IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CHECKING AND REGIS: TERING CAB AND OTHER VEHICLE FARES AND THE DISTANCE RUN, WHETHER BY COURSE, TIME, OR MILEAGE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Griffith Brewer, of Chancery Lane, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CHECKING AND REGIS:
TERING CAB AND OTHER VEHICLE FARES AND THE DISTANCE RUN, WHETHER
BY COURSE, TIME, OR MILEAGE" A communication from abroad by Henri
Faure, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 30th November 1877, and dated the 12th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Griffith Brewer, at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th June:1877..
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London.
APPARATUS FOR CHECKING AND REGISTERING CAB AND OTHER VEHICLE FARES AND
THE DISTANCE RUN, WHETHER BY COURSE, TIME, OR MILEAGE." (A communication
from abroad by Henri Faure, of Paris, France.)
The improvements which form the subject of this Invention are applicable to
carriages, and they comprise the required conditions which have been for some time
demanded:
Apparatus constructed according to this Invention are excessively simple in
action, and the facilities afforded for regulating same are easily understood.
In the following description the Invention is described as applied to an ordinary
cab for town work, but it will be understood that the arrangement can be inodified
to suit different vehicles or localities without departing from the Invention, and the
following description is only given as illustrations of a convenient way of carrying
the Invention into effect.
Supposing the seven following conditions have to be fulfilled :-
1st. Time the vehicle is not at work.
2nd. The time the vehicle has been engaged by the hour.
3rd. The time occupied by "fares
or courses."
4th. The time the vehicle has been driven by the hour outside the usual radius.
5th. The number of "fares or courses.
"
6th. The number of courses or fares by the hour, and the time occupied for each
of them.
7th. The number of miles run during each course or fare.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE MECHANISM.
As before stated, this is exceedingly simple, and is composed of clock movement,
which can be wound up as often as required, and operate without the use of
pendulum as an ordinary escapement clock. This done, it must be understood that
the wheels composing this clock movement will make a certain number of revo-
lutions in a given time, but without entering into the internal arrangements of the
movement, a grooved cylinder is mounted on the last wheel; this grooved cylinder
will follow the movement of the wheel aforesaid, and, according to its diameter, will
represent a certain distance. If then we suppose a strip or band of paper rolled up
on a reel, and that this band of paper is unrolled by the roller, it is evident that at
each of these revolutions the roller, according to its diameter, will have drawn the
band of paper a known distance. To prevent the band of paper sliding on the
roller, as before stated, the said roller may be grooved, or it may be provided with
points, and even there may be a second cylinder of the same kind in such manner
that the band will be forcibly drawn in proportion to the periphery of the circuin-
ference of the drawing cylinder.
The arrangement for drawing off the paper being understood, two levers are
provided having their centres of motion opposite to one another, and the said levers
are kept up or supported by springs, and have pointed hooks or "stylets" at their
ends; now each time these levers are left to themselves and aided by the springs
the stylets will be in contact with the strip of paper and trace a line on it so long
as the contact lasts. Two discs, which may be differently coloured, are also provided.
Supposing, for example, one disc is coloured green, it would indicate the number of
direct fares or "courses," and the other disc, coloured red, will indicate the hour
journeys; these discs have two rods, which are actuated by the aforesaid fulcrummed
levers; when the discs are raised these levers are free, and as they are worked by
the springs they put the stylets in contact with the strip of paper; if there is only
one disc to raise there is only one "stylet" in .contact; if the two discs are raised
the two "stylets" are in contact, and the strip or band is marked with one or two
lines. The rods connected to the discs are provided with notches, into which
springs take. When the carriage is at rest the discs are lowered, and by their
weight keep up the levers, and, consequently, there is no contact between the stylets
and the paper. If one of the discs is raised one of the levers is disengaged, and
contact is established between one of the stylets or prickers and the paper. There
is a box which contains a certain number of tickets, which are compressed by a
spring; at the upper part of the box there is an aperture; when the disc is lowered
a fillet or rib fixed to one of the rods closes this aperture, and it is impossible to
withdraw a ticket; when the disc is raised another fillet comes into operation and
raises the ticket, and the opening being disengaged the ticket can be withdrawn.
It must be understood that the description given with reference to one disc only
is equally applicable for the other disc.
The band or strip of paper, fabric, or of any other suitable material, has printed
on it or written, or otherwise produced, divisions corresponding with the develope-
ment of the organs of movement of the clock motion; thus from the moment that
we admit there cannot be a sliding motion between the wheel and the band, the
latter will be developed in a regular manner or quantity during a complete revolution
of the wheel. For example, supposing the wheel has 0,025 diameter, and making its
rotation in an hour the band will then have developed from 0,025 x 3, 1416 = 0,078*;
if we divide these 0,078 by 60 divisions, which represent the minutes, we see on
the bands the number of minutes when the stylets would have been in contact.
Thick lines may represent the hours, thin lines may represent the minutes; these
lines are those printed or stamped on the bands. Take as the starting-point, for
example, six o'clock, the discs being lowered, and, consequently, the carriage empty,
the clock movement has worked without effecting the band or strip of paper; the
carriage is hired at 6.15, and the driver is told to go a certain distance, a course,
the green disc is raised, and the corresponding." stylet" or puncher is disengaged,
b

page_text: and indicates on the bands that the carriage is engaged for driving to a certain
place by the course, the distance or course being finished at 6:30 the line stops and
the band is free. Another person hires the cab, say, at 6.45; the red disc is raised,
and the corresponding stylet or puncher operates and traces on the band another
line, the carriage stops, and the hirer gets out at, say, 7.45, and he dismisses the
carriage, which remains empty till 8 o'clock, at which time it is again hired, say, by
the hour, and we have another line produced, he keeps the carriage within the
radius until 8.30; then he goes outside the radius, the two discs are raised, and the
two lines are traced on the band; the hirer returns with cab within the radius at
9 o'clock, and re-hires the carriage by the hour within the radius; the green disc is
lowered, and the red disc alone continues to operate, the hirer dismisses the cab at
9.30, and the carriage is free till ten o'clock, and so on.
On the return of the carriage the proprietor or proprietors, or his or their repre-
Bentatives would, under the above conditions, be informed,
1st. That the carriage has been unhired from 6 to quarter past 6, from 6.30 to
6.45, from 7.45 to 8, and froin 9.30 to 10 o'clock.
2nd. That the carriage has been hired by the course from 6.15 to 6.30.
'
3rd. That the carriage has been hired by the hour within the radius from 6.45 to
7.45, then from 8 to 8.30, then from 9 to 9.30.
4th. That the carriage has been employed outside the radius from 8.3 to 9.
It will be seen that the checking is easy.
To obtain the mileage travelled many plans for utilizing the rotation of the fore
or hind wheels have been proposed, but these have always been effected by means
of combination of mechanism, and the shaking of the carriage has always been an
obstacle against the mechanism working well. It is necessary therefore to provide
some means of compensating for the fluctuations produced by the inclination of the
carriage in relation to the wheels, variations which are often considerable.
A combination of mechanism made according to this Invention is as follows:-
On the periphery of the wheel and a cam revolves a roller which operates a bellows,
to which is fitted a tube or elastic tube, and this tube or pipe will have a large
amount of latitude or play, and at its end there is filled a second tube attached to
a second bellows; each turn of wheel communicates motion to the two bellows,
whereby alternate to-and-fro motions are produced corresponding with the number
of the revolutions of the wheels.
TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.
This mechanism is composed of a barrel motor driving a pinion, on the axis of
which is mounted a wheel which itself drives the pinion of the escapement wheel,
a paul operated by the bellows alternately stops or frees the rotation of the escape:
ment wheel. On the axis of the pinion there is mounted a disc with projecting
spindles which act on a lever having a fulcrum; this lever is moved in a vertical
direction by a spring, its course being limited by a stop, and it is guided by a slide';
each time that the lever escapes from one of the spindles of the disc it will strike
against and produce a shock on an anvil point, which carries a "stylet" or punch
which acks as a marker on the strip of paper for use by the proprietor or
proprietors.
:
As the registration by means of the turning of a wheel would be too complicated,
the arrangement of mechanism is such that the "stylet" will only act every, say,
100 yards, but this is not to be understood as a fixed rule, for as it is only a question
of arrangement of toothed wheels modifications may be substituted.
The arrangement is such that each turn of the wheel produces a sound from a
whistle, and consequently allows a tooth of the escapement wheel to escape; however,
if there are two cams on the nave of the wheel the escapement is made by two
teeth, and so on.
•
The checking will be done at the end of the day by the proprietor or proprietors
from the paper strip. Besides, the hirer himself may, should he wish, chech-the

page_text: number of miles he has been driven by means of a dial mounted on the axis of the
barrel. This dial may be provided with divisions from 0 to 12 for example, at its
lower part it carries a button jointed and provided with a pinion; a spring presses
on the pinion and keeps it engaged in the wheel of the barrel.
When the passenger gets into the carriage if he does not wish to take notice of a
the distance previously run, or, in other words, to make his own calculation from
the point left off by the previous occupier of the carriage, he has only to touch or
press the button and the hand will be brought to zero. The distance previously
run will be always marked on the paper band for checking by the proprietor or
other authorized person or persons; the occupier would only have to take note from
0 of the marks made by the hand when he leaves the carriage.
Flags may sometimes be used instead of discs or other equivalent means for
indicating to the public or to the inspectors when the same is disengaged.
The forms of the apparatus may be varied to suit the vehicles to which the same
is applied. The band or strip for receiving the registering marks should bear 1
the number of the vehicle to which it is applied in order to facilitate the control
of same.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Edward Griffith Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
December 1877.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR CHECKING AND REGISTERING CAB AND OTHER VEHICLE FARES AND
THE DISTANCE RUN, WHETHER BY COURSE, TIME, OR MILEAGE." (A communication
from abroad by Henri Faure, of Paris, France.)
The improvements which form the subject of this Invention are applicable to
carriages, and they comprise the required conditions which have been for some time
demanded.
Apparatus constructed according to this Invention are excessively simple in
action, and the facilities afforded for regulating same are easily understood.
In the accompanying Drawings the Invention is shewn as applied to an ordinary
cab for town work; but it will be understood that the arrangement can be modified
to suit different vehicles or localities without departing from the Invention, and
the Drawings are only given as illustrations of a convenient way of carrying the
Invention into effect.
Supposing the seven following conditions have to be fulfilled.
1st. Time the vehicle is not at work.
2nd. The time the vehicle has been engaged by the hour.
"
3rd. The time occupied by "fares" or courses."
4th. The time the vehicle has been driven by the hour outside the usual radius.
5th. The number of "fares" or "courses."
"
6th. The number of "courses ΟΙ "fares" by the hour, and the time occupied for
each of them.
7th. The number of miles run during each "course
"
or "fare."

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE MECHANISM.
As before stated, this is exceedingly simple and is composed of clock movement a,
Figures 1 and 2, which can be wound up as often as required, and operate without
the use of pendulum, as an ordinary escapement clock. This done, it must be
understood that the wheels composing this clock movement will make a certain
number of revolutions in a given time, but without entering into the internal
arrangements of the movement; a grooved cylinder c, Figure 2, is mounted on the
spindle of the last wheel b; this grooved cylinder will follow the movement of the
wheel b, and according to its diameter will represent a certain distance; if then we
suppose a strip or band of paper d rolled up at d, and that this band of paper is
unrolled by the roller c, it is evident that at each of. these revolutions the roller c,
according to its diameter, will have drawn a band of paper a known distance to
prevent the band of paper sliding on the roller c, as before stated; the said roller
may be grooved, or it may be provided with points, or roughened, and even there
may be a second cylinder of the same kind f, in such manner that the band will
be forcibly drawn in proportion to the periphery of the circumference of the
drawing cylinder.
The arrangement for drawing off the paper being understood, two levers g and h
are provided, the centres of motion of which are at g¹ and h¹, the said levers are
kept up or supported by springs g² and h³, and have pointed hooks or stylets" g³
and at their ends. Now cach time these levers are left to themselves, and aided
by the springs g and h², the stylets will be in contact with the strip of paper. and
trace a line on it so long as the contact lasts; and m are two discs, which may be
differently colored. Supposing, for example, the disc is colored green, it might, for
example, be used to indicate the number of direct fares or "courses," and the disc m
colored rod will indicate the hour journeys; these discs have two rods ¹ and m¹,
which actuate the levers g and h; when the discs are raised these lovers g and h are
free, and as they are worked by the springs g² and h they put the "stylets" or
"markers" and in contact with the strip of paper; if there is only one disc raised
there is only one "stylet" or "marker" in contact; if the two discs are raised the
two "stylets" or "markers" are in contact, and the strip or band is marked with one
or two lines according as to whether one or both discs are raised. The rods m¹
and are provided with notches and m², into which the springs and m³ tako.
When the carriage is at rest the discs and m are lowered, and by their weight
depress the levers and g, and consequently there is no contact between the
stylets "or" markers" and the paper; if one of the discs is raised one of the levers
is disengaged, and contact is established between one of the "stylets" or "prickers
and the paper; n is a box which contains a certain number of tickets n¹, which are
compressed by spring n²; at the upper part of the box there is an aperture n³;
when the disc is lowered a fillet or rib m³, fixed to the rod m³, closes this aperture
and it is impossible to withdraw a ticket; when the disc is raised another fillet or
projection m³ comes into operation, raises the ticket, and the opening n³ being
disengaged the ticket can be withdrawn.
"
19
It must be understood that the description given. with reference to disc m is
equally applicable for the disc l.
Figure 3 is a detached view of the band or strip of paper, fabric, or of any other
suitable material; it has printed on it, or written, or otherwise produced divisions
corresponding with the development of the organs of movement of the clock motion;
thus from the moment that it is admitted there cannot be a sliding motion between
the wheel c and the band d, the latter will be developed in a regular manner or
quantity during a complete revolution of the wheel c. For example, supposing
the wheel c has a diameter of 025, and making its rotation in an hour, the band
will then have developed from 025 x 3.14160078; if we divide these 0.078
by 60 divisions, which represent the minutes, we see on the bands the number of
minutes where b or the "stylets or markers would have been in contact. In
Figure 3 the thick lines represent the hours, the thin lines represent certain
"

page_text: numbers of minutes; these lines are those printed or stamped on the band d. Take
as the starting point, for example, six o'clock, the discs being lowered and conse-
quently the carriage empty, the clock movement has worked without effecting the
band or strip of paper. The carriage is hired at 6.15, and the driver is told to go a
certain distance, "a course," the green disc is raised and the corresponding "stylet"
or puncher is allowed to operate, and indicates on the bands that the carriage is
engaged for driving a certain distance by the course (this line is indicated in the
Drawings by the letter go, Figure 3), the distance or course being finished at 6.30,
the line ge stops and the band is free. Another person hires the cab, say at.6.45,
the red disc is raised and the stylet or puncher 2 operates and traces on the
band the line h; the carriage stops, and the hirer gets out at, say, 7.45, and he
dismisses the carriage which remains empty till 8 o'clock, at which time it is again
hired, say, by the hour, and the line he is taken again. He keeps the carriage
within the radius until 8.30, then he goes outside the radius, the two discs are
raised and the two lines are traced on the band; the hirer returns with cab within
the radius at 9. o'clock, and rehires the carriage by the hour within the radius, the
green disc is lowered and the red disc alone continues to operate; the hirer dismisses
the cab at 9.30, and the carriage is free till ten o'clock, and so on.
On the return of the carriage the proprietor or proprietors, or his or their
representatives, would under the above conditions be informed,-
Ist: That the carriage has been unhired from 6.to quarter past 6, from 6.30 to
6.45, from 7.45 to 8, and from 9.30 to.10 o'clock.
2nd. That the carriage has been hired by the course from 6.15 to 6.30.
3rd. That the carriage has been hired by the hour within the radius from 6.45 to
7.45, then from 8 to 830, then from 9 to 9.30.
4th. That the carriage has been employed outside the radius from 8.30 to 9.
It will be seen that the checking is easy.
To obtain the mileage travelled many plans for utilizing the rotation of the fore
or hind wheels have been proposed, but these have always been effected by means
of combination of mechanism, and the shaking of the carriage has always been an
obstacle against the mechanism working well. It is necessary therefore to provide
some means of compensating for the fluctuations produced by the inclination of the
carriage in relation to the wheels' variations, which are often considerable.
A combination of mechanisin made according to this Invention is shewn in the
accompanying Drawings.
At A, Fig. 1, is represented the nave of a wheel; C is a spring or cam on the
hoop B; a side view of the spring or cam is given at Figure 4. On the periphery
of the hoop B and cam C revolves a roller D, which operates a bellows E, to which
is fitted a pipe or elastic tube F, and this tube or pipe is allowed a large amount of
latitude or play, and at its end there is fitted a connection G attached to a second
bellows H. Each turn of wheel communicates inotion to the bellows E, and consequently
to the bellows H, whereby alternate to-and-fro notions are produced corresponding
with the number of the revolutions of the wheel.
TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.
This mechanism is composed of a barrel motor I, Figure 1, driving a pinion J, on
the axis of which is mounted the wheel K, which itself drives the pinion L of the
escapement wheel M; the pawl N, operated by the bellows H, alternately stops or
frees the rotation of the escapement wheel On the axis of the pinion J there is
mounted a wheel O, the pins of which O¹ act on a lever P having its fulcrum at P¹;
this lever is moved in a vertical direction by a spring P2, its course being limited
by a stop P³, and held in a staple or guide P. Each time that the lever P escapes
from one of the pins O¹ it will strike against and produce a shock on the anvil
point Q, which carries a stylet or punch R, which acts as a marker on the strip of

page_text: the arrangement of mechanism is such that the "stylet" or "marker" will only act
every, say, 100 yards, but this is not to be understood as a fixed rule, for as it is
only a question of arrangement. of toothed wheels modifications may be sub-
stituted.
The arrangement is such that each turn of the wheel produces a blow of the
bellows, and consequently allows a tooth of the oscapement wheel to escape.
However, if there are two cams on the. nave of the wheel the escapement is made
by two teeth, and so on.
The checking will be done at the end of the day by the proprietor from the paper
strip. Besides the hirer himself may, should he wish, check the number of miles he
has been driven by means of a dial S mounted on the axis of the barrel; this dial
may be provided with divisions from 0 to 12, for example. At its lower part it
carries a button T jointed at T, provided with a pinion T3; a spring Ts presses on
the pinion, and keeps it engaged in the wheel of the barrel.
When the passenger gets into the carriage, if he does not wish to take notice of
the distance previously run, or, in other words, to make his own calculation. from
the point left off by the previous occupier of the carriage, he has only to touch or
press the button T, and the handle T will be brought to zero. The distance pre-
viously run will be always marked on the paper-band for checking by the proprietor
or other authorised person or persons. The occupier would only have to take note
from 0 of the marks made by the handle when he leaves the carriage.
Flags may sometimes be used instead of discs, or other equivalent means for
indicating to the public or to the inspectors when the same would be dis-
engaged.
The forms of the apparatus may be, varied to suit the vehicles to which the same
is applied. The band or strip for receiving the registering marks should bear the
number of the vehicle to which it is applied in order to facilitate the control of the
Bamo.
'
A modification of these improvements is given at Figures 4, 5, 6, 7,.8, and 9.
A is an aperture allowing the dial Ca to be seen; De is a spring which takes into
the notches E of the discs Ca. To render the disc visible the spring Da.must be
disengaged, which draws the disc C, that is to say, it causes it to move about Ge
until the spring Da meets with the second notch. Ea, Ha, are pieces serving to keep
the disc in the two positions.
Figure 4 shews the internal arrangement, which contains the two drawing rollers
fand c, the "stylets" or "markers "g and h, the paper boxes, and the mileage counter;
the dial Ab is fixed immediately on this mileage counter, and to bring it to 0 it is
brought away from the point Ke by pulling the button La (Figures 4 and 5), which
is in communication with the pivot. Ka.
Figure 6 represents the clockwork movement x, then, two plates Ab provided
with rods Bb passing into the parts Cb of the helical springs Be, which exerts a
pressure on the plates Fb; two plates Db in combination with Ab form a box leaving
à passage at Iband Io; the tickets are then placed in Fb, Ab, and Db, Figure 7,
causing the disc to turn; the pivot Gb, provided with a lever arm Go, would assume
at a given moment the position shewn in dotted lines, and the pin Hb, which forms
part of the piece Go, will cause the piece Me to ascend or descend, which is provided
with a slot Mb, and works in a guide N. According to the position which the
lever Go assumes the piece Me will be raised, as shewn in full lines, or lowered, as
shewn in dotted lines. At each of its rising or lowering movements the piece Ma
opens one of the orifices Ib or Ie, and a ticket is allowed to pass.
The spring or cam C, Figure 4, may be replaced by a drum in metal, divided in
two by a plate, india-rubber, leather, or the like.
Figure 10 shews a modified arrangement for working the bellows for a mileage
course. It will be seen here that the tappet rod (taquet) instead of being in a
vertical position is almost horizontal; it is provided with a rod long enough to
reach the compartment of the carriage. R represents the front spring of the
carriage; E, the axle; Aº, a plate of metal having formed in it an aperture T,

page_text: which with the tube T' forms a hinge. The tappet which comes in contact with
the wheel will issue from the tube at D, and the rod will extend the whole length of
'the tube. In the interior of the compartment of the carriage there is a bellows
worked by the rod in the tube.
The forms and dimensions of the apparatus may be varied without departing
from the Invention. The band or strap should carry the number of the carriage in
order to facilitate the checking of the same.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. The employment of any suitable clock movement operating without pen-
dulum, and working a wheel or cylinder, drawing without sliding a band or strip
of paper, fabric, or other suitable material, on which are printed, written, or other-
wise produced divisions corresponding to the minutes elapsed or to the miles run,
and carrying in a clear manner a tracing of the different states of the carriage,
whether it be at rest or running a " course," or by the hour, or either outside or
inside the stipulated radius of the town, with the different tariff therefor, the said
band, which serves as a checker, being capable of being renewed each day, or of
being made of sufficient length for several days, substantially as before described
and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
: Second. A system of external disc indicators, which may be of different colors,
lighted or not by a lamp, or by any other suitable means; the said discs
may be dispensed with, and flags employed instead or other analogous means
for indicating to the public that the vehicle is for hire, or that it is hired,
and to the inspectors that will be disengaged at a certain time for driving by
the hour or course, which would be a check on. the band itself, with this peculiarity,
that the external indicating organ is intended to put in action the working
mechanism, that is to say, that the discs, flags, &c., being lowered, and consequently
indicating that the carriage is empty, the controller's band will not be submitted to
any indication. While the said indicating organs are visible the control band' will
be put in connection with the prickers or writing organs of the control.
Third. In the general arrangement of the apparatus, in principle consisting of
clock motion, drawing along a control band with any inscription thereon by means
of markers regulated by external disc indicators, shewing that the carriage is
occupied or unoccupied, either by the hour or course, with the different, tariff, the
said control bands being arranged either to obtain the run per hour, or course, or
inile, as before described, or by converting the control of the bands to the hour by
the mileage by employing the wheels as motors in relation to their diameter, with
the view to the development by any suitable good mechanism suitable for the result
to be obtained, all substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Griffith Brewer, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.