US1112370A

US1112370A - Coin-controlled pay-station for telephones.

Info

Publication number: US1112370A
Application number: US29317505A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur B Flagg; Walter H Livermore
Original assignee: LIVERMORE PAY STATION Co
Current assignee: LIVERMORE PAY STATION Co
Priority date: 1905-12-26
Filing date: 1905-12-26
Publication date: 1914-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 1931-09-29

Description

A.B. PLAGG & W. H. LIVERMORE. 00m CONTROLLED PAY STATION FOR TELEPHONE-S.

APPLICATION PILEI) DBO. 26, 1905.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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ArthurB. F [Q Her LU.) more. 1+ mrn e9 A. B. FLAGG & W. H. LIVERMORE. COIN CONTROLLED PAY STATION FOR TELBPHONES. APPLICATION FILED 1330.26, 1905. 1,1 12,370. Patented Sept. 29, 1914 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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#W m/ QW 4 y orney A. B. FLAGG & W. H. LIVERMORE. COIN CONTROLLED PAY STATION FOR TELEPHONBS.

APPLICATION FILED 1130.26, 1905.

' Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

3 SHBETB-8HEET 3.

Inventors ArthurEx. Flagg. more i orney no n QiA-Q m 2 .iifiiiiiifii55 555,549 "5155555151 a Ema-.5

5 e S e n M W041 cevH. L1 B &

PATENT curios. j

nm'mmia. ,FLAGGCAILIID WALTER i1. LIV-ERMORE; 'or' ASSIGNORS, BY

or PORTLAND; MAINE, A CORPORATION or MAINE.

- com-conl'rnomnn PAY-seamen For. TELEPHONES.

T0 allwhom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR B. FLAGG and WVALTER H. LIVERMORE, both' citizens 6f" the'United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of. Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Coin-Controlled Pay-Stations for Telephones, of-which the following is a specification, accompanied by drawings forming a part of the same, in which' Figure 1 represents a rear view of a telephone pay station embodying our inven- Fi 3 is, a similar view havin the rear tion and having the back removed to disclose the interior mechanism. Fig. 2 is a similar view but having the rear coin channel plate removed showing the coin separator and the channel separating plate.

channel plate removed and the channel separating plate and coin separator removed in order to disclose the recessed side of the front channel plate. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the channel plates on line ,41,.Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the channel plates on line 55, Fig. 1*. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the coin separator. Fig. 7 is a top view of the coin separator. Fig. 8 is an end view of the coin separator. Fig.9isa trai'isverse sectional view of the coin separator on line 99, Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a rear elevation having the back of the case and the channel plates removed to disclose the resonant gong plate, andFig. 11 is aside elevation shown in central vertical section, on line vll--11,, Fig. 1, Similar reference letters and figures refer to similar parts in the different views.

Our present invention relates to a coin controlled pay station to be used in connection with the sound transmitting app-a ratus of a telephone, and our invention is especially designed for the payment of tolls of different values by the use of a single pay station.

Our improved apparatus comprises'ajcoin channel for the reception of coins of different values in the payment Qt telephone tolls, a separator by which the coins are separated according to their respective denominations, individual channels for the separated coins. leading to signal devices, with means for transmitting the signals to Specification ofietters Patent. Application filed December 26, 1505.

Serial No. 293,175.

the central oflice; and our invention has woncnsrrnn, mnss'gonusnra s, MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, f'10 wnmvronn PAY summon comrnm'r,

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

for its objects to enable tolls of diflerent values to be paid by the employment of a single coin receiving slot or channel; to effect a separation of the coins according to their respective values in order that the admission of each individual coin may be indicated by its appropriate signal; to produce an audible signal by the different coins in their passage through the apparatus without a material deflection in the path of the coin; to reduce the transmission of sound from the moving coin within the coin channels, and to increase the transmission of sound from the sound signals, and these objects among others we accomplish by the construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described and pointed out in the annexed claims.

As illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, our improved device comprises a box 1 inelosing the coin channels and the sound signaling apparatus. Within the box are

posts

2, 2, more clearly shown in Fig. 11, to which are attached the channel lates 3 and 4., with intervening Washers 5 .o felt, vulcanized fiber, or other sound nonconducting material, in order to check the transmission of sound caused by the moving coin from the channel plates to the posts 2. The. top of the box 1 is provided with a slit 6 and a projecting slotted plate 7 through which coins are admitted to a channel 8 formed between the

channel plates

3 and 4. The upper end of the channel 8 is considerably wider than the thickness of the coin to be. admitted, and a short distance below the top of the box the channel is contracted to form shoulders 9 which are curved or inclined to the line of movement of the coin in the coin channel, one of these shoulders is shown in Figsy2 and 3. The

object of these shoulders isto check the fmovement of the coin as it passes to the contracted space in the channel and thereby preventing an undue momentum from being imparted to the coin by the operator. The

shoulders

9, 9, as shown in Fig. 11, are beveled so that if the movement of a coin should be chcckedby one of the shoulders the coin will slide by gravity into the contracted portion 10 of the channel. After I passing the shoulders 9 the coin is deflected from a rwht hue and caused to ass around is provided with=an opening 18, through a raised bbss 11 designed to still x-further retard thefinovement of the coin as itenters the-upper end of the coin separator.

The coin channel'8 lies in a vertical plane so that a coin in: passing through the con tracted and'inclined portion of the/channel will be supported by and roll upon its around the raised boss 11.

-cdge,' being held in a vertical position by the side walls of the channelexcept as it may be slightly, deflected by ,its passage The coin separator is clamped between the

channel plates

3 and 4, and it consists of an inclined trough 12 open at the top and substantially triangular in cross section The rear side of the coin separator or that lying next the channel 'plate4 is shown in'Fig. 2, by

the withdrawal of the channel plate 4, and the front side of the coin separator lying next the channelplate 3, is represented in Fig. 6.

Below the coin separator or trough 12 we insert a separator plate 13 by which the channels formed in the

plates

3 and 4 are separated, so asto form two sides of the 1 channels leading downward through the channel plates from the trough 12. The trough 12 is provided with openings in its sides to permit the coins entering the upper end of the trough to be deflected and pass through the openings and fall into the coin channels upon one side or the other of the separator plate 13. The front sideof the trough 12 is provided with an opening 14 nel plate 3, through which the-coins de- -scend' front of the separator. plate '13.

Theopp site or rear side of the trough 12 ,WhlCh the third-size of coins are deflected to the rear of the separator plate 13 into'a' coin channel.19 ,formed in the channel plate 4.

the sides of said channel being indicated by the broken lines 20, Fighl. The rear side of the trough 12 is also provided with an I opening 21 through which the fourth size 'of"coins isdeflected through an opening 22 in the channel plate 4 and be caused to fall outside thechannel plate into a receptacle 23.

Coins whlch are toosmall in diameter to be deflected through either of the four openings in thetrough 12 roll entirely through the trough and are delivered through an opening 24 in the bottom of the trough into a coin channel 25, shown in Fig. 1 as in- .closedbetween the broken lines 26. The

trough 12 is therefore capable of controlling the movement f coins of five difierent diameters, such for example as ieces of the following denominations, name y, fifty cents,

twenty-five cents, five cents, one cent, and

ten cents, vsaid coins being delivered from the trough 12 in the order named, corresponding to their diameters, a fifty cent coin ..-being delivered through the opening 14 into the coin channel 15 of the plate 3, and a twenty-five cent piece being delivered through the opening 16 into the coin channel 17. of the plate 3, both of said coins beingdelivered through a common spout 27 into the coin receptacle 23.

The trough 12 when held between the

channel lates

3 and 4 is supported with its front si e 29-next the channel plate 3 in a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 8, and with its rear side 30 in an inclined position, so that a coin entering the upper end of the trough 12 will be tipped and raised against the inclined side 30 of the trou h.

Extending across the top 0 the trough are .a series of

curved deflectors

31, 32, 33 and 34 placed at successively decreasing distances above the bottom of. the trough, the

' first deflector 31 being arranged to strike the upper edge of the largest coin or fifty cent piece and deflect it toward the side 29 of the trough and through the opening '14; .The deflector 32 is at a less height from the bottom of the trough and arranged to contact with thenext size of the coin or the twentyfive cent piece and deflect it through the opening 16. The third deflector 33 is adapted to contact with the top of.a five cent piece and deflect it against a projecting spur 35 which causes the coin to swing slightly on its base and drop through the opening 18 in the side 30 ofthe trough. In their passage through the trough 12 the coins roll on their edges over the bottom of the trough in a slightly tipped osition, resting on their sides. against the inc ined side of the trough. The first openingin the trough is intended to allow the passage of coins of the largest diameter, the second opening those of the next smaller diameter, and so on. If the openings in the sides of the trough were circular, it is o vious that the smaller coins would pass t rough any larger opening to which they might be presented, as for instance, by. the tipping of the apparatus, and

no separation of the coins would be accomplished. We, therefore, make the openings in the trough 12 oblong, with their minor axes less than the diameter of the coin to pass through them and with their major axes slightly greater than the diameter of the coin to pass through them. We placeessential feature is the oblong shape of the opening by which one axis is less and the other greater than the diameter of the coins. The one cent piece continuing its movement is deflected by the curved deflector 34 against a similar spur'36, causing the coin to fall through the opening 21 in the side 30 of the I trough, while the ten cent piece continues its movementbeneath all the deflectors until it falls through the opening 24 in the bottom of the trough. In order to facilitate the passage of the five and one cent coins through the openings .18 and 21, we slightly contract the width of the-trough opposite the

openings

18 and 21 by pressing'in, or recessing the vertical side 29, as shown at 29, Fi s. 6 and 7.

By t e operation of. the trough 12, two sizes of coins,to wit, the fifty cents and twenty-five cents, are delivered through the spout 27, whilethe five cent and ten cent coins are delivered through *the spout 28 into the coin receptacle 23, while the one cent coin falling through the openin 21 of the trough and the opening 22 of t e rear channel plate falls outside of the channel plates into the 'cash receptacle, The upper end of the coin channel 15 is slightly inclined so that the coin in enteringthe chan nel 15 will move by gravity towardan opening 37 in t he side wall of the channel and at a point midway the opening 37 and just outside a straight line connecting the

ends

38 and 39 of the side wall, we place a wire 40 held in a bracket 41 and forming part of a coiled wire gong 42, so that a coin pass ing down the inclined channel 15 will be brought in contact with the wire and vibratethe gong 42, thence passing around the curved portion of the channello to the spout 27, in front of which is located a similar wire 43 held in a bracket 44 and forming part of a coiled wire gon 45, said coin producing two audible signa s in its passage to the coin receptacle 23. o The twenty-five cent coin enteri n t'he'channel 17 passes downward throug the spout 27 and is likewise brought into contact with the wire 43, thereby producing' a single sound signal.

'The five cent coin delivered through the opening 18 into the coin channel 19 is delivered through the spout 28 against the lower edge 46 of a bell 46, and the ten cent piece'rolli'ng through the entire length of the trough contacts with the upper edge 46 of the bell 46 and falls through the opening 24 of the trough int-o the channel 25 and is delivered through the opening 28 into contact with the lower edge 46 of the bell 46. The five cent piece therefore, produces a single sound signal upon the bell 46, while the ten cent piece produces a double sound signal upon the same bell.

The coiled wire gongs 42 and 45 are sup ported by

brackets

41 and 44 which are attached to the lower half of a resonant steel plate 47. The upper half of the steel plate 47 is supported upon posts 48 attached to the box 1, so that the vibrations of the

gongs

42 and 45 and of the bell 46 will be conveyed to the resonant plate 47. The front side of the box 1 is provided with an opening 49 to which the base 50 of the transmit; ter and arm 51 is attached, 1

In the operation of :our apparatus the sound of the moving coins within the channels of the

plates

3 and 4 is prevented from being conducted through the box 1 to the telephone transmitter by the sound insulating washers 5, while the vibration of the signal gongs and hell are magnified by the vibrations of the resonant steel plate 47, causing sharp and well defined sound signals to be transmitted to the central office, distinct from any interfering sounds produced by the movement of the coins in the coin channels. Our improved apparatus enables four distinct tolls tobe received at' an individual pay station, namely, fifty cents, twenty-five cents, ten cents, and five cents, and this is channel, thereby unerringly controlling thesound signal according to' the size of thecoins.

We obtain a clear and loudsignal from each of the gongs and from opposite edges of the bell by placin the gO-ng wire and the edges of the bell which are struck by the coin just outside the line of side wall of the coin channels, and beyond the path of the -;1

providing an opening large 125 coin, and by enough to allow the forward edge of the coin/to strike squarely against the wire or the bell, and We further incline the coin.

channels immediately in front ofthe. gong wire or bell in order that the momentum of the rolling coin may expend its full force g 65 line of movement of the'coin, and a sound same having been made the subject of a divisional application.

What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a pair of coin channel plates recessed in opposite directions and placed face to face to form a coin channel, of a separator plate parallel with the recessed sides of said channel plates and held between said plates in the center of the channel, whereby said channel is divided into two parts.

2. The combination with a pair of coin channel plates, recessed in opposite directions and placed face to face to form a coin channel, of a separator plate parallel with the recessed sides of said channel plates and inserted in the center of the lower part of the channel, whereby said channel is divided into two parts, with said separator plate forming the inner sides of said channels, and

. with said channels communicating with the single channel at the upper part of the channel plates.

3. The combination of a pair of recessed channel plates placed face toface to form a single coin channel, a trough for the passage of coins therethrough having a series of side openings and placed in said coin channel, and a separator plate placed in the'center of the coin channel and below said trough, and coin separating devices whereby the coins are diverted from the trough and through said side openingaand upon opposite sides of said separator plate.

4. The combination of a pair of channel plates having recessed sides and placed face to face to form a coin channel, one of said channel pl'ate's curved laterally outward and the other of said plates curved inward to correspond with said outward bend, and provided with a bevel to receive the advancing coin, whereby the motion of the coin is checked as it passes through said coin channel. 7

5. The combination with a coin channel having its sides in a vertical plane and hav-' ing a section with its edges inclined, whereby a coin will roll on its edge through said inclined section, said channel having a reverseicurved section, said inclined section with a' second oppositely inclined section, an opening in said curved section in the signal placed opposite said opening and outside the coin channel, whereby the coin by its rolling action'through the first inclined section will be forcibly carried against the sound signal and caused'to rebound into the second and oppositely inclined section.

6. In a telephone pay station, the combination with a sound transmitter, of a resonant plate attached to the base ofsaid transmitter, a sound signal'device attached to said resonant plate, and a coin channel plate independent, of said resonant plate.

7. In a telephone pay station, thecombination with a support for a coin channel plate, of a coin channel plate held on said support, sound insulating material between said channel plate and its support, a sound signal device, a sound transmitter and a connection for the delivery of sound waves from said sound signal device to said transmitter. I

8. In a telephone pay station, 'the combination with a box or case, a coin channel plate inclosed in said box, and sound insulated therefrom, a resonant plate supported by said box, a sound signal device supported by said resonant plate, and a telephone transmitter attached to said resonant plate.

9. Ina telephone pay station, the combination with a box or case, of a channel plate inclosed therein, a resonant plate independent of said channel plate, a sound signal device supported by said resonant plate, and a telephone transmitter attached to said resonant plate.

10. In a telephone pay station, the combination of a coin channe plate, a, resonant plate having an independent support irom said channel plate, a telephone transmitter attached to said resonant plate, and a sound signal device having a metallic connection with said resonant plate.

11. In a telephone pay station, the combination with a box containing a sound signal device, and a coin channel arranged to conduct a coin into contact with said sound signal device, of a resonant metal plate within said box separated from said coin channel and having a metallic connection with said sound signal device, and a metallic connection between said resonant plate and the transmitter of a telephone.

12. In a telephone pay station, the combination with a box containing a sound signal device and'a resonant plate having a metallic connection with said sound signal device and with the transmitter of a telephone, of means separate from said resonant plate for conductmg a' com against said sound signal device. p

13. In a telephone pay stat1on,the combination with a box containing a resonant plate, of ametallic connection between said plate and the transmitter of a telephone, and means for producing sound vibrations platefrom a portion of its surface, leaving 15 the remainder of said plate free to vibrate, a telephone transmitter having a metallic connection with the free portion of said plate, and means for producing sound vibrations in said free ortlon by the passage of a coin 20 through said box Without contact with said plate.

ARTHUR B; 'FLAGG. WALTER H. LIVERMORE.

Witnesses:

RUFUS B. Fowmm,

HENRY WOOD FOWLER.