US1680458A - Control mechanism for change making and ejecting devices - Google Patents

Description

F. HEDLEY ET AL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CHANGE MAKING AND EJEGTING DEVICES Files. Aug. 8, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet l \b INVENTOR I W8 A TTORNE YJ' Aug. 14, 1928. 1,680,458

F. HEDLEY ET AL CONTROL uscnmxswron CHANGE wuxxme AND- EJECTING DEVICES Filed Aug. 8, 92 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 A b w IN V EN TOR W WTTORNEYS Aug. 14, 1928. 1,680,458

F. HEDLEY- ET AL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CHANGE MAKING AND EJECTING DEVICES Fi1edvAug. 1923 v e Sheets-Sheet 3 WTTORNE Y6 Aug. 14, 1928.

. F. HEDLEY ET AL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CHANGE MAKING AND EJECTING DEVICES s Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 8, 1923 Ailg'. 14, 192&

. 1,680,458 F. HEDLEY ET AL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CHANGE MAKING AND EJECTING DEVICES Filed Aug. 8, 1923 s Sheets-Sheet 5 WORNE Y Aug. 14, 1928. 1,680,458

F. HEDLEY ET AL CONTROL HECHANISII FOR CHANGE MAKING AND EJ'BCTING DEVICES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 H WW Fil ed Aug. 8, 1923 Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES FRANK HEDLEY, OF YONKERS, AND JAMES S. DOYLE, OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK.

'CONTBOLKE GHANISM FOR CHANGEMAKING AND EJECTING DEVICES.

Lpulication filed August 8, 1923. Serial No 656,417.

This invention relates to mechanism for controlling change making and ejecting apparatus.

The ob'ect of the invention is to provide a mechanism which is sim le in structure, economical to construct an speedy and eflicient in operation, for controlling change making and. ejecting apparatus.

A further ob'ect is to provide a control mechanism of t e:nature and for the puroses referred to in which a deposited coin 1s employed to control the desired change making and e'ecting combination according to the denommation of the deposited coin.

A further object is to rovide means in a control mechanism of tii the purposes referred to wherein the deposited coin controls the setting or positionmg of the ejecting mechanism according to the denomination of the deposited coin, and wherein the operation of the ejecting mechanism after being roperly set and positioned, may be controlled from a distant point.

A further object is to provide means in a mechanism of the nature-and for the purposes referred to for ejecting or eliminating a deposited, spurious or improper co n without setting or positioning the change or other ejecting apparatus, or without operating the same.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location arid rela tive arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a view in elevation of a control mechanism embodyingthe principles of our invention, the lower door of the enclosing casing being open to disclose the, structure concerned in actuating the change making and ejecting apparatus.

e nature and for section on the line 3, 3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the change combination selector devices, and main operating mechanism for such devices.

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section on the line 4, i, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. V

Fig. 5 is a view similar'to Fig. 4, on the line 5, 5, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a similar view on the line 6, 6, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a view in horizontal section on the line 7, 7, Fig. 6,1ooking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a circuit arrangement suitable for use in connection with a central mechanism embodying our invention.

The same part is designated by the same reference numeral wherever it throughout the several views.

Among the serious practical difficulties and objections encountered in the use of change making and ejecting apparatus, and coin controlled vending and ejecting devices generally, is, in the case of change occurs making apparatus, that it is usually necessary to have an attendant who receives the co1n=to be changed and who positions and 'actuates the change ejecting devices of the apparatus. This is necessary in order to avoid the loss due to the use of spurious or improper coins. In the case of vending and ejecting devices generally it is usually necessary that the exact denomination of coin be deposited, and here, too, the detection, rejection and elimination of spurious or improper coins is attended with difficulties and is not always satisfactorily accomplished. In many places where change making and ejecting mechanism would be of great convenience and service it is not practical to employ an attendant to receive the coin to be changed, and to operate the mechanism in order to supply the desired change. For example, in the operation of street, subway, elevated and other passenger cars and vehicles, and the collection of fares in conmention therewith, it would increase the cost of operation and cause undesirable delays ing change for passengers.

of schedules to which modern practice and necessities of rapid transit forbid, and it is sometimes desirable to relieve the condnctor, or other person in charge, of the necessity of handling an of the money whether in the collection 0 fares or in mak- In the case of vending machines generally it is not always the case that a person has the exact denomination of coin to be deposited, and it frequently occurs that the delay and annoyance incurred in procuring change to get the correct denomination of coin to be used leads to a failure to effect a sale.

It is among the special purposes of our present invention to provide a control mechanism for change making apparatus and ejecting mechanism for use on street railway, subway, elevated and other assenger carrying cars or vehicles, and tor use generally wherever such mechanism is desirable, where the passenger or Otherperson desiringto receive the change deposits into the mechanism his own coin to be changed and receives direct from the mechanism the desired change. As a matter of safety and in order to avoid loss by reason of the deposit of spurious or improper coins, we propose to place control of the operation of the mechanism, when a coin is deposited for change, in charge of the conductor or other attendant, who may be located at any desired point or station, near to or removed from the change making mechanism. And we also propose, under'the same conditions of deposit and control, to provide means whereby in a vending mechanism, for example, any coin may be deposited by the purchaser and the desired article to be vended. as well as the correct change, will be ejected and delivered to the person making the deposit. In other words, we pro pose to provide a. change making and ejecting mechanism wherein the handling of the money, whether the deposited coin or the ejected change, is entirely in the hands of the person desiring the change, while the control of the operation of the mechanism is in the hands of an attendant, whether located at the apparatus or at a station removed therefrom.

In carrying out our invention we propose to utilize the deposited coins, if not spurious or otherwise improper, to effect the proper positioning and setting of the changemaking and ejecting combinations, according to the denomination of the particular coin deposited. This part of the mechanism we will refer to as theselector mechanism, and we propose to employ means, which are controllable from any desired or convenient station, for effecting the operation of the change making and ejecting mechanism according to the combination as determined by the selector mechanism. This controllable operating mechanism we will refer to generally as the change making and ejector operating mechanism. IVe also propose, in accordance with our invention, to employ electrically operated devices, the circuits of which are controlled by the deposited coins to actuate the selector mechanism into position, and electrically operated devices, the circuit of which is controlled from the desired control point or station, to actuate the change or other ejector mechanism after the latter has been properly positioned, also electrically operated devices in circuit with, or operating simultaneously with, the ejector operating devices to control the spurious or improper coin eliminating mechanism; also electrically operated devices, the circuit of which is controlled either from the desired control point or station or by the actuation of the ejector mechanism, for releasing the deposited coin.

Various structures may be devised for carrying out theseand other objects and purposes of our invention. While. therefore, we have shown, and will now describe one illustrative embodiment which we have found to be suitable, we wish it to be understood that our invention, in its broadest scope as defined in the claims, is not to be limited or restricted to the specific structure and arrangement shown.

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 designates a casing within which various working parts of the 'mechanism are mounted, including the coin receiving and retaining devices, the trip mechanism therefor, and the various other accessories. The upper part 10 of the casing contains the coin recelving and tripping devices, the battle for eliminating spurious or improper coins, the receptacle into which the proper depositedcoins are received, and the return coin box into which eliminated spurious or improper coins are received. Mounted within this portion of the casing is a suitable frame including plate members 11, 1'2, and post members 13. Carried by the upper plate member 11 is a coin chute 14. containing as many raceways 15, as desired, according to the size or capacity of the machIne. The raceways vary in dimension and number according to the denomination and number of coins for which the apparatus is dcsigned to make change. The structure shown is designed for five, ten, twenty-five and fifty cent pieces, there being, a corresponding number of raceways 15 and of respectively corresponding dimensions. The

respective raceways 15 are in register with corresponding chutes 17 formed in a block 16,'which extends through the top of the casing, and each chute communicates with a slot in which the coin of the proper and respective denomination is to be deposited.

Located below the delivery end of each raceway 15 is a pair of coin receiving and re taining fingers, one member 18 of each pair being stationary and the other, 19, being movable. In the particular structure shown, each movable finger 19 forms an arm carried by a rock shaft 23 which finger, when rocked, releases a coin supported between said finger and its cooperating finger 18, and permits the released coin to drop into the coinreceiving box or compartment 20, or into a return compartment 21, as may be desired, or according to whether the coin is the proper one or a spurious one. The members of each pair of fingers are electrically insulated from each other and are included in the circuit of magnet 22 which controls the selector devices presently to be described.

It will be understood, of course, that a selectormagnet 22 is provided for each denomination of coin, and each magnet is associated withits corresponding pair of coin receiving and'supporting fingers 18,19, its circuit being completed through said fingers only when a coin bridges the space between them.

The fingers 19 are normally maintained in position with reference to their respective cooperating fingers 18, to receive and form a support for a deposited coin, as shown in Fig.2. Gravity may serve to accomplish this, or, if desired, a tension spring 21 may be employed to aid the action of gravity. The movable fingers 19 may be shifted or moved to trip or release the coins, in any suitable or convenient manner, either singly or together.

In the particular illustrative arrangement shown each finger 19 is carried by a shaft 23 and is actuated independently of the others by means of a magnet 25, there being four fingers 19 and an operating magnet 25 for each of them. As above indicated, however, this particularstrueture may be widely varied from, and all the fingers li) may be simultaneously actuated from coin supporting position.

As will be more fully explained hereinafter, we propose to provide an automatic control for the circuit of the movable finger operating magnets 25 which is carried out in normal operation of the apparatus when the proper coins to be changed are deposited and the ejecting apparatus operated, and also an independent manual control for use in case a spurious coin, slug or the like is deposited. V

The finger actuating magnets 25, when energized by the closing of theircircuits, actuate their respective armatures 26, which are, respectively, connectedto the fingers 19.

Supported by, but extending through, the frame plate 12 is an open ended casing 27,

disposed in vertical alignmentqwith the coin chutes, and located immediately below the coin supporting fingers. When the coins are released from the fingers they drop into and fall through this casing 27 Arranged within the casing 27 is a deflector plate 28 which is so controlled as to cause the released coin to be guided into return compartment 21 or into the coin retaining compartment 20, as exigency may require. The normal position of the deflector plate 28, as shown in the drawings, is such as to direct the released coins into the return compartment 21, from which the returned coin may be taken by the person who deposited it, such return being effected without causing any actuation of the change or other ejecting devices. This arrangement insures the return of coins of improper denomination, or spurious coins, slugs or the like, without affecting the actuation of the selector or change controlling and ejecting mechanisms.

The deflector plate may be shifted in any suitable way from its normal position into position to cause the released coins to be guided into the coin retaining box. In the illustrative arrangement shown, theplate 28 is carried by a rock shaft 29 which extends transversely through casing 27, and which is actuated in any suitable manner. For this purpose we have shown a magnet 30 (see Figs. 2 and 7) which is included in circuit with the main change ejector actuating magnet 35. When this magnet 30 is energized its plunger 31 or armature, engages an arm 32 on rock shaft29, thereby rocking said shaft and hence displacing the deflector plate 28 from its normal position.

In order to guard against andprevent the deposit of spurious coins, slugs or the like. and the operation, in suchcvent, of the selector and change ejecting mechanism, we propose to provide means whereby the de posited coin can be inspected by an attendant or others, while such coin after being deposited, is retained upon the fingers 18, 19,- and before it is released. For this purpose we propose to illuminate the interior of the case 10, or the upper or coinreceiving part thereof. A lamp 33, suitably located within the case 10 will serve this purpose. We also mount in the wall of the case 10, at a point opposite the position of the deposited coin when resting on the retaining fingers, a lens 3* which will not only reveal the coin to an observer or attendant, but will magnify the image of the coin thereby very readily enabling inspection to be made of the coin and its character to be ascertained before the coin is permitted to be released. If the coin is revealed to be a proper one its release is effected automatically by the operation of the main magnet which actuates the change ejecting mechanism, and thebaflie or deflector plateis operated at the same time to guide the coin into the proper receiving and retaining compartment 20. The

circuit of the main magnet is 'under the 1 manual control of the observer or attendant. On the other hand, if the deposited coin is revealed to be a slug, or to be otherwise spurious, the observer or attendant is enabled, through his independent manual control of the circuits of the coin trip or release magnets .25 to effect the release of the spurious coin or slug without operating the main change ejector actuating magnet 35 or the deflector plate magnet 30, and since the deflector plate is normally in position to guide a released coin into the coin return compartment 21, the mere release of the coin is all that is required. Herein lies a most important and valuable characteristic of our invention as it obviates the fatal defects of automatic change making, and of coin controlled vending, and other devices of similar nature, where no provision is made for revealing the character of the deposited coin coupled with independent manual control of .mechanism' to eliminate a coin, without actuation of the machine or apparatus by the coin, when its spurious character is revealed. It is by this combination of automatic and manual control that we are able to prevent the very serious losses heretofore experienced in the use of coin operated or controlled apparatus.

\Ve have referred to the magnets 22 as selector magnets, and we have described how the circuits of these magnets are controlled or completed by the deposited coins bridging the space between the members of the pairs of their reaching and supporting fingers 18, 19. The energization of these selector magnets effects the selection and proper positioning of devices required for ejecting the required change or other operation according to the denomination of the deposited coin. For this purpose a standard change making or ejector mechanism may be emloyed, our present invention not being concerned with the details thereof, and there are many forms of such mechanism on the markct any one of which may be employed. All such devices usually include an operating member for each change or ejecting combination. For example, if change for fifty cents is desired, or in the case of a vending machine, if anarticle of the value of fifty cents is to be delivered, or if an article of less value than fifty cents, is to be delivered together with the balance of the change from a deposited fifty cent piece, then the apparatus included an operating member, for instance, a plunger which, when actuated, controls and operates the required combination to etlect the delivery and ejection of the desired change, or of the desired article, or of the desired article and change. This is likewise true of each denomination of coin for which the apparatus is designed. We have indicated at 36 (see Fi 3) the various operating members or plungers for the various denominations of coins. It is the function of the magnets 2-2 to select and bring into cooperative relation with the members 36, means for actuating the same according to the denomination of coin deposited. In the illustrative arrangement shown, the selector member 37 is moved into line with the corresponding combination and ejector member 36 when a magnet 22 is energized. Since a selector magnet 22 is associated with each pair of coin receiving and retaining vfingers 18, 19, it will be seen that when a coin is deposited the circuit of :1 corresponding magnet 22 is completed, and a selector member 37 is brought into proper operating relation with respect to a combination and ejector 111cinber36. Nothing happens, however, until the main magnet 35 is energized, and the circuit of this magnet is under the manual control of an attendant who first asccrtains by observation through the magnifying lens 34 whether the deposited coin is spurious or not.

In the arrangement shown each selector member 37 is in the form of a bell crank pivotally mounted at its angle upon a bracket 38, carried by a floating frame 39. The selector members 37, may be normally retained out of working position in any suitable or convenient manner. For this purpose we have shown a spring 40 interposed between frame 39 and one arm of said member 37.

If desired a contact member 41 may be carried by each selector member 37, and operating when its associated selector member is actuated to close the circuit of a signal device, shown in this instance, as a bell 42, whereby the attention of an attendant may be called to the fact that a coin has been deposited and is in supported position upon its corresponding retaining fingers and the apparatus is ready for the inspection of the attendant to ascertain if the deposited coin is a proper one, and for further manual or other control of the attendant if the deposited coin is found to be a proper one. This is a valuable feature of our invention as it avoids the necessity for requiring the attendant to give undivided attention to the apparatus. In other words, it reduces to a minimum the supervisory control of the attendant, leaving such attendant free to attend to other duties.

After a selector member 37 has been properly positioned with relation to its corresponding ejector combination member 36, and the attendant, on inspection, finds that the deposited coin is correct, then the attendant completes the circuit of main magnet 35. This may be effected by depressing a push button A located at the station of the attendant. Included in the circuit of main operating magnet 35 is the baflle operating magnet 30, so that coincidently with the cnergization of, magnet 35, the baflie member 28 is actuated into position to direct the coin when released into the coin retaining compartment 20. The energization of main operating magnet 35, causes the floating frame 39 to be moved so as to bring the positioned selector member 37 thereon into engagement with magnet 22 so as to actuate the corresponding ejector combination member 36. This may be effected in various ways. In the arrangement shown the movable armature 43 of magnet 35, engages a rod 44 which is connected to the floating frame 39 and, if desired, braced thereto by arms 45, connected at one end to the frame '39 and at the other to a sleeve 46, through which the rod 44 extends. The frame 39 may be guided in its movements in an convenient manner. We have shown gui e rods 47 working in sleeves 48, for this purpose. A spring 49', interposed between sleeve 46 and, a'be'aring 50, through whichrod 44 works, serves to retain the frame 39 normally in retracted position. i

As above indicated, the circuit of bafile operating magnet 30 is controlled by the main magnet 35. This may be accomplished in various ways. We have shown a simple arran ement for the ur osev wherein a a i P switch member 51 isactuated to bridge the circuit between the terminals 52, 53, whenever main magnet 35 is ener ized, said switch member 51 being normally in open position, andsaid terminals 52, 53, being included in the'cir'cuit of baflle operating magnet30.v

When,through the energization of magnet 35, an ejector combination actuating member 36 is operated, the corresponding ejector mechanism, a position of which is indicated at 54 in Fig. 3, is operated to effect the ejection and delivery of the corresponding. change, or article, or change andarticle, according to the nature of the apparatus the delivery being made into a chute'or cup .55 for the convenient deposits of the coin. V

In case the attendant on inspection through the lens 34 discovers that a slug or defective or other objectionable coin is deposited, instead of completing the circuit of the main operating magnet 35, effects a releaseof the deposited coin without operating the battle member 28, thereby permitting such coin to be delivered into the return chute 21. This operation and control are effected through a push button B at the station of theattendant by which the circuits of thecoin trip magnets 25 may be controlled independently of the circuits of the main and battle operating magnets.

In Fig. 8 we have shown a simple wiring for carrying out the operations and controls above indicated. Upon inspection of this diagram it will be seen that upon deposit of a. coin of the required denomination, say,

for example, a twenty-five cent piece, a cir- 42. The attendant then inspects the deposited coin through the magnifying lens 34. If he finds the deposited coin to be a proper one, the attendant then pushes, the button A. This completes the circuits of the battle and main magnets as follows: From current source through conductor e, magnet 30, conductor f, magnet 35, conductor 9, switch A to ground, thereby operating baflie 28 into proper position to cause the de posited coin to be deflected into the retaining compartment 20, and actuating the pre-' viously set selector device 37 to eifect'operation of the ejector devices. The operation of main magnet 35, also closes a circuit through switch device 51, as follows'zFrom current source through the conductor e, conductor h, the coin trip magnets 25, conductor is, switch device 51 to ground, The current source is groundedon one'side and connected to points al and e'on' the other., This actuates the coin trip magnets thereby releasing the coin and permitting it to fall into and through the casing 27, and into the retaining compartment 20. Thus, without any handling of coin or change by the attendant, but stillunder his control, a person deposits his own coin and receives his own change, inthe case of a change making a aratus. Or, in case of a vending mac ine, he receives the article vended or such article and the required change, thereby be ing protected against being short-changed by an unscrupulous attendant while the owner of the machine is protected against the deposit of a slug or mutilated or other wise spurious coin, with the expenditure of a minimum of care andattention on the part of an attendant.

While an apparatus embodying our inven, tion is of convenience and utility in any situation where a change making, or a vending, or a combined change making andvending apparatus is desired, we have found such apparatus of great value in connection with the operation of surface, subway and elevated railways for making change for passengers fares without the annoying delays and losses usually incident to change making b conductors, attendants or the like. Especia ly on surface cars where vfares are paid either on entrance or on leaving the car, have we found a change making apparatus'of the the 7 nature set forth of great convenience to the traveling public, as well as an advantage to the operating company.

Having now set forth the objects and nature of our invention, and a structure embodying the principles thereof, we wish it to be understood that many variations and changes in details might readily occur to persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention. e do not desire, therefore, to'be limited or restricted to the exact details shown and described.

But what we claim as new and useful and of our joint invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: y

1. In an apparatus of the class described, and in combination with ejector devices, and means for operating the same, of retaining devices for a deposited coin, a selector member controlled by the deposited coin when supported by said retaining devices, said operating means also controlling the release of said retaining devices, and a bafiie member controlled by said operating means to direct the released coin into a receiving receptacle. j

2. In an apparatus of the class described, and in combination with ejector devices, and means for operating the same, of retaining devices for a deposited coin, a selector member controlled by the deposited coin when supported by said retaining devices, said operating means also controlling the release of said retaining devices, a battle member controlled by said operating means to direct the released coininto a receiving receptacle, and means to independently release the retaining devices without operating the operating means or bafile member.

3} In an apparatus of the class described, coin receiving and supporting members, selector mechanism, controlled by deposited coins accordingto the denomination thereof, ejector devices cooperating with the coin controlled selector mechanism, a bafile memher to direct a depositedcoin when released by said receiving and supporting members, and means to actuatesaidselectm' mechanism to eifect the operationof said ejector devices, said actuating means also controlling the release of the deposited coin and the operation of said bafile member.

4. In an apparatus ofthe class described, coin receiving and supporting members, selector mechanism controlled by deposited coins according to the denomination thereof, ejector devices cooperating with the coin controlled selector mechanism, a bafile member to direct a'deposited coin when re leased by said receiving. and supporting members, means to actuate said selector mechanism to effect the operation of said ejector devices, said actuating means also controlling the release ofthe deposited coin and the operation of said bafile member, and independent means to release the deposited coin without actuating the ejector devices or bafile member.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, coin receiving and supporting members, selector mechanism controlled by de osited coins according to the denomination tiereof, ejector devices cooperating with the coin controlled selector mechanism, a battle member to direct a deposited coin when released by said receiving and supporting members, means to actuate said selector mechanism to effect the operation of said ejectordevices, said actuating means also controlling the release of the dc osited coin and the operation of said ha e member, and means to release the deposited coin without o crating the selector actuating means.

6. n an apparatus of the class described, coin receiving and supporting members, selector mechanism controlled by deposited coins according to the denomination thereof, a signal device controlled by the selector mechanism, a bafile member to direct the deposited coin when released from the receiving and supporting members, ejector devices actuated by the selector mechanism, and means to actuate theselector mechanism, said means also controlling the baflle member and releasing the depositedcoin.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, coin receiving and supporting members, selector mechanism controlled by deposited coins according to the denomination thereof, a signal device controlled by the selector mechanism, a baflle member to direct the deposited coin when released from the receiving and supporting members, ejector devices actuated by the selector mechanism, means to actuate the selector mechanism, said means also controlling the baffle member and releasing the deposited coin, and means to release the deposited coin without operating said actuatin means.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, coin receiving and supporting members, selectormeehanism controlled by deposited coins according to the denomination thereof, a signal device controlled by the selector mechanism, a baflle member to direct the deposited coin when released from the receiving and supporting members, a magnifying lens located opposite said coin receiving and supporting members, ejector devices, and means to move the selector mechanism to actuate said ejector devices, said means also operating to release the deposited coin and to actuate the bafile member.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, coin receiving and supporting members, selector mechanism controlled by deposited coins accordingto the denomination thereof, a signal device controlled by the selector mechanism, a battle member to direct the llltl release the deposited coin Without operating said actuating means.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands on this 30th day of July, A. D. 1923.

FRANK HEDLEY. JAMES S. DOYLE.

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