US2345167A - Telephone system and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 28, 1944.

App arafus l 124 I a. D. WILLIS TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 1'7, 1959 q I Position 4 Sheets-Sheet/l Operafors BERNARD D. WILLIS I L, W05 .110 102 subsfqfion I Operafors P051170)? Apparafus I if v 304 I rIL q an 1 610 305 I -INVENTOR I Fig. 3

ATTORNEYS TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Operqfors 216 Telephone Se? V P Margma/ W i "280 220 210 2.0/0 W t+* fg,y l l flgy t (Z01 r 2 5,40 l -o- 21g 2051 M Ti. 4

- I fie 23 v INVENTOR I 'BERNARD D. WILLIS March 28, 1944. B. D. WILLIS 2,345,167

- TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 400 Insulation y 444 INVENTOR BERNARD D WILLIS ATTORN EYS March 28, 1944. B. D. WILLIS TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 a 9 5% 82 4 24 W03 4 .4 N22 0 0 G M 8 7. 6 1 1 1 1 mi 11 x A 4w! a G O m /.x W 3% S 3244. m mm E4 3 44 A 2 4 1 & 4 0 b a mw w w G 4.4 4 2 O 4 Insulqfiozz INVENTOR BERNARD. o. WILLIS ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 28, 1944 2,345,167 TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Bernard 1). Willis, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Automatic Electric Laboratories, Inc., .a corporation of Delaware Application November 17, 1939, Serial 'No. 30.4;906

22 Claims.

The present invention relates to telephone systems and equipment and, more particularly, to improvements in apparatus for transmitting to an operators position in a central office, information indicative of the amount of coin deposits made by a calling party or customer at a substation of the paystation type.

In present operating practice, multicoin paystations are usually equipped for the collection of coins of only three types, namely, nickels, dimes and quarters, these coins being collected one at a time as they are dropped into the proper coin slots or chutes Incident to the deposit of each coin, .an audible signal tone is propagated from the calling paystation over the associated line to inform the operator supervising the call of the value of the depositedcoin. Should the supervising operator fail to have her telephone instrument bridged across the connection as the coins are deposited or fail to distinguish between the distinctive coin signals, shemay fail correctly to compute the total value of the coins deposited and thus precipitate a dispute with the customer. In such case, it is necessary for the operator to refund the coins, ask for a redeposit and again compute the value of the coins as they are again deposited. In all systems of this character, no records whatever, other than those made by the operators, are obtainable in the central oihce. Moreover, the prior arrangements of the character described are susceptible of fraudulent use by unscrupulous customers.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide in a telephone system, having paystations incorporated therein an improved and exceedingly simple arrangement for obviating the dimculties briefly outlined above and which includes apparatus operative to give a visual indication at an operators position of the total value of coins deposited by a customer in making a call at one of the paystations embodied in the system.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved substation of the paystation type which is so arranged that substantially nonaudible signals, indicative of the total value of a coin or coins deposited in the coin receiving means of the station in making a call, are generated for transmission over an associated line.

It is a further and more specific object of the invention to provide an improved telephone paystation of the character described, which is so arranged that the individual values of coins deposited in making a call at the station are into the associated registering device.

mitteds from thestation, following which a plurality of signals 'of uniform character are generated; for-registration at an operators position in the :central :office the number of signals generated being equal to the integrated value of the deposited coins divided by a common base value.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention-there is provided a telephone system which includes a paystation line having a substation of the paystation type connected thereto, and a central ofiice operators position at which toll calls originating on the paystation line are handled. The paystation includes a plurality of coin chutes for receiving coins or the like of different denominations, and apparatus for transmitting signals ,over the line to the operators position indicative of the total value of coins deposited in the coin chutes by a customer making a call, At the operators position there is provided an indicating device in the form of a register which responds to the received signals to give a visual indication of the total value of the coins deposited by the customer in the coin chutes of the paystation. The apparatus embodied in the paystation'is s0 arranged that the value or values of a coin or coins deposited in one or more of the coin chutes are first integrated, following which apparatus controlled by the integrating means operates to generate a plurality of signals equal in number to the integrated value of the deposited. coin'or coins divided by a common base value. These signals are in the form of marginal directcurrent pulses which are transmitted over theassocia-ted paystation line to control the energization :of a pair of series connected relays embodied in the operators cord circuit used by the operator attending the position at which the paystation line terminates. One of these relays functions as a supervisory relay and is so wound that .it does not respond to the marginal current pulses. The .other of the two relays constitutes a register control relay and is of the marginal type such that it responds to the marginal current pulses and functions to repeat these pulses More specifically, the coin value integrating apparatus embodied in the paystation comprises contacts individually corresponding to the coin positions of the various coin chutes provided, and means for impressing a predetermined potential upon those of the contacts which correspond to positions in the chutes occupied with coins, together with a testswitch which is operative successively to test the contacts for the indicated predetertegrated before any coin value'signals are transmined potential and to cause the transmission of one or more signals over the associated line for each contact having the predetermined potential thereon. The contacts corresponding to the coin positions of the various coin chutes are each connected to one or more of the bank contacts of the test switch, the number of bank contacts connected to each coin position contact being predetermined in accordance with the, value represented by the associated coin position. For ex ample, the contacts corresponding to the coin positions of the nickel chute are each connected to one bank contact of the test switch, the contact corresponding to the coin positions of the dime chute are each multipled to two alternate bank contacts of the test switch and so on.- By virtue of this arrangement the number of signals transmitted over the associated line during each cycle of operation of the test switch is equal to the total value of the coins deposited, divided by five. Two embodiments of the test switch bank contact wiring are disclosed. In oneembodiment, individual bank contacts are provided for each coin position of each coin chute, whereby all coin positions may be successively tested during each cycle of operation of the test switch. In the other embodiment, the wiring is such'that certain of the contacts of the test switch arecommon to more than one coin position, whereby one cycle of operation of the test switch is required for each coin deposit.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the apparatus, whereby the above outlined and additional operating features are attained. Y i

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the specifica-" tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure'l illustrates'the circuit arrangement of a telephone paystation and associated line equipment connected and arranged in accordance with the present invention and forming a part of a telephone system; Fig. 2 illustrates an operators cord circuit adapted for use in setting up connections between thepaystation line shown in Fig. 1 and the other lines of the system; Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative circuit arrangement of a telephone paystation embodying the present invention; Fig. 4 is a partially schematic side view of a telephone paystation having'embodied therein apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention: and Figs. 5, 6, '7 and 8 illustrate certain of the details of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4. I

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the telephone system there illustrated comprises a line I which extends from a paystation indicated generally at I 0| to an operators position in a distant central oifice where it terminates in a jack I02. The line equipment associated with the line I00 at the operators position in the central office further comprises a call lamp I03 which is arranged to be energized under the control of a line relay I I0. For the purpose of setting up connections between the various lines terminating at the operators position, there is provided at this position an plug 2M and the usual supervisory and control this equipment equipment. More specifically,

for example, as half dollars.

- inclusive,and the contact segment 70.

comprises a calling party supervisory lamp 202 and 8. called party supervisory lamp 203 which are arranged respectively to be controlled by supervisory relays 205 and 2I0. This equipment further includes a pair of ringing keys at 2I2 and 2I3, respectively, which are operative to connect a ringing current source, not shown, to the calling and called ends of an established connection, respectively, and a coin refund and collect key at 2. The talking conductors of the operators cord circuit are arranged to be bridged by an operators telephone set 2I6 under the control of a connect key 2| 1.

Referring now more particularly to the equipment provided at the substation IOI, this equipment comprises the usual substation apparatus,

indicated generally at II5 and including a receiver, a transmitter, an induction coil, a ringer and a hook switch normally connected to the conductors I009. and I001; of the line I00, and interconnected in the usual manner. This apparatus further includes a coin collect and refund electromagnet having windings connected between the line conductor I001. and ground. Since the enumerated elements may be connected in any manner well known in the art, these elements have been only schematically illustrated. The substation IOI being of the paystation type, further includes a plurality of coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations and deposited byv a customer in making a call. In accordance with the present invention, there is further provided at the substation IOI, apparatus for integrating the value or values of a coin or coins deposited in one or more of the coin chutes in making a call, and for transmitting to the operators position in the distant central office a plurality of signals indicative of the total value of the coinor coins deposited. This apparatus comprises a group of contact springs I I6 individually associated with the coin positions provided in the chutefor receiving coins of one denomination, such, for example, as nickels; a second group of contact springs I I1 individually associated with the coin positions of the chute provided for receiving coins of the next larger denomination, such, for example, as dimes; a third group of contact springs H8 individually associated with the coin positions provided in the chute for receiving coins of the next larger denomination, such, for example, as quarters; and an additional set of contact springs II9 provided in association with the single coin position of the coin chute adapted to receive coins of the largest denomination, such, I The various enumerated contact springs are arranged to control the marking of certain of the bank contacts embodied in a test or integrating switch I20 in accordance with the occupied or unoccupied condition of the respective associated coin positions. The switch I 20 is of the rotary or radial type, being provided with sixty nine bank contacts numbered from I to 69, respectively, which are disposed in an arc of substantially 270 degrees curvature. A contact segment I0 having the same radius of curvature as the arc defined by the contacts I to 69, inclusive, is also provided, this segment extending between the contacts I and 69. The switch I 20 also includes an inner collector ring I2I which is arranged to be traversed by a bridging wiper set I22 so that it is successively connected to the wipers numbered from I to 69,

I In order to. utilize the contact testing operation of the switch I20 to transmit signals to the operators position in the distant central office in accordance with the settings of the contact springs 'I [-6, H 1, I I 8 and H9, a circuit arrangement is provided which comprises a resistor 323 serially included in one side of the line These signals are prevented from being reproduced as clicks by the receiver embodied in the substation apparatus I I5 through the provision. of a springs 124 which are arranged to be moved into engagement to short-circuit the substation apparatus I I5 in response to operation of the wiper set I22 from its normal position The signals transmitted over the line I -to the operators position in the central office, through operation of the apparatus just described may be utilized to control a registering device of any desired form. Preferably, one such device incorporated in each operators cord circuit in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2. More particularly, the registering means embodied in the illustrated cord circuit for producing 'a'visual indication of the total value of coins deposited by a customer at the substation l ill in making a call is in the form of an electromagnetic metering device 229, the operating magnet of which is arranged to be energized over a circuit controlled by the supervisory relay Eili; and a second control relay 235, which latter relay is connected in series with the relay 3 55 and is of the marginal type. In order to balance the two sides of a connecticn established to the operator's cord circuit, there is also provided an impedance element 232 having its winding arranged to be connected in series with the lower winding of the supervisory relay 285. The impedance of the winding of this element is arranged to balance the impedance of the winding of the relay 23H. Preferably, 'the metering device 223 is of the clock type, being provided ith a large hand which is operated step by step in response to repeated energization of the associated operating magnet to positions opposite successive numerical digits and which may be manually restored to normal after each stepping operation thereof is completed, and with a small hand which is operative to indicate cumulatively the registrations made during a plurality of operations of the large hand.

The construction and mechanical arrangement of the contact springs H5, H1, H8 and H9 and the switch E23, and of the apparatus for operating these elements, are illustrated in Figs. 4' to 8, inclusive, of the drawings. As best shown in Fig. 4, this apparatus is enclosed within a shell or housing 5-135 which may also house other portions set of off-normal of the substation apparatus, such, for example,

as the induction coil and ringer. This housing is provided with a coin refund pocket 19i and a coin collect box M2 and extending through the outer face thereof four coin receiving chutes 51135, 403b, 463s and 353s, which are of such size 'asto receive nickels, dimes, quarters and half dollars, respectively. These chutes extend. throughand are mounted upon the outer side wall of the shell I drawings by means of a coin directing gate 406 which carries-archer 401 contacting the free end of the bottom 4040, and is pivotally mountedat 408 so that it may be rocked about one of .its edges in either direction. In. order selectively to rock'the coin directing gate 406 in ither a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, thereby to determine whether coins collected in the hopper 404 are to be refunded or collected, there is provided an electromagnetic device which comprises an armature 409 pivotally mounted at 4M and arranged to be rotated in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction under the control of a pair of electromagnets 4H and M2. The field structure of the electromagnetic operating means just described preferably includes a permanently magnetized polarizing element which is so arranged that, when current of one polarity traverses the-windings 4H and M2, the armature M39 is pivoted in one direction, and, when current of theopposite polarity traverses these windings, the armature 409 is pivoted in the opposite direction. A pin and slot connection including the pin t I3 is provided between the armature 409 and the gate M6 for the purpose of rocking this gate in one direction or the other in response to a corresponding pivotal movement of the armature 4109. Operation of the gate 496, in either of its two directions of movement, is limited through the provision of a pin 4M carried by one end of the gate and extending through an arcuately formed slot 415 provided in a side wall, forming a part of the supporting structure not shown, for the hopper 404.

For the purpose of normally blocking the passage of coins from the coin chutes 683a to 403d, inclusive, into the coin hopper 4%, there is pro vided a coin discharge gate 455, one end of which is pivotally mounted by means of a bracket K ll and a pivot pin 8 upon the rear wall of the shell Mill. As best shown in Fig. 7, this gate is provided with an enlarged left end having slots 4l6a, 4451;, M and (is formed therein, which are adapted to register with the discharge mouths of the chutes 463a, 493b, 33 and 403s, respectively, when the gate M5 is pivoted from its normal position to its registering position. This gate is normally spring biased to its normal or coin blocking position by means of a coil spring M9 which extends between the shank of the gate 316 and one side Wall of the housing 459,. and is adapted to be rocked to its coin discharge position through operation of an engaging lever 454. This lever is pivotally mounted upon a pivot pin 655', is lightly spring biased so that the lower end thereof normally engages the side of the shank of the gate M6, and is arranged to be rocked in response to operation of the mechanism for operating the switch are.

With the coin discharge gate alt occupying its normal position to block the passage of coins from the chutes 433a to 403d, inclusive, into the hopper 464, a number of coin positions are provided in each of these chutes. Thus, the length of the nickel chute 4fi3a is such that five coin positions for receiving five end stacked nickels are provided therealong. The five sets of contact springs 6s, Heb, H60, Hfid and Hi3?v forming the group H5 individually correspond to these five coin positions provided in the nickel receiving. chute. Similarly, the five sets of contact springs Illa, H11, H70, ills and l'ile form ing the group H! individually correspond to the five coin positions provided in the dime receiving chute, and the two sets of contact springs H821 and I Hit in the group H8 individually correspond to the two coin positions in the quarter receiving chute. Finally, the set of contact springs H9 corresponds to the single coin position provided in the chute arranged to receive half dollars. As best shown in Fig, 6, the contact springs H69. to IIBe, inclusive, forming the group H6, the contact springs of the group III and including the spring set 18., the contact springs forming the group I I8 and includingthe spring set I I8a, and the set of contact springs H9 are cantilever mounted upon a plate 429 by means of insulated spacing strips 42I, an assembly plate 422 and assembly screws extending through the pileup of springs and spacing strips and threaded into the assembly plate 422. When arranged in this manner, the free ends of the various contact springs are disposed opposite the coin positions of the four coin chutes to which they respectively correspond. The springs of each pair, such, for example, as the spring pair H38, carry, at points adjacent the free ends thereof, contacts which are normally in engagement. The rear spring of each pair also carries, at the extreme free end thereof, a coin feeler which is positioned opposite an opening provided in one side of the associated coin chute so that the free end thereof is adapted to be moved through the opening into the corresponding coin position at the point,

along this position which corresponds to the .diameter of a coin occupying the position.

Thus, coin feelers 424a, 424b, I241: and 424d are respectively mounted upon the free ends of the rear springs in each of the spring sets 6a, I "a, '89, and II 9, respectively. The enumerated coin feelers have free ends adapted to extend into oppositely disposed openings formed in the edges of the coin chutes 403a, 4031;,483e and 463s. In order to actuate the various contact springs so that the feeler carried by the rear spring of each set is moved into the associated opening provided along the edge of the associated coin chute, the supporting plate 429 is mounted for pivotal movement about the back edge thereof springs are moved. into the respective corre' sponding coin positions provided in the asso-' ciated chutes. In order to impart pivotal movement to the plate 428 an operating arm 428 is provided which is secured to the back side of the plate 420 in any desired manner and is ar ranged to be actuated by the operating mechanism, hereinafter described, for the rotary switch I The arm 428 is also arranged to actuate I 20. the off-normal springs I24 into engagement when moved to its off-normal position. The

plate 429 is normally biased to its normal posiany suitable portion of the associated mounting structure. In order to restrain the plate in its off-normal position, wherein the ends of the feelers are projected through the oppositely disposed openings in the coin chutes, against the bias of the spring 429 there is provided a resilient latching element 458 mounted upon the back Wall of the housing 400 and provided with a free end normally restrained against movement to its normal position back of the arm 428 by abutment with the side of this arm. The latching element 460 is also provided with an arm 46% which is adapted to be engaged by a camming element embodied in the operating mechanism for the switch I28 to move the latching element to its unlatching position. For the purpose of limiting the movement of the free ends of the contact springs when the plate 420 is rocked about its pivot pin 421, there are provided a number of strip-like stops 4309., 43% and 4380 and 438d which are suitably mounted upon the associated supporting structure and are disposed opposite the free ends of the various contact springs, in the manner shown in Figs. 4"

and 6.

The mechanism of the rotary switch I20, briefly described, comprises a block of insulating material 43I, within which the contacts numbered from I to 69, inclusive, are moulded in an arcrepresenting approximately three quarters of'a circle and upon which is mounted the contact segment 18 and the collector ring I2l. This block of insulating material is supported upon the back wall of the housing 488 by means of supporting brackets 432a,, 4321; and 4320. The contact points arranged around the periphery of the block 43I are so spaced that adjacent ones thereof are bridged by the associated wiper face of the wiper set I22 during rotary movement of this wiper set. The wiper set I22 is mounted for rotation with a stub shaft 433 which is journaled in bearings, one of which is indicated at 434, carried by the associated supporting structure. More specifically, the wiper set I22 is mounted upon an end plate 435 carried by the left end of the stub. shaft 433, by means of an assembly comprising spacing Washers 433 and 431 formed of insulating material, a face plate" 438 and assembly screws extending through registering openings provided in the stacked spacing washers, face plate and wiper arm assembly and threaded into the end plate 435. As best shown in Fig. 8, the face plate 438 is in the form of a sector and carries at its periphery and near its leading edge a pin 46I which is adapted to-engage the arm 468a to release the arm 428 and the plate 420 after the wiper set I22 has traversed all of the associated contacts to 69, inclusive. The plate 438 also carries; at a point trailing the pin 46!, a camming sector 462 which is adapted to engage the upper end of the lever 454 and thus rock this lever in the direction re-' quired to move the gate M6 to the coin discharge position.

In order to impart rotary movement to the stub shaft 433, thereby to drive the Wiper as-- sembly I22 over its associated contacts, spring driving means comprising a coil spring 433 are provided. One end of the coil spring 439 is-secured to the end plate 435 and the other end is secured to an arm' 448 which is mounted upon an operating shaft 44I, the shaft 44I being journaled in bearings suitably mounted upon the associated supporting structure.

Normally, the stub shaft 433 is restrained against rotation by means of an arm 4359, extending from the plate 435 and carrying, at its outer end, a finger 435s which cooperates with a latching element 442 formed of resilient material and mounted upon the upper wall of the housing 400. More particularly, the resilient element 442 is provided with a latching finger 442a which is arranged to restrain the cooperating finger 435s of the arm 435a. against movement under the influence of the coil spring 439. In order to disengage the cooperating latching fingers 442a and 435b, the arm 440 carried by the operating shaft 441 is provided with a finger'44'0t which is adapted to cooperate with the camming surface provided by the reversely bent portion 442: of the resilient element 442. In order to arrest movement of the arm 4359. after each revo lution of the stub shaft 433, there is provided a pin 443 which is mounted upon the arm 435a and is adapted to engage one side of the arm 440 after each revolution of the shaft 433. For the purpose of insuring a uniform speed of rotation of the wiper set I22 when the shaft 433 is released for movement under the influence of the driving spring 439, a fiyball governor mechanism is provided, which includes a ball race 444 within which the flyballs of the governor are disposed. These balls, not shown,.are respectively carried by resilient arms 445eand 445i: mounted upon a governor shaft 446, one end of" which is journaled within the ball race 444 and the other end of which is journaled in a bearing bracket 441. This governor shaft is geared to the stub shaft 433 by means of a worm gear drive which includes a spur gear 440 and a worm gear 449.

In order to tension the coil spring 439 preparatory to releasing. the stub shaft 433 for. rotation under the influence of this spring, an operating handle or crank 450 is mounted on the end of the operating shaft 44I extending externally of the housing 400. Reverse rotation of the shaft 44I under the influence of the spring 439 is prevented through the provision of a ratchet wheel 45I mounted upon the shaft MI and arranged to cooperate with a latching pawl 452 mounted upon the upper wall of thehousing 400. Rotation of the shaft 44I totension the spring 439 is also utilized for the purpose of actuating the arm 428and the plate 420 to move the contact springs IIS, 1,. H8 and H9 so that the coin feelers respectively carried by certain thereof are moved into the corresponding coin positions of the associated coin chutes. To this end,. the upper end of the arm 428 is provided with a camming projection 4 89, which is disposed in the path of movement of a projection 4539, provided on the front face of a collar 453 which is mounted. upon the shaft 44I.

In the operation of the system and apparatus thus far described, if a customer desiring to use the paystation IOI initiates a call at this station by removing the receiver provided thereat from its associated switchhook, the hook switch is 0-perated to complete a loop circuit through the windings of the line relay II 0, this circuit extending from ground through the lower winding of the relay IIO, the jack springs I05, the line conductor I001, the. segment I0 of the switch I20, the wiper set I22, the collector ring I-2;I, the direct current bridge established from. the collector ring IZI to the line conductor I00a; through the hook switch springs embodied in the apparatus II5, over the-conductor I005, and through the jack springs I04 and the upper winding of the relay III] to battery. When energized over this circuit, the relay I I0 operates to complete, at its armature I"I2; an"obvious'circuit for energizing the call lamp I03; Upon observing the lighted. condition of this lamp, the operator attending the operators position at which the jack I02 is located may answer the call by inserting the answer plug 20% in this jack. In. response to this operation, the jack springs I04 and I05 are respectively disengaged to open the above-traced operating circuit for the relay H0; causing this relay to restore open the circuit for energizing the signal lamp I03. Simultaneously with this operation, the tip and ring contacts of the plug 200' engage the tip and ring contacts of the jack I02 so that the two relays 230and 205 are energized in series over the established lbop, talking battery being supplied to this loop through the windings of thejsupervi'sory relay 205. The relay 230 operates, when energized in this circuit, and opens, at its armatime 231, a pointin the circuit for energizing the operating magnet of the registering device 220. Shortly following the operation of the relay 230, the relay 295' operates to prepare, at its armature- 206, the circuit for energizing the operating magnet of the registering device 220. At its armature 201', the relay 205' opens a point in the circuit for energizing the supervisory lamp 202. After inserting the answer plug 200 in the jack I02, the operator may establish a talking circuit between her telephone set 2H5 and the calling-substation I0I- by operating the connect key 211- to 'its' off-normal position so that the line terminals of the telephone set 2% are bridged across the talking conductors of the cord circuit. Following this operation, the operator mayconverse with the calling subscriber and ascertain the substation or party desired. From this information she may calculate the minimum charge to be madefor the call and instruct the calling subscriber to deposit coins equal to the minimum charge and to operate the crank 450 for the purpose of causing the coin deposits to be indicated by the registering device 220. As suming that the ca1l is a toll call and, further, that the minimum charge is one and one-quarter dollars, the calling part, after being informed of" this charge, may 'pay the assessment by depositing one half dollar, two quarters, one dime and three nickels inthe chutes 403e, 4030, 403p and 403's; repectively provided for receiving coins of these denominations. When deposited, these coins fall downward to occupy the lowermost coin positions of the-chutes in which they are deposited, the first deposited coin in each chute abutting the discharge gate- 413 to occupy the lowermost coin position of that chute, the second coin deposited in each'chute being stacked edgewise' on the first deposited coin and occupying the second coin position of the chute, and so on. After depositing the coins having the requisite total*value,- the calling party operates the crank 450 through an arc equa1 to substantiallyone revolution ofthe shaft 4'4I. During such rotation of the shaft 44!, the spring 439 is tensioned preparatory to imparting rotary movement to the stub shaft 433-this stub shaft being restrainedduring such movement cf the operating shaft 44I: through engagement of the latching: finger 435s of the arm 435a with the latching finger 442a of the'latching element 442. During the initial movement of the shaft 44-1, the camming projection 45a of thecollar 553 engages the camming projection G2ato move the arm 428flto th'eleft' from'the position shown in Fig. eof 'the drawings In response tothis movement" of the arm 423 the cif no'rmal springs I-2'4 are moved into engagement to short-circuit the substation apparatus H and the plate 420 is pivoted clockwise about its pivot pin 421 so that the free ends of the contact springs H6, H1, H8 and H9 are moved to the left to project the coin feelers carried thereby into the corresponding openin s provided in the respective associated coin chutes. Those of the coin feelers which correspond to occupied coin positions in the coin chutes engage the edges of the coins to limit the movement of the contact springs upon which they are respectively mounted. Thus, in the case assumed, wherein the single coin position of the coin chute 4034 provided to receive half dollars is occupied, the feeler 424d engages the edge of the coin deposited in this chute during the initial movement of the plate 420, thereby to prevent further movement of the free end of the spring upon which it is mounted. During further movement of the plate 420, this spring is flexed so that the normally engaged contacts respectively carried by this spring and the associated spring are disengaged. In a similar manner, the contacts carried by the springs of the contact sets corresponding to other occupied coin positions are those portions of the contact bank which correspond to coins of larger denominations. Thus, one contact springof each spring 'set, such, for example, as the set I '18., corresponding to a coin position in the dime chute, is multipled to two adjacent odd-numbered contacts of the contact bank embodied in the switch I20. Similarly, one contact spring of each contact spring set, such, for example, as the set 8a, corresponding to a coin position in the quarter chute, is multipled to five adjacent odd-numbered contacts of the bank, embodied in the switch I29, and one contact spring of the spring set H9 is multipled to ten adjacent odd-numbered contacts of this bank.

During the final rotary movement of the shaft I, the finger 440s of the arm 449 rides into engagement with the camming surface provided by the under side of thereversely bent portion .4421 of the latching element 442. As a result, .the finger 4 22s of this latching element is moved upward to the position shown in Fig. 5 of the respectively disengaged when the plate 420 is to these positions without restraint. Accordingly, the contacts carried by the contact springs, upon which the last-mentioned feelers are mounted, are not disengaged during rotation of the plate 420. As indicated previously, movement of the free ends of the contact springs is limited by the stop strips 430s, 430s, 43% and 43%, these stop strips being so disposed as to prevent the associated coin feelers from engaging coins of wrong denominations deposited in the associated coin chutes. For example, if a penny is deposited in the nickel chute 03a to occupy the lowermost coin position in this chute, the stop 430a. will arrest movement of the spring set H68 before the coin feeler 424a engages the edge of the penny, and will thus prevent the contacts of this contact spring set from being separated. By virtue of this arrangement the false registration of deposited coins or slugs of improper dimensions is positively prevented. During the translation of the arm 428 in the manner just explained, the free end of the latching element 460 is disengaged from the side of this arm. As a result, the element 460 assumes its unflexed position wherein the free end thereof prevents the arm 428 from returning to its normal position under the influence of the spring 429 when the camming projections 453a and 428a are disengaged in response to continued rotation of the shaft I.

From the foregoing explanation it will be apparent that in the present assumed case wherein one half dollar, two quarters, one dime and three nickels are deposited in the coin chutes, the contact springs Hfia, IIEb, 60, 1a, 8a., H81, and H9 are respectively disengaged, so that open-circuit or zero potential markings are present on the contacts I, 3, 5, H and I3 and the odd-num bered ones of contacts 31 to 69, inclusive, of the contact bank embodied in the rotary switch I20. In this regard, it will be apparent that each oddnum-bered contact point of the contact bank corresponds to a unit or base value of five cents, appropriate multiples between two or more adjacent odd-numbered contacts being provided for 7s drawings to release the latching finger 435s of the arm 4352.. When this finger is released, the stub shaft 433 is freed for rotation under the influence of the tensioned spring 439, the speed of this shaft during rotation being maintained substantially'constant through operation of the worm driven flyball governor arrangement previously described. As the stub shaft 433 and the arm 435a. rotate, the wiper set I22 is rotated therewith so that the outer brush of the wiper set successively engages the contacts of the associated contact set numbered from I to 69, inclusive, and finally the conducting segment I0. During this movement of the wiper set and when the outer brush thereof is positioned solely in engagement with the contact I of the associated contact bank, the normally completed path through the switch I20 for short-circuiting the resistor I 23 is opened so that this resistor is serially included in the circuit over which the relays 230 and 205 are being held energized. More particularly, with the first coin position of the nickel chute occupied, the contact springs HGa are disengaged so that, when the outer brush of the wiper set I22 is moved solely to engage the contact I of the contact bank, the line conductor Hills is disconnected from the collector ring I2 I thus effectively opening the short circuit normally maintained across the resistor I23; Thereafter and when the wiper I22 is moved to connect the contact 2 of the contact bank to the collector ring I2I, the 'short-circuiting path just described is recompleted. In a similar manner, when the wiper set I22 is moved to bridge the contact 3 ofv the contact bank and the collector ring I2I, the shortcircuiting path is again interrupted since the coin position corresponding to the contact springs H61; is occupied with a coin and these contact springs are separated. The short-circuiting path isthereafter recompleted when the wiper set I22 is moved to engage the contact 4 of the contact bank, is interrupted when this wiper set is moved to engage the contact 5 of the contact bank, and is again completed and held completed when the wiper set is traversing the contacts numbered from 6 to Ill, inclusive. Further, the path shortcircuiting the resistor I23 is opened and completed'twice while the wiper set I 22 is traversing the contacts numbered from II to I4, inclusive, of the contact bank, due to the fact that the lowermost coin position of the dime chute is occupied with a coin so that the contact springs I '13 are separated. During further movement of the wiper set I22, no further interruption of the short-circuiting path occurs until the wiper set engages the contact 3! of the contact bank. From this point on and until the wiper set I22 is moved to engage the conducting segment 10, the path short-circuiting the resistor I23 is alternately completed and interrupted as the wiper set is moved to engage succeeding contacts. From the foregoing explanation, it will be apparent that the path normally short-circuiting the resistor I 23 is interrupted and recompleted twenty-five times, thus causing twenty-five pulses of direct current to be transmitted over the line Hill and through the windings of the relays 239 and 2515. More particularly, each time the resistor I 23 is included in the circuit for energizing these relays, the marginal relay 23d restores to complete the circuit for energizing the operating magnet of the registering device 220, this relay reoperating each time the path short-circuiting the resistor I is recompleted to increase the energization of the Winding thereof. Thus, in the example under consideration, twenty-five current pulses are delivered to the operating magnet of the registering device 22%), causing twenty-five registrations to be made by this device.

During this registering operation, the relay 2% remains in its operated position, this relay being adjusted not to restore when the resistor I 23 is included in its operating circuit. Each registration of the metering device 229 represents a deposit of five cents at the paystation IIH. Accordingly, the twenty-five registrations which are made by this device indicate that the total value of the coins deposited is equal to one and onequarter dollars or the minimum charge assessed by the operator for the call. It will be observed that all of the bank contacts of the test switch 523 are traversed by the wiper set during the first three-quarters of the revolution of the stub shaft 433.

During the initial portion of the final quarter turn of the stub shaft 433, the pin fii carried by the plate 538 rides over the end of the arm 4652a, thereby to move the latching element 460 from behind the arm 528. As a result, the arm 428 and the plate 428 are moved to normal under the influence of the spring s29. During such movement, the arm 428 is positioned to restrain the latching element 535 in its flexed position after the pin 33! has passed over the end of the arm Esta, the off-normal contacts i2 3 are disengaged to open the path short-circuiting the substation apparatus I15, and the coin feelers are withdrawn from the coin chutes. Shortly following the release of the coin feelers and during continued rotation of the stub shaft 433 the cam segment 5%2 rides into engagement with the upper end of the lever 354 to rock this lever in the direction required to move the gate 416 to its coin discharge position against the bias of the spring 419. In response to this operation the openings il'ea, iItb, lific and lIBd are brought into registration with the discharge ends of the chutes 433a, 593b, 393c and dild, respectively, permitting the coins deposited in the chutes to pass into the coin hopper 464. After further rotation of the shaft 433 the cam segment Q62 rides out of engagement with the upper end of the lever 454 permitting this lever and the discharge gate 4 8 to be returned to normal under the influence of the spring 4H5. During the final movement of the stub shaft 333, the finger 435s carried by the arm 435a rides into engagement with the camming surface provided by the lower side of. the reversely bent portion 442s, of the. latching G18:

ment 442. As a result, the latching finger 44 2s is moved upward and out of engagement with the finger 440a. of the arm 4 88, thereby to permit the arm M6 to be rotated through another revolution. Following the disengagement of the fingers 442s and 440a, the pin M3 carried by the arm 445a engages the arm Mt so that the arm 4352 is restrained against further rotation and is left standing in the position illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. When the arm 435s reaches this position, the two shafts 433 and Mi are again at normal and the wiper set I22 again bridges the collector ring I2! and the contact segment It.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be apparent that, as a result of depositing the enumerated coins and operating the crank 159, the customer using the paystation Ir'iI has caused the metering device 220 to make twenty-five registrations, thus visually indicating to the operator handling the call that coins representing the assessed charge have been deposited at the paystation. If desired, the operator may, by actuating the key 2H, utilize her telephone set ZIS to answer or supervise other calls while the coins are being deposited and the coin registrations'are made by the metering device 2123. After this metering device has registered the total value of the coins deposited, the operator may proceed to secure a connection with the desired line by inserting the plug ZElI in a jack at her position which terminates a trunk. extending to an operators position in a distant exchange, and thereafter operating the ringing key 2i3 to project ringing current over the trunk for the purpose of energizing the signal device associated with the distant end of the trunk. From this point on, the call may be progressively routed to the desired subscriber line of the system in the usual manner. After the desired connection is completed, the operator may free her telephone set 2I6 for use in completing other connections by restoring the connect key 25? to normal. Following this operation, the supervisory relays 2G5 and 2M, in conjunction with the associated supervisory signal lamps 2E2 and 2183, may be relied upon to indicate when the connection i ready to be released. In this regard, it will be apparent that, when the customer at the paystation IOI restores the receiver at this station to its supporting hook, the loop circuit extending through the windings of the relays 236 and M5 is interrupted and these relays restore. The relay 285, upon restoring, completes a circuit, extending from ground, through the sleeve contacts of the jack I82 and the plug 2%, and the armature 201, for energizing the supervisory lamp 202, thus indicating to the operator that the calling party has released the connection. If the calling party has used the established connection for a period exceeding the minimum charge period, the operator may signal this party by operating the ringing key 252 to cause ringing cur rent to be projected over the line 599 and through the windings of the bell or ringer conventionally embodied in the substation apparatus lid The resulting operation of the ringer serves to inform the customer that h is being recalled by the operator. Assuming that the customer answers, the loop circuit extending by way of the line I00 is again completed to cause the reoperation of the relays 239 and 205. Following the recompletion of the talking circuit in this manner, the operator may instruct the calling party to make the required additional deposit and to again operate the crankttt for the purpose of causing the total value of the additional coins deposited to be registered by the registering or metering device 220, all in the manner explained previously. Before making such request, the operator may manually restore the metering device 220 to normal so that only the value of the additional deposits will be registered thereby during the second operation of the pulse generating apparatus provided at the paystation I l After the call has been terminated, the op erator may cause the coins held in the hopper 404 to be collected by momentarily operating the key 2M to its coin collect off-normal position. When this key is moved toits coin collect position, the negative terminal of a booster battery source H8 is connected to the line conductor l00a and the positive terminal of this source is connected to ground. As a result, current is caused to traverse the windings 4H and 412 of the coin collect and refund electromagnet in a direction such that the armature 409 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In response to this operation, the gate 406 is also rotated in a counterclockwise direction, causing the roller 40'! to be moved to the left and downward, thus permitting the free end of the hopper bottom 4040 to move downward. As a result of the cooperating inclined surfaces of the hopper bottom 4040 and the gate 406, the coins are discharged into the coin receiving box 402. When the key 214 is released by the operator to disconnect the booster battery source 2l8 from the line conductor 00a, the windings 4| 1 and M2 of the coin collect and refund electromagnet are deenergized, permitting the armature 409 to be restored to its normal position under the influence of spring means, not shown. During the movement of this armature to its normal position, the gate 406 is rotated clockwise back to its normal vertical position, and the roller 40'! carried thereby elevates the free end of the hopper bottom 404;: to its normal position.

If, for any reason, the call is not successfully completed, the operator may refund the coins deposited by the customer at the paystation l0| by momentarily operating the key 2l4 to its coin refund off-normal position. In response to this operation, the positive terminal of a booster battery source H9 is connected to the line conductor 160a and the negative terminal of this source is connected to ground. In this case, the windings 4H and 412 of the coin collect and refund electromagnet are energized in a direction such that the armature 400 is pivoted in a, clockwise direction. As a result, the gate 406 is also pivoted in a clockwise direction so that the roller 40! is moved to the right and lowered to permit the free end of the hopper bottom 40% to move downward. In this case, the inclined coacting surfaces of the hopper bottom 4114c and the gate 406 are so positioned relative to each other that the coins held in the hopper 404 are discharged into the coin refund pocket it! from which they may be extracted by the customer. When the key 2l4 is released by the operator and thus permitted to return to its normal position, the booster battery source 2 I 9 is disconnected from the line conductor l00a, causing the windings 4H and M2 of the coin collect and refund magnet to be deenergized. As a result, the armature 409 is moved under the infiuence of the spring biasing means, not shown, back to its normal position and, during such movement, pivots the gate 406 in a clockwise direction back to its normal position. During the return movement of the armature 409, the roller 40'! carried by the gate 405 forces the free end of the hopper bottom 46% upward so that, when movement of" the armature is completed, this element also occupies its normal position.

Following a coin collect or coin refund operation of the character just described, the operator may fully release the cord circuit employed in setting up the connection by withdrawing the plug 200 from the jack I02.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be apparent that in the arrangement shown in Fig. l of the drawings, provisions are made at the paystation for transmitting to the operator's position signals indicative of the total value of a plurality of deposited coins, ail in one operation. If desired, the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings may be employed, whereby the signals representing the value of each coin are transmitted to the operators position after each coin is deposited. Due to the similarity between the arrangements respectively shown in Figs. 1 and. 3, corresponding elements of the two sets of apparatus have been identified by reference numerals having the same tens and units digits but different hundreds digits which respectively designate the figure number. The primary difference between the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 and that shown in Fig. l of the drawings, resides in the arrangement and size of the contact bank provided in the rotary switch 320 and in the number of sets of contact springs which are provided in association with the four coin chutes. More particularly, in the Fig. 3 arrangement, only one coin position is provided in each chute and, accordingly, only one set of associated contact springs is required. Thus, the contact springs 3I6, 3E7, 3H3 and M9 are respectively provided in association with the nickel, dime, quarter and half dollar coin chutes, respectively. These sets of contact springs are connected in series in the order named, the last set thereof being connected to the line conductor 3001,. The mechanical construction and arrangement of the switch 32$ and of the contact springs 3l6 and H9, inclusive, and of the operating mechanism for these elements, may be substantially identical with the corresponding apparatus illustrated in Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, for the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 1. With the wiring arrangement illustrated in Fig. 3 if a nickel is deposited in the nickel chute such that the contact springs 3i6 are caused to be disengaged prior to operation of the wiper set 322, the contact I of the contact bank is open-circuited so that the path normally short-circuiting the resistor 323 is interrupted and recompleted once during the revolution of the wiper set. As a result, a single current impulse is transmitted over the line 388. On the other hand, if a dime is deposited in the dime chute such that the contact springs 3H are disengaged prior to operation of the wiper set the contacts I and 3 of the contact bank are open-circuited so that the path normally short-circuiting the resistor 323 is interrupted and recompleted twice during the revolution of the wiper set 322. Accordingly, two current pulses are transmitted over the line 300. Alternatively, if a quarter is deposited in the quarter chute such that the springs 3? are disengaged prior to rotation of the wiper set 322, the contacts I, 3, 5, 1 and 9 of the contact bank are open-circuited to cause five current pulses to be transmitted over the line 308 during one revolution of the wiper set 322. Finally, if a half dollar is deposited in the corresponding coin chute such that the contact springs 3|9 are disengaged prior to rotation of the wiper set 322, all of the odd-numbered contacts of the contact bank are open-circuited, causing ten current pulses to be transmitted over the line 380 during the revolution of the wiper set 322. By virtue of the arrangement just described, the total number of contacts which are required in the contact bank of the switch 320 is reduced to a minimum with a consequent reduction in the cost of construction. The primary disadvantage of this wiring ar rangement, as compared with that shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, resides in the fact that the signal generating apparatus must be separately operated once for each coin deposited in order to cause the required signals to be transmitted over the line 300.

While there has been described what is alpresent considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system which includes an exchange provided with registering means operative to make one registration in response to each of a plurality of received signals; a pay station including means for receiving a plurality of coins of different denominations having either a base value or a multiple of said base value, testing means operative to determine the total value of a plurality of coins previously deposited in said coin receiving means. and means controlled by said testing means for transmitting a plurality of signals to said registering means equal in number to the value of the deposited coins divided by said base value.

2. In a telephone system which includes an exchange provided with indicating means operative in response to different numbers of received signals to produce different visual indications; a paystation including a plurality of coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins of diiferent denominations, coin feelers arranged to extend into said chutes at the positions therealong corresponding to the diameters of coins deposited in said chutes, means for moving said feelers into said chutes so that a coin deposited in one of said chutes is engaged by the feeler corresponding to the position of the deposited coin and the other feelers move into the corresponding positions provided to receive coins, contact sets individually corresponding to said feelers and individually set in accordance with the positions occupied by the respective associated feelers following the operation of said last-named means, and circuit means controlled in accordance with the setting of the contact set corresponding to said deposited coin for transmitting one or more signals to said indicating means indicative of the value of said deposited coin.

3. In a telephone system which includes an exchange provided with indicating means operative in response to different numbers of received signals to produce different indications; a paystation including a plurality of coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations, coin feelers arranged to extend into said chutes at the positions therealong corresponding to the diameters of coins deposited in said chutes, means for moving said feelers into said chutes so that the coins de-' posited in said chutes are engaged by the feelers corresponding to the positions of the deposited coins'and the other feelers move into the corresponding positions-provided to receive coins, contact sets individually correspondingto said feelers and each including contact springs arranged to occupy different relative positions de-' pending upon the position occupied by the re-' spective associated'feeler' following operation of said last-named means, and a test switch opera-' tive successively "to test said contact setsand" to transmit at least one signal to said indicating means each time a set of contacts is tested which includes springsoccupying a relative position indicating that a" coinis deposited in the corresponding position of one of said chutes.

4.'In'a telephone system which'includes an exchange provided with registering means "operativeto make one registration in response to each of a plurality'of received'signals; a paystation including a'plurality of coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations having either a base value or amultiple of said base value, coinfeelers arranged to extend intosaid chutes at the positions therealong corresponding to the diameters of coins deposited in said chutes, means for moving said feelers intosaid chutes so that coins deposited in said chutes are engaged by the feelers corresponding to the positions of the deposited coins and the "other feelers are moved into the corresponding unoccupied positions p 79: vided to receive coins, contact sets individually corresponding to said feelers and individually set in accordance with the positions occupied" bythe respective associated feelers, following the op'eration'of said last-named means, and circuit means controlled in accordance with'the' settings of said contact sets for transmitting to said registering means a plura ity of signals equal in number to the total value of coins deposited in said chutes in making a call divided by said base value. i

5. In a telephone system which includes an exchange provided with registering means operative to make one registration inresponse to each of a plurality of received signals; a paystation including a plurality of coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations having either a base .value orv a multiple of said base value, coin feelers arranged to extend into said chutes at the positions therealong corresponding to the diameters of coins a test switch operative successively to test saidcontacts-and controlled in accordance with the settings of said contacts to transmit to :said registering means a plurality of signals equal in number to the total valueof coins deposited in said chutes in making a call divided by said base value.

6. A telephone paystation comprising a coin chute constructed to receive a plurality of coins, contacts individually corresponding to the coin positions in said chute and means for impressing a predetermined potential upon those of said contacts corresponding to positions in said chute occupied with coins, a test switch operative to test said contacts for said predetermined potential, and circuit means controlled in accordance with the number of said contacts having said predetermined potential thereon for generating a number of current pulses indicative of the total value of coins deposited in said coin chute.

7. A telephone paystation comprising a coin chute constructed to receive a plurality of coins, a coin hopper disposed below said chute, a discharge gate normally positioned to block the passage of coins from said chute into said hopper, contacts individually corresponding to the coin positions in said chute and means for impressing a predetermined potential upon those of said contacts corresponding to positions in said chute occupied with coins, a test switch operative to test said contact for said predetermined potential, circuit means controlled in accordance with the number of said contacts having said predetermined potential thereon for generating a number of current pulses indicative of the total value of coins deposited in said coin chute, and means for moving said gate to discharge 'coinsfromsaid chute into said hopper following the operation of said test switch to test all of said contacts.

8. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin chutes constructed to receive coins of different denominations, contacts individually corresponding'to the coin positions in said chutes and means for impressing a predetermined potential upon one of said contacts corresponding to a position in one of said chutes occupied with a coin, a test switchoperative to test said contacts for said predetermined potential, and circuit means controlled in accordance with the potential on said one contact for generating one or more current pulses indicative of the value of the coin deposited in said one chute.

9. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin chutes constructed to receive coins of different denominations, a coin hopper disposed below said chutes, a discharge gate normally positioned to block the passage of coins from said chutes into said hopper, contacts individually corresponding to the coin positions in said chutes and means for impressing a predetermined potential upon'one of said contacts corresponding to a position in one of said chutes occupied with a coin, a test switch operative to test-said contacts for said predetermined potential, circuit means controlled in accordance with the potential on said one contact for generating one or more current pulses indicative of the value of the coin deposited in said one chute, and means for moving said gate to discharge the deposited coin from said one chute into said hopper following the operation of said test switch to test all of said contacts.

10. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin chutes constructed to receive coins of different denominations having either a base value or a multiple of said base value, contacts individually corresponding to the coin positions in said'chutes and means for impressing a predetermined potential upon those of said contacts corresponding to positions in said chutes occupied with coins, a test switch operative to test said contacts for said predetermined potential, and circuit means controlled in accordance with the number of contacts having said predetermined potential thereon for generating one current pulse when one of said contacts corresponding to an occupied base value coin position is tested by said switch and for generating, when one of said contacts corresponding to an occupied multiple base value coin position is tested by said switch, a number of current pulses equal to said multiple, whereby the total number of current pulses generated during operation of said switch is indicative of the total value of coins deposited in said chutes.

11. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin receiving chutes, means for integrating the values of coins deposited in said chutes, and means controlled by said integrating means and operative only after all of said coins have been deposited for generating a plurality of signals equal in number to said integrated value divided by a common base value.

12. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin receiving chutes, means for integrating the values of coins deposited in said chutes, and means controlled by said integrating means and operative only after all of said coins have been deposited for generating a plurality of signals indicative of said integrated value.

13. A telephone paystation comprising a chute constructed to receive a plurality of coins, means for integrating the values of coins deposited in said chute, and means controlled by said integrating means and operative only after all of said coins have been deposited for generating a plurality of signals equal in number to said integrated value divided by a common base value.

14. A telephone paystation comprising a chute constructed to receive a plurality of coins, means for-integratingthe values of coins deposited in said chute, and means controlled by said integrating means and operative only after all of said coins have been deposited for generating a plurality of signals indicative of said integrated value.

15. A telephone paystation comprising a coin chute constructed to receive a plurality of coins, coin feelers arranged to extend into said chute at the positions therealong corresponding to the diameters of stacked coins deposited in said chute, means for moving said feelers into said chute so that the coins deposited in said chute are engaged by the feelers corresponding to the positions of said deposited coins and the other feelers are moved into the corresponding unoccupied positions provided to receive coins, contact sets individually corresponding to said feelers and set in accordance with the positions occupied by the respective associated feelers following the operation of said last-named means, and circuit means controlled in accordance with the settings of said contacts for generating a plurality of current pulses indicative of the total value of coins deposited in said chute.

16. A telephone paystation comprising a coin chute constructed to receive a plurality of coins, coin feelers arranged to extend into said chute at the positions therealong corresponding to the diameters of stacked coins deposited in said chute, means for moving said feelers into said chute so that the coins deposited in said chute are engaged by the feelers corresponding to the posi-' tions of said deposited coins and the other feelers are moved into the corresponding unoccupied positions provided to receive coins, contact sets individually corresponding to said feelers and arranged to have difierent settings depending upon the positions occupied by the respective associated feelers following operation of said lastnamed means, and a test switch operative successively to test said contacts and controlled in accordance with the settings of said contacts to generate a plurality of current pulses indicative of the total value of coins deposited in said chute.

17. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations having either a base value or a multiple of said base value, coin feelers arranged to extend into said chutes at the positions therealong corresponding to the diameters of coins deposited in said chutes, means for moving said feelers into said chutes so that coins deposited in said chutes are engaged by the feelers corresponding to the positions of the deposited coins and the other feelers are moved into the corresponding unoccupied positions provided to receive coins, contact sets individually corresponding to said feelers and set in accordance with the positions occupied by the respective associated feelers following operation of said lastnamed means, and circuit means controlled in accordance with the settings of said contact sets for generating a plurality of current pulses equal in number to the total value of coins deposited in said chutes divided by said base value.

18. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations having either a base value or a multiple of said base value, coin feelers arranged to extend into said chutes at th positions therealong corresponding to the diameters of coins deposited in said chutes, means for moving said feelers into said chutes so that coins deposited in said chutes are engaged by the feelers corresponding to the positions of the deposited coins and the other feelers are moved into the corresponding unoccupied positions provided to receive coins, contact sets individually corresponding to said feelers and arranged to have different settings depending upon the positions occupied by the respective associated feelers following operation of said last-named means, and a test switch operative successively to test said contacts and controlled in accordance with th settings of said contacts to generate a plurality of current pulses equal in number to the total value of coins deposited in said chutes divided by said base value.

19. A telephone paystation comprising a coin chute constructed to receive a plurality of coins, coin feelers arranged to extend into said chute at points therealong corresponding to the diameters of coins stacked in said chute, pairs of contact springs each including a spring carrying one of said feelers at the free end thereof, whereby each pair of said springs occupies different circuit controlling positions depending upon the engagement or disengagement of the associated feeler with a coin in said chute when said springs are operated to move said feelers into said chute, a test switch including bank contacts connected to said contact springs and a wiper adapted to traverse said bank contacts, spring means for driving said wiper over said bank contacts, locking means normally restraining said wiper against rotary movement; operating means operative to bias said contact springs so that said feelers are moved into said chute, to tension said spring means and to release said locking means so that said wiper. is driven over said bank contacts; and circuit means controlled in accordance with the positions of said contact'springs for generating a plurality of current pulses indicative. of the total value of coins deposited in said chute.

20. A telephone system comprising a plurality of coin chutes constructed to receive coins of different denominations having either a base value or a multiple of said base value, coin feelers adapted to extend into said chutes at positions therealong corresponding to the diameters of coins deposited in said chutes, pairs of contact springs each including a spring carrying one of said feelers at the free end thereof, whereby the springs of each pair occupy different relative positions depending upon the engagement or disengagement of the associated feeler with a coin in one of said chutes when said springs are operated to move said feelers into said chutes, a rotary test switch including bank contacts connected to said contact springs and a wiper adapted to traverse said bank contacts, spring means for driving said wiper over said bank contacts, locking means normally restraining said wiper against movement; operating means operative to a move said contact springs so that said feelers are moved into said chute, to tension said spring means and to release said locking means so that said wiper is driven over said bank contacts; and circuit means controlled in accordance with the relative positions of said contact springs for generating a plurality of current pulses equal in number to the total value of coins deposited in said chutes divided by said base value.

21. A telephone paystation including a coin chute constructed to receive a. plurality of coins, a coin hopper disposed below said chute, a discharge gate normally blocking the passage of coins from said chute into said hopper, a plurality of coin feelers arranged to extend into said chute at points therealong corresponding to the diameters of coins stacked in said chute, pairs of contact springs each including a spring carrying one of said feelers at the free end thereof, whereby the springs of each pair occupy different relative positions depending upon the engagement or disengagement of the associated feeler with a coin in said chute, a rotary switch including bank contacts connected to certain of said contact springs and a wiper adapted to traverse said bank contacts; operating means for moving said contact springs to move said feelers into said chute, for driving said wiper over said bank contacts and for actuating said gate to pass coins held in said chute into said hopper, all in the order named; and circuit means controlled in accordance with the relative positions of said contact springs for generating a plurality of current pulses indicative of the total value of coins deposited in said chute.

22. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin chutes constructed to receive coins of different denominations having either a base value or a multiple of said base value, a coin hopper disposed below said chutes, a discharge gate normally positioned to block the passage of coins from said chutes into said hopper, a plurality of coin feelers arranged to extend into said chute 'at points therealong corresponding to the diamchutes, a test switch "including bank contacts connected to certain of said contact springs and a wiper adapted to traverse said bank contacts; operating means for biasing said contact springs to move said feelers into said chutes, for driving said wiper over said bank contacts and for actuating said gate to pass coins held in said chutes into said hopper, all in the order named; and circuit means controlled in accordance with the relative positions of said contact springs for generating a plurality of impulses equal in number to the total value of coins deposited in said chutes divided by said base value.

BERNARD D. WILLIS.

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