Patent GB-662981-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to vehicle parking meters
IPC: G07F17/24
Filed: 1949-04-26
Abstract: 662,981. Prepayment timing meters for vehicle parks. INTERNATIONAL METERS, Inc. April 26, 1949 [May 28, 1948], No. 11028/49. Class 27. A parking meter of the type incorporating two indicators for parking control of two cars comprises two sources of power independently energisable for moving one of the indicators from " purchased time " to " violation " position, and a single escapement for controlling the movement of both indicators by their power sources. The parking meter shown is of the type in which a flag 50, Fig. 7 is moved vertically by a time controlled arm 60 to indicate on scale plates 46, 47 the time remaining for parking. Coin action: weight, thrust. Value received proportionate to coin. A nickel or penny inserted in a slot 37, Fig. 6, pushes in a plate 66 pivoted to a spring-biased lever 54 and raises the lever 54 about its pivot 61 to an extent determined by the diameter of the coin. The lever 54 is connected by a link 55 with a lever 56 pivoted at 62 and carrying a link 57 having a lost motion connection 125, 126 with a lever 58 pivoted at 63 and moved against a return spring to an extent proportionate to the value of the coin inserted. The lever 58 is connected by a link 59 to the flag arm 60 to move it so that a pawl 88 on an arm 87 on the flag arm 60 enters a notch 81 or 82 in a normally fixed cam plate 80 corresponding to the provision of 12 or 60 minutes' parking time according as a penny or nickel is inserted. The entry of the pawl 88 into one of the notches 81 or 82 permits a tooth 90 on the pawl to engage a ratchet disc 79 on a shaft 78 controlled by an escapement mechanism which is common to two meters disposed in the same casing and which is started by the insertion of the coin to control the return movement of the flag arm by the return spring. Insertion of the coin also serves to lock the flag in its upper ("violation") position from which it is released only if the coin is allowed to fall down a coin shoot 64. The locking action is effected by a trigger 109 pivoted at 108 to the lever 56 and carrying a tail 110 engaging a notch in a sear 102 having slots 103, 106 by means of which it is mounted on a fixed washer 104 and a pin 105 for sliding movement. On insertion of a coin the trigger 109 moves sear 102 downwardly against a spring until a portion 111 of the trigger 109 engages a washer 112 which cams the trigger aside to release the sear 102. During the downward movement of the sear 102 a tail 113 thereon engages a member 97 pivoted at 95 to move a stop 100 out of engagement with the tail 101 of a latch 93 pivoted at 94. The latch 93 is biased so that it then swings to engage at 92, Fig. 7, with a rack 91 on the flag to lock the latter in its upper position. If the coin is then allowed to fall down the shoot 64 it strikes the end 98 of a lever 96 pivoted at 95 and moves it to engage and release the latch 93 which permits the member 97 to swing back to the position in which it locks the latch 93 out of engagement with the rack 91. If the coin is held from falling down the shoot 64 the return spring turns the arm 60 under the control of the escapement on shaft 78 until the pawl 88 leaves the notch 81 or 82 to withdraw the tooth 90 and free the arm 60 to return unimpeded to its'normal position. If however, the flag is lowered as described above, a member 84 pivoted to the flag arm 60 is depressed by the flag so that a tooth 85 on the member 84. engages the disc 79. The flag arm 60 is then returned by the return spring under control of the escapement on shaft 78 so that the member 84 raises the flag. When the arm 60 has returned after 12 or 60 minutes to its normal position a pin 157 on the member 84 is cammed aside by a finger 156 on a lever 153 pivoted at 152 and carrying a portion 154 working in a slot 155 so that the flag arm 60 is freed from the disc 79. The clock mechanism is started on insertion of a coin by a pivoted bar 143, Fig. 16, carrying a pitman 144 engaging a link 145 and operated by the lever 54. The link 145 engages a stud 146 on a lever 147 loose on the shaft 78 and integral with a further lever 148. The lever 148 is adapted to e ngage a flange 138, Fig. 12, on a lever 137, mounted on a pin 135 on a cam 134, so as first to turn the lever 137 which through its arm 140 turns a lever 131 against a spring 133 about its pivot 132 and then, when the flange 138 engages a part of the cam 134, to turn the cam 134 to a position in which it holds the lever 131 in its outward position. The lever 131 carries a brake shoe 130 which initiates movement of a balance wheel 129 when the lever 131 is moved outwardly. The pin 135 on the cam 134 is engaged by a clip 136 frictionally engaging the shaft 78 so that the cam 134 is driven to release the lever 131 and reapply the brake shoe 130 to the balance wheel 129 after a period somewhat greater than 12 or 60 minutes. Fraud preventing. The inserted coin cannot raise the lever 54 unless it also engages a lever 67, Fig. 15 mounted on an adjustable pivot 68 and biased by a spring 69 to lie across the bottom of the slot 65: the lever 67 carries a hook 71 which normally lies above the arm 54 to prevent its movement. Operation of the arm 54 also cancels the effect of any previously inserted coin so that 60 minutes parking time cannot be obtained by inserting a nickel without releasing it and then inserting a penny. For this purpose an arm 115 on the cam plate 80 has a pin-and-slot connection 116 to the sear 102 so that cam plate is oscillated to disengage the pawl 88 from either of the notches 81 or 82. Exhibiting coins: casings. After leaving the coin chute 64 the coin enters a compartment 42 provided with a window where it is held by a finger 119 on a member 117 pivoted at 118 and by a fixed fence 121. On insertion of a further coin, as the lever 57 is lowered it is caused to pivot by engagement of a shaped portion of the slot 125 with the pin 126, and it then engages a lug 124 on the member 117 to turn it and discharge the coin to a coin receptacle. If the meter mechanism is removed from its housing the withdrawal of the fence 121 discharges the displayed coin to the coin box. A further construction is described involving modifications to several parts of the mechanism.