Patent GB-635840-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to prepayment coin-operated gas meters
IPC: G07F15/00
Filed: 1947-04-28
Abstract: 635,840. Prepayment gas meters. UNITED GAS INDUSTRIES, Ltd., CHARLES, A., and CHARLES, J. A. April 28, 1947, No. 11338. [Class 27] Casings. The upper part of a prepayment gas meter casing, above the diaphragm valve plate 2, (Fig. 5), is divided into two compartments, one being the inlet valve chamber, the other accommodating the prepayment mechanism and the indexes which all face upwardly. In the construction shown, the walls 1 of the main part of the meter are terminated at a level above the valve plate 2 sufficient to enclose the diaphragm valves 37. A rectangular casing 6 is then applied to the flanged tops 5 of the walls 1, the inner wall 8 of this casing being extended horizontally, at its lower edge, to form a closure 10, overlying the valves 37, for the remainder of the main part of the meter. The wall 8 and its extension 10 thus form an L-shaped partition dividing the space above the valve plate 2 into an L-shaped gas-tight chamber for the valves, flag-wires 7, crank spindle 25 'and tangent arm, and a compartment 9 for the prepayment mechanism and indexes facing upwardly. This latter compartment . is completed by a casing member 17 comprising the remaining three side walls and top of the compartment. A cover 23 for the entire top of the meter is hinged to the ton plate 21 of the casing 6. The prepayment mechanism compartment may, alternatively, be disposed along the front or rear of the meter instead of to one side. Specification 391,154 is referred to. Prepayment mechanism, indicators. The prepayment mechanism, meter index and credit indicator are constructed as a unit on spaced frame plates 48, 49, (Figs 4 and 5), secured by distance pillars 47 to the partition plate 10. The coin mechanism is enclosed in a drum 52 with the coin insertion slot or slots facing upwardly, whilst the quantity differential is located between the plates 48, 49. The planet carrier 53 of the differential is driven from a shaft 32, (Fig. 3), passing through the partition wall 8 and connected by a disengageable coupling 35 with a worm 36 meshing with the toothed periphery of the planet carrier. The opposite end of the shaft 32 is connected with the meter crank shaft 25 through a worm drive 27, 28 in a gear-box 26 within the valve chamber. The output sun-wheel of the differential is connected to a pair of cams 74 and 80, (Fig. 4), through gearing 78 and 79, cam 74 operating the supply valve and cam 80 the credit indicating pointer 83 which works over a strip dial 84 facing upwardly beneath an opening 95 in the top plate of compartment 9. The meter index is adjacent the credit dial 84 and the shaft 62 of the test dial pointer 63 is driven through gearing, including bevel gears 61 and a shaft 59, from the meterdriven shaft 32. The cash-box 85 is accommodated beside the coin mechanism drum 52 from which the coins pass to it through a side opening 97. The coin mechanisms described in Specifications 400,636 and 600,596 may be employed. A pivoted. detent 87 is operated by the valve cam 74, through lever mechanism 89, 90 and 91, to prevent return of the coin pocket to the coin receiving position when the maximum prepayment has been made. Valves, special arrangements. The casing 39, (Fig. 3), of the supply valve 44 is located in the valve chamber and has an. extension 40 passing through the partition 8 into the prepayment mechanism compartment 9. The valve operating spindle 41 passes through a stuffing box into the compartment 9 where it carries an arm 43, (Fig. 5), operatively engaging the valve cam 74. Zeroising mechanism. The quantity differential can be zeroised by inserting a key to rotate a spindle geared to the quantity wheel in the drum 52.