GB468511A - Improvements in and relating to prepayment meters - Google Patents

Abstract

468,511. Prepayment mechanism for meters. METERS, Ltd., and BRADDOCK, T. C. Jan. 11, 1936, No. 1000., [Class 27] Price-changing mechanism.-In a prepayment meter, the prepayment handle is operative to prepay in its reverse direction of rotation in addition to the forward direction, after a predetermined quantity of commodity has been consumed, so that a greater quantity of commodity is then available for each coin. In the form shown, a rotary coin pocket 2 secured to an operating handle 3 is adapted to engage and rotate a quantity wheel 6 connected to the screw 10 of the quantity mechanism in the usual manner. Additional mechanism is provided between the quantity wheel 6 and coin pocket 2 comprising coaxial bevel gears 15 and 16 respectively fast with the quantity wheel 6, and connected by pins 19 with the rear of the coin pocket; planet pinions 17 interconnect the bevel gears 15 and 16, and are mounted in a ratchet wheel 18. Initially, the wheel 18 runs loose, and during forward rotation of the handle 3 and coin pocket 2, the quantity wheel 6, and all parts between it and the coin pocket, turn in unison to set forward the quantity mechanism in the normal manner. During the reverse rotation of the handle, the quantity wheel 6 remains stationary, the drive transmitted to the gear 16 by the pins 19 being absorbed by the free running of the pinions 17 and ratchet wheel 18. After a predetermined quantity of commodity has been used, a detent arm 27 moves into a gap in a flanged disc 28 driven by the meter mechanism, so that a pair of arms 21 and 22, on the same pivotal shaft 20 as the detent arm, move inwardly towards the ratchet wheel 18 and a control disc 24. For a coin subsequently inserted, forward rotation of the handle 3 rotates the quantity wheel 6 as before, the arm 2 being held out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 18, by engagement of the arm 22 with a projection 26 on the control disc 24. At the end of the forward movement, the coin pocket engages an abutment 25 of the disc 24 and turns it to disengage its projection 26 from the arm 22 so that the arm 21 engages and locks the ratchet wheel 18. During the reverse movement of the handle with the wheel 18 thus held, a further forward drive is imparted to the quantity wheel 6 by way of the parts 19, 16, 17 and 15, so that an additional amount of commodity is supplied. The additional amount is varied by the provision of an angularly adjustable annulus 37 with a swell 38 which trips the arm 22 to release the arm 21 from the ratchet wheel 18 at a predetermined point in the return rotation of the handle. The gapped disc 28 is adjustable on a meter driven spindle 29 by rotation of an indicator dial 35, so that the amount which is supplied at the higher rate before the lower rate comes into force can be varied.