Year: 1896

page_text: We, ALFRED HULME of Phoenix Works, Trumpet Street, Gaythorn, Manchester,
Engineer, and JOIN WILLIAMS of Birch Cottage, Byron Street, l'atricroft, Printer,
d. hereby declare the nature of our said invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to machines or contrivances of the coin freed automatic
delivery type, and our invention consists essentially of a machine in which the
insertion of the coin serves for simultaneously delivering the goods without 'he
necessity of manipulating a drawer or push as in existing machines.
In accordance with our invention we employ a drum or cylinder and mount such
drum on an axis in such relation to the slot or opening for the insertion of the
coin as to cause such slot to lie at a tangent with the drum periphery. Upon
such periphery are a numbor of pins or stops, which are arranged in pairs around
the drum, and a suflicient width apart as to allow a coin of the proper size to be
held or supported between them.
Embracing the two sides of the drum are the extremities of a set of levers, and
on each extremity is a pin or claw which under the pull or tension of a spring
drawing the two lovers together, take into holos in the drum sides and so prevent
the drum turning round.
As a coin is pushed through the slot it first bears against the two lovers, sproads
them apart, and thus releases the drum. It then strikes a set of the pins on the
drum periphery, and as it advances, rotates the drum by its abutment with such
pins and eventually falls into the machine, when the levers aforesaid immediately
rebound, and taking into another set of holes again lock the drum.
Forming part of the said drum or geared therewith is another and by preference
larger drum (hereinafter called the deliver drum) and the surface movements of
soid drum are so proportioned that the movement of the coin freed drum is only
a small fraction of a revolution to the delivery drum, upon which a pile of sweet-
meats or other goods in packets is stored, and which, as the coin-freed drum
aforesaid is rotated, only turns a sufficient distance to dislodge the lowermost
packet into a delivery throat of the machine, and say, into the hand of the
purchaser, or on to an exposed table or ledge.
Dated 1L
1000
ALFRED HULME.
JOHN WILLIAMS.
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.

page_text: Improvements in Coin-freed Automatic Delivery Machines.
We, ALFRED IIULME of Phoenix Works, Trumpet Street, Gaythorn, Manchester,
Engineer, and JOHN WILLIAMS of Birch Cottage, Byron Street, Patricroft, Printer,
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 machines or contrivances of the coin-freed delivery
type, and consists essentially of a machine, as hereinafter described, in which the
insertion of the coin serves for simultaneously delivering the goods without the
necessity of manipulating a drawer or push as in existing machines.
In accordance with our invention we employ a drum or cylinder, and mount
such drum on an axis in such relation to the slot or opening for the insertion of
the coin as to cause the slot to lie at a tangent with the drum periphery. Upon
such periphery are a number of pins or stops, which are arranged in pairs round
the drum, and a sufficient width apart as to allow a coin of the proper size to bo
held or supported between them. Embracing the two sides of the drum are the
extremities of a set of arms or levers, and on cach extremity is a pin or claw
which, under the pull or tension of a spring drawing the two levers together, take
into holes in the drum sides, and prevent its turning round.
As a coin is pushed through the slot it first hears against the two levers, spreads
them apart, and thus releases the drum. It then strikes a set of the pins on
the drum periphery, and by its further movement and abutment with such pins
rotates the drum until the pins no longer support it, when it immediately falls
into the machino, the levers aforesaid immediately rebound, and taking into
another set of holes again lock the drum.
Forming part of the said drum or geared therewith is another and, by pre-
ference, larger drum (hereinafter called the delivery drum) upon which a pile of
sweatmeats or other goods in packets is stored. The surface movements of said
delivery drum are so proportioned in relation to the movements of the coin-freed
drum, that for each penny admitted it turns a sufficient distance to dislodge the
lowermost packet of the pile above into a delivery throat of the machine, and
say, into the hand of the purchaser, or on to an exposed table or ledge.
And in order that our said invention may be more readily understood and
carried into practical effect we have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings and
will now proceed to describe the same with the figures and letters of reference
marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a front, and Fig. 2 a side exterior view of our automatic coin-freed
delivery machine complete as made for fixing upon a wall or partition.
Fig. 3 is a part vertical section on a larger scale (about full size) of the outer
casing, and exposing an end view of the coin-freed and delivery mechanism.
Fig. 4 is a similar section taken at right angles, and exposing a front view of
the coin-freed and delivery mechanism."
Figs. 5, 6 and 7 shew details in plan and elevation respectively.
In accordance with our invention we employ a drum (A) mounted upon a central
axis (A) supported in bearings in, or upon, the walls of the iron or other suitable
outer casing (B), or in a suitable frame or bracket (C) secured thereto. This
axle also carries the delivery drum (D), and the two drums are either keyed to
the axle which is capable of revolving, or the two drums are connected together
and revolve upon a fixed axle. The periphery of the delivery drum (1)) is formed
with flats or facits (E), corresponding to the size of a packet of sweatmeats, or
other commodity to be sold or delivered, and the said flats or facits are slightly

page_text: inclined and produce a ratchet tooth effect almost equal in depth to one of the
packets.
Directly above this delivery wheel or drum (D) is a space for the reception of
the column of sweatmeat packets, piled one above another as shewn more clearly
in Fig. 3, and resting upon the said drum. By reason of the peculiar arrange-
ment of facits or flats, the said wheel or drum (1) when it commences to rotato
in the direction of the arrow (1) engages with the lowermost packet of the column
of sweatments, pushes it forward from beneath the column, and carries it round
until it reaches a shoot or opening (G) in the front of the casing when by reason
of gravity the packet slides eff the facit of the drum into the pocket (H), or into
any other suitable receptacle placed to receive it. Whilst so delivering one sweat-
meat packet, the next succeeding packet of the column simultaneously falls by
gravity on to the next succeeding facit of the drum, and thus it will be seen that
as the drum continues to revolve each and every packet in the column will
eventually he delivered into the pocket (II).
To control the movements of the delivery drum, and to arrange for only one
packet of sweatments to be delivered for one penny, or other coin of fixed size and
value, we employ the coin-freed drum (A) which as aforesaid, is coupled up with
the delivery drum (D), and which under the controlling influence of suitable
apparatus only allows the delivery drum, for every penny inserted, to rotate a
distance equal to one of the facits or flats (E).
Such controlling apparatus consists of arins or levers (J) movable radially on
the fixed frame (C), and so bent and drawn together by a spring (K) as to embrace
the sides of the coin-freed drum, as shewn more clearly in Figs. 3 and 6. The
extremities of these arms or levers carry pins or studs (L), which are designed to
take into holes (M) in the flanges of the drum when such holes come opposite
them, and thus lock the drum and prevent its moving. These levers (J) come
directly beneath the "shoot" or slot (N), fitted, or formed, in the front face of the
casing, and through which the coin is inserted. The distance of such levers, and
their position in relation to the slot, are such that as the penny is dropped into
the slot it falls between and comes to rest upon the bent parts of such levers. Upon
pushing the coin down it spreads the arms or levers (J) away from each other (as
shewn in Fig. 6), and thereby causes the pins or studs (L) to be drawn out of
the set of holes (M), into which they previously protruded, and thus release tho
drum. Immediately the studs (L) are out of the holes (M) the edge of the penny
strikes or abuts against a set of pins (O), and on the further movement of the
penny into the machine, the drum, by reason of the said abutment, is caused to
rotate, until such times as the pins (0) will no longer support the penny, at which
instant the greatest width of the penny has completely passed between the arms
or levers (J), and allowed the penny to fall into the machine. At the same time
the levers are permitted to approach, each other again, and cause the studs (L) to
take into the next set of holes (M), and again lock the drum.
In such way the drum is caused to revolve for a certain definite distance, and
by connection with the delivery drum (D) as aforesaid, such movement serves to
rotate the delivery drum a sufficient distance to remove the lowermost packet
from the column above and deliver it into the pocket (H).
It will be observed that the packet is not ejected until the coin is out of the
reach of the operator, or, in other words, the final movement of the drum (1)
and the last push of the penny are simultaneous. By repeating the action tho
levers (J) will again separate, the penny strike against another set of pins (0),
the drum (A) will be rotated to another set of holes (M), and another packet will
be delivered, and so on continuously until the supply of sweatments is exhausted.
To steady the drum (A) or prevent its over-running, we provide a flat metal
spring (P) acting on the periphery, and its free end in line with the pins (0),
and coming directly behind one of such pins at each pause of the drum's move-
mont. We also employ a flat spring (Q) acting on the flange of the drum.
To prevent the coin being withdrawn by string or other means we provide a

page_text: set of claws (R), loosely pivoted on each side of the opening or slot (see Fig. 5),
and so balanced, or held by spring plate (R), as to lie across the slot, and when a
penny is inserted to freely retire, but when an attempt is made to withdraw the
coin to nip the coin and prevent extraction. These same claws (R) we more
especially employ for preventing the insertion of a coin when the machine is
empty, since by providing a lever (S), pivoted at (S) and its lower end drawn
by a spring (T) behind the end of one of the claws (R), the claws cannot retire to
make way for an incoming penny, and consequently the insertion of the coin is
resisted and prevented.
To hold the lever (8) from behind the claws when the machine is full, or to
prevent its locking the machine until the last packet has been delivered and then
automatically looking the machine, we provide its upper end with a pin (82)
capable of engaging with the hooked end of lever (U), which holds its loose end
clear of the claws until such time as it is released. This releasing of the lever (S)
is effected by a block or weight (V) placed upon the top of the columu of packets
at the time of filling the machine, and which block in descending and in the act
of falling on to the drum (1), after the last packet has been ejected, strikes the
end of lever (L) and tilting it up causes it to release the lever (S) which in turn
under the pull of spring (1) moves behind the claws (R).
In addition to so helping to lock the machine, the falling of the weight (V),
also serves to raise a plate or sema-phore (W) (which previously hung down)
across the glazed opening (X) in the front of the machine, and said plate being
marked with the word "Empty" an indication is given of the supply of packets
being exhausted, simultaneously with the locking of the machine.
The coins fall into the bottom of the casing, or into a special box, and a door
or drawer () is provided for their withdrawal. To charge the machine with
sweatmeats the side of the casing is provided with door (Z).
We would here observe that whilst we prefer the form of the casing herein
described and shewn in Figs. 1 and 2, which permits of the "slot" and "delivery"
openings being in line, or side by side, and suited to the position of a person's
hauds (right and left), and for the casing to be suitable for hanging on a wall,
we may vary the form and mount it on a stand, or make it self-supporting, accord-
ing to the situations in which it is to be fixed, or we may combine it with other
machines. We may also duplicate, triplicate or otherwise multiply the machine,
i.e., provide it with two or more "delivery" openings and "slots" for different
commodities, or for containing a larger supply of sweatments. Whilst preferring
the two drums to be on the same shaft they may be on different shafts and
connected by gearing.
Lastly, we would point out that a distinguishing feature of our invention is that
the insertion of the coin ensures of the direct delivery of a packet, and that only
one manipulation is necessary, in lieu of two or more as in existing machines, and
therefore without loss of time or annoyauce in having first to insert the coin, then
move or pull a drawer, and finally pick up the packet. A further feature of the
machine is that any coin of less size than a penny will slip through the machine
without delivering the packet, and a coin of larger size will not be capable of
entering the machine, which features, together with the aforesaid automatic
closing of the slot, and indicating of the machine being empty, serving to produco
unique machine.
Having thus particularly described the nature of our said invention we wish it
to be understood that we do not confine ourselves to the precise details, relative
proportions and dimensions, or to the exact form, arangement or grouping of
the parts of the machine, since the same may be modified without departing from
our invention, and what we claim is:--
1. In a coin-freed automatic machine, cousisting of a metal or other suitable
outer casing with "slot" and "delivery" opening, a delivery drum or wheel with
"ratchet" like periphery upon which the supply of commodities rests,-a coin-

page_text: incuned and produce a ratchet tooth effect almost equal in depth to one of the
packets.
Directly above this delivery wheel or drum (D) is a space for the reception of
the column of sweat meat packets, piled one above another as shewn more clearly
in Fig. 3, and resting upon the said drum. By reason of the peculiar arrange-
ment of facits or flats, the said wheel or drum (D) when it commences to rotate
in the direction of the arrow (F) engages with the lowermost packet of the column
of sweatmeats, pushes it forward from beneath the column, and carries it round
until it reaches a shoot or opening (G) in the front of the casing when by reason
of gravity the packet slides off the facit of the drum into the pocket (H), or into
any other suitable receptacle placed to receive it. Whilst so delivering one sweat-
ineat packet, the next succeeding packet of the column simultaneously falls by
gravity on to the next succeeding facit of the drum, and thus it will be seen that
as the drum continues to revolve each and every packet in the column will
eventually be delivered into the pocket (H).
To control the movements of the delivery drum, and to arrange for only one
packet of sweatmeats to be delivered for one penny, or other coin of fixed size and
value, we employ the coin-freed drum (A) which as aforesaid, is coupled up with
the delivery drum (D), and which under the controlling influence of suitable
apparatus only allows the delivery drum, for every penny inserted, to rotate a
distance equal to one of the facits or flats (E).
Such controlling apparatus consists of arms or levers (J) movable radially on
the fixed frame (C), and so bent and drawn together by a spring (K) as to embrace
the sides of the coin-freed drum, as shewn more clearly in Figs. 3 and 6. The
extremities of these arms or levers carry pins or studs (L), which are designed to
take into holes (M) in the flanges of the drum when such holes como opposite
them, and thus lock the drun and prevent its moving. These levers (J) come
directly beneath the "shoot" or slot (N), fitted, or formed, in the front face of the
casing, and through which the coin is inserted. The distance of such levers, and
their position in relation to the slot, are such that as the penny is dropped into
the slot is falls between and comes to rest upon the bent parts of such levers. Upon
pushing the coin down it spreads the arms or levers (J) away from each other (as
shewn in Fig. 6), and thereby causes the pins or studs (L) to be drawn out of
the set of holes (M), into which they previously protruded, and thus release the
drum. Immediately the studs (I) are out of the holes (M) the edge of the penny
strikes or abuts against a set of pins (0), and on the further movement of the
penny into the machine, the drum, hy reason of the said abutment, is caused to
rotate, until such times as the pins (0) will no longer support the penny, at which
instant the greatest width of the penny has completely passed between the arms
or levers (J), and allowed the penny to fall into the machine. At the same time
the levers are permitted to approach each other again, and cause the studs (L) to
take into the next set of holes (M), and again lock the drum.
In such way the drum is caused to revolve for a certain definite distance, and
by connection with the delivery drum (1) as aforesaid, such movement serves to
rotate the delivery drum a sufficient distance to remove the lowermost packet
from the column above and deliver it into the pocket (H).
It will be observed that the packet is not ejected until the coin is out of the
reach of the operator, or, in other words, the final movement of the drum (D))
and the last push of the penny are simultaneous. By repeating the action the
levers (J) will again separate, the penny strike against another set of pins (0),
the drum (A) will be rotated to another set of holes (M), and another packet will
be delivered, and so on continuously until the supply of sweat meats is exhausted.
To steady the drum (A) or prevent its over-running, we provide a flat metal
spring (P), acting on the periphery, and its free end in line with the pins (0),
and coming directly behind one of such pins at each pause of the drum's move-
ment. We also employ a flat spring (Q) acting on the flange of the drum.
To prevent the coin being withdrawn by string or other means we provide a

page_text: set of claws (R), loosely pivoted on each side of the opening or slot (see Fig. 5),
penny is inserted to freely retire, but when an attempt is made to withdraw the
and so balanced, or held by spring plate (R), as to lie across the slot, and when a
coin to nip the coin and prevent extraction. These same claws (R) we more
especially employ for preventing the insertion of a coin when the machine is
empty, since by providing a lever (S), pivoted at (S) and its lower end drawn
by a spring (T) behind the end of one of the claws (R), the claws cannot retire to
make way for an incoming penny, and consequently the insertion of the coin is
resisted and prevented.
To hold the lever (S) from behind the claws when the machine is full, or to
prevent its locking the machine until the last packet has been delivered and then
automatically locking the machine, we provide its upper end with a pin (S)
capable of engaging with the hooked ond of lever (T), which holds its loose end
clear of the claws until such time as it is released. This releasing of the lever (S)
is effected by a block or weight (V) placed upon the top of the column of packets
at the time of filling the machine, and which block in descending and in the act
of falling
on to the drum (D), after the last packet has been ejected, strikes the
end of lever (U), and tilting it up causes it to release the lever (S) which in turn
under the pull of spring (T) moves behind the claws (R).
In addition to so helping to lock the machine, the falling of the weight (V),
also serves to raise a plate or sema-phore (W) (which previously hung down)
across the glazed opening (X) in the front of the machine, and said plate being
marked with the word "Empty" an indication is given of the supply of packets
being exhausted, simultaneously with the locking of the machine.
The coins fall into the bottom of the casing, or into a special box, and a door
or drawer (Y) is provided for their withdrawal. To charge the machine with
sweat meats the side of the casing is provided with door (Z).
We would here observe that whilst we prefer the form of the casing heroin
described and shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which permits of the "slot" and "delivery"
openings being in line, or side by side, and suited to the position of a person's
hands (right and left), and for the easing to be suitable for hanging on a wall,
we may vary the form and mount it on a stand, or make it self-supporting, accord-
ing to the situations in which it is to be fixed, or we may combine it with other
machines. We may also duplicate, triplicate or otherwise multiply the machine,
i.e., provide it with two or more "delivery" openings and "slots" for different
commodities, or for containing a larger supply of sweatments. Whilst preferring
the two drums to be on the same shaft they may be on different shafts and
connected by gearing.
Lastly, we would point out that a distinguishing feature of our invention is that
the insertion of the coin ensures of the direct delivery of a packet, aud that only
one manipulation is necessary, in lieu of two or more as in existing machines, and
therefore without loss of time or annoyance in having first to insert the coin, then
move or pull a drawer, and finally pick up the packet. A further featuro of the
machine is that any coin of less size than a penny will slip through the machine
without delivering the packet, and a coin of larger size will not be capable of
entering the machine, which features, together with the aforesaid automatic
closing of the slot, and indicating of the machine being empty, serving to produce
a unique machine.
Having thus particularly described the nature of our said invention we wish it
to be understood that we do not confine ourselves to the precise details, relative
proportions and dimensions, or to the exact form, arrangement or grouping of
the parts of the machine, since the same may be modified without departing from
our invention, and what we claim is:- -
1. In a coin-freed automatic machine, consisting of a metal or other suitable
outer casing with "slot" and "delivery" opening, a delivery drum or wheel with
"ratchet" like periphery upon which the supply of commodities rests,-a coin-

page_text: freed drum for controlling said delivery drum, and means for locking or con-
trolling said drums, as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In coin-freed automatic delivery machines the combination of delivery
drum (D), coin-freed drum (A), levers or arms (J), pins (0), springs (K), (I')
and (Q), mounted and operating as and for the purposes set forth.
3. The casing (B) with slot (N) and delivery opening (G) on a line with each
other with or without door (Z), drawer (Y), glazed opening (X), and adapted to
receive the internal fittings herein described as and for the purposes sot forth.
4. The combination, with the coin freed automatic delivery apparatus hereinbefore
described, of claws (R) separate or combined, with levers (S), (U), springs (R¹)
and (1) rod and semaphore (W), and weight (V) for locking the coin-slot, and
indicating when the supply of packets is exhausted, substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
5. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting our coin-freed
automatic (penny-in-the-slot) machine, as set forth and illustrated on the accom-
panying drawings.
ALFRED HULME.
JOHN WILLIAMS.
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.