US3181678A - Coin changer apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 4 1965 M. P. HAvERsTlcK ETAL 3,181,678

COIN CHANGER APPARATUS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet l W wb t Uli 190 /50 May 4, 1965 M. P. HAvERsTlcK ETAL 3,181,678

COIN CHANGER APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 19, 1962 May 4, 1965 M. P. HAvERsTlcK ETAL 3,181,678

COIN CHANGER APPARATUS Filed Feb. 19, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 JIM H96.

INVENToRs.

May 4 1965 M. P. HAvERsTlcK ETAL 3,181,678

COIN CHANGER APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 19, 1962 IN V EN TORS.

merm/ 0. Howersc/r BY Joseph ,5J/en afs/Deich ,2M 4 K@ Q TTORN Y w; fyi; H0

United States Patent C 3,181,678 COIN CHANGER APPARATUS Merral P. Haverstick, St., Louis, and Joseph Allen Lotspeich, Florissant, Mo., assignors of one-half to The Vendo Company, Kansas City, Mo., and one-half to Coin Acceptors, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., both a corporation of Missouri Filed Feb. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 173,994 4 Claims. (Cl. 194-9) This invention relates to coin operated apparatus and particularly to structure adapted to be mounted on a coin accepting and changing unit for rendering the latter operable to control actuation of a vending machine to permit a product to be vended therefrom only after coins of a preselected value have been inserted in the apparatus and including a certain number of pennies in conjunction with higher value coins. It is preferable that the changer be of the type that returns change coins to the customer if coins are inserted in the changer of higher value than the price of the product to be vended from the machine.

The coin operated apparatus of this invention is especially adapted to handle odd penny pricing of products of either one or two pennies additional to a total price divisible by five, as for example six cents or seven cents when the present apparatus is employed on a basic ve cent changer, or eleven cents or twelve cents when the instant apparatus is added to a basic ten cent changer. It can be recognized that if the coin operated apparatus is to be capable of controlling vending of products from a machine at odd penny prices, it is desirable that the penny operated apparatus provided on the basic tive cent and ten cent changers, be designed to require the customer to deposit the necessary number of pennies in the machine prior to introduction of higher value coins thereinto, in view of the fact that return of change coins to the customer may be required along with actuation of the product vend mechanism.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide economical and eicient coin operated apparatus adapted tobe added to a conventional iive cent or ten cent changer to control vending of products from a machine at odd penny prices and wherein is included electrically operated penny switch means having a switch arm disposed to be actuated by passage of a penny through the apparatus and also having novel mechanism for preventing actuation of the switch arm of the penny switch until a predetermined number of pennies have been inserted in the machine and then effecting temporary mechanical locking of the penny switch in an actuated position until additional coins of higher value have been deposited in the apparatus to actuate the vend switch of the vending machine. In this respect, another important object of the invention is to provide coin operated apparatus of the type described wherein is included novel means for releasing the penny switch from the locked position thereof only after the vend switch of the vending machine has been actuated by insertion of proper high value coins in the coin operated mechanism.

Another important object of the invention is to provide coin operated apparatus wherein the switch arm of the penny switch has novel means thereon cooperable with the structure delining the coin accept passage for pennies for maintaining the first penny deposited in the coin apparatus, within the penny coin accept passage above the switch arm for the penny switch, whereby the second penny introduced into the mechanism moves by the rst penny retained in the coin accept passage and actuates the switch arm of the penny switch to thereby permit vending of products from the machine at values of seven cents or twelve cents in View of the fact that two pennies 3,181,678 Patented May 4, 1965 ICC must be inserted in the coin operated apparatus before the vend switch of the vending machine may be actuated by higher Value coins.

Also an important object of the present invention is to provide coin operated apparatus as previously described wherein the apparatus may be altered to control vending of products from a vending machine at values of six cents or eleven cents by the simple expedient of removing a portion of the switch arm of the penny switch which normally serves to retain the first penny deposited in the apparatus, in the coin accept passage and out of penny switch actuating disposition, until the second penny is introduced into the mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide coin operated apparatus as described which employs combination electrical and mechanical components for determining that a proper number of pennies have been inserted in the machine and including novel means associated therewith for returning all coins to the customer if the electrical power to the machine is disconnected or any other type of electrical malfunction occurs in the machine.

Other important objects and details of the present coinoperated apparatus will become obvious or be explained in greater detail as the following specification progresses.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of coin operated apparatus embodying the preferred concepts of the present invention and also showing a part of a conventional acceptor unit capable of separating genuine coins from spurious discs;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2 2 of FIG. 1 and looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken substantially on the irregular line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and looking to the right as indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 2 and looking toward the rear portion of the changer apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, front elevational View of the upper portion of the changer apparatus with the coin accepting unit illustrated in FIG. 1, removed therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, rear elevational view of the coin changer illustrated in FIG. 1 and on a slightly larger scale;

FIG. 7 is a partial plan and partial schematic representation of the upper portion of the coin changer and illustrating the paths of the various coins through the coin accepting unit normally employed at the upper end of the changer and indicated only schematically in this figure; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the electrical components of the coin operated apparatus and the interrelationship of such components with a part of the electrically operated mechanism of a conventional vending machine.

The coin operated apparatus embodying the preferred concepts of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings and with the overall coin changing and accepting unit being designated broadly by the numeral 10. The changer designated 12 may be either a tive cent or ten cent changer of substantially conventional construction and, for purposes of the present description, a ve cent changer has been illustrated. The coin accepting and rejecting mechanism 14 removably mounted on the upper portion of unit 12 is also of conventional design. Certain portions of changer unit 12 and mechanism 14 have been illustrated substantially in their entireties, but it is to be pointed out that only limited portions thereof are material to an understanding of the present invention and thus, the inventive subject matter is described in detail while theremainder of the coinxchanging andaccepting unit 1t) is'referred to only generally since the construction and The rearmost faces of tubes 38 and46 proximityito i wall 24 are provided lwith uprighty s lots 44 therein for operation thereof will be apparent to and readily undeif` i' stood by those skilled in this art.

' The main frame 16 of changer unit 12 includes a pair i @of upright, generally rectangular side wall's1r8fand 20 integral with a rear wall 22 which covers only a portion of the back of frarnek 16 and extendsfrom thefupper extremities of sidewalls 18 and 20 downwardly to a` point Y adjacent the lower end of rejector mechanism 14r as shown in FIG. 1. SA generally vertical intermediate wall'24is provided between wallsj'18 andf20'and extends down- Y wardly from the'lower end of wal122 to thebottom plate iA structure 26 of frame 16.y YAltr'ansverse, generally horifv zontal wall 28 is vprovided between the lowenend of rear clearinginwardly extending extensions 46 of a pair'of vfeelers 48 rotatably carried by suitable support means therefor mounted on the rear face of wall 24. lA tube vp prevents the customer from inserting high value coins in wall122 and the upper gextremity'of intermediate wall 24 as illustratedirr FIG. 2. Although'not illustrated in the drawings it is to be understood that an upperk 4horizontal wall may alsoibe4 provided Abetweenside walls 18 and'120 f and generally ofa coniigurationfyandfwidth substantially equal to that'oft'wall 28.I An upright'wall 30 `extending forwardly from wall 24 toward the front lportionof frame 16 and" in jparallel, relatively close relationshipj to wall apparatusl whenever thegsupply of change coins in tubes 38 and 40 `is exhausted.

Y* A series :of-.coin channel plates vareal'so removably mounted onwall 24'in proximity to side wall 20 and adjacent the lower margin Yo'fmechariismY l14 as illustrated in FIG. 1;*- Although not( detailed vin the drawings, the

t coin channel plates are configured to receive corresponding-coinstherebetween Yand to direct such coins along arcuate or`straight paths of travel and constitute the `coin 18 (FIG. 2) cooperates withthelatter to deii'neV a coin return'chute 32 also defined by aA partially inclined wall 34 integral with wall 30, the wall 278 andvside wall'18.,gas` well as by a removablefront1 plate 36 secured to wall'30 v and side wall 18 as shown in FIG. l. The -chute 32 ex,- tends substantially the full length of intermediate Vwall 24 and is adapted to be aligned with a chute infthe vending machinereceiving apparatusV 10, for directing change coins as well as spurious discs and bentcoins orV the Ylike vto the person operating kthe vending machine.

Certain of the components provided on changer unitA 12 are of generally conventionaldesign and, therefore, will vnot be detailed as setjforth.v abovegbut it is to be pointedV out that unitg12 is preferablyprovided with yafpairof change coin tubes 38 and 40 carried by plate structure 26 forwardly of lintermediate wall24 and adapted to receive ar'elatively large'number of change coins in thenature of nickels or the like. Change coin delivery mechanism is operably carried by plate structure 26v immediately below tubes 38 and'40 and isoperably driven by a motor unitk 42 positioned kimmediately above plate structure 26 in' overlying relationship to the latter and carried by .walls and 24.- It isrv to beireco'gnized that an voscillatable plate having an opening therein alternatelyalignable with the open lower ends oftubes 38 andv40, may be operably coupled to unit 42 -for operationgthereby whereby/-Lthe' number of change coins Vdelivered from tubes 38 and 40 is directly dependentupon the interval of operation of unit 42. Since the oscillatable plate of structure 26 will have one coin inthe delivery opening thereof, movement of the oscillatable plate from a position beneath tubev 3S to a location underlying tube 470.7will result in acoin being ldelivered from the lower endv of structure 26 ,out oftheV opening lin the *oscillatable plate while a coin from, the

accept passages of changer unit V12.1- Referring to FIG.' 2, the innermostfcoin channel plate-54 in direct overlying relationship to Vwal1'24 has a groove thereincooperable with wall" 24 andside wall 20' presenting a coin accept passage k56for twenty-five cent coins. The channel plate '58 stacked over plate V:54 also has a groove therein co-op- Verable'witl'tlleouter face of plate 54 and the sidewall 2) toldefine a. coin accept passage 6() forten-cent coins. The

'third coinrchannel plate 62 overlying plate158 has a pair of grooves therein cooperatingv with the outeri face of plate 58 and side wall 20 to dene'ncoin accept passages 64 for directing tive-cent coins into the coin' storage tubes 38 and 40." When tubes 38and 40 are completelykilled with changefcoins, suitableirneans is provided for directing the additional'l coins into the coin collection passage ofv unit 12 and positioned immediately below the passages 56, y60 and 64 adjaeem wan Vzo of-'frajmefm The outermost coin channel plate 66 has grooves in ythe innerfacethereof cooperable with plate 62and side Vwall 20110 define a penny accept passage v68 in frontof accept passages 64, Itis torbe understood thatall of the passages 56, 60,64 and 68 communicate with the coin collectionprassage of frame 16 and which extends downwardly infront ofwall 24.V Whenapparatus 10 is positioned withinV the machine, the coin collection passage is tube 40 will then drop' into the opening in the oscillatable I plate vacated bythe coin 'that-was delivered therefrom duringV the oscillating movement of the plate. If the aligned with a chute that directs the coins to a suitable removable collection box below `unit'12f, or the boX may be positioned directly below' ystructure 26 depending upon the actual construction of the machine.

Switch eans is provide/drin association with the coin accept passages 56,760, 64 and-68 forY sensing passage of corresponding Vcoins therethrough. Tlnis,v as shownY in FIG. 6,'the rear wall 24, of frame 16 mounts a switch 70 which may be the vend switch of the vending machine if desired, andV provided *withv a swingable switch arm 72 rfiorarchanging the contactsof switch 70Yin response to pasmotor unit 42 is operated for an interval to` eiiectntwo. are provided VVv'vitlraligned, generally arcuate slots 74 for oscillations of the plate, two change coins will be delivered from the plate structure 26 whereas( three and four oscil` lations of the plate will cause three and four coins respectively to be returned ytov the customer. 'The means controlling operation of the motor unit 42 forms no part'of the present invention and is not detailed, but( it isto be noted that in most instancesthe motorfof unit42 is under.

the control of a cam actuated switch with the switch being closed upon insertion of` a coin of high value rin the apparatus 10,7with the camthen taking over to deenergize the motor 'of unit 42 -afterthe output shaft thereof has rotated through av predetermined numberxof degrees vto effect oscillation of Vthedelivery plate of lstructure 26 at a selectedV number Vof times.

sage of coins through the coinaccept1passages56, 60

amd64. Thej'w'al124yas well as channel plate'54 and 58 clearing the Eouter extension 76frof switch arm '72,with

itbeing understood that channel plate 62 may also be provided with a slot 74 disposedl to clear the outermost extremity of extension 76 if desired to assure that extension 76 fully spans therwidth'of passage 64; -V The wall 24 as well as channel plates 58 and 62 areralsoprovided with somewhat shorter slots 78 ini concentric relationship to 'slots74 and in`horizonta`lfalignmentV for clearing the integral, double leg extensio'nr80 of switch arm 72 intermediate extensionf76 and the axis of pivoting movement It jcanrbe seen fthat as nickels, dimes and contacts of switch 70. A switch wire of the configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, is used when changer unit 12 is set up to control vending of products at a price of tive cents, six cents or seven cents. As will be explained hereinafter, switch arm 72 will be of a different configuration for sale of articles at other prices.

Since the actual change making function of unit `does not constitute the inventive concept of the present invention, the switch means for effecting actuation of motor unit 42 for required periods of time is not detailed, but it is to be recognized that switches are associated with the coin accept passages 56 and 60 to sense passage of coins therethrough if change coins are required. For eX- ample, with the vending machine set up to vend for a price of five cents, six cents or seven cents, a switch arm 82 of quarter switch 84 passes through a suitable slot in wall 24 and into the coin accept passage 56 for sensing passage of a quarter therethrough. Changing of the contacts of switch 84 results in activation of the motor unit 42 and the latter will be energized for a period to effect delivery of four change coins from the tubes 38 and 40. Likewise, switch means (not shown) is provided in association with the coin accept passage 60 for indepedently sensing passage of a dime therethrough to return one change coin to the customer when the machine is set up to vend at the low value prices established above. Obviously, the price at which the vending machine will be actuated and change coins returned to the customer, may be altered simply and inexpensively by changing the various wires on the switches outlined above.

. A switch is also provided in association with the penny accept passage 68 and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the penny switch 86 is mounted on channel plate 62 adjacent the side margin of penny channel plate 66 and is provided p with a switch arm thereon broadly designated 88 and rotatable about the pivot pin 90 of switch 86 which changes the contacts of switch 86 in response to rotation of arm 88. The channel plates 62 and 66 are provided with two pairs of aligned, generally arcuate, opposed slots 92 and 94 which are adapted to receive the projections 96 and 98 respectively of the irregularly coniigured righthand arm portion 100 (FIGS. l and 2) of switch arm 83. As is evident from FIG. 4, the penny channel plate 66 has an inclined, integral, upper segment 102 in proximal relationship to side wall 20, projecting downwardly from wall 28 and adapted to direct pennies from the penny coin pathway of accepting mechanism 14, directly into the coin accept passage 68. The plate 66 is also provided with a pair of generally upright, horizontally spaced, irregularly configured integral wall sections 104 and 106 which project toward plate 62 and maintain the main planar portion of plate' 66 in proper spaced relationship to the forward face of plate 62. The wall section 104 has a lowermost, angularly disposed segment 104e extending away from side wall 20 of' frame 16, and a generally upright segment 104]; in generally parallel, spaced relationship to side wall 20. The upper extremity 104C of segment 104!) is located in proximal relationship to the slots 92 and defines a shoulder spaced from projection 96 of switch arm 88 a distance less than the diameter of a penny designated 108 shown in FIG. 4, when switch arm 88 is in the normal position thereof as shown in full lines in the defined figure. Boss 110 integral with the inner face of plate 66 and positioned above the upper extremity of the slot 92 in plate 66, is located a distance from shoulder 104e suliicient to just pass a penny 108 therethrough.

The irregularly configured section 106 of plate 66 includes a lower, generally upright segment 106e parallel with segment 104cv and spaced therefrom a distance to permit a penny 108 to pass therebetween, an intermediate, angularly disposed segment 10612 projecting away from segment 104b, another upper, upright segment 106e spaced from the upper extremity of segment 104b a suicient distance to pass two pennies 108 therebetween, and a final uppermost segment 106d extending upwardly from boss 110 and slightly offset in a direction away from the latter relative to segment 106e. It may be seen in FIG. 4 that when a penny 108 is resting on shoulder 104e` and projection 96 of arm 88, a second penny 112 may strike the upper margin of penny 108, roll over boss 110 and gravitate down through passage 68 between segment 106e of wall section 106 and segment 10411 of wall section 104.

Arm 88 of switch 86 is also provided with a generally upright arm portion 114 and electrically operated retainer means broadly designated 116 is provided for maintaining arm 88 in a depressed condition after passage of a penny through passage 68 as will be explained hereinafter. Retainer means 116 includes an electromagnet 118 having a coil and body unit 120 suitably mounted on the outer face of channel plate 62 and provided with a fixed armature 122. A generally L-shaped bracket 124 (FIG. 3) secured to channel plate 62 behind unit 120, has an outer, forwardly projecting leg 126 serving to pivotally mount a generally L-shaped member 128 having a lower, generally upright leg 130 extending through a slot 131 therefor in leg 126 of bracket 124. The lowermost extremity of leg 130 is of generally triangular configuration and has a T-projection 132 thereon adapted to receive one end of a coil spring 134 coupled at the opposite end thereof to a leg 136 depending from the underside of leg 126 of bracket 124. The spring 134 serves to bias member 128 in a clockwise direction viewing FIG. 3 about the fulcrurn point presented by leg 126 whereby energization of the coil of unit 120 causes the member 128 to be magnetically attracted by the armature 122 and swung in a counterclockwise direction against the action of spring 134.

The upper extension 138 of member 128 projects laterally from leg 130 toward side wall 20 and Ioverlies the upper end of arm portion 114 of switch arm 88. As shown in FIG. 1, extension 138 has a longitudinal slot 139 therein for clearing a wire hook element broadly designated 140. The main leg 142 of hook element 140 is secured to the outer face of extension 138 by fastening means 144 and an intermediate leg 146 of element is disposed at an angle with respect to leg 142 and extends through the slot 139 toward the plate 66. The short leg 148 of element 140 returns through the slot 139 and the outermost leg 150 of element 140 overlies the outer face of extension 138. It is to be pointed out that element 140 is formed'of spring wire so as to be flexible although of suiiicient rigidity to normally remain within the slot 139 in the disposition illustrated. Also of importance is the disposition of arm portion 114 of switch arm 88 as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the wire is in engagement with the inner surface of extension 13S when the latter is maintained in the inner position thereof by the magnetic attraction of armature 122 during energization of the coil 120 of electromagnet 118. Thus, during swinging movement of switch arm 88 under the influence of a penny passing through passage 68, the arm portion 114 of switch arm 88 rides along leg 146 of hook element 140 and eventually comes to rest against the leg 148. During sliding movement of arm portion 114 of switch arm 88 along leg 146 of element 140, the latter gives sufliciently to cause arm portion 114 to become hooked by leg 148 of element 140.

The coin accepting and rejecting mechanism 14 removably mounted on frame 16 in overlying relationship to the coin accept passages 56, 60, 64 and 68 as well as the coin return chute 32, is of the type that will accept quarters, nickels, dimes and pennies and includes structure for separating the coins into respective denominations and causing the individual coins to move along predetermined pathways before being introduced into the coin accept passages of changer unit 12. Alternatively, if the coins are not genuine or are bent or otherwise defective in such a manner that the same could possibly become lodged in the coin accept passages of changer unit 12, the mechanism 14 will refuse to accept such coins and will reject the same to the coin return chute sz. As is wen 'understood by thosesnueamais arg the mechanismf14 is constructed to be; scavengedthroughr Ya, 1 ancre operationof lever mechanism controllable byv the cus- I `tomer through a reject lever on the-forwardspanel'of! the vendingmachine cabinet'. Sincethe coinaccepting and rejecting mechanism is complex Vinnature "and 'con-Y struction and'the details thereof are not of importancev to the understanding and construction of the presentV invention, the pathways of thevarious coins throughithe accepting and rejecting mechanism are illustrated schematically inJFIG. 7.Y In units ofthis type,V it is 4conventional'to employ swingable cradles for testing the coins for size and to effect direction Iof such coins into corresponding coin'tracks. For example, the acceptor will haveVV a quarter cradle located .immediately below Vthe coin entrancey passageway of mechanism- 14 and thereby.

in the area beneath-thev coin entrance walls designated 152 and 154 in FIG. I and illustrated; schematicallyV therein. Quarters introduced into the entrance passageway 156 between walls'152 and-154rwill come to rest Ion the legs of the swingable'cradle in :passage 156 and will Y Y .7 a! Ycated lower` extremity 1 90 a adapted to Vremovably receive the upper section y187841 ofconnector element 188 yasis'` shown in FIGS. Y1 and ,3, The upper section 1901? of lever 190 `bears againstlower vplanar section `176b of member 176 to leffect shiftingjfof ltheV latter in response `toV rotation yof leverV 190byV connector `element188. j/ The connector element 188is rotatably mounted lon member-128 sothatelem'ent 188 may be'shifteds. below :the ylower extremity'ofV accepting and rejecting mechanism 14 when itis desired to remove the latter from frame 161 of changer unit'lZ. Thus, 'the relatively short bolt-194 threadedfinto leg 130 Yof member 128V extends through` the lower portion of Vconnector element 1,88,v

with the sheadthereof locatedin spaced relationship to thev outer yface of Velement 188.v Coil spring y1976 -interposed between' the head 'of boltz194 and the outer face Y of vconnectorelement 188 biases the vlatter into flat enthen be diverted` ontoi the quarter'rail 1'58jfor passage through mechanism 14 along an irregular pathway desig-V nated 160. Nickels directed into entrance passage 156 will pass between the legsof the quarter cradle andv will gravitate downwardly onto anotherV cradle which receives gagement with leg 130.

n Openingsl or depressions `may also be-Yprovided in legy 1300i member 128 inV proximal relationship to bolt 1/94 for receivings'uitable detent means 198 formed in connector element'188 to maintain/'the Vlatterin-proper alignment during".v operation of appa- 'rams ,10; 'e

In order to adapt-changerunit 12-.for use with a number of different Atypes of coin accepting and rejecting mechanismfs 14, it is desirablethat theupper section 188:1 of connickels of proper size and pivots in a clockwisedirection to direct the -nickels onto the nickelrail 162 for gravitation along van irregular pathway designated '163:'.V Dimes deposited in the yapparatus 10 pass downwardlyV` throughthe 'quarter and nickel cradles and are then diV verted onto theY dirne rail 164 -by theY penny-dimesepa- Y rator broadly designated 166 in FIG. l. The separator 166Vincludes a cradle 168 for receiving pennies and di-.

verting thesame onto a penny pathway, Whereas a pivotal element 170 rotatable aboutrthe'rsame axis as cradle the chute 180.

Y nectorrelement I188 be provided with an inwardly directed thereon which are mounted vfor swinging movement aboutl 168 and having a rearwardly extending projection 172 'Y thereon, directs the dimes, which pass between the legs of cradle 168, onto the dime'rail 164 for'gravitation along j. the pathway 174. Various abutments shown zschemat-l ically in FIG. 7 Vare provided along Vthe pathways160, 163 and 174 to cause the coins to followf'the irregular paths illustrated.

Pennies received by the cradle 168)'gravitateV there from during clockwise rotation. of thelatter andv fall Vmeans 210 being connected to plates 208 as wellY as to the l bodies of electromagnets`204 and ,206 or` the. rear wall 22 .Y of frame 16-for biasing plates 208 tothe outermost posi- Y tions thereof# Thus, upon energization of the coils ofelectromagnets 204 :and 206, the plates 208 are swung Y.4.5 .Y Y Y about the axes Iof pivoting thereof and are drawnv toward' downwardly therefrom for passage either' in front of'or behind a shiftable member 176 (FIG. 3) .pivotallyy mounted on the frame 178' ofV coin accepting mechanism 14 for rotation about a horizontal axis. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the member 176 hasan upper'planar section v 176a directly underlyingthe cradle 168, and a lower planar section 176]; locatedjbelow thetaxis of pivoting of member 176.' When the; member 17176is in Vthe full line position thereof as shown in FIG. 3, pennies pass downwardly 'over the forward-face thereof [and are received in the penny chute 180 forfgravitation along an angular path of travel across thefront of mechanism axeslyinginva Vplane parallelltothe' planes through the paths of coinsV directed Vthrough mechanism 14. The

Y plates 208 are swung by themagnetic attraction of the armatures ofV electromagnets 204 and 206` with lspring the bodies'of the corresponding electromagnets-.204 andl Blocking wires are secured kto.,the'plates208 for movement therewith to prevent'coins from passing lfrom mechanism 14 into thecoin accept passages of Vchanger unit 12,until after energization of the electromagnets 204 and 206. The'blocking wire 212 secured to they plate. f

t 2708 Vmfelectromagnet 2.04 has a pair of outwardly pro- 14 for introduction into the coin accept passage 68 ofVV changerv l,unit 12. However, if the-member 176 `isjin the dotted line position shown in'FIG. 3 as will be lexplained hereinafter, the pennies gravitateldownwardly( between the'rear wall 182 of mechanism 14, vand Vthe plate memberf184 `'spaced forwardly ytherefrom,A which dene a penny' reject passage 186 communicatingdirectly with the coin returnfchutet32 ofchanger unit 12.

The member 176 is swung about theaxis of rotation thereof in responsefto energization'of the electromagnetr 65.extensions' 218, v226:'and 220 Vrespectively lotV blocking Y means 202. y Y

V'2,18 serves to prevent quartets fromientering the portion 118 of retainer means 116. An irregularly coniiguredV -Y connector element188 is shiftably mounted on member 128 for movementtherewith'and is provided with a generally L-shaped upper Vsectionf188a positioned in 'over-f lying relationship yto the lower extremity in coin accepting and rejecting'mechanism 14. A longitudinally irregular4 actuating lever 190 pivotally mounted on a bracketl 192 projecting forwardly from chuteV 180, has a bifur- 2726 is also located in selected t sions 218 and 220.

yjecting legs 214i and 216`each'having Vlaterally projecting extensions 218 and 220 'onf the outer extremities thereof. Theextensions 2184 and-220 are :located in. spaced relationship; Y A blocking-wire 222 is alsomounted on plate 208 of electromagnet 206 and 'is provided with a leg 224 having a laterally projecting extension 226.V The extension spatial relationship to exten- As is illustrated schematically `.in FIG. 7, themain rear VVVwall of coin acceptingv and rejecting mechanism 14 is'provided with openings 228, 230'andV 232f'respectivelythereinu and which are illustrated schematically-for receiving the VIt'ca'n now be recognizedsthat the extension 160a of pathway 160 and divert. such quarters into thev coinvrejecting pathway'160b1where the coins may pass into the coin return chute 32lof changer unit 12. In a Vsimilar manner, the extension 226 blocksv vnickels from entering thelower p01tion`163asof pathway 163 and i' causesthe nickels to pass downwardly through the section'1163b of pathway 163 for ultimate introduction .into` 9 the coin return chute 32. The extension 220 operates to preclude entrance of dimes into the lower portion 174e of pathway 174 and diverts the dimes to the left viewing `FIG. 7, into the coin reject portion 17411 of pathway 174 and which also leads to the return chute 32. In this manner, nickels, dimes and quarters are prevented from passing into the coin accept passages of changer unit 12 until after the blocking means 202 have been energized to withdraw the extensions 218, 226 and 220 from corresponding pathways 160, 163 and 174.

A schematic illustration of a representative control cirf cuit for apparatus 10 as well as the associated significant components of a vending machine are illustrated in FIG. 8. The power terminals are designated 234 and 236 with the terminal 234 being connected to the switch arm 238 of a cam controlled switch 240 associated with vend motor 242, by a line 244. The other power terminal 236 is joined to the field windings of motor 242 by line 246. One contact 248 of switch 240 is joined by line 250 to a line 252 which leads from the field windings of motor 242 to the relay switch contact 253 of a credit relay broadly designated 254. The other `contact 256 of switch 240l is coupled to the relay switch arm 258 of relay 254 by line 260. It should be pointed out at this juncture that the shaft of motor 242 is provided with a cam thereon which controls movement of switch arm 238 between the contacts 248 and 256. The coil 262 of credit relay 254 is joined to line 246 by line 264 and the opposite end of coil 262 is connected to a line 266 by line 268. The vend switch 70 has a movable switch arm 269 and a pair of contacts 270 and 272 with the line 266 serving to connect contact 272 of vend switch 70 to the Contact 274 of relay 254 and associated with the relay switch arm 258. Line 276 couples the switch arm 269 of vend switch 70 to the switch arm 258 of relay 254. The other relay switch arm 278 is connected to contact 270 of vend switch 70 by a line 280. The other contact 282 of credit relay 254 associated with relay vswitch arm 278, is connected to the switch arm 284 of penny switch 86 by line 286. The coil 120 of penny electromagnet 118 is connected to a line 288 by a line 290 with line 288 serving to couple line 246 to the coil 292 of electromagnet 206. Line 294 joins the opposite side of coil 120 directly to line 286. The contact 296 of penny switch 86 is joined to the coil 298 of the five cent-twenty-five cent electromagnet 204 by line 300l with line 301 coupling coil 292 to line 300. The other end of coil 298 is connected to the filament of a Use e, lG,

25 lamp 302 by a line 304 while the opposite end of the filament of lamp 302 is coupled to line 244 by line 306. The tube switch 50 has a switch arm 308 joined to the contact 310 of a switch which may be switch 84 as shown in FIG. 6, by a line 312. One contact 314 of tube switch 50 is coupled to line 304 by line 316 while the opposite contact 318 is connected to the filament of a Use Correct Change Gnly lamp 320, by line 322. The opposite end of the filament of lamp 320 is joined to line 244 by line 324.

The switch arm 326 of coin operated switch 84 is joined to the contact 328 of a motor carrier switch 330 by a line 332 while the other contact 334 of switch 330 is connected to a line 336 by line 338. Line 336 serves to join the contact 340 of inventory switch 341, to the field windings of the changer motor 342 forming a part of motor unit 42. The opposite side of the field windings of motor 342 are coupled 'directly to line 244 by line 344. Switch arm 346 of inventory switch 341 is joined to line 246 by line 348. Ther contact 350 of motor switch 84 is connected to line 338 by a line 352.

Operation As previously mentioned, the apparatus as illustrated in the drawings is set up for controlling vending of products from a machine at a price of seven cents for each product and therefore the description of the operation of the apparatus 10 will initially be restricted to the manner in which apparatus 10 forces the customer to deposit pennies into mechanism 14 prior to coins of five cent incremental value, and also returns change coins to the customer if a dirne or quarter is directed into the apparatus 10 in association with the required amount lof pennies. Thus, it must be further assumed that the coin tubes 38 and 40 contain sufficient nickels to maintain the feelers 48 in disposition with the extensions 46 thereof out of slots 44 and thereby causing the -switch arm 308 of switch 50 to be in engagement with the contact 314 as shown in FIG. 8. The remaining switches of apparatus 10 as well as the control mechanism of the vending machine are also initially in the condition thereof shown in the schematic diagram.

The instructions for operation of the vending machine preferably direct the customer to insert a proper number of pennies into the machine before depositing a nickel, dime or quarter. Therefore, assuming that the customer follows these instructions, the first penny 108 dropped into apparatus 10 will pass downwardly through the entrance passage i156 and come to rest momentarily on the inwardly directed legs of the cradle 168. Since the center of gravity of the penny resting on cradle 168 will be slightly to `the right of the axis of rotation of the cradle viewing FIG. l, the cradle 168 will swing in a clockwise direction thereby depositing the penny on the upper face of planar section 176a of member 176. The penny will slide downwardly along the outer face of member 176 and will pass into the coin pathway defined by ch-ute 180 for travel across the front face of coin accepting and rejecting mechanism 14 for ultimate delivery into the upper end of passage 68 defined in part by segment 102 of channel plate 66. The penny 108 gravitates downwardly through passage 68 into the position illustrated in FIG. 4 with the penny resting on shoulder 104e and the projection 96 of switch control arm `88. Because of the disposition of projection 96 with respect to the axis of rotation of control arm 88, the penny y108 will not effect depression of switch arm 88 and the penny 108 will be retained on shoulder 104C in block relationship to the passage presented between boss 110 and shoulder 104C.

The next penny 112 dropped into apparatus 10 by the customer, will gravitate along the same path previously described and will also `be introduced into the penny accept passage 68 of coin changer unit 112. It should be noted at this juncture viewing FIG. 8 that the penny elect-romagnet 118 is in an energized conditi-on while the coils 292 and 298 of electromagnets 204 and 206 are deenergized. The result `of this is maintenance of connector element 188 in the position thereof illustrated in full line in FIG. 3, causing the member 176 to yassume the position previously described directing pennies into the chute 180, whereas the projections 218, 226 and 220 are within the pathways 160, 163 and 174 of quarters, nickels and dimes thereby preventing coins of these values from being directed into the coin accept passages therefor in changer unit 12.

Returning to the description of gravitation of the second penny 112 downwardly through the coin accept passage 68, it can be seen that such coin strikes the upper edge of coin 108 and is then directed to the left viewing FIG. 4, over the upper extremity of boss 110 for gravitation between the latter and the opposed surfaces of wall section 106. Continued downward movement of penny 112 causes the latter to engage the projection 98 of control arm 88 extending across passage 68 through the slots 94, and thereby effecting depression of switch ann 88 `to the dotted line position of the same shown in FIG. 4. As the ann portion of switch arm 88 is depressed, the projection 96 thereon moves downwardly into disposition permitting coin 108 to move olir of shoulder 104C and gravitate downwardly through passage 68 along with the penny 112. In this manner, the second penny 112 introduced into apparatus 10 precedes the first penny 108 into the collection box `below frame 16 and also serves to release lthe penny 108 from the position thereof on snutggr' l 164C. .p During rotation of 112,.,the upwardly extendingamportion '114 thereofis Vmoved Ito the 4right viewing FIGSzlV and/"Zwhereby arm portion 114'rides alon'g'le'g 146ofrhook unit 140 to cause the switch 'farm 88 toghe retained in the depressed V.condiof element 140.

When V'the arm portion '100 'of arm 88 has reached` Vtion thereof as arm Vportion51114 is hooked by leg 146` Y substantiallylthe lowermost end ott'its path of travel under Y the influence =of the second coin 112,fthe switchyarm 284 within switch 86 is shifted into disposition engaging Y contact 296 thereby result-ing injenergization rofthe coils 2.92 and 298 -of'electromagnets'206 larnd1204 while thercoil` 120. of penny'electromagnet 1718 remains in an energized condition. The energizationfcircuits for elec'tromagnetsV 204 rand 206 may beV traced from power terminal 234 arm 278contact 425a li"ne.v 252,-'the lie-ld windings of Y motor V242, line 246 and power terminal 236.

Shifting ofthe relay;y switch arms of credit relay 254 Aalso breaks-'the circuit tothe coilsv 292 and1298 of elec.- tromagnets 20.6 and 204 by virtueofniovem'ent ofithe Vswitch armf278 out of engagementfwitli contact 282.

Thekvend motor is caused toV operate'through one vend cycle withgthe cam moving the switchlarm ,238 into .en-

Vgagementwith contact 248 to thereby establish a ,holding circuitrfor the motorl242 until the vcarnreturns the'. arm

V233liutoengagement withvthe contact 2561 The holding circuit for motor 242 extends throughl line` 244, switch'arm 238conta'ct 248line'250,vk line 252, :the field Windingso'f .rnotor242, line 246 and ylrackvto the powerV terminal 236.

Duringgthe period zf energizationof the relay 254,

the circuit Yto'electromagnet.1218 isibrokenzasthe switch through line 244, line 276, switch arm 269 of switch 70,1 .Y

line 280, switch arm 27-8 of the relay switch forming/i220v part `of credit relay 254, contact A282, line 286, switch arm 284 of penny switch-86, lline '300,g'line 301, the coil 292 of electromagnet 206, line 288- and line 246 oonnectedto thel other power terminal` 27.36. y'llhekpircuit for c oilf298 extends from 'line `300 through *the coil29y8 tol1ne1'304, and thence through line 316,contact.314 olf-tube switch 84, switch arm 326,'line 332, contact 3,28Y of motor carrier switch' 330, the' switcharm 354, andline 348 to Vline 246joined to power terminal 236 as described.

Upon energiza-t-ion of the coils 1292 and 298, the plates 208 on electromagnets 204 andY 206 are `pulled.toward Vthe bodies ofelectromagneit- s 204 and 206 against the action l 50, switcha'rm 308, line 312, lcontact 3100i motor switch of coil springs 210 to thereby remove the projections 218,- f f 226 andzzo from fhepathways 160, 163 andil174 of 35, quarters, lnickelsvfand dimes .throughV the .coin accepting and rejecting mechanism 14.` Therefore, Vassurrung that the customer depositsa nickelgin apparatus 10, thecoin l passes downwardly through the entrancepassage` 156 and comes ,torest on the nickelcradle `ad1acent the nickel rail 162..During, clockwise rotation of the cradle, the nickel is directed onto the rail 162for passage alongithe pathway 163. Since the extension 226 has'been removed from pathway `163, the nickel is permitted to gravitate along the irregular path indicatedrin FIG. 7 and ultlmaterrly passes into the ocinaccept passage 64 of changer unit .12. As the nickel moves downwardlyfthrough passage 64, the coin engages the extension 80foct-switchaarm 72 to depress the latter and thereby cause the switch arm 269 within vend'switch 70 tol be moved out ofv engagement ywith thecontactl 270 and intoengagementfwith theY contact 272.,

arm 278Ymoves awayfom `contactj282 Athereby causing the retainer` means 116 :to release the' switch arm 88 so thatV the latter may'return to the initialv disposition thereof asshown in ffull line in FIG. 4. Upon deenergization ofvrthe coil 120the c oil spring V134l swings member v128 in a clockwise, direction Vevving'FIG.` 3 Vto. cause"theex tension .138 thereof` toV move away from switch arm 88 fa' sufficient 'distance to permitQthe v arm portion 114 'mannen the switch arm'88 is returned to the initial con- .ditionfof the same requiringinsertion of two more penthereof 'to be released vfrom the hook element 140. "In this .niesfinto apparatus 10 before switch arm 88 will again v be latclied by the retainer means 116. Itmay vbe :noted from FIG.V 8 that the'coil120 of electromagnet 118 lwill be reenergizedv as soon asythe switch arm 278 of relay 254 returns'to engagement with contact 282 inasmuch as the switch arm 269. ofvend switch170'will 4also have returned to engagement with contact 270. `The holding circuit for Vthe coil 262 ofrrelay 254 willrbebroken as soon as the switch arm 238 of cam-actuated switch 240 has been moved out of engagement with Contact 256.

WhenV it is desired thatV apparatusr10 be set up to control vending ofV products at a 'price of .six cents, this may. 1 be accomplished by simply'changing the switch arm-88 of switchl 86 so that the projection 98 is retainedbut the projection 96 is deleted so that lthe first penny introduced into coinY passage 68 will 'effect depression and lthereby.

lock-up of the switch arm l88gin the dotted linev position ofthe same as illustrated in FIG. 4.' -f VendingA of Vproducts at a price of eleven and twelve 'cents is .accomplished in the` samemanner previously described with the sole exception of the provision of switch meansr *in association with thecoin'accept passages in Shifting of Vthe contacts of the vendV switch 'aiiects a number of separate but interrelated actions including",

energization yof the vend motor 242, momentary energization of the credit relay 254 decnergiziation of the electromagnets`204 and 206, andrmomentary deenergization of the electromagnet 1118.

A The coil 262 of credit relayl2'54`risenerg-iied through a circuit including power terminalv 234, ,line '244, line 276, switch arm-269 of ^vendswitch 70, contact 272,` line 266, line 26,87, coil 2762,line264, line 2146and powerterminal 236.* The switch . arms 258 and 278 of Vcredit relay 254 are shifted into engagement withcontacts 274 and 253 respectively uponenergization of coil262thereby establishing a holding circuit for the coil 262 through the Y cam actuated switch 240 so long as `the arm 238 is Y 256. .Engagement of thev relay. switch arm '278 with'lcontact 2753 closes the circuit tov engagement. with contact vend Vmotor 242 by viirtue of a circuit includingk power terminal 234,.line 244, line 276, the switch arm 269 of vend switch which has now returned to engagement with contact 270 as the nickel has passed on downwardly past switch arm 72 andV permitting the latter to return.

to the initial condition of the sameline 280, relay switch rnachir'le.

changer unit 12 for preventing the switch arm 269 of vend switch 70 being moved into engagement with contact 272 until two nickels (or a dime have' been inserted in. the

' Returning to the' description of the Vending of a product from the machine at a price of seven cents, it is toy bejrpointed out that if the customer inserts the proper number ofk pennies in the machine and then depositsay quarter in apparatus 10thc quarter will pass downwardly through the entrance passage 156 andl come y to rest momentarily on fthe cradle adjacent 4quarter rail 158.'

Rotation of the cradle in a clockwise direction under the influence of the quarter resting thereon, will. result in the quarter beingdirected onto the rai1'158'for gravitation along the path 160. As Vthe quarterpasses downwardly into the coin accept passage 56 of changer unit12, such coin will etfectfdepression-y ofthe `,vendrswitch arm 72 `as previously described to move the switch arm 269-into engagement with the contact"272"to actuate` the 'components previously set forth, but the quarter will also shift therswitchlarm 326 fof motor switch 84 out of engagement with contact 310 and into engagement'with contact 350.

It may begin itially` noted that shifting yof switch arm V326 away from contactV 310 breaks the circuit to coil 298 thereby preventing the customer inserting additional dimes or quarters inapPparatus*10`since the extensions 226 and 220 are moved into the coin pathways 160 and 174 by the spring means y210 coupled to the plate 208 of electromagnet 204. The motor 342 of motor unit 42 is energized through a circuit including power terminal 234, line 244, line 344, the field windings of motor 342, line 336, line 338, line 352, contact 350, switch arm 326, line 332, contact 328, switch arm 354, line 348, line 246 and power terminal 236. Energization of motor 342 actuates the oscillatable plate previously described and housed in the structure 26 at the bottom of changer unit 12 for delivering change coins from the tubes 38 and 40 to the coin return chute forming a part of the vending machine. Since a quarter has been deposited in apparatus 10 in the present illustrative example, the motor switch 84, which is under the control of a cam operated by motor 342, will remain in engagement with contact 350 until the coin delivery member oscillated by motor 342 has moved a suflicient number of times to deliver four change coins from the tubes 38 and 40. The carrier switch 330 operates to de-energize the motor 342 at the proper point inasmuch as initial energization thereof causes a cam on the motor shaft to engage switch arm 354 and shift the latter into engagement with contact 334 to provide an operating circuit to the motor 342 through line 338 as long as switch arm 354 remains in the actuated position thereof. The switch 330 is closed and then re-opened during each complete revolution of the motor shaft and therefore, final de-energization of motor 342 is dependent upon the condition of camoperated switch 84. If the switch arm 326 is shifted into only momentary engagement with contact 350, the motor shaft will be rotated only through a sufficient arc to cause one nickel to be dispensed from the changer before final de-energization of motor 342. However, if the coin-operated switch 84 is maintained in an actuated condition for a longer interval, the changing of condition of switch 330 will not affect deenergization of motor 342, and more than one nickel will be delivered from the changer.

Deposit of a dime in apparatus 10 in association with two pennies will result in one change coin being delivered to the customer because of the fact that the motor 342 will be energized only for a time sufficient to return one nickel to the customer before the cam controlled thereby effects return of the switch arm 326 to engagement with the contact 310.

If the supply of change coins in the tubes 38 and 40 reaches a sutiiciently low level to permit the extensions 46 of feelers 48 to move into the tubes 38 and 40, the switch arm 308 of tube switch 50 is shifted into engagement with contact 318 thereby lighting the Correct Change Only lamp and deenergizing the Use 10, 25 lamp.

The inventory switch 341 serves as a convenient Way of emptying the coin tubes 38 and 40 since the changer motor 342 will be operated so long as the switch arm 346 is in engagement with the contact 340.

It can be recognized that since the extensions 218, 226 and 220 of blocking wires 212 and 222 are positioned in pathways 160, 163 and 174 when the electromagnets 284 and'206 are in a deenergized condition, nickels, dimes and quarters will be returned to the customer whenever the line cord to the vending machine is pulled or the mechanism is otherwise deactivated. For example, if the machine is exhausted of products to be vended, a switch in series with coils 292 and 298 will maintain the same deenergized until the machine is restocked with products. Also, discontinuance of supply of electrical power to the machine will result in deenergization of the coil 120 of electromagnet 118 thereby causing element 188 to be shifted to the dotted line position of the same illustrated in FIG. 3, whereby lever 190 is swung in a counterclockwise direction and moving the dellector member 176 into the dotted line position of the same so that all pennies deposited in the machine are returned to the customer through the passage 186. Likewise, electrical malfunctions in ythe control circuit of the machine and which result in inactivation of the switch 86 so that the latter will not sense passage 'of pennies through the coin accept passage 68 therefor, will in most instances result in deenergization of coil having the effect of return of pennies to the customer through passage 186 as described.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In coin actuated apparatus for control of actuation of operable mechanism only after at least one coin of a first value and at least one coin of a second value have been inserted therein, said apparatus including:

means defining separate pathways for said coins of a rst value and the coins of said second value respectively; means adjacent the coin pathway defining means presenting coin reject passages leading from each of said coin pathways to a coin return area, and coin accept passages extending from respective coin pathways to a coin collection area; first switch means associated with the coin Aaccept passage for saidirst value coins and having a first movable switch arm portion extending into the coin accept passage for said first value coins for sensing passage of a first value coin therethrough, and a second switch arm portion in spaced relationship to said rst switch arm portion; second switch means associated with the coin accept passage for said second value coins and provided with movable switch arm means extending into the coin accept passage for said second value coins for sensing passage of a second value coin therethrough;

electrically operated blocking means having shiftable means in the coin pathway for said second value coins for preventing the latter from entering a corresponding coin accept passage and directing .the second value coins to the reject passage therefor when the shiftable means is in one position thereof, and for permitting said second value coins to pass into the accept passage therefor when the shiftable means is in a second position thereof;

electrically operated retainer means operably associated with the switch arm means of said iirst switch means and including an electromagnet having armature means mounting hook means thereon normally disposed to operably engage said second switch arm portion of said first switch means to retain said iirst switch arm portion in the position assumed by the same upon passage of a first value coin through .the coin passage therefor, when the retainer means is in one condition thereof;

electrically operated control means operably coupled to said switch means and to said blocking means for maintaining the latter in a condition causing the shiftable means to be maintained in said one position thereof, until at least one coin of said rst value has been inserted in the apparatus as sensed by the switch means associated with the coin accept passage for said iirst value coins, whereupon the condition of the blocking means is altered to effect shifting of the shiftable means into the second position of the same permitting second value coins to pass through a respective pathway into the coin accept passage therefor;

electrically operated means coupled to said control means and adapted to be connected to said operable mechanism for actuation of the latter and return of said blocking means to the initial condition thereof to cause said shiftable means to be returned to said one position thereof in direct response to passage of coins of preselected second value through said coin accept passage therefor as sensed by said second switch means; and

l n shiftablerneans operably coupled to `said hook means positioned in the coin pathway for said first value coins for directing saiddirst value Ycoins into the coin j a'vziceptV passage vrtherefVorwi/heri the retainer means is in said one condition :of energization thereof. y

to said switch means and to said blocking meansv for vffmaintaining vtheqlatter in Va. condition causingrthe shiftable meansto be maintained in said one posi- Y tion -fthereof, ntilgat'least one *coin of said lirst e value'has'been inserted inthe apparatus. as sensed by the switchmeansassociated with the coin accept passage for said rstivalue coins', whereupon the condition of theblockingmeans is altered to eiect shiftv ing of the 'shi'ftable means into the. second position `of the samek permitting second, value coinsto pass e through ya respective pathwayteinto the coin accept 2. In optionally variable f coin: actuated apparatus forl control of alctuavtifonr` of joperable mechanism only after at least one 4coinof a rst'valuevand' at least one coin of Y a second value haveebeen inserted therein, vsaid apparatus including:

means defining separatepathways for said coins of a` `first value and the coins-fof said secondyalueYref` v "lspectivelmy e 4 K s. s. passa-getherefor; and y v means adjacent the ycoin pathwayedefining.meanspre-`V v "V electrlcallyv-opeffdemans vCOllpled V'Q0 Said Control Sentiii'g coin reject Vpassages leading from each" ofl5 nieastandrafdaptedfvktq becometed tofsaid gp'erable said coin pathways toa coin return area, and coin D166 anSm' Orp-ac'flQIl 0 t e' alter an n ref-11H1 Vaccept passages extendingmfrom respective coin kpath- 0f Said blocking means will? initial COIldOIl ,thereways toa coin collectionarea; ,A Y ofV to cause ,said'tshiftable' 'means to; :be returned to iirsteand second switchnieans associatedwith the coin e Said OI'IC'POSOD heIeOf in direct reSpOnSetto pas- Aaccept passages forfsaidfiirst and second Vvalue coins V v Sage OCQVDS' OKPYCSelCted Second Value through respectively and providedjwith movableswitch armY d Sad Cm-,jepi Passage thefefo. as sensed by Sald lmeans extending into'corresponding"coinjaccept 's eecon 'Swic ,meansfe V; 1 passagesvjor` sensing passage of a. coin of respective SZAPpearatuS is ,set forth m, :Iam 2'. ,Whfem Sad value? therethrough; the mvable'switch Varrn of the gezins. on hewltcli armo; ,Sam Swlichyfneans for first switch means l'being provided with easily .re-k "275 .retammg tf St- Cm-Qffsald Va ue Coins Introduced t Y e ,Y f b1 w.the into thecoinpassagetherefor includesa shoulder located -movibl' PIQJeIQI-l means.' ,v ereone cooper? 1. inl said coinaccept passage for coinsiof first value anda .fthe means fthe gom aPFP-assage ald projection integral with the switcharm of said rst'rswitch rst Valu wins 'to Pfvfmt momentpf theefwltch ymeans located in proximity ,to Vand* above saidshoulder in arm. 0f Sal-d rst Swltchfneans by a com Off Saldvfrt so spaced relationship a distance less than the effective diemeWlvlff-lm'filv Predefmmed number 0f omslof Sad eter of a coin vof said 'rst value whereby the first coin of rstvalue have been directedinto the. coinaccep-t L said-first value coins introduced rinto the coin accept paspasageithelerfor, WhCI'CbYKIPO removal 0f Said PIO- sage therefor, is retained on the shoulder untilpthe projecjectio means the switch arm ,of the. rst switch is f v tion of said switch arrn'. of the Viir'stesvvitch means is moved actuated by the yiii-stI deposited first valuercoin, the` L 'by anothercoinl of saidw'rst value passing through said switch, arm of Ysaid rst switch means including coin'acc'ept passage therefor. v v A Imeans"positionedto `engage and retain the first coin 1 Y APPafatvuS *as* Set fo'fthrrln c1va1n-1z3 W he1'em Y. Said kof`said rst value, coins introduced into .the coin act Swltch arm Offhe rest swltch mansf 1S, PIOVIdefi Wlh *ai ein passage therefor andmans positionedefto be,V en second projection thereon( extending into thencom accept- V'gaged jby thevvsecond coin of said rst value coins 40 paissage for; 'sald-'Vrsi value coms Wherby a 'rst value" introduced'intothe coint'accept passage therefor'to com 'ngagmgsald .Second epr'oiecttlon Shifts. h, Switch eiect movement of the switch arm of said rst switch at@ gftsaldnrst s..wf.1tch means 'm'rssponse .to p'I-ssage of v meansand to'relea'seV the first coin of said rst value 'asefcond'com of Said rst Value through Said com accept 1.V t. f e, ,s passage therefor. r e v coms introduced-into the coin accept passage vtheref e e for; i

f electriceuyccerafcd blcc'k'ingmcsps heving 1s'hiftable A means in fthe coin pathway for'saidsecond :value i c i v,References Ctgeidby the Examiner Y UNITED STATES VPATENTS e coins for preventing lthe latter from entering a corre- 2 555 486 AHndrieS ""7519 I 15 y s. t v d. t. th 50 -1 .v arrls.

spondlng com accep passage and 4irec 1ng e sec 6/60 Famernrw 191 9 0nd value coins to' the reject passage therefor when the shiftable means is' yin one position thereof, and f'crV permitting second vamce-jccins fcpess imc .the accept passage therefor Vwhen the Shiftalble means is 1 y. y e I e t l 0? SAMUEL P. coLnMAmrrfmcry Examiner.

FOREIQNPATENVTS 5413223 v 1p1/V41, Great Britain.

y in a second position thereof;

Claims (1)

1. IN COIN ACTUATED APPARATUS FOR CONTROL OF ACTUATION OF OPERABLE MECHANISM ONLY AFTER AT LEAST ONE COIN OF A FIRST VALUE AND AT LEAST ONE COIN OF A SECOND VALUE HAVE BEEN INSERTED THEREIN, SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING: MEANS DEFINING SEPARATE PATHWAYS FOR SAID COINS OF A FIRST VALUE AND THE COINS OF SAID SECOND VALUE RESPECTIVELY; MEANS ADJACENT THE COIN PATHWAY DEFINING MEANS PRESENTING COIN REJECT PASSAGES LEADING FROM EACH OF SAID COIN PATHWAYS TO A COIN RETURN AREA, AND COIN ACCEPT PASSAGES EXTENDING FROM RESPECTIVE COIN PATHWAYS TO A COIN COLLECTION AREA; FIRST SWITCH MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COIN ACCEPT PASSAGE FOR SAID FIRST VALUE COINS AND HAVING A FIRST MOVABLE SWITCH ARM PORTION EXTENDING INTO THE COIN ACCEPT PASSAGE FOR SAID FIRST VALUE COINS FOR SENSING PASSAGE OF A FIRST VALUE COIN THERETHROUGH, AND A SECOND SWITCH ARM PORTION IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID FIRST SWITCH ARM PORTION; SECOND SWITCH MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COIN ACCEPT PASSAGE FOR SAID SECOND VALUE COINS AND PROVIDED WITH MOVABLE SWITCH ARM MEANS EXTENDING INTO THE COIN ACCEPT PASSAGE FOR SAID SECOND VALUE COINS FOR SENSING PASSAGE OF A SECOND VALUE COIN THERETHROUGH; ELECTRICALLY OPERATED BLOCKING MEANS HAVING SHIFTABLE MEANS IN THE COIN PATHWAY FOR SAID SECOND VALUE COINS FOR PREVENTING THE LATTER FROM ENTERING A CORRESPONDING COIN ACCEPT PASSAGE AND DIRECTING THE SECOND VALUE COINS TO THE REJECT PASSAGE THEREFOR WHEN THE SHIFTABLE MEANS IS IN ONE POSITION THEREOF, AND FOR PERMITTING SAID SECOND VALUE COINS TO PASS INTO THE ACCEPT PASSAGE THEREFOR WHEN THE SHIFTABLE MEANS IS IN A SECOND POSITION THEREOF; ELECTRICALLY OPERATED RETAINER MEANS OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE SWITCH ARM MEANS OF SAID FIRST SWITCH MEANS AND INCLUDING AN ELECTROMAGNET HAVING ARMATURE MEANS MOUNTING HOOK MEANS THEREON NORMALLY DISPOSED TO OPERABLY ENGAGE SAID SECOND SWITCH ARM PORTION OF SAID FIRST SWITCH MEANS TO RETAIN SAID FIRST SWITCH ARM PORTION IN THE POSITION ASSUMED BY THE SAME UPON PASSAGE OF A FIRST VALUE COIN THROUGH THE COIN PASSAGE THEREFOR, WHEN THE RETAINER MEANS IS IN ONE CONDITION THEREOF; ELECTRICALLY OPERATED CONTROL MEANS OPERABLY COUPLED TO SAID SWITCH MEANS AND TO SAID BLOCKING MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE LATTER IN A CONDITION CAUSING THE SHIFTABLE MEANS TO BE MAINTAINED IN SAID ONE POSITION THEREOF, UNTIL AT LEAST ONE COIN OF SAID FIRST VALUE HAS BEEN INSERTED IN THE APPARATUS AS SENSED BY THE SWITCH MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COIN ACCEPT PASSAGE FOR SAID FIRST VALUE COINS, WHEREUPON THE CONDITION OF THE BLOCKING MEANS IS ALTERED TO EFFECT SHIFTING OF THE SHIFTABLE MEANS INTO THE SECOND POSITION OF THE SAME PERMITTING SECOND VALUE COINS TO PASS THROUGH A RESPECTIVE PATHWAY INTO THE COIN ACCEPT PASSAGE THEREFOR; ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MEANS COUPLED TO SAID CONTROL MEANS AND ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO SAID OPERABLE MECHANISM FOR ACTUATION OF THE LATTER AND RETURN OF SAID BLOCKING MEANS TO THE INITIAL CONDITION THEREOF TO CAUSE SAID SHIFTABLE MEANS TO BE RETURNED TO SAID ONE POSITION THEREOF IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO PASSAGE OF COINS OF PRESELECTED SECOND VALUE THROUGH SAID COIN ACCEPT PASSAGE THEREFOR AS SENSED BY SAID SECOND SWITCH MEANS; AND SHIFTABLE MEANS OPERABLY COUPLED TO SAID HOOK MEANS POSITIONED IN THE COIN PATHWAY FOR SAID FIRST VALUE COINS FOR DIRECTING SAID FIRST VALUE COINS INTO THE COIN ACCEPT PASSAGE THEREFOR WHEN THE RETAINER MEANS IS IN SAID ONE CONDITION OF ENERGIZATION THEREOF.

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