Improvements in Cash and Parcel Carrying Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application. 23rd Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 14th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 11th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cash and Parcel Carrying Apparatus.
I, JOSEPH STARR of 16 Richards Street, New London, in the County of New
London and State of Connecticut, United States of America, Manufacturer of
Cash and Parcel Carriers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to carriers used in large establishments for the transport of
cash and parcels from one part of a room to another and comprises a simple
carrier, and latch adapted to operate upon the carrier, adjustable trip mechanism
which will uniformly and positively release the carrier at the proper time,
mechanism whereby the carrier may be propelled to any point on the track, said
propelling mechanism being so arranged that the moment the trip mechanism
acts to release the carrier the latter will receive the motion necessary to carry
it where required. It also comprises means of taking up slack and other details
of construction.
The track is a wire stretched between braced pillars or brackets depending from
an overhead support, the ends of the wire being wound on ratchet drums. To a
yoke or bracket pivoted to the lower end of each pillar, are fixed tubular guides
extending a certain distance parallel with and at either side of the track, the other
ends of said guides being supported by another yoke piece or bracket bridging
over the track and supported by an adjustable diagonal brace from the upper end
of the pillar. Springs within said tubular guides are connected, by cords passing
round guide sheaves, with a latch block sliding loosely on the wire track. A cross-
bar is fixed adjustably on the guides and carries an inclined abutment for acting on
and releasing the latch of the sliding latch block. This latch connects the carrier
with the latch block for the purpose of enabling the carrier to be drawn back to
the starting point and its propelling spring to be put in operative position which is
done by a pull cord attached to the latch block.
The propulsion of the carrier is effected through a sliding crosshead fitted to slide
between guide ribs on the guide tubes by which the said crosshead is guided free
of the track, the said crosshead being interposed between the latch block and the
carrier. To said crosshead is connected one end of a ^ or other shaped spring,
whose other limb is connected to the track-supporting pillar or other fixed
abutment, this spring and sliding crosshead being the means whereby the carrier is
propelled.
The parcel or other carrier runs upon the wire track and is adapted to be engaged
by the latch which passes underneath the sliding crosshead, the operation of releasing
and propelling being as follows.-The carrier, sliding crosshead, and latch block are
drawn back together thereby flexing the propelling spring until the tail end of the
latch meets the inclined abutment whereupon it is disengaged from the carrier, thus
setting at liberty the propelling spring which, acting on the sliding crosshead,
propels the carrier along the track with a force proportionate to the compression or
Hexure of the spring which is regulated by the position of the latch-tripper. At
the same time the latch block is caused by the springs contained in the guide tubes,
to follow up the sliding crosshead in readiness to re-engage with the carrier on its
return. When thus propelled to its destination, the carrier engages with the
latch of the latch block at the other end of the track in readiness to receive a
parcel.
Dated L:00-1 1
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cash and Parcel Carrying Apparatus.
I JOSEPH STARR of 16 Richards Street, New London in the County of New
London and State of Connecticut, United States of America, Manufacturer of Cash
and Parcel Carriers, 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 :—
My invention relates to improvements in the propelling mechanism for cash and
parcel carriers, and has for its object to provide simple, durable and economic devices
whereby cash or parcel carriers may be propelled to any desired point along the line
of their track and also to provide a means whereby any slack that may occur in the
track may be conveniently and expeditiously taken up. Another object of the
invention is to provide an exceedingly simple carrier and latch adapted to operate
upon the car, and an adjustable trip mechanism which will uniformly and positively
release the car at proper time, and to so arrange the factors in the propelling
mechanism that the moment the trip mechanism acts to release the car the latter will
have adequate movement imparted thereto.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several
parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and then pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar figures and letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in all the views.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the track and a cash carrier represented as in a
position for use.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through one of the supports, and a plan view
of the propelling mechanism and device for imparting tension to the track.
Figure 3 is a section taken practically on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the latch.
Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the carrier block; and
Figure 6 is a transverse section taken practically on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.
The track A, is supported at each end by mechanism of like construction. This
supporting mechanism consists of a post or pillar 10, adapted for attachment to the
ceiling or other overhead support. The lower end of the post or pillar 10 is
enlarged and provided with a chamber 11, which chamber is formed by producing
in what may be termed the foot of the pillar a longitudinal recess, cut in the outer
face and extending nearly through to the inner face, the said recess being also made
to extend through the bottom, as is best illustrated in Figure 3. The pillar is
ordinarily braced by a rod 12, which is attached at one extremity near the lower
end of the post or pillar and at its other end to the overhead support. The post
or pillar may be of any approved construction; in the drawings it is represented
as made in three sections, an upper and a lower sleeve section a and a¹ (the
chamber 11 being in the lower section) while the sections are connected by a
rod a².
A horizontal yoke 13 is pivoted to the lower end of the pillar 10, by passing
through the chambered portion of the pillar and through the members of the yoke,
a spindle 14, one end of which is preferably made to project beyond one face of
the yoke and squared, as best shown in Figure 2. Upon the spindle 14, within the
chamber 11, a drum 15 is secured in any suitable or approved manner, provided
with an attached ratchet wheel 16 engaged by a suitable pawl 17, as shown in
Figure 3, whereby the drum is capable of being turned in one direction only when
the pawl is in engagement therewith.
The track A consists of a wire of suitable length, the ends whereof are secured
to the drums 15 of the frame supports, and the track is kept constantly under
proper tension by manipulating the drums to take up the slack, which is ordinarily
accomplished by turning the spindle 14 with the aid of a key or crank.

page_text: I desire it to be distinctly understood that instead of providing a drum at each
end of the track but one drum may be employed. The track A passes through an
opening 18 in the yoke, and through a second opening 19 in the front wall of the
chamber 11.
The horizontal yoke 13, is provided at its inner end at each side with an attached
or integral fixed sleeve 20; and in each of said sleeves one end of a horizontal
tubular guide 21 is secured, the said guides being parallel, and the opposite or
inner ends of the guides being supported in eyes formed at the extremities of the
members of the vertical yoke 22. The vertical yoke is connected with the upper
portion of the pillar 10 by means of a rod 23, which is preferably both adjustable
and removable. The rod 23 not only serves as a brace for the vertical yoke 22, but
also supports it, so that the guides 21, are maintained in a fixed horizontal position.
In each guide 21 is located, preferably a coil or spiral spring 24, one end of each
spring being preferably attached to a cap 25, closing the outer ends of the guides,
as is best shown in Figure 2, while to the opposite or inner ends of the springs are
attached cords 26, which pass out through the inner ends of the guides over friction
rollers 27, located at that point, as is likewise best shown in Figure 2.
A cross bar 28, is fitted to slide upon the guides 21, being in one event to
that end provided at its extremities with eyes through which the guides pass,
and at or near the centre of the bar, integral with or attached to its lower edge,
a horizontal arm 29, is located, which arm extends in the direction of the inner
ends of the guides, and has its upper face bevelled, forming an inclined plane, as
shown in Figure 3. This cross bar and its arm constitute the trip mechanism for
the propelling mechanism to be hereinafter described, and the bar 28 may be slid
to any desired point upon the guides and held in a fixed position by means of a set
screw or the equivalent thereof.
The wire track A, passes through an opening 31 in the cross bar 28, as shown
in Figure 6. A latch block B is mounted upon the track A so as to slide
loosely thereon. The latch block which is illustrated in detail in Figure 4, is
preferably made of two sections 32 and 33, bolted together at 33 or otherwise
connected, which sections are provided at or near their upper central portion with
an opening 34, adapted to receive the wire track A, and the block is made in
sections to facilitate its location upon the track.
The lower face of the block at its outer end is provided with a recess 35,
preferably semi-circular, and the upper face of the block, at its inner end, is
provided with a similar but preferably more decided recess 36. Within the recess 35
in the lower face of the block a latch 37, is fulcrumed, one end of which latch
contains a head 38, and is carried beyond the inner end of the block, while the
opposite end of the latch extends beyond the opposite or outer end of said block.
The head portion of the latch is normally held in a horizontal or locking position
by any form of spring 39, the head being carried out of that position when the rear
end of the latch is elevated.
The cords 26, attached to the springs 24, after being passed over the guide
pulleys 27, are attached one to each side of the latch block, preferably through the
medium of ears secured to the latter, as illustrated in Figure 3, and a single pull
cord 40, is also secured to the outer end of the latch block below the opening 34,
and passed through an opening 41 formed in the cross bar 28 of the trip mechanism,
through the horizontal yoke 13, and downward over a friction pulley 42, journaled
in the chamber 11 of the pillar, as is illustrated in Figure 3, the lower end of the
cord having preferably secured thereto handle as shown.
A carrier block C is fitted to slide upon the horizontal guides 21, in front of
the latch block B, the shape of the carrier block (which is illustrated in detail in
Figure 5) corresponding in its body portion 43, to the shape of the upper recess 36
in the latch block, and the said body portion of the carrier block being.adapted to
normally fit snugly in said recess. The body of the block is provided with a
through recess 44 in its bottom surface to receive the wire track A, and a buffer or
buffers may be secured to the face of the block, adapted to engage with the car E,
•

page_text: hereafter described. A web 45 is projected horizontally from each side of the
block body, and each web is usually provided with channels 45* adapted to receive
and slide upon ribs 45' upon the guides 21. Thus the block is guided in its
movements, and it is not in any manner dependent for a support upon the track.
Lugs 46 or their equivalents are located upon the upper face of the body of the block,
to which one end of a spring D is pivotally secured, the opposite end of the spring
being attached in like manner to the inner face of the lower portion of the pillar 10;
but if in practice it is found desirable, the inner end of the spring may be pivoted
upon the yoke 13. The spring D and the block C constitute the propelling
mechanism of the device. The spring may be of any approved construction, but
it is preferably made in the shape of a bow as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.
The car E, shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, may be of any approved pattern,
and is adapted to travel in any suitable manner upon the wire track A. The upper
portion of the car, at the opposite end of the carrier block C, is provided on its
underface with a recess adapted to neatly receive the head 38 of the latch 37
carried by the block B.
In the operation of the device, the car E is propelled by being drawn in the
direction of one of the pillars 10 together with the block C, which causes the
spring D to flex, as shown in dotted lines, Figure 3; and when the car is released
the block C, is released also, and the spring in restoring itself to its normal position
propels the car in the direction of the opposite pillar. The force imparted to the
car is regulated by the extent to which the spring D is compressed; and the com-
pression of the spring is regulated by the location of the trip mechanism; the nearer
the said mechanism is placed to the pillar the farther the car will be propelled, and
vice versa.
When the bar has been propelled from one end of the track, it engages with
the latch of the block B, and remains in this position until it is to be used.
The operator, when desiring to use a car, places the parcel or cash therein
without disengaging it from the latch block. By grasping the handle and drawing
downward the cord 40, the latch block is drawn in the direction of the pillar;
and, as the carrier block C, is loosely held between the latch block and the car,
the carrier block is forced to travel with the latch block, and the spring D is
thereby flexed. As soon as the outer end of the latch 37, engages with the
inclined plane of the trip mechanism and travels a sufficient distance up said incline,
the head of the latch is depressed, and the car is released and likewise the carrier
block, the said block being propelled rapidly and violently forward by reason of
the spring D seeking its normal position, and the block engaging with the car
imparts to the latter a rapid movement, propelling it in the direction of the
opposite pillar. It will be observed that the device is exceedingly simple and
durable, and capable of application in almost any structure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. A cash carrier constructed substantially as herein shown and described.
2. The combination with a cash car, a movable latch, and a trip mechanism
adapted to engage with the latch, of a spring secured to a fixed support at one end,
the opposite end being adapted to engage with the cash car, and a means for flexing
the said spring, as and for the purpose specified.
3. The combination with a track, a car held to travel thereon, a block also held
to travel on the track, provided with a spring-pressed latch adapted for engagement
with the car, and a recess in its upper face, of an adjustable trip mechanism adapted
for engagement with the latch to release it from the car, a bow spring pivoted to
the fixed support at one end, a carrier block pivoted to the opposite end of the
spring, adapted to travel upon the track and fit in the recess of the latch block, and
a spring-controlled mechanism for operating the latch block and flexing the spring,
as and for the purpose specified.

page_text: 4. In a cash carrier, the combination, with a track and guides arranged parallel
with the track at opposite ends thereof, of a latch block fitted to slide on the
track, a spring-actuated carrier block fitted to slide on the guides in front of
the latch block, and a latch tripping device secured to the said guides, substantially
as described.
5. In a cash carrier, the combination, with a track and parallel guides at opposite
ends of the track, of a spring actuated latch block sliding on the track, a carrier
block sliding on the guides in front of the latch block, a spring having one end
secured to a fixed support and its other end to the carrier block, and a latch-
tripping device adjustably secured to the said guides, substantially as herein shown
and described.
6. In a cash carrier, the combination, with a track and tubular guides arranged
parallel with the track at opposite ends thereof, of a latch block fitted to slide on
the track, springs in the said guides and connected with the latch block, a carrier
block fitted to slide on the guides in front of the latch block, a spring having
one end secured to a fixed support and its other end secured to the carrier block, a
latch-tripping device secured to the guides, and a rope secured to the latch block
for operating it, substantially as herein shown and described.
7. In a cash carrier, the combination, with a track and parallel guides arranged
at opposite ends of the track, of a latch block apertured to receive the track and
provided with a recess in its upper face, a carrier block recessed centrally to receive
the track and provided with arms having sleeves to receive the guides and with a
lug on its upper face, a spring having one end secured to the lug of the carrier and
the other end secured to a fixed support, and a means for operating the latch block,
substantially as herein shown and described.
8. In a cash carrier, the combination, with a track, parallel tubular rods at the
sides of the track, and guide pulleys on the ends of the rods, of a latch block
fitted to slide on the track, springs secured to the rods, and cords secured to the
springs passed over the guide and connected to the latch block, substantially as
described.
9. In a cash carrier, the combination, with a track, tubular rods at the sides of
the track, and pulleys on the ends of the rods, of a latch block fitted to slide on the
track, springs in the rods, cords secured to the springs passed over the guide pulleys
and connected to the latch block, and a spring-actuated carrier block fitted to slide on
the rods in front of the latch block substantially as described.
10. In a cash carrier, the combination, with a track, tubular rods at the sides of
the track, and guide pulleys at the ends of the rods, of a latch block on the track,
springs in the rods, cords connected to the springs passed over the guide pulleys
and secured to the latch block, a spring-actuated carrier block fitted to slide on the
rods, a latch releasing device adjustably secured on the rods, and an operating cord
attached to the latch block, substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 14th day of April 1892.
Dated this 14th day of April 1892.
J. STARR,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.