US2038963A - Timing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

April 28, 1936. M RG 2,038,963

TIMING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 51,, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet l 'April 1936- N. M. SEEBURG 2,038,963

- TIMING MECHANISM n 'iled Dec. 31, 1931 6 sheets-Sheet 2 Mew' April 28, 1936. N. SEEBURG 4 2,038,963

TIMING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 31, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 28, 1936. N. M. SEEBURG TIMiNG MECHANISM Filed Dec. 31, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 28, 1936. N, s u G 2,038,963

TIMING MECHANISMV Filed Decf, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 1936- N. M. SEEBURG 3 3 TIMING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 31, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 y W/GMM. 9

Patente d Apr. 28, 1936 UNITEDI STATES PATENT OFFICE My invention pertains to timing mechanisms and is more particularly concerned with, but not limited to, a coin controlled timing mechanism for regulating the supply of electric current 5 to an electric refrigerator, radio, phonograph, or

any other mechanism operated by electric current.

An objectofmy invention is to provide a new and improved timing mechanism.

10' Another object is to provide new and improved coin controlled mechanism.

Another object is to provide a coin controlled timing mechanism in which the period of operaio changed.

Another object is to provide a coin controlled timing mechanism in which a plurality of coins may be deposited at one time, whereupon the timing mechanism will continue to supply cur- 20 rent to the electrical apparatus operated thereby 35 Another object is to provide a coin controlled :timing mechanism having a removable bank for receiving the coins deposited in the mechanism. Another object is to provide acoincontrolled timing mechanism which is rendered inoperative 40 When the bank is removed.

Another object is to provide a coin 'controlled timing mechanism Which is simple and Compact in construction, economical to manufacture, and reliable in use.

fmother object is to provide a coin controlled timing mechanism mounted in a simple and attractive box which protects certain vital parts of the mechanism against tampering but 'permits an authorized service man to make necessary adjustments with ease.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings,- Fig. l is a perspective view of one embodiment of my new and improved timing mechanism;

tion permitted by a single coin may be easily Fig. 2 is a Vertical section through the embodiment of my timing mechanism shown in Fig. l and is taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing a front elevation of the coin recording and switch controlling mechanism. In this View part of one ratchet wheels is broken away for the purpose of illustrating more clearly the structure of this mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged Vertical section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the manner in which the number of coins on deposit and still available is indicated;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through the em- 5 bodiment shown' in Fig. 2 and is taken on the line 6-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an exploded View of the driving mecha anism;

Fig. 8 is an elevation of one of the ratchet- Wheels forming part of the coin recording and switch controlling mechanism;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of the other ratchetwheel orming part of the coin recording and switch controlling mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a partial Vertical section through a modified form of the device wherein a removable bank isused as a coin receiver. This figure corresponds generally to Fig. 3 of the previous embodiment and illustrates the connection between the coin recording and switch controlling mechanism and the door through which the bank is removed;

Fig; 11 is a partial Vertical section correspond= ing generally to Fig. 2 showing the previous embodiment. This Fig. 11 illustrates the relationship between the bank and 'coin chuteand the bank controlled. latch for preventlng insertion of coins while the bank is removed;

Fig. 12 is a Vertical section taken on theline Fig. 13 is a horizontal section illustrating the modified switch mechanism of this embodiment, the switch mechanism being modified to operate asignal light at any predetermined period prior to the expiration of the last coin on deposit;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary section taken on the line l- M of Fig. 10, illustrating the control means for 'the signal light;

Fig. 15'is a fragmentary section taken on the line '5-I5 of Fig. 10, illustrating one means for determining the duration of the period which corresponds to a coin deposited in the mechanism;

, Fig. 16 illustrates mechanism whereby prede- 5- V chine.

termined periods of any desired duration may be easily obtained;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of the wheel shown at the bottom of Fig. 16; and

Fig. 18 is a wiring diagram of the embodiment shown in Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive.

Reierring to the drawings and more particularly to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive. I have illustrated an einlzodiment of my invention wherein the mechanism thereof is 'compactly mounted in a suitable box en which is provided with an attractive appearance. The top of the box carries a plate 2' having an opening 22 for receiving coins to be deposited in the ma- A slide 23 projects 'through the plate 2' and has a built-over upper end adapted to be engaged by the operator's finger, whereupon the slide 23 is reciprocated to force the coin into the mechanism. The front of the bor; is provided with a window 24 through which the mechanism for indicating the number of coins on deposit may be viewed.

Extending from the box is an electrical conduit means 25 having a two-pronged socket 25 of ordinary construction which is adapted to be connected with the house wiring system of a building or any other suitable source of electrical supply. A second electrical conduit means 21 extends from the box 20 and is intended for connection to the electric reirigerator, radio, phono graph, washing machine, or other electrical de vice whose supply of current is controlled 'by the timing mechanism. c

This conduit means 21 may be either permanently connected with suitable contacts on the electric refrigerator or other device, or may be provided with a plug 28 of special design adapted for removable association with a cooperating socket of similar special design forming part of the electrical circuit of the electric refrigerator or other controlled device. Such use of a special plug and socket between the timing mechanism contained in the box 20 and the controlled device makes it impossible to connect the controlled' de vice directly with the power line of the building.

As best,shown in Fig. 2, the coin chute 29 leads from the slot 22 downwardly to a receiving compartment 39 which comprises a partitioned ofI corner of the box 29 and which is lined with felt or other suitable material 3' to deaden the noise of the coins made as they are deposited therein. When a coin is inserted into the slot 22, it falls downwardly in the coin chute 29 until it reaches the position indicated in dotted lines at 32, where its downward movement is arrested by one end of` a lever 33. After the operator inserts each coin, he depresses the slide 23 which is held in its upward position by spring 34, thereby causing the lower end of the slide 23 to engage the coin and force it past the end of the lever 33 and into the coin receiving compartment 30.

The lever 33 is pivoted at 35 on a partition 36 and is rigidl'y connected with a double ended pawl 31 which is .normally held against a stop 38 by the spring 39 which-acts on the end of lever 33. As the coin is forced downwardly past the end'of the lever 33, the spring 39 yields and permits the lever 33 to be moved about its pivot 35. This movement of, the lever 33 gives a corresponding movement to the double ended pawl 3" and causes this pawl to advance the ratchetwheel 40 one tooth in the direction of the arrow 4' (Fig. 3).

The ratchet-wheel 40 is illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 9, the latter figure showing the opposite aoaaees The sleeve '43 rotatably supports a cooperating ratchet-wheel 49 shown most fully in Fig. 3. The ratchet-whee1 40 is provided with a stop 59 which is adapted to engage with the stop bi on ratchetwheel 49 when the ratchet- Wheels 40 and 49 are in one extreme of their relative posltions, and to engage with the stop 52 when the ratchet-wheels 40 and as are in the other extreme of their relative positions.

Each ratchet-wheel carries a separating lug 53 having a substantially hemispherical head, as shown in Fig. 4. When no coins are on deposit, the 'ratchet- wheel 40 and 49 are so positioned that the lugs 53 engage, whereupon the ratchet wheels are held in separated relation and switch lever 46 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 6, in Which position the contacts 54 and 55 are separated and the circuit leading to the electric refrigerator or other controlled device is broken. In this position of the ratchet-wheels, the opening 56 in ratchet-wheel 49 registers either With the zero or the blank space 5" on r wheel 'W, and either the zero or blank space a .u visible through the window 24.

The ratchet-wheel 49 rotates in the direc tion as the ratchet-wheel 40 and is advanced by a pawl 58 pivoted at 59 to the partition Eliit The pawl 58 is held in the position shown in Fig. 3 of period of time during Which the contacts 54 and 55 are maintained closed for each coin deposite'd in the mechanism. In the illustrated embodi ment the mechanism is designed to receive quar 6 ters and to maintain the contacts 54 and 55 closed for a period of twenty-four hours for each quar ter deposited` in the mechanism; This means that 'the shaft 62 is rotated once every twentyfour hours. This shaft may be driven by any suitable timing mechanism, and in the illustrated embodiment I have shown this timing mechanism as comprising an ordinary electric clock, indicated generally by the reference character 54, suitably mounted in the lower part of the box 2ll. This electric clock includes a self-starting sub-synchronous motor 35 having leads BB and 81 connected to terminals 68 and 69 mounted on a suit:

able panel "0 supported in the upper part of the .shaft rotates oncefor every twenty-four hours.

The clockwork mechanism 54 includes a hand wheel l' which may be utilized to set the finger 6' against the right-hand edge of the pawl 58.

3 thereupon as viewed in Fig. 3, as the initial position for the mechanism.

Where the shaft 62 rotates once every twentyfour hours, the electric refrigerator or other controlleddevice will operate one day for each quarter deposited, and thus the number on ratchetwheel 49, which is visible through window 24 and opening 56 in ratchet-wheel 40, indicates the number of days which the electric refrigerator or other controlled device will operate without the deposit of additional coins, and a suitable sticker stating this fact may be pasted on the window 24, as indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Since this dial, in reality, indicates the number of unused coins on deposit in the mechanism, it is obvious that if the shaft 62 be made to rotate at a different speed, the dial will not indicate the' A wire "2 with a terminal "3. A fourth terminal "4 .is connected with terminal 68 by a strip "5 of metal or other suitable conducting material. Two terminals "3 and "4 are connected to the wires leading to the electricrefrigerator or other controlled device. As shown in Fig. 1, these wires together form the fiexible conduit 27.

The wires which form the conduits 25 and 26 pass through suitable openings provided. in' the bottom of the box 20 and these openings are insulated by rubber bushings "6. From thence the wires are led to a retaining clip T' and pass out through an opening "6 provided in the rear wall of the box adjacent the bottom thereof. The box 20 -is provided with'suitable rubber feet "9 which permit the box to be placed upon a finished surface without fear that the box will scratch such surface.

The rear of the box is closed by a cover 00 provided with fingers al which fit into suitable slots provided in the bottom of the box. The upper central portion of the cover is perforated to pass over a threaded pin 82 onto which is screwed a nut 83. Near its outer end the pin 82 is provided with a cross bore, through which may be passed a wire 84 which can be sealed as indicated at 85. v

The operation ofthe embodiment of my timing mechanism which I have just described is as follows: The cover80 is removed and'the mechanism set in the starting position, with the dial showing "0", and the finger 6' just past the snap-over position of the lever 58. If the operl the lever 58 back to its normal position.

If the dial originally indicated either "0" or to pass suicicnt coinsthrough the mechanism to cause the dial to indicate 1" and then set the mechanism as previously described. Having set the mechanism to starting position, the operator places the cover 80 in position and secures it by means of the nut 83. He then ,locks the cover and nut in place by passing a wire 84 through the hole in the pin 82 and seals the ends of the Wire. He then connects the plug 26 with a socket which forms part of an electrical circuit which supplies current of the proper voltage and frequency, and he then connects the plug 28 with the special socket provided on the electric refrigerator or other electrical device whose source of current is to be controlled. The timing mechanism is then ready for use by the purchaser, renter or other user of the electric refrigerator'or other controlled device.

As soon as the plug 26 is connected to the power line, the electric motor 65 starts, and if the user is to obtain the full twenty-four hour period for his'first quarter, he should drop this quarter im mediately into theslot 22. The quarter comes to rest in thev position indicated by the reference numeral 32 (Fig. 2) and the user thereupon pushes down on the slide 23 which forces the quarter past the end of the lever 3 3 and into the coin receptacle 30. The lever 33 is rotated about i its pivot' 35 and causes the pawl 3" 'to advance the ratchet-wheel 40 one notch in the direction of the arrow di. This advancement of the ratchetwheel 140 moves lugs 53 out of engagement with each other and permits spring 48 attached to switch lever 46 to move the switch lever in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 6, thus bringing contacts 54 and into engagement and closing the circuit leading to the electric refrigerator or other controlled device.

This same movement of switch lever 46 moves shaft 43 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, and moves ratchet- Wheels 40 and 49 closer together. This advancement of* ratchet-wheel 40 also shifts opening 56 so that it exposes the numeral 1" 'on ratchet-wheel 49. If additional coins be deposited, the ratchet-wheel 40 will be advanced one notch for each coin deposited, until the dial indicates "22", whereupon pin 50 wil] come into engagement with pin 52 and prevent further rotation of ratchet-wheel 40. If, now, a twentythird coin be deposited, the lever 33 and pawl 3" will oscillate idly to permit depositing of the coin but will not serve to advance' the ratchet-wheel 40.

As the first twenty-four hours of operation 'draw to a close, the finger 6' reaches the position shown in Fig. 7 where it engages the lever 58 and moves the lower end of the lever 58 to the right, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 7. When the lower end of lever 58 has reached its extreme righthand position, the finger' 6' moves therepast and ,permits the spring to snap lever 58 back to its normal position, thereby causing pawl 5,9 to advance ratchet-wheel 49 one notch in the direction of the arrow 4'. If a single coin has been deposited, this advancement of ratchetwheel 40' causes lugs' 53 to reengage and separate ratchet- wheels 40 and 49, thereby moving switch lever 46 against the tension of its spring 48 and separating contacts 54 and' 55, thus breaking' the circuit leading to the electric refrigerator or other controlled device. The motor continues to run and if another coin is not -deposited within twenty-four hours after sepa- 4. rating of the contacts 59 and 55, the finger Gl again engages lever 58 to advance ratchet-wheel 49 until pin 50 engages pin* 5i. This last advancement is -not a complete notch but is sufficient to permit finger 6' to slip 'past the end of lever 58. In this position the dial indicates the blank space represented by the reference character 5".

i If no more coins are deposited, the motor 65 continues to run and the finger '6-1 slips past the end of lever 58 once every twenty-four hours without, however, causing any further movement of the ratchet-wheels. In this position the lugs 53 continue to engage each other and maintain the ratchet-wheels separated and the contacts 54 and 55 likewise separated.

.tacts 54 and will not be separated upon the expiration of the first twenty-four hour period but will remain closed for as many periods as there were coins deposited. One important advantage of my mechanism is that additional coins may be deposited at any time Without interfering with the operation of the mechanism, and full value willbe received for each coin deposited, provided no more than twenty-two coins are deposited at any one time. Another important advantage is that the motor 65 continues to operate, even when all coins deposited have been used, and thus this motor is not 'subjected to the heavy loads and wear and tear attendant upon frequent stopping and restarting.

At periodic intervals the operator takes oiI the cover 80 and removes the coins from the coin receptacle 30. If a slug or mutilated' coin should become stuck in the coin chute, a tool can be inserted through slot 86 or slot 87 and the slug or mutilated coin forced out of the coin chute. It

should be noted that the cover may be removed and the mechanism inspected and coins taken, out of the receptacle 30 without interfering in any way with the operation of my new and 'improved timing mechanism.

erator by depositing a coin each day in the timing mechanism or by depositing a plurality of coins at periodic intervals. The usual practice is to sell the small type household electric'refrigerator on the basis of twenty-five cents per day, which means that at the end of each month there should be approximately $7.50 in coins in the coin receptacle 30. An pperator or agent is sent around once a month to. collect the coins from the coin receptacles of the timing mechanisms.

It frequently happens that the operator or agent must call several times at each household in order to obtain the coins in the coin receptacle of the timing mechanism, and the expense of making such collections is accordingly very high. I have devised a way of eliminating the expense of and necessity for such collections.

aoaaeee In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive, I have shown a timing mechanism which is provided-with a bank for receiving the coins deposited in the mechanism. This bank cannot be opened by the householder but must be brought by the householder at least once each month to the store from which he is purchasing the electric refrigerator or other electric device. The store will open the bank, remove the coins, and return the bank to the householder,` or in some cases may find it more expedient simply to exchange the bank turned in by the householder for an empty bank which the householder can take home and insert in the timing mechanism. This has the advantage that it makes unnecessary the employment of col' lectors or agents and further serves to bring the householder into the store where he may see other articles Which he desires to purchase.

Referring particularly to Figs. 10 to 12, ln-

clusive, l'. have illustrated a box 20' which is substantially identical With the box 20 of the previously described embodiment. The box 20' provides a space 30' for receiving a bank BB which may be of any suitable construction and may be of the type commonly supplied in the 'form of small 'sa ings banks given to the customers of banking institutions. Such savings banks are usually provided With a lock which can only be opened by the key which is retained by the banking institution. The bank 88 is provided with openings 89 into which project pins 90 carried by a partition 9'. The purpose of these pins and openings is to require the householder to place the bank in the space 30' in the proper position. 1 r When the bank is properly located in the space 39', the coin receiving slot 92 in the upper part of the bank registers with the lower end of the coin chute 93, which may be identical in all essential respects with'the coin chute in the embodiment previously described.

The upper rear corner of the bank 88 is preferably beveled as indicated at 94, and when the bank is inserted into the space 30' this beveled corner 94 engages the cam-shaped lower end 95 of a slidable member 96 which ,is guided by pins 9" attached to the coin chute. The spring 98 forces the diagonal portion 99 of the member 96 against the out-turned end of a part 'DD, When the slidable member 96 is in the raised position shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the finger a, formed integrally with the upper end of the slidable member 96, has its end resting in a slot '02 formed in one side of the coin chute. The end of the finger Iii i however, does not project across the coin chute so as to interfere with the insertion of coins thereinto. When the bank BB is removed, spring '03 moves slidable member 96 downwardly, whereupon finger m moves to the right, as viewed in Fig. 12, until it extends across the coin chute and prevents the insertion of coins thereinto.

The bank 88 is inserted and removed through a door IM which is pivoted to the box 20' at '05.

The door IM may be provided with a handle or sition, as indicated in Fig. 10 of the drawings.

The lock member '09 is an L-shaped strip of -metal which is guided for Vertical sliding movement by pins 'In attached to the box 20'. When the door is opened the lock member IDS is moved downwardly by spring IH. whereupon the end "2 of lock member '09 engages the teeth of ratchet-wheel "3 and prevents pawl 3" from advancing this ratchet-wheel if an attempt we're made to deposit a coin in the mechanism while the door is open. This arrangement makes it impossible for a user to insert his hand or a tool through the open door and hold the slidable member 96 elevated while he, deposits coins in the mechanism.

The bank 88 is preferably provided with a handle i which facilitates removal of the bank and also is of such length that the mere act of closing the door IM locates the bank in proper position. The pins 90 make it impossible to improperly place the bank in the space 30'.

Under certain circumstances I have found it desirable to give a. warning signal a predtermined time before the expiration of all of the v coins on deposit in the mechanism.- In this em- 'against contact 55 by spring '24 bodiment of the invention I have shown this warning as a light |i5 which is located just behind a glass disk "6 covering an opening in the front plate IH. The light "5 may be red or any other suitable color, and the glass disk "6 may .be made removable so that the light bulb may be replaced when necessary. The light bulb is supported in a socket carried by a tubular support 'is attached to the cover plate 'IL The light is supplied with current through a fiexible 'cable ils composed of two wires, one of which leads directly to the terminal 68 which is connected to one side of the supply line 2". The-other wire is connected, to aterminal '20 in electrical connection with a resiliently supported contact '2' which is adapted to form an electrical connection with a coopcrating contact 122 associated with a terminal '23 connected by the wire 7' with the terminal 69 to which is attached the other side of the supply line 27. In this instance the current to the electric refrigerator or other electrical device iscontrolled by contacts 54' and 55, the contact 54' having limited movement and being urged. toward the contact 65 by a spring '24. Outward movement under the action of spring I24ls limited by engagement of A the end 125 of cylindrical member '28 with the enlarged head of contact 54'. contact 54' with terminal ?3.

In this embodiment ratchet-wheels "3 and i2" -are first partially separated to move switch lever 46 in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 4" and thereby '22 to light the light l '5 and thus give warning that the coins on deposit will be exhausted upon expiration of a predetermined period which mayibcar any desired relationship to the period of time which corresponds to a single coin. This movement of swltch lever 46 does not disengage contacts 54' and 55 since contact 5" is urged and thus follows the movement of Switch lever 46. When the coins are exhausted the ratchet-wheels ,na and '21 are given an additional separation which moves switch lever '6 an additional amount 'in a Wire "2 connects counter-clockwise direction about its pivot-3" and causes separation of contacts '4' and 55; Resiliently mounted contact '2' yi'elds sufliclently .to accommodate this additional movement of,

switch'lever 46 and contacts '2' and '22 remain en aged.

The' means for giving the partial separation oi' ratchet-wheels il' and '21, which results in fighting ofthe'warning light II', is shown most clearly in engage contacts i 2' and `purchaser to pay a dollar ficiently to engage the lever 58 g -the same mannerin Fig. 14. In this embodiment ratchet wheel -ll' is provided 'with a series of 'threaded openings I 28 into which may be screwed signal pins '29. The threaded openings '28 are arranged along an arc which passes through 'the axis of the lug 53 carried by the ratchet-wheel ii 3. The axis for this arc is the axis of the ratchet-wheel ii3. The signal pins '29 have inner ends which project far enough to engage the lug 53 carried by ratchet-wheel '21 and cause enough sepration of the ratchet-wheels to close contacts '2' and '22 and thereby light signal light "5.

The signal pins i 29 are made so that they can be inserted into threaded openings i28 by simply removing window 24 or, if preferred, the front plate H" may be made removable. The thread ed openings '28 are so spaced that each threaded opening controls the same angular movement of the ratchet-wheel which is controlled by one of the notches thereof. If one signal pin be :inserted in the threaded opening nearest to the lug 53 carried by the ratchet-wheel "3, the sig- -nal Will light when there is only one unused coin on deposit and will continue lighted until suihcient coins are deposited so that more than one unused coin is on deposit in the mechanism. If two signal pins be inserted, as shown in Fig. '4, the signal will light when only two unused coins remain in the mechanism and will continue lighted until enough coins are deposited so that the unused coins on deposit exceed two.

When a larger and more expensive eletric refrigerator or other electrical device is sold, it may be desired to require the deposit of two or more quarters for each 24 hours; in other words, to reduce the period percoin from 24hours to 12 hours or lours or some otherlesser interval of time. It is not always convenient or desirable to do this by changing the gearing of the clockwork mechanism. I therefore show, in Pigs. ill and '5 of the drawings, a very convenient way of accomplishing this result and of providing a mechanism in which the period of operation cor responding to a single coin may be easily changed. In this embodiment I have shown the shaft '62 as carrying a pin -wheel 63' ,having threaded' openings i3il provided with any desired number or threaded openings '311 into which may be' screwed removable pins 132.

If the shaft 62 is rotating once every 24 hours and it is desired that the period of operation for each coin shall be 24 hours, a single pin is inserted in one of the threaded openings 3'. If, however, a more expensive electric refrigerator is being purchased, it may be desired to require the purchaser to deposit two quarters each day, in which case two pins '32 would be inserted in diametrically opposite openings. Where a still more expensive refrigerator or other device is being purchased, it may be desired to require the a day, which would mean four quarters. In this case all four of the openings shown in Fig. would be filled with pins '32. It is obvious that any desired number of openings may be provided and that the number and arrangement of pins may be changed as desired.

*The ,tapered ends of the pins I 32 project sufwhich is located behind the'wheel '3.0, as viewed in Fig. 10. The :front plate II" is shown as providedwith fingers '33 similar to the fingers 8' carried by the cover 80, and the front plate .i I" is secured in place in which the cover '0 is'secured in place. n

In some. instances lt is desired to make the pe.

riod of operation corresponding to a single coin, 15 hours or some other period Which is not evenly divisible into 24 hours. I accomplish this by the mechanism shown in Figs. 16 and 17. On shaft 62 I mount a pin wheel 134 which may be provided with any desired number and arrangement of threaded openings '35. In the particular wheel shown I have provided a series of 8 equally spaced threaded openings and also a se-- ries of 10 equally spaced threaded openings into which may be threaded pins .'32. With this arrangement of openings I can provide the wheel '34 with either a single pin cr With 2, 4, 5, 8 or 10 equally spaced pins. The pins in the wheel '3' actuate a pawl '36 pivoted at' '3" on the partition 36. The pawi '36 is moved in the opposite direction by a spring '38 and rotates a ratchet-wheel '39 carrying pins '40 which may 'or may not be made removable. The pins '40 in turn actuate a pawl Hl pivoted at '42 to the partition .36. The pawl 'a' rotates ratchetwheel 49.

In Fig, 16 I have shown wheel '34 as provided with 5 equally spaced pins '32 so that pawl '36 will be operated 5 times for each rotation of shalt 62 or 5 times for each 24 hours. Each operation'oi pawl i36 advances ratchet-wheel '39 one tooth or one-third of the distance between successive pins '40'. Each pin HE' causes pawl Hl to advance 'ratchet-wheel 49 one notch which neutralizes the one notch advancement of ratchet-wheel 40 which occurs when a coin is deposited in the mechanism. With this particular arl rangement the period corresponding to each coin deposited is 3 times 24, divided by 5, or 14 hours which corresponds approximately to a payment of $12.00 a month. By a proper arrangement of the pins '32 and '40, payments approximating $18.00.a month, and similar irregular sums, can readily be obtained.

In Fig. 18 I have shown a wring that embodi'ment'which incorporates the signal light "5. In this wiring diagram I have indicated the A. C; supply line as provided with a switch '42 which is outside of my timing mechanism and may be considered as the switch usually located in the basement of a dwellin'g. In this diagram the motor of the clock mechanism 64 is illustrated as directly connected across the g A. C. line, whereas the electric refrigerator or other controlled unit is connected across the A. C. line through contacts 54' and 55. The signal light "5 is connected across the A. C. line through contacts l2| and '22. A

In the several embodiments of my invention all of the'operating mechanism, including the coin chute, clock-work mechanism, ratchet mechanism, and switch mechanism, is mounted on the partition 36. This partition is removably attached to brackets '43 and 'M'by screws '45. The brackets '43 and '4-4 are spot-welded o'r otherwise attached to the ends of the box 20.

This arrangement makes it possible to assemble all of the operating mechanism with the exception of the slide' 23 on the partition 36 before it is placed in the box 20, and after everything has been assembled on the partition 36 and all necessary adjustments have been made, the partition may be inserted in the box 20 and secured thereto by screws '45. Thereafter slide 23 is placed in position and connected with the lower end of spring 3' which completes the assembling of the mechanism except for the application of the rear cover which may be secured to th'e box as previously described. The partition 36 may be diagram of t readily removed for inspection and adjustment of the various parts of the mechanism.

While I have disclosed several embodiments of my invention, itis to be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown but may be incorporated in numerous other forms, and that the scope of my invention 'is limited solely by the following claims.

' ment of 'said wheels and in the opposite direction when said wheels are brought together, and means for indicating the position of said wheels.

3. In mechanism of the class described, a switch. ratchet mechanism for operating said switch, a pawl fr actuating said ratchet mechanism, a shaft, means for driving said shaft at a predetermined speed, a wheel carried by said shaft,`

a pin projecting from said wheel to engage said pawl, and means for removably supporting'said pin in said wheel.

4. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a box, a switch mounted therein, ratchet mechanism for actiatirg said switch mounted in said box, mechanism in said box for driving a shaft at a predetermined speed, a disk mounted on said shait, said disk having threaded openings therein at spaced intervals, pins re-.

movably mounted in said disk, said pins projecting from one Iace thereof, and a pawl for actuating said ratchet mechanism actuated by said pins.

5. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a box, a switch mounted therein, clock-work mechanism for driving a shaft at a predetermined speed, coin controlled mechanism for closing said switch, said coin controlled mech-v anism having a part extending outside of said box, and means Connecting said shaft with said switch to open said switch, said last-named means including a pawl, a disk mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, said disk located in said box, a pin carried by said disk, said pin projecting from said disk to engage said pawl, means interconnecting said pin and said disk to permit insertion of said pin without removing said disk from said box, and a removable plate for said box.

6. In mechanism ofthe class described, the

. combination of a ratchet-wheel, a second ratchetaosaeos saidratchet-wheels, and mechanism operated by each of said separations.

8. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a pair of ratchet-wheels, a. large lug carried by each of said wheels, said wheels being separated by' engagement of said lugs, a second lug carried by one of said wheels for causing the lesser separation of said wheels, means for relatively rotating said ratchet-wheels, and mechanism operated by separation of said wheels.

9. In mechanism of the class described, a ratchet-wheel, a lug carried thereby, a second ratchet-wheel, a lug carried by said second ratchet-wheel, switch means operated by engagement of said lugs, a pin removably mounted on one of said wheels, other switch means operated by engagement of said pin with one of said lugs, and means for relatively rotating said ratchetwheels.

10. In mechanism of the class described, the 'combination of a box, a coin chute extending thereinto, a slot for inserting coins into said chute mechanism actuated by the passage of a coin through said chute, a removable bank for receiving said coin and means engaging the bank for preventing the insertion of a coin through said slot and for rendering said mechanism inoperative when said bank is removed.

11. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a box, a coin chute therein, means actuated by passage of a coin through said chute, a receiver for coins that have passed through said chute, means for closing said chute, and a connection between said last-named means and said receiver whereby said chute is closed when said receiver is out of place.

12. In mechanism of the class described, the

' combination of a switch, ratchet mechanism for operating'said switch, coin controlled means for operating said ratchet mechanism, an enclosed bank adapted to receive coins, timing means for operating said ratchet mechanism, a latch normally tending to render said ratchet mechanism inoperative, and means enclosing said bank adapted to hold said latch in` unlatched position.

13. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of 'aswitch, ratchet mechanism for actuating said switch, coin controlled means for operating said ratchet mechanism, an enclosed bank adapted to receive coins, timing means for operating said ratchet mechanism, a lock normally tending to render said coin controlled means inoperative, and means enclosing said bank adapted to hold said lock in non-locking position.

14. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a box, a switch supported therein, ratchet mechanism controlling said switch, coin controlled means for operating said ratchet mechanism, an enclosed bank, adapted to receive coins, timing means for operating said ratchet' mechanism, operated means for rendering said ratchet mechanism inoperative, 'operated means for rendering said coin controlled mechanism inoperative, and means engaging said bank for rendering one of said last operated means inoperative.

15. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a box, a switch supported therein, means for actuating said switch,latchmg means tendng to engage said actuating means to render it inoperative, a door for said box, and a connection between said door and said lastnamed means adapted, when the door is closed, to hold the latching means out o'f engagement with said actuating means.

16. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a box, a coin chute 'associated therewith, a part adapted to close said coin chute, a removable container for' receiving coins passed through said chute, a connection between said .container and said part whereby said part is rendered inactive when said container is in cooperative relation to said coin chute, and means causing said part to close said coin chute to prevent the insertion of a coin when said container is removed. n

17. In mechanism of the class described, a switch, a ratchet mechanismior actuating said switch, said ratchet mechanism including a ratchet-wheel, a coin chute, a pawl actuated by coins passing through said chute to advance said ratchet-wheel, a lock for preventing rotation of said ratchet-wheel, a bank for receiving coins passed through said chute, said bank being removable, means for maintaining the bank in cooperative relation with said chute and means associated with last said means for rendering said lock inoperative when said means is in its bank maintaining position.

18. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of an operated element, timing mechanism for operating said element, a Variable speed drive Connecting said element'w'ith said timing mechanism, said drive including' a pawl, a ratchet-wheel having teeth cooperating with said pawl, pins carried by said ratchet-wheel, said pins being spaced at intervals greater than the distance between successive teeth, a second pawl operated by said pins, and a second ratchetwheel operated by said second pawl, and other means for operating said element.

19. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a box, a partition therein, a switch, a'motor, a coin chute, all located on one side of said partition, ratchet mechanism including a dial on the other side of :said partition, means connecting said coin chute, motor and switch with said ratchet mechanism, and a signal on the same side of said partition as said dial.

20. A coin-freed timing cntrol for cutting ofl electric supply after a predetermined period, comprising timing mechanism, coin-freed mechanism adapted to be actuated by insertion of a plurality of coins to set the timing mechanism for operation for a number of periods depending upon the number of coins inserted, and a switch arm actuated by said timing mechanism towards and at the end of said periods, a pair of contacts adapted to cooperate with said arm, said timing mechanism being adapted to move said arm to one position to engage one contact and being adapted to move the arm to a second position to engage said second contact, 'the first said contact being movable'towards the second, and a signal associated with said second contact and adapted to be energiaed near the end of saidp'eriods and at a predetermined time prior to the movement of the switch arm away from the'first said contact.

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