Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Supplying Cigars, Cigarettes, Match Boxes, or other Articles, One by One, in Exchange for Corresponding Coins Introduced into the Apparatus.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Supplying Cigars,
Cigarettes, Match Boxes, or other Articles, One by One, in
Exchange for Corresponding Coins Introduced into the Apparatus.
A communication to me from abroad by CONRAD BACH, of St. Gall, Switzerland,
Mechanician.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex
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 and accompanying drawing, (that is to say) :-
:―
This invention relates to apparatus consisting of a box or case having a slit or
opening for the insertion of a coin of a value and size dependent upon the object
which the apparatus is to supply, the apparatus being so arranged that the insertion
of the coin renders possible the opening of a drawer from which the said object--such
as a cigar, cigarette, or matchbox-can then be removed.
The accompanying drawings are in illustration of the invention, figures 1 and 2
being horizontal sections through different parts of the box or case, figures 3, 4, 5,
and 6, detailed views of different parts of the apparatus, and figure 7 a vertical section
through the box or case.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures.
The method of construction will be best understood by describing the course of
operations when the apparatus is used.
The articles to be supplied are stored in sufficient number in two reservoirs A, A',
side by side in the upper part of the apparatus.
The proper coin introduced into the slit or opening a falls first into and down the
fixed channel or tube a', and thence into the tube a² which is suspended upon the
transverse joint a³.
The lower end of the tube a² is cut away at the two narrow edges, so that the coin
falling down it is supported by the fork (figures 6 and 7) which is depressed by its

page_text: weight so as to set free from the claws or hooks dattached to it the drawers B and B¹,
projections B2, B³, upon which engage with the claws. One of the drawers B, B,
can now be opened. Each drawer is made of metal or of wood of the shape shewn
and turning upon its lower edge, and has at its top a groove or recess just large
enough to hold one of the articles which is to be supplied, and fitting closely against
a corresponding opening in the bottom of the cases or reservoirs A, A¹.. In order that
it may be only possible to open one of the drawers at a time, a bar e (figures 1, 3, 4,
and 7) is provided, turning at one end upon a pivot e', and carrying at its other end
two friction rollers e, e which fit into corresponding recesses in the sides of the
drawers B, B, respectively, sufficient clearance being allowed to allow one of the
drawers to be opened at a time.
Upon so opening one drawer, the corresponding roller e² is forced out from its
recess and the other roller is forced into the recess in the other drawer, which under
these circumstances can not be opened.
When either drawer is drawn out, the pin c (figure 7) upon it pushes forward the
suspended cointube a² which turns upon its joint u³, until the coin in it is free from the
ends of the fork b, and can fall down into the money box or drawer G, whence it can
be removed by the proper person. The fork b is raised by the weight 2, and is ready
for a second operation. To limit its movement in either direction, pins or stops b³, BA,
are provided.
In order to ensure the descent of the articles in the reservoirs A, A¹, flat hinged
flaps fare provided, which are pressed down by their own weight and that of the
articles above them. These flaps are moved from below by a lever moveable round
the pin
The other end of the same lever g is connected loosely with the lever h
which oscillates round the same pin 2, One end of the lever is bent up at right
angles and passes through a slit in the plate or board which covers the mechanism, into
the reservoir A, A' (as the case may be) and to the other end of the lever is fixed
an arm (figures 5 and 7) having at its lower end a slit embracing a pin 7 fixed upon
the drawer B or B'. When therefore either drawer is drawn out, the corresponding
arm k, iever h, and lever g are moved so that the articles contained in the reservoir Å
or A¹ are moved and turned over so that they are sure to fall to the bottom.
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 what
I claim is:-
1. In automatic apparatus for selling and supplying cigars, cigarettes, matchboxes
or other articles, the combination of the fixed tube a for the reception of the coin,
the hinged tube a², and the balanced fork b, hooks or catches d, and drawers B, B',
substantially as described and shewn in the drawings.
2. The pivotted bar e, friction rollers e², e², and corresponding recesses in the sides
of the drawers B, B1, substantially as and for the purpose described and shewn.
3. The method of moving and ensuring the descent of the articles in the
reservoirs A, A, by means of the hinged flaps and levers h, g, and k, actuated by
pins upon the sides of the drawers B, B¹, substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 27th day of September 1887.