GB1429694A - Coin controlled meter construction - Google Patents

Abstract

1429694 Coin controlled meters QONAAR CORP 4 Sept 1973 [11 Sept 1972] 41425/73 Heading G4V A coin controlled meter, particularly a parking meter, for obtaining the purchase of time comprises means for receiving a coin, means controlled by the receiving means for locating indicator means to display the time purchased and means for moving said indicator means out of the displaying position after elapse of a fraction of the time purchased whereby the unelapsed portion of purchased time is not determinable from said indicator means. The arrangement tends to ensure that a new user will always insert a coin since he cannot ascertain the amount of any unelapsed time remaining from the previous use. In the embodiment described a shaft 37 of a timing mechanism is rotated clockwise on the insertion of a coin into a slot (22) in coin carrier (18) and manual rotation of the carrier, the amount of shaft rotation being determined by the value of the coin, and is then rotated anticlockwise by a timer mechanism. On rotation of the coin carrier a violation flag 36 is pivoted into view, a part 64 on the flag 36 acting to pivot time expired flag 34 downwardly, and a pin 66 on flag 36 acting via link 70 to pivot indicator pointer 32 to its extreme anti-clockwise position. On return of the coin carrier the flag 36 is pivoted out of view, flag 34 is held out of view by engagement of a pin 74 thereon with the periphery 80 of a plate 78 tied to shaft 37, and the pointer 32 moves clockwise until a pin 96 on a cam follower 84 connected to the pointer engages a tab 94 on a cam 38 tied to the shaft 37, the pointer thus being set to indicate the time purchased. After the elapse of a short period of time, e.g. five minutes, rotation of the cam 38 removes the tab 94 from engagement with pin 96 thus allowing the pointer to return to its rest position. At the end of the purchased time period the time expired flag 34 is raised by spring 82, the pin 74 entering a cut-out in plate 78.