US2223052A

US2223052A - Coin release mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2223052A
Application number: US185344A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sidney E Van Tuyl; Mihalek Emery; Szyper Charles
Original assignee: O D JENNINGS AND Co
Current assignee: O D JENNINGS AND Co
Priority date: 1938-01-17
Filing date: 1938-01-17
Publication date: 1940-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 1957-11-26

Description

26, 1940- s. E. VAN TUYL ETAL 2,223,052

COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet l W V d. 7 vi.

.Zzadeza Z6115. 5 iolmgg E V6612 Tag Z [meg JWzfiacZe k CMrZeS 523 06 r Nov. 26, 1940. s. E. VAN TUYL ETAL COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 WI!" l Nov. 26, 1940.

s. E. V AN TUYL ETAL COIN RELEASE MECHANISM l2 SheetsSheet 3 Filed Jan. 17, 1938 gags.

Nov. 26, 1940.. s. VAN TUYL EIAL COIN RELEASE MECHANISM 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 17, 1958 Nov. 26, 1940 5. E. VAN TUYL ETAL COIN RELEASE MECHANISM 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 17, 1938 'I Z 6 5 d [Ia/enters kl: .lllhl N 1940- s. E. VAN TUYL ETAL 2,223,052.

COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 26, 1940- s. E. VAN TUYL ETALI.

COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov. 26, 1940- s. E. VAN TUYL 'ET AL COIN RELEASE MECHANISM l2 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Jan. 17, 1938 5 k y .e s mw s. 2 5

520 22255722 Zirzerg Cfigrles 0 By M haw 5 Nov. 26, 1940. s. E. VAN TUYL ETAL COIN RELEASE MECHANISM 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed- Jan. 1'7, 1938 Menhs yl ale c ma? 1772i .9 Aggarles 5 y ver Nov. 26, 1940. s. E. VAN TUY L arm. 9

COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet ll mung-w I j if Nav. 26, 1940. s. E. VAN TUYL ET M. 3 2

COIN RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan 17, 1938 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN RELEASE MECHANISM tion oi Illinois Application January 17, 1938, Serial No. 185,344

14 Claims.

This invention relates to coin released mechanism and has for its principal object the provision of such a mechanism which is adapted to receive coins of several denominations to be released 5 thereby for an appropriate number of actuations I or operations.

While the invention may be applied to various mechanisms and machines, it is illustrated herein by way of example in its application to a vendl ing machine in which a coin frees the mechanism for the delivery of one package; a coin frees the mechanism for the delivery of two packages; and a 25 coin frees the mechanism for the delivery of five packages. The invention will more fully be understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vending ma- 2@ chine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine as viewed from the right, the housing being broken away to show internal parts;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the coin 25 mechanism unit, the housing being removed;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the coin mechanism unit with the housing removed;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the upper part of the mechanism, as viewed from the right, the

30 housing being shown in section to disclose the said mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a similar view, looking from the left;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the coin mechanism unit, as viewed from the front, the section 35 being taken on the line 'I--l of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the coin mechanism unit, as viewed from the rear, the section being taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view of part of the 40 coin mechanism unit appertaining to 25 actuation, the view being taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 10;

Fig, 10 is a sectional view therethrough, the

section being taken on the line l0lll of Fig. 9; 45 Fig. 11 is a sectional detail view, the section being taken on the line I l-l i of Fig. 6, and

Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are sectional detail views, taken on the lines I2--l2 of Fig. 8, I3-l3 of Fig. 8, l4-l4 of Fig. 3, l5-l5 of Fig. 3, and

50 |6-l6 of Fig. 8, respectively.

Referring to the drawings, the mechanism comprises a housing 20 of suitable shape within which is located a merchandise tube 2|. This tube terminates somewhat above the normal position of 55 a plate 22. The plate 22 is pivotally mounted at 23 on a rigid frame 24 located within the housing. The merchandise tube 2! is rigidly carried by the frame 24.

The plate 22 is normally engaged by a stop 25 also carried by the frame 24 and is biased up- 5 wardly therefrom by a spring 26 which is so weak that the plate 22 is moved into engagement with the stop 25 by the weight of a single package of merchandise, the packages of merchandise being indicated by the reference numeral 21. As 10 shown in Fig. 2, when the plate 22 is in its normal position, the lowermost package 21 is below the merchandising tube 26.

The lowest package of merchandise 2'17 is adapted to be dispensed by a dispensing plate 28 15 which is slidably mounted by pins 29 on the frame 2d, These pins extend through slots in a mar ginal flange 30 on one side of the plate 23. The plate 28 is biased forwardly by a spring 3i, and

it is connected by a much stronger spring 32 which at extends rearwardly and is anchored to an arm 33 rigidly carried by a shaft 34. When the arm 33 is moved rearwardly by the downward actuation of the handle 35 which is rigidly mounted on the shaft 34, the plate 28 is resiliently moved 25 rearwardly so that it engages the lowest package 211 of the merchandise and forces the same into a dispensing tube 36 so that it may be picked up by the purchaser at the opening 31.

The handle 35 rigidly carries a toothed sector 30 38 which is adapted to cooperate with a pawl 39 so as to providea full stroke mechanism. A projection 40 of the handle has pivotally connected thereto a bar M which extends upwardly within the housing and is pivotally connected to a short 35 arm 42 rigidly mounted on a shaft 43 rotatably mounted in the upper part of the housing. The handle 35 is strongly biased upwardly by a spring 44. The shaft 34 on which the handle 35 is rigidly mounted carries a worm 45 which meshes 40 with a worm gear 45 which is rigidly mounted on a shaft 41. The shaft 41 is pivotally mounted by means of bearings 48 on the frame 24 and it has rigidly mounted thereon a long upwardly extending arm 49 which is oscillated each time the 45 handle 35 is moved.

The handle 35 carries a formation 50 which is adapted to engage the rear end of an arm 5| pivotally mounted on the frame 24. The arm 5| is biased rearwardly by a spring 52 and is pro- 50 vided with a recess 53. If the handle is moved downwardly the spring 52 tends to move the arm 5| rearwardly, with the result that the projection 50 on the arm 35 enters the recess 53 on the arm 5| before thepawl 39 engages the teeth on 55 the sector 38. Consequently, it is normally impossible to move the arm 35 downwardly.

The arm 5I is pivotally connected by means of a pin and slot connection to a lever 54 which is pivoted to the frame 24 at 55. The upper end of the lever 54 engages an adjustable stop 56 carried by a lever 51 in the upper part of the machine. It will readily be understood that when the lever 51 is held in the position shown in Fig. 2, which occurs in a manner hereinafter to be described, then the handle 35 may be moved downwardly.

When the merchandise is exhausted, the plate 22 is adapted to move upwardly. The plate 22 carries an upwardly projecting pin 58 which is thus brought into the path of the dispensing plate 28 and, consequently, prevents the rearward movement of that plate. On the forward side of the merchandise tube 2I is slidably mounted a plate 59 which is adapted to drop, under certain conditions, into the path of the plate 28 so as to prevent dispensing movement thereof.

The plate 59 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by a lever 68 pivotally mounted, 4 on the frame 24. The forward end of the lever 68 is provided with a slot 8| through which passes a pin 62 carried by an arm 63 which is pivoted on the frame 24. The arm 63 is biased forwardly by means of a spring 64 and the lever 68 is bent at an angle, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the forward movement of the arm 63 causes the plate 59 to move downwardly. The arm 63 is normally prevented from moving forwardly in this manner by engagement with an abutment 65 carried-at the lower end of a lever 66 which is mounted in the upper part of the machine. The upper end of the arm 63 and the upper end of the lever 54 may be guided in suitable slots (not shown) in a bracket 61 mounted on the frame 24.

When the plate 22 moves upwardly owing to the absence of merchandise, in the manner heretofore described, a bar 681s pushed upwardly. The upper end of the bar 68 engages one end of a lever 69.

The upper part of the machine comprises a supporting plate 18 which is rigidly mounted on the frame 24 by a bracket H, a flange 12, and a bracket 13. The plate 18 is located at a small angle to the vertical in order that the window 14 in the front of the housing and three handles I may be seen and operated with facility.

1 Through the window 14 is seen three coin display discs 16, each of which is provided with seven coin-receiving pockets. These discs operate within circular beaded frames 11 which prevent the coins from moving radially except when such movement is desired.

Mounted upon the plate 18 is a plate 18, portions of which are in spaced relation to the plate 18 so as to provide chutes and passageways for the coins. Integral with the cover plate 18 are 1 three cylindrical coin-receiving formations 19 I which project forwardly through the front housing, as shown in Fig. 6. The plate 18 is provided with bead formations for the purpose of definbeing one coin chute for 88 and 8| which define downwardly from the towards the right.

a coin chute which slopes position of the inlet 19 The coin chute 82 thus provided delivers the coin into a coin chute 83 which slopes in the opposite direction, that is, to the left and downwardly, this coin. chute being formed by an upper beaded formation 84, the

lower beaded formation 85, and a flange 86 which projects forwardly above the level of the beaded formations.

The beaded formation 84 extends around a pocket 81 in which is located a horseshoe magnet 88. Between the horseshoe magnet 88 and the left-hand extremity of the flange 86 the coin is free to drop into a chute 89 which extends to the right and a chute 98 which extends to the left. The chute 89 is constituted by beaded formations SI and 92 which merge with the circular beaded formations 11 previously referred to.

The chute 98 is constituted by beaded formations 93 and 94 and any coin passing into this chute is delivered through an opening 95 in the plate 18. It will be understood that the beaded formations just described are duplicated for the mechanisms for receiving all three coins.

The plate 18 also carries beaded

formations

96 and 91. It must be understood that all these beaded formations are of uniform height. Consequently, the coin chutes referred to are completed by securing the flat plate 18 to the plate 18 so that it rests on said beaded formations. The plate 18 is provided with openings 98 which align with the coin display discs 16. These openings are somewhat smaller in diameter than the interior diameter of the circular formations 11. Consequently, the adjacent portions of the plate 18 around the openings 98 constitute a peripheral flange which prevents coins from being displaced upwardly out of the pockets of the coin display discs.

The coin display discs 16 are provided with central bosses and these bosses are provided with radially directed projections 99 which are adapted to overlie coins in the pockets of the display discs and prevent the accidental displacement of the coins in the forward direction.

The plate 18 is provided with three openings I88 in alignment with the entering positions of the coins. The rear wall of the housing 28 is provided with openings IIII (Fig. 2) in alignment with the openings I88 so that in the event a coin gets stuck in any of the coin receivers 19, a suitable punch may be introduced by the opening IM to displace the coin.

Along each chute 83 the plate 18 is provided with an opening I82 through which may fall undersized coins. The opposite ends of the opening I82 are beveled, as shown at I83 (Fig. 14). Along the lower edge of the chute 83 at an intermediate point of the opening I82 the plate 18 is provided with a wedge-shaped projection I84 which insures that a coin will lean backwards and if it is of the correct size, it will bear against the upper part of the coin chute 83 provided by the plate 18. Consequently, a. coin which is of insuflicient diameter will be caused to fall through the opening 83 into a trough I85. When passing the zone of the projection I84, the lower edge of the coin runs upon the flange 86 previously referred to.

The plate 18 is provided with a pocket I86 to enable the coin to pass the projection I84. At the entrance of the chute 89 the plate 18 is provided with a slot I81 through which is adapted to extend the forwardly turned end I88 of a light lever I89. The lever I89 is pivotally mounted on a pin I I8 which extends through the webs of a U-shaped bracket III mounted on the rear of the plate 18.

The pin H8 is provided at one end with a laterally turned loop II2 whereby the pin II 8 may be held against displacement by the screw H3.

The lower end of the lever I09 is free to swing within a slot H4 in the plate I0, which slot is located in the coin chute 89. The slot "4 communicates with an arcuate slot II5, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described. The lower portion of the lever I09 is bent laterally and it normally extends into the coin chute 89, the plate I8 being provided with a forwardly pressed formation IIG for its accommodation.

At its lower end the lever I09 carries a forwardly projecting portion III which is also adapted to extend through the plate I8 adjacent the opening 98. The projection III is adapted to be engaged by a coin in the pocket of the display disc 18 in coin-receiving position. Consequently, while there is a coin in the display disc I6 at that position, the inturned end I08 is displaced into the coin chute 88 so that a further coin is prevented from entering. If a coin is inserted in the coin-receiving opening I9 while a coin is in the coin-receiving position of the display disc IS, the second coin will roll over the projecting portion I08 and will be delivered through the opening 95 from which it passes by the manifold chute H8 to a return cup H9.

The plate 10 is provided with two slots I and I2I within which are movably mounted the pins I22 and I23, respectively. The pins I22 and I23 normally have the position in which they are shown in Fig. '7. When in this position they are adapted to arrest a coin and it may be noted that the coin thus arrested is in contact with the lever I09 so that the projection I08 is moved into the chute 89. In register with the coin-receiving pocket of each coin display disc '76, the plate 70 is provided with openings, through which are adapted to extend pins I24 and I25. The pin I24 is located at the center of a coin in the receiving position. The pin I25 is located adjacent a marginal portion of the coin in coin-receiving position.

The coin-receiving discs are adapted to be rotated step by step in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed from the front of the machine, that is, as viewed in Fig. '7. At the position to the right of the coin-receiving position, the plate I0 is provided with an opening I26 through which coins carried around by the display disc are adapted to fall into coin chutes I21, I28 and I29.

In some cases it is desirable to provide for the employment of authorized tokens as well as coins. Thus, the right-hand display disc as viewed in Fig. '7, that is, the nickel or 5 display disc, is adapted for use with nickels or with tokens of a certain limited magnetic quality. Such tokens may, for example, be formed of bronze or the like, but provided with a central core of magnetic metal. This core is not of sufficient mass that the coin is deflected by the magnet 88 from the coin chute 89 into the coin chute 95, as is the case with a ferrous slug. Nevertheless, the mass of the magnetic core is such that it is attracted by a magnet I30.

Below the magnet is provided a chute I3I into which genuine coins pass. The chute I3I delivers into a chute I32 into which also deliver the chutes I21 and I28. The chute I32 extends downwardly to the cash box I33 at the bottom of the machine.

The special tokens being held by the magnet I are carried around by the display disc I6 and eventually are discharged through the appropriate opening I26 in the plate I0. These tokens fall into chutes I29 and I34 which extend in separate sections downwardly to a token box I85 in the bottom of the machine. In case it is desired to employ tokens which have a very small opening in their center and at the same time prevent the delivery of merchandise for a spurious token with a large opening in its center, we may employ a stepped pin I24, as shown in Fig. 5 instead of the round pins I24 shown in connection with the other coin display discs.

Upon the plate '78 is pivotally mounted an arm I36, one for each coin-receiving opening, which carries a, stud I37 which extends through an arcuate slot I38 in the plate I8, through the coin chute 89, and into the slot II5 which is in alignment with the slot I38. In normal condition the arm I38 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 and the stud I3'I is located in the position shown in Fig. '7, that is, immediately above the chute 89. The arm I36 is held in this position by a spring I39. The arm I36 carries a forwardly extending stud I40 whereby it may be moved downwardly. It is thus moved downwardly when a coin is supported 'on the two pins I22 and I 23 and the stud I3I then engages the coin and forces it downwardly past the pins I22 and I23 into the coin-receiving positiqn in the coin display disc.

This downward movement is effected by means of a handle IM located on the exterior of the housing 2 The handle I4I is rotatably mounted on the housing by means of a shaft I42. The inner end of the shaft I42 is flattened to receive in rigid relation the boss of an arm I43. The arm M3 is held on the shaft I42 by means of a washer M4 and screw I45.

The arm M3 is adapted to engage the stud I65. When not actuated by the handle MI the arm I43 is in the position shown in Fig. 11, being moved to that position by a spring I46 and by the action of the spring I39 which moves the associated arm I36 upwardly. The spring M3 is anchored to a suitable bracket I57 mounted on the inner side of the housing 26. bracket serves as a support for a rubber abutment I48 which is adapted to engage an abutment I49 on the boss of the arm I43 so as to limit the movement of the handle MI.

The pin I23 is carried by a bell crank lever l5 mounted on the forward side of the plate '78 and it extends through a slot I50 in the plate 78 in alignment with the slot I'M. The bell crank lever I5 is biased by a spring I5I so that the pin I23 is normally in its innermost position, in which it assists in arresting a coin passing downward through the chute 89. When the handle MI is actuated and the pin I31 moves downwardly in the slot I I5, the coin forces the pin I23 outwardly against the tension of the spring I5I. At the same time the pin I22 is moved outwardly.

The pin I22, which extends from the rear through the slot I20 in the plate I0 and through a registering slot I52 in the plate I8, is carried by a forked lever I53 pivotally mounted on the back of the plate 10. The lever I53 is biased by a spring I54 so that the pin I22 is located in its innermost position with respect to the chute 89, that is, the position shown in Fig. '7. It will readily be understood that when a coin is forced down the chute 89 by the pin I31, the forked lever I53 is swung to the right as viewed in Fig. 8, this being a view looking from the rear of the machine.

On the rear side of the plate I0 are mounted three leaf springs I55 which extend past the upper portion of the slot H5 in which rides the This ' the position in which pin I31 moves upwardly to itis shown in Figs. 7 and 8, it engages the ca n portion I56 (Fig. 15) and moves the spring away from'the plate 10. This movement of the spring enables the upper part of the lever the projecting end I08,- to withdraw from the chute 89, the lever I09 being provided with a weight I51 to effect this result.

When a coin entersthe chute 89 it is arrested by the pins I22 and I23. In moving to this posit tion of arrestment the coin engages the forward knee-like portion of the lever- I09 (Figs. 10 and 13) and causes itsupper end I08 to project into the chute 89. The downward movement of the pin I31 moves the coin into the coin-receiving position of the display disc 16. When the handle I is released, the pin I31 moves into its initial position and moves the spring I55 away from the lever I09. The projection I08 remains in the chute 89 until the coin display disc is rotated one step, whereupon the projection I08 pin I31. When the moves completely out of the coin chute 89 to enable the same to receive an additional coin.

The coin display disc 16 is rigidly mounted on a shaft I58 which has a front bearing in the plate 10 and a rear bearing in the bracket I59 supported on a structure built up from the rear of the plate 10. Two adjacent ratchet wheels I60 and I6I are rigidly mounted on the shaft I58 (Fig. 10). integrally upon a hub I62 whereby they may be easily attached rigidly to the shaft I58.

Behind the ratchet wheels I60 and I6I a third ratchet wheel I63 is mounted on the shaft I58 for free rotation. The ratchet wheel I63 is provided with a hub I 64 to which is anchored a spring I65. This spring extends partly around the hub and is anchored to a stationary part of the machine so that it always tends to rotate the ratchet wheel I63 in counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9. Also freely mounted on the shaft I58 is the boss I66 of a lever I61, best shown in 1 is normally held in the position shown in Fig.

Fi 4. The lower end of the three levers I61 are pivotally connected to a bar I68 (Fig. 4) which 4 by a spring I89.

The bar I68 pivotally carries a dog I10 which is biased by gravity, or otherwise, downwardly into the path of the arm 49. When the arm 49 moves to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, which 1 occurs on the down stroke of the dispensing handle 35, the arm 49 moves the dog I out of its I69 returns the bar I68 Consequently, the lever I61 is displaced in a clockway. However, when the arm 49 moves to the :left, as viewed in Fig. 4, which corresponds to 1 the return or upward movement of the dispens- 49 forces the dog I10 and, consequently, the

ing handle 35, the arm against an abutment I1I bar I 68 is moved to the left (Fig. 4).

When the arm 49 clears the dog I10, the spring to its normal position.

wise direction (Fig. 4) during each return stroke of the dispensing handle 35 and the lever returns to its normal position during said return stroke.

A dog I12, pivotally mounted on a frame plate I13 which is carried from the plate 10, is biased by a spring I14 so that it engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel I63. as shown in Figs. 4 and 9. On its forward side the dog I12 carries a pin I which lies in the path of the longer of the two arms of the'bifurcated lever I53. Consequently, when this lever is displaced by the downward movement of a coin past the pin I22, the longer arm of the lever engages the pin I15 I09, that is, the part which carries These ratchets may be formed.

the ratchet wheel I63. A dog I18, also pivotally mounted on the plate I13, cooperates with the teeth of the ratchet wheel I60 so as to prewheels I60 and I6I,' 5

vent rotation of the ratchet v the shaft I58, and the coin display disc 16, except in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9, or the counter-clockwise direction as viewed from the front of the machine. r

The dog I18 is .biased into engagement with the ratchet wheel I60 by means of a stout spring I 19. The three ratchet wheels I60, I6I and I63 have the same number of teeth, but they are of different sizes, as is best seen in Fig. 9. One recess, indicated at I80, of the ratchet wheel I63 is sufficiently deep so that it extends into alignment with the recesses of the ratchet wheel I6I. The other tooth recesses of the ratchet wheel I 63 extend only to points located outwardly of the highest points on the ratchet wheel I6I. dog I8I is pivotally mounted on the lever I61. This dog is biased towards the ratchet wheel I63 by a spring I82.

The shorter arm of the bifurcated lever I53 carries a rearward projection I83 which is adapted to engage the dog I8I when the bifurcated lever is displaced in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9, that is, when a coin is forced down the chute 89. Consequently, this displacement of the bifurcated lever I53 elevates the dogs I 8| and I12 away from the ratchet wheel I63, with the result that the spring I65 rotates this ratchet wheel in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9, until a stop I16 mounted on the ratchet wheel engages a rigid stop I11.

The longer arm of the bifurcated lever I53 carries a pin I84 which extends rearwardly through a slot I85 in the plate I13. When the lever I53 is displaced to the right, as viewed in Fig. 9, a detent I 86 on a dog I81, which is pivotally mounted on the plate I 13, moves down behind the pin I84 so that the dogs I12 and I8I are maintained out of contact with the ratchet wheel I63 until such time as the dog I81 is again elevated. The dog I81 is biased downwardly by a spring I88.

It may here be noted that the dog vided with a rearwardly projecting which is adapted to be engaged by an arm I90 rigidly carried by the shaft 43. It will, of course, be understood that three such arms I90 are provided on the shaft 43 for engagement with the dogs I81 of the three coin units. The shaft 43 is rotated immediately the handle 35 is moved downwardly and, consequently, at that time the dogs I8I and I12 are free to engage the ratchet wheel I63. During the return stroke of the handle 35 the lever I61 is oscillated and the oscillation of the dog I 8| has the effect of rotating the ratchet wheel I63 through the distance of one tooth.

The mechanism shown in Fig. 9 appertains to the 25 coin slot and, consequently, it is set for five operations of the handle 35. When the stop I16 is in engagement with the stop I11 the detent I9I of the dog I8I is adapted to engage the tooth I 92 (Fig. 9) of the ratchet Wheel I63. Consequently, the first four oscillations of the handle 35 will have the effect of rotating the ratchet wheel I 63 four steps in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9. At the completion of the fourth oscillation the detent I9I will fall into the large recess I80 in the ratchet wheel I63 and, consequently, it will descend into the aligned recess of the ratchet wheel I6I.

Thus, on the last stroke, not only is the ratchet wheel I63 rotated one step, but also the ratchet wheel I6I. At the end of this oscillation the dog I8I is raised out of engagement with all ratchet teeth by means of a formation I93 on the ratchet wheel I63, which formation replaces the normal tooth position.

It will be understood that the number of oscillations of the dispensing handle 35, which are necessary for the cooperation of the detent I9I with the large recess I80 of the ratchet wheel I63, depends upon the relation between the position of the stop I16 and the large recess I80 on the ratchet wheel I63. The positions for the stops I16 for 1, 2 and 5 actuations of the handle 35 are shown on Fig. 4.

When the merchandise in the machine is exhausted, the bar 68 is moved upwardly and swings the lever 69 (Fig. 4) in the clockwise direction. The lever 69 is pivotally mounted at I94 on the plate I13. At its upper end the lever 69 carries a forwardly bent cam portion I95. The cam portion I95 engages an arm I96 which is rigidly mounted on a shaft I91 which extends across the machine behind the plate 10, being mounted on brackets I99 carried thereby.

The shaft I91 carries three radially projecting pins I99 which are adapted, under certain circumstances, to engage the three levers I09. The shaft I91 is biased by a spring 200 (Fig. 6) which is connected to an arm 20I rigidly mounted on one end 01' the shaft I91. When the upper part of the lever 69 is displaced to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, the shaft I91 is rotated slightly in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6, with the result that the pins I99 engage the levers I09 and project the forwardly turned portions I08 thereof into the coin chutes 89. Consequently, when the machine is empty of merchandise, coins inserted at the openings 19 will not be accepted by the machine, but will be returned to the customer at the outlet I I9.

The two

levers

51 and 66 are rigidly mounted on the ends of two

shafts

202 and 203 which extend across the machine behind the plate 10, being pivotally mounted in the brackets I98 which also support the shaft I91 immediately in front of the shaft 203. The shaft 202 has rigidly mounted thereon three arms 204, to each of which is pivotally connected one of the pins I previously referred to.

In their normal position the pins I25 are located flush with the plate 10. If there is a coin in the coin-receiving position of one of the coin display discs, the pin I25 will be prevented from moving forwardly when the handle 35 is depressed.- Consequently, the lever 54 will be held in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2, and the arm 5I will not be permitted to move rearwardly. Consequently, the handle 35 may be moved downwardly without the projection 50 entering the recess 53 which would prevent thedownward movement.

The shaft 203 rigidly carries three downwardly depending arms 205 to which are pivotally connected the three pins I24 or I24, as the case may be. These pins have their forward extremities normally flush with the plate 10.

The two

levers

51 and 66 are drawn rearwardly by springs 206 so that the

bolts

56 and 65 carried thereby abut against the

levers

54 and 63, respectively. Adjacent its pivot the arm 63 carries a forwardly projecting arm 201 which is connected by a spring 208 to the hand lever 35. When the hand lever is in its upward position,

that is, the position shown in Fig. 2, the spring 208 is not under tension. When the handle 35 is moved downwardly, the spring 208 becomes tensioned and the force applied to the arm 63 is sufllcient to swing the lever 66 forwardly or to tend to do so. If there is a hole in the coin or if there is a large hole in the case of a token in the third coin unit, the arm 63 moves forward to such an extent that the plate 59 is moved downwardly and, consequently, the rearward movement of the dispensing plate 28 is prevented.

Means are preferably provided to prevent the machine from being tilted in an effort to cheat it by employing thin coins or tokens. Thus, we may mount a pendulum 209 which is adapted, when the machine is tilted forwardly; to engage a pin 2I0 carried by an arm 2I I, which is rigidly carried by the shaft I91. It will readily be understood that when the machine is tilted forwardly the shaft I91 is rotated in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, and the pins I99 engage the lever I09, as shown in Fig. 13, and move this lever in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in that figure, so as to introduce the projecting portion I08 into the slot 89.

The operation of the device will be fully understood from the foregoing description. If a quarter is inserted in the first or left-hand coinreceiving opening 19, and the appropriate handle MI is operated to force the coin from the coin chute 89 into the coin display disc, then the handle 35 may be actuated five times for the discharge of five packages of merchandise. When a dime is inserted in the second coin-receiving opening 19 and the appropriate handle MI is operated, the handle 35 may be actuated twice to dispense two packages of merchandise. When a nickel or an authorized token is inserted in the third coin-receiving opening 19 and the appropriate handle MI is operated, the handle 35 may be operated once only.

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with the specific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A coin released mechanism comprising ratchet means, means biasing said ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving said.

ratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet in last said position, coin actuated means for releasing said pawl means, manually operated means, means including first said pawl means actuated by said manually operated means for moving said ratchet means step by step from said initial position, and

means actuated by said manually operated means at a predetermined number of actuations for rendering said manually operated means inoperable.

2. A coin released mechanism comprising ratchet means, means biasing said ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving said ratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet in last said position, coin actuated means for releasing said pawl means, manually operated means, means including first said pawl means actuated by said manually operated means for moving said ratchet means step by step from said initial position, and means controlled by said ratchet means and actuated by said manually operated means whereby the actuation of said manually operated means for a predetermined number of times renders said manually operated means inoperable.

3. A coin released mechanism comprising ratchet means, means biasing said ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving said ratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet in last said position, coin actuated means for releasing said pawl means, manually operated means, means including first said pawl means actuated by said manually operated means for moving said ratchet means step by step from said initial position, and means operable by last said means in a predetermined position of said ratchet means whereby the manually operated means is rendered inoperative.

4. A coin released mechanism comprising ratchet means, means biasing said ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving said ratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet in last said position, coin actuated means for releasing said pawl means, manually operated means, a latch normally operable to prevent actuation of said manually operated means, means for holding a coin at a certain position, means controlled by a coin at said position for preventing the operation of said latch, means including first said pawl means and actuated by said manually operated means for moving said ratchet means step by step from said initial position, and means operable by last said means in a predetermined position of said ratchet means for moving the coin from its said position.

5. A coin released mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel, means biasing said ratchet wheel to an initial position, pawl means for moving said ratchet wheel into another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet in last said position, coin actuated means for releasing said pawl means, manually operated means, a latch normally operable to prevent actuation of said manually operated means, means for holding a coin at a certain position, means controlled by a coin at said position for preventing the operation of said. latch, means including first said pawl means and actuated by said manually operated means for moving said ratchet wheel step by step from said initial position, and a ratchet wheel adapted tocarry said coin from its said position, last said ratchet wheel being smaller than and co-axial with the first said ratchet wheel, the first said ratchet wheel having an enlarged recess at one position, whereby the first said pawl means in that position is enabled to engage and operate the second said ratchet wheel.

6. A coin released mechanism comprising ratchet means, means biasing said ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving said ratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet in last said position, manually operable means whereby a coin is caused to free said pawl means, a second manually operable means, means including first said pawl means and actuated by said second manually operable means for moving said ratchet means step by step from said initial position, and means actuated by said second manually operable means at a predetermined number of actuations for rendering said second manually operable means inoperative.

7. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations, a ratchet means associated with each coin chute, means biasing each of'said ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving said ratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet in last said position, coin controlled means associated with each chute whereby the associated pawl means may be released, a manually operable member adapted on actuations to move said ratchet means stepwise from initial position, and means on each ratchet means for rendering the manually operable member inoperative when the ratchet means has been moved to a predetermined position by actuation of the manually operable member.

8. A coin released mechanism comprising a. plurality of coin chutes adapted to receive coins of difierent denominations, a ratchet means associated with each coin chute, means biasing each of said ratchet means to an initial position, pawl means for moving said ratchet means into another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet in last said position, coin controlled means associated with each chute whereby the associated pawl means may be released, a manu-. ally operable member adapted on successive actuations to move said ratchet means stepwise from initial position, a latch normally preventing actuation of said manually operable means, coin controlled means associated with each chute for rendering said latch inoperative, and means associated with each ratchet means for rendering said latch operative after said manually operable member has been actuated for a predetermined number of times.

9. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations, a ratchet wheel associated with each coin chute, means biasing each of said ratchet wheels to an initial position, pawl means. for moving said ratchet wheel into another position, further pawl means for holding said ratchet in last said position, coin controlled means associated with each chute whereby the associated pawl means may be released, a manually operable member adapted on successive actuations to move said ratchet wheel stepwise from initial position, and means controlled by means including said ratchet for preventing operation of said manually operable member after a predetermined number of actuations.

10. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutes adapted to receive coins of difierent denominations, a ratchet wheel associated with each coin chute, means biasing each of said ratchet wheels to an initial position, pawls adapted to move and hold said wheels to and in other positions, coin controlled means associated with each chute whereby the associated pawls may be released and the associated wheel released to initial position, a manually operable member adapted to actuate one of said pawls on successive actuations to move any released ratchet wheel stepwise from initial position, and means controlled by means including said ratchet for rendering said manually operable member inoperative.

11. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutes adapted to receive coins of difierent denominations, ratchet wheel means associated with said coin chutes, means biasing said ratchet wheel means in one direction, pawl means adapted to move and hold said ratchet wheel means to and in several positions, coin controlled means associated with each chute whereby the associated pawl means may be released to permit movement of said ratchet wheel means in said direction, stop means limiting the movement of said ratchet wheel means to an extent depending on the denomination of said coin, manually actuated means, means actuated thereby for moving said ratchet wheel means stepwise as the manually actuated means is operated, and means associated with said ratchet wheel means for rendering inoperative last said means for moving said ratchet wheel means.

12. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutes adapted to receive coins of diflfere'nt denominations, ratchet wheel means associated with said coin chutes, means biasing said ratchet wheel means in one direction, pawl means adapted to move and hold said ratchet wheel means to and in several positions, coin controlled means associated with each chute whereby the associated pawl means may be released to permit movement of said ratchet wheel means in said direction, stop means limiting the movement of said ratchet wheel means to an extent depending on the denomination of said coin, manually actuated means, means actuated thereby for moving said ratchet wheel means stepwise as the manually actuated means is operated. means associated with said ratchet wheel means for rendering said manually actuated means inoperable, and means on said ratchet wheel means for rendering inoperative the means for moving said ratchet wheel means.

13. A coin released mechanism comprising a plurality of coin chutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations, ratchet wheel means associated with said coin chutes, means biasing said ratchet wheel means in one direction, pawl means adapted to move and hold said ratchet wheel means to and in several diilferent positions, coin controlled means associated with each chute whereby the pawl means may be released to permit movement oi said ratchet wheel means in said direction, stop means limiting the movement of said ratchet wheel means to an extent depending on the denomination of said coin, manually operable means, means for holding said coins in certain positions, means adapted to cooperate with a coin in said position and actuated by said manually operable means, means controlled by said cooperating means for controlling the movement of said ratchet wheel means stepwise by the manually actuated means, means associated with said ratchetwheel means for removing said coin from said position and thereby rendering said manually actuated means inoperable, and means on said ratchet wheel means for rendering inoperative the means for moving said ratchet wheel means.

14. A coin released mechanism, comprising a plurality of coin chutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations, a coin display disk having a plurality of coin receiving pockets associated with each chute, a ratchet wheel associated with each of said chutes, means biasing each ratchet wheel in one direction, pawl means adapted to hold said ratchet wheels against displacement in said direction, coin controlled means associated with each pawl whereby the associated ratchet wheel may be released by a coin passing to a coin display disk, stop means limiting the movement of said ratchet wheel to an extent depending on the denomination of said coin, means adapted to engage a coin in any of said disks at the coin receiving position thereof, means including a pawl cooperating with each of said ratchet wheels, manually operable means for moving any of said ratchet wheels thus released stepwise as the manually actuated means is operated, means controlled by said coin-engaging means for permitting said actuating means to actuate said pawl, means associated with each ratchet wheel for moving the associated coin display disk to carry the controlling coin from coin receiving position, and thereby rendering said manually actuated means inoperable, and means on each ratchet wheel for rendering the associated one of last said actuating pawls inoperative.

SIDNEY E. VAN TUYL. EMERY CHARLES BZYPER.