US2361835A - Coin-controlled apparatus - Google Patents

Description

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I. K

GIL

I I I I I I I I 9* I I I 5 I REJ'EGTED ACCEPT D cows I COINS Oct. 31, 1944.

B. W. FRY

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1940 A A AAA H'HHHH Oct. 31, 1944. B. w. FRY

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5.

FIG. 6.

FIG. 8.

Patented Oct. 31, 1944 OOIN-OONTROILED APPARATUS Fry, University City, Mo., assignor Benjamin toiNational Vendors, Ina, St. Louis, 910., a corporation of Missouri Application July I, 1940, Serial No. 944,011

19Claiml.

This invention relates to coin-controlled apparatus, and with regard to certain more specific features, to a combined coin separator and counter.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a combined separator and counter for coins in which only acceptable coins are counted but all coins for which the machine is adapted are automatically and positively forced through a testing operation; the provision of fool-proof apparatus of the class described in which coins may be inserted, without requiring additional manual force for effecting operation of any function of the apparatus but which is positive in operation under all conditions and which is compact and simple, having a low number of parts. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In -the accompanying. drawings, in which is illustratedone of. various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus with surrounding parts removed;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation showing a coin-started energizing device;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an oblique section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an oblique, jogged section taken on line 9-5 of Fig. 1, showing the start of a resetting operation by a passing acceptable coin;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the relationship of parts just after resetting;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to parts Of Fig. 1 with certain parts removed and showing a coin passing through a counter;

Fig. 8 is a detailed plan view of a follower finger taken substantially on line 9-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In various United States patents apparatus is shown consisting of a thermo-electric circuit which is closed by an insert coin, the Junction between the coin and the circuit being heated to generate thermo-electric current which passes through a current indicator. The indicator closes a switch in a second circuit including a solenoid or electromagnet for actuating coindeflecting means. Exemplary patents are Eldridge 1,204,'752, Gray et al. 1,921,609 and Wallin et al. 2,107,402. As will appear, a circuit is used herein employing similar principles as a basis of departure for improvement, as can be seen from Fig. 9 herein.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at numeral i a support This is formed as a plate in which is an upper coin inlet or receiving passage, indicated at 9. Branched with this inlet passage 9 are two lower outlet passages I and 1, the former for rejected (or spurious) coins and the latter for accepted (or legal) coins, such as United States nickels. Suitable plates 9 are used to cover the passages. Parts of the passages 9 and 1 are defined by th edge 99 of a rotary rubber wheel 91 and part by a stationary edge 9| on the support Aligned rectangular front and rear openings il in the cover means and the support within the region of the inlet 9, provide space for a movable intersecting lever arm |9 (see Figs. 1-3). At the rear of the machine the lever reaches to a pivot pin I! mounted upon an extension bracket H. The pivoting portion of the lever is formed as a U-shaped knee i9, the end of which opposite to the lever I9 is formed as a downward finger 2|.

Upon the finger 2| rests the pad-like end 29 of a follower bar 29. The bar 29 is pivoted at 29 for rocking movement. The pivoting of the bar 29 is quite loose so that it has a substantial amount of play lateral to the plane of rotation, as suggested by the dottedr-line position shown in Fig. 3. This follower bar 29 is biased against the finger 2| by a biasing spring 21. It is also normally biased in a counterclockwise direction (referring to Fig. 2) by the same spring.

The pad 29 at the upper end of the bar 23 slides on finger 2| and is itself laterally moved thereby. The bar 29 also includes an extension 9| composed of insulating material which, when the bar 29 is rocked into the clockwise position shown in Fig. 2, contacts with one springing contact 99 of a pair of switch contacts 99, 99, to separate said contacts. When the bar is swung counterclockwise to the left, to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, the finger 9| permits the contacts 99, 99 to spring shut.

The bar 29 includes a follower finger 91 which can drop into the inner portion of a spiral groove 2 assnsss 38 in-a spiral cam 4|. If this cam is rotated clockwise (Fig. 2) it will then force the follower 81 to the right. thus car ying the bar 23 to the solid-line position in Figs. 2 and 3.

The spiral-cam II is driven to rotate by way of a gear train 43 mounted in a supporting frame ll. The train is driven from the shaft 41 of a motor 48. The motor 49 is energized by an A, C, circuit 88 which includes the switch 38, 33.

Operation of the parts of the invention so far described is as follows, referring to Figs. 1-3:

When a coin II (for example a United States five-cent piece) is inserted into the inlet 3, it is released at the inlet, whereupon it drops down upon the end of the trip lever l3 which intersects said inlet 3 (see dotted line position E). The weight of the coin depresses the lever l3 and therefore moves the trip finger 2| to the left (Fig. 3). This moves the bar 23 from its solidline position (Fig. 3) to the dotted-line position, whereupon the biasing spring 21 moves the bar to the left (Fig. 2), the pad 29 while riding on 2| holding the follower 31 clear of spiral groove 39. The spring 21 also biases the bar 23 to the right (Fig. 3), but the weight of the coin causes the finger 2| to hold the bar 23 with its finger 31 clear of cam 4|. The arcuate form of pad 29 assures clearance over a substantial part of the face of cam 4|. When the coin leaves the lever 3, the lever rises, thus permitting the follower flnger 31 to drop into the spiral groove 39 of the cam near the cam center.

As will be seen from Fig. 8, the groove 39 in the cam 4| is of buttress form and the follower finger is pointed, having a flat buttress-engaging edge 53. This form of follower and groove'assures perfect entry of the follower into the groove (near the center of the spiral) while at the same time assuring a subsequent positive drive of the follower radially outward upon rotation of the helical groove 89 in the cam l l Thus the finger 3|, upon coin insertion, is first pulled away from the switch 33, 35, and the latter closes the circuit to energize the motor 49. This causes rotation of the motor shaft 41 and also rotation of the cam 4| through the gear train 43, the follower 31 being at this time in the center portion of groove 39 as the cam 4| starts to rotate. The result is that the follower finger 31 is driven to the right (Fig. 2) by the spiral cam ll until the contact finger 3| reopens the switch 83, 88. Thus a predetermined motor operation is attained for driving the cam shaft 85. The lateral bias of spring 21 moves bar 23 to the left to raise lever l3, through 2|, when the coin is clear, so that not until another coin is inserted will the follower 31 be lifted clear of the cam 4| to be re-set near the center of spiral groove 39.

The cam shaft 55 also carries a rubber wheel 51, which, as a consequence of'the mechanism above described, is turned only a predetermined amount upon dropping in a coin. The wheel 81 is relatively resilient.

'The rubber wheel 51 is located with the edge 59 thereof located in the plane of said inlet 3, so that as the coin 8| rolls down over the edge of the depressed lever l3 (see the dotted position E in Fig. 1), the edge of the coin then drops upon the edge of the rotating wheel 51. At the same time the coin enters a part of the inlet chute 3 which has the outer arcuate edge 8| upon which the coin rolls under driving action while wedged against the wheel 51 (see position F). Thus the coin II is positively driven by the wheel to roll over the fixed edge 8|. As the coin advances, it

oomesunderpressureofaspringflwhichhasa good electrical contact with the frame I at 88 and reaches through an opening 2 to contact the coin in position F.

At this point it is an object to test the coin for possible spuriousness. A thermo-electric circuit for this purpose is shown in Fig. 9, wherein (see also Fig. 1) numeral 81 indicates a heater coil energized from the 110 volt circuit 88.

The heater 81 heats a testing contact 1| against which the coin II is positively rolled by the wheel 81. -The spring 83 constitutes a second contact at this point which in connection with the coin closes a thermo-electrlc circuit 13. This circuit 13 includes the coil 18 of a galvanometer (current-measuring device). Energization of the coil 18 causes movement of an armature 11 to close a relay switch 18, provided the current is enough in the thermo-electric circuit 13 to effect closure. This occurs only when an acceptable coin of the proper alloy (such as a United States nickel) is placed between the contacts 1| and 63. Spurious coins, such as copper, zinc, lead, aluminum, iron, german silver, etc., being of improper constituents, either produce so little current that the switch 18 will not close, or produce reverse current to induce a tendency for the switch 18 to open wider.

The switch 19 closes a relay circuit 8| in which is a battery 88 (such as one or more flashlight batteries), which energize a coil 85 of an electromagnet indicated in Figs. 1 and 5-7.

The relay coil 88 is mounted upon the cover 8 by means of a bracket 81 (see Figs. 5 and 6). Pivoted to the bracket at 89 is a magnetic armature 8| which, by means of a spring 83, is normally biased to a position against a stop 4 as shown in Fig. 6. In this position the armature 8| interlooks with the deflector pivoted at 91. When not interlocked, the deflector assumes the normally biased position shown in Fig. 5. This is due to a spring 99. But the deflector 95 is normally held against bias by the armature 9| (Fig. 6).

Whenever the coil 85 is energized by closing of the contacts 19 (which implies that a, thermoelectric current, due to an acceptable coin, has been established in circuit 18), then the armature is pulled up from the interlocking position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 5. Thus the deflector 95 is released for bias by spring 99 to the Fig. 5 position.

The deflector 85 has a deflector lip |0| which passes through openings I03 in or near the accepted-coln passage 1. This is at the point where the rejected-coin passage 5 branches. Thus if the coin passes the test during its period of closing the circuit 13, that is, generates enough current to close contacts 19, the relay coil 85 is energized and by opening the interlock between 9| and 95, permits the deflector lip |0| to jump clear of the inlet passage 1, whereupon the coin falls gnitossaid inlet. This state of affairs is shown in The deflector 98 also includes a tail I08 which, when the deflector is biased as shown in Fig. 5, reaches into an opening I01 and intersects the accepted-coin passage 1. This tail is forced by the accepted coin in passing, as illustrated in Fig. 5, which resets this deflector 95 (Fig. 6). The coil 85 having by this time become deenergized (by movement of the coin from contacts 68, 1| and opening of switch 19) permits the dropping of the armature 9| behind the deflector 85 to hold the accuses 3 latter in intersecting position for actuation by the next accepted coin.

Assuming that a spurious or unacceptable coin has been introduced, then in passing through the contacts 68 and 1| not enough, or the wrong direction of, current is engendered, so that the relay switch It does not close; Thus the relay coil ll does not become energized, and the armature II remains in interlocking position, as shown in Pig. 6. Such a coin is intercepted by the lip Ill (see position A in Fig. l) and deflected from entry into the chute 1 and is forced into the rejected-coin passage 5 (see position B in Fig-.1).

Positions of an accepted coin in chute I are shown at dotted-line positions C and D in Fig. 1,

Dotted-line positions I and 1'' show the entering positions for both acceptable and unacceptable coins.

As soon as any coin, either unacceptable or acceptable, leaves the contact II, it is no longer supported by the track ii and edge is or the wheel I1, and, except for a slight guiding eflect from a pin ll, drops freely. If it is an accepted coin it drops past the biased deflector 9i and into the slot 1, as shown in Fig. '1, and comes into contact with a second arcuate edge m which is art of said chute or slot I. This edge I09 is so spaced with respect to the periphery 59 01' the wheel 51 that the coin is again gripped to be driven by the wheel, rolling on said edge I08. That is to say, it is again positively driven as it was positively driven against the contact 'I l,.

The purpose of this second positive drive is to obtain a positive forcing of the coin under the tail piece I05 so as positively to reset the deflector 95 and also positively to force it into contact with the lip iii of a rocker Ill pivoted at H5. Lip lli intersects the chute I so that when the coin is forced over it (at position C), the rocker H3 is rocked counterclockwise (Fig. -l). The rocker is guided underneath a plate Iil and carries an extension lit for pivoting at Ill with an arm III. The arm I28 reaches to a suitable coin-registering apparatus (not shown). Movement of the rod I23, due to actuation of the lip Ill by an accepted coin, results in registering the proper amount, such as live cents (in the case oi a live-cent coin).

After the coin passes the lip Ill, it rolls a short distance along the track I and then drops freely from the wheel 51 and through the chute I to the accepted-coin box (not shown).

Shortly after the coin (either accepted or rejected) leaves the wheel 51; the spiral cam ll has rotated the distance necessary to cause the finger 3| to open the switch 33, II, so that the motor 49 ceases to drive the rubber wheel The apparatus is then in condition for insertion oi the next coin, the lever ll having been pulled up by the biasing action of spring 21 on the bar 23 and finger II in returning the follower 31 to the center of the cam ll.

From the above, it will be seen that all a customer does is to drop the requisite coin into the chute 3. He is not required to force it into the machine for operation of any part.. The coin is entirely out of his control after he re-- leases it, and the device is therefore fool-proof. At the same time, a positive drive is eflected where required after the coin enters the apparatus so that the action is dependable.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved, and other advantageous results attained.

Asmanychanges couldbemadeintheabove constructions. without departing from the scope of the invention. it is intended that all Mr contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 7

1. A thermo-electric coin-controlled apparatus in which a oin formapart of a thermoelectric control circuit, comprising a support, power-driven coin-driving means on the support, said support having a coin-receiving chute for gravity reception of coins for delivery to said coin-driving means, a testing contact in the thermo-electric circuit adjacent to said coin-receiving chute, said coin-driving means automatically power driving the coin into forced engagement with said contact.

2. A thermo-electric coin-controlled apparatus in which a coin forms part of a. thermoelectric control circuit, comprising a support, power-driven coin-driving means on the support, said support having a coin-receiving chute for gravity reception of coins for delivery to said coin-driving means, an electrical testing contact in the thermo-electric circuit adjacent to said coin-receiving chute, 'sadd coin-driving means automatically power driving the coin into forced engagement with said contact, and means positioned in advance of the testing contact responsive to the descent of the coin for temporarily actuating said coin-driving means.

3. Thermo-eiectric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electric couple with part oi. an electric control circuit,

comprising a support, movable coin-driving means on the support, said support having a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said coin-driving means, a contact member located in said circuit and being adjacent to said coin-receiving chute to form said thermo-electric couple with the coin, said coin-driving means being adapted in connection with the chute positively to move the coin into engagement with said contact member, a second contact in the circuit engaged by the coin while the coin engages the said contact member, separate coin chutes for rejected and accepted coins joining said receiving chute adjacent said contact member, the coins being adapted to leave the contact member and drop clear of the coin-drivingvmeans into one or the other of said separate chutes, the accepted-coin chute being related to said coin-driving means so that a coin entering therein comes again into positive driving engagement with said movable means, and a deflector controlled from said circuit and located at the region where the coin drops clear to direct the coin into one or the other of said separate chutes according to how the coin has aflected said control circuit.

4. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric control circuit, comprising a support, rotary coin-driving means on the support, said support having a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said coin-driving means, a contact member located in said circuit and being adjacent to said coin-receiving chute to form said thermo-electric couple with the coin, said coin-driving means being adapted positively to move the coin into engagement with said contact member, a second contact in the circuit engaged by the coin while the coin engages the said contact member, separate chutes for rejected 4 accuses and accepted coins joining said receivin chute adjacent said contact member. the coins being adapted to leave the contact membenand'drop clear of said rotary coin-driving means into one or the other of said separate chutes, and a deflector controlled from said circuit and located at the region where the coin .drops clear to direct the coin into one or the other of said separate chutes according to how the coin has aflected said control circuit.

5. 'I'hermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric control circuit, and comprising a support, rotary coin-driving means on the support, said support having a coinreceiving chute adjacent to said coin-driving means, a contact member located in said circuit and located adjacent to said coin-receiving chute to form a thermo-electric couple with the coin, said coin-driving means being adapted positively to move the coin into engagement with said contact member, a second contact in the circuit engaged by the coin while the coin engages the said contact member, separate chutes for rejected and accepted coins joining said receiving chute adjacent said contact member, the coin being adapted to leave the contact member and drop clear of said rotary means into one or the other of said separate chutes, and a deflector controlled from said circuit and located at the region where the coin drops clear to direct the coin into one or the other of said separate chutes according to how the coin has afl'ected said control circuit, the accepted-coin chute being related to said coindriving means so that a coin entering therein again comes into positive driving engagement with said coin-driving means.

6. Thermo-electrlc coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric control circuit, comprising a support, a movable coin-driving wheel on the support, said support having a coinreceiving chute adjacent to said coin-driving means, a contact member in said circuit and located adjacent to said coin-receiving chute, said moving means being adapted positively to move the coin into engagement with said contact member, a second contact in the circuit engaged by the coin while the coin engages the said contact member, separate chutes for respectively receiving rejected or accepted coins and joining said receiving chute adjacent said contact member, the coin being adapted to leave the contact member and move from the wheel into the chute for rejected coins or the chute for accepted coins, a deflector responsive to action of said control circuit for guiding the coin into one or the other of said chutes depending upon how the thermoelectric couple action of the coin has aflected the circuit, the accepted-coin chute being related to said wheel so that a coin dropped therein again comes into positive driving engagement with said wheel, and coin-operated means engageable by the positively-moved coin in the accepted-coin chute.

'l. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric control circuit, a su p rt, movable coin-forcing means on the support, said support including a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said movable means to force the coin into rolling engagement with said coinforcing means. a contact member in said circuit and located adjacent the coin-receiving chute with which contact member the coin is forced into engagement, a second contact in the circuit en- Baged by the coin while the coin engages the said contact member, rejectedand accepted-coin chutes joining said coin-receiving chute adjacent said contact member, means whereby the coin falls clear of the forcing means after leaving said contact member and before falling into either of the coin chutes, a shiftable deflector controlled from said circuit and located for deflecting rejectable coins from entry into the accepted-coin chute and into the rejected-coin chute, the control means for the deflector including means normally latching said deflector to close the accepted-coin chute and means for shifting it to pass coins to the accepted chute.

8. Thermo-electriccoin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric control circuit, a support, movable coin-forcing means on the support, said support including a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said forcing means to force the coin into rolling engagement with said movable means, a contact member in said circuit and located adjacent the coin-receiving 'chute, with which contact member the coin is forced into engagement, a second contact in the circuit engaged by the coin while. the coin engages the said contact member, rejectedand accepted- ,coin chutes joining said coin-receiving chute adjacent said contact member, means whereby the coin falls clear of the forcing means after leaving said contact member and before falling into either of the coin chutes, a deflector controlled from said circuit and located for deflecting rejectable coins from entry into the accepted-coin chute and into the rejected-coin chute, the control means for the deflector including means normally latching said deflector to close the accepted-coin chute but adapted to release the deflector upon proper current from the contact member to permit it to move away from deflecting position so as to permit an acceptable coin to enter the accepted-coin chute.

9. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric control circuit, a support, movable coin-forcing means on the support, said support including a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said movable means to force the coin into rolling engagement with said forcing means, a contact member in said circuit and located adjacent the coin-receiving chute into engagement with which contact member the coin is forced, a second contact in the circuit engaged by the coin while the coin engages the said contact member, rejectedand accepted-coin chutes joining said coin-receiving chute adjacent said contact member, means whereby the coin falls clear of the forcing means after leaving said contact member and before falling into either of the coin chutes, a shiftable deflector operative from said circuit for deflecting rejectable coins from entry into the accepted-coin chute and into the rejected-coin chute, the deflector-operating means including means normally latching said deflector to close the accepted-coin chute but adapted to release the deflector upon proper current from the contact member to permit it to move away from the deflecting position so as to permit the coin to enter the accepted-coin chute, and means whereby the coin when it enters the accepted-coin chute is re-engaged with the movable forcing means for positive advance into,

the accepted-coin chute.

10. 'I'liermo-electric coin testing apparatus 'in aseasss which a coin forms a temporary theme-electric couple with part of an electric control circuit. a

support, movable coin-forcing means on the support, said support including a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said forcing means to force the coin into engagement with said forcing means, a contact member in said circuit and located adjacent the coin-receiving chute into engagement 7 coin chute, means responsive to currentsupplied by said circuit for normally latching said de- ,flector to close the accepted-coin chute but unlatch'ing the deflector upon proper current fromthe contact member to permit an acceptable coin to enter the accepted-coin chute, means whereby the coin when it enters the accepted-coin chute is re-engaged with the forcing means for positive advance into the accepted-coin chute, and resetting means for the deflector operable by the coin when driven in the accepted-coin chute by the forcing means.

11. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electric couple with part of an electric control circuit, a support, movable coin-forcing meanson'the support, said support including a coin-receiving chute adjacent to said movable means to force the coin into engagement with said forging means, a contact member in said circuit and located adjacent the coin-receiving chute into engagement with which contact member the coin is forced, a second contact in the circuitengaged by the coin while the coin engages the said contact member, rejectedand acceptedcoin chutes joining said coin-receiving chute adjacent said contact member, means whereby the coin falls clear of the forcing means after leaving said contact member and before falling into either the rejectedor accepted-coin chute, a deflector controlled from said circuit for deflecting rejectable coins from entry into the accepted-coin chute and into the rejected-coin chute, means responsive to current supplied by said circuit for normally latching said deflector to close the accepted-coin chute but adapted to unlatch the deflector upon proper current from the contact member to permit an acceptable coin to enter the accepted-coin chute, means whereby the coin when it enters the accepted-coin chute is re-engaged with the forcing means for positive advance into the accepted-coin chute, and resetting means for latching the deflector operable by the coin when driven in the acceptedcoin chute by the forcing means.

12. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms part of an electric control circuit, and having a pair of contact members in said electrical circuit for controlling a deflector for rejectable and acceptable coins, comprising a sup.

port, a rotary coin-driving wheel on the support, said support including a coin-receiving chute for directing the coin into engaging position with the wheel, said receiving chute being arranged so that the wheel rolls the coin into positive engagethereafter releases the coin, said support also having a rejectedand accepted-coin chute communicating with the coin-receiving chute at the point where the coin is released, a coin-deflecting mechanism comprising a deflector biased to admit a coin to the accepted-coin chute and normally held in a position to deflect a coin into the rejected-coin chute, electromagnetic means in said circuit adapted to release the'deflector from its held position in response to the thermo-electric eflect of an acceptable coin on the circuit when in engagement with said positively engaged contact member, whereupon the acceptable coin drops into the accepted-coin chute, said accepted-coin chute being located with respect to the driving wheel to' again force the coin into driving engagement therewith positively to force it into the accepted-coin chute, and resetting means for the deflector engageable by the coin while being forced into the accepted-coin chute to re-set the deflector to a position for deflecting coins to the rejected-coin chute.

l3. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms part of an electric control circuit, and having a pair of contact members in said electrical circuit for controlling a deflector for reiectable and acceptable coins, comprising a support, a rotary coin-driving wheel on the support, said support including a coin-receiving chute for directing the coin into engaging position with the wheel, said receiving chute being arranged so that 1 driving action of the wheel rollsthe coin into positive engagement with one of said pair of contact members, said support also having a rejectedand an-accepted-coin chute communicating with the coin-receiving chute at the point wherethe coin is released, a coin-deflecting mechanism comprising a deflector biased to admit a coin to the accepted-coin chute, and normally held in a position by means responsive to current supplied by the circuit to deflect a coin into the rejected-coin chute, electromagnetic means in said circuit adapted to release the deflector from its held position in response to the thermo-electric effect of an acceptable coin on the circuit when in engagement with said positively engaged contact member,'whereupon the acceptable coin drops into the accepted-coin chute, said accepted-coin chute being located with respect to the driving wheel to wedge the coin into driving engagement therewith positively to force it through the accepted-coin chute, and resetting means for the deflector engageable by the coin while being forced in the acceptedcoin chute to reset the deflector to a position for deflecting coins to the rejected-coin chute.

14. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coinforms part of an electric control circuit, and having a pair of contact members in said electrical circuit for controlling a deflector for rejectable and acceptable coins, comprising a support, a rotary coin-driving wheel on the support, said support including a coin-receiving chute for directing the coin into engaging position with the wheel, said receiving chute being arranged so that driving action of the wheel rolls the coin into positive engagement with one of said pair of contact members and thereafter releases the coin, said support also having a rejectedand an accepted-coin chute communicating with the coin-receiving chute at the point where the coin is released, a coin-deflecting mechanism comprising a deflectorbiased to admit a coin to the accepted-coin chute, and nor:

ment with one of said contact members and 7s mally held in a position to deflect a coin into the rejected-coin chute, electromagnetic means in said circuit adapted to release the deflector from its held position in response to the thermoelectric eflect or an acceptable coin on the circuit when in engagement with said positively engaged contact member, whereupon the acceptable coin drops into the accepted-coin chute, said accepted-coin chute being located with respect to the driving wheel to again wedge the coin into driving engagement therewith positively to force it in the accepted-coin chute, resetting means for the deflector engageable by the coin while being forced in the accepted-coin chute to reset the deflector to a position for deflecting coins to the rejected-coin chute, means for rotating the coin- -driving means a predetermined amount, and

switch means actuated by any coin placed in the coin-receiving chute for starting said rotating means.

15. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electric couple, a contact member located in an electrical circuit for controlling a deflector for selecting coins, comprising a support, power coin-drivin means on the support, said support having a coin-receiving chute for gravity reception of coins for delivery to said coin-driving means, said contact member being exposed in said coin-receiving chute, a second contact member and exposed in said coin-receiving chute, and means for energizing said coin-driving means in response to passage of a coin into said chute automatical- 1y to move the coin into forced engagement with said one contact member while maintaining contact with the other.

16. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electrlc couple, a contact member in an electrical circuit for controlling a deflector for selecting coins, comprising a support, power coin-driving means on the support, said support having a coin-receiving chute for gravity reception of coins for delivery to said coin-driving means, said contact member being exposed in said coin-receiving chute, a second contact member and exposed in said coin-receiving chute, and means for energizing said coin-driving means over a predetermined period in response to passage of a coin into said chute automatically to move the coin into forced engagement with and past said one contact member while maintaining contact with the other.

17. Thermo-electric coin testing apparatus in which a coin forms a temporary thermo-electric couple, a contact member in an electrical circuit for controlling a deflector for reiectable and acceptable coins, comprising a support, power coindriving means on the support, said support having a coin-receiving chute for gravity reception of a coin for delivery to said coin-driving means, said contact member being exposed in said coinrecelving chute, a second contact member and exposed in said coin-receiving chute, said coindriving means in response to passage of a coin into said chute automatically moving the coin into forced engagement with said one contact member while maintaining contact with the other, separate chutes ior rejected and accepted coins for the reception of coins that pass said contact members, one or the other of said lastnamed chutes receiving the coin depending upon the setting of said deflector as determined by the eflect of the coin in said electrical circuit, means in the accepted-coin chute cooperated with said coin-driving means to eilect forced movement of the coin, and means associated with said deflector for resetting it in response to the last-named forced movement of the coin in the accepted-coin chute.

18. In coin-controlled apparatus, coimdriving means, a spiral cam and a motor connected for rotation of the cam, a switch, a follower for the cam, means biasing the follower toward cooperation with the cam at a starting point, said follower being driven by the cam from switch-closing to switch-opening position, and means responsive only to insertion of a coin to guide the follower clear of the cam to the switch-opening position of the follower.

19. In coin-controlled apparatus, coin-driving means, a spiral cam and a motor connected for rotating it, a switch, the follower for the cam comprising a rocker, means biasing the rocker toward cooperation at a starting point on the cam, said follower being adapted under said bias to be driven by the cam from switch-closing to switchopening position, and means responsive to insertion of a coin to hold the rocker clear 01 the cam during movement from the switch-opening position whereby the rocker is biased to the starting position on said cam without assumin an intermediate cooperating position therewith.

BENJAMIN W. FRY.

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