GB436825A - Improvements in and relating to means for varying the transmission between a driving and driven element for prepayment meters - Google Patents

Abstract

436,825. Prepayment mechanism for meters. BRITISH THOMSON-HOUSTON CO., Ltd., Crown House, Aldwych, London. Nov. 6, 1934, No. 31910. Convention date, Nov. 6, 1933. [Class 27] Mechanism for prepaying basic charges ; pricechanging mechanism.-In meter prepayment mechanism having means for collecting a base tariff or other fixed charge which can be altered by varying the period of driving engagement between driving and driven elements in the meter, a ratchet on the driven member is engaged by a pawl pivotally mounted on a gear-wheel of the driving train and influenced into and /or out of engagement by a controlling member for a period of time which is adjustable by means operable externally of the meter casing. In Fig. 1, the driving pawl 6, pivotally mounted at 31 on a gear wheel 3 meshing with a pinion 2 on a shaft 1 driven at constant speed, and engageable with a ratchet 4 on a shaft 15 connected with the quantity mechanism, is under the control of a lever 5, also pivoted at 31 to the gear-wheel, and having arms embracing a pin 7 on the pawl 6. Further arms 51, 52 of the controlling lever 5 are engageable respectively with fixed and adjustable stops 9, 10 which trip the lever 5 into alternative positions, and the pawl 6 out of and into engagement with the ratchet 4 as the gear-wheel 3 rotates. The position of the stop 10 is adjustable by rotation of a shaft 12<a> projecting through the casing, and having a pointer 13 which indicates the debit rate on a scale 14. In Figs. 2 and 3, the driving pawl 6 is controlled by a flexible steel band 16 against which it is urged by a spring 6<a>. This band 16 is secured at one end to a fixed outer drum 18, and passes between a pair of rings 17 whereby the gap so formed in the band can be varied to adjust the debit rate by rotation of the outer ring 17 by means of the shaft 12<a>. In Fig. 5, the driving pawl 6<1> is thrown into engagement with the ratchet 4 by direct engagement of an arm 61 with the adjustable stop 10, a controlling lever 51 pivoted to the gear-wheel 3 and connected to the pawl 6<1> by a spring 11 throwing the pawl out of engagement when it meets the fixed stop 9. The pawl 6<1> is held in its two end positions by engagement of a pin 62 with a notch and a flat bearing face 5<a> of the controlling lever. Specification 414,069 is referred to.