Improvements in Electrical Coin-freed Machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Coin-freed Machines.
I, JAMES GILBERT CUMMING, of 88 Polwarth Gardens, North Merchiston,
Edinburgh, in the County of Midlothian, North Britain, Electrical Engineer 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 that class of Coin Freed Machine which is actuated by an
electro magnet. For the sale of articles of one penny the machine can be constructed
to receive either one penny or two half-pennies through the same slot.
In order that my Invention may be properly understood, and readily carried into
effect, I have hereunto appended two explanatory sheets of drawings in the
several Figures of which corresponding parts are marked with the saine letters of
reference.
The penny when dropped into the slot A, falls between two contact makers a, a,
thus completing the electric circuit of a battery and a magnet. When two half-
pennies are used, the first coin dropped into the slot moves past the penny contact
makers on to a metal switch or platform bb, which is pivotted at c.
This switch or
platform is made so that when the half-penny moves to the end of it the half-penny
is held between the end b, of the switch or platform, and a contact maker d, and the
weight of the half-penny tilts the platform so that when the second half-penny is
dropped in it is caught between the end 61, of the platform and another contact
naker d'. Thus with the two half-pennies the circuit is. completed from d, through
the coin to b, then along the platform and through the second coin to d¹. When the
circuit is completed either with the penny or the two half-pence the electro magnet B,
attracts the soft iron piece C, which is pivotted at e, and this allows the knob D, to be
pushed in.
Attached to the push there is a catch which, when the knob is pushed
in to the full extent, catches the article to be delivered, and when the knob returns
to its normal position the catch brings the article with it and delivers it through a slot
in the front of the machine.
On the underside of the slide ratchet a², with pawl L, is provided to prevent the
slide coming back before it has been pushed in to the full extent to catch the card or
other article. A bent piece of metal M, pivotted at m, and pulled by a spiral spring N
is held in the position shewn on the drawings by the projection a³ on the underside of
the slide. As the slide is pushed in and this projection moves forward, the spiral
spring N causes the end m² to fall on the pawl L. When the slide is pushed in to
the full extent, the projection a³ comes in contact with the arm 1, and pushes it
forward, thus lifting the end from contact with the slide. The end m³ now falls
into the notch 12, and holds the end away from the slide until the slide has returned
to its normal position, when the projection a³ coming in contact with m² lifts m² out
of the notch, and the spiral spring O is free to bring the end in contact with the
slide again.
In these electrical coin freed machines it has been found in some cases that when
the coin simply falls on the two contact makers there is not sufficient pressure to
make a good enough contact to complete the circuit. In order to overcome this
difficulty I arrange to have one side of the slide down which the coins pass pivotted
as shewn at f. This slide is held in position by an arm g, resting on the sliding
piece E, which is one piece with the knob D. A projection h, is formed on the sliding
piece. When the knob and sliding piece are pushed in, the end of the arm 9, mounts
the projection h, and diminishes the distance slightly between the two sides F, and G.
If a penny, or two half-pence are in the slide, this action presses them tight against
the contact pieces and so ensures proper contact being made to complete the
circuit.

page_text: has
When the current from the battery passes to the electro-magnet the attraction of
the magnet raises the end e', of the soft iron piece C, so that the rack i, on the sliding
piece passes under it. Figure 2, shews the knob pushed in to its full extent.
now passed over the projection h, and fallen into the hollow on the other side. This
allows F, to fall away from G, so that the coin or coins are free to fall down to a
receptacle. H is a wedge-shaped piece with the thin edge j, at the upper end.
Between H and F, there is room for a half-penny to pass on to the platform below,
but a larger coin which has passed the upper contact pieces will slide up the inclined
plane, and be delivered into the money receptacle without being caught at the half-
penny contact pieces.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of iny said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The receptacle along which the money passes provided with one side pivotted so
that when the money is put in and the slide pushed in, the coin or coins are pressed
against the contact makers so as to ensure a good connection, substantially as described
and shewn on the accompanying sheets of drawings.
2. In coin freed machines the arrangement with pivotted switch by which two
coins equal in value to the article to be purchased are made to complete the circuit
of the electromagnet for actuating the machine substantially as described and shewn
on the accompanying sheets of drawings.
Dated this 13th day of November 1889.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.