Improvements in Coin-controlled Vending Attachments for Gas + Meters..
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Feb., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 6th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1900
Date of Application, on rep., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 6th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coin-controlled Vending Attachments for Gas
+
Meters..
I, LEWIS SAYRE BURCHARD, of 6, Wall Street, in the Borough of Manhattan,
of the City of New York, in the County and State of New York, United States of
America, Counsellor-at-Law, temporarily residing at 33, Clarges Street, Picca-
dilly, in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
(a communication to me by Wesley Webber, of 6, Wall Street, Manhattan, New
York, Engineer), to be as follows -
The apparatus is connected to the usual inlet pipe of the meter by a pipe
coupling which is attached to the back plate of the casing which encloses the
mechanism and which is provided with a valve for tuining on and turning off
the flow of gas.
The rod or stem which operates the valve projects a suitable
distance through the back plate, through a stuffing-box or gas-tight gasket,
into the interior of the casing Inside of the casing is secured to said iod or
stem a projection or arm which reaches into the path of rotation of a valve-
closing stud. A counterweight applied to said projection or arm, and arranged
to operate through a prescribed or limited arc, acts to retain the valve in open
position when set to that position by the operation of a cam adjacent to the said
valve-closing stud. A sping or a friction device may be used in place of the
said counter-weight.
"
"
The said valve-closing stud is carried next to the back plate of the casing on
a spindle or shaft. This spindle or shaft projects to the front of an index or
dial where it is provided with a hand or pointer to indicate on the dial at its
zero point the closed position of the valve and at other points from time to
time the amount of gas prepurchased by the customer and yet unconsumed and
standing to his credit or its equivalent in money. On said spindle or shaft is
also secured a ratchet wheel, a part of whose periphery is toothed and a smaller
part left blank, the blank portion serving to prevent the further operation of
the apparatus in case more coins should be inserted at one time than the apparatus
is constructed to receive Connected to and operating with said ratchet wheel
is a disc having equidistant recesses cut in its edge The distance between these
recesses represents the fraction of a revolution (.e the number of degrees of arc
of rotation) of the valve-closing stud purchased by the insertion of a coin proper
to the machine. The metal between adjacent recesses is cut to form two radial
shoulders approximating, say an eighth of an inch in radial length, so that each
recess lies between two oppositely-facing shoulders. Between each pair of
recesses the metal projecting to a greater radial distance than the shoulders is
tapered to a radial line drawn midway between said recesses, thus forming two
oppositely-facing cams. These cams, shoulders and recesses, in connection with
a double-acting arm, serve to justify each purchase of gas and to lock the valve-
closing stud with the delivery wheel. The said double arm is pivoted to the
delivery wheel, which is mounted loosely on the spindle or shaft, and is pro-

page_text: Α'
vided with pins which project into the plane of the recessed justifying disc
spring is applied to the double arm which holds one of the pins of said double
arm pressed down into one of the recesses in the disc and holds the other pin
out of engagement with said disc. The distance between the said pins bears
such relation to complemental cams in the disc that, when one cam is pressed
past one pin, pushing it radially outward, the opposite pin will enter between
two other cams and prevent the disc from rotation except just enough to allow
the first-named cam to pass its pin.
The delivery wheel is provided at its periphery with a number of teeth which
is a multiple of the number of recesses in the disc and meshes with a worm
on a counter-shaft. This counter-shaft is provided with a gear wheel which is
rotated by the power of the meter.
In the attic of the meter, (if it be a dry meter), is journalled a shaft which
projects through a stuffing-box in the wall or casing of the meter into the casing
of the apparatus. On this shaft, within the meter, is secured a ratchet wheel,
the number of whose teeth bears a relation to the amount of gas measured out
by each revolution of the meter. A lever is pivoted above the ratchet wheel
which lever is provided with a pawl to engage with the teeth on the upper side of the
ratchet wheel, and with another pawl to engage with the teeth on the lower side
of the ratchet wheel. Thus both pawls operate in the same direction, one on a
long and the other on a short arc. The said lever is reciprocated from one of the
flags of the meter by an arm connected to the flag and a rod connecting said arm
to the lever The end of said shaft which projects out of the meter and into the
casing of the apparatus operates a train of gearing, to communicate motion to
the gear wheel on the above mentioned counter-shaft. One of the wheels of said
train is removable and interchangeable, to provide for gearing up or down, as
the case may be, to meet variations in the price of gas.
Instead of employing a shaft arranged to be rotated as just described, I may
employ a rod reciprocated through a stuffing-box in the wall of the meter, and
omit the said train of gearing, counter-shaft and worm, and put a swinging
pawl-carrying lever inside of the casing, and apply it to advance step by step
a ratchet wheel, whose teeth represent the number of feet of gas to be delivered
for one coin proper to the machine, one revolution of this wheel representing the
passage through the meter of one coin's equivalent in gas. This coin's-equiva-
lent wheel is provided with a pinion meshing with the delivery wheel already
described, the pinion having as many teeth as on the delivery wheel correspond
to the distance between two adjacent recesses in the justifying disc In this
construction, the "two-foot shaft" of the usual meter index is provided with a
gear wheel which may mesh with a smaller wheel having an off-centre wrist-pin
connected to the rod by a connecting-rod. The said smaller gear-wheel is held
in mesh with the gear-wheel on the two-foot shaft by a frame applied loosely to
the two-foot shaft, so that the frame and connecting-rod will be self-adjusting
to the line of thrust or reciprocation.
,
The coin is inserted through a slot of the proper size in the casing, and through
a second aligned slot inside of the casing into a barrel adapted to be rotated by
an outside handle. A pawl and ratchet prevent backward rotation of the barrel.
The coin barrel has a slot extending through it slightly larger than a coin proper
to the machine. Next to the coin barrel is fixed a curved plate, the lower edge
of which forms a ledge to support the coin when first dropped into the barrel
through the fixed aligned slots described, in such a manner that the upper edge
of the coin does not protrude from the barrel. The said curved plate is eccentric
to the coin barrel, its eccentricity diminishing from the lower part of the plate
to the upper, so that as the barrel is revolved with a proper coin in it, the said
curved plate will act as a cam to gradually force the opposite edge of the coin
transversely outward through the slot in the coin-barrel. In close proximity
to the upper side of the coin barrel is secured a bar or plate which permits the
barrel and the coin therein contained (which at this point of its rotation does

page_text: not project its edge) to turn beneath it, but fits so closely that no thin strip of
metal, string or other substance can be interposed in any effort to fraudulently
operate the apparatus. If desired its lower edge may be serrated to mesh closely
with complemental corrugations cut around the coin bariel. Adjacent to the
lower side of the bariel is secured another bai or plate, against which the coin
will strike after completing half a revolution, and prevent further rotation of the
barrel until the coin is allowed to fall into the till at the bottom of the casing.
At the time the coin is forced partially out of the barrel by the said curved plate,
the projecting edge of the coin, if of the proper size as above mentioned, impinges
upon a projection or tail-piece of a pawl which is pivoted on a movable bar acted
upon by a spring. The said bar is arranged to hold the pawl so that, upon the
movement of the bar by the spring, after the coin has rotated with the barrel has
compressed the sping and passed off from the said projection or tail-piece, the
pawl will engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel which is secured to the main
shaft or spindle, as previously described The spring which operates the bar
serves also to operate the pawl for engaging it with the ratchet wheel. This spring
also disengages the pawl from the ratchet wheel by causing a curved finger on the
pawl to strike against a pin or fixed projection. Thus, when the valve is closed,
the action of the first coin inserted, and the pawl and spring-operated bar, is to
set forward the ratchet wheel attached to the spindle, the valve-opening cam,
the valve-closing stud, and the recessed justifying disc a distance equal to the
distance between two adjacent recesses on the disc, and thus open the valve.
The insertion of each subsequent coin causes a corresponding step of advance in
the rotation of the spindle and its affixed parts until the blank portion of the
ratchet wheel is presented to the pawl, when the pointer on the dial will indicate
that no more coins are to be inserted, and if thereafter more coins should be
inserted, the pawl moves inoperatively as to the ratchet wheel. The action of
the meter is to return the delivery wheel and, through it, the recessed justifying
disc, the spindle and its attached parts, until the valve-closing stud closes the
valve and cuts off the flow of gas.
The valve-stem is provided inside of the gas-way or valve-chamber of the coupl-
ing with a finger which passes through an opening in a rod to which the valve
disc is secured and operates to positively open and positively close the valve..
The said rod and disc are centred so that when the valve is closed the disc is
drawn into contact with an annular seat surrounding the gas-way.
My invention is applicable to wet gas meters, and to meters for measuring
liquids by connecting the first wheel of the counting train to a wheel or shaft
of the counting device of such meters; and it is also applicable to such electri-
city meters as rotate a shaft or wheel of an index or counting train, in such
latter case the valve being dispensed with, and the valve spindle being employed
to open and close a suitable enclosed switch.
Improvements in Coin-controlled Vending Attachments for Gas
Meters.
I, LEWIS SAYRE BURCHARD, of 6, Wall Street, m the Borough of Manhattan.
of the City of New York, in the County and State of New York, United States of
America, Counsellor-at-Law, do hereby declare the nature of this invention

page_text: (a communication to me by Wesley Webber, of 6, Wall Street, Manhattan,
New York, Engineer), and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
"
دو
My invention relates to improvements in coin-controlled gas-vending apparatus
and consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts, all as
hereinafter descubed and claimed. The practical object of my invention is to
provide a machine which can be aflixed complete to existing meters of various
inakes and sizes with a minimum of labour, alteration and expense. With this
intention, the valve controlling the supply of gas to the meter is connected to,
and forms part of, my machine rather than of the meter proper. This valve 18
opened by a certain portion or division of the machine which, except for the
time when a coin proper to the machine is inserted in it and employed as the
ward of a key, is operative as to all other parts of the machine. If the power
of the purchaser's hand were allowed to open the valve positively and directly,
it would be possible for a purchaser to open the valve partially and, by then hold-
ing the handle in that position, obtain an indefinite supply of gas. Hence I
only allow the power of the purchaser's hand, operating through the coin, to
compress and release a spring in such fashion that the purchaser must part
arrevocably with his control of the coin before the spring can act to open the
valve Without the inserted coin, the purchaser cannot compress the spring.
Till he parts with the coin, the sping cannot act to open the valve and set the
valve-closing part a certain distance away from its zero or valve-closed posi-
tion. Each subsequent coin inserted and rotated by the purchaser, while having
no effect upon the valve, serves to cause the spring to set this valve-closing part
another prescribed step or distance from zelo. This step by step recession of the
valve-closing part, 2.e. its path of movement in the valve-opening direction, is
in the arc of a circle, and 18 effected by causing the spring to
deliver tangential blows against the penphery of a circular toothed
rack by means of a pivoted pawl which is projected into and withdrawn
from engagement with the said rack by the said spring acting on the pawl through
cams The 1ack and the valve-closing part are fixed to the same shaft and move
together. Attached also to this shaft is a justifying disc which is divided into
equidistant recesses, each coresponding exactly to the step or arc of rotation
intended to be given to the valve-closing part by each coin inserted. For in-
stance, if it is intended that one com shall remove the valve-closing part one-tenth
of a circle, (360) from zero, this disc will have ten teeth, if one-twelfth, (30°,)
twelve teeth, and so on. It is now evident that if the steps are tenths, and ten
coins should be successively inserted at one time, the valve-closing part would be
10tated completely around against the wrong side of its complemental part (the
valve-closing lever) and would act to close the valve or disarrange the mechanism
and the parts would be in the zero position again. To prevent this, a portion of
the periphery of the toothed rack is left blank or mutilated of teeth so that if
more, say, than eight coins be inserted at one time, the pawl becomes inopera-
tive as to the rack and the coms drop idly into the till without forcing or injuring
the machine.
The first mentioned portion of the machine, vz., that in which the coin acts as
a gag or temporary mechanical part, is provided with various features specially
devised and arranged to prevent improper or fraudulent use of the machine, e.g.,
the use of too large or too small a coin, of coms on strings, wires, tapes, strips,
ctc, waxing, sticking or wedging them in the co-carrier so as to prevent their
discharge, inserting strips of metal through the slot, etc.
I have now indicated the valve-opening movement, ic., the movement from
zero. In this movement, three parts participate; the valve-closer, the rack,
and the justifying disc. These parts may also be moved in the contrary or valve-
closing direction by means of a train of gearing driven by mechanical connection
with a moving part of the usual mechanism of the meter proper. This train

page_text: moves only, in one direction and synchronously with the meter and serves to move
the valve-closing part gradually towards its complemental lever When these
meet, the valve is positively drawn to its seat and the supply of gas is so gradually
cut off as to give ample warning
While gas is passing through the nieter, this entire train, from the meter
mechanism to the valve-closing part, is moving in one direction, and, except
the three parts mentioned, it can move in that direction only. The three parts
mentioned, when impelled from time to time by the spring as coins are inserted,
move in a contrary direction to the rest of the train. It will, therefore, be seen
that the mechanical connection between the train and these three parts can not
be fixed and permanent but must be shifting and adjustable to permit this step
by step retrograde movement, so that while the meter impelled train is con-
stantly moving the valve-closing part toward zero, the coin-actuated spring
may from time to time readjust the connection so as to give the train a new task
to perform. This is effected at the point where the last wheel of the train con-
nects with, and moves, the justifying disc and with it the rack and valve-closer.
This last wheel of the train which I term the "delivery-wheel" has a number
of teeth which is a multiple of the number of recesses in the justifying disc. For
example, with ten recesses in the disc there may be 50 teeth in the delivery-
wheel, and each five would extend through 36 degrees of the wheel's circumference
and represent the equivalent in train movement, ie, in gas passed through the
meter, of one coin inserted in the machine. This wheel is loosely mounted on
the same shaft to which are fastened the three parts mentioned and is connected
with the justifying disc by a spring-pressed pin which normally rests in one of
the recesses of the disc and is mounted on one arm of a bell-crank lever pivoted
on the delivery wheel. On the other aim of this bell-ciank lever is a similar
pin which is normally out of engagement with the disc The disc is shaped
something like a star, so that when it is forcibly set back by the blow of the
spring impelled pawl on the rack one of its rays forces out the first-described
pin and passes under it and the disc is shitted with respect to the wheel, so that
the pin rests in a new recess which is one step of, say, 36 degrees further from
As the first pin is pressed outward from the centre of the disc, the other
pin rocks into another of the recesses on the disc and checks it from moving
farther, so that the bell-crank and its pins act like an anchor escapement and
prevent the momentum of the impulse forcing more than one ray of the star
under the pin at a time As the first-mentioned pin settles down into the bottom
of its new recess, it justifies the new position of the disc, rack, and valve-closer
at a point exactly one-tenth, 36 degrees. (for instance) of a circle, further away
from zero than where they stood at the instant before the coin was inserted
return the parts through this distance, the prescribed number of teeth, (5, for
instance,) on the delivery wheel must be turned out by the train, which means
a predetermined number of revolutions of each wheel in the train, which requires
exactly one coin's equivalent in gas to be passed through the meter.
zero
To
The train includes provision for one or more removable and interchangeable
gear-wheels so as to meet changes in the price of gas, and provision for shifting
one or more centres to accommodate such change-gear and is actuated from the
meter mechanism by any one of several modes of transmission hereinafter
described the desired feature being that, inasmuch as the shafts of both the
meter and the vending machine are journalled in fixed bearings and as it would
cost much time and labour to align nicely a transmission shaft from one mechanism
to the other, this transmission must be so planned and constructed as to be cheaply
and easily adjustable to various sizes and patterns of meters. For instance, I
slip on the 2-foot shaft," or proving-head-shaft, of the ordinary dry meter a
loosely-fitting frame and, between the arms of this frame, a tubular boss which
is passed over the same shaft and fastened thereto by a set-screw at the proper
distance from the front to align with a stuffing-box, or gland, which I insert in
the side of the meter. This boss is provided with either a worm or a gear-wheel.
**

page_text: The loose frame carries a journal for a countershaft on the end of which within
the frame is mounted a gear-wheel which meshes either with the worm or with,
and at night angles to, the first mentioned gear-wheel. This countershaft may
now take off from the shaft at any angle to the horizontal but will always be at
light angles to the shaft, .e., it is held by the frame constantly in a plane pet-
pendicular to the shaft. In the stuthng-box in the side of the meter is a short
Shaft whose outer end carries one wheel of the counting-off train of the vending
mechanism and whose inner end is connected to the outer end of the countershaft
by a universal joint. Hence, the countershaft and the shaft in the stufhng-box
need not align in order to transmit motion from the 2-foot shaft to the train.
Varying horizontal distances between the 2-foot shaft and the stuffing-box shaft
are taken up by telescoping the outer end of the counter shaft into the inner end
of the universal joint where it is fixed by a set screw Similarly, the inner end
of the shaft in the stuffing-box telescopes into and is set-screwed in the outer end
of the universal joint. The play of the universal joint takes up the varying
vertical distances between the centre of the shaft in the stuffing-box and the
centre of the worm-wheel below the 2-foot shaft on between said shaft and the
centre of the counter-gear wheel, or right angle gear wheel, whichever of the
two may be journalled in the loosely swinging frame
The valve is a disc suitably cushioned and faced and guided to rise and fall
in a true vertical plane by upper and lower guides in the gas-way, and seat itself
on an annular seat in the gas-way. Its lower end is loosely engaged with the
end of a radial aim which is fixed to a shaft passing through a stuffing-box into the
vending mechanism where its forward end is provided with a counter-weighted
lever. The tendency of the counter-weight is to hold the valve open The valve-
closing part above described is in the torm of a projection carried on a radial
aim or a disc fixed to the main shaft. As this projection is rotated by the
power of the meter, it comes into contact with this lever and draws the valve to
its seat When a com is inserted, the spring, on being released, dives this pio-
jection away from the lever and a shoulder or cam on the same arm or disc assists
the counter-weight in raising the valve. The counter-weight serves to hold it
open and this holding open may be reinforced and assured by the circular
periphery of the disc. If the valve should leak when closed the valve-closing
projection will abut against the counter-weighted valve-closing level and can
move no more in that direction If the train still continues moving as the leaked
gas passes through the meter, the delivery wheel will carry its bell-crank lever
and the engaged pin thereon over the crest of a ray on the justifying disc into a
new recess. This acts like a mechanical safety valve and so no parts are broken.
The main-shaft, which carries fixed on it the valve-closing arm or disc, the rack,
and the justifying disc and loosely mounted on it the delivery-wheel, has fixed
upon its forwardly-projecting end a hand or pointer which rotates in front of a
dial.
The coin-barrel is a cylinder of less diameter than a coin proper to the machine
and has a diametrical slot whose length exceeds the diameter of such a coin.
Partially surrounding it is a flange which is eccentric to the axis of the cylinder.
The coin drops through the cylinder upon this flange at its point of greatest
eccentricity so that the upper edge of the com does not protrude Snug against
the cylinder is a guard plate or screen or bar. After the cylinder has been rotated
sufhciently to make the slot pass this guard, which would not allow a string or
the like to pass, the edge of the coin is caused to protiude more and more as
its other edge rides up the lessening eccentricity of the flange till the protruding
edge extends to and overlaps a projection on a sliding bar which bar is normally
held up by a spring. The continued rotation of the barrel causes the protiuded
edge of the coin to compress this spring and then to slip off the projection and
let the spring and bar fly up again. In doing this a pivoted pawl on the bar
strikes a tangential blow to the toothed rack already described and sets the rack,
the valve-closing projection, and the justifying disc one step of, say, 36 degrees

page_text: "
away from the " zero or valve-closed position, or, if the valve is already open,
36 degrees further in the same direction, all as described and to be described.
In the accompanying drawings,―
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a coin-controlled gas-vending machine con-
structed according to the invention, the said machine being shewn affixed to a
meter, a portion of the latter being shown as broken away, and the cover of the
box being lifted open:
Figure 2 is a detail view in side elevation of one means for transmitting the
motion of the meter to the coin-controlled mechanism:
Figure 3 is a plan view of a part of the coin-controlled mechanism, the back
plate of the box or casing, and the gas coupling with its valve:
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the same mechanism with the casing, dial,
and dial-bearing plate removed, showing the parts in the position they assume
when beginning to close the valve:
Figure 5 is a detailed view of the delivery wheel:
Figure 6 shows (a) the valve opening and closing device; (b) a rear view of
the notched rack or purchasing wheel; and (e) the justifying disc, respectively:
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of the gas coupling and valve, the section
being taken on the line - Figure 3:
Figure 8 is a reproduction of Figure 4, showing the parts in the position they
assume after the insertion and complete operation of the first coin, and just after
the insertion and during the operation of the second coin:
Figure 9 is a side elevation of one arrangement of the train of gearing which
transmits motion from the devices shewn in Figures 2, 15 and 18. to the delivery-
wheel:
Figure 10 is a rear elevation of the dial-bearing plate and the partial eccentric
casing for the coin-barrel; showing in broken lines two successive positions of
the coin in the coin-barrel :
Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of modified mechanism for transmitting
motion from the meter to the coin-controlled mechanism :
Figure 12 is a like view of another modification of the transmitting mechanism:
Figure 13 is a detail end view or elevation of the cam or spiral hoop gear
employed in the modification illustrated in Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view, partially in section and partially in perspec-
tive, of the valve and means for opening and closing the same:
Figure 15 is a plan view of the attic of a dry meter with the top removed.
showing another modification of the mechanism for transmitting motion from the
mechanism of the meter to that of the vending machine, and, in section, a method
of affixing a stuffing-box in the wall of the meter:
Figure 16 is a detail elevation of the means of transmission shown in Figure 15,
viewed in the direction of the arrow in Figure 15:
Figure 17 is another detail elevation of the same, seen from the front of the
meter, ie, in the direction of the arrow in Figure 16, showing the index shaft
of the meter in section on the dotted line of Figure 16.
Figures 18 and 19 are detail elevations similar to those shewn in Figures 16
and 17, of another modification of means of transmitting motion from the index
shaft of the meter to the vending machine
In the drawings. 2 represents the main body of the box or casing which,
together with the back plate 3. (to which it is secured by lugs and screws inside
the box.) and door or cover 4. (secured by a hasp and padlock), encloses the
coin-controlled mechanism and forms a till or com receptacle: or a till may be
attached below. The casino 2 is attached to the meter 5 by a bolt 6 and nut and
by the gas coupling 7 rigidly attached to the back plate 3, the union 8 of which
gas coupling screws firmly upon the usual gas inlet pipe 9 of the meter.
The
side of the casing opposite the meter is formed with a bay or enlargement 10
fitting over a similar extension in the back plate, at the top of which bay is
formed a coin-slot 12 with which a diametrical slot 13 in the coin-barrel 14 may

page_text: be made to align twice in each revolution of the coin barrel. The slots are slightly
larger than a coin proper to the machine. The coin-barrel is of less diameter
than a coin proper to the machine and is journalled at one end in the back plate 3
dnd at the other in an opening 15 in the dial-bearing plate 16, (see Figures 1
and 10). The said dial-bearing plate is formed or provided with a side exten-
sion 17, which corresponds approximately in shape with the bay 10 of the casing
and the extension in the back plate, and secured hetween the extensions is a
partial inner casing 18 for the coin-barrel. This inner casing is formed beneath
the coin-barrel with a lip or flange 19 which, in connection with the coin, serves
first to prevent the coin barrel from being turned in the wrong direction at the
beginning of the mechanical service of the coin and thus dropping the coin
inoperatively into the till, and second, to prevent the coin in the barrel from
being carried and rotated further after it has once performed its service as
hereinafter described, and to compel its discharge from the barrel into the till
before the barel can be further rotated or a new coin inserted.
The partial casing 18 is eccentric to the coin-barrel, the point of least eccen-
.tricity being at the top so that said eccentric surface will operate to force the coin
edge-wise out from the barrel through the slot 13 as the com-barrel is rotated,
as shown in Figure 10. The point of greatest eccentricity of the partal casing is
below the con-barrel, as shown clearly in Figures 1 and 10, and is of sufficient
depth relative to the diameter of a coin proper to the machine to cause a coin
when dropped through the aligned slots 12 and 13 to stand with its lower edge
on the casing 18 at its point of greatest eccentricity and with its upper edge flush
or below the upper periphery of the coin-barrel at its upper side as shown in
the vertical broken lines in Figure 10, so that the coin at the beginning of its
rotation will pass under the guaid 20 which is by preference adjusted as closely
as possible (without frictional contact) to the coin-barrel, so as to prevent fraudu-
lent operation of the apparatus by the msertion of a strip of metal or wire or a
similar device to move the parts of the mechanism or to retain, or hold on to, the
coin. The proper direction of rotation of the coin-barrel is indicated by the
arrow in Figures 8 and 10 and the barrel is prevented from backward rotation by
a pawl 21 and ratchet 22. but these may be omitted if desired, inasmuch as the
pawl 59 or the shoulder 58 on the bar 52, or both, will over-lie the coin, and
though it lock the coin-barrel from backward rotation effectually in the interval
between the point of purchase and the point of discharge of the coin from the
con-barrel into the till, as hereinafter more fully described, thus preventing
more than one purchase by one coin The coin-barrel 14 is formed at its front
end with a boss 14, which reaches to the front of the dial-carrying plate 16
Across the diameter of the boss is formed a forwardly-projecting flange 14b. In
the door or cover 4 is journalled a diametrically or complementally slotted kev 14°
(Figure 1) provided with a handle 14d, by which the key 14° may be turned for
rotating the coin-barrel 14 and with it the coin when and as held in the slot
thereof by the eccentric flange or partial casing 18
26 represents the main shaft of the coin-controlled mechanism, which reaches
'from a bearing 27, secured to or in the back plate 3, to the front of the dial 28,
where it is provided with a pointer 29 to indicate the amount of money or money's
worth in gas remaining from time to time to the consumer's credit, as represent-
On the shaft 26
ing gas paid for in advance but not yet passed through the meter.
is secured a notched wheel or rack 30, provided with teeth for a portion, for
example, as shown, eight-tenths (8/10) of its periphery, the blank portion serving
to prevent the further operation of the apparatus in case more coins should be
inserted at one time than the apparatus is constructed to receive.
31 (Figures 3. 7, 8 and 14) represents a valve-operating rod, under the control
of the shaft 26, for turning on and cutting off the gas by opening and closing a
valve 32 in the gas coupling As here shown, the valve 32 is provided with a
stem 33, which engages loosely with an arm 34 attached to the valve-operating
rod 31, as shown in Figures 7 and 14, so that when the arm 34 is elevated by the

page_text: partial rotation of the rod 31 the valve will be lifted from its seat 35 and will
admit gas to the meter.
The rotatory rod 31 is fitted gas-tight in a stuffing-box 36, which is inserted
through the back plate 3 and screwed into the adjacent surface of the coupling 7,
and receives adequate rotation from the shaft 26, through a lateral projection 37
on the said rod and a projection 38 rotated by or from the shaft 26.
وو
or
At the " zero point, the projection 38, acting against the projection 37 and
rotated in the direction of the arrow (Figure 4) by the power of the meter trans-
mitted as hereinafter described, draws down and closes the valve 32 and cuts off
the gas. At the time gas is purchased by the insertion of the first coin, the
projection 38 is carried from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown
in Figure 8, and the projection or lever 37 is elevated for turning on the gas by
the counterweight 40, or by the projection, cam, or shoulder 41, or by the action
of both counterweight and shoulder. The projection 38 and the cam
shoulder 41, as here shown, and by preference, are formed as parts of a disc 39
which is here shown directly attached to the shaft 26, but they may be formed as
part of, or attached to, a radial arm While the disc 39 is not absolutely
necessary if the counterweight be employed, its periphery serves to insure that
the projection 37 shall be continuously held elevated and the valve continuously
held open, so that if the continuous disc 39 be used the counterweight 40 might
be omitted, but it is preferred to use the counterweight in order that the pro-
jection or lever 37 may not rest or bear upon the periphery of the disc during
the rotation of the said disc and that the power of the meter operating through
the surface of contact of the projection 38 with the projection 37 may be positively
relied upon in the dimming or gradual turning down of the gas during the
last part of the consumption of the last coin's worth of gas, in order to apprise
the consumer that it is necessary to insert a new coin; by the adjustment of the
shape or slope of the contact surface this period of "dimming" or warning may
be increased or diminished as desued.
"
The shaft 26 is provided with a justifying wheel or disc 42 which through the
action of a bell-crank 43 with pins 44 on each arm thereof, serves to justify the
coin actuated parts of the apparatus at each insertion of a coin, thus causing the
operative parts of the apparatus always to bear a reliable and definite relation
to the quantity of gas to be delivered in exchange for each coin inserted. This
Justification, taking place at each insertion of a coin, prevents any possible
recurring inaccuracy in the delivery which might result from wear or imperfect
construction or imperfect action of the co-actuated parts of the apparatus; and
insures, at each insertion of a coin, the exact and positive purchase of a certain
definite fraction or arc of the complete revolution of the delivery wheel 45 (to
be hereafter described) and of the revolution of the valve-closing projection 38,
and prevents the multiplication or commutation of recurring errors which would
cause the apparatus to deliver a constantly increasing surplus or deficit of gas
as compared with the total quantity paid for by a series of inserted coins. The
said bell-crank 43 is pivoted to the gear wheel 45, which I term the "delivery-
wheel," and the said pins 44 in the arms of the bell-crank act in the recesses 47
of the justifying wheel 42 somewhat after the manner of an anchor escapement.
The delivery-wheel 45 is loosely mounted on the shaft 26 and, by preference,
the bell-crank is applied to the front or more remote surface of the delivery-
wheel, slots 46 being formed in the wheel to allow the pins 44 to protrude there-
through into the plane of the justifying wheel, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3.
The justifying wheel has formed in its edge equidistant recesses 47; the distance
between any two adjacent recesses represents the faction of a revolution (..
the number of degrees of arc of rotation) of the valve-closing projection 38 pur-
The metal between
chased by the insertion of a coin proper to the machine
each two adjacent recesses is cut away to form two radial shoulders 48, say an
eighth of an inch in radial length, so that each recess 47 lies between two oppo-
sitely-facing shoulders. Between each pair of recesses 47 the metal projecting

page_text: to a greater radial distance than the shoulders 48 is tapered to a radial line drawn
midway between the said recesses 47, thus forming two oppositely facing cams 49,
terminating in a ray-shaped crest 49. These cams, shoulders and recesses in con-
nection with the bell-crank 43, pins 44 and spring 50, serve to justify each pur
chase of gas as above stated, and also sei ve to lock the valve-closing-projection 38
with the delivery-wheel 45 during the passage of gas through the meter, so .that,
when the delivery wheel 45 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, Figure. 4,
by the power of the meter, the justifying wheel 42, the notched disc 30, the
projection 38 and the pointer 29 will rotate together in the same direction, i e.
towards closing the valve, but without any effect to close the valve till the pro-
jection 38 comes into contact with the level 37, after which contact the rod 31
is turned in the opposite direction of rotation to that of the shaft 26 till the
valve 32 18 drawn to its seat and the supply of gas to the meter 18 cut off. The
delivery-wheel 45 is held by the worm 51 against any other rotation than that
transmitted to it by the said worm, which is always in one direction, that of the
aforesaid arrow; so that during the purchase of gas the notched-disc 30, projec-
tion 38, and justifying wheel 42 operate independently of the delivery-wheel,
moving, step by step in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow, new
complemental recesses 47 of the justifying wheel being presented to each of
the pins 44 at each insertion of a coin as hereinafter described.
In case the valve should leak when closed, and the meter still be drawn upon
by the service it supplies, the slow action of the meter due to the said leakage
will force the delivery-wheel to rotate, but all danger of breakage of the parts is
obviated by the formation of the recesses 47, shoulders 48, and cams 49 in the
justifying wheel, for, when power applied to the delivery-wheel is thus resisted,
the pin 44, which is normally held in one of the recesses by the spring 50 and
which forms the connection by which the delivery-wheel returns the justifying
wheel and its connected parts to zero, is allowed by its spring 50 to ride over the
adjacent crest 49 into the next recess.
52 represents a bar (adjacent to the coin-bariel 14) loosely held by a stud 53
and prongs 54 at its upper end, and by a bracket 55 at its lower end, so as to be
capable of vertical reciprocal movement. The bar 52 is normally held in its
uppermost position as shown in Figure 4, by a spring 56 which opeiates between
the bracket 55 and a small disc or waslier 57 placed upon the said bar, a
shoulder 58 serving to retain the said disc or washer The bar 52, as clearly
shown in the drawings, lies between the coin barrel 14 and the notched rack or
dise 30. A pawl 59 is pivoted to the bar 52 in such a manner that while the said
bar is being depressed against the tension of the spring 56 by a com protruding
from the coin barrel, as illustrated in Figure 8, the point 60 of the pawl will
be held by the coin away from engagement with the notched disc 30, thus per-
mitting the bar and pawl to descend without moving the wheel 30, but, when
the coin in the coin-barrel, rotating in the direction of the arrow,
passes the lower end or heel 59" of the pawl 59 and the projection 58 of the
(Figure 8),
bar 52, (as it is shown as about to do in Figure 8,) thus releasing the bar 52
and spring 56, the latter, acting through the washer 57 on the curved contour
of the pawl 59, will rock the pawl on its pivot so that its point 60 will be swung
over towards the wheel or rack 30 and engage therewith as the bar and pawl are
lifted by the spring, and the rise or return of the bar 52 will thus cause the
paw] 59 to turn the notched rack or disc 30, shaft 26, projection 38, justifying
wheel 42 and pointer 29 in the valve-opening direction, ie., in the direction
opposite to that of the arrow in Figure 4. The upper end 61 of the pawl 59 is
so constructed and arranged with reference to the location of the stud 53 and the
distance of movement of the bar 52 and the relation of the point 60 of the pawl
with the notches of the rack or wheel 30 that, just before the bar 52 reaches
the limit of its upward motion, the upper extended end 61 acts like a cam on the
stud 53 and withdraws the point 60 of the pawl 59 from the rack or wheel 30,
leaving the bar free to return to its normal elevated position, and the wheel 30

page_text: free to be turned gradually back by the power of the meter.
The lower end or
heel 59 of the pawl 59 reaches a short distance below the shoulder, 58 on the
bar 52 and is curved in contour so that when the disc or washer 57 presses against
it under the pressure of the spring 56 after the coin in the coin-barrel has de-
pressed the bar 52 a sufficient distance to clear the upper end 61 of the pawl from
the stud 53, and the edge of the coin has passed off the heel 59* and is pressing
only on the shoulder 58, the spring 56 acting against its curved contour will
rock the pawl on its pivot against the limit pin 59b and cause the point 60 to
engage with the teeth of the notched wheel 30 when the coin passes the shoulder 58
and releases the spring 56.
This action of the bar, spring, and pawl advances the justifying wheel 42 and
the parts moving with it at least the space of a little more than one-half the
distance between two adjacent recesses 47, but, owing to the escapement-like
action of the bell-crank lever 43 and its pins 44, they cannot be advanced the
space of two recesses.
It is intended that the insertion of one coin shall, by depressing and releasing
the bar 52, spring 56, and pawl 58, advance the justifying wheel 42 and the parts
moving therewith no more and no less than an amount measured by the distance
between two adjacent recesses 47 on the justifying wheel, which distance
in the drawings is one-tenth of a revolution, or 36 degrees of revolution, or one-
tenth of the number of teeth on the delivery-wheel 45, which distance, as herein-
after to be described, will represent a certain definite number of revolutions of
the meter or of cubic feet of gas; but, as the action of the spring may vary, or
as the position of the teeth on the rack or wheel 30 may in the course of the
meter-impelled rotation of the wheel 30 vary as to the position of the point 60,
the positive advance caused by the pawl and spring will likewise vary. The
action of the justifying wheel and its complemental pins eliminates with perfect
accuracy all factors of variation and for each coin inserted adjusts the advance
to exactly, such a fraction or arc of a revolution as is prescribed by the number
of recesses 47 cut in the wheel. For if the crest 49° of the metal between the
recesses just passes under one of the pins 44, the adjacent cam 49 acted upon by
the spring-pressed pin 44, will cause the justifying wheel to be moved forward
until the pin settles into the centre of the next recess 47, but if, on the con-
trary, the crest be passed somewhat beyond the said pin, the latter, acting
against the opposite cam, will move the justifying wheel back or return it until
the pin settles into the identical recess last mentioned The pins 44, 44, are
so arranged with relation to the crests 49* of the justifying wheel that, no matter
how suddenly or forcibly the purchaser may operate the coin barrel or what
relation the teeth on the wheel 30 may bear to the point 60 of the pawl at the
time of purchase, it will be impossible to advance the justifying wheel 42 more
than one recess for one coin inserted.
In a stuffing-box 62 in the meter 5 is journalled a shaft 63 which 'projects
through the casing 2 of the apparatus. As one method of transmitting motion
from the meter to the vending machine: on this shaft within the meter is
secured a ratchet wheel 64, the number of teeth in which is determined by the
amount of gas measured out by each revolution of the meter; e.g, a multiple of
nine if the meter measures ninths; of six if sixths, etc A lever 65 18 pivoted
at 66 above the ratchet wheel 64 and is slotted at 65, as shown in Figure 2, to
clear the shaft 63, and provided with a pawl 67 to engage with the teeth on the
upper side of the ratchet wheel and with another pawl 68 to engage with the
teeth on the lower side of the ratchet wheel The lever 65 is connected by a
rod 69 to an arm 70 which is oscillated back and forth by the flag wire 71 or
other oscillating part of the meter mechanism so that the lever 65 is oscillated
on the pivot 66 once for each oscillation of the arm 70. It will be seen that the
pawls 67, 68 both operate m the same direction, one through a short and the
other through a longer are, so that while the ratchet wheel is being advanced
by the pawl 68 the pawl 67 is approaching the point of the next tooth, and thus

page_text: is obviated all danger of swinging the lever idly back and forth without advanc-
.ing the wheel.
The end of the shaft 63 which projects into the casing 2 is provided with a
pinion 72 which operates a train of gearing comprising gear wheels 73, 74
and 75, which last is on a shaft 76 on which the worm 51 is mounted. One of
the wheels of said train is mounted on an adjustable or movable shaft and one,
(which may be the same one), is made removable and interchangeable, to provide
for gearing up or down, as the case may be, to accommodate the machine to
variations in the price of gas, and to preserve the proper meshing of the gears
when the diameter of the change-wheel is changed
Instead of employing a shaft 63 to be rotated as just described, I may employ
a 10d 78 reciprocated through the stuffing-box 62 and omit the train of gearing,
countershaft and worm just described, and locate the lever 65 pivoted at 66 with
its ratchet wheel 64 and pawls 67, 68 inside of the casing of the apparatus as
shown in Figure 11 The ratchet wheel 64 in this case will be provided with a
pinion 77 meshing directly with the delivery wheel 45, and the lever 65 slotted
at 65 to clear the shaft of the pinion 77 as shown in the figure. The rod 78
in the stuffing-box will be reciprocated by an eccentric 79 secured on the
"2-foot shaft," or proving shaft, 80 of the meter mechanism, a frame 81 and a
connecting-rod 82 serving to transmit the motion of the eccentric to the recipro-
cating rod 78 or the "2-foot shaft" 80 may be provided with a gear-wheel which
may mesh with a second gear-wheel having an off-centre wrist-pin connected to
the rod 78 by a connecting-rod, the said second gear-wheel being held in mesh
with the first by a journal-bearing frame, similar to those numbered 96 shown in
Figures 15 to 19, applied loosely to the "2-foot shaft," so that the fame and
connecting-rod may be self-adjusting to the line of thrust or reciprocation. The
ratchet wheel 64 in this case will be made removable and interchangeable, the
number of its teeth varying according to the price of gas.
In the form of construction shown in Figures 12 and 13, the rotatory shaft 63
in the stuffing-box 62 transmits motion to the delivery wheel 45 through the
removable and interchangeable gear-wheel 83 and pinion 84 by means of a
spiral-hoop gear 85 attached to the shaft 63, each evolution of the shaft 63
advancing the wheel 83 a single tooth, and each revolution of the pinion 84 (or
of the like pinion 77 in Figure 11) advancing the delivery wheel 45 and its con-
nected parts an arc equal to the arc between two adjacent recesses 47 on the
justifying wheel 42.
For simplicity of construction, certainty of operation and ease in assembling,
I prefer the two modifications of means of transmission from meter mechanism
to vending mechanism illustrated in Figures 15-19 These completely eliminate
care and expense in alignments in affixing the vending attachment or mechanism
to ready-made meters.
The shaft 63 passing through the stuffing-box 62 is rotated from the "2-foot
"clock")
shaft" or proving shaft 80 (which drives the ordinary meter index or
by a countershaft 93. This countershaft 93 is connected to the shaft 63 by a
loose universal joint or link 94 and is held in a bearing 95 in a frame 96. This
frame 96 is provided with two openings 97 for the 2-foot shaft 80 which are
slightly greater in diameter than the said shaft, as shown in Figures 17 and 19
so that the frame 96 hangs loosely on the said shaft free to accommodate itself
to whatever line or angle the countershaft 93 may assume in connecting the
wheel 101, or the wheel 105 as the case may be, with the shaft 63.
In the modification shown in Figures 15-17 a worm 98 on a boss or tube 99
is attached to the shaft 80 by a set-screw 100, the shaft 80 being removed tem-
porarily for the purpose of slipping on it the loose frame 96 and the boss or
tube 99. In the frame 96 is journalled at 95 the countershaft 93 and worm-
wheel 101 meshing with the worm 98. The 2-foot shaft being returned to place,
the set-screw 100 is set down on the shaft 80 after the axes of the shafts 93

page_text: and 63 have been brought into the same vertical plane as shown in Figure 15.
The horizontal distance between the shaft 80 and the inner end of the shaft 63
may vary in different meters, especially of different makes. This variation is
taken up by telescoping the outer end of the counter-shaft 93 in the inner end
of the tube 94 where a set-screw serves to fix the counter-shaft in the end of the
link or universal joint. The vertical distance between the centre of the worm-
wheel 101 and the centre of the shaft 63, which may also vary, is taken up by the
play of the universal joint 94, the loose frame 96 permitting the worm-wheel 101
and counter-shaft 93 to assume the necessary angle to the horizontal to transmit
the rotation of the shaft 80 to the shaft 63 journalled in the stuffing-box 62.
The arrangement shown in Figures 18 and 19 18 the same as that shown in
Figures 15-17, except that in place of the worm 98 a gear-wheel 102 is mounted
on a boss 103 which is pinned by a set-screw 104 to the shaft 80. This gear-
wheel meshes at right angles with the cross or counter-gear wheel 105 on the
countershaft 93 Journalled in the loose frame; the essential difference between
this and the form shown in Figures 15-17 being that the greater difference in
speed between the shafts 80 and 63 afforded by the worm 98 and shaft 93 as
compared with that afforded by the countergear wheels 102 and 105 and
shaft 93, enables a much larger quantity of gas to be conveniently measured
out in exchange for a com. Thus, for example, the modification shown in
Figures 15-17 might be employed in selling gas by the shilling's worth and
that shown in Figures 18 and 19 in selling pennyworths. It is obvious that bevel
or mitre gears might be employed as equivalents for the countergear wheels 102
and 105. It will be noticed in each of these forms of construction that the swing-
ing frame 96 gives a bearing or journal 95 to the countershaft that is self-
adjusting to the angle to the horizontal assumed by the shaft 93 in connecting
with shaft 63 and that all the labor and nicety of aligning a bearing fixed in
the meter with one fixed in the stuffing box are eliminated Obviously, this
would be inoperative without the employment of the link or universal joint 94 or
its equivalent, permitting the centies of the wheel 101 (or the wheel 105, as the
case may be) and of the shaft 63 to be in different horizontal planes, and so dis-
pensing with the necessity of alignment and trueing
As the union 8 at the foot of the coupling 7 must fit the inlet pipe 9 of the
meter, and as the thread 86 at the top of the coupling must fit and be adapted to
connect the pipe leading from the gas mam to the meter, it will be seen that
the gauge or calibre of the coupling at 8 and 86 is fixed as the same as that of
the inlet pipe of the meter. The introduction of the valve 32, its seat 35, and
the guiding spiders 87 above and SS below the valve and seat cuts down or
reduces the capacity or net cross-sectional area of the coupling and chokes the
flow of gas. In order to meet this difficulty and adapt the apparatus as a whole
to meters of different sizes, I construct the coupling 7 as shown in Figures 7
and 14, with a separate neck 89 of large calibre than is needed. This is cast
with the coupling as are also the seat 35 and the lower spider or guide 88.
Upon the said neck is screwed a double union 90, the lower half 91 of which 18
of larger diameter than the upper half thereof, the latter being of a gauge corre-
sponding to the capacity of the inlet pipe 9 of the meter and is adapted to be
coupled to the pipe leading from the main to the meter. The lower half 90 is
adapted to be screwed to the neck 89 The upper spider or guide 87 may be
fitted in the neck 89 as shown or in the upper half 92 of the union 90. It will
therefore be seen that by using couplings having necks 92 of different sizes
and unions 8 of different sizes the apparatus in all other respects may be of a
standard size and yet adapted for attachment to meters of different sizes. In all
cases, the capacity or net cross-sectional area of the annular gas-way past the
valve 32, when open, will be equal to or greater than the capacity of the neck 92
and of the inlet pipe 9 of the meter.
To overcome the practical objection to soldering the stuffing-box 62 in the side

page_text: of the meter 5, I may construct the stuffing-box as, shown in Figure 15. . The
stuffing-box is provided with a flange 106 to overlap the hole cut in the side of
the meter The portion 107 of the stuffing-box projecting into the meter 18
screw-threaded. Over this is slipped a washer 108 of leather or other compies-
sible material and a screw-threaded nut 109 is screwed tightly down upon this,
pinching the side of the meter 5 and the washer 108 tightly between the flange 106
and the nut 109. Wax or lead may be used to make this closing of the, hole still
more gas-tight and the objection that soldering the flange 106 to the side of the
meter will cause the tallow of the stuthing-box, to melt and run out.is done away
with. This stuffing-box may be repacked at any time without having to remove
the top of the meter.
In the operation of the apparatus, the coin in the coin bariel, acting against
the eccentric 18, is forced by the said eccentric at its opposite edge into the curve
of the pawl 59 so that it impinges against the heel 59 of the pawl as shown in
Figure 8, and also impinges upon the shoulder 58 of the bar 52, by which latter
impingement the coin operates to depiess the said bar 52 and by which former
impingement to hold the point 60 away from the wheel 30 while so doing. The
shoulder 58 projects outward past the heel 59* of the pawl thus causing the coin
to pass beyond the said heel 59" before it passes the shoulder 58. As soon as the
coin passes from off the heel 59 of the pawl, the spring 56, acting through its
washer on the under surface of the pawl, rocks it on its pivot towards the toothed
wheel 30 to the limit pin 59b, which brings the point 60 of the pawl.in line
beneath the teeth of the wheel 30.
As the edge of the coin passes off the shoulder 58, the spring, suddenly, elevates
the bar 52 and pawl 59 and causes the latter to set forward from zero, the toothed
wheel 30 producing the action herein before described, and, as stated, by sliding
the extension 61 past the stud 53 also withdraws the pawl 59, leaving the toothed
wheel 30 and the parts connected therewith free to be turned towards zero by the
delivery, v
wheel 45, bell-crank lever 43, pin 44, justifying wheel 42, and the train
of gearing operated by the meter.
If more than one coin's worth of gas be purchased at a single time,, the coins
may be inserted one after another until the notched wheel 30 is turned around till
the blank portion of its periphery is presented to the point 60 of the pawl, in
which position the coin will compress and release the spring idly and drop into
the till.
It will be obvious that, although described and illustrated in the specification
as attached to an ordinary dry gas meter, my invention is equally applicable, to
the ordinary wet gas meter, as well as to meters for registering the flow of water
or other fluids or to electricity meters. In the case of wet meters, the counter-
shaft 93 would take its motion from the vertical shaft that actuates the train
of the meter index or from any shaft or wheel of the index train.
In water. or
other meters, a similar connection with the shaft actuating the index of the
meter or any wheel or shaft of the index would be employed. In eléctricity
meters, the valve would be replaced by a switch.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what
I claim is :-
"
1. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a justifying disc or wheel attached
to a shaft capable of rotation in both directions, in combination with a delivery
wheel adapted to rotate in one direction only and a justifying device arranged to
engage with the justifying disc or wheel, substantially as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
2. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a wheel capable of rotation in
two directions, formed with equidistant recesses in its periphery, in combination
with a wheel driven by the power of the meter and capable of rotation in only 5
one direction and bearing on its surface means for connecting it with the first

page_text: wheel and means for shifting the said first wheel relatively to the said connec-
tion from recess to recess, substantially as described.
3. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a wheel connected with a valve-
controlling projection and connected with coin-operated mechanism capable of
rotation in two directions formed with justifying recesses in its periphery, in
combination with a delivery wheel capable of rotation in one direction only, and
a spring-pressed lever connecting the said delivery wheel with the said first-
mentioned wheel, substantially as described
4. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a justifying wheel formed with
equidistant recesses 47, shoulders 48, and cams 49, in combination with a delivery
wheel and a spring-pressed lever connecting said delivery wheel with the justify-
ing wheel, substantially as described.
5. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a justifying wheel formed with
equidistant recesses in its periphery, in combination with a delivery wheel and a
spring-pressed escapement device adapted to engage with the recesses of the
justifying wheel, substantially as described.
6. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a delivery wheel and a spring-
pressed escapement device pivoted thereto, in combination with a justifying wheel
having equidistant recesses in its periphery, substantially as described.
7. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a sliding bar adapted to be
reciprocated in one direction by the coin, a spring applied to the said bar, and
a pawl pivoted to the said bar, in combination with a notched wheel applied to
a shaft and means for causing the pawl to engage with the said notched wheel
during a portion of the return movement of the said bar, substantially as
described.
8. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a main shaft, a notched wheel
affixed thereto, and a coin barrel, in combination with a sliding bar located
between the said shaft and the said con barrel, and constructed to be moved in
one direction by a coin in the said coin barrel, a spring applied to the said bar,
a pawl pivoted on the said bar and means for causing the said pawl to engage
with the said notched wheel during a portion of the return movement of the
said bar; substantially as described.
9. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a rotary con barrel and a fixed
eccentric for forcing the coin though said barrel, in combination with a spring-
actuated sliding bar held adjacent to the said coin barrel, a shoulder on the
said bar for contact with the coin, and a pawl pivoted on the said bar, and a
valve-controlling projection moved by means actuated by the said pawl; sub-
stantially as described.
10. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a coin barrel, a fixed eccentric
for forcing the coin though the said barrel, a spring-actuated sliding bar held
adjacent to the said barrel, a shoulder on the said bar for contact with the coin,
and a pawl pivoted on the said bar and formed with a heel for causing the coin
to rock the pawl, substantially as described.
11. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a coin barrel, a fixed eccentric
for forcing the coin through the said barrel, a spring-actuated sliding bar held
adjacent to said barrel, a shoulder on said bar for contact with the coin, and a
pawl pivoted on said bar and formed with a heel for causing the spring to rock
the pawl; substantially as described.
12. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a notched wheel, a spring-
actuated sliding bar adjacent to the said wheel, a pawl pivoted on the said bar
adapted to be rocked in one direction by the contact of the coin and in the other
direction by a spring, and means for withdrawing the pawl from contact with
the notched wheel before the limit of return of the sliding bar, substantially as
described
13. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a rotatory slotted coin barrel
of less diameter than a coin proper to the machine, in combination with a fixed
eccentric for forcing the coin through the barrel: substantially as described

page_text: 14. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a rotatable slotted coin barrel
of less diameter than a coin proper to the machine, in combination with an
eccentric for forcing the coin through the barrel and a guard or flange arranged
at the point of greatest eccentricity; substantially as described
15. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a slotted rotatory coin barrel
of less diameter than a coin proper to the machine, a fixed eccentric for forcing
the coin through the barrel, and a guard or plate adjacent to the barrel at a point
where the coin when passing it does not protrude from the barrel; substantially.
as described.
16 In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine a rotatory coin barrel of less
diameter than a coin proper to the machine with a slot therethrough, the length
of which exceeds the diameter of such coin and a casing or flange partially enclos-
ing the said coin barrel, substantially as descubed.
17 In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a lever pivoted at or near one
end, two pawls attached to the said lever at the same side of the pivot, a ratchet
wheel located between the said pawls and a shaft for the said ratchet wheel, in
combination with means for reciprocating the lever by the power of the meter
and means for transmitting the intermittent motion of the ratchet wheel to the
coin-controlled mechanism; substantially as described
18. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, the gas-way 7 formed with a
neck 89, and valve-seat 35 and the union 90, the lower half 91 of which is
adapted to be screwed upon the neck 89, the upper half of which is of less
diameter than the said lower half, in combination with the valve 32, valve-
stem 33, shaft 31, arm 34, projection 37 attached to the said shaft and projec-
tion 38 controlled by the main shaft of the machine; substantially as described
and illustrated in Figures 7 and 14.
19. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, of the kind described in
Claim 1, the delivery wheel 45, gear wheel 83, and pinion 84, in combination
with the shatt 63, spiral hoop gear attached to the said shaft and meshing with
said wheel 83, the stuffing box 62, and means for turning said shaft by the
power of the meter; substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 12
and 13.
20. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine adapted to be attached to a
meter in combination with a shaft journalled in fixed bearings and forming part
of the usual mechanism of the meter proper a counter-shaft journalled in an
adjustable frame loosely supported on and by the said shaft and provided with
a link or universal joint connecting the said countershaft with a shaft journalled
in a fixed bearing and forming part of the gas-vending mechanism, and means
for transmitting the rotation of the said first-mentioned shaft to the said counter-
shaft; substantially as described
21 In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine, a valve in the gas-way leading
to the meter and a seat therefor, a spindle or stem or stalk for the said valve
and guides therefor, a shaft penetrating into the gas-way or valve-chamber and
provided with an arm which by the oscillation of the said shaft is adapted to
move the said valve to and from its seat, a counterweighted lever applied to the
said shaft, the counterweight acting to hold the said valve open, and a projection
rotated by the power of the meter and adapted to engage with the said counter-
weighted lever and close the said valve, and means operated by the insertion of a
coin in the mechanism to disengage the said projection from the said counter-
weighted lever and open the said valve: substantially as described.
22 In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine of the kind described in Claim 20
the employment of a stuffing box externally screw-threaded inside the meter
casing and having a flange outside the meter casing of a size to overlap the hole
cut in the said casing, the said screw-threaded end of the stuffing box being
adapted to receive a washer and tightening nut, substantially as, and for the pur-
pose, herein before described

page_text: 23. A coin-controlled gas vending machine consisting of the parts combined,
arranged and operating substantially as herein before described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 6th day of December 1899
G F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.