Patent GB-346538-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to coin freed electricity meters
IPC: G07F15/06
Filed: 1930-03-06
Abstract: 346,538. Prepayment electricity meters. CHAMBERLAIN'& HOOKHAM, Ltd. and JAMES, S., 4, New Bartholomew Street, Birmingham. March 6, 1930, No. 7351. [Class 27.] Mechanism for prepaying basic charges; pricechanging mechanism.-In a coin-freed electricity meter for use with two-part tariffs, one part depending on a fixed charge or rental and the other on the current consumed, two interconnected epicyclic mechanisms are provided, one of which is connected to the prepayment mechanism and the main switch, while the other is connected to the current-measuring meter and a "fixed charge " device. This latter device is set to a position, corresponding to the fixed charge payable, at each inspection of the meter and means are provided for returning it to its zero position; the arrangement being such that, until the fixed charge has been paid, the quantity of current received for a given coin is less than is obtainable after the payment of the fixed charge. The epicyclic, mechanisms a, b, Fig. 1, are connected by gearing g, the mechanism b being connected, through a pinion e, to the prepayment mechanism, the motion of which serves to close a main switch by setting, forward a member f. An electricity meter spindle c drives one sun wheel of the mechanism a, the other sun wheel being connected to a spindle d of an electric or clockwork motor, so that the motions of the meter and motor separately or collectively are transmitted through the planet wheel and gearing g to the mechanism b to return the switch-operating member f to its initial position. The spindle d also drives a pinion carried by a sleeve m frictionally mounted on a spindle which carries a notched disc or cam h. The member h is rotated by an inspector at each periodic inspection of the meter by a knob k to a position which is indicated by a pointer l on a graduated dial and represents the fixed charge. The index l is gradually returned to zero by the action of the motor, and, when it reaches this' position, the member h opens a switch in the electric motor circuit or operates a stopping device in the case of a clockwork motor. When the motor is stopped, the return of the main switch mechanism depends only on the meter, and current is then obtained at a lower rate of charge until the next resetting of the fixed charge device. In another mechanism, Fig. 5, a sun wheel of the mechanism a is connected to one sun wheel of the mechanism b, the other sun wheel of which is actuated by the coin mechanism and is connected by toothed wheels to a pinion w to a wheel x frictionally attached to the " fixed charge" " index l which -is frictionally mounted by means of a sleeve 5 on the spindle j. The spindle is connected by gear wheels y to the planet wheel of the mechanism a, a ratchet and pawl being provided to prevent reverse rotation of the spindle j. The index l is set by a key-operated spindle 2 through wheels 3, 4 to a point indicating the'fixed charge. It is returned to zero by 'the operation of the coin mechanism to set forward the switch member f and, at the same time, the spindle j transmits a movement to the member f so 'that the total movement given to the switch member corresponds to the amount of current obtainable for the coin, less the proportion of the fixed charge payable. When the index l is arrested by a zero stop, the slipping connections prevent further movement from being transmitted from the spindle j to the planet wheel of the mechanism a. In a further arrangement, Fig. 4, the planet wheel of the mechanism a is connected to a spring 6 by wheels 7 and a spindle 8 having a non-return ratchet and pawl 9, a sleeve 10 frictiontight on the spindle 8 being connected by wheels 11, 12 to a wheel 13 to which one end of the spring 6 is attached, the other end being fixed. The wheel 13 is carried by a spindle 14 rotatable by a knob k and an index l is mounted in combination with the wheels 12. The wheels 7 are also geared with an escapement device 15. The spring 6 is wound up by setting the index l and actuates the planet wheel'of the mechanism a under the action of the escapement which is controlled by a clockwork lever, or by the main meter after the passage of a predetermined amount of energy, or by the mechanism actuated by inserted coins. The action of the spring ceases when the index l reaches zero.