US3548991A - Check controlled stamp-dispensing machines - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent Charles H. Flubacker Barrington, 1!].

Apr. 5 1968 Dec. 22, 1970 Artag Plastics Corporation a corporation of Illinois lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee CHEEK CONTROLLED STAMP-DISPENSING MACHINES 12 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

Int. Cl

Field of Search 194/ l 0, .02, 7, 2; 221/93, 129,94; 133/2 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/ 1907 Osborn 2,621,771 Merrill 194/10 2,780,336 2/1957 Hatcher.. 194/10 2,800,988 7/1957 Timms (l94/.02)

2,840,265 6/1958 Noyes 22'l/129X 2,895,582 7/1959 Turner 221/129X 3,080,035 3/1963 Diaz 194/10X 3,220,530 11/1965 Offutt 194/10 3,335,838 8/1967 Schuller et a1. 194/10 Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson ABSTRACT: Stamp-dispensing machines which may be programmed to dispense various combinations of stamps of various denominations are disclosed. The number of stamps dispensed and the various denominations may be changed, for example, if the postal rates change, by merely changing the instructions on the face of the machines and by replacing plugs and/or terminal blocks in the machines so as to automatically accomplish the changeover and thus eliminate the need to return the machines to a factory for extensive rewiring.

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b L BY 2 i 2 d- PATENTED BEE-22 I970 SHEET 10 [1F Illll CHEEK CONTROLLED STAMP-DISPENSING MACHINES BACKGROUND. o'ifiii ivis'nr'ioi i 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to stamp-dispensing machines and in particular to machines which automatically dispense one or more stamps in response to the depositing of coins into the machine. Such machines are utilized, for example, by the United States postal services and allow stamps to be dispensed from unattended machines so that they may be obtained at any time.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior stamp-dispensing machines have been permanently wired such that in the event that a change in postal rates occurred the machines could notbe easily adapted to the new postal rates. For example, if the first class mailing rate is changed from to 6*, in machines of the prior art it is necessary to make major wiring and other changes to adapt the machines to dispense 6* stamps instead of 5** stamps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention therefore, to provide stamp machines which may be adapted to different postal rates by merely changing one or more easily accessible jumper plugs and/or terminal blocks, for example.

The present invention also relates to a new and novel stampdispensing machine which utilizes a novel logic circuit to actuate the machine.

It is an object of the present invention therefore, to provide anovel stamp-dispensing machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stampdispensing machine which may be readily and easily converted from a first dispensing mode to a second dispensing mode with minor adjustments.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a stamp machine according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a stamp-dispensingmodule of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a stamp-dispensing module of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the stamp machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a modification of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a layout diagram which shows how the schematic views of FIGS. 7 12 are connected;

FIG. 7 illustrates terminal blocks of the machine of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the stamp-dispensing modules of the machine of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a portion of the relay panel; FIG. 10 illustrates the switch panel of the machine of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a second portion-ofthe relay panel; and

FIG. 12 illustrates the S C S accumulator of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the electrical schematic and the interchangeability features of the invention for a machine such as illustrated in FIG. I. The machine 10 shown in FiG. 1 has a coin slot 11 into which either nickels, dimes or quarters may be inserted to order stamps.

For example, if a nickel is inserted into the machine, five 1** stamps are received if the machine is set for nonprofit. It is to be realized, of course, that some organizations would deliver only four I** stamps for a nickel and keep the remaining penny as profit for operation of the machine. The machine may be programmed for any condition. A 10* deposit would result in the delivery of two 5" stamps, for example, and a 25** coin would deliver four 6** stamps and a 1** stamp.

The machines according to this invention, are so constructed that standard stamp vending modules such as shown in FIG. 3 may be inserted into the machines and are connected so as to deliver any desired combination of stamps. Since each stamp-vending module is standard they may be programmed to deliver stamps of various denominations and in varying number. As illustrated in FIG. 1 when a quarter is inserted into the machine two of the stamp-vending modules will be energized to dispense the 6" and the 1'" stamps. It is to be realized, of course, that three of the modules could be simultaneously energized if the machine were so programmed.

Prior to this invention to change the distribution and dispensing cycle has required a major modification of a machine which normally required that the machine be returned to the factory.

The present invention abrogates this by utilizing standardized stamp-vending modules in which various denominations of stamps may be mounted and by wiring the control system so that one or more plugs may be changed to vary the operation of the machine.

A standard stamp-dispensing unit 15 is illustrated in FIG. 3 and schematically in FIG. 2. The machine comprises a frame member 13 which is formed with an upright 14 that rotatably supports a roll of stamps 16. An out-of-stamps switch 17 has a feeler which detects when the stamps are out. The stamps pass down around a counting roller 18 and out past a cutter bar 19. A driving motor 21 is coupled to the counting roller 18 by a belt 122 and drives a countdown gear 22. Selector solenoids 23 are mounted on the frame 13 and engage latch triggers 24 which control a trip cone 26 for deenergizing a countdown switch 27. A latch solenoid 28 controls a latch arm 29 which has a projection that engages recesses in the counting roller 18. A latch arm switch 31 is energized by a projection 32 attached to the latch arm 29.

The schematic for the unit is illustrated in FIG. 2 and it is to be noted that there are a plurality of counting solenoids 23a through d. These solenoids select the number of stamps which will be dispensed for a particular operation by the unit. For example, if the solenoid 23a is energized, the machine may dispense one stamp, if the solenoid 23b is energized, the machine may dispense two stamps, and so forth. A fuse 33 is connected in circuit with the motor 21 and a thermostat 34 is also connected in the circuit of the motor to prevent it from overheating. When the machine is energized, it will dispense a number of stamps which is determined by which of the counting solenoids 23a through 23d is energized. The stamp unit 15 is well known in the art and a detailed description will not be given. The unit is energized by applying power to one of the solenoids 23a-23d.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the stamp machine 10 which utilizes three separate stamp vending modules 15a, 15b and which are identical to the one shown in FIGS. 3 and 2.

Unit 15a, for example, might dispense 5 stamps, unit 15b might dispense l** stamps, and unit 15c might dispense 6'" stamps.

A power plug 50 has a pair of power leads which are connected to a plug 51a. A mating plug 51b engages the plug 51a. One of the power lines 52 passes from plug 51b through main power on" switch 53 and to a fuse 54. A lead 56 extends from the fuse 54 to a plug 57a. A heater switch 58 is connected between a terminal of the connector 570 and the fuse 54.

A mating connector 57b engages connector 57a. Heater windings 59 are connected between terminals 1 and 2 of connector 57b. A door interlock switch 61 is connected to terminal 4 of connector 57b and is movable between leads 62 and 63. The switch 61 engages lead 63 when the door of the machine is closed. When the door of the machine is open the switch 61 engages in the contact 62 which energizes an outofservice light 66 through plugs 68a and 68b. A second out-ofservice light 67 may be mounted on the back of the machine so that the man servicing the machine knows that the machine is inoperative. Out of stamp lights 90, 91 and 92 indicate out of stamps for modules 15a, 15b, and 150 on the front of the machine and lights 90, 91 and 92' are mounted on the back of the machine It is to be realized that oftentimes machines according to this invention are mounted in a wall so that the user cannot always tell that the machine is being serviced or that stamps are being loaded at the rear of the machine. Thus, the two lights 66 and 67, mounted respectively on the front and rear of the machine, are ignited when the door of the machine is opened for service.

The lights 66 and 67 are energized from power lead 62 and power lead 64 when switch 61 engages lead 62 through connectors 68a and 68b to which the lights 66 and 67 are connected.

A coin rejector module 69 includes a switch 71, a switch 72, and a 25" switch 73. The coin rejector unit 69 is a conventional unit that is available on the market for testing coins which are placed in the slot 11 and which will respectively close switches 71, 72 or 73 if a coin placed in the slot 11 passes various tests. If a nickel is placed into the slot 11 the switch 71 will be closed, for example. If a dime is placed in the machine, the switch 72 will be closed, which will complete the circuit between contacts 6 and 8 of connector 74b. Contact 6 of 74b engages contact 6 of connector 74a, which is connected to lead 63. Lead 63 is connected by switch 61 to power when the back door is closed. Contact 8 of connector 74b is connected to contact 8 of connector 740 which is connected by lead 76 to contact of a main switching module 77. The switching module 77 comprises a fixed wired connector 77a and a mating plug 77b. Jumpers 78 are wired between the various contacts of the connector plug 77b so as to complete various circuits between the contacts 77a of the terminal board 77. For example, lead 76 is connected to contact 9 of terminal board 77a, and contact 9 of plug 77b is connected by jumper lead 78a to contact 3 of plug 77b. Contact 3 of connector 77a is connected by lead 79a to terminal 3 of a connector 80a which mates with a connector 80a of a stamp-dispensing unit a. As shown in FIG. 2, contact 3 of connector 80b is connected to the counting solenoid 23b which dispenses two stamps. Thus, when power is supplied to the unit 15a by closing the switch 72, the 5 dispensing unit 15a will dispense two stamps from the machine.

The switch 73 is closed when a 25" coin is placed in the machine, and it is to be noted from FIG. 1 that under these conditions, four 6** stamps and one 1 stamp will be dispensed from the unit.

It is seen that the switch 73 supplies power through the lead 81 to contact 14 of connector 77a. Contact 14 of jumper 77b is connected to contact 1'] by jumper 78b and also to contact 6 by jumper 78b. Contact 17 of terminal 77a is connected by lead 82 to contact 10 of connector 83a which mates with connector 83b of the 6** dispensing unit 15c. It is noted that the contact 10 of unit 15 as shown in FIG. 2 energizes the coil 230 which dispenses four 6** stamps. Simultaneously, one 1" stamp is dispensed by the unit 15b because a circuit is completed from contact 6 of the jumper plug 77b to contact 6 of the terminal block 77a through lead 84 to contact 5 of connector 86a. Connector 86a mates with contact 5 of connector 86b which supplies power to unitl5b. It is to be noted that contact 5 as shown in FIG. 2, energizes the coil 23a of the unit 15b which dispenses 1* stamps.

Thus, the 25** coin causes four 6 stamps and one 1" stamp to be dispensed by the unit. An empty relay unit 87 is controlled by the switches 17 of the units 15a, b and c, which are connected by lead 89 to contact 5 of terminal block 77a and from terminal 5 of jumper plug 77b to contact 37 of jumper plug 77b. Contact 37 of tenninal 77a is connected by lead 91 to terminal 4 of the unit 15c. It is to be realized that contact 4 of connector 83a is connected to contact 4 of the connector 83b which is in turn connected in circuit with the out-of-stamps switch 17 as shown in FIG. 2. It is to be realized that the other units 15a and 15b also are connected so as to indicate when they are out of stamps to energize the relay 88.

If the price of stamps is changed or it is desired to dispense different quantities for particular coins, the jumper plug 77b may be replaced by a plug that has been rewired so that power will energize different selector coils 230 through 23d of the stamp venting units 15a, b and c. The jumper plug 77b may be mounted in an easily accessible place in the rear of the machine so that a serviceman may open the door of the machine, pull out the jumper plug 77b and replace it with a new jumper plug 77b which has different wiring. This allows different quantities of stamps to be dispensed without rewiring any of the internal circuitry of the machine. In this example, the front panel of the machine as shown in FIG. I may be changed by changing the panel 9 to indicate the new conditions to the user. Thus, by merely changing the front plate 9 and the jumper plug 77b, the machine will be ready to operate under new conditions. Prior to this invention the entire machine would be returned to a factory or service depot and major wiring changes would have to be made. It is to be noted that the standard wiring of connectors 80, 86, 68, 74 and 83 allow any of the modules 15a, b or c to be changed if they become inoperative by merely unplugging and inserting a new operative unit. Thus the machine is easily maintained and may be quickly repaired and placed in service.

FIGS. 5-12 illustrate a more complicated machine designated generally as 100, which allows selection from eight choices by the user. The operator inserts coins in the slot 109 and then pushes the desired button 101 through 108 to receive the desired stamps. For example, if 10 is placed in the slot 109, the button 103 may be depressed, if a 10" airmail stamp is desired, or button 105 may be depressed if a 6" and four 1** stamps are desired. 7

Five dispensing machines 15 are mounted in the machine and are loaded respectively with 25" stamps, 6" stamps, I stamps, 5" stamps and I0" airmail stamps, for example.

It is to be noted that this machine differs from the machine shown in FIG. 1 in that a button 101-408 is depressed before the order is filled. For example, button causes one 6" and four I" stamps to be dispensed for a dime. Likewise, button 106 dispenses four 6* stamps and one I stamp.

FIGS. 7 through 12 comprise the schematic diagram of the machine 100 and FIG. 6 shows how the FIGS. 7 through 12 interconnect to produce the complete schematic of the machine. It is much easier to understand the schematic if FIGS. 712 are laid together as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates five stamp-dispensing modules 15d, e, f, g and h, all of which are identical to the one disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3. Like numerals designate the modules 15d through 15h which are the same as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, to dispense stamps from the module 15d one of the coils 23a through 23d is energized and the particular coil energized determines the number of stamps supplied by the particular unit. Each of the units 15d through h are formed with connectors 11011 through l14b which connect with mating connectors 110a through 1140. The connectors 110a through 1140 are connected to a cable 116 which is in turn connected to the terminal board TB25 illustrated in FIG. 7.

The terminal board T825 has a plurality of contacts 117 that are selectively connected by leads 118 to contacts 119 of terminal board TB16. The output leads of T816 are formed into a cable 120 which, as shown in FIG. 8, connects to a M connector having contacts 121a which mate with a connector having contacts 121b. A portion of the contacts 121b are connected to a cable 122 which feeds into FIG. 11 and is connected to various terminals of a relay panel 123 which comprises a plurality of relays K606 through K613. The relays K606 through K613 correspond to the eight transactions which are commanded by the pushbuttons 101 through 108. Other leads from M connector 121b connect to relays K601 through K605, shown in FIG. 9, which are the empty relays and correspond to the number of stamp dispensing units 15 in the machine.

A pair of heater switches123 and 124-(FIG. 9) are connected in circuit with a thermostat 126 shown in FIG; 8 to control heaters 127 through 131'sh'own in FIG. 8. Main power switch 132 (FIG. 9) is connected in circuit with a fuse 133 and a door'interloclt switch l34is connected ina conventional fashion. The energizing coils of relays K601 through K13 are connected by a cable 13210 an S-connector 133a. The mating portion l33b (FIG. 10) of the S-connector is connected in circuitwith the pushbutton switches 101 through 108 as shown in FIG. 10. A select-another light 134 is energized if one of the stamp-dispensing units 15 is out of stamps.

The empty relays K601 through K605 are connected to terminals of an E-co'nnector 136a which mates with contacts 136b (FIG. 10) which are connected to the pushbutton switches 101through 108. It is to be noted that the pushbutton switches 101 through 108 have two shorting bars which respectively short across terminals when a particular pushbutton is depressed. t

The transaction relays K606 through K613" shown in FIG. 11 are connected to a T-connector 1370 which mates with a jumper connector-137a. Jumper wires 138 connectthe contacts of connector 1371: in various manners. The following chart shows how the jumper wires 138'connect the contacts 13711.

JUNIPER WIRES 138 OF CONNECTOR 137b From: To 1 2 -9, -10 -3 -5, 8 4 6, -45 5 -3, 8 -6 4, -45 -7 8 3, -5 9 -2, -10 10 -2, -9- -1 1 -12 -20, -19 -13 -15, -18 -14 -16, -46 -15 -13, -18 -16 14, -46 -17 -18 -13, -15 -19 -12, -20 -20 -12, -19 -21 -27 -22 -33 -23 -35 24 -29, -34, -47 25 -28 -26 -32 -27 -21 -28 -25 -29 -24, -34, -47 -30 -31 -31 -30 -32 -26 -33 -22 -34 -24, -29, -47 -35 -23 -36 -37 -38 -39, -40, -48 -39 -38, -40, -48 -40 -38, -39, -48 -41 -42 -43 -44 -45 -4, 6 -46 -14, -16 -47 -24, -34, -29 -48 -38, -39, -40

The transaction relays are also connected to terminals 138a of an A connector which engages contacts 13812 of a multiprice series mechanical accumulator 139 illustrated in FIG. 12. The unit 139 includes a motor 141 and a switch 142 which is stepped to engage various contacts 143 in response to the amount of money placed into the machine. The unit 139 is a standard multiprice accumulator which may be obtained from National Rejectors Inc. and will not be described in detail. Its function is to test coins inserted into the machine and move the stepping switch 142 to engage the proper contact 143'corresponding to the amount of money placed into the machine.

In operation, the machine illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 12 receives coins in the slot 109 and the accumulator 139 tests the coins and moves the stepping switch 142 to engage a contact 143 corresponding to-the amount of money placed into the machine. The user pushes one of the pushbuttons 101 through 108 to select a particular combination of stamps to be dispensed. If he pushes a button which does not correspond with the proper amount in the machine, the selector light 134 will come on stating select another.

If the button 101 to 108 pushed corresponds to the proper amount placed in the machine, the particular transaction relay associated with the particular pushbutton will close and will cause the stamp-dispensing modules 15d through 15h to dispense the proper stamps. For example, if button 106 were depressed after inserting. 25**, the transaction relay K608 would be energized andit would cause the 6** module of 15d through 15h to dispense four 6** stamps and the l** module (15d through 15h) to dispense one 1 stamp.

Since the machine operates similar to the simpler machine shown in F IGS. 1 through 5, a detailed explanation of modules 15d through 15h will not be given. It is to be realized that if one of the modules 15d through 15h becomes inoperative, the machine may be easily placed back in service by removing the faulty module and insertinga good module into the machine.

The T-connector with jumper plug 137b and terminal boards TB 16 and TB25allow the machine to be programmed to dispense a different quantity of stamps of different denominations ina simple manner.

The T-connector 137b, for example, shown in FIG. 11, may be removed and replaced with a T-connector 1371; which provides different connections and thus change the operation of the machine.

The leads 118 between terminal boards T816 and TB25 are placed in an easily accessible location so that they may be quickly changed in the field by a service man.

Thus, both machines illustrated can be changed to cover new conditions by merely changing connector plugs and or wiring between terminal boards and by replacing the printed panels on the machine.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim:

1. A stamp-dispensing machine comprising:

a. a plurality of dispensing modules containing stamps to be dispensed;

b. each of said dispensing modules containing a plurality of dispensing leads for commanding different numbers of stamps to bedispensed;

c. a coin receiver for receiving coins;

d. a plurality of coin receiver leads attached to said coin receiver and selectively energized to command different numbers of stamps from said dispensing modules;

e. means connecting said plurality of coin receiver leads to said plurality of dispensing leads; and

f. selector means electrically connected to said means connecting said plurality of coin receiver leads to said plurali ty of dispensing leads to command the particular connections between said coin receiver leads and said dispensing leads.

2. A stamp-dispensing machine according to claim 1 wherein said coin receiver is adapted to receive coins of varying denominations and supplies a signal to one of said coin receiver leads in response to each coin deposited in said coin receiver, and said means connecting said plurality of coin receiver leads to said plurality of dispensing leads connecting the particular one of said coin receiver leads associated with a particular coin to dispensing leads which cause the dispensing modules to dispense stamps which have values that are equivalent to the value of the coin.

3. A stamp-dispensing machine according to claim 2 including out-of-stamps indicator leads attached to said dispensing modules, indicator means, and said means connecting said plurality of coin receiver leads to said plurality of dispensing leads also connecting said indicator leads to said indicator means.

4. A stamp-dispensing machine according to claim 3 including disabling means, and said means connecting said plurality of coin receiver leads to said plurality of dispensing means also connecting said disabling means to said indicator leads and to said coin receiver for preventing coins from being held by the coin receiver if a particular order cannot be filled.

5. A stamp-dispensing machine according to claim 1, wherein said selector means includes a plurality of manually operable switches.

6. A stamp machine according to claim 5 including a plurality of pushbuttons for actuating said manually operable switches.

7. A stamp-dispensing machine according to claim 1, wherein said means connecting said plurality of coin receiver leads to said plurality of dispensing leads comprises a connector having a first portion formed with a plurality of terminals to which said plurality of coin receiver leads and said plurality of dispensing leads are attached, a second portion of said connector formed with a plurality of terminals that matingly engage the plurality of terminals of the first portion, and a plurality of jumper leads connected between certain of said plurality of terminals of said second portion of said connector.

8. A stamp-dispensing machine according to claim 7 comprising an alternate second portion formed with a plurality of terminals that matingly engage the plurality of terminals of the first portion, and a second plurality of jumper leads connected between certain of said terminals of said alternate second portion so as to provide different connections that exist when said jumper leads of said second portion are connected.

9. A stamp-dispensing machine according to claim 1 wherein said meansconnecting said plurality of coin receiver leads to said plurality of dispensing leads comprise a first terminal block to which said dispensing leads are connected, a second terminal block to which said coin receiver leads are connected, and a plurality of jumper leads connected between said first and second terminal blocks.

10. A stamp machine according to claim 1 comprising a connector formed with two parts, each with a plurality of contacts that matingly engage with the contacts of the other part, the contacts of the first part electrically connected to said selector means, and a plurality of jumper leads connected between the plurality of contacts of the second part.

11. A stamp machine according to claim 10 comprising an alternate second part of said connector formed with a plurality of contacts and a plurality of alternate jumper leads connected between contacts of the alternate second part.

12. A stamp machine according to claim 11, wherein said second part comprises a jumper plug.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3, 548, 991 Dated December 22, 1970 CHARLES H. FLUBACKER Patent No.

Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover page and in Column 1, please change "CHEEK" to --CHECK- In all instances throughout the specification change to Column 3, line 3, after "machine" place a period line 27, after "contact" insert --9 line 36, after "80a" insert --which mates with a conne Column 4, line 5, chan e "ventin to --vendin g g g Signed arid sealed this 25th day of Mai 1971 Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SGHUYLER, JR. Attesting Officer Commissioner 01 Patents FORM PO-1050 [10-69) USCOMM-DC 537,

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