Improvements in Apparatus for Receiving Payments and Permitting the Administration of Electricity in Exchange therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 4th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by DAVID RICHMOND JOHNSTON, of 9, Rue des Menuisier,
Antwerp, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Medical Student.]
Improvements in Apparatus for Receiving Payments and Permitting
the Administration of Electricity in Exchange therefor.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows :―
My invention relates to apparatus for administering or transmitting electricity
after the deposit in the said apparatus of a coin or coins.
An important feature of my said invention is the construction of the apparatus
in such a manner that, although the various parts may be operated by the turning
of a handle, a coin must be inserted before the electric circuit can be completed and
electricity administered.
In carrying my said invention into practice 1 provide a box or caso to which is
attached two handles or devices one of which is capable of movement and the other
of which may or may not be fixed.
I provide a suitable battery, an induction coil, having a fixed iron core and a
contact breaker, and I arrange a brass tube to slide over the said iron core. Ono
end of the said brass tube I attach to the movable handle in such a manner that on
the said handle being moved the brass tube is caused to uncover more or less the
iron core and thus increase or diminish the strength of the secondary currents. I
place the said handles in the secondary circuit of the induction coil. There is
however a break or gap in the primary circuit which prevents the administration of
electricity by the apparatus until a coin is inserted. On a coin or coins being dropped
into the apparatus the said break or gap is filled up and the primary circuit being
thereby completed the apparatus is set to work when the handle is turned and currents
are produced in the secondary wire. Provision is made for removing the coin when
desired or after a given period so as to again break the primary circuit and stop the
working of the apparatus.
I sometimes combine with the apparatus a peal of bells, each bell being fitted with
a clapper the end of which is prolonged and struck by any moving part of the
apparatus. I also sometimes attach a flag or other device to each bell or otherwise,
which flags may be exposed to sight during the time the machine is used and which
may fall back or otherwise after the machine is used and these bells or flags or other
devices may be actuated either only when the coin is inserted or otherwise. In
addition to striking one bell at a time I may arrange to strike two or more
simultaneously.
I may also provide some other musical device in lieu of bells. A convenient
method of making contact is by means of a small eccentric attached to the moving
handle.
In some instances provision is made whereby the circuit may be completed by
moving the bandle, when but not until a coin is inserted.
Dated this 4th day of February 1889.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Receiving Payments and Permitting
the Administration of Electricity in Exchange therefor.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Huseltino, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 apparatus for permitting the administration of electricity
after the deposit in the said apparatus of a coin or coins of predetermined value.
An important feature of my said invention is the construction of the apparatus
in such a manner that, although the various parts may at any time be moved by
the turning of a handle, a coin or coins must be inserted before the electric circuít
can be completed and the current of electricity administered.
Another feature of my said invention is the combination, with a suitable device for
varying the strength of the current at will, of a series, chime or penl of bells, and
means whereby, when the said device is operated, the said bells will be successively
sounded, and the increase in the strength of the current thus indicated, either by the
number of hells rung or by the difference in the tone of the several bells.
My said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter set
forth.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
and
Figure 1 is a plan, part of the upper portion of the box or caso being removed,
Figure 2a front elevation, partly in vertical section, showing one forin or
modification of any improved apparatus.
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on the lino z, z, Figuro 1.
Figuro is a transverse section on the line y, y, Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 2, 2, Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section showing details of construction
hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the box or case of the apparatus. A is a compartment provided in the
said box or case and intended to contain the cells of the electric battery. B is the
aperture or slit for the insertion of coins into the said apparatus. C is the coin-chute.
Dis the induction or intensity coil. E E are the external handles (one of which
is movable) for operating the apparatus as hereinafter described. F is a frame
carrying the mechanism and arranged within and secured to the box or case A.
The induction or intensity coil D is preferably provided with a fixed iron
core D', Figure 3, having a brass tube D arranged to slide over it. The said
brass tube B
projects from the said induction or intensity coil and is coupled by
means of a connecting rod E to a crank E formed or fixed upon the stem E of
the handle E which is arrangel to rotate freely in a suitable bearing provided in
the frame F. On the said handle being movod, the brass tubo D will be caused to
uncover, more or less, the said iron core D' and thus increase or diminish tho
strength of the secondary currents. D is a suitable contact breaker or interrupter.
D is a spring for effecting the return movement of the tube D and handle E' after
each operation of the apparatus. The handles E E' are placed in the secondary
circuit of the induction or intensity coil D. There is howevor a break or gap in
the primary circuit which prevents the production of the electric current until a
coin is inserted.
I provide means whoroby on a coin or coins being dropped into the apparatus the
primary circuit can be completed, by turning the handle 1. I also provide for

page_text: the removal of the coin when desired or after a given period so as to again break
the primary circuit and stop the working of the apparatus.
The lower extremity of tho coin-chute C is formed with guide-pieces C¹ between
which a coin of the requisite dimensions can pass edgewise and which will support
the said coin while retained between a cam or excentric a fixed in any suitable
manner upon the inner end of the stem E² of the movable handle E³, and a piece b
hinged or pivoted at to a suitable bracket c secured to the box or case A. The
cam or excentric a and pivoted piece bare provided respectively with grooves a¹ 6*
so as to rotain the said coin edgewise between them. 6 is a spring which tends
to press the said pivoted piece b against the coin and thus assist in retaining the
latter in the grooves a¹, b. a is an adjustable piece secured to the said cam for
causing the discharge of the coin from the grooves a when the handle E¹ has
been partially rotated to any predetermined extent, so that the said coin will drop
into a suitable receptacle d provided in the bottom of the box or case A. c¹ is a
contact spring which is included in the primary circuit, the said spring being
provided with a binding post or terminal c³ for electrically connecting the said
primary wire or conductor therewith.
Upon turning the handle E¹ and thus rotating the cam or eccentric a so as to
press a coin against the pivoted piece b the said piece 6 is turned about its pivot
and the primary circuit is completed by the contact of the said pivoted piece b with
the contact spring c¹.
When the said handle E¹ has been turned through a certain predetermined angle,
the adjustable stop-piece a compels the said coin to drop from the grooves a¹ 6' into
the receptaclo d.
I provide suitable means for ensuring the release of the coin from between the
cam a and pivoted piece b, should the handle E' be turned through the required
angle to bring the said piece b into contact with the spring c¹ and partially uncover
the cord D of the induction-coil, but not through a sufficiently large angle to cause
the stop-piece a² to act upon the coin, and then be released. For this purpose a
spring è is secured to suitable brackets e¹ attached to the box or case A. Upon this
spring are provided teeth e with one or the other of which is adapted to engage a
catch or paw! * on the lower extremity of the pivoted piece b when the latter is
moved by the pressure of the coin on the turning of the cain or eccentric a. e³ is a
piece of insulating material provided upon the extremity of the spring e, and 6 is a
piece of insulating material upon the rear of the catch or pawl 6. When the handle E¹
is returned to its original position by the action of the spring D and the cam or
eccentric a moves into such a position that its cut away portion is brought opposite
the said pivoted piece 6 the latter is retained by one of the said teeth e and the coin
is thus permitted to drop from the grooves a¹, 63 into the receptacle d. In the action
of falling the said coin strikes the projecting extremity of the said spring e with
sufficient force to depress the latter and release the catch or pawl from the
tooth ethus permitting the pivoted piece b to resume its normal position under the
action of the spring b³
The above described device also obviates any liability to sticking of the coin in the
grooves a¹ when the handle E' is turned to its full extent.
ff indicate a peal of bells which I sometimes provide to enable the person
operating the apparatus to know the strength of the current which he is administering
to himself. The said bells are supported upon stems g secured to a circular or arc-
shaped piece h supported in any suitable manner upon the frame F, and the said
bells fare provided with hammers or clappers i, which are pivoted loosely at ¹, to
the upper extremities of leversj pivoted at j to projections on the said circular
or arc-shaped piece h. The lower extremities of the said leversj are provided with
catch pieces with which is adapted to engage a pin or projection upon the
upper extremity of an ariu or lever k pivoted at k to the box or case A and arranged
to be actuated, upon the turning the handle E', in the manner hereinafter described.
The catch pieces are pivoted at to the lower extremities of the levers ; in such a

page_text: manner that, when the handle E¹ is operated so as to increase the supply of
electricity, the said pin or projection & upon the arm or lever k will operate them so
as to cause the ringing or sounding of the bells/successively but on the return of
the said handle to its normal position the sail bells will not he rung or sounded. For
this purpose the said catch pieres are provided with extensions adapted to bear
against pins or studs and thus render the said catch pieces operative when struck
in one direction but permit them to turn upon their pivots when struck in the
other and thus ensure their remaining inoperative. are springs for retaining
the said entch pieces normally in position bearing against the said sinds or pins.
1, are springs adapted to be compressed when the levers j aro movel and which
operate to forcibly return the said levers to their normal positions and cause the
hammers or clappers i to strike against and ring or sound the said bells f. The
catch piece of the first boll for that nearest to the induction or intensity coil D
is provided with a pin or extension for the purpose hereinafter described;
the lever of the last bell for that furthest from the said induction or intensity
coil is not provided with a catch piece ♬ and spring 1, as the pin does not, in
this case, require to move beyond the lever j.
AA are windows provided in the box or case A through which the said bells
can be seen from the exterior. A³ is a similar window at which I provide for
xhibiting successively representations of different flags formed on an are-shaped or
segmental piece or other matter during the operation of the said apparatus as
hereinafter described.
The pin or projection is attached to a plate provided upon the upper
extremity of the arm or lever and secured thereon by means of set screws which
pass through sluts in the said plate 4. The said slots are formed of such a
length that the plate has a certain amount of endwise play or motion, and can
be thus caused to rise or fall upon the arm or lever k. 4ª is a spring which normally
retains the said plate in its highest position. The mid pin or projection k¹ is
adapted to strike against the lower extremities of the catches and thus move the
lovers so as to compress the springs I and cause the hammers or clappers i to strike
against and sound or ring the bells when the mechanism is operated as hereinbefore
mentioned. is a hook adapted to engage with the pin or projection upon the
entch of the first bell f.
The arm or lever is connected to a collar provided upon the tube D³, by means
of a set screw passing through a slot in the said arm or lever k, so that when
the said tube D is moved by turning the handle E the said arin or levor 4 will be
moved at the same time.
To prevent the bolls from being rung or sounded, should the handle E' be
turned without a coin of the requisite value having been previously inserted into the
apparatus, I provide a circular or are shaped guidem pivoted at m² to a bracket m³
attached to the circular or are shaped pieco h. m³ is a guide or support for
steadying the movement of the circular or are-shaped guide mand m' is a stop pioce
for limiting the movement of the said circular or are shaped guide m. The extremity
of the said circular or are shaped guide m is slightly turned upwards so that should
an attempt oo made to operate the apparatus without insorting a coin of the proper
value therein by turning the handle E¹ the pin or projection will pass underneath
the circular or are shaped guide m, and the plate being lowered by the compression
of the spring, and the bulls will not be sounded or rung.
To permit the ringing or sounding of the said bells where a coin of the proper
value has been inserted into the apparatus, I provide upon the circular or are-shaped
piece an electro magnet n, the armature o of which is fixed to the guide m. The
electro-magnola is coupled up in the primary circuit so that upon the insertion of a
coin of the proper value into the apparatus and the completion of the said primary
circuit by turning the handle E as hereinbefore described, the said armature o will
be attracted to the poles of the electro magnet and will thus pivot or move the
guide m into such a position that upon operating the handle E' the pin or projection k

page_text: eno said circular or are shaped guide m and successively ring or
sound the bells f.
The circular or are shaped guide m is so arranged that when the coin is forced or
drops out from the grooves a¹, and the primary circuit is broken or interrputed by
the return of the handle E' and the pivoted piece b to their normal positions the said
circular or are shaped guide will by reason of its weight also return to its normal
position. To obviate however any chance of the said circular or are shaped guide m
remaining in its highest position after the said primary circuit has been broken or
interrupted provide upon one extremity thereof an extension m³ against which is
adapted to bear the pawl or catch &* upon the return movement of the pivoted piece b,
thus ensuring the return of the said circular or are-shaped guide to its normal
position. In order to combine strength and lightness I prefer to form the said
guide m L-shaped in transverse section.
p as before mentioned is a quadrant or are secured to the arm or lever k and
having thereon representations of the flags of different nations or other suitable
matter, which are successively exhibited at the window A³ when the handle E' is
turne. In some instances each of the said flags is provided with a distinctive
figure number or other sign intended to indicate the strength of the current that is
induced as the said handle E' is turned and the core D' of the induction or intensity
coil D is partially uncovered.
The side of the box or case A carrying the frame F supporting the mechanism is
preferably formed removable so that the said mechanism can be easily and expeditiously
taken out for inspection or repairs, and the upper portion of the said box or case is
hinged to the lower portion thereof and is arranged to open for a like purpose the
coin chute being formed in two parts to permit of this operation. By opening the
upper part of the said box or case access can be had moreover to the money
receptacle d. A lock or locks are provided for preventing the unauthorised opening
of the said box or case.
Figure 6 illustrates a device which I provide for preventing fraud by the insertion
of discs of the requisite dimensions but formed of lead or other heavy metal.
C Figure 6 is a piece pivoted at C to the said hopper and provided with a weighted
arm or extension C. The said piece (normally fills up or closes an aperture or gap
provided in the bottom of the said coin chute C and is so arranged that a coin of the
proper value will pass over the same but a heavier article such as a disc of lead or the
like, will cause the said piece to pivot or move in the direction indicated by
the arrow Fig. 6, and permit the said disc to drop through the said aperture or gap
in the said coin chute C into the bottom of the box or case A or into the receptacle d
provided as before stated in the bottom of the said box or case for the reception of
coin.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows that is to say :-A coin of the proper
value and dimensions having been inserted into the coin slit or aperture B passes
down the coin chute C and drops as before described into the grooves a and b in
the cam or eccentric a and pivoted piece b. Upon the handle E being turned slightly
the pivoted piece is moved by the said cam or eccentric a and coin and forins
contact with the contact spring thus completing the primary circuit, the guide m
is then movel by the action of the electro-magnet n so as to permit the pin or
projection to pass over the said guide. As the handle E' is turned each of the
bells is rung in succession, and the brass tube D' is moved so as to uncover more
of the core D of the induction or intensity coil D. When the said handle E¹ has
been turned a predetermined distance the adjustable piece a² causes the coin to leave
or drop from the said grooves a', 6 and fall into the receptacle d in the bottom of
the box or case A. Should the coin from any cause have a tendency to stick or
remain in the said grooves after the handle E has been rotated so as to form contact
between the pivoted piece band the contact spring c' and is returned to its normal
position, the pivoted piece 6 will be retained by the engagement the knife edge b*
with one or other of the teeth e¹ upon the spring piece e¹ and, the coin will be released

page_text: and drop from the said grooves and by striking against the extremity of the snid
spring piece e depress the same and thus release the pivoted piece & which will resume
its normal position under the action of the spring 6 as hereints-fore described.
The ringing of the pral of bells will indicate to the person operating the apparatus
the amount of the electric current that is being given off or transmitted as the core of
the induction or intensity coil is uncovered, each successive hell indicating an increase
in the strength of the said current, and the entire peal that the strongest possible
current has been induced. As each bell is rung or sounded a different flag is
exhibited at the window A*.
Although have hereinbefore described a convenient and advantageous method of
enrrying my said invention into practice it is obvious that I can somewhat modify
the construction of my improved apparatus without however in any way departing
from the nature of my said invention. For instance the hells or flags or other devices
may be actuated either only when the coin is inserted or otherwise. In nd lition to
striking one bell at a time may arrange to strike two or more simultaneously.
I may also provide some other musical device in lieu of bells.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my 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 L'elaim is ;—
First. In an apparatus for permitting the self-administration of electricity upon the
insertion of a coin, the combination, with a device for varying the strength of the
electric current, of a series, peal or chime of bells or other sounding arrangement so
that, when the said device is operated, one or more of the bells or the like will he
sounded, for the purpose above specified.
Second. The combination, with a device for varying the strength of the electric
current and with the series, poal or chime of bells, of an adjustable guide or switch
for permitting the sounding of the bells when, but not until, the coin is inserted in
the apparatus.
Third. The combination, with the device for varying the strength of the electric
current, of a segment or its equivalent which has thereon a series of fings or other
designs and which will be operated by means of the said device to bring the said flags
or the like successively into view opposite a window or aperture in the box or ease or
otherwise.
Fourth. The improved means for completing the circuit after the insertion, of the
coin, comprising the grooved cam or eccentric and the grooved pivoted piece adapted
to bear against a suitable contact spring when the operating handle of the apparatus
is turned, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The improved menns for ensuring the release of the coin when the operating
handle is returned to its normal position, comprising the pawl or catch upon the
lower extremity of the pivoted piece adapted to engage with teeth on a supporting
spring, substantially as described.
Sixth. The combination, with the device for varying the strength of the electric
current, of the means for permitting the sounding of the bells when the said device
is operated, comprising the pivoted lover, the spring plate having a suitable pin or
projection and hook, the circular or are-shaped guide or switch and the electro-magnet
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Soventh. The combination of parts comprising the operating handle, the grooved
cam or eccentric, the grooved pivoted piece, the circular or arc-shaped piece carrying
the chime or peal of bells, the pivotted lever or arm arranged to be operated by the
said handle, the clappers or hammers, the pivoted guido and the electro-magnet,
substantially us, and for the purposes, set forth.
Bighth. The combination, with the grooved cam or eccentric and the grooved
pivoted piece, of the adjustable plate or piece a² for discharging the coin from the
grooves a', when the operating handle lias been turned through a predetermined
angle, substantially as described."

page_text: Ninth. The combination, with the coin-chute or aperture, of the improved device
for preventing fraud, comprising the pivoted piece c² having the counterweighted arm
or extension c, substantially as described.
Tenth. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with reference
to the accompanying drawings and operating as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Dated this 4th day of November 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.