US3182780A

US3182780A - Coin-operated pulse generator

Info

Publication number: US3182780A
Application number: US235307A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sr Merrill M E Jenkins
Original assignee: Coin Acceptors Inc
Current assignee: Coin Acceptors Inc
Priority date: 1962-11-05
Filing date: 1962-11-05
Publication date: 1965-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-11

Description

y 1965 M. M. E. JENKINS, SR 3,182,780

COIN-OPERATED PULSE GENERATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 5, 1962 INYENTUR MERRILL M.E.JENKIN5 5R.. BY 60%, MPM

ATTORNEYS May 11, 1965 M. M. E- JENKINS, SR

COIN-OPERATED PULSE GENERATOR Filed NOV. 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MERRILL M.E. JENKINS 552.

j BY vKMM'PM A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,182,780 COIN-OPERATED PULSE GENERATOR Merrill M. E. Jenkins, 512, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Coin Acceptors, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Nov. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 235,307 13 Claims. (Cl. 194-9) This invention relates generally to improvements in a coin-operated pulse generator, and more particularly to improvements in a device of this type that facilitates the rapid pulsing of an accumulator with pulses generated by the passage of various multiple denomination coins through individual paths pulsing a common switch.

It is an important objective to provide a pulse generator for a coin-handling mechanism that is capable of accommodating a plurality of different coin denominations and yet is extremely compact in size so as to occupy only a minimal amount of space.

An important objective is realized by a pulse generator that has a single switch and a coin chute for each selected coin denomination, and has means operatively connected to the switch and disposed adjacent each chute, such means pulsing the single switch in response to a coin passed through any one of the chutes.

Another important objective is afforded by constructing the pulse generator of a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation, the plates providing a coin chute for a selected coin denomination between each adjacent pair of plates. Means is provided between each pair of plates which is operable by a coin passing through an associated chute to move a switch arm and hence pulse the switch.

Still another important objective is achieved by the combination of a housing having a plurality of coin chutes therethrough, one for each selected coin denomination, a common switch mounted on the housing, and means pulsing the common switch in response to the passage of various multiple denomination coins through the individual chutes.

An important object is provided by the structural ar rangement of the component parts comprising the switchactuating mechanism for simultaneously carrying the coins through their specifically associated chutes and pulsing the common switch in response to such passage, whereby effective pulsing is accomplished in accordance with and conforming to the unit value of the coins inserted.

Another important objective is realized by the interconnection and functional cooperation of the various component parts of the switch-actuating mechanism between the adjacent pairs of plates so as to obtain efiicient operation in pulsing the common switch with a minimum number of parts, and to provide a compact, flat device.

Yet another important objective is to provide a pulse generator that is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture and assemble, highly efiicient in operation, and which is fully automatic.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coin-operated pulse generator; i

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the generator shown I in FIG. 1; a

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen along line 33 of FIG. 4 is a sectional view as seen along line 4-4 of FIG. 1; p

"Ice

FIG. 5 is a sectional view as seen along line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the component parts moved on insertion of a coin;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the component parts moved upon insertion of a coin;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the component parts moved upon insertion of a coin;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view as seen along staggered line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional View as seen along line 1010 of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view as seen along line 1111 of FIG. 8.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, it is seen that the pulse generator includes a plurality of substantially

rectangular plates

10, 11 and 12 arranged in close superimposed relation, one over the other in sandwich arrangement to provide an extremely flat compact unit. The rearmost plate 10 is provided with a plurality (a total of three (3) in the embodiment disclosed) of forwardly projecting cylindrical lugs 13. These lugs 13 are spaced at various parts about. the periphery of the rear plate 10 as is best seen in FIG. 3. The intermediate plate 11 is provided with a corresponding number of circular apertures 14 through which the lugs 13 closely interfit and extend. Furthermore, the front plate 12 is provided with a corresponding number of recesses 15 in its rear face into which these lugs 13 extend. It will be readily apparent that the lugs 13 interfit into the plate apertures and

recesses

14 and 15 respectively to align the plates 10-12 for assembly.

When assembled, the front plate 12 is provided with a cover plate 16 that is secured in place by a plurality of screws 17.

Fixed to the rear face of the back plate 10 is a mounting plate 20 that carries a switch 21. The switch 21 is con nected through an electrical circuit to an accumulator and is adapted to pulse intermittently to condition such accumulator upon the insertion of coins into the pulse generator.

The rear plate 10 and the intermediate plate 11 when assembled in the closely adjacent superimposed relation constitutes a section that accommodates a particular denomination of coin, as for example, a quarter. The plate 10 is provided with a peripheral raised area 22 that cooperates with the back side of the intermediate plate 11 to form and partially define a coin chute 23. The top margin of plate 10 is provided with an entrance slot 24 communicating directly with the chute 23, while the bot tom margin is provided with a discharge slot 25. The chute 23 is partially defined by a shoulder 26 located just below the entrance slot 24. As will appear upon later description of parts, the chute abutment 26 partly defines a pocket 27.

The rear plate 10 is provided with an opening 30 therethrough over which the switch 21 is placed. The switch 21 includes a rotatively mounted switch arm 31 that extends through the plate opening 30 into the area between the pair of

plates

10 and 11.

Rotatively mounted between the

plates

10 and 11 is a wheel 32 constituting a rotative member, the wheel 32 being mounted on a pivot pin 33 the ends of which are held by the rear wall 10 and by the front wall 12. Therefore it is seen that the pin 33 not only extends between

adjacent plates

10 and 11, but also extends between the other adjacent pair of

plates

11 and 12, the reasons for which will later appear. The wheel 32 is provided with a plurality of peripheral camming teeth 35. In addition,

the wheel 32 is disposed in an arcuate recess 34 formed in the rear plate 11 so that the wheel plane is below the plate surface forming the coin chute 23.

A plurality of laterally extending tabs are struck out toward the front side of wheel 32, one set of tabs 36 being circumferentially spaced on the wheel 32 and located closely adjacent the teeth 35, while the other set of tabs 37 .is circumferentially spaced about the pin 33 inwardly of the outermost set of tabs 36. It will be noted that the two sets of

tabs

36 and 37 are circumferentially offset relative to each other so that one tab 37 is located substantially intermediate each adjacent pair of outermost tabs 36. During operation, one of the outermost tabs 36 cooperates with one of the innermost tabs 37 to seat a coin inserted into the chute 23.

As will appear in FIG. 9, the rear face of intermediate plate 11 is provided with a pair of concentric

annular grooves

40 and 41 adapted to receive respectively the

tabs

36 and 37. This structural arrangement serves to assist and guide the wheel 32 in its rotative action and also defines a space between the wheel 32 and the rear surface of intermediate plate 11 that is adapted to receive the inserted coin.

Pivotally mounted by pin 42 between the rear plate 10 and intermediate plate 11 is a control lever 43. The lever 43 includes an arm 44 that projects into the chute 23 directly opposite the chute shoulder 26 to provide a gap that is more narrow than the width of the coin inserted into such section. The control lever 43 also includes another arm 45 that abuts one of the outermost tabs 36a to preclude counterclockwise rotation of wheel 32 as viewed in FIG. 3.

When the coin is inserted into slot 24 and falls by gravity into the chute pocket 27, the coin will engage the lever arm 44 and thereby pivot the lever 43 about pin 42 in a clockwise direction from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. It will be readily seen that the lever arm 45 disengages from the outermost tab 36a and thereby releases the wheel for. rotation. As the coin falls into the chute 23 and seats on the cooperating

tabs

36 and 37 of wheel 32, the lever tip portion 46 moves behind the coin and cooperates with the chute shoulder 26 to preclude access of any additional coins to the wheel 32 until the first coin is discharged from the chute and the component parts are reconditioned.

An actuator lever 47 operatively interconnects the switch arm 31 and the wheel 32, the actuator lever 37 being pivotally mounted by pin 50 that has its ends retained by rear plate 16 and by front plate 12. The pivot pin 50 extends between the adjacent pairs of plates, nam ly, adjacent plates 1041 and adjacent plates 1142.

The actuator lever 47 includes a tab or follower 51 that engages the camming teeth 35 of wheel 32 upon rotation of wheel 32, the teeth 35 swinging the lever 47 in a counter-clockwise direction from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 as the tab 51 rides up and along the particular tooth. As the actuator lever 47 is moved, it engages and moves the switch arm 31 to a position that makes the switch 21.

To preclude any overriding of the wheel 32, the actuator lever 47 is provided with another tab 52 that swings into position between a pair of wheel teeth 35. This structural arrangement assures that the tab 51 will move back into the space between the next adjacent pair of wheel teeth when it is returned or rotatively moved clockwise back to the position of FIG. 3 under gravity and under the resilient loading of spring arm 31. Thus it is seen'that the actuator lever 47 will oscillate back and forth upon engagement with the wheel teeth 35 to move: the switch arm 31 intermittently and hence pulse the switch 21, such-switch pulsation conforming to the degree of angular rotation/f wheel 32 which in turn is in accord with the coin denomination passed through the chute 23.

Briefly, in operation, a coin suchas a quarter is inserted into the entrance slot 24 and it falls by gravity into the 4 pocket 27. The coin engages the control lever arm 44 and under its weight moves the control lever 43 in a clockwise direction to disengage arm 45 from outside tab 36a so as to release the wheel 32. Then, the coin moves across the upper right hand quadrant of wheel 32 and seats between and on one of the outside tabs 36 and its cooperating inside tab 37. The lever tip 46 moves behind the coin and cooperates with the chute shoulder 26 to preclude the entrance of any other coin across the wheel.

When the coin is seated on the

wheel tabs

36 and 37, the Weight of the coin will cause the wheel 32 to rotate in a clockwise direction as is suggested in FIG. 6. As the wheel 32 rotates, the wheel tooth 35a engaging the actuator lever tab 51 will cam the actuator lever 47 in a counterclockwise direction so as to move the switch 31 to therposition illustrated in FIG. 6, and hence pulse the switch 21. As the lever tab 51 passes the point of the wheel tooth 35a, the other lever tab 52 is brought up into the area between a pair of adjacent wheel teeth 35b and 350 to arrest the counterclockwise rotation of the actuator lever 47 (with the switch 21 in the made condition). The inertia of the wheel 32, the continued influence of the coin, and the internal spring bias of the switch arm 31 all combine to act upon the actuator lever 47 to cause it to then rotate clockwise. The switch 21 exerts its pressure through its switch arm 31 on the upper portion of actuator lever 47 simultaneously with the wheel 32 exerting its pressure through the leading edge of one of the wheel teeth 350 against the end tab 52. After the wheel teeth 35c clears the lever tab 52, the lever tab 51 is brought down into the area between the next adjacent pair of

wheel teeth

35a and 35d. This action arrests the clockwise rotationof the actuator lever 47 (with the switch in the reset condition), and completes one switch cycle utilizing 18 degrees of rotation of wheel 32. This sequence is repeated until five complete cycles of the switch 21 have been completed in degrees of rotation of wheel 32. During this Wheel rotation, the coin is carried and guided by the wheel 32 in its passage through the chute 23 and is discharged from the section through the discharge slot 25.

Any over travel of wheel 32 is prevented by the fact that as the outside tab 36a moves in a clockwise direction, such wheel tab 36a engages the control lever arm 44 and cams the control lever 43 in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 3. Thus it is seen that the control lever arm 45 is brought into the path of the next adjacent outside wheel tab 36b to abut such tab 365 and precludes any overtravel of wheel 32. When the control lever 43 returns to its former attitude or reset position, such lever 43 releases any coin restrained by its tip 46 and thereby would cause the entire cycle to be repeated.

If it is assumed that the coin denomination for which this particular section is designed is a quarter, it will be readily understood that the coin in moving the wheel 32 in a 90 degree angular rotation causes the oscillation of the actuator lever 47 such as to pulse the switch 21 a total of five times.

The next adjacent pair of

plates

11 and 12 when assembled in close superimposed relation constitute a section to accommodate another denomination of coin, as for example, a dime. The front face of plate 11 is provided with a pheripheral raised portion 53' as. is best seen in FIG. 4 that cooperates with the rear face of front plate 12 to provide a coin chute 54' having an entrance slot 55 and a discharge slot 55. The coin chute 54 is provided with a shoulder 57 below the entrance slot 55' that cooperates with other component parts of the internal'mechanism to provide a pocket 60 for receiving the coin immediately upon insertion. V The intermediate plate 11 also includes an opening 49 therethrough through which the switch arm 31 extends.

Obviously, the switch arm 31 extends between this pair of

plates

11 and 12.

Another rotative member or wheel 61 is rotatively mounted on the pin 33. The wheel 61 includes a plurality of peripheral teeth 62, each of which has an inclined camming surface 63. The camming surface 63 of each alternate wheel tooth 62a is provided with a rearwardly extending tab 64 as is best seen in FIG. 10.

Formed behind each of wheel teeth 62a is another tab 65 spaced inwardly from the outermost point. Each camming surface tab 64 cooperates with its trailing inwardly spaced wheel tab 65 to seat and carry a coin in its passage through the chute 54.

The front face of the intermediate plate 11 is provided with a pair of concentric

annular grooves

58 and 59 adapted respectively to receive the rearwardly turned

wheel tabs

64 and 65. This structural arrangement facilitates and guides the wheel 61 in its rotative movement, and serves to space the plane of the wheel 61 outwardly from the front face of plate 11 for a distance so that the coin passes into the chute and into the space between the wheel 61 and front face of plate 11 in order to seat on the rearwardly turned

Wheel tabs

64 and 65.

In this section, a first control lever 66 is pivotally mounted between the intermediate plate 11 and front plate 12 by pin 67. The first control lever 66 includes an arm 70 that extends into the chute 54 immediately opposite the chute shoulder 57 to provide a gap that is less than the width of the coin for which the section is designed to accommodate, in this instance, a dime. The first control lever 66 also includes an abutment 71 that engages the rearwardly turned tab 64 on each alternate formed wheel tooth 62a to preclude clockwise rotation of wheel 61.

A second control lever 72 is pivotally mounted on the same pin 67 as is the first control lever 66. The second control lever 72 includes a rearwardly turned tab 73 that overlaps and engages the upper margin of the first control lever 66. One end of the second control lever 72 is provided with a rearwardly turned tab 74 that is adapted to move into the coin chute opposite the chute shoulder 57 to narrow the entrance pocket 60 to preclude access of a coin to the upper right hand quadrant of the wheel 61, when the second control lever 62 is turned in a clockwise direction. Furthermore, the opposite end of second control lever 72 is provided with a forwardly turned tab 75 that is adapted to engage the wheel teeth 62.

When a coin of suitable denomination such as a dime is inserted into the entrance slot 55, the coin moves into the pocket 60 and engages the first control lever arm 70, the weight of such coin pivoting the first control lever 66 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 7. Upon turning the first control lever 66, the abutment 71 disengages from the rearwardly turned tab '64 of the formed wheel tooth 62b to release the wheel 61 for rotation. As the first control lever 66 rotates, it engages the tab 73 of the second control lever 72 and rotates the second control lever 72 in a clockwise direction also from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 7. As the second control lever 72 rotates, the end tab 74 moves behind the coin and cooperates with the chute shoulder 57 to block the passage of any subsequent coin from the pocket 60 into the upper right hand quadrant of the wheel 61 until the first coin has been discharged. The other end tab 75 engages the camming surfaces 63 of the wheel teeth 62 during the rotation of wheel 61, such engagement holding the second control lever in the position illustrated in FIG. 7 until completion of the pulsing cycle.

Another actuator lever 76 operatively interconnects the switch arm 31 with the rotative wheel 61 so as to pulse the switch 21 upon wheel rotation.

The actuator lever 76 includes a hook 77 that engages the switch arm 31. The same end of actuator lever 76 includes a forwardly extending tab or follower that is normally disposed in the path of the camming surfaces 63 of wheel teeth 62. Upon rotation of wheel 61, the camming surfaces 63 will engage the follower 80 to pivot the actuator lever 76 in a counterclockwise direction from the positon illustrated in FIG. 4 to the position illus trated in FIG. 7. Upon such turning, the actuator lever hook 77 moves the switch arm 31 and pulses the switch 21. The opposite end of actuator lever 76 is provided with another tab 8 1 that moves into the path of the wheel teeth 62 when the actuator lever is moved counterclockwise to the made position of FIG. 8.

When a coin of suitable denomination such as a dime is inserted into the chute inlet slot 55, the coin will first drop into the pocket 60 and engage the first control lever arm 70, the weight of such coin pivot-ing the first control lever 66 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position in FIG. 7 so that the abutment 71 disengages from the wheel tooth 62b to release the wheel 61 for rotation. As the first control lever 66 pivots clockwise, it rotates the second control lever 72 about pin 67 so that the end tab 74 moves behind the coin to a position illustrated in FIG. 7 in which the end tab 74 cooperates with the chute shoulder 57 to provide an effective block against any subsequent coin following the first coin into the same quadrant of the wheel 61. The coin drops into the pocket formed tooth 62a and formed tab 65, the weight of the coin causing the wheel 61 to rotate clockwise. As the wheel 61 rotates clockwise the coin rides down with the wheel and clears the lever arm 70 leaving the first control lever 66 free to rotate back to the initial rese position. The second control lever 72 may or may not be restraining a second coin from entering this same wheel quadrant, but will'not reset at this time because of the engagement of the lever tab 75 with the wheel tooth 620, such tooth supporting the second control lever 72 upon wheel rotation.

As the Wheel 61 rotates clockwise, the leading edge or carnmin-g surface 63 of the formed tooth 62d strikes the lever tab 86 causing a counterclockwise rotation of the actuator lever 76 on pivot pin 50. Upon turning of the actuator lever 76 from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in RIG. 7, the lever hook 77 moves the switch arm 31 and hence pulses the common switch 21.

As the leading edge of the formed tooth 62d influences the lever tab 80 of the actuator lever 76 to pulse switch 21, the other end tab 81 rises into the area between an adjacent unformed' tooth 62c and a formed tooth 62f. Overtravel of this end tab 81 (which might result in a jammed condition) is prevented by the hook 77 coming in close proximity to the inside wall of the plate 11. Should the inertia built up in actuator lever 76 be too great in its counterclockwise rotation, the hook 77 of actuator lever 76 would strike the inside wall of intermediate plate 11 and effectively halt the actuator lever 76 with the switch in the made condition.

After the formed tooth 62d has passed the lever tab 80, then the inertia of the wheel 61 plus the continued influence of the coin, plus the internal spring bias of the switch 21, all combine to act upon the actuator lever 76 and cause it to rotate clockwise. The switch 21 exerts its pressure through its switch arm 31 on the upper portion of the actuator lever 76 simultaneously with the wheel 61 exerting its pressure through the leading edge of formed tooth 62 against the end tab 81 of the actuator lever 76 to bring the actuator lever 76 back to the reset position.

Immediately after the formed tooth 62d clears the lever tahStl, such formed tooth 62d engages the control lever tab 75 and takes over the support of the second control lever 72,while the immediately preceding unformed tooth 62c clears the end of the second control lever tab 75.

As the formed tooth 62 passes the end tab 81 of the actuator lever 76, the lever tab 86 is brought down into the area between formed tooth 62d and an adjacent unformed tooth 62c, and against the leading camming surface 63 of such unformed tooth 62c. This action arrests the clockwise rotation of the actuator lever '76 (with the switch 21 in the reset condition). Overtravel of the actuator lever 76 in the clock-wise rotation is prevented by the lever end tab 81 striking the inside wall of the intermediate plate 11. This procedure completes one cycle of the pulsing of switch 21, having utilized formed teeth and unformed teeth on wheel 61 to guarantee switch actuation and reset condition respectively, and has utilized 45 degrees of the wheel rotation.

As the wheel continues to rotate because of inertia and continued influence of the coin, the unformed tooth 62c now exerts pressure on the lever tab 81) and causes lever 76 to actuate the switch 21 a second time. Just after the unformed tooth 62a clears the lever tab 8% on the actuator lever 76, the formed tooth 62d immediately preceding engages the abutment 71 on the first control lever 66 to halt rotation of wheel 61. It is seen that 'the first control lever 66 has returned to. its former attitude or reset position because of gravity after passage of the coin and/ or because of the influence of formed tooth 6212 on wheel 61 engaging the lever arm 7d.

During the course of the 90 degree rotation of wheel 61, the coin drops oifoi the wheel 61 and discharged out of the exit slot 56. At this point, the lever tab 75 is no longer supported by the unformed tooth 62c or formed tooth 62d and will fall back into the area between the unfiormed tooth 62e and a preceding formed tooth 62 since these teeth would now be occupying the relative position formerly occupied by the teeth 62c and 62d before rotation.

The completion of 90 degrees of rotation of the wheel 61 has actuated the common switch 21 with two pulses.

The second control lever 72 in returning to its former attitude or reset position would have released any coin restrained by its end tab 74 and thereby have caused the entire cycle to be repeated.

The front plate 12 and the cover plate 16' provided another section for a coin of still another denomination, as for example, a nickel. It will be seen that the front plate 12 is provided with an opening 8-2 therethrough into which projects the forwardly turned tab 80 of the actuator switch 76. Consequently it will be understood that the lever tab 8% extends between the front plate 12 and the cover plate 16.

The front plate 12 is provided with a peripheral raised 7 portion 83 that cooperates with the fiat cover plate 16 to form a coin chute 84- therebetween having an entrance slot 85 and a discharge slot 86. The coin chute 841- includes a shoulder 87 that cooperates with another component part of the internal mechanism of this section to provide a pocket 9i immediately below the entrance slot 85.

A rotative member 91 is pivotally mounted on pin 92 between the front plate 12 and cover plate 16. The rotative member 91 includes an arm 93 that extends into the chute 84 and cooperates with the chute shoulder 87 to provide a gap that is of lesser width than the width of the coin for which this section is designed, as for example of lesser widththan the width of a nickel. The arm 93 is adapted to seat and carry the coin in its passage through the chute 84 upon rotation of member 91.

The rotative member 91 also includes an end portion 9t that is adapted to move in behind the coin upon clockwise rotation of member 91 and hence cooperates with the chute shoulder 87 to effectively block the entrance of any subsequent coin through the chute until the first coin has been discharged.

The rotative member 91 includes an arm 5 that is adapted to strike the tab 86 of the actuator lever 76 upon rotation of the member 91 with sufiicient force to rotate the actuator lever-76 in a counterclockwise direction so that the hook '77 moves the switch arm 31 and hence pulses the common switch 21.

Upon insertion of an appropriate coin such as a nickel into the inlet slot 85, the coin will first fall into the pocket 9i and thence be directed against the lever arm 93. The weight of the coin will rotate the member )1 in a clockwise direction and the lever portion 94 will move behind the coin to cooperate with shoulder 87 to block the entrance of any subsequent coin until the mechanism has been restablished to the initial position. As the member 91 rotates, the arm 5 will strike the lever tab and rotate the actuator lever '76 in a counterclockwise direction so that the lever hook 77 moves the switch arm 31 and pulses the common switch 21. As the arm 95 moves the actuator lever 76 to the made position, the lever arm 93 will sufficiently open the chute 34 to allow the coin to drop freely through the discharge slot 86. After the discharge of the coin, the member 91 will rotate under gravity in a counterclockwise direction back to its initial position as is illustrated in FIG. 5. The actuator lever 76 is free to return to the reset position by gravity and by the resilient loading of the switch 21 through its switch arm 31. This act-ion completes the cycle of switch 21. It will be noted that switch 21 is pulsed one time for each coin passing through the nickel section.

When the coin-operated pulse generator is assembled and installed in its associated mechanism, the quarters are directed into the slot 55 and to the switch-actuating means disposed between the adjacent pair of plates 1ll-11, such means. actuating or pulsing the switch 21 five times for each quarter, thereby indicating a nickel for each pulse unit. The dimes are directed to the inlet slot 55 and to the switch-actuating means located between the adjacent pair of plates 1112 which operate to pulse the switch twice in response to each dime. Similarly, the nickels are directed to the inlet slot $5 and to the switch-actuating means located between the adjacent pair of

plates

12 and 16, such means pulsing the common switch 21 once for each nickel.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants. being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invent-ion:

1. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation, each adjacent pair of plates providing a coin chute therebetween for a selected coin denomination,

e (b) a switch having a switch arm, 7

(c) switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of plates including a rotatively mounted wheel adjacent the associated chute, said wheel having a plurality of cam teeth, V

(d) said wheel having a plurality of tabs extending from one side, one set of said tabs being circumferentially spaced and disposed radially outwardly from another set of said tabs, one tab of each set providing a seat for the coin to carry the coin in its passage through said chute during which the coin turns said wheel,

(2) a pivoted control lever projecting into the entrance to the chute and engaging a tab of the outermost set to preclude rotation, said control lever being piv oted by the coin upon insertion into said chute to release said Wheel, said control lever subsequently reengaging another of said tabs of the outermost set to retain said wheel after passage of the coin through said chute, and

(i) an actuator lever engaging said cam teeth upon wheel rotation for oscillation to movethe switch arm and to pulse said switch;

2. In a pulse generator:

(at) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation, each adjacent pair of plates constituting a section for a selected coin denomination and providing a coin chute therebetween,

(b) a switch having a switch arm extending between an adjacent pair of plates, and

(c) switchaactuating means between said adjacent pair of plates including a rotatively mounted wheel adjacent the associated chute, said wheel having a plurality of peripheral teeth,

(d) said wheel being provided with laterally extending tabs, one set of tabs being circumferentially spaced and located radially outwardly from another set, the two sets of tabs being relatively offset so that one tab of each set provides a seat for a coin inserted into said chute adapted to carry the coin in its passage through said chute during which the coin turns said wheel through a predetermined angle,

(e) a pivoted control lever between the said adjacent pair of plates and projecting into the entrance to the chute and engaging one of said tabs of the outermost set to preclude wheel rotation, said control lever subsequently reengaging another of said tabs in the outermost set to retain said wheel after passage of the coin through said chute, and

- (f) a pivoted actuator lever between the said adjacent pair of plates and including a tab engageable with said teeth, said teeth rocking said actuator lever upon wheel rotation to move the switch arm and hence pulse said switch in accordance with the number of teeth engaged during the wheel rotation.

3. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation, each adjacent pair of plates constituting a section for a selected coin denomination and providing a coin chute therebetween,

(b) a switch having a switch arm, and

(c) switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of plates including a rotatively mounted member adjacent the associated chute, said rotative member having means for seating and carrying a coin in its passage through said chute during which the coin turns said member, and

(d) actuating means interconnecting the switch arm with said rotative member to pulse said switch upon rotation of said member, and

(e) switch-actuating means between each other adjacent pair of plates including a rotatively mounted member adjacent the associated chute, the rotative member of each of the last said switch-actuating means carrying a coin in its passage through the chute during which the coin turns the rotative member, each of the last said switch-actuating means including its rotative member being independently operable relative to each other and to the first said switch-actuating means and its rotative member, and each being operable by a coin passing through its associated chute to move thesarne switch arm to pulse said common switch.

4. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plate fastened together in close superimposed relation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each adjacent pair of plates,

() a switch having a switch arm extending between an adjacent pair of plates, and

(d) a switching-actuating means between the said adjacent pair of plates including a rotatively mounted wheel adjacent the associated chute, said wheel being provided'with a plurality of outwardly extending teeth each of which has a cam surface,

(e) the cam surfaces of alternate wheel teeth projecting laterally to one side of the wheel, the wheel having lateral tabs behind the wheel teeth having the projecting cam surfaces, said projecting cam surfaces and wheel tabs seating and carrying a coin in its passage through the chute upon rotation of the wheel,

(f) a pivoted control means between the said adjacent pair of plates and projecting into the chute entrance and engaging one of the projecting cam surfaces to preclude rotation, said control means being pivoted by the coin upon insertion into said chute to release said wheel, and

(g) an actuator lever between the said adjacent pair of plates and engaging said cam surfaces upon wheel rotation and movable thereby to engage and move the switch arm intermittently to pulse said switch.

5. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each adjacent pair of plates,

(c) a-switch having a switch arm extending between adjacent pairs of plates, and

(d) a switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of plates and including a rotatively mounted wheel adjacent the associated chute, said wheel being provided with a plurality of outwardly extending teeth each of which has a cam surface,

(e) the cam surface of alternate wheel teeth projecting laterally to one side of the wheel, the wheel having lateral tabs behind the wheel teeth having the project'- ing cam surface, said projecting cam surfaces and tabs seating and carrying a coin in its passage through the chute upon rotation of the wheel,

(f) a pivoted first control lever extending into the entrance of the coin chute and engaging one of said projecting cam surfaces to preclude wheel rotation,

(g) a pivoted second control lever engaging said wheel teeth, said first control lever being pivoted by the coin upon insertion into said chute to release said wheel and engaging said second control lever to move the second lever into coin-blocking relation to the chute behind said coin, said wheel teeth holding said second control lever in said blocking relation upon wheel rotation,

(It) said one cam surface engaging the said first lever and moving it back to a position in which the first lever will engage the next cam surface to halt wheel rotation, and

(i) an actuator lever engaging said cam surfaces upon wheel rotation and movable thereby to engage and move the switch arm intermittently to pulse said switch.

6. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each adjacent pair of plates,

(0) a switch having a switch arm, and

(d) a switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of plates including a rotatively mounted wheel adjacent the associated chute, said teeth being provided with a plurality of outwardly extending teeth each of which has a cam surface, the cam surface of alternating wheel projecting laterally to one side of the wheel,

(2) the wheel having lateral tabs behind the wheel teeth having the projecting cam surfaces, said projecting cam surfaces and tabs seating and carrying a coin in its passage through the chute upon rotation of the wheel,

( a pivoted first control lever extending into the entrance of the coin chute and engaging one of said projecting cam surfaces to preclude wheel rotation,

(g) a pivoted second contnol lever overlying said first control lever engaging said wheel teeth, said first control lever being pivoted by the coin upon insertion into said chute to release said wheel and engaging said second control lever to move the second lever into coin-blocking relation to said chute behind said coin, said wheel teeth holding said second control lever in said blocking relation upon wheel rotation,

(h) said one cam surface engaging said first lever and moving it back to its position in which the first lever will engage the next cam surface to halt wheel rotation, and

(i) a pivoted actuator lever engaging said cam surfaces upon wheel rotation for oscillating movement thereby to engage and move the switch arm intermittently to pulse said switch in accordance with the number of wheel teeth engaged during wheel rotation.

7. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each said ad acent pair of plates,

() aswitch having a switch arm,

(d) a first switch-actuating means between an ad acent pair of plates including a first wheel adjacent the associated chute,

(e) a pin rotatively mounting said first wheel and extending between another pair of plates, (1'') said first wheel having means seating and carrymg a coin in its passage through the chute upon wheel rotation,

(g) meansinterconnecting the switch arm with said wheel to move the switch arm to pulse said switch, and

(h) a second switch-actuating means between another pair of adjacent plates including a second wheel rotatively mounted on the same pin as said first wheel and disposed adjacent its associated chute, the second wheel being independently movable and operable relative to the first wheel,

(1) said second wheel having means for seating and carrying a coin in its passage through its associated chute upon the rotation of said second wheel, and

(j) means interconnecting said switch arm with said second wheel to move the said switch arm to pulse the same said switch upon rotation of said second wheel.

8. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each said pair of adjacent plates,

(0) a switch having an arm,

(d) a first switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of plates including a first wheel adjacent the associated chute,

(e) a pin extending between two pairs of adjacent plates, said pin rotatively mounting said first wheel,

( said first wheel having means for seating and carrying a coin in its passage through the chute upon wheel rotation,

(g) actuating means interconnecting said switch arm with said first wheel said actuator means moving the switch arm to pulse said switch in response to rotation of said first wheel, 7

(h) a pin rotatively mounting said actuating means and extending between said two pairs of adjacent plates, and

(i) a second switch-actuating means between another pair of plates including a second wheel rotatively mounted on the same pin as said first wheel and disposed adjacent its associated chute, the second wheel being independently movable and operable relative to the first wheel, said second wheel having means for seating and carrying a coin in its passage through the chute uponwheel rotation, and a second actuator means pivotally mounted on the same pin as said first actuator means, the second actuator means being independently movable and operable relative to the first actuator means, said secondactuator means int'erconnecting said switch arm with said second Wheel for moving said switch arm to pulse said common switch upon rotation of said second wheel.

9. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation, j

(b) a coin chute provided between each said adjacent pair of plates,

(0) a switch having a switch arm,

(e) a pin rotatively mounting said first wheel and extending between another pair of plates,

(1) said first wheel having a plurality of camming teeth,

(g) said first wheel being provided with tabs adapted to seat and carry a coin in its passage through said chute during which the coin turns said first wheel,

(h) a pivoted control lever projecting into the entrance to the chute and engaging the first wheel to preclude rotation, said first control lever being pivoted by the coin upon insertion into said chute to release said first wheel, and

(i) a first actuator lever engaging said first wheel teeth upon wheel rotation, said first actuator lever moving the switch arm to pulse said switch, and

(j) a second switch-actuating means between another adjacent pair of plates including a rotatively mounted second wheel adjacent its associated chute, said second wheel being provided with a plurality of outwardly extending teeth each of which has a cam surface, the cam surface of alternating wheel teeth projecting laterally to one side of said second wheel,

(k) said second wheel having lateral tabs behind the Wheel teeth having the projecting cam surfaces, said projecting cam surfaces and tabs seating and carrying a coin in its passage through the chute upon rotation of the second wheel,

(I) a pivoted second control means projecting into the chute entrance and engaging one of the projecting cam surfaces to preclude rotation of said second wheel, said second control means being pivoted by the coin upon insertion into its associated chute to release said second wheel, and

(m) a second actuator lever engaging said cam surfaces upon wheel rotation and movable thereby to engage and move the same switch arm intermittently to pulse said common switch.

10. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above in claim 9, but further characterized in that the said first and second wheels are rotatively mounted on a common pivot pin, and the first and second actuator levers are pivotally mounted on the same pivot pin, said pins extending between adjacent pairs of plates.

11. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation,

(11) a coin chute provided between each adjacent pair of plates,

(0) a switch having a switch arm, and

(d) a first switch-actuating means between one pair of plates including a first pivoted means for seating and carrying a coin in its passage through the associated chute upon rotation of said first means, and t (e) a pivoted actuator lever engaging said first pivoted means and actuated thereby to move the switch arm and hence pulse said switch, said lever extendlng between another pair of adjacent plates, and

(f) a second switch-actuating means between the said other pair of plates including a second pivoted means for seating and carrying a coin in its passage through Its associated chute upon rotation of said second means, said second pivoted meansengaging and mov- 7 ing said lever to actuate said switch arm and hence pulse said common switch.

12. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposed relation,

'13 (b) a coin chute provided between each adjacent pair of plates, 7 (c) a switch having a switch arm, and V (d) a first switch-actuating means between one pair of plates including a wheel rotatively mounted between one pair of plates including means for seat ing and carrying a coin in its passage through its associated chute upon rotation of said wheel, said wheel being provided with a plurality of outwardly extending teeth,

(e) a pivoted actuator lever engaging said wheel teeth and actuated thereby to move the switch arm and hence pulse said switch upon rotation of said Wheel,

(f) said lever including a tab extending between another pair of adjacent plates, and

(g) a second switch-actuating means between the said other pair of plates including a rotatively mounted member having means for seating and carrying a coin in its passage through its associated chute upon 7 rotation of said member, said member engaging said lever tab and moving said lever to actuate said switch arm and hence pulse said common switch upon rotation of said member.

13. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together .in close superimposed relation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each said adjacentpair of plates,

(c) a switch having a switcharm, J

(11) a first switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of plates including a first wheel adjacent its associated chute, a

(e) a pin rotatively mounting said first wheel and extending between a second pair of plates, X

(f) said first Wheel having a plurality of camming teeth, 1

(g) said first wheel'having means for seating and carrying a coin in its passage through the chute upon (k) said second actuator lever having a tab extending between a third pair of adjacent plates, and

' (l) a third switch-actuating means between the said third pair of adjacent plates including a pivoted member for seating and carrying a coin in its passage through its associated chute upon rotation of said member, said pivoted member engaging said tab to move said second actuator lever against said switch arm and hence pulse saidcommonswitch upon rotative movement of said pivoted member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/27 Walker 194-9 3/41 Osborne. 10/42 Muller 194-94 1/45 Andres 194-9 5/59 Haverstick 194-94 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. 35 ERNEST A. FALL JR., WILLIAM B.

LA BORDE, Examiners.

Claims

3. IN A PULSE GENERATOR (A) A PLURALITY OF PLATES FASTENED TOGETHER IN CLOSE SUPERIMPOSED RELATION, EACH ADJACENT PAIR OF PLATES CONSTITUTING A SECOND FOR A SELECTED COIN DENOMINATION AND PROVIDING A COIN CHUTE THEREBETWEEN, (B) A SWITCH HAVING A SWITCH ARM, AND (C) SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS BETWEEN AN ADJACENT PAIR OF PLATES INCLUDING A ROTATIVELY MOUNTED MEMBER ADJACENT THE ASSOCIATED CHUTE, SAID ROTATIVE MEMBER HAVING MEANS FOR SEATING AND CARRYING A COIN IN ITS PASSAGE THROUGH SAID CHUTE DURING WHICH THE COIN TURNS SAID MEMBER, AND (D) ACTUATING MEANS INTERCONNECTING THE SWITCH ARM WITH SAID ROTATIVE MEMBER TO PULSE SAID SWITCH UPON ROTATION OF SAID MEMBER, AND (E) SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS BETWEEN EACH OTHER ADJACENT PAIR OF PLATES INCLUDING A ROTATIVELY MOUNTED MEMBER ADJACENT THE ASSOCIATED CHUTE, THE ROTATIVE MEMBER OF EACH OF THE LAST SAID SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS CARRYING A COIN IN ITS PASSAGE THROUGH THE CHUTE DURING WHICH THE COIN TURNS THE ROTATIVE MEMBER, EACH OF THE LAST SAID SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING ITS ROTATIVE MEMBER BEING INDEPENDENTLY OPERABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE FIRST SAID SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS AND ITS ROTATIVE MEMBER, AND EACH BEING OPERABLE BY A COIN PASSING THROUGH ITS ASSOCIATED CHUTE TO MOVE THE SAME SWITCH ARM TO PULSE SAID COMMON SWITCH.