Patent GB-275628-A (GB)
Title: Device for obtaining a sliding tariff, particularly on electricity prepayment meters
IPC: G07F15/08
Filed: 1927-08-03
Abstract: 275,628. Landis et Gyr Soc. Anon. Aug. 7, 1926, [Convention date]. Electricity, supplying by meter; price-changing mechanism.-A device for obtaining a sliding tariff in electricity meters, more particularly electricity prepayment meters, comprises a trip pin controlling two different interchangeable gearings associated with the indicating mechanism of the meter, the trip pin being adjustable on a disc which is driven by the indicating mechanism against the action of a spring and co-operates with a stop. The arrangement is such that, after a predetermined number of units are. consumed, the trip pin causes a change-over from one tariff to another. As applied to a prepayment meter, the meter disc 1, FIg. 1, through gearing 2 - - 5 drives a shaft 6 having pinions 7, 8, the pinion 7 driving a counting train 10 indicating units of electricity and the pinion 8 a tilting shaft 15. The shaft 15 has a pinion 17 which drives a shaft 20 either directly by gearing with a pinion 18 thereon or through gearing 19, 25, 26. The shaft 20 through gearing 21 - - 23 drives one sun-wheel 24 of a differential gearing 24, 27, 33, the other sun-wheel 27 of which is connected in known manner with a coin-receiving mechanism through a shaft 28 and a flexible shaft 29. A counting train 32 is driven from the shaft 28, and a counting train 37, indicating the number of unused coins, is driven from a shaft 34 which carries the planet wheels 33 and is coupled to a threaded shaft 35 connected in known manner with the releasing device of the prepayment meter. The counting train 10 through a shaft 11, and pinions 12, 13, 38 drives a toothed disc 39, Figs. 2 and 4, against the action of a spring 48 which holds a nose 40 on the disc in contact with a stop 41. The shaft 14 of the pinions 13, 38 is tiltable and is rocked after a certain number of units are consumed to disengage the pinion 38, and through levers 53, 55 on a shaft 54 to rock also the shaft 15 thereby changing the tariff rate. Discs 44, 45 mounted on the axis of the disc 39 are rotatable relatively thereto and are joined by a trip pin 46 travelling in an arc-shaped slot 43. The disc 44 is graduated to show units of electricity and is adjusted to a mark 47 on the disc 39, so that, after a predetermined consumption, the pin 46 trips a lever 49 carrying a stop pin 50. This releases the arm 57 of a bell-crank lever 57, 58 which is rotated in the direction of the arrow 60, Fig. 2, by a spring and, by engaging a, pin 56, moves the lever 53, thereby tilting the shafts 14, 15 and changing the tariff. The apparatus is re-set to the maximum tariff by an official, for example monthly, by first pulling and then rotating a knob 66 which is sealed to prevent unauthorized use. The knob is attached to a spindle 63 carrying an eccentric 62 which acts on a spring-controlled push rod 61 connected to the bell-crank 57, 58, A pointer on the rod 61 indicates on a dial 70 which tariff is in force. Rotation of the spindle 63 without its being first pulled is prevented by a pin 68 thereon engaging a notch in the spindle bearing 65. When applied to meters other than prepayment, a counting train similar to the train 10 could take the place of the parts 32, 37, this counting train being switched over to give readings for the second tariff under the action of the trip pin.