Patent GB-190225047-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Money-boxes
Inventor: HAIINLEIN FREDERICK
Filed: 1902-11-14
Granted: 1903-10-15
Abstract: 25,047. Hahnlein, F. Nov. 14. Money boxes.-Consists of a money box which cannot be opened when once closed until a definite number of coins of a given value has been inserted. A raised portion of the lid is provided with a slot for inserting the coin, which falls into a recess h in a carrier piece f pivoted at g to a foundation plate e which carries the operating-mechanism, this plate being fastened to the lid of the box. When the carrier is moved by means of a pin k projecting through a slot in the lid, the coin falls through an opening i in the foundation plate into the box, while a lever o having its end bent through a hole q in the plate e pushes a ratchet-wheel n, pivoted on the underside of the plate, through the space of one tooth, a spring t preventing the return of the wheel when the carrierf moves to its normal position again. The wheel has a number of teeth equal to the number of coins the box will contain before re-opening, and numbers corresponding to the teeth are placed on the wheel and appear through an opening s in the lid and foundation plate. A catch u carried by a lever v on the foundation plate engages with a tongue on the box, thus closing it. One end of the lever v projects through a hole in the plate into a groove v<3> in the ratchet-wheel, and a projection w in this groove is in such a position that it is just about to act on the lever v when, say, number 1 on the ratchet-wheel appears through the opening s, and, when the next coin is inserted and number 0 appears, the lever is actuated to release the catch u. The mechanism may be set before closing the box by means of finger-pieces on the ratchet-wheel, so that the box may be opened when any number of coins, less than the full number the box is adapted to contain, has been inserted, by causing the desired number on the ratchet-wheel to appear through the opening s. A stop y pivoted at y<1> has a projection y<3> to engage a projection on the carrier f, thus preventing it from operating the ratchet wheel until a coin is inserted in the recess h and presses the projection y<3> out of the path of the carrier. In returning to its normal position for the insertion of another coin, the carrier strikes a projection y<2> on the lever y, and thus brings the projection y<3> back to its first position. The pin k may, if preferred, be operated by means of a disc z, Fig. 7, located above the opening in the lid, which opening is made circular, the disc being connected by a semi-tubular extension z', fitting the opening, to a ring z<2> with a slotted arm z<3> for engaging the pin k. The opening is provided with a vertical wall z<4>, which coincides with the extension z' when the carrier f is ready to receive a coin, as in Fig. 5. A coin is inserted through the extension z<1> and the disc z moved, operating the carrier, and at the same time the extension z<1> will move, narrowing the opening between one of its edges and one of the edges of the vertical wall z', so that another coin cannot be passed into the box until the disc z is turned back again.