Patent GB-438454-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to coin-freed mechanism
IPC: G07F15/12
Filed: 1934-05-18
Abstract: 438,454. Coin - freed apparatus. MICHAELSON, G., 16, Turner House, Nelson Street, Commercial Road, London. May 18, 1934, No. 15099. [Class 27] Coin - action, mechanical connection and with delivery proportionate to value of coin ; coin discharging mechanism.-In a coin-freed apparatus having differential mechanism for determining the period of operation of telephone, wireless, or other apparatus, or for controlling the delivery of gas or other commodity, and in which the said period or delivery is dependent on the value of a coin inserted, a manual setting shaft is coupled by the coin to a coin pocket connected with the differential, and the coin is held in coupling position by means which release it after an amount of rotation dependent upon its size and value has been transmitted. As applied to a timing mechanism for a wireless receiver, and adapted to receive pennies, sixpences, or shillings, an inserted coin enters a pocket 16 and is directed by an inclined platform 20 into a slot 18 in a shaft 17 rotated by an external handle 19. The pocket 16 is mounted on a threaded shaft 25, connected with the winding shaft of clockwork mechanism 23, and carrying a non-rotatable nut 26 to which is attached a member 27 carrying contacts 29 connected to the receiver and coacting with insulated contact members 28, 30. The platform 20 is counterweighted and hinged to a plate 38 pivoted to the pocket. In the case of a penny, after the pocket has been rotated through approximately one revolution, a part 43 of a lever 41, pivoted at 44 to the pocket, engages a detent 32<a> carried by a pivoted plate 33 to swing the plate 38 outwardly and permit the penny to fall into a cash receptacle and uncouple the spindle 17. During this action, the clockwork mechanism is wound up, and the nut 26 travels down the screw so that the contacts 29 are bridged by the contacts 28. As the clockwork runs down, the coin pocket and nut are slowly returned, and the circuit ultimately broken at contacts 29. When a sixpence or shilling is inserted and the shaft 17 rotated, the smaller size of these coins results in their being thrust against one or other of a pair of pins 49, passing through holes in a wall of the coin pocket and bearing against a plate 50 hinged at 51 and 52 to a plate 76 secured to the coin pocket, the movement of the pin causing the plate 50 to be turned outwardly about its hinge 51. The plate 50 is connected by arms 61, 53 and a pin 59 with an archimedian screw 54 which is thereby moved axially, and by engagement with a nut 60 secured in a sleeve 56, is caused to rotate to bring a pawl 57 into engagement with a fixed spiral 58. At each revolution of the pocket during setting, the rear part 62 of the pawl 57 engages a cam 63 on the plate 33, which is thus depressed so that its detent 32<a> does not operate to release the coin. Simultaneously, the pawl 57 travels along the spiral 58, causing the plate 50 to turn about its second hinge 52 until a hole 64 in the plate 50 is brought opposite the protruding pin 49. The plate 50 then turns inwardly under the action of a spring to restore the pawl 57 to its original position so that the part 43 can then engage the pawl 32<a> to discharge the coin. The holes in the plate 50 are normally off-set from their respective pins 49 by such an amount as to permit a number of revolutions of the coin pocket appropriate to a sixpence and a shilling. A brake disc 73, which can be lowered into engagement with the disc 76 secured to the coin pocket by rotation of a knob 75, is provided to enable the clockwork mechanism to be stopped as desired by the user, suitable contacts associated with the disc 73 disconnecting the wireless apparatus when the clockwork is so stopped. A centrifugal device driven by the clockwork mechanism may be provided to disconnect the wireless apparatus in the event of the clockwork mechanism failing before the expiry of the prepaid period. An electric motor may replace the clockwork mechanism 23. Where the apparatus is employed for controlling the delivery of fluids, the screw 25 may have a pitch which is variable along its length so that a delivery controlling valve is opened wider, permitting a greater rate of delivery, when a large prepayment is made. A modified form of the apparatus is referred to in which the control member 43 is operated by an electromagnet whose circuit is closed through one of a series of contacts disposed in the coin pocket so as to be engaged by the different coins, each contact being in circuit with one of a series of further contacts operated to break the circuit to the electromagnet to effect discharge of the coin at different points in the downward travel of the nut 26. Valves, special arrangements and applications of.-In apparatus for controlling the delivery of fluids, the threaded rod may be replaceable by others of different pitch, or it may be in the form of a helical spring which can be adjustable to vary its pitch, whereby the opening of a delivery valve and the rate of supply can be altered for price-changing purposes.