GB1313125A - Taximeter keyboard unit - Google Patents

Abstract

1313125 Taximeters KIENZLE APPARATE GmbH 19 April 1971 [29 April 1970] 9872/71 Heading G4T [Also in Division H1] A keyboard control unit for a taximeter (Fig. 1, not shown) comprises a switching key 34 to 39 associated with each function of the taximeter, locking means 30 being provided to prevent the actuation of some of the keys 34 to 37, the locking means being releasable to permit actuation of these keys by a " For-Hire " key 38. This arrangement ensures that the taximeter is returned to the " For-Hire " position before the start of each new journey. In the embodiment described the keys 34 to 37 are associated with different tariffs and key 39 is a "Cash" " key. Actuation of a tariff key 34 to 37 is normally blocked by a pin 19 on the key shaft 11 engaging an abutment 48 on the spring-urged locking slide 30. Depression of " For-Hire " key 38 displaces slide 30 to the right on engagement of pin 19 with sloping abutment surface 33 of slide 30 and allows the pin 19 of another key to enter a recess 31 in the slide. The ends 25 of the key shafts 11 act on respective contact banks 26. Keys 34 to 38 are held in their depressed positions by means of a spring urged locking comb 40 the teeth of which co-operate with respective recesses 20 and noses 21 of the key shafts 11. The actuation of one of these keys releases any other depressed key, the actuated key then being held depressed. The " Cash " key 39 serves as a common release key for any depressed key but is not itself held in a depressed position, and also acts to disconnect the timedrive to allow for luggage unloading &c. To prevent the simultaneous depression of more than one key displaceable blocking discs 28 are provided arranged so as to allow the entry of only one projection between any two adjacent discs. A depressed key is illuminated by a lamp 15 underneath the key-buttons 10 which are pivotably mounted on the key shafts to permit easy replacement of the bulbs. The taximeter itself (Fig. 1, not shown) has a blind (3) with windows (4), (5) and (6) for the fare, extras and totals indicators respectively.