Patent GB-448696-A (GB)
Title: Coin freed mechanism for gas and other meters
IPC: G07F15/02
Filed: 1934-12-07
Abstract: 448,696. Prepayment mechanism for meters. PINCHBECK, Ltd., and ALEXANDER, W., Adams Place, Georges Road, Holloway, London. Dec. 7, 1934, No. 35284. [Class 27] Coin action, with stationary coin forming abutment and with delivery proportionate to value of coin.-A prepayment meter is provided with sep - arate coin pockets for different coins, the inserted coin acting, on subsequent actuation of a setting handle, as a distance member for positioning a selector device to effect an operative connection, appropriate to the value of the coin, between the setting handle and the quantity mechanism, the coin remaining stationary during setting of the quantity mechanism. In the construction shown, which is adapted to receive either of two coins introduced through separate coin slots into fixed pockets 46, 47 arranged on either side of the setting handle 1, one or both of a pair of quantity wheels 17, 18 are adapted to be engaged and rotated by a detent 19 carried by a rotatable and axially slidable detent plate 36. The setting handle 1 is first turned anticlockwise, which uncovers the coin slots to permit a coin to be inserted, and also moves the detent plate 36 rearwardly ; the handle is then turned clockwise which causes firstly, a return movement of the plate 36 to a position determined by the diameter of the coin, secondly, rotation of one or both quantity wheels, and finally, the discharge of the coin so that the quantity wheels are disengaged. The detent plate 36 is secured to a sleeve 34 rotatably mounted in an abutment plate 15 which slides on frame members C, D of the apparatus, the plate 15 having at its upper side edges off-set parts 20, 21 carrying coin engaging abutments 56, 57 passing into the two coin pockets 46, 47. Each coin pocket comprises a folded plate of U-section, slotted at 55 for the passage of the abutment 57, and at 51 for a coin support 53 which is secured to a sliding coin-slit closing plate 14. The sleeve 34 carries diametrically opposed pins 37 entering cam slots 39 in an outer sleeve 38 which carries similar pins 40 by which it is driven by a cup-shaped member 5 secured to the shaft of the setting handle 1. During the initial anticlockwise rotation of the handle 1, the sleeve 38 is also rotated through the pins 40, the cam slots 39 in the sleeve 38 driving back the pins 37 and therewith the sleeve 34 and plates 36 and 15. During the subsequent clockwise rotation of the handle, the plates 36 and 15 first slide back under the action of a spring 25 until they are held up by engagement of an abutment 57 with the edge of the inserted coin, the detent 19 then engaging one or both quantity wheels according to the size of the coin. Driving edges 41 on the member 5 then pick up the pins 37 and rotate the detent plate 36 and quantity wheel or wheels to set the quantity mechanism. In the normal position of the mechanism, the detent 19 rests against a stop on a non-rotatable locking detent 44 secured to the abutment plate 15, the detent 44 normally locking both quantity wheels against accidental rotation and maintaining them in alignment, and locking the wheel 17 when the wheel 18 only is engaged by the detent 19. Mechanism interconnecting the quantity wheels is provided as described in Specification 448,697. Coin-slit closing-devices ; coin-discharging and price-changing mechanisms.-The coin-slot closing plate 14 is arranged to slide between the fronts of the coin pockets 46, 47 and the front plate of the mechanism, this plate 14 having an upturned ear 59 engageablo with a clutch disc 8 which is mounted to turn freely on the member 5, and is operated by a master disc 4 secured to the shaft of the setting handle 1. During the initial anticlockwise rotation of the handle 1, a pin 70 on the master disc 4 engages a projection 69 on the clutch disc 8, which it carries round into engagement with the ear 59 to displace the slot-closing plate 14 to uncover the coin slots for the insertion of the coin. During the subsequent clockwise rotation of the handle 1, a notch 68 in the master disc 4 engages a lug 66 on the plate 14 to return it into slot-closing position. Subsequently, a pin 71 on the master plate 4 picks up a radial edge 72 on the clutch disc 8 rotating it clockwise (anticlockwise in Fig. 7), a lug 74 on the clutch disc 8 finally engaging a pin 75 on a toothed control disc 9. The consequent rotation of this control disc 9 causes axial displacement of a worm 11 with which it meshes, so that a thumb-wheel 61 on the worm shaft, engaging a slotted part of the lug 66, moves the slot-closing plate 14 further to withdraw the coin supporting plate 53, carried thereon, from the coin pockets and release the coin. Rotation of the thumb-wheel 61 varies the instant at which the lug 74 engages the pin 75 on the control disc 9 to discharge the coin, and consequently the amount of rotation of the quantity wheels, this adjustment allowing the price charged to be varied. In a modified construction, the coin pockets are themselves displaced to cover and uncover the coin slots, the plate 14 being omitted. Returning coin.-Undersized coins pass between the abutment 56 or 57 and supports 51, and down inclined plates 54 secured to the slot closing plate 14, and are returned through lower slots in the casing.