Year: 1888

page_text: I, JOSEPH OWEN, of 9 Phoebe Ann Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
-
My invention relates to apparatus for receiving payment and delivering value in
exchange therefor.
The main object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for receiving payment
and delivering value in exchange therefor, that is automatic in its action and that is
adapted for the delivery of any suitable article or articles or certain information in
return for a coin or coins of the proper size inserted in the said apparatus.
My said invention comprises moieover various other improvements hereinafter set
forth.
In carrying my said invention into practice I provide a suitable box or case, and I
fix a hopper horizontally in this box or case. The said hopper is divided into com-
partments in which the articles intended to be delivered are placed the size and shape
of the said compartments are arranged to suit the dimensions of the said articles. The
lower extremity of the hopper is closed under normal conditions by a flexible band
running in suitable grooves provided in the said hopper, the upper portion of the
hopper is open so that the herein before described compartments can be filled when
desired.
I prefer to place two of the above described hoppers parallel to each other in a
horizontal position in the said box or case and to arrange the compartments in the
said hoppers so that the partitions forming the compartments in one hopper correspond
with the centres of the compartments in the other hopper the flexible band above
mentioned normally closing the lower extremities of both hoppers.
One extremity of the said flexible band is carried by two or more wheels or pulleys
fixed upon a shaft or spindle carried in suitable bearings in a frame fixed in the box or
case. The said spindle is moreover provided with a toothed wheel the teeth of which
are adapted to engage in holes or apertures provided in the said flexible band. To

page_text: the said shaft or spindle is attached one extremity of a spring such as is ordinarily
employed in clockwork mechanism, the other extremity of the said spring is attached
to the frame carrying the said shaft or spindle In order to admit of the said spring
being wound up I provide upon the said shaft or spindle a sleeve having fixed thereon
a ratchet wheel with which engages a pawl pivoted to one of the wheels or pulleys
carrying the flexible band and provided with a suitable spring A toothed wheel is
moreover fixed to the said sleeve. This toothed wheel gears with a pinion fixed to a
shaft or spindle also carried in bearings in the hereinbefore mentioned frame. Upon
this shaft or spindle is fixed a disc having two projections or teeth which are adapted
to alternately engage with a flat portion formed upon a shaft or spindle also supported
in the bereinbefore mentioned frame An arm or lever is fixed upon this shaft or
spindle one extremity of which is provided with a suitable counterweight and the
other extremity extends beneath the chute down which pass the coin or coins inserted
into the apparatus through a coin slit or aperture provided in the box or case for that
purpose. The disc is moreover provided with two pins or projections with which
alternately engages a prolongation of the said arm or lever when the apparatus is
operated thus preventing the said disc from making more than half a revolution at
each operation and retaining the said disc in position until the flat upon the shaft or
spindle carrying the arm or lever has resumed its normal position, that is to say
engaged with one of the projections or teeth upon the disc herein before described.
One extremity of the main shaft or spindle is extended through the frame and has
formed upon it a suitable square so that the said spindle can be turned or wound by
means of a key. When the lower extremities of the hoppers herein before described
are closed by the flexible band the clockwork spring herembefore described
is wound up. Beneath the said hoppers is a convenient chute leading to an aperture
in the box or case in which is fixed a tray from which the articles delivered from the
apparatus can be removed by hand.
A plate bearing upon its upper surface the word empty is attached by means of a
rod or otherwise to the said flexible band, and is adapted to travel with the same.
When the flexible band has moved so as to uncover the lower extremities of all the
compartments in the hoppers the said plate will be exhibited at a suitable window or
aperture provided in the box or case for that purpose.
The operation of my apparatus is as follows:-that is to say, if a coin of the proper
size be introduced into the coin slit or aperture provided in the box or case it passes
down the coin chute and falling upon the extremity of the arm or lever herein before
described releases the mechanism and allows the said disc to make half a revolution
thus moving the flexible band forward a predetermined distance and allowing the
article contained in one of the hereinbefore mentioned compartments of the hoppers to
fall from the same. The said article then passes down the chute beneath the said
hoppers to the aperture and tray herein before mentioned from which it can be removed
by hand.
When all the articles are delivered from the said hoppers the plate hereinbefore
described bearing upon its upper surface the word empty is exhibited at the window or
aperture in the box or case.
To fill the compartment in the hoppers the main spindle is turned or wound by
means of the key placed upon the square extremity of the same until the flexible band
resumes its normal position beneath the said hoppers. The same operation also winds
the clockwork spring hereinbefore described.
By arranging the compartments in the hoppers as herein before described, the articles
are delivered alternately from either hopper the flexible band alternately leaving
the lower extremities of the said compartments open, and half open at each operation
of the mechanism.
To prevent fraud 1 so construct the coin chute that if a coin of an improper size be
introduced into the said coin slit or aperture it will pass through the said chute and
will not operate the mechanism. To prevent the insertion of a coin or disc of the
right size having a string or wire attached to the same I provide at the lower extremity
of the coin chute teeth adapted to engage with the said string or wire.

page_text: Although I have herein before described a convenient and advantageous method of
cairying my said invention into practice it is obvious that I can modify the construc-
tion of my said apparatus without however in any way departing from the nature of
my said invention. For instance I can vary the construction of the herein before
described hoppers so that the compartments shall be adapted to contain boxes of
matches, packets of sweets, cigars, cigarettes, post cards, books, pamphlets, newspapers
or any suitable article I can moreover employ any convenient number of the said
hoppers and construct the same of any convenient length or employ any other means
for causing the flexible band to deliver articles alternately from each hopper at each
operation of the mechanism, and movement of the said flexible band.
The said flexible band can be arranged to move any predetermined distance at each
operation, and instead of being carried upon the wheels hei em before described a roller
can be employed 1 can moreover attach to the said flexible band a plate, rod, or
wire, so arranged that when all the articles are delivered from the said hoppers, the
said plate rod or wire will project beneath the coin slit or aperture in the box or case
and prevent the insertion of any coin through the said slit or aperture.
In some instances instead of the spring hei einbefore described I provide a weight
attached to the extremity of the flexible band to actuate the same or I employ a spiral
or other spring for the same purpose.
And moreover it is obvious that instead of causing the disc herein before described
to perform half a revolution at each operation of the mechanism, the said disc can be
arranged to perform any other portion of a revolution requisite to move the flexible
band a predetermined distance, at each operation, being provided for this purpose with
any suitable number of projections or teeth and pins.
In place of the said flexible band I sometimes employ an endless band or belt, or a
sliding plate for the like object.
Any convenient number of hoppers can be placed in the same box or case, the said
hoppers being arranged to contain different articles, or information thus affording the
choice of one or more articles, or certain information to the intended purchase
The apparatus can be so arranged as to be operated by a coin or coins, or their
equivalents of any predetermined value.
Dated this 6th day of Inno 1888
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Receiving Payment and Delivering
Value in Exchange therefor.
I, JOSEPH OWEN, of 9 Phoebe Ann Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same 19 to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to apparatus for receiving payments and delivering value in
exchange therefor and more especially to apparatus of that kind or class described in
the specification of former Letters Patent granted to Edwyn Anthony No 9035 dated
the 10th July 1886.
My said invention comprises various novel features hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings 1 have shown how my said invention may be con-
veniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan of one form of my improved apparatus, the upper part of the box
or case being removed.
Figure is a front elevation of the said apparatus, the front part of the box or case
being removed, and
Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line x, x Figures 1 and 2, some of the parts
being removed.
Figure 4 is a vertical central section, and
Figure 5 a rear elevation showing another form or modification of the said apparatus,
some of the parts being removed.
Figure 6 is a vertical central section, and
Figure 7 a rear elevation showing my chute-clearing device hereinafter described.
Figure 8 is a rear elevation showing an improved coin-chute switch hereinafter
described.
Figures 4 to 8 are drawn to an enlarged scale.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the box or case. B 13 the slot or slit for the insertion of the coin or coins into
the apparatus. C is the coin-chute, D is the aperture through which the articles are
delivered from the apparatus.
a is a hopper which is divided by suitable partitions a¹ into compartments in which
the articles intended to be delivered are placed. The size and shape of the said com-
partments are arranged to suit the dimensions of the said articles.
In the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3 the hopper a is horizontal and the bottom
of the said hopper is closed, when the hopper is full, by a flexible band or shutter b
running in suitable grooves a provided in the said hopper. The hopper is open at
the top so that the compartments a¹ can be filled when desired. I prefer to construct
the hopper a double that is to say with two rows of compartments placed parallel to
each other. Any number of these double hoppers may be arranged in one box or case
although for convenience only one of the said double hoppers is shown in the drawing.
The compartments are preferably constructed so that the partitions a' which form the
said compartments in one row are placed centrally with respect to the compartments

page_text: in the other row, the nexible band or shutter closing the lower extremities of both
the rows of compartments in the double hopper
The said flexible band or shutter b is arranged to be wound upon two or more
wheels or pulleys c fixed upon a shaft or spindle d carried in suitable bearings e¹ in a
frame e fixed in the box or case A at one end thereof The spindle d is moreover
provided with a toothed wheel f, the teeth of which are adapted to engage in holes b¹
in the flexible band or shutter b. To the said shaft or spindle d is attached one
extremity of a flat or ribbon spring g such as is ordinarily employed in clockwork
mechanism, the other extremity of the said spring g is attached to the frame e carrying
the said shaft or spindle d. To permit the winding up of the spring g I provide upon
the said shaft or spindle d a sleeve having fixed thereon a ratchet wheel h¹ with
which engages a pawl i The pawl 19 pivoted to one of the wheels or pulleys c
carrying the flexible band or shutter and is provided with a suitable spring to
ensure its engaging with the teeeh of the ratchet wheel h¹. is a toothed wheel firmly
secured to the said sleeve h. The toothed toothed wheel gears with a pinion k fixed
on a shaft or spindle k¹ one extremity of which is carried in a suitable bearing in the
frame e and the other extremity in a bracket e' attached thereto. Upon the shaft or
spindle is also secured a disc 1 having two or any other suitable number of projec-
tions or teeth which are adapted to alternately engage with a shaft or spindlo m
also supported in the frame e and blacket e². The shaft or spindle m is moreover
provided with a flat or cut away portion m¹ which when the said shaft or spindle mis
partially rotated alternately in either direction acts as an escapement to permit the
passage of the projections or teeth
n is an arm or lever one extremity of which is
fixed upon the shaft or spindle m, and the other extremity of which 18
provided with a suitable counterweight n¹. o is another lever pivoted at o¹ to a
biacket p attached to or forming part of the frame e.
The short arm of the lever o 1s
coupled by means of a connecting rod q to the arm or lever n and an enlargement or
receptacle of provided upon the extremity of the long arm of the said lever o extends
beneath the chute C for the coin or coins inserted into the apparatus through the coin
slit or aperture B. The disc is moreover provided with pins or projections * with
one of which alternately engages a projection n² of the said arm or lever n when the
apparatus is operated so as to release the disc 1, thus preventing the said disc \ from
making more than half a revolution at each operation, by returning the lover n and
the cut away portion m¹ upon the shaft or spindle m to its normal position, so that
the said shaft or spin lle m again engages with one of the projections or teeth upon
the disc l. One extremity of the main shaft or spindle is extended through the
frame and is provided with a suitable square portion d' upon which a suitable key can
be placed for turning the said spindle and winding up the spring When the main
shaft or spindle d is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figures 2 and 3
so as to wind up the spring g the flexible band or shutter b is moved by the toothed
wheel so as to close the lower extremities of the compartments of the hopper a, and
when all the lower extremities of the compartments are closed by the said flexible band
or shutter the clockwork spring hereinbefore described is fully wound up Beneath
the said hopper a is a chuter leading to the aperture D in the box or case A in which
is fixed a tray D' from which the articles delivered from the apparatus can be easily
removed by hand. are guides to direct the course of the flexible band or
shutter b.
s is a plate bearing upon its upper surface the word empty The plate s is attached
by means of a rod s or otherwise to the said flexible band or shutter b so as to travel
with the latter. When the flexible band or shutter has moved so as to uncover the
lower extremities of all the compartiments in the hopper a the said plates will be
exhibited at a window or aperture provided in the box or case A for that purpose.
To prevent fraud 1 prefer to construct the coin chute C with an open portion near
its upper extremity and I provide suitable grooves adapted to receive or support a coin
of the proper dimensions, if however a coin of an improper size be introduced into
the coin slit or aperture B, it will not be supported by the above mentioned grooves
but will pass through the open portion of the sud chute and will not operate the

page_text: mechanism. To prevent the insertion of a coin or disc of the right size having a
string or wire attached to the same, I provide at the lower extremity of the coin-chute (
teeth Cadapted to engage with the said string or wire.
The box or case A is more-
over provided with a convenient door or doors A¹.
The operation of the apparatus above described is as follows, that is to say, if a coin
of the proper size be introduced into the coin slit or aperture B, it passes down the
coin-chute C and talling upon the enlargement o² upon the extremity of the arm or
lever o partially rotates the spindle m so as to permit the tooth to pass over the flat
or cut away portion m² thus releasing the mechanism and allowing the disc 1 to be
acted upon by the spring g through the shaft or spindle d ratchet wheel ¹ toothed
wheel and pinion k so as to make half a revolution thereby moving the flexible band
or shutter b a predetermined distance by means of the toothed wheel and allowing
the article contained in one of the compartments of the hopper a to fall from the same.
The said article then passes down the chute beneath the said compartments through
the aperture D and falls into the tray D¹ from which it can be conveniently removed by
hand.
When all the articles are delivered from the compartments a¹ the plates bearing
upon its upper surface the word "empty" is exhibited at the aforesaid window
or aperture in the box or case A.
To fill the compartments in the hopper a the main spindle d is turned and
the spring g wound by means of a key placed upon the square d₁ provided upon
the extremity of the said spindle until the flexible band or shutter b is in the
desired position beneath the compartments of the hopper.
By arranging the compartments in the hopper a in the manner shown the
articles are delivered alternately from either of the rows of compartments, the
flexible band or shutter b alternately leaving the lower extremities of the said
compartments open and half open at each operation of the mechanism. There-
fore the distance through which the shutter has to move in each operation of the
apparatus is only one half of that through which it would require to move if
only one row of compartments were provided.
The
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a modification wherein the hoppers a are placed in
a vertical position in the box or case A. In this case the partitions a¹ forming
the compartments are inclined to permit the articles contained in the said com-
partments to drop therefrom when released by the descent of the shutter b
said partitions a¹ are moreover placed in line with each other, and the delivery
alternately from either row of compartments is provided for by cutting away the
upper part of the said shutter at one side. In this arrangement moreover the
clockwork spring is dispensed with and the said shutter 6 descends when released
by the action of gravity, a weight b' if necessary being attached to the said
shutter. The shutter bis retained in position in front of the compartments of
the hopper a by means of a rack 6 with which is geared a toothed wheel f
which is prevented from rotating (except when released by the insertion of a coin)
by means of a modified form of the escapement device hereinbefore described in
which the lever or arm n is dispensed with and the lever o is secured to the
shaft or spindle m¹ and is provided upon its short arm with a counterweight o³. The
other parts of the said device are substantially similar to those herein before described.
a³ is a weight adapted when the articles are delivered from the lowermost com-
partments to take the place of the article in the compartment from which the last
delivery was made, and by means of a cord, wire or chain a passing over a
pulley attached to any suitable part of the apparatus elevate a plate or slide a
pivoted at a to the box or case A and exhibit at a window or aperture a' the
word "empty
and also close the coin slit or aperture B by means of the pro-
Jection a³. In some cases I so arrange the plate or slide as that it normally
exhibits at the said window or aperture the words "in order" until moved in the
manner above described one of these weights is provided for each of the hoppers a
and its coin slit or aperture is provided with a pivoted plate or slide arranged to
be actuated thereby, as above described.
"

page_text: I can vary the construction of the hoppers so that the compartments shall be
I sometimes attach to the flexible band or shutter b a plate, rod or wire so
arranged that when all the articlos are delivered from the said hoppers the said
plate, rod or wire will project beneath the coin slit or aperture in the box or case
and prevent the insertion of any coin through the said slit or aperture.
In my apparatus the compartments of the hopper are at all times inaccessible
to the public, and the said compartments are so arranged that as they are opened
the articles will fall therefrom into a convenient position for withdrawal from the
apparatus by the purchaser.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a device for preventing fraud and for clearing the
coin-chutes C, that is to say, in the event of the insertion of a coin or coins into
any of the said chutes whilst the latter is stopped or choked up by any foreign
body previously inserted therein, such as a piece of cardboard, lead or the like,
the said chute may be cleared by means of the said device, and the owner may
thus recover the said coin
26 26
t is a frame carried in suitable bearings or guides t₁ which permit of the said
frame sliding or moving vertically therein. are plates or pieces of metal
firmly attached in any suitable manner to projections 2 upon the frame t, and the
upper edges of which are adapted to rest under normal conditions on a line or
nearly so with the grooves provided in the open portions of the chutes C adapted
to receive and support coins or discs of the proper dimensions, but to allow those
of inferior dimensions to drop or fall through the said open portions of the said
chutes C. v is a bent lever pivoted at v¹ to the box or case A or to any other
suitable support.
One extremity of the lever bears against and supports the
frame t, and the other extremity is connected in any suitable manner to one arm
of a bell-crank-lover w pivoted at w¹ to the box or case A or to a suitable bracket
or brackets attached thereto. The other extremity of the said lever w is provided
with a handle w³ which can be operated from the exterior of the apparatus.
, are checks also carried by the frame t which normally remains in position
just above the hereinbefore mentioned grooves on the chutes C adapted to receive
coins or discs of the proper dimensions thus preventing the possibility of a coin
or disc of less than the requisite dimensions being caused to jump across the
partially open portions of the chutes C in which the said grooves are situated to
the closed or vertical portions of the said chutes, and thereby falling down the
latter and actuating the mechanism.
When it is desired to clear the coin chutes C the handle w' of the lever wis
raised thus depressing the other arm of the said lever and consequently the outer
arm of the lever v connected therewith. The inner arm of the said lever vis
necessarily raised and with it the frame t and plates or pieces u, the edges of
which clear the chutes C of any obstruction, which will then fall upon the lower
curved surfaces of the said plates or pieces u whereby it will be conducted into
a convenient position for removal by hand. y is a bell which is rung by push-
pieces y', when the said frame t is raised the proper distance to clear the chutes C,
and thus gives notice thereof.
By raising the handle w until the said bell rings the person about to insert a
coin into the apparatus may receive information whether or not the chutes C are
clear, before inserting the said com.
Figure 8 shows an improved switch which I sometimes employ (when more than
one coin chute is used) for causing the delivery of the coins alternately to either
of two chutes.
2 is a receptacle of semi-circular form divided into two compartments by a
partition 2¹ The said receptacle is pivoted at so that coin or coins
dropping through the chute C will be delivered alternately to either of the
chutes CC³. This arrangement is advantageous when the apparatus is con-
structed to be operated by means of two coins.
It is obvious that I can somewhat further modify the construction of the
apparatus without departing from the nature of my said invention. For instance,

page_text: adapted to contain boxes of matches, packets of sweets, cigars, cigarettes, post-
cards, books, pamphlets, newspapers or any other suitable article.
I can more-
over employ any desired number of the said hoppers and construct the same of
any convenient length And I can substitute for the mechanism above described,
other suitable means for causing the flexible band or shutter to deliver articles
alternately from each hopper at each operation of the mechanism and of the said
flexible band or shutter. The said flexible band or shutter can be arranged to
move any predetermined distance at each operation, and instead of the wheels
herein before described, a roller can be employed for carrying the said band or
shutter.
The hoppers (when more than one is used) may contain different articles or
information of different kinds thus affording the choice of one or more articles to
the intended purchaser.
The apparatus can be so arranged as to be operated by a coin or coins or their
equivalents of any piedetermined value.
The said apparatus can moreover be advantageously employed to give change or
deliver a coin of less value than that employed to actuate the mechanism, with
the article delivered. For instance if it is desired to deliver the articles in the
hopper or in one of the hoppers for a halfpenny, and the delivery mechanism is arranged
to be actuated by the insertion of a penny into the apparatus. I place a halfpenny
in each of the compartments of the hopper along with the article to be delivered,
the said article and halfpenny falling out together when the delivery mechanism
is operated by the insertion of a penny into the apparatus
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the saine is to be performed I wish it understood that
I clann :-
First. An apparatus of the kind or class hereinbefore described, which is so
constructed that the compartments for containing the articles to be delivered are
inaccessible when the box or case is closed, and the articles will fall from the
said compartments when the flexible band or shutter uncovers the same, substantially
as set forth.
Second In an apparatus such as is hereinbefore described, a bopper having rows
of compartments so arranged in combination with the flexible band or shutter
that, when the latter is operated to completely open a compartment in one of the
said rows, it will at the same time partially open a compartment in another row,
for the purpose above specified
Third. The combination with the coin-chute, of a device for enabling the operator
to clear the same from the exterior of the apparatus, substantially as described
Fourth. The combination, with the compartments and the band or shutter for
closing the same, of the mechanism comprising the escapement for permitting or
effecting the movement of the said band or shutter when one or more coins are
inserted in the apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fifth. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1 to 3 or with reference to Figures 4 and 5 or to Figures 6
and 7 or to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings and operating as, and for
the purpose, above specified.
Dated this fith dor of Anril 1880
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.