US2942713A - Coin device - Google Patents

Description

June 28, 1960 w. A. PATZER COIN DEVICE Filed Oct. 16, 1957 FLTG. J

Q4 7 war? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HIE-Ell!!! INVENTOR. William 6!. $41362 QZMfW June 28, 1960 w. A. PATZER 2,942,713

com DEVICE Filed Oct. 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1' 46 I a h INVENTOR. a? ZUz/Zz'anz 6!.142362 United States ate-tits cons nnvrcn A. Patzer, Chicago, 11]., assignor to- Seth B. Atwood, Rocldor'tLIll. 7

Filed Oct. 16, 1957, Set-(No. 690,545

10 Claims. (Cl. 194-99.).

This invention vrelates to a. coin indicator, and more particularly to a device for selectively responding to the deflection causes the microswitch to momentarily close,

thereby(actuating the vending machine, either directly .through closing a simple on-ofi switch-in a circuit connected to the vending machine, or indirectly by driving a rotary switch whose angular position ,is related to the amount of money inserted in these coin slots. Such a switch rotates until the proper amount of money is inserted in the machine, at which time it makes acontact which closes a circuit and actuates the vending machine. Such devices are commonly'known as accumulators or totalizers.

In either case, changing economic conditionsfluctuating costs of labor andmaterials, and changes in the nature of the product sold by the vending .machine, make it desirable to be able to easily adjust the vending machine to vary the prices charged for the merchandise. Such adjustments are possible to a limited extent in existing equipment by changing the angular position of the hot contact point in the accumulator, or by shorting outor rearranging the connections between themicroswitches associated with each coin slot. For example, in vending machinesvof the type described above which are provided with slots for receiving quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies, it would be a comparatively simple matter to connect the microswitches in a conventional circuit .for selectively selling products .for 25, 10, 50, or 1 or for their sums, 26, 30, 31, 35, 36, 40, and 41. On the other hand, it would be much more difilcult to adjust such vending machines to sell products for 57 or for 82 for example, because such a modification would require a fundamental redesign of the circuit.

Similarly, although accumulators are more easily adaptable to adjustments injprice, they too have aprice "ceiling which cannot be exceeded without afundamental redesign of the circuit, or by providing another enlarged accumulator. Furthermore, although the accumulators can be adjusted, within limits, each adjustment is .in increments of 5. This is not always satisfactory since price increases of only '1 are frequently needed, and anything greater might render the product non-competitive from a price standpoint. More particularly, it often happens that products which sell for 5 :or 6 must be raised to 7, or products which sell for 25 must be raised to 27. This cannot be conveniently done by existing equipment, and it would he uneconomical to go to the expense of completely redesigning this equipment to provide the additional price flexibility.

What is needed, therefore, and comprises the principal object of this invention, is a device for conveniently adjusting the prices which a vending machine can charge for the merchandise to permit a greater flexibility and range in them.

.A further object of invention to provide a modified coin-receiving mechanism for coin-operated vending machines which can be attached .to the vending machine without extensive modificatiom'and whichgreatly srilarges h n e o P s P W i h e m n can charge for the merchandise.

Still another object of this .inventionis to provide a modifiedcoinaeceivingmechanism for electrically operated vending machines which greatly enlarges .therange number of possible prices the vending machine can char-geafor themerchandise, and which .nntrequire any modification of the electrical circuit.

Yet another object of this invention .toprovide a modified coin-receiving mechanism which canbe adjusted in a simple and efficient manner selectively to vary the price of merchandise by:one or two cents to change .the price from 6 cents to 7 cents or from 7 cents to 6 cents, for example. i i

Still another object of this invention is provide a simple, easily constructed, coin-receiving.mechanismior electrically operated vending machines which can greatly enlarge 'the number and range of possible prices which ,the vending machine can charge for the merchandise.

These and other objects and advantages of thisinvention will become more apparent whenread inthe light of the accompanying drawings and specification wherein- .Figure l'is a front elevational view of the coin-receiving mechanism for an electrical vending machine with one coin slot constructed according to the principles of invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the coin-receiving mechanism described above;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the coin-receiving mechmm;

Figure 4 is a rear view taken on the line 41-4 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction indicated;

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the coinereceiving mechanism with a microswitch removed to disclose the weighted support member in supporting position;

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the coinereceiving mechanism with a microswitch and upper vfront plate member removed and with the position of the weighted support member in supporting position indicated in dotted lines;

'Figure 7 is a frontelevat ional view of the coin-receiving mechanism with the microswitch removed to show the 'weightedsupport' member in retracted position;

Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the coinereceiving mechanism with a portion of the upper front plate member removed and showing the position of the weighted support member in retracted position in dotted lines; and

Figure 9 is a sectional View taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 5 and looking in the direction indicated.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, the coinreceiving mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 comprises a housing 12. The housing consists of a central portion'ldhaving downwardly extending open-faced coin-receiving slots :or channels formed on its opposed sides. These'channels include a penny-receiving channel 21, see Figure 3. Front and rear upper plate members 16 and .18 are secured to the upper-part of the central portion 1401: the housing, see

Figure These plate members act to close the :open

faces of the coin-receiving channels described above, to restrict the passage of coins therein. The-central port o 1 s o p o ed t a d wn a d extending and somewhat rectangular projection 20, see Figures 6 V V and 8. This projecting portion provides an extension for the nickel-receiving channel 19 and the penny-receiving channel 21 on the opposite sides of the central portion 14. Front and rear lower plate members 22 and 27 are secured to the opposite sidesof this projection 20 to close the open faces of the'channels therein, see Figure 2.

Associated 'with each coinqeceiving] channel, and moiintedon these front and rear-plate membersare a a plurality of microswitches, see Figures 1 and 4. These I include microswit'ch'2'4 which islp'rovided witha coin- *sensing of actuating 2 5. is movable bei tween a switch-open and a switch-closed position and V tegra lly attached, and inwardly projecting coin-sensing is adapted'to*engagetheupper and lower edges of the is bent perpendicularly to form inwardly projecting step 7 portions. The end portion 26 of this arm penetiate'sthe upper front plate member- 16 through an arc uatejslot 28 Figure 3; ,With thisarrang ement, when a dime isinand terminatesinsidetheflime-receivihg channelzl7; see I sorted-in the dime-receiving channel 17 through the openings atthe top of the housing, it will engage and deflect the actuating arm and force it to the lower edge of slot'28. This in turn'wilhcausefthe microswitch' 24 to {close long enough to actuate a relay and a holding ciror cylindrical abutment member 66, and is also provided with an inwardly projecting'limit arm 67. This abutment opening 63 whenthe supportmemb er 60 is rotated for restficfingiits p qta fieq m T'I' owcrjjarm of this weighted support member-.60 isproyided with an integrally attachedflat metal weight-70 mlbiasing thesupport member back to its supporting position when it is momentarily rotated away from it, see Figure 7. 'The lower end of 68; terminatesin a hat hook member 72 witha. straightiwork-engaging edge 73.: edge is adapted to engage the 'coin-sensingportion 52015 the ac-' tua tingarm -48,'and keep it from moving to the circuit ouit' (not shown), After thexdi-rne passes through the i channel 17, the actuating arm 25 spring-biased back 5 to itsrest'or circuit open position attheupper edge of "slot 28, see Figure l. The other microswitchesassm 'ciated with the fcoin-receiving mechanism operate in'a similar fashion," In particulaninicroswitch 30, see Fig-.

ure '4, is secured to the upper rear plate member 18. This rnieroswitchis also provided witha coin-sensing or actuating arm 32 which is bent perpendicularly to form an inwardly projecting end portion 34, see Figure '31 This "closed position when-the first penny is inserted in the coin-receiving slot 21, andin addition itcauses the coin-' -'sen'sing portion 52to obstruct the further passage of the pennies-through the housingflz.v The upperyandlower arms of the weighted support member 60-a1 e so related -in size and shape, and the curve of the upper arm is so fend portion penetrates housing 12' through the arcuate 7 slot 36' which extends completely through the housing. 7 Slot 36 also passes through the quarter-receiving channel 15, so when a quarter is inserted therein, the rnicroswitch will be momentarily closed. Another microswitch 38 is securedito the upper rear plate member 18. This micro switch is provided with .anactuating arm 40 which is bent to form" an inwardly projecting portion 42. ,This portion penetrates an arcuatej slot 44 extending complete- "1y through'the housing and through-the nickel slot 19.

The final microswitch 46 is adapted to be actuated by pennies. 'This microswitch is mounted on the lower front plate 22 and is provided'with the usual actuating arm'48. arm is bent inwardly and penetrates the-lower front plate 22. throughan arcuate window 50 formed therein,

terminating in-a. U-shaped coimsensing portion 52, see 11:

Figure 9. The base of this portion of the actuating arm 48Jrides'in a groove 23in the bottom surface of the penny-receiving channel 21. This is the microswitch which is adapted to be selectivelyclosed by the-insertion of either one or two pennies, in. the penny-receiving channel 21, as will be described below. 7

The 'microswitch 24 is mounted on asupporting plate 54, .see Figure l. This supporting plate is bolted to upwardly projecting 'lugnuts 56 which are'integral' with the. central portion 14 of the housing, and which penetrate openings 58 in the upper front plate member 16, see Figures 1 7 and 8. An outwardly projecting pivot 'pin 59 is integral withthe upper front plate member 16. A weighted support member acting as a selectively adjustable microswitch-deactivating means, and indicated generally by the reference numeral- 60, is provided with a substantially centrally located pivot pinreceiving opening 62. This support member is pivotallymounted on pivot pin 59 which penetrates the pivot pin-receiving opening 62 The supportmember 60.is .heldonthispivot-pin pronounced, that-when a penny encounters abutment member 66 is exerts a force on thesupport member 60 which is transverse to a radial line extending fronrits pivotal axis of rotation, and consequently exerts a torque on' it which causes it'to rotate within the limits defined by the limit slot 63 and the limit arm 67.

,A Y-shaped actuating or control lever member 74 is pivotally secured to the upper front plate 16 at 76 by any conventional means such as a rivet. A friction washer '(not shown) may be positioned between the lever member. 74 and the front plate member 16 to provide a means' for holding the lever in place until it is intentionally moved. The lower end. 78 of lever 74 is forked 'to provide spaced abutments. One of the tines 80 of "the" forked portion 78 is bent perpendicularlyjso it projects outwardly from the upper front plate member 16.

When the control lever 74 is pivoted in the clockwise direction, this tine engages the upper arm 64 of the pivoted supportmember 60 and forces it to rotate until limit arm 67 moves into engagementwith the lower edge of the limitfdetining opening 63 in the upper'front plate portion 16, see Figure 7. In this position, the hook member 73 of -the pivoted support member or microswitchdeactivating means is retracted and moved out of engagement'with the U-shaped coin-sensing portion 52 of the'actuating arm 48 ofthe microswitch 46, see Figures.

7 and 8. This corresponds to a conventional operation of the "coin-sensing mechanism so that each penny inserted in the penny-receiving slot'21: engages. the unsupmovement frees the supportmember 60 and permits it to rotate back to its supportingposition in which the upp'er edge 73 of the hook member 72is in supporting engagement with the U-shaped'coin-sensing portion 52 of,

the actuating arm 48 inthe pennyqeceiving channel 21.

It is important to note'that thefforce directedagainst the hook member'is along a radial line, with respect to the pivotal axis of the support memberi'60, so that the support member wont rotate because of the force exerted on it by the weight ofthe'penny, as it did when the penny encountered the abutment or 'coin-sensing'member 66, see FiguresS and 9.

e erents To understand the operation of the coin-receiving mechanism 10, it must first be'understood that-when any of the microswitches are mcmentarily closed by -the passage of a coin in the slot, either the 'rotary contact-arm of the accumulator is rotated a predetermined amount,

corresponding to the amount of money "inserted, "or in :the more simple vending machines "which do notrequire an accumulator, one of-the switches in'the 'circuit'tothc :vending'machine is made to close. The above-described structure provides a means for causing these micro- .switches to close just once for the passage of either one :nies 82 which are inserted in'the-coin-receiving channel 21 of the coin-receiving mechanism, see Figures "6 and 8. Accordingly, each penny insertedin the slot 21 will engage and deflect the actuating arm 48 on the microswitch 46, momentarily closing that "switch as the coin passes out of the coin-receiving mechanism through the exit 84. Rotating the Y-shaped control lever 74 to the position shown in Figure .5, permits thepivoted support member 69 to rotate because of the biasing force exerted by the weight 76. This rotation continues until the edge 73 of the hook member 72 moves back to its supporting position under the rectangular coin-sensing portion 52 of the actuating arm '48 andthe limit arm 67 engages the upper edge of opening 63, see Figures 5 :and 6. This deactivates the microswitch by preventing the actuating arm from moving when a single penny is inserted in slot 21. .Such a penny will move downwardly in the slot until it engages and is stopped by the obstructing rectangular portion 52, see Figure 6.

Villrenever a penny is inserted in the coin-receiving channel 21, with the support member ll in'the position shown in Figures 5 and 6, it first encounters the abutment member .66. This encounter deflects the abutment member and pivots thesupport member 60 out-of supporting engagement with the coin-sensing portion 52 of the actuating arm 48 in the penny-receiving channel 2i. This movement of the abutment member 66 is sufiicient to permit the inserted penny to pass by it and move down the coin-receiving channel 21. After the penny passes the abutment mem er 66, the biasing force exerted by the Weight 70 causes the support member '69 to rotate back to its .n'iicroswitch-deactivating or arm-sup- .porting position shown in "Figures 5 and 6. .If the control lever 74 is in the position shown in Figure 5, in which the vending machine is required'to *charge'an extra penny for the merchandise, the support member 60 must return to its supporting position before the first inserted penny encounters the rectangular portion 52 of the actuating arm 48. This requires that the weight of the support member 69 be carefully chosen to keep its inertia down to a minimum. As a further aid, the path of the channel 21 is bent slightly at .33, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, to slow the penny slightly and provide the "required time delay, and in addition, the curve in the channel 21 acts to restrict the direction of the force exerted by the penny on the support member to a radial direction so that the pivotally mountedsupport'member will not rotate under that force.

To this point, the microswitch 46 has not 'closed despite the insertion of the first 'penuy. When, however, the second penny is inserted, its engagement with the abutment member 66 overrides the microswitch-deactivating support member 60 and causes it to rotate out of supporting engagement 'with the coin-sensing portion 52 of the actuating arm 48. This frees the first inserted penny retained in the slot and permits it to force arm 48 down to close the microswitch 46 as the first inserted penny moves down the channel 21. Because of the mass of the penny, there .an additional small time delay caused by its inertia, and the frictional resistance it makes with the surface of the channel 21. additional time delay is sufiicient to permit the second inserted penny to catch .up with the first on'ebefore-='they .leave theexit 84 of the penny-receiving channel 21. This keeps the actuating arm48 deflectediand the microswitch 46 closed until "both'pennies move-out-of the penny-rece'iving slot 21. In1tliis way, his apparent that'by adiusting the actuating orcontrol lever 74, thecoin-receiving mechanism'can lbema'de to require two coins or pennies implace of 'one'ifor a single closingof the microswitch 24,.and so that price charged forian'article selling 'for 15 for example, can be "raised to 7 or reduced from"7 to 6without any further alteration or adjustment ofthe vending machine.

In the example shown, the apparatus has beenapplied only to the penny-receiving slot 21 for the purposes of illustration and because increments of a penny in price of articles are very common. It is, of course, obvious that the same modifications could be applied to'the other coin-receiving slots in thecoin-re'ceiving mechanism in the'vending machine for greatlyincreasing or decreasing the possible prices that the'vending machine can accept for the merchandise. For example, suppose each slot had this "mechanism attached so either one or two coins of a particular denomination wouldbe required to pass through the mechanism and close the associated microswitch, it would 'be at once apparent that the maximum price that the vending machine could charge would be doubled or reduced, or in the example described'in this case, the maximum price that a vending machine'without an accumulator could charge for the merchandise would be raised from 41 to 82. In addition, the number of possible prices between 143 and 82 which the machine could charge would be multiplied by 'a very considerable factor. This is because thereare four coin-receiving channels or slots, and each slot could be adjusted to selectively receive either one or two coins.

For example, the various actuating or control levers could be adjusted so that the machine requires two quartcrs, one nickel and two pennies for merchandise selling 'for 57, or these control levers could be adjusted so that the machine required one quarter, two dimes and one penny for articles selling for 46, etc. 'It is'again pointed out that all of these changes could be made without making any variation in the electrical circuit. 'In addition, with reference to a coin-receiving mechansm of the type which drives an accumulator, it is apparent that this modification effectively doubles the capacity of the accumulator without altering its electrical circuit, and in addition, increments of one cent in the price of the merchandise would still be possible.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof as set forth in the claims, and the present embodiment is therefore to be considered as illustrative" and not restrictive, and it is intended to include all changes which come within the scope'andrange of the claims.

I claim:

l. A coin-receiving mechanism of the class described, comprising in combination a housing, 'saidhousing having at least one downwardly extending coin-receiving slo't .therein, and circuit closing means associated with said housing, said circuit-closing means provided with an actuating arm movable between a circuit-"openpos'ition and a circuit-closing position, means biasing said actuating arm to a circuit-open position, said actuating 'armhaving a portion extending into said one coin-receiving slot whereby coins gravitating therethrough are adapted to engage said arm and momentarily move it to itis circuitclosing position, a supporting member pivotally mounted on said housing and movableinto supporting engagement sition. 1

member'engages said actuating arm a coin inserted in saidslot is prevented from moving said actuating arm to. its circuit closing position and its :passage through said coin receiving-slot is ,obstructed'by said actuating arm, an abutment member rigidly connected to said sup- 'porting member and positioned in said coin receiving slot in upwardly spaced relation to saidactuating arm,

' 2 said abutmentmemberqengaged and deflected by each coin, inserted in, said coin receiving slot so -that the'supp tt n mb r m ment ri r o e ou o upp 'fto supporting engagement with said actuating {after it has been momentarily moved out of supporting engagement with the actuating arm by the insertion of a j coin in sa'id coin receiving slot, said coi'nreceiving slot shaped to-provide' a time delay f or the passage of coins the first inserted coin can engage and deflect'said por tion of the actuating arm whereby said first inserted 'coin is retained in said coin receiving slot, and shaped engagement with said ac'tuating arm so that while'the support member-engages said actuating arma coin-of saidparticular denominationlinserteddn said slot is prevented from moving said actuating arm to its switch closed position and its passage through; said coin 'trece'iving slot is obstructed by said actuating arm, said upper arm upwardly inclined and provided with a transverse abutment member which projects into said coin receiv- "ing slot in said housing for engagement by each coin "10 oing engagement withsaid'actuating arm every time a afiqim in e t diinsa Qu n-"re v 5 s i s means connected to;sai d supporting member' to ;I11OV6 'it-;baCk

to-permit a second coin next'inserted in said coin re- .ceivingtslot which deflects said abutment member and --thereby freessaid first coin to move downward in said coin receiving slotand toforce said actuating 21111110 3. circuit closingpositiomto' catch up with said first coin .in said 'coin receiving slot to prevent said actuatingarm I from moving back to its circuit open position before both coins :pass entirely through said coin receiving mechanism. Y

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, including means for holding said supporting member out of engagement withsaid actuating arm so that each coin inserted in said coin-receiving slot engages said portion of said actuating armv and moves it momentarily 'to its circuit-closing po- 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 'wherein said supporting member includes upper and lower arms and a substantially centrally positioned pivot pin-receiving opening, said upper arm'arcuately curved and provided with a transverse abutment member whichprojects into said coin-receiving slot inside said housing, said lower arm provided with'a laterally projecting and integrally attached weight member for biasing said supporting member to its supporting position, said lower arm terminating in a supporting hook member, said coin-receiving slot' shaped so that the force exerted on said supporting-member by said retained coin-in saidcoin-receiving slot is ,directed'along alineradial with the pivotal axis of ro tation' of the supporting member so that the supporting member will not-rotate out of supporting engagement when it supports the actuating arm and the weight of the retained coin; V n j v 7 Y 7 I4; A'coin-receiving mechanism of the-class described, comprising in combination a housing, said housing having at least one downwardly extending coin-receiving slot thercing a microswitch mounted on said housing, said 7 zmicroswitch provided'with an actuatingarm movable between aswitoh-open and a switch-closed position, means biasing said :actuating armto a switch-open position, said actuating arm having a portion mov ably mounted in said housing and extending into said one loom-receiving slot 7 whereby coins of a particular denomination gravitating therethrough are adapted'to engage said arm and mo 'mentarily move it to its switch closed position, a lever including upper and lower arms pivotally mounted on saidfhousing, the lower arrn of said lever'providedwith a laterally projecting rigidly attached biasing weight memher and a support member, said biasing 'weight me'mber adapted to *move said support member into supporting of a particular denomination g ravitating therethrough, said abutment spaced far enough away from the pivotal axis of said lever and positioned so the weight of'each -coin of said particular denomination inserted in. said' coin receiving slot and engagingjsaid abutment pivots said :lever so saidfsupportmember temporarily moves. out of supporting engagement 'with said actuating arm, said coin receiving slot shaped so the forceeriertedlon the support member of theleverj bylthe weightkof the coin cient topermitthe support member which is momentarily moved out of supporting engagement with said actuating arm by the engagement of a first coin inserted in said slot with said abutment member to return to its supporting position before the first inserted coin can engage anddefiect said portion of the actuating arm whereby said first inserted coin is retained in said coin receiving slot, and shaped to permit a second coin next 7 inserted in said coin receiving slot which deflects said abutment member'and'thereby frees said first coin to move downward in said coin receiving slot and force said actuating arm to a switch closed position, to catch up with said first coin in said slot and thereby prevent said actuating arm from moving back to its switch open position before both coins pass entirely through said coin receiving mechanism, and .acontrol lever pivotally mounted in said housing, said control lever adapted to be pivoted into engagement with said lever to overcome the biasingforce exerted by said weight member and to pivot the lever so the support member is held permanently out of engagement with said actuating arm whereby each coin of said particular denomination inserted in said coin receiving slot engages the unsupported portion of said actuating arm and moves it momentarily to its switch closed position.

5. A'coin receiving mechanism of the class described comprising a housing, said housing having at least one downwardly extending coin receiving slot therein, a lever having upper and lower arms pivotally mounted on' said housing and movable between a first position where said slotis obstructed and a secondposition'where the slot is not obstructed, the ends of said arms positioned'adjacent upper and lower portions of said slot, the upper arm of said lever having an abutment member secured thereto and extending in;the upper portion of said slot for engagement with coins of a particular denomination inserted in said slot, said lower arm'of said leve'r proexerted by said biasing means pivots said lever arm' and moves it to said second position, said pivoting movement suflicient to permit said coin to move'past said abutme'nt rnember and continue downward in the slot while the biasing means returns said lever to its first -position',"- said slot shaped to provide'a time delay for the passage ofrcoins of said denomination therethrough which is sufficient to permit the lever which is momentarily pivoted'to the second position by the engagement of a first coin insertedin said slot with said abutment member to return to its first position and cause said first inserted coin to be retained in said slot, and shaped to permit a second coin next inserted in said coin receiving slot which engages said abutment member and pivots said lever to said second position thereby permitting said retained first coin to continue its movement through said slot, to catch up with said first coin before said lever can move back to its first position so that thereafter both coins can move through the slot substantially together.

6. A coin receiving mechanism of the class described comprising a housing, said housing having at least one downwardly extending coin receiving slot, a lever having upper and lower arms pivotally mounted on said housing, the ends of said arms positioned adjacent upper and lower portions of said slot, the upper arm of said lever having an abutment member secured thereto and extending in the upper portion of said coin receiving slot for engagement with coins of a particular denomination inserted in said slot, said lower arm of said lever provided with a laterally projecting rigidly attached weight member and a support member, the length of the arms and their relationship with said slot such that each coin of said denomination inserted in said slot engages said abutment member and overcoming the opposing force exerted by said weight member pivots said lever arm, said pivoting movement suflicient to permit said coin to move past said abutment member and continue downward in its slot while the biasing weight returns said lever to its initial position, and means in said lower portion of said slot movable between a first and second position, said means in said first position positioned to be engaged by coins of said denomination passing through said slot and moved thereby to said second position substantially out of the path of the coins passing through said slot, said means biased toward said first position, the support member of said lever biased into engagement with said means by said attached weight and while in that position, coins of said denomination moving down in said slot engage said means and are obstructed and retained in said slot, said coin receiving slot shaped to provide a time delay for the passage of coins of said denomination therethrough which is suificient to permit the support member which is momentarily moved out of supporting engagement with said means by the engagement of a first coin inserted in said slot with said abutment member and the consequent pivoting movement of said lever arm, to return to its supporting position before the first inserted coin can engage said means whereby the first inserted coin is retained in said coin receiving slot, and shaped to permit a second coin next inserted in said coin receiving slot which engages said abutment member and causes said supporting member to move out of supporting engagement with said means thereby freeing said first coin to move said means to said second position as it moves down said slot, to catch up with said first coin before said means can move back to its first position so that both coins thereafter move through the remainder of the slot substantially together.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein said slot is shaped so the force exerted on the support member of the lever by the weight of the obstructed coin is radially directed so the lever will not rotate said support out of supporting engagement with said means because of the said weight of the obstructed coin.

8. A coin receiving mechanism adapted to be connected to a vending machine to enable it to be operated, comprising a housing, said housing having at least one coin receiving slot, the width of said slot substantially uniform and substantially equal to the diameter of coins of a particular denomination to pe it he passage of said coins-therethrough, actuating means in said housing, said actuating means enabling operation of the vending machine in response to passage of a coin of said denomination through a predetermined portion of said slot, blocking means mounted in said housing and movable between a first and second position, said blocking means in said first position operating to retain coins of said denomination in said slot and prevent their passage past said predetermined portion of said slot, and in said second position permitting every coin of said denomination inserted in said slot to move past said predetermined portion of said slot, coin responsive means connected to said blocking means and operating to temporarily move said blocking means to said second position at least when the second of two coins of said denomination passes through said slot so that both coins of said denomination move past said predetermined portion of said slot together and cause a single movement of said actuating means which enables a vending machine to be operated, and means for permanently holding said blocking means in said second position in said slot so that said actuating means moves to enable a vending machine to be operated each time a coin of said denomination passes through said slot.

9. A coin receiving mechanism of the class described comprising in combination a housing, said housing having at least one coin receiving slot extending therethrough, and circuit closing means mounted in said housing, said circuit closing means having a portion extending into said coin receiving slot and movable therein whereby the passafe of a coin of a particular denomination through said slot engages and moves said portion of the circuit closing means and closes a circuit, supporting means mounted in said housing and movable into supporting engagement with the portion of said circuit closing means so it is prevented from moving by the passage of a coin of said particular denomination in said slot and so obstructs and retains said coin in said slot, coin responsive means in said slot, said coin responsive means rigidly secured to said supporting means and operating to temporarily move said supporting means out of supporting engagement with said portion of said circuit closing means whenever coins of said denomination pass through said slot, means biasing said supporting means so it automatically returns to its supporting position after it has been temporarily moved away therefrom, said coin receiving slot shaped to provide a time delay for the passage of a first coin through said slot which is suflicient to permit the supporting means to return to its supporting position and thereby block the passage of a coin of said denomination through said slot, and when a second coin is inserted in said slot to permit the second coin to catch up with the first coin after the supporting means has been temporarily moved out of said slot so that both coins move through a portion of the coin receiving slot together and cause only a single circuit closing movement of the circuit closing means.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 9 including means for permanently holding said supporting means out of supporting engagement with said portion of said circuit closing means so said portion of said circuit closing means moves to close a circuit each time a coin of said denomination passes through said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,179,091 Hoyt Nov. 7, 1939 2,204,083 Hoyt June 11, 1940 2,674,655 Gallagher Apr. 6, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 172,893 Great Britain Dec. 22, 1921

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