Taxi meter with automatic rate adjustment

Claim 2

Taxi cab fare metering arrangement, comprising, in combination, taximeter computing means having, when activated, a first stage computing the fare at a first rate and a second stage computing sAid fare at a second rate; time switch means operating independently of said taximeter computing means, said time switch means having a first state for at least one predetermined time interval during a selected calender time range and a second state; and connecting means connecting said computing means and said time switch means in such a manner that, when said computing means are activated, said first stage is energized when said time switch means are in said first state and that said second stage is energized when said time switch means are in said second state.

Claim 3

An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said predetermined time interval comprises the hours from 10 P.M. to 4 A.M.; and wherein said selected calender time range comprises a 24 hour day.

Claim 4

An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said computing means comprise a first motor having a first shaft; and wherein said computing means further comprise a third stage during which no fare is computed, a fourth stage for furnishing a total fare indication; and a plurality of computer switch means activating said third stage, said first stage, said second stage, and said fourth stage in sequence during rotation of said first shaft.

Claim 5

An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first motor has a coil; further comprising a source of energy; motor start switch means responsive to external activation for connecting said coil to said source of energy; motor control switch means for maintaining the energization of said coil when closed and de-energizing said coil when open; and motor control cam means mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, for closing said motor control switch means upon energization of said coil and opening said motor control switch means upon energization of said first stage of said computing means.

Claim 6

An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, further comprising relay means having a relay coil, and a pair of relay contacts connected in series with said coil of said motor, said relay contacts being normally open and closing upon energization of said relay coil; wherein said motor control switch means are connected in series with said coil of said relay; and wherein said connecting means comprise means connecting said time switch means to said coil of said relay in such a manner that said relay coil remains continuously energized from said external activation until activation of said second stage of said computing means.

Claim 7

An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said taxi cab is radio controlled from central transmitting means furnishing a rate control signal; wherein said taxi cab further has radio receiver means furnishing a receiver signal in response to said rate control signal; further comprising means connecting said time switch means to said receiver means in such a manner that said time switch means are in said first state in response to said rate control signal.

Claim 8

An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selected calendar time range comprises a week; and wherein said predetermined time interval comprises Sunday.

Claim 9

An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising indicator means for indicating the rate at which said taxi meter is computing said fare.

Claim 10

An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said time switch means comprise first disk means mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith; motor means driving said shaft continuously at a predetermined rotational speed in such a manner that said first disk means rotates 360* per day; disk cam means on said first disk means; second disk means having conducting means thereon and rotating therewith, said conducting means having a plurality of extended portions; a first and second terminal; first and second wiper means connected to said first and second terminal respectively, and mounted in operative proximity to said conducting means in such a manner that said first terminal is connected to said second terminal when said wiper meaNs contacts said extended portions of said conducting means; and means moving said second disk means relative to said wiper means in dependence on said disk cam means.