Improvements in Prepayment Sale and Delivery Mechanisms.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Prepayment Sale and Delivery Mechanisms.
I, JOHN DELANEY, residing at 1910 Harland Street, in the City and County of
Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Mechanic, 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:-
My invention relates to a class of apparatus in which coin controlled mechanism
of suitable character controls devices which regulate the delivery of merchandize
or regulate the operation of moving parts, such mechanism being set, to enable
the operation of the devices, through a manually operated handle, lever, or knob,
situated on the exterior of the casing,-and in which class of apparatus a coin
of predetermined size and value dropped within a slot or opening serves to
temporarily connect said manually operated handle, lever, or knob, to the
operating shaft, as I herein term it, which is in engagement with, and the rotation
of which occasions the movement of, the devices which control the delivery of the
merchandize.
My invention relates especially to the construction and arrangement of the
devices by which an inserted coin serves to temporarily couple the external knob,
handle, or lever, with the operating shaft, and to devices by which the fraudulent
manipulation of the operating shaft will be prevented.
In the accompanying drawings I show and herein I describe a good form of a
convenient embodiment of my invention, the particular subject-matter claimed as
novel being hereinafter definitely specified.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional elevation of the coin cup box and
associated parts, supposed mounted upon the exterior of the main casing.
Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the slot closing bar.
Figures 3 and 4 are views in perspective of the coin driving, cup and coin driven
cup, respectively.
Figure 5 is a view in front elevation of the enclosing casing.
Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of the shell C, the plate C7, and block F
being supposed removed.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
In the accompanying drawings,
A indicates the main casing of the apparatus in which are supposed contained
gas regulating and measuring instrumentalities; or any other preferred instru-
mentalities (not shown) which it is desired to have operated for the delivery of
merchandise, upon the insertion of a coin of predetermined size. My devices are
applicable in connection with many forms of such instrumentalities.
B is an auxiliary casing secured in any preferred manner upon the exterior of
the rasing A. This auxiliary casing is shown as formed or composed of two shells
designated respectively CC, which divides said casing into three compartments
to-wit the gear compartment B'; the cup compartment B2, and the coin
compartment B³.
The shell C is provided with lugs Cx by which it is secured to the wall of the
casing A, the body of said shell forming the gear compartment,-and also provided
with a frontward extension which constitutes the cup compartment B2.

page_text: The shell C, the lower portion of which constitutes the coin compartment, as to
its front wall encloses the lower portion of the shell C,--the front wall of said
shell C overlapping the front wall of the coin compartment and its rear wall
overlapping the front wall of the gear compartment. A horizontal plate C
rearwardly projecting, from the shell C extends across and closes the open lower
end of the gear compartment.
A lug Con the shell C comes, when the parts are in the position illustrated in
Figures 1 and 5, into close proximity with the lug C on the shell C, so that the
basp of a padlock C extending through both securely unites said shells.
When the lock is removed of course the shell C may be taken off of the shell C₁
. to enable access to and removal of the money in the coin box.
C' is a plate set within the base of the cup compartment.
D is a shaft mounted in the plate C', the front end of which extends within the
cup compartment, and the rear end of which is adapted to serve as, or to be in
mesh with, an operating shaft, or any similar device, which acts to occasion the
predetermined movements of the parts within the main casing. Said shaft D,
:hereinafter referred to as the operating shaft, may of course be connected in any
desired manner to any preferred mechanism, and my present apparatus is not
restricted to use in connection with any particular type of prepayment sale and
delivery mechanism.
Said shaft is shown as provided with a gear D* which adapts it to be placed in
connection with any selected form of mechanism to be operated.
The front wall of the cup compartment is provided with a boss or extension E
formed with a central bore in which is journalled a handle or manipulating shaft E,
the outer end of which is equipped with a lever or handle E' conveniently of the
character shown in Figure 5.
is a coin slot opening through the top of the eup compartment; and 6* is a
coin slot opening through the bottom of said compartment, and placing said
compartment in communication with the coin compartment.
I aim to provide devices of a simple and inexpensive construction by which a
coin inserted through the coin slot & will serve to temporarily couple the shaft E
to the shaft D, to the end that rotation imparted to the operating lever or
handle E will be transmitted to the operating shaft, and, through it, to devices
within the main easing in connection with which fay improvements may be
employed.
I also aim to provide a device by which the slot & is maintained closed except
at such times as the parts within the cap compartment are in proper position to
receive a coin, with the result that after the slot is closed, as a necessary preliminary
or prerequisite to the movement of the parts, no instrument can be inserted and no
cord or other device connected to an inserted coin for the purpose of suspending or
withdrawing the latter, can be operated.
F G are what I term the coin blocks or cups, mounted in the coin compartment,
one of them being carried by the shaft D and the other by the shaft E.
The inner end of the block F is of reduced diameter as compared with its rear
end, and a groove or slot f is formed in the reduced inner end. A groove or slot g
is also cut through the block G, said last named slot extending through both sides
of said block and through its top, except at the lower portion of the block where a
fin of metal g* extends across and limits the breadth of the slot.
The end portion of the block or cup G is hollowed out to form a cup like recess
of such size as to be adapted to receive the reduced inuer end of the block or cup F,
the basal or unreduced portion of the said block F coming, when the parts are
in their assembled position, into contact with the edges of the recess in the
block G.
The exterior portion of the outer end of the block G is abruptly reduced in
diameter as shown in Figures 1 and 3, to form a groove gl.
When the blocks are of the form shown in Figure 1, and in the position shown
in said figure, with the groove or slot of the block F in registry with the groove or

page_text: slot of the block G, and both said grooves or slots in registry with the slot 6* in
the casing, a coin presented through said slot & will, if of proper size, descend
within the slots fg and come to rest with its respective edges against the bottom
of the groove g and the fin of metal g, (and will perhaps also touch or be in
contact with the bottom of the slot ) and will thus serve to couple or temporarily
unite the blocks F G, as shown in Figure 1.
Manual rotation imparted to the shaft E will therefore be communicated to the
shaft D, with the result that the said operating thaft D will accomplish in such
rotation the desired movement or setting of the mechanism (not shown) within the
main casing A.
In the rotation of the shaft E and the blocks F G the coin is carried around
until it comes opposite or into registry with the slot 62, the handle E³ contem-
poraneously making contact with its stop, whereupon said coin drops by gravity
from its seat within the two slots f g and through said slot 62 into the coin
compartment.
When no coin is present within the slots fg, the block G, of course, with its
shaft, is capable of movement independently of the block F, and, accordingly, after
a coin has been carried to and dropped through the slot 6, when it is desired to
again drop a coin within the slots and operate or set the operating shaft for further
movement or service of the mechanism in connection with which my improvements
are engaged, the operating lever or handle E is thrown in a reverse direction to
rotate the block G to carry the upper end of the slot g, (that is, the end not partly
closed by the fin g*) up into registry with the slot bx, that is to say, to restore
the parts to the position which they are shown as occupying in Figure 1. In such
reverse movement the block F remains stationary with its slot fin registry with
both the slot 6x and the slot b².
As will he understood, if a coin of a size larger than the size intended to be
used for the operation of the apparatus be inserted through the slot bx, the slots fg
will not be broad enough to receive it, and therefore a part of said coin will remain
projecting through said slot & with the result that the blocks cannot be rotated
or the apparatus operated..
If, on the other hand, a coin of dimensions smaller than those of the
predetermiued coin, be inserted through the slot & it will descend unobstructed
through the slots fg and band within the coin compartment without coupling the
blocks together.
I, is a slot closing bar, of diameter preferably somewhat in excess of the breadth
of the slot &*, mounted for sliding, or in-and-out, movement, in a suitable opening
in the front wall of the cup compartment, in such position that when pushed in to
the limit of its movement it exists close up against said slot 6* and practically
closes the same. The inner end of the bar I is provided with a depending stud i
which is seated in the groove gl, and with a shears plate * which bears against
the under face of the top plate of the coin compartment.
The engagement of the stud i in the groove gl prevents the withdrawal of the
bar when the blocks are in any position except that which they are in Figure 1-
represented as occupying, in which position the blocks are in position to receive a
coin dropped through the slot 6*.
When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 1 the bar may be withdrawn,
far enough to allow of the entrance through the slot of a coin of the required
size, the stud i sliding through the top of the groove in the block G, and, when
withdrawn to its outermost position, a coin dropped through said slot will descend
within the slots in the blocks or cups, as hereinbefore described.
In the withdrawal of the closing-bar to its outermost position, its outer end
passes through a recess e forned for it in the projecting edge of a plate E³ integral
with the handle E2 and seated upon the outer end of the shaft E, with the result
that, after the withdrawal of the bar I and the insertion of the coin, the handle E
cannot be thrown to operate the apparatus until it has been released by the
forcing in of the closing bar to its inner position in which said bar passes out of

page_text: the recess, and its stud i passes out from the slot g in the block G and back to
the groove g at the inner end of the block G. It will be understood that the
engagement of the slot bar I in the recess, prevents, apart from any engagement
of the stud in the slot of the driving eup, the throw of the handle, and that said
bar I must be forced inward clear of said recess before the handle can be thrown.
The said stud may therefore be dispensed with if desired.
The necessity for returning the closing bar to its inner or closed position
before the handle E' can. be thrown to operate the apparatus, precludes the
possibility of the existence in the slot of any implement fraudulently inserted
through said slot to couple the cups together, during the throw of the handle E;-
also the action of the shearing plate, which may be of any form, against the under
surface of the top of the coin compartment operates to sever any cord connected
to a coin or blank and employed with intent to fraudulently couple the cups or
subsequently withdraw said coin: the closing bar thus very thoroughly insures the
apparatus against fraud.
The block mounted in the corner of the eup or block compartment,
(see Figure 6) prevents the protrusion of the coin, (in the rotation of the blocks
when coupled together by a coin) to such extent as would allow of the engagement
of the protruding edge of the coin in the corner of the compartment and the
consequent interference with the rotation of the blocks.
Upon the blocks jj' is fastened the plate C7.
The block j in Figure 6, is so shaped, its upper side having a longer incline
than its lower, that, in the rotation of the handle to the left, a protruding coin
contained in the caps or blocks slips easily over said longer incline and down
behind the shorter incline. This block therefore offers no obstruction to the
rotation of the cups and coin in the proper direction. The contact of the coin
with the abrupt or shorter incline of said block however, would prevent, after the
coin has passed it in the rotation of the parts, the reverse movement of said
parts.
The throw of the handle E, is limited by the stops t t', one of which limits the
reverse throw of the handle E, stopping said handle and consequently the block G
just at the point at which the wide or upper end of the slot g is in registry with
the slot b-and the other of which limits the forward throw of said handle,
stopping said handle, and consequently the block G, just at the point at which
the wide or upper end of the slot is in registry with the slot &, to discharge the
coiu through said slot b. When the block G is in the last named position, as will
be understood, its fin-provided end is uppermost and in registry with the slot bx,
with the result that the entrance of a coin, although of the proper size, will be
prevented by said fin, even if the closing har should be absent. The coin can only
be inserted when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 1, whether the
closing bar is or is not employed, the position shown in Figure 1 being that
in which the parts are, when coupled by a proper coin,-free to move to the
right for the operation of the apparatus. Even if it should be possible to insert a
coin when the in-provided eud of the slot g is uppermost, no result would follow,
as the stop t' would prevent the movement of the parts to the right for the operation
of the apparatus.
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 :
1. In a coin controlled or operated apparatus, in combination, a casing embodying
a slot, a coin cup or device mounted in said easing, embodying a coin slot, and
adapted to be moved to a position in which the coin-receiving end of its slot is in
registry with the slot in the casing, a bar adapted for longitudinal movement along
said slot to a position in which it closes said slot, and means for temporarily
securing said bar in its slot closing position, at such times as the coin-receiving
end of the cup slot is out of registry with the casing slot, and enabling its movement

page_text: to expose the casing slot, when the coin-receiving end of the cup slot is in registry
with said casing slot, substantially as set forth.
2. In a coin controlled or operated apparatus, in combination, a casing embodying
a slot, a coin cup or device, mounted in said casing, embodying a coin slot, and
adapted to be moved to a position in which the coin receiving end of its slot is in
registry with the slot in the casing, a device mounted on the casing and adapted
to be moved to different positions of adjustment in one of which positions it closes
the casing slot and in another of which it exposes said slot, means for securing:
said device in its closing position, and a shear plate mounted upon said bar and in
contact with the wall or portion of the apparatus in which the slot is formed, the
said shear plate being in the movement of the bar carried along the under edges.
of the slot in a direction transverse to the length of any article presented through
the slot, and exercising a shearing action in connection with the edges of the slot,
substantially as set forth.
3. In a coin controlled or operated apparatus, in combination, a casing embodying.
a slot, an operating bar or shaft a handle bar having a handle, mechanism rendered
capable upon receiving a coin dropped through. said slot, of being operated by the
movement of the handle, a closing bar mounted in the casing and adapted to be.
moved into and out of a position in which it closes the slot, and so arranged as when
moved out from the slot to engage with and prevent the movement of the handle,.
substantially as set forth.
4. In a coin controlled or operated apparatus, in combination, a casing embodying
a slot, an operating bar or shaft, a handle bar having a handle, a coin block or cup-
mounted on the operating bar, a coin block or cup mounted on the handle bar,
slots formed in said cups adapted to receive a coin, a circumferential groove formed
in one of said cups, a closing bar adapted to be moved into and out of a position
immediately beneath the slot and having a stud which engages in the circumferential
groove of the cup and is adapted to ride forward along a coin slot of a cup,.
substantially as set forth.
5. In a coin controlled or operated apparatus, in combination, a casing embodying
a slot, an operating bar or shaft, a handle bar having a handle, a coin cup or block
mounted on the operating bar, a coin cup or block mounted on the handle bar,.
slots formed in said cups or blocks adapted to receive a coin, a circumferential
groove formed in one of said cups or blocks, a closing bar adapted to be moved
into and out of a position immediately beneath the slot and having a stud which.
engages in said circumferential groove adapted to ride forward along the coin slot
of said cup, a recess formed in handle or handle bar in such position that when the
handle is in position to be thrown for the operation of the apparatus said recess.
will present in-front of said closing bar, substantially as set forth.
6. In combination with the operating shaft of a coin controlled apparatus, a coin
cup or block mounted on said shaft, an operating handle, a coin cup or block
connected to said handle, one of said cups or blocks having an unreduced portion
of the same diameter as the other cup or block and a reduced portion nested within
suitable recess in the other cup or block, a slot formed through both cups or
blocks, a casing having a coin slot, and means for arresting a coin of a given size
in its passage through the slot in the coin cups or blocks, and a slot closing bar
adapted to be moved into and out of a position in proximity to the slot in the
casing, substantially as set forth.
7. In combination with the operating shaft of a coin controlled apparatus, a coin.
cup or block mounted on said shaft, an operating handle, a coin cup or block
connected to said handle, one of said cups or blocks having an unreduced portion
of the same diameter as the other and a reduced portion nested within a suitable
recess in the other, a slot formed through both cups or blocks, a casing having a.
coin slot, and means for arresting a coin of a given size in its passage through the
slot in the coin cups or blocks, a slot closing bar adapted to be moved into and out
of a position in proximity to the slot in the casing, and means for preventing its

page_text: withdrawal except when the slot of the coin cups is in registry with the slot in the
casing, substantially as set forth.
8. In combination with the operating shaft of a coin controlled apparatus, a coin
cup or block mounted on said shaft, an operating handle, a coin cup or block
connected to said handle, one of said cups or blocks having an unreduced portion
of the same diameter as the other and a reduced portion nested within a suitable
recess in the other, a slot formed through both cups or blocks, a casing having a
coin slot, and means for arresting a coin of a given size in its passage through
the slot in the coin cups or blocks, a slot closing bar adapted to be moved into
and out of a position in proximity to the slot in the casing, a recess in the handle
bar or its connections, which, recess, when the handle is in position to be thrown,
presents itself in front of said closing bar, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 20th da
A
Witnesses -
FREDERIC NORMAN DIXON.
THOMAS KEYS LANCASTER.
JOHN DELANEY.