US3675847A - Taximeter having a stamping mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A taximeter has register mechanisms for registering data regarding each driver''s work shift, for example the total amount of money earned during his work shift. The register mechanisms have printing type digit wheels and the taximeter has a stamping mechanism operated by an external manual lever, enabling the driver to print on a paper the setting of the register mechanisms at the beginning and the end of his work shift.

Description

United States Patent Borgstrom Gote Ingvar [4 1 July 11, 1972 [54] TAXIMETER HAVING A STAMPING [56] References Cited MEC ISM UNI'I'EDSTA'IES PATENTS [72] Wm svanlm' Swede 1,169,860 2/1916 Ohmer et a1 ..235/30 [73] Assignee; Ab Akuebohg, svangsta, Sweden 1,736,416 11/1929 Ohmer ...235/30 1,794,845 3/1931 Gluck et al. ..235/30 22 Filed: June 24, 1970 Primary Examiner-Joseph W. l-lartary [211 App! 49309 Attorney-J. Bradley Cohn [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [571 ABSTRACT A taximeter has register mechanisms for registering data relune 24, 1969 Sweden ..8943/69 g g each dfivefs work shift, for example the tom amount of money earned during his work shift. The register [52] U S Cl 235 30 34 97 mechanisms have printing type digit wheels and the taximeter 51 MIC] 60;! 13/00 has a p g mechanism operated y an external manual E Field 235/30 lever, enabling the driver to print on a paper the setting of the register mechanisms at the beginning and the end of his work shift.

lClaim,4DrawingFigures TAXIMETER HAVING A STAMPING MECHANISM The present invention relates to a vehicle taximeter of the type described in the preamble of the accompanying claim 1.

A known taximeter of the type referred to is intended to prevent unauthorized use of the vehicle.

The object of the present invention is to enable the driver at the beginning and the end of a work shift to stamp the register mechanism of the taximeter instead of, as has heretofore been the case, copying the figures registered by the mechanism, which involves the danger of reading or writing these figures erroneously. The recorded information serves to verify for the owner of the vehicle and the authorities how far the driver has driven and the sum of money represented by the distance covered. At the same time, the driver should have the possibility of obtaining for his own interest a copy of this information. I

This object is obtained in accordance with the invention by providing the taximeter with the characteristic features disclosed in the accompanying claim 1. The driver need only insert a slip of paper into the taximeter, to be stamped thereby. If he himself desires a copy of the record slip, he can use several slips of paper provided with carbon paper therebetween or may cause a number of separate slips of paper to be stamped by the taximeter. To ensure that all the slips of paper are stamped clearly, all register mechanisms, in accordance with the invention, are suitably adapted to be indexed forwards so that only whole numbers are printed.

In accordance with a further development of the invention, such a taximeter is characterized in that the indexing mechanisms of the register mechanisms advanced as a result of movement of the vehicle include a driven annular cam element which is dependent on the movement of the vehicle and which has a cam surface which continuously rises towards a projection, the cam surface cooperating with an arm adapted to advance the register mechanism in a manner whereby the arm is imparted a continuous movement in one direction and is then released at the step on the cam surface so that the arm returns with a snap like movement in the opposite direction, thereby indexing the register mechanism through one step.

To these ends it is suitable to provide the indexing mechanism with an arrangement adapted to disconnect the drive means of the cam element when the vehicle is reversed. No fee should be registered when the taxi is driven with the taximeter set at the for hire position. To these ends, the taximeter according to the invention is arranged so that the advancing mechanism of the register mechanism for a paid driving distance presents a means adapted to disconnect the advancing mechanism of the register mechanism when the taximeter is set to for hire.

The disconnecting means may suitably comprise a pivotally attached arm having a hook-shaped end adapted to be swung, when setting the taximeter to for hire, so that the hookshaped end enters the path movement of a reciprocatingly movable advancing pin of the register mechanism, whereby the pin when moving in the advancing direction, hooks into the hook-shaped end and is arrested thereby.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the printing means lacks inking devices such as typewriter ribbons. Instead the register carrier is combined with a carbon paper or the like, thereby avoiding the maintenance associated with printing ribbons or printing pads in the taximeter. As aforementioned, copies for the driver are provided by stamping a plurality of paper slips or by stamping a bunch of such slips with carbon paper placed therebetween.

A simple and reliable form of release mechanism for the printing means is provided with a taximeter which, in accordance with the invention, is characterized in that the external operating means is connected to an arcuate arm which extends in through a guide slot in the taximeter casing and the inner end of which is hooked into the end of a pivotally mounted spring arm connected with tension springs for the stamping mechanism, the construction of the arcuate arm and the sPring arm and the mutual positional relationship between spring arm and tensioning the springs until the inner end of the arcuate arm is moved laterally by the slot in the casing from the spring arm thereby to release said arm and the springs for effecting a stamping sequence.

An embodiment of a taximeter constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation of a taximeter in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line II, II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line III, III of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line IV, IV of FIG. 3

The taximeter, as shown in FIG. 1, is positioned on a bracket secured to a plate 1 having end walls 3 and 5 and includes five register mechanisms 6-10. The register mechanism 6 is screwed securely to the end wall 3 while the register mechanisms 7-10 are screwed securely onto separate plates 11, which in turn are supported on the bracket by means of rods 13. The rods 13 are screwed into the end walls of the bracket and distance tubes or spacer 15 are arranged between the plates 1 1 and respective end walls 3 and 5.

The taximeter is enclosed in a casing 17.

The register mechanisms 6-10 include digit wheels provided with printing types. The register mechanism 6 discloses the number of the taxi cab and can be reset in a simple manner if the taximeter is moved to another vehicle.

The register mechanism 7 indicates the number of kilometers paid for. This register mechanism should be disconnected when the taximeter is set to for hire." This is achieved by means of downwardly pivoting, when the meter is set to for hire," a resilient book 21 pivotally mounted on the plate 1, thereby preventing indexing of the register mechanism 7 by hooking of the advancing pin or indexing means 23 in the hook 21. Indexing of the register mechanism 7 takes place in other respects together with the register mechanism 8.

The register mechanism 8 discloses the total number of kilometers driven. Indexing of the register mechanism 7 and 8 takes place simultaneously and shall be effected so that the change from one digit to the next takes place instantaneously, thereby preventing the stamping mechanism of the taximeter from stamping an intermediate position between two digits. Indexing of the register mechanisms is effected by means of an angled arm 27 (FIG. 1) pivotally mounted in a bearing 25 on plate 1, wherein the angled leg portion 29 of the angled arm 27 extending parallel with the rear wall of the bracket simultaneously actuates both register mechanisms 7 and 8. The arm 27, as shown is FIG. 3 and 4, is imparted its pivoting movement by abutment with a cam wheel 31. The cam wheel 31 is rotatably secured in a bearing 33 on the plate 1 with its shaft perpendicular to the pivoting axes of the arm 27. The side of the cam wheel 31 abutting the leg portion 29 of the arm 27 is provided with a curve of such configuration that the leg portion is swung progressively in one direction and is then snapped back to starting position, thereby indexing the register mechanisms 7 and 8 through one digit.

The coupling between the cam wheel 31 and the pivoting arm 27 does not therefore function in the opposite direction, i.e. when the vehicle is reversed. The cam wheel 31 is driven by a gear transmission, generally indicated by the reference numeral 35 (FIG. 2). The transmission includes a gear wheel 37, which is journalled on a pivotable arm 39. When the vehicle is reversed, the arm 39 is swung to one side by means of a mechanism not shown, whereby the gear wheel 37 no longer engages a drive wheel (not shown). Consequently, when reversing the vehicle, the cam wheel 31 is not driven and hence no distance is registered.

The register mechanism 9 discloses the number of fares. When the taximeter is switched on, a lever arm 41 (FIG. 1) is actuated and in turn actuates the indexing pin 43 of the register mechanism 9. u

The register mechanism discloses the number of lO-Ore intervals. Indexing is effected by means of an arm 45, which actuates the indexing pin 47 as best shown in FIG. 2.

The stamping mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 of the taximeter includes five stamp arms or plates 51, which are pivotally mounted on a tube 55 situated in front of the register mechanisms and which is located in the end walls 3 and 5 of the bracket. Each stamp arm is arranged in front of a register mechanism and presents two limb members 57 rotatably mounted about the tube 55. The ends of the limb members are connected through a yoke 59, on which is secured a pad 61 and a weight 63. A shaft 53 is journalled in the tube 55 and provided with four-sided shaft ends 65 (FIG. 2) projecting beyond the end walls of the bracket. A spring arm 66, 67 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is secured to each shaft end and the two arms are mutually connected by a rod 69 parallel with the shaft 53. Five springs 71 (FIGS. 1 and 3), one in front of each register mechanism, are wound around the tube 55 with one end of the spring resting against the forward under edge surface 73 of the bracket and the other end thereof resting against the rod 69, the spring coils being wound so that the rod is actuated in a direction towards the register mechanism 610. The springs can be tensioned by moving the rod 69 downwards and forwards on the taximeter, i.e. towards the left and upwards in FIG. 3. This is effected by means of an arm 75 (FIG. 2) which is pivotally mounted on the taximeter casing 17 adjacent the end wall 5 of the bracket and which is provided with a gripping portion 77. The inner end of the arm 75 is bent into the shape of a U and provided with a pin 79 situated outside the casing 17 and on which a hook 81 is pivotally mounted. As best shown in FIG. 2, the hook 81 extends into the casing 17 through a slot 83 arranged therein. A spring 85 wound about the pin 79 biasses the hook 81 so that its inner end abuts a shoulder 86 on the spring arm 67 positioned outside the end wall 5. One end of the spring 85 bears against the arm 75, while its other end rests against a projection 87 on hook 81.

When the arm 75 is swung in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2, the hook 81, by abutting against the spring arm 67, will swing the spring arm 67 clockwise together with the shaft 53, which in turn swings the spring arm 66 outside the end wall 3. In this way the rod 69 is caused to accompany the movement and tensions the spring 71. The stamp arms 51 also move clockwise under the influence of the force exerted by a weak spring 95 (FIG. 3) which is tensioned between the shaft 69 and a weak shaft 97. The shaft 97 extends through openings 99 which are much larger than the cross dimensions of the shaft and arranged in the limb members 57 of the stamp arms. Considerable play is thereby provided between the shaft 97 and the openings 99, whereby the influcene of any crookedness of the weak shaft 97 or possible differences in height between the register mechanism 610 is eliminated.

The distance between the shoulder 86 of the arm 67 and the center line of the shaft 53 is less than the distance between the center line of the shaft 53 and the nearest end of the slot 83 for the hook 81. Consequently, when the arm 75 is swung and the hook 81 is drawn out of the casing 17, the right end of the slot 83 will urge the hook to the left, whereby the end of the hook 81 comes out of engagement with the shoulder 86, which occurs when the end of the hook comes adjacent the wall of the casing. Under the influence of the spring 71 the arms 66 and 67 will be swung counter clockwise, back to the position shown in FIG. 2, in which they rest against rubber abutments 89 on the end walls of the bracket. The stamp arms 51 accompany the counter clockwise movement of the rod 69. The stamp arms, .however, continue to move counter clockwise when the spring arms 66, 67 abut their respective abutments 89, owing to the kinetic energy in the weights 63, until the pads 61 strike the printing wheel of the register mechanism. Stamping of all register mechanisms is effected simultaneously on two sheets of paper 91 having provided there between carbon paper, said sheets being inserted between the pads and the register mechanisms through a slot 93 m the taximeter casing shown in FIG. 3. The relevant numbers are stamped on the paper 91 through the intermediary of the carbon paper. No ink pads or ink strips need be used, although instead of two papers having carbon paper inserted therebetween another paper can be used which is pressure sensitive and gives a visible print when stamped. The sequence for stamping the register mechanisms of the taximeter is thus that a double paper 91 with carbon paper or the like inserted therebetween is inserted in the slot 93 of the taximeter casing 17, whereafter the arm 71 is swung up into abutment and then released. This will cause the paper to be stamped and the papers can then be removed from the taximeter.

What I claim is:

1. A vehicle taximeter having a swingable for hire" flag comprising a plurality of counters (6, 7, 8, 9, 10), an arm (29) mounted for swinging movement adjacent said counters, indexing means (23) connected to each counter and mounted for movement in a first direction from a first position to index said counters and returnable in a reverse direction to said first position, said arm contacting and moving said indexing means in said first direction, a cam (31) for moving said arm in said indexing contacting and moving action, said cam having a drop for quickly returning said arm after moving said indexing meanS in an indexing direction, means mounting a movable hook (21) manually movable into the path of at least one of said indexing means to prevent movement of said at least one indexing means in said reverse direction to prevent said at least one indexing means indexing the counter to which it is connected while permitting the indexing of the remaining counters, said manually movable hook being connected to said for hire" flag of said taximeter, said at least on indexing means being inoperative when said flag is in the for hire position, a stamping mechanism comprising a plurality of limbs (57) pivotally mounted on said taximeter adjacent said counters, stamping plates (51) secured on the free ends of said limbs, a pair of pivotal arms (66, 67), a member connecting the free ends of said arms and spanning said plurality of limbs being tensioned to swing said member and said limbs and said stamping plates simultaneously against said counter, guide means to guide paper between said plates and said counters whereby said members may simultaneously stamp said paper on said counters.

Claims (1)

1. A vehicle taximeter having a swingable ''''for hire'''' flag comprising a plurality of counters (6, 7, 8, 9, 10), an arm (29) mounted for swinging movement adjacent said counters, indexing means (23) connected to each counter and mounted for movement in a first direction from a first position to index said counters and returnable in a reverse direction to said first position, said arm contacting and moving said indexing means in said first direction, a cam (31) for moving said arm in said indexing contacting and moving action, said cam having a drop for quickly returning said arm after moving said indexing meanS in an indexing direction, means mounting a movable hook (21) manually movable into the path of at least one of said indexing means to prevent movement of said at least one indexing means in said reverse direction to prevent said at least one indexing means indexing the counter to which it is connected while permitting the indexing of the remaining counters, said manually movable hook being connected to said ''''for hire'''' flag of said taximeter, said at least on indexing means being inoperative when said flag is in the ''''for hire'''' position, a stamping mechanism comprising a plurality of limbs (57) pivotally mounted on said taximeter adjacent said counters, stamping plates (51) secured on the free ends of said limbs, a pair of pivotal arms (66, 67), a member connecting the free ends of said arms and spanning said plurality of limbs being tensioned to swing said member and said limbs and said stamPing plates simultaneously against said counter, guide means to guide paper between said plates and said counters whereby said members may simultaneously stamp said paper on said counters.

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