IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING THE FARES PAID IN OMNIBUSES AND OTHER PUBLIC CONVEYANCES, AND IN MARKING TICKETS WHEN THEY ARE USED." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Nevil Maskelyne, of the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly,
in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING THE FARES PAID IN OMNIBUSES AND OTHER
PUBLIC CONVEYANCES, AND IN MARKING TICKETS WHEN THEY ARE USED."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Nevil Maskelyne at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd August 1881.
JOHN NEVIL MASKELYNE, of the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING THE FARES PAID
IN OMNIBUSES AND OTHER PUBLIC CONVEYANCES, AND FOR MARKING TICKETS
WHEN THEY ARE USED."
The object of this Invention is to provide a compact and simple apparatus for
registering the amounts of different fares, say, up to sixpence, paid by passengers
in omnibuses and other public conveyances, and for punching tickets when they
are to be issued with the amount of the fare paid.
The apparatus, which is contained in a suitable case provided with an opening
or window, consists of a pair of toothed wheels mounted on the same axle a short
distance apart, and actuated by pinions which are caused to rotate by turning a
handle on the pin shaft.
The front wheel carries a dial marked with the various fares, and is so arranged
with reference to the window in the case that the amount of the particular fare to
be paid will be presented at the window when the fare has been registered and the
ticket punched. The window is provided with a sliding shutter which will be
opened only when the amount of the fare to be taken is opposite the window.
The registering apparatus, which may be of any convenient form, is actuated by
one of the pinions, and every complete or half rotation, as may be desired, of the
pinion will register one penny; thus to regester a three penny fare, and to bring
the three on the dial opposite to the window, it will be necessary to give three
turns or half turns, as the case may be, of the handle.
The rear wheel is provided on its face with a pin or pins which as the wheel is

page_text: caused to rotate will strike against the tails of a series of striking hammers, and
sound the amount of the fare to be paid on one, two, or more gongs.
The movement of this wheel is regulated by an adjustable stop or stops according
to the amount of the fare to be paid.
The rotation of this wheel also actuates a punch or punches for marking the
amount of the fare on a ticket when tickets are used. On the hub of the wheel is
a small pinion which gears into a rack in connection with a plunger which acts on
the punch.
In this manner I obtain great leverage, and can act on the punch with great
force.
The punch may consist of a single block provided with points of different lengths,
which come into consecutively according to the amount of fare to be paid, the
plunger being forced down further at every additional turn or half turn of the
handle; or I may use six different punches, which are arranged in a sliding frame.
A sliding motion is communicated to this frame by a pinion mounted at one end
of a vertical axle, and which takes into a rack on the back of the frame. The other
end of this axle projects through the top of the case, and is provided with a pointer
or handle-by which the axle is rotated. If desired a dial may be placed under. the
pointer or handle, that the attendant may see how far he has to turn the handle in
order to bring the punch corresponding to the amount of the fare to be paid under
the plunger.
This vertical axle carries at its upper end and under the dial a snail cam, which
in turning depresses a rod carrying a stop piece. Against this stop piece, and
according to the amount of depression it has received, strikes one of a series of
blocks of increasing lengths fixed upon the under surface of the main wheel. This
rod works through two guides, which allow it to slide in the direction of its length
in the same plane as the vertical axle, and it is pressed against the snail cam by
a spring. When by means of the snail the rod is depressed to its fullest extent, it
will allow all the blocks upon the wheel to pass the stop except the longest, which
is last; but when by means of the spring it is raised to its utmost limit, the stop
meets directly with the first and shortest block. Thus the amount that this stop
is depressed determines the amount of movement to be given to the wheel.
This stop also carries a small plunger at right angles to the axis of the sliding
rod, which when acted upon by the blocks upon the main wheel presses a small
lever and removes the shutter to exhibit the figure then opposite to the opening or
window.
A suitable opening is provided in the case through which the tickets to be
punched are introduced, and if desired means may be provided for so defacing or
destroying the tickets that they cannot be introduced a second time for reissue.
In working the apparatus it will be necessary that the toothed wheels be turned
or drawn back by a spring to zero every time a fare is paid preparatory to
registering the next fare, and the ticket will be held by the punch until such
operation is completed.
The wheels may be actuated by a lever keyed on the axle instead of by the
pinions, and in place of the gongs musical reeds may be employed.
The fare registering apparatus may be used without the ticket punching
mechanism where the issuing of tickets is objected to.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Nevil Maskelyne in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd February 1882.
JOHN NEVIL MASKELYNE, of the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING THE FARES PAID
IN OMNIBUSES AND OTHER PUBLIC CONVEYANCES, AND FOR MARKING TICKETS
WHEN THEY ARE USED."
The object of this Invention is to provide a compact and simple apparatus for
registering the amounts of different fares, say, up to four pence, paid by passengers
in omnibuses and other public conveyances and for punching tickets when they
are used with the amount of the fare paid.
The apparatus is contained in a metal or wooden case to be secured by straps to
the body of the conductor, and consists of a pair of toothed wheels mounted loosely
a short distance apart on an axle carried by a suitable frame.
The wheels are actuated by pinions which are caused to rotate by turning &
handle on the pinion shaft. This shaft also carries a double spring pawl to work a
registering mechanism.
The front wheel carries a dial on which the various fares are displayed, the
amount of each fare being shown at the proper moment at an opening in the case.
The rear wheel is provided with pins or projections which work a gong sounding
mechanism to denote audibly the amount of the fare paid. This wheel is also
provided with means for working a punch when it is desired to mark tickets with
the amount of the fare paid in addition to registering that amount. The wheel
further actuates a sliding shutter to withdraw it at the proper moment from
before the opening in the case to expose to view the amount of fare which has
been paid.
The amount of motion to be given to this wheel is regulated by an adjustable
stop, the position of which, according to the fare to be paid, is readily set by the
attendant.
In the accompanying Drawings I have shewn in Sheet I. one form of my improved
registering apparatus; Fig. 1 being a front view of the apparatus removed from its
case; Fig. 2, a similar view with the dial plate and sliding shutter removed; and
Fig. 3, a view of the apparatus with the front portion of the frame and the rear
wheel removed, and shewing more clearly than in the other Figures the adjustable
stop, and other details; Fig. 4 is a top view of the apparatus; and Fig. 5, a side
view of the punching mechanism.
A is a metal frame by which the working parts of the apparatus are carried, and
which is secured to the back of the enclosing box or case not shewn, but which
for present purposes may be represented by the slab B; C is a dial which is secured
to the front toothed wheel C², shewn dotted in Fig. 1. This wheel is mounted
outside the frame A loosely on an axle D, and it is caused to rotate through the
pinion E by the handle fixed on the pinion axle F. The dial is rotated until
the number representing the fare to be paid comes under a shutter G which is then
withdrawn, as will be hereafter explained, and the number is exposed to view
through an opening made in the front of the case. The rear wheel H, see Fig. 2,
which is formed with teeth on a portion only of its periphery, and which may be
termed the actuating wheel, is mounted loosely on the axle D, and is caused to
rotate through a pinion F on the axle F¹ by the handle F. Into the periphery of
this wheel H are fitted pins a, a, which, as the wheel is rotated, strike against and
trip the tails of a series of gong striking hammers 6 suitably arranged for the.

page_text: purpose; c, c, c, are three gongs secured to the back of the box B, each gong being
intended to represent audibly one penny. The number of gongs may be increased
according to the number of fares for which the apparatus is made, or the three
gongs or a less number may be struck twice or more times to make up the proper
amount by increasing accordingly the numbers of pins a. I do not intend to
claim any particular arrangement of gong striking hammers, and any further
description of the arrangement shewn in Fig. 2 of the Drawing will be therefore
unnecessary.
To the side of the wheel H I secure a curved stop piece or plate d, which is
formed with steps d', d², d³, d, on its inner periphery. Each step will represent
an increase in the amount of the fare to be taken, thus step d' will represent one
penny, d² two pence, d³ three pence, and so on, and the wheel H will be allowed to
turn until the step representing the particular fare to be paid comes in contact
with an adjustable stop e which has been previously set for that fare by the
conductor of the vehicle.
The stop e, which is clearly shewn in Fig. 3, consists of a block of metal securely
fixed to a rod f, which is capable of sliding vertically in guides 9 secured to or
forming part of the frame A. In the upper end of this rod f a nick is made so as
to leave a projection f¹ (or a pin may be inserted into the rod), and this
projection f (or pin) takes into a helical groove in a snail cam h (Figures 1
and 2). This snail cam is keyed onto a vertical axle h' which projects through the
top of the case, and is provided at its upper end with a handle or pointer i by
which it may be turned. On turning the snail cam h by means of this bandle or
pointer i in one direction or the other, the rod of with the stop e will, by reason of
the projection f working in the groove, be raised or lowered to the position required
to stop the rotation of the wheel H at the desired point.
Secured to the top of the case under the handle or pointer i is a dial (see Fig. 4)
bearing figures corresponding to those on the dial C. By this dial the conductor
can tell how far he has to turn the handle or pointer i, so as to set the adjustable
stop e in the proper position for the particular fare about to be paid.
For con-
venience of working, the handle or pointer i may be so arranged as to spring into
notches or holes corresponding to the different fares, so that the conductor may tell
by counting the notches or holes as he moves the pointer when the stop is in the
proper position.
The shutter G is secured to a pinion G¹ which is mounted loosely on the axle D
outside the dial (see Fig. 1). In gear with the pinion G' is a toothed sector I
which is mounted on a axle I carried by lugs projecting from the side of the
frame A; j is an arm pendent from and solid with the axle 1 (seen clearly in Fig. 3),
and in contact with this arm is a spring finger k which is attached to some
convenient portion of the frame A; is a slide carried by the stop e, one end of
this slide 7 being formed with an eye through which the spring finger k passes, and
the other end projects to a short distance beyond the stop e.
As the wheel H rotates, the plate & before it comes into contact with the stop e
strikes against the slide and pushes it forward. This forward movement is
communicated to the spring finger k, which in turn presses on the pendent arm j
and rocks the axle I. This rocking motion is communicated to the sector I, which
through the pinion G¹ acts on the shutter to withdraw it from the window,
leaving the amount of the fare exposed to view. A coiled spring on the axle I'
as well as natural spring of the finger k, and its own weight serves to bring the
shutter back to its normal position so soon as the pressure on the slide 7 is removed
by turning back the wheel H to its original position.
A spring catch-m is provided to lock the wheel H in position, and this catch
must be raised by pressing on the button m¹ before the wheel can be moved.
J is a counting mechanism (see Fig. 3) of any convenient construction, the wheels
1, 2, 3, 4, representing respectively units, tens, hundreds, and thousands of pence. The
numbers are engraved on the back of the wheels and show through openings made
in the back of the box. The counting mechanism is actuated by means of a double.

page_text: rotating pawl n mounted on the pinion axle F¹, and which takes into the teeth
of the ratchet wheel 1.
If desired a second counting mechanism J' (Fig. 2) may be provided to register
the number of passengers from whom fares have been taken. This mechanism J¹
I place at right angles to the rest of the apparatus, and it is actuated by a spring,
pawl, or finger O carried by one of the arms of the wheel H. The counting
mechanisms are secured to the case B independently of the rest of the apparatus.
The working of the apparatus is as follows:-The conductor will ask the
passenger the distance he is going to travel, and will then set the pointer i to the
proper fare for that distance, say, three pence. The moving of the pointer turns the
snail cam h and pushes down the stop e the required distance. The conductor then
takes three half turns with the handle F", which actuates the counting mechanism,
and also rotates the dial C and the wheel H until the step d³ strikes against the
stop e. During the movement of the dial C and wheel H each of the three gongs
will be struck once. As the step d³ strikes against the slide 2 in the stop e the
axle I' will be rocked, and with it the toothed sector I, which will withdraw the
shutter G and expose to view at the window. the amount (three pence), which by
that time will have arrived in front of the window. When the amount has been
thus marked the handle F is turned back three half turns, by which means the
apparatus will be caused to assume its normal position.
As the wheel C₁ will have to move faster than the wheel H, the diameters of
these wheels, as also of their respective pinions E, F, will be different. The relative
proportions of these wheels and pinions can be fixed by any practical mechanic
according to the number of the various fares for which the apparatus is to be
made.
When it is desired to issue tickets in addition to checking the fares, as above
referred to, I provide means for punching in the ticket holes corresponding in
number to the amount of the fare paid. To this end I employ a combination
punch o formed of small steel points o³, o³, o³, o, of different lengths, and in number
Corresponding to the different fares (say, four) for which the apparatus is made.
This punch o (as clearly shewn in Fig. 3 and in side view at Figure 5) is carried by
the rod or bar p which is cranked near its upper end, and which slides in suitable
guides secured to the frame A.
The movement of this punch is caused by the pin g (shewn dotted in Fig. 2)
inserted in the hub of the wheel H and which works in the slot formed by the
cranked part of the rod p. As the wheel H is rotated the points descend through
holes formed in the counterparts r, r, and perforate the ticket which is inserted in
the slit. The points o¹, o³, o³, o, being of different lengths will act in succession
according to the amount of rotation of the wheel H and the consequent depression
given by the pin q. Thus if the fare to be paid is two pence, points o¹, o², will
come into action successively and make two holes in the ticket, while if fourpence
be the fare four points will be caused to act. The withdrawal of the points takes
place when the wheel H is turned back by the handle F to its normal position.
On Sheet II. I have shewn in Figures 6, 7, and 8, a modification in the arrange-
ment of punch, Fig. 6 being a side elevation, Fig. 7 a plan view, and Fig. 8 a cross
section on the line x, x, Fig. 7.
In this arrangement I employ a separate punch for each fare, each punch having
a number of small points arranged so as to perforate a figure on the ticket.
a is a rectangular metal frame, in the upper part of which a recess s¹ (Fig. 7) is
formed; o are the punches carried in a frame t which slides in V guides in the
lower part of the frame 8. At the back of the frame t is a rack t¹ into which
takes a pinion . This pinion is mounted on the end of the snail spindle h¹
which is prolonged for the purpose. Each punch block o is formed on opposite
sides with a flange which overlies the top of the frames. These flanges rest on
the frames until the punch to which they belong comes opposite the recess s'. In
this position the punch is able to descend and perforate the ticket, which is
inserted in the slot or opening w with the number of holes corresponding to the

page_text: amount of fare to be paid. Each punch o has a stem of that projects through a
strap piece forming part of the sliding frame t. Above the strap ³ the stems
are fitted with coiled springs by which the punches are maintained in their normal
position.
.
The punches are depressed as required by the cranked rod p, which slides in
suitable guides and is worked as described with reference to Fig. 3, Sheet I. The
rod p however is not as in the former case connected rigidly with the punches, but
is provided with a forked foot p¹ having a hooked portion p². The foot p¹ presses
on the top of the punches, and the hooked portions p³ take under the flanges to
raise the punches after the ticket has been perforated. The foot p' is so arranged
that as the frame t is moved to bring a particular punch under the foot, the
remaining punches can readily pass between the foot p¹ and its hooked portions p².
The working of the apparatus with this modification applied thereto will in every
case be the same as that already described with reference to previous figures.
In Fig. 9 I have shewn in front view a modification in the form of the
apparatus as adapted for two fares only, and at Fig. 10 a detached view of some
of the parts.
In this form of apparatus the dial C with its wheel C, the adjustable stop e and
its accessories, and the snail cam h with its accessories are dispensed with. The
letters of reference in the original plan will however also apply to corresponding
parts in this modification. The metal frame A in this instance is cast with two
extra arms A', A². The actuating wheel H is worked through a pinion F on the
axle F' by a handle (not shewn). The wheel H is provided with means for
striking the gongs, and also with a curved stop piece & formed with steps d', d³,
as before described. These steps strike against a pin v¹, projecting rearwards
from a lever v which has its fulcrum in a slot in the arm A²), and depress the
lever until the pin v² comes in contact with the arm A¹ which acts as a stop.
By the depression of the lever va fare-plate corresponding to the shutter G is
moved. This fare-plate G is fixed to a pinion G¹, and is mounted loosely on the
axle D. Into the pinion G³ gears a toothed sector I, which is mounted on a stud
pin I' secured to the frame A. As this toothed sector I is rocked to one side or
the other, as will be explained, the fare-plate is also rocked and presents one of
two fares at the window or opening in the case. The rocking of the sector I is
effected by means of a pin v fitted to a projection on the underside of the lever v,
and which bears against inclined planes 12 formed on the toothed sector I. It will
thus be seen that as the lever is depressed the pin acting on one or other
of the inclined planes will force the sector over in one direction or the other, as
may be required. The working of the fare plate is shewn more clearly in Fig. 10.
The full lines indicating the normal position of the parts.
The shifting of the lever to bring the pin ² on to one or other of the inclined
planes is effected by a pointer w¹ outside the case. This pointer fits onto one end
of a sleeve, on the other end of which is a forked projection cc.
The sleeve is
mounted loosely on the axle D. The pin works in this forked projection &c, and
as the pointer is moved from side to side the lever is also moved in like direction,
the slot in the arm A³ allowing for the shifting of its fulcrum.
The mode of punching the tickets in this modification will be the same as that
already described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5.
In Fig. 11 I have shewn a further modification of my improved registering
apparatus as adapted to a single fare. In this modification the actuating wheel H
is worked by a lever handle y secured thereto, and which has its fulcrum on the
axle of the wheel H. This wheel carries a spring finger y' which actuates the
registering mechanism, and a pin a on the side of the wheel trips the tail of a gong-
striking hammer. The toothed portion of the wheel H is in gear with a pinion G¹
attached to the fare plate G, and as the wheel is rotated on its axis by depressing
the lever the fare plate is turned in the contrary direction, so as to bring the
amount of the fare opposite the window or opening in the case. The marking of

page_text: the tickets is effected by a single point which is carried by a cranked rod p, the
said rod being raised and lowered by a pin y fitted into the lever y.
It will be readily understood that this modification is capable of being adapted
for two fares by duplicating some of the parts, but for a greater number of fares I
prefer to employ the arrangement shewn on Sheet I. of the Drawings.
It will be evident that the raising and lowering of the punches in each form
of the apparatus may be effected by means of a rack on the rod p and a pinion on
the axle of the wheel H (which arrangement I should prefer to use when more
than four fares are to be registered), or by other means which may be readily
devised.
Having now described the nature of my Invention for Improvements in
Apparatus for Registering the Fares Paid in Omnibuses and other Public Con-
veyances, and for Marking Tickets when they are Used," and explained the
manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that under the
above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,-
First. The apparatus constructed and operating substantially as herein described
and shewn, with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Drawings, for registering
the sum of money taken in fares of varying amounts in omnibuses and other public
conveyances, as set forth.
Second. The arrangement of fare registering apparatus, substantially as described
and shewn with reference to Figures 9 and 10 of the Drawings.
Third. The arrangement of fare registering apparatus, substantially as described
and shewn with reference to Fig. 11 of the Drawings.
Fourth. The compound punch o, constructed and operating substantially as
herein described and shown with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9 of the
Drawings.
Fifth. The arrangement of ticket punching apparatus, substantially as herein
described and shewn with reference to Figs. 6, 7, and 8 of the Drawings.
Sixth. The combination with a fare registering apparatus of ticket punching
apparatus, substantially as herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Nevil Maskelyne, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty first day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.