GB429789A - Improvements relating to prepayment meters - Google Patents

Abstract

429,789. Prepayment mechanism for meters. GLOVER & CO., Ltd., G., and STAPLES, C. W., Royal Avenue, Chelsea, London. Jan. 30, 1934, No. 3099. [Class 27] Coin action, thrust and multiple-coin.-In prepayment meters operable by coins of different denominations, for example, shillings and pennies, the coins inserted into a rotatable pocket h, Fig. 1, depress a slide k located in the pocket against the action of a spring l and cause a lever m pivoted to the slide k at o or a lever n pivoted to the pocket at p to engage respectively a quantity wheel b or a according as a shilling or a penny is used. The levers m, n are located on the outside of the pocket and the pivot o travels in a slot s in the pocket and a slot t in the lever n. The lever m is normally held by the spring against a stop u on the slide, which stop travels in a slot v in the pocket. When a shilling is used, the lever m is moved bodily downwards sufficiently for its nose to engage between the teeth of wheel b. If a slightly larger coin, such as a half-penny, be inserted, the lever m engages a fixed stop w on the pocket and rotates upwardly out of engagement with the wheel b. When a penny is inserted, the pivot o is moved further downwards and enters an inclined portion of the slot t thereby rocking the lever n into engagement with the wheel a, the lever m being rocked inwardly by engagement with the stop w. The pivot p is mounted in slots g in the pocket and in a plate r so that if the lever n engages the tip of a tooth on the wheel a, it can yield bodily until a slight rotation of the pocket allows it to snap between two teeth. The lever m acts similarly. The mechanism may be set for use with pennies or shillings only by inserting a peg y in holes y<1> or y<2>. A peg 7 on the slide k, Fig. 5, actuates a lever 5 to slide a spring-controlled detent 6 into engagement with ratchet teeth 3 on the inside of the coin mechanism casing c. This prevents backward rotation of the pocket h after insertion of a coin. Gas, supplying by meter.-The movement of the wheels a, b is transmitted to valve controlling mechanism through epicyclic mechanism. When the maximum number of coins have been inserted, a peg 13 on a wheel 14 of the valve controlling mechanism rocks a shutter 10 pivoted at 12 and controlled by a spring 11 to close the coin discharge slot x and so prevent further coins from being inserted until some gas has been consumed: Indicators.-The amount standing to the credit of the consumer is indicated by a drum 15 having detachably secured thereto a graduated scale 16 co-operating with a pointer 17 adjustably secured by a screw 19. Coin-slit closing-devices.-The pocket h is mounted on a disc f connected by a pin and slot to a disc e provided with a finger piece g. The disc e is moved to cover the insertion slot j in disc f before the latter disc is moved.