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

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Apr., 1897-Accepted, 26th June, 1897
Improvements in or relating to Prepayment Mechanism for
Electrical or other Meters.
We, CHARLES ORME BASTIAN of 84 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 to prepayment electricity meters although applicable to
other meters such as prepayment gas meters and consists of certain improvements
which may be used either in conjunction with prepayment mechanism of the
character for which we made application for Patent dated 30th January 1896,
No. 2224 or which may be used in conjunction with any other suitable mechanism
or in any other desired manner for which same may be applicable.
Our present invention is as follows:-
On the insertion of a coin or token and the consequent movement of the parts of
any suitable mechanism to (1) close the circuit if electricity meter or (2) open the
supply if gas meter some part on or in connection with said prepayment mechanism
is arranged to thereupon operate a ratchet wheel or otherwise rotate a shaft or axle
or actuate a "working part" (such as a slide) in connection with the meter
mechanism or whose return movement is caused or controlled by said meter or
meter mechanism-the normal position of this shaft or axle or slide or other
"working part" being such that the contacts of a local or shunt circuit are thereby
brought together while the movement imparted to said "working part" (on the
insertion of a coin and consequent movement caused or permitted to the prepay-
ment mechanism) from its said normal position thereby breaks said local circuit
and same remains broken until the movement of the meter (as the supply is used
by the consumer) has returned the said working part to its normal position when
the local circuit is completed and the main supply consequently cut off in the
manner described in our said Specification No. 2224 of 1896-or in any other
equivalent or suitable manner-the distance these contacts in this local circuit are
moved apart being arranged relatively to the speed of the return movement imparted
by or from the meter as aforesaid so that the desired amount of electricity (or
gas ctc.) is delivered before the supply is cut off according to the coin or coins
inserted.
For instance the coin-operated or coin-freed mechanism at each operation thereof
may cause in any suitable manner (e.g. by a pawl thereon engaging with the
teeth of a ratchet) the partial rotation of a shaft or axle for a given distance.
This shaft or axle (which may advantageously be tubular) may carry fixed or
formed thereon a reel or drum upon or to which latter one end of a string or cord
or equivalent is mounted so that same is wound on said reel or drum as the latter is
thus revolved while the other end of said string has a weight or block attached
thereto whereby the latter is suspended.
The meter mechanism (advantageously the meter index mechanism) is so connected
up to said shaft or axle or to the said reel or drum thereon that the latter is thereby

page_text: caused (by the movement of said meter) to revolve in the opposite direction to that
in which it is moved as herein before described to wind up the string thereon and
consequently the latter is now slowly unwound until the motion of the meter finally
ceases (ie. when the local circuit is completed and the main supply cut off) the said
shaft or axle or the drum or reel thereon being so arranged and combined (for
instance with a clutch interposed or other suitable arrangement) with its operating
and operated parts as to permit the winding up of the string on the drum by the
prepayment mechanism and its unwinding by the meter mechanism without
interfering with the action of either but on the contrary this suspended weight
arrangement can be adapted and used for compensating the amount of energy
necessary to actuate the meter i.e. the weight in unwinding may be utilised to supply
necessary force to drive the meter or to counterbalance or approximately so the
mechanical friction or inertia of the meter.
Below this weight a spring arm or equivalent is arrauged which when pressed
down by said weight descending on it will cause (or said weight may itself
cause) the completion of the aforesaid local circuit while immediately said weight
is raised said local circuit is broken and remains so until the next descent of the
weight to its normal position.
Also if desired a local bell circuit may be introduced or contacts thereof in such
manner that as the weight descends it will firstly close the bell circuit to give
warning that the main supply is about to be cut off and thereafter complete the
said local circuit to cut off the main circuit as aforesaid.
In the case of prepayment gas meters to prevent the possibility of "sparking
in making or breaking contact in the local circuit-we may use a closed tube of
glass or other suitable material in the form of a ring or split ring or curved or
other form of closed tube or vessel or equivalent in which the two terminals
of the local circuit are mounted close together or otherwise so arranged that
a suitable quantity of mercury (or other moving contact) in said tube when
laying on both terminals together will thereby complete said local circuit.
This closed tube etc. is mounted on the aforesaid shaft or axle instead of the
drum or reel so that when rotated or tilted in one direction (by the prepayment
mechanism) the mercury or equivalent would be moved clear of the said terminals
while the return movement imparted to said tube etc. by the meter mechanism
would in due course bring the said terminals under the mercury or other moving
contact and thus complete the local circuit.
If desired the foregoing weight or slide or equivalent or the closed tube or
vessel with movable contact therein which is moved in one direction by the
coin-freed or coin-operated mechanism as aforesaid may be moved in the opposite
direction or returned to its normal position (so as to close the local circuit as
aforesaid) by means of any suitable separate inotor such as a clock or clockwork
suitably connected up to same whereby the said return movement would be
effected in a given time and thus the supply would only last for a certain period
and then be cut off.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to 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 to prepayment electricity meters although applicable to
other meters such as prepayment gas meters and consists of certain improvements
which may be used either in conjunction with prepayment mechanism of the
character for which we have received Letters Patent dated 30th January, 1896,
No. 2224 or which may be used in conjunction with any other suitable mechanism
or in any other desired manner for which same may be applicable.
Our present invention is as follows:-
On the insertion of a coin or token and the consequent movement of the parts
of any suitable mechanism to (1) close the main circuit if electricity meter or
(2) open the supply if gas meter some part on or in connection with said pre-
payment mechanism is arranged to thereupon operate a ratchet wheel or otherwise
rotate a shaft or axle or actuate a "working parti " (such as a slide) in connec-
tion with the meter mechanism or whose return movement is caused or controlled
by said meter or meter mechanism-the normal position of this shaft or axle or
slide or other "working part" being such that the contacts of a local or shunt
circuit are thereby brought together while the movement imparted to said "working
part" (on the insertion of a coin and consequent movement caused or permitted
to the prepayment mechanism) from its said normal position thereby breaks said
local circuit and same remains broken until the movement of the meter (as the
supply is used by the consumer) has returned the said working part to its normal
position when the local circuit is completed and the main supply consequently
cut off in the manner described in our said Specification No. 2224 of 1896-or
in any other equivalent or suitable manner-the distance these contacts in this
local circuit are moved apart being arranged relatively to the speed of the return
movement imparted by or from the meter as aforesaid so that the desired amount.
of electricity (or gas etc.) is delivered before the supply is cut off according to the
coin or coins inserted.
For instance the coin-operated or coin-freed mechanism at each operation thereof
may cause in any suitable manner (e.g. by a pawl thereon engaging with the teeth
of a ratchet) the partial rotation of a shaft or axle for a given distance.
This shaft or axle (which may advantageously be tubular) may carry fixed or
formed thereon a reel or drum upon or to which latter one end of a string or cord
or equivalent is mounted so that same is wound on said reel or drum as the latter
is thus revolved while the other end of said string has a weight or block attached
thereto whereby the latter is supported.
The meter mechanism (advantageously the meter index mechanism) is so
connected up to said shaft or axle or to the said reel or drum thereon that the
latter is thereby caused (by the inovement of said meter) to revolve in the opposite
direction to that in which it is moved as herein before described to wind up the
string thereon and consequently the latter is now slowly unwound until the motion
of the meter finally ceases (ie. when the local circuit is completed and the main
supply cut off) the said shaft or axle or the drum or reel thereon being so arranged
and combined (for instance with a clutch interposed or other suitable arrangement)

page_text: with its operating and operated parts as to permit the winding up of the string on
the drum by the prepayment mechanism and its unwinding by the meter mechanism
without interfering with the action of either but on the contrary this suspended
weight arrangement can be adapted and used for compensating the amount of energy
Decessary to actuate the meter i.e. the weight in unwinding may be utilised to supply
necessary force to drive the meter or to counterbalance or approximately so the
mechanical friction or inertia of the meter.
Below this weight a spring arm or equivalent is arranged which when pressed
down by said weight descending on it will cause (or said weight may itself cause)
the completion of the aforesaid local circuit while immediately said weight is
raised said local circuit is broken and remains so until the next descent of the
weight to its normal position.
Also if desired a local bell circuit may be introduced or contacts thereof in such
manner that as the weight descends it will firstly close the bell circuit to give
warning that the main supply is about to be cut off and thereafter complete the
said local circuit to cut off the main circuit as aforesaid.
In the case of prepayment gas meters to prevent the possibility of "sparking
in making or breaking contact in the local circuit-we may use a closed tube of
glass or other suitable material in the form of a ring or split ring or curved or
other form of closed tube or vessel or equivalent in which the two terininals of the
local circuit are mounted close together or otherwise so arranged that a suitable
quantity of mercury (or other moving contact) in said tube when laying on both
terminals together will thereby complete said local circuit.
This closed tube etc. is mounted on the aforesaid shaft or axle instead of the
drum or reel so that when rotated or tilted in one direction (by the prepayment
mechanism) or otherwise suitably mounted and tilted or rotated the mercury or
equivalent would be moved clear of the said terminals while the return movement
imparted to said tube etc. or to the said descending weight or working part by the
meter mechanism would in due course bring the said terminals under the mercury
or other moving contact and thus complete the local circuit.
If desired the foregoing weight or slide or equivalent or the clused tube or
vessel with movable contact therein which is moved in one direction by the coin-
freed or coin-operated mechanism as aforesaid may be moved in the opposite
direction or returned to its normal position (so as to close the local circuit as
aforesaid) by means of any suitable separate motor such as a clock or clockwork
suitably connected up to same whereby the said return movement would be
effected in a given time and thus the supply would only last for a certain period
and then he cut off.
We will now proceed to describe our invention with reference to the accom-
panying drawings Figs. 1 to 8 of 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 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-anl 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 similar view of the upper part of Fig. 5-showing the handle or push
knob "in" and the circuit closed.
Fig. 7 is a plan of Fig. 6.
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

page_text: 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 may thereby he reciprocatel or moved in such a manner as to operate as
bereinafter described but for the sake of example we will describe a simple push-
piece C (projecting through the side of the ease 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 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 knol D and the coin drops down or any suitable device may be employed
to remove the coin from between these said two parts aud 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 C
(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 loup C and then the slotte: ent C
extends parallel with the hollow part C and a stud or pin B' fixed on the operating
red B connects the latter to the push-piece C but in such a manner that the one is
free to slide upon the other-the said operating rod being free to slide through the
guides bb 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 ent 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.
Two springs e e are each 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 bar B whereby when the latter is pushed in as aforesaid
it first causes the compression of said springs e e until they have passed the 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 B3 and push piece C) down the shoot F into any suitable receptacle
such as the drawer (Figs. 1 and 2) locked by key f¹ in the case A.
G is a fixed arm or rigid projection on the operating rod B.
H is the contact-making device pivotted at H' to the mount a and having the
depending arm H2 pivotted or hinged thereto at H' in suchwise that same can swing
towards the knob D only.
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 terininals fixed to the mount a one of
the main circuit wires being connected up to the terminal J whence the main
current passes through a suitable conductor to one of the points J and through the
contact devices H (when in position) to the other point J and thence back to the
terminal J.
Iis a stop (fixed on the 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 arm K' which latter at its lower end
is fixed rigidly to the support K for same on the mount a.

page_text: 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 spring arms or contact-making
devices and Z respectively which latter are normally hell apart so that this
Jocal circuit remains broken until the contacts Y and Z are pressed together to
complete said local circuit as hereinafter explained whereupon à current is caused
to flow round the electro-magnet M and thus the latter is magnetised and conse-
quently draws the catch or clutch K towards itself, and thereby draws said
lutch K off or 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) so that the local circuit is also broken and the current through the coil
round the magnet M 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 forcol down again and so on.
Referring now again to the operating bar B-N is a pawl or ratchet operating
tooth hinge-hound or pirotted 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
aud 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 one 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 for instance of the type shown viz. the well-known Thomson-Houston
meter.
Q is an extra gear wheel which is arranged in gear with the last wheel P (or)
other one) of the said train of wheels so that this wheel Q is revolved when the
wheel P is set in motion by the meter working.
The spindle Q of said wheel Q passes (see Fig. 8) through the ratchet wheel O
and through the sleeve O' on which said wheel O is fixed or formed and an adjusting
screw or set screw O is screwed up sufficiently tightly to carry round said
sleeve with said spindle Q' but at same time will permit the former (0) to he
revolved (by the tooth or pawl N) upon said spindle Q the latter (Q') being held
by the gearing of the wheel Q with the wheel aforesaid.
R is a drum fixed rigidly or formed on the sleeve O' so as to be revolved
therewith.
S is a string cord or thread one end of which is fixed to said arm R and the
other end carries a suitable weight or device T.
W is the base or stand on which the case or cover A rests and the latter
is secured to the former by each being provided with bolt holes or eyelets A¹
and W¹ which coincide when in position and through which a bolt or lock pin U
is passed the latter being enclosed within the casing by the locked drawer for the
case may 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 weight or device T (suspended by
the cord S) rests on the contact piece Y (which latter lies exactly perpendicularly
below the periphery of the drum R) so that same (Y) touches the other terminal Z
of the "local" circuit.
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 winds up the cord S on the drum R and

page_text: thereby lifts the weight T a given distance above the contact Y and at same time
the main circuit is closed as hereinbefore described and thus as the current is used
the meter is operated in the usual manner and the total amount consumed indicated
on the dial V as usual, meantime as the revolution of the train of wheels in the
said meter causes the unwinding (very slowly) of the cord S wound on the drum R
until when nearly all the current paid for has been delivered-the weight T
presses down the bell contact device X which on touching Y is arranged to close
a local bell-circuit (not shown) and thereby causes an electric hell to sound or give
other signal as a warning that the current is about to cease.
As soon as the weight T has pressed the contact Y onto the contact Z then the
main circuit is broken as before explained and no current will flow until the
insertion of another coin and so on.
In Figs. 9 and 10 we have shown our present invention applied to a gas meter-
Fig. 9 being a front view thereof (with the front of the casing removed) and Fig. 10
a side view looking in the direction of the arrow 10.
Upon the insertion of a coin . then when the knob D is pushed in thereby the
fixed arm or rigid projection G (on the operating rod B) strikes the dependent
arm H pivotted or hinged to the lever arm H the latter being pivotted or turning
about the point H and thereby the other end H is forced past the catch K which
thereupon engages and holds said end and prevents same being drawn back by the
now extended spring I.
This lever arm H is fixed to the gas valve whereby the latter is turned so as
to open the supply of gas through the gas main Z thus permitting gas to pass into
the gas meter.
Z is the outlet from the meter from which said gas passes to the point or points
of consumption.
The aforesaid operating rod B also carries the slotted rack-har B which is
thereby carried along by said operating rod B from the position shown in full
lines in Fig. 9 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9 whereby the
rack or raichet teeth on said rack-bar engage the ring of teeth on the reel or
drum which latter is thereby caused to revolve and to this drum is fixed one
end of the cord or equivalent Of which passing over the guide pulley terminates
in a weight O
This weight in its descent forces down one end o³ of a glass or other tube o
pivotted or mounted so as to be free to turn about the point of (see Fig. 10) while
the other end of is controlled by a spring o* which normally tends to pull down the
end o² and consequently raise the end 3 but is not of sufficient strength to.
overcome the weight Owhen the latter bears against the aforesaid end o³.
Thus when the weight 0 is raised the end is pulled down by the spring o*
while when the weight O descends it forces the end o³ down with it-thus a sort
of see-saw motion is caused to the tube o.
Inside this tube is a small quantity of mercury (indicated by the dotted lines
in the end of see Fig. 10) which is free to run from end to end of said tube
and at the end o³ of said tube are two contact devices y and to which the wires of
the local circuit are connected and when the weight O' is down in the position.
shown in Fig. 10 the mercury in said tube o makes connection between these
contacts y and so that the circuit at this point is completed but at said moment
the local circuit (which is supplied from any suitable battery and passes
through the magnet coils M) is broken at such cuils by the lever H being now out
of contact with the magnets M.
Upon the insertion of a coin and the aforesaid lever arm H being forced into.
contact with the magnets M and there held by the catch K as aforesaid thereby
the local circuit is completed at this point but is simultaneously broken at the
contacts y aforesaid by reason of the drum O being revolved and the weight 0.
thereby wound up and consequently the tube o is now tilted or moved by the
spring into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10 whereby the mercury runs.
from the end into the end and there remains until the working of the meter

page_text: has operated the train of wheels or meter index with which the aforesaid drum
is in gear by which means the said drum is revolved in the opposite direction from
that in which it is revolved by the rack-har B and consequently the corl O' is
slowly unwound and thereby the weight 0 descends until it has depressed the tube
end into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 10 or thereabouts whereupon the
mercury runs down into this last-named end completes its local circuit through the
connections y and thereby energises the magnets M which pull towards same
the end or crank arm K' of the catch K pivotted at K whereby the catch K is
thrown up, the lever H released, and consequently the latter is pulled back by the
spring into the position shown in Fig. 9 and the gas valve & is thereby turned off
and thus further supply of gas through the meter is automatically cut off until the
insertion of another coin (and the local circuit is simultaneously broken at or near
the magnets and thereby waste of battery is prevented) when the operation is
repeated and so on.
It will be obvious that if desired we may arrange the weight and contact devices
in the local circuit vice versa that is to say the weight may be lowered by the
operation of the prepayment mechanism on the insertion of a coin and thereby
separate the contacts (in the local circuit) while the progress of the meter will
raise the weight (instead of lowering same as illustrated in the drawings) and
thereby cause or permit the separated contact to return into contact with the other
contact the rest of the mechanism acting as before.
Furthermore the winding up of the weight by the prepayment mechanism as
illustrated in the drawings or by any other suitable mechanism may have for its
sole object (or in conjunction with making and breaking the Incal circuit) to utilise
the power it exerts in falling to its original position for the purpose of driving
the meter mechanism or of overcoming or counterbalancing any or all of the
inertia mechanical friction in said meter or meter mechanism.
and
or
and
Or this weight might be utilised for the purposes alone of driving the meter
mechanism or overcoming or counterbalancing any or all inertia mechanical
friction in conjunction with another weight for making and breaking the local
circuit as aforesaid, or in conjunction with a local circuit make and break" device
such as the two needles shown and described in our said former Patent No. 2224
of 1896.
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 en the insertion of a coin to separate the parts of a
contact-making devire a given distance from one another in a local electrical
circuit and open the supply through the meter or permit same to be opened a drum
or equivalent winding device adapted to be operated by the said meter mechanism
and a cord or equivalent having one end thereof attached to or in connection with
said drum or winding device and adapted to be wound up and unwound thereby
while the other end of-or a weight on-said cord or equivalent as same is raised
or lowered separates or permits the separation of the said contacts in the said local
circuit on the operation of the coin-freed mechanism and on the return movement
which is imparted to the said drum or winding device by the working of the
meter mechanism the said separated contacts are caused or permitted to return
together and thereby close the said local circuit and thus stop the supply through
the meter substantially as and for the purposes described.
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
circuit a contact device in said local circuit a drum a cord wound on said drum a
weight suspended from said cord and adapted to break or close said local circuit by
being lifted from or dropped upon said contact device in said local circuit devices

page_text: adapted to be operated by the hand upon the insertion of a coin or token to
simultaneously close said main circuit through its contact device and to wind up
said cord on said pulley to raise said weight and thus break said local circuit
gearing between the said meter mechanism and said pulley adapted to unwind said
cord and cause said weight to fall by the working of the meter and thus to finally
close said local circuit and devices operated by said local circuit when closed to
throw the contact device in said main circuit out of contact and thus 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 normally held out of contact an armature normally held in a position to
engage said contact device and hold the same when moved into contact another
contact device in said local circuit a drum a cord wound on said drum a weight
suspended from said cord and adapted to break or close said local circuit by being
lifted from or dropped upon said contact device in said local circuit devices adapted
to be operated by the hand upon the insertion of a coin or token to move the
contact. device in said main circuit into contact and to wind up said cord on said
drum to raise said weight and thus break said local circuit simultaneously gearing
between the meter mechanism and said pulley by means of which said cord is
caused to unwind and said weight is caused to fall by the working of the meter
mechanisin and thus to finally close said local circuit and a magnet in said local
circuit adapted upon the closing of said local 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. The herein-described improved construction of prepayment electrical or other
meters arranged combined and operating substantially in the manner and for the
purposes hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Deted this 22nd 1.
A 1907
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.