GB487782A - Improvements in and relating to prepayment mechanism for meters - Google Patents

Abstract

487,782. Prepayment mechanism for meters. PEET, A., and ALDER & MACKAY, Ltd. Dec. 21, 1936, No. 35104. [Class 27] In order to render prepayment meter mechanism of the kind operable by coins of different values and having a separate striker for each measuring wheel, capable of being operated by the coins inserted through a single slot either indiscriminately at the consumer's option or by one of the coins for which the meter is set at the company's option, a pivoted arm 3, Fig. 1, is provided capable of being set to the right or across the path-of a latch 2 arranged between a coin-carrier and a detent carrier, whereby the latch selects the appropriate detent according to the value of the coin in the carrier. In the application to the coin-holder mechanism described in Specification 470,024, the arm 3 is held by a screw cr rivet 4 passing through an elongated slot 5 so that the arm may be moved longitudinally and angularly. In the position shown, the arm is set so that a penny or a shilling can be used at the consumer's option, a peg 10 on the arm engaging a hole 12 in the coin pocket 1. When the mechanism is to be set for use with a penny only, the arm 3 is moved downwards until the peg 10 enters a hole 13, a bevelled nose 6 on the arm then projecting into the path of the latch 2 which is provided with a rounded projection 7, Fig. 4. If a shilling is used in this setting, the latch 2 will dip and avoid contact with the shilling striker. When a shilling only is to be used, the arm 3 is rocked until the peg 10 enters a hole 11, thus bringing a curved portion 8 on the arm into the path of the latch and limiting the downward movement of the latter so that it cannot be operated by the insertion of a penny.