US1145596A

US1145596A - Calculating and printing apparatus for meters.

Info

Publication number: US1145596A
Application number: US73102312A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nandor Kolar
Original assignee: AUTOMETROGRAPH RESZVENYTARSASAG
Current assignee: AUTOMETROGRAPH RESZVENYTARSASAG
Priority date: 1912-11-12
Filing date: 1912-11-12
Publication date: 1915-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 1932-07-06

Description

NA-KOLAH. s:

CALCULATING AND PRINTING APPARATUS FOR METERS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, 1 912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 11 TTORNEY Pa tented July 6,1915

N. KQLKR. I CALCULATING AND BRINTING APPARATUS FOR METERS.

APPLICATICN FILED NOV. l2. I912.

' Patented July 6, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR.

NANDOR KOLA BY 3 NC-M M ATTORNEY ,liw g APPLICATION HLEo.N0v.12,1912.

Patented July 6, 1915/ 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 ATTORNEY N. KQLAR.

CALCULATING AND PRINTING APPARATUS FOR METERS APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12' i912.

Patented July 6, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SIIEET 4.

NAN R EHM W L ATTORINI EY INVE TIJR I DOR K BY N. KOLAR.

' CALCULATING AND PRINT'ING APPARATUS FOR METERS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, NHL

1,145,59 6. w Patented July 6,1915.

5 $HEETS-SHEET 5- lNvENToR NANDOR' LQOLAR wlT uasszs' N r l ATTORNEY:

in longitudinal, section.

NANDOB K0153, 0F BUDAPEST, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMETROGRAPH nnszvnnrrnnsasne, or nunnrns'r, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, A CORPORATION or HUNGARY.

CALCULATING AND PRINTING APPA RATUS FOR METERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1915.

Application filed November 12, 1912. Serial No. 731,023.

To all :uihom it may concern:

. Be'it known that I, NAND R KOLAR, manager,-a subject of the King of Hungary, re-

siding at Budapest; in theKingdom of Himgary, have invented new and useful Improvements in Calculating and Printing Apparatus for Meters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

Thepresent invention relates to apparatusfor calculating and printing the corresponding monetary values from the counting trains of gas, electric, and like consumption meters and has for its object to insure 'both reliability and durability andto prevent abuse while providing a construction ofthe most simple kind.

'- In the accompanying drawings two examples in construction of the calculating.

and printing apparatus are illustrated the second {for an electric meter.

Figure: 1', is a front view of the apparatus suitable for a gas meter with the casing Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 3'1s'a cross 'section on the line 3-3,.and

; Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.; Fig. 5'sho'ws the account or monetary value printed. Fig. 6 is a front view of the apparatus for electric meters. Fig. 7 is a detail view, and Fig. 8 a diagram'of the electrical connections. Figs. 9 and 10 L show-respectively in front elevation and V respectively cross-section on the line 1010 of-Fig. 9 a modified construction of the cost printing and indicating train. Figs. 11 and 12 are side and front views of the frame serving for the insertion of the acv count form. Fig. 13 shows in section on the .ing to prevent abuse. Fig. 1 1 is a front line 13 -13 of-Fig. 14 the safety device servview ofthe safety device shown in Fig. 13.

. Fig. '15- illustrates one mode of connecting Y the calculating and printing appa atus with 'the'counting train of a gas meter. Fig. 16

illustratesaconnection between the calcu- J lating and printing apparatus and a gas meter when considerable distance intervenes,

' v and Fig. 17shows.as an example one form of key" for manipulating the printing apparatus being partly in section with the counting' train in elevation.

J lflef ipg to Figs. 15 of the accompanying drawings 1, 2, 3 are the spindles of the indicator of the usual counting train E of a gas. meter to which motion is transmitted in a known manner by a screwed spindle 4. By means of

bevel wheels

5, 6, the screwed spindle 4 drives a counting train -F which consists of numbering

disks

8, 9, 10 ad vanced step by step and of a transfer disk. 7 connected with the bevel wheel 6. The counting train F may be per 83 of any desired well known construction} and is so devised that upon onerevolution of the transfor disk 7 the numbering disk 8 is advanced by one number while the

numbering disks

9 and 10 are each advanced by a single number upon a complete revolution of the

disks

8 and 9 respectively. The forward move- .ment of the disks after a complete revolution of theadjacent disk is effected in a known manner by the transfer wheels 11.

"The transfer wheels 11 as well as the disks indicated by the counting train E. Upon a change in the rate the calculating and printing apparatus can be adjusted to. the

' current rate by changing the

wheels

5, 6, or

when a bevel wheelof suflicient width of tooth is employed by changing one of the bevel wheels. In case the price per unit of gas is not a fractional part of a mark, then instead of a single numbering disk 8 for indicating the pfennigs two such numbering disks must be provided. The bosses of' the numbering disks carr or are formed as heart-shaped, cams 12 ee Fig. 4) with which resetting-levers 14 keyed upon a spin-' dle 13 can engage. The spindle 13 carries two

furtherlevers

15, 15 with the hookshapedends (see Fig. 3) on which rest the ends of the spindle 16 which carries the transfer wheels 11. The ends of the spindle 16 also pass through inclined slots 17 formed in the end walls of the framework. The

numbering disks

8, 9, 10 are formed also as printing disks for which the plate 19 serves as a platen. In order thatthe numbering disk spindle during printing should notbe injuriously affected a counter-pressure bearing plate 20 is provided and arranged parallel the platen 19. A parallel movement is provided for the platen.19 .and been ing plate 20 bv guide pins 21. Within the framework 0 the apparatus there are mounted upon.

indles

22, 22 two eccentrics 23; the rods o. which are pivotally connectedpnithe one hand'with the platen 19 and on the other hand with the bearing plate 20. y The spindles 22 are mounted in elongated bearings 22" and can be rotated by means of the toothed wheels 24 from the spindle 25.; Upon the spindle-25' is mounted a ratchet wheel'26 with which engages a pawl27 permitting rotation of the sp1n-- dle "25. in one. direction only. Further a fin er 28 is mounted upon the spindle 25 an adapted. engage with a surface 29 upon one'ot. the resetting levers 14. One

end of thefj-lspindle 25 is squared opposite which end the casing 31 is provided with a: keyehole 32throug-h which a key 33 can be passed; The Wards 34 of the key and the ycam'bepassed mto the apparatus in such a. 'manner. as to rest against the platen 1 9.

be inserted andwithdrawn in a form'of the-key-hole insure that the key can venosition only, The casing 31 is provided with a slot 35j-through which a sheet36 of paper The; operation is as follows :--The sheet of paper-36 is pushedv through the slot 35 in the casinguntil its lower edge strikes a supporting stop 37 formed at the lower end of the platen 19. The key 33 is pushed throu h'the key-hole 32 in the casing and oven t e squared spindle end 30. On turning the key the spindle 25 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 38 (Fig. 4). The spindle 25 by means of the spur wheels 24 causes the spindles 22'to rotate which in their turn by means of the eccentrics 23

cause the'plates

19 and 20 to approach one another, the guide pins 21 insuring parali through 180. 'Thereupon the two plates lel'movement of the two plates. .By these means the sheet of paper 36 and the platen 19 are on" the one hand pressedagainst the numbering

disks

8, 9, 10-of the counting train Fwhereby the state of the counting train F is printed off at the spot A on the sheet 36 of paper (Fig. 5) while on the other hand the plate 20 is pressed against the numbering

disks

8, 9, 10 at a diametrically opposite point soas to act as a counterbearin'g during printing and thus prevent the numbering disk spindle iromrbeing' injuriou'sly affected during the operationjQf printing. The elongated bearings 22permit of a slight lateral movementof the-spindles 22 'so'that equalization of pressure'on the two sides of the numbering disks is insured. Printing is effected by means of a carbon paper inserted at the same time with the sheet 36. The printing operation is completed after the spindle 25 has been rotated 19, 20 move away from each other and the finger 28 on the spindle 25 engages with the nose 29 on the lever 14 so that the spindle 13 together with the two levers 15 are caused to rotate in the direction of the arrow 40 (Fig. .3). As a result of the combined effect of the slot 17 and the inner edge of the levers 15 upon which the spindle 16 rests, the spindle 16- withthe transfer wheels 11 is raised so that the numbering disks 8',

9, 10 are released. The lever 14 is now pressed farther inward by the finger 28 so that the free ends'of the resetting levers 14 after the release of the

numbering disks

8, 9, 10 engage the heartshaped cams 12 and exert a pressure upon them'sufficient to return, in a manner known per se, the heart shaped cams 12, togetheri'with the number ing disks connected therewith, to zero position. When the key 33 and the spind e 25 are turned farther, the finger-28 releases the lever 14 so that the spindle 13 returns under the influence of the spring 39 to its original position, which is determined by the engagement of a projection on thelever 15 withthe spindle 25 whereby the, wheels 11 are again caused to'engage with the numbering v disks nd the levels 14 removed from the heart-shaped cams12; When the key 33 and.

spindle. 25 has been rotated throu h 360 the key can be removed through the eyhole f andthe ap a'ratus'is thenin the original condition;

he sheet of paper 36, ca'n now be withdrawn. Upon this sheet whas been a printed the amount payable forgconsu'mp count sheets ae y simultane I h serted in the apparatus hich as m" y serve as aniamcountifand receipt for fihng'by the consumerjwhile: the other-sheet may be kept as a rech'rd forthe distributing' 'depart. ment. The ratchet wheel '26 and-pawl 2 prevent the keytfronr being. turnedgm the'f'filo sly? ioo

tionsince the ayment lastdie{ iwhile "the counting train. indi catmgth amount-has." been restored to, zero position. v

7 wrong direction. and from' 'being' 'withdrawn before the printing operat omha's .been-coma pleted andJ-the counting tramiF returned a to zero position. Qn the pointers themselves, or on special arms on .thrrindic'ator spindles 1, 2, 3 of the counting tram E giving the condition of the meter, needles 41 are arranged which, -upon the application of pressure} prick holes 45 (Fig. 5

in the. .sheet..-36".of paper and reproduce. the state.

" of the meter, at the moment of; printing,

upon the dials 42 onthe sheet 36 0f 'paper. 2

uof R count sheet appears as shown in Fig. 5, the 'jommon letter press being omitted in this figure. The amount payable for consumpion-since the payment last due is shown at A,' the meter number at B the consumers number at C and at D the state of the meter is SllOWI1 'by the. perforations on the, dials 42 previously printed on the ac count sheet.

applicable to an electric meter and illustrated in Figs. 6-8, a separate transfer mag et, A6 serves for advancing the printing counting train so that, the calculating and I printing apparatus may not throw any load A 'upon the electric meter.- Upon consumption- I of a. unit the meter close'sa circuit toener- .g ze the transfer magnet 46 whlch by the attraction of its armature advances one or j lution energizes once the magnet'46. The echanism which serves to rotate the cir-" nit-breaker 48 is shown at K, Fig. 6, in front elevation and in'Fig. 7 in plan. Upon he spindle 50 ofthe unit wheel of the countng trainjofthe meter is freely mounted an n'sulati'ng and contact drum 48 provided with contact segments.51.- The drum 48 is connected to the spindle 50 by a spring 52 4Q and in such a manner that when the drum is "held up by the pin' 53 and pawl 54 the spin: dle 50 rotating in the direction of the arrow 55 places the spring 52 under tension. The pawl 5'4 is pivoted upon a pin 56 and rig idl'y connected with a-;lever- 57 while a finger 58keyed fast on the spindle 50 is adapted to cooperate with the lever 57. When the U spindle50 putting the spring 52 under tension has completed a revolution the finger 58 50 presses the lever 57 outward so that the pawl 54' releases the pin 53 and the drum 48 un- -der the influence of the tension on the spring makes in a moment a complete revolu- *tion when it is stoppedby an arm 59 mounted on the spindle striking the pin 53. Dur- "-ing the revolution of'the drum 48 the-cur- 'rent circuit of the .magnet 46 is closed by the brushesj49 andcontact segment 51 so that its-armature 60'is attracted. The armafi ture- 60carries a toothed segment 61 which, when-the armatureis attracted, rotates a spur wheel 62 through a given angle. This spuravheel transmits its motion by means of "a pawl -63 to a ratchet wheel 64with which La, bevel wheel65 isconnected. vThis bevel In the calculatingand printing apparatusbefore the disengagement.

"rapid motion by steps,

1,14a,5ee 3 wheel 65 engages with a bevel wheel 66 which drives the counting train of the calculating and printing apparatus. It'would suflice if the calculating and printing appara'tus comprised a single counting train F driven by

gear wheels

67, 68, 69 and 70 and adapted to indicate the amount payable according to the current consumption. In the example illustrated in Fig. 6, however, two additional counting trains G and H are provided as printing mechanism, the counting train G being directly driven by the spindle of the bevel wheel 66 and the counting train H being driven through the gear wheels 67, 68, 71. The counting train G shows the current state of the meter while the counting train H shows the amount of electricity consumed since the last payment and must accordingly be returned, after the printing operation as well as the counting train F giving the amount. payable to zero position. Both the counting trains F and H are precisely the same as the counting train F shown in Figs. 14. The remaining parts of the apparatus are likewise essentially the same as the corresponding parts in the constructional form described with reference to. Figs. 14. On printing, the state of all three countin trains as well as both numbers B and & are printed oif whereupon both counting trains F and H are automatically returned to zero position. When the rice of a unit is altered the

wheels

69 and 0 are for example changed so that the motion transmitted to the counting train F always corresponds to the current unit'rate.

As already explained, on resetting the mechanism I for indicating the monetary value the transfer wheels 11 are Withdrawn from the teeth of the numberingdisks. In order to hold the transfer wheels in position, during the time they are out of engagement with the numbering disks there is provided as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 a guiding device which holds the transfer wheels 11 fast in the position in which they were in This guide as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 consists of two wires which are stretched across the frame 18 parallel to each other and in such a manner that one tooth on the transfer wheels 11. enters between the two wires 94 before the transfer wheels pass out of engagement with the numbering disks. Figs. 9 and 10 further show a device of simple construction whereby the counting train can be adjusted to correspond with different unit rates, the first. numbering disk 95 which indicates the smallest monetary unit always receiving a The essential feature of this device resides herein that in front of the first numbering disk 95 and coupled therewith by means of a transfer wheel 11, there is mounted afloose disk 96 which is provided with a number of transfer teeth 97 corresponding to the unit rate and which is coupled with the driving wheel 6 or with the driving spindle of the counting train by means of a spring 98, whlch 1s sub jected totensi'orrwhen the driving spindle is rotated whilethe loose disk. 96 is held up by a catch released at each revolution of 96 and on the other hand to the boss 104, is

placed under tension while the pin 102 is pressed against the shoulder 10]. on the pawl .100, 'A nose 108 on the boss 104 of the driving wheel 6 at" each revolution presses back thepawl 100 so that the pin l02slides off the shoulder 101 and the disk 96 under the influence of the tension on the spring 98 makes a completerevolution during which the teeth 97 on the transfer disk 96 by means of the transfer wheel 11 advances the first numbering disk 95 ,by as i many units as the transfer disk 96 has teeth.

x printing off of the account a framefll'nay When the unit rate is altered all that is re quired is a change in the transfer disk 96. In order to facilitate the insertion and conveniently be employed consisting of two portions pivoted. together at 72, and adapted to snap together of which one portion forming the rear wall 73"is solid with the 9X- ception of openings 75 corresponding-with the dials 42 (Fig. 5) while the other por is mounted a ratchet wheel 76 with whibh 'tion forming the front wall 74 consists of a narrow frame adapted to hold down the edges of the account form when insertedihetween the twoportions. The frame being opened the account form is placed between the two portions 73, 74, whereupon the two portions of the frame are snapped together. .When the account is to be printed the frame is inserted in the slot/85 (Fig. 3) of the apparatus so that the frame portion 74: faces the printing mechanism. To avoid misuse a catch may be employed adapted to stop rotation of the spindle 25 before the print ing operation can be eilected and which can 1 only be released when the proper key ha and 14, as an example.

the account form. On the spindle 25 there .the pawl 77 engages so that the spindle can he turned by means of the key in one direction only." on thefront end of the spindle 25 is mounted adisk 7 8 which is provided witha tooth 79 and which is arrested after 7 rotation through a small angle by a pawl 80 the noses 90 on the flap 87.

engaging with the tooth 79. Upon the disk 78 is mounted a sleeve 81 adapted to receive the wards of the key and arranged to extend to the wall of the casing 31 so as to shutoff all passage through the key-hole to the interior of the apparatus. The sleeve is open at the side 82. Beneath the spindle 25 several holding levers 8d are arranged so as to rotate about a pivot pin 83 and provided with slots 85 into which extends :1. Portion 86 or tonglue of the pawl 80 bent at right angles.

he holding levers prevent vibration of the pawl 80. The slot 35 is closed by a flap 87 pivoted to'the casing 31 and connected to the pawl 80 by a rod 88. The spindle 25 carries two segments 89 adapted to engage noses-90 on the flap 87' so that the flap is firmly held in the closed position. w

The mode of operation is as follows The position of rest of the various parts is as shown in Fig. 13, the position of the keyhole corresponding with the position of the sleeve 81. The keyafter insertion through the-key-hole 32 into the sleeve 81 can be turned in the direction of the arrow 106 (Fig. 13) carrying with, it the sleeve '81 and spindle 25. During this movement the wards of the key operate on the portions 91 of the holding levers 84 so that the letter by means of the appropriate key are severally pressed down to such an extent that the slot 92 of each holding lever is located opposite the tongue 86 on the pawl 80. Simultaneously the tooth 79 on the disk 78 strikes the pawl 80 so that the key cannot be turned farther. At this moment the segments 89 have been turned suflicientl y far to release I Pressure is now applied to the flap 87 by means of the frame 73, 74, holding the account form, so as to open the flap and also by means of the connecting rod 88 to press the pawl 80 backout of the path of the tooth7 9- and thus release the disk 78. The frame 73, 74 can now be pushed into the apparatua'the spindle 25 rotated further by meaiis of the key and "the printing of the account accomplished,

Should afalse key beinserted the holding levers 84. w0uld not take'up such a position as to permit of the yielding of the pawl,

80 so that neither coiildthe flap 87 be depressed nor thedisk '78-releasedi The-key cannot therefore; be turned farther around and the backward turning ofthe key is prevented by'the ratchet'whe'el 76. As the key has been already turned so far that the I I wards are no longer" opposite the key-hole 32 the key cannot be removed and is held fast in the apparatus sothatit may lead to 1125 the identification of the. operator. .After. i

printing, the frame"73,i74 isremoved from theapparatuswhereuponthe spring 93re-r turns the 'pawlf80' to its positionofrest-thus I closing the flap 87. After-turning the key through 360 it can be withdrawn. Meanwhile the segments 89 have secured the When .the calculating and printing ap- -=paratus isto be applied on the spot to an with the gear Wheel 5 which drives the counting train of the calculating and printing apparatus. The employment of a flexi ble shaft 110 between the liter drum 107 and the driving wheel;5 permits of the gas meter G (Fig. 16) being located at aconsiderable distance from the calculating and printing apparatus by providing a corresponding length of flexible shaft within a tube 113.

In order to avoid, or render evident, misuse of the key intended for operating the calculating and printing apparatus, the key is provided with a counting train adapted to register each use of the key. Fig. 17 shows as an example one mode of construct ing such a key. As shown in Fig. 17 a pin 116 connected with a pawl 11'? is located within'the shaft 11% of the key so as to be capable of axial movement against the in fluence' of a spring 115. Each time the key is inserted through the key-hole 32 (Fig.

' 1d) the end 30 of the spindle 25 presses the pin 116 of the key inward whereby the pawl 117 advances the unit wheel 118 of the counting train by one unit. The tens and

hundreds wheels

119 and 120 respectively of the counting train are advahced, after one revolution each, by one step in a known manner by the units and, tens wheels respectively. Locking pawls (not shown) prevent backward movement of the numbering wheels. Obviously the counting train can. be furnished with more than three numbering wheels. I

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1.;In a "calculating and printing apparatus, the combination of a plurality of numbering disks; a platen adaptetd to engage one part of the periphery of the disks; a counter bearing adapted to engage the diametrically opposite part of said periphery; and'means for causing relative motion between said platen and counter bearing.

2. In a printing apparatus, the combination of a printing disk; a platen adapted to engage a point on the periphery of the disk; a counter bearing adapted to engage a substantially diametrically opposite point of said periphery; and means for causing relative motion between said platen and counter bearing.

3. In a calculating printing appara tus, the combination of. a counting trail;

having numbering disks having intermit tent movement; means by which printing may be eifected .at a part of the disks; and

a counter bearing; and means for pressing the counter bearing against the periphery of the disks diametrically opposite to said part.

4. In a calculating and printing apparatus, I the combination of a plurality of numbering disks; a platen adapted to be moved toward the periphery of the disks at one part; a ounter bearing adapted to be pushed against the disk at apart diametrically opposite to the first named part; a yieldably mounted spindle; eccentrics secured thereon at difi'ercnt angles; and means connecting the counter bearing and platen to the eccentrics.

5. In a calculating and-printing apparatus, the combination of a plurality of numbering disks; a platen adapted to be moved toward the periphery of the disks at one part; a counter bearing adapted to be pushed against the disk at a part diametrically opposite to the first named part; a yieldably mounted spindle; eccentrics secured thereon at substantially 180 apart,

and means connecting the eccentrics to the counter bearing and platen.

6. In a calculating and printing .apparatus, the combination of printing disks; a device coiiperating therewith for effecting the printing; means operated by a key for {operating said device for effecting the pr1nting and for resetting the disks to zero; a part rotatable in one direction only by the key; a catch adapted to hold said part against movement after 'the key has been turned far enough to prevent its withdrawal; and means for preventing the release of said catch and permitting its release when engaged by the wards of a proper 'key.

7. In a calculating and printing apparatus, the combination of printing disks; a device coiiperating therewith for effecting -the printing; means operated by ak ey for drawal; means for preventing the release of said catch and permitting its release whet engaged by the wards of a proper key;

means for holding the account to be printed;

a closure for said means; and an operative connection between said closure and said catch.

8. In a calculating and printing appa 11313101101? a train of numbering disks; a loose transfer disk provided with a number of transfer teeth equal to the rate unit;

a transfer wheel connecting the transfer disk with the numbering disk of the small-- est denomination; a driving spindle; a. spring connecting the driving spring with the transfer disk and pressing the transfer disk forwardly; a catch normally holding.

the transfer disk against I forward movement; and means operatively connected to the driving spindle for releasing the catch on each revolution of the driving spindle. i

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this Specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NANDOR KOLAR.

. Witnesses:

EUGENE -HARRAM, Clams MESSENGER.