US2204845A - Visible coin slide structure - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1940. A. DAHLsTRoM VISIBLE COIN SLIDE STRUCTURE Filed June 24, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'mmgwmmmnmlmmm June 18, 1940o A. DAHLsTRoM VISIBLE COIN SLIDE STRUCTURE Filed June 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES VISIBLE COIN SLIDE STRUCTURE Arvid Dahlstrom, Chicago, Ill., assigner to James E Johnson, Chicago, Ill

' v Application June 24, 1938, Serial No. 215,557

2 Claims.

This invention relates to visible coin slide structures.

One object| of the invention is to provide a coin slide structure adapted to be attached to a cabinet of a coin-controlled or coin-actuated mechanism and which has a slide element which is reciprocable in the conventional manner for carrying authorized or proper tokens or coins inwardly but which, on the return or outward stroke and prior to the deposition `of the coins in a receptacle, moves the inserted coins out- Wardly along a track or guideway where not only the last inserted coin but preferably a few of the coins or tokens previously inserted are visible to all concerned for the purpose of discouraging the use of spurious tokens or coins or slugs in operating the coin-controlled or coin-actuated mechanism such as a merchandise vending machine, for example.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin slide structure which, during the reciprocating cycle of the slidable member rst carries an inserted coin inwardly and upon the retraction of said member moves the coin positively outwardly into an inspection or exhibiting section of the structure which lis preferably located at the outside-of the cabinet of the coin-controlled mechanism and simultaneously advances the last few previously inserted coins step by step through said section and thence again into improvements in the cabinet for discharge into a coin receivingr receptacle or receptacles.

a coin slide structure which can be installed readily in a straight and relatively narrow slot formed in a cabinet wall without weakening the latter materially and in conjunction with which slide structure or, as a part thereof, coin and token separato-r means can be employed as, for example, where the coin-controlled machine is intended for operation with coins of a predetermined denomination and also with slugs of a predetermined diameter different from that of the coins.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reciprocable coin slide structure having a member movable inwardly after insertion of a proper token or coin and thence outwardly to operate or control the operation of the coin-controlled apparatus, such outward movement effecting the disposition of the releasing token or coin in a position for inspection as to its genuineness.

Other objects. of the invention relate to various features of construction and arrangement of 'parts which will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accom' panying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a coin slide structure embodying the present improvements and showing the same mounted on a wall of a cabinet shown fragmentarily;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1; y

Fig, l3 is a broken top plan view oi the coin slide structure showing the slide member moved to innermost position;

Fig. 4 is a broken topfplan viewof a slide structure with the slide member in an intermediate position;

Fig. 5 is a broken top plan view corresponding to Fig. l but illustrating the preferred shape of the coin exhibiting section of the structure;l and Fig. 6 is a broken side elevation of the rear portion of the slide member and means whereby the operation of a coin-controlled device may be energized upon the return or `Voutward stroke of the slide member. i

In the drawings which disclose embodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustration, the coin slide structure indicated generally by thev numeral IIJ comprises a base plate member II and a top plate member I2 which may be formed integrally, if desired, or attached together by screws or rivets as illustrated. The slide structure is provided with a mounting plate I 3 by means of which the structure can be mounted on a wall I4 of a cabinet containing the coincontrolled or coin-actuated mechanism which is t `loe energized by the operationof the coin slide member as hereinafter described.

As shown in the drawings, the base plate II is provided with a guide channel l in which a coin slide member I6 is reciprocable in the conventional manner. The slide member I6 is provided with a token or coin receiving recess I'I in which a token or coin may be inserted when the slide member is in the outermost position as shown in Fig. l. `Extending longitudinally from said aperture I'I is a slot I8 which, as shown in Fig. l, is disposed slightly off the longitudinal center of the slide member. Pivotally supported by a pair of ears IS located inwardly of the mounting plate I3 is a dog 20 provided with an actuating spring 2l which retains the dog in sliding contact with the top surface of the slide member I6 adjacent the slot I8 as shown in Figs. l and 2. Should the slide I6 be moved inwardlyl without a coin in the recess Il, the dog will, of course, drop into the recess and prevent cornplete inward movement of the slide. The slide I6 is provided with teeth 22 along one edge thereof which coact with a dog 23 to prevent inward or outward movement of the slide after the same has been moved in one direction or the ot'her be yond certain limits. Thus, if the slide is moved inwardly slightly beyond the position shown in Fig. 4, the dog 23 will engage the rear-most of a group of teeth and prevent withdrawal of the slide until the slide has been moved inwardly a distance wherein the teeth have clicked past the dog, such as t0 the position shown in Fig. 3. In this position, the dog is disposed in a slot or recess la formed in the edge of the slide member and hence the slide may now be moved outwardly clicking past-the teeth but until the teeth have moved out of engagement with the dog or until a second slot Ib is in registration with the dog, the slide member may not be again pushed inwardly. This arrangement, as is well known, requires the operation of the slide throughout its complete inward stroke or such portion thereof as is required in delivering the coin to a position of deposit from the slide member as well as the full outward stroke thereof for effecting the control of the coin-controlled mechanism as will be hereinafter described.

The plate ll may be provided with a passage 24 therein through which tokens or coins of a size smaller than is authorized for use in the machine will drop when the slide I5 is moved inwardly. Carried by the cover plate l2 in a recess formed therein is a magnet 25 which is adapted to sustain magnetic slugs in the plane of the slide member and prevent the depositing of the same in a coin receiving passage 26 which is formed in the plate ll. Stop means such as a pin 21 may be carried by the magnet whereby when such a magnetic slug is inserted and is of such size that the dog 2D does not arrest the inward movement of the slide, such inward movement will be arrested by the contact of such slug with the pin 2l, it being noted that the pin is disposed within the slot IB. If a coin of a proper denomination is inserted in the slide and moved inwardly, it will retain the dog 2D in the elevated position shown in Fig. 2 and hence can be moved inwardly to a position beneath the magnet 25 and will be deposited from the recess Il into the coin receiving passage 26 as shown in Fig. 3. The passage 26 is provided with a rear extension extending throughout the base plate Il beneath the slide I5 and also a communicating angular portion 26a which communicates with a coin exhibiting section 26h formed in a laterally extending portion 28 of the casing structure. This section 28 may be of the form shown in Figs. l, 3 and 4 but it preferably is curved or arcuate as shown in Fig. 5 since, as will be apparent, less force is required to move coins through the arcuate section and a greater number of coins may be retained therein. Means are provided for shifting proper coins or tokens deposited in the position shown in Fig. 3 along the channel section 26a into section 2Gb wherein the coins or tokens are visible through the apertured cover plate 28a. of said casing portion, the aperture in the plate being preferably glazed as indicated by numeral 29.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the means referred to comprises an arm or pusher member 30 which is pivoted at 3| to the slide I6, the member 30 being arranged to operate within the passage sections 2li-26a. When the slide I6 is in the innermost position as shown in Fig. 3, the forward end of the arm 3i) will be disposed rearwardly of a coin 32 deposited in the passage section 26. Upon outward movement of the slide I6, the pivoted member 30 will be directed by the passage 26 into contact with the coin and move the same through the passage section 26a to a position where the coin is visible through the sight opening or window 29. Upon the deposition of the next and succeeding coins or tokens, they will likewise be advanced to the inward position in the exhibiting section 28 of the coin slide structure and the tokens or coins previously moved into such section will be advanced step by step throughout the range of the sight opening and thence inwardly of the cabinet where they may be deposited in a suitable receptacle (not shown) as through a coin receiv ing opening 33 provided in the base plate ll as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

Where the structure is intended for use with tokens of a smaller diameter, the base plate Il may be provided with a token receiving opening 34 as shown in Fig. 1 through which such smaller tokens will be deposited while the larger coins will pass thereover and be deposited through the recess 33. Thus, the authorized tokens will be separated from the coins used in operating the coin-controlled mechanism. Where such tokens of smaller diameter are to be used, an inclined slot I'la is provided in the slide I6 in communication with the coin receiving opening I'l' whereby the dog 2U will be prevented from obstructing the full inward stroke of the slide during usc of such smaller tokens.

For the purpose of preventing the operation of the coin-controlled mechanism without effecting the disclosure of the coin or token used in so operating it, I prefer to utilize energizing or actuating means for the coin-controlled mechanism which is operable by the slide only upon the completion of the outward stroke of the slide which, as above described, effects the transfer of the inserted token or coin into the exhibiting portion of the structure.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, the slide IS is shown as provided with a latch member 35 at the rear end thereof which is adapted to engage a hook member 36 pivotally mounted at 3'! to a slidable member 38 provided with a spring 39 which tends to retain the slidable member in the position shown in full lines in said gure. When the slide I5 is moved fully inwardly, the latch member will engage the member 36 and upon the movement of the slide to the outermost position, the member 36 will engage a cam or pin 4D and swing it clockwise as viewed in Fig. 6 out of engagement with the latch 35. During this swinging movement under the action of the cam 40, a contact 4l carried by the hook member 36 will engage a Contact 42 carried by a spring arm 43 which is mounted at 44 on the member 38. Upon the momentary closure of the contacts 4l and 42, a circuit through conductors 45 and 46 will be closed which may energize any suitable control mechanism such as a solenoid actuated switch 4l, or the like. By this arrangement, it will be seen that the patron must retract the slide i6 fully to eiect operation of the coin controlled machine and since such complete outward movement of the slide effects the transfer of the used token or coin into position of visibility in the coin exhibiting section of the device, he can not conceal the fact that he has used a spurious coin or unauthorized token or slug if such is the fact.

By the construction shown and described, the tokens or coins used in operating a machine on which the improved slide structure is employed are moved positively by the slide member to a position where the authenticity of the coin can be determined by mere inspection such as by the proprietor of the machine or others interested. The arrangement thus discourages the use of unauthorized tokens or slugs or spurious coins as will be apparent. It will be noted that upon moving an inserted coin inwardly to the position of deposit shown at 32 in Fig. 3, it merely drops from the coin aperture I1 into the coin transfer passage which is disposed vin a plane immediately beneath the plane of the slide. This arrangement, therefore, enables the coin to be deposited and transferred to the exhibiting section by means of a structure relatively thin from top to bottom. Hence, in mounting the structure, a relatively thin slot only need be provided in the wall of the machine for accommodating the structure. This compactly arranged coin slide structure thus obviates the formation of a relatively large opening in the wall of the machine in conjunction with which it is used, hence the wall is not materially weakened and the required slot in such wall can be formed expeditiously.

While I have shown and described an embodiment of my improvements for the purpose of illustration, I do not wish to be restricted specically thereto since various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit thereof.

What I claim as new and desire to cover by Letters Patent is:

l. A coin slide structure comprising a casing adapted to be attached to a wall of a cabinet with portions disposed at each side of said wall, a coin receiving passage in said casing extending from the outer to the inner portion thereof, a second coin passage having intake and outlet ends located inwardly of the wall and an intermediate portion provided wth a coin `exhibiting opening located exteriorly of said wall, reciprocable means in said first passage for transferring inserted coins inwardly of the same into the intake end of said second passage, and means pivotally secured to and operable by said means for moving a transferred coin into a position of visibility into said intermediate section on the return stroke of said reciprocable means and progressively along said sight opening in said passage to the outlet end thereof during succeeding return strokes of said means.

2. A coin slide structure comprising a casing adapted to be mounted in a wall of a cabinet, a coin slide in said casing adapted to receive coins and move the same inwardly of the cabinet wall and deposit the same, said structure comprising a laterally extending portion having a coin conducting passage therein, said passage having one end arranged to receive coins deposited by said slide, a coin discharge end and an intermediate portion provided with a coin inspection opening, and a reciprocable member pivotally attached adjacent the rear end thereof to said coin slide and operable by the latter upon the inward stroke thereof to a position wherein the forward end of said member is disposed rearwardly of a coin deposited by the slide in the coin receiving end of said passage, means associated with said coin conducting passage and cooperable with the forward end portion of said reciprocable member upon outward movement thereof for guiding the same into said passage,said reciprocable member being operable within said passage by said slide during the outward stroke thereof to cause the forward end of said member to engage and move said last deposited coin along said passage to a position wherein the same is visible through said inspection opening and during succeeding strokes of the reciprocable member to advance said last transferred coin along the passage with a step-by-step movement toward said discharge end.

ARVID DAHLSTROM.

Images