GB414060A - Improvements in prepayment mechanism for gas meters - Google Patents

Abstract

414,060. Prepayment mechanism for gas meters. HILL, J., 59, Pritchett Street, Birmingham. Jan. 25, 1933, No. 2349. [Class 27.] Coin action, thrust and multiple-coin.-In gas meter prepayment mechanism having two toothed winding wheels concentrically mounted with an annular space between their teeth, a coin inserted through a slot in the front change plate f, Fig. 1, to a shoot h carried by a disc h<2> rotatable by a knob g, depresses a slide m against the action of a spring m<2> which slide contacts with and rocks, against the action of a spring j<3> a lever j pivoted at j<2> to the shoot h. If a shilling is used, a heel m<5> on the slide m engages a toe j<5> on one end of the lever and causes its other end j<4> to engage the teeth of a measuring-out or winding wheel d. When a penny is used an incline m<6> on the heel m<5> engages the toe j<5>, and causes the end j<4> to engage a concentric wheel c, while in the event of a half-penny being inserted the end j<4> is moved to a space l between the wheels. The mechanism may be set for single coin operation only by a plate n, Fig. 4, having a slit n<30> through which a peg m<3>, projecting from the slide m through a slot m<4> in the shoot h, passes. The plate is clamped in positions n<2>, n<3>, n<4> for optional shilling, and penny operation respectively. Gas, supplying.-A notched cam disc u actuates a valve-operating arm v, the disc being rotated in opposite directions from a meter shaft 6 and a coin-operated shaft t respectively, through worm gearings 6<a>, 6b and t<2>, t<3>. The shaft t is actuated from the wheels c, d through planet pinions, the carrier disc w of which is fixed to the shaft. These pinions mesh with loose sun wheels m, gearing respectively with wheels o, g which are connected to and rotate with the wheels c, d. When the penny wheel c is rotated, the shilling wheel d remains stationary but rotation of the wheel d also rotates the wheel c owing to a ratchet pawl z pivoted to the wheel d and engaging the wheel c. Backward rotation of the wheels c, d is prevented by pawls z, y.