Patent GB-1008942-A (GB)
IPC: G07F7/02
Filed: 1961-10-17
Abstract: 1,008,942. Coin and token freed dispensing of liquids; counting apparatus. A. SCHERER. Oct. 17, 1961 [Oct. 17, 1960; Sept. 6, 1961; Sept. 11, 1961], No. 37246/61. Headings G4D and G4V. Apparatus for dispensing liquid, e.g. fuel, on presentation of one of a number of requisitioning elements, each having identification means, comprises a checking device for scrutinizing an offered requisitioning element, freeing the apparatus for dispensing, and for connecting a fluid metering device to that one of a plurality of memory stores which corresponds to the offered requisitioning element. The apparatus may also dispense liquid in response to the insertion of coins. In Figs. 1, 2 and 4, a ganged manual switch H is put in position II, IIa for manual dispensing of fuel, and in position I, Ia for automatic dispensing on insertion of a coin, or a requisitioning element in the form of a key Sch corresponding to a memory store, i.e. a counter RX. With switch H in position I, Ia, a mains transformer Tr is energized and provides A.C. output at terminals 60a, 60b, and 220a, 220b, and voltage stabilized D.C. outputs at terminals +265, +125, +100, with a common terminal - Gl. A fuel meter (not shown) is connected to a rotary disc Ls having apertures O and a single aperture OL, so that photo-sensitive resistors Fwm, Fwk (shown as Fw in Fig. 1) co-operating with either of lamps La, Lb, will intermittently fire an A.C. energized cold cathode discharge tube IR3 to produce pulses on line Sub. On insertion and turning of key Sch, Fig. 4, a relay MR is energized, and its contacts mr energize the fuel pump motor M, and select photo-resistor Fwm. The pulses on line Su, representing fuel dispensed, are recorded by counter RX, provided that if, say, an account has not been paid, a switch SK can disable the relay MR and prevent dispensing. A separate and distinct key Sch and counter RX are provided for each account customer. Alternatives to keys are punched cards, apertures which are scanned photoelectrically, to control relays connecting line Su to the appropriate one of a plurality of counters, or hollow cylinders, provided on their inner and outer surfaces with cams or electrical contacts, or cards bearing printed circuits or magnetic cores, or waveforms to be scanned magnetically, photo-electrically, or mechanically, or an element determining the frequency of an oscillator in the checking apparatus. For coin-freed operation, one, two or five-frame (say) coins roll down shoots M1, M2, M5, respectively, to reflect light from lamps L1a . . . L55a, or L1b . . . L55b, successively on to one, two, or five of photo-sensitive resistors Ph1 . . . Ph55, to fire A.C. energized cold cathode discharge tubes IR1, IR2 and deliver one, two, or five pulses to a line Ad. These pulses are counted on a reversible ring counter comprising ten cold cathode discharge tubes R0 . . . R9 (four shown) for the units, with carrying to a tens counter (up to twenty as shown) having tubes V00, V10, V20. Pulses on line Sub, representing fuel dispensed, are subtracted on the counter. When counting commences, tube R1 fires, and fires a tube VR, to energize relay VR2, a contact Vr of which energizes the fuel pump motor M. When the count re-attains zero, tubes R0 and V00 are fired, and through rectifiers UT1, UT2, tube VR is cut off, and the motor M stopped. Lamps L1a . . . L55a, La are in series, with relay LR, and are normally energized during automatic operation. On failure of any lamp, the relay contacts Ir energize lamps L1b . . . L55b, Lb as reserves, and contacts lk actuate a batteryoperated alarm We. On switching on to automatic, further contacts lk of relay LR energize terminal + 125, to apply a pulse to tube R0, V00 and zeroize the counter. A key T1 can be actuated for manual zeroizing. A single such apparatus with a selector switch may be used to control a plurality of different dispensing points, e.g. for different fuels or oil. Each memory store may be at a central location, and be connected by land lines to a plurality of petrol stations. Each store may be used to render an account, or reduce a pre-arranged credit. The requisition element may be printed or have parts removed or cancelled by the apparatus to show the amount dispensed. In the latter case, the element may itself represent credit, and may have a mark so that the checking apparatus can give a warning to the user when only a predetermined credit remains. Specification 1,008,943 is referred to.