GB426953A - Improvements in and relating to coin freed mechanism for electricity and similar meters - Google Patents

Abstract

426,953. Prepayment mechanism for meters. UNITED GAS INDUSTRIES, Ltd., 51, Lincoln's Inn Fields, ANGOLD, H. E., and CHRISTIAN, A. J., Meter Works, Rowan Road, Streatham Vale, both in London. Oct. 7, 1933, Nos. 27688/33 and 28808/34. [Class 27] [See also Group XXXVI] In meter prepayment mechanism, rotation of a coin-holder h sets a supply element through a train of gearing driving an interrupted pinion, and sets forward quantity mechanism through change - speed gearing by an amount proportionate to the value of the coin inserted. As shown, the coin holder mechanism is of the type described in Specification 400,636, and drives an epicyclic reduction gear comprising a planet carrier c<1> fast with the quantity wheel operated by the coin of lower denomination, a sun-wheel c fast with the other quantity wheel, and a driven sun-wheel c<4> connected by gearing f, f<1> f<1>, f<3>, g to a sun-wheel h of the differential quantity mechanism. A toothed wheel d, fast with the planet carrier c<1> and the quantity wheel operated by both coins, drives through a pinion d<1> an interrupted pinion d<2> on the setting shaft of the switch mechanism, the teeth of the pinions d<1>, d<2> only being in engagement when the switch is tripped. The epicyclic reduction gear may, alternatively, be constructed as in Specification 392,530, and the interrupted pinion operated directly from the rotary carrier plate of the coin holder. The quantity mechanism further includes a meter-driven sun-wheel h' and planet pinions h<2>, h<3> in a carrier on a central shaft operating the switch tripping mechanism. This shaft is geared with a further shaft acted on by a spring which is tensioned during prepayment and assists the meter mechanism in operating the prepayment mechanism. In order to prevent over-winding of this spring, a pin m<4> on a wheel m<2> of an indicator showing the units unused tilts a lever s to move an obturator t over the coin exit slot a<1> of the coin-drum. Price - changing mechanism.-The meter drives the sun-wheel h<4> through the counting mechanism o, which is removably secured to projections on the casing by slotted lugs o<1> and screws o<2> and through change-gear mechanism of the type described in Specification 308,557, [Class 27], comprising a pair of plates k<2> rotatable about a central shaft k so as to bring alternative gears carried on countershafts p, q, r carried by the plates into mesh with a pinion o<6> or wheel o<5> of the counting mechanism, and thereby to provide three gear ratios with the central shaft k, which drives the sun-wheel h<4> through gears k<1>, j<1>, j. Indicators.-Shafts m, m<1> of an unused units indicator gear with a shaft n<1> driven from the planet carrier of the quantity mechanism. Specifications 308,401, [Class 27], 387,678, 393,975, 394,329, 405,302, 416,570, and 426,952 also are referred to.