Patent GB-877815-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to telephone coin box arrangements for use in connectionwith local dialling and/or trunk dialling
IPC: H04M17/02
Filed: 1959-01-23
Abstract: 877,815. Coin-freed telephones. SIEMENS & HALSKE A. G. Jan 23,1959 [Jan. 24, 1958], No. 2641/59. Class 27. A coin-freed telephone comprises vertical coin storage channels 1 for different denominations of coins and superposed blocking levers 2, 3 movable into the channels, the upper lever 2 for each channel being movable out of the channel to collect stored coins in response to metering impulses from the exchange and the lower lever carrying an inclined tray 3 which is common to all the channels and directs collected coins to a coin box. The two levers, together with a further lever 6 for the channel for the coin of lowest denomination (10 Pf.) and a bar 5 against which the levers 2 and 6 bear, are pivoted on a shaft 4 and the bar is movable into two positions by a refund magnet R controlled by the receiver hook switch and by a testing magnet P controlled by the telephone dial. On removal of the receiver, the magnet R moves the lever 3 and with it the bar 5 into the first operating position and the levers 2 and 6 are allowed to move into the channels so that inserted coins come to rest stacked on the levers 2. The magnet P is also momentarily energized to assist the magnet R. When the first turn of the telephone dial is made, the magnet P is again energized and the bar 5 is moved into its second operating position so that, if there are no coins or insufficient coins in the channels, all or some of the levers 2 and 6 can move right through the channels and close contacts, p 1 , p 2  and similar contacts p 5 , p 10  (not shown) for the channels for 50 Pf. and 1 DM coins thus clearing the connection to the exchange and de-energizing the magnet R so that the levers 2 and 6 are withdrawn from the storage channels. A slow-acting contact in the dial will also de-energize the magnet R if the dial is intentionally or unintentionally prevented from returning to its stop. If there are coins in the channels, the lever 6 detects that there is a second 10 Pf. coin in the appropriate channel (two such coins representing the minimum call fee) and the contacts p 1 , p 2  are not operated so that a call can be established. Also, a shoulder 12 on each lever 2 detects larger denomination coins (50 Pf. and 1 DM) if present in their channels and the contacts p 5 , p 10  are not operated so that the coins which can be collected are determined. On the arrival of the first metering impulse from the exchange during the call, the testing magnet P is again energized so that the contacts p 1 , p 2 , p 5 , p 10  indicate the position of coins and a collecting magnet K1 is energized through the contact  P2  to withdraw the lever 2 from the 10 Pf. channel, thus releasing the lower 10Pf. coin to the tray 3 for direction to the coin box 10 and inserting a resilient arm 14 below the upper coin so that 'it is prevented from falling until the magnet K1 releases and re-inserts the lever 2 in the channel. The circuit changes over from the contact p 2  to the contact p 1  and on arrival of the second metering impulse the magnet K1 is energized through the latter contact and the second 10Pf. coin is collected. If a 50Pf. and 1DM. coin are also stored, the third metering impulse energizes a collecting magnet K5 through the contact p 5  and the 50Pf. coin falls to the tray 3. A counter magnet W5 (not shown) then responds and moves a counter to a position indicating a 40 Pf. balance of the collected 50Pf. coin. Subsequent impulses step the counter back to zero when a holding circuit for the magnet K5 is broken and the arm 14 is withdrawn to allow a subsequent 50Pf. coin, if present, to slip down but the caller can prevent collection of this coin by inserting another lOPf. coin. Assuming there is only one 1DM, coin stored, the arrival of a metering impulse will energize a collecting magnet K10 through contact p 10  and a counter magnet W10 (not shown) will move a counter which indicates a 90 Pf. balance and then operates similarly to the 50Pf. counter. The two counters may be replaced by a single unit arranged to be rotated by an interrupter circuit or selector motor to the 40Pf. position on collection of a 50Pf. coin. When the caller replaces the receiver, the circuit responding to metering impulses is opened and the refund magnet R is de-energized so that the levers 2 and 3 rock out of the channels to allow any remaining uncollected coins to fall vertically into a shoot leading to a refund cup. A magnet for blocking operation of the dial is also de-energized through a circuit having a slowacting relay which ensures time for the refund of coins even if the receiver is lifted again immediately after being replaced. The counters are returned to zero when the connection is cleared, if they indicate any remaining credit, but the credit remains if the connection is interrupted owing to failure of the mains voltage and can be fully used after restoration of the voltage. For local calls terminated before a metering impulse arrives, a slow-acting relay holds up until the impulse arrives, causing collection of the first 10Pf coin and a second impulse is then generated within the apparatus to cause collection of the second coin. Alternatively, for local calls, collection may take place at the beginning of a call by means of an impulse from the exchange and a second collection impulse may be generated within the apparatus after replacement of the receiver. Similarly, for very short trunk calls, the second impulse is generated within the apparatus if the receiver is replaced after only one impulse from the exchange has been received. To eliminate fraud, the telephone dial has a contact which opens immediately the dial is moved from its rest position and cuts out the relay that first responds in the apparatus. Another contact prevents use of such services as foreign calls. Meters may be provided for recording the local calls and the total amount of money collected. Heating means is disconnected during use of the apparatus, the magnets and relays being relied on as heaters during a call.