Improvements in Devices for Recording the Readings of Gas and other Meters.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Apr., 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Recording the Readings of Gas and
other Meters.
We, MILTON WESTON of 728 Washington Boulevard, Chicago and WILLIAM
MARTIN, of 264 South Clark Street, Chicago, and WILLIAM ALBERT SHEPARD,
of 448. West 57th Street, New York, all of the United States of America,
Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN DEVICES FOR RECORDING THE READINGS OF GAS AND OTHER METERS, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
It is customary for the gas companies at stated intervals to send employees to
examine the meters of the users for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of gas
used since the last examination. These employees are required to report the
number of cubic feet of gas that the dials on the face of the meter indicate to have
passed through the meter, but such meters are frequently located in cellars or other
dimly lighted places and many mistakes are made in reporting the amount of gas
that lias passed through the meter, thus causing a great amount of trouble to the
gas company and to the user of the gas.
Our invention has for its object to provide devices for enabling gas companies to
obtain an accurate report of the amount of gas that has passed through each meter
as indicated by the dials and pointers on such meter, which object we accomplish as
illustrated in the drawings, and as hereinafter described. That which we claim as
new will be pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the upper portion of an ordinary gas meter with
our improved pointers and dials attached thereto, and the case surrounding them.
Fig. 2 is a section at line 2--2 of Fig. 1, showing also our improved case which
carries the device for inking the pointers and dials, and the paper for receiving an
impression from such pointers and dials, in position on the gas meter.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the case carrying the inking roller and paper, the
fixed case on the gas meter being in section.
Fig. 4 is a detail showing the groove in one side of the case that covers the dials
and pointers of the gas meter.
Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the case carrying the inking roller and paper.
Fig. 6 is a section at line 5-5 of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a detail of the plate for pressing the paper forward.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail of the lower portion of the device shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of the inking roller and its containing shell.
Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the recording or printing device, the meter being in
ection; and showing the recording device about to be inserted.
Fig. 11 is a vertical section through the recording device on line 2, 2, of
Fig. 12.
Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the recording device.
Fig. 13 is a detail showing the inking device; and
Fig. 14 is a detail showing the dials and pointers adapted to make an impression
upon the paper.
A indicates a gas or fluid meter of the ordinary construction. a are pointers and
dials formed of rubber or other suitable n. terial from which an impression can be
taken after ink has been applied there roller, or otherwise. Above each
dial, and of the same material, are the usual figures, 1000, 10000, 100000, &c., to
indicate the value of the numbers on the dials. The number of the meter is also
to be formed of the same material, and placed adjacent to one of the dials a. It is

page_text: to be understood that the rubber pointers are to be connected with the interior
mechanism, as is usual, so as to indicate the amount of gas consumed.
B is a case formed with or secured to the gas meter in front of and enclosing the
dials and pointers. The side walls of this case are provided with long slots b, as
best shown in Fig. 4, and as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.
C is a door hinged to the front part of the case B, which door covers a glass c,
through which the pointers and dials a can be seen. d is a door hinged to the inner
face of the front wall of the case B, to exclude dust, and other small particles
from settling on the dials a. This door d is held in place by springs d².
D is a case or shell formed of sheet brass or other suitable material, and provided
with suitable handles D'. This case D is to be of a width to adapt it to enter the
case B on the meter.
E is a cylindrical shell journalled in the sides of the case D near their lower
ends. The shell E contains an inking roller and is open at one side for exposing
a portion of the roller as in Figs. 5 and 9.
e e are portions of one face of the case D that are turned in, and form rests for
the edges of the block of paper placed in the case.
G is a plate located below the paper supports e. This plate has formed with it,
or suitably secured thereto, at each end, a depending bracket which is pivoted on
f
the pivots of the ink roller and ink roller case. As shown, the lower ends of these
depending brackets are connected by a cross rod g. The plate G is turned up at
one edge to form a wall for one side of the paper to bear against. As shown,
this wall is so formed as not to come in contact with the face of the dials a when
an impression is being taken upon the paper.
iare narrow wedge shaped strips secured in any suitable manner to the upper
face of the plate G and projecting slightly at their highest point above the surface
of the paper supports e.
jis a small narrow block secured at one end of the ink roller case. k is a spring,
one end of which bears against the block ;, and the other end, as shown, projects
through the plate G, but it may be secured to such plate in any suitable manner.
H represents a block of paper.
I is a thin plate, of suitable size, placed behind the block of paper; and 7 are
suitable springs for forcing the plate I against the paper, as shown in Fig. 6. The
turned in portions e, spring-pressed plate I, and the wall, of the case D, constitute
a paper carrier, but we do not confine ourselves to this particular construction of
paper carrier.
When the case D that carries the inking roller and paper is not in use, the
shell E is to be turned so that its open portion will lie against the face of the
case D, and thus cover up and protect the inking roller. As shown in Figs. 2
and 8, the lower portion of the face of the case D is curved to correspond to the
shape of the cylindrical case E. As shown in Fig. 5, the ends of the cylindrical
shell or case E, at the sides of its open portion, are milled or roughened, to enable
it to be turned down more easily. At the upper edge of the open portion, the
metal of the cylindrical case E is turned up slightly, as shown at m, to form a stop
which comes in contact with the plate G, and thus brings the inking roller F into
proper position. When the inking roller is exposed by turning its cylindrical
shell E into the position shown in the drawings and a block of paper of the right
size is secured in place, as shown in Fig. 6, an impression can be taken from the
dials and pointers a of the gas meter by inserting the case D into the top of the
fixed case B of the meter, and pressing down against the hinged door d to move it
to the position shown in Fig. 2. The projecting ends of the pivots of the
cylindrical case E will enter the open ends of the slots h, and as the pivot ends
pass down to the ends of the slots, the inking roller F will come in contact with
the dials, pointers and numbers, and ink them sufficiently so that an impression can
be taken from them. It will be noticed that the slots bare vertical for about two-
thirds of their distance, or until they are about on a level with the lower edges of
the dials a, and cam-shaped in that they extend from that point and are inclined

page_text: towards the meter. After the pins, or pivot ends n have reached the bottom of the
slots, the block of paper will have reached a point directly opposite the dials and
pointers a, and then by pressing on the handle towards the meter a perfect
impression will be obtained upon the exposed sheet of paper of the dials and
pointers, together with the number of the meter. The case D is then to be with-
drawn by its handle D' from the fixed case B, and the sheet of paper on which the
impression has been taken is to be removed as a record to be turned in to the gas
company, of the amount of gas that has passed through that meter, as indicated by
the dials and pointers.
It will be noticed that the case D is provided on each side at its upper end with
small projections ", which projections bearing against the edges of the upper
portions of the side walls of the fixed case B when the case D is being inserted in
such fixed case, prevents the block of paper from coming in contact with the dials
and pointers until after the inking roller F has completely passed such dials and
pointers. When the projecting portions are at the bottom of the slots b, the
projections o enter the slots, and allow of the paper being pressed against the dials
and pointers to receive an impression.
When inserting a block or a number of sheets of paper in position for use, or
when withdrawing the sheet on which an impression has been made, the rod g is to
be pushed back which turns the depending brackets on their pivots, and of course
moves the plate G, enabling the paper to be inserted or withdrawn more easily over
the edge of the vertical portion of the plate G. When this has been accomplished,
and the pressure released from the rod g, the spring & acts to return the plate G to
its former position against the paper in the case. When the plate G is moved as
just described by pressing on the rod g, the wedge shaped pieces i move the lower
edges of the sheets of paper towards the vertical wall portion h, and this movement,
in connection with the action of the springs moves the paper evenly so that a
smooth surface will be presented to receive an impression from the dials and
pointers.
By the use of our improved devices, a gas company can be certain of receiving a
correct record of the amount of gas that has been consumed by each user, and can
also be furnished with satisfactory proof that every one of its gas meters has been
visited by its employees, and can also have a record that cannot be disputed in the
paper that is turned in with the impression of the dials, pointers and number of the
meter, to show to users of gas in case such users claim that they are being charged
for more gas than they have used.
As the case D is withdrawn from the fixed case B, the springs will close the
door d and thus effectually prevent the admission of dust or other small particles
which might adhere to the freshly inked face of the dials and cause an imperfect
impression when the case D was again inserted in the fixed case B.
As one end of the spring k bears against the edge of the block; which is fast on
the journal of the cylindrical case E, such spring will act to hold the case E and
its inking roller in position for use, and will also hold the case E when it has been
rotated so as to bring its side opening around opposite the curved wall of the
case D.
It is apparent that our devices, although primarily designed for use with gas
meters, may be used with other meters.
It will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 4 that the vertical edges p of
the upper portions of the side walls of the fixed case B are in a different plane from
the vertical portions of the slots in such side walls; and as the projections will
continue to bear against the vertical edges p until the projections n have reached
the bottoms of the inclined portions of the slots b, the paper H will be held away
from the pointers and dials until the projections o pass from the edges p and are
pushed forward into the upper end of the slots b.
A modified construction of certain parts of the apparatus may be as follows:
The meters A may vary in size and capacity but where the record is to be made

page_text: by a single recording device the case B should be of the same size on all sizes of
meters. However, if desired, different sized cases B. may be used which will
necessitate different sized recording devices, as will hereinafter appear.
1 indicates an inking roll which is provided with journals 2, as best shown in
Fig. 13. These journals 2 are mounted in spring arms 3; as shown 'in. Fig. 13,
which spring-arms are secured to a shell 4, in such position that they will act to
press the inking roller 1 towards the front of the recording devices when the shell-4
is rotated into operative position.
The shell 4 is pivoted in the frame 5 on two journals 6 and it is provided with a
return-spring which acts to normally keep it in the position shown in Fig. 11.
The shell 4 has a pin 7 which projects through the frame 5, in such position that it
can be engaged by a projecting edge 8, Fig. 10 within the case B of each meter A.
The frame 5 is provided with a recess 9 adapted to receive the pin 7 when the
shell 4 is rotated into operative position, as hereinafter set forth.
10 indicates an operating handle which is provided with a bail 11 which extends
downwardly through the frame 5. To the bail 11 on each side is pivoted an elbow-
lever 12, each of which is pivoted to the frame upon a pivot 13, as best shown
in Fig. 11.
Upon the lower arms of the elbow levers 12 is secured a platen 14 upon
which the cords or slips of paper 15, to receive the impressions are placed in a
pack or bunch.
The cords or slips of paper 15 are held in position upon the platen 14 by means
of a spring 16 whose ends are coiled around a rod 17 secured in the upper part of
the frame 5. The tension of this spring 16 is sufficient to hold the papers upon
the platen 15. This spring 16 is preferably bent in the form shown in Fig. 12, so
that it will securely hold the paper near the points at which the impressions are
made. The form of the spring, however, may be varied somewhat.
18 indicates one or more rods, preferably located in a vertical position upon the
outside of the frame 5. We have shown two rods 18, as for many reasons two are
preferable to one, but in some cases a single rod might be used. Each rod 18 is
provided with a bent end which forms a latch 19, and the frame 5 is slotted to
permit the passage of this latch, as best shown in Figs. 10 and 11.
The elbow levers 14 are provided with a catch 20, one for each latch 19 arranged
in such position that it will be engaged by the latch when the platen is returned to
the inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 11. The rod 18 is provided with a
spring 22 which acts to normally press the rod downward and, therefore, to keep
the latch 19 in engagement with the catch 20.
The case B may be provided, if desired, with a spring cover 23, as shown in
Fig. 10.
The person making the records of the meters carries the recording device' with
him. A number of cords or slips of paper 15 are placed upon the platen 14 and
are then held there by the spring 16. The person making the record proceeds to
the several meters in succession and at each meter inserts the recording device after
raising the lid 23, if such lid is used. Prior to the time of inserting the recording
device into the case B of each meter, the operative parts of said recording device
normally occupy the position shown in Fig. 11.
As the recording device is inserted into the case B, the pin 7 upon the shell 4
will engage the upper portion of the edge 8 and cause the shell 4 to rock on its
journals 6 to expose the inking roller 1 as shown in Fig. 12.
The further insertion of the recording device will cause the pin 7 to swing
backward into the recess 9 in the frame 5, thereby permitting the recording device
to readily descend into the case B. The rocking of the shell 4 brings an open side,
indicated at 24, Fig. 11, to the front of the recording device, and thereby brings
the inking roller 1 into such position that, as the recording device passes downward
the inking roller 1 will ink the recording disks and points 25 of the gas-meter A,
thereby fitting them for making an impression or récord as hereinafter set forth.

page_text: The further insertion of the recording device will cause the ends of the rod or
rods 18 to engage with the bottom of the case B, thereby lifting such rods against
their springs 22 and releasing the latches 19 from the catches 20.
When the latches are thus released from the catches 20, the platen 14 is free to
be swung forward and the operator by continuing to push downward upon the
handle 10 will cause the elbow-levers 12 to swing, thereby forcing the platen 14
forward towards the recording disks and pointers 25 of the meter A. This
operation will cause the pointers and dials 25, which have been inked by the
roller 1, to make an impression upon the slips of paper 15 carried by the platen 14.
The operator then lifts upward upon the handle 10 which will cause the lower arms
of the bell-crank levers 12 to swing backwardly carrying the platen backward from
the recording disks or pointers 25.
The spring 16 will assist in swinging the platen 14 backward and ensure the
removal of the slip of paper which has received the impression from the recording
dials and pointers before commencement of the removal of the recording device
from the case B.
When the platen 14 has returned to its inoperative position, the latches 19 will
engage with the catches 20, thereby locking it in such position, and further upward
movement of the handle 10 will draw the recording device from the case B.
After the recording device has been removed from the case, and the pin 7 is
removed from contact with the edge 8, the shell 4 will be returned to the position
shown in Fig. 11 by means of its return spring 26.
The inking roller 1 will thereby be covered or concealed, so that the recording
device can be readily carried by the operator without danger of soiling from the
inking roller. The operator then removes the slip of paper 15, which has received
the impression, and the device is ready to be used in making the record of .a
succeeding meter.
The top slip of paper having the impression may be readily withdrawn from
beneath the spring 16, but in case the tension of the spring 16 is comparatively
great, then the spring 16 may be slightly lifted.
The device for operating the latches 19 may be varied. The essential feature is
that the platen be held in inoperative position by a latch which will be released by
engagement with the case or some part projecting from the meter A, when the
recording device is inserted in position for making the record.
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 combination with a gas meter having indicating mechanism constructed to
be inked, of a case connected with the meter in front of the indicating mechanism,
a device movable into and out of the said attached case and provided with a paper
carrier, and means whereby the paper is moved to receive an impression of the
inked indicating mechanism when said device is inserted into the attached case,
substantially as described.
2. The combination with a gas meter having indicating devices constructed to he
inked, of a paper carrier, and means whereby the paper is pressed upon the inked
indicating devices to make an impression thereof upon such paper and thereby
record the quantity of gas registered by the meter, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a gas meter and numeral dials and indicators which
register the quantity of gas flowing through the meter, of a paper carrier, and
devices for pressing the paper against the dials to impress the position of the dial
numerals and pointers on the paper and record the quantity of gas registered by
the meter, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a gas meter, of an attached case inclosing the dials and
pointers and provided with grooves for pressing a paper and ink-roller-carrying-
case towards the dials and pointers for impressing them upon paper, substantially
as described.

page_text: 5. The combination with a gas meter, of an attached case inclosing the dials and
pointers and having cam-shaped grooves, of a paper-carrying case provided with
an inking device and means to engage the grooves, whereby the case is pressed
towards the dials and pointers when inserted into the attached case, substantially as
described.
6. The case D, having its upper portion formed to receive one or more sheets of
paper, in combination with a spring actuated plate for bearing against the paper,
and an inking roller secured beneath the paper receptacle, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
7. The case D having its upper portion formed to receive one or more sheets of
paper, in combination with the pivoted shell E and inking roller F, the shell E being
open on one side, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
8. A case adapted to receive and hold one or more sheets of paper, in combina-
tion with an inking device attached to such case, and a movable plate G, having a
vertical portion h, which forms one wall of the paper receptacle, substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
9. A case adapted to receive and hold one or more sheets of paper, in combina-
tion with an inking device attached to such case, a movable plate G having a
vertical portion, which forms one wall of the paper receptacle, and inclined
strips i, secured to the plate G, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
10. A case adapted to receive and hold one or more sheets of paper, in combina-
tion with an inking device attached to such case, the movable plate G and a spring
for keeping such plate G in its normal position, substantially as specified.
11. A case adapted to contain paper and provided with guide projections n, o,
and an inking device, in combination with a slotted case B, substantially as
described.
12. A device to be temporarily applied for obtaining a copy of the readings' of
gas meters, consisting of a frame having a movable paper-carrying platen, and
means for moving the platen in the frame to cause it to receive an impression of the
state of the meter when the frame is held in front of the latter, substantially as
described.
13. The combination with a gas meter having a case in front of the indicating
devices or register, of a frame movable into and out of said case and having a
movable paper carrying platen, and means for moving the platen when the frame
is inserted into the case to cause the paper to receive an impression of the indicating
devices or register, substantially as described.
14. The combination with a frame 5 adapted to be held in front of recording
disks of a gas meter, of a movable platen adapted to carry slips of paper for
receiving the impression, and a spring for holding said papers in position and
returning the platen to inoperative position, substantially as specified.
15. The combination with a frame adapted to be held in front of recording disks
of a gas meter, of a movable platen, devices for positively moving said platen, a
latch adapted to hold said platen in inoperative position, and to release said platen
when the frame is brought into recording position, substantially as specified.
16. The combination with a frame 5, elbow levers 12 pivoted on said frame 5,
handle 10, bail 11 connected with said elbow levers, and a platen 14 adapted to
support slips of paper and supported upon said elbow-levers, of catches 20,
latches 19, rods 18, and spring 22, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
17. The combination with the gas meter having dials and pointers adapted to be
inked, of a device for recording amounts indicated by the dials and pointers, a shell
containing an inking roller and mounted upon journals in said recording device, a
pin 7 on said shell, and an edge 8 on a meter adapted to be engaged by said pin 7,
substantially as specified.