Patent GB-447141-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to prepayment meters
IPC: G07F15/02
Filed: 1934-12-17
Abstract: 447,141. Prepayment mechanism for meters. CHAMBERLAIN & HOOKHAM, Ltd., and JAMES, S., 4, New Bartholomew Street, Birmingham. Dec. 17, 1934, Nos. 36108 /34 and 11960 /35. [Class 27] Coin-action, mechanical-connection with delivery proportionate, to value of coin.-The invention relates to a prepayment meter adapted for optional use with several coins and giving proportionate delivery, and having a slidable member associated with a rotary coin drum for gauging an inserted coin and setting change speed gearing accordingly ; it is principally characterized by an arrangement in which an actuating handle has a lost-motion connection with the coin drum and is first turned in one direction to set the slidable member to its initial position for the reception of a coin, and subsequently in the opposite direction to permit gauging of the coin and to effect setting of the quantity mechanism. As shown, a coin inserted through the slot c is received into an axial slot b in a rotary drum a having a lost-motion connection with a part 3 of a rotary actuating handle 4, and is supported therein by a part 16 of spring plate 26 secured at 27. A slidable coin-gauging sleeve w is mounted on the drum a, and has a lateral pin 2 for moving axially a pair of gear-wheels l, m along a squared shaft k connected by gearing with a rotary member g journalled on the rear end of the drum. Initial anticlockwise rotation of the handle 4 unmasks the coin slot c, and rotates a cam 6 to depress a slide 7 engaging the tail of a pivoted bell-crank y which withdraws the sleeve w to the front end of the drum to permit a coin to be inserted. Owing to the lost-motion connection between the handle and drum, the latter does not move during this action, but is held with a transverse pin 5 thereon in engagement with a stop 12 by a spring 13. The handle 4 is then rotated clockwise, which allows the bell-crank y to return the sleeve w under the action of a spring x until it engages the coin and thrusts it against the inner end of the coin pocket to couple it with the member g by means of pins h. The sleeve w carries a radial pin 10 travelling in the slot b, and if the coin is of correct size, this pin is brought opposite one or other of a pair of annular grooves 8, 9 in the drum which permits the drum to be rotated by the handle 4 during the subsequent part of its clockwise rotation. With coins of correct size, one or other of the gear wheels l, m is brought into mesh with a gear p connected with a sun-wheel s of an epicyclic quantity mechanism, the wheels l, m having different numbers of teeth corresponding to the values of the respective coins so that the quantity mechanism is set forward by an amount proportionate to the value of the coin. Coin-slit closing devices.-A sliding apertured plate e is moved against the action of a spring 11 into a position to mask the insertion slot c by the cam 6 turning with the handle 4 during its clockwise rotation. During the initial anticlockwise rotation of the handle, the cam 6 releases the plate e, so that it is moved by the spring 11 to uncover the slot. When the maximum number of coins have been inserted, an arm on the driven element of the quantity mechanism operates a lever 24 to hold the plate e in its closing position to prevent further coins being inserted. Coin-discharging mechanism ; returning coin. -During the rotation of the drum a, the coin engages an abutment 28 which forces it against a curved part of the spring plate 26 partly surrounding the pocket. When the coin passes the lower end of the abutment 28, it is forced out of the pocket by the spring plate 26. If an unsuitable coin is inserted, a push-button 30 is operated which depresses a pivoted plate 29 to withdraw the spring plate 26 from the drum and permit the coin to fall into a return shoot or the coin receptacle. Alternatively, a further annular groove as 8 and 9 may be provided in the drum to permit it to be rotated to discharge the coin but without engaging the wheels l or m with the wheel p to set forward the quantity mechanism.