes
to be placed in or out of line with the main tube, one of said intermediate tubes
being arranged to be locked or hold in position, when in line with the main tube and
harving a slide arranged to move therein, and to be moved as the carrier makes con-
nection therewith, in its transmission through the tube, to release or unlock said
intermediate slide tube for its return to its normal position for the purpose
specified.
Second. The combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission therethrough
of a carrier or other article, of intermoliate sectional tubes, suitably supported and
arranged to be moved transversely back and forth, for each of said intermediate tubes
to be placed in or out of line with the main tube, one of said intermediate tubes being
arranged to be locked or held in position by a latch whon in line with the main tube
and having a slide arranged to move therein, and to be moved as the carrier makes
connection therewith in its transmission through the tube, to unfasten said latch for
said intermediate slide tube to return to its normal position for the purpose
specified.
Third. The combination with a pneumatic tubo for the transmission therethrough
of a carrier or other article, of intermediate sectional tubes, one provided with a
slide arranged to move back and forth therein, and adapted to receive the carrier,

page_text: said intermediate tubes being carried by a frame or support, arranged to move transversely
back and forth, for each of said intermediate tubes to be placed in or out of line with
the main tube, said intermediate slide tube being provided with a latch or locking device,
arranged to engage with the frame or support, when in line with the main tube, and in
position to be operated by the slide when moved into proper position therefor, as the
carrier makes connections therewith, to release or unlock said locking device for the
purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission therethrough
of a carrier or other article, of intermediate sectional tubes secured in a frame,
pivoted to a suitable support provided with a spring and arranged to be moved
transversely back and forth, to place either one or the other of said intermediate
tubes in or out of line, with, and between the two contiguous ends, of the main tube,
one of said intermediate tubes having a pivoted spring latch or locking device
arranged to engage with a stop or shoulder on said support, when said intermediate
tube is in line with the main tube, and said intermediate tube having an internal
slide with which the carrier engages in its transmission through the tube, to be
moved therewith and provided with a pin or projection to operate said latch for the
purpose specified.
1000