GB589888A - Improvements in or relating to coin operated devices - Google Patents

Abstract

589,888. Coin-freed apparatus. SANGAMO WESTON, Ltd., and WESTON, G. E. March 16, 1945, No. 6734. [Class 27] A coin inlet device for coin-freed apparatus comprises a pocket 16 rockable about a pivot 17 between a position for receiving a coin applied to an aperture 11, and the normal position shown in which the coin received can pass out at a rear aperture which is only open when the insertion aperture is closed, so that there is never a through passage to the interior or coin-freed mechanism. The pocket is formed with a projection 21 which co-operates with a fixed projection 12 to close the insertion aperture 11 and form a wedge-shaped recess into which a coin is thrust. This separates projection 21 from 12 and rocks the pocket anticlockwise to receive the coin. The pocket is returned by a spring 44 at the same time snatching the coin into its interior whence it rolls out through a rear aperture 26 and passes to the interior of the apparatus. The closure for the rear aperture comprises a rod 30 with a longitudinal slot 34 normally in alignment with the pocket to permit the coin to pass. It is biassed to this 'position by a spring 47, but has a cross-pin 33 which travels over the edge of a substantially stationary plate 37 during movement of the pocket so as to turn the rod to close the rear aperture except when the pocket is normal and the insertion aperture closed. The plate 37 is carried by an arm 35 on the pivot 17 of the pocket. It is curved to the periphery of the pocket, and its forward edge normally seats in a slot 38 in the pocket but is held back to uncover the pocket as it is rocked by engagement with the front wall of the casing. The pocket is formed of two recessed plastic mouldings placed face to face. The device will only admit coins up to a predetermined diameter and thickness, and prevents withdrawal of a coin by an attached thread or wire which is trapped either by the slotted rod 30 or the edge of plate 37 seating in slot 38. A stop pin 52 may be provided to lock the pocket against coin insertion, e.g., whilst a previous coin is being dealt with, or when a maximum credit has been reached by the associated coin-freed mechanism.