US3054493A

US3054493A - Check-controlled apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3054493A
Application number: US783909A
Authority: US
Inventors: James T Schuller
Original assignee: National Vendors Inc
Current assignee: National Vendors Inc
Priority date: 1958-12-30
Filing date: 1958-12-30
Publication date: 1962-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 1979-09-18
Also published as: GB918787A

Description

Sept. 18, 1962 .1. T. scHuLLER CHECK-CONTROLLED APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 30, 1958 J. T. SCHULLER 3,054,493

CHECK-CONTROLLED APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 5.

Sept. 18, 1962 Filed DSC. 30, 1958 Sept. 18, 1962 J. T. scHuLLER 3,054,493

CHECK-CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed Deo. 30. 1958 3 Sheets-Shea?l 3 United States Patent Giice 3,954,493 Patented Sept. 18, 1962 3,054,493 CHECK-CNTROLLED APPARATUS .lames 'I'. Sclruller, St. Anns, Mo., assigner to National Vendors, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Dec. 30, 1958, Ser. No. 783,909 25 Claims. (Cl. 1941-94) This invention relates to check-controlled apparatus, and more particularly to coin-controlled apparatus for controlling a lock.

The invention is herein illustrated particularly as it pertains to coin-controlled apparatus for controlling the operation of the lock of a locker such as is used in a transportation terminal for storing baggage, parcels, etc. Conventionally, such a locker has a coin-controlled keyoperated lock mechanism which is held against being locked unless an appropriate coin is inserted, the key being removable by the user after locking. The conventional type of mechanism does not provide any control over the length of time of use of the locker by a user. To -avoid use of a locker for more than an allotted period of time, it has been necessary to provide auxiliary service for opening each locker upon expiration of the allotted time to remove its contents to a check room, where the owner may check his property out on presentation of the key and payment of additional storage charges. Providing this auxiliary service to collect for overtime is uneconomical.

With regard to such lockers, the object of the invention is the substantial reduction of uneconomical auxiliary service, the invention involving the provision of a coincontrolled apparatus which is conditioned by the deposit of a predetermined amount in coin to permit locking of the locker, which remains conditioned for unlocking of the locker up to a predetermined time without requiring deposit of any additional coins, and which is thereafter conditioned to require the deposit of additional coins in order to unlock the locker, the additional amount required being increased from time to time. Thus, the coin-controlled apparatus itself takes care of collecting for overtime, at least up to a considerable amount of overtime.

It will be understood that the invention may be useful for controlling operations other than that above described. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a coin-controlled apparatus of this invention, parts being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation of FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragment of FIG. l showing a moved position of parts, also including a wiring diagram;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view in elevation of mechanism actuated by the lock of the locker; and,

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing a moved position of parts.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, there is fragmentarily indicated at 1 and 3 in FIGS. l, 2, and 5, a pair of bars adapted for operation upon turning the key of a locker. These also appear in FIGS. 7 and 8. Bar 1, which is referred to as a lock release bar, is adapted to be moved downward (if free to move) upon turning the key of a locker either to lock or to unlock the locker. Bar 3,

which is referred to as a reset bar, is adapted to be moved downward on turning the key to unlock the locker. If bar 1 is not free to move down, the locker cannot be locked (if unlocked), or unlocked (if locked). The mechanism whereby bars 1 and 3 are actuated on turning the key is part of the lock mechanism of the locker. lt is shown separately in FIGS. 7 and 8 and will be later described.

The apparatus of this invention comprises a lockout lever or feeler 5 adapted to hold bar 1 against full downward movement (permitting only a limited downward movement of bar 1 insuthcient for locking or unlocking of the locker). Lever 5 is pivoted intermediate its end at 7 on a main mechanism plate 9 of the apparatus of this invention. It is biased by a spring 11 to swing clockwise as viewed in FIGS. l and 5 to a retracted position determined by its engagement with a stop pin 13 on plate 9. Lever 5 has a tab 14 at its left end located underneath and engageable by the release bar 1. Lever 5 extends over a totalizer member constituted by a recorder wheel 15 (see FIGS. l, 5 and 6) which serves as a stop for lever 5. Wheel 15 is rotatable on a stud 17 on plate 9. It has a peripheral notch 19. Lever 5 carries a toggle 21 pivoted thereon at 23. Toggle 21 has a downwardly extending arm 25 adapted to enter the notch 19 in wheel 15 when the wheel is turned to the fully advanced FIG. 5 position (referred to as its zero position) in which notch 19 is directed upward underlying toggle arm 25. Then lever 5 is free to swing counterclockwise from its retracted position of FIGS. l and 5 through a full stroke, i.e., a working stroke. In any other position of the wheel, counterclockwise swing of the lever 5 is limited by engagement of toggle arm 25 with the periphery of the wheel to preclude full downward working movement of lever 5 and lever 1.

The recorder wheel or stop 15 is biased to rotate clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 by a return spring 27 (see FIG. 6). The wheel is adapted to be stepped forward (counterclockwise) from a fully retracted position through a range of intermediate positions in steps corresponding to the number of coins of a particular denomination which are to be deposited by the user thereby to register credits. Normally the wheel occupies one of its intermediate positions, a position two steps back from its zero position as hereinillustrated in FIG. l. This is referred to as the starting position of the wheel. Insertion of an appropriate number of coins (two coins as herein illustrated) results in stepping the wheel forward from this intermediate position to the above-mentioned FIG. 5 zero position in which the notch in the wheel comes into position for accepting toggle arm 25. Periodically the wheel is stepped back one step at a time thereby to subtract credits, as will be made clear, so that if the locker remains locked for more than an allotted period of time, the user will have to deposit an additional coin or coins to step the wheel forward to zero position to be able to unlock the locker.

The mechanism plate 9 has a relatively narrow upper portion 29 and a relatively wide lower portion 31, with a right side flange 33 common to both portions, a left side flange 35 on the upper portion, and a left side ange 37 on the lower portion. The stud 17 for the wheel 15 is located toward the left of the lower portion 31 of the plate. A conventional slug rejector is mounted between

flanges

33 and 35 on the upper portion 29 of the plate 9. The mechanism plate of this rejector is indicated at 39. Details of the rejector are omitted, being conventional and well known. A coin chute assembly 41 is mounted on the lower portion of plate 9. This is formed to provide a coin chute 43. The mechanism may be made to handle a coin of any denomination. For example, it may Ibe made to handle dimes, in which case chute 43 is a dime chute and rejector 39 will reject any coins except genuine dimes for return via a return chute 45.

As shown, a wheel 15 is provided with a driving ratchet indicated at T havinlg eight ratchet teeth spaced at 24 intervals. The individual teeth of the series are designated T1 to T8, in succession. Wheel 15 is also provided with a holding ratchet indicated at H which comprises a complete circular series of thin holding teeth 49. A pawl carrier 51 is rotatable on stud 17 independently of the wheel and the ratchets. A driving pawl 53 is pivoted at 55 on the pawl carrier 51 and is biased toward engagement with the driving ratchet T by a spring 57. As shown in FIG. 1, pawl 53 is in engagement with the third 4tooth T3 of the eight driving ratchet teeth for twocoin operation as will be made clear. A driving arm constituted by a wire 59 extends from the pawl carrier 51 to the right across the outside of the coin chute assembly `41 and has a ringer 61 at its free end which extends through an arcuate slot 63 in the coin chute assembly across the coin chute 43 for engagement by a coin falling in the chute. The pawl carrier 51 and wire 59 are biased by a spring 65 (see FIG. 6) to rotate counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. land 5 to a retracted position determined as by engagement of the nger 61 with the upper end of the slot 63. The slot 63 is curved on an arc centered in the axis `oi stud 17. The coin chute'43 has a generally vertical portion 43a and a lateral lower portion 43b. Slot 63 extends down .from the upper end of the vertical portion 43a across and beyond .the lower portion 43b. v

A coin falling in the chute 43 engages the finger 61 and swings the wire 59 down through an arc corresponding to the length of the slot 63. This rotates the pawl carrier 51 clockwise and (the wheel 15 being held against clockwise rotation) pawl 53 clicks back from the third tooth T3 over the second tooth T2. The angle of swing of the wire and consequently the angle of swing of the pawl carrier is greater than the tooth spacing but less than twice the tooth'spacing. When Vthe finger 61 reaches the lower end of the slot 63, the coin rolls over the iinger and out to the right through the lower portion 43b of the chute. The wire then swings back up under the bias of spring 65. Upon upward swing of the Wire 59, pawl carrier 51 rotates counterclockwise and driving pawl 53 comes into engagement with the second ratchet tooth T2 and rotates the wheel counterclockwise (forward) one step against the bias of the wheel return spring 27. A holding pawl 67 is pivoted at 68 on plate 9 and is gravitybiased toward holding ratchet H. This holding pawl 67 acts to hold the wheel against clockwise (rearward) rotation when the wire 59 is swung down by a coin, the driving pawl 53 then simply clicking over the driving ratchet T.

A reset or release member constituted by a lever 69 iS vpivoted intermediate its ends at 7 on plate 1 along with -lockout lever 5, being located on the outside of the latter. Lever 69 is swingable independently of lever 5, and is biased -by a spring 89 .to be mentioned again later to swing-clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 5 to a retracted position determined by its engagement with stop pin 13. .Lever 69 has a tab 73 at its left end engageable by reset bar 3. When the bar 3 moves downward, it swings lever 69 counterclockwise against the bias of spring 89. Lever 69 has a `iinger 75 engageable with the driving pawl 53 and a stud. 77 engageable with a tail 79 on the holding pawl 67. When lever 69 is swungcounterclockwise away lfrom its retracted position of FIGS. l and 5 by lever 3, ringer 75 engages the driving pawl 53 and releases it from the driving ratchet T, and stud 77 engages Ithe tail 79 of the holding pawl 67 to lift the latter out of engagement with the holding ratchet H. This frees the wheel 15 to allow it to escape, i.e., to rotate in reverse (clockwise) direction under the bias of -the wheel return spring 27.

Wheel 15 carries a stop arm 81 projecting radially outward from its periphery from the side opposite the driving ratchet T. For two-coin operation, as illustrated,

this stop arm 81 is located on a diameter of the wheel which extends through a point about half-way between driving ratchet teeth T2 and T3. Arm 81 is removably secured in an opening 82 in the periphery of the wheel, as by threading it in the opening. It may be removed and replaced in an opening 82a one step farther away from notch 19 for one-coin operation, or in an opening 8211 one step closer to notch 19 for three-coin operation. Arm 81 is engageable with a stop pin 81s on plate 9 to determine a fully retracted position of the wheel 15. Pin 81s is so located that when arm 81 is in engagement therewith (armr81 being -set in opening 82), the wheel 15 is in the position wherein the last tooth T8 is -engageable by the pawl 53. To determine the above-mentioned starting position of the wheel 15 two steps back from zero position, `arm 81 on the wheel is engageable with the finger 83 on a irst escapement member or arrn 85 pivoted at 87 on plate 9. Escapcment arm 85 is biased to rotate clockwise away from the wheel by a spring 89. A link 91 connects the right end of reset lever 69 and arm 85. When reset lever 69 swings counterclockwise away from its retracted position of FIGS. 1 and 5, link 91is'pulled up to swing vescapement arm 85 counterclockwise from its retracted position of FIGS. l and 5 against the bias of spring 89 to move linger 83 into an advanced position Vin the path'of stop arm 81 on wheel 15. The linkage is so proportioned that finger 83 comes into the Vpath of arm 81 before the

pawls

53 and 67 are released by reset lever 69.

A solenoid 93 is mounted on plate 9 below the wheel 15. The plunger ofthe solenoid is indicated at 95. This is connected at 97 to a slide bar 99 guided Vby a slotted guide bracket 101 on plate 9. Solenoid 93 is connected in a circuit 103 including a lock-controlled switch 104 and a clock-controlled time switch 105. The latter acts to deliver an impulse of current to the 'solenoid 93 at a predetermined time each day (at midnight, for example) if switch 104 is closed. When the solenoid receives an impulse of current, plunger and bar 99 are driven to the left. When the solenoid is deenergized, the bar and plunger are moved 'back to the right by a return spring 107. A lever 109 is pivoted at 111 on plate 9. This lever is biased by a spring 113 to swing counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 Vto a retracted poi sition determined by itsrengagement Iwith bracket 101.

It has an arm 115 extending down from the pivot 111 and carries a dog 117, pivoted at 119 at the lower end of the arm 115. The dog extends to the left from arm 115 and has a nose 121 at its free end engageable with a latch pin 123 on a latch 125 pivoted at 127 on plate 9. The latch 125 hangs down from its pivot 127 and is blased by a spring 129 to swing counterclockwise to a retracted position .determined by its engagement with a stop pin 131 on plate 9. The dog 117 normally occupies a raised position with its nose 121 bearing on latch pin 123 in which it is shown in FIG. l. When latch 125 swings clockwise (to the left) from this retracted position, dog 117 'is released to swlng down to the phantom position shown in FIG. 5 engaging a pin 133 on sliding bar 99. The dog has a notch 135 in its bottomv for receiving the pin 133 to connect the dog to the sliding bar 99 whenrthe dog is down. The dog is adapted to be raised back up to its normal position by a rod 137 extending down from the right end of lockout lever 5 having a'nger 139 at its lower end extending under the dog. The arrangement k1s such that if the ydog should be down when lockout lever 5 swings counterclockwise from its FIG. l retracted position, rod 137 lifts the dog back up to its raised position, the nose 121 on the dog engaging the latch pm 123 and camming the latch 125 aside (to the left) until the nose is above ,the pin 123, whereupon the latch 125 swings back and pin 123 is brought under the nose 121 to latch the dog in raised position. Y

A second escapement member constituted by a lever 141 is pivoted at 87 on plate 9 along with escapement arm 85, being swingable independently of escapement arm 85. A spring 143 connects escapement arm 85 and escapement lever 141 in such manner that lever 141 tends to swing with arm 85, but arm 85 can move independently of lever 141. Escapement lever 141 has an arm 145 extending upwardly from pivot S7 with a nose 147 at the upper end of arm 145 adapted to enter between two adjacent holding teeth 49 on wheel 15 with the upper edge of the nose spaced from the one of these two teeth which lies forward (in counterclockwise direction) from the nose for an escapement type of action as will appear. Escapement lever 141 has an arm 149 extending down from pivot 87 having an end portion 151 engageable with a lever 153. The latter is pivoted at 111 on the plate 9 along with lever 169. A spring 155 is connected between levers 153 and 1119 and biases lever 153 to a retracted position relative to lever 159 determined by engagement of a finger 157 on lever 153 with lever 159. Lever 109 has an upwardly extending arm 159 engageable with a roller 161 on arm 85 for swinging escapement arm S5 counterclockwise when lever 109 swings clockwise from its FIGS. l and 5 position.

Wheel has numerals as from "0 to "9 on its periphery spaced at intervals corresponding to the spacing of driving ratchet teeth T1-T8 (see FIG. 8). These are viewed through a window opening 163 in flange 37 of plate 9. When the wheel is in its FIG. 5 advanced zero position, determined by engagement of driving pawl 53 with the first driving ratchet tooth T1, and wherein the notch 19 is upward, the numeral "0 on the wheel is centered in the window opening. When the wheel rotates to a position one step rearward (clockwise) from zero position, the numeral l appears in the window opening; when the wheel rotates to a position two steps rearward from zero position, the numeral 2 appears in the window opening, etc.

Referring now to FGS. 7 and 8, release bar 1 is shown to be carried by a lever 171 and reset bar 3 is shown to be carried by a lever 173. Lever 171 is pivoted at 175 on a mechanism plate 177 which is furnished as part of the locker. -Release bar 1 is pin-connected at 179 to the left endof lever 171 and extends down toward the tab 14 on lockout lever 5. Lever 171 has an upwardly extending stop finger 131 which normally extends into the path of a radial lug 183 on a rotatabie locking disc 185. This disc 135 is part of a key-operated cylinder lock such as is usually used on lockers of the class above described. It is fixed to the inner end of the usual rotatable plug of the cylinder lock, turning clockwise with the plug when the key is turned in locking direction, and turning back counterclockwise with the plug when the key is turned back in unlocking direction. Normally the disc occupies the retracted position shown in FIG. 7. It is formed with the usual cam 187 for operating a bolt (not shown) to lock the locker door. When the disc is in its retracted position, the left side of lug 183 is spaced somewhat to the right of finger 181 on lever 171 so as to permit clockwise rotation of the disc through a small angle A before lug 183 engages the right side of the finger 181.

Disc 185 has a cam slot 189. An arm 191 is pivoted at 175 along with lever 171 and has a follower roller 193 at its free end extending through the cam slot 189. Arm 191 is biased by a spring 195 to swing clockwise on pivot 175 as viewed in FIGS. 7 and 8 to hold the roller 193 against the outer edge of the cam slot. The latter is formed with angled cam portions R and L at its right and left ends such that when disc 185 is turned clockwise, cam portion R initially engages roller 193 to swing arm 191 counterclockwise on pivot 175 against the bias of spring 195, and finally cam portion L permits return of the arm 191 to its retracted FiG. 7 position. Arm 191 is connected by a tension spring 197 to the right end of lever 171 so that when it swings counterclockwise on pivot as stated it may swing lever 171 counterclockwise on pivot 175. The arrangement is such that if wheel 15 is not in its FIG. 5 zero position (which means that lockout lever 5 can swing oniy a limited amount because of engagement of toggle arm 25l with the periphery of the wheel 15) lockout lever 5 and release bar 1 can move down only a limitedamount and lever 171 can swing counterclockwise only a limited amount insufficient for finger 181 to clear the lug 153. Accordingly, disc cannot be turned clockwise any more than through angle A before lug l183 engages the iinger 181, which means that the key cannot be fully turned to lock the locker. 1f wheel 15 is in its FIG. 5 Zero position, however, so that the lockout lever 5 can swing through a full stroke, release bar 1 can move down through a full stroke and lever 171 can swing counterclockwise through a full stroke sufiicient to retract linger 181 from the path of lug 183. Under these circumstances, upon turning the disc 185 through angle A, arm 191 is swung counterclockwise on pivot 175 by the right end cam portion R of the outer edge of the cam slot 189, and acts through spring 197 to swing lever 171 counterclockwise to move finger 181 clear of lug 183. This occurs before lug 183 engages finger 181. Accordingly, disc 185 can be completely rotated on through to its locking position in which it appears in FIG. 8.

Reset bar 3 is pin-connected at 199 to the lever 173 and extends down toward the tab 73 on reset lever 69. Lever 173 is pivoted at 251 on plate 177 and is biased by a spring 253 to swing upward (clockwise) to a raised retracted position determined by its engagement with a stop pin 205 on plate 177 A dog 207 is pivotally attached to the left end of lever 173 as indicated at 259. A spring 211 connected between the dog and lever 173 biases the dog to a retracted' position determined by its engagement with a stop pin 213 on plate 177. The dog extends up from lever 173 and has a projection 215 providing an upper shoulder 2.17 and a lower inclined cam shoulder 219. The disc 135 carries a pin 221. When the disc rotates from its retracted (open) position of FIG. 7 to its locking position of FIG. 8, pin 221 moves up to the advanced position in which it is shown in FIG. 8 above the upper shoulder 217 on the dog 2117. As the pin 221 moves up, it wipes over projection 215 and swings the dog 257 to the left against the bias of spring 211. When the pin 221 rides off projection 215, the dog 297 swings back to the right against stop pin 213.

Assume that the disc 135 has been turned to its advanced FIG. 8 position and the locker is thereby locked. When the disc is in this position, the right side of lug 183 is spaced somewhat to the left of -linger 181 on lever 171 so as to permit counterclockwise rotation of the disc through a small angle B before lug 133 engages the left side of the finger. If wheel 15 is not in zero position, lever 171 is held from swinging down through a full stroke by engagement of release bar 1 with lockout lever 5 and by engagement of the toggle arm 25 on the latter with the periphery of the wheel 15. Accordingly, disc 185 cannot be turned counterclockwise any more than angle B, which means that the key cannot be fully turned to unlock the locker. 1f wheel 15 is in zero position, so that the lockout lever 5 can swing through a full stroke, release bar 1 can move down through a full stroke and lever 171 can swing counterclockwise through a full stroke sufficient to retract iinger 131 from the path of lug 183. Under these circumstances, upon turning the disc 185 counterclockwise from its FIG. 8 advanced position back through angle B, arm 191 is initially swung counterclockwise by the left end cam portion L of the outer edge of cam slot 189 and acts through spring 197 to swing lever 171 counterclockwise to move nger 151 clear of lug 183. This occurs before lug 183 engages finger 181. Accordingly, disc 185 can be compietely rotated 7 back on through to its retracted unlocking position of FIG. 7. f i

As the disc 185 is rotated back to its FIG. 7 unlocking position, pin 221 engages the upper shoulder 217 on the dog 267, and drives the dog 207 downward. This swings lever 173 downwardy to drive the reset bar 3 downward. As the dog 297 is moved downward, the lower inclined cam shoulder 219 thereon comes into engagement with the stop pin 213. This cams the dog 297 to the left against the bias of spring 211, thereby releasing the dog from pin 221 on the disc. Spring 263 thereupon returns the lever 173 and the dog 2417 to their initial position of FIG. 7.

'The previously mentioned lock-controlled switch 104 is actuated by a lever 223 pivoted at 225 on plate 177. Disc 135 carries a pin 227 extending through a slot 229 in the upper end of the lever 223. The lower end of lever 223 carries a pin 231 engageable with the operating arm 233 of switch 104. Switch 104 is a normally open switch and the arrangement is such that when disc 185 is turned from its FIG. 7 to its FIG. 8 position to lock the locker, the switch is closed, and vice versa.

Operation is as follows:

Assuming that the locker is open, the parts of the coincontrolled apparatus will occupy their FIG. l position and the parts of the lock mechanism will occupy their FIG. 7 position. The wheel y15 is in its starting position two Vsteps rearward of its advanced zero position, and the numeral 2 appears centered in the window opening (see FIG. 3) indicating that two coins (two dimes, for example) must be deposited to obtain use of the locker. The user accordingly will deposit two coins (two dimes). The first coin swings wire S9 downward, escapes over the iinger `61 at the end of the wire through chute portion 43b, and then the wire 59 swings back upward to advance the wheel counterclockwise one step via engagement of the driving pawl 53 with ratchet tooth T2. Holding teeth 49 click past holding pawl 67 during the advance of the wheel. Toggle arm 25 is clear of the wheel so as not to impede its rotation. Accordingly, it is possible to use a relatively light return spring 65 for the wire 59, the force of which is sufliciently low to be overcome by the weight of a coin (even a dime which is the lowest weight coin), but still suiiicient to effect advance of the wheel 15. The second coin similarly effects advance of the Wheel 15 another step (via engagement of pawl 53 with tooth T1), and then the numeral 0 appears centered in the window l163 indicating that suiiicient coins have been deposited for locking of the locker. If any additional coins should be deposited, they will swing wire 59 down and pass on through, but will not advance the wheel any farther because the iirst ratchet tooth T1 has now been advanced beyond the range of action of the driving pawl 53. The ltwo-step advance of the wheel brings notch 19 to its upper position in register with toggle arm 25 on lever 5 as appears in FIG. 5. It also brings stop arm 81 to the position shown in FIG. 5 above the finger 83 on escapement arm 85.

Now the coin handling apparatus is conditioned for locking of the locker, lockout lever 5 being free to swing counterclockwise through a full stroke from the retracted position in which it is shown in FIGS. l and 5, since toggle arm 25 can enter notch 19 in wheel 15. Accordingly, the key of the locker may be turned to lock the locker as previously explained. Having locked the locker the user may remove the key and depart. If the dog 117 should be down when the lockout lever 5 is swung counterclockwise through a full stroke from its retracted position by release bar 1, rod 137 is pulled up to swing up the dog 117 and latch it in its raised position with its nose `121 bearing on the pin 123 of the latch 125. In its raised position, the dog 117 is clear of pin 133 on the solenoid-operated bar 99. Upon completion of locking of the locker, release bar 1 returns to its raised retracted position, and consequently lockout lever 5 swings back to its retracted position under the bias of spring 11. The

8 rod 137 then dr'opsvdown,'but the dog 117 remains latched in its raised position.

Assuming that the user has locked the locker at 6 p.m. on a Monday, for example, and that the clock-controlled thne switch 105 is set to deliver an impulse of current to solenoid 93 at midnight every day, at midnight on the same day (Monday) the solenoid will receive a iirst im pulse of current. Switch 164 is closed (due to the locking of the locker) to complete the circuit to the solenoid. The solenoid acts to drive the bar 99 to the left from its retracted FIG. 5 position. Noting that dog 117 is raised clear of pin 133 on the bar, this pin 133 engages the latch 125 and swings it aside to release the dog 117 so that the dog drops down into engagement with the pin 133. The solenoid is immediately deenergized (since there is only an impulse of current) and bar 99 is moved back to its retracted position by spring 107. Accordingly, on the first impulse of current and the concomitant rst actuation of the solenoid 93 after the locking of the locker, the dog 117 is released, but the wheel 15 remains in its FIG. 5 Zero position (denoted by O in Window 163).

Assuming that the user returns at any time up to midnight the next day (Tuesday), the wheels 15 will still be in the FIG. 5 zero position with notch 19 upward in register with toggle arm 25. Wheel 15 will still show numeral 0 through the window 163, indicating that no additional coins need to be deposited. When the user turns the key of the locker to unlock it, both bars 1 and 3 are moved down -as previously explained, and accordingly both

levers

5 and 69 are swung counterclockwise through a full stroke from their retracted position, offering no impedance to unlocking of the locker. As lever 69 swings counterclockwise from its retracted FIG. 5 position, link 91 is pulled up and acts to swing escape- -ment arm counterclockwise on pivot 87 from its retracted FIG. 5 position to its advanced position in which inger S3 on arm SS is in the path of stop arm 81 on wheel 15. Shortly after this occurs, finger 75 and pin 77 on lever 69 eng-age driving pawl 53 yand tail 79 on holding pawl 67 to disengage these pawls lfrom ratchets T and H. This allows wheel 15 to escape (i.e., to be rotated backwards in clockwise direction by the wheel return spring 27) until the stop armV 81 on the wheel engages finger 33 on escapement arm 85. This brings the wheel around from the FIG. 5 position to a position in which tooth T2 is above the lower end of pawl 53 vand tooth T3 is below and spaced from the lower end of pawl 53 about half the tooth spacing. Thus, nger 83 on escapement arm 85 initially limits escape of the wheel to a position forward of the starting position less than the tooth spacing. The toggle 21 is balanced so that it may be swung aside by the wheel 15 to enable the wheel to rotate backwards before lever 5 completes its return to retracted position. Upon completion of the unlocking of the locker, bars 1 and 3 are returned to their raised retracted position, allowing lever 69 to return to retracted position thereby freeing

pawls

53 and 67 for return into engagement with ratchets T and H. The lower end of pawl 53 swings in at =a point about halfway between teeth T2 and T3. Escapement 'arm 85 returns clockwise to its retracted FIG. 5 position, and finger 83 is Vthereby retracted from the path of stop S1 of the wheel 15. The wheel then rotates backwards approximately one-half step farther to the point where the third tooth T3 comes into engagement with the tip of pawl 53 and the wheel is then back in its starting position as shown in FIG. 1 two steps back from zero position. The dog y117 remains in its raised position. The parts are thus repositioned for the next use.

Assuming that the user does not return until some time during the third day (Wednesday), at midnight on the second day (Tuesday) the time switch will deliver an impulse of current (which is the 'second impulse) to the solenoid 93, thereby driving bar 99 -to the left. This time the dog 117 is down, and pin 133 on bar 99 is en- 9 gaged in the notch 135 in the dog. Accordingly, the dog 117 is pulled to the left, and this swings lever 199 clockwise on its pivot 111 from its retracted FIG. 5 position. The upper end 159 of lever 109 engages roller 161 on escapement arm S and swings arm 85 counterclockwise on its pivot S7. This drives link 91 upward to swing lever 69 counterclockwise away from its retracted position. When lever 199 swings clockwise, it also swings lever 153 clockwise to move the left end of lever 153 clear of the lower end portion 151 of escapement lever 141. As escapement arm S5 swings counterclockwise, escapement lever 141 (now being free to swing) ,is swung counterclockwise along with escapement arm S5 by reason of the spring connection 143 between arm S5 and lever 141, and the nose 147 on the upper end of escapement lever 141 enters between two of the holding teeth 49 on wheel 15, with the upper edge of the nose 147 spaced from the adjacent one of these two teeth. As lever 69 swings counterclockwise, nger 75 and pin 77 thereon release the

pawls

53 and 67. This occurs after nose 147 enters between teeth 49. When the pawls are released, the wheel 15 escapes backwards about one-half the tooth spacing until the tooth 49 which was adjacent the upper edge of the nose comes into engagement with the upper edge of the nose. This brings the wheel around from the FIG. 5 position to a position in Iwhich tooth T1 is above the lower end of the pawl 53 and tooth T2; is below and spaced from the lower end of pawl 53 about half the tooth spacing. Then, when bar 99 is returned to the right by spring 107 on deenergization of the solenoid (which occurs shortly), lever 109 swings back to its retracted FIG. 5 position under the bias of spring 113, permitting escapement arm 85 and escapement lever y141 to swing back to their retracted FIG. 5

position under the bias of 'spring 89, and nose 147 is withdrawn from the holding teeth. Wheel 15 thereon rotates backwards approximately one-half step farther to the point where the second tooth T2 comes into engagement with the tip of pawl 53 (now released since lever 69 swings back to retracted position). Thus, the wheel is stepped back one step and the numeral l appears in the window 163, apprising the user that it is necessary to deposit one additional coin to unlock the locker. Deposit of this one additional coin will step the wheel 15 forward one step to Zero position, thereby permitting unlocking of the locker.

If the user should not return until the fourth day (Thursday), the impulse of current, at midnight on the third day (Wednesday), will step the wheel 15 back a second step in the same manner as above, and the numeral 2 will appear in the window 163 apprising the user that it is necessary to deposit two coins to unlock the locker. If the user should not return until the fth day (Friday), the impulse of current at midnight on the fourth day (Thursday) will step the wheel 15 back a third step, and the numeral 3 will appear in the window 163 apprising the user that it is necessary to deposit three coins to unlock the locker, and so on up to the next Wednesday when the numeral 8 will appear in the window, apprising the user that it is necessary to deposit eight coins to unlock the locker. At this point, the pawl 53 will be engagement with the last tooth T8, and the lWheel 15 will be in its fully retracted position determined by the engagement of arm 81 with stop pin 81s. Should there be any further impulses of current to solenoid 93 thereafter, the wheel will simply remain in its fully retracted position. Usually, so much time would not be allowed to elapse before the locker is opened and its contents removed.

By locating stop arm 81 in opening 32a, and starting with the wheel in a position one step back from the FIG. 5 zero position, deposit of only one coin is required to lock the locker. By locking stop arm 81 in opening 82h and starting with the wheel in a position three steps back from the FIG. 5 zero position, deposit of three coins is 10 required to lock the locker. Otherwise, the operation is similar to that above described, except that in the rst case only seven back steps are permitted, while in the second case nine back steps would be permitted, and it would then be necessary to add a ninth tooth on driving ratchet T.

In view of the above, it will ybe seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description o-r shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a totalizer member adapted for stepwise movement in a forward direction from a retracted position through a range of intermediate positions to an advanced position and biased for return movement toward its retracted position, one of the intermedi-ate positions constituting a starting position, coin-actuated means for stepping said member forward and adapted to ho-ld it `against return from any attained intermediate position or advanced position, means for releasing said stepping means to allow for return movement of said member under its bias, and first yand second escapements for controlling the return movement of said member, said first escapement comprising means for stopping said member in starting position upon release from advanced position, and said second escapement comprising means for effecting return movement of said member through one step from its advanced position or any attained intermediate position including said starting position.

2. In a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 1, means for intermittently actuating said second escapement.

3. in a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 2, means for holding said second escape-,ment out of operation for a predetermined number of operations of said intermittent means and then releasing said second escapement for actuation by said intermittent means.

4. In a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said release means being `connected to said irst escapement for actuating the latter, and said release means lbeing actuated by said second escapement.

5. In a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 4, means for periodically actuating said second escapement.

6. In a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 5, means for holding said second escapement out of operation for a predetermined number of operations of said periodic means and then releasing said second escapement for actu-ation by said periodic means.

7. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a wheel rotatable in steps in a yforward direction from a retracted position through a range of intermediate positions to an advanced position and biased to rotate back toward its retracted position, one of the intermediate positions constituting a starting position, coin-actuated pawl and ratchet means for rotating the Wheel forward in steps and adapted to hold the wheel against return from any attained intermediate position or advanced position, means for releasing said pawl and ratchet means to allow the wheel to rotate back under its bias, and first and second escapements for controlling the return rotation of the wheel, said fLrst escapement comprising means for stopping the wheel in starting position upon release from advanced position, and said second escapement comprising means for effecting return rotation of the wheel through one step from its advanced position or any attained intermediate position including said starting position.

8. In a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 7, electrically actuated means for actuating said second il escapement,v and means for? periodically delivering an impulse of current to said electrically actuated means.

9, In a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 8; said electrically actuated means including means for holding saidl second escapement out of operation for a predetermined number of current impulses and then releasing said second escapement for actuation by succeeding impulses.

10. In aV coin-controlled yapparatus `as set forth in' claim ysaidrelease means being connected to said first escapement for actuating the latter, and said release means being actuated by said electrically actuated means.

l'l. In a coin-controlled `apparatus as set forth in claim 10, said electrically actuated means including means for holding said second escapement out of operation for a predetermined number of current impulses and then releasing said second escapement lfor actuation by succeeding impulses. Y

l2. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a Wheel rotatable in steps in a forward direction from a retracted position through a range of intermediate positions to an advanced position and biased Vfor return movement to retracted position, one of said intermediate positions constituting ai starting position, a ratchet rotatable with the wheel, a coin-actuated pawl carrier rotatable relative to the ratchet and the wheel, a pawl carried by the carrier engageable with the ratchet, a release member movable away from a retracted position for releasing the pawl to allow for escape of the wheel, a stop member on the wheel, an escapement member movable by said release member from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it is engageable by said stop member and adapted to reach its said advanced position before the release member releases the pawl, said escapement mem-V ber when in Vits advanced position limiting` the escape of the wheel to a position forward of said starting position less than the spacing of the teeth of the ratchet, said pawl returning into engagement with the ratchet and said escapement member then moving back to retracted position upon return of said release member lto its retracted position, whereupon said wheel escapes to said star-ting position.

13; In a coin-controlled apparatus, a wheel 4rotatable in steps in a forwarddirection lfrom Ia retracted position through .a range of Vintermediate positions to an advanced position and biased for return movementV to retracted position,v one of the intermediate 'positions' constituting a starting position, la driving ratchet and a holding ratchet rotatable with the wheel, ya coin-actuated vpawl carrier rotatable Vrelative to the ratchets and the wheel, a driving pawl carried by the pawl carrier engageable with the driving ratchet, a holding pawl engageable with the holdin-g ratchet, a release member movable away from a retracted position for releasing the pawls to allowY -for escape of the wheel, a stop member on the wheel, a first escapement member movable by said release member from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it is engageable by -said stop member and adapted to reach its said advanced position before the release member releases the pawls, said first escapement member when in its advanced position limiting the escape of the wheel lto a position lforward of said starting position less than the .spacing lof the Vteethkof the driving ratchet, said -pawls returning into engagement with the Iratchets and said rst escapement member then moving back to retracted position upon return of said release member to its retracted position, whereupon said wheel escapes Vto said starting position, a second escapement member movable from a retracted position to an advanced position wherein it is engageable by said holding ratchet, means for moving said second escapement member from its retracted to its advanced position and for moving said release member from itsrretracted to its advanced posi-tion with said second escapement mem- Y bei' reaching Yits advanced position before said release l2 member releases the pawls, said second escapement member limiting escape of the wheelto less than the spacing of the teeth of the ratchets, saidV pawls returning into engagement with lthe ratchets'when said second escapement member moves back to retracted position and said wheel then completing escape through one step.

14. In a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 13, said means for moving said second escapement member and said release member comprising .an electrically actuated driving means, :and means for periodically delivering an impulse of cur-rent to said driving means.

l5. In a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 14, said means for moving said second escapement member and said release member including meansY for holding said second escapement mem-ber out of operation for a predetermined number of current impulses Iand then releasing said second escapement means for actuation by succeeding impulses.

i6. In a coin-controlled rapparatus as set forth in claim 13, said means for moving said second escapement member comprising a solenoid, means for periodically delivering an impulse of current to the solenoid, a reciprocating member Iactuated by the solenoid, and mechanism adapted to be uncou-pled from yand coupled to said reciprocating member;

17. In `a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim l6, means actuated by said lreciprocating member on a first reciproca-tion thereof to effect coupling of said mechanism to said reciprocating member.

18. -In a coin-controlled apparatus, a lockout member adapted Vfor movement away from a .retracted position, a stop for said lockout member rotatable in steps in a forward direction from a retracted posi-tion through a range of intermediate positions to a lockout-memberfreeing position and biased -for return movement to retracted position, one o-f the intermediate positions constituting a starting position, said stop being adapted to limit movement of the lockout member -away from its retracted position in all positions of the stop except said freeing position, a driving ratchet and a holding ratchet rotatable with the stop, a pawl carrier rotatable relative to the ratchets and biased for rotation in saidforward direction, .a `driving pawl carried by .the pawl carrier engageable With the driving ratchet, a holding pawl enga-geable with the holding ratchet, a coin chute, an arm extending from the pawl carrier having a finger engageable `by a coin travelling through the chute -for rotating the pawlv carrier against its bias, said coin riding off said finger to release the arm -for return movement to effect a one-step advance of said stop, a reset member movable away from a retracted position for releasing the pawls to allow for escape of the stop, an arm on said stop, a. first escapement member movable by said reset member `from a retracted position to an advanced posi- .tion wherein it is enga-geable by said -arm on said stop and adapted to Ireach its said 'advanced position before the reset member releases the pawls, said -lirst escapement member when in its advanced position limiting the escape of the stop to a position forward of said starting position less than the spacing of the teeth of the driving ratchet, said pawls returning into engagement with the ratchets and said first escapement member then moving back to retracted position upon return of said reset member toits retracted position, whereupon said sto-p escapes to said starting position, a second escapement member movable from a retracted position to .an .advanced position wherein it -is engageable by said holding ratchet, means for moving said second escapement member from its retracted to its advanced position and for moving said reset member from its retracted to its advanced position with said second escapement member reaching its advanced position before said reset member releases the pawls, said second escapement member limiting escape of the stop to less than the spacing of the teeth of the ratchets, Vsaid pawls returning into engagement with the iratchets when said second escapement member moves back to retracted position and said stop then completing escape through one step.

19. In a coin-controlled apparatus as set forth in claim 18, said means for moving said second escapement member comprising a solenoid, means for periodically delivering `an impulse of current to the solenoid, a reciprocating member actuated by the solenoid, mechanism adapted to be uncoupled from and coupled to said reciprocating member, means actuated by said lockout member for uncoupling said mechanism yfrom said reciprocating member, and means :actuated Iby said reciprocating member on `a iirst reciprocation thereof to effect coupling of said mechanism to said reciprocating member.

20. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a member adapted for stepwise movement in a forward direction from `a retracted position and biased for return movement toward retracted position, coin-actuated means for stepping said member forward `and adapted to hold it in any at- -tained stepped position, means for releasing said stepping means to allow -for return movement of said member under its bias, an escapement comprising means for limiting return movement of said member to one step When released from any attained stepped position, means for intermittently actuating lsaid escapement, and means for holding said escapement out of operation for a predetermined number of operations of said intermittent means and then releasing said escapement for actuation by said intermittent means.

2l. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a member adapted for stepwise movement and a forward direction from a retracted position and biased for -return movement toward retracted position, coin-actuated means for stepping `said member forward and adapted to hold it in any attained stepped position, means for releasing said stepping means to allow for return movement of said member yunder its bias, yan escapement comprising means for limiting return movement of said member to one step when released from any attained -stepped position, said release means being actuated by said escapement, means for periodically actuating said escapement, and means for holding said escapement out of operation for a predetermined number of operations of said periodic means .and then releasing said escapement for actu-ation by said periodic means.

22. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a member rotatable in -steps in a forward direction from a retracted position `and biased to rotate .back toward retracted position, coinactuated means for rotating said member -forward in steps and adapted to hold it in any attained stepped position, means for releasing said stepping means to allow said member to rotate back under its bias, an escapement comprising means for limiting backward rotation of said member to one `step when released yfrom any attained stepped position, means for intermittently actuating said escapement, and means for holding said escapement out of operation for a predetermined number of operations of said intermittent means and then releasing said escapement for actuation by said intermittent means.

23. In a coin-controlled apparatus, a member rotatable in `steps in a #forward direction from a retracted position and biased to rotate back toward retracted position, coinactuated means for rotating said member forward in steps and adapted to hold it in -any attained stepped position, means for releasing said stepping means to allow said member to rotate Iback under its bias, an escapement comprising means for Hunting backward rotation of said member to one step when released from any attained stepped position, -said release means being actuated by said escapemen-t, means for periodically actuating said escapement, and means for holding said escapement out of operation for a predetermined number of operations of said periodic means and then releasing said escapement for actuation by said periodic means.

24. In a coin-controlled apparatus, manually operable means for actuating the apparatus, a totalizer member adapted for movement in a forward direction from a retracted position and biased for return movement toward retracted position, means actuable by coins deposited in the apparatus for moving said totalizer member in forward direction and adapted to hold it in any attained position thereby to add up and register the total value of coins deposited, an escapement adapted on actuation thereof to allow return movement of said totalizer member a predetermined amount from any attained position for subtraction from the amount registered by the totalizer member of a unit of value, timer means for periodically actuating said escapement at timed intervals thereby periodically to subtract units from the amount registered by said totalizer member, a feeler movable away from a retracted position toward the totalizer member upon manual operation of said manually operable means, said totalizer member being so formed that in one position thereof it allows Working movement of the feeler and said manually operable means and in other positions thereof it prevents working movement of the feeler and said manually operable means, and means responsive to working movement of said manually operable means for initiating operation of said timer means periodically to actuate said escapement.

25. In a coin-controlled apparatus, manually operable means for actuating the apparatus, a totalizer wheel rotatable in a forward direction from a retracted position and biased to rotate back toward retracted position, means actuable by coins deposited in the apparatus for rotating said wheel forward and adapted to hold it in any attained position thereby to add up and register the total value of coins deposited, an escapement adapted on actuation thereof to allow return rotation of said wheel a predetermined amount from any attained position for subtraction from the amount registered by said wheel of a unit of value, timer means for periodically actuating said escapement at timed intervals thereby periodically to subtract units from the amount registered by said Wheel, a feeler movable away from a retracted position toward the wheel upon manual operation of said manually operable means, said wheel being so formed that in one position thereof it allows working movement of the feeler and said manually operable means and in other positions thereof it prevents working movement of the feeler and said manually operable means, and means responsive to Working movement of said manually operable means for initiating operation of said timer means periodically to actuate said escapement.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,536,145 Royal May 5, 1925 2,323,255 Sutherland .Tune 29, 1943 2,606,639 Dolman Aug. l2, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 29,102 Great Britain of 1911