GB458072A - Improvements in or relating to coin-actuated mechanism for electricity and similar meters - Google Patents

Abstract

458,072. Prepayment mechanism for meters. UNITED GAS INDUSTRIES, Ltd., 51, Lincoln's Inn Fields, and ANGOLD, H. E., Meter Works, Rowan Road, Streatham Vale, both in London. March 7, 1935, No. 7208. [Class 27] In coin-actuated mechanism for electricity and other meters adapted for prepayment by two or more values of coin, the planet carrier 38 of an epicyclic mechanism 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, Fig. 5, receives a drive from the coin-holder mechanism proportional to the value of the coin used, such drive being transmitted to the quantity mechanism through a rotary changespeed gear comprising a series of toothed wheels 7 graduating in size with one of which a common pinion 9, adjustable in position, meshes. The pinion 9 is mounted between frame plates 10 slidable and rotatable on a long pinion 8 by means of sleeves 11, the pinion 9 meshing with a pinion 13 which in turn meshes with the pinion 8. The long pinion shaft has a crown wheel 37 meshing with a pinion 36 on a shaft 34, another pinion 33 on which is driven by a pinion 49 integral with one sun-wheel 48 of the epicyclic mechanism. The other sunwheel 41 is integral with a wheel 42 receiving a drive from a fixed or basic charge mechanism through gearing 43 ... 47. The change-gear drives through gearing 69 ... 73 quantity mechanism of the kind described in Specification 426,953. This quantity mechanism is connected to crediting cam mechanism in the manner described in Specification 431,771. The meter returns the quantity mechanism to zero through mechanism such as described in Specification 426,953, a rate changing mechanism as described in Specification 454,224 being provided. To adjust the price-change gear the plates 10 which are connected by pins 12 are rocked against the action of a spring 22, Fig. 2, by a knob 17 to disengage the wheel 9 from the wheels 7. The knob 17 is on a rod 15 pivoted at 14 to the plates 10. The frame is then moved laterally to the required position as indicated on a scale, the pinion 9 allowed to mesh again with the required wheel 7 and locked in position by a nut 21 on a tapered and screwthreaded split boss 20 provided on a sleeve 19 surrounding the rod 15. In a modification, Fig. 9, the carrier 10 is provided with bearings for a swivel boss 14 having a screw-threaded pin 15 extending therefrom, this pin extending through a slot in a dial plate 16 and held in position by a plain lock nut 21. The carrier has a lug 109 to engage a location bar 108 thereby ensuring correct meshing of the wheel 9 with the wheels 7. Coin action, mechanical-connection and multiple-coin.-The coins, pennies and shillings, are inserted through slots 57, 58, Fig. 6, respectively into slots 55, 54 in a cylindrical coin-holder rotatable by a handle 64. The shilling engages slots in a spindle 28 and in a surrounding sleeve 25 so that both these are rotated together. A penny engages a side flat on the sleeve 25 so that only this sleeve is locked to and rotated by the coin-holder, when a penny is inserted. A planet-wheel carrier pinion 26 is secured to the sleeve 25, the planet pinions 27 meshing with sun-wheels 29, 30. The sun-wheel 29 is secured to the spindle 28 and the sun-wheel 30 to a wheel 32 which drives the planet-carrier 38 proportionately to the value of the coin inserted. The carrier pinion 26 in its first movement also effects closure of the switch 52 through a wheel 50 and an interrupted pinion in the manner described in Specifications 426,953 and 431,771. Coin-slit closing-devices.-When the maximum number of coins has been inserted, the slots 57, 58 are closed by a rod 104, Fig. 6, moved by a lever which is actuated from the spindle 100, Fig. 5, of an indicator 99 showing the number of units unused.