Improvements in Coin-freed Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by CONSTANT FRANCOIS DE REDON, Mechanical Engineer,
a citizen of France, temporarily residing at 7, Beekman Street, New York, State
of New York, United States of America.]
Improvements in Coin-freed Apparatus.
I, PHILIP ARTHUR NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, 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 :-
These improvements relate to that class of coin-freed apparatus in which the deposit
of a suitable coin automatically unlocks or releases the mechanisms, so that they may
operate to deliver a postage stamp, railroad or insurance ticket, postal note, or similar
articles of value, into such position that the same may be withdrawn from the machine.
Some of these improvements relate particularly to means for frustrating attempts
to improperly operate the unlocking device that releases the delivery mechanism, which
improvements may be called the coin detecting apparatus, and are applicable generally
to coin-freed apparatus, whether they are for the delivery of goods, or to perform
operations such as playing music, ejecting perfume, weighing persons, and the like.
Other of the improvements relate particularly to the feeding and delivery of the articles
vended, whether postage stamps, railway, or insurance tickets, postal notes, or similar
articles.
The first named improvements are illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, of which Figure 1 is
a side elevation, partly in section, of the upper portion of a vending machine constructed
according to this invention. Figure 2 a central sectional elevation on line y, y of
Figure 4; Figure 3 is a sectional elevation on line z, z of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a
horizontal section on the line v, v of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a horizontal section on
line ww of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, and Figure 7 a
front elevation.
The last named of these improvements are illustrated in Figures 8 to 13, of which
Fig. 8 is a longitudinal central sectional elevation of the lower portion of a vending
machine. Figure 9 a side elevation with the outer casing removed to expose the
interior parts. Figure 10 is a plan view of the principal mechanisms, some parts
being removed to more fully expose the others. Figure 11 is a plan view of the
principal mechanisms as seen from beneath them. Figure 12 is a cross sectional
elevation on the line x, x of Figure 10. Figure 13 is a plan view of the controlling
lever; and Figures 14 and 15 are details of a portion of the delivery mechanism, the
position of the parts differing from that of other of the views.
It being understood that the postage stamp, railway or insurance ticket, postal note,
or similar article of value to be vended to the public by the aid of this machine, will
be prepared for use therein in the form of a long strip or ribbon, which may be rolled
upon a spool or spindle, and that the use herein of the word stamp or postage-stamp
is to be regarded as referring to any of the said articles. A detailed description of
the whole machine will now be given.
The general characteristics of the machine are the means for receiving one or more
coins of the proper denomination or value; a means for detecting and rejecting
spurious substitutes for such coins; a guide for delivering the coin to a governing
lever which operates to lock and unlock the delivery mechanism; a feeding mechanism
for moving forward a stamp each time one has been delivered; a means for detaching
the forward stamp from the strip; a means for depositing the detached stamp in the
delivery shute; a controlling gate for determining the time of delivery of the stamp
to the vendee with respect to the position of the delivery mechanism; and, a safety,
apparatus securing the complete and orderly operation of the parts.

page_text: The general operation of these devices is the introduction of the proper coin or
coins into the machine, and the consequent release of the delivery mechanism, where-
upon the latter may be slid forward by moving the operating handle, causing a stamp
to be detached and delivered within the reach of the customer or vendee; a retraction
of the delivery mechanism causing another stamp to be fed forward in position to
operated upon, and the parts to resume their position for a repetition of the operation.
I will first describe the coin receiving, guiding, and detecting apparatus, whereby
proper coin is received and guided into the machine, to operate the same; or an
improper substitute, such as a light coin, one of the wrong denomination or material,
or other spurious disc or article with which an attempt is made to operate the machine,
will not only be prevented from entering the operating mechanism, but be ejected
from the machine.
3
Its principal devices are; first, means designed to prevent the introduction through
the slot a of a coin or other piece of metal that is of a less thickness than the required
coin; second, means operating to arrest and divert from the machine any piece of
iron or other metal that will be attracted by a magnet, or any piece of metal that is
heavier than the required coin, or not circular, so as to be incapable of rolling down a
moderate incline; third, means for diverting and rejecting any coin or piece of metal
that is of less diameter than the required coin.
The slot a is of a width just sufficient to receive the required coin, as, for example,
a half penny, but is of a length somewhat more than sufficient to receive such coin.
Secured to the inside of the casing A is a plate b, so held by headed studs 2, as to
be capable of sliding endwise. It is provided with a slot c, that coincides with the
slot a, but is of somewhat greater length. One end of this slot c is contracted to
provide shoulders 3, which, when the plate b is in its normal position, overlap one end
of the slot a (see Figure 7).
Sliding upon one end of the plate b is a second plated, held in place by headed
studs 17, and capable of sliding sidewise. At its end, this plate à carries a lip 4, that
projects into the slot c, a, and normally covers a portion of them. These plates band d
are held normally in position to partially cover the slots c, a, by means of a spring f.
The plate 6 also carries a rocking plate g, pivotted above its slot c, normally held
raised by spring 9, and having a cam heel 5, which is acted upon by a stud 6, projecting
from the plate d, in such a manner that when the plate d is moved longitudinally
against the spring f, the plate b remaining stationary, the long end of the plate g will
be rocked downwards across, and closing or partly closing the slot c. The long end of
the plate g terininates in a hook 7, that will, when the plate is rocked down, engage
a stud 8, secured to the casing A, and protruding through a slot in plate b.
The devices which have just been described constitute the means for preventing the
introduction into the machine of coins or pieces of metal of less than the proper
thickness, unless such coins or pieces of metal are of considerably less diameter than
the diameter of the required coin. These devices also operate incidentally to prevent,
in many cases, the introduction into the machine of pieces of lead or other soft metal.
Located in front and beneath the slots a, c, is a curved guide h, upon which the
coin, after passing through the slots, falls, and is directed downward on to a narrow
table or support, upon which it rests upon its edge, a buffer spring 54 preventing
any shock resulting from too forcible an introduction of the coin. The support k
is connected to a pivoted lever 1, which is suitably weighted, as indicated at me, to
counter balance the weight of the support k, & of a coin of the required denomi-
nation. The coins are retained upon the support k by means of an outer guide n,
which conforms approximately to the curve of the inner guide h. The guide n is
pivotted at its upper end, as indicated at o, and is norinally held in its inward
position by means of a spring p, which acts upon its outer side. The guide n is
provided with sides 9, which extend downward to the sides of the guides h, and
one of the sides q of the guide h is provided with a pivotted piece 10, see figure 1,
which I call a clearer and which is normally seated in a recess formed in the face
of the guide h, forming practically a continuation of the guiding face of h. The
guiden has its front plate cut away centrally to accommodate the buffer spring 54,

page_text: and it is provided with inwardly projecting flanges 22, which, when the guide n is:
in its inward position, rest in recesses cut in the guide h, as shown in Figure 4, .
said guides and n thus forming a tube-like shute for the coin. This guide n is
provided, above its pivots o, with a cam-projection 12, which is acted upon by
stud. 13, projecting from the plate b, so that whenever said plate bis moved end-
wise, the guide n, including its sides q, will be rocked outward, as shown in
Figure 6. This movement relieves the clearer 10, whose spring presses it forward
to remove any dirt or small pieces that may have, accumulated. The purpose of
this organization will be made clear when the operation of the machine is explained..
The support is slightly inclined, so that the coins falling upon the support, tend
to roll laterally off the same into a curved inclined shute C, the end of which is located.
adjacent to the support k, in such position as to properly receive the coin. After.
entering the shute C, the coins roll downward on their edges along the shute, and are.
finally deposited in the shute of the governing lever B, to be conveyed to the proper
position to operate the machine, as afterwards explained.
The shute C, in addition to being inclined lengthwise, so as to cause the coins
to roll along.it, is also inclined laterally, so as to slightly tilt the coins, and cause
them to lean against one side of the shute. This side of the shute is provided:
with an opening t, the width of which is so adjusted that, as the proper coin rolls
along the shute, its upper edge will be supported by the side of the shute above.
the opening, while, if any coin or piece of metal of any less diameter than the
required coin finds its way into the shute, it will, as it rolls downward, have, no
support for its upper edge, and, as a consequence, will tilt and, fall through the
opening. t, and enter the hopper D provided for its reception, and thus he prevented
from passing into the shute of the lever B, and operating the machine::
Located as the side of the shute C, is a permanent magnet E, the armature 18 of
which is, so positioned as to be in close proximity to the edges of the coins or pieces.
of metal as they rest upon the support™k.
The remaining features in the construction and organization of the apparatus will
be described in connection with an explanation of its operation, which is as follows:-
In describing this operation, it will be first assumed that a purchaser attempts to
operate the machine by means of the proper coin, a half penny piece, for example.
As the coin is introduced through the slot a, it being of substantially a thick-
ness to fill the whole width of the slot, its edge will abut against the shoulders 3,
but the coin being of comparatively hard metal or composition, the shoulders 3
will not press into it; and as pressure is applied, the plate b, with the plates & and g,
will be moved endwise against the tension of the spring f, so as to permit the coin
to pass through the slot, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 4. After passing
the slots a. c, the coin will pass on to the guide h, and be directed downward, so
as to fall upon its edge upon the support k, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2.
The weight of the coin, will not, however, overcome the counterbalancing weight m,
so that the support will remain in its raised position, and the coin will roll off
its support into the shute C and down the shute, it being supported at its upper
edge so as not to fall through the opening t, and will be deposited in the shute
like end of the lever B, and pass onward to operate the machine.
Let it now be assumed that a person attempts to operate the machine by means
of a thin foreign coin, or a piece of metal of any description which is thinner
than the proper coin, & of approximately the same diameter. As the coin or piece
of metal is introduced through the slot a, instead of abutting against the shoulders 3
of the slot c, so, as to move the plates b, d endwise, as before, it will enter the
contracted portion of the slot c, and abut against the lip 4 of the plate d, thereby
moving said plate d along the plate b. As soon as the plate d is thus moved, the
stud, 6, acting upon the cam projection 5 of the plate g, will rock said plate
downward, so as to carry it across, or partly across, the slot c, and thereby bind
the coin in the slot, and at the same time the hook 7 of the plate:g will be carried
downward, so as to engage with the stud 8, and thus lock both the plates b and d

page_text: against any further endwise movement, and reduce the length of the slots c, a to
such an extent that the coin cannot be forced through them, as indicated by dotted
lines in Figure 3.
Let it now be assumed that a person attempts to operate the machine by introducing
a piece of metal, or a coin of considerably less diameter than the required coin, and
either of the same, or about the same thickness, as the required coin, or thinner.
Such a coin or piece of metal will pass the slots a, c, and falling upon the guide h, will
be deposited upon the support k. If the coin or piece of metal is of such nature that
it will be attracted by the magnet E, or if it is of other form than round, so that it
will not readily roll, it will be retained upon the support k, and discharged into the
hopper D in a manner which will be presently explained. If, on the other hand, the
coin or piece of metal cannot be attracted by the magnet E, and is round, so as to roll
off the support k, it will pass into the shute c, but as it arrives at the opening t, its
upper edge will not be supported, and, as a consequence, it will tiit, and fall through
the opening into the hopper D.
Let it now be assumed that a person attempts to operate the machine by means of a
piece of lead or other soft metal, which is of substantially the size, both as to thickness
and diameter of the required coin. In most cases, when such metal is engaged by the
shoulders 3 of the plate b, the shoulders will cut into the metal to such an extent as to
make it impossible to pass the piece through the slot.
If, however, by skilled manipulation, a person succeeds in passing it through the
slot, it will pass onto the guide h, and be deposited upon the support k. Such soft
metal piece, however, if of the size of the required coin, will be heavier than the coin,
and will tilt the support downward slightly, so as to be arrested by a stop 14, which
projects from the guide h, and prevented from rolling off the support into the shute C.
As soon as the next coin is introduced through the slots a, c, so as to move the plate b,
endwise, as before explained, the stud 13, projecting from the plate b, will engage
with the cam projection 12, of the guide n, so as to rock said guide, together with its
flanges 22, away from the guide h, as in Fig. 6, thus removing the piece of metal
from the support k, and permitting it to fall into the hopper D. As soon as the piece
of metal falls off the support k, the weight m will restore the support to its normal
position & as soon as the newly introduced coin has passed the slots a, c, the
springs f. p will restore the plate b, and the guide n, and the parts which they carry,
to their normal position, and this will take place in time to direct the newly introduced
coin into the support k.
The operation will be exactly the same as that just described whenever a person
attempts to operate the machine by means of a scrap of metal which is of such
dimensions as to permit it to be introduced into the slots, but is not of perfectly round
form, so as to cause it to roll off the support k.
The most frequent attempts at fraud upon machines of this character are, however,
made by using discs or washers of iron of substantially the dimensions of the coin
required for operating the machine. These dises of iron, or iron washers, are readily
attainable in large quantities, and a trifling cost or trouble, and of almost of any
desired dimensions.
From what has been said, it will readily be seen, that a disc or washer of iron, of
substantially the size of the required coin, can be introduced through the slots a, c, the
same as a coin, and being of substantially the weight of the coin, or slightly lighter, it
will not tilt the support k downward, so as to be arrested at that point, as has been
described in connection with a piece of lead or other heavy metal. If, however, such
iron disc or washer, or a disc or washer of any other metal which will be attracted by
the magnet E, is passed through the slots a c, and is deposited upon the support k, it
will at once be attracted by the armature 18 of the magnet, and held upon the support
until the next coin or piece of metal is passed through the slots, when the guide n and
its flange 22 will be operated, as before explained, to discharge the piece of iron or
other metal from the support into the hopper D.
Whenever an appropriate coin is guided to this apparatus, to operate therein

page_text: through the shute C, it is delivered therefrom into the shute of the governing lever B.
This lever B is pivoted at 51, its entrance end being formed to provide a shute for
receiving the coin from the shute C, and conveying the same, by a rolling operation,
to the extremity of said arm, which is over the coin guide G, whilst the opposite end
of said lever terminates in a shoe 52, that forms the lock controlling the delivery
mechanism. The normal position of this governing lever B is that shown in Fig. 1,
which is maintained by means of gravity, a weight 53, capable of adjustment, being
applied to the light end, as is seen in Fig. 8. In this position, the shoe 52 is
protruded within the pathway of the delivery mechanism, being opposed to the nose
piece 55, carried thereby, these two members thus forming a lock, preventing the
delivery mechanism from making a forward sliding movement.
When the lever B receives a coin or any number of coins constituting the pre-
determined weight necessary to tilt it, they will be supported in its slot, and rest
against a spot 56, obstructing its open end, said stop 56 being supported on a spring
arm 57, whose extremity overhangs a stud 58 fixed above the coin guide G, which
coin guide has a flared mouth 59 at its upper end, into which the delivery end of the
lever B moves when tilted.
When the coins operate to tilt this lever B, the shoe 52 at its end is raised so as to
clear the point of the nose piece 55, and is coin carrying end is depressed until it
enters into the mouth 59 of the coin guide G, and brings the spring arm 57 into
contact with the stud 58. The lever B thus rests by gravity in this position, but
upon the initial forward movement of the delivery mechanism, caused by pulling upon
the handle P, will be further tilted downward by the cam-like action of the nose
piece 55 against the shoe 52, which is a positive movement, causing the coin carrying
end of the lever to be depressed a sufficient distance to move the coin or coins within
its open end, away from contact with the stop 56, whose further downward movement
is prevented by the stud 58, the coins being thus set free, and allowed to roll into the
guide G, and be thence conveyed to the storage box H.
The shoe 52 rests upon the top of the nose piece 55 during the reciprocating
movement of the delivery mechanism, and only passes off from said nose piece to take
its position before it as the return movement of the said delivery mechanism is
completed. It is thus kept from obstructing the movements except at the time when
it is required to act as a lock preventing the operation of the apparatus.
The delivery mechanism is supported by a frame I, and operated by the recipro-
cating movement imparted to the sliding carriage F, by the pulling of the
handle P.
Its feeding mechanism consists of a serrated wheel or wheels 60, carried by a lower
shaft 61, the number of serrated wheels being one or more, according to the width of
the strip of stamps to be fed, and an upper roll 62, preferably rubber clothed, carried
by a shaft 63, and held to duty by the springs 76.
The wheels 60 are fast upon a
sleeve 70, which turns upon the shaft 61, being coupled thereto so as to be moved in
a forward or feeding direction by means of a pawl 71, carried by the sleeve 70 (see
Fig. 11), that engages with a ratchet wheel 73, fast upon the shaft 61, and held to
duty by a spring 72. The shaft 61 is driven to produce the feeding movement by
means of a pinion 64 (see Fig. 9), that meshes with a sliding rack 65. Motion is
imparted to this rack by an arın 66, that is fast upon the sliding carriage F, the stud
of which arm 66, during a part of the forward movement imparted by pulling the
handle P, slides inoperatively in a slot 67 of the rack 65, and during the rest of the
forward movement of the carriage, the rack moves, and turns the pinion 64 on
the shaft 61. In this movement, the pawl 71 is caused to drag inoperatively over the
ratchet wheel 73, whilst any rotation of the sleeve, and consequent feeding movement
of the wheels 60, is prevented by the detent pawl 68, which drags over a ratchet
wheel 89, see Fig. 11. Upon the return movement of the sliding carriage F, the
arm 66 first moves idly, while its stud traverses the slot 67, and thereafter moves said
rack 65 rearward, causing it to revolve the pinion 64 in the opposite direction, when
the pawl 71, carried by the sleeve 70 on which are the wheels 60, then engages the

page_text: ratchet wheel 73, fast on the shaft 61. The wheels 60 are thus caused to revolve, and
impart a feeding movement to the strip S. This strip is wound upon a reel T, and is
led over a guide roller 80 (see Fig. 8), and thence passes through a sliding guide 82
that moves in proper ways in the frame I, and is constantly pressed forward by means
of a spring 74 (see Fig. 11), that bears upon a stud 75, projecting downward from
the bottom of said guide.
The means for detaching the forward stamp from the strip, consists of a detent 30
and sliding jaws 25, 26. The detent 30, which might be a lip projecting from the
bar 31, as shown at Fig. 8, or a roller turning on such a bar, and of a proper length
to impinge upon the stamps at the appropriate time, and press the same upon the
lower plate of the guide 82, has its bar 31 hung in arms 83 pivoted in the frame I,
and carrying at their opposite ends the feeding roller 62, which arrangement is
provided, so that when the detent 30 is depressed, to nip and securely hold the strip
of stamps, the feeding roll shall be raised out of feeding contact therewith, and vice
versa.
The roller 62 is pressed down into feeding position by the springs 76, bearing upon
the shaft, and the arms 83 are moved to depress the detent 30 by means of the
pivoted arms 33 and their springs 34, that bear on studs 35 on said arms 83, which
springs provide an elastic action between these co-operating parts. But this might
also be similarly accomplished by attaching the bar or shaft 31 to the arms 83, by
spring hangers, and making the arms 33 rigid.
The jaws 25, 26 are hung by sleeves on a shaft 85, which is journalled in the
sliding carriage F, and has its ends guided in slots 69 of the frame E, so that said
jaws will reciprocate with the carriage F, and the latter be maintained in a horizontal
plane. The upper jaw 25 is held downward by its gravity, and at times is pressed
by a spring 86 (see Fig. 10) and the lower jaw 26 is pressed upward by means of a
spring 87. Upon the initial forward movement of the sliding carriage F, the
cams 27, on the upper jaw 25, engage, and pass beneath the cam projections 32 on
the pivoted arms 33, thus simultaneously causing the jaw 25 to be pressed into
nipping contact with the jaw 26, and the detent 30 to be elastically pressed onto the
bottom of the guide 82, which nipping operation, both of the jaws 25 and 26, and.
the detent 30, continues while the cams 27 are passing beneath the cams 32. As the
arms 33 are thus raised, they immediately act to cause the detent 30 to hold the stamp.
just behind the line of perforations, and continue to securely hold the same, while the
jaws 25 26, having the foremost stamp nipped between them, move forward with
the sliding carriage F, the result of which that said foremost stamp is detached
from the strip on the line of perforations which separate stamp from stamp.
As the cams 27 leave the cams 32, they permit the arms 33 to tilt downward, and
thus allow the arms 83 to rock, and raise the detent 30 from' nipping contact with the
bottom of the guide 82. Thus released, this guide is caused to slide forward, as in
Figure 8, by means of the spring 74, acting on the stud 75, to form a feeding guide,
extended forward toward the jaws 25, 26, thus being in position to perfectly guide the
forward stamp between said jaws, when they are returned. Should the spring .74 fail
in its operation, the cross piece 17 of the tongue 94, attached to this guide 82, will be
engaged by the two pins 24, carried by the upper jaw. 25, and the guide will thus be
pulled forward to co-operate with the said jaws.
When the sliding carriage F has moved forward sufficiently to bring the cam
projection 36, carried by a rock arm 37, on the sleeve 38 of the lower jaw 26, into
contact with the cam or catch 40, it will cause said lower jaw to be rocked downward,
as shown in Fig. 14, the jaw 25 participating in this movement, to the extent that its:
tappet 77, and the stop 78, will permit, thus opening the jaws to release the stamp, and
drop the same into the delivery shute W. The cam 40 is pivoted and held to duty by
a spring 88, so that it may move laterally, to be passed by the cam projection 36,
upon the return movement of the sliding carriage F. These jaws 25, 26 close as the
carriage F continues its forward movement, and the cam projection 36 clears the
cam 40.

page_text: The detached stamp deposited in the delivery shute W, might now be allowed to
pass out into the hands of the customer, if it were not requisite that the said operating
customer should set the mechanism in a position for reuse. In order to compel him
to do this, a controlling gate 90, within the delivery shute W, is provided, which
limits the actual delivery of the stamp to the time when the sliding carriage F is
pulled outward far enough to set the mechanisms all in condition for the retracting
operation, and to permit the spring operating rod 99 to return the parts to their
normal position. That this may be done without unnecessary jar to the machine, a
piston 100 is attached to said rod, and made to move in the cylinder 101, thus
forming a spring cushion. This gate 90 slides vertically in suitable ways in the
delivery shute W, being raised by means of a lever 91 pivoted to an arm of the
frame I, an upward projecting toe 92 of which lever 91 is engaged by a tappet 93,
carried by the handle P of the frame F. The lever 91 and tappet 93 on the sliding
frame thus constitute a tripping device. At the moment when this gate is raised to
clear the delivery shute W, the safety apparatus will have been released, so that a
rearward movement of the sliding frame F may take place. This safety apparatus is
provided so that the sliding carriage F must make its full extent of forward movement
before it can take up any part of its return movement, thus compelling all of the
mechanisms to perform their full functions before the stamp can reach the hands of
the customer, or any part of the return movement of the frame F be performed.
This safety apparatus consists of a double ratchet bar secured to the under side of
the stationary frame I on the side opposite to that occupied by the rack 65. The
teeth 28 of this ratchet bar, point in a rearward direction, and the teeth 11 in the
opposite direction.
These teeth 28, 11, are engaged by a double pawl pivoted, at 39, to the carriage F.
Its end 41 engages with the teeth 11, and its end 42 with the teeth 28.
This
pivoted pawl is operated upon to throw one or the other of its ends into operative
contact with the rack, by means of cam arms 43, 44, held up to duty by a spring 45,
and attached to and operated by a rocking lever 46, that is held normally in position
to cause the cam arm 43 to hold the pawl 41 into engagement with the rack 11
during the forward movement of the sliding carriage F, by means of a spring 47,
that bears against said lever and the stop 48. Thus, during the forward movement
of the carriage F, the pawl 41 will travel over the rack 11, while the pawl 42 will
be disengaged or travel free from the rack 28; hence, although a free forward
movement is permitted by this pawl 41, any attempt to move the carriage F
rearward would be impeded by said pawl 41, which will remain engaged with the
rack 11 until the whole extent of the forward movement of said carriage F is
accomplished, at which time the spring 47 comes into contact with a block 49,
depending from the frame I, which is just as the gate 90 is raised.
When this spring
arm 47 engages the block 49, it moves the vibrating lever 46 to throw the arm 43
out of engagement with the end 41 of the double pawl, and brings the arm 44 into
engagement with the double pawl, so as to throw the end 42 into action with the
ratchet 11, thus withdrawing the pawl 41 from engagement with the rack 11.
Hence, as the sliding carriage F moves rearward, the pawl 42 will move freely over
the ratchet 28, but prevent any forward movement of the carriage F to take place
until its full rearward throw has been made, at which time a stud 50 on its lever 46
will engage with a pin 29, and throw the pawl end 41 in operative relation to the
rack 11.
The block 49 and pin 29 thus constitute a switch, operating through the rocking
lever 46 and its attachments to control the operative action of the pawl 41, 42.
When the jaws 25, 26 move rearward, they are opened, to receive between them
the stamp that has been fed forward, and projects slightly beyond the guide 82, then
extended in its foremost position, by means of the cam ends 27 passing over the
cam 32, the action being to raise the jaw 25 from the jaw 26, against the pressure of
the spring 86. As the lower jaw meets the protruded guide 82, it pushes it back to
place against the pressure of the spring 74, the lower jaw 26 then passing for

page_text: nipping support, onto the toes 20, that extend from the frame I, while the cams' 27
of the jaw 25 are pressed down by the spring 86, so as to again pass beneath the
cams 32, upon a repetition of the operation, or forward movement of the sliding
carriage. As this rearward movement of the jaws 25, 26, is finishing, and just as the
feeding movement of the ribbon of stamps is finished, the cam 21 on the guide 82
will engaze one of the arms 83, and raise the feeding roller 62 sufficiently to permit
the ribbon of stamps to straighten out and lie flat, thus taking up any overfeeding
that may have occurred. As. this is done at each feeding movement, it operates to
keep the stamp in the proper relative position with respect to the mechanisms.,
For the purpose of putting the machine out of action when the stamps are
exhausted, a suspending device is provided, consisting of a rod 15, that may be
dropped to bring its stopping head in front of the stud 16, that is carried, by the
sliding plate b, which is thus prevented from being moved to open the slot a suffi-
ciently to permit the introduction of the appropriate coin.
This rod 15 is pivoted to one end of a cross lever 98, the opposite end of which is
held depressed by a latch bar' 97, so that normally the head of the bar 15 is held
raised above the stud 16. The latch bar 97 is moved to trip the lever 98 by means
of a lever 95, when the latter is engaged by a spring arm 96, carried by the reel
upon which the ribbon of stamps is wound. This arm 96 extends sidewise from the
reel (see Fig. 3), and is maintained in a position to keep it out of engagement
with the lever 95, by being bound close to the core of the reel by the body of
stamps wound thereon. When, however, the ribbon of stamps is nearly exhausted,
and becomes loose, this arm will press outward, and engaging the lever 95, it will
release and drop the arm 15, thus interposing the head of the arm.15 in the pathway
of the stud 16, and stopping its movement, prevent the introduction of a coin, to
cause the operation of the apparatus.
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 correspondent. I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination, in coin-freed apparatus of the casing having the slot to
receive the coins, with a movable plate (b), having a shoulder arranged to extend
partly across said slot in position to be engaged by a coin of the proper thickness,
substantially as described.
2. The combination, in coin-freed apparatus of the casing having the slot a to
receive the coins, with the movable plate having the slot c registering with the
slot a, and contracted at one end to form shoulders which project partly across the
slota, substantially as described.
3. The combination in coin-freed apparatus, of the casing having the slot a to
receive the coins, with a movable plate (b) having a shoulder arranged to extend
partly across said slot, and thereby reduce its width at one end; a second plate d,
movable with, and independently of the plate b, and extending across the portion of
the slot a (which is reduced in width by the shoulders), and in position to be engaged
by a coin or piece of metal of less than the proper thickness, and the latch plate g
operated by said plate d to lock the plate b, substantially as described.
4. The combination, in coin-freed apparatus of a support (k) arranged to receive
the coins as they are introduced into the machine, and to direct them forward in the
proper course, and a magnet E located adjacent to said support, and in position to
attract and retain thereon pieces of iron or other metal capable of being attracted by
a magnet, substantially as described.
5. The combination, in coin-freed apparatus, of a support (k), arranged to receive
the coins as they are introduced into the machine, and to direct them forward in the
proper course, and a magnet E located adjacent to said support, and in position to
attract and retain thereon pieces of iron or other metal, capable of being attracted
by a magnet, and the guide n operated to remove the arrested metal from the support
by the deposit of the next coin, substantially as described.

page_text: 6. The combination, in coin-freed apparatus, of the casing having the slot to
receive the coins, with the guide h, the counterbalanced support k, and the stop 14,
for arresting a coin or piece of metal which is heavier than the proper coin, sub-
stantially as described.
7. The combination, in coin-freed machine apparatus, of the casing having the
slot to receive the coins, with the guide h, the counterbalanced support k, and the
stop 14, for arresting a coin or piece of metal which is heavier than the proper coin,
and the guide n operated to remove such heavier coin or piece of metal from the
support by the deposit of the next coin, substantially as described.
8. In coin freed apparatus, a shute (C), having an inclined bottom along which
the coins roll upon their edges, and an inclined side against which the coins lean,
said side having an opening t, of slightly less width than the diameter of the required
coin, substantially as described.
9. In coin-freed apparatus, a delivery mechanism for the stamps, the various
feeding, detaching, and ejecting operations of which are caused by the reciprocating
movement of its sliding carriage, imparted by a pulling handle, substantially as
described.
10. The combination, in coin-freed apparatus, of a delivery mechanism set into
operation by a sliding pull, and operating to detach the foremost stamp from a strip,
and deliver the same out of the machine, substantially as described.
11. In a coin-freed vending apparatus wherein the various operations of feeding,
detaching, and delivering the stamp are accomplished by the sliding movement of a
reciprocating carriage, the combination therewith of a governing lever normally acting
to lock the carriage stationary, and adapted to gravitate and release said carriage,
substantially as described.
12. The combination with the sliding carriage F, of the double ratchet bar,
vibrating double pawl, and a switch operating at the end of a completed movement
of the carriage in either direction, to set the pawl into engagement with the
ratchet bar, to prevent a false movement of said carriage, substantially as described.
13. In coin-freed apparatus, the combination with a sliding or reciprocating
carriage, whereby the feeding, detaching, and ejecting operations are effected, of a
safety apparatus operating to compel the completion of the movement of the carriage,
once begun, in either direction, before the reverse movement can be made, sub-
stantially as described.
14. In coin-freed apparatus, the combination with the mechanism for feeding the
ribbon of stamps forward, of a detent operating to nip and hold the ribbon of
stamps, and a detaching mechanism operating to seize the foremost stamp, and,
by a sliding movement, to detach the same from the ribbon substantially as
described.
15. In coin-freed apparatus, the combination in the delivery mechanism for the
stamps, of a stationary part through which the stamps are fed, and a sliding carriage
carrying a detaching mechanism operating to seize the foremost stamp, remove it
from the ribbon of stamps, and deposit it in a delivery shute, substantially as
described.
16. In coin-freed apparatus, the combination with the stationary part of the
delivery mechanism through which the stamps are fed and periodically held, and the
sliding carriage carrying the detaching mechanism, operating to seize the foremost
stamp, remove the same from the ribbon of stamps, and deliver the same, of a
controlling gate, and means preventing its opening to discharge the stamp until
the sliding carriage has completed its actuating movement, substantially as
described.
17. The combination of the sliding carriage and the controlling gate connected
together and operated so that the forward movement of the carriage shall be
completed before it raises the said gate, to discharge the stamps, substantially as
described.
18. The combination with the sliding carriage carrying the stamp delivering

page_text: jaws 25, 26, of the sliding stamp guide 82, whereby the foremost stamp is supported
close to the jaws, when the same advance to seize it, substantially as described.
19. The combination with the sliding carriage F, ratchet bar having opposed
teeth 28, 11, of the double pawl 42, 41, and switch lever 46, with its arms 43, 44,
substantially as described.
20. The combination with the sliding carriage F, ratchet bar having opposed
teeth 28, 11, of the double pawl 42, 41, switch lever 46, its arms 43, 44, and the stop
block 49 and stop pin 29, substantially as described.
21. The combination with the rack carried by the sliding carriage F, the pinion
driven thereby, and the feeding wheels, of a clutch for connecting the shaft carrying
the pinion with the said pinion wheel, so as to rotate them to perform the feeding
operation, substantially as described.
22. The combination with the sliding carriage F, its rack 65, the feeding roll 62,
wheel 60, and pinion 64, on shaft 61, of ratchet wheel 73 and pawl 71, substantially
as described.
23. The combination with the feed roll 62, of means for raising it temporarily out
of action at the end of its feeding movement, substantially as described.
24. The combination with the feed roller 62 and jaws 25, 26, of the sliding guide 82
and its cam 21, substantially as described.
25. The combination with the jaws 25, 26, and sliding guide 82, of a spring 74,
substantially as described.
$
26. The combination with the jaws 25, 26, and pins 24, of the sliding guide 82 and
its tongue 94, substantially as described.
I
27. The combination with the feeding roll 62 and nipping jaw 30, of the recipro-
cating jaws 25, 26, and cam arms 33, substantially as described.
28. The combination with the reciprocating jaws 25, 26, and nipping jaw 30, of
actuating cam arms 83, and elastic connections between said jaw 30 and arms 33,
substantially as described.
-
29. The combination with the nipping jaws 25, 26, and the sliding carriage, of the
rock-arms 37 and cams 36 and 40, substantially as described.
30. The combination with the nipping jaws 25, 26, of the tappet 77 and stop 78,
substantially as described.
31. The combination with the nipping jaws 25, 26, of the tappet 77, stop 78, and
cams 36 and 40, substantially as described.
32. The combination with the nipping jaws 25, 26, of the toes.20, substantially as
described..
I
33. The combination with the nipping jaws 25, 26, and arms 33, of the spring 86,
substantially as described.
.
'
34. The combination with the nipping jaws 25, 26 and arms 33, of the spring 86,
and toes 20, substantially as described.
35. The combination with the sliding carriage F and its tappet 93, of the gate 90,
and lifting lever 91, substantially as described.
36. The combination with the sliding carriage F, and its nose piece 55, of the
governing lever B, and its shoe 52, substantially as described.
37. The combination with the sliding carriage F, and its nose piece 55, of the
governing lever B, its shoe 52, stop 56, and stud 58, substantially as described.
38. The combination with the sliding carriage F and its nose piece 55, a
governing lever B, its shoe 52, and stop 56, of the stud 58 and coin guide G, sub-
stantially as described.
39. The combination with the coin slot a, the plate b, co-operating therewith, and
the arm 15 of the rocking lever 90, latch bar 97, lever 95, and actuating spring arm,
released to operate upon said lever 95, by unreeling the ribbon or strip of stamps
therefrom, substantially as described.
40. In coin-freed apparatus, the combination with the sliding carriage whereby the
feeding, detaching, and ejecting operations are effected, of the spring operated
retracting rod, substantially as described.

page_text: 41. In coin freed apparatus, the combination with the sliding carriage whereby the
feeding, detaching, and ejecting operations are effected, of the cushioned rod 99,
substantially as described.
42. In coin-freed apparatus, the combination with the sliding carriage whereby
the feeding, detaching, and ejecting operations are effected, of the rod 99, piston 100,
and cylinder 101, substantially as described.