US3269504A

US3269504A - Totalizing counter system

Info

Publication number: US3269504A
Application number: US429242A
Authority: US
Inventors: Greenwald Harry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Kidde Inc
Priority date: 1965-02-01
Filing date: 1965-02-01
Publication date: 1966-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 1983-08-30

Description

Aug. 1966 H. GREENWALD 3,269,504

TOTALYZING comma SYSTEM Filed Feb. 1. 1965 2 Sheets$heet 1 FIG. I.

INVENTOR 71 A HARRY GREENWALD BY -25 M Lg, 7 ATTORNEY.

'termined angle. 'gear will be proportional to the value of the coin which United States Patent 3,269,504 TOTALIZING COUNTER SYSTEM Harry Greenwald, Whitestone, N.Y., assignor of onethird each to Louis Wolff and Harry Silberglait, both of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Filed Feb. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 429,242 11 Claims. (Cl. 194-.1)

The present invention relates to improvements in totalizing counter systems.

The present invention is particularly suitable for controlling the operation of an associated coin-operated vending machine by totalizing the amount of money deposited in the machine and actuating the, machine when a preselected amount of moneyis so deposited.

A conventional totalizer counter system, as used to totalize credit in a coin-operated vending machine, usually comprises a main gear or credit wheel which is caused to rotate in a first direction upon insertion of the coins. When a preselected total amount of money is reached the system operates the vending machine to dispense the desired article and the credit in the machine is wiped out by causing the credit wheel to rotate in the opposite direction back to a normal position. Obviously, a system of this type does not lend itself to smooth motion and the impact on parts due to the two-way rotation of the gear wheel measurably shortens their lifetime. Additionally, other types of credit accumulating systems require complicated escapement mechanisms to add or wipe out credit in the totalizing system. Additionally, both of the above-mentioned systems suffer from the inherent drawbacks that they are uneconomical to manufacture and difficult to service.

It is an object of the present invention to improve totalizer counter systems so the wear on the parts is a minimum thereby providing long life operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a totalizer counter system which is economical to manufacture, simple in operation and easy to service.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a frame having a totalizing gear rotatably mounted thereon :and a plurality of pinions similarly rotatably mounted on the frame and in meshing engagement with the totalizing gear. In the preferred embodiment each pinion has the same number of teeth. Each pinion has a respective driving mechanism operatively associated therewith which includes a motor which as adapted to rotate the associated pinion through a one-way clutch. An energizing circuit is connected tothe driving motors and includes a plurality of controlling means each associated with a respective coin of a different denomination for controlling the energization of a respective different one of the driving motors in accordance with the coin deposited. Thus, a different motor will be operated for each different denomination coin inserted in the vending machine to rotate the totalizing gear through the associated pinion. Each controlling means is provided with stop means to deenergize the associated motor after .the respective pinion has been rotated through a respectively different prede- This angle of rotation of the totalizer controls operation of the particular motor. For example, if a fifty-cent coinv is the largest coin that can be deposited and a dime is deposited in the machine, the controlling means associated with the dime coin will cause energization of a motor to rotate .the dime pinion. After onefifth of a revolution of the pinion the stop means will cause the motor to be de-energized. However, if a onecent coin is deposited, the controlling means associated with the cent will cause energization of the motor associated with the one-cent pinion to rotate said pinion. But the stop means associated with this pinion will cause 3,269,504 Patented August so, 1966.

deenergization of the motor after the pinion has rotated one-fiftieth of a revolution. Thus, the total rotation of the totalizing gear will always be proportional to the amount of money deposited. Moreover, the counting is accomplished in one-cent increments.

A switch adapted to control the associated vending machine is mounted on the frame and a movable link or lever is positioned on the totalizing gear to actuate the switch after thegear has rotated through a predetermined angle corresponding to a preselected amount of money deposited. Means are provided to rotate the totalizer gear, in the same direction, to the same initial position after the vending machine has been operated to recycle the system and maintain the same angle between the link and the vending switch at the start of each cycle.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a totalizing counter system wherein the totalizing gear is always rotated in the same direction to provide smooth, uniform motion and minimum wear on the elements comprising the system.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a totalizing counter system wherein the counting may be accomplished in one-cent increments to thereby permit multiple accumulation of any coinage deposited.

The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from a consideration ofthe following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment ofthe totalizer counter system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the present invention taken along lines 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the twenty-five cent driving unit shown in FIG. 1 taken along lines 33 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a partially diagrammatic wiring diagram of the electrical elements of the present invention.

Like numbers in the various figures indicate identical elements.

The present invention, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a base plate or frame 10. An axle 12, approximately centrally located on frame 10, projects perpendicularly upwardly and is received in a loose fit in an axial bore 13 in a totalizing gear 11 to rotatably supportgear 11 on frame 10. The lower face of gear 11 rests on a washer 14 which is aflixed to axle 12 adjacent its upper end and a nut 15 is threaded on the up er end of axle 12 and overlies gear 11 to limit the upward movement of gear 11.

Gear 11 is provided with teeth 16 about its periphery which are in meshing engagement with the

respective pinions

20, 21, 22 and 23. The pinions are circumferentially spaced from one another with the axis of each pinion lying on a circle whose axis is coaxial with the axis of gear 11'. Each pinion has a respective driving mechanism 24 operatively associated therewith; however, since each driving mechanism is substantially similar only one will he described in detail, it being understood that the other driving mechanisms embody the same structural arrangements except for the differences noted.

Driving mechanism 24 associated with pinion 22 is shown in detail in FIG. 3 and comprises a motor 25 which may 'be connected to the underside of frame 10 in ated.

26 in a tight fit. Hence, shaft 27 is rotatable with shaft 26. Pinion 22 is provided with a central bore 30 which rotatably receives shaft 27 therethrough with pinion 22 resting on the upper face of flange 29. Pinion 22 is further provided with an upwardly projecting central hub 31 for the purpose noted below. A drive counter wheel 32 receives shaft 27 through a central bore 33 and is provided with an upwardly projecting central hub 34A and a downwardly projecting central hub 34B the bottom edge of which overlies the upper edge of hub 31. A pin 35 extends through suitable aligned apertures in hub 34A and shaft 27 to fixedly connect wheel 32 and shaft 27 together so wheel 32 rotates with shaft 27.

A spring 36 surrounds hubs 34B and 31 and is connected to hub 34B at 37. Spring 36 serves as a one-way clutch to transmit driving motion to pinion 22. Thus, when motor 25 is energized shaft 27 rotates thereby causing wheel 32 to rotate and tighten spring 36 against hubs 34B and 31 thereby transmitting the rotational movement to pinion 22 to rotate gear 11. However, when pinion 22 is rotated as, for example, when one of the other pinions drives gear 11, the spring will remain loosely wrapped around hubs 34B and 31 because there is no direct connection between pinion 22 and spring 36 and no movement will be transmitted to wheel 32.

A coin limit switch 40 is located adjacent driving mechanism 24 and is supported on frame by a depending foot 41 which is connected to frame 10 in any conventional manner (not show). The coin limit switch controls the duration of energization of the associated motor in the manner noted below. A lever 42 extends outwardly from switch 40 and overlies wheel 32. As illustrated in FIG. 3, wheel 32 is provided with two diametrically opposed upstanding pins 43 adjacent the periphery of the wheel which are positioned to engage lever 42 during rotation of wheel 32. Lever 42 is connected to an armature 40A of switch 40; armature 40A is biased by means (not shown) to be in contact with a contact 4013. However, when pin 43 engages and moves lever 42, armature 40A is moved to a contact 40C, for the reasons noted below.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention each of the pinions -23 may have the same number of teeth, such as 50 teeth, while totalizing gear 11 may have 100 teeth. It is emphasized that the number of teeth specified in the preceding sentence is by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Moreover, each pinion is adapted to rotate gear 11 through a different angle; the angle of rotation being proportional to the value of the coin deposited in the associated vending machine. Thus, mechanism 24 associated with pinion 22 is adapted to be actuated when a quarter is deposited and will therefore rotate one-half of a revolution before pin 43 engages lever 42 to deenergize motor 25. This will cause an advancement of teeth of gear 11. However, wheel 32A associated with pinion 23 (FIG. I), which is adapted to rotate, when a dime is deposited, may be provided with 5 circumferentially equally spaced pins 43A which are adapted to engagelever 42A of the associated coin limit switch 45 so pinion 23 will only make /5 of a revolution each time its associated motor 25A is operated. In this case gear 11 will be advanced 10 teeth in response to the deposit of a dime. Similarly, wheel 3213, which is associated with pinion 21, which is adapted to rotate when a nickel is inserted in the machine, may be provided with 10 circumferentially equally spaced pins 43B which are adapted to engage liner 42B of the associated switch 46 so pinion 21 will only make of a revolution each time its associated motor 25B is oper- In this case gear 11 will be advanced 5 teeth if a nickel is deposited. It is believed the operation of wheel 32C, which may be provided with 50 teeth 43C about its periphery engageable with lever 42C of associated coin limit switch 47, in response to the deposit of a penny will now be obvious. Hence, the angle that gear 11 rotates through due to actuation of any particular pinion will be directly proportional to the value of the coin deposited. Moreover, the rotation of gear 11 with respect to the counting of the coin values deposited will be in one cent increments thereby permitting multiple accumulation of any coinage deposited.

A switch 51 (FIG. 1) is mounted on frame 10 in any conventional manner (not shown) between

pinions

22 and 23. Switch 51 has a plurality of armatures therein which are connected to and control the operation of an associated conventional vending machine (not shown). Switch 51 includes a lever 51A pivotally mounted at one end and having a projection at the free end. Lever 51A is biased so that free end of the lever will move toward gear 11. A link 49 on gear 11 is positioned to abut the projection on lever 51A during rotation of gear 11 thereby pivoting the lever and moving the free end of the lever toward switch 51 to move the armature and close switch 51 to operate the associated vending machine and, as noted below, the totalizer gear return mechanisms. Link 49 (FIGS. 1 and 2), which is removably mounted on gear 11, comprises an upwardly extending arm and an outwardly extending arm which extends past the periphery of gear 11. Link 49 is further provided with a rearwardly extending flange which receives the screws 48 in suitable apertures; screws 48 extend through an arcuate slot 18 in gear 11 and through apertures in a clamping member and have wing nuts 52 threaded on the ends thereof. The position of link 49 on gear 11 may be adjusted within the confines of slot 18 and nuts 52 may thereafter be tightened to abut the under surface of member 50 to clamp link 49 in place. The particular position of link 49 will determine the amount of money which must be deposited to operate the vending machine since the angle gear 11 must rotate through to bring link 49 into engagement with lever 51A and is proportional to the amount of money deposited.

A return switch 53 is mounted on frame 10 in any conventional manner (not shown) and forms a portion of the mechanism which returns gear 11 to a zero position after each operation of the vending machine. That is, means is included to return gear 11 to the same position after each operation of the associated vending machine, so the same angle between link 49 and lever 51A of switch 51 at the start of each cycle is obtained, otherwise a different amount of money will be required to operate the vending machine on successive cycles of operation. Switch 53 is similar to switch 51 and includes a pivotally mounted lever 53A, having a projection at the end thereof, the free end of which is biased toward gear 11. A link 54, having an upwardly projecting arm and an outwardly projecting arm which projects past the periphery of gear 11 and is adapted to engage the projection on lever 53A during rotation of gear 11 to operate the switch, is fixedly mounted on gear 11. Thus, link 54 is provided with an integral rear- Wardly extending flange through which the screws 55 extend. Respective nuts 56 are threaded on the ends of screws 55, which pass through suitable apertures in gear 11 to affix link 54 in place. It should be noted that the outwardly extending arm of link 54 is higher than the outwardly extending arm of link 49. Correspondingly, switch 53 is higher than switch 51, with respect to frame 10, so link 54 will not operate switch 51 nor will link 49 operate switch 53.

The wiring diagram of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. The coin receiving portion of the system (i.e., that portion which channels the particular denomination coin deposited to the associated coin switch) will not be shown in detail herein since the structural arrangements of these devices are well known in the art. One terminal of an energizing source 101 is connected to the armature 47A of switch 47 by a lead 102. The other end of the source is connected to ground. A lead 103 is adapted to connect lead 102 to ground through a normally open push-button 104 and the winding of a relay 105. Armature 47A is normally connected to contact 47B of switch 47; contact 47B is connected to armature 105A of relay 105 by a lead 106 and contact 47C is connected to armature 105B of relay 105 by a lead 107. Contact 105A, associated with armature 105A is connected to 103, between *104 and 105, by a lead 108. Norm-ally, armature 105A is connected to contact 105A which is unconnected. Armature 1053 is movable between contacts .105B, and 105B contact 10513 is unconnected and contact 105B is connected to one terminal of the one-cent drive motor 25C by a lead 109. The other terminal of motor 25' is connected to ground by a lead 115. A lead 110 connects lead 106 to the armature 111A of a one-cent coin switch .111. Coin-switch 111 is conventional and operates to momentarily move armature 111A to contact 111B when a onecent coin is deposited. The contact 11113. of switch 111 is connected to lead 103, between push-button 104 and the winding of relay 105, by a lead 112. Contact 111C of switch 111 is connected to armature 105C of relay 105 by a lead 113. Armature 105C is movable between

contacts

1050 and 105C contact 105C; is connected to motor 250 by lead109 and contact 1050 is connected to the armature 46A of coin limit switch 46 by a lead 114.

Armatures

105A, 105B and 105C are controlled by relay winding 105 and such control is indiacted by broken line 116. Thus, when the winding of relay 105 is energized

armatures

105A, 105B and 105C will respectively move to contacts 105A 105B and 105C The motorC associated with a particular driving mechanism is controlled by the deposit of a onecent coin and the motor also controls the operation of the associated coin limit switch 47. This is indicated by the broken line 117 which connects one-cent drive motor 25C and switch 47,

A lead 123 is adapted to connect lead 114 to ground I through a normally open push-button 124, the winding of a relay 125 and lead 115. Armature 46A is normally connected to contact 46B of switch 46; contact 46B is connected to armature 125A of relay 125 by a lead 126 and contact 46C is connected to armature 125B of relay 125 by a lead 127. Contact 125A, associated with armature 125A, is connected to lead 123, between button 124 and the winding of relay 125, by a lead 128. Normally, armature 125A is connected to contact 125A which is unconnected. Armature 125B is movable between contacts 125B; and 125 contact 125B is unconnected and contact .125B is connected to one terminal of the five-cent drive motor 253 by a lead 129. The other terminal of five-cent drive motor 25B is connected to ground through lead 115. A lead 130 connects lead 126 to the armature 131A of a five-cent coin switch 111. Coin switch 131 is of a conventional type and operates to momentarily move armature 131A to contact 131B when a nickel is deposited. Contact 131B a lead 134.

Armatures

125A, 125B .and 125C are controlled -by relay 125 as indicated by broken line 136. The control of the operation of switch 46 by five-cent drive motor 25B is indicated by broken line 137.

A lead 143 is adapted to connect lead 134 to ground through a normally open push-button 144, the winding of a relay 145 and lead 115. Armature A is normally connected to contact 45B-of switch 45; contact 45B is 1 connected to armature 145A of relay 145 by a lead 146 and contact 45C is connected to armature 145B of relay 145 by a lead 147. Contact 145A, associated with armature A is connected to lead 143, between button 144 lead 115. A lead 150 connects lead 146 to the armature 151A of a ten-cent coin switch 151. Coin switch 151 is of a conventional type and operates to momentarily move armature 151A to contact 151B when a dime is deposited. Contact 151B is connected to lead 143, between pushbutton 144 and the winding of relay 145, by a lead 152. Contact 151C of switch 151 is connected to armature 145C of relay 145 by a lead 153. Armature 145C is movable between

contacts

145C and 145C contact 145C is connected to motor 25 by lead 149 and contact 145C is connected to the armature 40A of twenty-five cent coin limit switch 40 by a lead 154.

Armatures

145A, 145B and 145C are controlled by relay 145 as indicated by the broken line 156. The control of the operation of switch 45 by ten-cent drive motor 25A is indicated by broken line 157. p

A lead 163 is adapted to connectlead 134 to ground through a normally open push-button 164, the winding of a relay and lead 115. Armature 40A is normally connected to contact 40B of switch 40; contact 40B is connected to armature 165A of relay 165 by a 1ead 166 and contact 40C is connected to armature 165B of relay 165 by a lead 167. Contact 145A, associated with armature 165A is connected to lead 143, between button 164 l armature 171A of a twenty-five cent coin switch 171.

Coin switch 171 is of a conventional type and operates to momentarily move armature 171A to contact 171B when a quarter is deposited. Contact 171B is connected to lead 163, betweenpush-button 164 and the winding of relay 165, by a lead 172. Contact 171C of switch 171 is connected to armature 165C of relay 165 by a lead 173.

Armature 165C is movable between

contacts

165C and 165C contact 165C is connected to motor 25 by lead 169 and contact 165C is connected to lead 115 through rejector solenoid 57 and the normally closed switch comprising armature 58A and contact 58A of a relay 58 by a lead 174. The rejector solenoid is conventional and operates to prevent insertion of further coins when it is deenergized.

Armatures

165A, 165B and 165C are controlled by relay 165 as indicated by the broken line 176. The control of the operation of switch 40 by twenty-five cent drive motor 25 is indicated by brokenline 177.

A lead 59 connects lead 154 to armature 51B of switch 51. Armature 51B is normally out of contact with associated contact 51B Switch 53 is serially connected between lead 154'and armature 51b. It is to be understood that lever 53A controls the opening and closing of switch 53. Similarly, lever 51A controls the movement of armature 51B as well as the movement of other armatures (not shown) which, in turn, control the operation of the associated vending machine, as noted above. The winding of a relay 58 is connected between contact 51B and ground. A lead 60 connects lead 59 to an armature 58B of relay 58. A contact 58B is connected to lead 169 by a lead 61. Lead 59 is also connected to armature 58C of relay 58; and contact 58C is connected to the winding of relay 58. Relay 58 controls the operation of

armatures

58A, 58B and 58C as indicated by broken line 71 and causes

armature

58B and 58C to move to respective contacts 5813 and 58C and armature 58A to break contact with contact 58A, when energized. When the gear 11 is in the zero or normal position the circuit elements Will be biased to assume the positions shown in FIG. 4.

In operation, gear 11 will be in the zero position and link 54 will be in contact with the projection on lever 53A to cause switch 53 to be open. Switch 51 will be open since link 49 will not be in contact with lever 51A. Link 49 may be initially positioned within the confines of slot 18 so the angle that gear 11 must rotate through before link 49 engages the projection on lever 51A will be proportional to the desired amount of money to be deposited. Initially solenoid 57 will be energized by source 101 through the circuit comprising the respective coin limit and coin switches, lead 173, armature 165C, contact 165C lead 174, armature 58A, contact 58A and lead 115 which completes the circuit to source 101 through ground.

Assuming that link 49 is positioned so twenty-five cents must be deposited to operate the associated vending machine and assuming further that a quarter is deposited, the following operations will take place. Coin switch 171 operates and armature 171A momentarily breaks contact with contact 1710 and makes contact with contact 171B thereby breaking the circuit connection to solenoid 57 and deenergizing the rejector solenoid to prevent further coins from being deposited until the gear 11 has been rotated an amount proportional to the deposited coin. (It should be noted that had another coin been inserted, instead of the quarter, the coin switch responsive to that particular coin would have been operated and the solenoid 57 would similarly have been deenergized since source 101 is connected across solenoid 57 through the serially connected respective coin and coin limit switches.) Relay 165 will be energized by source 101 through the series circuit comprising lead 102, switch 47, leads 106, 110, switch 111, lead 113, armature 105C, lead 114, switch 46, leads 126, 130, switch 131, lead 133, armature 125C, lead 134, switch 45, leads 146, 150, switch 151, armature 145C, lead 154, switch 40, leads 166, 170, switch 171, leads 172, 163 and 115. The energization of relay 165 causes

armatures

165A, 165B and 165C to respectively make contact with

contacts 165A

165B and 165C While the movement of armature 171A to contact 171B is momentary and the armature moves back to contact 171C practically immediately, a holding circuit is established about relay 165 to maintain the relay energized. Thus, lead 154 is connected to source 101 through the circuit noted above and is also connected to the winding of relay 165 through switch 40, lead 166, armature 165A, and leads 166 and 168. The other terminal of the winding of relay 165 is connected to the source through lead 115 and ground to complete the circuit. Twentyfive cent drive motor 25 is energized when armature 171A again contacts contact 171C through the circuit comprising lead 154 (connected to source 101 through the circuit noted above), switch 40, leads 166, 170, switch 171, lead 173, armature 165C, lead 169 and lead 115.

7 As shown in FIG. 3, twenty-five cent drive motor 25 rotates wheel 32 by means of the connection through shaft 27 to thereby rotate pinion 22 through spring 36 which serves as the one-way clutch. Pinion 22 rotates until pin 43 on wheel 32 engages lever 42 of switch 40 and pivots the lever to move armature 40A from contact 40B to contact 40C thereby breaking the relay holding circuit which formerly existed through switch 40 to cause the winding of relay 165 to be deenergized. Thus,

armatures

165A, 165B and 1650 will respectively return to

contacts 165A

165B and 165C However, motor 25 will still remain energized through the circuit including lead 154 (which is connected to source 101 through the elements noted above), armature 40A, contact 40C, lead 167, armature 165B, contact 165B and leads 169 and 115. The motor 25 will remain energized until armature 40A moves back to contact 40B; that is, until pin 43 moves out of contact with lever 42. Since two pins 43 only are provided on wheel 32 and the gear ratio between gear 11 and pinion 22 is 2:1; pinion 22 will have rotated one-half of a revolution thereby rotating gear 11 onequarter of a revolution or through an angle which is proportional to the amount of money deposited.

As noted above, the quarter revolution of gear 11 will cause link 49 to abut the projection on lever 51A and pivot the lever to close the switches 51 to thereby operate the associated vending machine. Additionally, the movement of lever 51A causes armature 513 to contact contact 51B energizing the winding of relay 58 through the circuit comprising lead 154 (connected to source 101, as noted above) lead 59, closed switches 53 and armature 51B to ground. This causes

relay armatures

58B and 58C to respectively make contact with

contacts

58B and 58C and causes armature 58A to break contact with contact 58A to thereby deenergize the solenoid 57. A holding circuit will be established about the winding of relay 58 through armature 58C and motor 25 will be energized through the circuit comprising the current carrying lead 59, lead 60, armature 58B and contact 5813 lead 169 and lead 115. Motor 25 will again rotate gear 11 in the same direction through the mechanical connection noted above. It should be noted that the motor will not be deenergized albeit link 49 is rotated past lever 51A thereby allowing armature 513 to open, because of the holding circuit which maintains the winding of relay 58 energized. The winding of relay 58 will remain energized until gear 11 has rotated to a position whereby link 54 abuts the projection on lever 53A thereby pivoting the lever and opening switch 53 which is in series with relay winding 58. Hence, the winding of relay 58 will be deenergized and

armatures

58B and 58C will respectively break contact with

contacts

58B and 58C to respectively deenergize motor 25 and break the holding circuit and armature 58A will make contact with contact 58A to again complete the circuit between source 101 and solenoid 5'7. Thus, it is seen that the totalizing gear 11 has been automatically rotated back to its initial or zero position upon operation of the vending machine switch and is again ready to receive and totalize the deposited coins. If a coin such as a dime had been deposited coin switch 151 would have been operated and the totalizer gear 11 would have been rotated through an angle proportional to the ten-cent coin. Thus, another 15 cents would be required to be deposited before link 49 would operate switch 51.

Each coin responsive circuit may be individually tested by operating the push-button associated with the respective coin switch. Thus, if push button 164 is operated, the winding of relay 165 will be energized through the circuit comprising lead 154 (which is connected to source 101 in the manner noted above), lead 163, push-button 164 and lead to ground. The operation noted above will then be repeated.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed it will become obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the system may also be adapted to totalize and count fifty-cent coins. Additionally, the present system may also be adapted to totalize and count paper currency by use of a suitably responsive switch in place of a coin switch and appropriate change of the coin drive wheel.

What is claimed is:

1. In a totalizing counter system for use with as associated vending machine, the combination including a frame; a totalizing gear rotatably mounted on said frame, said totalizing gear normally being in a first position; a plurality of pinions rotatably mounted on said frame and in meshing engagement with said totalizing gear; a plurality of driving means equal in number to said plurality of pinions, each of said plurality of driving means I operatively associated with a different one of said plurali y of p nions for rotating the associated pinion; controlling means connected to said plurality of driving means responsive to the insertion of respective coins of different denominations for controlling the energizati-on of respective different ones of said plurality of driving means to rotate the associated pinion to thereby rotate said totalizing gear; switch means adapted to control the operation of an associated vending machine; and operating means movably mounted on said totalizing gear and positoned to operate said switch means when said totalizing gear has been rotated through a predetermined angle from said first position whereby said totalizing system will cause the operation of the associated vending machine upon the deposit of a preselected amount of money.

2. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 1, and return means responsive to the operation of said switch means for energizing one of said driving means for rota-ting said totalizing gear back to said first position.

3. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of pinions has the same number of teeth, and the totalizing gear has twice as many teeth as any one of said plurality of pinions.

4. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of driving means includes stop means operatively associated with said controlling means adapted to deenergize the respective driving means after the associated pinion has been rotated through a different preselected angle.

5. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 1, and a one-way clutch connected between each of said plurality of driving means and the associated pinion for transmitting rotational movement to said plurality of pinions from the associated driving means.

6. In a coin totalizing counter system, the combination including a frame; a totalizing gear rotatably mounted on said frame, said totalizing gear normally being in a first position; a plurality of pinions rotatably mounted on said frame and in meshing engagement with said totalizin-g gear; a plurality of driving motors equal in number to said plurality of pinions; a plurality of connecting means in one-to-one correspondence with said driving motors for coupling a different one of said motors to a respective pinion in a driving connection; a first plurality of electro-mechanical means equal in number to said plurality of motors each associated with a respective coin of a diiferent denomination for controlling the energization of a respective different one of said plurality of motors; switch means adapted to control the operation of an associated device; and operating means movably mounted on said totalizing gear and positioned to operate said switch means when said totalizing gear has been rotated through a predetermined angle from said first position.

7. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 6, and second electro-mechanical means connected to said switch means and responsive to the operation of said switch means for energizing one of said plurality of motors; disabling switch means connected to said second electro-mechanical means movable to a first contact for disabling said second electro-mechanical means to deenergize said one of said plurality of motors; and means operatively positioned on said totalizing gear for moving said disabling switch means to said first contact when said totalizing gear is in said first position.

8. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 6, and a plurality of two-state devices, means connecting a different one of said two-state devices to respective ones of said first plurality of electro-mechanical means, said two-state devices being operable, when moved from a first state to a second state, to disable the associated respective one of said first plurality of electro-mechanical means; and means associated with particular ones of said plurality of connecting means cooperable with respective ones of said plurality of two-state devices for moving the associated two-state device to the second state to disable the respective one of said plurality of first electro-mechanical means associated with the particular one of said plurality of connecting means.

9. In a coin totalizing counter system as defined in claim 6, wherein said connecting means comprises in part a oneway clutch.

10. A totalizing counter system comprising, in combination, a frame, a totalizing gear rotatably mounted on said frame, said totalizing gear normally being in a first position; a plurality of pinions rotatably mounted on said frame and in meshing engagement with said totalizing gear; a plurality of driving means equal in number to said plurality of pinions, each of said plurality of driving means being operatively associated with a difiierent one of said plurality of pinions for rotating the associated pinion; operating means responsive to the operation of a respective difierent switch for controlling the actuation of respective different ones of said plurality of driving means to rot-ate the associated pinion; and switch means responsive to the rotation of said totalizer gear through a predetermined angle from said first position for controlling the operation of an associated device.

11. A totalizing counter system as defined in claim 10, and return means responsive to the operation of said switch means for energizing one of said driving means for rotating said totalizing .gear back to said first position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1964 Keefe l94l 8/1965 Bass l94l

Claims

1. IN A TOTALIZING COUNTER SYSTEM FOR USE WITH AS ASSOCIATED VENDING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION INCLUDING A FRAME; A TOTALIZING GEAR ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SAID TOTALIZING GEAR NORMALLY BEING IN A FIRST POSITION; A PLURALITY OF PINIONS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND IN MESHING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TOTALIZING GEAR; A PLURALITY OF DRIVING MEANS EQUAL IN NUMBER TO SAID PLURALITY OF PINIONS, EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF DRIVING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH A DIFFERENT ONE OF SAID PLURALITY OF PINIONS FOR ROTATING THE ASSOCIATED PINION; CONTROLLING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID PLURALITY OF DRIVING MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE INSERTION OF RESPECTIVE COINS OF DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS FOR CONTROLLING THE ENERGIZATION OF RESPECTIVE DIFFERENT ONES OF SAID PLURALITY OF DRIVING MEANS TO ROTATE THE ASSOCIATED PINION TO THEREBY ROTATE SAID TOTALIZING GEAR; SWITCH MEANS ADAPTED TO CONTROL THE OPERATION OF AN ASSOCIATED VENDING MACHINE; AND OPERATING MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID TOTALIZING GEAR AND POSITIONED TO OPERATE SAID SWITCH MEANS WHEN SAID TOTALIZING GEAR HAS BEEN ROTATED THROUGH A PREDETERMINED ANGLE FROM SAID FIRST POSITION WHEREBY SAID TOTALIZING SYSTEM WILL CAUSE THE OPERATION OF THE ASSOCIATED VENDING MACHINE UPON THE DEPOSIT OF A PRESELECTED AMOUNT OF MONEY.