GB239917A - Improvements in and relating to gas meters - Google Patents

Abstract

239,917. Hansford, J. June 16, 1924. Gas, supplying by meter.-In a coin-freed gas meter of the kind comprising a rotatable coin cup member and a valve spindle in axial alignment therewith and screw and nut means operatively connecting the cup member with the spindle to open the valve, means are provided for closing the valve independently of the coinfreed mechanism. A mushroom valve 4, Fig. 1. has a stem 5 provided with a screw-threaded portion 5<a> engaging a threaded boss 7a of a drum 7 adapted to be rotated after prepayment to open the valve. The valve is closed by a worm 19<a> driven by the meter rotating a wheel 15, Fig. 4, which has a pawl 15<a> to drive a ratchet wheel 13 provided on a sleeve through which the stem 5 can slide but by which it is rotated. The stem has a key-way 5<c> engaged by a set screw on the sleeve. The stem 5 may be rotated to close the valve by a key which is inserted through the hollow trunnion 9<a>, Fig. 3, of the operating handle 12 of the coin-mechanism and engages a square end 5b on the stem, the pawl and ratchet 15a, 13 permitting the rotation. In this case the amount of gas, prepaid but unconsumed as registered by the index, is credited to the consumer. In a modification, Fig. 5, the valve has a short threaded stem 5<d> engaging a threaded sleeve 5 which is moved axially in opposite directions by the coin-mechanism and meter. The valve may be closed by inserting a long key to engage a squared portion 5<e> of the stem 5<d>. In this case the valve may be opened again by the key to an extent equal to the unconsumed quantity of gas by screwing back the valve until it is stopped by the sleeve 5. The worm 19<a> is actuated through a gear 20 and a change wheel 18<a> on a shaft 18 which is driven through gears by a shallow worm 16a on a meter-driven shaft 16. Coin action, mechanical-connection. - A coin inserted into a drum 11 rotated by the operating handle 12 couples it to the drum 7.