Patent GB-466431-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to prepayment mechanisms
IPC: G07F15/02
Filed: 1935-12-18
Abstract: 466,431. Prepayment mechanism for meters. BRITISH INSULATED CABLES, Ltd., and WILSON, L. B. Dec. 18, 1935, No. 35096. [Class 27] Coin action thrust, mechanical-connection and with delivery proportionate to value of coins ; testing coins.-In a meter prepayment rnechanism for optional use with different coins, a coin is inserted by way of a shoot into a rotary coin holder adapted to be coupled to a supply controlling device and to operate the quantity mechanism through change-speed gearing, the latter being adjusted to the value of an inserted coin as it passes through the shoot and before it reaches the holder. As shown, pennies or shillings are inserted by way of a shoot 50 into a pocket 2 in a rotatable drum 1, a penny only, on insertion, moving aside a pin 52 on a slidable rod 49 whose rear inturned end 48 displaces a pinion 44 out of engagement with a shillings wheel 41 and into engagement with a pennies wheel 42. A shilling does not move the abutment 52, the pinion 44 being normally in engagement with the shillings wheel 41. Both wheels 41 and 42 are fast on a shaft 40, and the pinion 44 serves to transmit the movement of this shaft with an appropriate gear ratio to a broad pinion 47 connected with the quantity mechanism. The coin drum 1 is journalled in frame plates 4 and 5, and a plunger 10, in rotational engagement with the operating shaft 9, works in an aperture in its front end. Apertures 22 in the rear end of the drum 1 are engageable by pins 20 on an axially slidable clutch element 21, the rear ends of the pins being always located in apertures in a switch setting barrel 12 which is secured to the shaft 40 carrying the wheels 41 and 42. During initial rotation of the operating shaft 9, and with it the plunger 10, engagement of a spiral groove 11 on the plunger with a pin 14 secured to an end part of the drum 1, causes the plunger to enter the drum until it is held by engagement with the edge of a coin. A flange 16 on the . plunger 10 transmits its inward movement to a slidable bar 18 having notches 28 and 29 engageable with a spring-actuated bell-crank 24, and notches 30 and 31 engageable with a diametrically notched disc 32 fast with the switch barrel 12. If the coin inserted has either of the two diameters for which the mechanism is designed, the bell-crank 24 drops into the notch 28 or 29 and displaces the clutch element 21 to couple the coin drum 1 and switch barrel 12, and the motch 30 or 31 registers with the disc 32 to permit rotation of the barrel 12 and coin drum 1. Upon further rotation of the operating shaft 9, the plunger 10 being held against further axial movement by the coin, the coin drum 1 also rotates, its rotation being transmitted through the clutch 21, barrel 12, wheel 41 or 42, pinion 44, and pinion 47 to the quantity mechanism. The rotation of the operating shaft 9 is limited to half a revolution by stops, and a full half revolution of the coin drum 1 and other coaxial parts is ensured by a spring-actuated arm 64 engaging flats on the barrel 12. The coin drum 1 is correctly located after each operation by a spring-loaded plunger entering diametrically spaced recesses 67 and 69 in the drum. Over-running of the pinion 44 is prevented by a spring-actuated detent 60. The pinion 44 is maintained in engagement with the pennies wheel 43 after the penny has passed the pin 52 by a weighted catch 55 engaging in front of a block 54 on the rod 49 ; the catch being tripped to release the rod towards the end of the setting operation, the pinion 44, however being held in mesh with the wheel 43 until the completion of the operation by a recessed disc 58. The mechanism may be modified for use with more than two coins, all, or all but one, of the coins operating gear change mechanism as they are thrust into the insertion shoot. Coin-discharging mechanism ; clearing- apparatus.-If the inserted coin is incorrect, yet sufficiently close in diameter to cause the clutch 21 to engage, forward rotation of the coin barrel 1 is prevented by engagement of the disc 32 with an unapertured part of the bar 18. Such coins are discharged by depressing a plunger 38 which disengages the clutch 21 to permit rotation of the coin drum 1 to discharge the coin without operating the switch barrel 12 and quantity mechanism.