Improved Mechanism for Coin Freed Gas Meters.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 7th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1900
Improved Mechanism for Coin Freed Gas Meters.
We, GEORGE WILLIAM PEARCE and STEPIDEN Joux WitbrEAD, both of G6,
Bishopsgate Street Within, City of Loudon, Gas Meter Manufacturers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improved mechanism for coin freed gas
meters.
For the purpose of this invention, wo arrange a loosely fitted rod in suitable
bearings. The rod by a square or feather carries a toothed wheel, on one face of
which is a series of hook like projections, and between these but more towards
the centre is a series of pins. The rod has a lever affixed for engaging against
and slipping from such hook like projections at each push action of the toothed
wheel by a coin, the slip being occasioned by a weight on the inner end of the
rod which by the reverse motion of the toothed wheel now causes the lever to
drop on to the next pin and so on after the insertion of each coin.
The rod has also a lip piece to engage under or over a head of the gas valve
which is opened thereby, or it may press upon a valve lever for that purpose.
The forward end of the rod is embraced by one lip of a tilting cradle in and
on to which the coin is forced from a star wheel operable by a turn button when a
coin is inserted into the receiving slot, the toothed wheel being simultaneously
moved rearwardly on the rod.
The other face of the toothed wheel has a series of pins or studs and an
angled face claw hook of a lover of the index mechanism comes to engage
between them in succession, this rides up and over one pin at the time by the
action of a crank operated by the meter mechanism and then claws at the same
pin to bring the toothed wheel back as the gas consumption proceeds until the
rod is returned to a fixed stop and the gas valve closed.
The action of the cradle in discharging the coin brings back the toothed wheel
to its first position.
The teeth of the wheel first referred to is in gear with a pinion of a quantity
index hand of a dial which will show to the consumer the remaining quantity
of gas he is entitled to according to the number of coins passed into and from
the cradle, each coin in which pushes back the disc and then becomes discharged
into the moner box or cash receiver.
11
1 1000

page_text: We, GEORGE WILLIAM PEARCE and STEPHEN JOHN WITHREAD, both of 60,
Bishopsgate Street Within, City of London, Gas Meter Manufacturers, 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 certain improved mechanism for coin freed gas
meters.
For the purpose of this invention, wo arrange a loosely fitted rod in suitable
bearings. The rod carries a toothed wheel, on one face of which is a series of
hook like projections, and between these but more towards the centre is a series
of pins. The rod has a finger or lever affixed for engaging against and slipping
from such hook like projections at each push action of a coin, the slip being
occasioned by a weight on the inner end of the rod which by the reverse motion
of the toothed wheel now causes the lever to drop on to the next pin and so on
after the insertion of each coin.
The rod has also a lip piece to engage under a head of the gas valve which is
opened thereby. The forward end of the rod is embraced by one lip of a tilting
cradle in and on to which the coin is forced from a star wheel operable by a turn
button when a coin is inserted into the receiving slot.
The other face of the toothed wheel has a series of pins or studs, and an
angled face claw hook of a lover of the index mechanism comes to engago
between them in succession, this rides up and over one pin at the time by the
action of a crank operated by the meter imechanism and then claws at the same
pin to bring the toothed wheel back as the gas consumption proceeds until the
rod is returned to a fixed stop and the gas valve closed.
The action of the cradle spring in discharging the coin brings back the rod
to its first position.
The guard-end as a finger can bo moved over a figured plate which will show
to the consumer the remaining quantity of gas he is entitled to according to
the number of coins passed into the meter, the finger going slowly back to zero
as the consumption continues.
Our invention will be clearly understood by reference to the annexed drawings.
Figure 1 plan of the coin mechanism operating parts within the upper casing
of a gas meter, the appliances being in the position of rest and the gas inlet valve
fully open, a block bar being theu across the path of the coin receiver to prevent
fresh entry or passage of coin until some portion of the gas already paid for
has been consumed.
the
Figure 2 side elevation of the coin operative mechanism in the same positions,
gas valve being open.
Figure 3 side elevation of coin operative mechanism with the gas inlet valvo
roturned to a closing position and showing the varied positions each inserted
coin has to follow after being passed into the coin receiving slot until it finally
falls into the cash box.
Figure 4 face view of the disc with the head of the gas valve in position when
open.
Figure 5 corresponding view showing the position of the head of the gas
valve when lifted and the valve closed.
A, casing of gas meter of any ordinary kind.
B. B. bearings supporting a back throw or end-on motioned rod C carrying
on its back end a weight D. Between the bearings B, B, the rod C has a

page_text: projecting lip plate E, and the front end a collar F, against which a coin dis-
charger pressed forward by a spring H has a bearing. The front of the rod C
terminates in a rounded head which each coin has to bear against and force the
rod C back to the position shown in dotted lines at Figure 3. The rod C also
carries a cranked guard I, which when the full number of coins has been inserted
for opening the gas valve J to its fullest extent, comes across the bottom of the
coin slot and prevents their passage, should any additional coins be inserted,
until some consumption of gas has taken place, when the guard will be removed
automatically away and so free the passage.
The rod Chas a pointer or finger K affixed to it and this is normally in contact
with the inner face of an otherwise loose disc L, said disc L remaining stationary
during the push-in action of the rod C by the coins, in which case the finger K
which bears against one of the pins M projecting from the back face of the disc L,
is pushed rearwardly when the rod C is pushed back, and as the finger is pushed
from the end of the pin M, it falls on the tail of a hook like projection N. During
the return motion of the rod C under the action of the spring H, the finger
drops from the tail end of the hook N and lodges on the next lower pin M, the
two motions corresponding to the quantity of gas to be given in exchange for
the inserted coin.
The disc although free of the rod C is supported by its collar P and a
separate bearing Q, and any back action of the disc L is prevented by the ratchet
wheel R and a stop pawl.
The foregoing explains the opening of the gas valve proportionate to the
number of coins inserted through the slot S and successively passed by the
moon shaped plate T, or a star wheel which receives the coins singly and forces
them when the handle or turn button U is operated, each coin as it finishes the
pressing back of the rod C by falling on the fug V of a tilting cradle G becomes
shot therefrom by the return motion of the rod C due to the tension put upon
the spring H, and from thence falls into the cash box affixed to the meter.
Supposing now consumption of gas commences, the meter mechanisms of the
usual construction and arrangement operates the index shaft W by and from
which the quantity consumed becomes registered, we by the addition of an extra
gear wheel, or of a series of gear wheels at X, rotate a cranked shaft Y, to the
crank of which we attach a draw pawl Z to engage teeth on the edge of the
disc L, or it may be pins projecting from the front face of the disc, which in its
turn draws the finger K resting against one of the pins M with it, and this by
turning the rod Clifts the weight D a proportionate distance, and so on until
the lip lifts the head J and closes the gas valve J to shut off the supply.
It is ouly when the fixed number of coins have been inserted and the weight D
lowered to its fullest extent that the guard I can stop the passage of fresh coins,
so although fresh coins can be placed into the slot S, no operation of the rod C
can occur until the guard I be removed by the back action of the rod C due to
consumption. The guard I terminates in a finger to travel over a plate with
numerals, to show the number of coins inserted through the apparatus and to
indicate to the consumer, the quantity of unconsumed gas at his disposal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The construction and arrangement of the several herein referred to appliances
affixable to any gas meter, in or by which, a weighted push back rod can be
operated by coins forced from a receiving slot to open a gas valve due to the
slip of a finger from a pin to the tail of a hook, and from thence to the next pin
of a series projecting from a disc during the return motion of such rod as set
forth, the arrangement being substantially as shown on the annexed drawings.
2. In coin freed gas meter appliances, a weighted end on motioned rod with
finger having slip action along a pin, a drop on to the tail of a hook, a return

page_text: slip along said tail and a drop on to next pin of a disc for cach pushed in coin,
as described with reference to the annexed drawings.
3. In coin freed apparatus for gas meters, in which the valve opening appliances
are operated as in the preceding claim, the combination of claw operated from
the index mechanism to move the disc L, the rod C the lip E, the weight D, and 5
finally close the gas valve from the meter mechanism, as specified.
1
1
A
1000
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said:
George William Pearce and Stephen John Whitbread.