Improvements in Prepayment Mechanism for Gas Meters.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan.,
1898
Complete Specification Left, 24th May, 1898- Accepted, 6th Aug., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Prepayment Mechanism for Gas Meters.
We, ANDREW GUTHRIE SUTHERLAND, JOHN FREDERIC WRIGIIT, and GEORGE
ERNEST WRIGHT, of Essex Works, Aston, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Gas Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to prepayment mechanism combined with gas
meters for effecting the supply of determined quantities of gas by the introduction
of a coin.
According to this invention we construct such apparatus as follows.
The gas is discharged from the meter through a pipe leading into a closed casing
which contains the entire prepayment mechanism, and is outside the gas meter
casing; the opening of this pipe is provided with a valve which, when closed,
stops the supply of gas. This valve is carried by an arm projecting from a spindle
by turning which in one direction the valve is closed while on turning it in the
contrary direction the valve is opened. On the upper end of this spindle is an
arm having a notch which engages with a collar on a sleeve that can slide longi-
tudinally on but is caused by a groove and feather or other means to revolve with
a spindle, which is connected by toothed gearing with a ratchet wheel having a
pawl that is actuated by a rocking coin cradle, which receives the coin intro-
duced through a slot in the casing, so that, assuming the frame or coin cradle to
be turned into a backward position, and a coin to have been introduced, then on
turning the coin cradle forward by means of an external handle, in the manner
to be presently described, the pawl effects the turning the ratchet wheel through
a certain angle whereby the spindle and its sleeve are made to perform a certain
number of revolutions. The sleeve has a screw thread formed along its outer sur-
face and with this screw thread is engaged a pinion on an axis that is rotated by
the meter mechanism when this is at work, but which is at other times stationary,
in which case it acts as a fixed nut to the threaded sleeve, so that when this is
rotated as above described, it is caused by the pinion to travel forward along its
spindle a distance corresponding to the number of rotations it receives by the for-
ward rocking motion of the frame. By this forward travel of the sleeve, it
actuates the arm on the valve spindle which is engaged with its collar, so as to
turn the spindle in the direction for opening the valve, so that gas can then enter
the casing, whence it passes off into a service pipe. When by this means the
meter mechanism is set in motion, the said pinion gearing with the threaded
sleeve is rotated, and thereby gradually slides the sleeve back again on the spindle
into its original position, and this consequently gradually turns the spindle and
valve back into the closed position. It will thus be seen that the quantity of gas
delivered by the meter will depend entirely upon the extent to which the threaded
sleeve has been previously advanced by the rocking of the coin receptacle. Assum-
ing now that on introducing, say, a penny into the coin cradle and rocking this
forward, the sleeve is advanced to such an extent that it will afterwards be brought
back to its original position so as to close the valve after the meter has delivered

page_text: 25 cubic feet of gas; then, if the said operation were repeated with a second
penny, the sleeve would be advanced double the distance, and the meter would
supply 50 feet of gas before the valve is closed, and thus any number of pennies
can be introduced consecutively up to a certain limit for obtaining a continuous
supply of gas up to a given number of cubic feet.
When no coin is introduced into the rocking coin cradle this is not actuated by
rocking the external handle, and consequently no gas is supplied.
This action is obtained as follows. The axis of the handle carries a plate situated
close against one side of the rocking coin cradle and carries a projecting stud,
which when the axis and plate are turned by the handle can pass freely through a
notch in the side of the coin cradle, so that this is not actuated thereby.
When however a penny is introduced into the coin cradle a portion of the coin
will be in front of the notch, and the stud on the plate in advancing will press
against such portion of the coin, and while nipping it tight in the cradle, will
rock the latter forward together with the coin.
The coin cradle is limited in its motion by a stop which is adjustable as will be
presently described, and when the operator feels that the forward motion is arrested,
he turns the handle backward for bringing the coin cradle back into its original
position; by this means the grip of the stud on the coin being released, the coin
falls through the open bottom of the cradle into a receptacle below, and at the same
time a second stud on the handle-plate bears against a projection on the coin
cradle, and turns this back.
As the extent to which the coin cradle is rocked determines the extent of advance
of the threaded sleeve, and consequently the quantity of gas delivered for one
penny, it is necessary to enable the extent of such rocking motion to be varied
according to the price of gas for the time being. For this purpose a part of the
coin cradle is made to work over a toothed quadrant having a stop at its forward
end which stops the further motion of the coin cradle. This quadrant is mounted
loose on the axis of the coin cradle and has a downward projecting arm, the lower
end of which works over a graduated scale indicating cubic feet of gas, so that
by moving the arm over this scale say to the division indicating 25 feet of gas,
the toothed quadrant will be shifted so as to bring its stop into a position in which
it will arrest the motion of the coin cradle when this has moved the threaded sleeve
forward to an extent corresponding to a supply of 25 feet of gas.
Should the price of gas increase, then the arm is shifted on the scale so as to
reduce the quantity of gas supplied by one stroke of the coin cradle to a corre-
sponding extent.
The threaded sleeve is connected by an elhow lever to a pointer which, by the
advance of the sleeve is made to travel over a scale which indicates the number
of feet of gas for which prepayment has been made. When the full prepayment
(say 12 pennies), for which the apparatus is adapted has been introduced, the
pointer bears against and moves a pivoted latch that projects internally over the
coin slot, and prevents any more coin from being introduced.
For preventing the possibility of a coin being fraudulently withdrawn from the
coin cradle after it has once been inserted, the coin on entering the coin cradle,
drops with part of its edge into the ratchet-like serrations of the above mentioned
toothed quadrant, and at the same time a curved serrated bar, pivoted at one end
to the casing engages with the top edge of the coin. By this means the latter,
being engaged both at the top and at the lower part with ratchet teeth, acts as
an efficient double pawl, preventing the possibility of moving the coin cradle back
again after it has once been partially moved forward, such moving back being only
possible after the coin cradle has been moved right forward, and the coin has
dropped out of the same.
"
1000

page_text: Improvements in Prepayment Mechanism for Gas Meters.
We, ANDREW GUTHRIE SUTHERLAND, JOHN FREDERIC WRIGIIT, and GEORGE
ERNEST WRIGHT, of Essex Works, Aston, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Gas Engineers, 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 relates to prepayment mechanism combined with gas meters for
effecting the supply of determined quantities of gas by the introduction of a coin;
the mechanism being of the kind wherein a sleeve sliding upon but rotating with
a spindle that is actuated by the coin, has an external screw thread into which
takes a toothed pinion rotated by the meter mechanism and which acts as a screw
nut to the threaded sleeve, causing this to be screwed forward on the rotation of
its spindle by the coin actuated mechanism, and thereby to effect the
opening of a gas admission valve by means of intermediate gear, while on
the passage of gas through the meter the consequent rotation of the before men-
tioned pinion effects the moving backward of the threaded sleeve, and the closing
of the admission valve.
The present invention relates to a simplified mechanism for effecting the above
described operations, which we will describe with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which Figure 1 shews a perspective view of a gas meter with the said
prepayment mechanism attached thereto; Figure 2 shews an enlarged vertical
longitudinal section through the prepayment mechanism, Figure 3 shew's a sectional
plan, Figure 3 shews a plan with the sleeve G in the backward position, Figure 4
shews a vertical section on line X X Figure 2, Figure 5 shews an end view with
the coin cradle in position for receiving a coin and Figure 6 shews the same view
with the cradle moved into the forward position for delivering the coin.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 are similar views to Figs. 2, 5 and 6 shewing a modified arrange-
ment.
The prepayment mechanism is entirely contained in the box A outside the meter
casing, so that it can be readily applied to existing meters.
The gas is supplied to the meter by a pipe D and passes through a closed
chamber C within the box A, and issues from such chamber through the pipe B.
The pipe B is provided with a valve E which when closed, stops the supply of
gas. The valve E is carried by an arm El projecting from a spindle E2, the partial
rotation of which in one direction or the other consequently opens or closes the
valve. The spindle E passes up through a stuffing box in the chamber C and
carries on its upper end an arm or lever F having a projection F¹ against which
can bear a flange G' on the end of a sleeve G, which has an external screw thread
and is mounted upon a spindle H so as to be capable of sliding longitudinally
thereon, but caused by a feather and groove or other known means to rotate there-
with. The spindle H carries a pinion I gearing with a toothed wheel J fixed on
the spindle J, upon which is also fixed a second toothed wheel K; engaged with
this wheel is a pawl L mounted on an arm L', that can rock freely on the spindle J';
this arm has a stud L³ projecting into a slot M¹ of the coin cradle M which can
rock upon a fixed axis (). This coin cradle is adapted to receive a coin when in
the position shewn at Figure 5, being then opposite a slit A' in the box A.
At the right-hand side of the coin cradle is a quadrant arm P also mounted
loose on the axis 0, having serrations on its top edge and a laterally_projecting
stop P at one end, and having a downwardly extended tail piece P with an
index P3 pointing on an arc scale S¹, which indicates the number of unit volumes
of gas to be supplied for one penny or other coin.

page_text: As this quantity will vary according to the price of gas, the tail piece P2 and
consequently the quadrant arm P can be adjusted in position relatively to the
scale, and secured in such adjusted position by means of a screw P+ passing through
a slot S in the bar S carrying the scale S'; by such adjustment the stop P¹ of the
arm P is brought nearer to or farther from the extreme left hand position of the
coin cradle shewn at Figure 5 and thus in varying the extent of stroke of the coin
cradle, a variation of the quantity of gas supplied for the value of one coin, is
also effected as will be presently explained.
On the same axis O with the coin cradle is also mounted loose an arm N fitting
closely against the side of the cradle, and connected to the external knob or
button by a boss passing through the side of the casing, so that by turning
the knob, the arm N can be rocked backwards and forwards on the axis O. The
arm N has a stud N2, which corresponds in position with notches M³ ³ formed in
the contiguous side of the cradle M, so that if, when the arm N is rocked by the
button there is no coin in the cradle, the stud №2 will pass backwards and forwards
through the notches without actuating the cradle, and therefore without moving
the admission valve E. If, however, a coin Q is introduced through slot A' into
the cradle M, so as to occupy the position in the latter, shewn in dotted lines at
Figure 2, while the arm N occupies the position shewn in Figure 5, then on turn-
ing the arm to the right hand the stud N will, after passing through the left hand
notch M bear against the portion of the coin which projects between the two
notches, and in pressing the coin against the front side of the cradle it will push
the latter forward on its axis ().
By this motion of the cradle, the arm L' with pawl L will also be turned for-
ward on its axis, and in effecting a corresponding partial rotation of wheels h
and J, will also through wheel I rotate spindle II and threaded sleeve G.
In gear with the underside of the threaded sleeve G is a pinion I on a spindle R¹
which passes through the meter casing to the meter mechanism and is connected
therewith in any suitable manner, so as to be rotated thereby in the direction of the
arrow 1, Figure 2 when gas is passing through the meter.
If now, while the pinion R is either stationary or is being slowly rotated in the
said direction by the meter, the sleeve G is rotated in the direction of the arrow
Figure 4 by the above described rocking motion of the coin cradle, the sleeve
will be advanced a certain distance in the direction of the arrow 2, Figure 2, by
working upon the teeth of the pinion R as in a nut.
The action of the apparatus, so far as has been described, will be as follows.
Assuming the valve E to be in the closed position, as at Figure 3 preventing the
passage of gas through the meter, then the lever F and threaded sleeve will also
be in the position shewn at Figure 3*. On introducing a coin into the cradle M
and rocking this forward in the manner above described, and thereby rotating the 4
spindle H, the sleeve G, in revolving will be caused by the pinion R to advance a
certain distance in the direction of arrow 2, by such motion flange G¹ in bearing
against lever F will turn this and its spindle 1, thereby moving valve E away
from the mouth of pipe B, so as to allow gas to pass through the meter. By the
consequent rotation of the pinion R in the direction of arrow 1, the sleeve will be 4
slid backward into its original position again, so that the flange G₁ will effect the
turning back of lever F and the closing of valve E again, thus stopping the
gas supply. As before stated, the extent of forward motion of the coin cradle M
is regulated by the adjustment of the quadrant arm 1, so that its stop P1 is
brought nearer to or farther from the extreme backward position of the coin 5
cradle. Assuming the tail piece P to have been adjusted with its index on division 20
of scale S¹ as shewn at Figure 5, corresponding to a supply of 20 cubic feet for the
- value of one coin, then the stop P will be in such a position as to stop the forward
motion of the cradle M when this, by the rotation of H, has caused the sleeve G
to be moved forward to such an extent that on the now ensuing rotation of pinion R 5
and backward motion of G this will effect the closing of the valve E at the
moment when 20 cubic feet of gas have been supplied.

page_text: If instead of only introducing a single coin, several be introduced in succession,
the sleeve G will be advanced to a correspondingly greater extent, causing a pro-
portionately greater volume of gas to be supplied before the valve E is closed again
by the backward motion of G.
On introducing the coin into the cradle, it is supported solely by resting upon
the serrated edge of the quadrant arm 1', until by the forward motion of the cradle,
the coin is brought beyond the end of such arm as shewn at Figure 6 whereupon
it will fall down into the locked tray A² below.
On then turning the lever arm N back again, a stud № thereon bears against a
stud M* on the cradle M, and thereby turns the latter back to the original position
opposite the coin slot. The serrations on the quadrant arm P into which the coin
takes, are made as ratchet teeth, and a toothed segment arm T pivoted at T¹ to the
box Á extends over the top of the cradle M so as to rest upon and engage with the
upper edge of the coin Q when inserted. Thus the coin being engaged during the
whole of its forward motion between the ratchet teeth of P and T, no fraudulent
backward turning of the cradle M can be effected, as such backward motion can only
take place after the coin has fallen out of the cradle.
The apparatus being designed to admit only a certain number of coins at one
time, the number introduced is indicated by a pointer U moving over a scale U¹
which indicates the total number of cubic feet of gas corresponding to the total
number of coins introduced. The pointer U is connected by suitable gear V to
the flange G of the sleeve G so that at each advance of the latter the pointer U is
advanced to a corresponding extent over the scale.
When the sleeve has been advanced to the full extent of its motion by the intro-
duction of the total number of coins the pointer U in arriving at its extremo
position at the left hand end of the scale bears against the upper arm of a
latch W-Figures 5 and 6, and thereby causes the lower arm thereof to pass over
the upper portion of the coin slot A thus preventing the introduction of any
farther coin. The introduction of coin through the slot is also prevented in any
other position than the extreme backward position of the cradle, by the quadrant
arm N of lever N projecting over the lower position of the coin slot, as indicated
at Figure 6.
"
The backward motion of the wheel K during the backward motion of the cradle
is prevented by a spring pawl X carried by the bracket Y that supports axis O.
The backward motion of the coin cradle M is limited by the stop Z on the casing.
The modification shewn at Figures 7 to 9 only differs from the above described
construction in the mode of operating the cradle M by the knob N¹, and the manner
in which the motion of the cradle is transmitted to the arm L' and pawl L that
actuates the toothed wheel K.
In this case the coin cradle M is fixed to the lever arm N pivoted on the axis O
and rocked by the button N¹ attached thereto.
The cradle M is notched out on its left hand side as shewn at Figure 8, and
across such notched part projects the pin L³ on the lever L' that rocks on spindle J¹
and carries the pawl L gearing with toothed wheel K as before. A finger M³ on
the cradle bears against the right hand side of the pin L so that when the
cradle M is rocked in the backward direction it will move the pin L lever L'
and pawl L backward, but on rocking the cradle forward, when no coin is inserted,
the lever L' and pawl L will not be actuated. On the introduction of a coin how-
ever, this will press upon the pin L, as indicated at Figure 8, and will thus
actuate the lever and pawl as before described. The backward motion of lever L'
is limited by a tail L³ which comes in contact with the axis O.
The other parts of the machanisin are the same as in the first arrangement.
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. In prepayment mechanism of the kind first herein referred to, the combina-

page_text: tion with a threaded sleeve such as G operating a gas-admission valve through
a lever such as F', of a rocking coin cradle such as M, a rocking lever such as N
actuated by an external handle and imparting motion to the coin cradle through
the agency of an inserted coin, toothed gearing such as I J K through which rotary
motion is imparted to a spindle H carrying the threaded sleeve G and which
receives motion from a pawl L on a lever L' having a pin L³ engaged with a slot
in the coin cradle M, so that by the forward rocking motion of the latter the
rotation and advance of the sleeve G is effected, substantially as described.
2. In prepayment mechanism such as is herein referred to, the combination with
a rocking coin cradle, such as M, of a quadrant arm such as P with a stop P¹
limiting the forward motion of the cradle, the said arm being moveably mounted
on an axis and having a tail piece P with pointer P³ that can be shifted over a
scale for indicating variable quantities of gas to be supplied for the value of a
single coin, so that by varying the position of the tail and pointer relatively to such
scale, the position of the stop P¹ is varied relatively to the cradle so as to increase or
decrease the extent of its motion and consequently to vary in a corresponding
manner the extent of advance of the threaded sleeve and the quantity of gas
admitted for the value of one coin substantially as described.
3. In prepayment mechanism such as is referred to in the second claim, the
arrangement whereby when a coin is inserted into the cradle it is made to rest
upon the serrated edge of the quadrant arm P' while at the same time a pivoted
serrated bar T rests upon its upper edge, whereby the coin cradle is prevented from
being fraudulently moved backward so long as a coin is contained therein, sub-
stantially as described.
4. In prepayment mechanism of the kind herein referred to the combination of
the coin cradle M rocked by an external handle, pawl L actuated by the coin
cradle, toothed gear K JI actuated by pawl L and effecting the rotation of
spindle H, and sliding threaded sleeve G, pointer U actuated by the said sleeve
and moving over a scale , latch W actuated by pointer U so as to prevent the
farther insertion of coin after a certain number have been introduced, adjustable
serrated quadrant arm P with stop P' controlling the motion of the coin cradle,
and tail Pe with pointer P³ moving over scale S¹, and the serrated bar T, the said
parts being arranged and operating with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 24th day of May 1898