GB248491A - Improvements in coin freed operating mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

248,491. Bingham, J. H., and Glover & Co., Ltd., G. Dec. 10, 1924. Coin action, mechanical-connection with delivery proportionate to valve of coin; coin-discharging mechanism. - In coin-freed operating mechanism having a single coin admission slot and a single coin receiving pocket, the coin pocket has a movable gauge plate which selects the appropriate gearing to be set in operative position in accordance with the size of the coin inserted. As shown applied to a prepayment gas meter, the coin pocket 23, Fig. 2, is carried by a yoke 8 rotatably mounted on a spindle 14 which is axially slidable in end frame-plates 10, 11, Fig, 4, of a cylindrical casing 22. A frame 7 slidable in the yoke 8 carries a guide bar 6 for slidably mounted toothed quadrants 4, 5 adapted to be engaged respectively with pinions 3. 2 on a spindle 1 according as a penny or a shilling is inserted, so that, when the yoke is turned by a handle 21, the spindle 1 is rotated to open the valve and set forward the quantity mechanism. The handle is attached to the frame 7 and has a quick threaded screw connection with the yoke 8 so that, when the handle is at an enlarged end 36, Fig. 7, of a slot 35 in the casing 22 and is axially rotated, the frame 7 is moved radially outwards in the casing carrying the quadrants with it, the quadrants having an elongated slot 15 to accommodate the spindle 14, and the guide bar 6 moving in elongated slots 13 in the yoke. The axial rotation of the handle by means of an arm 30 thereon engaging a projection 29 moves a spring-controlled plate 26 mounted on the outside of the coin pocket and connected by pins 25 with a gauge plate 24 inside the pocket. The gauge plate is thereby moved to allow a coin to be inserted and one pin 25 acts on a lever 31. Fig. 4. to move the spindle 14 and quadrants axially so that the quadrant 5 is in alignment with the pinion 3. A penny holds the gauge plate in this position. A shilling a allows the gauge plate to return a short distance, thereby allowing the spindle 14 to be returned by a spring 19 in a casing 44 until the quadrant 4 is in alignment with the pinion 2. The handle 21 is now reversely rotated by a spring 33 until a rectangular neck 34 thereon, Fig. 7, can enter the slot 35 in the casing 22, This reverse rotation returns the frame 7 and causes the quadrants to engage their respective pinions. By movement of the handle along the slot 35 the spindle 1 is rotated until the coin is discharged when the spring 19 moves the spindle 14 to disengage the quadrants and bring them up to a stop 20. In this position a tooth 42 on the spindle 14 engages a locking wheel 43, thereby preventing rotation of the spindles 14, 1 until the handle is returned to the enlargement 36 of the slot 35. Coin-slit closing-devices; coin-discharging mechanism; price-change mechanism.-Before the handle is axially rotated the gauge plate 24 closes the coin insertion slot 37. A guard plate 41 carried by the coin-pocket closes the coin-slit when the pocket is out of alignment therewith. The coin is discharged by the gauge plate under the action of the spring-controlled plate 26 when the coin pocket comes opposite a slot 38 in the end plate 10, Fig. 2. The position of the slot 35 in the casing 22 and the initial position of the coin pocket with respect to the discharge slot 38 may be adjusted according to the price of gas by adjusting the position of the casing on the plates 10, 11 and securing it by means of a clamping screw.