Improvements in Prepayment Mechanism for Electrical or other Meters.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Prepayment Mechanism for Electrical or other
Meters.
We, CHARLES ORME BASTIAN of 8* Manchester Square, London, Electrical
Engineer, and HERBERT CECIL HODGES of 30 Hampstead Road, London, N.W.
Manufacturer and Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates primarily to prepayment electricity meters although applicable
to other meters particularly prepayment gas meters and has for its object to provide
comparatively simple and inexpensive--but accurate and reliable-mechanism for the
purposes of such prepayment meters.
We will first describe a prepayment electricity meter according to this invention
as follows:-
In a suitable case or enclosure any suitable means (such as are now well known
in so-called automatic or coin freed apparatus) may be arranged and mounted so
that on the insertion of a coin or token of proper value size or denomination an
operating bar or rod (hereinafter referred to as the "operating rod") may thereby
be reciprocated or moved in such a manner as to operate as hereinafter described
but for the sake of example we will describe a simple push piece projecting through
the side of the case or enclosure and the inner end of which is hollow or tubular
so as to pass over the end of the "operating rod" like a piston and cylinder unless
the proper coin or token is dropped in the slot so as to come in between said
hollow end and said "operating rod" whereupon said operating rod is pushed in
one direction a weight or other suitable device then is caused to remove the coin
from between these said two parts and upon the return movement of the external
push-piece (either by pulling same out or by a spring) same will pull back with it
said operating rod to which it is attached by a suitable chain or connection or the
latter may be independently returned also by a spring or equivalent.
A catch or projection-hinged or flexibly or otherwise suitably mounted or formed
on said operating rod which (advantageously on the forward movement thereof)
engages with an arm or projection on any suitable contact making device pivoted
to or mounted on a suitable support inside the casing for instance this contact
making device may advantageously consist of a T-shaped piece each arm of which
respectively carries a contact piece (connected up to one another) which latter by
the movement of said operating rod are forced into contact with two contact pieces
in the main circuit, for instance are forced into two mercury cups (or other suitable
contacts may be employed) thus closing the main circuit coming from or on its
way to the meter and said device is there held by a spring or other suitable catch or
clutch (hereinafter referred to as the "clutch") which automatically engages and
holds said device in contact until released as hereinafter explained.
In a convenient position inside said casing or enclosure a ratchet or toothed
wheel is mounted the teeth on said wheel being of such a form and such a number
as to suit the apparatus for instance these ratchet teeth may be deep cut somewhat
after the manner of the teeth of a coarse circular saw the distance between each
tooth and the next (or it may be more than on tooth) being the measure of electricity

page_text: to be supplied for a given coin-say a penny-and with 12 such teeth this pre-
payment meter could then receive any number of pennies from 1 to 11 in advance
and deliver the equivalent amount of current therefor.
This ratchet wheel is mounted advantageously on a hollow shaft or axle upon
which it is free to revolve and at one part said ratchet wheel carries a radial arm
or rod of insulating material provided with two inetallic contacts and this ratchet
wheel is so arranged with respect to a pawl or ratchet operating projection hinged
or otherwise suitably mounted or carried on the aforesaid operating rod in such
manner that each time the said operating rod is reciprocated as aforesaid conse-
quently this ratchet wheel will be rotated on its axis the distance of one tooth.
Thus it will be seen that it will take 12 reciprocations of the said operating rod to
make one complete revolution of this ratchet wheel and radial contact rod thereon
where said wheel has twelve teeth as aforesaid-or other number of reciprocations
corresponding to the number of teeth (if more or less than 12) on said ratchet wheel.
Or if desired the ratchet wheel may be moved more than one tooth each reciprocation
of the operating rod.
Adjacent to said ratchet wheel and advantageously concentric therewith a toothed
or worin wheel is mounted, said worm wheel being revolved by a worm carried
on a shaft which latter is actuated by the same means as the wheels working the
index on the electricity meter or instead of this worm wheel any other suitable wheel
or device may be used and motion imparted thereto by a train of wheels or any
other suitable connections or means connected with some moving part of the electricity
nieter.
This said worm wheel (or its equivalent) carrying or having fixed rigidly thereto
a long metallic rod or arm which we will term the "conductor arm" extending
radially from said worm wheel and adapted to pass over the aforesaid contacts on the
radial arm on the ratchet wheel and thereby complete the circuit between the two
metallic contacts this conductor arm being of any suitable conducting material or
carrying any suitable conducting material for this purpose.
Wires connected with the aforesaid main circuit (and forming the winding round
an electro-magnet) terminate or are joined to these contacts so that when the con-
ductor arm passes on to said contacts carried on the aforesaid ratchet wheel thereby
the circuit is complete and a local current of electricity is caused to flow round
the electro-magnet and thus the latter is magnetised, and being placed in a convenient
position adjacent to the aforesaid clutch in such manner that the electro-magnet will
draw said clutch to itself and thereby release the aforesaid T contact piece (a spring
or weight or other suitable means being provided to normally keep said contact
piece out of contact) and thus break the main current and consequently break
the electro-magnet circuit and thereby release said clutch again which will thereupon
return into its normal position ready to automatically engage and hold down the
main contact device on the next reciprocation of the operating rod.
The operation is as follows:-
After the completion of the delivery of the amount of electricity last paid for the
aforesaid conductor arm remains stationary over or coinciding with the aforesaid
radial arm on the ratchet wheel-on the insertion of a coin or token and reciproca-
tion of the aforesaid operating rod the main contact making device is thereby forced
into position and automatically caught and held by the aforesaid clutch so as to
make contact and permit the main current to flow through the meter to the consumer
while at the same time the aforesaid ratchet wheel is by the aforesaid reciprocation
moved the distance of one tooth that is to say if there are twelve teeth on said
ratchet wheel then the said radial arm thereon is moved through one-twelfth of
a circle and is therefore that distance ahead of the conductor arm and the connection
between the latter and the electricity meter is such thint when the supply of electricity
which it is desired to give in return for the coin inserted has passed through the
meter the latter will meantime have caused the "conductor arm" to have moved.
after and now caught up the said radial contact arm on the ratchet whee! whereupon
the circuit through the electro-magnet coils is thereby completed as hereinbefore

page_text: described the clutch is drawn back the contact pieces released and thereby the current
is broken and consequently the supply of electricity cut off until another coin is
inserted when the operation is repeated and so on.
In applying this invention to gas or other meters--instead of the main contact
piece aforesaid making and breaking an electrical current a suitable lever or
arm would be so arranged and mounted that on the reciprocation of the aforesaid
operating rod the latter would cause said lever or arm to open a valve or other
suitable device controlling the gas or other main and the said valve lever or arm
would be caught and automatically held by the afore-mentioned clutch with the
valve or other device for controlling the gas or other supply "open" and there hold
same against the tendency of a spring or its equivalent.
The electro-magnet would not be used as before a separate battery or other suitable
source being provided to supply current of electricity to the coil or coils of said
magnet at the desired moment as hereinafter explained-a train of wheels or other
mechanism (or suitable connection being mads) from the gas or other meter to the
worm wheel (or its equivalent-carrying the conductor arm as before) operating the
latter.
Thus when the supply of gas or otherwise has been delivered and has moved the
conductor arm (as before explained) into contact again with the electrical contacts
on the aforesaid radial arm on the ratchet wheel thereupon the circuit is completed
round the electro magnets and the latter being thus magnetised draw the clutch
clear of the valve lever or device which thereupon automatically closes the valve
or otherwise cuts off supply of gas etc. while at the same time a contact make
and bruak device is so arranged and combined with this valve lever or equivalent
that on the release of the latter by the clutch it will thereupon break the afore-
said battery or other electrical circuit to the electro-magnet and thus not only
release the clutch in readiness for same to act again to hold the valve lever open
on the next reciprocation of the operating rod hut also thereby prevent running
down of the battery.
Instead of using the aforesaid radial arm on said ratchet-wheel-the latter may be
of a size or form such that the contacts for the "local" circuit to the aforesaid
electro magnet may be mounted or arranged on said ratchet wheel itself-the con-
ductor arm operating as before to connect these contacts thus arranged to close the
circuit-said ratchet wheel (or the contacts thereon) being suitably insulated from
the aforesaid worm wheel or its equivalent.
The aforesaid contacts (whether on the ratchet wheel or on a radial arm thereon
as first described) may be connected up to the magnet and the main circuit-or
battery as the case may be-in any suitable manner for instance by suitable con-
ducting rings on the hollow axle or shaft of the ratchet wheel (insulated from the
latter and from one another) and collecting bruches arranged in constant contact
with said rings to convey the current to the magnet etc. as described.
We may if desired provide suitable mechanism to receive and to retain the coin
or coins temporarily until the amount of current etc. paid for has been delivered
for instance the coin on passing clear of the aforesaid operating rod may drop into
a cap or receptacle with a hinged or removable bottom thereto or other removable
part which is normally held closed for instance by a suitable spring and is closed
either electrically or mechanically when the aforesaid clutch is pulled over by the
aforesaid electro magnet and consequently only open and drop the coin into its
final receptacle when the current paid for has all heen supplied and said current
broken and further supply stopped as aforesaid.
An audible signal device might be arranged to give notice when the supply of
fluid is about to terminate.
For example contacts could be arranged on the ratchet wheel or radial arin and
also ou the conductor arm" in such a manner as to bring an electric bell into
circuit just before the main circuit is automatically broken.
Also mechanism may be provided for closing the slot when the full number of
pennies or coins are in the first receptacle. For example this receptacle might be

page_text: pivoted in any convenient manner and have attached to it an arm carrying a metal
or other disc. The weight of the receptacle and the disc could be so adjusted as
to cause the receptacle to tilt with the weight of the full number of coins and so
bring the disc into position to close up the slot.
. Otherwise if more than the full number of coins is inserted one after the other
the meter might be damaged by reciprocating the operating rod. Hence the
necessity for closing the coin admission slot as aforesaid.
2 th 20th Jan of
1000
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Prepayment Mechanism for Electrical or other
Meters.
We, CHARLES ORME BASTIAN of 8" Manchester Square, London, Electrical
Engineer, and HERBERT CECIL HODGES of 30 Hampstead Road, London, N.W.
Manufacturer and Electrical 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 relates primarily to prepayment electricity meters although applicable
to other meters particularly prepayment gas meters and has for its object to provide
comparatively simple and inexpensive-but accurate and reliable-mechanism for
the purposes of such prepayment meters.
We will now proceed to describe our invention with reference to the accompanying
drawings which illustrate a prepayment electricity meter according to our said
invention as follows:-
Fig. 1 is a front view of the meter enclosed in a suitable case.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the lower part of same-looking in the direction of the
arrow 1 Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a "local" sectional view on line 2-2 Fig. 1-showing the case or
cover detached from the bottom or stand W on which the meter is fixed.
Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the meter and prepayment mechanism-with the
outer case or cover removed-and on a rather larger scale than Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation of Fig. 4-only on a larger scale than the latter-
showing the handle or push knob "out" ready to be pushed in on the insertion
of a coin.
Fig. 6 is a similar view of the upper part of Fig. 5-showing the bandle or push
knob "in" and the circuit closed.
Fig. 7 is a plan of Fig. 5.
Fig. 8 is a "local" vertical section on line 3-3 Fig. 6.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.
In a suitable case or enclosure A any suitable means (such as are now well
known in so-called automatic or coin-freed apparatus) may be arranged and mounted
so that on the insertion of a coin or token of proper value size or denomination
an operating bar or rod (hereinafter referred to as the "operating rod") B or
equivalent which may be reciprocated or moved in such a manner as to operate as
hereinafter described but for the sake of example we will describe a simple push
piece C (projecting through the side of the case or enclosure A with a knob such
as D thereon) the inner end of which is hollow or tubular so as to pass over the
end of the operating rod" B like a piston and cylinder unless the proper coin

page_text: or token is dropped in the slot E so as to come in between said hollow end C and
said "operating rod" B whereupon said operating rod can be pushed in one direction
by said 'knob D and the coin drops down or any suitable device may be employed.
to remove the coin from between these said two parts and upon the return movement
of the push piece C (either by pulling same out or by a spring) same will pull
back with it said operating rod B to which it is attached by a suitable chain or
connection or the latter may be independently returned also by a spring or equivalent-
in the arrangement shown in the drawings the hollow push piece (which is free
to slide in the guides c c on the main frame or mount a) has an extension thereon
(see Fig. 4) in the form of a loop C' and then the slotted end C extends parallel
with the hollow part C and a stud or pin B fixed on the operating rod B connects
the latter to the push piece but in such a manner that the one is free to slide
through the guides 6 6 for same also fixed to said mount a.
On the insertion of a token or coin of the proper size or value in the slot E it falls
down on to the coin support or rest d (fixed to the mount a) and is held in position
there by the aforesaid loop C so that it (the coin) is thus interposed between the
hollow inner end of the push piece C and the end of the operating rod B so that on
pushing in the former thereby the latter is pushed along in the opposite direction to
the arrow 4 (Fig. 4) whereby the coin is pushed off the rest d.
The two springs e e are respectively attached at one end to the mount a and at
the other end to the operating bar B (as shown in Figs. 4 and 5) so that such
last-named ends move along with said har B whereby when the latter is pushed in as
aforesaid it first causes the compression of said springs e e until they have passed tho
centre whereupon the expansion of said springs will force the bar B away from the
push piece (into the position shown in Fig. 6) and thus allow the coin to drop
(from between bar B and push piece C) down the shoot F into any suitable receptacle
such as the drawer (Figs. 1 and 2) locked by key in the case A.
G is a fixed arm or rigid projection on the operating rod B.
His the contact-making device pivoted at H to the mount a and having the
depending arm H pivoted or hinged thereto at H³ in such wise that same can
swing towards the knob D but cannot swing beyond the perpendicular in the opposite
direction.
The end H of the device H forms the contact to close the main circuit.
1 is a spring (one end fixed to the mount a and the other to the device H) which
normally tends to keep the end H out of contact.
JJ are two points to which the main circuit wire leads and between which the
main circuit is broken when the end H* is withdrawn out of contact therewith and
through which the main circuit is completed when the end H is forced into contact
therewith.
JJ are the corresponding main circuit terminals fixed to the mount a one end of
the main circuit wires being connected up to the terminal J' thence the main current
passes through a suitable conductor to one of the points J and through the contact
device H (when in position) to the other point J and thence back to the
terminal J.
I' is a stop (fixed on mount a) to limit the movement imparted to the device H by
the spring I.
K is a catch or clutch carried on the spring arın K¹ which latter at its lower end
is fixed rigidly to the fixed support K2 for same on the mount a.
Lis support fixed to the mount a and carrying thereon the two said contacts J J which
latter are insulated from one another as also from the spring arm and catch K K'.
M is an electro-magnet-the wire or winding of which forms part of a
"local" or shunt circuit (shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4) from the main
circuit the terminals of this "local" circuit being on the radial arms or
contact rods X and Y respectively which latter are pressed together to complete
said local circuit as hereinafter explained whereupon a current is caused to flow
round the electro-magnet M and thus the latter is magnetised and consequently
draws the catch or clutch K towards itself and thereby draws said clutch K off or

page_text: out of engagement with the aforesaid contact device H which latter on being
released is pulled back by its spring I and thus breaks the main circuit and (the
local circuit being arranged as shown in Fig. 4-or in any other suitable manner)
the local circuit also & the current through the coil round the magnet thus ceasing
consequently the magnet releases the spring clutch K which thereupon springs
back into position ready to engage and hold the end H of the contact device H
when same is forced down again and so on.
Referring now again to the operating bar B-N is a pawl or ratchet operating
tooth-hinge bound or pivoted or otherwise suitably arranged on said operating
bar B in such manner that while said pawl N is held rigid in one direction it is free
to turn on its pivot in the other direction.
O is a ratchet or toothed wheel-the teeth on said wheel being of such a form and
of such a number to suit the apparatus for instance these teeth may be deep cut as
shown the distance between each tooth and the next (or it may be more than ono
tooth) being the measure of the amount of electricity to be supplied in exchange for
each coin or token inserted.
P is the last of the train of wheels in an ordinary or any suitable counter or meter
index which latter is not shown in detail same being well known and in common
use as for instance of the type shown viz.: the well-known Thomson-Houston meter.
is an extra gear wheel which is arranged in gear with the last wheel P (or other
one) of the said train of meter index wheels so that this wheel Q is revolved when the
wheel P is set in motion by the working of the meter.
Q
The spindle Q of said wheel Q passes (see Fig. 8) independently of and freely
through the sleeve O¹ (advantageously of insulating material) on which latter said
wheel O is fixed or formed the radial arm X being also fixed rigidly to said
sleeve O by an adjusting screw or set screw Ox so as to be carried round by
said sleeve when the latter is revolved by the tooth or pawl N acting upon the
said toothed wheel O.
X is contact pin or projection extending laterally from the radial arm X and lying
in the path of travel of the radial arm Y-see Fig. 8.
This second radial arm Y is fixed rigidly to the spindle Q so as to be revolved
thereby and therewith when the latter is revolved by the meter index train of wheels
as aforesaid both arms X and Y being revolved in the same direction but each
being operated entirely independently of one another and capable of being separated
from one another as and for the purposes stated.
Thus on the toothed wheel being revolved by the tooth K thereby the radial
arm X is moved correspondingly through part of a circle i.e. the arm X is thereby
separated and moved away from the arm Y and sent on a certain distance in advance
thereof and then comes to rest and as the main current is used it causes the meter
mechanism to work and thereby the arm Y is caused to follow after the arm X until
it catches it up and comes in contact with the projection X' thereon whereupon the
local circuit is completed therethrough as shown.
The two arms X and Y are insulated from one another in any suitable manner-
electrical connection between them only being possible through the contact X¹, the
local circuit being connected up to the arm X through the plate or wall R of
the meter index mechanism and thence to the said arm X while the connection Y
is made through the mount S which is insulated from said wall R and thence to
the arm Y.
W is the base or stand on which the case or cover A rests and the latter is secured
to the former by euch being provided with bolt holes or eyelets A' and W' which
coincide when in position and tbrough which a bolt or lock pin U is passed the latter
being enclosed within the casing by the locked drawer or the case inay be attached
and locked or secured in any other suitable manner.
The operation is as follows :-
Before insertion of the first coin or token the radial arm Y rests against the
contact device X' on the radial arm X so that same (Y) touches the other
terminal X of the "local" circuit.

page_text: On a coin or token being inserted in the slot E the operating bar B can be
moved as explained and the pawl N simultaneously imparts a partial rotation to the-
ratchet wheel O and consequently moves the arm X part of a revolution away from
and in advance of the arm Y so that the "local" circuit is broken at this point and
at same time the main circuit is closed as hereinbefore described and the
current can be used and then as same is used the meter is operated in the usual'
manner and the total amount of current used is indicated on the dial V as usual,
meantime as the revolution of the train of wheels in the said meter causes the
movement (very slowly) of the arm Y in the same direction as the arm X has been
moved in advance thereof when the current paid for has been delivered the arm Y
has reached the arm X-if desired these arins X and Y may be arranged to first
close a local bell circuit (not shown) and thereby cause an electric bell to sound or
give other signal as a warning that the current is about to cease.
As soon as the arm Y touches the contact X' then the local circuit is closed and
consequently the main circuit is broken as before explained and no current will flow
until the insertion of another coin and the separation of arm X from arm Y-
and so on.
By causing the pivoted lever I to open or close a gas cock or valve in the gas
main (instead of making electrical contact as aforesaid) we could thus employ our
present invention for prepayment gas meters-a small battery being of course
required to be added to provide the "local" circuit with electric current through
the electro-magnet M and contact arms X and Y which latter Y would be operated
by the gas meter index mechanism instead of by the electricity meter index mechanism
as aforesaid.
A very important and essential feature of our present invention consists in separating
the parts of the contact-making device in the local circuit for a measured (ie. a
"given ") distance from one another at each operation of the prepayment mechanism
and then causing such parts to come together again (to complete said local circuit)
by operation of the meter mechanism; and therefore we do not wish to confine
ourselves to the arrangement hereinbefore more particularly described and illus-
trated as we may effect such separation and re-union of the said parts of said local
circuit contacts in any equivalent or other suitable manner and this may be done
for instance by having only one of the said contact parts movable while the other
is fixed and ihen moving the former away from the latter by the prepayment
mechanism as aforesaid and then returning said movable part into contact with said
fixed part by operation of the meter mechanism and furthermore such movable
part may be thus moved in a circular direction if mounted on an axis as aforesaid
or same may he moved in a straight line or any other desired direction as for instance
carried on a slide or rack-bar and moved in a horizontal or diagonal direction towards
and away from the said fixed contact part, or both said contacts may be made
to move (separated and returned as aforesaid) in a horizontal or other direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a prepayment meter-the combination with the meter mechanism of coin-
freed mechanism adapted on the insertion of a coin to separate the parts of a
contact-iraking device' a given distance from one another in a local electrical circuit
and simultaneously open the supply through the meter an axis or other suitable
means operated by said meter mechanism and in connection with one part of the said
contact making device which latter is thereby moved into contact with the other
part on the completion of the supply of the pre-determined amount of electricity gas
or other thing to be supplied whereby the said local circuit is closed and menus.
operated by said local circuit to thereupon cat off further supply through the meter
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
2. In a prepayment electric meter the combination with the meter mechanism
having a main circuit and a local circuit therein; of a contact device in said main

page_text: circuit, a contact device in said local circuit, devices adapted to be operated by the
hand upon the insertion of a coin or token to simultaneously close said main circuit
and break said local circuit, devices operated by the working of the meter mechanism
adapted to close said local circuit and devices operated by said local circuit when
closed to break said main circuit, substantially as described.
3. In a prepayment electric meter the combination with the meter mechanism
having a main circuit and a local circuit therein of a contact device in said main circuit
held out of contact to cut the supply off from the meter, an armature normally held
in a position to engage said contact device to hold the same in a position to close
said circuit, another contact device adapted to close said local circuit, devices
adapted to be operated by the hand upon the insertion of a coin or token to
simultaneously close said main circuit and break said local circuit, devices operated by
the working of the meter mechanism adapted to move the contact devices in said
local circuit into contact and a magnet in said local circuit adapted upon the closing
of said circuit to disengage said armature from the contact device in the main
circuit and thus release said contact device and break said main circuit substantially
as described.
4. Prepayment electrical or other meters constructed and operating substantially
in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
Dated : 201
1000
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
-Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.