An Improved Folding Counter for the Receipt of Fares and for like Purposes, especially applicable to the Windows and Doors of Tramcars.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sept., 1900-Accepted, 15th Dec., 1900
An Improved Folding Counter for the Receipt of Fares and for like
Purposes, especially applicable to the Windows and Doors of
Tramcars.
I, CARL JACOB EMIL FLECK, of 53, Woltmann Strasse, Hamburg, in the Empire
of Germany, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows;
This apparatus, which is more particularly intended for use in connection with
the doors of tramcars or similar vehicles, may also serve as a ticket delivery or
booking-office window or doorway and as a money receiving counter or table.
The said apparatus is constructed with two flaps or shutters which, when open,
constitute a table of a length equal to about double the height of the aperture
of the window or doorway and is thereby distinguished from those hitherto in use
in which the flaps or shutters are of the same dimensions as the openings which
they protect or cover, and moreover, when open, present a table or surface project-
ing at one side only, while with this improved apparatus the flaps project from
both sides of the doorway or window.
The two parts, flaps or wings are arranged in a metallic frame fixed in the
doorway or window and are each of the same size as the aperture in the said
metallic frame. These flaps are provided at the sides near their lower or inner
edges with studs or pins fitted to work in holes in the side portions of the said
frame. On the said studs or pins are fixed, within the frame, small toothed
pinions geared together, which pinions may conveniently be arranged in a recess
at the corners of the flaps. Therefore in pulling one of the flaps downward by
means of a knob or handle thereon, the other flap, by means of the toothed gear-
ing will also be moved downward and thereby the two flaps are brought to the
proper position to serve as a counter or table for the receipt of money or the collec-
tion or delivery of tickets or the like. The lower edges of the flaps are so formed
and arranged that in this position of the flaps the said edges rest against and
support each other along the entire surface and the flaps are thereby kept in a
horizontal plane without requiring any other support, the aperture being then
open. When it is desired to close the said aperture both flaps can be turned
When in the dosed or raised
upward by means of the handle on the one flap.
position the flaps may be secured by a spring catch or other suitable device.
1
1000

page_text: An Improved Folding Counter for the Receipt of Fares and for like
Purposes, especially applicable to the Windows and Doors of
Tramcars.
I, CARL JACOB EMIL FLECK, of 53, Woltmann Strasse, Hamburg, in the Empire
of Germany, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The present invention relates to an improved counting-board or counter of the
folding type which is more particularly intended for use in connection with the
sliding doors or windows of tram-cars or similar vehicles and may also serve as a
ticket-delivery or booking-office window or doorway and as a money-receiving
counter or table.
The improved folding counter is constructed with two flaps or shutters which
when open constitute a table or board of an area equal' to about double the area
of the aperture in the window or sliding door and is thereby distinguished from
the folding counters hitherto in use and constructed with one flap only, which flap
or shutter is of about the same dimensions as the opening which it protects or
covers, and, moreover, when open presents a table or board projecting at one side
only while with the improved device the flaps project from both sides of the door
or window.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood by one skilled in the
art to which it appertains, I will now proceed to describe the same in detail,
and for that purpose reference is taken to the accompanying sheet of drawings,
wherein―
Figure 1 is a vertical section through my improved folding counter, showing
the flaps or flap-boards in the closed position. Figure 2 is a similar view show-
ing the flap-boards opened or respectively in the position in which they serve as
a delivery or receiving board, and Figure 3 is a plan of Figure 2 according to the
sectional line I-II.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
The two parts, flaps, or wings a and b are arranged in a frame c, fixed in the
sliding door d or window, respectively. of a tram-car and are each of about the
same size as the aperture in the said frame. These flaps a and bare hinged by
means of pivots or journals e in suitable holes or, bearings in the side portions
of the frame c. On the said pivots e or to the flaps a and b, respectively, are fixed
small toothed pinions r, conveniently arranged in suitable recesses at the corners
of the flaps, the pinions of the flap a gearing together with those of the flap b,
as this is evident from the drawings. Therefore in pulling or turning one of the
flaps downward-for instance, the flap b-by means of a knob or handle f thereon
the other flap a by means of the toothed gearing r will also be moved or turned
downward, and thereby the two flaps a bare brought to the proper position to
serve as a counter or table for the receipt of money or the collection or delivery
of tickets or the like. The lower or inner edges of the flaps are so formed and
arranged that in this position of the flaps the said edges rest against and support
each other along their entire length, and the flaps are thereby kept in a horizontal
nlane without requiring any other support, the aperture being then open,
Figures 2 and 3. When it is desired to close the said aperture, it is only neces-
sary to turn upward one of the flaps, as in consequence of the gearing both
flaps will be closed and turned back into the frame e simultaneously. In the

page_text: closed or raised position, Figure 1, the flaps may be secured by a spring-catch g
or other suitable device.
In order that the two leaves a and b of the counter or table may properly fold
together and in order that they may properly abut when unfolded, it is neces-
sary that the said meeting edges be partly curvilinear and partly straight. Obvi-
ously such a construction if applied to the full length of the meeting edges would
result in a transverse groove or depression formed by the curvilinear or rounded
upper edge of said meeting edges. To avoid this and provide a perfectly-plain
table when the leaves are unfolded or turned down. I provide them with an
upwardly-projecting flange a¹ and 61 respectively, preferably encompassing three
sides of the leaves, and with a straight downwardly-projecting flange a If,
respectively, the meeting edges of the upwardly-proiecting flanges alone being
rounded, as shown at a 6, thus forming a perfectly flat or plain table-top when
unfolded, while said upwardly-projecting flanges form guards to prevent money,
tickets, or the like from sliding over the table.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A folding table or counter comprising a suitable support, a table-top com-
posed of two leaves pivoted to the support and geared together to fold and unfold.
said leaves having encompassing flanges on three sides projecting upwardly and
downwardly, and a downwardly-projecting flange at their meeting edges, the
lateral upwardly-projecting flanges being rounded at their meeting edges to pro-
vide clearance in folding, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. A folding table or counter comprising a support having a vertical aperture,
and a table-top composed of two leaves geared together and pivoted to fold into
and close the aperture, substantially as set forth.
3. A folding table or counter, comprising a suitable support having a vertical
aperture. a table-top composed of two leaves geared together and pivoted to fold
in and close said aperture, and a locking device locking the leaves when folded,
for the purpose set forth.
4. A folding table or counter, comprising a support having a vertical aperture,
a framing fitted in said aperture, a table-top comprising two leaves geared
together and pivoted to said framing to fold into and close the same, said leaves
having upwardly and downwardly projecting flanges encompassing three of their
sides, and a downwardly-projecting flange along their meeting edges, the lateral
upwardly-projecting flanges being rounded at their meeting edges to provide
clearance for folding, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
T 01 do of Contamba 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.