GB234227A - Improvements relating to prepayment mechanisms for electricity meters - Google Patents

Abstract

234,227. Chamberlain & Hookham, Ltd., and James, S. March 22, 1924. Electricity, supplying by meter.- After prepayment a cam d, Fig. 2, is rotated and depresses a lever e against a, spring, a pin h on the lever moving idly past a spring-controlled pawl i on a pivoted switch g. On the return of the lever e under the action of its spring, the pin h engages the pawl i and moves the switch to its circuitclosing position in which it is held by a spring-pressed catch I engaging a pin k on a switch extension. -Near the end of the movement of the switch, the pin h becomes disengaged from the pawl : i and the switch completes its movement under its own inertia. The switch g consists of a vessel containing mercury which completes the circuit through contacts j when the vessel is horizontal; or it may consist of a movable blade co-operating with a fixed contact. The rotation of the cam d causes an arm n to move away from the catch l. The arm n is carried by the spindle o of the planet wheel p, Fig. 4, of an.epicyclic gearing p, q, and is returned by the operation of the meter to release the catch l. A coiled spring s attached to the arm n and to the framework assists the meter and exerts its greatest torque when the arm is in engagement with the catch. ' Coin action, mechanical-connection. - A coin inserted into a slotted spindle a carrying the cam. d forms a. connection between the spindle and a peg c rotated by a knob b. The coin drops out after a half revolution of the spindle a, the full revolution being completed by the lever e bearing against the cam d. Coin-slit closing-devices.-A shutter t carried by a notched plate v is moved under the coinslit by the peg c engaging the notch. The plate v is returned by a spring when the peg c leaves the notch, thereby preventing backward movement of the peg c to its initial position. When the maximum number of coins have been inserted the arm n actuates a lever y to raise a stop z behind a projection 2 on the shutter to keep the coin-slit closed until the arm n is moved under the action of the meter.