GB236688A - Improvements in coin controlled liquid dispensers - Google Patents

Abstract

236,688. Messervy, H. A. April 30, 1924. Dispensing liquids.-A coin-freed apparatus for selling gasoline and oils at service stations comprises an upper glass container 23 adapted to be filled through a pipe 34 to a level determined by holes 89 in an overflow pipe 88, and containing a series of tubes 37 of different heights the bottom ends of which are controlled by spring valves 54 and communicate with a delivery spout 60. A float 86 acting through arms 85 closes a valve 83 in the pipe 34 when the container 23 is full. The container 23 is emptied to the level of one of the tubes according to the number of coins inserted. The valves 54 are opened by rods 56 lifted by a cam 59 on a disc 7, Fig. 5, which is rotated against a spring 27 by a handle 14 loosely mounted thereon and adapted to be coupled to it during a limited stroke by a coin. The amount which the disc 7 is moved and the particular rod which is ultimately raised by the cam 59 is determined by the number of coins inserted. The disc 7 is held in its advanced position while the liquid is being discharged by a pawl 61, Fig. 10, engaging one of a series of notches 36 in the disc and held therein by a rod 62 operated by a lever connected by a rod 65, Fig. 4, to a cup 66 positioned in the path of the liquid flow and adapted to be depressed thereby. When the flow ceases the rod 62 rises and the disc 7 is returned to normal position by its spring. A valve 31 in the inlet pipe 34 is closed whenever the disc 7 is moved from its normal position in which the valve stem 32 can enter a notch 35. An arrangement for forcing liquid from a storage tank to the container 23 by means of an air compressor is described. In a modified arrangement, Fig. 3, the liquid is pumped from a tank 90 by a pump 102 driven by an electric motor, the switch 104 of which is closed by a rod 103 actuated by the disc 7. When the container 23 becomes overfull a float 107 carried by a lever 106 rises and depresses a rod 105 which prevents the rod 103 from closing the switch. To vary the height of the tubes 37 according to the price of the liquid, they have threaded portions 37<a> passing through toothed nuts 44 engaging an internally toothed wheel 45. The threaded portions 37<a> are of different pitch, the longer tubes having the smaller pitches. The wheel 45 is turned by a pinion 46<a>, Fig. 11, on a vertical shaft 47<a> rotated by worm gearing 48 from a shaft 49 turned by a key 50. The shaft 47a through gears 82, 81 turns also a cylinder 75 bearing figures indicating the quantity sold for the amount of the coins at a given price.