GB987222A - Parking meter or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

987,222. Parking meters. BLOCTUBE CONTROLS Ltd. March 21, 1962 [March 30, 1961], No. 11792/61. Heading G4V. A parking meter, similar to that described in Specification 775,509, is arranged to operate with either a coin of one value to purchase one period of hire or a coin of higher value and smaller size to purchase a correspondingly longer period of time so that the extent of the movement of the parts of the meter mechanism, terminating in the movement of a pointer, is governed by the size of the coin in each case and comprises a first member 2 which is fixed in relation to the pointer 1 and is adapted to be moved by a second separate member 9 connected directly to an element of the drive mechanism, the first and second members having thereon pairs of co-operating elements arranged respectively to engage on the insertion of the coins of the respective sizes. The member 2 to which the pointer is fixed is a pivoted segmented plate 2 having ratchet teeth 6 and the member 9 is an arm which is pivoted on the same axis 4 as the plate 2 for oscillation through about 70 degrees for each coin insertion and coins a pawl 7 for coaction with the ratchet teeth 6. A stop lever 31 is pivoted on the shaft 4 with its free end engaging a pawl carrier 8 to hold the pawl 7 out of engagement with the teeth 6 and with a spring 32 pressing it against a stop 33 on the arm 9. A lug 34 on the lever 31 engages a pin 35 on the plate 2 when the arm 9 moves behind the plate and the lever 31 is pushed back so that the pawl 7 can engage the teeth 6. A curved guide arm 20 on a lever 22 is engageable with a pin 21 on the pawl carrier 8 and can also hold the pawl 7 out of engagement with the teeth 6. An inserted coin falls to a stop 28 and a small coin positions a feeler 27 connected by a link 26 to the lever 22 so that the lever is turned about its pivot 40 but not sufficiently to move the guide arm 20 to a position in which it prevents the pawl 7 from engaging the teeth 6. As the arm 9 is rotated downwards by a link 15, the lug 34 engages the pin 35 and the stop lever 31 is pushed back to allow the pawl 7 to engage the teeth 6 at a point where the pointer 1 is advanced to indicate, say, one hour. For the larger coin of smaller value, the lever 22 is pivoted further so that the guide arm 20 is moved outwardly to a degree that prevents the pawl engaging with the teeth and the drive from the arm 9 to the plate 2 is through engagement of the stop 33 with a pin 35x on the plate, this advancing the pointer through only, say, half an hour. A number of holes 45 are provided for the pins 35 and 35x. Coins can be added accumulatively, although the engagement of the lug 34 and pin 35 (smaller coin) or of the stop 33 and pin 35x (large coin) cannot take place after insertion of a first coin because the pin 31 will ride off the lower end of the guide arm 20 and be able to engage a tooth 6 of the plate 2.