Patent GB-908196-A (GB)
Title: Coin controlled locker
Inventor: STACKHOUSE WELLS FOSTER
IPC: G07F17/12
Filed: 1960-09-30
Abstract: 908,196. Coin-freed lockers. AMERICAN LOCKER CO. Inc. Sept. 30, 1960, No. 33568/60. Class 27. A coin-controlled locker has a door 12 lockable by a pair of bolts 24 which are normally in the unlocking position but can be moved to the locking position, after insertion of a coin in freeing mechanism 20, by a key-operated bolt 18 and, up to a predetermined period, the door can be opened again by the key without further coin insertion but, after this period, a timer sets an accumulator 54 so that insertion of a further coin or coins, according to the number of periods elapsed, will be necessary before the door can be opened. The bolts 24 are pivotally connected to a member 25 which is supported by a pivoted link 27 and connected to the lock 18 by a link 30. In the unlocked position of the lock, the member 25 is moved bodily to press on a latch 37 and if an attempt is made to close the lock without insertion of a coin the latch will fall and engage a hook 39 on the member as soon as it moves away. An inserted coin will, however, engage pins 43 on the pawl to hold it out of the notch and the coin is released when the end 40 of the member 25 pivots the pawl rearwardly. When the locker is in use, a deflector 46 in the coin mechanism 20 returns inserted coins but is held inoperative when the bolts are in unlocked position by a rod 49 operated by the member 25. A timing mechanism 66 serves a bank of lockers and comprises a cam 70 driven by an electric motor 69 and operating a switch 74 to energize all the solenoids 64 in the bank of lockers. Each closure of the switch, which may be every six hours, causes advance of a ratchet wheel 55 by one tooth through a solenoid-operated pawl 59. Four operations of the solenoid will represent a period of 24 hours and if the user returns before the fifth operation he can open the looker merely by inserting his key in the lock 18 and rotating it. At the fifth operation of the solenoid, a pin 80 on the wheel closes a switch 82 and a stepped portion 89 pivots an indicator 94 so that the " 10 " due amount shows at a window. The switch 82 prepares a circuit including a switch 86 and solenoids 87, 88 and when a key is inserted in the look 18, it closes the switch 86 and energizes the solenoids 87, 88 to move the coin deflector to inoperative position and to move a blocking lever 92 to prevent rotation of the look. If the user then inserts the required coin, it operates a switch 98 and energizes a solenoid 101 so that a pawl 104 engages a notch 105 to return the ratchet wheel and indicator sufficiently to open the switch 82 and de-energize the solenoids 87, 88. When the key is turned, a slotted rod 75 moves the ratchet wheel back to initial position. If the user returns between the ninth and tenth operations by the timing mechanism, the " 20 " due amount is indicated and two coins are required to permit opening, the first causing the pawl 104 to engage a notch 106 to return the wheel and indicator to the " 10 " due position and the second coin returning them to open the switch 82. Between the tenth and thirteenth operations, the " 20 " due amount is still indicated but the pawl 104 will engage the notch 107 to return the wheel to the " 10 " due position. Similarly, three coins are required when the indicator shows " 30," the pawl 104 operating on the notch 108; provision for higher amounts can be made. To enable the locker to be opened by the owners without affecting the coin-controlled mechanism, a second key-operated lock 34 is connected by a link 32 to move the number 25 rotatively and withdraw the bolts 24.