Improvements in Apparatus for Printing and Issuing Tickets, Cheques, Receipts and the like, and for Checking and Recording the same.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 1st Feb., 1897-Accepted, 1st July, 1897
OVISIONAL SPECT
ION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Printing and Issuing Tickets,
Cheques, Receipts and the like, and for Checking and Recording
the same.
I, EUGENE VERKHOWSKY of 34 Kirotehnaia Street, St. Petersburg, Russia, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for printing tickets of all kinds, such as for
railways steamboats theatres and the like, also cheques luggage receipts and other
printed documents, whereby an accurate control and check over the cashiers and other
persons in charge of the tickets, &c., is obtained, the apparatus being made to
automatically register the tickets &c., and to retain an accurate copy of the same
independently of the action of the person in charge.
The accompanying drawings only show the application of the apparatus to the
delivery of passenger tickets on railways and steamers; for tickets &c. of other
descriptions the apparatus would require to be slightly modified without however
departing from the essential features of the invention.
On the drawings Figure 1, 1, and 1b, shew together a complete vertical section of
the machine, the part at Figure 1 being a continuation from the line XX of Figure 1
and that at Figure 1b a continuation from line YY of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a plan,
partly in section of the machine, Figure 3 is a side view of the front part of the
imachine and Figure 4 a vertical cross section of the upper part thereof.
I. CONSTRUCTION OF THE APPARATUS.
The apparatus consists of a key-board A Figures 1 and 2 composed of the following
parts a cast iron base plate 1 with four lugs for fixing the saine, on which the two
side cheeks 2-2 and the front lower plate 3 are screwed. On the inner side of the
cheeks 2-2 these are strengthened by plates 4-4 fixed thereto, having slotted notches
at their upper edge, in which are carried the necks of cylindrical rods 5, 5 lying in an
inclined direction one above the other.
On the necks formed on these rods 5 lie toothed bars 6, 6, arranged as finger keys,
one above the other. Each key bar carries at its front end a rectangular projection 7
of such a height as to project through the space between the keys up to the upper
level of the key above, thus affording an abutment for the end of such upper key.
These projections 7 have the object that if the pressure of a finger be exercised upon
the button 8 of one of the keys so as to move it forward, all the keys situated
vertically above it will be simultaneously moved forward thereby, by reason of their
all bearing against each other; thus if for instance the third key of any row be
pressed upon (Figures 1 and 3) then, as will be seen, three key bars will be pressed
forward; if the ninth key he pressed upon, then all nine keys will be pressed forward,
and so on.
In the same way, all the moved keys will be moved back to their original position

page_text: by exerting a backward pressure upon a bar 9 by means of a hand lever 10 (Figure 3)
in moving this to the left hand, the bar 9 being thereby made to push the top key
backward, which in its turn presses the lower keys back. Each key has a corresponding
button 8, marked with a letter, numeral &c. fixed to the upper end of a curved stem,
the inner end of which bears against the end of the key.
The buttons are fitted into the flat openings cut in the fillets 5-5-5; whilst the
fillets 5*, are carried side by side in grooves in the walls 2-2, (Figure 2), and abut at
top against the cover 11. The rear ends of the keys 6 have small rounded projections
which are adapted to engage with the toothed wheels hereinafter described. Further,
the keys 6, have two V shaped notches by means of which they are locked during the
working by means of the locking plate 12. The rear ends of the keys 6 project
through slotted apertures formed in plate 13 and arranged to correspond with the
position of the toothed wheels that extend along the said plate (Figure 2). The
plate 13 is fixed at its lower part to the beam 15 (Figure 1) (which is fixed to the base
plate 1), and at its upper part to the beam 14 which is bolted to the corresponding
projections of the walls 2-2. The locking plate 12 is arranged parallel to the surface
of the plate 13 and in front of the same; and it is provided with apertures that are
common to each horizontal row of keys, the arrangement being such that the portions
of this locking plate situated between these openings have their lower edges of a V
shape which edges enter in the notches of the keys 6 when the plate is depressed, so
that by this means the keys 6 are clamped, and every accidental longitudinal
movement during the working is prevented. The locking plate 12 can only move
slightly in an upward and downward direction. At the top the locking plate is held
by means of the slotted openings through which the screws or bolts fastened to the
beam 14 pass; whilst at its lower part the locking plate moves into a shallow channel
in the beam 15 which is fastened to the base-plate of the key-bonid 1. The lower
contracted part of the locking plate 12 is provided, in its downwardly projecting end,
with a slotted opening into which takes the end of the spring 16 which serves to
press the plate down upon the keys.
The levers 17-17 which bear with their upper short ends against the edge of the
plate 12, serve to raise the plate for the purpose of setting free the keys so as to
allow them to move out on to other numerals, letters &c.
Independently of the toothed key bars, (of which there may be any desired number)
there is provided on the plate 13 a broad tooth 18, (Figures 1 and 2) capable of
moving in grooves, and of the same shape in cross section as the ends of the keys,
which tooth serves for equalising the toothed wheels after they have passed througli
up to the end of the whole key board, and which also serves for advancing the toothed
wheels forward through one tooth in case no tooth of the key-board has been pushed
out by them by means of the buttons. The buttons do not act upon the tooth 18,
and the latter is always situated in a pushed-out position, that is to say, in such a
position that the toothed wheels cannot move upwards without rotating forwards to
the extent of one tooth. In Figure 1 this tooth is shown in the raised position, but
in its inoperative position it is at the same distance as the ends of the keys because
it is pressed from the top by the spring 19. Upon the same plate (Figure 2) upon
which the tooth 18 is fixed, (said plate being adapted to move between the two
bevelled filleta 20-20) there are two hooks 21-21 against which the roller 22 strikes
on the upward movement of the platform B, whereby the plate with the tooth 18 is
raised; this tooth is always engaged between the teeth of the wheels so as to keep
them in line.
In addition to these above mentioned parts of the key board, there is provided
outside on the side walls 2-2, a handle 10 (Figure 3) which is capable of moving to
the left hand and also to the right hand. The former movement serves by acting
upon the bar 9 that extends above the upper keys and outwardly through the walls,
to produce the return of the pushed-out keys into their former position. "The second
movement serves to shift the levers 23 and 24 slightly towards the right hand. The
spring 25 (Figure 1) serves for moving back the har 9 and the handle 10,
In general, the arrangement of the key board A is such as to enable, by pressing

page_text: upon one button alone or upon several of the buttons 8 at the same time, so as to act
upon any desired row of the keys, or any number of rows of the same, to push out
any desired number of keys and thereby to produce any desired number of partial
revolutions of the toothed wheels corresponding to each row.
The number of the toothed key bars may vary both in a vertical and in a horizonta
direction, and depends entirely upon the fact whether, in printing by means of the
key board, merely numerals alone and some characters are required to be printed as
shown in the drawing of the apparatus for passenger tickets, or whether it is required
to print letters of the alphabet of any language or entire words and the like by means
of the apparatus.
The movable platform B, (Figures 1, 2 and 4) is provided with two accurately
planed horizontal surfaces. On its front surface there is situated the shaped boop
or stirrup-piece 26 with the axle 27 that is anpported in bearings in the side walls of
the stirrup. Upon this axle are mounted the toothed wheels 28 which are situated
with their sides one against the other and between which there are placed discs of
suitable thickness. On the outer faces of the teeth of the entire periphery of the
wheel there are cut in a reversed position, numerals, letters, characters, or, it may be,
complete words. Each toothed wheel has upon its one side a disc 29 that is fixed to
it, having a semi-circular groove 30 into which projects the rounded end of the
pawl 31, (Figure 1) which is constantly pressed up by the spring 32. This spring
pawl 31 serves also for keeping the wheels in line after they have been shifted by the
teeth of the key board. In front of the stirrup 26 below the toothed wheels, roilers
22-22 are mounted upon a common axle and serve for the following two purposes:
(1) For lifting the tooth 18 when the platform B is raised, by engaging with the
books 21-21, and
(2) For pressing against the long ends of the levers 17-17 which lift the locking
plate 12 during the downward movement of the platform B as far as the point bb.
On the left of the edges of the stirrup 26 and on the platform itself, there is bolted
or screwed a long shaped stirrup 33, with its upper portion bent towards the left
and against which there is screwed the thin sawlike knife 34, (Figure 1) which is
adjusted by means of the two screws 35 at top and bottom. When the platform B
moves down as far as the point bb, this knife impinges upon the rubber plate and
makes a ent in the paper that is travelling over the said plate.
There is further, on the upper surface of the platform on the right hand, a
rectangular beam 36 (Figures 1 and 4) through whose centre there extends in a
longitudinal direction the axle 37 that is capable of rotating in the bearings 38 and 39.
Upon two surfaces, namely the upper face, and the face situated at rigth angles
to it, of the beam 36 there is provided the stereo or cliché of the text of the ticket 40,
spaces being left for filling up with numerals and characters that are provided on the
toothed wheels 28-28, and which can be printed off as required. In the case of
passenger tickets for railways and steamships or other requirements, two different
clichés are provided, of which one is situated on the upper face of the beam 36, and
the other on the face perpendicular to the first face, the other two faces being
rounded (Figure 4) in order that the angle shall not interfere with the rotation of the
beam in turning one or the other clichés upward. The number of the clichés is not
limited to two, but there may be three, four, or more of the same. In such a case the
beam must then be polygonal, and each of the sides must be capable of being turned
uppermost when required. In the case of two kinds of ticket forms as in the present
case, the rotation of the beam, i.e. the shifting or reversing of the clichés is effected
by ineans of the spring 41, which is fixed at the end of the axle 37, and which axle,
during the upward motion of the platforin B, strikes against the end of the lever 24,
makes half a revolution, and thus moves one cliché into the place of the other, this
action being reversed on its downward movement. The pushing out of the lever 24
is, as above stated, effected by turning the handile 10, to the right hand, (Figure 3).
On the right hand of the beam 36 (Figure 1) or at the end of the text of the tickets,
there is provided a small narrow reinovable box 42 which is situated between the thin
walls upon the lower support 43. Into this box there are placed in ordinary

page_text: typographic type or characters any additions for the clichés which are to be altered,
thus, for example, there are placed in the present case in said box for insertion in the
passenger tickets the No. of the train, the No. of the year, the month, the day and
other preconcerted check letters which are printed with the cliché. To the side of
the platform is screwed the toothed rack 44, with the pin 45 and the bent extension 46,
with a second pin 47. On the upward and downward movement of the platform,
the rack 44 rotates the toothed wheel 48, the purpose of which will be hereinafter
described.
The up and down movement of the platform 3 is produced by means of the pedal 49
(Figure 1), through a chain that passes over the toothed pulley and is attached to
the lever 50, which is provided with a counterweight 51. Outside of the parallel
walls of the platform B there are fixed two sliding blocks 52 (Figure 1) which slide
in the guide grooves of the walls 53-53. On upper end of the slide blocks 52 are
pins 54 upon which the ends of the two levers 55 are pivotted and which are
connected by means of a common axis 56, (Figure 1b) projecting in through the
upper end of the lower lever 50, so as to form a toggle. The drawings (Figures 1, 1º,
and 1) show the positions of the levers and of the pedal when pressed down by the
foot, that is to say, at the extreme upward movement of the platform B. This
upward movement is regulated by means of the screw 57 which bears against the
rectangular block in the centre of the lever 50. On the upward movement of the
pedal 49 the counterweight 51 moves the levers 50 and 55 out of their vertical
position, whereby the axis 56 describes au are in being shifted to the point co.
platform moves down and brings into proper action the other parts of the mechanism
that are under its control.
The
The most important and novel part of this movement of the platform B consists in
the passage of the toothed wheels 28-28-28......, past the rows of the toothed key
bars 6. In a position of rest the rounded ends of the keys in thus passing do not touch
the toothed wheels; but if any button 8 he pressed down, whereby the ends of the
keys 6 are pressed out in any desired number or from any desired row, the toothed
wheels can no longer pass the line of the keys without being caused to revolve. The
position of the toothed wheels 28 in the position of rest is such that the space
between the second and the third tooth at the top on the left hand allows the end of the
key to pass freely between the teeth without touching the angle of the second tooth,
and causing the toothed wheel to move, so that the toothed wheels 28 are rotated
through a number of teeth equal to the number of the keys that were pushed out, or
according to which numeral-knob was pressed. By this means the teeth or the
numerals upon the same situated at the upper horizontal surface corresponding with
the face of the cliché, are caused to move into the requisite position and then by
pressure against the abutments 38 to produce an impression upon the strip of paper
passing over the toothed wheels. In this manner the upward movements of the
platform B act to produce various reversals or changes of the teeth or numerals, and
also the reversal or change of the clichés and impressions upon the paper. By the
opposite movement of the platform downwards, the toothed wheels 28 are moved
into their former position and all further movements of the mechanism are
produced.
The paper and the use thereof.-In the journal-bearings 60 on the frame 53-53
(Figure 1) there is mounted a shaft. 62 that is pressed by the spring 61 and has a
wooden disc 63 upon which is mounted a roll of unprinted paper 63 of the width
of the ticket &c. The free end of the paper is passed through the wooden guide
rollers 64 and 65 (Figure 1) passes over the wooden shaft 66 to the left hand, and is pressed
upon at top by means of a rubber-covered shaft 67 the bearings of which are
mounted in a forked weighted lever. The paper then passes into the brass box 68
the internal passage of which is only a little larger than the paper. The inlet end of
the box is made flaring in onder that the paper shall not be hindered in its passage
by the sharp edges.
Openings of suitable size are cut out in the lower wall of the box, above the clichés
and toothed wheels, for the purpose of exposing the paper passing through the box for

page_text: receiving impressions. When the paper has passed through the box 68 it passes
outwards, rises along the inclined jdate 69 with its end upwards and can bere be
conveniently torn off along the incisions made by means of the knife 34.
The movement of the paper and the printing upon the same are effected by the
following mechanism. Lpon the trunnion 70 of the shaft 66 (Figures 1 and 2) there
is mounted a freely rotating toothed wheel 48, with a pawl fixed on one side. Near
the toothed wheel there is provided a ratchet wheel fixed upon the trunnion 70, and
having a single tooth 71. On the upward movement of the platform B, the rack 44
causes the toothed wheel 48 to turn to the right, so that the pawl can pass freely past
the tooth of the ratchet wheel without causing the shafts 66 and 67 to move. But
on the return movement of the bar in the downward direction, the pawl engages with
the tooth of the ratchet wheel and causes the shaft 66 to turn so that the paper is
fed by the shaft. 67 through the box 68. As the shaft 66 makes only one revolution
at each movement of the platform, its periphery must be made exactly equal to the
length of the paper of the tickets &c., the paper being moved forward only to the
same extent as the shaft 66 makes revolutions. The distance of the clichés from
the series of the upwardly directed teeth with numerals or letters is equal to
the space that is left vacant for the same on the cliché. Since the
printing of the cliché and of the numerals of the toothed wheels is
effected in one operation by pressing the platform upward, it is clear
that the ticket blank is first prepared without numerals and characters, and is
brought by the rotation of the shaft 66 into a position in which its vacant spaces are
exactly over the numerals and letters, on the wheels. The first impression should
always be thrown away. When the platform rises completely up to the abutments 58
and 59, and the toggle of the lever 50 strikes against the screw 57, a strong
pressure is produced upon the paper that is situated between the abutinents, the
cliché and the numerals, which pressure is sufficient to effect the printing of the
text of the ticket blanks and numerals &c. In order to moderate the pressure,
and to obtain a clear impression, a rubber pad 100 is placed between the paper and
the abutments.
The ink ribbon. To the upper wall 72 (Figures 1 and 4) there are screwed on the
outside two supports 73-73 (Figures 2 and 4) in slots on whose ends the shaft 74
with the ink ribbon wound up on it is mounted. The free end of this ribbon passes
from the guide roller 76 through a narrow slot in the walls 72, and is drawn between.
the paper 63 and the clinché situated underneath. It then passes through a second
opening in the wall 77, and is wound upon the shaft 78 which is carried in the vertical
slots of the supports 79-79. Below the roller 78 there is arranged the roller 801
which lies with its shaft in the openings of the supports 79-79 that are screwed to
the wall 77. On the rear end of this shaft there is mounted a bevel pinion which
gears with a similar but larger pinion inounted on the end of the shaft 70, (Figure 2).
On the front end of the shaft of the lower roller 80, there is a pulley of the same
diameter as the roller 80 and above it is a similar pulley D upon the shaft of the
roller 78 and of the same diameter, but with side flanges 81-81 which prevent the
narrow ink ribbon 84 that is wound up upon it from slipping off. On the left
hand side there is fixed to the wall on the key board A (Figure 2) a spindle 82 with
a dise upon which is mounted a pulley 83 (provided with two flanges) with a double.
narrow ink ribbon 84 (Figure 3), and which is fixed by means of the nut 85 that
serves to regulate the tension of ribbon. The free ends of the ribbon, when wound
off the pulley 83, pass away as follows:-The upper end 84 passes over the guide
plates 86, and the lower end 84 passes under this plate. After then passing through
the opening in the wall 72, the lower end passes under the paper 63, and the upper
end passes over the paper. Further, after both ends, have passed through the wall 77,
the upper end of the ribbon bears upon the second guide plate 83 and is then
wound up upon the narrow flanged pulley D which is mounted on the front end of
the shaft, of roller 78. The lower end 84* of the ribbon remains free after it has
passed between the two narrow pulleys.
The movement of the two narrow ink ribbons and of the wide ink ribbon is

page_text: produced in the following manner. When the platform B in its downward movement
moves by means of the rack 44 (Figure 1) the toothed wheel 48 and with it also the
shaft 70, the bevel pinion on the end of this shaft (Figure 2) makes one revolution
and rotates the smaller pinion on the shaft of the roller 80 which makes about two
revolutions; and the upper shaft 78 which presses with its own weight upon the
lower one is also caused to turn. The ink ribbons wound up on the upper shaft are
wound off from the roller 74 and the pulley 83, and are wound up on the roller 78,
and the flanged pulley. The length of the ribbons that are wound off and on at each
impression is equal to the width of the ticket to be printed.
The checking apparatus C is one of the most important parts of the apparatus.
Two supports 87 and 88 are bolted or screwed to walls 72 and 77 (Figures 1 and 2).
Between the upper ends of these supports there is provided on the right hand side
the wooden roller 89 on a metal shaft (Figure 1), and upon this roller there is wound
a strip of white paper. The free end of this strip passes around the flanged roller 90,
passes between the roller 91, upon one end of which there are a ratchet wheel and a
lever 92, and the roller 93, the journals of which are situated in a forked lever with a
counter weight serving to press the paper strip against the upper roller. Further,
after the end of the strip has passed through the small rollers 94-94 and under the
abutment 58 and also over the flanged guide pulley 95, it is wound up on the second
wooden roller 96, which is mounted between the front ends of its supports 87 and 88.
The roller 90, the journals of which are mounted in bearing blocks that can move
along the slots 101 is continually pressed against the roller 96 and the paper passing
between the same, by means of two springs 98, that bear with their upper ends
against the bearings 97.
In consequence of the upward movement of the platform B, the lever 92 is raised by
means of the pin 45 that is situated on the toothed rack 44, the arrangement being
such that the pawl on the lever passes freely over one tooth of the ratchet wheel; also
the upwardly directed numerals or numbers on the toothed wheels 28 effect the
printing or impression, viz. Of the ticket by means of the lower narrow ink
ribbon 84, and of the checking paper strip drawn through the abutment 58, by
means of the second upper ink ribbon 84, passing over the same. In consequence of
the return movement, that is to say, the downward movement of B, the lever 92 is
caused to move down by means of the pin 47, thereby turning the ratchet wheel through
the distance of one tooth, and causing the rollers 91 and 93 to feed forward the paper
strip through the distance of one line of the numerals or letters printed thereon.
The roller 90 which presses upon the wood roller 96 and which is caused to move by
means of the paper strip drawn by the rollers 91 and 93, also causes the roller 96 to
turn, which is thus made to wind up uniformly the paper strip notwithstanding its
gradual increase of diameter, as its surface speed is always equal to that of the
roller 90 and paper strip.
As will be clear from the description of the construction of the parts of the
checking apparatus, it is not a complete copy of the ticket or other document that
is produced but only of a portion thereof, that is to say as in the present case, only
one line, but this is exactly what is required for the purpose of convenient checking
by means of the checking strip, when it is considered that the whole of the
remaining text on the cliché always remains the same and unaltered, and that
therefore its repetition is useless. Now the numbers and letters produced by means
of the toothed wheels 28-28-28 constitute the most important part of the ticket
which requires checking and the more briefly and more conveniently it can be checked,
the more time is gained for checking. Also the paper that would be necessary for
large copies is saved. The apparatus as described constitutes a mechanical office for
issuing passenger tickets on railways, steam-ships, and the like.
In this case there are two clichés of a ticket form for passenger tickets adapted for
example for use on the South Western Railway :-

page_text: one for the local traffic on its own line, and the other a ticket form for all stations;
the cliché of the local ticket has the following appearance:
It is a ticket blank or form which is provided on the cliché; there are here wanting
the essential parts of the ticket, namely, the number (No.) or name of the station to
which the ticket has been issued; the class of carriage, and the price of the ticket
in shillings and pence. All these data that are missing on the ticket are supplied by
the numerals and characters (marked on the toothed wheels 22-22) which are the
main constitutents of the ticket and which are only copied on the checking band,
for example, under the words "to the station" there remains to be printed the
designation "No. 15," under "class" the designation "3d." under "price," the
sum "3s. 6d." thus making up a completely filled up ticket, whilst on the checking
strip there is merely the general series No. 15, 3d., 3s. 6d., which is just what is
necessary for checking and for controlling the booking clerk who issues the tickets.
On the other ticket, i.e., on the blank or ticket form, instead of the words "To the
station" there are inserted the words "For the distance of miles" or "zones"; the
rest is completed by means of the toothed wheels and of the key board. In this manner
every ticket that is issued is marked on a checking strip by the essential data which
are printed in one line. These lines are situated under one another so as to form
Columns of stations, classes and prices, thereby allowing of quick and convenient
checking and revision of the cash."
By reducing the size of the cliché and the number of some of the key-buttons, the
apparatus may also be employed for instance to give a cashier's order.

page_text: In the case given here by way of example, there are only five wheels with
numbers, and a small blank cliché with alternate lines for the day, the month and
the year. In this case the checking is still more simple; it ismerely necessary to add
up the sum of the pounds, and shillings, which are marked according to every order
in separate lines one over the other upon the strips.
For theatre tickets and other admission tickets the following form may he
employed :-
On this ticket the essential part which requires checking or revision is merely
"No. 1 Stall, row, No. 27," which is produced by means of the wheels and buttons.
On the first wheel there are marked the words "Stall," Box, Dress Circle, Pit,
Gallery &c.; on the second inerely numerals and on the third row, tier, &c.," and
on the other wheels merely numerals. To the number of all these wheels there
must correspond an equal number of keys and buttons with the designations in
words and figures. In this manner those data which are necessary for checking
purposes are marked generally for tickets and documents in figures or in some few
cases such as theatre tickets, in words, but, always on one line, and in very rare cases
the whole alphabet of letters will have to be employed. The simplification of the
checking and controlling of cashiers in the manner described in combination with
the printing of tickets and every kind of document forms allows of great economy in
printing and in the work of checking.
II. MODE OF OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS AND THE WORK UPON THE SAME.
In order to receive from the apparatus any ticket or document, such as for
example a passenger ticket from the station of Guildford No. 10 on the South
Western Railway (assuming that the apparatus is on this station) to a station
assumed to be No. 15, for third class at a fare of 3s. 6d., the booking clerk presses
upon the button marked "No.," upon the button marked "1," in the third row on
the left, (Figure 2) and upon the button marked "5" in the fourth row, and then
upon the buttons situated in the corresponding rows marked with the units and tens
of the shillings and with the units and dozens of the pence on the right hand side
of the key board. The third class, as also the noughts, have in this case no button in
the whole key-board; these, as also the former, are automatically produced by the
toothed racks by means of the tenth common tooth 18. After the Clerk has pressed
all the requisite buttons he presses the pedal gradually downward with gentle pressure
until the lever of the toggle 50 strikes against the screw 57, and the pressing of the
numerals and of the clichés against the ink ribbon passing over them, by which the
ink is transmitted to the paper passing over it, is completed. Then he lets the lever
rise, the motion of which is produced at the beginning by the action of the counter-
weight 51 upon the lever 50 and then by the weight of the platform B, which falls
upon the studs 99, (Figure 1b) that are cast on the walls 53-53 and which are
provided with rubber covering for the purpose of neutralizing the abruptness of the
impact. By this movement of the platform the paper, as already above stated, is

page_text: pushed out with the ticket printed upon it, and is cut off for issue, and the toothed
wheels return in their former position for further work. The time which is required
for pressing down the knobs and for printing the numerals and characters upon the
tickets is not more than two to three seconds.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Apparatus for Printing and Issuing Tickets,
Cheques, Receipts, and the like, and for Checking and Recording
the same.
I, EUGENE VERKHOWSKY, of 34 Kirotchnaia Street, St. Petersburg, Russia, 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 apparatus for printing tickets of all kinds, such as for
railways steamboats theatres and the like, also cheques luggage receipts and other
printed documents whereby an accurate control and check over the cashiers and other
persons in charge of the tickets &c., is obtained, the apparatus being made to
automatically register the tickets &c., and to retain an accurate copy of the same
independently of the action of the person in charge.
The drawings accompanying my provisional specification only show the application
of the apparatus to the delivery of passenger tickets on railways and steainers; for
tickets &c., of other descriptions the apparatus would require to be slightly modified
without however departing from the essential features of the invention.
On the drawings Figure 1, 1, and 1b, shew together a complete vertical section of
the machine the part at Figure 1* being a continuation from the line XX of Figure 1
and that at Figure 1b, a continuation from line YY of Figure 1b; Figure 2 is a plan
partly in section of the machine. Figure 3 is a side view of the front part of the
machine and Figure 4 a vertical cross section of the upper part thereof.
I. CONSTRUCTION OF THE APPARATUS.
The apparatus consists of a key-board A Figures 1 and 2 composed of the following
parts: a cast iron base plate 1 with four lugs for fixing the same, on which the two
side cheeks 2-2 and the front lower plate 3 are screwed. On the inner side of the
cheeks 2-2 these are strengthened by plates 4-4 fixed thereto, having slotted notches
at their upper edge, in which are carried the necks of cylindrical rods 5, 5 lying in an
inclined direction one above the other.
On the necks formed on these rods 5 lie toothed bars 6, 6, arranged as finger keys,
one above the other. Each key bar carries at its front end a rectangular projection 7
of such a height as to project through the space between the keys up to the upper level
of the key above, thus affording an abutment for the end of such upper key. These
projections 7 have the object that if the pressure of a finger be exercised upon the
button 8 of one of the keys so as to move it forward, all the keys situated vertically
above it will be simultaneously moved forward thereby, by reason of their all bearing
against each other; thus if for instance the third key of any row be pressed upon
(Figures 1 and 3) then, as will be seen, three key bars will be pressed forward; if the
ninth key be pressed upon, then all nine keys will be pressed forward, and so on.
In the same way all the moved keys will be moved back to their original position
by exerting a backward pressure upon a bar 9 by means of a band lever 10 (Figure 3)

page_text: in moving this to the left hand, the bar 9 being thereby made to push the top key
backward, which in its turn presses the lower keys back. Each key has a
corresponding button 8, marked with a letter, numeral &c., fixed to the upper end of
a curved stem, the inner end of which bears against the end of the key.
The buttons are fitted into the flat openings cut in the fillets 5-5-5; whilst the
fillets 5*, are carried side by side in grooves in the walls 2-2, (Figure 2), and abut
at top against the cover 11. The rear ends of the keys 6 have small rounded
projections which are adapted to engage with the toothed wheels hereinafter
described. Further, the keys 6, have two V shaped notches by means of which they
are locked during the working by means of the locking plate 12. The rear ends of
the keys 6 project through slotted apertures formed in plate 13, and arranged to
correspond with the position of the toothed wheels that extend along the said plate
(Figure 2). The plate 13 is fixed at its lower part to the beam 15 (Figure 1) (which
is fixed to the base plate 1), and at its upper part to the beam 14 which is bolted to
the corresponding projections of the walls 2-2. The locking plate 12 is arranged
parallel to the surface of the plate 13 and in front of the same; and it is provided
with apertures that are cominon to each horizontal row of keys, the arrangement
being such that the portions of this locking plate situated between these openings have
their lower edges of a V shape which edges enter in the notches of the keys 6 when the
plate is depressed, so that by this means the keys 6 are clamped, and every accidental
longitudinal movement during the working is prevented. The locking plate 12 can
only move slightly in an upward and downward direction. At the top the locking
plate is held by means of the slotted openings through which the screws or bolts
fastened to the beam 14 pass; whilst at its lower part the locking plate moves into a
shallow channel in the beam 15 which is fastened to the base-plate of the key-
board 1. The lower contracted part of the locking plate 12 is provided, in its downwardly
projecting end, with a slotted opening into which takes the end of the spring 16
which serves to press the plate down upon the keys.
The levers 17-17 which bear with their upper short ends against the edge of the
plate 12, serve to raise the plate for the purpose of setting free the keys so as to allow
them to move out on to other numerals, letters, &c.
Independently of the toothed key-bars (of which there may be any desired number)
there is provided on the plate 13 a broad tooth 18, (Figures 1 and 2) capable of
moving in grooves, and of the same shape in cross section as the ends of the keys,
which tooth serves for equalising the tooth wheels 28 after they have passed through
up to the end of the whole key-board. The buttons do not act upon the tooth 18, and
the latter is always situated in a position, in which it engages with the spaces of the
toothed wheels.
When the toothed wheels 28 are in the completely raised position as at Figure 1,
this tooth 18 is also in the raised position shewn; when, however, the wheels are in
the lowered position or are being raised up as will be presently explained, the tooth 18
is pressed downward by a spring 19 into the lowered position shewn at Figure 1°.
The tooth 18 is for this purpose made capable of sliding between the bevilled guides
20 on plate 13 Figure 2, to an extent limited by the two positions at Figures I and
1. On the said plate are also two projecting fingers 21, against which bear rollers 22
carried by the platform B when this and the toothed wheels 28 have arrived in the
position shewn at Figure 1, so that on the farther upward motion of B, the rollers 22
will lift the fingers 21, and tooth 18, up with them.
Assuming a number of the bars 6 to have been pushed outward as described, then
the toothed wheels 28, in being raised up by the platform, will engage with the ends
of the bars, and will be turned round thereby, in a similar manner to an ordinary
rack and pinion. When the wheels have arrived in the position at Figure 1, in
which they will just have been turned through one tooth by the uppermost har 6,
the locking tooth 18 will have entered the next following space of the wheels, so that
as these rise into the uppermost position Figure 1, the tooth 18 in being raised with
them by the rollers 22 as described will hold them securely in the position into which
they have been turned until the impression has been effected, as will be presently described.

page_text: On the platform and wheels descen-ling again, the tooth 18 will descend with them
into the position Figure 1° again, and on the farther descent of the wheels, these will
be turned through a distance of one tooth by 18.
In addition to these above mentioned parts of the key-board, there is provided
outside on the side wails 2-2, a handle 10 (Figure 3) which is capable of moving to
the left hand and also to the right hand. The former movement serves by acting
upon the bar 9 that extends above the upper keys and outwardly through the walls,
to produce the return of the pushed out keys into their former position. The second
movement serves to shift the levers 23 and 24 slightly towards the right hand.
The spring 25 (Figure 1) serves for moving back the bar 9 and the handle 10.
In general, the arrangement of the key-bard A is such as to enable, by pressing
upon one button alone or upon several of the buttons 8 at the same time, so as to act
upon any desired row of the keys, or any number of rows of the same, to push out any
desired number of keys and thereby to produce any desired number of partial
revolutions of the toothed wheels corresponding to each row.
The number of the toothed key bars may vary both in a vertical and in a horizontal
direction, and depends entirely upon the fact whether, in printing by means of the.
key-board, merely numerals alone and some characters are required to be printed as.
shown in the drawing of the apparatus for passenger tickets, or whether it is required
to print letters of the alphabet of any language or entire words and the like by means
of the apparatus.
The movable platform B, (Figures 1, 2, and 4) is provided with two accurately
planed horizontal surfaces. On its front surface there is situated the shaped hoop
or stirrup-piece 26 with the axle 27 that is supported in bearings in the side walls of
the stirrup. Upon this axle are mounted the toothed wheels 28 which are situated
with their sides one against the other and between which are placed discs of suitable
thickness. On the outer faces of the teeth of the entire periphery of the wheel there
are cut in a reversed position, numerals, letters, characters, or, it may be, complete
words. Each toothed wheel has upon its one side a disc 29 that is fixed to it, having
a semi-circular groove 30 into which projects the rounded end of the pawl 31,
(Figure 1) which is constantly pressed up by the spring 32. This spring pawl 31
serves also for keeping the wheels in line after they have been shifted by the teeth of
the key-board. In front of the stirrup 26 below the toothed wheels, rollers 22-22
are mounted upon a common axle and serve for the following two purposes
(1) For lifting the tooth 18 when the platform B is raised, by engaging with
the hooks 21-21, and
(2) For pressing against the long ends of the levers 17-17 which lift the
locking plate 12 during the downward movement of the platform B as far as the
point E. On the left of the edges of the stirrup 26 and on the platform itself, there
is bolted or screwed a long shaped stirrup 33, with its upper portion hent towards
the left and against which there is screwed the thin saw-like knife 34, (Figure 1)
which is adjusted by means of the two screws 35 at top and bottom. When the
platform B moves down as far as the point E this knife impinges upon the rubber
plate and inakes a cut in the paper that is travelling over the said plate.
There is further, on the upper surface of the platform on the right hand, a
rectangular beam 36 (Figures 1 and 4) through whose centre there extends in a
longitudinal direction the axle 37 that is capable of rotating in the bearings 38 and 39.
Upon two surfaces namely the upper face, and the face situated at right angles to it,
of the beam 36 there is provided the stereo or cliché of the text of the ticket 40,
spaces being left for filling up with numerals and chamcters that are provided on the
toothed wheels 28-28, and which can be printed off as required. In the case of
passenger tickets for railways and steam-ships or other requirements, two different
clichés are provided, of which one is situated on the upper face of the beam 36, and
the other on the face perpendicular to the first face, the other two faces being rounded
(Figure 4) in order that the angle shall not interfere with the rotation of the beam
in turning one or the other clichés upward. The number of the clichés is not limited

page_text: to two, but there may be three, four, or more of the same. In such a case the beam
must then be polygonal, and each of the sides must be capable of being turned
uppermost when required. In the case of two kinds of ticket forms as in the present
case, the rotation of the beim, i.e. the shifting or reversing of the clichés is effected
by means of the spring 41, which is fixed at the end of the axle 37, and which axle,
during the upward motion of the platform B, strikes against the end of the lever 24,
makes half a revolution, and thus moves one cliché into the place of the other, this
action being reversed on its downward movement. The pushing out of the lever 24
is, as above stated, effected by turning the handle 10, to the right hand, (Figure 3).
On the right hand of the beam 36 (Figure 1) or at the end of the text of the tickets,
there is provided a small narrow removable box 42, which is situated between the
thin walls upon the lower support. 43. Into this box there are placed in ordinary
typographic type or characters any additions for the clichés which are to be altered,
thus, for example, there are placed in the present case in said box for insertion in the
passenger tickets the No. of the train, the No. of the year, the month, the day and
other preconcerted check letters which are printed with the cliché. To the side of
the platform is screwed the toothed rack 44, with the pin 45 and the bent
extension 46, with a second pin 47. On the upward and downward movement of the
platform, the rack 44 rotates the toothed wheel 48, the purpose of which will be
hereinafter described.
The
The up and down movement of the platform B is produced by means of the
pedal 49 (Figure 1b), through a chain that passes over the toothed pulley and is
attached to the lever 50, which is provided with a counterweight 51. Outside of the
parallel walls of the platform B there are fixed two sliding blocks 52 (Figure 1)
which slide in the guide grooves of the walls 53-53. On upper end of the slide
blocks 52 are pins 54 upon which the ends of the two levers 55 are pivotted and
which are connected by means of a common axis 56, (Figure 1) projecting in
through the upper end of the lower lever 50, so as to form a toggle.
drawings (Figures 1, 1 and 1b) show the positions of the levers and of the pedal
when pressed down by the foot, that is to say, at the extreme upward movement of
the platform B. This upward movement is regulated by means of the screw 57
which bears against the rectangular block in the centre of the lever 50. On the
upward movement of the pedal 49 the counterweight 51 moves the levers 50 and 55
out of their vertical position, whereby the axis 56 describes an arc in being shifted to
the point ee. The platform moves down and brings into proper action the other
parts of the mechanism that are under its control.
The most important and novel part of this movement of the platform B consists in
the passage of the toothed wheels 28-28 -28. . ., past the rows of the toothed key
bars 6. In a position of rest the rounded ends of the keys in thus passing do not touch
the toothed wheels; but if any button 8 be pressed down, whereby the ends of the
keys 6 are pressed out in any desired number or from any desired row, the toothed
wheels can no longer pass the line of the keys without being caused to revolve. The
position of the toothed wheels 28 in the position of rest is such that the space
between the second and the third tooth at the top on the left hand allows the end of
the key to pass freely between the teeth without touching the angle of the second
tooth, and causing the toothed wheel to move, so that the toothed wheels 28 are
rotated through a number of teeth equal to the number of the keys that were pushed
out, or according to which numeral-knob was pressed. By this means the teeth or
the numerals upon the same situated at the upper horizontal surface corresponding
with the face of the cliché, are caused to move into the requisite position and then
by pressure against the abutments 58 to produce au impression upon the strip of
paper passing over the toothed wheels. In this manner the upward movements of
the platform B act to produce various reversals or changes of the teeth or numerals,
and also the reversal or change of the cliches and impassious upon the paper. By
the opposite movement of the platform downwards, the toothed wheels 28 are
moved into their former position and all further movements of the mechanism are
produced.

page_text: The paper and the use thereof. In the journal-bearings 60 on the frame 53-53
(Figure 1) there is mounted a shaft 62 that is pressed by the spring 61 and has a
wooden disc 63' upon which is mounted a roll of unprinted paper 63 of the width of
the ticket, &c. The free end of the paper is passed through the wooden guide rollers 64
and 65 (Figure 1), passes over the wooden shaft 66 to the left hand, and is pressed
upon at top by means of a rubber-covered shaft 67 the bearings of which are mounted
in a forked weighted lever. The paper then passes into the brass box 68 the internal
passage of which is only a little larger than the paper.
The inlet end of the box is made flaring in order that the paper shall not be
hindered in its passage by the sharp edges.
Openings of suitable size are cut out in the lower wall of the box, above the clichés
and toothed wheels, for the purpose of exposing the paper passing through the box
for receiving impressions. When the paper has passed through the box 68 it passes
outwards, rises along the inclined plate 60 with its end upwards and can here be
conveniently torn off along the incisions made by means of the knife 34.
The movement of the paper and the printing upon the same are effected by the
following mechanism. Upon the trunnion 70 of the shaft 66 (Figures 1 and 2) there
is mounted a freely rotating toothed wheel 48, with a pawl fixed on one side. Near
the toothed wheel there is provided a ratchet wheel fixed upon the trunnion 70, and
having a single tooth 71. On the upward movement of the platform B, the rack 44
causes the toothed wheel 48 to turn to the right, so that the pawl can pass freely
past the tooth of the ratchet wheel without causing the shafts 66 and 67 to move.
But on the return movement of the bar in the downward direction, the pawl engages
with the tooth of the ratchet wheel and causes the shaft 66 to turn so that the paper
is fed by the shaft 67 through the box 68. As the shaft 66 makes only one
revolution at each movement of the platform, its periphery must be made exactly
equal to the length of the paper of the tickets &c., the paper being moved forward,
only to the same extent as the shaft 66 makes revolutions. The distance of the
clichés from the series of the upwardly directed teeth with numerals or letters is
equal to the space that is left vacant for the same on the cliché. Since the printing,
of the cliché and of the numerals of the toothed wheels is effected in one operation
by pressing the platform upward, it is clear that the ticket blank is first prepared
without numerals and characters, and is brought by the rotation of the shaft 66 into
a position in which its vacant spaces are exactly over the numerals and letters, on the
wheels. The first impression should always be thrown away. When the platform
rises completely up to the abutments 58 and 59, and the toggle of the lever 50
strikes against the screw 57, a strong pressure is produced upon the paper that is
situated between the abutinents, the cliché and the numerals, which pressure is
sufficient to effect the printing of the text of the ticket blanks and numerals &c.
In order to moderate the pressure, and to obtain a clear impression, a rubber pad 100
is placed between the paper and the abutments.
The ink ribbon. To the upper wall 72 (Figures 1 and 4) there are screwed on the
outside two supports 73-73 (Figures 2 and 4) in slots on whose ends the shaft 74
with the ink ribbon wound up on it is mounted. The free end of this ribbon passes
from the guide roller 76 through a narrow slot in the walls 72, and is drawn between
the paper 63 and the cliché situated underneath. It then passes through a second
opening in the wall 77, and is wound upon the shaft 78 which is carried in the
vertical slots of the supports 79-79. Below the roller 78 there is arranged the roller 80
which lies with its shaft in the openings of the supports 79-79 that are screwed to
the wall 77. On the rear end of this shaft there is mounted a bevel pinion which
gears with a similar but larger pinion mounted on the end of the shaft 70, (Figure 2).
On the front end of the shaft of the lower roller 80, there is a pulley
of the some diameter as the roller 80 and above it is a similar pulley D
upon the shaft of the roller 78 and of the same diameter, but with side flanges 81-81
which prevent the narrow ink ribbon 84 that is wound up upon it from slipping off.
On the left hand side there is fixed to the wall on the key-board A (Figure 2) a
spindle 82 with a disc upon which is mounted a pulley 83 (provided with two flanges)

page_text: with a double narrow ink ribbon 84 (Figure 3), and which is fixed by means of the
nut 85 that serves to regulate the tension of ribbon. The free ends of the ribbon,
when wound off the pulley 83, pass away as follows:-The upper end 84 passes over
the guide plates 86, and the lower end 84° passes under this plate. After then
passing through the opening in the wall 72, the lower end passes under the paper 63,
and the upper end passes over the paper. Further, after both ends have passed
through the wall 77, the upper end of the ribbon bears upon the second guide plate 86
and is then wound up upon the narrow flanged pulley I which is mounted on the
front end of the shaft, of roller 78. The lower end 84" of the ribbon remains free
after it has passed between the two narrow pulleys.
The movement of the two narrow ink ribbons and of the wide ink ribbon is
produced in the following manner. When the platform B in its downward movement
moves by means of the rack 44 (Figure 1) the toothed wheel 48 and with it also the
shaft 70, the bevel pinion on the end of this shaft (Figure 2) makes one revolution
and rotates the smaller pinion on the shaft of the roller 80 which makes about two
revolutions; and the upper shaft 78 which presses with its own weight upon the
lower one is also caused to turn. The ink ribbons wound up on the upper shaft are
wound off from the roller 74 and the pulley 83, and are wound up on the roller 78,
and the flanged pulley. The length of the ribbons that are wound off and on at each
impression is equal to the width of the ticket to be printed.
The Checking Apparatus. C is one of the most important parts of the apparatus.
Two supports 87 and 88 are bolted or screwed to walls 72 and 77 (Figures 1 and 2).
Between the upper ends of these supports there is provided on the right hand side the
wooden roller 89 on a netal shaft (Figure 1), and upon this roller there is wound a
strip of white paper. The free end of this strip passes round the flanged roller 90,
passes between the roller 91, upon one end of which there are a ratchet wheel and a
lever 92, and the roller 93, the journals of which are situated in a forked lever with a
counterweight serving to press the paper strip against the upper roller. Further,
after the end of the strip has passed through the small rollers 94-94 and under the abut-
ment 58 and also over the flanged guide pulley 95, it is wound up on the second.
wooden roller 96, which is mounted between the front ends of its supports 87 and 88.
The roller 90, the journals of which are mounted in bearing blocks that can move
along the slots 101, is continually pressed against the roller 96 and the paper passing
between the same, by means of two springs 98 that bear with their upper ends against
the bearings 97.
In consequence of the upward movement of the platform B, the lever 92 is raised
by means of the pin 45 that is situated on the toothed mack 44, the arrangement being
such that the pawl on the lever passes freely over one tooth of the ratchet wheel, also
the upwardly directed numerals or numbers on the toothed wheels 28 effect the
printing or impression, ei.-Of the ticket by means of the lower narrow ink ribbon 84,
and of the checking paper strip drawn through the abutment 58, by means of the
second upper ink ribbon 84, passing over the sarne. In consequence of the return
movement, that is to say, the downward movement of B, the lever 92 is caused to
move down by means of the pin 47, thereby turning the ratchet wheel through the
distance of one tooth, and causing the rollers 91 and 93 to feed forward the paper strip
through the distance of one line of the numerals or letters printed thereon. The
roller 90 which presses upon the wood roller 96 and which is caused to move by means
of the paper strip drawn by the rollers 91 and 93, also causes the roller 96 to turn,
which is thus inade to wind up uniformly the paper strip notwithstanding its
gradual increase of diameter, as its surface speed is always equal to that of the
roller 90 and paper strip.
As will be clear from the description of the construction of the parts of the checking
apparatus, it is not a complete copy of the ticket or other document that is produced
but only of a portion thereof, that is to say as in the present case, only one line, but
this is exactly what is required for the purpose of convenient checking hy means of
the checking strip, when it is considered that the whole of the remaining text on the
cliché always remaius the same and unaltered, and that therefore its repetition is use-

page_text: less. Now the numbers and letters produced by means of the toothed wheels 28.-28-28
constitute the most important part of the ticket which requires checking and the
more briefly and more conveniently it can be checked, the more time is gained for
checking. Also the paper that would be necessary for large copies is saved. The
apparatus as described constitutes a mechanical office for issuing passenger tickets
on railways, steam-ships, and the like. In this case there are two clichés of a
ticket form for passenger tickets adapted for example for use on the South
Western Railway :-
one for the local traffic on its own line, and the other a ticket form for all stations;
the cliché of the local ticket has the following appearance:-It is a ticket blank or
form which is provided on the cliché; there are here wanting the essential parts of
the ticket namely, the number (No.) or name of the station to which the ticket has been
issued; the class of carriage, and the price of the ticket in shillings and pence. All
these data that are missing on the ticket are supplied by the numerals and characters
(marked on the toothed wheels 28-28) which are the main constituents of the ticket
and which are only copied on the checking band, for example, under the words "to
the station" there reinains to be printed the designation "No. 15," under "class"
the designation "3d." under "price," the sum "3s. 6d." thus making up a completely
filled up ticket, whilst on the checking strip there is merely the general series
No. 15, 3d., 3s. 6d., which is just what is necessary for checking and for controlling
the booking clerk who issues the tickets. On the other ticket, i.e. on the blank or
ticket form, instead of the words "To the station " there are inserted the words "For.
the distances of miles" or "zones"; the rest is completed by means of the toothed
wheels and of the key-board. In this manner every ticket that is issued is marked
on a checking strip by the essential data which are printed in one line. These lines
are situated under one another so as to form Columns of stations, classes and
prices, thereby allowing of quick and convenient checking and revision of the
cash.
By reducing the size of the cliché and the number of some of the key buttons, the
apparatus may also be employed for instance to give a cashier's order.

page_text: In the case given here by way of example, there are only five wheels with numbers,
and a small blank cliché with alternate lines for the day, the month and the year.
In this case the checking is still more simple, it is merely necessary to add up the
sum of the pounds, and shillings, which are marked according to every order in
separate lines one over the other upon the strips.
For theatre tickets and other admission tickets the following form may be
employed-
On this ticket the essential part which requires checking or revision is merely
"No. 1 stall, row, No. 27," which is produced by means of the wheels and buttons.
On the first wheel there are marked the words "Stall," Box, Dress Circle, Pit, Gallery,
&c.; on the second merely numerals and on the third "row, tier, &c." and on the
other wheels merely numerals. To the number of all these wheels there must
correspond an equal number of keys and buttons with the designations in words and
figures. In this manner those data which are necessary for checking purposes are
marked generally for tickets and documents in figures or in some few cases as theatre
tickets, in words, but, always on one line, and in very rare cases the whole alphabet
of letters will have to be employed. The simplification of the checking and controlling
of cashiers in the manner described in combination with the printing of tickets and
every kind of document forms allows of great economy in printing and in the work of
checking.
II. MODE OF OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS AND THE WORK UPON THE SAME.
In order to receive from the apparatus any ticket or document, such as for example
a passenger ticket from the station of Guildford No. 10 on the South Western
Railway (assuming that the apparatus is on this station) to a station assumed to be
No. 15 for third class at a fare of 3s. 6d., the booking clerk presses upon the button
marked "No.," upon the button marked "1," in the third row on the left (Figure 2)
and upon the button marked "5" in the fourth row, and then upon the buttons
situated in the corresponding rows marked with the units and tens of the shillings
and with the units and dozens of the pence on the right hand side of the key-board.
The third class, as also the noughts, have in this case no button in the whole
key-board; these, as also the former are automatically produced by the toothed racks
by means of the tenth common tooth 18. After the clerk has pressed all the requisite
buttons he presses the pedal gradually downward with gentle pressure until the lever
of the toggle 50 strikes against the screw 57, and the pressing of the numerals and
of the clichés against the ink ribbon passing over them, by which the ink is

page_text: transmitted to the paper passing over it, is completed. Then he lets the lever rise,
the motion of which is produced at the beginning by the action of the counterweight 51
upon the lever 50 and then by the weight of the platform B, which falls upon the
studs 99 (Figure 1b) that are cast on the walls 53-53 andwhich are provided with
rubber covering for the purpose of neutralizing the abruptness of the impact. By
this movement of the platform the paper as already above stated is pushed out with
the ticket printed upon it, and is cut off for issue, and the toothed wheels return in
their former position for further work. The time which is required for pressing down
the knobs and for printing the numerals and characters upon the tickets is not more
than two to three seconds.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In apparatus for printing and checking tickets and the like, the combination of
a key-board having bars that are pushed out by the depressing of the key buttons so
that teeth on their ends engage with toothed type wheels, a platform carrying the said
type wheels, and receiving a reciprocating motion whereby the type wheels are
actuated and the impression is taken upon a paper strip, a feed mechanism actuated
by the reciprocating platform for feeding forward a paper strip for receiving the
impression of the type wheels, and an ink ribbon for printing the impression, and a
checking apparatus consisting of a paper strip and ink ribbon which are caused by
feeding rollers actuated by the reciprocating platform to pass over the type wheels,
substantially as described.
2. In apparatus for printing tickets such as is referred to in the first claim, a
key-board the key buttons of which are made to push forward toothed bars arranged
in rows one above the other, in such manner that on pushing out one bar all those
situated above it in the same row are also pushed out by means of upward projections
formed on their outer ends, the inner ends of such bars being formed as teeth which
effect the rotation of the type wheels when the reciprocating platform is moved,
substantially as described.
3. In the key-board mechanism referred to in the second claim, a wide spring tooth 18
which engages simultaneously with all the type wheels and locks them in position
during the printing operation, in combination with a bar 9 which is made to act on
the projections 7 of the uppermost bar so as to bring it and all the lower bars back
into their original position, substantially as described.
4. In a key-board mechanism such as is referred to in the second and third claims,
the combination with the notched key-bars 6, of a movable locking plate 12, which
takes into notches on the said bars so as to lock or hold them in their protruded
position, while the apparatus is at work, and releases them when the reciprocating
platform descends again, substantially as described.
5. In apparatus for stamping tickets such as is referred to in the first claim, the
reciprocating platform adapted to be actuated by pedal gear or by hand gear, and carrying
a cliché block 36 and a set of toothed type wheels, in combination with mechanism
for feeding forward the paper strip and ink ribbon, and for actuating the checking
apparatus, and a knife adapted to move with the platform for cutting the paper strip,
substantially as described.
6. In apparatus for stainping tickets such as is referred to in the first claim, a
checking apparatus consisting of feed rollers actuated by a ratchet mechanism worked
by the reciprocating platform, for feeding forward a paper strip and an ink ribbon,
whereby at the same time that a ticket is impressed by the type wheel an impression
of the latter is also made upon the said paper strip, substantially as described.
Dated this 1st day of February 1807
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.