Improvements relating to Coin-freed Delivery Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 2nd May, 1900-Accepted, 2nd June, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Coin-freed Delivery Machines.
I, JOSEPH GRICE, of 38, Parade, Sutton Coldfield, in the County of Warwick,
Commercial Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows: -
This invention consists of improvements relating to coin-freed delivery
machines, my object being to prevent the operation of the delivery mechanism
by the use of metal or other blanks or discs, or by coins of light weight or of
another value than that for which the mechanism is adjusted, and to provide
simple and convenient means for effecting the return of such blanks or coins
of the wrong value through the slot or admission aperture of the machine.
In the application of my invention I employ a coin guide or shoot within
the machine casing, immediately beneath or at the rear of the coin admission
slot, of such dimensions and so arranged as to permit of the free passage of a
coin of the proper value for the purchase of an article from the machine, but
to arrest a blank or disc of a larger diameter. From the said guide or shoot
the coin passes on to a suitably arranged balance lever which is so counter-
weighted that it will descend and discharge the coin only if the latter is up
to its proper weight. Thus though a thin disc or blank may be employed of
precisely the same diameter as the proper coin for working the machine no
delivery can be obtained from the machine, as the light weight of the disc will
produce no movement of the balance lever, and without such movement the
delivery mechanism will not be so freed or released as to permit of its operation
in the ordinary manner.
Beneath the balance lever, I arrange my returning device, consisting pre-
ferably of a lever arranged within the casing and connected with an operating
stem extending to the outside of the machine. If a light coin, a coin of the
wrong value, or a metallic or other blank is inserted through the slot and drops
on to the balance lever without producing a movement of the same, the coin or
other article can be forced back out of the slot by the operation of the outer end
of the extended stem.
By the use of my returning device such as herein before described, an intend-
ing purchaser can readily withdraw a light coin or a coin of the wrong value,
that he may have inadvertently dropped into the slot and such device will
also serve to prevent the stoppage or improper working of the mechanism by
the use of metallic or other discs or blanks.
1000
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, & 25, Cross Street, Manchester,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements relating to Coin-freed Delivery Machines.
I, JOSEPH GRICE, of 38, Parade, Sutton Coldfield, in the County of Warwick,
Commercial Traveller, 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 consists of improvements relating to coin-freed delivery
machines, my object being to prevent the operation of the delivery mechanism
by the use of metal or other blanks or discs, or by coins of light weight or of
another value than that for which the mechanism is adjusted, and to provide
simple and convenient means for effecting the return of such blanks or coins
of the wrong value through the slot or admission aperture of the machine.
On the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings, three in number, to
be hereinafter referred to:-
Figure 1 is a front elevation, with part in section representing the application
of my invention to a vending machine of the ordinary sliding drawer type.
Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation through the line ab (Figure 1), and
Figure 3 a sectional plan through the line ed (Figure 1).
In each view only such portions of the casing and old features of the machine
are shown as are necessary to illustrate the application of my invention.
The same reference letters in the different views indicate the same parts.
I employ a coin guide or shoot as A within the machine casing, immediately
beneath the coin admission slot 6, of such dimensions and so arranged as to
permit of the free passage of a coin of the proper value for the purpose of an
article from the machine, but to arrest a blank or disc of a larger diameter.
The admission slot or aperture is formed through the frame plate B on which
slides the usual drawer or pull piece C for the delivery of the packets or articles
vended from the receptacle 1) above the drawer. T pon the under-frame C
forming a part of and moving with the drawer or pull piece C', is mounted the
pin E having affixed at its centre the arm or lever F, and at one end the double
pawl G engaging the ordinary racks H H' as shown, one of such racks prevent-
ing the forward motion of the drawer or pull piece C (until the pawl is raised),
whilst the other prevents the return of the said pull piece before its forward
movement is completed.
On the insertion of the proper coin through the slot or admission aperture bl
it falls through the slotted bars secured to the underside of the frame or
bracket B and forming the guide or shoot A, until it is brought to rest upon
the parts of the under-frame (". In such position of rest the coin forms
a stop for the arm or lever F so that when the drawer is pulled, after the
insertion of the coin, the abutment of the said lever against the coin produces
a sufficient rotation of the pin E (against the tension of the spring J connected
with one end of it), to lift the pawl G clear of the lower rack H, and permit of
the complete forward movement of the drawer necessary for the delivery of
the article and to allow the coin to fall into the till formed by the bottom of
the casing or framing of the machine.
The aforesaid mechanism is old and well known and does not in itself con-
stitute my invention, but is referred to in order that the invention, which is
hereinafter described, may be the more readily understood.
In combination with the coin guide or shoot A, I arrange the balance lever K
which is so counter-weighted that it will descend and permit the coin to pass
through the shoot only if the coin is up to its proper weight. Thus though
a thin disc or blank may be employed of precisely the same diameter as the
proper coin for working the machine, no delivery can be obtained therefrom,
as the light weight of the dise will produce no movement of the balance lever,

page_text: A
and without such movement the delivery mechanism cannot be so freed or
released, as herein before described, as to permit of the movement of the drawer C.
The balancing lever K is pivoted upon the under-frame C as illustrated.
portion of the lever projects at right angles across the front of the coin guide
or shoot A, and pegs as from such portion project transversely through
the coin guide or shoot, as shown.
As the proper coin descends through the guide or shoot A it will, on coming
into contact with the pegs kk overbalance the lever K and thus fall to its posi-
tion in front of the arm or lever F. But should a light blank or disc or a
coin of light weight be used, the arm or lever K will not be overbalanced and
thus the blank or coin will be retained in the guide or shoot A, above the arm
or lever.
For effecting the return through the slot b₁ of a coin, blank or disc, or other
article retained in the coin-guide or shoot, I provide my returning device as
hereinafter described.
Upon a suitable part of the external casing L of the machine I pivot a lever M
having its outer end formed as a handle and its inner end connected to a push
piece N, arranged to slide vertically in the guide bracket 0. On the movement
of the lever M, the required reciprocating motion is imparted to the push
piece N. The upper end of the push piece is preferably made of a forked shape
in order that when it is raised, by the depression of the handle end of the
lever M, the forks of N will clear the lever F and pass between the aforesaid
pegs. The push piece is made to ascend to the top, or nearly to the top,
of the coin guide, channel or shoot A, in order to push out through the slot
the blank or other obstruction.
By the use of my returning device such as hereinbefore described, an intend-
ing purchaser can readily withdraw a light coin or a coin of the wrong value,
that he may have inadvertently dropped into the slot and such device also
serves to prevent the stoppage or improper working of the mechanism by the
use of metallic or other disc or blanks.
When a magnet as P is employed to arrest iron or steel discs or blanks inserted
through the slot ', the operation of the returning device serves to push back
the disc held by the magnet and return it through the slot as hereinbefore
described.
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
1 claim is:-
1. In coin freed delivery machines, means for preventing the operation of
the delivery mechanism by the use of metal or other blanks. or discs or by
coins of light weight or of another value than that for which the mechanism is
adjusted, and for effecting the return of such blanks or coins through the slot
or admission aperture, substantially as described.
2. In an automatic vending machine of the sliding drawer type, the com-
bination with the coin freed mechanism of a balance lever having portions
projecting across the coin guide, shoot, or channel, substantially as and for the
purposes described and as illustrated.
3. In a coin freed delivery machine, the combination with the coin guide,
shoot, or channel, of a returning device arranged for operation from the exterior
of the machine, substantially as and for the purposes described and as illustrated.
Dated this 1st day of May 1900.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, & 25, Cross Street, Manchester,
Agents for the Applicant.