Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Receiving Coin and for Delivering Goods and Playing Tunes in Exchange therefor.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 23rd June, 1893-Accepted, 23rd Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Receiving Coin
and for Delivering Goods and Playing Tunes in Exchange
therefor.
We, EDOUARD STRANSKY, and CHARLES STRANSKY, both of 95 Boulevard
Beaumarchais, Paris, in the Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to apparatus for receiving coin and for delivering goods
and playing tunes in exchange therefor.
With the improved apparatus the coin introduced into the slot slides along an
inclined chute and drops into a pocket provided at the extremity of a lever which
oscillates upon a fulcrum. The weight of the coin causes the lever to be lowered
and the coin then leaves the pocket and falls into a second chute which conducts it
to the distributing device. The action of the coin upon the aforesaid lever has for
its object to disengage a clockwork which operates the mechanism for playing
tunes. When the lever is horizontal that is to say when it is at rest the short arm
of the said lever butts against the extremity of a spring and prevents the turning of
vanes and the operation of the clockwork, moreover in this horizontal position of
the said lever a cam enters one of the notches formed upon a disc mounted upon an
axis. Therefore as soon as the lever oscillates under the action of a coin two
movements are produced that is to say the aforesaid cam leaves the notch in the
disc in which it was, and the short arm of the said lever abandons the extremity of
the spring and if the clock work is wound up it will operate immediately; the axis
above referred to turns at the same time as the mechanism in such a manner that
when the coin has left the pocket to drop into the second chute and when the lever
rises again, the cam not encountering the notch in which it was originally, rubs upon
the periphery of the disc and keeps the lever at a sufficient inclination for the arm
of the lever not to act upon the spring; the clockwork can therefore operate until
the cam rubbing upon the periphery of the disc which turns, passes into a fresh
notch. As soon as the cam is in the notch the said lever rises, its short arm is
We cause the
lowered and coming in front of the spring stops the clockwork.
extremity to act upon a spring and not upon the vanes directly, in order to obviate
as much as possible the shocks which would be produced by the abrupt stoppage of
the apparatus.
The mechanism for playing tunes, which as hereinafter set forth is actuated by
the clockwork, will therefore operate at each introduction of the coin into the
apparatus, so long as one of the notches formed in the disc does not come in front
of the cam.
The spring of the clockwork is enclosed in a drum and can be wound up by means
of a crank which may be removed at will. As the drum turns under the action of the
spring it turns a pinion and a gear wheel which operates in the first place another
gear wheel upon the axis of which is mounted a wheel which transinits the move-
ment to a disc the mechanism for playing tunes; in the second place a gear wheel
mounted upon an axis at the extremity of which is a pallet which regulates the
velocity of the movement by acting upon the teeth of a wheel and in the third place
a gear wheel mounted upon an axis which connected with the said vanes by an
endless screw gearing with a pinion keyed upon the aforesaid axis stops the
mechanism when the vanes are stopped by the short arm of the lever above
mentioned.
One of these wheels is provided with pins having a certain interval between
them; they are placed in holes in the aforesaid disc and compel it to turn.

page_text: This disc is furnished with projections arranged in such a manner that owing to
the rotation of the disc they will strike the teeth of a fixed comb producing a series
of different notes. The projections on each disc are arranged so as to produce by
their encounter with the teeth of the comb different tunes. This is in fact what
happens in a certain number of musical boxes, such as those known by the name of
polyphone and symphonion.
For changing the disc it is sufficient to turn a lever so as to put it perpendicular
to the apparatus, then the disc is withdrawn and it may be replaced by another
which is fixed with its centre upon an axis, then the said lever is turned down and
owing to rollers provided it bears against the above-mentioned wheel in order that
the transmission of motion may be ensured, and against the combs in order that the
different notes may be properly executed.
A counterweight attached to the above mentioned lever on the side opposite to
the pocket relatively to the point of articulation enables the apparatus to be
regulated so that it will operate either by the weight of the 5 centime piece or by
the weight of a 10 centime piece, or by the weight of any other coin.
As it leaves the pocket the coin falls into the second chute and thence it passes
into another pocket which oscillating under the action of the weight of the coin,
operates the distributing or delivering device.
The distributor or device for delivering the goods comprises two parallel discs
connected by perpendicular partitions.
The disc placed in front carries a number of very short pins placed at equal
distances from each other upon the same circumference.
At the centre of the two discs is a chamber in the interior of which we arrange
a spring which tends to cause the distributor to turn.
As the coin falls into the pocket it effects the oscillation of a lever and a pin
secured to a bent part of the lever exerts a pressure upon a rod which can oscillate
upon an axis. This rod has two inclined planes one of which when the apparatus
is at rest, prevents the distributor from turning one of the pins bearing upon it.
As above stated when the said lever oscillates under the action of the weight of a
coin the above mentioned rod pushed by the pin passes to the left as it oscillates
upon the axis; in this movement one of the inclined planes abandons the pin of the
distributor which it supported, and under the action of a spring the distributor turns
until the pin abandoned by the inclined plane bears upon the other inclined plane.
The apparatus is regulated so that the contact between the pin and the second
inclined plane takes place at the moment when the above mentioned rod is also at
the extreme point of its movement to the left. By reason of the inclination given
to the lever herein before referred to by the weight of the coin the latter slides and
drops into a drawer. The lever then rises and the rod which is no longer pressed
by the pin rises also whilst the second inclined plane permits the escape of the pin
which pressed upon it.
The distributor turns under the action of the spring until
the following pin bears upon the first or upper inclined plane.
Accordingly in the complete oscillation of the rod upon the axis the distributor
is displaced twice in the same direction and the total of these two displacements is
equal to the interval which separates two consecutive partitions of the distributor,
so that an article contained in a chamber nearest to the chute leaves its place when
the above-mentioned lever has risen to its original position and falls into a cup
from which it can be removed by hand.
When the distributor is empty it is filled at the upper part by giving it a rotary
motion in the opposite direction to that previously imparted to the same so that all
the chambers pass successively to the upper part. This rotary movement of the
distributor in the opposite direction has moreover for its object to put a spring
under tension, spring expands when the distributor operates.
A screw which acts upon a flat spring enables more or less pressure to be exerted
upon the aforesaid rod so that the distributor may be caused to operate by the aid
of different coins according to the countries where it is used.
It is evident that instead of having a central spring actuating the distributor I

page_text: may use a counter weight; in like manner for less carefully constructed apparatus
the said lever and rod may be firmly connected instead of causing this rod to turn
by acting upon a pin fixed upon the lever.
The arrangement of the partitions is optional and the chambers of the distributor
may be replaced by tubes mounted upon a sheath of wood.
When the distributor is empty a vane butts against a rod and compels a plate to
close the orifice through which the coins are introduced.
If a coin is introduced into the apparatus before the clockwork disengaged by the
preceding coin is stopped the apparatus will distribute notwithstanding for the coin
dropping into the pocket does not act upon the mechanism for playing tunes but
arriving in the second pocket it acts upon the automatic distributor which delivers
an article.
We
e may give any suitable exterior form to our improved apparatus, whether it
is to be placed in a public thoroughfare, or whether it is designed to be put up at
hotels stations or the like.
We may also arrange the apparatus so that it can be actuated by the aid of any
coins, for the coin acts by its weight and it suffices to regulate the above mentioned
counterweight and screw, for enabling the two levers to be operated by means of
any coin.
1900
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Receiving Coin
and for Delivering Goods and Playing Tunes in Exchange
therefor.
WE, EDOUARD STRANSKY, and CHARLES STRANSKY, both of 95 Boulevard
Beaumarchais, Paris, in the Republic of France, 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 :-
Our invention relates to apparatus for receiving coin and for delivering goods
and playing tunes in exchange therefor.
One form of our improved apparatus by which our said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice is represented by way of
example in the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section, of the improved apparatus.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the opposite side of the apparatus.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the disengaging device of the music actuating
mechanism drawn to a larger scale.
Figure 4 is a rear side elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a side elevation showing the mode of operating the disc of the music
by the mechanism.
Figure 6 is a front view of the same and
Figure 7 shows a distributor based upon the same principle but of simpler
construction.
In the apparatus constructed according to this invention the coin introduced into
the slot A slides along an inclined chute B and drops into a pocket C provided at
the extremity of a lever D which oscillates upon a fulcrum E. The weight of the
coin causes the lever to turn on its pivot and the coin then leaves the pocket and
falls into a second chute B' which conducts it to the distributing device proper,
which will be hereinafter described.
When
The action of the coin upon the aforesaid lever D has for its object to disengage
a clockwork mechanism which operates the mechanism for playing a tune.
the lever is horizontal, that is to say, when it is at rest, the short arm D' of the

page_text: said lever butts against the extremity of a spring e and prevents the turning of
vanes E and the operation of the clockwork; moreover in this horizontal position
of the said lever a cam d enters one of the notches formed upon a disc d' mounted
upon an axis f.
Therefore as soon as the lever oscillates under the action of a coin two movements
are produced, that is to say, the aforesaid cam d leaves the notch in the disc d' in
which it was engaged and the short arm D' of the said lever disengages the
extremity of the spring e, and if the clockwork is wound up it will operate
immediately; the axis turns at the same time as the mechanism in such a manner
that when the coin has left the pocket C to drop into the chute B' and when the
lever rises again, the cam d, not encountering the notch in which it was engaged
originally, rubs upon the periphery of the disc and keeps the lever at a sufficient
inclination for the arm D of the lever not to act upon the spring e; the clockwork
can therefore operate until the cam d, rubbing upon the periphery of the disc d¹
which turns, passes into a fresh notch. As soon as the cam is in the notch the said
lever rises, its short arm D' is lowered and coming in front of the spring e stops the
clockwork.
We cause the extremity D¹ to act upon a spring and not upon the vanes directly
in order to obviate as much as possible the shocks which would be produced by the
abrupt stoppage of the apparatus.
The mechanism for playing tunes, which as hereinafter set forth is actuated by
the clockwork, will therefore operate, at each introduction of the coin into the
apparatus, so long as one of the notches formed in the disc d' does not come in
front of the cam d.
The spring of the clockwork is enclosed in a drum F and can be wound up by
means of a crank F1 which may be removed at will.. As the drum F turns under
the action of the spring it turns a pinion G and a gear wheel H which operates in
the first place another gear wheel K upon the axis of which is mounted a wheel K'
which transmits the movement to a disc L of the mechanism for playing tunes;
in the second place a gear wheel I mounted upon an axis i at the extremity of which
is a pallet which regulates the velocity of the movement as hereinafter described
by acting upon the teeth of a wheel M, and in the third place a gear wheel J
mounted upon an axis f, which, connected with the said vanes E' by an endless
screw N gearing with a pinion keyed upon the aforesaid axis, stops the mechanism
when the vanes are stopped by the short arm D' of the lever D.
The velocity of movement is regulated by the pallet as follows:-The
dimensions of the said pallet and the arrangement of the teeth of the wheel M are
such that at each movement of the pallet the latter falls into a cavity or space
between two teeth of the wheel M. If for some reason or other the wheel M
should turn a little more rapidly the pallet would not coincide exactly with the
middle of the said cavity and this non-coincidence of the two movements would
cause the following tooth of the wheel M to press upon the pallet, whereupon the
wheel M would again be caused to move at its proper velocity. The same thing
occurs if the movement of the wheel M should be retarded, the pallet would
encounter a tooth upon which it pressed, forcing the wheel M to again move at its
normal velocity.
"
The wheel K¹ is provided with pins m m¹ having a certain interval between
them; they engage in holes in the aforesaid disc L and thus cause it to turn.
This disc L is furnished with projections L' arranged in such a manner that
owing to the rotation of the disc they will strike the teeth of a fixed comb O,
producing a series of different notes. The projections on each disc are arranged
so as to produce by their encounter with the teeth of the comb different tunes.
This is in fact what happens in a certain number of musical boxes, such as those
known by the name of polyphone and symphonion.
For changing the disc it is sufficient to turn a lever P Figure 2 hinged at Q
until it is at right angles to the disc L, the disc may then be withdrawn and if
desired, replaced by another which is fixed with its centre upon the axis R, the

page_text: said lever being provided with a ring at its exterior end to fit over the axis R to
retain the discs is then turned down, and, owing to the provision of the
rollers p p p it presses the disc L against the wheel K' so that the transmission
of motion may be ensured, and thus enables the projections on the disc to engage
with the combs in order that the different notes may be properly executed.
A counterweight S attached to the above-mentioned lever D on the side opposite
to the pocket C relatively to the pivot point E enables the apparatus to be
regulated so that it will operate either by the weight of the 5 centime piece or by
the weight of a 10 centime piece, or by the weight of any other coin.
As it leaves the pocket C the coin falls into the second chute B' and thence it
passes into another pocket which, oscillating under the action of the weight of
the coin, operates the distributing or delivering device.
This distributer or device for delivering the goods comprises two parallel discs 17
connected by radial partitions 18.
The front disc 17, shown in Figure 2, carries a number of very short pins 8 placed
at equal distances from each other at the same radius.
At the centre of the two discs is a chamber 19 in the interior of which we
arrange a spring 20 which tends to cause the distributer to turn in the direction of
the arrow.
As
As the coin falls into the pocket 1 it effects the oscillation of a lever 2 and a
pin 31 secured to a bent part 3 of the lever exerts a pressure upon a rod 4 which is
adapted to oscillate upon an axis 7. This rod is provided with two projections
having inclined planes 6, 5, the one 6 of which, when the apparatus is at rest,
prevents the distributer from turning one of the pins 8 bearing upon it.
above stated, when the said lever 2 oscillates under the action of the weight of a
coin the rod 4, operated by the pin 3' passes to the left as it oscillates upon the
axis 7; in this movement one of the inclined projections 6 leaves the pin of the
distributer which it supported, and under the action of the spring 20 the distributer
turns in the direction of the arrow, the pin which was previously engaged by the
inclined plane 6 being released and the next pin behind, engaging with the inclined
plane projection 5. The apparatus is regulated so that the contact between the
pin and the inclined plane 5 takes place at the moment when the rod 4 is also at
the extreme point of its movement to the left. By reason of the inclination given
to the rod 2 by the weight of the coin the latter slides and drops into a drawer 21.
The lever 2 then rises and the rod 4 which is no longer pressed by the pin 3' also
rises whilst the inclined projection 5 permits the escape of the pin which pressed
upon it. The distributer turns under the action of the spring until the following
pin bears upon the inclined projection 6.
Accordingly in the complete oscillation of the rod 4 upon the axis 7 the distributer
is displaced twice in the same direction and the total of these two displacements is
equal to the interval which separates two consecutive partitions of the distributer,
so that an article contained in the chamber 9 nearest to the chute 10 leaves its place
when the lever 2 has risen to its original position and falls into a dish or receptacle 11
from which it can be removed by hand.
When the distributer is empty it is filled at the upper part 13 by giving it a
rotary motion in the opposite direction to that of the arrow, so that all the chambers
pass successively to the upper part. This rotary movement of the distributer in
the opposite direction has moreover for its object to put the spring 20 under
tension, which spring expands or reacts when the distributer is operated.
A screw 15 which acts upon a flat spring 15' enables more or less pressure to be
exerted upon the aforesaid rod 4, so that the distributer may be caused to operate
by the aid of different coins according to the countries in which it is used.
It is evident that instead of having a central spring for actuating the distributer
we may use a counterweight T as shown in Figure 7 the suspending cord t of
which is connected to a roller t' and passes over a pulley t² as shown. In like
manner for less carefully constructed apparatus the lever 2 and rod 4 may be

page_text: rigidly connected together instead of causing the said rod to turn by acting upon a
pin fixed upon the small arm of the lever 2.
The arrangement of the partitions is optional and the chambers of the
distributer represented in Figure 2 may be replaced by tubes U mounted upon
a hub U of wood (Figure 7).
When the distributer shown in Figure 7 is empty a vane 22 engages with a
rod 23 and operates a plate 24 to close the orifice through which the coins are
introduced.
If a coin is introduced into the apparatus before the clockwork which has been
disengaged by the insertion of a preceding coin is stopped, the apparatus will
distribute notwithstanding, as the said coin dropping into the pocket C will not act
upon the mechanism for playing tunes but will be deposited in the pocket 1 and will
act upon the automatic distributer which delivers the articles.
We may give any suitable exterior form to our improved apparatus according to
whether it is to be placed in a public thoroughfare, or whether it is designed to be
put up at hotels, stations, or the like.
We may also arrange the apparatus so that it can be actuated by the aid of any
coins, as the coin acts by its weight and it suffices to regulate the above mentioned
counterweight S and screw 15 for enabling the two levers to be operated by means
of any desired coin.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The herein described apparatus for receiving coin and for delivering goods
and playing tunes in exchange therefor, characterized by the combination of an
automatic circular distributer of any suitable kind operating under the action of the
weight of a coin with a musical apparatus of the polyphone kind, actuated by a
clockwork which is disengaged by the weight of the coin falling, before actuating
the distributer, into a pocket placed at one of the extremities of a lever the other
extremity of which acts upon one of the moving parts of the clockwork, and which
is automatically engaged at the end of a certain period of time, which may be
regulated at will.
Second. The automatic distributer proper, which consists of a series of radial
chambers arranged round an axis upon which the said distributer is mounted, the
whole of which is adapted to turn under the action of a spiral spring provided at
the centre, the said distributer being automatically disengaged and engaged by the
weight of a coin falling into a pocket placed at the extremity of a lever the other
extremity of which acts upon an oscillating rod provided with two inclined
projections which allow at each operation, the escape of one of the pins placed
upon the disc in front of the distributer, after the manner of an escapement, so
that one of the compartments is presented before the outlet chute and allows the
article contained therein to fall into the delivering receptacle.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1893
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.