IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING, MEASURING, COUNTING, AND REGISTERING, ESPECIALLY APPLI- CABLE TO TIME AND DISTANCE INDICATORS, AND TELL-TALES FOR VEHICLES
Year: 1864

page_text: London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR INDICATING, MEASURING, COUNTING, AND REGISTERING, ESPECIALLY APPLI-
CABLE TO TIME AND DISTANCE INDICATORS, AND TELL-TALES FOR VEHICLES."-
A communication from abroad by François Joseph Ducoux, of 33,
Boulevart Saint Martin, Paris, France.
Sealed the 11th November 1864, and dated the 13th May 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Michael Henry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
May 1864.
I, MICHAEL HENRY, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING, MEASURING, COUNTING, AND REGISTERING, ESPECIALLY
APPLICABLE TO TIME AND DISTANCE INDICATORS, AND TELL-TALES FOR VEHICLES,"
communicated to me from abroad by François Joseph Ducoux, of 38, Boule-
vart Saint Martin, Paris, France, to be as follows:-
The principal object of this Invention is an indicating and registering
apparatus, shewing the distance travelled by a vehicle; also its speed, and the
time during which it is travelling or stopping. When it stops or moves faster
than the regulation rate the apparatus marks the distance which would have
been travelled over during the same time had the vehicle travelled at the
regulation rate.

page_text: There is an indicating dial to shew the time, another dial to shew the
distance, and a third, the pointer of which is worked by a handle under the
control of the driver, shews whether the vehicle be empty or whether hired at
the regulation rate, or otherwise, being marked accordingly. When the driver
moves the pointer to shew that the vehicle is empty, a signal bearing a like
inscription is raised by the same action, but depressed when the pointer is
moved to another indication. A check or time register dial or face of card or
other substance is mounted on an axis, and marked off into divisions of time,
and it presents its surface to a tracing point which marks it at intervals to
correspond with the time dial. A distance register dial or face of card or
other material, on which are marked a number of circles, is mounted on a
barrel or winding square, and held between two plates, so as to exhibit the
circles which are marked off with divisions of distance, and correspond with
the indications on the driver's dial. The registers are acted on by the time
clockwork and by the rotation of one of the bearing wheels of the vehicle,
whence various modes of transmitting motion may be adopted, but the
following is preferred:-On the nave of one of the wheels is a truncated cone,
grooved to receive a ring, which, as the wheel revolves, imparts by means of
a fork reciprocating motion to a lever, which transmits such motion to a
catch by a rod fitted over a set of springs, which bear against the pole pin.
Bell movements may be added, but an excentric or other connections may be
used, springs being always employed to keep the parts in gear, notwith-
standing the play motion and jolting of the vehicle. The catch drives a
toothed wheel, which through a train of wheels works the pointer of the
distance dial, and also a toothed wheel which actuates a rising and falling
spring lever or hammer, which marks corresponding distances on the regis-
tering dial. The wheel driven by the catch works a wheel with studs, which
drives a star wheel furnished with a spring, and having on its axis an arm or
crank, which works a lever, whereby a tongue or spring carrying a tracing
point is worked and marks the register dial at certain intervals. When the
vehicle stops or is hired ad libitum, the distance pointer is thrown out of gear.
with the bearing wheel, and put into gear with the time dial or clockwork, so
that motion is transmitted therefrom, the star wheel continuing to act on the
interval circle of the register, but the lever and spring which marked on the
other circle of the register or circle corresponding to the distance pointer are.
thrown out of gear with the, bearing wheel. Motion is transmitted from a
barrel in connection with a wheel connected with the hands of the clock or
time dial, and in gear with an escapement. The clockwork of the time dial
drives the pointer of the distance dial through a train of wheels, one of which

page_text: is engaged with another by a spring lever. When the driver moves his
pointer to show that the hiring is otherwise than at regulation rate, he moves
a rack, which turns a wheel carrying studs and having on its axis the pointer,
and on its surface a boss which lifts a lever which throws the wheel which
drives the distance pointer out of gear with the carriage wheel, and raises
another lever, and puts it into gear with the time dial clockwork, a ratchet on
the axis of the engaging wheel being depressed when the wheel is out of gear.
The lever disengages the star wheel from the spring lever, which keeps two
wheels in gear, and when disengaged motion is transmitted from the clock-
work or time dial pointer to the distance pointer, which consequently marks
the same distance as would have been travelled over in the time had the
vehicle been moving. When the spring lever is in gear with the star wheel
the latter disconnects the clockwork from the distance pointer, and the bearing
wheel then acts thereon. As the driver moves his pointer to one or other of
the indications on his dial, a wheel will act by projections or teeth on levers
carrying tracing points, which mark on one or other of the registering circles.
The register is returned to zero when there is a change of fare, or at other
times; thus when the pointer shews that the vehicle is empty the above wheel
works a spring lever, one end of which is forked and embraces the boss of the
distance wheel, on the axis of which is a flat spiral carrying studs, by which
it is engaged with the distance wheel. The spiral is on a barrel fixed to the
axis, and carrying the distance wheel; a barrel spring acts on the spiral and on
the distance wheel to bring the pointer back to zero by means of a lever
having two arms, on one of which is a stud, which travels in the slots of the
spiral, and the other is a stop, so that when the wheel is disengaged it is
moved by the spiral and barrel spring till the stop abuts against a projection
on the spiral and stops it in a position corresponding with the zero point.
Some of the above described arrangements may be applied to tell tales or
indicating, measuring, counting, or registering apparatus used elsewhere than.
in vehicles.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Michael Henry, Her special licence that I, the said Michael
Henry, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Michael Henry, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING, MEASURING, COUNTING, AND REGISTER-
ING, ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE TO TIME AND DISTANCE INDICATORS, AND TELL-TALES POR
VEHICLES," (communication from François Joseph Ducoux, of 33, Boulevart
Saint Martin, Paris, France,) upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Michael Henry, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Michael Henry, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, as communicated to me, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:-
The principal object of this Invention is the construction of an indicating
and registering apparatus, shewing the distance travelled over by a vehicle,
and also its speed, and the time during which it is travelling or stopping.
The apparatus consists of three indicating dials, together with time and
distance registers or checks, and also of certain arrangements for working
the same; and in order that the nature, construction, and method of action
of the apparatus may be fully understood, I proceed to describe the same with
reference to the accompanying Drawings, which represent apparatus con-
structed according to the Invention.
Figure 1 is an elevation shewing the portion or face of the apparatus
which is directly in view of the passenger or traveller. in the vehicle, and
which consists mainly of three dials A, B, C, provided with pointers or lands,

page_text: and mounted on a plate Y connected by stays or distance pieces J", J", with
the case or framework X; Figure 2 shews parts within the case X; Figure 3
shews the works immediately behind the face plate Y; Figure 4 shews the
parts or works behind the case X near to and in connection with the register D ;
Figure 5 is a plan of the under side of the arrangements.
A is a dial shewing the time (like a clock); B, dial shewing the distance
for which the passenger will have to pay; C, dial on which are marked three
indications or signals, viz., "Disengaged," "Hired," "At will." The first
implies that the vehicle is empty, the second that it is travelling at the
ordinary or regulation rate, or under ordinary conditions, and the third, that
it is hired by time or at the passenger's pleasure (ad libitum) or otherwise
than at the regulation rate. The passenger, on entering the vehicle, should
ascertain that the pointer of dial B stands at zero, and that of dial C at the
words indicating the mode of hiring adopted. This pointer is the only one
under the driver's control; he works it by a handle which actuates an axis
marked 8, on which is fixed a square p', Figures 3 and 5. The handle has
at its outer end a signal plate on which the word "disengaged" is inscribed,
so placed that when the driver moves his handle to set the pointer to the
word "disengaged" on the dial the same action raises the signal plate above
his seat, and when he works the handle to bring the pointer to the words
"hired" or "at will" that action depresses or conceals the signal plate. Dis
a card face or disc placed in the interior of the apparatus, and intended as a
check register of time and distance for the cab proprietor or cab company.
On the margin of this card are printed five circles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and also a
graduated scale marked off into 24 divisions, each representing an hour, and
each division subdivided into, say, five minute intervals. The register card D
is mounted on an axis E, on which is a barrel a; it is fitted with a winding
square or pipe for receiving a winding key, and it presents itself continuously
to the action of a tracing point or style which marks it at intervals corre-
sponding with the divisions of the time dial or clock A. This action is too
well known to require detailed description. The card face is fixed between
two plates k" and ", Figure 5, secured together by a sliding fastening or
catch plate c", Figures 4 and 5. The plate m" covers the whole surface of
the face D except the margin " on which the circles are marked. A mark
is made by the tracing point on the circle 1 at say every 50 yards really
travelled over if the carriage be in motion, or which would have been travelled
over had it been in motion, and a mark is made on one or other of the circles
2, 3, 4, through arrangements in connection with the handle worked by the
driver which mark registers the time during which the carriage is disengaged

page_text: (circle No. 2) or the mode in which it is hired (circles Nos. 3 and 4) at the
very moment at which the driver moves his handle to indicate the same.
And a mark is made on circle 5 at every mile which the carriage travels
when on hire. The parts are combined and act in such manner that when
the vehicle stops or works otherwise than in the ordinary mode or at the
regulation rate, the apparatus shews and marks an imaginary distance, that
is to say, the same distance or number of miles as would have been travelled
over in the same time if the vehicle had been travelling in the ordinary
manner or at regulation rate.
The registering arrangements are actuated by the time clockwork or clock-
work in connection with the time dial pointer, or by the revolution of one of
the front or fore wheels of the vehicle. These actions are employed sepa-
rately or in combination with each other, and with the action of the driver's
handle on the axis s.
Figure 6 is a plan, and Figure 7 sectional front view of the arrangements
for obtaining motion from one of the two fore wheels R of the carriage, and
transmitting it to the axis t¹¹¹. A is the nave of the wheel; B* is a grooved
disc or piece of truncated cone shape screwed on the nave A*. In the groove
of this disc B* lies a ring 6* fastened by a plate x*; F* is a lever or rod
working in a guide D fixed under the clip E* of the carriage spring. On
one end of the rod F* is a stud C* connected with the ring 6* by a fork, so
that at each revolution of the wheel R the ring * communicates recipro-
cating motion to the rod F*, the stroke being equal to the space between the
deepest and shallowest parts of the groove. The motion so obtained is trans-
mitted from this rod Fx, Figure 6 & 7, by a crank G, Figures 6 and 7
acting on a rod L which passes through a pole pin, and is placed at the top
of a set of springs I, I. The crank G is supported in a bracket H fixed on
the axle by a collar formed in two parts screwed together. The springs I are
rivetted together, and they are interposed between the crank G and rod L to
keep the parts or works in proper working gear or in undisturbed relative
position notwithstanding jolting, turning, or other motions of the vehicle. J
is a shoulder fixed under the pole bolt or pole pin for the springs I to bear
against. The rod L passes through the two parts M, N, of the pole pin or
pole bolt, and it transmits motion by a crank O and joint P to two bell
crank movements, whereof one is shewn at Q and the other occupies the
space between the pole bolt and the works of the dials. Motion is trans-
mitted from these cranks by a rod R', Figure 4, to a rod t on the axis t¹¹,
round which it describes the path indicated by the dotted line.
Instead of the above combination of parts for transmitting motion from the

page_text: fore carriage wheel to the axis t¹¹, other and ordinary arrangements may be
employed for that purpose, as, for example, a common excentric keyed on the
nave and rotating vertically; but whatever mechanical arrangements be used,
the arrangement of springs I is always employed substantially in the manner
and for the purpose set forth.
211
On the axis t, Figures 3 and 5, is a pawl h, which, through a train of
wheels works the pointer of the distance dial B, and also a wheel ó, which
actuates a rising and falling spring lever p, y', which marks corresponding
distances on the registering dial, that is to say, the pawl works to and fro on
its axis, or has an alternating rotary motion, and thereby drives a toothed
wheel i (toothed all round), which transmits motion to the wheels m' and c¹,
Figure 3, by a train of toothed wheels and pinions j, k, l. The wheel m is
not fast on its axis, but is caused to turn therewith when required by feathers
or other contrivances, and when disengaged from these it runs loose. The
wheel c¹ is capable of being thrown into and out of gear with a wheel b',
herein-after called distanco wheel, on the axis of which is the pointer of the
distance dial B, and also a toothed wheel o. Now as long as the wheel c' is
in gear with and drives the wheel ', the pointer of dial B will mark the
miles travelled over by the carriage wheel R, and at the same time. the
distance actually travelled over will be registered on the register (" by means
of the wheel o thus ; this wheel works a lever p, Figures 2 and 5, the said
lever being lifted by each tooth of the wheel in succession, and restored to
position by a spring. As it descends its free end strikes a rod fixed in a
spring y', Figure 4, terminating in or carrying a tracing point, which makes
a mark at every mile on the circle 5 of the register 1". The parts which
transmit motion from the carriage wheel R also work arrangements whereby
at every, say, 50 yards a mark will be made on the register circle No. 1.
For this purpose the axis of the wheel i carries a toothed wheel d', Figure 5,
in gear with a wheel or disc e', having studs, teeth, or pegs on its face, which
drive a star wheel f¹, Figure 3. This wheel f¹, which is furnished with a
spring, has on its axis a connecting arm or crank u¹, Figure 4, which works a
lever v', that is to say, it depresses it, the lever being raised by a spring a¹ at
its other extremity, so disposed that its end which is or carries a tracing point
comes in contact with the register card whenever the said spring is raised or
drawn in by this action of the lever and crank. It follows that when the-star
wheel is turned it works the crank u', lever v¹, and spring a¹, and thus
marks a short line on the register card at every 50 yards travelled over.
when the vehicle stops or is hired ad libitum, that is to say, travels by time,
or at will, or otherwise than at the regulation rate, the distance pointer,-that
But

page_text: is to say, the pointer of the distance dial B, Figure 1, is thrown out of gear
with the bearing wheel, and put into gear with the time dial clockwork, so
that motion is transmitted therefrom for this purpose, the star wheel f¹ con-
tinues to turn, and the spring a to act, but their action is only applied to
register on the first register circle, because the wheel c¹ is disengaged from
'the wheel b¹, as shewn in Figure 5, whence it follows that the wheel o and the
spring levers p and y¹ will be thrown out of gear with the bearing or carriage
wheel R, and cease to be operated on by it, and thereupon the clockwork
acts, motion being transmitted from the barrel a. This barrel a, Figures 2
and 5, is toothed, and gears with the pinion of the time wheel g, which, when
so driven works a minute wheel c on an axis h¹¹ in a piece with the axis e¹¹ of
the hands or pointers of the time dial A. The wheel c is in gear with a train
of wheels d, e, which drive an ordinary anchor escapement wheel f. From
'the wheel c the motion produced by the clockwork is transmitted to the
pointer of the dial B by the wheels u and toothed bevel wheel v in gear
therewith; the axis of this wheel, which is pivotted, carries a wheel x, which
is forced into gear with a wheel z by a double spring lever g¹, h¹. When the
driver moves the handle of his pointer to shew that the hiring is "at will," he
by such motion of his handle, and its consequent action on the axis 8,
Figure 2, (and square p¹, Figure 3,) works a crank o', Figure 8, which is on
'this axis p', and moves a rack n¹ into the position shown in Figure 3, and
thereby turns a wheel m³ carrying studs, pegs, or teeth on its face (being a
sort of trundle or lantern pinion with only one end disc); on the axis of this
wheel are the pointer of the dial C, and also a wheel a", Figure 4. On the
face of this wheel m¹ is also a boss or swelling, which lifts a lever j¹ working
on a centre o¹¹; when this lever is depressed it disengages the wheel c¹ from
the wheel b¹, which thereupon ceases to be acted upon by the carriage wheel R,
and this action of the lever at the same time lifts a lever by its end ; the
disengagement of the wheel c¹ at the same time disengages the wheel m. from
the catches which gear it with its axis, so that it runs loose thereon. By the
above-described action the axis of the wheel c¹ is free to be actuated by the
clockwork, so that the ratchet placed edgewise beside this wheel and on
the same axis with it turns with the axis in the same direction while the
wheel m runs loose. As the lever works on its centre it bears against the
spring lever g, h, and forces it to disengage itself from the star wheel f³, and
as the spring lever g', h¹, keeps the wheel a in gear with the wheel <, it
follows that when the lever g', h¹, ceases to be in gear with the wheel f¹,
motion will be transmitted from the clockwork, and the pinion a¹ which is on
the same axis as the wheel will drive the wheel 6' which actuates the pointer

page_text: of the distance dial B, and will cause it to indicate a number of imaginary
miles corresponding with the time, instead of with the number of actual
revolutions of the carriage wheel, that is to say, the same distance, or as
many miles as would have been travelled over in the same time if the vehicle
had been moving in the ordinary or regulation mode. But when the spring
lever g', h', is in gear with the wheel f, the latter will raise the arm g', and
thus keep the wheel a from gearing with the wheel z, and will thus disconnect
the clockwork from the distance pointer or pointer of dial B, and will prevent
motion from being transmitted from the clockwork to such pointer, and the
pointer will be acted on or worked by the carriage wheel R. a¹¹ is a wheel
on the axis of the pointer of dial C; on this wheel are three projections.
Now as the driver moves his pointer to one or other of the indications, on
dial C, then according to which of the indications or signals so indicated the
wheel a¹ will act by one or other of its projections on the levers 1, 11, which
work on a fixed centre 2, and terminate each in a style or tracer, which will
keep marking on one or other of the three registering circles 2, 3, or 4. At
each change of fare or fresh hiring, and also when the cab stops at its stand
or station, the pointer of dial B must be brought back to zero. Now when:
ever the pointer of dial C is moved to the word "disengaged," to shew
that the vehicle is empty, the wheel a", Figure 4, will lift a lever 6", which
in working on its centre will cause its free end to bear on a rod p"; Figure 3,
which passes through the case or frame, and abuts against a spring lever !
near the centre, and raises it; one end of this spring lever is fixed to a
bridge on the case X, its other or free end is forked, and embraces the boss
of the wheel 6'; on the axis which carries this wheel and the pointer is a flat
piece q cut into the form of a spiral of two and a half turns, and carrying
two studs, which pass through and engage the wheel b', and cause it to turn
with the spiral q'; this piece q' is mounted on its axis by a boss or barrel
which is square on the inside where it is in contact with the axis, and it
carries the wheel b¹ on its round part; its seat forms a plug in the centre of
a barrel spring, which acts on the spiral q', and through it on the wheel' 6'
when the latter is "disengaged," so as to restore the pointer to zero. is a
two-armed lever working on a centre, and placed between the return; barrél
and the spiral q', Figure 3; on one of its arms is a stud, which travels freely
in the opening or slot of the spiral. . The heel or bent end of its other arm
acts as a stop to the wheel 6' in its return travel, so as to stop the pointer
exactly at zero point. When the wheel b¹ is disengaged and moved by the
spiral q and barrel spring, the latter, as it were, unwinds under the action of
the barrel spring until the stud on the lever in its travel along the slot

page_text: comes nearly to the centre, which causes the end of the other arm of the
lever r¹ to abut against a 'projection on the spiral, which it thus stops in a
position exactly corresponding with that of the pointer when at the zero
point.
The Drawings show various details for carrying the Invention into effect.
t, Figure 2, spring for keeping the square s in the required position, but this
spring may be dispensed with; g*, Figure 2, stop wheel to the barrel a;
r, r, Figures 2 and 5, distance pieces between the sides of the frame X;
211, stud or milled edged head for bringing pointer of dial A back to the hour;
d", regulator for the clockwork of dial A; s, wheel for winding up the barrel;
t¹¹ axis of t¹.
The apparatus constructed as above described indicates the number of miles
travelled over, and the speed of travel; the length of time during which the
vehicle is hired, the length of time for which and the hour at which the
vehicle is stopped, the length of time during which it either travels empty or
works "at will," and the speed and hour at which it is so travels or works.
The arrangements may be adapted for tell-tales, or indicating, measuring,
counting, or registering apparatus used elsewhere than in vehicles.
Having now described the nature of the Invention, and in what manner
the same may be performed, I declare that, except as herein-after claimed, I
do not claim any of the herein-before described mechanical parts considered
separately and apart from the arrangement and combination thereof, in the
manner which I have herein-before explained, and which I herein-after claim;
and I declare that what I do claim is as follows:-
First, the employment of a star wheel f¹ driven by the carriage wheel, and
acting on a double lever, which lever acts on a wheel for communicating
motion from the clockwork to the distance pointer, and works with a spring,
all substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.
Second, the employment of the dial C for indicating to the traveller the
mode in which the vehicle is being worked.
Third, the mode of transmitting motion from the fore carriage wheel
through the pole. bolt, springs being used for preventing the parts from being
thrown out of working order by the jolting or other motion of the vehicle, as
described...
Fourth, the combined employment of a toothed wheel and of a wheel m
driven by the same in one direction, and running loose when required, as
described.
Fifth, the check arrangement operated by the spring p, Figure 2, the whole
time the vehicle is at work, as described.
:

page_text: Sixth, the general arrangement and combination of parts constituting the
indicating, measuring, counting, and registering apparatus herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Michael Henry, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of November, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
E. DE PASS,
Patent Office,
84, Fleet Street, London.
M. HENRY. (LS.)