Ix- PROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND REGISTERING THE FARES RECEIVED BY TRAMWAY CAR AND OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS AND OTHER PERSONS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Thomas Davis, of St. Donatt's Road
New Cross, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "Ix-
PROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND REGISTERING THE FARES RECEIVED
BY TRAMWAY CAR AND OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS AND OTHER PERSONS.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Thomas Davis
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 21st May 1875.
I, HENRY THOMAS DAVIS, of St. Donatt's. Road, New Cross, in the
3 County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND REGISTERING THE
FARES RECEIVED BY TRAMWAY CAR AND OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS AND OTHER
PERSONS," to be as follows:-
This apparatus consists of a flat circular box or case of brass or other
› suitable metal, the back opening on hinges and the front having a
circular opening in the centre, in which is inserted a plate of glass.
'

page_text: Between the front and back of the apparatus I affix a flat circular
plate, which I afterwards refer to as the centre plate, and on this centre
plate is fixed a crank-shaped metal piece, on the upper end of which is
affixed a figure, and the other end is made to project through a slot cut
in the rim of the case. This crank piece of metal works on a spindle,
around which I fix a circular plate having attached thereto a spring
ratchet or catch. On the centre plate is placed a circular plato
revolving on a pivot; this plate has a fixed ratchet on the edge.
'
On the under side of the second plate near the edge are figures or
numbers (from number one upward) which are seen through an aper-1
ture in the centre plate, and on the upper side of the plate is affixed
a toothed wheel, the number of teeth in which corresponds with the
numbers on the under side of the plate. On the centre plate is affixed
another toothed wheel, so adjusted that upon the second plate making
one revolution, the fixed ratchet on it moves one cog of the toothed
wheel above it. On the under side of the said upper toothed wheel are
decimal figures corresponding with the number of cogs in it. These
decimal numbers are also seen through an aperture in the centre plate.
The toothed wheels are controled by spring catches fixed on the centre
plate. The crank piece of metal when pulled back by the end projecting
through the rim acts as a lever, and the figure affixed to the top is
thrown forward and exposed through the glass in the front plate, the
Baid figure representing the amount of the fare paid to the conductor.
At the same time the spring ratchet attached to the lover acts upon the
lower toothed wheel fixed on the circular plate, causing it to move one
cog and figure forward, and thus register tho amount received. The
lever is thrown forward by a spring, and thus the figure on the top is
taken out of sight.
Over the ratchet wheels and beneath the glass is affixed a horizontal
circular plate, the lower edge of which is serrated, and on the under
side of this plate near the upper edge I place a pin which passes
through a slot cut in the centre plate. On the crank piece or lever I
affix a pin or tooth so placed that upon being thrown forward it catches
the horizontal plate, causing it to revolve a certain distance, and by this
action the pin placed on the under side at or near the upper edge moves
a spring catch placed on the back of the centre plate, thereby causing a
hammer to striko a bell affixed to the centre plate. Thus the exposing
of the figure beneath the glass and the striking of the bell are simul-

page_text: taneous, and take place immediately after the figures on the circular
plate and toothed wheels are registered.
When it is desired to register two or more fares differing in amount
I adjust two or more crank pieces or levers, each representing a different
amount, arranged so that they overlay each other and in combination
with the toothed and circular wheels, cach being constructed and
worked as already described. The slots in the rim of the case only
allow of the levers being thrown backward or forward the required
distance.
The apparatus is so constructed that it can be carried in front of the
person by a strap over the shoulder, or it can be fixed on the inside or
outside of any carriage or vehicle.
If placed on the inside of the door of an omnibus or car it can be
worked by the conductor from the outside, or if placed at the further
end inside the omnibus or car the levers or handles can be acted upon
by wires affixed to them communicating with handles or pulls placed at
the outside of the back of the car or omnibus.
The back lid of the apparatus is fastened by a lock, so that the
register, if desired, can only be ascertained by the properly appointed
officer.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henry Thomas Davis in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th November 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
THOMAS DAVIS, of St. Donatt's Road, Lewisham Road, New Cross, in
the County of Surrey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Henry Thomas Davis, Her special
licence that I, the said Henry Thomas Davis, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry Thomas
.

page_text: Davis, 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 "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND REGISTERING
THE FARES
RECEIVED BY TRAMWAY CAR AND OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS AND OTHER PERSONS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Henry Thomas
Davis, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par- ]
ticularly 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 Henry Thomas Davis, do hereby 1
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement and accompanying Drawings, reference
being had to the figures and letters marked thereon (that is to say):-
-
This apparatus consists of a flat, circular, or other shaped box or case 2
of brass or other suitable metal, the back opening on hinges and the
front having an opening in the centre in which is inserted a plate of
glass.
Between the front and back of the apparatus I affix a plate, herein.
after referred to as the centre plate, and on this centre plate is pivoted 2
a crank-shaped metal piece, on the upper end of which is affixed a
figure, and the other end is made to project through a slot cut in the
rim of the case. This crank piece of metal works on a spindle, around
which I fix a circular plate having attached thereto a spring ratchet or
catch. On the centre plate is placed a circular plate revolving on a 3
pivot this plate has a fixed ratchet on the edge.
On the under side of the second plate near the edge are figures or
numbers, from number one upward, which are seen through an
aperture in the centre plate, and on the upper side of the said second
plate is affixed a toothed wheel, the number of teeth in which cor- 3
respond with the numbers on the under side of the second plate. On
the centre plate is affixed another toothed wheel so adjusted that upon
the second plate making one revolution the fixed ratchet on it moves

page_text: one cog of the said toothed wheel. On the under side of the said upper
toothed wheel are decimal figures corresponding with the number of
cogs in it. These decimal numbers are also seen through an aperturo
in the centre plate. The toothed wheels are controlled by spring
catches fixed on the centre plate. The crank piece of metal when
pulled back by the end projecting through the rim acts as a lever, and
the figure affixed to the top is thrown forward and exposed through the
glass in the front plate, the said figure representing the amount of the
fare or money paid to the conductor or other person, and at the same
time the spring catch attached to the lever acts upon the lower toothed
wheel fixed on the circular plate, causing it to move one cog and figure
forward and thus registers the amount received. The lever is then
thrown back by a spring and the figure on the top is taken out of
sight.
Over the ratchet wheels and beneath the glass is affixed a horizontal
plate, the edge of which plate is serrated or is provided with studs fixed
on the surface near the edge, and upon which serratures or studs the
levers are to act. On the under side of the said horizontal plate near
the upper odge I place a pin which passes through a slot cut in the
| centre plate. On the crank piece or lever I affix a pin. or tooth so
placed, that upon being thrown forward it catches the horizontal plate
by the serrature or stud, causing said plate to revolve a certain distance,
and by this action' the pin placed on the under side at or near the upper
edge moves a spring catch placed on the back of the centre plate and
actuates a hammer to strike a bell. Thus the exposing of the figure
beneath the glass and the striking of the bell are simultaneous, and take
place immediately after the figures on the "second" plate and toothed,
wheels are registered.
..
When it is desired to register two or more fares differing in amount
I adjust two or more crank pieces or levers each representing a
different amount arranged so that they overlay each other, and in com-
bination with the toothed and circular wheels, each being constructed
and worked as already described. The slots in the rim of the case only
allow of the levers being thrown backward or forward the required
distance.
The apparatus is so constructed that it can be carried in front of the
person by a strap over the shoulder, or it can be fixed on the inside or
outside of any carriage or vehicle.

page_text: Fig. 5b, view of under side of striking plate detached.
And Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modification of the appa-
ratus for using a light to display the figure representing the fare
received.
A is the box or case, here shown circular; B, glass in front plate for
displaying the figure representing the value of the fare received. The
crank-shaped levers are numbered 2, 3, and 4, and also represent the
value of fare received.
The centre plate upon which the levers and mechanism is pivoted is
shown at C, Figs. 2, 4, and 5, said centre plate being countersunk
or recessed to accomodate the varying thickness of the mechanism.
The levers 2, 3, and 4, work on spindles D, upon which are mounted
spring catches E (Fig. 5ª), and springs F (Fig. 4) are mounted on
the lower extremities of said spindles to return the levers to position
after use.

page_text: The toothed wheel G is actuated by the spring catch E, and has
a tooth or catch G₁ fixed on the lower part of the plate, and on the
under side of the plate carrying the catch G₁ near the edge are figures
or numbers from number one upward which are seen through the
apertures 2, 3, 4, (Fig. 4). The catch G₁ on each revolution of the
toothed wheel G comes in contact with the teeth on the toothed
wheel H, moving it forward one tooth at cach revolution of the wheel Ģ.
On the under side of the said wheel H are figures or numbers which
are seen through the second set of apertures 2, 3, 4 (Fig. 4), and the
second set of figures on the wheel H represents the decimal numbers of
the fares received.
By the introduction of one or more wheels in the same system,
hundreds and thousands can be registered. I are spring catches
to stop the wheels G and H forward.
For the purpose of setting the registering mechanism at "zero," the
pivots of the wheels G and H are squared, as shown at G³, H'.
On the upper side of the centre plate beneath the glass is mounted a
plato K, which has for object the striking of the bell L, said plate being
shown in position, Fig. 2, detached in Figure 5³, and indicated in
broken lines, Fig. 5. The plate K is mounted on a pivot a, and a stud ₺
on said plate extends through a slot c in the centre plate and engages
with the spring catch d on the under side of centre plate. The hammer e
is mounted on a spring, which extends over the spring catch d and is
actuated by the stud f on the said spring catch d. On the plate.K
serratures (Fig 5º) or studs / (Fig. 2) are provided, upon which studs h
the catch i or other portion of the crank levers 2, 3, 4, act to partially
revolve the plate K; or studs on the crank levers or on the figures
forming part thereof engage with the serratures to partially revolve
the plate K to cause the stud 6 to actuate the hammer e of the bell.
A spring M (Fig. 2) acts upon a stud to return plate K to position after
making a partial revolution.
The bell is preferably secured to the front plate, as shown in (Figs. 3
and 3), and this plate when adjusted to the apparatus, in Fig. 2, is
secured by nuts on the screwed ends of the pillars N, which pass
through holes in the centre plate, and the bell extends through the
aperture L' (Fig. 2), and the front plate is perforated to allow the sound
of the bell to be heard distinctly.

page_text: The plate covering the back part of the apparatus, shown in Fig. 4,
may be hinged and fastened by a lock and key, or the back may be fixed
and a slide be arranged therein so as to display the numbers registered
through the sets of apertures 2, 3, 4 (Fig. 4), in which latter case the
slide will be secured by a lock and key.
1
The square staples shown on the outside of the case A, Figs. 1 and 2,
are for securing the apparatus by a strap, but it may be fastened or set
up in a variety of ways.
On the receipt of money one or other of the levers are actuated, the
bell will be struck, and the amount be registered.
In the modification shown in Fig. 6, the case A is made deeper to
provide a space between the front plate and the mechanism, in which
space a small lamp is fixed, or a light may be shown through the
opening O in the case by means of a lamp or light applied there. The
spindles of the levers or crank pieces 2, 3, 4, arc in this case made
longer to allow for the extra space, and that the figures on the said
crank pieces may be displayed in front of the light.
The figures may be transparencies on colored or dark discs, or they
may be formed as shown in Fig. 2, and be displayed in front of a semi-
transparent screen, which screen will be between such figures and the
light.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said In-
vention, I claim the improved apparatus for indicating and registering
the fares received by tramway car and omnibus conductors and other
persons, substantially as herein described and shown on the accompany- 2
ing Drawings.
.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Thomas Davis, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of November,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five.
3