Patent GB-376759-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in coin freed ticket printing and issuing machines
IPC: G07F17/42
Filed: 1931-02-02
Abstract: 376,759. Coin-freed ticket printing and issuing machine. HALL, F. W., 21, Bolton Gardens, Earl's Court, and HALL TELEPHONE ACCESSORIES (1928), Ltd., 70, Dudden Hill Lane, Willesden, both in London. Feb. 2, 1931, No. 3311. [Class 27.] In a coin-freed ticket printing and issuing machine for use on race-courses in co-operation with a totalizator, horse &c. selecting keys 1, Figs. 1 and 2, may normally be depressed and are retained in depressed position by a locking ring 6 which is rotated against the action of a spring 9 to release the keys by the insertion of a coin. " Win " and " place " keys 37, 38 retained, when depressed, by a rocking bar 102 are also released by the coin insertion. The keys 1 are arranged in a circle and each has a coned portion 1a to rotate the ring 6 which then snaps into a groove 1b. The depressed key enters between balls 4 in a ball race, which allow only one key at a time to be actuated. To make a wager and obtain a ticket, a coin is first inserted to release any key that may be depressed and to close a contact 28b, Fig. 2. A key 1 is then actuated and also one of the keys 37, 38. A contact 30 is closed by the locking ring 6, and a contact 33 by the wedging action of the balls 4. The key 1, through one of a series of levers 23 engaging teeth 22 on discs 18, rotates one or more of these discs, each of which has a pin 20 to close a corresponding contact 20a. The discs 18, according to the contacts 20a that are closed, transmit an electric code signal to the totalizator. Each of the keys 37, 38 closes a contact similar to the contacts 20a. A return impulse from the totalizator energizes an electromagnet 79a, Fig. 1, which releases a latch 78a from an arm 77 on the shaft of a spring-driven printing drum 76, Fig. 10, the drum rotating until the arm 77 engages the depressed key which positions the.drum to print the number of the selected horse. The arm 77 is retained by a pivoted latch 160 engaging the key, this engagement causing the latch to rock and close a contact by a roller 159 passing between spring contact blades 160b. The contact 160b closes the circuit of an electric motor 70 to rotate a second printing drum 47 which prints the word " win " or " place," the race number, the date, the value of the coin and other non-selective matter. The drum 47 through gearing winds up the spring-motor of the printing drum 76. A ticket strip 87 is fed from a roll 88 and after the ticket is printed, it is cut off and delivered. A test key 170 for issuing a test ticket is provided, a dummy contact being substituted for the coin-operated contact. The key 180 can only be actuated after release of a lock 171a by an authorized person. A cancelling stud 180 is provided actuation of which enables the operator to have his coin returned, this stud being locked against operation by the armature 181b of an electromagnet 182 which is energized by the acceptance impulse sent out from the totalizator, thus preventing return of the coin once the acceptance has been received. The coin slot is closed by mechanism operated by a closing-impulse sent out by the totalizator, for instance immediately before the start of a race. The closing-impulse causes the return of a coin in case the wager relating thereto has not been accepted, and also causes the race number to be altered on the printing drum 47. Tickets, printing.-The printing drum 47 is driven by a chain 73, Fig. 10, passing over a sprocket wheel 74 which is clutched to the drum by a tooth 151b, Fig. 7, on an arm 151 pivoted at 151a to the drum engaging a notch 150 in the sprocket wheel hub 74d. The closing of the contacts 160b energizes a magnet 158, the armature 157 of which normally holds the arm 151 in disengaged position. The circuit of the motor is retained closed by a brush 154 and a contact 155 engaging a contact ring 152 until the drum 47 has made one revolution when the contact 155 enters a gap 153 in the ring to break circuit. Overrunning of the drum is prevented by a locating arm 165, Fig. 10, engaging a recess in a disc 62 on the drum. The race numbers are on a type wheel 44, Fig. 5, which is turned step-by-step by gears 46, 46a rotated by a ratchet wheel 49 having a series of pins 50, Fig. 10. The ratchet wheel is fed forward by a spring-loaded arm 51 normally retained by a spring-loaded detent 52 which is released by a pin 54 on a spring-driven gear wheel 55 retained by a rocker arm 56. A closing-impulse from the totalizator energizes a magnet 57 the armature 56a of which releases the arm 56. During rotation of the drum 47 on the issue of the next ticket the feed arm 51 is reset by a pin 65. After the last race, the ratchet wheel 49 is locked by a pawl engaging a square recess 66. The " win " and " place " types are on slides 112, 113 either of which is moved out to printing position by pressing the keys 37 or 38. The keys act through a rocker 115, Fig. 2, and members 116, 117, 118 to slide a shaft 120 in one direction or the other, the shaft having pairs of cams 121, 121a and 122, 122a, which engage projections on the slides 112, 113 when the drum 47 rotates, to withdraw one slide and project the other. Delivery of tickets cut from strips.-The ticket strip 87 is fed by a roller 90 over a platen 89 which is lifted to press the strip against the drum 76 by cams on the drum 47. The ticket is severed by a guillotine blade 91a actuated by a rocker 93 from a cam 94 on the drum 47. Coin action, thrust and weight.-The coin is thrust through a slot 10 and rocks an arm 12 which through a rod 14 actuates the ring 6 and the bar 102 to release the keys 1, 37, 38. The coin passing down a shoot to rest in suspense on a pin on the end of a rod 137, trips an escapement 26 to allow a bell-crank lever to move and close switch contacts 28b. Coin-discharging mechanism ; exhibiting coins. -During the rotation of the drum 47, the rod 137 is rocked to allow the coin to drop to pin 135a arresting it in front of an inspection window 136a, the previously arrested coin passing to a cash box. The escapement 26, 27 is reset by a cam 134 acting through rods 133, 145, 145a. The cam 134 also releases the test key should this have been actuated. Returning coins.-If the wager is not accepted, the closing impulse from the totalizator operates a solenoid 147 which resets the escapement and at the same time lifts a gate 132 allowing the coin in suspense on the rod 137 to pass by a return shoot to the operator. Actuation of the cancelling stud 180 lifts the bar 14 to release a depressed key and opens a pivoted side 183 of the coin shoot to return the coin inserted. Coin-slit closing-devices.-The slit 10 is closed while the coin is held in suspense by the lever 27 actuating a bell-crank lever 28, one arm of which has a notch 28a engaging a pin 12a on the arm 12. The coin-slit can also be closed by two separate slides 200, 201, Fig. 1, arranged one behind the other. The slide 200 is held retracted against the action of a spring 202 by a lever 203 engaging a projection 204. The lever 203 may be released by a key operated 206 or by an electromagnet 207 energized when the ticket strip 87 is exhausted. The other slide 201 closes the slit when a closing-impulse is sent out by the totalizator. The rocker 56, Fig. 10, for releasing the feed of the racenumber type-wheel closes a contact 56d and energizes a magnet 210 to release the slide. The slide is restored to open the coin-slit by an electromagnet 213d. Registering.-Counters 173, 174 and a total counter 175 are associated with the keys 37, 38. These counters are put out of action when the lock 171a is actuated to release the test key 170.