Improvements in Apparatus for Supplying Gas on Prepayment.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Oct., 1894-Accepted, 15th Dec.. 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Supplying Gas on Prepayment.
We, THOMAS THORP of Whitefield near Bury, Lancashire Engineer, THOMAS
GARDINER MARSH of 41 Corporation Street Manchester, Lancashire Mechanical
Engineer, and JOHN HAYNES of Albert Drive, Aintree, near Liverpool,
Lancashire, Gas Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Our invention relates to apparatus for supplying gas on prepayment and consists
in a novel or improved arrangement or construction of apparatus and parts thereof
by means of which gas is supplied at a predetermined rate per hour for a
predetermined time after the gas supply has been started by means of a coin of
prearranged value inserted into the apparatus and acted on by mechanism
operated from the outside of the apparatus, the apparatus being intended for
supplying gas fires in hotel bedrooms and similar purposes where a temporary
supply of gas is required.
The apparatus consists of a casing or box having a door fitted with a lock and
the mechanisms or apparatus for regulating, starting and stopping the gas supply
fixed therein. For regulating the rate of supply an adjustable quantity regulator
or governor of any ordinary construction is fixed inside said casing, the inlet to the
regulator being connected to the gas service piping and the outlet to the piping
leading to the place of consumption, for instance a gas grate. A valve is provided
by closing or opening which the gas outlet or inlet from or to the regulator is
closed or opened. The opening of the valve is effected by means of mechanism
operated from the outside of said casing acting on and through a coin of
predetermined value inserted thereinto, and the closing of the valve by the
descent of a weight or its equivalent provided with an air brake or equivalent
regulating device and returning the valve opening mechanism to its original or
closing position.
For opening and closing the valve any kind of mechanism used in prepayment
gas meters for opening and closing the gas valve may be used, the descending
weight or its equivalent hereinbefore mentioned being connected to a spindle by
rack and pinion or equivalent means for rotating it by its descent which spindle
takes the place of that driving the consumption index in said prepayment gas meters
and by its rotation closes the valve in the same way. Preferably however we
arrange the mechanism somewhat in the following way :-
We arrange the valve for starting or stopping the flow of gas through the
quantity regulator so that it opens by the gas pressure and arrange a lever so that
it acts upon said valve and closes it when depressed and allows it to open when the
lever is raised by spring or weight action.
Above the lever we arrange a shaft fitted outside of the casing with a knob or
handle by means of which it can be turned and provide marks to indicate its
position. The shaft carries a cam acting on the lever and so shaped that the lever
can rise and the valve open when the knob is in the marked starting position and
is depressed by the cam when the knob is turned. The shaft further has a crank
°

page_text: or crank pin operating a horizontal slide bar suitably guided and provided with a
lateral projection or driver which projects through a slot in a second sliding bar
hereinafter called drag bar. The shaft may further be provided with a ratchet
wheel engaging with a fixed pawl or equivalent device to prevent its being turned
in the wrong direction.
On the top of the casing a cup is arranged with a slot for the insertion of a coin
of predetermined value which coin drops upon an angle bracket fixed to the casing
and between the driver on the sliding bar before described and projections or pegs
on the drag bar. When the handle is now turned the crank pin moves the
sliding bar and nips the coin between said driver and projections so that the
drag bar is moved simultaneously with the sliding bar. The drag bar is formed
with rack teeth on its edge which gear with a pinion mounted on a stud or shaft,
a second pinion on the shaft or sleeve of the first gearing with a vertical rack
to which a weight is attached which is thus lifted by the movement of the drag
bar.
When the crank has arrived at its outer dead centre a peg on the cam on the
handle shaft catches behind a projection on the drag bar and holds it for a short
part of the revolution of said shaft while the sliding bar begins to move back
whereby the coin is liberated and drops into a receptacle arranged in the casing.
By further turning the shaft to its starting position, the slide bar is returned to its
starting point and the valve released. Gas then passes through the quantity
governor till the valve is closed again. This is done by a peg or equivalent part
on the drag bar acting upon an incline or curve on the valve controlling lever and
depressing it upon the valve when the drag bar has been returned to its starting
position by the descent of the weight or equivalent means.
The speed of the descent of the weight may be regulated by any suitable means
such as a pneumatic or hydraulic brake, clockwork escapement or fan governor.
It is conveniently done by forming the weight as a disc, fixing another such disc in
the casing below the former and connecting them by air proofed cloth so as to form
a pair of bellows which are fitted with a free lifting inlet valve and a minutely
adjustable outlet valve. By more or less opening the latter the time of the descent
of the weight can be adjusted to two or three hours or any other time desired during
which gas is supplied at the rate of 20 or 30 or other number of cubic feet per
hour, which rate is regulated by the quantity governor.
Instead of a weight or its
equivalent attached to the vertical rack, clockwork worked by spring or weight
may be used for rotating the rack pinion shaft or returning the drag bar to its
starting point in a regulated time.
Dated the 2nd day of January 1891
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, and 5, Clayton Square, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Supplying Gas on Prepayment.
We, THOMAS THORP of Whitefield near Bury, Lancashire, Engineer, THOMAS
GARDINER MARSH of 41 Corporation Street Manchester, Lancashire, Mechanical
Engineer and JOHN HAYNES of 5 Albert Drive, Aintree, near Liverpool,
Lancashire, Gas 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 :—
Our invention relates to apparatus for supplying gas on prepayment and consists
in a novel or improved arrangement or construction of apparatus and parts thereof

page_text: by means of which gas is supplied at a predetermined rate per hour for a
predetermined time after the gas supply has been started by means of a coin of
prearranged value inserted int the apparatus and acted on by mechanism
operated from the outside of the same, the apparatus being intended for supplying
gas fires in hotel bedrooms and similar purposes where a temporary supply of
gas is required.
The apparatus consists of a casing or box having a door fitted with a lock
and of the mechanisms or apparatus for regulating, starting and stopping the
gas supply fixed therein. For regulating the rate of supply an adjustable
quantity regulator or governor of any ordinary construction may be fixed inside
said casing, the inlet to the regulator being connected to the gas service piping
and the outlet to the piping leading to the place of consumption, for instance a
gas grate. A valve is provided by closing or opening which the gas outlet or
inlet from or to the regulator is closed or opened. Where the gas pressure is
sufficiently regular the regulator can be omitted and a simple valve casing with
inlet and outlet pipes and valve controlling the passage of the gas can be used,
The
the valve being so arranged that it can open only to a determined extent.
opening of the valve is effected by means of mechanism operated from the
outside of said casing and acting on and through a coin of predetermined value
inserted thereinto, which at the same time raises or winds up a weight or its
equivalent, and the closing of the valve is effected by the descent of said
weight or its equivalent provided with an air brake or equivalent regulating
device and returning the valve opening mechanism to its original or closing
position.
For opening and closing the valve any kind of mechanism used in prepayment
gas meters for opening and closing the gas valve may be used, the movement of
the handle delivering the coin being utilised to raise a weight or its equivalent
through the intervention of the coin, and the weight or its equivalent connected
to a spindle by rack and pinion or equivalent means for rotating the spindle by
the descent of the weight or equivalent, which spindle takes the place of that
driving the consumption index in said prepayment gas meters and by its rotation
closes the valve in the same way.
On the drawing appended hereunto an apparatus for the supply of gas during
a predetermined time for a coin of prearranged value is shewn arranged as we at
present prefer, as an example how our invention may be carried into effect,
Fig. 1 showing a front view of the same partly in section with the front of
the casing removed, and
Fig. 2 a plan of the same with the top of the casing removed.
In the case a which is fitted with a door and lock we fix a plate b formed with
various lugs and projections for attaching the various parts of the mechanism
thereto. To the lug & we fix a chamber c having a gas inlet branch c¹ and an
outlet branch c², and arrange inside of the same a valve controlling the passage
from the inlet to the outlet branch. These branches protrude through the case
and the inlet c is connected to the gas supply piping, whilst the outlet branch c³ is
connected to the burner, for instance, of a gas grate. The valve may be of any
ordinarily used suitable kind. Between the valve and the inlet a quantity
regulator of any kind may be arranged in the chamber c if desired, allowing a
Where the gas pressure
certain quantity of gas to pass through in a certain time.
does not greatly vary or an exact regulation of the quantity is not of much
importance, the quantity governor may be omitted or a pressure regulator may be
used instead thereof. The valve spindle d protrudes from the top of the chamber c
and has a circular groove cut in it into which the spring blade d' engages so that
the valve is moved up or down with or by the same. Instead of the spring
blade a lever under spring pressure may be used. The spring blade or lever is so
arranged that when free it lifts the valve and opens it, and when depressed into
the position shown on the drawings it closes the valve. A forked tumbler lever e
is fulcrummed on a stud e¹ and when in the position shown on the drawing the

page_text: weighted prong depresses the bent up end of the spring blade d¹ and holds the
valve closed.
Above the valve a shaft fis arranged supported in a hanging bracket f¹ which
bracket has fixed on it at the front end a disc f, while the shaft has a wing
handle for turning it by, screwed upon it, said disc filling an opening in the door
of the case a and the wing handle being outside thereof. A mark on the disc
indicates the starting position of the handle. The shaft has a disc cam g fixed on
it which is circular in shape except at one part g³, which part is above an inclined
projection d on the spring blade d' when the handle f³ is in the position marked
on the disc f, so that the spring blade can lift and open the valve when its end
is released from the weighted prong of lever e. The disc g has a single tooth
ratchet wheel attached to it into which a pawlj engages and prevents its being
turned in the wrong direction. A crank pin g', fixed in the disc g enters a vertical
slot in the bar h which slides on studs ³ ³ passed through slots in and screwed
into paps of plate band is formed with a lateral projection or driver h°.
This driver projects through a slot in a second sliding bar 7 hereinafter called
the drag-bar.
When
On the top of the casing a cup i is arranged with a slot for the insertion of
a coin of predetermined value which coin drops upon an angle bracket k fixed to
the pap band between the driver h and two pegs on the drag bar l.
the handle 3 and cam disc g are now turned, the crank pin g moves the slide
bar to the right and the coin is nipped between the driver h and pegs so
that the drag bar is moved simultaneously with the sliding bar h. The drag
bar is formed with rack teeth on its lower edge which gear with a pinion m
mounted on a stud m³, a second pinion m² on the boss of the first gearing with
a vertical rack n which is guided by a stud n³ passing through a slot in the rack
and has a weight n² attached to it, which is thus lifted by the movement of the
drag bar l.
e,
Another peg is fixed in the drag bar 1 between the prongs of the forked
lever which peg as the drag-bar is moved to the right carries the weighted prong
of the tumbler lever over its central position and causes it to fall over to the right,
whereby the spring blade d' is liberated from the lever c. It is however prevented
from rising and opening the valve by the edge of cam disc g pressing upon the
projection d' until the disc has been turned for an entire revolution.
The drag bar is at its end next to the shaft f formed with a lateral segmental
projection 13. When the shaft has made half a turn and the crank pin g¹ is on its
dead centre, a lateral projection 9 on the cam disc g passes behind this projection
and holds the drag bar / for part of the revolution of the shaft, while the crank
ping and slide bar h commence their return stroke, so that the driver moves
back while the pegs remain stationary and the coin is liberated and drops into
the receptacles attached to the door of the case a or otherwise arranged in the
same. By further turning the shaft f to its starting position, the slide bar his
returned to its starting point and the spring blade d' liberated from the cam disc g,
so that it rises and opens the valve. Gas then passes through the inlet c' to the
outlet c, until the valve is closed again. This is done by the peg on the drag
bar turuing the tumbler lever e back again over its dead centre, so that it falls
into the position shewn on the drawing and depresses the spring blade d' when the
drag bar has been returned to its starting position by the descent of the weight n²,
which causes the wheels m² and m to rotate in the reverse direction and move
the drag bar to the left by means of the rack on the same. On the drag bar 1
a lateral plate is formed which passes under the slot in cup i when the bar is
moved to the right and prevents the insertion of further coins till the drag bar
has been returned to its starting position by the weight n².
The speed of the descent of the weight may be regulated by any suitable means,
such as a pneumatic or hydraulic brake or cataract, or by means of a clock
escapement driven by gearing from the wheels m or m² controlled by a pendulum
or spring balance, or a fan or friction governor. Preferably we use the pneumatic

page_text: brake or cataract shewn, which is arranged as follows:-Upon a bracket 6 cast
on the plate b we fix a disc o having holes of round the centre covered by a
rubber or leather valve o³. A hoop o³ interposed between disco and bracket b
forms an air chamber into which air enters through a perforated strainer filled
with cotton wool and through holes in the bracket. The disc o and weight n²
are connected by folding bellows leathers, which may be formed as shown by
connecting flat rings of leather or india rubber together alternately at the inside
and outside edges. The weight disc n² is fitted with a minutely adjustable outlet
valve of any suitable kind. When the weight n² is lifted in the manner
herein before described, air is drawn into the inside of the bellows or pneumatic
cataract through the valve o³, which then closes and the air slowly escapes through
the valve r, and allows the weight n to descend. By adjusting the valve r, the
time of the descent can be regulated.
As stated above any other ordinarily used mechanism or arrangement for
regulating the descent of a weight may be employed. Instead of a weight
attached to a rack any other suitable arrangement of clockwork worked by a
weight or spring may be used for rotating the pinion m backwards; for instance
the pinion may be connected to the chain barrel or spring barrel of a clock
arrangement so that the weight or spring is wound up by the movement of the
drag bar or its equivalent to the right and turns the pinion backwards when
the drag bar or its equivalent is liberated by a slow motion regulated by means
of a clock escapement or its equivalent.
The arrangement of coin receiving and delivering device shown on the drawing
and hereinbefore described, is shown and described as an example of how our
invention may be carried into effect; but, as stated, any other prepayment.
mechanism used for opening a valve or its equivalent by means of a coin inter-
posed between a part actuated by an outside handle or its equivalent and
another internal part may be employed; the motion of said internal part by means
of the coin being utilized to raise or wind up a weight or spring or their
equivalents, and the return of the internal part to its starting position and the
closing of the valve or equivalent being effected by the descent or unwinding of
said weight or spring or equivalent, the rate of such return motion being regulated
by any suitable regulating devices or mechanisms.
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 :-
1. The arrangement or construction of apparatus for supplying gas during a
predetermined time for a coin of prearranged value inserted into said apparatus
substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In apparatus for supplying gas during a predetermined time for a coin of
prearranged value inserted into the apparatus, the arrangement or combination of
a gas inlet and outlet pipe communicating through a chamber inside a closed
case, a valve or its equivalent in said chamber, a moveable part inside said case
moved in one direction by means of the coin interposed between it and another
part actuated by means of a handle or its equivalent from the outside of the case;
a weight, spring or their equivalent, raised or wound up by this movement of said
moveable part, and mechanism for opening the valve by this movement of said
moveable part and for closing the same by the descent or unwinding of said weight,
spring or equivalent, and means for regulating the time occupied by such descent
or unwinding, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. In apparatus for delivering gas against prepayment, the arrangement of a
sliding bar actuated by a crank pin or its equivalent and a drag bar moved by
the coin interposed between the same and the sliding bar, and effecting the
opening of the valve substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
drawings.

page_text: 4. The general construction arrangement or combination of parts of an apparatus
for supplying gas during a predetermined time for a coin inserted thereinto
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated the Second day of October 1894.
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, and 5, Clayton Square, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.