US3708049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Split-rate meter construction
Assignee: Qonaar Corp
•
Filing: 1971-07-07
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1991-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A meter construction wherein purchased time is obtained through engagement of pawl means with a winding means attached to a timing mechanism, the pawl means being moved into engaging position by a coin employed for purchasing time. The improvement involves the use of a pair of rotatable members operatively connected to the winding means. A first rotatable member is directly tied to the winding means whereby driving engagement of the pawl with the first rotatable member will result in the purchase of time. The second rotatable member is maintained in spaced relationship with respect to the first rotatable member, and the subsequent insertion of a coin results in engagement of the second rotatable member, and movement of this member relative to the first rotatable member. Driving engagement with the first rotatable member follows this initial movement and the purchase of time only begins at this point. This results in a lower ratio of purchased time to coin value. Additional delay of movement of the first rotatable member and operation of the associated time mechanism is accomplished through the use of a blocking member which holds the pawl out of an engaging position when a coin is inserted after a certain amount of purchased time is already on the meter.
Inventors
- 👤 L Weber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:01
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/24; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
In a meter construction wherein purchased time is obtained through engagement of pawl means with winding means attached to a timing mechanism, the improvement wherein said winding means comprises a first rotatable member tied to means for operating the winding mechanism, a second rotatable means associated with said first rotatable member and movable relative thereto, teeth defined by each of said rotatable members for engagement by said pawl, a driving portion defined by said second rotatable member for engaging said first rotatable member, and means normally holding said driving portion in spaced relationship relative to said first rotatable member, initial insertion of coins resulting in engagement of said pawl with said first rotatable member for purchase of time upon movement of said first rotatable member by said pawl, and subsequent insertion of coins resulting in engagement of said pawl with said second rotatable member for movement of said second rotatable member through the space between said rotatable members and then resulting in driving engagement of said second rotatable member with said first rotatable member for purchase of time upon movement of said first rotatable member by said second rotatable member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a meter construction wherein purchased time is obtained through engagement of pawl means with winding means attached to a timing mechanism, the improvement wherein said winding means comprises a first rotatable member tied to means for operating the winding mechanism, a second rotatable means associated with said first rotatable member and movable relative thereto, teeth defined by each of said rotatable members for engagement by said pawl, a driving portion defined by said second rotatable member for engaging said first rotatable member, and means normally holding said driving portion in spaced relationship relative to said first rotatable member, initial insertion of coins resulting in engagement of said pawl with said first rotatable member for purchase of time upon movement of said first rotatable member by said pawl, and subsequent insertion of coins resulting in engagement of said pawl with said second rotatable member for movement of said second rotatable member through the space between said rotatable members and then resulting in driving engagement of said second rotatable member with said first rotatable member for purchase of time upon movement of said first rotatable member by said second rotatable member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rotatable members comprise discs mounted coaxially, and a spring normally holding said discs in said spaced relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein rows of teeth are defined on the periphery of each of said discs, said rows being in circumferential alignment with each other, the leading tooth of the row of teeth on said second disc comprising said driving portion for engagement with the trailing tooth of the row of teeth of said first disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein the subsequent insertion of a coin results in a reduced ratio of purchased time to the value of the coin inserted due to the relative movement of the second rotatable member and first rotatable member without operation of the timing mechanism, and including blocking means for retaining said pawl out of engagement with the second rotatable member upon subsequent insertion of a coin for thereby delaying engagement with the second rotatable member beyond the normal position of engagement for further reducing said ratio.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A construction in accordance with claim 4 wherein said blocking means comprises an arm pivotally mounted outside the periphery of said discs, a finger on said pawl means adapted to engage said arm whereby said arm holds said pawl means out of position for engagement with a rotatable member, and means for holding said blocking means out of blocking position during initial insertion of coins.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein said holding means comprises a cam member rotatable with said first rotatable member, a portion of said arm engaging said cam member until movement of the cam member beyond said arm portion during the initial purchase of time, said cam member moving beyond said arm portion for thereby releasing said arM portion to move the arm into blocking position after such initial purchase of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A construction in accordance with claim 6 including a third rotatable member tied to said first rotatable member, said cam member extending outwardly from the periphery of said third rotatable member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2603288A
Cited
US3262540A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |