US2879109A - Pneumatic return systems - Google Patents

Description

March 24, 1959 w. D.-M0|NNESS PNEUMATIC RETURN SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 9, 1957 I W O Tm w W a H 0 h u n E u u m %W m w B m m H WI m U S |||||L r I I l." .Ll *k g M United States Patent PNEUMATIC RETURN SYSTEMS Walter D. Mclnness, South Ozone Park, N.

Application December 9, 1957, Serial No. 701,502

1 Claim. (Cl. 302-22) My invention relates to a coin or fare collecting system and more particularly to' an air-controlled tubular return mechanism which will return coins and tokens from a turnstile or collection box to a central collecting station or control booth.

' Heretofore, the coin exchanger or token salesman was frequently compelled to leave the booth, walk to each individual turnstile, take the collection from the turnstile and then return with the collection to the protection of the booth.

This strip was inconvenient as it held up a waiting line of customers and dangerous as it exposed the collector and made him an easy hold-up victim.

Secondly, unless extremely frequent trips were made to the turnstiles, it was necessary to retain in the booth a large supply of tokens or coins for deposit in the turnstiles to satisfy the customers. This large supply of tokens or cash was holdup bait.

Therefore an object of the invention is to provide a closed, automatic transport system which will directly and speedily convey the coins or tokens from the turnstiles to the control booths.

Another object is to provide an automatic token and coin return system from the points of collection to the booth to permit continuous use of tokens or coins and so obviate the requirements of a large reserve supply of the same.

A further object is to provide a combination token or coin collection system and a counter mechanism which will operate as a single unit without manual operation between the collection of the tokens and their counting.

Another object is to provide in a token and coin collecting return system, a single powered air-pressure unit which can operate to return tokens and coins from a multiple number of collection locations or turnstiles to a central dispensing station or booth.

An additional object is to provide a token and coin collecting system in which a difference of air-pressure is used as in the means of enforcing the tokens or coins from their point of deposit to the booth.

A further object is to provide a token and coin collect ing system in which both a partial vacuum and an aboveatmospheric pressure is produced to transport the tokens or coins from their points of deposit to the booth.

I accomplish these and other objects by providing my token or coin return system with a low-pressure pipe system connecting the point or points of deposit to an air-powered source in the booth and having a higher airpressure pipe system connecting the booth to the point or points of deposit. More specifically I provide a substantially closed pipe system between the booth and the tumstiles and insert an air-pump, located in the booth, into the system, the pump intake or vacuum site being connected to the portion of the system between the turnstiles and the booth and the pump exhaust or pressure end being connected to the portion of the system between the booth and the turnstiles so that pressure is provided to initially motivate the coins or tokens inserted in the turn- 2,879,109 Patented Mar. 24, z a

stiles and a partial vacuum to continue them on their travel to the booth.

For further comprehension of the invention and ofv the objects and advantages thereof, references will be had to the following description, the accompanying drawings and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing a coin or token return system embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail showing a pipe connection in the system shown in Fig. l.

In the drawings and in the specifications in which like numbers indicate similar elements, my coin and return system is designated by 10.; V

The system 10. is shown comprised of'a pipe or tubing layout 11, turnstiles are 12, shown'diagrammatically-a visible container 13, and coin or token counter 14, and an air pump 15. The visible container 13 and the coin or token counter 14, preferably though not necessarily, are located within a change booth 16, shown in dashed line.

The piping layout 11, which extends from the air exhaust opening or pressure end of the pump 15 back to the air intake end of the pump, is a substantially closed circuitous route. Drop chutes 17 in the turnstiles, extend into the piping layout so that the coins or tokens can enter the system. Immediately above the chute mouth the turnstiles are each provided with a slot opening suitable for receiving the coins or tokens. These slots are only slightly larger than the tokens and are purposely made small so as not to permit the escape of much air. The pump produces sufiicient air-pressure and vacuum so that the coins or tokens are forced or pulled from their entrances to the system at the junction between the drop chute and the pipe 11 to the visible container.

In the piping system 11 there is provided a vertically positioned pipe 18 and a horizontally positioned pipe 19 (see Fig. 2). The vertical pipe 18 extends into and through the horizontal pipe 19 and downward into the visible container. The pipes 18 and 19 are secured together by any suitable means such as welding. The portion of the pipe 18 within the pipe 19 is provided with holes 20 to permit the air to pass from the pipe 18 to the pipe 19.

Positioned immediately below the visible container 13 is the coin or token counter 14.

A control valve 21 is located in the pipe layout to permit regulation of the air pressure and vacuum. The air pressure and vacuum must, of course, be of different force depending on the length and diameter of the piping layout, the weight'of the coins or tokens conveyed, the distances through which the coins or tokens are raised, the size of the turnstiles slots and the number of turnstiles used. The normal vacuum required to operate a system servicing a token, the size of a dime, or a dime and six turnstiles with minimum size slots to receive a dime and piping layout of approximately feet long with a rise for the token or coin of about 9 feet, is approximately 13 ounces and the normal amount of air supplied at the pressure of the pump to operate the system is approximately 55 cubic feet per minute.

Unions, couplings or other suitable disconnecting means 22 are placed in the drop chutes in the turnstiles so that any turnstile can be disconnected from the system and become manually operable.

The coin counter 14 is positioned immediately below the visible container so that the coins or tokens drop.

drawingforrning a material part .l i I 2,879,109

directly through ithe 'eontainer tinto thieeouuter. However, if desired a stop or holder can be placed between the container and counter so that the coin or token can be viewed before counting if desired (this is not shown on the drawings). a V 7 Although the container and counter'arefboth-necessary to provide a complete system, the system would be "operable without their presence. If they are disposed with, a gate not shown wouldbe required at the'lower end of the pipe '19 so as not to weaken the pressure vacuum conditions in the system. It 'shouldbe'realized and understood that while heretofore I have confined my application of the within .invention to coins or tokens, the structure described can be used to convey and carry other objectsand substances. Furthermore it should be understood that while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention I do' not 'limitmyself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right 'is reserved to all changes'and modifications coming within thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent '15:

A coin or token collecting means comprised of a pump, a coin or token intake element, a coin or token exit pipe and a circulatory pipe system, said circulatory pipe system being comprised of pipes connecting the air intake end of the pump to the air exhaust end of the pump and forming a substantially closed system, the coin or token intake element having a slotted opening for receiving a coin or token and said slot not substantially larger than the token and being connected to said circulatory pipe system intermediate .its ends, said token entering the system by gravity and independent of the air pressure, said coin or token exit pipe being positioned and joined at one of its ends to the circulatory system intermediate the coin or token intake element and the air intake end of "the pump, and extending downward from the system, whereby when a coin or token is dropped into the intake element and thence to the circulatory system it is carried to the exit pipe.

ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES' PATENTS

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