Improvements in and connected with Coin Receiving and Coin Actuating Mechanism of Coin Freed Gas Meters.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Coin Receiving and Coin
Actuating Mechanism of Coin Freed Gas Meters.
We RICHARD THOMAS GLOVER and JOHN GEORGE GLOVER, of the firm. Thomas
Glover and Company, Limited 214 to 222 St. John Street, Clerkenwell, London.
Gas Meter Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the particular construction and arrangement of the
coin receiving mechanism and its relation to the coin actuated mechanism of a
coin freed Gas Meter.
Hitherto a coin pocket has generally been used which is free to move in either
direction unless a coin be first inserted to lock it in connection with the Meter
mechanism, moreover before a coin can be inserted the coin pocket must be moved
back against a stop to ensure that the coin entry and the pocket coincided, whereas
according to our present invention, the coin receiver is non returnable being
revolvable in one direction only and is so formed and arranged that immediately
one coin is discharged, the coin receiver is set for the reception of another coin
without any preliminary action on the part of the Consumer.
In carrying our invention into practice, we preferably mount a wheel or disc
loosely upon its spindle and parallel to the notched or divided wheel to be actuated,
the said wheel having preferably a corresponding number of slots, notches, or teeth
in or on its face or edge radially disposed for the reception of a coin inserted in a
movable slot arranged either at right angles or parallel to the axis of the
receiving wheel.
The receiving wheel is so arranged in relation to the Meter mechanism notched
plate that a coin when inserted through the outer coin entry engages, the corre-
sponding tooth, notch, or slot of the plate and the wheel thereby locking them
together for rotation by a consumer through a given arc, a fixed stop at the coin
delivery being so disposed that the coin itself limits the rotation of the mechanism
by abutting against it.
An adjustable fixed or automatically operated shutter may be so arranged as to
block out any given number of teeth or slots, so that a second coin cannot be
inserted unless the mechanism is moved fully round to discharge the first one.
The coin receiver has a number of ratchet teeth around its periphery for the
engagement of a paul to prevent back rotation, and means such as a paul operated
by the insertion of the coin may be provided to prevent it from moving in either
direction unless a coin be first inserted to release it.
1005

page_text: Improvements in and connected with Coin Receiving and Coin
Actuating Mechanism of Coin Freed Gas Meters.
We, RICHARD THOMAS GLOVER and JOHN GEORGE GLOVER, of the firm Thomas
Glover and Company Limited, 214 to 222 St. John Street, Clerkenwell, 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 ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the particular construction and arrangement of the
coin receiving mechanism and its relation to the coin actuated mechanism of a
Coin Freed Gas Meter.
Hitherto a coin-pocket has generally been used which is free to move in either
direction unless a coin be first-inserted to lock it in connection with the Meter
mechanism, moreover before a coin can be inserted the coin pocket must be moved
back against a stop to ensure that the coin entry and the pocket coincided, whereas
according to our present invention, the coin receiver is non-returnable being
revolvable in one direction only and is so formed and arranged that immediately
one coin is discharged, the coin receiver is set for the reception of another coin
without any preliminary action on the part of the Consumer.
In carrying our invention into practice, we preferably mount a wheel or disc
loosely upon its spindle and parallel to the notched or divided wheel to be actuated,
the said wheel having preferably a corresponding number of slots, notches, or
teeth in or on its face or edge radially disposed for the reception of a coin inserted
in a movable slot arranged either at right angles or parallel to the axis of the
receiving wheel.
The receiving wheel is so arranged in relation to the Meter mechanism notched
plate that a coin when inserted through the outer coin entry engages the corre-
sponding tooth, notch, or slot of the plate and the wheel thereby locking them
together for rotation by a Consumer through a given arc, a fixed stop at the coin
delivery being so disposed that the coin itself limits the rotation of the mechanism
by abutting against it.
Our invention is clearly indicated on the annexed sheet of drawings, Figure 1
being a face view of a Meter with our price changer apparatus affixed thereto and
by which on the adjustment of the face plate on its suspending hook, the quantity
of Gas to be supplied to a Consumer for a coin of given value can be determined.
Figure 2 an inside view of so much of a Meter with the face plate removed and the
notched back coin receiver wheel exposed. Figure 3 is an edge elevation of the
two coin receiver wheels and showing the slot closing shutter with the locking bolt
or catch which locks the operative or back coin receiver wheel while the coin is
being inserted. Figure 4 represents a face view of a coin receiver wheel with
ratchet teeth on its periphery and into which a pawl can engage to prevent back
rotation. This wheel may be next the face plate, or as a back plate, or two of such
plates may be fitted to the Meter for the reception of a coin from the face plate
portion.
W
.:. 28455 1.
+
Figure 5 face view of another form of plate with pockets. Figure 6 side
elevation of two of such pocket plates or wheels to facilitate a coin being dropped
in from above.
"
Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, A, is the Meter. B, the price changer casing.
C, the spindle operable by the inserted coin in one direction and in the other by
the Meter mechanism during consumption of Gas D, is a wheel with notches in
its face, this is. firmly secured to the spindle C, one edge of each face tooth being
rounded off for easy insertion of a coin. E, is a front wheel secured to the axle I

page_text: of the turning knob G, said wheel being however controlled by a pawl H to permit
of its being turned in one direction only, the notches being so arranged that when
the pawl is in one of them another is directly behind the slot of the face plate I
of the price changer.
J is a slot covering shutter pivotted at K to the face plate I but which can be
moved over by pressure on the thumb piece L for uncovering the slot such as
when a coin has to be inserted. The pivot pin of this shutter has a crook M for
pressing on a spring pawl M¹ for entering any of the notches of the back plate or
wheel to lock it firmly the instant the shutter is moved, this prevents sur-
reptitious tampering with the Meter mechanism, a further security against petty
pilfering is secured by the pawl H' engaging the teeth of the back wheel 1) except
when great pressure is employed such as by turning the knob G after the location
of a coin in the notches of the two wheels D and E.
N is a fixed stop against which the coin strikes and becomes disengaged from
the notches when brought round for delivery into the till receptacle or money
box P, which box in this case is formed from the bottom of the price changer
doubly secured to the Meter by the padlock Q and by the cross bar R which also
fixes the face plate I of the price changer under the seal of a Gas Company.
We have not shown any of the Meter mechanism, because it forms no part of
our invention, it being of the usual construction and has a simple connection by
gear wheels with the spindle C. The coin by the position of the slot has a part
projecting from the notches, this bears against the circular part T of the casing B
and is moved round to the delivery hole U, the coin being otherwise securely held
slightly aslant in the two wheels D), E. Instead of the notches being at the edge
of the wheel as at Figure 3, they may be formed as slots in the face as in the
modified arrangement, Figure 4, this facilitates ratchet teeth W. being upon the
edge for the check pawl H or H' to engage in should such a wheel be substituted
for either of the notched wheels D, E. The edge ratchet teeth wheel is also
available where pockets V are formed in the adjoining faces of the wheels D, E, as
at Figures 5 and 6 for the drop insertion of a coin.
An adjustable shutter may be so arranged as to block out any given number of
teeth or slots, so that a second coin cannot be inserted unless the mechanism is
moved fully round to discharge the first one, said shutter having openings at the
required distance apart to coincide with the extent of movement to be imparted to
the wheel E according to the value of the coin inserted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. The improvements in and connected with coin receiving and coin actuating
mechanism of Coin Freed Gas Meters herein before set forth and identified by
wheels D, E, pawls H, H', shutter J, locking crook M, all arranged and acting in
the manner and for the purposes described.
2. In a Coin freed Gas Meter, the employment of a disc or wheel such as E with
coin receiving slots, notches, or their equivalent so disposed that a fresh one coin-
cides with the coin entry simultaneously with the discharge of the previous coin
substantially as shown and as described.
The 27th day of October 1897.
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166 Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said;-
Richard Thomas Glover and
John George Glover.