IMPROVEMENTS IN TELL-TALE APPARATUS FOR CHECKING OR REGISTERING THE TRAVEL PERFORMED BY POLICEMEN, COAST-GUARD-MEN, PERMANENT WAY INSPECTORS, AND OTHER MEN ON A REGULAR BEAT."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Van Bunnen, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Manufacturer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TELL-TALE
APPARATUS FOR CHECKING OR REGISTERING THE TRAVEL PERFORMED BY
POLICEMEN, COAST-GUARD-MEN, PERMANENT WAY INSPECTORS, AND OTHER
MEN ON A REGULAR BEAT."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Louis Van Bunnen at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th August 1881.
LOUIS VAN BUNNEN, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TELL-TALE APPARATUS FOR CHECKING OR REGISTERING THE
TRAVEL PERFORMED BY POLICEMEN, COAST-GUARD-MEN, PERMANENT WAY
INSPECTORS, AND OTHER MEN ON A REGULAR BEAT."
This controller, as simple as practicable, imposes on each person using it the
obligations incumbent on him. It is of such solidity that even when thrown to
the ground it is not deranged; for all clockwork (so often subject to derangement)
is done away with. It reports the distances traversed in the most exact manner,
and is called to render eminently important services in this respect, that it controls
the march of policemen upon their beat, as well as of inspectors of permanent
way, platelayers, and the like. In a word, all public or private servants whose
job it is to walk a definite distance, policemen, custom house officers on coast-guard,
game keepers, and the like can be controlled by this apparatus, enclosing a paper
tell tale showing rigourously how many times the said distance has been traversed.
Furthermore, this Invention controls also by the aid of a pocket box of punches or
types the action of the superintendents charged with overseeing the individuals
who use the controller proper. Thus not merely the men are checked, but the
checker or superintendent also is checked by the pocket punch box used in checking
the "controller." In the experimental apparatus the controller proper consists of

page_text: a box with a false bottom. The lid is hinged and locked, and has two openings, one
a long slot, the other a small hole. The false bottom is mounted on annular stays
like the motion plate in watches. Below the false bottom is a lever carrying a
spring and pawl gearing into the main wheel, so that every time the lever is
moved it moves forward the main wheel one tooth. The main wheel is on a
spindle having bearings in the bottom of the case and in the false bottom. When
the apparatus is worked this box is placed securely in a hinged frame in a
stationary case fixed at one of the points on the beat. The frame is held up by a
spring, a projection on the box fitting a notch in the frame, thus regulating its
position. Pressing on the box and frame a projection below the frame is forced
through the slot in the frame and corresponding slot in the box, and coming
against a cam on the lever moving it aside, and thus moving on the mainwheel one
tooth. At the same time and at the end of this movement a special marking
letter for this particular case, at the end of a punch placed a little below the
projection before mentioned, imprints upon the paper hereafter described (in the
box), a corresponding mark denoting the case used. The mainwheel is kept at
the bottom of its axle by a coiled spring round its axis. Upon this axis above the
false bottom is a table fast to the axis with a screw. Upon this table and the
screw is fixed the register paper covered by a paper of tinctorial matter, which
serves to mark on the register paper the impressions of the letter aforesaid, and of
the marks made by the superintendent described hereafter.
When the manoeuvre described above takes place, the register paper and
tinctorial paper fixed to the table follow the movement of the wheel, and receive
thus at successive points the letters forming the register or check. The table is
provided with a little cam, which tooths into a notch made in a pointer, which is
adjusted by a screw upon the false bottom in such manner that its displacement
round this screw brings to bear a strong force on the cam. It is in the normal
position when the point designates any letter or figure placed at will upon the
false bottom.
The object of this arrangement is to prevent the paper register making more
than one complete turn without becoming fixed, thus preventing fraud. The
pointer ought to be placed in normal position before the paper is fixed. The
immobility of the paper entails in like manner the immobility of the toothed
wheel (or main wheel, as it has herein been called). A spring serves to bring
back the main lever to its first position after the punctuation or marking has
been made.
The paper dial or registering paper is divided at the edge into as many degrees
as there are teeth in the wheel. It is by these divisions one can see the number
of times the marking can be effected.
. Upon this leaf of paper is placed a second dial or scale serving as a second
control for the superintendent.
This second control is operated by the superintendent during or after each
round by means of the "box of punches" new to be described.
This box is preferably composed of two plates rivetted together at a distance
apart, such as conveniently to hold a layer of, say, 14 punches or dies radiating
from the centre and sliding between the two plates.
These dies are maintained in their respective positions by 14 notches made in a
band soldered round the circumference of the upper disc, and serving to allow the
dies to pass.
Further, in the upper disc are constructed fourteen slides destined
to guide a tenon or projecting stud fixed at the lower end of each die, and
projecting above the plate through slots with stops at each end to regulate the
travel of said tenon.
The lower disc is solid, and combined with the upper disc forms a box joined by a
central pivot, which carries on its upper end a hinged flap capable of lying nearly
flat on the upper disc. In this position it prevents any tenon immediately in
front of it from sliding back, thus holding the projecting die to which it belongs

page_text: as in a vice. These dies are used to mark through the small hole near the slot in
the mechanism previously described, so as to mark the times at which the
superintendent uses the controller.
Twelve of the fourteen dies carry at their outer extremity figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 respectively to indicate the hour at which the 2nd control
(by the superintendent) is effected, the other two carry one dot and two dots
respectively, serving for use to indicate / and half hour respectively (or when
both are used, the third quarter). The number of dies can be increased so as to
show to five minutes if desirable.
The two discs are adjusted by means of the pivot already described upon a third
circular disc furnished with a ring the height of the two first mentioned discs, and
fitting close round them, but admitting of their turning freely. In the ring is
made a single aperture to allow the die required to be used at any one time to
pass while the thirteen others are retained by the ring. The whole is held together
by pivot in the centre, which however leaves all the discs to turn independently
of the others. The two controls can be set at zero by any one who has the key of
the box and by inserting a fresh paper. In using the box the person carrying it
places it in a case already mentioned with projection and die fixed in the bottom
of the case below the frame, upon which the controller box is placed. The
apparatus is best made in brass with steel working parts.
I do not bind myself to these exact arrangements, for it is obvious most of the
details I have given may be varied considerably while still containing a strip or
disc of paper for registering, and mechanism for the bearer to be able to stamp a
letter thereon in consecutive divisions, and for the superintendent to stamp opposite
the last or next ensuing space the time at which he inspected the box without
being able to mark at any other time,

page_text: .
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Louis Van Bunnen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th February
1882.
LOUIS VAN BUNNEN, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TELL-TALE APPARATUS FOR CHECKING OR REGISTERING THE
TRAVEL PERFORMED BY POLICEMEN, COAST GUARD - MEN, PERMANENT WAY
INSPECTORS, AND OTHER MEN ON A REGULAR BEAT."
"
-
This controller, as simple as practicable, imposes on each person using it the
obligations incumbent on him. It is of such solidity that even when thrown to the
ground it is not deranged; for all clockwork (so often subject to derangement) is
done away with. It reports the distances traversed in the most exact manner, and
is called to render eminently important services in this respect, that it controls the
march of policemen upon their beat, as well as of inspectors of permanent way,
platelayers, and the like. In a word, all public or private servants whose job it is
to walk a definite distance, policemen, custom-house officers on coast-guard, game
keepers, and the like, can be controlled by this apparatus enclosing a paper tell-tale
showing rigorously how many times the said distance has been traversed.
Furtheremore, this Invention controls also by the aid of a pocket box of punches
or types the action of the superintendents charged with overseeing the individuals
who use the controller proper. Thus not merely the men are checked, but the
checker or superintendent also is checked by the pocket punch box used in
checking the "controller." It will then henceforth be impossible for either to fail
punctually to perform his duties. In the Drawings annexed Fig. 1 is an exterior
view of the apparatus seen from above. The opening A serves as an entrance for
the pin B, and the pencil or marker C (Fig. 8), which are required to establish the
control as will be seen further on. The opening D serves to establish a second
special control; E, E, (Fig. 7), are rims or projections designed to receive the
apparatus; F, lock; G, hinge (Fig. 1).
Fig. 2 represents an interior view of the apparatus; H is a cam lever carrying
a ratchet I, and a spring J. When one wishes to work the apparatus it is placed
in the control box shown in Figs. 7 and 8 between the rims E, E, in such manner
that a "point de repaire," or holding point w comes opposite a slot or opening L
in the rim E. In pressing upon the apparatus the pin B penetrates into the
opening A, and comes against a cam X of triangular form projecting at a right
angle from the lever H. The pressure of the pin B upon this cam causes the
lever H to move to one side and carries on the ratchet I fixed upon the lever H,
which makes the main wheel K turn, advancing one tooth at a time. It is at the
end of this movement that the letter selected for this particular case, and which is
fixed at the end of the marker C, placed a little below the pin B is printed upon
the register paper, as it penetrates into the opening A of the apparatus at the same
time as the pin. Every repetition of this operation makes the main wheel K
advance one tooth, and at each displacement a new letter is printed upon the
register paper.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the apparatus on the diameter a, b, (Fig. 1).
Upon the cross stays Q is placed a false bottom M serving to keep the axis of the
nain wheel K in position; this wheel is kept normally in place by a bell spring R.
Upon the axis is a table made fast by a screw P. Between this table and the
screw P is fixed the register paper (Fig. 5) covered with a sheet of tinctorial
matter which serves to mark upon the register paper the impressions of the
marker. When the manuoeuvre described above takes place, the register paper

page_text: and tinctorial sheet which are fixed to the table S follow the movement of the
wheel, and thus receive at successive points the letters forming the register or
check.
The table S is provided with a little cam v, Fig. 4, which tooths into a notch
made in a pointer V, which is adjusted by means of a screw upon the false
bottom M, in such manner that its displacement round this screw brings to bear a
strong force on the cam v. It is in the normal position when its point designates
any letter or figure placed at will upon the false bottom M (Figure 4). The object
of this arrangement is to prevent its being possible for the register paper to make
more than one complete turn without becoming fixed, thus preventing attempts at
fraud. The pointer Vought to be placed in normal position before the register
paper is fixed. The immobility of the register paper entails in no manner the
immobility of the axis of the toothed wheel K (or main wheel, as it has herein-
before been called); T is a spring serving to bring back the lever H into its first
position after the punctuation or marking has been made.
Fig. 5 represents the paper dial or register paper; it is divided at the edge into
as many parts as there are teeth in the wheel. It is by these divisions that one
can see the number of times the marking can be effected. Upon this sheet of
paper is placed a dial or scale U forming a second special register or check, which
is operated through the opening D.
This second control is operated by the superintendents during or after each
round by means of a "pocket box of punches," shown in Fig. 6.
This box is preferably composed of two plates S', S", riveted together at a
suitable distance apart in order to permit of fourteen punches or dies h sliding
between the two plates. These dies are maintained in their respective positions
by fourteen corresponding apertures i made in a band soldered round the circum-
ference of the upper plate S¹ and serving to allow the dies to pass. Further in the
upper plate are constructed fourteen slots destined to guide a tenon or projecting
stud d fixed on the lower or inner end of each die h and projecting above the
plate in its travel to and fro; this travel is limited by the length of the slots
which begin near the centre and end near the circumference of the upper plate, in
which the tenon d is held.
The lower plate S¹¹, which is massive, and the upper plate thus form with the
dies a box, and are traversed at their centre by a pivot e which carries on its
upper end a hinged flap N capable of lying nearly flat on the upper disc. When
in this position it prevents the die (when pushed out beyond the circumference
through one of the apertures i and destined to operate the second control by
marking upon the portion U of the register paper through the opening D) from
sliding back between the plates whilst in use, its end coming against the tenon d
fixed upon the die h.
Twelve of the fourteen dies carry on their outer ends (the opposite end to that
on which the tenon is .fixed) the figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12
respectively to indicate the hour at which the second control (by the superin-
tendent) is effected; the other two dies carry also at the outer end one dot and
two dots respectively, serving to indicate the quarter hours, so that when any
particular hour has been printed upon the register paper the quarter, half, or three
quarters may be added to it. The number of dies can be increased if it is desired
to register still smaller divisions of time. For greater convenience figures
corresponding to those on the dies are marked at the end of each slot upon the
upper plate.
The two plates carrying the dies are adjusted by means of the pivot e upon a
plate a, also circular, with a turned up ring r round it the height of the two first
inentioned plates; the internal diameter of this plate a is nearly the same as that
of the two plates S', S", but so as to admit of their turning freely. In the ring
round the plate a is made a single aperture u to allow the die required to be
used at any one time to pass while the thirteen others are retained by the
ring .

page_text: The whole is held together by the pivote, but so that the pivot can turn in all
directions independently of the plates which it holds together, and also that the
two plates carrying the dies can turn in all directions independently of the pivot s
and plate a.
The two registers O and U may be reset by any one who is entrusted with the
charge of them.
Figs. 7 and 8 show a stationary metal box to be fixed at certain points on the
beat as judged suitable for a control. Upon the bottom of this box are fixed
the pin B and marker C which serve to operate the control as described when
referring to Figs. 2 and 3.
The apparatus can be made of copper or brass or of any other suitable metal or
substance, but I prefer to use brass for the box and steel for the other parts, such
as the wheel, the ratchet, the lever, et cetera.
Having now described my Invention and the best mode known to me of carrying
it into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I believe to be new and desire
to protect under the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The automatic controlling apparatus enclosing the lever H, the spring J,
with the ratchet I, and the main or ratchet wheel K, and the spring T, or their
mechanical equivalents, the whole operating as above described.
Second. The pointer V in combination with the little cam v of the table S, and
serving to render the register paper immovable after it has made one complete
revolution, so as to prevent fraud.
Third. The register paper having a separate series of divisions for two kinds of
control combined with the table S, the main or ratchet wheel K, and the pointer V,
· substantially as shown and described.
Fourth. The "pocket box of punches" in combination with the opening D for
printing the special control upon the portion U of the register paper, the dies h,
the flap N, and the tenons d, all substantially as shown and described.
Fifth. The stationary metal box with the pin B and the marker C in combination
with the opening A of the apparatus for printing the first control, the whole 3
substantially as shown and described above and represented in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Van Bunnen, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
LOUIS VAN BUNNEN. (L.S.)