Improvements in or connected with Effecting Assurances and Insurances.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 9th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 9th Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Effecting Assurances and
Insurances.
We, JOHN Moss, of 22, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Resident Secretary Standard Accident Co., and CHARLES GRANTLEY BEECHEY,
of 7, Kremlin Drive, Stoneycroft, near Liverpool, aforesaid, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
-
According to this invention, insurances or assurances in the case of death,
accidents, fire, and in some cases burglary, and the like, are effected as hereinafter
described, to persons by or upon the insertion of a coin or token in automatically
or auto-mechanically operated apparatus. In the operation of the apparatus, when
a coin or token is placed in the machine, the mechanism may be actuated, by
which, when operated by the hand, the issue of a ticket, contract, or policy, or
equivalent, takes place, and the insurance or assurance is effected.
The mode of and means for carrying out the above specified system of automatic
or auto-mechanical insurance or assurance, is as follows:-In connection with the
machine, tickets bearing serial numbers, or other means of ascertaining the order
or date of issue, are employed and on these tickets is provided the contract giving
the sum of insurance or assurance against accident, death, fire, and in some cases
also, burglary, and the like. It is proposed that the duration of the contract, that
is the term of the insurance or assurance, which may be a week, month, or other
time, should be provided also on the ticket. To check the time of the issue of any
given ticket, a marked coin or particular token is placed in the machine -by a
checker in the employ of the proprietors, who should at the same time withdraw a
ticket; by this means the term for any given ticket issued by the machine can be
ascertained; and as a further check in some cases, the coins or tokens are received
and stored in the apparatus by a suitable receiving device in order of their insertion,
and thus the order of any ticket or policy can be checked.
It will be seen then that our mode of working and checking automatic, or auto-
mechanical, or coin-freed, assurances or insurance systems, consists in adapting an
apparatus to issue tickets or the like with the required printed matter thereon, and
with serial numbers or equivalent markings, and checking the periods of time for
which such tickets are issued by inserting a marked coin or token in the apparatus
in the usual way, and withdrawing or taking the ordinary ticket therefor; and also,
in some cases, in storing or receiving by a suitable means or device the coins or
tokens in the order they are inserted.
The apparatus according to this invention consists as follows:-The coin or token
used is introduced in the apparatus in any known way, and in connection with it a
receiving or detent mechanism is used. In connection with this works a bar or
device which is moved by the user of the apparatus. In connection with the bar, a
spring, weight or other suitable device may be used to retain it fully in, when not
in operátion.
In connection with this mechanism is employed a ticket containing or storing
device, at one end or part of which a ticket release or delivery gear connected with
the detent or receiving gear is provided.
When a coin or token is inserted in the machine, the actuating device and
the coin detent or receiving gear operates on or in relation to the ticket or
contract release or withdrawing gear, and upon moving the bar or other device,
a ticket is delivered from the apparatus; when, however, no coin is in the
apparatus, and the bar or its equivalent is moved, the detent gear does not

page_text: communicate or work in connection with the ticket release gear, and no ticket is
delivered.
In one arrangement, the tickets are arranged alternately in the direction of their
length, and their containing bin or device is so made, or is of such a shape, as to
hold such tickets so arranged: their position is thus kept as they descend. To
insure descent, they may be weighted, if desired.
The ticket releasing mechanism may consist of four or other suitable number of
bolts, arranged opposite each other and adapted to lie under the overlapping ends
of the alternate tickets. In operation, the bolts are kept back by springs and are
worked inwards by cam or like device, in some cases this cam may have two
operative portions opposite one another with indentations, or equivalents, corre-
sponding to the bolts; and this cam or cams may be worked through a ratchet
wheel and ratchet rack or the like, so that rotation is given in one direction.
There may be suitable stops fixed on the rack so as to give the required amount of
movement or revolution to the cams or cam-ring, or equivalent device. In the
operation of releasing a ticket, the rack being pushed, pulled or moved, the cam or
cams act on one pair or set of the ticket bolts, or allow such bolts to act, in such a
manner, that the lowest ticket is released, and the whole column of tickets descends
a distance equal to the thickness of one ticket, and is stopped and supported by the
other pair or sets of bolts.
In operating the apparatus, the slot in which the coin or token is inserted is of
corresponding size thereto, so that no larger coin can be put in; it descends or goes
then to a detent casing or receiver, the bottom of which, or part to which the coin
or token falls, is tapered or so formed as to stop and hold the coin, the opening thus
being diminished; if therefore a smaller coin is introduced it drops through without
effect. In connection with the sliding bar above referred to or part connected
therewith, the coin acts, and forms a means of communicating the motion of such
bar with the ticket releasing mechanism, and when operated, the coin or token is
moved away by the sliding bar or part connected therewith. To release the coin
or token, the part on or of the bar and the part of the ticket releasing mechanism,
are normally a greater distance apart than the thickness or other dimension of the
coin or token, and when the return action commences, moves away from the coin or
token, which is thus free to fall. The return of the ticket release mechanism may
be effected by the return of the actuating bar or rod through a projection
thereon, or equivalent means.
To check the order of the coins or tokens introduced into the machine by those
effecting an insurance or assurance, and that introduced by the checker, they are
collected as they fall or move from the mechanism above described, in order. This
may be done by employing a tube, bin, or the like, by which they are directed by
mouth thereon, and fall as desired.
In the case when the actuating handle or bar is operated when no coin is
inserted in the apparatus, the bar, or device, thereon, is free to pass through the
coin or token receiving device, and part on the ticket releasing device, or past
same, without actuating same.
It is to be stated that the invention is not limited to the construction of
apparatus above generally described, since the mode of effecting insurances and
assurances according to this invention, may be carried out in apparatus having
parts arranged, constructed, and adapted to operate differently to those above
specified. Further, the apparatus above described may be modified in different
ways, without departing from its essential or main characteristics.
Dated thin och 1
CAT
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Effecting Assurances and
Insurances.
We, JOHN Moss, of 22, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Resident Secretary Standard Accident Co., and CHARLES GRANTLEY BEECHEY,
of 7, Kremlin Drive, Stoneycroft, near Liverpool, aforesaid, 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:―
According to this invention, insurances or assurances in the case of death,
accidents, fire, and in some cases burglary, and the like, are effected as hereinafter
described, to persons by or upon the insertion of a coin or token in automatically
or auto-mechanically operated apparatus. In the operation of the apparatus, when
a coin or token is placed in the machine, the mechanism may be actuated, by which,
when operated by the hand, the issue of a ticket, contract, or policy, or equivalent,
takes place, and the insurance or assurance is effected.
The mode of and means for carrying out the above specified system of automatic
or auto-mechanical insurance or assurance, is as follows:-In connection with the
machine, tickets bearing serial numbers, or other means of ascertaining the order
or date of issue, are employed and on these tickets provided the contract giving
the sum of insurance or assurance against accident, death, fire, and in some cases
also, burglary, and the like. It is proposed, that the duration of the contract, that
is the term of the insurance or assurance, which may be a week, month, or other
time, should be provided also on the ticket. To check the time of the issue of any
given ticket, a marked coin or particular token is placed in the machine by a
checker in the employ of the proprietors, who should at the same time withdraw a
ticket; by this means the term for any given ticket issued by the machine can be
ascertained; and as a further check in some cases the coins or tokens are received
and stored in the apparatus by a suitable receiving device in order of their insertion,
and thus the order of any ticket or policy can be checked.
It will be seen then that our mode of working and checking automatic or auto-
mechanic, or coin-freed, assurance or insurance systems, consists in adapting an
apparatus to issue tickets or the like with the required printed matter thereon, and
with serial numbers or equivalent markings, and checking the periods of time for
which such tickets are issued by inserting a marked coin or token in the apparatus
in the usual way, and withdrawing or taking the ordinary ticket therefor; and also,
in some cases, in storing or receiving by a suitable means or device the coins or
tokens in the order they are inserted.
The apparatus according to this invention consists as follows:-The coin or
token used is introduced in the apparatus in any known way, and in connection with
it a receiving or détent mechanism is used. In connection with this works a bar or
device which is moved by the user of the apparatus. In connection with the bar,
a spring, weight or other suitable device may be used to retain it fully in, when not
in operation.
In connection with this mechanism is employed a ticket containing or storing
device, at one end or part of which a ticket release or delivery gear connected with
the detent or receiving gear is provided.
When a coin or token is inserted in the machine, the actuating device and the
coin detent or receiving gear operates on or in relation to the ticket or contract
release or withdrawing gear, and upon moving the bar or other device, a ticket is
delivered from the apparatus; when, however, no coin is in the apparatus, and the
bar or its equivalent is moved, the detent gear does not communicate or work in
connection with the ticket release gear, and no ticket is delivered.

page_text: In one arrangement, the tickets are arranged alternately in the direction of their
length, and their containing bin or device is so made, or is of such a shape, as to
hold such tickets so arranged: their position is thus kept as they descend. To
insure descent, they may be weighted, if desired.
The ticket releasing mechanism may consist of four or other suitable number of
bolts, arranged opposite each other and adapted to lie under the overlapping ends
of the alternate tickets. In operation, the bolts are kept back by springs and are
worked inwards by cam or like device, in some cases this cam may have two
operative portions opposite one another with indentations, or equivalents,
corresponding to the bolts; and this cam or cams may be worked through a
ratchet wheel and ratchet rack or the like, so that rotation is given in one direction..
There may be suitable stops fixed on the rack so as to give the required amount of
movement or revolution to the cams or cam-ring, or equivalent device. In the
operation of releasing a ticket, the rack being pushed, pulled or moved, the cam or
cams act on one pair or set of the ticket bolts, or allow such bolts to act, in such a
manner, that the lowest ticket is released, and the whole column of tickets descends
a distance equal to the thickness of one ticket, and is stopped and supported by the
other pair or sets of bolts.
In operating the apparatus, the slot in which the coin or token is inserted is of
corresponding size thereto, so that no larger coin can be put in; it descends or
goes then to a detent casing or receiver, the bottom of which or part to which the
coin or token falls, is tapered or so formed as to stop and hold the coin, the opening
thus being diminished, if therefore a smaller coin is introduced it drops through
without effect. In connection with the sliding bar above referred to or part
connected therewith, the coin acts, and forms a means of communicating the motion
of such bar with the ticket releasing mechanism, and when operated, the coin or
token is moved away by the sliding bar or part connected therewith. To release
the coin or token, the part on or of the bar and the part of the ticket releasing
mechanism, are normally a greater distance apart than the thickness or dimension
of the coins or token, and when the return action commences, moves away from
the coin or token, which is thus free to fall. The return of the ticket release
mechanism may be effected by the return of the actuating bar or rod through a
projection thereon, or equivalent means.
To check the order of the coins or tokeus introduced into the machine by those
effecting an insurance or assurance, and that introduced by the checker, they are
collected as they fall or move from the mechanism above described, in order. This
may be done by employing a tube, bin, or the like, by which they are directed by
a mouth thereon, and fall as desired.
In the case when the actuating handle or bar is operated when no coin is inserted
in the apparatus, the bar, or device thereon, is free to pass through the coin or
token receiving device and part on the ticket releasing device, or past same,
without actuating same.
It is to be stated that the invention is not limited to the specific construction
shown since it may be modified in different ways as to form without necessarily
departing from its essential or main characteristics.
In the drawings illustrating this invention,
Figure 1 is a front elevation, and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus
constructed and adapted to operate for effecting assurances and insurances; whilst
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively plan viewed from outside and transverse section of
the upper part of the apparatus.
Figure 2 is a section illustrating a coin or token withdrawing device.
Figure 5 shews the actuating mechanism of the apparatus as viewed from below;
whilst Figure 6 is a sectional elevation thereof.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of the ticket release or withdrawing mechanism.
Figures 8, 9, 94, and 10 are details shewing the coin or token detent and action
in longitudinal section, end view, and plan.
Figures 11, 12, and 13 shew in sectional plan, longitudinal section, and in detail,

page_text: respectively, the actuating and ticket releasing mechanism according to a
modification under this invention.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1 to 10, a is a ticket storing device
consisting of a hollow column of rectangular form with an internal angular
projection a¹ at each corner. The front and top is provided with a removable
plate a² which at the top fits into the column by a stud a²x (as shewn in Figures 1,
14, 2 and 3) and at the bottom is adapted to be locked by the snug a³ to the
snugs a. By this removable plate, the column a can be supplied with tickets or
the tickets inspected. Every alternate ticket in the pile is arranged at 90 degrees
from its neighbour, and these tickets being of rectangular form, and longer than
they are broad, will project beyond each other, forming when piled a recess at each
angle of the pile, which, when they are placed in this wise in the columns, are filled
by the angles a', and are thus kept in this position in their descent down the
column. This descent may be regularly insured by having a weight pressing on the
top of the pile.
The ticket column a is supported on and attached to the plate b, in connection
also with which the actuating mechanism, and the ticket releasing mechanism, are
provided. The ticket releasing mechanism comprises a chest e with a ring c
thereon acting as a cam, and a rack c² by which the ring is rotated on the body of
the chest c; and bolts d-of horse-shoe magnet shape-working in suitable dies in
the chest c, they being pressed inwards by the rotation of the cam ring el, and
withdrawn by the springs d'. By this form or arrangement of cam and bolts as
shewn in Figure 5, a pair of adjacent bolts are moved simultaneously; and when a
ticket is to be released, the ends of the bolts forming such pair and acted upon by
the cam, move into the recesses therein as shewn in Figure 5, whereupon the
lowermost ticket is freed and can fall down, the pile being held by the other pair
which will project inwards as shewn in this figure. Thus, by the tickets being
arranged crosswise as described, and the bolts d being arranged and operated
as described, by each actuation of the ring c¹, that is, by moving it a quarter of a
revolution, the bolts in pairs will be alternately operated, and the tickets discharged
seriatim.
The mechanism by which the cam ring e¹ is actuated consists, and is operated as
follows: A toothed rack e normally engaging with and pressed onto the teeth c² of
the cam ring is mounted at e² on a sliding frame e³, such frame receiving motion,
when a coin or token is inserted, by the means hereafter described. This frame
slides on a bar ffixed in the lugs on the underside of the plate b, and is guided
by a bar falso fixed on the underside of the said plate, and on which an
extension 3 of said frame slides. On one end of the frame e³, an arm is mounted
with a loop h¹ on the end thereof, which loop is disposed or arranged on one side of,
that is in front of, the coin or token when inserted in the apparatus, and in
conjunction with the rod i moved by the handle jas hereafter described, constitutes
the device pressed upon, and through which the frame e³, and so the cam ring c¹, is
moved. The aperture in the hoop is of such a size that it allows the rod i to
pass through it without moving it when no coin is within the apparatus, and being
utilized in the actuation thereof.
The rod is connected with and actuated from the handle j through a second
rod parallel with i and carrying same by an arm * fixed on the end thereof; thus the
rods and are in the form of a hooked or return rod, the portion i¹ being supported
and working in the lug f' at one end, and at the other through a projection 3 on
the arm is borne by and slides on the rod t supported in the other end of the
lugs. A spring is mounted on this rod and is compressed in the positive
action of the apparatus by the projection 3, its return action, that is, the action of
the actuating part being effected by this spring; the frame e³ being brought back
by a projection i fixed on the rod i¹.
The detent and slot device is designated k and consists of a metallic piece with a
slot in it or through it, the width of which is diminished near the bottom (see
Figure 9), and at which part the coin or token when of the correct value and size

page_text: is held. If however a wrong sized coin or token be inserted in the machine it can
fall through into the base and it cannot be utilized to actuate the machine.. The
side of the detent piece furthest from the rod i is cut away as shewn, to allow of
the coin or token inserted being laterally moved by the rod i.
A means is provided for supporting the coin, that is for preventing its falling
.down, whilst the handle is being pulled; and this consists of the supporting plate 1,
which by the angle webs is secured to the underside of the plate 6. This plate /
is continued or disposed almost an equal distance to the length of the stroke or
movement of the coin, and thus the coin is prevented from falling out until the
stroke of the apparatus is complete.
On the insertion of the coin as shewn in Figures 6, 8, 9 and 94 and designated,
it will lie between the loop ' which is in front of it, and the rod i which is behind
it. Then on pulling out the handle j, the rod is moved forward, and in its
movement, through the intervention of the coin or token, a, acts upon the loop h¹
and so through such loop moves the frame and rack e, thereby rotating the cam.
ring c. By this rotation, a pair of bolts d become withdrawn, and so release the
ticket which was bearing thereon and supported thereby, and this ticket falling into
the shoot m disposed beneath the chest e passes out into the trough n from which it
can be taken by the insurer.
The part and the end of the rod i are arranged to be normally a greater
distance apart than the thickness of the coin or token, so that when the return or
instroke of the rod commences, its end moves away from the coin or token before
the part commences to move, and thus the coin or token is free to fall.
The coins, as they are moved past the end of the supporting plate I fall into the
well o which at the upper part is provided with a funnel o¹ and below with a
removing slide
with a gap
P
in its front end, as shewn, and a handle p¹ to operate
it. The coins, in the order they are put in the apparatus, will fall into the well in
the same order, and by pushing the slide in and out, they can be withdrawn there-
from. The position of the slide p shewn in Figure 24 is that which it takes when
pulled out, and has removed a coin or coins, as shewn by the letter æ, their removal
having been effected by the back part of the slide being deeper or projecting upwards,
as shewn. By this means, by the agency of marked coins, the checking of the
apparatus can be effected as above described, and further by employing a counter
in connection with the slide (said counter being actuated by the inward movement
of the slide in any suitable known way) a further check may be obtained and
identification secured.
The mechanism of the instrument is contained within the case 61, and this case is
mounted upon the base with a lock up door 63 therein, by opening which the
interior may be had access to for removing coins and other purposes.
In conjunction with the actuating mechanism of apparatus for supplying tickets
of the kind herein described, I provide means for preventing the cam ring c¹ from
being rotated more than a quarter of a circle no matter how many times the
frame e is pulled in and out in connection with the application of one coin or token;
and by this means only one ticket for each coin or token introduced can by any
manipulation or manoeuvring of the machine be withdrawn. The mechanism
illustrated for effecting this comprises a toothed loose ring c³ on the cam ring e,
and actuating and non-return pawls e³ and c, whilst on the frame e³, a rack e is
provided which meshes with the rack on the ring c². When the rods i are moved
by the handle, when a coin is inserted, the coin acts upon the end of the frame eª
direct and so through the rack e moves this ring c², and the pawl of thereof
engaging with the cam ring c¹ in notches therein, moves it forward. The full stroke
is a quarter of a circle, but should the actuating rod be moved in and out before a
complete stroke is effected it merely oscillates the ring c² about the cam ring c
without moving same, as the actuating pawl simply moves on the surface of the
cam ring without moving same, unless in these movements such pawl is moved
beyond the point it first reached. When the full stroke is given, the quarter
revolution of the cam ring is made, a ticket is released, and the coin or token falls

page_text: over the end of the supporting plate into the receiver. (This special form of
device just described-which is the most suitable one we have devised for this
purpose it is to be stated, does not form part of the present application, and no
claim per se as such is made for it in this application.) The bolts d in this
arrangement, shewn in Figures 11, 12 and 13, are positively actuated in both their
inward and outward strokes. This is done by providing a metal band c within the
outer part cl and providing projecting parts d' on said bolts which lie within the
cam grooves formed between these rings and actuated to and fro thereby. By this
means no springs are required, and thus several elements of liability of breakdown
are obviated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In apparatus for effecting assurances and insurances, mechanism for discharging
or supplying tickets from a pile operating, substantially in the manner and for the
purposes described.
2. An apparatus for effecting insurances and assurances by tickets delivered from
apparatus adapted to be actuated through or by the insertion of a coin or token,
the arrangement of the tickets therein alternately across each other, and supporting
such tickets from below by supports which are alternately withdrawn and moved
under said tickets, whereby the tickets are discharged seriatim; for the purposes
set forth.
3. In apparatus for effecting insurances and assurances, the combination of the
ticket coutaining chamber, a ticket discharging device, mechanism for actuating said
ticket discharging device, the connection between which is effected upon and by a
coin inserted in the apparatus, the ticket discharging device being so arranged and
constructed that it is not moved so as to deliver more than one ticket by repeated
action of the actuating device after its first movement, and before the completion
of the stroke: substantially as herein described.
4. In apparatus for effecting insurances and assurances, an actuating handle or
device, the ticket discharging device operating substantially as described and
normally disconnected therefrom, and connected by a coin or token placed in the
machine or apparatus, and actuated therethrough in supplying a ticket, substantially
as set forth and shewn in the drawings hereto annexed.
5. In apparatus for effecting assurances and insurances, a tube or vessel by which
the coins or tokens are collected in order of their insertion in the apparatus, in
combination with a mechanism by which tickets with numerals in numerical order
are discharged to the users; whereby the identification or checking of the tickets
with the coins or tokens inserted is effected.
6. The ticket discharging mechanism operating particularly as set forth with
reference to and shewn in Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings.
7. The ticket containing and ticket discharging apparatus constructed, arranged,
and adapted to operate as set forth with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 8th day of August 1893.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicants' Patent Agents.