US2069445A - Parking post - Google Patents

Description

E. HOPKINS PARKING POST Feb, 2, 1937.

Filed Jan. 27, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR- Feb. 2, 1937. A E, HopmNs 2,069,445

PARKING POST Filedy Jan. 27, -1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 l J 54| l Q l I3! ,65. 'N v 503k 'l' f /83 M4123 i l 4 ww, .a4

INVENTOR:

E. HoPKlNs 2,069,445

PARKING POST 'Filed Jan., 27, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 2, 1937.

FIGS.

` Feb 2 w3?. E HOPKINS 2,069,445

PARKING POST 33 B 339 342 -lull Patented Feb. 2, 1937 UNHTD STATES PATENT @FFME 2,069,445 PARKING ros'r Edwin Hopkins, New York, N, Application ulaimiary 2,7, lg3d, Serial No. @23,843 es claims., (ci. refines) The main purpose oi my invention is to enable automobiles and other vehicles, and animais, to be parked at a post adapted to retain them until a fee is paid to release them, the fee increasing with the length of time the post is so used. The fee is paid by inserting coins and then manually operating the apparatus, whereupon the object retained is automatically released. it is thus not necessary to have an attendant at the post.'

The property owner or the municipal authorities may provide such pay-station parking posts and thus derive revenue from the user of the parking space. The latter enjoys the advantage of leaving his vehicle at an authorized place, and is free from worry about parking regulations. An additional safeguard against theft of the vehicle is also provided.

The accompanying drawings are largely dia- .grammatical and are not to be considered as working drawings, but merely as illustrations of the principles of the invention.' ,Parts are omitted from particular ilgures and 'in' different gures several planes are taken without being more than approximately indicated, for the pur-- pose of clearness of illustration of the principlesof the invention.

In the accompanying gures of drawings, illustrating a form of my invention, and forming `a part hereof, and in which the same reference numerals and letters indicate the same or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of the upper part of the apparatus, or head, as seen by the user when the door is open;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same head, partly in section; l

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of the head, partly in section, an upper plane indicating the coin receiving portions, and a lower plane, connections to a clock, and other parts;

Fig. 4 is another plan of the head, partly in section, on a median plane, illustrating the coin walls and driving members;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the head, looking towards the clock side;

Fig. 6 ls a sectional elevation of Same,1ookin g the opposite way;

Fig. 7 is a sectional front elevation of the pedestal of the apparatus, as seen by an observer looking towards the head is in Fig. l; r

Fig. 8 is a sectional side elevation of the same, looking towards the observers right as he faces Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan on line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. l0 is a sectional plan on line it-ii ci Fig. 7;

Fig. il is a sectional plan on line iii-ii Fig. '7;

Fig. 12 is a sectional plan on line {l-i2 Fig. 7; and

Fig. 13 is a general View ci' the apparatus in use as seenby an operator with the head door closed and a vehicle fender attached.

Fig. l is a front elevation of the head with lo the door removed, showing what an observer sees when the door is opened. The attitude is that of a vehicle having been secured for two hours as indicated by the dial under the clock.

The parts are mounted on the wall i of the g5 head, with top 2, roof 3, door i and hinges for door 6, (Figs. 3 4). Door 6 is locked, on being closed, by snap lock l. All users oi these parking posts are to be provided with a master key, which Will enable them to use any of the posts. 20 These keys may be changed annually.

The locks also prevent the posts from being molested by children and passers-by.

Clock 8 is mounted in wall 9, and actuates the mechanism when connected to it. Under clock 2 8 is'aperture l0, showing the amount of money due to obtain the release of the vehicle, ten cents in the illustration. This indicates a two hour use of the apparatus or the equivalent. When the signal dial I I is returned to zero, the vehicle is automatically released, upon manual operation.

The example of my invention illustrated shows apparatus using nickels or live-cent pieces, and quarters or twenty-five cent pieces. Other examples of the invention may use other coins, or these and others. Coin slot l2 accepts nickels and coin slot I3 accepts quarters. If a dime or penny, one-cent piece, is dropped by mistake in the quarter slot I3, it will drop out through aperture I4 into cup I5 without aiecting the mechanism. Nickels are too thick to go in the quarter slot. Dimes or pennies put in the nickel slot fall through similarly. In the illustration the coin slots are shown straight. They may be made with crooked passages, if desired, to prevent improper use of the apparatus.

When a quarter is dropped in slot I3 it strikes, on its descent, arm IB of lever l1, which also has arm I 8, serving as a pawl for tooth 20 of shaft 2|, and which is pivoted at 22 on a stud in Wall 13. Arm I8 has a. portion 23, serving as a counter weight to cause lever I1 to resume its normal position by gravity when it is free to oil cfg

'do so. Cranks 24 and 25, with handles 26 and 55 21, are aflixed to shafts 32 and 2| respectively. These cranks enable the mechanism to be manually operated for certain functions.

The idle or normal position of crank 24 is shown by dotted line 28. The full line position is at the attitude where the crank begins to drive other members. It comes to a stop at the bottom and may be turned back, or if released will iiy back, retracted by a spring 28'.

Dotted line -29 shows the course of a nickel dropped into the mechanism. There is a lever, not shown, for the nickel unit corresponding to lever I1 of the quarter unit.

Coin carrying discs 30 and 3l are afxed to shafts 2l and 32 respectively and rotate when handles of cranks 25 and 24 respectively are turned. These coin discs are in line with matrix distance plate 33, fitted with coin channels 34-35 indicated in dotted lines.

As coin disc 30 is rotated about 165 degrees, the quarter slot reaches the position shown by the dotted line 36, whereupon the quarter drops into the coin channel 34. Similarly a nickel will drop into coin channel 35 when its receptacle 29 reaches the dotted line position 31. The dotted line position 38 is the position of the receptacle when the crank 24 is in the full line attitude shown.

The initial position of crank 25 is shown in the fragment, Fig. 1. When it descends, the door 6 cannot be closed until it is returned to its initial position, as it comes to a stop before reaching the lower vertical attitude.

When a quarter is inserted when less is due, the mechanism accepts the coin but makes no refund of the excess of the quarter above the amount that may be due.

Channels 39 and 49 are in a partition back of the coin matrix, and are for the convenience in extractinw a coin dropped in when the coin disc is not at he receiving attitude.

Lever l1 is pivoted to swing in a plane forward of the coin disc plane as seen in Fig. 1. End 4I of arm i6 extends into the coin disc plane. Channel aperture 42 of the coin disc serves to pass end 4l as the disc is rotated.

As either crank 24 or 25 ls rotated, signal dial Il is rotated backwards, towards the initial zero attitude. If it stands at ten cents, as shown, one nickel is inserted in coin slot l2 and crank 24 is rotated about 165 degrees, which moves the dial back to five cents. The crank 24 is returned to its initial position and another nickel inserted and the crank rotated in a clockwise direction as before, 165 degrees, when the dial is turned back to zero.

If 35 cents were due and the user had in change but one nickel and two quarters,'the nickel would be useless and both quarters would have to be used. He would lose 15 cents worth of service, as the dial would return to zero when two-fifths of the action of the second quarter were spent, and the remaining three-fifths would be wasted, as the dial returns no further than zero.

Dial Il is contained in cover 43 fitted against Wall 9, and supplies power to advance the mechanism during operation by the clock, by the unwinding of spring 44, which is wound again by the manual'power applied to cranks 24, 25.

When the operator has caused the dial to return to the zero position, crank 45 is freed to be turned, as later described. He turns crank 45 by handle 41. It is aflixed to shaft 46 and when he has turned it about 100 degrees, it is caught and held by latch 49 affixed to spring tongue 50,

the under side of floor 4. Tooth 5l passes through floor 4 at aperture 52. Shaft 46 tends to return crank 45 to its initial position by the unwinding of spiral spring 48, which is wound by the manual operation of crank 45 as described, but latch 49 holds crank 45 in opposition thereto. Shaft 46 cannot be turned by crank 45 until the dial is returned to the zero attitude, as otherwise it is held, as later described.

When a user Wishes to secure a vehicle to the post, he unlocks the door 6 and turns the crank 45, which he is able to do at once as the mechanism is not then connected with the clock. This turning and latching of crank 45 enables him to attach the vehicle to the post by a chain or rope, as later described. Having attached the vehicle, he releases the latch 49 by pressing down plunger 53 affixed to spring 50, and the crank 45, having returned to its initial position, he closes door 6 and the vehicle cannot be released, except as before described, since it immediately, automatically registers two hours or 10 cents, as later described.

A semi-circular ring projection 54 in the horizontal plane, below the level of floor 4, enters the base portion of the device. Its outer periphery is fitted with gear teeth 55, which engage pinion 56, fixed to vertically disposed shaft 51, journalled in lugs 58, 59. Spring 60, wound when the door is opened tends to return the door upon its being released, by the unwinding of spring 60.

Door 6, however, cannot be closed as long as crank 45 stands in the latched position, as shelf 6| is aixed to door 6, on the plane of the handle 41 of crank 45, as best seen in Figs. 3, 4. Handle 41 has' stud 62 and when the door is opened and crank 45 is latched, tongue 63 of shelf 6| is restrained by lug 62 at point 64, from closing, and can only be closed by the prior return of crank 45 to its initial position.

'I'he upper unit, or head, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is supported on the base pedestal, which has circular wall 65 and moulding 66.

'I'he door, semicircular in plan, is under the top 2 when closed, and is protected by the edges of roof 3 from the weather. It is outside of floor 4, so that rain does not leak in on top of the oor 4.

Door 6 cannot be closed until crank 45 is ln its initial position, as edge 61 of shelf 6I would contact with stud 62 at point 68, or at any attitude prior thereto. Contact 69 is provided on the inner periphery of 54, so that an electric bell 10, in the pedestal, may be rung when the door is open. 'This attracts the attention of anyone accidentally leaving the door unlocked or to anyone tampering with the door.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the head, with parts broken away and parts in section and at different planes.

As seen in Figs. 4 and 3, in plan, and Figs. 5 and 6, in side elevation, there are four main partitions or walls, 1l, 12, 13 and 14, and a coin matrix partition between walls 12 and 13. Partitions 16, 11, 9, 18 and 19 with ceiling 80 enclose the clock and clock clutch mechanism and ceiling 8l is just below the coin slots.

In line with central shaft 82 of clock 8, is shaft 83, adapted to be thrown into engagement with shaft 82 by clutch members 84, B5 as later described.

As seen in Fig. 2 shaft 83 has collar 86 aiiixed to it. Collar 86 has tooth 91. An escapement unit is caused to function by this tooth, which riveted to rotates once an hour, in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2 Escapement yoke 81 is pivoted on stud 88 set in wall 1|. Wall 1| is broken away and stud 88 extends backwards of the plane of wall 1|, and the order of planes going backwards is wallr 1|, gear |08, mostly broken away but shown in dotted lines, escapement yoke 81 and its wheel 93 and annular ring |92.

Escapement yoke 81 has vertical spur 89, with bevelled surface 90. Yoke 81 also-carries pendant pawls 9|, 92. The spur and the pawl arms are so hinged that they give to a retracting tooth, the spur giving to a standing tooth when forced against it.

Escapement tooth wheel 93 is fixed to shaft 94. l

Shaft 94 is impelled to rotate in aclockwise'direction as seen in Fig. 2, by spiral spring 44. The escapement of two teeth, one on either side of wheel 93, permits dial to be advanced one division, an hour, or a five cent charge when the dial indicates five cents an hour.

As seen in Fig. 2, yoke 81 is in the left-leaning attitude, drawn thereto by spring 95. Point 96 of spur 89 stands retracted after having been pushed to the right-leaning position by point 91 of collar 86. Pawl 9| is holding wheel 93 stopped against clockwise rotation. When shaft 83 rotates about 340 degrees, tooth 91 will strike bevel surface 90 of spur 89, and will drive it to the right. As this slowly takes place in opposition to spring 95, pawl 9| is tilted to the left and presently lets tooth 98 escape. Meanwhile pawl 92 has also been tilted towards the left and when tooth 98 escapes pawl 9|y pawl 924 stops wheel 93 by engaging tooth 99. As shaft 83 rotates once an hour and as there are twenty four teeth, dial is advanced one division when the spring 95 thereafter draws yoke 81 to the leftward tilted position. As this takes place pawl 92 allows a tooth to escape and pawl 9| thereafter catches one and the wheel 93 is held until shaft 83 rotates once again.- The pawls are so arranged that about 'Mgths of the advance of the angular attitude of one division of dial takes place when pawl 9| allows a tooth to escape, ,while the other 1/th takes place when tooth 91 passes spur 89 and spring 95 draws the yoke back.

Tooth is the one held by pawl 9| after pawl 92 releases tooth 99. Spur 89 is pivoted with a restraining spring at |0|, the spring being strong enough not to be affected by the advance of tooth 91 against bevel 90, but adapted to yield when in that position upon manual force being applied, as later described.

Pawl 9| is pivoted to yoke 81 at point |02 and pawl 92 is pivoted to yoke 81 at point |03, so arranged with springs that when wheel 93 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, they will pass the teeth of 93 without vibrating the yoke 81. A pressure roller |04 mounted on spring |05, attached to wall serves to prevent overthrow of wheel 93 when it is being retracted.

Yoke 01 has affixed to it yoke arm |06, which lifts and lowers yoke rod |01 during normal operation, and is lifted and lowered by yoke rod |01 by manual operation as later explained. Forward of the plane of wheel 93 and mostly indicated in dotted lines is escapement gear |08, shown in engagement with nickel gear |09, seen as partition 1| is broken away at ||0. Wheel 93 is behind gear |08, and partition 1| is forward of gears |08 and |09, while nickel ratchet wheel is forward of the plane of wall 1|. The partitions or walls are considered as non-existent for some of the purposes of the drawings,

in order to indicate by full lines, instead of dotted lines, various parts.

Gear |08 is affixed to shaft 94, and gear |09 is aflixed"to shaft 2, to which ratchet Wheel is also affixed. Gear |09 engages quarter gear 3, aflixed to shaft ||4, to which quarter ratchet wheel ||5 is also attached. When gear |08 rotates in a clockwise direction, gear |3 does likewise, the intermediate gear |09 rotating counterclockwise.

Driving pawl arm IIB with tooth ||8 serves to drive gear |09 in a clockwise direction, and driving pawl arm ||1, with teeth ||9|20 serves to drive gear ||3 in a counterclockwise direction. The operation of, either driving pawl rotates wheel 93 in a counterclockwis'e direction and reduces the reading lof dial Il. The dial readings are going up, one division per hour, when the apparatus is in operation and during such time,

the teeth ||8 and |20 are being idly lifted bythe ratchet wheels and ||5.

If, now, the operator inserts a nickel in slot 29, he is able to rotate crank 24. Aflixed to shaft 32 is crank 24 and driving crank disc |2|, which has a stud |22, while pawl arm ||6 is fitted with a' fork at the upper end, the arms of which |23, |24 are guided by stud |22 and driven by it at certain attitudes. The lower end |25 of pawl arm IIS is guided by aperture |26 of lug |21 aflixed to wall 1|. End |25 is enlarged so that arm ||B cannot be drawn further upward than indicated in the drawings, Fig. 2.

The initial, idle position of stud |22 is about degrees to the left of the top of a vertical line through shaft 32. Arms |23, I 24 are continued to be guided by it at this attitude. In the attitude of stud |22 in the drawings, it has been rotated from the initial position and is now about to begin to drive pawl arm |6 downwards. Arm ||6 is so limited that tooth ||8 can drive wheel forward but one tooth, or fifteen degrees. It thereupon passes off tooth |28. When tooth ||8 and pawl arm ||5 are retracted to the initial position, it is then in position to drive the next tooth |29, of wheel Similarly pawl arm ||1 is driven by a stud, |30 aiiixed to driving crank disc |3|, attached to shaft 2| and having boss |32. In the attitude shown, pawl arm ||1 is ready to be driven. While disc |2| turns about 120 degrees before stud |22 begins to drive pawl arm H6, disc |32 turns but thirty degrees before stud |30 begins to drive pawl arm I |1. Pawl arm |6 has to turn wheel but one tooth or division, while pawl arm ||1 has to turn wheel ||5 through five divisions or teeth, being about '15 degrees. One tooth, as |20 would be insufficient to drive wheel ||5 through five divi- When ||5 is rotated, tooth |20 engages tooth |33 and tooth I9 presently engages tooth |35, tooth |34 not requiring an engaging tooth on the pawl arm ||1. After wheel ||5 is rotated75 degrees, tooth ||9 passes off wheel I5 and continues to descend. When retracted tooth |20 isin position to begin driving tooth |36. A 25-cent piece sions, so an additional tooth ||9 is supplied."

"40 cents it would be turned back to 15 cents." Three nickels successively in slot I2 would then enable dial to be turned back to zero.

In order that an operator may not drive cranks 24, 25 back and forth, to work the dial back, discs |2| and |3| are fitted on their peripheries with ratchet teeth as |40.

Pawl lever |4|, pivoted on post 42, ailixed to wall 1| has tooth |43, which engages the teeth of disc |2| and prevents it from being retracted. Spring |44 affixed to short arm |45 of lever |4| and to post |46 in wall 1|, serves to hold tooth |43 against 'one of teeth |40, so that during a forward driving of crank 24, it cannot be retracted more than the amplitude of one tooth. Lever |48, pivoted to post |49, has tooth |50, and is drawn into working position by spring |5I, aillxed to short end |52 of lever |48 and post |53 in wall 1I.

Member 203 is fitted with stud |54, perpendicular to the disc |2I. When the disc is rotated. stud |54 strikes extension |55 of lever 4|, drives it downward and throws tooth |43 out of engagement with teeth |40. This occurs after pawl tooth I8 has cleared wheel tooth |28, whereupon pawl arm ||6 is free to be driven downward far enough to unlatch lever |4|.

Similarly member |99 is tted with lever stud |56, which strikes extension |51 of lever |48, and unlatches it. 'I'he unlatching of levers |4|, |48 does not occur until channels 29 and 30 have reached the attitude shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 which allows the coins to fall into channels 34, 35. Thus the operator cannot recover the coins by turning cranks 24, 25 back.

Pawl arm II6 is fitted with ratchet teeth |58. Pawl arm |59 has short end |60, pivoted on post |42, with tooth I 6| which engages one of teeth |58. Pawl arm |59 is held against pawl arm ||6 by spring |62, afhxed to |59 and to post |63 in wall 1 I. Thus when pawl arm I I6 is driven down, tooth |6| prevents its retraction. Post |42 serves to pivot lever |4| and arm |59, with it affecting their operation, separately.

Similarly pawl arm ||1 is provided with teeth |64, and pawl arm |65, with short arm |66, pivoted on post |61, and with tooth |61 which engages teeth |64. Pawl arm |65 is held against ||1 by a spring |68, aillxed to the long arm and to post |69 in wall 1|.

Bell crank lever |10, pivoted on post |1| in wall 1|, has a ratchet tooth |12 on its arm |10, which ratchet bears against the long end of lever |4|, drawn thereto by spring |13, alxed to arm |10 and to post |63, to which spring |62 is also attached.

When long arm of lever |4| is driven down, tooth |12 latches it in the lower attitude.

Similarly bell crank |14, pivoted on post |15 in wall-1|, has ratchet tooth |16 on arm |14 arid spring |11 afiixed to arm |14 and post |53, to which post spring |5| is also attached, without either affecting the other. Thus arm |48 is latched down when it is driven down by stud |56. In this attitude, pawl arms ||6, ||1 are latched down and cranks 24, 25 are free to be retracted. The arrangement is such that when studs |22 and |3| are retracted to an attitude 15 degrees off the vertical at the top, to the left, (Fig. 2) pawl arms I I6, I1 remain in the extreme depressed attitude, while fork arms |23, |24 of pawl arm I I6 and fork arms |18-|19 of pawl arm ||1 still contain the studs, |22|23 respectively.

Arm |I6 has spring |80 affixed to post |8| in wall 1|, which tends to restore ||6 to its initial position. Similarly pawl arm ||1 has spring |82, ailixed to its projecting arm |83 and post |84 in wall 1I. the plane of the discs |2I, |82. When stud |85 on disc |2| strikes short arm |60 and moves it to the left (Fig. 2) tooth |6I is thrown out of engagement with tooth |58 and arm ||6 is allowed to be retracted by its spring |80. Stud |85 does this when crank 24 is retracted. Arm |88 is limited by post |46.

Similarly stud |86 on disc |32 strikes arm |68 of pawl |65 and forces it down. This frees pawl arm ||1, which is then retracted by spring |82; Stud |86 is limited by stop |81 on arm ||1, and when |86 strikes |81 crank arm 25 is stopped, it being arranged to be stopped about 15 degrees off the vertical line at the top, to the left.

In the drawings, stud |85 on disc I2I, is in its proper position, but 0n disc |32 stud |86 is shown as advanced out of its proper position as compared to the other parts, and about to depress arm |66.

When pawl arm I6 is released and is retracted, its stud |88 presently strikes arm |89 of lever |10, and thus latch |12 is caused to unlatch lever |4|, thus allowing pawl arm |4| to return to control of disc |2I.

Similarly, pawl arm ||1 has stud |90 which lifts arm |9| of lever |14 and enables pawl |48 again to control disc |32. Arm |9| does not follow stud |90 down, but is arranged to remain suspended, to be struck by the rising of |90.

Afxed to wheel 93 is a shallow cup opening backwards, with a slot in the side of its periphery or ring |92. Against the periphery |92, tooth lever |94 rests. Lever |94 is pivoted in lugs |95 on wall I, and is driven upward by spring |96. It has tooth 91 on the upper side bearing against the periphery of the cup, and tooth |91 is adapted to enter slot |93 when gear |08, to which 93 is affixed drives the slot to that point. The ring |92 is shown in dotted lines being beyond the plane of its bottom plate, |92.

When gear |08 is driven in a counter-clockwise direction by the operation of either crank 24 or 25, tooth |91 presently enters slot |93, which is so set with relation to dial that on tooth 91 entering slot |93, the dial shows zero. The train of gears |08, |09, ||3 is also brought to a stop. The apparatus cannot again be started until lever |94 and tooth |91 are depressed freeing ring |92.

If this occurs during the utilization of a quarter, when for example, three divisions only of the dial are turned prior to the tooth |91 entering slot I 93, crank 25 and disc |32 are temporarily stopped. In order for the apparatus to possess the quarter, the lower part of arm |I1 is iitted with a channel aperture and the upper part |99, is fitted with a shank, 200, which is adapted to slide up and down in the channel of ||1. A spring, 20|, extends from ||1 to |99, being very stii so that under ordinary circumstances it does not fgive when arm ||1 is operated but holds ||1-|| 9 together as if they were one piece. When, however, |08 is stopped, the operator, by using greater pressure, is able to depress the spring 20| far enough to enable the coin to fall from channel 30 to channel 35. Unless this is done crank 25 cannot be-freed from latch |48, and the door 6 cannot be closed.

Arm ||6 is similarly fitted With parts 202, 203, 204 and 205, so that ii' an extra nickel is inserted inadvertently, it may be retained by the apparatus.

Pawl arms |59 and |65 are forward of connected with apparatus in the pedestal, as

later described. Arm 201 freely passes up and down in a slot in oor 4.V When blade 206 is lifted, its lower edge rises above the plane of the top of crank 45. Crank 45 has a notch 209 (Fig. 3) which prevents it being rotated when blade 206 is down. But when blade 206 is lifted by the depositing of the necessary coins and operation of the dial, crank 45 is thus released to be manually operated. It may then be turned about 100 degrees, to be caughtA by latch 49, accomplishing functions later described.

Clock 8 has main shaft 82, end to end and in line with shaft 83. The clock is attached and de.- tached by a clutch having members 84-85. The' clutch is best seen in Figs. 3 and 5 but is omitted from Fig. 4.

Bell crank lever 2|0 is mounted-in pendant lugs 2| l, afllxed to cross bar 2|2, extending from wall 9 to wall 1|, across the top of the clock. Clock 8 is supported by wall 9, standard 2|3, cross bar 2|2 and foot 2|4 to Wall 11.

Vertical arm 2|5 of bell crank 2|0 is drawn to the right (Fig. by spring 2|6, thus closing the clutch 84-85 unless prevented from so being drawn to the right.

Wall 16 is cut through at 2| 1 to provide passage for members at that point.

End 2|'8 of lever 2|0 has a pendant rod affixed thereto, which goes -into the base for functions later described.

Arm 2|5 controls clutch member 85, and when spring 2|6 is allowed to function, it closes the clutch and connects the clock with the rest of the apparatus. When rod 2|9 is pushed up, overcoming spring 2|6, clutch member 85 is withdrawn from clutch member 84, and the clock is thus disconnected from the rest of the apparatus. The lifting of rod 2|9 is accomplished by lever |94, which has a shelf 220 through which rod 2|9 passes. Collar 22| is ailixed to rod 2|9 and thus when lever |94 lifts by its tooth |91 entering slot |93, rod 2|9 is thrust upward.

When a vehicle is parked for twenty-four hours means are provided to de-clutch the clock and automatically to start the ringing of a bell to attract attention.

To accomplish this, the clutch member 84 is arranged to be moved towards the clock by bell crank lever 222, pivoted in lugs 223 on standard 2|3, having long arm, engagingr clutch member 84 and short arm 221. Post 224 is ail'ixed to the bottom of cup |92, parallel with shaft 94. Lever 225 is provided, pivoted in lugs 226 on wall 11. It is adapted to be lifted by post 224, which is so located on |92 that it reaches lever 225 and strikes it from beneath at about the end of twenty-four hours of continuous parking. -When post 224 forces the outer end of lever 225 upward, the latter strikes short arm 221 oi' lever 222. and drives long arm towards standard 2|8, in opposition to spring 228, which ordinarily holds clutch member 04 in the attitude shown in Fig. 5, even when clutch member 85 is withdrawn. While this de-clutching'is occurring, electrical contacts 229 are closed andan electric circuit set up from a source of electricity through bell 10, which begins to ring and rings continuously until the vehicle is released.

When a coin descends in channel 34, it encounters short arm 230 of bell crank lever 23|,

which forces long arm 232 to depress arm 233 of counting machine 234, thus counting the coin. As arm 233 descends it causes electrical contacts 235 to be closed, and bell 10 is rung one stroke. The coin then passes into a common channel 236 and from there to 231 and into the base.

Similarly when a coin descends in channel 35 l is strikes arm 239 of lever 240 and long arm 24| strikes arm 242 of counter 234, and contacts 243 are closed, ringing bell 10 momentarily. It then drops into the common channel 236 and thence to 231. The user is thus, by bell, made aware that the apparatus has functioned.

A floor 238 at the bottom of walls 12, 13 and 1.4 affords a recess in which crank 45 operates.

The head is mounted on a circular pedestal with wall 65, and llet 66 between the pedestal and the floor of the head, as the pedestal is smaller in diameter than the head.

The pedestal contains the parts with which to secure and release the vehicle, and has ve members in communication with the head;l escapement yoke rod |01; arm 201 of stopping lever |94, connected to rod 208; clock clutch rod 2|9; pinion shaft 51 and central shaft 46.

Fig. 7 is an elevation, partly in section, of the pedestal with rwall 65 removed or in section, as seen by an observer looking at vthe clock when door 6 is open. 'I'he vehicle is then on the observers right. Fig. 8 is an elevation, partly in section, of the pedestal apparatus as seen from the roadway when the vehicle is parked at the right of the observer as he looks at the clock.

Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12-are sectional plans taken on the vlines indicated in Fig. 7.

The vehicle is attached at the upper part of lever 249 which includes a prong 250, a hand hold at its top, 25|, and a reception horn 252, all ris-- ing from a horizontal elbow member 253. The remainder of the lever is composedy of vertical bar 254, a horizontal bar 255, a lower continua- ,tion of vertical bar 254 and a lower horizontal pawl arm 251, the lever pivoted in lugs 256. The lev'er as shown is in the position of rest between the securing of vehicles. Some of the other parts, however, are in different attitudes, Aas will be noted, in order to illustrate the action more clearly.

When a vehicle is to be secured, crank 45 is turned until it is held by its ratchet tooth. A

wire rope 258, terminating in a ring 259 is then drawn off a windlass 260 manually. It is put through a portion of the vehicle, as between spokes, or through a fender or handle, and then the prong 250 is drawn out and the ring settled on the horn 252. The hold 25| is released and horn 252 snaps back into the wall 65, its lower portion at the ring being unable to re-enter. Lever 249 is retracted by spring 26|, which causes lever 249 to be latched by latch lever 262, end 289 of arm 251 being caught by the middle tooth of 262. The Windlass automatically draw in the slack rope..

Assuming the apparatus to be closed and a user desires to secure a vehicle. He first opens door 5 and pulls crank 45 around until it is latched. Crank 45 is aillxed to short shaft 46, which is journalled in floor 4 and a horizontally placed T-shaped bar with stem 263 and bar 264.` Spiral spring 48 tends to retract crank 45, being wound as it is turned to the ratchet.

, Aixed to shaft 48 is arm 265, which is turned about 100 degrees as the crank 45 is so turned.

the stroke of the Arm 255, journalled in lugs 261 is normally tilted at a slight upward incline towards it outer end.` It consists of inclined bar portion 265 and rest portion 269. At the point 210, where the arm is crooked, it rests on the top of a vertical rod 21|, sliding in lugs 212, 213, 214 and pressed up by spring 215 and held against upward action by stud 216.

When arm 265 is turned, it strikes and depresses arm 266 which forces rod 21| downwards. After depressing 266, arm 265 slides on rest portion' 266, which causes no further depression of rod 21|, and at the end of themovement of arm 265 it is stopped by stud 266. While crank 45 is latched, rod 21| remains in the down position, and when crank 45 is returned to its initial position, rod 21| accordingly rises.

Lever arm 211. pivoted in lugs 216 has short end 219 which fits in a notch 266 in rod 21|. When rod 21| descends, end 26| of arm 211 rises and lifts lever 262, which is pivoted in lugs 263.

Latch262 is composed of a bell crank lever 262, pivoted in lugs 263. one of which has a projection 263" which prevents arm 264 of lever 262 from falling below a horizontal position. Arm 262 has three teeth, two lowerfteeth and an upper stop tooth. A bell crank lever 265, with a semicircular end 261 is pivoted on the outer end of arm 264, and has a tooth 266, which is so pivoted with a spring that it may lean to the left as seen in Fig. 7. Portion 261 is held down by ann 251 against a spring which tends to force it upwards.

When arm 262 is forced up it strikes tooth 266 and thus lifts end 264 of lever 262 against spring 266. This frees pawl arm 251 of the middle or lower tooth of arm 262, as the case may be and it is free to be lifted, but does not rise of its own accord as spring 26| opposes that.

When 251 is lifted by manual operation of 25|,

arm 265 is allowed to rise, whereupon point of tooth 266 is pushed oi! the outer end of arm 262. 'I'his causes arm 262 to be pressed forward by spring 266 in position to retain 251 when it is returned, 251 striking the upper stop tooth of 262, which limits the outward movement of 25|.

When lever 246 is allowed to be retracted by spring 26|, the descent of arm 251 forces arm 265 down and forces tooth 265 against the end of lever 262. It gives and remains in that position until arm 262 is lowered, when it snaps back into the position indicated in Fig. '1. The purpose of this is to prevent lever 246 being worked back and forth by a user. When it releases itself, it will be caught again if allowed to be drawn back. As this occurs the dial I is set at l cents automatically as later explained so that the apparatus cannot be operated again until the cents is inserted. It is thus not an apparatus to be monkeyed with.

The descent of rod 21| frees cord 256 so that it can be drawn out. Rod 21| carries two pawls. 266 and 26|. Windlass 266 has two ratchet teeth wheels. with teeth facing in opposite directions. Wheel 262 is engaged by pawl 296 above it and wheel 263 is engaged by pawl 26| below it.

In Figs. 'I and 8 the rod 21| is shown in the idle position. This permits pawl 29| to engage wheel 263 so that cord 256 cannot be drawn out. When rod 21| descends, pawl 266 is lowered and is in position to engage the teethof wheel 262, while pawl 26| is lowered out of the range of wheel 263. The operator can now draw cord 256 out by taking hold of ring 256. and the cord is prevented from being retracted and jerked out of his hands by pawl 296 engaging teeth of wheel 262. Ring guide the cords, wheel The teeth of pawls 290 and 29| are pivoted with Ysprings so that they give when their wheels retract.

Windlass 260 has two cords, one 256 for securing the vehicle and one, 294, which winds on a much smaller core 295, mounted on shaft 299 in lugs 299. Cord 294 runs over pulley 295, journalled on a shaft in lugs 296, and carries weight 291. The Windlass has side discs 300 and 30| to 292 also serving as a side disc. When rod 21| rises, weight 291 retracts the Windlass and draws the cord taut while pawl 29| prevents it from being drawn out.

When lever 249 is manually released after ring 259 has been settled on horn 252, spring 26| retracts lever 249 and would draw in the horn as seen in Fig. 7, but ring 259 at the bottom of the horn prevents that portion from being drawn in, while the top of tle horn does pass into the slot in 65 provided for it and end 289 of arm 251 is caught by the middle tooth of 252. Arm 251 cannot descend lower and be caught by the lower tooth of 262 as ring 259 prevents it descending that far. Lever 249 thus has three positions. rest, drawn out and secured. Ring 259 cannot be withdrawn from the horn as the top of the horn is inside wall 65.

In addition to the functions of lever crank 45 and its communicating members just described, the three rods |01, 209 and 2|9 also affect functions of the pedestal apparatus.

When the proper number of coins have been inserted and the dial retracted, and lever |94 rises as its tooth |91 enters slot |63, and this declutches the clock as rod 2 9 is forced up by lever |94 striking its collar 22|. When this occurs lower end 302 of rod 2I9, which is in the form of a tooth, is lifted and engaged by stationary tooth 303, erected in partition floor 304. The clock remains disconnected even after lever |94 descends. because end 302 is held up by tooth 303, and the clock will not again be connected until tooth 302 is thrown off tooth'303.

Means are provided for drawing tooth |91 down out of slot |93 so that the apparatus may be started again. Rod 208 has at its lower end a pin 305. Lever 301 is pivoted in lugs 305 in floor 253. The outer end of the lever 301 rests `on pin 305, and on lever 301 being depressed it forces pin 305 down enough to cause |91 to clear |93. Blade 265 of lever |94 is spring pivoted to "give on this action taking place, dropping when crank 45 is turned to its initial position.

Lifting rod 306 has a slot 309 at its upper end. Stud 3|0 xed in standard lug 3|| slides in the slot, its outer end slightly enlarged. and when rod 306 is dropped it serves to suspend it.

Lifting rod 306 has three teeth 3|2, 3|3l 3|4I tooth 3|2 being adapted to lift short end 3|5 of lever 301. which thus depresses rod 203 and clears |91-|93. Lifting rod 306 is caused to rise by the manual operation of lever 249, arm 255 of which engages tooth 3|4 of rod 306,. by means of its elbow 3I5.

Toothed wheel 3|1 is journalled on shaft 3|6 held in lugs 3|9, the forward one of which is broken away in the drawings, Fig. 7, and it has two rows of teeth in different planes. Teeth 320 are beyond teeth 32|.

Wheel 3|1 is driven by pawl arm 322, pivoted in lug arms 323 at axis 324. It has elbow 3|6, which is engaged and lifted by tooth 3| 3 of rod 308. When the end 323 of 322 is freed of the support of tooth 3|3 it is drawn back to idle position by spring 321 attached to lug 328, and in so doing beak 329 advances wheel 3|1 -1/8 of a revolution.

Escape yoke rod |01, which slides in apertures in floors 4 and 254 and in lug 330 carries attached to it an upper arm 33|, contacting with the teeth of 32| and a lower arm 332, contacting with the teeth of 320.

The object of this arrangement is to cause yoke 31 to function and release-dial for two divisions, so that ten cents will be charged at the outset. y

When wheel 3 I 1 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction bytooth 329, rod |01'may, at the start, be 'either in the upper or the lower position, or between them. In Fig. 7 it is shown in the upper position but in Fig. 2 it is shown in the lower position.

As seen in Fig. '7 when pawl 322 functions, it advances wheel 3|1 for two teeth. The first effect is to force arm 332 down by the passing of a tooth of 320. This also lowers arm 33| into the path of a tooth of 32|, which then raises 33| and consequently 332. 'I'he latter is now in the path of the next tooth of 320 and is lowered by it which accordingly brings arm 33| into the path of the next tooth of 32|. It is then lifted and rod |01, after thus making two complete movements rests at its initial position, having caused two divisions of dial to be advanced.

It is to be noted that |91|93 is cleared by tooth 3|2 of rod 303 and lever 301 before 3|1 is moved. Thus after wheel 3|1 has rotated M; of arevolution, ring |92 has advanced accordingly and tooth |91 is resting on the periphery ot' |92. To release the vehicle it is necessary to insert two nickels, asv though the vehicle had been secured for two hours.

As lever 243 is moved out and in when the vehicle is secured, and is again moved out and in when the vehicle is released, it is necessary that rod 303 be moved or lifted but once during such a cycle, and that only onlthe out-and-in-movement of the lever 249 when the vehicle is secured. The following means are provided to accomplish this effect.

Dislodging lever 333 is pivoted in lugs 334, the forward one of which is broken off in the drawings, Fig. '1, rising from floor 304. -Lever 333has two arms, 333 to the right and 333 to the left (Fig. '1). Arm 333 has a^semicircular end, serving as a hammer head to strike rod 303, and a second such head on elbow 333, serving to strike rod |31, both heads being out of the plane of lever 333. Stud. 333 on the side of arm 255 strikes the underside of arm 333, as 233 rises. This forces hammer 331 against rod 303, and when-333 has been lifted to a selected height, 331 drives rod 303 to the left and teeth 3|2, 3|3 and 3|4 are no longer in engagement with 301, 323 and 233 respectively.

Arm 333, terminating in tooth 343, is at the same time latched by pawl 340 with tooth 343. .Pawl 343 is provided with arm 343 and is drawn upwards by spring 342 when tooth 343 engages 343. Pawl 340 is pivoted in lug arms 34|, the forward one of which is broken away in the drawings, (Fig. '1)

When arm 255 lifts rod 308 the first function that takes place is the-clearing of |91-I93. The second function is the catching of a tooth of 3|1 by beak 329, the third function is the releasing of rod 303 by being pushed off arm 255 by hammer 331. When this takes place beak 329 advances wheel 3|1 and two divisions of dial are advanced. The final function is the pushing of tooth 302 off tooth303, so that the clock may be clutched in. Spring 2|8 (Fig. 5) forces rod |01 and tooth 302 downwards and closes clutch 84-85.

The operator now settles ring 259 over horn 252 and releases lever 249. Spring 28| draws 252 in and causes end 299 of arm 251 to be caught by the middle tooth of 262. Windlass 250 draws steel cord 253 taut when crank 45 is returned to its initial point. The door 6 is then closed and the vehicle left secured to the post.

Whenthe user comes to release the car, he opens door 6, puts in the necessary coins and presently |91|93 is cleared and the clock unclutched. Crank 45 may now be turned and caught by latch 49, depressing rod 21 Bell crank 282 is tilted so that end 289 of arm 251 is clear of the tooth of 282; Pawl 29| is forced down, so that the user may draw out free cord in releasing the vehicle. The user then tilts lever 249 to bring horn 252 out of wall 85. He then removes ring 2595 from horn 252 and disengages cord 259 from the vehicle, and the cord then lies on the ground.

When the tilt's lever 249 and arm 251 is lifted away from 262, tooth 238 escapes the end of lever 232. When the use r releases handle 25| and allows lever 249 to return to its initial position, end 289 of arm 251 is drawn back by spring 23| and engages the lower tooth of 262. It then 'cannot be released until rod 21| is lifted and lowered again. a

The lifting of arm 255 when the vehicle was secured has caused arm 335 to be engaged by latch 349. 'Thus rods 303 and |01 are not engaged or molested on the lifting of arm 255 when the vehicleis released. Lever 301 is also not disturbed. Rod 2|9 is held up in the disengaged position of the clutch by arm |94 during this time.

Arm- 255 is tted with a pawi lever arm 244 which lias two teeth, and is adapted to rotate wheel 345 A of a revolution on each down stroke.

Ratchet tooth wheel 345 is mounted on an axle in lugs 34|, the forward one of whichl is broken oif in the drawings, Fig. "1. Attached to wheel 345 is a disc portion having two posts, 348 and 341. They are on the other side of wheel 345 as seen lin Fig. 7. On the down stroke of pawl arm 344,

which slides in guide 323, after the vehicle isA secured, the quarterturn of 345 brings post 341 to the attitude shown in the drawings, Fig. 7. In

this attitude arm 335 should be latched by 349, bringing end 343 of 340 into the path of post 341. On-the down stroke of 344 after the release-` of the vehicle, post 341 is carried 1/4 turn which causes it to strike arm 343 and unlatch 335. This allows hammers 331 and 338 to retract and causes tooth 302 to be engaged by tooth 303, and tooth 3|4 to be in position to be lifted by arm 255. Spring 330 drives .rod 2 I9 to the left and spring 35| drives rod 303 to the left, Fig. 7. In this figure of drawings lever 249 is in the position of rest between attachments of the vehicles. and 308 is in the same attitude of rest, but tooth 302 is in the attitude of operation. Levers 333 and 340 are also in the attitude of rest. Wheel 343 is in the attitude Just before the down stroke of the release During the periods between the attachment of vehicles, lever |94 is in the upper position, |91 being in slot |93. 'I'his also forces the unclutching of the clock. Rod |01 remains in the last position to which it was moved. Arm 322 is spring pivoted at point 359, so that it may slide readily across the teeth of 3|1 when being drawn. down. Spring 353 pushes pawl arm 344 against wheel 345. Spring 354 draws arm 335 down against stud 339.

In order to further assure the disengagement of the clock between the securing of vehicles, lever 355 is provided, pivoted in lugs 356, its upper end adapted to be drawn to the right (Fig. 1) by spring 351, against a stud 358 on arm 353 of lever 249. Arm 359 is hinged to the lower end of lever 355. When lever 349 is opened to secure a vehicle, arm 359 is thrown to the left, and when 249 secures a vehicle, tooth 360 of arm 359 does not affect rod 2|9. The end 360 is best seen in a small, broken-in insert in Fig. l1. When arm 359 is drawn to the right when lever 249 is at rest after releasing a vehicle it draws rod 2|9 to the right so that tooth 302 will be above tooth 303. It will be held there until lever 249 is tilted to secure another vehicle. Stud 36| on rod 2|9 holds arm 359 in a horizontal position.

Wheels 3|1 and 345 move under slight friction in orde! to prevent them from retracting on the return of their pawls.

Hoods 362 and 363 provide a protection against the weather.

The base 364, is composed of. a metal receptacle with metal walls and base 365. It is full of concrete 366, pedestal being inserted in it when the concrete is freshly mixed. Post 361 is attached to the base and serves to hold the post firmly to the ground, although the weight of the concrete is suflcient`to maintain the post in any selected location.

Strong box 369 is set in the concrete, and coins reach it through coin channel 369, which is a continuation of coin channel 239, deflected on the way down to pass other members of the apparatus. Strong box 369 has lock 310 and hinges 31| and 312.

In Fig. 13 is shown an elevation of the parking post as it appears to one about to make use of it, the same view as that taken in Fig. 1.

It is secured in a concrete sidewalk 313, near stone curb 314, while an automobile on street 315 has fender 316 through which cord 256 passes to horn 252. When the cord is thrown to the ground after being released from horn 252 and fender 316, it is drawn back on windlass 260 when the rod 21| rises. Rods 309 and other portions are provided with guides as 311, 319 to keep them in the working attitudes. In Fig. 8 one of the lugs 256 is omitted for clearness in the drawings. In Figs. '1 and 8 the walls are taken in median section while the working parts are in elevation, some forward of the plane o f wall sections.

The apparatus may be used for other purposes, as when attached to a container which cannot be opened until the proper coinage is deposited. or as to a room or bank vault or reecptacle for packages.

What I claim is:

l. Apparatus adapted to secure a vehicle and to retain it until manually released, comprising a post in which is mounted a rotatable windlass. a cord or chain wound on said windlass and adapted to be drawn off upon the release of said windlass, means to so release said windlass; a cord or chain holder pivoted in said post having a member adapted to be drawn out manually, said cord or chain when drawn off said windlass adapted to be passed through a portion of a vehicle to be secured and thereafter secured to said chain holder;lsaid holder means adapted, upon beingmanually released to automatically return partly within said post; means wherein said holder means is thereupon automatically latched against manual withdrawal. and coin controlled releasing means, adapted to increase, as time passes from the securing of said vehicle, the amount of coin necessary to release said holder from said latch, and means manually operable. upon reception of the necessary coin, to effect the release of said holder, it being thereby adapted to permit the cord or chain to be removed.

.2. 'I'he matter of claim 1 wherein the coin controlled releasing means comprises a clock, a coin dial adapted to indicate coin increasing in proportion to time elapsed from the securing of a vehicle, governing means whereby said clock controls the advance of said dial; means adapted to throw said clock into engagement with said dial moving mechanism automatically upon the securing of a vehicle, and releasing means adapted to be operated on the reception of the indicated coinage, including automatic means to disengage said clock from the dial operating means and to release said vehicle cord or chain holder.

3. In a parking post a clock having a shaft adapted to rotate once an hour, or other selected length of time; slidably mounted on said shaft a clutch member; a second shaft in line with said clock shaft, end to end, a slidably mounted clutch member on said second shaft, adapted to engage with the said clutch member of the clock shaft; whereby to cause said second shaft to be rotated by said clock shaft when clutched thereto, a bell crank lever having a horizontal lever pivoted medianly, and an arm positioned perpendicularly thereto, adapted to control said second shafts clutch member; the other end of said bell crank lever provided with a pendant rod whereby it may be controlled, a collar aixed to said second shaft, said collar fitted with a tooth projecting therefrom; an escapement yoke positioned below and in the plane of and parallel to said second shaft collar; said yoke provided with a vertically projecting arm having a bevelled surface towards the advance of said collar tooth, whereby said rotation of said collar tooth is adapted to force or tilt said yoke; a spring adapted upon the passing of said tooth past said vertical arm to retract or tilt said yoke back to its initial attitude; pendant escapement pawls, one each attached to an end of the arm of the said yoke; an escapement tooth wheel in the plane of said pawls and between them; said escapement wheel fixed to a shaft, said shaft parallel to said clock shaft; a spiral spring aillxed to said shaft and to a stationary member, said stationary member, adapted to be wound upon the retraction of said shaft, and adapted to unwind and turn said escapement wheel in opposition to said pawls one wheel tooth division upon being released by said escapement yoke and pawls on a go-and-return movement; a coin indicating dial having a plurality of divisions corresponding in number to the teeth of said escapement wheel, affixed to said escapement shaft and adapted to be rotated one division on each go-and-return movement of said yoke and pawls; a partition before said dial and a window therein, adapted to exhibit one division at a time, and in communication with the fore- 'Il adapted upon being pressed upward by a transgoing apparatus a coin 'controlled mechanism having members adapted to be advanced in consonance with the advance of said escapement wheel shaft, and adapted to be manually operated in the reverse direction, and adapted when so operated to retract said dial and escapement wheel to the initial position.

4. The matter of claim-3 including a horizontal bar aiixed to said yoke extending to one side, a vertically positioned rod aftlxed to the end of said bar and means whereby said rod may be moved up and down, whereupon to tilt said yoke a go-and-return movement foreach cycle of up and down motions.

5. The bell-crank clutch rod as set forth in claim 3, including a collar positioned below said escapement wheel and adapted to be struck. by a rising lever and adapted thereupon to declutch said clock, and said rising lever.

6. In a parking post of the class described having a base, a pedestal and a head, and mechanism in the pedestal and head adapted to secure a vehicle to said post, in the pedestal a primary bell crank lever, retracted by a spring, said spring, said lever pivoted in lugs and having an arm positioned vertically and two arms positioned horizontally, a lower latch arm and an upper lifting arm; said bell crank lever pivoted at the juncture of said lifting arm and said vertical arm, said ver tical arm having a horizontal elbow, from which project two vertically placed members, a hand hold member, whereby said bell crank lever is tilted and a horn member behind said hand hold member, said horn member adapted to receive a vehicle securing cord, and said wall of said pedestal having a slot whereby said horn maybe drawn outside said wall by said hand hold member, the remaining portions of said bell crank lever being enclosed in said pedestal.

7. In a parking post of the class described having a base, a pedestal and a head; a vehicle securing cord or chain, wrapped upon a'windlass in the pedestal, said windlass, said cord adapted upon release of said windlass to be manually withdrawn therefrom and secured to said vehicle, and the end of said cord thereupon being adapted to be secured to said horn set forth in claim 6, means adapted to so release said windlass; said horn adapted to be drawn out of said pedestal manually for the reception of said cord, and upon being manually released adapted to retract partially into said pedestal whereby the top of said horn is held within said pedestal while the lower portion securing said cord remains outside said pedestal, and automatic latch means adapted to retain said horn within said pedestal until released.

8. In a parking post of the class described, having a base, a pedestal and a head, and mechanism adapted to secure a vehicle; included therein a primary bell crank lever having one vertically positioned and two horizontally positioned arms, an upper and a lower horizontal arm, said lower arm adapted upon the retraction of said primary bell crank lever by a spring to be automatically latched, said spring, and a latch therefor committing leverto lift said horizontal arm of said secondary bell crank lever, and a horizontally disposed arm terminating in a bearing disc, said disc adapted to press against the underside of said 5 latched lower horizontal arm of said primary bell crank lever, forced thereto by a spring, said springv positioned between the upper side of said horizontal arm of said secondary bell crank lever and the underside of the said horizontal arm of said tertiary bell crank lever, and means, manually operable, adapted to lift said transmitting lever 'and thereby lift said horizontal arm of said secondary bell crank lever, whereby to free said lower horizontal arm of said primary bell crank lever and adapt said primary'bell crank lever to be manually tilted.

9. In a parking post a head comprised of a roof, a top plate thereunder, a semi-circular rear wall, a senil-circular front wall in the form of a door vertically disposed, a horizontally disposed floor, a pedestal, said floor supported on said pedestal, a base, said pedestal supported on said base, and said oor bearing four vertically disposed partition walls, parallel to each other and at selected distances apart, one of them running across said head from said doors hinges to said doors lock, and said partitions adapted to provide journals for shafts and to have other uses for the y purposes set forth.

10. In a parking post having four walls as set forth in claim 9, a rear wall, an adjacent second wall, a third wall and a front wall adjacent said third wall, a coin channel between said second and third walls, a main shaft, a manually operable crank aixed to said main shaft, said main shaft journalled in all four walls, said crank forward of said front wall, said main shaft having a collar attached, positioned between said third and fourth walls, a pawl similarly positioned, said collar having a tooth adapted to be engaged by said pawl, said pawl tted with a second arm having a portion turned into said coin channel and adapted upon being struck by a coin to release said toothed collar; affixed tor said main shaft between the rear and second walls a spiral spring, also ailixed to said rear wall and adapted to be wound by the rotation of said manually operable crank, and thereupon to retract said crank to its initial position upon said crank being released, and aflixed to said main shaft outside said rear wall a disc fitted with a stud, said stud adapted to drive a driving pawl rod upon said disc being rotated by said manually operable crank-in a forward direction, and a driving pawl rod adapted to 'be driven by said disc stud, and connections whereby said driving pawl rod is adapted upon being driven to retract other portions of the said mechanism.

11. The matter of claim 30 including an additional set of crank, main shaft, pawl, collar, tooth for collar, a second coin channel, second arm for said pawl adapted to extend into said coin channel, a spiral spring adapted to retract said crank upon being released, and a driving disc with a 65 stud adapted to drive a second driving pawl rod, and said second driving pawl rod, and connections therefor similar to those set forth for its driving pawl rodin claim 30. y

12. The driving stud dise and stud set forth in claim 30 including a driving pawl rod adapted to be driven by the rotation of said disc in a forward direction, and a pawl arm adapted to retain said driving pawl rod in the lowermost position to which it may be driven by said disc.

13. A driving stud disc as set forth in claim 30 having a driving stud adapted to drive and serve as a guide for the upper end of a driving pawl rod, said driving pawl rod forked at the upper end, said fork branches adapted to be retained by said stud positioned between them and adapted to be slidably mounted with respect to said stud, said stud set at a selected angular attitude in respect to the angular attitude of the manually operable crank, said attitude being that which will end the driving by said stud of said driving pawl upon said manually operable crank reaching the vertical attitude of its down stroke.

14. In a parking post of the class described a driving pawl rod adapted to be driven by a manually operable crank and adapted to drive a ratchet tooth wheel, comprising two portions,

an upper portion and a lower portion, and an intermediate connection; said lower portion fitted on one edge near the bottom with a tooth adapted to eng-age and drive a pawl, and on the opposite edge with a set of teeth, adapted to be engaged by a holding pawl on the'descent of said rod, a guide adapted to hold the lower end of said rod, said rod at its lower end working in said guide, below said guide a stop on said rod, adapted to be stopped by said guide on the retraction of said rod and retain said rod against further rising, said rod fitted with a stud, aflxed to said rod above said tooth and adapted upon said rod rising to cause other parts to operate; said upper portion of said rod comprising a forked end, adapted to be guided by, and at a selected angular attitude, to be driven by a stud on a driving disc, said upper portion provided with a shank at its lower end, and said lower portion provided with a longitudinal hole in which said shank is adapted to slide, and a stiff spring encircling said shank and ailixed at one end to the upper portion above said shank, and to the upper end of the lower portion, whereby to maintain said portions at a selected distance apart during normal operation and to permit them to be driven nearer each other on selected occasions.

15. In a parking post of the class described having a manually operable crank adapted to drive a driving disc, said disc, provided on its periphery with teeth, a driving pawl rod adapted to be driven by said disc, a disc pawl adapted to engage said disc teeth, held thereagainst by a spring, said spring, and means adapted to release said disc pawl from said disc teeth and permit said disc to be retracted, comprising a bell crank lever with a vertical arm and a horizontal arm, Said disc pawl arm having a long arm carrying said pawl tooth and a short arm, said vertical arm of said bell crank lever fitted with a tooth adapted to engage said short arm of said pawl disc lever upon said lever having its long arm depressed, whereby to retain said pawl tooth free of said disc teeth; said disc pawl arm fitted with a. shelf extending beyond the plane of said disc wheel; said driving pawl rod fitted with a stud adapted upon the rotation of said disc wheel forward to presently strike said shelf and depress said long arm of said disc pawl whereupon said bell crank levers vertical arm is adapted to engage the short arm of said disc pawl lever, whereby to retain said disc pawl lever free from said disc teeth.

16. In a parking post of the class described having a manually operable crank adapted to drive a driving disc, the matter set forth in claim 15, including said driving pawl rod adapted to be depressed by the forward rotation of said disc,

a holding pawl therefor, adapted to retain said rod in the lowermost position to which it may be driven, and means adapted to release said rod and to return said disc pawl lever to contact with said disc teeth comprising said holding pawl, pivoted to a post and having a long arm adapted to retain said rod, and a short arm, and a spring adapted to hold said pawl in engagement with said rod, said short arm forward of the plane of said disc, said driving pawl rod provided with a stud adapted upon retraction of said disc, and so positioned, as to strike said short arm of said holding pawl as it reaches the initial position to which it is carried by the retraction of said disc, whereby to release said rod from said holding pawl; said rod provided with a horizontal arm near the top of its lower portion, in the plane of the bell crank lever set forth in claim l5, said bell crank lever having a horizontal arm adapted, upon the rising of said rod, to be struck by said horizontal arm of said rod, whereby to release said disc pawl lever from the vertical end of said bell crank lever and restore said disc pawl lever tooth to the periphery of said disc, and said rod being provided with a spring, whereby to retract said rod upon its release by said holding pawl.

17. In a parking post of the class described having a holding pawl with a short arm, a driving disc with a stud adapted to strike the short arm of said holding pawl, means adapted to stop the rotation of said disc at an angular attitude irnmediately subsequent to the attitude at which the said disc causes the release of said pawl.

18. In a parking post of the class described having an escapement wheel and affixed thereto the bottom of a cup having sides in the form of an annular ring away from said escapement wheel, a slot through said annular ring at a selected location; said escapement wheel and cup mounted on a shaft; said shaft being adapted to rotate, means to elfect such rotation ailxed to said shaft, a dial marked in divisions, an initial one marked zero, and said slot of said annular ring located at angular position corresponding to that of the zero division of said dial; a horizontally positioned stopping lever, under said annular ring, and having a projecting tboth normally bearing on the periphery of said ring, pressed thereagainst by a spring, said spring; said tooth adapted to enter said slot upon said wheel being advanced to said angular position. and thereupon to stop said shaft.

19. The matter of claim 18 including also a pendant arm at the outer end of said stopping lever, and affixed to said arm a retractable tooth. adapted at its lower attitude to rest against a shoulder of the collar of a manually operable crank and prevent the manual rotation thereof, and adapted, when in the upper attitude to free said crank collar and permit its manual rotation.

20. In a parking post of the class described having a train of gears with an escapement ratchet tooth wheel, a pressure roller adapted to rest between adjoining teeth of said escapement wheel and to pass over a tooth when said wheel is driven one tooth, whereby to prevent overthrow of said wheel beyond the next tooth upon being driven by an angular attitude equivalent to one tooth.

21. In a parking post of the class described having a base, a pedestal and a head, a door for said head, means adapted to retain said door in the wide open position when it is manually moved thereto, and automatic means adapted to clos(` said door automatically upon its being released manually from said retaining means, said means for holding said door open comprising a horizontally positioned shelf or projection aillxed to the inside of said door, said projection adapted, upon said door being opened, to contact with a movable member of said head, said movable member, adapted to be retained in an open position when manually opened, and when in said open position adapted to obstruct the movement of said door shelf projection, whereby to retain said door in the open position.

22. In a parking post of the class described a windlass, a vehicle holding cord or chain wrapped thereon, means whereby said windlass may be released for manual withdrawal of said cord; said cord adapted to be secured to a vehicle and return to and secure to said post, means adapted to secure said cord to said post adapted to be automatically self locking upon said cord being so secured, and means adapted to release said cord from said post adapted to operate automatically upon the deposition in said post of coins in an amount selected in proportion to the time during which the vehicle remained secured to the said post.

23, In a parking post of the class described a sinking rod positionedvertically and slidably mounted in lugs with a spring adapted to press it into the upper attitude; two pawls tted on its lower end, each having a retractable tooth; a windlass mounted on a shaft journalled in lugs; a vehicle securing cord carried by said windlass, said windlass fitted at its end adjacent said sinking rod with two ratchet tooth wheels adjoining each other, said toothed wheels of different diaroeters, a larger wheel and a smaller wheel; said wheels fitted with ratchet teeth inclined in opposite directions to each other; said upper pawl of said sinking rod positioned above and adapted to engage the teeth of the larger toothed wheel,and said lower pawl of said sinking rod. positioned below and adapted to engage the teeth oi said smaller toothed wheel, said pawls so positioned that the upper pawl is free of the larger diameter ratchet tooth wheel when said sinking rod is in its upper attitude, and said lower pawl is in engagement with said smaller diameter ratchet tooth wheel when the sinking rod is in said upper attitude; and said upper pawl is in engagement with said larger ratchet wheel and said lower pawl is out of engagement with said smaller ratchet tooth wheel when said sinking rod is depressed to its lowest attitude, said pawls and ratchet teeth so arranged that said vehicle cord may be drawn out manually when said sinking rod is in the lowermost attitude, and automatic means adapted to draw in said vehicle cord upon its release, when said sinking rod is in its uppermost position.

24. The matter of claim 23 said automatic means including also on said windlass a secondary division with a secondary cord, said scc-V` ondary cord adapted to pass through a pulley above said windlass, said pulley, journalled on a shaft set in lugs, and said cord adapted after passing through said pulley to sustain a weight, and said Weight; said windlass, vehicle cord, Weight cord, pulley and weight so positioned as to oppose the manual drawing out of saidfvehicle cord, by said weight, and said weight adapted to supply the energy to draw in said vehicle cord when said sinking rod is in its uppermost position.

25. In a parking post of the class described having a coin controlled mechanism containing a coin indicating dial with a plurality of dal divisions, and vehicle securing means in operative connection with said coin controlled mechanism, anda vehicle cord adapted to be manually drawn from said post, and adapted to be secured to a vehicle, securing means for the end of said cord, adapted to secure said end after said cord has been secured to the vehicle, adapted to have two operative functions, the first function being to be manually drawn out upon the securing of a vehicle and to be automatically retracted upon being manually released thereupon, to a selected position, and a second function, upon the release of the vehicle, of being manually drawn out therefor and of being automatically retracted to a selected position upon being manually released therefrom, said selected positions being different from each other; a clock included in said coin controlled means, said clock adapted to be thrown into engagement with and out of engagement with said coin controlled mechanism; said clock adapted to govern the advance of said coin indicating dial, and means upon the rst function of said securing means taking place to automatiu cally engage said clock to said coin indicating means, and adapted thereupon to advance said coin indica-ting means regularly during the time said vehicle remains secured to said post, and means adapted, upon the drawing-oui-rc-anufilly phase of the second function of the said securing means taking place to prevent said coin controlled apparatus from being aiected thereby between said coin controlled mechanism and said vehicle securing mechanism communicating members adapted to effect the indicated opera` tions, means adapted automatically to retract said cord, and means adapted upon the automatic retraction of said securing means after the rst phase of said second function to-draw into positions the said communicating members between said coin controlled mechanism and said vehicle securing mechanism, suited io cause the said members to be in positions to be caused to function upon the first and second phases of the first function of the securing means taking place upon the next vehicle being secured.

In a parking post of the class described adapted to secure a vehicle, a time piece coin indieating means the reading of which is adapted to increase with the passage of time from the securing of the vehicle to the post and means adapted, upon the securing of the vehicle to the post to automatically advance the reading a selected amount, and means thereupon adapted to connect or engage said coin indicating means to said time piece in said post, said time piece adapted to continue to advance the reading of said coin indicating means with the passage of time.

27. In a parking post of the class described a train of three gears of equal size, in the same plane, an escapement shaft a second shaft and a third shaft, the rst of said gears lattached to said escapement shaft and the second and third of said gears attached respectively to the second and third of said shafts, and ailixed to each of the shafts of the second and third gears a ratchet tooth wheel adapted to be rotated each by a pawl, and pawls adapted to rotate said ratchet tooth wheels.

28. In a parking post of the class described for the attachment of a vehicle havingrneans therefor and having a clockand having coin indicating means, said clock and coin indicating means adapted to be engaged, said coin indicating means adapted to be controlled in its advance by said clock when engaged therewith, means adapted automatically to disengage said clock from said coin indicating means upon the completion of a predetermined lapse of time from the moment of the engagement of said clock thereto; said clock disengaging means comprising a clock clutch, a bell crank lever having a long arm positioned vertically with forked ends in engagement with said clock clutch member, and a short arm horizontally positioned and an adjoining member, said bell crank lever pivoted so that said vertical arm disengages said clock clutch member from said adjoining member when said short arm is forced upward; a shaft for said clutch member and a helical spring encircling said shaft; said clock clutch member moved in opposition to said helical spring encircling the said shaft of said clutch member; and means adapted to drive said short horizontal arm upwards comprising a rotating member of a shaft controlled by said clock when in engagement, said shaft parallel to said clock shaft and positioned below it; a post affixed to said rotating member; a lever arm pivoted to lugs, horizontally disposed and in the path of said post and at right angles thereto when said post reaches the underside of said leverarm in the progress of its rotation; said lever arm so positioned as to be beneath the short horizontal arm of said bell crank lever and at right angles thereto, and said lever arm adapted to be driven upward by the said post upon said post reaching its position, and said lever arm adapted to drive 'said short arm of said bell crank lever upward thereupon, whereby to disengage said clock upon said post rotating to a predetermined angular position.

29. In a parking post of the class described, a head, a pedestal, said pedestal adapted to support said head, a floor intermediate said head and pedestal, and a base adapted to support said pedesta1,and apparatus in said head and apparatusin said pedestal, said sets of apparatus in operative connection or communication, communicating members adapted to effect said communication, said communicating members comprising a vertically positioned shaft journalled in said floor and in a lug in the pedestal, a lug in the pedestal adapted to journal said vertical shaft; said vertical shaft having a hand operable crank attached to its upper portion, said shaft adapted to be turned through angular positions by the operation of said crank, and three rods having up-and-downmovements; a clock in said head adapted to be clutched and de-clutched into and out of engagement with other parts by one of said rods, an escapement yoke in said head adapted to be operated by another of said three rods; a stopping lever in said head adapted to be retracted, said lever adapted to be retracted by the other of the three said rods.

30. In a parking post a head comprising a roof, a top plate thereunder, a semi-circular rear wall, semi-circular front wall in the form of a door vertically disposed, a horizontally disposed floor, a pedestal, said floor supported on said pedestal, a base, said pedestal supported on said base, and said floor bearing four vertically disposed partition walls, parallel to each other and at selected distances apart, said four walls comprising a rear wall, and adjacent second wall, a third wall and a front wall adjacent said third wall; a coin channel between said second and third walls, a main shaft journalled in all four walls, a manually operable crank aflixed to said main shaft, said crank forward of said front wall, said main shaft having a collar attached positioned between said third and fourth walls, a pawl similarly positioned, said collar having a tooth adapted to be engaged by said pawl, said pawl fitted with a second arm having a portion turned into said coin channel and adapted upon being struck by a coin to release said toothed collar; affixed to said main shaft between the rear and second walls a spiral spring also affixed to said rear wall and adapted to be wound by the rotation of said manually operable crank, and thereupon to retract said crank to its initialposition upon said crank being released, and affixed to said main shaft outside said rear wall a' disc fitted with a stud, said stud adapted to drive a driving pawl rod upon said disc being rotated by said manually operable crank in a forward direction, and a driving pawl rod adapted to be driven by said disc stud, and connections whereby said driving pawl rod is adapted upon being driven to retract other portions of the said mechanism.

3l. The matter of claim 18 including also a clock engaging and releasing clutch, a bell crank lever adapted to operate said clutch having a vertical arm and a horizontal arm, pendant from said horizontal arm a verticallypositioned rod,

a shelf affixed to said stopping lever on the edge forward of said annular ring, said shelf bearing an aperture through which said vertically positioned rod is adapted to slide, a collar aixed to said rod at a position slightly above the top of said shelf when said stopping lever is in its lower position, said collar adapted to be driven upward on the stopping lever rising and thereby forcing said rod upward, whereby to disengage said clock.

32. In a parking post of the class described and escapement wheel shaft having afxed to it an escapement wheel and a gear, and a cup, said cup having sides in the form of an annular ring, said ring having a slot at a selected location; a train of three gears in parallel planes, said three gears comprising said escapement shaft gear, a second gear in engagement therewith, of the same size, and a third gear in engagement with the second gear and of the same size, and either of said gears upon being rotated adapted to rotate the other two.

33. In a bell crank lever as set forth in claim 6 having two horizontal arms, an upper arm and a lower arm; said lower arm adapted to terminate in a tooth, adapted to be engaged by a pawl having three teeth, a lower, a middle and an upper tooth, said bell crank lever adapted to be engaged by said middle tooth upon a vehicle being secured by said horn, and adapted to be engaged by said lower tooth when said bell crank lever is in the attitude of rest, said upper tooth adapted to be a stop tooth and prevent said lower arm tooth end from rising thereabove.

34. In a parking post of the class described having a primary bell crank lever with two horlzohtal arms, the lower of which terminates in a tooth adapted to be engaged by a pawl; said pawl, comprising a secondary bell crank lever with a vertical arm and a horizontal' arm and pivoted in lugs, said vertical arm fitted with three teeth, an upper, a middle and lower tooth, said upper tooth being a. limiting tooth, and said lower and middle teeth being adapted to engage the toothterminating lower arm of the said primary bell crank lever, depending on the attitude thereof, anda tertiary bell crank lever pivoted to the end of said secondary bell crank lever.

35. The matter of claim 34 including said tertiary bell crank lever, comprising a vertical arm, and a horizontally disposed upper arm, terminatingin a pressure disc, said vertical arm comprising a retractable tooth normally standing vertically, adapted, in the attitude of rest to be supported by a transmitting lever positioned beneath said tooth, said horizontal arm adapted to be depressed by and rest against the under side of the tooth-terminating. arm of the primary bell crank lever, forced thereagainst by a spring, said spring, positioned between the upper side of the horizontal arms of said secondary bell crank lever and the lower side of the tooth-terminating horizontal arm of said primary bell crank lever, said disc-terminating arm of said tertiary bell crank arm. adapted, upon the rise of said toothterminating arm of said primary bell crank lever, to rise in consequence thereof, and thereupon to push said retractable tooth off the outer end of said transmttting lever.

36. The matter of claim 8, with means adapted to lift said secondary bell cranks horizontal arm, including in the head of said parking post a horizontally positioned crank, affixed to a centrally located vertical shaft, said crank adapted to be manually turned when released by the rising of a tooth, afxed to the vertical shaft of said crank, below the floor of said head and in said pedestal a horizontally positioned depressing arm adapted to be rotated a portion of a revolution by the manual rotation of said crank; positioned in the path of said depressing arm, a horizontally positioned inclined lever pivoted in lugs and inclined upward towards it motor end, its upper edge adapted to be struck by said depressing arm and be thereby forced downward with the advance of said depressing arm towards the outer end of said inclined lever; a vertically positioned sinking rod, sldably mounted in lugs and adapted to be forced upward by a spring, said spring helically encircling said sinking rod for a portion of its length, affixed to said rod and to a lug, whereby to be compressed upon the depression of said sinking rod, a stop pin in said sinking rod adapted to limit its upward movement by contact with a lug; the said depressing rod so positioned that its upper end is under -the outer end of said inclined lever, in contact therewith when said lever is in its upper attitude, forcing said lever thereto, said depression of said inclined lever thereby adapted to depress said sinking rod;`

pitioned below said primary bell crank lever a lifting lever, pivoted in lugs, said lever having a long end and a short end, said short end adapted to be depressed by said sinking rod on its depression, and said long arm thereby adapted to be lifted; a transmitting lever pivoted in lugs, set at right angles to said lifting lever and thereabove, the long arm of said transmitting lever lying on said lifting levers long arm about midway of said transmitting lever and at the outer end of said lifting levers long arm; said transmitting lever supporting on its outer end said retractable tooth of said tertiary bell crank lever, whereby to lift said tooth upon the manual operation of said horizontally positioned manually operable crank.

37. The matter of claim 8 including said primary bell crank lever, adapted to be manually tilted; said tertiary bell crank lever thereupon adapted to be tilted by its said spring on the rising of the lower horizontal arm of said primary bell crank lever, and said retractable tooth of said tertiary bell crank lever thereupon adapted to be pushed off the end of said transmitting lever, whereby to permit said secondary bell crank lever to be tilted only once for each tilting manually of said primary bell crank lever.

38.` In a parking post of the class described having a train of gears, and pawls for two of the gears as set forth in claim 27, a driving pawl rod adapted to drive the ratchet tooth wheel of the second gear, having a driving tooth therefor, and a driving pawl rod adapted to drive the ratchet wheel of the third gear, having two driving teeth therefor, and adapted each to drive its ratchet tooth wheel a selected angular distance, saidl pawls fitted each with ratchet teeth on the edge opposite the driving tooth or teeth, and a holding pawl for each rod adapted to engage said ratchet teeth and retain said driving rods in the position to which they are moved.

EDWIN HOPKINS.

Images