Improvements in or relating to Coin Operated Signal Apparatus for Pay Station Telephones.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 21st June, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 17th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 2nd June, 1899
Improvements in or relating to Coin Operated Signal Apparatus for
Pay Station Telephones.
A communication by HEBER R. MASON and EMERY D. WEIMER, both of Luding-
ton Avenue, Ludington, in the County of Mason and State of Michigan,
United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to improvements in that class of coin operated signal
apparatus for pay station telephones, in which the payment of the required sum
is indicated to the central operator by electrical signals, produced by the coin
itself, in making and breaking an electrical circuit during its passage through
the signal box.
The objects of the invention are, 1st. To provide means for the production of
a distinctive signal, which can not be produced or imitated in any other manner
than by the payment of a coin of the proper denomination, 2nd. To provide
means whereby the circuit may be closed and opened for the production of the
signal through the coin itself without the aid of switch levers or other movable
parts which require a delicate adjustment.
In the following description, reference is had to the accompanying drawings,
in which,
Figure 1 is a front view of an ordinary telephone, equipped with this improved
signalling apparatus;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the chutes in vertical longitudinal sec-
tion, and also illustrates its electrical connections.
Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are side views, respectively, of the various chutes
removed from the signal box and stripped of their electrical connections.
Like parts are identified by the same reference letters throughout the several
views.
A, B, C and D are the transmitter, receiver, switch lever and call-bells respec-
tively, of an ordinary telephone. E is the battery of the local or primary tele-
phone circuit, and E is the induction coil. I is the signal box provided with
coin receiving slots f f f f³ and ft and G is a battery which have been specially
provided for signalling purposes.
Within the signal box, is provided a series of chutes H, leading
downwardly from the respective slots and discharging into the cash box I. The
chutes are divided into sections h preferably vertically disposed, and the sections
of each chute are arranged alternately in adjacent columns, with the meeting
ends of the sections overlapping and communicating with each other at their
edges, as best illustrated in Figure 2, so as to afford a continuous passage for

page_text: the coin. The bottom of each section is closed by a bar J which is preferably
formed of fiber or other non-resonant material. These bars may be adjusted by
screws K to regulate the speed at which the coins are discharged from one section
into the other.
Referring to Figures 3 to 7 inclusive, it will be observed that each chute is
provided with a different number of sections from that of any of the others, and
the length of the sections are increased as their number is diminished, each
chute being of sufficient length to reach from its respective slot to the signal box
The interior cross sectional dimensions of the chute sections are made to corre-
spond approximately with the diameter and thickness of the coin for which it is
intended, the coin being held on edge throughout its passage.
Each chute section is provided with two or more apertures L through which
project the electrodes M M respectively, constituting the polar extremities of the
signalling battery G. The electrodes are so arranged that they will be simul-
taneously struck or grazed by a coin of proper size passing through the_chute
section, and are adapted to yield sufficiently to permit the coin to pass. In the
drawings, the chute sections are shown provided with an aperture L in each edge,
and the electrodes are formed of a curved elastic bar which is attached to the
chute, but electrically insulated therefrom, and arranged with its free end pro-
jecting through the aperture and bent to form three contact points N for each
electrode, the points being held in a position to be successively struck or grazed
by a coin passing through the chute. The bars are adjusted to increase or
decrease their resistance by adjusting screws () operated through brackets O
upon the bent or looped portions of the bars. It is obvious however, that any
form of electrodes adapted to close the circuit by simultaneous contact with the
coin, without stopping the progress of the latter, would be within the scope of
the invention.
Referring now to the electrical connections, it will be observed that the induc-
tion coil E of the primary telephone circuit is also included in the circuit of the
signalling battery G, by connecting the conductors P and Q of the signalling
circuit with the conductors R and S of the primary telephone circuit, an addi-
tional binding post T being used on the transmitter, as shown in Figure 1, for
the introduction of one pole of the signalling circuit to the induction coil. With
this construction, a single induction coil can be utilised for both the telephone
and signal apparatus. The electrodes M and M' of the signalling apparatus are
located respectively upon the conductors Q and of the signal battery circuit
which is never closed except during the momentary contact of the coin.
From the foregoing description, it is obvious that as the coin is dropped into
any given chute and comes into simultaneous contact with the points N on the
oppositely disposed electrodes M and M', the signal battery circuit will be closed
and a current induced upon the line wire, which will be indicated in the telephone
of the central operator, by a sharp click or signal, as the diaphragm is depressed
by the electro-magnet. This signal will be repeated as often as the circuit is
closed and re-opened during the passage of the coin through the chute, and in
the construction shown, in which each electrode is provided with three contact
points in close proximity, the three signals thus produced by the coin in each
section will occur in such quick succession as to produce a single compound
signal or vibratory click which it will be impossible to imitate. As each chute
comprises a different number of sections from that of any of the others, the
denomination of the coin can readily be determined by the number of the signals
produced. It is obvious that a coin of smaller size than that for which the chute
is intended, will produce no signals whatever, as it will be impossible for such a
coin to simultaneously touch the electrodes on both sides.
Dated this 20th day of June 1898.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Coin Operated Signal Apparatus for
Pay Station Telephones.
A communication by HEBER R. MASON and EMERY D. WEIMER, both of Luding-
tou Avenue, Ludington, in the County of Mason and State of Michigan,
United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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
tollowing statement; -
This invention relates to improvements in that class of coin operated signal
apparatus for pay station telephones, in which the payment of the required sum
is indicated to the central operator by electrical signals, produced by the coin
itself, in making and breaking an electrical circuit during its passage through
the signal box.
The objects of the invention are, 1st. To provide means for the production of
a distinctive signal, which can not be produced or imitated in any other manner
than by the payment of a coin of the proper denomination, 2nd. To provide
means whereby the circuit may be closed and opened for the production of the
signal through the coin itself without the aid of switch levers or other movable
parts which require a delicate adjustment.
In the following description, reference is had to the drawings accompanying
the Provisional Application, in which.-
Figure 1 is a front view of an ordinary telephone, equipped with this improved
signalling apparatus;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the chutes in vertical longitudinal sec-
tion, and also illustrates its electrical connections.
Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are side views, respectively, of the various chutes
removed from the signal box and stripped of their electrical connections.
Like parts are identified by the same reference letters throughout the several
views.
A, B, C and D are the transmitter, receiver, switch lever, and call-bells respec-
tively of an ordinary telephone. E is the battery of the local or primary tele-
phone circuit, and E¹ is the induction coil. F is the signal box provided with
coin receiving slots f, f, f², f³ and f* and G is a battery which my correspondents
have specially provided for signalling purposes.
Within the signalling box, a series of chutes H has been provided, leading
downwardly from the respective slots and discharging into the cash box I. The
chutes are divided into sections h preferably vertically disposed, and the sections
of each chute are arranged alternately in adjacent columns, with the meeting
ends of the sections overlapping and communicating with each other at their
edges, as best illustrated in Figure 2, so as to afford a continuous passage for
the coin. The bottom of each section is closed by a bar J which is preferably
formed of fibre or other non-resonant material. These bars may be adjusted by
screws K to regulate the speed at which the coins are discharged from one section
into the other.
Referring to Figures 3 to 7 inclusive, it will be observed that each chute is

page_text: provided with a different number of sections from that of any of the others, and
the length of the sections are increased as their number is diminished, each
chute being of sufficient length to reach from its respective slot to the signal box.
The interior cross sectional dimensions of the chute sections are made to corre-
spond approximately with the diameter and thickness of the coin for which it is
intended, the coin being held on edge throughout its passage.
Each chute section is provided with two or more apertures L through which
project the electrodes M M respectively, constituting the polar extremities of the
signalling battery G. The electrodes are so arranged that they will be simul-
taneously struck or grazed by a coin of proper size passing through the chute
section, and are adapted to yield sufficiently to permit the coin to pass. In the
drawings the chute sections are shown provided with an aperture L in each edge,
and the electrodes are formed of a curved elastic bar which is attached to the
chute, but electrically insulated therefrom, and arranged with its free end pro-
jecting through the aperture and bent to form three contact points N for each
electrode, the points being held in a position to be successively struck or grazed
by a coin passing through the chute. The bars are adjusted to increase or
decrease their resistance by adjusting screws O operated through brackets 01
upon the bent or looped portions of the bars. It is obvious however, that any
form of electrodes adapted to close the circuit by simultaneous contact with the
coin, without stopping the progress of the latter, would be within the scope of
the invention.
With
Referring now to the electrical connections, it will be observed that the induc-
tion coil Eof the primary telephone circuit is also included in the circuit of the
signalling battery G, by connecting the conductors P and Q of the signalling
circuit with the conductors R and S of the primary telephone circuit, an addi-
tional binding post T being used on the transmitter, as shown in Figure 1, for
the introduction of one pole of the signalling circuit to the induction coil.
this construction, a single induction coil for both the telephone and signal appa-
ratus is enabled to be utilized. The electrodes M and M of the signalling appa-
ratus are located respectively upon the conductors Q and of the signal battery
circuit, which is never closed except during the momentary contact of the coin.
From the foregoing description, it is obvious that as the coin is dropped into
any given chute and comes into simultaneous contact with the points on the
oppositely disposed electrodes M and M¹, the signal battery circuit will be closed
and a current induced upon the line wire, which will be indicated in the telephone
of the central operator, by a sharp click or signal, as the diaphragm is depressed
by the electro-magnet. This signal will be repeated as often as the circuit is
closed and re-opened during the passage of the coin through the chute, and in
the construction shown, in which each electrode is provided with three contact
points in close proximity, the three signals thus produced by the coin in each
section will occur in such quick succession as to produce a single compound
signal or vibratory click which it will be impossible to imitate. As each chute
comprises a different number of sections from that of any of the others, the
denomination of the coin can readily be determined by the number of the signals
produced. It is obvious that a coin of smaller size than that for which the chute
is intended, will produce no signals whatever, as it will be impossible for such a
coin to simultaneously touch the electrodes on both sides.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. The combination with ordinary telephone apparatus, of a cash receptacle, one
or more coin conveying chutes leading thereto, a battery, conductors therefor in
normally open circuit, with terminal electrodes disposed along said chute or
chutes and arranged for the simultaneous contact of a coin passing through each
chute with the opposing terminals of said battery circuit, together with an in-

page_text: duction coil having its primary coil included in said circuit and its secondary in
the line wire or telephone circuit.
2. The combination with ordinary telephone apparatus, of a cash receptacle,
one or more coin conveying chutes, leading thereto, a battery, conductors therefor
in normally open circuit, with terminal electrodes disposed along said chute or
chutes and arranged for the simultaneous contact of a coin passing through each
chute with the opposing terminals of said battery circuit, said electrodes being
provided with a plurality of contact points, whereby the circuit is closed and
opened successively by the successive contacts of the coin in passing a single pair
of electrodes, together with an induction coil having its primary coil included in
said circuit and its secondary in the line wire or telephone circuit.
3. The combination, with ordinary telephone apparatus, of a cash receptacle,
one or more coin conveying chutes leading thereto, and arranged in sections,
communicating with each other through lateral discharge openings, a battery,
conductors therefor in normally open circuit, with terminal electrodes disposed
along said sections, and arranged for the simultaneous contact of a coin passing
through each section with the opposing terminals of said battery circuit, together
with an induction coil having its primary coil included in said circuit, and its
secondary in the line wire or telephone circuit.
4. The combination, with ordinary telephone apparatus, of a cash receptacle,
one or more coin conveying chutes leading thereto, and arranged in sections
closed at their lower ends by an inclined bar of non-resonant material, and com-
municating with each other through lateral discharge openings, a battery, con-
ductors therefor in normally open circuit, with terminal electrodes disposed along
said chute or chutes and arranged for the simultaneous contact of a coin passing
through each chute, with the opposing terminals of said battery circuit, together
with an induction coil having its primary coil included in said circuit, and its
secondary in the line wire or telephone circuit.
5. The combination, with ordinary telephone apparatus, of a cash receptacle,
one or more coin conveying chutes leading thereto, and arranged in sections
closed at their lower ends with an inclined bar of non-resonant material, and
communicating with each other through lateral discharge openings, means for
adjusting said bar, a battery, conductors therefor in normally open circuit, with
terminal electrodes disposed along said chute or chutes and arranged for the
simultaneous contact of a coin passing through each chute with the opposing
terminals of said battery circuit, together with an induction coil having its
primary coil included in said circuit and its secondary in the line wire or tele-
phone circuit.
6. The combination with ordinary telephone apparatus of a cash receptacle,
one or more coin conveying chutes leading thereto, and arranged in sections com-
municating laterally with each other, yielding contacts arranged in pairs at the
sides of the respective sections, and adapted to be struck or grazed by a coin of
proper size passing therethrough, a normally open circuit of which said contacts
constitute the polar extremities, and an induction coil having its primary coil
included in said battery circuit and its secondary in the line wire or telephone
circuit.
7. The combination, with ordinary telephone apparatus, of a cash receptacle,
one or more coin conveying chutes leading thereto, and arranged in sections
communicating laterally with each other, with apertures in the sides thereof, two
or more elastic bars attached to each chute section, but insulated therefrom, and
with their free ends projecting into the path of a coin of proper size passing
through the sections, a battery having a normally open circuit, of which said
bars constitute the polar extremities, and an induction coil having its primary
coil included in the battery circuit and its secondary in the line wire or telephone
circuit.
8. The combination, with ordinary telephone apparatus, of a cash receptacle,
one or more coin conveying chutes leading thereto, and arranged in sections

page_text: communicating laterally with each other, with apertures in the sides thereof, two
or more clastic bars attached to each chute section, but insulated therefrom, and
with their free ends projecting into the path of a coin of proper size passing
through the sections, means for adjusting said bars to increase or decrease their
resistance to the impact or weight of the coin, a battery having a normally open
circuit in which said bars constitute the polar extremities, and an induction coil
having its primary coil included in the battery circuit, and its secondary in the
line wire or telephone circuit.
one
9. The combination with ordinary telephone apparatus, of a cash receptacle,
or more coin conveying chutes leading thereto, and arranged in sections
communicating laterally with each other, with apertures in the sides thereof, two
or more elastic bars attached to each chute section, but insulated therefrom, and
with their free ends projecting into the path of a coin of proper size passing
through the sections, said bars being bent at their free ends to form a plurality
of contact points, a battery having a normally open circuit of which said bars
constitute the polar extremities, and an induction coil having its primary coil
included in the battery circuit, and its secondary in the line wire or telephone
circuit.
10. The combination, with ordinary telephone apparatus, of a cash receptacle,
one or more coin conveying chutes leading thereto, electrodes disposed in pairs
along said chute or chutes, with each pair arranged for simultaneous contact with
a coin passing therethrough, and a signalling battery having a normally open
circuit of which said electrodes constitute the polar extremities, said battery
having its conductors connected with the conductors of the primary telephone
circuit, at opposite extremities of the induction eoil of the telephone, whereby
the induction coil is also included in the circuit of the signalling battery.
Dated this 16th day of March 1899.