US2066391A - Pay telephone station - Google Patents

Description

. Jan. 5, 1937. R. D. coLLlNs Er AL 2,066,391

' PAY TELEPHONE STATION originai Filed Des.l 22, 195o 4 sheets-sheet 1 vEMLS, 1937. R. D. COLLINS ET AL 2,566,391'

PAY TELEPHNE STATION original Filed Dec. 22, 1930 4 sheets-sheet 2l R. D. COLLINS ET ALv PAY TELEPHONE STATION Jan. 5, 1937.

original Filed Dec". 22, 195o 4 sheets-sheet 3 Jan. 5, 1937. R. D. COLLINS Er AL 2,036,391

PAY TELEPHONE STATION Original Filed Deo. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 76 /Volv Rw ExrENs/o/v Patented Jan. 5, 1937 vUNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE PAY TELEEHONE STATION Application December 22, 1930, Serial No. 503,952 Renewed August 19, 1933 6 Claims.

Our invention relates to telephone stations and has particular reference to a telephone system adapted for pay station telephones.

Pay station telephones at the present time designed to secure the collection of coins or tokens in payment of telephone service are handicapped by several disadvantages, particularly with reference to the amount of central station equipment required for the completion of calls from such pay telephone stations and for the collection of the coins deposited in such stations.

It is an object of our invention, therefore, to provide a pay telephone station in which all of the apparatus necessary for the proper collection and refund of coins may be located at the station, requiring no special apparatus at the central station.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station of the character described in the preceding paragraph, in which the equipment required at the central station is only that required for the proper connection of our station to another station with which it is desired to communicate.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station in which a single coin collecting device may be employed to collect coins for either local service or for long-distance service.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station in which a plurality of coin slots are provided and in which one of said slots is connected by a chute to either a local collection receptacle or a long-distance collection receptacle.

Another object of our inventionis to provide a pay telephone station as described in the preceding paragraph in which the local collections are segregated from the long-distance collections.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station in which a coin collecting device is so arranged as to refund all coins deposited therein unless the service for which the coins were deposited is rendered.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station for both local and longdistance service in which the deposit of a first coin in a coin chute will secure local service or will connect the station to a long-distance operator, and in which further coins deposited in said chute will pass directly to a long-distance collection receptacle.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station for connection to a line circuit, to which line circuit a non-pay extension may be connected for both incoming and outgoing service.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station in which a line circuit connected to said station is normally inoperative for outgoing service and in which the deposit of a coin renders the station operative for outgoing service independent of subsequent interruptions of said line circuit.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station as described in the preceding paragraph in which the selection of a called station is achieved by interruptions of the line circuit and in which such interruptions may be made Without rendering said "phone ineffective.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station in which a slow releasing magnet is employed for arresting a deposited coin to prevent momentary interruptions of the line circuit to the phone effecting a collection of the com.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station in which an alarm is given by the refunding of a coin.

Another object of our invention is to provide a passage for a refunded coin, which passages include the ringing bell of said station so that refunded coins are caused to strike that bell.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pay telephone station in which the station is normally ineffective for outgoing service and in which shocks to said station are prevented from rendering the station effective for outgoing service.

Other objects of our invention will be apparent from a study of the following specication read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Y Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a pay telephone station constructed in accordance with our invention; Y

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of a pay telephone station constructed in accordance with our invention showing the telephone box in open position;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View takenalong line II-III of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a detail view partly in section of a coin actuated switch to be operated by a coin passing through a collection chute;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view of the local and long-distance collection chutes taken along line V-V of Figure 2 showing the action of the transfer basket or diverting means for these chutes;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view of another of the coin chutes taken along line VI-VI of Figure 2 and illustrating the transfer basket in long-distance position;

Figure 7 is a detail view taken along line VII-VII of Figure 3 illustrating the restoring device for the coin actuated switch shown in Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 5 illustrating the upper portion of the coin passages and illustrating particularly a device for catching spurious coins; and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of a wiring system which may be employed with a pay telephone station constructed in accordance with our invention.

Referring to the drawings, we have illustrated in Figure 1 a pay telephone station comprising a housing I to which may be secured a cover 2 as by means of a hinge 3, the cover being located in closed position, if desired, by means of a lock illustrated at 4.

The cover 2 of the housing I constitutes the mounting device for the talking, listening and station selecting device and ringer, that is, a transmitter 5 is secured near the upper end of the cover I while a calling dial 6 is mounted near the lower end of the cover, the receiver 'I being mounted upon a suitable hook 8 which is secured to the left hand side of the cover 2.

The talking, listening, station selecting devices, and ringer constitute the usual apparatus interconnected by suitable conductorto form a partially completed circuitfor connection to a subscribers line so that completed dialing circuits and talkingvcircuits may be established therethrough.

To the rear of the cover 2 We have illustrated a ringer 9 comprising the usual set of gongs or bells III operated by a clapper I I which is in turn vibrated by a pair of magnets I2.

It will be observed that the ringer 9 is illustrated as being so; mounted that one of the bells I0 is positioned immediately above a coin return or refund Yreceptacle I3, which receptacle is secured to the cover member 2. As will hereinafter be described, such mounting of the gongs or bells I0 enables the bells to be struck by a refunded coin to thus attract attention of a person using the phone to the .fact that the coin has been returned.

Mounted within the box or housing I We have illustrated a coin collecting .device arranged for the collection of coins for both local and longdistance service.A This coin collecting device is illustrated as comprising a coin maze 20 of the character well known in the telephone art familiarly used in connection with long-distance collection of coins in long-distance paystations. As

.will be understood by those skilled in the art, this maze comprises a coin chute for each of a plurality of different denomination coins, each chute being so arranged as to pass the coins deposited therein over a series of bells or gongs to produce an audible indication of the character and denomination of the coin deposited. 1

The coin maze 20 is illustrated as having each of the coin chutes terminating immediately beneath a diverting device or transfer basket 2| which is pivotally secured as at 22 to be moved into a position in alignment with the coin chutes (as illustrated in Figure 6), or to a rearward position in alignment with a refundchute 23.

By referring particularly to Figure 2 it will be observed that the coin maze 20 is illustrated as comprising a slot or chute 24 arranged for the reception of a small denomination coin, such as a nickel. A second slot or chute 25 is illustrated as being arranged to receive coins in larg,- er denominations, such as dimes, while a third chute 26 is illustrated as being arranged to receive still larger denomination coins such as. quarters. It willk be understood that the number and arrangement of such chutesl may be varied to fit any denomination of coin which it is desired to employ in our telephone station.

It will also be observed that the refund chute 23 is illustrated as comprising a single chute which extends into alignment with both the dimechute 25 and the quarter chute 26 so that this refund chute constitutes a common receptacle into which both dimes andV quarters may pass to be refunded.

It will also be observed from an inspectionof n Figure 2 `that alll three of. thegchutes 24, 25`and 26 have their lower ends terminating in a pas-l sage in a partitioned plate 28 which divides the lower portion of the housing vI from the remainder thereof. This lower portion yof the .housing I may constitute a compartment intowhich may be inserted a collection. receptacle 29. `It will be understood that thecollection receptacle 29 will have a suitable opening in the upper side thereof alignable with the opening V2I in the partitionplate 28 'so that any coin which passes into the . chutes 24, 25 or.Y 26 will passimmediately into the collection receptacle 29.

By referring to the upper portion' of Figure2 it will be observed that we have provided a guiding device 30 leading topthetransfer .basketZL This guiding device is illustrated as comprising a suitable box-like housing which has a plurality of coin slots located therein, one for each of the different denomination coins for which the chutes M, k 25 and 26 are selected. By referring particularly to Figures 1 and 3 it will be observed that the guiding device 3U extends upwardly through a suitable opening 3| in the upper side of the housing I, the slots therethrough terminating in a coin gauge 32. This coin gauge may be constructed as by perforating the front wall of the guiding device 30with an opening of just such size as will admit a coin of the proper denomination, this perforation joining theI slot through which the coin passes on its way through the guiding device 30.

We prefer to form the guiding device=3Il with the upper end of the rear wall thereof open, this open space being closed by a suitable plate 33 which .extends across the guide A30 past all of the coin gauge perforations 32. That is, the plate 33 extends behind the rperforation 32 for the nickel gauge, the perforation 32 for the dime gauge'and the perforation 32" for the quarter gauge. "i j It will be observed` that the plate 33 is secured to the top of the housing I as by means of a slot 34 through which an adjusting screw 35 passes so that this plate 33 may be adjusted 'forwardly andrearwardly with respect tothe guide 30 to permit of adjustment of the depth` of the slots through the guide 30 to thereby accuratelyv gauge the thickness of the coins which 4aceafsci passage of a coin whoselthicknesscorresponds #exactly-.with that of a newly minted fnickel.

Intermediate the coin'gauge32 and the`lower '-fen'd. of the-guide'S wehaveiillustrated each of theslots (36 for the nickel, 31 for the dime and 38 for the quarter) withapairofdevices'for detecting and catching spurious coins.

fOne vof these spurious Vcoin detecting 4devices comprises an opening 39 in the front wallxof'the coinslot' 36, this opening being of a'dia-meterequal to the diameter of the coin for which thisslot 36 is selected. By referring particularly rtobFigure v it will be observed that the icoin .gauge 30 is angled downwardly and rearwardly "with respect to the housing I so that a coinipassing through the slot 36 would tend .to .fall `out of the slot as it passed over the opening-39. .However, we'have provideda pin 40, rthe-.upperend of which extends to a position adjacenttheslot 36 such as to bring the upper end of the pinv into substantial:alignment with .the Aforward wall o-f the slot T36 so that :a vsolid coin `:passing-through the slot 36 would `have its center engaged and ysupported by thepin 40 and thus wouldrbe prevented from falling out of Vthe -slot 39. However, acoin which .isznot solid or which is perforated would not be supportedby the pin 4Q and wouldffall from'the slot instead of passing "on to the transfer basketZl.

The pin 40 may be employed to collect the yspurious coinssuchas that illustrated'at 4| l(Figure 5) as by supporting the pin 40 upona shelf 42 which may vbe .formed as Aan integral part of the'casting of which the V.guiding device -30 may also form apart. However, it may be desirable to provide merely a short pin secured at anypoint v to guide v30 so that it will `project across the opening39 to Vsupportra'true coin but which will `permit afspurious coin-to fall .throughthe'opening 39.

It will be observed'that pins similar to pinf40 .may be provided for each of theremaining slots .31 .and 38 which are 'identical with the'pin y4|! -and need not 'be further ydescribed herein.

The other spurious 'coin detecting devices may comprisefa permanent Amagnet'44 securedto the rear of each of the slots 36, 31 and 38 atsome point at which the rear of these slotsmay be 'left open so that a coin which has in its composition some material :of magnetic property will be :attracted from the slots (.36, 31, 38) .and will not fbe permitted toV pass into the transfer basket 2|. By referring particularly to Figure 5 the operationof the magnet 44 will be apparent as we have there illustrated the removal of a spurious `coin 45.

The construction thus far described may be employed as a device for collecting coins for long-distance service, the transfer baskets being arranged to move about its pivot 22 to a position in alignment with either the collection branch (the chute 25 for the dimes orV the chute 2'6 for the quarters) or to a rearward position in alignment with the rear chute 23.

The transfer basket is illustrated as being normally held into that position in which it is aligned with the refund chute v23 as by means .of a rod 46 -connected to the receiver hook 8 to be lmoved inwardly when the receiver 1 is on the hook.

Thus7 at all times when the receiver 1 is on thehook any coin which is deposited in the dime gauge 32 or the quarter gauge 32" will immediately pass to the refund chute 23 and'thus be refunded. As will hereafter be described, a coin depositedfin fthe-nickel gauge 32 will also berefunded.

However, vas soon as the receiver is lifted from the hook the rod 46 no longer presses the basket 2| to the refund position and it therefore would move by'gravity to a `position of `alignment with the collection branch (chute 25) for the dimes. The forward movement of the transfer basket 2| ^may .be suitably adjusted as by means of prorviiin'g an adjustable stop 48 in the form of a screw `which may be moved forwardly or rearwardly -to'insurealignment of the basket 2| with the vcllection branchlofthe coin vchute 25.

However, since immediately upon lifting the Areceiver a party desiring the use of the phone :would Anotbe :in communication with the station .which he desires to call, :a .coin which he might deposit at this time should `not be collected and 4employed :in connection with `a phone for making both loca'l `calls and .long-distance calls it is 'deysirable 'that the collection of that coin which is necessary to complete a call be accomplished automatically. For this reason kwe have provided a local coin chute 52 preferably associated with 'thenickelslot 36 so that an initial coin deposited in this slot will pass to the local collection chute 52.

By referring particularly .to Figures 3 and 5 it will be observed that the local collection chute Y 52 is located to the rear of vthe Ynickel long-distance chute 24 so that the transfer basket 2| when held in its rearward position as 'by means of either the receiver 1 being upon its hook 8 or Aby the energization of the magnet 49, the basket 22 is valigned with the local collection chute 52 and hence the deposit 'of a nickel in the slot 36 will cause this nickel to be passed to the local collection chute 52.

In order .that collections for local calls should be made automatically we propose to construct the station in lsuch manner `that it is inoperative to permit outgoing service unless and untila coin has been 'deposited in the local chute. While this may be accomplished in many ways, we have illustrated a disabling device for the station as comprising aresistance which is connected to the line circuit leading from the central station to the station under consideration, this resistance being so arranged as to render it impossible for the station to select another station for the purpose of making an outgoing call.

For convenience we have employed the resistance represented by the winding upon the magnet 49 for the purpose of disabling the staticn and by referring to Figure 9 it will be observed that the magnet 49 is connectedlacross the line circuit represented by the legends Line 1 and Line 2. This resistance represented by the coil 49 may, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, be selected as of such value as to render the talking circuits inoperative to communicate with another station or may be arranged in the case of an automatic dial selective telephone to render the dial selecting device ineffective to opcrate the central station selecting equipment.

Referring again to Figure 2, it will be observed that the local collection chute52 hasa slot 53 in Vone of the side Walls thereof through which projects the operating lever 54 of a coin actuated switch 55 so that a coin passing through the local collection chute'52 will engage and operate the switch 55. We have illustrated the contacts of the switch 55 as comprising a pair of springs 56 and 51 insulated from each other and from the metal parts of the station as at 58 and mounted upon the casting comprising a portion of the guiding device 30 as by means of a screw 59. The springs 56 and 51 are illustrated as having their lower ends located immediately above the operating arm 54 of the switch 55 and in contact with each other so that movem'entrof the operating arm 54 will cause a portion of this arm' to be inserted between the springs 56 and 51 to thereby separate the contacts. By referring to Figure 9 it will be observed that the circuit for the coil 49 extends in series relation through the contacts 56 and 51 so that when the contacts are operated the coil 49 is deenergized or in other words, is effectively removed from the line circuit Line 1, Line 2.

By referring again to Figure 2 it will be observed that the local collection chute 52 is provided with a second slot 60 in the rear wall thereof and arranged'irnmediately in advance of the lower end of a rod 6i, which rod is connected to and is operated by the armature 62 of Va. magnet 63. The rod 6l is arranged to be normally retracted from the slot 60 when the magnet 63 is deenergized and is arranged to be projected into the slot 60 when the magnet 63 is energized.

The projection of the rod 6l into the local collec-V tion chute 52 places an obstruction in the path of acoin passing therethrough so that during the energization of the magnet 63 any coin deposited in the local collection chute will be held in an intermediate position in Ythis chute. observed that we have illustrated the arrangement of the rod 6I with respect to the switch Yoperating arm 54,fsuch that during the time a` vcoin is resting upon the rod 6I it will also be in engagement with the operating arm 54 to maintain the switching 55 in open circuit condition during this time.

By referring again to Figure 9 it will be observed that the circuit for the magnet 63 extends through the' hook switch contacts 64, this circuit being illustrated as passing through the normally open contacts 65 and 66 of this switch so that during the time that the receiver 1 is upon the hook 8 the circuit for the magnet 63 is open but as soon as the receiver is lifted from the hook the circuit for magnet 63 is closed.

The purpose of arresting' the coin which has 1 been deposited in the local chute is two-fold; first,

it is desirable that the switch contacts 56 and 51 shall be maintained open during the time that the selection of the called station is made and, second, it is desirable that this coin shall be varrested prior to its arrival at any position lin f as comprising a pairv of normally closed contacts 68 and 69 arranged to be separated in the manner well known in the art when the dialing device 6 (see Figure 1) is operated to select a desired station. l Y

It will be Y However, as has hereinbe-iore`- been` set forth, the dial circuit is normally shunted by means of the coil or magnet 49 so that even though'the contacts 68 and 69 should be separated in the normal manner of dialing or selecting another station, the separation of the contacts would be ineffective to operate the central station selecting equipment. f

However, as soon as a coin has been deposited in the local collection chute 52 and has operated the switch contacts 56 and 51, this shunting resist-f ance is no longer effective upon the line circuit and subsequent separation of the dial contacts 68 and 69 will be effective to select the desired station. We have illustrated, inconnection with .the dial, the usual contacts 10, 1l and 12 which are arranged to be closed when the dial is moved so as to shunt the transmitter and receiver from the cuit. This retarding device 13 may be selected as of any Vsuitable form though we prefer that it shall comprise a copper sleeve arranged around the core of the magnetA 63 so as toV delay4 the release of the armature for a predetermined length of time after the breaking of the magnet VVcircuit. Thus, during thebreaking of the line circuit Linel, Line 2 during the dialing operation the magnet 63 will then not release its armature and will therefore hold the coin suspended upon the rod 6I duringthe entire dialing opera-55 tion. Y

By vreferring again to Figure 2 it willbe observed that the local chute 52 is provided with a vertically extending portion 14 immediately below the rod 6|. This vertically extending section 14 terminates at its lower end immediately above a slot 15 in the partition plate 28 which in turn is in alignment with a Vsuitable opening in the collection box 29V so that a coin when released from the larresting device or rod 6I will have a vertical drop directly into the collection receptacle 29.

However, immediately above the lower end of the section 14 of the chute 52 we have illustrated an opening 16 through which a pin or rod 11 normally projects so that a coink descending through the vertical section 14 will be arrested by the pin or rod 11. It will also be observed that one side of the vertical section 14 of the chute '52 is provided with a relatively large slot 18 through which a coin may pass sideways out of the chute 54.- Thus, a coin which, descending through the section 14 and striking the pin or rod 11, will be diverted through the slot 18 to be refunded, as

will hereafter be described. g

The rod or pin 11 is illustrated as being connected to the armature 19 of a magnet 80 and is arranged in such manner that during deenergization of the magnet 80 the'pinor rod 11 will be projected into the chute 52. The magnet 80 is illustrated as of the polarized type so that it will effectively operate its armature 19 only when current is passed through the magnet 80 in a predetermined direction andV current traveling in the opposite direction will have no eiect upon the armature 19.

As will be understood byY those skilled in the art, current on the line circuit Line 1, Line 2 will normally be in a given direction so that upon the initial attempt to make a call from the station` 'stitutes the refund receptacle.

that immediately uponthe response of a calledV under consideration current on the line circuit Will be in a definite direction, for example, Line 1 will be positiveand Line 2 will be negative.V

Thus, by selectingthe directional characteristic of the polarized magnet 8D for the proper direction any current which ows in the line circuit at this time will be ineffective to operate the armature 19 of this magnet. Thus, upon lifting the receiver 1 to make a call the magnet 63 will loe` energized to arrest the coin but the magnet 80 will not be effectively energized to withdraw the pin or rod 11. Hence, a person desiring to use the phoneanddepositing a nickel in the coin gauge, 32 will be permitted to dial to select the station to which he desires to speak' and the coin will come to rest upon thepin or rod 9|. Ifl for any reason he is unable to obtain connection to the called station the coin will be refunded to` him. ,For example, if the line circuit Line V1, Line 2 is out of order (for example no current on the line) themagnet would not be energized to arrest the vcoin and the coin would pass immediately to the section 14 of the chute 52 where it would engage the pin 11 and ber diverted into the refundV path.

On the other hand, if the line is in order but he is -unable to obtain connection with the called station, immediately upon restoring the receiver 1 to its hook 8 the circuit to the magnet 63 would be broken and the pin or rod 6I would be withdrawn from the chute 52 and the coinwould descend to the path or rod 11 and be diverted to the refund path.

By referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3 itv will be observed that a plate 8l is provided near the lower end of thechute 52 which extends from the rear end to the right hand side ,of the refundvchute 23 associated with the dime and quarter slots 31and 38 to a cupi 82 secured to the cover 2 immediately behind a refund or coin return opening 83 in the cover 2. vThis cup S2 con- It will also be observedthat theplateiil passes immediately below l.and to the right hand side of the slot 18 in the local collection chute 52 so that a coin which passes through the slot 18 will fall upon the plate 8| and thus,` be directed into the refund receptacle 82.

However, as will'be understood by those skilled in Athe art the Ysuccessful selection of a called station will cause` current to iiow inthe line circuit Line 1, Line 2 immediately upon the response of the called station as by the called party lifting his receiver at his station in a direction opposite to .that which previously iiows through the line circuit, that is, Line 1 will now become negative while Line 2 becomes positive. Such reverse current will be effective to operate the polarized magnet 80 so as to cause this magnet to operate its armature 19 to withdraw the pin 11 from the chutev 52. Thus,.a coin which had been arrested by the rod 6l will, upon its release, descend through the vertical section 14 of the slot 52 to pass unobstructedly into the, collection receptacle 29.

By referring particularly to.Figure 9 it vwill be observed that the armature 19 of the reverse current or polarized relay 80 has associated therewith a switch 85 comprising contacts 86, 81 and.88. Contacts-81 and 88 are illustrated as being normally open butarranged to be closed when the armature 19 is operated by the magnet 80. Ihe contacts 81 and 88are illustrated as being connected to a pair of conductors 89 and 911,.:.which- .shunt the.` .circuit for .magneti B3. so

station the energization of the magnet 80 will cause a deenergization of the magnet 63. Thus, the response by the called station causes a withdrawal of the pin 6| to allow the coin to descend from the arresting pin to the section 14 of the slot 52 and since there is no obstruction in this slot the coin will pass immediately to the col-v lection receptacle.

It will be observed that the collection of the coin is accomplished at the instant that the called station is successfully obtained instead of delaying the collection of the coin until after the talking by the calling party is completed.

It will be observed that the connection of the polarized magnet .89 to the line circuit Line 1, Line 2 is such that irrespective of what action takes place in our telepho-ne station the connection of another station tov the line circuit will render the talking and listening circuits of our station operative. Thus, any incoming call immediately renders our station effective for reply. Y

Also, this connection of the polarized magnet 88 permits the phone, when once the successful connection to a called station has been obtained, to continue to be operative to talk irrespective of .interruptions in the line circuit by eitherstation so long as the called station remains connected to the line circuit or is re-connected to the line circuit. Ihat is, interruptions of the line circuit as by the called party inadvertently operating the hook switch or the transfer of a call at a PBX or ICS systennat the called station, will not lock out the calling station to require the deposit of an additional coin to continue the call. Y

Thisresult is accomplished by connecting the circuit of the resistance (magnet coil 49) through contacts 86 and 81 which are operated.v

By referring particularly to Figures 2 and 4,

it will be observed that the deenergization yof the slow release magnet 63 from any causeV will restore the switch operating arm 54 to open circuit position. For this purpose we have arranged a rod 9| upon a pivot 92 secured as at 93, the rod 9| having one portion 94 arranged immediately in the rear of the pin or rod 6| so that rearward movement of the rod 6I rotates the rod 9| to, cause its other end 95 to engage and force the operating arm 54 of the switch 55 to its inward or open circuit position. Thus, upon the passage of the coin from the. arresting pin 6l the switch 55 is restored to normal condition for operation upon the next call which is attempted at our station. By referring again, particularly to Figure 2, it will be observed that the polarized magnet 80 is provided with a permanent magnet96 for the purpose of making this magnet directionally selective. It will be further observed that the slow release magnet 63 is mounted immediately above the polarized magnet 80. We have` discovered that by inserting apiece ofA magnetic material 91 between the lower end of -the core ,ofY magnet 63 and the upper end of the permanentr magnet 96 that the magnetic field from the permanent magnet will assist the magnetic field of the coil 63 and will thus strengthen the magnet 63 to'assist it in operating its armature.

By referring also to Figure 2 it will be observed that the collection receptacle 29 is illustrated as constituting a box-like structure, the interior of which may be divided into two compartments 98 and 99 as by means of a vertically extending partition |00. The purpose of the partition |00 is to effectively divide collections made for local calls vfrom collections made for long-distance calls.y vBy arranging the partition |00 at some point between the slots 21 and 15 in the plate 28 all local connections will enter compartment 99 while all long-distance collections will enter compartment 98.

By mounting the partition plate |00 for lateralV adjustment within the box or receptacle 29 the amount of space allowed to either local or longdistance collections may be varied to suit the particular condition existing at any given station.

The operation of our telephone station will best be understood with reference to an assumed series of operating conditions.

, Let us assume that it is desired to make a local call. Prior to the lifting of the receiver 1 from the hook 8 the transfer basket 2| is held in its rearward position to effectively connect the slots 31 and 38 to the dime and quarter refundchute 23 and to connect the nickel chute 36 to the local chute 52. Should a coin be inserted in anyof theV slots 36,39 or 38 the same would be. immediately passed to thel refund or coin return receptacle 82. That is, a coin deposited in the dime slot or the quarter Vslot would immediately pass to the refund chute 23 and thence by way of the plateV 8| to the refund receptacle 82, while a coin inserted inthe nickel slot 36 would pass to the local chute 52. At this time, however, the magnet 63 would not be energized (its circuit being broken even though coins should be improperlydeposited at this time the user would not be penalized for such mistaken operation.

Assuming thatthe user now lifts the receiver 1 from the hook 8, the rod 46 would be withdrawnV but the hook switch closes its contacts 65, 66 to immediately energize themagnet 49 by way of a circuit which extends from line I through conductors |0| and 89, contacts 81,; 86 (normally closed) on reverse current magnet 80, conductor |02, switch contacts 56,' 51 of spring switch 55 (now closed since no coin is deposited), conductor |03, the coil of magnet 49, conductor |04, switch contacts 66 and 65 on hook switch 64 (now closed since the receiver is lifted), to Line 2. Hence,

though the mechanical support for the transfer` basket is removed an electrical circuit support through the agency of the armature 50 of magnet V49 and its associated rod 5|still maintains the transfer basket in its rearward position.`

Hence, if at this time a person should mistakingly insert coins in the dime or quarter slots they would immediately be refunded.

However, the stationV is now conditioned for the insertion of Aa coin in the nickel slot to make a local call.

I sired station.

1t wm be bbserved that at this time the magnet 49 Vis shunted across the line circuit Line 1, Line` now in position to close contacts 65 and 66` the 10Av coil of the magnet 63 is energized and the pin 6| is projected into the local chute 52 to arrest the coin. As the coin falls tothe arresting pin it passes and operates thetrip switch 55,'thus opening the circuit to the magnet 49 and remov- 15 ing the resistance which has heretofore ren-- dered the calling dial inoperative to select a de- I At this time the operation of the trip 54 and release of the magnet 49 permitsthe transfer basket 2| to move forwardly into a position `of alignment with each of the long- distance slots 24, 25 and 26, thus conditioning the station for a long-distance call if such is desired.

The user may dial the selected number which will cause operation ofthe line circuit Line 1, Line 2 to operate the central station selectors to connect the desired called station to the calling station. If the called station does not respond, for example, if that line is busy or because there is Yno one present to answerthe phone or that line is out-of-order, the calling party may return the receiver 1 to the hook 8 to disconnect the magnet `|53, whereupon the rod 6| will be withdrawn and the coin willdescend in the local chute 52 and be refunded through the slot 18 in this chute. Y Y

On the other hand, if the called station re' sponds,'the connection of the called station to the calling station causes reverse current to flow l0,V

over the line circuit and the reverse current magnet will be energized to Aremove the pin 11 which has been blocking the vcollection branch of this chute and to open the circuit to shunt the circuit to the magnet 63 to permit this mag-- net to release the coin and permit collection.V

The calling party may thenproceed with cnversation. When the conversation is completed and the calling party returnsy the receiver to the hook 8 the circuit to the reverse current magnety 80 is broken' and all of the apparatus is'restored to the original conditions assumed at the beginning of this description.

Assuming that 'a party desired to make a longdistance call, the station will be originallyY in the same condition as hereinbefore described, that is, the transfer basket would be aligned withthe lock 52 and with the refund chutey 23 until the i removal of the receiver frornthehook. Again, however, the removal of the'receiver connects magnet 49 across the line and holds the transfer basket 2| in the refund and localposition.k

. Hence, it is necessary for the persondesiring' along-distance callto deposit a coin to render the stationoperative to connect to a'v long-distance operator. Assuming vthat acoin is inserted in the nickel slot itl will pass to the arresting 'pin'V 6| as hereinbefore described, Y operating the switch 55 to remove the resistance 49 from the circuit and permitting the person to dial the long-distance operator.

' However, it will be understood by those'skilledv in the art that the response by the long-distance operator will send current over the line circuit Line 1, Line 2 in the same direction to that which has previously flowed in this circuit so that the reverse current relay will not be operated. The calling party may then ask the long-distance operator to connect the station with the desired party. The person calling may either return the receiver to the hook while waiting for the longdistance connection or may hold the receiver from the hook until the connection is made.

In the rst case the return of--the receiver to the hook without the previous energization of the reverse current 80 will permit the original coin to be refunded as by withdrawing the pin 6| from the chute 52. The long-distance operator may then recall the station when she has secured the connection. The receiver being on the hook holds the receiver hook switch 64 in condition to close the ringing circuit for the station so that the long-distance operator may ring the station.

However, the current which now ows through the line circuit Line 1, Line 2 is the reverse direction from that which previously flowed since the operator is calling the station, so that upon removal of the receiver from the hook when the calling party answers the long-distance operator circuit connections are immediately made to energize the reverse current magnet 80 with current in the proper direction to operate armature 19. The operation of magnet 80 removes the resistance 49 from the circuit by opening switch contacts 86, 81, thus conditioning the station for talking and listening to and from the longdistance connection.

However, the disconnection of the coil 49 allows the transfer basket 2| to move to its forward position ready for the collection of the necessary toll of-a long-distance call so that the longdistance operator may now request deposit of the necessary coins which will pass through the coin maze to be immediately collected in the collection receptacle 29. A

On the other hand, if the calling party holds the receiver from the hook 8 while awaiting the connection, the magnet 63 will remain energized so that when the connection is made to the longdistance station the coin inserted to make connection with the long-distance operator is still maintained in the chute 52. The long-distance connection, however, will not send reverse current over the line circuit so that the reverse current magnet 80 will not operate. The long-distance operator may then request the deposit of the necessary toll for the long-distance call.

At this time the transfer basket 2| is in its forward position since the magnet 49 is deenergized so that any coins deposited in the coin gauges 32, 32 and 32 will pass through the associated coin chutes 24, 25 and 26 to go immediately into the collection receptacle 29. These coins passing through the coin maze will operate the usual bells and gongs so that the long-distance operator may determine the amount of toll which has been deposited.

The calling party may then converse with the long-distance station and upon the completion of the call, the calling party restoring the receiver to the hook 8, will break the circuit for the magnet 63 thus releasing the original coin deposited to obtain the long-distance operator. However, during all of this operation the reverse current magnet 80 has been energized so that the released coin will fall upon the pin and be diverted through the slot 18 to the refund receptacle 82, thus returning the original coin to the calling party.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain calls should be made free of collection charges. For instance, to call the oil-lice of the telephone company or to make certain other calls to the telephone company stations, such as vvire-chief, long-distance operator, fire, police and ambulance calls, this may readily be accomplished with our telephone station by permitting the connections made to those particular called stations to maintain current upon the line circuit in the same direction as that initially present on the line circuit when the call is initiated. 'Ihat is, it will require the deposit of a coin in the nickel slot 36 to obtain the connection but immediately upon completion of the call and restoring of the receiver to the hook, such coin will be automatically refunded to the calling party.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the coin collecting device may be readily used in connection with manual telephone operation instead of automatic dial selection. In this case the resistance 9 .shunted across the line circuit will be so arranged as to prevent active communication with the central station until a vcoin has'lbeen deposited to remove this resistance from the circuit.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the circuits to the central station may be so arranged that upon the securing of response by a called station current will ilow in the calling line circuit in the proper direction to operate the reverse current magnet 89, while if the called station is a free station the current which is supplied to the calling line circuit will be in a direction preventing the operation of magnet 8|). Thus, the collection of the coin is removed from the control of the central station operator and is made automatic, dependent upon whether the called station requires toll payment or is a free station. In either event, however, the restoration of the receiver to the hook 8 before a complete connection has been accomplished will break the circuit to magnet 63 to release the coin which will be refunded because polarized magnet 88 has not been energized.

It will also be observed that the complete toll collection and refunding system in our telephone station is self-contained in the station and that no special apparatus is required at the central station distinguishing the line circuit for this station from the line circuits which would be employed for a non-pay station. Under these conditions, it is entirely feasible to connect to the same line circuit one or more pay stations of the character described herein and alsol to connect such line circuit to a non-pay extension which will permit the line circuit to be employed for ordinary non-pay service. Such connections are illustrated in Figure 9 as extending by way of the conductors |96 and |91 from line conductors Line 1, Line 2, respectively, to a non-pay eXtension indication by the legend Non-pay extension.

While the particular form of apparatus herein described is well adapted to carry out the yobjects of the invention, itis to be understood that various modications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a pay telephone station, a coin collecting chute, having a vertically extending branch leading to a collection receptacle, a slot in the side of said chute above said collection receptacle to permit coins yto pass'to a refund receptacle, means normally blocking said collection chute at a point therein to direct coins outwardly through said slot, and means operable by the response of another station called from said pay telephone station for removing said block to permit coins to pass directly to said collection receptacle. n

2. In a pay telephone station, a partial circuit therein including dialing apparatus -and talking apparatus for connection to a. subscribers line, a high resistance associated with said circuit within said station preventing eiective operation of said dialing apparatus but permitting operation of` said talking apparatus, a circuit, and a switch associated with said resistance, said switch being operable by the deposit of a coin in said station to disable said resistance,Y permitting effective operation of said dialing apparatus whereby a circuit completed through said talking apparatus is free from the eiect of said resistance.

3. In a pay telephone station, dialing apparatus for connection to a subscribers line, a shunt circuit bridging said dialing apparatus normally preventing effective operation of said line by said apparatus, a switch in said shunt circuit movable from a normalV position by the deposit of a coin in said station for disablingrsaid shunt circuit to permit said dialing apparatus to effectively operate said line, a receiver hook, and means mechanically interengaging said switch and said receiver hook for positively moving said switch to normal position upon depression of said receiver hook.

4. In a pay telephone station, a partial circuit therein including dialing apparatus and talking apparatus for connection to a subscribers line, a high resistance associated with said circuit within said station preventing eiTective operation of said dialing apparatus butr permitting operation of said talking apparatus, a circuit and a switchassociated with said resistance, said switch being operable by thejde'posit of a coin in said station to disable said resistance, permitting effectiveoperation of said dialing apparatus whereby a circuit completed through said talking apparatus is free from the eiect of said resistance, and switch means operable by response of another station called by said pay station for also disabling said resistance to remove the same from the talking circuit thus established. Y Y

5. In arpay telephone station, a coin collecting chute leading to a collection receptacle, a portion of the length of said chute extending in a substantially vertical direction, a slot in the side of said chute inthe said vertical portion thereof through which coins may pass out of said chute to a refund receptacle, means normally blocking said chute immediately adjacent said slot to divert coins in said chute through said slot, and means operable by the response of another station called from said pay telephone station for removing said block to permit coins to pass directly to said collection receptacle.

6. In a pay telephone station, a coin collecting chutek leading to a collection receptacle, a portion of the length of said chute extending in a substantially Vertical direction, a slot in the

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