Improvements in or connected with Gas-meters.
Year: 1891

page_text: The decision of the Comptroller-General, of the 2nd day of July 1895, allowed,
under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883, an Amendment of this
Specification.
Date of Application, 23th Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 29th June, 1892-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Gas-meters.
I, CHARLES GRANTLEY BEECHEY, of 7 Kremlin Drive, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
:-
This invention has reference to that class of gas meters in which the act o
placing a coin or the like in it, will free the meter and allow it to pass a given
quantity of gas, and which after such a volume of gas has passed through it, auto-
matically becomes locked, and no more gas can be passed until another coin, or the
like, or a number of same are placed in the apparatus.
The main object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the above class
which shall be simpler, and more efficient and certain in their operation than
those hitherto proposed, and which also shall be more suited to requirements, and
to the nature of the conditions concerning the supply of gas in small and prepaid
quantities.
According to this invention, there is combined with a moving part of the meter,
such as one of the shafts or wheels thereof, a stop or detent mechanism, which upon
the placing in the machine of a coin or the like, or a number of same, is actuated,
and frees the meter, that is, puts it in such a condition that gas may be passed
through it; and further the weight of the coin or coins, or the like, is adapted or
utilized to actuate or set the meter, so that when the quantity or value of gas paid
for, or equivalent to the coin or coins, or the like, placed in the meter, is passed
through it, it becomes locked and no more gas can then pass. To effect this, by
one arrangement, the coin or the like placed in the machine, moves into or onto a
moving part, and the mechanism being thereby freed, its weight serves to move
said part, and set or regulate the meter to allow a certain quantity of gas, and no
more, to pass through it. The movement of the meter, in passing this quantity of
gas, through a suitable moving part of same, moves back or follows the freeing
mechanism to the point or condition to which it was set or actuated by the placing
of the coin, or the like, in it, and stops or locks it, and no gas can then flow. This
movement may be effected through screw, worm, tooth, or other gear.
In connection with the freeing mechanism of gas meters of the kind hereinabore
referred to, I employ a mechanism by means of which a variable quantity of gas
may be allowed to pass through the meter for each coin, or the like, placed in it;
so that according to the change of the price of gas, by setting or adjusting this
device, a certain and variable quantity of gas may be given.
A device according to this invention for this purpose may consist of a number
of toothed wheels of varying diameter, one of which engages with a suitable
wheel on or connected with the mechanism of the meter. These wheels are so

page_text: arranged that they may be changed at will, and that wheel corresponding
with the price of gas, at any time existing, put in gear with the mechanism of
the meter.
This invention may be modified, carried out and the parts employed therein
combined in various ways without departing from the general object, and nature of
same herein above specified.
Dated this o
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Agents.
Improvements in or connected with Gas-meters.
I, CHARLES GRANTLEY BEECHEY, of 7, Kremlin Drive, 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 that class of gas meters, in which the act of
placing a coin or the like in it, will free the meter and allow it to pass a given
quantity of gas, and which after such a volume of gas has passed through it, auto-
matically becomes stopped or locked, and no more gas can be passed until another
coin, or the like, or a number of same are placed in the apparatus.
The main object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the above class
which shall be simpler, and more efficient, and certain in their operation, than those
hitherto proposed, and which also shall be more suited to requirements, and to the
nature of the conditions concerning the supply of gas in small and prepaid
quantities.
According to this invention, there is combined with a moving part of the meter,
such as one of the shafts or wheels thereof, a stop or detent mechanism, which upon
the placing in the machine of the coin or the like, or a number of same, is actuated,
and frees the meter, that is, puts it in such a condition that gas may be passed
through it; and further, the weight of the coin or coins, or the like, is adapted or
utilized to set the meter to pass a quantity of gas. When the quantity or value of
gas paid for, or equivalent to the coin or coins, or the like, placed in the meter is
passed through it, it becomes stopped or locked and no more gas can then pass. To
effect this, by one arrangement, the coin or the like placed in the machine, moves
iuto or onto a moving part, and the mechanism being thereby freed, its weight
serves to move said part, and set or regulate the meter to allow a certain quantity
of gas and no more, to pass through it. The movement of the meter, in passing
this quantity of gas, through a suitable moving part of same, moves back or
follows the "setting" mechanism to the point or condition to which it was set
or actuated by the placing of the coin, or the like, in it, and stops or locks it,
and no gas can then flow. This movement may be effected through screw, worm,
tooth, or other gear.
In connection with the freeing mechanism of gas meters of the kind nereinbefore
referred to, I employ a mechanisin by means of which a variable quantity of gas
may be allowed to pass through the meter for each coin, or the like, placed in it;
so that according to the change of the price of gas, by setting or adjusting this
device, a certain and variable quantity of gas may be given. A device according
to this invention for this purpose may consist of a number of toothed wheels of
varying diameter, one of which engages with a suitable wheel on or connected with
the mechanism of the meter. These wheels are so arranged that they may be
changed at will, and that wheel corresponding with the price of gas, at any time
existing, put in gear with the mechanism of the meter.

page_text: dry.
"
In the drawings which serve to illustrate this invention I shew in Figures 1, 2,
and 3 improvements according to this invention applied to a
meter,
Figure 1 being a section elevation thereof; Figure 2 a section at A A Figure 1,
and Figure 3 a plan of driving gear.
Figure 4 is a plan of one of the pockets of the mechanism actuating wheel.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 6 a sectional back view of a "wet"
meter provided with improvements according to my invention.
"
is
Referring now to Figures 1 to 4, a is the tube or conduit adapted to receive and
convey the pennies, coins, or tokens to the mechanism, a slot being provided in the
top of the meter through which the coin or token is inserted. 6 is the wheel with
pockets on its periphery adapted to receive the coins or tokens, and by which
the weight of such coins or tokens is adapted and serves to "set" the meter.
a detent, hinged at c³, and having a counterbalance c³, and by which the wheel b is
held and released. d is a worm or threaded shaft worked from the meter as herein-
after described, the ends of the worm being mounted and fixed in the meter as
shewn. e is a sleeve with a female thread, working on the worm d, and having a
key e which works in a corresponding keyway in the boss 6 of the wheel b. fis
a lever fulcrummed at f' to the bracket c³, and the lower end of which is bifurcated,
and abuts against one end of the slceve e, whilst the other is connected to the gas
controlling valve through the connecting rod g, crank 9', shaft g, and lever g³. is
the gas inlet valve. A is a tight case in which the lever and valve / are disposed
and work, the inlet and outlet of gas to and from same, from the ordinary gas
inlet i, being designated respectively and ³: the flow of gas through these
apertures is caused or effected by the diaphragm i in i. is a crown wheel fixed
on the worm shaft d, and is worked from the existing crank shaft of an ordinary
dry meter through the worm wheels and (fixed respectively on the crank
shaft and the ordinary counter mechanism shaft³), spur wheels, j³, shaft j³,
toothed wheel, crown wheel, shaft, and finally the toothed wheel which
meshes with the crown wheel d¹. In lieu of the wheel 17, 18, shaft ; and
wheels and d', I may provide a sprocket wheel on the shaft, and another
sprocket wheel on the worm shaft d, and connect them and drive one from the
other by a pitch chain, this arrangement is shewn in the wet meter drawings
hereinafter described.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows :—
2
Prior to the insertion of a coin, say a penny, or token, in the slot, the detent e
will have its active end above the point shewn in Figure 1, and engaged with and
holding the wheel 6 by the corner piece of metal 62, which is provided in connection
with each of the pockets 63 of the wheel b. When, however, a coin or token a falls
from the conduit a into one of the pockets (which are always co-incident with or
directly under the conduit a when the payment is not being made), its lower edge
strikes and rests upon the free end of the lever c, and depresses it, and disengages
it from the part of the wheel. In this condition, assuming two preceding
pockets of the wheel be charged with pennies or tokens, the weight of the coin or
coins in the periphery of the wheel b cause it to make a partial revolution. By
this partial revolution, the sleeve e will be revolved to a similar extent and will be
thereby moved longitudinally on the worm shaft d by the thread thereon, and will
thus, through the leverf and intermediate connection, have opened the gas valve h.
After the pocket 3, charged with a penny or coin leaves the catch or detent c, the
latter is lifted, by its counterbalance weight c, into such a position that when the
next pocket comes up to it, the part thereof will strike it, and the wheel b will
be stopped and cannot move until the insertion of another coin or token in the slot.
When the pockets 6 have passed the shield b', they fall out by gravity into the
drawer in the bottom of the meter.
By this construction it is provided that the apparatus would be capable of
receiving a number of coins or tokens one after the other, each of which will move
the sleeve e a certain distance of the extent of its stroke, and thereby open the
gas valve a greater distance. When the limit of longitudinal motion or stroke of

page_text: the sleeve e is reached, no more coins inserted in the meter will effect the operation
thereof.
"
A meter having been "set" as described, that is, its gas valve opened by the
insertion of one or more coins or tokens, gas may then be passed through the meter
and burned. When this is doue, directly consumption takes place, and the meter
begins to move, the shaft or spindle ; commences to operate, that is rotate, the
worm shaft d, through the gear interposed between j and d, and to wind back
longitudinally by the rotation thereof, the sleeve e, the rotation of e itself in this
action being prevented by the key e sliding in the keyway in the boss b'.
When this longitudinal movement reaches the point from which the sleeve started
from the first insertion of the coin or token, the valve h will have become
closed and no more gas can pass, and the meter stops, and the exact amount of gas
for which pre-payment has been made by the coins inserted will have passed
through the meter.
It will be thus seen that the mechanism described is an automatic supply and cut
off, whereby, on the one hand, by the insertion and weight of a coin or token the
supply mechanism is free to act and operates and "sets" the meter to give
equivalent supply of the gas to the token or coin, and on the other hand by the
consumption of the gas so paid for, this mechanism is worked back by the meter as
the gas is consumed and brings it back to the point from which it started, thereby
shutting off the gas and stopping the meter.
In order to avoid introducing into the mechanism coins or tokens of a smaller
size than those by which the meter is arranged and adapted to be worked, I
provide in the inclined conduit a, an aperture at a' through which such smaller
coins or tokens would fall directly into the bottom of the meter onto an
inclined shelf or shelves 1, down which they will slide and will be returned to
the user through the apertures 1, or either of them, at the bottom of the incline.
The example of the application of the invention to wet meters is illustrated in
Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. In this example the wheel 6 is mounted directly
on the screwed worm or spindle d, and the sleeve e in Figure 1 is dispensed with,
its equivalent, however, is provided in the form of a sleeve outside the wheel b, and
on which the sprocket wheel d' for working it in cutting off the gas, is provided.
The worm shaft d is provided with a key or feather e', whilst the wheel or sleeve e
is provided with a keyway in which the key or feather e works. The action in
this case is, that as the wheel b is rotated by the weight of the coin or token the
worm spindle d receives longitudinal movement (the boss being provided with an
internal thread gearing with that of d), while by the consumption of gas, the
sleeve e is rotated through the sprocket wheel d' sprocket chain, and sprocket
wheel, and the screwed worm is thereby rotated through the key e, and screws
through the boss b' of the wheel backwards, the screw worm itself being
supported by the bracket d³ fixed to the existing permanent case of the meter:
the bearing surfaces of the brackets as being plain the worm shaft or spindle d can
slide to and fro in them.
The sleeve e is driven by the sprocket gear just specified, the shaft jo, worm
wheel and the worm, this latter being formed on the lower part of the existing
spindle of the unit wheel of the ordinary "wet" gas meter.
The coin or token wheel b in this case has its pockets arranged in the same plane
as the wheel, and the coin or token conduit a has a twist in it of 90°.
The freeing detent lever c in this case is arranged substantially in the same
manner as that in the dry meter. It holds the wheel b by the parts, which are
formed on the outer plate 6, of the pockets, and it is itself disengaged from this
part by the coin or token coming in contact with it and resting on it, when dropped
into the meter.
When gas is consumed, after the "setting" of the meter by the action of the
coin actuated wheel b, the screwed worm & comes in contact with the lever f,
fulcrummed at f', and presses that lever back. This action, through the bell crank
lever g, rod g, and lever g' fixed on the fulcrum spindle y², closes the ordinary

page_text: float actunted existing valve of the meter, by pulling down the spindle thereof
and the float h³. To set the meter to give a supply of gas, of course the
reverse action takes place, and through the levers and parts just specified, the.
valve is allowed to lift and so become "set" to allow gas to pass through
the meter.
In some cases, to cause gas to shut off slowly so that a warning is given to.
the users, the ordinary existing spindle which carries the drum of the meter is
provided with a disc n, in connection with which is adapted to work a brako o-
fixed on the fulcrum spindle g². The action of this is that when the amount of gas
for which prepayment was made has been consumed, the brake o, which is fixed on
the spindle 92 (on which also the lever g³ is fixed), is lifted simultaneously with the
movement of the lever when the valve his being closed, and presse's on the
disc n, and causes the ineter to move slowly and eventually stop, the gradual
diminution of light giving warning to the consumer. p is the ordinary existing
worm on the spindle m, and p¹ the worm wheel driven thereby which is fixed on
and moves the unit spindle. The brake mechanism just described may be used
in some cases where desired, alone, as a means of stopping the supply of gas when
the quantity paid for is consumed.
The rod g passes through a tube 1x, the lower end of which dips into the
liquid in the chamber in which the liquid, and the float and other usual parts
are contained, and by which a liquid seal is formed between this chamber and the
chamber without it.
In some cases the automatic mechanism herein described may be contained in a
separate case, and be connected as a whole to meters, and so coupled up thereto, as
to operate and effect the ends herein specified.
With respect to the means or constructions by which different quantities of gas
may he caused to be supplied by meters, by the same value of coin or token, 1
mount the wheel detachably on the shaft or spindle j, said shaft being provided
at its end with a thread, onto which a thumb nut j" is screwed and by which the
said wheel is held on. If then, it is desired to change the quantity to be supplied
for a given value of coin or token, a different sized wheel will be substituted for
the one on. The change is made by screwing off the nut j", drawing off the
wheel, and putting on another, and then screwing on the nut again. A larger
wheel will give less, and a smaller one more, gas for a given coin or token.
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 a prepayment gus meter, a wheel or equivalent device adapted to receive
one or more coins or tokens placed in the meter, or automatic mechanism, and to be
actuated by the weight of such coins or tokens, and whereby the meter is auto-
matically "set" to supply a given quantity of gas.
"
2.1. In a prepayment gas meter, a wheel or equivalent device adapted to be
actuated by coins or tokens placed in the meter or automatic mechanism, and a
screw or worm device, such device being actuated by the operation of said coin or
token driven wheel or device, whereby the meter is "set to supply gas, and also
by a suitable moving part of the meter as the gas is consumed, whereby the supply
is automatically cut off or stopped when the quantity paid for is consumed; as
herein set forth and shown.
3. In a prepayment gas meter, mechanism for "setting" said meters; and for
eutting off or stopping the supply of gas, consisting of a screw or worm, and a
sleeve or nut worked thereby; operating and arranged substantially as set forth
with reference to the drawings.
4. In a prepayment gas meter, a conduit (a) down which the coins-or tokens are
introduced disposed at an inclination, and having an aperture therein, whereby
coins or tokens smaller than those designed to be used, fall out of said conduit,
and are prevented from entering the mechanism of the meter, said coins or

page_text: tokens being adopted to be returned to the user, or not, as desired + substantially
as set forth.
2. In a prepayment gas-meter, a screw or rotary cut off, or a stop mechanism,
in combination with a toothed or sprocket wheel (7), the said wheel being mounted
on or driven from a moving part adapted to operate the counting mechanism, and
detachably mounted thereon, whereby it can be removed at will, and wheels of
different sizes substituted; and chain or tooth gearing interposed between said
wheel and the cut off or stop mechanism, for actuating same; whereby the meter
can be set to supply various quantities of gas for one value of coin.
6. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination of a wheel, such as b, and a
detent-adapted to be actuated by the coins or tokens which fall into said wheel;
substantially as herein set forth with reference to the drawings.
7. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with the revolving drum thereof,
of a wheel, such as n, and a brake working in connection therewith and adapted to
come into action when the quantity of gas paid for has been consumed, its actuation
being effected through mechanism operated from the counter-mechanism; substan-
tially as and for the purposes set forth.
8. 3. Prepayment gas meters having their parts constructed and adapted to
operate substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2, and Figures 5
and 6 of the drawings.
ted this 28th day of June 1892.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.