GB191003377A - Improvements relating to Coin-freed Meters for Gas Fires and other Heating Appliances. - Google Patents

Abstract

3377. Yates, H. J. Feb. 11. Gas, supplying by meter.-The apparatus is particularly adapted for use in hotels for gasfires, lighting, &c., is clock-controlled, and is provided with mechanism for ensuring the rapid closing of the main valve, and the valves are arranged and operated so as to ensure the correct use of the apparatus. The operator inserts a coin into a carrier h, Fig. 2, and rotates an external handle g, thereby rotating a screw b and winding-up the mainspring of a clock A. Simultaneously a nut c traverses the screw owing to its engagement with a fixed guide d, and frees a pin q, Fig. 5, on the valvelever o, permitting the valve to be opened by a lever p, Fig. 4; this lever is slotted to engage the pin q, and is operated by the coin just prior to its discharge from the carrier. A spring r serves to retain the lever o in this position. The movement of the lever o also starts the clock, the consequent movement of a lever 3, connected to the pin q by a link 4, freeing a lift-piece 2 from a pin 5 on a spring-controlled lever z, which thereupon removes a blade spring w from the balance x. As gas is consumed, the mainspring drives the screw b in the reverse direction, the nut c gradually returning and finally rocking the pin q and lever o until the spring r escapes past the nose o<1>, Fig. 4, and closes the valve. The supply may be stopped at any time by closing a hand-operated valve 14, an arm 16 simultaneously operating a lever 17 to stop the clock. To prevent fraud, the main valve is closed at the commencement of the movement of the carrier h by the engagement of the coin with a lever 11, which cooperates with the lever 3. When the maximum number of coins has been inserted, the nut c engages the forked end of a lever 7, thereby locking a bell-crank 6, Fig. 7, in the raised position and preventing the return of the carrier h into position opposite the coin-slot. Coin action, mechanical-connexion.-The coin couples the carrier h on the handle g with a wheel e on the screw b. A readily adjustable price-change guard s determines the point of engagement of the coin with the wheel, and a curved guide-piece t ensures such engagement. Coin-slit closing devices.-A plate 9 closes the coin. slot under the action of a spring 10, except when the carrier is in position to receive a coin.