Improvements relating to Coin-freed Electrical Apparatus.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 8th June, 1891-Accepted, 5th Sept., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Coin-freed Electrical Apparatus.
I, ARTHUR FORD-LLOYD of No. 1 Gate Street, Lincolns Inn Fields,
London, W.C. Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to that type of electrical apparatus wherein the locking
mechanism is released by the weight of a coin, token or the like, thus allowing of
the movement of one or both of the handles provided for the purpose, and the
electric circuit to be closed by such movement of the handle or handles.
In order to render the apparatus attractive without detracting from its utility, I
dispose, in any suitable position, the effigy of a human being, animal, bird, fish or
the like, or a skeleton of either. Said figure which is preferably jointed is
suspended directly or otherwise to the armature of the electro-magnet, so that when
the electric circuit is closed, the movement of the armature will transmit a corre-
sponding motion to the figure.
Under some circumstances I may cause the electic circuit to be closed for a
definite period; to effect which object I may employ clock-work, air, mercury,
weights or other convenient source of power.
The figure may also be caused to indicate the approximate amount of current
passing.
Dated this 11th day of September 1890.
EDGAR GEORGE,
29, Chesterfield Grove, East Dulwich, S.E., Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Coin-freed Electrical Apparatus.
I, ARTHUR FORD-LLOYD of No. 1 Gate Street, Lincolns Inn Fields,
London, W.C. Electrical Engineer, 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, reference being also had to the
accompanying two sheets of drawings in which :—
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus, and
Figure 2 illustrates the dispositon of the various parts of the mechanism.
Figures 3 and 4 are similar views to Figures 1 and 2 showing a modification of
the apparatus, similar letters of reference being employed to denote like parts in
the various figures.
My invention relates to that type of electrical or other coin-freed apparatus
wherein the locking mechanism is released by the weight of a coin, token or the
like, thus allowing of the movement of one or both of the handles provided for the
purpose, and the electric circuit (where such is used) to be closed upon the release
of time mechanism to be hereinafter described.
In carrying out my invention I employ a case A of suitable size and shape, pro-
vided upon the front thereof with two metal handles a a¹ to serve as conductors for
the passage of a current of electricity, one or both of which may be so constructed
and arranged as to allow preferably of a rotary motion. If only one handle is to
be rotated, the other being rigidly fixed, I attach to said movable handle an index
pointer, and above said pointer a graduated scale for the purpose of indicating,

page_text: approximately, the intensity of the current of electricity in its passage when the
circuit is closed. At any convenient part of the front of the case A is formed an
aperture c for the insertion of a coin, token or the like, as is usual in all coin-freed
apparatus. In the centre of the case is formed a recess B, having in this arrange-
ment the semblance of a coffin within which is disposed the effigy C of the skeleton
of a human being; said figure being attached to, and suspended from the
armature of an electro-magnet D, so that, when the electric circuit is closed,
which is effected in the manner to be presently described, the vibration set up in
the armature causes an agitation of the figure C; and, in order to intensify the
attractiveness of the moving figure, I dispose in the back of the recess B,
behind the head of the figure C a small glow lampe which, becoming incandescent
upon the closing of the electric circuit, illuminates the interior of the skull with
brilliant effect. E is an induction coil fixed at the back of the front of the
case A in any suitable position, in conjunction with which is a contact breaker f.
Within the bobbin and surrounding the core is a tube or shield g which, when
withdrawn from the bobbin, uncovers the core, thus intensifying the effect of the
current induced in the secondary coil or helix s. The withdrawal of the tube
or shield is effected by means of the handle a¹ upon the spindle of which is
mounted a grooved pulley or wheel h, to which latter is attached one end of a
chain or cord i passing over a guide pulley k, the other end of said cord being
secured to the shield aforesaid. The shield g, after having been withdrawn, is
caused to return to the normal position by means of the spiral springs j, j, the
central travel of said shield being assured by the vertical guides l, l.
The electric circuit, whereby movement is given to the figure, may be closed for
a definite time by any convenient means. In the arrangement illustrated in the
drawings, I have employed clockwork F, upon the spindle of one of the train of
wheels of which is mounted a cam m, so constructed as to serve as a catch for the
pivoted arm n, which latter is released by the weight of a coin after having passed
down the chute G. Upon the same spindle which carries the cam m is also mounted
a contact disc o having inserted at a point 7 a piece of insulating material, so that,
when at rest, no current will pass from its source to any part of the apparatus.
From the foregoing it will be observed that the current of electricity which, in
this arrangement, is derived from voltaic battery H follows three distinct and
independent courses, namely: (1) for actuating the electro-magnet D, (2) for
actuating the induction coil E, and (3) for bringing the glow lamp to incandescence,
the duration of the passage of all the currents being governed by the disc o above
described.
Dealing with each circuit seriatim, the current for actuating the electro-magnet D,
leaves the battery at r and is connected by a wire to the contact post r¹, passing by
way of the armature d and frame, to the coils, thence to the insulated
connection t, spring t¹, disc o, inetal case F of the clockwork and back to the other
pole of the battery.
The current for actuating the induction coil leaves the battery at u, passes
through a wire connected to the contact post ', thence by way of the contact
breaker to one end of the primary wire P, the other end of which is connected to
the insulated connection t, whence it traverses the spring t¹, disc o, metal case of
clockwork F, to the other pole of the battery H. The two ends of the secondary
circuits, s, are connected with the handles al, a¹.
The current for bringing the glow lamp to incandescence travels from the battery
at v to one side of the lamp, out by way of 1 to the insulated connection t, by
way of the contact spring t', disc o and back to the battery H by way of the metal
casing of the clockwork F.
In Figures 3 and 4 is shown a modification of the above described arrangement,
wherein, instead of the figure being caused to dance or become agitated, said
Figure C is made to move laterally to and fro: its normal position being to the
left of the open recess. I have in the drawings (Figure 3) depicted a figure as
having the right arm raised, the hand holding a rod which serves as a pointer to

page_text: indicate, by means of the graduated scale placed above, the approximate intensity
of the current passing.
The courses of the currents for exciting the induction coil and for bringing the
glow lamp to incandescence being the same in this as in the former arrangement, it
is only necessary to describe the means I adopt for effecting the lateral movement
of the Figure C.
To the back of the Figure C is secured a piece of soft iron w supported either
upon a rod or between suitable guides, upon or between which it is able to travel
smoothly, and is maintained in its normal position by the spiral springs w, or by
equivalent means. An electro-magnet M, disposed horizontally and having its core
exactly opposite the block w, is supported upon guides & between which it is caused
to travel laterally by means of a chain or cord attached to a second grooved
wheel or pulley mounted upon the spindle of the handle a¹, the electro-magnet M
returning to the normal position of rest by means of the spiral spring or springs y.
The action is as follows:-
Upon releasing the catch n the current passes from the battery at v to one end
of the helix of the electro-magnet, to the connecting piece t, by way of the spring t¹,
disc o, through the metal case F and thence back to the battery. It will thus be
seen that the moment the circuit is closed, the block w becomes attached to the
adjacent pole of the core of the electro-magnet M by means of the magnetism
induced in the core which, on the turning of the handle a¹ is drawn laterally the
distance required or as the strength of the person holding the handles will
admit of.
Under some circumstances I may interpose in any or all of the different circuits
a relay or relays for bringing into action greater power; this however is not
necessary.
I wish it to be understood that I make no claim to the use of electricity or its
various applications, nor do I confine myself to the employment of clockwork as a
time switch as I may use for this purpose, with equal advantage, any other con-
venient means, as for instance the closing of an electrical circuit by the flow of
mercury or metallic powder between two contact points.
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
First-In coin freed apparatus the combination therewith of a movable figure
actuated mechanically and electrically substantially as herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Second-In coin-freed apparatus the employment of a movable figure actuated
by a combined mechanical and electrical contrivance substantially as described in
reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Third: In coin-freed electrical apparatus the employment therewith and
adaptation thereto of a time switch in combination with a movable or dancing figure
substantially as herein described and shown in the drawings.
Dated this 5th day of June 1801
EDGAR GEORGE,
29, Chesterfield Grove, East Dulwich, S.E., Agent.