An Improved Distance Indicator for Cabs and other Carriages or Vehicles Running on Streets, Highways, or Roads.
Year: 1888

page_text: An Improved Distance Indicator for Cabs and other Carriages or
Vehicles Running on Streets, Highways, or Roads.
I CHARLES WASHINGTON BLAGDEN of Thorn Road Doncaster in the County of
York Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Inasmuch as Cab and other carriage fares are usually calculated and based or
charged on the distance traversed it is very desirable that the public should have a
reliable means of accurately ascertaining for themselves at any period of the journey,
and at its end, how far they may have been conveyed.
The object of this Invention is the construction of an improved and effective
apparatus designed to fulfil the above mentioned requirements.
My Invention consists in providing a short, or necessary sized, shaft or spindle
which is suitably attached to the bearing spring of a cab or other carriage; it is fitted
at one end with a star or spur, or cog wheel, and at the other end with a bevel wheel
and angle bracket, the latter forming a swivel bearing for a corresponding bevel
wheel and spindle arranged or fitted at right angles to the first one, all being suitably
boxed in. A driving pin which is fitted in or attached to the hub of the cab or
carriage wheel is so placed as to actuate the star or spur wheel at each revolution of
the cab or carriage wheel, the motion being thus communicated by means of the
gearing on the opposite side of the spring of the cab or carriage to the second or
intermediate spindle.
My improved indicator, which can be fixed in any convenient position inside the
cab or vehicle, consists of a worm and worm wheel mounted on a suitable frame or
frames and working on a pivot or on centres. As a modification of this arrangement
of mechanism the indicator can be driven or actuated by clockwork, by friction cones,
or by clutches, instead of by the worm and worm wheel.
Index hands, or dials, as desired, are provided and are actuated by or connected
with the worm wheel, the dial or dials being suitably divided into and marked for a
mile or miles, or for parts of a mile.

page_text: By connecting the loose end of the aforesaid second spindle to the worm of the
indicator, by means of flexible wire, or a "Dentist's Coil," or other suitable flexible
material in flexible tubing, each revolution of the cab or carriage wheel to which my
apparatus is attached is duly transmitted to the indicator within the cab or other
vehicle.
Any vibration or sudden oscillation of the body of the cab or vehicle is absorbed
and fully allowed for by the partly suspended position of the second spindle and the
flexible nature of the "Dentist's Coil" or wire attached to it.
The circumference of the cab or carriage wheel being known the apparatus is so
arranged that the distance actually traversed by the wheel is so reduced, by means of
the star or spur wheel and the pitch of the worn, as to be readily and clearly indicated
within the limits and compass of the dial plate.
A disengagement lever is provided so that by pulling a cord attached thereto the
driver without alighting can set the dial or hands at "zero," on the completion, or at
the commencement of a journey.
The worm wheel is also fitted with a light coil spring and a suitably arranged
automatic release device to prevent overwinding, or to operate when a certain mileage
has been traversed, the dial or hands by the action of the release and coil spring again
returning immediately to zero.
The adoption of this improved distance indicator by Cab proprietors and others will
enable the public to ascertain for themselves at a glance what the fare in each case
should be, and the frequent unpleasant disputes with drivers of cabs or other vehicles
plying for hire or otherwise will thus be prevented.
Dated this 6th day of Anril 1888

page_text: Vehicles Running on Streets, Highways, or Roads.
I CHARLES WASHINGTON BLAGDEN of Thorne Road Doncaster in the County of
York Merchant 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 in writing, and on reference to the accompanying drawings,
that is to say:― ·
As Cab and other carriage fares are usually calculated and based or charged on the
distance traversed, it is very desirable that the public should have a reliable means
of accurately ascertaining for themselves, at any period of the journey and at its
end, how far they have been conveyed, and affording a direct check on the charges
then made.
The object of this invention therefore is, the provision, construction, and applica-
tion of an improved and effective apparatus designed to fulfil the above mentioned
requirements.
My Invention consists in providing a short, or necessary sized, shaft or spindle
which is attached to the bearing spring or axle of a cab or other carriage, it is fitted
at one end with a star or spur or cog wheel, and at the other end with a bevel wheel
and angle bracket, the latter forming a swivel bearing for a corresponding bevel
wheel and spindle arranged or fitted at right angles to the first one, all being suitably.
boxed in or enclosed in a convenient casing. A driving pin, which is fitted in or
attached to the hub or nave of the cab or carriage wheel, is so placed as to actuate
the star or spur wheel at each revolution of the wheel of the cab or carriage, the
motion being thus communicated by means of the gearing on the opposite side of
the spring of the cab or carriage to the second or intermediate spindle.
My improved distance indicator, which is permanently fixed in a box or case
secured in a convenient position inside the cab or vehicle, consists of a worm and
worm-wheel mounted on a suitable frame or frames, and working on a pivot or on
centres. As a modification of this arrangement of mechanism the indicator can be.
driven or actuated by clockwork, by friction cones, or by clutches, instead of by the
worm and worm-wheel.
Index hands, or dials, as desired, are provided and are actuated by or connected
with the worm-wheel, the dial or dials being divided into and marked for a mile or
miles or for parts of a mile.
By connecting the loose end of the aforesaid second spindle to the worm of the
indicator, by means of flexible wire, or a "Dentist's Coil," or other suitable flexible
material, the same being enclosed and protected in flexible tubing or casing each
revolution of the cab or carriage wheel to which my apparatus is attached is duly
transmitted to the indicator within the cab or other vehicle,

page_text: Any vibration, or sudden or other oscillation of the body of the cab or vehicle is
absorbed and fully allowed for by the partly suspended position of the second spindle
and the flexible nature of the "Dentist's Coil" or wire attached to it.
The circumference of the cab or carriage wheel being known the apparatus is so
arranged that the distance actually traversed by the wheel is so reduced by means
of the star or spur wheel, and gearing, and the pitch of the worm, as to be readily
and clearly indicated within the limits and compass of the dial plate or plates.
A disengagement lever is provided so that by pulling a cord attached thereto the
driver without alighting can set the dials or hands at zero on the completion or at the
commencement of a journey.
The worm-wheel is also fitted with a light coil spring and a suitably arranged
automatic release device to prevent overwinding or to operate when a certain mileage
has been traversed, the dial or dials, or the hands, by the action of the release and
coil spring again returning immediately to zero.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention, I will now describe the
manner in which the same is to be performed and is preferred to be carried out in
practice and in order that the same may be fully understood I have illustrated my
improved distance indicator or cab check on the accompanying two sheets of drawings
which are marked with Figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in
the following description thereof, the saine letters of reference and numerals indicating
where practicable the same or similar parts in all the Figures of the drawings.
Figures 1, 2, and 3, are skeleton views of the nave, axle, and spring of any vehicle,
such as a cab or other carriage, showing the application thereto and the relative
position of the various parts of my invention. Figure 4, is a half sectional elevation,
and Figure 5, a sectional plan of my distance indicator. with the outside casing
removed.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, the nave is marked 1, the axle 2, and the spring 3; and in
Figure 3, 4, is the indicator which is shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5.
a, (Figures 1, and 2.) is the short shaft or spindle attached to the bearing spring,
or to the axle of the cab or carriage. b, (Figures 1, 2, and 3,) is the star spur or
cog wheel which is fitted at one end to the shaft or spindle a. c, (Figures 1, and 2,)
is the bevel wheel which is attached to the extremity of the shaft or spindle a. d, is
the angle bracket forming a swivel bearing for the corresponding bevel wheel
its spindle f, enclosed in the casing g, (Figure 1,) and working at right angles to the
shaft a.
e,
and
The driving pin h, which is fitted to and fixed in the nave or hub 1, of the cab or
carriage wheel carries at its extremity a steel or hardened roller j, which at each
revolution actuates the star or spur wheel b, and thus through the bevel gearing the
second or intermediate spindle f.
In Figures 4, and 5, k, is the worm; ; the worm-wheel, and m, is the pivot or
stud carrying it, which is fixed in a frame or back plate 5. n, is the dial plate attached
to the worm-wheel 1, on the short pillars n¹, n³, n³, and n², and therefore revolving
with it on motion being communicated to the worm k. The dial plate is suitably
marked, as shown in Figure 4, to indicate the distances travelled. 0, is the index
hand or pointer which is fixed on the extremity of the pivot or stud m, it remains
stationary in this arrangement, although a fixed dial and revolving hand or hands (as
in a clock) can be provided and used instead, and will work equally well.
p, is the disengagement lever working on the pivot p¹, secured to the frame or back
plate 5, which lever is under the driver's control only, and can be operated by pulling
the cord p³, fixed to the eyelet p³, at one extremity.
The worm k, is mounted on a separate frame 9, having a fixed pivot at q', and being
further kept in position by the guide bracket q', and spiral spring r, becomes dis-
engaged and thrown out of gear by the short cam arm of the lever p.
A coil spring s, is hooked to the worm-wheel 1, and being always in slight tension
at once carries it and therefore the dial back to zero. My invention also provides for
the automatic release of the worm k, on the completion of the extreme distance
registered on the dial plate. At this point or just approaching it a lifting pin l', fixed

page_text: in the worm-wheel 1, with which it therefore revolves, comes in contact with a small
lever or arm t, having for its fulcrum a fixed point t¹. An eccentric or cam k¹ at the
foot of the worm k, having a similarly pitched but reverse thread cut upon it, now
receives and comes into gear with the free end of the small arm t, shaped to work in
this thread. The worm k, continuing to revolve the lever or arm t, rides on the cam
forming part of it, thereby displacing the frame q, and disengaging the worm from
the worm-wheel as in the case of the lever p. The lifting pin, however being
carried back with the wheel and dial by the spring , strikes the reverse side of the
lever t, and disengages it from the eccentric or cam, the worm and its frame being
simultaneously restored to its normal working position by the spiral spring r, before
mentioned. The required motion is imparted to this distance indicator by connecting
the extremity of the second or intermediate spindle ƒ, (See Figure 1,) with the
necessary length of flexible wire, "Dentist's Coil," catgut, or other suitable flexible
material which wire or coil is enclosed in a protecting tube or casing, as seen at 6,
in Figure 3, the other end of the flexible wire or coil being passed through a guide u¹,
and secured by a set screw u³, (Figures 1, and 4,) or otherwise, to the recess formed
to receive it at the foot of the worm spindle k', (Figure 4). A gong or bell, as shown
atv, Figures 3, and 4, can be added if required to strike or ring at the completion of
each mile or part of a mile, the hammer being actuated by a cam-lever set in motion
by fixed pins placed at given points in the circumference of the worm-wheel or dial
plate.
The adoption of this improved distance indicator by Cab proprietors and others
will enable the public to ascertain for themselves at a glance at the indicator, which
is usually fixed inside the cab or carriage, what the fare in each case should be, so
affording a check on the payment asked for ; and the frequent unpleasant disputes
between the passengers and the drivers of cabs or other vehicles plying for hire, or
otherwise, will thus be prevented.
This distance indicator cannot be tampered with, either by the driver or by the
passenger, and it will enable the latter to ascertain, at any time during the journey,
the distance travelled and consequently the correct fare money to be paid to the driver.
The action of the indicator apparatus is not affected or impeded in any way by the
oscillation of the body of the cab or carriage or by the vibration of its springs, as the
flexible coil prevents all such oscillation or vibration affecting it.
By means of the disengagement lever connected thereto the driver is enabled to set
the dials or hands of the indicator at zero when required, without leaving his seat.
The automatic release produces the same result on the extreme registered limit being
reached on the dials.
In this indicating apparatus also, the wear and tear of the mechanism is, by its
intermittent action,-derived from the driving pin and star wheel, reduced to a
minimum. Provision is also made to prevent the apparatus working in case the cab'
or carriage should be moved backwards, (or be backed) this being effected by means
of a pawl and wheel or continuous friction gear fitted on the bevel gearing or
connected with it.
The working parts of the mechanism of my apparatus will be made of suitable
durable material such as steel, gun metal, brass, or other suitable metal or material,
or a combination of the same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would here observe that I do not
confine or limit myself to the precise details of my apparatus as hereinbefore described
and as illustrated on the accompanying explanatory drawings, because equivalent
modifications or variations can be made therein without departing from the principles
and main features peculiar to my invention, and in conclusion I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The general construction and the peculiar combination and arrangement together,
of the several parts of the mechanism,-forming as a whole an improved and useful
distance or mileage indicator or check, and its application and use especially inside a

page_text: Cab or other carriage or vehicle enabling the passenger to ascertain, at any time
during, and at the end of a journey, the distance travelled and consequently the fare
money payable therefor; substantially as hereinbefore described or set forth, and as
illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
2. In a distance or mileage indicator, driving or actuating the same direct from the
nave of the wheel of the cab or other vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described
or set forth and as shown on the accompanying drawings.
3. In a distance or mileage indicator, the peculiar application and use of an enclosed
and protected flexible wire or coil, constituting a universal-jointed communicating or
connecting link between the driving power outside and the indicating apparatus
inside a cab or vehicle, the flexibility of such coil preventing any oscillation of the
body of the cab or vehicle, or any vibration of its springs, interfering with or
impeding the proper action of the indicator; substantially as hereinbefore described
and as illustrated on the accompanying drawings..
4. The means provided for enabling the driver of a cab or vehicle without leaving
his seat to set the dials or hands of the indicator at zero, on the commencement or at
the termination of the journey; and the automatic action of the release on the extreme
registered limit on the indicator dial or dials being reached, substantially as herein-
before described or set forth.
Dated this 14th day of December 1888.
BRISTOW HUNT,
Aldine Chambers, High Street, Sheffield,
Agent for the Applicant.