IMPROVEMENTS IN MARKING AND NUMBERING RAILWAY AND OTHER TICKETS OR SURFACES, AND IN ARRANGING AND DISTRIBUTING TICKETS
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
EDMONDSON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-seventh day of April
now last past, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Thomas Edmondson, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence that I, the said Thomas Edmondson, my exors, admors, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Thomas Edmondson, my exors, admors, or assigns,.
should at any time with, agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MARKING AND
NUMBERING RAILWAY AND OTHER TICKETS OR SURFACES, AND IN ARRANGING AND
DISTRIBUTING TICKETS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
obliging me, the said Thomas Edmondson, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause
the same to be enrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said recited
Letters Patent, as in and by the said Letters Patent, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Edmondson, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention to
consist in certain improved combinations and arrangements of mechanism
whereby the printing or marking and numbering railway and other tickets or
surfaces may be performed in a more accurate manner, and with greater preci-
sion, than has heretofore been done by the machines now known and in use;
and for the invention of which machines former Letters Patent were granted
to me on the Ninth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and forty,
such improvements consisting,―
First, in an improved method of inking the printing type.
Secondly, in an apparatus by the use of which the first nine consecutive
numbers are printed correctly, without the additional zero that was put before
each unit by the former machinery.
Thirdly, in a self-acting method of stopping the supply of tickets, when
any required number of tickets, less than ten thousand, has been printed
and numbered.
Fourthly, in driving the machine by steam or other power, instead of working
it by hand.
And my present improvements in marking and numbering railway and other
tickets or surfaces also contain apparatus for stamping or cutting signs or
devices in railway or other tickets, to denote the dates; and a mode of printing
or marking railway and other tickets or surfaces, by passing them under or
over a roller, the surface of which is engraved or formed of electrotype plates.
And my present improvements in arranging or distributing tickets consist of
a new construction of tubes or receptacles, in which the tickets are arranged
previous to their being distributed, and of the case or box for containing the
above-mentioned receptacles or tubes.
And in further compliance with the said proviso, I do hereby declare that
the mode in which the said Invention may be carried into effect is fully
described with reference to the Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed.
The Drawings are made to the scales marked on each Sheet; and similar
letters and figures of reference are placed upon corresponding parts of the
mechanism in the different views.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
On Sheet 1,. Fig. 1 represents a front elevation of my improved machine for
printing or marking and numbering railway and other tickets.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same machine, taken from the side at which
the railway tickets are delivered when printed and numbered.

page_text: section.
Po the upper part of the machine, taken partly in
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the traversing slide, and of the apparatus for
stopping the supply of tickets.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the traversing slide; and Fig. 6 is a plan view of
the apparatus for stopping the supply of tickets.
Fig. 7 is a section through the numbering wheels, to show the construction
of the apparatus for marking the units.
On Sheet 2, Fig. 8 represents an elevation of the machine before mentioned,
taken from the reverse side to the Fig. 1.
Fig. 9 is an elevation of the same, taken from that side of the machine at
which the blank tickets are supplied.
Fig. 10 is a section of the machine taken through the line W, X, in Fig. 8,
showing a plan view of the driving shaft and its adjuncts. And
Fig. 11 is a plan view of the inking apparatus and base plate.
A represents the main driving shaft, which communicates.motion to all the
different parts of the machine by the pulleys, cams, and excentrics fixed upon
it. B is the stop shaft, on which revolve the ratchet wheel for units marked C,
and the ratchet wheel for hundreds marked D. E is the front framing, and
F the back framing, both of which are bolted to the base plate G. H is tho
table on which the tickets slide connecting the two side frames, and grinding
the traversing slide. I is a platform for connecting the two side frames placed
under the driving shaft, and serving as a support to the levers actuated by
cams on the driving shaft. K is a swing frame, to the upper portion of which
the box L containing the type for printing the railway or other tickets is
secured. M is a wood tube, in which the blank tickets are placed for supplying
the machine, and N is another tube, of somewhat similar construction, into which
the tickets, when printed and numbered, fall. This machine is supposed to be
driven by a strap passing under a pulley O, revolving loose upon the strap A,
and capable of being moved laterally upon it, so as to be brought into or out
of contact with the conical friction box P, seen best in Fig. 2. The boss of
this box P is turned out, so as to fit on the wrought iron conical bush a, fitting
on the driving shaft, and provided with a screw at its outer end. The wrought-
iron bush is cut through at one side, and by turning the screw nut 6 against
the shoulder of the boss of the friction box P, the box, bush, and shaft become
firmly united. The driving pulley O is made with a boss, around which a
groove is turned to receive the steel keys attached to the ends of the forked
lever C, the pulley is thrown into or out of gear by the spring starting lever d,

page_text: which is keyed on to a shaft forged with the forked lever C, and clearly shown
in the Drawings.
The mechanism for traversing the tickets, or causing them to move from the
'tube M, in which the blank tickets are held, to the printing and numbering
apparatus, and from them to the tube N, into which the printed tickets are
collected, is put in motion by the excentric e, keyed on the driving shaft; the
excentric ring is put together in two halves, and the connecting link f is
screwed into the boss projecting from one half of the excentric ring. g is a
lever keyed upon the fulcrum shaft h, and provided at its lower extremity with
a stud, on to which is hinged the connecting link f. Near the centre of the
shaft h are keyed the two levers i, which imparts a traversing or backward
and forward motion to the slide k (seen best in Fig. 4), and to the other pieces
which are necessary for taking hold of the blank tickets and conveying them
to be printed and numbered, in the following manner :-To the lovers i are
hinged one end of each of the links 7, the other ends of these being hinged to a
cross shaft m (scen in dotted lines in Fig. 5), to which are also attached the
lower ends of the lever n, the fulcrum of each of these levers being a stud
passing through a projection from the lower traversing bar o. The upper ends
of the levers n are hinged to short links p (seen best in the plan view, Fig. 5),
and the other ends of these links are hinged to the horizontal rods 9, which are
provided with slots to receive the links p and the upper ends of the levers n.
It will be seen, on referring to Figs. 4 and 5, that the cross shaft m is drawn
by the action of the levers i against the ends of two set screws screwed into
projections from the slides k; the distance between these screws can be regu-
lated at pleasure to adjust the height to which the bars is lifted. As soon as
the levers i begin to move in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4 they will draw
the cross shaft m in contact with the opposite set screw, at which time the lover n
assumes the position indicated by a red line without altering the position of the
slide k; the levers i, by continuing their motion, now take with them the slide k
and all its adjuncts, until they arrive in the position shown by a dotted line, at
which point the excentric e will have completed its throw, and at the next half
revolution of the excentrice the levers i will return into the position they now
occupy in Fig. 4. The object to be attained by thus moving the levers n before
the slide k begins to traverse, is to take hold of or liberate the tickets by means
of the needle points fixed to the upper traversing bars s; these bars are hinged
to the lower ones by the links r, attached to the flat rods 9 and to each other
the parallel guide links t. When the levers i begin to move in the direc
tion indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4, the upper traversing bars s are raised of

page_text: the lower bars o, and the needle points in the jaws of the swing frame 87, by
entering into the lowest ticket in the tube M, take hold of it, and as the
machine continues to work convey it one
for every revolution of the driving shaft.
step towards the type box
The tickets are liberated every
time the lovers i reverse their motion by the needle points being with-
drawn from the tickets during the return of the levers n to the position
they occupy in Fig. 4. In order to prevent the slide k from return-
ing, without moving the bars o and s, it is essential to apply a little
additional friction to the slide k, in order to overcome the resistance
offered by the pins in entering and in being withdrawn from the tickets. For
this purpose I apply a cylindrical rod 130 (see Fig. 2) on each side of and
under the table H. These rods are let partly into the bearings 131, and
partly into the caps 132, the caps being screwed to the bearings by double
lock nuts. By tightening up these nuts the friction on the rods 180 can
bo regulated. When the ticket has been brought from the tube M, by
the pins in the swing frame 87, it is deposited in the slide and held be-
tween the rulers w, while tho swing frame returns empty to fetch another
ticket the second advance of the slide brings two of the pins fixed into
the bars s into the sides of the ticket, and carry it forward to the position
under the type box L, as seen in Fig. 4, where the ticket is printed; the
third move removes the ticket from under the type box; and the fourth movo
brings it in the position under the numbering wheel S. The fifth and sixth
moves bring the ticket towards the receiving tube N; and at the seventh
move the ticket which has been brought forward every time by the pins fixed
into the upper bars s is carried beyond the slide by the catch 133, which is
fixed between the bars s, and pushes the ticket into the tube N. The amount
of fall given to the tickets as they are delivered from the slide is regulated by
the sliding block 134, which moves freely up and down the tube N, and is
retained in whatever position it is set, by the person attending the machine, by
a spiral spring acting upon the back plate 135, and clearly shewn by dotted
lines in Fig. 1. I have represented in this machine the carrying forward of
the tickets to be effected by pins fixed into the bars s; but other means may
be employed for producing the same result, the most important point being
that the tickets be moved by suitable mechanism, and not by one ticket push-
ing against the other, as has been heretofore customary.. The tickets are
guided by the steel rulers w (seen best in Fig. 2), and are held in their rela-
tive positions by the springs u fixed to the centre part of the table H, and
shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The rulers ware provided with two pair of springs
for holding the tickets, one pair being placed near the tube N, and the other

page_text: pair under the type box L. Theso springs are tee-shaped, and retain the
tickets before and after they are held by the springs u; the rulers w are held
down by the clamps and thumb screws c, and may easily be removed when
the thumb screws are loosened, being then at liberty to be drawn out of the
machine end ways. The swivel frame 87 before mentioned is supported upon
a tumbler shaft 88, to which is forged a stud 89 projecting downwards. As
long as the machine is working the stud 89 remains in the vertical position in
which it is drawn; but if the supply of tickets should cease, owing to the
tube M being empty, or. from any other cause, the stud 89 comes in contact
with a stopper 113, and assumes either of the positions indicated by red lines,
causing the tumbler shaft 88 to perform about the eighth part of a revolution,
and at the same time the swing frame 87 to descond about a sixteenth of an
inch; because, instead of being upheld by the centre part of the tumbler
shaft, it is then supported by either of its flattened faces. When the tumbler
shaft has been moved, it is held in its position by the spring 90, which takes
into catches cut into a small segment made on one end of the tumbler shaft,
and the swing frame is pressed down on to the flat part of the tumbler by
springs 91, thereby preventing the pins in the jaws before mentioned from
coming in contact with and bringing forward the lowest ticket. Another
method of bringing the stopper 113 in contact with the stud 89 will be
described hereafter. The tube M is held in the socket piece 76 (see Fig. 1,
Sheet 1,) fixed to the table H, and may easily be removed when necessary.
At the back of the socket 76 is placed a vertical slide piece 76*, the lower
edge of which is retained by the set screw * in such a position that only one
ticket at a time can be withdrawn from the tube M. By means of the set
screw the lower edge of the slide piece 76* can be adjusted to suit the
thickness of the cardboard of which the tickets are made.
Having now described that part of the machine which takes the blank
ticket from the tube M, I will proceed to explain the mechanism employed for
printing the ticket before it goes to be numbered. The type is fixed in a
box L, (see Figs. 3, 4, and 9,) held in an inverted position between the upper
part of the swing frame K, to which a vertical and lateral motion is imparted
by the cams 8 and 4 on the main driving shaft A. These cams are drawn
in the position requisite for printing the ticket, the cam 3 having brought the
swing frame into the vertical position over the ticket, and the cam 4 having
drawn it into its lowest position, so as to press the type against the ticket at
the same time that the impresser bar elevates the ticket against the type by
means that will be hereafter explained.
In Fig. 9 the swing frame drawn in black is. in its lowest position, and the

page_text: red lines represent it when elevated and moved towards the inking apparatus.
The levers 6 swivel from the fulcrum 7, and are guided by the block 50.
They support the whole swing frame by means of the studs. 8. One side of
the swing frame is prolonged and forms the lever 9, to which is connected
one end of a link 10, the other end. being held by the swivel guide rod 11.
The antifriction roller, which works in the groove of the cam 3, revolves on
a stud which unites the link 10 to the swivel guide rod 11, scen best in Fig. 9.
12 is a stud fixed in a bearing bolted to the platform I, and serving
as the
fulcrum of the rod.11. When the type has given the impression to the ticket
the swing frame K is lifted up by the cam 4 (seen best in dotted lines in
Fig. 1), the groove in which acts upon an antifriction roller revolving on a
stud fixed on one arm of the elbow lever 13, the other arm of which is hinged
to a rod 14 suspended between the two levers 6. The groove in the cam 4 is
so shaped that, as soon as the ticket has been printed, the elbow lever 13
raises the swing frame, and the groove in the cam 3, by acting on the lever 9,
moves the swing framo into the position shown in red in Fig. 9. During
this action the type box is lifted clear over the inking roller 44; but when
the swing frame returns to its original position, the groove in the cam 4, by
acting on the lover 13, partially depresses the swing frame, and brings 'the
type in contact with the inking roller, which imparts the requisite quantity of
ink to the type while the swing frame is returning into its original position.
The roller 44 is supplied with ink by the endless belt or strap Q, which is put
in motion by means of a pulley 15 keyed on the driving shaft A (see Fig. 8.
A strap from this pulley drives the small pulley 16 fast on the shaft 17, the
left-handed worm on which takes into a worm wheel 19, keyed on the same
shaft as the two rollers 18 and 20. The roller 18 serves to give motion to
the inking strap Q, for the type in the box L, and the roller 20 gives motion
to the ribbon R for inking the type let into the numbering wheels. Under
the roller 18 is situated the compressing roller 21, the journals of which are
ácted upon by spiral springs placed in suitable recesses made in the framing
which supports the various parts belonging to the inking apparatus. The
belt or strap Qis compressed between the rollers 18 and 21, so that any
motion that is given to the roller 18 by the worm wheel 19 is communicated
to the said strap Q, which in moving causes the roller 22 to revolve; and, as
this roller is partially immersed in the ink contained in the trough 23, the
ink will be carried up by the surface of the roller 22 and delivered on to
the inking strap, which is again compressed by the action of the top roller 24,
the pressure to which is given by the spiral spring 25, and the two levers 26
(as clearly seen in Figs. 9 and 11). The pressure can be be regulated by
means of the set screw 27. The rollers 18 and 21 may be connected by spur

page_text: wheels, and the rollers 22 and 24 may also be connected by spur wheels, if
found necessary. The quantity of ink that is supplied to the strap Q is regu-
lated by the thin steel plate 28, called a "doctor," screwed to the edge of
the ink trough, and capable of being adjusted set screws, the heads of
which come in contact with the back edge of the plate. When the strap Q
has passed the rollers 18 and 21 (see Fig. 9) it is carried upwards, and
passes over the roller 32, from whence it descends to the guide roller 31. It
is tightened by the roller 29, which revolves on a stud fixed into a horizontal
slot of the piece 30, and then descends to the inking rollers 22 and 24. The
roller 33 revolves in bearings made in the same bracket as the bearings of
the roller 32, and is carried round by the friction of the strap Q on which it
rests, or by toothed wheels. The rollers 34 and 35 revolve in bearings made
in the levers 36, and are also moved by friction from the roller 33 or by
toothed wheels. The fulcrum of the levers 36 is attached to the table H, as
seen in Fig. 9. A traversing motion may be given to the roller 33, or to
either of the rollers 34 or 35, in order that the ink may be more equally dis-
tributed over the surface of the said rollers before it is taken up by the inking
roller 44. The means of imparting this traversing motion will readily suggest
itself to any workman accustomed to. machinery of this nature. The inking
roller 44 revolves in bearings in the levers 87, and receives the ink brought
up by the strap Q from the trough 23. This roller is carried round
in the direction of the arrow upon it by the contact of the roller 35
during the time the ticket is being printed and the swing frame K
is moving into the position shewn in red. As soon, however, as the swing
frame begins to descend, before returning into the position for printing, the
neb 38, projecting from the upper part of the swing frame, bears upon the
antifriction roller 39, which is supported on a transverse bar connecting the
two levers 36, depresses the levers 36, with the rollers 34 and 35, so as to
take the roller 35 out of contact with the roller 44, which is then at liberty to
turn freely when the types come in contact with its upper surface. The spring
40 is for the purpose of bringing the levers 86 into their original position
when the neb 38 has passed beyond the roller 39. The levers 37 are let into
recesses made in the table H, and the set screw 41 is for adjusting the position
of the inking roller 44. The necks of the roller 44 are supported by springs,
'for preventing the rigid resistance of the roller when the type comes against it,
the springs allowing it to yield, and bringing it back to the proper position
when the type box has passed. The ribbon R for inking the type of the
numbering wheels is kept in motion by the roller 20, and moves in the direction
of the arrows shewn in Fig. 2. The ribbon is held tight between the rollers
20 and 51, in the same manner as the strap Q is held between the rollers 18

page_text: and 21, and gives motion to the inking rollers 48 and 49, the lower one of
which works in an ink trough, and the quantity of ink taken up is regulated
by similar means to those described before with reference to the strap Q. The
direction in which the ribbon is guided by the small guide rollers, and the
position of the same is clearly seen in Fig. 2, and does not require to be further
explained here. The ribbon passes over the ticket and under the numbering
wheels; consequently, after every time that a number has been impressed
upon the ticket, it is necessary that a fresh portion of the ribbon should come
in contact with the ticket. This is accomplished by the endless ribbon R,
which is impregnated with ink as it passes the rollers 48 and 49, and after
imparting the same, or part of it, to the tickets, returns to the inking rollers to
receive a fresh supply. It has been already mentioned that the impresser 5 is
for the purpose of forcing the ticket against the type in the box L at the time
that the swing frame K. is being drawn down by the action of the cam 4.
The Figures 8 and 9 represent the various parts in the positions they occupy
when the impresser bar 5 has been elevated by the cam 42, and the type box
L depressed by the means already described. The cam 42 is keyed on the
main driving shaft A, and is made with a groove, in which an antifriction
roller revolving on a stud fixed to the double lever 45 works. This lever
moves on a pin passing through the fork of an adjustable fulcrum prop 46, and
the impresser bar 5 is hinged to the short arm of the lever 45, and conse-
quently moves up and down according to the direction given to it by the shape
of the groove in the cam 42. The impresser bar 47, which in like manner
elevates the ticket to receive the impression of the continuous number, is
acted upon by a lever 52 and cam 43, of exactly the same shapes as those
marked 45 and 42 above described; the lever 52 being attached to a moveablo
fulcrum, by means of which the pressure given to the ticket during the process
of numbering it may be regulated according to the thickness of the cardboard
of which the ticket is made.
Having explained how the various parts of the machine are put in motion
for traversing the tickets, working the type box, moving the inking straps,
and elevating the impressers, I will now describe how the brass wheels S and
T, in which the type for printing the consecutive numbers are fixed receive
their rotary motion. The wheel S contains the figures for numbering the
units and tens, and the wheel T contains those for the hundreds and thousands.
The wheel S and the ratchet wheel C are screwed to flanges of the tube 69,
and the wheel T and ratchet wheel D are screwed in the same way to the tube
70, both of the tubes being loose on the shaft B, which is supported in conical
bushes 71, fitting into the frame sides. These bushes are cut open longitudi-

page_text: tudinally, and can be tightened up so as to prevent any play in the journals of
the shaft by screwing up the set screws 72, which act on the discs 73 and on
the conical bushes 71, as may be clearly seen on referring to plan view, Fig. 3.
The tails of the set screws 73 are let into the washers 74, which retain the
tubes 69 and 70 in their proper lateral position. The lateral position of the
whole shaft B with its adjuncts is regulated by the set screws 75, tapped into
each end of the shaft. The machine is constructed to number from zero up to
9999, and for this purpose it is requisite that the wheel S should be provided
with figures beginning at 00, and going up progressively to 99, and the wheel
T is provided with a blank and figures beginning at 1, and continuing pro-
gressively to 99. The figures are engraved on small blocks of steel, fitted into
recesses provided in the brass wheels, as seen in section, Fig. 7. The wheel S
(see Fig. 1) moves through the hundredth part of a revolution every time that
the driving shaft A goes round once, and the notion is given by the excentric
e, which has already been described in the commencement of this Specification
as imparting the traverse motion of the tickets. Upon the fulcrum shaft h is
keyed a lever 58, to the upper. extremity of which is hinged the link 54
attached to a slot lever 55, keyed on the fulcrum shaft 56. This shaft, and
the one marked h, work upon the centre punch-shaped ends of four set screws,
as seen in the plan view, Fig. 10. The set screws are screwed into the frame
sides, and provided with lock nuts, by means of which the position of the shafts
can be regulated endways. On the shaft 56 is keyed a short lever 57, from
which a stud projects for the link 58 projecting upwards, and attached above
to the horizontal arm of the double elbow lever 59, to the vertical arm of
which is hinged the click 60, taking into the units' ratchet wheel C. The
click is held up into the teeth of the wheel C by a spiral spring placed in a
hole in the vertical arm of the elbow lever 59, and when the click is required
to be held out of the teeth the excentric 61 is turned half round by the handle
62, so as to elevate the short end of the click 60, thereby depressing the catch,
which takes into the ratchet wheel. The pall 68 retains the ratchet wheel C
in its proper position by taking into the teeth of the wheel at the same time
that the click 60 enters into them from below. The pall 63 is acted upon by
the spring 64, which presses upon a lever 65 forged on the same piece as the
pall. As it is sometimes necessary to hold the pall 68 out of action, a small
excentric 66 is placed in such a position that the spring 64 presses the lever 65
against it, and on turning the handle 67 half round in the direction of the
arrow on Fig. 1 the excentric, by acting on the lever 65, moves the pall 63
out of the teeth of the ratchet wheel C, and holds it there until the machine is
again put into action. A similar arrangement is made on the other side of

page_text: the machine for disengaging the pall 68 from the ratchet wheel D. They are
required when the machine has printed any number of tickets less than the
whole number, and is then wanted for printing other tickets recommencing at
number 00. The two zeros of the wheel S and the blank spaces of the:
wheel T should then be brought in a line with the centre of the machine in
Fig. 1, and directly over the end of the impresser bar 47, such being the
position of the parts when the machine commences its work. In the
machines now known and in use it has been customary to engrave the figures:
on the surface of the numbering wheels. This method is objectionable, because.
the wheels, being generally made of brass, are less durable than when the figures
are on steel blocks, as in the present improved machine. In former machines
the first tickets are printed 01, 02, and so on up to 09, after which they are.
correctly marked, the next figures being 10, 11, and so on. In the. present.
machine, by making the ninc zeros on a separate piece of steel 117, seen. in:
Figs. 4 and 7, moveable in the wheel S, the zeros are placed, when the
machine is started, on a higher level than the other figures, as seen in Fig. 7,
so that the impresser only brings the ticket against the unit to be marked,'
instead of bringing it against the unit, and the supernumerary zero opposite:
to it, as before. The piece 117 is acted upon by the packing 120, which is
broader in one direction than the other, and is drawn detached in two views
on Sheet 1, and fits between the picce 117 and the recess in the wheel S; and:
when this wheel has nearly completed one revolution the lever 121 projecting
from the packing 120 comes against the inclined plane 78, which, as the whcel
continues to revolve, causes the lever 121 to move through the fourth of a
revolution, thereby bringing the broad edge of the packing 120, between the
picce 117 and the recess. in the wheel S. By this means the piece 117
is brought to the same level as the other figures in the wheel S, and
it remains in this position until the whole number of tickets is printed,
and another lot commenced. 116 in Fig. 7 represents the ticket to be
numbered. The springs 119 act on pins projecting from the piece 117, and
pass through short slots in the flange which holds the steel figure blocks in
their places. A similar flange being used on the wheel T, as soon as the
wheel S has printed the progressive number 99 the wheel T has to be
advanced the one hundredth part of a revolution in the direction of the
arrow marked on it in Fig. 8, so as to bring the first unit of the
wheel T opposite the two zeros of the wheel S, to print the number one
hundred. The click 80, keyed on a fulcrum shaft 81, is moved by a
catch 82 screwed to the back of the wheel C; thereby causing the shaft
81 to move through a small part of a circle and back again, or just suffi-

page_text: cient to give the necessary motion to the click 83, which is hinged to a
lever 84, also keyed on the fulcrum shaft 81, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 8.
The click 83 is held up in contact with the ratchet wheel D by means of the
spring 85 screwed to the click, and catching, on a projection of the lever 84,
as seen in Fig. 8 in dotted lines; and the stud 86 screwed into the side
frame F prevents the lever 84 from going too far back. The pall 68 retains
the ratchet wheel D in its position after the click 83 has moved it, forward;
and it is furnished with a spring, excentric, and handle, similar to those
described with reference to the ratchet wheel C. When it is necessary to
print a certain number of tickets less than the whole number which can be
numbered by the wheels S and T, the following contrivance is employed for
stopping the supply of tickets from the tube M when the given number is
complete. A recessed groove is turned into each of the ratchet wheels C
and D, as seen in section in Fig. 3; into these grooves the flat heads of the
screws 92 and 93 slide freely; the screws pass through the plates 94 and 95,
which have small projections taking into the grooves of the ratchet wheels.
The screws 92 and 93 have wing nuts, as seen in the Drawings, which tighten
against the plates 94 and 95; and the catches 96 and 97 are loose upon a
boss on each of the wing nuts, but are retained in their places by the pins
let into the plates 94 and 95. By this arrangement it will readily be under-
stood that when the wing nuts are tightened up any pressure on the face of
the catch will be opposed by the pins let into the plates 94 or 95; but if the
wheel D has to perform more than one revolution, without its being necessary
to set the catch 97, the tail of the said catch by coming in contact with the
pin 77 is moved from the position it now occupies, and assumes a position at
right angles to a line drawn from the centre to the circumference of the
wheel D. The catch 97 being attached to the wheel D is for stopping the
supply of tickets at a certain number of hundreds or thousands; and the
catch 96 on the wheel C is for counting the additional units or tens. The
catch 97 comes against the lever 98, keyed near one end of the. shaft 99.
At the other end of the same shaft is keyed another short lever 100, to which
is hinged a catch 101, held by a spring 102 attached to the table. H. Upon
the end of the catch 101 bears the catch 103, screwed to a small lever keyed
to the short shaft 104. The catch 105 is forged on the catch 103, and is
acted upon by the catch 96 attached to the wheel C. At the other end of tho
shaft 104, and forged with it, is a short lever from which depends a link 106,
hinged below to one arm of an elbow lever 107; to the other arm the hori-
zontal link 108 is hinged, forming the connection between the elbow lever 107
and the lever 109, which is forged to the shaft 110. This shaft works in a

page_text: bearing attached to the under side of the table H, and has a lever 111 fast to
it, the open fork of which takes on a pin fixed in the shorter arm of the
double lever 112, and to the longer arm of the same lever the stopper 113 is
connected. If we suppose that the wheels S and T are placed in the proper
position for printing the first impression on a ticket, and that the catches 96
and 97 are fixed in the places shewn on the Drawings, the machine on
being started will continue to work until the number 1849 has been printed
on the ticket, because the catch 97 is set opposite to 18 on the wheel D,
being 18 hundreds, and the catch 96 is set to 49 on the wheel C. The supply
of tickets is then stopped by the means just described, and the attendant by
moving the stop lever d draws the pulley O out of contact with the friction
disk P, thereby stopping the machine. In Fig. 4 these various parts are
drawn in the positions they occupy when the pin 89 of the tumbler shaft 88
As soon however as the
does not come in contact with the stopper 113.
catch 97 acts upon the lever 98, the catch 101 elevates the catch 103 until
the catch 105 assumes the position shewn by a red line in Fig. 1, and retains
it there until the catch 96 on the wheel C arrives in contact with the catch
105, and by moving it into the position shewn by a dotted red line elevates
the stopper 113 by the agency of the levers and links just enumerated, the
altered positions of each lever being indicated by red lines in Fig. 4. The
next traversing motion of the slide k will bring the pin 89 against the
stopper 113, and by lowering the position of the swing frame 87 will prevent
the pins from taking hold of the lowest ticket in the tube M. When the
supply of tickets has to be cut off owing to any defect in the tickets them-
selves, the tumbler shaft 88 is acted upon by the following self-regulating appa-
ratus: In the centre of the slide, and about halfway between the tube M
and the type box L, is an equilateral opening, in which fits easily a block 114
(see Figs. 4, 5, and 6). As long as the tickets continue to pass in succession
over piece 114 they hold it down, but when the tickets cease to pass it rises
up and elevates one arm of the lever 115, the other arm consequently becomes
depressed, and acts upon the double lever 112 so as to elevate the stopper 113,
which again comes in contact with the pin 89 and lowers the position of the
swing frame 87, so that the pins cannot touch the tickets in the tubo M.
The piece 114 is held up by a spiral spring, shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 4,
5 pressing below against a plate screwed to the bottom of the table H. This
spring allows the piece 114 to yield in case of any inequality in the thickness
of the tickets, and holds them against the upper side of the groove made in
the steel rulers w.
In addition to the foregoing apparatus for taking hold of and moving

page_text: the tickets, it is essential to have some means of holding down the blank
.tickets in the tube M, at the time that the pins in the jaws of the swing
frame 87 are forced into the lowermost ticket by the opening or moving
.asunder of the bars & and o. The following contrivance is applied at the end
of the table H for holding down the blank tickets:-A swivel lever marked
.124, (see Figs. 1, 3, and 9,) has two projecting arms between which the
small shaft 125 is supported. From the centre of this shaft the catch 126
projects, and to one end of it the spring lever 127 is secured; this lever is
acted upon by the projecting end of the traversing slide k. In Fig. 1 of
Sheet 1 the catch 126 is not drawn in contact with the tickets in the tube M,
they are therefore at liberty to descend by their own gravity and by the
additional weight of a loaded block of wood as soon as the lowest ticket has
been removed. When the slide k arrives near the end of its traverse it acts
against the spring lever 127, and brings the catch against the tickets before
the slide reverses its motion; and as the catch 126 is pressed against and
partly between the tickets it prevents them from rising into the tube M,
when the pins in the jaws of the swing frame 87 are forced into the lowest
ticket. As soon as the projection from the slide k liberates the spring
lever 127 the small spring 128 withdraws the catch 126 from the tickets.
The above description comprises my improvements applied to a machine for
printing and numbering railway and other tickets; but when the machine is
required for printing and numbering other surfaces, the necessary alterations can
be made by any intelligent mechanic acquainted with this class of machinery.
My improvements in arranging and distributing railway and other tickets
are represented in the Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, on Sheet 3. It has been
found a matter of great difficulty, in the present intricate system of railway
travelling, to arrange a sufficient number of tickets within reach of the ticket
clerk; with a view to obviate in some measure the inconvenience now expe-
rienced, I have invented a box or case to be placed in a corner, or in any
other suitable part of the ticket office, containing 517 ticket compartments, and
this number might be still further increased, if requisite, by means that will be
hereafter explained. Fig. 1 represents an elevation of the box or case when
folded up. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the top removed, and the
sides shewn in section. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the same case when the
wings are opened, the front wing and part of the lower compartments being
shewn in section for the better elucidation of the construction. Fig. 4 is a
plan view of the case with the wings open, shewn in section through the line
Y, Z, on Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is a section through a row of compartments in the
lower part of the case. Fig. 6 is a section through a row of tubes or coin-

page_text: partments for holding railway or other tickets; and Fig. 7 is a front elevation
of the same. On referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, of Sheet 3, it will be.
seen that the two, stationary sides of the square case are marked a and b, the
eft-hand moveable wing is marked c, and the right-hand moveable wing is
marked d; both these wings are hinged to the top plate e and bottom plate f;
the small wings g are hinged to partitions projecting from the sides a and b.
There are seven rows of ticket tubes placed one above the other in the case;
the three lower ones are intended for the tickets that are most in request, and
The lowest row of
contain about twice as many tickets as the upper ones.
tubes is marked h in Fig. 3, and the set of small compartments placed under-
neath it and marked i, is for the purpose of holding the half tickets, when a
ticket has been cut in two for a child. The second row of tubes from the
bottom marked k is in like manner provided with rows of small compart-
ments marked. l, which are hinged to the back of the tubes h.
When
the tubes are being filled with tickets it is necessary to elevate the com-
partments into the position shewn in the centre row of tubes, so as to
เ
allow the clerk to fill the tubes from above in the ordinary way. In front
of every row of tubes is suspended the label and number board m, into
which small strips of slate are insorted for writing down the number of tickets
issued, and the names of the places corresponding to the tickets. These
label and number boards swivel on centres at each end, so as to be more
readily written upon, or the centres may be lifted out of the forks in which
they rest, and the whole piece removed when any of the tubes require
replenishing. The angle where the sides a and b join is filled up, and the
space is occupied by the breadths of tubes, as clearly seen in the plan view
Fig. 4. The lower part of the case is occupied by a shallow box divided into
one hundred and fifty-three compartments marked n, for coutaining tickets
placed endwise; there are also a corresponding number of small recesses
marked o for holding the half tickets. The box is divided longitudinally by
the ribs p, into the upper portion of which pieces of slate are inserted for
writing down the number of tickets issued, and the names of the places for
which the tickets are intended; and the lower portion of each compartment is
formed in a slanting direction, as seen in Figure 5. The partitions between
cach of the compartments are formed of two spring pieces of wood or other
material let into the bottom of the box, and seen in Fig. 3; these pieces are
marked 9; they are elastic, and are placed in such a position that when the
tickets are put in the compartments n the springs q exert a slight pressure on
each side and retain them vertical. The slanting direction given to the bottom
of the compartments is to afford greater facility in taking the tickets out. In
Figs. 3, 4, and 5, two of the said compartments are represented full of tickets.

page_text: The board r, which forms a lid for the lower part of the case, answers also the
purpose of a table for the dating press 8. The board r is supported on one
side by the rail t, and on the other side by two hooks taking into suitable
recesses provided in the moveable side or wing c. The rail t slides in grooves
made on one side of the bottom box, and is clearly shewn in the section,
Fig. 5.
The plan view, Fig. 4, represents the press for dating on the left-hand side
of the ticket clerk; but the case is so made that the bottom box with the
compartments n and dating press may be brought into the position facing the
moveable wing d. The red lines in Fig. 2 represent an additional wing u,
which may be hinged to the moveable wing d, if it be found desirable to
increase the number of ticket tubes. In the ticket case above described
the partitions between the tubes are all drawn as if they were made of wood;
but they might be made of sheet iron, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In these
two views v represents the back plate of the row of tubes, and w the division
plates of the same. These have formerly been made of wood, but I now pro-
pose making them of sheet iron; a, a, are the front plates, and y, y, the
bottom plates, which are made as before of sheet iron. The division plates w
are shewn as being stamped, or otherwise made with tenons fitting into corre-
sponding holes in the plates v, x, and y. One of the tubes is represented,
partly filled with tickets. By constructing the tubes entirely of iron, or other
sheet metal, as above described, a saving of space of about twenty per cent.,
measuring the row of tubes lengthways, would be effected.
I will now proceed to describe the next part of my Invention, which relates
to the dating of railway tickets.-The present plan of marking the date is a
objectionable, because, if the inking ribbon is not in good order, the impression
of the date will either be so deficient as to be hardly discernable, or else the ink
from being wet is liable to get smeared. In order to remedy the defects now
experienced, I have invented the following apparatus drawn on Sheet IV.:-
Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation of a machine somewhat similar to a
the one usually known by the name of the "dating press," and which I mako
to stamp or cut certain signs or devices in the railway or other ticket, the said
signs or devices denoting the days of the month and months of the year. This
arrangement affords greater facility in keeping the machine in repair, and
greater security against fraud. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same 8
machine. Fig. 3 is another elevation showing the position of the parts
when the ticket is being stamped or cut, the red lines in this view represent
the position of the cutting apparatus when thrown back for the purpose of
changing the signs.
Fig. 4 is a plan view in section, shewing the position of the cutter dies and

page_text: the internal arrangement of the press; and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the whole
press. a is a cast-iron bottom plate serving as base for the press to stand
upon, and fixed to the counter of the ticket office, or to the board r of the
ticket case represented in Sheet 3; 6 is the top of the press, and c is a curved
piece of sheet iron connecting the top and bottom together; d is the upper
swing frame hinged to the top 6, and provided with the two stampers or cutters
e, which abut against a piece of metal f, and are held down by the bridle 93 h
is the lower swing frame hinged to the frame d, and provided with the dies i,
To the lower part of the swing frame h is fixed the catch k, which hooks on to
the projection rivetted into the stand a, as seen in Fig. 1. The press is
so arranged that, when the ticket clerk places the ticket to be stamped in the
bevelled opening left between the upper and lower swing frames, it is guided
sideways, and when the end of the ticket arrives between the cutters and the
dies, its progress is arrested by two pins seen in plan, Fig. 4, in which view
the red lines represent a railway ticket in the position for being cut or stamped.
The clerk gives the necessary pressure for cutting the sign or device by
pressing with his fingers against the lower swing frame h, which is hinged to
the frame d, and forms with it a knee joint, the projection
lower frame from going too much into the casing of the press.
of the whole when the operation is performed is shown in Fig. 3.
ticket is withdrawn from the press the various
gravity tho positions shown in the section Fig. 1.
out of the tickets are collected in the receiver m,
emptied when requisite. The signs or devices for indicating the months and
days may be of any suitable form. In Fig. 6 the two signs represented as
being cut out of the ticket are of equal shape, and indicate the first day of the
first month; in Fig. 7 the signs indicate the second day of the first month;
and in Fig. 8 the signs indicate the third day of the first month. I propose
having thirty-one signs, differing from each other, to represent the days of the
month, the first twelve of which would also represent the months of the year.
The three tickets represented on the Drawing will be sufficient to explain this
part of the Invention. The arrangement and shape of the signs may be varied
at pleasure.
preventing the
The position
When the
parts assume by their own
The pieces of cardboard cut
which can be removed and
My last improvement relates more particularly to the method of printing on
railway or other tickets the badge or design by which most of the railway com-
panies mark their tickets before they are sent to have the name of the station
and other particulars printed on them; the machine or press by which this
is effected is also applicable to other purposes of the like nature.
On Sheet IV., Fig. 9 represents a front elevation of such a machine, and

page_text: is
Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the same. In these views p is a roller, the
surface of which is engraved with fourteen representations of the device of the
Great Northern Railway Company's clearing house ticket; and I have chosen
this number of divisions because a sheet of cardboard of the usual size when
'cut endwise into strips will make fourteen railway tickets; 9 are the side
standards in which the journals of the roller p revolve; and the side frames r
support the standards g. The receptacle s is for holding the blank strips of
cardboard which rest upon a moveable bottom t; and the strips of card-
board are held up to their proper level and against the antifriction rollers u
by means of the counterpoises v, the straps w, and the rollers placed at each
end of the receptacle s. The receptacle y receives the strips of cardboard
when they have been printed. This receptacle is provided with an adjustable
bottom, somewhat similar to the one marked 135, and described with reference
to Fig. 1 of Sheet 1. The ticket in passing under the roller P, is compressed
against it by the roller z, which is supported in the levers 1, and weighted to
any required degree by a suitable weight 2. The surface of the roller P
inked by the two composition rollers 3, the metal roller 4, the working roller
5, and the top rollers 6 and 7. The weighted levers 8 bear upon the brass
bushes of the roller 7, and impart the requisite pressure to the rollers beneath
it. The ink is contained in the trough 9; the inclined plate forming the
bottom is made adjustable, and is set so that its lower edge comes almost in
contact with the surface of the roller 7, by which it is delivered to the roller 6,
and so on to the printing roller p. Upon the shaft of the roller p is keyed a
beart or cann-10 for giving a reciprocating motion to the lever 11, by means of
which the upper strip of cardboard in the receptacle s is moved along until the
end of the strip is caught hold of by the rollers p and z. The lower end of
the lever 11 takes into a slide 12, which moves between V-shaped grooves in
the side frames r. This slide piece is provided with two adjustable pieces of
steel, the lower one having a sharp edge to take hold of the top strip of card-
board, and the other one having a projecting lip which prevents the strip from
lifting up when the slide begins to move towards the rollers p and z. The groove
in the cam 10 must be so shaped that the lever 18 with the antifriction roller 14,
which works in the said groove, shall begin to act as soon as the end of one strip
of cardboard in passing between the rollers p and z arrives over the end of the
strip in the receptacle s. The lever 13 is keyed on a short shaft 15, which
passes through one of the standards 9; and the lever 16 is keyed to the other
end of the shaft 15. The link 17 connects the lever 16 to the lever 11, as
elearly seen in Figure 9. A pair of fast and loose pullies, seen in Fig. 10, are
fitted on the shaft of the roller p, to which motion is imparted by a strap in

page_text: the usual way, and the inking rollers are driven round by toothed wheels, as
seen in Fig. 10. The toothed wheel 18 is fixed on the shaft of the roller p.
and drives the carrier pinion 19 revolving on a stud fixed to the standard ;
this carrier works the pinion 20 on the shaft of the roller 4, and this drives the
broad pinion 21 on the shaft of the working roller 5. A lateral motion is given
to this roller by the cam 22, the inclined groove in which slides on a key 23
fixed to the standard 7. The pinion 21 drives the pinion 24 on the roller 6,
and this pinion drives the pinion 25 fixed on the shaft of the top roller 7.
Although I have described the roller p as being engraved on its circum-
ference, I wish it to be understood that the working surface of the roller may
be formed of electrotype plates, or in various other ways; and similar machines
may be used for printing the names of towns and other particulars on tickets
for various purposes of the like nature, instead of employing the means now
known and in use for printing on the flat surface system. And I particularly
declare that, although I have, in order more fully to describe and explain my
Inventions in the printing or marking and numbering railway tickets and other
surfaces, and in arranging and distributing the same, described and shown
certain machinery and apparatus, parts of which are old, and now in use,
yet I do not claim by virtue of these Letters Patent the exclusive use of such
machinery or apparatus, but only of such parts thereof as are herein-after
particularly described, namely,―
First, the strap or belt Q for bringing the ink from the trough 23 to the
inking rollers 32, 33, 34, 35, and 44, as seen in Figs. 8 and 9 of Sheet 2,
whether the same be applied to my improved machine, or to any other sort of
machino for printing railway or other tickets or surfaces.
.
Secondly, the apparatus for printing or numbering the units on railway or
other tickets or surfaces, as hercin-before shewn and described with referenco
to Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 7 on Sheet 1.
Thirdly, the method of stopping the supply of tickets when any given
number less than ten thousand has been printed and numbered by means of
the catches 96 and 97, and the various pieces acting in conjunction therewith,
as shewn and described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 on
Sheets 1 and 2.
Fourthly, driving the machines for printing and numbering railway and
other tickets or surfaces by means of the pulley O and the friction box P, as
shown and described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of Sheet 1, actuated by
steam or other power, instead of working the machines by hand labor, which
has heretofore been employed for. machinery of the like nature.
Fifthly, constructing the tubes or receptacles for containing railway or other

page_text: tickets of plates of metal, as shewn and described with reference to Figs. 6
and of Sheet 3, instead of making them of wood and metal combined,
as is now customary.
Sixthly, the peculiar form and arrangement of the case for containing
railway or other tickets, as shewn and described with reference to Figs. 1, 2,
3, 4, and 5 of Sheet 3, or any modification thereof.
Seventhly, the working of railway and other tickets or surfaces by the cutting
or stamping of signs or devices in them to denote the date on which they
are issued, or otherwise, as shewn and described with reference to Figs. 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 on Sheet 4.
Eighthly, the application, as herein-before described, to machines for
marking or numbering railway or other tickets or surfaces of the trough 9 for
holding ink in conjunction with the roller 7, as shewn and described with
reference to Figs. 9 and 10 on Sheet 4, the bottom of the said trough being
adjustable to regulate the quantity of ink delivered to the roller to which it is
applied. And,
Lastly, the general arrangement and combination of the various parts
forming the machine herein-before shewn and described and delineated in
Figs. 9 and 10 of Sheet 4.
And such my Invention being, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
entirely new, and never before used with that part of Her said Majesty's
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion
of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, I do hereby declare this to bo
my Specification of the same, and that I do verily believe this my said
Specification doth comply in all respects, fully and without reserve or disguise,
with the proviso in the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent
contained; wherefore I do hereby claim to maintain exclusive right and
privilege to the said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Edmondson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of October, in the year of s
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
Signed, sealed, and delivered (being
first duly stamped), by the within-
named Thomas Edmondson, in the
THOMAS (L.B.) EDMONDSON.,

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-fourth day of October, in
the year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid Thomas Edmondson came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord
. One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.