Coin-freed Apparatus for Gas-meters.
Year: 1897

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 11 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883) as required by
the decision of the Comptroller General, of the 4th day of November 1898.
Communicated from abroad by LARS PETER VALDEMAR MADSEN, 16, Marten-
seus Alle, Copenhagen, in the Kingdom of Denmark.]
Coin-freed Apparatus for Gas-meters.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to a coin freed gas meter apparatus or an apparatus for
payment in advance, which can be applied both to wet and dry gasmeters.
The object of this invention is to construct an apparatus, which shall be as
simple as possible and which will occupy the least possible space, and which can
be applied to gasmeters in the cheapest and easiest manner.
This invention also obviates the use of springs, whereby the mode of operation
of the apparatus is made as trustworthy as possible.
An important feature of the invention is, that it is unnecessary that hetero-
geneous parts, for, instance a coin and a cogwheel, or a pin and a cogwheel, to
engage or catch in each other, but on the contrary only cogwheels are engaging
cogwheels. This arrangement is not disclosed by the earlier known coin-freed
apparatus, and it alone is able to afford an absolutely regular operation. Another
important feature of the apparatus is, that by simply exchanging the "index
the apparatus operates in accordance with different or changing gas prices, while
at the same time it permits of regulating the operation of the apparatus, as
required.
The improved apparatus can be arranged to take any coin as purchase-unity :
and it is furthermore arranged so that one may buy gas in advance by inserting
a certain number of this coin at a time.
The mechanism for paying in advance is arranged in a frame in which are
bearings for an axis that is provided with a handle, and over which is the coin
cylinder having a lengthwise slot or the like according to the particular coin
to be used with the device. This slot is normally turned upwards, and above it
in the frame is placed a coin channel. through which the coins are inserted into
the device. The said axis carries a pinion, and a wheel that is provided with
teeth round à portion of its circumference only. The frame has also bearings
for the rotating axis of the stopper, which is provided with two arms, of which
one arm regularly rests in a groove in the middle of the coin cylinder, while
the foremost end of the other arm, which constitutes a stopping pawl, is formed
as a double tooth, which regularly rests against the plain part of the circumfer-
077

page_text: ence of the aforesaid wheel, so that the turning forward of the wheel and the
coin cylinder is prevented, until the stopping-pawl is lifted. This can only take
place, when a coin has been put in the slot of the coin cylinder, so as to permit
of this being turned by the handle arranged on the axis. The edge of the coin
will then slip in below the oblique end of one arm carried by the stopper and
lift this together with the stopping-pawl so that the teeth of this arm will catch
the teeth of the wheel. The coin cylinder may then be turned a revolution for-
wards and during this revolution. the coin falls down into the strong box of
the apparatus, so that the stopping-pawl, when the revolution is completed, again
engages the plain part of the circumference of the wheel and prevents a further
revolution of the coin cylinder, until another coin is inserted. It will be under-
stood, that the tooth of the stopping-pawl also prevents the coin cylinder from
turning back, when the forward revolution has begun.
The purchase-wheel that opens the valve on the main, which leads to the gas
meter, is turned either by the aforesaid pinion or by an intermediate gearing,
which is arranged on another axis, that also carries a pinion, which engages and
turns the purchase wheel a certain distance, (for instance 5 teeth) forwards, when
the coin cylinder makes a whole revolution.
The purchase-wheel is arranged on a separate boss which loosely encloses a
cylinder that is firmly fixed to a second and movable axis. In the boss on the
piece between the purchase-wheel and a toothed wheel integral with the purchase-
wheel and fixed to the said cylinder, is an oblique groove, in the bottom of which
a peg secured on said cylinder lies when the purchase-wheel is in its first position
and when the valve is closed. When now, for instance, the purchase-wheel
is turned 5 teeth forward by putting a coin into the apparatus the peg is forced
to follow the groove in that the second axis can only be moved in the direction
of its length but cannot be turned round, on account of its being connected with
the ordinary elock-work of the gas meter. It follows from this that the cylinder,
the axis, and the toothed wheel are led back or shifted axially. By this arrange-
ment the gas valve with which the end of the said axis is connected by a suitable
lever, is operated. When now one after another fresh coins are put into the
apparatus, the purchase-wheel is turned every time 5 teeth forwards, until it has
completed a whole revolution. When this is done the peg meets the stopper on
the boss and prevents further rotation of the purchase wheel and of the coin
cylinder until the purchase-wheel, by the consumption of gas, is turned almost
or completely back. In this manner one is able--by giving the purchase-wheel
a suitable number of teeth or by the gear exchange between the coin cylinder
and the purchase-wheel-to determine the number of coins which can be inserted
at a time.
In the foremost end of the movable axis outside the front wall of the frame
there is fixed an index, and in the neck of the boss which passes through the
wall of the frame, a divided disc on which one can read at any moment how much
gas is paid for in advance.
broad
The toothed wheel engages a pinion on a third axis said pinion being so
that the gearing is not interrupted when the second or movable axis and with it
the toothed wheel is moved. The third axis furthermore carries a wheel which
engages in a worm on a fourth axis, whose opposite end carries a pinion, which
gears with a crown-wheel that is arranged below a loose index.
The pinion gearing with the crown wheel has such a length that crown-wheels
of different diameters can engage with said pinion. On account of this, one is
able simply by changing the index and the crown-wheel-to alter the operation
and register of the apparatus according to the different prices of gas. If the
crown-wheel has for instance-corresponding to a certain price of gas-30 teeth,
one is able, when the price of gas is put down say a sixth part, to rearrange the
apparatus accordingly simply by replacing the former index with another, the
crown-wheel of which has only 25 teeth. Such a change can be made in a few
minutes and the work can be controlled at the gasworks, in so far that the work-

page_text: man delivers the former index. Such a control is not possible by previously
known coin-freed apparatus, since the alteration generally takes place by moving
a disc, lever, or the like, so that one must take the chance that the work is done,
or control this in every single place.
The index is secured firmly to its axis, which is turned by the clockwork of
the gasometer, so that the index and with it the fourth axis is turned, while the
bought gas is consumed. The fourth axis again turns the toothed wheel and
with it the second axis and the cylinder, by which it leads the peg from the
stopper back to the groove, since now the purchase-wheel and the boss are
stationary. At last the peg slips into the groove and follows this, so that the
second axis is again led forward and closes the valve when the last of the gas
paid for in advance is used.
It will be seen that one also can buy more gas, while the gas is burning.
The arrangement of the loose index has also the effect that one is able in an
easy, quick, and cheap manner to ascertain whether the apparatus registers cor-
rectly. By all other automatic apparatus one is obliged--in order to ascertain
if the apparatus registers correctly to let the whole quantity of gas that cor-
responds to the coin-unity burn, before one can make sure that the apparatus
shuts the gas valve at the proper time. This costs of course not only gas, but
also time. If the coin-unity for instance corresponds to 33 cubic feet of gas, such
test by a 3 candle-gas meter will take about 2 hours, and the consequence of this
is therefore, that only a small number of the coin freed gas meters hitherto used
have been submitted to such test.
The loose index however has the effect, that the apparatus can be tested in a
few minutes. The coin is put into the apparatus, the index is loosened and the
gas lighted, upon which the index is turned 33 cubic feet forwards; and in this
manner one can ascertain if the valve closes in the right time. It is consequently
possible to try every single apparatus before it is put up by the consumers.
Dated this 1st day of June 1897
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 a coin freed gas meter apparatus or an apparatus
for payment in advance, which can be applied both to wet and dry gas meters.
The object of this invention is to construct an apparatus, which shall be as
simple as possible and which will occupy the least possible space, and which
can be applied to gas meters, in the cheapest and easiest manner.
This invention also obviates the use of springs, whereby the mode of operation
of the apparatus is made as trustworthy as possible.
An important feature of the invention is the arrangement by which it is.
obviated that heterogeneous parts, for instance a coin and a cogwheel; or a pin
and a cogwheel should engage or catch in each other, but on the contrary only.
cogwheels engage cogwheels. This arrangement is not disclosed by the earlier.

page_text: known coin freed apparatus, and it alone is able to afford an absolutely regular
operation.
The improved apparatus can be arranged to take any coin as a purchase-unity ;:
and it is furthermore arranged so that one may buy a certain amount of gas
in advance by successively inserting such coins in a number representing said
amount of gas.
.
In the accompanying drawings such an apparatus is represented combined
with a gas meter and arranged so that one may insert from 1 to 10 coins at a
time, since the said coins are all alike and are laid one after another in the
coinfreed device.
Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus without the front wall and without
the disc, which is placed upon this wall, and which indicates the quantity of
gas paid for in advance.
Figure 2 shows a plan of the apparatus with the coin chute omitted.
Figures 5 and 5 illustrate details of the apparatus.
Figure 1 is a plan of the coin cylinder and its connected mechanism after
the coin has been inserted.
Figure 1 is a section thereof on the line c-b.
Figure 2 is a plan similar to Figure 1 showing the coin in the act of lifting
the lever or arm out of engagement with the plain part of the ratchet wheel.
Figure 2 is a section of the same on the line c-b Figure 2.
Figure 3 is a plan of the coin cylinder in the act of releasing the coin and
Figure 3 is a section thereof on the line cb Figure 3.
The prepayment mechanism is arranged in a frame R, in which there are
bearings for an axis 1, that is provided with a handle, and on which is arranged i
the coin cylinder A having a lengthwise slot or the like according to the
particular coin to be used with the device. This slot in the normal position
of the coin cylinder-Figures 1 and 2-is turned upwards, and above it in the
frame R is placed a coin chute b, through which the coins are inserted. The
said axis 1 carries a pinion A¹ and a wheel A2 which is provided with teeth S
round a portion of its circumference only. The frame R has also bearings
for the rotating axis B of the stopper, which is provided with the two arms B
and B see also Figures 1, 1, 24, 2, 34, 3, 5, and 5^;-of which the arm B
regularly rests in a groove a¹ in the middle of the coin cylinder A, while the
foremost end of the other arm which constitutes a stopping-pawl is formed 3
with a triangular notch, which rests against the plain part of the circumference
of the aforesaid wheel A2 (Figs. 1^, 1º), so that the turning forward of this
wheel and the coin cylinder is prevented, until the stopping-pawl is lifted.
This can only take place, when a coin has been put in the slot a of the coin
cylinder, so as to permit of this being turned by the handle arranged on the 4
axis 1. The edge of the coin will then slip in below the oblique end of the
arm B and lift this together with the stopping-pawl B2 so that the teeth of
this arm will catch the teeth of the wheel A2 (Figs. 24, 2"). The coin cylinder
may then be turned a revolution forwards and during this revolution the coin
falls down into the coin receptacle of the apparatus (Figs. 3^, 3") so that the 4
stopping-pawl, when the revolution is completed, again engages the plain part
of the circumference of the wheel and prevents a further revolution of the coin
cylinder, until another coin is inserted. It will be understood that the tooth
of the stopping-pawl also prevents the coin cylinder from turning back, when
the forward revolution has begun.
The purchase-wheel C, that opens the valve H on the main, which leads
to the gas meter, is turned either directly by the aforesaid pinion A¹ or as shown
by an intermediate gear ¹ which is arranged on another axis n which also
carries a pinion 2 which engages and turns the purchase wheel C, a certain
distance, (for instance 5 teeth) forwards, when the coin cylinder makes a whole 5
revolution. Any suitable mechanism may be employed for causing the move
ment of the purchase-wheel to open the gas-valve, and for enabling the clock

page_text: work of the meter to again close the valve when the prepaid gas has been
consumed. The mechanisms described below are preferably used, but I wish
it to be understood that they form no part of my invention.
The purchase-wheel C Figures 1 and 2--is arranged on a separate boss H
which loosely encloses a cylinder D-Figures 1 and 2-which is fixed to a
lengthwise movable axis 2. In the boss on the piece between the purchase-
wheel C and a toothed wheel D2, similar to the purchase-wheel and fixed to
the said cylinder D, is an oblique groove c¹ in the bottom of which a peg D¹
secured on said cylinder D lies when the purchase-wheel is in its initial position,
and when the valve is closed. When now for instance the purchase-wheel is
turned 5 teeth forward by putting a coin into the apparatus, the peg D¹ is
forced to follow the groove el because the axis 2 can only be moved lengthwise
but cannot be turned round, on account of its being-as explained below-
connected with the ordinary clockwork of the gas meter. It follows from this,
that the cylinder D, the axis 2 and the toothed wheel D² are carried back or
shifted axially. By this arrangement the gas valve H¹ which is connected with
the rear end of the said axis 2 through the medium of a suitable lever E, is
operated, see Figure 2. When one after another fresh coins are put into the
apparatus, the purchase-wheel is turned every time 5 teeth forwards, until it
has completed a whole revolution. When this is done, the peg D¹ meets the
stopper on the boss H, and prevents further rotation of the purchase wheel C
and of the coin cylinder A, until the purchase-wheel by the consumption of gas
is turned completely or partially back. In this manner it is possible-by giving
the purchase-wheel a suitable number of teeth or by the gear exchange between
the coin cylinder and the purchase-wheel to determine the number of coins
which can be inserted at a time.
In the foremost end of the movable axis 2 outside the front wall of the frame R
there is fixed an index m and in the neck c³ of the boss H, which passes through
the wall of the frame, a divided disc, on which can be read at any moment,
how much gas is paid for in advance.
The toothed wheel D2 engages a pinion F on an axis 3 said pinion being so
broad, that the gearing is not interrupted when the movable axis 2 and with
it the toothed wheel D is moved. The axis 3 furthermore carries a wheel F¹.
which engages a worm K on an axis 4, whose opposite end carries a pinion K¹
which gears with a crown-wheel G¹-Figure 1-which is arranged below a loose
index G.
The index is secured firmly to its axis 5, which is turned by the clock-work
of the gas meter, so that the index and with it the axis 4 is turned, while the
gas purchased is consumed. The axis 4 again turns the toothed wheel D³ and
with it the axis 2 and the cylinder D, by which it moves the peg D¹ from the
stopper 2 back to the groove c¹ since now the purchase-wheel C and the boss H
are stationary. At last the peg D₁ slips into the groove c¹ and follows this, so
that the axis 2 is again moved forward and closes the valve H, when the whole
of the gas paid for is used.
It will be seen, that more gas may be bought, while the gas already purchased
is being burned.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondent I wish it to be understood that I am aware
of the Specification of Letters Patent No. 14655 of 1890 granted to John Hawk-
yard and Joseph Braddock, in which is described and claimed a two-armed ratchet-
pawl engaging with a ratchet-wheel and disengaged therefrom by the action of
the coin. I do not therefore claim such an arrangement per se, but, I declare that
what I claim is: :―
1. In prepayment or automatic gas meters, in which the purchase wheel (C)
which effects the opening of the gas valve may be rotated through a certain dis-

page_text: tance each time a fresh coin is inserted in the rotatable coin cylinder A, the
arrangement by means of which the purchase wheel is rotated either directly
by a toothed wheel mounted upon the axle of the coin cylinder or indirectly by
means of an intermediate toothed wheel introduced between the first mentioned
toothed wheel and the purchase wheel.
2. In prepayment gas meters of the kind described in Claim 1, in which the
rotation of the coin cylinder is normally controlled by a two-armed stopper B
arranged above the cylinder one arm B¹ of which is raised by the coin inserted,
the arrangement by means of which the other arm B2 of the stopper forms a
stopping pawl, the free end of which is provided with a triangular notch, the
teeth of the ratchet wheel A² mounted either upon the coin cylinder or its axle
being cut away for a part of its periphery so that the stopping pawl, when
its end engages with the portion of the ratchet wheel not provided with teeth,
prevents any rotation of the coin cylinder, whilst when its end in engagement
with the teeth of the ratchet wheel is raised, it prevents the coin cylinder from
turning backwards.
10
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.