US3667406A - Portable security vault - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable security vault for temporarily storing coin boxes in transit as collected from vending devices, telephone pay stations and the like includes an elongated tube open at opposite ends, a member coextensive lengthwise with the tube and slidable interiorly thereof, and a plurality of paddles spaced vertically along a lengthwise axis of the member to provide tandem spaces between adjacent paddles to store the respective coin boxes therein. The paddles are restricted to rotation in a given direction from normal perpendicular positions to permit the insertion of coin boxes into the spaces at a tube predetermined end and the ejection of the stored coin boxes at the tube opposite end, the latter being responsive to repetitive insertion and withdrawal movements of the slidable member thereat. An arrangement for locking the paddle member to the vault structure precludes unauthorized retrieval of the stored coin boxes at the tube predetermined end. The tube ends may be lock-enclosed as desired.

Description

United States Patent Shea [4 1 June 6, 1972 [54] PORTABLE SECURITY VAULT Inventor: F ank Jose h Shea, 258 East Shore Trail, [57] ABSTRACT Parta, NJ. 07871 A portable security vault for temporarily storing coin boxes in [22] Filed: Sept. 2 1970 transit as collected from vending devices, telephone pay stations and the like includes an elongated tube open at opposite [2]] Appl. No.: 68,813 ends, a member coextensive lengthwise with the tube and slidable interiorly thereof, and a plurality of paddles spaced vertically along a lengthwise axis of the member to provide i I u i I I I I l I i tandem spaces between adjacent paddles to store the respec- 58] Field of Search u l 55 tlve coin boxes therein. The paddles are restricted to rotation 31 in a given direction from normal perpendicular positions to permit the insertion of coin boxes into the spaces at a tube 56] References Cited predetermined end and the ejection of the stored coin boxes at the tube opposite end, the latter being responsive to repetitive n- STATES PATENTS insertion and withdrawal movements of the slidable member thereatv An arrangement for locking the paddle member to the 2,508,159 5/1950 Haas 109/ 53 vault structure precludes unauthorized retrieval of the stored 2,580,752 1/1952 Forester ..232/15 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney-Patrick J. Roche coin boxes at the tube predetermined end. The tube ends may be lock-enclosed as desired.

34 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH BISYZ 3,667,406

SHEET 10F 9 FIG. 4

/N|/EN7'0R ATTORNEY y FRANK J. SHEA FIG. .5

PATENTEDJUN 6 I972 SHEET 2 OF 9 lNVE/VTOP FRANK J. SHEA ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUH s 1912 SHEEI 5 OF 9 m w R M m5 .0 gu w W M V B 73 L PATENTEDJUH 6 I972 SHEET 6 OF 9 FIG. .9

By FRANK J. SHE/4 @M%Q ,Q

ATTORNEY PORTABLE SECURITY VAULT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a portable security vault, and more specifically to such a vault as embodied in a motor vehicle for temporarily storing coin boxes and the like during the collection thereof throughout a relatively extensive geographical area.

The collection of coin boxes from canteen vending devices, pay-station telephones and the like distributed over a relatively wide geographical area usually involves the use of a motor vehicle to store the individual coin boxes during the collection thereof and thereafter to transport the stored boxes to an accounting office. Obviously, the vehicle must include a vault designed to preclude the driver-collector as well as the other unauthorized persons from gaining access to the stored coin boxes once the latter are stored in the vault for transportation to the accounting office. In prior art vault structures mounted on motor vehicles the valuable objects are deposited through a common entrance door for accumulation in a central chamber, or placed in separate compartments each of which is individually locked. The prior art vaults may be permanently incorporated into the vehicle body or removably mounted thereon. As the driver-collector has access to the entrance openings of the vault at all times during the collection interval, it is a problem to preclude him as well as other unauthorized persons from retrieving the collected coin boxes from the vault once such boxes are stored therein. It has happened that such persons did larcenously remove one or more collected coin boxes from the vault beforethe latter was delivered to the accounting ofi'rce.

' It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a portable security vault for storing valuable objects in transit for expeditious mounting on and demounting from a motor vehicle.

It is a further object to provide a train of security compartments in a vault for irretrievably storing valuable objects in transit.

It is an additional object to provide a composite security vault comprising a plurality of individual vaults arranged sideby-side in parallel rows and columns.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are achieved pursuant to an illustrative embodiment of the invention comprising a portable vault containing tandem security spaces for storing valuables in transit. The vault comprises an elongated tube provided with tandem security compartments to one end of which a driver-collector of a motor vehicle transporting the vault has access for storing therein partially filled coin boxes taken from telephone pay stations, automatic dispensing canteens and the like during a collection tour and to the opposite end of which only personnel at an accounting office has access thereto for the purpose of removing the coin boxes from the vault and counting the contents thereof. In view of this, the one end of the vault is looked under control of the driver-collector while the opposite end of the vault is locked under control of the accounting office.

In one embodiment of the invention an elongated rectangular vault enclosure is provided interiorly with an elongated planar member or plate coextensive therewith and located in the uppermost transverse section thereof. The plate has a plurality of openings spaced along the lengthwise axis thereof, each adapted to receive the upper end of one of a plurality of vertical paddle-like members pivoted below the plate. The lower end of each of the paddles extends below the plate to define the aforesaid tandem security compartments. Means are provided for restricting the pivotal motion of the paddles at any given time to either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction depending upon whether coin boxes are being removed from or inserted into the vault. Means are also provided for reversing the direction of permitted pivotal motion of the paddles.

Thus, for example, with the paddles restricted to counterclockwise motion, a first coin box is inserted into the left-hand end of the vault enclosure, thereby occupying the first tandem security compartment. A second coin box so inserted pushes the first box into the second compartment with the second box now occupying the first compartment. This procedure is repeated until the vault is filled. Each coin box inserted pushes against the first paddle causing it to rotate counter-clockwise until the last box inserted occupies the first compartment whereupon the paddle resumes a normal vertical position. So situated, the box cannot be removed by the driver-collector from the left end of the vault since the now vertical paddle cannot pivot clockwise. When, however, the custodian of the accounting ofiice unlocks the right-hand end of the vault to remove the filled coin boxes, he also, by use of the aforesaid means, reverses the permitted direction of the pivotal motion of the paddles thereby allowing empty coin boxes to be inserted into the right-hand end of the vault.

A feature of the invention relatesto a locking device embodied in the driver-collector end of the vault as mounted on a motor vehicle for precluding unauthorized retrieval of partially filled coin boxes from the driver-collector end of the vault while the latter is unlocked.

Another feature resides in a composite vault embodying a plurality of individual vaults arranged in side-by-side relation adjacent parallel rows and columns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and other objects of the invention, in addition to its various features and advantages, are readily understood from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view partially cut away of a portion of a security vault in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a top view, partially cut-away, of a specific embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 5 for illustrating one operation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 for showing a second operation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1B in a normal state for vehicular transportation;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a group of the specific embodiment of the invention in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1B;

\ FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary end elevational view looking into the right-hand end of the top of the vault in FIG. 4 in a manner similar to FIG. 5 and showing an alternate embodiment of the feature in FIGS. 2 and 3 usable in FIG. 18;

FIG. 10 is a plan view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9 and showing one adjustment obtainable in FIG. 18;

FIG. 1 1 is a side elevational view taken along line 1 1-1 1 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a plan view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9 and showing a second adjustment obtainable in FIG. 18;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary end elevational view looking into the right-hand end of the top of the vault in FIG. 4 in a manner similar to FIG. 5 and showing a feature usable in FIG. 18;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a plan view taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a partial end elevational view looking into the left-hand end of the top of the vault in FIG. 1B and 4 and showing an additional feature usable in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is aplan view taken along line 18-18 in FIG. 16; and

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view taken essentially at line 19-19 in FIG. 1B and showing an end plate device usable in FIGS. 1, 16, 17 and 18, with extraneous structure removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE FIGS. 1A and 1B show an elongated vault comprising a rectangular tube provided at each opposite end with a flange 11 and side-by- side collars 12 and 13 for providing rigidity thereat. One side of the vault is provided with a plu rality of spaced apertures 14,14, (FIG. 4) having centers disposed in a plane parallel with a lengthwise axis of the vault for a purpose that is later mentioned. An elongated member 15 (FIG. 5)formed with integral flanges 16 and 17 oppositely disposed in parallel in a common plane on internal surfaces of corresponding opposite wall portions of the tube, each flange on one wall portion to extend approximately coextensively lengthwise with the tube above and in parallel with a transverse. central axis thereof. The uppermost surfaces of the respective flanges may be coated with a friction-minimin'ng substance, not shown, for a purpose that is subsequently mentioned.

, U-shape members 20 and 21 substantially coextensive lengthwise with the respective flanges 16 and 17 and slidably positioned on the friction-minimizing surfaces thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 5 of the members 20 and 21 are held in a fixed spaced relation by a plurality of metallic strips 23 spaced traversely of lengthwise axes of the latter member and rigidly secured thereto as illustrated in FIG. 2. The members 20 and 21 and transverse strips 23 form a unitary member 24 slidable on the flanges 16 and 17 to predetermined positions located interiorly and exteriorly of the vault for purposes that are hereinafter specified. A pin 25 is perpendicularly disposed on an uppermost surface of the plate 23 positioned substantially midway between opposite ends of the members 20 and 21 so that one end of the pin is firmly anchored in the latter plate while the opposite end thereof is free for a purpose that is later mentioned.

A plurality of rods 26,26, spaced transversely between U- shaped members 20 and 21 relative to lengthwise axes thereof have opposite ends rotatably mounted on the respective latter members. Each of the paddles or elongated flat element 27,27 has a flat surfacealong the width thereof rigidly attached offcenter relative-to the-length thereof to a central lengthwise portion of each rod as to rotate therewith. Due to the offcenter attachment of the paddle elements to the respective rods, i.e., less than 50 percent of each paddle element extending above each rod lengthwise axis and more than 50 percent of each paddle element extending therebelow, the paddle elements are caused to assume normal positions perpendicular to the respective rod lengthwise axes. This permits the paddle elements to rotate either in a. clockwise or in a counterclockwise direction at a given time in response to a particular activating force and for a purpose as hereinafter explained. A channel 28 located at one end of U-shape member 20 and a channel 23 located at an end of U-shape member 21 opposite to the one end of this member 20 are perpendicularly secured to the respective members 20 and 21 so that the open faces of the respective channels are disposed in opposing relation. The spacing between the legs of the respective channels is hereinafter mentioned.

It is now understood that the spacing between each two adjacent rods26 and thereby the tandem spacing between each two successive adjacent paddle element lower ends is sufficient to store one coin box therebetween. That is the length, width and height of each spacing between each two adjacent paddle element lower ends are predetermined to accommodateone coin box or valuable object therein. The number of paddle elements and therefore the number of tandem storage spaces therebetween is determined by the ease of transporting the vault fully stored with partially filled coin boxes via hand truck or crane from a motor vehicle to an accounting oflice. It is understood in FIG. 4 that apertures 14,14 are so mutually spaced that each aperture is disposed oppositely to a seal on one coin box for the purpose of enabling accounting personnel to inspect the states of the latter seals before the vault is opened to retrieve the stored coin boxes therefrom in accordance with a technique hereinafter explained. This will enable accounting personnel to raise questions, if necessary, regarding tampering with the coin-box locks by the driver-collector or other unauthorized persons motivated by larcenous intentions before the vault is actually turned over to the accounting office for the purpose of counting the coins with respective coin boxes stored in the vault.

A flat plate 35 in FIGS. 1-3 overlaying approximately the entire uppermost surface of member 24 in length and width is formed with an elongated hole 36 extending approxinately along a lengthwise axis thereof to accommodate pin 25 and with a plurality of openings 37,37, spaced on the lengthwise axis of the plate. As the plate overlays the member 24, the shorter ends of the paddle elements project through the respective openings 37,37, to extrude thereabove. The opposite edges of the openings limit clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the paddle elements as explained below. The end of the lengthwise edge of plate 35 proximate to and facing channel 28 in FIG. 2 is provided with three slots 38,38 spaced to receive the two legs of the latter channel in different combinations of two of the latter slots at different times for purposes that are subsequently mentioned. The amounts of the spacings between centerlines of the legs of the respective channels 28 and 29 and between the centerlines of each two adjacent slots in each group of three slots 38,38, and 39,39, are predetermined to fix the limitations of the lengthwise movement of plate 35 on the member 24 and are mentioned below.

A coiled spring 40 has one end anchored at screw 41 mounted on the uppermost surface of plate 35 and an opposite end disposed in an aperture 42 formed in one leg of channel 28. A coiled spring 43 has one end fastened to screw 44 attached to the uppermost surface of plate 35 and one opposite end positioned in an aperture 45 provided in one leg of channel 29. Looking into the righthand end of plate 35 in FIG. 2, the plate is rotatable in a clockwise direction on pin 25 to disengage the legs of channels 28 and 29 from one combination of two openings in each of respective slot groups 38,38 and 39,39 as springs 40 and 43 are stretched'and approximately at the same time plate 35 is activated via elongated hole 36 in a lefthand or righthand lengthwise direction to dispose the legs of channels 28 and 29 in a different combination of two slots of respective slot groups 38,38 and 39,39 as shown in FIG. 3 for a purpose later identified. The tension in springs 40 and 43 retain plate 35 in the positions illustrated in the respective FIGS. 2 and 3.

It is apparent that openings 37,37, in FIG. 2 and 3 occupy difierent positions along a lengthwise axis at member 24 relative to the shorter ends of paddle elements projecting through the respective latter openings in a perpendicular direction. It is further apparent that the positions of the respective openings 37,37, in FIG. 2 limit the rotation of the paddle elements to a counter-clockwise direction from the normal perpendicular position, looking into the lowermost corresponding lengthwise edges of member 24 and plate 35. It is also evident that the positions of the respective openings 37,37, in FIG. 3 restrict the rotation of the paddle elements to a clockwise direction from the normal perpendicular position, looking into the lowermost corresponding lengthwise edges of member 24 and plate 35 in FIG. 3. Such rotational restrictions of the paddle elements has particular significance for reasons subsequently identified.

A shelf 46 slidably positioned on the uppermost surface of the bottom of the vault at the lefthand end thereof as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 7 comprises an end plate 47 for enclosing the lefthand end of the vault, two spaced elongated members 48,48 having corresponding ends secured to a lowermost inside surface of the end plate and projecting in parallel perpendicularly therefrom, a plate 49 disposed perpendicularly to inner ends surfaces of members 48,48 and spaced from the inside surface of the end plate for a purpose mentioned later, and two right- angle elements 52,52 having vertical legs attached to immer surfaces of the respective members 48,48 and horizontal legs mutually oppositely disposed and having lowermost surfaces disposed in parallel with each other and with the lowermost edges of the latter members. It is understood that the lowermost parallel surfaces of members 48,48 and elements 52,52 include in the shelf, are slidable on an uppermost surface of the bottom of the vault as the shelf is inserted thereinto and withdrawn therefrom for a purpose that is later mentioned. It is also understood that the parallel uppermost surfaces of the horizontal legs of elements 52,52 are spaced to support a coin box 51 thereon as the shelf is withdrawn a suitable distance from the interior of the vault for a porpose later mentioned. The end plate is provided with a suitable lock 50 for removable attachment to the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. 1.

A shelf 60 slidably positioned on the uppermost surface of the bottom of the vault at the right end thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 8 comprises an end plate 61 for enclosing the righthand end of the vault, two spaced right- angle members 62,62 having corresponding ends fastened to a lowermost inside surface of the latter end plate and projecting in parallel perpendicularly therefrom with the horizontal legs oppositely disposed in mutually parallel relation. This enables the parallel lowermost surfaces of the members 62,62 to slide on the uppermost surface of the bottom of the vault as the shelf 60 is inserted thereinto and withdrawn therefrom for a purpose that is subsequently identified. The end plate 61 includes a suitable lock 63 for a reason hereinafter pointed out.

Shelf 46 at the lefthand end of the vault in- FIG. 1 is retracted therefrom a distance sufficient to su port one coin box thereon as the respective coin boxes are stored one at a time in the interior of the vault and after all coin boxes have been stored therein the shelf is re-inserted into the vault where thereafter shelf 60 at the righthand end of the vault is retracted therefrom a distance adequate to support one coin box thereon as the respective stored coin boxes are retrieved from the interior of the vault and after all stored coin boxes have been retrieved therefrom the latter shelf is re-inserted into the tube as the vault is now empty of coin boxes. When coin boxes are to be stored in the vault at the righthand end thereof and retrieved therefrom at the lefthand end thereof in FIG. 1 and 4, it is obvious that shelf 60 is initially used and the other shelf 46 is used for the retrieval of the latter stored coin boxes.

It is understood that the vault described above and shown in FIGS. 1A, 13, 2-5 may be used as one of a group of two or more to form a composite vault in which the respective vaults are arranged side-by-side in parallel rows and columns as illustrated in FIG. 6.

OPERATION (a) FIGS. 1A, 18, 2-5, 7, 8: The operation of the abovedescribed specific embodiment of the invention takes place in the following manner. For this purpose it is assumed that the vault comprises 10 spaces for storing l0 coin boxes, each partially or entirely filled with coins, taken from automatic merchandizing canteens or telephone pay stations. In this connection, it is initially understood that the 10 storage spaces in the vault are empty of coin boxes and further that at least 10 empty coin boxes stacked outside the vault are available on the motor vehicle to the driver-collector thereof for a purpose presently mentioned. At this time, the righthand end of the vault as mounted on a motor vehicle or located in the accounting office is open to authorized personnel thereof whereupon the latter personnel adjust plate 35 in FIGS. 1A and 1B to the position thereof shown in FIG. 2, if the latter is not already disposed in such position, by withdrawing member 24 and plate 35 thereon from the righthand end of the vault as the initial step. Then, plate 35 is rotated in a clockwise direction on pin 25 as above stated while at the same time plate 35 is actuated in a forward lengthwise direction, i.e., toward the righthand end of the vault, via hole 36 until the legs of channels 28 and 29 are disposed in the respective combinations of two slots 38,38 and 39,39 positioned nearest to the righthand end of the plate under the tension of springs 40 and 43 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The amounts of the spacings between centerlines of the two legs of the respective channels and between centerlines of the respective combinations of slots as last-mentioned are predetermined to enable plate 35 to move on member 24 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2 and vice-versa.

The position of plate 35 as shown in FIG. 2 restricts the rotation of the respective paddle elements 27,27 to the counter-clockwise direction from the normal perpendicular positions looking into the lowermost lengthwise edges of member 24 and plate 35 in FIG. 2 as mounted in FIG. 1, as mentioned hereinbefore. At this time, locks 50 and 63 mounted in the end plates at opposite ends of the vault are secured and the vault so locked is returned to the motor vehicle. A key is supplied to a driver-collector to unlock lock 50 for a purpose mentioned later while at no time is a key to unlock 63 available to unauthorized personnel including the driver-collector. It is understood that when the vault is placed on a motor vehicle, the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. 1B is positioned in proximity of the normal position of the drivercollector on the motor vehicle to provide access for the drivercollector to the latter end of the vault while at the same time plate 35 is adjusted to the position shown in FIG. 2. If it should happen at this time that plate 35 is adjusted to the position shown in FIG. 3, the driver-collector has sufficient space at the lefihand end of this vault, when unlocked, to reach thereinto to adjust plate 35 from the position in FIG. 3 to that in FIG. 2. Thereafter, it is most difficult, if not impossible for the driver-collector to readjust plate 35 from the position in FIG. 2 to the position in FIG. 3. This precludes the driveroperator or other unauthorized personnel from gaining access to the coin boxes containing coins and stored in the vault for larcenous purposes.

Assuming now the vault shown in FIG. 1A and 1B is empty of coin boxes, the plate 35 is actuated to the position on member 24 as shown in FIG. 2, and the driver-collector has just removed a coin box 51 partially filled with coins from a telephone pay station or a coin-operated canteen on a first collection trip. Immediately thereupon, the driver-collector inserts an empty coin box into the canteen or telephone pay station, and returns to the motor vehicle with the partially filled coin box 51 in hand. Next, lock 50 is released and shelf 46 including end plate 47 is retracted from the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. 1B for placement of the coin box on the latter shelf one position to the right of plate 49. Then, the driver-collectors hand pushes the shelf into the lefthand end of the vault whereupon the coin box or the shelf moves against the nearest paddle lower end to rotate the associated paddle element in a counter-clockwise direction from the normal perpendicular position thereof, looking into the lowermost lengthwise ends of member 24 and plate 35 in FIG. 2 as mounted in the vault in FIG. 1B as previously stated. This is possible because the upper end of paddle element 27 nearest to the lefthand end of member 24 and plate 35 moves from preassigned portion 37a of the peripheral edge of associated opening 37 toward the opposite preassigned portion 37b of the peripheral edge of the latter opening.

Upon complete insertion of the shelf into the vault, the coin box is disposed in the first empty storage space, i.e., the empty storage space nearest to the lefthand end of the vault or between the first and second paddle element lower ends counting from the lefthand of the vault in FIG. 1B. This permits the paddle element nearest to the lefthand end of the vault to return to its normal perpendicular position. At this point, the driver-collector secures lock 50 to lock-enclose the lefthand end of the vault en route to a pick-up of another partially filled coin box at the next telephone pay station scheduled for collection. I

After the driver-collector removes the partially filled coin box from the second telephone pay station and replaces it with an empty coin box, he returns with the former coin box to the motor vehicle. Again, lock 50 is released and shelf 46 is retracted at the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. 1B. Now, the driver-collector places the second coin box on the shelf and pushes the latter back into the vault whereupon the second coin box pushes against the first stored coin box until the second coin box is stored in the space nearest to the lefthand end of the vault while the previously stored coin box is advanced to the next succeeding storage space, i.e., the second storage space from lefthand end of the vault. This serves to rotate the twopaddle elements nearest to the lefthand of the vault inthe counter-clockwise direction for the reason previously mentioned for the storage of the first coin box therein. Again, the paddle element nearest to the lefthand end of the vault is restored to its perpendicular position.

The driver-collector repeats the foregoing operations intil eight additional partially filled coin boxes are removed from as many telephone pay stations and replaced with eight additional empty coin boxes, and thereafter the eight partially filled coin boxes are inserted one at a time into the vault. At this time, partially filled coin boxes are stored in the vault.

It is understood in FIG. 18 that the end of shelf46 opposite to end plate 47 is so attached to the bottom surface of the lefthand end of the vault as to prevent complete withdrawal of the shelf therefrom, and further that the dimensions of the end plate are so predetermined as, to prevent withdrawal of member 24 including plate 35 adjusted in position thereon as shown in FIG. 2 beyond the end plate. After two or more partially filled coin boxes are stored in the vault, this would permit a driver-collector with a larcenous intent to withdraw the member 24 including plate 35 thereon to a distance at least equal to the length of the respective coin boxes as the paddle elements are still rotatable in the counter-clockwise direction for the aforesaid reason whereby such driver-collector could reach into the lefthand end of the vault and retrieve at least the last stored coin box. However, such retrieval is prevented by an arrangementfor locking the member 24 including plate 35 thereon to the vault structure at the opposite end thereof in a manner hereafter explained with regard to FIGS. 13-15. As the opposite end of the vault is normally locked against access thereto by the driver-collector, 'the latter is precluded from impairing the effectiveness of the locking arrangement for member 24 and plate 35 thereon.

The coin boxes stored in vault 10 in FIG. 18 as just mentioned are removed therefrom one at a time at the accounting ofi'rce to which the driver-collector has returned the motor vehicle. At this time lock 63 at the righthand end of the vault is released thereby providing access to the righthand end of the vault on the motor vehicle to the accounting personnel. As an alternative, the vault may be transferred from the motor vehicle to the accounting office. It is to be noted that before the partially filled coin boxes are removed from the interior of the vault in a manner presently described, the accounting personnel asan initial step inspect the locks on the respective latter coin boxes via apertures 14,14 in FIG. 4 to ascertain the status of the latter locks regarding possible tampering therewith.

As a second step'in the retrieval of the respective coin boxes one at a time from the righthand end of the vault, shelf 60 thereat is retracted to an extent equal at least to the lengths of the respectively stored coin boxes. Next, member 24 including plate 35 thereon is retracted from the vault righthand end in FIG. 113 until the first stored coin box 51 occupying the storage space nearest to the latter end is ejected therefrom onto retracted shelf 60. This is brought about by the fact that the paddle element nearest to the lefthand end of the vault in its perpendicular position engages the last stored coin box to push the latter box as well as the previously stored coin boxes in the direction from the lefthand end toward the righthand end of the vault until the first stored coin box is pushed onto retracted shelf 60. For this purpose, all paddle elements except the one engaging the last stored coin box are still rotated in the counter-clockwise direction from their normal perpendicular positions as previously noted. Now, the member 24 including the plate 35 thereon is re-inserted into the righthand end of the vault whereby the paddle elements are again caused to rotate in the counter-clockwise directions.

It is now evident that the last stored coin box occupies the second storage space located from the vault lefthand end while each of the remaining coin boxes stored previously thereto is advanced one storage space in the direction toward the vault righthand end. Again, member 24 including plate 35 thereon is retracted from the vault righthand end until the second coin box, i.e., the coin box presently occupying the storage space nearest to the vault righthand end, is ejected therefrom into the retracted shelf 60. This is due to the fact that the second paddle element disposed from the vault lefthand end in its normal perpendicular position engages the last stored coin box in the second storage space located from the latter end to push the latter coin box as well as these stored previously thereto from the vault lefthand end toward the vault righthand end until the second stored coin box is pushed onto retracted shelf 60.

In a similar repetitive manner, member 24 including plate 35 thereon is alternately retracted from the righthand end of vault 10 in FIG. 1B and re-inserted thereinto until all coin boxes stored in the vault are retrieved in turn therefrom. It is thus evident that the alternate retractions and reinsertions of member 24 together with plate 35 from and into the righthand end of the vault in the repetitive manner cause successive paddle element lower ends to engage the last stored coin box to pushthe last stored coin box and the previously stored coin boxes in turn out of the vault righthand end. At this time, retracted shelf 60 at the righthand end of the vault is re-inserted thereinto. Thereafter, the vault with empty receptacles is returned to the motor vehicle preliminary to another cycle of collecting partially filled coin boxes from telephone pay stations and canteens. It is again noted that the paddle elements are still rotatable only in the counter-clockwise direction for the reason above stated,

(b) FIG. 6: It is understood that modification of the invention may' comprise a composite vault including a plurality of discrete vaults 55-58, each identical'with the structure and operation of vault 10, shown in FIGS. 1-5, 7 and 8 as previously explained, arranged side-by-side in parallel columns and parallel rows. As used in FIG. 6, the empty coin boxes equipped with locks may be stored on the motor vehicle outside the locked vaults for use in telephone pay station as substitutes for the coin boxes partially filled with coins and removed therefrom. In this case, vaults 55-58 are empty upon leaving the accounting office and are thereafter loaded with the partially filled coin boxes removed from telephone pay stations as the driver-collector proceeds through the collection tour and the latter coin boxes stored in the respective vaults 55-58 are retrieved therefrom at the accounting office in the manner previously mentioned regarding FIG. 1A, 18, 2-5.

Alternatively, the composite vault shown in FIG. 6, vaults 55,56 and 57 are assumed to be loaded with empty coin boxes while vault 58 is assumed to be entirely unloaded with respect to empty coin boxes as the composite vault is taken from the accounting office by the driver-collector on the motor vehicle for a collection tour. In this event, it may be desirable to retain l0 empty coin boxes stored outside the composite vault in the motor vehicle as above stated for a reason that is presently explained. It is obvious that the number of discrete vaults included in FIG. 6 as available in a given collection tour, in relation to the number of telephone pay stations to be serviced in the tour, determines how frequently the driver-collector is required to return to the accounting oflice for another group of vaults during a particular collection day. In areas where the telephone pay stations are distributed over a wide geographical area, it is obvious that the number of discrete vaults included in FIG. 6 would be sufiicient, at least, for an entire collection day. The number of discrete vaults is determined by the weight-carrying capacity of the motor vehicle or the precedent limitation of time away from a home base when and where overnight absences therefrom are necessary.

When empty coin boxes are stored in vaults 55-57 and all storage spaces in vault 58 are unoccupied, the respective empty coin boxes are retrieved and the respective partially filled coin boxes are stored in FIG. 6 in the following manner. For this purpose, it is understood that individual plates 35 in the respective vaults 55-57 are disposed on the associated members 24 in the positions shown in FIG. 3 to permit the paddle elements to rotate only in the clockwise direction from their normal perpendicular positions, thereby enabling the empty boxes to be retrieved one at a time from each of the latter vaults at the lefthand ends thereof while at the same time plate 35 in vault 58 is disposed on member 24 in the position shown in FIG. 2 to permit the paddle elements to rotate only in the counter-clockwise direction from their normal perpendicular positions thereby allowing the partially filled coin boxes to be stored in vault 58 at the lefthand end and retrieved at the righthand end in the manner above described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 5, 7 and 8.

Storage of empty coin boxes including locks thereon in the respective vaults 55-57 in FIG. 6 is achieved at the accounting office in accordance with the following procedure. As the procedure is the same for all three vaults, it is now described below only with respect to vault 55 in FIG. 6. Assuming for the moment that the storage spaces in vault 55 are unoccupied, shelf 60 is retracted from the righthand end of vault 55 as indicated for vault 10 in FIG. 1B. As previously mentioned, plate 35 in vault 55 is adjusted to the position shown in FIG. 3 in order to permit the paddle elements 27,27 included therein to rotate in a clockwise direction from their normal perpendicular positions thereof, looking into lowermost lengthwise ends of member 24 including plate 35 adjusted to the the position thereon shown in FIG. 3 as slidably mounted in vault 55. This is possible because the upper end of the paddle element 27 nearest to the righthand end of member 24 and plate 35 moves from a preassigned portion 37a of the peripheral edge of the associated opening 37 to an opposite preassigned portion 37d of the peripheral edge of the latter opening.

Now a first empty coin box 51 placed on retracted shelf 60 at the righthand end of vault 55 is pushed into the interior thereof to rotate the first paddle element at the righthand end thereof in the clockwise direction until the latter coin box is positioned in the first unoccupied storage space in the latter vault. This is so far the reason that the paddle element upper end nearest to the righthand end of member 24 and plate 35 thereon is moved from peripheral portion 37c to the peripheral portion 37d. A similar procedure is repeated for each of the next nine empty coin boxes until 10 storage spaces in vault 55 are occupied. It is evident that each additional box pushes the empty coin boxes previously stored therein into next advancing storage spaces until all 10 storage spaces in vault 55 are occupied by 10 empty coin boxes. At this time, shelf 60 at the righthand of vault 55 is re-inserted thereinto. Apertures 14,14, located on the opposite side of vault 55 permit an inspection of the seals on the coin boxes stored therein.

Empty coin boxes are retrieved one at a time by the drivercollector from the lefthand end of vault 55 in FIG. 6 in accordance with the following procedure. Shelf 46 at the lefthand of vault 55 is retracted therefrom as shown in FIG. 18. Next, member 24 including plate 35 thereon is withdrawn from the lefthand end of vault 55 until the first empty coin box therein is pushed onto the retracted shelf thereat. This is achieved by reason of the fact that the paddle element at the righthand end of vault 55 engages the tenth or last stored empty coin box to push the latter box as well as the previously stored nine empty boxes from the righthand end of vault 55 toward the lefthand end thereof until the first stored empty coin box is pushed onto retracted shelf 46. Next, member 24 including plate 35 thereon is reinserted into vault 55 to occupy approximately its normal position therein. This causes the paddle elements to rotate in the clockwise direction relative to their normal perpendicular position as above stated.

It is now apparent that the last stored empty coin box occupies the second storage space located from the righthand end of vault 55 while each of the remaining stored coin boxes is advanced one storage space in the direction toward the vault lefthand end, as the first stored coin box is now retrieved. Again, member 24 including plate 35 thereon is retracted from the lefthand end of vault 55 until the second stored empty coin box, i.e., the coin box presently occupying the storage space nearest to the lefthand end of vault 55, is ejected therefrom onto the retracted shelf 46 thereat. This is occasioned by the fact that the second paddle element lower end disposed from the righthand end of vault 55 engages the last stored coin box in the second storage space located from the righthand end of vault 55 to push the latter coin box as well as the previously stored eight empty coin boxes from the righthand end of vault 55 toward the lefthand end thereof until the second stored empty coin box is pushed into retracted shelf46 thereat. In a similar manner, member 24 including plate 35 is retracted from and re-inserted into the lefthand end of vault 55 until all empty coin boxes stored therein are retrieved therefrom. At this time, retracted shelf 46 at the lefthand end of vault 55 is re-inserted thereinto. It is understood that as each empty coin box is removed from vault 55, it is substituted for a partially filled coin box removed from a telephone pay station, the latter box being stored in empty vault 58 in the manner hereinbefore explained regards FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 5, 7, 8. This means that when vault 55 was emptied of. empty coin boxes, plate 35 thereof was adjusted from the position in FIG. 3 to the position in FIG. 2 in order to store and retrieve partially filled coin boxes in and from, respectively, vault 55 in accordance with the procedure described above regarding FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2-5, 7 and 8. It is thus evident that the alternate withdrawals and reinsertions of member 24 including plate 35 thereon from and into, respectively, the lefthand end of vault 55 in a repetitive manner cause successive paddle element lower ends to engage the last stored empty coin box to push the latter box as well as those stored therebefore in turn out of the lefthand end of vault 55.

At this time, it is evident that vault 55 is empty, vault 58 is occupied with partially or wholly filled coin boxes, and vaults 56 and 57 are filled with empty coin boxes. Now, the empty coin boxes are removed one at a time'from vault 56, for example, and utilized as substitutes for the partially filled coin boxes retrieved from telephone pay stations and the latter boxes are stored one at a time in empty vault 55 as the collection tour proceeds. When vault 56 is emptied, and vault 55 is filled, then empty coin boxes are removed one at a time from vault 57 and used as substitutes for partially filled coin boxes taken from telephone pay stations and stored in vault 56 pursuant to the procedure hereinbefore described. As this point, vault 57 is empty while vaults 55, 56 and 58 are fully stored with partially filled coin boxes, whereupon the driver-collector is required to return to the accounting office as no empty coin boxes are available. Or the driver-collector may use the 10 empty coin boxes, stored on the motor vehicle outisde the vault group in FIG. 6, to replace the partially filled coin boxes taken from other telephone pay stations, the latter coin boxes being stored in vault 57 in the manner above explained. The composite vault in FIG. 6, loaded with partially filled coin boxes and suitably locked as previously explained, is returned to the accounting ofiice for the removal of the latter boxes and their replacement with empty coin boxes in the manner and for the purpose aforesaid.

FIGS. 9-12 disclose an alternate embodiment for adjusting overlaying flat plate 35 to different positions on shorter legs 20a and 21a of respective U-shape members 20 and 21 included in composite member 24 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 9 delineating the uppermost end of vault 10 in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 5 includes member 15 formed with the oppositely facing and depending L- positions 16 and 17, U-shape members 20 and 21 slidably positioned thereon, rods 26,26 and overlaying plate 35 adjustable in positions lengthwise on the uppermost edges of the shorter legs of the latter'U-shape member as subsequently described. Right-angle components 70-73 replace channel members 28 and 29, associated slots 38,38 and 39,39, respectively, for effecting lengthwise adjustments of overlaying plate 35 on member 24 at the opposite ends of the latter plate and member in a manner which is now explained.

Components 71 and 73 have vertical legs rigidly secured in spaced relation to the outer surfaceof shorter leg 21a of U- shape member 21 and free horizontal legs disposed in parallel thereabove. It is apparent that the horizontal legs are shorter than their associated vertical legs for the respective components 71 and 73 for a purpose that is presently mentioned. Components 70 and 72 have horizontal legs firmly attached in spaced relation to the undersurface of plate 35 and free vertical legs disposable between components 71 and 73. It is evident that the horizontal legs are longer than their associated vertical legs for components 70 and 72 for a purpose indicated below. Obviously, the longer legs of the respective components permit firm attachment to the corresponding surfaces. The spacing between components 70 and 72 is adequate to permit alternate expeditious disposition of components 71 and .73 and vice versa. I

In the operation of FIGS. 9-12, it is assumed that components 70-73 are disposed at the opposite ends of plate 35 and U-shape members 20 and 21 in the manner shown in FIGS. 9-11 so as to adjust plate 35 to the position shown in FIG. 2. 'At this time, the vertical leg of component 72 is disposed in the space between components 71 and 73. This permits the paddle elements to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction for enabling a driver-collector to insert the partially filled coin boxes into the vault at the lefthand end thereof in FIG. 1B as well as for enabling the removal of the latter coin boxes from the vault at the righthand end thereof in FIG. 1B by personnel at the accounting office as hereinbefore described. On the other hand, plate 35 is adjusted to permit insertion of the empty coin boxes into the righthand end of the vault at the vault by the driver-collector on the motor vehicle during a collection tour in the following manner.

It is now assumed that member 24 consisting of U-shape members 20 and- 21 and overlaying plate 35 is partially withdrawn at the righthand end of the vault as a consequence, for example, of the removal of the final or tenth coin box therefrom as previously explained. Personnel at the accounting office may then rotate plate 35 on pivot 25 to permit the vertical legs of components 70 and 72 to clear the horizontal legs of components 71 and 73 while at the same time pulling plate 35 so as to slide on the uppermost ends of legs 20a and 21a in the direction toward the righthand end of the vault in such amount of distance as to enable a relative disposition of the vertical legs of components 71 and 73 to the positions thereof shown in FIG. 12. At this time, the vertical leg of component 70 is disposed in the space between components 71 and 73. This permits the paddle elements to rotate in a clockwise direction for enabling accounting personnel to insen empty coin boxes into the vault at the righthand end thereof in FIG. 1B as well as for enabling the removal of the latter boxes from the vault at the lefthand end thereof in FIG. 18 by the driver-collector on the motor vehicle as required during a collection tour of telephone pay stations as previously I explained. Plate 35 may now be returned to the position shown in FIGS. 9-11 by repeating the operation just described except at this time plate 35 is pushed toward the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. 18 until component 72 is again disposed between components 71 and 73.

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 disclose a feature for locking plate 35 in a given position on the uppermost ends of legs a and 21a of respective U-shape members 20 and 21 in a manner and for a purpose that are subsequently disclosed. An elongated hook 76 is mounted on the upper surface of plate 35 in such manner that an elongated side leg 77 is disposed proximate to a lefthand lengthwise edge of the plate, a rearward leg 78 is rotatably mounted in a bracket 79, and a forward leg 80 is positioned at the righthand end or immediately in front of plate 35 looking into the righthand end of the vault as shown in FIG. 4. It is thus apparent that the hook is rotatably mounted on the plate. Leg 81 perpendicularly disposed to leg 77 approximately at a midpoint thereof and projecting through an aperture 84 formed in plate 35 has one end fixedly attached to an underface of the latter leg and an opposite free end positioned in a hole 82 formed in a horizontal segment 15a of member 15. A right-angle stop 83has a vertical leg immovably fastened to an outside surface of vertical leg 20a of U-shape member 20 and a horizontal leg disposed above and in parallel with the horizontal segments 15a.

The operation of the locking feature in FIG. 13, 14 and 15 takes place in the following manner. As shown in full-lines, hook 76 is disposed to position leg 81 in hole 82 to constitute the locking position whereby the driver-collector is precluded from removing coin boxes fromthe vault at the lefthand end thereof; i.e., at the driver-collector position on the motor vehicle. This means that plate 35 is adjusted to such position on U- shape members 20 and 21 as illustrated in FIG. 2 to permit the paddle elements to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction for enabling the driver-collector to insert the partially filled coin boxes into the vault at the lefthand end thereof and the personnel at the accounting oflice to retrieve them from the righthand end of the vault. This also obtains for the position of plate 35 shown in FIG. 12 when right-angle components 70-73 replace the channels 28 and 29 and associated slots 38 and 39, respectively, in FIG. 1B, 2 and 3. The consequence of the disposition of leg 81 in hole 82 is further mentioned hereinafter.

In order to reverse the rotation of the paddle elements to the clockwise direction for enabling the insertion of empty coin boxes into the righthand end of the vault by personnel at the accounting office and the removal of such coin boxes from the vault at the lefthand end of the vault on the motor vehicle by the driver-collector, personnel at the accounting office lifts leg 80 of hook 76 and rotates the latter in a counter-clockwise direction via bracket 79 to the position shown in the dot-dash lines in FIG. 14 and at the same time pulls plate 35 toward the right-hand end of the vault to the position shown in FIG. 3 or 12. This serves to withdraw leg 81 from hole 82 and to position the latter leg on right-angle stop 83 as shown via the dotdash line in FIG. 14.

At this time, the paddle elements are rotatable in a clockwise direction for enabling personnel at the accounting office to insert empty coin boxes into the vault at the righthand end thereof and the driver-collector remove the empty coin boxes from the vault at the lefthand end thereof on the motor vehicle. After all of the empty coin boxes are removed from the vault at the lefthand end thereof by the driver-collector on the motor vehicle, it is absolutely essential to reverse the rotation of the paddle elements from the clockwise direction as just mentioned to the counterclockwise direction before an attempt is made to insert the first partially filled coin box, after removal from a telephone pay station into the lefihand end of the vault. The driver-collector provides such reverse directional rotation of the paddle elements by withdrawing member 24 including plate 35 thereon from the lefthand end of the vault to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 12.

As a consequence of the movement of plate 35 in the direction from right to left as just stated, leg 81 of stop 76 is also pulled in the direction towardthe lefthand end of the vault until the latter leg is again disposed in hole 82. At the moment, plate 35 is locked in a fixed position on member 24 relative to both lefihand and righthand ends of the vault. As the driver-collector does not have access to the righthand end of the vault on the motor vehicle during a collection tour, he is precluded from changing the instant position of plate 35 on member 24 and thereby is prevented from larcenously retriev- 3 ing a partially filled coin box from the vault once it is stored thereon. Leg 81 remains disposed in hole 82 until the vault is returned to the accounting office whereat personnel may again move hook 76 to the dot-dash position in FIG. 14 as a consequence of an adjustment of plate 35 in the manner and for the purpose just explained.

FIGS. 16-19 disclose an arrangement for preventing unauthorized removal of a partially filled coin box from the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. 18, after such coin box has been inserted thereinto by a driver-collector during a collection tour. This arrangement comprises elongated metallic strips 85 and 86 disposed in parallel with the inner surfaces of the longer legs 21!: and 20b of respective U-shape members 21 and 20, in such manner that the uppermost edges of the latter strips are in parallel with the uppermost surface of overlaying plate 35. Rearward ends of strips 85 and 86 are rotatably mounted on legs 21b and 20b via pivots 87 and 88, respectively, while forward ends of the latter strips are connected by a transverse element 89.

It is noted that plate 35 includes spaced openings 37,37 through which the shorter upper ends of paddle elements 27,27 project to control the directional rotation of associated rods 26,26 and thereby the directional rotation of the paddle elements from their normal perpendicular positions as hereinbefore explained. It is understood that plate 35 is adjusted to the position shown in either FIG. 2 or FIG. whereby it is possible for the driver-collector to insert the partially filled coin boxes into the lefthand end of the vault mounted on a motor vehicle as indicated in FIG. 18 in the manner previously described. End plate 47 included in shelf46 in FIGS. 1B and 19 has an elongated right-angle segment 90 perpendicularly disposed to an inner, upper righthand surface of end plate 47. The latter segment has one end segment 90b firmly secured to the end plate, an opposite end segment 90a is free and a sloping portion 91, at a predetermined area joins said end portions 90a and 90b for a purpose later identified.

The operation of the arrangement in FIGS. 16-19 taken place in the following manner. For this purpose, the arrangement of FIGS. 16-19 is attached to the lefthand end of member 24 (i.e., U-shape members 20 and 21) and plate 35 as included in FIG. 2 whereby the paddle elements are caused to rotate via the counter-clockwise direction on rods 26,26 as each partially filled coin box is inserted into the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. 1B. It is now assumed that shelf 46 including end plate 47 being unlocked and right-angle segment 90 is partially retracted from the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. IE to such extent that sufficient space is available for the placement on the shelf of a partially filled coin box to be stored in the vault and further that sloping portion 91 of the latter segment has cleared at least the lefthand end of the vault. This disposes the strips 85 and 86 together with transverse element 89 in the positions illustrated in FIGS. 16-18 whereby the lefthand edge of the righthand opening 37 and the transverse element wedge therebetween the upper end of the righthand paddle element as illustrated in FIG. 17. This precludes rotation of the latter paddle element in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction from its normal perpendicular position thereby preventing unauthorized retrieval of a partially filled coin box 51 stored in the space proximate to the lefthand end of the vault in FIGS. 13 and 17. In this connection, it is recalled from the previous explanation that while strips 85 and 8 6 and transverse elements appear to be located at the righthand end of the vault in FIG. 17, it is a fact that the latter strips and elements are actually mounted at the lefthand end of the member 24 and plate 35 and thereby at the lefthand end of the vault in FIGS. 1B and 2 as hereinbefore mentioned.

Now, it is assumed that the driver-collector is ready to store next partially filled coin box in the storage space proximate to the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. 1B. This coin box is placed in retracted shelf46 to the right of transverse plate 49 and thereafter the shelf is pushed into the lefthand end of the vault. This causes right-angle element 90 in FIG. 19 to move in the space between the vertical legs 20a and 20b of U-shape member 20 in FIG. 16 so that lefthancl end portion 90a moves under transverse element 89 in FIGS. 16-18 free from engagement therewith while the coin box is moved toward the vault but is still outside thereof. As the shelf 46 is pushed further into the vault, sloping section 91 of right-angle member 90 eventually engages transverse element 89 which is pushed upwardly as the strips and 86 are caused to rotate on the respective pivots 87 and 88 and which in due course is caused to ride on the uppermost edge of righthand end portion b of right-angle member 90.

This moves transverse element 89 to a position above the uppermost end of the righthand paddle element 27 as shown in the dash-dot lines in FIG. 17 thereby permitting the latter paddle element to rotate on rod 26 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 17, i.e., in a counter-clockwise direction at the lefthand end of member 24 and plate 35 in FIG. 2 as hereinbefore indicated until the coin box 51 to be stored is disposed in the storage space proximate to the lefthand end of the vault as shown in FIGS. 18 and 17. As the coin box is so stored, it is understood that shelf 46 is completely inserted into the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. 1B and lock 50 or end plate 47 is secured while the driver-collector moves the motor vehicle to the vicinity of the next telephone pay station whose partially filled coin box is to be removed therefrom and stored in the vault in FIG. 1B. Once the latter coin box is available for storage, lock 50 is opened to permit the retraction of shelf 46 from the lefthand end of the vault whereupon strips 85 and 86 are transverse element 89 are disposed as illustrated in FIGS. 16-18 to preclude any substantial rotational movement of righthand paddle element 27 in FIG. 17 thereby precluding unauthorized retrieval of the coin box stored proximate to the lefthand end of the vault in FIG. 1B. It is apparent that additional coin boxes are stored in the vault equipped with the arrangement in FIGS. 16-19 in the manner just explained.

It is understood that the invention herein is described in specific respects for the purpose of this description. It is also understood that such respects are merely illustrative of an application of the invention. It is obvious that while the invention is hereinbefore described for storing coin boxes in transit from a point of collection to a point of accounting, it is readily usable without modification for the transportation of other objects in transit having monetary value. Numerous other arrangements may be derived by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A tandem multi-compartment security vault for storing receptacles therein and retrieving said receptacles therefrom, comprising an elongated tube open at both ends thereof:

a first member extending substantially coextensive lengthwise with said tube and slidably mounted lengthwise in said tube above a transverse axis thereof;

a plurality of paddle elements mounted in spaced parallel relation on a lengthwise axis of said first member to rotate on axes transverse to and above said lengthwise axis and including upper ends and lower ends disposed above and below, respectively, said transverse axis so that said elements normally assume mutually parallel positions perpendicular to said transverse axis for providing tandem spaces between adjacent element lower ends to store said receptacles in said spaces, one receptacle in each space;

a second member movable lengthwise to different positions on said first member and formed. with a plurality of openings spaced on a lengthwise axis thereof to permit said element upper ends to project therethrough in such manner that each of said element upper ends projects through one of said openings;

and means adjustably interlocking said first member to said second member for permitting actuation of said second member to a preselected one of said different positions thereof to limit said rotation of said elements to a given direction from said normal perpendicular positions thereof as predetermined by locations of preassigned portions of. peripheral edges of said openings to enable insertion of said receptacles one ata time into said tube at an end thereof as predetermined by said element given rotational direction;

' whereby said first member including said second member in said preselected one position thereon is alternately retracted from an end of said tube opposite to said predetermined end thereof to a distance of at least equal to the length of the respective stored receptacles and thereafter is reinserted into said tube opposite end in a repetitive manner to cause successive element lower ends to engage the last stored receptacle to push the last stored receptacle and the previously stored receptacles in turn out of said tube opposite end.

2. The vault according to claim 1 in which said second member actuated to said preselected one position precludes said rotation of said elements from said normal perpendicular positions in a direction opposite to said given direction as predetermined by additional preassigned portions of said opening peripheral edges opposite to said first mentioned preassigned portions of said opening peripheral edges whereby, said element proximate to said tubepredetermined end precludes unauthorized retrieval of the receptacle stored atsaid last-mentioned tube end.

3. The vault according to claim 1 which includes two flanges disposed in parallel in a common plane on internal surfaces of corresponding opposite wall portions of said tube, each flange on one wall portion, to extend approximately coextensively lengthwise with said tube above and in parallel with a transverse central axis of said tube for slidably supporting said first member. i 4. The vault according to claim 3 in which said first member comprises:

two elongated rails fixed in spaced parallel relation that each rail is disposed on one of said flanges;

a plurality of rods having axes disposed in parallel at predetermined corresponding spaced points on lengthwise axes of said rails in ,a direction transverse thereto and having opposite ends rotatably mounted on said rails for supporting said paddle elements, each rod fixedly attached to one paddle element to permit said paddle element to rotate therewith;

and a pin disposed perpendicularly to a point located substantially midway between said rail lengthwise axes and approximately central of opposite ends of said rails; said pin having one end secured to said rails and an opposite end free. r

5. The vault according to claim 4 in which said second member is formed with an elongated hole extending lengthwise approximately midway between opposite lengthwise edges of said second member on approximately a lengthwise axis thereof for receiving said first member pin free end in said hole to fix said different positions of said second member on said first member.

' 6. A composite vault comprising a plurality of vaults according to claim 5 as arranged side-by-side in parallel rows and columns.

7. The vault according to claim 5 in which said adjustable means comprises:

at least one projection disposed proximate to one end of one of said rails to extend in a direction perpendicular to said lengthwise axis of said last-mentioned one rail to face a corresponding end of an adjacent lengthwise edge of said second member; i

said second member corresponding end lengthwise edge formed with at least two spaced slots disposed transversely thereof in such manner that spacing between centerlines of said two slots is predetermined to limit said lengthwise movement of said second member to said different lengthwise positions thereof on said first member; said second member moved lengthwise to dispose said projection in'a different one of said slots for each of said different positions of said second member on said first member.

8. The vault according to claim 7 in which said adjustable means includes retractive means attached to said projections and said second member for enabling said second member lengthwise movements and thereafter holding said projection in each different slot to retain said second member in each of said difl'erent positions.

9. The vault according to claim 8 in which said retractive means comprises a coiled spring.

10. The vault according to claim 5 in which said interlocking means comprises;

at least two projections, each disposed proximate to one end of one of said two rails to extend'in a direction perpendicular to said lengthwise axis of said one rail whereby said two projections face corresponding ends of opposite lengthwise edges of said second member;

and each of said corresponding ends of said opposite lengthwise edges of said second member is formed with at least two spaced slots disposed transversely of said respective last-mentioned edges in such manner that spacings between centerlines of associated two slots in said respective last-mentioned edges are predetermined to limit said lengthwise movement of said second member to said different lengthwise positions thereof on said first member; said second member moved lengthwise to dispose said projections in different preassigned slots in said respective last-mentioned edges for each of said different positions of said second member on said first member. I

11. The vault according to claim 10 in which said interlocking means includes a plurality of discrete retractive means, each attached to one of said projections and one of said second member corresponding ends for enabling said second member lengthwise movements and thereafter holding said projections in said different preassigned slots to retain said second member in each of said different positions.

12 The vault according to claim 10 in which each of said receptacles includes a seal and in which one side of said tube is provided with a plurality of apertures spaced on a common axis located below and parallel with a lengthwise central axis of said tube, each of said apertures spaced midway between each two adjacent lower ends of said paddle elements disposed in said tube to provide said storing spaces therein for observing said seals on said receptacles as stored in said spaces in said tube.

13. The vault according to claim 11 in which each of said retractive means comprises a coiled spring.

14. The vault according to claim 5 inwhich said interlocking means comprises:

two pairs of spaced projections, each projection pair disposed proximate to one end of one of said two rails to extend in a direction perpendicular to said lengthwise axis of each of said two rails whereby said respective projection pairs are disposed proximate to opposite ends of said respective rails to face corresponding ends of opposite lengthwise edges of said second member;

each of said corresponding ends of said opposite lengthwise edges of said second members is formed with a plurality of spaced slots disposed transversely of said last-mentioned edges in such manner that spacings between centerlines of said projections in each pair thereof and spacings between centerlines of each two adjacent slots in each plurality thereof are predetermined to limit said lengthwise actuation of said second member to said different lengthwise positions thereof on said first member; said projection pairs disposed in different predetermined slot pairs in each plurality of said slots for said last-mentioned respective second member different positions;

and retractive means connected to at least one of said projections in each of said pairs thereof and a corresponding end of said second member for initially enabling said second member lengthwise movements and thereafter holding said projections in said respective predetemiined slot pairs to retain said second member in said respective different positions thereof. 15. The vault according to claim 5 in which said interlocking means comprises;

first and second spaced right-angle components having free horizontal legs and vertical legs secured to corresponding vertical surfaces of a predetermined one of said two rails in proximity of one end of said last-mentioned one rail;

third and fourth spaced right-angle components having free vertical legs and horizontal legs attached to an under surface of said second member at an area adjacent to said first and second right-angle components when said first and second members are disposed in said tube for storing and receptacles therein; said first and second components spaced to provide a space therebetween to accommodate one of said third and fourth components therein at a given time whereby said actuations of said second member to said preselected one of said different positions thereof causes a predetermined one of said third and fourth components to be disposed in said space between said first and second components.

16. The vault according to claim 5 in which said second member actuated to said preselected one of said different positions limits said rotation of said paddle elements to said given direction comprising a counter-clockwise direction from said normal perpendicular positions looking lengthwise at said tube with said predetermined end at the lefthand end thereof to enable insertions of said receptacles containing coins into said tube at said predetermined lefthand end thereof, and which includes means for locking said second member in said last-mentioned preselected one different position on said first member against unuathorized further actuation of said second member at said last-mentioned tube predetemiined lefthand end.

17. The vault according to claim 16 in which said locking means comprises: 7

a preassigned one of said two flanges formed with a second hole located in proximity of said tube opposite end which is opposite to said tube predetermined lefthand end;

a leg having a free end disposable in and removable from said second hole; a flat element mounted adjacent to said second hole; and lever leans connected to an end of said leg opposite to said free end thereof and to said second member at said last-mentioned tube opposite end for actuating said leg to remove said free end thereof from said second hole;

whereby said leg free end is disposed in said second hole when said second member is actuated to said last-mentioned preselected one different position to preclude further movement of said second member from said tube predetermined lefthand end and said lever means is actuated to remove said leg free end from said second hole for placement on said flat element when said second member is actuated from said preselected one different position so that said leg free end is moved from said flat element to said second hole as said second member is actuated from said second different position to said preselected one different position.

18. The vault according to claim 5 in which said second member actuated to said preselected one different position limits said rotation of said paddle elements to said given direction comprising a counter-clockwise direction from said normal perpendicular positions looking lengthwise at said tube with said predetermined end at the lefthand end thereof to enable insertions of said receptacles containing coins into said tube at said predetermined lefthand end thereof, and which includes an end plate for enclosihg said tube predetermined lefthand end, and means movablyattached to said two rails for disposition adjacent to said upper end of said paddle element nearest to said tube predetermined lefthand end to prevent said rotation of said last-mentioned element in said counter-clockwise direction when said end plate is removed from said tube predetermined lefthand end.

19. The vault according to claim 18 which includes an elongated further member having one end attached to an inner surface of said end plate to project perpendicularly therefrom and having an opposite free end; said further member comprising two segments having upper edges varying in height from a common lower edge and joined by a sloping portion; said segment at said end plate inner surface having a height greater than the height of said segment at said free end; said segment at said free end disengaged from said movable means when said end plate is removed from said tube predetermined lefthand end to enable said insertions of said receptacles into said tube at said last-mentioned end and said sloping portion engaging said movable means to start to actuate said last-mentioned means away from said paddle element upper end nearest to said end plate inner surface as said end plate is initially actuated toward said tube predetermined lefthand end and said segment at said end plate inner surface engaging said last-mentioned means to move said last-mentioned means from said last-mentioned paddle element nearest to said end plate inner surface to rotate in said counter-clockwise direction as said receptacles are stored in turn in said space adjacent to said tube predetermined lefthand end.

20. The vault according to claim 5 in which said second member actuated to'said preselected one position limits said rotation of said paddle elements to said given direction comprising a counter-clockwise direction from said normal perpendicular positions looking at a lengthwise side of said tube with said predetermined end at the lefihand end thereof to enable insertions of said receptacles into said tube at said predetermined lefthand end; and which includes:

an end plate for enclosing said tube predetermined lefthand end;

and an additional element disposed transversely to said two rails and movably attached thereto for disposition adjacent to said upper end of said paddle element nearest to said tube predetermined lefthand end to prevent rotation of said last-mentioned paddle element in said counterclockwise direction when said end plate is removed from said tube predetermined lefthand end, comprising:

an elongated further member having one end attached to a sector of a surface to said end plate so as to be free from interference with said receptacles as'stored in said tube and to project perpendicularly therefrom; said further member also having an opposite end free; said further member comprising two' segments having upperedges varying in height from a common lower edge and joined by a sloping portion; said further member segment at said end plate inner surface having a height greater than the height of said further member segment at said free end; said further member free end segment disengaged from said additional element when said end plate is removed from said tube predetermined lefthand end to enable insertions of said receptacles into said last-mentioned end and said further member sloping portion engaging said additional element to start to actuate said last-mentioned paddle element upper end as said end plate is initially actuated toward said last-mentioned end while said further member end plate segment engaging said additional element moves said last-mentioned element so far above from said last-mentioned paddle element upper end as to permit said paddle element nearest to said tube predetermined lefthand end to rotate in said counter-clockwise direction as said receptacles are stored in turn in said space adjacent to said tube predetermined lefthand end.

21. The vault according to claim 5 which includes:

a first shelf slidable on a lengthwise bottom inner surface of said tube at said predetermined one end thereof for positioning said respective receptacles thereon as said lastmentioned receptacles are inserted one at a time into said last-mentioned end;

and a second shelf slidable on said lengthwise bottom of said tube inner surface at said tube opposite end for receiving said receptacles as ejected in turn from said tube at said opposite end thereof.

22.,A tandem multi-compartrnent vault for storing objects said tube and slidably mounted lengthwise in said tube above a transverse axis thereof;

a plurality of paddle elements mounted in spaced mutual parallel relation along a lengthwise axis of said tube to rotate on axes transverse to and above said tube lengthwise axis and including upper ends and lower ends disposed above and below, respectively, said transverse I axes so that said elements normally assume said mutual parallel positions perpendicularvto said element trans verse axes for providing tandem spaces between adjacent element lower ends to store said objects in said spaces, one object in each space;

and means engaging said element upper ends for limiting rotation of said elements to a counter-clockwise direction from saidperpendicular positions thereof looking lengthwise at said tube to enable insertion of said objects, one at a time, into a lefthand end of said tube in such manner that each successively stored object pushes the previously stored objects ahead in said tube until all of said storing spaces are occupied with said objects;

whereby said member is alternately retracted from an end of said tube opposite to said lefthand end thereof to a distance at'least equal to the length of each of said stored objects and thereafter is reinserted into said tube opposite end in a repetitive manner to cause successive element lower ends to engage the last stored object to push the last stored object and the previously stored objects in turn out of. said tube opposite end.

23. A tandem multi-compartment vault for storingobjects thereinand retrieving the stored objects therefrom, comprising:

an elongated tube open at bothends thereof;

a member substantially coextensive lengthwise with said tube and slidably mounted lengthwise in said tube above a transverse axis thereof;

plurality of paddle elements mounted in spaced mutual parallel relation along'a lengthwise axis of said tube to rotate on axes transverse to and, above said tube lengthwise axis and parallel with said tube transverse axis;

said elements including upper and lower ends disposed aboveand below, respectively, said element transverse f axes so that said elements normally assume mutually parallel positions perpendicular to said element transverse axes for providing tandem spaces between adjacent element lower ends, to store said objects in said spaces, one object in each space;

and means engaging said element upper ends for limiting rotation of said elements to a clockwise direction from said perpendicular positions thereof looking lengthwise at said tube to enable insertion of said objects, one at a time, into a righthand end of said tube, in such manner that each successively stored object pushes the previously stored objects ahead in said tube until all of said storing spaces are occupied with said objects;

whereby said member is alternately retracted from an end of said tube opposite to said righthand end thereof to a distance of at least equal to the length of each of said objects and thereafter is reinserted into said tube opposite end in a repetitive manner to cause successive element lower ends to engage the last stored object to push the last stored object and the previously stored objects in turn out of said tube opposite end.

v 24. A tandem multi-compartment security vault for storing objects therein and retrieving the stored objects therefrom,

comprising:

a first member substantially coextensive lengthwise .said tube andslidably mounted lengthwise in said above a transverse axis thereof;

with tube a plurality of paddle elements mounted in spaced mutual that said elements normally assume mutually parallel positions perpendicular to said element transverse axes for providing tandem spaces between adjacent element lower ends to store said objects in said spaces, one object in each space; v

a second member movable lengthwise to different positions on said first member and formed with a plurality of openings spaced on a lengthwise axis thereof to permit said element upper ends to project therethrough in such manner that each of said element upper ends projects through one of said openings;

and means adjustably interlocking said first and second members for enabling actuation of said second member lengthwise to different positions on said first member, comprising:

an elongated projection disposed on a lengthwise side of said first member to extend in a direction perpendicular thereto and to face an adjacent lengthwise edge of said second member;

said second member adjacent lengthwise edge formed with at least two spaced slots disposed transversely relative to a lengthwise axis of said second member in such manner that spacing between centerlines of said slots is predetermined to limit said lengthwise actuation of said second member to said different positions; said second member lengthwise actuated to dispose said projection in a preassigned one of said slots to terminate the actuation of said second member in a preselected one of saiddifferent positions; said second member preselected one position limiting the rotation of said elements to a given direction from said perpendicular positions thereof as predetermined by locations of preassigned portions of peripheral edges of said openings to enable insertions of said objects one at a time into said tube at an end thereof as predetermined by said element given rotational direction, the last inserted object pushing the previously stored objects ahead in said tube until all of said tube spaces are occupied by said objects;

whereby said first member including said second member in said preselected one position thereon is alternately retracted at an end of said tube opposite to said predetermined end thereof to a distance at least equal to the lengths of the respective stored objects and thereafter is reinserted into said tube opposite end in a repetitive manner to cause successive element lower ends to engage the last stored object to push the last stored object and the previously stored objects in turn out of said tube opposite end.

25. The vault according to claim 24 which includes:

a second elongated projection formed on a second lengthwise side of said first member to extend in a direction perpendicular thereto to face a second adjacent lengthwise edge of said second member;-

said second member second adjacent lengthwise edge formed with at least an additional two spaced slots disposed transversely relative to said lengthwise axis of said second member in such manner that spacing between centerlines of said additional slots is identical with said spacing between said centerlines of said first-mentioned two slots to limit further lengthwise actuation of said second member to said different positions; said second projection disposed in a preassigned one of said two additional slots to terminate further the actuation of said second member in said preselected one different position.

26. The vault according to claim 24 in which said second member preselected one position limits the rotation of said

Claims (33)

1. A tandem multi-compartment security vault for storing receptacles therein and retrieving said receptacles therefrom, comprising an elongated tube open at both ends thereof: a first member extending substantially coextensive lengthwise with said tube and slidably mounted lengthwise in said tube above a transverse axIs thereof; a plurality of paddle elements mounted in spaced parallel relation on a lengthwise axis of said first member to rotate on axes transverse to and above said lengthwise axis and including upper ends and lower ends disposed above and below, respectively, said transverse axis so that said elements normally assume mutually parallel positions perpendicular to said transverse axis for providing tandem spaces between adjacent element lower ends to store said receptacles in said spaces, one receptacle in each space; a second member movable lengthwise to different positions on said first member and formed with a plurality of openings spaced on a lengthwise axis thereof to permit said element upper ends to project therethrough in such manner that each of said element upper ends projects through one of said openings; and means adjustably interlocking said first member to said second member for permitting actuation of said second member to a preselected one of said different positions thereof to limit said rotation of said elements to a given direction from said normal perpendicular positions thereof as predetermined by locations of preassigned portions of peripheral edges of said openings to enable insertion of said receptacles one at a time into said tube at an end thereof as predetermined by said element given rotational direction; whereby said first member including said second member in said preselected one position thereon is alternately retracted from an end of said tube opposite to said predetermined end thereof to a distance of at least equal to the length of the respective stored receptacles and thereafter is reinserted into said tube opposite end in a repetitive manner to cause successive element lower ends to engage the last stored receptacle to push the last stored receptacle and the previously stored receptacles in turn out of said tube opposite end.

2. The vault according to claim 1 in which said second member actuated to said preselected one position precludes said rotation of said elements from said normal perpendicular positions in a direction opposite to said given direction as predetermined by additional preassigned portions of said opening peripheral edges opposite to said first mentioned preassigned portions of said opening peripheral edges whereby said element proximate to said tube predetermined end precludes unauthorized retrieval of the receptacle stored at said last-mentioned tube end.

3. The vault according to claim 1 which includes two flanges disposed in parallel in a common plane on internal surfaces of corresponding opposite wall portions of said tube, each flange on one wall portion, to extend approximately coextensively lengthwise with said tube above and in parallel with a transverse central axis of said tube for slidably supporting said first member.

4. The vault according to claim 3 in which said first member comprises: two elongated rails fixed in spaced parallel relation that each rail is disposed on one of said flanges; a plurality of rods having axes disposed in parallel at predetermined corresponding spaced points on lengthwise axes of said rails in a direction transverse thereto and having opposite ends rotatably mounted on said rails for supporting said paddle elements, each rod fixedly attached to one paddle element to permit said paddle element to rotate therewith; and a pin disposed perpendicularly to a point located substantially midway between said rail lengthwise axes and approximately central of opposite ends of said rails; said pin having one end secured to said rails and an opposite end free.

5. The vault according to claim 4 in which said second member is formed with an elongated hole extending lengthwise approximately midway between opposite lengthwise edges of said second member on approximately a lengthwise axis thereof for receiving said first member pin free end in said hole to fix said different positions of said second member on said first member.

6. A composite vault comprIsing a plurality of vaults according to claim 5 as arranged side-by-side in parallel rows and columns.

7. The vault according to claim 5 in which said adjustable means comprises: at least one projection disposed proximate to one end of one of said rails to extend in a direction perpendicular to said lengthwise axis of said last-mentioned one rail to face a corresponding end of an adjacent lengthwise edge of said second member; said second member corresponding end lengthwise edge formed with at least two spaced slots disposed transversely thereof in such manner that spacing between centerlines of said two slots is predetermined to limit said lengthwise movement of said second member to said different lengthwise positions thereof on said first member; said second member moved lengthwise to dispose said projection in a different one of said slots for each of said different positions of said second member on said first member.

8. The vault according to claim 7 in which said adjustable means includes retractive means attached to said projections and said second member for enabling said second member lengthwise movements and thereafter holding said projection in each different slot to retain said second member in each of said different positions.

9. The vault according to claim 8 in which said retractive means comprises a coiled spring.

10. The vault according to claim 5 in which said interlocking means comprises; at least two projections, each disposed proximate to one end of one of said two rails to extend in a direction perpendicular to said lengthwise axis of said one rail whereby said two projections face corresponding ends of opposite lengthwise edges of said second member; and each of said corresponding ends of said opposite lengthwise edges of said second member is formed with at least two spaced slots disposed transversely of said respective last-mentioned edges in such manner that spacings between centerlines of associated two slots in said respective last-mentioned edges are predetermined to limit said lengthwise movement of said second member to said different lengthwise positions thereof on said first member; said second member moved lengthwise to dispose said projections in different preassigned slots in said respective last-mentioned edges for each of said different positions of said second member on said first member.

11. The vault according to claim 10 in which said inter-locking means includes a plurality of discrete retractive means, each attached to one of said projections and one of said second member corresponding ends for enabling said second member lengthwise movements and thereafter holding said projections in said different preassigned slots to retain said second member in each of said different positions. 12 The vault according to claim 10 in which each of said receptacles includes a seal and in which one side of said tube is provided with a plurality of apertures spaced on a common axis located below and parallel with a lengthwise central axis of said tube, each of said apertures spaced midway between each two adjacent lower ends of said paddle elements disposed in said tube to provide said storing spaces therein for observing said seals on said receptacles as stored in said spaces in said tube.

13. The vault according to claim 11 in which each of said retractive means comprises a coiled spring.

14. The vault according to claim 5 in which said interlocking means comprises: two pairs of spaced projections, each projection pair disposed proximate to one end of one of said two rails to extend in a direction perpendicular to said lengthwise axis of each of said two rails whereby said respective projection pairs are disposed proximate to opposite ends of said respective rails to face corresponding ends of opposite lengthwise edges of said second member; each of said corresponding ends of said opposite lengthwise edges of said second members is formed with a plurality of spaced slots disposed transversely of saiD last-mentioned edges in such manner that spacings between centerlines of said projections in each pair thereof and spacings between centerlines of each two adjacent slots in each plurality thereof are predetermined to limit said lengthwise actuation of said second member to said different lengthwise positions thereof on said first member; said projection pairs disposed in different predetermined slot pairs in each plurality of said slots for said last-mentioned respective second member different positions; and retractive means connected to at least one of said projections in each of said pairs thereof and a corresponding end of said second member for initially enabling said second member lengthwise movements and thereafter holding said projections in said respective predetermined slot pairs to retain said second member in said respective different positions thereof.

15. The vault according to claim 5 in which said interlocking means comprises; first and second spaced right-angle components having free horizontal legs and vertical legs secured to corresponding vertical surfaces of a predetermined one of said two rails in proximity of one end of said last-mentioned one rail; third and fourth spaced right-angle components having free vertical legs and horizontal legs attached to an under surface of said second member at an area adjacent to said first and second right-angle components when said first and second members are disposed in said tube for storing and receptacles therein; said first and second components spaced to provide a space therebetween to accommodate one of said third and fourth components therein at a given time whereby said actuations of said second member to said preselected one of said different positions thereof causes a predetermined one of said third and fourth components to be disposed in said space between said first and second components.

16. The vault according to claim 5 in which said second member actuated to said preselected one of said different positions limits said rotation of said paddle elements to said given direction comprising a counter-clockwise direction from said normal perpendicular positions looking lengthwise at said tube with said predetermined end at the lefthand end thereof to enable insertions of said receptacles containing coins into said tube at said predetermined lefthand end thereof, and which includes means for locking said second member in said last-mentioned preselected one different position on said first member against unuathorized further actuation of said second member at said last-mentioned tube predetermined lefthand end.

17. The vault according to claim 16 in which said locking means comprises: a preassigned one of said two flanges formed with a second hole located in proximity of said tube opposite end which is opposite to said tube predetermined lefthand end; a leg having a free end disposable in and removable from said second hole; a flat element mounted adjacent to said second hole; and lever leans connected to an end of said leg opposite to said free end thereof and to said second member at said last-mentioned tube opposite end for actuating said leg to remove said free end thereof from said second hole; whereby said leg free end is disposed in said second hole when said second member is actuated to said last-mentioned preselected one different position to preclude further movement of said second member from said tube predetermined lefthand end and said lever means is actuated to remove said leg free end from said second hole for placement on said flat element when said second member is actuated from said preselected one different position so that said leg free end is moved from said flat element to said second hole as said second member is actuated from said second different position to said preselected one different position.

18. The vault according to claim 5 in which said second member actuated to said preselected one different position limits said rotatioN of said paddle elements to said given direction comprising a counter-clockwise direction from said normal perpendicular positions looking lengthwise at said tube with said predetermined end at the lefthand end thereof to enable insertions of said receptacles containing coins into said tube at said predetermined lefthand end thereof, and which includes an end plate for enclosing said tube predetermined lefthand end, and means movably attached to said two rails for disposition adjacent to said upper end of said paddle element nearest to said tube predetermined lefthand end to prevent said rotation of said last-mentioned element in said counter-clockwise direction when said end plate is removed from said tube predetermined lefthand end.

19. The vault according to claim 18 which includes an elongated further member having one end attached to an inner surface of said end plate to project perpendicularly therefrom and having an opposite free end; said further member comprising two segments having upper edges varying in height from a common lower edge and joined by a sloping portion; said segment at said end plate inner surface having a height greater than the height of said segment at said free end; said segment at said free end disengaged from said movable means when said end plate is removed from said tube predetermined lefthand end to enable said insertions of said receptacles into said tube at said last-mentioned end and said sloping portion engaging said movable means to start to actuate said last-mentioned means away from said paddle element upper end nearest to said end plate inner surface as said end plate is initially actuated toward said tube predetermined lefthand end and said segment at said end plate inner surface engaging said last-mentioned means to move said last-mentioned means from said last-mentioned paddle element nearest to said end plate inner surface to rotate in said counter-clockwise direction as said receptacles are stored in turn in said space adjacent to said tube predetermined lefthand end.

20. The vault according to claim 5 in which said second member actuated to said preselected one position limits said rotation of said paddle elements to said given direction comprising a counter-clockwise direction from said normal perpendicular positions looking at a lengthwise side of said tube with said predetermined end at the lefthand end thereof to enable insertions of said receptacles into said tube at said predetermined lefthand end; and which includes: an end plate for enclosing said tube predetermined lefthand end; and an additional element disposed transversely to said two rails and movably attached thereto for disposition adjacent to said upper end of said paddle element nearest to said tube predetermined lefthand end to prevent rotation of said last-mentioned paddle element in said counter-clockwise direction when said end plate is removed from said tube predetermined lefthand end, comprising: an elongated further member having one end attached to a sector of a surface to said end plate so as to be free from interference with said receptacles as stored in said tube and to project perpendicularly therefrom; said further member also having an opposite end free; said further member comprising two segments having upperedges varying in height from a common lower edge and joined by a sloping portion; said further member segment at said end plate inner surface having a height greater than the height of said further member segment at said free end; said further member free end segment disengaged from said additional element when said end plate is removed from said tube predetermined lefthand end to enable insertions of said receptacles into said last-mentioned end and said further member sloping portion engaging said additional element to start to actuate said last-mentioned paddle element upper end as said end plate is initially actuated toward said last-mentioned end while said further member end plate segment engaging said additional element Moves said last-mentioned element so far above from said last-mentioned paddle element upper end as to permit said paddle element nearest to said tube predetermined lefthand end to rotate in said counter-clockwise direction as said receptacles are stored in turn in said space adjacent to said tube predetermined lefthand end.

21. The vault according to claim 5 which includes: a first shelf slidable on a lengthwise bottom inner surface of said tube at said predetermined one end thereof for positioning said respective receptacles thereon as said last-mentioned receptacles are inserted one at a time into said last-mentioned end; and a second shelf slidable on said lengthwise bottom of said tube inner surface at said tube opposite end for receiving said receptacles as ejected in turn from said tube at said opposite end thereof.

22. A tandem multi-compartment vault for storing objects therein and retrieving said objects therefrom, comprising: an elongated tube open at both ends thereof; a member substantially coextensive lengthwise with said tube and slidably mounted lengthwise in said tube above a transverse axis thereof; a plurality of paddle elements mounted in spaced mutual parallel relation along a lengthwise axis of said tube to rotate on axes transverse to and above said tube lengthwise axis and including upper ends and lower ends disposed above and below, respectively, said transverse axes so that said elements normally assume said mutual parallel positions perpendicular to said element transverse axes for providing tandem spaces between adjacent element lower ends to store said objects in said spaces, one object in each space; and means engaging said element upper ends for limiting rotation of said elements to a counter-clockwise direction from said perpendicular positions thereof looking lengthwise at said tube to enable insertion of said objects, one at a time, into a lefthand end of said tube in such manner that each successively stored object pushes the previously stored objects ahead in said tube until all of said storing spaces are occupied with said objects; whereby said member is alternately retracted from an end of said tube opposite to said lefthand end thereof to a distance at least equal to the length of each of said stored objects and thereafter is reinserted into said tube opposite end in a repetitive manner to cause successive element lower ends to engage the last stored object to push the last stored object and the previously stored objects in turn out of said tube opposite end.

23. A tandem multi-compartment vault for storing objects therein and retrieving the stored objects therefrom, comprising: an elongated tube open at both ends thereof; a member substantially coextensive lengthwise with said tube and slidably mounted lengthwise in said tube above a transverse axis thereof; a plurality of paddle elements mounted in spaced mutual parallel relation along a lengthwise axis of said tube to rotate on axes transverse to and above said tube lengthwise axis and parallel with said tube transverse axis; said elements including upper and lower ends disposed above and below, respectively, said element transverse axes so that said elements normally assume mutually parallel positions perpendicular to said element transverse axes for providing tandem spaces between adjacent element lower ends, to store said objects in said spaces, one object in each space; and means engaging said element upper ends for limiting rotation of said elements to a clockwise direction from said perpendicular positions thereof looking lengthwise at said tube to enable insertion of said objects, one at a time, into a righthand end of said tube, in such manner that each successively stored object pushes the previously stored objects ahead in said tube until all of said storing spaces are occupied with said objects; whereby said member is alternately retracted from an end of said tube opposite to said righthand end thereof to a distAnce of at least equal to the length of each of said objects and thereafter is reinserted into said tube opposite end in a repetitive manner to cause successive element lower ends to engage the last stored object to push the last stored object and the previously stored objects in turn out of said tube opposite end.

24. A tandem multi-compartment security vault for storing objects therein and retrieving the stored objects therefrom, comprising: a first member substantially coextensive lengthwise with said tube and slidably mounted lengthwise in said tube above a transverse axis thereof; a plurality of paddle elements mounted in spaced mutual parallel relation on a lengthwise axis of said tube to rotate on axes transverse to and above said tube lengthwise axis and parallel with a transverse axis of said tube; said elements including upper and lower ends disposed above and below, respectively, said element transverse axes so that said elements normally assume mutually parallel positions perpendicular to said element transverse axes for providing tandem spaces between adjacent element lower ends to store said objects in said spaces, one object in each space; a second member movable lengthwise to different positions on said first member and formed with a plurality of openings spaced on a lengthwise axis thereof to permit said element upper ends to project therethrough in such manner that each of said element upper ends projects through one of said openings; and means adjustably interlocking said first and second members for enabling actuation of said second member lengthwise to different positions on said first member, comprising: an elongated projection disposed on a lengthwise side of said first member to extend in a direction perpendicular thereto and to face an adjacent lengthwise edge of said second member; said second member adjacent lengthwise edge formed with at least two spaced slots disposed transversely relative to a lengthwise axis of said second member in such manner that spacing between centerlines of said slots is predetermined to limit said lengthwise actuation of said second member to said different positions; said second member lengthwise actuated to dispose said projection in a preassigned one of said slots to terminate the actuation of said second member in a preselected one of said different positions; said second member preselected one position limiting the rotation of said elements to a given direction from said perpendicular positions thereof as predetermined by locations of preassigned portions of peripheral edges of said openings to enable insertions of said objects one at a time into said tube at an end thereof as predetermined by said element given rotational direction, the last inserted object pushing the previously stored objects ahead in said tube until all of said tube spaces are occupied by said objects; whereby said first member including said second member in said preselected one position thereon is alternately retracted at an end of said tube opposite to said predetermined end thereof to a distance at least equal to the lengths of the respective stored objects and thereafter is reinserted into said tube opposite end in a repetitive manner to cause successive element lower ends to engage the last stored object to push the last stored object and the previously stored objects in turn out of said tube opposite end.

25. The vault according to claim 24 which includes: a second elongated projection formed on a second lengthwise side of said first member to extend in a direction perpendicular thereto to face a second adjacent lengthwise edge of said second member; said second member second adjacent lengthwise edge formed with at least an additional two spaced slots disposed transversely relative to said lengthwise axis of said second member in such manner that spacing between centerlines of said additional slots is identical with said spacing between said centerlines of said first-mentioned two slots to limit further lengthwise actuation of said second member to said different positions; said second projection disposed in a preassigned one of said two additional slots to terminate further the actuation of said second member in said preselected one different position.

26. The vault according to claim 24 in which said second member preselected one position limits the rotation of said element to said given direction comprising a counter-clockwise direction looking at a lengthwise side of said tube thereby constituting said tube predetermined end as the lefthand end.

27. The vault according to claim 24 in which said second member preselected one position limits the rotation of said elements to said given direction comprising a clockwise direction looking at a lengthwise side of said tube thereby constituting said tube predetermined end as the righthand end.

28. The vault according to claim 25 in which said second member preselected one position limits the rotation of said element to said given direction comprising a counter-clockwise direction looking at a lengthwise side of said tube thereby constituting said tube predetermined end as the tube lefthand end.

29. The vault according to claim 25 in which said second member preselected one position limits the rotation of said elements to said given direction comprising a clockwise direction looking at a lengthwise side of said tube thereby constituting said tube predetermined end as the tube righthand end.

30. A tandem multi-compartment security vault for storing objects therein and retrieving the stored objects therefrom, comprising: a first member substantially coextensive lengthwise with said tube and slidably mounted lengthwise in said tube above a lengthwise axis thereof; a plurality of paddles mounted in spaced mutual parallel relation on said tube lengthwise axis to rotate on axes transverse to and above said tube lengthwise axis and parallel with a transverse axis of said tube; said paddles including upper and lower ends disposed above and below respectively, said paddle transverse axes so that said paddles normally assume mutually parallel positions perpendicular to said tube lengthwise axis for providing tandem spaces between paddle lower ends to store said objects in said spaces, one object in each space; a second member movable lengthwise on said first member and formed with a plurality of openings spaced on a lengthwise axis thereof to permit said paddle upper ends to project therethrough in such manner that each paddle upper end projects through one of said openings; and means adjustably interlocking said first and second members for enabling lengthwise actuations of said second member on said first member, comprising: two pairs of spaced parallel projections, each pair disposed on one side of said first member to extend perpendicularly thereto proximate to one end thereof to face a corresponding end of one of the two opposite lengthwise edges of said second member so that said respective pairs are disposed on opposite sides on said first member proximate to opposite ends thereof; each of said corresponding ends of said opposite lengthwise edges of said second member formed with a plurality of spaced slots disposed transversely of said last-mentioned edges in such manner that spacing between centerlines of said projections in each of said pairs thereof and spacings between adjacent slots in each plurality thereof are predetermined to limit said lengthwise actuation of said second member to said different lengthwise positions thereof on said first member; said respective projection pairs disposable in different predetermined slot pairs in each plurality of said slots for said respective second member different positions; said second member actuated lengthwise to dispose said respective projection pairs into preassigned slot pairs to locate said second member in a preselected one of said different positions thereof; said second member preselected one position limiting the rotatioN of said paddles to a given direction from said perpendicular positions thereof as predetermined by preassigned portions of peripheral edges of said openings engaging said paddle upper ends to enable insertions of said objects, one at a time, into said tube at an end thereof as predetermined by said paddle given rotational direction, the last inserted object pushing the previously stored objects ahead in said tube until said inserted objects occupy all of said tube spaces; whereby said first member including said second member actuated to said preselected one position thereon is alternately retracted at an end of said tube opposite to said predetermined end thereof to a distance at least equal to the lengths of said respectively stored objects and thereafter is reinserted into said tube opposite end in a repetitive manner to cause successive paddle lower ends to engage the last stored object to push the last stored object and the previously stored objects in turn out of said tube opposite end.

31. A tandem multi-compartment security vault for storing objects therein and retrieving said objects therefrom, comprising: a first member substantially coextensive lengthwise with said tube and slidably mounted lengthwise in said tube above a lengthwise axis thereof; a plurality of paddles mounted in spaced mutual parallel relation on said tube lengthwise to rotate on axes transverse to and above said tube lengthwise axis and parallel with a transverse axis of said tube; said paddles including upper and lower ends disposed above and below, respectively, said paddle transverse axis so that said paddles normally assume mutually parallel positions perpendicular to said tube lengthwise axis for providing tandem spaces between paddle lower ends to store said objects in said spaces, each object in one space; a second member movable lengthwise on said first member and formed with a plurality of openings spaced on a lengthwise axis thereof to allow said paddle upper ends to project therethrough, each latter end through one opening; and means adjustably interlocking said first and second members for permitting lengthwise actuations of said second member on said first member, comprising: two pairs of first spaced parallel curvilinear segments, each pair disposed on one of two opposite sides of said first member proximate to an end thereof at a corresponding end of one of two opposite lengthwise edges of said second member, each pair having vertical ends secured to one of said first member sides and free horizontal ends extending upwardly to positions immediately below an undersurface of said second member at said corresponding end of said second member one lengthwise edge so that said respective segments are disposed on opposite sides of said first member proximate to opposite ends thereof; two pairs of second spaced parallel curvilinear segments, each latter pair disposed at one of said corresponding ends of one of said second member lengthwise edges, each latter pair having horizontal ends secured to said second member undersurface and free vertical ends extending downwardly to dispose one of said latter ends between said vertical ends of one of said first segment pairs so that spacing between said vertical ends of said respective first segments pairs and widths of said vertical ends of said respective second segment pairs are predetermined to limit said second member lengthwise actuation to said different lengthwise positions thereof; said second member actuated lengthwise to dispose a preassigned vertical end of each of said second segment pairs to locate said second member in a preselected one of said different positions thereof; said second member preselected one position limiting the rotation of said paddles to a given direction from said perpendicular positions thereof as predetermined by preassigned portions of peripheral edges of said openings engaging said paddle upper ends to enable insertions of said objects, one at a time, into said tube at an end Thereof as predetermined by said paddle given rotational direction, the last inserted object pushing the previously stored objects ahead in said tube until said inserted objects occupy all of said tube spaces; whereby said first member including said second member actuated to said preselected one position thereon is alternately retracted at an end of said tube opposite to said predetermined end thereof to a distance at least equal to the length of the respectively stored objects and thereafter is reinserted into said tube opposite end in a repetitive manner to cause successive paddle lower ends to engage the last stored object to push the last stored object and the previously stored objects in turn out of said tube opposite end.

32. A multi-compartment security vault for storing receptacles therein and for retrieving receptacles therefrom comprising: an elongated tube open at both ends thereof, a plurality of paddle elements mounted within said tube for rotation on axes transverse to the lengthwise longitudinal axis of said tube to define a plurality of storage spaces for said receptacles; means for restricting the rotation of said paddles to a predetermined direction about said transverse axes; and means supporting both said paddle elements and said restricting means for removing receptacles stored in said vault.

33. The security vault of claim 32 wherein said supporting means comprises a first member extending substantially coextensive lengthwise with said tube and slidably mounted lengthwise in said tube, said paddle elements being mounted in spaced parallel relation on said first member and including upper ends and lower ends disposed above and below respectively said transverse axes so that said elements normally assume mutually parallel positions perpendicular to said transverse axes for defining said spaces in tandem between adjacent element lower ends, and said restricting means comprises a second member movable lengthwise to different positions on said first member and having a plurality of apertures spaced on a lengthwise axis thereof in registration with said paddle elements to permit said paddle element upper ends to protrude therethrough.

34. The security vault of claim 33 in combination with means adjustably interlocking said first member to said second member for releasably fixing said second member in a preselected one of said different positions thereof to limit the rotation of said paddle elements as determined by the location of the peripheral edges of said openings relative to said paddle element upper ends.

Images