Patent GB-1396175-A (GB)
Title: Time purchase winding means for parking meters
IPC: G07F17/24
Filed: 1972-08-14
Abstract: 1396175 Parking meters QONAAR CORP 14 Aug 1972 [13 Dec 1971] 37742/72 Heading G4V In a parking meter wherein purchased time is obtained through engagement of a pawl 42 with winding means attached to a timing mechanism and including a rotatable coin carrier 30 associated with the pawl, said winding means comprises a first rotatable member 100 tied to means for operating the timing mechanism, a winding arm 108 rotatable relative to member 100, teeth 112, 114 on said arm for engagement by said pawl and an abutment 116 on said member engageable by said arm to transmit movement of the arm to the member. In the embodiment shown (see also Figs. 1 and 5), dial (16) includes a section (17) for indicating overtime parking and when a coin is inserted it is necessary to move pointer (18) across entire section (17) into purchased time section (19). The meter accepts pennies (1 hr. purchased), and nickels (3 hrs.), and is arranged such that each hour purchased requires a 12À5 degree winding of member 100. On insertion of a nickel with 12 hrs of overtime being indicated and rotation of carrier 30 by handle 14 the coin is cammed by a segment 88 to bring pawl 42 into engagement with tooth 112 of arm 108. Continued rotation of carrier and pawl moves arm 108, and via abutment 116, member 100 through 187À5 degrees (i.e. 12 hrs. overtime and 3 hrs. purchased time), before the coin is released from the carrier at the end 120 of the segments, arm 108 returning to its initial position. On the insertion of further nickels pawl engages tooth 112 but is not effective to add further purchased time until the coin reaches an additional segment 124 of increased height (Fig. 4, not shown), and moves pawl 42 into direct engagement with one of the teeth 102, 104, 106 on member 100. Segment 124 has a 37À5 degree extent and therefore provides for a further 3 hrs. purchased time for each successive nickel. When a penny is inserted with overtime indicated tooth 114 of arm 108 is engaged by the pawl and the arm is rotated through 162À5 degrees to provide one hour of purchased time. As no additional segment is provided for the penny, further pennies are not effective to add any purchased time. In a second embodiment (Figs. 8 to 28, not shown), the meter is of split-rate construction, i.e. the first hour may be purchased by two half-francs or one franc whilst the second hour requires four half-francs or two francs. The winding arm (176) is carried round by winding disc (182) and an additional segment (168), (172) is provided for both types of coin for engaging pawl 174 with appropriate teeth of the winding disc when the winding arm has been moved sufficiently to permit this. In a third embodiment (Figs. 29 to 34, not shown), the meter is of split-rate construction but arranged so that a lesser amount of time is purchased for the first coins inserted. After four increments of purchased time have been accomplished by insertion of nickels or dimes winding disc (252) has been moved sufficiently for direct engagement by pawl (292) and in this case there is no lost motion. The insertion of a quarter will also result in direct engagment of winding disc (252) and elimination of the lost motion.