IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING, CHECKING, AND MEASURING THE FARES TAKEN ON PUBLIC VEHICLES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Wilson, of Pentonville, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR REGISTERING, CHECKING, AND MEASURING THE FARES TAKEN ON PUBLIC
VEHICLES."
(Void by reason of the Patentee having neglected to file a Specification in
pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th May 1881.
THOMAS WILSON, of Pentonville, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING, CHECKING, AND MEASURING
THE FARES TAKEN ON PUBLIC VEHICLES."
My Invention of a "fare calculator" consists of a series of dials numbered
consecutively or otherwise marked, the number of dials being equal to the total
number of passengers allowed on the vehicle, placed in a frame and fixed in full
view of the passengers. Each dial when not in use or gear shews its hand or
indicator at zero; but on a passenger entering the vehicle the conductor puts the
dial in gear, at the same time handing the passenger a ticket with a number upon
it corresponding to the number of the dial, the hand of which he has just set in
motion. The said hand is caused to revolve once for every mile travelled, being
connected with the wheels either at their circumferences or near the centre, and moved
by clockwork or other means. Below or near each dial figures are shewn indicating
the fares or the number of miles travelled by the passenger with whose ticket the
number of the said dial corresponds, the figure "one shewing when the dial is
first put into gear-and remaining in view till one mile is travelled, when the figure
"two" appears, this in like manner remaining in view till two miles have been
travelled, when the figure "three" appears, and so on the whole journey. being run,
shewing the total fare due from each passenger, who on alighting is able to check

page_text: the fare charged by looking at the dial numbered the same as his ticket, which
would then be handed back to the conductor for the use of another passenger when
the seat was taken, the index or hand being again set at zero. Besides indicating
or recording the fares due from each passenger respectively, the apparatus is
arranged so as to record the sum total of the fares taken, thus constituting a
complete check upon the conductor's receipts. The total is recorded in such a way
that it cannot be interfered with except by those authorised to do so, the result
being either made visible from the outside or only ascertainable by unlocking the
apparatus.
Instead of the index hands revolving once for every mile run, the distance may
be varied as desired as well as the fare or rate per mile, and the dials may be in the
form of slots or other exponents.
The connection between the apparatus above described and the wheels or axle of
the vehicle may be by gearing or cords and pulleys, and the whole arranged to be
thrown out of gear when required, the apparatus itself being easily removed for
repair or otherwise.
By the use of my said Invention it will be seen that passengers will be induced
to commence their journey at any place whatever, instead of walking to special
stations, as is now the case where the different fares commence and terminate.
The registering part of my Invention consists mainly of two wheels capable of
moving laterally on their driving spindle, each wheel carrying a stud, one revolving
outside the other. A third or crown wheel is arranged with three sets of teeth on
its side, the inner set ratchet teeth, the middle set crown teeth, with which (when
in gear) the stud of one of the first named wheels engages, the outer set of teeth
being held by a pallet carrying a spring fitting to one of the wheels before referred
to, and also to a lever which on the revolving of the second wheel is caught by its
stud and raised so as to allow the spring on the pallet to move the wheel forward
one tooth, which also moves wheel No. 1 which carries the exponent of the fares.
The crown wheel moves two other wheels in the same manner, so as to shew larger
amounts of fares taken. It is preferred that the outer teeth in the crown wheel be
12 in number, and the middle and inner sets each 20 in number. The whole of the
above named wheels may be centred on the spindle shewing the distance run by
means of hollow centres or may be on separate spindles, the fares to be accounted
for being shewn on a dial by clock hands. The pallets are carried on a separate
spindle.
Instead of the above arrangement any other system of registering apparatus may
be employed, my claim being for the above arrangement and for the combination of
dials for each passenger connected with exponents shewing the fares with any
registering apparatus, all working together from the axes or wheels as above
stated.