US3666067A - Parking meter having an increased rate during peak demand periods - Google Patents

Parking meter having an increased rate during peak demand periods Download PDF

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US3666067A
US3666067A US108102A US3666067DA US3666067A US 3666067 A US3666067 A US 3666067A US 108102 A US108102 A US 108102A US 3666067D A US3666067D A US 3666067DA US 3666067 A US3666067 A US 3666067A
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Prior art keywords
coin
follower
sensing
peak demand
parking
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US108102A
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English (en)
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Bernhard Kaiser
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Digital Kienzle Computersysteme GmbH and Co KG
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Kienzle Apparate GmbH
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C1/00—Registering, indicating or recording the time of events or elapsed time, e.g. time-recorders for work people
    • G07C1/30—Parking meters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/24—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for parking meters

Definitions

  • a parking meter has rotary cam means with lugs representing peak demand hours and controlling a cam follower to shift a transmission so that a pointer moves faster dur ing peak demand hours than during normal demand hours from a set position representing a period of time to a position of rest representing the end of a parking period.
  • the cam follower sets the pointer to represent during normal demand hours a longer parking period than during peak demand hours.
  • different coins set the pointer to the same position so that a more valuable coin is required during peak demand hours for the same parking period.
  • Irv/I010 Bumung #41304 4,. an 1 Mb Patented May 30, 1972 s Sheets- -Sheet 4 117 164094 AQ kA/SFA 65 fi' Patented May 30, 1972 5 Sheets-$heet 5 PARKING METER HAVING AN INCREASED RATE DURING PEAK DEMAND PERIODS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • the present invention relates to a coin operated parking meter, or like time vending machine, as are widely used along busy streets, or in garage buildings.
  • an indicating pointer When a coin is inserted, an indicating pointer is set to a position indicating the permitted parking time, and returns from the set position to a position of rest during the alloted parking time, driven by a clockwork.
  • parking meters are subjected to all kinds of unfavorable weather conditions, and since it is difficult to supply electric current to parking meters arranged along a street, parking meters are generally driven by mechanical clockworks, and also the sensing of the inserted coins to determine the value of the same is usually mechanically carried out.
  • the French Pat. No. 1,397,660 discloses a parking arrangement in which a main clock controls a number of auxiliary clocks, each of which is installed in a separate parking area of a garage building, and which operates a barrier which is closed if a car is parked in a parking area or parking box, and opened when no car is parked in the parking area.
  • the barrier closes automatically.
  • the driver of the car must insert coins when returning to his car in order to set the auxiliary clock or parking meter to zero position, in which the barrier can be opened.
  • the parking arrangement disclosed in this French patent has also means by which the main clock drives the auxiliary clocks during nighttime at a lower electric impulse frequency than during daytime.
  • the arrangement is suitable only for parking in separate boxes within a building, and not for use along the curb of a street, since means for supplying electric current, and several cables connecting the main clock with the auxiliary clocks are required.
  • the provision of electrically driven parking meters along a street would be expensive and impractical.
  • the U. S. Pat. No. 2,329,926 discloses an arrangement in which during the-evening hours, a parking meter can be set to a different parking period. During the day, only a single coin can be inserted, which starts movement of the parking meter for a predetermined time period.
  • the parking meter is shifted to evening parking for which there is a great demand by theatre goers.
  • the storage slot is increased so that the user of the parking meter can insert several coins, and these coins are successively sensed and evaluated by the parking meter, so that the user buys instead of a single short parking period, for example onehalf hour, 3 hours, since the coins inserted into the parking meter are stored and successively evaluated.
  • the apparatus depends on service by an operator which sets before the theatre time, the parking meters to the extended parking time for a greater amount of coins.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a parking meter having different charges for the same parking period, depending on the demand for parking space at a particular time.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a parking meter in which the same coin buys different parking periods during normal demand and peak demand for parking space.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanically operating substantially standard parking meter with an auxiliary device by which the parking meter is automatically set to a lower rate and to a higher rate during different hours of the day or night.
  • the present invention is applied to a coin operated parking meter in which by insertion of one or several coins having the same value or different values, a clockwork is started for setting a time indicating pointer to a position representing the value of the inserted coin or coins from which set position the pointer runs back to a position of rest, while indicating on a dial the parking time still available.
  • the clockwork or other drive means of the parking meter drives not only the pointer, but also a rotary control cam with adjustable cam lugs which effect the setting of a parking meter to different rates depending on the time of the day, and the demand for parking space at a particular time.
  • the setting of the parking meter to difierent rates can be accomplished in various ways.
  • the parking meter can be constructed so that insertion ofv the same coin makes a shorter or longer parking time available, depending on the time of the day. For example, inserting a 25 -cent coin may buy 2 hours of parking time during the normal demand period, and less parking time during the peak demand period, in which the higher rate is enforced, so that the same 25-cent coin will buy only one-half hour of parking time.
  • the indicator pointer is moved a greater distance to the set position during the time in which a lower normal rate is to be charged, while the pointer moves less far to its set position and consequently takes less time to return to the position of rest when the lower rate is to be charged.
  • the parking meter is provided with several graduated scales cooperating with the indicator pointer, and the same coin obtains the same position of the pointer, but a transmission is shifted which connects the clockwork with the indicating pointer, so that during normal demand hours, the indicating pointer moves slower to the position of rest, than during the peak demand hours.
  • the same parking period is set by a coin of higher value and by a coin of lower value.
  • a dime may set the indicating pointer to a position indicating half an hour, while during the peak demand time, a 25-cent coin is required to set the pointer to the same parking time.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front view, partially in section, illustrating a parking meter of the type disclosed in the U. S. Pat. No. 3,391,772;
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are fragmentary front elevations illustrating details of the parking meter of FIG. 1, particularly the drive of the indicating pointer;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the pointer drive shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front view of a first embodiment of the invention, as applied to the conventional parking meter of FIG. 1;
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary side elevations illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 5 in two different operational positions
  • FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention applied to the standard parking meter of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front view illustrating a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in which electrical means are used;
  • FIG. is a fragmentary front view of a third embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 10 in which electrical means are used.
  • a pointer moves at different speeds during hours when there is great demand for parking space, and during hours when there is small demand for parking space, but moves the same distance.
  • coins of different values buy the same parking time at different times of the day when the demand for parking space is different.
  • FIGS. 1 to 4 a parking meter of this type is disclosed in detail in the U. S. Pat. No. 3,391,772 to which reference may be made for details omitted in FIGS. 1 to 4 for the sake of simplicity.
  • a parking meter has a transporting disc 1 which includes a gear 2 and a coaxial and spaced disc 3. Between gear 2 and disc 3, three transporting segments 6, 7 and 8 are arranged. Gear 2 is driven through a gear 4 on a shaft 5 by a spring motor, not shown. In a position of rest, the transporting disc 1 is arrested by a lever 9 mounted on a stationary pivot 10, and biassed by a spring 1 l to turn in clockwise direction. Arresting lever 9 has a transversely projecting portion 12 engaging an abutment edge of one of the transporting segments 6, 7 and 8.
  • a transverse portion at the end of lever 9 is located in the path of a coin 16 inserted through a slot, not shown, so that a coin inserted into the coin slot angularly displaces arresting lever 9 against the action of spring 11 in counterclockwise direction so that its transverse projection 12 releases the projection 13 of the edge 14, permitting the transporting disc 1 to turn due to the action of the spring motor driving gear 4, until arresting lever 9 again enters the transporting disc 1 at the trailing end of the abutment edge 14 and locks the transporting disc 1 by engaging the next following projecting portion 14. Since three segments are provided, the transporting disc 1 is stopped after turning 120 upon insertion of one coin. Three coins cause a complete revolution of the transporting disc 1.
  • a feeler lever 18 is mounted on'a stationary pivot 17 and has on its free end, a gear segment 20 meshing with a small pinion 21 mounted on a shaft 22 and connected for rotation with a disc 23 which has a circular slot 24 near its periphery. Stops 25, 26 and 27 are secured in slot 24 by screws 28, and a spring 29 secured to disc 23 near pinion 21 and also to a stationary wall, not shown, urges disc 23 to turn in clockwise direction.
  • Disc 23 has a nose 30 with a projection 31 engaged by a sensing pin 32 on a sensing lever 33 which is mounted on a stationary pivot 45. Stops 25, 26 and 27 are adjustable in radial direction, and also in circumferential direction along slot 24, and also cooperate with the sensing pin 32, as will be explained hereinafter.
  • Feeler lever 18 has a feeler pin 34 which cooperates with the periphery of the transporting disc 1 due to the action of spring 29 which turns disc 23, pinion 21, and gear segment 20.
  • a stationary guide member 36 is provided which has a circular guide surface concentric with transporting disc 1 which is turnably mounted on a shaft 35. When a coin is inserted, it is transported by the respective transport segment while sliding or rolling on the circular guide surface of stationary guide member 36, and a segment-shaped portion of the coin 16 projects beyond the periphery of the disc 3 and engages the feeler pin 34 of feeler lever 18, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the feeler lever 18 is turned by a coin 16 in clockwise direction so that disc 23 is turned in counterclockwise direction through gear segment 20 and pinion 21 an angular distance corresponding to the diameter of coin 16.
  • the stops 25, 26, 27 turn with disc 23, and are arranged in circumferential direction along slot 24 in such a manner that coins of different diameter, and of different value, will turn disc 23 so that the respective associated stop 25, 26, and 27 is located in an accepting position shown for stop 25 in FIG.
  • the ratio between gears 2 and 44 is selected so that gear 44 turns one full revolution when the transporting disc 1 turns upon insertion of a coin.
  • the stops 25, 26 and 27 are placed on disc 23 in circumferentially spaced positions corresponding to the diameters of coins which can be used for the respective parking meter.
  • Each of stops 25, 26, 27 can be adjusted in radial direction so that each of the stops in the accepting position in which stop 25 is shown in FIG. 2, is spaced a different distance from the sensing pin 32.
  • the radial positions of the stops 25, 26 and 27 represent the value of the respective coin, which does not necessarily depend on the diameter of the same, as explained in the U. S. Pat. No. 3,391,772.
  • Sensing lever 33 is controlled by a cam 46, see FIG. 1, which is mounted on shaft 43 together with cam 42, and consequently also turns 360 when any inserted coin effects turning of the transporting disc through 120.
  • Sensing lever 33 has a follower pin 47 which cooperates with a peripheral cam track of cam 46 which turns in clockwise direction so that during the first half of the revolution of cam 46, during which the radius of the respective cam track portion is substantially constant, the sensing lever 33 is not moved.
  • sensing lever 33 Only when sensing lever 33 and its follower pin 47 cooperates with the steep portion 46 of the cam track of cam 46, and after the catch lever 38 has caught one of the stops 25, 26, 27, sensing lever 33 is turned about its stationary pivot in counterclockwise direction until sensing pin 32 engages and abuts a transverse projection of the caught stop 25, 26 or 27.
  • the sensing lever 33 has an arm 48 with a gear segment 49 meshing with a gear 50 mounted for turning movement on a shaft 51.
  • the gear segment 49 drives gear 50.
  • An arm 52 is secured to gear 50 and carries a pivot 53 on which a pawl 54 is mounted for cooperation with a ratchet segment 55 forming part of the indicator 56, so that the motion of sensing lever 33 is transmitted to the indicating pointer 56 which, depending on the radial position of the stops 25, 26 and 27 is turned out of a position of rest a greater or smaller angular distance to a set position.
  • the indicating pointer is then returned by the clockwork to its position of rest in which it indicates on a scale on a dial 57 that the bought parking time has expired.
  • a coin of predetermined value buys a parking time of 60 minutes, for example, during the hours of the day when there is a normal demand for parking space, but buys only 30 minutes, for example, during hours of the day when there is peak demand for parking space.
  • the dial 57 shown in FIG. 2 is consequently provided with two corresponding scales indicating a higher rate and a lower rate, which are respectively valid during peak demand hours and normal demand hours.
  • FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the mechanism by which the indicating pointer 56 is returned during normal demand hours within 60 minutes from the set position to the position of rest, indicated as zero. while the same coin returns the pointer 56 within 30 minutes from the same set position to the position of rest.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 show two supporting walls 60 and 61 between which an escapement mechanism 62 is arranged on a shaft 64, as schematically shown.
  • the escapement mechanism is driven by gears 63 and 65 from the spring motor, not shown.
  • a gear 66 is also secured to shaft 64, and meshes with gear 67 which is mounted on the support wall 60 for rotation.
  • Gear 67 has an annular recess 68 provided with a circular scale showing graduations between 0 and 24 hours corresponding to a day.
  • Adjustable lugs 69 are inserted into the cutout or groove 68 of gear 67, and have a circumferential length and position corresponding to the peak demand hours for parking space. As shown in FIG. 5, the peak demand hours are between :00 and 12:00 am.
  • Lugs 69 project slightly beyond the lateral surface of gear 67.
  • the rotary time cam 67, 68, 69 cooperates with the follower means 70, and constitutes with the same a control means 200 for the indicator 56.
  • Follower means 70 includes a double-armed lever 70 which is mounted upon a bracket 71 by means of a bearing 72, and the left end of the follower lever 70 always abuts either the surface of gear 67 above the cutout 68, or the follower lever 70 is angularly displaced by one of the lugs 69 which represent peak demand hours, while the uninterrupted portions of gear 67 represent normal demand hours.
  • follower lever 70 abuts a pin 73 which passes through the supporting walls 60 and 61, and through a coil spring 74 which abuts at one end on wall 61 and on the other end on a flange 75 of pin 73 so that the follower lever 70 is always urged to turn to a position cooperating with the rotary time cam 67, 68, 69.
  • Biassing pin 73 has an arm 76 engaging a groove of a bushing 77 which serves for shifting a transmission including gears 78 and 79.
  • Bushing 77 is secured to a shaft 80 carrying a gear 81.
  • Shaft 64 carries a gear 82 which drives a shaft 84 through a gear 83. Another gear 85 is mounted on shaft 84 and meshes with a gear 87 on a shaft 88 as shown in FIG. 6. Shaft 88 carries gears 87 and 89. In the position shown in FIG. 6, shaft 80 is driven from gear 82 through gear 83, shaft 84, gear 85, gears 87 and 78, and the transmission ratio of the shiftable transmission 82, 83, 85, 87, 78 corresponds to a normal rate, valid during hours of normal demand for a parking space.
  • follower lever 70 When by gear 67 and one of the cam lugs 69, follower lever 70 is turned from a normal demand position cooperating with gear 67 to a peak demand position cooperating with one of the lugs 69, as shown in FIG. 7, follower lever 70 exerts pressure on pin 73 which is displaced with arm 76 so that bushing 77 and the change gears 78 and 79 are axially shifted to the position of FIG. 7 in which gears 78 and 87 are disengaged, and gears 79 and 89 mesh. Shaft is now driven through members 82, 83, 85, 87, 89, and 79.
  • the ratio of the two transmission stages is l 2, corresponding to the ratio of the two scales on dial 57, and the ratio of the parking times bought at different hours of the day by the same coin.
  • gear 81 is driven at twice the speed than during hours of normal demand.
  • a friction roller 90 is mounted on a lever 91 and transmits the rotation of gear 81 to a gear 92 which transmits its turning motion through a bushing 93 to the indicator pointer 56.
  • the transmission means 82, 83, 85, 87, 78 effect return of the indicator pointer 56 in 60 minutes from the set position to the position of rest, while when the higher rate is valid, and the lugs 69 associated with peak demand hours are operative, the transmission means 82, 83, 85, 87, 89, and 79 are effective so that due to the higher transmission ratio, the indicating pointer 56 returns in 30 minutes from the set position to the position of rest.
  • the sensing means including disc 23, stops 25, 26, 27, sensing lever 33 assume a setting position upon sensing the coin and set the indicating means shown in FIG. 5 and including the pointer 56 to a set position at the upper end of the dial 57.
  • the speed of movement of the pointer 56 from the set position to the position of rest depends on the operations of the follower means 70 cooperating with the time cam 57, 58, 69.
  • the transmission means 78 and 79 By shifting of the transmission means 78 and 79, the indicating means and pointer 56 are influenced to move at different speeds depending on the position of the follower lever 70.
  • a coin having a predetermined value buys a longer parking time during hours of normal demand for parking space, and a shorter parking time during peak demand hours. For example, a 25-cent coin may buy 60 minutes of parking time, or 30 minutes of parking time, depending on the time of the day.
  • the gear 67 shown in FIG. 8 is driven in the manner described with reference to FIG. 6, but is not provided with an annular cutout, but carries a cam with a circular peripheral track corresponding to normal demand hours, and having recesses 102 corresponding to peak demand hours, and to a higher rate.
  • the cam 100 is secured by a disc 103 and by a screw passing through the annular slot 105 so that the cam 100 can be angularly adjusted in relation to the gear 67.
  • the circumferential extension of the recesses 102 which represents the length of the peak demand periods when a higher rate is charged, may be selected in accordance with actual conditions.
  • cam 100 can be angularly adjusted on gear 67' so that the position of earn 100 is in accordance with the time of the day.
  • Time cam means 100, 101, 102 cooperate with the follower lever 104 which is mounted on a pivot 105 and has at its left end, a follower nose 106, and at its right end a transverse arm with a projecting stop 107.
  • a spring 108 turns follower lever 104 about pin 105 so that follower nose 106 engages the cam track of cam 100, 101, 102.
  • Sensing lever 33 has a link 109 pivotally connected and being guided by a pin 110 for linear movement toward and away from stop 107.
  • FIG. 8 shows stop 107 in a position corresponding to the higher rate since cam follower 104 cooperates with the recessed cam track portion 102 representing a peak demand time. During normal demand hours, when follower lever 104, 106 cooperates with cam track portions 101, the stop 107 is located below the link 109 and outside of the path of the same.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a modification of FIG. 8 in which the operating principle is the same, but the parking meter is assumed to be placed in a location, such as a parking garage building, where electric current is available.
  • a spring motor instead of a spring motor, a regulated constant speed direct current motor, supplied with current from a battery or other source, may be used.
  • a follower 104a instead of the cam follower lever 104 with stop 107, a follower 104a cooperates with the rotary time cam means 100, 101, 102, and operates a microswitch 110 which is connected into the circuit of a battery 113 together with a microswitch 111.
  • Microswitches 110 and 111 are connected in series, and switch 110 is closed in the position of FIG.
  • Switch 111 is normally open. Only in the moment in which the respective operative stop 25 has been placed in the accepting position cooperating with sensing pin 32 of sensing lever 33, as shown in FIG. 9, the pin 114 secured to the disc 23 engages the actuator of switch 111 and closes the same so that both switches 1 and 1 11 are closed, and an electromagnet 112 is connected with battery 113 so that the armature 115 is shifted and its end 116, serving as a stop and performing the function of the stop 107 in FIG.
  • sensing lever 33 is located in the path of the link 109 which is shown to have a threaded adjustable end portion 117 by which the exact distance between portion 117 and stop 116 can be determined.
  • the movement of sensing lever 33 is limited by the link 109, 117 abutting stop 116 before sensing pin 32 can reach the setting position in which sensing pin 32 abuts the outer end of stop 25.
  • gear 49 and the other transmission parts connecting the sensing lever 33 with the indicator pointer 56 place pointer 56 in a position which indicates a shorter available parking time than in the case that cam 101 engages cam follower 104a and opens switch 1 10 so that the armature 115 and stop 116 are withdrawn, and link 109, 117 passes the stop 116 without engaging the same, permitting further movement of sensing lever 33 until sensing pin 32 engages stop 25. Since cam track portions 101 represent normal demand hours, indicator pointer 56 is moved to a set position making a longer parking time available for the same coin.
  • the angle of movement of the sensing lever 33 until stopped by link 109, 1 17 and stop 116 may be half the angle of movement of sensing lever 33 until sensing pin 32 abuts stop 25, so that the same coin buys only half the parking time during peak hours, as compared with hours of normal demand for parking space.
  • coins of different value buy the same time during normal demand hours and peak demand hours.
  • normal demand hours half an hour of parking time is obtained by insertion of a lO-cent coin, while half an hour during the peak demand period requires the insertion of a 25-c ent coin.
  • the disc 23 carries two stops 25 and 26 which are set for a lO-cent coin and for a 25-cent coin, respectively. If a ten cent coin is inserted during the normal demand hours, the operation takes place as explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
  • a mechanical construction is illustrated in FIG. 10, and includes a gear 67" which is operated as explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.
  • a time cam 120 is attached to gear 67", and is designed to have only one period during which the higher rate is to be charged, and this period is represented by the recessed cam track portion 129 of the rotary time cam 120.
  • the time period between 5 o'clock and 8 o'clock p.rn. may be designated as a time during which the higher rate is to be charged
  • a follower lever 122 senses the rotary time cam 120, and is angularly displaced about the pivot 123 by cam track portions of different radial height.
  • an angular double armed lever 125 is mounted on a pivot 124, which has on its right arm, a coupling pin 126.
  • the left arm of coupling lever 125 has a transverse portion whose ends are bent up so that the bent lugs 127 are limits for the angular movement of coupling lever 125 relative to the follower lever 122.
  • a spring 128 biasses coupling lever 125 to assume a pOSition in which left lug 127 abuts follower lever 122 so that the same is biassed toward the cam track of the rotary time cam 120 of the control means 200.
  • Coupling lever 125 cooperates with another coupling lever 129 which is mounted on a stationary pivot 130.
  • the coupling pin 126 of lever 125 normally abuts a slanted end face at the left end of lever 129.
  • a projecting nose 131 is provided which cooperates with a pin 132 secured to disc 23.
  • FIG. 10 shows, in broken lines, the position of lever 129 and of pin 132 shortly before catch lever 38 arrives in its arresting position.
  • catch lever 38 arrives in the arresting position, in which the respective stop 25 or 26 is arrested, together with disc 23 so that the same cannot turn due to the action of spring 29, pin 132 assumes a position corresponding to the position of lever 129 shown in dash and dot lines in FIG. 10.
  • pin 132 turns lever 129 in clockwise direction, so that the slanted end face of the left arm of lever 129 engages and displaces coupling pin 126 by which catch lever 38 is turned to the position shown in chain lines, resulting in release of stop 25 and thereby of disc 23 so that the same can be turned in clockwise direction by spring 29 resulting in the inserted ten cent coin dropping into the coin receptacle (not shown) but not adjusting any parking time.
  • the low value coin which is insufficient for operating the parking lever during peak demand hours, is taken, but is not used for setting the indicator to any parking time.
  • FIG. 10 actually shows the apparatus set for use with German coins, namely a 50 Pfg coin and a 10 Pfg coin.
  • a 50 Pfg coin is used during the peak demand hours when a high rate is charged, the indicator pointer is properly set because disc 23 turns to a position in which stop 26, associated with the 50 Pfg coin is caught by the catch lever before pin 132 on disc 23 arrives in the effective region of the nose 131.
  • stops 25 and 26 can be adjusted in radial directions, and the radial distance between sensing pin 32 and stops-25 or 26 determines the angle of displacement of the pointer 56. Therefore, stops 25 and 26 can be adjusted to the same radial height for obtaining the same set position of the pointer, corresponding to the same parking time for coins of different value.
  • stops 25 and 26 it is possible to obtain a shorter parking time when a high value coin is used during peak demand hours than the parking time bought by a coin of lesser value during the normal demand hoursJIhe German 50 Pfg coin has a smaller diameter than the 10 Pfg. coin.
  • the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 11 operates on the same principle as the apparatus shown in FIG. 10. However, it is assumed that a voltage is available, which may be the case if the parking meter is provided in a garage building, or a battery may be associated with the parking meter in other locations.
  • two switches 140 and 141 and an electromagnet 142 having an armature 143 are connected in series with the battery 113.
  • a doublearmed lever 144 is pivotally connected with the armature 143, and has an arm cooperating with an extended arm 145 of catch lever 38.
  • Two stops 25 and 26 are mounted on the disc 23, stop 26 corresponding to a 50 Pfg coin, and stop 25 corresponding to a l Pfg coin.
  • switch 140 is closed by a lug 146 mounted on a disc 147 secured to the gear 67". The position of each lug 146 can be adjusted circumferentially by means of an annular slot 148 in the disc 147.
  • Switch 141 is normally open, but is closed by pin 149 on disc 23 when during the time when the high rate is valid, a coin of low value, for example a Pfg coin is inserted. Since the 10 Pfg coin has a greater diameter than the 50 Pfg coin, the stop 25 associated with the 10 Pfg coin trails the stop 26 associated with the SO Pfg coin. The angular position of pin 149 relative to the stop 25 is selected so that switch 141 is closed when stop 25 is arrested by the catch lever 38.
  • switch 141 is not closed, so that the inserted 50 Pfg coin causes sensing of the respective stop 26 by sensing pin 31 and sensing lever 33, resulting in the desired indication of a certain parking time on the dial of the parking meter by the set pointer 56.
  • parking meter as used in the preceding description and the following claims, is exemplary and is intended to include any other coin-operated time vending machine.
  • Parking meter having an increased rate during peak demand periods, comprising: constant speed drive means; control means driven by said drive means and including rotary time cam means having first and second cam track portions representing normal demand hours and peak demand hours,
  • operating means including sensing means for sensing a dimension of at least one coin and assuming a setting position representing the value of the coin; and indicating means including an indicator having a position of rest, and at least one set position indicating a bought parking period, and being connected with said sensing means and set by the same in said setting position to said set position when the same senses a coin, said indicating means being driven by said drive means to return said indicator from said set position to said position of rest, and being controlled by said follower means in said normal demand position and said peak demand position so that for the same coin value said indicator requires a longer time during normal demand hours than during peak demand hours to return from said set position to said position of rest whereby different rates are charged during said normal and peak hours.
  • said indicating means include a shiftablc transmission connecting said sensing means with said indicator and being shifted by said follower means between at least two positions for causing slower return movement of said indicator from said set position to said position of rest during said normal demand hours than during said peak demand hours.
  • Parking meter as claimed in claim 2 wherein said indicating means includes two graduated scales of the same length having the same ratio as said transmission; wherein said indicator is a pointer moving over said two scales between said set position and said position of rest for indicating on said scales the still available parking time during normal demand hours and peak demand hours, respectively.
  • said rotary time cam means include a cam disc having a circular cam track forming said first cam track portion, and at least one cam element mounted on said cam disc adjustably in circumferential direction and forming said second cam track portion for interrupting said circular cam track.
  • said operating means include biassing means for biassing said sensing means to move to said setting position a distance determined by a coin; and wherein said follower means includes a stop located in said peak demand position in the path of movement of said sensing means to said setting position to stop the same before arriving in said setting position so that said indicator is set to indicate a shorter available parking time than when said sensing means moves to said setting position whereby said indicator returns in said normal and peak demand hours at the same speed to said position of rest but moves different distances to the same.
  • said sensing means includes a spring biassed sensing lever, and a link guided for movement toward and away from said follower means; and wherein said follower means includes a member having said stop located in the path of movement of said link when said follower means is in said peak demand position, and located outside of said path in said normal demand position.
  • said follower means includes a follower cooperating with said time cam means, a switch closed by said follower when sensing said second cam track portion, and electromagnetic means controlled by said switch and including a movable part having said stop so that, when said switch is closed during peak demand hours, said stop blocks movement of said sensing means before the same arrive in said setting position.
  • said operating means includes transporting means for transporting a coin of low value and a coin of high value to said sensing means so that the same moves to said setting position for setting said indicator to said set position; and wherein said follower means in said peak demand position prevents setting of said indicator means by a coin of low value.
  • said follower means include a follower cooperating with said time cam, a switch closed by said follower when sensing said second cam track portion, and electromagnetic means controlled by said switch, and including a movable part; and rejecting means actuated by said movable part of said electromagnetic means in said peak demand position of said follower means to start a return movement of said transporting means with said coin of low value before the same is sensed by said sensing means whereby said indicating means is not set to said set position by said sensing means.
  • said rejecting means include a catch lever for stopping said transporting means in a sensing position, and a coupling lever connecting said catch lever with said follower means in said peak demand position for withdrawing said catch lever whereby said return movement of said transporting means is started with the coin of low value.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
US108102A 1970-01-21 1971-01-20 Parking meter having an increased rate during peak demand periods Expired - Lifetime US3666067A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19702002468 DE2002468A1 (de) 1970-01-21 1970-01-21 Muenzbetaetigte Parkuhr fuer mehrere Tarife

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3666067A true US3666067A (en) 1972-05-30

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ID=5760102

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US108102A Expired - Lifetime US3666067A (en) 1970-01-21 1971-01-20 Parking meter having an increased rate during peak demand periods

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3666067A (de)
DE (1) DE2002468A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2077246A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1287711A (de)
SE (2) SE388705B (de)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4807737A (en) * 1984-02-10 1989-02-28 Kienzle Apparate Gmbh Manually actuated, self-collecting parking meter
US20030172754A1 (en) * 2000-06-18 2003-09-18 Groeneveld Floris J Driving device including a position indicator
USD705090S1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2014-05-20 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter
US8770371B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2014-07-08 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter and removable single space parking meter mechanism
US9494922B2 (en) 2008-12-23 2016-11-15 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space wireless parking with improved antenna placements
US9652921B2 (en) 2015-06-16 2017-05-16 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Coin chute with anti-fishing assembly
USD863075S1 (en) 2015-10-16 2019-10-15 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter
USRE48566E1 (en) 2015-07-15 2021-05-25 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter
US11762479B2 (en) 2019-01-30 2023-09-19 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited SPI keyboard module for a parking meter and a parking meter having an SPI keyboard module
US11922756B2 (en) 2019-01-30 2024-03-05 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter having touchscreen display
US11972654B2 (en) 2015-08-11 2024-04-30 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Lightweight vandal resistant parking meter

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US735505A (en) * 1900-12-04 1903-08-04 Gen Electric Charging device for electromobiles.
US2591402A (en) * 1949-10-26 1952-04-01 Gen Time Corp Timing movement
GB1127751A (en) * 1964-01-31 1968-09-18 Bertie Adolph Green Improvements relating to time controlled coin operable mechanism

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US735505A (en) * 1900-12-04 1903-08-04 Gen Electric Charging device for electromobiles.
US2591402A (en) * 1949-10-26 1952-04-01 Gen Time Corp Timing movement
GB1127751A (en) * 1964-01-31 1968-09-18 Bertie Adolph Green Improvements relating to time controlled coin operable mechanism

Cited By (32)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4807737A (en) * 1984-02-10 1989-02-28 Kienzle Apparate Gmbh Manually actuated, self-collecting parking meter
US20030172754A1 (en) * 2000-06-18 2003-09-18 Groeneveld Floris J Driving device including a position indicator
US6925958B2 (en) * 2000-06-28 2005-08-09 El-O-Matic B.V. Driving device including a position indicator
US9494922B2 (en) 2008-12-23 2016-11-15 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space wireless parking with improved antenna placements
US10573953B2 (en) 2008-12-23 2020-02-25 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space wireless parking with improved antenna placements
US10998612B2 (en) 2008-12-23 2021-05-04 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space wireless parking with improved antenna placements
US11670835B2 (en) 2008-12-23 2023-06-06 J.J Mackay Canada Limited Single space wireless parking with improved antenna placements
US10141629B2 (en) 2008-12-23 2018-11-27 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space wireless parking with improved antenna placements
US10424147B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2019-09-24 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter with contactless payment
US10861278B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2020-12-08 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter with contactless payment
US8770371B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2014-07-08 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter and removable single space parking meter mechanism
US9842455B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2017-12-12 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter and removable single space parking meter mechanism
US9934645B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2018-04-03 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter with contactless payment
US9406056B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2016-08-02 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter with contactless payment
US10192388B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2019-01-29 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter and removable single space parking meter mechanism
US9443236B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2016-09-13 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter and removable single space parking meter mechanism
US12008856B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2024-06-11 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter and removable single space parking meter mechanism
US11699321B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2023-07-11 J.J Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter with contactless payment
US8807317B2 (en) 2011-03-03 2014-08-19 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter and removable single space parking meter mechanism
USD716157S1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2014-10-28 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter
USD705090S1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2014-05-20 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter
US9652921B2 (en) 2015-06-16 2017-05-16 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Coin chute with anti-fishing assembly
USRE48566E1 (en) 2015-07-15 2021-05-25 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter
US11972654B2 (en) 2015-08-11 2024-04-30 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Lightweight vandal resistant parking meter
US11978300B2 (en) 2015-08-11 2024-05-07 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Single space parking meter
USD863988S1 (en) 2015-10-16 2019-10-22 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter
USD863987S1 (en) 2015-10-16 2019-10-22 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter
USD863076S1 (en) 2015-10-16 2019-10-15 J. J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter
USD863074S1 (en) 2015-10-16 2019-10-15 J. J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter
USD863075S1 (en) 2015-10-16 2019-10-15 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter
US11762479B2 (en) 2019-01-30 2023-09-19 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited SPI keyboard module for a parking meter and a parking meter having an SPI keyboard module
US11922756B2 (en) 2019-01-30 2024-03-05 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Parking meter having touchscreen display

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1287711A (en) 1972-09-06
SE388705B (sv) 1976-10-11
SE7500787L (de) 1975-01-24
DE2002468A1 (de) 1971-07-29
FR2077246A1 (de) 1971-10-22

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