US2610253A - Telephone coin collector - Google Patents

Description

Sept.'9, 1952 J. J. SCHREIBER Er AL 2,610,253

' TELEPHONE com COLLECTOR Filed Aug. 27, 1947 4 sheets-snaai 2 FIG. 2

A TTORNEY Sept. 9, 1952 1 J. J. SCHREIBER ET AL 2,610,253

TELEPHONE COIN COLLECTOR Filed Aug. 2'?, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3

A T TURA/EV Sept. 9, 1952 1 J. J. scHRElBER ET AL 2,510,253

TELEPHONE com COLLECTOR Filed Aug. 27, 1947 4 sheets-sneu 4 FIG. L

A TTO/QNEV Patented Sept. 9, 1952 `UNITED STATES IParrnlvi 2,610,253 TELEPHONE COIN vOLLIJC'BOR 2,610,253 GFFIQE Application August 27, 1947, Serial No.'770,935 In the Netherlands August 4, 1939 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires August 4, 1959 This invention relates to coin boxes for use in telephone or like installations.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of coin-insertion and delivery mechanism and improved means for preventing fraud. l

In accordance with this invention, a coin box in which a coin platform is arranged to occupy three possible positions viz. a refunding position in which inserted coins are returned to the user, a neutral position in which the coins are retained on the platform, and a collection position in which the coins are passed to a fee-container, and in which the coin platform is moved to the refund position upon hanging up the receiver, is characterised in that when the receiver hook is raised, the coin platform is put under the exclusive control of a mechanism which is arranged to be necessarily actuated during the insertion of the coin or coins, whereby the coin platform is moved into its neutral position during the coininserting movement.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, a description will now be given of one of its embodiments, reference being made for this purpose to the accompanying drawings, in which:

. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a coin box mechanism in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 1 (a) is a perspective view of a portion of the coin box mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with parts omitted for clarity showing, in full lines the rest and'refund position, and inbreken lines the condition when the telephone receiver has been lifted;`

Fig. 3 isa similar view showing, in full lines the condition when, .the receiver being olf its hook, .acoin has been insertedf and the coin slide allowed to return to normal, and in broken lines the condition with the coin slide depressed;

while t l '.Fig. 4 is a similar viewshowing the collection position resulting from an electrical signal over the lines; @t

As shown in the drawings, the mechanism comprises .twoside :plates `I and 2 which carry the mechanism and between which is arranged an oscillatingcoin-platform 3. Fixed horizontally between the two side .plates is a cover 5 provided with twogrollers 4, one attheifront and one at the back, and also with .a central opening which serves for the reception of the coins. Also fixed between the two supports I and 2 areltwo-plates 6, onebehindthe horizontalplate' and the other 12 Claims. (Cl. 179-65) in front of it, lying below the level of thehorif zontal plate and inclined up towards it.` Each of these carries a roller 1 at itsupper` end, so that there is a narrow slit formed between each of the pairs of rollers 4 and 1. The platform 3 can take three positions, viz. two in which it is held between `one pair of rollers only and the other in which it is held between both pairs, the first two being inclined and the other horizontal. These two inclined positions serve, as will be described, one for collecting the money and the other for returning it. Y

A projection on the rear side of the coin slide (not, shown) acts on a cranked lever 8, rotatable freely on a pivot 9 which is fixed in the plate I and in the support I0. lever 8 to another lever I2which is fixed to the end of a shaft I3 freely journalled in the supports I and 2. As the coin slide is depressed, clockwise movement of the crank lever `8 and shaft I3 occurs against the force of a tension spring I4, which serves to bring these parts back to their rest positions as soon as the coin slide is released, the rest positions being, determined by the engagement of the lever I2 with astop` I5 fixed to the support I 0.

The other end of the shaft I3 carries freely a lever I6 for locking the switch hook of the telephone set; this lever I6 resting, under the in-` iiuence of a spring I'l, on a bent part I8 of an intermediate piece I9 fixed on the shaft I3. When said shaft I3 rotates, a finger 20Aon the intermediate piece I9 engages a lever 2l `resting normally against a lever '22 under the influence of a coil spring 23 which tends to bring theA two together. Another coilspring 24 is fixed at one end to a fixed stop 25, and at the other end to the lever 2l, so that 2l is drawn up against 22, and 22 in its turn against the stop 25. Rotatable about a pivot 2liV is a retaining pawl '21 which under the action of a spring `28 rests against a stop 29 riveted on the lever 22A and which serves to restrain the lever 22 when it reaches the end of that part of its movement necessary for putting the oscillating platform 3 into its horizontal position. `The platform 3; is mechanically connected tothe lever22 by means of alink 30, whichV is carried at one end on a pivot 3| riveted `on the lever 22 andat the other end on a pivot 32 riveted to a sector-shaped piece 33 fixed ona shaft` 34. This sector-shaped piece 33 in its turnsupports aplate35 rigidly fixed thereto. `It. resultsfrom this arrangement that the` displacement of:` the lever 22 causes rotation of. theshaft 34 and .of the sector 33 andthe plate 35'. Theplate 35 A link II connects theV carries at its extremity a spindle 3E upon which the platform 3 is freely pivoted. Thus the platn form can make two movements simultaneously,

the abutment 25.

position of Fig. 2 where the lever is stopped by In the meantime the coin,

" which is no longer held on the platform, falls viz. one about the axis 34 and the other about 46 and the toothed sector 41 of the receiver hook,

the latter including a toothed arcuate portion At the same time al 41 which is engageable by the lug 48 on the lever K I6 when the latter is turned downwardly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATION When the apparatus is at rest, the receiver being on its hookV and the coin slide and crank 8 in their upper positions, the parts are situated as shown in lfull lines in Fig. 2, the coin-platform being in its refund position supported between the left-hand pair of rollers 4 and 1.

When the receiver is lifted off its hook, th member 41 swings into the dash-line position of Fig. 2, allowing the pawl 39 to drop under the force ofits spring 4! into operative position.

Asthe 'money is being inserted, this action involving depression of the 'coin slide (not shown) the cranked lever 8 is turned downwardly to the position shown in dash lines in Fig. 3, and this movement of the lever ii` is transmitted through the shaft I3 to the intermediate piece t9 of which Y the 'ng'er'Z at the commencement of its movement actuates the lever 24. Under the "force of the spring 23 the lever 2l takes with it the lever 22 until the latter is stopped by the Vpawl 21 engaging the stud 29 thereon. The lever 2t continues its movement, thus Yloadinglthe spring V23 and further loading the spring-2.4, and is caught and held by the engagementoithe hooked'part 31 on the l'ever'withthe retaining pawl'39, duringfthereleasing movement ofthe coin slide after it has been to the bottom. The clockwise movement of lever N22 is transmitted throughthe intermediaryof link 30, thesector33 andthe plate 35, to thelplatform,whichvis thusvbrought into a horizontal posi-tion. At this momenttheilever 22 isl retained by the paw-l 21. In this position the platform, closing V"fthe vopening fin theA plate 5, catches thecoin which -falls a few'nomentsfla-ter. Duringthe downward movement ofthe coin-'slide the crooked part 48- ofthe ip-awl IB- engageslin one ofthe gaps-in theY toothed sector-419i thereceived hook`mechahism, and-onlyffreesit when the lslide is released alittle before reaching-its upper or rest position. With the Vcoin inserted, andthe coin slide released, the-parts areas shown infullrline in'Fig. 3.

Two possibilities must now be envisaged:

(l) Moneyy refund I l Ifthereceiver is replaced on its hook before a call is Amade the Vtoothedsector 41is returned to thefull Aline position-of- Fi-g. A2,"where it is in engag'ement by meansofa bent-up'partffifwith the extremity of pawlf3'9. Thus the leverZi is freed,` and-under the action of the "spring'si23Qandf 2'4 it snaps backward, -hittingagainst the lever-`I 22,"and carrying it back, nowl under the. iniuence of spring 245alone, intozthe rest position. As the lever 22 is connected r'necha'nically` with the platform 3, this platformfalso is shiftedlback into the through an appropriate chute (not shown) into a tray from which the user can recover it. The mechanism is now in the original rest and refund position of Fig. 2.

(2) Collection After the `establishment of a telephone connec-n tion .an energising current is fed to the magnet -46 and operates it, so that through the intermeIl diary of `a lever 50 it acts on the pawl 21 to um hook the nose portion l from the pivot 29 on the lever 22. Accordingly, under the force of spring 23,y the lever 22 `impinges by its lug 52 against `the nose 3s of the pawi 39, raising it and disengaging the lug 31 on the lever 2l, finally engaging the lever 2l. During this abrupt movement the lever 22 carries with it the platform 3, and the parts are nally disposed as shown in Fig. 4, the money falling into an appropriate receptacle `(not shown). 'Y

During theattracton of the armature ofthe electromagnet, the lever dwhich actuates vthe pawl 21, acts at the same time on the pawl-4'2. but immediately the magnet is released the 'lever'EJ` liberates the two pawls `41 and 542.- The latter disengages from the rmember 45'underthe action'o'f spring 4l, thus freeing Athe-mechanisrnjwhich returns with a snap to the *rest position of'Fig; 2 under vthe influence of spring 2-4, the platform passing vthrough the horizontal or neutral "position. V Y

ATTEMPTED FRAUDULENTUSES Below aregiven the-conditions of functioning. in case of ,im-properV manipulation:

(l) Manipulation ofthe receiverhook` when the money slideis at the bottom'of itsy travel. Y

By inserting a piece of money into` the coinbox, an impulsing mechanism-is prepared, and itiis only upon releasegoftheslide that thel impulse distinctive of the vmoney is transmitted. If` the slide were helddown, 'supposing that one-would be able to operate the toothed sector 41, it isgconceivable that the user could recover his moneyl by means of the receiver hook. This maneuver would open the coinreceptacle; but the latter could be closed again bydepressing the switch hook after releasing the money into vthe refund chute. If at this.moment'the.sliderwerereleased.. the `money identication impulse-would begsent andthe connection made without'being-ipaidrfor.

In order to prevent this, it is suincient to'block the toothed sector 41 at the yccrnmenoementiof the depression of -themoney slide. This iseffectedby means ofa lever IVG-' ofwhich aflug 48 engages in the gaps between'the teeth of the sector so that it cannot be. displaced, and in conse.- quenee the lug 49 on the sector cannot be made to act jon the pawl, 39` toshift it into the refund position until after the money; slid'eihasreturned to its upper or rest position, that is untilafiter the-sending of the identication impulse e .s i '(7-2) ikPossibility of collectionwiththefslid held down. i ,f Tnet-position of the slideiiriust notlin anyway aifectf the collection. ofi the 'mon'ey, otherwisev`- one would be table 'torestablish .a 'communication' after having. introduced the requirediee together with-a supplementary piece 'with vwhich oneic'ou-ld holdtheslide down'in suchfa-"way-that the loollectioncould. not take piace. {Aftercmmunioa tion .the money would be recoveredfMeas'ures must be taken to prevent this fraud. 3 f Y To this end the construction isv such that-the lever 22 which controls the platform 3 turns freelyon the shaft I3 Which-is controlled by the coin slide through the intermediary of the cranked lever 8. From this it results that the lever 22 is quite independent of the position of the slide, sothat when the collection magnet is operated, the lever 22 falls abruptly against the lever 2l, at the same time moving the platform into the collection position'. H

Having now particularly described and' ascertained the nature lof our said invention and in what manner the same is to be'performed, we declare that what we claim is;

l. A telephone coin box comprising a l coin platform pivotally movable into three. positions of operation, a normal first position for refunding coins inserted in said box, asecond position for .retaining coins on said platform,` 'lad'third position for collectingr coins depositedlin;` said box,v receiver hook means operative to movefsaid platform from said second to said first .position upon replacing. the receiverbefore completion of a call, coin actuated means controlled by said hook means being operative to move said platform from said normal first position into said second position and retaining means connected to said coin actuated means for limiting the operation of said receiver hook when said coin means are actuated.

2. A telephone coin box comprising a coin platform movable into three positions, a first normal position for refunding coins inserted in the box, a second position for retaining coins on said platform, a third position for collecting coins in a coin receptacle, call connection responsive means, platform positioning mechanism operable to move said platform from said second position through said third position and from said second position to said first normal position in response to operation'of said call connection responsive means independently of operation of the receiver hook, coin actuated means controlled by the deposit in the box of a proper coin for moving said platform into said second position whereby coins inserted into said coin box will be retained on the platform and retaining means connected to said coin actuated means, operative to prevent operation of a receiver hook when said coin means is actuated.

3. A telephone coin box as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing the operation of said receiver hook comprises a lever having a catch formed integral therewith, said catch being operatively positioned to engage said receiver hook in one position of operation.

4. A telephone coin box comprising a coin platform movable into three positions, a first normal position for refunding coins inserted in the box, a second position for retaining coins on said platform, a third position for collecting coins in a coin receptacle, call connection responsive means, platform positioning mechanism operable to move said platform from said second position through said third position and said second po-4 sition to said first normal position in response to operation of said call connection responsive means independently of operation of the receiver hook, and coin actuated means controlled by the deposit in the box of a proper coin for moving said platform into said second position whereby coins inserted into said coin box will be retained on the platform.

`5. A Atelephone coin :box comprising .aT coin platform movablelinto three positions, a iirst position ,for refunding coins inserted .in `the box. a secondpsiton forfretaining coins on said platform, a thirdposition for collecting coinsin' a coin receptacle, coinlactuated platformpositioning means'adapted to move saidplatform Afrom said first positionxtosaid second ,position upon theins'ertion of a coin; and means under the controlV of. the receiver hook' for rendering` said platform positioning means ineifectivewhenthe receiveris supported4 on thev receiver hook. l 6. Atelephone coin box comprising a coin platform movable into three positions. a first position.` for refunding coins inserted 'in the box, a second position for ,retaining coins on said platform, a .third` position for` collecting coinsv in a coinreceptacle, coin actuated platform positioning means adapted. to. 'move said .platform from said..first position to said second position upon the insertion of `a coin in the box,- comprising a shaft rotated in response to the insertion of a coin in the box, apivotally mounted lever ro-4 tated with `said shaft, a second lever, resilient connecting means 'interconnecting said first'and second levers whereby movement of said first lever will cause movement of said second lever through said resilient means, and mechanical linkage means interconnecting said second lever and said platform.

7. Telephone coin box in accordance with claim 6 including stop means for said second lever limiting the travel thereof to a position wherein said platform is in said second position while permitting further movement of said rst lever to tension said resilient connecting means.

8. Telephone coin box in accordance with claim 7 and further comprises actuating means operated upon the completion of a call, said actuating means being adapted to release said second lever stop means thereby permitting said second lever to move against said first lever by the action of said tensioned resilient connecting means thereby moving said platform from said second coin retaining position to said third coin collection position.

9. Telephone coin box in accordance with claim 8 and further comprises resilient means interconnecting said first lever and a stationary point, said last named resilient means being tensioned upon said first lever being rotated by said shaft and adopted to return said first and second levers upon release of said actuating means.

10. Telephone coin box in accordance with claim 6 in which 'said first and second levers are freely rotatably mounted in said shaft, said shaft including means secured thereto for engaging said first lever upon rotation in one direction of said shaft to compel movement thereof in the same direction but permitting rotation of said shaft in the opposite direction independently of said shaft.

11. A telephone coin box comprising a coin platform movable into three positions, a first position for refunding coins inserted in the box, a second position for retaining coins on said platform, a third position for collecting coins in a coin receptacle, coin actuated platform positioning means including means for moving said platform from said normal first position to said second position upon the insertion of a coin, locking means for retaining said platform4 in said second position, a spring opposing said movement and tensioned thereby, receiver hook means adapted to release saidlocking means uponreplacement of said receiver prior to completion of a. connection to permit movement of said platform fromsaid second .position to said iirst position by the action of said tensioned spring.

.12..A- telephone coin box comprising a.V coin platform movable into three positions, a iirst position for refunding coins inserted in the box, a second position for retaining coins onsaidplatform, athird position .for collecting coins in a coin receptacle, coin actuated platform positioning means including means for moving said platform. fromsaid rst position tosaid second .position,l a` .return spring opposingA .such platform movement and .tensioned thereby, locking means forretaining saidv platform in said second. .posi. tion against the tension of saidrs'pring, a collection magnet, an armature for said, magnet,- operatively associated with said platform means and under the control of said armature -forrmoving .said platform from said second position to said third .position and adaptedto .release Ysaid locking means upon energization .of said collection magnet, said tensioned return .spring be.- ng adapted to return said platform fromfsaid third position ,throughl `said second positionto said rst position upondeenergization of said.

collection magnet.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordlin the flle of thisl'pa-tent:`

UNITED STATES PATENTS.

Number v Name Datev Y .1,043,219 Forsberg Nov.f5 1912I 1,098,673 Lyng June, 2, 19.14 1,730,422 Hall Oct. 8, 1929 2,206,147 Zimmerman July 2, 1940 2,289,507 Langer 'July .14, .1942

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