243,443. Kings Patent Agency, Ltd., (Taximetres MÚcanique de PrÚcision). Aug. 28, 1924. Flag and setting-spindle mechanism.-The cams by which the different sections of the taximeter are controlled are arranged on two cam shafts S, S', Fig. 8, which are at rightangles to one another and are set by the flag F through gearing 33, 32. The flag is turned through 360‹ in a complete cycle. The first quarter-turn sets the meter in operation, and the last quarter-turn resets the mechanism, retrograde movement of the flag during the first and last quarters being prevented by a pawl 183, Fig. 15, which engages ratchet teeth on a disc mounted on the flag spindle,. Backward movement is permitted during the second and third quarters of the cycle, that is, in the tariff position. The flag is stopped temporarily at each quarter-turn by a roller 185 on a lever 186 engaging a cam disc 184 on the flag spindle. The flag is automatically locked at the end of each cycle by a detent 191 which engages behind a lug 189 on a disc 188 on the flag spindle. It is unlocked at the beginning of a cycle by a partial reverse movement which releases the detent. The detent is set towards the end of a cycle by a pivoted lever 197. Mixed time and distance drive.-The fare-indicating drums A<1>, A<2>, A<3> are driven by pawl and ratchet gearing from a star-wheel unit C, Figs. 3 and 10, which is driven from a distance shaft 13, and a clock spindle T<2>, Fig. 12. The clock drive is arranged so that the unit C is driven at a slower rate during the period of the initial charge. The vehicle-driven shaft 13 is connected to the unit C by gearing 15, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28, the gear 27 being mounted on a lever 29 pivoted at 24 so that it is engaged with or disengaged from the gear 28 by a cam 31 on the shaft S. The clock drive comprises two trains of gears, the intermediate gears 62<a>, 72<a> of which are mounted on pivoted levers 62, 72. When the flag is in " vacant " position both gears are held out of mesh with the gears 62b, 72<b> of the unit C by a pin 69 on a disc on the cam shaft S. When the flag is turned to " engaged " position the lever 62 is held locked by an arm 57, Fig). 10, engaging a pin 61, but the lever 72 is pulled over by its spring 76 and the slow gear train is thrown into operation. At the end of the initial charge period the lever 53 carrying the arm 57 is knocked up, and the lever 62 is released to bring the other clock train into gear, the slow gear train being at the same time thrown out of operation. The clock is stopped by a finger 262, Fig. 3, operated by a cam on the shaft S' when the flag is set at " vacant." The. movement imparted to the star wheel 35 of the unit C by the mixed distance and time driving gear is transmitted to a ratchet wheel 41 secured to the first fare drum A<1> by the mechanism shown in Fig. 10. A lever 45 pivoted at 46 has a nose 52 adapted to be engaged by the teeth 35 when the flag is in the " engaged position, and a pawl 42 mounted on an arm of this lever is arranged to engage the ratchet 41. The lever 45 is lifted off the teeth 35 when the flag is at " vacant " by a cam 50 on the cam shaft S engaging an extension 49, and it is locked in this position during the initial charge period by an arm 56 on the lever 53. This lock is released by a pin 59 on cne of the. teeth 35 striking the lever 53. The check pawl 47 is lifted off the ratchet teeth when the mechanism is reset. Additional charge registers.-The extras drum 112, Fig. 14. is set by a knob K which has a tongue 130 engaging an arm 127 of a lever 120 pivoted on a stud 118. The lever carries a pawl 122 adapted to engage a ratchet 116 on the drum 112 and move it against the action of a coil spring 113. The extras mechanism is locked when the flag is at " vacant " by a pin 125 on the cam shaft S engaging the lever 120. This pin also lifts off the check pawl 117 to allow the drum to return to zero. An extras counter 135, Fig. 3, is actuated by an extension of the tongue 130. Fare and distance totalizers.-The total fare counter is actuated, by levers from the rock-shaft 46 upon which the fare-drum actuating lever 45 is keyed. The " total miles " counter 145 is actuated by a lever 148 which is engaged by pins on a gear 101 which rotates when the vehicle is in motion. The " paid miles " counter 152 is driven through a lever by pins on a disc 161 which is clutched to the gear 101 by an arm 164 actuated by a cam 107 on the cam shaft S<1> when the flag is set to " engaged." A "trip" counter 139 for showing the number of hirings is operated when the flag is reset by a cam on the cam shaft S. Detector counter. A counter 91 is provided to show the number of miles run by the vehicle with the flag in an improper position. It is actuated by a lever 96, one end of which is engaged by pine on a disc 99 which is clutched to the continuously running gear 101 when the flag is not properly set, by a lever 104 operated by the cam 107 on the shaft S<1>. Resetting-mechanism, arrangement of. - The fare drums A', A<2>, A<3> are reset by a lever 223, Fig. 7, which is actuated by the cam shaft S during the last quarter-turn of the flag. The lever 223 carries a pawl 221 which engages a ratchet wheel 219, and so drives through a train of gearing a, resetting shaft 213 which is geared to the first fare The transfer pinions 200, Fig. 5<a>, are carried by a bracket 201 mounted on a rock shaft 202 and normally maintained in position by a spring 203. During the resetting operation, the shaft 202 is rocked to disengage the transfer pinions by a projection 205 on a disc 206 on the cam shaft S engaging an arm 204. The return movement of the rock shaft is limited by an adjustable stop 209. Movement of the pinions while disengaged is prevented by squared hubs 207 which engage springs 208. The starwheel unit C is reset by a gear on a shaft 241 which is driven through gearing by a lever 246. This lever carries a pawl 245 meshing with a ratchet 244 and is controlled by a cam on the flag-operated shaft S. The resetting shafts 213, 241 carry cams 215, 240 which engage the arms 235, 237 of a bell-crank lever 233 which is set to lock them after the resetting operation. Shutters for fare reading apertures.-A shutteroperating lever 264, Fig. 3, is actuated by a cam on the cam shaft S<1>. Fare drum readings. In a modification the motor casing is formed with a second inspection window 3<a>, Fig. 20, and the drums have a second set of figures suitably placed.