US1784079A - Coin-controlled switch - Google Patents

Description

1930, L D. SLUSSER 1,784,079

CO IN CONTROLLED SWITCH Filed May 27, 1929 Lek/2d 0. -JYmrser 3mm Patented Dec. 9, 1930 -..1 UNITED sum D. BLUm OIO'ITLWA, OHIO, 816108 PO OLUIIEB OTTAWA, OHIO, A OOBPOIi-LI'IOII' O! 0810 PATENT OFFICE EOLDUG, 130., OI

com-comma SWITCH Application fled Kay 27, ms. lerlal Io. "0,184.

This invention relates to coin-controlled apparatus, and an object is to provide a simple and eflicient apparatus, for operatin a switch b means of a coin, check or the like,

which is eld in positive engagement with the switch for a predetermined period, and

is arranged to operate the same for each coin delivered thereto.

Another object is to enable the switch to be held in circuit-closing position continuously and without interruption when a plurality of coins or checks are delivered thereto at one time, so that after one coin has served its pur ose, the next coin operates the switch '15 and holds the switch closed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in'the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without'departing 8 from the spirit of the invention.

In one as ect the invention provides a means whereby a coin or check deposited in the apparatus can be utilized for actuating the switch to close one or more circuits controlled thereby, there being motor-operated means for rolling the coin or check along the switch for a redetermined period of time after which the coin will be automatically released from the ap aratus and the switch returned to its norma position so as to break the circuits that had been closed.

In the accompanying drawings an embodiment of the invention has been shown for illustrative purposes.

In said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view partly in section and partly in diagram showing the apparatus with the.

parts in their normal positions, a coin or check being indicated in its chute travelling toward the switch to be controlled thereby.

Fig. 2. is a similar view showing the coin in active position and the switch held closed thereby.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates a coin chute or the lilre, at one side of which is arranged an actu atmg wheel 2 having a rtion of its peg riphery pro'ecting into a sl t 3 in one wall of the chute. e riphery of this wheel can be provided witli a rim .4 of rubber or said psiiphery can be roughened by knurling.

eel 2 1s adapted to be driven at a relatively slow rate of spied by a motor indicated generally at 5. is can be a spring motor, an electric motor, etc. In the present instance an electric motor 5 has been illustrated.

Formed in the wall of chute 1 directly 0ppos 1te the opening 3 is an opening 6, through which extends the an led end 7 of a lever 8 fulcrumed at one en as shown at 9. This lever, or at least the body of the same, is preferably of insulating material. A resilient contact finger 10 is attached to the inner end portion of the lever and extends lengthwise thereof substantiall in opposed relation to the angled end 7 of t e lever and has one wire 11 of a power circuit connected thereto. The other wire 12 of'this circuit is electrically connected to the motor. The other lead 13 of the motor is connected to an adjustable contact 14 adjacent to, but normally spacedfrom the free end portion of the contact strip 10. This lead 13 is also adapted to be connected at 15 to anelectrically operated radio set, or any other appliance adapted to be controlled lgythe apparatus constituting this invention.

aid appliance is also electrically connected at 16 to the wire 12. The lever 8 is actuated as by a spring 8' to normally stand in open circuit sition with res ect to the contact 14 and wit the projection extending its greatest distance into the chute 1.

Another resilient contact 17 may be supportedadjacent the contact strip 10, said strip eing extended between the two contacts 14 and 17 and normally engaging contact 17.

If desired, an electric sign or other device adapted to attract attention to the apparatus or for any other purpose may be electrically connected at 18 to the contact 17, and at 19 to the conductor 12.

Under normal conditions, the circuit through the connections 18 and 19 is closed so that the device controlled by said circuit will be illuminated, if it is a-sign, or sounded,

if it is a bell or other signal. The angled end of lever 8 normally extends slightly into the chute 1 so that the shortest distance between said lever and the periphery of the wheel 2 is somewhat less than the diameter of the coin or check C used in connection with the apparatus.

The motor 5 is adapted to operate continuously, or it can be controlled by a switch 20 whereby the circuit to the motor will be closed preparatory to the insertion of the coin or check.

When the coin or check C is deposited'in the chute 1, it will gravitate to position between wheel 2 and lever end 7, and will become wedged between these two structures, and the weight of the coin or check will be sufiicient to swing lever 8 sli htly outwardly from the chute so as to force t e resilient contact 10 away from contact 17 and against the contact 14. This will result in breaking the circuit to the signal device or the like to which the leads 18 and 19 are connected. At the same time it will close a circuit to the appliance from which the leads-15 and 16 are extended. As the wheel 2 is rotated very slowly, either continuously or intermittently in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, it will gradually roll the coin or check G downwardly past the lever end 7, as will be apparent by referring to Figure 2. Thus the contact stri 10 will be maintained in engagement with t 0 contact 14 until ultimately the coin or check is forced by wheel 2 free from the end of lever 8. At that time the coin or check will be released and the resilient contact strip 10 will return the lever to its initial position illustrated in Figure 1. Obviously, the operation of the parts can be so timed that the appliance controlled thereby can be maintained active for any predetermined period of time, the time being determined by the interval required for the coin or check to pass from its initial position in the chute to its released position. This may be accomplished by adjusting the contact screw 14 relative to the contact strip 10. By adjusting the screw toward the strip 10, the period of operation will be increased, but by adjusting the screw away from the strip, the period of operation will be shortened.

From the above description, it is manifest that the switch is held in circuit-closing position by the coin or check in such manner that positive timing of action is secured, and the device operates the same for each coin which is delivered to the chute. The rolling action imparted to the coin by the wheel 2 permits of continuous operation inasmuch as a plurality of coins may be drop ed into the chute 1, and so soon as one coin as traveled past the switch, a second coin Will be so positioned as to continue holding the switch in operative position, so that the circuit is not momentarily broken, and the radio, or other device with coin or check of predetermined Va no is deposited therein.

Numerous changes in details of construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a rotatable member having a continuously circular periphery, a movable circuit-closing member in opposed relation to said rotatable member, and means for delivering a coin between said members, thereby to move said circuit-closing member to operative position, said rotatable member imparting a rolling action to the coin to cause same to travel past said circuit-closing member, said movable circuit closing member holding the coin against rotation at its point of contact therewith.

2. In a device of the class described, a wheel having a substantially unbroken periphery, means for rotating said wheel at a relatively slow rate of speed, a resilient switch element in opposed relation to said wheel, and means to deliver a coin between said wheel and switch element, the normal space between said wheel and element being slightly less than the diameter of the coin, whereby the coin moves said switch element to operative position and said wheel imparts a rolling action to the coin to cause the latter to pass and release said switch element, said resilient switch element holding the coin against rotation at its point of contact therewith.

3. In a coin controlled apparatus, a movable switch, a member having a substantially unbroken Bperating surface in opposed relation to said switch and movable relatively thereto, means for delivering a coin between said switch and member, the successive coinengaging portions of said member being uniformly spaced from said switch at all times,

and means for imparting movement to said movable member so that successively portions thereof engage the edge of a coin, thereby to impart a positive rolling action to the coin, said switch holding the ooin\ against rotation at its point of contact therewith.

4. In a coin controlled apparatus, a rotatable member, a resiliently mounted circuit closing member having a projection thereon in opposed relation to said rotatable member, and means for delivering a coin between the rotatable member and the projection on the circuit closing member, thereby to move said circuit closing member to operative position, said rotatable member imparting a rolling action to the coin to pivot the coin about its

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