US2677450A - Electrical coin register - Google Patents

Description

May 4, 1954 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL ELECTRICAL COIN REGISTER Filed June 3, 1950 4 Sheegts-Sheet l #4 if r144 .94 96 102 8 1 75 4 INVEN TORS CHRISTI/NV 6452/51. v

BY \TOHA/ F Moe so/v y 4, 1954 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL 2,677,450

ELECTRICAL com REGISTER Filed June 5, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F J. 5' E {I 5 i i l 142 i I I null /88 72 flTTOR/VEY y 4, 1954 'c. GABRIELSEN ET AL I ELECTRICAL com REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I. a z m 2 M 4 w 2 J 0 4' 1 a I Z 5 8 e m H v d e l 1 F.

INVENTORS CHR/srm/v 6452/5455 BY Ja w FT Maze/501v HTmR/VEY y 4, 1954 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL ELECTRICAL coIN REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 3, 1950 IN V EN TORS CHRIST/4N flBfi/ELSEA/ Ja w .F MORE/SON ATTORNEY Patented May 4, 1954 ELECTRICAL COIN REGISTER Christian Gabrielsen, Whippany, and John F. Morrison, Boonton, N. J., assignors to Rowe Manufacturing Co., Inc., Whippany, N. J., a corporation of New York Application J ans 3, 1950, Serial No. 166,045

Claims.

Our invention relates to electrical coin registers and more particularly to an improved electrical coin register which is simple in construction, sure in operation, flexible in design and inexpensive to build.

Electrical coin registers of the prior art have been complicated and expensive devices and inflexible in design. Normally a large number of relays have been employed Or a complicated mechanical or electrical totalizer has been used adapted to count coins being deposited. The complicated construction affords much room for the development of troubles with the result that difficulties are frequently encountered in operation. Then, too, the initial cost of construction has been high and the devices have been inflexible, being adapted to take a certain combination of coins. In the registers of the prior art, furthermore, the register was adapted to be responsive only to the exact combination of coins.

One object of our invention is to provide an electrical coin register which is simple in construction, sure in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of our invention is to provide a coin register which is very flexible and can be readily adapted to vend merchandise at a plurality of different prices. Another object of our invention is to provide a flexible coin register which will automatically initiate the delivery of the merchandise and operate a change device to give the correct chang in event coins of larger denomination than that required are employed.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electrical coin register which Will operate with any combination of coins and will initiate the I delivery to a purchaser of the merchandise and the correct change for the coins deposited representing the difference between the price of the merchandise and the coins deposited.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electrical coin register in which the coin register is scavenged, whenever the merchandise is delivered, in order to preclude jams.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electrical coin register in which the money is not accepted until the merchadise delivery cycle has started.

Another object of our invention is to provide an electrical coin register in which, in the event merchandise is not delivered, a coin return mech anism may be operated to recover the coins deposited and in which the coin register is scavenged each time the coin return mechanism is operated.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical circuit employed in our electrical coin register with a panel adapted to vend merchandise for fifteen cents positioned in the circuit.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the panel adapted to vend merchandise for twenty cents, which may be inserted in the circuit shown in Figure 1 in place of the 15-panel.

Figure 3 is a panel similar to that shown in Figure 2 showing the circuit for vending merchandise for twenty-five cents adapted to be substituted for the l5-pane1 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a panel similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3 adapted to vend merchandise for thirty cents.

Figure 5 is a panel similar to that shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 adapted to be placed in the circuit in Figure 1 for vending merchandise for ten cents.

Figure 6 is a perspective exploded view showing our electrical coin register illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of our electrical coin register with the panel removed.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the money shelf and the scavenging arrangement.

In general our invention contemplates the provision of a coin guide containing a plurality of guideways adapted to receive coins. The coin guide is made of insulating material and may be a transparent plastic of any suitable type. A plurality of conducting brushes project into the guideways adapted to contact coins positioned therein to complete circuits. The coins are adapted to rest on a money shelf which supports the coins in the guideways in contact with the brushes. The brushes are interconnected in predetermined circuit relationship by means of an insulating panel having registering contact points with predetermined brushes and with predetermined circuit connecting conductors. The arrangement is such that a plurality of panels may be interchangeably used, one for each of a plurality of difierent corresponding merchandise prices. The coin guide is made of two parts normally held together by a spring or other resilient means. Means are provided for separating the two parts of the coin guide to permit coins to fall freely whenever the money shelf is operated either to accept coins or in response to the coin return operator. The arrangement is such that the vending cycle is started and correct change is returned automatically whenever a predetermined number of coins of proper denon ination is placed in the register.

More particularly, referring now to Figure 1, an electrical potential is impressed across bind ing posts i2 and it. It is understood that this potential may be either direct or alternating. For purposes of clarity in describing the circuits we will assume that a direct current potential is applied and that binding post i2 is iositive terminal so that the current will flow from this binding post through the various circuits to the negative terminal [4. If desired, the negative terminal 54 may be ground. The relay winding I6 is adapted, when energized, to attract armature IS, the holding armature, and the armature 2B. The function of the holding armature is to complete a circuit to maintain winding is energized after coins have been accepted and before merchandise has been delivered. Armature 29 is adapted to complete a circuit through a solenoid 22 adapted to operate a change giving device to dispense a single dime by way of change. The relay winding 24, when energized, is adapted to attract holding armature 25 and armature 28. The function of the holding armature 2E is to maintain the winding 24 energized after coins have been accepted and removed from the register and before merchandise has been delivered by the vending machine with which the coin register is associated. Armature 23 when attracted will complete a circuit through the solenoid winding 38 adapted to actuate a nickel change device. As will be pointed out more fully hereinafter, whenever a Sim-circuit panel is in place this change device must deliver four nickels, and whenever a lint-circuit panel is in place this change device must deliver three nickels. In the case of the and 25-panels, the nickel change maker will deliver one nickel whenever operated in response to solenoid 393. A relay winding 32 is adapted, when energized, to attract holding armature 34 whose function it is to maintain the winding energized after the removal of coins from the coin register until merchandise is delivered. The energization of solenoid 32 will also attract armature 38 adapted to complete the circuit through a motor 325, which motor operates the vending cycle. The armature will also complete the circuit through a solenoid 4!} which operates the penny change maker. By the simple expedient of placing no pennies in the penny change maker and by the use of proper panels, merchandise may be vended for prices of thirty cents, twenty-five cents, twenty cents, fifteen cents and ten cents by any combination of coins. For example, a thirty cent purchase may be completed by six nickels. by three dimes, by two dimes and two niokels, by one dime and four nickels, or by a nickel and a quarter or by two quarters. In the case of two quarters, four nickels change is given. In all other cases obviously no change will be returned. For a twenty-five cent purchase the circuit can be operated by five nickels, by three dimes, by two dimes and one nickel, by three nickels and one dime, or by a quarter. In the case of three dimes, a nickels change will be returned. For a twenty cent purchase our register can be op erated by a quarter, by two dimes, by one dime and two nickels or by four nickels, change being given in the case of the deposit of a quarter. For a fifteen cent purchase our coin register may be operated by a quarter, by two dimes, by three nickels or by a dime and a nickel. In the case of two dimes, a nickels change is made, and in the case of a quarter a dimes change is returned. For a ten cent purchase with the loci-panel in place, our coin register can be operated by a quarter, by two nickels or by a dime. In the case of a quarter three nickels change is given. By the use of from one to four pennies in the penny change maker adjustment, the 30-pane1, by giving four cents change will operate to vend at twenty-six cents, by giving three cents change will operate for a twenty-seven cent purchase, by giving two pennies change will operate for a twenty-eight cent purchase, and by giving one pennys change will operate for a twenty-nine cent purchase. Similarly, the 25-panel, by giving four pennies change will vend for twentyone cents, by giving three pennies change will vend for twenty-two cents, by giving two pennies change will vend for twenty-three cents and by giving one pennys change will vend for twenty-four cents. It will be clear that similar increments may be had for the 20-panel, the 15-panel and the lfic-panel so that by making the proper adjustments in the change maker, ierchandise varying in price from thirty cents to six cents may be sold.

In Figure 1, the lfig-panel is shown in place. The positive potential from binding post [2 is led by conductor 42 to a contact point 44 adapted to be closed by a push button operated switch arm 46. Whenever the push button arm 46 is operated, the binding post 48 is connected to the positive potential. A brush 49 is adapted to connect the binding post 48 to a terminal contact 50 on the panel 52 which is made of insulating material and carries the contact posts and the conductors for the circuit. If desired, the push button 46 may be omitted and the positive potential led directly to binding post 48, in which case assuming proper coins are placed in the register, operation will begin. The holding circuits will maintain the correct solenoids energized after the push button 46 is released.

The negative potential is connected to terminal post. 54 by way of conductor 56, conductor 58, winding 32, conductor 60 and conductor 82. A brush 53 connects terminal 54 to binding post 64 on the panel 52. Terminal post 58 is connected. to the negative terminal 14 by means of conductor 66, the relay winding l6 and conductor '59. It will be observed that whenever the circuit is completed from binding post 68 to binding post l2, the current will flow through relay winding l6 and relay winding 32 in series. The binding post 88 is connected to post I2 on the panel 52 by means of brush 59. The post 14 is connected to the negative terminal M by way of conductor 65, conductor 16, the relay winding 24 and conductor Tl. It will be observed that whenever the circuit is completed between post 14 and the positive terminal [2, current will flow through windings 24 and 32 in series. The binding post 18 on the panel 52 is connected by brush 15 to the terminal post I4. The positive potential is also led through conductor to a contact point 82 through a normally closed switch arm 84 to conductor 88 and through a conductor 88 connected to armature i8. When relay winding I6 is deenergized, armature l8 will energize armature 26 through conductor 90. When both windings l6 and 24 are de-energized, armature 34 will be connected to the positive potential through con-' ductor 92. The arrangement is such that whenever relay I6 is energized, the circuit to armatures 26 and 34 is broken so that only one change maker can operate at a time.

The contact points 94 and 96 are adapted to be connected to the brushes for the bottommost dime when the panel 52 is in place. The contact points 98 and I are adapted to be connected to the brushes for the second dime. The contact points I06 and I08 are adapted to be connected to the brushes for the bottommost nickel. Contact points III) and H2 are adapted to be connected to the brushes for the second nickel, and contact points H4 and H6 are adapted to be connected to the brushes for the third nickel. Contact points I30 and I32 are adapted to be connected to the brushes for the quarter. Figure 2 shows the 20-panel IOI which has the same contact points as shown on panel 52 with the addition of contact points H8 and I20 for the fourth nickel. The interconnection between the brushes, however, by way of contact points is different, as will be pointed out hereinafter.

Similarly, the panel I03 for the 25 vending has a pair of additional dime contact points I02 and I04, and an additional pair of nickel contact points I22 and I24. The contact points are wired differently, as will be pointed out hereinafter in describing the 25-panel. The 10-panel I shown in Figure 5 has only one pair of dime contact points, two pairs of nickel contact points and a pair of quarter contact points. The 30- panel I01 has an additional pair of nickel contact points I26 and I28 and an additional pair of quarter contact points I34 and I36.

Referring again to Figure 1 in which the 15- panel 52 is shown in place, let us assume that a purchaser deposits one nickel. The circuit across contact points I06 and I08 is completed but this is insuihcient to complete any operational circuit. If at this time a dime is dropped into the register to complete the circuit across contact points 94 and 96, assuming that the push button 46 is pressed, current will flow through conductor 45 to contact point 48 and its registering contact point 50, thence through conductor I30 to conductor I40, across the dime, through conductor I42, across the first nickel to conductor I44, thence thence to contact point 64, across brush 53 to contact point 54, through conductor 62, through winding 32, through conductor 56 to the other side of the line by way of binding post i4, thus energizing the winding 52. The energization of winding 32 will attract armature 34 so that current will. flow through conductor 88, through the conductors 90 and 92, through the winding 32 to the other side of the line maintaining the relay winding energized. At the same time armature 36 will be attracted, permitting current to flow through the motor 33 from conductor 66, through the motor, through conductor 31, through the armature 36, through conductor 65, through conductor 56 to the other side of the line I4, energizing the motor and operating the vending cycle. As soon as the vending cycle is completed, the switch 84 is interrupted by a cam actuated by the motor 33 to interrupt the circuit through the motor and also through the holding circuit of the winding 32, stopping the operation. The circuit between conductors i38 and I44 can also be completed by means of three nickels. It will be observed that when the third nickel is deposited, the hot wire I38 is connected to conductor I44 by ber I52 into three areas.

means of the conductor I31 and by means of the three nickels and the inter-nickel contact conductors H5 and III. If two dimes are deposited in the register with the 15-panel shown in Figure 1, a circuit is completed through the two dimes and the inter-dime connector 91, from conductor I38 to conductor I 46 which is connected to contact point 18 and its registering post 14. From thence current will flow through conductor 11, through the relay winding 24 and the relay windin 32, thus giving a nickel in change and operating the vending motor. It is understood that in each case the interruption of the circuit by switch 84 ole-energizes the holding circuit and interrupts the operation of the motor and these cannot be re-established except by the redeposit of proper coins into the register. When a quarter is deposited in the register the hot wire I40 becomes connected by the quarter and the brushes, as will be described more fully hereinafter, to the conductor I48, which is connected to the contact point 12 and its registering post 68. Current will then flow through conductor' 10, energizing the relay winding I6 and the relay winding 32, thus operating the dime change maker and the vending motor.

Referring now to Figure 6, in which the panel 52 is shown in perspective, adjacent the brush holding panel I50, this panel is made of insulating material and is adapted, together with a member I52, to form the coin guide housing, it being understood, of course, that the member I 52 is likewise made of nonconducting material. Ribs I54 and I56 divide the surface of the me2n- The left-hand edge of member I 52 is formed with a flange I58 and the right-hand edge of member I52 is formed with a flange I60. The distance between flanges i58 and rib I54 is such that it will permit the ready passage of a dime. The distance between ribs I54 and I56 is such that it will permit the ready passage of a nickel, and the distance between rib I56 and flange I60 is such that it will permit the ready passage of a quarter. The panel I50 is formed with a pair of openings I62 and I64. These are adapted to register respectively with pin 66 and pin I68 carried by the member I 52. The member I52 is supported by the register housing I10 in any suitable manner. When coins are dropped into a vending machine with which our electrical register is associated they are separated and tested by a slug ejector I1I, shown in Figure 8, as is well known to the art. Quarters will be directed to the opening I15, shown in Figure 6, formed in the upper portion I14 of the member I 52 for passage to the quarter guideway. Dimes will be directed to the opening I12 formed in the upper portion I14 of the member I52 and will pass through the inclined guideway I13 to the dime guideway. Nickels will pass through the opening I16 to the nickel guideway and all rejected coins will pass through the baffle I18 and return to the purchaser. A spring I is adapted to bias the brush panel I50 so that its surface will rest against the ribs I54 and I56 when the panel is hung on the pins I66 and I68 by means of the openings I62 and I64. The brush panel carries a plurality of brushes I82. Each brush is mounted adjacent a. respective opening I64 through which the lower ends of the brushes are adapted to pass so that the brushes will extend into the coin guideways adapted to contact coins positioned therein. Each of the brushes carries a. spring contact member I66 which is positioned to register with contact points mounted on the panel 52 and upon panels IOI, 03, I and IN. There are three pairs of brushes positioned adjacent the dime guideway. If the 30-panel is to be used there will be six pairs of brushes positioned adjacent the nickel guideway and two pairs of brushes positioned adjacent the quarter guideway. If price changes not exceeding twentyfive cents are desired, only five pairs of nickel brushes will be used and only one pair of quarter brushes will be used. In Figure 6 this type of brush panel is shown. The brush springs I86 are positioned to register with the respective contact points 9t, 96, 3%, Hi0, and the like, positioned adjacent the dime guideway on the wiring panels. Similarly, the springs I84 associated with the: nickel brushes are positioned to register with the contact points ltd Hi8, H0, H2, II4,- H6, and so forth, positioned on the wiring panels adjacent the nickel guideway, and the springs I86 associated with the quarter brushes are positioned to register with the contact points I30 and I32 positioned. on the wiring panels adjacent the quarter guideway. The brush panel carries four threaded studs I88 adapted to register with and pass through four openings I90 formed on the contact and wiring panels such as 52. Nuts are adapted to be threaded on the studs I88 to hold the circuit panels upon the brush panel. The wiring for each circuit panel terminates in the four contact points I3, 50, 64 and I2 which are positioned in exactly the same place on each wiring panel. The brushes I5, 49, 53 and 69 are carried by the member I14 of the coin guide housing such that when the assembly is complete the control circuit for the vending motor and the change makers will be connected to the particular contact panel assembled, thus determining the value of the coins it is necessary to deposit into the coin register to initiate the operation of the vending mechanism with which the register is associated.

Referring now to Figure 7, it will be observed that there is a wiper I92 in the dime guideway between the uppermost brushes I82. The lower end of the wiper I02 passes through an opening I94 in the brush panel into the dime guideway. Similarly, there is awiper I90 positioned above the uppermost pair of nickel brushes I82. The lower end of this wiper extends through an opening I98 into the nickel guidewa-y. The coin guideway housing I52 is formed with an opening 200 in the nickel chute adjacent the lower end of the wiper I96.

Referring now to Figure 8, it will be seen that there are five nickels 20! in place resting on the insulating top 262 of the money shelf 204 which supports the nickels in the guideway. If a sixth nickel were now deposited into the nickel coin chute, the wiper member I96 would tip the nickel backward through the opening 200 into the space 206 formed between the rear of the member I52 and the coin guide housing I permitting the extra coin to fall down this space to the coin. return chute to be returned to the customer. It will be observed. also, that whenever the money shelf 284 rotates so that its upper portion moves to the right as viewed in Figure 9,- all of the nickels would fall into this area to be returned to the customer. When the upper end of the money shelf, however, moves to the left, that is, when it rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the coins will be routed to the coin box'of the machine.

There is a wiper 208 associated with the quarter guideway havingits lower end extending into the guideway through an openin 2 I0 and adapted to eject excess quarters through an opening 2 I2. The opening 2I4 is associated with the dime wiper I92. Wipers I92, I and 208 are made of very light spring metal and are such that coins falling by them will remain in the coin chute. It is only when it is attempted to de posit an excess of coins in a coin chute that the wipers will eject them in order to preclude coins jamming in the coin chute.

As can be seen by reference to Figure 10, the coin shelf 204 is provided with a pair of lugs 2I0 positioned in slots 2I8 formed in the housing I10 so that the coin chute can pivot both in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. A pin 220 is secured to the coin shelf 204 extending parallel to and above its axis of rotation. A lever 222 is pivoted around a shaft 226 carried by the housing I10. The upper end of the lever is formed with a flange 224 extending between the coin guide member I52 and the brush panel I50. The brush panel is carried by a frame 228, the lower end of which extends downwardly in the path of the upper end of the shelf 204, as is clearly shown in Figure 10. A bracket 230 is carried by the shelf secured thereto above the longitudinal axis of rotation of the shelf. The bracket is formed with an inclined surface 232 positioned in the path of a reciprocal member 234. This member acts as the coin return operating link and when it moves downwardly it will strike the inclined surface 232 and rotate the shelf 204 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 10, carrying the pin 220 to the left, as viewed in Figure 10. This will rotate the lever 222 in a clockwise direction so that the flange 224 will move away from the brush panel I50,- having no effect thereon. The upper end of the shelf 204, however, will strike the frame 228 of the brush panel and carry it to the left as viewed in Figure 10, opening the coin guides and permitting coins to fall freely between the money shelf and the rear of the machine, that is, through the space 200 in Figure 8, and toward the observer in Figure 10.

The money shelf 204 is provided with a second bracket 236 carried by it below its axis of rotation. This bracket is provided with an inclined surface 238 adapted. to be contacted by pin 240 carried by the reciprocating link 242. This link is adapted to be moved toward the right during the operation of the vending cycle to carry the pin 240 into contact with the inclined surface 238 in order to cam the money shelf to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 10. This carries the lower end of the lever 222 to the right, moving the flange 224 of the lever 222 to the left, rotating the lever in a counterclockwise direction. The flange 224 contacts the lower end of the brush. panel I50 moving it outwardly against the action of the spring Hi0, thus opening the coin chutes and permitting them to be scavenged in event there is a tendency of coins to stick therein due to excessive friction or due to a slightly bent coin or the like. When the money shelf rotates in a clockwise direction to a position clear of the coin chutes money will drop into the coin box. It will be seen that whether the coin return is operated or whether the money shelf is actuated to take the coins, ineither event the coin chutes are opened or scavenged, guarding against the coin chutes becoming jammed, or relieving a jam if one should occur, as for example might be the case with a badly worn dime which is exceptionally thin.

We have thus far described the operation of our coin register with a lc-panel in place. Referring now to Figure 2 in which the -panel It! is shown, it will be observed that there are new four pairs of nickel contact points, the contact points H8 and I26 being added above contact points H4 and HE. Connector H9 connects contact point I 20 with contact point Il l. The conductor I37, instead of connecting conductor I38 to contact point I I4, now connects thisconductor to contact point H6. In addition, the conductor I42, which was formerly connected to the first nickel, is now connected to the second nickel and an additional conductor 39 connects the second dime to the conductor Md. When two dimes are placed in the coin chutes with panel ill! in place, the circuit across posts 53 and G l is completed by way of conductor 91 and the two dime brushes which are connected to the dime contact points. When two nickels and one dime are inserted in the register fitted with panel IllI the circuit is completed by way of the first dime and by way of the two nickels in series, current fiowing through the first dime then to the second nickel by way of conductor Hi2, through the connection Ill, then through the first nickel to conductor I44, thence to post $5. In the case of four nickels, the circuit is completed through conductor I37, to the fourth nickel, thence through the connecting wires Ilt, II5 and I II, through the third, second and first nickels intermediate thereof and thence to conductor IM to the post 64. If a quarter is placed in the register with the 20-panel IIII in position, the circuit is completed from post 56 through conductor I38, conductor I40, through the quarter and thence through conductor I29 to the post I8, which is connected by post I4 and conductor]? to actuate the nickel change device and the vending cycle, as described above. It will be seen, therefore, that with the 20c-panel in place the register will operate the vending cycle for two dimes, for four nickels or for two nickels and one dime, giving no change. In the case of a quarter the change maker is operated to give change of one nickel and to operate the vending cycle.

Referring now to Figure 3 in which the panel is shown, it will be noted that a pair of of third dime contacts I t2 and I34 have been added and that contact IE2 is connected to contact tilt by means of a conductor IElI. Another pair of nickel contact points I22 and I24 have been added and the contact point I24 of the fifth nickel is connected to the contact point II 8 of the fourth nickel by a conductor I23. The circuit can be completed by means of five nickels since the connection I3? connecting hot wire IE3 to the nickel contact points now makes contact with the uppermost nickel contact point I22. When the fifth nickel is in place current will fiow through the nickels and the intermediate connecting conductors I23, H9, H5 and III to the conductor E44, thus completing the vending cycle circuit, in the manner described above. It will be observed that the conductor I42 now interconnects the third nickel contact point lid with the first dime contact point 96 so that the circuit may be completed from the hot wire I38 through the conductor I40 to the first dime contact point 94, thence through the first dime to conductor I42, to the third nickel contact point II4, which, when three nickels have been deposited will complete the circuit to conductor 10 I44, thus permitting the register to operate the vending mechanism for one dime and three nickels and giving no change. It will be observed that in the 25-panel I33 we have added a conductor I4I which interconnects the second dime contact I536 with the first nickel contact point Ills. If we deposit two dimes in the register fitted with the panel W3, current will flow from the hot wire post 56 to the conductor I40, to the first dime, through connecting conductor ill to the second dime, through the second dime, thence through conductor I4I to the first nickel post Iilfi. If a first nickel is also in the register, the circuit will be completed through conductor 34 to the post t l, thus operating the vending cycle and giving no change. When a quarter is deposited in the register fitted with the panel I93 current will flow from the hot wire I38 through the conductor Idil, to the contact point I 32, through the quarter, to the contact point I39 and thence through conductor I29, to the conductor I44 and thence to negative post 64, operating the vending cycle and giving no change. When three dimes are deposited in the register fitted with the panel I93, current will fiow from the hot wire 538 through conductor I40, through the first dime, through conductor 91, through the second dime, through conductor I llI, through the third dime and thence through conductor I to the post 18, this post being connected to post M which operates the nickel coin change mechanism and the vending cycle relays, as described above. It will be seen, therefore, that with the 25-panel I93 in place in the register the vending mechanism will operate and give a nickel in change.

Let us now consider the register with the 30- panel till assembled. It will be observed that in this panel a sixth pair of nickel contact points I26 and I23 have been added and that the hot wire I38 is now connected by means of conductor It? to the sixth nickel contact I26. In addition, the first dime contact point 98 is connected by conductor I42 to the fourth nickel contact point H8, and the second dime contact point its is connected by conductor [4! to the second nickel contact point II 0. In addition, the third dime contact point IE4 is connected by conductor I43 to the return conductor I44. A second pair of quarter contacts I34 and I36 have been added with the contact point I36 being connected to the contact point I30 by the connecting conductor I35. The second quarter contact point I34 is connected by conductor I33 to the nickel change operating post 78. In this case it will be observed that the nickel change maker is designed to give four nickels in change instead of merely one nickel, as is well understood in the art. Since the panel Ifl'I is a 3 panel, it is set to operate only with thirty cents. Considering now six nickels, it will be observed that the circuit between posts at and 64 will be completed by the sixth nickel by way of conductor Itl, the sixth nickel, connector I21, the fifth nickel, connector I23, the fourth nickel, connector N9, the third nickel, connector II5, the second nickel, connector III, the first nickel and thence through conductor 544 to the post 64, operating the vending cycle for six nickels. When three dimes are in position in the register fitted with the panel I01, the third dime is adapted to complete the circuit by way of conductor I40, the first dime, connector 9'7, the second dime, connector IBI, the third dime, conductor I43 to post 64, When two dimes are empl d th 11 circuit will be completed in the register fitted with panel IIJ'I by the addition of two nickels, in which case the circuit is completed from conductor I38 to conductor I40, through the first dime, connector 01, through the second dime, through conductor I4I, through the second nickel, through connector III, through the first nickel and thence through conductor I44 to the post 54. The circuit is adapted to be completed by means of one dime and four nickels, in which case current will flow from the hot wire I38 through the conductor I40, through the first dime, through conductor I42, through the fourth nickel, through connector H9, through the third nickel, through connector II5, through the second nickel, through connector III, through the first nickel and thence through conductor I44 to the post 64. The circuit is also adapted to be completed by a quarter and a nickel. In this case current will flow through the conductor I38, through conductor I40, through the first quarter, through conductor I8l, through the first nickel and thence through conductor I4 1 to the post 54. In all the cases just mentioned the register will cause the vending cycle to operate, and no change will be given. When, however, two quarters are deposited in the register, the circuit will be completed from the hot wire I38 through the conductor I40, through the first quarter, through connecting conductor I35, through the second quarter, through the conductor I33 to the post I8 which will operate both the change making relay and the vending cycle relay. In this case the change making relay, that is, the nickel relay will dispense four nickels so that from the fifty cents deposited twenty cents in change is given and the merchandising cycle operated.

Referring now to the -panel I05, it will be seen that there are only two pairs of nickel contact points, a single pair of dime contact points and a single pair of quarter contact points. In this case the change maker is adjusted to dispense three nickels every time the nickel change maker is operated. With one dime the circuit is completed from the hot wire I38 through conductor I46, through the dime and thence through conductor I42, which in this case is connected directly to the conductor I44 so that the circuit between posts 50 and 64 is thus completed by a single dime. The circuit is also adapted to be completed by two nickels. In this case conductor I3! is connected to the contact point H8 of the second nickel so that upon the deposit thereof current will fiow from conductor I38, through the conductor I37, through the second nickel, through the cross connection III, through the first nickel, through the conductor I44 to the post 04. When a quarter is deposited, current will fiow from the hot wire I38, through the conductor I40, across the quarter, through the conductor I33, which is now connected to the first quarter, contact point I36 and thence to post 18 so that the change maker and the vending cycle relays are both energized by the deposit of a quarter. Since the change maker is loaded to dispense three nickels, upon its operation both the merchandise and three nickels will be returned.

It will be understood, of course, that with the operation of the vending cycle, the change making solenoid 40, which may be any suitable type of prime mover, is also operated and this is designed to dispense pennies in groups of one, two, three or four depending on its adjustment.

.12 If the prices are multiples of five cents, then no pennies are loaded, as described above.

If, however, the price is from one to four cents less than the even multiple of five, from one to four pennies are loaded in the penny change maker, as described above.

It will be noted that the push button operated switch 46 described above can be used to initiate the vending cycle. The operation of this push button may be controlled by a number of selector buttons as is known in the art so that a particular vending column in a multicolumn vending machine may be mechanically or electrically coupled to the vending cycle, as is well known in the art, by the use of individual selector buttons. If desired, the push button switch 46 may be eliminated so that the register will function automatically upon the deposit of the right number of coins of proper denomination.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention. We have provided an extremely simple, reliable and flexible electrical coin register adapted to vend merchandise with any combination of coins with a wide variety or" ranges, and the price of the merchandise being vended may be readily changed with convenience and facility. Unless the right number of coins is deposited, it is impossible to initiate the vending cycle, and change is automatically given in event the right combination of coins is not possessed by the user. If the vending cycle is not initiated coins will not be accepted. The relay E40 is also adapted to operate a locking mechanism comprising the locking pin 11, shown in Figure 6, adapted to fit in the opening 233 of the coin return operating link. The arrangement is such that as soon as the vending cycle starts, the coin return link cannot be operated. This precludes the danger of starting the vending cycle and then operating the coin return mechanism. If the vending cycle is not started the coin return may be operated. The coin chutes are scavenged automatically whenever the coins are accepted or whenever the coin return mechanism is operated. This ensures that the coin chutes will not become jammed. Furthermore, the scavenging arrangement enables us to use considerable spring pressure on the brushes I82. The constant falling of coins by the brushes keeps wiping the brushes, maintaining good electrical contacts through the coins. Since silver and nickel are good conductors, there is little danger that the circuits will not be completed by the coins. If a coin happens to be covered with insulating material or a layer of grease or grime, which is non-conducting, all that is necessary is to operate the coin return and redeposit the coins.

Our device is inexpensive to construct and there are few moving parts which are apt to become misatljusted.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of our claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of our claims without departing from the spirit of our invention. It is therefore to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. An electrical coin register including in combination an electrically energizable prime mover,

a source of potential, a first relay having a winding, an armature and a pair of contacts, a plurality of coin chutes adapted to receive coins of difiercnt denominations, brushes positioned in said coin chutes adapted to be bridged by coins therein, means for supporting coins in said coin chutes, a change giving device, a second relay having a winding, a first initating circuit including the source of potential, predetermined brushes and said first relay winding in series, a second initiating circuit including said second relay winding, predetermined brushes and said first relay winding connected in series across said potential source, a holding circuit including said first relay winding, one of the relay contacts, the relay armature and a normally closed switch connected in series across said potential source, an operating circuit including the prime mover, the armature and the other of said relay contacts connected in series across the potential source, means responsive to a predetermined movement of the prime mover for opening said normally closed holding circuit switch, means responsive to the movement of the prime mover for moving said coin support to accept coins from the coin register and means responsive to the energization of said second relay for operating said change giving device.

2. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 including in combination a removable circuit panel adapted to connect groups of predetermined brushes in series and readily releasable means for securing said circuit panel in brush-connecting position.

3. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 in which said coin chutes are adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, some of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the dime chute, some of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the nickel chute, and one pair of said brushes being positioned in the quarter chute, a removable circuit panel adapted to permit the energization of the first initiating circuit for ten cents, said removable circuit panel having circuit means connecting one pair of dime brushes in series with the first initiating circuit, circuit means connecting two pairs of nickel brushes in series with the first initiating circuit and the pair of quarter brushes in series with the second initiating circuit to give change aggregating fifteen cents in value.

4. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 in which said coin chutes are adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, a plurality of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the dime chute, a plurality of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the nickel chute, and one pair of said brushes being positioned in the quarter chute, a removable circuit panel adapted to permit the energization of the first initiating circuit for fifteen cents, said circuit panel having conductors adapted to connect three pairs of nickel brushes in series with the first initiating circuit, circuit means to connect one pair of dime brushes and one pair of nickel brushes in series with the first initiating circuit, conductors adapted to connect two pairs of dime brushes in series with said second initiating circuit to give change of a nickel, a third initiating circuit having a third relay winding connected in series with said first relay winding across said potential source, a second change maker, means responsive to the actuchange maker, circuit means carried by said removable paneladapted to connect the pair of quarter brushes in series with said third initiating circuit whereby to return change aggregating ten cents to operate the device with which the coin register is associated in response to the deposit or" a quarter.

5. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 in which said coin chutes are adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, a plurality of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the dime chute, a plurality of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the nickel chute, and one pair of said brushes being positioned in the quarter chute, a

removable circuit panel adapted to permit the energization of the first initiating circuit for twenty cents, said circuit panel having conductors for connecting four pairs of nickel brushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductors for connecting two pairs of dime brushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductors for connecting two pairs of nickel brushes and one pair of dime brushes in series with said first initiating circuit andthe pair of quarter brushes in series with said second initiating circuit Whereby, upon the deposit or" a quarter, the device with which the coin register is associated will be operated and a nickel in change returned to the user.

6. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 in which said coin chutes are adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, a plurality of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the dime chute, a plurality of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the nickel chute, and one pair of said brushes being positioned in the quarter chute, a removable circuit panel adapted to permit the energization of the first initiating circuit for twenty-five cents having conductors connecting five pairs of nickel brushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductors connecting three pairs of nickel brushes and one pair of dime brushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductors connecting two pairs of dime brushes and one pair of nickel brushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductors connecting the pair of quarter brushes in series with said first initiating circuit and conductors connecting three pairs of dime brushes in series with said second initiating circuit.

7. An electrical coin register as in claim 1 in which said coin chutes are adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, a plurality of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the dime chute, a plurality of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the nickel chute, and a plurality of said brushes being positioned in pairs in the quarter chute, a removable circuit panel adapted to permit the energization of the first initiating circuit for thirty cents including conductors connecting six pairs of nickel brushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductors connecting three pairs of dime brushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductors connecting four pairs of nickel brushes and one pair of dime brushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductors connecting two pairs of dime brushes and two pairs of nickel brushes in series with said first initiating circuit, conductors connecting one pair of nickel brushes and one pair of quarter brushes in series with said first initiating circuit and conductors connecting two pairs of quarter brushes in series with said second initiating circuit.

8. In an electrical coin register a coin guide ation of said third relay for operating said second member, a brush panel, means for biasing the coin guide member and the brush panel into engagement with each other to form a coin chute. brushes carried by the brush panel and extending into the coin chute, a coin shelf, means for pivotally mounting the coin shelf below the coin chute to support a coin thereon in the coin chute, means for pivoting the coin shelf to accept a coin in the coin chute and means responsive to the pivoting of the coin shelf to separate the coin guide member and the brush panel against the action of the biasing means.

9. An electrical coin register as in claim 8 in which said coin guide member and said brush panel form a plurality of coin chutes and said brushes carried by the brush panel extend into each of said coin chutes, circuit means for connecting the brushes to form an electrical circuit adapted to be completed across the brushes by coins in said coin chutes.

10. In an electrical coin register a coin guide member, a brush panel, means for biasing the coin guide member and the brush panel into engagement with each other to form a coin chute, a coin shelf, means for pivotally mounting the coin shelf adjacent the coin chute to support coins thereon in the coin chute, brushes carried by the brush panel and extending into the coin chute, means for pivoting the coin shelf in one direction to accept coins in the coin chute, means for pivoting the coin shelf in the opposite direction to return coins in the coin chute to a depositor and means responsive to the pivotal movement of the coin shelf in either direction to separate the coin guide member and the brush panel from each other against the action of said biasing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,644,371 Goldman Oct. 4, 1927 1,847,987 Semel Mar. 1, 1932 1,900,989 Halsted et al. Mar. 14, 1933 2,016,127 Weiler Oct. 1, 1935 2,371,260 Petersen Mar. 13, 1945 2,430,408 Newcomer Nov. 4, 1947 2,516,823 Ziegler July 25, 1950 2,599,173 Hamilton June 3, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 192,139 Great Britain Jan. 24, 1923

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