Patent GB-137543-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to automatic coin freed machines
IPC: G07F5/24
Filed: 1920-01-09
Abstract: 137,543. Prinzing, J. J., and Bertschinger, R. Jan. 10, 1919, [Convention date]. Coin action, optional use of coins of different value with change-giving and electric connexion.- An electrically - operated coin-freed vending machine comprises means for enabling a purchaser to select one of a series of articles of various prices, to insert coins which may be of more than one denomination to an amount equal to or greater than the value of the article and to receive the chosen article and the correct change, optionally in coins of more than one denomination. A selector comprising an arm b adapted to engage one of a set of contacts A each corresponding to a different article and connected by a lead 2 to the delivery device of that article is set at the required position. The levers 2 may be connected to a collector rail E for a number of articles of the same price, the other conductor 21 being connected to a contact O appropriated to that price. In order to complete the required circuit to deliver the article, a slide x is actuated which carries contacts M, N, M, adapted to engage a series of contacts 0 corresponding to the different circuits 21 of the contacts A, and this slide is raised to an extend corresponding to the value of the inserted coins, returning step by step with successive discharge of the coins forming the change until the contacts O corresponding to the desired article is reached, when delivery takes place and the slide is returned to zero position. A coin of given denomination is inserted in one of a number of slots e<1> in a rotatable disk e, each slot having corresponding therewith a shoot g<1> and appropriate coin-testing devices, the disk e having to be rotated to an extent proportional to the value of the coin to bring each particular slot g<1> and shoot g<1> into alinement. The inserted coins of whatever value pass to a receptacle where they connect a fixed contact F and movable contact G and complete the circuit of a motor M<1>. In the rotation of the disk e, a rack t is actuated through gearing l, l<2>, l<4> to lower a stop m and allow the withdrawal of a sliding block o from a fixed stop u. The motor M<1> when started drives through gearing m<1>, m<2> a rack v which carries a driver n, and this coming into engagement with the block o will raise it to an extent equal to its previous descent. Mounted on the block o is a pawl p adapted to engage a rack w on the slide x but normally kept out of contact therewith by a spring. The driver n in rising engages a tail-piece r on the pawl and thrusts the latter into engagement with the rack, which is then raised with the block. On arriving at its upper.limit, the block o engages an arm k which releases the coin from the contacts F, G to fall into the receptacle 12. The driver n is returned to its position of rest by a weight y on the breaking of the motor circuit. The slide x is retained at the point to which it is raised by means of a pawl gg. The change in coins of say two denominations is stored in tubes ii, hh each provided with a stationary plate with a circular opening uu, a plate mounted on a rotatable sleeve qq and having an elongated opening rr, and below this a stationary compartment having an elongated opening r<1>r<1>. A coin is withdrawn from the bottom of the pile at each rotation of the sleeve and delivered through the opening r<1>r<1>. The sleeves qq are adapted to be rotated by a motor M<2> which drives through gearing a shaft ll on which are loosely mounted pulleys mm, nn either of which can be coupled to the shaft to actuate its respective change-delivering apparatus by the motion of a lever kk to one side or the other, this lever at the same time completing the circuit of 'the motor by making contact at AA. The pawl gg has mounted coaxially therewith a lever xx, zz which is operated by a cam ww on the change delivery mechanism of lower denomination hh and co-operates with the pawl to lower the rack through the space of one tooth dd at each rotation of the sleeve. A cam aaa co-operates with the pawl gg and with teeth ee to lower the slide through the space of two teeth dd at each revolution of the sleeve of the mechanism ii. The purchaser having inserted a coin or coins and set the arm b at the contact A<1> of the desired article, moves the lever kk to procure delivery of change in coins of the desired denomination, the slide descending step by step till the contacts MM reach the contact O corresponding to the contact A<1> when the article is delivered, and an electromagnetic device (not shown) acts through a spindle bbb on the pawl gg and allows the slide x to drop to zero position. The circuits of the motor M<2> and of the delivery device include bridges HJ, KL carried by the rack v and switches R, Q broken by projections cc on the slide x so that these circuits cannot be completed unless the rack v is in its zero position and the slide x is not in its zero position. If an insufficient amount is inserted, the purchaser may obtain the equivalent in change, but will not obtain the desired article because the slide is not raised to the requisite extent.