An Improvement in or relating to Coin Freed Electrical Meters.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in or relating to Coin Freed Electrical Meters.
I, FREDERICK JOHN BEAUMONT, of 345, Wightman Road, Hornsey, Middlesex,
Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention has for object, to lower the strength of the electric current in
electrical coin freed meters a short time before the final cut off of the current, so
that the user may know that the current value of the coins is being exhausted...
For the purpose of my invention, I arrange a resistance to or in connection
with the main or supply wire or wires, and by a suitable appliance operable by
the usual meter mechanism, the main circuit becomes broken for the current to
pass through the resistance and so reduce the light to give warning that a fresh
coin or coins mnst be inserted into the meter to effect a continuation of the desired
or full strength of the current, the contact with the main being then re-established
mechanically.
Dated this 26th day of my 1837
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Frederick John Beaumont,
An Improvement in or relating
I, FREDERICK JOHN BEAUMONT, of 345, Wightman Road, Hornsey, Middlesex,
Electrical 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 :-
This invention has for object, to lower the strength of the electric current in
electrical coin freed meters a short time before the final cut off of the current, so
that the user may know that the current value of the coins is being exhausted.
For the purpose of my invention, I arrange a resistance to or in connection
with the main or supply wire or wires, and by a suitable appliance operable by
the usual meter mechanism, the main circuit becomes broken for the current to
pass through the resistance and so reduce the light to give warning that a fresh.
coin or coins must be inserted into the meter to effect a continuation of the desired
or full strength of the current, the contact with the main being then re-established
mechanically

page_text: My invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the annexed draw-
ings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the meter. Figure 2 plan of the
same. While diagrams No. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate the electrical connections and
method of operation.
According to the figures, I arrange a face notched disc A in conjunction with a
coin receiving pocket B as part of the lever C movable by the hand knob D, so
that those parts can be moved together on a pre-determined coin E being inserted.
The disc A is on a shaft F of screw G having a pinion H in gear, so that it is
caused to rotate when the screw G is turned and travel towards the front of the
casing I, the pinion H simply travelling over the screw portion J of a second
shaft K with which it is also in gear, said screw J and shaft K being for the time
stationary. The distance the pinion H travels is determined by the number of the
coins inserted, each coin in succession being discharged into the money till L. by
reason of the pocket striking against a stop M at the bottom, or at some other
part of the casing N in which the pocket has motion.
The travel of the pinion H, as just explained, draws the bar P on which it is
carried with it, and by its rack Q a small wheel R is rotated, so that a finger or
pointer Sin the front of a dial plate will show the number of coins inserted.
As indicating a method by which my invention can be carried out, I have shown
a compound lever arrangement but any simple mechanical device may be used so
long as the hereinafter peculiar feature of my invention is attained.
For instance in Figures 1 and 2, a represents any known electric meter, the
circuit wires being connected in the ordinary way to terminals b, b. W, is a
switch in series with the main circuit, and its broad end is adapted to move_over
two contacts c, c¹. One terminal c is connected to one end of a resistance d, the
other end being connected to the main circuit leading from the terminal c¹. Now
before the insertion of a coin the switch is in the position indicated in Figure 2 and
diagram No. 1, the circuit being open and no lights obtainable in the main circuit.
After the insertion of a coin, the mechanical parts comprised by the worms and
pinions, and levers T and U are pulled over; and the end U¹ of this lever U pushes
the switch relatively into the position shown in Diagram No. 2, in which it will be
seen that said switch is in electrical contact with the terminal c¹, and the current
may uninterruptedly flow to the main circuit, as shown by the arrows, and will con-
tinue to do so until by the rotation of one of the worms by the action of the
electrical meter a with which it is mechanically connected has returned the lever T
to allow the switch W to move gradually back to its original position as the light
is being used, this will continue till such time as value has been given for money,
when the switch will be moved to the position indicated in Diagram No. 3, where
it will be seen that said switch is no longer in contact with the terminal c¹ but is in
electrical connection with the resistance terminal c from which it follows that as
the current must flow through the resistance, a reduction of the light will take place
and give warning that if more light is required, another coin or coins must be
inserted, if on the other hand no coins are inserted, the switch will move to its
original position in Diagram 1, and the light will go out by reason of the circuit
being opened.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The improvement in or relating to coin freed electrical meters as herein set
forth and consisting of two screw and pinion arrangement by which on receipt of
coin, one screw and pinion can by lever appliances be caused to move mechanically
close electric circuit and for the said current to operate the other screw and same
pinion for moving a lever over a resistance to lower the light and to finally cut off
the current.
2. The hereinbefore combination of appliances affixable in or to an ordinary
electric current measurer or quantity indicator by which after receipt of pre-
determined coin or coins, the electric current is mechanically closed and as the value
זי,

page_text: of lighting agency is being expended in return, the light by same mechanical
appliances can be lowered and finally cut off.
3. The improvements in or relating to coin freed electrical meters as herein set
forth and consisting of reciprocating motion appliances in combination with a
5 resistance for lowering the potential in the house service for the purpose of giving
warning, in coin freed electrical meters.
Dated this 40th day of May Toy0.
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said F. J. Beaumont.