US2491817A - Electric coin meter and clock - Google Patents

Description

Deco 20 194-9 F. J. LANDGRAF ET AL. 2,493,817

ELECTRIC COIN METER AND CLOCK Filed Sept. 16, 1949 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS.

FRANCIS J. LANDGRAF RICHARD P. LANDGRAFI f wy.

AGENT Dec. 20, 1949 F. .1. LANDGRAF ET AL.

ELECTRIC COINMETER AND CLOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 16, 1949 INVENTORS.

FRANCIS J. LANDGRAF RICHARD P. LANDGRAF AGENT Patented Dec. 20, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC COIN METER AND CLOCK Francis J. Landgraf and Richard P. Landgraf, Chicago, Ill.

Application September 16, 1949, Serial No. 116,146 10 Claims. (01. 194-9) The present invention relates generally to time controlling mechanisms, and more particularly to time controlling mechanisms operation of which is initiated in response to deposit of a check in a container.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for controlling the operative condition of an electrical switch for predetermined periods of time, and in response to deposit of a check or coin in a suitable receptacle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel and simplified mechanism for measuring a, predetermined time period in response to deposit of a check or coin in a suitable receptacle, and for automatically depositing the check or coin in a further receptacle at the termination of the predetermined time interval.

It is another broad object of the present invention to provide a mechanism capable of actuation by a conventional clock for measuring predetermined time intervals initiated by the deposit of a check or coin in a suitable receptacle.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a device for closing an electrical circuit in response to deposit of a check or coin in a suitable receptacle, and for maintaining the circuit in closed condition for a predetermined time interval, and for automatically accomplishing transfer of the coin to a further receptacle at the termination of the predetermined time interval.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide mechanism for accomplishing the above stated objects which shall be of simpler character, and susceptible of more economical fabrication, than has hitherto been considered feasible in the pertinent art.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a time measuring device which may be driven from a continually running clock, and which is entirely mechanical in nature, the time measuring device being operatively coupled to the clock mechanism in response to insertion of a coin, and the operative connection being automatically destroyed at the termination of the predetermined time interval.

The above and still further features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a specific embodi ent thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a view in side sectional elevation taken on the line I-I of Figure 4, of a structure arranged in accordance with the invention, before the insertion of a coin therein;

Figure 2 is a side section corresponding to Figure l, and illustrating the position of the mechanical elements of Figure 1 after the insertion of a coin;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view corresponding with certain details of Figure l and Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of structure arranged in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is a side-view, taken in a direction opposite to that of Figure 1, of apparatus in accordance with the invention, showing particu- "larly details of the coin slot thereof;

Figure 6 is a front elevation complementing Figure 5, and indicating particularly mechanism for retaining a coin in the coin slot during measurement of a time interval; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged view corresponding with a portion of Figure 6 with certain walls removed, better to indicate internal features of the structure.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the reference numeral I identifies a thin metallic panel, which may be secured in any convenient fashion to a conventional clock mech- "which is pivoted about a fixed pin I4 supported z spindle which drives the hour hand H of the clock, or the minute hand M of the clock, ac-

cording as longer or shorter times are desired.

to be measured by the structure of the invention.

The Wall structure I comprises at its upper edge a bent over horizontal shelf 4, which serves to support an electric switch 5, secured as by screws 6 to the shelf 4. The switch 5 comprises insulating spacers I, which maintain in spaced relation two parallel metallic leaves 8a and 8b, having adjacent electrical contacts 9, which are normally separated. Depending from the lower one of the leaves 8b, is a bracket Ill, which supports a roller I I for rotation about suitable bearmgs.

The roller II bears on an end I2 of an arm I3,

by the wall I in any convenient fashion, the pin I4 extending through a longitudinal slot I5 in the arm I3, to enable displacement of the pivotal I point of the arm I3.

Integrally related to the arm I3 is a downwardly and vertically extending arm I5, which terminates in a further arm l1, extending forwardly and substantially horizontally, or is parallel to the arm I3. The arm I1 extends through a slot 52 provided in a wall section I9, which is secured in any convenient fashion to the wall I, with the plane of the wall section I9 perpendicular to the plane of the wall I. The wall sec'-' tion I9 is suitably bent and forms a coin slot 22 having a width and thickness adequate to" permit entrance of a coin of predetermined denomination, as for example, a quar'ter'of a dollar; The arm IT extends through the slot i8 in the path of any coin, such as C, which might be inserted in the coin slot 20, the coin slot having such width as to accept any' c'oi'n" smaller in size than the size of the quarter dollar but not larger.

The lateral position of the arm IT is such, h-oWever,- that in the event a coin of denomination smaller than that selected, say a quarter dollar, should be inserted in the coin slot 20, it would fall through between the arm IT and the sidewall of the coin slot Secured to the arm I3, at a point adjacent to the junction of the arms I3 and I6, and by means of apivotal connection 21 is arack bar 22 having a plurality of gear teeth in its under edge-, which are adapted to mesh with the teeth of the gear 2, so that the rack 2-2 may be driven in response to rotation of the gear 2 When the rack-22 and the gear 2 mesh The rack bar 22 is spring pressed downwardly by aspring 2 3, which tends to cause the rack bar 22 to rotate clockwise, as seen in' Figuremally rests onthe pin in response to thepressure applied by the spring 23.

When a coin as C is dropped into the coin slot 26,- via anaperture 2 6 provided in acasing 21 containing the mechanism ofthe present invention, the weight 0t coin C depresses the arm H, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, causing the arm: I3 to pivot about the pin I i, raisi'n'g the rearward edge I2 of the arm I3 against the roller I' I, and thereby flexing the spring leaf 8b upwardly to bringthe' contacts 9 into' contact. At the same time the rack bar 22 is carried downwardly byl tlie arm I3' and into mesh with the gear 2'. The latter may be assumed to be in process or: rotation, and accordingly drives tliea'rm' I3 to the right, as viewed in l igu'ires I and 2' of the drawings. As the arm I 3 travels to the right, pressure on the roller I I is maintained, so that the switch contacts 9 remain closed. At the same time the arm I1 is gradually withdrawn iro'm under the coin C, against the" tension of arrestra'ining spring 28, which may be of helical" form, and one end of which maybe secured to the wall or panel I at 6 the point" 29, the other end being secured to the arm I3 as at the pin 25',

Motion of the arm I3 to the right, as viewed in Figure 2 of the drawings, continues until the arm I! has been withdrawn entirely from under the coin C. When this" occurs, the coin C is released from the coin' slot' 2U, and falls through an aperture in the casing 21-. Simultaneously, since no downwardly exertedforce is now available for depressing the arm H, the latter rises,

being impelled to rise by the pressure exerted thereon by the roller I I in response to the spring leaf 6b. The rack bar 22 is thus removed from meshing relation with the gear 2, and the spring 23 serves to draw the arm I3 into its original position, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, preparatory to a further operation of the mechanism.

It may occur that when the rack bar 22 is depressed in response to the weight of the coin C,

tive teeth of the rack bar 22 and the gear 2 will be in immediately adjacent and opposing relation.

In such case, the rack bar 22 pivots about the slot.

pivot point 2|, the spring 23, giving, and the slot 24 riding up on the pin 25'. Thereby the rearward end- I2- ofthe arm I 3 is enabled to rise to the same extent in response to the weight of the coin C, as-ifthe teeth of the rack bar 22 and the gear 2 were in proper mesh, thereby to effectcomplete closure of the switch points 9. When thisoccurs, as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, continued rotation of the gear 2; results almost ii'r'imediately in proper alignment withthe rack bar 22 to effect proper meshing of the teeth of thera ck bar 22 with the teeth" of the gear 2,

Referring to Figure 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that the coin C exerts a wedging efiect on the arm I'I, tending to cause the latter to move to the right as v'iewed in Figure 7, Since the arm I'I extendsthrough slot t8 in the wall section I9, the wedging actionof; the com c has a tendency to causing bingiingpf the arm I! against the wall of the slot To eliminate this eifect a roller bearing 30 is provided, which may be mounted between brackets 3 I struck out from the wall section I9, and which serves to take the pressure of the arm- I1, rotating as the arm I7 is withdrawn in response to rotation of the gear 2 while the rack bar 22 is in mesh therewith.

In order to prevent unauthorized removal of a coin C fromthe coin slot 20,- once it has been inserted therein, a spring member 32 is-provided, which is secured at one end- 33 tothe outer wall of the coin slot 20, and which at its lower end- 34 extends slightly within the confines of the coin When a coirr isinserted in the coin slot it brushes by the end 34 ofthe spring rod 32, the latter being sufiiciently resilient to" give in response to the weight of the coin. After the coinC has passed the end 34 of the spring rod 32 the latter springs bac-k into position with its end overthe coin C;- as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, retaining the later" against unauthorized removal from the com siot 20'; as by turning the mechanism upside down;

Various modes of appiicatitn of the present inventiorr will suggest themselves" to those skilled in the aft; For example, the switch 5 may be utilized to control times of operation of television or radio receivers, washing machines, re-' rrigerators or the like; the cloclg running continuously, the sw'itclr operation being timed by the cloclk Alternatively, theclock may be an electric clock, and r'rierely perform" the functions of an electric motor, being connected in series with the switch contacts and with a power supply line. The clock hands if utilized, win then measure elapsed time" during" which the circuit is closed, rather thantiue time. It will further be clear that for a clock, as a drive means, may be substituted other types of motive means, and running atuniform. or non-uniform speed. While the invention finds its maximum application in con. junction with coin controlled devices, checks simulating coins may obviously be employed in place of coins; The structure may be employed to measure a variety of desired time intervals, by suitable selection of the physical dimensions of the arm H which extends into the coin chute, or by providing stops (not shown) to limit'the extent of travel of the arm I! into the coin chute.

, While we have described a single specific and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that certain variations of detail and general arrangement thereof may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters; Patent of the United States is:

1. A time switch including, switch contacts, a coin chute for receiving a coin, an arm comprising an arm section extending into said coin chute for actuation by the weight of said coin, means supporting said arm for pivotal motion in response to said actuation of said arm section, means responsive to pivotal motion of said arm for operating said switch contacts, a motor, a pinion driven by said motor, a rack secured to said arm, said rack positioned normally out of actuable engagement with said pinion and to be engaged with said pinion in response to said pivotal motion, said rack arranged to withdraw said arm section from within said chute when driven by said pinion.

2 Coin controlled mechanism, including, a coin chute having a width between edges only adequate to receive a coin of first predetermined diameter, an arm extending into said coin chute adjacent one edge thereof, the distance between the other edge and said arm being suificient to enable ready passage of coins of smaller predetermined diameters and to stop'coins of said first predetermined diameter, and time controlled means for withdrawing said arm from said coin chute at a predetermined time after insertion into said coin chute of a coin of said first predetermined diameter, said last means comprising a pinion and means for driving said pinion at a uniform rate of rotation, a rack normally out of engagement with said pinion, means responsive to stoppage of said coin of predetermined diameter in said coin chute by said arm for effecting driving engagement of said rack and pinion, and means responsive to predetermined motion of said rack in response to said pinion for withdrawing said arm from said coin chute.

3. Coin controlled mechanism, including, a coin chute having a width between edges only adequate to receive a coin of first predetermined diameter, an arm extending into said coin chute adjacent one edge thereof, the distance between the other edge and said arm being sufiicient to enable ready passage of coins of smaller predetermined diameters and to stop coins of said first predetermined diameter, time controlled means for withdrawing said arm from said coin chute at a predetermined time after insertion into said coin chute of a coin of said first predetermined diameter, said last means comprising a pinion and means for driving said pinion at a uniform rate of rotation, a rack normally out of engagement with said pinion, means responsive to stoppage of said coin of first predetermined diameter in said coin chute by said arm for effecting driving engagement of said rack and pinion, meansby said timing motor, a rack secured to said arm;

means normally maintaining said rack out of geared engagement with said pinion, means mounting said rack for movement by said arm in response to the weight of a coin in said coin chute and resting on said arm, into geared engagement with said pinion, rotation of said pinion actuating said rack to move said arm out of said coin chute.

5. A check controlled device comprising a chute for a check, an arm normally extending into said chute in the path of a check and movable out of said chute to release said check, a motor, a pinion rotated by said motor, a rack secured to said arm, means normally maintaining said rack out of geared engagement with said pinion, means mounting said rack for movement in response to the weight of said check on said arm into geared engagement with said pinion, rotation of said pinion actuating said rack during said geared engagement to move said arm out of said chute, thereby to release said check.

6. A check controlled device comprising, a chute for a check, a pinion, means for rotating said pinion, a rack, means mounting said rack for movement into and out of geared engagement with said pinion, resilient means normally maintaining said rack and pinion out of geared engagement, and an arm secured to said rack for movement of said rack into said geared engagement in response to the Weight of said check, said arm extending into said chute in the path of said check.

7. A check controlled device comprising, a chute for a check, a pinion, means for rotating said pinion, a rack, means mounting said rack for movement into and out of geared engagement with said pinion, resilient means normally main taining said rack and pinion out of said geared engagement, means responsive only to the weight of said check for effecting and maintaining said geared engagement, said last means comprising an arm extending into said chute in the path of said check, and means responsive to motion of said rack in response to rotation of said pinion for withdrawing said arm from said chute.

8. A check controlled timer, comprising, a chute for a check, a pinion, clock means for rotating said pinion, a rack, means mounting said rack for movement into and out of geared engagement with said pinion, a resilient element normally in one operative condition and normally maintaining said rack and pinion out of geared engagement by its resilience, means responsive only to the weight of said check for overcoming said resilience and efiecting and maintaining said geared engagement, said last means comprising an arm extending into said chute in the path of said check, and means responsive to predetermined motion of said rack in response to rotation of said pinion for withdrawing said arm from said chute.

9. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination 'Of 'a switch having a movable contact e1 ementin a first-positioma rotary pinion, a movable rack adapted to 'efferit a traverse from a starting position upon engagement with said rotary pinion during rotation-ofsaid pinion, check controlled mechanism for simultaneously moving said contact element to asecond position and for shifting said rack into geared engagement withsaid pinion and for maintaining said rackin said geared engagement, and means for automatically restoring said rack to said starting position and for simultaneously restoring said movable contact element to said first position in response to predetermined movement of said rack from said starting position in response to rotation of said rotary pinion.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said check controlled mechanism is responsive solely to the weight of said check.

FRANCIS J. LA-NDGRAF. RICHARD P. LANDGRAF.

8 REFERENCES CITED following references are of f'eco'r'd in the fil' Of this Daitlit! ilN I TED STA TE S PAEENT

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