Patent GB-302826-A (GB)
Title: A new and improved apparatus for measuring and recording the flow of fluids
IPC: B67D7/22
Filed: 1928-01-30
Abstract: 302,826. Kidson, H., and Watson, G. W. Jan. 30, 1928. Counting-apparatus.-In a machine for recording the delivery of measured quantities of liquids or finely divided solids, each record being identified with the person responsible for it by an impression of an identifying mark on or determined by a key or token, an individual sales counter is advanced automatically under the control of a flow meter or other measuring apparatus, and a hand-actuated supply valve can be opened only when the key or token is inserted, the key being locked as long as the valve is open. On the closing of the supply valve, a cam actuates means for impressing the record on a travelling chart, and the counter is zeroized. A main operating shaft 3 carries a hand lever (not shown) connected to the supply valve, preferably a two-way cock. A measuring spindle 5 is connected to the flow meter or other part of the delivery mechanism so as to be rotated or oscillated once for every unit quantity of liquid &c. delivered. The shaft 3 is normally locked in the " off" position by a detent lever 6 held by a spring 7 in engagement with a recess 9 in a disc 10 on the shaft 3. The lever 6 is released bv the bit 13 of a key 11 inserted in a keyhole, 12, and when the shaft 3 is turned to the "on " position as shown in Fig. 6. an arm 14 on the shaft engages the bit 13 and holds the key until the shaft 3 is turned " off. " The measuring spindle 5 is connected by a crankpin- 15 and link 16 to an escapement lever 17 loosely mounted on a spindle 18, an escapement wheel 19 loosely mounted on a spindle 20 being driven from a spring motor 25 and driving the spindle 20 through a pawl 30 and ratchet wheel 31. A units counting wheel 34, driven from the spindle 20 through pinions 32, 33, is carried by a sleeve 35 rotatable on a spindle 36, which carries a tens counting wheel 44 and is rotated step by step from the sleeve 35 by a pawl 38 and ratchet wheel 39, a tail piece on the pawl entering a notch in a ring 42 once in each revolution of the sleeve 35. The edges of the counting wheels 34, 44 carry types for printing on a record strip passing over a fixed platen 46 slotted at 47, a printing pad 61 and an inked ribbon being provided. Each key 11 has a projection 99 entering the slot 47 and provided with a type ofr printing a mark identifying the salesman using the key. An aperture 100 over the platen 46 enables other information to be written on the record strip, and a slit may be provided in the top cover 101 for the admission of a receipt or invoice form to be inserted beneath the printing pad 61. The pad 61 is carried by a lever 65 actuated by a cam 67 mounted loosely on the operating shaft 3 and driven by a spring-pressed trailing link 70, which is mounted on an arm 71 on the shaft and has a roller 72 engaging the teeth 68 of the cam. The cam also actuates a bell-crank lever 74 having an arm 76 slotted to engage a sliding plate 78, which drives a feed roller 51 for the record strip by means of a pawl 81 and ratchet wheel 82. Zeroizing mechanism.-For zeroizing the tens counting wheel after the record strip has been printed, a pawl in engagement with the ratchet wheel 39 is disengaged by a cam on the shaft 3 on the return to the " off " position, whereupon a spring 90 returns the spindle 36 to zero position. The units counting wheel is zeroized by means of a cam plate 98, Fig. 6, integral with the arm 71 and adapted to enter between D- shaped pegs 97 on a toothed wheel 96 loosely mounted on the spindle 18 and meshing with a pinion 95 on the shaft 20 so as to make a quarter of a revolution for each rotation of the units wheel 34. Where the liquid supply means has no device for measuring the quantities delivered, the measuring spindle 5 is driven through a flexible shaft from a rotary flow meter in the delivery pipe, in which is located the supply valve controlled by the main operating lever; or the measuring spindle may be given an oscillating movement by an electromagnetic device controlled by a rotary switch driven by the flow meter. In modifications, (1) the escapement device may be replaced by a worm drive; (2) tha spring motor may be automatically wound by ratchet mechanism actuated by the main shaft 3; (3) the motor operates mechanism for feeding a record strip so long as fluid passes a flow meter, and identification type bars are controlled by a cam dependent on the key and numeral type bars each by a separate cam, the latter cams being operated in correct order by the motor; and (4) identification letters are disposed around a wheel or roller, which must be turned into position to allow the insertion of a key and is coaxial with a roller bearing numerals to represent units of liquid supplied, a record strip and a ticket strip being printed and means being provided for delivering and severing a ticket from the latter strip.