US1125002A - Prepayment-meter mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

W. L. BROWN.

PREPAYMENT METER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 25,,1911.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

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W. L. BROWN. PRBPAYMENT METER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 001". 25, 1911.

1,125,002. Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

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W. L. BROWN.

PREPAYMENT METER MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED 001'. 25, 1911.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

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THE NORRIS PETERS c0.. PHOTO-LlTHO-. WASHINGTON, D, I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. BROWN, 0F LANSDOWNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

PRE-PAYMENT-METER MECHANISM.

Application filed October 25, 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, I/VILLIAM L. BROWN, of Lansdowne, in the county of Delaware and State of Iennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Prepayment-Meter Mechanism, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My improvement relates to coin controlled vending machines, and is particularly applicable to a gas meter to permit a valve to be manually opened upon the insertion of a coin; said valve being automatically closed by the operation of the gas meter after delivery of a quantity of gas predetermined by the number of coins inserted.

As hereinafter described, my invention includes the combination with a valve con trolling the passage of gas through the meter and having an operating lever with a radial slot; of a valve closing shaft having a screw worm operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft having a screw worm operatively connected with coin controlled operating means; means operativley connecting said valve with both of said worms, including a train of planetary gearing and an oscillatory frame; a crank carried by said frame, arranged to open and close said valve by engagement in the slot of said lever; and, a cam carried by said frame arranged to support said valve in open position, when said lever is released by said crank. My invention also includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter specified.

In the drawings :-Figure I is a fragmentary plan sectional view of a gas meter of ordinary construction embodying my invention, only the top plate of said meter being removed. Fig. II is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the line II, II, in Figs. I and III; showing the planetary gearing in position to hold said gas valve open. Fig. III is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the line III,

II, in Figs. I and II. Fig. IV is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. II but showing the planetary gearing in position to hold said gas valve closed.

In said figures; the gas meter 1 has the inlet 2 by which the gas enters the valve chamber 1, from which it may pass through the meter only by way of the port 5 under Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

Serial No. 656,748.

control of the valve 6 carried by the arm 7 on the rock shaft 8. Said shaft projects through the stufling box 9 into the chamber 10, from which the gas is excluded, and has in the chamber 10 the lever 11 by which it may be operated. The meter mechanism beneath the floor 14 of said chamber 10 is of ordinary construction, including diaphragms operatively connected with the rock shafts 15 respectively carrying the lever arms 16 pivotally connected by the links 17 with the adjustable wrist pin 18 on the crank 20. Said crank 20 is carried on the rotary shaft 21 provided with the worm 22 engaging the worm gear 23 on the dial arbor 24:, and the latter is operatively connected with suitable mechanism in the dial box 26 to indicate upon the exterior of the meter the quantity of gas which has been vended. Said dial arbor 24 carries the worm 28 engaging the worm gear 29 on the valve closing shaft 30; said gear 29 being operatively connected with said shaft 30 by frictional engagement between the collars 31 and 32 under pressure of the triangular spring Said shaft 30 being journaled in the bearing brackets 34 and 35 is provided at its opposite end with the externally screw threaded worm 36 engaging the sun gear 38 which is loose on the indicator shaft 39 but engaged with the planetary gear 41 on the counter shaft 42 which is journaled in the oscillatory crank frame 43 (which is tight on said indicator shaft 39,) and has at its opposite end the planetary gear 45 engaging the sun gear 46 which is loose on said indicator shaft 39 and engaged with the externally screw threaded worm 48 on the shaft 19 which has the gear 50 shown inFig. IV for operative connection with the coin controlled mechanism in the casing 51. Said sun gear 16 being held stationary by said worm 4:8 during the valve closing movement effected by rotation of said shaft 30 by the meter mechanism, which turns the gears 38, 4:1 and 4:5 in the direction of the arrows marked thereon in Fig. III; said temporarily stationary sun gear 4:6 is traversed, as a rack, by the planetary gear 45 which thus carries said crank frame 43 in the direction of the arrow marked thereon in Fig. IV so that the bearing 52 concentric with the axis of said shaft 42, acts as a crank, eccentric with respect to said shaft 39, in engagement with the slot 53 in said valve lever 11 to close the valve to the position shown in Fig. IV. It may be observed that the cam 54 concentric with said shaft 39, but carried by said crank frame 43 is cut away, as best shown in Fig. 11, so as to permit said lever 11 to approach the shaft 39 to the extent indicated in Fig. IV. However, when said cam is turned in the opposite direction by the valve opening movement of said train of gearing, the surface of said cam concentric with said indicator shaft 39 is presented in position to support said valve lever 11 in open position when said lever is released by said crank 52. Fig. 11 shows the gearing turned to present said cam in such position. Said valve opening movement of the planetary gearing above described, is effected by the coin controlled operating means in said casing 51 including the rotary coin carrier 56 having the handle 57 with the lug 58 arranged to encounter the stops 59 and 60 on said casing. Said casing 51 has the coin inlet slot 62 in which may be dropped a suitable coin, a quarter of a dollar, when the gate bar 63 which normally closes said slot is withdrawn through the notch 64 in the flange 65 on said handle 57. When a proper coin is inserted in said slot 62 to operatively connect said valve opening shaft 49 with said handle 51'; movement of said handle in the direction of the arrow marked thereon, approximately one half revolution, rotates said shaft 49 in the direction of the arrows marked thereon, so that the worm 48 on said shaft, engaging said sun wheel 46 turns the latter in the direction of the arrow marked thereon in Fig. II thus turning the plane tary wheels 45 and 41 in the direction of the arrows marked thereon in Fig. II, so that, said sun wheel 38 being held stationary by engagement with the worm 36, is traversed, as a rack, by the planetary gear 41, thus turning the crank frame 48 in the direction of the arrow marked thereon in Fig. 11, so as to open said valve 6 from the position shown in Fig. IV to the position shown in Fig. 11. may be successively inserted in said slot 62 and said crank frame be thereby successively turned in the direction of the arrow marked thereon in Fig. II until the lower edge 67 of said frame encounters the collar 68 on said valve opening shaft 49, which thus serves as a relatively stationary stop limiting the opening movement of said planetary gearing and preventing further movement of said shaft 49 by frictional engagement of said frame and collar. Each prepayment for gas, for which the consumer should be credited, and dispensation of gas, for which the consumer should be debited, being manifested by respectively opposite turning movements of said'shaft 39; I provide the latter with the index 70 tight thereon, which in the initial position Thereupon, additional coins of the mechanism coincides with the stationary radial mark 71 in the indicator casing 7 2, so that the amount of money or gas to the credit of the consumer at any instant may be ascertained by reference to the extent of angular displacement of said index 70 with respect to said mark 71, which is on the dial 73.

It may be observed that although the valve opening shaft 49 and worm 48 are normally stationary during the rotation of the valve closing shaft 30 and its worm 36; the construction of the planetary gearing above described, is such as to permit the simultaneous rotation of said shafts and worms which are respectively arranged to shift the valve in opposite directions. Of

course, if said valve 6 has been shifted, by the valve closing mechanism above described, to the closed position shown in Fig. IV, without stopping the flow of gas, (because of some obstruction between the valve and its seat, or for some other cause,) gas leaking past said valve tends to rotate the coin controlled valve opening mechanism in the same direction as it would be turned by a coin. Therefore, it is to be particularly noted that, because the gear 46 cannot drive the worm 48, said tendency is counteracted and such abnormal opening movement of the valve prevented.

It is to be understood that I do not desire to limit myself to the specific type of coin controlled operating means above described, or to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever with a radial slot; of a valve closing shaft having a screw worm operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft having a screw worm; an in dicator shaft; a train of planetary gearing including two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, one engaging the worm on said valve closing shaft, and the other engaging the worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said crank frame; planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engaged with said two sun gears; a bearing for said counter shaft forming a crank pin arranged to engage in the slot of said valve lever; a cam carried by said crank frame, having a'surface concentric with said indicator shaft arranged to support said valve lever in open position when said lever is released by said crank; and, an index carried by said indicator shaft; whereby respective rotary movements of said worms, in the same direction, turn said crank frame in respectively opposite directions to open and close said valve, and, said index indicates the status of the valve controlling mechanism.

2. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever with a radial slot; of a valve closing shaft having an externally screw threaded worm operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft having an externally screw threaded worm; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearing including two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, one engaging the worm on said valve closing shaft, and the other engaging the worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said crank frame; planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engaged with said two sun gears; a bearing for said counter shaft forming a crank pin arranged to engage in the slot of said valve lever; and, a cam carried by said crank frame, having a surface concentric with said sun gear shaft, arranged to support said valve lever in open position when said lever is released by said crank; whereby respective rotary movements of said worms turn said crank frame in respectively opposite directions to open and close said valve.

8. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever with a slot; of a valve closing shaft having an externally screw threaded worm operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft having an externally screw threaded worm; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearing including two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, one engaging the worm on said valve closing shaft, and the other engaging the worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said crank frame; planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engaged with said two sun gears; a crank on said frame arranged to engage in the slot of said valve lever; and, a cam carried by said crank frame, havinga surface concentric with said sun gear shaft, arranged to support said valve lever in open position when said lever is released by said crank; whereby alternate rotary movements of said worms turn said crank frame in respectively opposite directions to open and close said valve.

4:. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closlng shaft having a' screw worm operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft having ascrew worm; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearing including two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, one engaging the worm on said valve closing shaft, and the other engaging the worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said crank frame; planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said cou'nter shaft and engaged with said two sun gears; a crank on said frame arranged to engage said valve lever; and, a cam carried by said crank frame, arranged to support said valve lever in open position when said lever is released by said crank.

5. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft having a screw worm operatively connected withthe meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft having a screw worm; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearing including two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, one engaging the worm on said valve'closing shaft, and the other engaging the worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said frame;

planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engaged with said two sun gears; a crank, operatively connected with said frame, arranged to engage said valve lever; and, a cam operatively connected with said crank frame, arranged to support said valve lever in open positionwhen said lever is released by said crank.

6. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft having a screw worm operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft having a screw worm; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearing including two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, oneengaging the worm on said valve. closing shaft, and the other engaging the worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said frame; planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engaged with said two sun gears; means, operatively con-nected with said frame, arranged to engage said valve lever; and, means, operatively connected with said frame, arranged to support said valve lever in open position.

7. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve closing shafthaving a screw wormoperatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft having a screw worm; an

. said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said frame; planetary gears respec tively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engaged with said two sun gears; means, operatively connected with said frame, arranged to engage said valve; and, means, operatively connected with said frame, arranged to support said valve in open position.

8. In a prepayment gas meter, the combi-v nation with a valve; of a valve closing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearing including two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, one engaging the worm on said valve closing shaft, and the other engaging the worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said frame; planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engaged with said two sun gears; means, operatively connected with said frame, arranged to engage said valve; and, means, operatively connected with said frame, arranged to support said valve in open position.

9. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve closing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearing including two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, one engaging the worm on said valve closing shaft, and the other engaging the worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said frame; planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engaged with said two sun gears; and, means, operatively connected with said frame, arranged to engage said valve.

10. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft having a screw worm operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft having a screw worm; means operatively connecting said lever with both of said worms, including a train of planetary gearing and an oscillatory frame; and, means, carried by said frame, arranged to support said valve lever in open position.

11. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve closing shaft having a screw worm operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft having a screw worm; means connecting said valve with both of said worms, including a train of planetary gearing and an oscillatory frame; and, means, carried by said frame, arranged to support said valve in open position.

12. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve closing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft; means operatively connecting said valve with both of said shafts, including a train of planetary gearing and an oscillatory frame; and, means, carried by said frame, having a surface arranged to support said valve in open position, when said valve is released by the opening means.

13. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve closing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft; and, means operatively connecting said valve with both of said shafts, including an oscillatory shaft, having a frame thereon and a train of planetary gearing including a sun worm gear loose on said oscillatory shaft, and a planetary gear carried by said frame in engagement with said sun gear.

"1 f. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve closing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft; and, means operatively connecting said valve with both of said shafts, including an oscillatory shaft, having a frame tight there-' on, a train of planetary gearing including two sun gears, both loose on said oscillatory shaft, and two planetary gears carried by said frame and respectively engaging said sun gears.

15. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve closing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shaft; means operatively connecting said valve with both of said shafts; including a train of planetary gearing and an oscillatory frame; and, means limiting the movement of said frame, including a collar on said valve opening shaft.

16. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft; in parallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectively tight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operatively connecting said shafts, including a shaft extending transversely with respect to said opening and closing shafts, two sun wheels in axial alinement and loose on said transverse shaft, and respectively engaged with said worms; an oscillatory crank frame, tight on said transverse shaft, and carrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; and means, including a crank on said oscillatory frame, operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

17. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, in parallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectively tight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operatively connecting said shafts, including a shaft extending transversely with respect to said opening and closing shafts, two sun wheels in axial alinement and loose on said transverse shaft, and respectively engaged with said worms; an oscillatory crank frame, tight on said transverse shaft, and carrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; and means, on said oscillatory frame, operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

18. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, in parallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectively tight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operatively connecting said shafts,

including a shaft extending transversely with respect to said opening and closing shafts, two sun wheels in axial alinement and loose on said transverse shaft, and respectively engaged with said worms; an oscillatory crank frame, tight on said transverse shaft, and carrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; and means, operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

19. In a prepayment gas meter, the com bination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, in parallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectively tight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operatively connecting said shafts, including a shaft extending transversely with respect to said opening and closing shafts, two sun wheels in axial alinement and loose on said transverse shaft, and respectively engaged with said worms; an oscillatory crank frame, on said transverse shaft, and carrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; and means, including a crank on said oscillatory frame, operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

20. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, in parallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectively tight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operatively connecting said shafts, including a shaft extending transversely with respect to said opening and closing shafts, two sun wheels in axial alinement and loose on said transverse shaft, and respectively engaged with said worms; an oscillatory crank frame carrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; and means operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

21. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, in parallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectively tight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operatively connecting said shafts, including two sun wheels in axial alinement and respectively engaged with said worms; an oscillatory crank frame carrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; and means operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

22. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, in parallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectively tight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operatively connecting said shafts, including two sun wheels respectively engaged with said worms; an oscillatory crank frame carrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; and means operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed. i

23. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having an operating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, in parallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectively tight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operatively connecting said shafts, including two sun-wheels respectively .engaged with said worms; an oscillatory crank frame carrying two planetary wheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; and means operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

24:. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve operating lever having a slot; means arranged to open and close said valve, including an 0scillatory frame having a crank arranged to engage said slot, a cam concentric with the axis of said frame arranged to uphold said valve lever with the valve in open position, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels of different diameters, in concentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears of different diameters, in concentric relation with said crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels, two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels, a valve closing shaft rigidly connected with the worm engaging the larger of said sun wheels and operatively connected with the meter mechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidly connected with the worm engaging the smaller of said sun wheels.

25. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve operating lever having a slot; means arranged to open and close said valve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to engage said slot, a cam concentric with the axis of said frame arranged to uphold said valve lever with the valve in open position, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels in concentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentric relation with said crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels,

two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels, a valve closing shaft rigidly connected with one of said worms and operatively connected with the meter mechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidly connected with the other .of said worms.

26. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve operating lever; means arranged to open and close said valve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to operate. said lever, a cam concentric withthe axis of said frame arranged to uphold said valve lever with the valve in open position, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels in concentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentric relation with said crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels, two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels, a valve closing shaft rigidly con nected with one of said worms and operatively connected with the meter mechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidly connected with the other of said worms.

27. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve operating lever; means arranged to open and close said valve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to operate said lever, a cam concentric with the axis of said frame arranged to uphold said valve in open position, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels in concentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentric relation with said crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels, and two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels.

28. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve operating lever; means arranged to open and close said valve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to operate said lever, a cam arranged to uphold said valve lever with the valve in open position, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels in concentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentric relation with said crank and re spectively engaged with said sun wheels, and two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels.

29. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve operating lever having a slot; means arranged to open and close said valve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to engage said. slot, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels of different diameters, in concentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears of different diameters, in concentric relation with said crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels, two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels, a valve closing shaft rigidly connected with the worm engaging the larger of said sun wheels and operatively connected with the meter mechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidly connected with the worm engaging the smaller of said sun wheels.

30. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve operating lever having a slot; means arranged to open and close said valve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to engage said slot, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels in concentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentric, relation with said crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels, two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels, a valve closing shaft rigidly connected with one of said worms and operatively connected with the meter mechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidly connected with the other of said worms.

31. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve operating lever; means arranged to open and close said valve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to operate said lever, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels. in concentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentric relation with said crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels, two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels, a valve closing shaft rigidly connected with, one of said worms and operatively connected with the meter mechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidly connected with the other of said worms.

32. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valve operating lever; means arranged to open and close said valve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to operate said lever, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels in concentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentric relation with said crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels, and two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels.

33. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a Valve; of a Valve operating lever; and means arranged to open ano close said valve, including an oscillatory framehaving a crank arranged to cooperate with said lever, and a train of planetary gearing including a sun, wheel upon the axis of oscillation of said frame and a planetary gear concentric with said crank.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 23rd day of October, 1911.

WILLIAM L. BROWN.

Witnesses:

ALLEN M. TORREY, HARRY A. MARSHALL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of 2mm, Wuhlngton, D. 0."

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