US3676876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Meter reading units
Assignee: United Gas Industries Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-02-26
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1991-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A meter reading unit by means of which a reading may be made without sight of a meter includes a plurality of indicators, one corresponding to each digit of the meter reading, a switch associated with each indicator, and electrical connections provided for connection to switches at a meter which are set according to the meter reading whereby particular ones of the electrical connections are made according to the setting of the switches at the meter, and means to set the indicators according to the setting of the switches at the meter.
Inventors
- 👤 Desmond Dransfield
- 👤 Patrick Bass
- 👤 Roy Ernest White
- 👤 Leslie Thomas Bracker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/06; G01F15/061; G01F15/063; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
A unit for use in reading a meter, from which meter there may be provided particular electrical connections according to the meter reading, the unit including a plurality of electromechanically operated indicators which are operable serially, one indicator for each digit of the meter reading, conductors for coupling an indictor to the said electrical connections at the meter, means for setting each of the indicators and a rotary switch associated with each of the indicators and means for determining when the setting of an indicator corresponds to a particular connection at the meter; the means for setting each of the indicators including a first switch having first contacts, a transistor associated with each indicator, the first switch being operated via the transistor, a pulse generator, the output of which is connected via a respective first contacts when operated to cause the operation of its associated indicator, an input by means of which a signal may be applied to cause the transistor associated with an indicator to conduct, the corresponding fixed contacts of the rotary switches being connected in common to one of the possible particular electrical connections and the moving contact of each rotary switch being connected via the emitter-base connection of its respective transistor to a conductor associated with a particular digit, whereby a connection may be provided via the moving contact of each rotary switch, the said emitter-base connection of the respective transistor and a corresponding digit reading switch at a meter, whereby when such a connection is made, the transistor is caused to change its state and the first contacts are opened thereby disconnecting the supply of pulses from the generator to the indicator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
A unit for use in reading a meter, from which meter there may be provided particular electrical connections according to the meter reading, the unit including a plurality of electromechanically operated indicators which are operable serially, one indicator for each digit of the meter reading, conductors for coupling an indictor to the said electrical connections at the meter, means for setting each of the indicators and a rotary switch associated with each of the indicators and means for determining when the setting of an indicator corresponds to a particular connection at the meter; the means for setting each of the indicators including a first switch having first contacts, a transistor associated with each indicator, the first switch being operated via the transistor, a pulse generator, the output of which is connected via a respective first contacts when operated to cause the operation of its associated indicator, an input by means of which a signal may be applied to cause the transistor associated with an indicator to conduct, the corresponding fixed contacts of the rotary switches being connected in common to one of the possible particular electrical connections and the moving contact of each rotary switch being connected via the emitter-base connection of its respective transistor to a conductor associated with a particular digit, whereby a connection may be provided via the moving contact of each rotary switch, the said emitter-base connection of the respective transistor and a corresponding digit reading switch at a meter, whereby when such a connection is made, the transistor is caused to change its state and the first contacts are opened thereby disconnecting the supply of pulses from the generator to the indicator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A unit as claimed in claim 1 in which there is provided a first capacitor connected across the emitter-base connection of each transistor and in which, when the said connection via the digit reading switch is made the said capacitor is discharged and its associated transistor is cut off.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A unit as claimed in claim 2, including a second capacitor associated with each indicator in which the first switch has second contacts which operate upon the change of state of the transistor to connect the seconD capacitor to cause the operation of the succeeding one of the plurality of indicators.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A unit as claimed in claim 3, including means to test if the last digit is a zero, and means, in the event that the last digit is a zero, to supply a signal to the input to cause the indicators to be reoperated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A unit as claimed in claim 4, in which the means to test if the last digit is a zero includes a further relay operated momentarily by the discharge of the second capacitor associated with the last indicator in the series, a third capacitor and a further, normally charged, capacitor arranged to be connected via a connection at a meter and the operated contacts of the further relay to charge the third capacitor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A unit as claimed in claim 5, in which the signal applied to the input, in the event that the last digit is a zero, is applied from the third capacitor via contacts of the further relay when released.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
246 words
A unit for use in reading a meter, from which meter there may be provided particular electrical connections according to the meter reading, the unit including a plurality of electromechanically operated indicators which are openable serially, one indicator for each digit of the meter reading, conductors for coupling an indicator to the said electrical connections at the meter, means for setting each of the indicators and a rotary switch associated with each of the indicators and meanS for determining when the setting of an indicator corresponds to a particular connection at the meter; the means for setting each of the indicators including for each indicator a first switch having first contacts, a second switching device, means for operating said first switch operated via connections of the second switching device, an electrical power source the output of which is connected via the first contacts when conducting to cause the operation of the associated indicator, an input by means of which a signal may be applied to cause connections of the second switching device to conduct; the corresponding fixed contacts of the rotary switches being connected in common to one of the possible electrical connections and the moving contact of each rotary switch, connections of said second switching device and a corresponding digit reading switch at a meter, whereby when such path is made said second switching device is caused to change over and the first contacts are opened thereby disconnecting the electrical power source from the indicator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
246 words
A unit for use in reading a meter, from which meter there may be provided particular electrical connections according to the meter reading, the unit including a plurality of electromechanically operated indicators which are openable serially, one indicator for each digit of the meter reading, conductors for coupling an indicator to the said electrical connections at the meter, means for setting each of the indicators and a rotary switch associated with each of the indicators and meanS for determining when the setting of an indicator corresponds to a particular connection at the meter; the means for setting each of the indicators including for each indicator a first switch having first contacts, a second switching device, means for operating said first switch operated via connections of the second switching device, an electrical power source the output of which is connected via the first contacts when conducting to cause the operation of the associated indicator, an input by means of which a signal may be applied to cause connections of the second switching device to conduct; the corresponding fixed contacts of the rotary switches being connected in common to one of the possible electrical connections and the moving contact of each rotary switch, connections of said second switching device and a corresponding digit reading switch at a meter, whereby when such path is made said second switching device is caused to change over and the first contacts are opened thereby disconnecting the electrical power source from the indicator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |