Improvements in and relating to Coin-freed Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd July, 1894-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Improvements in and relating to Coin-freed Apparatus.
I GEORG HIRSCHFELD of 189 Oranien Strasse, of Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia,
German Empire Manufacturer 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 :-
This invention refers to apparatus for automatically vending small articles by
the mediation of a coin dropped into the respective apparatus. My improvements
in such apparatus relate, first, to the construction of the container holding the
articles to be vended; second, to the mechanism for actuating said container; and
third, to the device for returning the coin to the intending customer, if the container
has become empty. The main purposes of my invention are, first to make the
apparatus adapted to vend articles of the shape of eggs; and second, to make the
apparatus adapted to be arranged within the body of a figure representing a hen
(Fig. 1) in such a manner, that an egg is delivered by the hen as soon as a coin is
put into the beak of the same.
Referring to Figs. 2-6 of the accompanying drawings a a' designate two
concentric hollow cylinders connected by radial partition-walls a. The whole
forms a drum, which may be rotated by the mediation of shaft b, and the toothed
wheels ccccc by means of the clock-work d.
Shaft bis supported at its lower end by the plate 6' Figs. 2, 3 & 5, and is held at
its upper end by the horizontal part of a bent frame b². The two vertical parts of
the latter hold a fixed drum a Figs. 2. 3. 5. & 6 arranged below the rotatable
drum a, a' or between this drum and cog wheel c respectively.
Drum a consists merely of a low cylinder, to the lower rim of which is secured
an inner flange a Figs. 4 & 5. This flange extends round within the whole
drum (a) with the exception of that part of the latter, which contains the opening
for delivering the freed egg.
Cylinder a of the upper revoluble drum is longer than cylinder a, and terminates
only shortly above cog wheel c Fig. 5. Said cylinder (a') is provided at its lower
rim with a flange as situated opposite to flange at of drum a³. The partition
walls a extend as far downwards, and are provided each with a cutting-out a
Fig. 5 the height of which is somewhat greater than the distance between the
upper and the lower drum.
The several compartments thus formed within the two drums, are filled with the
eggs to be vended. The latter are simply put one upon the other, so that, if
the lowest egg of a compartment is removed, the other eggs contained within the
same compartment may fall down for a distance corresponding to the diameter of
an egg
If drum a a' is rotated, all the eggs held by the partition-walls a are caused to
revolve around axle b; this therefore refers also to the lowest layer of the eggs,
i.e. to those contained within the fixed drum a' as the partition-walls a³ are reaching
down into said latter drum. Therefore, that egg of the lowest layer which
arrives over the delivery-opening of drum a' leaves the drum and glides or rolle
down to any free place within the reach of the purchaser.
In order to prevent, more than one egg falling out of the apparatus, there is
secured to the upper rim of drum a* a flap e (Figs. 2 & 4-6) arranged just above
the delivery-opening of said drum. If the superposed four (Fig. 2) three or two
eggs (Fig. 6) are reaching that portion of the apparatus, or of the drums respectively,
the respective eggs of the upper layers will be supported by said flap, whilst the
lowest egg is freed from its support (Fig. 6). The apparatus then stops until

page_text: another coin is introduced, and another partial rotation of the upper drum, or
another partial revolution of the eggs respectively is caused thereby.
Those eggs which are held by flap e are lowered as soon as said other partial
rotation, or revolution respectively, occurs; if three eggs have been supported by
said flap, an empty space will be formed then above the uppermost of the respective
eggs, said uppermost egg belonging now to the second layer (from above).
It will be observed, that in the form of apparatus shown in the drawing four
layers of eggs may be held by the two drums, and that each layer may contain
twelve eggs.
As, now, the space between flap e and the delivery opening never
contains an egg, the whole apparatus when wholly filled does not contain 48 eggs,
but only 47.
In order to enable the apparatus to hold 48 eggs, I prefer to arrange above the
upper drum a small casing a held, from frame by means of an angle-piece 6
(Figs. 2 & 4) and adapted to hold one egg. This egg will fall into the empty
space mentioned in the last but one paragraph as soon as the respective compartment
of the rotatable drum arrives under said casing.
If the apparatus.is to be driven by clock-work, I prefer to employ the following
arrangement :
The clock-work is checked by a bent arm f, Fige. 3 & 5 secured to a double-
armed lever ff and acting on the fan of said clock-work, lever-arm is bent, and
carries at its end a small plate f³, Figs. 3-5. This plate is lying directly below
the lower opening of the flat tube 9 held by the standard g'. The upper part of
said tube is bent forward, so as to commence at the beak of the hen (Fig. 1), the
lower part is bent sidewards so as to terminate directly above plate afore
mentioned.
If a coin is dropped into tube 9 (through the beak of the hen) the same will be
checked at the end of its path by said plate fs as shown in Fig. 3. Plates or
lever arm respectively is held in its normal position by a spring f* Figs. 3 & 5;
the momentum of the coin on reaching said plate is not sufficient for overcoming
the force of said spring.
In order to force plate downwards by the mediation of the coin, a rod h
Figs. 2-4 must be pressed down. Said rod is held by the brackets gå g³ secured
to standard g' and is in its middle portion surrounded by a spring h¹ constantly
tending to force said rod upwards. The lower end of tube g is provided with a
slit adapted to let the lower end of rod h, enter and to let this rod act upon the
coin resting on plate f³.
If, thus, rod his depressed, lever flis turned by the mediation of the coin,
and the fan of the clock-work is freed from arm f, so that drum a a' may be
rotated then from said clock-work by the mediation of the wheels c c³ c² c¹ &c.
The clock work d is acting at the same time on a cam d' Fig. 5 the purpose of
which is to keep lever 'f' in its inclined position for a time sufficient to allow the
proper delivery of an egg.
It is obvious, that the drums will be empty after four rotations of them have
been completed. If, thereafter a coin is dropped into the slot, that coin will not be
kept within the apparatus, but will be returned to the intending purchaser by means
of the following arrangement :-
A guide-piece (Fig. 2) held from frame 62 by
rod provided with seven teeth 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7.
carrying a double-armed lever and a flat spring
lever. This arm is provided with an extension k¹
the other arm forms a tooth k³.
means of an angle 6' contains a
Guide-piece i has a projection ³
acting on the upper arm of said
and has below the same a pin *
Rod when in its highest position (Fig. 2) is supported by lever k, in that
tooth 4 of the former is resting on pin of the latter. If said parts 4 and kare
brought out of contact by a suitable movement of lever k, rod will fall a certain
small distance i.e. until tooth 7 of said rod will be caught by tooth of lever k.
If, thereafter, this lever returns to its former position, another fall of rod i will
occur, as the parts 7 and are coming out of contact then, and contact between

page_text: the parts 3 and is established. If lever k has been actuated four times in that
manner, i.e. if rod has made that double-fall four times, the rod will fall upon the
rear end of a double-armed lever m, Figs. 2 & 4 the front end of which is weighted
and carries a pin m³.
Another weighted lever (n) the upper arm of which is arranged directly behind
the lower portion of the coin-tube is provided at said portion with a bent-off
portion n' and a projection n'. Portion n' of said lever n is adapted to enter a slot
provided within tube g, and arranged above the commencement of. the lowest
inclined portion of tube, g but below the commencement of an inclined auxiliary
coin-tube g (indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 2—4).
9
'
If thus, rod has fallen down upon lever m and portion n' of levér n has been
pushed into tube 9 by the impact of pin m¹ on the projection n² every coin dropped
thereafter into said tube g, will be deviated to the auxiliary tube 9. This tube
terminates at the delivery place of the apparatus, so that the intending purchaser
receives his money back, if the apparatus is not in the position of delivering the wäre.
In order to actuate the mechanism described in the last three paragraphs, I
attach to the upper rim of drum a a¹ a pin o Figs. 2-4 adapted to act on a lever p
fulcrumed at pl to frame 6. Said lever p carries at its free end a flat' spring p³ and
is provided with a nose p³.
In the position of pin o shown in the drawings the drum (a a¹) has made eleven-
twelfths of one rotation. If another coin is dropped into the apparatus, said,
rotation of the drum will be completed. During this time, pin o will push upon
spring p and will press the same down upon nose p³ of lever p.
This lever will be
turned then so as to act on lever & by means of the projection of the latter. In
consequence thereof, rod i will be caused to fall through a certain distance, as afore
described.
The same will occur, if drum a al is about to complete another rotation. If said
drum is about to complete its fourth rotation rod will not be checked any more
by lever k, but will fall down upon lever m, so as to act thereby on lever n in the
manner afore described.
If the apparatus is filled again, it will, as a matter of course, be necessary, that
the first contact between pin o and lever occurs only when the twelfth
egg
is
vended. The initial position of pin o must, therefore, be between nose p² of
lever p and the fulcrum (p') of the same. If on refilling the apparatus the proper
position of pin o is altered by a partial rotation of the arm, it will be necessary to
bring said pin back to its proper position.
Instead of performing that by turning the drum I prefer to transplace said pin
alone. For that purpose, there are secured to the drum twelve sockets r, Fig. 4,
each of which is adapted to receive the pin o. The latter need be put merely into
that socket situated between nose p³ of lever p and the fulcrum (p¹) of the same
for receiving its proper initial position.
Having now finished the description of the first mode of construction of my
improved automatic vending-apparatus, as illustrated in Figs. 1-6 I wish it to be
understood, that I am well aware, that operating automatic vending apparatus,
although of other constructions, by means of clock-work is not new, have referred
to the clock-work d, as well as to the means for actuating it by the mediation of
the coin, only for the sake of completeness of my Specification.
I consider, however, as new the operating-device shown in Figs. 7-11. The
clock-work has entirely been dispensed with, and has been replaced by a crank
adapted to be coupled with the wheel-work (c c' c .) by means of the coin. The
respective mechanism is combined with a device for hindering turning of the drum
before a coin has been dropped into the apparatus, and for preventing turning the
drum in false direction after a coin has been dropped in.
Referring to Figs 7. 9. & 10 s designates the crank-axle journalled in the bearing t.
The rear end of axle s is formed as a socket Figs. 10 & 11, embracing the slit
front end of a coaxial shaft » Fig. 10. The latter is held by the bearing t¹ and
carries on its middle portion the disk u which is provided with two notches u¹ u³..
.

page_text: Disk u is combined with a ratchet-wheel v Figs. 7. 9. & 10, co-operating with a
pawl Fig. 8.
Shaft is at its rear end provided with a bevel-wheel c meshing with a like
wheel secured to the vertical shaft w. The latter carries near its lower end the
cog-wheel forming part of the lower wheel-work for turning drum a.
Socket of crank-axle s has a slot Fig. 9. lying normally directly over the
slit within the front-end of shafts. Coin-tube 9 terminates directly above said
slots, so that the coin is compelled to glide through slots into the slit of shaft *.
This shaft is coupled then with crank-shafts by means of the respective coin.
Disk u' co-operates with a pawl r, catching into one or the other of the notches
of said disk, Fig. 8, and having at its front-portion an angular projection ¹ the
vertical leg of which terminates right-hand of the coin within socket . The
notches u are rather large, so that a slight movement of disk u may be made
whilst pawl is taking into one of said notches.
As long as no coin is contained within socket & drum a is hindered from being
rotated in one direction by pawl v¹, and in the other direction by pawl x.
If,
however, coupling between the shafts s and is established by means of a coin, and
if, thereafter, the crank is turned, projection ¹ of pawl x will be acted on by that
coin, and the pawl proper will be raised out of the respective notch of disk u.
The upper drum may be turned then by the mediation of the cog-wheels c³ c, as
afore described.
As soon as the crank has made half a rotation it will be checked by pawl x
catching into notch u of disk u. Said extent of movement of the crank is,
however, sufficient for turning the drum for one twelfth, so that an egg is delivered
as desired.
If the crank is let loose thereafter, it is moved back to its former, original
position by a spring y Fig. 8, acting on the crank-shaft by the mediation of a cord y¹
connected at one end with said spring, and secured with its other end to a small
pulley z Figs. 7-10 made integrally with crank-axle s.
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 an automatic vending apparatus, the combination with a rotatable drum
adapted to receive the articles to be vended, of a fixed drum adapted to support
said articles from below, said rotatable drum having partition walls, or their
equivalents, reaching down into said fixed drum, the latter having a delivery
opening substantially and for the purposes as described.
2. In an automatic vending-apparatus, the combination with a rotatable drum
adapted to receive the articles to be vended, of a fixed drum arranged below the
former, and adapted to receive part of said articles and to support all of the latter,
said rotatable drum having partition-walls, or their equivalents, reaching down into
said fixed drum, and adapted to shove the articles contained within the latter, said
fixed drum having a delivery opening, adapted to let pass the respective article
reaching that place, and above said opening a flap adapted to support the articles
arriving above the former, substantially and for the purpose as described.
3. In an automatic vending-apparatus, the combination with a rotatable drum
adapted to receive the articles to be vended, of a checking mechanism adapted to
close the coin tube after said drum has completed a certain number of rotations,
said mechanism having a drop-bar provided with ratchet-teeth and a ratchet-lever
adapted to co-operate with said bar, ɛaid drum having a pin or its equivalent
adapted to operate said lever, substantially and for the purposes as described.
4. In an automatic vending-apparatus, the combination with a rotatable-drum,
adapted to receive the articles to be vended, of a checking mechanism adapted to
close the coin tube after said drum has completed a certain number of rotations,
said mechanism consisting of a drop-bar having ratchet-teeth, and adapted to act
at the end of its way on the checking-lever for the coin-tube, said drop-bar being

page_text: co-operating with a ratchet-lever having teeth at both ends, said drum having
sockets corresponding in number to the number of the compartments of the drum,
said sockets being adapted to receive a transplaceable pin adapted to act directly
or indirectly on said ratchet lever substantially and for the purposes as described.
5. In an automatic vending apparatus, the combination with a shaft adapted to
operate the vending apparatus proper, of another shaft adapted to be actuated by
hand, and to operate in its turn said former shaft, both shafts having slots at their
neighbouring ends adapted to receive the coin and to couple the shafts thereby,
substantially and for the purposes as described.
6. In an automatic vending-apparatus, the combination with a shaft adapted to
operate the vending apparatus proper, of another shaft adapted to be actuated by
hand, and to operate in its turn said former shaft, said other shaft having a socket
receiving the neighbouring end of said former shaft, the co-operating ends of the
two shafts having slots adapted to receive the coin, and to couple the shafts thereby
substantially and for the purposes as described.
7.. In an automatic vending-apparatus, the combination with a bipartite shaft,
the parts of which are adapted to be coupled by a coin, of a notched disk secured
to one of said parts, and adapted to be checked by a pawl, the latter having a
projection adapted to be raised by the revolving coin, substantially as and for the
purposes as described.
8. In an automatic vending-apparatus, the combination with one or two drums
as characterized by Claims 1. 2. 3 or 4 of an operating-device as characterized.
by Claims 5. 6. 7 substantially as shown in the drawing, and for the purpose as
described.
Dated this 3rd day of Jul, 1991
GEORG HIRSCHFELD,
By Geo. H. Rayner,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.