IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO TRAMWAY CARS, OMNIBUSSES, AND OTHER PASSENGER CARRIAGES, PARTS OF WHICH MAY BE USED TO RECORD THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENTERING OR LEAVING PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER PLACES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Liddington, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO TRAMWAY
CARS, OMNIBUSSES, AND OTHER PASSENGER CARRIAGES, PARTS OF WHICH MAY
BE USED TO RECORD THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENTERING OR LEAVING PUBLIC
BUILDINGS AND OTHER PLACES."
Scaled the 1st October 1872, and dated the 12th April 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Liddington at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 12th April 1872.
I, JOHN LIDDINGTON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
APPLICABLE TO TRAMWAY CARS, OMNIBUSSES, AND OTHER PASSENGER CARRIAGES,
PARTS OF WHICH MAY BE USED TO RECORD THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENTERING OR
LEAVING PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER PLACES," to be as follows (that is to

page_text: with the wheels; the arrangement of turnstile may be applied to re-
cording the number of persons passing through it, and occupies in what-
ever position it may be fitted little more than half the space than that
required for the ordinary turnstile.
This improved turnstile consists of a vertical fixed rod, the head of
which carries a small dome, the under side of which is fitted with a
curved double inclined plane, against which impinge, at a certain portion
of the revolution of a hollow shaft which surrounds the said stationary
spindles, small antifriction wheels on the ends of levers of the first order
jointed to a collar attached to the hollow spindle, these levers forming
the arms of the turnstile, which as they are rotated are elevated to a
horizontal position, and fall down to a vertical position alternately as
they are revolved round the fixed spindle, by which arrangement it will
be evident the spindle may be placed near to the wall or jamb of a door
on one side as the arms fall in approaching it, and at the same time
the arms crossing the entrance are in a horizontal position.
On the top of the base from which the fixed vertical shaft springs on
the said vertical shaft is mounted an horizontal wheel having any
required number of teeth on the periphery gearing into any ordinary
train of indice wheels provided with dials, pointers, and so forth of any
of the ordinary descriptions, as is well understood; the upper surface of
this first mentioned horizontal wheel has upon its face a double set of
ratchet teeth, one within the other, both set in the same direction.
Above the outer circle of pawl teeth is fitted a pawl or pawls jointed
to the stationary case of the machine, and which may be weighted or be
fitted with a spring so as to prevent said wheel from being turned back-
wards.
The lower end of the hollow tube surrounding the vertical fixed
spindle is fitted with a collar or sleeve piece, the lower surface or flange
having a number of fixed teeth cast or formed upon it which take into
the teeth and coincide in form with those of the inner circle of ratchet
teeth in the horizontal wheel described; this sleeve piece and the hollow
spindle are caused to turn together by reason of one, two, or more stud
pins springing from the side of the hollow shaft working through vertical
slots in the sleeve piece, by which arrangement it will be seen that
although the horizontal ratchet forced wheel is prevented turning back-

page_text: wards by reason of the pawi or pawis engaging mito the teeth or the outer
circle.
The hollow spindle and its fittings may be turned backwards by reason
of the power applied through the hollow shaft and studs, as on being
reversed the sleeve piece is free to rise and revolve above the inner circle
of ratchet teeth, but upon being reversed the sleeve piece falling down
causes the teeth on its lower end to engage into their counterparts.
If desired one or more arms may be jointed to the revolving spindle in
vertical line below the rising and falling arms of the turnstile, and be
connected thereto by means of jointed connecting rods, which may be
filled in with flexible network, as the upper and lower arm with the con-.
necting rod and hollow spindle would form a rectangular frame to the
same when the turnstile arms were in an horizontal position; or any
number of vertical parrallel rods may be jointed to the upper and lower
arms; thus forming an effectual barrier to prevent egress below said.
rising and falling arms.
1
For the facility of travelling round curves many of the tramway cars
are now constructed with the axles of each pair of wheels in two parts
coupled together by a sleeve piece, so that the opposite wheels may
travel at varying speed, but as the brakes at present constructed, are.
applied equally to the tread of the wheels on both sides of the car, the
only way at present used for retarding the carriages, and which has to be
done previous to arriving at the curve to prevent the vehicle leaving the
tram. Now to obviate these difficulties I propose to key on to each
length of the transverse compound axles a friction pulley surrounded by
a longitudinal flat metal spring strap, which laps or surrounds the
friction pulleys on both wheel axles on that side of the car; the ends of
these straps extend under the platform of the car at each end, and are
there jointed to a lever or its mechanical equivalent. This strap may be
supported between the two axles on an antifriction roller, and near the
outer ends in the same way, or work through eyes, a stop piece being
formed to prevent their passing above a certain distance inwards, so that
the brake may be worked from the platform at either end of the car, and
both wheels on that side scotched. In addition to the elasticity of the
strap and to insure it not bearing on the friction pulleys when not acted
upon through levers or their mechanical equivalents, the same may be
surrounded in any convenient position in front and rear of the wheels by

page_text: i
spiral springs acting inwards as a further security to insure the receeding
of the straps from the periphery of the friction drums.
The counterparts of the axles on the opposite side of the car are fitted
in the same way as described, so that the wheels on either side may be
acted upon as circumstances may require, and it is proposed to so arrange
the pair of levers on cach platform at the ends of the car that they can
be worked seperately or together.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Liddington in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 11th October 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
LIDDINGTON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Liddington, Her special licence
that I, the said John Liddington, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Liddington, 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 “IMPROVEMENTS
APPLICABLE TO TRAMWAY CARS, OMNIBUSES, AND OTHER PASSENGER CARRIAGES,
PARTS OF WHICH MAY BE USED TO RECORD THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENTERING OR
LEAVING PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER PLACES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Liddington, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and scals, 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Liddington, do hereby
declare the nature of my said 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 an improved turnstile; also to a system of
brakes for retarding and stopping wheeled carriages where the axles
revolve with the wheels. The arrangement of turnstile is applied to.
record the number of persons passing through it. This improved
turnstile consists of a vertical fixed rod, the head of which carries a
small dome, the under side of which is fitted at one side with a curved
double inclined plane, against which impinge, at a certain portion of
the revolution of a hollow shaft which surrounds the said stationary
rod small antifriction wheels on ends of the levers of the first order
jointed to a collar attached to the hollow shaft, these levers forming the
arms of the turnstile, which as they are rotated are elevated to a
horizontal position and fall down to a vertical position alternately as
they are revolved round the fixed rod, by which arrangement it will be
evident that the turnstile may be placed near to the wall or jamb of a
a door on one side as the arms fall in approaching it, and at the same
time the arms crossing the entrance are in a horizontal position.
On the top of the base from which the fixed vertical hollow shaft
springs on the said vertical shaft is mounted a horizontal wheel having
any required number of teeth on the periphery gearing into any
ordinary train of indice wheels provided with dials, pointers, and so
forth of any of the ordinary descriptions, as is well understood; the
upper surface of this first mentioned horizontal wheel has upon the face
a double set of ratchet teeth, one within the other, both set in the same
direction.
Above the outer circle of pawl teeth is fitted a pawl or pawls jointed
to the stationary case of the machine, and which may be weighted or be
fitted with a spring, so as to prevent said wheel from being turned
backwards.
'
The lower end of the hollow tube surrounding the vertical fixed spindle
is fitted with a collar or sleeve piece, the lower surface or flange having a
number of fixed teeth cast or formed upon it, which take into the teeth,
and coincide in form with those of the inner circle of ratchet teeth in the
horizontal wheel described. This sleeve piece and the hollow spindle ·
:
:

page_text: are caused to turn together by reason of one, two, or more stud pins
springing from the side of the hollow shaft working through vertical
slots in the sleeve piece, by which arrangement it will be seen that
although the horizontal ratchet forced wheel is prevented turning back-
wards by reason of the pawl or pawls engaging into the teeth of the a
outer circle, the hollow spindle and its fittings may be turned backwards
by reason of the power applied through the hollow shaft and studs, as
on being reversed the sleeve piece is free to rise and revolve above the
inner circle of ratchet teeth; but upon being reversed the sleeve piece
falling down causes the teeth on its lower end to engage into their
counterparts.
In lieu of the beforegoing arrangement the hollow shaft of the turn-
stile may
be fitted at the base with a boss which carries a series of arms
corresponding with those of the turnstile. These arms are bevelled or
chamfered off on their upper edge, so that when turned one way they :
will act upon a lever in connection with the registering index, and
when turned the other way they will pass the lever without registering.
Another arrangement may consist of fitting the registering index on the
top of the dome surmounting the turnstile. In this case the action of
the registering index is given by lugs which are cast on to the collar a
carrying the arms of the turnstile, the lugs in number corresponding
with the arms.
If desired one or more arms may be jointed to the revolving spindle
in vertical line below the rising and falling arms of the turnstile, and
be connected thereto by means of jointed connecting rods, which may
be filled in with flexible network, as the upper and lower arm with the
connecting rod and hollow spindle would form a rectangular frame to
the same when the turnstile arms were in a horizontal position; or any
number of vertical parallel rods may be jointed to the upper and lower
arms, thus forming an effectual barrier to prevent egress below the said
rising and falling arms.
For the facility of travelling round curves many of the tramway cars
are now constructed with the axles of each pair of wheels in two parts,
coupled together by a sleeve piece, so that the opposite wheels may
travel at varying speed; but as the brakes at present constructed are
applied equally to the head of the wheels on both sides of the car, the
only way at present used for retarding the carriages, and which has to

page_text: be done previous to arriving at the curve to prevent the vehicle leaving
the tram; now to obviate the difficulties it is proposed to key on to each
length of the transverse compound axles a friction pulley surrounded by a
longitudinal flat metal spring strap, which laps or surrounds the friction
pulleys on both wheel axles on that side of the car. The ends of these
straps extend under the platform of the car at each end, and are there
jointed to a lever, or its mechanical equivalent. This strap may be
supported between the two axles on an antifriction roller, and near the
outer ends in the same way, or work through eyes, a stop picce being
formed to prevent their passing above a certain distance inwards, so that
the brake may be worked from the platform at either end of the car,
and both wheels on that side scotched. In addition to the elasticity of the
strap, and to insure it not bearing on the friction pulleys when not acted
upon through levers or their mechanical equivalents, the same may be
surrounded in any convenient position in front and rear of the wheels
by spiral springs acting inwards as a further security to insure the
receding of the straps from the periphery of the friction drums. In
some cases this elastic strap may be fitted with segments of hard wood,
so that they will bind on the friction pulleys before mentioned.
The counterpart of the axles on the opposite side of the car are fitted in
the same way as described, so that the wheels on either side may be acted
upon as circumstances may require; and it is proposed to so arrange
the pair of levers on each platform at the ends of the car that they can
be worked separately or together.
.
The beforegoing being the nature and object of my Invention, I will
now proceed to describe more in detail how the same may be carried
into practical effect, and for that purpose I have hereunto attached a
Sheet of Drawings marked with figures and letters of reference, corre-
sponding with those in the following explanation. Like letters and
figures marked thereon are used to denoto similar parts throughout the
various views :-
Figure 1 is an outside elevation of a turnstile constructed according to
my Invention, registering at the bottom.
Figure 2 is an outside elevation of a turnstile constructed according to
my Invention, registering at the top.

page_text: Figure 3 represents the registering dial suitable for a turnstile con-
structed according to my Invention; Figure 4 is a section of collar for
carrying arms of turnstile; Figure 5 is a plan of same; Figure 6 is an
outside view of same.
Figure 7 is a section of portion of hollow shaft or standard carrying
collar and dome, with index box also showing the action of the turnstile
arms. Figure 8 is an inside plan of dome showing doublo inclined
plane; Figure 9 is an outside plan of same.
Figure 10 is an elevation of index box and dome.
Figure 11 is an elevation of turnstile arm.
Figures 12 and 13 are respectively plan and elevation of boss, with
arms to be fitted to hollow shaft to give motion to index or registering
arrangement.
Figure 14 is a sectional elevation of a tramway car fitted with my
improved brake; Figuro 15 is a plan of same.
Figure 16 is an elevation of tramway carriage wheels and axle,
showing antifriction pulley of my improved brake.
Figures 3 to 13 are shown half size.
Figures 14 to 16 are drawn to the scale of three-cighths of an inch to
the foot.
A is a vertical fixed rod which carries a dome B, and is fitted at onc
side with a double inclined plane C, C³, (Figure 8.) D, hollow shaft or
standard to which is keyed or otherwise attached a collar E, (for details
sec Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7). To this collar are hinged the turnstile arms
F, forming levers of the first order. These levers are each fitted with
an antifriction roller H, Figures 7 and 11. The collar E is fitted with
lugs or projections K, which lugs or projections act on the lever or
tumbler L of the index or register. When the registering gear is
arranged to act at the bottom of the standard I fit the arm boss Figures
12 and 13 to the hollow shaft or standard, and it virtually takes the
place of the lugs K.
Figures 14, 15, and 16. a, car body; b, running wheels; c, friction
pulleys keyed on to the axles of the running wheels surrounded by d,
steel garters jointed to e, horizontal rod supported by f, hangers on
bottom of car body; g, springs attached at their inner end to h, a collar 3

page_text: piece fixed to the rod and at their outer ends to the hangers f; j, hori-
zontal rods jointed to the outer ends of the steel garters, which pass
through k, outer. hangers beyond which they are fitted with 1, short
'lengths of flat chain attached to m, and m³ quadrant or wheels for
working the brake.
The action of the turnstile may be thus summarized, the arms F rise
and fall by the antifriction roller H passing under the dome and coming
in contact with the double inclined plane O, C', the positions being
respectively as shown at Figure 7. As the arms revolve the lugs K or
the arm boss, Figures 12 and 13, act upon the lever L, or its mechanical
equivalent in the direction shown by the arrows. The lugs and arms
are so made that when the turnstile is reversed they pass the lever L
without registering. Any number of arms may be fitted to the turnstile,
but for tramway cars the best style are those made with four or five
arms, and so arranged that by pushing the arm before you, another
immediately rises behind.
The action of the improved brake may be thus summarized, the
friction pulleys c keyed on to the axles of the running wheel b are
surrounded by the steel garters d, which are connected by rods to the gear
for working the brake. The rods are fitted with springs which tend to
keep the garters or straps loose on the friction pulleys, but when the
brake gear is put in action the springs are compressed and the rod
tightens the garters or straps round the friction pulley, the wheel being
thus scotched. Upon the gear being released the springs by their clastic
tendency relieve the garter round the friction pulley and thus take off
the pressure. One, two, or more brakes may be fitted to each' axle,
accordingly as to whether the wheels run together or independently.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature and purposes
of this my Invention, and how the same is to be carried out into
practical effect, I wish it to be clearly understood that I do not confine
myself to the several proportions and relative dimensions of the various
parts of the improved turnstile and brake as shown, as it will be readily
understood that the same may be considerably varied without departing
from my Invention, but what I claim as the Invention secured to me by
Letters Patent as aforesaid is,―
First. The construction, arrangement, and combination herein-before
described and shown in the Drami

page_text: ing turnstile, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described, set forth, and illustrated.
Secondly. The arrangement for raising or depressing turnstile or
semaphore arms by the arrangement of the double inclined plane,
substantially in the manner hercin-before described, set forth, and i
illustrated.
Thirdly. The arrangement of bevelled or chamfered lugs or armed
boss for working the lever of any suitable registering arrangement or
index, substantially in the manner as herein-before described and
illustrated.
Fourthly. The arrangement of brake consisting of the garter or steel
strap and spring acting on a friction pulley, substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before described, set forth, and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Liddington, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Eighth day of October, in the
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
]
ycar ]
"
JOHN (L.s.) LIDDINGTON.
i
Witness,
FREDERICK JOHN CHEESBROUGH,
of 15 Water Street,
Liverpool.