GB1322900A - Rotary coin holder mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

1322900 Prepayment mechanisms UNITED GAS INDUSTRIES Ltd 14 Oct 1970 [15 Oct 1969] 50570/69 Heading G4V A rotary coin holder mechanism 7, for use in a prepayment unit 1, includes a pocket 8, for receiving a coin of either of two values, having pivotally mounted thereon a striker member 38 carrying two strikers 17, 18 which can be selectively disposed into respective rotary drivetransmitting positions by pivoting of the striker member in opposite respective directions, and an actuating member 24 displaceable by the insertion of a coin of a first diameter to pivot the striker member in one direction and by a second coin to pivot the striker member in the other direction. In the embodiment described a coin is inserted between a fixed guide member 25 and the actuating member 24 which has a flank portion 27 carrying two posts sliding in parallel slots in plate 22 (Fig. 7, not shown) controlling the movement of the actuating member. One post 28, sliding in slot 29 engages a slot 30 in pivoted lever 31 that is biased anticlockwise by a spring 33. A post 36 mounted on the lever 31 engages the pivoted striker member by means of a slot 37 which is shaped so that an initial rotation of the lever pivots the striker member in one direction while a further rotation of the lever pivots the striker member in the other direction (see also Figs. 4 to 6, not shown). On the insertion of the smaller coin striker 17 engages quantity wheel 13 whereas the larger coin causes striker 18 to engage both quantity wheels 13, 14. On rotation of the coin holder mechanism by handle 12 a dial 5 prepayment meter 2 is driven through differential gear 15 and gearing 16, the transmission ratio being determined by whether one or both quantity wheels is engaged by a striker. The initial position of the coin holder mechanism is determined by the location of a stud 20 in a price-change wheel 9 (see also Fig. 1, not shown). An extension 20a of the stud engages a projecting tongue 21d on a hinged side plate 21a of the coin pocket and allows the coin to fall from the pocket. As the commodity purchased is consumed a shaft 4 is driven which causes the dial 5 to rotate, a fixed pointer (6) indicating the amount left at any time. When prepayment has been made for a maximum allowable quantity a cam 40 engages a stop lever 41 and moves it into engagement with a lug 42 formed on the striker member and prevents it returning from an operative position, and through a pawl on the lever plate 31 stops return rotation to the initial position.