Improvements connected with Coin Freed or Actuated or Automatic Gas Meters.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with Coin Freed or Actuated or
Automatic Gas Meters.
I, CHARLES GRANTLEY BEECHEY, of Chapel Walks, South Castle Street, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to gas meters of the automatic or coin freed or
actuated type, that is to say, gas meters which, upon the insertion of a coin are set
or freed or may be set or moved to pass or supply a quantity of gas equivalent
to, or of the value of, the coin or coins so introduced. And it relates to that class
of such meters wherein the coins introduced into the machine are only delivered
coin by coin to the drawer or coin receptacle accessible to the gas companies' agents
or proprietors, as the gas for each coin so delivered is used, and to those also
wherein the coins introduced are delivered to the cash drawer or receptacle before
such gas, or some of it, has been consumed.
This invention has mainly for its object to provide a means by which the checking
of those charged with the collection of the money from such meters, and also those
who use the meters is afforded, and fraudulent action detected; and also to provide
for a means for this object of a simple and inexpensive construction or type.
According to this invention, I employ recording mechanism comprising a marker,
and a strip or roll of paper to be marked; and on which a chart is drawn by the
marker. This marker is adapted to be operated in what I may call a post-payment
meter, twice for each record; the first mark being effected by the movement of the
meter in passing gas, and the second marking, which is preferably in conjunction
with the first, being effected by the coin (or part moving it) as it passes through
or falls from the mechanism which moves it from the part at which it is introduced,
into the receptacle for receiving it, and which is accessible to the gas company or
proprietors or their agents. The marking device is actuated in this second action
by such coin, or a part of the mechanism acting upon it at the time of the delivery
of the coin. The first marking takes place as the gas for which the coin is delivered
or is being delivered, is consumed; while the second marking takes place at the
end of consumption of the gas, and in connection with the first marking, so that
each particular movement of the meter corresponding to each coin delivered, will be
shewn; and when the meter has been properly worked by a coin, the second marking
will be made, whilst when it has been improperly worked, the second marking would
not be effected, and so the wrongful use of the meter will be shewn.
In a prepayment meter, one marking will be effected by the working of the
mechanism by the hand actuated part or device; whilst the second marking would
be effected by the coin or a part moving same in the manner above described;
or, as a modification, the first marking cculd be effected by the movement of the
meter in passing gas, and the second marking being effected as in the first case
specified.
When the paper is in the form of a continuous strip or ribbon, it is so arranged,
or the mechanism is so devised, that a blank part of the paper at each end exists
containing no diagram, except it be a straight line, so that the true chart or record
lies between these blank ends, and so each chart removed by the collector from the

page_text: meter, contains the whole diagram or record, corresponding with the sum collected
or taken from the instrument, and delivered during the taking of such record.
The recording mechanism is so arranged, that when a collector collects the money
from the meter, and takes the diagram or record corresponding with the money or
coins delivered into the coin receiver, he has before tearing off the diagram, to pull
down the tape a certain distance from off the supply roll. This causes the commence-
ment of the marking of the fresh diagram to take place some distance from the end;
and the same will happen at the other end. The means employed for recording is
also adapted to cause one of every 12 or other set of markings, to be distinctively
marked or indicated, by a special marking or indication, so that the chart marked
will readily indicate the number of shillings or other higher value, while the units
over these at either end merely have to be added.
In the case of the coins being discharged into a receptacle or drawer from a
conduit, the marked or chart actuating mechanism is disposed in the casing with such
conduit, and the coin moving mechanism, and is accessible to the person who has
access to the drawer or coin receptacle.
One form of mechanism, by which the chart paper is actuated and fed, consists of
a roller device worked by a pawl mechanism or the like, actuating the roller whereby
the feed roller would be moved forward a certain amount for a quantity of gas, of the
value of each coin introduced; and the marker, which, say, consists of an arm or
lever with a pen or pencil or puncturing device on it, is adapted to be actuated
to or fro, or in other desired manner, for each of said movements of the roller.
In some cases, while the gas for a given coin is being consumed, the diagram may
shew a line moving gradually in one direction, and directly the said gas is consumed,
a transverse line in the opposite direction is suddenly made; and then when the second
marking is effected at or near the release or delivery of the coin, another marking,
say practically parallel with the transverse mark, is made. These markings may be
effected by a circular rack connected with or on the roller or a set of teeth thereon,
and a device on the marker acting in connection with such teeth or rack; and one
of said teeth is arranged with a deeper recess, by which an extra movement of the
marker is made, and thereby produces the special mark for every one in twelve
records or markings, corresponding with twelve pence or one shilling.
As regards the particular form, and manner of movement of the recording
mechanism or means just described, the invention is not restricted to the mechanism
just described. Further, it is to be stated, that the features or improvements
described herein can he used singly or collectively in meters of the kind referred to,
and to meters or various kinds of this class, and is used and applied in modified
arrangements to suit varying and special cases.
Dated this 12th day of March 1896.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
.nprovements connected with Coin Freed or Actuated or
Automatic Gas Meters.
I, CHARLES GRANTLEY BEECHEY, cf Chapel Walks, South Castle Street, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has reference to gas meters of the automatic or coin freed or
actuated type, that is to say, gas meters which, upon the insertion of a coin are set

page_text: or freed, or may be set or moved to pass or supply a quantity of gas equivalent to,
or of the value of, the coin or coins so introduced; and it relates more particularly
to those classes of such meters wherein the coins introduced into the machine are
only delivered coin by coin to the drawer or coin receptacle accessible to the gas
companies' agents or proprietors, as the gas for each coin so delivered is used, and to
those also, wherein the coins introduced are delivered to the cash drawer or receptacle
before such gas, or some of it, has been consumed.
This invention has mainly for its object to provide a means by which the checking
of those charged with the collection of the money from such meters, and also those
who use the meters, is afforded, and fraudulent action detected; and also to provide a
means for this object, of a simple and inexpensive construction or type.
According to this invention. I employ a recording mechanism comprising a
marker, and a strip or roll of paper to be marked; and on which a diagram is drawn
by the marker. This marker is adapted to be operated in what I may call a post-
payment meter, twice for such record; the first mark being effected by the
movement of the meter in passing gas, and the second marking, which is preferably
in conjunction with the first, being effected by the coin (or part moving it) as it
passes through or falls from the mechanism, which moves it from the part at which
it is introduced, into the receptacle for receiving it, and which is accessible to the gas
company or proprietors, or their agents. The marking device is actuated in this
second action by such coin, or a part of the mechanism acting upon it, at the time of
the delivery of the coin. The first marking takes place as the gas for which the coin is
delivered, or is being delivered, is consumed; while the second marking takes place at
the end of the consumption of the gas, and in connection with the first marking, so
that each particular movement of the meter corresponding to each coin delivered, will be
shewn; and when the meter has been properly worked by a coin, the second marking
will be made, whilst when it has been improperly worked, the second marking would
not be effected, and so the wrongful use or improper working of the meter will be
shewn.
When the paper is in the form of a continuous strip or ribbon, it is so arranged,
or the mechanism is so devised, that a blank part of the paper at each end exists
containing no diagram, except it be a straight line, so that the true diagram, or record
lies between these blank ends; and so each chart removed by the collector from the
meter, contains the whole diagram or record, corresponding with the sum collected or
taken from the instrument, and delivered during the taking of such record.
The recording mechanism is so arranged, that when a collector collects the money
from the meter, and takes the diagram or record, corresponding with the money or
coins delivered into the coin receiver, he has, before tearing off the diagram, to pull
down the tape a certain distance from off the supply roll. This causes the commence-
ment of the marking of the fresh diagram to take place some distance from the end;
and the same will happen at the other end. The means employed for recording may
be also adapted to cause one of every 12 or other set of markings, to be distinctly
marked or indicated, by a special marking or indication, so that the chart marked
will readily indicate the number of shillings or other higher value, while the units
over these, at either end, merely have to he added.
In the case of the coins being discharged into a receptacle or drawer from a
conduit, the marker or chart actuating mechanism is disposed in the casing with such
conduit, and the coin moving mechanism, and is accessible to the person who has
access to the drawer or coin receptacle.
The drawings hereto annexed illustrate my invention as applied to a meter of the
kind referred to in my former Patent Specification No. 24133 of 1895, and it (the
invention) will now be more particularly described with reference thereto. Figure 1
of these drawings shews the side elevation of the mechanism in section; and Figure 2
is a front elevation of same at the line A A Figure 1.
Referring now to these drawings, a is the chart paper; 6 is the roller on which the
chart paper is stored; c c are the feeding rollers by which the paper is drawn off b,
and moved past the marking pencil; c² is a back plate, forming a guide and support

page_text: to the paper in its motion past the pencil; d is a worm wheel mounted upon the shaft
of the roller e; and e is a worm, gearing with d, and mounted on the shaft e', which
is driven from a suitable part or gearing actuated by the meter, say, the gearing
operating the counter, or other part operated by the passage of gas through the
meter. is the pencil or marking point, which is carried on the end of the bell crank
lever fulcrummed at ", and normally pressed in one direction by the spring,
acting upon the short arm of the lever. g is a cam wheel, mounted on and revolving
with the shaft of the roller e, and having upon its face a number of cam teeth; and
h is a lever, fulcrummed at ', and having at its lower end an inwardly bent part
which is acted upon by the cam teeth of the cam wheel g; while its opposite end
works a cross bar i, supported at either end by brackets on either side of the
table c. This cross bar has a longitudinal slot in it, and through this slot the long
arm of the pencil lever f passes. "k is a detent arm, fulerammet at 4, and having a
detent tooth, and a stop pin k³ upon it; and it is connected with a lever 1, one end
of which is connected with the arm k by the rod m, whilst the other end is free, and
is disposed directly under the lower end of the coin tube o, and in the path of discharge
of the coins.
In action, the pencil or marker will make a complete operation, and the chart paper
will be marked, while the cam wheel g is moving a distance equal to the pitch of its
cam teeth; and that movement will correspond with one pennyworth of gas passed
through the meter. Therefore, at each of these movements and operations of the
pencil, a penny, will be discharged from the coin tube o, as the pennyworth of gas
is consumed; the mechanism by which the coins are so discharged being assumed to
be the same as that set forth in my said former cited patent specification. The result
of the movement of this driving mechanism is two fold. In the first place, as the
driving roller c is on the same shaft as the driving gearing d, and the cam wheel g,
it will be rotated when gas is passed through the meter, and will pull down the chart.
paper a past the pencil point, which bears by gravity upon it; and in the second
place, the cani teeth of g, acting on the end of the lever h, causes the pencil lever,
through the bar i, to be pulled over away from the pin A, against which it will have been
resting; that being the position it takes at one end of the stroke. The result is, that
the pencil draws a line across the paper while it is being moved forward at right
angles to the direction of movement of the pencil. Then when the arm of the pencil
lever passes under the detent or notch k², the arm k drops, and again rests on the
pencil and the arm remains in this position during the rest of the movement of the
pencil back to one side of the chart paper; the end of the stroke of the pencil carrier
being reached, when the end of the lever h, working on the cam wheel g, has reached
the extremity or tip of one of its can teeth. By the further movement or rotation
of a, the cam tooth which has pressed it out, moves away from the end of the lever h,
and so the spring is free to exercise its tension and move the lever f. It does so,
and thereby moves the pencil up to the detent k2, so moving, at the same time, the
bar i and lever h, by the pencil arm of the lever acting on the end of the slot in i
through which passes. The arm will be held in this position by the detent
and soon the coin will pass from the coin tube o, as the gas for which it is the payment
has been consumed by the meter, and registered. The action of this coin in falling,
strikes the lever 1, and depresses it, lifting thereby the arm k through the rod m, and
moving the detent out of the normal path of the pencil. The result of this
is, a sudden movement of the pencil from the position in which it was detained, in a
lateral direction across the paper or chart, to a point which will be governed by the
position of the stop pin 4, 'which limits the stroke of ', after its release. And when
it has arrived in this position, the cycle of movements is complete, and the record
made.
;
This marking or recording action will shew, firstly, by the marking from left to
right across the chart paper, and back up to the point, where the pencil is held by the
detent, that the meter has been passing gas through it; and, secondly, by the
final marking, due to the movement of the pencil from its point of detention by 3, to
the end of its stroke (i.e. to a point governed by the stop pin on the arm k), that

page_text: Were this
coin (being the payment for the gas which has been shewn to be passed through the
meter) has been properly introduced and "payed" into the meter.
second or final marking of the chart paper absent, then the record would shew at
once by its absence, that gas has been passed through the meter, but no payment
made for it.
When inspecting the meter, the record or chart shews diagrammatically, at once,
whether the working of the meter and automatic coin freed or actuated mechanism
has been normal, or not; and whether it has been properly used, or tampered with.
When the paper which bears the diagram is removed it is first pulled down, by the
hand, through the rollers c cl, so that the end of the strip will be blank or bear only
a straight mark; and then it is torn or cut off. The diagram on the paper will thus
have a blank part at each end, forming a margin or finish at each end, and serving as
a means of shewing that the diagram detached by the inspector or collector has been
properly detached or manipulated.
As regards the particular form, and manner of movement of the recording mechanism
or means set forth with reference to and shewn in the drawings, it is to be understood
the invention is not restricted to these, the novel features or characteristics constituting
the subject of the invention, being specified or pointed out in the clauses concluding the
specification.
In prepayment gas meters, that is, gas meters in which the coins are paid directly
into the cash receptacle or drawer, practically, at the same time as they are introduced,.
and before the gas for which they represent payment has been consumed, the
actuation or setting of the meter to supply a certain quantity of gas is usually
performed by turning a handle, or pulling out a stop or drawer, or operating some
similar device, by hand; and in such cases the driving or moving, and the marking
of the paper or diagram chart (a) is effected by the said handle, plug, pull-stop,
drawer, or the like, referred to; that is to say, the said handle or equivalent operating
part, through any suitable known means, such, for instance, as a pawl and ratchet,
would operate the paper or chart driving roller (as c), or other means employed to.
move said paper or chart. As regards the marking, however, this, instead of being
effected by the hand actuating part, as described, may be effected by the coin, as it
falls or is paid into the cash receptacle of the meter or automatic mechanism, in a
manner similarly to that set forth with reference to the drawings.
In most cases, in addition to the marking effected by these means, a further marking
or recording is also made by the marker when the gas is being passed through the
meter, the moving of the paper or diagram chart being effected by the moving part of
the meter when passing such gas; similarly as in the case set forth with reference to
the drawings. By the first marking the record will shew each actuation of the hand
actuated "setting" mechanism, and whether coins have been paid into the cash
receptacle, for each of such actuations, or not. To effect these operations, recording
mechanism of the kind shewn in the annexed drawings, suitably modified, may be
used with advantage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein described improvement in coin freed or automatic gas meters,
namely, a meter or meter mechanism of this type or kind having a detachable
recording paper or chart operated (in a post-payment meter such as described) by the
meter in passing gas, or (in a prepayment meter), by the part moved through the
medium of or by the coin, in "setting" the meter; and a marking or recording
device, adapted to work said paper or chart; whereby the number of penny-worths
of gas passed through the meter is marked or recorded on the chart or paper, and so
serving as a check upon the use and action of the meter, and a record thereof: for
the purposes set forth.
2. The herein described improvement in coin freed, or automatic gas meters,.
namely, a meter or mechanism of this kind or type having a recording mechanism

page_text: adapted to shew or record by the markings or indications recorded upon a chart of
paper, or the like, the introduction or payment of coins into the meter in respect
of the gas passed through it, by or through the action of such coins upon the
recording device, in passing into or through the automatic mechanism: for the
purposes specified.
3. The herein described improvement in coin freed, or automatic gas meters,
namely, a meter or meter mechanism of this kind or type, having a recording
mechanism adapted to shew or record, by the markings or indications recorded upon
a chart of paper, or the like, effected by or from a moving part of the meter in
passing gas, the passing of the gas through the meter, and also the introduction or
payment of coins into the meter, in respect of the gas passed by or through it, by
or through the action of such coins upon the recording device, in passing into or
through the automatic mechanism for the purposes specified.
4. The employment in connection with the automatic mechanisms of a coin freed
or automatic gas meter, of a recording device or mechanism, comprising a diagram
paper or chart driven by a moving part of the meter when passing gas; and a pencil
or marker, also actuated by a moving part of the meter when passing gas, and by the
coins as they fall or are paid into the cash receptacle of the meter: substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
5. The coin freed or automatic gas meter recording mechanism, having its parts
constructed and adapted to operate as shewn in and set forth with reference to the
drawings.
Dated this 11th dox of Dasambar 1800.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.