US1558874A

US1558874A - Indicator fob taximeters

Info

Publication number: US1558874A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1925-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1942-10-27

Description

Oct. 27, 1925. 1,558,874

H. B. HEWITT INDICATOR FOR TAXIMETERS Filed July 25. 1924 lmllllllllllulm Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

HOWARD'B. HEWITT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

INDICATOR FOR TAXIMETERS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD l3. l-Inwrrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the fare when said vehicle is occupied by a passenger.

The objects of the invention are First, to devise an attachment of the character above referred to whereby the owners of vehicles for hire can be protected against fraud by their employees, and it can be quickly and readily detected whether the taximeter is in proper gear either in the day or night independent of what speed said vehicle passes within view of an inspector or other person employed for detecting irregular or fraudulent use of the taxicab.

Second, to devise a mechanism of the character indicated which consists of a minimum number of elements that can be readily, quickly and cheaply attached to all existing, popular and efficient forms of taximeters without the useof special tools or highly skilled labor.

Third, to provide an attachment of the nature and use herein pointed out which is not only simple in construction but at the same. time is fool-proof and has the maximum efficiency in exposing any attempt at all times of the day or night to defraud by failure to actuate the recording or timing devices or elements of the taximeter provided in vehicles for hire or taxica-bs.

Fourth, other objects and advantages of the invention will appear and be manifest from the detailed description of the parts to be presently given.

This invention consists of structural characteristics and relative arrangements of elements to be more fully hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters indicate the same parts in the several figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective of a taximeter Application filed July 23, 1924. Serial No. 727,682.

with my improvement attached thereto, and in its operative position or when the taximeter is recording, and

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1. showing the position the improvement as sumes when the taximeter is out of gear and not recording.

Referring to the drawings, 10 represents any one of the approved or usual forms of taximeters which is attached in front of the taxicab and in proximity to the driver seated in a drivers or chauiieufs seat 11. and the recording or registering mechanism within its casing 12, not shown, is actuated by a flexible shaft 13, or other suitable means, well understood and needs no further disclosure.

Said ta-Ximeter 10 is also provided with the usual and common form of arm 14, connected with and oscillating the usual shaft 15, which actuates the mechanisms for throwing in and out of gear a train of mechanism actuated by the flexible shaft 13 or other mechanism, for the purpose of operating the recording or registering elements of the taximeter, the construction of which and manner of operating and using the same is well known and needs no further e planation or showing.

16 is the usual indicator secured to or made integral with the arm 14 having the legend Vacant or, any other word or words, as For hire, or different colors as white, red, green, etc. indicating whether the vehicle is free.

The foregoing elements both in structural characteristics and manner of arrangement and operation are all old and forms no part of the present invention per se.

Secured to the side or any other section of thetaxi meter or its casing 12 is provided a bracket 17 having an electric socket 18 adapted to receive an electric or signal light globe 19, which is preferably green in color and plainly visible to inspectors when the flag 16 is in the position shown in Figure 1, and passing along a thormurhfai'e.

20 is an opaque casing which preferably surrounds the greater and lower part of the signal or electric light globe 19 and leaves only the upper section or crown of the globe exposed, as shown in Figure 1, and for purposes to be presently described.

The lower side of the bracket is usually constructed with a bayonet joint 21 or other suitable and similar arrangement for receiving the plug 22 carrying the cable 23 enclosing wires 24; and 25 for supplying the necessary current from the storage battery (not shown), said globe or light 19 and side or running light of the cab or car (not shown) preferably being in the same circuit and controlled by the same switch.

26 is a hood or covering secured or made integral with the indicator 16 and is so proportioned andv arranged that when the arm 14 is in the position to make the taximeter inoperative, said hood or covering 26 will seat itself over and cover or eclipse the upper end or crown of the signal light 19 and assume the position shown in Figure 2.

The parts being shown and arranged as just described and illustrated, it will be clearly seen that when the indicator 16 and arm 14. are in the position shown in Figure 1, and the mechanism for operating the taximeter or shaft 15 is in gear with the driving flexible shaft, or other means 13, the signal light 19 is clearly visible at night to the inspector and the taximeter is fully registering the correct fare.

Should the cab be parked, or moving without a passenger to answer a call, the shaft 15 carrying the indicator 16 and arm 14 is in its inoperative position so far as the taximeter is concerned and as shown in Figure 2 and the light 19 is not visible. showing to the inspector that the driver or chauffeur has properly placed his indicator 16, as will be readily understood and needs no further explanation.

From the foregoing disclosure of the construction and arrangement of the improvement and manner of applying the same, it will be seen that all the objects and advantages recited in the statement of invention hare been fully and efficiently carried out, and while I have shown and described my preferred form or modification, it will be apparent that many changes will readily suggest themselves without in any Way cleparting from the salient features herein disclosed and embodied in the scope of the claims.

What I claim is 1. The combination of a taximeter, a signal, an indicator in juxtaposition to the signal and controlling the operation or inoperation of the taximeter, and means on said indicator for eclipsing said signal when said indicator is in a position to cause the inoperation of the taximeter.

2. The combination of a taximeter, a signal a movable indicator in juxtaposition to the signal and controlling the operation or moperation' of the taximeter, and means on said indicator for making said signal inoperative when said indicator is in a. position to cause the inoperation of the taximeter.

The combination of a taximeter a signal secured to said taximeter, an indicator pivoted to said taximeter and in juxtaposition to said signal and controlling the operation or inoperation of the taximeter, and means on said indicator for .eclipsing said signal when said indicatoris in a position to cause the inoperation of. the taximeter.

4e. The combination of a taximeter, a sig nal light, a movable arm controlling the operation or inoperation of the taximeter, and means on said arm for coveringsaid signal light when said arm is in a position to cause the inoperation of the taximeteix;

The combination of a taximeter, a signal light, a movable arm pivoted on said taximeter and controlling the operation or inoperation of the taximeter, and means controlled by said arm for covering. said signal light when said arm isin a position to cause the inoperation of the 'taximeter.

6. The combination of a taximeter, a signal light, a movable arm pivoted on said taximeter and in juxtaposition to said light and controlling the operation or inoperation of the taximeter, and a hood carried by said arm for covering said signal light when said arm is in a position to cause the inoperation of the taximeter.

7. The combination of a taximeter, a signal light, an oscillating arm carrying an indicator and hood and controlling the operation or inoperation of the 'taximeter, said hood on said arm covering up' the signal light when said arm is in its inoperative position.

8. The combination of a taximeter, an up right signal light secured to the taximeter, an opaque casing surrounding the lower section of said signal light an oscillating arm carrying an indicator and hood and controlhug the operation or inoperation of the taximeter, said hood on said arm covering up the upper section of the signal light not surrounded by the casing when said arm is in its inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aftix'my signature.

HOWARD B. HEWITT.