GB1077623A - Prepayment mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

1,077,623. Prepayment meters. UNITED GAS INDUSTRIES Ltd. Jan. 14, 1964 [Oct. 15, 1962], No. 38903/62. Heading G4V. The coin receiving, quantity and indicator mechanisms of prepayment meter are mounted in a generally rectangular casing the walls of which carry spindle bearings and apertures for the mechanisms. The price change plate 7 and coin holder 8 work on a spindle 20 with two strikers engaging one quantity wheel 14, or both quantity wheels 14 and 15, according to the coin inserted; see Specifications 1,077,621 and 1,077,622. The wheels 14 and 15 are separated by a washer 17 having a leg which projects into a slot 23 of the casing to hold the washer against rotation. The wheel 14 is frictionally coupled to gear 16 mounted on shaft 24 into which the spindle 20 sockets, and the gear 16 drives reduction gears on a planet carrier 18 which, through gears 26 and 25 on shaft 24, drives the quantity mechanism. The wheel 15 is coupled directly with the planet carrier 18 and consequently drives the quantity mechanism direct through gear 25 while wheel 14 slips on its bearing. In the quantity mechanism the planet wheel 33 meshes with a worm gear 34 driven from the consumption meter to restore the mechanism; the sun-wheels of the quantity mechanism are driven by and drive gears 29 and 31. Deflection of gear 29 by the coin receiving mechanism results in a corresponding deflection of the gear 31 which drives the indicator and control drum 9. The side of the casing on which drum 9 is mounted is apertured so that a control arm 42 may co-operate with the shut-off valve of the meter as described in Specification 1,075,351. The drum is indexed so that unconsumed credit is made visible through a transparent window plate 11. A transverse shaft 41 driven from the control arm 42 at one end has a pawl member 43 at its other end so as to engage a spur 44 on a coin lever 39 and thereby prevent the acceptance of further coins when a maximum credit has been established. The price change plate is secured by a pin 50 and a bracket 51 is provided for the attachment of an enclosure for the casing.