US1813720A - Automatic change - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1931. R. v. WILSON AUTOMATIC CHANGE MACHINE Filed April 19. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l frz/m7 m7621221 M July 7, 1931. R v WILSON 1,813,720

AUTOMATIC CHANGE MACHINE Filed April 19, 1929 5 sheets-sheet 2 'Hlllllllllllll" l l l d W' ,wss mm attouu July 7, 193 R. vy WILSON 1,813,7'20

AUTOMATIC CHANGE MACHINE Filed April 19l 1929 5 sheets-sheet 5 gnvehfoz fija/7117 /M'SW? 5%f *Ww July 7, 1931. R. v. WILSON AUTOMATIC CHANGE MACHINE Filed April 19. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 @Hotmail 5 Lineas-sheet 5 Filed [april 19, 1929 Ex A.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY wvrNEss; l

Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROLLIN WILSON, 0F MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, ABSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 SAI Ia. FRANKLIN, 0F XNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE AUTOMATIC CHANGE MACHINE Application med April 19,

This invention relates to change making machines ca able of use upon street cars and other u lic vehicles for the purposev of receiving eposited fares, delivermg change when such change is necessary and registerin the number of fares deposited.

ome street railway companies provide change makin machines in which the operator places t e fare and where change is necessary, he secures the change through the hand operation of suitable levers which release coins of different denominations. For example, if a twenty-five cent coin is deposited in the machine and the rate of fare is seven cents, the machine returns one metal fare check or token, three one cent coins, one ten cent coin and one five cent coin. Change is deposited in the passengers hand and he must se arate the fare check from the balance of t e coins and drop the check in the fare box.

The operator (the motorman of the car Where one man cars are operated) must observe this procedure throu h glass windows in the box in order to see t at the passenger has deposited the correct coin. He must then push a small lever to drop the coin into the money compartment of the box and these coins must be retrieved to be again used as change. rlhis is effected by turning a small crank which runs the coins through the register mechanism and by taking the coins out of the return receptacle of the fare box. The coins and fare checks or tokens must be again separated and placed separately in the hand operated change making machine.

Many of these operations must necessarily be done while the car is in motion so that the attention of the motorman is diverted from the operation of the car. This naturally lowers his efiiciency and is hazardous to the safe and proper operation of the car.

The present invention overcomes these and many other disadvantageous features by providing a machine, which upon the insertion of a coin or coins of a given amount, will operate a register, and where the amount of the-coin or coins is in excess ol such sum the machine will automatically re- 1929. vsensu No. 356,439.

turn the proper change without attention by the motorman or other operator of the car. Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine `which will be autooperation of the vehicle in order to see thatv the passenger has deposited his fare.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine in which coins of different denominations are received in separate receptacles and utilized for making change, means being provided for operating a warnin signal when the coins are nearly exhauste and for o erating an additional signal `when any ci) the receptacles are empty.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure l is an end view of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a front view.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a like view taken substantially on the line 4--1 of Figure 1.

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged fragmentary sections taken respectively on the lines 55 and 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view o the single coin ejector for the ve cent receptacle.

Figure 8 is a like view of the double :0in ejector for the five cent receptacle.

Figure 9 is a diagram of the electric circuits.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of reference denote corres onding arts, the reference character 10 in icates a ousing of suitable size and shape to -contain a number of separate coin receptacles for receiving coins of different value. Six receptacles are shown, but it is obvious that the invention need not be restricted to any particular .number of rece tacles.

he receptacles as stated are designed to receive coins of different values, the receptacle 11 receiving one `cent coins or pennies, the receptacle 12 receiving dimes, the receptacle 13 quarters, the receptacle 14 fifty cent pieces, and the receptacle 15 nickels. The receptacles are of a proper size so that the coins will be stacked one upon the other and the coins are directed into these receptacles through coin chutes 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, and 15a respectively. The chutes 12a, 13a and 14a are open at the top as indicated at 12b, 13b and 14b, while the chutes 11a and 15a are provided with hoppers 11b and 15b, res ectivel In ad ition, the housing contains a receptacle 16 which is adapted to receive one dollar coins or tokens which are deposited in.

the said receptacle through a chute 16a Whose upper open end is indicated at 1Gb.

Each of the coin chutes is closed1by an angular extension 17 at one end of a lever 18. These levers are ivotally mounted as shown at 19 and are yieldingly held in position so that the extension 17 will close the chute, by means of a spring 20. The extensions 17 of the levers 18 entei` the chutes through openin s 2l provided in one Wall of the chutes. Ighe levers 18 are also provided at their upper ends with angular extensions 22 which are adapted to enter the chutes through openings 23 so as to close the chutes in a manner and for a purpose to be resently described.

Eacli) of the coin receptacles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 is rovided in its bottom with a dischar e out et 24 which is controlled by a pivotal y mounted ejector 25. These ejectors are of the thickness of one coin and have an opening of the diameter of the coin and when-pivotally moved will eject a single coin. In the receptacle ll for the one cent coins, the ejector may be of a thickness to eject more than one coin. For example, when the machine is used upon a car with a seven cent fare and ten cen is deposited, the ejector for the one cent receptacle will be of a thickness to eject three one cent coins. Also, the receptacle 15 for the ive cent coins may be arranged to eject either a single five cent coin, or three five cent coins according to circumstances.

For this purpose, the ejecting mechanism for the five cent coin receptacle which is shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6 consists .of an ejector 26 for a single ive cent coin and an ejector 27 for two five cent coins. These ejectors are 'pivotally' mounted as shown at 28 and have extending therefrom spaced lugs 29 which receive the upper end' 30 of arms 31, one of which is positione\ being yieldingly held against pivotal movenient by a sprin 34. This spring acts to hold the ejectors 1n normally retracted position, while solenoids 35 and 36 have their cores pivotally connected with the levers 33 and lwhen energized will move the levers pivotally to operate the ejectors. f

The ejected coins from the receptacles will be received within a chute 37 and directed into a deliveryy receptacle 38 from which the passenger may remove them. In addition, the insertion of coins of a. given amount (for example seven cents) will close a circuit through a register mechanism 39 and a bell or other alarm device 40', so that each fare paid will be registered and the bell will be operated to direct attention to the insertion of the fare. In addition, indicating means are provided for indicating the approximate number of coins within the coin rece tacles so that the receptacles may be refille before being entirely emptied and should the latter inadvertently occur additional signals are provided for indicating the fact that the receptacles are empty.

For this pur ose lamps 40 are provided to I indicate that t e supply/of coins is running low While lam s 41 provide indicating means that the supp y of coins within a particular receptacle has become entirely exhausted.

As the coin receptacles must contain coins to be used in making change, means are provided for filling these rece tacles without operating the reglster 39 or the bell 40". In addition, the invention also provides means Whereb all of the receptacles may be emptied wlthout inserting coins into the coin chutes. For this purpose the invention provides a switch 42 havinv arcuate-shaped contact strips A and B and contacts C, D, E, F, G and H, together with suitable bridge elements K and L for bridging these contacts to selectively control circuits to operate the machine as stated.

The contacts A and B are connected by conductors 43 and 44 respectively to a suitable source of current such as a battery 45 while a conductor 46 connects the contact D with the bell 41 and the latter is in turn connected by means of a contact 47 with the register 39. This register is in electricalv being one of these magnets for each of the levers 18. By reference to the diagram shown in Figure 9 it will be seen that each of the levers 18 is provided with an armature 51 which is located in the path of a magnet 50 so that when this ma et is energized, the lever 18 will be move against the action of the spring 20 to withdraw the angular extension 17 from the chute.

While six coin chutes are illustrated in the drawings only four are shown in the diafA gram, namely, the chutes for the one cent, ten cent, five cent, and twenty-five cent coins. The operation of the levers 18 for the fifty cent coins and one dollar coins is the same as the twenty-five cent coin chute.

The magnet 50 of the twenty-five cent coin chute is connected by a conductor 52 to the magnet 50 of the five cent coin chute and this last mentioned magnet is connected by means of a conductor 53 withI the magnet of the ten cent coin chute. Likewise, this last mentioned magnet is connected by means of a conductor 54 with the magnet 50 of the one cent chute, while this last referred to magnet is connected by means of a conductor 55 with a yieldable contact 56 which is mounted u on and insulated from the chute 11a. T e contact 56 extends into an opening provided in the chute 11a While a similar contact 57 extends through another opening provided in the chute above the contact 56. The contact 57 is connected by means of a conductor 58 with the contact C of the switch 42.

Assuming that the fare to be paid amounts to seven cents and seven pennies are inserted in the chute 11a, the first penny inserted will engage the angular extension 17 of the arm 18 and will be held against movement until the entire seven pennies have been placed within the chute. As soon as this occurs, current will flow from the battery 45 through the conductor 44, the contact B, the bridge L, the contact C, theconductor 58, the contact 57, the coins within the chute 11a, the contact 56, the conductor 55, the magnets 50, the conductor 51', the register 39, the conductor 47, the bell 40', the conductor 46, the contact D, the bridge K, the contact A and back to the batter through the conductor 43; As all of t e magnets 50 will then be energized, the armatures of the levers 18 will be attracted so that these levers will be moved pivotally to release the pennies as stated while the angular extensions 22 of the levers 18 will move into the chutes and prevent the insertion of any additional coins until the magnets 50 are de-energized. This will occur through the interruption of the circuit by the passage of the coins into the receptacle 11. The levers 18 will then assume their normal positions under the ac tion of the springs 20.

The chute 15a for the live cent coins is provided with spaced contacts 59 and 60 which extend `into openings provided in the chute in the path of the coins. The contact 59 is connected by means of a conductor 61 with a conductor 62 which is tapped onto the conductor 58 while the contact 60 is connected by a conductor 63 with a contact 64 which is carried by and extends into the chute 11a in the path of the coins within the chute. Y

Should a nickel and two pennies be inserted in pa ment of a seven cent fare, a circuit will completed from the battery through the switch 42, the current travelling from the contact C through the conductor 58, the conductor 62, the conductor 61, the contact 59, the coin, the contact 60, the conductor 63, the contact 64, the two coins Within the chute 11a, the contacts 56, the conductor 55, the magnets 50, the conductor 51 and back to the switch through the register 39 and bell 40.

As previously stated, the receptacle 15 for the five cent coins is provided with two solenoids 35 and 36 to control the discharge of coins through this receptacle, While the receptacles 11, 12 and 13 are each provided with a solenoid 65. When the solenoids 65 are energized, the ejector 25 will be actuated to deliver a single coin from either the receptacle 12 or 13, or three coins from the receptacle 11. Thus, should two nickels be Iinserted in the chute 15a, the mechanism would operate to actuate the register 39 and the si nal 40 as reviously explained, and 1n ad ition, the eJcctor 25 of the receptacle 11 would be actuated to deliver three pennies change. For this purpose, the chute 15a has mounted thereon a spring contact 66 which 1s connected by means of a conductor 67 Wlth the solenoid 65 which controls the discharge of coins from the receptacle 11. The ejector of the chutell would be moved pivotally in the manner previously described todischarge and deliver three pennies.

Should a dime be inserted in the chute 12a in payment of a seven cent fare, this dime would bridge contacts 67 and 68. This first mentioned contact is connected by a conductor 69 with the `conductor 62 while the contact 68 is connected by a conductor 70 with the conductor 67 so that a circuit would be closed through the magnet 65 of the receptacle 11 and deliver three pennies as previously explained. A circuit would also be completed through each of the magnets 50 through a conductor 71 which connects the solenoid 65 of the receptacle 11 with the magnet 50 of the lever 18 which controls the chute 11a. As all of the magnets 50 are connected in series, all of the levers 18 will be actuated as previously described. This manner of energizing the magnets 50 upon the insertion of two nickels will also occur.

Should a coin of the denomination of twenty-live cents be inserted in the chute 13a it will bridge contacts 72 and, 73. This first mentioned contact is connected to the conductor 62, while the contact 63 is con nected by means of a conductor 74 with. the solenoid 35 of the rece tacie 15 which con tains `five cent coins; T 1e solenoid 35 is connected by a conductor 7 5 with a solenoid 65, while a conductor 76 connects the solenoid 65 with a stationary contact 77. This con tact is adapted tobe en'fagedby a contact 78 which is connected by a conductor 79 with the solenoid 65 of the receptacle 11. The contacts 77 and 78 are separated by coins within the receptacle 12, and are only.

closed when the receptacle 12 is empty.

Vhen a twenty-five cent coin is inserted, current will fiow from the switch L through the conductor 58, the conductor 62, the contact 72, the coin within the chute 13a, the contact 73, the conductor 74, the solenoid 35, the conductor 75, the solenoid 65 of the receptacle 12, the conductor 76, the conductor 79, the solenoid 65 of the receptacle 11, the conductor 71, a conductor 80 and through the magnets 50 and back to the switch through the conductor 51', the register 39 and the signal 40. The solenoid 35 will thus be actuated to deliver a nickel from the receptacle 15, while the solenoids 65 of the receptacles 12 and 11 will be operated to deliver a dime and three pennies into the receptacle 38.

In the event that the ten cent receptacle 12 is empty, three nickels will be delivered from the receptacle 15. For this purpose the contact 78 is mounted upon one end o an arm 81 which is ivotally mounted as shown at 82 and has 1ts other end adapted to extend into the receptacle 12 through a suitable slot provided in said receptacle. As the outer or contact end of the arm 81 is heavier than the inner or lower end, the contact 78 will engage the contact 77 and complete a shunt circuit throu h the solenoid 36 through the medium o conductors 82 and 83. As both the solenoid 35 and the solenoid 36 will be energized, three nickels will be delivered from the receptacle 15. The magnet 50 of the chute 13a will actuate the lever 18 to release the coin whilethe other magnets 50 will operate their respective levers to close the other chutes.

The insertion of a fifty cent coin Within the chute 14a will return forty-three cents change, while the insertion of a coin of the value of one dollar will return ninety-three cents change. As the o eration for the fifty cent coin and the one ollar coin is similar to the operation previousl described it is not believed necessary to urther illustrate or describe the same.4

When the coins within yany of the receptacles except, the receptacle 16 reach a predetermined number, the warning lam 40 of the particular receptacle will be lig ted.

For this pur ose each of the receptacles carries a pivota 1y mounted arm 84 which carries a contact 85. This contact is normally spaced from a stationar contact 86 and is held in spaced relation y the coins Within the receptacle. However, when the coins fall below the lower end of the arm 84, the latter is permitted to enter the receptacle through a slot provided therein so that the contacts and 86 engage. When this occurs, current will flow from the switch through the conductor 58 and throuo'h the lamp 40 of the particular receptacle, the lamp being connected in a conductor 87 which connects the contact 85 with a conductor 88. The stationary contacts 86 are connectedto a conductor 89 by conductors 90, while current flows from the conductor 89 back to the switch 42 through a con-v ductor 91 which is tapped onto the conductor 46.

In addition, each of thereceptacles 11, 13, 14 and 15 is provided with contacts 77 and 78', which are similar to the contacts 77 and 78 and are controlled by coins within the receptacles. The contacts 7 8 have connected thereto-conductors 92 in which are included lamps 41, while the conductors 92 are connected to a conductor 93. The contacts 77 for receptacles 13 and 15 are connected to a conductor 94 by conductors 95 and the conductor 94 is connected to the conductor 58. Contact 77 for receptacle 11 is connected to conductor 58 by a conductor 96.

Should any of the receptacles 11, 13, 14 or 15 become empty, they contacts 77 and 7 8 would close so that current would flow from the switch 42 through the conductor 58, the conductor 96'to the contact 77 of the receptacle 11, the contact 78, the lam 41. From the lamp 41, current lowsthrouv the conductor 92, the conductor 93, a conductor 97 to the coil 5Q of the chute 11a and from this coil to the coils 50 of the other chutes through conductors 98, 99 and 100. From. the coil 50 of the chute 13a, current lows through a conductor 101 to the conductor 89, returning to the switch 42 through the conductor 91, which is tapped onto the conductor 46 between the switch and the bell 40', so that this bell and the indicator 39 is eliminated from this circuit. From this ros it will be seen that when the penny recepl tacle 11 is empty its signal lamp 41 will be illuminated and all of the coin chutes will be closed so that no coins may be inserted.

Should the coins in any of the'other receptacles become exhausted their contacts 77 and 78 will be closed after the vmanner of the contacts employed in connection with the receptacle 11,/the only exception being the receptacle 12 for the ten cent coins. The

contacts 77 and 78 of the receptacle 12 close to insure the discharge of two nickles from :,siavao the rece tacle 15, as previously described.

Shoul the coins of the five cent, twentyfive cent etc. receptacles 'become exhausted, the contacts 77 and 78 of the particular receptacle involved will be closed. Taking for example, the five cent receptacle or the receptacle- 15, current will flow from the switch 42 through the conductor 58, the conductor 94, the conductor 95, the contacts 7 7 and 78', the conductor 92 and lamp 41, the conductor 93, the conductor 97 and the coils 50 after the manner previously stated. From the last coil 50 current will flow throu h the conductor 101, the conductor 89 ancgl the conductor 91 back to the switch.

In order to facilitate refilling the machine provision is made for intermittently operating all of the levers 18 so that the coins will pass through the chutes into the receptacles without operating the register 39 or the si nal 40. For this purpose a conductor wire 102 is tapped onto the conductor wire 101 and is connected to a vibrator 103 and this vibrator is connected to the contact FI of the switch 42, this contact being connected with the contact A by means of the bridge K.

The bridge L connects the contact B with the contact E. This last mentioned contact is connected by means of a conductor 104 with a conductor 105 which has connected thereto a conductor 106 having connection with the conductor 97. Current will then flow yfrom* the switch 42 through the conductors just mentioned and through each of the magnets 50, returning to the switch through the conductors 101, 102 and the vibrator 103. The coil of the vibrator will then be energized so that the magnets 50 will be intermittently operated to alternately open and'close the coin chutes to Apermit of the passage of coins through these chutes to the receptacles.

In addition to automatically opening a particular coin receptacle or combination of receptacles to deliver change, the invention also provides means for opening all of the receptacles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 so that the contents of the receptacles may be deposited into the delivery receptacle 38. A suitable door -107 is lprovided or obtaining access to the contents of the receptacle 16.

To empty the receptacles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, the solenoids'35 and 65 are connected in circuit with a vibrator 108. This vibrator is connected to the last solenoid 65 (which is the solenoid shown in connection with the receptacle '13 in Figure 9 of the drawings) by a conductor 109. The vibrator is connected by a conductor 110 with the contact G of the switch 42. The contact H of this switch is connected by a conductor 111 with the solenoid 65 of the receptacle 11.

When the bridge L is positioned to connect the contacts B and G and the bridge K positioned to connect the contacts A and H, current will flow from the contact H of the switch through the conductor 111'to the coil 65 of the receptacle 11 and from this coil through the conductor 79 to the conductor 76, the coil 65 of the receptacley 12, the conductor 75, the coil 35, the conductor 112, the coil 65, the conductor 109, the coil of the vibrator 108 and back to the switch throu h the conductor 110. The vibrator will t en operate to intermittently energize the solenoids 35 and 65 to empty the receptacles.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings that t e invention provides a machine into which the exact amount of the fare may be deposited through a number of coins of a single denomination or a combination of coins, and when Adeposited will operate a register to indicate the number of fares. In

addition, the machine will operate to-sound.

out operating the register of the signal device. In addition to the foregoing, the invention provides means for operating a signal to indicate the fact that the coins in one or more receptacles are nearly exhausted, while additional signals are provided'/ which are actuated when one or more of the coi 'receptacles are completely empty.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction `and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended clalms.

Having described the invention what is claimed 1s:

1.. In a machine of the character described, a housing, separate coin receptacles therein, each receptacle being adapted to receive coins of a given value, individual coin chutes for said receptacles, means normally closing the chutes to prevent the passage of coins from said chutes into the recepcontrolled means including the means for normally closin the chutes to intermittentl open' the c utes to ill the receptacles,

2. ln a machine of the character described, a housing, separate coin receptacles therein, each receptacle being adapted to receive coins of a given value, individual coin chutes for said receptacles, means normally closing the chutes to prevent the passage of coms from said chutes into the receptacles, electrically controlled means to operate the chuteclosing means to permit of the passage of coins into the receptacles, electrically operated means controlled by the coins within the chutes to discharge coins from the receptacles, electrically controlled means including the means for normally closing the chutes to intermittently open the chutes to fill the receptacles, and electrically controlled means to discharge all of the coins from the receptacles.

3. In a machine of the character described, a housing, separate coin receptacles therein, each receptacle being adapted to receive coins of a given value, individual coin chutes for sald receptacles, means normally closing the chutes to prevent the passage of coins from said chutes into the receptacles, electrically controlled means to o crate the chute closing means to permit o the passage of coins into the receptacles, electrically controlled means including the means for normally closin the chutes to intermittently open the c utes to fill the receptacles., electricall operated means controlled by the coins witliin the chutes to discharge coins from the receptacle, electrically controlled means to discharge all of the coins from the receptacles, and selective means to control the operation of the chute closing means, the chute filling means and the receptacle discharging means.

4. In a machine ofthe character described, a housing, separate coin receptacles therein,

feach receptacle being adapted to receive coins of a given value, individual coin chutes for said,l receptacles, levers pivotally mounted adjacent the chutes and adapted to have eithercf their ends extended into the chutes to prevent the passage of coins therethrough, means to yieldmgl hold one of the ends of the levers within t e chutes, means operable upon the insertion of coins of a given value to move the levers pivotall and position their other ends within the c utes, and means to intermittently operate the lever moving means, and means operated by inserted coins to discharge.v coins from the receptacle.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature.

ROLLIN WILSON.

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