Improvements in Locking Devices for Use with Apparatus for the Automatic Delivery or Release of Goods or Articles.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locking Devices for Use with Apparatus for the
Automatic Delivery or Release of Goods or Articles.
I, GERSON IGERSHEIMER, of 4, Bleichstrasse, Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire
of Germany, Banker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention consists of an arrangement of locking mechanism-which may
be used in connection with automatic goods delivery and releasing machines or
with a coin-freed machine whereby a privileged person is enabled to use such
a machine without the necessity for inserting a coin.
The improved apparatus consists substantially of a lock of special construction
adapted to be fixed to automatic machines and controlled by means of a key,
so that by inserting or turning the key the automatic releasing or delivery
mechanism will be set in operation in the same manner as the case by the
insertion of a coin or token, except that in the former case the lever is
depressed, not by the weight of a coin, but by the tongue or latch of the lock;
or mechanism, which can be operated from outside, can be thrown into gear
with internal mechanism such as a pin, latch or the like, instead of by a coin
inserted into the machine, such pin or latch being, by the insertion of the key,
interposed between the parts which are to be brought into engagement, and
then moved together with such key.
I will describe my invention as applied to a wardrobe, which can be closed or
locked by the insertion of a coin, and can be opened according to this invention by
the insertion of a key.
Although the construction of the wardrobe itself-does not form the subject of
the invention a brief description thereof in connection with my invention will make
the application of my invention clear.
A coin or token is inserted through an opening in the wardrobe into slots in two
discs mounted on a stud in the interior of the wardrobe the said discs being coupled
together by the said coin or token. A lever is provided by which the discs can be
turned on the stud into position for a spring bolt or latch to engage in notches in
the peripheries of the discs and so retain the said discs in the position to which they
are moved and prevent them from being moved by the handle, while the coin, which
had been engaged by the discs, passes from the discs into a. shoot down which it
passes into a collecting or cash-box. Owing to the engagement of the spring latch
or bolt with the notches in the discs, the key which normally is retained by
the spring latch or bolt in the aperture in the apparatus, is released when the
said latch is engaged with the notches in the discs and is free to be removed
from the apparatus by the user of the machine, who, when he desires to open the
apparatus, re-inserts the said key in the aperture and presses it against an incline ou
the latch, whereby the said latch is moved back and caused to release the two discs,

page_text: whch then together with the arm in connection therewith, under the action of a
spring return antomatically to their normal position; and the key will be so held in
position by a projection on the spring bolt or latch as to prevent its removal from
the apparatus.
When the invention
employed in connection with a coin-freed machine, the
operation of the locking device is as follows:-
Below the two discs herein before described is a second latch or bolt similar to
the spring latch or bolt which engages the notches in the said discs the said
additional spring latch or bolt being pressed, by a spring, away from the said plates
or discs. The end of this bolt or latch which faces the discs, carries a disc having
a projecting pin or stud. The pin or stud, when the said bolt has been drawn
back, engages only in the slot or aperture in the lower one of the two discs before
described.
When however a key is inserted into an opening, provided for the purpose, in the
apparatus, and caused to press upon the additional bolt or latch it causes the stud
or pin thereon to engage in the aperture in the upper one of the two discs, whereby
both the discs are thrown into ongagement in the same way as they would be by
an inserted coin.
Underneath the plate which supports the two discs there is attached an angle
piece or offset. To enable the disc carried by the spring bolt, to move past this
offset as the bolt or latch is raised by the pressure of the key; the periphery of the
said disc is notched or cut away; and when this disc reaches its highest position
and is rotated together with the other two discs, it moves over the angle-iron or
offset and is thereby retained in the raised position, against the resistance of the
spring which controls the said latch carrying the said disc, this latch being thus
held in its raised position and caused to retain and prevent the removal of the key
inserted in the opening in the apparatus.
By the insertion of a key into one of the holes in the apparatus, the slotted dises
are released, and these discs, in their return movement, take the disc carried on
the spring bolt along with them, moving the said disc out of engagement with the
angle-iron or off-set and permitting the latch under the action of its spring to move
downwards, thereby releasing the key inserted in the second hole in the apparatus
while the key inserted in the first hole is retained by the corresponding latch,
which at this time is drawn back.
"
This being so, when a subscriber, for instance, possessing a key wishes to lock up
the apparatus, he inserts his key into a hole provided for the purpose, and at the
same time turns the arm connected with the two discs into the "locked" position, as
herein before described. This will cause the "subscriber's key to be retained in
the key hole, whilst the key which is in the other key hole is released which latter
key can now be removed and carried away. When he requires to use the apparatus,
he need only insert this key into the hole, when the bent arm will spring to one side
and release the articles wanted. At the same time the key which was inserted by
the subscriber has become disengaged and the subscriber may once more remove
and take it away with him.
Thus it will be seen that the same automatic machine may be operated either by
the insertion of a coin or by the employment of a subscriber's key.
In the case of other automatic machines differing in construction from the one
herein described, the lock-and-key mechanism will be modified to suit different
machines as will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art.
DL: Oth dor of March 1808
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.

page_text: Improvements in Locking Devices for Use with Apparatus for the
Automatic Delivery or Release of Goods or Articles.
I, GERSON IGERSHEIMER, of 4, Bleichstrasse, Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the
Empire of Germany, Banker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to locking devices or apparatus which may be fitted to
wardrobes or other receptacles or chambers for storing and securing goods or
articles, such for example as clothing, bicycles, and the like.
The object of the invention is to provide a device that may be operated either
upon the insertion of a coin therein, or the manipulation of an operating key in the
hands of authorised persons.
The invention has for its further object to produce a device of this nature, which
may be unlocked by the manipulation of a second key, and also the provision of
meaus whereby the unlocking key is retained in the device while it is unlocked and
released when the device is locked.
A further object is to provide means for retaining the operating key in the device
while it is locked and for releasing it when the device is unlocked.
To accomplish these objects, there are provided two normally independent cams
with their dependent mechanism, a locking arm for securing the articles in place,
and a bolt for engagement with the cams to make them co-active and thereupon
permit the locking arm to be operated. These cams are also adapted to be connected
by a coin to accomplish the same result.
In combination with these parts are other parts hereinafter described, which
co-operate to produce the other objects of the invention.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will describe the same
with reference to the accompanying drawings of which Figure 1 is a plan of the
locking device; Figure 2 is a plan of the device with the cover removed shewing
the position of the mechanism when the device is unlocked.
Figure 3 is a similar view, the device being locked, the locking arm being shewn
in section.
Figure 4 is a part plan view, shewing the position of the parts after the key has
been operated.
Figure 5 is an elevation of one of the engaging cam discs.
Figure 6 is an elevation of the engaging stop-disc.
Figure 7 is an elevation of the connection-bearing disc.
Figure 8 is an elevation of the bevel-arm.
Figure 9 is a plan view of a part of the auxiliary bolt; and
Figures 10 and 11 are side elevations of the same.
Figure 12 is a detail view of a special key.
Figure 13 is a detail view of the end of the locking arm.
The cover of the device is shewn at A, and B is the base-plate.
A key C is
adapted to be inserted in a slot 1 in the cover, a similar key being provided for
insertion into the slot 3 of the cover. A slot 2 for the insertion of coins is also
provided in the top of the cover. Retaining brackets may be secured to the
Cover.
Au angular plate 5 is secured to the base B, and its upright part has a circular
perforation to serve as a bearing support for a rock-shaft 11, which is journalled at
its other end in a similarly perforated angular plate 6, which is also secured to the
base B. The rock-shaft 11 carries at one end a manually operable locking arm E

page_text: provided with a notch 42 near its end, its end being formed with an inclined
face 45, as shewn in Figure 13. Secured to the rock-shaft 11 between the supports 5
and 6 is a cam disc F', shewn detached in Figure 5, provided with a hub 12 having
a slot 13 for coins and also with a circular perforation 14, a curved shoulder 15, and
an engaging notch 16. A coil spring 17 surrounds the rock shaft 11, one end of
which spring is secured to the support 5 and its other end being secured to the
cam disc F, the said spring forcing the locking arm E to remain normally at the
extreme limit of its open position.
A second cam disc G is mounted upon the rock-shaft 11, but not secured thereto,
contiguous to the cam disc F. The cam discs F and G do not normally co-act, but
are adapted to be connected for simultaneous operation. The cam disc G, as shewn
in Figure 6, has a series of formations which register and co-act with corresponding
parts of the cam disc F, viz., a coin-slot 18 which registers with the coin-slot 13;
engaging notch 19 registers with notch 16; stop 20 co-acts with the curved
shoulder 15; and perforation 21 registers with perforation 14 of the cam disc F.
The cam disc G is also provided with a square shoulder 43.
An angular plate 7 having its ends bent up to form bearing supports 8 and 9 for
a locking bar K is secured to the base B. The locking bar is formed with a lug 31
at one end adapted to bear along the periphery of the cam disc G, and to engage in
the notches 19 and 16 of the cam dises F and G when the apparatus is locked. The
other end of the locking bar has an L-shape as shewn in Figures 2 and 3 and is
forme with a latch 32 to engage in the notch 42 of the locking-arm E, to lock the
device. A spring 33 is mounted on the locking bar K between the supports 8 and 9,
the said spring bearing at one end against the support 9, and at its other end
against a collar 34 on the locking-bar and held in position by a dowel-pin 35. The
spring 33 maintains the locking-bar K with a constant pressure upon the periphery
of the cam disc G. Inclined grooves 36 are formed in both sides of the locking
bar K at a convenient part of its length, (Figures 9, 10, and 11) and on one side a
shoulder 37 is formed for retaining the key in the device when the locking-bar has
moved far enough to carry its open grooved part 36 beyond the slot of the
cover A. An angular retaining plate L, shewn detached in Figure 8, is secured
to the locking-bar K, and is bevelled sharply at two of its edges 38.
Angular plates 22 and 23 are secured to the base B, and their uprights are
adapted to serve as supports for a key-operated reciprocating rod H. This rod H
is formed with a cylindrical portion 24 and a rectangular portion 25, the latter
serving as a bearing shoulder for one end of a spring 26 which surrounds the
cylindrical portion 24 and bears at its other end against the supporting plate 22.
Inclined grooves 27 27" are formed in both sides of the rectangular part 25, and a
shoulder 28 is provided for retaining the key. The construction is similar to the
locking-bar K, shewn in detail in Figures 9, 10 and 11. A shoulder 29 is formed
on the reciprocating rod I to limit the reciprocation of the rod under the pressure
of the spring 26 by bearing against the support 23. A. rotatable cam plate I, shewn
detached in Figure 7, is mounted on the end of the reciprocating rod H, and this
cam plate carries a projecting pin-bolt J which is always engaged in the
perforation 21 in the cam G, and is adapted, on the reciprocation of the rod E, to
pass through the perforation 14 of the cam disc F so as to connect the cam
discs and G together for co-action. Owing to the constant engagement of the
pin-bolt J in the perforation 21, the cam plate I and cam disc G will always rotate
together. The cam plate I, as shown in Figure 7, is cut away to form two sides 30,
the edges of which are bevelled sharply to adapt them for engagement with the
bevelled edges 38 of the retaining plate L.
In Figure 12 is shewn the form of key C, which may be used to operate the
reciprocating rod H or the locking bar K, or both. It consists of a metal plate,
with a slot 39 therein forming a lug 40 and with a handle-piece 41. When this
key is inserted in either the key-slots or 8, its lower edges come in contact with
the ends of the inclined grooves 27 or 36, as the case may be, imparting longitudinal
movement to the locking bar K or the rod H in which the grooves are formed.

page_text: The mug 40 on the key passes under the shoulder 28 or 37, and when the longitudinal
movement of the grooved locking bar K or the rod H has carried the open portion
of the groove beyond the key-slot, the key cannot be withdrawn.
The operation of the device is as follows:
When it is desired to control its operation by a coin, the coin is inserted in the
coin-slot 2 in the cover A, whence it falls into the coin-slot 13 in the cam disc F,
coming to rest only when it lies partly within the said coin-slot and partly in the
coin-slot 18 in the cam disc G. The cam discs F and G are are now co-active.
When it is desired to control the operation by the bolt, the pin-bolt J is caused to
proceed from its normal position within the perforation 21 of the cam disc G until
it is engaged also in the registering perforation 14 of the cam disc F, the cam
discs F and G being now co-active.
When the key C is inserted in the slot 1 and is pressed downward, it is forced
upon the inclined sides of the grooves 27,27 in the reciprocating rod H, causing
the said rod to be moved in the direction of the cam disc G, against the tension of
the spring 26. The open groove 27" now passes beyond the slot 1, and the key C
is retained against removal by the shoulder 28 engaging the lug 40. By this
movement of the rod H, the cam plate I also is brought into engagement
with the retaining plate L, the bevelled edges 30 of the cam plate acting
on the bevelled edges 38 of the plate L forcing the latter together
with the bar K longitudinally against the counteracting pressure of the coil
spring 33 on the bar K. The cam plate I is permitted by this movement of
the plate L to pass beyond the latter, when immediately the said plate under the
pressure of the spring 33 resumes its original position, and prevents the
reciprocation of the rod under pressure of the coil spring 26.
Furthermore, with this movement of the rod H, the pin-bolt J is pushed through
the perforation 14 of the cam disc F, thus locking the cam discs F and G together,
making them co-active. The position of the parts at this point is illustrated in
Figure 3. The cam plate I can never be rotated independently of the cam disc F
because the pin-bolt J is always engaged in the perforation 21 of the cam G, and
the latter is prevented from rotation independent of the cam F because its stop 20
engages with the shoulder 15 on cam G and its shoulder 43 engages with the lug 31
on the locking bar K.
The locking arm E is next turned against the pressure of spring 17 until its
notch 42 is engaged by the latch 32, as hereinbefore described, to lock the parts.
In this movement the cam disc F is rotated with the rock shaft 11, forcing with it
the cam disc G by means of the shoulder 15 and stop 20, and hence, when the pin-
bolt has been forced into engagement, the cam disc F forces also the cam plate I
to rotate with it. The cam disc G bears with its periphery against the lug 31 of
the bar K, against the pressure of the spring 33, until the lug 31 engages in the
notches 16 and 19 of the cam discs F and G, which movement of the bar K
permits the latch 32 on the bar K to engage in the notch 42 of the arm E and the
apparatus is locked. The unlocking key which is similar to the key C may now be
removed from the slot 3.
When it is desired to unlock the apparatus, the said unlocking key is inserted
in the slot 3 and pressed upon the inclined grooves 36, forcing the latch 32
out of engagement with the notch 42, and the lug 31 out of engagement with
the notches 16 and 19. The key will now be retained, and the locking-arm E,
being released, will be forced back by the spring 17 until brought to rest by
the engagement of the shoulder 43 of the cam disc G with the lug 31. Reverse
operations take place with the remaining parts and, if the pin-bolt has been
used to connect the cam discs, it rotates the cam plate I back to its original
position. When the cam plate I approaches the end of its rotation, its bevelled
edges 30 come again in contact with the bevelled edges 38 of the retaining-
plate L. The locking-bar K is being moved by the cam G, and carries with it the
retaining-plate L, the bevelled edges of which slide along the bevelled edges of
the cam plate I until only their knife edges are in contact, when the cam

page_text: plate I is released, and under pressure of the coil-spring 26, the reciprocating-
rod H carrying the cam plate I, returns to its original position, limited by the
shoulder 29. By this movement the pin-bolt J is withdrawn from engagement
with the cam disc F, the key C is released from the shoulder 28, and the parts
are again in position to be operated either by the key or by the insertion of a
coin.
The invention can be modified in unessential respects to make it applicable
to any coin-controlled apparatus, and I do not limit myself to the described
structure, but having now described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. In a
coin-controlled apparatus, the combination with coin-controlled
operating means, of independently constructed key-controlled means adapted to
co-act with the said operating means to enable the apparatus to be positively
operated without the interposition of a coin, substantially as herein before
described.
2. In a coin-controlled retaining device, the combination with means for
retaining articles in place, of means for locking the said retaining means,
adapted to be made operable upon the insertion of a coin, or token, and means
for causing the said locking means to become operable without the insertion of
a coin, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. In a coin-controlled retaining device, the combination with means for
retaining articles in place, of coin-controlled means for locking the said securing
means, and key-operable means for rendering the said locking means operable
without the insertion of a coin, substantially as described.
4. In a coin-controlled locking device, the combination with coin-controlled
locking means normally inoperable, of key operable means for rendering the
said locking means operable without the insertion of a coin, and key operable
means for unlocking the said device, substantially as herein before described.
5. In a coin-controlled locking device, the combination with coin-controlled
locking means normally inoperable, of key-controlled means for making the said
locking means operable, means for retaining the key in the device when it is locked
and for releasing the key when the device is unlocked, means for unlocking the
device by another key and for releasing the latter key when the device is locked,
and retaining it when the device is unlocked, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
6. In a coin-controlled locking device, the combination with normally inoperable
coin-controlled locking means, of key operable means adapted to co-act with the
said locking means to render the same operable without the insertion of a coin, and
means for retaining the key for the said means in the device when it is locked, sub-
stantially as herein before described.
7. In a coin-controlled locking device, the combination with normally inoperable
coin-controlled locking means, of key-controlled means for unlocking the device,
and means for retaining the unlocking key in the device when the same is unlocked,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
8. In a coin-controlled locking device, the combination with normally inoperable
coin-controlled locking means, of key operable means adapted to co-act with the
said locking means to render the same operable without the insertion of a coin, and
key controlled means for unlocking the device, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
9. In a coin-controlled locking device, the combination with normally inoperable
coin-controlled locking means, of key-operable means adapted to co-act with the said
locking means to render the same operable without the insertion of a coin, key-
operable means for unlocking the said device and retaining the unlocking key when
the device is unlocked, substantially as herein before described.

page_text: 10 In a coin-controlled locking device, the combination with manually locking
means, normally inoperable, and adapted to be made operable by the engagement
with it, of a coin or bolt, of a key-operable bolt for engaging with the said locking
means, and means for retaining the key in the device when the device is locked,
substantially as herein before described.
11. In a coin-controlled locking device, the combination with coin-controlled
manually operable locking means, normally inoperable, but adapted to be made
operable by the engagement therein of a coin or of a bolt, a key operable bolt for
engaging with the said locking means, key operable means for unlocking the device
and retaining the key of the last named means in the device when the device is
unlocked, substantially as herein before described.
12. In a coin-controlled apparatus, the combination with operating means com-
prising two normally non-coactive parts adapted to be connected for co-operation
by a coin or bolt, of a key-operable device for forcing a bolt into engagement with
the said parts, substantially as herein before described.
13. In a coin-controlled apparatus, the combination with operating means com-
prising two normally non-coactive parts having mutually registering perforations
for the reception of a coin or of a bolt, of a key-operable bolt for engagement with
the said parts, substantially as hereinbefore described.
14. In a coin-controlled apparatus, the combination with coin-controlled operating
means comprising a rock-shaft, a cam disc rigidly secured to the said rock-shaft and
provided with a coin slot, a second cam disc loosely mounted on the said rock shaft
independently of the said cam disc and formed with a coin-slot, both cam discs
having registering perforations, of a key-operable bolt adapted to engage in the said
perforations, substantially as hereinbefore described.
15. In a coin-controlled apparatus, the combination with coin-controlled operating
means comprising two independent cam discs having registering perforations adapt-
ing them to be made co-operative by the insertion of a coin or a bolt, of a key-
operable bolt for engagment with the said cam discs, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
16. In a coin-controlled securing device, the combination with a manually operable
locking mechanism consisting of a locking arm and a rock shaft, of two independent
cam discs mounted on the said rock-shaft, only one of the said cam discs being
secured to the said shaft, the said cam discs being adapted to be connected together
by a coin or a bolt, of a locking bar adapted to engage the said cam discs with one
end, and the said locking arm with its other end, a retaining plate secured to the
said locking bar and having bevelled faces, a bolt to connect the said cam discs
together, a cam plate connected to the said bolt and having its edges bevelled for
engagement with the bevelled edges of the said retaining plate, a key-operable
reciprocating rod upon which the said bolt bearing cam plate is rotably mounted,
inclined surfaces on the said reciprocating rod to permit its operation by a key, and
a shoulder on the said rod for engaging with the key to retain the key in place after
the rod has been operated, substantially as herein before described.
...
י
1000
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.