GB447293A - Improvements in and relating to prepayment meter mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

447,293. Prepayment mechanism for meters. HOLDEN, F., and MEASUREMENT, Ltd., Terminal House, Lower Belgrave Street, Westminster. Dec. 7, 1934, No. 35185. [Class 27] An adjustable fixed charge collecting mechanism for prepayment meters comprises a constant speed driving shaft o, Fig. 3, driving through gearing j, k, m, Fig. 1, a wheel n rigid with a notched disc d loosely mounted on a shaft a. The disc d engages a pawl c on an arm b loose on the shaft a and carries this with it until the pawl c is disengaged by meeting a fixed abutment h, whereupon the arm is returned by a spring i until the pawl meets a fixed return stop. During its return movement a second pawl e on the arm b drives a ratchet wheel f fixed to the shaft a, the motion being transmitted through wheels p, g to an arm r loose on a shaft s. The arm r carries a pawl t to engage and drive a ratchet wheel u fixed to the shaft s, the extent of the operative engagement of the pawl being controlled by a sector v angularly adjustable with respect to a fixed sector x. The rotation of the shaft s is conveyed to a switch tripping mechanism. In a modification, the fixed pawl-return stop is dispensed with, the arm b returning to an arbitrary extent and the ratchet wheel f having two teeth equally spaced on its periphery. In a further modification, the pawl e and wheel f are dispensed with, the arm b being fixed to the shaft a while the arm r is arranged to be oscillated and driven on its return stroke.