Improvements in or in connection with Prepayment Apparatus suit- able for use in connection with Electricity and other Meters.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Prepayment Apparatus suit-
able for use in connection with Electricity and other Meters.
I, HAYDN THIES HARRISON, of 19 and 21, Queen Victoria Street, in the City
of London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
According to this invention prepayment apparatus suitable for use in con-
nection with electricity, gas and other meters for controlling the supply of elec-
tricity, gas or other fluid in exchange for a coin or coins, is caused to cut off
the supply of electricity, gas or other fluid (hereinafter included in the term
electricity), when the amount thereof paid for has been used, by means of
a device which is controlled by the electricity or other meter in connection with
which the prepayment apparatus is used. Prepayment apparatus according to
this invention, when controlled by an electro-magnetic device, need not be attached
to the meter but may be placed in any convenient position at a distance there-
from, and when not mechanically driven by the meter, it is possible to use it
in connection with very delicate meters, such as electricity meters, the accuracy
of the registration of which would be impaired by any prepayment apparatus
which would increase the amount of energy necessary to rotate the registering
train in order that the latter might operate the prepayment apparatus.
As will be obvious, apparatus for carrying out my invention can be con-
structed in various forms.
1
According to one arrangement the apparatus comprises two main parts, viz;
a contact making and breaking device arranged on and in connection with the
meter and adapted to momentarily complete an electric current when the amount
of electricity supplied in exchange for a coin, or each coin, inserted in the
apparatus is consumed, and prepayment mechanism which permits a supply of
electricity to pass when one or more coins are inserted and cuts off the supply
when the full amount paid for has been consumed.
The contact making and breaking device, according to my arrangement, is
so constructed and arranged that the moment after completing the circuit it
breaks the same, so that it never allows more than a momentary actuating current
to flow, and does not interfere in any way with the registering of the meter.
For this purpose on one of the spindles of the meter train is mounted a pinion
which causes a wheel gearing into it to make a complete revolution or given
number of revolutions every time the amount of electricity to be supplied for
each coin inserted has been consumed. On the face of this wheel, near the cir-
cumference, is fixed a pin, which engages with a spring contact piece fixed to
the end of and at right angles to a lever on which is mounted the armature of
an electro-magnet, the arrangement being such that when the electro-magnet is
excited, owing to the pin contact on the wheel touching the spring contact piece,
the latter will be drawn back and caused to rub along the pin until the end of
the spring is free. On the upper free end of the spring is a piece of ebonite or

page_text: other insulating material which is formed with a groove at the end and engages
with the pin when the contact is broken and the spring released, until the pin,
being again rotated, is removed from it, after which the pin is free to make
another momentary contact when another revolution has been completed: By the
means described, a rubbing contact is obtained that is self-cleaning.
The electro-magnet above mentioned is or may be wound with fine wire and
is connected in series with an electro-magnet in the prepayment mechanism here-
inafter described. In the case of an electricity meter, the two electro-magnets
may be arranged in a shunt across the inains with which the meter is used; in
the case of other meters, a special or separate battery or electric generator is
used.
The prepayment mechanism according to one arrangement comprises a casing
formed with a coin shoot and provided with a lever (hereinafter called the
coin lever) which, after the passage of the coin through the shoot is caused
to returi under the action of a weiglit or spring, to its original position,
and in so doing, to actuate to a pre-determined extent, the mechanism used
for causing the supply of electricity or other fluid to take place. In con-
nection with the coin lever there is or may be provided a locking device adapted
to be operated by the coin so as to unlock the coin lever and permit it to be
operated.
To prevent the coin being withdrawn from the coin shoot after being used to
operate the coin lever, there is or may be provided a stop device, such as a movable
boit with ratchet teeth, which will move and permit a coin to enter the shoot
but will engage with a fixed part and prevent the coin being withdrawn.
The apparatus actuated by the coin lever for causing the supply of electricity
to take place, comprises according to one construction, two ratchet wheels pro-
vided with crown teeth gearing into a common pinion mounted on a radial arm
fixed to the spindle on which the ratchet wheels are free to rotate, the whole
forming what is hereinafter referred to as differential gearing. One of the ratchet
wheels is actuated in a forward direction by a pawl from the coin lever; the
other is rotated in the opposite direction by a pawl arranged to be actuated by
the armature of an electro magnet the circuit of which is adapted to be closed
and opened by the contact making and breaking device hereinbefore referred to.
On the spindle is an arm or projection which, when the amount of electricity
paid for has been supplied, acts against an arm or lever.and holds the same in
such a position as to break the circuit in the case of an electricity meter, or to
For use in connec-
shut the valve in the case of a gas or other fluid meter.
tion with an electricity meter, the arm or lever according to one arrange-
ment is provided with an insulated U-shaped contact piece arranged above a
pair of insulated mercury cups connected to the electric supply conductor,
the arrangement being such that when a coin is inserted into the machine
the differential gearing is operated to rotate the spindle in a direction to allow
the arm or lever to fall, and the U-shaped contact piece to enter the, mercury
cups and so close the meter circuit, and on the amount of electricity paid for
having been supplied, the differential gearing will be moved back into its original
position and the arm or lever lifted so as to break the main circuit and so stop
the further supply of electricity until a further quantity has been paid for.
In the case of a gas or other meter, the movements of the arm or rod above
referred to are caused to effect or control the opening and closing of a suitable
valve governing the supply of gas or other fluid. Instead of rotating the differ-
ential gearing in a backward direction by a pawl operated from the armature of
the electro-magnet, it may be rotated by a spring under the control of an escape-
ment which will release one tooth of the second ratchet wheel each time the
Or the
electro-magnet of the prepayment mechanism is momentarily excited.
second crown wheel may be geared to the meter train but in this case instead
of toothed wheels I prefer to mount a cam or radial arm on one of the spindles
of the meter train and cause it to engage a lever and lift the same against the

page_text: action of a weight or spring, and release it at every complete revolution or half
revolution. At a suitable point along the lever is mounted a pawl which engages
with the crown wheel to be driven by the meter, in such a manner as to rotate
the ratchet wheel a fraction of a revolution every time the lever is released. By
introducing a stop adapted to vary the distance the lever is allowed to drop each
time it is released, the amount of electricity, gas or other fluid supplied in ex-
change for each coin inserted in the apparatus can be varied without the use of
change wheels, and the rotation can be made spasmodic, so as in the case of an
electricity meter, to cause a sharp break of the main current when the correct
amount has been supplied.
Improvements in or in connection w.th Prepayment Apparatus suit-
able for use in connection with Electricity and other Meters.
I, HAYDN THIES HARRISON, of 19 and 21, Queen Victoria Street, in the City
of London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
According to this invention prepayment apparatus suitable for use in con-
nection with electricity, gas and other meter for controlling the supply of elec-
tricity, gas or other fluid in exchange for a coin or coins, is caused to cut off
the supply of electricity, gas or other fluid (hereinafter included in the term
electricity) when the amount thereof paid for has been used, by means of an
improved electrical device which is controlled by the electricity or other meter
in connection with which the prepayment apparatus is used.
Prepayment apparatus, when controlled by an electro-magnetic device accord-
ing to this invention, need not be attached to the meter but may be placed in any
convenient position at a distance therefrom, and can be used in connection with
very delicate meters, such as electricity meters, the accuracy of the registration
of which would be impaired by any prepayment apparatus which would increase
the amount of energy necessary to rotate the registering train in order that the
latter might operate the prepayment apparatus.
Apparatus according to this invention comprises two main parts ciz.a con-
tact making and breaking device arranged on or in connection with the meter
and adapted to momentarily complete an electric circuit when the amount of
electricity supplied in exchange for a coin, or each coin, inserted in the
apparatus, is consumed, and prepayment mechanism which permits a supply
of electricity to pass when one or more coins is or are inserted, and cuts
off the supply when the full amount paid for has been consumed.
Such an arrangement is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 shows in front elevation, with part of the casing removed, an elec
tricity meter provided with a contact making and breaking device in accordance
with this invention; and Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show the prepayment apparatus, Fig. 2
being a side elevation with the mechanism exposed to view, Fig. 3 a plan with
the cover removed, and Fig. 4 a side elevation of the remote side of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 shows a modification of a portion of the prepayment mechanism.

page_text: The contact making and breaking device, according to the arrangement shown
in Fig. 1, is so constructed and arranged that the moment after completing the
circuit, it breaks the same, so that it never allows more than a momentary
actuating current to flow, and does not interfere in any way with the registering
of the meter. For this purpose on one of the spindles of the meter train is mounted
a pinion 1 which causes a wheel 2 gearing into it to have made a complete revo-
lution, or a given number of revolutions, every time the amount of electricity
to be supplied for each coin inserted has been consumed. On the face of this
wheel 2 near to the circumference thereof, is fixed a pin 2", which engages with
a spring contact piece 3 connected to the end of and at right angles to a lever 4
that is fixed at 4" and on which is mounted the armature of an electro-magnet 6,
the arrangement being such that when the electro-magnet is excited, owing to
the pin contact 2" on the wheel 2 touching the contact piece 3 and completing
an electric circuit including the said electro-magnet, the said contact piece 3
will be immediately drawn back and caused to rub across the pin until the end
of the contact piece is free. When released the contact piece rests upon a stop
pin 3. On the upper free end of the contact piece 3 is a piece of ebonite 3 or
other insulating material, which is formed with a groove at the end and engages
with the pin 2 when the contact is broken and the spring released, until the
pin, being again rotated, is removed from it, after which the pin is free to make
another momentary contact with the contact piece when another revolution has
been completed. By the means described, a rubbing contact is obtained that is
self-cleaning.
The electro-magnet 6 is or may be wound with fine wire and is connected in
series with an electro-magnet (19) in the prepayment mechanism hereinafter
described which is arranged at a distance from the meter. In the case of an
electricity meter, the two electro-magnets may be arranged in a shunt across
the mains with which the meter is used; in the case of other meters, a special
or separate battery or electric generator is used.
The prepayment mechanism according to the arrangement shown in Figs. 2,
3, and 4, comprises a casing 7 formed with a coin shoot S and provided with a lever 9
(hereinafter called the coin lever) which, after the passage of the coin through
the shoot, is caused to return under the action of a weight 9, or it may be of a
spring, to its original position, and in so doing, to actuate to a predetermined
extent, the mechanism used for causing the supply of electricity or other fluid
to take place. In connection with the coin lever 9 there is or may be provided
a locking device adapted to be operated by the coin, when the same is inserted
in the coin shoot, so as to unlock the coin lever and permit it to be operated.
The device provided for this purpose in the arrangement shown, comprises a
bent lever 10, 10% pivoted at 10 and adapted to have its arm 10 pressed side-
ways by the coin so that the other arm 10%, which is notched at 10°, will be raised
out of engagement with a pin 9b on the coin lever which is thereby unlocked.
To prevent the coin being withdrawn from the coin shoot after being used to
operate the coin lever, there is or may be provided a stop device such as a spring
pressed bolt 11 with ratchet teeth, (see dotted lines in Fig. 4) which will move
laterally and permit a coin to enter the shoot but will engage with a fixed part 11"
and prevent the coin being withdrawn.
The parts of the prepayment apparatus hereinabove described are or may be
substantially as described in the Specification of my former Letters Patent
No. 25336 of 1897.
The apparatus actuated by the coin lever for causing the supply of electricity
to take place, comprises according to the construction shown, two ratchet
wheels 12, 13, provided respectively with crown teeth 12", 13 gearing into a
common pinion 14 mounted on a radial arm 15 fixed to the spindle 16 on which
the ratchet wheels are free to rotate, the whole forming what is hereinafter referred
to as differential gearing. The ratchet wheel 12 is actuated in a forward direc-
tion by a pawl 9° from the coin lever 9. The wheel 13 is rotated in the opposite

page_text: direction, it may be, as shown in Fig. 5, by a pawl arranged to be actuated by
the armature 18 of an electro-magnet 19, the circuit of which is closed and opened
by the contact making and breaking device hereinbefore described and shewn in
Fig. 1. Or instead of rotating the wheel 13 in a backward direction by a pawl
operated from the armature of the electro-magnet, as just described, it may, as
shown in Figs. 2 and 3, be rotated by a spring 23 under the control of an escape-
ment 24, which will release one tooth of the ratchet wheel 13 each time the
electro-magnet 19 of the prepayment mechanism is momentarily excited. For
this purpose the electro-magnet attracts an armature 24" fixed to the escapement.
The spring 23 is fixed at one end to a stationary plate 23 and at the other end
to the spindle 16 to which the radial arm 15 is fixed, so that when the wheel 12 is
moved in a forward direction the arm, through the pinion 14 thereon, will be
moved forward against the action of the spring which will return it in a step by step
manner when the wheel 13 is allowed to rotate in a similar manner under the
action of the electrically controlled escapement. On the spindle 16 is an arm 20
provided with a projection 20" which, when the amount of electricity paid for
has been supplied, acts against an arm or lever such as the lever 21, freely mounte
on the spindle 16, and moves the same into such a position as to break the circuit
in the case of an electricity meter, or to shut the valve in the case of a gas or
other fluid meter.
When used in connection with an electricity meter, the arm or lever 21 is
provided at one end with an insulated U-shaped contact piece 21 arranged above
a pair of insulated mercury cups 22 connected to the electric supply conductor.
The arrangement is such that when a coin is inserted into the machine, the differ-
ential gearing is operated to rotate the spindle 16 in a direction to allow the arm
or lever 21 to fall and the U-shaped contact-piece 21" to enter the mercury
cups 22 and so close the meter circuit, and on the amount of electricity paid
for having been supplied, the differential gearing will have been moved back into
its original position and the arm or lever 21 lifted by means of the projection 20%,
so as to break the main circuit and stop the further supply of electricity until
a further quantity has been paid for. In the case of a gas or other meter, the
movements of the arm or rod 21 are caused to effect or control the opening and
closing of a suitable valve governing the supply of gas or other fluid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is;
-
1. In prepayment apparatus for electricity and other meters wherein an electro-
magnetic device is used for causing or allowing the prepayment apparatus to
cut off the supply of electricity, gas or other fluid when the amount thereof paid
for has been supplied, effecting the closing and opening of the circuit of the said
electro-magnetic device by a contact making and breaking device comprising
two contacts one of which is moved by the meter and the other of which is nor
mally stationary, and an electro-magnet device controlling the normally stationary
contact, the arrangement being such that upon the movable contact coming
into connection with the normally stationary contact the latter will be immediately
withdrawn from the former so as to produce only a momentary closing of the
said circuit and leave the movable contact free to continue its movement, sub-
stantially as described.
2. Prepayment apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claim wherein
the prepayment apparatus proper with its electro-magnetic operating or control-
ling device is disconnected from and arranged at a distance from the meter and
the contact making and breaking device is arranged on or in connection with
the meter and is adapted to be operated by the meter train so as to momentarily
complete the circuit of the said electro magnetic operating or controlling device
when the amount of electricity, gas or other fluid supplied in exchange for a

page_text: coin, or each coin, inserted in the apparatus has been supplied, substantially as
herein described.
3. In prepayment apparatus for electricity and other meters, the combination
with mechanism adapted on the insertion of a coin, to be actuated by a coin lever
in a direction to supply electricity, gas or other fluid, of an electro-magnetic
device that will cause or permit the said mechanism to move in a direction to
shut off the supply of electricity, gas or other fluid when the amount thereof
paid for has been consumed, and an electrically controlled contact making and
breaking device adapted to produce a momentary completion of the circuit of the
said electro-magnetic device, substantially as described.
4. For controlling prepayment apparatus of electricity and other meters, a cen-
tact making and breaking device constructed, arranged and operating substantially
as hereinabove described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
5. Prepayment apparatus for electricity and other meters, constructed, arranged
and operating substantially as hereinabove described with reference to and shown
in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, or modified according to Fig. 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
For the
Applicant.
W. LLOYD WISE.
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.