US3127097A - Coin depository for coin-operated devices - Google Patents

Description

March 31, 1964 E. F. OBRIEN ETAL COIN DEPOSITORY FOR COIN-OPERATED DEVICES Filed Aug. 10. 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 PIS. 2

INVENTORS 7. ML MA.

E. FITZGERALD O'BRIEN AND JOHN C. TORBETT ATTO R N EY March 31, 1964 E. F. OBRIEN ETAL COIN DEPOSITORY FOR COIN-OPERATED DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 10, 1962 INVENTORS E. FITZGERALD O'BRIEN AND JOHN C. TORBETT Ql w- ATTORNEY March 31, 1964 E. F. O'BRIEN ETAL 3,127,097

com DEPOSITORY FOR COIN-OPERATED DEVICES Filed Aug. 10, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet :5

FIG. 7

INVENTORS E. FITZGERALD O'BRIEN AND JOHN C. TORBETT ATTORNEY E. F. O'BRIEN ETAL March 31, 1964 com DEPOSITORY FOR COIN-OPERATED DEVICES Fil ed Aug. 10. 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 E. FITZGERALD O'BRIEN AND JOHN C. TORBETT ATTORNEY E. F. O'BRIEN ET/AL COIN DEPOSITORY FOR COIN-OPERATED DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS E. FITZGERALD O'BRIEN AND JOHN C. TORBETT BY 0. .1 WM

ATTORNEY March 31, 1964 Filed Aug. 10, 1962 United States Patent Ofiice 3,127,097 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 3,127,097 CGIN DEPOSITORY FDR COIN -OFERATED DEVICE Edward Fitzgerald OBrien, Tupelo, Miss, and John C. Torbett, Wright City, Mo., assignors to M/T Mfg. & Supply Co., Inc, Warren County, Mo, a corporation of Missouri Filed Aug. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 216,147 6 (ilaims. (Cl. 232-44) This invention relates in general to coin-receiving means and, more particularly, to a coin depository for use with coin-operated mechanisms, being of the general type set forth in the co-pending application of E. Fitzgerald OBrien, Serial Number 179,962, filed March 15, 1962, entitled Coin Depository.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a depository for coins inserted within coin-operated devices which is remote from, and physically independent of, the particular unit or device to be operated thereby, and which is adapted to resist pilfering eifectively.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a coin depository of the type stated which is located within a permanent, non-portable structure, distinct from the related operated devices so that any unlawful breaking into such depository will not cause attendant damage to, or loss of, the associated device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coin depository of the type stated which is especially adapted for use with pay telephones, permitting of the utilization of relatively inexpensive telephone units as the costliness of current models is in great part dictated by the incorporation therein of coin collecting means.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide coin depository means for coin-operated devices which is especially adapted for use with present types of coin-receiving boxes, having unique means for co-acting with the latch mechanisms of such boxes.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a coin depository the use of which effects marked economies in production; which is reliable and dunable in usage; and the use of which will substantially reduce, if not virtually eliminate coin theft.

Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings sheets) wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a public telephone incorporating a coin depository constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the public telephone shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal transverse sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 3, illustrating the coin receiving box in various positions during insertion and withdrawal, and showing the housing closure in open condition.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical view taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 10 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line Iii-10 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 11 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 12 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view, taken substantially on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 3, illustrating the coin receiving box with the latch in locked position at the initial stage of the withdrawal movement.

FIGURE 14 is a vertical view taken on the line 14-14 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 16 is a front view of the telephone supporting section of a conventional telephone booth incorporating a coin depository constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 17 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 17-17 of FIGURE 16.

For purposes of setting forth the present invention, the same is shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow as utilized in conjunction with a public, coin-operated or so-called pay telephone. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is readily usable with the myriad types of coin-operated devices, whether of the vending machine variety or of the service character, so that the following description, wherein reference is made primarily to a telephone unit, is for purposes of illustration only. The adaptability of the present invention for use with such other devices will be readily apparent from the following.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings, A designates a public telephone comprising a support column or cylindrical upright 1 formed of suitable tube or pipe stock; said column 1 being at its upper end and having a bore 2, thereby adapting same to constitute a housing. At its lower end column 1 is provided with a base portion 3 tor securement to, or upon, a foundation 4, as of concrete, disposed in, or on, the ground or other supporting surface.

On its upper, outer portion column 1 mounts, as by means of welded brackets and bolts, or the like, a hoodlike enclosure 5 formed of sheet metal of desirable gauge to provide a sound-reducing, partial shelter for the user. Said enclosure 5 and its immediately related structure do not form a part of the present invention but are shown and limitedly described for environmental purposes. Enclosure 5 opens outwardly allowing ready access to, and comfortable manipulation of, a telephone 6 suspended upon a support member 7, carried on a coin energizing mechanism, shown generally at 8, for telephone 6 and which incorporates the customary cooperating elements (not shown) well known in the art for activating a pay telephone or other device for use. Said mechanism 8, being mounted on the inner wall of enclosure 5, includes a coin slot or slots 9, and in its rearward face communicates through the inner wall of enclosure 5 and column 1 with a conduit or chute 10 located in bore 2 for passage therethrough of coins which have completed device-activating travel through mechanism 8.

At its lower end conduit 10 is fixed to and passes through a rectangular cap member 11 seated upon a housing 12 disposed within core 2 of column 1, and having a pair of opposed parallel, vertical side walls 13, 13, and a rear Wall 14 extending transversly therebetween; said housing 12 being thus open to the front. Housing 12 is mounted upstandingly at its lower end upon a generally U-shaped, horizontally presented support frame 15 rigidly fixed to the adjacent portions of the interior surface of column 1, as by welding or the like; there being angle members 16, 16' secured on their horizontal flanges to the upper face of opposed legs of said support frame and fixed on their confronting vertical flanges to the lower portions of side walls 13, 13' respectively of housing 12 for stabilizing same. Said side walls 13, 13' along the lower portions of their forward or free edges are secured to facing members 17, 17' respectively, which extend between said side walls and the adjacent portion of the inner face of column 1 so as to effectively block unauthorized access therebetween, for purposes presently appearing.

Provided within rear wall 14 of housing 12 downwardly from the upper end thereof is a pair of horizontally extending, spaced apart openings 13 (FIGURE 8) for receiving tongues 13 projecting from the rearward edge of the upper plate 20 of a shelfor platform-forming member 21, dimensioned for reception within housing 12 and comprising a lower plate 22 in parallel relation to plate 20, there being a plurality of spacer members 23 for maintaining said plates 20, 22 in spaced apart, but united relationship. Shelf-forming member 21 at its forward end mounts a lock 24 having a flat bolt 25 adapted for operation by means of an insertable key 26 for effecting engagement within a cooperating latching member 27, secured upon the inner face of column 1 (FIGURE 6). Thus, shelf-forming member 21 may be readily positioned within housing 12 and securely maintained therein by means of tongues 13 and the co-action of lock 24 and latching member 27, and, conversely, by reciprocal action, the same may be readily removed from such operative position.

Provided for supported disposition upon shelf-forming member 21 is a coin-receiving box, indicated generally at B, the precise construction of said box not constituting the present invention since the same is of the type which has been heretofore widely utilized in pay telephones of the Bell System. But, for the purpose of rendering the present invention fully understandable, it will be noted that said box B incorporates a hinged top wall 39, being adapted for locked securement in closed condition, as indicated at L, and having an aperture 31 contoured for projection therethrough of coin conduit 10, so that coins deposited in the particular device will be ultimately received within box B. Said box B further incorporates a plate-like closure 32 (FIGURES 11 and 15) for opening 31, which is operated by a latch arm 33 being pivotally mounted between open and closed position and being biased, as by a spring (not shown) into the latter position. Arm 33 projects outwardly through an arcuate slot 34 provided in top wall for extension beyond the adjacent side wall thereof (FIGURE 3). Thus, with latch arm 33 in open position, that being toward the front of box B (FIGURES 3 and 9), said aperture 31 will be in open condition, whereas upon travel of said arm 33 rearwardly within said slot 34, aperture 31 will be closed, as shown in FIGURE 15. It is to be further noted that with the particular construction of box B, when latch arm 33 is in rearward or apertureclosing position, the same will be locked therein against opening movement, so that the only manner in which one can empty box B without destruction of the same is to unlock lock L and swing top wall 39 upwardly.

To provide access to bore 2 of column 1 from the exterior, there is presented a closure panel 35 which forms a part of column 1, being in extent approximately one-half the circumference of said column and being swingably mounted therein by a hinge 36; there being the usual locking means, as suggested at 37, for maintaining said panel in closed relation. Panel 35 is disposed on column 1 so that its upper end edge is slightly downwardly of the upper end of facing members 17, 17', whereby upon opening of said panel 35, an unauthorized entrant would be denied access to the space between the inner face of column 1 and side walls 13, 13, so that tools could not be inserted therein for destructive use upon housing 12. By virtue of the relationship of panel 35 to housing 12, an authorized user of the present invention would have ready approach to the lower portion of housing 12, being enabled to comfortably reach upwardly for manipulation of key 26 to either lock or unlock shelf-forming member 21 for ultimate intended handling of box B, that is, for either withdrawal or positioning purposes.

In disposing of box B in operative or coin-receiving position, with reference being especially made to FIG- URE 7, an operator will place box B upon support frame 15 while holding latch arm 33 forwardly so that aperture 31 is open. As box B is so positioned, latch arm 33 will be brought into engagement with the upper, inturned end 38 of a vertically presented spring member 39 (FIGURES 4 and 9), which latter is of elongated, flat steel stock, and secured at its lower end, as by a rivet or the like, upon the outer face of side wall 13 of housing 12. The said upper end 33 of spring 39 projects inwardly of the lower end of a vertically extending cam slot 40 which progresses to the upper end of side wall 13. As may best be seen in FIGURE 9, the outer end portion of arm 33 will project laterally outwardly through cam slot til; it being noted that spring 39 reliably restrains it against aperture-closing action. With arm 33 so held, the operator will then lift box B upwardly within housing 12, with arm 33 during such travel being in continuous restrained contact with the rearward edge of cam slot 49 (see FIGURE 10) so that when box B is in full upward position, aperture 31 will be open for accepting the lower end of coin conduit 10. As may be seen in FIGURES 7 and 13, the rearward edge of cam slot 49 terminates a short distance below the upper end of side wall 13 for allowing communication between said cam slot at} and a horizontal, rearwardly extending cut-away zone or portion, as indicated at 41.

To prevent inadvertent, premature rearward swinging of arm 33 as it is moved beyond the upper end of the rearward side edge of slot 40, is a detent 42 fixed to, and depending from, the under face of cap member 11 (FIG- URE 12). With box B in operative, or full-up position the operator will then insert shelf-forming member 21 and secure same in position, supporting box B, wherein tongues 19 and lock 24 will be respectively engaged. Thereupon panel 35 may be closed and locked.

The box-withdrawing or removing action is as follows: With panel 35 unlocked, and outwardly swung, the operator will then reach inwardly and upwardly to unlock tongues 19 and lock 24 and then remove shelf-forming member 21 while simultaneously preventing free falling of the now-unsupported box B, which is thus freed for downward removal. As box B is drawn downwardly, latch arm 33 will, under its normal bias, start to swing rearwardly by virtue of the downwardly and rearwardly inclined face of detent 42 (FIGURE 11), which thus serves in a cam-like manner to control the rearward rate of swinging of latch arm 33. The lower end of detent 42 terminates above the lower edge of cut-away portion 41, so that as latch arm 33 loses contact with the lower end of said detent 42 as it moves downwardly therebeyond, it will be freed for completion of its rearward swinging for effecting closing of box aperture 31.

or vertical extent, of detent 42 is such that relative withdrawal of coin conduit 10 will have been completed prior to the closing action of aperture 31 so as to avoid any inadvertent interference. A short abutment portion 43 is provided upstandingly at the forward end of the lower edge of said cut-away portion 41 to prevent undesired locking-action of latch arm 33 as box B approaches the limit of its upward travel into operative position.

As may best be seen in FIGURE 15, with latch arm 33 in full rearward position, box B may be withdrawn easily downwardly through housing 12 without obstructing contact between said latch arm 33 and the inner face of side wall 13. Thus, box B may be withdrawn from column 1 for transportation to any selected point for opening in In this connection it is important to note that the effective length,

accordance with customary practices. An empty box may then be deposited within housing 12 in the manner above discussed.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a unique construction for effecting the safe receipt of coins from a coin-operated device at a point remote from the device and within a fully protected structure; it being recognized that pilfering would necessitate an opening of panel 35, a withdrawal of shelfforming member 21, a withdrawing action of box B which would be sufiiciently deft to prevent obstructing contact between latch arm 33 and housing 12, and ultimate opening of box B. Thus, numerous serious obstacles are placed in the path of any would-be thief with the requirement of considerable time in effecting any such theft, so that the thievery could be detected. Furthermore, and of paramount importance, is the fact that any such thef would be entirely without relation to the coin-operated device itself, so that the latter would not be subjected to damage or even theft by a rifiing of the coins. This feature alone insures the savings of considerable sums of money which have heretofore been expended to replace coin-operated devices which were stolen, since they incorporated the coin-receiving means, or which became gravely damaged in efforts to remove the coin-deposit devices therefrom.

Furthermore, as fully shown hereinabove, the present invention is uniquely contrived so as to be useful with coin-receiving boxes of the type which have been heretofore widely utilized in pay telephones, so that substantial saving is effected by virtue of the lack of necessity of designing a coin box especially for the present structure. It will therefore be seen that the present invention embodies unusual means for co-acting with the latch mechan sm of box B for maintaining same open during operation and for automatically effecting closure thereof before removal.

FIGURES l6 and 17 illustrate the present invention as utilized within a telephone booth, as opposed to the opentype structure shown in FIGURES l and 2. Thus, in lieu of column 1, the adjacent side and rear walls 50, 51, respectively, of a telephone booth C co-act with a front panel 52 having a central outwardly bowed or arcuate portion 53; said front panel being engaged at its sides to the adjacent side wall and rear wall 59, 51, by means of mounting brackets 54, 54', respectively. Thus, in all respects the present invention as used with telephone booth C is the same as with the telephone units shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2, with the exception that column 1 is replaced by the said walls of said booth C and the cooperating panel 52. Thus, the present invention has equal applicability to public telephone booths as to other types of public telephones. But, as stated hereinabove, it is quite apparent that the present invention is equally useful with any type of coin-operated device, and the illustration of the same with respect to public telephones has been for purposes of understanding only the nature of the invention, inasmuch as the substitution of the telephones by other coin-operated units would require no alteration in the operation of the coin-collecting means set forth and described herein.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the coin depository for coinoperated devices may be made and substituted for these herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. For use in combination with a coin-operated device having a discharge passage for coins received, a coin depository comprising means defining an enclosure, said coin discharge passage extending downwardly within said enclosure, a housing structure rigidly disposed within said enclosure in downwardly spaced relationship to the coin-operated device, a shelf-forming support member detachably mountable in said housing for horizontal disposition when in operable condition, means for locking said support member in operable condition, a coin receptacle for supported disposition upon said shelf-forming member and for reception within said housing, said coin receptacle receiving the lower end of said coin discharge passage, said enclosure having access means disposed downwardly of said shelf-forming member when the latter is in operative position whereby to effect removal of said coin receptacle, the said support member and receptacle must be withdrawn downwardly of said enclosure.

2. For use in combination with a coin-operated apparatus having a discharge passage for coins received, a coinreceiving box having an opening on its upper surface for receiving said discharge passage, closure means for said opening, a latch arm connected to said closure means, a coin depository comprising means defining an enclosure, said coin discharge passage extending into and downwardly within said enclosure with its lower end terminating spacedly below the related apparatus, a support structure fixed within said enclosure, a shelf-forming member removably mounted within said enclosure for horizontal disposition for supporting said coin box in coinreceiving relation, an elongated cam provided on said support structure for engaging said coin box latch arm when said box is directed toward, and is in, operative position to prevent premature closure of said box opening, and means provided on said support structure for freeing said latch arm for permitting closure of said opening when said box is withdrawn from operative position, and means for permitting access to said enclosure.

3. For use in combination with a coin-operated apparatus having a discharge passage for coins received, a coinreceiving box having an opening on its upper surface for receiving said discharge passage, closure means for said opening, a latch arm connected to said closure means, a coin depository comprising an enclosure, said coin discharge passage extending into and downwardly within said enclosure with its lower end terminating spacedly below the related apparatus, a support structure fixed within said enclosure, a shelf-forming member removably mountable within said enclosure for horizontal disposition for supporting said coin box in coin-receiving relation, said support structure having in one portion a vertically extending cam slot for extension therethrough of said box latch arm during movement of said box into coin-receiving position, said support structure further having a cut-away portion at its upper end to permit movement of said latch arm into closing position of said box opening, and means for permitting access to said enclosure downwardly of said shelf-forming member.

4. For use in combination with a coin-operated apparatus having a discharge passage for coins received, a coinreceiving box having an opening on its upper surface for receiving said discharge passage, closure means for said opening, a latch arm connected to said closure means, a coin depository comprising means defining an enclosure, said coin discharge passage extending into and downwardly within said enclosure with its lower end terminating spacedly below the related apparatus, a support structure fixed within said enclosure, a shelf-forming member removably mountable within said enclosure for horizontal disposition for supporting said coin box in coin-receiving relation, said enclosure having access means disposed downwardly of said shelf-forming member when the latter is in operative position whereby said coin receptacle must be moved vertically upwardly of said enclosure for disposition for operation and be moved reciprocally downwardly of said enclosure for removal therefrom, said support structure having a vertically extending cam slot for extension therethrough of said box latch arm to restrain same against premature closure of the box opening during movement of said box into operative position,

a detent member provided in said housing for engaging said latch arm when said box is in operative position, said support structure further having a cut-away portion downwardly of said detent to permit swinging movement of said latch arm into closed relationship of said box opening as said box is removed from operative position.

5. For use in combintion with a coin-operated aparatus having a discharge passage for coins received, a coinreceiving box having an opening for receiving said discharge passage, closure means for said opening, a latch arm connected to said closure means, a coin depository comprising means defining an enclosure, said coin discharge passage extending downwardly within said enclosure, a support structure fixed in said enclosure, a shelf-forming member rcmovably mounted in said support structure in horizontal disposition for supporting said coin box in coin-receiving position, means provided on said enclosure for permitting access to the interior thereof and being located spacedly downwardly of said shelf-forming member when the latter is in operative position whereby said coin box and shelf-forming member must be moved upwardly within said enclosure into operative position, elongated first cam means provided on said support structure for engaging said latch arm when said box is moved upwardly into operative position for effecting opening of said box opening, and second cam means provided on said support structure to prevent premature closure of said coin-box opening.

6. For use in combination with a coin-operated apparatus having a discharge passage for coins received, a coin-receiving box having an opening in its upper surface for receiving said discharge passage, a closure plate pivotally attached to the upper surface of said coinreceiving box for closing said opening, a latch arm connected to said closure plate, a coin depository comprising means defining an enclosure, said coin discharge passage extending into, and downwardly within, said enclosure with its lower end terminating spacedly below the related apparatus, a support structure fixed within said enclosure, said support structure comprising a generally U-shaped, horizontally presented support frame, and a housing having side walls and an interconnecting back wall fixed at their lower end and extending upwardly from said support frame, a shelf-forming member removably mounted within said enclosure for horizontal disposition upon said support frame for supporting said coin box in coin-receiving relation, locking means for securing said shelf-forming support member with said enclosure, said enclosure having access vanes disposed downwardly of said shelf-forming member when the latter is in operative position whereby said coin receptacle must be moved vertically upwardly into operative position and be moved reciprocally downwardly for withdrawal from said enclosure, one of said side walls of said housing having a vertically extending cam slot for extension therethrough of said coin box latch arm to restrain same against premature closure of the coin box opening during movement of the same into operative position, a detent member provided in said housing for engaging said latch arm when said box is in operative position, said side wall further having a cut-away portion downwardly of said detent to permit swinging movement of said latch arm into closed relationship of said coin box opening as said box is downwardly withdrawn from said enclosure.

Beck Dec. 15, 1914 Hudson Mar. 5, 1957

Claims (1)

1. FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH A COIN-OPERATED DEVICE HAVING A DISCHARGE PASSAGE FOR COINS RECEIVED, A COIN DEPOSITORY COMPRISING MEANS DEFINING AN ENCLOSURE, SAID COIN DISCHARGE PASSAGE EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE, A HOUSING STRUCTURE RIGIDLY DISPOSED WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE IN DOWNWARDLY SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO THE COIN-OPERATED DEVICE, A SHELF-FORMING SUPPORT MEMBER DETACHABLY MOUNTABLE IN SAID HOUSING FOR HORIZONTAL DISPOSITION WHEN IN OPERABLE CONDITION, MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID SUPPORT MEMBER IN OPERABLE CONDITION, A COIN RECEPTACLE FOR SUPPORTED DISPOSITION UPON SAID SHELF-FORMING MEMBER AND FOR RECEPTION WITHIN SAID HOUSING, SAID COIN RECEPTACLE RECEIVING THE LOWER END OF SAID COIN DISCHARGE PASSAGE, SAID ENCLOSURE HAVING ACCESS MEANS DISPOSED DOWNWARDLY OF SAID SHELF-FORMING MEMBER WHEN THE LATTER IS IN OPERATIVE POSITION WHEREBY TO EFFECT REMOVAL OF SAID COIN RECEPTABLE, THE SAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND RECEPTACLE MUST BE WITHDRAWN DOWNWARDLY OF SAID ENCLOSURE.

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