Improved Mechanism for Fare Boxes for Receiving and Automatically Registering and Recording Fares.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Dec., 1899 - Accepted, 22nd Dec., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Mechanism for Fare Boxes for Receiving and Automatically
Registering and Recording Fares.
I, GEORGE HENRY GREEN, of Unley Road, Unley, in the Province of South
Australia, Accountant, 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 certain improved mechanism to be used in connection
with that class of portable and other fare boxes such as are usually provided for
the reception of tickets and fares in tramcars, omnibuses, and similar passenger
conveyances. Hitherto fare boxes have been provided with two distinct com-
partments, the upper part being for receiving the fares, and the lower chamber
for their general storage. Further improvements in such boxes have been made
so as to comprise in combination an externally hinged receiver or lip, an announc-
ing bell, and an enumerated recording or totalling device, these several parts
acting in combination for the purpose of receiving fares, announcing their recep-
tion, and recording the total number of fares so received. A combination of
this nature is described in the Specification of John Evan's Patent No. 17529
of 1893 as well as in other specifications. From an intimate knowledge and
close connection with this and somewhat similar fare boxes, I find in actual.
practice that it is objectional to allow a slow or gradual opening of the receiving
apparatus as in the case of the invention specially above referred to, because
after several hundred fares have been received the various parts (which are
subjected to considerable wear) can be so manipulated that fares can be abstracted
from the box. I also find that the bell can be caused to ring without altering
the totalling mechanism, thereby enabling unscrupulous officers to defraud their
employers of monetary and other takings.
The object of my invention is to avoid these defects as far as possible by the
In my
construction and application of a totally different system of mechanism.
invention there are no compound levers or links for connecting the various parts,
and the separate groups of mechanism may therefore be regarded as isolated or
distinct from each other. The receiving lip above referred to is dispensed with,
and in its stead an inaccessible internally actuated shutter is provided and is
opened or closed by means of independent and automatic locking mechanism
which is operated by a suitably arranged lever in such a manner that
it prevents the admission of fares until the bottom outlet of the fare chamber is
closed. Simultaneously with these movements a spring governed bell hammer
is brought into play and an indicator records a half unit. During the progress of
these several events other locking parts are brought into play, and until they
are released the fare cannot fall clear into the box below, neither is it possible
for the bell hammer to strike the bell again. When, however, the locking parts
are released the bell hammer falls into position and the fare drops into the
bottom of the box, but at the same moment that the bell hammer is set, the slot
closer blocks the opening of the fare slot and is locked in position so that no
fares can be admitted or abstracted until the bell hammer moves again. In the

page_text: meantime the indicator traverses another half unit, thus recording a total one
fare in the cycle of events.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now proceed to
describe the same in detail by aid of the accompanying illustrative drawings,
wherein:-
-
Fig. 1 is a general perspective view of the invention on a reduced scale.
Fig. 2 Full size cross section of upper portion of box through the fare receiv-
ing chamber, shewing slot and shutter closed, but flap in open position, thus
allowing communication with the box below.
Fig. 3-Full size elevation of operating sliding plate in its normal position and
with principal working parts removed.
Fig. 4 is a full size elevation shewing arrangement of the principal working
parts of the mechanism in their normal position, but with indicator removed.
(In this position the shutter is closed, but the flap below the shutter is open
as shewn in Fig. 2.)
Fig. 5 Further illustration of same, but with lever depressed and position of
working parts changed. (In this position the shutter is about to open, the flap
below is almost closed, and the spring bell hammer is on the point of being
released before striking the bell.)
Fig. 6 illustrates the same mechanism in the act of returning to its normal
position. (In this view the slot shutter is open.)
Fig. 7-Sectional side view of the principal working parts approximately in
the position indicated in Fig. 5.
Fig. 8 Outside view of indicator.
Fig. 9 Indicator with front plate removed, shewing also the arrangement of
tens and hundreds dial plates.
Fig. 10 Indicator with dial plates removed, and shewing serrated wheels and
springs for preventing the dials plates from being inadvertently revolved
backwards.
'
Fig. 11-Details of mechanism connected with the shutter lock.
Fig. 12-Front and side view of press lever.
Fig. 13 Perspective view of slot shutter and adjacent parts.
Fig. 14 Details of locking lever for flap.
Fig. 15 Outline elevation shewing arrangement of double acting appliance
for keeping cash-separate-from-tickets.
Throughout the drawings similar letters of reference are used to denote similar
or corresponding parts wherever they occur in the various figures.
In this respect A is the body of the apparatus and is of any convenient shape.
The lid A is hinged at A2 and is secured in position by the lock A. A+ is a
finger loop. B is the upper casing and is provided with a slot or mouth B', the
said opening having curved sides as shewn. B2, B3, are glass covered openings
through which the fare or ticket can be seen by the passengers on one side and
by the collector on the other. 135 is a glass covered opening immediately in front
of the indicator through which the number of fares recorded by the indicator
dials may easily be read.
The portion of the upper casing immediately in front of the indicator is capable
of removal, and is hereinafter referred to as the slide B. The lower portion
of the slide 16 is bent at right angles at B7 so as to enclose the bottom of the
machinery chamber as shewn in Fig. 7 of the drawings, and may be provided
with any conveniently internally governed lock or spring so that it cannot be
opened from the outside.
The upper casing is divided into two separate compartments by the vertical
wall C, which is preferably made of stout brass or gun metal, and is held in
place by flanges through which screws C are passed. These two compartments
thus formed are respectively for the reception of fares and for the accommodation
of the recording mechanism. D is a vertically sliding plate, its traverse being
directed and limited by the several slots and studs D' and D² respectively. E is

page_text: the press lever for actuating the plate, and works upon the fulcrum E', the
movement being imparted to the plate, through the pin which engages in
the radial slot 3. It will be noted that one end of the fulcrum pin takes its
bearing from the vertical wall C, whilst the other end rests in the bearing R
provided for it in the back plate of the indicator mechanism. F is the spring
governed bell hammer, which works radially from the centre pin F, the spring F
taking its bearing from the stud F and passing round the base of the claw E
to which the hammer shaft attachment is fastened. G is the spring governed
bell lock plate having a projection at G¹ and being. pivotally mounted on the
pin G G3 is the governing spring for same and is secured to the fixed pin G.
It will be noted that the various parts connected with the bell hammer Fare all
mounted upon the sliding plate D, whereas the parts of the bell lock G are
secured to the fixed vertical wall C.
Referring now to the shutter lock, the details of which are illustrated in
Fig. 11, H is a revolving centre pin which passes through the vertical wall c
through the fare chamber, and from thence to the opposite wall of the upper.
casing B, and forms a support for the internally moving shutter hereinafter
described...
A portion of the centre pin H projects into the chamber used for the mechanism,
and to such projecting part the shutter lock J is securely fastened. J¹ is a coil
spring which passes round the centre pin, its free end being fastened to and held
in tension by the stud J2 which is secured to the sliding plate D. In the bottom
end of the shutter lock a screw or stud J is fastened and holds the spring J' in
tension so that the opposite end of the said spring has a downward tendency.
At the opposite end of the lock a square hole is formed through which a bevel
ended stud or catch J is placed as shewn more clearly in Fig. 11 of the drawings.
The extremity of the spring is bent at right angles so that it may be engaged in
a recess in the upper part of the stud, as will be seen on reference to Figs. T
and 11 of the drawings. The tendency of the spring J is, to press the stud or
catch downwards so that its lower or beveled end projects below the surface of
the sliding plate D in a suitably arranged recess which is provided for its recep-
tion the catch however is so constructed that it is capable of being raised above
the surface of the sliding plate under certain conditions hereinafter described.
Beneath the shutter lock J and integral therewith a butting plate Jo is formed
as shewn in Fig. 11. K is the lock-slot of the peculiar form as will be seen by
reference to Figs. 3, 5, and 6 of the drawings, and K' is a beveled guide recessed.
in the sliding plate and adjacent thereto, the slope of same being made to suit
the bevel of the catch J. Mis a spindle which carries the flap M' (Figs. 2
and 4) and also, the locking lever M, the said lever being so arranged that it
is operated by the diagonal edge D3 of the sliding plate 1). Apart from its
contact with the edge 13 the flap gear is quite free to swing upwards or down-
wards, but when in the position shewn in Fig. 4 its own weight will cause it .to
come to rest over the opening between the upper and lower portions of the box
in event of the fare-box being inverted for the purposes of theft.
peculiarly formed opening in the sliding plate D, the projections D+ and D³ being
formed on the edge of same, substantially as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6 of the
drawings. is a stud fixed to the sliding plate D) and carries the recoil spring 0,
the bottom end of said spring (Fig. 3) being passed through and engaged in the
hole 2 arranged in the back plate of the recording mechanism hereinafter
referred to. is a metal bracket which is fixed to the vertical wall C for the.
purpose of supporting the fixed bell P¹. The slot shutter is arranged in the fare
chamber and consists of side plates Q which support the cover plate Q¹ and is
mounted upon the elliptical shaped cylinder or drum Q2 through the ends of
which the spindle H passes and moves in unison therewith, the movement being
such that the cover plate Q' alternately opens or closes the slot. B₁ according to
the position of the intermediate mechanism, as will be well understood on
reference to the dotted lines in Fig. 2. The portion Q² is so shaped and arranged
N is a

page_text: that a tangent cannot be obtained between the slot opening and the drum in
event of an attempt being made to insert an implement such as a knife blade
for the purpose of abstracting fares.
Beneath the shutter the sloping plates Q are placed for the purpose of guiding
the tickets or coins on to the flap M. These plates also serve for the purpose of
impeding the removal of any coins or fares which may be retained in the upper
chamber for the purposes of theft.
Referring now to Figs. 8, 9, and 10 of the drawings it will be seen that the
important details connected with the recording mechanism are shewn. Some
of the parts are well known in connection with the movements of watches and
clocks, but the method of operating the enumerating device which I have designed
presents elements of novelty. R, R¹ are respectively the front and back plates
of the recording mechanism for supporting the various dial spindles which carry
respectively the dial plates S, SI, and S2, and indicate the units, tens, and
hundreds, and are held in position by the principal screw R². The dial plates
are numbered in consecutive order from nought to nine, as will be well under-
stood on reference to the drawings. The figures belonging to the dial plates can
be seen through suitably arranged countersunk holes r in the front plate R, the
holes being so placed that they come opposite to or in front of the window B³ as
will be well understood on reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings. T, T¹, and T
are the toothed wheels, each wheel having a tooth and recess to correspond with
the numbers upon the dial plates. Upon the toothed wheels connected with
the units and tens dials the projecting pins t, t¹ are arranged so that they engage
respectively with the recesses in the toothed wheel of the tens and hundreds
dials in such a manner as to cause a movement of said dials when it is necessary
to progress a decimal point.
Beneath each toothed wheel is a serrated wheel U, U1, U2, the teeth on the
periphery of the same being preferably of very fine pitch. V and V₁ are light
springs set in such a manner as to prevent the wheels from moving back in any
direction other than that indicated by the arrow heads in Fig. 9 of the drawings.
W is the spur wheel connected with the unit spindle, and takes its bearing
at W in the. vertical wall C, and is provided with ten teeth. Hitherto,. in
operating a wheel of this description it has usually been the custom to use a
pawl and ratchet gear, but in my invention the construction and arrangement
is such that when placed in proper position-the-teeth-of-the-wheel W-are-operated-
respectively on opposite sides of the spindle but in the same rotary direction by
the movement of the peculiarly shaped projections D and D in the recess or
opening N of the sliding plate 1) as shewn in Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings. XX
are overlapping lugs integral with the division plate C and are arranged for the
support of the recording mechanism, the screws which pass through the screw
holes X in the said lugs and through corresponding holes in the back plate being
used to maintain the said back plate in position.
My appliance may be extended by dividing both the upper and lower portions
so as to keep the money fares separate and distinct from the ticket fares. Such
an arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 15 of the drawings. In this figure it will
be seen that there are two slots in lieu of one, the space between the two slots.in
the upper chamber being divided by the plate Y indicated by dotted lines.
corresponding dividing plate Z is likewise arranged in the lower part of the box.
The general mechanism of the working parts in such arrangement is substantially
similar to that in the single acting appliance first described
The operation of my appliance is as follows:-
A
When it is desired to collect a ticket or fare, the fare box is presented to the
passenger and the conductor depresses the lever E. By this action the pin E2
working in the radial slot E³ causes the vertically sliding plate D to be lifted
upwards. the lifting leverage being obtained through the fixed fulcrum E¹.
This action throws the recoil spring O¹ into tension. From the movement of
the sliding plate the following several results are obtained and will be better

page_text: understood on reference to Figs. 4 and 6 of the drawings. The portion of the
sliding plate D³ acting upon the locking lever M2 elevates the same thus revolving
the common spindle M and in so doing lifts the flap M so that it closes the
communication between the lower part of the box and the upper casing. The
portion of the sliding plate D comes into contact with the adjacent tooth of the
spur wheel W and revolves it the equivalent of one half unit on the unit dial
plate of the enumerator. The point of the claw catches against the projec-
tion G at the bottom of the bell lock plate G and prevents the said claw from
rising simultaneously with the sliding plate D by revolving it on the centre
pin so that it depresses the bell hainmer F (Fig. 5) until eventually the
governing spring G³ is overcome and the claw on clearing the projection at G¹
is smartly recoiled by the spring F and thus strikes the bell P in returning to
the position shewn in Fig. 6. The lock slot K in sliding upwards and away
from the centre pin H releases the bevel ended catch J so that the spring J¹ is
free to exert its influence on the centre pin and causes it to revolve suddenly
and in so doing to carry the shutter Q from the position shewn in full lines
in Fig. 2 to the position indicated by the dotted lines in same figure. It is to be
particularly noted that the construction and arrangement of the mechanism is
such that no movement of the shutter takes place until the stud or catch J³ is
clear of the lock slot K and the claw is clear of the projection G¹ but imme-
diately these positions have been passed the sudden opening of the shutter lock
and the release of the bell hammer are simultaneous movements with the
complete closing of the flap M' above referred to. The fare is then free to pass
through the slot or mouth B' and to fall on to the flap M' where in case of dispute
it can be examined by either the passenger or conductor. The fare having been
received into the upper portion of the box, the pressure on the lever Fis
released and the recoil spring comes into play and acting upon the sliding
plate 1 causes it to return to its original position.
In returning to its place the following operations are effected:
A portion of the descending plate adjacent to the slot K comes into contact with
the butting plate J6 on the under side of the shutter lock J (Fig. 11) thereby
revolving the centre pin H in a reverse direction. As the bevel ended stud or
catch J approaches the plate 1) it comes into contact with the corresponding
beveled portion K' and is thus partially lifted through the square bearing, the
spring yielding to the pressure. Meanwhile the coils of the spring Ji are
gradually being tightened round the centre pin H and act upon the same in an
opposite direction, but as soon as the shutter lock Jreaches a vertical position
the catch J being thereby again placed above the slot K. the spring J comes into
play and forces it down into the slot so that it immediately acts as a catch and
checks the action of the spring J. It will be well understood that whilst the
centre pin H has been revolving, the shutter Q has been returning to the original
position as shewn in full lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and meanwhile the
projection D acting on the opposite side of the spur wheel W operates the
adjacent tooth sufficiently to record the remaining half unit on the dial.
From the foregoing description and by the aid of the reference drawings it
will be seen that the several parts of the mechanism contained in my invention
are operated in a novel manner, the primary motion being communicated from
the press lever E to the sliding plate D. Throughout the whole of the construc-
tion there are no compound or double acting levers, and the various groups of
mechanism may thus be regarded as independent of each other.
I am well aware of the Specification relating to John Evans' Patent, No. 17529
of 1893, and I would have it clearly understood that I do not claim as my inven-
tion any portion of the mechanism therein claimed as new, and in particular I
do not claim as an element of novelty either the method of collecting fares or
the primary combination of a registering and receiving device as set forth in
the claims. of the specification above referred to, but:-

page_text: 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 mechanism for fare boxes, a shutter lock such as J mounted upon a
centre pin such as H and provided with a spring J and a spring governed
catch Ja substantially as described and as illustrated.
2. In mechanism for fare boxes, a slot shutter consisting of sides Q, a cover
plate Q, an elliptical shaped cylinder or drum Q mounted upon a centre pin
such as H connected with the parts above claimed substantially as described and
as illustrated.
3. In mechanism for fare boxes, a coil spring such as J', one end of such spring
being attached to a pin J2 mounted upon a sliding plate D, the opposite end of
such spring being coiled in tension round a revolving centre pin such as H, said
pin being connected with the mechanism specifically set forth in Claims 1 and 2.
4. In mechanism for fare boxes, a vertically sliding plate such as D formed
with guides or slots such as D and characterised by a lock slot such as K and a
beveled guide such as K substantially as described and illustrated.
5. In mechanisni for fare boxes, a sliding plate such as D) characterised by the
projections and D within a peculiarly shaped opening N in said plate for
the purposes herein before set forth.
6. In mechanism for fare boxes, a sliding plate such as D characterised by
diagonal projection D³ near the base thereof substantially as described and illus-
trated and for the purposes set forth.
7. In mechanism for fare boxes, a spring governed bell hammer such as F
mounted upon a claw such as F and provided with a governing spring such as F2,
the several parts being secured to a sliding plate such as D by means of the
centre pin substantially as described and as illustrated.
.
8. In mechanism for fare boxes, a bell lock plate such as G mounted upon a
fixed centre pin such as G2 and provided with a projection such as G¹, a governing
spring G3, and a fixed pin G arranged upon the vertical wall C substantially as
described and as illustrated and for the purposes set forth.
9. In mechanism for fare boxes, a locking lever such as M2 and a flap such
as M', both parts being mounted upon a common spindle M and arranged in
relation to the detail mentioned in Claim 6 substantially as described and
illustrated.
10. In mechanism for fare boxes, a spur wheel such as W attached to the unit
spindle of the recording mechanism and so arranged that its teeth come into
contact alternately with the projections D and 15 of the sliding plate D sub-
stantially as described and illustrated and for the purposes set forth.
11. In mechanism for fare boxes provided with the details above claimed, an
upper chamber characterised by a dividing plate such as Y and a lower chamber
characterised by a dividing plate such as Z substantially as described and as
illustrated in Fig. 15 of the drawings for the purposes set forth.
12. In fare boxes, the construction and arrangement of the sliding plate D
with its various characteristic features and of the several separate groups or
portions of the mechanism herein before separately claimed as new substantially
as described and illustrated and for the purposes set forth as a combination
of parts.
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