Patent GB-632854-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to coin-freed amusement machines
IPC: G07F17/34
Filed: 1947-02-19
Abstract: 632.854. Coin-freed amusement apparatus, BERRY, T. Feb. 19, 1947, No. 4770 [Class 27] A rotatable member is moved step-wise by successive operations of a handle, each requiring insertion of a coin, indicator lamps are lit according to the angular position of the member and at certain positions prize vouchers are issued. In the apparatus shown, an operating shaft 13, freed by an inserted coin, is turned clockwise (Fig. 1) through one revolution by means of a handle 22. A cam 18 on the shaft 13 rocks a lever 27 bearing a pawl 30, first to draw the pawl back over one tooth of a ratchet wheel 24 and then to drive the ratchet wheel clockwise through one tooth. Fast with the ratchet wheel 24 are a wheel 25, which controls the issue of a prize voucher in certain predetermined positions (see below), and a contact arm 26 (Fig. 6) adapted to move step-wise over an annular set of contacts 44 connected to indicator lamps 111 arranged on a panel (not shown) disposed above the mechanism. The shaft 13 also drives a cross-shaft 63 through bevel gears 23, 67 so that a snail cam 81 on the crossshaft, through linkage 84, 89, first lifts a second contact arm 91 and then releases it to move back slowly under the control of a speed governor 93, first travelling over contact studs 100 also connected to the indicator lamps 111, and finally over a strip 101 to light the lamp selected by the contact arm 26. A master switch 104 operated by the shaft 13 opens the main circuit until the shaft is back to normal. Thus, as the shaft 13 is turned, wheel 25 is advanced one step and contact arm 26 moved to engage the next indicator contact 44. Contact arm 91, having been lifted by snail-cam 81 is then released, flashing all the indicator lamps in turn in passing over contacts 100, and finally lighting the lamp selected by the contact arm 26 as it passes over the strip 101. Certain of the lamps indicate a "win" and a prize voucher is issued when any such is illuminated. Prize-delivery mechanism.-The prize vouchers are stacked in side-by-side containers 48, 49, Figs. 3 and 4, each with a delivery slide 51, 52 at its base connected by a link 58 with a respective operating lever 56, 57 loaded by a spring 60. Both slides 51, 52 are retracted against their springs, as the operating shaft 13 is turned, by the engagement of cams 62, 65 on the cross-shaft 63 with the levers 56, 57; spring-loaded catches 74 hold them retracted. Pins 70, 71 project forwardly from the levers 56, 57 and are adapted to enter respective circular series of holes 68, 69 in the wheel 25, a hole only coming opposite one or other pin in the several winning positions of the wheel. Thus, as the shaft 13 is turned, the slides 51, 52 are first retracted and locked, the wheel 25 is advanced one step and then a pin 96 (Fig. 1) on the lever 89 strikes a release bar 80 to release the holding catches 74. If the wheel 25 is in a " winning " position a hole in one of the series 68 or 69 registers with one of the pins 70, 71 so that the corresponding lever 56, 57 and delivery slide 51, 52 move forwards to eject a voucher from the appropriate container 48, 49. Coin action, weight; coin-discharging mechanism.-The operating shaft 13 is normally locked by engagement of the end of a pivoted detent 8 with a pin 11a on it. An inserted coin enters a chute 3 and rests on the free end 9 of the detent 8, rocking it clear of the pin 11a to free the shaft 13. As the shaft is turned, the cam 18, through a lever 16 and link 17, rocks the chute on a pivotal mounting 4 to clear the detent 8, so that the coin falls clear, and the detent 8 returns ready to lock the shaft 13 again at the completion of one revolution.