Improvements in Distance Recorders applicable to Vehicles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 12th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Distance Recorders applicable to Vehicles.
We, CHARLES WILLIAM OWEN of 26 Tournay Road, Walham Green in the
County of Middlesex, Manufacturers Agent, and WALTER GRIMES of Silverlands,
St. Margaret's, Twickenham, in the County of Middlesex, Traveller, do hereby
declare the nature of our invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to that class of apparatus designed to record the distance
a vehicle has travelled and if necessary to indicate also the time.
In carrying out this invention in any suitable framing we carry a spindle or
arbour upon which is a worm wheel and a spring so arranged that upon the worm
wheel being released the spindle returns to zero. The spindle carries a dial which
revolves with it under a fixed indicator or the dial may be fixed and the arbour
may carry the indicator. At the back of the dial is a surface which may be part
of the dial itself or a separate disc or substance placed thereon which as it
revolves receives a circular mark from a suitable pointer or equivalent carried by a
fixed portion of the apparatus. This marker is arranged to move radially from
the centre of the dial intermittently one step being taken at the end of each
journey or course so that a separate circular line is traced upon the back of
the dial or the other surface for each journey or course.
The step by step
movement of the marker may be produced or controlled in various ways,
one which we have found successful being to mount the marker upon a
spring controlled slide the slide serving to keep the marker in contact with
the periphery of a snail carried upon a spindle or arbour and operated through a
ratchet and pawl or other suitable mechanism controlled or worked by or from the
worm wheel or its arbour. Conveniently the pawl of the ratchet mechanism is
carried upon an arm which by a spring or weight is caused to bear against a pin or
projection of the worm wheel so that as the worm wheel revolves the pawl arm
moves carrying the pawl until it engages with a fresh tooth of the ratchet wheel;
then when the worm wheel returns to zero the pawl arm and pawl return with it
moving the ratchet wheel its arbour and the snail one step.
To drive the worm wheel we employ a worm carried in a sliding bracket or frame
so that the worn may be put in gear with the wheel or removed as required. The
sliding bracket may be operated by any suitable lever or equivalent accessible from
the outside of the case and adapted to be operated by the driver of the vehicle but
not accessible to the "fare" or person who has to pay for the ride. The worm may
be revolved in any convenient manner say by means of a flexible shaft connected with
a ratchet worm and worn wheel or other mechanism driven from or by the wheel of
the vehicle it being understood that so long as the proportions between the driving
wheel of the vehicle and the indicating mechanism are properly adjusted the only
step by step movement required is in connection with the snail or the marking
device so that an entirely fresh line may be provided for each fresh journey.
Electrical, spring, or other suitable form of power may be employed for driving
this mechanism it being then controlled by the wheel instead of driven by it. So
long as this distinction is observed it matters little what the exact operating
mechanism employed may be, or whether the marking device makes a line further
from the centre of the disc upon which it operates or whether merely a well defined
interval is left between the different lines. It is however desirable that each fresh
line indicating a fresh course should commence at zero as then the disc upon which
the marker operates can be graduated in accordance with the visible dial so that a
check is obtained upon the driver the termination of the line of each course showing
how far he really went. The markings may be arranged to represent either distance
or money or both.

page_text: The movable bracket which carries the worm or the lever or other parts connected
with it may be so arranged that when the worm is put into gear the clock_move-
ment may be started or stopped so as to indicate by the movement of the clock as
recorded upon its separate indicating mechanism which may he of any suitable
construction either the times that the vehicle was occupied by a "fare" or the 5
times when it was not so occupied.
נית
1
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Distance Recorders applicable to Vehicles.
We, CHARLES WILLIAM OWEN of 26 Tournay Road, Walham Green, in the
County of Middlesex, Manufacturers' Agent, and WALTER GRIMES of Silverlands,
St. Margaret's, Twickenham, in the County of Middlesex, Traveller, 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 relates to that class of apparatus designed to record the distance a
vehicle has travelled and if necessary to indicate also the time.
In carrying out this invention in any suitable framing we carry a spindle or
arbour upon which is a worm wheel and a spring so arranged that upon the worm
wheel being released the spindle returns to zero. The spindle carries a dial which
revolves with it under a fixed indicator or the dial may be fixed and the arbour may
carry the indicator. At the back of the dial is a surface which may be part of the
dial itself or a separato disc or substance placed thereon which as it revolves receives
a circular mark from a suitable pointer or equivalent carried by a fixed portion of
the apparatus. This marker is arranged to move radially from the centre of the
dial intermittently one step being taken at the end of each journey or course so that
a separate circular line is traced upon the back of the dial or the other surface for
each journey or course. The step by step movement of the marker may be produced
or controlled in various ways one which we have found successful being to mount
the marker upon a spring controlled slide, the slide serving to keep the marker in
contact with the periphery of a snail carried upon a spindle or arbour and operated
through a ratchet and pawl or other suitable mechanism controlled or worked by or
from the worm wheel or its arbour. Conveniently the pawl of the ratchet
mechanism is carried upon an arm which by a spring or weight is caused to bear
against a pin or projection of the worm wheel so that as the worm wheel revolves
the pawl arm moves carrying the pawl until it engages with a fresh tooth of the
ratchet wheel; then when the worm wheel returns to zero the pawl arm and pawl
return with it moving the ratchet wheel its arbour and the snail one step.
To drive the worm wheel we employ a worm carried in a sliding bracket or frame
so that the worm may be put in gear with the wheel or removed as required. The
sliding bracket may be operated by any suitable lever or equivalent accessible from
the outside of the case and adapted to be operated by the driver of the vehicle but
not accessible to the "fare" or person who has to pay for the ride. The worm
may be revolved in any convenient manner say by means of a flexible shaft
connected with a ratchet worm and worm wheel or other mechanism driven from or
by the wheel of the vehicle it being understood that so long as the proportions
between the driving wheel of the vehicle and the indicating mechanism are properly
adjusted the only step by step movement required is in connection with the snail or
the marking device so that an entirely fresh line may be provided for each fresh
journey. Electrical spring or other suitable form of power may be employed for
driving this mechanism it being then controlled by the wheel instead of driven by
it. So long as this distinction is observed it matters little what the exact operating

page_text: nechanism employed may be, or whether the marking device makes a line further
rom the centre of the disc upon which it operates or whether merely a well defined
nterval is left between the different lines. It is however desirable that each fresh
ine indicating a fresh course should commence at zero as then the disc upon which
he marker operates can be graduated in accordance with the visible dial so that a
check is obtained upon the driver the termination of the line of each course showing
how far he really went. The markings may be arranged to represent either
listance or money or both.
The movable bracket which carries the worm or the lever or other parts connected
with it may be so arranged that when the worm is put into gear the clock movement
may be started or stopped so as to indicate by the movement of the clock as
recorded upon its separate indicating mechanism which may be of any suitable
construction either the times that the vehicle was occupied by a "fare" or the
times when it was not so occupied.
of the disc upon when it operates or whether merely a well demed
nterval is left between the different lines. It is however desirable that each fresh
ine indicating a fresh course should commence at zero as then the disc upon which
he marker operates can be graduated in accordance with the visible dial so that a
check is obtained upon the driver the termination of the line of each course showing
how far he really went. The markings may be arranged to represent either
listance or money or both.
The movable bracket which carries the worm or the lever or other parts connected
with it may be so arranged that when the worm is put into gear the clock movement
may be started or stopped so as to indicate by the movement of the clock as
recorded upon its separate indicating mechanism which may be of any suitable
construction either the times that the vehicle was occupied by a
"fare " or the
imes when it was not so occupied.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a face view of the apparatus with a portion of the case removed.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section upon lines 2-2 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section upon lines 3-3 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the apparatus with a portion of the case removed.
Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view upon an enlarged scale of a portion of the marking
apparatus.
Fig. 6 is a side view partly in section, and
Fig. 7 a face view with the cover removed of one form of apparatus for imparting
the notion to the indicating mechanism, and
Fig. 8 is a face view upon a smaller scale than Figs. 6 and 7, of one form of cam
by which the primary movement may be imparted.
Like letters represent like parts throughout the drawings.
A, Figs. 1 and 4 is the dial or disc bearing the figures indicating the distance
and if desired also the fares due upon those distances; this is shown in Fig. 1. A'is
a fixed pointer behind which the dial turns. B is the spindle upon which the dial
is carried between the nut B' and the fixed collar 132, the collar being preferably
provided with a pin or projection B' shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 which fits a
suitable recess in the dial A. Behind the dial A. is a cardboard or other face A*
upon which the marking point H produces an impression as will presently be
explained.
Upon the spindle B is a worm-wheel C with which engages the worm D
caused to revolve by the piece of flexible shafting D' which receives motion
from the primary operating mechanism. The worm D is carried upon a slide D*
with which engages one arm E of the two-armed lever E which may be
operated through the chain E or other suitable means by the driver of the
vehicle but not by the fare. The arm E' carries a pin E which engages in a
slot in the slide D³ so that when the lever E is turned about its centre or
pivot E the slide D' will be moved towards the left in Fig. 3, so as to
disengage the worm D from the worm-wheel C the reverse movement being
imparted to the slide by the spring D. The slide D² may be connected with
the back plate F which carries this portion of the mechanism in any convenient
manner as by means of the undercut plates D* shown in Fig. 4 to suit which
the edges of the slide D³ may be suitably bevelled as shown. A coiled spring G
is carried upon the spindle B being connected at one end to the said spindle
or as indicated in Fig. 2 to a disc or collar fixed upon that spindle and at the
other to a fixed portion of the apparatus say to one of the distance pieces or
pillars F¹ as shown in Fig. 2. By means of this spring at the completion of
every journey the spindle B and with it the dial A is upon the withdrawal of
the worm D from the worm-wheel C returned to its starting or zero point, the
spindle B being intended only to make a portion of a revolution or at most one
revolution and then returned to the starting point.
The marking point H which bears upon the disc A³ is carried in a slide H'

page_text: which by the screws H² and H³ working in the slots F in the front frame-
plate F is capable of moving nearer to or farther from the shaft D. The
construction of the marking point will be understood by reference to Fig. 5
where H is the marking point being the end of a pin upon the head of which
a spring I bears. The pin H passes through the hollow screw H* upon which
is screwed the nut H between which and the head H is carried the flange
sleeve or roller H which bears upon the periphery or working face of the
snail J. The snail J is carried upon the spindle J₁ which passes through a
slot H in the slide H' and is carried in the two frames F and F as is also
the spindle B. Upon the spindle J is fixed the ratchet wheel K with which
engages the spring pawl L pivotted to the lever L which turns upon its pivot
or centre . Upon the same spindle J₁ is fixed a second ratchet wheel M
with which engages the pawl L fixed upon the lever L. With the ratchet
wheel K also engages a spring pawl K' pivotted to a fixed portion of the
apparatus such as the block K fixed to the frame-plate F. By this arrange-
ment when the lever L is operated the pawl L' engaging with the teeth of
the ratchet wheel K turns the spindle J¹ and with it the snail J in such a
manner as to present at each movement to the roller H' a portion of the snail's
surface farther away from the centre J' and thus move the slide nearer to the
spindle B. The teeth of the ratchet wheel M are set in a contrary direction
to those of the ratchet wheel K and the pawl L' engaging with the teeth of M
when the lever L is pulled over as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 prevent
the spindle J' from being turned too far while the spring pawl K' engaging with
the teeth of K prevents the spindle from being turned or springing back.
Upon the wheel C is a pin or projection C adapted to engage with a corre-
sponding projection I upon the lever L. The working of this part of the
mechanism is so arranged that when the spring G returns the spindle B to zero the
pin C¹ comes in contact with the lever L or its projection L forcing the lever over
until its free end comes in contact with the spindle B as shown in dotted lines in
Fig. 3 while the pawl L'imparts a movement to one tooth of the ratchet wheel K
thus moving the spindle J and snail J as already explained. The spring L is
connected at one end to the frame-plate F and at the other to the lever L and
being in a state of tension keeps that lever normally in the position shown in full
lines in Fig. 3 with its free end away from the shaft B. The lever L therefore
besides imparting the movement to the snail J also through the pin C¹ wheel C and
spindle B prevents the dial A from being carried back past the zero point. In the
drawings the movement imparted to the wheel C and dial A by the automatic
operation of the mechanism is in the direction of the arrows and the movement
imparted to those parts by the spring G when the worm D is released from
engagement with the worm wheel C is in the reverse direction. The operation of
the mechanism so far described is as follows:-
Rotary motion is imparted as already described to the worm D which turns the
worm wheel C spindle B and dial A and this movement continues so long as the
journey or hiring lasts. If by chance the journey should be longer than the distance
indicated upon the dial A the driver would have to pull the chain E² and thus
restart the mechanism from zero. During this time the marking point H will have
been marking a portion of a circle upon the disc A* the whole of the line thus
produced being concentric with the centre B. At the end of the journey the
driver pulls the chain E2 thus turning the lever E and through the arm E' moving
the slide D² and thus disengaging the worm D from the worm wheel C which being
accomplished the spindle 13 is free to turn and the spring G at once revolves it in
the direction opposite to that imparted to it by the movement of the worm D until
the pin C of the worm wheel C engaging with the lever L turns that upon its
pivot L³ until stopped by the lever coming in contact with the spindle B and at
the same time imparts motion to the worm wheel K and snail J as previously
explained. The lever L returns to its normal position indicated by the full lines
in Fig. 3 as soon as the pressure of the pin C¹ is relieved by the turning of the

page_text: worm wheel C by the worm D as the movement proceeds. (It may be here
parenthetically observed that the operating mechanism is so arranged that the
worm D is always turned in the same direction so that no complications which might
be due to the turning of the worm D in the wrong direction can ensue).
The movement described in the last paragraph imparted to the snail J has had
the effect of moving the marking point. H nearer to the spindle B and consequently
the line next produced by the point H upon the disc A while still concentric
with the spindle B will be nearer to it so that each line produced by the point H
will be easily distinguished from all the others and as the disc A' turns with the
dial A it will indicate how far the dial was turned round upon any one course or
journey and thus act as a further check. If desired the disc A² may be free to
clock-work
revolve upon the spindle B and may be independently connected with
movement by which means the lines produced by the point H would serve to
indicate the length of time of each journey. In this case the disc A' should be
made of some more rigid material than cardboard or if cardboard were employed
it should be carried in a suitable frame or equivalent. The markings upon the
disc A² would generally be made to correspond with those of the dial A but the
disc A may carry other indicators for example time indicators if required. It will
thus be seen that for every pull upon the chain or equivalent E the dial A is
returned to zero and the marking point H is moved so as to commence a fresh
line.
The mechanism as above described would be suitable for the instrument where it
was not desired that the movement of the dial should be intermittent or of a step
by step nature. Where such intermittent movement is required however it may
be obtained by securing upon the spindle B a toothed wheel N with which a
roller N carried upon a spring arm N' engages the roller Neutering slightly
between the points of the teeth of N. With this arrangement the worm wheel C
instead of being absolutely fixed upon the shaft B would be allowed a very little
play upon the shaft B so that as soon as the worm had turned the worm-wheel C
and through it the shaft B and wheel N a sufficient distance the roller N¹ would
pass over the apex of a tooth and by the power of its spring force itself in between
that tooth and the next thus springing the shaft B and dial A round so as to impart
the requisite intermittent movement. In this case also the lever E would be pro-
vided with an extra arm E³ so arranged as to engage with the spring arm N' (at
a point behind the roller N¹) for the purpose of moving the roller N' out of
engagement with the teeth of the wheel N at the time that the worm D was with-
drawn from the wheel C and thus allow the spring G to return the spindle with its
accessories to zero. The roller N' is preferable but not essential as a simple pin or
projection might be used.
The apparatus as above described is carried entirely in the two frame plates F F
which are connected and secured together by the pillars or distance pieces F in the
well-known manner and this framework is covered by a suitable lock-up casing
preferably of wood having a glazed opening W through which the dial A can be
viewed. The dial A is thus in full view of the fare and may be seen by the driver
at any time if suitably placed or by his getting down from the box and examining
it, while the dial A being locked inside the case is only accessible when the case is
opened and the dial A removed by the unscrewing of the nut B'.
The Figs. 6, 7 and 8 indicate a form of mechanism suitable for imparting to the
worm D its necessary revolutions but as previously explained other mechanism may
be employed for this purpose. Fig. 8 shows a face view of a cam O screwed upon
the hub of the vehicle wheel from which the motion is to be taken, the raised cam
surface O' being the operative portion of the cam. Against the cam surface O¹
bears the roller P¹ upon the end of the reciprocating rod P the cam imparting
movement in one direction and the springs P' contained within the case
within which this apparatus is contained giving the return movement. The stuffing
box Q is useful as serving to retain oil and exclude dust, dirt and wet. The
flexible shaft D' is connected to a spindle R which also passes through a stuffing

page_text: box Qand fixed upon the spindle R is the ratchet wheel S with which engages
the spring controlled pawl P which moves with the rod P and thus imparts move-
ment to the ratchet wheel S in one direction moving it one tooth for every inward
movement of the rod P. The other spring controlled pawl T which also engages.
with the wheel S is pivotted in the casing and serves to prevent the wheel S from
turning back.
It will thus be seen that for every revolution of the cam O and the driving
wheel of the vehicle reciprocation or double movement is imparted to the rod P
and the wheel S rotated one tooth and this movement imparted by the flexible shaft
or other connection D¹ to the worm D.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a distance measuring and recording mechanism the combination with the
visible dial A which records the distance travelled of the enclosed dial A' which
serves as a check upon the first dial substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In a distance measuring and recording mechanism the combination with a
recording mechanism such as A B of the checking mechanism such as the disc A'
marking point H and snail J which causes the point H to trace a fresh line after
every re-starting of the mechanism substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. In a distance measuring and recording mechanism the combination with the
marking point H of a slide such as H' in or upon which the point H is carried
and a snail such as J substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
4. In a distance measuring and recording mechanism the combination with the
recording spindle B and marking point H of a pawl carrying lever such as L L'
ratchet wheel K spindle J' and snail J substantially as described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
5. In a distance measuring and recording mechanism the combination with the
recording spindle B and worm wheel C which operates it of a lever such as L
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. In a distance measuring and recording mechanism the combination with a
worm wheel such as C which drives the recording shaft B of a removable worm
such as D substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
7. In a distance measuring and recording mechanism the combination with the
recording shaft B and worm wheel C to which the necessary amount of play upon
the shaft B is allowed of a wheel such as N rigidly secured upon the said shaft and
spring arm such as N° substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
8. In a distance measuring and recording mechanism the combination with the
slide which carries the movable worm D and spring arm N2 of a two-armed lever
such as E¹ E' substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
TALK HIN SEH
U OFFUATY
USLAI GUIN DI UZAY D OFFIUTY LON
C. W. OWEN.
WALTER GRIMES.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicants.