US3670955A — Exact fare system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 211 words

In a construction for collecting fares and the like comprising a fare deposit section, an inspection surface defined in said deposit section for temporarily holding fares deposited, manually operable means for dumping fares from said inspection surface into a cash box area, a cash box receptacle defined in said cash box area, and a removable cash box adapted to be received in said receptacle, said cash box defining an access opening, closure means in said cash box for blocking said access opening for preventing access to the interior of the cash box, means normally locking said closure means against movement relative to said access opening, means defined by said receptacle operating to unlock said closure means upon insertion of said cash box into said receptacle and to thereby permit rotation of said cash box relative to the receptacle to locate the cash box in position such that the access opening will receive fares dumped from said inspection surface, means for locking said cash box in place in the receptacle upon rotation away from its inserted position and toward said receiving position, and wherein said closure means is automatically closed during rotation of the cash box back to said inserted position and prior to removal of the cash box from the receptacle.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 211 words

In a construction for collecting fares and the like comprising a fare deposit section, an inspection surface defined in said deposit section for temporarily holding fares deposited, manually operable means for dumping fares from said inspection surface into a cash box area, a cash box receptacle defined in said cash box area, and a removable cash box adapted to be received in said receptacle, said cash box defining an access opening, closure means in said cash box for blocking said access opening for preventing access to the interior of the cash box, means normally locking said closure means against movement relative to said access opening, means defined by said receptacle operating to unlock said closure means upon insertion of said cash box into said receptacle and to thereby permit rotation of said cash box relative to the receptacle to locate the cash box in position such that the access opening will receive fares dumped from said inspection surface, means for locking said cash box in place in the receptacle upon rotation away from its inserted position and toward said receiving position, and wherein said closure means is automatically closed during rotation of the cash box back to said inserted position and prior to removal of the cash box from the receptacle.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

A construction in accordance with claim 1 including a door for said receptacle and a viewing opening in said door for determining the presence of a cash box in the receptacle.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 57 words

A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein said cash box is formed of inner and outer shells with each shell defining an opening, said cash box being rotated upon insertion into said receptacle to achieve alignment of the openings in the cash box shells while positioning the openings for receiving fares dumped from the inspection surface.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 115 words

A construction in accordance with claim 3 includinG spring loaded pin means mounted on one of said shells, openings defined by the shells for receiving said pin means whereby the pin means operate to tie the shells together during rotary movement of the shells, and including cam means associated with the cash box for displacing said pin means out of engagement with one of said shells when the access opening for said one shell is in position for receiving fares, and means for holding said one shell in position during continued rotation of the other shell to bring the access opening of the other shell into alignment with the access opening of said one shell.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 75 words

A construction in accordance with claim 4 including a key positioned in the end wall of said receptacle, a lock mounted on said cash box, said other shell being secured to the barrel of said lock and said cam being secured to the plug of said lock, insertion of said cash box into said receptacle providing for entry of said key into said lock to free said barrel for rotary movement relative to said plug.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 105 words

A construction in accordance with claim 3 including a key positioned in the end wall of said receptacle, a lock mounted on the end wall of said cash box said lock having a lock plug and a lock barrel normally tied to the plug, said outer shell being tied to the lock barrel with said lock plug being held stationary by said key, said outer shell being provided with a handle to accomplish rotation of said cash box, and said lock preventing such rotation unless the proper key is inserted in the lock to free the lock barrel for movement relative to the lock plug.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 56 words

A construction in accordance with claim 6 wherein said key is confined within a spring mounted cylinder which normally surrounds the key, the housing of said lock being adapted to engage said cylinder when said cash box is inserted in the receptacle to depress the cylinder and to expose said key for insertion in the lock.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 54 words

A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cash box is formed of inner and outer shells with each shell defining an opening, the respective openings being movable into alignment upon relative rotation of said inner and outer shells, and including a lock normally preventing relative rotation of said inner and outer shells.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 92 words

A construction in accordance with claim 8 including a vault for collecting fares from a plurality of cash boxes, said vault defining a cash box receptacle, a key mounted within said receptacle for engagement with the lock of each cash box to thereby permit relative rotation of the cash box shells for aligning the openings of the shells, and means associated with said vault for achieving relative movement of said shells for discharge of fares in the cash box through the aligned openings of the shells into the interior of the vault.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 65 words

A construction in accordance with claim 9 including locking means located in said vault receptacle and movable into engagement with the cash box when said access opening is positioned for discharging fares, said locking means preventing removal of the cash box from the vault receptacle until relative movement of the cash box in the vault receptacle sufficient to close said closure means has taken place.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 139 words

A construction in accordance with claim 9 wherein the vault receptacle comprises a first rotatably mounted cylinder, a second rotatably mounted cylinder positioned adjacent said first cylinder, an opening defined in the walls of each of said cylinders, said cash box, when inserted in said first cylinder, being tied to said cylinder whereby rotation of said cash box rotates said first cylinder to locate the opening defined by said first cylinder in a discharge position, and including drive means tying said second cylinder to said first cylinder whereby said second cylinder rotates with said first cylinder for positioning the opening in said second cylinder in alignment with the opening in said first cylinder, said opening in said cash box being aligned with said cylinder openings whereby said fares will be discHarged from said cash box into said second cylinder.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 62 words

A construction in accordance with claim 11 wherein said cash box must be rotated back to its original position to remove the cash box from said first cylinder, the return rotation of the cash box resulting in movement of said second cylinder to a discharge position whereby the fares collected by said second cylinder are discharged into the interior of said vault.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 115 words

A construction in accordance with claim 11 including spring loaded pin means mounted on one of said shells, openings defined by the shells for receiving said pin means whereby the pin means operate to tie the shells together during rotary movement of the shells, and including cam means associated with the cash box for displacing said pin means out of engagement with one of said shells when the access opening for said one shell is in position for receiving fares, and means for holding said one shell in position during continued rotation of the other shell to bring the access opening of the other shell into alignment with the access opening of said one shell.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 59 words

A construction in accordance with claim 13 wherein said other shell is secured to the barrel of said lock and said cam is secured to the plug of said lock, insertion of said cash box into said vault receptacle providing for entry of said key into said lock to free said barrel for rotary movement relative to said plug.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 105 words

A construction for collecting fares and the like comprising a deposit section, an inspection surface in said deposit section for temporarily holding fares deposited, manually operable means for dumping fares from said inspection surface into a cash box area, and a cash box for receiving said fares, a sliding gate interposed between said inspection area and said cash box adapted to block access of the fares to said cash box, a door in said construction providing access for inserting and removing the cash box, and means associated with said door operably connected to said gate whereby the gate automatically closes when said door is opened.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 105 words

A construction for collecting fares and the like comprising a deposit section, an inspection surface in said deposit section for temporarily holding fares deposited, manually operable means for dumping fares from said inspection surface into a cash box area, and a cash box for receiving said fares, a sliding gate interposed between said inspection area and said cash box adapted to block access of the fares to said cash box, a door in said construction providing access for inserting and removing the cash box, and means associated with said door operably connected to said gate whereby the gate automatically closes when said door is opened.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 80 words

A construction in accordance with claim 15 wherein said gate is attached to a pivotally mounted arm, abutment means attached to said door and engaging said arm, and spring means attached to said arm urging said arm to a position for closing said gate, said abutment means being removed from engagement from said arm when said door is only slightly opened whereby said spring means operates to rapidly move the gate to blocking position before the door is fully opened.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 92 words

A construction in accordance with claim 16 including a sliding bar defining a blocking portion adapted to engage said arm, cam means associated with said door for engaging said sliding bar to move the blocking portion of said bar out of blocking position relative to said arm when said door is closed, and spring means for urging said bar into a position whereby said blocking position engages said arm when the door is open, said blocking portion preventing movement of said arm and opening of said gate when said door is open.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

A construction in accordance with claim 17 wherein the spring means attached to said arm has one end attached to said sliding bar.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 228 words

A construction for collecting fares and the like comprising a deposit section, an inspection surface in said deposit section for temporarily holding fares deposited, manually operable means for dumping fares from said inspection surface into a cash box area, and a cash box located in said cash box area for receiving said fares, said manually operable means comprising a trip bar exposed on the exterior of said construction, a pivotally connected arm having said trip bar attached at one end, said inspection surface comprising a pivotally mounted member operatively connected to said arm, said fares being collected on one side of the pivot axis of said member, and wherein the weight of those portions of said member and said arm on one side of the pivot axis of said member and said arm only slightly Exceeds the weight of said trip bar, and the portions of the arm and member on the other side of the pivot axes whereby only a light touch on the trip bar is required to tip said plate, and including a door in the cash box area of the construction to permit insertion and removal of said cash box, and locking means for said door, at least a portion of said locking means being connected to said member whereby said member must be in the tipped position before said door can be opened.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 228 words

A construction for collecting fares and the like comprising a deposit section, an inspection surface in said deposit section for temporarily holding fares deposited, manually operable means for dumping fares from said inspection surface into a cash box area, and a cash box located in said cash box area for receiving said fares, said manually operable means comprising a trip bar exposed on the exterior of said construction, a pivotally connected arm having said trip bar attached at one end, said inspection surface comprising a pivotally mounted member operatively connected to said arm, said fares being collected on one side of the pivot axis of said member, and wherein the weight of those portions of said member and said arm on one side of the pivot axis of said member and said arm only slightly Exceeds the weight of said trip bar, and the portions of the arm and member on the other side of the pivot axes whereby only a light touch on the trip bar is required to tip said plate, and including a door in the cash box area of the construction to permit insertion and removal of said cash box, and locking means for said door, at least a portion of said locking means being connected to said member whereby said member must be in the tipped position before said door can be opened.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 90 words

A construction in accordance with claim 19 wherein said member comprises a normally horizontally mounted inspection plate, said locking means including a vertically extending rod attached to said inspection plate, means attached to a stationary wall of said construction defining an opening for receiving said rod, and means attached to said door defining a corresponding opening whereby said rod is adapted to be received in said openings for locking said door and whereby said door will be unlocked when said rod is moved vertically upon tipping of said inspection plate.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 49 words

A construction in accordance with claim 19 wherein said deposit section includes a transparent wall portion to permit viewing of said inspection surface, a separate wall formed of a light transmitting material, and a light positioned behind said light transmitting wall to provide independent lighting for said inspecting surface.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 153 words

In a system for collecting fares wherein the fares are deposited in a plurality of cash boxes situated at various locations with the cash boxes being thereafter brought to a common collection location, the improvement comprising a vault construction situated at said collection location, said vault construction defining a cash box receptacle, said cash box defining an access opening, closure means in said cash box for blocking said access opening to prevent access to the interior of the cash box, means defined by said receptacle operating to open said closure means during movement of the cash box relative to the receptacle in the course of locating the cash box in a position such that its access opening will discharge fares into said vault, and wherein said closure means is automatically closed in the course of movement of the cash box relative to the receptacle during removal of the cash box from the vault.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 153 words

In a system for collecting fares wherein the fares are deposited in a plurality of cash boxes situated at various locations with the cash boxes being thereafter brought to a common collection location, the improvement comprising a vault construction situated at said collection location, said vault construction defining a cash box receptacle, said cash box defining an access opening, closure means in said cash box for blocking said access opening to prevent access to the interior of the cash box, means defined by said receptacle operating to open said closure means during movement of the cash box relative to the receptacle in the course of locating the cash box in a position such that its access opening will discharge fares into said vault, and wherein said closure means is automatically closed in the course of movement of the cash box relative to the receptacle during removal of the cash box from the vault.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 65 words

A construction in accordance with claim 22 including locking means located in said vault receptacle and movable into engagement with the cash box when said access opening is positioned for discharging fares, said locking means preventing removal of the cash box from the vault receptacle until relative movement of the cash box in the vault receptacle sufficient to close said closure means has taken place.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 139 words

A construction in accordance with claim 22 wherein the vault receptacle comprises a first rotatably mounted cylinder, a second rotatably mounted cylinder positioned adjacent said first cylinder, an opening defined in the walls of each of said cylinders, said cash box, when inserted in said first cylinder, being tied to said cylinder whereby rotation of said cash box rotates said first cylinder to locate the opening defined by said first cylinder in a discharge position, and including drive means tying said second cylinder to said first cylinder whereby said second cylinder rotates with said first cylinder for positioning the opening in said second cylinder in alignment with the opening in said first cylinder, said opening in said cash box being aligned with said cylinder openings whereby said fares will be discharged from said cash box into said second cylinder.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 62 words

A construction in accordance with claim 24 wherein said cash box must be rotated back to its original position to remove the cash box from said first cylinder, the return rotation of the cash box resulting in movement of said second cylinder to a discharge position whereby the fares collected by said second cylinder are discharged into the interior of said vault.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 48 words

A construction in accordance with claim 24 wherein said cash box is formed of inner and outer shells with each shell defining an opening, said cash box being rotated upon insertion into said vault receptacle to achieve alignment of the opening for discharging fares into said second cylinder.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 115 words

A construction in accordance with claim 26 including spring loaded pin means mounted on one of said shells, openings defined by the shells for receiving said pin means whereby the pin means operate to tie the shells together during rotary movement of the shells, and including cam means associated with the cash box for displacing said pin means out of engagement with one of said shells when the access opening for said one shell is in position for receiving fares, and means for holding said one shell in position during continued rotation of the other shell to bring the access opening of the other shell into alignment with the access opening of said one shell.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 77 words

A construction in accordance with claim 27 including a key positioned in the end wall of said vault receptacle, a lock mounted on said cash box, said other shell being secured to the barrel of said lock and said cam being secured to the plug of said lock, insertion of said cash box into said vault receptacle providing for entry of said key into said lock to free said barrel for rotary movement relative to said plug.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-06-20	1975-12-20	1976-06-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-06-20	1979-12-20	1980-06-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-06-20	1983-12-20	1984-06-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Exact fare system

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