A Coin Operated Device for Gas or other Meters.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 10th July, 1893-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Coin Operated Device for Gas or other Meters.
SAMUEL, GLOVER Gas Engineer Gas Works St. Helens, THOMAS GLOVER
Gas Engineer Gas Works St. Helens; and JAMES CRITCHLEY Mechanical Engineer
Gas Works St. Helens, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for A COIN
OPERATED DEVICE FOR GAS OR OTHER METERS to be as follows:-
The meter is so arranged that a coin entering through a slot in the meter index
box, falls by gravitation into a coin receiver, which receiver by a further movement,
from a handle or other device, operated from the outside of the meter, & by cams
suitably placed upon the coin receiver, a movement is given which olozes the
slot on outside of meter, and brings the coin into a position for entering the coin
lever.
The determining of the quantity to be sold, as an equivalent for the coin, is
attained by giving movement to a ratchet wheel, by means of a pawl attached
to the coin receiving lever, the said lever being so made, as to be actuated only when
the coin has been passed into it, the coin thus acting as a connecting piece between
the operating lever & the coin lever.
The amount of movement given to the ratchet wheel by the pawl, at one
operation, can be varied by adjusting a moveable cam, so as to allow for any
alterations in the quantity of gas to be given as an equivalent for the coin, which
has been passed through the coin receiver into the coin lever.
The rotary movement given to the ratchet wheel, when the coin lever is operated
is transmitted to an annular ring, having a slot in its periphery. Carried on the
same spindle as the annular ring, is a friction clutch or other device, thus connecting
the annular ring to the counting mechanism of the meter.
Riding on the rim of the annular ring (when the meter is working) is a lever,
having a lug at one point corresponding to the slot in the annular ring, this said
lever being provided also, with a square eye corresponding to the squared part of
the upright shaft of the meter.
This lever is pivoted and arranged, so that when the lug corresponds to the slot
in the rim of the annular ring, the square eye corresponds with the squared portion
of the upright shaft. When in this position the meter will not supply gas.
The action of the coin operated device, is to lift the square eye of the lever off
the squared portion of the upright shaft and the lug out of the slot in the sunular
ring, & at the same time giving a rotary movement to the annular ring, puts back
the stop and so sets the meter free.
The device is operated by means of a spindle, attached to, which is a cranked
handle or other device, fixed on the outside of the meter. The said spindle is
provided with two came, one of which removes the coin from the coin lever, after
the required movement has been given to the device; the second comes into action
only when the operating handle is brought to its right position, at which point
it releases a supplementary stop lever.
The operating spindle is fitted with a ratchet wheel & pawl, to prevent the
handle being operated except in the right direction.
In addition to the ordinary index there are provided indicators for shewing the
quantity of gas the device is set for per coin, as well as the total quantity which
remains at any time to be consumed before the stop gear can come into action.
Dated this 11th day of October 1892.
SAMUEL GLOVER.
THOMAS GLOVER.
JAMES CRITCHLEY.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Coin Operated Device for Gas or other Meters.
We SAMUEL GLOVER, Gas Engineer, Gas Works, St., Helens, Lancashire,
THOMAS GLOVER, Gas Engineer, Gas Works, St. Helens, Lancashire, and JAMES
CRITCHLEY, Mechanical Engineer, Gas Works, St. Helens, Lancashire, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to coin operated devices for ensuring the delivery of a
determined quantity of gas and other fluids from gas and other similar meters upon
the insertion therein of a particular coin or coins.
We will describe our invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which :-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a gas meter to which our improvements have
been applied.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the meter, but with the front of the counter casing
removed shewing our improvements in sectional elevation.
Figure 3 is a plan of the meter with the top of the counter casing removed
shewing the improved device in plan.
Figure 4 represents a plan of the ordinary counter or index motion, driven in the
usual manner by the vertical spindle M.
Figure 5 is an elevation shewing the coin lever in position for receiving a coin.
Figure 6 is an elevation shewing the coin quadrant partly rotated in the absence
of a coin.
Figure 7 is an elevation corresponding with the two previous figures, but
shewing the coin quadrant and coin lever rotated after the insertion of a coin which
is just about to be ejected from the device.
Figure 8 is a similar elevation shewing the positions of the coin quadrant and
coin lever after the ejection of the coin and after having commenced their return
to the position of rest.
Figure 9 represents in elevation the vertical driving spindle with the stops
removed therefrom to permit the delivery of the gas or fluid.
Figure 10 is a similar elevation shewing the stop catch in the position it
occupies, preventing the delivery of gas, when the handle has not been returned
to its proper position.
The principal features of our invention consist in the construction and arrange-
ment of devices for shutting off the supply of the gas or fluid when the determined
quantity has passed through the meter and of means for releasing the mechanism
by the insertion of an additional coin or coins.
A is the slot through which the coins are inserted, R³ the handle by which the
device is operated, H an index shewing the consumer what quantity of gas remains
for his use as value for the coins inserted, and similarly what quantity of the gas
paid for has been used, W is an index which is set before the apparatus is used at
the number of cubic feet marked on the iudex to be sold for a penny or other
determined coin, and V is the coin box.
The index His of the ordinary construction commonly used in such meters, and
the index W with the devices connected therewith are similarly used and well
known, and each of them may or may not be used with our invention as may be
required..
The coin lever C, shewn in plan in Figure 3 and in elevation in Figures 5, 6, 7,
and 8; is mounted freely upon the spindle E; has formed in it a slot or slots B
for the reception of one of the predetermined coins, and carries the pawl D,
capable of engaging with and driving the ratchet wheel F, fixed upon the spindle E,

page_text: so as to rotate that spindle in one direction only. The coin quadrant X, which is
best shewn by Figure 6, is also mounted freely upon the spindle E. Its front
bar Xfits in a recess in front of the coin lever, is the essential part of the
quadrant, and is connected by the link with the crank pin R¹ carried on
an extension from the wiper R³ fixed upon the spindle R of the handle R'. Upon
this spindle there is also fixed a ratchet wheel T with which the detent U, Figure 2,
engages to prevent rotation of the ratchet wheel except in the proper direction.
The same spindle has also fixed upon it the wiper S, the function of which will be
hereinafter described.
To facilitate the fitting together of the coin lever C and the quadrant and
bar XX, in their relative positions upon the spindle E, the coin lever is cast with
its lower part forked as shewn at ee Figures 3 and 34, and upon the bar X¹ there
are cast the coaxial bosses rx, one on each side of the bar. The limbs ee and the
bosses are bored to fit freely upon the spindle E. The opening through the
quadrant is sufficiently large to pass the coin lever C through it, and it is passed
through it so far that the limbs ee are in line with the faces of the bosses ar, when
the ends of the limbs are brought forward to bring their bore in line with the bore
of the bosses r, and the pair are then passed upon the spindle E, where they are
secured by a pin or nut. The coin lever C is separately shewn in plan and in front
and side elevation respectively by. Figure 3ª.
Excluding consideration of other portions of the apparatus and referring to
Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, it will be seen that when the handle R is rotated without
the insertion of a coin, the coin quadrant will be ineffectually oscillated, and no
result will occur, Figure 6. If however a coin be inserted in B, this coin comes
in front of and into the path of the coin quadrant bar X, and the coin lever with
the coin therein must partake in the motion of the quadrant. After the insertion
of a coin therefore, the handle is rotated through a complete revolution, and the
coin lever and quadrant will have made a complete to and fro oscillation. At the
end of the forward motion, there is a slight dwell, owing to the crank pin being at
the dead centre, and at this point the wiper R' rotating with the handle enters
its point below the edge of the coin and by its continued motion, ejects the coin
from the lever, Figures 7 and 8. Referring to Figure 6, it will be seen that the
curved part of the quadrant X comes into the path of a coin into the slot of the
coin lever, unless the handle is in one particular position, as shewn by Figures 1
and 5, and it will therefore be impossible to insert a coin into the apparatus unless
the handle is, in that position. If this precaution be not desired the curved
part X may be oinitted leaving only the bar X'.
The motion of the handle and consequently of the ratchet wheel F is
clockwise.
Assuming that the wheel F has 100 teeth and is rotated through the space
of one tooth for each cubic foot of gas to he delivered, then a complete revolution:
of the wheel will determine the delivery of 100 cubic feet. As the stroke of the
pawl effects only one fourth of a revolution of the wheel, the amount of gas thus
arranged to be supplied would be twenty five feet. Should this be found to be too
great a supply for one penny, then the index W is shifted until it points to the
smaller quantity to be supplied. The index finger W is connected by an arm and
lever to to a cam which is pivotted on E, under the pawl D, and by the movement
of the index W is pushed forward, lifting the pawl so that it does not come into
engagement with the ratchet wheel F until this has passed over a number of teeth,
equal to the difference between the number of cubic feet to be supplied, and the
maximum number. Thus, if a full stroke of the pawl moves the ratchet wheel
through the space of twenty-five teeth to supply twenty-five cubic feet, and it be
desired to supply twenty feet only, the cam is moved so far that the pawl misses
engagement with the five first teeth. As already herein before stated, this device
is well known and in use, and it is not therefore fully illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, nor is it claimed by us except so far as relates to the pawl or an-
equivalent device. It will be obvious that instead of 100 teeth the ratchet wheel

page_text: may have any other convenient number, 120 for example. If the device Ww be
not employed we use an equivalent cam to lift the pawl out of the ratchet at the
end of the stroke.
When the coin lever and quadrant are returned to their position of rest, the
pawl D is raised by the cam on the arm w out of contact with the ratchet wheel,
so that this wheel is now free to be turned back by the ordinary counting mechanism
of the meter.
The spindle E has fixed upon it a pinion G gearing with the wheel H, which can
be driven by friction by the parallel co-axial wheel H Figure 3 which is geared
with the meter spindle as usual. To ensure the frictional driving of H by H' the
two wheels are pressed together by means of a spring disc or by other known
equivalent means. On a flange perpendicular to the wheel H and formed
integrally with it or on an equivalent part there is a recess O, Figures 2, 9 and 10,
into which a stop on the lever P can fall when the recess is brought under the stop
by the rotation of the ratchet wheel F. The forward end of this lover has a
square opening N formed in it as shewn by Figure 3, which opening embraces the
vertical spindle M of the ordinary counting mechanism. On this spindle there is
formed a square in such a position that when the lever P has descended in con-
sequence of its stop having fallen into the recess O, the square opening engages
tlie square on the spindle and further rotation of the spindle is prevented, thus
stopping the continued delivery of gas. This stop gear is released by a pin Z,
Figure 9, fixed upon the coin lever in contact with the under side of P. When
therefore the coin lever is moved forward, the lever P and its squared eye N is
lifted, thus removing the stop from the recess and the eye N from the square of
the spindle M, and setting the meter free for the delivery of more gas.
As already described, the handle R³ can be turned in one direction only, as
provided by the ratchet wheel T and pawl U. To ensure that a complete turn is
made by the handle for each coin inserted, we employ a supplementary L shaped
lever which may be pivoted on the same stud or pin as the pawl U, and the
forward end of which has a square eye formed in it similar to and for the same
purpose as the eye N, in the lever P, but it is more convenient that the eye in O
should engage with a separate square on the spindle M, below the afore mentioned
square, so that when the lever is lifted to disengage the square of Q the round
part of the spindle between the squares can rotate in the eye. The wiper S,
Figure 10, is constructed to come into contact with and move the lower limb of
the lever Q, only when the handle is in a certain position, for instance that shewn
by Figure 1. When it is thus placed, as shewn by Figure 9, the forward end of
the lever is lifted so far that its eye comes out of engagement with the square on
the spindle which is then free to rotate. Should the handle not be returned to this
position, the lever Q engages the spindle M by its square and no gas can be
supplied, since this spindle is driven by the gas passing through the meter, and if
its rotation be stopped, the supply of gas is stopped also.
From the construction and arrangement of the devices it follows that upon the
insertion of a coin and the rotation of the handle, the wheel H and its recess are
displaced through a determined angle and the eyes in the levers P and Q are lifted
out of engagement with the squares on the spindle M, so that the gas is free to
flow through the ineter. With the flow of the gas the counting wheels I, J, K,
and L, and the wheel H' are compelled to rotate, and thereby the wheel H is also
compelled to rotate by its frictional contact with H', but in the opposite direction
to that in which it was moved by the handle. After the determined quantity of
gas has passed the meter, the recess O comes under the stop on the lever P which
consequently falls, and engages its eye with the spindle M, stopping the further
flow of gas.
Several coins may be inserted one after another, a turn of the handle being.
taken for each coin before the insertion of another, and the full value of the coins
inserted will be delivered in gas before the supply is stopped. The number of coins
will be determined by the gearing F, G, H, as will be obvious.

page_text: 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. In coin freed apparatus for the delivery of gas. and other fluids from meters,
the combination and arrangement of a coin quadrant and coin lever, means for
Oscillating or partly rotating and returning the quadrant, a pawl on the coin lever
engaging with the ratchet wheel F, and a cam or device for releasing the pawl,
constructed and operating substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated
by the accompanying drawings.
2. In coin freed apparatus for the delivery of gas and other fluids from meters,
the combination with the coin lever, of the wiper R2, constructed and operating
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and as illustrated by
the accompanying drawings.
3. In coin-freed apparatus for the delivery of gas and other fluids from meters,
the combination and arrangement of the main stop lever P, a non-circular part on
the spindle M, and a pin Z on the coin lever, substantially as and for the purpose
bereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
4. In coin-freed apparatus for the delivery of gas and other fluids from meters,
the combination and arrangement with the handle R³, of the wiper S, the lever Q,
a non-circular eye in the lever Q, and a non-circular part on the spindle M, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein before described and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 8th day of July A.D. 1893;
WILLIAM E. HETS,
Agent for the Applicants.