GB483002A - Improvements in or relating to coin actuated mechanism for electricity and similar meters - Google Patents

Abstract

483,002. Prepayment mechanism for meters. UNITED GAS INDUSTRIES, Ltd., and ANGOLD, H. E. Oct. 2, 1936, No. 26797. [Class 27] A prepayment electricity or similar meter adapted for operation by coins of different values comprises a front plate a, Fig. 2, having a slot for each coin to be used, e.g. a penny, sixpence or a shilling, leading to pockets b<2>, c<2>, d2 which are geared together by wheels b<1>, c<1>, d<1> for rotation together through the same angle, when one pocket, the sixpenny pocket c<2>, is rotated by a handle e. Each pocket comprises a pair of plates such as b<2>, Fig. 3, connected by pins b<4>, an inserted coin f resting on the lower pin and connecting the pocket to the slotted end of a corresponding spindle as at b<3>. The slotted spindles m, n, o, Fig. 6, correspond to the penny, sixpenny and shilling pockets respectively and are geared together by elements of epicyclic gears so that when one spindle is being rotated the others remain stationary. Spring catch devices are provided to ensure that a spindle is turned through half-arevolution, when actuated, these catches also assisting in holding the unactuated spindles stationary. Each catch comprises a notched disc on the spindle coacting with a spring-pressed pawl pivoted to a frame plate k or a bearing plate k<1>. The sixpenny spindle n is hollow and carries one sun wheel n<2> of an epicyclic gear n<2>, n<3>, n<5>, the planet carrier n<6> of which is fast on a shaft n<1> rotatable in the spindle n, and having also fixed to it the planet carrier n<6> of a second epicyclic gear n<6>, n<7>, n<9>. The other sun wheel n<3> of the gear n<2>, n3, n5 is geared through wheels n<4>, o<1> to the shilling spindle o and the sun wheel n of the gear n<9>, n', n<9> is geared through wheels n<8>, m<1>, m<2>, m<3> to the spindle m. Whichever spindle is actuated, the sun wheel n<9> as a resultant member is rotated to an extent corresponding to the coin used and its motion transmitted to a sun wheel p<2> of a differential gear the planet carrier p<3> of which transmits the drive through ratechange gear as described in Specification 458,072, while the sun wheel p<4> receives a drive from a basic charge motor. A spindle o<3> passing through the hollow spindle o has its forward end slotted to engage the shilling coin pocket, so that this spindle o<3> is rotated whenever a coin is inserted and the handle e turned. This spindle o<3> carries a wheel o<4> which through gearing operates an interrupted pinion on a spindle of the switch mechanism, as described in Specification 431,771, to close the switch. Coin-slit closing-devices; fraud-preventing.- A spring-pressed coin-slit closing plate g pivoted at g<4>, Fig. 2, is rocked to close the insertion slots during the initial rotation of a coin pocket by cams b<5>, d<5> on the coin pocket spindles. Insertion of a wrong sized coin is prevented by a slotted arm h<3>, Fig. 3, pivoted at h<2> to a bracket h and swung up out of the way by a proper coin engaging a roller i' mounted between a pair of plates i. The plates i are pivoted at i<2> and are held by a spring with the roller i<4> adjacent the insertion slot. When they are raised by a coin, a pin i<1> raises the obstructing arm h<3>.