Improvements in Coin-freed Mechanism for Electric Meters.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coin-freed Mechanism for Electric Meters.
I, CORNELIUS CANTÉ, of No. 10, Hofstrasse, Frankfort on Main, in the German
Empire, Engineer, 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 improvements in coin-freed mechanism for electric
meters. According to this invention a device cuts off the current from the place
of consumption after a clockwork has run down and the cut off device or con-
necting piece is held in such position by an arresting device. The position of
the latter is changed by the insertion of a coin into the apparatus whereby a
spring is set free which pulls the cut off device and connecting piece into the
position to make the circuit and admit the current.
In order that this invention may be the better understood I now proceed to
describe the same, as combined with an electric meter reference being had to
the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 shows a side view of the electric meter.
Figures 2 and 3 show detail views of the arrangement of the armature.
Figures 4 and 5 show views which correspond to Figure 1, but show the parts
in different positions.
An armature a, Figures 2 and 3, is exposed to the influence of a magnetic
field produced by coils b and c. The coil is preferably round of thin wire
which is arranged in shunt circuit to the wire carrying the working current.
The outer coil c wound preferably of comparatively thick wire is inserted direct
into the working circuit and is arranged so that the current which passes through
it has the tendency to weaken the field produced by the coil b. Therefore the
stronger the current is which passes through the coil c, the less will be the
retarding action of the coil b, on the armature a.
The armature a is connected to a clockwork which is conveniently operated
by a weight e Figure 1 which acts on a lever f, which engages by means of a
pawl with a ratcheth Figures 1 and 2 thus rotating the gearing d and the
armature a. The axles of the gearing wheels d, are connected to pointers, moving
over corresponding dials. This movement of the pointers is influenced by the
retardation of the armature a, and therefore by the working current which flows
the coil c.
When the weight e has run down so far that the free end of the lever f strikes
upon a spring 7 previously overcome by the weight e comes into action and
causes the whole mechanism to swing out around the pivot k. The piece m
through which flows the working current to be measured then cuts off the latter.
The swinging out of the clockwork casing operates also, the bell
calls attention to the necessity of winding the clockwork by raising the weight e.
The clockwork may alternatively be operated by a spring.
which thus
As soon as the weight is suspended freely the spring has again been over-
come the whole mechanism is inclined to the left and places the connecting
piece m into action so that the working current can flow again through the
circuit.

page_text: In order to ensure that the gearing mechanism shall act only when current is
being used the arrangement shown in Figure 2 is provided.
A magnet o attracts an armature q as long as current is used, the armature q
presses a retarding spring out of the path of the vanes p operated by the clock
work. When no current is used and thus the coil o does not carry any current,
a spring connected to the armature 9 comes into the path of the vanes p, and
the clock work stands still without running down uselessly. Part of the
mechanism is fixed to a wall or board d¹ of insulating material.
The coin freed mechanism is constructed as follows:-
The cut off device, or connecting piece m is situated on a pivotted lever y
which is subject to the influence of a spring . A plate s is provided in the
path of the coin channel and is situated on a lever t, the free end of which ends
in a projection u.
At the side of this projection u is provided a catch subjected to the influence
of a spring w. The motion of the catch is limited, by a pin and the said
catch is adapted to pass under a bend a¹ of the lever y.
When the clockwork has run down and the cut off or connecting piece has
consequently been brought into the position shewn in Figure 4 the lever t, which
for this purpose is connected to a lever y by a spring c is lifted somewhat and
the finger is brought with certainty into the path of the bend a¹. When now
the clock work is wound again so that the weight e occupies the position shewn
in Figure 5 the clock work casing with the parts therein will occupy its original
position but the cut off device or connecting piece m does not return into the
position in which it completes the circuit because the member v does not admit
this.
The member is pushed away from the bend, a¹, only after the insertion of a
coin into the channel r. The coin falling on the plate s causes the lever t to
swing out the projection u pressing then against the member and setting
free the lever y, which is pulled down by the spring 61. The cut off m then allows
the current to pass into the working circuit.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1st. Coin-freed mechanism for electric meters in which an arresting device t, v
(previously operated after the running down of a clock work and the cutting off
of an electric current) is disengaged, a spring 61 set free and circuit made by
the insertion of a coin into the coin channel.
2nd. A mode of constructing the coin freed mechanism claimed in Claim 1
in which a connecting piece m remains out of action after the running down of
the clock work until it can be pulled down with the projection u, and member v
after the insertion of a coin into the apparatus and the consequent swinging
out of a lever t, so that current can enter again into the working circuit and
the electric meter enter into operation again.
Dated this 9th day of Santambon 1900