US1015280A - Telephone toll apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

E. P. BAIRD. TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS. APPLLOATION FILED JULY 22, 1901. BENBWED JUNE 1e, 1911.

Patented Jan. 23, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I J: @Mgg/35M @www @WMM Y E. P. BAIRD. TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1901. RBNEWED JUNE 16, 1911. 1,015,280, Patented @11.23, 1912,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Mul@ Fd ferklac/o E. P. BAIRD.

TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1901. RENBWED JUNE 16. 1911. l 4 1,015,280, Patented @11.23, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A Edu/ara! laz.

TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 22, 1901. RENEWBD JUNI: 1e. 1911.

1,015,280. Patent-,Qd Ja1123, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNTF@ STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E. FAIRE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,` ASSIGNOR 'I'O BAIE-D MANUFACTURING' COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

v Patented Jan. 23,1912.

Application filed July 22, 1901, Serial No. 69,204. Renewed June 16, 1911. Serial No. 633,592.

To all whom it may concern: y

Be it known that I, EDWARD P. BAIRo, a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois., have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Toll Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to apparatus employed to collect tolls in payment of telephone-service, and designs to provide improved mechanism wlich is simple in construction, and eiicient in operation.

The invention consists inthe several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in central vertical section of a toll-receiver embodying the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation, the case being shown in section. Fig 3 is aiplan view, parts being omitted and the case being shown in section. Fig. 4 is a View in horizontal section taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a View in vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail View of the Alatch shifter. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a telephone-system and cord loop of a central exchange having the improved toll-`rcceiver connected therewith.

The toll-receiver (shown more fully in Figs. 1-5) is located at the subscribers station and comprises a suitable inclosing Case G, which is provided with a coin-receiving slot 8, a cup 9 for catching the refunded coins, anda coin-receptacle 10, secured in the case by a lock 11.

The operating mechanism of the toll-receiver is sustained in relative position by a frame comprising sides 1 2 and 13 secured together and to the case in any suitable and convenient manner. A coin-carrier A is pivotally sustained by and secured to swing with, a shaft 14 journaled in the frame sides and having at polygonal portion eX- tending through a correspondin ly-shaped sieeve 15 secured in wings 16 o the coincarrier. The carrier comprises suitable walls between which a coin-guide or channel 1T is formed. The front or upper end of the coin-channel 17 is located lmmediately beneath coin-receiving slot 8 and into said channel deposited coins will falh Ak stop 18, ict-ated adiacent the edgeof channel 17,

a :deposited coin of proper site jacent the upper or front end of the carrier. The bottom or lower wall of coin-channel 17 is notched or slotted as .at y19 to expose the edge-portion of a coin held in the carrier, and'to permit the coin to engage and shift the mechanism hereinafter' described, when the carrier with a `coin' therein is shifted. Shaft 14 is projected through one of the side-walls of the inclosing case, and has secured to its projecting-terminal, an operating-arm or crank 20, whereby the shaft and coin-carrier may be manually` shifted. 4A lspring 21 holds the carrier in normal posi- Iat its lower end. i

An arm B sustained by a shaftv28 journaled in sides 12 and 13 of the frame, extends normally into the path of movement of a coin in the carrier. Arm B is engaged and shifted by a coin in the carrier, during the manually-imparted oscillatory shift of the carrier. At one side of the frame, a

switch-arm C formed of non-conducting material, is secured to shaft 28 and is arranged in position; to-engage a contact spring 29 and is adapted to 'shift said spring into electrical connection ywitha contact-spring 31. Arm B is yieldingly held in normal position against a cross-rod 30 and is restored to such position by a spring 31. Contacts 29 and 31 are normally insulated from each othe4 and are secured to a block 38 of non conducting material, in suitable manner.

Said contacts 29 and 31 are connected with conductorlw'ires 36 and 37 leading respectively to ground and to a branch-wire of the tele hone line. Arm B is provided with a hoo 35 adapted to be engaged by a latch G having a terminal g1 whereby the arm 'will be held in shifted. position, until released by mechanism hereinafter described.

A dog 39 providedv with ratchet-teeth is pivv otally sustained by crossrod 30, is arranged 1n the path of movement 'or a coin in carrier A, engages the edge or exposed'portion of the coin, and prevents retraction of the coin and carrier, and repeated operation of arm B by the same coin. Said-dog is held in proper normal position against a stop 40 and restored thereto by a spring 41. In operation, the coin successively engages the teeth of the dog, and the carrier is held against retraction until the coin has been discharged from the carrier.

When a coin is shifted by the' carrier, and

the coin has passed beneath arm B and d g 39, the coin will be discharged from t e carrier and will fall into a movable coindistributer E. Beneath the coin-distributer a stop 44 is formed Whereon the coin, after discharge from the carrier, will rest. Thus it will be seen that each deposited coin of properf'sizewill be shifted by the carrier, to cause the shift of a switch, and then'discharged into thei movabledistributer E and will be held therein `(until displaced by mechanism hereinafter described) by stop 44. In back of stop 44 guides 45 are provided to direct coins, when the coin-distributer is shifted backwardly, into coin-receptacle 10, and in front of said stop a guide or run-way 26'is formed, to direct Icoins from stop 44 (when the distributer is moved forwardly) through an exit opening 27 and into cap 9 at the outside of the case.

The movable distributer E is sustained by a plunger 49 mounted in manner freel to slide in laterally projecting lugs 51,01? a bracket 50 secured to side 12 of the frame.

yThe distributer is positioned normally above .47 restores the distributer to normal posi tion: after backward shift thereof to displace a coin into the coin receptacle.' Plunger 49 is provided with a handle 52 at its forward terminal, and thereby the plunger and distributer can be manually shifted either forwardly or rearwardly. Plunger 49A is also provided with a stud or lug 53 adapted to travel in a cam-slot having inclined edges g and g of a latch-shifter G', which has its upper end pivotally secured to latch G, and has its lower end guided between-lugs '51- of bracket 50. Stud 53 is arranged to engage cam-edge g and lower shifter G and latch G when the plunger 49 is moved forwardly, and to enga e cam-edge g and likewise lower shifter G and latch G when the plunger is moved backwardly. Latch G is pivotally-'sustained by across-rod g6 and held in and restored to normal'positi'on by a spring 77. Thus it will be seen, that upon'v shift of the. plunger in either direct-ion the latch will be withdrawn from engagement,

with hook 35 of arm B and the said arm will then be free to be restored to normal position by spring 31. Arm B, by means of .switch C and contacts 29 and 31, controls through the back-board of a telephone set,

and the-transmitter over the telephoneline. The mechanism for actuating said signal comprises a swinging dog m pivotally sustained, as at m, by the dlstributer and carried thereby, and so arranged that a coin in the distributer will shift said dog, into position to engage a signal-actuating lever m,2 secured to a sleeve ma, which is pivotally sustained by a stud m* projecting from side 13 'of the frame. Side 13 of the frame is `provided with an opening as wherethrough is adapted to engage and bend the free terminal of a flexible strip M, which, when suddenly released from engagement with said pawl, will vibrate and inherently, produce an audible signal; Pawl m5 is provided with an abutment m which engages lever m2 and is held against said lever and tby a spring 'mi during the backward travel of said lever, so the pawl will move with the lever but on forward shift of the lever, the pawl will travel freely over the flexible strip M, without effecting the vibration of said strip. Dog m is provided with a stop mi for limiting the inward movement thereof and positioning the dog normally in the path of a coin falling into the distributer. Obviously the audible signal device will be actuated only when a coin is held in the distributer and the distributer is shifted backwardly to displace a coin into the coin-receptacle. Such mechanism, therefore, serves as coin-controlled means for actuating the audible signal when the distributer is shift ed to deposit a coin beyond control of the deposito/r, and notify the operator at the central office that a deposited coinhas been exposed through a sight-opening a in the inclosing case A. The register compri-ses a shaft t whereby the counting mechanism is advanced in step-by-step fashion, and to shaft t an operating arm t2 is secured, which has a limited oscillatory movement necessary to advance the counting mechanism. A pit-man t3 has one end pivot-ally secured to the distal end of arm t2 and has its other end pivotally secured to a flexible crank-arm t5 secured to sleeve m4 which carries and moves with the operating-arm of the device for producing an audible signal. Crank-arm z is preferably made slightly flexible so the necessary stroke may be im parted to the lever m2 to insure the operation of strip M without being restricted to the predetermined limited travel of registerarm t2. Furthermore, the difference in the thickness of coins will cause the shift of lever m2 to vary slight-ly, therefore an excess of movement is imparted to lever m2 and the fleXible-crank-arm permits such differential movement of lever m2 while always imparting a uniform travel to the register-arm t2. A spring V restores lever m2, crank-arm t and operating-'arm t2 to normal position after shift of such parts.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 7, H designates a subscribers station, I a switchboard located in a central exchange K, and J is a connecting line comprising branches 55 and 56. These branches terminate respectively in line-springs z' and z" of switchboard l at the central exchange, and at the subscribers station, in the usual parts, including a transmit-ter, induction-coils, receiver, signal-bell and switch-hook, connected together in usual manner, as well understood in the art. The switch board shown is of the type commonly known as a relay-board. A line-relay 58 is associated with each subscribers line and is included in a signal circuit comprising branch 55 of the line, switch 7 7a and wires 77 and 77b extending to battery 75 and to ground at 82. When energized, the line-relay causes the actuation of a visual signal 7 9 (such as a lamp) in a local circuit. A cut-off relay 59 included in ay circuit which extends from ground at 82, by conductor 8l and 'termina-ting in a. test-ring, excludes the line-relay and visual signal or indicator from the signal circuit when the operator inserts a plug into the spring-jack.

L denotes a cord-circuit including plugs (il and 62, a battery 63 and other usual parts and signals at the central exchange. At the subscribers station, a branch-W1re'37 connects branch 55 of the telephone with contact 31 of the normally open coin-controlled switch C, and a wire 36 connectscontactQQ of said switch with ground as at 90.

The operation will be as follows: To signal the central exchange, the subscriber inserts a coin of proper denomination and size through coin-receiving slot 8 (see Fig. l) into coin-carrier A. The Adepositor then shifts operating-arm Q0 forwardly, and such lnovementfwill positively shiftA the coin. downward,y so the coin will engage dog 39 and retraction of the coin will be prevented thereby. The coin will also engage and shift arm B until hook thereof passes beyond the bent terminal of latch G, .when the arm Will be held in such posit-ion. Vhile arm B is thus held by latch G, switch-arm C will hold the contacts 29 and 81 into electrical connection, and with the parts in such position, the line-relay will immediately notify the central operator of the deposit of a coin into the toll-receiver. because current will flow from battery 7 5 (which is grounded at 82), over conductor 77, through line-relay 58 (energizing said relay and closing the local signal circuit wherein visual signal 79 is located), thence through switch 77, over b ranch of the telephone-line. thenceby conductor 37, contact springs 3l and 29, and conductor 3G to ground at 90. Visual signal 79 will thus notify the central operator that a connection is desired and that a coin has been deposited. Such signal continues until the central operator responds by inserting a-'plug of the cord-circuit into the spring-jack of the switchboard I. then the central operator inserts a plug into the spring-jack, the cut-out relay will be energized, attract .its armature and break the signal circuit of lamp 7 9 as well understood in the art. The central operator can then communicate with the depositor, and ascertain the connection desired. After shift of arm B, the coin in carrier A will be discharged into distributer E, and will shift dog m into position to cause the operation of the device'for producing an audible signal, and register T. After having ascertained the connection desired by the depositor, the central operator will ascertain in usual manner whether or not the desired connection can be obtained. If the desired connection can be obtained, the operator directs the depositor to push handle 51 inwardly. The inward shift of the plunger will shift the distributer and the coin the-rein, to cause dog m to engage lever m2, thus shifting paw] 7i-1F' to act-nate the flexible stri M to produce an audible signal which wi l be conducted over the telephone-line to the operator. Si'Inultaneously` the coin in the distributer will be shifted backwardly of stop 44 so it will fall into receptacle I0. The audible signal will notify the central operator that the coin has been removed from the distributer and into the coin-receptacle. If the audible signal is not heard, the central operator will know that the coin has been removed, or that the line-signal has been operated by fraudulent means, and will not give the connection desired. If the audible vsignal is heard by the central operator, the desired connection will be given. Then the plunger 49 is shifted backwardly, stud 53 will engage cam-edge g of the latch-shifter,

. and thus withdraw the latch from engagement with arm B, tol permit said arm to be restored to normal position by spring 31. The release of arm B will shift switch C to disconnect contacts 29 and 3l, thus breaking the signal circuit at. such point, and rendering the line-relay inoperative until another coin has been deposited. During each backward shift of the distributer with a coin therein, the register T will be operated by crank-arm t5 (which is secured to move in unison with lever m2), pitman t3 and/operating-arm t2. A true record will `thus be kept of the number of coins deposited in the coin-receptacle, so the collector can ascertain whether or not any of the coins have been fraudulently removed. If the connection desired by the depositor cannotl be made, the central operator will direct the depositor to pull the handle 52 forwardly. 'Ihe forward shift of the plunger will'cause stud 53 to engage cam-edge gto withdraw latch GrA from engagement with arm B- and release said arm to break the signal circuit atcontacts 29 and 31, and to render the line-relay inoperative. The forward shift of the distributer'will cause the coin therein to ass forwardly of stop 4.4 so it will fall thiiough check or token.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details shown and described, but may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the several novel features may be employed severally without its adoption in entirety.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In a toll-apparatus for telephones, the combination with a coin-controlled switch forcontrolling passage of current over an electrical circuit, of means whereby said switch will be locked in shifted position, coin-distribut-er-mechanism, means whereby said distributer-mechanism can be operated by the depositer, and means whereby said switch-locking-means will be operated to release said switch when the means whereby the depositor shifts the distributermechanism is shifted to placel acoin beyond cont-rol of the depnsitor.

In a, toll-apparatus for telephones, the combination with a coin-controlled-switch for controlling passage of current over an electrical circuit., of means whereby said switch will be locked inr shifted position, coin-distributer-mechanism, means whereby said distributer-mechanism can be operated by the depositor, and means whereby said switch-locking-means will be operated to release said switch when the means whereby the depositor operates the distributor-mechanism is shifted to place a coin beyond control of the depositor or to refund a coin.

3. In toll apparatus for telephones, the combination with a signal circuit and a line-signal at the central exchange, of a switch at the sub-station for controlling the operation of said line-signal, means whereby said switch will be shifted into position to cause the operation of the line-sirnal when a coin is deposited, means for hol ing said switch in position to cause the operation of the line-signal, coin distributer mechanism operable by the depositor to place a. coin beyond his control, and means whereby the switch holdinfmeans will be operated to release the switch when the distributer mechanism is operated.

4. In toll apparatus for telephones, the combination with a signal-circuit and a linesignal at theccntral exchange, of a linesignal-switch at the sub-station for controlling the operation of said line-signal, lcoincontrolled mechanism for shifting said switch, a latch for holding said switch in position to cause the actuation of the'linesignal, and means whereby the release of said switch may be manually effected by the depositor.

In toll apparatus for telephones, the combination with a signal-circuit and a linesignal at the central exchange, of a linesignal-switch at the sub-stationv for controlling the operation of said line-signal, mechanism whereby a coin can be positively shift-ed to set said switch into position to cause the actuation of said 4line-signal, means comprising a latch for holding the switch in such position, and means whereby the release of said switch may be manually effected by the depositor.

G. In toll apparatus for telephones, the combination with a signal-circuit and a linesignal atl the central exchange, of a linesignal switch at the sub-station, a swinging carrier having a pocket` for holding a coin and whereby a coin will be positively shifted to shift said switch to effect the operation of the line-signal, means comprising a latch for holding the switch in such position, and means whereby the release of said switch can be manually effected by the depositor.

7. In toll apparatus for telephones, the combination with a signal-circuit aridaA line'l signal' at the centralfexchange, cfa linesignal switch at the sub-station ="for con# trolling the actuation of said line-si al, mechanism for positively7 shifting a coinfto shift said switch to effect thejafctuation of the line-signal, a switch-arm located in the path of movement of a coin heldin the coin-shifting mechanism, a latch for holding said switch-arm iii-such positi'omadmeans whereby the switch can he man'allyirelesd by the depositor. f Il vl`8. lIntell apparatus yfor telephones, the combination with v'a 'signal-'circuit'fand va line-signal at therent'ral exchangefof a line-signal switch at the? sub-station lfor controlling the operationL ofthe r linesignal, means.` for shifting "a chintoshiftsaid switch to effect the operation of the line'- signal, a latch for holding said switch vin such position,and a coinjdistributerconl nected to said latchso that the *line-:signal switch will be releasedwhen the rdistrih'uter isoperated. 9. In tol apparatus Afor telephones, the combination wlth 'a signalLcircuit and a line# signal at the central eXch'ange,`of-a"line-signalswitch att-he 'substation `for controlling the operation of the line-signal, means for shifting a coin to shift said' switchA to effect the operation ofthe line-signal, a latch for holding saidswitch in lsuch position, a coin udistributer connected tothe latchso that the switch will 'be released when the distributer-mechanism is operated, and-means whereby the dist-ributer can' be operated by the depositor. f

10." [n 'tollapparatus for telephones, the combination with a signal-circuitjand `a linesignalat the cent-ral exchange, of a` line-signal switch at the sub-'station for cntrolling thet operation of the line-signal, means for shifting'a coin to shift said switch to effectr the "o ration of ithe line-signal,`a latch for ho ding said switchin such position, a coin-distributer, and meanswhereby said latch will be released' when a coin is placed beyond control Iofithe "depositcr or refunded.y

11. Atoll apparatus for telephones, comprising the combination with distributing mechanism whereby `a coinma'y be displaced into the coin-receptacle or returnedto the depositor, of a sound-yielding body, a lever` for causing the actuation said body, a pawl secured to move in 'one-direction with said lever a'nd freeto move independently 1n reverse direction, and means whereby said lever will rbe shifted only when theldistributing mechanism is' operated to displace a" coin into the coin-receptacle.

12. The combination with a telephonedine and a signal circuit including a line-signal at the central office, and a coin-controlled switch. at the subscribers station, of means for shlfting'saidswitch, means for holding said switch in 'shifted position, distributer mechanism whereby' 'a deposited coiny mayfbe displaced into the 'coin-receptacle, -orreturned to the' depositor, adevi'ce for 'pro-l ducing van audible signal, means whereby the distributermec'hanism will cause therelease of the switch, andmeans vwhereby the 4 shift of said mechanism in one direction'will lcause the aca1ati'irof` lsaid device.

vv13; flhe'tcomhnationwith a"telephoneline anda signal circuit including a' linelsignal at the "central oilice, i' and ai coin-controlled lswitch at1 the suloscribrs station, of `means for-shifting saidswitch, means'for holding 'l said switch inshifted positiim,v manually# controlled"dist'ributeyimechanisn whereby a deposited". c'oinimay be displaced intothe coin-receptacle, or returned to thedeposito'r,

l a'device for producing' an audible signal,

means" whereby the distributer' mechanism willicausethe release of "switch, and means whereby the shift *ofr said mechanism inone direction will-cause the actuation of said l Y: Il," 14.,7 .NI The combination with a telephone-line and"l a vsignal circuit including" a'line-signal at the ycentral ollice, and a coin#controlled switch at the"sulb'scribes` s`tati`on,"o"f means forLshiftingsaidfswitch, means for holding., l

mechanism whereby'a cOnmay bedisplaced into ai 'coin-receptacle, or 'returned to the depositor, Iof; a register"l and `coinact1ated means whereby said registerwill-be operated onlyiwhen a coin is `displaced'iiito the'coin' receptacle; f

16.Ajtoll apparatus for telephones, co prising' the combination with a distributing mechanism, whereby a coin may be displaced into atom-receptacle or returned to the de positor, vof a' register and vmeans whereby said register .will be operated onlyv-Whe'na coin is'"dis'pla'ced into the coin-receptacle, said means including'a flexible arm.

,17.` `A-toll apparatus for telephones, comprising the combination of distributin" 111ecl1anisn'rwhereby a coin may be displace into the coin-recepta`cle for returned to the depositor, of ra coin-controlled device for producing'an audible signal, a register, .and

producing an audible signal, a register, and

means whereby said device Will be actuated and said register will be operated by each operation of the distributing mechanism to displace a coin into the receptacle, said means including a coin-controlled dog movable with the distributing mechanism.

19. A toll apparatus for telephones, comprising the combination of distributing mechanism whereby a coin may be displaced into the coin-rece tacle or returned to the depositor, of a device for producing an audible signal, a register, and means whereby said device will be actuated and said register will be operated by each o eration ofthe distribut-ing mechanism to lsplace a coin into the receptacle, said means including a coin controlled dog shifted by the distributing mechanism, a lever for effecting the actuation of said device, and a yielding connection between said lever and said register` and which permits a, differential shift of the register.

EDWARD P. BAIRD.

Witnesses:

FRED GERLACH, Toms H. ALFoRos.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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