AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING FRAUD BY TRAMWAY AND OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS, AND OTHER COLLECTORS OR RECEIVERS OF MONEY
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention
of "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING FRAUD BY TRAMWAY AND
OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS, AND OTHER COLLECTORS OR RECEIVERS OF MONEY."
A communication from abroad by George Beadle, of Syracuse, New York,
United States of America, Manufacturer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th November 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING
FRAUD BY TRAMWAY AND OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS, AND OTHER COLLECTORS OR
RECEIVERS OF MONEY." [A communication from abroad by George Beadle, of
Syracuse, New York, United States of America, Manufacturer.]
This Invention relates to improvements in fare boxes for street railway or
tramway cars or omnibuses, and for similar purposes, and has for its object the
prevention of the fraudulent abstraction of money or tickets from the fare conduit,
and before being dropped into the drawer or receiver; it also relates to increasing
the general security of the box, and also to causing the money in its descent within
a conduit formed by and between glass plates to be so distributed as to prevent
banking or dropping always upon the same spot, that it may be displayed and
readily counted; and it also relates to obtaining a strong and direct reflection of
light upon the fare.
An important part of the said Invention consists in combining with the fare
conduit means, which while constituting the upper portion of one side of the fare
conduit, will upon the entrance of an instrument into said conduit to abstract
money be caused thereby to sever the continuity of the conduit, thereby diverting
the course of the instrument to the outside of said conduit, and preventing the
possibility of its reaching the money. Two or more slides for arresting and
maintaining the fares within the conduit are arranged at different intervals therein

page_text: for displaying the fare and dropping it finally into the receiver; and for the purpose
of effecting a covered junction of such slides with the inside wall of said conduit,
and thereby prevent the accidental forming of a space or crack through which the
fare might pass said slide, I combine with said conduit wall and the slide or slides
rebated ribs within the grooves or rebates of which the slides enter to close such
joint. The entrance for the fare is formed of a mouth piece having an inwardly
inclined chute, the position of which is such as to extend over and substantially
close the lower conducting chute, and in connection therewith a flaring upper
termination of said conducting chute forms a deflecting basin or funnel mouth to
the entrance chute, whereby the fare is received from said entrance chute into said
funnel or basin, and from which it is caused to pass directly against the inner wall
of the conducting chute through which it descends, so that the entrance mouth-
piece forms a cover for a receiving basin, which latter forms a novel guarded
entrance to the fare conduit.
The light is reflected directly upon the conduit slides by a hood reflector placed
directly over the chimney of a lamp, so that the base of such reflector will open
into a space formed by the lamp reservoir to cast the light upon the points of
support for the fare.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent dated the 20th December, A.D.
1877, No. 4844, I have shewn and described a fare-box having a fare conduit
formed by and between glass plates, and in which said conduit is interrupted by
one or more slides forming separate and distinct sections of a continuous chute
through which the fares pass from one section to the other, and the present
Invention is an improvement upon the said Patent for the purpose of rendering the
fare-box more perfect in certain important particulars.
In carrying the present Invention into practise I employ a box which is of any
suitable form and construction, and has the fare entrance at the top and on the
inside of the car, and the usual money drawer or receptacle which is secured by a
lock at the bottom. A fare-conduit leads from the entrance mouth-piece to the
drawer. The said box is provided with an outer face, the latter being next the
driver. These sides or faces are formed of glass fitted into grooves in the sides of
the box. The fare conduit I prefer to extend in an inclined direction to the money
drawer, and so that it will present an inclined face to the driver. It is formed by
an inner and an outer glass plate which constitutes a narrow chute, which
preferably increases slightly in width towards its lower end to facilitate the free
passage of the fare, the said glass plates being secured in grooves in the sides of the
box. The upper end of this conduit terminates in a flaring mouth or funnel formed
upon a casting, the lower edge of which joins the upper edge of the outer glass, and
is secured between the box sides in the same grooves which receive the coincident
glass. This flaring mouth extends from one side only of the plate or casting and
has only three sides, one of which is curved slightly concave and forms the bottom
and the back, and the upper edge of which overlaps the mouth and covers that
portion farthest from the entrance chute to close that part of the back which opens
into the lamp compartment. The sides of this flaring mouth or funnel are straight,
and the open side is closed by an attachment hinged or pivoted at or near its top
to the aforesaid casting by lugs projecting therefrom, said pivot being formed by a
rod passing through the sides of said attachment and the lugs. A spring connected
by one end to said rod and by the other to a pin on the lower end of said attach-
ment serves to maintain the latter in its closed relation with the inner face of the
casting. This attachment is slightly concave, and joins at its lower edge the
upright edge of the inner glass in such manner that the bottom termination of
the flaring mouth will stand about opposite the middle part of the attachment, and
in this way forms a continuation of the inner glass of the fare conduit, and closes the
open side of the flaring-mouth casting. The purpose of the yielding capacity of
this hinged attachment will be presently stated. The fare entrance consists of a
single device, preferably a flanged casting set in a solid part of the top of the box,
and secured to the same by screws from the underside of said top part to prevent

page_text: access to said screws.
For this purpose said mouth-piece is provided with lugs into
which the screws are fastened. This mouth-piece forms a chute and has sides, and
is provided with a bottom which extends inward toward the outer side at a point
about the middle of the curved back of the flaring or funnel mouth of the fare
conduit, but does not join said back, thereby leaving an open way or passage to the
fare conduit, yet substantially closes said conduit by extending over it at about
right angles to the inclined bottom of the flaring mouth. The purpose of this
construction is to render the entrance of an instrument for fraudulently abstracting
the fare temporarily arrested by the slides in the fare conduit very difficult.
The fare conduit is intercepted at one or more points by slides for arresting the
fare, and holding it for inspection. These slides are drawn out by pull-rods under
the control of the driver to deliver the fare from one slide to the other and into
the money drawer.
To obtain a closed junction of such slides the inner glass of the fare conduit is
divided into two sections, such division being at a point coincident with the upper
slide. At this junction a horizontal rib is inserted between the said glass sections,
so as to be flush with the side which forms the fare way, and such rib has a rebate
to receive the edge of the slide and thereby form a cover to the slide-joining, s0
that there can be no open crack or space which would let the fare pass down before
the slide is drawn out. The lower slide has a similar cross rib with covering rebate
or groove for the same purpose. The slides work in horizontal cross-pockets placed
on the outer side of the outer glass. The pull-rods are connected by handles which
form stops against cross-bars on the back of the box to limit the inward movement
of the slides. The pull rods are fitted into tubes in the sides of the box and
provided with coiled springs, which constantly exert their force to maintain the
slides within the fare conduit. The aforesaid slides are connected to the pull-rods
by fitting into slots formed therein, the tubes having coincident slots to allow of
the movements of the slides and rods.
It is important to guard against the picking of the box, and it is for this
purpose that I combine with the fare conduit at its flaring termination, and quite
close to the entrance mouth-piece, a yielding attachment, since if an instrument
be inserted in the entrance mouth-piece it will strike the bottom of the flaring
termination of the fare-conduit, and be deflected thereby in a reversed direction
directly against said attachment, and forcing it back by turning it upon its pivots
will open it so as to break its continuity with the inner glass h of the fare-conduit,
and cause said instrument to pass outside of said conduit. This safety device is
deflected from the fare-passage by unauthorized interference, and is caused to
resume its proper relation thereto when relieved from such interference. To
prevent the descent of the fare at one point above the upper slide, and to effect
its separation upon the slide that it may be seen to better advantage, I arrange a
pendent dividing pin within the fare-conduit and standing across it and at a
suitable distance from the upper slide, whereon the fare as it descends strikes and
is directed to either side. This dividing pin is sustained in position by an arm
depending from the lower edge of the plate or casting of the flaring mouth.
The sides of the box are secured by a cross bar r at a point just beneath the
solid cover part of the entrance mouth, the ends of said bar being bent at right
angles and secured in loops on the inner sides of the box.
The top proper for the fare conduit is formed by the said solid cover or piece and
contains the lock. This solid piece is secured by vertical tongues and grooves to
the box sides, and is fastened in place by a locking cap extending across the top of
the box, and secured by a horizontal tongue and grooves, and into this cross cap
the lock bolt enters to lock the bar or locking cap, so that entrance into the box or
fare conduit cannot be had except by unlocking the lock by the key, when the
locking cap and the solid piece of the entrance mouth may be removed for the
purpose of cleaning.
I place the lamp immediately in the rear of the flaring or funnel-mouth of the
fare conduit, and sustain it by a base secured to the sides of the box. This base is

page_text: of the form of the lamp reservoir, being formed concave at one side in order to give
a clear space for the direct reflection of the light upon the fare. I use for this
purpose a hood-shaped reflector sustained in position directly upon the lamp-
chimney, so that the reflection is concentrated and cast down from the open base of
the reflector.
One side of the box is provided with an opening covered by a slide through
which access is had to the lamp.
The junction of the pivoted attachment with the upper glass fare conduit
sections may be covered by a suitable shield, so that the relation of these parts
cannot be seen through the inner face glass.
A funnel-cap is secured to the underside of the top over the chimney, and the
smoke is carried from the box by a tube leading from the funnel-cap.
The usual call-bell to notify the passengers of the required payment of the fare is
used in connection with the box.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd May 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING
FRAUD BY TRAMWAY AND OMNIBUS CONDUCTORS, AND OTHER COLLECTORS OR
RECEIVERS OF MONEY." A communication from abroad by George Beadle, of
Syracuse, New York, United States of America, Manufacturer.
This Invention relates to improvements in boxes for receiving the fares in street-
railway or tram cars or omnibuses, and for similar purposes, and has for one
object the prevention of the fraudulent abstraction of money or tickets from the
fare conduit before being dropped into the drawer or receiver; it also relates to a
method of increasing the general security of the box, and causing the money in
its descent within a conduit formed by and between glass plates to be so distributed
as to prevent banking or dropping always upon the same spot, that it may be dis-
played and readily counted; it also relates to obtaining a strong and direct
retlection of light upon the fare.
An important part of the said Invention consists in combining with the fare
conduit means which, while constituting the upper portion of one side of the said
fare conduit, will upon the entrance of an instrument into the said conduit to
abstract money be caused by the same to sever the continuity of the conduit,
thereby diverting the course of the instrument to the outside of said conduit, and
preventing the possibility of its reaching the money. Two or more slides for
arresting and maintaining the fares within the conduit are arranged at different
intervals therein for displaying the fare and and dropping it finally into the

page_text: receiver. To effect a covered junction of such slides with the inside wall of the
said conduit, and thereby prevent the accidental forming of a space or crack
through which the fare might pass the said slide, I combine with the said conduit-
wall and the slide or slides rebated ribs within the grooves or rebates of which the
slides enter to close such joint. The entrance for the fare is formed of a mouth-
piece having an inwardly inclined chute, the position of which is such that it
extends over and substantially closes the lower conducting chute, and in connection
therewith a flaring upper termination of said conducting chute forms a deflecting
basin or funnel-mouth to the entrance-chute whereby the fare is received from said
entrance chute into the said funnel or basin, from which it is caused to pass
directly against the inner wall of the conducting chute through which it descends,
so that the entrance mouth-piece forms a cover for the receiving basin, the latter
forming a novel guarded entrance to the fare-conduit.
The light is reflected directly upon the conduit slides by a hood-reflector placed
directly over the chimney of a lanp, so that the base of such reflector will open
into a space formed by the lamp-reservoir to cast the light upon the points of
Bupport for the fare.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent dated the 20th December, A.D. 1877,
No. 4844, I have shewn and described a fare-box having a fare-conduit formed
by and between glass plates, and in which the said conduit is interrupted by one
or more slides forming separate and distinct sections of a continuous chute through
which the fares pass from one section to the other. The present Invention how.
ever is an improvement upon the apparatus constructed according to the said
former Letters Patent, and renders the fare-box more perfect in certain important
particulars.
In the accompanying Drawing,
Figure 1 is a view of that side of my improved fare-box which is on the inside
of the car, and
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the said box.
Figure 3 is an inverted or underside view of the entrance mouth-piece.
Figure 4 represents in perspective the flaring mouth of the conduit shewing the
pivoted attachment which forms one of its sides and one side of the fare-conduit.
Figure 5 is a section of a portion of the fare-box shewing the manner of locking
the top of the same.
Figure 6, a sectional view shewing the tie-bar for securing the sides of the box.
Figure 7 is a view of the top locking-bar in detail.
Figure 8 shews one of the pull rods detached, and
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the lamp-support.
The box is of any suitable form and construction, having the fare-entrance a at
the top and on the inside of the vehicle, and the usual money drawer or receptacle
(not shewn) which is secured by a lock at the bottom. A fare-conduit leads from
the rimmed entrance-mouth-piece to the drawer. The relation of the box to the
passengers and to the driver is indicated by the terms inner and outer face, the
latter being next to or facing the driver. These sides or faces b, c, are formed of
glass fitted into grooves in the sides of the box. The fare-conduit I prefer to
extend in an inclined direction to the money-drawer, so that it will present an
inclined face to the driver. It is formed by two glass plates d, e, which constitute
a narrow chute f, which preferably increases slightly in width towards its lower
end to facilitate the free passage of the fare, the said glass-plates being secured in
grooves in the sides of the box. The upper end of this conduit terminates in a
flaring-mouth or funnel g formed upon a casting h, the lower edge of which joins
the upper edge of the outer glass e, and is secured between the box-sides in the
same grooves which receive the coincident glass. This flaring mouth extends from
one side only of the plate or casting h, and has only three sides, one of which i is
curved slightly concave, and forms the bottom and the back. The upper edge of
this plate overlaps the mouth and covers the portion ¹ farthest from the entrance-
chute to close that part of the back which opens into the lamp-compartment. The

page_text: pro-
sides of this flaring-mouth or funnel are straight, and the open side is closed by an
attachment j, hinged or pivotted at or near its top to the casting h by lugs
jecting therefrom, the said pivot being formed by a rod 7 passing through the
sides of the said attachment and the lugs. A spring m, connected by one end
to the said rod and by the other to a pin m¹ on the lower end of said attachment,
serves to maintain the latter in its closed position with regard to the inner face of
the casting. This attachment is slightly concave, and joins at its lower edge the
upper edge of the inner glass d in such a manner that the bottom termination i of
the flaring mouth g will stand about opposite the middle part of the attachment,
and in this way forms a continuation of the inner glass of the fare-conduit, and
closes the open side of the flaring mouth-casting. The purpose of the yielding
capacity of this hinged attachment will be presently stated. The fare entrance
consists of a single device, preferably a flanged casting (see Figure 3) set in a solid
part of the top part of the box, and secured to the same by screws from the under-
side of said top part to prevent access to said screws. For this purpose the said
mouth piece is provided with lugs n, into which the screws are fastened. This
mouth-piece forms a chute, and has sides o, and is provided with a bottom p, which
extends inward toward the outer side at a point about the middle of the curved
back of the flaring or funnel mouth or basin casting g of the fare-conduit, but does
not join said back, so as to leave an open way or passage to the fare conduit, yet
substantially closes the said conduit by extending over it at about right angles to
the inclined bottom i of the flaring-mouth. The purpose of this construction is to
render the entrance of an instrument for fraudulently abstracting the fare tem-
porarily arrested by the slides in the fare-conduit very difficult. This entrance
mouth piece not only co-operates with the flaring mouth of the fare-conduit, but
with the hinged attachment in a manner which will be hereinafter described.
The fare-conduit is intercepted at one or more points by slides q for arresting
the fare and holding it for inspection. These slides are drawn out by pull-rods r
under the control of the driver to deliver the fare from one slide to the other and
into the money-drawer.
To obtain a closed junction of such slides the inner glass of the fare-conduit is
divided into two sections d, d, such division being at a point co-incident with the
upper slide. At this junction a horizontal rib s is inserted between the glass sections
d, d, so as to be flush with the side which forms the fare-way, and such rib has a
rebate s¹ to receive the edge of the slide q, and thereby form a cover to the slide
junction, so that there can be no open crack or space which would let the fare pass
down before the slide is drawn out. The lower slide has a similar cross rib with a
covering rebate or groove for the same purpose. The slides work in horizontal
cross-pockets placed on the outer side of the outer glass, as shewn. The pull-rods r
are connected by handles r¹, which form stops 2 against cross-bars on the back of
the box to limit the inward movement of the slides. The pull-rods are fitted into
tubes in the sides of the box, and provided with coiled springs, which constantly
exert their force to maintain the slides within the fare-conduit, as shewn in Figure 8.
The slides q are connected to the pull-rods by fitting into slots formed therein,
the tubes having co-incident slots t to allow of the movements of the slides and
rods, as shewn.
It is important to guard against the picking of the box, and it is for this purpose
that I combine with the fare conduit at its flaring termination g, and quite close to
the entrance mouth-piece, a yielding attachment, for it will be seen by reference to
Figure 2 that if an instrument be inserted in the entrance mouth-piece it will strike
the bottom of the flaring termination of the fare-conduit, and be deflected thereby
in a reversed direction directly against said attachment, and forcing it back by
turning it upon its pivots will open it so as to break its continuity with the inner
glass d of the fare conduit, as shewn by dotted lines in Figure 2, and cause said
instrument to pass outside of said conduit. This safety device when deflected from
the fare-passage by unauthorized interference is caused to resume its proper relation
thereto when relieved from such interference. To prevent the descent of the fare

page_text: at one point above the upper slide, and to effect its separation from the slide that it
may be seen to better advantage, I arrange a pendent, dividing, or cross pin u
within the fare-conduit and standing across it and at a suitable distance from the
upper slide, whereon the fare as it descends strikes and is directed to either side.
This dividing pin is sustained in position by an arm u' depending from the lower
edge of the plate h of the flaring-mouth.
The sides of the box are secured by a locking cross-bar vat a point just beneath
the solid cover part a¹ of the entrance-mouth, the ends of the said bar being bent at
right angles and secured in fastening loops v' on the inner sides of the box, as shewn
in Figure 6.
The top proper for the fare-conduit is formed by the solid top part or piece a¹
containing the lock a³, Figure 5, the key-hole as for which is shewn in Figure 1.
This solid piece is secured by vertical tongues a', Figure 6, and grooves to the box
sides, and is fastened in place by a locking cap or bar w, Figure 5, extending across
the top of the box, and secured by a horizontal tongue w¹ and grooves w³. Into
this cross cap the lock-bolt enters to lock the bar or rocking cap w, so that entrance
into the box or fare-conduit cannot be effected except by unlocking the lock by the
key, when the locking cap and the solid piece of the entrance mouth may be removed
for the purpose of cleaning.
I place the lamp immediately in the rear of the flaring or funnel-mouth of the
fare-conduit g, and sustain it by a base x, shewn in Figure 9, secured to the sides
of the box. This base is of the form of the lamp reservoir, being formed concave at
one side, as shewn, in order to leave a clear space for the direct reflection of the
light upon the fare. I use for this purpose a hood-shaped reflector y sustained in
position directly upon the lamp-chimney z, so that the reflection is concentrated
and cast down from the open base of the reflector.
One side of the box is provided with an opening covered by a slide, through which
access is had to the lamp.
The junction of the pivotted attachment with the upper glass fare-conduit sections
may be covered by a suitable shield, so that the relation of these parts cannot be
seen through the inner face glass.
A funnel-cap is secured to the underside of the top cover over the chimney,
and the smoke is carried from the box by a tubo z leading from the funnel-cap.
The usual call-bell to notify the passengers of the required payment of the fare is
used in connection with the said box.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. The combination with the fare-conduit and the inclined entrance mouth-
piece extending into said conduit of the pivotted or hinged attachment forming one
siee of the upper part of the fare-conduit and the fare receiving slide, the said
attachment having such a relation to the conduit as to be opened and sever its
continuity therewith by the introduction of a fare-abstracting instrument, thereby
preventing such instrument from reaching the fare held in the conduit, substantially
as above set forth.
Second. The combination with the flaring mouth or basin casting g, the fare-
conduit of which it forms the upper part, and the mouth-piece, support, or solid
top part a covering said basin of the inclined bottom p, extending from the fare-
entrance into the said basin, substantially as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Third. The combination with the basin-casting, the fare-conduit, and the inclined
bottom extending from the fare-entrance into the said basin of a pivotted or hinged
attachment or section forming one side of the basin and of the upper part of the
fare-conduit, substantially as above set forth, whereby upon the introduction of an
instrument to abstract the fare such instrument will be deflected by contact with
the basin against the pivotted conduit side, and pushing it out will cause such
instrument to pass outside of said conduit.

page_text: Fourth. The entrance mouth-piece of a fare-box consisting of the rimmed mouth
a, the inclined bottom-plate p, and the lugs n, in combination with the solid top
part a' of the fare-box to which the said mouth-piece is secured, substantially as
above set forth.
Fifth. The basin or upper flaring-mouth termination of the fare-conduit, consisting
of the plate h and the curved part extending from one side of said plate and forming
the bottom, back, and top cover i, i, in combination with the pivotted attachment j,
the fare-conduit, and the box-sides, in whose grooves the said flaring mouth-casting
is secured, substantially as herein set forth.
Sixth. In a fare-box in which the fare-conduit f is composed of glass-plates
enclosed by outer and inner face glass plates the combination with the slide or
'slides q and the glass sections d, e, forming the said conduit of the metallic cross-
ribs & interposed between the glass sections, and having the rebate to receive the
slide q, whereby the continuous wall-joint is broken, as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Seventh. The pendant cross-pin u in combination with the fare-conduit and the
upper slide q, substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Eighth. The pivotted attachment j formed with sides and a curved back in com-
bination with the flaring mouth-plate h, to which it is pivotted, and the spring m
for maintaining the back of said attachment in line with the inner glass sections
and the sides against the plate h, all substantially as above set forth.
Ninth. The combination of the removable locking bar w, the removable top part
a¹, and the inner and outer removable glass sides with the locking cross-bar v, the
fastening loop vl, and the fare-box, to the inner grooved sides of which said loops
are secured, substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Tenth. The combination in a fare-box of the removable part a¹ having the
entrance-mouth and the removable metallic flaring mouth or basin termination g of
the fare-conduit, the locking cross-bar v, the loops vl, and the sides of the fare-box
to which said loops are secured, substantially in the manner and for the purpose
specified.
Eleventh. The combination with the top part a', the removable box-glasses, and
the inclined bottom plate p carried by said top part, and extending into the basin
of the locking-bar w secured in the horizontal side grooves w², the bolts whereof
lock with the said bar, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Twelfth. The combination with the fare-conduit and the slide or slides q of the
lamp support formed with a concave side, and the hood-reflector supported upon
the chimney z, by which the light is cast down upon the fare from the open base
of the said hood-reflector, substantially as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
TTTU
TRE