GB390548A - Improvements in or relating to coin actuated mechanism for controlling a supply or delivery apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

390,548. Prepayment mechanism for meters. MACE, T. K., 11, Sherbourne Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham. Oct. 14, 1931, No. 28506. [Class 27.] Coin action, thrust and with delivery proportionate to value of coin.-In apparatus operable by any of a number, e.g. two, coins of different denominations and having a single admission slot and coinoperated mechanism which selects automatically appropriate gearing so that the delivery is in proportion to the coin inserted, the coins are inserted through a slot 8, Fig. 2; in the usual price-change plate 4 to a coin pocket 18 on a rotary disc 9 and depress a support 24 against the action of a spring 32, the support being guided by a stem 29 passing through a bracket 28 on the disc 9. A pin 30 engages an inclined slot 23 in a lever 21 pivoted at 19 to the pocket and rocks this lever to bring a portion 49 or 50 thereof into engagement with a ratchet measuring-out wheel 37, according as a shilling or a penny is inserted. The portions 49, 50 are separated by a space 48 to prevent the wheel 37 from being engaged by the lever 21 if a halfpenny is used. The wheel 37 is fixed to a tubular driving-shaft 39 which is connected to a driven shaft 51 through a change-speed gearing, comprising constantly meshing gear wheels, the drive being direct in the case of a penny, and through the change-speed gear in the case of a shilling. The shaft 51 has a threaded portion 72 engaging a nut 73 which is traversed to operate a valve controlling lever 76. The nut is slidably but non-rotatably mounted in the bush of a pinion 74 driven by a wheel 75 and worm gearing by meter mechanism. The shaft 51 has a wheel 53 meshing with one wheel 57 of a pair of planet wheels 57, 58 revolvably mounted in a disc 54 fixed to the shaft 39, the other wheel 58 meshing with an internally toothed wheel 59 loose on a bush 60 which is slidable on the shaft 39 and connected to a push rod 64 by a cross pin 65 passing through a slot 66 in the shaft. The rod 64 is normally held by a spring 69 in such a position that teeth or holes 61 on the edge of the internally toothed wheel 59 engage pins 62 projecting from a plate 43 fixed to the back of the casing 1 containing the coinmechanism. When a shilling is inserted, the wheel 59 remains stationary and the drive from the shaft 39 takes place through the disc 54, and the planet wheels 58, 57. When a penny is inserted, a projection 70 on the lever 21 pushes the rod 64 inwardly and moves the wheel 59 into engagement with pins 63 similar to the pins 62 and projecting from the disc 54. The wheel 59 now turns with the disc 54 so that the planet wheels 57, 58 are locked and the drive between the shafts 39, 51 is direct. The push rod may be provided with grooves and locked in position by a pivoted catch, if it is desired to set the mechanism for use with one coin only. A single planet wheel meshing with both the wheels 53, 59 may be used. In a modification, the rod 64 may be rigid with the measuring wheel 37 and the whole be axially slidable by the lever 21. In a further modification, two spaced rows of teeth, engageable by a single projection on the lever 21, may be provided on the wheel 37 or there may be two measuring wheels both fixed to the driving shaft. Coin-slit closing-devices; fraud, preventing.- The shaft 10 connecting the coin-pocket disc 9 to the operating handle 12 is provided with a pair of flats 11, Fig. 9, and the handle with a slot 15 shaped as shown to allow a slight lost motion between the handle and the disc 9. This allows a wing 13 on the handle to cover the coin-slit 8 before the coin-pocket begins to move.