US2613792A

US2613792A - Coin handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2613792A
Application number: US39266A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert F Broussard; Lester D Sollenberger
Original assignee: Duncan Parking Meter Corp
Current assignee: Duncan Parking Meter Corp
Priority date: 1948-07-17
Filing date: 1948-07-17
Publication date: 1952-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 1969-10-14

Description

Oct. 14, 1952 2,613,792

R. F. BROUSSARD ET AL COIN HANDLING APPARATUS Filed July 17, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet l JNVL'NTORS RobercEBroussard 'lad LesterD.So]]eJzb@1-ger Oct. 14, 1952 R. F. sRousSARD ETAL 2,613,792

COIN HANDLING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 17, 1948 l' Y I v/////(`////////////////// IN1/EN ToRS Robertfl rozzssard @ad gsterl). Sollenberger z ttorzys Oct. 14, 1952 R. F. BROUSSARD ET'AL COIN HANDLING APILARATUS Filed July 1'?,l 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 zal',

' INVENTORS Robeztfroassard @u LestezD. Sollenb erger R. F, BRCUSSARD l-:TAL coIN HANDLING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 17, 1948 INVENTORS Robertl'zoussar d "w Lester Z). Sollezzberger Oct. 14, 1952 R. F. BRoussARD ETAL 2,613,792

com HANDLING' APPARATUS Filed July 17, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TORS Robert f.' Broussard LeSteJjD. Solienbelger z Attozzze S Patented Oct. 14, 1952 COIN HANDLING APPARATUS Robert F. Broussard, Houston, Tex., and Lester D. Sollenberger, Chicago, Ill., assignors, `by direct and mesne assignments, to Duncan Parking Meter Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corpo-l ration of Illinois` Application July 17, 1948, Serial No. 39,266 d (c1. 194-72) This invention relates: in general to a coin handling apparatus of which a parking meter is one exempliication.` .Although in certain of its aspects it is applicable. to coin mechanisms of various kinds, the ensuing description will be directed to a parking meter as asuggestiveexample of mechanism for whichthis invention is particularlyvuseful.l v

One of the more: important objects of the invention is to provide a' .coin-actuated or coincontrolled mechanism wherein the uzcoin is deposited and the mechanism energized and triggered in a single' `r`continuous operation, and wherein the manual forceneeded'to energize the mechanism is applied,l to av movable lelement of considerable surface area so that yit is notneces sary for a patron to exertia.:` substantial amount of pressure on the coin' itself.-

In the operation of parking meters,` for ex'- ample, itis desirable to avoid .the need for a motor spring which must bezfmanually wound periodically by a service attend'ant;andA it also is desirable to avoid resort to :electric power `andthe heavy expense .of linstalling "power, Ilines l, ,forj this same purpose; 'Theonlyzalternative isa lmechanism which lmust. be m'anually energized by each user in turn, as bytwinding a springeach time a coin is deposited.: VSuch an operation tends to complicate the' manipulation because it-has heretoiore involved, first, thedeposition of a coin and, secondly, the turning oiay knob or the pulling of a lever to wind the motor spring. f

With the'view to avoiding any such `two-stage operation, it has lheretofore beenv proposed to makeuse ofeach deposited' coin-as a'medium forA applying the pressure necessary to energize the meter mechanism. l. Such a procedurehas proved quite satisfactory:v sav'ef for the factA thatthe meter-energizingA pressure .mush as' a` practical matter, be 'applied' to the edge of the coin which.v receive pressure from'thehas only a small area to nger of the user.

A more satisfactory arrangement is afforded by the present invention inf/that the manually applied meter-energizing force is exerted, not# against the coin but, instead,"against an Velement having an extended finger-engaging area`l kin which the coin-receiving slot is formed.` In achieving that objectivewe have encountered a number of major problems the solution of whichinvolves certain inventive features hereinafter to be described. I i f Another object `of this-invention is to expedite the servicingof coin mechanisms employing drivv ingsprings which sometimes fail and have to be bridge member; and

replaced. And to that end we have provided a spring unit which can `quickly be detached and replaced, when the need arises, without the necessity of disturbing the remainder of the coin mechanism or of taking the mechanism to a `service shop.

i the right-hand side of Fig.. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are exploded isometric views illustrating the principal components of the -coin mechanism in spaced relationship, Fig. 5 being, in fact, a part of Fig. 4, but separately identified to facilitate description; y f

Fig. 6 is an axiswise sectional view of the assembled mechanical components which are concentric with the main axis and lshown isometrically in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a, rear view of the coin selector', together with certain parts mounted thereon or immediately associated therewith;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are fragmentary views depicting successive stages in the operation of the coin selector gand of the transmissionl mechanism for rotatingthe coin-carrier in response to actuations ofthe coin selector, the coin receivingand inducting member, for convenience, beingshown at the limit of its inward movement in Fig.-l^0;

Figs. 11-14 inclusive are successive views taken at line H-ll of Fig. 3, depicting the actionA of the cam mechanismwhich serves to retractL the movable bridge member and coin gauge, the coin -upon the cam disc;

Figs. 15-17 inclusive are successive `views taken at line l5-l5 of Fig. 3, illustrating the operation of the coin-carrier;

Fig. 18 is an isometric view of the movable Fig. 19. is an imetric view ofthe coin gauge.

The coin` mechanism illustrated is a self-contained timing unit designed to be removably inserted, as a whole, in a housing (notfshown) which affords protection against the weatherand vandals, and contains a receptacle (not shown) extend through'various tubular spacer sleeves"v 2'l-38 inclusive and are threaded internally at both ends to engage iillister head machine screws 39 the threaded shanks of Which pass through clearance holes formed in the front and back plates A and B. The frame is adequatelyy rigid` in all directions to hold the mechanical partsin l proper alignment.

An axis a extending perpendicularly of the three plates A, B and C constitutes the center of rotation of the several mechanical components including a tubular sleeve 40 which is journaled inf the front plate A, and amain shaltl Ail. which is journal'ed in theiritermediate plate C and irizthe borev of the' sleeve-'49. The sleeve 48' and "shaft''l are'aotd-rivably intercoupl'ed but, on the contrary,BareAr relatively rotatable about the axis a.

For' al parking meter We providea timing or Yspec'tl-"control mechanism E in-the form of a fly train which is positionedv between the plates B and Cl This ily' train; which is' coupled to the rear end ofthe shaft IH, serves to determine the rate of rotation-thereof so that theA meter indicator'lwill traverse thescalel or"- aAd-ial F when registering-1 elapsed timein' whatever unit of time may be assigned per complete timing operation, as, for example, one hour.

-Thesleeve '40 hasta diametric end slot Q2' which engages the inner 'end'. of'a fspirallfspring. t3 the iunctiozrof' which ismto'ibia'sthis sleeve rrotati'onally and'tostoreup. the manually supplied energy required tofdrive thelmeter mechanism. The spring 43 is readilywithdrawable fromA the slot 42, and its outer endY-ifsrivet'ed or otherwise anchored to a cup-likehousing'lt the cavity of which. is proportionedtoreceive the spring. i The spri'n'gho'us'ing ''fha's an 'external flange provided With a number of peripherally spaced notches 46 which areadaptedl to register with and 'clear the-'heads of.' twoflanged pins 41 which are secured-"to a-ndpr'ofect outwardly from.

the front plate-A atlopposite sides ofthe axis a. TheY ilanges' or headsof` the pins 4T arev appropriately spaced from the-front .fa-ceci' the frame plate A so that they' overlie` the llange V'when the'sprfinghousing is put in place, as shown in f 33' and then'rotated through-asmall angle. Thehead'sof'the pins 'l'then serve to anchor the spring` housing 4'@ against the front plate A While permitting quick andV easy detachment. Thespring '43' is th'eupartfmost` likely' to need replacement 'short of 'the normal life f of i a meter Amechanism", and the construction here shown and described makes it not only possible. but easy'to replace such a spring Without the necessity' of any disassembly or. of. taking.- the meter mech-- anism to a repair.l shop..` This constitutes one of the novel features of: our invention. l

Aixed to the sleeve lill-"and rotatable. there with is a power arm 50 includingan. integral partial gear-'5l` and a laterally projecting latch.

pin 52. The. partial gear. 5| lis in mesh. with the teeth. of a gear segment 5tl which is pivoted on the dowel pin 24 (see Fig. 8) and provided with a clearance notched the purpose of which will later be explained.

. perFig. 8. 40'

Also pivotally mounted on the doWel pin 24 is a lever arm 60, constituting a coin receiving and inducting member, herein termed the coin selector, having a coin slot 6I dimensioned to receive coins of a particular denomination, such as five-cent pieces. This coin selector may conveniently-be a casting or a formed sheet metal part, and desirably is providedvWth a front concavity 56 designed to accommodate the end portion of the4 linger ofthe coin depositer, as most clearly shown in Fig. 5. The coin selector is also recessed at they rear to receive the additional y parts shown. in Fig. 5. The front concavity 5S provides-a seat for centering the finger or thumb which releases and pushes a coin into and through the slot 6|, as depicted in Fig. 16, and it also aids inbringing the coin into line with this slot. On these accounts it is a desirable but notan indispensable feature.

The additional parts. shown in Fig. 5, and previously referred to aslfsuch, comprise a rocker men-iter 62, a pivot. screw 63 therefor, a dog ttl, aleaf'sprin'g 65 for: biasing said dog, and a secondfpilvotser'ew V$6- by means of which the dog 64 and the spring 65 are pivotally mounted on the coin selector.. The. rocker member 62 has vtwo parallel, laterally" spaced arms 62a and 62o on@ the coin: selector-.60T Within the rear cavity thereof.

Thev` armi B2b is. positioned in alignment'wth the rslot Blfsee Fig'.4 7) and is so situated that' lower'end, which is suitably beveled, isA adaptedto bev engaged bythe upper edge'portion of a propersize. incoming coin (see Fig. 9) in suchmannerthati the' coin rotates 'the rocker member counter-clockwise through a small angle from the posture which it! normally assumes, as

TheI arr-rry 62a has'f'a laterally4 turned ear 62e which..normallyy isengaged by a lug 64a on the distaliend of the dog64, as shown in Fig. 8; and thepressurevexertedby the spring 65 on the dog 64Y is-sufii'cientl Ato-c'au'se adherenceA between the `Aendfof the lugflla andthe. ear 62e so that the rocker member willfretain theposture in which it' 'is shownv in. Fig; 8 until a coin is brought to bear' aga/inst: the arm B2b, as depicted in Fig. 9. TheV ro'ckermember 6,2 is loosely mounted on the pivotfscrew '63. and the movement of the rocker member under the influence of gravity about the pivot screw 631`s sufficient to overcome the pressure of vthe spring 65 ofthe dog 64. When the rocker'rnemberlz is-'in the posture of Fig. 8, the ear: 62e isv aligned with: the notch 54; and if the coin selector BGV-.is depressed from the posture of Fig.. 8,. without' inserting a coin, the ear 62e will enter theinotchill but will be ineiective to move the gear segmenty53. But if, on the other hand,

acoin` of the properV size is. inserted in the coin slot Elf, the rocker4 member 62 will be rotated thereby, counter-clockwise and to such an extent as to cause the. ear: 62e to move to a position rocker member 62, the dog 64 functions as a backing member or abutment for the ear 62o, and thus serves to hold the rocker member against rotation and in a position such that the force applied to the coin selector by the users finger is transmitted through the rocker member 62 and its ear 62o to the gear segment 53.

It will be clear that when a proper coin is inserted in the coin slot 6| and the coin selectoi` 60 is depressed, the gear segment 53 will be en.- gaged by the ear 62o and rotated; and that the gear segment 53 transmits rotation to the power arm 50 so that the latter is rotated clockwise, as

' viewed in Fig. 8, to the posture in which it is shown in Fig. 10. If the coin selector 69`isdepressed without inserting a coin, the ear 62o `will not engage the gear segment 53 but will, instead, ymove through the notch 54.

Assuming that a blade or thin tool is inserted through the coin slot 8| to trip the rocker member so as to condition it for engagement with the gear segment 53, nothing will come of such in a flat edge surface'86. The concavity 85 is 'of a radius slightly larger than Ythat of the-coins to be received; and the fiat surface 86 functions as a bridge over which the coins roll or slide in passing from the coin slot 6| into the coin carrier pocket defined laterally bythe plates 16 and 11 and peripherally bythe curved surface 85.

-The bridge member 82 is biased rotationally` by a coil spring 81 so that normally it projects outwardly from kthe'body of the coin carrier, as shown in Figs. 4 and 11.

The coil selector 60 is normally vbiased outwardly by a spring 90 (Figs. 3 and 4) so that it assumes the posture in which itis shown. in Fig. 11, this being-.its outward limiting .posture as determined by a stop screw 9| (Figs. r1 and 5) which is carriedby rthe selector and projected into ay slot 92 in the front frame plate A. The inward limiting posture of thelcoin selector, shown in Fig. 10, is determinedr also :by

` the pin 9| andthe rearendof the slot 82. :An-

an effort. Any such attempted operation is ineffective to retract the meter indicator finger.

and, therefore, .accomplishes nothing. Insertion of a proper size coin into the coin slot, but with the coin not released, will also produce a tripping of the rocker member and rotation `of the power arm; but such operation is likewise ineffective to retract the meter indicator finger.

Mounted on the sleeve 40 and'rotatableindependently thereof is a bushing 10 forming the hub of a coin carrier 15 one function of-.which is to receive and transfer the coins from the coin selector slot to `a discharge passageway through which the coins travel enroute to a coin receptacle. Another function of the coincarrier 15 is to shift the time indicator finger whenever a vcoin of proper size is present in the-carrier. Its

ultimate purpose is to prevent the metermechanism being re-set unless a coin or tokenof the requisite diameter has been deposited,and1to assure the accomplishment of that object when, in fact, a proper coin has been deposited.

The coin carrier as va wholev -is shown most clearly in Fig. 4. It consists principally of `two parallel plates 16 and 11, separated laterallyby a spacer 18 to an extent sufficient toadmittherebetween a coin of the proper denomination. lThe two plates 16 and 11 are substantially identical at the right-hand side of the axis o, as viewedin Fig. 4; but at the left-hand side ofthe axis `they differ in that the plate 16 includes a stop arm 19 while the plate 11 includes .a toothed sector 88 which serves as an escapement wheel. vA11- arcuate plate 8| (see Fig. 11) is riveted or otherwise attached to the far side of the plate 11 and has a series of peripheral teeth identical with vthose on the plate 11 butin staggered relation thereto.

A retractble bridge member 82, detailed in Fig. 18, is positioned between the `two plates 16 land 11 and forms a part of the'coi'nl carrier. This bridge memberhas an apertureV at '83 (Fig. 18)

through which passes a pin 84 by means of which it is pivotally attached to the coin carrier plates. The function of the bridge member is to provide a path for the passage of coins, one at av time. from the coinl selector slot to the interior of the coin carrier; and it serves alsoI as the peripheral wall of a pocket inside the coin carrier, in which pocket the coins are retained, one at a time, while the coin carrier is in'rotation to deliver the coin 'from the coin slot to a discharge chutewhich will later be described. It will be observed that the bridge member 82 has a `semi-circular concave edge surface 85 which terminates at one end otherr arcuate slot 89 in the front` plate Av is provided to clear the llower flange of the coin selector. v

From Fig. 11 it will be seen that the distal end of the bridge memberl 82 normally extends across enough of the gap between thejcoin selector 60 and the body of the coin'carrier to prevent the coins dropping down through said gap. As each coin is pushed in through the coin slot it presses againstthe bridge `member 82, causing the latter to be retracted into the body of the coin carrier` and against the opposition of the spring 81. The bridge member 82 is provided with a curved arm 88 forming' aV tailpiece the purpose of which isl to effect retraction of the bridge member into the Abody of the coin carrier independently of pressure from any coin. This will be explained at a 'later point.

Also pivotally mounted on the pin 84 and 1forming a part of the coin carrier is an element 95 which we will refer to as a coin gauge. This element, detailed in lig.A 19, includes two

arms

96 and 91 extending-from the `pivotal center 98. The former arm lisbent at its free end to form a laterally projecting portion 99 having a notch |00 of a widthfs'lightly greater than the thickness of the coins whichth'e meter is'designed to receive. The arm 88 also has a laterally turned lug |0|, the function of which will presently be made clear. The end portion 99 extends across the body of the coin carrier,L laterally l -of theplates 16 and 11 as will'readily be apparent from Fig. 4, and the two plates 16 and 11 are arcuately slotted, asV at |02,.to clear' the `end portion 99, thus allowing said portion to be pushed back into the bodyy of the c oink carrier as the coin gauge is rotated from the normal posture in which it is showninFigs. 4, 11 and 12. When a coin passes through the .coin slot '6| and onto the bridgey member 82,l the .coin

edge portion enters the notch |89 in the coin gauge to push the endportion 99 back into the body of the coin carrier,v thereby rotatingl the coin gauge about its pivotal center, against the opposition of a coil spring V93 (seeFi'g. 11) similar to the `spring 81 which acts on the bridge member 82. A notch |04 is. cut inthe bridge member 82 to clear the endportion 9 9 of the coin gauge. l

The primary'function-of the coin gaugel 95 is to prevent the meter being loperated. effectively without using a'proper'coin or token; and

.it accomplishes that end-by virtue of the-fact that it requires the. presenceof a coin ortoken coin or' token without being "of prescribed diameter. insthe coin carrier in order to hold the.` lug I'l (Fig. 19)* in a' position wherein it can engage a driven element ythrough the actuation 'of' 'which the time indievent of any mechanical failure which might otherwise result in a depositor giving up his able" to put the meter into operation.

Referring more especially to elusive, when the gearA segment 53 is rotated, as--a result of fully depressingthecoin selector Si) with a proper coin inserted in its'slot 6l, the latch pin 52 carried by'the'powerarm 50 is moved in an arcuate path through an 'angleof about 90 and is thereupon engaged by a springpressed latch 06 which is pivotallyr mounted, by means of a screw ll, on the coin carrier 15. This results in the coupling together of the power arm 50 and the coin carrier 'I5' so that, when the segment 53 is thereafter released and the power arm 50 is consequently returned to its normal posture by thespring 43, the coin carrier 'l5 will be rotated backl with it.

That is to say, the coin carrier will rotate with the power arm 50' through la-distance of about 90 as a. result of the latch pin. 52' being' engaged by the latch |06. f f

Immediately afterv the coin selector D has Vbeen depressed sufficiently to per-Init the latch pin V52 to be engaged by the latch l,fthe dog' 64. will strike a stop pin H0 which projects in- Figs. -17 int wardly from the front frame plate A and stands in the path of the dog; the` dog 64 will thereupon recede from the posture `in whichit is shown in Fig. 9, thereby releasingthe lug 62e of the rocker member 62 from the notch 64b on the dog, thusA allowing the rocker member 62 to rotate to such an extent that the lug 62o is brought into alignment with the notch 54 on the gear segment 53. Thevlatteris then free to return to its initial posture.` In Fig. 10 the power arm is shown as aboutvto return to its starting point (Fig. 8) and aslatched to the coin carrier which wil. rotate with the powei` A arm.

A coil spring cling the hub of the power arrnv 5! is anchored at one end to saidpower arm and at the other end to the stop arm 'i9 of the coin carrier. This spring is tensioned to bias the coin carrier toward its normal posture, and is effective when the coin carrier is releasedfrom the power arm to return it to normal posture. Release of the power arm from the coin carrier is effected when the angular surface IBa of the latch lE engages a latch-releasing pin l l2 'which is mounted on the front plate A. This pin which is located in alignmenty with an arcuate slot H3 is clamped to the framev plate A by means of a screw H4 (see Fig. 1). It is movable along said slot and is,`therefo`re, adjustable positionally so as to enable variation ofthe angle of rotation of the coin carrier. 'i

SuccessiveV stages in the rotational movement of the coin carrier are depicted in Figs. 15-17. In Fig. 15 the coin carrier and conselector are shown n their normal postures, and-a coin L, inserted in the coin slotfis. shown resting on the bridge member S2 and against the coin gauge S5. In Fig. 16 the coinsel-ector is shown fully dem (sessies. 4 and 6) encir-- pressed as it would appear when a depositors finger H5 is in engagement with the front of the coin selector and with the edge of the coin. Here it will be seen that the coin L has been pushed in and has caused the bridge member 82 and the coin gaugeV to recede into the body of the coin carrier. Also it will be seenithat the power arm 50 has moved counter-clockwise to such an extent that` the latch pin 52 is engaged kby the latch l 06, and the power arm, together with the coin carrier, is about to rotate in the clockwise direction. In Fig. 17 the clockwise rotation has been completed and the latch les has come into engagement withv the pin I" i2 which has moved the same Y where it is freed for gravity descent into a chute c structure presently to be described. At this point the coin carrier is' free to reverse its movement so as to return to its normal posture (Fig. 15) under theimpetus ofthe spring l l l.

Il the movements of the coin carrier were not in some way restrained., they would occur so violently as to cause a good deal of noise and possible damage to the mechanism, and for that reason there has been provided a speed limiting or restraining l mechanism in the form of an escapement. AThis comprises the two sectors t@ and ti l, the teeth of which are mutually staggered, and two es'capeme'nt oscillators H6 and H6 which'v are mountedon a shaft i il the two ends of' which are secured to the frame plates A and C, respectively. Each esoapementoscillator includes a pair of detents l la, H9, which are posi tionedto be engaged alternately by the teeth of the sectors 8E) and'l', so that the'two oscillators are rocked nonsynchronously by the sector teeth. In censequence, the aggregate'inertia of these oscillators is sufficient to impose a desirable degree4 of restraint on the speed of rotation of the coin carrier. The latter rotates quite rapidly not withstanding the restraint imposed by the escapement mechanism, but not fast enough to give rise to excessive noise when brought to a stop, nor to cause injury to any of the meter parts. The shaft Ill' serves, additionally, as, an abutment for the' stop arm 'i9 which forms an integral part of the coin carrier l5 (see Fig. 15)

Thesame degree of restraint on the speed of rotation of the coin carrier could be obtained with only one oscillator of greater mass than that O feither of the two oscillators H6, H5' and with. only one toothed sector; but it has been found that smoother action is obtainable by resorting to the use of two oscillatorsfhaving the charactertistics noted. t

A coin chute structure $22 lwhich is supported on the dowel pins 22 and 25 is located below the coin carrier T5. This structure provides an arcu* ate track 23 which is homocentric with the coin carrier l5, and a vertical enclosed passageway i213 through which the coins drop from the coin carrier when the latter hasy rotated from the normal posture of Fig. l5 to the alternate limiting pos ture of I'g. 17. The function of the track IZB is to hold the coin within the pocket ofthe coin carrier during the clockwise rotation of the latter, as depicted in Figs. 15-17 It is Ycommon practice to so construct parking meters that the lastedeposted coin or token is visible through a window provided for that purpose,.the object being to discourage the use of slugs; and to accomplish that kend it is necessary to interrupt the passage of each com enroute from the' meter mechanism to the coin receptacle situated therebelow. Accordingly, there is provided in the coin chute structure |22 a circular window |25, in line with which each descending coin is stopped and held until the next succeeding operation of the meter, following thev deposit of another coin.

A bellcrank |21 is pivotally, mounted on the coin chute structure |22 by means of a pivot screw |28 (see Fig. 15), and comprises an upwardly extending arm |21a and a downwardlyextending arm |2112. A small coil spring |34 biases said bellcrank counter-clockwise, as shown in Fig. 11, and clockwise, as shownin Fig. 15, s o `that it normally assumes the posture in which itis shown in those gures. The lower arm |211) has two laterally turned ears |23 and|30 whichextend transversely of the coin chute structure. The ear |30 is so positioned that it is normally effective to intercept each coin asv it moves downwardly through the coin passageway` |24, and it is shown so functioning in Figs. 11 and 15. This ear |3|) bears against a shoulder. |3| on the coin chute structure which acts as a xed stop to limit the rotation of the bellcra'nk |21.

The ear |29 normally stands outside the coin passageway |24, but is adapted to move 4into this passageway when the vbellcrank |21 is' rotated counter-clockwise from the position of Fig. l5 to that of Fig. 17. It will be observed from Fig. 17 that when the bellcrank |21 is so rotated the ear |30 is moved out of the path of the coin shown resting thereon in Fig. 15, and that rthe ear |29 is moved through an arcuate slot |26 in' thel coin chute structure to a position, -as per Fig. 17, wherein it is effective to intercept a, coin dropping from the coin carrier through the coin passage@ way |211. This is necessary in order to discharge. the coin held by the ear `|30 (see Fig.v15) without discharging the newly deposited coin.

Rotation of the bellcrank |21 from its normal posture (Fig. l5) to its alternate posture (Fig. 17) is effected by the lug |0| which forms an integral part of the coin gauge 95 (Fig.v 19). If there is a coin in the coin carrier ,when the latter is rotated, as is normally the case, the coin gauge will be retracted so that the lug |0 is in 5fit-position to engage the end of the bellcrank Y arm |210l and thus rotate said bellcrank counter-clockwise,

as clearly shown in Fig.` 17. If, however, `the coin carrier is rotated without a coin having been deposited (which can be done if the rocker Amemf ber e2 is uned by putting a com inthe com slot and then withdrawingit), orA by inserting some small thin instrument, the coin gauge will not be retracted sufficiently and itslug IUI will not be in a position to rotate the arm |21a suiiiciently to release the coin being held by the ear |313. Accordingly, the coin atA the window |25 will remain in that position until after another coin has been 'deposited inf, the meter. Hence, under normal operating conditions there is always a coin under retention at the Window |25.

Assuming that the meter illustrated is designed to operate only on five-cent coins, the coin slot 6| would necessarily be large enough to receive pennies and dimes, since thoseare smaller coins, both as vto thickness and diameter. The insertion of a coin of either of those denominations can be effective to tilt the rocker member. 62 and thus make it possible to rotate the coin carrier and pass such coins into the coin passageway |24- They would not be effective, because of their inadequate diameters, to retract the coin gauge sufciently either to re.set the meter or;rotate the bellcrank |21 far enough to release the fivecentcoin being retained bythe .rear |30; and it is desirable that such unauthorized coins be returned in each case to the depositor. For that reason there is provided an edgewise slot ink the coin chute structure at |32 through which pen nies and dimes are ejected; and the ejection is accomplished by causing such coins tostrike the live-cent coin under retention and' thence bounce out through the slot |32. To .that end thereis swingably mounted on the pivot screw |28 a tri. angular plate |33 which normally projects into thecoin passageway |24 (see Figs. 11 and15). This plate does not interfere withthe normal downward passage of five-cent pieces ybecause it is light enough toswing out of the way under the weight of eachsuch coin. But whenever said plate is struck bya descending penny or dirne it deects the coin enough so that it strikes the five-cent piece under retention` atthe side of its center toward the slot |32,r thus causing the pennyv or dime to bounce in the right direction to pass out through the slotV |32.

With only the mechanism so far described, any attempted operation of 'the coin carrier in any manner except by complete insertion of a coin of the prescribed diameter wouldresult either in no retraction or, insuiiicientv retraction of the .bridge member 32v and the coin gauge95 toenablethose elements .to clear theA coin chuteistructure.. .This

should be evident from inspection of either-Fig.

11 or Fig. 15 wherein the bridge member.. and coin gauge are vshown in their ,normal-fullyextended postures. lIt is' essential,.therefore,to

make provision for vretracting the bridge memberv and coin gauge into the body of the coin carrier whenever the coin selector 6U is depressed, irrespective of whethera coin of the proper denomination has beendeposited.v That end has'ibeenl accomplished bymeans of a cam' |35 which is alixedly mounted on one end of the bushing] D. forming the hub of the coin carrier 15. This camy is rotatableindependently of both the sleeve.` .49

and the. coin carrier 15, and -it consists of.a',dis'c |3501 and a laterally. projecting peripheral arcu-i ate flange, |35b; it; also .has .a peripheral notchv |35c adjoiningone end of the flange |3511. ,-A link |36 is pivotally connected .at |31 to the carnzdiscr |3501, andv italso sgpivotally connected at A,its other end to theI coin selector 63 by .meansofa pivot, screw v63. f '11 YThe tailpiece 88 ron the vbridge memberfz is` bent to pass around 4the edge of the adjacentside plate 11,015 the coin `carrier 1 5, as best shown-in` Fig. 4, and its distal end is situated withinjthe notch |350 against the edge of thecani disc, |35a when the cam |35 is in its normal posture,-as At the same time the distal end of.

per Fig. l1. e the arm 91 which` forms aztailpiecewforthe coin gauge (which is notin'line with the discuportion |35a of the cam) is not` engaged. bythe.v

iiange |3511. Under those conditions bothfthe bridge member 82 and the coin gauge gareziullycenter 83 in the. direction -toretract the'proje'ct ingr end portion thereof into the body of th'e'coin carrier'where it' is clear ofthe-coin chutestruc-n ture.

If a proper coin has been deposited coin"y in Fig. 1.

1'1. slot and is retained therein, .under finger pressurev while holding'the coinselector 60 depressed, the coi-n gauge 95 will be retracted by the pressure of the coin thereagainst suiiciently to enable the coin ,gauge to clear the .coin chute structure; but in theevent nocoin has been deposited and it has been made possible, in the manner previously explained, to depress the coin selector, the ensuing rotation of the coin carrier (which carries the coin gauge with it) will cause the tailpiece 97 of the coin gauge 95 to ride up onto the vouter peripheral. surface of the ange |b, consequently rotating the coin gauge about its pivotal center 98 (see Fig. 14) so as to retract the arm 96 suii'lciently to clear the .coin chute structure.

When the coin carrier has returned to its normal posture after going 'through a complete cycle of operation, the cam |35 releases the two

tailpieces

88 and 97 and thus allows vthe bridge member 82 and the coin gauge S5 -to reassume their normal postures.

If the meter is being operated with va yproper c oin or token, the cam |35 will have no effect on the coin gauge during the delivery half of the coin ,carrier cycle because the coin gauge is so far depressed by the coin that the end of its tailpiece is farther removed from the center of rotation of the cam than is ,the outer peripheral surface of 'the iiange |3517. For that reason, when the coin carrier has reached the end of its delivery stroke the coin gauge is free to rotate clockwise to a limited extent, as viewed in Figs. `11-14, under the impetus of its Arestoring spring and is thus effective to propel the coin into the coin passage way |24.

A sleeve |40 on the mainshaft 4| (see Fig. 6) is rotatable relatively to said shaft and forms the axial hub of an indicator plate |42 having an integral radially projecting iinger |43 the free end of which registers with the time-calibrated scale of a dial plate F (see Fig. 1) which'is supported at its two ends on the dowel pins 23 andA A segmental pulley |4v '24 of the meter frame. (see Fig. 6) is xedly secured to the back face o-f the indicator plate |42, coaxially therewith, and

, has a peripheral groove in which is seated a coil v'spring |41 one end of which is suitably anchored to the segmental pulley while the other 'end is anchored to the meter frame, as illustrated in Figs. 2 andr 3. The spring |41 is tensioned so as to bias the indicator plate |42 and its nger |43 toward the zero end of the scale on the dial plate F which is at the left of the scale, as viewed A vfine-toothed secured to the main shaft 4| (see Fig. 6) and is adapted to be engaged peripherally by a spring pawl |5| which is anchored at one end on a stud |52 secured to and projecting laterally from the indicator plate |42. The ratchet and lpawl are so directed that the indicator `plate |42 and its linger |43 can be rotated ,clockwise without rotating the shaft 4| and, therefore, Without-any restraint other than that imposed by the spring |41. But as soon as a clockwise rotation of the indicator plate has been-completed, in the manner presently to be explained,.and vthe indicator plate has subsequently been released, it will be returned to the zero position by the spring |41; but its return speed will be very slow, ordinarily requiring one hour to Ytraverse the dial scale, because upon commencement .of each .return movement the pawl |5| is eifectiveto drive theratchet wheel whose rotation is controlled by theytrainE. V ii.

ratchet wheel |50 is xedly f Mounted on the front lface of the indicator plate |42 and concentric therewith is a generally circular time-control plate |54. This is provided with anarcuate slot |55 through which extends a clamping screw |56 which is threaded kinto the indicator plate |42. Upon loosening of this clamping screw, theltime-control plate can be rotated relatively to the indicator plate to .the extent permitted by the arcuate slot |55. The peripheral margin of the time-control plate |54 is cut to form an arcuate notch |55d which terminates at one end in a radial shoulder |57 (see Fig. 4) The shoulder |5.'|fis so positioned, radially of the axis a,that it isv engageable by the lug IUI of the coin gauge 95 whenever the vcoin gauge is fully retracted into the body of kthe coin carrier as a result `of the presence vin the pocket of the coin carrier of a coin ofthe prescribed denomination. A coin of lesser diameter will retract the coin gauge, but not sufciently to enable the lug |0| to engage the shoulder |57. The angular position ofA the shoulder |57 can be adjusted vby rotating the time-control plate, but only after first loosening the clamping screw |53. This makes it possibleto adjust the sweep of the time indicator finger so that it will register accurate- 1y with the dial scale graduations.

It will now be apparent that when the coin carrier 'l5 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in Figs. 15-17, it will carry Wthit. the indicator plate |42 Aand nger |4`3,pro'vided the coin in the pocket of the coin carrier is of the full prescribed diameter,lbut that it will not rotate the-indicator plate whenno. coin has been deposited, -nor when the deposited coin is of a diameter less than that of a prescribed coin. v v y A y The y train; E (Figs. 2 and' 3) kcomprises a train of spur gears |60 vandan escapement |6| including an esca-pement wheel from which is extended a wig-Wag signal |62. Since the gear and escapement mechanismsfmay follow any of the usualconstructio-ns no' further description thereof need be given. The escapement gear train which is driven fromI the rear end of the shaft 4l carries the wig-Wag signal |62 to cscillate back and forthprox-imate to the arcuate dial plate F,

V,and such eye-arresting movement affords a sure indication that fthe -ngerfl43is the-n in operation."" .v

We claim:

"'1. The combination inv 'a coin-controlled mechanism,l of a coin selector comprising a manually movable spring-biased pivoted' member having a nger-engaging-surface and a coin slot through said surface, a coin carrier disposed adjacent said coin selector and having a coinreceiving pocket 'normally -in registration with said coin slot, said coin carrier being arranged to be rotated by said coin selector to move said pocket to a coin-discharge position, structure including an arcuate coin track concentric with said coin carrier and arranged to retain a coin in Vsaid pocket while the coin carrier is in rotation, a coin gauge carried `by said coinl carrier and normally projecting radially from. said coin carrier'towards said coin slot and having-a notch arranged to engage the edge of a coin, said coin gauge being retractible into said pocket and arranged to guide a coinv from the coin slot into the pocket, said coin gauge normally projecting from the coinv carrier suiiiciently to obstruct partially said Vcoin track structure unless retracted, and a cam operatively connected with the coin selector and rotatable by the same to retract said coin gauge sufficiently to clear said coin track structure. l

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said coin gauge is a lever fulcrumed on said coin carrier, one arm of said lever having a distal end portion'extending transversely of the coin carrier, said distalend portion'being notched and receiving the edge of a coin, a second arm of Y said lever being arranged to be engaged by said said lever being arranged to be engaged by said cam when the coin selector is depressed without a coin or token of suitable diameter having been passed through the coin slot, and characterized in that said cam is coaxial with said coin carrier and rrotatable relative thereto.

4. The combination according to claim l, wherein said coin gauge is a lever fulcrumed on said coin carrier, one arm of said lever having a distal end portion extending transversely of the coin carrier, said distal end portion being notched and receiving the edge of a coin, a second varm oi said lever being arranged to be engaged by said cam when the coin selector is depressed without a coin or token of suitable diameter having been passed through the coin slot, and characterized in that said cam is coaxial with said coin carrier and rotatable relative thereto, and including a bridge member pivotally mounted on and carried by said coin carrier and arranged to be moved and retracted by said cam, said bridge member normally projecting radially from said coin carrier and arranged to support coins in transit to said coin pocket. I

5. The combination, in a coin controlled mechanism, of a chute, a coin carrier shiftable along said chute from a normal position to a discharging position to advance a coin therethrough, 'a carrier biasing spring normally urging said carrier toward its normal position, a power spring to urge the coin carrier toward its coin discharging position, a manually shiftable coin receiving member having a iinger contacting surface of extended area and having a coin slot there-A through positioned within said surface so that the finger can push a coin through the coin slot and press against said surface in a single operation, said coin receiving member being movable in response to such pressure, means responsive to the movement of the coin receiving member to energize sequentially the power spring and to couple the power spring to the coin carrier whereby the power spring will overcome said biasing spring and drive the coin carrier from normal position to discharge position, and means responsive to predetermined movement of the coin carrier to uncouple the coin carrier from the power spring and cause the coin carrier to be returned to normal position by its biasing spring.

6. The combination in a coin-controlled mechanism, of a rotatable coin carrier, a manually movable member having a coinslot in registration with the coinl carrier, a bridge member carried by and rotatable with said coin carrier and normally projecting therefrom toward the manually movable member to form a support for coins in transit to. the coin carrier, a mechanical interlink between said manuallyfmovable'member and said bridge member for transmitting motion from saidmanually movable member to ksaid bridge member to-retract said bridge member into said coin carrier, and meansfor `actuating the coin carrier. f .v 5

V'7. The combinationin ar coin-controlled mechanism, of a rotatable coin carrier, a manually movable member having a coin slot in registration with'said coin carrier, a bridge member carried by and-rotatable .with4 the coin carrier and normallyprojecting radially therefrom` toward` able toward said coin carrier and having acoin slot vnormally in registration with said pocket, a bridge member carried by and rotatable with said coin carrier andspring-biased so as normally to project ,radially from said coin carrier to forma support for .coinsin transit to the coin carrier pocket 1 through said coin s lot, a rotatable cam concentric with said coin carrier and arranged to engageand movelsaidbridge member ktow-ard the center .of rotation ofA said coin carrier to retract the bridge member, means fortransmitting motion from/the manually movable member tosaid cam and operative to rotate "the samefto effect retraction of said bridge member upon movement of the manually operable member toward said 4coin carrienand means fory rotating the coin carrier.

9. The combination in a coin-controlled mechanism,` of i a yrotatable coin carrier having a pocket for the reception of a coin, a coin chute `structure having an arcuate coin track concentric with said coin carrier and arranged to retain a coin in said pocket, a member manually movable vtoward saidA ,coin carrier and having a coin slot normally in registration vwith said pocket,..a bridge-member pivotally mounted'on the coin lcarrier, within saidpoc/ket and rotatable withsaidcoin carrier, said bridge member norv mally projecting radially from said coin carrier and obstructing the coin chute structure to. form a support for coinsin .transit tothe coin carrier,

pocket, a rotatable cam concentric with said coin carrier and provided with means for engaging said bridge, member. upon rotationV relative ,to said coin carriervtoretract said lbridge member and clear said coin chute structure, means for transmitting motion from the manually movable member to the cam for rotating the same to retract said bridge member, and means for rotating the coin carrier. A y

l0. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the manually movable member is rotatable about a pivotal center andspring-biased away from the coin carrier. l v

11. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the manually movablemember is rotatable about a pivotal center and spring-biased away from said coincarrier and saidv cam is operative to hold the bridget member inretracted position throughout the rotaryv movement of the coinvcarrier. '.-l i 12. The i combination according... to. claim 9,

characterized in that the bridge member ,inr

cludes a portion having an arcuately curved vsur-V face' conforming to the peripheral curvatureof a coin of the diameter to be received, which curved surface defines a wall of the pocket. I f

13. The combination according to claim A9, wherein the manually. movable member is rotatable about a pivotal center and spring-biased away from said coin carrier,` and said cam isl operative to hold the bridge member in retracted position throughout thel rotary 'movement of the coin carrier and includes a link which is pivotally connected at one `endto the cam and pivotally connected at the other .end to the manually movable member. i f

14; The `combination in a coin controlled mechanism, of a coin ,receiving-and inducting member having a nnger contacting surface .of extended area and having a coin slot therethrough positioned within said-surface so that the --finger can push a coin throughthe coin slot and press against said surface-in a single movement, Vsaid member being yyieldably mov-v able in response to finger pressure exerted thereagainst, a rotatable coin carrier having a 'coin' pocket normally in registration with said coin slot, a retractible bridge memberv carriedb-y and rotatable with said coincarrier and normally projecting radially from said coin carriergto provide a support for coins in transit from .thev

coin slot into the coin pocket, means operative in response to movement of said coinreceiving and inducting member toward said coin carrier tor retract said bridge member into said pocket,- and means controlled by the coin receiving and inducting member and the coin for rotating Athe coin carrier.

15. The combination according to 'claimy le,V

including a cam mounted coaxially with and rotatable relatively to the coin carrier, and a link interconnecting the coin receiving and inducting member with said cam for effecting rotation thereof, said cam being operative upon rotation from its normal posture to move said.

bridge member to a retracted position.

16. The combination according to claim 14,vr

including a cam mounted coaxially with vand rotatable relatively to the coin carrier, and a link interconnecting the coin receiving .and inducting member with said cam for effecting rotation thereof, said cam being operative upon rotation from its normal position to Amove said bridge member to a retracted position', and wherein said nger contacting surface is concave and the coin slot is centered in the concavity. y 1'7.` The combination in a coin controlle mechanism, of a pivoted coin receiving and inducting member having a iinger contacting surface of extended area and having a coin slot therethrough positioned within said surface so that the finger can push a coinrthrough the coin slot and press against said surface in a single movement, said coin receiving and inducting member being movable in response to such pressure, spring means for restoring said member to its normal position when the manual pressure thereagainst is released, a rotatable coin carrier disposed adjacent said member and having a coin receiving `pocket which normally is in registration with said coin slot, said pocket being movable upon rotation of the coin carrier from its lnormal coin receiving position to a coin discharge position, spring means forv rotating said coin Acarrier and means for coupling said coin receiving and inducting member with said spring means for conditioning the same for rotation of the coin carrier and normally arranged in a non-coupling position and movable 'to vcoupling position by manual pressure applied to said ,coin receiving and inducting member, said couplingmeans including an element positioned for engagement by a coin insertedv in said coin slot andmovable by thecoin to a coupling position wherein said coupling means is vrendered i effective to respond to ya movement of said coin receiving'and inducting member., l .v

18. The combination according to claim 17, whereinsaid element is a rocker member carried byljthe coin receiving and inducting member and having afcoin engaging portion situated adjacent one end of the coin slot and arranged to berotated by a coin passing through the slot, said coupling means including a movable member arm ranged tobe engaged by said rocker member when the 'lattervhas been rotated bythe insertion of a coin in the coin slot to energize said spring means, said movable member being located beyond the path. of movement of the rocker member when the latter is in its normal position.

19. The combination according to claim 17, including a-spring actuated dog carried by the coin receiving andinducting member and arranged to latch the rocker member in position for energizm ing the springmeans, and stop means arranged to' engage said dog land move the same to release the rockermember immediately prior to the completion of each manually actuated movement of f movable member to said bridge member to retract said bridge' member into said coin carrier, and means-'for actuating said coin carrier to move the same-'from its coin*A receiving position to its coin discharging position.

2li The combination in a coin controlled mechanism, of a rotatable coin carrier provided with two sectors havingv mutually staggered teeth, a power*spring-operatively connected with the coin carrier for rotating the same, a coin selector havinga coin slotylneans arranged to be engaged-by the coin selector? and a coin inserted therein for energizing the power spring, and two pivotedesc'apement oscillators each provided with a pair of detents positioned to 'be-engagedalternatelyvby the f teeth of said sectors, the oscillators' being rocked non-synchronously by the sector teeth and each oscillator being extended at each end beyond ,n the detente;k the aggregate inertia of the oscillatorsimposin'g restraint on the speed of rotation of the coincarrien 22.- .The combination, ina coinv controlled mechanism. ,of a coin carrier shiftable between a coin receiving position and a lcoin' discharging positiom a carrier biasingy spring normally urging said carrier tou/ard its coin receiving position, a power spring Vto'urge the/coin carrier toward its coin discharging p.osi tiona; manuallyV shiftable coin' receivnrg .member having". afinger contacting' surface of extended area and having a coin slot therethrough positioned within said surface so that the finger can push a coin through the coin slot and press against said surface in a single operation, said coin receiving member being movable in response to such pressure, means responsive to the movement of the coin receiving member to energize sequentially the power spring and to couple the power spring to the coin carrier whereby the power spring will overcome said biasing spring and drive the coin carrier from coin receiving position to coin discharging position, and means responsive to predetermined movement of the coin carrier to uncouple the coin carrier from the power spring and cause the coin carrier to be returned to coin receiving position by its biasing spring.

23. In a coin controlled mechanism, the sublcombination of a coin'receiving member having a finger contacting surface of extended area and having a coin slot therethrough positioned within said surface so that the nger can push a, coin through the coin slot and press against said surface in a single movement, said coin .receiving member being movable in response t such pressure, a power spring, a coin carrier shiftable between a first position and a second position,

means interconnecting the coin receiving member shift the carrier to said second position to advance a coin, means operable upon predetermined shifting movement of the carrier to said second position to disconnect said carrier from the power spring, and means connected to the coin carrier and normally biasing the same toward said first position and effective to return said carrier to said first position upon the uncoupling of the carrier from said power spring.

ROBERT F. BROUSSARD. LESTER D. SOLLENBERGER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 201,567 Stengel Mar. 19, 1878 263,296 Olmsted Aug.22, 1882 1,050,268 Forth Jan. 14, 1913 1,676,596 Wittel July 10, 1928 1,921,265 Shortt Aug. 8, 1933 2,281,514 Rhodes Apr. 28, 1942 2,308,836 Sisk Jan. 19, 1943 2,342,020 Stevens Feb. l5, 1944 2,370,480 Moos Feb. 27, 1945 2,429,313 Gilbert Oct. 21, 1947v FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country vDate 558,488 Great Britain Jan. 7, 1944