Patent GB-308418-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in coin freed machines for vending postage stamps, tickets and the like
IPC: G07F11/68
Filed: 1928-02-07
Abstract: 308,418. Hall, F. W. Feb. 7, 1928. Delivery of postage stamps, tickets, etc.; coin action, thrust and weight.-A coin inserted into the machine effects successive actuations of the delivery mechanism. In the machine described, a penny effects delivery of two half-penny stamps in succession, and coin-selecting mechanism is provided whereby a half-penny may be used to obtain one stamp. As shown in Fig. 1, a penny inserted at X raises a lever 6 and rack-bar 8 so as to turn a ratchet wheel 10 in the counterclockwise direction, and passes to the shoot 24. Here it strikes a rod 28 so as to depress a weighted lever 25, and then rests temporarily on a seat 30. The lever 25 in moving down and up operates escapement mechanism 26, 27 so that the lever 6 and bar 8 descend part way and drive the escapement wheel 12 by means of a pawl 11 pivoted on the latter. This motion effects delivery of one stamp and also raises a lever 33, 34 so as to eject the penny into the shoot 23, where it strikes the end of the lever 25 and operates the delivery mechanism a second time, permitting the descent of the lever 6 to the original position. A half-penny inserted at X raises the lever 6 to an intermediate position and passes direct to the shoot 23, operating the delivery mechanism only once. A feed drum is adjustably secured to a disc 36, Fig. 2, on the spindle of the escapement wheel 12, and carries pins which engage the perforations of the stamps and pass the strip from a spool 39 and over a stripper plate 50 to the delivery slot 40. A pivoted shutter 41 which normally closes the delivery slot is moved by a lever 42 and a cam wheel on the delivery drum so as to expose the slot for delivery. To keep the stamp strip in position, a loose eccentric cover 46 rests upon the drum. This cover is provided with a cutting edge at the delivery slot and is held in place by a spring 47 and by a boss 48<a> on a hand-lever 48 which may be turned aside when dismantling the machine. In a modification, Fig. 9 (not shown), for varying the delivery movement, the arms of the escapement wheel are secured in radial slots by set-screws so that any of them may be set back into an inoperative position. In another form of escapement, Fig. 13, the bar 8 moved by the coin action engages a pin wheel 55 geared to a pinion 56 controlled by escapement mechanism 57, 58, 26 and the coin-operated lever 25. The end 59 of the arm 57 is adjustable so that it may be made inoperative. In a modification, Fig. 14 (not shown), the hub of the arms 57, 58 carries two pins for moving a lever such as 33, Fig. 1, for transferring the coin from the first shoot to a second. Testing coins.-The coin selector 15, Figs. 1, 7, 8, is pivoted on an inclined rod 16 and is normally held out of register with the fixed coinshoot 17 by a rod 13 on the lever 6. If the coin inserted is too small to raise the lever 6 and set the escapement mechanism, it is not received by the selector 15 but passes direct to the return shoot. A coin which raises the lever 6 enters the selector and runs down a ledge 18 towards a guide-plate 220. The selector carries a shaped guide-member 20, 22 pivoted at 21. A penny (Fig. 7) leans against the outside of the flange 22 and passing to one side of the plate 220 is directed to the shoot 24. A half-penny (Fig. 8) Leans against the inner flange 20 and passing to the other side of the plate 220 is directed to the shoot 23. A coin of intermediate size leans against the flange 20 while in the upper part A of the selector and on reaching the part B throws up the pivoted member 20, 22 and falls sideways into the return shoot. A coin large enough to enter the selector but smaller than a half-penny falls out sideways at the shaped part C of the flange 20. Coin-slit closing-devices.-An apertured plate 2, Fig. 5, behind the coin-slit is normally held in the position'shown, with the slit exposed, by a pivoted lever 4 engaging beneath a lug 5. The plate 2 is raised slightly by the insertion of a coin so that the lever 4 is free. The stamp strip bears against a pin 51 on a lever 52, Figs. 2 and 5, and holds the parts in the position shown, but when the pin 51 becomes free the lever 52 moves under gravity and turns the lever 4 aside. The plate 2 is held up during delivery by an arm 54 on the lever 6, Fig. 1, and descends, closing the coin-alit. when the lever falls on delivery of the last stamp.