US2704590A - Gabrielsen - Google Patents

Description

March 22, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN 2,704,590

COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet l I N V EN TOR. C HR/S 77HN 6459/51. SEN

1477' ORA/E Y March 22, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN ,7

COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zoo v INVENTOR. C HE/ST'IHN GHBE/ELSEN March 22, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN 2,704,

com REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR .COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. C HE/S T/4/v 6H8 E/ELSEN BYMLW March 22, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN 2,704,590

COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1947" 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR. C H/e/snq/v GHBR/ELSEN HTTO/PNE Y March 22, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN 2,704,590

COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 342 298 284 286 2% a 2% 50B 250 4 280 294 3 g 285 7 205 370 2 4 292 572 520 322 I 3/8 3 3/0 550 534 328 4 )5 4 306 356 0a 1 524 I I z G I E ,=U E" G8 302 2 7/ INVENTOR. CHE/5 T/AN GQBE/gLSEN "MAM H 7'TOENEY March 22, 1955 c. GABRlELSEN COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR. flR/s'mq/v G/QBR/ELSE/V BY M 1. .9

F) TTORWE Y United States Patent COIN REGISTER ASSEMBLY FOR COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINES Christian Gabrielsen, Whippany, N. J., assignor to The Rowe Manufacturing Co., Inc., Whippany, N. J., a corporation of New York Application August 16, 1947, Serial No. 768,997

6 Claims. (Cl. 194-92) My invention relates to a coin register assembly for coin controlled vending machines and, more particularly, to an improved coin register having great flexibility and general application to vending machines of all types.

The coin registers of the prior art have been complicated, expensive to manufacture and of limited flexibility. They have been designed, for example, to accept coins equaling a specific sum, say twenty cents in the case of a vending machine selling cigarettes at twenty cents a pack. The twenty cents, it is true, in the coin registers of the prior art may be in the form of four nickels, two dimes or two nickels and a dime. If it were desired to vend objects for fifteen cents, ten cents or twenty-five cents, a ditferent register would have to be employed.

One object of my invention is to provide a coin register assembly adapted to receive one, or a plurality of coins of varying denominations to separate the coins into their respective denominations, pass the separated coins through appropriate slug ejectors, permit the vending machine to be operated to dispense the desired merchandisc and, if a coin of a denomination too large for the amount required to complete the purchase is used, to give the proper amount of change.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coin register which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coin register which is adapted to vend articles having different prices from the same vending machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combined coin register and change-making device adapted to be replenished by the coins deposited in the vending machine and to give the proper amount of change depending on the price of the article being vended and the denomination of the coins deposited.

A further object of my invention is to provide a coin register which is sturdy, reliable and safe whereby to preclude the operation of a vending machine without the deposit of valid coins of the proper denominations.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coin register which will permit the operation of a vending machine for a predetermined sum irrespective of the number and denomination of the coins making up this sum.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a coin register which will operate irrespective of the amount of wear upon the coins and in spite of considerable deformation thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coin register in which the money is not accepted until after the articles thereby purchased are delivered.

A further object of my invention is to provide a combined coin separator, slug ejector coin register and change-maker assembly which is easily removed for inspection or replacement.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel coin register assembly having great flexibility and adaptability for application to vending machines of various types, irrespective of the sum required to render the coin register operative.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel coin register assembly which may be easily scavenged and from which coins may be returned to the purchaser in event desired article being vended by the vending machine is exhausted.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

2,704,590 Patented Mar. 22, 1955 ice In accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a vending machine showing my novel coin register assembly in position.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my improved coin register assembly.

Fig. 3 is an elevation drawn on an enlarged scale, with parts in section, showing the change-making device and a portion of the operating linkage.

Fig. 4 is the perspective view showing the coin separator.

Fig. 5 is the perspective view of a portion of the coin register with parts broken away.

Fig. 6 is the sectional view taken on a line 6-6 of Fig.

7 is a sectional view taken on a line 7-7 of 8 is the sectional view taken on a line 8-8 of 9 is the sectional view taken on a line 9-9 of Fig. 10 is the sectional elevation taken on a line 10-10 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is the sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale taken on a line 11-11 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is the sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale taken on a line 12-12 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale taken on a line 13-13 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is the fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the price differential linkage.

Fig. 16 is the fragmentary elevation showing a portion of the coin return and scavenging operating linkage.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 17-17 of Fig. 4.

For purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, I shall describe my improved coin register assembly in connection with the vending machine shown in copending application of Christian Gabrielsen and Gustaf Erickson, Serial Number 754,480, filed June 13, 1947. It is to be understood and it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, that my improved coin register assembly is of general application and may be used in connection with any vending machine.

In general, my invention contemplates the provision of an operating member, the movement of which sets the vending machine into operation, or permits its operation.

The arrangement is such that the operating member is normally free to move. When there are no coins in the register or the improper number of coins of proper denomination in the register, the operating member will become immobilized to preclude it from setting the vending machine into operation or from permitting the vending machine to be operated. If, however, the correct number of coins of proper denomination are lodged Within the register, the operating member will be free to continue its motion. In other words, my coin register is normally unlocked but moves to locking position in absence of correct coins. A price differential mechanism is associated with my assembly so that articles of varying prices may be dispensed with a common register. If, for example, the price of the article to be vended is twenty-five cents, my register is such that it will operate with a quarter, two dimes and a nickel, three nickels and a dime or with -five nickels. At the same time, my register may operate to vend articles for twenty cents, in which case a quarter may be used and the purchaser will receive the article and a nickel in change. In the case of a twenty cent sale, my register will operate with four nickels, two nickels and a dime or two dimes.

My register, furthermore, may be used for a fifteen cent sale. In this case when a quarter is deposited, two nickels are given in change and the register will operate with three nickels or with a dime and a nickel.

More particularly, referring now to the drawings, the end of a vending machine is indicated generally by the reference numeral in Fig. l. The push button 22 is adapted to rotate the lever 24 in a clockwise direction against the action of spring 26, thus moving the link 28 to the right as viewed in Fig. 1. The lever 30 1S fulcrumed around pivot pin 32. The upper end of lever 30 is pivotally secured by pin 34 to one end of the link 36. The other end of lever 30 is pivotally secured to the link 28 by pin 38. Movement of the link 28 to the right will rotate the lever 30 in a counter-clockwise direction, thus moving the link 36 to the left as viewed in Fig. 1. This movement of link 36 places tension upon the four springs 40, 42, 44 and 46. The left hand ends of the springs 40, 42, 44 and 46 are secured to the link 36. The right hand side of spring 40 is secured to slide extension 48. The right hand side of spring 42 is secured to slide extension 50. Similarly, the right hand ends of springs 44 and 46 are secured to slide extensions 52 and 54. The slide extensions can be seen in Figures 5, 6 and 13 and are formed integrally with slide arms 56, 58, and 62 as can be seen by reference to Figures 5 and 6. Slide arm 56 forms part of slide 64. Slide arm 58 forms part of slide 66. Slide arm 60 forms part of slide 68, while slide arm 62 forms part of slide 70. Each of these slide arms is provided with a lug 72 to prevent the slides from fouling.

The tensioning of the four springs starts to move each of the slides 64, 66, 68 and 70 which are lodged in a register housing indicated generally by the reference numeral 74. The construction of the register is such, however, that each of the slides will lock after a predetermined amplitude of motion when the register is empty or when it does not contain the correct number of coins of proper denominations.

When, however, there is deposited in the coin register a correct number of coins of proper denominations, one of the slides will be free to continue its motion due to the fact that the construction is such that the coins prevent locking of a particular slide, depending upon the coins and their denominations. The motion of one of the slides permits it and its associated extension to move sufficiently to make contact with the operating member.

Referring now to Fig. 1, for purposes of illustration the operating member is shown as a lever 76 pivoted about a pin 78 secured to the vending machine housing. A lug 80 is carried by the lever 76 adjacent an electric switch 82. The arrangement is such that the lug 80 is adapted to contact a switch operating member to close the switch and set the vending machine into operation. It is to be understood, of course, that the movement of the slide which is freed may be employed to unlatch a locking member which normally prevents the operation of the vending machine in the case of a hand-operated device.

Still referring to Fig. 1 and by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, in the vending machine shown in co-pending application of Christian Gabrielsen and Gustaf Erickson, Serial Number 754,480, filed June 13, 1947, the closing of the circuit by switch 82 results in the discharge of an article from the vending machine. The discharging operation rotates a shaft 84 which carries a crank 86. A lever 88 is pivoted about pin 90. A link 92 connects the end of crank 86 and the lower end of lever 88. The rotation of crank 86 will rotate lever 88 in a counter-clockwise direction so that its upper end 93 is adapted to contact a pin 94 carried by the lower end of lever 76, thus rotating it in a clockwise direction opening the circuit closed by switch 82 and re-setting the slides to their original position. The discharge of an article from the vending machine is adapted to rotate crank 96 or crank 98 in a counter-clockwise direction. The lower ends of cranks 96 and 98 are inter-connected by a link 100. The rotation of crank 98 in a counterclockwise direction is adapted to rotate bent lever 102 about its pivot 104. This rotation of lever 102 is adapted to cam the coin shelf to accept the coins permitting them to pass to the cash box as will be hereinafter more fully described.

A lever 106 is pivoted around pin 108. The lower end of lever 106 is adapted to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by a scavenging push button 110 shown in Fig. 16. The upper end of lever 106 is pinned by pin 112 to a bent lever 114 which is fulcrumed about pivot pin 116. The counter-clockwise movement of lever 106 is adapted to rotate the bent lever 114 in a clockwise direction. This movement is adapted to cam the money shelf to coin-return position as will be hereinafter more fully described. At the same time, the clockwise rotation of bent lever 114 is adapted to pull link 118 downwardly,- thus operating the scavenging linkage shown in detail 111 Fig. 4.

Referring now to Fig. 4, coins of all denominations including quarters, dimes and nickels are adapted to be inserted into a common receiving slot which leads to the entrance 120 of a coin chute 122 whence they fall to an inclined runway 124. The coin separator is provided with a front plate 126 and a rear plate 128 pivotally suspended from lugs 130 and 132 carried by the front plate. The rear plate 128 is secured to an arm 134 which carries a plate 136, forming the rear closure of the coin chute 122. A bell crank lever 138 is pivoted about pivot pin 140. A link 142 connects arm 134 at one end of the bell crank 138. A second bell crank 144 is pivoted about pin 146. A third bell crank 148 is pivoted about pivot 150. A connecting bar 152 is pivotally connected by pins 154, 156 and 158 to the upper arms of the bell cranks 148, 144 and 138. A bracket 160 is rigidly carried by the upper end of pull link 118. The other end of bracket 160 is connected to link 142. When pull link 118 moves downwardly in response to the operation of scavenging push button 110, each of the bell cranks 138, 144 and 148 will rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4 to operate the scavenging mechanism of respective slug ejectors, as is well known in the art.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the twenty-five cent slug ejector 162 is provided with a scavenging operating member 164 which is pivoted about pin 166. The five cent slug ejector 168 is provided with a scavenging operating member 170 pivoted about a pin 172. The ten cent slug ejector 174 is provided with a scavenging operating member 176 pivoted about pin 178. The bell crank 138 is adapted to rotate scavenging member 164 in a clockwise direction to scavenge the twenty-five cent slug ejector. The bell crank 144 is adapted to rotate the scavenging member 170 to scavenge the five cent slug ejector 168. The bell crank 148 is adapted to rotate the scavenging operating member 176 of the ten cent slug ejector.

Referring again to Fig. 4, I secure a quarter cam 180 to the plate 126. The distance between the runway 123 and the quarter earn 180 is such that it will permit nickels and dimes and pennies to pass. Its position is such, however, that it will tilt the upper portion of a twentyfive cent piece causing the lower portion thereof to leave the runway 124 through the opening 182 in the plate 126 and cause the quarter to drop down chute 184. Nickels, pennies and dimes will continue their path along the runway 124. A nickel cam 186 is carried by the plate 126 and is similar in construction to the quarter cam 180. It is provided with an inclined camming surface 188. Its position is such that dimes and pennies will pass untouched by the cam. When a nickel, however, passes the cam, the camming surface 188 thereof will cam the upper portion of a nickel away from the plate 126 so that the lower portion of the nickel will slide from the runway 126 through the opening 190 into the nickel chute 192 and thence to the nickel slug ejector 168.

Pennies and dimes will continue their path along the inclined runway 124. A penny ejecting cam 194 is positioned adjacent the runway such that it will permit the passage of dimes but will cam pennies into a scavenging chute 196. The dimes continue along the runway to a chute 198 whence the dimes will fall into the ten cent slug ejector.

Should a dime, a nickel, a penny or a quarter be lodged in the coin runway as may happen in the case of a bent or deformed coin, the operation of the coin separator will be blocked until the scavenging linkage is operated. Downward motion of the pull link 118 pulls connecting link 142 downwardly, thus rotating the bell crank 138 and operating all of the slug eiector scavenging mechanisms and at the same time tilting the back plate 128 and the back plate 136 of the coin chute permitting any coins on the runway 124 or caught between the plates 126 and 128 to fall into the scavenging chute along with ejected pennies passing through chute 196 to be returned to the depositor.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the slug ejectors 162, 168 and 174 adapted to receive quarters, nickels and dimes respectively, may be of any suitable construction such as shown in the United States patent to William Patzer et al., 2,158,909, or in the United States patents to Walter A. Tratsch et al., 2,158,919 and 2,159,117.

If desired, I may employ a slug ejector adapted to separate dimes, nickels and quarters and eject spurious coins of all three denominations.

It is to be noted that in the construction shown, the slug ejectors are removably mounted underneath the respective coin chutes and may be replaced without disturbmg the rest of the mechanism. Spurious quarters are adapted to be rejected by the quarter slug ejector 162 for passage through a chute, the entrance of which is indicated by reference numeral 200. A valid quarter passes through the passage 202 and thence through passageway 204 to rest upon a money shelf 206 which is pivoted about pins 208 and 210. Pivotally mounted about pin 212, I provide a pivoted stop member 214. The lower arm 216 of the stop member is adapted to be actuated by a quarter 218 shown in position resting with its lower edge on the money shelf 206, to pivot the stop member 214 to bring its upper arm 220 into the path of quarters falling down the chute 202. If a user now deposits a second quarter, it will be cammed by the upper arm 220 of the stop member to fall into a coin return chute through a connecting chute, the opening of which 222 is shown to the right of the stop member arm 220.

Spurious five cent pieces or slugs will be ejected by the nickel slug ejector 168 to pass through an ejection chute, the opening of which 224 is shown in Fig. 2. Valid nickels will pass through a chute 226 to a reception slot 228 formed in part by the top of the money shelf 206. The length of the slot is such that five nickels 230, 232, 234, 236 and 238 may be lodged therein. After five nickels have been deposited, they occupy the positions shown in Fig. 2. Thereupon, the deposit of a sixth nickel will result in its striking the fifth nickel 238 and being ejected through an ejection chute, the entrance to which 240 is shown in Fig. 2.

Spurious dimes will be ejected by the slug ejector 174 to pass through a chute 242 and thence to an ejection chute, the entrance of which 244 is shown in Fig. 2. Good dimes will pass through chute 246 to a dime slot, the lower surface of which is formed by the top of money shelf 206. A pair of pivoted stop members 248 and 250 are carried by the money shelf. The construction is such that the lodgment of the first dime 252 will pivot the stop member 248 to permit the second dime 254 to be retained in side by side position without overlapping. Similarly, the deposit of the second dime 254 will rotate the stop member 250 to permit the proper positioning of the third dime 256. A third stop member 258 is operated by the positioning of the third dime to block the chute 246 such that upon the deposit of a fourth dime it will i be ejected through the ejection chute through opening 244.

It will be seen that the register, as described, is adapted to receive one good quarter and eject the rest. It is adapted to receive five good nickels and eject the rest. It is adapted to receive three good dimes and eject any further dimes. The coin separator, the slug ejectors and the money shelf are carried by a frame 260 which is mounted for removal as a unit upon the hinge pins 262 and 264 shown in Fig. l. Secured to the money shelf or formed integral therewith, I provide a generally U-shaped plate 266 and a triangular plate 268 disposed as shown in Fig. 2 to form a channel 270 for the passage of nickels. The plates 266 and 268 are sandwiched between the money shelf plate 206 and a second plate 272 which may be made of transparent material to permit the view of the nickels 274 in the nickel duct 270. It will be observed further, that the nickels lodged in the nickel duct 270 form a supply of nickels which may be dispensed as change as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter.

Referring now to Fig. 5, a plate 276 is carried by, and spaced from, the frame 260 to form a coin passage 278 therewith. The bottom of this coin passage is closed by the top of the money plate 206 as can readily be seen by reference to Fig. 6. A sheet metal housing, formed by channel member 280 and cover member 282, is secured to the plate 276 and houses the slides 64, 66, 68 and 70 as can readily be seen by reference to Fig. 5. A plurality of pins are mounted for movement adjacent the bottom of the housing and transverse of its longitudinal axis. Pins 284, 285, 286, 287 and 288 are positioned opposite the nickel receiving slot 228 (shown in Fig. 2) and in alignment with nickels resting upon this slot upon their deposit therein. Pins 290, 291 and 292 are similar to pins 284 to 288 inclusive and are mounted in alignment with dimes resting in the dime slot upon their deposit therein, as can readily be seen by reference to Fig. 2. Pin 294, similar to pin 284, is mounted opposite the position of a quarter when resting upon the money shelf as shown in Fig. 2. Each of the transverse pins just described is provided with a spring 296 tending to urge the pins to the left as viewed in Fig. 5 and to the right as viewed in Fig. 6. Each of the pins carries a vertical locking rod. The quarter pin 294 carries a rod 298. The nickel pin 284 carries a rod 300. The nickel pin 285 carries a rod 302. The nickel pin 286 carries a rod 304. The nickel pin 287 carries a rod 306. The nickel pin 288 carries a rod 308. The dime pin 290 carries a rod 310. The dime pin 291 carries a rod 312 and the dime pin 292 carries a rod 314. The housing cover 282 is provided with a plurality of slots 316 through which the pins project as can readily be seen by reference to Fig. 7.

It will be seen that the springs 296 tend to move their respective pins and the associated locking rods upwardly as viewed in Fig. 8 to which reference is now had. Let us now consider that there are no coins in the register and the operating button 22 is in its normal position at rest. In this position the upper slide 64 will hold the nickel rod 300, the nickel locking rod 302 and the nickel locking rod 304 downwardly against the action of springs 296. To the right of each of the flattened portions formed upon slide 64 adjacent the nickel locking rods 300, 302 and 304, I form a locking notch 318, 320 and 322. The upper slide 64 is also provided with a flattened portion adapted to hold the first dime locking rod 310 downwardly against the action of its spring 292. To the right of the locking rod 310, I form a locking notch 324 in slide 64. The construction of slide 64 can be seen by reference to Figs. 8 and 5.

The second slide 66 is formed with a flattened portion 326 adapted to hold the quarter locking rod 298 downwardly against the action of spring 296 associated with pin 294. To the right of the flattened portion 326, I provide a locking notch 328. The third slide 68 is provided with locking notches 330 and 332 and is normally adapted to hold locking rods 312 and 314 to the right as viewed in Fig. 5 against the action of springs 296 associated with pins 291 and 292. The third slide 68, furthermore, is provided with a locking notch 334 adapted to coact with the first nickel locking rod 302. The bottom slide 70 is provided with five locking notches 336 which are adapted to coact with respective nickel locking rods 300, 302, 304, 306 and 308. The bottommost slide 71 is the price differential slide, the function of which is to simulate the deposit of nickels to hold back certain locking pins as will be hereinafter more fully described.

It will be remembered that when a push button 22 is operated, all four slides 64, 66, 68 and 70 will be constrained to move to the left through the action of the connecting springs 40, 42, 44 and 46 and the associated linkage heretofore described. Considering slide 64 alone, it will tend to move to the left as viewed in Figs. 5 and 8. With no coins in the register, locking rod 300 will move into locking notch 318, locking rod 302 will move into locking notch 320, nickel locking rod 304 will move into locking notch 322 and dime locking rod 310 will move into locking notch 324, thus immobilizing slide 64. This arresting of slide 64 will occur before slide extension 56 can contact the upper end of initiating lever 76. It will be readily observed that unless three nickels and one dime are in position ontop of the money shelf, slide 64 will be immobilized by its locking pins. If, however, three nickels and a dime are on the money shelf between plates 260 and 276 in the position shown in Fig. 2, the pins 284, 285 and 286, as well as the dime pin 290, will be held to the right as viewed in Fig. 5 and downwardly as viewed in Fig. 8, thus preventing the locking pins from entering the locking notches hence permitting slide 64 to continue its movement and initiate the operation of the vending machine with which my register is associated. It will further be observed that three nickels and one dime will free only slide 64. There being no quarter on the money shelf, slide 66 will be immobilized. The first of the three nickels will prevent the nickel locking rod 300 from entering the notch 334 of slide 68. The first dime will prevent the locking rod 312 from entering the locking notch 330 of slide 68. The absence, however, of the second dime will permit the locking rod 314 to enter the locking notch 332 of slide 68, thus immobilizing this slide. It will be noted that in Fig. 5 the locking rod 310 serves no function. It is permanently held back in the construction shown by permanently securing a slug dime 252 in the dime slot on top of the money shelf. If desired, I may insert a fifth slide which will operate on three dimes and give a nickel change but for purposes of simplicity I have shown only four slides operating on three nickels and a dime, a quarter, a nickel and two dimes and five nickels. The bottom slide 70 will be freed only by the deposit of five nickels disregarding the price differential which will be described hereinafter. The deposit of only four nickels will permit the fifth nickel locking rod 308 to enter its corresponding locking notch 336 formed on slide 70 and thus immobilize this slide.

The freeing of any one of the slides 64, 66, 68 or 70 will permit this slide to initiate the operation of the vending machine through the lever 76.

In the foregoing discussion it has been assumed that a twenty-five cent sale was to be made necessitating the deposit of a quarter which will hold the quarter locking rod 298 out of its locking notch 328 and thus free slide 66, the deposit of three nickels and one dime which will free slide 64, the deposit of a nickel and two dimes which will free slide 68 or the deposit of five nickels which will free slide 70. It will be recalled that one of the objects of my invention was to permit the same register to be used to vend articles of different prices from the same vending machine by the use of a common register. Let us now refer to Fig. in which a push button 21 is shown similar to push button 22 but which is associated with a column vending articles at twenty cents instead of twenty-five cents. The push button 21 has associated therewith a pin 23 operating in a slot 25 and adapted to contact a cam 27 carried by a rod 29. A plate 31 is pivoted around pivot pin 33 attached to the frame 35 of the vending machine. The end of rod 29 is pivotally secured by pin 37 to the plate 31. A price differential link 39 is pivoted about pin 41 carried by the casing of the vending machine. Movement to the right of rod 29 will pivot the plate 31 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 15. The lower end of lever 39 is operatively connected by lug 43 to the plate 31. The rotation of the plate 31, therefore, will rotate the price differential lever 39 around its pivot pin 41 in a counterclockwise direction. At the same time, the push button 21 will rotate the crank 24 and operate the link 36 as described in connection with the operation of push button 22.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 14, it will be observed that the terminal portion of the nickel reservoir duct 270 terminates in two nickels held in place by a pair of shelves 340 and 342. The shelf 340 is carried by a lever 344 which is pivoted about pin 346 carried by the money shelf 206. A spring 348 normally holds the lever 344 in the position shown in Fig. 14 maintaining the shelf 340 in a position supporting the terminal nickel in the nickel reservoir duct 270. A pivoted stop member 350 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 14 by the lower end of the lever 344 against the action of a spring (not shown) biasing the stop member 350 to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 14. When the lever 344 is rotated around its pivot 346 in a clockwise direction, the shelf 340 will permit the nickel supported thereby to drop and permit the stop member 350 to rotate in a clockwise direction to prevent further nickels from moving into the space created by the dropping of the nickel supported by the shelf 340. The second shelf 342 is supported in a manner similar to shelf 340 from a second lever 352. There is a second stop member 354 similar to stop member 350 adapted to prevent nickels in the reservoir from rolling out of the reservoir upon the removal of the shelf 342.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be observed that the quarter slide 66 carries an arm 356 integral therewith and extending at right angles to the axis of the slide. The slide 68, which is freed by two dimes and a nickel, carries an arm 358 integral therewith and below the arm 356. The price differential slide 71 carries an extension arm 360 as can readily be seen by reference to Figs. 5 and 9. The arm 360 is embraced by a fork formed at the upper end of the price differential lever 39 as can readily be seen by reference to Fig. 3. Whenever the price differential is operated, the arm 360 will move to the left under the influence of the leftward movement of the upper end of lever 39. The slide 71 is provided with a lug 362 adapted to hold out the first nickel locking pin 300. The slide is also provided with a lug 364 "adapted to hold out the third nickel locking rod 304.

Pivotally carried by price differential slide 71 around pivot pin 366, I provide a lever 368 carrying a lug 370 adapted to hold out the fifth nickel locking rod 308. The lever 368 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 9 by a spring 372. An opening 374 is formed adjacent the end of the lever 368 such that, unless there is a nickel 376 in the coin guide formed by plates 260 and 276 to hold the end of the lever, the lug 370 will not perform its function of immobilizing the fifth nickel locking pin 308. In other words, the third nickel must be deposited before the fifth nickel locking rod 308 will be immobilized.

It will be seen that whenever the price differential cam operates, the register will be freed by the deposit of only four nickels, the fifth nickel locking rod 308 being held out by the lug 370, or two nickels and one dime the third nickel locking rod 304 being held out by the lug 364 or upon two dimes the first nickel locking rod 300 being held out by the lug 362. If desired, the register may be set to operate on fifteen cent and twenty cent purchases. This is accomplished by placing a slug permanently adjacent the pin 284 so as to lock out of operation the first nickel locking rod 300. For a twenty cent purchase, a user will deposit four nickels freeing the slide 70, two dimes freeing the slide 68, a quarter freeing slide 66 or two nickels and a dime freeing slide 64. On a fifteen cent purchase, the price differential will operate so that slide will be freed by three nickels, slide 64 will be freed by one nickel and a dime, the third nickel locking rod 304 being held out by the lug 364 of the price differential slide or with two dimes freeing slide 68, as well as with a quarter. It will be observed, however, that in the case of a fifteen cent purchase, the deposit of a quarter will require the delivery of two nickels in change and, similarly, with the deposit of two dimes, one nickel in change.

Referring now to Fig. 3, when the quarter slide 66 is operated it will move arm 356 to the left as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5. Similarly, whenever the slide 68 is operated, that is, the slide which is freed by two dimes and one nickel, the arm 358 will move to the left as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5. Pivoted to the frame work of the machine around pivot pin 380, I mount a lever 382 biased to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction by spring 384. Pivotally mounted on lever 382 around pivot pin 386, I provide a lever 388, the lower end of which is formed with a cam 390 adapted to cam the levers 344 and 352 to rotate in a clockwise direction. Intermediate the ends of the lever 388, there is formed a stepped plate 392 having an upper step 394 and a lower step 396.

Whenever the quarter slide is operated, arm 356 will contact the step 394 and rotate the lever 388 in a clockwise direction. Similarly, whenever the two dimes and nickel slide 68 is operated, the arm 358 will contact step 396 to rotate the lever 388 around its pivot 386 in a clockwise direction. It will be observed, by virtue of the steps, that the rotation of the lever 388 by arm 356 will be of greater amplitude than the rotation of the lever 388 by the arm 358. Normally, that is, with the higher value purchase when the price differential cam does not operate, the position of the pivot 386 is such that the cam 390 does not contact either of the upper ends of levers 344 or 352. When the price differential cam operates, as in the case of a lower value purchase,

' the price differential lever 39 swings to the left as viewed in Fig. 3 carrying with it the arm 360 operating the price differential slide 71 and at the same time rotating the lever 382 in a clockwise direction. This carries the pivot 336 to the right as viewed in Fig. 3 and rotates the cam 590 through a further arc to swing the cam 390 past one or both of the respective ends of levers 344 and 352. In the case of the movement of the quarter slide arm 358, the amplitude of motion is such that the upper end of lever 352 will be pivoted to swing the nickel support 342 clear of the nickel permitting it to drop, followed by the camming of the upper end of the lever 344 to cause the nickel shelf 340 to be withdrawn to permit a second nickel to drop. it is to be remembered that we are now considering a fifteen cent purchase with the deposit of a quarter. The user will thus receive two nickels in change upon the deposit of a quarter with a fifteen cent purchase. Due to the step and the position of the fulcrum furnished by arm 358, the amplitude of motion of the cam 390 is such that only the first lever 352 is operated so that on a fifteen cent purchase a user will receive one nickel in change.

A locking lever 400 is pivoted about a pivot pin 402 and is provided with a locking surface 404 adapted to lock arm 356 and a locking surface 406 adapted to lock arm 358 when the lever 400 rotates downwardly in a counter-clockwise direction around its pivot pin 402. A supporting link 408 normally holds the locking lever 400 in the position shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of supporting link 408 is formed with a flange 410 adapted to rest upon the third from the last nickel 412 in the nickel reservoir 270. If the nickel reservoir becomes empty of at least three nickels, the locking lever 400 will drop immobilizing arms 356 and 358. When this occurs if a user deposits a quarter for a fifteen cent purchase, he will be unable to operate the machine since the slide will now be locked by the surface 404. Similarly, if a purchaser deposits two dimes in the case of a fifteen cent purchase, he will not be able to operate the machine since slide 68 will be immobilized through arm 358 and locking surface 406.

The money shelf 206 is normally held 1n the posltion shown in Fig. 6 by a pair of springs 420 and 422 as shown in Fig. 12. A threaded rod 424 is supported by the frame 260 of the register assembly. By rotatlng the rod 424, the compression of springs 420 and 422 may be adjusted. The money shelf 206 carries a bracket 426 as can readily be seen by reference to Flg. 11. The bracket carries a pair of cam rollers 428 and 430 adapted to coact with cam 114 and cam 432 carried by arm 102.

As was described hereinabove, the operation of the coin return push button 110 will move cam 114 downwardly contacting roller 428 and tilting the money shelf to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction around its pivot 208. This permits any money supported by the money shelf surface 434 to drop to the right of the money shelf 206 to a chute returning the money to the purchaser.

When merchandise is delivered by the vending machine, the bent lever 102 will be rotated about its pivot pin 104 to move the cam 432 downwardly contacting the cam roller 430 to rotate the money shelf 206 in a clockwise direction. This permits the money on the edge 434 of the money shelf 206 to drop to the left of the money shelf or to the front of the money shelf as viewed in Fig. 2. Quarters will drop to the left of the change reservoir into the money box 436. Dimes will drop to the right of the change reservoir into the money box 436. Nickels will drop on the upper surface 438 of the plate 236 and roll downwardly to the left. If the coin reservoir duct 270 is full of nickels the nickels will roll to the left of the reservoir and follow the path of the quarters into the money box. If, however, the coin reservoir duct is partially empty, nickels will roll into the reservoir duct to replenish it. In this manner the reservoir is kept full to supply change as pointed out above.

In operation, let us assume that the register is set for a twenty-five cent and a twenty cent purchase and let us consider first the operation of our register with a twenty-five cent purchase. A user deposits coins equaling twenty-five cents into the coin slot accessible at the exterior of the vending machine with which my register is associated. These coins may be a quarter, three nickels and a dime, one nickel and two dimes or five nickels. The coins will fall through the chute 122 of the coin separator and pass to the respective slug ejectors. A quarter will be directed through slug ejector 162, the nickels will be directed through slug ejector 168 and the dimes will be directed through slug ejector 174. The coins will then rest on their edges on the top surface 434 of the coin shelf 206 in position between plates 260 and 276 behind respective pins 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 290, 292 or 294 depending on the denomination and number of the coins.

A user then presses the push button 22 rotating lever 24 and hence lever 30 to move the link 36 to the right tensioning all four springs 40, 42, 44 and 46 moving all four slides 64, 66, 68 and 70 to the left. If a quarter has been deposited, slide 66 will continue its motion .while slides 64, 68 and 70'will be locked by the locking rods in the manner pointed out above. If five nickels have been deposited, slide 70 will continue its motion while slides 64, 66 and 68 will be arrested by the locking rods and coacting locking notches formed in the slides. If three nickels and a dime have beendeposited, slide 64 will continue its motion while slides 66, 68 and 70 will be arrested. Similarly, upon the deposit of a nickel and two dimes slide 68 will be freed while slides 64, 66 and 70 will be arrested.

The freed slide depending on the number and denominations of the coins making up the twenty-five cents will, in its continued motion, have its extension arm 56, 58, 60 or 62 brought into contact with the upper end of lever 76 rotating it in a counter-clockwise direction whereby its lug 80 will actuate the switch 82 to close the circuit to operate the mechanism of the vending machine. It is to be understood, of course, that in the case of a completely mechanical vending machine, the motion of the freed slide acts to unlatch the operating mechanism to operate the vending machine. Our register may be employed as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, with any type or construction of vending machine.

For purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, our register has been shown associated with a vending machine which, upon the delivery of an article, will cause the rotation of either crank 96 or crank 98. The cranks are interconnected by a link 100 so that upon delivery of the article purchased the crank 98 will rotate, rotating bent lever 102 carrying the cam 432 downwardly and tilting the top of the money shelf to the right as viewed in Fig. 11, thus accepting the money and permitting it to drop from the shelf and preventing a second operation of the vending machine for the same coins. If, however, the column selected by the user is empty and no merchandise desired is delivered, the coins will remain in place upon the shelf. The delivery mechanism rotates crank 86, thus pivoting lever 88 in a counter-clockwise direction resetting the slide and opening the switch 82. The register is in position to be reoperated by the positioning of another push button 22 which may control another column containing another brand of merchandise selling at the same price. If the purchaser does not desire another brand of merchandise, he may press the scavenging button 110, thus rotating the scavenging lever 106 in a counter-clockwise direction and the bent lever 114 in a clockwise direction carrying the cam at the end of lever 114 downwardly to tilt the top of the money shelf 206 to the left as viewed in Fig. 11 returning the coins to the depositor.

Let us now consider what occurs when a twenty cent brand is selected. In such case, the lever 352 is removed and the money support 342 is bridged and the stop 354 is removed. A purchaser then deposits either four nickels, two dimes, two nickels and one dime or a quarter. The push button associated with the lower priced brand of merchandise has a price differential cam 27 associated therewith such that upon their pressing of the push button, in addition to the operations described above, the price differential lever 39 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction thus moving the pivot point 386 to the right and supplying a fulcrum for rotating the price differential cam lever 388 in a clockwise direction through a sufficient amplitude to operate change-giving lever 344 to drop a nickel in change which is returned to the customer through an appropriate chute. At the same time, the rotation of the price differential lever moves price differential slide 71 to the left as viewed in Fig. 9 immobilizing the locking pin which would otherwise operate. In the case of the deposit of a quarter, the movement of the quarter slide 66 causes the leftward movement of the arm 356 which causes the pivoting of the change cam lever 388 through a sufficient amplitude to give the change described above. In the case of the deposit of four nickels, the leftward movement of the price differential slide blocks locking rod 308. In order to insure that four nickels will be deposited and that the machine cannot be deprived of the right amount, a third nickel must be deposited before the fifth nickel operating rod will be immobilized. In the case of slide 68, the price differential slide will immobilize the first nickel locking rod 300, permitting slide 68 to be freed by the deposit of only two dimes. In the case of slide 64, the third nickel locking rod 304 will be immobilized by the price differential slide, permitting slide 64 to move upon the deposit of two nickels and a dime.

By inserting a slug permanently in the position shown by nickel 230 in Fig. 8, the machine will operate for fifteen cent and twenty cent purchases in which case the second change-making lever 352 is replaced. The slug will take the place of one nickel at all times so that the money register will operate on a standard purchase of twenty cents with two nickels and a dime, a quarter giving a nickel change, with two dimes or with four nickels. In the case of a quarter purchase with a twenty-cent setting, the amplitude of motion of the cam 390 carried by the price differential lever 388 is suflicient to actuate only the first change lever 352. The amplitude of motion of the arm 358 carried by the slide 68 is insufficient to cause the change cam 390 to operate the change lever 344 due to the position of the step 396 formed on the change cam lever 388. In the case of a fifteen cent purchase the price differential cam will always operate, thus supplying the equivalent of the second nickel for slide 64 and the fourth nickel in the case of slide 70. When slide 68 is used for the fifteen cent purchase employing two dimes, one nickel in change will be given. When slide 66, which is freed by a quarter, is used for a fifteen cent purchase two nickels in change will be given.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided a coin register assembly adapted to receive one or a plurality of coins of varying denominations, separate the coins into their respective denomination, past the appropriate slug ejectors, permit the vending machine to be operated to dispense the desired merchandise and if a coin or coins equaling a sum too large for the amount required to complete the purchase are used, to give the proper amount of change. I have provided a coin register which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and which is adapted to vend articles having different prices from the same vending machine. I have provided a combined coin register and change-making device in which the coins for change are automatically replenished from coins deposited in the vending machine and which change maker will give the proper amount of change depending upon the price of the article being vended and the denomination of the coins deposited. I have provided a coin register which is sturdy, reliable and safe and which will preclude the operation of a vending machine without the deposit of valid coins of the proper denominations. I have provided a coin register which is flexible and which will permit the operation of a vending machine for a predetermined sum irrespective of the number and denomination of the coins making up this sum. My coin register will operate irrespective of the amount of wear on the coins and in spite of considerable deformation thereof. I have provided a coin register which will not accept the depositors money until after the articles to be purchased are delivered. My coin register is such that it is easily removed as a unit for inspection or replacement. The coin register of my invention has great flexibility and adaptability for application to vending machines of various types irrespective of the sums required to render the coin register operative. I have provided a simple and convenient means for returning coins to the user in event the machine is exhausted of the articles desired to be purchased.

It is to be remembered that the construction I have shown is for purposes of illustration only and that my coin register construction is adapted to be used with a large variety of coins including pennies and half dollars. By the use of additional slides any desired combination of coins may be employed to render the register operative.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A coin register for coin-controlled devices, including in combination, a housing, a plurality of elongated slides generally horizontally positioned in said housing normally free for longitudinal movement therein to a predetermined position, a plurality of carriages mounted for movement transversely of said slides. means for biasing said carriages for movement toward said slides, a plurality of vertically disposed stop members supported by said carriages for movement therewith and into engagement with the slides, a plurality of reentrant portions differing from each other in number or position formed upon said slides adjacent each of said stop members whereby upon a predetermined movement of said slides said stop members will seat in said reentrant portions to arrest movement of said slides, a generally vertical coin guide positioned adjacent said carriages, means for supporting a coin or a plurality of different groups of coins on the coin guide adjacent the carriages, means providing communication between said carriages and said coin guide the construction being such that a coin or plurality of different groups of coins of predetermined denomination positioned in said coin guide will prevent the movement of different carriages or groups of carriages from bearing the stop members to locking position thereby freeing different slides for movement beyond the predetermined position.

2. A register as in claim 1, in which said slides are at least four in number, said supporting means in the coin guide being adapted to receive and position one quarter, five nickels and two dimes, one of said slides being formed with a reentrant portion associated with a stop member adapted to be immobilized by a quarter, another of said slides being formed with reentrant portions associated with stop members adapted to be immobilized by three nickels and a dime, another of said slides being formed with reentrant portions associated with stop members adapted to be immobilized by two dimes and a nickel and another of said slides being formed with reentrant portions associated with stop members adapted to be immobilized by five nickels.

3. A coin register for coin-controlled devices, including in combination, a coin guide, a pivoted money shelf having an upper surface forming the floor of said coin guide and adapted to support the coins positioned therein, a register housing mounted adjacent said coin guide, elongated slides substantially horizontally positioned in said housing normally free for longitudinal movement therein to a predetermined position, a plurality of carriages mounted for movement transversely of said slides, means for biasing said carriages for movement toward said slides, a plurality of generally vertical stop members supported by respective carriages for movement therewith and into engagement with the slides, a plurality of reentrant portions formed upon said slides differing from each other in number or position adjacent one or several of said stop members whereby upon a predetermined movement of said slides said stop members will seat in coacting reentrant portions to arrest the movement of respective slides, means providing communication between said carriages and said coin guide the construction being such that a coin or a plurality of different groups of coins of predetermined denominations positioned in said coin guide will prevent movement of said carriages from bearing the stop members to locking position thereby freeing at least one slide for movement beyond its predetermined position.

4. In a register for a coin-controlled device a sliding member, means mounting said member normally free to slide, a plurality of carriages mounted for movement transversely of the longitudinal axis of said sliding member, stop means carried by each carriage, said sliding member being formed with a plurality of reentrant portions in which respective stop means are adapted to seat after a predetermined movement of said sliding member, means biasing said carriages to move said stop means to seating position, a generally vertically disposed coin guide adapted to receive a plurality of coins, means providing communication between said carriages and said coin guide, the construction being such that when coins totaling a predetermined sum are positioned in said coin guide said carriages will be prevented from carrying said stop members to seating position, thus permitting the sliding member to move beyond its normally predetermined limit of motion, a first manually operable means associated with a column of articles of a certain price equaling said predetermined sum adapted to move said slide when coins equalling said sum are deposited in said coin guide, a price differential slide mounted adiacent said sliding member, means carried by said price differential slide adapted to immobilize one of said carriages to simulate the deposit of a coin in said coin guide, a second manually operable means associated with a column of articles of lower price than said certain price, means associated with said second manually operable means for moving both said first sliding member and said price differential slide to free said sliding member when coins aggregating said lower price are deposited in the coin guide.

5. In a coin register, a coin guide for receiving and positioning coins of different denominations, a pivoted money shelf mounted below the coin guide having an upper surface forming the floor of the guide upon which coins are adapted to rest generally horizontally adjacent to each other, means for pivoting the money shelf in one direction for returning the coins on the money shelf to the depositor, means responsive to the delivery of an article being vended for pivoting the coin shelf in the other direction to accept the coins, a coin reservoir mounted on the money shelf, means for removing a coin from the reservoir for return to a purchaser as change representing the difference between the purchase price of the article being vended and the value of the coin or coins deposited to permit the actuation of a vending machine with which the register is associated, and means for directing coins from the money shelf upon its motion to coin-accepting position into the reservoir to replenish the same.

6. A coin controlled device including in combination an operating chain of elements adapted to move to permit the actuation of the device, said chain including any one of a plurality of slides, means mounting the slides for sliding movement, a plurality of stop means, a plurality of biasing means normally urging the stop means to slide-stopping position, respective means associated with respective slides adapted to eoact with predetermined stop means to arrest the movability of respective References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 715,735 Albert et a1 Dec. 16, 1902 1,347,742 Helt July 27, 1920 1,527,351 Egan Feb. 24, 1925 1,721,441 Forney July 16, 1929 1,737,511 Mitchell Nov. 26, 1929 1,926,848 Giles Sept. 12, 1933 2,279,664 DuGrenier Apr. 14, 1942 2,323,255 Sutherland June 29, 1943 2,377,413 Fry June 5, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 580,500 Great Britain Sept. 10, 1946 142,006 Great Britain Apr. 29, 1920 671,634 Germany Feb. 10, 1939

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