Improvements in or relating to Machines for Testing or Indicating the Force of Blows, more Particularly those which are Set in Action and can be Operated only on Insertion of a Coin.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Nov., 1889-Accepted, 1st Feb., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Machines for Testing or Indicating
the Force of Blows, more Particularly those which are Set in
Action and can be Operated only on Insertion of a Coin.
A communication from abroad by JAMES PHILIP O'BRIEN and BERNARD VAN LEER,
both of 165, Broadway, New York, United States of America, Gentlemen.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and Bank Street, Manchester both
in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Civil 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 :-
This invention relates to machines for receiving and automatically indicating the
force of a blow particularly those which are set for action by and can be operated
only on insertion of a coin of a certain size or weight. These machines generally
comprise a movable padded punching head on which the blow is struck, a spring
or other reacting device, acting on the punching head against the force of the blow,
an index adapted to be operated by the punching head, and to indicate the extent,
of movement of the same and thus the force of the blow, means for temporarily
retaining the index at the point to which it is moved so that it can be observed
by the operator, and for afterwards returning the index to "O." and a contrivance
whereby the machine is rendered operative on and only on insertion of the
proper coin.
The objects of the present invention are to absolutely prevent the movement of
the punching head except when released by the payment of the proper coin; to
inform the intending user when and whether the punching head is locked or opened;
to secure the immediate return of the punching head to its normal position and
the automatic locking of the same after each blow is struck, while at the same time
providing for the temporary locking of the index at the point to which it is moved
and preventing it from being thrown beyond that point by its momentum, and to
provide for the release of the index and its return to "O," a short time afterwards,
either automatically or by hand, all by simple and efficient means.
The invention consists of certain novel combinations of parts and features of
construction hereinafter particularly set forth in the claims; and, in order that the
invention may be fully understood, it will be, previous to being claimed, described
in detail and also the mode in which the same may be carried into effect.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification, in which
Figure 1 is a face view of a coin controlled blow testing machine embodying the
invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the said machine.
Figure 3 is a rear view of the same, the back of the machine case being removed,
and the base being broken off.
Figure 4 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line 4-4, Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional plan view on the line 5-5, Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a sectional plan view on the line 6-6, Figure 3.
Figure 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a part of the machine on the
line 7 7, Figure 3.
Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view of a part of the same on the line 8 8,
Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a detail plan view of part of the shank of the punching head of the
same.
Figure 10 is a detail view illustrating mechanism, forming part of this invention,

page_text: figures.
for automatically releasing and permitting the return of the index after a temporary
detention. Like letters of reference designate corresponding parts of the several
In the construction of the machine thus illustrated, an upright hollow case A is
rigidly secured and braced upon a floor or other suitable base, and the standard A'
forming the front of the case is provided on its face with a circular scale A², the
graduations of which are numbered in order to denote pounds.
A padded head C, having a tabular shank is arranged to project from the front
of the case A, at a convenient height for the average man to punch, and the shank C
is mounted to slide lengthwise in a fixed tubular guide C2 projecting from the back of
the standard A', and having on its rear end a stop C between which and the punching
head C, is interposed a stiff coiled spring C, by which the punching head Cis normally
held projected, but which will permit the head to move inward, when struck, a
distance proportionate to the force of the blow.
The shank C is provided with a projecting lug D which rides in a longitudinal slot
formed in the tubular guide so as to prevent the shank from turning and to limit
its movement in the guide.
In the path of the lug D is arranged to slide in guides D³ fixed above and parallel
to the tubular guide Ca loose cross-head D* which is adapted to be carried inward
by and with the shank C¹ when forced inward by a blow upon the punching head C,
but, being separate from the shank, will allow the same to be projected again by the
reaction of the coiled spring C immediately after the blow is struck, and itself remain
stationary.
To the cross head D is attached one end of a strong chain cable D₁ which runs
forward around a stationary pulley D², then upward, and is attached to the lower end
of a rack-bar E which is mounted to slide vertically in fixed guides E' on the back of
the standard A' so that when the punching head C¹ is forced inward by a blow, the
rack bar E will be drawn downward a distance exactly proportionate to the force of
the blow and remain in such position while the punching head is again projected.
An adjustable spring-arm 2 is attached to the back of the standard A' and its free
end arranged to bear upward against a projection E³ on the rack bar E, so as to
normally sustain the said rack bar and by its reaction to return the rack bar when
free to its normal position, after being drawn downward as stated.
The upper end of the rack bar E is provided with a plunger E working loosely in
a downward opening cylinder E' fixed to the standard A', so that the return of the
rack bar will be checked and thus accomplished without noise, and a fixed stop E° is
arranged to bar the projection E³ on the rack bar and thus límit the return of the
rack bar at the proper point.
The upper series of teeth E' of the rack bar E, are geared with a pinion Es fixed
on an arbor which projects through the standard A' at the centre of the scale B on
the face thereof and carries an index E' which turns over and registers with the
divisions of the said scale.
The adjustment and arrangement are such that when the punching head C is fully
projected, and the rack bar E at its uppermost position, the index E will register.
with "O" of the scale A2, and when the rack bar E is drawn downward by a blow on
the punching head, the index E' will turn to coincidence with a number of the scale
representing the force of the blow struck in pounds.
The lower series of teeth F of the rack bar E are geared with a pinion I fixed to
and turning on a common pivot F2 with a fine toothed ratchet wheel F³, which is
normally engaged by a sliding spring actuated multiple toothed dog, F, so that when the
index operating rack bar E is drawn downward as described, it will be automatically
locked at the termination of its downward movement, and the index thus held in the
position into which it may be thrown, whereby the user will be given ample time to
note the force of his blow. The dog F acts also as a check to prevent the inomentum
of the moving parts from carrying the index beyond the true point.
A push button G is arranged to work in a guide G¹ on the front of the standard A
near the dial, and its shank G² to bear against one arm of a pivotal elbow lever G³,

page_text: the other arm of which is arranged to bear against a projection on the rear end of the
dog F, so that by pressing the button G inward, the user after noting the forco of his
blow, or the next intending user, can disengage the dog F from the ratchet wheel F³
and thus permit the index E to be returned to "0" by the reaction of the spring.
arm E before described.
In some cases to insure the return of the index to "O" after each blow is struck, an
automatic time index releasing device as shown in Figure 10 is used in addition,
which also forms part of the invention.
This device comprises another gravity or spring actuated multiple toothed dog Gʻ,
to engage the ratchet wheel F³ in gear with the index, a pivotal finger lever G
arranged when swung on its pivot to engage a shoulder on the dog G and retract
the same from the ratchet wheel F³, a plunger G carrying a pin G7 working in a slot
in the finger lever G³ and arranged to, when raised, swing the finger lever and let
the dog G engage the ratchet wheel F³, and to, when lowered, disengage the dog
therefrom, guides G8 in which the plunger works, a pivotal plunger-operating lover G
connected at one end to the plunger and having in its other end a hevelled retractible
spring projected holt G10; a bevelled tappet G on the rack bar E adapted to, when
the rack bar is drawn downward by a blow, strike the bolt Go, raise the plunger G,
and permit the dog G to lock the rack bar and index at the termination of their
movement as before described; and a fixed upward opening cylinder G" in which
a washer valved piston G13 on the end of the plunger G works, whereby, after
the plunger is raised as stated, the valve of the piston G13 which had opened so as
not to impede such movement, will close and check the fall of the plunger by
enclosing the air in the cylinder, and the retraction of the dog and the release
of the index thus be delayed until the plunger reaches the end of its downward
movement.
The temporary retention of the index can he made as long as desired by adjusting
the valve of the piston G¹³ in a common manner.
To prevent any movement of the punching head C save on payment of the proper
coin, the tubular shank C and its fixed guide 02 are formed with lateral cross
slots H H respectively, which are arranged to coincide when the punching head is in
its outermost position, as shown in Figure 8.
A stout bolt H formed on one arm of a pivotal weighing lever H³ is arranged to
normally overbalance the other arm of said weighing lever and fall between the
shoulders formed by the slots H H¹, when coincident, and thus securely lock the
shank C to its guide C2, whereby movement of the punching head is prevented.
The other arm of the weighing lever H³ carries a coin-bucket H which is normally
held at the discharge end of a coin-chute K, extending upward and outward through
the front of the case A of the machine. The mouth K₁ of the coin-chute K is of
such a size and shape as to admit only coins below a certain size. The weighing
lever A³ is so adjusted that its bolt-arm will ascend and release the punching head
only when overbalanced by the fall into the bucket H' of a coin of a certain weight.
Further the bottom H' of the coin-bucket, which bottom is movable for a purpose
hereinafter described, is provided with a hole H of such a size that the bucket will
retain a coin of a certain size, and let smaller ones fall out immediately into the case.
Thus by a proper adjustment of the parts referred to, the machine can be suited to a
certain coin only, while other coins are either excluded, or received without affecting
the machine.
""
In the front of the standard A' is provided a window L, back of which is pivoted
to swing vertically a carrier L' supporting a double sign L³, on one part of which is
printed or produced a warning not to strike, as for instance the words, "Wait for
Signal and on the other part a signal to strike, such as the word "Time." The
carrier L' is connected by a rod L³ with the bolt-carrying lever H³, the arrangement
being such that when the bolt H2 is in its lower locking position the above mentioned
warning will appear at the window and inform the intending user not to strike; but
when the bolt H2 is raised by the fall of the proper coin from the chute into the
bucket H* and the punching head thus left free to operate, the sign L' will swing

page_text: so as to conceal the warning and display the signal to strike, and thus indicate that
the machine can be used.
The blow being struck, the index will be swung to the appropriate number of the
scale and remain there until reset automatically or by hand as before described.
The movable bottom H³ of the coin-bucket H4 is carried by pendent arms M,
pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of the bucket, and is formed with
an arm M¹ projecting laterally over a pivotal tripper M2, which is connected by a
link M³ with one arm of a pivotal lever M, the other arm of which is formed so
as to embrace, when the punching bead is projected, a lug M' attached to the shank of
the same.
The arrangement is such that, when the punching head is normally projected,
the tripper M² will be lowered to allow the bottom H of the bucket to swing by
gravity in place and retain the proper coin deposited therein, and said bucket to
fall with the weight of the coin and release the punching head. But when the
punching head is forced inward by the blow, the lug M on its shank will swing the
forked lever M and thus the tripper M², which latter will displace the bottom H³ of the
bucket H and dump the coin. Then, as the shank is immediately projected again
by its returning spring (, as soon as its slot H comes into register with the slot H¹
in the guide C², the bolt H2 being no longer overbalanced, will fall by gravity into
said slots HH, and thus automatically lock the punching head against movement.
A choke-spring N is arranged to bear on the forked-lever M, so as to prevent the
same from swinging, save when the prongs of its fork are struck by the lug M³ on the
shank C¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:
1. In a coin-controlled blow-testing machine, the combination, with a reacting
punching head having a shouldered shank, its shank, and a fixed guide for the shank
having a shoulder to register with that of the shank, of a locking-bolt to engage
both of said shoulders, and a coin-weighing device to disengage said locking-bolt,
substantially as described.
2. In a coin-controlled blow-testing machine, the combination, with a reacting
punching head having a shouldered shank, and a fixed guide for the shank having a
shoulder to register with that of the shank, of a locking-bolt to engage both of said
shoulders, a weighing-lever to operate said bolt provided with a coin-bucket or
receptacle, and a coin-chute leading into said bucket or receptacle, substantially as
described.
3. In a coin-controlled blow-testing machine, the combination, with a reacting
punching-head having a shank, and a shank-guide, of a shank locking device, a
weighing lever to operate said locking device carrying a coin-bucket having a
movable bottom, a coin-chute and means for displacing said bucket-bottom and
dumping the coin, substantially as described.
4. In a coin-controlled blow-testing machine, the combination, with a reacting
punching-head having a shank and a shank-guide, of a shank-locking device, a
weighing lever to operate said locking device carrying a dumping coin-bucket, a
coin-chute and a bucket-dumping device adapted to be automatically operated by
the movement of the punching head, substantially as described.
5. In a coin-controlled blow-testing machine, the combination, with a reacting
punching head, having a shank, and a shank-guide of a shank locking device, a
weighing lever to operate said locking device, carrying a coin-bucket having a
movable bottom, a coin chute, and a tripping device to displace the movable bucket
bottom adapted to be operated by the movement of the punching head, substantially
as described.
6. In a blow-testing machine, the combination, with the punching head locking
device, of a movable sign, and operating connections between the said locking device
and sign, substantially as described,

page_text: 7. In a coin-controlled blow-tosting machine, the combination, with the punching-
head locking device, of a coin-operated releasing device, and a movable sign in
operative connection with the said locking device, substantially as described.
8. In a blow-testing machine, the combination with the case, the reacting punching
head having a shank, and guide, of a sliding cross-head adapted to be moved by the
said shank, the cross-head guide, an index, and index operating devices connected
with the sliding cross-head, substantially as described.
9. In a blow-testing machine, the combination, with the case, the reacting punching
head having a shank and its guide, of a sliding cross-head adapted to be moved by
the said shank, the cross-head guide, a movable index, a flexible cable connected to
the sliding cross-head and through operating connections to the index, and an index
resetting device, substantially as described.
10. In a blow-testing machine, the combination, with the case, the reacting
punching head and the index and its resetting device, of an index-operating flexible
cable, adapted to be drawn upon by the punching head, substantially as described.
11. In a blow-testing machine, the combination, with the case, the reacting
punching head, of an index, an index-operating cable adapted to be drawn upon by
the punching head, and an index-returning spring drawing upon said cable oppositely
to the punching head, substantially as described."
12. In a blow-testing machine, the combination, with the case, and the reacting
punching head of an index, its returning spring, index-operating gear adapted to be
acted upon by the punching head when forced inward only, a self-acting dog to
engage and restrain the index-gear, and means for disengaging the dog substantially
as described.
13. In a blow-testing machine, the combination, with the case, and the reacting
punching head, of an index, its returning-spring, index-operating-gear, comprising
a ratchet, alapted to be operated by the punching head when forced inward only, a
self-acting dog engaging said ratchet, and means for disengaging the dog, from the
ratchet, substantially as described.
14. In a blow testing machine the combination, with the case, and the reacting
punching head of an index, its returning spring, index operating gear adapted to be
operated by the punching head when moved inward only, a self acting dog to engage
and restrain the index-gear, means for disengaging said dog, and a check-device to
retard the return of the index-gear substantially as described.
15. In a blow-testing machine, the combination, with the case and the reacting
punching head, of an index, its returning spring, index-operating gear, adapted to be
operated by the punching head when moved inward only a self-acting dog to engage
and restrain the index gear, a self-acting dog-retractor, means whereby the dog-
retractor is released by the motion of the index-gear, and the d og thus permitted to
engage and restrain the index-gear at the end of its motion, and a check-device to
retard the reaction of the dog retractor, and thus temporarily delay the release of the
index-gear, substantially as described.
16. In a blow-testing machine, the combination, with the case and the reacting
punching head, of an index, its returning spring, index operating gear adapted to be
operated by the punching head when moved inward only, a self-acting dog to engage
and restrain the index gear, a dog retractor, mechanism whereby the dog-retractor
is operated positively by the index-gear, and the dog thus allowed to temporarily
engage the index-gear, and a spring or its equivalent to return the retractor after
its operation, and again disengage the dog, substantially as described.
17. In coin-controlled mechanism, a coin-released locking device consisting of a
movable bolt, a weighing lever, connected with the bolt, and a coin-bucket carried by
the weighing lever, and having a movable bottom, substantially as described.
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WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.