Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 27th May, 1896-Accepted, 4th July, 1896
A communication from JOHANNES MARTIN BACHMANN, Manufacturer of
Artificial Flowers, Löbtau, Dresden, Empire of Germany.
1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus which in return for a coin or token inserted
thereinto automatically delivers a packet of sweetmeats, a box of matches or
other commodity and presents a play or performance to the view of the purchaser.
To this end, the case of the apparatus, provided in front with a glazed opening,
besides covering-in the motive mechanism, forms a stage, and every time such
machinery is set in motion one or more figures are made to appear, while the
show-place is lit up by electricity throughout this motion.
When the apparatus is not in use the stage is obscured by a curtain which is
raised whenever the machinery is set in motion.
In one form of the apparatus a rocky scene may be depicted so as to represent
the entrance to a mine and in this the figure of a gnome may be adapted to make
its appearance.
The packets of sweetmeats boxes of matches or other commodity are introduced
into flat receptacles attached or jointed to the links of an endless chain in such
manner that they can swing round on an axis falling in the plane of the chain-
wheels. These receptacles are closed on three sides and open on the fourth, so
that the articles to be carried therein can be inserted through that open side.
The endless chain runs on two chain-wheels. Between vertical guide-rods
which enclose the lower chain-wheel in a semicircle, the receptacles, which run
round the lower chain wheel and are fitted also to the vertical chain-links on
either side, are maintained in their proper place, i.e., at right angles to the plane
of the chain-wheels.
Above the upper chain-wheel is mounted, so as to rotate freely a roller over
which, in the step-by-step like rotation of the chain a portion of the receptacles
must necessarily pass. This roller acts as a cam, and thereby the back part of
the receptacle is raised to such an extent that the article which it contains slides
out forwards, in order to drop through an opening in the rock or other scenery
after slipping down a slanting guide-surface and falling into a shell or on to a
shelf or other device projecting outside and made accessible in front of the
apparatus.
The now empty receptacles, passing downwards, in the direction of travel, are
restored to their normal position by the vertical guide-bar on the opposite side
of the chain.
On the shaft or spindle of the upper chain-wheel is secured the spur-wheel,
gearing with a spur-pinion or driving wheel secured to a counter-shaft which on
he opposite side, by means of the mitre wheels is connected with a "second"
countershaft.
"
Mitre wheels transmit motion to this "second" countershaft from a "third
countershaft which in turn is driven through spur-gear from another shaft herein
ermed the drum shaft on which is secured the pin-drum or barrel of a musical

page_text: a spring S
barrel.
Any suitable stop-motion adapted to be released by the introduction of a coin
or, token is provided.
This stop-motion must be so arranged as to admit, during its release, of the
"third" countershaft and mitre wheel connected therewith making a complete
revolution.
The drum shaft and drum thereon should make, at the same time, only a
half-revolution in order that two different pieces of music may be played
alternatively.
The transmission of motion to the upper chain wheel must be of such kind
that, for each time that the mechanism is released (i.e., as by a penny being put
in the slot) the chain moves to the extent of one link, while a new receptacle
is brought into position to replace that just emptied and moved onwards.
In regard to all the rest, it is a matter of indifference, from the stand-point of
the new invention, what may be the nature and construction of the mechanism and
wheel-gear, or of the means of transmission adopted.
The chain also may be altered, so that, in fact only every alternate link carries
a receptacle.
The curtain is suspended just behind the glazed opening when the apparatus is
at rest. When the mechanism is set in motion it is wound up on a roller.
On a pulley secured to the shaft of the curtain-roller a cord is wound and this
in turn is actuated by a pivotted lever. On the "third" countershaft is secured
a cam which operates on a pin carried by the curtain-lever as often as the
apparatus is set in motion. Thereupon the curtain is wound up, remaining open
as long as the movement lasts, and dropping down again into its former position,
as soon as the periphery of the cam allows the weight of the rod at the bottom
of the curtain to come into action.
it
Ia
A vertical shaft or spindle on which is secured one of the before mentioned
mitre-wheels carries a crank whereof the crank-pin engages with a channelled
slide-piece running on guide-rods. This slide in the example now under con-
sideration carries the figure of a gnome which as the apparatus moves is brought
to the front and thereafter disappears by receding again behind the scene.
order to impart to the motion of this figure in relation to the operation of the sale,
may be arranged to strike upon the rock-scene with a hammer held in its hand;
and, in order to give the scene particular effect, the hammer may be made to strike
upon a bell hidden by the scenery, which thereupon gives forth a sound. Hand
and hammer are pivotted to the figure's arm at the wrist. The swinging movement
of these movable parts may be communicated to them by a toothed sector actuated
by a pinion gearing with the before mentioned chain-operating spur-wheel and
arranged to arrive at the highest part of its stroke, .e., within reach of the
hammer, coincidently with the advance of the gnome-figure into view.
A miner's lantern carried in the other hand of the gnome-figure may be fitted
with a small incandescent lamp adapted to be made incandescent at the moment of
the figure's appearance, and extinguished on its disappearance, by suitably
arranged devices.
Any other figure or group of figures may of course take the place of the gnome,
and the circumstances and conditions of their appearance and action may be
varied at will.
The working of the above described devices takes place as follows:-
By inserting a coin into the apparatus the stop-motion is released, and the
mechanism is at once set in motion; the cam begins to act and the curtain rises.
By the crank-slide the figure is caused to advance, the hammer comes within reach
of the toothed sector and is thereby raised and allowed to fall three or other
number of times upon the bell, which is thus sounded. Meanwhile, one of the
receptacles has travelled so far over the tilting roller as to assume a slope sufficient
to permit the packet of sweetmeats box of lights or other article contained therein

page_text: to drop out. The figure is gradually withdrawn and disappears, and the curtain
falls. All this time the music has been playing and ceases finally at the fall of the
curtain when the machinery again comes to rest.
Dated this 27th day of August 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
A communication from JOHANNES MARTIN BACHMANN, of Löbtau, Dresden,
in the Empire of Germany, Manufacturer of Artificial Flowers.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, formerly of 323 High Holborn, but now of
111 Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Chartered Patent Agent, 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 which in return for a coin or token inserted
thereinto automatically delivers a packet of sweetmeats, a box of matches or other
commodity and presents a play or performance to the view of the purchaser.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings in which
Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in section; and Figure 2 a transverse
section of an apparatus constructed according to this invention.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the case showing the driving mechanism as
viewed from above; and
Figures 4 and 5 show other views of the apparatus.
The case of the apparatus, provided in front with a glazed opening a, besides
covering-in the motive mechanism, forms a stage, and every time such machinery
is set in motion one or more figures are made to appear, while the show-place is lit
up by electricity throughout this motion.
When the apparatus is not in use the stage is obscured by a curtain which is
raised whenever the machinery is set in motion.
In the form of the apparatus shown in the drawings, a rocky scene is depicted,
inside the frame A, so as to represent the entrance to a mine, and in this the figure
of a gnome may be adapted to make its appearance.
The packets of sweetmeats, boxes of matches, or other commodity a, are
introduced into flat receptacles 1 attached or jointed to the links 2 of an endless
chain in such manner that they can swing round on an axis falling in the plane of
the chain-wheels. These receptacles 1, as clearly shown in the two up-tilted
receptacles in Fig. 1, are closed on three sides and open on the fourth, so that the
articles to be carried therein can be inserted through that open side.
The endless chain runs on two chain-wheels of which only the upper one 3 is
shown in the drawings. Between vertical guide-rods 4, which enclose the lower
chain-wheel in a semi-circle, the receptacles, which run round the lower chain
wheel and are fitted also to the vertical chain-links on either side, are maintained
in their proper place, i.e. at right angles to the plane of the chain-wheels.
Above the upper chain-wheel 3 is mounted, so as to rotate freely, a roller 5, over
which, in the step-by-step rotation of the chain a portion of the receptacles 1 must
necessarily pass (see Figs. 1 and 2). This roller acts as a cam, and thereby the
back part of the receptacle is raised to such an extent that the article which it
contains slides out forwards, in order to drop through an opening in the rock or
other scenery (Fig. 2) after slipping down a slanting guide-surface 6, and falling