Patent GB-190412755-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Coin-freed Apparatus for Supplying a Current of Electricity to Persons using it, after the Insertion of a Predetermined Coin, and for Indicating the Strength of the Current Supplied.
Inventor: CARTER JAMES
Filed: 1904-06-06
Granted: 1904-09-01
Abstract: 12,755. Carter, J., and Leheup, S. H. June 6. Electricity, administering.-Relates to apparatus which by the insertion of a coin is caused to pass an induced electric current through a person holding its handles. Means are provided for regulating and indicating the strength of the current supplied. The apparatus is enclosed in a case a, Figs. 4 and 5, having an inclined front portion b closed by a glass plate. The coin is inserted through a slot l, and falls down a shoot m on to a notched lever n, the end of which is thereby depressed so as to release a cam disc q secured on a shaft e mounted in bearings f, in the case. A light spring s on the end of the lever engages a stop on the case, and supports the lever and coin in this position. The shaft e is provided with a crank h and handle i by means of which it is turned, against the action of a spring u. A stop k limits its motion. As the shaft e is turned, the lever n is raised to allow the cam to fall through a shoot p leading to a suitable receptacle, and a tooth v on the disc q engages a pivoted tooth on a lever w, and depresses the lever against the action of a spring, so that a hooked arm 33 secured to it releases a disc 4 and allows it to be driven for half a revolution by suitable clockwork y mounted on an insulated support and connected electrically to one end of the primary coil of an induction appliance 1. The disc 4 is formed at opposite sides with notches in which enter the end of a spring 7 connected to one pole of a battery d, two or more batteries being provided. The other end of the primary coil is connected to the other pole of the battery d through the usual switch 31, which enables a resistance 32 to be inserted in the circuit when required. A contact-breaker 8 is provided in the circuit. During the half rotation of the disc 4, the spring 7 makes contact with the rim of the disc, but, when the spring enters one of the notches, the contact is broken and the disc is stopped by the arm 33. The secondary coil of the induction appliance 1 is connected between the handles i, j. To enable the strength of current supplied to the handles to be varied, the core of the induction coil is secured by a crosshead 10 to a rack 11 gearing with a pinion on the shaft e, so that the strength of current increases as the handle i is revolved. An indicator 9 on ithe core moves over a scale secured to a partition 14. The core is prevented from descending too rapidly by securing it to a rod 30 carrying a piston which fits loosely in a cylinder containing oil or fluid. Electric lamps engaged on the board 14 are switched on automatically, to indicate when predetermined strength of current are reached, by means of a bar 22 sliding in guides on an insulated plate 20 connected to one terminal of a battery d' and drawn down against the action of a spring by a chain connecting it to a pulley on the shaft e. The bar engages successively with contacts 24, 25, 26 connected through the lamps to the battery d<1>. The lamps may be of different colours.