GB451165A - Improvements in coin freed mechanism more especially designed for use with electricity meters - Google Patents

Abstract

451,165. Prepayment mechanism for meters. LANDIS & GYR AKT.-GES., 1, Hofstrasse, Zug, Switzerland. Oct. 10, 1935, No. 27942. Convention date, Oct. 17, 1934. [Class 27] Coin action, mechanical-connection.-In a prepayment meter, the usual setting handle is replaced by an auxiliary source of power, e.g. a spring or electric motor, the inserted coin forming a connection between the source of power and the quantity mechanism. As shown, an electric motor 5 drives a rotary coin pocket 2 so that an inserted coin, during a half-revolution of the pocket, engages and steps forward a star-wheel 22 connected with a sun-wheel 23 of the quantity mechanism. The coin pocket is connected through gearing 6 and a slipping friction coupling with a helical spring 8 which is thereby maintained under tension. This spring 8 tends to rotate a shaft 7 to disengage the supply contacts 18, 19, but is prevented from doing so, until prepayment is exhausted, by engagement of an arm 9 on the shaft with an escapement shaft 12. When prepayment is exhausted, an arm 28 on the differentially operated shaft 25 of the quantity mechanism engages an arm 16 on the shaft 12 and rotates it to bring a slot 10 opposite the arm 9 which is thus released and rotates through half a revolution under the action of the spring 7, when it is again held by engagement with a lower part of the shaft 12 in the region of a second slot 11 arranged in staggered relation to the upper slot 10. When a further coin is inserted, the arm 28 disengages the arm 16 on the shaft 12 which is then returned to its original position by a spring 14 ; the arm 9 is thereby released by the slot 11, and is moved through a further half-revolution to its original position adjacent the upper slot 10 by the spring 7, so that the contacts 19 are again closed. The motor 5 may run continuously, or be switched on for a short period when a coin is inserted. In the modified construction of Fig. 2 (not shown), the electric motor 5 also serves as a basic charge collecting device. The motor drives one half of a divided and diametrically slotted coin drum, the other half being connected to the quantity mechanism, and the two halves being coupled by the coin. Mechanism for prepaying basic charges.-The mechanism by which the constant speed motor 5 operates to collect a basic charge in the modified construction of Fig. 2 is as described in Specification 424,539. The motor 5 may be controlled by a clock-operated switch which shuts off the motor during times of low consumption, adjustment of the clock serving also to vary the basic charge rate. Alternatively, the drive of the motor 5 to the basic charge mechanism may be intermittently interrupted under the control of an adjustable clock mechanism.