US2230486A - Selector mechanism - Google Patents

Description

'Feb. 4, 1941. A DU AN 2,230,486

SELECTOR MECHANI SM Filed June 15, 1959 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 00 N01 DwosnCoa To 4 4 a 51.: 5

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Hi5 A Feb. 4, 1941. DURANT 2,230,486

7 SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed June 15, less 2 SheetS- -Sheet 2 m M N.

Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELECTOR MECHANISM Lyndon 'A. Durant, Chicago, Ill. y Application June 15, 1939, Serial No. 279,265

9 Claims.

coin for actuation of the centrally located select- Y ing mechanism and phonograph or other instrumentality controlled thereby;

Another object of the invention is the provi- 15 sion of a simplified'remote control system in which there may be a plurality of individual sigml or control stations, arranged for coin operation or not, as desired, and from which selecting -signals may be transmitted by operation of a N dial, to a central selecting device which employs only one selecting switch for all of the remote dialing or control stations.

Anotherobject is the provision of a remote control selecting system employing a plurality 25 of. coin boxes at various stations and a simplified signaling mechanism at each station and which may be connected to the central selecting mechanism through a simple four-wire cable. A further object is the provision or automatic 30 cut-oil means for preventing dialing at the remaining stations when a coin has been deposited preparatory to making a selection at any given station. Other objects and novel aspects of the invention relate'to certain details of the circuit connections and simplified arrangement of signaling and selecting devices to be described hereinafter in the specification of a preferred embodie ment, all of which will be best understood in con- 40 junction with the annexeddrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective layout of the system installed for use; v

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation of one of the coin control units or dialing stations; 5 Fig. 3 is a perspective schema of an automatic phonograph controlled by the selecting system; Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram; Fig. 5 is a modified circuit arrangement of the dialing circuit connections at the control boxes.

50 In Fig. 1, the illustrative installation includes a selectively controlled instrumentality, .such as the phonograph l0, which is adapted to be operated from a plurality of dialing or signaling stations II and I2 situated at remote points in .55 the room and adjoining booths or tables I 3 for operation by the patrons at such tables.

The individualcontrol units II and I2, as shown in Fig. 2, include a suitable box or hous ing adapted for mounting on thewall or table so and each including a selecting device in the form oi adial type of signal or impulse transmitter l5, similar to the usual telephone dial except that the numbering is increased to asuitable figure, say 20, beyond the usual digits applied on the ordinary telephone dial. In other respects, the 5 dial I5 is operated by placing the finger in one or the openings l8 and turning the dial clockwise until the finger engages a stop II, whereupon the dial is released and returned automatically by self-contained spring motor means 10' to its normal position, such operation in the instance suggested being efl'ective to transmit sixteen-impulses to the selecting mechanism. Each control unit is adapted to be freed for operation by deposit of a coin in an opening 18. Signal lamps l8 and are provided on the face of the box, one of the lamps l9 signaling that the system is in use, and such lamp being preferably colored red, whilethe' remaining lamp 20 may be diflerently colored, for example, blue, to attract 2 attention and indicate that the system as a whole is in service for operation at the pleasure 01' the patron. Indicia means in the form of a card 2|, is provided on the face 01' the box to desi nate the selections corresponding to the-various numbers on the selecting dial.

Brief statement of operation The deposit of a coin at a given station, eflects operation of a holding relay at that station and cut-out relays at that station and all others. The holding relay establishes a dialing circuit and also establishes a shunt circuit for the corresponding coin switch, but the cut-out relays at all other stations open the corresponding coin switch circuits to render the other stations momentarily inoperable. Red signal lamps indicating that the system. is temporarily busy are illuminated in conjunction with the operation 01 the several cut-out relays. 4

The coin switch is operated once for each coin deposited, which results in the operation 01' a counting switch adapted to permit a number 01' dial selections corresponding to the number 01' coins deposited. Each time a selectio'nds dialed, a reset coil restores the counting switch one step toward its initial condition until the last selection is made.

The number dialed sends a corresponding number of impulses over the dialing. circuit es- 5o tablished through, the associated holding relay contacts and operates a selecting switch which moves a correspondingnumber of steps from an initial position. As the last impulse is completed from the dial, certain slow-releasing relays -connect a power circuit to a selector solenoid or Other selectively operable device for which a circuit has been established by the selecting switch, and as soon as the selector solenoid or other device has been th s operated the selector switch so is restored to its initial position by certain interlocking relays. The selecting swltch'is thus restored immediately following the dialing oi any and every number, thus making it possible to employ a single selectcrswitch for a large number of selecting stations or coin boxes. When the counting switch is restored to its initial or zero position following the last dial operation to which the patron is entitled, the main power circuit is broken so that the holding relay and allot the cut-out relays are restored to initial condition.

Detailed circuit connections The selecting mechanism and circuit connections shown in Fig. 4 include the provision or a power source such as atransformer 34 having its primary connected to the line at all times when the system is in use, and having a split secondary including terminals 3|, 32 and 33. The coin control means includes the, provision conductor 33 to one of the power conductors 39 included in a four-wire cable 44 by which several coin boxes are connected with the central selecting mechanism which is disposed as' a unit in a housing, as illustrated at In in Fig. 2, this conductor 39 being connected to one of the terminals 3| of the transformer secondary. The remaining contact 35 of the coin switch is connected by a conductor 4| to.the movable contact .42 of a cut-out relay having a winding 43. The

cut-out contact 42 is normally in closed circuit engagement with its contact 44 which is connected to another conductor 45 in the cable 40.

The cable conductor 45 is connected by a.conductor 44 to one terminal of an intermediate counting relay having. a winding 41,- the opposite terminal of which .is connected by a conductor 48 to one 01 the outer terminals 33 of the transformer secondary; 3

Thus, when the switch contacts 34-35 are closed by a coin, the power circuit is closed from the outer terminals of the transformer secondary through the holding relay winding 31 and.

the intermediate counting relay winding 41, causing both of the same to pull up. w

The patron shaving deposited one coin and the holding relay 3'! at his station being pulled up, a locking circuit is established through the holding relay by virtue of connection of battery from conductor I4 through the cut-off winding 43- and holding relay contacts I! and 56, cable conductor being connected through counting switch contactsll and 52 via conductor 53 to the central tap conductor 44 from the center transformer terminal 32. which energizes the winding 43 of the cut-oil relay and places battery on one of the holding relay movable contacts I, this battery being connected through the stationary contact 58- to the same terminal of the holding relay winding to which the contact 34 of the coin switch is connected. Thus,

whereas the coin switch closed the power circuit for the holding e y momenta ily through the conductor 4! and the intermediate counting relay winding 41, the locking power circuit for the holding relay is established through its own con-' tacts II and 43 and the cut-oi! relay winding 43. The red lamp I! at this station will be, and remain, illuminated since it is in series with the winding 43 of the cut-oi! relay. to indicate that a coin hasbeen deposited and that the system is in use.

Deposit of the coin momentarily closed a circuit through the winding 41 o! the intermediate counting relay, causing the movable contact 4| to pull up and engage the companion stationary contact 3| which is connected to the power conductor 43, thus placing battery on one terminal of the counting switch magnet winding 32, the remaining terminal of which is connected by conductor 33 to the center tap transformer conductor 54, thus impulsing the counting switch magnet once (since the coin transiently engages and closes the contacts 34-35) and pulling up its armature 44 to move a counting ratchet 45 one step'irom its initial position (in which initial 7 position an insulated stud 64 .bears against an extension on the counting, switch contact ii to move the latter out of closed circuit engagement with its companion contact 52) so that when the ratchet steps from initial position contacts 4| and 52 may engage to close the power circuit irom the center tap conductor through the cut out relay and holding relay.

It is important to observe that more than one coin may be deposited at any one station, and for each coin deposited, the switch contacts 34 and 33 will be actuated once, thus impulsing the intermediate counting relay once for each coin deposited and thus impulsing the counting switch magnet a corresponding number of times so that the stud 34 will be moved by the ratchet away from its normal position a number of steps corresponding to the number of coins deposited.

Means .ior cutting oil! other stations when a coin has been deposited at any given station involves the several cut-oil relays 43 at each station. It is to be remembered that whenever one or more coins is deposited at any box, the counting ratchet 45 will be stepped a corresponding number of times, thus connecting battery for the time-beingrto the cable conductor 44, and since one terminal of each of the cut-ofl relays 43 is connected to this conductor 54 (the other terminal being connected through the corre-. sponding red lamp to the power cable conductor 33), all cut-out relays at the several stations will instantly pull up as soon as the first coin is deposited at any station, and all red lamps will be illuminated. It will be recalled that each of the coin switch contacts 35 is normally connected in its power circuit through the closed contacts 42 and 44 of the corresponding cut-out relay, but as soon as the first coin is deposited the corresponding cut-oi! relay and all oi. the others pull up, thus opening, for the time being, the normal circuit through the coin switches. at each station; However, the coin switch at the particular station at which the coin was deposited will instantly be returned in circuit due to the operation of the corresponding holding relay which again connects the coin switch contact 34 with the cable conductor 45 through the second movable contact 61 of the holding relay and the companion stationary contact 63 strapped with the contact 44 to conductor 45. Since the holding relays at the other stations do. not pull up, the corresponding coin switches are out of circult and deposit of coins .at the other stations will be of no avail, the red lamps warning the patrons that such deposits should not be made.

The dialing or signal circuit is established for the station at which the coin was deposited by operation of the corresponding holding relay, the relay contact 55 engaging a stationary contact 88 which connects power from the center tap conductor 84 to one terminal I8 the dial switch, the movable contact 1| 0! which is connected by a conductor I2 with a signaling conductor II in the cable and which is connected by conductor 14 to one terminal of a first slow-release reset relay I5.

' When the patron dials, a corresponding dial switch IO-II will be closed a number or times corresponding to the number dialed, thus impulsing the winding of the first or reset delay relay 18 via conductor I4 and conductor 11, which is connected to the power lead 48.

The armature oi the relay I8 is so constructed that it will not fall back to normal position in the short interval between successive signal impulses, but will remain engaged with its companion open contact 8| while the dial impulses are traversing the conductor I4.

As a result of the hold-up of contact I8, the

dial impulses are transmitted through winding I and the winding 18 of the stepping magnet for a selecting switch, the return circuit for winding 16 being completed through contacts I8 and 8I.

The impulses transmitted'from the dial switch through winding I8 of the selector switch, pull up a ratchet armature 82 a corresponding number of times, thus stepping a ratchet 88 and its wiping contact 84 away from an initial position in which it is normally disposed by suitable spring means.

Thus, the selecting switch wiper "84, will be stepped away from its initial position, a number of steps corresponding to the number-dialed, to bring its wiping contact 84 to rest on one of the selector solenoid contacts 85, thus conditioning a particular one of the latter for ultimate operation to actuate the selecting mechanism in the phonograph or other instrumentality, (which corresponds to the number dialed) when the last dialing signal is completed.

The means for finally connecting the selectively operated devices, that is, the selector solenoids 86, in the power circuit, includes a second slowreleasing or delayed-action reset relay 81 which has one terminal connected by a conductor 88 in common with one terminal of each of the selector solenoids 88, the remaining terminal of the second reset relay being connected by a conductor 88 to one normal terminal 88 of an escapement relay and thence through the movable contact 8| of the latter to the center tap transformer conductor 54. As soon as the wiper 84 has come to rest on one of the contacts 85 and the last dial impulse has been received, the movable contact I8 of the first slow-acting relay falls back and connects power from conductor 'I'I through contact 88 to the wiper and hence to the selected solenoid, with the result that the second slowacting relay 8! pulls up and the selected solenoid is energized. Operation of the second reset relay 81 closes circuits for two resetting magnets respectively associated with the selector switch and the counting switch.

For the resetting circuits, power is derived from the center tap conductor 54 via conductor 82 and t the second reset relay contact 83, stationary conmal position.

tact 84, and conductor 88'to one terminal 0! the reset coil 88, the remaining terminal of which is connected by conductor 81 to the power lead 48. Each time coil 88 is impulsed, armature 88 thereoi operates an escapement 88 for the counting switch ratchet 88. The circuit for the selector switch reset is established from the power conductor 48 via conductor l88 to one terminal of the selector reset coil "I, the other terminal of which is connected by conductor I82 to the conductor 88 which is also connected with one terminal of the escapement relay winding I88, the remaining terminal of which is connected by conductor I84 with another movable contact I88 on the second reset relay, this contact I88 engaging its companion contact I88 when the relay pulls up for connection with the power contact '48 via conductor I8'I. When the escapement relay I88 operates, the circuit for the second reset relay and the selected solenoid is broken by movement oi the armature contact 8| of the escapement relay. When the escapement relay I88 is energized, the second gang contact I88 is operated to close a starting circuit I88 for the usual phonograph control circuit. Circuit I88 connects with the starter switch circuit II8 shown at the bottom of Fig. 3

In the event that only one or two control stations orboxes II and I2 are to be used in the installation, a simplified dialing circuit may be provided as shown in Fig. 5, in which the cut-out relay 43 is omitted and the coin switch contact 88a is connected directly to cable 48 and the holding relay armature 85a connects directly to cable lead 58, the dial lead I2 connecting as before to the cable lead I8. In this circuit, as

soon as the coin switch is operated, the holding relay locks by engagement oi' its armature 88a with the stationary contact 560, as in the cas of the arrangement of Fig. 4. In accordance with the circuit arrangement of Fig. 5, there is no a cutting ofi of the other coin boxes, but in smaller installations this would not give rise to any inconvenience.

The foregoing description will make it apparent that I have devised a remote control selecting system which includes a plurality of selectively operable devices such as the selector solenoids 86 which are operated by the impulse transmitter or dials I8, the circuit arrangements being such that the patron is entitled to dial as many numbers as there are coins deposited-,each deposit of a coin operating a coin switch once to step the counting switch ratchet away from its initial position, while eachv number dialed restores the counting switch one step toward nor- The invention further provides for a. single selecting switch which is operated one step away from an initial position for each selecting impulse transmitted, and certain delay and interlocking relays are actuated to connect power through the selector switch after the lat-. ter has made a selection, but only after the last selectingimpulse has been received at the selecting switch. The interlocking relay connections are such that the selecting switch will automatically be restored to its initial position ready for the next selection immediately following operation of any previously selected solenoid or other selectively operable device 8-8.

It is to be understood that the novel selecting circuit is not restricted to use with a phonograph, since the selector solenoids 86 may obviously be replaced by any electrically operated or controlled mechanism. However, for purposes of illustration, in Fig. 3 I have shown plungers l-l-l which are to be operated by the several selector solenoids '6 to move record selector bars H2 into position in the well known manner toeflect movement of one of the record carriers H3 into position for disposition of a record on the turntable Ill.

The illustrative phonograph apparatus oi Fig. 3 is driven by a motor III included in a power circuit H8 controlled by a counting switch I" which is arranged for coaction with the record carrier shaft I II. The arrangement is such that the operation of the starting switch III. by the escapement relay I03 in the circuit of Fig. 4 will start the phonograph selecting mechanism, and if more than one of the selector bars H2 have been operated by thesolenoid means Itill, the phonograph will continue to play each of the selected numbers as a result of the automatic operation of the counting switch means III. This latter arrangement does not constitute a part of the invention except in so far as it ooacts with the starting switch 1" and ass-. ciated selecting means 88, etc., and a detailed description of the phonograph repeating control means is therefore not entered into.

It is also contemplated and expressly provided that the armature of cut-oil. magnet 43 may be employed to operate known mechanical means for blocking the coin openings II when one station is in operation, the holding relay armature means i56'| coacting with such blocking mechanism to prevent operation of'the same when both the holding relay and corresponding cutout relay are operated together at one station. This same arrangement is also optionally used to operate a coin return lever in known coin return systems to be used in the control boxes ll, l2.

Summary of operation Assuming the circuit to bein the condition of Fig. 4 with the power source or transformer energized, the lamps will be energized at each selecting station to indicate that the system as a whole is in service. A patron may deposit one or more coins to operate the coin switch 34, causing holding relay 31 to pull up and thus connect the impulse switch ii in a power circuit to operate the selector. As another incident of the operation of the coin switch, all cut-oil! relays 43 and the counting relay 4! will be operated. If more than one coin has been deposited the counting relay 4! will be operated a number of times corresponding to the number of coins deposited, the counting ratchet 85 stepping a like number of times. The function of the cut-off relays 43 is to disable all of the coin switches at the several stations excepting the one at which the coins have been deposited, the power circuit for the latter coin switch being maintained by the corresponding holding relay, lamps I! lighting at all stations to indicate that the system is in service for selecting operation and giving warning that coins are not to be deposited until lamps l9 are extinguished.

Having deposited one or more coins as aforesaid, the patron dials his selection, for example, selection #10, in consequence of which the impulse switch means Hi-J! transmits ten impulses via conductor 14 through delay relay #1 (solenoid 15) and the selector coil 16, thus causing the selector ratchet 83 to step ten times, delay relay armature 19 being of the slow-torelease type so that it holds up during the transmission of all ten impulses. By the time the selector wiper 84 comes to rest on the tenth one ment 9. of the counting relay ratchet to permit the latter to move one step back toward initial. position. If only one coin has been deposited, the latter movement of the counting ratchet will open switch 5|52 to release the holding relay and the cut-off relay of the station which has been operated. If more than one coin has been deposited, for example, three coins, then the patron may make two more selections in the manner aforesaid before the switch Il52 will open.

. The operation of the escapement relay I03 following closely upon operation of the appropriate selector solenoid as aforesaid, closes the starting contacts i for the phonograph, which contacts are connected to conductors "18 leading in turn to contacts M0 on the phonograph counting switch III to step the latter a number if times depending upon the number of coins deposited. The operation of the counting switch H1 is known in the art and is such that each time the selector arm ill of the phonograph makes a complete oscillation corresponding to the playing of a selection, the ratchet of the counting switch ill will be stepped once backtoward initial condition, in which initial condition the associated switch for motor H5 and the amplifier is opened.

Thus, each time the escapement relay I03 is operated to restore the selector switch to initial condition, the phonograph counting switch H1 is stepped once. If three coins have been deposited, switch I" will be stepped three times,

rality of centrally located selectively operable de- I transmitter for selective operation to actuate a desired one of said devices, the combination with said selectively operable devices of switching means and circuit connections including a selecting switch operable in steps from an initial position by impulses from any of said transmitters to connect one of said selectively operable devices in a power circuit, a coin switch associated with each of said units, a centrally located counting switch operated by any of said coin switches in steps from an initial position depending upon the number of coins deposited, and switching means coacting with said transmitters and selecting switch to close a power circuit established by the selecting switch asaforesaid to energize the selected device at a predetermined time following connection of said device in said power circuit by the selecting switch, means for effecting restoration of said selecting switch to said initialposition after each selecting operation thereof, and means for restoring said counting switch one step toward said initial position for each selecting operation of said selecting switch,

3. A control system in accordance with claim 2 and further characterized by the provision of means operatively associated with each of said coin-operated switches for rendering inoperative all coin switches of units save the one first operated by a coin. V

4. In a system of the class described including a plurality of centrally situated selectively operable devices and a plurality of de-centralized selecting units each provided with a dial impulse transmitter for selective operation of a desired one of said devices, switching mechanism including a step by step selecting'switch movable from an initial position to establish an operating circuit for any of said devices, coin-controlled switch mechanism at each of said units and counting switch means co-operable therewith for connecting the corresponding dial transmitter for operation of said selecting switch a number of times corresponding to the number of. coins deposited, and switching mechanism cooperating with said selecting switch to complete a power circuit and actuate any of said devices selectively connected as aforesaid by the selecting switch,

and means for automatically restoring said selecting switch to said initial position after each selecting operation thereof.

5. In a system of the class described including a plurality of centrally situated selectively operable devices and a plurality of de-centralized selecting units each provided with a dial impulse transmitter for selective operation of a desired one of said devices, switching mechanism including a step by step selecting switch movable from an initial position to establish an operating circuit for any of said devices, coin-controlled switch mechansm at each of said units and counting switch means co-operable therewith for connecting the corresponding dial transmitter for operation of said selecting switch a number of times corresponding to the number of coins deposited, and switching mechanism cooperating with said selecting switch to complete a power circuit and actuate any of said devices selectively connected as aforesaid by the selecting switch, means for automatically restoring said selecting switch to said initial position after each selecting operation thereof, and switching means ateach of said units operable to render the coin switch means thereof ineffective while said counting switch is in'condition to permit one or more selecting operations of the dial transmitter at any other unit.

6. In an electrical selecting system of the class described, a plurality of selectively operable devices, an electrically operated connecting switch operable by impulses to effect operation of a desired one of said devices, means for transmitting impulses to operate said connecting switch, a

coin-controlled switch operable to establish circuit connections to render said impulse transmitting means effective for the purpose aforesaid, and switching mechanism operably controlled by said coin-controlled switch to condition said system so that said. impulse transmitting means may be operated once for each coin deposited.

7Q In a selecting system, a selecting dial switch for transmitting selecting signals consisting of one or more impulses in succession, selectively operable devices, and switch means controlled by impulses from said dial switch for connecting a desired one of said devices in an actuating circuit, and means including a relay operably controlled by said impulses for connecting power to said actuating circuit to actuate the selected device following transmission of a selecting signal as aforesaid.

8. An electrical selecting system having in combination, a plurality of selectively operable impulse transmitters, a plurality of selecting to actuate'a magnet connected therein by se-.

lecting action of the selecting switch as aforesaid following each selecting operation of an impulse transmitter, means cooperating with said relay. means for effecting restoration of said selecting switch to starting position after actuation as aforesaid of a magnet selected thereby, and

means for automatically restoring said counting switch in steps back to said normal position following each selecting operation of said transmitter.

9. In an electrical selecting system for phonographs including a central selecting unit and a plurality of selecting stations each including means for dialing a selecting signal consisting of a group of one or more impulses, the combination with said system of a coin switch at each station and arranged ,to be operated once for each coin deposited, a central counting switch operated I one step at a time by each operation of a' coin switch so as to be stepped away from a normal open-circuit condition and close an operating circuit for said unit, and means coacting with I said dialing means for restoring said counting switch in steps toward normal position one step at a time for each selecting signal transmitted,

.whereby to effect a number of selections corresponding to the number of coins deposited.

f LYNDON A. DURANT.

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