US2269937A - Coin controlled liquid dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

F. D. HART Jan. 13,1942.

COIN CONTROLLED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16, 1940 IZZZZZZZZZZZ,

12V VENTOR 7 Z7 fld'ri.

ATTNRNEY Jam 13, 1942.

F. D. HART COIN CONTROLLED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS :5 Sheet s-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 16, 1940 IIIVVENTOR 2 1?. flqrze Jan. 13, 1942. F. D. HART COIN CONTROLLED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Feb 16, 1940 v s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR I ATT RNEY Patented Jan. 13, 1942' COIN CONTROLLED LIQUID APPARATUS DISPENSING Frank D. Hart, Northville, Mich. Application February 16, 1940, Serial No. 319,221 Claims. (01. 221-101) This invention relates to gasoline pumps and particularly to coin controlled gasoline pump mechanisms which enable customers to obtain measured quantities of gasoline on aserve-self basis.

Gasoline pumps for service station use employing accurate measuring, computing and registering devices and automatic interlock meansto prevent fraud on'customers of service stations'have become in general use. Such pumps require attendants and, in most communities other than in the large cities, it has been found unprofitable to particularly in the smaller towns and communities, desire accurate, inexpensive means for dispensing fuel on a serve-self basis.

With the foregoing in view, the primary object of, this invention is to provide simple, inexpensive and tamper-proof means adaptableto modern measuring, computing and registering gasoline pumps for converting thesaid pumps from manual to automatic coin controlled operation withv out the necessity of re-building' the pumps.

Another object of the, invention is to provide in: combination with manually operated automatic computing electric gasoline pumps, coin controlled means for operating the pump to dis- Dense gasoline in an amount equal in value to the coin employed.

Q ther objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description takenv in connection with the accompartying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the mechanis mof a manually operated automatic computing and registering electric gasoline pump having a coin controlled dispensing means embodying the invention incorporated therewith. 1

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary skeletonized elevational view taken on the line 2- 2 of Fig. 1 showing the mechanical connection employed between the coin slide and the computer. p Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in perspective showing the computer operated circuit breaker employed to shut off the pumping operation upon delivery of gasoline in an amount equal in value to the coin required to release the coin slide.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the coin slide and switch means operated thereby which closes and holds the pumping circuit closed until such pumping circuit is opened by the computer operated circuit breaker disclosed in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of theconstruction disclosed in Fig. 4 with the housing top removed.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical'sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 ShOW? ing ratchet means employed for permitting manually controlled operation of the gasoline pump without interference from the coin slide mechanism. I

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the coin slide operated switch means employed shown in an "off" position, the latch trip being broken away for cleamess.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 8 showing the coin operated switch means in an on position, the latch trip being broken away for cleamess.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line iii-Ill of Fig. 8, the latch trip being shown.

Fig. 11' is a detailed view part in section and part in elevation taken on the line I l-l I of Fig. 8 showing latch mechanism mounted on the counterweighted arm of the coinslide operated switch in engagement with the switch arm carrier plate which enables the switch arm to be moved to a closed position by said carrier plate responsive to movement of the coin slide.

Fig. 12 is a detailed view part in section and part'in elevation of the switch arm latch mechanism unlatched from the switch arm carrier plate upon the closing of coin slide operated switch.

Fig. 13 is a wiring diagram of the illustrative embodiment of the coin controlled gasoline dispersing apparatus disclosed in Figs. 1 to 12 inclusive.

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view showing the control means employed between the computing and registering mechanism and the pump motor switch.

Fig. 15 is a detailed cross sectional view taken on the line "-15 of Fig. 14.

The invention is disclosed herein in connection with one of the several types of electric manually operated computing and registering gasoline pumps now well known in the art and in general use. The coin slide mechanism shown is likewise a part of the prior art. Obviously, the instant invention may. be applied to like and similar gasoline pumps andemploy various other coin slide mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the embodiment of the invention disclosed therein comprises, in gen- .The said electrically driven manually operated automatic computing and registering gasoline .pump designated by the numeral in Fig. 1

is old in the art and generally comprises a pumping unit 23 driven by an electric motor 24 whichruns continuously when'a hand operated manuall-y closed valved delivery nozzle diagrammatically indicated by the arrow 25 in Fig. l is lifted from the motor switch control lever 25, the said normally closed valved nozzle 25 being connected tothe end of the delivery hose 21 as indicated by the dot and dash lines 28. When-the pump is not in use, the said nozzle 25 is hung on the hook 29 and maintains the motor switch in its 01f position by depressing the motor switch control lever 25. Suitable control means 2|5 is provided between the motor switch control lever 25 and the computing and registering mechanism 2| which prevents the motor switch control lever 25 from raising unless the computing and registering handle 3| Jaft r any gasoline whatsoever has been pumped and the nozzle 25 hung on the hook 25.

Gasoline is pumped by the said electrically driven manually operated automatic computing gasoline pump 20, after the computing and registering mechanism-2| is re-set to zero, from an underground tank through a suction line 32 and the pumping unit 23, through an air eliminator 33, meter 34 and visual tel-gage unit 35, and out the delivery hose 2'! through its normally closed valved nozzle 25 when the said valved nozzle is manually opened; the said computing and registering mechanism 2| being mechanically driven from the said meter through the vertically disposed shaft 35. A I l Referring now especially to Fig.3, the centrally disposed rotatable dial 31 of the "Amount -of sale register indicated in Fig. l is shown in conjunction with a circuit breakingswitch 35 adapted to be operated thereby. A cam lug 45, suitably secured to a side of the rotatable dial 31, projects beyond the periphery thereof and elevates a-cam followerpin 4| when the reading indicated in' the window of register 2| corresponds with the slide mechanism 22. The cam follower pin' 4| is preferably provided with an anti-frictionroller means 42 adapted to contact the cam lug 45.

. mechanism 2| has been set to zero by the re-set I aeeaesr with the usual dogs and other fraud preventing devices indicated generally by 41, for preventing the use of fraudulent coins, a coin ejection spring '45, and a coin holder reset spring 60. The coin slidemechanism is of the general type indicated in the. Tratsch et al. Patent No. 2,053,503, although it is to be understood that any suitable similar type of coinslide mechanism may be employed. The inner end of the coin slide element 45, the right hand end as viewed in Figs. 4

and 5.'is provided with a rack 5| adapted to operate a gear 52 rotatably Journaled upon a shaft 53 and through a ratchet means 54 operatessuch shaftand a flexible shafting 55 which leads to and operates the registering mechanism' 2| and the gears 555 and 55L The gear 55| is mountedon its shaft 552 through a slip clutch 553. The

ratchet means 54 is provided to permit manual operation of the registering means 2| by means of the reset handle 3| without interference with the coin slide mechanism 22.

The same end of 'the coin slide element provided, adjacent rack 5|, with a spring strip 55 adapted during inward reciprocation of the coin slide element to engage one of the projections 51 on a switch arm carrier plate 55 which rotates the latter one-sixth of a revolution. As

.carrier plate 55 is provided with six rectangular slots 52, each one adjacent but'slightly in advance of a projection 51, the slots being arranged equidistantly of the axis of the carrier plate. A

counterweighted switch arm 53 is rotatably journaled upon the same shaft with the carrier plate 55, the carrier plate and switch arm being a Y free .to rotate relative to each other except as limited by mechanism presently to be described. The switch arm 53 is provided with a counterweight 55 which tends at all times toreturn; the switch arm'to the position indicated in Fig. 8.

A latch element 55 is pivotaliy connected to the switch arm 53 by means of a pivot pin 51 and is normally thrown to the latched position indicated in Fig. 11 or ,the unlatche'd position indicated in Fig. 12 by means of a snap spring 55.

' value of a coin adapted to be inserted in the coin Elevation of the cam follower pin 4|, by the lug 4|) causes a leaf spring contact 43 to be separated from a fixed contact 44 or switch 35 to break the circuit in which the said switch 38 is included.

Reference may now be had to Figs. '1,' 2 and 4 to 7 inclusive which depict the general arrangement of the coin slide mechanism 22 and parts operated thereby. The coin slide mechanism 22 includes a coin slide element 45 provided with a coin aperture 46 adapted to receive a coin, for example, a half dollar, in the present arrangement. The coin slide mechanism 22 is provided The spring 55 is arranged in tension condition between a fixed point 55 and switch arm 53 and a'lug ll provided'on the latch element 55 to maintain the latch element-in either' one or the other of the two indicated positions. tion of the latch element 55 projects through a suitable opening ll provided in switch arm 53. The latch element 55 is provided with a tail piece I2 adapted to contact latch trip lugs arranged in its path for throwing the latch member to one or the other of the indicated positions.

The latch 55 is thrown from one position to the other by means of a latch trip element 13 fixed to the housing 225 of the coin slide mechanism 22 and provided with a pair of latch trip lugs I4 .to 15; The latch trip lug I4 is provided at the end of the latch trip element 13 and, as indicated in Fig. 11, would throw the latch-element 55 into latched condition coupling carrier plate 55 to the switch arm 53 when the switch The detent poristering mechanism 2| is zeroized. A spring de-.

of these contacts being insulated from their supporting. elements. Asoft iron core 8|) is fixed to theswitch arm 53 as indicated in Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 13.

A solenoid coil 8| is secured to the housing 220 of the coin slide mechanism 22 in position to receive the soft iron core 80 when the switch arm 53 is thrown to the position indicated in Fig. 9.

Energization of the coil 8| will maintain the switch arm 53 in the position indicated in Fig. 9.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 13, a link 82 connects the main motor switch 30 with one end of one of a pair of hell cranks 83 and 84, the bell cranks being connected together and to the control means 2H! which is operated by the registering mechanism 2| to prevent operation of the main motor switch except when the registering mechanism has been zeroized after any gasoline has been pumped and the nozzle 25 hung on hook 29. This mechanism is controlled by the reset handle 3| and is conventional in gasoline pump practice.

Referring to Fig. 13, power is supplied from a suitable source of electrical energy to the motor 2t by means of a pair of power lines 85 and 835. The power line 85 extends through one side of a main switch 81, through circuit breaking switch 38, through the other side of the main line switch 81 and then through the main motor switch 30 and windings of the motor 24 to the other power line 85. A conductor 88 extends from the power line 85 through contacts Ti to 18 bridged by contact 15 when the switch arm 53 is thrown to the position indicated in Fig. 9 and thence through the primary winding 90 of a transformer Si and to the other power line 86. The-circuit 94 of the secondary coil 98 of said transformer 9| includes the winding of solenoid ti; A conductor 95 includes a switch 96 and exlevers 83 and 84 whereby to prevent the throwing :of the main motor switch 30 until the registering means 2| is zeroized. A piston 2|! connected by a pivot 2||l to the bell crank levers 83 and 84 is reciprocatingly mounted in the housing of the control means 2|!) and is splined tent 2|2 fixed to theinner end of the piston 2|| cooperates with the notched shaft 2|3 when the registering means 2! is not zeroized whereby to prevent the motor switch 30 from being thrown.

' In the operation of the presentcoin' controlled pump, a half-dollar inserted in the coin receiving apparatus 46 of slide element 45 permits inward throw at the latter, which inward throw of the coin slide element 45 through rack 5|, gear 52, ratchet 54 and flexible shafting causes rotation of the dial 3? of the registering means 2| and zeroizes this dial with reference to the window therefor. This conditions the control means 2"! so that it cannot block movement to the left of the pivotal connection between bell cranks 83 and 85 and removal of nozzle 25 from the hook 25 then allows the retraction spring 39,

indicated in Fig. 1, to elevate the link 82 and throw the motor switch 30 to the on position. The switch 38 is closed at this time and at all times except when the numeral 5 of dial 31 registers with its window at which time the cam 40 and cam follower 4| separates contacts 43 and 44 to break the motor drive circuit. The inward throw. of the coin slide element 45 also I causes the spring strip 56 to engage one ofthe projections 51 on the switch arm carrier plate 58 and rotate the latter one-sixth of a revolution. The switch arm carrier plate 58 through one'of its notches 62 and the latch element 58 'causes a corresponding clock-wise rotation of the counterweighted switch arm 53 and bringsthe bridge contact 15 across the fixed contact 11 and 18 thus completing the motor circuit as well as completing the circuit through the primary coil of transformer 9|. 53 of transformer 5| is in the circuit 94 which includes the winding of solenoid BI and. the core 80 fixed to switch arm 63 is disposed within the winding of solenoid 8|, the switch arm 53 is maintained in a position indicated in Fig. 9 and fluid may be dispensed through the valved delivery n'ozzle25.

As the liquid is thus dispensed, the meter 34 through shaft 36 operates the registering mechanism 2| until the numeral 5 of dial 3! is brhught into registry with the window therefor and cam lug 40 elevates cam follower 4| and breaks the contacts 43 and 44 to open the motor circuit.

After the delivery nozzle- 25 has been replaced w on the hook 25 which would throw the main motor switch to the "ofi position, the control at 2| It to prevent turning therein. A rotatable shaft 2|3 is mounted-for rotation in the housing of the, control means 2) by a split disc 2 H. The

said shaft 2|3 has a gear 2| 5 keyed thereon and is zeroired. The inner end of the shaft 2|; is

suitably notched at 2|3|l except at its flat side means 2||| then prevents left hand movement of the pivotal connection between bell crank levers 83 and 84 and the main motor switch 30 cannot be thrownuntil the registering means 2| has been zeroized. For night operation the reset lever 3| is removed and the shaft covered, or a cover is locked over the entire reset handle 3|. After the registering mechanism.2| has rotated, the dial 31 can be zeroized only by inserting another half-dollar in the coin slide element 45 and throwing the latter to its innermost position. This causes a repetition of the previously described operation and dispenses another measured quantity of fuel from the pump 20. In the eventthat less than fifty cents worth of fuel is dispensed before another fifty'cent coinis used in operating the coin slide, the slip clutch 553 permits the gear 55! to turn aftertheregistering mechanism 2| has been zeroized; this permits full inward throw of coin slide'45.

am which is positioned at the top when the reg- As many changes may be made in the above Since the secondary coil described construction and many apparently widely difierent embodiments of the invention may be had without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above'description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is: p

1. Ina coin operated dispensing apparatus including the combination voia source of liquid supply., liquid dispensing means, -a meter for measuring the amount of liquid dispensed through said dispensing means, a pump for causing flow of liquid from said source through said meter and said dispensing means, a motor for operating said pump, registering means operated by said meter for indicating the amount of liq 'uid dispensed and the cost thereof, and means connected to said dispensing means for initiating operation or said motor, the sub-combination comprising means for rendering said lastnamed means ineffective to initiate operation of said motor except when said registering means is in zeroized condition, a coin slide mechanism for zeroizing said registering means, means operable by said registering means for stopping saidmotor when-a predetermined amount of liquid has been dispensed, and means operable by said coin slide for maintaining said motor in operation until stopped by said means for stopping said motor operated in response to operation of -the registering means when a predetermined amount of liquid has been dispensed.

2. In a coin operated liquid dispensing apparatus, including a motor operated pump, liquid dispensing means, means associated with the said liquid dispensing means for manually initiating the operation of the said pump, a metertor measuring the amount of liquid dispensed, registering means operated by said meter for in dicating the amount of liquid dispensed and the cost-thereof, and coin slide mechanism, the combination of means associated with said registering means for making the means for manually initiating the o ration of the said pump inopclosing said circuit and initiating the operation of the said pump inoperable except when the said registering means is zeroized, means operable by said coin slide mechanism for zeroizing said registering means, a second switch means normally opening said electric circuit closabie by erable except w en the said registering means is zeroized, means operable by said coin slide mechanism for zeroizing said registering means, means operable by the said coin slide mechanism normally rendering the .said pump inoperable rendering the pump operable simultaneously with the zeroizing or the said registering means, means operable by said registering means for stopping the said pump when a predetermined amount of liquid has been dispensed, the said means rendering the said pump operable responaive to the operation of the said coin slide mechmined amount of liquid has been dispensed anism' being releasable responsive to the opera- 'tion ofthe means for stopping the said pump when a predetermined amount of liquid has been dispensed.

the said liquid dispensing means for closing said circuit and initiating the operation of the said pump, a meter for measuring the amount of liquid dispensed, registering means operated by said meter for indicating the amountot liquid dispensed and the cost there-' of, and coin slide mechanism, the combination of means associated with, said registering means for making the manual switch means for the said coin slide mechanism simultaneously with the zeroizing oi the said registering means. means associated with said second switch means for maintaining said switch closed when closed responsive to the operation of the said coin slide mechanism until the electric circuit closed thereby is opened, a third switch means operable by said registering means for opening the said circuit when a predetermined amount or liquidhas been dispensed, the said second switch means rendering the said pump operable responsive to the operation of the saidcoin slide mechanism being re-vopened responsive to the opening of the said third switch means when a predetermined amount of liquid has been dispensed.

4. In a coin operated liquid dispensing apparatus including a motor operated pump, a normallyopen electric circuit means from a source of current to said motor, liquid dispensing means, manual switch means associated with the said liquid dispensing means for closing said circuit and initiating the operation oi the said pump, a meter ior measuring the amount of liquid dispensed, registering means operated by said meter for indicating the amount of liquid dispensed 1 and the cost thereof, and coin slide ,mechanism, the combination of means associated with said registering means for making the manual switch means for closing said circuit and initiating the operation of the said pump inoperable except when the said registering means is zeroized, means operable by said coin slide mechanism for zeroizing said registering means, a second switch means normally opening said electric circuit closabie by the said coin slide mechanism simultaneously with the zeroizing or the said registering means, solenoid means for holding the said second switch means closed when closed by said coin slide mechanism, a third switch means operable by said registering means for opening the said circuit when a predetermined amount of liquid has been dispensed, the said solenoid means holding said second switch means closed being de-energized responsive to the opening of thesaid third switch means when a predeterwhereby to permit said second switch means to open.

5..In a coin operated liquid dispensing apparatus including a motor operated pump, a normally open electric circuit means Iroma source of current to said motor, liquid dispensing means, manual switch means associated with the said liquid dispensing means for closing said circuit and initiating the operation of the said pump, a meter for measuring the amount of liquid dispensed, registering means operated by said meter for indicating the amount of liquid dispensed and the cost thereof, and coin slide mechanism,

the combination of means associated with said registering means for making the manual switch means for closing said circuit and initiating the operation of the said pump inoperable except when the said registering means is zeroized, means operable by said coin slide mechanism for zeroizing said registering means, a second switch means normally opening said electric circuit closabie by the said coinilide mechanism simultaneously with the zeroizing of the said registactors, and means movable by said coin slide mechanism for swinging said switch arm to its closed position, and a third switch-emeans operable by said registering means for opening the said circuit when a predetermined amount of liquid has been dispensed.

- D. HART.

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