GB414156A - Improvements in gas and other meters - Google Patents

Abstract

414,156. Registering apparatus. CHARLOTTE, F., 31, Lacey Street, Widnes, and THORP, F., Victoria Works, Whitefield, both in Lancashire. Feb. 13, 1933, No. 4339. [Class 106 (i).] A gas or other meter which is not of the prepayment type is provided with a collecting box or savings' bank for coins for the purpose of paying for the commodity consumed. The device is provided with an indicator adapted to show the amount owing by the customer or the number of coins unused and the indicator is actuated differentially by two mechanisms one of which is operated by the insertion of the coins and the other is actuated in the opposite direction by the metering mechanism. The invention is described as applied to a gas meter wherein the flow of gas effects the rotation of a shaft a, Figs. 1, and 2, driving, through worm gearing d, e, a sun wheel f of a differential gear comprising a second sun wheel s and planet wheels t, u, Figs. 3, and 4 mounted in a slot in a carrier wheel v having two sets of numerals arranged in opposite directions with a common zero. The coins are inserted through a slot k in the casing into a slot i of a drum h adapted to be rotated by a handle and limited as to its rotational movement by stops h<1>, h<2>, and h<3>. During this movement a projecting portion of the coin actuates a star wheel o and through gearing p<1>, q, and r drives the sun wheel s. A blade spring l bearing on the projecting edge of the coin forces it to travel along the track m until it encounters the opening n through which it is ejected into a collecting receptacle. The star wheel o is utilized also to drive a counter w<1>, w<2> to indicate the total number of coins deposited. Specification 22706/04, [Class 106], is referred to.