Improvements in or relating to Coin-freed Strength-testing or Measuring Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 7th Apr.,
1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Coin-freed Strength-testing
or Measuring Apparatus.
A communication from GEORG MARTIN PFEIFER, Manufacturer, of Werderstrasse 6,
Dresden A, Empire of Germany.
1, ALFRED Julius BoULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of London,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement:—
The present invention relates to apparatus which is actuated by the insertion
of a coin for the purpose of measuring or testing muscular strength and is
characterized by a movable figure or figures being so connected with the strength
measuring mechanism that the strength effect is represented by a movement of
the said ngure in proportion to the degree of strength. Thus, for instance, the
figure of a strong woman may lift weights by means of movable arms to a height
according to the strength exerted by the person using the apparatus.
apparatus may thus add to the action of a strength indicator that of a mechanical
spectacle, inasmuch as the movements produced by the figure are in relation to
the action produced by the strength measuring mechanism. It is possible to
employ several movable figures, for instance, groups of athletes, wrestlers, etc.,
in the same way as a single figure.
*
"
The
The apparatus may also comprise a talking or sound producing device of
well-known description, but of a novel construction and arrangement, whereby,
for instance, when the absolute maximum of strength has been recorded a cry
of approval as for instance, bravo is produced, but only when such absolute
maximum strength had been exerted. Details of the invention relate to means
for actuating the hand or indicator, and also to the locking device which is
unlocked by means of the coin.
In the accompanying drawings :-
Figure 1 is a front view of a construction of the whole apparatus on a smaller
scale that that of the other figures.
Figure 2 is a front view of the mechanism, but without the movable figure
and its mechanism, which as shown in Figure is in front of this mechanism.
Figure represents a vertical cross section of the apparatus.
Figures 4 and 5 are views of the locking device which is unlocked by the
insertion of a coin, shown at rest in Figure 4, and in operation in Figure 5.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the "speaking device and of the bellows etc.,
connected with the hand or indicator mechanism underneath.
Figure is a cross section through the ratchet rod of the "speaking" device
on the line of Figure 6.
Figures and 7 are detail views, and will be explained as occasion arises.
The case closed in front by a glass cover contains in front, separated from the
back part by a partition 1 (Figure 3) an arrangement representing the pry-

page_text: scenium of a theatre. This is represented in Figure 1 only by curtains 2, 2 and
can be of any desired description.
Within the space is placed the movable figure A (Figures 1 and 2), and above
it a dial B (Figure 1) provided with a hand b (Figures 1 and 3), for indicating
the amount of strength exerted. The unit of measurement of strength and con-
sequently also of the divisions of the dial may be represented by the lifting of a
certain weight. In the frame of the glass is provided, say, at the right side
(Figure 1) a slot 3 for the insertion of the coin, shown in dotted lines at the
right in Figure 2.
The apparatus, represented by way of example, in the drawings belongs to
the kind of strength measurers in which a movable lever C is pressed or drawn
towards a fixed abutment C1 (Figure 3) when the parts and C₁ are pressed
together by the hand. The lever C is pivotted in the interior of the case on a
strong pin and is provided with a lever arme (Figures 2, 4 and 5)
constructed with two projections. At the upper projection two flanges 4 form
a slot open at the top, bottom and side, the width of which slots corresponds
to the thickness of the inserted coin (Figures 2, 4, 5). In the plane of the slot
and above it is arranged the coin shoot 5 (Figure 2, dotted lines) beginning at
the lower side of the orifice 3, through which the coin is inserted, and continued
with constant downward inclination towards the said slot. The inserted coin
rolls into the slot and inasmuch as the slot is open at the bottom it would fall
through. But this is prevented by two projecting points; one of them is formed
by a screw 6, which passes through the arm and extends into the slot, the
other forms the continuation 7 of a lever 8 (Figures 4 and 5) between these
points however only a coin of the prescribed dimensions will be held, a smaller
one would fall between them through the slot. By adjusting the screw 6, the
distance between the two supporting points can be exactly fixed. Beneath the
flanges 4 is arranged close to the lever arm el a shoot 9 (Figures 2 and 3) into
which the liberated coin falls and along which it rolls into the cash box 10.
The lever 8 is secured to a vertical spindle 11, carried in bearings 12 and 12ª
(Figure 3) and provided at its lower end with a lever arm 13. This lever arm
rests with its lower bearing surface on the plate 12ª which contains or forms
the lower bearing for the spindle 11. This lever arm is, as seen from the side,
of angular shape (Figure 3), and, as seen from above, is shaped as illustrated
in Figures 4 and 5. The upwardly bent part 13" is situated when at rest, under-
neath the lever arm c¹ (Figures 3 and 4); a spring 14 (Figures 2 and 3) having
a tendency to keep the lever system 8-11-13 in this position. When there is no
coin between the flanges 4 and an attempt is made to move the operating
lever the lower edge of the arm will strike against the arm 13 which will
render a further movement impossible. When however there is a coin between
the flanges 4 (Figure 4) and the lever C is pressed in the direction indicated by
the arrow (Figure 4,) the edge of the coin still held between the flanges 4-1
will slide along the oblique edge of the projection 15 on the arm 8, moving it
away in the direction of the arrow (Figure 5). This movement, of course,
involves the partial rotation of the spindle 11 and a corresponding movement
of the arm 13 with its extension 13ª, which is moved from underneath e¹, before
the edge of c¹ can reach that of 13. The lever C can now be moved so far
as the muscular power of the user permits. As soon as the coin a loses the
support afforded by the projection 15 by passing beyond the position shown in
Figure 5 it will fall through between the flanges 4-4 into the shoot 9 and
thence into the cash box 10. Of course the lever system 8-11-13 will tend
to swing back to its normal position being actuated by the spring 14, but the
part 13 will come in contact with the side of the arm c', the further movement
of which the part 13ª is no longer in a position to prevent. It is only when
the free lever C--c¹ is released and returns to its ordinary position that the
part 13 will re-occupy its position underneath the lever arm c¹.
A strong
spring D attached to the arm c¹ of the lever C at represents the resistance

page_text: offered to the display of strength, and also produces the return of the lever Cl
into its position of rest as represented in Figure 3. The locking device is not
totally new, only so far as concerns the principle of preventing by means of the
locking device the movement from the outside of the automatic coin freed appa-
ratus which locking device is freed by the coin inserted, in connection with the
actuation of the operating lever. However in the device described above, a
novel feature consists in the locking device being made of a part (13) which
presses against the bearing (12") and the strength of which is measured by the
force necessary to crush it. By this means, of course, great security is offered
against mischievous treatment of the apparatus. It is well known that many
coin-freed automatic machines may be actuated without inserting the prescribed
coin, and it is to be expected that sudden efforts of strength will be made on
machines of this kind. When a bolt movable in a slide, or a hook pivotted on
a jointed pin or a similar contrivance is used, breakages and bendings cannot
be avoided when the apparatus is put to such rough usage, because it is impossible
to make the parts large or strong enough since by their nature they must be
small and easily moved. In the present case the arm 8 and the light spindle 11
with its bearings, are absolutely unaffected; and are not required to be particu-
larly strong and it is only the part 13 placed under the lever c¹ which is tested
as to its strength against the efforts of crushing it.
As regards the indicator or registering mechanism, a novel feature consists
in the pointer after having been actuated by the mechanism of the apparatus
being kept in that position for a short time after which it returns to the zero
position. In the ordinary indicators the pointer either immediately returns to
the zero position, after freeing the apparatus, leaving scarcely sufficient time
for the user to read the number indicated, or the hand remains until the appa-
ratus is actuated again, when the pointer turns back to the zero position to
indicate the new amount of strength exerted. This, under certain conditions,
kept the user longer at the apparatus than was desirable in the interests of the
proprietors of the machine.
The pointer is fixed on a shaft 17, which shaft is carried in bearings in
the frame-work and passes through the partition 1 (Figure 3). The shaft is
also provided with a toothed pinion 18 (Figures 2 and 3) and behind this with a
small disc 19 with a somewhat rough surface. Against this disc 19 presses a
lever 21 (Figure 2) by means of its bent arm 21", which lever 21 is freely
movable round a shaft 20. A weight 21 on the outer end of the lever 21
presses the other end 21 against the disc 19. A toothed are 22ª (Figures 2
and 3) is permanently fixed on the shaft 20 and connected with a lever 22, which
are gears with the toothed pinion 18. The lever 22 is connected with a wire 23
provided with a loop 23 (Figure 3), at its lower end which passes round a pin
on the lever-arm c; for this purpose as will be seen from the drawing, the
adjustment screw already referred to may be used.
Whenever the lever C-c is moved the wire 23 will be drawn downwards
and the lever 22 will move, and with it the toothed arc 22ª, by which means the
toothed gearing operating the pointer will produce the movement of the pointer
or strength indicator.
The brake lever 21-21ª permits this forward movement of the pointer, but
prevents the return of the pointer spindle even when the lever C-cis liberated
and returns to its normal position. On account of the long loop 23 of the wire
the return movement of the lever C-e does not affect the wire 23, and the
toothed gearing. However, another wire 24 attached to the lever 21 (Figures 2
and 3) frees the brake at a certain time, whereby the lever 22, under the action
of its weight 22 is moved, and with it the pointer is returned to zero..
In the frame 25 (Figure 2) is shown a kind of bellows E, of which the flap e
(see also Figure 6) pivotted at e¹ and pressed upwards by a spring is moved
downwards to draw in air. Attached to this flap is an arm 26 (Figures 2, 3

page_text: and 6) which extends under the lever arm c¹ and is therefore involved in the
movement of the lever C-c whereby the bellows are filled with air. The
wire 24 passes freely through a hole in tlie arm 26, but is provided above it with
a stop 24 (Figure 2) which is slightly raised by the flap of the bellows when
the latter are collapsed, i.e., when the Hape is at its highest position, and when
this takes place the brake lever 21-21 is withdrawn from the disc 19. The
stop remains while the arm 26 is lowered. If by freeing the lever arm C, the
arm 26 is released the air can only slowly escape from the bellows, and only
when the flap c arrives with the arm 26 at its highest position will the arm
meet its stop 24" and again relieve the brake. Until then, however, the brake
holds fast the pointer spindle and the pointer therefore remains in the position
it was first made to take up.
By means of a horizontal branch 26" (Figure 3) the arm 26 represented also
moves the arms of the Figure A, by means of a cord 27 which is divided
towards the top into two branches 27" (Figure 1) the ends of which are con-
nected with the arms of the figure, which arms are pivotted at 28 (Figures 1
and 3) whereby the movement of the arms is produced in a manner similar to
that of toy figures. The arms a may carry imitation heavy weights at which,
therefore, are lifted or lowered according as to the way in which the lever Ce
and with it the parts 26-20 are moved. The greater the strength employed the
higher the figure will lift the weights. It is also possible to provide the weights
with pointers passing over properly divided scales provided with numbers which
are arranged concentrically with the pivotal points 28 of the arms, thus making
it possible to indicate the amount of strength immediately by the figure itself.
The cord 27 should be somewhat slack so that the small amount of movement of
the lever Cc which is possible without inserting a coin (i.e. until the lever
arm c¹ strikes against the locking device 13ª) should produce no movement in the
figure.
The device for producing a sound of approval when the highest effect of strength
has been reached, is not novel as regards general construction, so that it need
only be remarked that the device comprises a bellows and a sounding tube which
are so operated by valves that the required sounds are produced. On the other
hand the mechanism by which the bellows are actuated and the voice made to
sound only when a maximum of strength has been registered will be described.
F, (Figure 2) represents the bellows the flap f of which is hinged at f¹
and is pressed down by a spring f. In the frame 25 (Figures 2 and 6) a rod 29
is revoluble. An arm 30 on this axle is connected by a bar 31 with the flap f of
said bellows. A second arm 32 (Figures 2, 3 and 6) extends into the path of
motion of the lever c¹. As the lever is lowered, the arm 32 is pressed down
and the axle 29 is turned, and through the arm 30 and bar 31 the bellows flap
is moved up. With it also is raised a toothed bar or rack 34 attached to the
said flap at 33 (Figures 2 and 6). In the path traversed by this toothed bar
extends a pin 29", which, as shown in the drawing, forms the end of the
axle 29 (this arrangement however is not absolutely necessary). A spring 34
presses the toothed rack against the pin 29ª and as the rack rises its teeth slip
over the said pin until one of the teeth remains in engagement with the pin,
so that when the lever arm c¹ returns to its normal position, the bellows remain
stationary in a more or less opened position. It is. only when the toothed
rack 29 is lifted so high that the last tooth slips over the pin 29ª, that an
exceptional effect is observed. This last tooth 34 (Figures 6 and 7) is on the
underside towards the right side (in the example shown in Figures 6 and 7)
so filed out as to be circular as represented in Figure 7, and the pivot pin 83
having plenty of play in the hole of the toothed bar, the latter can escape
towards the left when the obliquely filed part of the tooth 34b, after the release
of the lever 32, presses on the pin 29. The tooth 34b then slides towards
the left away from the pin 29 the spring f presses the sides of the bellows

page_text: together, and a sound is produced. The descending toothed bar 34 slides down,
its rib or flange 34° which is acted upon by the spring 34 being pressed against
the pin 29 as shown in Figure 7 until the pin passes over the top of the rib
opposite to or above the highest tooth of the bar, whereupon the pin again,
engages with the top tooth of the toothed bar and the rod returns to its per-
pendicular position and again occupies its initial position, as represented in
Figures 2 and 6. Figure 7 represents the toothed bar as seen from the right
and renders intelligible the effect just described.
The invention is not to be limited to the construction herein before described
and illustrated as it is possible to depart in several ways from the construction
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:
1. A coin-freed strength testing or measuring apparatus comprising a movable
figure or figures which indicate the strength employed by movements proportionate
to the degree of strength employed. and mechanical means by which the movable
parts of the figure are connected with the mechanism of the indicator.
2. A coin-freed strength testing or measuring apparatus comprising means for
producing a sound of approval whenever a maximum of strength has been exerted,
and mechanical means by which this sound is produced together with the indica-
tion of strength exerted and a locking device so arranged that the sound is only
produced when a maximum of strength has been exerted.
3. A coin-freed strength testing or measuring apparatus comprising a sound
producing device which on a maximum of strength effect being exerted will
utter a sound and mechanical means for gearing the sound producing device
with the indicating mechanism, and a toothed bar such as 34, connected to the
bellows flap of the sound producing device in conjunction with a pin (29), said
bar rising with the bellows flap and preventing the closing of the bellows, and
the production of the sound as long as the strength indicator mechanism does
not reach the maximum', whilst on the other hand, the last tooth of the bar
is so formed as to allow the bar to slip off the pin 29", whereby the bellows are
allowed to close and produce a sound when the strength indicator mechanism
has been moved as far as possible, by the highest application of strength.
4. A coin-freed strength testing or measuring apparatus comprising a spindle,
provided with a pointer for the purpose of indicating the strength exerted, means
by which the pointer spindle is geared with the operating mechanism and by
which the pointer is moved, a brake device acting on the pointer spindle, means
for releasing said brake device and a bellows which is opened by the operating
mechanism and which retards the release of said brake device.
5. A coin-freed strength testing or measuring apparatus comprising a spindle
provided with a pointer for the purpose of indicating the strength exerted, a
counterweighted lever such as 22 with a toothed are such as 22 for turning
forward the pointer spindle a counterweighted lever such as 21-21, in com-
bination with a brake disc 19, on the pointer spindle, a bellows such as E, a flap
of which is moved by means of arms as 26, acted upon by the operating lever
and a wire 24 with a stop 24ª said wire passing through a hole in the lever
arm 26. and adapted by means of the stop 24 to release the brake lever after
the bellows has been contracted.
6. A coin-freed strength testing or measuring apparatus comprising a lever
such as Cc, by which a resistance spring such as D, is acted upon from the
outside of the apparatus, two flanges such as 4, on the arm which flanges hold
the inserted coin between them, a vertical shaft 11 with an arm such as 8 having
a projection 15, and an extension 7, which arm is adapted to be turned away
by the inserted coin an arm such as 13, connected to the shaft 11, and resting

page_text: on an abutment 12", the part 13" of which arm normally rests under the lever el
but is moved aside when the shaft 11 is partly rotated by means of the arm 8.
7. The complete strength testing or measuring apparatus substantially as
described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 8th day of April 1899.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant,