US3261444A - Coin metering apparatus - Google Patents

Description

y 1966 F. A. BARSOCCHINI 3,251,444

COIN METERING APPARATUS Filed May 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I T'fOI/Vi/ July 19, 1966 F. A. BARSOCCHINI 3,261,444

com METERING APPARATUS Filed May 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Fem z A. flnesaccm/v/ irraz/vif y 1966 F. A. BARSOCCHINI 3,261,444

COIN METERING APPARATUS Filed May 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,zrza-IO INVENTOR. FEA/VL/ 4. fiiiiOdCH/N/ United States Patent 3,261,444 COIN METERING APPARATUS Frank A. Barsocchini, Kentfield, Calif, assignor to Service Distributors, Inc., San Francisco, Calif. Filed May 11, 1964, Ser. No. 366,295 14 Claims. (Cl. 194-84) This invention relates to a new and improved coin metering apparatus.

Washing machines, driers, dry cleaning machines, and the like, are frequently installed in locations Where attendants are not usually present and hence the provision of a coin metering device which is accurate and which prevents operation of the machine by dishonest patrons is of considerable importance. The present invention is particularly suitable in that it provides a single coin metering device which may be selectively, manually-adjusted to select one of a plurality of machines for use. Thus, in accordance with one form of the invention hereinafter described in detail, there is provided, preferably at a central location which is visible from the street or by passersby, a selector-switch whereby the patron may select one of a plurality of machines for use, together with a coin slot and coin metering device to enable the patron to insert the required number of coins to start the machine. As a further feature of the invention, such coin metering apparatus may be so constructed that the patron may install coins for more than one time cycle as desired. This feature of the invention is of particular importance with clothes driers where, depending upon the type of fabric and the amount of moisture present therein, one or more time cycles may be required to complete drying of the clothes. The present invention is of great utility in that it satisfies all of the foregoing requirements and has considerable additional advantages over all coin metering devices previously used for similar purposes.

A particular advantage of the present invention is the fact that the coin metering mechanism may be adjusted by an attendant so that it will start a machine upon deposit of either a single coin or any desired plurality of coins and that by'simple adjustment of the device the number of coins require-d for such purpose may be altered. Assuming that the coin slot is selected of such dimension that it will accept a IO-cent piece, the mechanism hereinafter described has removable pins in its construction which may be added or removed so that the machine starts after the deposit of one, two or three dimes as desired. The adjustment heretofore mentioned may be made at the site of the machines and does not require removing the device or any portion thereof for servicing at a central servicing center or repair shop. The alteration may be made by relatively unskilled labor and without the use of special tools or equipment.

A further advantage of the invention is the fact that the apparatus is very simple in operation and consists of a few parts which are of rugged construction resulting in a device which is inexpensive to produce, maintain and repair.

Still another feature of the invention is the fact that means is provided so that a dishonest patron cannot actuate the timer mechanism and then by manipulation of the device obtain a return of one or more coins. Further, means is provided to prevent intentional or unintentional vibration of the machine which would result in advancing the coin device so that fewer coins than the desired number energize the machine. Another advantage of the invention is the fact that provision is made whereby a dishonest patron cannot by manipulation of the switches energize a plurality of machines upon deposit of coins sufficient to start a single machine. Provision is also made so that coins smaller than the coin to be used as a basis for energization of the machine are rejected and coins larger than such desired coin are not accepted by the device.

A particular advantage of the present invention is the fact that the point at which the coins are deposited may be located centrally and remote from the individual machine to be controlled thereby, this central point being more readily visible and hence dishonest patrons are more likely to be detected.

A still further advantage of the invention is that there is no mechanical connection between the coin mechanism and the timer for the machine. It will be understood that such timers are quite delicate and when abused are quite likely to become inaccurate or inoperative. The absence of mechanical connection between the coin deposit mechanism and the timer reduces the mechanical shock and wear which tends to harm the switches, timers, and relays which are used on the individual machines. No matter how the patron abuses the coin deposit mechanism, damage to the timer is avoided.

A still further feature of the invention is the elimination of electrical relays in the circuitry whereby the coin mechanism controls actuation of the individual machine. Such relays, particularly in the damp atmosphere in which washing machines are usually installed, tend to create service problems which are largely eliminated by reason of the installation of the invention hereinafter described.

Another feature of the coin deposit mechanism hereinafter described is the fact that the coin itself is the mechanical connection between the turning knob which the patron turns after depositing the coin and the cam which energizes a switch. The switch is connected to a solenoid at the individual machine selected which solenoid is energized upon turning of the control knob. The solenoid is so connected into the timing mechanism of the individual machine that only after the machine is actuated does the coin drop out of its holder and into the coin deposit box.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision in one preferred form of the invention of a knob which may be turned manually to select one of a plurality of machines for operation. Thus, as herein'illustrated in detail, there is provided a knob which may be turned so that the coins deposited will energize either a washing machine or a drier, depending upon the position of the knob. Further, there is an interlock which mechanically prevents the knob from being turned after the initiation of the coin deposit and metering thereof. This feature prevents a dishonest patron from rapidly manipulating the selector switch so that a single coin will energize both the washing machine and the drier.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the exterior of a coin box in which the present invention is installed.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively transverse sectional views taken substantially along the lines 55 and 66 respectively of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view through the selector knob and associated parts.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the parts in a different position, namely with the turntable rotated counterclockwise to about its position of maximum movement.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. showing the device in the same position as in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 1111 of FIG. 9.

In the apparatus which is the subject of this invention, there is a coin box A provided with a selector-switch whereby the deposit of a coin or coins may be arranged to actuate one of a plurality of machines located preferably remote from the coin box. Thus assuming the invention is installed in a laundry room of an apartment house or the like, the patron selects a particular machine (either a washing machine or a drier) for deposit of clothes and thereupon sets the selector-switch for connection with that particular machine. Thereupon, the patron deposits in a coin deposit mechanism B, installed in coin box A, one or more coins which have been predetermined as required to actuate the machine for a cycle. Deposit of the coins actuates either a drier-type switch mechanism or a washer-type switch mechanism as is illustrated in assignees copending application No. 276,514, now Patent No. 3,221,862, located at the respective machine selected, which starts operation of that machine.

For convenience, the following specification of the invention is divided into sections.

A. Coin b0x.Coin box 21 is suitably, permanentlymounted in the room in which a plurality of machines, such as a washing machine and a drier, are located. The coin box 21 has four enclosed sides 22 and a closed bottom (not shown). Interiorly of box 21 is a coin receptacle 23 into which coins drop after passing through the coin metering apparatus, said receptacle having an upwardly-extending, inwardly-turned lip 24 positioned adjacent the top of the box. A removable lid 26 closes off the top of the box, said lid having a groove 27 which receives lip 24 when the lid is in position. Lock 28 in the cover 26 is provided with a cam 29 which is eccentric. Eccentric 29 controls horizontal reciprocation of bolt 31 which is held for reciprocation by guides 32 on the underside of lid 26. The end 33 of bolt 31 when the bolt is projected in the position best shown in FIG. 6 extends into a latch receiver 34 fixed to one side 22 of the coin box. When the end 33 is secured in the receiver 34, the lid 26 cannot be removed. When the lock 28 is turned so that eccentric 29 is in the opposite position, the latch bolt 31 is retracted and the lid can be removed. Also located on lid 26 is a selector knob 36 having an inwardly-extending shaft 37. Shaft 37 is formed withindentation 38 which receives ball 39 biased by spring 41 in box 42 on the underside of cover 26. The lower end 43 of shaft 37 is of reduced size so that knob 36 can be turned only in certain positions of the mechanism as hereinafter described. The lower end 44 of shaft 37 cooperates with one or more switches (hereinafter described in detail) so that by adjustment of the position of knob 36 one of a plurality of machines may be actuated. Pointer 46 or other means on lid 26 indicates the position of knob 36 to indicate to the user the proper position of adjustment.

Also on lid 26 is a coin deposit slot 47 into which one or more coins may be deposited. Adjacent slot 47 is a knob 48 used to actuate the coin metering mechanism as hereinafter explained,

The patron thus turns knob 36 to the desired position in conjunction with pointer 46 to actuate the machine desired and then places the proper number of coins in slot 47 and turns the knob 38 after each coin deposited. Deposit of the proper number of coins in a particular machine selected energizes either a washer or a drier and may energize the drier for a plurality of cycles if the proper number of coins has been deposited.

B. Coin deposit mechanism.Slot 47 has a length and a width to accept coins no larger than a predetermined size, here assumed to be a United States lO-cent piece. By changing the dimensions of slot 47 the device may be adapted to receive coins of other denominations. From time to time it is desirable to adjust the machine so that it will operate on one lO-cent piece, two IO-cent pieces, or three lO-cent pieces, and it is a feature and advantage of the invention that this adjustment may be made rapidly by unskilled workmen in the field.

Control knob 48 is manually-actuated by turning in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 through an angular travel of approximately Knob 48 has a spindle 51 which projects interiorly of lid 26 and carries turntable 52 fixed thereto by means of setscrew 53. A garter spring 54 is fixed by means of pin 56 at one end to the underside of lid 26 and by means of screw 53 at its other end to spindle 51. The function of spring 54 is to return knob 48 and turntable 52 to starting position-i.e., that shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Turntable 52 turns to an angle of 120", said angle being limited by reason of upward projections 57, 57a on turntable 52 with approximately 120 arcuate space therebetween. A projection 58 on bolt 31 is engaged by a resilient snubber 59 on projection 57 to limit movement in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5 (counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1) when snubber 59 engages one side of projection 58 of bolt 31. As viewed in FIG. 10, projection 57a engages the other side of projection 58 to limit opposite turning movement of turntable 52. The position of snubber 59 is such that slot 66 in turntable 52 is directly under slot 47 (see FIG. 3) so that coin 65 dropped through slot 47 falls directly into slot 66. In the opposite limit of movement of turntable 52, slot 66 is directly over chute 61 leading into coin receiver 23.

The inner edge of coin slot 66 is obstructed by member 62 pivoted to the underside of turntable 52 by means of pivot screw 63 and biased to a position partially obstructing slot 66 by means of spring 64 which passes around screw 63 and at one end bears against projection 67 and at the other end against upstanding projection 68 on table 52. Screw 63 may pass through any of several holes 69 in member 62 to adjust for different dimensions of coins. In its normal position, the edge of member 62 catches the coin 65 in slot 66 and prevents it from dropping out of the slot as is best shown in FIG. 3. However, as turntable 52 approaches the maximum of its movement as shown in FIG. 10, edge 68 of member 62 contacts the angularly offset end 71 of member 72 which is held on an extension 73 of lid 26 by screws 74. This pivots member 62 out of the way as slot 66 approaches coin chute 61 and permits the coin to drop out. Return movement of member 62 to its initial position is limited by member 76 on turntable 52 which is adjustable by means of elongated slot 77 and screw 78 which holds the member 76 in place to adjust for different diameters of coin 65.

To prevent a dishonest patron from manipulating the device to energize the coin mechanism and return the coin, a stepped pivoted lever 81 is pivoted by means of screw 82 to the underside of lid 26 and is biased to inward position shown in the drawings by spring 83. As the coin carried in slot 66 passes lever 81 in a counter-clockwise position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, lever 81 pivots in a clockwise direction and then returns to initial position under the action of spring 83, thereby blocking return movement of the coin when turntable 52 returns to its initial position. The inner end of lever 81 positions coin 75 directly over chute 61.

Below turntable 52 is a mounting plate 86 disposed in box 21. Plate 86 is below chute 61 so as not to interfere with coins dropping from turntable 52. Mounted for rotation in plate 86 in alignment with spindle 51 is a stub shaft 88 which carries above plate 86 a rotor 89. Formed in the periphery of rotor 89 are three threaded holes 91 slanted upwardly and outwardly to receive drive pins 92. (The number of holes 91 and pins 92 is subject to some variation, but is convenient for manipulation of knob 48 through 120.)

As best shown in FIG. 3, when a coin 65 is in slot 66 and turntable 52 is turned by turning knob 48, the lower edge of the coin 65 contacts a pin 92 and turns shaft 88 so long as the coin 65 remains in place.

Mounted on shaft 88 below plate 86 is a cam 96 held in place by setscrew 90. Cam 96 is polygonal with corners 95, there being three corners here illustrated.

Mounted on the underside of plate 86 is a microswitch 111 having an actuating stem 112 which closes the switch upon inward flexing of spring 113, which is the actuating arm of the switch 111. The normal position of spring 113 is shown in solid lines in FIG. 9. Spring 113 has a reversely bent outer end with an offset terminus 114 which normally protrudes into the circular path of corners 95. Each time cam 96 is turned 120, as it reaches the limit of turning movement, terminus 114 is engaged by a corner 95 and bent to the dot-andrlash line position of FIG. 6. After corner 95 has moved beyond terminus 114, spring 113 springs to the solid line position of FIG. 6 (dot-anddash position of FIG. 9), which depresses stem 112 and momentarily actuates switch 111. The coin then drops out of slot 66, the patron releases knob 48 and spring 54 returns turntable 52 to original position.

The number of pins 92 may be increased or decreased and cams 96 of more or less corners 95 may be substituted.

If three pins 92 are used and cam 96 has a single corner 95 projecting to engage terminus 114, three coin deposits will be required to close switch 111.

If four pins 92 are used and cam 96 has two corners 95, two coins are required.

If three pins 92 are used and three corners 95 on cam 96, a single coin is required.

When switch 111 is closed it energizes a solenoid (not shown) on the pre-selected machine and this starts the machine for a cycle.

A feature of the present invention is the fact that one of several machines may be energized. One means of accomplishing this result herein illustrated is by means of selector knob 36. Turntable 52 has a cutout 116 along its edge. When this cutout 116 is positioned in proximity to shaft 37 attached to knob 36, by reason of the thin shape 43 of shaft 37, knob 36 may be turned. However, at any other position of turntable 52, the flattened portion 43 of shaft 37 prevents turning of knob 36. The juxtaposition of cutout 116 to shaft 37 occurs only when the turntable 52 is in its initial position and hence once the turntable begins its turning of movement it is impossible to change the position of the selector knob 36.

The lower end 44 of shaft 37 is actually cam-shaped and in one position of the knob 36 (namely that shown in FIG. 7) cam 44 engages pin 117 on switch 118 and closes same. When switch 118 is closed, one of the machines actuated by the device (e.g., a drier) is energized each time the switch 111 is closed. When the knob 36 is turned to its opposite position, switch 118 is opened and thereupon each time switch 111 is closed another machine is energized.

It will readily occur to one skilled in the art that instead of two machines in the system of selection a greater number can be connected.

Operation of machine is as follows:

Assuming that the machine is set to energize either a washer or a drier depending upon the position of knob 36 and the opening or closing of switch 118 upon deposit of three coins, three pins 92 are placed in holes 91 spaced 120 apart. Deposit of the first coin in slot 47 and its dropping into slot 66 enables the patron to twist knob 27 through 120 of travel or until projection 57a engages projection 58. Each twisting movement of turntable 52 causes the bottom edge of coin 65 which is retained in slot 66 by member 62 to contact the nearest pin 92 thereby turning rotor 89 and cam 96 through an angular travel of 120. When the coin 65 is over chute 61, member 62 engages projection 72 and is pivoted so that it no longer obstructs slot 66 whereupon the coin drops down into chute 61 and hence into coin receiver 23. Spring 54 returns knob 48 to its original position but this does not cause a return movement of rotor 89 because there is no direct connection between turntable 52 and rotor 89 in the absence of a coin in slot 66.

If there are three corners in cam 96, switch 111 is closed each time a coin 65 is deposited and knob 48 turned If there is a single corner 95 on cam 96, switch 111 is closed only on the deposit of every third coin. It will be understood that use of rotors 89 with different numbers of pins 92 and different cams 96 with different numbers of corners 95 permit combinations whereby different numbers of coins are required to close switch 111.

What is claimed is:

1. In a coin metering device, a shaft, means forming a coin-receiving first slot, a manually rotatable turntable formed with a second slot, means mounting said turntable for rotation concentric with said shaft between a first position with said slots substantially vertically aligned and a second position, a rotor on said shaft, means mounting said rotor for rotation concentric with said shaft, at least one coin-engaging point on said rotor positioned below said turntable and arranged to fit ahead of a coin held in said second slot in the direction of movement of said turntable from first to second positions and to be engaged by a coin turned with said turntable to turn said rotor, a cam rotatable with said shaft, said cam having at least one projection, a switch, a switch arm actuating said switch and projecting into the path of rotation of said projection, whereby upon rotation of said turntable with a coin in said second slot from first to second position, said projection closes said switch, a timer motor controlled by said switch, said timer motor located remote from said shaft and mechanically independent of rotation of said shaft, and means for discharging a coin from said second slot in second position of said turntable.

2. A device acconding to claim 1, in which said cam is replaceable with another cam with a different number of projections.

3. A device according to claim 1, which said lastmentioned means comprises a first member pivotally mounted on said turntable and partially blocking said second slot to retain a coin in said second slot and second member stationarily mounted to engage said first member as said turntable reaches second position to move said first member away from said second slot.

4. A device according to claim 3, in which said first member is adjustable relative to said turntable to accommodate in said second slot coins of different sizes.

5. A device according to claim 1, which further comprises a lever pivotally mounted and extending into the path of a coin carried in said second slot and arranged to be pivoted out of said path as said turntable approaches second position, resilient means biasing said lever back into said path to hold said lever in said path to prevent return of said turntable from second to first position with a coin in said second slot.

6. A device according to claim 5, which further comprises a coin chute positioned to receive a coin from said second slot when said turntable is in second position, said lever being dimensioned and positioned to position a coin in said second slot over said chute when said resilient means biases said lever back into said path.

7. A device according to claim 1, in which said projection is substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of said coin.

8. A device according to claim 1, in which said cam is formed with a plurality of points and in which said switch arm is resilient and mounted adjacent said cam positioned to be flexed by each said point as said turntable approaches second position and to rebound to close said switch, whereby closing of said switch is momentary for each contact of said projection with said switch arm.

9. A device according to claim 1, which further comprises a selector switch in series with said first mentioned switch.

10. A device according to claim 9, which further comprises an interlock between said turntable and said selector switch whereby said selector switch is restrained against movement when said turntable is adjacent second position.

11. A device according to claim 9, in which said turntable is formed with a cutout and said selector switch has a stern shaped so that selector switch can be turned only when said cutout is adjacent said stem, said cutout located so that turning of said selector switch is restrained when said turntable is adjacent second position.

12. A device according to claim 1, which further comprises a meter box surrounding said device, a lid for said box, a latch bar reciprocable on said lid and operable to secure said lid on said box, an abutment on said latch bar, and means on said turntable cooperable with said abutment to limit movement of said turntable between first and second positions.

13. A .device according to claim 12, which further comprises a coin receptacle inside said box formed with an inturned lip, said lid for-med with a groove to receive said lip, said groove at an end of said lid opposite said latch bar.

14. A device according to claim 13, which further comprises a lock restraining reciprocation of said latch bar to lock said lid on said box and said coin receptacle relative to said lid within said box.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

20 STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A COIN METERING DEVICE, A SHAFT, MEANS FORMING A COIN-RECEIVING FIRST SLOT, A MANUALLY ROTATABLE TURNTABLE FORMED WITH A SECOND SLOT, MEANS MOUNTING SAID TURNTABLE FOR ROTATION CONCENTRIC WITH SAID SHAFT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WITH SAID SLOTS SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY ALIGNED AND A SECOND POSITION, A ROTOR ON SAID SHAFT, MEANS MOUNTING SAID ROTOR FOR ROTATION CONCENTRIC WITH SAID SHAFT, AT LEAST ONE COIN-ENGAGING POINT ON SAID ROTOR POSITIONED BELOW SAID TURNTABLE AND ARRANGED TO FIT AHEAD OF A COIN HELD IN SAID SECOND SLOT IN THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID TURNTABLE FROM FIRST TO SECOND POSITIONS AND TO BE ENGAGED BY A COIN TURNED WITH SAID TURNTABLE TO TURN SAID ROTOR, A CAM ROTATABLE WITH SAID SHAFT, SAID CAM HAVING

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