Patent GB-799122-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to coin-freed slot meters for automatically collecting rent for parking vehicles
IPC: G07F17/24
Filed: 1957-03-27
Abstract: 799,122. Coin - freed parking meters. DARK, J. W. March 27,1957, No. 9943/57. Addition to 726,207 as modified by 764,750. Class 27 The vehicle parking devices of the parent Specifications which have removal preventing means controlled by a coinfreed meter, are provided with modified wheel plates, coin mechanism and feerecording means and means for adding fines for overstaying prescribed periods. The wheel plate a is pivoted about a horizontal axis b and is located at such a distance from the removal preventing means j that when the wheels on one side of an entering vehicle have passed over the plate the means j can be raised behind the vehicle without fouling it. The inner edge of the plate is last to be depressed and a lever c connected with lost motion to a member d closes a switch e controlling the supply of current to the meter. When the means j is raised by a motor k, a stop h is placed below the wheel plate to prevent depression of its outer edge. A spindle carrying the fee indicator pointer p is slidable by means of a solenoid w to bring a gear wheel t on its end into mesh with a gear wheel s of a clock r and is in two parts u, x interconnected by a ratchet coupling y. The two parts are rotated together by the clock but the coupling y allows additional increments of movement, to correspond to fines for overstaying prescribed periods, to be given to the part x by a ratchet wheel c<SP>1</SP> engaged by a pawl d' on a lever c<SP>1</SP>, the lever c<SP>1</SP> having an arm b<SP>1</SP> engaging a multi-lobe cam a<SP>1</SP> which, at intervals allows the arm b<SP>1</SP> to drop and operate the ratchet d\ e<SP>1</SP>; a solenoid controlled by a switch operated by arm b<SP>1</SP> may replace the lever c<SP>1</SP>. As the shaft x is rotated, an arm g<SP>1</SP> on it carries a switch h<SP>1</SP> away from a trip k<SP>1</SP> on a sleeve m<SP>1</SP> rotatable on the spindle. To lower the preventing means j, coins totalling the amount shown by the fee indicator p are inserted in appropriate slots m and they tilt coin shoots v<SP>1</SP> so closing switches in the circuit of solenoids r<SP>1</SP> s<SP>1</SP> t<SP>1</SP> connected to hinged parts p<SP>1</SP> of a lever arm o<SP>1</SP>. The parts p<SP>1</SP> are hinged to move freely upwards but, for downward movement, form rigid extensions of the arms o<SP>1</SP> and the solenoids are connected to the parts p<SP>1</SP> at such distances from the pivot of the arm that they give predetermined amounts of movement to a ratchet n<SP>1</SP>. This movement is communicated to a ratchet wheel l<SP>1</SP> on the sleeve m<SP>1</SP> and causes the trip to overtake and operate the switch h\ thus energizing the motor k and lowering the means j. On removal of the vehicle, the outer edge of the wheel plate a is the last to be depressed and the switch e is therefore left in the open position. Solenoid w is deenergized and releases lever v so that the spindles u, x are retracted from connection with the clock and are rotated back to starting position by a weight x<SP>1</SP> connected to a cage z round the ratchet coupling y. The arm o<SP>1</SP> also operates a counter q. In an alternative form of wheel plate, the plate is formed by a narrow T-head on the lever C and the lever is fitted in a slot between compressible rubber pads.