GB1406779A - Rental locker system - Google Patents

Abstract

1406779 Rental locker GLORY KOGYO KK 23 Feb 1973 [24 Feb 1972] 8962/73 Heading G4V A rental locker of the type rendered lockable by a key on the deposition of a number of coins includes means 2 for detecting inserted coins, means 20 for indicating the number of coins required and means for adjusting the number of coins required. In the embodiment described movement of a latch 29 to a door locking position by rotation of a key in cylinder lock 31 is normally prevented by a control lever 25 acting on blocking lever 30. The control lever 25 is moved to a releasing position by a flange 15 on a sliding plate 8 when the plate has descended to its lowest extent, the coin detecting lever 2 co-operating with rack teeth 13 on the plate to lower it one step on each coin insertion. A flange 14 on the lower end of plate 8 bears on one end of a lever 16, the other end of which supports the coin indicating plate 20. The number of coins required for each rental period is adjusted by selective engagement of a pin 42, positionable in lever 16 at various locations, with one of holes 43, 44, 45 in a sliding setting plate 46 (the holes 43, 44 and 45 corresponding to 1, 2 and 3 coins respectively) and manually raising plate 8 until the first, second or third tooth 13 is engaged by detecting lever 2. When the key is used to re-open the locker during the normal rental period a motor (53) controlled by a circuit including switches 37, 41 and 55 (see Fig. 4, not shown) operates to rotate a cam 52 counterclockwise, a pin 51 carried by the cam acts on a tooth 50a to raise the setting plate one step, and hence raise the plate 8 one, two or three steps according to the position of pin 42. The plate 8 is then appropriately set for another hiring operation. A timer switch (65) is operated at the end of the normal rental period (i.e. a specified time of day, or a fixed time after the locker was locked) to rotate cam 52 and hence raise the plate 8 one, two or three steps depending on the setting of pin 42. A further number of coins, as indicated by plate 20, must therefore be deposited before the locker can be unlocked. Coin discharge.-The coins inserted are temporarily stored in a face-to-face stack in tube 56 the bottom of which is normally closed by pivoted flap 57. The flap is swung open on rotation of cam 52 via a lever 63.