US2904151A - Escrow device for coin operated mechanisms - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15, 1959 P. A. JOHNSON 2,904,151

' ESCROW DEVICE FOR com OPERATED MECHANISMS Filed Jan 30, 1957 v Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v Y I: 47 I l 51 5/ I T 59 65 58 l 56 o I J 1,9 58 5 57 25 49 Ii 52 f 4 r F fi INVENTOR. 21 fiA/Z/P -4 JOA A/SO/V Sept. 15, 1959 P. A. JOHNSON ESCROW DEVICE FOR com OPERATED mzcmuxsms 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 30, 195"! r \h m, w O M a mw 5 W4 M 4 a 4 W. a Q m ESCROW DEVICE FOR COIN OPERATED NIECHANISMS Philip A. Johnson, Van Niiys, Calif., assignor, by direct and me'sne assignments, of forty-seven percent to Lloyd F. Brogan, Santa Ana, Calif., and six percent to Richard L. Gausewitz,.0range, Calif.

' Application January 30, 1957, Serial No. 637,153 6 Claims. 01. 194-9 This invention relates to escrow devices for coin-operated mechanisms such as'vending machines and the like. In coin-operated mechanisms which require insertion of a plurality of coins before a cycle of operation is initiated, the coins are temporarily stored in .what is known as an escrow device. Such storage takes place during the time after actual insertion of the coins, and

before commencement of the operation of the mechanism. The purpose of the escrow device is to permit return of inserted coins to the customer in the event difliculty has been the tendency of customers to attempt to obtain'a return of the inserted coins at the same time that the escrow device was attempting to transfer the coins into the coin storage box. Such a condition, however, is but one of a number of conditions which have resulted vinjarnming and service dilficulty relative to conventional escrow devices. V

In view of the above factors, characteristic of escrow devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly simple and inexpensive escrow device which is easy to serviceand'highlyreliable in operation, yet which will perform all of the functions performed by prior art escrow devices.

A further object is to provide an escrow device which will not jam or result in service difliculty despite attempts by the customer to obtain return of inserted coinswhile the coin-operated mechanismis commencing to operate.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully set forth in the following specification and claims, considered in connection with the attached drawings to which they relate.

-In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating an escrow device constructed in accordance with the present invention, portions being broken away and sectioned in order to illustrate certain internal components;

Figure/2 is an enlarged horizontal sectionalview taken online 22 of Figure 1, the parts being shown in their normal positions assumed between vending operations; Figure 3 .is a view corresponding toFigure 2, but illus trating (in solid lines)the positions assumed by the parts uring transfer of the coins into the coin storage box;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 44 of'Figure 2; and V Figure 5' is a schematic wiring diagram.

I Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure l, the apparatus maybe seen to comprise generally a coin mechanism and slug rejector 10, the escrow device 11, a coin return box or chute 12 adapted to receive coins both from the slug rejector and from the escrow device ll, and a coin storage box 13 adapted to receive coins from the escrow device. All of these elements may be suitably mounted on a vertical panel 14 which may, for example, be one wall of a vending machine.

The coin mechanism and slug rejector 10 may be of conventional construction and will not be described in detail herein. The illustrated construction incorporates a coin intake chute 16 mounted on top of the casing 17 of the mechanism, the latter being suitably supported on panel 14. When a slug is inserted into the mechanism 10, the slug passes from chute 16 to the lower left portion of casing 17, as viewed in Figure 1, and drops through a vertical tube 18 directly into the coin return box 12. The box 12, which is also suitably mounted on panel 14, is accessible from the exterior of the apparatus so that the customer may remove slugs or recovered coins therefrom. Tube 18 is fixedly mounted through the horizontal flange 19 of the angle bracket which supports escrow device 11. Such support bracket also has a vertical flange 21 which is suitably secured to panel 14.

When a suitable United States coin is inserted into the coin mechanism and slug rejector 10, it passes from chute 16 to the lower right side of casing 17 (Figure l) and then drops into a cup portion 22 of the escrow device. It may then be transferred from the cup portion Z2.either into a tube 23 leading to coin return box 12, or into a tube 24 leading downwardly through an open ing 26 into the coin storage box 13. The upper ends of tubes 23. and 24 terminate at the horizontal flange -19 of the escrow device support bracket, being welded or otherwise secured around annular openings 27 and 28, respectively, in such flange. The openings 27 and 28 are spaced apart a predetermined distance, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, which is preferably at least equal to the diameter of the lower operative portion of cup 22.

The cup 22 of escrow device 11 comprises a lower operative portion 31 which takes the form of a vertically arranged tube welded or otherwise secured onto the upper centralportion of a horizontally disposed sector plate 32. A lateral or side portion 33 of cup 22 is formed integral with portion 31 but spaced a substantial distance above plate '32, the wall arrangement being such that the portions 31 and 33, when viewed from above as in Figure 2, are generally arcuate or obloid in shape. .The lower wall 34 (Figure l) of portion 33 is inclined downwardly toward portion 31, so that coins falling onto wall 34 will slide into portion 31.

Sectorplate 32 is disposed in sliding, flatwise engagement with'the upper surface of flange 19, its apex being pivoted thereto at a point 36 relatively adjacent vertical flange 21. The sector plate is formed with a round opening which corresponds to and registers with the lower end of portion 31 of the cup, the result being that coins which fall into the cup 22 aresupported on the upper surface of flange 19 at all times except when the cup portion 31 is registered over either of the openings 27017 28 which lead to tubes 23 and 24.

Pivot 36, and openings 27 and 28, are so related that cup portion 31 may be registered either with opening 28, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, or with opening 27 as shownin phantom lines therein. Cup portion'31 may also be located in an intermediate position (Figure 2) between the openings 27 and 28, at whichtirne the coins are supported on the upper surface offlange 19 tered with opening 27, as shown in phantom lines in Figure 3. An opening 38 is provided in panel 14 to .pivotal movement of the sector plate.

horizontal support flange 19.

receive the lateral cup portion 33 when the portion 31 is in such position.

The coin mechanism and slug rejector 10 is so located that coins will drop directly into lower cup portion 31 when the latter is in its receiving or neutral position between openings 27 and 28, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. When the cup 22 is pivoted to the position shown in solid lines in Figure 3, cup portion 31 being registered with opening 28, lateral portion 33 is in a position to receive coins from mechanism 10. Such coins immediately slide down wall 34 into portion 31, and thence directly through .tube 24 to coin storage box 13.

The mechanism 10 includes one (or more) coin switches 41 and 42 having arms 43 which are actuated, respectively, by different denominations of the coins which drop through the mechanism. When the switches 41 and 42 are thus actuated they transmit electrical signals to a totalizer device A (Figure which, after introduction of the required number of coins, initiates operation of the electrical control B for cup 22 to result in shifting of the latter into registry with tube 24 leading to the coin storage box.

The escrow device 11 includes an electrical actuating mechanism 44, connected to control B, for effecting the above-indicated shifting of cup 22 after the required number of coins have been introduced into the apparatus. Mechanism 44 is linked, in a positive manner, to cup 22 for effecting positive shifting thereof into registry with tube 24, when the electrical actuating mechanism is energized, despite any attempts of the operator of the apparatus to achieve a return of previously inserted coins.

The electrical actuating mechanism is illustrated to comprise a solenoid 46 mounted on panel 14 to the right of-cup 22,'as viewed in Figure 1. Solenoid 46 has a plunger. 47 which is pivotally connected by a link 48 to a post 49 (Figure 4) on sector 32. Post 49 is located relatively close to pivot 36, between the pivot and cup portion 31 (Figure 2), so that a relatively short stroke of the solenoid plunger 47 will produce a substantial The length of link 48 is such that cup portion 31 is registered with opening 28 and tube 24 when solenoid 46 is energized and its plunger 47 fully retracted.

Escrow device 11 further includes manually operated means 51 yieldingly connected to the cup 22to shift the latter into registry with opening 27 and tube 23 when, and only when, solenoid 46 is not energized. Thus, as

will be described hereinafter, the electrical actuating mechanism 44 dominates over the manually operated means 51 to prevent any coin return action after the vending machine has commenced to operate.

Means 51 comprises a manually operable knob 52 which is fixedly mounted (externally of the vending apparatus) on a shaft 53, the latter being suitably journalled in the upstanding flanges 54 of a bracket 56 on A triangular plate or crank 57 is fixedly mounted on shaft 53, being pivotally connectedat its lower corner (Figure 4) to a rod 58.

Rod 58 extends from plate 57 toward the cup 22, the

latter being disposed between shaft 53 and solenoid 46.

wise rotation of knob 52 and crank 57, as viewed in Figures l and 4, rod 58 will be shifted to the left. This will cause washer 63 to operate through spring 64 in a ,manner causing link 62 to shift tothe left. This, in turn, causes'clockwise rotation (Figures 2' and 3) of sector 32 to the position shown in phantom lines in Figure 3, with stop 37 terminating such rotation at the time that cup portion 31 is registered with opening 27. The above can only occur, however, when solenoid 46 is not energized and there is, accordingly, no substantial resistance to the rotation of sector 32. Such rotation of the sector effects outward shifting of solenoid plunger 47, which is possible since the plunger is relatively long.

It is emphasized that when the solenoid.46 is energized to retract its plunger 47, sector 32 is shifted counterclockwise to the position shown in solid lines in Figure 3. It is held in such solid line position by the positive action of link 48, and despite any rotation of knob 52. The energization of the solenoid has the efiect of com pressing spring 64 to the condition shown in Figure 3, washer 63 then being shifted awayfrom ear 61. Any rotation of knob 52 at this time operates through shaft 53, crank 57 and rod 58 to effect further compression of the relatively weak spring 64. Such compression does not, however, have any effect upon the cup 22 since the latter is positively held in registry with opening 28 as desired.

A second rod 66 is connected tov crank 57 and also to a component (not shown) of the coin mechanism and slug rejector 10. Such rod operates to clear the coin mechanism upon turning of knob 52 to. coin-return position.

which is such that cup 22 is in the neutral position (Figures 1 and 2) between openings 27 and 28.

A switch 69 associated with solenoid plunger 47 is electrically connected to the totalizer device A referred to above. The function of switch 69 is to reset the totalizer to zero upon each shifting of cup 22 to the coin return position shown in phantom lines in Figure 3. This has the effect of cancelling out any totalizing action upon each return of inserted coins, so that a subsequent insertion of coins will not produce vending until the required total is introduced into the apparatus.

Operation To summarize briefly the operation of the above-described apparatus, let it be assumed that the parts are initially in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2, which are the positions assumed between vending operations. Upon insertion of a slug or foreign coin into chute 16, the mechanism 10 operates to drop such slug into tube 18 and thence into the coin return box 12. Upon insertion of a desired United States coin into chute 16,'the mechanism 10 transfers such coin pastone of the coin switch arms 43 (depending upon the denomination of the coin) and into open-bottomed cup22. Upon insertion of the last coin making up the coin total, engagement of such coin with a switch arm 43 will immediately effect energization of solenoid 46. This operates, as above described, to retract plunger 47 and effect, through link 48 and post 49, shifting of cup 22 to the position shown in solid lines in Figure 3. The inserted coins are thus slid along the upper wall of flange 19 and drop through opening 28 into tube 24, from whence they pass through opening 26 into coin storage box 13.

The operation of solenoid 46 is so fast that the last coin inserted into chute 16 normally drops onto wall 34 instead of directly into portion 31. As soon as solenoid 46 is de-energized, cup 22 is pivoted back to neutral position due to the bias of spring 67 (Figure 1). After the insertion of less than the required number of coins into the mechanism, the operator may obtain return of the coins merely by rotating knob 52 clockwise to cause shifting of cup 22 to the phantom line position in Figure 3. The coins are then slid along flange 19 into opening 27 and thence through tube 23 to coin return box 12.

The operator may not obtain return of the coins after solenoid 46 is energized, since the positive connection 48 between plunger 47 and the cup 22 prevents such action. Any rotation of knob 52 at that time merely effects compression of weak spring 64, and has no efiect upon the cup.

If the operator inserts the last coin required for a vending operation, and then turns knob 52 before switch arm 43 is engaged, he will achieve return of previously inserted coins but no vending operation will occur. This is because shifting of cup 22 to the coin return position operates through switch 69 to cancel the totalized effect of the previously inserted coins.

If the operator turns knob 52 immediately after an arm 43 of a coin switch is engaged by the last coin required for a vending operation, vending will still occur since the immediate energization of solenoid 46 upon engagement of the switch arm 43 causes immediate shifting of cup 22 to a position in registry with tube 24. Such last coin will normally, as above stated, drop into lateral portion 33 and will then slide down wall 34 into cup portion 31. Any turning of knob 52 has no efiect other than to compress the spring 64.

From the above it will be understood that the totalizer A will produce the desired result under all conditions of operation. There is no possibility of jamming of the mechanism, or of other mis-operations which have frequently occurred with conventional totalizers.

Various embodiments of the present invention, in addi tion to what has been illustrated and described in detail, may be employed without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. An escrow device, which comprises means to define a coin support surface, a plate mounted on said coinsupport surface in sliding fiatwise engagement therewith, said plate having an opening therein, an open-bottomed cup mounted on said plate and registered with said opening, a first opening in said coin-support surface and adapted to register with said opening in said plate in one position thereof, a second opening in said coin support surface and adapted to register with said opening in said plate in a second position thereof, said first and second openings in said coin-support surface being spaced apart to permit coins disposed in said cup to rest upon said coinsupport surface when said cup is between said first and second openings, a coin storage element adapted to reeive coins from said first opening in said coin-support surface, a coin return element adapted to receive coins from said second opening, in said coin-support surface, a solenoid, positive link means to positively connect the plunger of said solenoid to said plate and cup, said solenoid operating through said plunger and link means to shift said plate to said one position upon energization of said solenoid, manually operable means, and yielding link means to connect said manually operable means to said plate and cup for shifting of said cup to said second position upon operation of said manually operable means.

2. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said yielding link means includes first and second elements one of which is connected to said manually operable means and the other of which is connected to said plate and cup, said elements being adapted to shift longitudinally relative to each other, and relatively light spring means tending to maintain said elements in predetermined relative longitudinal positions.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which means are provided to maintain said cup in a central position intermediate said first and second openings at all times except during operation of said solenoid or said manually operable means.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which a slug rejector is provided above said cup and includes coin switches adapted to be operated by coins of various denominations upon passing of said coins therethrough, said coin switches being connected to a totalizer means adapted to effect energization of said solenoid upon pas sage of a predetermined total value of coins through said coin mechanism, and in which switch means responsive to said shifting of said cup to second position are provided to reset said totalizer.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said cup includes -a lateral portion adapted to receive coins after shifting of said plate to said one position, said lateral portion having an inclined bottom wall adapted to efiect the shifting of coins from said lateral portion into the portion of said cu-p which registers with said first opening in said coin support surface.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said plate is pivotally mounted on said coin-support surf-ace, and in which said solenoid plunger and said manually operated means connect to said plate at a point relatively adjacent the pivot connection and between said pivot connection and said cup.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 446,970 Graf Feb. 24, 1891 845,045 Barnes Feb. 26, 1907 2,333,176 Hoban Nov. 2, 1943 2,562,795 Kelly July 31, 1951 2,606,639 Dolman Aug. 12, 1952 2,693,299 Gross Nov. 2, 1954

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