GB304523A - Improvements in prepayment mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

304,523. Thorp, F., and Parkinson & Cowan (Gas Meters), Ltd. April 4, 1928. Coin action, mechanical-connection.-In a prepayment mechanism, such as used on gas and like meters, the coin is inserted through a slot in the usual price-change disc b, Figs. 1 and 2, into a holder f on a rotary slot closing plate g rotatable by a handle e. The cheeks of the holder are connected at the top and bottom by strips j and the gap i between them is bridged at the middle by a lug k on a member m pivoted, by a pin n passing through an elongated slot o, to the spindle h of the handle e. When a coin is inserted, an inclined edge of a slot in a plate d forces the coin against the lugs k, during the first rotary movement of the holder. The member m has a tooth p to engage a toothed quantity wheel g and is connected by a spring q<1> to the plate g. A hook or catch s projecting from the price-change disc engages a slot t in the member m and prevents the tooth p from engaging the wheel g, so that the lower end of the member m is moved outwards against the pull of the spring g<1> as shown in Fig. 6. When the member m clears the catch s, it is turned by the spring g<1> about the part k so that the tooth p snaps into engagement with the wheel g. In a. modification, Fig. 9, the member m is in two parts m, m<1> pivoted together at v, the part m having the projection k, while the part m<1> is connected to the spring q<1> and is engaged by the catch s.