Improvements in Prepayment Gas Meters.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Le't, 23rl Jan., 1895-4ccepted, 23rd Apr., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Prepayment Gas Meters.
We WILLIAM COWAN, and WILLIAM HENRY COWAN, Buccleuch Street
Works, Edinburgh, Midlothian N.B. Gas Meter Manufacturers &c. do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in prepayment gas meters, and consists
of modifications of, as well as additions to, the former application for Patent
Number 24490 dated 20th December 1893 made by the above named William
Cowan. The objects of the present invention are as follows:-
To provide means of a more effective character whereby all coins or tokens which
are not at once dropped out of the eccentric coin carrier at the end of its forward
movement shall be pushed out at that point by the eccentric tongue. This is
effected by providing or forming the tongue of the eccentric with a hook or
projection which, after the carrier has reached the end of its travel, comes down
upon the edge of the coin and so forces it out of the slot of the carrier.
To provide means whereby coins or tokens having strings or wires attached to
them may be prevented from being withdrawn from the meter after they have been
used to actuate the prepayment mechanism. This is effected by means of a dise
having a slot or opening in it near its periphery, said disc being mounted on the
operating spindle of the tongue of the eccentric. The slot in the disc is preferably
formed with one or more of its sides or ends as kuife edges so as to cut the string
or wire and thus prevent the coin from being withdrawn. But in the event of the
string or wire not being cut the slot in the disc will so entangle or otherwise deal
with the string or wire as to prevent the withdrawal of the coin. The position of
the slot in the disc is such that the coin can only be inserted when the disc slot opens
the passage to the main carrier slot, and this can only occur when the eccentric coin
carrier is in its normal position, because in any other position the disc acts as a
shutter to the carrier slot.
To provide means whereby the supplementary valve which is operated by the
combined action of the eccentric and a coin or token may be employed more
efficiently, so as to prevent by its means the fraud, sometimes practised, of causing
the pawl of the eccentric to be kept in gear with the prepayment wheel for the
purpose of obtaining a supply of gas which has not been paid for. This is effected
in a wet meter by providing the upright shaft with a disc having one, two, or more
ridges or projections of cam like form, against which the lower end of a sliding rod
works, the said rod being carried in a suitable bracket and having a oneway acting
joint near its lower end so as to form a pivoted tail piece. The top end of this rol
is also provided with a pivoted portion having a tail rod and weight which is lifted
during the forward movement of the eccentric and retained in the raised position
till the eccentric is returned to its normal position. This latter action is by means
of a depending rod & platform attached to the eccentric box, in such a manner.
that during the forward movement of the eccentric the movable rod is of such a
length, and its lower end in such a position, as to enable the valve to be shut off by
the ordinary movement of the upright shaft of the wet meter in the event of the
pawl being kept in gear with the prepayment wheel. The foregoing action, being
eutirely independent of the prepayment mechanism, results from the ordinary action
of the meter and therefore does not interfere with the supply of gas to the consumer
during the ordinary operation of the eccentric.

page_text: To provide means of a more simple and effective character for arresting the
mechanism of the dry prepayment meter when the eccentric pawl is retained in any
other than its normal position. For this purpose a pawl shaped lever is pivoted to
the front end of the eccentric box and is provided at its other extremity with a rest
or support upon which it rests when the eccentric box is in its normal position.
The said lever is formed with a slot or opening through which passes a depending
rod having an enlarged head and provided with one or more guide brackets. The
arrangement is such that on the eccentric being moved forward the pawl shaped
lever will leave its rest or support and so lower the rod into the path of the tangent
and by doing so stop the action of the meter in the event of the eccentric and lever
not being returned to their normal positions.
To provide means, of a more simple effective and direct character than hitherto,
for operating the supplementary valve. We prefer to employ a slide valve of
somewhat similar construction to those used in ordinary dry meters, though, if
desired, other forms, or other descriptions, of valves may be employed, certain
modifications of details, or operating mechanisms, being used to suit the specific
kind of valve employed and according to the way in which the stuffing box of the
valve box may be arranged. The particular form of slide valve which we prefer
has a longitudinal slot or opening extending nearly from side to side through both
seat & cover so that when the cover is slightly moved the valve is either closed or
opened so as to exclude, or to admit, the passage of gas to the main valve chamber.
The covered portion of the valve is made larger than the seat that it may always
keep the seat covered and thereby prevent, as far as possible, the deposit of any
substance upon the seat which would interfere with the efficient working of
the valve.
In applying the valve arrangement to wet meters a valve box is provided which
has a stuffing box through which a horizontal spindle passes and is provided inside
the valve chamber with a depending rod the lower end of which works in the slot
of the covered portion of the valve. The front or outside end of the valve spindle
is provided with a crossbar or lever so as to form a T shaped end the one arm of
which is acted upon by means of a suitably shaped depending lever or arm which
is pivoted at its upper end to the framing of the index box (or chamber which
encloses the prepayment mechanisın) and provided with a counterbalance weight.
This depending lever which is suitably shaped is caused to press down the one arm
of the valve spindle by means of the coin at the end of the forward movement of
the eccentric and so to open the valve. In order to prevent the possibility of any
"jam," or obstruction, which would interfere with the opening of the valve by the
movement of the eccentric and the coin, the depending lever, against which the
coin
is furnished with an extension the lower end of which is so arranged
presses,
that it lifts up the jointed portion of the lower part of the sliding rod already
mentioned just before the coin would press down the lever upon the valve spindle.
The valve arrangement when applied to dry gas meters is as follows:-The front
end of the spindle in lien of being of a T shape is provided with an arm at right
angles to it having a projecting pin which bears upon the periphery of a plain wheel
or band mounted on the prepayment wheel or attached to its spindle or boss. The
said plain wheel or band is provided with a recess and projection for catching the
pin on the end of the valve spindle arm when required to open or close the valve.
The invention also includes a provision for guarding against an escape of gas in
the event of the supplementary valve not being gas tight. This provision consists
of a stop (as an addition and supplementary to the valve) capable of obstructing the
movement of the mechanism when placed for that purpose just as the valve closes
and removed when the valve is opened. By this means what may be called a
"second line of defence" against escape provided, because it would require both
the valve and the meter to be unsound before an escape could occur. The said
second line of defence viz. the supplementary stop (in addition to the valve) is
preferably so arranged that it will come into action immediately on the valve being
closed though it may, in some cases, be made to act as the "first line of defence

page_text: In this
the valve in this case acting as the second line of defence against escape.
latter case, the mechanisms of both the stop and the valve would be so arranged as
to bring about the desired effect. In some cases the mechanisms of both valve and
stop may be arranged to act simultaneously so that if one were to fail the other
would act and so ensure the supply of gas being cut off.
In applying the foregoing to a dry gas meter a double armed lever pivoted to the
framing of the iudex chamber is provided, and arranged in such a manner that one
of its ends (preferably beat downwards) would be forced into the path of the tangent
by a projecting pin either on the prepayment wheel or on the plain wheel or band
attached to it. The other end of the lever is provided with a suitable balance
weight so as to keep it, normally, out of the path of the tangent. The said bent
end of the lever would be lifted up and out of the path of the tangent every time
the eccentric reached the end of its forward movement by means of a depending
rod and heel pressing down on the other end of the lever. A similar arrangement
to the above may be employed in a wet meter, suitable modifications and details
being provided to suit the circumstances of the case.
It is to be understood that all the foregoing improvements apply generally to
both wet and dry gas meters unless otherwise stated.
Doted this let dow of Anril 1894
WILLIAM COWAN.
W. HENRY COWAN.
A
We, WILLIAM COWAN and WILLIAM HENRY COWAN of Buccleuch Street
Works, Edinburgh, in the County of Midlothian, North Britain, Gas Meter
Manufacturers &c., 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 improvements in prepayment gas meters and consists
of modifications of, as well as additions to, the former application for Patent,
Number 24490 dated 20th December 1893, made by the above-named William
Cowau. The objects of the present invention are as follows:--
To provide means of a more effective character whereby all coins or tokens
which are not at once dropped out of the eccentric coin carrier, at the end of its
forward movement, shall be pushed out at that point.
To provide means whereby coins or tokens having strings or wires attached to
them may be prevented from being withdrawn from the meter after they have been
used to actuate the prepayment mechanism.
To provide means whereby the supplementary valve may be employed more
efficiently so as to prevent the fraud sometimes practised of causing the pawl of
the eccentric carrier to he kept in gear with the prepayment wheel for the purpose
of obtaining a supply of gas which has not been paid for.
To provide means of a more simple and effective character for arresting the
mechanism of the dry meter when the eccentric pawl is retained in any other than
its normal position.
To provide means of a more simple, effective and direct character than hitherto
for operating the supplementary valve, in both dry and wet gas meters.
To provide means for guarding against an escape of gas in the event of the
supplementary valve not being gas-tight, in both dry and wet gas-meters.
But in order that our present invention may be more readily understood and
easily carried into effect, we will proceed to describe the same with reference to

page_text: the accompanying drawings, throughout which the same reference letters denote
similar parts.
Figure 1 is an elevation and Figure 2 a plan of a dry gas meter having our
improvements applied thereto, the covers being removed for the sake of clearness.
Figure 3 is an elevation, Figure 4 a plan and Figure 5 a cross-section, shewing
our improvements as applied to a wet gas meter. And
Figures 6 and 7 are views shewing details hereinafter referred to.
In carrying out our said invention with regard to the provision of a more effective
character whereby all coins or tokens which are not at once dropped out of the
eccentric coin carrier E at the end of its forward movement shall be pushed out at
that point into the money-box H by the eccentric tongue F. This is effected by
providing or forming the tongue F of the eccentric with a hook or projection f
which, after the carrier E has reached the end of its travel comes down upon the
edge of the coin and so forces it out of the slot of the carrier.
In carrying out our said invention with regard to the provision of means,
whereby coins or tokens having strings or wires attached to them may be prevented
from being withdrawn from the meter after they have been used to actuate the
prepayment mechanism, we proceed as follows:-
We employ a disc R (shewn more particularly in Figure 6) having a slot or
opening in it near its periphery said disc R being mounted on the operating
spindle G of the tongue of the eccentric lever F. The slot r in the disc R is
preferably formed with one or more of its sides or ends as knife edges so as to cut
the string or wire and thus prevent the coin from being withdrawn. But in the
event of the string or wire not being cut the slot r in the disc R will so entangle or
otherwise deal with the string or wire as to prevent the withdrawal of the coin.
The position of the slot r in the disc R is such that the coin can only be inserted
when the disc slot opens the passage to the main carrier slot e and this can only
occur when the. eccentric coin carrier E is in its normal position, because in any
other position the disc R acts as a shutter to the carrier slot e.
In carrying out our said invention with regard to the provision of means whereby
the supplementary valve which is operated by the combined action of the eccentric
and a coin or token may be employed more efficiently so as to prevent by its means
the fraud sometimes practised of causing the pawl J of the eccentric carrier E to
be kept in gear with the prepayment wheel K for the purpose of obtaining a supply
of gas which has not been paid for. That is to say, we effect this in a wet meter,
as shewn in Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings, by providing the upright shaft S
with a discs having one, two or more ridges or projections of cam-like form
against which the lower end of a sliding rod T works, the said rod T being carried
in a suitable bracket t and having a one-way acting joint near its lower end, so as
to form a pivoted tail-piece t². The top end of this rod T is also provided with a
pivoted portion t having a tail-rod and weight t which is lifted during the forward
movement of the eccentric carrier E and retained in the raised position till the
eccentric carrier E is returned to its normal position, by means of a depending rod
and platform U, which is attached to the eccentric carrier E, in such a manner,
that during the forward movement of the eccentric carrier E the movable rod T,
and the extended top portion t forms a rod of such a length having its lower or
tail end t in such a position as to enable the valve A to be shut off by the ordinary
movement of the upright shaft S of the wet meter causing the combined rod to be
raised up by the projections and so raise up the arm a' of the valve spindle a
in the event of the pawl J being kept in gear with the prepayment wheel K, the
foregoing action of closing the valve, being entirely independent of the prepayment
mechanism, results from the ordinary working of the meter and therefore does not
interfere with the supply of gas to the consumer during the ordinary operation of
the eccentric.
We also provide means of a more simple and effective character, for arresting
the mechanism of the dry prepayment meter, when the eccentric pawl J is retained
in any other than its normal position as shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
For this purpose

page_text: a pawl shaped lever N is pivoted to the front end of the eccentric carrier E, and
is provided at its other extremity with a rest or support n upon which it rests when
the eccentric carrier E is in its normal position. The said léver N is formed with
a slot or opening n' through which passes a depending rod N₁ having an enlarged
head and provided with one or more guide brackets n. The arrangement is
such, that on the eccentric carrier E being moved forward the pawl-shaped lever N
will leave its rest or support n and so lower the rod N' into the path of the ordinary
tangent P, and by doing so stop the action of the meter in the event of the eccentric
carrier E and lever N not being returned to their normal positions.
To provide means of a more simple, effective and direct character, than hitherto,
for operating the supplementary valve-we prefer to employ a slide valve of
somewhat similar construction to those used in ordinary dry meters, though if
desired, other forms or other descriptions of valves may be employed, certain
modifications of details or operating mechanisms being used to suit the specific kind
of valve employed and according to the way in which the stuffing-box of the
valve-box may be arranged. The particular form of slide valve which we prefer,
has a longitudinal slot or opening a extending nearly from side to side through
both seat and cover so that when the cover A is slightly moved within the
valve-box A', the valve is either closed or opened so as to exclude or to admit the
passage of gas to the main valve chamber. The cover portion A of the valve is
made larger than the seat a' that it may always keep the seat a covered and
thereby prevent as far as possible the deposit of any substance upon the seat which
would interfere with the efficient working of the valve.
In applying the foregoing valve arrangement to dry gas meters, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The front end of the spindle a is provided
with an arm a³ at right angles to it having a projecting pin a' which bears upon the
periphery of a plain wheel or band K mounted on the prepayment wheel K or
attached to its spindle k or boss. The said plain wheel or band K' is provided
with a recess and projection for catching the pin a' on the end of the valve
spindle arm as when required to open or close the valve.
Or as a modification and as is shown in detail Figure 7 we may employ a
depending rod a and connecting link a' for operating the valve A with, this
arrangement enabling the arm a³ to be shortened so as to permit of the valve being
opened or closed quicker.
In applying the valve arrangement to wet meters as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5
a valve box A' is provided which has a stuffing box through which a horizontal
spindle a passes and is provided inside the valve chamber A' with a depending rod
the lower end of which works in the slot a of the cover portion A of the valve.
The front or outside end of the valve spindle a is provided with a crossbar or
lever a so as to form a T shaped end, the one arm of which is acted upon by
means of a suitably shaped depending lever or arm V. which is pivoted at its upper
end to the framing of the index box (or chamber C' which encloses the
prepayment mechanism) and provided with a counterbalance weight v. This
depending lever V which is suitably shaped is caused to press down the one arm a
of the valve spindle a' by means of the coin at the end of the forward movement
of the eccentric carrier E, and so to open the valve A. In order to prevent the
possibility of any "jam" or obstruction which would interfere with the opening of
the valve A by the movement of the eccentric carrier E and the coin, the depending
lever V against which the coin presses is furnished with an extension rod or arm V₁
the lower end of which is provided with a sliding pin arrangement so arranged that
it lifts up the jointed or tail portion of the lower part of the sliding rod T,
already mentioned, by means of its projecting pin t just before the coin would press
down the lever V upon the arm a' of the valve spindle a*.
The invention also includes a provision for guarding against an escape of gas in the
event of the supplementary valve A not being gas-tight. This provision consists
of a special stop (as an addition and supplementary to the valve) capable of obstructing
the movement of the mechanism when placed for that purpose just as the valve

page_text: "
closes and removed when the valve is opened. By this means what may be called
"second line of defence" against escape of gas is provided because it would require
both the valve A and the meter to be unsound before an escape of gas could occur.
The said "second line of defence viz. the supplementary or special stop (in
addition to the valve) is preferably so arranged that it will come into action,
immediately on the valve A being closed, though it may in some cases be made to
act as the "first line of defence" the valve in this case acting as the second line of
defence against escape. In this latter case the mechanisms of both the stop and
the valve would be so arranged as to bring about the desired effect. In some cases the
mechanisms of both valve and stop may be arranged to act almost simultaneously,
so that if one were to fail the other would act and so ensure the supply of gas
being cut off.
In applying the foregoing to a dry gas meter as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a
double-armed lever Qis pivoted to the framing of the index chamber C¹ and
arranged in such a manner that one of its ends 9 which may be bent downwards,
or provided with a depending rod or stop pin g', so arranged as to enable the said
pin q' to be placed in the path of the tangent P by a projecting pin g² on the
prepayment wheel K though preferably on the plain wheel or band K' attached to
it said pin only comes into action when the amount of gas paid for has been
consumed. The other end of the lever Q is provided with a suitable balance
weight so as to keep it normally out of the path of the tangent P. The
weight is to keep the rod or stop pin g' out of the path of the tangent P.
When the amount of gas paid for has been consumed the pin 2 places the rod
or stop pin g' in the path of the tangent P: by this movement the heel on the
arm q³ is brought up into the path of the depending rod Q. On the purchasing
of gas the coin carrier E is brought forward, and the depending rod Q presses
down the arm q³ and thereby lifts the rod or stop pin g out of the path of the
tangent P.
The weight does not lift the pin out of the path of the tangent, but is merely
for keeping it out of the path of the tangent, when it has been lifted out as
described.
A similar arrangement to the above may be employed in a wet meter, suitable
modifications and details being provided, to suit the circumstances of the case.
It is to be understood that all the foregoing improvements apply generally to
both wet and dry gas meters, unless otherwise stated.
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 :-
1st. In prepayment gas meters, providing or forming the eccentric lever or
tongue F with a hook or projection whereby all coins are forced out of the coin
carrier at the end of its forward travel, substantially as hereinbefore described and
shewn in the accompanying drawings.
2nd. In prepayment gas meters, the disc R having a slot whereby a coin or
token having a string or wire attached is prevented from being withdrawn from
the meter after the prepayment mechanism has been operated, substantially as
herein before described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
3rd. In prepayment dry gas meters, the arrangement of the pawl-shaped lever N
support n slot n and depending rod N' whereby on the pawl J not being returned
to its normal position, the mechanism of the meter is arrested, substantially as
herein before described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
4th. In prepayment gas meters, the arrangement of the supplementary valve A,
having a slot a in its cover and seat, substantially as hereinbefore described and
shewn in the accompanying drawings.
5th. In prepayment dry gas meters, the arrangement of the plain wheel or
band K' having a recess K and projection which engage with the projection a³
on the arm a³ of the valve spindle a and so shut off the supply of gas when the

page_text: quantity paid for has been consumed, substantially as herein before described and
shewn in the accompanying drawings.
6th. In prepayment wet gas meters, the arrangement of the depending lever V
having counterbalance weight in combination with the T shaped end of the
valve spindle a and the prepayment wheel pin 7 whereby the valve is opened by
the forward movement of the eccentric coin carrier and closed by the working of the
meter, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
7th. In prepayment gas meters, the arrangement of the "second line of defence "
consisting of the stop pin q¹ and its connections, substantially as and for the
purposes herein before described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1895.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicants' Agents.