US2003946A - Telephone toll apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1935. G. A. LONG ET AL TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS Filed June 1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 07 il f 37 j o 20 1 2 o 5 H 5 a; 5 3

I I 2 P222514. AS 47 I I I l l I I /7 I I I I I I A), t I so I l I VE/YTOAS ,47- ENE) June 4, 1935. G. A. LONG ET AL TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS Filed June 1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fi/vasg- 5- 9 "il; iyg

J2. q P 3 I 4 7 2a Z5 E I IIII I Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES 2,003,946 TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS GeorgeA. Long andWilliam W. Long, Hartford, Conn, assignors to The Gray Telephone Pay Station Company, Hartford, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application June 1,1934, Serial No. 728,532

15 Claims. (01. 19416) This invention relates to the class of telephone toll apparatus in which provision is made for the payment of a consideration for the use of the instrument, and an object of the inven- 5 tion, among others, is the production of an apparatus of this kind that shall be simple in construction and. particularly eificient in operation.

One form of an apparatus embodying the invention and in the construction and I use of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may be attained is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- M t Figure 1 is a side view of a-portion of a telephone pay station embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a front View of the same.

Figure 3 is a view looking at the opposite side from that shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a top view.

Figure 5 is a rear view with parts broken away to show construction.

Figure 6 is a front view with parts broken away to show construction and with the mercury switch in position caused by the action of the coin. 1

Figure 7 is a similar view but showing the switch held in position by the action or" a coil.

Figure 8 is a detail view in section illustrating the construction of the armature retaining post. a

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring of our improved telephone.

This invention relates to an automatic pay station such as is shown and described in the Long United States Letters Patent No. 1,383,472, dated July 5, 1921 and which embodies a system of coin chutes and signals as set forth and described in United States Letters Patent No. 912,389 issued to G. A. Long February 16, 1909. These signals may be of any desired character, but preferably they are audible and consist of sounds from a bell or gong which is in resonant connection with the transmitter of the telephone instrument whereby such signals are conveyed for audible recognition by the operator at a central ofiice, such apparatus being fully set forth and described in United States Letters Patent No. 917,742, issued to G. A. Long April 6, 1909.

The pay station involved in the present case is automatic as embodied in the above mentioned PatentNo. 1,383,472 whereby on the deposit of a coin or other token a gap or break in the electric circuit is bridged, and by some other operation, as the taking of a receiver from the hook, another break in said circuit is made ferred to and which does not thereforerequire structures of this type securedthereto and egand the circuit is completed, thereby enabling the user to dial and call a party in a manner that will be readily understood. If the party called responds tosuch call the coin deposited for the use of the instrument will be delivered 5 to the coin box, this being effected by the party called taking his receiver from the hook as in a manner readily understood by those skilled in the art. If the called party does not respond then thecoin will be returned to the user when his receiver is placed upon the hook and in a manner common to telephone operations and as will be readily understood. I

Thus far the deposit of the coin, so far as the signals are concerned, performs no opera- 15 tion. If a long distance call is wanted the coin ,is deposited as hereinbefore described and then the user may dial the central office in a way that will be readily understood and as provided in the dialing apparatus. The user may then .20 direct the central operator as to the call desired and such operator may return the coin already depositedto the user and such operator will also instruct the user as to the amount of coin or tokens to beydeposited. If a connection is 25 made with the party desired the central operator, by theme of a key at her disposal, will deliver the coin or coins into the coin box in the apparatus. If it be found that the party desired cannot be had, then the central oflice, by the operation of another key, will return the coin or coins into the chute to be delivered to the user.

This apparatus for delivering the coin or coins to the coin box forms an important feature of the present invention and is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which the numeral l6 denotes a dish shaped base which is secured inside of the case or cabinet of the telephone apparatus in a manner which will be 40 readily understood, the mechanism forming the subject matter of this application being attached to said base in any suitable manner, this mechanism comprising a case I i'in which. is contained the coin directing mechanism hereinbefore re- 44 a further explanation herein. A cointube l2 ismounted on the case II and supports at its upper end a hopper 13 which is positioned to receive coins or tokens from coinechutes not herein shown, but in a manner that will be readily understood.

A coil supporting bar 14 is mounted on the base It! with a magnetic barl5 common to' tending upwardly between the coils l6 and IT, in a manner that will be readily understood. A supporting plate comprising two members I 8 connected by arches H! at the front and rear edges is secured atop the coils l6-l1, each of said arches having a post 20 projecting upwardly therefrom, a spring retaining bracket 2| being secured to the front arch and projecting downwardly in front of the coils [6-41, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. An armature 22 is pivotally mounted between the arches 19 as upon bearing screws 23 and by means of an armature plate 24 secured to the armature and having downturned ears to receive the screws 23, and as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Armature presser frames 25 are pivotally mounted on the screws 23 and have lugs 26 which are pressed into contact with opposite ends of the armature as by means of springs 27 secured at one end to arms 28 projecting from said frames and at their opposite ends to projections 29 extending from the bracket 2| and as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. A trigger 38 extends from a switch .controlling frame 3| pivotally mounted on the arch l9 at the back of the plate supporting member, said trigger projecting into a slot in the wall of the hopper I3 in position to receive a coin falling through the throat of said hopper.

All of the parts thus far described are of old and well-known construction and further and detailed description is therefore omitted herein as the functions as disclosed in the Long Patent No. 1,984,976, dated December 18, 1934 and operations will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

A switch actuating lever is pivotally mounted at the ends of the posts 20, said lever including a switch actuating arm 32 with a switch actuating finger 33 projecting therefrom, said lever also including a spring supporting finger 34 located opposite the arm 32, a spring 35 secured at one end to said finger and at its opposite end to a projection 36 from the bracket 2| acting to force the arm 32 with the finger 33 thereon downwardly.

A switchactuating plate 31 overlies the armat-ure 22 under the presser frames 25 and is pivotally mounted as by means of ears upon the studs 23-, said plate having lugs at opposite ends resting in contact with the armature. A stud 38 projecting from a downturned edge of the plate 31 bears a roller in contact with an actuating extension 39 projecting downwardly from the switch actuating lever hereinbefore mentionedand at the inner end of the support 34* of said lever, and as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This extension has a cam groove within which said roller is engaged.

A switch support 40 extends between and is secured to the posts 20 projecting from the arches IS, a switch frame 4| being secured at one endto said support and projecting therefrom across the top of the apparatus, its opposite end underlying the switch actuating-finger 33. This switch frameconsists of two strips of spring metal constituting leads from terminals to amercury switch, saidleads being connected at their outer ends by an insulating block 42 with which the finger 33 makes contact. The opposite ends of said leads are secured to an insulating piece forming a part of the support 40. Terminals 43 are secured to 'the support and; are insulated therefrom, each terminal being electrically connected with oneof said strips and having means for attachment of a conducting wire 44. A mercury switch bulb 45 is secured to the switch frame between the leads comprised in such frame, said bulb having terminals projecting thereinto, one of said terminals being connected to one of said leads so that when said terminals are electrically connected as by a body of mercury within the bulb current will flow through one of the wires 44 along one lead to the terminal connected therewith within the'bulb, through the body of mercury to the other terminal and along the opposite lead to the other wire 44.

In the operation of the device a coin having been inserted in the instrument and having passed through the hopper [3 will engage the trigger 30 pressing it downwardly and disengaging a rest 46 thereon from a roller 41 on the side of the arm 32. The trigger will be held in its depressed condition by contact of the side of the rest with said roller. The rest being disengaged from the roller the switch frame will be depressed by the switch lever under action of the spring 35 and into contact with or closely positioned with respect to the end of a retaining post 48 projecting upwardly from the core 49 of the coil l5. This depression of the switch frame causes the mercury in the bulb 45 to bridge the contacts within said bulb, thereby completing a circuit from one side of the line to ground through the coils in the customary manner and renders the telephone operative.

.A current of comparatively little voltage passes through the coils at this time and the springs 27 are of sufficient strength to prevent operation of the armature.

The operation of the armature is controlled by the central operative as by means of a key which introduces a comparatively high voltage to the coils suiiicient to overcome the tension of the springs 27 and operate the armature to deliver the coins into the coin box or into the return chute at the will of the operator, this being effected by a. different polarization of the coils in a manner common to telephone apparatus and asset forth in the aforementioned Patent 917,742 and which will therefore be readily understood. In whichever direction the armature is tipped the switch lever including the actuating arm 32 will be moved to the position shown in Fig. 7, and after release from such position said lever will be held by the action of the stud 38 in its normal position of rest in which position said stud is retained in the cam notch in the extension 39 by the action of said cam.

It is essential that when the switch frame is depressed it shall be retained in this position for some little time, and this is effected by the operation of the retaining post 48 which is sufficiently energized for the purpose whenever the coil on which the post is mounted is excited, independently of the fact that the coil is energized to attract or repel the armature, said post being composed of soft metal as is likewise a button 5| which parts partake of the influence of thecoil, their polarizing characteristics changing to cause them to be attracted one to the other irrespective of the fact that the polarization of the coil is changed. In order to minimize the attractive effect between the post 48 and button 5| they are so constructed that the magnetic portions will not touch each other so that the'act of'separation will be easier than if they touched. To effect this result in one manner-and asshownherein the post 48' has a' sleeve tion of a finger in the holes in the dial.

52 of brass or other non-magnetic material which projects a slight distance above the post so that when the switch frame moves downwardly the button will be spaced a slight distance from the end of the post 48. This will enable the parts to be separated against a minimum magnetic influence. When the telephone call is completed and the parties have hung up their receivers a high voltage current is sent out on the line from the central ofiice, passing through the polarized coils to ground, thereby operating the armature and parts connected therewith, placing them in the positions shown in Fig. 7 and as heretofore explained. This causes the roller on the stud 38 acting in the cam notch in the extension 39 to raise the switch lever, allowing the coin trigger to automatically resume its normal position by reason of the disposition of its weight with respect to its pivot. As hereinbefore stated the mercury switch is not restored to its normal position at this time as it is magnetically held in its lowered position under the influence of the retaining post 48.

When the high voltage current is cut off at the central oifice the magnetism is reduced and the switch is released and the parts are restored to normal condition. The button 5| of magnetic iron is so adjusted that stray currents flowing to ground through the coils will not hold the switch in an operative position. Under normal conditions the switch is tested to hold at 60 volts and to be released at 30 volts, this being a satisfactory condition.

In the event of the completion of the call the high voltage current excites the coils in a manner to deliver the coin to the coin box, but in the event of an incompleted call a high voltage of oppoiste polarity is impressed on the line when the receiver is replaced and the coils are thereby oppositely polarized to return the coin to the coin return chute.

Referring to the diagram in Fig. 9 if the calling party wishes a long distance call a coin is deposited as hereinbefore described and the re ceiver 53 is removed from the hook 54 thereby closing the two circuits as hereinbefore described at the switches 55 and 56, the wire 51 of the latter being connected with the ground 58 as hereinbefore explained. This enables the operation of the dial of the dialing mechanism 59 in the usual manner and consequent actuation of the dialing mechanism to call the central ofiice in a manner that will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, and as, for instance, by inser- The operation of a button by the central operator in a manner that will be readily understood causes the magnet to deliver the coin to the party calling in the manner hereinbefore described.

If the connection with the party called is completed the operator at the central office presses a certain button and the coin mechanism is operated as hereinbefore described to,

deliver coins into the coin box. If the connection cannot be obtained then the said operator by pressing another button operates the magnet to deliver the coins into the return pocket.

The signals are effective when the long distance calls are desired, as said signals being in resonant connection with the talking circuit, the operator at the central exchange is enabled, by means of the sounds, to determine that the proper coins or tokens have been deposited to pay for the call. The diagrammatic illustration in Fig. 9 will be readily understood by those skilled in the art of telephone construction and operation without further and detailed description, other than as contained herein, this wiring and other electrical mechanism being of old and well-known construction and the connections through the telephone exchange being well understood, the present invention residing in the combination of certain mechanisms hereinbefore explained, in combination with the telephone apparatus, which enables the ordinary automatic telephone to be operated through the medium of coins or tokens deposited for use of the instruments for local calls, or for long distance calls which may be obtained by aid of an operator at the central exchange.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes we have described the principles of operation of our invention, together with the device which we now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but we desire to have it understood that the device shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those above set out.

We claim:

1. Toll collecting mechanism for a set of telephone instruments, said set including a polarized relay, an electric circuit for energizing said relay, a liquid switch for controlling said circuit, mechanism for operating said switch to circuit closing position and for releasing it for movement from said position, and electrical means for retaining said switch in its circuit closing position after said operating mechanism is returned to its normal position of rest.

2. In combination in a telephone instrument including a transmitter and a receiver, a toll collecting set including a polarized relay, an electric circuit for energizing said relay, a mercury switch for controlling said circuit, coin operated mechanism for releasing said switch for movement to circuit closing position, and electrical means for retaining said switch in its closed position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said coin operated means have ceased to function.

3. In combination in a telephone instrument including a transmitter, a receiver, and a calling dial, a toll collecting set including a polarized relay, an electric circuit for energizing said relay, a mercury switch for controlling said circuit, mechanism for operating said switch to. circuit closing position, and electrical means for retaining said switch in its circuit closing position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said operating mechanism is returned to its normal position of rest.

4. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a polarized relay, a mercury switch electrically connected with said relay, coin operated mechanism for operating said switch, and electrical means for retaining said switch in its closed position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said coin operated means have ceased to act.

5. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a polarized relay, a mercury switch electrically connected with said relay, coin operated trip mechanism for holding said switch in open position, means to operate said trip mechanism to release said switch for movement to closed position, and electrical means for retaining said switch in its closed position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said coin operated means have ceased to act.

6. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a passage for a coin, a trip located in the path of movement of said coin, a polarized relay, a mercury switch electrically connected with said relay, coin operated mechanism operatively connected with said trip for operation of said switch, and electrical means for retaining said switch in its closed position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said coin operated means have ceased to act.

7. A toll collecting set for a telephone instru ment, said set including a polarized relay, a mercury switch frame suspended above said relay, coin operated mechanism for holding said switch frame at its normal position of rest and to release it for downward movement, and electrical means for retaining said switch, in its closed position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said coin operated means have ceased to act.

8. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a polarized relay, a mercury switch electrically connected with said relay, said switch including a frame positioned above said relay, coin operated mechanism for releasing said frame, and electrical means connected with said relay to attract said frame to hold the mercury switch in its closed position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said coin operated means have ceased to act.

9. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a polarized relay, a mercury switch frame suspended above said relay and including leads for controlling supply of electricity to said relay, coin operated mechanism for holding said frame in its normal position of rest, and means projecting from said relay and excited thereby to hold said mercury switch in its closed position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said coin operated means have ceased to act.

10. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a polarized relay, a switch frame consisting of two resilient leads suspended above said relay, a mercury switch tube supported by said frame and having contacts electrically connected with said leads, coin operated mechanism for holding said frame in its normal position of rest, and a retaining post attached to the core of said relay and acting on said frame to hold it in circuit closing position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said coin operated means have ceased to act.

11. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a polarized relay,

a mercury switch electrically connected with said relay, a mercury switch suspended above said relay, a spring pressed actuating frame in contact with said mercury switch to depress it, a coin actuated trip device for holding said actuating frame in its normal position of rest, and a retaining post projecting from the core of said relay to attract said armature frame and retain it in circuit closing position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said coin operated means have ceased to act.

12. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a polarized relay, a mercury switch for said relay, coin operated mechanism for operating said switch, an actuating frame for moving said switch to circuit closing position, means for retaining said switch in closed position and for releasing it for movement from said position after said coin operated means have ceased to act, means for finally disposing of said coin, and an operative connection between said coin disposing means and said actuating frame for operation of the former by the latter.

13. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a polarized relay, a mercury switch suspended above said relay and in electrical connection therewith, a retaining post projecting from the core of said relay to retain said switch in circuit closing position irrespective of the polarity of said relay and for releasing it for movement from said position, and coin operated mechanism for actuating said switch.

14. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a polarized relay, a mercury switch electrically connected with said relay, coin operated mechanism for operating said switch, a retaining post projecting from the core of said relay, an electric circuit having said relay and said switch in series, and means for exciting said post to retain said mercury switch in circuit closing position irrespective of the polarity of said relay and after said coin operated means have ceased to act and for deexciting said post for release of said switch.

15. A toll collecting set for a telephone instrument, said set including a polarized relay, a mercury switch electrically connected with said relay, coin operated mechanism for operating said switch, a magnetic retaining post projecting from the core of said relay, means on said switch to be attracted by said post, means for preventing the magnetic elements of said post and on said switch from touching each other, and means for exciting said post irrespective of the polarity of said relay and for de-exciting said post for release of said switch.

GEORGE A. LONG. WILLIAM W. LONG.

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