US2596441A - Credit accumulator mechanism - Google Patents

Description

J. SCHMIDT CREDIT ACCUMULATOR MECHANISM May 13, 1952 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed Deg. 9, 1947 y 1952 J. SCHMIDT CREDIT ACCUMULATOR MECHANISM 2 $HEETSSHEET 2 Filed Dec. 9, 1947 H H H wmw 3 I wy w Qw w Qw mm mww .7 4 4 1N VEN TOR. 5 1?) hm 5072M 2% #43 MN WW Tatented May 13,

CREDIT ACCUMULATOR MECHANISM John Schmidt, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Guardian Electric Manufacturing 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application December 9, 1947, Serial No. 790,550

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a credit accumulator mechanism of the kind adapted to accept coins of various denominations or be actuated by other means representing various denominations, and add the values in units or credits. By way of example, one apparatus wherein such a mechanism is usable is a calculator or adding machine and another installation is an automatic phonograph wherein coins are accepted and their values in units of nickels are added, units or credits being subtracted by the mechanism as by selections played on the phonograph. While the invention is particularly applicable to automatic phonographs, it is not limited thereto as it may be used in many other types of vending machines as well as calculators and tabulatin and business machines in general.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved credit accumulator mechanism of the type which accepts coins of different denominations or is actuated by electrical impulses representing different denominations, and adds up credits in proportion to the denominations, a played record or a dispensed article or the like subsequently subtracting credits so that the machine operated by the credit accumulator mechanism accurately gives pre-determined value for the credits added by the mechanism as a result of insertion into the vending machine or the like of coins of various denominations or the actuation of switches to produce the electrical impulses that represent the various denominations in a calculator or the like.

Another object is to provide a multi-denominational accumulator mechanism which is inexpensive to manufacture, reliable in operation and comparatively less complicated both in mechanical structure and electrical circuits than those types of coin credit mechanisms which have a stepping relay for the coins of lowest denomination and further stepping relays for coins of higher denominations, the steps of which are in proportion to the value of the lowest denomination divided into the values of the coins of higher denominations.

Still another object is to provide a credit accumulator mechanism which is fast and foolproof in operation and which, when its operation is initiated by the insertion of a coin into the vending mechanism, will continue its intended operation without any false operations resulting from an attempt to over-operate the mechanism as by jiggling the supply cord plug in a wall outlet or otherwise tampering with the circuit of the mechanism.

A more specific object is to provide a coin credit mechanism having a stepping or impulse relay for coins of the lowest denomination, for example nickels which advance a credit accumulator element such as a shaft one unit per impulse of the relay, and an electric motor driven cam means to advance the credit accumulator shaft in an adding direction a number of impulses depending on the value of the other coins such as dimes and quarters in relation to a nickel, the dime and quarter mechanisms being energized by the insertion of dimes and quarters respectively, and the mechanism energized by the dimes or quarters being automatically de-energized at the end of an operating cycle whereupon the mechanism is reconditioned for the next cycle.

A further object is to provide a motor driven cam mechanism to take the place of the usual stepping relays that are designed for controlling the initial stepping relay at the credit accumulator shaft (the nickel relay) but which mechanisms have shortcomings, whereas an electric motor drive is much more positive and reliable, thus producin a credit accumulator mechanism which is less expensive to manufacture and requires less servicing than the former types.

A still further object is to provide a credit accumulator mechanism which requires but a very simple control circuit for its operation, thus minimizing circuit connections during manufacture and the possibility of errors in connecting up a great number of wires, the resulting mechanism being less liable to become inoperative in the field.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts or my credit accumulator mechanism whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a credit accumulator mechanism embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the parts in a predetermined operated position.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of Figure 1, the cam disc of Figure 2 being shown in the position it assumes at the end of an operating cycle.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, and

Figure 6 is an electro-diagrammatic view showing the circuit used in my credit accumulator mechanism.

n the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral H] to indicate a base for my mechanism, which base may be in the form of sheet metal with offset mounting flanges l2 pierced as at M to receive mounting screws or the like. My credit accumulator mechanism is all mounted on the base It and will now be described in detail.

-An upright bracket i6 is secured to the base ID and supports a bearing It in which a shaft is journalled. A wheel 22 is mounted on the shaft and has teeth 24 for the purpose of actuating the wheel as will hereinafter appear. The wheel 22 may be calleda credit accumulator element as the wheel merely rotates in response to electrical impulses and any type of movable element may be used as a credit accumulator as long as it accumulates creditsstep by step, each step representing a predetermined unit of value.

For rotating the wheel 22 in a credit adding direction (counter-clockwise in Figure 3), I provide an impulse operated means which is electrically driven, such as a relay. The coil of the relay is indicated at C5, to represent in the particular mechanism disclosed, a coil energized by units of five cents each. The armature for the coil C5 is shown at 26, it being pivoted on an upright bracket .28 and normally held spaced from the coil by a spring 32 in a' manner which is standard construction on relays.

The armature 26 carries a pawl 32 which is pivoted at 3 4 to the armature and extends through a slot 36 in the armature. A portion 33 of the armature is folded back and spaced from the armature proper to define the upper limit of this slot as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The pawl 32 is freely movable in the slot.

For advancing the credit accumulator element 22 in a negative direction, as when articles are dispensed from a vending machine or records are played in an automatic phonograph, I provide a subtracting coil SC to be operated by dispensing articles or corresponding subtracting circuits which do not form any part of my present invention. The subtracting coil SC is provided with 4' When the coil C5 is de-energized, the spring 31'! will raise the pawl 32 and the spring 58 will pull it toward the right side of the slot 54 until the pawl reassumes its initial position shown by solid of a ball til loosely carried in a bracket 62 and biased upwardly by a leaf spring 6d.

When my credit accumulator mechanism is used in connection with an automatic phono graph or other type of vending machine, the

mechanism of the machine may be operated by the closure .of a switch having contact springs 66 and 68 which normally close a phonograph operating circuit'but which are adapted to open an armature 40 pivoted on an upright bracket d2 and normally held raised by a spring 54. A pawl 46 is pivoted at 4 8 thereto and extends through a slot 50 formed by a doubled back portion of the armature in the same manner described for the armature 26.

The pawls 32 and 45 extend through enlarged rectangular openings 54 and 56 respectively in the upright bracket 16 (see Figure 4) and terminate at normal positions spaced from the teeth 24 of the wheel 22. The pawls are adapted to coact with the wheel for rotating it either counter clockwise or clockwise depending on whether the coil C5 or the coil SC is energized.

The pawls 32 and 16 are held against the inner edges of the openings 54 and by. a spring 58 so that when either pawl is lowered it will first engage the teeth 24 and then rotate the wheel 22, the pawl moving away from the central a ds of the wheel as it is carried downwardly and outwardly by the wheel itself and the widthof the notch 54 and 58 as the case may be permits of such movement. The slots 36 and 50 also permit such movement while causing the pawl to be carried along with its armature. For instance a dotted position of the pawl 32 is shown, this position being assumed by such downward movement as caused by energization of the coil C5, or as caused mechanically by other elements which Willhereinafter be described. u v

this circuit when the wheel 22 is in its initial position with a projection Ill thereon engaging an extension 12 of the leaf spring 68 for separating its contactfrom that of the lspringiit. This initial position may be one in which the wheel is stopped by a stop pin M thereon engaging a stationary stop lug l6 projecting from the bracket lBJ 'Whenever the wheel is moved away from the stop lug the switch 6658 will be closed as in Figure 1 for actuating the phonograph or vending machine until such time as all accumulated credits have been accounted for by playing records or dispensing articles which efiect repeated energizations of the subtracting coil SC, the mechanism for this purposeforming no part of my present invention.

Thus far'I have described a coil 05 which by way of example may be actuated by the insertion of a five cent piece into an'automatic phonograph or vending machine. In Figure 6 I show an electric circuitin which line wires Li and L2 supply current to the coil C5 and a switch S5 is in series therewith for closing the circuit to produce an impuse in the relay coil C5. 'In a vending ma chine for instance the switch S5 may be actuated by a nickel inserted into the machine, the nickel causing a single actuation as it passesthe switch and the single actuation resulting in a single impulse in the coil C5 for advancing the wheel 22 in a credit accumulating or adding direction (counterclockwise in Figure 3). If my mechanism is used in a calculator or the like the switch S5 may be merely a manually or automatic depressible push button representing a certain d6: nomination or unit of mathematical value.

In an automatic phonograph or vending machine, it is desirable to have the mechanism designed for the insertion of coins other than nickels suchas dimes, quarters, etc. A dime for instance should advance the credit accumulating element 22 two steps per coin, whereas a quarter should advance it five steps per coin. Similarly, in a calculator, a push button representing twice the denomination of a push button for energizing the coil C5 should causea two step advance of the credit accumulator element, a push button repre senting five units should advance it'five steps and so on. The mechanism for causing this advance of the accumulator element in multiple steps will now be described. V

A bracket 15 has pivoted on a pin 1'! carried thereby,'a leverLi B anda lever L25 for actuation its portion 38 as shown in Figure 4 after the lever is unlocked from the raised position shown 'in Figure 3. Similarly a coil spring 82 is provided for lowering the lever L25 after it is unlocked so that its right angle end 82 can engage the armature portion 38.

The levers LID and L25 are normally retained in their raised positions by armatures AID and A25, respectively. These levers as shown in Figure 5 are provided with cars 84 to engage the upper ends of the armatures.

Relay coils CID and C25 are provided for attracting the armatures AID and A25 and these coils are supported on the lower ends of brackets 88 and 88 secured to brackets 92 and 82, respectively. The brackets 96 and 92 are in turn supported on the base ID by brackets 94 and D6. The

brackets 99 and 22 have extensions 98 and I 80.

which serve as stops for the armatures AH! and A25 in their tie-energized positions, springs I82 and I04 being provided to normally tend to engage the armatures with the stops as well as with thebrackets 86 and 88 at the pivot points.

Motor controlling switches MID and M25 are provided, these being normally open and adapted to be closed by energization of the coils CH} and C25, respectively. The purpose of these switches will be hereinafter described.

A motor M is provided, the coil thereof being shown at I06 and the field frame at I58 in Figure 1. A gear reducer H5 is interposed between the shaft of the motor and a cam shaft I I2 which has one end journalled in the gear reducer and the other end journalled in a bearing bracket I I4. Cam discs DID and D25 are mounted on the shaft II2 for rotation therewith and one of the discs carries a pair of holding switch actuating rollers IDS. These are adapted to cooperate alternately with a holding switch HS which is connected in the circuit of the motor M as shown in the diagram in Figure 6.

With further reference to the electrical circuit it will be noted that a switch SIB is provided for controlling the relay coil CIfi and a switch S25 is provided for controlling the relay coil C25. The switches MID and M25 are shunt connected with the holding switch HS, the three switches MID, M25 and HS being therefore operable to control the motor M to keep it energized as long as any one of the three switches is closed.

The cam disc DID, being for dimes, has a pair of notches IE8 and I28 (see Figure 2), and diagonally opposite these it has a second pair of notches H8 and I28. These notches are adapted to receive a roller I22 on the lever LIB as the cam disc rotates. Two pairs of notches are provided because one cycle of operation is only one-half revolution of the cam disc as determined by the use of two of the rollers I I5 and other design features as will hereinafter appear. Obviously if there is one cycle of operation each complete revolution of the shaft H2, then there would be only one set of the notches H8 and 12D, and ony one roller IIE. Dimes energize the accumulating mechanism in proportion to two energizations of the coil C5 responsive to nickels as a dime is twice the unit value of a nickel. Adjacent each notch I20, a lobe I24 is provided to also cooperate with the roller I22 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

Similarly the cam disc D25 has five notches I25, I28, I30, I32 and I34 repeated twice around its periphery and lobes I35 adjacent the notches I26, the five notches and the lobe being coopera-ble with a roller I38 on the lever C25;

6 Practical operation In the operation of my credit accumulator mechanism it is obvious that each impulse in the coil C5 caused by each closure of the switch S5 will advance the accumulator element 22 one step counter-clockwise. I closes the switch SID, the coil CID will be energized which resultsin the following cycle of operations; energization of the coil CID causes it to attract the armature AID, thus pulling a pro jection 81 on its upper end from under the extension 84 of the lever LID. This permits the spring I8 to lower the lever LID until its lowering movement is stopped by its roller I22 engaging the periphery of the cam disc DID. In Figure 2 the cam disc at the beginning of this operation would be in the dotted position disclosed with the upper lobe I24 ahead of the roller I22 so as to permit the roller to lower against the periphery of the disc.

At the same time the armature AID closes the switch MID so that a circuit is established through the motor M to cause it to operate and rotate the shaft H2 and the cam disc DIE]. The rotation is clockwise in Figure 2 and when the left hand notch II8 reaches the roller I22 the roller will drop into the notch clue to the action of the spring I8 and the, end of the lever LID will engage and lower the armature 26 for advancing the element 22 in a credit direction one step.

The disc DID will continue to rotate so that the lower notch I2D finally reaches the roller I22 and permits another depression of the lever LID for advancing the element 22 one more step, thus advancing the element 22 two units for a dime as distinguished from one unit for a nickel that effects energization of the coil C5.

After the second depression of the lever LID the lobe I24 comes under the roller I22 for lifting the lever LID to the solid line position shown in Figure 2 which raises the projection s1 thereon sufliciently high for the spring I02 of the armature AID to return the armature to its initial position shown in Figure 5. The coil CID of course is at that time cle-energized as thepassage of a dime past the switch SID causes only a momentary impulse in the coil.

Return of the armature AID to its initial position however opens the switch MID so that the motor would stop before the lobe I24 advanced past the roller I22. I therefore provide the holding switch HS, and the rollers II 6 are so positloned as to cause it to close while the lobe I24 is under the roller I22. The holiday switch thereafter opens as when the lobe gets to the dotted position shown in Figure 2 so that the holding switch constitutes the means for stopping the motor and thereby terminating the cycle of operation of the shaft II2, this cycle as already mentioned being one-half revolution.

Similarly when the switch S25 is closed by the deposit of a quarter in the vending machine, the

coil C25 is energized for attracting the armature" When a ten cent piece and again the holding :switchHS keeps the motor circuit, closed after the switch, M25 opens and terminates operation of the motor just after lobe I36 passes the roller I38.

Obviously any type of'mechanism may be used f,or automatically operating the switches; S5, SH! and $25 or they may be manually operated. ina'calculator or the 'like,and asfmany cam discs a'n'd'le'vers may be provided for "mechanically operating the pawl 82 in response to a'cycle foi operation of the motor M as may be 'necess'aryor desired in any "particular type of installation. Likewise any unit of value may be used, it being only necessary for accuracy of results that a cam liespojndin to any denominationhave the required number off notches corresponding in multiple valueto thedenominaticn for actuating a given cam in relation to the unit denomination of the initial unit, responsive element 05.

My "arrangement eliminates the necessity of stepping relays beyond the initial unfit relay and substitutes in place thereof the relays such as 'Clll 'a'nd'C25 each of which mechanically connects the propercam driven by an electric motor with the pawl 32, initiates operation or" the motor and permits it to complete its function'thr'ough agiven cycle, the holding switch terminating the cycle. A relatively inexpensive motor M can be usedior the cycling operation. The wiring circuit in such an arrangement is comparatively simple as obvious from an inspection of Figured. V

The accumulator mechanism is so designed that any failure of electric current will stop all operating parts of the mechanism and upon resumption of current, the operating cycle that was in progress will be completed, without any possibility of extrasteps of operation being imparted to the accumulator mechanism as when someone attempts to cheat the machine as by jiggling the supply cord plug in the wall outlet.

Anymomentary interruption of current does not in any way afiect the accuracy of operation of the mechanism in response to any one of the ac tuating switches S5, SH) 'or $25. 'At the same time a, positive mechanical action is provided in place of stepping relays by the use of an electric motor which may be relatively small yet powerful enough to operate the cam actuated levers Lill and L because step down gearing can be used between the motor and the cam shaft. jThe levers mechanically actuate the armature 26 insteadof depending on secondary stepping relays to-energ'ize thecoil C5 once foreach step in the operation of the se'condary'relays.

The 'pres'e'nt arrangement likewisefcu-ts down considerably the operations required'by the "coil C5 as it electrically responds to the switch-S5 only. The'pawl 32 is mechanically operated by means of the levers Ll0 and L25 when the switches SH! and S25 are closed instead of being electrically operated by energizations ofthe coil C5. The resulting structure has a longer oper ating; life and is more fool-proof both as to manufacture and service. Contributing-to thisifactor isthe simplicity of the wiring arrangement.

some changes may be made in the 'construc= tibn and arrangement. of-the parts of my "accumulator without departing from the real spirit'and purpose of my invention, and it'i'siny intention to cover .by my claims any modified forms .of structure or use of ,mechanical equivalents which maybe reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

11. A credit; accumulator mechanism compris mga mrenty or independent switches a movable credit accumulating element and means for mOYg tor element, and other control means responsive to operation of said other switches to simultaneously energize said motor and render .a Se-. lectedone of :said cams operable, to thereby-;,ac-- tuatesaid credit accumulating element- 2. A credit accumulator mechanism compris-- ing a credit accumulating element, electro-emagnetic actuating means for movingsaid element step bystep in an adding direction, asecond ac:- tuating means for moving said element step by step in an adding direction, a first control means for transmitting an impulse to energize said electro-magnetic means once each operation of said first control means, a second control "means, for said second actuating means, said second actuating means comprising cam mechanism and a cyclically operable electric motor for driving it, mechanical elements actuatedby said cam m'e c h anism aselective plurality of times *each cycle of operation of the motor and cam'mechanism, said second control means initiating energization oi said motor, whereupon it actuates said cam mechanism and means for deenergizing the motor at the completion of a cycle.

3. A credit accumulator unit comprising an accumulator element, means for advancing said element in a credit direction, electro-magnetic means for operating said advancing means one step at a time, a control element therefor, separate means for operating said advancing means apluralityofsteps upon each cycle of operation of .said separate means, asecond control element for said separate means, said separate means comprising -a movable element adapted to cause movement of said advancing means in a cre dit direction, a cam for actuating said movableelement, an electric motor for rotating said cam, a relay for releasing said movable element from an inoperative position to an operative position where-said cam may actuate it, said relay includ' ing a motor switch for energizing said motor, said movable element when released retaining said motor switch closed, and a holding switch spar: ated by saidcam mechanismto keep said motor energized after said inotor switch opens, s'a id cam having means to move said movable element a plurality of times to actuate said advancing means a corresponding plurality 'of steps andtb move said movable element to a position permit'-' a plurality of steps upon each cycle of operation of said separate means, a second control element for said separate means, said separate means comprising a movable element adapted to cause movement of said advancing means, a cam for actuating said movable element, an electric motor for rotating said cam, and a relay for releasing said movable element from an inoperative position to an operative position where said cam may actuate it, said relay including a motor switch for energizing said motor, said movable element when released retaining said motor switch closed, said cam having means to move said movable element a plurality of times to actuate said advancing means a corresponding plurality of steps and to move said movable element to a position permitting said relay to return to open switch position.

5. A control unit for automatic vending machines comprising a credit accumulator including a vending machine operating switch, ratchet means for operating said switch, electro-magnetic means for moving said ratchet means step by step away from an initial position at which said switch is open, means for transmitting impulses to energize said electro-magnetic means once each impulse, said transmitting means comprising a coin operated circuit operated by coins of unit denomination, a cam operated by coins of multiple unit denomination, additional means operated by said cam for advancing said ratchet means depending upon a predetermined number of operations of said additional means in a cycle of operation of said cam, an electric motor for driving said cam, means operated by the insertion of a coin of said multiple unit denomination in the vending machine to initiate operation of said motor, and means for terminating the operation of said motor at the end of a cycle of operation of said cam.

6. A control unit for an automatic vending machine comprising a credit accumulator including a vending machine control switch and ratchet means for operating said control switch, electro-magnetic means for moving said ratchet means step by step away from an initial position wherein said switch is open, means for transmitting impulses to energize said electromagnetic means once each impulse, said transmitting means comprising a coin operated circuit operated by coins of unit denomination, a cam for coins of multiple unit denomination, additional means operated by said cam for advancing said ratchet means in a credit direction depending upon a predetermined number of operations of said additional means in a cycle of opera tion of said cam, an electric motor for driving said cam, and means operated by the insertion of a coin of said multiple unit denomination in the vending machine to cause operation of said motor through a single cycle of operation.

7. A credit accumulator mechanism comprising a credit accumulator element, electro-magnetic means for moving said element step by step away from an initial position, second electro-magnetic means for controlling the movement of said accumulator element a plurality of steps, means for transmitting impulses to energize said first electro-magnetic means once each impulse, means for transmitting impulses to energize said second electro-magnetic means, selectively operable cam actuated elements controlled by said second electro-magnetic means for mechanically operating said accumulator element a selective plurality of times each cycle of operation, and means for automatically terminating a cycle of operation of said cam actuated elements.

JOHN SCHMIDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 884,441 Weser Apr. 14, 1908 2,122,550 Adrian July 5, 1938 2,325,536 Osborne July 27, 1943

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