Patent GB-684231-A (GB)
Title: Coin controlled mechanism
IPC: G07F11/34
Filed: 1948-08-10
Abstract: 684,231. Coin-freed apparatus. ROWE MANUFACTURING CO., Inc. Aug. 10, 1948 [Aug. 16, 1947], No. 21057/48. Class 27. Coin action, multiple-coin and with stationary coin forming abutment. A coin-freed mechanism adapted for release by alternative combinations of coins comprises a series of slides differentially notched according to the combinations, stop members biased to enter the notches to lock the slides after an initial movement and coin feelers on the stop members for rendering them ineffective, whereby insertion of one of the combinations of coins releases the corresponding slide for a full movement to operate an associated machine. In the mechanism shown, quarters, nickels and dimes are inserted through a common slot 122, Fig. 2, and are distributed, by a sorting shoot 124 and by way of testing devices 162, 168 and 174, to their operative positions in the mechanism. These positions are formed by cut-out portions in the upper edge of a plate 206, in which the coins rest on edge, in conjunction with spaced plates 260, 276, Fig. 6, which give lateral support to the coins. A single quarter is received at position 218, up to 5 nickels in line at a cut-out 228 and up to 3 dimes at 254. Coins in excess of these numbers, as well as all pennies, are returned. Opposite these 9 coin positions are a series of horizontal coin feeler pins (see also Fig. 5), as 284 and 285, biased by springs 296 to enter the coin positions but normally held out by cam elements on the edges of a. series of superposed slides 64, 66. 68 and 70. A locking- pin as 300 and 302 extends upwardly from each feeler pin for engagement with the edges of the slides and also to enter a locking notch in one or more of the slides to hold the same against a full and effective movement. Each slide is connected by a respective spring 40, 42, 44 and 46, Fig. 1, with a common actuating bar 36 connected through linkage 30, 28 and 24 with a delivery button 22. On pressing the button 22 to obtain an article, all 4 slides are pulled (to the left in Fig. 5) by the bar 36 and through their respective springs, their cam elements releasing the locking pins of the feelers which thereupon move into the coin positions. If no coins are present, all the feelers are free to move inwards and all four slides are locked by one or more of the locking pins entering notches, as 320 and 322, in their edges. Each slide has its cam elements and notches cut to correspond to one of the combinations of coins totalling the sum required for the article delivered by the button 22 and, if any such combination has been inserted, the feelers corresponding to the coins are held back and the slide corresponding to the combination makes a full movement under the action of its spring. In moving, the slide engages a lever 76 and rocks it counterclockwise (Fig. 1) to actuate a switch 82 to initiate the delivery operation. The sum required for an article can be reduced by fixing dummy coins, e.g. nickels, in one or more coin positions. The mechanism is adapted to deliver one . or two nickels in change when appropriate, and also has provision for delivering a second type of article at a lower price. A second pushbutton is provided for releasing these articles and this button, besides operating the actuating bar 36, also displaces a differential slide 71 below the slide 70. This slide 71 is formed with abutments, as 362, for engaging behind certain of the locking pins &c. when so displaced and acting in place of one or more coins which would otherwise be required. Change giving mechanism. Nickels 274 which have been used to free the mechanism are. collected in a shoot 270 (Figs. 2 and 3) tor delivery as change which might be required when the second or low value push-button is operated and/or a dummy coin is employed to lower the purchase price as indicated above. The two lowermost nickels are supported on platforms 340, 342, either or both of which can be displaced to release the nickels by the cam end 390 of a lever 388 wiping across one or both of levers 352, 344 connected with the platforms. The lever 388 is operable by arms 356 and 358 (see also Fig. 5) on such of the slides 64, 66, 68 and 70 are as moved by coin combinations requiring change, and these arms 356 and 358 engage stepped edges on the lever 388 so that its movement is such as to actuate lever 352 only for one nickel change or both levers 352 and 344 for two nickels. The lever 388 is pivotally mounted at 386 in a further lever 382 pivoted at 380. As shown, Fig. 3, the movement of lever 388 is insufficient to be effective or as fully effective as stated. This only occurs when the lever 382 is rocked clockwise and this is done by a lever 39 which also operates the differential slide when the second or low value push-button is operated. A locking lever 400 is held up by a bar 408 engaging over the third lowermost change nickel 412. If this is absent, the locking lever lowers and locks the arms 356 and 358 and their slides so that an article is not delivered and the coins can be recovered by the operator. Coin-discharging mechanism, returning coins. The coin supporting plate 206 is pivoted to rock forwardly or rearwardly. During the delivery operation, a crank 98 rotates and rocks a lever 102, Fig. 1, lowering a cam 432 which co-acts with a lug on the plate 206 to rock it rearwardly so that the coins are discharged forwardly off the plate to the till 436. Nickels may, however, pass instead to the shoot 270 if in need of replenishment. If an article is not delivered the operator can recover his coins by operating a button which rocks a lever 114. A cam on the end of this lever, similar to the cam 432, is then operative to rock the coin plate forwardly so that the coins on it pass to the rear and are returned.