GB285937A - Improvements in or connected with electricity prepayment meters - Google Patents

Abstract

285,937. British Insulated Cables, Ltd., and Wilson, L. B. Oct. 22, 1926. Coin action, mechanical-connection.-In a pre. payment electric meter, the coin-receiving barrel has imparted to it a longitudinal as well as a rotary movement, the longitudinal movement causing the coin to act on another part and make a connection whereby the rotary movement of the barrel is transmitted to mechanism for setting the meter to supply current. The coin is inserted in a slot 4 in a barrel 1, Fig. 1, and, when the barrel is rotated by a handle or key 5, a cam on the barrel engages a stationary cam on a bearing 2 to move the barrel inwardly. The coin engages and moves a plug 7 fixed in a cylinder 8 and having a cross pin 10, which is moved to engage slots 11 in a cylinder 6 thereby coupling and transmitting the rotary motion of an extension 9 of the barrel 1 to the cylinder 6. After half a revolution of the barrel, the coin drops out to a money-box, and the barrel 1 and cylinder 8 are returned by springs 16, 17 respectively. Electricity, supplying by meter.-A toothed wheel 13 on the cylinder 6 actuates meter setting or quantity mechanism of any suitable known kind, such as epicyclic mechanism. The switch, which is closed as soon as the coin inserted is discharged, comprises a bell-crank lever 25, 27. Fig. 3, the arm 25 having a contact head 24 and the arm 27 being connected by a spring 31 to an arm 28, which is pressed by a spring 32 to open the switch, but is retained in switch closing position by a detent 34 pivoted at 35. The arm 28 is engaged by pins 41 on the cylinder 6 but the arm 27 cannot follow the arm 28 until the cylinder 6 has made half a resolution, when a notch 18x in the flange of a disc 18 . releases a pin 27<x> on the arm 27. The cylinder 6 is positioned after each operation, so that the pin 27<x> can pass through the notches 18<x>, by a spring- controlled arm 56 engaging a cam 55. When the quantity of electricity prepaid is consumed, the radial arm of the epicyclic quantity mechanism closes a switch to energize an electro-magnet 38. This attracts an armature 36 on the detent 34 and releases the arm 28. When the maximum number of coins have been inserted, a pin 49 on the radial arm 43<x>, Fig. 6, of the epicyclic mechanism engages an arm 50 and raises a sprag 51 about a pivot 52 into the path of longitudinal movement of the barrel 1. This prevents the barrel from being rotated until some of the electricity prepaid has been consumed.