Improved Coin-freed Mechanism for Controlling the Use of Seats, Doors, Lids, and the like.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov.. 1888
Complete Specification Left, 6th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Coin-freed Mechanism for Controlling the Use of Seats,
Doors, Lids, and the like.
I, BERTIE HALLETT, of No. 61, Charlotte Street, Portland Place, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in coin-freed mechanism adapted to control
the use of seats, doors, lids and the like, and has more particular reference to the
mechanisms described in the Specification of a former Patent No. 9802 of 1888, upon
which the present invention is an improvement by way of modification in the direction
of simplicity, and consequent cheapness and non-liability to derangement.
Seats, doors, lids and the like all have a common motion when they are used, viz.,
one through an arc about a fixed centre and which is so far distinct from a rectilinear
motion, such as that of a drawer. The applicability of my invention is not affected
by the position of the plane in which the said motion through an arc takes place.
In carrying my invention into effect and applying it to a chair seat, I pivot the
latter to the frame and provide a suitable device adapted to keep the latter up against
the back, in which position it will be locked by the special mechanism which is the
subject of my present invention.
I provide a box upon the chair-frame and adopt it in respect of position and
construction to discharge the double duties of till and case for the mechanism.
A quadrant fast upon the side of the seat enters the said case through a slot provided
for that purpose.
I form a recess upon the quadrant adapted to receive the intending user's coin
which is to be of the proper diameter, and to be dropped into the recess through the
coin-slit. A suitable shelf projecting from the side of the case is provided to prevent
the coin dropping out of the recess before the pawl next described is lifted.
This pawl is pivotted to the case and is held down upon the quadrant by a suitable
device. The nose of the pawl is rounded off on its under side so that it will readily
yield before the coin when the latter is carried against it by the outward motion of the
quadrant.
If the coin is too small or absent, then will the pawl engage in the coin-recess
if any attempt bo made, to use the seat and by locking the quadrant fustrate such
attempt.
thin 2-1 law of November 1888
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Coin-freed Mechanism for Controlling the Use of Seats
Doors, Lids, and the like.
1, BERTIE HALLETT, late of No. 61, Charlotte Street, Portland Place, but now of
No. 38, Great Russell Street, both in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, 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 improvements in coin-freed mechanisms adapted to control
the use of seats, doors, lids, and the like; and has more particular reference to the
nechanisms described in the Specification of a former Patent No. 9802 of 1888 upon
which the present invention is an improvement by way of modification in the direction
of simplicity, and consequent cheapness and non liability to derangement.

page_text: Seats, doors, lids and the like all have a common motion when they are used,
viz., one through an are about a fixed centre; and which is, so far, distinct from a
rectilinear motion, such as that of a drawer. The applicability of my invention is
not affected by the position of the plane in which the said motion through an are
takes place.
In carrying my invention into effect and applying it to a chair seat, I pivot the
latter to the frame and provide a suitable device adapted to keep the latter up against
the back, in which position it will be locked by the special mechanism which is the
subject of my present invention.
I provide a box upon the chair-frame, and adapt it in respect of position and
construction to discharge the double duties of till and case for the mechanism.
A quadrant fast upon the side of the seat enters the said case through a slot provided
for that purpose.
I form a recess upon the quadrant adapted to receive the intending user's coin or
coins dropped in one above the other which is to be of the proper diameter and to be
dropped into the recess through the coin-slit. A suitable shelf projecting from the
side of the case is provided to prevent the coin dropping out of the recess before
the pawl next described is lifted."
This pawl is pivotted to the case, and is held down upon the quadrant by a suitable
device. The nose of the pawl is rounded off on its under side so that it will readily
yield before the coin when the latter is carried against it by the outward motion of the
quadrant.
If the coin is too small or absent, then will the pawl engage in the coin-recess if
any attempt be made to use the seat, and by locking the quadrant, frustrate such
attempts.
It is obvious that the part above referred to as a quadrant may be made as part of
a drum, the operative part of whose periphery will be the quadrant of my invention.
The shape of the case is then modified accordingly.
Referring to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as part of this
specification and read therewith,
Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation.
Fig. 2 is a sectional end elevation.
Fig. 3 is an internal elevation of one of the side plates of the box.
Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation of a modification.
Fig. 5 is a sectional end elevation corresponding therewith.
Fig. 6 is a sectional side clevation of a further modification.
Fig. 7 is a sectional end elevation corresponding therewith.
Fig. 8 is a sectional side elevation of a further modification.
Fig. 9 is a sectional end elevation corresponding therewith.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A is part of the frame of the seat pivotted on the
rod a; and A', part of the adjacent chair-side to which the box B containing the
locking and releasing mechanism of my invention is fixed.
C is the coin-slit. D is a quadrant fixed to the side of the seat A, and adapted to
work according to the motion of the seat in and out the box B through an opening d
cut in the front thereof. Its are is therefore struck from the axis of the rod a as a
centre.
On the inner end of the quadrant I form a pair of projections d', d², at right
angles with the quadrant and parallel with each other and the coin-slit.
These projections therefore produce a recess adapted to receive the coin e when it
drops from the coin-slit C.
E is a bracket upon
the inside face of the box-side B', and is adapted to serve as a
seat for the coin when it is in the recess between the projections d¹ d².
F is a pawl pivotted upon the pin and kept in contact with the quadrant D by a
spring for an equivalent thereof. So long as the chair-seat is up against the chair-
back, ie., in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the nose of the pawl will be just clear
of the coin-recess in the quadrant.
The outer end of the pawl has a detent ƒ depending from it. This detent rides

page_text: upon the top of the quadrant, except when it is over the locking notch formed
in the latter, when it will be forced thereinto for the purpose of locking the chair-
seat. The bevelled edge is provided for the purpose of facilitating the release of
the detent from the coin-recess.
In addition to this tooth I form a lateral extension which presents a bevelled edge
to the coin in the recess so that it will be able to lift the pawl up and pass under it as
the seat is pulled forward.
My invention constructed as above described operates in the following manner.
The seat being held up against the back as illustrated in Fig. 1, a coin of the proper
diameter is dropped in through the coin-slit C, from which it falls into the coin-recess
in the end of the quadrant D, and rests upon the bracket E. The coin must be large
enough when it is on the bracket to project above the top of the recess; and at the
same time, not too large to engage with the bevelled edge of the lateral extension f^^,
when it is required to raise the pawl.
The seat is next pulled forward, when the coin engages with the extension and
lifts the pawl. The bracket E is long enough to support the coin until the locking
recess (aligned with the coin-recess) has passed the detent f. As the seat is
returning to the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the pawl is lifted by the projection d¹
bearing against the bevelled edge f³.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the mechanism is on the inside of the chair-frame A¹,
instead of on the outside as illustrated in the preceding figures and described
therewith.
A is part of the chair-seat which is adapted to turn as before described about the
rod a.
H is a drum fast to the said part. I is a second drum axially within
the former and fixed to the chair frame A1. h is a catch or detent pivotted to
the drum H at ; and h³, a spring provided for the purpose of pressing it against the
drum I. C is the coin-slit; e, the coin; and E, the coin-bracket fast upon the
drum H. is a second coin-slit in the drum I. The two coin-slits coincide when
the seat is up. ³ is a cover to conceal the spring and catch.
So long as the seat is not in use, the mechanisin stands in the position illustrated
in the figures. If the chair seat be pulled forward without a coin having been
previously paid into the slit C, the catch will be forced by the spring into the
coin-slit C, when the seat will be thereby locked. But if a coin of the proper
diameter has been paid into the mechanism through the coin-slits C C¹, and the
seat be pulled forward, then will the catch or detent ride over the top edge of
the coin resting upon the bracket E, and down the periphery of the druin I, the
said bracket being moved from under the coin at the same time. The latter then
drops to the bottom of the drum 1.
I wish to point out that the diameter of the coin is of considerable importance.
The coin must be large enough to prevent the catch engaging in the coin-slit C, and
at the same time not large enough to bind against the drum I, much less to lock in
the coin-slit C.
Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the mechanism is fixed to the outside of the chair
frame A¹.
A is part of the seat pivotted as already described; and B is the box.
J is a quadrant fast to the chair-seat. A suitable slot is cut in the front of the
box, to allow the quadrant to work backwards and forwards. This slot is protected
by weather guards j, j'. The quadrant has a notch formed in its upper face.
K is a catch pivotted at k. A spring is provided to keep it constantly pressing
upon the quadrant J. The nose 2 of the catch is properly shaped to engage in the
notch. This nose is always in advance, i.e., to the front, of the notch in the quadrant
when the seat is up. C is the coin-slit, and slots coinciding with the said slit when
the seat is up are formed in both catch and quadrant. These slots are shewn by dotted
lines in Fig. 6. A small friction roller k³ is mounted at the front end of the slot in
the catch.
L, L' are pins adapted to together form a coin-rest. The former is provided with
a friction roller l.

page_text: The operation of the above described modification is as follows.
When a coin of the proper diameter is paid into the coin-slit C, it drops through
the slots in the catch K and quadrant J onto the coin-rest L L'. If the seat now. be
pulled forward, the quadrant will move the coin to the front over the pin L, and bring
the top of it in contact with the roller ³ of the catch K, with the result that the catch
will be disengaged from the quadrant-this position is shown in dotted lines-and
the seat be free to be pulled down for use.
It will be noted that the proper diameter of the coin is one that will bring the
coin-top into proper contact with the catch for disengaging it from the quadrant.
If the coin be too small, it cannot raise the catch high enough to effect disengagement :
if too large, it will butt against the catch instead of riding under it.
Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the mechanism illustrated herein is a modification of the
one illustrated in the two preceding figures and described therewith. The distinguishing
feature of it is this: that it can be operated by two coins, each one of half the value
of the charge for the hire of the chair.
N is a coin recess open at the top, front, and under side, but closed behind, i.e., next
the pivot o of a pivotted coin-rest 0. Its depth is rather less than the diameter of
one coin.
This coin-rest is heavier in front than behind the pivot; and is so proportioned
that when the short limb is held down by the quadrant J, the long limb is close
up to the underside, so as to form a rest for the first coin. The other members of
the mechanism are, respectively, practically identical with those illustrated in Figs. 6
and 7, and described therewith, and are therefore marked with the samo reference
lotters.
The operation of the modification now under description is as follows:
When the first coin e' is dropped into the coin-slit C, it drops into the recess N, in
which latter it is supported by the long limb of the coin rest O. The second coin e
will rest upon the first. At the same time its top will project above the catch far
enough to engage with the roller ³ on the said catch for the purpose of disengaging
it from the quadrant J.
It is clear that the two coins must possess a joint diameter that will satisfy the
requirements explained with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, and so provide for the operation
described in the preceding paragraph.
The accompanying figures illustrate the application of my invention to a flap the
axis of which is horizontal. In applying it to a door, the axis of which is vertical,
the necessary modifications will be confined to the position of the coin-shoot and its
connection with the operative parts of the respective mechanisms; or instead of
modifying the arrangements, the axis of the door may be connected with that of
the pivot a by a pair of mitre wheels.
I wish it to he distinctly understood that my invention is not confined to the one
application illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described therewith, viz., to
the control of a chair-seat, but is equally applicable to the control of a door, lid, or
flap of any kind adapted to move about an axis, if it is required that the several
motions of such door, lid, or flap, shall be consequent upon the prior introduction of a
coin, or its equivalent, into a private receptacle containing the mechanism which is
the subject of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In mechanism for controlling the motion of a seat, door, or flap, the combination
of coin-slit, quadrant, coin-recess and detent on quadrant, as set forth with reference
to the accompanying figures 1, 2 and 3.
2. In mechanism for controlling the motion of a seat, door, or flap, the combination
of coin-slit, quadrant, coin-recess, detent, locking notch and releasing lateral extension
as set forth with reference to the accompanying figures 1, 2 and 3.
3. In mechanism for controlling the notion of a seat, door, or flap, the combination

page_text: of coin-slit, quadrant, detent, coin-recess, and locking notch in the said quadrant,
releasing lateral extension working with the detent, and coin bracket, as set forth with
reference to the accompanying figures 1, 2 and 3.
4. In mechanism for controlling the motion of a seat, door, or flap, the combination
of quadrant being a portion of the periphery of a drum, coin-slit in the case, coin-
slit in the said quadrant, and catch or detent, as and for the purpose set forth with
reference to the accompanying figures 4 and 5.
5. In mechanism for controlling the motion of a scat, door, or flap, the combination
of coin-slit, slotted quadrant and catch adapted to engage with each other for the
purpose of locking, and coin-rest from which the coin can be moved by a short
forward motion of the seat or its equivalent and caused to disengage the catch from
the quadrant, so as to permit of the further motion of the said flap, as set forth with
reference to the accompanying figures 6 and 7.
6. In mechanism for controlling the motion of a seat, door, or flap, the combination
of slotted catch and quadrant adapted to engage with each other for the purpose
of locking, a coin recess, and a pivotted rest controlled by the quadrant, the distance
from the rest when operating as such and the catch being according to the joint
diameter of two coins, as set forth with reference to the accompanying figures 8
and 9.
Dated this 3rd day of August 1889
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.