IMPROVED SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING CASH PARCELS AND THE LIKE
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the county of Middlesex,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention for "IMPROVED SYSTEM
AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING CASH PARCELS AND THE LIKE" A communication
from Milton Clark of New York, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to Cash and parcel carrying systems for service in stores
warehouses and such like places and a car or carrier for travelling the "
ways" the
same having for its object to provide a system and car possessing the greatest
simplicity both in their construction and arrangement, whereby the transmission of
Cash and purchased articles can be effected with the utmost rapidity and certainty.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 represents in side elevation one form of apparatus embodying this
invention.
Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a partial plan and side elevation of certain
parts.
Figure 4 is an end view of the car and carrier, showing the track or way in
section and
Figure 5 is a similar view of the Car and carrier in sextion in the line x x of the
main track and movable track support.
Figure 6 represents a longitudinal side elevation of another form of this
invention and
Figure 7 a plan view thereof, Figures 8. 9. 10 11 and 12 are enlarged views in
detail to more clearly indicate the construction of parts.
Figure 13. represents in side elevation another form of arrangement of this
invention. Figure 14 a plan view thereof and Figures 15. 16 and 17 are enlarged
views in detail. Figure 18 represents sill another form of this invention and
Figure 19 a plan thereof Figures 20, 21, 22 and 23 are views in detail to shew
the construction of certain parts. Figure 24 is a side elevation of the car or
D037
11

page_text: carrier embodying this invention and figure 25 is an end elevation thereof.
Figures 26 and 27 represent respectively a side elevation of this improved car, and
a detail view of a portion thereof.
Reference being had by the letters marked on the several sheets of drawing, and
with respect to figures 1 to 5 inclusive, A, represents a main track or way of this
store service system, there being a series of tracks or ways each extending from the
Clerks counter to a central station where the goods and cash are received, and
whence the goods and change are sent. The main track has at one end (or in
certain instances at both ends as when the track is high at both ends) a support B,
the main portion of which is out of line with the track A to make room for the
movable track Practically it is better to make the movable track partly of a strip
of metal a and partly of a cord a¹ as shewn in figure 2.
The support B is adapted to hold one end of the main track A which as shewn
is a wire of sufficient strength suitably secured to the support B. The metal
strip a is hinged to support B at one end, and its other end is fast to the cord a¹
this cord passes over pulley a' and through the sheaves of the counter weight a³
and its end is fast to the support B. The counter weight as also serves as a con-
venient means by which the bight of the cord a¹ may be lengthened in order to
raise that part of the cord which with the metal strip a forms the movable track.
The car D travels over the main track A. and passes from that track on to the
movable track, when by allowing the cord a' to render over the pulley a², the car
and the movable track are lowered to bring the car within convenient reach, and
by causing the cord a¹ to render the other way over pulley a², the car and track
are raised again to enable the car to pass from the movable track on to the main
track.
It will be obvious that this part of the invention may be largely modified in
form, as for example, the movable track may be a strip of metal long enough to
receive the car and mounted on a frame, which frame can be lowered and raised by
means of a cord and pulley, or the counter weight a³ may be dispensed with and a
spring or friction device substituted in its stead. This part of the invention
consists in the arrangement of a receiving track in such relation with a track or
way that the car will not only pass from the track or way on to the receiving
track and be lowered, but will also be raised by the receiving 'track and r
restored
thereby to the track or way from which it came.
This invention is applicable in all cases in which it is desirable to use a car
which travels over a way, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.
For example in the systems shown in Figures 6 and 7 and in figures 18 and 19
each car runs from the track, A on to the movable track is lowered by the movable
track is raised again by it and runs from it on to track A..
•
In order to propel the car over the track a cord or wire F is shewn having upon
it a knob f. which knob travels from end to end of the way A and parallel with it
and by engaging with a projection d on the frame of the Car D causes the car to
travel also over the way A. The cord, F may be moved in a variety of ways, one
of which (clearly shewn in figure 2) is by means of pulleys p. p¹ the larger pulley.??
being moved at pleasure by the cord p2 which is either an endless belt on pulleys på p
or has one end fast to p' and is wound several times around it, in either case the
motion of the cord p² giving motion to p* and that giving, motion to p which
causes the cord F to travel over the way A and thereby causes the knob fand the
car D moved by it, to travel over the way. But the mechanism for causing the
cord F and its knob to travel is immaterial as any suitable means may be
employed.
With reference to figures 6 to 12 of the drawing inclusive sheet 2 A represents
the Cashiers desk and B. the counter of the different salesmen. C. represents the
main track a number of which are made to radiate from the cashiers desk to the
said Counters.
The said tracks or ways C at the Cashiers end, are permanently fixed by supports
hereinafter described to a plate a secured to the end of a rod or support b. depending

page_text: from the ceiling just above the head of the Cashier. At its opposite end the track
is adapted to be adjusted to an inclination both above and below a horizontal line.
This track is secured at each end to one end of a jointed rod or bar C¹ substantially
as described in relation to figure 1 and to the other end of such jointed rods or bars
is secured a cord e which is carried up over a pulley & journalled in bearings d' the
free ends hanging down to within reach of the operator at either end.
The manner of adjustment of the main track at the salesman's end is herein
represented to be by means of a sliding block D attached to or forming a part of
the support c and in which are journalled anti-friction rollers i i that move on a
support 61 similar to the support b at the opposite end. A cord / secured to this
block for operating it in its adjustment, extends upwardly over a pulley f journalled
in a collar f' held upon the rod b¹ by a set screw, as shown, the free end hanging
loosely.
It will be understood that as the car reaches the cord e at either end, it imme-
diately sinks to within easy reach of the operator, the cord being of the proper
length and provided with a counter weight to lend relief to the sudden descent of
the car, just as in Figure 1.
Upon examination of the last five figures of the drawing referred to; on sheet 2,
a better understanding of the construction of parts will be had, some of said figures
also illustrating a form of tightening device by which I am able from time to time
to take up undue slack in the main track. In these figures the support c is shown
to be of a construction by which it is made to set out from the line of the main
track, so as to supply a space for allowing the car to run up on the flexible section
of track e and be depressed in the manner explained, otherwise the said flexible
section would itself have to deviate from the line of direction of the main track
which would consequently necessitate a more complicated arrangement of parts.
Figures 10 and 11 are respectively a side elevation and plan view of a modifi-
cation of the support c and figure 12 represents a combination in side elevation of
Figure 11. In these figures the manner of attachment of the device to the annular
or straight bar E, is by the clamp E' as shown, the support c being jointed or pivoted
to the clamp as at c². By this joint, wires may be radiated in either direction, as
well as branched off in a straight line without the necessity of adjusting the
clamp E on its bar, the joint c² permitting the support c to turn in any direction
desired.
On the rearward end of the said clamp a bifurcated extension e³ is arranged,
through which the cord e is passed and guided.
The wire tightener consists of a long screw passing through an extension m on
the underside of one arm of the hinged strip c¹ as shown and which is regulated
but a nut. The head of this screw forms or is provided with an eye n to which
the wire forming the main track is secured: G represents a curved arm extending
from c' and through the end of which the main track passes. This arm serves to
facilitate the easy progress of the car from the main track on to the jointed arm c¹
In operation a sale having been made and the car caused to travel toward the
cashier, it will, upon reaching the cord e at his end depress the said cord by virtue
of its weight and descend to within reach of the cashier as shown.
The track is then adjusted at the salesman's end to the position shown in dotted
lines in Figure 6. After the cashier makes the proper disposal of the cash and the
article, he pulls downwardly on the cord è at his end, which action elevates the
car and returns it to the salesman by gravity-As shown by the figure on sheet 3
of the drawings a single forwarding track is employed for all the stations of the
several counters.
This forwarding tract is inclined from the counters to the cashier's desk to cause
the car to run by gravity. The manner of supporting this forward track is by
rods depending from the ceiling at each station to which said track is secured:
For the return of the car to the clerk after having been forwarded to the cashier
separate and individual tracks or ways. are employed inclined in opposite directions
to the forwarding track: The terminals of these tracks are secured to the same"

page_text: depending supports to which the forwarding track is secured. These supports being
sufficiently far away from the heads of the olerks, and the cars being received and
lowered as above described.
In this form, A represents the cashier's desk and B the counters having one or
more stations.
C represents the main forwarding track inclined toward the cashier's desk and
supported by suitable attachment to the rods a. D represents the tracks or ways
for the return of the car 2 to the clerk, which are inclined in the opposite direction
to the forwarding track, and are secured at their terminals to the supports a at the
clerks end, and a support a¹ above the head of the cashier. Above the forwarding
track are placed the devices employed for delivering the car upon the track.
These devices are much like those already described with this main difference,
that each is provided with a spring arm 6 down which the car runs on to the
track C. The cord o pulley d and bracket b have already been described.
The spring b holds arm 6" in place except when depressed by the weight of the
carrier.
When the clerk desires to forward a car he elevates the end of cord e to allow
its bight to descend whereupon he places the car on the cord and then elevates it
by pulling the cord downwardly, this tightens said cord and gives to its portion.
between the pulley d and the extension 6 an incline causing the car to run down'
upon the jointed arm or extension depressing it by its weight to rest upon the track
and the said car is thus transferred or delivered upon the way.
As soon as the car is delivered, the spring 6111 restores the hinged arm to its
former position. The bars 6 may be clamped either at their ends to the supports a
or at their middle portion, this latter manner of attachment being preferred as a
better and more equal balancing of parts is gained thereby. These elevating and
delivering devices are arranged above the forwarding track sufficiently high to
allow the passage of a car thereunder.
At the clerks end of the return tracks or ways D, is arranged receiving devices
on to which the car runs and is lowered to within convenient reach of the operator;
these devices consist of the same elements previously described a support or bar
similar to bar b and a cord e.
At the cashier's end the tracks or ways D are secured to tightening devices
which consist of a clamp E secured to the rod a¹ a screw threaded arm g hinged
thereto as at g and an angle arm h which is borne on the end of the arm and itself
bears a pulley i to which the track-wire is secured, projecting from the angle arın.
are two offsets in which the spring stop shown is secured, consisting of two rods xx
having springs thereon which bear between said offsets and the cross-head x¹ of the
hook which acts to catch the car as it reaches the end of the track. It is
situated on a line beneath the track or way the latter passing through an upwardly
extending hollow projection w in which is held a spring.
This stop is used in some cases instead of the receiving and lowering apparatus
at A in Figure 6, and at the lower ends of tracks D, Figure 13.
It will be seen that in the store service system of Figures 13 and 14, the cars
are received from one track and lowered by one apparatus and are then shifted to
another apparatus by which they are raised and restored to another track one
apparatus being merely a receiver and lowerer, and the other merely a raiser and
restorer while in Figures 1, 6 and 18 each apparatus is in itself a receiver, lowerer,
raiser and restorer.
That part of this invention illustrated in Figures 13 to 17 both inclusive consists,
therefore, in the system whose novelty resides resides in the use of one general
track for a number of cars from a number of stations in connection with individual
return tracks, one for each station, that is all the cars run down track C, until they
reach its lowest part near a¹ in Figure 14 they are then received by the cashier
and each is restored to its especial track C. numbers or colors or the like being used
to aid the cashier in placing each car upon its own track C. A minor feature of
"
M.

page_text: this part of the invention consists in the spring arm 6" in the combination with
the elevating cord c.
Referring to figures-18 to 23, inclusive, A represents a series of ways radiating
from the cashier's desk B to the stations or counters C of the several salesman.
The ways are composed, of three portions namely an intermediate portion
(between the supports a b, which intermediate portion is usually horizontal, and
which may be curved instead of straight as shown in Figure 19) and two terminal
portions, each of which acts alternately as receiver from and restorer to the
intermediate portion, and moreover the impetus given the car by these terminal
portions carries it, over the intermediate portion, this system being like that shown
in figure 1 so far as concerns a track made up of one intermediate and two terminal
portions but differing from figure 1. in that the terminal portions are not only
alternately receivers and restorers but each is also a sender, that is each gives
sufficient impetus to the car running down it to travel over the intermediate
portion.
In figure 18 'the moving end of the terminal track on the right is raised and
lowered by means of a cord and pulley, as before described, but by the use of a.
second pulley marked 2 in Figure 18 the same cord which receives and restores
may be used to raise and lower the moving end of the track for if this cord
extended from between the pulleys 1 and 2 over pulley i Figure 18 or over a like
pulley at 3 pulling upon its hanging end would not only raise the car but would
also raise the moving end of the track. Figures 20 and 21 are enlarged views of
the receivers and restorers on the right of Figure 18. On the left of Figure 18 the
lower end of supportig has a rectangular frame K secured to it and the part moved
by the cord and pulley extends through frame K this being the converse of the
arrangement shown in Figures 20 and 21.
"
With reference to figures 24 and 25 of the drawing A represents the track and a
the portion by which the car is received. Referring to the construction of car
indicated at c Figure 24 b. b represent the wheels that are properly grooved to
travel the " way These wheels are mounted on a frame B serviving to constitute
the main body of the car and which has a depending bracket or hanger c to which
the carrying receptacle (not shown) is attached. Upon a. comparison of the
diameter of the main track and that of the receiving portion it will be observed
that the space d¹ between the longitudinal portion d of the car's body, and the
under portion of the periphery of the wheels; is sufficient for the passage of the
track A but insufficient for the passage of the receiving portion a This difference
in diameter between the two however does not affect the passage of the wheels
from one to the other.
By the construction above given, the car can only be taken off and put on at the
main track and it being more particularly desirable that the said car shall not fall
off at the flexible portion the advantages of this feature of this invention will be
apparent. If it should however be desired to have the car permanent upon the
main track and removable from the flexible portion, this could be easily effected by
simply constructing the main track of the greater diameter.
In figures 26 and 27 is represented this broad improvement by which the car is
prevented from falling from its track or way and as.herein represented such
improvement consists of automatically operating gates 9 closing the space 10
between the wheel 11 and the car body or frame-work 12 on one side.
. By operating the gates to open the car may be detached from the track but
normally the gates are closed to retain the car perfectly in place.
Having now particulary described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. In combination a car and apparatus by which the car is received from the
track and lowered and afterward raised and restored to the same track from which
it was received, substantially as described.

page_text: Second: A track inclined alternately in opposite directions in combination with
a receiver and restorer at one or at both ends and with a car which runs over the
track in both directions by gravity substantially as shown in Figure 6:
Third. An intermediate track in combination with two terminal tracks each
terminal track being alternately inclined, in opposite directions and each acting
alternately as receiver and sender substantially as described.
Fourth: A store service system consisting of a single forwarding track for all the
stations of a counter and individual return tracks for each station substantially as
described and I also claim in combination with this system devices substantially
such as are shown for elevating the cars above and delivering them upon the
forwarding track.
Fifth. A track formed partly of wire and partly of cord the diameter of the cord
being considerably larger than the diameter of the wire substantially as and for
the purpose specified and I also claim a car having the general construction
described and shown in Figure 25 whereby it is especially adapted for use with
such a track.
Sixth. In combination the track the conveyer and the apparatus by which the
conveyer is both received from and restored to the track all arranged and operating
as set forth.
Seventh. The yielding gate in combination with the wheel and frame of the
carrier substantially as described.