US2370370A

US2370370A - Coin-controlled mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2370370A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry L Neer; Clifford H Wasson; Raymond L Neer
Original assignee: NIK O LOK CO
Current assignee: NIK O LOK CO
Priority date: 1941-08-06
Filing date: 1941-08-06
Publication date: 1945-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 1962-02-27

Description

com coNTRoLLEn MEcHANsM Filed Aug. 6, 1941 3 sheets-sheet 1 Arrow.

Feb. 27, 1945.

H. L. NEER AE'l"AL COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM Filed Aug. 6, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 27, 1945. (H. L. NEER ETAL i COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM Filed Aug. 6, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 VAD-ANT II,| llllllllllllr lll.|l l lill llllllh cloth between the door and its frame.

Patented Feb. 27, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE coTN-ooNTRoLLED MEcfnANTsM Harry L. Neer, Beech Grove, and Clifford H. Wasson, Indianapolis, Ind., and Raymond L. Neer, assignors to Nik-O-Lok Company, Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Jacksonville, Fla.,

Indiana Application August 6, 1941, Serial No. 405,584

Z Claims.

The present invention relates to a coin controlled mechanism; and, while the disclosed mechanism, or parts thereof, may be utilized in other connections, the invention will be particularly described in connection kwith coin controlled locks for doors, or the like.

The prior practical art The eld to which the present invention pertains is by no means new. For many years, coin of various types, or by inserting a match in just the right way, or by inserting folded pieces of paper, the lock can be released to permit operation of the latch; that the latch ci prior structures can be operated, from inside the enclosure, by rotation of the operating handle in one direction only; that forcible operation of the outer handle of the mechanism can sometimes operate the counting register, and can sometimesl cause the parts of the lock to be caught in a position such as to prevent the insertion of a coin thereinto; the fact that it is diilicult to remove material wadded into the coin receiving slot; and the fact that the latch can be operated by the insertion of a blade between the door and its frame, or by the insertion of a piece of These faults of previously known coin controlled locks, as well as other defects which will appear as the description proceeds, are overcome by the renements which we have disclosed in the present application.

To the accomplishment of the above and reinvention are assembled, with most oi the lock mechanism removed therefrom;

Fig. 2 is a similar view after the assembly of further elements ofthe organization; and

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the complete lock mechanism;

Y' Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the lock mechanism;

` Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation seen from the lefthand side of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation seen from the righthand side of Fig. 3,` the lock being shown mounted upon a. fragment of a door;

Fig. Sis a front elevation of a housing for the lock mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation thereof viewed from .the left-hand side of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of a keeper for association with the lock;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation thereof, viewed from the right-hand side of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a modified form of lock mechanism; and

Fig. 13 is a View similar to Fig. 8, and showing a housing for association with the mechanism of Fig, 12.

The latch-bar mounting Referring more particularly to the drawings, in Fig. 1 we have shown the assembly plate 20 upon which the lock mechanism is to be built up. In Fig. 1, there are shown yokes 2l and 22 suitably secured to the assembly plate near the top thereof.' the yoke 2|. being formed with a U-shaped portion 23 and the yoke 22 being formed to provide a deeper U-shaped portion 24 in which f is journalled a'roller 25. The latch bar 26 is lated objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying draw' ings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specic constructions upon which the parts of the lock oi the present slidably mounted upon the assembly plate 20, being guided in its movement by the aligned U-

shaped portions

23 and 24 of the yokes 2l and 22. The forward surface of the latch bar 26, adjacent its beveled, projecting end, bears against the roller 25; and, at itsopposite end, the rearward face of the latch bar is formed with a notch 21 in which is journalled a roller 28 which bears against the front surface of the assembly plate 20.- Because of this arrangement, wear upon the latch-bar 26 and the associated elements resultingfrom movement of the latch bar enforced by the engagement of thebevelled end thereof with the keeper, is minimized.

To the upper edge of the latch bar 26 is secured a plate 29 carrying, adjacent its right-hand end, an ear 3D which projects upwardly above the latch bar. As is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 7, this ear is carried -on a portion of the plate 29 which projects forwardly beyond the yoke 23, so that the yoke 23 does not interfere with movement, of the ear toward the right from the position illustrated in Fig. 1. The ear 38 is provided, as will appear from the description to follow, for cooperation with a pin operable by a pass key to permit withdrawal of the latch bar without inserting a coin into the lock, and without affecting the counting register.

The latch bar 26 is normally heldin proiected position by a spring 3l connected at Aone end to a plate 32 suitably secured to the assembly plate, and at its opposite end 'to a cotter pin 33 secured in the latch bar 2.6. As is clearly shown in Fig. 4, the rearward surface ofthe latch bar is cut away as at 34 to provide a space Vbetween the latch-bar and the assembly plate 2D intermediate the -ends of the latch bar.

Latch-bar operation ,from within the `enclosure Received in said space and adapted lto engage the right-hand end of the space 34, as viewed ,in Fig. 1, is the end of a back tumbler lever 35 pivotally secured to the assembly plate 26 by a screw 36. Said lever 35 is formed with a cam surface 31 positionedclosely adjacent .an operating pin 38 carried bythe back shaft l39 which is projected through a suitable opening in the assembly plate 20. Said shaft 39, when the lock is assembled upon a door, projects, as is clearly shown in Fig. 7, through the door to lcarry an operating handle 48 on `the inside of the door; and it will be obvious that oscillation of .the shaft 39 in `a, clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l will cause clockwise movement of the lever 35 about v'its .pivotal axis 36y to Ashift the Ilatch bar 26 to the right, against the tendency of the spring 31, lto withdraw the latch .from engagement with its keeper, thereby permitting the door tovbe opened.

In practice, it has been found ythat people yoccasionally becorne excited when, in trying to open the rdoor of a toilet from the inside, they find that the handle will not move in one direction; and, perhaps because of a touch of claustrophobia, scream and `shout for help without even trying to turn the Ahandle in the opposite direction.

For that reason,we have .provided means, in the present mechanism, whereby the handle 40 maybe 4turned in either direction to wihdraw .the latch. Upon a stationary post 4l carried by .the assembly plate 20, there is journalled a supplemental tumbler lever 42, one arm 44 .of which lies in .contact with a surface. 45 vof the .lever 35, and the opposite arm Aof which provides `a surface 43 lying closely adjacent the vpin 38. It -will be clear that counterclockwise movement .of the .shaft 39 will swing the `lever 42 in a clockwise-direction about its post I4 l, whereby the arm 44 of said lever, in Acooperation with the surface 45 of the .lever 35, will lswing the lever 35 in `a -clockwise direction -about its pivot .36 to .shift the latch kbar 26 to the right.

It has been found inpractice that -users of these locks sometimes, either maliciously or ignorantly, exert great force upon .the handles thereof. It will be obvious that, lf the pin .38 should be forced, `in any way, to move past .the end vof the surface 43. on the vlower arm .of 'the lever 42, .it would then become impossible, .by any `kind of operation of thehandle'46, to withdraw the latch bar 26. Therefore, we prefer to provide a stop member 38' so positioned with relation to the pin 38 as to stop that pin positively against rotation to a point at which the pin 38 would be disengaged from the surface 43 nf the lever 42.

The coin-actuated pawl A screw 46 is formed with an intermediate shaft portion upon which is journal mounted a coin pawl 4], said pawl being spaced from the assembly plate 2U by a collar 48 (see Fig. 7). The nose 49 of said pawl is notched as at 5I to form two sharp edges 50 and 52, most clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, for a purpose which will appear hereinafter. A cotter pin 53 passes through the lever 41 to support one end of a spring 54, the function of which is normally to hold the pawl 41 in the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The rear side of the pawl 41 carries a stop screw 55 which, in the illustrated .position of said pawl, engages against a number 56 carried by the plate 20 to limit movement of the pawl under the influence of the spring 54.

Thge front tumbler trip A screw 51 secured to the assembly plate 20 provides a pivotal mounting for a front tumbler trip 58, one arm 59 of which is received within the space 34 in a Aposition to be engaged by the left-hand end wall 60 of said space, upon movement vof the latch bar to the right, resulting from tripping `of the latch bar Aby the keeper as the door is closed. At its opposite end, the tumbler 56 carries a finger 6| projecting forwardly from the main body of 'the tumbler for a purpose later to 'be described. A perforated ear 62 is secured to the lower arm of the tumbler trip 58 as van anchorage Vfor a spring notl 'shown in Fig. l, but shown in, and described in `connection with, Fig. 2 hereinafter.

The coin-carriage track: arms- A post 63, stationarily mounted on 'the assembly vplate 20, is bifurcated adjacent its forward end, and 4a pin 64 traverses the bifurcated portion of said post to form a journal mounting for a 'forward coin carriage arm y65. A second post 66 is likewise bifurcated at its outer end to guide the oscillating movement of said coin carriage arm I65; and a spring '61 is secured at its -opposite ends to cotter pins respectively carried bysaid arm -65 vand said post 63 to urge the free end rof the arm v65 rearwardly toward 'the 4assembly plate 20 and into contact with the'base of the kerf vbetween the furcations of the post 66. A stationary arm 68 spaced from the arm 65 by a distance somewhat less than the diameterof the coinintended to operate the lock, but greater than the diameter vof any coin of less value, is stationarily carried by the .post 66 :just in front of the lever .35. As will appearfrom the following description, the arms '65 and il cooperate to support a coin .during the movement of the parts necessary to release the lock for authorized operation.

Projecting forwardly from the front tface vof 'the latch bar 26 is ;a flange 69, .most clearly illus- .trated in Figs. l, 2, and 4, for a purpose which will appear hereinafter.

The latch-bar blocking means cut away, in the manner most clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7, for the accomodation of said ear 10. Threadedly mounted in the block 1| is a screw 12, most clearly shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 6. In the projected position of the latch bar 26, the ear is located to the right of the inner end 13 (see Fig. 4) of the screw 12. In the retracted position of the latch bar, the ear 10 is positioned to the left of said inner end 13 of the screw. The part-spherical head 14 of the screw 12 is formed with a polygonal socket 15 for the reception of a suitably shaped wrench; and said screw may be rotated, by operation of such wrench, to project its end 13 into the path of the ear 10. If the screw is so projected while the latch bar 26 is in the position of Fig. 4, withdrawal of the latch by operation of either the inner handle or the outer handle is rendered impossible. If, however, the latch bar is held in retracted position while the screw 12 is projected into the path of the ear 10, the latch bar will thereby be retained in withdrawn position, so that the door will be freely operable.

Frequently, when a ballroom or banquet hall is rented for a private party, it is desirable to render pay toilet booths operable without the deposit of the usual coin; and the mechanism just above described is providedsfor that purpose. We have also provided mechanism whereby, when the latch is so retained in withdrawn position, the deposit of a coin by a person desiring to use the toilet and who has failed to note that the door is freely operable, is automatically prevented. One arm 16 of a lever 11, pivotally mounted upon the block 1| by a 'screw 18, is positioned in the path of the part-spherical head 14 of the screw 12. As the screw is moved inwardly, the head 14 operates upon the lever arm 1B to swing said lever in a counterclockwise direction, thereby moving the depending arm 19 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, to close the coin slot in a manner which will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Preferably, the screw 12 is formed with a flat side with which cooperatesa ball 88 received in a bore in the block 1| intersecting the threaded seat of the screw 12, and urged toward said screw by a. spring 8| backed up by a screw 82.

Near the base of the assembly plate 20, a bracket B3 is secured tosaid plate by bolts 84, said bracket supporting a counting register 85 including a ratchet shaft 86. Movement of said shaft in one direction through a predetermined angle will cause operation of said register, while movement of said shaft in the opposite direction will not affect the register.

The front tumbler assembly The front tumbler 81 comprises a barrel journalled upon the projecting end of the shaft 39, and carrying, at its forward end, a plug 88, held against rotation with respect to the tumbler, and formed with a kerf 89. Said tumbler comprises also a plate portion 90 substantially parallel with the assembly plate 20. Near its base, the tumbler 81 is formed with a tangentially projecting linger 9| which, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2, is positioned for cooperation with the finger 6| of the front tumbler trip 58. Near its outer end, the tumbler 81 is provided with a projecting finger 92 for a purpose later to be described.

A plate 93 is formed with an aperture 94 whereby saidplate is journal mounted upon the projecting head of the plug 88. The lower projecting end 95 of the plate 93 receives a pin 96 through which is pivotally connected to said plate end one end of a pitman 91 formed, adjacent its oppositel end, with a slot 98 guided upon the shaft 86 ofthe register 85. Adjacent said guided end, the pitman 91 is formed with an angularly projecting slot 99 for a purpose later to be described. y

Rearwardly projecting from the plate 93 is a stop post |00 positioned in the path of the finger 92 of the tumbler 81, whereby the plate 93 vwill be caused to partake of clockwise movement of the tumbler 81 only after said tumbler has been turned through a. predetermined angle.

The tumbler 81 further comprises a tangentially projecting arm portion |0| substantially perpendicular to the portion 90. Adjacent its outer end, the arm |0| is formed with an aperture |82 for a purpose later to be described. Intermediate its ends, the arm |0| is formed, onv its right-hand surface, with a socket |03 defining a downwardly and forwardly facing shoulder |04. It will be seen that, upon clockwise movement of the tumbler 81, the base of the socket |03 will come into contact with the nose 49 of the pawl 41, and that an attempt to continue such movement of the arm will cause the edge 5|) of said pawl to slide up into contact with the shoulder |04. A headed brass Din |05 is positioned immediately beyond the shoulder |04 so that, if in any way the pawl should escape the shoulder |04, the pawl edge 50 will engage said pin head |05. Either of these engagements will, of course, prevent further clockwise movement of the arm |0|; and y either of those engagements will, of course, take place before-the end of the arm |8| comes into operative contact with the flange 59 on the latch bar 26.

The various sharp edges and shoulders on the pawl and on the arm |0| are provided for the purpose of penetrating or chewing up any relatively soft material, such as wood, cardboard, or the like, which may be inserted into the lock in an effort to actuate the same without depositing the required coin.

From an inspection of Fig. 2, it will be seen that the arm 19 of the lever 11 cooperates with the arm |0| of the tumbler 81; so that the counterclockwise movement of the lever 11 resulting from projection of the screw 12 above described, will swing the arm |0| in a clockwise direction.

A U-shaped strap |06 is secured to the assembly plate 20 by anyl suitable means such as the bolts |01, said strap including end walls |88 and |09 projecting perpendicularly forward from the plane of the assembly plate .20. A spring ||0 is anchored at one end upon a cotter pin I I secured to the tumbler 81 adjacent the root of the arm |0I, and is anchored at its opposite end upon a cotter pin ||2 secured to the wall |09, said spring resiliently holding the tumbler in the position illustrated in Fig. 2, the degree of movement of said tumbler in response to the tendency of the spring ||0 being limited by the pin 4|.

The front tumbler trip springing arrangement A light spring ||3 is anchored at one end upon the cotter pin and at its opposite end upon the ear 62 secured to the tumbler trip 58. It is particularly to be noted that the spring 3 is thus located at an acute angle greater than 45 degrees relative to the path of movement of the ear 62. The spring ||3 is very light and, in the illustrated position of the parts, is substantially completely relaxed. Thus, although the portion 60 of the latch bar contacts the end 59 of thetumbler trip 58 upon withdrawal of the latch bar by voperation of the inner handle 40, and

causes some movement of .the tumbler trip :58, the particular arrangement .of .the spring |13 'is such that said spring adds substantially to the resistance offered by thespring 3| to such movement of the latch bar. l:[he function of the spring ||3 is to shift the tumbler trip in a counterclockwise direction upon a predetermined angular movement of the tumbler 81 in a clockwise direction; and it will be noted that, ybecause of the particular arrangement ofthe spring H3, that spring is placed under tension by the initial movement of the tumbler 8 1 in a clockwise direction, so that itis ready t apply force to the tumbler 50 as soon as the finger 9| moves .out of the path of the finger 6|.

The slug ejector mechanism spacer post ||4 (see `Fig. 4) is formed at .its outer end to provide a journal mounting .for one end of an ejector body |16. Said post U4 is bored to pass a screw 1 which threadedly en.- gages the assembly plate to mount said post |'|4 and the ejector body ||6 on said assembly plate 20. The ejector body ||6, as is yclearly shown in Figs. 4 and '1, comprises parallel spaced parts joined by aligned rings ||8 land :||9 in which is reciprocably mounted an ejector pin |20. A pin |2| traverses said ejector pin |20 at a point intermediate its ends'and forms an abutment for one end of ya spring |22, the opposite end of which abuts the ring H8. The pin L|2| cooperates with the ring ||9 to limit movement of the ejector pin |20 under the infiuence of the spring |22. The free end |23 of the ejector fpin |20 is greatly reduced in. size, and is sharp, as is clearly indicated in Fig. 2. The ejector vbody ||6 is formed, beneath the ejector pin |20, with a slot |24, for a purpose later to be described.

The toggle-.trip mechanism of the spring 54 is secured to the leg |21, :thereby performing the dual functions of biasing the pawl 41 and the lever 12.6 inthe desired directions. The leg |28 is positioned lfor -cooperation with the finger |66 integral with the lever 35, for a purpose later to be described.

The coin receiver As is shown inFig. 2,;the plate `portion 900i the tumbler 81 is formed, near its .upper :lefthand corner, with .a Iperforation l|30 "through which, as iszshown in Figs. 3 and v4:, passes 1a rivet |3| pivotally .securing to said plate Aportion 90 a visual indicator plate |32, formed with 'a coin slot |33, and .carrying the rlegends .|34aud |35..

The ejector actuator Struck up from the flange |59, as is molt clearly shown inFigs. 3 and 1, is a perpendicularly projecting ear |40 upon which is threadably mounted a screw |4| formed to provide a journal mounting for an ejector arm |42 which, at its free end, carries a. pin |48 projecting through the slot |24 i'n the ejector body ||6. A -nser |45 on said arm |42 providesan anchorage for one end of a. spring |44, vthe opposite end of which is anchored to va finger |46 yprojecting downwardly from the flange |39, whereby said arm |42 is resiliently held against counterclockwise movement.

As is most clearly illustrated in Fig. `7, the flange `|89 is formed'with anlaperture |41 through which projects the curved end of the coin-carry ing arm and -it is to be noted that the aperture |41 is large .enough to permit lateral shift.- ing of said end of th .arm 65 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 7, against the tendency of the spring 61 (Figs. 3 and 6). In alignment with the ejector pin |20, the flange |99 is formed with a slot |48; and the arm |0| may be formed Vwith a shallow groove `|49 aligned with the slot |48. The ejector pin .|20 operatesthrough said slot |48.

The inner and .outer coverinas Referring, now, to Fig.'7, it will be seen that lthe above-described lock assembly :mayzbe se 4cured tothe outer surface of a door `|51 or the like through the medium of screws |68 or the like. Boltsv |69 may pass through the assembly plate 20 and through the door |61 to take into threadedly socketed lugs on the inner surface of an inner escutcheon plate |1|. The shaft 39 will be preferably received in a bushing |12 secured in place in a bore through the door |61. As is clearly shown in Fig. 7, the outer end of said shaft 39 is formed with a deep kerf |13 through which passes a pin |14 carried by the shank of the operating handle 40.

A casing or housing |15 is formed, adjacent its upper end, with a downwardly projecting lug |18 adapted to be received in the slot |11 formed adjacent the inner end of the block 11|. Said housing is formed with lateral walls |18 which, in the assembled condition of the parts, overlie the edges of the assembly plate 20, and Contact the outer surface of the door |61, thereby completely enclosing the above-described mechanism. One of said walls is formed with a slot |19 for accommodating the projecting portion of the latch bar 26; and is preferably formed also with a projecting shroud |80 which covers the projecting end of the latch bar to tend to prevent direct manipulation of the latch bar by a blade or other instrument inserted between the housing and the keeper. Preferably, a block |8| projects outwardly, immediately within the shroud |80, in substantial registry with the latch bar, further tending to prevent the insertion of an instrument into engagement with the latch bar; and a keeper plate 204, having a shroud 205, is adapted to be secured to the door frame, further to enclose the projecting end of the latch bar when the door is closed. Said shroud 205 is formed with a notch 206 for the accommodation of the block |8|.

Suitably journalled in an escutcheon |82 is an outer operating handle |83, the inner end of which is formed with a blade |84 which, when the housing is assembled with the lock mechanism. enters the kerf 89 of the plug 88.

The front wall of the casing |15 is formed with a coin slot I|85 which, when the parts are in the positions of Fig. 3, registers with the coin slot |33 in the indicator plate |32; and said wall is further formed with a window |86 with which alternatively register the legends |34 and |35 of the plate |32, depending upon the position of the tumbler 81. It will readily be seen that, when the parts are in any positions other than the positions of Fig. 3, the slot |33 in the plate |32 is out of registry with the casing slot |85, whereby the insertion of a coin into the mechanism is prevented.

The casing is further formed with a small aperture |81 which, in the assembled condition of the organization, registers with the socket 15 of the screw 12, whereby a polygonal wrench may be inserted to operate the screw 12 without removing the casing |15.

A lock barrel |88 is journalled in thefront wall of the housing |15 and, within the housing, carries a lever |89 upon which is mounted a pin |90 cooperable with the ear 30 on the plate 29 secured to the latch bar 26; whereby the latch bar may be withdrawn, through the medium of a pass key, without affecting the coin controlled mechanism or the register 05. Qne wall |18 of the casing is formed with a window |9| which registers with the usual window in the register 85. A plate 92, formed with a window |93, adapted, at times, to register with the window I8! is formed with a vertical slot |94 through which is projected a pin |95 secured to the wall |18; and with a second front wall of the housing |15.

slot |96 having a bayonet arm |91, through which is projected a pin |98 secured to the Wall |18. Said plate |92 is formed with an operating finger |99 projected into a position in which it is readily operable through an opening 200 in the Said opening 200 is normally closed by a cover 20| in which is mounted a lock barrel 202 carrying an eccentric tongue 203 adjacent the inner surface of said closure 20|. Upon operation of the 'lock 202 to withdraw the eccentric '203.to a position within the periphery of the closure 20|, the closure 20|. may be removed from the opening 200, thereby rendering the interior of the casing-available for removal of coins therefrom and for adjustment of the plate |92 to permit inspection of the register 85.

Operation With the parts in the positions illustrated in Fig. 3, and with the casing in place, the slot l|33 will be in registry with the casing slot |85. If a coin of proper denomination is now inserted through the slots |85 and |133, it will drop into the spac-e between the flange |39 and the arm |0|, and will be supported therein upon the

arms

65 and 68. Rotation of the handle |83, now, in a clockwise direction,'will be transmitted through the kerf 89 and plug 88 to the tumbler 81 and its arm |0|. That movement will immediately move the slot |33 out of registry with the slot |85. Due to the great degree of difference in lever arms between the parts associated with the opposite ends of the arm |42, a very slight degree of movement of the arm |0| and plate |32 will cause a rapid movement of the ejector body Ht in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot screw ||1. The sharp end |23 of the ejector pin |20 will thus be raked rapidly ldownwardly, through the slot |48, across the face of the coin; and said pin is so positioned, relativ-e to the

arms

65 and 68, that its movement is across an exact diameter of the coin. The strength of the spring |22 is such that, if the end |23 of the pin |20 encounters no sharp obstruction on the face of the coin, it will, as suggested above, merely rake across the face of the coin without y affecting the other parts of the mechanism; and

said pin. will be swung past the center of the coin, and nearly t0 the lower periphery of the coin, before the coin comes into contact with the nose 49 of the pawl 41.

Ejector operation k rakes across the faceof a slug dropped into the coin slot, the pointed end |23 of the pin |20 en counters a perforation, it will drop into that perforation; and, as it Amoves downwardly, it will carry the slug with it, camming the arm 65 to the left, as viewed'in Fig. "I, and thereby forcing the slug out of thespace between the arm |0| and the ange |39, to permit the pawl 41 to drop -into the socket |03 to prevent further movement of the arm |0|.

Coin-controlled latch-bar retractionv y However, if ay true coin has been used, the pin |20 will, as stated above, rake harm-lessly -past the coin. TheA coin, supported upon. the

arm

65 and 68, coversthesocket |03; and cams the nose of the pawl 41 upwardly, againstv the tendency of the spring 54, thus permitting the tumbler 81 to continue its movement; The nose of the pawl dropsY oit the coin. just after the pawl nose passes the lower edge of the pin |05: and just after the pawl nose drops off the coin, the coin movespast the end ofthe arm 65, and sodrops into the reservoir at the* bottom ofthe casing |15. Nothingl now preventsfurther clockwise movement of the arm ||f, whichx now comes into contact with the ange 69,y so that continued movement of the arm |01- retracts the latch bar, 26 to permit the door to be opened.

Just after the pawl' 41 rides off the coin, the

205 and is therebyforced into withdrawn position, as the latch bar passes the outer edge of the keeper shroud. Such movement ofthe latch bar causes the shoulder` 60 to strike and shift the finger 9| clears the finger 6|, so that the spring d H3, tensioned by rotation ofthe tumbler 8`1, can swing the tumbler trip 58vr in a counterclockwise direction to bring the finger' 6 I' beneath the :linger 9| to hold the tumbler 81 against reverse movement. At this moment, the arm isl jus't's'h'ort of contact with the flange 89), andthe coin has lock without a coin or withl a slug', the plate 53 is not moved', and therefore the register se wiu not be affected. v V

Once the edge 50 of the p'awl 41 has been carried, across the face' of a proper coin, beyond the lower edge of the'liead of the pin |0'5`,.there is nothing to' hold the arm ||l| kagainst further movement in a clockwiseldir'e'ctioninto Contact with the flange 69, and against still further` movement to shift the latch bai' 26, through such Contact, toward the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 to withdraw the latch bar from' its keeper. Such movement of the tihible 81 and its arm IUI will carry with it-, through the oooperation of the nng'er 92 and the pest |90, the

lio

piste sa. vsueh clockwise movement of the plete I 93 will shift the pitinan 91 to the left, thereby swinging the lever |64 in a clock-wise direction, as viewed in Fig.V 3, to registerl one operation of the lock upon the register 85. It also carries with it the left-hand end of theY nieinber' |50; which movement, resisted by' thesprng |51, Win swing f the link |50 in p a countereio'ckwise direction about its pivot to shift the toggle lever |59 in a clockwise direction to move the finger |6| of said lever into cooperation witlitle ng'er |29 0f the element |26. When the" patrn now re-i ieases the outer handle, the inten bar will bereturned to projected position, by the spring. 3 i, and such return movement of the latch bar will carry lWlll'l it the a/lIl IUI lid tile tumbler 81, the

spring ||0 assisting in that' return movement of the tumbie'r s1. Such return movement of the 'tumbler' si, however, is limited by me emergeu ment of the nngr ti beneath the' finger 9|. In this rest position of the mechanism, the spring I3 is substantially ielax'ed.

y Tumbler trip operation The patron new enters the enclosure and closes the door. As the door is closed, the beveled portion of the latch bar 26 strikes the keeper shroud end 59 of the tumbler trip 58, thereby removing the finger 6| from beneath the finger 9|, and permitting the tumbler 81,. under the influence of the spring H0, to return to an intermediate position in which the legend registers with the window |86.

The tumbler 81 is arrested in this intermediate position by the engagement of the shoulder 225 on the plate |32 with the adjacent shoulder 226 on the plate 93; said plate 93 being held against counterclockwise movement by the toggle Vcomprising the link |5||y and .the lever |59, and the engagement ofthe finger |5| With the ngel |29 ofthe lever |26. In this position, of course, the slot |33 is out of registry with the slot |85;

` the pawl 41 is so positioned that it will engage the shoulder |04 to prevent any attempt to operate the latch bar through the medium of the outer handle |63; and the lock is therefore in condition to prevent the door from being opened from the outside. In this rest position of the mechanism, too, the spring 3 is substantially relaxed, because its anchorage on the tumbler 81 has now been moved toward its anchorage on the trip lever 58'.

Inner handle latch-bar retraction When the patron is ready to leave the enclosure, he may do so by turning the inner handle .in either direction. Rotation of that handle in one direction will cause the pin 38 to engage the surface 31' on the lever 35 to swing the lever 35 in a clockwise direction about its pivot 36 to retract the latch bar 26j and rotation of the handle 40 in the opposite direction will cause the pin 38 to engage the surface 43 on the lever 42 to swing the lever arm 44 in a clockwise direction to act upon the surface 45 of the lever 35 to swing said lever in a clockwise direction about its pivot 36 to retract the latch bar.

Y Such movement oi the lever 35 will, through the iinger |66, swing the element |26 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 7, about its pivot |25 to elevate the linger |29 of said element |26. Said finger |29, acting upon the finger |6| of the latch lever |59, will move the pivot |54 in' a counterclockwise direction about the pivotal point to break the toggle comprising the element |59 and the link |50 past its dead center condition; whereupon the spring ||0 will promptly snap the tumbler 81 back into the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, wherein the slot |33 registers with the slot |85 and the legend |34 registers with the window |86. The lock is now in a condition to accept another coin for re-operation from the outside.

Blocking the latch-bar and automatically masking the coin slot If, for any reason, it is desired to lock the enclosure to prevent access thereto, a polygonal wrench may be inserted through the perforation |81 vinto the socket 15 in the screw head 14, whereby the screw may be rotated to project the end 13 thereof into the path of the ear 10, whereby retraction of the latch bar will be positively prevented.

In order to prevent a patron from dropping a coin into the slot |85 while the lock is so disabled, we have provided the lever 11 and its associated parts. As has been explained herein- 1 above, the flared head 14 will act upon the arm 'I6 of the lever 11, during projection of the screw, to swing said lever in a counterclockwise direction, whereby the arm "19 of said lever will act to swing the arm lill of the tumbler Bl in a clockwise direction. Through the action of these parts, the slot |33 is shifted out of coin-accepting registry with the slot |85 very promptly upon initiation of projecting movement of the screw 12, and long before that screw comes into obstructing relation with the ear l0. In the final position of the screw l2, the arm IBI assumes a position such that the two legends |34 and |35 on the plate |32 are both unreadable through the window |86.

If, for any reason, it should become desirable to leave the mechanism in such condition that the door` may be opened without actuation of the lock, the attendant willinsert a pass key in the lock tumbler |88 to withdraw the latch bar. Now, he may either hold the `latch bar in withdrawn position with the latch key, or open the door and shout for the attendant and, after the attendant comes and cleans the place up, he will have a private place in which to bathe. But if the patron hold the latch bar in withdrawn position with his finger, While projecting the screw 'i2 into masked, by an unperforated portion of the plate |32, and the legends |34 and |35 are both un` readable through the window |86.

Means preventing direct latch-bar manipulation In spite of all the precautions which have been used in the past in an effort to prevent unauthorized operation of locks of the character here under consideration, one method of such unauthorized operation has not heretofore been conquered. (though it is a small one) between the free edge of the door` and its frame. A thin bladed hook, or a curved light wire can sometimes be inserted through that opening, and then worked outwardly to engage the beveled end of the latch and, ultimately, to force the latch bar out of engagement with its keeper. By a very simple expedient, disclosed herein, we have absolutely prevented such operation of the latch bar. On the inner surface of the latch bar, in a position where it lies closely adjacent to the edge of the assembly plate 20 in the fully projected position There must necessarily be a Vspacel of the latch bar, we have formed a vertical notch Single-use lock In some kinds of installations, as for instance in connection with pay shower stalls or bath rooms, it is essential that each enclosure shall be serviced by the attendant after each use, and bef-ore it is again used. In such situations, difficulties have arisen in the past by reason of the fact that sometimesthe attendant will failto notice the emergence of a patron'from such a booth; and a new patron will deposit acoin and enter the booth, only to find that it has not been serviced, that there are no clean towels, and that the place is not in condition for new use. If he notices this before he has permitted the door to close, he can at least hold the door open and permits the door to close before noticing the condition of the booth, the tumbler 8l will have snapped to its intermediate position, the door will be latched, and the door cannot then be opened by the patron without actuating the toggle |5ll, |52 to snap the lock back into the position in which it is ready to accept a new coin; so that the patron will thereafter not be able to use that booth in complete privacy without first clepositing another coin.

In order to overcome this defect of the lock mechanism above described, when used in such a location, we have constructed a modied form of lock illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. 'I'he mechanism of these figures is identical with the structure above described, except for the toggle mechanism which holds the organization in in use position.

The operation of the mechanism of Fig. 12 when a coin of the proper denomination is deposited therein, is identical with the operation of the mechanism above described. As 'in the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1 to 11, the actuation of the latch bar asthe door closes shifts the mechanism into an intermediate in use position, in which the patron has undisturbed privacy. But7 in the organization of Fig. 12, operation of the inner handle 40 to withdraw the latch bar, to permit the patron to emerge from the booth, does not affect the lock mechanism; and when the door is thereafter closed, the booth is locked against ingress, with the plate |32 masking the casing slot |85. Thereafter, the booth can be opened only by the use of the attendants key.

As illustrated in Fig. 13, a lock barrel 222 mounted in the housing carries an eccentric223 upon which -is mounted an actuating pin 224 which, under normal conditions, is located substantially at the position indicated 'in Fig. 12, beneath the hook 220 and to the left of the ear 2|9. When the lock parts are in their intermediate position, with the toggle 2|3, |50 in its eX- tended position, the pin 2H .is substantially at the bottom of the slot 2|8. Operation of the v lock barrel, now, will cause the pin 224 to move first upwardly to lift the hook 22|) to break the toggle; and then to the right to engage the ear 219 to retract the latch bar.

Thus, once such a booth has been used, the parts remain in the intermediate position, preventing the insertion of a coin thereinto, until l the attendant has opened the door with hiskey;

whereby the attendant is necessarily reminded to .service the booth before again leaving it.

We claim as our invention: y,

1. In a coin controlled mechanism, a coin receiver comprising a movable arm having a face portion and a portion extending rearwardly from said face portion, a plate pivotally mounted on said rearwardly extending portion and having a lflange disposed in substantial parallelism with said face portion, and means cooperating with said arm and with said flange'and, biasing said ange toward said face portion.

2. In a coin controlled mechanism, a coin receiver comprising a movable arm having a face portion and a portion extending rearwardly from said face portion, a plate pivotally mounted on said rearwardly extending portion and having a flange disposed in spaced substantial parallelism with said face portion, and means cooperating vwith said arm and with said iiange and biasing said flange toward said face portion, said plate being formed with a coin receiving slot registering with the space between said flange and said face portion.

3. In a coin controlled mechanism, a coin receiver comprising a movable arm having a face portion and a portion extending rearwardly from said face portion, a plate pivotally mounted on said rearwardly extending portion and having a Alo said face portion, an element secured to said flange and passing through said arm, a spacer member carried on said element between said ange and said face portion, and spring means cooperating with said element and resiliently holding said flange and said face portion in contact with opposite sides of said spacer member.

5. In a coin controlled mechanism, a coin receiver comprising a movable arm having a face portion and a portion extending rearwardly from said face portion, a plate pivotally mounted 0n said rearwardly extending portion and having a flange disposed in substantial parallelism with said face portion, a headed element passing freely through said arm and secured to lsaid flange, and a coiled spring sleeved on said element and abutting the head of said element and the rear surface of said arm at its opposite.

ends, respectively.

6. In a coin controlled mechanism, a coin receiver comprising a movable arm having a face portion and a portion extending rearwardly from said face portion, a plate pivotally mounted on said rearwardly extending portion and having a flange disposed in substantial parallelism with said face portion, a headed element passing freely through'saidarm, supporting a spacer member between said face portion and said flange, and` bar, and a coiled spring associated with said trip element, said coiled spring having one end anchored'to said trip element and its other end anchored at a point removed from the point of anchorage of the mst-mentioned end by a distance substantially equal to vthe collapsed length of said spring.

8. In a coin controlled lock, a reciprocable latch bar, spring means biasing said latch bar toward projected position, means for retracting said latch bar, a trip element having a portion disposed in the path of said latch ybar whereby said element is shifted by retraction of said latch bar,

vand a coiled spring associated with said trip element, said coiled spring having one end anchored to said trip element and its other-end anchored at a point removed from the point of anchorage of the first-mentioned end by a distance substantially equal to the collapsed length of said spring, said two anchorage points dening an acute angle with the line of movement of said rst anchorage point.

9. In a coin controlled lock, a reciprocable latch bar, spring means biasing said latch bar toward projected position, means for retracting said latch bar, a trip element having a portion disposed in the path of said latch bar whereby said element is shifted by retraction of said latch bar, and a coiled spring associated with `said trip element, said coiled spring having one end anchored to said trip element and its other end anchored at a :point removed from the point of anchorage of the first-mentioned end by a distance substantially equal to the collapsed length of said spring, said two anchorage points defining an acute angle greater than.45 with the plane of movement of'said iirst anchorage point.

l0. In a coin controlled lock,areciprocable latch bar, spring means biasing said latch bar toward projected position, a, trip element having a portion disposed in the path of said latch bar whereby said element is shifted 1n a single plane by retraction of said latch bar, an oscillable, coin controlled tumbler for retracting said latch bar, a coiled spring having one end anchored on said element and having its other end anchored on said tumbler, the distance -between the points of said two anchorages when said lock is in position to receive a coin being substantially equal to the collapsed length of said coiled spring, latch-retracting movement of said tumbler moving said tumbler anchorage away from said element anchorage, and means normally disposed in the path of said element but withdrawn from said path by such movement of said tumbler to permit movement of said element under the iniluence of said coiled spring in a direction opposite to the direction in which it is moved by retraction of said latch bar, thereby substantially restoring the above-mentioned distance Ibetween said anchorages.

11. In a coin.controlled lock, a Vrecipi'ocable latch bar, spring means biasing said latch bar toward projectedv position, a trip elementV having a portion disposed in the path of said latch bar whereby said element is shifted in a single plane by 'retraction of said latch bar, an oscillable, coin controlled tumbler for retracting said latch bar, a, coiled spring having one end anchored on said element and having its other end anchored on said tumbler at a point outside'said plane, the distance ybetween the points of said anchorages when said lock is in position to receive a coin being substantially equal to the collapsed length of said coiled spring, latch-retracting movement of said tumbler moving said tumbler anchorage away from said element anchorage, and means normally disposed in the path of said element but withdrawn from said Ipath by such movement of said tumbler to permit movement of said element under the influence of said coiled spring in a direction opposite to the direction in which it is moved by retraction of said latch bar, thereby substantially restoring the above-mentioned distance between said anchorages.

12. In a coin controlled lock, a reciprocable latch bar, spring means biasing said latchv bar toward projected position, a trip element having a portion disposed in the path of said latch bar whereby said element is shifted in a single plane by retraction of said latch bar, an oscillable, coin controlled tumbler for retracting said latch bar, a coiled spring having one end anchored on said element and having its other end` anchored on said tumbler at a point outside said plane, a line defined by said two points of anchorage defining an acute angle with said plane.

13. In a coin controlled lock, a reciprocable latch bar, spring means biasing said latch bar toward projected position, a trip element having a portion disposed in the path of said latch bar whereby said element is shifted in a single plane by retraction of said latch bar, an oscillable, coin controlled tumbler for retracting said latch bar, a coiled spring having one end anchored on said element and having its other end anchored on said tumbler at a. point outside said plane, a line dened by said two points of anchorage defining an acute angle greater than with said plane.

14. In a coin controlled lock, a reciprocable latch bar, spring means resisting retraction of said latch bar, a coin-controlled, oscillable tumbler operable to retract said latch bar, a trip element cooperable with said tumbler and having a portion disposed in the path of said latch bar whereby said element is shifted by retraction of said latch bar, and a coiled spring having one end anchored on said trip element and its other end anchored on said tumbler, said mechanism having a plurality of rest positions in which the distance between the anchorage points of said coiled spring is substantially equal to the collapsed length of said spring.

l5. In a coin controlled lock, a reciprocable latch bar, spring means resisting retraction of said latch bar, a coin-controlled, oscillable tumbler operable to retract said latch bar, a trip element cooperable with said tumbler and having a portion disposed in the path of said latch bar whereby said element is shifted by retraction of said latch bar, and a coiled springhaving one end anchored on said trip element and its other end anchored on said tumbler, said mechanism having a plurality of rest positions in which the distance between the anchorage points of said coiled spring is substantially equal to the collapsed length of said spring, movement of said trip element by retraction of said-latch bar increasing that distance.

16. In a coin controlled lock, a reciprocable latch bar, spring means resisting retraction of said latch bar, a coin-controlled, oscillable tumbler operable to retract said latch bar; a trip element cooperable with said tumbler and having a portion disposed in the path of said latch bar whereby said element is shifted by retraction of said latch bar, and a 'coiled spring havsaid coiled spring is substantially equal to the collapsed length of said spring.

1'7. In a coin controlled lock, a recprocable latch bar, spring 'means resisting retraction of said latch bar, a coin-controlled, oscillable tumbler operable to retract said latch bar,` a trip element vcooperable with said tumbler and having a portion disposed in the path of said latch bar whereby said element is shifted by retraction of rsaid latch bar, and a coiled spring having one end anchored on said trip element and its other end anchored on said tumbler at a point spaced from the line of movement of said element anchorage, said mechanism having a plurality of rest positions in which the distance between the anchorage points of said coiled spring is substantially equal to the collapsed length of said spring.`

18. In a coin controlled lock, a reciprocable latch bar, spring means resisting retraction of t said latch bar, a coin-controlled, oscillable tumbler operable to retract. said latch bar, a'trip element cooperable with said tumbler and having a portion disposed in the path of said latch bar whereby said element is shifted by retraction of said latch bar, and a coiled spring having one end anchored on said trip element and its other end anchored on said tumbler, said anchorages defining a line making an acute angle with the line of movement of said element anchorage.`

19. In a coin-controlled mechanism, a coincontrolled, loscillable member, an element independently mounted for oscillation about a common axis with said member, means limiting re1- ative oscillation of said member and said element in opposite directions, a toggle mechanism associated with said element, spring means operable to snap said mechanism past dead center, upon movement of said element to a predetermined degree in one direction, to block movement of said element and said member in the opposite direction, 'and means independent of said element and said member for breaking said toggle mechanism.

20. A coin-controlled lock mechanismcomprising a reciprocable latch bar biased to projected position, a shaft, an element operatively associated with said shaft and shiftable by oscillation of said shaft to retract said latch bar, a tumbler coaxial with said shaft and oscillable relative thereto, a, coin carriagearm movable with said tumbler, means normally blocking movement of said tumbler in one direction but rendered ineective -by the presence of a coin on said arm, cooperative means on said arm and on said latch bar adapted, at times, to provide a driving connection therebetween, a tumbler trip lever pivotally mounted and having an arm positioned in the retractlve path of said latch bar, cooperative means on said trip lever and on said tumbler operable, upon movement of said tumbler in a latch-retracting direction, to block return movement of said tumbler, spring means tensioned by 4 such movement of said tumblerto urge said trip lever into blocking relation, said trip lever being movable, by subsequent retraction of said latch bar, out of blocking relation with said tumbler,

a member mounted for coaxial oscillation relative nary movement of said tumbler through a predetermined angle, toggle means associated with said member and operable, after movement of said member through a predetermined angle, to block return movement of said member, other cooperating means on' said member and on said tumbler limiting return movement of said tumbler while said member is blocked, and means operated by latch-retracting movement of said first-mentioned element to break said toggle. to permit return movement, of said member and said tumbler.

21. The combination with a reciprocable latch bar and means biasing said latch bar toward projected position, of a sha-ft, means projecting from` said shaft. a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said shaft and projecting into cooperative relation with said latch bar, said lever having a surface engageable by said projecting means, upon oscillation of said shaft in one direction, to shift said lever in latch-retractingl direction, and a second lever pivotally mounted adjacent said shaft and having an arm cooperatively associated with said first-mentioned' lever, said second lever having a surface engageableby said projecting. means, upon oscillation of said shaft in the opposite direction, to shift said second lever inA a direction to shift said first-mentioned lever in latch-retracting direction.

22. A coin-controlled lock mechanism comprising a reciprocable latch bar biased to projected position, a shaft, an element operatively associated with said shaft and shiftable by operation of said shaft to retract said latch bar, a tumbler coaxial with saidvshaft and oscillable relative thereto, a coin carriage arm movable with said tumbler, means normally blocking movement of said tumbler in onel direction but rendered ineffective by the presence of a coin on y said arm, cooperative means on said arm and on said latch bar adapted, at times, to provide a driving connection therebetween,` a tumbler trip lever pivotally mounted and having an arm positioned in the retractive path ofv said latch bar, cooperative meanson said trip lever and on said tumbler` operable, upon movement of said tumbler ina latch-retracting direction, to block return movement of said tumbler, spring means tensioned by such movementY of'said tumbler to urge said trip lever intoblocking relation, said trip lever being movable, by subsequent` retraction of said latch bar, out of blocking relation with said tumbler, a member-mounted for: coaxial oscillation relative to said tumbler, cooperating means on said tumbler and on said member providing a one-way driving means therebetween only after preliminary movement of said` tumbler through a. predetermined anule. toggle means associated with said member and operable, after movement of said member through a. predetermined angle, to block return movement of said member, other cooperating means on said member and on said tumbler limiting return movement of said tumbler while said member is blocked, and means independent of said tumbler and of said shaft for breaking said toggle to permit return movement of said tumbler and said member.

In a coin-controlled mechanism, a coincontrolled, oscillable member, an element ndependently mounted for oscillation about a common axis with said member, means limiting relative oscillation of said member and said element in opposite directions, a toggle mechanism associated with said element, spring means operable to snap said mechanism past dead center, upon movement of said element to a, predetermined degree inv one direction, to block movement of said element and said member in the opposite direction, and means operable only by aremovable key for breaking said toggle mecha- 24. In a. coin-controlled lock, a latch-bar, a coin-controlled oscillable. memberY operable, upon the deposit of a coin, to retract said latch bar, a housing for the'lock mechanismprovided with a coin slot, means shiftable with said member to mask said slot, toggle mechanism operable, upon movement of. said member to latch-retracted position, to. block said masking means against. return to slot-clearing position, and means operable only by a removable key for breaking said toggle mechanism.

25. In a coin controlled mechanism, a. device to be operated, an oscillable member,. a coin carrier movable with said member, a slug ejector mechanism operable through its entire stroke by initial movement of said member and effective to remove a. slug from said carrier blocking means locatedin thev path of said carrier to-arrest movement ofV saidmember afterv completion of said ejector stroke and before operative connection is established between said member and said device, said blocking means being rendered ineffective by a coin on said carrier, a register, and an element, movable by said member only by such movement of said member as will operate said device, to advance said register.

HARRY L. NEER. CLIFFORD H. WASSON. RAYMOND L. NEER..