US522943A

US522943A - Terson

Info

Publication number: US522943A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1894-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 1911-07-10

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet -1.

v J. w. PATTERSON. COIN CONTROLLED ATTAUHMENT FOR THEATER CHAIRS.

No. 522,943. Patented July 10, 1894. v

(No Model.) l r 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. W. PATTERSON.

00m CONTROLLED ATTACHMENT FOR THEATER CHAIRS. No. 522,943. Patented July 10, 1894.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES WILLIAM PATTERSON, OF NEW YORK, N.Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE OPERA GLASS SUPPLY COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

COIN-CONTROLLED ATTACHMENT FOR THEATER-CHAIRS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 522,943, dated July 10, 1894.

Application filed March 15,1889.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES WILLIAM PAT- TERSON, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Renting OperaGlasses in Theaters, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved means for renting opera glasses to the patrons of theaters in lieu of the letting of the glasses by an attendant in the lobby The invention provides mechanical means whereby the occupant of a theater chair may help himself to an opera-glass at any time during a performance and without leaving his seat, and without requiring the services of an attendant.

The invention provides also for insuring the payment of the rental fee for the use of the glasses.

To this end the invention consists, broadly, in the combination of an object to be rented such as an opera glass and a coin actuated lock or fastening for attaching or looking the said object in such a manner, that upon the insertion of a coin of the prescribed character into the lock the glass will be released and may be used. The deposited coin is retainedin the lock to be removed subsequently by a collector who will get access to the interior ofthe coin receptacle by the use of a special key, as in the case of coin actuated mechanisms generally.

More specifically the invention relates to a special construction of coin-actuated'lock or fasteningdesigned to insure the perfect and reliable operation of the device under all circumstances, provided the proper coin be inserted.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a theater chair provided with my improved opera-glass attachment.

Fig. 2 is afront view of the opera-glass and coin-actuated lock, the latter being in vertical section in the plane of the lines 2--2 in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a plan view, the coin-aotuated lock being in horizontal section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4. is avertioal transverse section of the coin-actuated lock, out

in the plane of the line 4-4: in Fig. 2. Fig.

Serial No. 303,465. (No model.)

5 is a fragmentary View answering to Fig. 2, and showing the parts of the lock in a diiferent position.

Referring to the drawings, let A designate the theater chair constituting the support for the opera-glass, B the opera-glass, and G the coin-actuated look by which the glass is fastened to the chair. This coin-actuated lock is attached to the chair in some permanent manner, and engages the glass by a temporary engagement in such manner that upon the insertion of a coin this engagement is released and the glass may be removed.

According to my invention the glass is not, or need not be, inclosed, but is simply grasped orheld bysuitable fastening provisions forming part of the look.

The main features of this invention are that the coin lock, unlike the coin actuated mechanism for vending, Weighing, and testing machines, and all other kinds of coin controlled or coin actuated machines, is not entirely automatic but when it is opened remains in the unlocked position and requires a special manipulation to be relocked or reset. The lock being constructed in suoha mannerthat the resetting or relocking requires the use of a special key, and with a projecting part such as a push button to force the coin directly against the locking bolt or lever. The result of the combination of these elements is a lock of an exceedingly simple construction and reliable in operation, and especially adapted for controlling objects to be rented in public places, such as, for instance, opera glasses in theaters.

I will now proceed to describe specifically 'the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

The opera-glass B may be of any suitable kind, and is provided with a handle D united to it in any convenientposit-ion and projecting in any suitable direction which will not interfere with the use oftheglass In the drawings this handle is shown as applied at one side of the glass and projecting in a direction parallel with the axis of vision. It is shown as provided with two recesses a a on its outer side.

The coin-actuated lockC is constructed with an inclosing case Ein box form, which is proout so that their ends will enter the recesses a a and look the handle D and consequently also the opera-glass firmly in position. W hen the bolts d d are thus protruded they areheld from being drawn back by means of tumblers e e against which their opposite ends impinge. These tumblers may be variously mounted, but in the construction shown they are arranged to slide in vertical direction in guides or keepers f f. They are arranged one above the other and are provided with springs g g tending to press them toward each other. These springs may be constructed to work in recesses in the tumblers and to react against cross-rivets h h which also constitute stops to limit the movement of the tumblers. The bolts d d are provided with springs i c' which tend to press the bolts back so as to. unlock the opera-glass, but are resisted by the ends of the bolts coming against thetumblers e e, as stated. These tumblers are formed with notches e e into which the ends of the bolts may enter when the tumblers are pressed apart, as shown in Fig. 5.. This pressing apart of the tumblers is accomplished by the insertion of a coin and by pushing the coin between the tumblers.

A coin-slotj is formed in the top-plate of the box or case E, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, and from this slot a coin-chute or conduit extends downward within the case, being constructed by means of two parallel vertical plates m and 'n, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or in any other practicable manner. The space between these plates should be just sufficient to easily admit the prescribed coin. When the coin is inserted in the slotj it drops down to the bottom of the conduit is, where it rests on a plate 19. A plunger or pusher F is arranged to enterbetween the plates m and n, being mounted on a rod g which passes out at the right-hand side of the case and has fixed on its end a push-button G. After the coin has been inserted the person operating the lock presses in this push-button, thereby moving the plunger F toward the left so that it pushes the coin (designated by the circle lettered 11) before it and forces the coin through the space between the tumblers e 6, thereby forcing these tumblers apart, as shown in Fig. 5, and consequently unlocking the look.

The coin on being pushed through between the tumblers drops down within the conduit k and falls through a slot or opening 70" into the coin-receptaclej applied beneath the case E. This receptacle will be mounted and fastened in any suitable way so that it cannot be opened to take out the coins except by a cashier or money-collector who is provided with a special key.

Any suitable lock or fastening, such as that indicated in dotted lines at J, may be employed, the details of which it is not deemed necessary to illustrate as such key-actuated locks are well known.

As soon as the operator releases the pressure upon the button G the button and the plunger F are retracted by the action of a spring 0" applied to the stem q. WVhen the lock has been thus unlocked the opera-glass may be lifted to slide the handle D upward out of engagement with the eyes 0 c.

When the user is through with the glasses he will reinsert the handle D into the eyes 0 c leaving the glass in plain sight, so that when the audience are leaving the theater the attendants may assure themselves that all the glasses have been properly returned to place. Subsequently an attendant will examine each of the coin-actuated locks and will relock them. This he will do by inserting a special key, such as that shown in dotted lines at K in Fig. 3, into a key-hole shown at s in Fig. 2, and by turning the key will press against a cross-bar t connecting the two bolts d d, and thereby pressing the bolts outwardly against the tension of their springs t i so that their outer ends shall enter the recesses a a in the handle D. Upon so doing the tumblers e 6 will be released by the'disengagement of the bolts (1 d with their notches e and the tumbler springs g y will cause the tumblers to fly toward each other, thus restoring the lock ready for the next operation.

It will be observed that in the use of my coin-actuated lock thus described the actual work of unlocking the lock is done by the power derived'from the hand of the operator and transmitted to the push-button G, and is not at all dependent upon the weight or momentum of the coin which is inserted into the lock. This form of lock is hence well adapted for use with coins of light weight, such as silver dimes, for example, the weight of which could not be relied upon to do the work of unlocking the lock. The insertion of too large a coin is prevented by the coinslotj being made barely large enough to admit the prescribed coin. If too small a coin be inserted it will pass through between the tumblers e e without displacing them sufficiently to bring their notches into register with the ends of the bolts, or it will displace only one of them leaving the other tumbler still in position to prevent the retraction of the other bolt, so that the opera-glass still remains locked.

It will be observed that the coins in falling down the chute 70' do not interfere with the bolts d d, since these bolts are on the front side of the. plate or while the coin passes along the rear of this plate. The plates m 'n are notched or recessed to admit the tumblers e 6. My invention maybe variously modified in lIO matters of detail without departing from its essential features, which will be expressed in the claims.

The new means for the renting of operaglasses provided by my invention has the advantage of enabling persons in the audience to procure the glasses at any time during the performance and without leaving their seats and without requiring the services of an attendant. It also provides against fraud so that the owner of the glasses is insured the receipt of his rental money, and it provides for the detection of an y attempt to purloin the glasses, so that their return by the users is assured and the annoyance of requiring a deposit from the renter is obviated. Hence the number of glasses rented in the course of an evening is greatly increased and it is made feasible and profitable to place their rental at so low a price as to be a trifling circumstance to the persons renting them, whereby people are encouraged to avail themselves of the opportunity to rent glasses at the theater and thereby are saved the annoyance of bring ing glasses of their own from their homes. These advantages have already been realized in the practical application of a modified form of my invention in several theaters.

I claim as my invention the following-defined novel features, substantially as hereinbefore specified, namely:

1. The combination, with a coin controlled lock adapted to be unlocked bya coin and relocked by a key, of a manually operated appliance whereby upon manipulation, a coin is adapted to operate and open the locking device, and a key whereby the locking lever is adjusted.

2. In a coin lock the combination with a movable part projecting on the exterior of the casing, of a movable part located on the inside of the casing and adapted to be displaced by the manipulation of the projecting part after the insertion of a coin or other token, and a key to replace said part in the locked position, substantially as described.

3. In a coin lock the combination with a movable part accessible from the exterior of the casing of a movable part located under the casing and adapted to be displaced by manipulating the movable exterior part proj ectin g to the exterior of the case after the insertion of a coin and to be replaced in the latter position by the use of a key as described.

4. In a coin actuated lock the combination with closed lock casing, having a key hole for the insertion of a key to readjust the lock, of a coin chute, and a movable locking device located inside the closed lock casing, and a special key to readjust the lock.

5. In a coin actuated lock the combination with a closed lock casing, having a key hole for the insertion of a key to readjust the lock, of a coin chute, and a movable locking device located inside the closed lock casing, and a projecting device, normally disconnected from the locking device and adapted to be connected thereto by the insertion of a coin in the coin aperture.

6. In a coin actuated lock, the combination,

with a locking bolt or catch, and a coin conduit, of a pusher adapted when manually displaced to forcibly move the coin, and a movable part projecting into the path of the coin and connected to the bolt, whereby when so displaced the bolt is Withdrawn, and a special key to reset the bolt in the locked position.

7. In a coin actuated lock, the combination, with a fastening bolt or catch, and a coin c011- duit, of a pusher adapted when manually displaced to forcibly move the coin within said conduit, and amovable tumbler arranged to be displaced by such forcible movement of the coin and connected to the bolt, whereby when so displaced it permits the retraction of the bolt, and a special key to reset the bolt in the locked position.

8. In a coin actuated lock, the combination, with a locking bolt or catch, and spring tending to retract said bolt, and a tumbler normally resisting the retraction of said bolt, of a coin conduit, and a pusher for forcibly moving the coin against the said tumbler, thereby displacing said tumbler out of the path of the bolt, and a special key to reset the lock as described.

9. In a coin actuated lock, the combination with a casing formed with a coin conduit, of a movable propeller, the tumblers, each provided with recesses, the bolt d normally resting against the sliding bolts and adapted to engage the recesses in the tumblers when the latter are operated by a coin.

10. In a coin actuated lock, the combination with a casing formed with a coin conduit, the loops on the exterior of the casing adapted to receive the handle of an article to be rented, of the propeller G, the tumblers, springs holding them locked, the recess e in each of the tumblers, the sliding bolt adapted to engage the article to-be rented, the spring 2', and its standard engaging the latter bolt whereby it is normally held against the tumblers, all combined and operating substantially as described.

11. A coin actuated locking mechanism controlling an article to be rented and adapted and arranged to become directly fastened to and to retain the article to be used, in combination with an article to be rented, and with a manually operated appliance, whereby upon proper manipulation a coin is adapted to operate and open the locking mechanism.

12. A coin actuated locking mechanism adapted and arranged to be unlocked by the insertion of a coin and relocked by a key, and controlling anarticle to be rented and adapted and arranged to directly engage and retain the article to be used, in combination with a key, and with an article to be rented.

13. A coin operated locking mechanism controlling an article to be rented, and adapted and arranged to become directly fastened to and retain the article to be used.

14. In a holder for an article to be rentedthe combination with a coin chute of a looking mechanism adapted to be unlocked by a coin brought into engagement therewith and to remain in the unlocked position until reset by special manipulation and a lock casing preventing access to said locking mechanism by the user.

15. A coin actuated locking mechanism controlling an article to be rented, and adapted and arranged to become directly fastened to and to retain the article to be used, in combination with means whereby the parts may be engaged again upon proper manipulation.

16. The combination,with anormally closed and locked holder for an article to be rented, of mechanism controlled and operated by a coin whereby the article to be used may be released and means whereby the parts are non-relock-able in reference to the user.

17. Thecombination,with anormallylocked holder for an article to be rented, of mechanism controlled andoperated by acoin,whereby the article to be used may be released and means whereby the parts are non-relockable in reference to the user, and whereby the parts may only be restored to their original position upon special manipulation.

18. 'Thecombinatiomwith anormally locked holder for an article to be rented, and with mechanism controlled and operated bya coin, and means whereby the parts are non-relockable in reference to the user and the article may be released, and whereby the parts may only be restored to their original position upon special manipulation of a key whereby the locking mechanism may be readjusted.

19. The combination, with a coin controlled lock adapted to directly retain an article, and also adapted to be unlocked by a coin and relocked by a key, of a support for an article to be rented, of a key, whereby the coin controlled support after being actuated by a coin, may be readjusted. v

20. A support for an article to be rented, in combination with a coin controlled mechanism for the same adapted to be unlocked by a coin and relocked by a key, and with a key, whereby the lock may be tripped and readjusted after it has been operated by a coin.

21. The combination of a key, and a coin actuated lock adapted to be unlocked by the insertion of a coin and relocked by said key. 22. The combination, with a holder for an article to be rented, and with a coin con trolled lock, of a manually operated appliance whereby upon manipulation a coin is adapted 7 to operate and open the locking device, and

of a key whereby the lock may be readjusted after having been actuated by a coin.

23. A coin controlled lock, in combination with a manually operated appliance, whereby upon manipulation a coin is adapted to operate and open the locking device, and with means whereby the parts are non-relockable in reference to the user.

24. A coin controlled lock, in combination with a manually operated appliance, whereby upon manipulation a coin is adapted to operate and open the locking device, and with means whereby the parts are non-relockable in reference to the user and also with a key whereby the locking mechanism may be readjusted.

25. A coin controlled lock, in combination with a manually operated appliance, whereby upon manipulation a coin is adapted to operate and open the locking device, and with a support for the article to be rented, and also with a key whereby the locking mechanism may be readjusted.

26. The combination, with a support, of an independent coin controlled article to be rented adapted to engage the support, and of a handle for the article, and also of a con nee-ting device for connecting the handle and article.

27. The combination, with an article to be rented, and with an independent locking mechanism adapted to engage the article, of a handle for the article to be rented, and of a connecting device for connecting the handle and article.

28. The combination, with a handle of an article to be rented, and with a coin controlled holder therefor, of a coin actuated lock, and

a manually operated appliance whereby upon anism controlled and operated by a coin, and

readjusted by a key.

30. The combination,with a normally locked support for an article to be routed, and for a handle connected therewith, of a coin lock, and of a manually operated appliance,whereby upon manipulation a coin is adapted to operate and open the locking mechanism, whereby the said article and handle may be released.

31. The combination, with the handle of an article to be rented, of a coin controlled supporting holder for said handle.

32. The combination, with a handle of an article to be rented, of a coin operated looking mechanism adapted and arranged to become directly fastened to and to retain the said handle.

33. The combination, with a handle of an article to be rented, of a coin controlled lock adapted to engage said handle, and of a manually operated appliance, whereby upon manipulation a coin is adapted to operate and open the locking mechanism.

34:. A coin controlled lock adapted to engage the handle of an article to be rented, in combination with said handle, and with said article, a support therefor, andv with a manually operated appliance whereby upon manipulation a coin is adapted to operate and and adapted and arranged to directly engage and to retain the said handle, in combination with means whereby the parts may be engaged again upon proper manipulation.

36. The combination, with an article provided with a handle, of means whereby the article and handle are attached together, and of a coin operated locking mechanism controlling the article to be used and adapted and arranged to become directly fastened to no and retain the said article.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES WILLIAM PATTERSON.

Witnesses:

GEORGE H. FRASER,

CHARLES K. FRASER.