A New or Improved Machine or Apparatus for Giving or Producing Electric Shocks.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1886
Complete Left, 16th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 31st May, 1887
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Machine or Apparatus for Giving or Producing
Electric Shocks.
I, NORMAN WILLIS RUSS, of Fernbank, Champion Grove, Denmark Hill, in the
County of Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to enable persons in public and other places, such for
example as railway stations, exhibitions, and other public places, or even in private
houses or other places to obtain an electric shock, or a current of electricity without
the aid of an attendant, but not until a coin of a certain size, such as a penny, has
been inserted in a receptacle provided for same.
According to my invention I provide a receptacle to hold a battery, coil, and con-
nections; all of which are worked or set in action, preferably, by the movement of
the foot on a treadle, in such manner that contact is made with the coil, and the coin
receptacle is brought forward into such position that the circuit is completed, which
cannot take place if the coin has not been inserted in the receptacle for same.
There is a slot in the apparatus through which the penny or other coin is inserted.
The coin receptacle is so situated as to catch the coin, and is so attached that it is
caused to move forwards by the motion of the foot upon the treadle, or by other
suitable means. The receptacle is suitably connected, preferably, to the coil, and
consists of a metal box provided with a hinged bottom which is kept in a closed
position by a weighted lever. A spring or catch is attached to the hinged bottom for
the purpose of causing the bottom to open by taking against a stud pin provided for
the purpose, and thus releases the coin upon the operator removing his foot from the
pedal, as hereinafter described. A spring is provided for drawing the receptacle back.
to its normal position.
Slots are made in the sides of the coin receptacle through which, when no coin
is placed therein, a lever passes freely, but when a coin is held in same, said lever
presses against it and causes the circuit to be completed.
The said lever also serves the purpose of releasing a catch, which holds one of the
handles of the apparatus, so as to allow such bandle to be drawn along, and in
this manner increasing and regulating the force of current. The lever is pivotted at
or about its centre and is connected by a cord or other suitable means to the free end
D

page_text: A
of the catch, which latter is pinioned at one end, and in its normal position by its own
weight holds the handle in such manner as to prevent its being pushed forward.
flat or other spring may if desired be added to increase the efficiency of the catch.
There is a slot in the receptacle, through which the handle travels for the purpose
of obtaining a greater force of current, a convenient manner of obtaining which is as
follows: A wire or other suitable connection is attached at one end to the handle
and has its other end in a trough of nonconducting material, such as ebonite or glass,
containing water, and placed parallel with the slot. A wire direct from coil enters
this trough of water at one end, and as the handle is drawn towards this end the
intensity of current is increased. Or other convenient and suitable means may be
employed for this purpose.
A pawl is fitted to inner end of the handle, and travels over the teeth of a rack
running parallel with the slot, and prevents the handle being pushed back, till properly
released.
The slot may advantageously be covered upon the inner side by a strip of thin
metal, such as clock spring, kept in position by guides, through which metal strip the
handle aforesaid may pass, and to which it may be attached: thus when the handle is
drawn forward the metal cover is drawn with it: one end of this metal strip I connect
to a spiral spring, which in the travel of the handle is elongated, and which in its
recoil serves to bring the handle back to its normal position.
Longitudinally with the toothed rack aforesaid I fit a bar or plate held by springs, or
other suitable means, slightly higher than the level of the teeth and preventing the
pawl taking into same. At its lower end it is connected by suitable means to the
treadle of the apparatus, which latter when depressed draws the bar or plate
downwards, and allows the pawl to work in the teeth of the rack. Upon releasing
the treadle this bar or plate rises and lifts the pawl out of the teeth of rack, and allows
of the free travel of the handle backwards by means of the spiral spring aforesaid.
The catch before described is formed with an inclined face or edge; and upon the
handle pressing same is raised, and allows it to pass till clear of the tooth or jaw of
catch, which latter then falls and holds the handle as aforesaid.
The apparatus may be conveniently fitted upon a pedestal, and may be provided
with a registering dial connected in any suitable manner.
The treadle of the apparatus is connected by cords or other suitable means to the
zinc element of the battery, when a bichromate battery is used, and to the coin
receptacle, as well as to the bar or plate covering the toothed rack, as aforesaid.
may however use or employ other batteries than the bichromate, when the pedal
connection to the zinc would of course be dispensed with.
Upon the operator depressing the pedal the zinc element of the battery is caused to
descend into the excitant fluid, the toothed rack before described is uncovered and the
coin receptacle is caused to move forwards, taking with it the penny or other coin
previously dropped into it, making contact with the centre pivotted lever above-
mentioned and completing the electric circuit; the second handle of the apparatus
being attached, by connecting wire, to the coil. The coin receptacle is held in this
position so long as the treadle is depressed, and upon the latter being released, the
coin receptacle by means of the spring aforesaid is drawn back, the catch attached to
hinged bottom catches against the stud pin, and causes the bottom to open, and deliver
the coin which may be caused to fall into any convenient receptacle provided.
Any coin smaller than a penny will fall through the slot in base of the receptacle
and the apparatus would not work.
BREWER & SON,
For the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Machine or Apparatus for Giving or Producing
Electric Shocks.
I, NORMAN WILLIS RUSS of Fernbank, Champion Grove, Denmark Hill, in the
County of Surrey 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
The object of my invention is to enable persons in public and other, places, such for
example as railway stations, exhibitions, or even in private houses or other places,
to obtain an electric shock, or a current of electricity without the aid of an attendant,
but not until a coin of a certain size, such as a penny, has been inserted in a receptacle
provided for same.
According to my invention I provide a receptacle to hold a battery, coil and
connections, all of which are worked or set in action preferably by the movement of
the foot on a treadle, in such manner that contact is made with the coil, and the coin
receiver is brought forward into such position that the circuit is completed through
the coin, which cannot take place unless the coin has been previously inserted in the
receiver for same.
And in order that my invention may be fully understood I will describe same with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 being a side view, sectional at the base in order to shew the treadle
action, Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the upper part of the machine
taken through the line a. y. of Fig. 3; Figure 3 is a horizontal section shewing the
positions of the various parts on the bottom of the interior of the receptacle.
Figure 4 is a vertical cross section of the machine on the line x1 y1 of Fig. 3;
Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section shewing the arrangement of parts on the
interior of the front side of the receptacle. Figure 6 is a diagram view shewing the
electric connections, Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the interior face
of the front side of the receptacle shewing the arrangement of the coin receiver; and
Figure 8 is a detached perspective view of the movable handle and parts connected
therewith. Figure 9 is an inverted plan of the coin receiver shewing the bottom
cover, and Figure 10 is a perspective view of the machine complete.
a is the receptacle which may be of any approved form or design as circumstances
may require and be made of wood or be formed of metal or a combination of both
as shewn at Fig. 1, where the receptacle a which contains the battery, coil,
connections and working parts is shewn mounted on a pillar or pedestal 6 of octagonal
form, but which might be of other shape or configuration. c is the treadle
(see Fig. 1) turning on a pivot c¹ on the base of the pedestal b; a spring or
counterbalance weight may be employed to retain the pedal normally in the position
shewn in the drawing; c is a chain or other connection which passes upwards
through the pedestal 6 and is the medium through which the motion of the treadle c

page_text: is communicated to the various working parts of the mechanism, as hereafter
described.
There is a slot d see Fig. 10 in the front of the case or receptacle through which
the coin is inserted and being conducted by a shoot dit falls into a coin receiver e
which is so situated as to catch the said coin. This coin receiver e is mounted on a
slide e sliding in guides e² and is normally held in the position shewn on the
drawings by a tensional spring e³ having one end secured to the slide and the other
to the box or case a; the end of the slide e¹ is bent and by coming into contact with
one of the guides e² forms a stop. The coin receiver consists of a metal box e
provided with a hinged bottomf which is kept closed by a counterbalance weight f¹.
The hinged bottomf does not entirely cover or close the bottom opening of the box a
but contracts such opening as best seen by the inverted plan Fig. 9, so that any coin
falling into the box e of less than the desired size or diameter would fall through the
opening left by the closed bottom cover f; g is a spring arm fixed to the hinged
bottom and operates as hereafter described in conjunction with a stud pin h fixed
on the side of the receptacle a see Figs. 5 and 7.
Slots jj are made in the sides of the coin receiver e see Figs. 4 and 7 allowing the
end of a lever k to freely pass during the travel of the coin receiver to the left of
Figs. 5 and 7, that is if no coin has been placed or has remained in the receiver e;
but when a coin has been placed and held in the receiver and the latter is slidden to
the left in the direction of the arrow Figs. 5 and 7, the coin comes in contact with
the end of the lever k and rocks it on its fulcrum with an effect as hereafter
described; during such motion the spring arm g comes against the stud pin h fixed to
the side of the receptacle a and the arm g springs over the said stud / without
taking any effect or acting on the hinged bottom of the receiver e but on the return
motion of the receiver e the arm 9 will catch on the pin h and will cause the said
bottom to turn on its hinge and allow the coin to fall. The slide e carrying the
receiver e is operated by the depression of the treadle causing the chain c Fig. 1
to act upon a cord 1× connected to the said chain passing over a pulley 2 and along
the bottom of receptacle a (see Fig. 3) under a pulley 3 with a horizontal axis, up the
right hand side of receptacle a see Fig. 3 over a pulley 4 and is then turned at right
angles by a pulley 5, Fig. 5 along the front of box a see Figs. 5 and 7 and is fastened
to the slide e.
1, Figs. 2 and 3, is the battery, that shewn being an ordinary bichromate battery,
but a battery of any approved description may be employed; z is the zinc element in
same; 2¹ is a rod, and 22 a spring by which the zinc is kept raised from the solution
and the battery out of action; 2 is a crosshead to which the ends of the divided
cord 7, 7 are connected. This cord passes from the battery crosshead under the
pulleys 8, 8, see Figs. 2 and 3, and over pulley 9 on the bottom of receptacle a and
passing through same is connected to the end of the chain c³ so that on the depression
of the treadle c the zinc z is immersed into the solution and the battery set in
action.
m is the coil on base plate m¹ shewn in plan at Fig. 3 and in elevation at Figs. 2
and 4.
There is a slot n Figure 3 and 10 through the box a at the front and along this
slot the handle p is travelled when desired for the purpose of obtaining a greater
force of current as hereafter described. The slot n may advantageously be covered
upon the inner side by a slide n¹ formed of a strip of thin metal such as clock spring
and kept in position by guides; through this metal slide n' the handle passes and is
secured so that when moved in the slot n the metal cover n¹ is also moved or slid
with it; one end of the said slide n' after passing round a roller on the side of the
box a I connect to a spiral spring n² Fig. 3 which, by the travel of the bandle, is
elongated, its retractile force serving to bring the handle back to its normal position;
nx is a deflecting plate and prevents the end of the metal slide from coming into contact
with the interior end of the other left hand handle p*. A wire r Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 8 or
other suitable connection is attached to the handle and extending downwards it has
its other end sliding in a trough r² formed of non-conducting material such as ebonite

page_text: or glass, containing water, and placed parallel with the direction of travel of the
handle p; an electrical connection hereafter mentioned direct from the coil m enters
this trough of water 1 by the terminal 2 at one end, and as the handle p and wire r
are brought nearer to this end of the trough the intensity of the current is increased,
Where found convenient other equivalent means may be substituted. for this
purpose.
To the inner side of the handle pa pawl p¹ is fitted travelling over the teeth of a
fixed rack S secured to the box a by bracket standards, the said pawl when engaged
with the teeth of the rack preventing the handle p being pushed back until properly
released.
Longitudinally with the toothed rack aforesaid I provide a sliding plate t held by
springs or other suitable means in a position slightly higher than the level of
the teeth of the rack S and preventing the pawl p' taking into same. At its lower
end the sliding plate t is connected by means of a cord 10 Fig. 3 to the chain c³;
this cord passing from the said chain actuates a two armed lever 11 to the other arm
of which is attached the cord 10 which passes under a pulley 13 and round a pulley 14
and passing under the vulcanite tube under a pulley 15 and is connected to the
sliding cover plate t as aforesaid, which latter when drawn downwards allows the
pawl to work in and over the teeth of the rack S. Upon releasing the treadle
the springs t t draw up the plate t and lift the pawl pl out of the teeth of the rack S
and allow of the due travel of the handle backwards by means of the spiral spring n
aforesaid.
When the handle p has been brought back it is retained in its place by a locking
lever or pawl v, see Fig. 5, which it lifts during its said backward motion by striking
against the inclined part of the tooth and the lever is brought down by a spring
and secures the handle in position. There is a cord 16, see Figs. 5 and 7, from
the locking lever v of the handle p passing over pulley 17 in front of box a and this
cord is connected to one arm of the lever K. When this latter lever is forced into
a more vertical position by contact with the coin, the locking lever v is lifted by
the cord 16 and releases the handle which is then free to be slidden along
the slot.
บ
A registering dial and pointer w, w¹ is provided, connected by a cord 18 fixed at one
end to the handle p Figs. 3 and 8 passing through a hole in the back of the receptacle a
under a pulley 19 see Fig. 3 round a suitable pulley or pulleys shewn by dotted lines
Fig. 2 to a wheel w² on the axis of the pointer w¹. When the handle p is moved the
cord 18 will cause the wheel w² to rotate and the hand w¹ to be moved from zero round
the dial until it has made one revolution when a pin w³ on the pointer shaft comes into
contact with a rocking stop w. The rocking stop w* is free to move on a pivot
between two fixed pins w¹× only so much as will allow for the diameter or thickness of
the stop pin on the pivot of spindle, in order that the said pointer shall make an
entire revolution; w is a spring for returning the hand or pointer back to zero when
the handle p is returned to its normal position and releases the cord 18. The stop
pin also serves to stop the backward motion of the pointer when it reaches its
appointed position at zero, acting as before described but in a reverse manner.
The electric battery is connected to the various parts as follows, such connections
being clearly shewn by the diagram plan, Figure 6.
z and C are the two terminals of the battery; the terminal is connected to the
terminal m² on the base plate m¹ of the coil m; C is connected with the fulcrum of the
lever with which the coin is brought into contact by the motion of the pedal. The
terminal m³ of the coil is connected to the slide e' of the coin receiver e. The terminal m⭑
on coil m is connected to the fixed left hand handle p* and the terminal m³ to the
terminal on the end of the vulcanite tube r¹.
The person wishing to obtain an electric shock, or a current of electricity, first
inserts a coin of the required size into the aperture or slot d Fig. 10 for same, then the
treadle e is depressed by the foot and taking hold of both handles p, p* the handle p
may be slid towards the handle p* all according to the desired strength of the current;

page_text: and the index finger moving round the dial will shew the proportional increase of
intensity of the current.
The depression of the treadle causes the following simultaneous actions of the various
parts to take place.
Firstly. The cord 7, 7, from the chain c acts on the crosshead 3 and the consequent
depression of the zinc element into the solution thereby sets the battery in action.
Secondly. The cord 1* passing from the chain e³ over the pulley 2 moves the slide e¹
and coin receiver e causing it to travel towards the lever k in the direction of the arrow
Figure 5, and during such travel the spring arm jumps or springs over the pin h,
without affecting the position of the bottom of the receiver e. By the contact of the
coin with the end of the lever k, electrical connection is completed between the
electrode C (which is in electrical connection with the lever k) and the terminal m³ on
the base plate of the coil m such connection being through the coin, the coin receiver
slide e¹ and by the wire connection before mentioned to the said terminal m³ and the
person receiving the electrical current having hold of the handles completes the circuit.
The rocking of the lever k by the contact and pressure of the coin causes the lever v
(locking the handle p) to be lifted by the cord 16 allowing the handle p to be slid in
its slot.
e,
Thirdly. The cord 10 connected to, the chain c³ will actuate the two armed lever 11,
which by cord 10 will draw down the sliding plate t and uncover the tooth rack s so
that by the pawl p¹ entering the teeth, the handle p if advanced along the slot cannot
be returned unless the pedal is released. The motion of the handle
will be com-
municated to the pointer as hereinbefore described.
P.
When it is desired to stop the current, the pressure of the foot on the pedal is
removed and the pedal is carried up to its normal position by the spring, thus releasing the
three cords connected with the chain e³. Thereupon the release of the cord 7, 7, allows
the spring z to raise the zinc element out of the solution in the battery thus placing the
latter out of action; the release of the cord 10 allows the springs t¹¹ to raise the
sliding plate t and lift the pawl p¹ from the teeth of the racks and the spring n*
connected to the metal slide n at once draws the handle p into its normal position, the
releasing of the cord 1x allows the spring e³ to draw back the slide e¹ carrying the
coin receiver e, and during such backward motion the spring arm g comes in contact
with pin h and opens the cover and allows the coin to fall down, for example, such a
shoot or incline as is shewn at e Figs. 4 and 5, into any suitable receptacle. The
locking lever v will, after the handle has passed between its tooth, descend (assisted by
a spring above the same) and lock the said handle, while at the same time the con-
necting cord 16 will draw the lever k into position and the machine is again in position
to receive another coin as before.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that I am aware that it is not
new by the insertion of a coin or token into a box to obtain some article therefrom of
equivalent value, many arrangements of apparatus have been proposed for this purpose;
it has also been proposed to provide apparatus for testing and registering pulling and
pushing power of persons by the introduction of a coin also lung power by similar
means. It has also been broadly proposed to obtain electric shocks by similar means
and to register the strength of such shock, but what I claim is :-
1st. In a machine for producing or administering electricity the employment or
utilization of a coin in a coin receptacle, the electric circuit being completed through
and by such coin, on the depression of a treadle by the recipient of the electric current,
substantially as shewn and described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2nd. In a machine for producing and administering electricity the employment of
the treadle c in combination with the coin receptacle e whereby the said coin receptacle e
is moved and the circuit completed substantially as set forth.
3rd. In a machine for producing and administering electricity on the deposition of
a coin therein; the construction and arrangement of the coin receptacle e provided
with hinged bottom of closed by weighted lever f¹ together with slots j, j, slide e¹,

page_text: spring e, spring arm g and fixed pin h, lever k, treadle c and parts connected
therewith, whereby action of the apparatus is prevented when no coin has been inserted,
and means are thus provided for releasing an inserted coin when pressure on the
treadle c is removed all substantially as and for the purposes herein described with
reference to the accompanying drawings together with any mere modification or
modifications thereof.
4th. In a machine for producing and administering electricity on the deposition of
a coin therein, the means described and shown for increasing and diminishing the
force of the current, essentially consisting of sliding handle p, slot n, slide n', and parts
connected therewith substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
5th. In a machine for producing and administering electricity on the deposition of
a coin therein substantially as described; the water trough regulator ³, as and for the
purposes set forth.
6th. In a machine for producing and administering electricity on the deposition of
a coin therein; the rack s, pawl p on handle p in combination with the sliding cover
plate t, such rack and pawl preventing the return of the handle except when the foot
is removed from the treadle c, when sliding plate t releases the pawl pt, all substantially
as herein set forth.
7th. In a machine for producing and administering electricity on the deposition of
a coin therein; the means described for bringing the element into the excitant
substantially as set forth.
8th. In a machine for producing and administering electricity on the deposition of
a coin therein; the means employed for indicating on a dial the proportional increase
of current administered to the recipient, consisting of dial w, pointer w¹, wheel w², stop
pin w³, arm w, and pins wx, spring w³, acted on by cord 18 all substantially as herein
set forth together with any mere modification thereof.
9th. The general construction and combination of parts, constituting the new or
improved machine or apparatus for producing and administering electricity on the
deposition of a coin therein all arranged and acting substantially in the manner herein-
before described with reference to the accompanying drawings, together with any mere
modification or modifications thereof.
BREWER & SON,
For the Applicant.