US465965A - Store-service apparatus - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

C. EPOSTER.

STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

Patented Dec. 29, 1891.

ma nunms PETERS cu., Mofo-umm, wAsmNmnN. u. cA

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. FOSTER, OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESN E ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE LAMSON CONSOLIDATED STORE SERVICE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

STORE-SERVICE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 465,965, dated December 29,1891. Application filed October 11, 1889. Serial No. 326,689 (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. FOSTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in `Store-Service Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

In those systems of store transportation in which a carrier moves back and forth upon a 1o wire or way, the inclination of which is altered to reverse the motion, it has heretofore been necessary to use in connection with the way certain terminal supports, together with connecting means whereby the supports may be moved from the opposite ends of the way.

It is the object of my invention to enable the operator at one or both ends of the way to reverse its inclination, thereby moving the car in either direction at his pleasure withzo out the use of any connections between the stations other than the way, and this I effect through the medium of the appliances fully set forth hereinafter, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which is an elevation 2 5 of a carrier constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the raised portion of the way in full lines and the lowered portion in dotted lines. One end of the wayA is flexible and passes 3o over a pulley or drum 2, supported adjacent to the cashiers desk, a cord or continuation 3 of the said flexible end passing down from the drum and having a weight or spring 4 secured t'o its lower end, the said weight or 3 5 spring tending to revolve the drum and maintain the way taut. The opposite end of the way is secured to a sleeve 5,;sliding upon an inclined bar 19 of a bracket. A spring or weight 8 is provided, tending to draw down 4o the support, while a sufficient draft upon the way (which may be caused by the handle 7) to overcome the resistance of the said spring will draw the said sleeve upward on the bar to above the level of the drum, causing the carrier upon the way to move toward the cashiers desk. On the other hand, when the draft on the way is released, the sleeve will descend on the bar 17 to below the level of the drum and the car will move back toward the bar, which may be located contiguous to a counter. The operator at the desk may eifect both these changes in the position of the Way, and thus control the movements of the car in either direction, by drawing upon or releasing the way, thus increasing or decreasing the draft thereon by turning the crank-handle 7, or, if the crank-handle be not used, by bearing on or drawing up the spring or weight 4.

By means of a suitable yielding detent the cashier can hold the drum 2 in position to maintain the car at the desk until change is made and the necessary records entered. Thus a flat spring is recessed to receive the crank-handle 7 and hold it in place until the salesman exerts sufficient force to raise the sleeve above the position shown in full lines, overcoming the resistance of the spring and releasing the drum, so that the support can descend, carrying the handle quickly across the recess until the way is reversed, when the car will move back toward the counter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a store-service apparatus, the combination, with an inclined bar situated at one terminal of the Way, of a sleeve to support the said way movable upon the said bar, and means situated at the other end of the Way, whereby a draft may be made thereon to cause the sleeve to rise on the inclined bar and thereby change the inclination of the way, substantially as described.

2. In a store-service apparatus, the combination, with a Way, of an inclined bar situated at one terminal thereof, extending above and below the level of its opposite terminal, a sleeve slidable upon the said bar and carrying one end of the said Way, a spring to draw the said sleeve to its lowest position, a drum to which the opposite end of the way is connected, a handle to rotate the drum, and a spring-lock for said handle, all substantially as described.

3. In a store-service apparatus, the combination, with a way, of an inclined bar situated at one terminal thereof, extending above and below the ,level of its opposite terminal, a

sleeve slidable upon the said bar and carrying one end of the said Way, si spring to draw In testimony whereof I have signed my the said sleeve to its lowest position, and name to this specification in the presence of means situated at the other end of the way two subsembing Witnesses.

whereby a draft may be made thereon to CHARLES E. FOSTER. 5 cause the sleeve to rise on the inclined bar XTitnesses:

and thereby change the inclination of the J. S. BAKKER,

way, substantially as described. F. L. FREEMAN.

Images