309,392. Cowey, L. E., and Aspinalls Ticket Machines, Ltd. Jan. 9, 1928. Tickets, issuing; ticket punches.-Relates to ticket issuing machines of the class described in Specification 254,001 which issues a numbered and printed strip ticket punched or stamped to indicate fare, class, and stage of a journey, and consists in a construction wherein a fourth indication for indicating fraudulent manipulation is provided, and wherein means effected by the third and fourth punchings are utilized to effect release of the ticket from retaining devices to enable the ticket to be withdrawn by hand. Class and fare keys 1, 2 arranged so that only one of each series can be depressed at a time operate punches 9, 10 extending through perforated plates 11, 12 between which is a channel 13 for passage of a folded ticket contained in a detachable receptacle 15. The strip is fed up behind the door 17 and through the channel 13 to project into a recess 19 at the other end of the apparatus. Class and fare punches. These punches 9, 10 operate against the influence of springs 25 and have stems 26 af reduced diameter which pass through slotted arms 27 formed in the upper ends of plungers' 28, 29 which are depressed by engagement of collars 30 on the punches 9, 10 with the slotted arms 27. Each plunger 28, 29 is formed with teeth 31, 32 and a lug 33. The lower ends of the plungers are formed with cranked arms 38 pivoted to rack levers 39 through which counters disposed in the chamber 40 are actuated. Spring operated triggers 42, 43 are mounted on a spindle 41, the triggers 43 being rocked by the teeth 32 and re-engaging above them to hold the depressed plungers and keys in depressed position. The lugs 33 engage horizontal arms 45, 46, 47 on vertically slidable latch members 48, 49, 50 the first of which is an auxiliary member adapted to operate one or other of the two latch members 49, 50 which are warded and when depressed co-operate to form a T-slot through which a T-arm on the spindle 41 can pass when the stage punch 50 is depressed. The arm 54 also has cross pieces 103, 104 adapted to engage triggers 42, 43 allowing the trigger 42 to engage the teeth 31 and withdrawing the trigger 43 from the teeth 32. One of the latch members is provided with a oneway spring pivoted flap which prevents the full movement of the arm 54 and therefore actuation of the stage key 20 before fare and class keys have been depressed. Stage and O.K. punches. The stage punch key 20 is mounted on a shaft 57 which carries a cam leaf 59 extending its whole length so that when the key 20 is operated against the influence of the spring 58, the cam bears on the stage and O.K. punches 21, 24. The key movement is transmitted to the shaft through springs. The stage punch 67 is mounted on a nut 68 positioned by a screw 22, a spring pressed ball or plunger 72 engaging depressions in the adjusting knob 23 to locate the stage positions. Means are provided to prevent movement of the cam 59 if the stage punch is incorrectly positioned. The heads of the " stage " and O.K. punches have hooks 75 which engage the edge of the cam 59. Ticket holding and releasing means. A bar carries a series of claws 81 extending across the path of the ticket and secured to a spring pivoted sprag 82. The claws co-operate with the perforations in the ticket, and may be lifted by a lever to insert the end of a new ticket, while the sprag bears on the ticket strip. When the key 20 is depressed, the bar is lifted and the sprag and claws released, the ticket being still held by the four depressed punches, but when the key 20 is released the arm 54 is rocked and plungers and. keys are released, the ticket being drawn forward at the recess 19. This movement draws the pawl 89 forward releasing the claw bars ready to engage the next lot of perforations at the rear of the ticket and causing the sprag to bear on the tickets. Counters. A counter operated by a lever rack 39 is provided for each fare and class key and these counters together with a grand totalizer are located in a box 40 at the base of the apparatus. A drawer 98 for punchings is provided beneath the channel 13. An auxiliary punching device 100, 101 with punchings receptacle 102 is provided.