US2639016A - Control assembly for coin or token operated vending machines - Google Patents

Description

E. E. YORK May 19, 1953 CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR COIN OR TOKEN OPERATED VENDING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 18, 1950 E. E. YORK May 19, 1953 CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR com OR TOKEN OPERATED VENDING MACHINES 'F'iled May 18, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 2 May 19, 1953 E. E. YORK 2,639,016

CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR COIN OR TOKEN OPERATED VENDING MACHINES Filed May 18, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'j-lttovaqy Patented May 19, 1953 CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR COIN OR TOKEN OPERATED VENDING MACIHNES Ernest E. York, Falmouth Corner, Maine, assignor to American Coin Changer Corp., Boston, Mass, a corporation of Maine Application May 18, 1950, Serial No. 162,745

3 Claims.

My invention relates to a control assembly especially adapted for use in coin or token operated vending machines. In its most particular aspect the invention concerns a switch assembly for vending machines which are capable of making change, e. g., a machine utilized in the dispensing of a -cent article which is operable by a or 25-cent piece as well as by a 5-cent piece and which when operated with one of the coins of higher denomination delivers with the merchandise one or four 5-cent pieces, as the case may be.

Machines of the class indicated conventionally include a control switch for each value of coin to be handled, each switch being biased in open position by yieldable means, as a spring, for ex ample, and being momentarily closable through a coin actuable switch arm extending into a coin track through which coins of the denomination corresponding to the switch are directed. These machines further include a vertically disposed tubular coin magazine superposed over a plurality of slides, each of the slides being of predetermined thickness and having a circular aperture therein of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the denomination of coin which the magazine is adapted to receive, the aperture in the normal position of the slide registering with the aperture in the other slide or slides and with the chamber of the magazine. The slides are movable over a base plate having a coin aperture which opens to a coin delivery chute and which stands in ofiset relation with respect to the apertures in the slides in the normal position of the slides. In machines of the type referred to above by way of example the magazine, as indicated, is charged with 5-cent pieces and there are two such slides; one having a thickness approximating that of a single 5-cent piece, the other a thickness approximating that of three 5-cent pieces. When a 10-cent piece is used to operate the machine. the thinner slide, which lies below the thicker slide, is caused to be actuated to drop a single 5- cent piece through the aperture in the base plate into the change delivery chute. On the other hand, when a 25-cent piece is used, both slides are actuated to drop four 5-cent pieces.

The electrical system in such machines as conventionally assembled comprises a relay in circuit with each of the switches corresponding to the coins having values exceeding the price of the merchandise. Thus, in the machine comprising the slides just described there are two such relays, a 10-cent relay and a ZS-cent relay. On the momentary closing of the 10-cent switch,

the IO-cent relay is energized and remains energized until tripped by delivery of the merchandise. The closing of the relay completes the vending circuit and also a circuit including a solenoid controlling the 10-cent slide. Similarly, closing of the 25-cent switch energizes the 25- cent relay, resulting in completion of the vending circuit and actuation of a second solenoid connected to move both of the changer slides. In some cases, to assure more positive slide action, the arrangement is slightly modified so that in quarter operation both solenoids are actuated.

My invention has as its principal object to eliminate the above-mentioned relays, thereby to materially reduce equipment costs. I accomplish this and other objects, which will become apparent from the description which follows, by duplicating the function of the relays mechanically in the switch assembly.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an isometric front view of a switch assembly embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an isometric back view of the assembly; and

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a typical circuit arrangement, including the assembly.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the switches included in the assembly are confined within individual switch boxes I0, I2 and [4. These switches are of the conventional springor weight-loaded type. Fixed to the switch boxes is a coin track unit l6 providing coin tracks I8, 20 and 22, track l8 being the 5-cent track, tracks 20 and 22 being the dime and quarter tracks, respectively. Apertures 24 and studs 26 (Fig. 2) find their complements in a support piece, not shown, on which the assembly is mounted in use.

A wire switch arm 28 extends from the 5-cent switch through an arcuate slot 30 into the track l8, terminating at a point within a second arcuate slot 32 cut in the partition 34. Switch arm 36, which controls the 10-cent switch, is shown as formed of two lengths of wire joined at 38. The portion including the hook 40 overlying the 5-cent switch arm 28 extends rearwardly through all of the coin tracks to terminate at a point external of the coin track unit. Upward arcuate movement of the switch arm 36 in the slots 42, 44 and 46 is limited by the shoulder 4| in the latter slot.

The 25-cent switch arm 48 (Fig. 2) includes a portion 50 overlying the switch arm 36 in position to depress such arm when the-arm 48 is depressed and a portion 52 which terminates just short of the partition 54.

With the arrangement as described, it will be readily understood that when a -cent coin is introduced into the track l8 it forces the arm 28 5 downwardly to close the 5-cent switch; also, that as soon as the coin; loses contactiwiththearm the switch opens by virtue of its spring or weight loading, this action being accompanied by return of the switch arm to its normal position; 1

Due to the hook 40, the depressionoiihearml 36 by a 10-cent piece introduced.intoftliefitracia results not only in closing of the 10-cent switch but also in depression of tIIGQd'IHzlBKflIIfl.8105111575.

4B is not affected on lO-cent operation since it overlies the arm 36. On quarter: operation, i. e. when a -cent piece is introduced into the track 22, all three of the arms are carried downwardly, to close all three of the switches, arm 48 being 20 e esse i ect y y, he o n 31 H: (i v by he arm 48 and arm .Ztq'rrst as inlO-bent operation y t eho krmi The reason; for the above arrangement will be etter. ppr c ated; throu h f ncertaris, 3 25 which represents partoi the innerworkings'oi a di e-ln ach i o wh c he asse bl spp. tab e v n: such fi ur the umeralfifi-,denote-s wo f-n h n er o ypehereinbefo ee er lly es ribedhe; hanee nc1 s paircrapertured slides 58, 5!! which are, movable. tothe left h a guidaway,-notshown, oyeran, apertured base plate 60. Slide 58, which has a thickness cor-re.- sponding, to; that of three, of. the ill-:08! coins 6 I igactuated-by a,-solenoid 62, the armatur of hich. is, l nk lz othe. lide imian. s i in is underthe control ofwasecondsolenoid fi l. The thickness of this @slide corresponds to that of ne l the wines Ohe of the contactsiorming part of :the, 5,-cent 4O switch 65 is connectedto-a common-powerlead 66, while its companion contact isconnectedyia conductor 68 to, one terminal ofthe winding of av holding relay-Hi, the opposite terminal of which is connected to the second power lead 12 throng-ha conductor 14., In,the.cas e of; the particulan machine contemplated by 3 the diagram, closing-of relay :19 .results in. energization ,ofthe vending circuit, not shown, This circuit. remains energized untiLthe, relay is trippedby -deliy,ery of the merchandisa,

The ill-cent circuit; includes :the switch 15,. the power lead,t6,,.,the1conductor l6, extendingtothe winding of thesolenoid B4,,and theiconductor J8 through, which such winding is connected to ,the power ie-ad '52,, while the circuit including the zii-centswitch Bl). comprises powerleadfih, the winding of thesolenoid iiiiand conductors 84 and it.

Considering Figs, 1 and 2 in.conjunction, with Fig. 3 it should be clear that inthe opfiration of thev machine represented -by the latter figure, the circuit including theirelay 70,-, whichcontrols the vending circuit, is energizedregardless of the denomination of, the, coin, employed. It. should be i equally ,clear that in lO-cent operation only the lower; slide ,59, is actuated, whereas in $25 cent, operation both 4 slides are, ,moved over, the base plate so ,that the, apertures therein register with gthfi aperture, in -the platel- The slides-,may 70 es onsid nediaslr turn d S r t n: e

The various advantages and objects; otiithe invent o may;be accomplished,byrmodincati s fpithesparticularn mbodime, cdesc ibedrherein,

d i dsiinten edth hthe annendedsclaims shall...

4 include all equivalent arrangements fairly coming within their scope.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a switch assembly for a coin or token operated vending machine or the" like, three switches spring biased in open position, an equal number of coin tracks, each adapted for the reception of coins of a particular value, the track into..which the coins of intermediate value are introduced. being positioned mediate the other two tracks, a first coin actuable switch arm extending. fromwone-of; said switches into the coin traclo adapted for the reception of the coins of lowest -'value-, a second coin actuable switch arm extendingifrom another of said switches into the coin track adapted for the reception of the eoins of-highest value, and a third coin actuable switch arm extending from the remaining switch into the. coin track adapted fontherecept-ion of the-coins of intermediate value," said third men tioned switch arm having a hook extension'overe lying said first mentioned switch armata point external of said: tracks and a portion extending through the coin track receiving the coinsof highest value to 1111(191116'531'6138800116. mentioned switch arm external of the cointracks; whereby saidfirst mentioned. switch arm is actuatedsimub taneously with said thirdxmentionedz switch arm whenever the latter is actuated and the actuaition of said second mentioned switch arinvresults in simultaneous, actuation of said other switch arms.

2. In a control assembly fora coin or tokenioperated vending machine orthe'lilce havingan article-delivering mechanism, a single relay ac tuating, said mechanism, three coin tracks, each adapted for therecepticn of :coins ofwa particu larv value, a switch biased in: open positiondn-th'e circuit withv said relay, a firstcoinactuable' switch arm extending from said switch into-the coin track adapted TOI thG reception of the coins of lowest value, a second switch' biasedin open position havinga coin actuableswitcharm extending-therefrom into the coin track adapted fo'rthe reception of the coins of highest-value, and-a third switch biased in open position havinga coin actuable switch arm extending into the coin track adapted for the reception of tlie coins-of intermediate value, said third mentioned switch arm overlying said first mentioned switch arm and underlying said second mentionedswitch arm-so that said second-mentioned switch arm is-actuated only by a coin passing-through its corresponding track; said third-mentioned switch arm is actuated bothbyacoin passing through its corresponding track and by actuation of said second-mentioned switch arm; and' said firstmentioned switch arm is actuated bothby a coin passing through its correspondingytrack and by actuation-oi said thirdmentioned switch arm-n 3."In a switch'assembly for a coin or token operated vendingmachine or the like, a single relay actuating .said machine, three, coin tracks, each adapted for the receptionof coinsof a particular value, the track for receptionof-coi-ns of intermediate valueubeing positioned between :the othertwo tracks, a switch biased in-open position in. .thecircuit with said relayy a first-coinactuable switch arm extendingqfrom said-switch into the coin'track adapted .for the'reception of 131181001115 pit-lowest ,value a second: switch-1biased'riniopen position having a coin actuable switch arm extending therefrom into the coin track adapted for the reception of the coins of highest value, and a third switch biased in open position having a coin actuable switch arm extending into the coin track adapted for the reception of the coins of intermediate value, said third mentioned switch arm having a hook extension overlying said first mentioned switch arm at a point external of said tracks and a portion extending through the coin track receiving the coins of highest value to underlie said second mentioned switch arm external of the coin tracks, whereby said first mentioned switch arm is actuated simultaneously with said third mentioned switch arm whenever the latter is actuated and the actuation of said second mentioned switch arm results in simultaneous actuation of said other switch arms.

ERNEST E. YORK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 5 1,461,143 2,323,981 2,250,051 2,251,073 2,472,519 10 2,585,718

Number 15 281,427 698,694

Name Date Guerin July 10, 1923 Du Grenier July 13, 1943 Patzer July 22, 1941 Shaun July 29, 1941 Carlsen June 7, 1949 Adams Feb. 12, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Jan. 6, 1915 Germany Nov. 15, 1940

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