US685642A - Coin-controlled apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

N0. 685,642. Y v Patented Oct. 29,7l90l.

W. F. M. RICKETTS.

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

(Application led Ot. 4, 1900.)

(No Model.) 3 sham-sheet l.

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(N0 Model.)

- Patented Ucty2'9", l90l.- W. F. M. RICKETTS.

COIN CO'N'TBOLLED APPARATUS.'

(Application led Oct. 4, 1900.1

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

NITED `STATES PATENT FFICE..

WILLIAM F. M. RCKETTS, OF PULLMAN, l/VASHINGTON.

COIN-CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentvNo. 685,642, dated October 29, 1901.

Application filed October 4, 1900. Serial No. 32,032. (No model.)

vided with mechanism of peculiar construction whereby when a coin of the proper denomination is supplied to the machine `the drawer will be automatically unlockedand can be Withdrawn from the device, carrying therewith the article or articles within the apparatus desired.

A further object is to so arrange the drawers within the apparatus as to prevent unlocking of the same b v tampering.

Another object is to provide mechanism whereby the article delivered into the drawer will be thrown upward to a point adjacent to the upper edge thereof when said drawer is slid outward.

With these and other objects .in View the invention consists in providing a casing having a horizontal partition therein which divides the upper or feed compartment from the lower compartment, containing the coin-receiving mechanism. The dispensing-drawer is arranged upon the partition, and a plate is secured to the rear thereof and extends downward therefrom. This plate is provided with i 'a substantially rectangular opening which is l adapted toA receive the Weighted end of a ing at a point in front of the drawer. A tongue eXtends forward from the plate before referred to and normally rests upon the bottom of the trough. The front of the drawer when inl lclosed position is arranged between the partition before referred to and a top strip havl ing fa slot therein. A slot is also provided inv the front of the drawer and within the partition which registers with the slot in the upper strip and permits a coin in serted thereinto to drop upon the forward and normallyraised end of the trough. The weight of this coin will cause the weighted end of this trough to swing upward out of engagement with the plate and into alinement with the opening in said plate. The drawer can then be drawn forward, causing the plate to slip over the trough,land as the tongue is carried therewith the coin within the trough will be pushed upon the guide before referred to and can be readily seen through the glass arranged in the front of the casing. Means are provided whereby articles of various sizes may be fed to the drawer. The drawer is provided with peculiar mechanism,which prevents the admission of more than a predetermined quantity thereto, and this mechanism is so constructed that when the drawer is pulled outward to its limit the article or articles contained therein will be raised to a point adjacent to the upper edge thereof, where they can be readily grasped and removed.

The invention also consists in the further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully describedand claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of my invention, and in whichv Figure l is a vertical section therethrough. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of the device with the door removed and showing the 'locking and releasing mechanism for the drawers. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through a modified form of drawer. Fig. 4 is a top plan view thereof. on line xm, Fig. 2; and Fig. isa perspective of a trough. d

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a substantially L-shaped casing comprising a base 2 andan upright portion 3, arranged thereon at the rear thereof. 'Ihis casing is formed of any suitable materiahand the upper edge of the base is preferably rounded, as shown, and maybe provided'with anysuitable ornamentation. The rear of the Fig. 5 is a sectionfi' IOO casing is closed in any suitable manner, as by means of a door et, the front of the upright portion thereof being closed by glass panels which are equal in number to the number of columns of merchandise contained within the apparatus. These panels extend from the top ofthe casingto points above the top of the base 2, are arranged therebelow are the dispensing-drawers 5 of the apparatus. A strip G extends from the casing over the drawers when the same are in their closed position, and this strip is provided with slots 7 therein, which are equal in number to the number of drawers in the device The front of each drawer is slotted vertically, as at 8, and this slot is adapted to register with the slot7and with the short slot 9, extending downward through a partition 10, extendinghorizontally of thecasing, substantially in alinement with the top of the base 2. Vertical partitions 11 are arranged within the casing at points between the panels before referred to and serve to separat e the various columns of merchandise arranged withinv the upright portion The rear edge of the partition 10 is inclined downward, and arranged in rear thereof, ata point removed therefrom, are strips 12, the forward ends of which are inclined, said strips being secured to the vertical partitions and to the sides of the casing' in alinement with the partition 10. The partitions 1l are grooved, as at 13, in alinement with the strips G, and these grooves receive sliding plates 1,4, which are adjustable from or toward the strip G. A rod 15 is arranged horizontally within the base 2 of the apparatus at a point below the drawers, and pivotally mounted thereon is a bracket 16, which is secured tothe bottom of a trough 17, extending from a point below the slot 9 backward toward the rearward end of the casing, said trough being provided at its rear end with a weight 1S. The forward end of this trough extends above the guide 19, which is secured to and depends from the top of the base 2, said base being provided at a point above the guide with a glass panel 20, whereby a coin upon the guide may be readily seen.

As before stated, the drawers 5 are provided at the front with vertical slots adapted to receive a coin after the same has been fed into the slot 7. Each drawer also contains dogs 21,which are pivoted therein at opposite sides, the lower edges of which are curved and adapted to extend downward below the bottom `of the vdrawers when the same are in lowered position. The forward ends of the dogs 21 are adapted to contact with the plate 22, hinged at its rear edge to a second plate 23, which is pivotally mounted within the drawer at the rear end thereof. Astop 24 is arranged above the dog 21 to limit the downward movement of the plate 23. A screw 25 extends through the stop, and by adjusting the same therein the movement of said plate 23 may be readily regulated.

Extending over the top of each drawer 'is a ceases plate 2G, provided adjacent to each end with slots 27, adapted to receive pins or screws 28, extending from the upper edge of the drawer and serving as guides for the plate. This plate is curved downward at its forward edge, as shown, and serves to force the article from under the one directly above it. It will be seen that by this construction the plate 26 may be readily slid from or toward the front of the drawer, and the opening in the top of said drawer can thus be readily regulated. Extending downward from each drawer, at the rear end thereof, is a plate 29, having a substantially rectangular opening 30 therein at a pointadjacent to its lower edge. This opening is adapted to receive the rear end of the trough 17 after the same has been lifted by the weight of a coin dropped upon the forward end thereof. A tongue 31 is hinged to the inner face of plate 29 at a point above the opening 30 therein, and the forward end of this tongue normally rests upon the bottom of the trough. Suitable receptacles, as drawers 32, may be arranged within the base at points below t-he guides 19 and troughs 17, and these are employed for receiving the coins after the same have been discharged from the guides.

Strips 33 of wire or other suitable material are arranged vertically within the upright portion of the casing in alinement with the rear edge of the strip 6 and in rear of the glass panels before referred to. These strips serve to prevent material placed within the apparatus from coming into contact with the glass, and they also retain the saine at a point directlyabove the aperture formed between the strips 6 and the slide 14. It' cigars are to be dispensed from the machine, a box 34, containing the same, is placed in position above the aperture between the strip G and slide 14C after one end and the top have been removed and is held in position by means of screws 35, arranged, preferably, within the top of the casing. The machine is then in condition for use.

It is obvious that the drawers cannot be drawn outward until the rear end of the trough 17 has been lifted so as to lie at a point in alinement with the aperture 30, formed within plate 29. By insertinga coin in the slot 7 it will pass through the front of the drawer and fall upon the front end of the trough, causing said end to swing downward into contact with the guide 19. Vhen in this position, the rear end of the trough is in alinement with the opening within the plate 29, and the drawer 5 can then be drawn forward, said plate slipping over the trough. As the drawer comes forward, carrying the plate 29 therewith, the tongue 31 will slide the coin from the trough onto the guide 19 and the same willthen be visible through the glass 20. As the drawer starts forward in its movement the dogs 2l will swing downward upon their pivots as they pass the inclined ends of IOO IIO

,front end of the drawer.

vent the downward passage of more than one cigar at a time. The downward movement of the plate 23 will be limited by the stop 25; but the hinged plate 22 will swing downward until the dogs 2l reach the limits of their movement. This inclined plate 22 will cause the cigar resting thereon to roll upward to the As the drawer continues to slide open the dogs 21 will contact with the inclined edge of the partition 10 and swing upward at the moment when the drawer reaches the limit of its movement. This upward movement of the dogs will cause the plate 22 to swing upward, carrying the cigar therewith, to a point adjacent to the top of the drawer, and the same can then be readily grasped and removed. Vhen the drawer is in this position, the cigars are kept in their boxes 34 by the sliding plate 26, secured to the top of the drawer. been removed the drawer is slid inward, and as soon as the plate 29-escapes the end of the trough 17 said end will drop, and it is then necessary to repeat the operation before described before the drawer can be again opened. It will be seen that the coins will drop from the guide 19 to the receptacle 32. While I have described and illustrated the device as used for dispensing cigars, it is understood that I do not restrict myself to such use, as, if desired, small packages of tobacco or candy, pencils, &c., may be placed within the upright portion of the casing, and by sliding the strip 14 and the slide 26 backward the size of the inlet to the drawer maybe made sufciently large to admit the same thereto. It will be seen that by this constructionit is impossible to tamper with the trough through the slots 7, as any tool inserted thereinto for the purpose of depressing the trough would lock and prevent the opening of the drawer.

ably employ a drawer such as shown in Fig. 4. In said figure I have shown the drawer provided with a hinged bottom 36, and it will be seen that when the drawer is in its closed position articles will drop thereinto until that After the cigar hasA Where more than one. article is to be dispensedl at a time, I prefer-- seen that' by adjusting the weight 18 back and forth in the slot 37, formed in the bottom of the trough, the mechanism can be set to operate upon the insertion of any desired coin.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; bntI do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the scope of my invention. Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isf 1. In a coin-controlled apparatus, the combination with a drawer having a slot, of a j plate secured to the drawer and having an aperture therein, a trough pivoted below the drawer and the rear end thereof normally engaging the plate and preventing forward movement thereof, and a slotted strip above the drawer, the slot therein registering with y the slot within the drawer, said slots permitting the discharge of a coin upon the trough. 2. In a coin-controlled apparatus, the corn-y bination with a drawer having a vertical slot in the front thereof, of a strip above the drawer having a slot therein adapted to register with the slot within the drawer, a plate secured to the drawer and having an aperture therein, a trough pivoted below the drawer and the rear end thereofvnormally lying in the path of the plate, and a guide extending from and inclosing the normally-raised end of the trough, said'end lying below the slot in the drawer. p

3. The combination with a drawer having a vertical slot in the front thereof, ofia strip above the drawer having a slot adapted to register with the slot in the drawer, a plate too extending downward from the drawer and having an aperture therein, a trough pivoted below the drawer and having its rear end normally in the path of the plate, and a tongue hinged to the plate and slidably mounted at its I opposite end upon the trough.

4. In a coin-controlled apparatus, the combination with a drawer having a slot in the front thereof, of a strip above thedrawer having a slot therein adapted to register with the slot in vthe drawer, a plate extending downward from the drawer having an aperture therein, a trough pivoted below the drawer, and a weighted end thereto normally in the path of the plate, the forward end of said trough lying below the slots and adapt-.-

ed to be depressed by a coin dropping there= on thereby raising the weighted end out of the path of the plate. y

5. In a coin-controlled apparatus, the com# bination with a drawer having a slot in the front thereof,- of a strip above the drawer having a slot therein registering with the slot IIO in the drawer, a plate secured to the drawer slots, and a tongue hinged to the plate and and extending downward therefrom and havresting at its opposite end upon the trough. ing an aperture therein, a trough 'pivoted be- In testimony whereof I afx` my signature lowr the drawer and having a slot in the rear in presence of two Witnesses.

end thereof, a Weight adjustably secured WILLIAM F. M. RICKETTS.

within the slot and adapted to hold the trough lVitnesses: normally in the path of the plate, the forward JOHN SQUIRES, end of said trough lying at a point below the W. D. HENRY.

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