GB441460A - Improvements in and relating to prepayment meters - Google Patents

Abstract

441,460. Prepayment mechanism for meters. SIEMENS-SCHUCKERTWERKE AKT.-GES., Siemensstadt, Berlin. April 17, 1934, No. 11556. Void [Abridged as open to inspection under Sect. 91 of the Acts, Dec. 8, 1934]. [Class 27] Price-changing mechanism.-In prepayment mechanism, for electricity or like meters provided with variable transmission price-changing gear accessible through a sealed flap, the gearing is provided with locking means which automatically locks the quantity mechanism as soon as the flap is opened, or alteration or removal of the gear parts commences, and again releases the quantity mechanism when the price-change alteration of gears is completed or the flap is closed. As shown in Fig. 2, the epicyclic quantity mechanism 4 controlling an electric switch is set forward by coin-actuated mechanism 5 and returned by the meter rotor 2 driving through gearing A and B, the gear A being changeable for different coins or systems of coinage and the gear B for differences in price per unit. The gear B is accessible through a lead sealed flap and comprises a detachable frame 8, Fig. 3, carrying a pair of meshing pricechange wheels 6, 7, on the spindles of which are bevel wheels 11, 12 to mesh with bevel wheels 13, 14 when the frame is in position in the meter casing. When the frame is removed for alteration of the gear, a spring 15 engages the wheel 14 to lock the quantity mechanism 4. When the frame is replaced and secured in position by headed studs 9 engaging spring sockets 10, the spindle of the wheel 7 presses back the spring 15 and releases the wheel 14. The price or the like is marked on the change wheels and is visible through a window. The correctness of the price-change may be also checked by counting the parts. The bearing frame fitted with change wheels may also be interchangeable. The gearing A is only accessible after removing the casing of the prepayment device. When an escapement gearing 16, 18, 19, Fig. 5, serves as a price transmission gear the wheel 16 being driven by a spring tending to return the quantity mechanism to zero under the control of the wheel 19, driven by the meter, and the pawl 18, removal of the wheel 19, so that it may be replaced by another with. a different number of pins, causes the wheel 16 to be locked by the pawl 18. The quantity mechanism is thus locked during alteration of the pricechange wheel 19.