An Improved Apparatus for Use in Shops, Offices, and the like for Conveying Cash, Small Parcels, or "Carriers" to and from a Cashier's Desk or Central Station.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1887
Specification Accepted, 20th Dec:, 1887
[Communicated from abroad by GEORGE BRADFORD KELLY, Organ Builder, of
Boston, and WILLIAM AUGUSTUS WEBBER, Music Arranger, of Medford, both in
Massachusetts, United States of America.]
[Communicated from abroad by George BradfoRD KELLY, Organ Builder, of
Boston, and WILLIAM AUGUSTUS WEBBER, Music Arranger, of Medford, both in
Massachusetts, United States of America.]
An Improved Apparatus for Use in Shops, Offices, and the like for
Conveying Cash, Small Parcels, or "Carriers" to and from a
Cashier's Desk or Central Station.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake and Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
This invention relates to the transmission through pneumatic tubes of cash, parcels,
or other articles, in stores, public buildings, offices and the like from the different
sales counters or single stations to the cashier's desk or table or central station and
from the cashier's desk or table or central station to the several sales counters or
single stations in connection therewith and the invention consists;
First, in combination with a pneumatic tube or tubes for the transmission of a
carrier or other article therethrough of a reservoir or chamber having communication
therewith and with a suitable pump or other air motor, said reservoir being provided
with a piston head arranged to move up and down or back and forth therein and
suitably arranged and connected with a valve or stop cock in the steam supply pipe
or conductor to the pump substantially as hereinaftor fully described.
Second, in the combination and arrangement of valves, one to close and open the
opening in the transmitting standard of the pneumatic tube where the carrier or
other article is inserted for transmission through the tube, and the other to open and
close communication between the pneumatic tube and the bellows or other air motor,
in such manner, that the closing or opening of one of the valves will respectively
open or close the other valve all substantially as hereinafter fully described.
Third, the invention consists in combination with a pneumatic tube for the
transmission of a carrier or other article therethrough, of an independent or supple-
mentary tube or passage provided with a suitable valve, arranged to open and close

page_text: said independent tube or passage to the passage of air therethrough and connected
with and arranged to project into the pneumatic tube at any desired point or place at
or near its delivery end, said independent tube or passage having communication, at
or near the receiving end of the pneumatic tube where the carrier or other article is
inserted for transmission therethrough, with a suitable bellows or expansible and
collapsible chamber provided with a suitable valve and having communication with
an operating bellows or other air motor and arranged to fasten or secure the valve at
the receiving end of the pneumatic tube in its closed position: the valve in the
independent tube or passage projecting into the pneumatic tube sufficient for the
carrier or other article being transmitted therethrough as it passes by such point or
place where said valve is located to operate on said valve and move or open it so that
air can pass through said independent or supplementary tube from said operating
bellows or other air motor for the proper operation or movement of the bellows or
expansible or collapsible chamber to unlock or release said fastening to the valve at
the receiving end of the pneumatic tube all substantially as hereafter fully described :
and the invention also consists of the construction and arrangement of other parts
in connection therowith for the proper operation of the invention all substantially
as hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying drawings is illustrated a system for the transmission of a
carrier or other article through pneumatic tubes in stores, offices, buildings or the
like constructed and arranged for operation in accordance with this invention.
Figure 1, represents in front view a cashier's desk or table or central station
showing a series of pneumatic tubes and arranged to be in communication with a
reservoir or chamber which is in communication with a suitable air pump or motor
for operation thereof.
Figure 2 represents in side view a pump connected by a pipe to any suitable steam
boiler or supply for operation thereof and connected to and in communication with a
reservoir or chamber in vertical central section.
Figure 3, a detail view to be hereinafter referred to.
Figures 4 and 5 are side views of the transmitting standard to a pneumatic tube
with the valve to the opening in the head where the carrier or other article is inserted
and removed, as open in Figure 4, and closed in Figure 5.
Figure 6 is a front view of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a central vertical section of Figure 4, from front to rear.
Figure 8 is a front view similar to Figure 6, with portions in central vertical
section.
Figures 9 and 10, vertical central sections of the bellows or expansible and
collapsible chamber and its connections in two different positions.
Figures 11 and 12, detail vertical sections of the pneumatic tube and the valve to
be operated by the carrier or other article as it travels along the pneumatic tube.
Figure 13 is a cross section on line 13,-13. Figure 4, looking up.
Figures 14 and 15 are respectively side and front views enlarged, of the end of a
pneumatic tube at the sales counter or single station with portions in section.
Figure 16, a plan view below section line 16 Figure 14.
Figures 17 and 18 are respectively a side view and a longitudinal central section
enlarged of a carrier in which to place money or the like for transmission through
the pneumatic tube.
A represents a cashier's desk or table or the central station from which the several
pneumatic tubes B, shown in Figure 1, lead to their respective separate sales counters
or single stations Ć, of which one is shown in Figures 14 and 15.
Each pneumatic tube at the cashier's desk or table or central station Figures 1 to 8
is secured by its end a, in the top of a head D, of a transmitting standard E, secured
to the table by screws b, each lead being open at its lower end as at F, at which
opening F, the carrier G shown in Figures 17 and 18 or other article to be transmitted
through the tube is inserted, the head D, having communication with the chamber or
passage H, of the standard at d, and the opening F, having a valve J, pivoted at e,
to the standard and arranged to swing up to and close said opening F, when desired.

page_text: Each transmitting standard communicates by a separate pipe K, with a common
chamber L, which chamber L, by a pipe M, has communication with a reservoir or
chamber N, of a cylinder P, Figure 2.
This cylinder is supported on the floor or on any suitable support, and is connected
by a pipe, to a steam pump Q shown in side view in Figure 2, the steam pump
being connected by a pipe g, to any suitable steam boiler for operation of the pump
in any of the usual and well known ways, the pump being of any suitable construction
to be operated by steam or other motive power to pump and force air into the
reservoir or chamber N, and needing no particular description herein.
R is a piston head fitting in the chamber N, and suitably packed and adapted to
move up and down therein and be guided in its movements by the piston rods h, m,
one, above and the other m, below, and projecting through openings n, respectively
in the top r, and bottom t, of the reservoir and on the lower end of the piston rod m,
is attached a weight S.
As air is pumped into the chamber N, by the pump Q, the piston head R, is raised
with the weight by which the required pressure upon the air in the chamber N,
below the piston head is secured.
This chamber or reservoir N, is for the purpose of supplying air to the pneumatic
tubes for operation in transmitting a carrier or other article therethrough and it has
communication with each transmitting standard at the cashier's desk or central
station, by the pipe U, which connects with the pipe M, of the chamber L, in any
suitable manner.
With the pump in operation and the pneumatic tubes not being used, means are
provided to automatically shut off the valve u, in the steam pipe g, leading from the
steam boiler to the pump to stop the pump and to start it again when the pneumatic
tubes are again used, and this is accomplished by the movements of the piston head.
The valve u, in the steam pipe g, has a crank arm e, which is connected by rod w,
to one arm y, of a bell crank T, pivoted at, to the floor or support, which bell crank
by its other arm is connected to an upright rod a', having an angular arm or pro-
jection 6, on its upper end, said rod being arranged to slide up and down in a guide
way d¹, secured to the floor, the arm 6' of the rod projecting towards the piston
rod m.
On the piston rod m, is a rim or flange e¹, which flange is so located thereon that
just before the piston head R, has arrived at the height in the chamber N, desired the
flange, in the piston head's farther upward movement will abut against the under
side of the arni 1, of the rod a', and raising it, will through the bell crank and pitman
rod connected to the crank arm of the valve u, move said valve and shut off the steam
from the pump as shown in detail in Figure 3, and if then a pneumatic tube is used,
as air passes from the chamber N, to such tube the piston head will fall carrying with
it the flange sufficiently to allow the rod a¹ to fall and consequently the valve u, by
the tension of the spring f", connected to its crank arm e, to open for steam to again
pass to the pump to operate it to supply the reservoir with air.
The weight S, attached to the piston head gives the pressure of air required for
the proper transmission of carriers or other articles through the pneumatic tubes and
it can be increased or diminished as desired in any suitable manner.
In the top of the reservoir are openings g', which allow for the necessary escape
and entrance of air in the reservoir for the proper operation of the piston head.
The chamber L, having communication with the several pneumatic tubes B,
although not shown as connected by its pipe M, with the reservoir, can be connected
to the pipe U. communicating with the reservoir, in any suitable manner, the
reservoir and pump being located in any suitable place for the proper connection
with the chamber L.
The means for opening the valve w, can be arranged in any suitable manner other-
wise than as shown, and in practical operation the reservoir N, would be about twice
the size shown in comparison with the size of the pneumatic tubes and transmitting
standards shown in Figure 1, although it can be of any suitable size desired for the

page_text: practical and satisfactory operation of the pneumatic tubes and according to the
number in the system connected to the reservoir.
V is a valve Figures 7 and 8 hinged at h¹ within the enlarged base of each
standard E, to be swung up to and close upon a seat m, of the standard and close its
passage to prevent air from the reservoir N, passing through its standard to its
respective pneumatic tube.
The journal or pivot of this valve extends out through the casing at one side, and has
on its outer end à crank arm W, which has pivoted to it at n', one end of an upwardly
extending rod or arm Y, disposed in a guide rest of the standard, Figures 4 to 6.
The journal or pivot e¹ of the valve J, also extends beyond the casing having at its
outer end an arm t, which, when the valve is open projects upward as shown in
Figure 4, more particularly, this arm being in the same vertical plane of the rod Y,
of the valve V. After a carrier, &c. is placed in the standard head D, for trans-
mission through its pneumatic tube the valve J is closed and as it swings up on its
pivot, its arm & moves correspondingly downward and when the valve J is nearly
closed, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4, the arm t¹ strikes or abuts against the
upper end of the rod Y, of the crank arm W, of the valve V, and in its further
closing movenient pushes such arm down and through its connection with the valve V,
by its crank arm W, causes it to move away from its seat and open the passage H of
the standard for air from the reservoir to pass through the same to act upon and
transmit the carrier or other article through the tube.
The carrier, transmitted through the tube, the valve J, is allowed to fall, which
correspondingly raises its arm t', leaving the valve V, free to be raised to close its
opening m, which is generally done by the pressure of air from the reservoir or air
motor, or it can be closed in any suitable manner when the tube is not to be used.
The lengths of the crank arm W of the valve V, and valve arm t' are so arranged
in relation to each other and the necessary movements of the valves, that the valve J
only acts upon the valve V during the last part of its (valve J) closing movement,
for the reason, that immediately the valve V, is opened, as the air passes through the
standard to the pneumatic tube, it passes or blows out at the opening F, which is
objectionable to the operator, therefore it is preferable to open the valve V, in the
manner described to prevent as much as possible air passing out at the opening F,
during the closing of its valve: the valves can be connected together for operation
by their arms, dispensing with the rod Y, or both valves can be arranged on a common
pivot, the seats for the valves being correspondingly arranged to suit connection: or
the valves can be connected and arranged to operate together in any suitable manner:
the valve V, can be operated by the valve J, at any time during its movement, but it
is preferable to have it moved as described, and although preferable to operate the
valve V, by the valve J, the operation can be reversed, viz.: by operating the valve J,
from the valve V, also the valves can be arranged in the pneumatic tube itself, dis-
pensing with a standard, but it is preferable to use the standard.
In lieu of holding the valve V closed when its tube is not in use by air pressure
from the reservoir or air motor, it can be held by other means, such for instance by a
spring, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 in which ', is a spiral spring, secured by one
end to the guide arm, and by its other end to the crank W, of the valve V, the
reaction of which spring when the valve V, is free to move after being opened, will
close the valve and so hold it when it is desired not to use its tube.
A¹ is an independent or supplementary tube or passage at one end having com-
munication with a chamber of a vertical cylinder B', near the receiving end of the
pneumatic tube at the cashier's desk or central station and by its other end with the
chamber C, of a horizontal cylinder D¹, secured in any suitable manner to the pneu-
matic tube at w, or at any desired point or place on the pneumatic tube at or near
the delivery end of said tube, at the sales counter or single station.
The horizontal chamber C has a valve E', arranged to freely slide back and forth
therein, which valve has a transverse passage a², through it which when the valve is
moved back as shown in cross section in Figure 12 is coincident with the tube A¹,

page_text: and an opening 62 in the cylinder D¹, to the outside, by which air can freely pass
from the tube A¹, out at the opening 62, but with the valve in the position shown
in Figure 11, closing the tube to the passage of air therefrom.
Attached to this valve E¹, is a central longitudinal stem & having a bead or
button F, which, when the valve is in its normal position shown in Figure 11,
projects a slight distance into the pneumatic tube, being held in such position by
the spiral spring e², within the chamber C'.
At the side of the vertical chamber el is a small bellows or expansible and collapsible
chamber G, having communication therewith by a passage said chamber G' com-
municating by a pipe g² with the chamber L, having communication with the
reservoir N.
The valve J is arranged to be locked when closed by a hook or catch H', pivoted
at, to the head and engaging with a pin m², on the valve, the other arm of the
catch being pivoted at n², to a pitman rod J, pivoted and connected by its other end
to the end of the movable board 2 of the bellows G, which movable board is held
closed by a spring t².
Moving or swinging the bellows board, outward causes the hook or catch H', to
move away from and disengage with the valve J, as shown in Figure 6, the valve
then being free to fall by its own gravity and open the head for the reception or
delivery of a carrier or other article.
In the vertical chamber is a piston or valve u, arranged to slide freely up and
down therein and when at its lowest or normal position as shown in Figure 9, to
cover and close the passage to the bellows G, and the pipe g² leading to chamber L,
to the reservoir or air motor, and when in the position shown in Figure 10, to
uncover or open the passage f, and pipe g², for the passage of air from the chamber L
to the bellows or expansible and collapsible chamber G.
The gravity of the piston is intended to be sufficient for the valve to return to its
normal position, if it is free to fall after being moved up in said chamber, but to ensure
such movement a light spiral spring is placed in the chamber to act on said
valve.
In Figures 14 and 15 is shown in side and front views the end of a pneumatic
tube at one of the sales counters or single stations, which tube at its end w² is secured
in a plate y in the table J2, having an opening in said plate coincident with the
pueumatic tube B.
Between this plate y² and another plate a³ above it having an opening 63, coincident
with the pneumatic tube B and secured to it by screws d³, is a horizontal plate K',
pivoted at e³, and arranged to swing back and forth in the opening, or chamber f³,
between the two plates, and serve as a valve to the tube B, cutting off air therefrom
when swung over said opening and allowing the entrance or exit of air when swung
away from it, as shown in dotted lines respectively at 93 and 3 in Figure 16. The
valve K has a spiral spring which serves to keep it open at all times and it has a
handle N for operation of the same to close it when desired to transmit a carrier from
such end.
L' is a tube secured by its end in the opening 63 in the upper plate a³ extending
upward and bent over in arch form as at M in Figure 14 more particularly having
its under or inner side n³ cut away as shown to the end.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows
:-
The carrier or other article having been placed through the opening F, in the
head D, of the standard into the pneumatic tube B, at the receiving end, at the central
station or cashier's desk the valve J, is closed, which is then locked by the catch H¹,
which opens the valve V, as before described.
The air from the reservoir N, the pump being in operation, forces the carrier along
the tube B, toward and delivers it at the other end or single station, in figures 14
and 15 the valve K' at such end being open, at the same time air presses against the
piston 2, in the chamber v', but such pressure does not however raise the valve or
piston u² or at least sufficient for it to uncover the passage f because the valve E' is in
position to close the tube A' preventing air passing out at the end 62 as shown in

page_text: Figure 11, but as the carrier passes the head F1, to the valve E¹, it presses it outward
moving the valve El along its chamber C, until its passage a², is coincident with the
independent tube A¹, as shown in Figure 12 which allows escape of the air from such
independent tube through the valve at the end d².
The air thus having escape at the opening 2, allows the air from the reservoir to
pass up the tube or pipe g², and raise the piston valve u in the chamber » above the
passage as shown in Figure 10, which allows the air to pass through the opening 2,
into the bellows or expansible chamber G', opening or expanding it, by moving out
its movable board 2, which through its pitman rod J, connecting with the latch H',
moves it into the position shown in Figure 6, and releases the valve J from its con-
nection therewith which is then free to fall by its gravity and open the opening F, to
the head D at the receiving end, and to allow the valve V to close its opening m² to
prevent air passing from the reservoir to the standard and pneumatic tube.
Thus when the carrier or other article passes the point in the pneumatic tube where
the valve E' is, the valve J, at the receiving end of the tube or central station will be
unlocked or released and placed in position for the insertion of another carrier or
other article at such end or when the pneumatic tube is used for the transmission of a
carrier or other article both ways for the delivery at such end of a carrier or other
article.
As described and shown the pneumatic tubes at the cashier's desk or table or central
station pass up from the table and thence along the upper part of the room and then
down to their several stations, but as shown in Figures 14 and 15, at one of the
single stations the pneumatic tube extends down through the table and along the floor
or lower part of the room or below, the tubes between the central and single stations
being suitably arranged to do so and connect with each other, and in sending from a
single station having the pneumatic tube so arranged as in Figures 14 and 15, and
with a valve K, the carrier or other article is placed in the pneumatic tube at the
opening 3, and then the valve K is closed and then air from any suitable bellows or
air motor, or from the reservoir N, is allowed to enter the pneumatic tube at the
pipe which sends the carrier along the tube to the cashier's desk or central station
and when there received the valve K is opened and the air shut off from the bellows
or reservoir N, to the pneumatic tube at such station.
The arch form M¹ of the tube above the table Figures 14 and 15, is for the purpose
of changing the direction in which the carrier or other article passes out from the
tubo at t³ to deliver it at the desired place on the table.
As is obvious in lieu of using this form at the single station the pneumatic tube
can be arranged to come from above the table and be attached to a standard in a
similar manner to that shown at the cashier's table or central station.
At the end of the chamber L, from which the pneumatic tubes at the central station
receive air from the operating reservoir N, is a pipe P', which conveys air to the ends
of the pneumatic tubes at the several sales counters or single stations, for operation
of the pneumatic tubes from the single station, it being connected thereto by any
suitable conducting pipes and communicating with each pneumatic tube at the
pipe Q, shown in Figures 14 and 15.
In lieu of a weight to the piston head a spring can be arranged or any suitable
means for securing the desired pressure by the piston head on the air for the proper
transmission of the carrier or other article through the pneumatic tubes.
It is preferable to have the independent or supplementary tube much smaller in
cross section than the pneumatic tube although it can be of any size desired for the
proper operation of the parts connected therewith.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondents I declare that what I claim is,
First. In combination with a suitable air pump, of a reservoir or chamber having
communication therewith and with one or more pneumatic tubes for transmission
therethrough of a carrier or other article, said reservoir having a piston head arranged

page_text: to move back and forth therein and having a weight attached thereto substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
Second. In combination with a suitable air punip, of a reservoir or chamber having
communication therewith and with one or more pneumatic tubes for the transmission
therethrough of a carrier or other article, said reservoir having a piston head arranged
to move back and forth therein and be guided by piston rods h and m and having a
weight attached thereto substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Third. In combination with a suitable air pump operated by steam from any suit-
able steam supply, and a reservoir or chamber having communication therewith and
with one or more pneumatic tubes for transmission therethrough of a carrier or other
article, said reservoir having a piston head arranged to move back and forth therein,
of mechanism operated by said piston head to move or shut off the valve or stop cock
in the steam pipe leading from the steam boiler to the pump substantially as, and for
the purpose, specified.
Fourth. In combination with a suitable air pump operated by steam from any
suitable steam supply and a reservoir or chamber having communication therewith
and with one or more pneumatic tubes for the transmission therethrough of a
carrier or other article, said reservoir having a piston head arranged to move
back and forth therein and be guided by piston rods h and m, one of which is
provided with a flange or shoulder e¹, of a rod Y, having a shoulder or arm n', and
connected by bell crank T, and rod w to the valve u, in the pipe g, leading from said
pump to a suitable steam supply substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Fifth. The combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission of a carrier or
other article therethrough, of two valves, one arranged to open and close communi-
cation between said tube and a suitable air motor, and the other arranged to close and
open the opening in said tube through which the carrier or other article is inserted
and removed, the valves being so connected together that as one or the other of said
valves is moved to open or close its respective opening, the other valve will
correspondingly be closed or opened.
Sixth. The combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission of a carrier or
other article therethrough, of a valve V, arranged to open and close communi-
cation between said tube and a suitable air motor, and a valve J arranged to close and
open the opening in said tube through which the carrier or other article is inserted
and removed, the valve J, being connected to the valve V, in such manner that as it
is moved to close its opening in said tube it will cause the valve V, to open for the
purpose specified.
Seventh. The combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission of a carrier
or other article therethrough of a valve V, provided with a crank arm W, connected
to an arm or rod Y, and arranged to open and close communication between said tube
and a suitable air motor and a valve J, arranged to close and open the opening in
said tube through which the carrier is inserted and removed and provided with an
arm t, by which as the valve J is moved to close, its arm will abut against
said rod Y, and cause the valve V to open substantially as, and for the purpose,
specified.
Eighth. In combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission therethrough
of a carrier or other article, and an independent or supplementary tube or passage
having a valve arranged to project into said pneumatic tube in proper position for
the carrier or other article as it travels along said pneumatic tube to strike or abut
against said valve to open it, of means arranged to be operated by air passing through
said independent tube or passage to release or disengage the fastening to the valve at
the receiving opening of the pneumatic tube.
Ninth. In combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission therethrough of
a carrier or other article and an independent or supplementary tube or passage having
a valve arranged to project into the pneumatic tube in proper position for the carrier
or other article as it travels along said pneumatic tube to strike or abut against said
valve to open it, of a bellows or expansible and collapsible chamber having communi-
cation with said independent tube or passage and a suitable air motor, arranged to

page_text: be operated, by air passing through said independent tube or passage, to release or
disengage the fastening to the valve at the receiving opening of the pneumatic tube.
Tenth. In combination with a pneumatic tube for the transmission therethrough
of a carrier or other article and an independent or supplementary tube or passage
having a valve arranged to project into the pneumatic tube in proper position for the
carrier or other article as it travels along said pneumatic tube to strike or abut against
said valve to open it, of a bellows or expansible and collapsible chamber having com-
munication with said independent tube or passage and a suitable air motor and a valve
between said expansible and collapsible chamber and said air motor and arranged to
be operated, by air passing through said independent tube or passage to release or
disengage the fastening to the valve at the receiving opening of the pneumatic tube.
Dated this 2nd day of August 1887.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.