Improvements in or connected with Coin Freed or Actuated 'Gas Meters and analogous Apparatus.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 17th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 31st Oct., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Coin Freed or Actuated 'Gas
Meters and analogous Apparatus.
I, CHARLES GRANTLEY BEECHEY, of 24 Chapel Walks, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Gas Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
:―
This invention has reference to gas meters (or analogous apparatus) in which
the act of placing a coin or the like in it will free or cause the meter to pass a
given quantity of gas, and which after such quantity of gas has been passed
through it, automatically becomes stopped or locked, and no more gas can pass
through until another coin or the 'like, or a number of same, is placed in the
apparatus; the invention being also applicable to gas meters and other meters
or like apparatus analogous thereto, or adapted to operate under equivalent
conditions.
The nature of the invention will, for convenience now be described with reference
to gas meters. In gas meters of the kind above referred to, it is generally required
to have in them, as well as a coin receiving and manipulating or operating slot or
tube and mechanism, a device or means connected with the measuring part of the
meter, and the coin freeing or actuating mechanism, by which the quantity of gas
supplied by the meter for a given value can be changed as and when desired, as for
instance to meet the change of price of gas.
Now, according to the present invention, I dispose the slot and coin receiving
tube, conduit, or the like, and mechanism connected with it, in a part or casing to
which access by inspectors of meters, or others, is in authority to such mechanism,
can be had without breaking the seal or otherwise interfering with the meter, so
that if this part of the mechanism gets out of order by the sticking of a coin in it,
or from other causes, it may readily be examined and put right; while the price
changing mechanism above referred to is disposed within a closed and sealed cover,
say at the upper part of the gas meter proper, and is sealed up, so that it cannot
be interfered with or manipulated without breaking the seal. In one convenient
construction aud arrangement, this part of the mechanism is disposed in the
existing upper part of the meter and closed and sealed by the ordinary cover and
seal of the meter. One advantage afforded by this invention is that access to and
chances for improper tampering with the meter, as regards the means for passing
quantities of gas for which it may be set or adjusted, for a given value, is prevented,
while at the same time, full access and opportunity of examining and adjusting the
parts of the mechanism which are operated upon by or used in connection with the
coins, is provided.
According to another improvement under this invention, I provide in connection
with the tube or conduit which receives and holds coins of gas meters or the like
(principally to so called post-payment meters), a device by which, when the tube
or conduit or the like is filled or fully charged with coins, the entrance to the tube
is closed. This device is automatically actuated or controlled, by being constructed
so as to be pressed away and clear of the slot by the coins as introduced, but which
cannot be so moved when the conduit or tube is full, as another part of it comes in
contact with the coins and so stops its movement.
In one form of device, in the case of a vertical or inclined tube, it may be in the

page_text: form of a lever which projects across the tube at two points, the upper part of
which is inclined, whilst the other merely passes into or through the tube, the
lever being hinged at a suitable point. Thus, in action, when the tube is not full,
this latter part has free movement and so the entrance for the coin is free, but
when the tube is fuil, it comes in contact with the coins and the device cannot be
moved but is closed and locked.
In another part of this invention I use an indicator consisting of a clock faced
dial with two hands to indicate shillings and pence, for shewing the value of the
amount of gas used since the cash was last removed from the meter, the hands of
the indicator being connected and driven from a suitable moving part of the meter.
The device is so arranged that the hands-are automatically set to zero when the
coin drawer or automatic mechanism is opened or closed, or in a similar manner.
Or it may be set to zero by a push separate from the parts just specified, or by
other equivalent means.
Dated this 16th day of December 1895.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Coin Freed or Actuated Gas
Meters and analogous Apparatus.
I, CHARLES GRANTLEY BEECHEY, of 24 Chapel Walke, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Gas Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 (or analogous apparatus) in which
the act of placing a coin or the like in it will free or cause the meter to pass a
given quantity of gas, and which, after such quantity of gas has been passed
through it, automatically becomes stopped or locked, and no more gas can pass
through until another coin or the like, or a number of same, is placed in the
apparatus; the invention being also applicable to gas meters and other meters
or like apparatus analogous thereto, or adapted to operate under equivalent
conditions.
The nature of the invention will, for convenience, now be described with reference
to gas meters. In gas meters of the kind above referred to, it is generally required
to have in them, as well as a coin receiving and manipulating or operating slot or
tube and mechanism, a device or means connected with the measuring part of the
meter, and the coin freeing or actuating mechanism, by which the quantity of gas
supplied by the meter for a given value can be changed as and when desired, as for
instance to meet the change of price of gas.
Now, according to the present invention, I dispose the slot and coin receiving
tube, conduit, or the like, and mechanism connected with it, in a part or casing
to which access by inspectors of meters, or others in authority to such mechanism,
can be had without breaking the seal or otherwise interfering with the meter, so
that if this part of the mechanism gets out of order by the sticking of a coin
in it, or from other causes, it may readily be examined and put right; while
the price changing mechanism above referred to is disposed within a closed and
Bealed cover, say at the upper part of the gas meter proper, and is sealed up, so
that it cannot be interfered with or manipulated without breaking the seal. In
one convenient construction and arrangement, this part of the mechanism is
disposed in the existing upper part of the meter and closed and sealed by the
ordinary cover and seal of the meter. One advantage afforded by this invention
is that access to and chances for improper tampering with the meter, as regards

page_text: the means for passing quantities of gas for which it may be set or adjusted, for a
given value, is prevented, while at the same time full access and opportunity of
examining and adjusting the parts of the mechanism which are operated upon by
or used in connection with the coins, is provided.
According to another improvement under this invention, I provide in connection
with the tube or conduit which receives and holds coins of gas meters or the like
(principally to post-payment meters), a device by which when the tube or conduit
or the like is filled or fully charged with coins, the entrance to the tube is closed.
This device is automatically actuated or controlled, by being constructed so as to
be pressed away and clear of the slot by the coins as introduced, but which cannot
be so moved when the conduit or tube is full, as another part of it comes in contact
with the coins and so stops its movement.
In one form of device, in the case of a vertical or inclined tube, it may be in
the form of a lever which projects across the tube at two points, the upper part of
which is inclined, whilst the other merely passes into or through the tube, the
lever being hinged at a suitable point. Thus, in action, when the tube is not full,
this latter part has free movement and so the entrance for the coin is free, but
when the tube is full it comes in contact with the coius and the coin tube and
device cannot be moved but is closed and locked.
66
"
"
A further improvement in connection with coin freed gas meters under this
invention, consists of employing a dial (preferably circular) with numerals, say,
1 to 12 upon it, and having preferably two hands or fingers, which are rotated by
a suitable part of the moving mechanism of the meter, one being a pence" finger,
and the other a "shillings" finger, and they are so arranged with gearing that the
pence" finger makes a complete movement over the dial, while the "shillings
finger moves from one numeral to another. This shews the amount of the value
of the gas in shillings and pence, the meter has passed, and provides a check to
the money found in the cash drawer of the apparatus. The fingers of this
mechanism are adapted to be set to zero automatically by the return of the drawer,
after taking the cash from it; or, they may be placed at zero non-automatically
if desired.
The apparatus illustrated in the annexed drawings comprise and shew the
improvements under this invention.
Figure 1 is a plan shewing a dry gas meter, according to this invention, with
the covers enclosing the automatic mechanisms removed.
Figure 2 is another outside plan, with covers on.
Figure 3 is a side sectional elevation at A A Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a front
elevation.
Figures 5 and 6 are sectional elevation and front view of the automatic indicator
shewing the amount of the value of gas which has been delivered by a meter.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation and Figure 8 a sectional plan shewing the coin
tube closing or locking mechanisms.
Referring to the drawings, a designates generally the body of the meter, b is
the cover of the meter, beneath which, in a chamber in the upper part of the
meter body, the price changing means, and the parts by which the movement of
the
gas measuring parts of the ineter are transmitted to the coin actuated or auto-
matic portions of the apparatus, and the counting mechanism, are disposed. Of
these, a shaft c (as usual) is the means of transmitting movement from the gas
measuring parts to the counter wheels, and from this shaft-through a worm d
thereon-together with the action of the coins introduced, the actuation of the
automatic mechanism is effected. The means of conveying this motion from d
consists of a train of wheels, comprising a worm wheel 1 driven by d, a toothed
wheel 2 fixed on the shaft of 1, a toothed wheel 3 gearing with 2, a toothed
wheel 4 fixed on the shaft 5 (on which 3 also is fixed) and revolving with 3, a
toothed wheel 6 gearing with 4, and a connecting rod 7 which connects the wheel 6
with the automatic operating mechanism actuated or controlled by the coins intro-
duced into the meter. This mechanism is contained in a chamber or case entirely

page_text: separate from the chamber 6', except that there is an aperture in the wall of the
chamber through which the connecting rod 7 passes into the said automatic
mechanism portion. Of the mechanism just described, the price changing gear
consists of the toothed wheels 3 and 4, the spindle 5 carrying these wheels 3 and 4,
the thumb screw 8 on the end of 5, and a curved slot 9 in the plate supporting
the shaft 5, the centre of the curve of which slot, is that of the wheel 6. The
changing action is effected by removing the thumb screw 8, taking off the wheel 3,
substituting for this wheel a wheel of a different size, then shifting shaft 5 along the
slot 9 until this wheel meshes properly with 2, then putting on the thumb screw 8
again, and tightening the whole up into position. The cover bis detachable from
the body a in the usual way; that is, its connection with the body is by flanges e,
and catches on the cover as usual, and with a screw f passing through same, and
screwing into the boss or plate e' on the upper edge of the body, the head of the
screw being closed in at the side by a cup 71; and when the meter is permanently
closed, the head is covered and the cup filled with sealing wax or the like, and
sealed in the usual way; thus, without breaking this seal, entrance cannot be had
to the gearing wheels just described, comprising the change wheel mechanism,
for altering the amount of gas supplied for a given value of coin introduced into
the automatic mechanism.
The automatic mechanism (which may be of any known suitable kind) to which
access is to be had by a collector or other in authority (and which is entirely
separate from the meter chamber containing the price changing mechanism) is
generally designated i, and is enclosed in the case k secured to the side of the
meter by sliding beaded joints 1, and which can be slid off and on the meter
body vertically by this joint. Below this casing there is a fixed casing m, in
which is disposed the coin drawer n. The case is locked and sealed in position
with the casing m through a cupped projecting part m¹ thereon, and by an eye k¹
on k, which fits into the cup m', which is filled with sealing wax in the closed position,
and thus sealed.
The cash drawer is locked by a suitable pad-lock, the hasp of which passes
through the eye m³ on the casing m, which extends through a slot in the front of
the drawer n.
The coins are introduced into the automatic mechanism in k through the slot p*
in the top of the coin tube p, and having operated in the mechanism fall into the
drawer n, after the amount of gas for which they each constitute payment has
been consumed.
To this part of the mechanism the gas inspector or other having authority of
the gas company or owners will have access, but access to this part of the apparatus
does not give access to the other part, comprising the price changing or setting
mechanism, in the sealed chamber 6, sealed under the authority of the Board of
Trade or other such official authority.
Referring now to the mechanism shewn in Figures 5 and 6, the means for
indicating the value of the gas or fluid which has been passed by the meter, shewn
in these figures consists of a face or dial with numerals 1 to 12 upon it, and in
connection with which two indicators or fingers are worked. The short finger r
being used for the indication of shillings, and the long finger 1 pence, the
tinger being driven at one twelfth the rate of 1. The pence or long finger r
will be mounted on the shafts, which is directly driven from a suitable moving
part of the meter (as the counting mechanism), while the shillings or short finger
is driven at one twelfth its rate of speed, by an ordinary form of toothed
decreasing gearing t, and is mounted on a hollow sleeve t fitting loosely on s.
By this means, for each pennyworth of fluid consumed, the long (pence) finger
would be moved round the dial from one numeral to another, and by the time it
has made one revolution of the dial, it will have indicated the consumption of
twelve penny worths of the fluid, and the shorter (shillings) finger will have
moved from one numeral to another; and this indicates the value of the fluid
passed in shilling worths. With this apparatus applied, in the case where the

page_text: pennies are discharged from the automatic mechanism into the cash receptacle, as
the quantities of the fluid for which they are introduced are passed or consumed,
the quantity of cash in a drawer should tally with the amount indicated by the
cash indicator. Instead of this indicator having two fingers, it might have one
and indicate pennyworths of gas only.
When the cash is removed, and the cash receptacle put back in position, the
hands or fingers are put back to zero position over the numeral 12, automatically.
This is effected by a lever u, a pin or bar on the drawer n, and a cord to con-
nected with a pulley fixed on the sleeve t¹. In action, (assuming the zero
position of parts to be that shewn in the drawings) the position of the lower arm
of the lever u would take that shewn in dotted lines in the drawing, by the winding
of the cord wo on x, due to the passage of gas through the meter and the rotation of
the shaft s. Then, when the drawer n is drawn out, the pin v merely lifts up the
lever u without actuating the hands, and the lever drops to the position it stood
in; but when the drawer is pushed in, the pin comes in contact with the end
of the lever u, and actuates it, thereby, through the cord w rotating the wheel
and moving the finger indicators back to the zero position; and by the further
movement inward of the drawer the pin slips past the end of the lever and
leaves the parts in the position shewn in the drawings. Before this point is
reached, the cord w will have become tight,, owing to the short finger r having
come up to the stop y upon the face q, but the continued movement of the lower
part of the lever u is allowed for by making the upper part of it a spring arm,
which will give when the other end is pressed back by the pin r.
In this zero
setting action, the backward movement of the fingers and mechanisms is afforded
by the spring pressed friction coned driving clutch z on the shaft which drives
the mechanism of this money indicator, but which slips in the action of setting
the fingers back to zero.
$
Referring to Figures 7 and 8 (which illustrate means for automatically closing
the entrance of the coin conduits of coin freed or actuated meters when they
become full), p represents the tube in which the coins are inserted, having a coin
slot p therein, by which the edges of the coin are guided and held on being
introduced. o is a lever fulcrummed at o' to the tube p, having at its upper end
a head or blade o³ extending across the slot in both directions, when in the position
shewn; and at the lower end a blade or foot o'. The normal position of the parts
is that shewn in the drawing, it being maintained by the weight of; but when a
coin is introduced in the slot px, the pressure upon the inclined edge of the
head o presses the head back, and allows the coiu to pass down the tube, when by
the weight of (and the action of the coin on the inclined upper edge of the foot o³),
the lever o assumes its normal position, and the coin falls past the foot o into the
tube below. When, however, the tube becomes full, and a coin stands in the
plane or level of, and across the path of the foot o³, then the lever is held or
locked by this coin in the closed position, and attempts to introduce another coin
cannot succeed, as the head of lies across the mouth of the slot p* of the conduit p³,
and cannot be moved back until a coin is removed from the conduit.
It is to be stated that the application of the improvements herein set forth are
not restricted to any special form of automatic gas, water, electric, or other meter,
or equivalent measuring apparatus; and that the invention is not limited to the
constructions of the mechanism and parts particularly as shewn in the drawings,
as these may be modified in their application to different meters or measuring
apparatus, and under different circumstances, to meet the requirements and
conditions of such apparatus, without departing from their essential features or
characteristics.
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 automatic gas and other meters or

page_text: apparatus, for supplying a given quantity of gas or fluid for a given value of coin
introduced, uamely, a meter or apparatus comprising a mechanism adapted to be
controlled or operated by or through the coins inserted into it, and contained
within a casing on or in the meter body, to which, or to a cash receptacle connected
with it, access is had for the removal of the coins passed through such mechanism
-as payment for the gas or fluid passed through the meter; and a mechanism by
which the quantity of gas or fluid to be passed through or by the meter, for a
given value of coin introduced, can be changed, interposed between a moving part
of the meter, and the said coin controlled or actuated parts, and contained within
a casing, separate from the aforesaid casing of the coin controlled or actuated
parts, and adapted to be closed and sealed; the said differential or change
mechanism or gearing being driven from a moving part of the meter, and driving
a part or parts connected with the coin controlled or actuated parts: for the
purposes set forth.
2. In a gas or similar meter, adapted to be operated or controlled by coins
inserted into it, and to supply a given quantity of gas for each coin so inserted, an
automatic mechanism in which the coins are introduced, and by which it is
controlled or actuated, contained within a casing and disposed at the side of the
meter body; and a changeable mechanism of the kind herein referred to, by which
quantity of gas supplied by a meter can be varied for a given value of coin
introduced, disposed within a chamber on the upper part of the gas meter, and
connected with and operated by a part of the meter moved by the gas, and from
which movement, through said changeable mechanism, is transmitted to the parts
operating in connection with the parts controlled or actuated by the coins ;
substantially as herein set forth, and as shewn in the drawings, for the purposes
.specified.
3. In a gas or other meter adapted to be controlled or actuated by or through
coins introduced into it, and in which the coins are introduced into a tube or
conduit and may be contained therein in plurality, and are discharged therefrom
automatically as the gas or fluid of which they represent payment is passed, a
device having at the upper end of the tube a closing head or part, and having at a
lower part, a part capable of movement and projecting across the tube or conduit,
and which when the conduit is full of coins is kept outward or outside of same by
the intervention of a coin, and so moves or keeps the upper end of the device
inwards and closes the entrance of the tube, so that no more coins can be pressed
into it, operating substantially as set forth.
4. In a gas or other meter adapted to be controlled or actuated by or through
-coins introduced into it, and in which the coins are introduced into a tube or
conduit and may be contained therein in plurality, and are discharged therefrom
automatically as the gas or fluid of which they represent payment is passed, the
combination with the tube p' in which the coins are introduced, of the vibrating
beam or lever o, hinged at a point between its two ends, and having at its ends a
blade or part o o, which are adapted to work in connection with, and close and
open, alternately, the coin way through the tube, and, when the tube is full, to
-close said tube by the presence of coins in the coinway in the path of the lower
end o³; as set forth with reference to and shewn in the drawings.
5. The improvement herein described in a gas or other meter adapted to be
controlled or operated by or through a coin inserted into it, and to supply a given
quantity of gas or fluid for each coin so inserted, consisting of a money indicator
device connected with and operated by a part or parts of the meter moved or
operated by the gas, and comprising a dial with numerals or divisions as set forth,
and an indicating device or devices as a finger or fingers, operated through
mechanism driven by said moving part of the meter, whereby the value of the gas
passed through the meter is indicated; substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
6. In a gas or fluid meter adapted to be controlled or operated by or through a
-coin inserted into it, and to supply a given quantity of gas or fluid for each coin so

page_text: inserted, a money indicator device for the purposes described, having means
substantially as set forth, by which the indicating parts are or may be set to zero.
upon the collection of money from the meter; for the purposes set forth.
7. The construction and arrangement of parts of automatic gas or other meters
particularly as set forth with reference to and shewn in Figures 1 to 4; Figures 5.
and 6; and Figures 7 and 8, respectively, of the drawings.
Dated this 16th day of September 1896.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.