US3115962A - Coin controlled door lock - Google Patents

Description

1963 M. M.- FEINSON ETAL 3,115,962

COIN CONTROLLED DOOR LOCK Filed Dec. 50, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. Mmou M. Fsmsou, Roumo E.WISE and Rev H. BODENHAMER fwd/11 504% MM Mfom cys 1963 M. M. FEINSON ETAL 3,115,962

com CONTROLLED DOOR LOCK Filed Dec. 30, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MILTON M. FEINSON, Romuo E. WISE and BY RoY H- BODENHAMER MM 1am swan/M A Horn cys United States Patent 3,115,962 COIN CONTROLLED DOQR LOCK Milton M. Feinson, Brooldine, and Roland E. Wise,

Middleton, Mass, and Roy H. Bodenhamer, Indianapolis, Ind, assignors to The Nik-O-Lok Company, Indianapolis, End, a corporation of lndiana Filed Dec. 30, 19%, Ser. No. 79,646

4 Claims. (Cl. 194-65) The present invention relates to a door arrangement and to a coin controlled mechanism finding important utility as a coin controlled lock for doors, such as for example, toilet doors for public rest rooms.

For many years, coin controlled locks have been used in public toilets, lavatories, bath houses, laundromats and the like and have been, on the whole, quite successful. Prior art locks, however, have been subject to imperfections of certain types. It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide, in mechanisms of this type, improvements which overcome such imperfections.

For example, one imperfection existing in known locks of the character here considered is the fact that a person using a public toilet equipped with a lock of the present type can be walked in upon while the toilet is in use. This can occur because of repeated operation of the inside handle of the lock such as might occur as the customer checks to see whether he is locked in. Such repeated operation causes the coin slot of the lock to be unblocked whereby it can receive a coin and the outside handle operated to open the door causing embarrassment. The problem is, of course, even more severe when the rest room is used by both men and women. Therefore, a further object of the present invention is to provide a coin controlled lock for a toilet door which can be operated to prevent opening of the door while the while the toilet is in use even though the door has been repeatedly tried to see whether the occupant is locked in.

A further imperfection present in known locks of the present type is the fact that they permit operation in such a manner as to block the coin slot and prevent entry of the toilet enclosure when there is no one in the enclosure. As a result, the toilet door may be locked for a long period of time putting the toilet out of use until an attendant discovers the situation and corrects it. These circumstances occur when the customer fails to close the door until he leaves the toilet whereby the first closing of the door occurs when the toilet is vacant. Therefore, a further object of the present invention is to provide a coin controlled lock for a toilet door which cannot be operated to prevent access except when the toilet enclosure is occupied.

These imperfections of previously known coin controlled locks as well as related imperfections, which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are overcome by the improvements disclosed in the present application.

A further general object of the invention is to provide an improved door arrangement and coin controlled mechanism.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a coin controlled lock for a door including coin operated means for unlocking the door, said means being adapted to receive coins on one side of the door. There is also provided means for locking the door upon the closing thereof and means operable on the other side of the door for preventing the reception of coins by said coin open ated means, said means for preventing bemg operated by the opening of the door to permit reception of coins by said coin operated means.

The full nature of the invention will be understood 3,ll5,%2 Patented Dec. 31, 1953 from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an assembly plate upon which the parts of the lock of the present invention are assembled; however, with most of the lock mechanism removed.

FIG. 2 is a similar view after the assembly of further portions of the mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a similar view of the complete lock mechanism excluding the protective casing or cover.

'FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lock mechanism of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation as seen from the left-hand side of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation from the right-hand side of FIG. 3 showing also the door upon which the lock is mounted and showing the lock with portions thereof broken away for clarity.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a pnotective cover or housing for the lock mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the structure of FIG. 8 as viewed from the left-hand side thereof.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of a keeper for operation with the lock.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the keeper viewed from the right-hand side of FIG. 10.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, references will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

The Latch-Bar Mounting Referring more particularly to the drawings, in FIG. 1 we have shown the assembly plate 20 upon which the lock mechanism is to be built up. In FIG. 1, there are shown yokes 211 and 22 suitably secured to the assembly plate near the top thereof, the yoke 21 being formed with a U-shaped portion 23 and the yoke 22 being formed to provide a deeper U-shaped portion 24 in which is journalled a roller 25. The latch bar 26 is slidably mounted upon the assembly plate 20, being guided in its movement by the aligned U-shaped portions 23 and 24 of the yokes 21 and 22. The forward surface of the latch bar 26, adjacent its beveled, projecting end, bears against the roller 25; and, at its opposite end, the rearward face of the latch bar is formed with a notch 27 in which is journalled a roller 28 which bears against the front surface of the assembly plate 20. Because of this arrangement, wear upon the latch bar 26 and the associated elements resulting from movement of the latch bar enforced by the engagement of the bevelled end thereof with the keeper, is minimized.

To the upper edge of the latch bar 26 is secured a plate 29 carrying, adjacent its right-hand end, an ear 30 which projects upwardly above the latch bar. As is clearly shown in FIG. 4, this ear is carried on a portion of the plate 29 which projects forwardly beyond the yoke 23, so that the yoke 23 does not interfere with movement of the ear toward the right from the position illustrated in FIG. 1. The ear 30 is provided, as will appear from the description to follow, for cooperation with a pin operable by a pass key to permit withdrawal of the latch bar without inserting a coin into the lock, and without affecting the counting register.

43 (see FIG. 7).

appear hereinafter.

Latch-Bar Operation From Within the Enclosure Received in said space and adapted to engage the righthand end of the space 34, as viewed in FIG. 1, is the end of a back tumbler lever 35 pivotally secured to the assembly plate 20 by a screw 36. Said lever55 is formed with a cam surface 37 positioned closely adjacent an operating pin 38 carried by the back shaft 3% which is projected .througha suitable opening in the assembly plate 29. Said shaft39, when the lock is assembled upon a door, pro- .jects,.as. is clearly shown in FIG. 7, through the door to carry an operating handle it on the inside of the door; and it will be obvious that oscillation of the shaft 39 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 will cause clockwise movement of the lever 35 about its pivotal axis 36 to shift the latch bar26 to the right, against the tendency of the spring 31, to withdraw the latch from engagement with its keeper, thereby permitting the door to be opened.

There is provided means, in the present mechanism, whereby the handledtl may be turned in either direction to withdraw the latch. Upon a stationary post 41 carried by the assemblyplate 2&9, there is journalled a supplemental tumbler lever 42, one arm 44 of which lies in con- '44 of said lever,-in cooperation withthe surface 45 of :the lever'35, will swing the lever 35 in a clockwise directionabout. its pivot36 to shifts the latch bar 26 to the right.

It has been found in practice that users of these locks sometimes, either maliciously or ignorantly, exertgreat force upon the handles thereof. t Will be obvious that, if the pin 38 should be forced, in any way, to move past the end of the surface43 on the lower arm of the lever 42, it would then become impossible, by any kind of operation of the handle 49, to withdraw the latch bar 26. Therefore, we-prefer to provide a stop member 38' so positioned'with relation to the pin 38 as to stop that pin positively against rotation to a pointed which the pin 38 would be disengaged from the surface 43 of the lever 42.

The Coin-Actuated Pawl A screw 46 is formed with an intermediate shaft portion upon which is journal mounted a coin pawl 4-7, said pawl being spaced from the assembly plate 20 by a collar The nose 49 of said pawl is notched as at 51 to form two sharp edges 50 and 52, most clearly illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2, for a purpose which will A cotter pin'53 passes through the lever47 to support one end of a spring 54, the function of which is normally to hold the pawl 47 in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Thepawl 47, in the illustrated position of said pawl, engages against a stationary arm 68 (described in detail below) which is carried by the plate Zil and limits movement of the pawl under the influence of the spring 54-.

TheFront Tumbler Trip A screw :57. secured to the assembly plate 20 provides .a pivotal mounting for a front tumbler trip 58, one arm 59 of which is received within the space 34 in a position to be engaged by the left-hand end wall 60 of said space, upon movement of the latch bar to the right, resultingfrom tripping of the latch bar by the keeper as the door is closed. At its opposite end,- the tumbler 58 carries a finger 61 projecting forwardly from the main body of the tumbler for a purpose later to be described. A perforated ear 62 is secured to the lower arm of the tumbler trip 58 as an anchorage for a spring 62A which is anchored at its other end upon the post 41. The spring 62A acts to maintain the lower end of the tumbler trip 58 in a rightward direction and thus to rotate the trip in a counterclockwise manner so that the arm. 5% of the tri engages the wall 69 of the latch bolt unless held out of engagement therewith by certain parts to be described below.

The Coin-Carriage Track Arms A post 63,.stationarily mounted on the assembly. plate 26*, is bifurcated adjacent its forward end, and a cotter pin 5% traverses the bifurcated portion ofsaid post to form a journal mounting for a forward coin carriage arm 65. A second post 66 is likewise bifurcated at its outer end to guide the oscillating movement of said coin carriage arm 65; and a spring 67 is secured at its opposite ends to cotter pins respectively carried by said arm 65 and said post 63 to urge the free end of the arm 65 rearwardly toward the assembly plate 29 and into contact with the base of the kerf between the furcations of the post 66. A stationary arm 68 spaced from the arm 65 by a distance somewhat less than the diameter of the coin intended to operate the lock, but greater than the diameter of any coin of less value, is stationarily carried by the post 66 just in front of the lever 35. As will appear from the following description, the arms 65 and 63 cooperate to support a coin during the movement of the parts necessary to release the lock'for authorized operation.

Projecting forwardly from the front face of the latch bar 26 is a flange 69, most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, for a purpose which will appear hereinafter.

The Counting Register Near the base of the assembly plate 2%), a bracket 83 is secured to said plate. by bolts 84, said bracket supporting a counting register 85 including aratchet shaft 86. Movement of said shaft in one direction through a predetermined angle will cause operation of said register, while movement of said shaft in the opposite direction will not affect the register.

T he FrontTumbler Assembly Thefront tumbler 87 comprises a barrel journalled upon the projecting end of the shaft 39, and carrying, at its: forward end, a plug 88, held against rotation with respect to the tumbler, and formed with a kerf39. Said tumbler comprises also a plate portion 90 substantially parallel with the assembly plate 243. Near its base, the tumbler 87 is formed with a tangentially projecting finger '91 which, ,as is clearly shown in. FIG. 2, is positioned for cooperation with the finger 61 of the front tumbler trip .58. Near its outer end, the tumbler 87 is provided with a projecting finger 92 for a purpose later .to be described.

A plate 93 is formed with an aperture 94 whereby said plate is journal mounted upon theprojectinghead of the plug 88. The lower projecting end 95 ofthe. plate 93 receives a pin 96 through which is pivotally connected to said plate end one end of a pitman 97 formed,

adjacent its opposite end, with a slot 98 guided upon the shaft 86 of the register 85. Adjacent said guided end, the pitman 97 is formed with an angularly projecting slot 99 for a purpose later to be described.

Rearwardly projecting from the plate 9.3.is a stop post 100 positioned in the path of the 1finger 92 of the tumbler 87, whereby the plate 93 will be caused .to .partake of clockwise movement of the tumbler 87 only after said tumbler has been turned through a predetermined angle.

The tumbler 87 further comprises a tangentially projecting arm portion 161 substantially perpendicular to the portion 90. Adjacent its outer end, the arm 101 is formed with an aperture 102 for a purpose later to be described. Intermediate its ends, the arm 101 is formed, on its right-hand surface, with an indentation 103 defining a downwardly and forwardly facing shoulder 104. It will be seen that, upon clockwise movement of the tumbler 87, notch 51 will engage shoulder 104 preventing further such movement. A headed brass pin 105 is positioned immediately beyond the shoulder 104 so that, if in any Way the pawl should escape the shoulder 104, the pawl edge 50 will engage said pin head 105. Either of these engagements will, of course, prevent further clockwise movement of the arm 101; and either of those engagements will, of course, take place before the end of the arm 101 comes into operative contact with the flange 69 on the latch bar 26.

The various sharp edges and shoulders on the pawl and on the arm 101 are provided for the purpose of penetrating or chewing up any relatively soft material, such as wood, cardboard, or the like, which may be inserted into the lock in an effort to actuate the same without depositing the required coin.

A U-shaped strap 106 is secured to the assembly plate 20 by any suitable means such as the bolts 107, said strap including end walls 108 and 109 projecting perpeudicularly forward from the plane of the assembly plate 20. A spring 110 is anchored at one end upon a cotter pin 111 secured to the tumbler 87 adjacent the proximal end of the arm 101, and is anchored at its oppo site end upon a cotter pin 112 secured to the wall 109, said spring resiliently holding the tumbler in the position illustrated in FIG. .2, the degree of movement of said tumbler in response to the tendency of the spring 110 being limited by the pin 41.

The Toggle-Trip Mechanism A screw or pin 1 25, supported in the end wall 108 of the strap 106, forms a journal mounting for a trip lever 1 26 most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7. One end of said lever is bifurcated to form legs 127 and 128, while the opposite end 129 of said lever is formed as a single finger for a purpose later to be described. The lower end of the spring 54 is secured to the leg 127, thereby performing the dual functions of biasing the pawl 47 and the lever 126 in the desired directions. The leg 12.8 is positioned for cooperation with the finger 166 integral with the lever 35, for a purpose later to be described.

The Coin Receiver As is shown in FIG. 2, the plate portion 90 of the tumbler 87 is formed, near its upper left-hand corner, with a perforation 130 through which, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, passes a rivet 151 fixing to said plate portion 90 a visual indicator plate 132, formed with a coin slot 133', and carrying the legends 13-4 and 13 5. A rivet 13 6 passes through the aperture 102 in the free end of the arm 1111, and has received thereon a spacer collar 137 before being expanded outside of aperture 138 formed in the flange 139 (FIG. 7) integral with the plate 132 and perpendicular thereto.

As is most clearly illustrated in FIG. 7, the flange 139 is formed with an aperture 147 through which projects the curved end of the coin-carrying arm 65; and it is to be noted that the aperture 147 is large enough to permit lateral shifting of said end of the arm 65 toward the left, as viewed in FIG. 7, against the tendency of the spring 67 (FIGS. 3 and 6).

The Toggle Blocker A link 150 (see FIG. 3) is pivotally mounted at one end upon a screw or rivet 151 passing through an aperture 152 (see FIG. 2) in the lower night-hand pontion of the plate 93. Adjacent its opposite end, the link 150 is formed with a slot 153, and a screw 154, formed with a large cylindrical shoulder received in said slot 153, is threadedly engaged in a bore in one end of a toggle lever 159 pivotally mounted at 160 upon the table portion of the strap 106.. A spring 157 is anchored at one end upon a finger formed on the link 150, and at its opposite end upon a cotter pin 15% secured in the wall 108 of the strap 10 6. It will be clear that, as the plate 93 is rotated in a clockwise direction about the axis of the plug 88, the spring 157 will tend to cause rotary movement of the link 150' about its pivot 151 in a counter-clockwise direction; thereby swinging the toggle lever .159 in a clockwise direction about its pivot and, after a predetermined degree of movement of the plate 93, the spring will cause the link 1'50 and lever 159, acting as a toggle, to swing past dead center. In that position, the shoulder 161 of the lever 159 immediately overlies the finger 1219' of the lever 12.6.

Register Actuation A clamp element 162, adapted to be tightened by a screw 16?, is sleeved upon the shaft 86 to support a lever 164 non-rotatably with respect to said shaft. A pin 165 carried by the free end of said lever 164 is received in the slot 99' of the pitman 97.

The Privacy Attachment A mounting block 171 is secured to the assembly plate 20 by means of a screw 170, which also extends through one foot of the yoke 22 and acts as part of the mounting for the yoke 22. Journalled within the counting block 17 1 is an elongated shaft 172' which extends rearwardly through the assembly plate 20 and is threaded upon its extending portion 175. It should also be mentioned that the extending portion 175 is flattened at 176 in an axial direction for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

Fixed to the forwardly extending end portion of the shaft 172 is a cam element 177 which has a camming surface 170 including a notch 179 adapted to cooperate with a cam button 180 secured to a lever 18 1 which is pivoted at 182 upon the table portion of the yoke 22. The lever 181 has an elongated downwardly extending arm which is adapted to earn against the face 184 of the arm 101. The shaft 172 may be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, and the cam 177 will force against button 180 pivoting the lever 181 until the notch 179 receives the button 180 and the arm 185 of the lever has pivoted the tumbler $7 through a predetermined clockwise rotation. Anchored to the post 63 by means of the cotter pin 64 is a spring 186 which is secured at its opposite end to the arm 105 of the lever 181. The spring acts to aid in the movement of the arm 181 to the clockwise pivoted position of FIG. 3 limited by the button engaging the cam element 177; however, when the button 180 is received within the notch v179', a positive retaining action is provided tending to hold the lever 181 in its counter clockwise pivoted position and to hold the arm 101 in a corresponding clockwise pivoted position.

Also fixed to the shaft 175 in a radially extending fashion, is a pin 187 which extends through a suitable slot 190 in the mounting block 171. When the device is in the operating position illustrated in FIG. 2, the pin 137 extends generally rightwardly and downwardly. When the shaft 175 is pivoted until the button 180 is received in the notch 179, the pin 187 projects downwardly and is located just adjacent a shoulder 191 (see FIG. 4) on the latch bolt 26. For this reason, the withdrawal of the latch bolt resulting either from the depression of the latch bolt or from the retraction thereof by the tumblers causes the shoulders to ride against the downwardly extending pin 187 and to pivot it along with the shaft 175 to the position illustrated, it being understood that the spring 186 facilitates this action and makes less difficult the retraction of the latch bolt.

The Inner and Outer Coverings Referring now more particularly to FIG. 7, the lock assembly is shown as secured to the outer surface of the door 102 by means of screws such as 168 or the like.

Suitable bolts (not shown) may pass through the assembly plate 20 at its upper end and through the door 192 to be threadedly received within suitable lugs on the inner surface of an inner escutcheon plate 195 whereby the lock assembly along with the escutcheon plate are secured to the door 192. The shaft 39 is preferably received in a bushing 1% received within a suitable bore through the door 192. The shaft 39 is formed at its extending end with a kerf 197 through which extends a pin 2% carried by the shank of the operating handle 40. The shaft 175 has threadedly received thereon a knob 19% having a set screw 199 threaded into the wall thereof for engagement with the flattened surface 176 of shaft 175 whereby the knob may be used to pivot the shaft 175.

Referring to FIG. 8, a casing or housing 2%1 has formed thereon adjacent its upper end a downwardly projecting lug 262 for reception in a slot 2115 formed in a block 2% secured to the face of the assembly plate 213. The housing is so formed that it completely encloses the various parts mounted on the assembly plate 253 by means of its lateral walls 2117. One of the walls 2 .17 is provided with a slot 210 permitting projection therethrough of the latch bar 26, said wall also preferably being provided with a projecting shroud 211 covering the projecting end of the latch bar and tending to prevent a knife blade or other instrument from being inserted between the housing and the keeper in order to manipulate the latch bar. Projecting outwardly within the shroud 181) and in such a manner as to be in substantial registry with the latch bar when the housing is assembled thereon is a block 212 which also acts to prevent insertion of a knife blade or the like for operating the latch bar.

A keeper plate 215 formed with a shroud 216 is adapted to be secured to the door frame and acts to further enclose the projecting end of the latch bar when the door is closed, said shroud being formed with a notch 217 for accommodating the block 212. The housing 201 has journalled therein an outer operating handle 220 provided with an inner end formed with a blade 221 which is proportioned and arranged to enter the kerf 89 in the plug 88 when the parts are assembled. The casing 201 is formed with a coin slot 225 which, when the parts are positioned as in FIG. 3, registers with the coin slot 133 in the indicator plate 132. The housing is further formed with a window or opening 226 which alternatively displays the legend 134 or 135 depending upon the location of the tumbler 87 and the indicator plate fixed thereto. It can be appreciated that if the tumbler and indicating plate are in any other position than that illustrated in FIG. 3, insertion of a coin into the slot 133 will be prevented by reason of the fact that the slot 133 will be out of registry with the slot 225 in the casing.

A lock barrel 228 is journalled in the front Wall of the housing 201 and carries, within the housing, a lever 227 from which extends a pin 230 arranged for cooperation with the ear 3% on the plate 29 secured to the latch bar 26. By operation of the lock barrel 1%, the latch bar may be retracted through the medium of a pass key and such retraction will not operate the register 85. One of the walls 207 of the casing is provided with a window or opening 231 positioned for registry with the indicator 232 of the register 85 A plate 235 is slidably mounted within the casing 201 by means of a pair of bolts 236 which extend through slots 237 and 238 in the plate 235, the slot 238 having a generally J-shape. The plate 235 is provided with a window 240 which may be positioned in registry with the window 231 when the plate is in a suitable location with respect to the casing. The plate 235 has integral therewith an operating finger 241 which projects to such a position that it is readily operable through an opening 242 in the front wall of the housing. This opening is normally closed by means of a cover 2 .5 which receives a lock barrel 246 provided with an eccentric tongue 247 adjacent the inner surface of the closure 245. When the lock 24:: is operated in such a manner as to raise the eccentric as viewed in FIG. 8, the closure can be removed so as to permit access to the interior of the easing for the removal of coins therefrom and for adjustment of the plate 235 in such a manner as to permit inspection of the register 85.

Operation Assuming that the device is in the position illustrated in FIG. 3 and that casing 291 is in place, the slot 133 will be in registry with the casing slot 225. A coin of the proper size may be inserted through the slots so that it will drop into the space between the flange 139 and the arm 1611 to rest on the arms 65 and 63. Rotation of the handle 22%, in a clockwise direction, will produce a rotation of the tumbler 87 with its arm 1111 in a corresponding clockwise direction through the blade 221, kerf $9 and plug 88.

As mentioned above, the pawl 4-7 normally limits clockwise rotation of the tumbler 87 by engaging the indentation 1% with its notched nose 49. The coin, however, supported upon the arms 65 and 68 covers the indentation W3 and cams the nose of the pawl upwardly against the urging of the spring 54 whereby the tumbler 87 is permitted to continue its clockwise movement. As the nose of the pawl moves against the coin, the coin moves upwardly against the pin 1% and because the pin has a head of approximately the same depth as the coin, the coin prevents the pawl from engaging the pin so that the tumbler is free to continue clockwise rotation.

Just after the pawl passes the coin, the tumbler and plate 132 with its fiange 13 9 move to such a position that the coin is move-d past the end of the arm 65. Since nothing blocks the downward movement of the coin, it then drops downwardly into the reservoir in the bottom of the casing 2%. The continued clockwise movement of the arm 101 causes it to contact the flange 69 on the latch bar and to retract the latch bar so as to permit opening of the door.

Just after the pawl 47 rides off of the coin, the finger 91 on the tumbler moves past the finger 61 on the front tumbler trip 58, and the tumbler trip '58 moves in a counterclockwise direction under the urging of the spring 62A until the finger 61 is beneath the finger 91. Thus, the finger 61 holds the tumbler 87 against a reverse counterclockwise movement.

As mentioned, the full clockwise rotation of the tumbler acts to withdraw the latch bar from its keeper. Such movement of the tumbler 87 and its arm 161 will also rotate the plate 93 in a clockwise direction through the action of the finger 92 engaging the post 1011. The clockwise rotation of the plate 93 moves the pitman 97 which swings the lever 164 in a clockwise direction about the shaft 86 actuating the register to indicate one operation of the device.

The clockwise movement of the plate also produces a leftward movement of the link 1511 through the pin 151 upon which it is pivoted causing the link to swing in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot shifting the toggle past its dead center against the urging of the spring 157. The shifting of the toggle causes the finger 161 on the lever 160 to be moved into engagement with the finger 123 of the element 126.

Assuming now that the customer releases the handle 22 t the latch bar will be returned to its projected position by means of the spring 31 and this action will also move the :arm and tumbler leftwardly, the spring aiding the spring 3 1 in such counterclockwise leftward movement of the tumbler. The tumbler, however, cannot return to the position illustrated in the drawings by reason of the fact that finger 91 engages the finger 61 and limits the counterclockwise movement. When the parts are in this position, the plate 1132 is so positioned 9 that neither the legend 134 or 135 is completely visible through the window 226.

Privacy Attachment Operation The customer now enters the enclosure and closes the door. As the door is closed, the bevelled portion of the latch bar strikes the keeper shroud 216 and is forced into retracted position as the latch bar passes the shroud. This movement of the latch bar causes the shoulder 60 to engage the arm 59 of the tumbler trip 58 and to pivot the trip in a clockwise direction causing the finger 61 to be moved away from the finger 91 whereby the tumbler is permitted to pivot in a counterclockwise direction under the action of the spring 110.

A forerunner to the prevent device was so arranged that counterclockwise movement of the tumbler was limited by the engagement of the shoulder 250' of the plate 132 with the shoulder 25d of the plate 93. Since this plate 93 was held against counterclockwise rotation by means of the toggle including the link 1511 and the lever 159, the plate 132 was stopped in such a position that the legend 134 was visible through the window 226. In this position, the slot 133 in the plate 132 was out of registry with the slot 225 in the casing 2%]. thus preventing insertion of a coin through these slots.

In the present device, this operation is modified by deforming the member .126 in such a manner that the normal position of its finger 129, as shown in the drawings, is moved upwardly a. suflicient distance so that the toggle cannot move as great a distance past dead center against the urging of the spring 157. In other wonds, when the link 1541 is pivoted counterclockwise and the link 159 is pivoted clockwise to such a position that the toggle is past dead center, the finger 129' engages the shoulder 161 to limit such pivoting at a point sufficient-ly close to dead center that the above mentioned counterclockwise pivoting of the tumbler results in the engagement of the shoulders 250 and 251 driving the plate 93 in la counterclockwise direction causing the toggle and'all of the parts to return to the position illustrated in FIG. 3.

Thus, the customer is now in the enclosure and the legend 135 is visible through the window 226 and the coin slots 133 and 225 are in registry. Located above the knob 1% upon the door inside of the enclosure is a relatively prominent sign carrying the legend Turn for Privacy. The customer, upon observing this sign, turns the knob 193 in a counterclockwise manner as is indicated upon the knob itself. Such turning of the knob causes a clockwise direction of the shaft 172 as viewed in FIG. 3 and causes the cam 177 to pivot the lever 181 in a counterclockwise direction causing the downwardly extending arm 185 to cam against the arm 101 of the tumbler and to move the tumbler with its plate 132 in a clockwise direction. This clockwise movement is limited by engagement of the pin 187 with the shoulder 191 of the latch bolt. The parts are so proportioned that the plate will be pivoted from the position wherein the legend 135 is visible through the window 226 to the position where the legend 134 is visible. It can also be appreciated that such pivoting of the plate will place the slots 133 and 225 out of registry so that a coin cannot be inserted to openate the look. It should also be mentioned that the pivoting of the tumbler is not sufficiently great to produce any retraction of the latch bolt.

Inner Handle Latch Bar Retraction When the customer is ready to leave the enclosure, he may withdraw the latch bar by turning the handle 40 in either direction. As explained above, rotation of the shaft 39 in either direction causes the back tumbler lever 35 to be rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. This clockwise rotation produces retraction of the latch bar by engagement of the upper end of the lever with the shoulder formed by one end of the cut-away portion 34. As the latch bar is retracted, its shoulder 1d 191 will pivot the pin 187 in a counterclockwise manner as viewed in FIG. 3 causing the shaft 172 to also be pivoted along with its cam 177 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. This action permits the lever 181 to also return to the position of FIG. 3 and permits the spring to move the tumbler with its plate 132 to the position of FIG. 3 wherein the legend is visible through the window 226 and the slots 133 and 225 are in registry for further operation of the block.

It can be appreciated from the above description that the lock of the present invention can never be operated in such a manner that the coin slots 133 and 225 are out of registry when there is no one in the enclosure. Obviously, if this situation occurs frequently, the usefulness of the toilet is greatly decreased because the toilet would be placed out of service for long periods of time. Excepting the toilet enclosure being occupied, the only time that the plate 133 will not be in a position wherein the coin slots are in registry is just after the insertion of a coin through the slots and the clockwise rotation of the outer handle 220. Even though the slots are not in registry after such operation, the handle 220 can again be operated to retract the latch bar without further insertion of a coin if such operation is desired. As soon as the latch bar is depressed, however, a further coin is necessary. Thus, it can be seen that there is no way in which the present device can be operated to prevent access to the enclosure when it is not occupied.

It can also be appreciated that the present invention solves the problem of a person being walked in upon when the toilet enclosure is occupied. As mentioned above, the forerunner to the present lock can be so operated that the legend 135 is visible through the window 226 and the coin slots are in registry even though the enclosure is occupied. This action can occur by repeated operation of the handle 44) by the customer to see if he is locked in. Thus someone outside of the enclosure might assume the enclosure is unoccupied and place a coin in the slot and openthe door. The privacy attach ment of the present invention provides means which can be operated by the occupant to prevent entry of the enclosure even though the occupant has repeatedly opened the door while inside the enclosure.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected. For example, the present invention can also be used for lavatories, bath houses and laundromats as well as public toilets.

The invention claimed is:

1. A coin controlled lock for a door comprising a latch bar slidably mounted on said door, a coin receiving element mounted on said door for pivoting through a path including an intermediate and two endward positions, said element having a coin receiving slot and being arranged to engage and retract said latch bar in moving from said intermediate to one of said endward position, resilient means urging said element to the other of said endward positions, means for blocking movement of said element from said intermediate position toward said one endward position, said blocking means being inoperable when a coin is received in said element, a protective cover for said element and means, said protective cover being located on one side of said door and having a coin slot located so as to be in registry with the coin slot of said element when said element is in its other endward position, a handle outside of said cover on said one side of said door connected to said element for the pivoting thereof, a handle on the other side of said door for retracting said latch bar independently of said element, means operable from the other side of said door for moving said 11 1 element from said other endward position to said intermediate position, said means being operated by the retraction of said latch bolt to permit said element to return to saidother endward position.

2. A coin controlled lock for acdoor comprising a latch bar slidably mounted on .saiddoor, a coin receiving element mounted on said door for pivoting through a path including an intermediate and two endward positions, said element having a coin receiving slot and being arranged .to, engage and retract said latch bar in moving from said intermediate to one of said endward positions, resilient means urging said, element to the other of said endward positions, means for blocking movement of said element from said intermediate position toward said one endward position, said blocking means being inoperable when a coin is received in said element, a protective cover for said element and means, said protective cover being located on one side of said'door and having a coin slot located so as to be in registry with the coin slot of said element when said element is in its other endward position, a handle outside of said cover on said one side of said door connected to said element for the pivoting thereof, a handle on the other side of said door for retracting said latch bar independently of said element, a shaft pivotally-mounted on said door for pivoting between a first and second position, a knob secured to the'end of said shaft for the pivoting thereof and located on the other side of saiddoor, a lever operatively connected to said shaft and arranged to engage said element and to move it from said other endward position to said intermediate position upon the pivoting of said shaft from said first position to said second position, and a pin fixed to said shaft and projecting therefrom in such a manner that it is engaged by said latch bolt upon the retraction thereof to pivot said shaft to said first position.

3. A coin controlled lock for a door comprising a latch bar slidably mounted on said door, a coin receiving element mounted on said door for pivoting through a path including an intermediate and two endward positions, said element having a coin receiving slot and being arranged to engage and retract said latch bar in moving from said intermediate to one of said endward positions,

resilient means urging said element to the other of said endward positions, means for blocking movement of said element fromsaid intermediate position toward said one endward position, said blocking means being inoperable when a coin is received in said element, a protective cover, for said element and means, said protective cover being located .on one side of said .door and having a coin slot located so as'to be in registry with the coin slot of said element when said element is in its other endward position, a handle outside of said cover on said one side of saiddoor connected to said element for the pivoting thereof, a handle on the other side. of said door for retracting said latch bar independently of said element, a shaft pivotally mounted on said door for pivoting between a first and second position, a knob secured to one end of said shaft for the pivoting thereof and located on the other side of said door, a cam secured to the other end of said shaft, a lever pivoted with relation to said door and arranged to be pivoted by said cam upon the rotation of said shaft, said lever being located to move said element from said other endward position to said intermediate position upon the pivoting of said shaft from said first position to said second position, and a pin fixed to said shaft and projecting therefrom in such a manner that it is engaged by said latch bolt upon the retraction thereof to pivot said shaft to said first position.

4. A coin controlled lock for a door comprising a latch bar slidably mounted on said door, a coin receiving element mounted pivotally on said door so as to be pivotal through a path including three positions, two of which are at the ends of said path and the other of which is intermediate of said two positions, said element having a coin receiving slot leading into said element, said element being arranged to engage and retract said latch bar in pivoting from the intermediate position to one endward position, a tension spring anchored at one end in fixed relation to said door and anchored at the other end to said pivotal element and urging said pivotal element .to the other of said endward positions, said element having an indentation, a pawl pivoted to said door and arranged to engage the indentation of said element to block movement thereof from said intermediate position toward said one endward position, said aperture being so located that a coin received in said element covers said aperture to team said pawl and permit pivotingof said element from said intermediate position to said one endward position, a protective cover for said element, spring and pawl,

said protective cover being located on one side of said door andhaving a coin slot located so as to be in registry with the coin slot of said element whensa-id coin slot is in its other endward position, a handle pivoted to said coverlocated outside thereof and connected to said element for the pivoting thereof, a handle on the other. side of said door operatively connected tosaid latch bar for the retracting thereof independently of said element, and

a knob pivotally mounted on the other side of said door, said knob being operatively connected to said element for the pivoting thereof from said other endward position to said intermediate position, said latch bolt being arranged upon retraction thereof to return said knob and operative connection to a position permitting said element to move tosaid other endward position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS

Claims (1)

1. A COIN CONTROLLED LOCK FOR A DOOR COMPRISING A LATCH BAR SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID DOOR, A COIN RECEIVING ELEMENT MOUNTED ON SAID DOOR FOR PIVOTING THROUGH A PATH INCLUDING AN INTERMEDIATE AND TWO ENDWARD POSITIONS SAID ELEMENT HAVING A COIN RECEIVING SLOT AND BEING ARRANGED TO ENGAGE AND RETRACT SAID LATCH BAR IN MOVING FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE TO ONE OF SAID ENDWARD POSITION, RESILIENT MEANS URGING SAID ELEMENT TO THE OTHER OF SAID ENDWARD POSITIONS, MEANS FOR BLOCKING MOVEMENT OF SAID ELEMENT FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE POSITION TOWARD SAID ONE ENDWARD POSITION, SAID BLOCKING MEANS BEING INOPERABLE WHEN A COIN IS RECEIVED IN SAID ELEMENT, A PROTECTIVE COVER FOR SAID ELEMENT AND MEANS, SAID PROTECTIVE COVER BEING LOCATED ON ONE SIDE OF SAID DOOR AND HAVING A COIN SLOT LOCATED SO AS TO BE IN REGISTRY WITH THE COIN SLOT OF SAID ELEMENT WHEN SAID ELEMENT IS IN ITS OTHER ENDWARD POSITION, A HANDLE OUTSIDE OF SAID COVER ON SAID ONE SIDE OF

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