US358897A - Island - Google Patents

Description

Y 2 Sheets-Sheet l. W. T. SMIT-H. EXHIBITING APPARATUS.

Patented Mar. 8, 1887.

. (No Model.)

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W. T. SMITH.

EXHIBITING APPARATUS.

N0. 858,897. `Patented M858, 1887.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEIcf-t.

YVILLIAM T. SMITH, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

EXHIBITING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming peut of Letters Patent No.358,897,dated March 8, 1887.

(No model.)

To LZZ whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, WILLIAM T. SiIIrI-I, a citizen of the United States, an d a resident of the city and county of Providence, and State of Rhode Island, have invented an Improvement in Exhibiting Apparatus, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specilication, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to that class of apparatus which are designed to excite the interest or curiosity of the public, and in which are employed, usually, a model or miniature locomotive, steamship, steamboat, or other device in connection with a music-box or musical apparatus, and with operative mechanism, so that upon the dropping ofa coin into a coin-tube the mouth of which is exposed to view the said coin strikes or acts upon a pivoted lever to partially swing or rotate said lever, thereby actuating a stop to release the operating mechanism, and thus permit said mechanism to operate and in turn actnate the musical apparatus, as well as give motion to the driving-wheels of a model or miniature locomotive, if such be employed, or, again, to rotate the paddle-wheels of a steamboat, if the latter is designed to be exhibited. Usually the music-box and operating mechanism are inclosed in av neat `case or box, so as not to be exposed to view, while the miniature locomotive or other model, usually of fine workmanship, is inclosed within a glass case secured to the top of the box, so'as to be examined by the public and to enable the motions of thc drivingwheels to be seen when the apparatus is put in motion.

My present invention embodies more particularly improvements in the coin-tube, the pivoted lever or levers which are to be operated by coin dropped into the tube, and to certain minor improvements relating to the stop-actuating mechanism.

Further, in this class of inventions much trouble and consequent derangement of parts have been caused by persons passing wires and other object-Sinto the coiirtube inthe endeavor to aetuate the operating-lever, and thus set in 5o motion the music-box as well as the drivingwheels of the miniature locomotive or other model. In thus passing wires, dre., into the coin-tube it becomes clogged, and parts of the operating mechanism become bent ortwisted or otherwise deranged. My invention provides against this difficulty. Next, coins attached to pieces of' silken thread or cords have been dropped into the coin-tube to set the operative parts in motion, and such coins would be then withdrawn to be used a second time, if desired. My invention is intended to prevent such withdrawal of coins after they are allowed to pass through the coin-tube. Further, I have so constructed t-he coin-tube and the lever actuated by the coin that, when desired, only coins ofa certain denomination and size can be admitted into the coin-tube to actuate the level' and set in motion the operating parts. Furthermore, I have provided a stop to operate in connection with the coin-receiver attached to the oscillating lever, so that in the downward Inotion of said lever the stop expels the coin from the receiver, whereby it is ready to receive a second coin, when the lever is swung back to its normal position next the inner end of the coin-tube. vention I have provided, also, two coin-tubes at either side of the case or box and two oscilA lating levers in operative connection with each other, so that a coin dropped in either tube will actuat-c the levers to release the stop and permit the operative parts to be set in motion by the motor.

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-section of the receptacle which contains the music-box, the coin-actuating levers, and operating mechanism, the said view showing in side elevation my invention embodied therein. Fig. 2 shows in plan view a part of said box or receptacle with my invention embodied therein, and further showing a part of the cylinder and comb of the musical apparatus. -Fig. 3 is a detail showing one of the coilrtubes in side elevation with the removable plate, to be referred to, detached. Fig. 4 is an edge view of one of the coin-tubes, showing the loop which holds the removable plate in place, a part of the receptacle being shown in section. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view showing the lower end of the coin-tube provided with a knife- In this my in- ICO Y. to be inclosed in the glass case G.

edge, to be referred to. Fig. 6 is a top view of one of the coin-receiversr which are attached to the oscillating levers. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of same. Fig. S is a detail showing the wheel in elevation as provided with the recess or notch in the groove, and showing the pin resting in said notch or recess.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the box or receptacle to contain the musical apparatus, the coin-tubes, the oscillating levers, and the operating mechanism, while B represents the top of the receptacle, upon which is to be mounted the miniature locomotive or other model to be exhibited, which in turn is (Sh own as broken away.)

The cylinder D and comb E are common to the ordinary and well-known musical-boxes, and said cylinder is driven by a motor (not shown) in the usual manner, and is provided with the gear-wheel d, having a earn-groove, d', to receive one end of the pin d2, secured to one arm of the stop-lever di, pivoted at d* to the base a, and provided with a stop or catch, I), which engages the flier c, having bearings in the base c and in the strap e, secured to said base. Motion is communicated from the gear d on the cylinder D to the flier c through the train of gears f, the parts so far mentioned being of usual and well-known construction. As herein shown, the pin d2 extends through thc stop-lever d5 and enters a slot in the arm or short extension g of the oscillating lever G, pivoted in the bearing 9, secured to the base a. One arm of the lever G is provided at its end with a ring or eye, 3, which receives the weight-holder 4, having the cover 5, the purpose of said holder being to enable the lever G to be variably weighted at that end, for the purpose to be presently described. The other arm of the lever G carries a coinreceiver, 6, having a socket, 7, which is provided with a set-screw, 8, whereby the socket may be passed over the end of the lever G and be removably secured thereto by the screw.

The coin-receiver 6 is preferably of the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and is provided with tapering portions inclosed on three sides, and a central rearward shell-like extension, the tapering partially-inclosed portions being adapted to receive a coin ot' required denomination and size and hold said coin in such manner, if desired, that a por1` tion thereof projects below the bottom of the coin-receiver, while the rearward extension permits, as will be presently seen, the said re ceiver to be passed over a stop, 10, secured in this instance to the bottom of the case A, so that the stop will strike the coin and eject it from the receiver in the downward movement of theoscillating lever G.

The coin-tube H is herein shown as having a double bend or curve (see Fig. 8) to carry the lower end or exit to one side of the exposed coin orifice or mouth, to prevent the asaee'fi passage therethrough of sticks or other rigid obj ects, so as to engage the coin-receiver 6 and operate the lever G, the said coinreceiver being held directly beneath and at the lower end or exit of the eoin-tube. The coin-tube H is sufliciently large to accommodate coins of various denominations and sizes; but it is vpro vided with a mouth-piece, h, having the flange 40 removably secured to the case or receptacle by the set-screws 11, Figs. 1 and 3, the said mouth-piece having a eoin-oritice, 12, of predetermined size, to permit the passage of a coin of a given!denomination and size, and thus prevent the introduction into the said coin-tube ofa larger coin. rlhe coin-receiver 6 is also constructed to hold a coin of predetermined denomination and size, and when the apparatus is in operative condition the said receiver is of a size to receive and hold the .largest coin that can be passed through the orifice 12 of the mouth-piece h. By this means all coins of a smaller denomination and size passed through the orifice 12 of the mouth` piece drop through the coin-receiver 6, and do not affect the lever G to set in motion the musicalapparatus or the movable parts of the model which may be attached to the top D of the receptacle A.

Vhen it is desired to actuate the operating lever G by the dropping of a coin smaller in size, the mouth-piece 7L is removed from the coin-tube H, and a second mouth-piece having an orifice which will just admit of the passage of such smaller coin is secured to said tube, while a coin-receiver which will hold such smaller coin is attached to the end of the operating-lever G.

To prevent the introduction of wires or other flexible objects into the coin-tube H, so as to aifect or derange the operating-lever G, I provide an opening or slot, 13, (see Figs. 3, 4,) at the lower curvature or bend in said tube H, so that as said wire is passed down into said cointube it will enter and project through the slot 13, instead of continuing farther down into the tube. The coin-tube is further provided with a removable plate, 14, retained in proper' position on the tube by the loop 15, the purpose of said plate being to permit inspection of the interior of the tube near its lower end, and to remove any obstacles that may become clogged therein and which would prevent the free passage of coin through said tube. Further, I provide the lower end of the cointube with a knifeedge, 16, so that if a coin attached toa thread or cord is dropped into the coin-tube and allowed to pass into the coiirreceiver to affect the operating-lever G and set in motion the musical apparatus and the moving parts of the exhibited model, such cord or thread, upon the attempted retraction of the attached coin, is severed on the knifeedge and the coin drops into the receptacle A.

In connection with the lever G and its cointube H, I provide asecond lever, J, pivoted at j and provided with a weightholder, 17, and aremovable coin-receiver, 18, of like construc- IOO IIO

tion as those employed with the lever G, the said lever J having a pin, 19, (see Figs. l, 2,) projecting between the lever G and the keeper laattachedv to said lever, so that movement of one lever compels a like movement ofthe other lever. A second coin-tube, K, of the same construction as the coin-tube H, is arranged on the opposite side of the box or receptacle A, to act in connection with the lever J, so that coin of the required size dropped into said tube K will fall into and be held by the coin-receiver on the lever J, to operate said lever.` The levers G and J being properly weighted by the weight-holders, so that the coin-receivers will be held against the lower ends or exits of the coin-tubes, and so that, further, said levers will be returned to such, their normal position when a coin or coins are eX- pelled from either or both of the coin-receivers, the operation of the parts will be as follows: Upon dropping a coin into, say, the coin-tube H, it passes through the said tube and falls into the coin-receiver 6, and by its momentum and weight causes the oscillating lever G to be moved on its pivot, whereupon the slotted extension g, engaging the pin g2, lifts said pin out of the notch or recess 22 in the cam-groove of the wheel d to disengage the stop-lever ds from the ilier c, thereby releasing the latter and permitting the motor t0 actuate the cylinder D and set in motion the musical apparatus, as well as the connecting mechanism, which operates the moving parts of the exhibited model, to be placed on the top B within the glass case C. As the lever G descends by the weight of the coin in the coin-receiver 6 to lift the pin out of the notch 22, the said coin-receiver moves downward until the projecting portion of the contained coin rests upon the stop 10, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. l. As the cylinder D thus set in motion rotates, the wheel d rotates in unison with ,said cylinder with the pin d projecting into the cam-groove of said wheel until the boss 23 of said groove reaches the pin, whereupon the latter is raised by the former, thereby giving further downward movement to that end of the lever G which carries the coin-receiver, to cause said receiver to pass over the stop l0 to eject the coin from the receiver, the said lever being being carried to the lowest position shown in dotted lines, Fig. l. As soon as the boss 23 passes ont of contact with the pin d2 in the continued rotary motion of the cylinder D, the lever G is partially raised by the groove acting on the pin dZ toward its normal position, and is retained in such position until the notch 22 of said cam-groove is brought around to the pin d2, when the lever G, being weighted by the weight-holder Ll, causes the pin to drop into said notch, thereby in turn operating the stoplever d8 to throw it into engagement with the flier c, and thus prevent further movement of the musical apparatus. The gear-wheel d on the shaft of the cylinder D, from which motion is conveyed through multiplying-gears to the flier c, is engaged by a pinion, 25, on the shaft 26, journaled in the bearings 27, said shaft receiving a beltpulley, 28, to carry a belt, 29, which is passed over the belt-pulley 30, fast on the shalt 3l, having bearings in the depending brackets 32, secured to the under sident the top B, the said shaft thereby rotating when the cylinder D is rotated. Motion is to be conveyed by any well-known mechanism from the shaft 3l to the movable parts of the miniature locomotive or other model that is to be placed within the glass case G, so that when the cylinder D is rotated through the dropping of a coin into either coiirtube to actuate the levers G and J the said moving parts of the model will be operated.

It will be apparent that, if the musical apparatus is dispensed with and itis only desired to operate the movabie parts of the model to be exhibited, a common shaft actuated by a motor will answer in every respect as well as the cylinder D.

I claim- Y l. A rotating shaft, a wheel secured to said shaft and having a notched groove,and a pin or stop engaging the wheel and adapted to project or rest in said notched groove, combined with an oscillating lever engaging the pin or stop and provided with a coin-receiver, whereby when a coin is dropped into said receiver the lever will be moved on its pivot to lift the pin or stop out of the notch of the wheel on the rotating shaft to permit the shaft to be rotated, substantially as set forth. l

2. A rotating shaft, a wheel secured to said shaft and having a notched groove therein, substantially Aas specified, a flier and mechanism connecting the flier with the rotating shaft, a pivoted stop-lever having a pin to en- IOO gage the notched groove of the wheel, and a hook to engage the flier, combined with an oscillating lever engaging the stop-lever and provided with a coin-receiver, whereby when a coin is dropped into said coin-receiver its lever is moved, and in turn said lever actuates the stop-lever to lift its pin out of the notch ofthe wheel andtake its hook out of engagement with the flier to set free the shaft and permit it to be rotated, substantially as set forth.

3. A lever pivoted between its ends, one arm of said lever being weighted andthe other arm having a coin-receiver removably secured thereto and adapted to receive and retain a coin of predetermined size or denomination, and a coin-tube to direct coin into said eoinreceiver, and provided at its outer or exposed end with a removable mouth-piece having a coinorilice of predetermined size to admit a coin which will be held by the said coinreceiver, combined with a rotating shaft, and a stop to prevent said shaft from rotating, and adapted to be freed therefrom by the pivoted lever upon the dropping of a coin through the coin-tube and into the coinreceiver, substantially as speciiied.

4. A rotating shaft, a stop to prevent said shaft from rotating,and a lever provided with a coin-receiver and adapted to be operated and in turn to disengage the stop from the rotating shaft by the dropping of a coin into said coinreceiver, combined with a coin-tube, curved or bent as specified, and provided with a slot, 13, substantially as' and for the purpose set forth.

5. A rotating shaft, a stop to prevent said shaft from rotating, and a lever in operative connection with said stop, for the purpose set forth, and provided with a coin-receiver, coinbined With a cointube to direct coins into the coin-receiver, and provided with a knife-edge at its lower end, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A rotating shaft, a stop to prevent said shaft from rotating, and a lever in operative connection with said stop, for the purpose specified, and provided with a Coin-receiver having an opening or slot to permit engagement of coin-eXpelling means with the coin to be held by said coin-receiver, combined with a cointube to direct coins into the receiver, and a coin-eXpeller or stop to expel the coin from said receiver, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. A rotating shaft, a stop to prevent said shaft from rotating, and a main lever in operative connection with said stop, for the purpose specified, and provided with a coin-receiver, combined With a supplemental pivoted lever connected with the main lever and provided with a coin-receiver, whereby the main lever will be actuated by the dropping of a coin into either coin-receiver, substantially as set forth.

8. A rotating shaft, a stop to prevent said shaft from rotating, and a coin-tube, combined with a pivoted lever provided with a coin-receiver to hold a coin dropped into the cointube, so that the weight of said coin while held in its receiver will move the lever on its pivot and cause it to disengage the stop from the rotating shaft, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed 'my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

VILLIAM T. SMITH.

Titnessesz CHAs. F. SGHMELZ, JAs. H. LANGE.

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