Patent GB-1293347-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for raising and lowering a sports barrier
Inventor: RODWELL JOHN
IPC: A63B61/02
Filed: 1968-12-09
Abstract: 1293347 Coin-freed apparatus JOHN RODWELL Ltd 4 Dec 1969 [9 Dec 1968 26 March 1969] 58340/68 and 15778/69 Heading G4V A coin-freed control means for raising and lowering a barrier comprises a fluid pressure ram device and a pump (7, Fig. 1, not shown) which, in operation, draws liquid from a reservoir (6) and delivers it to a ram cylinder (4) to move the ram (5) in a predetermined direction, the ram cylinder (4) being connected to the reservoir (6) through valve means 10, Fig. 3, so that only when the valve means is closed can the ram be moved in said predetermined direction, the control means including a coin-operated mechanism, operation of which closes the valve, and a timing device 14, Fig. 2, operative to cause the valve to be opened at a predetermined time after it has been closed. Application of the mechanism to control the raising of a tennis court net is described. Manual operation of pump (7), whilst coinoperated valve 10 is closed, lowers ram (5) and the attached cord (12) which passes over pulley (13), and thus raises the attached tennis court net. A valid coin inserted through slit 35, Fig. 2, and verified by a known coin selector 15 leaves coin outlet 36 and rests between faces 20 and 21 of spring biased levers 17, 22, pivoted at 18 and 23 respectively. Inward movement of control knob 25 is transmitted by the coin to lever 17 which pivots so that the cam follower 19 in the form of a small roller rotatably mounted on lever 17 is removed from the notch of the rotatable plastics timing disc 27. The disc has six notches 28 disposed equidistantly around its periphery and a series of magnetic elements 29, formed of soft iron, interposed between the notches. A magnet 30 is positioned so that when the cam follower 19 is located in a notch 28 an adjacent magnetic element 29 lies within the magnetic field of the magnet 30. When the cam follower 19 is withdrawn from the notch the magnetic force causes the disc 27 to rotate to align the element and the magnet 30 so that the cam follower 19 abuts the peripheral surface of the disc.27 adjacent to the notch and thus cannot fall back into the notch. The lever 17 is thus displaced and on release of control knob 25 the coin is released into collection box 38. In one embodiment the timer disc 27 is rotatable about shaft 31 by a spring motor 32 by means of a peg 33 which projects into an annular slot 34 in disc 27. After a pre-determined time, e.g. 1 hr. rotation of timer disc 27 brings a second notch 28 adjacent to cam follower 19, which enters the notch so that lever 17 returns to its initial position due to the bias exerted by spring 28. Lever 17 is connected to lever 39, Fig. 3, which also pivots about axis 18. Displacement of levers 17 and 39 by insertion of the coin causes arm 40 to operate counter 41, and arm 42 to act through linkage 44 to move arm 49 of member 47 to close the coin slot 35 and to move member 43 so as to close valve 10 and thus permit the movement of ram (5). Movement of the fluid is facilitated by hydraulic junction box 9, Figs. 3 (and 4, not shown). The normal return of fluid from ram chamber (4) through inlet port (56), exit port 57 and valve 10 is prevented by the coin-operated closure of valve 10, thus permitting the movement of ram (5) by the operation of pump (7). Excessive movement of ram (5) may be corrected by pressing control knob 25, Fig. 3, so that lever 51 pivots about 52 and engages control member 53 of an adjusting valve 54 linked to exit port 58, which thus permits return of fluid from the ram chamber to the reservoir. This return is also permitted if necessary by pressure relief valve (60, Fig. 4, not shown). In an alternative embodiment the timing device may be an electric motor. Insertion of a coin actuates a micro-switch, causing electric current to be supplied to the timing device which in turn causes an electric current to be applied to a solenoid which controls the operation of the main control valve, which is normally biased to the open position by a spring. An over-ride switch is provided to enable the control valve to be opened.