US2076513A - Check controlled mechanism - Google Patents

Description

F. W, HOBAN CHECK CONTROLLED MECHANISM April 6, 1937.

' INVENTOR' Fazrfze/d W Hoban ATTORNEY Filed Dec. 28, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 P 1937- F. w. HOBAN CHECK CONTROLLED MECHANISM Filed Dec. 28, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 n M R 0 Y m M m .w M w April 6, 1937. F; w, HOBAN 2,076,513

CHECK CONTROLLED MECHANISM Filed Dec. 28, 1935 4 Shets-Shet 3 q4 ,8? ,m 10 qs z: M I 86- g Q no ATTORNEY April 6, 1937- F. w. HOBAN 2,076,513 CHECK CONTROLLED MECHANISM Filed Dec. 28, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTQR Fairfield WHoban,

B M n/(m ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 6, 1937 t I UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE canon CONTROLLED MECHANISM Fail-field W. Hoban, New York, N. Y., assignor to Stewart and McGuire, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December as, 1935, Serial No. 56,558

. 9 Claims. (01. 19443) My invention relates to improvements in check Fig. 2 is plan thereof on a plane below the controlled mechanism for vending machines or hopper and av scavenger which are removed; the like, and the same has for its object to pro- Fig. 3 is transverse elevation of a movement vide a simple, reliable and efflcient mechanism interrupting means having a portion broken which is responsive to coins of different denomiaway and in section, said view being taken on 5 nations for dispensing merchandise correspondthe line 33 Fig. 2 looking in the direction of ing in quantity with the value of the coin emthe arrows; pl yed. Fig. 4 is a transverse view of the front of the Further, said invention has for its object to check controlled mechanism with parts broken provide a mechanism of the character specified away, said view being taken on the line 4-4 of 10 in which the operating means thereof, when re- Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; leased by the coin, is capable of being rotated a Fig. 5 is a' corresponding view illustrating the step or through a succession of steps in the limited movement thereof for controlling ascavsame direction according to the value of the enger;

coin inserted. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of said 15 Further, said invention has for its object to mechanism taken on theline 66 of Fig. 1 lookprovide a mechanism of the character specified ing in he ir i n f he rrow in which the operating means thereof, when conig. 7 s a d ta Section View ShOWing a p trolled by the coin of greater value, requires ronnection between two members of the mechtation through a single revolution only to disehism d taken o e e 0f g- 6 100li- 20 pense merchandise of corresponding value. mg in the direetlon 0f the arrows;

Further, said invention has for its object to 8 s a ansv s ti n vi w tak n n provide a mechanism of the character specified in e i of 1 and illustrating the Seal!- which the coin released interlocking parts thereenger in elevation 111 full;

of are co-ordinated to allow limit d movement Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the mechanism 25 of the actuator at each locking position for the threugh the c y g Dockets thereof taken purpose of operating a scavenger, a fraud preon the line 9-9 of Fig. 2; a coin being shown in venting device, or other means employed with Position therein; or in the apparatus. Fig. 10 is a corresponding view with parts :0 Further, said invention has for its object to broken away and in section, said mechanism beprovide a mechanism of the character specified g slig tly displaced ockwise to illustrate the in which the operating means thereof is duly at n w n p y n a c nt c in as the decentered in each of the successive locking positent actuator;

tions of the mechanism to insure proper opera- 11 is a S r View illustrating the p tio th tion when employing a five cent coin as the 35 Further, said invention has for its object to actuetm; provide amechanism of the character specified in 12 is a transverse Sectional View thlflugh which means are included for insuring fun (man: the dispensing drum or rotor on the line |2-|2 tity delivery of merchandise from the delivery of Fla 2 looking in the direction ofthe w pockets of t operating means when the same Fig. 13 is a rear transverse elevation of the 40 is rotated through a complete revolution upon com controlled mechanism looking} at the rear release thereof by the coin of greater value. thereof;

Other objects will in part be obvious, and in 14 is Persmme the apparatus suitpart be pointed out hereinafter. ably encased To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and Referring the the 'cmtmued mechanism i0 is shown applied to an encased ends, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, and in the combination, connec- Vendmg machine (Flg' 14) for dispensing or deliverin erchandise, s c tion and arrangement of parts hereinafter more Simnaf 8310165 in g s gg g ssi g;

fully descnbed and then Pointed in the quantities in accordance with the value of the 50 claims. coin inserted. The apparatus controlled by the In the accompanying drawings! mechanism In comprises rotatable means II in- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation eluding a carrier or drum l2 mounted for rotaof one form of apparatus constructed in accord-- tion about a horizontal axis below the open disance with and embodying my said invention; charge end of a hopper 13 for receiving the com- 55 modity, the drum I2 being provided with pockets I4 adapted to successively register with the hopper for receiving the commodity therefrom. The drum. I2 is preferably secured for rotation upon 5 suitable shafting I5 having a bearing I6 at the front in a support or bridge I1 and having a bearing I8 at the rear thereof in a suitable support I9, preferably the rear wall of the casing 20 (Fig. 14) employed to enclose the mechanism or apparatus. The shafting I5 has an actuating member or knob 2| at the front end thereof adapted to be rotatedin a clockwise direction.

To facilitate the assembly of the apparatus within the casing 20, and its removal therefrom, the sh'afting I5 preferably consists of alined sections 22 and 23 while the drum I2 carried thereby preferably consists of two telescoping sections 24 and 25 in adjustable sliding engagement with each other to allow adjustment of the size of the pockets. The forward shaft section 22 carries the coin controlled mechanism In and is rotatably supported in the bridging member I! and retained against axial movement therein by said mechanism I and the knob 2|. The rear end 26 of the shaft section 22 receives the forward section 24 of the drum I2 which is provided for this purpose with an axial socket or opening 21 closed at its rear end by the shaft section 23 forming a stop 28 engaging the end of the section 22 whereby to locate the drum section 24 in proper relation to the hopper I3. The shaft portion 26 and drum section 24 are keyed to each other against relative rotation by suitable means, such as the flats 29.

By the construction above described, the shaft section 22 together with the mechanism and parts disposed thereon may be readily disengaged from the drum section 24 and withdrawn from the casing of the vending machine.

The rear drum section 25. interfits the front drum 24 in complementary relation thereto and is provided with an axial collar 30 at the rear thereof adapted to receive the forward end of the shaft section 23 which is joumaled at its rear end in the bearing I8. The drum section 25 is capable of being slid along the shaft section 23 to vary the length of the pockets I4 and is secured in any adjusted position by means of the set screws 3|.

The hopper I3 is supported as usual within the casing 20 in depending relation to the commodity reservoir 32. The intermediate portion of the operating means or shafting I is also preferably supported by a member or hanger 33 attached to 55 the hopper I3 and depending therefrom, said member 33 having an annular end portion 34 receiving the collar 35 formed on the forward end of the drum I4.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed 5 herein the lower end of the hopper I3 is arcuately shaped to correspond in outline with that of the drum I4 which interfits the same. As shown in Figs. 1 and 12, the lateral wall of the hopper at the side towards which the drum rotates at its 5 lower end has a clearance or opening 36 therein closed by spring members or gates 31 which wipe over the periphery of the drum as the successive pockets I4 are brought into discharging relation to the lateral chute 38 supported by the 70 bridge or frame IT for delivering the commodity to the purchaser. The gates 31 prevent clogging or jamming during rotation of the drum because of the projection of pieces of the commodity above the drum, and cause excess pieces of the commod- 75 ity to be swept back into the hopper,

Efficiency in the operation of the drum is also enhanced by the provision of means 39 within the hopper I3 contiguous to the drum I4 and directly in advance of the gates 31 for yieldably holding the head of nuts or other commodity within the hopper from crowding against the gates, and thus interfering with the discharging operation. Such means 39 preferably consists of a coil spring stretched across the hopper in advance of the gates and secured at the ends to suitable brackets 40 upon the hopper.

flhe coin controlled'mechanism I0 preferably comprises an intermediate integrally formed member 4I including a ratchet element 42 having a succession of steps 43 thereon corresponding in number with the maximum number of coin units for which the apparatus is adapted. The member 4| also includes an axial sleeve 44 having oppositely projecting hub portions 45 and 46 adapted to receive the shaft 22 upon which the member is mounted.

The coin controlled mechanism also includes means 41 for properly centering the same in the successive locking positions. Such means prefably includes a centering portion 48 formed upon the front face of the ratchet element 42 including a succession of recesses 49 corresponding in num ber with the number of steps 43 on the ratchet 42 and arranged in corresponding relation to said steps. The centering element 48 co-operates with a dog 58 pivoted at 5I to the frame member I1 and provided with a coil spring 52 for retaining the same yielding engagement with the successive recesses 48. The recesses 48 and the nose 53 of the dog 50 are preferably of complementary arcuate contour, the interengaging arcuate portions having a camming relation to insure the proper positioning of the parts in centered positions as the mechanism is rotated clockwise through the successive steps or positions thereof and to insure return to centered position upon a partial or incomplete movement in a clockwise direction as hereinafter more fully described.

The forward hub 45 is adapted for the mounting of a forward member or element 54 of the control mechanism III. Such element 54 is provided with an axial opening 55 therein for receiving the hub 45 and includes a disk portion 56 having coin receiving pockets 5'! formed upon the rear face thereof. The pockets 51 are of arcuate formation adapted to receive and hold therein coins of various denominations, such as a one cent piece or a five cent piece (a nickel). The pockets 5'! correspond in number with the number of successive locking positions of the mechanism and are disposed in predetermined relation to the successive centering positions to allow the coins to drop vertically into the same by gravity and to discharge any coin therein upon movement of the actuator a complete step in a clockwise direction.

The forward face of the member 54 has formed thereon a ratchet portion or element 58 co-oper ating with a detent 58 for preventing rotation of the mechanism in a counter-clockwise direction. The detent 59 is preferably pivotally mounted at 60 to the frame member I! coaxially with the pivot SI of the dog 50, and is retained in engaging relation with the ratchet 58 by the spring 6i. The ratchet 58 is provided with more steps or teeth 62 than the ratchet 42 has, the teeth relationship being three to one in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, to allow rotation of the actuator in a clockwise direction a part of a complete step without the detent 59 dropping into the next succeeding dwell of the ratchet 58, for

5 P p se hereinafter described.

The control members 4| and 54 are preferably separated by an intervening disk 52 threaded upon the hub 45 and serving as a common wall for the centering recesses 49 and coin pockets 51.

The members 54 and 52 are preferably keyed to or interlocked with the intermediate member 42 by forming lugs 64 upon the hub 45 adapted to be received into corresponding slots or recesses 65 and 96 formed in the member 54 and member 62 respectively.

Another member or disk 51, provided with an axial opening 68 for receiving the hub 46, is rotatably mounted upon said hub against the rear face of the intermediate member H. The member 61 is of relatively greater diameter than that of the ratchet 42 and is provided with a notch or clearance 69 in the periphery I thereof for receiving the offset nose II of a coin actuated member or detent I2 co-operating with the ratchet 42.

The detentI2 is pivoted at I3 to the frame member II at the side thereof opposite the dog 50 and detent 59 in position to engage the ratchet 42 and to lie in operative relation to the coins moved into camming relation thereto when the operating means is rotated with a coin in any pocket thereof. The detent I2 is retained in engagement with the ratchet 42 by the spring I4, and is provided with an intermediate step or abutment I on the lower edge thereof adapted to engage and ride upon the dwells I6 of the ratchet 42 in-' termediate the teeth 43 as shown in Figs. 4 and 6 illustrating the mechanism I0 in normal or centered position. .In the normal position of the mechanism the abutment I5 engages an intermediate portion of the dwell I6 to allow a limited or slight rotation of the mechanism in a clockwise direction and return before the abutment I5 engages the next succeeding step of the ratchet 42,

40 as shown in Fig. 5. In the position of Fig. 5 the detent 59 assumes a position at the extreme edge of its step without disengaging the same to allow of the parts to be returned to normal or centered position by means of the centering spring 52.

The detent I2 has a laterally projecting pin II the transverse pin I9 which also serves to secure the member 4i against rotation relative to the shaft 22.

The disk member 6'! serves as means for supporting the detent I2 disengaged from the ratchet 42 to allow a complete revolution of the operating means when the detent is actuated by a coin of greater diameter, such as the nickel, the periphcry of said disk 61. serving as a dwell upon which the nose II of the detent rides during said revolution. Said detent I2 disengages said dwell I0 and drops into the clearance space 69 at the completion of the revolution to again engage the ratchet 42 and lock the mechanism.

For this purpose, the disk 61 has a yieldable slip connection 80 with the member 4i to allow the member 61 to rotate with the operating means when the detent is actuated to clear said member, and to allow relative movement of the operating means when the detent I2 is actuated by a coin of lesser diameter, such as a cent piece,

to clear the ratchet 42 but not the disk 61.

' The slip connection 80 is such as tolock the disk 51 to the member 4| in a succession of relative positions corresponding in number with the ratchet steps 43. As shown, the ratchet member 42 upon the back face thereof is provided with a series of recesses 8| disposed in corresponding relation to the steps 42 while the disk 61 has an opening." therein adapted to register with the recesses 8| in the successive positions. The opening-52 receives a locking, element 63 retained in place by a leaf spring 54 and adapted to enter the successive recesses 8i to lock the parts together for joint rotation.

As shown in Fig. 5 the clearance space 69 is sized to allow in each of the locking positions of the disk 61 limited movement of the operating means in a clockwise direction and return without the nose 'II of the detent I2 engaging the abutment 85 at the end of the clearance space. The successive locking positions of the slip connection 80 are located to lock the disk 61 to ratchet 42 with said abutment 85 in the same position relative to the successive locking steps or positions. When the detent I2 is elevated by a coin of smaller diameter upon rotation of the operating means, thenose II of the detent engages the abutment 85 to disengage the slip connection 80 and retain the disk 61 against movement with the operating means, the parts relatively moving to interlock in the next succeeding relative position thereof ready for operation upon insertion of another coin.

The coins for releasing the mechanism I0 are preferably delivered thereto through a fraud preventing device or scavenger 06 (Figs. 1 and 8) secured to the frame member II in position above the coin pockets 51 for removal with the control mechanism I0. The device 86 preferably comprises a fixed front plate 81 secured to the frame member by a. screw 88 and a movable plate 89 at the rear thereof pivoted at its upper edge to the fixed plate at the upper edge thereof, as indicated at 90. The single scavenger 86 controls the passage of both the cent and nickel to the control mechanism I0 and measures the dimensions thereof and weighs the same. For this purpose, one side 9| thereof serves for the pas-- sage of the cent piece and the other side 92 thereof serves for the passage of the nickel.

The cent is inserted into the machine through the slot 93 (Fig. 14) which registers with an opening 94 at one side of the scavenger and the nickel is inserted through a slot 95 (Fig. 14;) which registers with an opening 96 at the oppo site side of the scavenger. The passages 91 and 90 formed between the plates 81 and 89 are dimensioned to correspond with the diameters and thicknesses of the respective coins. The cent piece travels down the chute or passage 91 and drops upon an anvil 99, and then rolls upon the pivoted weigher I00 carried by the movable plate 89. If the coin is of the required weight the weigher I00 is swung downwardly by the coin into alignment with one entrance IN to the common discharge passage I02, and the coin rolls into said passage I02 and drops into' one of the pockets 51 through outlet I03. The nickel rolls down thepassage 98 and drops upon the anvil I04, and then rolls upon the pivoted weigher I05 carried by the movable plate 89. The weigher then swings downwardly to dischargethe coin through entrance I06 into the common passage I02 for delivery to the pockets 51. Coins, slugs which cannot roll otherwise through the passages 91. or 98 because of the sizethereofremain lodged in the scavenger. Devices which roll onto the weighers I or I but are too light to depress the same remain on said weighers until the scavenger is actuated to release such defective 5 coins, slugs or other devices. I

In case the device inserted in the apparatus to operate the vending machine lodges in the scavenger 86 no proper coin will be seated in a coin pocket 51 for releasing the detent I2, and

lo hence the machine cannot be operated to dispense the commodity.

In the present invention however the control mechanism I0 is designed as above described to allow a limited movement of the operating means II in a clockwise direction from each centered position and the return thereof to said position for actuating the scavenger 86. For this purpose the movable plate 89 of the scavenger is connected by a link I01 with the centering dog 50. The dog 50 is provided with a rearwardly extending arm I08 clearing the slug returning chute I09 located below the scavenger for receiving the coins, slugs and devices released therefrom for return to the operator. The movable plate 819 is also provided with a normally extending arm IIO, the link I01 being loosely connected at the ends thereof to said arms I08 and H0. The plate 89 is retained in closed position by the spring II I.

When a defective or improper coin or similar device is inserted into the scavenger and remains therein, upon rotation of the knob 2i the dog 50 is cammed upwardly as shown in Fig. 5 to swin the plate 89 together with the weighers I00 and I05 outwardly to release any device lodged between the plates 88 and 90 or resting upon said weighers. Any device released from the scavenger drops from the chute I09 into chutes H2 and H3 (Fig. 2) carried by the frame H for return to the operator through opening H4 in the casing (Fig. 14). The movement of control I0 allowed for operating the scavenger is from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5 when the detent abutment I5 engages the contiguous step 43 of the ratchet 42 to prevent further rotation. When the knob 2| is released the spring controlled dog by a camming action returns the mechanism to the centered position illustrated at Fig. 4, and the scavenger is allowed to close.

In the present invention when cent pieces are inserted into the apparatus the detent I2 is elevated by the coin sumciently to clear the conti uous step 43 of the ratchet 42 and to drop back upon the ratchet in the next position when the coin passes the same. As the operating means is rotated step by step the drum pockets I4 are brought successively below the hopper I3 into position to be filled therefrom, and upon each step movement of the operating means the detent, 'I2 G0 strikes the radial end of a step 43 which jars the apparatus to facilitate and insure complete filling of the individual dispensing pockets I4 of the drum I2 as the same are brought successively into filling or loading position.

However, when the detent I2 is elevate'd by a coin of greater diameter to disengage the ratchet 42 to allow a complete revolution, said ratchet becomes inoperative to eifect said jarrlngactionas the pockets I4 move successively into filling position, and I therefore provide supplemental means H5 for interrupting the continuity of the rotation as the pockets I4 are brought successively into said position, which interruptions serve to jar the apparatus in each filling position ofthe pockets I4 to insure full quantity delivery of the commodity aovas s from the several pockets during the revolution of the operating means. a

As one example of such interrupting and jarring means, I preferably employ a disk H6 secured to the shaft section 23 at the rear'for rotation therewith, and provided with an endless groove II'I upon the rear face thereof (Fig. 3) having formed therein a succession of shoulders I I8 corresponding in number with the number of pockets and arranged in positions corresponding thereto as shown in Fig. 12. An arm i I9 is freely pivoted at one end I20 to the rear wall of the casing 20 at the side thereof towards which the rotation takes place, extends horizontally towards said disk and is provided at its free end with a laterally extending pin I 2i riding in said groove II! at the uppermost point thereof. A stop I22 is provided to limit the downward movement of the arm H9.

The groove III comprises communicating arcuate sections or segments I23 in which the centers thereof are arranged equidistant apart about a circle concentric with the center of the shaft 23, the arcuate sections I23 being therefore eccentric relative to the axis of rotation, and

the contiguous ends thereof being offset relative to each other to form the shoulders II8 each of which overlies the contiguous end I24 of the next succeeding arcuate section in the uppermost position of the shoulders.

When the detent I2 is released for operation of the rotor I2 through a complete revolution, the operator naturally rotates the knob 2I very rapidly, which might otherwise prevent complete filling of the pockets I4. With the structural arrangement above described upon such rotation the pin I2I in riding through the successive sections I23 strikes the successive abutments II8 which action momentarily interrupts the rotation and jars the apparatus to insure complete filling of the pockets as the same attain filling position. Upon such engagement of the pin i2I with a shoulder II8 a time element for filling is introduced of the duration required to allow the pin I2I to drop from the position shown in broken lines (Fig. 3) into the next succeeding segment I23 as shown in full lines in Fig. 3.

The operation of the coin controlled mechanism I0 and of the apparatus II released thereby for operation will be largely obvious from the foregoing description.

When a cent piece is inserted in the slot 93 it passes the test of the scavenger 86 and drops into one of the pockets 51. Upon rotation of the actuator 2 I, the cent piece is moved by the operating means into engagement with the pin 'l'l (Fig. 10) to lift the detent I2 out of engagement with the ratchet 42, the coin clearing said pin in time to allow the detent to drop back and lock the mechanism in the next succeeding position. During this operation the nose II of the detent 12 engages the abutment 85 of the disk member 61 to retain the same against movement with the operating means, the slip connection releasing to allow such relative movement. During this movement the drum I2 rotates one step to discharge a measured quantity of the commodity into the chute 38 for delivery to the purchaser through an opening 30a disposed at the front of the casing 20 (Fig. 14) The ratchet 42 and disk 01 then interlock in the next succeeding relative position.

When a nickel is inserted in the apparatus through slot 95, it also passes the test of the scavenger 86 and drops into one of the pockets dwell thereof as the coin clears the pin 11.

5 Hence, the detent 12 remains disengaged from the ratchet 42 to allow a complete revolution oi the rotor 12 and disk 61, the detent .dropping into the clearance 69 of the disk 61 to engage the ratchet 42 at the end of the revolution for locking the mechanism. During said revolutionall of the drum pockets ll are brought successively into discharging relation to the chute 38 for delivering five measured quantities of the commodity to the purchaser. 15 the continuity of the rotation and imparting successive jars to the apparatus by the action of the means H5 full quantity delivery of goods to the purchaser is insured when the rotor is rapidly rotated through a succession of steps.

The apparatus or mechanism embodying my said invention is responsive to coins of different values to release said mechanism for rotation of the delivery means in one direction through a single step or a succession of steps for delivering one or more measured quantities of the commodity or goods corresponding to the value of the coin inserted, the apparatus resetting or resuming normal position after each operation, without regard to the value of the coin inserted, ready for operation by the next coin, and requiring only a single revolution of the actuator 2| to deliver the maximum quantity of commodity.

Further, said coin controlled mechanism, functioning as above described, is adapted for controlling a scavenger or fraud preventing device to insure against malicious, surreptitious or other operation thereof by means of slugs, defective coins or other devices liable to clog, jam or otherwise damage the mechanism or serving to obtain the delivery of goods without value received.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A check controlled mechanism comprising rotatable operating means, means for locking said operating means in a succession of positions including a locking member actuated by a coin of given denomination to allow a movement of said operating means from one position to the next, and a member having a releasable connection with said operating means for movement therewith and normally retained by said locking member against movement, said second named member retaining said loclnng member when actuated by a. coin of another denomination, disengaged irom said locking means for movement of said operating means through a succession of positions.

60 2. A check controlled mechanism comprising rotatable operating means, means for locking said operating means in a succession of positions including a member actuated by coins of different denominations, and a member having a re- 65 leasable connection with said operating means and supporting said locking member disengaged for movement of the operating means through a succession of steps, said supporting member being released from said operating means by en- 70 Eagement with said locking member in thepartially elevated positions thereof.

3. A check controlled mechanism comprising rotatable operating means, a locking element thereon having a plurality of locking positions,

75 a coaxial element having a releasable connection By interrupting with said operating means for movement therewith, and a detent coacting with said elements and controlled by coins of different denomination moved by said operating means into engagem nt with said detent, said detent being actuated a coin of one denomination to release said operating means for movement thereof a step relative'to said second named element from one locking position to the next and by-a coin of another denomination for clearing said second named element to be supported thereby indisengaged relation to the locking element for joint movement of said operating means and said set:-

- positions are attained for releasably locking the coaxial parts together for joint movement, and means for carrying coins of different diameters into engagement with said detent for actuating the same. i

5. Acheck controlled mechanism comprising rotatable operating means, a locking element thereon having a plurality of locking positions, a detent co-operating with said locking element, means for carrying coins of different diameters into engagement with said detent by the movement of said operating means, and a coaxial element having a slip connection with said operating means. for movement therewith, said element having a recess therein normally receiving said detent and retained thereby against movement and serving to support said detent upon actuation thereof by a coin of greater diameter.

6. A check controlled mechanism comprising rotatable operating means, a multiple stepped ratchet element thereon, a detent engageable with said element, an element associated with said operating means, said second element having a recess therein for receiving said detent to engage therewith and an elevated detent supporting portion, means for releasably interlocking said associated element to said operating means in the successive positions thereof, and means for carrying coins into engagement with said detent by the movement of said operating means, said detent when actuated by a coin of a given denomination clearing said ratchet element to allow a step movement of saidoperating means relative to the associated element, and when actuated by a coin of another denomination clearing both of said elements and riding upon said elevated portion to allow movement of said operating means with said associated element through a succesmovement of said operating means, said detent being actuated by a coin oi! a given diameter to allow a step movement of said operating means relative to said member, and by a coin of great 5 diameter to clear said member to ride thereon for movement of said operating means through a succession of steps.

8. Check controlled mechanism comprising rotatable operating means, a multiple stepped l0 ratchet thereon, a coaxial member having a recess therein and an elevated peripheral portion, said member and said ratchet being "relatively movable to allow said recess to be brought into predetermined relation to the successive steps of 15 the ratchet, releasable means: for locking said parts together in the several relative positions, a detent in engagement with said ratchet and received into the recess of said member to interengage therewith, and means for carrying coins 20 into engagement with said detent by the movement of said operating means, said detent being actuated by a coin of given dliameterto release said ratchet to allow step movement of the operating means relative to said member, and to 25 bring the recess in said member into operative relation to the next succeeding step of the ratchet, and by a coin of greater diameter to clear said member to be supported by the peripheral portion thereof, for movement of the operating means through a succession of steps.

9. A check controlled mechanism comprising rotatable operating means having coin receiving pockets thereon, a scavenger adapted to receive coins of diilerent diameters for delivery to said pockets and including a member actuatable to release devices lodged therein, means for looking said operating means in a succession of positions including a locking member actuated by the coin of smaller diameter to allow a movement of said operating means from one position to the next, said locking means normally allowing a limited movement of said operating means in the directio of said locking member, ratchet means inclu ing a detent for preventing rotation of said operating means in the opposite direction, means for centering said operating means in the successive positions thereof, a connection between said centering means and'the actuatable scavenger member, and a member having a releasable connection with said operating means for retaining said locking member when actuated by the coin oi. greater diameter disengaged from said locking means for movement of said operating means through a succession of positions.

FAIRFIEID W. HOBAN.

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