Automatic Carriages and other purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
Automatic Carriages, and other purposes.
I, VICTORIEN LOUIS MARIE RENARD of 82 Rue de Bondy, Paris in the
French Republic, Mechanical Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to revolution counters or distance indicators for
velocipedes, automatic or other carriages, and applicable for other purposes,
and consists in improvements in the construction of said counters and their
parts.
On the drawings appended hereunto
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the improved counter;
Fig. 2 a front view of the same partly in section ;
Fig. 3 a cross section at X X Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 an end view.
Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show details hereinafter referred to ;
Figs. 8 and 8 a bracket for mounting the counter on velocipedes ;
Fig. 9 a modified bracket;
Fig. 10 the actuating pin;
Figs. 11 and 12 modifications of the counter mechanism.
The improved counter, which I propose to call the "Fox Record," consists of a
cylindrical case Fig. 1 containing a set of discs with figures on their outer
circumference, Fig. 2, and the mechanisms for turning the discs. The case is
formed with an opening covered by a plate of celluloid or other transparent
substance through which the figures inside of the case can be read. Preferably
the figures are in two colours to distinguish the different denominatious of
measure, for instance kilometres and metres, miles and decimal sub-division, or
yards, where the counter is used as a distance or length indicator.
The discs are mounted on a spindle passing through the case and are actuated
by means of a ratchet wheel A Fig. 3, fixed on the first disc O, Fig. 2.
Where the apparatus is used as a distance indicator the first disc O is preferably
made wide enough to carry two figures, digits and units of the shorter measure
(metres or yards), because one revolution of the wheel exceeds this measure, the
ratchet wheel being made with such a number of teeth that it makes one revolution
for a distance of 100 metres or yards; and where required a similar arrangement
may be adopted for any other disc, and they may have more than 10 figures on
their circumference, the ratchet wheels connected to them being made with the
corresponding number of teeth. For revolution counters each ratchet wheel would
have 10 teeth and the discs be marked from 0 to 9 as usual.
Upon the outside of the case is placed a spring blade B, Figs. 3 and 4 which by
a rivetted stud is connected to a small internal spring blade C and is fixed to
another internal spring D by a second rivet. The upper rivet stud passes through
an oblong slot in the case which permits its being moved by the length of a ratchet
tooth, while the bottom rivet fixes the two springs rigidly to the case, so that when
the hoop shaped outer end of the spring blade B is pulled to the right, the spring
yields as shewn on Fig. 3 and carries the spring C with it, which acts as a pawl
and advances the ratchet wheel by a tooth, while the fixed spring D acts as check
pawl and prevents the ratchet wheel from turning back.

page_text: A lever S Fig. 4 is hinged upon the end of the case and carries a peg which
enters into the hoop at the end of the spring B and thus connects them.
The ratchet wheel A turns the first disc which is fixed to it, along with it, and
the latter when completing an entire revolution advances the next disc by one
division by means of special arrangements Fig. 5. A. ratchet wheel E Fig. 6 is
fixed to the next dise, the number of teeth corresponding with the number of
divisions, which would be 10 for revolution counting or decimal distance measuring.
The discs as stated hereinbefore, turn on a spindle passing through the case and
fixed to its ends so as to be stationary; this spindle H is formed with a flat over
its entire internal length. The discs are separated one from the other by a
washer L, Fig. 5, of larger diameter than the ratchet wheel, and a certain part
of the washer is cut away so that the ratchet wheel turning behind it only shows
one complete tooth at a time. The hole in the washer is cut out to the same shape
as the section of the spindle, so that the washer cannot turn on it. The first disc
has a small internal spring blade M, Fig. 5, fixed to it, the front end of which
slides on the edge of the washer L, and it will be readily understood that once
during each revolution it will encounter the exposed tooth of the ratcliet wheel,
and advance it by one tooth, so that if the latter has ten teeth, the first must make
ten revolutions for producing one of the second disc. Each following disc is
driven by the preceding one by a like arrangement of spring blade, washer and
ratchet wheel.
In order to prevent the dises from turning without being impelled, in consequence
of the vibrations of the counter, I place between each disc and washer La
retaining wheel R, Fig. 7, with rounded teeth of the same number as those of the
ratchet wheel fixed to said dise; the spring M is prolonged backwards but reduced
in width so that it can enter between the disc and washer L and engage with its
bent rounded end in the teeth of the retaining wheel with a light pressure, which
permits the turning of the discs by hand in order to place the counter back to zero,
but prevents them from becoming displaced by themselves.
A belical or other spring may he placed upon the spindle between the last disc
and the end cover of the case in order to prevent lateral displacement of the
parts. The case is composed of a slit cylindrical envelope the edges of which
are bent so as to form grooves into which the celluloid or other plate can be
slided, and of two recessed ends in which the envelope is encased; the central
spindle, the ends of which are serewed, holds the parts together by means of two
outside nuts.
A bracket P Fig. 8 may be used for fixing the indicator on the velocipede or
other vehicle, and supports its spindle ends fitted with nuts N N, which allow it to
be turned in the bracket and fixed so as to place it into the best position for the
rider being able to see the figures. The foot of the bracket is formed with a long
slot to allow its being raised or lowered.
Fig. 9 shows a modified arrangement of bracket P, it is composed of two parts,
the upper one detachable and fixed to the other by means of a screw passing
through a slot in order to allow the two parts to be shifted and turned relatively to
each other.
Any other arrangement of bracket for supporting the counter on a vehicle may
be used.
In order to actuate the counter from the front wheel of a safety bicycle for
instance, it is fixed upon the end of the wheel axle and in the crossing of the wheel
spokes a small screwed rod is placed, Fig. 10, which carries a small freely turning
roller C at one end and two plates D' E between which the spokes are gripped,
the former being tapped while the latter is a loose washer held up by a nut. By
these means the roller C¹ can be set further from or nearer to the spokes so as to
be in the position required for striking the lever S on the counter once during each
revolution of the wheel and thus cause it to move the figure discs in the manner
hereinbetore described and indicate the number of revolutions or distance run over
according to the arrangement of the counter. The eccentric position and

page_text: inclination to the radius from the counter centre in which the lever S is placed,
allow the wheel to be turned backwards without inconvenience or movement of the
counter mechanism, the spring B yielding to the required extent to allow the lever
to yield to the roller.
Figs. 11 and 12 are modified arrangements which may replace the spring and
washer Fig. 5.
In Fig. 11 the spring is replaced by a small pawl lever G which is kept out of
the ratchet wheel by a spring. The washer L is round instead of being cut out,
but carries a peg I at a point near to the circumference. At each revolution the
tail end of the pawl lever encounters this peg which turns the lever and causes it to
engage with a tooth of the ratchet wheel next to it. The contact surface or length
of the lever is so adjusted that it is liberated after having advanced the ratchet
wheel by a tooth.
Fig. 12 is an arrangement without springs; the pawl in this case is formed with
an extension m in which a peg is fixed that slides in an eccentric groove in the side
of the washer L and effects the same result as that obtained with the arrangement
shewn by Fig. 11.
The proportions and shapes of the parts and accessories may be varied from
those shown, and they may be made of any suitable materials.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
In revolution counters or distance indicators,
1. The general construction or combination of parts substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. The arrangement of discs carrying numbers on their edge marked in two
different colours and visible through an opening covered by a transparent material,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The arrangement of a ratchet wheel (A) actuated by a set of springs (BCD)
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
4. The arrangement of a washer (L) cut out on part of its circumference and
held in position by fitting on a flattened shaft substantially as and for the purpose
described.
5. The arrangement of a wheel (R) with rounded teeth in combination with a
spring engaging therein for preventing the displacement of the discs.
6. The arrangement of the actuating lever S on an eccentric fulcrum in
order to allow the wheel to be turned back substantially as herein before
described.
7. The arrangement of a supporting bracket in two parts allowing the position
of the indicator to be varied in any direction substantially as described with
reference to Fig. 9 of the drawings.
8. The arrangement of a screwed rod for the purpose of shifting the position of
the striking roller, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 10th day of February 1806
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, and 5, Clayton Square, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.