US3289347A - Electro-mechanical toy bank - Google Patents

Description

Dec.. 6 w66 A. GINSBER@ 3,2%,347

ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TOY BANK Filed March 8, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet l :awww

ELECTROMECHANICAL TOY .BANK

Filed March 8, 1966 il Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

De@ @y W6@ A. mwlfmm@ ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TOY BANK L SheeztS-Sheet Filed March 8, 1965 INVENTOR.

BY Af Exim/wim Dec. 69 R96 A. Gmsm@ @9239347 ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TOY BANK Filed March 8, 1966 4 Sheets-5heet L INVENTOR.

g/ Amm/f@ www@ ATTORN E Y.

United States Patent O York Filed Mar. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 532,700 8 Claims. (Cl. 46-4) This invention relates to a bank and more particularly to a bank wherein the individual will place a coin in a coin receiver with a grasping element moving to retrieve the coin and to deposit it in a coin receptacle.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a bank in which a grasping element is moved to retrieve a coin and thereafter deposit it in a receptacle.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an electro-mechanical bank of the character described in which a grasping element=retrieves the coin and retains it until another cycle oi movement is begun at which time the coin is deposited in a coin accumulating receptacle.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide an electro-mechanical bank in which the grasping element is positioned interiorly of a housing equipped with openable doors whereby the doors are opened and the grasping elements moves therethrough to grasp a coin placed exteriorly ofthe housing.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide an advanceable grasping means which is slowly driven toward the coin exteriorly of the housing, which then seizes the coin and is rapidly retracted interiorly of the housing.

A still further object of the instant invention is to provide a bank in which the means driving the grasping element is actuated by a coin placed in a coin receiver.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a bank of the character described which is pr-ovided with a noise maker operatively engaged with the driving mechanism for concurrent operation therewith.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a new and novel means for grasping the coin placed in the coin receiver for tenaciously holding the coin until the grasping means is manipulated to release the coin.

A more specific object of the instant invention is to provide a pair of relatively movable jaws for seizing the coin in the coin receiver, holding the coin during travel into the housing and retaining the coin until another cycle of movement is begun.

Still another more specific object of the instant invention is to provide a pair of relatively movable jaws of the character described wherein the jaws hold the coin therebetween by a biasing force which may be selectively increased for tenaciously holding the coin and which may be relaxed to release the coin into a suitable receptacle.

Another more speciiic object of the instant invention is the provision of a grasping means of the type having a pair of relatively movable jaws, at least one of the jaws being manipulated by the coin to grasp and hold the coin.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, features of construction and operation, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the bank of the instant invention illustrated as a dog house with a coin being placed in a coin receiver adjacent the door leading into the house.

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevational view of the dog house of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is another side elevational view of the bank of the instant invention illustrating in dashed lines the openable doors through which the grasping element extends to seize the coin;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational View of the bank of the instant invention showing the doors in a closed position;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the bank of the instant invention illustrating a door through which access may be achieved;

FIGURE 6 is a top elevational view of the dog house bank of the instant invention;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the internal workings of the electro-mechanical bank of the instant invention such as may be seen upon the removal of the housing shown in FIGURES l to 3 and 6;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the operating mechanism of the bank of the instant invention illustrating in dashed lines the position of the grasping element as it extends through the openable doors and seizes the coin placed in the coin receiver;

FIGURE 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the operating mechanisms of the instant invention taken substantially along line 9-9 in FIGURE 8 as viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the driving mechanism illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8, taken substantially along line 10-10 in FIGURE 8, as viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 1l is another horizontal transverse crosssectional View of the operating mechanisms of FIGURE 8 taken substantially along line 11i-11 thereof as viewed in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the noise maker actuating assembly;

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view of the operating mechanism for the noise maker as taken along line 12-12 of FIGURE l1 as viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 13 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view of the movable carriage of the instant invention as may be seen from along line 13-13 in FIGURE 8 as viewed in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIGURE 14 is a view of the movable carriage and grasping element of the instant invention illustrating the relationship of the coin-seizing jaws before the first cycle of operation;

FIGURE 15 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the grasping means of the instant invention, taken substantially along line 1S*15 of FIGURE 14 as viewed in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIGURE 16 is another view of the movable carriage and grasping element of the instant invention illustrating the situation where the grasping element has seized the coin in the coin receiver;

FIGURE 17 is still another view of the grasping element and movable carriage of the instant invention illustrating the situation wherein the coin is about to be released by the movable jaws;

FIGURE 18 is a partial view of a slightly modified form of grasping element illustrating the jaws in their spaced apart relation;

FIGURE 19 is another view of the embodiment of FIGURE 18, showing the movable jaws grasping a coin therebetween;

FIGURE 20 is still another view of the embodiment of FIGURE 18 illustrating the situation wherein the movable jaws are about to release the coin that has been carried therebetween; and

FIGURE 2l is a schematic view of the electrical system used to actuate the driving means of the instant invention.

General construction and operation Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters designate like elements throughout the several views thereof, there is shown generally at the electro-mechanical bank of the instant invention having an exterior housing or facade shown generally at 12 in FIGURES 1 to 4 and 6 which is illustrated as a dog house enclosing the operating mechanisms of the instant invention shown in the remainder of the drawings. Briefly, the operating mechanisms of the instant invention include a carriage shown generally at 14 mounted for movement between a coin releasing position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 8 and a coin grasping position shown in the dashed lines thereof, a driving means shown generally at 16 for propelling carriage 14 through its predetermined path, a coin grasping means shown generally at 18 for seizing a coin 20 in a coin receiver designated generally at 22 and for holding it until grasping means 18 is manipulated to deliver coin 20 into an accumulating receptacle 24.

As will be pointed out in detail hereinafter, coin 20 is placed in coin receiver 22 and energizes driving means 16 to propel carriage 14 slowly from left Ito right as seen in FIGURES 7 and 8 with doors 26 being automatically opened to allow for the passage of carriage 14 therethrough. When the forward end of grasping means 18 extends through the opening provided by doors 26, it is rotated in a downward direction such that coin 20 is gripped by grasping means 18 with driving means 16 rapidly retracting carriage 14 into the interior of dog house 12 with doors 26 being automatically closed. While carriage 14 is inside dog house 12, coin 20 is retained by grasping means 18 until another coin is placed in receiver 22 at which time grasping means 18 is manipulated to deliver coin 20 into receptacle 24. Since a coin in receiver 22 actuates driving means 16, carriage 14 will start its slow progressive movement toward receiver 22 to extract coin 20 therefrom.

Housing Housing 12 includes a base 28 preferably of metal that supports the operating mechanisms of the instant invention and a cover, preferably of molded plastic or the like, secured thereto by a plurality of releasable fasteners 30 as may be seen in FIGURE 5. As previously mentioned, housing 12 is configured as a dog house having side walls 32, a rear wall 34, a front wall 36 forming an enlarged opening 38 through which carriage 14 exits and which is closed by doors 26, and a root 40. Walls 32, 34, 36 are spaced from base plate 28 by a rectangular foundation 42 which acts to position door opening 38 at the appropriate level with respect to carriage 14. Immediately in front of doors 26 is positioned a doorstep 44 forming an opening 46 through which coin receiver 22 may extend.

As may be seen in FIGURE 5, access to the operating mechanisms of FIGURES 7 and 8 may be provided by removing releasable fasteners 30 with an appropriate tool and separating the plastic cover from base plate 28. In order to enter coin accumulating receptacle 24 and to replace the electric batteries utilized to supply power to driving means 16, a trap door shown generally at 48 is mounted by hinges 50 in aligned slots 52 formed by base plate 28 adjacent an enlarged opening 54 therein. Trap door 48 consists of an enlarged plate 56 covering opening 54 with an ear 58 extending outwardly from the side away from hinges 50. An arm is pivotally mounted by a pin 62 adjacent ear 58 and carries an outwardly extending ange 64 for sandwiching ear 58 between ange 64 and base 28 to secure trap door 48 in the closed position. As may be seen more clearly in FIGURE 7, an L-shaped extension 66 extends through a slot 68 in base 28 and provides a means for limiting the movement of pivoted arm 60.

Movable carriage Carriage 14 is mounted on a pair of parallel tubular guides 70 extending throughout substantially -the entire length of base 28 with guides 70 being supported by a wall 72 at the front end of base 28 and by an abutment support shown generally at 74 at the rear thereof. One major component of carriage 14 is a sled shown generally at 76 which is driven forwardly by driving means 16 and rapidly retracted by a spring 78 connected to a hook 80 on abutment support 74. The other major component of carriage 14 is a carrier shown generally at 82 pivotally mounted on sled 76. Carrier 82 is connected to the other end of spring 78 which acts to position carrier 82 in the solid line position shown in FIG- URE 8, until carrier 82 is forcibly pivoted into the coin grasping position shown in dashed lines by a pivoting means shown generally at 84, as may be seen best in FIG- URE 13.

Referring now to FIGURES 7, 8, and 13, sled 76 includes a top wall 86 and a bottom Wall 88 above and below guides 70 and interconnected by a pair of side walls 90. As may be seen best in FIGURE 7, the forward end of walls 86, 88 forms a U-shaped cutout 92 through which the coin 20 is dropped into coin receptacle 24. Extending upwardly from top wall 86 is a pair of parallel anges 92 each of which forms an upstanding ear 94 journaling a shaft 96 for rotary movement.

Carriage 82 includes a normally upwardly inclined diagonal hase 98 having a pair of downwardly extending flanges 100, 102 each of which is journaled for movement about shaft 96 thus providing the pivotal interconnection between carrier 82 and sled 76. Pivoting means 84 includes a keeper 104 extending outwardly from flange 102 which forms a slot 106 in which resides a perpendicular extension 108 of shaft 96. As carriage 14 is propelled forwardly by driving means 16, extension 108 will contact a perpendicular wall110, which forms a part of receptacle 24, thus precluding additional forward movement of carrier 82 resulting in clockwise rotary movement thereof to position grasping means 18 in the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 8.

The remainder of carrier 82 acts as a support for grasping means 18 and includes a pair of angle iron members 112 secured to base 98 which form a transverse diagonal wall 114 at the uppermost extremity of carrier 82. Affixed to the rear end of angle iron members 112 is an inverted U-shaped bracket 116 having a transverse diagonal wall 118 spaced below wall 114 as may be seen best in FIGURE 13. A spring hook 120 extends from one of angle iron members 112 toward the center of carrier 82 and provides the other connection for spring 78.

Coin grasping means As may be seen best in FIGURES 14 to 17 inclusive, grasping means 18 includes a rigid, generally downwardly concave strip 122 aixed to the forward end of transverse diagonal wall 114 with the outer end 124 of strip 122 being slightly downwardly convex and much smaller in width (FIGURE 7). Coin grasping means 18 also includes a slide shown generally at 126, the first element of which is a rigid inverted U-shaped trough 128 extending between diagonal walls 114, 118 of carrier 82 and which is slidably mounted for movement therebetween. Aixed on the inside of trough 128 by a rivet 130 or the like, is a spring steel strap 132 which extends beyond the end of trough 128 as may be seen in FIGURES 14 to 17 inclusive.

As may be seen in FIGURE 15, spring strap 132 is held in place by a pair of reverted ears 134 formed by strip 122 such that spring 132 corresponds to the downwardly concave configuration of strip 122. The forward end of spring strap 132 forms a coin holder shown generally at 136 which cooperates with outer end 124 of strip 122 to receive coin 20 therebetween. Coin holder 136 includes an upwardly convex outer section 138 spaced from an imaginary extension of spring strap 132 by an offset 140.

The relationship between the coin holder 136 and strip 122 varies during the different operations of coin grasping means 18 with the relationship in FIGURE 14 being the configuration before the first coin is placed in coin receptacle 22. When a coin is placed in receptacle 22, driving means 16 will be actuated to propel sled 76 forwardly with extension 108 contacting wall 110 to pivot carrier 82 into the coin grasping position shown in FIGURE 16. As carrier 82 is being pivoted, outer end 124 and coin holder 136 receive coin 20 therebetween with the diverging relationship of outer end 124 and coin holder 136 acting to guide coin centrally. When coin 20 is received between strip 122 and coin holder 136, it contacts offset 140 and slides spring strap 132 and trough 128 rearwardly into the configuration shown in FIGURE 16. Because of the spring nature of outer section 138 of coin holder 136 and the relatively rigid nature of strip 122, coin l20 will be tenaciously held therebetween until slide 126 is reciprocated forwardly.

After coin 20 is received by grasping means 18, driving means 16 will become ineffective to propel carriage 14 forwardly with spring 78 rotating carrier 82 into the upright position shown in FIGURE 8 and rapidly retracting carriage 14 through the opening formed by doors 26. It should be noted that grasping means 18 retains coin 20 during this rapid rearward travel of carriage 14. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the placement of another coin in coin receiver 22 will reactuate driving means 16 to propel carriage 14 initially rearwardly such that slide 126 comes into contact with an abutment 142 carried by abutment support 74. The movement of carriage 14 rearwardly acts to propel slide 126 forwardly into the position shown in FIGURE 17 such that coin 20 is released from between strip 122 and coin holder 136 such that coin 20 will gravitate into coin receptacle 24. Since driving means 16 has already been actuated by the coin placed in coin holder 22, it will propel carriage 14 forwardly to begin another operating cycle in which another coin is grasped -by grasping means 18.

Referring now to FIGURES 18 to 20 inclusive, another form of grasping means is shown generally at 144 and is identical in all respects with grasping means 18 except that the outer end 146 of strip 122 is an extension of the downwardly concave configuration of strip 122. Utilizing like reference characters `for like elements, FIGURE 18 shows the relationship between coin holder 136 and outer end 146 before a coin is placed in coin receiver 22. When such a coin is placed therein, driving means 16 will propel carriage 14 forwardly such that coin 20 is received between coin holder 136 and outer end 146 acting to reciprocate spring strap 132 and trough 128 rearwardly to hold coin 20 in the illustrated position by the spring-like nature of coin holder 136. When carriage 14 is retracted by spring 78, grasping means 144 will retain coin 20 until another coin is placed in coin receiver 22 as previously mentioned. When another coin is placed in coin receiver 22, driving means 16 will be actuated to propel carriage 14 initially rearwardly to contact slide 126 with abutment 142 to propel slide 126 forwardly such that coin holder 136 will no longer bias coin 20 against outer end 146.

In both grasping means 18, 144, it will be apparent that coin holder 136 acts to bias coin 20 against strip 122 when the relationship of FIGURES 16 and 19 occurs. Similarly, the reciprocation of slide 126 acts to release or relax the biasing force between coin holder 136 and strip 122 when it is desired to release coin 20. It should be pointed out with respect to both embodiments ofthe grasping means that the release of coin 20 therefrom leaves the relationship between coin holder 136 and strip 122 that shown in the embodiments of FIGURES 17 and 20; The propulsion of carr'iage 14 forwardly and the contacting of another coin by coin holder 136 acts to drive spring 132 and trough 126 rearwardly into the congurations of FIG- URES 16 and 19.

As may be seen in FIGURES 7 and 8, a cover 137, illustrated as a dogs head, may be placed over the forward end of carriage 82 to disguise the nature of the mechanism therein. Although cover 137 is illustrated as a dogs head, it should be apparent that any suitable conguration may be provided, the only requirement being the provision of an opening 139 corresponding to the dogs mouth.

Coin receiver Providing a foundation for coin receiver 22 is an enclosed receptacle formed by a pair of transverse vertical walls 148, 150, a pair of vertical longitudinally extending dielectric side walls 152 and a top wall 154 closing the top of the receptacle. As may be seen in FIGURES 7 and 8, side walls 152 and transverse wall 150 co-operate with abutment wall to form coin receptacle 24 with a coin dellecting paper strip 153 being provided to divert accidentally dropped coins into receptacle 24. Coin receiver 22 is vertically spaced from top wall 154 by front wall 72 co-operating with a pair of side walls 156 with a dielectric base plate 158 spanning the distance between side walls 156 and carrying coin receiver 22.

Coin receiver 22 includes a rearwardly and upwardly facing coin support shown generally at 160 including a diagonal plate 162 having a pair of upstanding flanges 164 on the outer side thereof for constraining coin 20 with a base 166 securing support plate 162 to base plate 158. The other half of coin receiver 22 is an L-shaped abutment shown generally at 168 having a vertical face 170 to prevent forward sliding of coin 20 and a horizontal plate 172 secured to base plate 158 in any suitable manner. A first electrical wire 174 is secured to abutment 168 with a second electric wire 176 being fastened to coin support 160. Wires 174, 176 -constitute a part of driving means 16 with coin receiver 22 acting as a switch for actuating driving means 16. Since base plate 158 is of a dielectric material, it will be apparent that there is no electrical communication between coin Vsupport 160 and abutment 168 until a coin is placed in receiver 22.

D001' operating meclzalnism Each of doors 26 includes a pair of vertically spaced rearwardly extending flanges 178, 180, each of which is journaled on a stationary vertical post 182 secured to top wall 154. As may be seen best in FIGURE 8, a first sleeve 184 surrounds the lower end of post 180 supporting a door actuating lever shown generally at 186 which in turn supports a second sleeve 188 carrying lower flange of door 26. Door actuating lever 186 includes a vertically offset section 190 carrying a vertically extending rod 192 received in a transverse slot 194 (FIGURE 7) formed in an extension 196 of lower flange 180. It will be apparent, therefore, that the movement of door actuating lever 186 will result in the pivotal movement of door 26 about the axis of post 182.

Biasing door actuating lever 186 such that door 26 is in the closed position is a spring 198 connectedto a hook 200 formed on side wall 156 below coin receiver 22 and a hook 202 formed on door actuating lever 186. The other end of door lever 186 forms a camming surface 204 that is biased into the path of vertical anges 92 by the action of spring 198. When carriage 14 is propelled forward by driving means 16, the forwardmost edge of anges 92 will contact camming surface 204 such that doors 26 are opened to pass grasping means 18 therethrough. It will be apparent that the retraction of carriage 14 will allow spring 198 to bias door actuating lever 186 for closing doors 26. In order to prevent overclosing of doors 26, i.e. positioning doors 26 interiorly of facade 12, a stop 205 is placed in opening 38 as may be seen in FIGURE 4.

Driving mechanism Referring now to FIGURES 7 to l0 inclusive, ydriving means 16 has as its major components an electric motor shown generally at 206 receiving its energy from a pair of batteries 208 in the receptacle under coin receiver 22, a drive train shown generally at 210 interconnecting electric motor 206 to a one-way clutch shown generally at 212 and a rotary-to-linear motion transmitting mechanism shown generally at 214 connecting one-way clutch 212 to sled 76. As previously mentioned, the placement of a coin in coin receiver 22 acts as a switch to supply electrical energy to motor 206 which drives gear train 210 for rotating one-way clutch 212 in the clockwise direction shown by the arrow in FIGURE 10. One-way clutch 212 is constructed such that when motion translator 214 extends carriage 14 forwardly to the greatest extent, clutch 212 will disengage from drive train 210 to allow spring 78 to rapidly retract carriage 14 as previously mentioned.

Referring now to FIGURES 7, 9 and 21, electric motor 206 is illustrated as of the conventional direct current variety having a first lead 216 connected to a ground 218 and a second lead 220 connected to one of batteries 208. Batteries 208 are connected in series by a metallic strap 222 (FIGURE 9) with an electric wire 224 connecting the other of batteries 208 to electric wire 176 leading to coin receiver 22 while electric wire 174 leads to a ground 226. In parallel with coin receiver 22, which is in reality a switch, is another switch shown generally at 228, one side of which is connected by a lead 230 to wire 176 with the other side being connected to a suitable ground 234 by an electric path schematically shown at 232. As may be seen best in FIGURE 7, switch 228 includes a spring metallic member 236 positioned in the path of rotation of door actuating lever 186. Door actuating lever 186 carries a vertical ear 238 adjacent camming surface 204 such that rotation of actuating lever 186 about 90 makes contact between spring 132 and ear 238 which is grounded through vertical post 182 (shown schematically at 232 in FIGURE 21).

It will be apparent that a placement of a coin in coin receiver 22 acts to complete an electrical circuit including ground 226, coin receiver 22, batteries 208, electric motor 206 and ground 218 to actuate driving means 16 in order to propel carriage 14 forwardly. During forward movement of carriage 14, flanges 92 of sled 76 will contact camming surfaces 204 of door actuating levers 186 thereby rotating them about the axis of post 182. After about 90 of rotation, ear 238 will contact spring 236 thereby closing switch 228 such that jostling or removing coin from coin receiver 22 will not affect the operation of driving mechanism 16. It will be apparent, however, that the removal of coin 20 and the retraction of sled 76 will open both switches 22, 228 to stop driving means 16.

Motor 206 is positioned `on a platform 240 elevated above base 28 by a pair of transverse walls 242 and is received in a bracket-type housing shown generally at 244 having a top wall 246 in which a rotatable shaft 248 of motor 206 is journaled. Shaft 248 extends through platform i240 and xedly carries a pinion gear 250 in engagement with a spur 252 xedly mounted on rotatable shaft 254 on which is mounted a pinion 256 as seen in FIGURE 9. Pinion 256 is in engagement with another spur 258 mounted on a rotatable shaft 260 which likewise carries a pinion 262. Although a number of necessary gears may be utilized to achieve the proper mechanical advantage between motor 206 and one-way clutch 212, pinion 262 is illustrated as in Contact with still another spur 264 mounted on a rotatable shaft 266 which extends upwardly through platform 240 and carries a pinion 268 in engagement with a rather large spur 270 mounted on a shaft 272.

As may be seen best in FIGURE 10, spur 270 forms a plurality of apertures 274 spaced equally from shaft 272 for receiving a number of equally spaced lugs 276 downwardly projecting from a rather flexible plate 278 of oneway clutch 212. As may be seen from a comparison of FIGURES 9 and 10, clutch plate 278 is affixed to motion translating means 214 by a plurality of ears 280 which extend through complementary slots in a disc 282 of motion translator 214. Disc 282 is similarly mounted for rotation about shaft 272 and forms an outwardly extending lug 284 carrying an upstanding pivot pin 286. A bar 288 interconnects pivot pin 286 and sled 76 (FIGURE 13) where bar 288 is pivotally mounted on bottom wall 88 by a pivot pin 290.

When motor 206 is energized, it will rotate shaft 248 in a given direction which is translated by drive train 210 to a clockwise rotation of large spur gear 270. As may be seen best in FIGURE 8, lugs 276 have a rst vertical face 292 and a second angled face 294 such that the rotation of spur 270 in a clockwise direction allows apertures 274 to contact vertical face 292 and thereby drive one-way clutch 212. Since clutch 212 is affixed to motion translating mechanism 214, it will be apparent that motion translator 214 will be driven in a clockwise direction to advance bar 288 and consequently sled 76.

While pivot pin 286 is positioned above the longitudinal center line drawn through shaft 272 (as in FIGURE 9), spring 78 will induce carriage 14, bar 288 and pivot pin 286 rearwardly thereby tending to rotate motion translator 214 and one-way clutch 212 i-n a counterclockwise direction such that vertical face 292 of lug 276 firmly engages the interior wall of aperture 274. Consequently, rotation of spur 270 acts to rmly engage clutch plate 278 thereby driving it in a clockwise direction. When pivot pin 286 lies below the longitudinal center line drawn through shaft 272, spring 78 will induce carriage 14, bar 288 and pivot pin 286 rearwardly thereby tending to rotate motion translator 214 and one-way clutch 212 in a clockwise direction such that angled face 294 of lug 276 cams lug 276 out of engagement with aperture 274 as allowed by the flexible nature of plate 278. Thus when pivot pin 286 passes the longitudinal center line drawn through shaft 272, spring 78 will de-clutch one-way clutch 212 from spur gear 270 allowing rapid retraction of carriage 14- from the coin grasping position.

As previously mentioned, it is desirable to stop carriage 14 such that when another coin is placed in coin receiver 22, some initial rearward movement of carriage 14 will take place in order to reciprocate slide 126 to disengage coin 20 such that it will drop into coin receptacle 24. Accordingly, a brake shown generally at 296 is affixed to an extension 298 of abutment support 74 by a reverted gear 300 and by reverting the fixed end 302 of a resilient arm 304. Resilient arm 304 forms a bulge 306 on the free end thereof which is congured to contact the leading edge of lug 284 of motion translator 214. When motion translator 214 is rotated ina clockwise direction by spring 78, the leading edge of lug 284 will contact bulge 306 of brake 296 thus stopping the clockwise rotation of motion translator plate 284 while pivot pin 286 lies below the longitudinal axis drawn through shaft 272.

The reactivation of electric motor 206 by the placement of a coin in coin receiver 22 will again start the clockwise rotation of spur gear 270. When an aperture 274 in spur gear 270 becomes vertically aligned with a lug 276 of clutch plate 278, the drivingrelationship between spur 270 and clutch plate 278 will again commence. Since pivot pin 286 lies below the longitudinal center line, an additional increment of rearward movement will be transmitted to carriage 14 thus pressing slide 126 against abutment 142 to reciprocate slide 126 forwardly as previously mentioned.

N Oise making mechanism In order to impart realism to the dog facsimile illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8, a noise making mechanism shown generally at 308 is provided, including an air bellows 310 arranged to compress and force air through a reed positioned in an air outlet 312. Although the reed positioned within air outlet 312 is such to produce a barking sound, it will be evident that any other type of reed may be used to produce sound in accordance with the type of facsimile used.

Actuating bellows 308 is a carn operated lever 314 bulge 326 on the end oi operating lever 314.

journaled for pivotal movement between a pair of ears 316 extending downwardly from platform 240 as may be seen in FIGURE 8. Referring now to FIGURE l1, lever 314 forms an enlarged aperture 318 through which shaft 272 extends such that movement of lever 314 does not interfere with the rotation of shaft 272. As may be seen best in FIGURES l1 and 12, a sub-base 320 is positioned above base 28 and rotatably receives shaft 266 of drive train 210. Shaft 266 ixedly carries a cam shown generally at 322 which forms a pair of cam lugs 324 which contact a It is apparent that the actuation of electric motor 206 acts to rotate shaft 266 which in turn rotates cam 322 thereby vertically oscillating one en-d of operating lever 314. Since the other end of operating lever 314 is in engagement with bellows 310, it is seen that noise making mechanism 308 creates a barking noise to lend realism to bank 10.

It is now seen that there is herein provided an irnproved bank which accomplishes all of the objects and advantages of the instant invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of the instant inventive concept, and since many modiiications may be made of the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, the foregoing is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A bank comprising a base;

a carriage mounted on the base for movement between a coin Ireleasing position and a coin grasping position;

means for moving the carriage between the coin releasing position Vand coin grasping position;

a coin receptacle adjacent the coin releasing position for accumulating the coins deposited therein;

a coin receiver adjacent the coin grasping position for accepting coins to be deposited in the receptacle; and

grasping means on the carriage for grasping a coin in the receiver and depositing it in the receptacle, the coin grasping means including a pair of jaws congured to receive the coin therebetween;

one of the jaws being relatively rigid and concavely curved `from a point vertically spaced from the coin receiver toward lthe coin receiver;

the other jaw being complementarily curved with respect to the rigid jaw and biased thereagainst; and

means slidably mounting the other jaw from a first position, extended with respect to the rigid jaw, for initially contacting the coin to a second position, retracted with respect to the rigid jaw, for increasing the biasing force between the jaws and coin, and then to a third position extended with respect to the rigid jaw slidably moving the other jaw to relax the biasing force between the jaws and coin when both jaws are in a downwardly inclined position to release the coin into the coin receptacle.

2. The bank of claim 1 wherein the coin contacting portion of the biased jaw forms .an arcuately concave surface facing toward the rigid jaw and the coin.

3. The bank of claim 2 wherein the outer end of the rigid jaw forms an arcuately convex surface facing toward the biased jaw when the biased jaw is in the third position for guiding the coin between the jaws.

4. The bank of claim 1 wherein the moving means includes means for advancing the carriage toward the coin grasping position and retracting the carriage from the coin grasping position to the coin releasing position.

S. The bank of claim 4 wherein the biasing force relaxin g means includes an extension, aixed to the biased jaw, for transmitting a force thereto for ymoving the biased jaw from the second position to the third position to relax the biasing force between the jaws and coin; and an abutment, on the base, contacting the extension when the carriage is at the coin releasing position for sliding the extension and the biased jaw from the second position to the third position. 6. The bank of claim 5 wherein the moving means includes means for rapidly retracting the carriage from the coin grasping position to a stop position adjacent the coin releasing position; and means for driving the carriage from the stop position through the coin releasing position to the coin grasping position, the driving means propelling the carriage at a slower rate than the retracting means; and wherein the abutment is positioned for engaging the extension upon movement of the carriage from the stop position to the coin releasing position for moving the extension and biased jaw from the second position to the third position. 7. The bank of claim 6 wherein the carriage includes a sled, mounted on the base, for linear movement between the coin releasing position, stop position and coin grasping position; a carrier, pivotally mounted on the sled, supporting the coin grasping means; and means for pivoting the carrier at a point adjacent the coin grasping position to position the coin grasping means for receiving a coin in the coin receiver. 8. The bank of claim 1 further including a housing, aflixed to the base, covering the carriage, the coin receptacle and the grasping means and having an opening adjacent the coin receptacle allowing passage of the grasping means therethrough; at least one door mounted for movement between a rst position closing the housing opening and a second position at least partially uncovering the opening to allow passage of the grasping means therethrough; and means, responsive to the movement of the carriage `from the coin releasing position toward the coin grasping position, for moving the door to the uncovered position.

References Cited by the Examiner 65 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. BOVASSO, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A BANK COMPRISING A BASE; A CARRIAGE MOUNTED ON THE BASE FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A COIN RELEASING POSITION AND A COIN GRASPING POSITION; MEANS FOR MOVING THE CARRIAGE BETWEEN THE COIN RELEASING POSITION AND COIN GRASPING POSITIONS; A COIN RECEPTACLE ADJACENT THE COIN RELEASING POSITION FOR ACCUMULATING THE COINS DEPOSITED THEREIN; A COIN RECEIVE ADJACENT THE COIN GRASPING POSITION FOR ACCEPTING COINS TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE RECEPTACLE; AND GRASPING MEANS ON THE CARRIAGE FOR GRASPING A COIN IN THE RECEIVING AND DEPOSITING IT IN THE RECEPTACLE, THE COIN GRASPING MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF JAWS CONFIGURED TO RECEIVE THE COIN THEREBETWEEN; ONE OF THE JAWS BEING RELATIVELY RIGID AND CONCAVELY CURVED FROM A POINT VERTICALLY SPACED FROM THE COIN RECEIVER TOWARD THE COIN RECEIVER THE OTHER JAW BEING COMPLEMENTARILY CURVED WITH RESPECT TO THE RIGID JAW AND BIASED THEREAGAINST; AND MEANS SLIDABLY MOUNTING THE OTHER JAW FROM A FIRST POSITION, EXTENDED WITH RESPECT TO THE RIGID JAW, FOR INITIALLY CONTACTING THE COIN TO A SECOND POSITION, RETRACTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RIGID JAW, FOR INCREASING THE BIASING FORCE BETWEEN THE JAWS AND COIN, AND THEN TO A THIRD POSITION EXTENDED WITH RESPECT TO THE RIGID JAW SLIDABLY MOVING THE OTHER JAW TO RELAX THE BIASING FORCE BETWEEN THE JAWS AND COIN WHEN BOTH JAWS ARE IN A DOWNWARDLY INCLINED POSITION TO RELEASE THE COIN INTO THE COIN RECEPTACLE.

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