US3828907A - Deferred time meter - Google Patents

Deferred time meter Download PDF

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Publication number
US3828907A
US3828907A US00351235A US35123573A US3828907A US 3828907 A US3828907 A US 3828907A US 00351235 A US00351235 A US 00351235A US 35123573 A US35123573 A US 35123573A US 3828907 A US3828907 A US 3828907A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
movement
clock mechanism
winding
meter
construction
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00351235A
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English (en)
Inventor
W Bock
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Duncan Industries Parking Control Systems Corp
Original Assignee
Qonaar Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Qonaar Corp filed Critical Qonaar Corp
Priority to US00351235A priority Critical patent/US3828907A/en
Priority to SE7404894A priority patent/SE395780B/xx
Priority to CA197,421A priority patent/CA1004860A/en
Priority to GB1617974A priority patent/GB1457566A/en
Priority to DE19742417723 priority patent/DE2417723C3/de
Priority to IT21326/74A priority patent/IT1007888B/it
Priority to FR7413147A priority patent/FR2225792B1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3828907A publication Critical patent/US3828907A/en
Assigned to CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO reassignment CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: QONAAR CORPORATION
Assigned to CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION reassignment CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: QONAAR CORORATION, 3 CONTINENTAL TOWERS, STE. 1100, ROLLING MEADOWS, IL. 60008, A CORP. OF DE.
Assigned to DUNCAN INDUSTRIES PARKING CONTROL SYSTEMS CORP., 1701 GOLF ROAD, ROLLING MEADOWS, ILLINOIS 60008 A DE. CORP. reassignment DUNCAN INDUSTRIES PARKING CONTROL SYSTEMS CORP., 1701 GOLF ROAD, ROLLING MEADOWS, ILLINOIS 60008 A DE. CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: QONAAR CORPORATION
Assigned to DUNCAN INDUSTRIES PARKING CONTROL SYSTEMS CORP., A CORP. OF DE reassignment DUNCAN INDUSTRIES PARKING CONTROL SYSTEMS CORP., A CORP. OF DE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: QONAAR CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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

  • the meter includes indicator means to visually indicate the amount of time [22] Filed: Apr. 16, 1973 pur- Appl' 351235 chased, and retaining means are employed to engage the indicator means for preventing movement thereof U s or 194/72, 194/1310. 22
  • a contacting mechanism is G07f 17/24 associated with release means for the retaining means.
  • references Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS provide a visual indication of the time purchased. The meter thus avoids any display of time purchased until the minimum legal amount of coins have been inserted in the meter.
  • the meters are designed to accept a plurality of coins, often coins of different denominations.
  • the meters will thus allow for the purchase of a certain increment of time upon insertion of a coin with additional increments of time becoming available if more coins are inserted.
  • meters may be set to permit use of a space for a few minutes upon insertion of a single coin of small denomination, while also permitting use for a few hours if a shopper inserts a sufficient amount of money.
  • FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a parking meter housing suitable for incorporation of the novel mechanisms of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an elevational view illustrating mechanisms located in the interior of the meter housing, particularly the coin carrier and winding mechanisms;
  • FIG. 3 is an elevational view illustrating additional mechanisms located in the interior of the construction
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken about the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a detail view illustrating a ramp structure employed in the construction for controlling the operation of the Time Expired flag.
  • FIG. 6 is a detail view of the cam element employed for controlling the operation of the meter indicating needle
  • FIG. 7 is a detail view of the indicator needle
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken about the line 88 of FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken about the line 9-9 of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 10 is an elevational view illustrating the mechanisms shown in FIG. 3 after the completion of a time purchase operation.
  • FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the same mechanisms in the positions occupied just prior to the conclusion of the time purchase operation.
  • the construction of this invention generally relates to a meter employing means for achieving the purchase of time, and for indicating the amount of time purchased.
  • the meter which may be utilized for controlling the use of a parking space, is adapted to receive a series of coins, with the receipt of each coin being followed by a winding operation.
  • the indicator means for visually indicating the amount of time purchased is held in position by a retaining means whereby the indicating function will not occur until a sufficient amount of money has been inserted to achieve the purchase of a preselected amount of time.
  • the retaining means employed is associated with a release means which is connected to the means for winding the clock mechanism of the meter.
  • a contact structure is operated during the wind for movement into contact with the retaining means to disengage the retaining means relative to the indicator means. This operation is carried out automatically when the predetermined amount of time has been purchased, and the user of the meter does not have to perform any special operating steps in order to operate the meter.
  • the drawings illustrate a construction 10 including a housing 12 of the type used for a parking meter.
  • the housing includes a front face carrying a manually operable handle 14 and defining coin slots 16. As indicated, these slots are adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters; however, it will be illustrated that the concepts of the invention are usable in connection with coins of different denominations as well as tokens or other coin substitutes.
  • a dial 18 is supported on the meter housing, and an indicator needle 20 is adapted for movement adjacent the dial to indicate various amounts of unexpired time.
  • the meter is a 10-hour meter of the type commonly used for extended period parking.
  • a Time Expired flag 22 is displayed in the open area defined beneath the dial 18. This flag indicates that the winding mechanism for the clock has wound down, and it simplifies visual inspection by law enforcement personnel.
  • a transparent cover for the meter (not shown) is normally provided to protect the meter mechanisms.
  • the winding ring 28 is tied to a winding disc 30 which, as will be explained, functions as the release means of the invention.
  • Fasteners such as rivets 32, are employed for accomplishing the connection between these members so that rotation of the winding ring results in corresponding rotation of the disc 30.
  • a plurality of openings 34 are formed in the winding ring so that the relative position of the ring and disc can be changed depending upon the particular meter application involved.
  • the relative positions of these members can be used to regulate the degree of wind for a given coin which accounts for the provision of different relative positions.
  • a cam plate 36 is supported on the disc 30 for movement therewith.
  • the cam plate includes an opening 38 which receives a shaft 39.
  • This shaft supports at one end the winding ring 28 and extends through the disc 30 and cam plate 36 to the clock mechanism of the meter. Accordingly, the winding ring, disc, cam plate and clock mechanism are all simultaneously operated.
  • the position of the cam plate relative to the disc is controlled by means of a post 40 which extends through a second opening 42 positioned in spaced relationship relative to the axis of the cam plate.
  • the relative position of the cam plate on the disc affects the operation of the indicator needle after a time purchase operation is concluded, and different positions for the post 40 may, therefore, be selected depending upon the operation desired.
  • the configuration of the cam plate can also be varied for purposes of varying the meter operation.
  • the disc defines a rim 44 which provides a bearing surface for a follower 46 defined by the Time Expired" flag 22.
  • This flag is pivotally connected to the meter housing at 48, and a short arm portion 50 of the flag supports the follower 46 which may take the form of a pin secured in an appropriate opening defined by the arm 50.
  • the Time Expired flag is positioned at the end of the longer arm 52, and this arm is curved to accommodate the other mechanisms illustrated.
  • the meter housing also supports a Violation flag 54 which is secured to pivoting rod 56.
  • the rod 56 extends from the front wall of the meter housing to the rear wall behind the pivotal connection of the arm 58 Y which supports the flag 54.
  • a first spring 60 normally urges the arm 58 in a counterclockwise direction relative to the position shown in FIG. 3.
  • the flag 54 is, however, normally maintained in the depressed position shown in this figure and in FIG. 2 due to the engagement of the coin carrier 24 and pin 62 carried by shaft 56.
  • the coin carrier is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction by spring 64 which has one end attached at 66 to the coin carrier and the other end attached at 68 to the front wall of the housing 12.
  • the spring 64 applies a superior force relative to the spring 60 to maintain the normally depressed position of the flag 54.
  • the engagement with pin 62 is removed whereby the shaft 56 will pivot in response to the action of spring 60.
  • This operation raises the Violation flag which prevents a driver from partially rotating the coin carrier in an attempt to confuse law enforcement officials.
  • the function of the Violation flag is more fully described in Sollenberger U.S. Pat. No. 2,603,288.
  • An additional spring 70 is also attached at one end to the meter housing at 72 with the other end being attached to a boss 74 defined by the Time Expired flag at the pivot axis 48.
  • the spring 70 urges the Time Expired flag in the counterclockwise direction whereby this flag is normally maintained in the raised or visible position.
  • the indicator needle 20 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 7.
  • This needle includes a pointer 76 at one end of arm 78 with the other end of the arm being secured to the support 80.
  • This support includes an opening 82 which enables pivotal attachment of the pointer to the intermediate wall 84 of the meter housing.
  • a plurality of studs 86 are formed on the support, and these studs bear against the wall 84 to hold the pointer in spaced relationship relative to this wall thereby permitting free movement thereof.
  • a cam follower in the form of pin 88 extends outwardly from the support in a direction opposite the studs 86. This cam follower is adapted to engage the periphery 90 of the cam 36.
  • An additional stud 92 is formed on the support 80, and this stud pivotally supports link 94.
  • the link 94 defines an elongated slot 95 which receives a pin 97 carried by the arm portion 58 which is connected to flag 54.
  • this arrangement permits relative movement between the indicator 20 and the flag 54 whereby the flag can be raised while the indicator is in the zero position as shown in FIG. 3, and whereby the indicator can be moved to the full time purchase position of FIG. 10 with the flag 54 in the lower position.
  • the flag 54 is utilized during the winding portion of the meter operation to insure that a driver does not attempt to disrupt the meter function by failing to complete the winding operation.
  • the indicator needle is provided with a built-up section 96 located on the arm 78 (FIGS. 4 and 8).
  • This built-up section defines an engaging surface 98 which is adapted to be held against a corresponding engaging surface 100 defined by the arm 52 of flag 22.
  • the surface 100 is formed by means of a built-up section 102 formed on the surface of arm 52.
  • the disc 30 defines an interior wall 104 which extends from aposition displaced from the axis of the disc outwardly to the rim 44 of the disc.
  • a triangularly shaped ramp 106 is formed adjacent the intersection of this wall and the disc rim. As will be explained in discussing the operation of the meter, this wall and ramp are engageable with the follower pin 46 carried by the short arm portion 50 of the Time Expired flag 22.
  • the operation of the meter construction commences in the normal fashion upon insertion of a coin in one of the slot 16 with the coin then being received in one of the aligned slots 25 defined by the coin carrier 24. At this point, the condition of the meter is as shown in FIG. 2 with the Time Expired flag in the raised position and with the indicator 20 at the zero position.
  • the rod 56 is pivoted by means of spring 60 whereby the Violation flag 54 is also moved to the raised position. As indicated, this movement is accomplished without affecting the position of the indicator 20 due to the fact that the pin 97 carried by the flag 54 moves within the slot 95 of the link 94.
  • a pawl carried by the coin carrier 24 will engage one of the teeth 26 whereby the winding wheel and the associated disc 30 and clock mechanism will move through a certain number of degrees. Assuming that each dime will purchase 2 hours of time with the meter being legally used only upon the purchase of hours, the degree of wind will be sufficient to set the clock mechanism for two hours. Although the disc 30 is rotated, this will have no affect on the Time Expired flag 22 since the wall 104 and ramp 106 are not moved sufficiently to engage the follower 46 of the flag 22. Since theTime Expired flag remains in position, the indicator 20 is also held in position due the continued engagement of the surfaces 98 and 100 defined by these members.
  • the clock mechanism continues to be wound, and the position of the wall 104 and ramp 106 gradually moves toward the follower 46 of the flag 22.
  • the wind causes engagement of the follower 46 with the wall 104 which drives the follower outwardly.
  • This action causes the Time Expired flag to begin movement to the lower position which, in turn, commences releasing movement of the indicator 20.
  • the follower 46 is eventually driven beyond the rim 44 of the disc 30 by which time the indicator needle is completely released.
  • a light spring 108 is associated with the indicator to urge the indicator in a clockwise direction when released by the Time Expired flag.
  • the ramp 106 operates to impart an inward movement to the flag 22 at the same time that the wall 104 is imparting pivoting movement. This inward movement serves to insure passage of the indicator 20 beyond the flag 22 since the inward movement separates the surfaces 98 and 100 laterally.
  • the ramp drives the follower 46 upwardly over the rim of the disc 30 and into the opening 107 defined by the hookshaped member 109. This member also serves to stop the timer when the indicator reaches the zero position.
  • the opening 107 prevents overwinding of the flag when the mechanism is wound to approximately 300.
  • the wall and ramp preferably comprises a separate element, referred to as a contact means," which can be mounted in different positions on the release means made up by the disc 30, the fastener 111 being suitable for this purpose.
  • the periphery of the cam will be moved into position for engagement by the follower 88 of the indicator.
  • the follower 88 engages the cam at a point adjacent the axis of the cam in the maximum time position of the indicator. Since the cam moves with the disc 30 as the clock mechanism unwinds, the cam will gradually force the follower outwardly away from the axis resulting in gradual movement of the indicator toward the zero time position.
  • the follower 46 of the Time Expired flag 22 is maintained in engagement with the rim 44 of the disc 30 as the clock mechanism unwinds. As shown in FIG. 5, the rim is interrupted at 110, and this interruption is moved adjacent the follower 46 when the clock mechanism is at the end of the unwinding operation. Due to the action of spring 70, the Time Expired" flag is pivoted to the raised position at this point. Since the pointer 20 will be at the zero position at this time, the respective surfaces 98 and 100 will move into enggagement whereby retaining of the indicator is accomplished until the Time Expired flag is again driven to its lowered position. This, of course, can only be accomplished when sufficient coins are inserted to move the wall 104 and associated ramp 106 into engagement with the follower 46.
  • the meters described can be operated without the necessity for limiting the type of coin which can be used.
  • the meter operates in a completely satisfactory fashion when numerous coins of small denomination are utilized or when one or more coins of larger denomination are utilized. For example, if a quarter is required for purchasing the pre-determined time desired, the driver can readily use 5 nickels, 2 dimes and a nickel, or any other combination of nickels and dimes as well as a single quarter.
  • a meter construction including a housing, a clock mechanism located within the housing, means for receiving coins, means for winding the clock mechanism upon the insertion of coins, and indicator means comprising a pointer movable over a dial face for visually indicating the amount of time purchased, the improvement comprising retaining means normally engaging said indicator means for preventing movement thereof, said retaining means defining a pointer engaging surface normally in contact with said pointer, release means connected to said means for winding said clock mechanism, contact means associated with said release means for movement into contact with said retaining means upon movement of the release means during winding of said clock mechanism, the contact means of said release means comprising a ramp movable into contact with said retaining means for moving the engaging surface of said retaining means out of contact with said pointer, said contact means being thereby operative to disengage said retaining means relative to said indicator means upon movement of the clock mechanism through a predetermined distance whereby visual indication of the time purchased is achieved after said clock mechanism has moved through said predetermined distance.
  • said means for winding said clock mechanism comprises a time setting wheel, said release means comprising a disc attached to said wheel, and wherein said ramp is removably attached to said disc.
  • a meter construction including a housing, a clock mechanism located within the housing, means for receiving coins, means for winding the clock mechanism in steps upon the successive insertion of coins, indicator means for visually indicating the amount of time purchased, and means normally urgingthe indicator means for movement in response to said winding a distance corresponding to the degree of wind
  • the improvement comprising retaining means normally engaging said indicator means for preventing movement thereof, release means connected to said means for winding said clock mechanism, contact means associated with said release means for movement into contact with said retaining means upon movement of the release means during winding of said clock mechanism, said contact means being thereby operative to disengage said retaining means relative to said indicator means upon movement of the clock mechanism through a predetermined distance whereby no movement of the indicator means occurs and no visual indication of the time purchased is achieved until after said clock mechanism has moved through said predetermined distance.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Time Recorders, Dirve Recorders, Access Control (AREA)
  • Displays For Variable Information Using Movable Means (AREA)
US00351235A 1973-04-16 1973-04-16 Deferred time meter Expired - Lifetime US3828907A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00351235A US3828907A (en) 1973-04-16 1973-04-16 Deferred time meter
SE7404894A SE395780B (sv) 1973-04-16 1974-04-10 Tidmetare
GB1617974A GB1457566A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-04-11 Deferred time meter
DE19742417723 DE2417723C3 (de) 1973-04-16 1974-04-11 Einrichtung zum Zumessen eines Zeitabschnitts gegen Entgelt, insbesondere Parkuhr
IT21326/74A IT1007888B (it) 1973-04-16 1974-04-11 Misuratore di tempo di tipo dif ferito
CA197,421A CA1004860A (en) 1973-04-16 1974-04-11 Deferred time meter
FR7413147A FR2225792B1 (fr) 1973-04-16 1974-04-16

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00351235A US3828907A (en) 1973-04-16 1973-04-16 Deferred time meter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3828907A true US3828907A (en) 1974-08-13

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ID=23380138

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00351235A Expired - Lifetime US3828907A (en) 1973-04-16 1973-04-16 Deferred time meter

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3828907A (fr)
CA (1) CA1004860A (fr)
FR (1) FR2225792B1 (fr)
GB (1) GB1457566A (fr)
IT (1) IT1007888B (fr)
SE (1) SE395780B (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3961695A (en) * 1973-05-10 1976-06-08 Kienzle Apparate Gmbh Manually activated apparatus for timing intervals of different magnitude
US3964590A (en) * 1975-05-16 1976-06-22 Qonaar Corporation Parking meter with automatic reading means
US4195471A (en) * 1977-05-06 1980-04-01 Verhoeven Marc L R M Parking meter
US4397382A (en) * 1981-08-10 1983-08-09 Branker H Earle Coin operated meter
US4607739A (en) * 1983-04-19 1986-08-26 Kienzle Apparate Gmbh Coin activated timer mechanism

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3961695A (en) * 1973-05-10 1976-06-08 Kienzle Apparate Gmbh Manually activated apparatus for timing intervals of different magnitude
US3964590A (en) * 1975-05-16 1976-06-22 Qonaar Corporation Parking meter with automatic reading means
US4195471A (en) * 1977-05-06 1980-04-01 Verhoeven Marc L R M Parking meter
US4397382A (en) * 1981-08-10 1983-08-09 Branker H Earle Coin operated meter
US4607739A (en) * 1983-04-19 1986-08-26 Kienzle Apparate Gmbh Coin activated timer mechanism

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2417723A1 (de) 1974-10-31
SE395780B (sv) 1977-08-22
IT1007888B (it) 1976-10-30
FR2225792A1 (fr) 1974-11-08
CA1004860A (en) 1977-02-08
DE2417723B2 (de) 1976-04-22
GB1457566A (en) 1976-12-08
FR2225792B1 (fr) 1977-07-08

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPA

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:QONAAR CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004139/0474

Effective date: 19830511

AS Assignment

Owner name: CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPA

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:QONAAR CORORATION, 3 CONTINENTAL TOWERS, STE. 1100, ROLLING MEADOWS, IL. 60008, A CORP. OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004492/0565

Effective date: 19851031

AS Assignment

Owner name: DUNCAN INDUSTRIES PARKING CONTROL SYSTEMS CORP., 1

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:QONAAR CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004811/0658

Effective date: 19870726

AS Assignment

Owner name: DUNCAN INDUSTRIES PARKING CONTROL SYSTEMS CORP., A

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:QONAAR CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005004/0704

Effective date: 19870726