A New or Improved Coinfreed Apparatus for Testing and Indicating the Combined Skill and Strength Exerted upon a Handle by the Person using it, and for Automatically Delivering a Cigar, Cigarette, Pencil, or other article after a Cer of such Skill has been.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 26th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Coinfreed Apparatus for Testing and Indicating
the Combined Skill and Strength Exerted upon a Handle by the
Person using it, and for Automatically Delivering a Cigar,
Cigarette, Pencil, or other article after a Certain Determined
Degree of such Skill has been Indicated.
I, ARTHUR ERNEST EDWARDS, of 73, Allerton Road, Lordship Park, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has for its object an improved apparatus by which a person can
test the combined skill and strength exerted by him, and can have the degree of
skill which he so exerts, indicated, after the insertion of a predetermined coin into
an opening provided for it. Also, by which, but only after a certain determined
degree of skill has been shown by the operator, an article such as a pencil,
cigarette, cigar, or other object shall be automatically delivered.
In order to carry out my invention I will first proceed to describe the arrange-
ment which use for testing and indicating the skill of a person, without the
automatic delivery of an article.
I take a box or case of suitable shape, dimensions, and material, and in the front
of such box or case I make a vertical slot, from a point near the top to a sufficient
distance from the bottom. In this slot I arrange a figure or other device so arranged
that it can rise or fall, being guided in the slot by means of a projection upon its
Upon the
back passing through the slot into the interior of the box or case.
outside of the slot described I arrange a vertical row of figures numbered as
desired say from at the bottom, to 100 at the top, and the figure may have
a pointer or dart which points to the number opposite which it happens to be.
The projection upon the back of the figure and which slides up and down in the
groove is connected upon the inner side of the slot to one end of a cord or chain
and this cord or chain then passes up and over a pulley at the top of the
slot, thence passing down and round another pulley at the bottom of the slot.
The other end of the cord or chain is then fastened to a horizontal spindle
revolving in bearings suitably arranged, or to a pulley or drum upon such spindle.
Upon this spindle at any convenient point I fix a fly wheel of sufficient weight,
and I also fix upon it in a suitable position a toothed ratchet wheel.
Adjacent to this ratchet wheel I fit upon the same axis, but so that it can
revolve freely upon the latter, a disc or wheel of wood or other material and
to the side of this disc 1 attach a pawl or catch in such a. manner that when
engages with,
the disc is partly revolved towards the front or face of the box it
and causes to revolve, the ratchet wheel and the fly wheel together with their
common spindle.
It will be obvious that, as the cord connecting the figure is also fixed to the said
axis, it will be wound up upon the latter, and the figure caused to rise more or less
according to the momentum which is given to the fly wheel.
The pawl or catch described, upon the disc, is carried back with the latter by
the means hereinafter described and it is arranged in the ordinary way so as to
slide over the teeth of the ratchet wheel when the latter continues to revolve
forward; and in order to allow of the return revolution of the ratchet wheel fly
wheel and their spindle, and the figure connected to the cord as described to
descend, arrange a projection or stop, fixed upon the bottom of the box or in
other convenient position, so that when the die and the pawl have returned from
the position if vom which they started,; the said projection lifts the pawl (which is

page_text: suitably shaped for this purpose) out of gear with the teeth of the ratchet
wheel.
Upon being raised from the stop by the partial revolution of the disc which
carries it, the pawl instantly falls by its own weight (or by means of a slight
spring) into gear with the teeth of the ratchet wheel.
The figure is made of sufficient weight to descend to its starting point.
Above the periphery of the disc described and parallel with it, I fix firmly a bar
of sufficient length upon which slides freely a piece of metal, wood or other
material of suitable shape and dimensions to which is attached one end of a strip
of leather or other flexible material, and the other end of this strip I attach firmly
to the periphery of the disc below in such a manner that when the sliding piece is
moved outward toward the face of the box or case, it causes the disc to partially
revolve, and when the sliding piece is moved back again, the disc is also turned
back to its starting point by means of the leather strap. Projecting at right.
angles to the square bar upon which it is fitted (or in other convenient direction)
and forming part of or fixed firmly to it, I arrange an arm which has its end bent
again at right angles away from the face of the box, and parallel with the bar
upon which it slides.
Beneath this arm I arrange across the box, from the front to the back, a plate,
upon which slides a bar projecting through the face of the box and provided with
a handle to actuate the apparatus.
This bar or handle is made hollow at its inner end and the top and bottom sides
are cut away for a sufficient distance, and at its extreme end the two sides are
turned or bent inward.
A portion of the side adjoining the arm above described is also cut away
in such a manner that the latter can project through the slot so formed to the
centre of the end of the sliding handle, and the bent piece of the arm is then
parallel with the handle. The handle can now be pulled outward and pushed
in again without moving the arm upon the sliding piece.
If however a penny, or other determined coin be dropped between the
turned-in ends of the handle and the point of the bent arm upon the sliding
piece, connection is made between the mechanism described and according to the
sharpness of the pull, and the skill with which it is applied to the handle so will
the fly wheel be caused to revolve; and the figure described to rise to a greater or
less height. A shoot or guide leading from an aperture in the face of the box or
case, receives the coin and directs it to the position required.
The plate upon which the handle slides, drawing with it the coin and thereby
operating the mechanism as described, is cut away for a sufficient distance near the
front of the box, in order that when the handle is again pushed back the coin is
released and falls into a receptacle beneath.
The slot in the side of the handle is of such a length that when the handle is
pushed in to its full extent it pushes the sliding piece back to its proper position,
by the arm upon the latter already described, and leaves it there until a fresh coin
is inserted, and the handle again drawn out.
Instead of the handle being pushed back, it may be brought back to its
position together with the sliding piece by means of a spring or weight properly
arranged.
By making the figure of greater or less weight it can be made more or less
difficult to make it reach the full height. Or friction can be applied to the axis or
other part of the mechanism for the same purpose.
In order that an article should be automatically delivered when the figure has
been made to reach a certain determined height, I arrange in any convenient
position in the interior of the box or case: a cylinder, revolving in bearings, . and
upon the periphery of such cylinder: 1 make a number of recesses or grooves, to
receive the articles-which are to be delivered.
After placing the articles in the said recesses I cover the cylinder and the said
recesses with a cover in order to prevent the articles from falling out, and at the

page_text: bottom of this cover I leave an opening of sufficient size to allow one of the
articles to fall through it when the recess in which it is contained comes opposite to
the said opening.
'
I arrange a number of teeth upon the axis of the cylinder in such a manner that
when one tooth is turned the cylinder is also turned, so that one of the recesses
comes opposite to the opening in the cover and the article contained therein falls
through the latter, and is delivered into a drawer or through the bottom or other
part of the box or case.
A projection may be arranged upon the cord to which the figures is suspended
or to other convenient part of the mechanism by which one tooth upon the
cylinder axis can be turned when the figure has been raised to a sufficiently
high point previously arranged for delivering the article. Or any other convenient
means may be employed for the same purpose.
For instance instead of a cylinder, as described, a strip or band having an
opening through it at any determined point may be suitably fixed in the box or
case. Upon this strip I arrange another strip having holes through it of sufficient size
to allow the articles which are placed upon it between ledges upon its upper side to
pass through when they come above the opening in the first strip described. If
now the upper strip be passed over the lower one in the direction of its
length, when one of the apertures in the former comes opposite to the opening
in the latter the article will fall through and can be delivered at any suitable part
of the box.
Any convenient means may be employed for causing the upper strip to pass
over the lower strip or band at the right time, but I prefer to fix the lower strip
or band at an angle in the box or case so that when the upper one is placed upon
it and the articles to be delivered are placed in the recesses, the upper strip will
slide by its own weight over the lower one but in order that the upper strip should
only move a sufficient distance to allow one article to fall through its opening at a
time, I arrange a wheel with a sufficient number of teeth upon it and corresponding
teeth or projections are arranged at any convenient part of the upper disc or band,
so that when by means of a projection upon the back of, or in connection with, the
rising and falling figure, one tooth of the first described wheel is turned, one tooth
upon the wheel connected with the upper strip is released and the strip with the
articles to be delivered consequently falls a sufficient distance to allow one of the
articles to fall through the opening in the lower strip or band, and be delivered as
described.
The details of the mechanism for causing the figure to rise and fall and for the
delivery of an article at the right moment may be varied and arranged as found
most convenient, and instead of the slot in which the figure rises and falls being
straight it may be made somewhat zig-zag or other shape in order to give the figure
a climbing or other motion.
Dated this 26th day of February 1891.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Coinfreed Apparatus for Testing and Indicating
the Combined Skill and Strength Exerted upon a Handle by the
Person using it, and for Automatically Delivering a Cigar,
Cigarette, Pencil, or other article after a Certain Determined
Degree of such Skill has been Indicated.
I, ARTHUR ERNEST EDWARDS, of 73, Allerton Road, Lordship Park, in the
County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of this invention aud in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, and accompanying drawing, (that is to
say):
:-
My invention has for its object an improved apparatus by which a person using

page_text: it can test the combined skill and strength exerted by him and can have the degree
of skill which he so exerts indicated, after the insertion of a pre-determined coin
into an opening provided for it. Also, by which, but only after a certain determined
degree of skill has been shewn by the operator, an article such as a cigar,
cigarette, pencil, or other object, shall be automatically delivered.
The form in which I prefer to carry out this combined object is illustrated in the
accompanying drawing in which :-
Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus upon a small scale.
Figures 2 and 3 are vertical sections of the same.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section shewing handle and actuating apparatus, and
Figure 6 is a transverse view of part of the same.
The same letters refer to the same parts in the several figures.
A is a box or case of suitable dimensions, shape, and material, ornamented or
decorated as desired, and in the front or face of such box 1 make a vertical slit B,
In this slot is
from a point near the top to a sufficient distance from the bottom.
arranged a figure or other device C so arranged that it can rise and fall freely.
being guided in the slot by means of a projection D upon its back passing through
the slot into the interior of the box or case A. Upon the exterior edge of the slot
I arrange a row of figures which may be numbered from 0 at the bottom to 100 at
the top as shewn, or instead of numerals, mottoes or devices or other objects may
be arranged, and the figure C may have a pointer or dart E which points to the
number or object opposite which it happens to be.
The figure C has a projection D formed upon or fixed to its back, and this
projection slides up and down in the groove B as described and is connected upon
the inner side of the groove to one end of a cord F and this cord then passes up
and over a pulley G at the top of the slot, thence passing down and its other end is
then fastened to a pulley or drum H fixed upon a horizontal spindle H. This
spindle H revolves in bearings I suitably arranged, and upon it at any convenient
point fix a fly wheel of sufficient weight and I also fix upon it a toothed
ratchet wheel M in a suitable position.
Adjacent to this ratchet wheel M I fit upon the same axis but so that it can
revolve freely upon the latter, a disc or wheel K (Figure 4) of wood or other
material and to the side of this disc I attach a pawl or catch L in such a manner
that when the disc is partly revolved towards the front or face of the box it
engages with and causes to revolve the ratchet wheel M and the fly wheel J
together with their common spindle H, and as the cord F is also fixed to the
pulley H upon the said axis it will be wound up upon the latter and the figure C
caused to rise more or less according to the momentum imparted to the fly wheel .J.
The pawl upon the disc K (Figure 4) is carried back with the latter by the means
hereinafter described and it is arranged in the ordinary way so as to pass over the
teeth of the ratchet wheel when the latter continues to revolve forward; and in
order to allow of the return revolution of the ratchet wheel, fly wheel, and their
spindle when the figure connected to the cord F descends I arrange a projection or
stop N fixed upon the bottom of the box or in any other convenient position, so
that when the disc and the pawl have returned to the position from which they
started the said projection lifts the pawl L (which is suitably shaped for this
purpose) out of gear with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. Upon being raised
from the stop N by the partial revolution of the disc which carries it, the pawl
instantly falls by its own weight or by a spring (not shown) into gear with the
teeth of the ratchet wheel M.
The figure C is made of sufficient weight to descend to its normal position
at Z.
Above the periphery of the dise K described, and parallel with it I fix firmly a
bar (Figures 2, 3, and 5) of sufficient length, upon which slides freely a piece of
metal, wood, or other material P of suitable shape and dimensions to which is
attached one end of a strip of leather Q (Figure 4) or other flexible material, and
the other end of this strip Q I attach firmly to the periphery of the disc K below

page_text: in such a manner that when the sliding piece P is moved outward toward the face
of the box or case it causes the disc to partially revolve and when the sliding piece
is moved back again, the disc is also turned back to its starting point by means of
the leather or other strip Q.
In Figures 2 and 3 the pawl or catch L is shewn pivotted at a upon a vertical
barb which is itself pivotted at its lower end ein such a manner that two pro-
jecting pins dd upon the sliding piece P retain it in position. When the sliding
piece P is drawn forward the bar b is also made to turn upon the pivot e and the
pawl L to engage with the ratchet wheel M.
l'rojecting at right angles to the bar 0 (or in other convenient direction) 1
arrange, upon the sliding piece P, an arm R (Figure 5) and beneath this arm I fix a
plate S upon which slides a bar T projecting through the face of the box and its
outer end serving as a handle to actuate the apparatus.
This bar or handle is made hollow at its inner end and the top and bottom sides
are cut away for a sufficient distance (as shewn at U in Figure 5) and at its extreme
end the two sides are turned or bent inward at V, V.
A portion of the side adjoining the arm R above described is also cut away as
shewn at W (Figure 6) in such a manner that the latter can project through the slot
so formed to the centre of the end of the sliding handle T. The handle T can
now be moved outward and inward without moving the arm R upon the sliding
piece. If a penny or other determined coin (X in Figures 5 and 6) be dropped
between the turned-in ends of the handle T and the point of the bent arm R upon
the sliding piece P, connection is made between the handle and the mechanism
described, and according to the sharpness of the pull given to the handle T so will
the fly wheel J be caused to revolve and the figure C to rise to a greater or less
extent.
A shoot or guide Y leading from an aperture 7 in the front of the case A
receives the coin X and directs it to the position required.
The plate S upon which the handle slides, is cut away near the front of the box
in order that when the handle is again pushed back the coin is released and falls
into the bottom of the box.
Sufficient space is left between the ends V, V, of the handle T and the end of
the arm R to allow the coin X to freely fall into position, so that when the handle
is pulled outward it is gripped and when the handle is pushed in it is released and
falls through the plate S into a drawer or receptacle provided for it.
The slot W is of such a length that when the handle T is pushed in to its full
extent it pushes, by means of the arm R, the sliding piece back to its proper
position and leaves it there until a fresh coin is inserted and the handle again
pulled out.
A spring 9 may take the handle back and keep it in position.
By adjusting the weight of the figure C and of the fly wheel J, it may be made
more or less difficult to make the figure reach the top of the slot, and a bell may
be arranged at the top so that it sounds when the figure strikes against it.
In order that an article shall be automatically delivered when the figure has
been made to reach a certain determined height, apparatus of suitable form is
arranged which contains the articles to be delivered, and such apparatus is
revolved or otherwise moved so that, at a determined point, one of the articles
is delivered through an opening in a convenient position in the box.
One forin of such apparatus for so delivering an article is shewn in the drawing,
in which a drum 2 is arranged, fixed to an axle 11, revolving in bearings 10, 10, and
having upon its periphery recesses or grooves 3, 3, 3, &c., to receive the articles to
be delivered.
Two drums or cylinders 2, are shewn in Figure 3, one of which is fixed to the
axle 11 and the other revolving thereon freely. This free drum is held in position
by a bar 29 (Figure 2) pirotted at 28, by a notch 30 upon said bar fitting over a
corresponding projection upon the side of the drum. .
When the first drum revolves with its spindle, as hereinafter described, and has

page_text: made a complete revolution a projection (shewn in dotted lines at 27) which also
has a notch corresponding with the projection upon the second drum, lifts the bar 29
and itself falls over the projection upon the second drum, the two drums thus
becoming locked and revolving together.
On the axle 11 an escapement wheel 6 is fixed having the same number of
teeth as there are recesses (3) in one of the drums.
In Figure 2 this escapement wheel 11 is shewn held by the pall 12 upon one
end of a lever 13 turning upon a pivot 14, the other end of this lever being
jointed at 15 to a vertical rod 16. This rod is of sufficient length and at 17
(Figure 3) is again jointed at right angles to one end of a bar 18 turning on a
pivot 19. The other end of this bar extends to within a short distance of the
front of the case A and has at its end a balanced bell crank lever 20 pivotted
loosely at the centre 21 of the two arms in such a manner that when the pro-
jection Dupon the back of the figure rises with the latter (as shewn in dotted
lines in Figure 3) it lifts the lever 22 and thereby releases the escapement
wheel 6 one tooth and allows the drum to also revolve sufficiently to discharge
one of the articles contained in the recesses through a shoot at 5, (Figure 2)
leading to the face of the box at 7. The projection D upen the figure C when
falling lifts the heavy arm 20 of the lever."
The axle 11 to which the cylinder 2 is fixed is revolved by a spring or other
means such as the weight 26, cord and pullies 23 and 25, and winding drumm or
pulley 24 upon the axle 11.
A wire 4, 4, or casing is arranged round the drums where necessary to keep the
articles in the recesses from falling out before they reach the opening 5 to the
shoot 7.
Or, other means for containing and delivering the articles may be used. For
instance a strip or band having an opening through it may be suitably arranged, and
upon this another strip having holes through it of sufficient size to allow the
articles to be delivered to pass through when they come above the opening in the
first strip. If the upper strip be passed over the lower one in the direction of its
length, when one of the apertures in the former comes opposite to the opening in
the latter the article will fall through the lower strip into a shoot and out of the
box, as before described.
Any convenient means may be employed for causing the upper strip to pass over
the lower one at the right moment to the proper extent.
The details of the mechanism may be varied to suit different circumstances. For
instance the apparatus may be made with more than one rising and falling figure or
with more than one handle so that two or more persons can simultaneously operate
it, and instead of pulling the handle outward to cause the figure to rise, after the
insertion of a coin, it may be pushed inward, in such case the arrangement of
mechanism being modified accordingly.
Articles may be delivered at different points as the figure rises so that two or
more shall be delivered for each operation of the handle.
An aperture may be made in the face of the box and a series of advertisements
or other placards arranged to show at each operation of the machine; or other
variations may be made to the apparatus. For instance instead of a vertical box
a horizontal one may be arranged so that the figure or figures may appear to
approach to, and recede from, a fixed point at which the actuating mechanism for
delivering the article is fixed. In this case the figures are brought back by meats
of a weight wound up upon the fly wheel axis.
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. The apparatus, substantially as described, by which after the insertion of a
pre-determined coin, the combined skill and strength exerted upon a handle by the
person using it can be tested and indicated.

page_text: 2. In combination with the apparatus claimed in Claim 1, apparatus for auto-
matically delivering an article, after a certain determined degree of skill has been
indicated, substantially as and for the purpose described and shewn.
Dated this 26th day of November 1891.
ARTHUR ERNEST EDWARDS.