US2718954A - Parking meter - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 27, 1955 C. L. PARTIN PARKING METER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1951 TIME XPIRED lfr com Fig 3 !NVENTOR.. Charles L.PwrZ'I/n POS A TTORNEY S Sept. 27, 1955 c, PART|N 2,718,954

PARKING METER Filed July 3', 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Charles L. Parfiin 2,718,954 Patented Sept. 27, 1955 PARKING METER Charles L. Partin, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to The Superior Switchboard & Devices Company, Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 3, 1951, Serial No. 234,942

8 Claims. (Cl. 194-84) The invention relates generally to parking meters, and more particularly to a parking meter of the type shown in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,416,213, issued February 18, 1947 to George H. Partin.

It is a primary object of the present invention to improve and simplify the construction of the parking meter shown in said Patent No. 2,416,213, and to render its manual resetting operation more positive and less apt to cause jamming or other interference with proper functioning of the meter mechanism.

More specifically, it is an object to improve and simplify the construction and operation of the coin engagement lever, with the result that a single lever will engage coins of different denominations to cause them to actuate the pawl which resets the indicator selectively to measure various time intervals.

Another object is to improve the construction of the coin engagement lever so that it performs the function of releasably holding a coin in the coin display window until the lever is actuated by a subsequent coin during the operation of resetting the indicator.

A further object is to provide improved means for maintaining the depth of the coin channel formed behind the setting plate substantially equal to the thickness of a coin to prevent overlapping and jamming of coins therein. A still further object is to provide a novel means for preventing overswinging of the setting plate by a quick twist of the operating handle, thus preventing the possibility of resetting the indicator to show more time than is paid for, and also preventing possible damage to the gearing of the clock mechanism which drives the indicator back to zero.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, improvements, constructions and arrangements comprising the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the specification as exemplifying the best known mode of carrying out the invention, the scope of the invention being defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example;

Figure 1 is an interior view of the meter taken substantially on line 11 of Fig. 2, the parts being shown at the start of the resetting operation with a nickel coin leaving the coin entry and another nickel coin held at the coin display point;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1, with the setting plate rotated its full amount to reset the indicator;

Fig. 4 is an interior view of the meter showing the setting rack and the indicator attached thereto, taken substantially on line l-1 of Fig. 2, but looking in the direction of arrows 4, 4;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 1, showing the position of the parts just after the resetting operation has been started by a nickel leaving the coin entry, and

substantially on line showing a previously deposited penny being released at the display point;

Fig. 6 is'a similar view showing the position of the parts when the resetting operation is nearly complete and a previously deposited nickel is being released at the display point;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing a penny in the position of releasing a previously deposited nickel from the display point;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 5, showing the operation of the centrifugal pawl which prevents overspeeding of the setting plate;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view as on line 9-9,

Fig. 5; and I Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the driving pawl, showing how a coin engages its cam surface to raise the pawl.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, one side of the meter housing is indicated generally at 11 and may have a curved flange 12 at its lower end for mounting on the top of a supporting post. The other side or complementary part of the housing is adapted to mate with and be locked to part 11 to form a closed housing, in a more or less conventional manner, and is not shown. The upper end of the housing part 11 may have an observation window 13 through which the indicator and the related time scale of the meter may be viewed in a usual manner.

The manual operating handle 14 is located on the exterior of the housing part 11, and is secured on the setting shaft 15 which is in turn secured to the setting plate the screw 17. The shaft 15 is journaled in a flanged bushing 18 on which a coin plate 19 is mounted, and a washer 20 spaces the coin plate from the housing 11. A coin entry plate 21 is mounted within the housing above the setting plate 16 and in the same plane therewith, and the plates 16 and 21 form the front surface of a coin channel the back surface of which is formed by the coin plate 19, the depth of the channel, that is, the distance between the plates 16 and 19, being slightly greater than the thickness of the thicker coin used. This spacing is maintained by a spacer pin 16a attached to setting plate 16, and by the offset periphery 16b of the setting plate slidably engaging the coin plate 19, as best shown in Fig. 9.

The coin entry back plate 21 is positioned across the inner end of a coin entry slot or passage 22 through the housing, through which a coin C may be inserted and pressed fiatwise against the entry plate 21 whence it will drop into the coin channel between the plates 16 and 19.

As shown in Fig. 2, the clock mechanism which drives the indicator may be mounted in a case 24, and the driven shaft 25 of the clock mechanism is clamped by a nut 26 (Fig. 4) to a semicircular time plate 27 which rotates with the shaft. The arcuate setting rack 28 is secured to the plate 27 in spaced relation thereto by means of rivets 29, and the indicator 30 may also be secured rigidly to the plate 27 by one of the rivets 29. The clock mechanism drives the plate 27 and the indicator from a reset position toward the zero position of Fig. 4 at a constant .speed regulated by an escapement mechanism in a conventional manner.

The time expiration flag 31 is pivoted at 32 on the mounting plate 33 which is secured by screws 34 to the clock mechanism case 24. This plate 33 has mounting 'holes 35 at opposite sides which normally fit over the mounting studs 36 on opposite sides of the coin plate 19 (Figs. 1 and 3). When the meter is operating the flag 31 is normally out of sight below the window 13. As the indicator is driven to zero position by the clock mechanism,

" it engages a pin 37 on the lower end of the expiration flag,

and raises the expiration flag 31 into view behind the window 13. When the indicator 30 forces the pin 37 against the top edge of plate 33, the clock mechanlsm is stopped.

Referring to Fig. 1, an arcuate plate 38 is secured to the coin plate 19 alongside of the periphery of the setting plate 16. This plate 38 is substantially the same thickness as the coin channel formed between the plates 16 and 19, and may have its upper end extend beneath the coin entry back plate 21. The plate 38 is provided along its inner edge with coin retainer points or projections 39 and 40 which are engaged by coins passing through the coin channel. As shown in Fig. l, a nickel coin C has just entered the coin channel from the coin entry 22 and is engaging the coin retainer point 39.

A single coin engagement lever 41, best shown in Figs. and 9, is pivoted at 42 on the coin plate 19, and located between plates 16 and 19, the upper rear end portion 43 being offset to extend through a hole 44 in the plate 1%, and the extreme rear end thereof being yieldingly urged downwardly by a tension spring 45 located behind plate 19 and having its lower end attached to the bottom edge of plate 19. The front portion of the lever 41 is curved downwardly and forms a yielding track engaging the edges of the coins traveling through the coin channel, and the lower front end of the lever is provided with a curved projection 46 which normally engages the edge of a coin for holding it in front of a display window 47, commonly known as the Scotch eye.

The lower portion of the arcuate plate 38 is overlapped by a guide plate 48 which helps to guide coins to the display point, and the extreme lower end of the arcuate plate 38 has a coin retainer point 49 which cooperates with the projection 46 to hold a coin at the display point where it can be viewed through the window 47. Immediately below the display point is a coin chute 50 for receiving coins released from the display point and guiding them into a suitable coin box (not shown).

A setting pawl 51 is pivoted at 52 to the setting plate 16, the pawl being provided with an angular flange 53 (Fig. which fits behind the plate 16 on the pivot stud 52. The front edge of the flange 53 is curved at 54 to provide a cam surface which engages the edge of a coin held by the retaining point 39 to raise the front projection 55 of the pawl into engagement with one of the teeth 56 of the rack 28, in the manner shown in Fig. 5. The pawl 51 is normally held down against the periphery of plate 16 by a spring 57 having its lower end secured in a hole in the setting plate 16, so that if the plate 16 is rotated without a coin present in the coin channel, there is no driving connection with the rack 28 which sets the indicator.

Referring to Fig. 1, if a nickel coin C has been inserted through the coin entry and is supported on the coin engagement lever 41, a previously deposited penny coin P will be held at the Scotch eye 47 by engagement with the projection 49 of the plate 38 and the projection 46 of the lever 41. As the setting plate is rotated (counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 1) by turning the setting handle 14, the cam edge 54 of the pawl 51 rides upwardly on the edge of the coin C to engage the projection 55 of the pawl with one of the teeth 56, thus providing a driving connection between the setting plate 16 and the rack 28 to which the indicator 30 is connected.

Further rotation of the setting plate causes the coin engagement lever 41 to yield and allows the coin C to pass by the projection 39, as indicated in Fig. 5. This yielding movement of the lever 41 moves the projection 46 sufficiently to release a penny P which is being held at the Scotch eye, and drop it into the chute 50. Such yielding movement of the lever 41 is not suflicient to release a nickel coin held at the Scotch eye, but when the nickel coin C engages the projection 40, during the further rotation of the setting plate the lever is moved inwardly a suflicient amount to release a nickel coin C at the Scotch eye, as indicated in Fig. 6.

If a penny coin P is inserted through the coin entry, when the setting plate is rotated the coin will pass by the point 39 without raising the pawl 51, but will engage the point 4*!) to raise the pawl into engagement with one of the teeth 56 on the rack 28. Thus the rack is rotated only a fraction of the amount which it is rotated by a nickel coin, and this amount may be related to the time scale to reset the indicator to show twelve minutes for a penny as compared with sixty minutes for a nickel coin. The engagement of the penny P with the projection 40 imparts sufficient yielding movement to the lever 41 to release either a nickel coin C at the Scotch eye, as indicated in Fig. 7 or a penny coin at the same location.

As the handle 14 is rotated clockwise, thereby rotating the setting plate 16 counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8, tension is put on the return spring 58 connected at one end to the setting plate and at its other end to a restraining plate 59 which is secured to the studs 36 opposite to the arcuate plate 3% and overlapping the edge of the setting plate. An arcuate slot 60 is provided in the setting plate, and studs 61 and 62 on the coin plate 19 limit the rotation of the setting plate in both directions. As shown in Fig. 3, the stud 62 limits the rotation of the setting plate 16 in a counterclockwise direction during the resetting operation, and when the handle 14 is released and the spring 58 returns the setting plate, its returning movement is limited by the engagement of the stud 61 with the opposite end of slot 60, as shown in Fig. 1.

A novel pawl 63 is provided for preventing overspeeding of the setting plate by a quick twist of the handle 14, so as to prevent the possibility of inertia advancing the indicator to show more time than is paid for, and also to prevent possible damage to the gearing of the clock mechanism. The pawl 63 is pivoted at 64 on the setting plate 16 and is urged radially inward of the plate by spring 65. The pawl 63 preferably has an angular flange 66 which is adapted to engage the inner edge of restraining plate 59 when the outer end of the pawl 63 is thrown outward by centrifugal force against the tension of the spring 65. The inner edge of plate 59 may be provided with a series of teeth 67 for positively engaging the flange 66 of the pawl, in the manner indicated in Fig. 8. Accordingly, if the handle 14 is given a quick twist when the pawl 51 is engaged with the rack 23, the pawl 63 will swing outwardly by centrifugal force and engage the plate 59 to prevent overspeeding of the setting plate 16 and consequent inertia overswinging the rack 28 which is operatively connected thereto.

In order to insure that the coin channel between the plates 16 and 19 is maintained at the depth determined by the spacer pin 16a and the oflset periphery 16b of the setting plate, so that the channel is slightly deeper than the thickness of the thickest coin being used (for example a nickel), thus permitting such coins and coins of lesser thickness to pass, through the channel without overlapping and jamming, a fiat spring plate 68 is secured at one end to plate 16 by the screw 17 and its other end resiliently presses against the outer peripheral portion of the setting plate 16 radially adjacent to the pawl 51. The spring plate 68 rotates with the setting plate 16, so that the outer end of the spring plate is always pressing the outer peripheral portion of the setting plate toward the coin plate 19 along the coin channel which has the effect of maintaining a constant depth of the channel, that is, the distance between the plates 16 and 19.

in the operation of the improved meter, assuming that a nickel coin C has been inserted through the coin entry slot, as in Fig. l, and a penny coin P was previously deposited and is held at the Scotch eye, as the handle is rotated the pawl 51 is raised by engagement with the coin C to move the pawl end 55 into driving engagement with a tooth 56 on the rack 28, as shown in Fig. 5 As the pawl pushes the coin C forwardly past the point 39, the lever 41 yields sufficiently to disengage the projection 46 from the penny coin P and it drops into the coin chute 50. After the coin C passes point 39 and the coin P drops, the lever 41 is returned to normal position by the spring 45.

As the handle 14 is rotated further, rotating with it the rack 28 and indicator 30, the coin C next engages the retainer point 40 and presses the lever 41 inwardly as in Fig. 6. As previously mentioned, engagement of the coin with the point 40 causes the lever 41 to yield a greater distance than when the coin is at point 39, so that while a nickel coin in the Scotch eye is not released by a nickel coin passing point 39, a nickel coin C in the Scotch eye is released by a nickel coin C passing the point 40.

When the handle 14 has rotated the setting plate 16 to the position of Fig. 3, as limited by stop stud 62, the indicator will have been rotated through approximately 45 or halfway across the operation window 13 to a vertical position, and the time scale (which may be on or adjacent to said window) may show one hour opposite the indicator. Deposit of another nickel coin followed by rotation of the handle will rotate the indicator through approximately another 45 or a total of 90, and indicate two hours on the-time scale, and further movement of the indicator by the handle is prevented because the rack 28 has been advanced to a position where there are no more teeth presentedfor engagement by the pawl 51.

As shown in Fig. 7, if a penny coin P is deposited and moves by the retainer point 39 it is retained by engagement with the point 40, so that after the pawl is rotated and raised by the coin P into driving engagement with a tooth 56, further rotation will cause the lever 41 to yield sufficiently to release a penny coin from the Scotch eye, or release a nickel coin C as shown. The relatively short distance that the indicator is rotated during the final rotation of the setting plate will show a fractional part of an hour on the time scale, as for example, twelve minutes.

The rack 28 is provided with a series of teeth 56 to be selectively engaged by the pawl 51 for rotating the indicator to shown one or two hours on the time scale when one or two nickel coins are deposited, or for rotating the indicator fractions of an hour when penny coins are deposited. Thus two hours may be put on the meter by accumulating fractions of time by depositing a number of penny coins, or by depositing combinations of one nickel coin and one or more penny coins. Obviously, the meter can be arranged to operate with coins of different denominations than nickel and penny coins, and the indicator and time scale can be arranged to show different periods of time than herein described by way of example.

As shown in Fig. 5, as the pawl 51 rotates past the coin entry back plate 21, the pawl prevents entry of another coin fro-m the coin entry slot into the coin channel, and as the pawl and setting plate 16 continue to rotate, the inwardly offset outer periphery 16b of the plate 16 passes under the bottom edge of the plate 21, thus effectively preventing entry of another coin into the coin channel. Accordingly, jamming of coins in the coin channel, by insertion of additional coins in the entry before the setting operation is completed, is avoided.

The present meter construction provides an improved and simplified construction which renders the manual resetting operation of the indicator more positive and less apt to cause trouble or improper operation. The single coin engagement lever provided the dual function of yieldingly holding the coins at the retainer points and releasably holding the coins at the coin display window or Scotch eye. As the setting plate rotates, the spring plate 68 maintains the depth of the coin channel in the area radially adjacent to pawl 51 slightly greater than the thickness of the thickest coin being used, and the centrifugal pawl prevents overspeeding of the setting plate, thus avoiding damage to the clock mechanism and the obtaining of excessive or unpaid-for time.

.In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a parking meter having a coin channel and manually rotatable pawl means engageable with a rotatable indicator setting rack by the pressure against the pawl means of a deposited coin in the channel; a coin plate mounted on the meter forming the back of the channel, a setting plate spaced from the coin plate rotatably mounted on the meter forming the front of the channel, the pawl means being pivotally mounted on the setting plate and having a cam projecting into said channel, a first coin retainer element at one side of the entrance end of said channel to detain deposited coins of predetermined size, a second coin retainer element intermediate the channel ends and at said one side of said channel to detain coins of smaller size, a coin engagement lever pivotally mounted on the coin plate having a portion extending from entrance to exit channel ends along the other side of said channel yieldingly forcing a deposited coin of either size toward said retainers, a coin engaging detent element adjacent the exit end of said channel on said one side thereof, means projecting from an end of said lever portion adjacent and cooperating with said detent normally holding a previously deposited coin of either size at a display point at the exit end of said channel, and said cam being engageable with a deposited coin retained by one of said retainer elements to force the deposited coin past the retainer element while the pawl is being rotated into engagement with the rack, thereby actuating the lever end projecting means to move the same away from said detent to release a previously deposited coin held thereby at the detent.

2. In a parking meter having a coin channel and manually rotatable pawl means engageable with a rotatable indicator setting rack by the pressure against the pawl means of a deposited coin in the channel; a coin plate mounted on the meter forming the back of the channel, a setting plate spaced from the coin plate rotatably mounted on the meter forming the front of the channel, the pawl means being pivotally mounted on the setting plate and having a cam projecting into said channel, a coin retainer projection element at one side of said channel to detain coins of predetermined size, a coin engagement lever pivotally mounted on the coin plate having a portion extending from entrance to exit channel ends along the other side of said channel yieldingly forcing a deposited coin toward said retainer element, a coin engaging detent element adjacent the exit end of said channel on said one side thereof, means projecting from an end of said lever adjacent and cooperating with said detent normally holding a previously deposited coin at a display point at the exit end of said channel, and said cam being engageable with a deposited coin retained by said retainer element to force the deposited coin past the retainer element while the pawl is being rotated into engagement with the rack, thereby actuating the lever end projecting means to move the same away from said detent to release a previously deposited coin held thereby at the detent.

3. In a parking meter having a coin channel and manually rotatable pawl means engageable with a rotatable indicator setting rack by the pressure against the pawl means of a deposited coin in the channel; a coin plate mounted on the meter forming the back of the channel, a setting plate spaced from the coin plate rotatably mounted on the meter forming the front of the channel, the pawl means being pivotally mounted on the setting plate and having a cam projecting into said channel, a first coin retainer element at one side of the entrance end of said channel to detain deposited coins of predetermined size, a second coin retainer element intermediate the channel ends and at said one side of said channel to detain coins of smaller size, a coin engagement lever pivotally mounted on the coin plate having a portion extending from entrance to exit channel ends along the other side of said channel for engaging the edge of a deposited coin, means yieldingly urging said lever portion to force a deposited coin of either size toward said retainers, a coin engaging detent element adjacent the exit end of the channel on said one side thereof, means projecting from an end of said lever portion adjacent and cooperating with said detent normally holding a previously deposited coin or" either size at a display point at the exit end of said channel, and said cam being engageable with the deposited coin retained by one of said retainer elements to force the deposited coin past the retainer element while the pawl is being rotated into engagement with the rack, thereby actuating the lever end projecting means to move the same away from said detent to release a previously deposited coin held thereby at the detent.

4. In a parking meter having a coin channel and manually rotatable pawl means engageable with a rotatable indicator setting rack by the pressure against the pawl means of a deposited coin in the channel; a coin plate mounted on the meter forming the back of the channel, a setting plate spaced from the coin plate rotatably mounted on the meter forming the front of the channel, the pawl means being pivotally mounted on the setting plate and having a cam projecting into said channel, a coin retainer projection element at one side of said channel to detain coins of predetermined size, a coin engagement lever pivotally mounted on the coin plate having a portion extending from entrance to exit channel ends along the other side of said channel for engaging the edge of a deposited coin, means yieldingly urging said lever to force a deposited coin engaged thereby toward said retainer element, a coin engaging detent element adjacent the exit end of said channel on said one side thereof, means projecting from an end of said lever adjacent and cooperating with said detent normally holding a previously deposited coin at a display point at the exit end of said channel, and said cam being engageable with a deposited coin retained by said retainer element to force the deposited coin past the retainer element while the pawl is being rotated into engagement with the rack, thereby actuating the lever and projecting means to move the same away from said detent to release a previously deposited coin held thereby at the detent.

5. In a parking meter having a coin channel and manually rotatable pawl means engageable with a rotatable indicator setting rack by the pressure against the pawl means of a deposited coin in the channel; a coin plate mounted on the meter forming the back of the channel, a setting plate spaced from the coin plate rotatably mounted on the meter forming the front of the channel, the pawl means being pivotally mounted on the setting plate and having a cam projecting into said channel, a first coin retainer element at one side of the entrance end of said channel to detain deposited coins of predetermined size, a second coin retainer element intermediate the channel ends and at said one side of said channel to detain coins of smaller size, a coin engagement lever pivotally mounted on the coin plate having a downwardly curved coin engaging portion extending from entrance to exit channel ends along the other side of said channel yieldingly forcing a deposited coin of either size toward said retainers, a coin engaging detent element adjacent the exit end of said channel on said one side thereof, the curved lever coin engaging portion terminating in a lateral projection adjacent and cooperating with said detent normally holding a previously deposited coin of either size at a display point at the exit end of said channel, and said cam being engageable with a deposited coin retained by one of said retainer elements to force the deposited coin past the retainer element while the pawl is being rotated into engagement with the rack, thereby actuating said lateral lever projection to move the same away from said detent to release a previously deposited coin held thereby at the detent.

6. In a parking meter having a coin channel and manually rotatable pawl means engageable with a rotatable indicator setting rack by the pressure against the. pawl means of a deposited coin in the channel; a coin plate mounted on the meter forming the back of the channel, a setting plate spaced from the coin plate rotatably mounted on the meter forming the front of the channel, the pawl means being pivotally mounted on the setting plate and having a cam projecting into said channel, a coin retainer projection element at one side of said channel to detain coins of predetermined size, a coin engagement lever pivotally mounted on the coin plate having a downwardly curved coin engaging portion extending from entrance to exit channel ends along the other side of said channel yieldingly forcing a deposited coin toward said retainer element, a coin engaging detent element adjacent the exit end of said channel on said one side thereof, the curved lever coin engaging portion terminating in a lateral projection adjacent and cooperating with said detent normally holding a previously deposited coin at a display point at the exit end of said channel, and said cam being engageable with a deposited coin retained by said retainer element to force the deposited coin past the retainer element while the pawl is being rotated into engagement with the rack, thereby actuating the lateral lever projection to move the same away from said detent to release a previously deposited coin held thereby at the detent.

7. in a parking meter having a coin channel and manually rotatable pawl means engageable with a rotatable indicator setting rack by the pressure against the pawl means of a deposited rack in the channel; a coin plate mounted on the meter forming the back of the channel, a setting plate spaced from the coin plate rotatably mounted on the meter forming the front of the channel, the pawl means being pivotally mounted on the setting plate and having a cam projecting into said channel, spacer means on the setting plate slidably engaging the coin plate determining the channel spacing between the coin and setting plates slightly greater than the thickness of the thicker coin used, a spring plate rotatable with the setting plate and having one end secured to the setting plate rotatable mounting and having its other end spring pressing against the setting plate radially adjacent the mounting of the pawl means on the setting plate to maintain a constant depth of the channel determined by said spacer means, a first coin retainer element at one side of the entrance end of said channel to detain deposited coins of predetermined size, a second coin retainer element intermediate the channel ends and at one side of said channel to detain coins of smaller size, a coin engagement lever pivotally mounted on the coin plate having a portion extending from entrance to exit channel ends along the other side of said channel yieldingly forcing a deposited coin of either size toward said retainers, a coin engaging detent element adjacent the exit end of said channel on said one side thereof, means projecting from an end of said lever portion adjacent and cooperating with said detent normally holding a previously deposited coin of either size at a display point at the exit end of said channel, and said cam being engageable with a deposited coin retained by one of said retainer elements to force the deposited coin past the retainer element while the pawl is being rotated into engagement with the rack, thereby actuating the lever end projecting means to move the same away from said detent to release a previously deposited coin held thereby at the detent.

8. In a parking meter having a coin channel and manually rotatable pawl means engageable with a rotatable indicator setting rack by the pressure against the pawl means of a deposited coin in the channel; a coin plate mounted on the meter forming the back of the channel, a setting plate spaced from the coin plate rotatably mounted on the meter forming the front of the channel, the pawl means being pivotally mounted on the setting plate and having a cam projecting into said channel, spacer meanson the setting plate slidably engaging the coin plate determining the channel spacing between the coin and setting plates slightly greater than the thickness of the thicker coin used, a spring plate rotatable with the setting plate and having one end secured to the setting plate rotatable mounting and having its other end spring pressing against the setting plate radially adjacent the mounting of the pawl means on the setting plate to maintain a constant depth of the channel determined by said spacer means, a coin retainer projection element at one side of said channel to detain coins of predetermined size, a coin engagement lever pivotally mounted on the coin plate having a portion extending from entrance to exit channel ends along the other side of said channel yieldingly forcing a deposited coin toward said retainer element, a coin engaging detent element adjacent the exit end of said channel on said one side thereof, means projecting from an end of said lever adjacent and cooperating with said detent normally holding a previously deposited coin at a display point at the exit end of said channel, and said cam being engageable with a deposited coin retained by said retainer element to force the deposited coin past the retainer element while the pawl is being rotated into engagement with the rack, thereby actuating the lever end projecting means to move the same away from said de tent to release a previously deposited coin held thereby at the detent.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,342,017 Fox June 1, 1920 2,161,046 Hitzeman June 6, 1939 2,304,012 Neff Dec. 1, 1942 2,323,402 Jones July 6, 1943 2,416,213 Partin Feb. 18, 1947

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