US965891A - Coin-freed prepayment mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

. W. HAMILTON, COIN FREED PREPAYMENT MECHANISM. APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 21, 1909.

Patented Aug. 2, 34.910.

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W. HAMILTON. COIN PREED PREPAYMENT MECHANISM.

APPLIUTION FILED JUNE 21, 1909. 965,89 Patented Aug. 2, 1910.

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HAMILTON. FRBED PREPAYMENT MEGHANSM.

APPLIGATOH FLED JUNE 2l, 1909. a

Patented Aug. 2, i910.

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W. HAMILTON. COIN PRBED PREPAYMENT MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21, 190D. Q g Fatend Aug. 2, w10.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE.

WILLIAM HAMILTON, OFiHOLLINWUOD, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO FERRANTI LIMITED I OF HOLLINWOOD, ENGLAND.

COIN-FRED PREPAYMENT MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Original application filed November 4, 1907, Serial No. 400,597.

Patented Aug. 2, 1910.

1909. Serial No. 503,434.

To all, whom it muy concern.'

Be it known thatv I, lViLLrAu HAMILTON, a subject ot the King ot' Great- Britain and ireland, and residing at l'lollinwood.I in the county of Lancaster', England, have invented certain new. and useful Improvements in and Relating to Coin-Freed Prepayment iechanism, of which the following is ay specification.

The present application is a divisional from my prior patent application No. 400,597, filed A,\'oven'iber 4 190i.

This invention relates to Coin-freed prepayment mechanism and is especially applitable'to such mechanisms as are used in conjunction with and electricity meters.

This invention consists broadly in a coin freed prepayment mechanism in which means are provided for reducing the force required to retain the controlling mechanism in its operative position or-release it therefrom.

This invention consists more specifically in a coin-freed prepayment mechanism tor meters in which a train of gearing is interposed between the release and fluid control gears vwhereby a substantial reduction is ett'ected in the force required to release. the control gear or retain it in the operative position.

l'tei'erring now to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention and form part of the specieation, Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a meter provided with prepayment mechanism according to my invention, Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the view shown in Fig. l with the meter portion removed, Fig. 3 is an elevation of theprepayment mechanism with the front plate removed. Figs. 4,- and 5 are detail views of the mechanism showing the switch in the open and closed positions respectively. Fig. t3 is a part plan view showing the diii'ereutial gearing. Fig and 8 are detail views ot' the coin re ..iver.

in carrying the invention into e'ect according to one form and as applied by way ol example to an electricity meter, a coin sha'i't, (l, Figs. 2 and 3, is rotatably mounted in a frame composed of front and back plates, and e, respectively, assembled in any suitable manner; this: frame is preterably n'iounted on the structure, d, which carries the meter. To the coin shaft a cylindrical coin receiver, c, Figs. 7 and 8, is attached which rotates in a casing, f, disposed on the front plate, the end' of the receiver being suitably formed for attaching the operating handle, g, thereto.

In the cylindrical coin receiver a chamber, L, is formed into which the coins discharged from the coin guide, t', Figs. l and 2, are. conducted, the external casing of the coin reeeiver being dispensed with in proximity to the coin guide so as to allow the coin to enter the receiver and also for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

lVhen no coin has been introduced into the receiver the operating handle can only be partially rotated as its xmovement is limited by a stop, on the coin receiver shutting against stops, /if and L, on the t'ront plate, Figs. T and S. The stop, in the coin receiver is mounted on a spring, which forms the bottom of the chamber, f1, into which the coin is discharged from the coin guide, and is adapted to be prevented from engaging with the fixed stop, 11:, when the coin is inserted and the operating handle, (j, is rotated.

The above result is effected by tormii'ig'the aperture, m, in the casing at the coin guide of suliicient. size to accommodate theI coins used, at the initial position of the coin receiver, e., when the stop, j, ahuts against. the stop, 7e, and the chamber L, in the coin receiver registers with the coin guide, i, while for the part. of the revolution ot the receiver corresponding to the amount ot' movement ot the coin shaft between the stops, c and 7e, the. aperture in the casingis diminished in width as shown in Fig. 2so that the coin may project i'roinithe receiver. The restricted width ot the aperture acts to retain coins ot' the correct size while allowing smaller ones to tall out, therebyY preventing disarrangement as the receiver and coinshaiit are rotated on the n'lanipulation of the operating handle. When the coin receiver into which a coin has been introduced has arrived at the position where the engagement ot the stops hereinl'ielore reiierred to is effected the part ot' the coin which projects fromthe receiver comes into contact with a projection, a, Figs. l and T, formed on the stationary casing, thereby causing the coin to be forced against the spring, Z, which forms the bottom ot the Divided and this application filed .Tune 21,

coin chamber and preventing the engage'- ment of the,k stops, j and c. On continuing the rotation of the operating handle, the switch for the current is closet in a manner to be hereinafter described while the coin' on coming opposite a second opening, 0, in the casing is discharged into the coin receptacle, further rotation of the coin shaft being prevented on the rengagement of the stops, j and It will thus be understood that the insertion of a coin in the coin guide allows a complete revolution of thev coin shaft to be effected on the manipulation of the operating handle. v

A shaft, p, carrying differential gearing, g, Figs 2 and 6, is rotatably mounted on the same frame as the coin shaft, the differ ential gear preferably consisting of a member, r, rigidly attached to the shaft, p, and

carrying a pinion, S, which engages with crown wheels, t and u, disposed on either side or the sleeve and forming the other members of the differential train. rllhe shaft on which the differential gear is mounted, carries a pointer, /u for indicating the amount of current prepaid. The sleeve just mentioned also carries an adjustably weighted lever, fw, and a stop, w, Figs. 2, 3, i and 5,

' the lever assisting the stop to free the switch mechanism when the amount of current pre-.

paid has passed through the meter. spur Wheel, y, i's rigidly attached to the crown wheel, u, in the dilferential train and is connected through suitable gearing, z, with the meter spindle, l, Fig. l, estar-wheel, 2, being attached to the crown wheel, t, and engaging with a single tooth, 3, formed on the coin shaft, a, so that for every revolution of the coin shaft the star-wheel is rotated through the distance of one tooth. A spring-mounted pawl, t, Fig. 3, also engages with the star-wheel'so as to retain it in any given position while at the same time permitting of its 'rotation when required.

The switch which may preferably be of the knife type consists of a stationary member, 5, Figs. l, 3 i and 5, fixed to the structure carrying the meter and prepayment mechanism and a knife member, 5, rotatably mounted on a shaft, 7, on the frame which carries the shaft of the coin mechanism and the differential gearing. The switch is retained in the open position by means of a coil or other spring, 8,. attached to the knife member, one of the sides of which is shaped as shown so as to form a projection, 35, which abuts against a stop, 34, when the switch is in the o )en position; the other side 'of the knife member is shaped so-as to form a cam surface, 32, and operates in a manner -to be described hereafter.

I mounted on a swinging member, il, mounted cdaxially with the knife member. A pinion, l2, and cam, 125, are mounted on the shaft., T, which forms the axis of the knife and swinging members, the pinion, 12, being in gear with a train of wheels, lil, mounted on the swinging member, ll, the last wheel, 29, of which train is rotatably mounted on the same shaft, as the detent wheel, l0, which engages with the tooth or projection, 9, on the knife member before mentioned, while the cam, 13, is provided with a projection, l5, which engages with a trip finger, 1G, rotatably mounted on the swinging member and normally kept in contact with the cam by means of a spring, 1T.

The detent wheel, l0, is connected tothe wheel, 29, vof the train by means of a ratchet wheel, 30, fixed to the wheel, 1C', and a pawl, 3l, fixed to the wheel, 29, in such a manner that the rotation of the detent `wheel, l0, relatively to the wheel, 29, can only take place in one direction.

AThe detent wheel, l0, is limited in its motion in one direction by the spring, 18, at-

tached to the swinging member, ll, and in the other direction by means of a stop, 19, also fixed to the member, l1, and against which a tooth, 20, on the detent wheel abuis. A stop, 2l, is disposed in a suitable position for limiting the motion of the swinging member, ll, which is kept pressed thereagainst by means of a spring, 22, fixed to the frame so that any motion of theswinging member takes place against the ten-y sion therein. It will thus be evident that by interposing atrain of gearing between the tinge 1G, and the detent wheel, l0, a very slight force is suilicient to release 4the finger, 1G, and allow the spring, 22, to free the knife member of the switch.

ln the upper extremity of the swinging member a lever arm, 23, Fig. 5, carrying a pin, 2s, is pivotally mounted, the motion of I the aigu being limited by a stop, 36. This pin, 2l, when the switch is on open circuit lies in the path of a cam, 25, rigidly fixed to the coin shaft, a, but when the'` switch is pnt on closed circuit a second pivotally mounted lever, 2G, rotatably mounted on the frame and operated by the cam surface, 32,' Fig. 3, on the knife member causes the pin, 24, to be lifted clear of the cam Q5, on the coin shaft, and allowsY th'e coin shaft to be rotated when the switch is closed. 'ln order to prevent the manipulationl o the operating handle after the full amount has been prepaid which is permissible at A,any one time, the stop, a?, Figs. 3., and 5,

on the sleeve of the differential train engages with a pin, 3T, on the lever, 2T, pivlframe. Thus'the meter and prepaymenttrainwork have no undue pressure to bear, and the meter record is not impaired.

Recording mechanism, 33, Fig. 1, ot any ,known type for indicating the amount of current prepaid cooperates with the rotation of the coin shaft. y

The prepayment mechanism is preferably' mounted on the structure carrying the meter in order to arrange the device in as compact a manner as possible.

The operation of the device is as follows z-0n the insertion of a coin in the coin guide, z', the operating handle, g, is rotated through a complete revolution during which the cam, 25, on the coin shaft causes the swinging member, l1, to 'move forward and effect the engagement of the detent wheel, 10, thereon with the projection, 9, on the knife member, 6. llVh-en the detent wheel, 10, intermeshes with the projection, 9, the knife member, 6, and the swinging member, 11, are locked together as the detent wheel, 10, is prevented from rotating independently of the wheel, 18, by the pawl 3l, while the wheel 18, itself being in gear with the train 14, is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction by the engagement of the tinger 1G, with the projection, 15, on the cam wheel, 13. Both members being thus locked together the tension on the sprintf, 22, causes the members 5 and (3, to engage and the switch to be closed. During' this operation the tooth, on the coin shaft has moved the star-wheel, Q, through the distance of one tooth and allowed the trip tinger 1G, on the swinging member, 11, to engage with the projccifon, l5, on the cam, IIS, thereby preventing the opening of the switch.' On insertingmore coins in order to prepay the i'ull amount of current permissible at one time the star.-\\'heel, il, on the differential train is rotated one tooth for every revolution of the coin shaft until the stop mot-ion hereinbefore described comes into operation to prevent. further rotation` The meter mechanism which starts record ing when the switch is closed is geared to the member', t, of the ditlerential train and by its rotation causes the sleeve, yr, ot the differential train to rotate in the reverse direction to that above described until the amount ot current prepaid has passed through the meter when the stop on the sleeve comes in contact with the trip linger, ,f

It.will be evident that by interposing a train of gearing between the cam, 1?), on the axle of the swing member and the tooth, E), on the knife member. the pressure required to release the switch or hold it in the closed position is reduced to a minimum while the construction ot' the coin receiver and the mechanism coopera-ting therewith is such as to provide an exceedingly compact and efficient coin-freed prepayment mechanism.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to an electricity meter it is not to be regarded limited to such application as itl can he applied to other devices operated by coin freed mechanism without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In combination, means for controlling the supply of current, means for holding said controlling means in the operative position together with a train of gearing coacting with said holding means for reducing the force required to hold said controlling means in the operative position or release it therefrom.

2, In combination, a movable switch meniber, a stationary switch member, a swinging member coacting with said movable switch member, means for causing said movable switch and said swinging members to engage and when engaged, to cause said movg able switch member to contact with said stationary switch member, together with means eoacting with said engaging means for reducing the force required to hold said switch members in the engaged position or release them therefrom.

3. In combination, a movable switch member, a stationary switch member, a swinging member coacting with said movable switch Vmember, together with means including a train of gearing carried by said swinging member for causing said movable switch and said swinging members to engage with one another, and in the engaged position to cause said movable switch member to contact with said stationary switch member.

4. In combination, a stationary switch member, a movable switch member having a projecting tooth disposed thereon, a swinging member carrying a train of gearing including a detent wheel and resiliently mounted cam coaxialiyy mounted with said movable switch member, withdrawable means for preventing rotation of said cam in a certain direction, means for causing said detent wheel to engage with said projecting' tooth and said switch members to contact, together with means tor actnatil'lg said \\'itlulra\\'ablc meansl l'or disengaging said switch inemliers.

In combination means for controlling the supply of current, means for holding said Controlling menne in the operative po- Sition.I a train 0f gearing co-zlcting witlr Said holding` means for rednoii'ig` the, power required to hold the said ffonlrollingmeans in the Operative poSition, logt-liner willi nienns for preventing the operation of the controlling inezins in certain cironinslmices.

(5. In con'ihinntion nien'ns for conlrolling the supply ot current, means -for holding sind coi'itrolling` menne` in the operativo position u train of Gein-inev co-aotinfr with maid .a .n e: n holding' niezlns tor reducnw the www ruo L" h l quired to` hold the said controlling means in i i r l l i l Vthe operative position, means for preventing for preventing straining of the gearing when operation ot the Switch is attempted 1n said cn'cnnistzn'iees.

In testiniony whereof, a'flix my signa- 20 lure in presence of two witnesses.

WTILLIAM HAMILTON.

fitnessen llnxonn SIMPsoN Mosnnny, MAM-min Snln'innns'r.

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