IMPROVEMENTS IN INSTRUMENTS OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND INDICATING THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED BY CARRIAGES, AND IN THE MEANS OF TRANS- MITTING MOTION THERETO FROM THE RUNNING WHEELS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Lee Norton, of Ludgate Hill, in the
City of London, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN INSTRUMENTS OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND INDICATING THE
DISTANCE TRAVELLED BY CARRIAGES, AND IN THE MEANS OF TRANS-
MITTING MOTION THERETO FROM THE RUNNING WHEELS."
Sealed the 15th March 1854, and dated the 4th October 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Lee Norton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 4th October 1853.
I. JAMES LEE NORTON, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN INSTRUMENTS OR APPARATUS FOR MEA-
SURING AND INDICATING THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED BY CARRIAGES, AND IN
THE MEANS OF TRANSMITTING MOTION THERETO FROM THE RUNNING WHEELS,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object to indicate and register the distance
travelled by cabs, flys, or other public conveyances, so that on the one
hand the hirer of the vehicle may be able at once to see the distance he

page_text: has travelled in the vehicle, and for which he is bound to pay, and on
the other hand tho owner may see the amount of work that has been
performed by the driver. In order that the apparatus may be com-
pleted, and suitable for all the purposes for which it may be required,
it is so arranged that it will indicate, first, the whole ground travelled
over by the vehicle from the time of leaving to returning to the stable;
second, the total distance travelled with fares, that is, shewing the pro-
luctive or paying distance separated from the grand total; third, the
distance travelled with each separate, passenger marked permanently on
paper, which can be filed as ordinary bills are; fourth, the ground
travelled by each passenger brought in action for each passenger's in-
spection, and distinct from previous hirings, and which commenced its
calculations only when the passenger took his place, being a special
indication to the passenger of the distance gone and going by himself.
These objects are effected by means of separate indicating apparatus,
but which are also so arranged as to act in concert. The distance
travelled, whether productive or unproductive, is indicated and registered
by a counting apparatus, which is acted upon by one of the running
wheels through the intervention of a column of air, which is made to
act upon a flexible diaphragm connected to the counting apparatus,
and which actuates a lever or click whereby the gearing of the said
counting apparatus is moved. It will now be understood that the
whole distance travelled can be easily ascertained by this simple appa-
ratus, but in order to indicate the productive mileage travelled an addi-
tional apparatus is required, which shall only operate when a passenger
is in the vehicle. When a fare enters the carriage this additional
apparatus is put into gear by the person sitting down upon and depres-
sing the seat, and thereby by the intervention of a second column of air
in a tube forcing the second apparatus into gearing with the first. In
order to mark the distance travelled by each passenger, the second
apparatus is provided with a disc of paper which, when the passenger
enters, becomes perforated by a pin. The productive mileage against
Each separate passenger is indicated by a separate dial from the fore-
going. A spring is applied to the index or hand which will, when
the passenger alights, be thereby brought back to zero ready for the

page_text: entrance of a fresh passenger. In order that the index may not be
prematurely brought back by the passenger getting out to make a
temporary call, the driver is provided with a handle and lever which
will retain the spring until his fare is finally discharged.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Lee Norton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 4th April 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JAMES LEE NORTON, of Ludgate Hill, in the City of London, Gen-
tleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the seven-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said James Lec Norton, Her special
license that I, the said James Lec Norton, my executors, administra-
tors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James Lec Norton, 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 INSTRUMENTS OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND INDICATING THE DIS-
TANCE TRAVELLED BY CARRIAGES, AND IN THE MEANS OF TRANSMITTING
MOTION THERETO FROM THE RUNNING WHEELS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said James Lee Norton, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, 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 James Lee Norton, do hereby

page_text: declare the nature of iny 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 Drawings here-
unto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say):
This Invention has for its object to indicate and register the distance
travelled by cabs, flys, or other public conveyances, so that on the one
hand the hirer of the vehicle may be able at once to ascertain the
distance he has travelled in the vehicle, and for which he is bound to
pay, and on the other hand the owner may see the amount of work
that has been performed by the horse, and for which the driver is
accountable. In order that the apparatus may be complete and
suitable for all the purposes for which it may be required, the several
parts are so arranged that the apparatus will indicate, first, the whole
distance travelled over by the vehicle from the time of leaving to
returning to the stable; second, the total distance travelled with
fares, that is, shewing the productive or paying distance separated from
the grand total; third, the distance travelled with each separate
passenger marked permanently on a disc of paper, which can be filed
as ordinary bills are; fourth, the distance travelled by each passenger
indicated in such a manner on a dial that it may be seen and examined
by the passenger, the distance travelled by such passenger being shewn
distinct from previous hirings, that part of the apparatus having com-
menced its calculations only when the passenger took his place, so that
what is called "the passenger's dial" will be for special indication to
the passenger of the distance travelled by himself in the vehicle, and for
which he will have to pay. These several objects are effected by means
of separate indicating apparatus, which are, however, so arranged that
they may, when necessary, be made to act in concert. The distance
travelled, whether productive or unproductive, is indicated and registered
by a counting apparatus, which is acted upon by one of the running
wheels through the intervention of a column of air or water, which is
made to act upon a flexible diaphragm connected to the counting appa-
ratus, and which actuates a lever or click whereby the gearing of the said

page_text: gear with
counting apparatus is moved. The communication between the axle
or running wheel and the counting apparatus is effected by means of
a flexible or other tube in which the air or water is contained. It will
now be understood that the whole distance travelled can be easily
ascertained by this simple apparatus, but in order to indicate the
productive mileage travelled, an additional apparatus is required,
which shall only operate when a passenger is in the vehicle.
When a
fare enters the carriage this additional apparatus is put into
the constant or total mileage apparatus by the passenger sitting down
upon and depressing the seat, and thereby by the intervention of a
second column of air or water in a tube forcing the second apparatus
into gearing with the first. In order to mark the several distances
travelled by each passenger the second apparatus is provided with a
disc of paper, which is perforated by a revolving hand carrying a point
so as to indicate the starting point or commencement of a journey.
Every time a fresh fare enters the vehicle this point is drawn out of
the paper disc, and continues to rotate until the fare alights, when the
pin is forced into the paper again, thus marking the distance gone by
each passenger. The productive mileage against each separate pas-
senger, and for which the passenger will be bound to pay, is indicated
by a separate dial from the foregoing, the former being merely for the
use of the proprietor, and for examination when the carriage or vehicle
returns home. A spring is applied to the spindle of the index or hand of
the passenger's dial, so that when the passenger alights the index will
be brought back to zero ready for the entrance of a fresh passenger,
and for indicating a fresh journey. In order that the index may
not be prematurely brought back by the passenger getting out to make
a temporary call, the driver is provided with a handle and lever, which
will hold down the seat, and keep the counting apparatus of the
passenger's dial in gear until the fare is finally discharged, when the
driver will remove the lever and allow the seat to rise and the spring to
act on the index spindle, and cause the index or hand to run back to
zero as above mentioned.
In order, however, that my improvements may be clearly under-
stood I have shewn in the accompanying Drawings various views of

page_text: the apparatus, some of the parts being shewn detached. Fig. 1, is a
back view, and Fig. 2, a side view of the instrument, the outer case
with the dials being removed, so that the internal arrangement of the
parts may be more clearly seen. Fig. 3, is a sectional view of the
apparatus complete, and Fig. 4, is a partial section, taken through the
line 1, 2, of Fig. 1. Fig. 5, Sheet II., is an external view, shewing
the counting dials, and Fig. 6, is a front view of the paper disc, which,
by being perforated in the manner above mentioned, will indicate, for
the information of the owner of the vehicle, the total amount of pro-
ductive mileage traversed by the vehicle, and the distance gone with
each separate fare. a, a, a, is a metal foundation plate, to which are
fastened, by screws or otherwise, the various working parts, which are
actuated by means of a column of air or water that communicates with
a space behind the diaphragmn b, of vulcanized india-rubber or other
flexible material; this diaphragm is secured to the plate a, by means
of a ring or flange c, (Figures 1, and 4.) A small pipe d, leads from a
flexible pipe, connected with one or other of the arrangements attached
to the wheel or axle, and herein-after described. By means of this
pipe d, a column of air, which is compressed in the flexible pipe at
each revolution of the running wheels, passes through the passage
shewn by dots in Fig. 1, and by red lines in Fig. 4, and acts on the
diaphragm b, as will be best seen at Fig. 4, and by that means raises
a disc of metal c, secured to the lever f. This lever works on a centre
at g, and carries at its other end a click or pawle which takes into the
teeth of a ratchet wheel h, and moves it forward one tooth each time
the diaphragm is raised. The ratchet is secured to a shaft which also
carries a long pinion h*, which gears into a crown wheel i. This
crown wheel carries a tubular pinion *, and transmits motion through
the wheels j, j, to the hand or index k, of the total mileage dial shewn
at Fig. 5, and by means of the wheel j* motion is communicated to
the wheels 7, 7, which are mounted on hollow shafts, as seen in Fig. 8.
On the same axles as the wheels 7, l, are mounted the discs l, which
are covered with india-rubber or other suitable material for the pur-
pose hereafter explained. The hands m, n, on the shafts r, and *
remain stationary until the passenger enters the vehicle and sits down

page_text: and by so doing he will depress the seat and operate upon a column of
water or air contained in the tube o, thereby causing the water to enter
This dia-
the space behind the diaphragm p, and raise the same.
phragin is secured to the block 9, by a ring or flange, as before
described, and when the water presses on the diaphragm it raises the
disc r, and also the lever s, which is secured to a rock shaft t. Two
forked levers u, and u*, are also secured to the rock shaft t, and work
in grooves turned in the shafts v, and *, which carry the indexes or
hands m, and n. When the rock shaft t, is thus acted upon, it will,
by means of the levers u, and u*, cause the shafts v, and *, to move
laterally, and thereby the points or pins on the disc w, will be forced
into the india-rubber discs of the wheels 7, and cause the disc w, and
its shaft to revolve, and at the same time draw the point of the hand
m, out of a paper disc .r, which hand will then be caused to rotate by
means of the toothed gearing shewn in the Drawing. The paper
lises a, have printed on them figures and numbers corresponding to
the miles or distance travelled by the running wheels, and these paper
discs are placed in a box y, as shewn at Fig. 6, Sheet II. This box
is capable of being removed for the purpose of taking out the per-
forated disc and substituting a fresh one. When the passenger alights
a spiral spring z, Fig. 2, forces the levers 8, u, and u, back, and
presses the point of the hand m, into the paper disc again, thus
permanently marking the distance the fare has travelled, at the
same time the hand n, is carried back to zero by means of a helical
spring a', Fig. 1, as before mentioned. In order, however, that the
hand may not be carried back with too much violence, a train of
wheels with a fly wheel is connected therewith, as shewn in Figures 1, 2,
and 3.
The means whereby motion is communicated from the wheel or axle
to the counting apparatus through the intervention of a column of air
or water will be best understood by referring to Sheet II., in which
Figures 7, 8, and 9, represent different views. Fig. 7, is a longitu-
dinal vertical section, and Fig. 8, is a plan view.
verse section. A, is the nave of the wheel; B, the
attached the metal box d¹ in any convenient manner.
Fig. 9, is a trans-
axletree, to which is
In this box is

page_text: mounted the lever e', working on a centre at f', and having a friction
roller g'at one end, the other end being curved downwards so as to
bear upon an india-rubber ball h¹ in connection with the flexible tube
which communicates with the counting apparatus. ¹, ², Fig. 9, are
two pins, connected together by a cross piece, and driven into the nave
of the wheel, so that as the wheel revolves in the direction of the
arrow they may strike against the roller g', and force the lever e¹ up
"and down, as shewn by dots in Figures 7, and 9, thereby pressing upon
the ball h, and driving the air through the pipe into the pipe d,
Fig. 1, and thereby actuating the counting apparatus in the manner
already explained.
Figures 10, 11, and 12, are views of a modification of the above.
Fig. 10, is a transverse vertical section; Fig. 11, is a longitudinal
vertical section; and Fig. 12, is an end view of the apparatus. A,
is the nave of the wheel; B, is the axletree, to which the box d
is secured, as in Figures 7, 8, and 9. In place of a spherical ball of
vulcanized india-rubber, as in Fig. 7, I employ a piece of flexible
tubing h¹, closed at both ends, but communicating with the tube d, of
Fig. 1, by means of a piece of flexible tubing *. In the box d¹ is a
lever e², on the axle of which, but outside the box d¹, is an arm carry-
ing a roller g', which is actuated by pins and in the navo of the
wheel, precisely in the same manner as that already described in
reference to the former Figures.
Figures 18, and 14, are transverse and longitudinal sections of a
modification of Figures 10 and 11, the only difference being that in place
of a piece of flexible tubing h' I employ a diaphragm of vulcanized
india-rubber, which is secured between two plates or flanges, as shewn
in the Figures, and will leave a space for the air or water to enter from
the flexible tube i*. The action of this arrangement is precisely similar
to that shewn in Figures 10 and 11.
Fig. 15, is a longitudinal section of another modification in which a
rigid piston is employed in place of a flexible chamber h¹, as in the
former instances. e¹ is the piston, which is hollow at one end for the
purpose of receiving oil or other lubricating material; it is also sur-
rounded by a coiled spring j¹ for the purpose of forcing the piston

page_text: back against the cam piece i', which is driven into the nave of the
wheel. The outer end of the piston carries a roller g¹, against which
the cam acts as the nave rotates, and forces the piston inwards, thereby
compressing the air in the cylinder or box d', and causing it to pass
along the flexible tube i* to the diaphragm of the counting apparatus,
as before explained. Supposing air to be employed as the medium for
transmitting motion to the counting apparatus, it will be absolutely
necessary to provide means for maintaining in the air tube or channel
the equilibrium that may be disturbed by any accidental escape of air
when under pressure; in other words, care must be taken to allow air
to enter the tube when the pressure is removed from the flexible
chamber h², or its equivalent, in order that the chamber may be sup-
plied with air ready for compression upon the second rotation of the
wheel. This object is effected by means of a valve placed on the plate
a, at the back of the diaphragm b, as seen best in Fig. 4. It will now
be understood that by the compression of the air in the space behind
the diaphragm by means of either of the contrivances shewn in Sheet II.
the said diaphragm will be raised and made to act on the counting
apparatus. I also find it advisable to leave a means of escape for the
air when under compression, so that it will be allowed gradually to
escape through a small hole k¹, and when the pressure is removed air
will again enter the space through the valve m', so as to maintain
the requisite supply for compression at the next rotation of the wheel.
Having now described my Invention of "Improvements in Apparatus
for Measuring and Indicating the Distance Travelled by Carriages and in
the means of Transmitting Motion thereto from the Running Wheels,"
and the best means with which I am acquainted for carrying the same
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not mean or intend
to confine myself rigidly to the precise arrangement of parts herein
shewn and described, as they may perhaps be varied without departing
from the nature and object of my Invention; but I claim,-
First, the general arrangement or combination of parts in one
apparatus whereby an indication is obtained, first, of the total mileage
or distance traversed by the vehicle; second, the total amount of pro-
ductive mileage and number of fares for any given time; third, the

page_text: distance travelled at each separate hiring; and, fourth, a clear and
distinct indication to the passenger of the distance travelled by him, and
the amount of fare to be paid for such distance.
Second, I claim the means above described, or any mere modification
thereof, for throwing the productive mileage apparatus into gear
with the total mileage apparatus whenever a passenger enters the
vehicle.
Third, I claim the various arrangements above shewn for communi-
cating motion from the wheel of the carriage to the counting apparatus
by means of a. column of air or water acting on a diaphragm in con-
nection therewith. I also claim the use of a valve or opening in con-
Dection with the air tube channel or space for the purpose of admitting
air thereto or allowing it to escape therefrom when required.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Lee Norton, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, the First day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.