Improvements in what are known as Automatic or Coin-freed Dynamometers.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th uec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 14th Feb., 1891 -Accepted, 4th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in what are known as Automatic or Coin-freed
Dynamometers.
We, CHARLES ARTHUR BARRETT and ALFRED BARRETT, both of Beech
Street, Barbican, in the County of London, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of a novel and simple apparatus for
testing the power exerted by the hand of a person in twisting or wringing, the
apparatus only working on a coin of proper value being inserted therein and which
coin, if the power exerted exceeds a given amount is returned to the user of the
apparatus.
In carrying out our invention we employ a slotted spindle carried in a frame and
suitably connected to a dynamometer spring; the free end of the said spindle
outside the case of the apparatus is provided with a handle whereby the spindle can
be turned. A coin chute is provided in the case of the apparatus and the spindle is
locked in its normal position by a bolt or locking arrangement.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-On a proper coin being inserted into
the coin slot it will pass down the chute until it comes onto the spindle, unlocking
the bolt in its passage. If now the handle be turned the spindle will move with it
until the slotted portion of the spindle comes under the coin which, being no
longer supported, drops into the slot. If the handle and spindle be continued to be
moved in the same direction the coin will, if the spindle be turned beyond a given
point drop out of the slot and be conveyed by a suitable channel outside the
apparatus; if, however, the handle be not turned past the said given point, the
spindle, on the release of the handle, will be carried back by the dynamometer
spring into its normal position discharging the coin into a receptacle provided for it
within the case of the apparatus.
An ordinary dial is provided, the power exerted being indicated thereon by a
hand or pointer which is advantageously fixed on the spindle.
In order to prevent the aperture or mouth of the channel which conveys the coin
outside the apparatus, when sufficient power is exerted from becoming blocked, we
find it advantageous to provide a shutter which closes the aperture when the parts
of the machine are in their normal position but which uncovers the said opening as
the spindle is turned; this shutter can be operated by the turning of the spindle.
Any suitable or usual arrangement is employed for preventing coins of too small
a value or size unlocking the spindle or blocking the mechanism.
Tad the 0th day of Dreamhor 1890.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in what are known as Automatic or Coin-freed
Dynamometers.
We, CHARLES ARTHUR BARRETT and ALFRED BARRETT, both of Beech
Street, London, England, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of our invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WHAT ARE KNOWN AS AUTOMATIC OR COIN-FREED
DYNAMOMETERS," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to the construction of a novel and simple apparatus for testing
the power exerted by the hand of a person in twisting or wringing, the apparatus
027

page_text: only working on a coin of proper value being inserted therein and which coin,
if the power exerted exceeds a given amount is returned to the user of the
apparatus.
In carrying out our invention we employ a spindle (hereinafter referred to as the
twist spindle) suitably connected to a dynamometer spring or springs, the said
spindle being provided with a coin-slot and on one end outside the case of the
apparatus with a handle whereby the spindle can be turned. A.coin chute is
provided in the case of the apparatus and the spindle is locked in its normal position
by a bolt or locking arrangement.
An ordinary dial is provided upon which the torsional power exerted is indicated
by a hand or pointer advantageously fixed on the spindle.
In order to prevent the aperture or mouth of the channel which conveys the coin
outside the apparatus, when sufficient power is exerted, from being blocked by
paper, &c., pushed up from the outside, we find it advantageous to provide a shutter
which closes the aperture when the parts of the machine are in their normal
position but which uncovers the said opening as the spindle is turned; this shutter
is advantageously operated by the turning of the spindle.
Any suitable or usual arrangement is employed for preventing coins of too small
a value or size unlocking the spindle or blocking the mechanism.
To enable our invention to be fully understood we will describe the same with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a coin-freed dynamometer, provided with our
improvements; and
Figure 2 is a similar view but with a part of the front of the case removed to
shew the internal mechanism.
Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus, one side of the case being removed.
Figures 4 and 5 are sections on the lines, and y, y respectively of Figure 3.
a indicates the case of the apparatus, the twist "spindle carried in bearings in
the said case, and c the handle secured to the said spindle on the outside of the
case, the said handle being partly within a recess d in the front of the case, which
recess is surrounded by a shield e into which the hand has to be placed to reach the
handle c. This arrangement of the sleeve prevents the application of a lever to the
handle c or the use of two hands, whereby the apparatus could be improperly
operated.
f,fare springs, each of which at one end is connected to a chain, which chains
are also attached to the twist-spindle b, the other end of each of the said springs
being connected to an eye-bolt h, passing through a hole in a cross-bar i within the
case a and provided with a thumb-nut j for regulating the tension of the spring.
With this arrangement it will be obvious that when the twist-spindle is moved in
the direction of the arrows, Figures 1 and 2, the chains g, g will be more or less
wound upon the twist-spindle, thereby extending the springs, the amount of
extension, as is obvious, depending upon the torsional power exerted.
k is the money-slot, and is the chute which directs the coins into a hopper l,
whence the coins fall into a chamber, in connection with which is arranged the
locking mechanism. The chamber is formed between two plates m, m¹ secured
to a cross-bar m² and the hopper is carried at a short distance above the
chamber ľ² by means of an arm 1ª upon the back of the plate m so as to form a slot
or opening for the purpose hereinafter described.
The locking mechanism comprises a bolt n sliding in guides between the
plates m, m', and a bell-crank lever n', one arm of which is in engagement with the
bolt n whilst the other arm projects into the chamber in such a manner that,
when a coin falls into the said chamber, it will operate the said bell-crank lever, as
indicated by dotted lines in Figure 5, to lift the said bolt.
Upon the twist-spindle 6 is a lug or projection 3 so placed that, when the
apparatus is in its normal position, the bolt n obstructs its path, as shewn in
Figures 2, 4 and 5.
o is an arm fixed to an extension upon the twist-spindle and having one end bent,

page_text: as shewn most clearly in Figure 3, so as to enter the slot . This bent arm serves
to prevent a coin from falling from the hopper into the chainber 12 in case the
lug n is in contact with the bolt n, as indicated in Figure 4, in which position the
friction between the said bolt and lug would probably be so great as to render it
impossible for the coin to operate the bell-crank lever to lift the bolt.
p is the coin slot in the twist-spindle 6 into which the coin drops from the
chamber. This coin-slot is so placed that if, when the parts of the apparatus are
in their normal position a coin is introduced, it will rest upon the twist-spindle, as
indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 5, thereby retaining the locking mechanism
in the unlocked position so that the twist spindle can be operated; when, however,
the said spindle is turned in the direction of the arrow, Figure 5, the coin will drop
into the slot p. Should the twisting power exerted be sufficient the slot will be
carried so far round that the coin will roll therefrom into a chute by which the
said coin will be returned to the operator through a slot r. Should, however, the
power exerted be insufficient to return the coin as described, the said coin will, on
the return of the parts to their normal positions fall into the case or into a money
box or bag therein.
P
s is another arm connected to the twist-spindle and having at its free end a plate
or shutter t which normally closes the slot to prevent the said slot from being
choked from the outside.
u is a bell or gong which we sometimes provide for announcing that a certain
amount of power has been exerted, and u¹ is a spring-arm to the end of which the
hammer for striking the bell is pivotted in a well-known manner. us is an arm
attached to the twist-spindle and serving to press back the hammer and, when the
desired point is reached, to release it.
is the hand or pointer carried by an arm secured to the twist-spindle, and
10, 10 are stops which limit the movement of the arm '.
is the dial for indicating the amount of power exerted, the said dial being
covered by a glass held in the frame upon the front of the case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to he performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A coin-freed dynamometer for testing the power of torsion, the twist-spindle
of which contains a slot into which the coin drops and from which the coin falls
either into the apparatus or, if the power exerted be great enough, into a chute by
which it is returned to the operator, substantially as described.
2. In a coin-freed dynamometer for testing the power of torsion, the combination
with the twist-spindle, of a bolt adapted to engage with a lug upon the said spindle,
the said bolt being operated to unlock the apparatus through the medium of a lever
actuated by the falling coin, substantially as described.
3. In a coin-freed dynamometer for testing the power of torsion, the combination
of a slotted twist-spindle having springs arranged in connection therewith, sub-
stantially as described and means for unlocking the spindle, substantially as set
forth.
4. In a coin-freed dynamometer in which the coin is returned to the operator
upon a certain power being exerted, a shutter for closing the slot through which the
coin is returned, substantially as, and for the purpose, described.
5. The manufacture and use of the improved automatic or coin-freed dynamo-
meter for testing the power of torsion, substantially as herein before described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 14th day of Kahru 1901
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicants.