Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Supply or Delivery of Fluids in Exchange for Coins Inserted therein.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 17th May, 1889-Accepted, 13th July, 1889
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Supply or
Delivery of Fluids in Exchange for Coins Inserted therein.
I, WALTER STAPLES, of 109, Lavender Road, Clapham Junction, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates chiefly to apparatus for the supply of gas in exchange for coins
inserted therein.
My said invention comprises novel means for permitting the operation or adjustment
of the apparatus by the movement of a push-piece or other device when, but not until,
a coin is inserted in an aperture or slit designed for its reception.
My said invention also comprises novel mechanism which I combine with a wet or
dry gas-meter of the usual or other suitable construction in such a manner that, by
inserting a coin into the aperture or slit designed for its reception and then operating
or adjusting the mechanism by means of the exterior push-piece or equivalent device,
the operation of the gas-meter may be permitted for a predetermined period so that a
certain quantity of gas will be supplied through the said meter, the operation of which
will then be automatically arrested.
An important feature of my said invention is the construction of the apparatus in
such a manner that the quantity of gas supplied will be proportionate to the numbor
of coins inserted and the number of times the exterior push-piece or equivalent device
is operated, that is to say, by inserting a coin and actuating the push-piece or the like,
and then immediately repeating these operations once or oftener, a supply of gas
equivalent in value to two or more coins can be obtained before the operation of the
meter is automatically arrested.
To provide for permitting the operation or adjustment of the apparatus when but
not until a coin is inserted therein I employ a slide arranged within a suitable casing
and formed with an aperture of such dimensions that when a coin is dropped therein
its lower edge will rest upon the said casing and its upper edge will project above the
top of the said slide. This slide is so arranged that, when in its normal position, it is
beneath a stationary chute or an aperture in the box or case of the apparatus, so that
a coin inserted in the said chute or aperture will fall into the said slide. In combination
with the said slide I use a rod or bar connected with the mechanism for effecting the
delivery of the goods or for adjusting the apparatus to permit such delivery. This
rod or bar is so arranged that when a coin is dropped into the slide and the said slide
is moved towards the said rod or bar, the upper part of the coin will come in contact
with the said rod or bar which can thus be moved through the required distance to
actuate the said mechanism. A stationary inclined surface is provided on one or both
sides of the said rod or bar, so that, when the latter is moved as above described, the coin
will be pushed downward by these inclined surfaces and thus caused to fall through an
aperture in the said casing into the coin-receptacle.
The aforesaid slide for receiving the coin whereby the apparatus is to be operated or
adjusted, may be combined with a push-piece or equivalent device extending to the
exterior of the box or case of the apparatus.
My said invention is conveniently and advantageously, applied to a gas meter as
hereinafter described, that is to say :-
On the arbor or shaft of one of the wheels of the registering mechanism of the
gas-meter, is fixed a crown-wheel for the purpose of connecting the registering
mechanism with the automatic apparatus. A ratchet-wheel is fixed upon a hollow shaft
fitted to rotate upon the said arbor or shaft, and the said ratchet-wheel is provided with

page_text: a tooth or lateral projection adapted to engage with the teeth of the said crown-
wheel. The aforesaid hollow shaft is free to slide longitudinally through a short
distance upon the aforesaid shaft of the registering mechanism, and suitable means are
provided whereby, in the movement of the operating rod or bar, the said hollow shaft
will be moved longitudinally to disengage the tooth or projection on the ratchet-wheel
from the crown-wheel, so that the said ratchet-wheel may be turned as hereinafter
described. I sometimes provide a sliding forked wedge which is connected with the
said rod or bar, whereby it may be forced between a stationary abutment and a collar
on the said hollow-shaft to move the latter longitudinally for the purpose above
specified.
On the said hollow shaft is also fixed a notched disc, with which is adapted to
engage a detent-lever pivoted to the casing of the gas-meter. This lever is connected
with a device for raising a pin or rod which stops the action of the meter or closes a
valve and cuts off the supply of gas. When the said detent-lever bears against the
periphery of the said disc, it holds the said pin or stud out of action, so that the meter
can operate under the pressure of the gas. When, however, the said disc has been
turned by the operation of the registering mechanism, so as to permit the detent-lever
to engage with the notch of the said disc, the said pin or rod is raised and thus stops
the supply of gas; the said detent-lever, moreover, prevents further movement of the
registering mechanism until another coin is inserted in the apparatus.
A pawl is pivotted to the operating rod or bar and is adapted to engage with the
aforesaid ratchet-wheel in the return movement of the raid rod or bar, which is effected
by a spring. When the said rod or bar is pushed inward, the tooth or projection on
the said ratchet-wheel is disengaged from the crown-wheel and the said pawl slides
over one tooth of the ratchet-wheel. In the return movement of the said rod or bar,
the said pawl turns the ratchet-wheel and the spur-wheels and notched disc connected
therewith through a small arc. Or the pawl may be arranged to act in the inward
movement of the said rod or bar. The said disc has at one side of the notch therein
an inclined surface which, when the disc is thus turned, disengages the detent-lever
from the said notch and turns the said lever on its pivot thereby permitting the passage
of the gas, the said notch being at the same time moved away from the tooth or
projection on the said lever. The operation of the meter gradually moves the said
notch back until the detent-lever engages with it. By inserting two or more coins in
succession, and repeatedly pushing in the said rod or bar, the said disc may be turned
so as to move its notch to a greater distance from the tooth of the detent-lever, so that
a larger quantity of gas must pass through the meter before the operation thereof will
be arrested.
On the hollow shaft carrying the ratchet-wheel is fixed a spur-wheel which is geared
through the medium of other spur-wheels with an arbor or shaft on which is fixed a
hand or pointer for indicating upon a dial the number of coins inserted at one time
and the quantity of gas burned.
בד
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Supply or
Delivery of Fluids in Exchange for Coins Inserted therein.
I WALTER STAPLES, of 109 Lavender Road, Clapham Junction, in the County of
Surrey, 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 :—
My invention relates to apparatus for the supply of gas or other fluids in exchange
for coins inserted in the said apparatus.

page_text: My said invention comprises novel means for permitting or effecting the operation
of the delivery mechanism by the movement of a push-piece or other device which can
be actuated from the exterior of the apparatus when, but not until, one or more coins
of the proper value are inserted in an aperture or slit designed for their reception.
According to my said invention I provide novel mechanism hereinafter described
which I combine with a wet or dry gas-meter of the ordinary or other suitable
construction in such a manner that, by inserting one or more coins into the aperture
or slit designed for their reception and then setting or adjusting the mechanism by
means of the said exterior push-piece or equivalent device, the operation of the gas
meter may be permitted for a calculated or predetermined period so as to allow a
certain quantity of gas to pass through the meter and be consumed by the purchaser,
and the operation of the meter will then be automatically arrested.
An important feature of my said invention is the construction of the apparatus in
such a manner that the quantity of gas supplied will be proportionate to the number
of coins inserted and the number of times the exterior push-piece or equivalent device
is operated, that is to say, by inserting several coins into the apparatus one by one,
and actuating the push-piece or the like after each coin is inserted, a supply of gas
equivalent to the coins inserted into the apparatus can be obtained, before the
operation of the meter is automatically arrested.
My said invention moreover comprises other improvements hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously applied to an ordinary dry gas-meter.
Figure 1 is a plan partly in horizontal section of the meter with my improvements
applied thereto.
Figure 2 is a front elevation partly in vertical section, some of the parts being removed.
Figure 3 is a side elevation the meter being shown in vertical section and the lower
part of the said meter being removed.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the box or case of the meter, B is the inlet and C the outlet for the gas. Dis
the ordinary registering mechanism of the said meter, E is the dial-plate thereof.
F is the usual mechanism for connecting the registering mechanisni to the measuring
drums of the meter.
a is a crown-wheel fixed upon the shaft or spindle a¹ of one of the toothed
wheels of the registering mechanism D. b is a ratchet-wheel fixed upon a shaft or
spindle c carried in suitable bearings in a bracket c¹ in line with the spindle a¹. The
ratchet-wheel b is provided moreover with a tooth or lateral projection 6' adapted to
engage with the teeth of the said crown wheel a. The shaft or spindle c is free to
slide longitudinally through a short distance in the bracket c¹, and is normally
retained, by a spring c², in such a position that the tooth or projection 6' of the ratchet-
wheel 6 is in engagement with the teeth of the crown-wheel a. d is the rod or bar
for setting or adjusting the mechanism as hereinafter described. This rod or bar is
supported in suitable brackets d' attached to the box or. case A. e is a sliding forked
wedge, the stem e' of which is connected with the said rod or bar d, whereby it may
be forced between the bracket c' and a collar f on the said shaft or spindle c to move
the latter longitudinally, and thus disengage the tooth or projection 6¹ on the ratchet-
wheel b from the teeth of the crown-wheel a, so that the said ratchet-wheel may be
turned as hereinafter described.
On the said shaft or spindle c is also fixed a disc y provided with a notch g¹ with
which is adapted to engage a tooth ¹ upon a detent-lever h pivoted at * to an
extension of the bracket c. The detent-lever h is provided with a pin or projection /³
which, when the said tooth h¹ drops into the notch g¹ in the disc will extend into
the path of an arm or extension F' upon the crank F2 and stop the action of the
meter. The disc g has at one side of the notch g' an inclined surface, which, when
the said disc is turned by the pawl hereinafter described, will disengage the
tooth of the detent-lever h from the said notch and turn the said lever on its pivot.
When the tooth h¹ of the detent-lever / bears against the periphery of the said disc 9,
the said detent-lever will be maintained in its highest position and the said pin or

page_text: projection ³ thus held out of the path of the arm F¹ so that the metre can operate
under the pressure of the gas.
i is a pawl pivoted at ¹ to the operating rod or bar d. The said pawl i is adapted to
engage with the aforesaid ratchet-wheel b in the return movement of the said rod or bar,
which movement is effected by means of a spring j. k is a toothed-wheel keyed or
otherwise secured upon the shaft or spindle c.
The said toothed wheel k is connected
by means of toothed wheels 1, with an index or pointer m adapted to indicate upon
a suitable dial n the number of coins inserted into the apparatus and therefore the
amount of gas purchased.
.
I prefer to arrange the apparatus to receive and indicate up to thirty pence or
whatever other amount may represent the price of one thousand cubic feet of gas.
When the rod or bar d'is pushed inwards or towards the ratchet-wheel b the tooth
or projection 61 on the said ratchet-wheel will as above stated, be disengaged from
the crown-wheel a by the action of the forked wedge e; the pawl is so
arranged that it will in each operation of the rod or bar d slide over one tooth of the
ratchet-wheel band, in the return movement of the said rod or bar will turn the
ratchet-wheel b, the toothed wheel k and the notched disc g connected therewith
through a small angle. The ratchet-wheel b is provided with an elongated tooth b*
that is to say, a tooth which is longer or extends through a greater angle than the
remaining teeth so that when coins to the full amount which the apparatus is con-
structed to receive have been inserted into the said apparatus, the said tooth b³ will be
presented to the action of the pawl i, and, the said pawl will slide over the same but
cannot engage therewith to actuate or move the said ratchet-wheel until the latter
has been rotated or turned back by the passage through the meter of the whole or a
part of the gas purchased. When the long tooth 62 is presented to the action of the
pawl the pointer m indicates upon the dial n that coins equivalent to the price of a
thousand cubit feet of gas have been inserted into the apparatus.
The pawl is so formed at its rear end that, whilst the rod d is held back by the
spring, the lower edge of the rear end of the said pawl will bear against the
adjacent bracket d¹ and the pawl will thus be held up in the position shown. When,
however, the rod d is pushed forward or towards the ratchet wheel b, the said pawl
will fall by gravity so that it can engage with the said ratchet-wheel in the return
movement of the said rod.
q
To provide for permitting the setting or adjustment of the controlling mechanism
when, but not until, ono or more coins are inserted in the apparatus, I employ a slide
piece o arrange within a suitable box or casing p attached to the side of the meter.
The piece o is arranged to slide freely upon a plate p¹, and is formed with a slot or
aperture o¹ of such dimensions that when a coin is dropped therein its lower edge
will rest upon the said plate p' and its upper edge will project above the top of the
said slide o. The slide is so arranged that when in its normal position the slot or
aperture o¹ is situated beneath a coin slit or aperture p³ in a suitable chute p* firmly
attached to or forming part of the plate pl and extending through the wall of the box
or case p so that a coin inserted in the said coin slit or aperture p² will fall into the
slot or aperture o¹ in the said slide. 7 is a push-piece or rod supported in brackets
armly attached to or forming part of the plate p¹. The said push-piece or rod
extends through the wall of the box or case p and is provided with a knob or
handle g. The parts are so arranged that when a coin is dropped through the coin
slit or aperture into the slot or aperture o¹ in the slide-piece o, and the said slide
piece is moved by means of the push-piece or rod q towards the operating rod or
bar d, the upper part of the coin will come in contact with the said rod or bar d
which can thus be moved through the required distance to actuate the controlling
mechanism. Stationary inclined surfaces are provided on the chute p* at each side
of the extremity of the said rod or bar d, which is also provided with an inclined
surface d¹ so that, when the said rod or bar is moved as above described by the coin
and push-piece, the said coin will be pushed downward by these inclined surfaces and
thus caused to fall from the slot or aperture o in the slide piece o¹ through an
aperture p³ in the plate p¹ into a coin-receptacle or space p* provided in the lower part

page_text: of the box or case p. A convenient door is provided for permitting the removal of
the coins when desired. is a spring for returning the slide piece o and push-piece 7
to their normal position.
t is a stud or pin provided upon a bracket t' attached to the stem e¹ of the forked
wedge e. When the wedge e is operated, the said stud or pin t will be caused to
move into the path of the said extension F¹ and arrest the action of the meter. This
device prevents fraudulent use of the apparatus by inserting into the same of a coid
of the proper value and then attempting to push in the operating rod or bar d and the
said forked wedge e, sufficiently far to release the tooth or projection 6¹ from the
crown-wheel a (without however pushing in the said rod or bar d far enough to
release the coin from the slide o) and thereby permit the extension F' upon the
crank F to pass the pin or projection A³ on the detent-lever. Without the said
safety device it might be practicable by continuously pressing on the push-piece to
allow the measuring, drum of the meter to operate in the usual manner without
payment of the gas thus obtained.
u is a spring the extremity of which is adapted to bear against the teeth of the
ratchet wheel b and steady or correct the motion of the said ratchet-wheel. v.is an
adjusting-screw provided with a nut for regulating the pressure of the said spring u
upon the teeth of the ratchet wheel b.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows, that is to say:-A coin of the proper
value having been inserted into the slide o, the operating rod or bar dis pushed
inwards by means of the push-piece q and slide o thus compressing the spring ; and
moving the ratchet wheel 6 by means of the wedge e so as to disengage the pin or
projection from the teeth of the crown-wheel a. In the return movement of the
said operating rod or bar under the action of the said spring the pawl turns the
ratchet-wheel b, toothed wheel k and disc g as hereinbefore described thus turning
the detent lever upon its pivot 2, and disengaging the tooth h¹ of the said lever
from the notch g', and at the same time moving the said notch away from the tooth h¹
so that the latter will rest on the periphery of the disc g. The pin or projection h³
is thus raised and held up so as to permit the extension F¹ of the crank F to pass
beneath the said pin or projection h³, thus allowing the measuring drum of the meter
to operate in the usual manner for the delivery of gas. The pointer m is in the
return movement of the rod or bar d, turned so as to indicate upon the dial n, the
value of the coin or the quantity of gas purchased therewith. In the operation of
the meter the tooth or projection 6' being in engagement with the crown wheel a, the
disc is gradually moved backward until the tooth ¹ upon the detent-lever h again
engages with the notch g' in the said disc and the pointer m is at the same time
moved back to zero on the dial.
By inserting two or more coins in succession and repeatedly pushing in the
operating rod or bar d by means of the push piece or rod q and the slide o the disc g
may be turned so as to move its notch g¹ to a greater distance from the tooth h¹ of
the detent lever h, so that a larger quantity of gas must pass through the meter before
the operation thereof will be arrested. When coins to the full amount for which the
apparatus is adapted have been inserted, the pawl i will, in any subsequent movement
of the operating rod, slide upon the long tooth 62 of the ratchet-wheel 6 but cannot
engage with the said tooth.
I sometimes provide a shutter for the coin-slit and so arrange the said shutter that,
when the full number of coins is inserted, it will close the said slit and when the parts
are moved backward by the operation of the measuring-mechanism, the said slit will
be again opened.
This shutter is, however, not essential, as the index or pointer will indicate on the
dial when the full number of coins has been inserted, and no more coins need be
afterwards inserted until gas has passed through the meter and moved back the
said index or pointer.
The dial m may be enclosed in a suitable casing provided with a glass front or
window and attached to the box or case A of the meter.

page_text: By constructing the mechanism as above described so that the setting or adjustment
of the disc g will be effected in the return movement of the operating rod or bar d, I
provide for ensuring the reception of the payment before the delivery of the gas
commences, as the coin drops from the slide o at the termination of the forward
movement of the said slide and of the rod or bar d.
It is obvious that my improved controlling apparatus above described is applicable
to other dry or to fluid meters.
It is, moreover, evident that I can somewhat modify the details of construction of
my apparatus without departing from the nature of my said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood that I do
not claim generally or irrespectively of my improvements herein described a gas-
meter provided with means whereby any desired quantity of gas may, upon the
insertion of a coin or coins equivalent to the price thereof, be allowed to pass through
the said meter; nor do I claim broadly or irrespectively of my improvements a slide
formed with a slit for holding a coin so that the said coin itself will serve as a part
of the operating mechanism of an automatic sale or delivery apparatus; but I
claim
First. A fluid-meter which has combined therewith suitable means for controlling
its action in such a manner that the measuring-mechanism will be allowed to operate
when, but not until, a coin is inserted in the apparatus and an exterior push-piece or
similar device is actuated, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. A fluid-meter which has combined therewith suitable means for controlling
its action in such a manner that, by inserting coins one after another into a slit
provided for their reception and repeatedly operating an exterior push-piece or similar
device as herein before described, a supply of fluid equivalent to the coins so inserted
may be allowed to pass through the meter.
Third. The above described improvements whereby I provide for ensuring the
release of the coin from the slide before the delivery-mechanism commences to
operate.
Fourth. The combination, with a gas-meter, of a detent-lever adapted to engage
with the crank of the measuring-mechanism to arrest the motion of the said
mechanism, and a notched disc for holding the said lever out of, or permitting it to
move into the path of the said crank, substantially as, and for the purpose, set
forth.
Fifth. The combination, with a crown-wheel fixed upon one of the shafts of the
registering mechanism, of a ratchet-wheel fixed upon a sliding shaft and provided
with a lateral tooth or projection adapted to engage with the teeth of the said crown-
wheel, a notched disc also fixed on the said sliding shaft and connected by toothed
wheels with a pointer or indicator, a detent-lever resting upon the said disc, a pawl
secured to an operating rod or bar and adapted to engage with the said ratchet-wheel
in the return movement of the said bar, and an inclined piece or wedge for operating
the said sliding shaft, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Sixth. The combination, with the operating rod or bar, of the slotted slide, the
plate for supporting a coin therein and the inclined surfaces for effecting the discharge
of the coin therefrom at the proper time, substantially as, and for the purposes, set
forth.
Seventh. The combination, with the rod or bar d, of a pin or projection which,
when the said rod or bar is pushed inward or forward, will be moved into the path of
the crank of the measuring-mechanism and will arrest the motion of the latter, thus
preventing fraudulent use of the apparatus, substantially as described.
Eighth. The combination, with the other parts of the controlling mechanism, of a
ratchet-wheel one of the teeth of which is of greater length than the remainder
thereof, as and for the purpose, above specified.
Ninth. The combination, with the ratchet-wheel and the operating rod or bar acted

page_text: upon by the spring, of the pawl pivoted to the said rod or bar and so formed that it
will be automatically disengaged from the said ratchet-wheel at the proper time,
substantially as set forth.
Tenth. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with reference
to the accompanying drawings and operating as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Dated this 17th day of May 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.