US1060121A - Taximeter. - Google Patents

Description

T. w. POST.

TAXIMETER,

APPLIUATION FILED FEB. 25, 1910.

Patented Apr. 29, 1913.

B SHEETSSHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH C0, WASHINGTON, D. c.

T. W. POST TAXIMETER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25, 1910.

Patgnted Apr. 29, 1913.

8 SHEETB-SHEET 3.

f z, J,

COLUMNA PLANOGRAPH (IO-.WASHINGTDN. D. c.

T. W. POST.

TAXIMETER.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB- 25, 1910.

1,060,121. Patented Apr. 29, 1913.

8 SEEETSSHEET 4.

wk v v i woe MWEIIZZEVJIOZ;

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH 120., WASHINGTON, n. c.

T. W. POST.

TAXIMETER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25,-1910.

Patented Apr.29, 1913.

8 SHEETS-SHEBT 5.

COLUMBIA PMNIJGRAPM COHWASHINO'ION, D. c.

POST TAXIMETER. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25, 1910.

Patented Apr. 29, 1913.

8 SHEETSSHEET 6.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0., WASHINGTON, n. c.

T. W. POST.

TAXIMETBR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25, 1910.

Patented Apr.29, 1913.

8 SHEETS-:SHEET 7.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH 110., WASHINGTON, D. c,

T. W. POST.

TAXIMETER. APPLICATION rum) 313.25, 1910.

Patented Apr. 29, 1913.

3 BHEETSSHEET 8.

allay/ iva COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CD.,WASHINI1TDN. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEioE.

TRUMAN W. POST, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO POST LOCK REGISTER 00., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TAXIMETER.

Application filed Februarfl 25, 1910.

T0 aZZ whom 2'25 may concern Be it known that I, TRUMAn WV. POST, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of New York, in the borough of Manhattan and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Taximeters, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to registering and printing meters, and more particularly to a meter which is adapted to be carried by a vehicle, such for example, as a taxicab, and by the use of which a passenger in said ve hicle is assured that he is not overcharged for the distance which he may have traveled or for the time which he has maintained such vehicle at his disposition. It further affords the taximeter company the means of preventing imposition upon them by their employees.

The device is designed to accurately register the distance traversed upon suitable dials. It is also provided with means whereby when a vehicle is held at the disposition of a passenger, a charge will be registered against him which shall be proportional to the time which the vehicle remains motionless, or substantially motionless.

Further, my invention contemplates the provision of means whereby when the passenger leaves the vehicle and arranges with the chauffeur to settle for the same, the mechanism will print and cut a ticket accurately determining the amount of fare due the company, and thus not leaving it optional to the chauffeur, who very frequently, especially when the vehicle is in a badly lighted street, is enabled to overcharge a passenger who cannot plainly see the taximeter dial.

The mechanism is further arranged to record permanently each individual transaction and to store such record within its casing.

By preventing its employees fro-m defrauding passengers, the company assures itself of an increased use of its vehicles and is at all times enabled accurately to check its chauffeurs or drivers.

Having now generally recited the objects of my invention, I shall first describe the driving mechanism for the same, and thereafter in sequence the fare registering mechanism, printing mechanism, cutting-off de- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 29, 1913.

Serial No. 545,820.

vice, reel controlling mechanism, and apparatus for registering extras.

Other ob ects of my invention and novel features thereof Wlll be hereinafter presented in this specification and in the claims appended thereto.

Referring now to the drawings which form a part hereof, and in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 is a front elevation of my apparatus with the casing removed. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the front of my mechanism, partly broken away, and,

further, with the reel and recording dials removed. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation showing the actuating parts in their normal or resting position. Fig. 4 is a view showing such parts in operative position. Fig. 5 is a side view with the casing removed and showing the type wheels. Fig. 6 is a view of the other side of the apparatus showing the driving spindle and worm thereon. Fig; 7 is a side elevation ofthe reel plate with paper rolls in place thereupon. Fig. 8v is a bottom view of the same, partly in section. Fig. 9 is an elevation of the cut-off device showing the severing blade or ticket knife in its downward or open position. Fig. 10 is a somewhat fragmentary and diagrammatic arrangement of the printing device showing fragments of the type wheels in position above the paper strips. Fig. 11 is an elevation of the mechanism used for recording extra charges. Fig. 12 is a side elevation partly in section of the first type wheel. Fig. 13 is a similar view of the 90 second or intermediate type wheel. Fig. 14: is a vertical section through the third or last type wheel. Fig. 15 is an elevation of the extras or luggage dials, and Fig. 16 is an end elevation of my mechanism in place in its casing, said casing being partly broken away. Fig. 17' is a diagrammatic representation of a vehicle with my device in position thereon.

Considering first the driving mechanism, the description of which will now be set forth Driving mcoham'sm.-The mechanism is driven from a spindle l which is preferably, although not necessarily, driven in turn from a flexible shaft 1 of the type ordinarily employed to drive meters used upon automobiles and like vehicles. The spindle 1 is suitably journaled in crossbars 2 and 3, as indicated respectively at 4 and 5. Upon the upper end of spindle 1 is a worm 6, which in turn drives the worm wheel 7, which is carried by a shaft upon which is rotatably mounted a drum 8; the Wheel 7 being rotatable upon said shaft, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 6. A ratchet 9 is preferably integrally formed upon said drum and is adapted to engage a pawl 10 pivoted at 11 to wheel 7. The pawl 10 is held in engagement with said ratchet by means of a suitable spring 12 carried by the said wheel 7. Drum 8 is keyed to shaft 13, the said shaft being designated the cam shaft for reasonshereinafter set forth. As

the other end of the drum 8 is a correspondingly formed ratchet 14 which also is permanently a'flixed to the drum. A wheel 15 of substantially the same size as wheel 7 is.

correspondingly mounted upon cam shaft 13, and carries a pawl 16 pivoted thereto at 17, said pawl being pressed by spring 18 into engagement with ratchet 14. It is to be observed that the direction of engagement of the pawls with their respective ratchets is such that both wheel 7 and I wheel 15 may be held stationary while the spring 20 is cam shaft is rotated clockwise as viewed from the rear of the machine. The teeth of wheel 15 intermesh with those of a wheel 19 which forms an element in a gear train driven by suitable clock-work, the driving spring of which is indicated at 20. This clock-work is provided with the usual regulating and escapement devices whereby the allowed to unwind itself through a considerable period of time. I prefer to provide a clock mechanism with a powerful spring which is adapted to run for ten or twelve hours; the length of time for which such mechanism is adapted to operate is, however, of course, immaterial from a patentable standpoint.

The arrangement of parts hereinbefore set forth is such that if the spindle 1 be not rotated, as for example when the vehicle is stationary, the clock spring 20 will advance the wheel 15 slowly clockwise, as hereinbefore described, and thereby effect a corresponding rotation of the shaft 13. Now, however, if the vehicle be started and the speed thereof be anything over a predetermined slow rate, the worm 6 will advance its wheel 7 at a greater rate than that at which 15 is being driven by the clock-work, and hence, the drum carried ratchet 14 will, by rotating faster than said wheel 15, cause the pawl 16 thereof to slip over said ratchet. In general therefore it may be stated, that the shaft 13 will be driven either from spindle 1 or from clock spring 20, depending on whether or not the spinalle 1 is rotating at a predetermined s cc The cam shaft- 13 carries a cam 21 upon 'of said beam.

the rear end thereof, said cam being suitably securedto the shaft by any proper means; and this cam is adapted to operate the oscillatory beam 22 once in every revolution of the cam shaft. Beam 22 is pivoted at 23 to the rear wall 24 of the mechanism frame, the frontwall ofwhich has been designated 25. The extremity 26 of beam 22 is normally pressed against the surface of the cam through the operation of spring 27, and when the point 28 of the cam has advanced beyond the extremity of the beam, said beam is abruptly displaced and thereby effects the displacement of the pawl 28 pivoted at 29 to the other extremity The pawl 28 is shown as having an L-shaped extension 30 projecting out from the pivoted portion thereof, the extremity of said extension being engageable by a pin 31 which is carried upon the Y-shaped lever 32 pivoted at 33 to plate 24. The rod 34 pivoted to the end 35 of said lever extends obliquely downward across the surface of plate 24, being preferably offset as at 36 in order to pass under cam 21. Rod or link 34 is united at theother extremity 37 thereof to a lever 38, which is in turn pivoted at 39 to plate 24, and the end 37 has further attached thereto a spring 40 which is normally under tension and the farther end of which is secured to plate 24 at 41.

Returning now to the pawl 28, an extension 42 thereof has secured to its end a spring 43, which is fastened to the body of the beam 22 adjacent the pivotal point 23. thereof. Spring 43 will hence normally effect the engagement of pawl 28 with a ratchet 44, and the said ratchet is loosely pivoted upon a suitable pin or bolt 45, and the body of said ratchet is provided with an arcuate slot 46 which is concentric with the axis of rotation of said ratchet. Extending into this slot is a pin 47 which is secured to the hub 48 of a wheel 49, which wheel is permanently affixed to the shaft or bolt 45 hereinbefore referred to. A hair-spring 50 is secured at 51 to the face of the ratchet 44, and the other end of said spring is in like manner secured in a slot in the face of pin 47, as a result of which the ratchet normally tends to stand with respect to the pin 47 in the position shown in Fig. 3. A locking pawl 52 is pivoted at '53 to the plate 24 and normally tends to restrain any backward movement of the ratchet 44, while a corresponding pawl 54 cooperates with ratchet 49 to normally prevent backward movement of the latter. Pawl 54 is carried upon the same pivoting pin 53 as that which carries pawl 52, but is positioned substantially against the face of plate 24. In corresponding fashion to that in which pin 31 raises the pawl 28, the pin 55 mounted upon the other arm of Y-shaped lever 32, so as to project outwardly from each side thereof, serves to lift both pawls 52 and 54 from engagement with their respective ratchets.

The spindle or shaft 33 extends through the plate 24, one end thereof having the-Y- shaped lever secured thereto while the other extremity carries an arm 56. The free end of this arm is secured to a link 57 which in turn is fastened to the outer extremity of a pawl-lever 58, said lever being pivoted at 59 to the inner side of plate 24;. The free end of pawl-lever 58 is disposed for engagement with a pawl 60 as best shown in Fig. 11, and this pawl is pivoted to the said plate 24 and is shaped at the extremity thereof to conform with one side of a point of the star wheel 76. A link 61 connects the pawl engaging arm of the pawl lever with the outer extremity of a pawl lever 62, which in like manner to pawl-lever 58 is pivoted to the plate 24 and is adapted for engagement with a pawl 63. The latter pawl is exactly similar in shape to the one just described, and is disposed for engagement with star wheel 84. hen the spindle 33 is rotated to effect the disengagement of the pawls 28, 52 and 54: in the manner hereinbefore described, it simultaneously also effects the disengagement of pawls 60 and 63 from their respective star wheels, and hence all rotary members of the group in question are free to rotate under the action of their respective springs back to zero position, such action occurring when the master lever is moved to its outermost position. The function of pawls 60 and 63 is to permit of rotation of their respective star wheels each only in its proper direction, during the step by step advancement of such wheels.

Pivoted to the plate 2st at a point adjacent to the pivot 23 is a somewhat crescent shaped latch 64, one extremity of which is engageable with the under surface of the beam 22, and it will be observed that when so engaged the said beam cannot oscillate, since it is locked against the tension of spring 27. This latch is normally restrained in its locking position, as shown in Fig. 3, by a light spring 6% one end of which is secured to plate 24. In corresponding fashion a pair of superposed springs 65 and 65 normally tend to hold pawls 52 and 54 in engagement with their respective ratchets.

The shaft or spindle 45 carries thereon a gear wheel 66 which is adapted to engage a pinion 67, the pivot pin of which is suitably secured to plate 25. The said pinion in turn intermeshes with a gear 68 which is loosely mounted upon a shaft 69. The gear68 is integrally united to a numbered printing or type wheel 70 upon the face of which are numbered consecutively the figures 10, 20, 30, etc, designating cents. These type-numbers ranging from 00 to 90 are spaced around substantially over one-half of the face of wheel 7 0. As shown in Fig. 12, corresponding figures are positioned diametrically opposite those above referred to, around the other half of the said wheel face,.such figures being preferably recessed as indicated at 70 and blackened to form the readable numerals. The type are of course formed in reverse so as to print properly and the record strip hereinafter referred to is adapted to be pressed against any one of the same. By thus placing the type and visual symbols upon the same member it becomes absolutely impossible for the mechanism to become so disarranged that it might be printing one numeral and exposing another through the sight hole in the casing.

The wheel 70 is normally adapted to angularly advance one step at a time. A finger 71 is pivoted to the face of said wheel, and a stop pin 72 is provided adjacent the side of said finger which faces in the direction of the step by step rotation. Finger 71 is normally held against its stop through the instrumentality of a spring 71, one end of which is secured to the inner face of wheel 70. A short pin 73, which also serves as a stop extends out laterally from the face of wheel 70 and is adapted to engage an upstanding lug of an alining bar 7a. A spring 75, has the inner end thereof secured to the shaft 69, which shaft it may be here noted is fixed, while the outer end of the spiral spring 75 is in turn secured to the inner circumference of the type wheel 70. This type wheel, is normally intended to advance through only 180, and when so advancing, and as the end of the advance .is approached, the finger 71 will engage with a point of a star wheel 76; said star wheel being carried upon a shaft 77 and the purpose of which will be hereinafter set forth. It will be observed, however, that owing to the disposition of stop pin 72, the advance I of finger 71 will not effect any rotation of star wheel 76 since the spring 71 will yield and the finger 71 snap past the prong or point of the star wheel with which it happens to come in contact. This advance, of course, is caused by the rotation of gear 66, but gear 66 is not a full gear having a section of teeth cut out of the same as shown at 78 in Fig. 11. It is evident therefore that a point will ultimately be reached when as the gear 66 continues to advance, the recess 78 will face pinion 67, and the latter will hence be free to rotate under the influence of spring 7 5 through the medium of gear 68. The type wheel will revolve in the opposite direction, and during the course of such reverse rotation, the point of finger 71 will impinge against one of the points of star wheel 76, thereby advancing the latter one step. The wheel 70 will continue to so reversely rotate until pin 73 thereof engages the lug of alining bar 74, above referred to. Preferably integrally secured to the star wheel 7 6 is a gear 78, which is intermeshed with a gear 7 9, which latter is loosely mounted upon shaft69. Gear 79 has a drum 80 secured thereto in similar fashion to the manner in which drum 70 is secured to gear 68. This drum also carries in the hollow interior thereof a spring 81, and upon the face thereof a stop pin 82, pivotally mounted finger 82 and tension spring 83. This drum is adapted to be advanced one step at a time by the rotation of star wheel 76, and in like manner to drum 89 upon its outer face.

70, serves to actuate a second star wheel 81, which is also loosely mounted upon shaft 77. Drum 80 bears type digits ranging from zero to nine upon one half of the face thereof, and painted digits upon the other half of said face. In operation, this drum behaves substantially like drum 7 0, and star Wheel 84: actuated thereby in turn rotates its integrally joined pinion 85, which in turn drives gear 86. Gear 86 is integrally joined to a drum 87 and the whole device is loosely mounted upon shaft 69; said drum 87 being provided in the interior thereof with a spiral spring 88 and having a stop pin There is, however, no spring pressed finger provided in this last drum, since the three drums are sufficient to register up to the amount of $99.90. The lugged bar 7% by its engagement with the stop pins, serves to initially aline the drums; and the entire arrangement of parts herein described provides a very simple summation device. The fixed shaft 69 has one end thereof reduced, as at 90, which reduced portion carries an integrally united ratchet 91 and gear 92. The hub 93 of gear 68 carries a plate 94: upon the outer end thereof, and said plate has a pawl 95 pivotally' mounted thereon, which pawl is pressed into engagement with ratchet 91 by aspring 96. As the gear 68 advances step by step, it therefore correspondingly moves gear 92, which gear rotates a pinion 97, and this pinion actuates a meter 98 of any suitable construction, the dials of the meter being indicated at 99 in Fig. 1. These dials serve to accurately sum up the total amount of money which the chauffeur should collect during any given time.

Referring back, now, to the parts illustrated in Fig. 3, a master lever 100 is pivoted to a shaft 101, which is journaled in plates 24 and 25. This shaft is operable by means of arms 102 which are keyed or otherwise secured thereto, and are spaced from each other at the ends thereof by a pivotally mounted spacing bar 103. Said bar is transversely apertured on its median line for the reception of the reduced end of a rod 104:; the said rod being held in position in said aperture by a spring 105, which. tends to set the shoulder 106 of said rod against a corresponding lodge in the interior of the apertured bar 103. The spring is retained in position on said rod by a suitable nut 107 secured'in any proper manner to the inner extremity thereof. A link 108 unites the other extremity of master lever 100 to a segmental crank plate 109, the link 108 being joined thereto by a stud 110 and the inward advance of rod 104 serving to rotate the master lever, and through the intermediation of link 108, the crank plate 109 aforesaid. The lower corne'r 111 of said crank plate bears against the extended arm of lever 38 hereinbefore described, so that when the said plate is in its downmost position, the spring 10 will be placed under tension and through the action of rod 3 1 and Y-lever 32, the several pawls 28, 52, 54, 60 and 63 above described, will all be out of engagement with their respective ratchets. The first effect therefore of an inward motion of rod 104: is to release all of the said pawls, allowing them to fall into engagement with their respective ratchets. The second effect of the advance of the crank plate is the displacing of latch 64, since the forward end 112 of said plate engages the lower arm of the crescent shaped latch and rotates the same around until the relatively flat edge 113 thereof substantially coincides with the edge 11 1 of the crank plate. This releases the oscillatory beam 22, so that for every revolution of the cam shaft 13, said beam will oscillate once back and forth. Each one of these oscillations effects an advance of ratchet 44 one step, and the said ratchet in turn, through the intervention of the train ofgears aforesaid, advances the type rings. The continued advance of the crank plate to the end of its throw causes a pawl 115, which is carried thereon by a screw 116, to engage one of the four ratchet teeth 117 upon the periphery of a cam disk 118. Pawl 115 is normally held in engagement with the edge of said cam disk by means of a spring 119, one end of which is secured to the cam plate. Theeffect of the rotation of this cam plate will be hereinafter described under another heading. It suffices here to say that the return throw of the crank plate when actuated by a downward motion of rod 104, causes a ticket to be printed and severed from a ticket strip. The cam disk 118 is frictionally held against inadvertent displacement by bowed springs 120 and 121, said springs being held under tension by a nut 122 mounted on the camdisk pivot-pin 123. The pawls 28, 52, 5 1, 60 and 63 are disengaged from their respective ratchets to lessen the friction, since, as before stated, when the type Wheels are not being driven by the advance of the vehicle, they are more slowly driven by clock work as long as the vehicle is retained by a passenger. Pivotally secured at 124 to the side corresponding to that by which it would ordinarily be advanced through three revolutions of the cam 21, or in other words, through three successive engagements of pawl 28 with ratchet 44. Ordinarily when the oscillatory beam is allowed to move,

which is the case when the cab is occupied and the rod 104 is in its innermost position, the rotation of cam 21 will advance ratchet 44 one step at a time, and by the engagement of pin 47 with the end of the arcuate slot in ratchet 44 will drag along ratchet 49 and thereby advance the registering mechanism one step at a time. But if the fixed charge for the first half mile of a taxicab is, let us say, thirty cents, the initial movement of rod 104 immediately registers thirty cents against the passenger. Thereafter assuming that the cam 21 will rotate four times while the machine is tnaversing one mile, and as the slot in ratchet 44 is just sufliciently long to allow the pin 47 to relatively traverse the length of the same while ratchet 44 is advancing two steps, and as each of said steps corresponds to one rotation of the cam wheel, and hence, to a distance traversed by the vehicle of one-quarter of a mile, it is evident that the mechanism will automatically charge thirty cents for the first half mile and will make no further charge against the user thereof until such half mile has been traversed. It is obvious, of course, that by varying the size of the ratchet 44, and the number of teeth therein, it is possible to make the initial charge anything desired, ranging from, let us say, twenty cents to sixty cents for the first half mile. F or each successive quarter of a mile thereafter the drum will be advanced one step and an additional charge of ten cents will be recorded against the passenger. The reading portion of drums 70, S0 and 87, is visible through the small slots 145, 146 and 147, which are provided in casing 148 as shov n in Fig. 16.

Printing mechcmism.Let us now consider the printing mechanism, referring to Fig. 7, wherein is shown a withdrawable or removable reel-plate 149 of somewhatirregular contour and mounted upon which are the reels 150 and 151, respectively designating the receiving or driving reel and the supply or driven reel. The supply reel 151 carries wrapped together thereon two strips of paper 152 and 152 and an inked or carbon ribbon 158. The thin transparent strip of paper 152 is outermost and together with the inked ribbon 153 passes in succession over the guide plates 154 and 155 and is thereafter wound upon reel 150. The paper strip 152 passes along together with the ribbon 153 over the guide plate 154, but parts company with the ribbon and strip 152 at point 156, from whence it travels down through a narrow channel 157 formed by the respective bent ends 158 and 159 of guide plates 154 and 155. The lowermost end 160 of guide plate 154 is upturned in order to direct the strip of paper leaving the channel 157 toward the mouth of a channel 161 formed by guides 162 and 162, which serve to direct the paper or ticket, as it has become by this time, in the manner hereinafter to be described, through a slot 163 down into the cylindrical finger box 164. The respective guide plates are all secured at their lowermost edges, (as viewed in Fig. 8) to the reel plate 149. 41 narrow spring 165 normally prevents excessive movement of reel 151 by engaging the lower flange thereof, and both of the reels are removable fro-m their respective stems 166 and 167. The reels are of any ordinary construction, being provided with flanges 168-168, whereby to hold the paper strips and ribbon in position thereon. Two apertures are provided in the reel plate, one designated 169 for the reception of a platen bar to be hereinafter described, and the other 170 for the reception of the ticket knife. The respective reel spindles 166 and 167 are tubular and are secured at their lower ends to plate 149. The spindle 166 is adapted to receive a shaft 171, the end of which is threaded for engagement with the thumb nut 172, and the body of reel 150 is axially apertured for the reception of spindle 166 through from the end 178 thereof to the im ner side of plate 168, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. The reduced threaded portion extends outwardly through a correspo-ndingly sized aperture 174 in plate 168, thereby affording the means of clamping the reel to the shaft against the shoulder provided at the base of the threaded portion. The remaining reel spindle 167 is adapted to be mounted upon a fixed spindle 175, which is secured in any suitable manner to plate 24, as for example by riveting. The reel plate 149 with the reels thereon is readily removable from the aperture 176 which is provided in plate 25. It is desirable that a casing or box 177 be fitted into the space between the plates 24 and 25 through aperture 176, thereby laterally inclosing all sides of the reel cavity so formed save where the type wheels project through at 178.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4; the cam plate 118 is there shown as being provided with a cylindrical projection 179 upon the outer face thereof, and the said cylinder is notched upon its exposed edge to provide four symmetrical cams 180. Pivoted to a bracket 181, which is secured to plate 241 adjacent to cam plate 118, is a platen bell lever 182, an end 183 of which is bent substantially at right angles to the body of the lever for engagement with cams 180. Bell lever 182 is further provided with means, such as a lug 184, upon its remaining arm for engagement with a spring 185, by means of which the offset end is normally held in engagement with cam cylinder 179. The arm 186 extends laterally into the pocket 169 formed by casing 177, and forms the platen bar. While the master lever is being withdrawn, which is done when the passenger is leaving the vehicle and desires to know the amount of his fare, the cam plate 118 is rotated as hereinabove described, and the initial movement thereof withdraws the particular cam with which extension 183 happens to be in engagement, out of such engagement, and the platen is abruptly displaced by the action of its spring 185; as the result of which the platen bar snaps sharply up against the paper strip which has been unreeled from reel 151 and thereby presses portions of said strip against the inked ribbon 156 which in turn is pressed against strip 152 and the latter against the particular numerals upon the type wheels which happen to be opposite the platen bar at that-moment. This obviously results in printing upon both strips 152 and 152, the exact amount of fare due.

The continued rotation of cam plate 118 by the further movement of the master lever, causes the next cam to engage extension 183, angularly displacing the same. This effects a lowering of the platen bar, and releases the printed strip. The extension travels up the incline of the cam until it en counters the flat upper edge of the latter; there its movement ceases and the cam also finally comes to rest with the platen extension adjacent the cam declivity 187, ready for the next printing operation. The return of the master lever to its innermost position, which is designed to be done when the vehicle is next occupied, engages pawl 115 with the next tooth 117. It will thus be seen that a ticket is printed for the passenger and simultaneously an identical record is made upon strip 152, which is, obviously, wound up in turn upon reel 150 to be reviewed by the book keeper of the vehicle company after the reel has been removed from its spindle by the companys agent. The impressions made upon strip 152 are in reverse, but the strip is made thin and translucent and such impressions may hence be easily read through from the other side of the strip.

Cutting ofl device-The bracket 181 is drops preferably U-shaped and upon the arm opposite that to which the platen lever is pivoted is a similarly mounted knife lever which is also substantially L-shaped, and is provided with a lug 188 which constitutes an extension of the blade 189, said lug being pivoted to the remaining knife blade 190 at 191. arm .192 of bracket 1.81. A spring 193 is attached to a lug 19% which is carried by knife blade 189, and the other extremity of such spring is secured at 195 to plate 24; hence the blades will normally tend to be closed. The shorter arm 196, which is firmly affixed to knife 189 and extends substantially at right angles thereto is recessed at the free extremity 197 thereof for engagement with the surface of cams 180. The action of such cams upon the arm 196 is slightly different from their action upon the platen lever arm 183, in that when the master lever is in withdrawn position, the arm 196 is disposed in its innermost position, as shown in Fig. 3, and the parts are so proportioned as to effect one complete oscillation of said arm while the master lever is moving from its innermost to its outermost position. As a result of this action the slip, which has had printed thereon the amount of fare as hereinbefore described, and has adwmeed through channel 157 and out of the mouth thereof directly between knife blades 189 and 190 which at such time are in open position, may now be severed. Just as the master lever reaches the end of its outward throw, and also just as the paper has ceased to advance under the action of the mechanism to be hereinafter described, the blade 189 is actuated by spring 1.93 and severs a ticket from the paper strip. This ticket down between guides 162-162 through channel 161 into finger box 164 from whence it is adapted to be removed by the fingers of the operator.

Reel controlling meclmm'sm.-Positioned upon the outer side of plate 2.4 is a crank disk 198 which is loosely mounted upon the projecting extremity of shaft 171. This shaft is ournaled in plate 25 and in the arm 199 of an L-shaped bracket 200. This bracket is secured in any suitable manner adjacent the edge of plate 24:, and the crank disk 198 is mounted between said arm 199, and plate 2 1. The spring 201, one end of which is secured at 202 to crank disk 198, and the other end of which is secured to plate 24:, normally tends to restrain said crank disk in such position that a pin 203 which extends through said crank disk is engaged by the arm 199 of bracket 200. To the outer extremity of pin 203, as shown in Fig. 3, is secured a spring 204 which normally engages the pawl 205 with a ratchet 206, which ratchet is secured in any proper manner to shaft 171. As the crank disk Blade 190 is aflixed to the remaining 198 is rotated clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3, the shaft 171 will hence be correspondingly rotated while a second spring pressed pawl 207, which is secured to plate 24 at 208, prevents a retrograde mot-ion of ratchet 206 and shaft 171 when crank disk 198 rotates counter-clockwise. Pivoted to one side of crank disk 198 is an offset lever 209, the free end of which is formed into a tooth 210, which is adapted to engage any one of four pins 211 which project outwardly from cam disk 118; said pins being positioned adjacent the notches 117 in the periphery of said disk. As a pin 211 advances through substantially 90 for each outward stroke of the master lever it will engage the tooth 210 when it has accomplished somewhat over one-half of its travel, and will move the latter outward from the crank disk and thereby impart a rotary motion to crank disk 198 through its connection therewith by a link 212. This link is pivoted at 213 to lever 209, while the other extremity of said link is pivoted at 214 to said crank disln The continued rotation of cam disk 118 will effect the disengagement of pin 211 and tooth 210 just prior to the termination of the stroke of the master lever and also immediately prior to the release of knife lever 196. As shaft 171 is in engagement with the outer plate of the reel 150, it is evident that the said reel will be rotated a predetermined amount at each outward stroke of the master lever, and as its move-v ment is discontinued just prior to the operating of the knife, the paper strip will be quiescent at the moment when the ticket is severed therefrom.

In concluding the description of the reel mechanism, attention is especially directed to the compact arrangement of parts upon the reel plate and to the convenient positioning of the reels with respect to the platen and knives. No particular adjustment of the reels or strips is necessary, it being sufficient to merely slip the plate with the rolls in place thereon down into the reel pocket and the platen and knife blades are so disposed with respect to the strips as to properly perform their functions.

A stop 215, which is simply a flattened pin secured in plate 24, limits the outward throw of the master lever by engaging the edge of the crank plate, while the inner throw of said lever is limited by the engagement of a projecting crank 216 of said crank plate with the latch 64; so that the reels and other parts of the device may in all cases be moved no more than the proper amount.

Mechanism for registering cacraa-Referring to Fig. 16, the casing 148 is there shown as a rectangular box which is adapted to be slipped down over the mechanism hereinabove described into engagement with a base plate 217, which plate is bolted to a bracket 218 which is adapted to be secured by means of an arm 219 thereof to the wall of the vehicle; preferably to the front wall thereof, adjacent the operator and to the side of. the vehicle. Projecting downward through said base plate is a rod 220, upon the extremity of which is a button 221. This rod extends upward through a bracket 222 as best seen in Figs. '5 and 11, and carries a collar 223 outwardly and upwardly extending from which is an L-shaped finger 224. A helical spring 225 encircles rod 220 and normally restrains the same in its lowermost position, and upward movement of the rod 220 effects the engagement of the lateral extension 226 on finger 224 with a ratchet 227. This ratchet is mounted upon a spindle 228 which is j ournaled in a bracket 229, carried by frame member 229. On the outer extremity of spindle 228 is secured the dial 230, upon which are placed two series of concentrically disposed numerals, the inner series consisting of digits 0, 1, 2, etc., while the outer series correspondingly consists of numerals 00, 20, 40, etc. These figures are designed to be properly exposed through a window in the casing as shown in Fig. 11. Dial 230 carries a limiting pin or stop 231, which is adapted to engage a fixed lug 232, which forms a part of bracket 229. A spiral spring 233 is secured at its inner end to shaft 228, while the outer end of said spring is aflixed to a pin 234 carried by an outwardly extending arm, of bracket 229. It is obvious therefore that spring 233 normally tends to hold pin 231 in engagement with stop 232. As the ratchet 227 is advanced step by step it is engaged by a spring pressed pawl 235 which normally restrains the ratchet in its last position. Said pawl is pivoted at 236 to the inner side of plate 24, and a lifting rod or finger 237 carried by shaft 101 is disposed for engagement with said pawl so that the latter may be disengaged from ratchet 227. WVhen the vehicle is unoccupied or is not retained by a passenger, the rod 104 should be in its outermost position, and the position of shaft 101 will hence be such that pawl 235 will be held out of engagement with ratchet 227, but when a passenger engages the vehicle the rod 104 is intended to be driven inwardly, and thereby effect a rotation of shaft 101 which causes pawl 235 to engage said ratchet. If now the passenger has with him a trunk or bag for the transportation of which a charge is to be made, it becomes the duty of the chauffeur or operator to press button 221 inwardly once for each piece of luggage carried. This will effect a' corresponding rotation of dial 230 and the inner series of figures will indicate the number of pieces carried, while the outer series will indicate the charge therefor. This of course is merely an indicator for the benefit of the machine.

passenger. The rod 220 is however extended upwardly as shown in Figs. 5 and 11, and the upper extremity of said rod is curved laterally around in the manner shown in Fig. 11, so that the upper extremity thereof may engage a pin 238. The extremity of 'this rod is slotted at 239 to permit of lateral play of the pin 238 therein, which pin is carried by an arm 2&0, loosely mounted upon shaft 45. Arm 240 carries a spring pressed pawl 241 which is adapted to engage, a ratchet 242, which ratchet is permanently secured to gear 66. As this gear is designed to operate the type wheels in the manner above described, it follows that an inward movement of the rod 220 will effect a rotation of gear 66 through a predetermined distance. piece of baggage has been made twenty cents and as the rate per quarter mile is ten cents, the wheel 61 will advance for one movement of button 221 a distance equal to that which it would normally advance when the vehicle has been traversing a distance of one-half mile. This results in a corresponding increase in the charge registered upon the printed ticket which the passenger receives at the end of his ourney.

In conclusion, there only remains to be described the means employed for registering the total mileage, "which is recorded regardless of whether the vehicle is engaged or not. The dials 99 record in dollars the amount due the company from the chauffeur, while the registering mechanism 243, which is secured to the side of plate 25, is designed to record the total mileage traversed by the This mechanism is of similar description to that employed in recording mechanism 98; and as such devices are well known, the specific arrangement of gears therein will not be herein described. Five dials 244: are indicated in Fig. 1, and such dials are driven from the shaft 13, the end of which extends through the plate 25 and carries a gear 2425 for engagement with the train of gears employed in the recording mechanism. The spindle 39 extends through plate 24: and carries an arm 88 which extends upward between the walls of the clock work as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. hen lever 38 is in 1ts downmost or inoperative position, arm 38 engages balance gear 19 of the clock mechanism effectually preventing rotation of the same and thus preventing In this instance, the charge for each inoperative in the manner above described, the dials 2&4: will record, solely for the benefit of the company, the mileage charged against the vehicle. This enables the company to ascertain whether the operator has needlessly driven the machine without passengers.

The casing 1 18 of my meter is designed to he slipped down over the same and to be secured to the base 217 by any suitable locking'means, as for example, screws 216, the heads of which may be covered by suitable seals 2%? to prevent tampering with the device, by the operator. The front face of the removable casing 148, toward which extends the finger box 164, is provided with a door 248 which may have a suitable locking device 249, of any description; and by means of this door access may be had by some proper employee of the company to the roll holding receptacle, for the removal of the used reels therefrom, and the replacement of fresh reels. Substantially at the center of this door, the open position of which is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 16, is a cover piece 2 19 for the finger box, such cover piece being pivotally mounted at 250, and the mounting lug of which is nicked or grooved at points 251 for engagement with a spring pressed detent-pin 252. By means of this detent-pin the finger box cover will remain in open or closed position; and I prefer to provide a washer 253 of rubber or the like upon the inner face of the fingerpiece cover for effectually sealing the casing against inclement weather. l/Vhen the cover 249 is open, however, the casing is substantially closed in every part thereof except for the aperture in the finger box; and the ticket opening from this box being in the upper portion thereof, will not permit of access of rain or the like to the working parts of the mechanism. tioned a small pivoted slide 25% which covers an aperture 255 through which a suitable key may be inserted for engagement with the stem 256 of the clock mechanism, where by the latter may be wound up as required.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a mechanism which is adapted to keep account of the movement of the vehicle whether occupied or unoccupied; to account for the movements of the same when occupied; to indicate visually to the operator and to the passenger the amount of fare to be collected; the number of pieces of baggage carried and the corresponding charge therefor; to print and cut-off a ticket bearing thereupon the exact amount of fare due from the passenger; to keep a duplicate of such record, which is stored up for the inspection of the owner of the vehicle, or his accredited agent; to charge the passenger a predetermined rate for a predetermined initial distance; to charge thereafter an ad- Below the cover 2 18' is posiditional amount proportional to each fraction of a mile traversed by the vehicle; to charge a predetermined amount for the time for which the vehicle is at the disposition of the passenger, although not actually in mo tion; and to record the actual amount of money due from the operator to the company upon his return to the garage.

The mechanism is very simple when the number of its functions are taken into account, and it is substantially proof against the weather and also proof against being tampered with by the operator without the companys becoming cognizant of such fact upon his return to the garage.

Having described my invention,I claim 1. A vehicle fare recording apparatus comprising a member bearing means for impressing symbols upon a material having a surface adapted-to receive such impression, elements cooperating with said member for effecting such impression, means operable by a movement of the vehicle for actuating such member, additionalmanually operable means for actuating said member, ticket severing, mechanism for cutting off the printed portion of said material, and connections between said mechanism and said manually operable means.

2. A vehicle fare recording apparatus comprising a reel adapted to hold a roll of paper thereon, means for delivering paper from said reel, means for printing symbols upon said paper, said printing means comprising a movable member, means for effecting a movement of such member in proportion to the advance of a vehicle, means for actuating said member at a predetermined rate when said vehicle is not in motion, additional manually operable means for advancing said member, and cam actuated means for severing the printed portion of the paper aforesaid.

3. In a vehicle fare recording apparatus, registering members, means cooperating therewith for effecting the impression of symbols upon material having a surface adapted to receive such impression, means for automatically advancing said members, additional means for advancing said members by amounts substantially proportionate to the distance traversed by the vehicle, and manually operable means for advancing said members.

4. In a vehicle fare recording apparatus, ticket forming apparatus comprising a printing device, ticket severing means, and mechanism for actuating said printing device and severing means, said mechanism comprisinga cam member and manually operated means for moving said cam member through a determined travel, a single movement of said cam member operating both the printing device and the ticket severing means, and means for advancing an element of said printing device by amounts substantially proportional to the distance traversed by the vehicle.

5. In a vehicle fare recording apparatus, printing mechanism having an operating part, ticket severing means also having an operating part, means for advancing an ele ment of said printing mechanism by amounts substantially proportional to the distance traversed by the vehicle, means for actuating said printing mechanism, and severing means comprising a structure having cam surfaces both of said operating parts being operable by said cam surfaces.

6. In a vehicle fare recording apparatus, aticket printing mechanism comprising as elements thereof a type carrying member and a platen, means for advancing an element of said mechanism substantially in proportion to the distance traversed by the vehicle, said means comprising a revoluble cam and an oscillatable member driven thereby, manually controlled means for pre venting the advance of said vehicle from advancing said element, said manually controlled means comprising a rotatable member and a latch operated thereby, said latch adapted to lock said oscillatable member against movement, a second cam, connections between said second cam and said printing mechanism, said second cam being actuated by said rotatable member.

7. A vehicle fare recording device comprising a frame, a ticket printing mechanism supported by said frame, a unitary structure adapted to be carried by said frame and readily removable therefrom, said structure comprising a supporting member and reels mounted thereon, strips of flexible material mounted on said reels, said material comprising a carbon strip, a record strip and a strip from which tickets may be formed, the supporting member, and the several strips and reels aforesaid being removable from said frame in assembled relationship with respectto each other.

8. A vehicle fare recording device which comprises a reel adapted to hold a roll of paper, means for severing tickets fro-m said paper, a printing mechanism for impressing symbols on said paper, means for automatically advancing an element of said mechanism substantially inproportion to the distance traversed by said vehicle, means for actuating said printing mechanism, and connections between a part of said last mentioned means and said severing means.

9. A vehicle fare recording device which comprises a reel adapted to hold a roll of paper, a plurality of blades for severing tickets from said paper, a printing mechanism for impressing symbols on said paper, means for automatically advancing an element of said mechanism substantially in proportion to the distance traversed by said vehicle,

manually operable means for actuating said and means for causing said shaft and fixed ratchet to advance a predetermined distance without actuating said loose ratchet, pawls 5 for engaging said ratchets, and means for freeing some at least of said pawls from their respective engagements with said ratchets.

In witness whereof, I subscribe my sig- 20 nature, in the presence of two witnesses.

TRUMAN WV. PO ST.

\Vitnesses:

VALDO M. CIIAPIN, XVILLIAM O. LARY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G.

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