GB921517A - Improvements relating to coin-freed prepayment meters - Google Patents

Abstract

921,517. Prepayment mechanisms. UNITED GAS INDUSTRIES Ltd. Aug. 8, 1960 [Sept. 11, 1959], No. 31109/59. Class 27. The prepayment timing mechanism for gas or electricity meters or television, wireless, gramophone or other apparatus, as described in Specification 921,516 is again described but the claims are directed to the coin counter actuating mechanism, which comprises a cam 71 moving with the rotary coin holder and permitting a pivoted arm 73 or slider carrying a pawl 74 to make its operative movement at a predetermined point in the movement of the coin holder towards coin discharge position, the point of operation of the arm being unaffected by adjustment of the price-change plate. The spindle of the coin holder is cut away on a diameter for engagement with a complementary clutch dog 69 on the cam spindle 70 so that it drives the cam and the arm 73 is pressed into engagement with the cam by a leaf spring 76 which bears on the wheel 25 connected to the quantity wheel 23 or on a corresponding circular element driven by the wheel 25. When the coin holder has rotated through the predetermined angle, a notch 77 on the cam comes opposite the point 90 on the lever and the drag of the wheel moves the lever into the notch so that the pawl 74 rotates the units numeral drum 67. If the coin holder is turned in the absence of a coin, the wheels 23 and 25 are not moved and the arm 73 is inoperative. In a modification, where there is no wheel 25 or circular element, a leaf or other spring may press the arm 73 against the cam and a spring catch engages the striker of the coin holder to prevent movement of the holder in the absence of a coin but, on insertion of a coin, the depression of the striker moves it clear of the catch.