US1730422A - Coin collecting means for telephone services and the like - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 8; 1929.

F. w. HALL 1,730,422

COIN COLLECTING MEANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 14. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet lllllll Oct. 8, 1929. F. w. HALL 1973@,422

COIN COLLECTING MEANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 14, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @Inmm' 1 59 Mill (*Illlfig Oct. 8, 1929. -F. W. HALL 1,730,422

COIN COLLECTING MEANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 14. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 6 *F. w. HALL 1,730,422

COIN COLLECTING MEANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICES AND THE LIKE Oct. 8, 1929.

4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 14. 1926 am mm: H mmim mm: mm: mm? mm: u m:

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.a a m N g N a n ini F Patented Oct. 8, 1929 NT FFHE FREDERICK WILLIAM HALL, OF KENSINGTGN, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR T HALL TELEPHONE ACCEL SGRIES (1828) LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, A LIMITED LIABILITY COIvIPANY OF GREAT BRITAIN COIN-CGLLECTING MEANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICES AND THE LIKE Application filed December 14, 1926.

This invention relates to an improvement in coin collecting means for telephone services and the like, and the objects of the in vention are to provide a simple reliable mechanism by which coins of various denominations may be received and held temporarily while the necessary electrical connections are made and then be either cashed in or returned.

Other objects are to provide a mechanism which may be installed and operated without substantially adding to the existing tele-.

H hold coins and to move them to discharge or cashing in position, an electromagnetic control device connected to the projecting memher, power mechanism, and timing means connected to the coin projecting member as hereinafter described. Various auxiliary devices may also be provided to prevent improper operations ot the machine and to regulate and synchronize the operation of the various moving parts.

The mechanism is hereinafter fully described in the accompanying specifications and drawings.

The drawings show an apparatus embodying one form of the invention.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional front elevation. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional front elevation showing the parts in a diiierent position to that oi 1. 3 is a sectional front elevation showing a different arrangement of the parts to that shown in F 1. Fig. t is a sectional detail of a portion of the coin projector. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation showing the delayed control mechanism Fig. 6 is a sectional end elevation. Fig. 7 is a sectional rear elevation.

Serial No. 154,819.

Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram showing appropriate electrical connections for the use of the device.

in the drawings, 10 indicates a suitable casing in which the working parts are operatively mounted on a frame 11 which may be connected to the casing in any suitable way, conveniently in such a manner that the frame and mechanism mounted thereon may be swung out of the casing for inspection or repair. I accomplish this in the n'ieehanism illustrated by the provision of supporting brackets 12 on the frame having pins 13 engaging suitable perforations in lugs 14: on a bracket 15 secured to the casing.

The casing 10 is formed with an opening 16 through which the coin may pass to one or more coin slots 17 ot the size and shape of the coin of the desired denomination, and located above coin chutes or carriers A, A and A The coin chutes A, A and A may be provided with suitable means for detecting false or spurious coins, such means not, however, forming part of the present invention. The form of these means which I have illustrated are those shown in my British Patent No. 2-t3080 of the 23rd August, 1924.

The coin or coins are designed to pass down the coin chutes or carriers A, A and A under the action of gravity until they are received by the coin projector B which is pivotally or reciprocably mounted on the frame and designed to return by gravity to a given normal position, or to be held in an unbalanced position by the mechanism hereinafter described.

The coin projector B is provided with a number of compartments l8, l9 and corresponding in number to the coin chutes and having open lower ends through which the coins may be projected or discharged under the control of the electromagnetic control mechanism C.

In the receiving position of the coin projector B the passage of the coins through the open lower end of the compartments 19 and 20 is normally prevented by a balanced coin holder D which is conveniently in the form. of a lever pivotally mounted in a bracket 21 on the frame having a balance weight 22 at one end and a projection 23 at the other end Which extends transversely across he lower end of the compartments 19 and 20 when the coin projector B is in receiving position. In this position a fixed pin or other projection 24 mounted on the frame is designedto extend across the lower end of the compartment 18. In this way the coins in the compart ments 19 and 20 are held against a balance weight, while the coin in the compartment 18, if such there be, will be held by the pin 2 l.

The electromagnetic control device G is operatively connected to the coin projector 1') through a spring detent mechanism including a spring latch 25 operativcly mounted on the frame actuated by tension spring 26 extending between one end of the latch and a fixed pin 27 on the frame, the latch being designed to engage a tooth or projection 28 on the coin projector B and to be disengage: therefrom by operation of the pivoted armature'29, one end of which, when the magnet 30- is energized, is designed to engage a pin 31' on the latch.

The magnet 30 may include one or more coils and be supported by a suitable bracket 32 connected to the frame. It will be observed that the extension of the armature 29 and its connection with the pin 31 adjacent to the pivotal point of the latch 25, enables a small movemcntof the armature 29 to cause a relatively large movement of the end of tee latch with which it is engaged with the tooth or projection 28. In this way the maximum power can be obtained from the magnet by location of the armature 29 adjacent thereto.

The coin projector B may be moved from thcreceiving position shown in Fig. 3 either tothe discharge position shown in Fig. 1 or to the cashing in position shown in Fig. 2. Wdien moved to the cashing in position the compartments 18, 19 and 20 passing away from the projections 23 and 24: leave thecoin free to pass down the fixed chute 33 to the collecting receptacle 34:. In a similar way when the coin projector is moved to the discharge position shown in Fig. 1 the coins may pass down a chute 35 to the discharge chute 3'6 whence tl o may be withdrawn by the person operating the device.

To prevent tampering with the mechanism by insertion of a wire or the like through the discharge chute 36, I conveniently provide a pivoted baffle plate 87 designed to swing by gravity into a position to close the chute 35 and to be moved from such position by the coinprojector B which is designed to engage a pin 38 on the baffle plate 37.

The energy for the operation of the coin projector or for its movement. to an unbalanced position may be derived either from the movement of the receiver of the telephone to which the mechanism is applied or by an appropriate mechanism actuated by the open ator through the insertion of the coin or otherwise. The mechanism presently illustrated uses both of these means.

The energy derived from the movement of the telephone switch or receiver hook 89 is stored and applied to the coin chute B through the mechanism indicated generally by the letter F and including a lever 40 connected to the receiver hook. Pivoted to the casing 10 and mounted on the pivoted pin all about which the lever 40 turns is a bell crank lever 42 having one end rested against a stop pin 42 and having a relatively strong tension spring 43 extending from a pin H on the arm to a pin 4-5 on the lever 10. A furthcr spring 16 may be provided extending between the pin 45 and a fixed pin 47 on' cas- In order to give time for the completion of the necessary electrical circuits and for other purposes a timing or governing mechanism G is into posed between the energizing mechanism F and the coin projector B. This timing mechanism may be of any convenient form designed to produce delayed action and I show it in the form of an escapcinent mechanism having an cscapemont wheel 48 mounted on a bracket 19 on a frame 11 being engaged by an escapemcnt tooth or part 50 pivotally mounted and connected to 21- depending balance arm 51 which is conveniently screw threaded and has a balance weight 52 mounted thereon in screw threaded engagement therewith.

Ti lie escapement wheel 28 has a pinion 53 connected thereto meshing with a gear 54 also mounted on a frame 49 whichlatter gear turns with a pinion 55 meshing with a gear 56 also mounted on the frame 49. The gear 56 carries a ratchet wheel 57 which is engaged by spring staggered pawls 58 and 58 pivotaclly mount d arried by a pin 59 on a plate 60 v nich plate is adjustably connected to a control quadrant or cam 61 which isloosely pivoted on the pin 62 on whichthe ratchet 57 and cam 56 are also mounted.

The connection between the plate 60 and the quadrant 61 is made adjustableby means of crmnecting set screw 63 which extends through a slot 6% in the plate 60 into the quadrant 61.

The quadrant 61 is designed to be returned to a normal position when removed therefrom by means of a tension spring 65 extending from a pin 66 on the quadrant to a fixed pin (37 on the frame 11.. i

Connection is effected between the energizing mechanism F and the timing mechanism G by means of a pin 68 fixed to the quadrant 61 and designed to be engaged by the lower extremity of the lever 42.

The motion of the quadrant 61 is in turn communicated to the coin projector B by a link 68 pivotally connected to the quadrant and having a slotted end 69 through which a pin 70 on. the coin projector B extends, the

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pin being conveniently screw threaded and provided with a retaining nut 71. The pin is designed to slide freely in the slot 69.

The quadrant 61 during its motion is designed to make and break certain electrical connections and this may be accomplished by means of a spring contact finger 72 mounted with suitable insulation on a supporting bracket 73 on the frame and having at its outer extremity a roller 741 engaging a cam;

surface or track 75 on the quadrant 61. The finger T2 is disposed between two contact fingers '76 and '77 placed a short distance on each side thereof and themselves supported by and insulated from the bracket 73.

lin order to prevent insertion of coins when the coin projector B is not in its proper receiving position I provide locking mecha nism H including a lever 7 8 pivoted to a pin 7 9 on frame and having a transversely projecting pin designed in a certain position to extend across the coin slots.

The lever 78 is connected to and moves with a quadrant 81 also pivotally mounted on' the pin 79 and formed with a cam face or surface designed to be engaged by a pin 83 mounted on an arm 84 of the coin projector B.

A further connection is formed between the quadrant 81 and the arm 84 by means of an arm 85 on the quadrant which is provided at its extremity with a pivoted link 86 having a slotted end 87 in which the pin 88 on the arm 8 loperates. The quadrant 81 in its movement is designed to make and break certain electrical. connections by means of a spring finger 89 mounted on but insulated from bracket 90 on the frame, the finger 89 being engaged at an appropriate moment by an insulated pin 91 on the quadrant 81 and being designed during its movement to make contact with one or more additional contact fingers 92 supported on but insulated from the bracket 90.

The balanced coin holder D may also be used to make or break certain of the electrical connections by means of an arm 93 carried by and moving with the lever D which is designed during its movement to engage a spring contact finger 94 which may also be supported on and insulated from the bracket 90, this contact finger being designed to cooperate with other fixed contact fingers 95 and 96 located on opposite sides therefrom, its normal position being in contact with the finger 95.

The electrical connections to the various contact fingers on the frame 11 are preferably made through the means of fixed studs 97 mounted on a terminal plate 98 and designed when the frame is in its innermost position to engage with cor-responding spring contact fingers 99.

The passage of coin through the coin chute may be audibly indicated to the operator by any well-known suitable means such as the microphone 100 placed adjacent to a bell 101 designed to be struck by the coin during its movement. A separate gong 102 may be provided for the chute 18 which conveniently may be used for coins of larger denominations.

A typical operation of the device is as follows The normal position of the parts is as shown in Fig. 1 in which position the telephone receiver is on the hook 39 and the coin projector B is held in an unbalanced position by the engagement of the pin 68 with the lever 42.

The coin slots are closed by the pin 80 and the quadrant 81 is locked by engagement of the pin 83 with the cam surface 82 thus preventing displacement of the pin 80.

The electrical circuits may considerably vary to suit the character of the telephone system with which the device is to be used.

.A typical circuit for use in automatic telephony is indicated in Fig. 8 in which the electromagnet 30, quadrant 61, spring finger 72 and contact fingers 76 and 7 7 indicate the mechanical parts previously referred to.

The contact finger 77 is connected through the electromagnet 30 to the ground. The contact finger 72 is normally in contact with the contact finger 77.

Reference character a indicates the usual two wire line circuit extending to the exchange, one side of the circuit being connected through the usual line switch Z) to ground and the opposite side being connected through the line switch 0 and battery (Z to ground.

An automatic dialling device 6 is included in one side of the line and the usual bell or signal device 7 is connected across the line through a condenser g.

The contact fingers 94 and 95 when engaged, as they are in the normal position shown in Fig. 1, form a short circuit about the dial 6.

The contacts 89 and 92 are designed to form a short circuit above the telephone instrument to prevent fraud as hereinafter described.

In order to operate the magnet 30 at the appropriate moment means are provided for sending an impulse over one side of the line and I find it convenient to utilize in the automatic system the metering means at the central station and have indicated such means by the contacts h and 2', meter j and battery 70 one side of which is connected to ground. In this way when the metering circuit is closed an impulse from the battery 70 will be sent over the line to the magnet 30 as hereinafter more fully described.

Returning to the mechanical parts in their normal position as shown in Fig. 1 and assuming that it is desired to make a telephone call, the caller first takes the telephone receiver K off the hook 39 which moves the arm 12 out of engagement with the pin 68, thereby releasing the coin projector permitting it to swing to the receiving position indicated in Fig, 3, inwhich position it is held by engagement of the latch 25 with the projection 28. At the same time the engagement of the pin 83 with the cam surface 82 releases the quadrant 81 and leaves the pin 80 free to be moved by the coin. V

The coin or coins being inserted through the coin slots pass down the coin chutes into one or bothot' the compartments 18 and 19 being, held at the bottom of the compartments by the projecting arm 23 on the balanced coin holder D.

If the coins are of the proper weight they will depress the balance coin holder D causing, the movement of the contact finger 9a which will. break contact with the finger 95 and thereby break the short circuit about the dial. 6 permitting the sending ot the dialling impulsesby the caller. Thisthe caller proceeds to do either completing the call in the usual way or obtaining a busy signal or other wise. failing to obtain the connection.

Assuming in the first place thatthe call is effective the caller replaces or hangs up the receiver K after completing his conversation. This returns the lever 40 to its originalposition, energizing the springs 43 and and tending to cause movement of the lever 42 which movement is delayedby the action of the timingmechanism G. The lever 4-2 sets inmotion the quadrant 61 and the timing mechanism. Gr, and during the movement of the quadrant61. the contact finger 72 by operation of the cam 7 5. breaks contact with th finger 76and'makes contact with the finger 77 thereby connecting the electromagnet 30 to one side of the line, first breaking the line by disengagement ofthe contact 76 with the contact finger 72'. This sets in operation the meteringdevice in the usual way and upon completion ofi ts' metering operation the impulse from the battery is through the electromagnet30 will draw the armature 29 leasing the latch 25, permitting a further movement of the-coin projector Bunder gravity to. the cashing in. position shown in Fig. 2, in which position the coins previously held in the compartments of the coin projector willv pass into the collectingreceptacle 3 1. v The continuation of the movement of the quadrant 61 causes the link 68 to engage the pin after the lost motion has been taken up by the slot 69. The coin projector will thereupon beswung to. the normal position shown. in Fig. 1 andduring its motion the pin 83 will. come into an engagement with the cam surface 82 thereby locking the quadrant 81 and restoring all parts to the initial position.

Assuming in the second place that call is for any reason ineffective the parts being as shown in Fig. 3, the caller replaces the receiver K on the hook 7 9, the timing mechanism G is set in operation as previously described but owing to the call being inefiective no impulse arrives from the metering mechanism and, consequently, the magnet 30 will. not be energized and the latch 35 will not be released and the coin projector B will remain in the position shown in Fig. 3 until the lost motion represent d by the slot 69 is taken up, when the coin projector returning to its initial position as previously described will, in this case, carry with it the coins in its con'ipartment which, when moved free irom the projection 23, will pass through the chute 35 and discharge chute 3G and thus be recovered by the caller.

It will be seen that in both instances the coin is either received or returned without other action on the part of the caller than taking oil and replacing the receiver from its hook.

The compartment 18 on the coin projector 13 is conveniently used for the collection of co ns for toll calls and other excess charges under the direction of an operator.

.iissuining that a connection: has been established to an operator and the operator desires to collect the excess charge, the operator will instruct the caller to insert the additional coins, the mechanical parts being at thistime in the position shown in Fig. 3.

The additional coin being inserted through appropriate coin slot will pass to the con'ipartm'l'mt 18 and ring the gong 102 or hell 101 and be cashed in or be returned in the net. l way as described.

It may be observed that should it be de-.

sired for any purpose to utilize the insertion of the coin as a means of actuating the coin projector Blhis may be accomplished through the engagement the coin with the pin 80 the motion of the quadrant 81 heiie; connected to the coin projector B through the link 86 and pin and slot connection already described, thus efi'ecting movement 01 the coin projector and bringing it into engagementwith the latch 25 already described.

As many widely different embodiments of the invention could be made within the scope of the following claims it is intended that all matter herein contained should be regarded in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is: 7

1. Coin collecting apparatus for telephone services and the like comprising a coin projector adapted to be moved from an initial position to coin receivi a cashing in position, means whereby on litting the telephone receiver the coin projector moves to its coin receiving position, means includin an electromagnet whereby on return- 1; receiver the coin projector either returns directly to its initial position or first moves to cashing in position and then returns dependent upon whether or not the electroj position and magnetic means is energized and means for causing said electro-magnetic means to be energized only when a call has been completed.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 in which the coin projector moves by gravity to one of its positions.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 including a latch mechanism controlled by said electro-magnetic means and functional to prevent movement of the coin projector to cashing-in position except when the electromagnetic means is energized in the interval between the lifting and return of the reoeiver.

4. In a device of the character described and in combination, a coin projector adapted to be moved from its initial position to a coin receiving position and a cashing in position, means adapted automatically upon lifting the telephone receiver to cause movement of the coin projector to its coin receiving position, an electromagnetic latch mechanism functional to prevent movement of the coin projector from a coin receiving to a cashingdn posit-ion except when said electro-magnetic means is energized and actuated. in the interval between the lifting and return of the telephone receiver, means operating automatically upon return of the receiver to return the coin projector either directly to its initial position or first to move it to its cashing in position and then to the initial position dependent upon whether or not the electro-magnetic latch mechanism has been energized and a timing mechanism functioning to delay return of the coin projector from coin receiving to initial position to afford opportunity for energizing and actuating the latch mechanism in the event that the call has been completed.

5. In a device of the character described and in combination, a cain chute, a coin projector movable from an initial position to a coin receiving position so as to receive a coin from the coin chute, a coin holder adapted to temporarily hold a coin in the projector, a latch mechanism including an electromagnet for controlling movement of the coin projector from a coin receiving position to a cashing in position. means for applying power to return the coin projector to its initial position when moved therefrom and means for delaying action of the power applying mechanism to permit actuation of the electro magnet to release the latch mechanism, and means for energizing the electro-magnet in the event that a call has been completed.

6. In a device of the character described and in combination, a coin projector movable from a normal position to a coin receiving position and to a cashing-in position, a coin holder adapted to temporarily hold a coin, means including an electro-magnet for effecting movement of the projector from coin receiving to cashing-in position when the electro-magnet is energized upon completion of a call and means operated by return of the telephone receiver for moving the projector to its initial position, and means for delaying action of the last mentioned means to permit operation of the electromagnet.

7. In a device of the character described and. in combination, a coin projector movable from a normal position to a coin receiving position and having a tendency, when in coin receiving position, to gravitate to a cashing-in position, means including an electromagnet for normally preventing gravitation of the coin projector to cashing-in position, means for returning the coin projector to its normal position and means for delaying the action of the last mentioned means to permit the electro-magnet to be energized to allow the coin projector to gravitate to a cashing in position prior to its return to normal position in the event that the call has been completed.

8. In a device of the character described and in combination, a pivoted coin projector having a normal position, a coin receiving position and a cashing in position, said normal position being also a discharge position, means operable by lifting the telephone receiver to cause the coin projector to. move from its normal position to its coin receiving position, an electromagnetic latch device normally preventing the movement of the coin projector from its coin receiving position to its cashing in position adapted when energized to permit such movement, and means operated by the return of the telephone receiver to the switch hook to return the coin projector to its normal position.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8 in which a timing mechanism is inserted between the mechanism controlled by the return of the receiver to the switch hook and the coin projector to permit the electromagnetic latch to be released before the coin projector returns.

10. In a device of the character described and in combination, a coin projector movable from a normal position to a coin receiving position and a cashing-in position and adapted when free to swing by gravity to a cashing in position, means including an electromagnet for temporarily holding the coin projector in a coin receiving position adapted when energized to permit movement of the coin projector from receiving to cashing in position, power applying means operatively connected to the coin. projector by which it may be returned to its normal position and timing mechanism operatively connected to the power applying mechanism to delay movement of the coin projector until the electromagnetic means has had an opportuuity to act.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10 in which the timing mechanism comprises an escapement mechanism.

12. The device as claimed in claim 10, in which the connection between the power applying mechanism and the coin projector includes a lost motion connection.

13. In a device of the character described and in combination, a coin projector, means operated automatically by removal and replacement of the telephone receiver for moving the projector to a plurality of dii'lerent positions, an electromagnet and an armature the telephone switch hook.

16. In a device of the character described and in combination, a pivoted coin pro ector,

.a spring control lever connected to the telephone receiver switch hook, connecting mechanism between the lever and the coin projector to effect movement of the latter, and an electro-Inagnetic control device also associated with the coin projector and operphone receiver able to permit the projector to cause a coin delivered thereto to be cashed in or returned to the depositor depending on whether or not a call has been completed and means for operating said electro-magnetic control device r-hen a call has been completed.

17 In a device of the character described and in combination, a pivoted coin projector, a spring control lever connected to the teleswitch hook, connecting .znechanism between the lever and the coin projector to eiiect movement of the latter, an electromagnetic control device also associated with the coin projector and cooperating therewith to cause a deposited coin to be cashed in when a call is completed and to be returned to a depositor in the event that the call is not completed, means for actuating the electromagnetic control device to causethe projector to cash in the deposited coin in the event that the call has been completed, and a balanced coin holder adapted in a given position of the coin projector to temporarily retain a coin therein.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17, in -.'.'hich a coin holder is provided with an adjustable balance weight,

.19. In a device of the character described and in combination, a pivoted coin projector adapted to ei'liect cashing in or discharge of a coin, a power applying mechanism, a timing mechanism operatively connecting the power applying mechanism with the coin projector and including an escapement mechanism and an adjustable cam, and a circuit controlling means actuatable by said cam.

20. In a device of the character described and in combination, a reciprocable coin projector in the form of a casing adapted to receive a deposited coin and capable of bodily movement to effect cashing in or discharge of coins, means including an electromagnet for controlling the cashing in operation, power applying means, and timing mechanism constituting a connection between the power applying means and the coin projector adapted to delay movement of the coin projector until the electromagnetic means has had an opportunity to act.

21. The device as claimed in claim '20, in which the connection between the timing mechanism and the coin projector includes a slotted link and a pin connected to the projector operated in the slot.

22. In a device of the character described and in combination, a casing, a spring controlled lever mounted on the casing, a movable frame, timing mechanism on the frame having releasable engagement with the lever, a pivoted coin projector on the frame adapted to effect cashing in or discharge of the coin and operatively connected to the timing mechanism.

23. The device as claimed in claim 22, in which the timing mechanism is provided with a pinadapted to engage the lever .on the casing.

24. The device as claimed inclaim.22,in which the lever has a bell crank mounted thereon constituting a connection with the timing mechanism.

25. In a device of the character described and in combination, a lever, a timing mechanism, a yieldable spring connection between the lever and the timing mechanism, a pivoted coin projector and a lost motion connection between the timing mechanism and the coin projector.

26. In a device of the character described, power applying means, a reciprocable coin projector adapted to effect .the cashing in or a discharge of coins, means 'for controlling the movement of the coin projector, actuated in part by gravity, in part electromagnetically, and in part by the power applying means.

27. In a device of the character described, power applying means, a reciprocablecoin projector having its movement controlled in part by the said power applying means,'and means including an electromagnet for controllinganother part of the movement of the coin projector.

28. The device as claimed in claim 27, having a timing mechanism for regulating and timing the movement'of the coin projector 29. In a device of the character described, power storing means, a reciprooable coin projector having its movement controlled in part by the power storing means, and means ineluding an electromagnet also controlling movement of the coin projector.

30. The combination with the device as claimed in claim 29 of a timing device controlling the application of the power to the projector.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FREDERICK WVILLIAM HALL.

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