Improvements in Prepayment Gas Meters.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Jan., 1892-4ccepted, 5th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Prepayment Gas Meters.
I, WILLIAM COWAN of Buccleuch Street Works, Edinburgh in the County of
Midlothian North Britain Gas Meter Manufacturer &c. do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention which relates to improvements in prepayment gas meters consists
of improvements in and modifications of as well as of additions to my previous
invention for which Letters Patent have been granted and numbered 11537 of
23rd July 1890 also my two previous applications for Letters Patent numbered
respectively 3575 of 27th February 1891 and 8444 of 16th May 1891.
The present invention provides first an improved substitute for the eccentric
arrangement consisting of a reciprocating rack arrangement. Secondly an improved
operating handle whereby the fraud known as "pumping" is prevented. Thirdly un
improved price changing adjustment which is applicable to the eccentric and
reciprocating rack arrangements. And fourthly to an improved double shoot
arrangement whereby small coins and surplus coins are returned to the consumer
without operating any of the interior mechanism.
In carrying out my said invention in regard to my improved substitute for the
eccentric arrangement which consists of a reciprocating rack arrangement I mount
a circular or other rack alongside the slot and I provide the said rack with an
extension at right angles so as to form a pusher though if desired the said rack
may be formed in one with or lie in line with the pusher. Said rack is reciprocated
backwards and forwards by means of two spurred pinions which are mounted the
one above and the other below said rack. The said pinions being operated in their
respective directions by means of a revolving disc having two segments of spur
teeth and which is operated or revolved by the consumer after the insertion of a
coin in the slot through the medium of a suitable handle. The whole of said parts
are suitably carried by brackets, pins or otherwise attached to index box.
In carrying out my said invention in regard to my improved operating handle
whereby the fraud known as "pumping" is prevented I form or fix to the said
handle which may be of any suitable shape a circular ratchet wheel into which a
pivoted pawl works. The said handle is mounted loosely on the axle of the
eccentric or revolving disc and is provided with a pin or projection which works
in a check or recess formed in a collar on the said axle. The object of the fore-
going being to allow the handle a little play and so prevent it from being moved
alternately backwards and forwards.
In carrying out my said invention in regard to my improved price changing
adjustment I form the pusher rod as a screw and screw it into or out of the
eccentric or rack's projection which now forms a carrier for the said pusher. The
screwing of the said pusher in or out thus alters the effect it has on the prepayment
mechanism which may be set to any desired distance by means of an adjusting
screw having a rack and pinion working a pointer on a scale the whole of which
are mounted in front of the slot's front extension and so forms a register. The
said adjustment is applicable to both the eccentric and reciprocating rack arrange-
ments whereby although the movement of same are in each case uniform the effect
or movement given to the pawl and prepayment wheel is capable of adjustment.
In carrying out my said invention in regard to my improved double shoot
arrangement I provide an extra shoot which is mounted inside the index box in
such a position that when the slot is in its normal position the coin if present does
not stand directly over the entrance or mouth of the money box shoot but over the
mouth of this extra shoot which communicates with an opening in the outside case
تو

page_text: of the meter in such a manner that on placing a small coin in the slot it passes
through same down the shoot and through the opening on to a platform outside
from which it may be easily recovered.
The said double shoot arrangement is also applicable for delivering back surplus
coins that is coins which are inserted after the prepayment pointer has reached a
predetermined position on the dial. This delivery of surplus coins being effected
by means of forming the guard which retains the proper coin in the slot as a
moveable one and connecting it by means of rods and a spindle to a tail piece which
is operated on at the proper time so as to remove the guard away from the slot by
a cam or projection formed on or attached to the boss of the gearing wheel.
The
said rods being retained in their proper position by means of a suitable counter-
poise weight.
The whole of the foregoing improvements are each and all applicable to both
wet and dry gas meters.
Dated this 21st day of October 1891
WILLIAM COWAN,
Petitioner.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Prepayment Gas Meters.
I, WILLIAM COWAN, of Buccleuch Street Works, Edinburgh, in the County of
Midlothian, North Britain, Gas Meter Manufacturer, 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 which relates to improvements in prepayment gas meters, of the
coin freed type, consists of improvements in and modifications of as well as of
additions to my previous invention for which Letters Patent have been granted
and numbered 11537 of 23rd July 1890, also my two previous applications for
Letters Patent numbered respectively 3575 of 27th February 1891, and 8444 of
16th May 1891.
"
The present invention provides Firstly an improved substitute for the eccentric
arrangement, consisting of a reciprocating rack arrangement. Secondly, an
improved operating handle whereby the fraud known as pumping" is prevented.
Thirdly, an improved price changing adjustment, which is applicable to the eccentric
and reciprocating rack arrangements. And Fourthly, to an improved double shoot
arrangement whereby small coins and surplus coins are returned to the consumer
without operating any of the interior mechanism.
But in order that my present invention may be more readily understood and
easily carried into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the
annexed explanatory sheets of drawings throughout which the same letters denote
similar parts.
In carrying out my said invention in regard to my improved substitute for the
eccentric arrangement as described in my application No. 8444 of 1891, and which
consists of a reciprocating rack arrangement, I proceed as follows and as is
illustrated in elevation Figure 1, plan Figure 2, and part sectional eleva-
tion Figure 3. I mount a circular or other rack S alongside the slot piece R, and
I form the said rack S* with an extension, at right angles to its centre line and
which acts as a pusher within the slot piece R. The said rack Se may if desired
be formed in one with or lie in line with the pusher 16 as shown in Figure 3. In
either case the said rack S is reciprocated backwards and forwards by means of
two spurred pinions S7 and S8 which are mounted the one above and the other
below the said rack S so as to enable them to be operated in their respective
directions by means of a revolving disc S' having two segments of spur teeth 8"
and which is operated or revolved by the consumer after the insertion of a coin in
the slot through the medium of a suitable handle as heretofore. The whole of the

page_text: na parts are suitably mounted unu carried by brackets or otherwise within Lae
index case d.
"
In carrying out my said invention in regard to my improve: operating handle
whereby the fraud known as "pumping is prevented, and which I have shown in
elevation and plan Figures 4 and 5 and in section Figure 6, which is taken on
line 1, 2 of Figure 5, I form or fix to the said handle 10, which may be of any
suitable shape, a circular ratchet wheel & into which a pivoted pawl works.
The said handle 10 is mounted loosely on the axle of the eccentric, cam shaped
lever or revolving disc S, and is provided with a pin or projection," which works
in a check or recess 80 formed in a collars" on the said axle. The object of the
foregoing being to allow the handle a little play so as to enable the pawl,18 to
act quicker and so prevent the handles being moved alternately backwards and
forwards.
In carrying out my said invention in regard to my improved price changing
adjustment which I have shown in elevation Figure 1, sectional plan Figure 2,
elevation Figure 7, plan Figure 8, and elevation Figure 9, I form the pusher
rod 16
as a screw and I screw it into or out of the eccentric's projection, or the
rack's projection & which now forms a carrier for the said pusher or screws.
The screwing of the said pusher 1 in or out of the carrier "thus alters the effect
it has on the prepayment mechanism which may be set to any desired distance by
means of my adjusting arrangement W or register as described in my applica-
tion No. 3575 of 1891, and which consists of an adjusting screw w having a
rack to and pinion to working a pointer to on a scale w³, the whole of which are
mounted in front of the extension R¹ of the slot piece. The said adjustment is
applicable to both the eccentric and reciprocating rack arrangements, whereby
although the movement of same are in each case uniform the effect or movement
given to the pawl P and prepayment wheel is capable of adjustment.
In combination with the said screwed pusher 18 I may modify my register or
adjusting arrangement W as shown in part sectional elevation and plan Figures 7
and 8, that is, I dispense with my adjusting screw w, (Figures 1 and 2) rack to and
pinion to and in lieu thereof I mount the pointer on a centred cross shaft w
which is carried in suitable brackets and provided with a tail piece to which works
or bears upon the end of the screw pusher 16 when in its normal position as shown,
and so registers the exact amount on the scale w³.
If desired I may provide the said pointer in this instance with a suitable binding
screw and slot so as to retain it in any desired position.
In carrying out my said invention in regard to my improved double shoot
arrangement as illustrated in elevation and part sectional end elevation Figures 10
and 11, I provide an extra shoot Q' which is mounted inside the index case d in
such a manner and in such a position that when the slot of the slot piece R is in
its normal position as shown the coin if present does not stand directly over the
entrance of the money box shoot Q, but over the mouth of this extra shoot Q'
which communicates with an opening 9 in the outside case of the meter in such a
manner that on placing a small coin in the slot it passes through same down the
shoot Q, and through the opening y on to a platform q' mounted or formed on the
outside of the meter's case, and from which it may be easily recovered.
The said double shoot Q is also applicable for delivering back surplus coins,
that is to say, coins which are inserted after the prepayment pointer has reached a
predetermined position on the prepayment dial. The said delivery of surplus coins
being effected as shown in Figures 10 and 11, that is by forming the guard which
retains the proper coin in the slot r as a moveable guard and connecting it by
means of rods 18 and a spindle" which is preferably centred at each end, to a
tail piece which is operated on at the proper time so as to remove the guard *17
away from the slot r and so allow the surplus coins to fall down the shoot Q* and
on to the platform q¹ by means of a cam or projection formed on or attached to
the shaft of the gearing wheel J. The said parts being retained in their normal
positions as shown by means of a counterpoise weight, until the predetermined

page_text: quantity of coins has been put in when owing to the action of the last coin inserted
the guard has been removed and no more will act on the mechanism but will
simply pass out on to the platform q'. Also in accordance with this arrangement I
may form the arm or projection of the double stop arrangement as a rigid arm in
lieu of a jointed or pivoted arm as hitherto.
The whole of the foregoing improvements are each and all equally applicable to
both wet and dry gas meters.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1st. In prepayment coin-freed gas meters, the reciprocating rack arrangement, all
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and shown in the
accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 3 inclusive.
2nd. In prepayment coin-freed gas meters, the improved operating handle,
whereby the fraud known as "pumping" is prevented, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown in the accompanying drawings Figures 4 to 6 inclusive.
3rd. In prepayment coin-freed gas meters, the improved price changing adjust-
ments, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and shown
in Figures 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.
4th. In prepayment coin freed gas meters, ejecting small coins therefrom as
described.
5th. In prepayment coin freed gas meters, the double or extra shoot Q whereby
small coins and surplus coins are returned, substantially as hereinbefore described
and shown in Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
6th. In prepayment coin freed gas meters, returning surplus coins to the consumer
as described.
7th. In prepayment coin freed gas meters the moveable guard, and its
connections whereby surplus coins are caused to pass out through the shoot Q* and
be so returned, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in Figures 10
and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of January 1892.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.