Abstract: A manually actuated self-collecting parking meter includes a single lockable coin insertion device for receiving a range of available coin diameters. A coin checking device is arranged to receive one coin at a time from the insertion device and is placed in operation by turning a rotary locking handle. A parking time period display mechanism is arranged to be set based on the coin inserted into the checking device when the handle is rotated. The rotary locking handle can be rotated in either direction up to a stop for loading a force accumulator which automatically drives an operating mechanism for effecting the operation of the coin checking device and the setting of the display mechanism. For proper phase control of the operating mechanism, a closing segment and an operating segment are provided which uncouple the operating mechanism when the rotary handle is completely rotated so that the automatic operation is carried out.

Abstract: A parking meter includes a timing unit, a coin receiver which can receive coins of different diameters, and a first and a second normally blocked lever which are biased for movement in mutually opposite directions about a joint axis of rotation into detecting engagement with a plurality of angularly spaced points on the circumference of the coin in the receiver, so as to detect the diameter of such coin. A manually operable arrangement serves to unblock the levers for their movement, and for subsequent joint angular displacement through a distance which is dependent upon the detected coin diameter. A control arrangement on one of the levers sets the timing unit to an interval whose length is a function of the aforementioned distance.