Improvements in and connected with Coin Freed Mechanism.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 17th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Coin Freed Mechanism.
I, ALFRED EBENEZER Box, of 14, Saint Bride Road, Egremont, Cheshire,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to coin freed mechanism for performing various functions,
such for instance as the control of a valve, electrical switch, clockwork, and
other similar or equivalent functions.
The coin reception device may take the form of a cylindrical carrier, with a
coin slot in its periphery and suitable cam projections on its inner rim, said
carrier being loosely mounted on a spindle and provided with a hand rotating
device. Loosely mounted on the same spindle is a disc provided with suitable
projections and also with recesses into which latter a spring pawl or detent
enters.
On
If a coin be inserted in the carrier and the latter is rotated a projection
thereon frees the pawl from the disc. Further rotation causes the edge of the
coin to engage with a projection on the disc so as to rotate the latter.
completion of the prescribed travel of the carrier the spring detent again engages
with the disc and locks it, the detent being prevented from leaving the recess
in the disc by a projection on the carrier which now covers it. The coin then
falls from the carrier into a cashbox, and the carrier may be returned to its
original position and the operation repeated. The slot in the coin carrier forms
the orifice of a pocket in said carrier which receives coins of a smaller size than
that prescribed, and renders them inoperative and discharges them into the
cash box. This pocket may, however, be so formed, as for instance by curving
it, that if two small coins be inserted consecutively the first coin will support
the second upon its edge, so that together they perform the function of the
larger coin. In this way two halfpennies may form a substitute for one penny.
Connected with the before mentioned disc is a spur or bevel wheel which
gears with a pinion or bevel wheel mounted on a spindle which carries a worn.
Said worm rotates a pinion or worm wheel and a spur or bevel wheel loosely
mounted on another spindle, and on this latter spindle is also loosely mounted
a radial arm. The last referred to spur or bevel wheel rotates the radial arm
as follows. Swivelled in the outer end of said arm is one end of a gyratory
shaft on which is keyed a pinion wheel which gears with the said spur or bevel
wheel. The pivottal end of the gyrating shaft forms a universal joint in a
mechanism hereinafter referred to..
The operation of the above described mechanism is as follows. Upon a coin
being placed in the carrier cylinder and the latter revolved, the disc is also
revolved, and the spur or bevel wheel attached thereto by means of its pinion
and worm-rotates the spur wheel which gears with the pinion of the gyrating
shaft. The said shaft being prevented from rotating, by the mechanism in
which it is pivotted, is carried round by the spur wheel and so revolves the radial

page_text: arm, and I utilize this deflection or movement of the radial arm to perform the
function required of the apparatus.
In order to effect the return movement of the radial arm, I pivot the end of
the said gyrating shaft, by means of a universal joint, with a wheel driven by
the supply or other mechanism released. By rotating the gyrating shaft its
Janion revolves on its spur wheel and returns the shaft and radial arm to their
original position.
When the apparatus is applied to a prepayment gas meter the revolution of
such gyrating shaft is effected by the registering mechanism of the meter, in
which is pivotted as above described, and I cause the radial arm to open and
close the gas supply valve of the meter.
The insertion of one coin and a prescribed revolution of the carrier causes
the radial arm to revolve a certain distance about its spindle, and by placing
another coin in the carrier and again revolving the latter the arm is further
rotated, and this operation may be repeated a certain number of times until
the arm has been revolved to its limit. When this occurs the arm actuates a
spring bolt which engages with the coin carrier and prevents it from rotating.
In connection with the said arm I prefer to arrange a pointer and dial to
indicate the deflection of the arm and consequently the number of coins pre-
payed into the apparatus; and in connection with this device, or in connection
with the index of the meter, I may arrange a train of toothed wheels which
register and indicate the total number of coins placed in the apparatus.
In order to adapt the above described apparatus, when applied to a gas meter,
to fluctuations in the price of gas, provision is made for substituting change
wheels for certain of the spur, pinion, or bevel wheels above referred to.
An obvious reversal of the action hereinabove referred to, will consist in
adapting the coin reception mechanism to revolve the gyrating shaft and radial
arm, and to effect the return of the latter by causing the supply mechanism, as
for instance the gas registering mechanism of a gas meter, to revolve the spur
wheel with which the pinion of the gyrating shaft gears.
Dated this 16th. day of December 1896.
J. A. COUBROUGH
Registered Patent Agent (Qual. by Exam.)
10 St. George's Crescent, Liverpool,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in and connected with Coin Freed Mechanism.
I, ALFRED EBENEZER Box, of 14, Saint Bride Road, Egremont, Cheshire,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to coin freed mechanism for performing various functions,
such for instance as the control of a valve, electrical switch, clockwork, and
other similar or equivalent functions.
For the purpose of controlling, i.e., opening and closing, releasing and arrest-
ing, a valve, electrical switch, clockwork, or the like, I utilize the motion of a
radially moving arm, and I obtain the deflection and the return movement f
said arm by means of a gear which is operated, primarily, by a coin in con-
junction with hand manipulation, and, secondarily, by the movement or action
of the mechanism which has been released.

page_text: the drawings nereto annexed my invention is shewn applied to the valve
of a gas meter.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation shewing the coin and hand operated gear.
Figure 2 shews the connection of the coin and hand operated gear with the
gas valve opening and closing gear.
Figure 3 shews the connection of the gas valve opening and closing gear
with the registering mechanism of the meter, Figure 4 being a side view."
Figure 5 is a detail view of the radially moving arm of my invention, in two
positions.
Figures 6 and 7 are detail views of the coin and hand gear, in two positions.
a is a cylindrical coin carrier, with a coin slot b, said carrier being loosely
mounted on a spindle e and provided with a handle d. Loosely mounted on
the spindle c is a disc e, having projections e¹, and notches f, which latter
receive a pawl fl. If a coin be inserted in the carrier a and the latter is rotated
by the handle d, the cut away portion at of the carrier a uncovers the pawl fl
Further rotation causes the edge of the coin to engage with one of the pro-
jections el on the disc e, and turns the latter. On completion of the prescribed
travel of the carrier a the pawl f again engages with a notch f in the disc e.
and locks the latter, the pawl being prevented from rising out of the notch
by the metal of the carrier which now covers it (Figures 6 and 7). The coin
then falls from the carrier into a cashbox, and the carrier may he returned to
its original position, and the operation repeated.
On the back of the disc e are formed teeth e2, which engage with and turn
the pinion wheel g, mounted on the spindle g. On the inner end of the
spindle g' is formed a worm g, which engages with and turns a spur wheel,
loosely mounted on the spindle A.
Fixedly mounted on the spindle A is a radially moving segmental arm
Journalled in the arm i is one end of a gyratory shaft k, on which is keyed
a pinion wheel l, which gears with the wheel h. The pivottal end of the shaft & forms
a universal joint, k', with a worm wheel gearing with a worm on the
spindle 4, which is rotated by the change wheels, spindle , worm wheel.
and a worm mounted on the index spindle 8 of the meter (Figure 4).
In operation, when a coin is placed in the carrier a and the latter is rotated,
such rotation is communicated through the disc e, pinion g, and worn gå, to
the wheel h. As the gyratory shaft k is prevented from revolving on its own
axis by the wheel, the pinion wheel 1, shaft k, and radial arm í are consequently
carried round by the wheel h; and I use this deflection or movement of the
radial arm to perform the function required of the apparatus, namely the open-
ing of the gas valve m of the drawing hereto annexed, or any equivalent
function.
The arm operates the spindle of the valve m by means of the forked lever n
(Figure 2). It will be seen that the extremtiy n of this lever is so formed that
when the arm i is deflected by the insertion of a coin and movement of the
carrier, the extremity n¹ will move out of the way of the arm as the lever n
opens the valve. Inasmuch, however, that the arm i may, after the insertion
of several coins, be considerably deflected-to a greater degree than shewn in
dotted lines in Figure 5-it will consequently move some distance away from
the lever n. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, in case the lever n is shaken
back into the path of the arm i before the return of the latter, the extremity n¹
is inclined, so that the returning arm pushes it aside.
The gas valve m having been opened, the gas registering mechanism of the
meter is put in operation and the index spindle commences to rotate. Conse
quently the wheel, spindle l, wheels e, worm E, and wheel , are rotated,
and with the latter are rotated the gyratory shaft k and pinion wheel . The
wheel thus works its way around the stationary wheel h, and returns the arm i
to its original position and closes the valve m.
The insertion of one coin and a prescribed revolution of the carrier causes

page_text: the radial arm to revolve a certain distance about its spindle, and by placing
another coin in the carrier and again revolving the latter, the arm is further
deflected, and this operation of prepaying a number of coins into the meter
may be repeated a certain number of times until the arm has been deflected to
its limit and comes in contact with a stop placed in its path, and this stop may
in some cases take the form of a spring bolt which engages with the coin carrier
and prevents it from rotating.
A pointer o is mounted on the arm i, which indicates, on an index plate p,
the degree of deflection of such arm, and consequently the number of coins which
have been pre-paid into the meter; and in connection with this device, or in
connection with the index of the meter, I may arrange a train of wheels which
register and indicate the total number of coins placed in the meter.
An obvious reversal of the action above described will consist in adapting
the coin and hand operated mechanism to revolve the gyratory shaft k and arm i,
and to effect the return movement of these parts by gearing the wheel h to the
wheel 9.
In order to adapt the mechanism herein described to fluctuations in the
price of gas, one of the change wheels is removed and a larger or small wheel
is substituted.
The slot b in the coin carrier forms a pocket which receives coins of a smaller
size than that prescribed and renders them inoperative, and discharges them
into the cash box. This pocket may however be so formed, as for instance by
curving it, that if two small coins be inserted consecutively the first coin will
support the second upon its edge, so that together they perform the function
of the larger coin. Thus two halfpence may form a substitute for one penny.
It must be clearly understood that the arm i and its attendant gear may be
employed to open and close an electrical switch, or a water valve, or other
equivalent device, or to release and arrest clockwork or the like, in a similar
manner to that above. described with reference to the valve of a prepayment
gas meter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The utilization for the purpose of opening and closing a gas meter valve
or performing an equivalent function, of the deflection and return of a pivotted
arm, capable of radial motion, said motions being caused, respectively and
consecutively, by a hand operated device, in conjunction with a coin, and by
the meter registering mechanism or equivalent mechanism which has been
released, substantially in the manner herein described with reference to the
drawings.
a
2. In combination, a pivotted arm capable of radial motion, a tooth wheel
having the same axis as the said arm, and a gyratory shaft, one end of the
latter being journalled in said arm and carrying pinion wheel meshing with
said tooth wheel, said arm being deflected and returned to its normal position
thereby performing the function required of it either by the rotation of
said tooth wheel, which carries round with it the said pinion wheel, gyratory
shaft, and arm, or by the rotation of the pinion wheel-by the gyratory shaft-
upon the tooth wheel, whereby the arm is revolved by the pinion working its
way around the now stationary tooth wheel, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.
3. In combination for the purpose of controlling a gas meter valve, electrical
switch, or equivalent mechanism, a coin and hand operated device, communi-
cating motion to a toothed wheel having the same axis as a radially moving arm.
and meshing with a pinion wheel keyed upon a gyratory shaft whose free end
is journalled in said arm and whose pivottal end forms a universal joint with
the mechanism which is released, whereby, by rotating the said toothed wheel,

page_text: the pinion wheel, gyratory shaft, and arm, are all carried round with it, such
deflection of the said arm being utilized to perform the initial or releasing
function, the final or closing function being due to the return of the arm to
its normal position by the motion of the mechanism released, communicated
through the said gyratory shaft, which latter by revolving the pinion wheel
upon the stationary tooth wheel returns the arm to its normal position, arranged
and adapted to operate substantially in the manner herein set forth.
Dated this 16th day of September 1807
J. A. COUBROUGH
Registered Patent Agent (Qual. by Exam.)
10 St. George's Crescent, Liverpool,
Agent for the Applicant.
J. A. COUBROUGH
Registered Patent Agent (Qual. by Exam.)
10 St. George's Crescent, Liverpool,
Agent for the Applicant.