Improvements in Coin-controlled Mechanism for Electric Meters.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1897- Accepted, 6th Aug., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coin-controlled Mechanism for Electric Meters.
I, WILLIAM FRANK BROWNE, of the City of New York, in the County and State
of New York, United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to a prepayment, coin-controlled mechanism, connecting
with, and operated by, the rotary shaft, or other moving part, of an electric light
meter, for securing payment in advance for a certain quantity or volume of the
current being metered and delivered to the consumer or customer.
The object of my invention is to provide simple, accurate and effective devices
for automatically starting the meter into operation for supplying the desired
current, or stopping the same to cut off the flow of current, by means of a suitable
coin, said coin acting by its weight or gravity, to start the mechanism and keep
it in operation till its value, in fluid, has been metered; and then, by its discharge
permitting the mechanism to automatically shut off the flow of fluid to the meter
and customer.
My invention is herein illustrated in connection with an electric light meter,
and the mechanism as shown is adapted (by the weight of a coin) for starting the
meter and permitting it to operate till a predetermined number of Watt hours of
electric current have been metered to the customer; also for stopping the flow
of current when the value of the prepayment coin, in Watt hours, has been
metered or consumed. For example, electric light current is now sold at the
rate of one cent per hour for each sixteen (16) candle power lamp, or one dollar
($1.00) for one hundred hours. At this rate two lamps could be run fifty hours,
or ten lamps ten hours, etc. Now I proportion the system of toothed wheels in
my mechanism, so that the last wheel of the series, when but one lamp is on,
will revolve once in one hundred hours, or one half around in fifty hours, the one-
half turn measuring current equal to the value of fifty cents, for fifty (50) hours,
while one revolution of the wheel measures current equal to the value of one
hundred cents for one hundred (100) hours.
The shaft of the meter revolves once in thirty seconds when a 16 candle-power
incandescent lamp is turned on, or twice in one minute, while with two 16 candle-
power lamps, or one 32 candle-power lamp, it revolves four times in one minute;
it will show a corresponding increase for each lamp turned on.
The above principles of construction and operation are embodied in my
mechanism.
The matter constituting my invention will be defined in the claims.
I will now describe the details of construction and operation of my invention
by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,-
Figure 1 represents a front elevation of my device, in connection with an elec-
tric meter, the casing being in section.
Fig. 2 represents a side elevation thereof.
Fir 3 represents a modification in front elevation. similar to Thie 1

page_text: Fig. 4 represents a side elevation thereof.
Fig. 5 represents a top plan view showing part of my device on enlarged scale.
Fig. 6 represents a front or edge view of the coin pocket wheel.
Figs. 7 and 8 represent detail views of a coupling joint.
Fig. 9 represents a vertical section of the coin pocket wheel.
Fig. 10 represents a side elevation of the coin pocket wheel.
Fig. 11 represents a detail of the electrical conductor joint with flexible pro-
tector.
Fig. 12 represents a rear elevation of an electric meter with my coin-controlled
devices located within the frame or case thereof, certain parts being broken away.
Fig. 13 represents a side elevation of the same looking from the left.
Fig. 14 represents a side elevation of the same looking from the right.
Fig. 15 represents a front elevation of a modified form of my coin-controlled
device.
Fig. 16 represents a side elevation of a further modified form showing additional
features of construction.
Fig. 17 represents a sectional elevation of certain details of construction shown
in Fig. 16.
Fig. 18 represents a horizontal section of part of the devices shown in Fig. 17.
A suitable motor-meter A, and my prepayment coin-controlled mechanism B,
are enclosed in a suitable case, or each device may be enclosed in a separate case,
placed adjacent one to the other. In Figs. 12, 13 and 14, I have illustrated my
coin-controlled mechanism located within the case of the meter and taking up
very little space, as shown, but for greater clearness, I have also shown my
devices in a compartment separate from the meter case in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5,
and will now describe this construction and arrangement of the parts. The
principal parts of the meter are well known and consist of the armature a, on
shaft S, coils a¹, commutator b, register r, and retarder y. Upon the armature
shaft S, is secured, or formed, a suitable worm s, adapted to engage a toothed
wheel C. In the device here shown the wheel C, is made with 100 teeth, and is
To shaft c,
mounted on a shaft c, supported in journals in the bracket-frame D.
is secured the worm c¹ for engaging the toothed wheel E, which is secured to
shaft e, supported in journals in uprights d, of bracket D. The gear wheel E,
is made with one hundred (100) teeth, and its shaft e, is coupled by a yielding
coupling device e¹, or el, directly to the axle of the revolving coin pocket wheel F,
journalled in the yielding frame H. The yielding coupling may consist of the
sliding coupling device 61, e¹, (Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8), the disk b', of which connects
with shaft e, and the sliding-bar e', of which connects to the axle f, of wheel F.
The disk b¹, is provided in one face with a transverse groove into which is fitted,
to slide freely, the bar e¹, so that the parts shall remain coupled while permitting
the frame H and its coin-pocket wheel F, to be lowered when a coin is deposited
in the wheel, and to be raised when the coin is discharged therefrom. The
yielding coupling may also consist of link el, pivotally connected to shaft e, and
to axle f, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.
The coin-pocket wheel F, is provided with axles f, journalled, on each side,
in the frame H, so that the wheel is free to rotate. The wheel F, is preferably
constructed with the coin-pockets f¹, and f¹¹, one on each side of a central parti-
tion g, and such pockets, have interior curved walls shown by the full and the
dotted lines in Fig. 10. These curved walls (the bottoms of the pockets) extend
from the periphery of the wheel, at the points gl, and gl, inward, beyond the
center, a distance equal to about one-half of the diameter of the coin R, so that
the coin shall rest centrally in the wheel, and therefore exert no leverage on the
same during its revolution. By virtue of this interior curved wall, also, the coin
is retained in the pocket till the wheel has made one-half a revolution.
During the one-half revolution of wheel F, the coin in the upper pocket descends
in a vertical line till it is discharged at the bottom, when the pocket fll is at or near
the position shown by full lines in Fig. 10.

page_text: The partition wall g, may be made solid, but, preferably, has the center turned
or cut out, as shown at the opening g, to make the wheel lighter.
The opening of the pocket extends between the points g¹, g¹¹, and is long enough
to readily receive the coin from the conduit and to let it roll out at the end of
the one-half revolution of the wheel. The pockets overlap each other, and the
interior wall of each is beveled from the periphery inward, as shown in
Fig. 10, so as to leave the opening wide enough to readily receive the coin.
The yieldingly supported frame H, is constructed with two side bars and with
guide-rods h, h¹, at the upper and lower ends, the upper rod sliding in the guide
socket or bearing I, and the lower rod sliding in the bearing I¹. A disk h¹, is
secured to the lower rod h¹, as a bearing for the coiled spring i, around the socket I³,
as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The spring i, acts to keep the frame and coin wheel
in a raised position when there is no coin in the wheel. The coin conduit G,
extends from the slot g, in the wall of the case, to the wheel F, and is supported
by the bracket gl, secured to the case, or other convenient means. One side of
the conduit, as g, may be open for removing foreign substances. The lower end
of the conduit G, is provided with a hanger to which is pivotally connected at k,
the coin detent K, having a curved end projecting through an opening in the
conduit, Fig. 2, to hold the coin in the conduit till the previous coin drops from
the pocket. The other end of detent K, is pivotally connected by pin k¹, or by
axle f, to the frame H, so that it is operated by the rise and fall of the frame.
In Figs. 1 and 2, the frame and coin-pocket wheel (containing a coin), are
represented in the lowered position, with the electric circuit closed, while in
Figs. 3 and 4, the same parts are shown in the raised position with the electric
circuit broken.
A lifting-lever M, is pivotally connected at pin m, to the upper guide-rod h,
of frame H, and is supported on a fulcrum m¹, on post 1, of the bracket L, and
is connected by a pin to the link n¹, which connects the wire sections P and N of
the positive and negative conductors P¹ and N¹. The rear end of lever M, is
provided with a cage m¹, Fig. 2, for holding the counterweight ball n. Instead
of a cage and ball, a counter-weight n¹, may be suspended from the rear end of
lever M, as shown in Fig. 4. The link n¹, may have an upwardly projecting guide-
rod or pin p, sliding in a guide-bearing o, secured to the top of the case as shown.
The movable electric contact sections N and P may be made entirely detachable
from the conductors N¹ and P¹, as shown in Fig. 1, where they are shown in
contact, or such sections may be made, each, with one free contact end, and the
other end loosely connected to turn in a bearing q, of conductor P¹, as shown in
Fig. 3. Either construction and arrangement will give good results in practice.
The conductor wires N1 and PI are suitably insulated where they pass through
the case, and are held in place by flanged elbows a, secured to the frame in the
case.
The movable and stationary ends of the conductor P, P¹, or N, N¹, where contact
is made and broken, Fig. 11, are preferably protected by a covering or envelope t,
composed of light flexible material, as silk, for excluding dust. Instead of make
and break contact sections or switches in both the positive and negative conductors,
a single make and break contact section or switch may be provided in either the
positive or negative circuit and produce the same result.
The meter and my coin-controlled mechanism, constructed as above described
and shown in Figs. 1 to 14 inclusive, being set in position with the usual electrical
connections, the frame H, and wheel F, will be normally in the raised position,
with the movable contact section or sections P, N, open, and the circuit broken.
Now, if a coin, as a half silver dollar, be deposited in pocket wheel F, the frame
and wheel will be depressed, thereby causing the movable sections or switches
to make contact with the stationary conductors and admit current to the meter.
A lamp being turned on, the operation of the meter-motor turns shaft S, with
worms, thus transmitting motion through the gearing to the coin-pocket wheel F,
which will continue to revolve so long as the lamp or lamps remain turned on.

page_text: When current has been used to the extent of one 16-candle power lamp for fifty
(50) hours, the wheel F, will have revolved one half round and the coin will roll
out, permitting the frame H, to rise and break the circuit, thereby extinguishing
the light. When light is again desired, another coin must be deposited in the
upper pocket of wheel F. Should there be a coin in the conduit G, at the time
the preceding coin drops from the lower pocket it will be released by reason of
the outer end of detent K, being retracted by means of the rise of frame H. It
will be remembered that frame H, is automatically raised, by means of spring i
or the counterweighted lifting-lever M, so soon as the coin rolls out of the pocket
at the end of a half revolution of wheel F. Obviously two or more coins R, may
be in the conduit at one time and will roll down to the discharge end thereof as
required. Whenever a coin is in a pocket of wheel F, the circuit is closed and
current is passed through the meter to the lamps for illumination, and whenever
the pocket is empty the circuit is open or contact broken, current is shut off, and no
light is obtainable.
I will now describe the modifications in construction shown in Fig. 15. The
same coin pocket wheel, mounted in a movable frame, and connections are used as
above described, but instead of operating the movable contact section or switch P,
by means of the lifting-lever, I here operate it by means of the electro-magnets M¹
and M2, for opening and closing the main circuit, in the positive conductor P¹,
Within a suitable frame L', secured to the top of the case, are mounted the
electro-magnet M¹, suspended above the contact section P, and the electro mag-
net M2, below said section or switch, and the cores of said magnets are placed at
a suitable distance from the section P. This section P, is preferably provided,
at top and bottom, with the armature plates p', for making better contact with
the cores of the electro magnets.
To the outer end of the shaft f, of wheel F, is rigidly secured the hub or disks t,
u, the parts being separated by suitable insulating material, for making connec-
tion with the signal-bell circuit. A hanger v, having at its lower end a binding
post or pin 1, is suspended from the bar I, with the post or pin ¹, adjacent to the
periphery of the disk t. A bracket w, having an upwardly projecting binding
post or pin w¹, is secured to the side of the case or frame, so that its pin or post
will project near to the periphery of the same disk t. Another bracket s¹, having
a pins, is secured to the side of the case or frame, so that its contact pin will
project close to the pin or lug on the disk u¹, (Fig. 15) on shaft f.
A small wire 1, is connected to the positive conductor P¹, and also by a loop
A wire 2,
around the disk or hub t, for making electrical connection therewith.
Another
is connected with pin ¹, and leads thence into the electro-magnet M¹.
wire 3, connects with the pin w', and leads therefrom into the electro-magnet M³.
Another wire 4, connects with the pin sl, and leads therefrom to the electro-
magnets of the signal bell W.
When a coin is in the wheel F, and such wheel and frame are depressed by
the weight thereof, the disk t, will be in contact with the binding-post or pin w¹,
and a current will therefore pass through wire 3, into the electro-magnet M²,
thereby energising it and causing it to pull down and hold the contact section or
switch P, in contact with the fixed conductor P¹, permitting current to be passed
to the electric lights. So soon as the coin drops out of wheel F, such wheel and
its frame, will rise, breaking connection at the pin ¹, and making contact with
the pin ¹, thus permitting a current to pass through the wire 2, into the electro-
magnets M, thereby energizing it, and causing it to attract or lift the contact
piece or switch P, and hold it in a raised position out of contact with the con-
ductor P¹, thus shutting off current. The lights would then be extinguished.
The contact pin on the disk u¹, is so arranged in relation to the contact pin $11,
that contact will be made by them, and thence with the bell-magnets five or ten
minutes before the coin would drop from the wheel, thus giving a signal in
advance, indicating that the coin will soon drop from its pocket, so that the

page_text: customer may deposit another coin in the wheel in time to prevent the light or
lights from being extinguished.
I will now describe mechanism for operating the detent lever, K¹, in the
modified form shown in Figs. 16 to 18 to permit one coin to pass from the con-
duit G into wheel F, immediately before the discharge of the preceding coin from
said wheel, so that the wheel shall not rise and open the electric circuit, and
thereby extinguish the lights. A sliding contact bar, o¹, is arranged within a
transverse groove in the metallic hub tt, and is held so as to slide freely therein,
by means of the end plates r¹, (Figs. 16, 17 and 18). This bar is in electrical
contact with the disk or hub tt, and is provided with an outwardly projecting
contact point o, adapted to make contact with the plate x. The bar, o, is sup-
ported and guided by the cam-shaped guide, O, which is supported upon insulated
posts z, z, (Figs. 16 and 17).
In a suitable position beyond the cam guides, O, is secured the insulated stan-
dard, V, having its upper end bent inward to near the center of the disk, t t¹, as
shown in Figs. 17 and 18. This inwardly bent end is provided with a longitudinal
socket which receives the stem, r', of the contact plate . A screw-threaded
regulating nut, ll, is secured upon the bent end of standard V, and between said
nut and the plate, r, is placed a coiled spring, y¹, which bears upon said plater,
to force it slightly outward where it is held in proper position to be struck by the
contact point, oli, when it passes downward. The contact-plate, a, is inclined
to its stem, so that the point, o", shall press upon it, and make good contact.
tension of the spring, y¹, is properly regulated by the nut vl.
The
A small wire, 5, connects the standard, V, with the electro-magnet, M³, which
is supported by a bracket L2. A small wire, 1, leads from the main conductor, P,
(Fig. 16) to the insulated contact block 2, and another wire, 1, connects said
contact block with the hub, t, t¹, whereby the current is thus taken into said hub
and thence to the sliding contact bar o.
In Fig. 16 which is a modification of the device for operating the device for
opening or closing the circuit shown in Fig. 15, I have shown the lifting-lever, M,
pivotally connected at m, to the lower stem h¹, of the frame H, and resting upon
the fulcrum ¹, and with its outer end provided with a weight n¹. The insulated
contact block pl. is fixed upon the lever M. Such block is arranged between
the two contact pins and w¹, which are held by the post w. A small wire, 3,
connects the contact pin ¹, with the electro-magnet M', in the lower part of
the case, and another small wire, 2, connects the upper contact pin ¹, with the
magnet M, also in the lower part of the case. These magnets M and M³, are
suitably placed above and below the contact section or switch P, for opening and
closing the electric light circuit, as heretofore described. The lever M shown
in Fig. 16 operates in a manner analogous to that of the disc t shown in Fig. 15.
The detent lever K', is pivotally connected at k, to the hanger 1, projecting from
the under side of the conduit G, and the inwardly turned end of the lever projects
up through the opening in said conduit, so as to act as a stop to the coin or to
the number of coins in the conduit, as shown in Fig. 16. The outer end of lever K,
is sufficiently weighted, and is provided with an armature plate k, just below
the core of the electro-magnet M³.
The operation of these devices is as follows:
During the one-half revolution of the coin-pocket wheel F, and its hub or
disk, t, the sliding contact-bar, o¹, is supported at its ends upon the interior
surface of the cam guide 0. After one-fourth revolution of said wheel and disk,
the har, o, will slide in its groove, so that the end which has been upward would
pass down and rest upon the interior surface of the cam guide 0, which will sup-
port it until the one-half revolution is nearly completed. A short time before
the one-half revolution of the coin wheel is completed the bar, o¹, will pass off
from the inner end of the cam guide O, and drop down into the position shown in
Fig. 16. As the bar drops, its contact point o", will bear against the contact
plate r, making electrical contact therewith. A current is now passed through
the wire, 5, into the electro-magnet M³, thereby energizing it and causing it to

page_text: attract the armature-plate ", and draw the outer end of lever k¹, upward, thus
retracting the inner bent end of said lever, and allowing the adjacent coin to
roll into the empty pocket of wheel F. Immediately after the point o¹, passes the
contact plate, the circuit will be broken and the outer end of lever k, would
immediately drop, thus forcing the inner bent end of the lever upward through
the opening in the bottom of conduit G, so as to hold in place the succeeding coin
in said conduit. The continued movement of the wheel F, until one-half revolu-
tion is completed, will now permit the first coin to roll out therefrom. Since the
second coin was admitted to the wheel before the first coin had rolled out, the
lights will not be extinguished. All the coin in the conduit will thus be fed down
into the coin pocket wheel until they are exhausted, before electrical contact will
be broken and the lights extinguished.
In practice a suitable door will be fitted to the case and provided with a lock
for removal of coin by the holder of the key.
In case current is sold at a rate or price different from that above described, then
my gear-wheels, coin-pocket wheel, connections, etc. will be so proportioned and
constructed as to correctly operate with coins of different denominations according
to the value of the current for a 16-candle power lamp per hour.
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 combination with an electric meter, of a rotary coin-pocket wheel and
suitable gearing connecting said wheel with a rotary part of the meter, whereby
said wheel will be rotated by the operation of the meter and a predetermined
quantity or volume of current metered to a customer by insertion of a suitable
coin in said pocket wheel.
2, The combination with the armature shaft, of an electric meter, of a rotary
coin-pocket wheel and suitable gearing and connections between said shaft and
wheel for rotating the latter for the purpose described.
3, The combination with the rotary shaft of an electric meter, of a coin-pocket
wheel yieldingly supported so that it may rise and fall, to make and break electri-
cal contacts in a circuit, and suitable gearing and connections between said
moving part of the meter and the coin wheel for rotating the latter by operation
of the meter, substantially as described.
4, The combination with an electric meter, of a rotary coin pocket wheel, in
a yielding support, means connecting said support with a conductor of electricity
to be metered for shutting off or admitting current to the meter, and suitable
gearing connecting said wheel with a moving part of the meter, whereby current
may be metered to the customer by the insertion of a coin in the coin wheel, sub-
stantially as described.
5, The combination with the armature shaft of an electric meter, of a yield-
ingly supported frame, adapted to automatically rise and fall, means connecting
said frame to a movable contact or switch in an electric circuit, a rotary coin-
pocket in said frame and means connecting with said shaft for rotating said coin
pocket to discharge a coin therefrom.
6, The combination with an electric meter, of a yieldingly supported frame,
a rotary coin pocket wheel in said frame, an electric circuit having a movable
contact or switch, means, connecting said frame to said contact or switch for
opening or closing the circuit, and gearing connecting the shaft of the meter to
said coin-pocket wheel for rotating it, whereby a coin, inserted in the wheel, will
close the circuit, admitting current to the meter, and cause the coin pocket wheel
to rotate, substantially as described.
7, The combination with the rotary shaft of an electric meter having a worm
gear, of a yieldingly supported rotary coin-pocket wheel, which is adapted to be
raised and lowered, connections from said wheel to a movable contact or switch
in an electric circuit, connecting with the meter, suitable gearing connecting with

page_text: said worm and having a shaft provided with a yielding coupling device, con-
necting with the rotary coin-wheel, whereby said wheel may be rotated and
permitted to rise and fall for the purpose described.
8, In an electric meter the armature shaft, having a worm gear and motor,
in combination with a coin-pocket wheel and intermediate operating gearing and
shafts connecting them, whereby said wheel may be rotated by the operation of
the meter, substantially as described.
9, In coin-controlled mechanism, for electric meters, the coin-pocket wheel
centrally mounted on a motor-operated shaft and having a pocket made with a
curved interior wall or bottom extending from points in the periphery, inwardly
beyond the center of the wheel, the depth being such that coin may be deposited
at the center of the wheel and will descend, during the half revolution of the wheel,
in a vertical line, and therefore exert no leverage on said shaft, substantially as
described.
10, In coin-controlled mechanism for electric meters, the coin-pocket wheel
having two adjacent overlapping pockets with opposite circumferential openings,
and extending inwardly beyond the center of the wheel for receiving and dis-
charging coins.
11, In coin-controlled mechanism for electric meters, the coin-pocket wheel
having two pockets extending from the periphery inwardly beyond the center
of the wheel, and provided, each with an interior wall beveled from the periphery
inwardly for guiding a coin from the coin conduit to the bottom of the pocket,
substantially as described.
12, In coin-controlled mechanism for electric meters, a yieldingly supported
frame containing a coin-pocket wheel and having guide rods and bearings, means
for automatically raising said frame, and means connecting to a movable contact
or switch in an electric circuit, substantially as described.
13, In coin-controlled mechanism for electric meters, the yieldingly supported
frame, and the coin-pocket wheel therein, in combination with the coin conduit
and a detent projecting at one end into the conduit for retaining the coin, and
pivotally connected to the frame so as to be operated thereby to release a coin
when the parts are in the proper position, substantially as described.
14, The combination with the electric meter, of a rotary coin-pocket wheel,
in a yielding support, means connecting said support with an electric conductor or
switch for opening and closing the circuit to the meter, suitable gearing con-
necting said wheel with the moving part of the meter, and means for automatically
raising said yielding support, whereby a coin inserted in the wheel, will, by its
weight, operate said yielding support to close the circuit, and thereby meter a
current to the customer, substantially as described.
15, The motor shaft of an electric meter having a worm gear and motor, in
combination with a yieldingly supported coin pocket wheel adapted to be raised
and lowered, intermediate operating gearing, a shaft provided with a yielding
coupling connecting said motor shaft and wheel, whereby said wheel may be
rotated by the operation of the meter, substantially as described.
16, In a coin-controlled mechanism for electric meters, the yieldingly sup-
ported coin-pocket wheel, having a suitable coin-pocket and adapted to be moved
upward and downward in combination with suitable operating mechanism, sub-
stantially as described.
17, In a coin-controlled mechanism for electric meters, the coin wheel pro-
vided with a pocket made with an eccentric edge-wall or floor extending beyond
the center, and having a steep pitch or incline at the receiving side and a long,
curved, slight pitch or incline at the delivery side for retaining the coin till the
wheel has revolved to the proper point of discharge for the coin, substantially
as described.
18, In coin-controlled mechanism for electric meters, the coin wheel provided
with an eccentric pocket extending beyond the center, the peripheral opening
of the same extending circumferentially from the receiving lip to the discharge

page_text: lip to receive the desired coin, and the interior edge wall or floor having a deep
pitch or incline at the receiving side and a long, curved, slight pitch or incline
at the delivery side, whereby the coin may be deposited at the center of the wheel,
and will descend, during the half revolution of the wheel, in a vertical line, and
therefore exert no leverage around the axis, substantially as described.
19, In coin-controlled mechanism for electric meters, the yieldingly supported
coin-pocket wheel, adapted to be moved downward by the weight of a coin and
to be moved upward by a spring, weight or other equivalent device, in combina-
tion with an electrical conductor for light or power, a movable section or switch
in said conductor, an electro-magnet for opening or closing said switch and suitable
electric connections substantially as described.
20, The combination with an electric meter, of a rotary coin-pocket wheel in
a yielding support, a switch for opening and closing the circuit to the meter,
suitable gearing connecting said wheel with the rotary shaft of the meter, means
for automatically raising said yielding support, an electro-magnet arranged to
operate said switch and suitable electric connections, whereby a coin inserted in
the wheel, will, by its weight, operate said yielding support to close the circuit,
and thereby meter current to the customer, substantially as described.
21, In coin-controlled mechanism for electric meters, the yieldingly supported
coin-pocket wheel adapted to be moved downward by the weight of a coin, and
means for automatically moving it upward on discharge of the coin, in combina-
tion with the coin conduit, a detent projecting into said conduit and holding the
coin therein, and an electro-magnet arranged to operate said detent to release
one of the coins at the proper time and suitable electrical connections for such
purpose.
Dated this 21st dose of Dasambon 1007
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.