589,027. Coin-freed apparatus. KOSH, T. H., and WRIGHT, S. J. Jan. 12, 1944, Nos. 634 and 14787. [Class 27] Coin action, mechanical-connection and multiple coin. Coin operated mechanism for controlling a magazine phonograph or other associated apparatus, so that the number of records played or other operations performed is determined by the value of the coin or coins inserted, comprises a slotted coin receiving member and a member with spaced projections arranged for relative traversing movement during which a coin contacts one or more of the projections and moves the members away from one another to actuate the phonograph &c. one or more times according to its value. As shown the members comprise a slotted rotating disc 5, mounted between stationary lower and upper discs 10, 12, and a sector element 17, pivoted at 53 to the upper disc and provided with depending lugs 18, 19, 20 and 21. Coins of three different values are passed by separate insertion chutes to slots 13, 14 and 15 in disc 12, and rest on the disc 5 until picked up by one of its slots as it rotates. There are three slots 6, 7 and 8 in the disc 5 disposed at different radial distances from its centre, and the lugs 18, 21 vary in length radially of the disc so that, as each coin traverses the sector 17, it engages one or more of the lugs according to its value, at each engagement rocking the sector about its pivots 53 to close contacts 28 controlling the associated apparatus, and finally falling away through a gap 11 in the lower disc. The slots 6, 7 and 8 are disposed circumferentially around the disc 5 so that several coins may be inserted at once to be picked up by the disc in succession as its slots successively register with the slots 13, 14 and 15 in the fixed disc 12. If several coins of the same value are inserted, they also are picked up at successive revolutions of the disc. The insertion chute 3, Fig. 2, is for halfpennies, and has means requiring the insertion of a penny in a chute 4 leading direct to the till for the halfpenny to be effective. A pivoted abutment 22 normally extends into the two chutes to retain either coin in a position to rock outwardly a pivoted arm 24 on each chute. When both coins have been inserted the two arms close the circuit of a magnet 50 through series-connected contacts 25 and the magnet rocks the abutment 22 to release the coins, the penny direct to the till and the halfpenny to the slot 15. An alternative arrangement having a single chute with means for directing alternate coins direct to the till is also described. Phonographs. When the mechanism is applied to a magazine phonograph closure of the contacts 28 energises a magnet 33 (Fig. 5) to open contacts 30 to stop the motor driving the disc, and close contacts 36 to start the phonograph. Closure of contacts 28 is momentary, as the disc 5 over-runs slightly, but the armature 32 of magnet 33 is held by a second magnet 34. This magnet is energised when the record is returned to the magazine whereupon armature 32 is released, the contacts 30 and 36 reversed so that the phonograph is stopped (temporarily if another coin is present), and the motor driving disc 5 restarted. Where the phonograph can be preset for a series of operations, the disc 5 is not stopped during playing of a record, the series of movements of the sector 17 being registered by the record magazine mechanism. The application of the invention to a phonograph having provision for record selection by means of push-buttons is also mentioned.