Patent GB-476453-A (GB)
Title: Improved coin-inlet mechanism for use in prepayment meters, for example, for electricity
IPC: G07F1/02
Filed: 1936-09-09
Abstract: 476,453. Prepayment mechanism for meters. LANDIS & GYR AKT.-GES. Sept. 9, 1936, No. 24589. Convention date, Sept. 21, 1935. [Class 27] The coin-slot of a prepayment meter is adapted to be closed by a spring-actuated slide, which is normally held clear of the slot, but is released upon insertion of a coin so as to close the slot and effect complete introduction of the coin. Coin action, thrust, with delivery proportionate to value of coin.- As shown, a coin inserted through a slot 2 enters a pocket 4 and rotates an abutment lever 3 to displace a slide 29 carrying a slotted gate element 30 which consequently assumes a position corresponding to the size of the coin. The operating handle 13 is secured to a shaft 12 carrying a toothed sector 32, gearing with a retarding flyer 33, and flexibly connected by a spring with a disc 31 provided with radial projections of differing length for cooperation with the slots in the gate 30. The rotation of the shaft 12 is at first transmitted through the spring, disc 31, and ratchet mechanism 34 to a loose sleeve 40 which is connected by gearing 35 to the coin shaft 36 of the quantity mechanism. When the disc 31 and shaft 36 have been rotated an amount corresponding to the value of the particular coin inserted, a corresponding radial projection of the disc 31 engages the bottom of that slot in the gate which has been brought opposite the disc, and further rotation of the disc and shaft 36 is stopped, the remainder of the rotation of the shaft 12 being absorbed by the spring. Specifications 476,452 and 476,454 are referred to. Coin-slit closing-devices ; fraud, preventing.- A sliding plate 7 is biassed by a spring 21 to close the slot 2 : it has teeth 8 meshing with a gear 9 on a sleeve 11 loose on the shaft 12, the sleeve 11 having a recess 10 in one end initially engaged by a pin 17<1> carried by a ratchet wheel 18 secured to a second sleeve 17 which turns with, but is axially slidable on, the shaft 12. The shaft 12 is initially prevented from forward rotation (in the direction of the arrow) by a pawl 15 engaging a ratchet wheel 14, so that the sleeve 11 is also held against forward rotation, and the slot closing plate 7 prevented from descending under the action of its spring 21. As a coin is thrust through the slot 2, a pin 25 on the abutment plate 3 moves back the wheel 18 and sleeve 17 thus bringing the pin 17<1> out of locking engagement with the sleeve 11, so that the plate 7 descends to close the slot 2 and force the coin completely into the pocket, in which position the plate is locked by engagement of a pawl 22 pivoted thereon with a fixed catch 24. In this position also, an arm 19 on the slot closing plate trips the pawl 15 to permit forward rotation of the handle 13, and bears against the ratchet wheel 18 to prevent back rotation. At the completion of the forward rotation, the pin 171 re-engages the slot 10 in the sleeve 11, so that the wheel 18 returns to its initial forward position and engages a pin 23 on the pawl 22 to unlock the plate 7. When the handle 13 is released, a spring 20 returns the shaft 12 to its initial position and with it the slot closing plate 7, the arm 19 disengaging the ratchet wheel 18 to permit this, and releasing the pawl 15 to re-engage the ratchet-wheel 14. Coin-discharging mechanism.-The coin is retained in the pocket 4 by a pivoted base plate 37, which is turned by a spring 39 to allow the coin to fall when released by a pin 38 on the shaft 12.