US965290A - Coin-controlled mechanism for vending-machines, &c. - Google Patents

Description

E. I. GARSON. COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR. VENDING MACHINES Patented July 26, 1910.

APPLICATION FILED APR. l0 1908. 965,290a

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

-E. I. GARSON. COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES, 6w.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, 1908.

Patented July 26, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I'll-Ill H I TTOR/VEY onto. 2

EDGAR- I. GARSON, YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN VENDING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COIN-CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING-MACHINES, &c.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 26, 191%).

Application filed April 10, 1908. Serial No. 426,278.

venting the fraudulent use of tokens, spuri-' ous coin, and even a genuine coin when considerably worn w1ll be returned to the person attempting to use it without operating the coin controlled mechanism.

' carrier.

For the sake of brevity, I shall hereinafter call the device a fraud preventer.

I will describe preferred embodiments of my invention and then point out the novel features in claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fraud preventer embodying my invention. Fig 2 is a vertlcal longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the interior of the device some parts being removed. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse view of what I shall call the Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 2, but showing a different form of what I shall call a depressor. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of the casing showing a modified form of slot in the bottom thereof. Fig. 7 is a. vertical transverse section, showing the position of a coin when first introduced into the device and also the position of the gripping pins. Fig. 8 is a similar View showing the same parts in different positions.

20 indicates the outer casing of the fraud being designed to guide-the coin to them'echanism intended to be operated thereby, and the latter to guide tokens, spurious coin, etc., to a 'receptacleor' tray which will be accessible'to the person using the device.

The carrier is indicated by 24 and is open at top and bottom as clearly shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 8 It is designed to rest upon the bottom of the casing and be reciprocated' to and fro within the casing. Its two sides 25 are spaced apart a distance somewhat in excess of the thickness of the coin intended to be used in the machine. A handle 26 is attached to it and extends through an opening in the end of the casing a suflicient distance to push the carrier from one end of the casing to the other.

One side of the casing is provided with an elongated slot 27 over which a plate 28 lies on the outside of the casing. A set screw 29 passes through one end of the plate and the slot into the carrier, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The plate is supported at its other end by a set screw 30 which passes through an elongated slot 31 into the side of the casing. The slots 27 and 31 must be of suflicient length to permit the carrier to move from one end of the casing to the other. The carrier is normally held at the receiving end of the casing by a coiled spring 32 secured at one end to the plate 28 and at its other end to the casing. The carrier is partially closed at one end by the handle 26 which fits between its sides and is secured thereto by rivets or screws 33, see Fig. 2, or in any other suitable manner. The other end of the carrier is partially closed by a block 34 which may fit against the ends of the sides as shown in Fig. 2, or between them as in Fig. 5, and be secured to the sides by any suitable means.

In either case it is intended that the distance between the inner end of the handle 26 and the o posing face of the block 34 shall be slight y inexcess of the diameter of the coin intended to be used.

The sides 25 of the carrier are each provided with a hole 35 through which project pins 36 carried by plate springs 37 secured respectively at their upper ends to the two sides 25 of the carrier and normally lying flat against the outer surface of the sides as shown in Fig. 4. Each side 25 is reduced in thickness at its lower end to form a space 38 between the lower ends of the springs and thesides. Onthe bottom of the casing are secured two pairs of oppositelydisposed'cams 39' and"40,the cams of each pair being on opposite sides of the slot 21, and when the carrieris at the reat the pins 36 will not project into the space between the sides 25 and thus leave the carrier unobstructed to receive a coin,

as shown in Fig. 7.

The top of the casing is rovided with an upward extension 41 provi ed with a curved slot 42, the outer end of which'is intended to receive the coin and the inner end of which will deliver it to the carrier.

Assuming now the machine is intended to be operated by a nickel (five cents), the width of the slots 42 and 21 and the space between the two sides 25 of the carrier will be slightly greater than the greatest thickness of a new coin, and the part 21 of theslot 21 will be of less width than the thickness of an acceptable coin to prevent it from falling through into the chute 23 when first introduced into the carrier. When the slot 21 is of uniform width throughout its length, as in Fig. 3, one side of the slot is provided with an inward projection 43 which will prevent an'acceptable coin from passing through from the carrier to the chute 23. I also employ what I term a depressor to operate u on the com and depress it. If an acceptab e coin is operated upon, it will be depressed as far as the pins 36 will permit it to move and if an unacceptable coin, token or a mere disk is operated upon, it will be depressed below the pins 36 and entirely released therefrom. In Fig. 2 the depressor is in the form of a bow spring 44 secured at one end to the top of the casing with its curved portion adjacent to-the front end of the carrier and its other end extending up through an opening inthe top ofthe. casing and bent over to be supported by the top. This sprin is of a Width to pass freelybetween the si es 25 of the carrier andthe lower part of its curved portion is normally below the lane of the pins 36. A set screw 50 may e employed to vary the tension of the spring 44. shown in Figs. 2 and 5 these pins are semi-circular in cross section with the flat side downward. In Fig. 5 the depressor is in the form of a pivoted bar 45 having a curved portion 46 on its under surface at its free end and a spring 47, secured atone end to the casing and bearing at its free end on the upper surface of the free end of the bar 45, serves to force the free end of the bar downwardly and the block 34 serves to limit its downward movement. .In this case also the lowest part of the curved portion is normally below the plane of the pins 36.

Assuming that the carrier is in the posi-' tion shown in Figs. 2 or 5, the springs 37 and pins 36 will be in the positions shown in Fig. 7, being so held by the cams 39. If, now, a coin be introduced into the slot 42 it will drop into the carrier and assume the position shown in Fig. 7, where 51 indicates the coin. It may be observed that in practice the spaces between the sides of the carrier and the coin will be much lessthan shown in the drawing. Several features are exaggerated in the drawings for the sake of over the wide portion of the slot 21 it will be free to move downwardly and will then pass under the depressor which will force it down until the beads 52 come into contact with the pins as shown in Fig. 8 and when in such position the depressor will be lifted above its normal position and be exerting its pressure on the coin. The pressure of the depressor on the coin is in excess of the pressure exerted by the pins 36 thereon but is not enough to forcethe ins laterally to release the coin when the latter is acceptable. Consequently the coin will be carried forward until it is over the chute 22 when the cams 40 will act upon the springs 37 and move them and the pins 36 outwardly and release the coin which will then drop into the chute 22 and be guided thereby to the mechanism to be operated.

There are many kinds of fraudulent devices which have been used in attempts to operate coin-controlled mechanism and if they can only be made to reach the mechanism a large proportion will operate the mechanism as well as a genuine coin, irrespective of their weight diameter or thickness. Many of these fraudulent devices which have been successfully used are so thin that if an attempt was made to use them in my fraud preventen they would pass through the carrier and slot 21, or by the projection 43 directly into the chute 23. If a disk of the same diameter and thickness as a' nickel, or

Y of the same thickness but sli htly different diameter were used and it had no peripheral bead it would remain in the carrier and be grlpped by the pins 36, but the latter would not be able tohold it against the pressure of the depressor and it would be discharged into the chute 23. A ain, in the case of disks having periphera heads but which are not as 'thick as a nickel the same result .will happen because the pressures of the springs 37 and the depressor will be so adjusted with respect to each other that the latter will overcome the former when operating upon anything except a coin of the proper thickness and with well defined beads. *A.

genuine coin of the proper denomination if considerably worn will be discharged into;

the chute 23, but this will not cause any loss to the user since it will be returned to a receptacle from which he can remove it. In actual experience it is found that more than ninety-five per cent. of the fraudulent devices employed vary so much from the coin jects through theslot' 21.

the operation of the machine. In order to prevent this I provide the carrier with a depending pin 55, in the present case shown attached to the handle-26, and this pin pro- If 'a token or other device becomes jammed in the narrow portion of the slot the pin, when the carrier is moved forward, will engage such token or device carry it forward to the wide portion of the slot when it will pass through into the chute 23.

In the operation of the device it is intended that the carrier shall be moved at comparatively slow speed in order to give the different parts time to act properly. Sometimes, however, efforts will be-made to move the carrier rapidly by giving the handle a sharp blow on the end instead of pushing it. Such rapid movement of the carrier would often be sufficient to carry. many forms of fraudulent devices beyond the chute 23 and into the chute 22. I therefore provide means to positively stop the carrier over the chute 23 if moved with undue rapidity. A preferred means for this purpose is illustrated in Fig. 1, where it will be seen 'of the plate 28 as shown in Fig. 1, and when the carrier is pushed forward at comparatively slow speed the tail of the dog, which normally lies in position to engage the shoulder 57, will, as soon as the head of the dog is opposite the recess 56, drop sufliciently to let the shoulder 57 pass. If, however, the handle 26 is-struck' a violent blow the shoulder 57 will move forward so rapidly that.

the tail 58 will not havetime to move out of its way and will therefore engage it and stop the carrier over the chute 23. The carrier -mustthen be permitted to return toward its normal position whenthe dog will be disengaged from the shoulder and the carrier may be moved forward in a-proper manner.

In the following claims where I use the term spurious coin I intend to include therein any form of undesirable device that may be used instead of a proper coin.

Having described my invention, I claim :v

1. In coin controlled mechanism, a fraud preventer comprising a carrier to receive the 1 coin, gripping devices on the carrier for engaging both faces of the coin, and means for forcing a spurious coin from between the gripping devices.

2. In coin-controlled mechanism, a fraud preventer comprising a carrier to receive the coin, gripping instrumentalities to engage.

the face of a coin, and means for forcing a spurious coin out of engagement with said face gripping instrumentalities.

3. In" coin-controlled mechanism, a fraud preventer comprising a carrier to receive the coin, a coin gripping device on said carrier adapted to engage the face of a coin, and

means for forcing aspurious coin out of engagement with said face gripping device.

4. In coin-controlled mechanism, a fraud preventer comprising a carrier to receive the com, a spring gripping device on said carrier to engage the face of a coin, and means for forcing a spurious coin out of engagement with said face grippm-g device.

5. In coin-controlled mechanism, a fraud preventer comprising a carrier to receive the coin, coin gripping devices to engage the opposite faces of the coin, and means for forcing a spurious coin out of engagement with said face gripping devices. I

6. In coin-controlled mechanism, a fraud preventer comprising a coin gripping device to engage the face of a coin, and means for forcing a spuriouscoin outof engagementwith said face-gripping device.

7. In coin-controlledmechanism,.a fraud preventer comprising a carrier to receive the coin, a pair of spring actuated gripping pins onthe carrier positioned to engage opposite faces of the coin, and a spring actuated depressor located in the path, of movement Y of the coin for engaging the-edge thereof.

8. In coin-controlled mechanism, a fraud preventer comprising a carrier to receive the coin, a casing withinwhich the carrier may be reciprocated, a pair of spring actuated gripping pins on the carrier positioned to engage opposite faces of the coin, a spring actuated depressor located in the path-of movement of the coin for engaging the edge,

thereof, and means within the casing for dlsengaging the pins from the com.

9. In coin-controlled mechanism, a fraud preventer comprising a fixed casing, a carrier within the casing for receiving the coin, said carrier having holes in its sides, plate springs secured to the sides of the carrier and carrying pins which normally project through the holes in the sides of the carrier &

to engage bothfaces of the coin, means for reciprocatin the carrier within. the casing and means or moving said pins outwardly at both ends oft-he casing.

10. In coin-controlled mechanism the combination with two separated chutes, one for acceptable coins and the other for spurious coins, of a casing secured above the chutes and having a slot in its bottom to dischar e into said chutes, a carrier to receive the C011),

and supported to reciprocatewithin the casing, means for reciprocating the carrier, spring actuated pins positioned to engage opposite faces of the coin, a spring actuated depressor located in the path of movement of the coin for engagingthe periphery of the coin and forcing s urlous coin from between the pins into t e chute to receive them,

I carrier, and

said carrier for restrictin and means for spreading the pins apart to release a coin over the other chute.

11. In coin-controlled combination, a movable coin carrier profor forcing splurious coins only out of engagement wit predetermined point in the travel of the means for releasing a good coin from said supporting means at another predetermined point in the travel of the carrler. 1

I 12. In coin-controlled mechanism, a fraud preventer comprising a bodily movable coin.

gripping device to engage the face of a coin means to force a spurious coin only out o engagement with said predetermined oint, and means for releasing the. ip o saiddevice on a good coin at a pre etermined point.

13. In coin-controlled mechanism, the

combination with a casing having -a slot in its bottom narrower at one portion than the other, a carrier within the casing open at top and bottom for receiving coin and delivering it through the wide portion of the slot, means for reciprocating the carrier, and a pin on the carrier projecting into said slot for forcing a coin that may be jammed in the narrow wider portion; thereof.

'14. In coin-controlled mechanism, a fraud.

preventer comprising a carrier for receiving a com, means for reciprocating the carrier,

and normally inactive means independent of the movement of the'carrier in one direction when operated underexcessive speed. 4

7 15. In coin-controlled.mechanism, a movable coin carrier adapted to receive and carry, a 00111 to a predetermined olnt of de livery, and a gravity controlle latch adjacent the. path of movementofsaid carrier and operable under excessive speed of the carrier to engage and restrict movement thereof.

mechanism, and in said supporting means at a gripping device at a portion of the slot into the 7 within tlhepath oftravel of 16. In coin-controlled mechanism, a fraud preventer comprising a casing, a carrier for receiving and temporarily supporting a coin,

means forreciprocatin provided with'a shoul ermovable'with the carrier, a'nda pivoted dog adapted to contact .with said plate and 1 having one end arranged to overbalance the'other, said dog and plate beingso formed as to permit the shoulder to pass when the carrier is moved in one directlon at normal speed but engages the shoulder and 'stops the-carrier when the latter is moved in the same direction at excessive speed. 17. In coinecontrolled mechanism, a fraud preventing means comprising a -reciprocating coin-receiving carrier,-:mea1is-on the carrier to engage aface of the coin'and support the coin within the carrier, and means located within the path of movement of the within the carrier and releasing it from said coin supporting means.

18. In coin-controlled mechanism, fraud preventingmeans comprising a reciprocal;- ing coin-receiving carrier, means onthe carrier for supporting .the coin within the -car rier, and means located within the path of travel of the "coin for-changing the position of the coin within and relative. to said coin supporting means, means forming a barrier against the passages of a non-spurious coin from the carrier under the action of the position-changing :means. 1 y

. 19. In coin-controlled mechanism, fraud preventing means comprising a reciprocating coin-receiving carrier, means on the carrier for supporting the coin within the carrier, and means locatedjwithin the'pathof the carrier, a plate coin for changing theposition of the coin.

said coin supporting I travel of the coin for changing the position of the coin within and relative to-said .coin supporting means, saidcoin supporting means forming a barrier against the passage of a non-spurious coin from the carrier under the action of the position-changing means, and havin sponding to the of the carrier. Y I 4 -20. 'Incoin-controlled'mechanism, fraud.- preventing meansincluding a reciprocating carrier, means for selectively supporting a coin within the carrier during its reciprocation in one direction, and means located and cooperating with the carrier to restrict the length of reciprocation ofthecarrier during its coin supporting direction of movement when the carrier is moved at excessive speed.

21. In coin controlled mechanism, .fraud irection of reciprocation preventing means including a-reciprocating means; for selectlvely supporting af carrier, coin wlth n the carrier durlng 1ts reciprocatlOIl lIl one dlrectlon, sald carrier having a stop movable therewlth, and means located a path of travel corre-.

Within the path of travel of the carrier and and move a coin out of the carrier if it be 10 cooperating with said stop to restrict the Without such outstanding rim.

length of reciprocation of the carrier during In testimony whereof I aflix my signaits1 coiilil supporting diregtion of movemelcilt' ture, in presence of two Witnesses.

W en t e carrier is move at excessive s ee 22. In coin-controlled mechanism, a i iaud EDGAR GARSON' preventer comprising a carrier having means Witnesses: to positively engage and support a coin by EDWIN CRUsE, its outstanding rim, and means to engage JOHN L. FLETCHER.

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