AN IMPROVED INDICATING AND REGISTERING APPARATUS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR PREVENTING AND DETECTING FRAUD OR MISTAKES BY OMNIBUS AND TRAMWAY CONDUCTORS, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "AN
IMPROVED INDICATING AND REGISTERING APPARATUS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR
PREVENTING AND DETECTING FRAUD OR MISTAKES BY OMNIBUS AND TRAMWAY
CONDUCTORS, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES." A communication from abroad
by Hamilton Ela Towle, of the City and State of New York, United States of
America.
Sealed the 2nd November 1877, and dated the 14th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th May 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED INDICATING AND REGISTERING
APPARATUS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR PREVENTING AND DETECTING FRAUD OR
MISTAKES BY OMNIBUS AND TRAMWAY CONDUCTORS, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES."
[A communication from abroad by Hamilton Ela Towle, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America.]
The said Invention relates to an apparatus which indicates and registers upon a
face or dial a series of transactions, such as the payment of fares in omnibuses,
tramway cars, steamboats, and other conveyances, the payment of entrance fees at
the turnstiles or doors of theatres and of the public buildings or exhibitions, the
payment of tolls on bridges, and other payments or transactions of whose number
within a given time it is desirable to have a record.
The said Invention is chiefly designed to prevent and dectect fraud or mistakes
on the part of collectors or receivers of money, such as omnibus and tramway con-
ductors, and others acting in similar capacities.
The said apparatus or machine shows upon its face certain divisions or gradu-
ations and figures or letters; revolving in front of this face or dial there may be
two fingers, one to indicate for definite periods and capable of being in some
manner returned to the position it had at the beginning of said periods, and the
other (in conjunction with other parts of the machine) to indicate the total of the
[Price I

page_text: various indications of the first-mentioned finger. This last-named finger is fixed
to a shaft, termed the main shaft of the said apparatus, upon which shaft is fixed
a ratchet wheel. In connection with and fitting into the teeth of this ratchet wheel
is a pawl, this pawl is connected to a lever, the fulcrum of which is insido the
apparatus, while the other end projects outside of the said apparatus, to serve as the
medium for the application of tho force which is intended to actuate the mechanism
of the said apparatus.
The action of this apparatus may be produced by the application of the force
directly to the projecting end of the said lever, or indirectly by applying the force
to portable or fixed levers arranged to operate rods, or by pulling or pushing such
rods, or by any suitable arrangement of rods, shafts, levers, and wheels, in con-
nection with the herein described registering apparatus.
To the first-named lever is attached a spring which resists the actuating force,
and brings the lever and pawl back to their normal position when the actuating
force ceases to act. When the said lever is moved by the actuating force the afore-
said pawl is drawn over one tooth of the ratchet wheel, a stop then prevents further
displacement of the said first-named lever. When the force is removed from the
said lever the action of the aforesaid spring causes the lever and pawl to return to
their normal positions determined by a stop with which the lever comes in contact,
and at the same time the ratchet wheel is moved one part of a revolution.
In connection with another part of the ratchet wheel is a second pawl, and to
this pawl is fixed a bell hammer. The moving of the ratchet wheel through one
part of a revolution, as above described, causes the said second pawl to be lifted
over one tooth of the said ratchet wheel; and when the said second pawl, assisted
by the action of a spring, falls into the notch beyond the said tooth, the bell
hammer attached to the second pawl, moving with said pawl, strikes against
a bell.
As above specified, one of the fingers is fixed to the shaft upon which is fixed the
ratchet wheel, the other hand is also in connection with the shaft and partakes of
its motions; therefore each time when the ratchet wheel is moved one part of a
revolution, as above described, both of the hands are correspondingly moved over
one part or division of the face or dial.
Upon the shaft is a projection or spur; near the shaft is a notched wheel or
circular plate. This wheel or plate may have upon it figures or letters; covering
partly or entirely this plate there is a second plate, concentric with the first plate
or wheel. A part of the said second plate, which is to be in contact with the spur,
is formed into a tongue. Once in every revolution of the main shaft the spur upon
it comes into contact with the tongue of the said plate, and also at the same time
catches in a notch of the first circular plate.
In the further revolution of the main shaft the spur (having caused a partial
revolution of both the plates) slips out of the notch of the first wheel or plate, and
the tongue of the plate slips off the spur. By the action of a spring the second
plate then returns to its original position, where it is arrested by a stop. The first
plate, however, remains in the position in which it is left by the spur, and cannot
be moved from that position, except when the spur is in one of its notches, because
the parts of the periphery of the said plate between the notches are so cut as to
exactly fit against and partly surround the main shaft. Upon either side of the
spur the main shaft is shaped to allow the first-named plate to revolve the necessary
amount when actuated by the spur. In the upper plate there is an aperture,
showing through it a portion of the said first plate below, upon which there may
be a certain figure or letter. While both the plates are being moved by the spur
the same portion of the first plate is seen through the aperture in the second plate;
but when the said second plate is released from the action of the spur and is moved
back to its original position by the action of a spring, as above described, a different
portion of the first plate is seen, as this plate is not allowed to resume its former
position, and therefore another figure or letter upon the said plate may now be
The figures or letters upon the said first plate or wheel may be for the
seen.

page_text: purpose of indicating the number of times the ratchet wheel has made an entire
revolution.
The first-named finger is for the purpose of separating the registrations made
during different definite periods. The said finger has such connection with the
main shaft that the friction between them causes the said fingers to partake of the
motions of the shaft; thus, this finger is carried forward one division on the dial
each time the mechanism is actuated, and yet this finger may be turned or pushed
back without moving the main shaft, and therefore without moving the finger fixed
to the main shaft.
The aforesaid finger, described as being carried forward by friction, may be
turned back by a ratchet wheel fixed to it, and having a pawl actuated against the
teeth, thus pushing the ratchet wheel and therefore the finger. The said finger
may be kept from moving past any point at which it is desired to have it stop by
omitting one or more teeth of the ratchet wheel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th
November 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED INDICATING AND REGISTERING
APPARATUS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR PREVENTING AND DETECTING FRAUD OR
MISTAKES BY OMNIBUS AND TRAMWAY CONDUCTORS, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES."
A communication from abroad by Hamilton Ela Towle, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America.
The said Invention relates to an apparatus which indicates and registers upon a
face or dial a series of transactions, such as the payment of fares in omnibuses,
tramway cars, steamboats, and other conveyances, the payment of entrance fees at
the turnstiles or doors of theatres and other public buildings or exhibitions, the
payment of tolls on bridges, and other payments or transactions of whose number
within a given time it is desirable to have a record.
The said Invention is chiefly designed to prevent and detect fraud or mistakes on
the part of collectors or receivers of money, such as omnibus and tramway con-
ductors, and others acting in similar capacities.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front view of an apparatus embodying this Invention; Figure 2 is
an inside view of the said apparatus; Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, show portions of the
same detached.
D is the dial, and O, P, R, are index fingers belonging to two different registers,
as herein-after described. O is the "trip index," and P is the "permanent index,"
which in conjunction with other parts herein-after described slow totals.
The trip
index belongs to one of the registers, and the object of this secondary register is to
keep account of fares or passengers of any partial trip or trips mainly for the
information of the conductor, to enable him to hand in the proper amount collected
by him on such trip or trips as may be desired. It also makes apparent to any
observer the working of the said apparatus during any part of the time wherein the
nerformance of the prescribed duties of the conductor in working the instrument
Figure 1 is a front view of an apparatus embodying this Invention; Figure 2 is
an inside view of the said apparatus; Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, show portions of the
same detached.
D is the dial, and O, P, R, are index fingers belonging to two different registers,
as herein-after described. O is the "trip index," and P is the "permanent index,"
which in conjunction with other parts herein-after described slow totals.
The trip
index belongs to one of the registers, and the object of this secondary register is to
keep account of fares or passengers of any partial trip or trips mainly for the
information of the conductor, to enable him to hand in the proper amount collected
by him on such trip or trips as may be desired. It also makes apparent to any
observer the working of the said apparatus during any part of the time wherein the
performance of the prescribed duties of the conductor in working the instrument

page_text: may be observed by any one interested in keeping a faithful record of the number
of fares collected.
The permanent index belongs to the other (the primary) register, and acts in an
entirely distinct manner, and for another and more permanent purpose. This other
register may be described as a continuously counting register, which cannot (except
by extraordinary means), be set back or forward to reduce its indicated amount,
which is the sum or total of all the passengers indicated on all previous trips and
partial trips which at the time of registration were indicated on the first-mentioned
trip index or trip register, simultaneously with a corresponding increase of indicated
amount on the continuous or permanent register. The continuous or permanent
register may run to any conveniently high number sufficiently large to practically
prevent the "ringing around" by the conductor of the register to a lower indication
than the true one by passing the maximum possible indication of the primary
register. They may run as high as 10,000, or 25,000, more or less, and may be so
arranged that when the highest number has been attained the register will repeat
itself without adjustment.
The permanent register mechanism is made inaccessible to any subordinate officer
or servant to prevent tampering with the register, while such subordinate may,
without fear of any collusion with the conductor, be allowed to set back or set
forward to zero (0) the trip index or secondary register. This trip register may
have any convenient capacity. For ordinary city street cars one hundred seems to
be ample, especially if a repetition of its maximum indication is allowed. This
number is selected for the extent of the graduations on the principal dial D, which
for convenience has been made common in the apparatus, shown in Figure 1, to the
application of two index fingers, one marked P, belonging to the permanent register,
and the other marked O belonging to the trip register, that is to say, the dial D
serves for indicating units and tens in both the primary and secondary registers in
this arrangement being preferable to encumbering the said apparatus with separate
dials for this purpose.
The actuating lever L must be pulled or moved every time an indication is to be
made. This lever L projects through the case K a short distance, and to it a strap,
handle, or other convenient attachment is made to enable the operator to work the
apparatus or instrument. The dial is divided into one hundred equal spaces con-
veniently numbered, and perforations are made in one or more places to permit
inspection of the numbers indicated on such parts of the continuous register as are
inside the case behind the dial D. The enclosed register wheel H, Figure 2, indicates
the number of the successive times that the index finger P passes the century point.
The parts D, P, and H comprise the permanent register or continuous counting
apparatus. This apparatus will at all times shew two distinct things, namely:-
First, the total number of pulls the actuating lever has received since the apparatus
was started with both registers at zero; and second, the number of times it has
been actuated since the trip register was placed at zero.
Beside the indications above described, this apparatus is made to attract attention
by striking a bell to give notice that a change in its indications has been or is about
to be made. To accomplish this result the trip index O is supported by a central
shaft M, and (preferably by friction) carried upon and with the said shaft M, which
is made to revolve through one-hundredth of its revolution by each action of the
lever till the trip is finished.
The permanent index P is fixed or formed upon the main shaft M, which also
carries the toothed wheel W, having a sufficient number of notches to make, in con-
junction with its actuating pawl A, one hundred stops or steps corresponding to the
marks on the circumference of the dial D. The pawl A is hinged to the lever L,
and is held to its work by the spring 82. The lever L is centered or fulcrumed at C.
Stops are placed at o', o, to limit the motion of the parts and to prevent a sudden
and excessive pull from causing the wheel W to move over more than one space, and
thereby producing incorrect indications. A pin m is placed by the side of the pawl A,
and this pawl is so shaped on that side that it cannot be raised out of any notch

page_text: except by actuating the lever L, and when this lever is resuming its normal position
the pawl A is pushed by the pin m into the next notch of the wheel W.
To indicate the number of revolutions of the wheel W and the attached permanent
index P, a single pin or tooth is made to act upon a disc H. This disc is centered
upon the pin E in the cross bar N. To avoid confusion and error in observing the
numbers upon the disc H through the oblong hole h in the din D during the
engagement of the tooth, and while the disc H is in motion, a cover or guard plate g
is also centered upon the pin E, and so formed at the end next to the tooth t that
when this tooth actuates the disc H it also carries with it the guard plate g, till the
said tooth escapes and allows the guard plate suddenly to cover the last exposed
figure of the dial, and at the same time to expose the figure next in succession.
The guard plate'g is perforated or slotted at the end over the numbers on the
disc H to provide for this exposure, and it is actuated by a weight, or by a
spring 8.
The aforesaid guard plate is limited in its motion by the stud f, which acts
as a stop to the motion induced by the spring 8³. The trip index finger o is
carried by friction upon the central spindle M.
The frictional arrangement is as follows:-The hand O is connected to a disc x,
Figure 4. This disc rests upon a shoulder of the main shaft M, Figure 3; a tripod p
rests upon the plate and surrounds the shaft M. This tripod is constructed of a
suitable elastic material, and consists of a circular part pierced in the centre, and
three projections ; the circular part is plane, but the said projections are so bent
downward that only their extremities touch the plate x, thus forming a spring
washer.
The plate S, to which is attached the finger P of the permanent index, rests upon
the said spring washer, and is pressed down upon it by being screwed to the
main shaft M. When the said main shaft revolves both the fingers P and O also
revolve, the former being screwed to the shaft, and the latter being moved by the
friction of the spring washer.
To the under side of the plate x is fixed a ratchet wheel F. When it is desired
to return the trip index O to zero, the piece shown in Figure 6 termed a "pusher'
is inserted in the tube x, and pushed against the piece U which is a lever having
the main shaft as its centre. Upon the arm of the lever which extends beyond the
shaft is a pawl B. The effect of pushing the lever U with the pusher T is to cause
the pawl B to engage with the ratchet wheel F by the action of the spring 8, and
cause the ratchet wheel and consequently also the plate x with the finger O to make
part of a revolution, the motion being limited by a stop D' with which the lever U
comes in contact. This operation is repeated until the trip index finger has arrived
at zero, at which time all further motion in a backward direction is arrested by the
omission of one or more teeth of the ratchet F. When the lever U arrives at its
normal position the pawl comes in contact with the end of the screw b, and the
said pawl is thereby lifted out of the teeth of the ratchet wheel to allow the
finger to be free to move forward. The lever is returned to its normal position
by the action of the spring s¹.
The third index finger R is provided for indicating whether the index finger O
was returned the entire distance to the zero mark after having been pushed any
distance in that direction. When both the fingers O and R indicate one (1) the
finger O is in front of the finger R and hides it from view. The finger R has a
hook cupon it; this hook surrounds three sides of the finger O, so that if the finger O
moves forward, the finger R must also move forward, being pushed by the finger O.
The book c, however, leaves the hand O free to move backward without moving the
finger R as the said hook is open on one side. If the finger O is pushed backward
just after it has passed out from under the hook c it comes in contact with a piece
which is fixed to the finger R, and thereafter the finger R partakes of the further
back ward motion of the finger O. After a number of registrations have been made
if it is desired to return the trip index to zero, the pusher T is applied as hercin-
before described. When the finger O passes out from under the hook c, the finger R

page_text: springs away from the finger O, as its natural position is far enough behind or under
the finger O for the latter in its forward motion to pass over the hook c, and not catch
under it, then both fingers move back together as above described. Just as the
finger O is about to arrive at zero,the finger R comes in contact with the post Z, the
top of this post has a plane surface i with an inclined surface on each side of it.
The contact between the finger R and the post takes place on one of these inclined
surfaces. In the further backward motion of the two fingers, the finger R moves
up the inclined surface, and when the finger O stands at zero the finger R is upon
the plane surface on the top of the post Z, and has been raised sufficiently for the
finger O to catch under the hook c when the finger O moves forward again. As in
order to move the trip index O backward at all it is necessary to unhook it from
the finger R, and as when once unhooked it cannot be hooked again without being
moved the entire distance back to zero, and as when the finger Ō is unhooked from
the finger R the finger O cannot carry the finger R with it in its forward motion, it
is evident that the finger R will show when the finger O has been moved partially
to zero, and also how far back it was moved, and therefore prevent any fraud or
mistakes by the fingers having been returned only partly to zero.
"
In Figure 1 the apparatus is represented in the following condition, that is
to say, the two fingers have been pushed back to indicato (5). Ten registra-
tions have been made since, and the finger O has moved forward, this number of
divisions leaving the finger R behind. The position of the finger Pand the number
seen through the aperture , the two forming the ". permanent index show that
1075 registrations have been made since the apparatus was first brought into use.
The said apparatus therefore contains a primary register for totals, and a secondary
register or trip indicator, thus forming a duplex registering instrument with
provision for registering in the double manner above described, the fares taken by
the operator on any trip or part of a trip, with such indications distinctly made
separately and apart from another indication of a total which may comprise the
fares of several trips.
A bell Q is secured inside the case and is struck by a hammer connected by a
rod to the pawl or cam lever L moving upon the stud u. The cam lever L is
actuated by the teeth of the wheel W and the spring st, and gives one blow upon the
bell at each actuation of the lever L.
Another very important object of this Invention is the production of an apparatus
which can be secured firmly in any desired position in cars or other vehicles or in
other places without delay, and which in case of accident can be removed and
replaced by another instrument in a very few seconds without any interruption of
the business. This object is accomplished by constructing the rear or back of the
instrument with an opening M¹ to admit into it a horn or hook, so made that the
action of the weight of the machine will tend to press and hold the instrument against
the side of the car or against any wall to which the said horn or hook may be
attached.
For further security a staple passing through a slot Q1 in a projecting car receives
a wedge or lock, which must be removed before the said apparatus can be taken
from its place. This device will permit the rapid changing of one apparatus for
another without the usual delays resulting from the employment of a carpenter to
make the change, as is necessary where the instruments are screwed directly to the
wall, and valuable time will not be lost from the necessity of taking a car off its lino
upon any accidental injury to the apparatus which can be almost instantly replaced
by another.
The mechanism above described 'is inclosed in a case K having a glass front. The
glass is placed upon four india-rubber posts, and is held tightly against them by a
rim on the case K.
The action of this apparatus may be produced by the application of force directly
to the projecting end of the lever L, or indirectly by applying the force to portable
or fixed levers arranged to operate square or other shaped rods, or by pulling or

page_text: pushing such rods, or by any suitable arrangement of rods, shafts, levers, and wheels
in connection with the herein described registering mechanism.
.Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,
First. In a registering apparatus actuated by pulling upon a lever, the combination
of two index fingers, one of which is carried by friction, and may be freely adjusted
to the zero point on the dial, and the other of which is permanently fixed
to and moves only with the driving mechanisın arranged to operate as above
described.
Second. The actuating lever, the pawl and the ratchet wheel, in combination
with the pin m, whereby the ratchet wheel is securely locked as above set
forth.
Third. A cover plate provided with a suitable aperture, and mounted upon the
shaft, and combined with a register disc in combination with a register wheel, the
actuating leg of which moves simultaneously the cover plate and the disc, to keep
the proper number upon its dial in view, and to keep at the same time the next
consecutive number on the dial obscured until it is time for the indicator to change
and show the said next number at the completion of any determined point of numeral
division, as above set forth.
Fourth. The disc a carrying the index hand O, as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination of a primary and a secondary register or indicator in the
same apparatus, the secondary indicator registering any part of the total of a series
of amounts, and being capable of adjustment to zero at pleasure, while the primary
indicator remains unchanged by such adjustment or setting of the secondary register
to zero, and will continue to register and indicate the total amount as and for the
purpose specified.
Sixth. The means for attaching an instrument to and releasing the same from
the place where used, comprising the inclined hook or horn and the parts bearing
upon the saune, and a confining wedge or lock, as above set forth.
Seventh. A duplex registering apparatus in which two registers indicate at the
same time every registering actuation given by means of the actuating lever or handle
to one of them, as above set forth.
Eighth. An unadjustable register acting simultaneously with another register
combined therewith, the said other register being adjustable by means of a key by
which it may be set back to zero, as above set forth.
Ninth. Two registers or indicators in the same apparatus so arranged and co-
operating that one of them serves to check any attempt to make fraudulent indications
on the other, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and scal, this Fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.