Improvements in Coin-freed Apparatus for the Sale of Goods.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1890-Accepted, 6th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coin-freed Apparatus for the Sale of Goods.
I, CHARLES LOTINGA, of 33 Cambridge Street, Lower Grange, Cardiff, in the
County of Glamorgan, Gentleman, 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 :-
This invention relates to an arrangement of mechanism which is unlocked by the
insertion of a coin or coins which unlocking will allow an article of a round or curved
shape, such as a cigar or cigarette, to be taken from the apparatus.
In order that my invention may be well understood and carried into practice I will
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which similar
letters of reference indicate the same or corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my invention and Figures 2 to 6 shew details
of construction.
According to this invention I'provide a fixed outer case A within which works
vertically a delivery slide B between fixed guides C.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the delivery slide, and Figure 3 is a section on the
line XY Figure 2. The delivery slide is provided with an open space or aperture D
the bottom of which is a shelf E curved or otherwise formed to the shape of the cigars,
cigarettes, or other articles to be delivered. The delivery slide normally rests with the
shelf E just below the month of the channel F through which the articles gravitate
from the storage receptacle G, the bottom of which is sloped towards the channel F,
the said channel being just large enough to allow the passage of one article at a time.
The delivery slide is furnished with a handle H by means of which it may be raised
when the locking mechanism is released, as will be explained hereafter, its own weight
will return it to its initial position when the bandle is released, or a spring may be used
if required. Stops are fixed in any suitable position on the delivery slide to provent
it from being entirely withdrawn from the outer case. These stops are not shewn in
the drawings as it will be readily understood that they may be placed in any position
provided the shelf E can be raised level with or above the top J of the outer case, so
that the cigar or other article may be brought outside the case into such a position that
it may be easily removed by the operator. The lower part of the delivery slide i.e. the
distance from the shelf E to the bottom, is made somewhat longer than the distance
from E to the top J thus ensuring that the mouth of the channel F is always closed
when the delivery slide is being raised or lowered. As soon as the delivery slide is in
its normal position i.e. closed down as shewn in Figure-1, one of the cigars, cigarettes,
or other articles will fall on to the shelf E and will there remain ready for the next
delivery.
The locking mechanism is released in the following manner :-The coin U when
inserted in a slot in the outer case falls down a vertical shoot K into a claw forming
part of a spring actuated bolt M. The bolt is shewn separately in enlarged plan at
Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shews the bolt withdrawn and Figure 5 shews it shot
through the guide C into the staple, socket or recess V in the delivery slide see
Figures 2 and 3. The bolt is provided with a shoulder N and works through a
standard or other fixed part L on the outer case. Against the other side of this fixed
standard L bears one end of the spring O, the other end bearing against a collar or
projection P on the bolt. The coin U falls between the shoulder N and the fixed
part L as shewn in Figure 4 and by reason of its weight and the accumulated
momentum of its fall presses the shoulder N away from the fixed standard L thereby
compressing the spring O and withdrawing the bolt from the slot or staple V in the
delivery slide. The largest diameter of the coin passes through this claw and the coin
is supported in this position by a tray R on one end of a weighted lever S, thus

page_text: keeping the spring O compressed and the bolt withdrawn as shewn in Figure 6. The
other end T of this lever S bears against the bottom of the delivery slide and as soon
as this is raised the lever S turns on its pivot W and discharges the coin U into a
money till or receptacle beneath. The lever S is prevented from falling into a vertical
position by a stop arranged on the outer case or on some other fixed part. The end T
is therefore at an angle, and as the delivery slide is lowered, it depresses this end T
and turns it into a horizontal position, i.e. into the position shewn in Figure 1. The
lower edge Z of the delivery slide is slightly bevelled as shewn so that the bolt M. will
pass thereover into the staple socket or recess V as the delivery slide is lowered into
its normal position.
When more than one coin is required, for example three pence for a cigar, three
coin shoots each connected with its own locking mechanism are provided, and each
bolt takes into its own staple, socket or recess in the one delivery slide:
Having now particularly 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 coin-freed apparatus for the sale of goods the delivery slide B with an
aperture D and shelf E for receiving one of the articles as it gravitates down the
channel F, the said delivery slide working in guides C and having a handle H whereby
it may be raised when the locking mechanism is released by a coin or coins sub-
stantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and illustrated.
(2) In coin-freed apparatus for the sale of goods wherein a vertical delivery slide is
used, the locking mechanism herein described consisting of a spring actuated bolt
taking into a staple, socket or recess in the delivery slide, and a claw to receive the
coin and hold it in the bolt until the delivery slide is raised, the said claw forming one
end of, or attached to, a weighted lever whose other end bears against the bottom of
the delivery slide operating substantially in the manner described and illustrated and
for the purpose stated.
(3) The arrangement of coin-freed apparatus for the sale of goods herein described
operating substantially in the manner set forth and illustrated.
<
CASTLE SMITH,
Per F. W. Golby,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.