US2069200A - Electric current dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 2, 1937. H. w. ACKLEY 2,069,200

ELECTRIC CURRENT DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 11, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATToE/vs r15 Feb. 2, 1937.

H. w. ACKLEY 2,069,200 ELECTRIC CURRENT DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 11, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 HARE) 1M xlc/rL E Y ATTORNE Ya Feb, 2, 1937.

H. w. ACKLEY 25069200 ELECTRIC CURRENT DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 11, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fizz/27a 07? Mae Y WAC/(L 5 Y 9 0w, WWW/M Patented Feb. 2, 1937 ST'E'ES PAT 'i FECE Harry W. Ackley, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Frances A. Genter, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application July 11, 1934, Serial No. 734,642

9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electric current dispensing devices, and more particularly to devices of the general character disclosed in my pending appli- 5 cation, Serial No. 467,874, filed July 14, 1930, re-

newal filed July 1''! 1933.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electric current dispensing device comprising a switch and a mechanical timing or clock mech- 10 anism for automatically opening said switch after a predetermined time interval and having means for prematurely interrupting the operation of said timing mechanism, in the event the supply of current to the device is temporarily out ofi be- 15 fore the timing mechanism has completed its timed operating period.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric current dispensing device comprising a switch, and a clock mechanism for automati- 20 cally opening said switch after a timed interval,

and having electrically operated means associated with said clock mechanism and adapted to interrupt the operation of the latter, in the event the supply of current to said device is interrupted 25 before the clock mechanism has completed its timed operating period, and said electrically operated means being adapted to automatically release said clock mechanism to thereby permit it to complete its timed operating period, when 30 current flow to the device is again resumed.

Other objects of the invention reside in the specific construction of the current dispensing device, whereby it is rendered practically foolproof in operation; in the means provided where- 35 by when a coin is inserted into the device, the operating lever thereof must be rotated through its full cycle of operation, before the electric switch of said device is closed to start the flow of current to the appliance or motor to be served;

40 in the provision of means for preventing an operator from reversing the movement of the operating lever until it has completed its full forward movement; in the means provided whereby the control switch of the device cannot completely close until the operating lever has been operated to wind the spring of the clock mechanism and has been returned to its normal inoperative position; in the provision of a solenoid coil electrically connected in the switch circuit of said device and having an armature arranged to engage a toothed member, preferably mounted upon the balance shaft of the clock mechanism, whereby when the supply of current to the device is temporarily out off, and said solenoid coil becomes deenergized its armature will engage said toothed member and thereby prematurely interrupt the operation of said clock mechanism, and when current flow to the device is again resumed, said armature will be retracted and thereby cause the release of the clock mechanism, 5 whereupon said mechanism may complete its timed operating period; and, in the general construction and arrangement of the various parts of the device, whereby it may be manufactured at small cost and whereby its operation is simplified.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view on the line ll of Figure 6, showing the coin-actuated mechanism in its normal inoperative position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the coin-actuated mechanism actuated;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 6, showing the automatic switch in its normal open position;

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the switch in its closed position;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 6, showing the clock mechanism, and the means associated therewith for prematurely interrupting the operation of the same, when the supply of current to the device is cut off;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 9, showing the parts in their normal positions;

Figure '7 is a detail sectional view on the line 1-1 of Figure 2, showing the means for preventing the insertion of additional coins into the device, when in operation;

Figure 8 is a view showing the operating parts removed from the casing;

Figure 9 is a front view of the device, showing the operating handle or crank in its normal position; and

Figure 10 is a wiring diagram showing the electrically operated clock interrupting means connected in the motor circuit.

The novel current dispensing device herein disclosed, is shown comprising a casing 2, preferably cylindrical in cross-section, and comprising a rear wall 3 and a front wall 4. The front wall 4 is removably secured to the cylindrical walls of the casing by suitable interlocking means, shown at 5 in Figure 6. A suitable lock, generally indicated by the numeral 6 is mounted in the front wall or door 4 of the casing and has a locking member 1 adapted to be received between spaced lugs 8 provided upon the cylindrical wall of the casing, as best shown in Figures 6 and 9. When the locking member 1 is positioned as shown in Figure 6, the door or cover 4 cannot be relatively rotated in its seat 9 in the casing, to thereby unlock and remove it therefrom.

A housing H is secured to the upper portion of the casing 2, and has coin chutes I2 and I3 provided therein, which are open at the ends of the housing, as best shown in Figures 2 and 9. These chutes communicate with guide slots l4 and I5, provided in a fixed member I6 provided upon the upper portion of a wall or plate ll of the interior mechanism of the apparatus. The coin slots l2 and I3 are of different sizes, whereby they receive coins of different denominations as, for example, the rear slot I2 may be adapted to receive a dime, and the front slot l3 a quarter.

The coin actuated mechanism comprises the plate H, which is secured to the casing 2 by a plurality of screws l8 received in threaded engagement with lugs l9, shown integrally formed with the wall of the casing, as best shown in Figure 5.

The plate [1 is provided with a bearing 2| having the hub 22 of a segment 23 rotatably mounted therein, and retained in said bearing by a split collar 24 removably secured to one end of the hub by a suitable screw 25, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, and one end of which engages the plate A coin holder 26 is secured to the segment 23, shown constructed of sheet metal, a portion of which is apertured to received the hub 22, whereby said apertured portion is positioned between the end of the bearing 2| and the segment 23. Thus, the segment 23 is held against longitudinal movement within the bearing 2|, as willbe readily understood by reference to Figure 6. In the drawings, I have shown the coin holder 26 adapted to receive a small coin such, for example, as a dime.

A shaft 28 is mounted for relative rotation within the hub 22 and has one end received in a bearing 29 provided in a plate 3|, suitably secured to the plate l1, in spaced relation, by spacing members 32 and screws 33 passing through suitable apertures provided in the wall 3| and received in threaded engagement with the adjacent ends of the spacing member 32. The shaft 28 is shown provided with an enlarged head 34 having a square socket 35 therein adapted to receive the squared end portion 36 of the operating shaft 31 of a clock mechanism, generally indicated by the numeral 38, and which will subsequently be: described.

A segment 39, similar to the segment 23 is secured to the shaft 28 and has a coin holder 4| provided thereon adapted to receive a relatively larger coin such, for example, as a quarter. The segment 39 is shown received in threaded engagement with the shaft 28, and a cylindrical member or sleeve 42 is received in threaded engagement with the terminal of the shaft 28 and serves as a lock nut to secure the segment 39 and the coin holder 4| thereto in fixed relation. The sleeve 42 is shown provided with a peripheral groove 43 adapted to receive a key member 44 arranged in a slot 45 provided in the hub 46 of an operating member 41. The hub 46 is bored to receive the sleeve 42 and is mounted for rotation thereon, but is prevented from longitudinal or axial movement upon said sleeve by the action of the key 44.

A driving lug 48 is provided upon the periphery of the hub 46 and is adapted to be received in a slot 49 in the inner end of a hollow hub 5|, which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 52 provided in the front wall 4 of the casing. The hub 5i has an operating crank 53 positioned exteriorly of the casing, and normally retained in the position shown in Figure 9, by the action of a clock spring 54 having one end secured to a flanged'member 55, mounted upon the inner end of the hub 51, and secured thereto in fixed relation by means of a screw 56, which screw also secures one end of the clock spring 54 to the member 55. The opposite end of the spring 54 is fixedly secured to the front wall 4 of the casing by a suitable pin or screw, as indicated at 51 in Figure 9. The flanged member 55 has a projection 58 adapted to engage a stop 59 provided upon a small bracket 65 suitably secured to the inner surface of the removable front wall 4, and which bracket also provides a support for the inner end of the lock 6, as will be readily noted by reference to Figure 6.

A small window 62 is provided in the front end of the hub 5i of the operating crank 53, through which a small dial 63 may be seen. This dial is secured to a shouldered stud 64 having a reduced threaded end portion 65 received in threaded engagement with the adjacent end of the shaft 28. The intermediate portion 66 of the stud 64 is received in a suitable aperture provided in the sleeve 42. The dial or disk 63 carries an arrow 61, which indicates the relative position of the operating shaft 28 of the clock mechanism, so that the operator may note, at all times, the wound condition of the clock mechanism. In

other words, when the clock mechanism is run down and is in its normal position, the arrow 61 may be positioned as shown in Figure 9.

The segments 23 and 39 are provided with suitable connectors 68 and 69, respectively, pivotally supported upon the segments by suitable pivots 1!. Each connector has a pin 12 secured to its swinging end, which traverse elongated openings or slots 13 provided in the segments 23 and 39, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2. The ends of the slots 13 are adapted to be engaged by the pins 12 to thereby limit the oscillatory movements of the connectors 68 and 69. Suitable springs 14 are connected to the segments 23 and 39 and have their free ends engaging the pins 12, whereby said springs will retain the connectors in their inoperative and operative positions, as will be understood by reference to era-ting member 41, as will subsequently be described.

The operating member 41 is substantially semicircular in form, and is shown secured to the hub 46 by integral arms 16. An inwardly extending lug 11 is provided on the operating member 41 and is adapted to engage the tooth 15 of the connector 68, when the latter is moved outwardly to the dotted line position shown in' Figure 2, following the insertion of a coin into the coin slot l2. When the lug 11 thus engages the tooth 15 of the connector 68, the segment 23 will rotate with the operating member 41 to thereby partially wind the clock mechanism 38. In like manner, the tooth I of the segment 69 is adapted to be engaged by an abutment 18 provided upon the operating member 41, adjacent its opposite end, when a suitable coin is inserted into the slot I3, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 6, whereby the clock mechanism is completely wound, when the operating crank 53 is operated.

The connectors 68 and 69 are normally retained in their inward or inoperative positions, whereby their teeth I5 are out of the paths traveled by the abutments I1 and 18. When a coin is inserted into the device, however, as shown in Figure 1, it will drop into one of the coin holders 26 or 4|, depending upon the size of coin inserted into the device. In Figure 1, a larger coin such as a quarter has been inserted into the device and is shown supported in the coin holder 4|, and has its periphery engaging a pin 79 secured to the connector 69 of the segment 35. The pin I9 is normally positioned in the path of the coin, whereby the coin cannot drop from the position shown in Figure 1, into the lower portion of the casing until the connector 59 has been moved or swung outwardly to its operative position.

The operating member 41 carries a pair of inwardly facing drive pins 8| and 82 positioned to travel in the gaps provided between the upper edge portions of the coin holders 26 and ll, and the adjacent edges of the connectors 68 and 69, as will be clearly understood by reference to Figure 1. When a quarter has been inserted into the device, as shown in Figure 1, the operator grasps the crank 53 and rotates it and the operating member 41, whereby the pin 82 will engage the edge of the coin and thereby move it into engagement with the pin 19, whereby the connector 69 is moved into operative position to thereby permit the coin to drop into the lower portion of the casing. When the connector 69 is thus moved outwardly, the pin I9 thereof releases the coin and permits it to drop by gravity into the lower portion of the casing 2. Continued rotation of the crank arm 53 will wind the clock mechanism until the operating member 41 engages a stop 80 at the limit of its forward or winding stroke, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 2, wherein the segment is shown about to engage the stop 83.

An important feature of the invention resides in the means provided for preventing reverse movement of the operating member 41, once it has been started in a forward movement, and consists of a small dog 84 pivotally supported on the member I6 and is adapted to engage a plurality of ratchet teeth 85 provided in the periphery of the member 41. When the operating member has reached the limit of its forward movement, as substantially shown in Figure 2, the dog 84 is moved into engagement with one end of a slot closing member 86, adapted to be moved into alinement with the coin slots I4 and 85 in the member I6, to thereby prevent the insertion of additional coins into the device, while in operation. When the dog 84 is thus supported upon the slot closing member 86, the operating member 41 may be returned to its normal position, as shown in Figure 1. Upon initial starting of the return movement of the operating member 51, the inwardly facing inclined face 37 on the member 41 will engage the tooth 15 of the connector 69 and move it inwardly to its inoperative position, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 2. The connector 69, as hereinbefore stated, is retained in its operative and inoperative positions by the action of its spring 74.

The slot closing member 86 is mounted for traveling movement in a slot 88 provided in the plate I! adjacent to the upper portion I6 of said plate, and has a body portion 89 slidably mounted upon a flanged stud 9| provided upon the opposite side of the plate H, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 5. The stud BI is received in an elongated opening 92 provided in the body portion 89 of the slot closing member.

The means for controlling the supply of current to the appliance to be served with electric current such, for example, as an electric motor 93, shown in Figure 10, consists of an electric switch, generally indicated by the numeral 94. This switch comprises a fixed contact 95 secured to the plate 3I in insulated relation by suitable screws 96. A movable contact 91 is secured to an arm 98, pivotally mounted upon a stud 99, secured to the plate 3! in insulated relation. A suitable spring IOI normally retains the switch arm 98 in the position shown in Figure 3.

The switch arm 98 is pivotally connected at N32 to the body 89 of the slot closing member 85, so that when the switch contact 91 moves into electrical connection with the fixed contact 95, the body 89 of the slot closing member is operated to move the latter into operative position with respect to the coin slots I2 and I 3 to thereby prevent the insertion of additional coins into the device, when the latter is in operation, as shown in Figures 2 and 7.

Another feature of the invention resides in the means provided for preventing the movable contact 91 of the switch 94 from electrically engaging the fixed contact 95, before the operating crank 53 has been returned to its normal inoperative position, or gone through one complete cycle of operation. To thus prevent complete closing of the switch until the operating member has been returned to its normal position, a small gravity operated latch I03 is pivotally mounted upon the plate I1 and has an offset end portion I04 traversing an elongated opening I55 in the plate IT, as shown in Figure 5. The off-set end portion I 04 of the arm I03 normally projects into the path of a shoulder I06 provided upon the body of the slot closing member 86. The off-set end portion I 54 and the shoulder I06 are so related that the shoulder I06 will abuttingly engage the end portion I54 when the movable switch contact 91 reaches substantially the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, whereby it is temporarily prevented from electrically engaging the fixed contact 95. The contact 9'! is retained in this position until the operating member 47 and crank arm 53 are returned to their normal positions, as shown in Figures 1 and 9. Just before the operating member 41 reaches its normal position, a cam I01 provided upon the periphery thereof, engages the depending portion I 58 of the arm I03 and thereby moves said arm upwardly, whereby the oifset portion IE5 thereof will move out of engagement with the shoulder I55, whereby the movable contact 91 is released and moves into electrical engagement with its complemental contact 95. Thus, it will be seen that the switch 94 cannot be completely closed until the operating crank 53 has completed its cycle of operation.

The means provided for operating the movable contact 91 of the switch 94 is best shown in Figures 3 and 4 and comprises a pair of cams I99 and II I secured in fixed relation to the segments 23 and 39, respectively. The cam I99 may, for convenience, be integrally-formed with the split collar 24 secured to the hub 22 of the segment 23. The cam III of the segement 39 is shown integrally formed with a split collar II2, fixedly secured to the shaft 28 for direct rotation therewith. The cams I99 and III are alined with a roller II3, mounted between spaced ears provided at one end of a plate element I99, whose opposite end is secured to the switch arm 98 adjacent to the contact 91, as indicated at I2I in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, when the cams I99 and III are operated, they will engage the roller I I3 and thereby move the switch arm 98 into the dotted line position, shown in Figure 5.

Means is provided for locking the switch arm 99 in its switch closing position, and is shown consisting of an arm II 4 pivotally supported upon one end of a pin II5 secured to the plate SI, and whereby the upper portion of the arm is substantially alined with the switch arm 98. A suitable tortion spring H6 constantly urges the arm H4 in a direction towards the switch arm, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 4.

A small plate H1 is shown secured to the arm I I4 and has its upper edge I I8 adapted to engage the adjacent end II9 of the plate element I99, as best shown in Figure 4. The movable end of the plate element I90 slightly overhangs the adjacent end of the switch arm 98 so that when the switch arm is moved in a direction to close the switch, the end I I9 of said plateelement will engage the plate I I1 on the arm I I4, and thus move the arm slightly to the right, when viewed as shown in Figures 3 and 4. When the end II9 of the plate element I99 passes the upper end I I8 of the plate 1, the spring IIB will operate the arm II4 to move the plate element II1 into position to lock the switch arm in its operative position.

To move the plate II1 out of engagement with the plate element I90, a pin I22 is secured to the cam I I I and is arranged to engage the lower end of the arm II4, when the cam II I is returned to its normal position, as shown in Figure 3. When the cam reaches the position shown in the above figure, the arm H4 is operated in a direction to move the upper edge III! of the plate II1 out of engagement with the plate element I99, whereupon the spring IOI returns the switch arm to its normal switch-opening position, shown in Figure 3.

A lug I23 is secured to the wall I1 and projects into the path of the segments 23 and 39 to provide a limit stop therefor, when returned to their normal positions, as shown in Figure 1. The segment 23 is shown provided with an off-set lug I24 be simultaneously operated. The segment 39, when the latter is in its normal position, as shown in Figure 1, and whereby when the segment 23 is operatively connected to the operating member 41 and is actuated thereby, the segment 39 will be simultaneously operated. The segment 39, however, may be operated independently of the segment 23.

The clock mechanism 38 is illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 8, and comprises the usual clock spring I25 having one end suitably secured to the operating shaft 31, in the usual manner, and its opposite end secured to an anchor pin I26 provided in the frame I21 of the clock mechanism. An escapement device, generally indicated by the numeral I28, is operatively connected to the operating shaft 31 by a train of gears, generally indicated by the numeral I29, as is customary in devices of this kind. The escapement I28 operates a balance shaft I3I, shown provided with a toothed member I32. The operating shaft 31 of the clock mechanism is operatively connected to the main drive gear I33 of the clock mechanism 7 by a suitable friction device, generally indicated by the numeral I34, and whereby the operating shaft 31 may be rotated independently of the gear I33 to thereby permit the segment 39 to be rotated independently of the clock mechanism, when desired.

Another important feature of this invention resides in the means provided for prematurely interrupting the operation of the clock mechanism, in the event that the supply of current to the current dispensing device is cut off before the clock mechanism has completedits timed operating period. By providing means for thus interrupting the operation of the clock mechanism, in the event that the current supply to the device is temporarily out off, the operator or attendant may, at any time, interrupt the operation of the entire apparatus by opening the manually controlled switch E35 provided in the supply circuit I36, which supplies current to the dispensing device, without losing any of the time which may have been paid for by the insertion of a coin into the dispensing device.

To thus prematurely interrupt the operation of the clock mechanism, a small solenoid coil I31 is suitably mounted in the frame of the clock mechanism and has wires I38 and I39 electrically connecting it to the circuit I4I, which supplies current to the motor 93, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 10. The wire I38 of the coil I 31 is shown connected to the automatic switch 94 between said switch and the motor 93, so that when the switch 94 is open, the supply of current to the solenoid 31 is cut off. The solenoid I31 has an armature I42 slidably mounted therein, the lower end of which is shown to be conical in shape, and is arranged to engage the toothed member I32 provided on the balance shaft I3I. The solenoid coil is preferably disposed as shown in Figure 5, whereby the armature I42 gravitates into engagement with the toothed member I32, when the coil I31 is deenergized. When said coil is energized, the armature is retracted, as indicated by the full lines in Figure 10, whereby the balance shaft may freely operate in its usual manner.

By connecting the solenoid coil I31 in the circuit, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 10, it will be noted that whenever current is supplied to the motor 93 or other electrical appliance which is to be served, the solenoid coil I 31 is energized and thus holds the armature I42 out of engagement with the toothed member I32 of the balance shaft. When the supply of current to the motor 93 is cut off, either by opening the automatic switch 94 or the manually operable switch I35, or for some other reason, the solenoid coil I31 is immediately deenergized, whereby the armature I42 drops into locking engagement with the toothed member I32 to thereby interrupt the operation of the clock mechanism.

Operation The novel current dispensing device herein disclosed has found a wide field of use in apartment buildings and the like for controlling the dispensing of electric current to washing machines and mangles, although it may be used for dispensing electric current to various other electric appliances. When used on a washing machine, the mechanism of the dispensing device is usually arranged, whereby it may be selectively operated at two different time intervals. For example, when a dime is inserted into the coin chute I2, the device may operate for fifteen minutes, and if a quarter is inserted into the slot I3, the device 'may allow the washing machine or other appliance to be operated for one hour. These operating periods, however, may be varied in length to suit various appliances of work.

Assuming now that it is desired to operate the motor 93 for a period of time longer than 15 minutes, a quarter is then inserted into the slot I3 and drops by gravity into the coin holder 4|, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 6. By reference to Figure 1, it will be noted that the diameter of the coin is such that the coin cannot pass through the space provided between the bot-= tom of the coin holder 4| and the periphery of the pin 19 in the connecting member 69, when the latter is in its normal position, as shown in Figure 1. The coin is therefore retained in the position shown in this figure.

The operator then grasps the operating crank 53 and swings it to the right, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 9, whereby the pin 82 carried by the operating member 41 engages the periphery of the coin and thus forces it against the pin 19, which results in the connecting member 68 being swung upwardly to a position wherein the tooth 15 thereof will be engaged by the abutment 18 of the member 41, whereby the segment 39 is rotated simultaneously with the member 41, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 1 and 2. When the connecting member 69 has been moved upwardly or outwardly from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figure 2, the coin is permitted to drop into the lower portion of the casing, from whence it may readily be removed when the front wall or cover plate 4 of the casing is detached.

When the operating crank 53 is initially started, it is understood that the automatic switch 94 is normally open, as shown in Figure 3, and remains so until the cam I09 engages the roller H3 of the switch arm 98, whereupon said switch arm is operated to partially close the switch, or, in other words, the switch 94 is conditioned for closing, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 5. The switch is prevented from completely closing as a result of the shoulder I06 of the body 89 of the slot closing member 86 engaging the offset end portion I 04 of the latch I03, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 5. During rotation of the crank 53, the dog 84 engages the teeth 85 in the periphery of the operating member 41, and thus prevents said member and the crank from being returned to their normal positions, until the crank has completed its full forward movement, as shown in dotted lines in Figures 2 and 9.

Just before the operating member 41 reaches the limit of its forward movement, the cam I09 engages the roller II3 of the switch arm 98 and moves the contact 91 into the dotted line position shown in Figure 5. Such action of the switch arm 98 moves the slot closing member 86 into its operative position, shown in Figures 2 and 7, whereby additional coins cannot be inserted into the coin-receiving mechanism, as will be clearly understood by reference to Figure 7.

It will be noted, by reference to Figures 1 and 2, that the operating member is provided at its rearmost end with a cam I43, which engages the dog 84 and moves it upwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, which operation occurs at about the time that the slot-closing member 86 is actuated, whereby the member 86 moves under the dog and thus retains the latter in inoperative position, to thereby permit the operating member 41 to be returned to its normal position by the action of the spring 54. The forward movements of the crank 53 and operating member 41 are limited by the stop lug 80, which is positioned in the path of the inwardly projecting lug 90 which supports the pin 8| of the member 41, as best shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. The stop lugs and 83 are positioned to be engaged by the segments 23 and 39, respectively, and thus limit their forward movements. It is to be understood, however, that before the segments engage their respective stops, the connecting members 68 and 69 thereof have been moved to their inoperative positions.

Forward movement of the operating member 41, by rotation of the crank 53, as above de scribed, winds the clock mechanism and conditions the automatic switch 94 for closing, as hereinbefore described. Upon the return movement of the operating member 41, the inclined face 81 of the leading end of the operating member will engage the tooth of the connecting member 69 and thus return said member to its normal inoperative position, shown in Figure 1. The complete closing of the automatic switch 94 is effected when the cam I01 on the periphery of the operating member 41 engages the portion I08 of the latch I03, whereupon the ofiset end portion I04 of said latch is moved out of engagement with the shoulder I 06 of the plate 89, thereby permitting the movable contact 91 to move into electrical engagement with the fixed contact 95.

The cams I09 and III are so designed that they will lift the plate I00 of the switch arm 98 from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 4, whereby the upper edge II8 of the plate II1 on the arm II4 may move into locking engagement therewith, as best shown in Figure 4. The pivotal connection I02 between the switch arm 98 and the plate portion 89 of the slot closing member 86 is so arranged that when the shoulder I06 of the plate 89 engages the end portion I04 of the latch I03, the movable contact 91 cannot move into electrical connection with the contact 95, and the switch arm 98 is then slightly distorted or bent and is retained in such position by the plate II1 engaging the end II9 of the switch arm plate I00. As soon, however, as the cam I01 engages the latch I03, the switch arm 98 is released and the contact 91 then electrically engages the fixed contact 95, whereupon current is supplied to the motor 93, assuming, of course, that the main switch I35 is closed.

The segment 39, being operatively connected to the main operating shaft 31 of the clock mechanism, will slowly return to its normal position by the action of the clock mechanism, until it engages the stop lug I23. Such operation of the segment 39 will cause the pin I22 of the cam Hi to eventually engage the arm I I4 and move it outwardly from the position shown in Figure 4, to that shown in Figure 3, whereby the switch arm 98 is released and the automatic switch 94 opened, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3.

The operation of the segment 23, carrying the coin holder 26 for the smaller coin, 'is substantially the same as that described with reference to the segment 39, except that when the segment 23 is advanced by rotation of the operating mem- ;ber M, the segment 39 will be rotated simultaneously therewith because offlthe lug I24 on the segment 23 engaging the adjacent edge of the segment 39. Both segments are returned by the clock mechanism 38.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that, should the operator find it necessary or desirable to interrupt the motor 93, after the current dispensing device has been set into motion by the insertion of a coin therein, and before said device has completed its timed operating period, then he may readily do so by simply opening the main switch I35. Suchopening of the main switch causes-deenergization of the solenoid coil l3? and allows the armature 562 thereof; to drop into :locking engagement with the toothed member or pinion E32 ofthe balance shaft, whereby the operation of the clock mechanism is prematurely interrupted. When the main switch I35 is subsequently closed, the coil 1 5 1 'is energized and thereby withdraws the armature from engagement with the toothed member i3 2, whereby the clock mechanism may complete its timed operating period. This feature of the device has been found very desirable as it permitsthe attendant or operator to temporarily interrupt the operation of the motor 93, or otherappliance being served, at any time, without losing any of the operating time paid for by the insertion of a coin into the device, it being understood that as soon as the supply of current to the motor is again resumed, the clock mechanism is automatically released tothereby complete its unfinished timed operating period.

The construction of the device is such that it is substantially fool-proof, in that it is so constructed that an operator cannot manipulate the crank 53 in such a manner as to close the switch 94 and retain it in such position by manually looking or securing the crank in a certain position. In the device herein shown, the-switch 94 is not completely closed untilthe crank 53 has been movedthrough its complete cycle of operation, thereby assuring that the coin is discharged from the coin actuated mechanism into the lower portion of the casing each time the crank is operated, whereby an operator cannot manipulate the device in such a manner as to cause it to operate for a period of time longer than that previously determinedfor a given size coin. I

I claim as my invention: V

1. In an electric current dispensing device, a clock mechanism, a normally open electric switch, an operating member, coin actuated means for operatively connecting said member to said clock member until it has been rotated to the limit of member, coin actuated means for operatively con necting said member to said clock mechanism and said switch, whereby when said crank is operated, the clock mecham'sm is wound and said switch conditioned for closing, means for preventing return movement of said. operating memclock mechanism and said switch, whereby when the crank is operated, said clock mechanism is wound and the switch conditioned for closing, means operating in timed relation to said switch for preventing the insertion of additional coins into the device, while the latter is in operation, and means for effecting complete closing of the switch, when the crank is returned to its normal position.

4. In an electric current dispensing device, a clock mechanism, an electric switch, an operating member providedwith a suitable crank, coin actuated means for operatively connecting said operating member to said clock mechanism and said switch, whereby when the crank is operated, said member will be rotated to wind the clock mechanism and condition the switch for closing, and means whereby'the switch cannot be completely closed until the operating member has been moved to the limit of its forward movement and returned to its normal position.

clock mechanism, an electric switch, an operating member provided with a suitable crank, coin actuated means for operatively connecting said operating member to said clock mechanism and said switch, whereby when the crank is operated, said member will berotated to wind the clock mechanism and condition the switch for closing, means for preventing the insertion of additional coins into the device while the device is in operation, said last mentioned means being operatively associated with the switch and including an abutment shoulder adapted to engage a movable stop to thereby prevent the switch from completely closing, when the operating member is rotated to set the device, and means on said operating member adapted to actuate said movable stop andcause the release of the switch, just before the operating member reaches the limit of its return movement.

6. In an electric current dispensing device, a clock mechanism, an electric switch, an operating member provided with a crank, coin actuated means having coin-receiving slots adapted to re-, ceive coins of different sizes and denominations, said coins causing said operating member to become operatively connected to the clock mechanism and said switch, whereby when the crank is operated, the clock mechanism is wound and the switch partially closed, a slot closing member for preventing the insertion of additional coins into the device when in operation, said slot closing member being operatively connected to said switch, a movable stop engageable with means on said slot closing member for restricting its movement in one direction and thereby preventing complete closing of the switch, while the. crank 75 r is in operation, and means on said operating member for actuating said movable stop and thereby releasing said slot closing member, when the operating member is returned to its normal position, whereby the switch is permitted to completely close.

'7. In an electric current dispensing device, a clock mechanism, an electric switch, an operating member provided with a crank, coin actuated means having coin receiving slots adapted to receive coins of different sizes and denominations, the insertion of a coin in one of said slots causing said operating member to become operatively connected to the clock mechanism and said switch, whereby when the crank is operated, the clock mechanism is Wound and the switch partially closed, a slot closing member for preventing the insertion of additional coins into the device when in operation, said slot closing member having a body portion pivotally connected to said switch and provided with an abutment shoulder, a latch member engageable with said shoulder to thereby prevent complete closing of the switch, while the crank is in operation, and means on said operating member for actuating said latch member, when the operating member is returned to its normal position, whereby the slot closing member is released to thereby permit the switch to close.

8. In an electric current dispensing device, a clock mechanism, an electric switch, an operating member provided with a crank, coin actuated means having coin-receiving slots adapted to receive coins of different sizes and denominations, the insertion of a coin in one of said slots causing said operating member to become operatively connected to the clock mechanism and said switch,

whereby when the crank is operated, the clock mechanism is wound and the switch partially closed, a slot closing member for preventing the insertion of additional coins into the device when in operation, said slot closing member having a portion pivotally connected to said switch and provided with a shoulder, a latch engageable with said shoulder to thereby prevent complete closing of the switch while the crank is in operation, and a cam on the periphery of said operating member adapted to engage said latch when the operating member is returned to its normal position, whereby the slot closing member is released to thereby permit the switch to completely close.

9. In an electric current dispensing device, a clock mechanism, a normally open electric switch, an operating member, a crank for rotating said member, coin-actuated means for operatively connecting said member to said clock mechanism and said switch, whereby when the crank is operated, the clock mechanism is wound and the switch conditioned for closing, means for preventing return movement of the operating member until it has completed its forward movement,

said coin actuated means being adapted to receive coins of difierent sizes and the sizes of said coins controlling the degree of winding of said clock mechanism and the operating period of the device, means for effecting complete closing of the switch when the operating member is returned to its normal position, and means for prematurely interrupting the operation of the device in the event of current failure, said interrupting means being rendered inoperative upon resumption of current flow.

HARRY W. ACKLEY.

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