IMPROVED APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR INDICATING OR RECORDING AND CHECKING THE FARES TAKEN ON OMNIBUSES OR OTHER VEHICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Cross, of Whitehaven, in the County of Cumber-
land, for the Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR INDICATING
OR RECORDING AND CHECKING THE FARES TAKEN ON OMNIBUSES OR OTHER
VEHICLES."
Sealed the 7th August 1877, and dated the 9th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Cross at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th May 1877.
HENRY CROSS, of Whitehaven, in the County of Cumberland. "IMPROVED
APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR INDICATING OR RECORDING AND CHECKING THE FARES
TAKEN ON OMNIBUSSES OR OTHER VEHICLES."
This Invention relates to improved, simple, and economical means of checking the
fares taken on omnibusses or other vehicles.
The improved apparatus by which this is proposed to be effected, consists of a
ticket box made with and divided into a suitable number of compartments, in which
are placed rolls of printed paper perforated transversely at regular distances apart,
so as to form tickets. Each compartment contains a roll, the tickets of which are
consecutively numbered, and the tickets of the different rolls are of different values
distinguished by figures or words indicating the fares. At the front of each com-
partment is made an aperture, through which the ticket strip within is drawn, one
ticket of the proper value being drawn out and torn off and given to the passenger
in receipt for the fare. A revolving coil of wire fitted just within each aperture
prevents the ticket strip from being pushed backwards or anything being inserted
in the box.
The rolls of tickets are kept in position in their respective compartments, and are
prevented from falling out when the box is opened by means of a removable back
piece, which is closed down upon by the lid when the box is locked, the key being
kept out of the possession of the person issuing the tickets to the passengers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Cross in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th November
1877.
.
HENRY CROSS, of Whitehaven, in the County of Cumberland.
" IMPROVED
APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR INDICATING OR RECORDING AND CHECKING THE FARES
TAKEN ON OMNIBUSES OR OTHER VEHICLES."
This Invention relates to improved means of and apparatus for checking the fares
taken on omnibuses and other vehicles or vessels.
The improved apparatus is illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings
in Figures 1 and 2, of which Figure 1 represents a cross section, and Figure 2
the left-hand half, an exterior front view, and the right-hand half, a longitudinal
Bection.
The improved apparatus consists of a ticket box 1 divided by partitions 14 into
a suitable number of compartments 2, into which are placed rolls 3 of printed paper
or cardboard perforated transversely (as at 4) at regular distances apart, so as to
form tickets 5. Each compartment 2 contains a roll 3, the tickets 5 of which are
consecutively numbered, and the tickets of the different rolls are of different
values, distinguished by figures or words indicating the fares. At the front of
each compartment 2 is made an aperture 6 through which the ticket strip 5 within
is drawn, one ticket of the proper value being drawn out and torn off and given to
the passenger in receipt for the fare. A coil 7 of wire revolving loosely on a rod 8,
is fitted just within each aperture 6, and prevents the ticket strip 5 from being
pushed backwards, or anything being inserted in the box 1. As a further
security against this, there is fitted in front of each aperture 6 two clip pieces 9,
which bear close together and allow of a ticket being caught hold of, but prevent it
being re-inserted in the box.
The rolls of tickets are kept in position in their respective compartments, and are
prevented from falling out when the lid of the box is opened by means of a removable
back piece 10, which is closed down upon by the lid 11 of the box when the lid is
closed and the box locked, the key 12 of the lock 13 being kept out of the possession
of the conductor or person issuing the tickets.
The advantages of the improved apparatus when used on omnibuses, tramways,
and other vehicles, are that,
-
It will work any number of mixed fares, and is easily carried by the conductors
on the top or any part of the vehicles.
The system will do away with signalmen or inspectors on the journey.
The conductor need not be interfered with until his day's work is done.
It will do away with punches, bells, and other expensive apparatus, which are no
effective check.
The rolls being all in one length, being locked from the conductors, and consecu-
tively numbered, printed, and perforated at intervals to form tickets of any required
size, the tickets being drawn out and torn off before the passengers, they are bound
to be accounted for to the company by the conductor.
There is less trouble for the conductor, having no pencil or marking sheets to take
charge of, but simply to tear the tickets from the apparatus and hand to
passengers in receipt for their fares, thereby preventing the conductors, clerks, or
other persons from being in a hand or in a league together, by this system.
The rolls being part of the apparatus, could not be procured by conductors or
other servants, whereas, loose bundles of tickets or cheque books can be got from an
ordinary printer without much difficulty.
The passengers are requested on their tickets to destroy them on leaving, the
vehicle, so that any person attempting to travel a second time with any ticket
would be committing a fraud on the company, and would be liable to prosecution.
The price of a roll of tickets for accommodating 500 persons is from sixpence
upwards.

page_text: It is the strictest mode of testing the honesty of conductors or other like persons,
as they cannot defraud by this system, and they are bound to work the apparatus
as required.
Each apparatus will have the conductor's number on, as an index to the clerk's
book.
The ends of the ticket strip cannot fall inside, as the spring within will prevent
them.
Each box or apparatus will bear a label having a number thereon corresponding
with the number of boxes sold or issued.
I would here remark that it will be very evident that this improved checking
and indicating apparatus is also applicable for checking the fares taken on ferry
boats, and the receipts of admission to theatres, music halls, parks, gardens, rinks,
baths, and all places of amusement or of public resort, or for any other analogous
purposes where a ticket or check system is or may be required.
For the above-mentioned purposes, only one apparatus would be required for each
pay box. The ticket rolls will be made of any colored paper, so that the color of
the ticket may be changed each night, if desired, and printed throughout with pit,
gallery, promenade, or the different parts of the theatre or other place of amusement,
and with any request on the ticket the manager or proprietor may desire. These
tickets would be doubly numbered and doubly perforated, so that each ticket torn
from the box would be taken by the person purchasing the ticket to the check
taker, who will simply tear the duplicate number off, and the person purchasing the
ticket will retain the other portion, which is then worthless (unless the proprietor
desires to have it used as a pass-out check), by this means the check taker is not in
possession of anything in the complete form of a ticket which would enable him
to connive at any dishonesty with the money taker, as by the present faulty
systems.
Having now described the nature and objects of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be and may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention, the construction
and use of the above described apparatus and means for checking the fares taken
on omnibuses and other vehicles or vessels, and which apparatus is equally applicable
for checking the receipts for admissions to theatres, music halls, and other places of
entertainment or otherwise, substantially as above described and as illustrated
on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, or any mere variation or modification
thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Cross, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy coven
HENRY CROSS. (LS.)