Patent GB-1343034-A (GB)
Title: Ticket issuing machines
IPC: G07F17/42
Filed: 1972-03-08
Abstract: 1343034 Coin-operated ticket-issuing machines BELL PUNCH CO Ltd 8 March 1972 [8 Feb 1971] 4116/71 Headings G4T and G4V Upon inserting coins into a ticket issuing machine, pulses are fed from an oscillator to a device for displaying the value of inserted coins, the train of pulses is cut off when the displayed value corresponds to the value of the inserted coins, ticket value printing wheels are indexed to positions corresponding to the displayed value and when the wheels reach these positions a ticket issue mechanism is automatically operated. The machine described is for issuing bus tickets and includes a unit (not shown) controlled by the bus driver and connected by lines 3, 4 to the circuit shown for controlling fare stage print wheels in the manner described in Specification 1,258,132. A single external slot is provided for accepting 1p, 2p, 5p or 10p coins. A mechanism (not shown) checks the validity of an inserted coin and directs it to one of four channels (according to its value), where it closes a corresponding one of four switches 5 to energize a relay 6. One of relay contacts 6<SP>1</SP>-6<SP>4</SP> is thus closed to energize the oscillator 9, relays 10 and 11 being energized alternately. Each time relay 11 is energized, its contact 11<SP>2</SP> closes to send a pulse on line 12 to the unit pence section 24 of the display device 13, which also includes a tens of pence section 25 and a total cash section 27. Each energization of relay 11 also closes contact 11<SP>3</SP> to pulse a solenoid 14, which indexes through one increment the wiper arm 17 of a switch 15. Contacts 6<SP>6</SP>, 6<SP>7</SP>, 6<SP>8</SP>, 6<SP>9</SP> of the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p relays 6 respectively are connected at corresponding incremental positions of the switch 15, and one of these contacts (corresponding to the value of the inserted coin) will be closed. When the wiper arm 17 connects with this closed contact, a relay 22 is energized; contact 22<SP>1</SP> shifts from the position shown to break the holding circuit of the relay 6 and to make a connection between positive line 1 and the oscillator 9, thus keeping the latter energized; contact 22<SP>2</SP> opens to cut off the pulse train to the display 13, the number of pulses already fed to the display now corresponding to the value of the inserted coin. The oscillator 9 continues to pulse the solenoid 14 through contact 11<SP>3</SP> until the wiper arm returns to its home (zero) position, whereupon a relay is energized to open the holding circuit of the relay 22; contact 22<SP>1</SP> returns to the'position shown, thus de-energizing the oscillator 9. Counter mechanism of the sections 24, 25 of the display device 13 is linked to wiper arms 30, 31, which are thus now positioned in accordance with the value of the coin(s) inserted. The machine user, seeing the device 13 displaying the value of the coins he has inserted, now operates a ticket issue button which closes contacts 39<SP>1</SP>, 39<SP>2</SP>. Closure of 39<SP>2</SP> operates a relay 45 which through contact 45<SP>3</SP> energizes solenoids 49 to index the ticket value printing wheels (not shown). These wheels are linked to wiper arms 32, 33, which, when they reach positions corresponding to the already set wiper arms 30, 31, energize relays 34, 35; thus-opened contacts 34<SP>2</SP>, 35<SP>2</SP> de-energize relay 45 to stop the print wheels (now correctly positioned); switched contacts 34<SP>3</SP>, 35<SP>3</SP> connect a now-charged capacitor 47 to a relay 46 which operates a solenoid 48 causing issue of the ticket. Preventing use when faulty or at wrong time in cycle.-A coin jammed in a slot is sensed by one of four contacts 7, which operates a relay 8 having a disabling contact 8<SP>1</SP>. If the supply of ticket blanks becomes inadequate or if the coin receiving box is improperly positioned, a contact 20 or 21 is opened. The contact 39<SP>1</SP>, which is closed when the ticket issue button is operated, energizes a solenoid 40 which, in turn, serves to prevent insertion of further coins while a ticket is being issued.