GB1032094A - Improvements relating to coin-freed prepayment meter mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

1,032,094. Prepayment meters. ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES Ltd. Oct. 21, 1963 [Nov. 1, 1962], No. 41378/62. Heading G4V. In a meter in which a quantity mechanism 2 is set forward in proportion to received coins and is set back at a constant rate in payment of a fixed charge as well as in proportion to consumption, the fixed charge mechanism comprises an axle 24 with a screwed portion 26 carrying a nut 28 integral with gear 32 which is meshed with the quantity mechanism, the nut 28 being held against rotation when the quantity mechanism 2 shows no credit and, in consequence, being propelled to the left along axle 24 by screw 26 as the axle rotates at constant speed, any further credit received freeing the nut for rotation back to a fixed position in which it rotates with the axle 24, such restoration immediately reducing the credit to the extent of the accrued fixed charge and while credit remains ensuring its reduction at the fixed rate. Return of the nut 28 is effected by a spring 36 which is wound as the nut is propelled away from the plate 27 on axle 24. A pin 34 on gear 32 normally engages a pin 35 on plate 27 so that the nut and axle rotate together. Displacement of the nut drives a pinion 30 to indicate the arrears in payment of the fixed charge on a dial 31, 31a. Received coins drive the sun-wheel 2a of the quantity differential 16 and price-changing mechanism 12. The fixed charge is levied direct by rotation of sun-wheel 2b of differential 2. The staff 1b of differential 2 winds a spring 6 when displaced by credit which is displayed on dial 9, 9a. The zero-credit position of the quantity mechanism is determined by a peg 7 on gear 5 driven from staff 1b, the peg being retracted from and returning to a stop 8. The staff 1b drives a cam-shaft la the cams 3 of which control the actuation of supply switches. The price-change mechanism is as described in Specification 998,930 and the consumption meter may be coupled to the gears 23 as described in Specification 1,032,092.