Improvements in Coin-freed Check Mechanism for Use in connection with Gas Meters.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 5th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coin-freed Check Mechanism for Use in connection
with Gas Meters.
I, JOHN LLEWELLYN JONES, of 13 Charlotte Street, Newport, Monmouthshire,
Gas Meter Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention consists in Improvements in Coin-freed Check Mechanism for
Use in connection with Gas Meters.
One of the improvements comprised in this invention consists in means for
connecting and disconnecting the meter index mechanism and the main ratchet
wheel employed in certain arrangements of check mechanism. According to this
invention a circular rack is provided on the upper face of the main ratchet
wheel.
The disc above the rack is toothed, and extending from the disc is an arm pivotted
to a suitable support and acted upon towards the tail end by a spring which
constantly tends to keep the teeth of the disc in gear with the rack provided, as
aforesaid, on the upper face of the main ratchet wheel.
When a coin has been inserted in the slot provided therefor and the check
mechanism has been set in action, as hereinafter described, the disc is raised out of
contact with the ratchet wheel. The raising of the disc may be facilitated by a
spiral spring placed between it and the ratchet wheel. When raised, the disc and
the meter index pinion, carried on the sleeve surrounding the index pointer spindle,
cannot rotate with the ratchet wheel, and no strain is thrown upon the index
gearing, but when the disc is lowered on the ratchet wheel, the disc, ratchet
wheel and index pinion rotate until the quantity of gas paid for is consumed.
Greater accuracy in supply of gas paid for and in registration of such supply is
secured.
A further improvement comprised in this invention consists in the mechanism
whereby the main ratchet wheel is turned after introduction of a coin. Loosely
fitting in a barrel which is fixed to a foundation plate is a cylindrical
cap capable of being moved backwards and forwards in the barrel. The latter
is slotted to receive the coin which, after having been inserted, bears against
a disc or button provided on the end of a spindle. Inward pressure, through
a lever or other appliance, is then exerted on the cap and by this means the
coin is advanced and also the disc or button in front of it. Simultaneously
with the advance of the coin and the disc or button a crosshead attached
the spindle is also advanced and the said crosshead being connected by an
adjustable connection to a slide, the latter is also forced forward and thus engage-
ment is made between a pair of pawls, pivotted in the slide, and the main ratchet
wheel which is accordingly rotated to an extent depending on the degree of travel
permitted through the adjustable connection of the crosshead and the spindle
aforesaid. A brake may be fitted to the ratchet wheel to prevent too free rotation.
The degree of travel permitted to the slide is governed by the quantity of gas
which it is proposed to supply for a coin of fixed value. At the termination of the
forward movement of the slide the coin is presented to and falls through an aperture
in the barrel whence it is directed into a suitable collecting box or chamber.
Raising of the toothed disc hereinbefore referred to as placed above the upper face
of the main ratchet wheel, is also effected by the advance of the crosshead which

page_text: bears upon and depresses the tail of the lever which carries the toothed disc..
When the main ratchet wheel is at rest in its normal position a stop carried upon a
lever pivotted to the foundation plate is in engagement with a recess provided in
a disc formed on or fixed to the back of the ratchet wheel. Pivotted to the said
lever and depending therefrom is an arm which normally restrains the meter gearing
from supplying gas.
When the crosshead is advanced after the introduction of a coin, as aforesaid,
the ratchet wheel stop is raised through the action of an arm fixed to the
crosshead. This arm bears against a quadrant pivotted to the foundation plate,
and as the arm advances, the quadrant is tilted on its pivot pin and raises the lever
which carries the said stop. The latter is thus lifted out of the recess in the disc
at the back of the ratchet wheel and remains stationary on the periphery of the
rotating disc.
When, after the supply of gas paid for has been yielded, the recess is returned
below the stop, the latter drops into it and the arm pivotted to the lever which
carries the stop descends and stops the action of the meter. The slide and its
connections are returned to their normal positions by a suitable spring which
constantly tends to so return them.
In order to prevent the partial introduction of a coin and subsequent with-
drawal thereof, a movable rack influenced by a spring is placed in the barrel and
is so arranged that it will permit coins to be introduced, but will resist and prevent
withdrawal thereof. If undersized coins are introduced, they are ejected by the
action of the inner end of the cap and the face of the button or disc on the spindle,
the coin being seized between them and thus tilted back.
The main ratchet wheel is prevented from making a complete revolution by a stop
which is actuated from the ratchet wheel and obstructs the slot for the coins at a
given point in the revolution of the wheel.
Dated this 19th day of May 1893.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Chartered Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coin-freed Check Mechanism for Use in connection
with Gas Meters.
I, JOHN LLEWELLYN JONES, of 13, Charlotte Street, Newport, Monmouth-
shire, Gas Meter Maker, 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 consists in Improvements in Coin-freed Check Mechanism for
Use in connection with Gas Meters.
One of the improvements comprised in this invention consists in means for
connecting and dis-connecting the meter index mechanism and the main ratchet
wheel employed in certain arrangements of check mechanism. According to this
invention a circular rack is provided on the upper face of the main ratchet wheel.
The disc above the rack is toothed, and extending from the disc is an arm pivotted
to a suitable support and acted upon towards the tail end by a spring which
constantly tends to keep the teeth of the disc in gear with the rack provided, as
aforesaid, on the upper face of the main ratchet wheel.
When a coin has been inserted in the slot provided therefor and the check
mechanism has been set in action, as bereinafter described, the disc is raised out of
contact with the ratchet wheel. When raised, the disc and the meter index pinion
carried on the sleeve surrounding the index pointer spindle cannot rotate with the
ratchet wheel and no strain is thrown upon the index gearing, but when the disc
is lowered on the ratchet wheel, the disc, ratchet wheel and index pinion rotate

page_text: until the quantity of gas paid for is consumed. Greater accuracy in supply of gas
paid for and in registration of such supply is secured.
A further improvement comprised in this invention consists in the mechanism
whereby the main ratchet wheel is turned after introduction of a coin. Loosely
fitting a barrel which is fixed to a foundation plate is a cylindrical cap capable of
being moved backwards and forwards in the barrel. The latter is slotted to receive
the coin which, after having been inserted, bears against a disc or button provided
on the end of a spindle. Inward pressure, through a lever or other appliance, is then
exerted on the cap, and, by this means, the coin is advanced and also the disc or
button in front of it. Simultaneously with the advance of the coin and the disc or
button, a crosshead attached to the spindle is also advanced and the said crosshead
being connected by an adjustable connection to a slide of the usual kind, the latter
is also forced forward and thus engagement is made between a pair of pawls,
pivotted in the slide, and the main ratchet wheel which is accordingly rotated to
an extent depending on the adjustment of the slide. A brake may be fitted to the
ratchet wheel to prevent too free rotation. The degree of travel permitted to the
slide is governed by the quantity of gas which it is determined to supply for a coin
of fixed value. At the termination of the forward movement of the slide the coin
is presented to and falls through an aperture in the barrel whence it is directed
into a suitable collecting box or chamber. Raising of the toothed disc herein-
before referred to as placed above the upper face of the main ratchet wheel, is also
effected by the advance of the crosshead which bears upon and depresses the tail of
the lever which carries the toothed disc. When the main ratchet wheel is at rest
in its normal position, a stop carried upon a lever pivotted to the foundation plate
is in engagement with a recess provided in a disc formed on or fixed to the back of
the ratchet wheel. Pivotted to the said lever and depending therefrom is an arm
When the cross-
which normally restrains the meter gearing from supplying gas.
head is advanced after the introduction of a coin, as aforesaid, the ratchet wheel
stop is raised through the action of an arm fixed to the crosshead. This arm
bears against a cam pivotted to the foundation plate, and, as the arm advances, the
cam is tilted on its pivot pin and raises the lever which carries the said stop.
The latter is thus lifted out of the recess in the disc at the back of the ratchet
wheel and remains stationary on the periphery of the rotating disc. When, after
the supply of gas paid for has been yielded, the recess is returned below the stop,
the latter drops into it and the arm pivotted to the lever which carries the stop
descends and stops the action of the meter. The slide and its connections are
returned to their normal positions by a suitable spring.
In order to prevent the partial introduction of a coin and subsequent withdrawal
thereof, a movable rack influenced by a spring is placed in the barrel and is so
arranged as to permit introduction of coins but to resist and prevent withdrawal
thereof. If undersized coins are introduced, they are ejected by the action of the
inner end of the cap and the face of the button or disc on the spindle, the coin
being seized between them and thus tilted back.
The main ratchet wheel is prevented from making a complete revolution by a
stop which is actuated from the ratchet wheel and obstructs the slot for the coins
at a given point in the revolution of the wheel.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 represents a front view of my improved coin-freed check mechanism for
gas meters.
Fig. 2 is a view as seen from the underside.
Fig. 3 is a front view partly in section and partly in elevation. From this view
certain parts of the mechanism seen at Figs. 1 and 2 are absent in order to show
other parts more clearly.
One of the improvements comprised in this invention consists in the means for
connecting and dis-connecting the meter index mechanism and the main ratchet
wheel a. According to this invention a circular rack al is provided on the upper
face of the ratchet wheel a, as seen more particularly in the detached view Fig. 4

page_text: which represents one half of the face of the ratchet wheel uncovered. Above the
ratchet wheel a and lying on the face thereof is the disc b having teeth 6' on the
under face, as seen at Fige. 5 and 6, of which Fig. 5 is an elevation of the disc and
Fig. 6 a view of it inverted. When the meter is out of action, the clamping disc b
is pressed firmly down into gear with the rack a' by means of the spring c acting
upwardly on the arm e' pivotted at 2 to a suitable support fixed in the bed-plate d
of the mechanism. When, after the insertion of a coin in the slot e, the check
mechanism is put in action, as hereinafter described, the disc b is raised so that its
teeth are lifted out of gear with the rack a¹ of the ratchet wheel a. When
raised, the disc and the usual index pinion ƒ (Fig. 2) carried on the sleeve f¹
surrounding the index pointer spindle g cannot rotate with the ratchet wheel a.
Hence no strain is thrown upon the index gearing by the disc. When the disc 6 is
lowered upon the ratchet wheel a, the latter, the disc and the index pinion rotate
together until the quantity of gas paid for is consumed. The brake d³ prevents too
free rotation of the wheel a.
A further improvement comprised in this invention consists in the mechanism
whereby the ratchet wheel a is, through the medium of the usual slide / fitted with
ordinary spring pawls ', operated, after introduction of the proper coin into the
slot e.
Fitting the barrel i, screwed or otherwise fixed to the bed-plate d, is a
cylindrical cap j capable of being easily moved backwards and forwards in the
barrel. The slot e for introduction of coins is cut in the barrel i. The coin,
when introduced, lies vertically between the inner end of the cap j and a piston k
fixed on the end of the spindle connected to the movable crosshead l. The latter
is adjustably connected to the usual slide h through the adjusting screw h³, as is
usual.
By the spring n the cap j, the crosshead and slide h are normally held back as
shown in the drawings, but when, after the introduction of a coin, the spindle o is
turned so as to cause the arm o¹ to exert sufficient pressure inwardly on the cap j,
the spring o is compressed and the cap j advanced in the barrel i, pushing the coin
before it and accordingly moving the crosshead and slide h. The pawls h¹ are thus
put into engagement with the ratchet wheel.a and the latter (being freed, as described
below) is turned to the extent determined by the adjustment of the slide according to
the quantity of gas to be supplied for the coin. The latter being at the completion of
the forward stroke carried beyond the edge of the chamber i, and being, conse-
quently, now unsupported, drops out of the barrel i into the tray and thence slides
down into the chamber 23. The crosshead in advancing, as above described, travels
over the rib c³ formed on the upper face of the arm c¹. The spring e, normally keeping
the tail of the arm raised, is compressed and the arm c¹ is tilted causing the
toothed disc b to rise above the rack a' of the ratchet wheel a which is thus made
free to be turned by the pawls ' as above described.
A further effect of the advance of the crosshead is to push forward the slotted
bar p connected to it and this bar p acting through the cam p' and lever p² causes
the stop lever på to be lifted so as to raise the finger p out of a socket provided for
it in the disc a² at the back of the ratchet wheel a. The position of this socket in
the disc a² is such that when the finger p* of the stop lever p³ is in it, the index
pointer on the spindle g points to zero on the index plate or dial. In rising, the
lever p² carries up the arm q pivotted to it. This arm q, when lowered, bears against
the tangent of the meter and obstructs its action and prevents it from supplying gas.
Consequently, when the ratchet wheel a is free to rotate and the arm q is raised to
liberate the tangent, the meter is free to supply gas. In order to ensure that supply
of gas shall not commence until the coin has passed out of the barrel i into the tray i²,
a second tangent stop arm is employed. This arm r is pivotted as at r¹ to the bed-
plate d and is slotted to take a pin 2 by which connection is made between the armr
and an arm 3 branching from the slotted bar p. The arrangement is such that as, in
the advance of the slotted bar p, the arm 9 is raised to clear the tangent, and to
-lift the finger pt out of the socket in the disc a, the second stop arm is tilted
down to take the place of the arm g and to restrain the tangent and keep the meter

page_text: out of action. As soon, however, as the coin has passed out of the barrel i, the cross-
head is returned by the spring n to its normal position, the arm r is raised, freeing,
the taugent, and the meter is set in action to supply gas. The finger p having
been raised, as aforesaid, and the ratchet wheel a moved to the extent of the
forward stroke, it follows that when the backward stroke is made, the socket is not
below the finger p which now rests on the periphery of the disc a where it.
remains until the ratchet wheel returns to indicate zero, when it again falls into the.
socket once more presented to it. The spring p³, above the lever p², ensures the.
insertion of the finger p into the socket.
In order to prevent the ratchet wheel a from being turned by a succession of
strokes through a complete revolution, a stop s is provided on the face of the
ratchet wheel, and, if the ratchet wheel be turned sufficiently, the stops makes
contact with one arm of the crank s' and moves the bar s² which is thus shot across.
and obstructs the slot e. A spring s³ returns the bar s² and crank s¹ to their normal
positions when the stop s is withdrawn which takes place simultaneously with.
commencement of supply of gas.
To prevent a coin, when once introduced into the slot, from being advanced and
returned in the barrel without leaving it, a rack t, acted upon by a spring t¹, is.
fitted to the barrel. This rack is raised by the advancing coin which is thereby
gripped under the action of the spring, and the mechanism is inoperative until the
coin has been ejected from the barrel i and the backward stroke completed. An
alternative arrangement for preventing the coin being advanced and returned
without leaving the barrel i is shown at Fig. 7. In this arrangement, the slotted
bar is serrated on the upper side, and above it is pivotted a pawl u acted upon
by a spring u furnished with a barb u². When the coin is introduced, the.
mechanism is in the position shown, that is to say, the pawl is in engagement with
the teeth of the bar p and out of engagement with the barb u² of the spring ..
The pawl continues in engagement with the teeth of the bar p until the crosshead
is sufficiently advanced as to cause contact of the rear end of the bar p with the
back of the tail u³ of the pawl u. This takes place simultaneously with the ejection.
of the coin. The pawl is then tilted out of gear with the teeth of the bar p and
its upper end u falls under the barb u' which holds the pawl out of engagement
and permits the bar p and crosshead 7 to be drawn back. Re-engagement of the
pawl u with the teeth of the slotted bar p is caused by contact, in the backward
stroke, of the pin u³ with the front of the tail u³.
The cap corresponds in outer diameter with that of a coin of the proper size
for which the apparatus is constructed. Consequently, if an undersized coin be
introduced, its upper edge will be at a lower level than the leading end of the top
part of the cap j. Therefore, the said undersized coin will, at the lower edge, be
gripped between the piston k and the lower part of the cap j and will thus become
tilted back into the cap j which is partially open at the rear end, as seen at Fig. 3.
The rejected undersized coins pass out through the opening at the back of the cap..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In coin-freed mechanism for gas ineters, the means hereinbefore described for
connecting and dis-connecting the meter index mechanism and the main ratchet
wheel; said means consisting of the rack a¹ and toothed clamping disc b, the
arm c¹, arranged to be tilted by the spring c, and travelling crosshead 1, substantially
as set forth and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
2. In coin-freed mechanism for gas meters, the means for setting in motion the
usual slide and pawls for operating the main ratchet wheel; the said. means.
consisting of the fixed barrel i movable cap j piston k, spindle k' and crosshead I,
arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
3. In coin-freed mechanism for gas meters, means for preventing the meter from

page_text: supplying gas until the coin has dropped into the collecting chamber; said means
consisting of the slotted bar p, cam pl, lever p², arms q, r and ³, arranged and
operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
raised
4. In coin-freed mechanism for gas meters, means for keeping the arm
while the meter is supplying gas; said means consisting of the stop arm p³ with
finger pt, and the disc a' at the back of the ratchet wheel a, said disc being
recessed to receive the finger p* when the pointer points to zero on the index dial.
5. In coin-freed mechanism for gas meters, the means herein before described for
preventing the main ratchet wheel from turning through a complete revolution ;
said means consisting of the stop pins and crank s and bars, arranged and
operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
6. In coin-freed mechanism for gas meters, the means for preventing introduced
coins from being withdrawn; said means consisting of the rack t acted upon by
the spring t' and so placed as to grip an introduced coin and to prevent withdrawal
thereof as hereinabove set forth.
7. The modified arrangement for preventing withdrawal of introduced coins,
consisting of the rack on the bar p, the pawl u, barbed spring u² and pin us on the
bar p, arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described with special
reference to Fig. 7 of the drawings.
Dudhi. 17th dor of Fahrery 1804
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol, Chartered Patent Agent.