GB190202615A - Improvements in Coin-prepayment Mechanism for Fluid Meters. - Google Patents

Abstract

2615. Grieve, G. K., and Peebles, W. C. Feb. 1. Gas meters ; liquid meters.-In a prepayment fluid meter, the fluid valve P<4> is pivoted to a lever P<2> on a shaft P' carrying a crank P having a pin engaging a cam slot in a lever N<1> pivoted at the bottom, the cam slot being shaped at one end so as to operate the valve quickly. The lever N<1> is connected by a rod N to a sleeve L<2>, having a sliding connection with a spindle L, geared by a train of wheels to a sleeve D<5>, the spindle of the wheels K<5> being adjustable in a curved slot to allow the outer wheel to be changed according to the price of the fluid. A rack L<8> on the sleeve L' is geared to a spindle M<3> carrying a disc M<4> or a pointer, to indicate the amount of unused fluid paid for. A screw-thread L<3> on the sleeve L<2> engages a wormwheel L<4> operated by a worm L<7> actuated by the ordinary meter mechanism which operates the sleeve in one direction, while the shaft L, when rotated, operates the sleeve in the opposite direction. In a modification, the positions of the rack and screw are reversed and the gas valve is carried by a rod projecting from the sleeve and passing through a stuffing-box, the valve being normally closed by a spring. Coin action; coin-discharging mechanism.-The coin is dropped down a shoot A<6> and through a slot A<2> in a fixed cylindrical chamber A and one of the slots D', D<2> in a cylindrical box D carried by the sleeve D<5>. A flat coin pocket E, carried by the operating-spindle E<2> having a handle, supports the coin between fingers G<1>, J<3> on a spring-pressed coingripping lever G and a spring-pressed bolt J. As the handle is turned, a cam face H, in the chamber A, acts on a finger G<2> on the lever G so as to press toes J<5>, J<6> on the bolt J into locking engagement with recesses in the box D. At the end of half a revolution, the finger D<2> falls into a deeper part of the cam groove and allows the coin to fall through a slot A<3> and, at the same time, frees the box D. The lever G and bolt J may be dispensed with, the coin pocket being made shallow enough to cause the coin to couple the box D with it. Coin-slit closing-devices. -When sufficient coins have been inserted to pay for the maximum amount of fluid for which prepayment can be made, the bottom of the coin shoot A<6> is closed by a shutter Q operated by the action, on lugs Q<2>, of an arm Q<1> on the dial spindle M<3>. In a modification, the shutter is opened by a spring and closed by a quadrant on the dial spindle.