GB587371A - Improvements in or relating to coin-freed lock mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

587,371. Coin-freed locks. TITE, R. G. Nov. 1, 1944, No. 21330. [Class 27] A coin-freed lock for a safe in which property may be left temporarily, and operable by a key which can be removed whilst the safe is in use, is normally locked against turning movement by the key by the engagement of a stop on a wheel with a resilient locking catch. An inserted coin enters a pocket in the wheel and disengages the latch during an initial movement permitted by the resilience of the catch, whereupon the lock can be operated and the key removed. The invention is shown applied to a tumbler barrel type of lock. The wheel 10 with diametrically opposed coin pockets 11 is loosely mounted on the barrel 18 of the lock, and has a pair of pawls 16 by which it is driven (anti-clockwise) by a four-point ratchet wheel 17 secure to the barrel. A contraset ratchet 13 secured to the wheel, and engaged by pawls, prevents reverse rotation of the wheel. Normally, one of a pair of stops 12 on the wheel bears against a catch 19 to prevent the lock being turned by the key which is held in the lock by a sliding bolt (not shown). An inserted coin passes down a chute 21 and enters one of the pockets in the wheel. During initial turning of the key and wheel, permitted by a resilient plunger 19a controlling the catch 19, the coin engages a ramp 23 on a lever 20 carrying the catch, so freeing the wheel for the normal 90 degrees rotation of the lock, and enabling the safe door to be opened. In this position, Fig. 3, of the mechanism, the coin bears against a ramp 24a which lifts the key retaining bolt enabling the key to be withdrawn. After inserting the property in the safe the door is closed-to and can be reopened to recover the property by using the key only, the further actuation of the lock discharging the coin into a chute 26 and bringing the second stop 12 up against the locking catch 19, the mechanism then being in its normal position for actuation by a further coin. A pawl 29 engages a ratchet 28 on the lock barrel to prevent this further rotation being made inadvertently whilst the door is open: when the door is shut the lock keeper prevents full extension of the lock bolt and, in this position, the bolt actuates cam mechanism to disengage the pawl. Coin-slit closing-devices; indicators. - When the safe is occupied, the coin slot is closed by a slide 35 actuated by a sliding bar 34 and lever 33 engaged by a cam 14 secured to the coin-wheel. The bar 34 also actuates an "engaged" indicator 36.