An Improved Apparatus for Distributing and Collecting Coins or other Discs of Various Sizes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 18th May, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Distributing and Collecting Coins or
other Discs of Various Sizes.
I JAMES ALEXANDER FORSYTHE of 69 Castlereagh Street Mountpottinger
in the City of Belfast and County of Down in Ireland Flax Buyer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the distribution and collection of metal money or coins
of various sizes or values and is applicable to other similar discs, if any, requiring
to be dealt with in similar manner.
For this purpose I employ a case divided into compartments for the reception of
the different sizes or values of coins or dises and having a track or run passing at
a gradient along one of its sides and through slots or apertures into the several
successive compartments.
At the entrance of each compartment I place a strap of metal which crosses the
compartment in a curve towards its opposite side so that when the coin enters the
compartment the strap catches its top edge and directs it from the track or run
over an opening in the bottom or floor of the case through which it falls into
a drawer or other receptacle for collecting all the money or coins of similar size or
value. The height of the straps is regulated according to the sizes or values of the
different coins or discs to be distributed.
The side of the case to which the track or run is attached.is formed diagonally
so as to place the coins or discs on an incline and gradually to raise them into an
almost vertical position before passing into the compartments while, after getting
settled on the track or run, they are quite unconfined at the other side and the
track or run is narrowed before reaching the first compartment so that, if two or
more coins or discs should start together, all but one of them will fall off and only one
continue to roll to its proper compartment.
The coins or discs are fed into the case through a slot or slots at the top end of
the track or run.
I may register or record the number of coins or discs passing into the compartments
by means of ratchet wheels and pawls arranged with cranks and springs which are
actuated by each of the coins or discs as it rolls into its proper compartment.
Dated this 19th day of May 1894.
HUGH
HYNDMAN,
6, Chichester Street, Belfast, Agent for Applicant.
An Improved Apparatus for Distributing and Collecting Coins or
other Discs of Various Sizes.
I JAMES ALEXANDER FORSYTHE late of 69 Castlereagh Street Mountpottinger
but now of Ravenhill Avenue Cregagh Road in the City of Belfast and County of
Down in Ireland Flax Buyer 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 the distribution and collection of metal money or coins

page_text: of various sizes or values and is applicable to other similar discs, if any, requiring
to be dealt with in a similar manner.
For this purpose I employ a case divided into compartments for the reception of
the different sizes or values of coins or discs desired to be distributed or collected
together and having a track or run passing at a gradient along one of its sides or
walls and through slots or apertures into the several successive compartments, such
slots or apertures being of sufficient height and width to permit the coin or disc to
pass into the compartment destined for its reception.
At the entrance to each compartment,I place the shallow end of a thin wedge
shaped strap of metal which crosses the compartment in a curve towards its opposite
side so that when the coin or disc enters its appropriate compartment such strap
catches its top edge and diverts it from the track or run down which it has rolled
into the compartment over an opening in the bottom or floor of the case or com-
partment through which it falls upon a shoot or slanting plate that carries it into
a drawer or other receptacle for collecting and containing all the money or coins of
the same or similar size or value. The heights or positions of the thin wedge
shaped straps of metal in the compartments are regulated according to the sizes or
values of the different coins or discs to be distributed or collected and so as to allow
the smaller ones to roll along the track or run beyond the compartments appropriated
to the larger ones.
The side or wall of the case to which the track or run is attached is formed
diagonally above it so as to place the coins or discs laterally on an incline and
gradually to raise them into an almost vertical position before passing into the
.compartments.
At the upper or in-feeding end the track or run is broad and is provided on the
farther or off side of the case with a flange preferably of leather and with curved
leaves above the flange so as, if necessary, to tip the coins or discs over to the side
or wall to which it is attached and also with a flange for a short distance further
along it in order to give them proper direction and establish them in position for
rolling down it but, after being thus settled on the track or run, they are quite
unconfined on the farther or off side except at the entrance to the first.compartment
where I fix a small triangular plate or guard on the same side for the purpose
hereinafter explained.
I construct the broad or in-feeding end of the track or run in the form of
a helical curve or screw with steps or falls to assist in delivering the coins or discs
singly or separately to the lower part of the track or run and to give them the
necessary impetus for sliding or rolling down to the various compartments and
I make or sheet it with metal whereby I facilitate their movement. Before
reaching the first compartiment the track or run is narrowed from the end of the
flange for a short distance so that if two or more coins or discs should start together
and slide or run abreast of each other along the helical curved or 'screw slide all
but one of them will fall off the track or run and only that one will continue to roll
on to its proper compartment and will be protected by the small triangular plate or
guard already mentioned as fixed at the entrance to the first compartment from
being dislodged or disturbed by any of those falling off. The narrowed portion of
the track or run I prefer to make separately of hardened steel and with the top
bevelled like the blades of a pair of scissors towards the contiguous side or wall of
the case and I attach this narrowed portion by screws passing through slots in it
to the side of the case so as to be adjustable and capable of being raised, if desired,
at the lower end in order to provide a step or fall for shaking and separating
the coins or disos in case two had so far passed abreast without one of them
falling off.
Between such narrowed portion and the entrance to the first compartment I form
the track or run of another piece of hardened steel which is in like manner bevelled
towards and adjustably attached to the side or wall of the case and I make it
increase in thickness from the width of the narrowed portion until it is as broad as
the remainder of the track or run.

page_text: From the narrowed portion to the end of the track or run I clotbe it with leather
for the purpose of imparting a more steady and regular motion to the coins or
discs and I hevel the top of such leather towards the side or wall of the case in
order to maintain their inclination' to it.
The coins or discs are fed into the case through a slot or mouth piece at the
upper and broader end of the track or run where a hopper may be provided for the
delivery of them to the slot or month piece. For those that fall off the track or
run as above mentioned I provide a special receptacle in or convenient to the case.
and from which they can afterwards be distributed or collected like the rest.
A modification of the case I have described may be attached to the counter of
a wareroom, office or shop and advantageously substituted for an ordinary till.
In connection with such case I may employ a mechanism automatically to register
or record the number of coins or discs passing into the compartments but I have
not constructed and do not claim any novel or special devices for accomplishing the
purpose.
And in order that my said invention may be more fully understood I shall now
proceed particularly to describe the same by reference to the several drawings
upon the sheet hereunto annexed, the same letters of reference indicating the
same or corresponding parts of my improved apparatus throughout all the figures
thereon.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus shewing the compartments for the
various coins or discs the flanged helical curved or screw slide and leaves, the track
or run for the coins or discs with guides and guards, the slots or apertures through
which the coins or discs pass into the compartments and the drawers to contain
them when distributed or collected.
Fig. II is a sectional plan on the line. A B upon Fig. 1.
Fig. III is a sectional elevation on the line CD upon Fig. I.
Fig. IV is a sectional elevation on the line E F upon Fig. I.
Fig. V is an enlarged development of a wedge shaped strap or guide and
Fig. VI is an enlarged cross section of the narrowed part of the track or run.
a is the slot or mouth piece through which the apparatus is fed: 6 is the flanged
helical curved or screw slide on which the coins or discs fall, having two small
steps or falls, c, c, to assist in separating the coins or dises and two curved
leaves, d, d, projecting upwards from and across its flange to tilt them over, if
necessary, to the broad part of the helical curved or screw slide and place them in
position for entering upon the inclined track, e, on which they roll into the
appropriate compartments: is a narrowed part of the track or run, e, having
an inwardly bevelled or scissor edge and fastened to the inclined side or wall
of the case by wood screws passing through it and g is a wedge shaped part
of the track or run leading up to the first compartment and having a similar
edge; h is a triangular plate or guard to protect the coins or dises from displacement
or disturbance by others when about to enter the slot or aperture, i, leading
into the first compartment; k, k, k, k, k are the thin wedge shaped straps of metal
which direct the coins or discs from the track or run into their several com-
partments is the bottom or floor having the shoots or slanting plates, m, m, m, m, m,
under the openings in the floor to carry the coins or discs into the drawers or
receptacles, n, n, n, n, n appropriated for collecting and containing them; o is an
overflow drawer to receive any coins or discs that fall from the track or run
before reaching the first compartment and p is a hopper attached in front of
the slot or mouth piece, a, upon which the coins or discs may be placed for
feeding the apparatus.
:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I would bave it to be
understood that I do not claim as of my invention or the exclusive use of a case or
till divided into compartments and having a track or run at a gradient passing
through slots or apertures and a side formed diagonally or at an angle nor curved

page_text: straps of metal except when the same are constructed specially and employed
according to my invention nor do I claim the use of slots or hoppers, flanges or
angular guards or any of the separate mechanical parts employed in the construction
of my improved automatic coin or disc distributing and collecting apparatus but
I declare that I claim
1. The manufacture and use of an automatic coin or disc distributing an
collecting apparatus constructed and employed substantially in the manner au!"
for the purposes hereinbefore described and shewn in the drawings hereunto
annexed.
2. The use in an automatic coin or disc distributing and collecting apparatus
of a curved and wedge shaped strap constructed and employed substantially in the
manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and shewn in the drawings
hereunto annexed.
3. The use in an automatic coin or disc distributing and collecting apparatus of
a helical curved or screw slide and a track or run constructed and employed sub.
stantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and shewn in
the drawings hereunto annexed.
4. The use in automatic coin or disc distributing and collecting apparatus of
a helical curved or screw slide arranged with a flange and leaves and steps or falls
substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and shewn
in the drawings hereunto annexed and
5. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting my improved automatic
coin and disc distributing and collecting apparatus constructed and employed
substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 19th day of February 1895.
HUGH
HYNDMAN,
6, Chichester Street, Belfast, Agent for Applicant.