GB468761A - Improvements relating to prepayment mechanism for meters and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

468,761. Coin - freed apparatus. MEASUREMENT, Ltd., COWAN, E. L., and CLIFFORD, C. F. Jan. 10, 1936, No. 867. [Class 27] Returning coin.-In prepayment mechanism for meters and other commodity delivery apparatus, a coin, in passing through an insertion shoot, opens a connection to a coin return slot, which connection is closed again upon rotation of a handle operating the coin pocket, so that a second coin inserted before operation of the handle is delivered to the return slot. In Fig. 1, a coin inserted through a slot n covered by a flap o passes down a shoot a into the coin pocket b, and in passing, depresses a spring-actuated lever c forming the base of the shoot. This releases a catch f at the rear of the lever c from a plate g pivoted about a vertical axis, and forming the base of the front part of the shoot, the plate g moving clear of the shoot so that coins subsequently inserted fall to a return shoot p. The plate g is restored into its closing position by engagement of a flexible abutment on the operating shaft of the mechanism. A pin on the plate g enters the shoot a to prevent coins from passing straight down the shoot when the plate is displaced. In Fig. 4, the bottom of the shoot a comprises a lever t pivoted at u and weighted at the rear : it is held in the position shown to pass an inserted coin to the pocket by a swinging gate s. An inserted coin thrusts back the gate s to release the lever t which rises so that any further coins inserted before actuation of the mechanism are returned by way of a shoot p. The lever t is returned into its initial position by a spring v on the actuating shaft k<1>.