Patent GB-449556-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to electricity prepayment meters
IPC: G07F15/00
Filed: 1934-12-31
Abstract: 449,556. Prepayment mechanism for meters. ENGLISH ELECTRIC CO., Ltd., 28, Kingsway, London, and TILSTONE, G., Siemens Works, Stafford. Dec. 31, 1934, No. 37349. [Class 27] Coin action, mechanical-connection and multiple-coin ; coin-discharging mechanism.-A prepayment mechanism for an electricity meter comprises an axially slotted coin carrier 1 adapted to receive coins on either side from a fixed shoot 5, the coin coupling the carrier to a slotted driving sleeve 4 connected with the setting handle 7. At its rear end, the carrier 1 is provided with a double-armed member 8 having rollers 9a, 9b engageable with a spring- actuated arm 10, and with a switch-setting tappet 12. This arm 10 drives the carrier 1 independently of the handle 7 during the latter part of its half revolution, which ensures a rapid snap-action of the switch-closing tappet 12, and, by reason of a lost-motion coupling 7a, 4b between the handle 7 and sleeve 4, releases the grip on the coin so that it is free to fall out as the carrier 1 is inverted. The arm 10 also serves to locate the carrier in the correct position for receiving a further coin, the sleeve 4 being similarly located by means of a spring-pressed ball 6 engageable with diametrically opposite recesses in its end. Pawl and ratchet mechanism 2, 3 prevents reverse rotation of the coin carrier unit. As described in Specification 449,673, further coins may be accumulated in the shoot 5, these being held up by the sleeve 4, and passed in turn to the carrier 1 as it is rotated. A removable pin 1b serves to adjust the width of the carrier slot for different coins ; a similar pin being provided across the insertion slot. The coin operated sun-wheel 28 of the quantity mechanism is connected with the coincarrier by gearing 24, 25, and 27, a spring 34 connected with the differential shaft of the quantity mechanism assisting the return drive by the meter. A spring-actuated arm 43, engaging the lost-motion coupling pins 7a of the handle 7, positions it for correct engagement with the coupling parts 4b of the sleeve 4 when the cover of the meter, in which the handle is journalled, is closed. The switch setting tappet 12 is connected by a sleeve 13a to a heavy switch actuating member 13, the operating shaft 15 of the switch passing through the sleeve 13a and having an arm 14 to which is secured a pin 14a engageable in a slot 13b in the member 13. As the member 13 is raised by engagement of a roller 9a or 9b with the tappet 12 when prepayment is being made, the slot 13b carries round the pin 14a so that the shaft 15 is rotated to close the switch contacts, the member 13 being held in its raised position by engagement of a pin 16 secured thereto behind a latch 17 on a pivoted lever 18. The pin 16 is carried somewhat beyond the latch 17, so that, when it. returns into engagement with the latch, the tappet 12 is in the path of the rollers 9. This results in a movement being given to the switch contacts for the purpose of cleaning them each time a coin is inserted, even if the switch contacts are already closed, as described in Specification 449,675. The latching mechanism is constructed, and controlled by a gapped disc 19 connected with the quantity mechanism, in the manner described in Specification 450,106. When prepayment is exhausted, the heavy member 13 is released by the latch 17, and falls to open the switch contacts, the lost-motion connection between the pin 14a and gap 13b ensuring a positive actuation of the switch as described in Specification 449,674. A suitable construction of switch is described in Specification 431,735, [Group XXXVII]. Registering; indicators.-A " coins inserted " indicator 40 is operated from the coin carrier through the gears 24 and 25. A " units unused " indicator 42 is operated from the differential shaft 31 of the quantity mechanism. Coin-slit closing-devices.-When the maximum permissible prepayment has been made, a tappet on the differential shaft 31 of the quantity mechanism thrusts a sliding bolt 36 across the coin insertion slot.