US1772468A - Coin-controlled turnstile - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 12, 1930; w. w. SLAWSON 72,

. COIN CONTROLLED TURNSTILE Filed April 27, 1928 Patented Aug. 12, 1930.

PATENT OFFICE WARD'W. SLAWSQN, OF-SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS corn-CONTROLLED TU'R'NSTIL'E Application filed April 27,

This invention relates to a turnstile of that character in which operation of the turnstile is controlledbya coin and particularly 7 to a turnstile which is normally locked and is unlocked by a coin deposited in a coin box.

In apparatus of this character as now constructedand known to me, the coin, after it has unlocked the turnstile, is automatically removed from its operative position, by a 19 portion of the apparatus, and the turnstile is again locked, and remains in this condition until unlocked by another coin. I

In apparatus of this character, it is possible to unlock the turnstile by an abnormal coin or device, which remains in its deposited position and is not removed therefrom by the portion of the apparatus which removes the normal coin. L

By means of the abnormal coin, the turnstile may be unlocked andbe maintained in this condition asjlongas theabnormal coin remains in its deposited position, thereby allowing any number of persons ;to pass through the turnstile without paying, until the abnormal coin has been removed.

The present invention has 'for its object to provide a coin-controlled turnstile in which the turnstile is unlocked and x then locked by a normal coin, and is unlocked and then locked by an abnormal coin, with the latter in its unlocking position, withthe'result that but a 'single'person canpass through the turnstile'by the deposit of a coin either normal or abnormal. l

In the present instance, the invention is embodiedin an electrically controlledturn- V stile, in which an electromagnet is employed to unlock the turnstile, and is controlled by second electromagnet or relay, which in turn is controlled by the coin.

In a turnstile of this character, the relay is energized by the coin closing the circuit of said relay, and the latter when energized closes the circuit of the unlocking magnet,

which when energized unlocks the turnstile.- Under normal conditions of use, that is, when the circuit of the relay isclosed by a normal coin, the latter is dislodged to open the relay circuit when the relay is energized. Under abnormal conditions of use, that is,

enable its operation to be understood, the

and the removal of the latter from its oper- 1928. Serial No. 273,251.

when the circuit of the relay is closed by an abnormal coin, the latter is not dislodged by the relay when energized,but remains in its circuit-closing position, which in the. absence of the present invention, would maintain the unlocking magnet energized and thereby keep the turnstile unlocked until the abnormal coin was removed.

- In accordance withthepresent invention, provision is made for taking the relay and thereby the unlocking magnet out of the control of the abnormal coin, so that, when the relay is energized by the abnormal coin, the circuit of the relay is opened at a'difierent point when the relay is energized, which permits the circuit of the unlocking magnet to be opened by the relay and the turnstile to be locked, with the abnormal coinin its circuit-closing position. l

To this end, an auxiliary relay is employed which acts to open the circuit of the main relay and to maintain it"open as long asthe abnormal coin remains'inits circuit-closing position. p

These and other features of this invention will be pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a coin-controlled turnstile embodying this invention; I

' Fig. 2, an elevation of the turnstile shown in Fig. 1; r

Fig. 3, a diagrammatic view of a suflicient portion of theapparatus shown in Fig. 1 to parts being arranged to illustrate the normal position of the apparatus and about to be operated by a normal coin; i

Fig. 4:, a view like Fig. 3, illustrating the unlocking of the turnstile bythe normal coin ative position shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a view like Fig. 4 illustrating the operation with an abnormal coin, and j Fig. 6, a developed view of the movable circuit-controlling members carried by the turnstile.

The mechanical portion of the apparatus is and may be such as now used in subways, railway stations and other places where entrance is gained by depositing in a receptacle a coin or other device indicative ofthe charge for admission. In the present instance, only a suificient portion of the apparatus is illustrated to enable the invention to be readily understood.

10 represents a rotatable turnstile which foo-operates with a rail 12 to forma passageway 13 through which persons pass after depositing a coin, or like dev1ce lndicative of the charge for admission. For the present purposes, the coin maybeconsid'ered asa dime, and that the turnstile is used at the entrance to a railway station, as, for instance, a subway.

Located near the rail12is a coin box 15' intowhieh the dime, represented by the circle 16.in.Fig.-3,,is deposited by aperson passing into the. passageway 13 inthe direction indicatedby. thearrow in Fig. 1..

Thezcoinboxlfi contains a relay 17, which will behereinafter referredto as the main relay,.and.said main relay is-includedin an electric circuit provided with yielding metal fingers or contact members 20, 21 spaced apart and locateddnthe coin'box 15 below a slot 22.]therein, and arranged to be electrically connected together by the coin 16 after the latter haspassed' into the coin box.

The fingers 20, 21 co operate with the coin 16 to. form acircuitcontroller for tllGIDfLlll relay 17, which circuit controller will be hereinafter, termed the coin-circuit controller.

'Themainrelay-li functions to control the operation of an electromagnet 23,.which functionsv to unlock. the turnstile 1O and'permit the. latter. to be rotated a-quarter-turn by the person who has deposited the coin 16 in the coinboxawhich coin may be designated the normal coin. The shaft 2a of the turnstile isprovided with contact members 25 correspondinginnumber to the number of arms of the turnstile, which is four as herein represented.

Each of these contact members 25 is adapted to bebrought into engagement with a pair of contact arms 26, 27 spaced apart and. suitably support-ed within the hollow standard or upright 28 upon which the turnstileis rotatably mounted. Each movable contactmember 25 co-opera-tes withthe pair tery.

the relay 17 is completed by the normal coin 16 engaging the contact members 20, 21, as represented in Fig. 3.

The circuit of the main relay 17 being thus completed energizes the main relay, which attracts its armature and closes the circuit of the unlocking elcctromagnet 23, which run locks the turnstile and permits the dcpositor of the coin 16 to rotate the turnstile a quartertam and pass through the passage 13 and enter. the station. The main relay 1? is preferably made as a solenoid and its armature or core is represented by the line 30 in Fig. 3.

The armature 30 is provided with a movable-contact member 31 which co-operates with terminals or contactmembers32, 33 to form a circuit controller for the unlocking magnet. 23. lVhen the main; relay is energized, the circuit of, the unlocking magnet 23 completed at the circuit controller 31, 32, .33, and the turnstile 10 is unlocked. The mechanical mechanism of the turnstile is such that when-the main relay 17 is energized, the normal coin 16 is ejected or caused to pass between the contact fingers 20, 21 and fall to the bottom of the coin box, thereby opening the circuit of the main relay at the coincircuitcontrollen. This would deenergize the locking; magnet 23 and. cause the I turnstile to be locked it provisionwere not madeto provide .a circuit for maintaining the main relay energized independently, of the coin-circuit controller. This is accomplished Qby a contact. member. 3 1...on.the armature. 30 oft-he main relay, co-operating, with terminals or contact. members 35,36 to completes circuit for. the. main relayaswill .be described.

.As sooua's the circuit of the main relay 17 is .completedby. the coin 16, the main relay is energizedand theauxiliary circuit therefor iscompletedxatthe circuit controller 34:, 3'5, 36

before or. at on about, the time the coin 16 opensthe initialkcircuit for the main relayby passing. out of contact. with. the terminals 20,211.

This condition-of the circuits of the main relay. 17 ando't theimlocking.magnet 23 is represented in Fig.4.. 7

The circuit through the. main. relay'may be traced as follows: from the battery 38 or other source of currentby wire to the turn- StllesClICllllJ controller. 26, 25,. 27, thence by wire 39-to.mainrelay 17, through the latter and by wires: 4:0, .41 and circuit controller 35, Si, 36 and'wire 42m groinidwl3,thence by wire at back .to the. battery. 38.

The circuit .of. the unlocking magnet 23 maybe. traced as follows From the. batter r 38 byrwire ethunlockingmaagnet 23-, wire 16, circuit. eontrollerr. 32, 31,. wires 47, 42 to ground 13 and thenyceiby wire Meback' to' hat- Themain-relay 17 is 'nowunder control of the turnstile-circuit controller, which latter'is opened when .theidepositor of the coin turns and thereby the turnstile suiliciently to move the contact member 25 out of engagement with the con-. tact members 26, 2 7.

Deenergizing of the main relay 17 as just described, allows the armature 30 to drop and open the'circuit of the unlocking magnet 23 and permit the turnstile, by means of the next contact member 25, to close the circuit of the main relay at the'turnstile-circuit controller, and place said main relay circuit in condition to be completed by the next coin deposited, the turnstile being at such time locked. i V

The apparatus operates in the manner above described, providing the coin is' a proper or normal' one, which can be dislodged from contact with the contact fingers or members 20, 21 when the main relayis energized. If, however, there is deposited in the coin box, an abnormal coin or metal disk approximating the dimensions of the normal coin, so as to permit it'to be deposited in the coin box and engage the contact members 20, 21, but is of such size or construction as not to be dislodged when the main relay'is energized, such abnormal coin would maintain the circuit of the main relay closed at the coin-circuit controller.

Under these conditions, the circuit of the locking magnet 23 is initially closed when the circuit of the main relay is completed at the coin-circuit controller, ismomentarily opened at the circuit controller 31, 32, 33, when the main relaycircuit is opened at the turnstile-circuit controller 25,-- 26, 27, and again closed when the main relay-is again en'- ergized, by the closing of the turnstlle-circuit controller, which occurs when the turnstile has been rotated a qiiarter-turn'by the depositor of the abnormal coin passing through the turnstile. I c I It will thus be seen that an indefimte number of persons may pass through the'turnstile as long as the coin-circuit controller remains closed by the abnormal com, thereby occasloning a decided loss of revenue. p

The present invention has for its ob ect to avoidsuch loss oi revenue, and to this end, provision is made for deenergizing the main relay independentlyof the coin-clrcuit controller after said main relay hasbeen initially energized by the abnormal coin, and to maintain said main relay deenergized, as long as the coin-circuit controller is closed by the abnormal coin. I i I Inasmuch as the clrcuit of the unlocking magnet 23 is open as long'asthe main relay is deenergzed, the turnstile will remain locked be prevented from being turned until the abnormal coin'has been removed by a duly authorized person.

. To eilect these desirable results, the circuit of the main relay 17 is provided with'a second circuit. controller,'comprising a stationary contact member and a co-operating movable contact member 51, which latter is connected with the armature or core 52 of an auxiliary solenoid or relay 53, whichlatter is included in a circuit governed in part by the coin-circuit controller and in part by a circuit controller actuated by the main relay and comprising a movable contact member 54 which is attached to the core or armature 30 of the main relay, and co-operating con tact- members 55, 56. I

As represented in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the auxiliary relay 53 has one end of its coil connected by wire 57 withthe member 20' of the coin-circuit controller, and has the other end of its coilconnected by wire 58 withthe stationary contact member of the circuit controller 55, 54, 56, the stationary contact member 56'being connected by wires 59, 45 to the battery 38 or other source of current;'whichis represented as connected through the ground 43 with the member 21' of the coin-circuit controller.

Under normal conditions, the coin-circuit controller is open and the main and auxiliary relays 17 53 are deenergized. The circuit controller 51, 50 governed by the'auxiliary relay 53 is closed and the circuit controller 54, 55,56 governed by the main relay is opened.

It will thus be seen thatthe main relay 17 is included in a circuit provided with three circuit controllers, one of which is the coincircuitcontroller, the second the circuit controller 51, 50 governed by the auxiliary relay 53, and the third the circuit controller :25, 26, 27 governedby the turnstile.

Under normal conditions, the coin-circuit controller is open and the other two circuit controllersare closed. '1

When a normal or an'abnormal coin is deposited in the coin box'15, the circuit of the main relay 17 is completed. This circuitis represented by the heavy black lines in Fig. 3 and may be traced as follows: from the battery 38 by Wire 60, turnstile-circuit controller S 1.10

26,25, 27, wire 39, main relay 17, wire 40,

circuit controller 50, 51, wires 61', 57 coincircuit controller 20, 16, 21, wire 62, ground 43 and wire 44 back to the battery. i

The main relay 17 is energized and'closes the three circuit controllers, to witzthe circuit controller 34, 35, 36 for the circuit of the main relay independently of the'coincircuit controller; the circuit controller 31, 32, 33 for the circuit of the unlocking magnet 23; and the circuit controller 54, 55, 56 for the auxiliary relay 53.

The circuit for thezmain relay 17 independently of the coin-circuit controller is represented by heavy black lines in Fig. 4, and may be traced as followsz f'rom the battery 38 -bv wire 60, turnstile-circuit controller 26,

25, 27 wire 39, main relay 17, wires40, 41, circuit controller 34, 35,36, wire 42, ground 43 and wire 44 back to the battery38.

The circuitthrough the unlocking magnet tery 38 by wires 60, 45, 5'9, circuitlcontroller 56,54, 55, wire 58, auxiliary relay 53,.wire

, 57, circuit controller 20, 16, 21, ground 43 andwire 44 back to the battery. I

Thiscircuit for theauxiliary relay may bettermed the energizing circuit therefor and is-closedwhenthe main relay 17 is energized bythe. depositof; the abnormal coin 16" represented inFig. 5. It would be opened by deenergizing the maiinrelay 17 when'the depositor of the abnormal coin passes through the-turnstile, if provision were not made to' provide a circuit for the auxiliary relay independentlyof the-circuit controller. 54, 55, 56 operated by the main relay. To this end thet'auxilary relayl53 operates a second circuit controller,-cmprising a movable memher-7'0 attached to the core 52 of said auxiliarywrelayand a stationary contact member 71,.the movable member. 70 being connected by wire72 to the wire 59' of the energizing circuit; and .thestationary member 71 being connected'bywire 73-to the wire 58 of said energizing. circuit. The circuit controller 70, 71 is normally open and is closed when the energizing circuit for the auxiliary relay 53 is"completed.by-the circuit controller 54, 55, 56 when the main relay 17 is energized.

The circuit for the auxiliary relay 53 including the circuitcontroller 7 O, 71 may be designated the Y maintaining circuit for the auxiliary relay. I 7

It remains closedas long as the abnormal coin l6 'remains in contact with thecontact members 20, 21.

This-maintaining circuit is represented in Figs by heavybl-ack lines and maybe traced followsafxom the battery 38-by wires 60, 45, 59, 72,.circuit controller 70, 71, wires 73,

58, vrelay53', wire.57, coin controller 20, 16,

' turnstile.

- When-the circuit of the main relay 17 is closed by tlieabnormal coin 16, the controller members 34 31, 54 are moved: into their closed positions as shownin Fig. 5,-the turnstile is unlocked and the depositor of the abnormal coin 16 can pass through the turnstile. -On passing through, the turnstile is rotated and the contact which engages the contact members 26, 27 is moved out of engagement with'the latter, and the circuit of the main relay 17 is momentarily opened and then closed at the turnstile by the next adjacent contact 25.

When the circuit ofthe relay 17 is momentarily opened at the turnstile, the said relay is deenergized, and the controller members 34, 31, 54 are moved into their open position shown in Fig. 3, but the auxiliary relay 53 is not deenergized by the opening of the controller member 54, as the circuit of the auxiliary relay 53 is maintained closed by the abnormal coin 16 and by the controller member 70.

When the circuit of the'main relay 17 is reestablished, as shown in Fig. 5, by the depositor of the abnormal coin 16 rotating the turnstile 10 a quarter-turn, the circuit of the main relay is open at the controller 50, 51 and the turnstile is locked and maintained locked and put out of commission until the abnormal coin 16 is removed by an authorized person.

In this manner other persons in collusion with the depositor of the abnormal coin are prevented from passing through the turnstile.

The movable member 54 of the circuit controller for the auxiliary relay, will be arranged to close the circuit of said relay, after the movable members 31 and 34 on the core of the main relay have completed their circuits; 4

The turnstile-operating construction including the mechanism for locking the turnstile and the unlocking magnet 23 co-operatingcwithrsaid locking mechanism is located in the hollowcasing or pedestal 28 and may be such as shown in United States Patent No. 1,655,501 dated January 10, 1928, to which reference may be had, as such mechanism is not herein claimed.

The main relay 17, the circuit controllers actuated thereby, the auxiliary relay 53, the circuit controllers actuated by it, and the coin-circuit controller may be located in the coin box 15, as indicated by dotted lines in FL; 2.

From the above description, it will be ob served that the turnstile is automatically controlled by the deposited coin, and the services of an attendant are not required, and it will further be observed that the turnstile will continue to function and permit the depositors to pass in a continuous manner as long as each depositor places a normal coin in the coin box, but that the turnstile is rendered inoperative and put out of commission, when an abnormal coin is deposited in the coin box. As a result, railways and other users of turnstiles embodying this invention are prevented from suffering substantial losses.

One embodiment of the invention is herein shown, but it is not desired to limit the invention to the particular embodiment shown. What is claimed is: i 1. The combination with a turnstile normally locked against rotation in one direction, of an electromagnet for unlocking said turnstile, a circuit controller governing the operation of said unlocking magnet, a main relay governing the operation of said circuit controller, a circuit for said main relay provided with a coin-controlled circuit controller and with a second circuit controller operated by said turnstile, a circuit controller operated by the main relay to establish a circuit for the latter and place the main relay under control of the turnstile-circuit controller, an auxiliary relay, a circuit controller operated by said auxiliary relay and included in the coin-controlled circuit of said main relay and normally closed, a circuit controller operated by said main relay and operating to energize saidauxiliary relay in conjunction with said coin-circuit controller, a second circuit controller operated by said auxiliary relay and normally open, said auiliary relay when onergized acting to operate the normally closed circuit controller to open the same and deenergize the main relay with the coin-circuit controller closed, and acting on the normally open circuit controller to close a circuit throughthe auxiliaryrelay and maintain the latter energized with the energizing circuit for the auxiliary relay closed at the coin-cir cuit controller and opened at the circuit controller operated'by the main relay.

2. The combination with a turnstile normally locked against rotation in one direction, of an electromagnet for unlocking said turnstile, a circuit controller governing the operation of said unlocking magnet, a main,

relay governing the operation of said circuit controller, a circuit for said main relay provided with a coin-circuit controller and with a second circuit controller normally: closed,

and an auxiliary relay governed by the main v relay and operating to open said second circuit controller and thereby open the circuit of the main relay with the latter circuit closed at the coinicontroller,

- 3. The combination with a turnstile normally locked against rotation in one direction, of an electromagnet for unlocking said turnstile, a circuit controller governing the operation of said unlocking magnet, a main relay governing the operation of said circuit closed at the coin controller, and a second circuit controller operated by the auxiliary relay to maintain a circuit therefor in conunction with the com-circuit controller whena the energizing circuit-of the auxiliary relay is opened by deenergizingof the main relay.

4. The combination with a turnstile, of an electromagnet controllling the operation thereof, a main relay controlling the operation of said electromagnet, a coin-circuit controller governingthe operation of said main relay and an auxiliary relay also governing the operation of said main relay and nonresponsive to the operation of said coin-circuit controller by a normal coin to aiiect the circuit of the main relay and responsive to the operation of the coin-circuit controller i by an abnormal coin to affect the circuit of the main relay.

'5. The combination with a turnstile nor mally locked against rotation in one direction, of meansforunlocking said turnstile, means responsive to a normal coin for controlling saidunlocking means to permit the turnstile to be unlocked with the normal coin in its operative position and to be again said turnstile and maintain it ineffective as long as the relay remalns under the control of said abnormal coin.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

' WARD W, SLAVVSON.

controller, a circuit for said main relay provided with a coin-circuit controller and with a second clrcuit controller normally closed,

an auxiliary relay governed by the main relay and operating to open said second circuit controller andthereby openrthe circuit of the main relay with the latter circuit

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