Improvements in Automatic or Coin-freed Sale or Delivery Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 16th July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 16th Apr., 1895 -Accepted, 22nd June, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic or Coin-freed Sale or Delivery
Machines.
I, PHILIPP REINER, Mechanical Engineer, of Gutenbergstrasse, Ehrenfeld,
near Cologne, in the German Empire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for delivering newspapers, tickets, postcards,
cigars, and other objects one by one, after the insertion of a coin, but may be
applied also to automatic machines for delivering two or more objects at onc
time.
In a machine for selling postcards, the latter are piled up in such a manner, that
they are all horizontal, but do not cover each other completely, being alternately
placed lengthwise and cross-wise, or diagonally to each other, or they are arranged
in groups or sets, so that the cards of each group of two or more cover each other
completely, while those of the next group are all placed transversely or diagonally
to those of the first group.
If the cards are rectangular, with unequal sides, the entire stack seen from the
top has the shape of a shortened cross, and the funnel in which the cards are
guided consists chiefly of four angle irons placed in the four inner corners of the
cross, and provided with narrow flanges or ledges, to prevent the cards from
shifting in a longitudinal direction.
At the bottom of the stack or guide funnel there are two pairs of short flaps,
placed so, that the lowest card will rest with its narrow edges or ends on a pair
of flaps, and the hinge of each flap is close to the narrow edge of the card and
parallel to the same, while the free end of the flap is nearer to the middle of the
card, and the width of the flap is approximately equal to the difference between
the length and the breadth of a card.
It is not absolutely necessary, however, that the cards should be placed at
right angles to each other, they may be placed at any other convenient angle,
as long as one card projects over the other sufficiently, that it can be held fast.
The number and shape of the flaps varies according to the shape of the
objects.
Each flap is capable of turning downward from its horizontal position about
If the
90 degrees, and two opposite flaps are always moving at the same time.
cards are square, they are placed diagonally to each other, the vertical guide
funnel is composed of obtuse angle irons, and instead of four flaps, there may be
eight. In the case of triangular objects, six flaps are used.
As long as the flaps are retained in a horizontal position, the lowest card rests
on two opposite flaps, and it drops down, as soon as the latter are allowed to turn
downward on their respective hinges, but the card which lies across the lowest
card cannot follow, because the other pair of flaps is horizontal and supports the
ends of the second card. The two pairs of flaps used in the case of irregularly
rectangular cards are raised and lowered alternately, for which purpose I employ
preferably a slotted horizontal ring, the inner circumference of which is large
enough to allow the cards to pass, and which is guided and supported by rollers,
in order to reduce friction, and I cause the said ring er the slots of the same to
operate on continuations of the hinge pins of the said flaps, each hinge pin baving
a prolongation curved so that it may pass through one of the said slots, when
the latter is in a suitable position.

page_text: As long as it is desired to hold a pair of flaps in a horizontal position, the
curved prolongations of the corresponding hinges touch the ring and are covered
by the same at an interval between two slots; and thereby prevent the flaps from
turning. But if the ring is turned one division, either by clockwork or by pulling
a handle (after the insertion of a "coin); the cohtinnation of the hinge pin reaches
one of the slots and descends through the same under the influence of the weight
of the flap and of the cards resting on the same.
If the ring is turned another division, the rear edge comes into contact with the
prolongation of the hinge pin and lifts the same up to the level of the ring,
thereby lifting also the flap. The two pairs of flaps are thus alternately raised and
lowered.
The intermittent rotary motion of the slotted horizontal ring may be produced
by tooth gearing operated by a clockwork, or by pulling a handle, after either of
these mechanisms has been released by the insertion of a coin.
'
By the use of such flaps or hinged supporting pieces as described, the
machine is specially adapted for the sale of very thin sheets or cards, such as
newspapers.
Instead of hinged flaps or supporting pieces, I may arrange slides arranged in
pairs in such a manner. that the different pairs move alternately at angles to each
other, and that each pair'determines the width of the central passage in a different
direction.
Instead of two pairs of flaps and an operating ring,' I may employ two pairs of
horizontal rollers, each roller being mounted on the upper arm of a two-armed
vertical lever, the lower arm of which is caused to move to and fro mechanically
at intervals, so that the rollers of each pair will alternately approach each other or
recede from each other, and thereby either support the card at the ends or allow it
to drop.
As a further modification, the stack of cards may rest on a circular plate which
has a suitable opening in the centre, and is caused to make a suitable part of a
revolution on its axis, (which coincides with the axis of the stack of cards)'at each
operation of the machine.
If the cards or other goods are rectangular, the opening in the plate is also
rectangular so as to allow a card to pass through the plate if the latter is in a
particular position, but not, if it is turned at an angle to that position.
The shape and size of the opening depends, of course, on the goods which are
intended to pass through the same.
If the mechanism of the machine is released' by the insertion of a coin, and
the supporting plate turned one 'division; the lowest card will coincide with the
opening of the plate and drop through the same, while the next" card, "which
lies crosswise, will still be supported by the plate, until the latter makes 'another
turn.
The goods to be sold need not be rectangular, but may be oval, 'hexagonal, or of
almost any other shape, except circular or spherical, and they are not necessarily
piled up between vertical guides, but may be arranged obliquely, in which case the
Haps or other supporting pieces would be arranged to correspond. "Some examples
of construction are shown by the accompanying drawings, Sheets I, and 11.
с
In Figs. 1 to 4, the cards are supported by 4 angle levers e moveable on vertical
axles connected with each other" by tooth wheels c, toothed sectors, levers 'f'
and rods g; so as to move simultaneously in such a manner,' that at one time the
cards are supported by the arms c, and another time by the arms placed at right
angles to the same.
Fig. 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 a front elevation, Fig. 3' a vertical section along line yy
of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 a horizontal section along line - of Fig. 3.
The coin is inserted into a shoot t'and 'drops into a slot' provided in a lateral
arm of the head which moves with the drawbar z, 'Fig. 4. In this position' the
coin stands on a bar 7 and leans with its upper half against a lateral arm': formed

page_text: on the moveable rack 1º, is a guide for the hollow drawbar and » a guide, rod
for the rack i.
If the bar is drawn forward, without the previous insertion, of a coin,
the arm of will slide. underneath the arm, and the rack i, will remain,
at rest.
If, however, a coin. has been inserted, the rack, will, share the motion of, the
rod z and will turn a tooth wheel, which through a ratchet, wheel, and, pawl acts.
on an eccentric mounted on the axle h.
As the eccentric turus on its axle, the eccentric rod sets in motion the pin, g².
on which is mounted a lever g' having a long arm andia short arm approximately,
at right angles to each other. Each of the said. arms serves to turn one of the
axles, through the intermediary of an angle plate or lever 13, axle fo, toothed
sector; and pinion c². Each of the said angle plates f carries also a, connecting,
rod g adapted to turn one of the four axles co through similar intermediate gear,
so that the four axles always move simultaneously, as, illustrated by Fig. 1.
Each of the four levers c has. two arms at. right angles to each other, as described
above, one of the arms being slightly below the other and provided with, a
knife edge.
.
In the drawings a, b, b, d, represent, parts of, the framework or casing, qan,
inclined plane, over which the coins slide out of the machine, m m the guides for
the stack of post cards etc. K, a guide rod. for the arm of the draw bar 2,
ha toothed disc connected with the eccentric, and p a lever which is pressed
against the circumference of the said disc by a spring p2 and is periodically pressed
away from it (so as to release the said dise) by a più projecting from the rack i,
said pin travelling forward and backward with the rack at every stroke of the
same and sliding on the back of the two-armed stop-lever p.
r are
On Sheet 1, Fig. 1 is a plan of a horizontal guide ring f provided with
6 slots and carrying twos of flaps c, c, moveable on horizontal hinges cº.
Fig. 2 is a plan of oase plate b, after removal of the guide ring f
the friction,rollers on which runs the ring f, Z is the draw bar, m, m, are the angle
irons which guide the stack of cards, fare inclined planes, formed on the ring f
in the case of machines for the sale of thick objects, such as pieces of chocolate.
They serve to lift the flaps slightly above their horizontal position, so as to support
the goods stacked up and cause them to descend gradually, without shock.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section along line - of Figs. 1 and 2,
Fig. 4 is a side elevation at right angles to Fig. 3,
Figs.
and, 6 are horizontal sections along line y-y of Fig. 4 showing the
operation of the toothed lever s.
Fig. 7 is an elevation of the ring and-
Fig. 8 a modification of the same.
Instead of bending, the prolongation of the hinge pins, I use a heavy wing c
fixed on the hinge pin, so as to pass over the ring, by sliding alternately over an
incline and then descending into the nearest slot :
On the drawbar Z is pivoted a toothed lever S, which, if a coin has been thrown
in, is turned sideways by the same during the forward motion of the drawbar
(Fig. 2), so as to come into contact with one of the lugs 2 of the ring and to turn
the latter.
The bottom of the ring is provided with equidistant lugs, upon which
acts the toothed lever S, with its extremity S', when the bar Z is being drawn
forward, provided that a coin has previously been inserted into the receiving
slot t.
If no coin has been thrown in, the lever S will occupy the position represented by
Fig. 2 and will pass along the outside of the stationary guide h, but not come into.
contact with any of the lugs f
If however, a coin stands upright in the slot, its rear edge will come into contact
with the inclined back of the lever and press the latter towards the centre line of
die apparatus during the first part of the forward motion of the draw bar Z, as.

page_text: represented by Fig. 6. Immediately afterwards the rear end of the lever S will
pass over the coin and press the latter downward out of the slot.
The extremity S₁ of the lever S is cut out, so as to form a downward flange
(Fig. 3), and a bent plate his fixed to the machine frame, so as to form an upward
flange, between which and the frame the flange of the lever passes, when in its
operating position. After the said flange of the lever S has passed the guide-
plate h, the lever is turned back into its position of rest by a spring Z'.
The rotary motion of the ring produced by the lever S is stopped by a lever e,
which during the first part of the forward motion of the lever S is pressed out of
the way by a pin Z* fixed to the same, and subsequently pressed back by a spring e
so that the rear part of the lever e will come into contact with the forward edge of
a lug, and prevent the further motion of the ring f. d is a spring-pawl acting
on the toothed inner edge of the lever S, so as to prevent its return motion before
it has been drawn forward a certain distance.
K is an additional guide rod for the hollow draw bar Z. The return motion of
the latter is produced by a helical spring coiled around the same, as shown in
Figs. 3 to 6. This is also the case in the example shown on Sheet I.
Fig. 9 represents a case, when the post cards or other goods rest on two pairs of
rollers cc which are held by levers adapted to move out of the way, as indicated by
dotted lines.
In Fig. 10 the rollers are replaced by flat plates.
In Fig. 11 the cards drop through a rectangular opening formed in a disc
adapted to turn 90° on its vertical axis.
In Fig. 12 the cards are supported by a pair of rollers, the bearings of which
turn on a vertical axis.
The construction shown by Figs. 1 to 8 (Sheet II) may be modified by making
the ring stationary and causing the guide m together with the flaps to turn on a
vertical axis.
Dated this 16th day of July 1894.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Automatic or Coin-freed Sale or Delivery
Machines.
I PHILIPP REINER, Mechanical Engineer, of Gutenbergstrasse, Ehrenfeld,
Dear Cologne, in the German Empire, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to apparatus for delivering newspapers, tickets, postcards,
cigars, and other objects one by one, after the insertion of a coin, but it may
be applied also to automatic machines for delivering two or more objects at one
time.
In a machine for selling postcards, the latter are piled up in such a manner, that
they are all horizontal but do not cover each other completely, being alternately
placed lengthwise and crosswise, or diversely to each other, or they are arranged
in groups or sets, so that the cards of each group of two or more cover each other
completely, while those of the next group are all placed diversely to those of the
first group.
If the cards are rectangular, with unequal sides, the entire stack seen from the
top has the shape of a shortened cross, and the funnel in which the cards are guided
consists chiefly of four angle irons placed in the four inner corners or re-entering

page_text: angles of the cross, and provided with narrow flanges or ledges, to prevent the cards
from shifting in a longitudinal direction.
At the bottom of the stack or guide funnel there are two pairs of short flaps,
or equivalent supports, such as horizontally moving arms, as in Sheet I, placed so
that the lowest card will rest with its narrow edge or ends on a pair of flaps, and
the hinge of each flap is close to the narrow edge of the card and parallel to the
same, while the free end of the flap is nearer to the middle of the card, and the
width of the flap is approximately equal to the difference between the length
and the breadth of a card.
It is not absolutely necessary, however, that the cards should be placed at right
angles to each other, they may be placed at any other convenient angle, as long
as one card projects over the other sufficiently, that it can be held fast.
The number and shape of the flaps varies according to the shape of the
objects.
Each flap is capable of turning downward from its horizontal position about
90 degrees, and two oppositely placed flaps forming a pair are always moving at
the same time. If the cards are square, they are placed diagonally to each other,
the vertical guide funnel is composed of obtuse angle irons, and instead of
four flaps, there may be eight. In the case of triangular objects, six flaps are
used.
As long as the flaps are retained in a horizontal position, the lowest card rests on
two opposite flaps, and it drops down, as soon as the latter are allowed to turn
downward on their respective hinges, but the card which lies across the lowest card
cannot follow, because the other pair of flaps is horizontal and supports the ends of
the second card. The two pairs of flaps used in the case of irregularly rectangular
cards are raised and lowered alternately, for which purpose I employ preferably a
rotatable slotted horizontal ring, the inner circumference of which is large enough
to allow the cards to pass, and which is guided and supported by rollers, in order to
reduce friction; and 1 cause the said ring or the slots of the same to operate on
continuations of the hinge pins of the said flaps, each hinge pin baving in
prolongation a cranked or curved arm so that it may pass through one of the said
slots, when the latter is in a suitable position.
As long as it is desired to hold a pair of flaps in a horizontal position, the curved
or cranked arm of the corresponding hinge pins bear on the surface of the ring
being the interval between two slots, thereby prevent the flaps from turning. But
if the ring is turned one division, either by clockwork or by pulling a handle (after
the insertion of a coin) the cranked arm prolongations of each hinge pin of a pair
reaches one of the slots and falls beneath the surface of the same under the influence
of the weight of the flap and arm, and of the cards resting on the flap.
If the ring is turned another division, the rear edge or end of the slot comes into
contact with the cranked arm prolongation of the hinge pin, and lifts the same up
to the surface of the ring, thereby lifting also the flap. The two pairs of flaps are
thus alternately raised and lowered.
The intermittent rotary motion of the slotted horizontal ring may be produced
by tooth gearing operated by a clockwork, or by pulling a handle, after either of
these mechanisms has been released by the insertion of a coin.
By the use of such flaps or hinged supporting pieces as described, the machine is
specially adapted for the sale of very thin sheets or cards, or similar articles.
Instead of hinged flaps or supporting pieces I sometimes use equivalent slides
arranged in pairs in such a manner, that the different pairs move alternately at angles
to each other, and that each pair determines the width of the central passage in a
different direction.
Instead of two pairs of flaps and an operating ring I may employ two pairs of
borizontal rollers, each roller being mounted on the upper arm of a two-armed
vertical lever, the lower arm of which is caused to move to and fro mechanically at
intervals, so that the rollers of each pair will alternately approach each other or

page_text: recede from each other, and thereby either support the card at the ends or allow. it
to drop.
As a further modification, the stack of cards may rest on a circular plate which
has a suitable opening in the centre;. aud is caused to make a suitable part of a
revolution on its axis, (which, coincides with the axis of the stack of cards) at each
operation of the machine.
If the cards or other goods are rectangular, the opening in, the plate is, also
rectangular, so as to allow a card to pass through the plate, if the latter is. in a
particular position, but not if it is turned at an angle to that position..
The shape and size of the opening necessarily depends on the goods, which are
intended to pass through the same.
If the mechanism of the machine is released by the insertion of a coin; and: the
supporting plate turned one division, the lowest card: will. coincide with the opening
of the plate and drop through the same, while the next card, which lies crosswise,
will still be supported by the plate, until the latter makes another turn:
The goods to be sold need not be rectangular, but may be, oval, hexagonal;, or of
almost any other shape, except, circular or spherical; and, they are not necessarily
piled.up. between vertical guides but may be arranged obliquely, in which case the
flaps or other supporting pieces would be arranged to correspond: Some examples
of construction are shown by the drawings accompanying the Provisional
Specification, Sheets I and II, to which reference is now inade.
In Figs. 1 to 4, Sheet. I, the cards are supported by four supports or angle
Tshaped levers c movable on vertical axles.co connected with each other by tooth
wheels. c², toothed sectors f, levers 2 and rods y, 30 as, to move simultaneously, in
such a manner, that at one time the cards are supported by the arms.c¹, and another
time by the arm placed at right angles to the same.
Fig. 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 a front elevation,. Fig. 3 a vertical section along line y-y
of Fig. 1, and, Eig..4 a horizontal.section along line of: Fig. 3.
The coin is inserted into a shoot t and drops into a slot provided in a lateral arm
of the head which moves with the drawbar, Fig.. 4. In this position. the coin
stands on a bar and leans. with its upper half. against a lateral arm formed on
the movable rack i; is a guide for the hollow drawbar zand n a guide rod for the
rack i.
If the bar is drawn forward,, without the previous insertion of a coin, the arm
of will, slide underneath the arm and the rack i will remain at rest.
If however, a coin has been inserted, the rack i will share the motion of the rod z
and will turn a tooth wheel h³, which through a ratchet wheel and pawl acts on an
eccentric mounted on the axle,h.
As the eccentric turns on its axle, the eccentric rod h sets in motion the pin g²
on which is mounted a lever gl having a long arm and. a short.arm approximately at
right angles to each other. Each of the said arms serves to turn one of the axles c°,
through the intermediary of an angle plate or lever ƒ³, axle fo, toothed sector f, and
pinion c. Each of the said angle plates carries also a connecting rod g adapted
to turn one of the four axles. through similar intermediate gear, so that the four
axles c always move simultaneously, as illustrated by Fig. 1. Each of the four
levers c has two arms at right angles to each other as described above, one of the
arms being slightly below. the other and provided, with a knife edge.
80
In the drawings a, b, b', d, represent parts of the framework or casing,
inclined plane, over which the coins slide out of the machine, m, m, the guides for
the stack of post, cards etc. Ka guide rod for the arm of the draw bar z, h³ a
toothed disc connected with the eccentric, and p a lever which is pressed against the
circumference of the said disc by a spring 12 and is periodically pressed away from
it (so as to release the said disc) by. a. pin. pl, Figs. 1 and 2, projecting from. the
rack. i,.said pin travelling forward and backward with the rack i at every stroke of
the same and sliding on the back of the two-armed stop-lever. p.
On. Sheet, II, Fig. 1. is a plan of a horizontal guide ring
slots
"
provided with six
and carrying two pairs of flaps c, c, movable on horizontal hinges cº.

page_text: Fig. 2 is a plan of the base plate 1, after removal of the guide ring f
Tare the
friction rollers on which runs the ring f, Z is the draw bar, m, m, are the angle irons
which guide the stack of cards, f³ are inclined planes, formed on the ring f in the
case of machines for the sale of thick objects, such as. pieces of chocolate. They
serve to lift the flaps slightly above their horizontal position, so as to support the
goods stacked up and cause them to descend gradually, without shock.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section along line - of Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation at right angles to Fig. 3.
Figs. 5 and 6 are horizontal sections along line y-y of Fig. 4 showing the
operation of the toothed lever s.
Fig. 7 is an elevation of the ring ƒ and
Fig. 8 a modification of the same.
Instead of bending the prolongation of the hinge pins, I use a heavy wing c²
fixed on the hinge pin, so as to pass over the ring f, by sliding alternately over an
incline and then descending into the nearest slot f¹.
On the drawbar Z is pivoted a toothed lever S, which, if a coin has been inserted,
is turned sideways by the same during the forward motion of the drawbar (Fig. 2),
so as to come into contact with one of the lugs f of the ring and to turn the
latter.
The bottom of the ring f is provided with equidistant lugs f, upon which acts
the toothed lever S, with its extremity S₁, when the bar is being drawn
forward, provided that a coin has previously been inserted into the receiving
slot t.
. If no coin has been inserted, the lever S will occupy the position represented by
Fig. 2 and will pass along the outside of the stationary guide , but not come into
contact with any of the lugs f³.
If however, a coin stands upright in the slot its rear edge will come into contact
with the inclined or bevelled surface at the back end of the lever S. (as shown in
Figs. 2, 5 and 6), and presses the latter towards the centre line of the apparatus.
during the first part of the forward motion of the drawbar Z, as represented by
Fig. 6. Immediately afterwards the rear end of the lever S will pass over the
coin and presses the latter downward out of the slot, by means of the bevelled
surface at the extreme back end of the lever S.
The extremity S! of the lever S is cut out, so as to form a downward flange
(Fig. 3) and a bent plate is fixed to the machine frame, so as to form an upward
flange, between which and the frame the flange of the lever passes, when in its
operating position. After the said flange of the lever S has passed the guide
plate, the lever is turned back into its position of rest by a spring 72.
The rotary motion of the ring fproduced' by the lever S is stopped by a lever e
which during the first part of the forward motion of the lever S is pressed out of the
way by a pin Z fixed to the same, and subsequently pressed back by a spring el, so that
the rear part of the lever e will come into contact with the forward edge of a lugƒ³,
and prevent the further motion of the ring f. d is a spring pawl acting on the
toothed inner edge of the lever S, so as to prevent its return motion before it has.
been drawn forward a certain distance.
K is an additional guide rod for the hollow draw bar Z. The return motion of
the latter is produced by a helical spring coiled around the same, as shown in
Figs. 3 to 6. This is also the case in the example shown on Sheet I.
Fig. 9 represents a case, when the post cards or other goods rest on two pairs of
rollers cc which are held by levers adapted to move out of the way, as indicated by
dotted lines.
In Fig. 10 the rollers are replaced by flat plates.
In Fig. 11 the cards drop through a rectangular opening formed in a disc adapted
to turn 90° on its vertical axis.
In Fig. 12 the cards are supported by a pair of rollers, the bearings of which
turn on a vertical axis.
The construction shown by Figs. 1 to 8 (Sheet II) may be modified by making

page_text: the ring stationary and causing the guides m together with the flaps to turn on a
vertical axis.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;-
1. In an automatic coin-freed sale or delivery machine, the combination of an
actuating draw bar carrying a head having a pawl ended rack pivoted thereto and
movable sideways when engaged with a coin, a projecting ledge on the said head
forming a coin rest, a coin shoot and a slotted bar fixed beneath the said shoot and
over the said projecting ledge, a rotatable ring with lags or teeth beneath which
engage with the pawl ended rack by the combined action of the draw bar and coin,
and two pairs of hinged flaps adapted to act alternately to deliver an article beneath,
substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.
2. In an automatic coin-freed sale or delivery machine, the combination of four
re-entering angle guides for the articles to be delivered, two pairs of flaps (or
equivalents thereof) each adapted to alternately support and by a downward
movement deliver the said articles, a cranked arm secured to the hinge pin of each
flap and in opposite pairs alternately resting upon or falling beneath the surface
of a rotatable ring, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and
described.
3. In an automatic coin-freed sale or delivery machine the combination of two or
more pairs of guides with two or more pairs of supports arranged and adapted to
respectively receive and support diversely arranged groups of articles, the said
supports being alternately moved by suitable means in pairs to release and support
articles in the correspondingly arranged group, substantially as and for the purpose
herein shown and described.
4. In an automatic coin-freed sale or delivery machine the combination of a
rotatable plate having an orifice of greater length than width, and adapted to be
turned a portion of its revolution at each operation, articles of a form to be
delivered through the said orifice arranged in diverse groups and resting upon the
said plate, and guides or means to restrain the said articles from moving round with
the plate while permitting them to fall one at a time through the said orifice
alternately as the orifice is turned to coincide with the position of the bottom article,
substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.
Dated this 16th day of April 1895.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.