GB892610A - Coin-controlled mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

892,610. Coin-freed apparatus. GREENWALD, H., WOLFF, L., SILBERGLAIT, H., LAZARUS, H., HAMILTON, G. H., KORN, B., and BERNSTEIN, I. L., [trading as INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATES.]. Nov. 21, 1959, No. 39573/59. Class 27. Coin-freeing mechanism, particularly for releasing the timer of an automatic washing machine or drier, is readily adaptable for operation by one, two or more coins of the same denomination by the provision of a cover 60 which is angularly adjustable after the release of a set screw 45 covered by a lock cylinder 52 so that a coin slot 65 is positioned appropriately behind one or other of several radial fingers 55a, 55b, 55c on a coin-driven member 50. A shaft 25 between the timer motor 23 and the driven member 50 operates cam-controlled switches 24 in sequence and a coin in a carrier 75 on a plate 70 couples the driven member to an external operating knob 64. For one-coin operation, the slot is positioned so that an inserted coin lies behind the rearmost finger 55c and a single movement of the knob to bring the coin over the discharge shoot 53 will move the shaft 25 to the start position of the timer. For two-coin operation, the cover is adjusted so that the slot causes an inserted coin to engage behind the intermediate finger 55b and when the coin is released to the discharge shoot the shaft 25 is not in the start position but a second inserted coin can engage finger 55c to cause movement to the start position. Similarly, for three-coin operation, the fingers 55a and 55b are engaged by two successive coins before the third coin can engage the finger 55c. Fraud preventing.-A ratchet strip engages the coins to prevent reverse rotation of the knob 64 or oscillation of the knob so that a single coin can be successively engaged with the fingers. The coin carrier 75 is in the form of a channel with one flange 77 bent up to form a radial arm 81 and the other formed with a bevelled nose 82 which, if a washer 87 is inserted, will enter the hole in the washer and raise it so that it is dragged over the fingers without moving them. An arcuate depression 401 causes a correct coin to centre itself clear of two pins 402 on each side of the slot but, if a razor blade is inserted, it will be held up by the pins and further movement of the knob 64 will be prevented.