US2034744A - Coin controlled time switch mechanism - Google Patents

Description

March 24,1936 F. CAMPAGNA ET AL 2,034,744

COIN CONTROLLED'TIME SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Oct. 1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 26 6 Inventors @z dmandqmga 2 24 JJ epiz Cazrzz 1% By w orney M i- 24, 193 F. CAMPAGNA ET AL 2943349744 COIN CONTROLLED TIME SWITCH MECHANISM Filed 001;. l, 1954 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN CONTROLLED TIME SWITCH MECHANISM Ferdinand Campagna and Joseph Camille Rivet,

Montreal, Quebec,

Canada 3 Claims.

The present invention, relates to improvements in coin controlled time switch mechanisms.

Animportant object of the invention is the provision of coin controlled mechanism for clos- 5 ing an electric circuit for a predetermined time period.

A further object of the invention is the provision of switch operating mechanism whereby oneor more electric light circuits may be oper- 10 ated for selectedtime periods by coin controlled means.v

Another object of the invention is the provision of switch operating mechanism including coin controlled switch closing means and mechanism 15 actuated by the switch closing means for retaining a light circuit switch closed for a predetermined period of time.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of switch operating mechanism which will 20. be eflicient and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses;

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification and in which-like reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figurel is-a perspective view of a votive stand with which the switch mechanism is adapted to 30 be associated,

Figure 2 isla side elevational view showing the mechanism assembled for operating a plurality of electric lightcircuits with the circuit controlling switches in open position,

Figure 3 is a similar view, showing the passage of a coin through the coin switch and the initial closing of a circuit switch,

Figure 4 is a similar view showingthe timing mechanisms in operative position,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing a plurality of assembled timing mechanisms,

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 6-5 of Figure 5, and

Figure '7 is a transverse section taken on the line'L-l of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a detail of the latch mechanism shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Referring to the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral I designates the-controlling switch constituting a pair of complementary spring contact arms provided with arcuate contact knobs I I. The arms of the switch H] are preferably disposed to assume con- 55 verging'complementarypositions disposed so that a coin, indicated at l2, may be passed between the same and will bridge the contacts ll during passage through the switch.

One terminal of the switch [0 is electrically connected with an electric magnet-coil I 4 having disposed thereabove a vertically movable armature bar 15, supported at one end, as indicated at E6, and carrying a switch contact point I! at the opposed end. When the coil I4 is de energized the arm I5 is disposed to assume a posi- 10 tion spaced thereabove and, upon energization of the coil, is adapted to be attracted and swung downwardly. When the arm is swung to a downward operative position the contact I! attached thereto is disposed to engage a complementary fixed switch contact I8. The auxiliary switch op erating coil I 4 is to be arranged adjacent an actuating magnet coil having slidably fitted therein a core 2!. The outer end of the core 2| is pivotally connected to the intermediate portion of a 20 swinging lever 22 the lower end of which is pivotally connected with the pivot bracket 23. To the upper end of the lever 22 is pivotally connected one extremity of a pawl 24, the outer free end of the pawl being formed with a hook 25. A 25 tension spring 26, connected to the lever 22, is adapted to swing the lever away from the coil when the latter is de-energized.

Upon a rotary shaft 28- are rigidly secured a pluraltiy of switch closing wheels 29 arranged in 30 parallel spaced relation, as shown to advantage at Figure 5. Each of the wheels 29 is provided with a radial tooth 30. To the side of one of the wheels 29 is secured a ratchet wheel 3| formed with peripheral ratchet teeth. The hook 25 of the pawl 24 engages the teeth of the ratchet Wheel at the top, as shown to advantage at Figure 2.

Upon an intermediate fixed shaft 33 are supported a plurality of rocker levers 34, corresponding in number to the wheels 29 of the assembled mechanism. At one end of each rocker lever 34 is formed an angular enlargement embodying a right angular hook forming extension 35 provided with an elongated slot 35'. Within the slot 35 is mounted a catch bar 36 pivotally supported intermediate its ends and having the upper end bevelled. A compression spring 36, mounted in the lower part of the enlargement, bears against the lower end portion of the catch bar 36 and tends to normally dispose the same at an angle in the slot so that the upper bevelled end projects at one side of the hook 35. At the opposed end of each rocker is formed a switch engaging knob on the top side and arcuate boss at the bottom side engageable by the tooth 30 of the rotary wheel 29.

As illustrated at Figures 2 to 4 inclusive the intermediate portion of each rocker 34 is rotatably journalled on the shaft 33. Upon step by step rotation of the shaft 28 through the medium of the pawl and ratchet mechanism the tooth of each wheel 29 is operable to engage the boss on the rocker and elevate the inner end thereof to effect a switch closing operation, as will be described hereinafter.

A rotatably supported drive shaft 3! is connected with and driven at a predetermined rotary speed by means of an electric motor 31' or other source of power. Upon the shaft 3'! are mounted. at spaced intervals, a plurality of timing discs 38 each being provided with a V-shaped indentation or notch 39. The discs 38 are rotatably fitted on the shaft 31 and are resiliently associated there.- with so as to rotate with the shaft when unre' strained. The disc holding means embodies a pair of annular clutch plates 40 arranged against the opposed faces of each disc and positively held on the shaft by means of pins 4| extending through the plates and shaft. The plates 40 are resiliently urged against each disc by means of coiled compression springs 42 disposed upon the shaft, the clutch plates being adapted to frictionally engage the discs. The book 35'formed at the outer end of each rocker is engageable with the V-shaped notch 39 in each timing disc.

Immediately above the inner end of each rocker 34 is arranged a circuit controlling switch embodying an upper fixed arm 44 carrying a contact point 45 adjacent its outer extremity and a comple- .,mentary spring arm 46 carrying a complementary contact point 41. The lower spring arm 46 is formed to normally maintain the contact point 41 spaced from the co-operating contact so that the switch is in open arrangement.

The electric circuit preferably embodies a trans- 40 former 5U electrically connected with a source of electrical current through conductors 5| and 52. One arm of the coin engaging switch I0 is connected through a conductor 53 with the magnet coil I4, the opposed terminal of the coil l4 being connected with the transformer through a conductor 54. The complementary arm of the coin switch ltl is connected with the transformer through a conductor 55. The pivoted end of the armature bar I 5 connects with the coil 20 through a conductor 56 while the opposed terminal of this coil connects with the conductor through a wire 51. The fixed switch contact I8 is connected with the conductor 54 through a conductor 58.

In the present example the mechanism is shown assembled for coin controlled operation of a plurality of votive light circuits, each circuit embodying a socket 69 having one side connected with the conductor 54 through the medium of a conducting wire 6!. The other side of each socket is connected with the fixed bar 44 of a light circuit controlling switch through a conductor 62. The lower spring bar 46 of the light circuit switch is connected with the conductor 55 through a conducting wire 63.

When a coin or check of predetermined size is introduced into a chute or other guide means directing the sanzr through the complementary arms of the main switch It), the coin passes between the switch arms and bridges the same causing momentary closure of the switch. During the passage of the'coin through the switch It? the magnet coil i4 is initially energized causing the bar l5 to swing towards the coil and causing engagement of the points I! and I8 of the coil actuated switch, as shown. at Figure 3. Closure of the magnet actuated switch closes the circuit through the coil 29 which, upon becoming energized will cause the core 2| to slide inwardly and swing the lever 22 toward the coil. During the inward swinging movement of the lever 22 the pawl 24 will cause partial rotation of the ratchet 3i and wheel 29 attached thereto, at which time the tooth of one of the wheels 29 will move into rocker swinging position, that is, the tooth; will move through the upper arc and cause elevation of the inner end of the rocker and closure of the light circuit switch. When the inner end of the rocker is thus elevated, the hook 35 of the opposed end will swing downwardly to disengage the notch 39 of one of the timing discs so that the liberated disc will'be rotated with the time shaft 37. As the tooth 39 disengages the inner end of the rocker, the point of the hook 35 will contact with the annular peripheral edge of the timing disc 38 so that the rocker is maintained in switch closing position until the rotating disc completes a complete timed revolution. When the notch 39 returns to its starting position the hook 35 will slide therein so that the inner end of the rocker is lowered and the light circuit switch automatically opened.

Inasmuch as the discs 38 operate at a. relatively low speed the catch bars 36 are provided to prevent reenery of the hooks 35 into the notches 39 immediately following release movement of the hooks and until such time as the discs have completed a full turn movement.

As shown in the drawings, the wheels 29 are disposed so that the teeth thereof will be successively moved into engagement with the re-' spective rocker arms so that the entire series of lights may be illuminated for a timed period in successive order. 7

In order to light one of the votive light bulbs indicated at 65, it is merely necessary to deposit a win of designated character or a similar check piece into the coin chute indicated at 66 from whence it is conducted into and through the con-- trol switch Ill. The switch actuating mechanism which will be housed in a casing 61 at the bottom of the stand will thus be placed in operation so that one of the lights will be illuminated and retained in such condition for a selected period of time.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes as to the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our claim:- 7 l. A time switch mechanism, comprising an electro-magnetically actuated ratchet wheel, a shaft connected to said wheel, a disc on said shaft, a projection on the disc, a pivoted rocker adapted to be lifted at one end by the projection of the disc, a hook at the other end of the rocker, a frictionally rotated wheel having a notch adapted to receive said hook whereby rotation of the friction wheel is suspended. and a pair of electric contacts adapted to be closed by the raising of the rocker by the disc projection, this action causing at the same time release of the friction wheel and rotation thereof for a complete revolution before the rocker hook again engages the notch of said wheel.

2. In time switch mechanism, a constant-speed invention, we

driven shaft, frictionally driven notched discs mounted on said shaft, rockers having one end adapted to engage the discs notches to prevent rotation thereof, and electro-magnetically actuated means adapted to successively lift said rockers out of engagement with the discs, into electric-circuit-closing position, said position being retained until the discs have completed a full revolution to again present the notch into which the rockers ends will drop into circuit opening position.

3. In time-switch mechanism, a shaft driven at a constant speed, discs frictionally mounted on said shaft, said discs having a notch, pivoted rockers having one end provided with a hook adapted to drop into the notch of the discs to prevent rotation thereof, electric-circuit-closing contacts adapted to be closed by the other end of the rockers, a plurality of toothed discs adapted to successively raise the rockers into contact closing position out of the discs notches, and electro-magnetically operated ratchet means adapted to step-advance the toothed discs into rocker raising position, the released friction discs rotating for one full revolution before being hookarrested, whereby dropping of said hooks into the notches will open the electric-circuit contacts.

FERDINAND CAMPAGNA. JOSEPH CAMILLE RIVET.

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