US2216624A - Coin-controlled magazine switch mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 1, 1940 F. H. osBoRNE: Er AL 2,216,624 i COIN-CONTROLLED IAGAZINE SWI'ECH MECHANISM I v Filed 1m. 20. 1937 '2 Shani-Sheet 1 Oct. 1, -1940. in H. osaonus: 1' AL 2,216,624

CDIFCORTROLLUD IAGAZINB SWITCH MECHANISI I .l'ilod w. 20.1931 z Shoots-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 1, 1940 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN-CONTROLLED MAGAZINE SWITCH MECHANISM Fred H. Osborne, Snyder, and Theodore LL Wright, North Tonawanda, N. Y., assignors to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, North Tonawanda, N. Y., a corporation oi Ohio Application December 20, 1937, Serial No. 180,728

6 Claims. (01. 200-33) This invention relates generally to coin-contlally the manner shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, or trol devices and more particularly to a coin-conit may be initiated mechanically at the instrutrolled magazine switch mechanism adapted for ment through the medium of a coin slide mechuse with coin-operated phonographs and other anlsm, such, for example, as depicted in Figure 6.

5 coin-controlled devices or apparati. In its general organization, the magazine 5 It has for one of its objects to provide a magaswitch assembly includes a switch included in the zine switch mechanism of this character which motor or other operating circuit of the phonois so designed and constructed as to be positive ap r l appa t r a v y m v l and reliable in operation, which is not liable to switch-governing elements which are adapted, get out of order, and which is not subject to when engaged, to effect the opening of the motor 10 jamming. circuit and which are adapted, firstly, to be ac- Another object of the invention is the provision tuated in a relative direction to become separated of a coin-control device having simple and efor disengaged to effect the closing of such circuit fective means for governing the closing and openand maintain it closed for a predetermined time ing movements of the controlling switch of the period. s dete by the number of coins or 15 I phonograph or like apparatus and which means coin' value deposited, and, secondly, to be actuincludes relatively displaceable elements designed ated in a like relative direction to approach or for movement in the same direction to produce a converge toward each other in ultimate engagedivergent or convergent relationship to effect, rement to effect the opening of the motor circuit;

Q spectively, the closing of the switch upon the coin-controlled means for controlling the sepadeposit of one or more coins and the opening of rating or dive e t D ent 0f the Sw chthe switch when service has been rendered for erning ele and means Operated from the the last coin deposited. phonograph, say, after a record has been played,

Other features of the invention reside in the for controlling the approaching or convergent SI construction and arrangement of parts hereink movement of such elements to automatically after described and particularly pointed out in open the circuit and stop the phonograph when the appended claims. the last record for the number of coins deposited In the accompanying drawings: has been played. T Figure 1 is a fragmentary rear view of the By way of example, our magazine switch aschassis of an automatic phonograph showing our sembly is shown in connection with an automatic 0 improved coin-control magazine switch mechor multi-selective type of phonograph, the nuanism associated therewith. Figure 2 is an enmeral l0 indicating the chassis generally, H the larged front view of the magazine switch mechsupporting frame of the magazine switch mechanism as operatively connected for electrical or anism which is appropriately mounted on the I remote control. Figure 3 is a left end view of chassis or cabinet of the phonograph, and l2 9. such mechanism showing the switch-governing coin chute containing electrical contacts adapted elements and associated parts. Figure 4 is a to be closed by an inserted coin for in turn acturight end view of the same showing the electriating the magazine switch mechanism. Such cally-controlled shaft actuating means. Figure 5 type of coin chute may be used in the remote com 0 is a vertical section taken on line 55, Figure 3. trol of a phonograph, whereas in Figure 6 we Figure 6 is a perspective view of one form of coin show a coin slide mechanism which is usually apslide mechanism which may be operatively conplied directly to the phonograph and which is 'nected with the actuating shaft of our magazine operatively connected to the magazine switch switch assembly. Figure 7 is a fragmentary mechanism for actuating it.

a horizontal section taken in theplane of line 1-4, The working parts of the magazine switch Figure 3. mechanism are mounted as a unitary assembly Similar characters of reference indicate coron the supporting frame II, I! indicating the acresponding parts throughout the several views. tuating shaft of the mechanism which is jour- While our magazine I switch mechanism has naled at its ends in said frame and which shaft is I been designed more particularly for use and has adapted to be actuated by the electrical coinbeen shown in conjunction with coin-operated control mechanism shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 pho'nographs, it is to be understood that it is iikeand generally indicated by the numeral H, or by wise applicable to other coin-controlled instruthe coin slide mechanism shown in Figure 6 and ments or apparatus, and in its use it may be inindicated generally by the numeral I5, the actull itiated electrically by remote control in substanation of this shaft, in either case, controlling the closing of a pair of switch-governing elements l6, i! which in turn control an actuatable arm or part 18 of a micro or like switch I! included in the operating circuit of the phonograph or other apparatus. In this instance, the switch includes a fixed contact 20 and a spring-pressed movable contact or button 2i actuated in response to the opening and closing movements of the controlling arm l8, these contacts being connected. to the operating circuit, such as the motor 22 of the phonograph.

The switch-governing elements 15 and H are disposed in adjoining cooperative relation at one end of the shaft II, the element l6 being substantially in the form of an arm which is fixed as indicated at 23 on the shaft so as to turn therewith when motion is imparted thereto, while the companion switch-governing element I1 is laterally displaceable into and out of bearing engagement with the former and is likewise disposed radially of the shaft but loosely mounted thereon for independent relative movement about its axis. By preference, the switch-governing element I! is borne by and pivoted at 14 to the inner face of a ratchet wheel 25 which is loosely mounted on the shaft l3 between the elements IS and i1 in'the manner shown in Figures 2 and 5. This switch-governing element I1 is shaped to freely straddle or embrace the shaft or the hub of the ratchet wheel and is free to be displaced about its pivot in a direction axially of the shaft or toward and from the face of the ratchet wheel. The intermediate portion 26 of the element H is adapted, through the medium of an interposed washer 21, to abut against the upper or free end of the switch-actuating arm |8,

whereby, when the element I! is displaced in a direction away from the ratchet wheel, as seen by dotted lines in Figure 5, it serves to open the switch l9, and when shifted in the opposite direction to the full line position seen in the same figure, the switch is automatically closed. As shown in Figure 5, the spring-pressed switch contact 2| tends constantly to seek a closed position, and this also tends to rock the arm I! and switch-governing element I 1 to the full line position shown in such figure. At its upper or free end the switch-governing element I1 is provided with an outwardly-facing lug or projection 28 which passes freely through an opening 29 in the ratchet wheel 25 for cooperating engagement with the opposing face of the companion switch-governing element 16. As seen in Figure 7, the contacting end of the lug 28 is beveled as indicated at 30, so that during a movement of the switchgoverning element i1 relative to the companion element ii, the beveled end of the lug Ill will ride beneath the opposing face of said element l8 and effect an inward displacement of the element I! to the dotted line, switch-opening position shown in Figure 5. Likewise, when the shaft-attached element I 6 moves relative to the companion element H, as when effecting a closing of the switch I9, such element i! will be gradually displaced toward the face of the ratchet wheel 25 by the tension on the switch-actuating arm i8 to switch-closing position.

When a coin is deposited in either the electrical type or coin slide type of coin mechanism heretofore referred to, the shaft II is revolved in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing Figure 3, a predetermined distance for each unit coin deposited, and in so doing the element i6 fixed on the shaft is angularly displaced from the companion element H to effect a closing of the switch ll. With each unit coin deposited, the element l6 diverges a greater distance from the then stationary switch-governing element ll. Referring to the electrical coin-control mechanism shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 for actuating the shaft I3, the numeral 3| indicates a ratchet wheel fixed on the other end of the shaft II which is adapted to be actuated by the plunger 32 of a solenoid II, included in the coin control circuit 34, through the medium of a spring-pressed pawl 36 mounted on a rock lever 36 pivoted on the shaft and having one arm connected at one end to the solenoidplunger. A spring 31 is connected to the other lever-arm for urging the same and the parts connected thereto to their initial position after the coin circuit is opened. Also cooperating with the ratchet wheel II is a weighted escapement pawl 3| which constitutes a forward and backward stop therefor. Thus, whenever a coin is deposited in the chute II, the circuit of the solenoid N is closed, the plunger 32 is pulled inwardly and the ratchet wheel 3|, together with the shaft II, is moved a distance of one tooth. This same movement is transmitted to the switch-governing element it fixed on the opposite end of the shaft and results in such element riding ofl the lug ll of the companion switch-governing element I! to effect the automatic closing of the switch I! and start the phonograph in operation. Should more than one coin be deposited, the shaft II will be moved a distance of one tooth for each coin so deposited which will result in the element I being displaced farther from and in a more or less divergent relation to the companion element I! to thereby keep or maintain the switch l9 closed for the predetermined time period required for insuring the patron the value received for the coins deposited.

After each unit coin is registered in the magazine switch mechanism in the manner above set forth, there are means provided which function to restore such mechanism to switch-opening position when the patron has received the value received for the coin deposited. In the case of any automatic phonograph, such restoration is effected in step by step fashion at the end of play of each record selection and during such period motion is transmitted to the ratchet wheel I! to bring the switch-governing element l1 toward the companion element I6 and ultimately in engaging relation therewith to eifect the opening of the operating circuit of the phonograph. To this end, a pawl 38 is disposed in cooperating relation with the toothed periphery of the ratchet wheel 25, this pawl being guided on a suitable bracket 39 attached to the frame I l and yieldably attached at its lower end to one arm of a bell crank lever 40 pivoted at II and having its other arm connected by a link 42 to an actuatable part, say, 43 of the phonograph, such part in this instance constituting an element of the record changing mechanism and being moved in a direction at the end of playing a record to rock the bell crank in a direction to move the pawl ll upwardly and advance the ratchet wheel 25 a distance of one tooth in a counter-clockwise direction, that is, in the same direction in which the shaft I I is actuated by the coin control units I or ii. If desired, a pawl 44 having a roller or like element 45 thereon may be provided for operative engagement with the ratchet wheel 25 to constitute a forward and backward stop for the ratchet wheel. It will thus be seen that when each record is played, the pawl 38 is actuated to advance the ratchet wheel one tooth to thereby 1| bring the switch-governing element l I nearer the companion element l6, and when the last record for the coin value deposited has been played, such element ll will have reached a position in register or alinement with that of the companion element it to effect the opening of the switch II in the manner heretofore described.

In Figure 6 we have shown, by way of example, a coin slide mechanism which may, be employed for initiating the mechanical actuation of the shaft l3. This coin slide unit includes a plurality of coin slides 46 for receiving coins of different denominations, say 5, 10 and 25 cent pieces, and each of these slides is adapted to govern and control the movement of a ratchet and pawl mechanism indicated generally at 41 for imparting a predetermined degree of rotation to the shaft in accordance with the coin value deposited. The nickel tilde imparts a one tooth movement to its companion ratchet mechanism 41 to turn the shaft l3 and switch-governing element It a like distance, while the dime and quarter slides impart a two-tooth and fivetooth movement, respectively, to their companion ratchet mechanismsand thence to said shaft l3.

While manifestly simple and compact in con struction, this improved coin-control magazine switch mechanism is so designed that jamming of its parts is eliminated, it having been noted that the switch-governing elements I and II, when moved relatively to each other to assume more or less variable angular positions. travel in the same direction when seeking a switchclosing or switch-opening position.

We claim as our invention:

1. A switch-controlling device, comprising a shaft adapted to be rotatedin step by step 'fashion in one direction, relatively movable switch-governing elements mounted on said shaft, one of said"ele'm'ents being fixed on said shaft for movement therewith in a direction away from the companion element to close the switch, a ratchet wheel loosely mounted on said shaft in juxtaposition to said elements, the other of said elements bein pivoted tosaid wheel for displacement to and from a switch-closing position and having a part disposed for engagement with and in the turning path of the companion element for governing such position, said elements when engaged maintaining the switch in open position and when disengaged effecting the closing of the switch, and means engageable with said ratchet wheel for turnin it in a direction to brin its switch-governing element in a direction toward the companion element to open the switch.

2. A switch control mechanism, comprising a switch, a shaft, relatively movable switch-governing elements disposed substantially radially of said shaft, for interengagement at a predetermined time in their relative movements to open the switch and for disengagement at other times to close the switch, one of said elements being fixed thereon to turn therewith, a rotatable member loosely mounted on said shaft and to which the other element is pivoted for lateral displacement by the companion element into and out of switch-closing position, means for actuating said shaft and its fixed switch-governing element in a direction to control the relative movement of said switch-governing elements out of operative engagement to close the switch, and means for actuating the rotatable member of said displaceable switch-governing element in a pivoted thereon and movable to and from a switch-closing position, a shaft constituting a support for said rotatable member and having an/arm fixed thereon and disposed for operative engaging relation with said switch-governing element, for moving the latter to switch-opening position, means for actuating said shaft in a dir tion to move its arm from engaging relation with said element to permit the latter to assume a switch-closing position, and means for moving the rotatable member of said switchgoverning element in the direction of movement of said shaft to present such element into operative switch-opening engagement with said shaft-arm.

4. A switch control mechanism, comprising a switch-governing element movable to and from a switch-closing position, a shaft having an arm fixed thereon and disposed for operative engaging relation with said switch-governing element for moving the latter to switch-opening position, means for actuating saidshaft in a direction to move its arm from engaging relation with said element to permit the latter to assume a switchclosing position, a ratchet wheel loosely mounted on said shaft between said arm and said switch-' governing element and constituting a support for the latter, said switch-governing element being pivoted to the face of the ratchet wheel to rock toward and from the same to and from its switch-closing position, and means for actuating said ratchet wheel in the direction of movement of said shaft toward switch-opening relation to said shaft-arm.

5. A switch control mechanism including a part to be actuated for opening and closing the switch, a shaft having an arm radially fixed thereon, a ratchet wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, with one face thereof alongside said arm for rotation independently thereof, said wheel having an opening therein, a lever pivoted on the opposite face of said ratchet wheel axially of said shaft for lateral displacement toward and from such face and in cooperative engagement with the actuable part of said switch for controlling the same, said lever having a projection thereon extending through said wheelopening for engagement with said shaft-arm in switch-opening position, means for actuating said shaft in one direction to effect a divergent angular displacement of its arm from said pivoted lever to cause a closing of the switch, and means for moving said ratchet wheel in a like direction to efl'ect a convergent displacement of its lever toward and in switch-opening engagement with said am.

6. A switch control mechanism, comprising a switch, a shaft, a ratchet wheel loosely mounted thereon, relatively movable switch-governing elements disposed for operative engagement at a predetermined time in their relative movements to open the switch and for disengagement at other times to close the switch, said elements being arranged substantially radially of said shaft at opposite sides of said wheel, one of said elements being fixed on said shaft and the other being pivotally mounted on said wheel and laterally displaceable by and relative to its companion element into and out of switch-closing position, means for actuating said shaft and for actuating said displaceable swibch-goverm ing element in a like direction to control the relative movement 0! such elements to open the switch.

FRED H. OSBORNE. 5 THEODORE M. WRIGHT.

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