Patent GB-194770-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to coin collecting means for telephone services
IPC: H04M17/02
Filed: 1921-12-14
Abstract: 194,770. Hall, F. W. Dec. 14, 1921. Hiring telephones; coin action, weight and multiple-coin. -In a telephone system in which inserted coins are held in suspense on one end of a balance arm so as to be cashed in or out according as the desired connection is or is not obtained, the insertion of the coins renders the transmitter inoperative and renders operative means for communicating with the exchange. In one arrangement, for a manual system, the insertion of the coins completes a circuit for calling the exchange; the exhange operator temporarily restores the transmitter in order to ascertain the desired number, but the transmitter is only permanently restored for conversation by cashing-in the coins. In a second arrangement, for an automatic exchange, the coins render the impulse dial operative, the transmitter is restored both by cashing-in and by cashing-out but the latter operation also opens the line circuit for a definite time interval in order to release the selectors. Fig. 2 shows one form of the coinoperated mechanism, the contacts being particularly arranged for a manual system. The first coin inserted in the vertical shoot 11 strikes a pin 34 on a pivoted member 32 and causes a second pivoted member 30 to close contacts 4, 5 to short-circuit the transmitter, the member 30 being held in displaced position by a spring catch 35. The coins pass down an inclined shoot 12 to a vertical shoot 13 in which they strike the bent-over end of a weighted balancearm 25. A pivoted toothed trip member 22 rocked by each coin causes the arm 25 to move downwards under the weight of the coins in a step-by-step manner. After the insertion of three coins, the arm 25 descends freely to the bottom of the slot 27 and closes a contact 8 which completes a circuit for calling the exchange. The short-circuit around the transmitter is temporarily removed by the exchange operator in order to ascertain the desired number, the coins meanwhile resting in suspense on the end of the arm 25 between two pins 46, Fig. 7, on a pivoted quadrant 19 having a projecting arm 20. If the connection is obtained, the subscriber cashes in by means of a press-button 39 which causes an arm 40 on a rock-shaft 37 to swing the quadrant 19 to the left. A member 29 pulls down the arm 30 which opens the contacts 4, 5 to free the transmitter and closes contacts 5, 6. The arm 40 is connected by a link 41 to pivoted arms 42 which carry the inclined shoot 12, the weight of which returns the shaft 37 to normal when the button 39 is released. If the call is unsuccessful, the subscriber cashes out by operating a push 45, when an arm 44 tilts the quadrant 19 to the right. The movement of the quadrant to the left or right causes one or other of the pins 46 to project the coins into the till or into a returnmoney device respectively. The right-hand edge of the slot 27 in the quadrant is shaped to the arc described by the end of the balance arm 25, thus preventing the subscriber from prematurely cashing in. The member 22, which is rocked by each coin, also opens contacts 10 which normally short-circuit a buzzer, so that the insertion of any extra coins may be signalled to the operator; and the apparatus may be further modified so that extra coins of different denominations give signals of different characters. The back of the shoot 13 is made yielding in order to prevent jamming in the shoot and consists of a spring- controlled pivoted flap. The arm 30 may operate a counter. The contact 5 may be operated by a tappet on the balance arm in its lowest position, and may comprise a frictionally-pivoted contact which is only opened by the act of cashing-in. In a modification, Fig. 4, coins inserted as extra payments are deflected into a separate receptacle. The vertical shoot 13a is attached to and moves with the quadrant 19, and a spring-plate 47 rests against the end of the balance arm 25. The arm 25 moves downwards under the weight of the first three coins until it is opposite the bent lower part of the plate 47 which then swings inwards and deflects further coins from the shoot 13a into a separate receptacle. In the arrangement, Fig. 7, for an automatic exchange, the arm 25 in its lowest position closes contacts 48 and opens contacts 50 which disable the transmitter and render the impulse dial operative. The payment is cashed-in by depressing the button 39, the arm 25 rising to return the contacts 48, 50 to normal. The payment may be cashed-out by the push 45 which also permits contacts 48, 50 to restore to normal but opens a contact 49 in the line circuit for a predetermined time controlled by a plunger 51 working in a dashpot. In another modification the contacts 50 are replaced by contacts similar to contacts 5, 6, Fig. 2, these however being closed by cashing-out as well as by cashing-in by means of an extra link between the member 30 and the arm 20 of the quadrant. Specifications 16376/13, 149,361, and 154,960 are referred to.