GB2175662A - Improvements in taximeters and like apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A taximeter is sealed by a cap 5 which fits onto a retaining screw 3 which must be removed in order to reset the taximeter. The cap cannot be removed intact from the bore housing the screw. Replacement caps are supplied under strict control so that the absence of a cap from the screw indicates tampering. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in taximeters and like apparatus The mechanism of a taximeter is generally reset from time to time under official supervision in order to give effect to increases in tariff rates. It is important, however, to prevent or discourage resetting of the meter between official inspections in such a way as to allow the taxi driver to charge at a tariff above the official one. Similar considerations apply in the case of prepayment electricity and gas meters, for example, where the customer may reset the mechanism to a lower tariff.

The problem is complicated by the need for the apparatus to open easily when it is to be officially reset. The solution at present adopted is for the meter casing to have a seal which must be broken before the casing can be opened, but which can be replaced only by the appropriate official. In connection with taximeters the seal takes the form of an assembly including a receptacle in which is received the slotted head of a fixing screw, and a cap which snaps into the receptacle. The receptacle is concealed within an enlarged mouth of the hole through which the screw passes in the taximeter casing. In order to open the casing, the cap is prized out to gain access to the screw head. The assembly and release of the known seal are complicated, and are simplified by the proposal made herein.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a section through part of a taximeter showing the proposed seal in place, Figure 2 is a view of the underside of the proposed seal.

The taximeter has an outer casing 1 which is secured to a frame member 2 by a screw 3, the head 3a of which is located within a stepped hole 4 in the casing. The screw 3 must be removed in order to gain access to, and reset, the taximeter. A polypropylene or nylon cap 5 applied to the screw head is a close fit in the stepped hole and has inwardly projecting tongues 6 which project beneath a rim 7 extending around the head of the screw.

The screw employed is of a non-conventional type, in that it is formed with the rim 7, but with a conventional Posi-drive or Phillips recess 8 (Posi-drive and Phillips being Trade Marks). The cap has distinguishing indicia, e.g.

the letters MP for Metropolitan Police in the case of a taximeter within the London Metropolitan area, and an identifying number. Once applied, the cap may be removed only by driving the end of a screw driver of appropriate type through the end of the cap into engagement with the recess in the head of the screw. The cap is therefore broken and can be replaced by one only from an official source.

The side wall of the cap has a slot 9 which extends throughout its circumference so as to form inner and outer shells 10 and 11, respectively. The two shells may be joined together by narrow webs 12. Tongues 6 project inwards from the inner shell. The division of the head into two shells increases the flexibility of the cap and simplifies its application.

The present proposal also concerns the caps for use in the taximeter described above. The proposal may also be used to prevent tampering with apparatus by, for example, using the cap to conceal a screw used to interlock two movable parts.

1. A taximeter or other apparatus having a hole into which a screw may be driven following resetting of a tariff, the hole having an enlarged mouth for receiving the screw head, and a cap dimensioned substantially to fit the mouth of the hole and to engage with a peripheral portion of the screw head, so as to be irremovable intact from the screw.

2. A cap for use in the apparatus of claim 1, having a peripheral slot in the edge of its side wall so as to divide at least part of said wall into inner and outer shells, tongues projecting from the inner shell.

3. A cap for use in the apparatus of claim 1, having an end wall which is sufficiently thin as to be pierced by the end of a screw driver or other tool driven into the hole into contact with the screw.

4. In combination, a cap as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 and a screw having a peripheral shoulder for engagement with projections on the wall of the cap.

5. A method of sealing a taximeter or other apparatus comprising applying a cap as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 onto the head of a retaining screw concealed within the mouth of a bore.

6. A method of unsealing a taximeter or other apparatus following sealing in accordance with claim 4, comprising driving a screw driver through the end of the cap into mating engagement with the screw, and unscrewing the screw.

7. A cap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in taximeters and like apparatus The mechanism of a taximeter is generally reset from time to time under official supervision in order to give effect to increases in tariff rates. It is important, however, to prevent or discourage resetting of the meter between official inspections in such a way as to allow the taxi driver to charge at a tariff above the official one. Similar considerations apply in the case of prepayment electricity and gas meters, for example, where the customer may reset the mechanism to a lower tariff. The problem is complicated by the need for the apparatus to open easily when it is to be officially reset. The solution at present adopted is for the meter casing to have a seal which must be broken before the casing can be opened, but which can be replaced only by the appropriate official. In connection with taximeters the seal takes the form of an assembly including a receptacle in which is received the slotted head of a fixing screw, and a cap which snaps into the receptacle. The receptacle is concealed within an enlarged mouth of the hole through which the screw passes in the taximeter casing. In order to open the casing, the cap is prized out to gain access to the screw head. The assembly and release of the known seal are complicated, and are simplified by the proposal made herein. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a section through part of a taximeter showing the proposed seal in place, Figure 2 is a view of the underside of the proposed seal. The taximeter has an outer casing 1 which is secured to a frame member 2 by a screw 3, the head 3a of which is located within a stepped hole 4 in the casing. The screw 3 must be removed in order to gain access to, and reset, the taximeter. A polypropylene or nylon cap 5 applied to the screw head is a close fit in the stepped hole and has inwardly projecting tongues 6 which project beneath a rim 7 extending around the head of the screw. The screw employed is of a non-conventional type, in that it is formed with the rim 7, but with a conventional Posi-drive or Phillips recess 8 (Posi-drive and Phillips being Trade Marks). The cap has distinguishing indicia, e.g. the letters MP for Metropolitan Police in the case of a taximeter within the London Metropolitan area, and an identifying number. Once applied, the cap may be removed only by driving the end of a screw driver of appropriate type through the end of the cap into engagement with the recess in the head of the screw. The cap is therefore broken and can be replaced by one only from an official source. The side wall of the cap has a slot 9 which extends throughout its circumference so as to form inner and outer shells 10 and 11, respectively. The two shells may be joined together by narrow webs 12. Tongues 6 project inwards from the inner shell. The division of the head into two shells increases the flexibility of the cap and simplifies its application. The present proposal also concerns the caps for use in the taximeter described above. The proposal may also be used to prevent tampering with apparatus by, for example, using the cap to conceal a screw used to interlock two movable parts. CLAIMS

1. A taximeter or other apparatus having a hole into which a screw may be driven following resetting of a tariff, the hole having an enlarged mouth for receiving the screw head, and a cap dimensioned substantially to fit the mouth of the hole and to engage with a peripheral portion of the screw head, so as to be irremovable intact from the screw.

2. A cap for use in the apparatus of claim 1, having a peripheral slot in the edge of its side wall so as to divide at least part of said wall into inner and outer shells, tongues projecting from the inner shell.

3. A cap for use in the apparatus of claim 1, having an end wall which is sufficiently thin as to be pierced by the end of a screw driver or other tool driven into the hole into contact with the screw.

4. In combination, a cap as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 and a screw having a peripheral shoulder for engagement with projections on the wall of the cap.

5. A method of sealing a taximeter or other apparatus comprising applying a cap as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 onto the head of a retaining screw concealed within the mouth of a bore.

6. A method of unsealing a taximeter or other apparatus following sealing in accordance with claim 4, comprising driving a screw driver through the end of the cap into mating engagement with the screw, and unscrewing the screw.

7. A cap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawing.