US2452022A - Ticket machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 19, 1948. R. l. N. WEINGART ET AL TICKET MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2, 1947 INVENTORS Oct. 19, 1948. R. l.-N. WEiNGART EFAL 2,452,022

TICKET MACHINE Filed May 2, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY 0% W m/ Oct. 19; 1948. R. 1. N. WEINGART ET AL 2,452,022

TICKET MACHINE Filed May 2, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 QAQT BY 702 651 5 roe/(5450 Oct. 19, 1948. R. l. N. WEINGART EI'AL 2,452,022

TICKET MACHINE Filed May 2, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TORS JAWM Patented Oct. 19, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TICKET MACHINE Application May 2, 1947, Serial No. 745,672

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to ticket machines, primarily for motion picture theaters, and relates more particularly to a ticket collection machine which severs the ticket from the patrons stub and automatically counts the ticket or tickets.

It is common practice in theaters for the patron to purchase one or a plurality of tickets, depending upon the number in his party, the tickets being cut in one piece from a roll of the ticket material. The ticket collector tears the patrons stub, again presumably in one piece, from the ticket strip and deposits the ticket in a receptacle for eventual delivery to the theater auditor. The difliculty with this procedure resides in the frequent failure of the collector to return the entire stub to the patron and deposit the entire ticket in the receptacle. Tickets thus palmed by the collector are returned to the seller who, acting as an accomplice, resells the tickets and fails to account for the proceeds. As a result, losses in revenue run quite high.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fully automatic machine which eliminates such difiiculties in that the ticket strip, whether containing one or a plurality of tickets, must be inserted within the machine for a clean longitudinal cut which severs the ticket from the stub, and advances the ticket to a counter.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel means controlling actuation of the cutting knife comprising a circuit which closes only when the ticket portion has been inserted fully within the slot and is properly aligned therein. The machine is arranged to receive, in one operation, a ticket strip containing, for instance, from one to five ticket units. The novel circuitclosing means include a plurality of switches arranged in series, actuation of each switch being controlled by a movable member such as a pivoted shaft, having a plurality of spaced fingers extending radially therefrom. The fingers on one shaft are arranged alternately with those on the opposite shaft, and have a spacing bearing a definite relation to the length of a ticket unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described wherein the ticket containing one or a plurality of ticket units may be inserted within the slot at any point thereof for cutting and counting.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved ticket collection device which, in addition to severing and counting the tickets, provides visible or audible means indicating the number of ticket units received. This arrange- 2 merit for all practical purposes prevents theft and reselling of the ticket units.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described which facilitates the handling of patrons at the admission door, and also enables the tickets to be audited by the theater more expeditiously.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved mechanical counting means for tickets wherein the parts are so arranged as to be simple in operation and not likely to get out of order, and wherein the operation is more positive and less expensive to maintain than electronic counters.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the present invention, the view being partly in section, such section being taken on line li of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism, parts being broken away to show internal strutcture, the View also being a section through the housing.

Fig. 3 is a broken plan view showing the fingers which operate the switches controlling operation of the device.

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3 but shows the ticket strip in inoperative position.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a horizontal broken section taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 3 is a broken vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a broken vertical section taken on line 99 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a broken vertical section taken on line l0l0 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on line l 1- of Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a ticket strip for use in the machine of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a broken side elevation of the lightcontrolling means.

Fig. 14 is a broken section taken on line I l-l4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 shows a circuit employed in connection with the present machine.

The ticket strip i0 is shown in plan view in Fig. 12 as comprising three ticket units ll, I2, and 13 which may, if desired, be consecutively numbered. The individual ticket units may be divided by transverse weakened lines I4, and a longitudinally weakened line 15 may separate the 3 ticket portion [6 for retention by the theater from the patrons stub portion 28. The latter may also have holes 2:1 for a purpose later to be mentioned. Inasmuch as the initial cutting of a single ticket unit or of the ticket strip from the roll, and the longitudinal cutting in the machine of the presentinvention, are performed by power-driven knives, the weakened lines in the ticket strip may be eliminated. The present machine may be actuated by one or a plurality of ticket units, the three-unit ticket being chosen only for purpose of illustration. The machine illustrated is adapted to be actuated by one ticket unit or by a plurality of such ticket units not exceeding- The principal operating parts of the machine will now be referred to, after which the parts and their attendant elements will be described'in more detail. The ticket strip I8 is inserted longitudinall into a horizontal channel l9 defined by upper and lower plates 22 and 23, respectively. To operate the machine this ticket strip must be moved inwardly to a point wherein its longitudinaledges are generally parallel with the edges of the channel to cause inner longitudinal edge 24 of the strip to engage at least one of spaced fingers 25 extending radially downwardly from upper pivoted shaft 25 and also at least one of fingers 3d extending radially upwardly from lower pivoted shaft 31. Shafts 25 and 3! are journalled in frame members 29. Both upper and lower fingers, which are equally spaced apart, are disposed in longitudinal alignment in spaced, milled slots 28 (Fig. 6) in the plates, and the spacing of these fingers is of considerable im- 3 portance, as will be pointed out.

One of upper fingers 25, when moved rearwardly, is arranged to depress plunger 32 associated with switch 33, and one of lower fingers is arranged to depress plunger 34 associated i.

with switch 35, as shown in Fig. 6. These switches are connected in series, and simultaneous actuation moves the operative parts of the machine through a cycle which includes movement of a knife 36 to cut the ticket portion from the stub portion, and subsequent delivery of the ticket strip longitudinally to a ratchet counter 36 which registers the number of ticket units, after which the ticket strip is deposited in a suitable closed hopper (not shown).

Delivery of the ticket strip to the counter is effected by spaced "bands 40 and 4! carried on drums #2 and 43. On their outer'surfaces the bands carry aligned pusher lugs-44, 54', and 34". Each band is shown as carrying these lugs in equally spaced relation, and the bands have a length of three times the circumference of the drums. This arrangement may be varied, depending upon the maXimllm number of ticket units to be serviced in a single cycle. If five is such maximum number and three sets of pusher lugs are employed on the bands, one revolution of the drums (one cycle) will advance the pusher lugs from the position 44 at the left in Fig. 11 to the position M at the right. The lugsthus advance the severed ticket strip in the path of pinwheel 45 which operates counter 46. The term pinwheel as used herein is deemed to mean a Wheel with pins extending radially from its periphery which pierce the ticket strip sufi'iciently as it moves relative to the pinwheel to produce rotation in the latter. These pins may be separate elements mounted'in spaced relation on the wheel, or they may be, in effect, pointed gear teeth.

Means for driving the machine comprise a motor 51! mounted on base 52, the motor having a shaft 52 which is connected by coupling 54 with worm 55. This latter meshes with and drives worm gear 56 which is freely journalled on shaft 58 (Fig. 5). This shaft is journalled in bearings 51 and 62 carried by vertical frame members 63 and 64. w

The following clutch means are provided for obtaining one complete rotation only of shaft 60, and accordingly drum 43, for each cycle of operation. A ratchet wheel 65 is keyed to worm gear 56, the teeth of such ratchet wheel being engaged by a pawl 66 which is pivotally mounted at 76 on pawl support H keyed to shaft 611. The pawl is urged in the direction of the ratchet teeth by means of spring 72. Rotative movement of pawl support II and the upper end of pawl 66 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 9) is restrained by means of a rocker arm 13 which is centrally pivoted at 74. Simultaneously with the starting of motor 5!, the winding in solenoid 15 is energized, thus drawing armature l6 downwardly and raising the opposite end of rocker arm 13. This frees pawl 66 to engage ratchet wheel t5v and also frees its supporting arm 'H for rotation. After a minor portion of the revolution, the solenoid circuit is opened and spring (see Fig. 2) lowers rocker arm 73.

During its ar cuate travel the upper end of pawl 66 has a position in advance of the outer end of pawl support ll due to the influence of spring 72, such advance position being shownin broken lines at 66 in Fig. 9. As the revolution is completed, rocker arm 13 disengages the pawl and stops further rotation of both pawl and pawl support. It is desirable to retain pawl support H in constant contact with rocker arm 13 until a new cycle commences, and spring 12 has atendency to urge the pawl support rearwardly. This diificulty is eliminated by providing a rearward extensionv T1 of rocker arm 73 which overlies the upper end of the pawl support and which frictionally retains pawl support H in the starting position of Fig. 9.

Drum 43 is secured to a hub82 which iskeyed to shaft 60 (Fig. 5). Drum 42 is secured to a hub 83 which is keyed to shaft 8 3 journalled in frame members 85 and 86. For the purpose of assuring a positive drive between drum 43 and bands 40- and M, such drum may be provided with spaced pins on its outer periphery which pass through holes 9| in the bands. An idler roller 87 mounted on a centrally-pivoted lever 88, and urged up wardly by a spring 89, keeps-bands All and M taut (Fig. 1).

The vertically-reciprocating knife 36 is formed with a diagonal cutting edge 92 andis mounted by means of links 93 on a plate S1! having vertical slots 55. Tracks 96 and washers 9? are supported on frame mil by means of screws NH. Thus, movement of plate 94', is confined to vertical reciprocating movement, and such downward movement for the cutting operation andupward return movement is effected by means of" a substantially heart-shaped driving cam Hi2 mounted on hub 503 keyed to drive shaft 60. A roller HM carried at the outer end of lever Hi5 normally resides in cam recess i 36. Lever I05- and a second lever lfl't form bell-crank elements keyed to shaft. 5 l0 journalled in a bearing 1 I! mounted in frame 63. Links 5 i2 and 589 form a connection between lever 0'! (Fig. 1) and bell-crank levers I I 3 mounted on shafts ti l. Forked recesses H5at the outerter-;

' minalsof the bell-crank. levers engage rollers H6 journalled on the inner surface of plate 94. Thus, a full turn of drive shaft 60 drives links I09 and H2 to the right (Fig. l), and return movement is effected by means of a spring I (Fig. 10) secured at one end to a post I2I carried on the inner surface of lever I05 and at the other end to a portion of the frame (not shown). The spring also serves to retain roller I04 normally seated in cam recess I06.

The position of the ticket in relative to cutting knife 36 is shown inFig. 6. The outer longitudinal edge 22 of lower plate 23 which forms the cooperating stationary blade is inwardly bevelled. Suitable spring means such as are shown at I I9 may serve to retain the cutting knife in engagement with this cooperating stationary blade. Except along their inner longitudinal edges II3 where plates 22 and 23 are in contact with each other, such plates are spaced apart a distance slightly more than the thickness of the ticket strip I0. For the purpose of providing adequate space for the lugs 44, 44', and 44 carried on bonds 46 and 4| to pass through the channel 19, each of such plates is formed with spaced, longitudinal recesses I23. The inner edges of the recesses are bevelled, as shown at IIO, so as to avoid the blocking of movement of the ticket into the channel.

It was earlier noted that the spacing of the respective fingers 25 and was of considerable importance. Since actuating switches 33 and are in series, both shafts 26 and 3i must be rocked by their respective fingers to close the circuit. The spacing between one finger 25 on the upper shaft and the adjoining finger 30 on the lower shaft must be such that a single ticket unit, regardless of its point of entry into channel I9, will contact at least two such adjacent fingers. Thus, the adjacent fingers 25 on the upper shaft and the adjacent fingers 30 on the lower shaft must be set at intervals not more (and preferably not less, as well) than the length of one ticket unit. The fingers have a thickness, and accordingly the actual space between adjacent fingers on, for example, the upper shaft is less than the length of a ticket unit by an amount equal to such thickness. Thus, at no point of entry into the channel can a single ticket unit engage only one finger if the inner edge is parallel with the sides of the channel.

The necessity for this parallel relation is amply illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 in connection with a five-unit ticket strip. In Fig. 4 the ticket strip is at an angle, and the forward end of the inner edge engages and retracts an upper finger 25' but not the adjacent lower finger 30. Thus, the circuit is yet open since only switch 33 is closed. When the ticket strip assumes the position of Fig. 3, however, both sets of fingers are contacted and the circuit is closed. The machine will have a reater sensitivity if the extent of travel of the fingers is relatively short, and if such is the case even a slight deviation from this parallel relationship will fail to close the circuit.

By referring to Fig. 11 it will be noted that pusher lug 44, which delivers the severed ticket to the pinwheel to actuate the counter, must travel a short distance before it contacts the ticket, even if a ticket of maximum number of units is inserted. The time lag afforded by this arrangement is sufficient to enable the knife to do its work before the pusher lug picks up the ticket.

Lower plate 23 is provided with a longitudinal slot I28 (Fig. 11) disposed between longitudinal recesses I23 and, through which the pinwheel projects. At their upper ends the teeth are spaced from the lower surface of upper plate 22 by a distance less than the thickness of the ticket, and when the ticket is moved past the pinwheel the points 50 impregnate the ticket, thus assuring a positive drive of the pinwheel. The pinwheel is keyed to a shaft I23 journalled in the frame, the shaft also having a pinion I30 thereon. The gear train leading to the counter 46 is shown in Figs. 7 and 11. This includes gears I3I, I32, and I33, all journalled on frame I41, the latter gear I33 being on the counter shaft I34. Rotation of this shaft is normally restrained by means of a star wheel I35 keyed thereto, the teeth being engaged by a roller I36 which forms a pawl (Fig. 8). The roller is mounted on a centrally-pivoted lever I40. A spring I4I urges the roller against the teeth of star wheel I35. When rotation of drive shaft 60 commences, the roller is released from the star wheel by means of a pin I42 carried on the inner surface of cam wheel I02, which pin engages an upward extension I43 of lever I40. The gearing between pinwheel 45 and counter shaft I34 is such that if one ticket unit is severed and delivered to the pinwheel, one ticket is similarly registered on the counter, etc.

For the punpose of visually indicating the number of tickets cut and counted, there is provided on the upper frame portion I44 a plurality of sockets I45 receiving lights I46, and if one ticket is cut one light is lighted, and so on.

It was noted that upon the commencement of rotation of drive shaft 60, pawl I36 is released from star wheel I35 by means of pin I42 carried on cam wheel I02. This release of the pawl frees the gear train between pinwheel shaft I29 and the counter shaft for free rotation back to starting position, such return rotation being accomplished by means of a spring I50 carried concentrically of such pinwheel shaft I29 and secured at one end thereof, as at I5I, to the shaft, and at the other end thereof to a pin I52 carried by the frame. Pinwheel shaft I29 carries at the end opposite from the pinwheel a pinion I53 which meshes with a gear I54 mounted on a shaft I55. An arcuately-shaped block of insulating material I56 is likewise carried by, and keyed to, shaft I55. Suitable stop means for limiting such reverse rotation of shaft I29 and shaft I55 may comprise a stop pin I60 which engages one end of block I56 when the parts have reached the position shown in Fig. 13.

It was earlier stated that even if the ticket strip is inserted substantially at the left-hand end of channel I9, there is nevertheless a time lag before pusher lugs 44 pick up the ticket and deliver the same to the pinwheel, such time lag being provided as a result of the travel of such pusher lugs 44 before they reach the rear terminal of ticket strip I 0. This time lag also is sufficient to permit pinwheel 45 to return to its starting position just mentioned.

An arcuate contact member or wiper I6I is secured to the inner surface of insulating block I56 carried on shaft I55. At starting position such wiper I6I engages a fixed contact member I62. There are also provided spaced contact members I63, I64, I65, I66 and I61, or one for each of the five lights I46. In the event that a single ticket unit has been inserted into the machine, such ticket unit is of sufficient length to cause pinwheel 45 to turn from its starting position a distance sufficient to actuate the gear train leading to the counter to cause the counter to register one. This rotation of pinwheel shaft I29 likewise T causesrotation' of'wiper 6i a suffi-cient distance to closelthercircuit between contact members 552. and. 4.5.33. Thus, one of lights M35 is lighted. In theevent that the next ticket stripcomprises, for

example-three ticket units, pinwheel' shaft I29,

isagainreleased to cause it to return to starting position, and in this instance shaft I55 is rotated a sufiicientdistance to close the circuit between fixed contact member I62 andfixed contact members I63; I64, and 55, thus lighting three of lights I46.

Reference is-now had to the circuit shown in Fig. 15. When the ticket strip is properly inserted within channel I9, fingers 25 and 30 are retracted, thereby closing series actuating switches 33 and 35, andthe current flows from one power line I75 through such switches, through solenoid winding l5; through contacts ill and N2, the former being carried: on resilient contact finger I73, and to the other power line Hi This actuates solenoid armature it and rocker arm I3, and; permits operation of the one-revolution clutch element comprising pawl 66 and ratchet wheel 65. The closing of switches 33 and 55 also closes a circuit through relay winding H5 and contacts I76 and ill, the former being mounted on resilient contact finger Ht, and to the other power line. This current actuates the relay winding, closing relay switches I82 and i315, thereby causing current to fiow from power line Ilfi through motor 5! and to the other-power line, andstarting operation of the motor.

When relay I is actuated, a locking circuit is instituted which can be traced from power line I19 through the contacts of switch I83 to the relay Winding, to contacts H6 and ill to power line I'M. This locking circuit holds the relay in its actuated position until the completion o'fthe cycle, and insures continuous operation of the motor through one cycle. Resilient finger I18, upon which contact I16 is carried, is actuated by cam I3 3 keyed t-o'shaft 65, and such contacts H6 and H? are closed at the start of the cycle, and the contact is not broken until substantially at the end of the cycle, at which time cam ISQ unlocks the circuit by opening contacts H6 and l'l-I.

t such instant the ticket has passed beyond fingers and 3t and switches 33 and 35' are no longer in contact. Therefore, the relay will unlock, and switches I82 and I83 will be opened.

Cam I85 also mounted on shaft E50 permits contacts HI and H2 to be closed for at least a quarter of a cycle, thereby actuating solenoid l5 and holding rocker arm 73 in a raisedposition. After a short period of from one-quarter to one-third of a cycle, this circuit is broken by the opening of contacts Ill and I72, and rocker-arm it moves to its normal position, thereby putting arm lit in the path of pawl support ll and the upper end of pawl 56.

The entire apparatus'may be enclosedwithin a housing IQfl having suitable openings in'the upper wall for the lights M6 to project therethrough. It further is provided with an elongated opening (not shown) in the side wall for the introduction of the tickets into channel I9, a platform I9I being mounted' adjacent the "lower edge of the opening to guide the ticket into the open- While one form or embodiment of theinvention has been shown and described herein for illustrative purposes, and the construction and arrangement incidental to a specific application thereof have been disclosed and discussed in detail, it isto be understood that the invention-is limited. neither to the: mere details: or relative arrangement of parts, nor tozits specific embodiment shown herein, but that extensive. deviations from the illustrated form or embodiment of the invention: may be. made without: departing from the.- principles .thereof..

Whatzwe claimisz l. A machinefor severing tickets from thestub portions thereof, such machine comprising a member having alongitudinal opening providing a ticket channel of sufficientlength. to receive a.

plurality of" interconnected ticket units, a plurality of spaced fingers disposed generally in alignment adjacent the inner longitudinal edge of such channel, amovable support for mounting alternate fingers to cause conjointmovement of all of such fingers, and a second movable. support for similarly. mounting the, remaining alternate fingers,,a knife: for severingtheticket from the stub: portion, and means for actuating the knife whenl any-adjoining fingers are; moved by the ticket.

2. A, machine for severing tickets from the stub portions thereof, such machine comprising a member having a longitudinal openingproviding a ticket channel of sufficientlength to re-' ceive a plurality of interconnected ticket units, a plurality of spaced fingers disposed: generally in alignment adjacent the inner longitudinal edge of such channel, a. movable support for rigidly mounting alternate fingers and a second movable support for rigidly mounting theremaining alternate fingers, each pair of adjoining fingers being so spaced apart as to be engaged by at least one ticket unit inserted generally longitudinally of the channel at any point thereof, a knife for severing the ticket from the stub portion, and means for actuating the knife when a plurality of adjoining fingers are contacted by a ticket.

3. A machine forsevering tickets-from the stub portions thereof; such machine comprising a member having a longitudinal opening providing a ticket channel ofsufficient length to receive a plurality of interconnected ticket units, a plurality ofspaced. fingers disposed generally in alignment adjacent the inner longitudinal edge of such channel, a movable support for mounting. alternate fingersand arranged to produce conjoint movement of such fingers upon movement of one thereof, and a second movable support forsimilarly mounting the remaining alternate fingers, each pair of" adjoining fingers being so spaced apart as to be engaged by at least one ticket unit inserted generally longitudinally of the channel at any point thereof, a knife for severing the ticket from the stub portion, and means for actuating the knife upon such insertion including a switch associated with each set of fingers, the switches being arranged in series, and a. circuitincluding theswitches and the knife actuating means.

4. A machine for severing-tickets from the stub portions thereof, suchmachine comprising a member having a longitudinal opening providing a ticket channel, a reciprocating knife for severing the ticketfrom the stub portion thereof, one edge of the channel forming a stationary cutting element cooperating with the knife, means for actuating the knife comprising a plurality of shafts journalled' longitudinally of the channel, spaced'fingers rigidly carried by each shaft and which extend into the channel, the fingers on one hand shaft being arranged alternately with those on the other shaft, means for actuating the knife, acircuit including the knife actuatlng means, a switch associated with one shaft and arranged to be closed upon rotation thereof, and a second switch in series with the first, similarly associated with the second shaft.

5. A machine for severing tickets from the stub portions thereof, such machine comprising a member having a longitudinal opening providing a ticket channel, a reciprocating knife for severing the ticket from the stub portion thereof, means for actuating the knife comprising a plurality of shafts journalled longitudinally of the channel, spaced fingers carried by each shaft and which extend into the channel, the fingers on one shaft being arranged alternately with those on the other shaft, the adjoining fingers on the shafts being so spaced as to cause at least one ticket unit to contact at least one finger on each shaft when such ticket unit is inserted in the channel generally parallel therewith, and means for actuating the knife when any adjoining fingers are so contacted.

6. A machine for severing tickets from the stub portions thereof, such machine comprising a member having a longitudinal opening providing a ticket channel of sufficient length to receive a plurality of interconnected ticket units, a reciprocating knife for severing the ticket from the stub portion thereof, means for actuating the knife comprising a plurality of shafts iournalled longitudinally of the channel, spaced fingers carried by each shaft which extend into the channel, the fingers on one shaft being arranged alternately with those on the other shaft, the fingers on each shaft being arranged for conjoint movement, the adjoining fingers on the shafts being so spaced as to cause at least one ticket unit to contact at least one finger on each shaft when such ticket unit is inserted in the channel generally parallel therewith, knife actuating means, a circuit including such knife actuating means, a switch associated with one set of fingers and arranged to be closed upon movement thereof, and a second switch in series with the first, similarly associated with the second set of fingers, whereby to cause movement of the knife when the circuit is closed due to closing of the switches.

7. In a ticket machine provided with means for severing tickets from the stub portions thereof, the combination of means for counting the severed tickets, such means comprising a frame, a member mounted in the frame having a longitudinal opening providing a channel of suiiicient length to receive a plurality of interconnected ticket units to be severed, a wheel journalled adjacent one end of the channel and arranged to be rotated by movement of the ticket relative to the wheel, means for moving the severed ticket relative to the wheel, and a counter operatively connected with the wheel.

8. In a ticket machine provided with means for severing tickets from the stub portions thereof, the combination of means for counting the severed tickets, such means comprising a frame, a member mounted in the frame having a longitudinal opening providing a channel of sufficient length to receive a plurality of interconnected ticket units, one wall of the channel having an opening adjacent one end thereof, a pinwheel journalled within said opening and having its outer periphery closely spaced from the opposite wall of the channel, said pinwheel being arranged to be rotated by movement of the ticket relative to the pinwheel, means for moving the severed ticket relative to the wheel comprising a plurality of spaced drums journalled in the frame at opposite ends of the channel, a plurality of spaced, endless bands carried thereon, a plurality of spaced pusher lugs carried thereby and arranged to contact the ticket. a prime mover for rotating the drums through a cycle of operation, and a counter operatively connected with the pinwheel.

9. A ticket machine provided with means for severing tickets from the stub portions thereof and for counting the severed tickets, such means comprising a frame, a member mounted in the frame having a longitudinal opening providing a channel of sufficient length to receive a p ity of interconnected ticket units, a knife for severing the ticket from the stub, one edge of the thereby and arranged to contact and move the ticket, a prime mover for rotating the drums through a cycle of operation and for actuating the knife, and a counter operatively connected with the wheel.

10. In a ticket machine provided with means for severing tickets from the stub portions thereof, the combination of means for counting the severed tickets, such means comprising a frame, a member mounted in the frame having a longitudinal opening providing a channel of sufficient length to receive a plurality of interconnected ticket units to be severed, a pinwheel journalled adjacent one end of the channel and arranged to be rotated by movement of the ticket relative to the pinwheel, means for moving the severed ticket relative to the wheel comprising a plurality of spaced drums journalled in the frame at opposite ends of the channel, an endless band. carried thereon, a plurality of spaced pusher lugs 1 carried thereby and arranged to contact and move the ticket, a prime mover for rotating the drums through a cycle of operation, and a counter operatively connected with the pinwheel.

11. A machine for severing tickets from the stub portions thereof and for counting such tickets, such machine comprising a member having a 1ongitudinal ticket channel of sufficient length to receive a plurality of ticket units, a plurality of spaced, aligned fingers disposed adjacent the inner longitudinal edge of such channel, a movable support rigidly mounting alternate fingers and another movable support rigidly mounting the remaining fingers, a knife for severing the tickets from the stub portions, a ticket counter, a pinwheel for actuating the counter upon movement of the ticket relative to such wheel, pusher means for delivering the severed tickets to the pinwheel to rotate the same, and means for actuating the knife and the pusher means when adjoining fingers are contacted by the ticket.

12. A machine for severing tickets from the stub portions thereof and for counting such tickets, such machine comprising a member having a longitudinal ticket channel of sufficient length to receive a plurality of interconnected ticket units, a plurality of spaced, aligned fingers disposed adjacent the inner longitudinal edge of such channel, a movable means for mounting alternate fingers and arranged to produce conjoint movement thereof when one is moved, means for similarly mounting the remaining fingers, theSpacingbe-' t'o b'e cldsii updn movement by the ticket "(if one 15 zg raegozz 12 set of said fingers and -the other being :arranged to 'be closed upon movement of *the '-'other set of said fingers.

RICHARD :I. N. WEINGART.

TORKEL E. TORKELSON.

REFERENCES CIT-ED The fdll'owirig references "are of record inthe fiIe of this 'pdintt UNTTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,924,624 Roesen EAug..29,1933 :1 98,320 J (Shnston i-Aprn 16, 1935 2,134,681 Bologninoet'al. No'v. 1, 1938

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