Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Supply or Delivery of Fluids in Exchange for Coins Inserted therein.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 26th Jan., 1893-Accepted, :4th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Supply or
Delivery of Fluids in Exchange for Coins Inserted therein.
WALTER STAPLES, of 109, Lavender Road, Clapham Junction in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus for the supply or delivery of gas or other
fluids in exchange for coins inserted in the said apparatus.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated 17th July
1888, No. 10,381, I have described various improvements in apparatus of this kind
or class.
My present invention is designed to further simplify and improve the construction
and increase the efficiency of such apparatus.
One feature of my present invention is the construction of the mechanism for
regulating or controlling the supply of gas according to the amount prepaid in
such a manner that, when a coin is inserted in the coin-slot, the required adjustment
of the mechanism can be effected by turning the said coin about an axis parallel to
the flat surfaces of the same. For this purpose I arrange beneath the coin-slot, a
slotted piece or pocket adapted to hold the coin, which pocket is mounted upon
trunnions and has attached to it a lever for turning it about the said trunnions. I
find it advantageous to make the said slotted piece or pocket with a semi-cylindrical
portion concentric with the said trunnions so that when a coin is dropped into the
said pocket and the latter is turned about its axis, the said semi-cylindrical part
will close the lower end of the coin-slot.
By the construction of the mechanism in the manner above mentioned, I am
enabled to conveniently provide for preventing fraudulent use of the apparatus by
the. withdrawal of a coin after the adjustment of the mechanism through the
medium of the said coin. For this purpose I employ a hanging piece or pawl
having one or more teeth and so arranged that, when the coin-lever with a coin
therein has been turned through a small angle in the direction required to adjust
the mechanism, the said hanging piece or pawl will engage with the said coin and
prevent the return movement of the said lever. The said hanging piece or pawl is,
however, so arranged that, after the coin-lever has been operated so as to permit
the coin to drop into the coin-receptacle, the said hanging piece or pawl will no
longer prevent the return movement of the said lever.
I further simplify the mechanism by so constructing and arranging the: parts
thereof that a coin inserted in the coin-slot will, when turned as above mentioned,
act directly upon such mechanism, that is to say, instead of the coin merely serving
as a connection between two parts whereby the said mechanism may be operated,
the coin itself will operate a ratchet-wheel or toothed wheel forming a part of such
mechanism; I thus obviate the necessity for the employment of a pawl and pawl-
carrier for operating the said ratchet-wheel.
Another feature of my said invention is the combination, with a valve for
controlling the flow of the gas, of suitable means whereby, when the said valve has
been nearly closed by the operation of the gas-meter and the consequent return
movement of the quantity-mechanism, the complete closure of the said valve will
be rapidly effected by an automatic device operating independently of any further
motion of the meter or quantity-mechanism.
For this purpose I find it advantageous to employ a slide-valve and a weighted
or spring lever which operates in combination with a projection on the said slide-
valve, the said projection having an inclined surface at one end which acts in

page_text: 2.
conjunction with a projection or tooth on the lever having a corresponding inclined
surface. When the valve is opened, the said weighted lever is raised through the
medium of the iuclined surface of the projection on the said valve, and the tooth
on the lever, then rests upon the upper side of the said projection. When the
valve has been partially closed by the movement of the same through a
predetermined distance by the operation of the gas-meter and the consequent
return movement of the quantity-mechanism' to its original position; the said tooth
will act upon the inclined surface of the projection on the valve and will thus move
the valve rapidly into its closed position independently of any further action of the
gas-meter or of the quantity-mechanism, and will thus immediately shut off the
supply of gas.
Instead of using a slide-valve, I can, if desired, use any other suitable valve for
above mentioned..
the purpose
Moreover, instead of using a valvė, I can, if desired, provide for arresting the
motion of the meter by means of a rod and pin or other stop arrangement actuated
by the quantity-inechanism.
Another feature of my said invention is the employment of a Geneva-stop which
is so arranged that the notched disc thereof serves as the quantity-wheel to
determine the amount of gas delivered in exchange for a coin or coins inserted in
the apparatus. The said Geneva-stop is so constructed that the notched disc thereof
can only be turned through a predetermined angle, corresponding to the maximum
quantity of gas for which prepayment can be made at one time by the insertion
consecutively of several coins and the operation of the coin-lever after the insertion
of each of such coins. The toothed disc of the Geneva-stop is connected by
suitable gearing with the ratchet-wheel or toothed wheel through the medium of
which the adjustment of the quantity-mechanism is effected.
I find it advantageous to fix upon the arbor of the said notched disc, another
disc having a tooth which is adapted to enter a notch in the back of the aforesaid
This notch is,
slide-valve for the purpose of opening and closing the same.
however, made of such length as to permit the aforesaid rapid movement of the
said valve independently of the quantity-mechanism. The last mentioned toothed
disc is, moreover, so arranged that, when the valve has been opened by the tooth
on the said disc, the circular part or periphery of the latter will extend between
projections upon the back of the valve and thus retain the said valve in its open
position during any further rotation of the quantity-wheel in the same direction.
The valve is therefore, opened by the first movement of the quantity-mechanism to
effect the adjustment thereof and is closed by the last part of the return movement
of the said mechanism, the said mechanism at other times moving independently of
and without operating the said valve.
:
My present invention, moreover comprises improved means for preventing the
operation of the gas-meter when a coin has been inserted, until the coin-lever has
been turned and the coin dropped into the coin-receptacle and the said lever has
been moved back to its original position. For this purpose, I connect with the
said lever, a small crank, the pin whereof works in a slot in one end of a pivoted
lever, the other end of which lever is provided with a projecting pin or rod.
When the coin-lever is turned to adjust the quantity-mechanism, the said crank
turns the slotted lever in such a manner as to move the said pin or rod into the
path of one of the revolving arms of the meter-mechanism, thus preventing
movement of the latter until the said pin or rod is withdrawn by the action of the
said crank in the return movement of the coin-lever.
Another feature of my said invention is the construction of the apparatus in such
a manner that there is no permanent connection between the quantity-mechanism
and the ordinary meter-mechanism, that is to say, these two sets of mechanism are
not geared together, the return movement of the said quantity-mechanism being
effected intermittently by the meter-mechanism through the medium of a tappet on
the worm-wheel spindle of the index or indicator-gear. This tappet is so arranged
that, in each revolution of the said worm-wheel spindle, it will act upon a ratchet-wheel
(

page_text: and turn the same through a small angle. This ratchet-wheel is connected with
suitable gearing for effecting the return movement of the quantity-wheel in such a
manner as to close the controlling valve when the amount of gas paid for has been
consumed..
My improved mechanism has the advantage, amongst others, that it can be
arranged in the space within the top of the casing of an ordinary gas-meter. My
Baid invention, can, therefore, be applied to existing gas-meters without the
necessity for any enlargement of the casing thereof.
No of Aust 1800
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Supply or
Delivery of Fluids in Exchange for Coins Inserted therein.
I, WALTER STAPLES, of 109, Lavender Road, Clapham Junction, in the
County of Surrey, 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:-
My invention relates to apparatus for the supply or delivery of gas or other
fluids in exchange for coins inserted in the said apparatus.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated 17th
July 1888, No. 10,381, I have described various improvements in apparatus of this
kind or class.
My present invention is designed to further simplify and improve the con-
struction and increase the efficiency of such apparatus.
In apparatus of this kind as heretofore constructed, the closing of the valve for
controlling the flow of the fluid is effected so slowly during the latter part of. its
movement, that even after the quantity of gas prepaid has been consumed, the flow
of the gas is not completely arrested.
Now an important feature of my said invention is the provision which I make for
rapidly completing the closure of the controlling valve when the same has been
partially closed by the operation of the gas-meter. For this purpose I find, it
advantageous to construct the apparatus in such a manner that the valve for con-
trolling the flow of the gas or other fluid will be opened by the act of setting or
adjusting the quantity-mechanism and will at the proper time be partially closed
by the operation of the gas-meter and the consequent return movement of the
quantity-mechanism, and, when the said valve has been thus nearly closed, the
complete closure thereof will be rapidly effected by means of an automatic device
operating independently of any further motion of the meter or quantity-mechanism.
By these means I prevent the continued flow of gas through the meter after the
quantity prepaid has been consumed.
Another important feature of my said invention is the employment of a Geneva-
stop for regulating or determining the quantity of fluid supplied or delivered
according to the number of coins inserted. I find it advantageous to so construct
and arrange this Geneva-stop that the notched disc thereof serves as the quantity-
wheel to determine the amount of gas delivered in exchange for a coin or coins
inserted in the apparatus, and the said notched disc can only be turned through a
predetermined angle, corresponding to the maximum quantity of gas for which
prepayment can be made at one time by the insertion consecutively of several
coins and the operation of the coin-lever after the insertion of each of such coins.
To provide for the operation of the controlling valve when such valve is arranged
to slide to and fro, I find it advantageous to fix the said notched disc or quantity-
wheel upon a spindle on which is also fixed a disc provided with a tooth adapted to
"

page_text: .
enter a notch in the back of the valve. These parts are so arranged that, in the
first operation of the setting or adjustment of the quantity-mechanism, the said.
tooth will open the valve; the said tooth will, however, then leave the notch, so
that, in the succeeding operations of such setting or adjustment, it will not act
upon the valve but will simply be turned through a greater angle away from its
operative position.
:
Another feature of my said invention is the construction of the apparatus in such
a manner that there is no permanent connection between the quantity-mechanism
and the ordinary meter-mechanism, that is to say, these two sets of mechanism are
not geared together, the return movement of the said quantity-mechanism being
effected intermittently by the meter-mechanism through the medium of a tappet on
the worm-wheel spindle of the index or indicator-gear. This tappet is so arranged
that, in each revolution of the said worm-wheel spindle, it will act upon a ratchet-
wheel and turn the same through a small angle. This ratchet-wheel is connected
with suitable gearing for effecting the return movement of the quantity-wheel in
such a manner as to effect the closing of the controlling valve when the amount of
gas paid for has been consumed.
Another feature of my present invention is the provision of an improved device
comprising a slotted piece or pocket arranged beneath the coin-slot and mounted
upon trunnions and having attached to it a lever or handle for turning it about the
said trunnions, so that, when a coin is inserted in the coin-slot, it will fall into the
said slotted piece or pocket, and the setting or adjustment of the quantity-mechanism
can then be effected by turning the said slotted piece or pocket, with the coin
therein, about its trunnions, the axis of which extends through the coin or at one or
the other side thereof parallel to its flat surfaces.
I construct and arrange the parts of the quantity-mechanism in such a manner
that the coin, when turned as above mentioned, will act directly upon a ratchet-
wheel forming a part of such mechanism.
By the construction of the mechanism in this manner, I am enabled to con-
veniently provide for preventing fraudulent use of the apparatus by the withdrawal
of a coin after the setting or adjustment of the said mechanism through the medium
of such coin. For this purpose, I employ a hanging piece or pawl having one or
more teeth, and so arranged that, when the said slotted piece or pocket with a coin
therein has been turned through a small angle in the direction required to set or
adjust the quantity-mechanism, the said hanging piece or pawl will engage with
the coin and prevent the return movement of the same and of the said slotted piece
or pocket. The said hanging piece or pawl is, however, so arranged that, after the
coin-lever has been operated so as to permit the coin to drop into the coin-
receptacle, it will no longer prevent the return movement of the slotted piece
or pocket.
My present invention, moreover, comprises improved means for preventing the
operation of the gas-meter, when a coin has been inserted and the coin-lever has
been turned through a small angle, until the quantity-mechanism has been set or
adjusted and the coin dropped into the coin-receptacle and the said lever has been
moved back to its original position.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be con-
veniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan, partly in horizontal section, showing a gas-meter provided
with one form of my improved apparatus.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line x, x, Figure 1, showing the
said apparatus in elevation, some of the parts being removed.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the said gas-meter.
Figure 4 is a section of a portion of the apparatus on the line ¹, ¹, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a section of a portion of the said apparatus on the line,, Figure 1,
the parts being shown in a different position, and
Figures 6 and 7 are sections on the line a,, Figure 1, illustrating details of
construction, the parts being shown in different positions in these two figures.
"

page_text: Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
My improved apparatus is all arranged in the upper part A' of the meter-case A
and in a supplementary casing A' secured to the case A.
с
a is the coin-slot which is formed in a metal piece a' secured in the casing A'.
Beneath the coin-slot a is arranged a slotted piece or pocket 6 adapted to hold the
coin B, in the position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2; this slotted piece or
pocket is mounted upon trunnions b¹ and has fixed upon one of its trunnions a
lever c for turning it about the said trunnions. I find it advantageous to make the
said slotted piece or pocket with a semi-cylindrical portion concentric with the
said trunnions, so that, if, after a coin has been dropped into the said pocket and
the latter has been turned about its axis, another coin is inserted into the coin-
slot a, the last named coin will be supported by the said semi-cylindrical part 6. It
will be seen that, in the arrangement shown, the axis about which the pocket b
turus extends through the coin held in the said pocket and is parallel to the flat
surfaces of the said coin. This form of construction enables me to provide in a
very simple and convenient manner for the setting or adjustment of the quantity--
mechanism directly through the medium of the coin as hereinafter described.
d is a ratchet-wheel fixed on an arbor d, on which are also fixed two gear-
wheels d, d. The wheel dis geared with another gear-wheel e, on the arbor e of.
which is also fixed the toothed disc of a Geneva-stop. The arbor f' of the
notched disc of the said Geneva-stop is coupled to a spindle extending
through a stuffing-box ' in the valve-casing '. The spindle has fixed thereon
a disc g having a tooth ' (Figures 6 and 7), which is adapted to enter a notch /³
in the back of the slide-valve h for controlling the flow of gas through the meter..
The said notch is, however, made of such length as to permit the movement of
the said valve through a short distance independently of the toothed disc g' and
of the quantity-mechanism, for the purpose hereinafter explained. The toothed
disc gis, moreover, so arranged in combination with the valve that, while its
tooth g³ is out of engagement with the notch ³ in the said valve, its circular part
or periphery will extend between projections *,, upon the back of the valve,
and thus retain the said valve in its open position. is a weighted (or spring).
lever which is pivoted at and which operates in combination with a projection k
on the said slide-valve for the purpose of rapidly closing the said valve when it
is brought to a predetermined position by the action of the gas-meter as hereinafter
described. The said projection & has an inclined surface at one end, which acts-
in conjunction with a projection or tooth on the lever j having a corresponding
inclined surface, that is to say, when the valve is open, the tooth j³ rests upon
the top of the projection k as shown in Figure 6; when, however, the valve..is.
moved by the tooth g² of the disc ' so as to bring the inclined surface k¹ into
line with the inclined surface, the lever descends under the action of its weight
(or spring) and the valve is pushed rapidly into its closed position by the action
of the tooth upon the projection k, the notch being of such length as to
permit this movement of the valve independently of the disc g'.
The wheel on the arbor d' is geared through the wheels l, l, with a pinion mε,
on the arbor m' of which is mounted a gear-wheel n which is in frictional connection:
with the said arbor m' through the medium of a spring or spring-washer n'. The
said wheel n is geared with a pinion q fixed on an arbor q¹ on which is also fixed a
ratchet-wheel the movement of which in one direction is prevented by a
retaining pawl q. On the worm-wheel spindle r of the index or indicator-gear C
of the meter, is fixed a tappet s which is so arranged, that, in each revolution of
the said worm-wheel spindle r, it will act upon the ratchet-wheel q' and turn the
same through a small angle. By these means, when the quantity-mechanism bas.
been set or adjusted and the valve opened, the said quantity-mechanism will be
intermittently moved back to its original position by the action of the gas-meter,
so that the valve will be automatically closed when the amount of gas prepaid
has been consumed. The arbor of the wheel may, if desired, be provided with.

page_text: 1
a pointer for indicating upon a dial the quantity of gas for which prepayment
ha's been made, or, if preferred, the amount prepaid.
The coin-lever c is connected with a small crank t, the pint' whereof works in a slotu
in one end of a lever u pivoted at ²; the other end of this lever is provided with a
projecting pin or rod w³, which, when the coin-lever c is turned to adjust the quantity-
mechanism, will be moved into the path of the revolving arm D of the meter-
mechanisin, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 2, thus preventing the action of the
said mechanism until the coin-lever c is returned to its original position.
To prevent the return movement of the coin-lever c until the quantity-mechanism
has been set or adjusted and the coin has been dropped into the coin-receptacle, a
hanging-piece or pawl having a series of teeth v' is suspended from a pin or stud n²
in such a position relatively to the pocket and ratchet-wheel d that, when the
pocket with the coin B therein is turned through a small angle, the pawl & will
engage with the said coin as shown in Fig. 5, thus preventing the return movement
of the pocket whilst permitting further movement thereof in the direction required
to set or adjust the quantity-mechanism. The pawl v may either be freely sus-
pended as shown, or it may be provided with a suitable spring which will cause it to
engage with the coin.
The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows, that is to say:-When a
coin is inserted in the slot a, it falls into the pivoted pocket as shown at B in
Fig. 2. The quantity-mechanism can then be set or adjusted by turning the lever c
so as to cause the said coin to engage with one of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel d
and turn the said wheel through a certain angle, after which the said coin falls out
• of the pocket into the coin-receptacle by the action of gravity. The first result of
this operation of the coin-lever c is to move the rod u into the path of the arın D.
In the continued movement of the said lever c, the ratchet-wheel d, acting through
the wheels d, e, causes the pin or tooth 3 on the disc f, which engages with the
notched wheel f¹ of the Geneva-stop, to turn the said notched wheel about its axis
80 as to open the slide-valve h, through the medium of the toothed disc g'; mean-
while the train of wheels d³, 1, and pinion m are actuated, but the arbor ml, being
in frictional connection with the wheel n as above described, rotates relatively to
the said wheel, the latter being restrained from rotation by reason of the engage-
ment of the pawl q³ with the ratchet-wheel q².
gas,
The gas can now flow through the meter until the quantity prepaid has been con-
sumed; or further coins may be inserted to prepay a greater quantity of and
the mechanism be set or adjusted by the lever c as above described after the inser-
tion of each coin; in this manner the toothed disc f will be further rotated through
a certain angle by each coin inserted, and, if a sufficient number of coins be inserted,
the said toothed disc will be caused to turn the notched wheel f' and toothed disc g
through a further angle. During the consumption of the gas, the tappet s on the
worm-wheel spindle engages with the ratchet-wheel g' in each revolution of the
said spindler, and turns the said ratchet-wheel through a small angle. This
above
movement of the ratchet-wheel is transmitted through the gearing
described to the toothed disc f and notched-wheel f' of the Geneva-stop, thus
turning the same and the toothed disc g' through a small angle in the reverse
direction to that in which they were moved to set or adjust the quantity-mechanism.
By the movement of the disc g¹ in this manner as often as may be required, its
tooth 9 is caused to move the valve h, and, when the said valve has thus been
partially closed or moved through the predetermined distance, the tooth of the
lever will act upon the inclined surface k of the projection k on the valve, and
will thus move the valve rapidly into its closed position as shown in Figure 7,
independently of any further action of the gas-meter or of the quantity-mechanism
and will thus immediately shut off the supply of gas. The valve is, therefore,
opened in the first movement of the quantity-mechanism to effect the setting or
adjustment thereof, and is closed in the last part of the return movement of the said
mechanism, the said mechanism at other times moving independently of and without
operating the said valve.

page_text: It is evident, therefore, that the greater the angic through which the disc or
quantity-wheel fi is turned, as above described, through the medium of the coins,
the greater will be the quantity of gas which must flow through the meter before
the closing of the valve takes place.
It is obvious that I can somewhat modify the construction of my apparatus
without departing from the nature of my said invention. For instance, instead of
using a slide-valve, I can, if desired, use any other suitable valve operated in the
manner above described, for the purpose specified. Moreover, instead of using
controlling valve, I can, if desired, provide for arresting the motion of the meter by
means of a rod and pin or other stop arrangement actuated by my improved
quantity-mechanism.
#
My improved mechanism has the advantage, amongst others, that it can be
arranged in the space within the top of the casing, of an ordinary gas-meter and
can, therefore, be applied to existing gas-meters without the necessity for any
enlargement of the casing thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of ny said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First. An apparatus for the supply or delivery of gas or other fluid in exchange
for coins inserted therein, which apparatus is so constructed that the opening of the
valve for controlling the flow of the gas or other fluid, will be effected by the
setting or adjustment of the quantity-mechanism, and the closing of the said valve
will be automatically effected partially by the action of the meter and partially
by a device operating independently thereof, for the purpose above specified.
Second. The combination, with a valve for controlling the flow of gas or other fluid
through a meter, of suitable means whereby, after the said valve has been opened,
the partial closing thereof will be effected by the action of the meter, and an
automatic device whereby the complete closing of the said valve will be rapidly
effected independently of the meter, substantially as hereinbefore described and for
the purpose specified.
Third. The improved device comprising the valve provided with the inclined
projection, and the weighted or spring lever provided with the inclined tooth,
substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Fourth. The combination of the slide-valve, the toothed disc adapted to engage
therewith, and suitable means whereby the said disc will be intermittently rotated
in one direction by the movement of the quantity-mechanism, and in the reverse
direction by the action of the meter, substantially as, and for the purposes, set
forth.
Fifth. The employment, in an apparatus for the supply or delivery of gas or
other fluid in exchange for coins inserted therein, of a Geneva-stop for regulating
or determining the quantity of fluid supplied or delivered according to the number
of coins inserted in the apparatus.
Sixth. The combination, with a valve for controlling the flow of the fluid, of a
Geneva-stop arranged to be turned in one direction by the quantity-mechanism and
in the reverse direction by the meter-mechanism and to operate the said valve,
substantially as herein before described.
Seventh. The combination of the controlling valve, the Geneva-stop adapted to
operate the said valve, aud the ratchet-wheel arranged to be intermittently rotated
by the coins inserted in the apparatus, and connected by suitable gearing with
the said Geneva-stop, substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Eighth. An apparatus for the supply or delivery of gas or other fluid in
exchange for coins inserted therein, in which the meter-mechanism, instead of being
connected by gearing with the quantity-mechanism, is arranged to act there on only
at suitable intervals, to effect the return movement of the said quantity mechanism,
for the purpose above specified.
Ninth. The use of a tappet on the worm-wheel spindle of the meter, for effecting

page_text: the return movement of the quantity-mechanism and the closing or partial closing
of the controlling valve, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Tenth. The combination, in an apparatus of the kind or class above described,
⚫ of suitable means for preventing the return movement of a coin after it has been
turned through a small angle to effect the setting or adjustment of the quantity-
mechanism, and suitable means whereby, when the said mechanism is thus set or
adjusted, the action of the meter will be permitted when but not until the said
coin has been dropped into the coin-receptacle and the coin-lever returned to its
original position, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Eleventh. The combination, with the slotted piece or pocket for holding and
turning the coin, and with the ratchet-wheel, of the toothed hanging piece or pawl
for preventing the turning back of the coin after it has been used to partially
rotate the said ratchet-wheel, substantially as, and for the purpose, above
specified.
Twelfth. The combination, with the coin-lever, of the crank connected therewith
and the slotted pivoted lever connected with the said crank and provided with the
pin or rod serving as a stop for the meter-mechanism, substantially as, and for the
purpose, above specified.
Thirteenth. The improved apparatus constructed and combined with a gas-meter
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and
operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Dated the 26th day of January 1893.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.