Patent GB-370951-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to coin freed mechanism
IPC: G07F15/04
Filed: 1930-11-12
Abstract: 370,951. Coin-freed apparatus; prepayment gas meters. BINGHAM, J. H., Wakehams, Dorney Common, Buckinghamshire, and GLOVER & CO., Ltd., G., Ranelagh Meter Works, Royal Avenue, Chelsea, London. Nov. 12, 1930, No. 34095. [Class 27.] Coin action, mechanical connection and with delivery proportionate to value of coin ; coindischarging mechanism.-In coin-freed mechanism of the kind which is actuated by coins of different sizes and appropriately operated in accordance with the size of the inserted coin, a sorting pocket is arranged below the coin pocket to receive the coins falling from the latter and allow coins of less than a predetermined size to fall when at one part of its path of movement and larger coins to fall at another part. The coins are thus automatically separated and conducted to different coin receptacles or different compartments of a money-box. In the application to a prepayment gas meter, the coins inserted into a tapering pocket 12, Figs. 1 and 2, carried by arms 11 fixed to a spindle 9 engage, according to their size, toothed circular racks 13, 14, 15 secured to wheels 6, 7, 8 loose on the spindle, these wheels gearing with wheels 3, 4, 5 on a spindle 2 which has a quantity-wheel 1 connected to the valve controlling mechanism. One or more of the racks 13, 14, 15 may drive the gearing connecting it to the quantity-wheel through a friction coupling thereby preventing damage if more than one coin is present at a time in the pocket. The coins are supported in the pocket by bars 37 on its inner edge and by bars 38 on a pivoted shutter closing its outer sloping edge. The pocket is rocked between stops 16, 23, Fig. 3, by turning a handle 19 which acts through gears 21, 22. The shutter 39 is moved aside on coming into contact with the stop 23 and the coin descends into a sorting pocket 49 formed by a downward extension of the pocket 12. If the coin is smaller than a predetermined size it falls immediately from the pocket 49 into one compartment of a money-box. Larger coins are supported in the pocket by a bent in edge 54 and by a circular wall 55 which is formed with a recess 56. When the pocket 12 is returned to the stop 16, the coin in the pocket 49 comes opposite the recess 56 and being then unsupported drops into another compartment of the money-box. To prevent the coin racks and gears continuing to rotate by inertia, a brake 66, Fig. 8, for the coin rack 13 is actuated by an arm 11 when the pocket 12 reaches the stop 23. Means are provided comprising a pawl-bearing plate 61, Fig. 9 (not shown), to prevent a coin from being jerked over several notches of a coin rack in the event of a notch not being in alignment with the pocket 12, when this is in contact with the stop 16, at which point the coin is inserted. In a modification, instead of a circular wall, the pocket 49 is closed by a second shutter 57. Fig. 8, pivotally mounted at 58 opposite a sorting bracket 59. The shutter 57 is moved to open the pocket 49 by coming into contact with the stop 16, the smaller coins dropping, as before, straight through the pocket. Money-boxes or receivers ; casings.-The smaller coins drop to a tray 51 in a money-box 33, and the larger coins to a slope 52 from which they pass to the money-box through an opening 53 in its wall. The mechanism is enclosed in a casing 18 having a removable cover plate 27 secured by a pin 28 and by a rod 30 which has an enlargement 31 engaging under a slotted bracket 32. The rod is retained in this position by the money-box 33 which is locked by a padlock passing through a lug 34. Price-changing mechanism; coin-slit closing devices.-The stop 16, Fig. 3, is carried by a fixed frame 10 and the stop 23 by a pricechanging disc 24 which which is locked in adjusted position by a bolt 25 sliding in a bracket 26. Access to the price-changer is obtained by removing the cover 27. The coin insertion slit 17 is closed, when the pocket 12 is moved, by a shutter 46 locked by a cam 47 on the shaft of the handle 19.