Improvements in and connected with Coin-freed Gas Meters.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 29th May, 1896-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Coin-freed Gas Meters.
We, RICHARD THOMAS GLOVER, and JOHN GEORGE GLOVER, trading as
Thomas Glover and Company, of 214 to 222 St. John Street, Clerkenwell, Gas
Meter Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to means for regulating the supply of prepaid gas, the
object being to enable the mechanism to be set, and moved to deliver (after the
insertion of a coin) any fractional quantity of a cubic foot of gas, the mechanism
for obtaining such fractional quantity being easily adjusted and so constructed and
arranged that change wheels as hitherto used for the purpose are dispensed with.
In carrying out our invention we dispense with the ratchet teeth on the periphery
of our notched plate and into which a pawl engages, as described and shown in
our previous patents, because the distances between such teeth represent
approximately quantities of a cubic foot and do not consequently allow the
turning movement of said notched plate to be limited, so that a less quantity may
be delivered.
We therefore arrange that the pawl engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel
separately mounted and operated by the notched plate in any given ratio by means
of any suitable mechanism such for instance as a pinion gearing with spur teeth cut
in the periphery of the notched plate.
An adjustable stop is also used in connection with the delivery orifice in order
that it may be set to cause the coin to be discharged at the point corresponding
to the given number of teeth over which the beforementioned pawl is required to
move, said number of teeth being the sum of the fractional quantity of gas it is
desired to supply.
TI
2
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166 Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Richard Thomas Glover and
John George Glover.
Improvements in and connected with Coin-freed Gas Meters. :
We, RICHARD THOMAS GLOVER, and JOHN GEORGE GLOVER, trading as
Thomas Glover and Company, of 214 to 222 St. John Street, Clerkenwell, Gas
Meter Manufacturers, 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 means for regulating the supply of prepaid gas, the
object being to enable the mechanism to be set and moved to deliver (after the
insertion of a coin) any fractional quantity of a cubic foot of gas, the mechanism
Pris 17

page_text: for obtaining such fractional quantity being easily adjusted and so constructe !
and arranged that change wheels as hitherto used for the purpose are dispensed
with, the method of changing for whole cubic feet and the general construction of
the apparatus being described and shown in the specification of our previous
Patent No. 25272 of 1894.
Our invention will be understood upon referring to the accompanying sheet of
drawings in which
Figure 1 is a face view of the notched plate and coin pocket and our improved
mechanism in connection therewith, the cover plate being removed, and
Figure 2 a detail view of the coin pocket, and Figure 3 is an under plan of
the same.
In carrying out our invention we dispense with the ratchet teeth on the periphery
of our notched plate, and into which a pawl engages, as described and shown in our
previous patents, because the distances between such teeth represent approximately
quantities of a cubic foot and do not consequently allow the turning movement
of said notched plate to be limited, so that a less quantity may be delivered.
We therefore arrange that the pawl A engages the teeth B of a ratchet_wheel C
separately mounted upon a spindle D and operated by the notched plate E in any
given ratio by means of any suitable mechanism such for instance as a pinion F
gearing with spur teeth G cut in the periphery of the notched plate E.
An adjustable stop H is also used in connection with the delivery orifice of the
coin pocket in order that it may be set to cause the coin I to be discharged at the
point corresponding to the given number of teeth over which the beforementioned
pawl is required to move, said number of teeth being the sum of the fractional
quantity of gas it is desired to supply. For instance, suppose that the coin I is
inserted into the money pocket J through the slot K of the cover plate indicated
by dotted lines, and said coin pocket is turned to the position shown in full lines,
the notched plate E will have been moved a distance of twenty five notches
representing twenty five cubic feet of gas but if it is required to deliver only
twenty four and a half cubic feet, the stop H after loosening the lock nut L is
turned and screwed out a distance equal to half a tooth, so that the coin pocket J
can only move a distance of twenty tour and a half teeth, and then discharges the
coin I so that it follows the stop H can be so set as to allow the minutest fraction
of a cubic foot of gas to pass, and the ratchet wheel C by reason of its being so highly
geared will prevent any back lash of the notched plate E which would tend to
nullify the minute setting of said stop H.
In order that the period of discharge of the coin from the pocket may coincide
precisely with the position of the stop H, a spring shutter M may close the end of
the money tube J, the edge of which when brought into contact with the stop
moves the slot N opposite the coin pocket, so that the coin may fall through and
be discharged at the proper instant; or instead of the spring shutter M, a
plate Madjustable by screw or other means may be used in conjunction with the
stop H for varying the point of discharge of the coin.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The improvement connected with coin freed mechanism consisting of separately
mounting the ratchet wheel, and gearing same to the notched plate at any desired
ratio for rotation thereby, and preventing back lash of said notched plate by the
engagement of a pawl with the teeth of said separately mounted ratchet wheel as
described and arranged in the manner substantially as shown.
2. The improvements connected with coin freed apparatus for setting the
mechanism to deliver fractional quantities of a cubic foot of gas consisting of the
combination with the parts set out in Claim 1 of an adjustable stop, and spring or
adjustable shutter and adapted to discharge the coin at the moment the coin pocket

page_text: comes in contact with the adjustable stop for the purposes described, and all
arranged in the manner substantially as shown.
The 20th day of May 1896.
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166 Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Richard Thomas Glover and
John George Glover.