US3900093A

US3900093A - Coin operated timing device

Info

Publication number: US3900093A
Application number: US491689A
Authority: US
Inventors: John P Bednar; Harvey N Weaver
Original assignee: TELE VEND SYSTEMS
Current assignee: TELE VEND SYSTEMS
Priority date: 1974-07-25
Filing date: 1974-07-25
Publication date: 1975-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-19

Abstract

A coin operated timing device capable of providing uninterrupted output when a plurality of coins are located in the coin chute. A microswitch having an operating arm located in the coin chute is closed whenever a coin is inserted. A timing motor having a shaft adapted to rotate 360* in a given time period moves a cam follower linearly into and out of the coin chute. The cam follower is restrained for linear movement only and is adapted to support the coins in a first position and allow a single coin to be released while at the same time keeping the microswitch closed for the given period of time. A pin located on the cam follower supports the plurality of coins while the lowermost coin is being deposited without interruption or opening of the microswitch.

Description

United States Patent 1 Bednar et al.

[ COIN OPERATED TIMING DEVICE [75] Inventors: John P. Bednar, Woodland Hills;

Harvey N. Weaver, Harbor City, both of Calif.

{73] Assignee: Tele-Vend Systems, Woodland Hills,

Calif.

[22] Filed: July 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 491,689

[52] US. Cl. 194/9 T; l94/DIG. 2 [51] Int. Cl. G07F 5/02 [58] Field of Search 194/9 T, l G, 102, DIG. 1, 194/DIG. 2, DIG. 18

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,078,429 4/1937 Tweedale 194/9 T 2,522,755 9/1950 Goebel 194/9 T FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 616.360 2/1961 Italy 194/9 T 691,795 6/1965 Italy 194/9 T Aug. 19, 1975 Primary E.\'anzinerRobert B. Reeves Atsxs'istant Examiner-Francis J. Bartuska Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Singer & Singer [57 ABSTRACT A coin operated timing device capable of providing uninterrupted output when a plurality of coins are located in the coin chute. A microswitch having an operating arm located in the coin chute is closed whenever a coin is inserted. A timing motor having a shaft adapted to rotate 360 in a given time period moves a cam follower linearly into and out of the coin chute. The cam follower is restrained for linear movement only and is adapted to support the coins in a first position and allow a single coin to be released while at the same time keeping the microswitch closed for the given period of time. A pin located on the cam follower supports the plurality of coins while the lowermost coin is being deposited without interruption or opening of the microswitch.

1 Claim, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEBAUGIQIWE 3,900,093

321m 2 or 2 Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig.6.

ICOHN OPERATED riMiNo DEVICE This invention relates to a coin operated timing device and more particularly to a timing device capable of receiving a plurality of coins and providing uninterrupted output as each coin is subsequently received and deposited into the coin hopper.

The present invention is concerned primarily with providing a reliable coin operated timing device for use with television receivers.

The business environment requires that the television receiver be encased in a substantial cabinet or casing which is securely fastened to some immovable portion of the structure. The television receiver and casing are usually located in some public area where the public is invited to deposit a coin or a plurality of coins in order to view their favorite program. Such television receivers have been made available in small sizes to restaurateurs, thereby allowing patrons to select and view a show in the same fashion that a patron would select a phonograph record for listening while dining or resting.

Unlike the phonograph recording field where a record lasts approximately 3 minutes, a television program invariably lasts at least 30 minutes and the viewer thereby desires to see the complete program without interruption until the very end.

In the preferred business environment it was discovered that an investment of a dime to view approximately minutes would satisfy the majority of viewers. It was necessary, therefore, to incorporate the designs of the present invention to allow a plurality of coins to be inserted into the coin hopper which would sequentially operate the timing mechanism and allow the television receiver to remain on without being interrupted between 10-minute time segments as additional coins passed through the coin chute.

The present invention provides a simple and direct mechanism for accepting a plurality of coins to thereby provide a continuous showing of the electrical device without interruption as each coin is independently passed through the mechanism and without any control or handling by the user.

In this invention the coin chute is provided for receiving a plurality of similarly sized coins. The coins are initially supported by one end of a bifurcated cam follower adapted to be moved in a linear direction only.

A microswitch connected in circuit with the timing motor has an arm located within the coin chute that is adapted to be'moved by the coin in the lowermost position. The closing of the microswitch energizes the timing motor having a shaft that rotates 360 in a given predetermined time which in this case would be 10 minutes.

An off'centered cam is located on the shaft of the timing motor and is adapted to move the bifurcated cam follower from an interfering relationship with the coin chute into a free and open area.

The cam follower also contains a pin fixedly attached to the cam follower which also moves into an interfering relationship with the coins in the coin chute in such a manner as to separate the lowermost coin from the remaining plurality of coins thereby allowing the lowermost coin to be released while holding the remaining coins on the pin. When the lowermost coin is released the operating arm attached to the microswitch is allowed to move, however, the uppermost portion of the bifurcated cam follower holds the arm in a closed position thereby allowing the timing motor to continue operation.

Continued movement of the timing motor causes the cam follower to be retracted away from an interfering relationship with the coin chute thereby allowing an additional coin to be released and held by the lowermost portion of the bifurcated cam follower. At the same time the uppermost portion of the bifurcation releases the arm of the microswitch which is now operated by the lowermost coin. This process continues until all the coins have been dispensed at which time movement of the cam follower releases the arm of the microswitch which opens the switch and stops the rotation of the timing motor.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent by referring now to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the casing holding a coin operated television receiver;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the open casing illustrating the coin operating mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2 more fully illustrating the electrical components of the timing device;

FIG. 4 illustrates the timing mechanism with three coins inserted;

FIG. 5 illustrates the timing mechanism in operation as the lowermost coin is dispensed;

FIG. 6 illustrates an additional sequential view of the timing apparatus showing the release of the remaining two coins to continue the sequence; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred cam follower.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a television casing 10 containing a rear door portion 12 fixedly attached to a wall portion by means of screws 14. In the preferred embodiment the casing 10 is adapted to fixedly support a television receiver 16 in a secured fashion. The rear door 12 is fixedly attached to the wall from the inside of the casing 10 in order to provide maximum security. A shelf 18 formed at right angles to the rear door 12 provides additional support for the television receiver 16 when in a closed position. A lock 20 located on the outside of the casing provides maximum security for the television receiver 16 and the easing 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a rear view of the casing 10 in an open position. The television receiver 16 is a conventional small screen television set preferably of the 7-inch screen size as measured on the diagonal of the face of the screen. The casing 10 is adapted to completely encase the television receiver 16 and also to provide the screen at a small angle to the viewer. The upper portion 22 of the rear of the casing 10 provides the space necessary for receiving and holding the coin operated timing device.

The upper portion 22 of the casing 10 contains an extension 24 having an opening 26 for receiving coins. The front portion of the extension 24 usually contains instructions to the user advising him where to insert the coin and how to operate the television receiver.

The opening 26 communicates with a vertical portion of the coin chute 28. An operating arm 30 is connected at one end to a microswitch 32 located within the upper extension 22 and at the other end contains a angle bend 34 which projects into the coin chute 28.

A cam follower 36 is controlled by an off-centered cam 38 which is driven by a shaft 40 of a timing motor 3 42 that is physically located within the upper portion 22.

The off-centered cam 38 fits within a substantially rectangular opening 44 thereby causing the cam follower 36 to move in a linear direction since the cam follower is restrained from moving in any other manner.

One end of the cam follower 36 contains a bifurcation defining a lower portion 46 having a right angle bend projecting into the coin chute 28 and an upper portion 48.

The rear view of FIG. 2 illustrates the normal home position before any coins are deposited within the coin chute 28. The so-called home position shows that the lower right angled portion 46 of the cam follower 36 is located within the coin chute 28 so as to catch and hold any and all coins deposited within the coin chute. The relationship of the bifurcation portion of the cam follower and specifically the projection of the upper portion 48 which projects further than the lower right angle portion 46 should be noted. This relationship will be described in more detail in connection with FIGS. 4, and 6.

The cam follower 36 also contains a pin 50 which is fixedly attached to the cam follower and which projects at right angles into the upper portion 22. The location of pin 50 is determined by the physical size of the coins used and will serve to support all of the coins except the first coin deposited in the coin chute when the cam follower 36 is moved as will be more fully described in connection with FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a crosssectional view of FIG. 2 taken along lines 3-3 which more fully illustrate the timing motor 42 and the microswitch 32 located within the upper portion 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, there is shown a sequence of illustrations which more fully illustrate how action of the cam follower 36 acts to continuously release the lowermost coin while supporting the remainder of the coins and repeating this act sequentially until all the coins have been deposited without interfering with the operation of the television receiver or in any way opening the microswitch 32 until after the last coin has been deposited and all the time purchased by the coins has been dispensed.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is illustrated the identical mechanism illustrated in FIG. 2 but with the addition of three

coins

60, 62 and 64 having been inserted within the slot 26. The

coins

60, 62 and 64 are resting on the lower right angle portion 46 of the cam follower 36. Coin 62 is resting on

coin

60 and 64 rests on coin 62.

At this moment in time the lowermost coin 60 has pushed against the extreme right angle bend 34 of the operating arm 30 connected to the microswitch 32. This action has caused arm 30 to move in the lowermost position as illustrated in FIG. 4 which has the effect of closing the microswitch 32 and operating the timing motor 42.

Operating of the timing motor 42 causes the shaft 40 to rotate in a counter clockwise direction as viewed from the rear which is the illustration of FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6. The off-centered cam 38 located within the rectangular opening 44 of the cam follower 36 is caused to rotate in a counter clockwise direction thereby forcing the cam follower 36 to initially move to the right and then begin moving to the left as the off-centered cam 38 passes dead center.

Rotation of the off-centered cam 38 will continue until the maximum travel of the cam follower 36 to the left is achieved as shown in FIG. '5. In this position the pin 50 has moved between

coins

60 and 62 and has in effect acted as a keeper by forcing

coins

62 and 64 to be supported solely by the pin 50 during the intervening movement.

At the same time the movement of the cam follower 36 to the left has placed the lower right angle portion 46 of the bifurcated cam follower 36 in the extreme left position thereby allowing coin 60 to be released and fall through into an acceptor not illustrated.

The movement of coin 60 releases arm 30 connected to the microswitch 32, however, the right angle bend 34 at the end of the arm 30 after being released by the lowermost coin 60 now allows the arm to be caught and -held by the uppermost arm 48 which forms the upper bifurcation on the cam follower 36. In this fashion the lowermost coin is released and the microswitch is still held in a closed position by the action of the cam follower. It will also be noticed that at this time the pin 50 is holding the remaining coins thereby insuring that only a single coin is deposited pending the complete timed rotation of the shaft 40 attached to the timing motor 42.

The continuing rotation of the off-centered cam 38 against the rectangular opening 44 causes the cam follower 36 to now move in the opposite direction and to the right as viewed from the rear. Continued movement of the cam follower 36 moves pin 50 from contacting coin 62 before the upper bifurcated arm 48 releases the operating arm 30 of the microswitch 32.

At this point in

time coins

62 and 64 are free to move into the lowermost portion of the coin chute 28 and rest upon the lowermost right angle portion 46 of the cam follower 36.

In this normal position which is also that shown in FIG. 4, the operating arm 30 is held by the lowermost coin 62 in an operating condition thereby maintaining the microswitch 32 in a closed condition. This action provides for continuous uninterrupted power to the timing motor 42 which again allows the cycle to repeat itself.

The relationship between the placement of pin 50 and the upper portion 48 on the bifurcated cam follower 36 provides that the coins will be released before the arm 30 is released thereby insuring there is no rat race between the coins dropping and the cam closing.

The process described in connection with FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 will continue to repeat and repeat as long as coins are located within the hopper 28.

Referring now to FIG. 7 there is shown a preferred cam follower having the same capability as described in connection with cam follower 36 previously illustrated and described. Cam follower 70 performs the same operational function as cam follower 36 and to this end contains the lowermost right angle portion 46 for supporting the coin and the upper portion 48 for defining the bifurcated section that uniquely identifies a single coin within the coin chute. In addition pin 50 performs the same function of holding the remaining coins while the lowermost coin is dispensed during the movement of the cam follower 70.

The driving portion for the cam follower 70 has been modified to now include a substantially large U-shaped opening 72 defining a bifurcated section having a pair of

arms

74 and 76 that are spaced apart a sufficient distance so as not to contact the off-centered cam 38. Located on

arm member

74 and 76 are

pins

78 and 80 capable of supporting a pair of strong heavy duty

resilient spring members

82 and 84.

The cam follower 70 is operatively positioned in the same manner as cam follower 36 with the exception that off-centered cam 38 is located between

resilient spring members

82 and 84. The driving force for the cam follower 70 therefore takes place as the eccentric cam 38 rotates between

spring members

82 and 84 and imparts a driving force against the spring members depending upon the position of the off-centered cam 38 during its rotational 360.

In operation, the function of the cam follower 70 is identical to that described in connection with cam follower 36, however, there are times when improper coins are inserted in the coin chute or where customers insert bent or mutilated coins that have a tendency to interfere with the operation of the cam follower in selecting an individual coin. ln those situations where the defective or improper coin binds or holds the cam follower, it has been discovered that the action of the offcentered cam 38 against the

springs

82 and 84 provide a resilient urging of the cam follower 70 which tends to free the jam and remove the offending coin from the coin chute. In addition, should the jam be permanent so as to prevent movement of the cam follower 70, then the off-centered cam 38 being driven by the timing motor is free to rotate within the confines of

springs

82 and 84 without damaging the driving motor.

lt will be appreciated that cam follower 36 described previously is directly driven by the off-centered cam 38 and should a jam occur, damage would either occur to the driving motor or to the off-centered cam or to the cam follower itself. Experience has indicated that the driving motor usually hangs up and eventually burns out due to the heat generated.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 protects the driving motor and the driving train from damage in the event of a jamming situation.

The inventive concept resides in the unique application of a bifurcated cam follower that is restrained to operate only in a linear direction. This unique movement allows a series of complex functions to be performed by means of a single cheaply constructed stamped item.

We claim:

1. A coin operated electrical apparatus for providing uninterrupted service comprising:

a timing motor having a shaft adapted to rotate 360 in a substantially given time period,

an eccentric cam fixedly attached to said shaft,

a cam follower controlled by said eccentric cam and restrained to move in a linear direction,

said cam follower has a bifurcated portion defining a pair of spaced-apart arms,

said spaced apart arms located in a spaced relationship free and clear of said eccentric cam,

each of said spaced-apart arms having an anchoring pin for supporting a pair of heavy duty resilient springs and in which said eccentric cam is forced between said resilient springs whereby rotation of said cam moves said cam follower,

a coin chute for accepting a plurality of similarly sized coins,

a switch connected in circuit with said timing motor and having an operating arm disposed in said coin chute whereby a coin placed in said chute will contact said arm, close said switch, and operate said timing motor, and

a pin fixedly attached to said cam follower and positioned to enter said coin chute and support said plurality of coins in excess of one,

said cam follower having a bifurcation defining a lower portion disposed in said coin chute for supporting coins and an upper portion for interfering with said operating arm when a coin is released.

Claims

1. A coin operated electrical apparatus for providing uninterrupted service comprising: a timing motor having a shaft adapted to rotate 360* in a substantially given time period, an eccentric cam fixedly attached to said shaft, a cam follower controlled by said eccentric cam and restrained to move in a linear direction, said cam follower has a bifurcated portion defining a pair of spaced-apart arms, said spaced apart arms located in a spaced relationship free and clear of said eccentric cam, each of said spaced-apart arms having an anchoring pin for supporting a pair of heavy duty resilient springs and in which said eccentric cam is forced between said resilient springs whereby rotation of said cam moves said cam follower, a coin chute for accepting a plurality of similarly sized coins, a switch connected in circuit with said timing motor and having an operating arm disposed in said coin chute whereby a coin placed in said chute will contact said arm, close said switch, and operate said timing motor, and a pin fixedly attached to said cam follower and positioned to enter said coin chute and support said plurality of coins in excess of one, said cam follower having a bifurcation defining a lower portion disposed in said coin chute for supporting coins and an upper portion for interfering with said operating arm when a coin is released.