Patent GB-351000-A (GB)
Title: An improved coin-freed machine for answering questions
IPC: G07F17/32
Filed: 1930-03-13
Abstract: 351,000. Question-and-answer games. POLLARD, J. L., 1, Prince's Court, First Avenue, Hove, Sussex. March 13, 1930, No. 8139. [Class 132 (ii).] In a coin-freed machine for answering questions, the questions are displayed on the faces of hexagonal members 30, Fig. 1, arranged around a drum 19 and are answered by pointers 132 moved over answers 134 by a competitor who then inserts a coin and actuates the mechanism by a handle 7 on a shaft 6. If the question is correctly answered pins 83 on levers 82 which have been set by the pointers fall into holes 31 in the hexagonal members and actuate mechanism to release a predetermined number of coins. The mechanism is also arranged for a series of questions to be answered in a predetermined time. The members 30 are mounted on spindles 29 on the drum 19 which is rotated step by step by a pawl 21, Fig. 4, engaging a ratchet wheel 22 on a shaft 18 carrying a driving disc 25 having a pin 26 engaging an aperture in the drum. The pawl 21 is on a driving arm 17 actuated by a two-armed lever 13 on the shaft 12 which itself is actuated by a cam 10 on the shaft 6. A lever 39, Fig. 6, on the shaft 12 actuates a lever 35 through a lever 36 at each actuation of the machine so that by a pin 59 on an arm 60 fixed to the lever 35 a lever 62 is rotated about a shaft 63 and raises a rod 58 on a spring-loaded rack 55. At the same time a lever 66 is moved underneath the bar 58 by a rack 69, Fig. 4, moved forward by one arm of the lever 13 engaging a pin 70, and holds the rack 55 in a raised position. When the rack 69 returns under the control of a clock mechanism 72, the lever 66 moves from underneath the bar 58 allowing the rack to fall. The levers 82, Figs. 1 and 6, are pivoted on a carrier 80, eccentrically mounted on a shaft 79, and are actuated by setting knobs 126 through links 139 which are connected to levers 131 integral with quadrants 130 engaging pinions 129. Teeth 137 on locking bars 136 engage teeth 135 on the corresponding levers 131 to ensure that apertures 133 in the pointers 132 are exactly located over one of the figures 134. The bars 136, Fig. 4, are supported by a lever 142 having a pin 143 engaged by a hook 144 fixed to a bar 145. When this bar is moved forward by the rack 69 a pin 147 on the bar moves over a pivoted lever 148 into a recess 152 and at the same time the hook 144 is released so that the bars 136 may be depressed, thereby permitting rotation of the knobs 126. On the return of the bar 145 by a spring 149, a pin 153 thereon engages an incline 154 on the lever 148 and raises the pin 147 which then returns along a slot 150 and rings a bell 156 indicating that the machine has become locked. The drum 19 is arrested at each actuation of the machine by a detent 34 on the lever 35 which is connected through links 40, 41, to clock mechanism 42. Each member 30 passes beneath a spring 33 which presents one question in proper position beneath a glazed aperture and rotates the member on the next actuation of the machine. Reverse rotation of the shaft 6 is prevented by a pawl 54 engaging a ratchet wheel 53 on the shaft. The machine may be combined with vending apparatus. According to the Provisional Specification a ticket may be delivered giving the answer to the question.