GB179580A - Improvements in prepayment mechanisms for meters - Google Patents

Abstract

179,580. Fox, T., and Robinson, S. Jan. 6, 1921. Delivery by meter; coin action, mechanical connection and multiplecoin. - Relates to meters of the kind in which a coin is used to connect a lever and the quantity wheel, and to apparatus which may be set to operate with either of two coins of different value as required. The lever can be fulcrumed in either of two positions, and means are provided for varying the gearing accordingly between the meter-mechanism and the valve-operating member. An angle lever 13 is pivoted on a pin 15, which can be mounted in either of two bearings 21, 22 in a hand-operated spindle 8. When the lever is in the position shown, a small coin, say a shilling, inserted in a rotary carrier 11 forces the end 17 of the lever into engagement with the quantity-wheel 4. A larger coin, for example a penny, is effective when the pivot pin 15 has been shifted to the bearings 22. The valve lever 29 is engaged by a collar on a slotted sleeve 25, which is threaded on to a screw 24 connected to the quantity-wheel. A wheel 34 having a screw 32 engaging in the slot in the` sleeve 25 is so mounted that it can be made to gear either with a worm 39 directly connected to a meter-driven spindle (not shown) or with a worm 36 geared to the worm 39 through a pinion 38. The wheel 34 is placed in the latter position when the lever 13 has been set for operation by a shilling, and in the other position when a penny is to be used. A forked hand-lever 44 may be provided for shifting the wheel 34. In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the change in gearing is effected by reversing the wheel on the sleeve 25, either the face of the wheel or a collar 33 thereon, as the case may be, abutting against a stop 52. A pivoted catch 53 prevents sliding of the wheel during operation. Indicators.-The amount of gas prepaid is shown by a drum 31 on the valve spindle 30, the drum having two separate scales on opposite sides of the periphery and being adjustable so that either scale passes behind an index on a window 46.