IM- PROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE TIME AND LETTERS
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of " IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE TIME AND
LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE TIME AND
DISTANCE TRAVELLED BY VEHICLES."-A communication from abroad by
Jules Henry Delaunay, Civil Engineer, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin,
Sealed the 21st May 1867, and dated the 27th November 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th November 1866.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING
THE TIME AND DISTANCE TRAVELLED BY VEHICLES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved registering apparatus applicable to
public vehicles, based on the employment of an electro-magnetic apparatus
for. the production of the various indications. The chief features of the
Invention are, 1st, the use and application of an electro-magnetic apparatus
for imparting motion to the distance indicating apparatus; I prefer to employ
the arrangement of apparatus shown, which is known as Clark's electro-
magnetic apparatus, as it dispenses with the use of batteries, and requires no
superintendance; I however reserve the right of using batteries for producing

page_text: the magnetic current necessary for actuating the indicating apparatus.
2ndly, in the time, distance, and other indications furnished by the apparatus
by means of which each passenger can read on a dial both the time and
distance travelled during his occupation of the vehicle; on the other hand, the
company or other proprietors of the vehicle can tell from a second dial the
number of times it has been occupied and the miles travelled by the number
of journeys made by the vehicle being added together.
The following is a general description of the apparatus:-On one of the
wheels of the vehicle, by preference on one of the rear wheels, is fixed an
electro-magnet, which turns with the wheel opposite and in proximity to
another magnet of suitable dimensions fixed to the axle of the same wheel.
The principle of action is as follows:-Supposing an electro-magnet to turn
at right angles to a fixed magnet four currents of indication will be produced
at each revolution, the 1st at the moment the soft iron armature of the electro-
magnet becomes magnetised is produced in one direction (direct current);
the second current is produced in a reverse direction just before the
magnetization ceases; the 3rd in the direction of and like the first current is
produced at the commencement of the magnetization which takes place during
the second part of the turn; lastly, the 4th is produced in the opposite
direction at the moment the second magnetization ceases. From these four one
direct current only is utilized by means of contact parts suitably arranged, as
herein-after described, the three other currents are not utilized. The current
used at each revolution of the wheel passes to an indicator serving to register
these intermissions; this apparatus consists of an ordinary clockwork action,
with a cylinder escapement actuated by the electric current produced by the
apparatus before described, and conducted by means of two insulated wires.
The number of intermissions or revolutions of the wheel is transformed into
miles by means of suitable wheel gearing, and indicated on dial plates, as
before mentioned; one of these dials which is placed in the inside of the
vehicle near the seat, or in other position so as to be visible to the passenger,
is suitably graduated up to twenty miles, for example, and fractions of the
same, and is furnished with a disconnector similar to those of printing telegraph
receiving apparatus, by which means the index returns to zero at the com-
mencement of each journey; the other dial plate is furnished with an index
mounted on the same spindle as the former; this dial is placed under lock
and key, and has no disconnector, consequently it indicates the whole number
of miles travelled in a day. When the vehicle is unoccupied it is unnecessary
for the apparatus to register distances, in which case a metal or other tablet
is fixed at a visible point outside the vehicle, with the words "for hire

page_text: inscribed, and which is removed and placed in position by the driver. When
the vehicle is travelling while empty the tablet "for bire" will be exhibited,
the action of which and of a suitable disconnecting gear will break the magnetic
circuit and stop the action of the indicator. Immediately the vehicle is hired
the tablet is lowered, which action sets in motion a signal and dial for regis-
tering the total number of journeys made by the vehicle. This tablet or
1:otice board is lowered either to the right or left hand, according to whether
the vehicle is hired by the hour or by the journey; in the latter case the
tablet sets the mile indicating apparatus in motion, and in the other case
prevents its action, as the distance travelled is not required; but at this
moment a horary indicator with two dials commences to act; one of these.
dials, which is furnished with a suitable disconnector, reckons the hours
occupied by each journey, returning to zero at each time, the other dial, which
has no disconnector, reckons the time occupied in each journey or hiring
made during the day. The indications may be thus summed up as follows:—
1st, the passenger sees either the number of miles run or of minutes which
have elapsed during his occupation of the vehicle, while the dial will also.
indicate the sum to be paid for such distance; 2ndly, the proprietor of the
vehicle will know how many journeys have been made in the day, the number
of miles travelled, and the number of hours it has been hired; 3rdly, the
public will always by the tablet or notice board sce whether the vehicle is.
occupied or not. The fares by the journey or by the hour may be always fixed
according to the following formula :-C+nK or C¹+n'h, while the proprietor
will know exactly the sum paid to the driver by the next formula
MC+K+MC+n'b, M being the number of passengers by the journey,
and M¹ the number of passengers by the hour; K, number of miles; h;
number of hours; n, co-efficient of the miles; n¹, the same of the hours;
C, fixed sum by the journey; and C', fixed sum by the hour.
Action of the Current.-The electro-magnet is formed of two coils fixed to
the buss of one of the hind wheels enclosed in a casing with only the ends of
the soft iron armatures projecting, so that they may not be exposed to rain or
bad weather. The ends of the wire are caused to bear, by means of small
springs on a metallic cylinder or collar fixed on the axle with a suitable
insulating material, such as wood, ivory, or porcelain, one portion of the
surface of this cylinder is completely isolated from the remainder, as shown in
the annexed Drawing. When the parts r,, are both in contact with the
ring of the cylinder or collar keyed
on the axle the currents do not pass to
the indicator; on the contrary when the parts are the one in contact with the
ring i and the other with the ring j the currents will pass to the indicating

page_text: apparatus. The collar mounted on the axle is provided for one-fourth of its
circumference with a contact ring, which closes the circuit and causes the
intermissions serving to produce the movements of the indicator.
The annexed Drawings represent the improved indicating apparatus of this
Invention.
Figure 1 shows a side view of a vehicle provided with the electro-magnetic
indicating apparatus; Figures 2, 3, and 4 show separate views in elevation,
plan, and face view of a wheel with the electro-magnetic apparatus applied;,
Figures 5 and 6 show separate views of the dial plates, while Figures
7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 show separate views of the contact cylinder. The same
letters serve for all the Figures.
a, vehicle; b, hind wheel, on the boss of which is fixed an electro-magnet
consisting of two coils d, d, connected by a soft iron armature c; f, magnet
fixed to the spring g on the axle h of the wheel; i, ring of copper fixed to the
axle, and which is always in contact with one of the wires of the electro-
magnet;, second metallic contact ring in communication with the end of
the other wire during one-fourth of a revolution of the wheel. The wires
q, q', fixed by means of studs to the rings i, j, comu:unicate with the indicating
apparatus 7, which is composed of two double dials marking the hours and
miles travelled; m, hour dial for the passengers, provided with disconnecting
gear, by means of which the index hand is returned to zero at the commence-
ment of each journey; m', totalizing dial, which is locked up and serves for
the information of the proprietor; n, dial for indicating to the passenger the
miles travelled, the index returning to zero at each biring; n', proprietor's
dial, for totalizing the number of miles travelled during the day; o, dial in
connection with a signal bell indicating the number of journeys made during
the day; p, tablet or notice board, which is raised or lowered to show whether
the vehicle is engaged or not; this tablet works the index of the dial o and
of the signal, and serves to set the mile and time indicating gear in action.
Figure 12 shows a section of the indicator provided with its two dial plates;
this apparatus is provided with an axis A, on one end of which is fixed an
index B for totalizing the number of miles or hours on the dial C for the
information of the proprietor. Movement is imparted to the axis A by the
electric current and by the aid of a ratchet escapement D fixed on the axis A;
E, disc formed on a socket F, turning loosely on axis A. The end of the
socket F is provided with an index G working round a dial H for giving
information to the passengers either of the number of miles or hours in each
journey. I, second disc provided with disconnecting gear J, having an
inclined edge or periphery; this disc I is slid longitudinally on the axis, and

page_text: turns therewith; K, spiral spring pressing the disc I against disc E so as to
cause it to gear therewith in frictional contact. On the necessary amount of
friction being established between the two dises the two index hands will
work together on the dials both for the guidance of the passenger and
proprietor; during this action the disc E coils up a volute spring M, by means
of which the index G is returned to zero immediately the friction between the
two discs ceases; this friction is also stayed when the driver raises the notice
board indicating that the vehicle is for hire; this is effected by the aid of the
stem L of the notice board, which on being lowered acts on the inclined edge
of the disconnecting gear J; at this moment the index G of the passenger
dial returns to zero, and remains at rest, while the index B continues to work
on the dial C.
The Invention thus consists of the improved registering apparatus for
vebicles herein described, the chief feature being the employment of electro-
magnetic apparatus in the manner described, it being understood that I reserve
the introduction of any modifications in the apparatus deemed necessary with-
out departing from the principle of the Invention.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th May 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William
Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said William Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully:
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE TIME AND
DISTANCE TRAVELLED BY VEHICLES," a communication to me from abroad by

page_text: Jules Henry Delaunay, Civil Engineer, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Clark, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and-by the following
statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention relates to an improved registering apparatus applicable for
public vehicles, based on the employment of an electro-magnetic apparatus
for the production of the various indications. The chief features of the
Invention are, 1st, the use and application of an electro-magnetic apparatus
for imparting motion to the distance indicating apparatus. I prefer to employ
the arrangement of apparatus shown, which is known as Clark's electro-
magnetic apparatus, as it dispenses with the use of batteries and requires no
superintendance; I however reserve the right of using batteries for pro-.
ducing the magnetic current necessary for actuating the indicating apparatus.
2ndly, in the time, distance, and other indications furnished by the apparatus,
by means of which each passenger can read on a dial both the time and
distance travelled during his occupation of the vehicle; on the other hand the
company or other proprietors of the vehicle can tell from a second dial plate
the number of times it has been occupied and the miles travelled by the
number of journeys made by the vehicle being added together.
The following is a general description of the apparatus:-On one of the
wheels of the vehicle, by preference on one of the rear wheels, is fixed an
electro-magnet which turns with the wheel opposite and in proximity to
another magnet of suitable dimensions fixed to the axle of the same wheel.
The principle of action is as follows:-Supposing an electro-magnet to turn
at right angles to a fixed magnet four currents of induction will be produced
at each revolution, the 1st at the moment the soft iron cylinder of the electro-
magnet becomes magnetised is produced in one direction (direct current); the
2nd current is produced in a reverse direction just before the magnetization
ceases; the 3rd in the direction of and like the first current is produced at the
commencement of the magnetization which takes place during the second part

page_text: of the turn; lastly, the 4th is produced in the opposite direction at the moment
the second magnetization ceases. From these four one direct current only is
utilized by means of contact parts suitably arranged as herein-after described,.
the three other currents are not utilized. The current used at each revolution
of the wheel passes to an indicator serving to register these intermissions.
This apparatus consists of an ordinary clockwork action with a cylinder.
escapement actuated by the electric current produced by the apparatus before
described and conducted by means of two insulated wires. The number of
intermissions or revolutions of the wheel is transformed into miles by means
of suitable wheel gearing and indicated on dial plates as before mentioned;
one of these dials which is placed on the inside of the vehicle near the
seat or in other position so as to be visible to the passenger is suitably
graduated up to twenty miles for example, and fractions of the same, and is
furnished with a disconnector similar to those of printing telegraph receiving
apparatus by which means the index returns to zero at the commencement of
each journey. The other dial plate is furnished with an index mounted on
the same spindle as the former; this dial is placed under lock and key, and
has no disconnector, consequently it indicates the whole number of miles
travelled in a day. When the vehicle is unoccupied it is unnecessary for the
apparatus to register distances, in which case a metal or other tablet is fixed
at a visible point outside the vehicle with the words "for hire" inscribed, and
which is removed and placed in position by the driver. When the vehicle is
travelling while empty the tablet "for hire" will be exhibited, the action of
which and of a suitable disconnecting gear will break the magnetic circuit
and stop the action of the indicator. Immediately the vehicle is hired the
tablet is lowered, which action sets in motion a signal and dial for registering
the total number of journeys made by the vehicle; this tablet or notice
board is lowered either to the right or left hand according to whether the
vehicle is hired by the hour or by the journey; in the latter case the tablet
sets the mile-indicating apparatus in motion and in the other case prevents its
action, as the distance travelled is not required; but at this moment a horary
indicator with two dials commences to act; one of these dials which is
furnished with a suitable disconnector reckons the hours occupied by each
journey, returning to zero at each time, and the other dial which has, no dis-
connector reckons the whole number of hours occupied in the journeys or
hirings made during the day. The indications may be thus summed up as
follows: 1st, the passenger sees either the number of miles run or of minutes
which have elapsed during his occupation of the vehicle, while the dial will
also indicate the sum to be paid for such distance; 2ndly, the proprietor of

page_text: the vehicle will know how many journeys have been made in the day, the
number of miles travelled, and the number of hours it has been hired; 3rdly,
the public will always by the tablet or notice board see whether the vehicle is
occupied or not. The fares by the journey or by the hour may be fixed
according to the following formula:-C+nk or C+n'b, while the proprietor
will know exactly the sum paid to the driver by the next formula, MC+
nk+MC+n'h, M being the number of passengers by the journey, and M¹
the number of passengers by the hour; k, number of miles; h, number of
miles; n, co-efficient of the miles, n¹ the same of the hours; C, fixed sum by
the journey, and C¹ fixed sum by the hour.
Action of the Current.-The electro-magnet is formed of two coils fixed to
the boss of one of the hind wheels enclosed in a casing with only the ends of
the soft iron armature projecting, so that they may not be exposed to rain
or bad weather. The ends of the wire are caused to bear by means of small
springs on a metallic cylinder, fixed on, the axle by means of a suitable
insulating material such as wood, ivory, or porcelain, one portion of the surface
of this cylinder is completely isolated from the remainder, as shown in the
Drawing. When the points r, r¹, are both in contact with the ring i of the
cylinder or drum keyed on the axle the currents do not pass to the indicator,
on the contrary, when the points are the one in contact with the ring i and
the other with the ring the currents will pass to the indicating apparatus.
The drum mounted on the axle is provided for one-fourth of its circumference
with a contact ring, which closes the circuit and causes the intermissions
serving to produce the movements of the indicator.
The annexed Drawing represents the improved indicating apparatus of this
Invention.
Figure 1 shows a side view of a vehicle provided with the electro-magnetic
indicating apparatus; Figures 2, 3, and 4 show a separate elevation, plan,
and face view of a wheel with the electro-magnetic apparatus applied;
Figures 5 and 6 show separate views of the dial plate; lastly, Figures 7, 8, 9,
10 and 11 showseparate views of the contact cylinder. The same letters
serve for all the Figures.
2.
a, vehicle; b hind wheel, on the boss of which is fixed an electro-magnet
consisting of two coils d, d, connected by a soft iron armature c; f, magnet
fixed to the spring g on the axle h of the wheel; i, ring of copper fixed to the
axle, which is always in contact with one of the wires of the electro-magnet,
ja second metal contact ring in communication with the end of the other
wire during one-fourth of a revolution of the wheel. The wires q, q', fixed by
means of studs to the rings i, j, communicate with the indicating apparatus i,

page_text: which is composed of two double dials marking the hours and miles travelled;
m, hour dial for the passengers provided with disconnecting gear by means of
which the index hand is returned to zero at the commencement of each
journey; m', totalizing dial which is locked up and serves for the information
of the proprietor; n, dial for indicating to the passengers the miles travelled,
the index returning to zero at each biring; n', proprietor's dial for totalizing
the number of miles travelled during the day; o, dial in, connection with a
signal bell indicating the number of journeys made during the day; p, tablet
or notice board which is raised or lowered to show whether the vehicle is
engaged or not; this tablet. operates the index of the dial o, and of the signal
apparatus and serves to set the mile and time indicating gear in action.
Figure 12 shows a section of the indicator with two dial plates; this appa
ratus is provided with an axis A, on one end of which is fixed an index B for
totalizing the number of miles or hours on the dial C for the information of
the proprietor; movement is imparted to the axis A by the electric current
and by the aid of a ratchet escapement D fixed on the axis A'; E, disc formed
on a socket. F turning loosely on axis A; the end of the socket F is provided
with an index G working on a dial H for giving information to the passengers
either of the number of miles or hours in each journey. I, second disc
provided with disconnecting gear J, having an inclined edge or periphery;
this disc I is fitted to a slide longitudinally on the axis, and turns therewith;
K, spiral spring pressing the disc I against disc E so as to cause it to gear
therewith in frictional contact. On the necessary amount of friction being
established between the two discs the two index hands will work together on
the dials both for the guidance of the passenger and proprietor; during this
action the disc E coils up a volute spring M, by means of which the index G is
returned to zero immediately the friction between the two discs ceases; this
friction is also stayed when the driver raises the notice board indicating that the
vehicle is for hire, this is effected by the aid of the stem L of the notice board
which on being lowered acts on the inclined edge of the disconnecting gear J;
at this moment the index G of the passenger dial returns to zero and remains
at rest while the index B continues to work on the dial C. Figure 13
represents a simplified arrangement of the registering apparatus. On the
axle of the hind wheel is fixed a magnet, the poles of which are enveloped
in copper wire, silk covered, the two ends communicating with the registering
apparatus. On one of the spokes of the wheel near the boss is fixed a plate a
of soft iron in such position that at each revolution of the wheel it passes
within one-eighth or one-tenth of an inch of the poles N, S, of the magnet,
so producing at each time a current in the wires which is transmitted to the

page_text: electro-magnet of the registering apparatus; the armature of this electro-
magnet is attracted in such manner that when at rest it is in contact with
the ends of the electro-magnet. When the current developed in the wire
reaches the electro-magnet of the registering apparatus the wires being
disposed so as to magnetise it in the same sense as its armature the repulsion
of the latter will take place. On the contrary when the soft iron a leaves
the poles N, S, an inverse current to the first is established, which by
magnetizing the electro-magnet of the registering apparatus in an inverse
sense produces the attraction of the armature, so that at each revolution of
the wheel an oscillating motion is produced in the apparatus which is registered
by the indicator. The arrangement of the indicating gear is the same as
before described. This apparatus besides its application for registering the
number of revolutions and consequently the number of miles run by the
wheels of a vehicle may also be employed for indicating the number of
revolutions of any kind of rotary machinery, the indicating gear being entirely
beyond the control of the attendants thereon.
Having described the nature of this Invention and the manner of performing
the same I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the improved registering
apparatus for vehicles herein described, the chief features being the employ-
ment of electro-magnetic apparatus in the manner and for the purpose
described, it being understood that I reserve the introduction of any
modifications in the apparatus deemed necessary without departing from the
principle of the Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)