Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 10th Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Lelt, 10th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 10th Oct.. 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I, WESLEY WEBBER, of 6, Wall Street, New York, in the State of New
York, U.S.A. Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, practical and compact coin-
controlled gas and liquid vending machine designed to be attached to a gas or
liquid meter of the usual or of any approved type, and constructed to cut off the
flow of gas or liquid either by locking the meter or by operating a cock or valve
in the service pipe.
In the practical construction of my present invention, I employ a main wheel,
which I shall term a metric wheel, rotated constantly in one direction by the
power of the meter when the gas or liquid is flowing, and of such size and so
geared with the meter mechanisin that a single revolution thereof will permit the
delivery of a coin's equivalent in gas. In connection with the metric wheel,
I employ a locking device or latch, which serves to lock the metric wheel always
at a predetermined point in its revolution. The said locking device or latch is
arranged to release the metric wheel by the insertion of a proper coin in the
machine, and is removed from its point of engagement with the metric wheel by a
given space for each coin inserted at a single purchase, through which space it
is tentatively returned to the starting point, or to that position at which it locks
the metric wheel, when the gas purchased has been consumed. In order to
simplify the construction of the machine, the said return of the locking device or
latch is effected by escapement mechanism, operated at proper intervals by the
metric wheel.
In case a cock or valve is employed to cut off the flow of gas or liquid in the
service pipe, the said locking device or latch, as such, may be dispensed with.
To prevent fraudulent use of the machine, the metric wheel is locked by a
supplementary locking device or safety pawl in the interval between the primary
releasing of the metric wheel, or the opening of the valve or cock, as the case
may be, and the ultimate discharge of the coin from its position of mechanical
function with the other parts of the mechanism into the cash box.
The employment of the coin in its function of enabling the purchaser to release
the meter or open the cock or valve may be effected by rotating it in a suitable
casing, from which it projects so that a portion of its margin acts on the principle
of the ward of a key to release the meter or open the valve or cock. The coiu
performs its work during a one-half revolution, or thereabouts of the said casing
and then drops out by its own weight into the cash box below.

page_text: In carrying out my invention I provide a casing adapted to be closed by a front
plate in which are formed dial openings.
The metric wheel is connected with the meter mechanism by a worm on a shaft,
which extends into the meter and is geared to the so called two-foot shaft, or to
the usual index worm. The said metric wheel is jouraalled on a shift or stud
which may be stationary, or which may be formed as a part of an adjustable
plate to permit interchangeable metric wheels of different sizes to be employed
for adapting the machine to any change in the price of gas. The axis of the
Baid metric wheel is provided with a pointer which is turned in front of a dial
to show the amount of gas purchased and unconsumed, and said wheel is provided
with a stud or stop, for locking the said wheel (and also the meter) when the
gas purchased has been consumed, the sail wheel being always locked or stopped
at a fixed predetermined position, as hereinafter described.
The locking and releasing mechanism comprise an escapement wheel or disc,
a stop arm or latch secured to said disc, an escapement pallet, a lever pivoted on
the shaft which carries the escapement dise, a starting pawl pivoted to the said
lever in position to engage with the escapement disc, and a spring applied to the
escapement disc or shaft so that it will constantly tend to turn the said disc in one
direction. The escapement pallet is extended so that one end thereof reaches into
the path of the stud on the metric wheel whereby the said pallet will be operated
once for every revolution of the said wheel. The starting pawl is held in contact
with a timit pin by a spring and is extended at its upper end in position to be
operated by a coin or other coin controlled device, which will net first, to turn the
said pawl into engagement with the escapement wheel, and second, to depress the
said pawl and the lever causing the pawl to turn the escapement disc in the back-
ward direction the space of one tooth. The are traversed by the movement of the
said starting pawl will duly withdraw it from contac: with the coin whereupon the
spring will elevate it and the lever to their original position. The said movement
of the escapement disc produced by the starting pawl and coin, as just described,
will disengage the stop or latch from the locking stud on the metric wheel and
thus release it and the meter, and permit the gas or liquid to flow. The pallet will
retain the escapement dise and the stop or latch in the position at which they were
set by the starting pawl, that is to say, so that the said latch will clear the locking
stud of the metric wheel, until the pallet is operated by the impingement of the
locking stud against the extension of the pallet, whereupon the spring will return
the escapement disc to its original position, and reset the latch in the path of the
locking stud to again lock the metric wheel and meter, when the former shall have
made a complete revolution, and a coin's value in gas has been consumed.
The above described operation takes place on the purchase of a single coin's
equivalent in gas, and, hence, for a single coin machine, there need be but two
opposite notches or teeth on the escapement disc. By multiplying the teeth on the
escapement disc, the machine will be adapted to receive as many coins at a single
purchase as there are teeth formed in the operative portion of the said disc, each
coin inserted serving to set the said dise and the latch back or away from the stud
the
space of one noteh, the same to be returned a single notch for each revolution of
the metric wheel. The escapement dise is prevented from racing by a projection
on the pallet.
Each coin from the external coin chute is received within a slot or recess formed
in a casing which is adapted to be revolved by a crank or knob. The slot or
recess is adapted to receive and retain a coin suited to the machine, (and no other)
in such manner that a portion of its edge will project a short distance from said
casing so that by revolving the said casing, the coin will strike upon the starting
pawl and effect the operation above described. After passing the projection of
the said starting pawl, the coin will drop out of the slot or recess into the main
cusing or cash box below. If a coin smaller than a coin proper to the machine, be
dropped into the slot it will be wholly enclosed in the casing, and, bence, will not
operate the starting pawl, or the said slot may be open sufficiently at the bottom

page_text: to permit such a coin to drop immediately through the casing into the main casing
or cash box below.
The said rotary casing is formed at one end with a projection which is in advance
of the entrance to the slot or recess in said casing which projection serves to
operate a safety pawl for locking the machine from the time the coin depresses the
starting pawl and lifts the latch until the coin is dropped into the cash box. The
said safety pawl is arranged to engage with the metric wheel. It is fulcrummed on
the escapement disc shaft and is formed with an extension the extremity of which
is upturned, and formed with a projection which stands in the path of the
projection on the end of the rotary casing so that the latter projection
will withdraw the safety pawl from the metric wheel before the rotary casing
completes its revolution. The said pawl is normally held out of engagement with
the metric wheel by a spring and on the upper edge of said extension of the safety
pawl is secured a spring or other guard to yield slightly under the pressure of the
projection on the rotary casing.
In case the machine is constructed to operate a reciprocating valve suitable
means will be provided for converting the rotary motion of the escapement disc
shaft into reciprocating motion. Various means may be employed for this purpose,
the said shaft may be provided with an eccentric or cam which rotates within a
yoke attached to the valve-rod so that a slight turn of the said shaft and eccentric
will serve to open the valve and permit the flow of gas through the service pipe.
The valve is closed by a spring.
Or the service pipe may be provided with a rotary valve or cock which may be
connected directly or indirectly to the escapement disc shaft to be turned thereby
for turning on and cutting off the gas, the ports being properly arranged for this
purpose relatively to the predetermined point at which the metric wheel will be
locked by the latch.
The escapement disc shaft is provided at its front end with a pointer in front of
a dial which pointer and dial indicate the number of coins placed in the machine
and at all times show the consumer the amount of gas remaining to his credit.
Dated the 10th day of October 1895.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
1, WESLEY WEBBER, of 6 Wall Street, New York, in the State of New
York, U.S.A., 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 :-
The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, practical, and compact coin-
controlled gas and liquid vending machine designed to be attached to a gas or
liquid meter of the usual or of any approved type and constructed to cut off the
flow of gas or liquid either by locking the meter or by operating a cock or valve
in the service-pipe.
In the practical construction of my present invention I employ a main wheel,
which shall term a "metric" wheel, rotated constantly in one direction by the
power of the meter when the gas or liquid is Howing and of such size and so geared
with the meter mechanism that a single revolutio thereof will permit the delivery
of coin's equivalent in gas. In connection with the metric wheel I employ a
locking device or latch, which serves to lock the metric wheel always at a pre-
determined point in its revolution. The said locking device or latch is arranged
to release the metric wheel by the insertion of a proper coin in the machine, and

page_text: is removed from its point of engagement with the metric wheel by a given space
for each coin inserted at n single purchase, through which space it is tentatively
returned to the starting-point or to that position at which it locks the metric wheel
when the gas purchased has been consumed. In order to simplify the construction
of the machine, the said return of the locking device or latch is effected by escape-
ment mechanism operated at proper intervals by the metric wheel. In case a cock
or valve is employed to cut off the flow of gas or liquid in the service-pipe the
said locking device or latch, as such, may be dispensed with.
To prevent fraudulent use of the machine, the metric wheel is locked by a
supplementary locking device or safety-pawl in the interval between the primary
releasing of the metric wheel or the opening of the valve or cock, as the case may
be, and the ultimate discharge of the coin from its position of mechanical function
with the other parts of the mechanism into the cash-box.
The employment of the coin in its function of enabling the purchaser to release
the meter or open the cock or valve may be effected by rotating it in a suitable
easing from which it projects, so that a portion of its margin acts on the principle
of the ward of a key to release the meter or open the valve or cuck. The coin
performs its work during a one-half revolution, or thereabout, of the said casing,
and then drops out by its own weight into the cash-box below.
In the accompanying drawings to which reference is made,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my new and improved coin-controlled gas-
vending machine, showing the front plate thereof in place and showing the
index-dials.
Figure 2. is a sectional front elevation of the same with the said front plate
removed.
Figure 3 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on linear of Figure 2.
Figure 4, is an enlarged sectional elevation taken on line of Figure 2.
Figure 5. is a sectional elevation showing the main casing of the coin-controlled
apparatus, a portion of the meter-casing, a portion of the service-pipe, and showing
in sectional elevation a reciprocating valve fitted in the service-pipe; and Figure 6
is a similar view shewing the service-pipe provided with a rotary cock or valve.
Figure 7 is a view to an enlarged scale of the metric wheel provided with a
spring stop.
Figure S is a section on the line ee of Figure 7.
In the said drawings, 2 represents a casing adapted to be closed by a front
plate 3, in which are formed dial-openings 4, 5, and which is held in place by
bottom lugs 6, 6, perforated lug 8, and padlock 9.
10 represents a metric wheel rotated exclusively in the direction of the arrow by
the power of the meter. As here shewn, said metric wheel is connected with the
meter mechanism by a worm 12 on shaft 13, which latter reaches into the meter M
and is geared to the so-called "two-foot" shaft or to the usual index-worm. The
said metric wheel is journaled on a shaft or stud 17, which may be stationary or
which may be formed as a part of an adjustable plate 15 to permit interchangeable
metric wheels of different sizes to be employed for adapting the machine to any
change in the price of gas. The axis of said metric wheel is provided with a
pointer 19, which is turned in front of the dial 20 (see Figure 1) to shew the
amount of gas purchased and unconsumed, and said wheel is provided with a locking
stud or stop 21 for locking the said wheel (and also the meter) when the gas
purchased has been consumed, said wheel being always locked or stopped at a fixed
predetermined position, as hereinafter described.
The locking and releasing mechanism comprises an escapement wheel or disc 22,
a stop arm or latch 23, secured to said disc, an escapement-pallei 24, a lever 25,
pivoted on the shaft 26, which carries the escapement-dise 22, a starting-pawl 27,
pivoted to said lever 25 in position to engage with the escapement-disc, and a
spring 28, applied to the escapement-disc 22 or shaft 26, so that it will constantly
tend to turn the said disc in the direction of arrow a. (See Figure 2.) The
escapement-pallet 24 is extended so that the end 29 thereof reaches into the path

page_text: of the stud 21 on the metric wheel, so that said pallet will be operated once for
every revolution of the said wheel. The starting-pawl 27 is held in contact with
the limit-pin 30 by a spring 31, and said pawl is extended at its upper end, as
shewn at 32, in position to be operated by a coin 33 or other coin-controlled device
which will act, first, to turn the said pawl into engagement with the escapement-
wheel 22, and, second, to depress said pawl and the lever 25, causing the pawl to
turn the escapement-disc in the direction opposite to the arrow a the space of one
tooth. The arc traversed by the movement of the said starting-pawl 27 will duly
withdraw it from contact with the coin 33, whereupon the spring 31 will elevate it
and the lever 25 to their original position. The said movement of the escapement-
dise 22, produced by the starting-pawl and coin, as just described, will disengage
the stop or latch 23 from the locking-stud 21 on the metric wheel, and thus release
it and the meter and permit the gas or liquid to flow. The tooth 34 of the pallet 24
will retain the escapement-disc and stop or latch 23 in the position at which they
were set by the starting-pawl-that is to say, so that the said latch 23 will clear the
locking-stud 21 of the metric wheel until the pallet is operated by the impinge-
ment of the locking-stud 21 against the extension 29 of the pallet, whereupon the
spring 28 will return the escapement-dise to its original position and reset the
latch 23 in the path of the locking-stud 21 to again lock the metric wheel and
meter, when the former shall have made a complete revolution and a coin's value
in gas has been consumed.
The above described operation takes place on the purchase of a single coin's
equivalent in gas, and hence for a single-coin machine there need be but two
opposite notches or teeth on the escapement-dise 22. By multiplying the teeth on
the said disc the machine will be adapted to receive as many coins at a single
purchase as there are teeth formed in the operative portion of the said disc, euch
coin inserted serving to set the said dise and the latch 23 back or away from the
stud 21 the space of one notch, the same to be returned a single notch for each
revolution of the metric wheel. The escapement-dise is prevented from racing by
the projection 34" on the pallet 24.
35 represents the external coin chute or slot. Froin this chute or slot each coin
is received within a slot or recess 36, formed in a casing 37, which is adapted to
be revolved by a crank or knob 38. The slot or recess 36 is adapted to receive
and retain a coin proper to the machine (and no other) in such manner that a
portion of its edge will project a short distance from said casing, as shewn in
Figures 2 and 4-that is the edge will project a sufficient distance so that by
revolving the said casing the coin will strike upon the starting-pawl 27 and effect
the operation above described. After passing the projection 32 of the said starting-
pawl the coin will drop out of the slot or recess 36 into the main casing or cash-box
below. If a coin smaller than the coin proper to the machine be dropped into
the slot 36, it will be wholly enclosed in the casing, and hence will not operate the
starting-pawl 27, or the said slot 36 may be open sufficiently at the bottom to
permit such a coin to drop immediately through the casing 37 into the main casing
or cash-box below. The said rotary casing 37 is formed at one end with a
projection 41, which is in advance of the entrance to the slot or recess 36 in said
casing, as shown clearly in Figure 2, which projection serves to operate a safety-
pawl 42 for locking the machine from the time the coin depresses the starting-
pawl 27 and lifts the latch 23 until the coin is dropped into the cash-box. The
said safety-pawl is fulcrumed on the shaft 26 and is formed with an extension 43,
the extremity of which is upturned and formed with a projection 44, which stands
in the path of the projection 41, so that the latter will withdraw the safety-pawl 42
from the metric wheel before the rotary casing 37 completes its revolution.
The said pawl is normally held out of engagement with the metric wheel as shewn
in Figure 2 by a spring 45, and on the upper edge of said extension 43 of the
safety-pawl is secured a spring or other guard 46 to yield slightly under the
pressure of the projection 41, which depresses the extension 43 so as to push
the pawl 42 into engagement with the metric wheel just so long as the coin is

page_text: engaging the projection 32. The spring 46 only comes into oporation when the
pawl 42 strikes against the apex of one of the teeth of the metric wheel and is
designed to prevent the locking of the projection 41 in this case.
In case the machine is constructed to operate a reciprocating valve suitable
means will be provided for converting the rotary motion of the shaft 26 into
reciprocating motion. Various means may be employed for this purpose, one of
which is shewn in Figure 5. In this form of construction the said shaft 20 is
provided with an eccentric or cam 47, which rotates within a yoke 48, attached to
the valve rod 49, so that a slight turn of the said shaft and eccentric will serve to
open the valve and permit the flow of gas through the service-pipe 50. The valve
is closed by a spring 51.
In the form of construction shewn in Figure 6 the service pipe is provided with
a rotary valve or cock 52, which may be connected directly or indirectly to the
shaft 26 to be turned thereby for turning on and cutting off the gas, the ports
being properly arranged for this purpose relatively to the predetermined point at
which the metric wheel will be locked by the latch 23. The shaft 26 is provided
at its front end with a pointer 15 in front of a dial 16, which pointer and dial
indicate the number of coins placed in the machine and at all times shew the
consumer the amount of gas remaining to his credit.
To obvinte the disadvantage of the gas being cut off suddenly when the locking
stud 21 strikes the latch 23," I sometimes replace the fixed stud 21 by a spring
stud such as that shewn in Figures 7 and 8 in which 21 is a spring fixed at one
end and passing through a slot 21 in the metric wheel the projecting portion
forming the pin 21. When the pin 21 impinges against the intch 23 the rotation
of the metric wheel is not immediately stopped but continues against the action of
the spring whereby it stops gradually the slot 21 allowing the wheel to move
relatively with the pin 21.
My invention is also applicable to such electric meters as are mechanical and
employ gearing and shafts for registering the current used or delivered.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a coin-controlled gas or liquid vending machine, a metric wheel rotated
exclusively in one direction by the power of the meter, an escapement disc
arranged to be rotated by the insertion of a coin in the apparatus, complemental
locking devices for stopping the rotation of said metric wheel and escapement disc
at a fixed or predetermined point in their rotation, and an escapement pallet
arranged to engage with the teeth of the said escapement disc and to be reciprocated
for releasing the escapement disc, tooth by tooth, one for each revolution of the
inetric wheel substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. In a coin controlled gas or liquid vending machine, a metric wheel rotated
by the power of the meter and provided with a locking stud or stop, an escapement
disc, provided with a stop or latch to engage with the said locking stul or stop
for locking said metric wheel, a pallet to engage said escapement disc, and arranged
to be operated by the metric wheel and a coin controlled pawi for retracting said
escapement disc, substantially as described.
3. In a coin controlled gas or liquid vending machine, a metric wheel provided
with a locking stud or stop and revolved by the power of the meter and provided
with a locking stud, an escapement disc provided with a latch to engage with the
said locking stud or stop for locking said metric wheel, a pallet to engage with said
escapement disc and arranged to be operated by the said metric wheel, a coin
controlled starting pawl for retracting said escapement disc and intch and a
swinging lever to which said starting pawl is pivoted, substantially as described.
4. In a coin controlled gas or liquid vending machine of the kind described in
Claim a spring locking stud or stop adapted to engage with a stop or latch on
the escapement disc, substantially as and for the purpose described.

page_text: 5. In a coin controlled gas or liquid vending machine, a metric wheel revolved'
by the power of the meter, an escapement disc and latch for locking said metric
wheel, a pallet to engage with the said escapement disc, n coin controlled
starting pawl and a coiu controlled safety locking pawl, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
6. In a coin controlled gas or liquid vending machine a metric wheel revolved
by the power of the meter, a safety pawl for locking aid metric wheel, a spring
for disengaging said safety pawl from the metric wheel, and a rotating coin casing
formed with a projection for engaging said safety pawl with the metric wheel,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
7. The combination with the metric wheel and the safety pawl, 42, formed
with an extension, 43, and projection, 44, and provided with a spring, 46, of the
coin casing, 37, formed with a projection, 41, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
8. The casing 37 formed with a slot or recess to enclose a portion of a coin.
proper to the machine, in combination with the escapement disc, a lever 25 adjacent
to said disc, and a pawl 27 pivoted to said lever and arranged to be engaged with
the said disc by a coin, substantially as described.
9. The improved prepayment apparatus for attachment to fluid meters herein-
before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4 South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.