US1993757A - Fraud preventive for check controlled apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 12, 1935. A. H. STILLMAN 1,993,757

FRAUD PREVENTIVE FOR CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 1935- A. H. STILLMAN 1,993,757

FRAUD PREVENTIVE FOR CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Alberf H. Sfillmom BY @Awmdg3mdm VQDZTQ ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEK FRAUD PREVENTIVE FoR CHECK cori- TROLLED APPARATUS Application January 5, 1933, Serial No. 650,214

16 Claims.

This invention relates to fraud preventives for check-controlled apparatus and has for its general object to provide new and improveddevices, mechanism and apparatus for eliminating false and fraudulent coins and preventing the operation of a check-controlled apparatus associated with the invention by other than a true coin or check.

In the mechanism embodying the invention as herein shown, fraud, preventives for notched or rim-mutilated coins; steel coins; aluminum, bakelite and fiber coins or checks; lead coins; brass, copper, zinc, and aluminum coins are provided, these devices operating successively on coins passing through chutes or chute sections or runways, with which the devices are associated; the various devices combining in a concurrent operation to eliminate false coins particularly of the sorts referred to, and to cause only true coins to pass into that portion of the chute system which is associated with the check-controlled apparatus.

Specific objects of the invention are to provide, first, new and improved notched-coin eliminating devices; second, a new and improved runway and associate spring abutment for eliminating lead and like coins; and, third, new and improved devices for setting up a field of magnetic flux to eliminate brass, copper, zinc and like coins.

To the above and other ends which will sub- 0 sequently appear the invention consists in the features of construction, combinations of devices and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in detail and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. In the specification and claims the term coin is applied generally to checks or coins whether false, defective or true.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings was particularly de- 40 signed for nickels or five-cent coins, but it will be evident that it may be modified for coins of other denominations. In carrying out the inven tion as illustrated there are provided three platelike members which support various parts and which are arranged face to face to provide sections for part of the chute system. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a face view of the main plate part with elements associated therewith,-

Fig. 2 is a face view of the second plate part, Fig. 3 is a face view or elevation of the third plate part,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the plane indicated by the section line 55'4-4inFig.1,.

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4 but showing some of the parts in different relations,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on a plane indicated by the section line 6-6 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on a plane indicated by the section line 77 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on a plane indicated by thesection line 8--8 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 9 is is a horizontal sectional view taken on plane indicated by the section line 9-9 in Fig. 1. 10

Referring specifically to the drawings, theplates or plate aforesaid are indicated respectively by the munerals 10, 11, and 12, these plates being secured together face to face by screws or in any other suitable manner. As illustrated the plate 15 11 is secured to the plate 10 by screws 13, suitable devices as spacers 14 being interposed to maintain the two plates properly spaced apart in parallelism. The plate 12 in turn is secured to the plate 11 as by screws 15. a

The main part of the chute system comprises angularly related portions or sections, these being chiefly defined by strips screwed or otherwise secured to the inner face of the plate 10. Thus the strips 16, 17 cooperate to d fine the mouth 25 or entrance-way 18 of the chute system and the vertical portion 19 leading therefrom, as well as the beginning inclined portion of the first section.

This first chute section is rightwardly and downwardly inclined as seen in Fig. 1 generally indicated by the numeral 20, the lower portion of the chute section being in part defined by the strips 21, 22 and 23, while the off-chute or discard section 24 is in part defined by the strips 25,26 and 27. The I strip 25 cooperates with the strip 23 and the strip 28 to define the second portion, 29 of the chute system which is leftwardly inclined; and its branches 30 and 31 are defined in part by the plates 28 and 27, these being irregularly shaped for the purpose. Another ofi-chute or discard runway 32 in a. different vertical plane from the coin chute system is defined by strips 33 and 34 secured .to the'plate 11 (Fig. 2), these strips 33 and 34 also serving as spacers to separate the plates 11 and 12 and the plate 12 serving as a cover for the off-chute 32. v As shown in Fig. 1 the notched coin eliminator device generally designated by the numeral 35 is arranged near the upper end of the chute portion 20, being suitably mounted on the plate 10. Coins indicated by the letter C are inserted in the mouth 18, drop down through the vertical chute portion 19 and after rolling a slight distance through the upper part of the chute section 20 enter into the notched coin eliminator 35'. This eliminator device as will be understood from Figs.

1, 4 and 5 comprises a frame constituted by a yoke piece 36 shaped like an inverted U and having its lower ends. connected by a rectangular cross bar 37 of heavier material so arranged as to constitute the bottom of the chute section 20 following the plate'17. The yoke 36 is pivoted at 3'7 to lugs 38 on the plate 10, and at its lower portion carries a pivot rod 39 on which are pivoted the lower end portions of a set or series of angular members or plates 40 having lateral extensions at the top which extend over the chute section 20. The plates 40 have diagonal edges 41 which cooperate with the perimetric edges of coins passing through the chute section. Normally the lateral extensions of the plate 40 rest on the bottom wall of a slot 41 in the plate 10, and through the action of gravity, and when coins run down the chute section they act to cam the plates 40 upward out of the way. If, however, the perimetric edge or corner of a coin is notched orimperfect the edge 41 in one of the plates will engage in the notch and arrest the coin. The set of members 40 extends lengthwise of the chute section 20 for a distance somewhat greater than the circumference of the coins, so as to insure that the full extent of the circumference will be contactively engaged with the arrested devices. To clear the notched coin eliminator it is connected with a key-actuated train of devices indicated at 42,

which is effective to swing the frame 36, 37 to the position shown in Fig. 6, thus freeing arrested coins and permitting them to drop down into the discard chute 32, the widened mouth of which is provided by oppositely bent portions 11 and 12 of the plates 11 and 12.

The eliminator for steel coins comprises, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, a permanent horseshoe magnet 43 screwed or otherwise secured to a bracket 44-on the plate 10 and having its pole portions 45 projecting laterally into the chute section 20 so as to effect retardation of steel, iron or similar coins passing the notched coin eliminator and rolling over the upper faces of the pole portions. The result is to cause such coins to drop into the flared mouth of the discard chute 32.

The next eliminating device is provided for light false coins such as disks or slugs of bakelite, aluminum or fiber, said eliminating device cornprises a light metallic finger 46 (Figs. 1 and '7) pivoted at its upper end at 47 to the plate 10 and adapted to swing freely about said pivot 47. The finger depends into the chute section 20 and its lower end portion is in the path of such coins as pass the eliminator or steel tester 45. Such coins if sufficiently weighty will swing the finger 46 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, and will drop onto the face 23 of the plate 23. Coins that are underweight, however, will be obstructed by the finger 46 and willdrop down into the discard chute 32.

Such coins as pass the finger 46 and drop on the face 23 will be momentarily slowed up owing in part to the difference between angularity of this face and the preceding inclined bottom portion of the chute20; thence such coins will pass over the face 23 of the plate 23. which has an angularity or inclination to the horizontal approximating that of the fore part of the chute and will'be carried by their momentum into contactive engagement with a contact member or abutment device 48 (Figs. 1 and 8). Thedevice 48 is a block, preferably of light metal such as aluminum pivoted at or near its upper end at 49 to the plate 10. Attached to its rear or right-hand manent magnetic type.

face is a leaf spring 50, the lower free end of which I rests against a pin 51 projecting laterally from the plate 10 and which provides a stop fornormally positioning the spring-pressed block 48. The normal position of the block or member 48 may be conveniently varied by bending or otherwise resetting the spring 50. This adjustability of the block combined with the arresting or retarding face 23 which coacts with the finger 46 to slow up coins passing through the lower portion of the chute section 20, provides convenient means for regulating the eliminating mechanism comprising the spring-pressed block 48 which is primarily for coins that are overweight, such as lead. As a matter of practice I prefer to adjust the device 48 in respect to the true coins, that is, to insure that true coins and coins of corresponding weight will be caused to rebound (from the left-hand contact face of the block 48) sumciently far leftward to clear the tip 25 and pass down leftward through the chute section 29. As a consequence of such adjustment overweight coins will fail to rebound sufficiently, causing more or less yield of the block 48, and will drop down through the discard chute 24, which is in a vertical longitudinal plane to the rear of the discard chute 32, but substantially in the same transverse plane. The lower end portion of the block 48 is cut away or slabbed off so as not to interfere with the downward drop of the false overweight coins.

Coins passing leftward down the chute section 29 are as a result of the previous elimination tests perfect in form and of a weight and substance approximating true coins. Such coins include usually besides the nickels or true coins, false coins of copper, zinc, and in some cases aluminum, together with alloys or compounds of these metals such as brass, etc. Such coins are subjected to an elimination test based on their diamagnetic properties, being caused to pass through a magnetic field of flux which is set up by a magnetic device which may be of the electro-magnetic or per- The testing device herein shown has novel features, primarily involving adjustability for varying the intensity of the eddy or'Foucauld currents through the flux field. To establish the field there are provided pole pieces of a general conical shape having cylindrical end portions 53 which fit into openings in the plates 10 and 11 at opposite sides of the chute 29. The pole pieces may be and preferably are secured 'to the plates by friction or otherwise so as to insure against accidental displacement. Associated with the pole pieces 52 is a magnet proper which as herein shown is of the permanent horseshoe type and is constituted by two parts 54 and 55. These loosely embrace the plates 10 and 11 and the lower part or magnet section 54 is seated on a support constituted by one or more brackets 56 attached to the plates. The upper magnet or magnet part 55 rests on thelower magnet 54 and is preferably movable in relation thereto. While both of the magnets 54 and 55 may be adjustable relatively to their pole pieces, I have found it convenient to secure the lower magnet 54 on its support and in fixed relation to the pole pieces, it having developed in practice that suflicient variation of the flux field is afforded by adjusting the magnet 55 alone. A suitable device indicated at 57 isemployed to maintain the magnet 55 in adjusted positions.

By moving the magnet 55in and out longitudinally the intensity of flux may be controlled and regulated so as to insure proper results,it being apparent of course that by moving the magnet 55 longitudinal-ly'leftward in Fig. 1

so that its end portions will partly clear the outer faces of the stationery pole pieces, the magnetic intensity will be reduced. This is a practical feature of importance since it does away with the nicety of construction and delicacy of adjustment heretofore necessary in the chutes below the flux field and in the relation of these chutes to the chute preceding the flux field. For example, the separator between the true or, diamagnetic coins which pass through the chute branch 31 and the paramagnetic false coins which pass through the chute branch 30 is constituted by the beveled end portion 2'? of the strip or plate 2'7. This is an ordinary machine construction screwed to the plate 10 and related to the plate 25 with tolerances which do not require fine construction or adjustment since it is only necessary after the strips have been secured to the plate to adjust and set the magnet 55 in such a way as to obtain a field intensity which will cause the paramagnetic false coins to be retarded and to drop downward to the right of the separator 2'7 while permitting the nickels to pass over the separator and drop down into the chute branch'31, the lower end of which is associated with an apparatus, ordinarily a vending or change-making machine, which is operative or unlocked by a true coin.

It is believed that from the foregoing the construction and operation of the disclosed embodiment of the invention will be fully understood.

Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute and a series of angular plates arranged side by side and having a common pivotal support at their lower ends and lateral extension projecting across the top portion of the chute, said plates having diagonal edges successively engaged by corner portions of coins passing through said chute and operating to enter irregularities in the corner portions to arrest the coins.

2. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute and a series of pivoted angular members successively and independently acting on the perimetric edges of coins passing through said chute, and means for bodily moving said membersto free arrested coins.

3. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute and a series of angular plates arranged side by side and having a common pivotal support at their lower ends and lateral extension projecting across the top portion of the chute, said plates having diagonal edges successiveiy engaged by corner portions of coins passing through said chute and operating to enter irregularities in the corner portions to arrest the coins, and means for at will movin said common pivotal support to free arrested coins.

4. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute, a notched coin eliminator comprising a pivoted frame, one member of which provides a bottom surface for the coin chute, and a set of members pivoted in said frame and successively and independently acting on coins passing through said chute, and means for at will moving said frame to open the bottom of said chute and release arrested ,coins.

5. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of an inclined coin chute, and a pivoted spring-pressed abutment cooperating with coins at the end' of said chute, the pressure of said abutment being adjustable to control the action of the abutment on coacting coins, the bottom of said chute having a rest portion cooperating with coins in advance of said abutment, and a plurality of passageways for receiving coins after coaction with said abutment, the action of theabutment selecting the particular passageway in which the coin is received.

6. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute,a magnetic device comprising pole pieces projecting into the chute from opposite sides, and a magnet proper movable relatively to said pole pieces to simultaneously and equally vary their magnetic effect.

7. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute, a permanent magnet having a substantially constant magnetomotive force and pole pieces projecting through the opposite side walls of said chute, said pole pieces being variably setable in relation thereto, a support for the magnet proper, and means for at will varying at a single operation the relationship between the magnet and its pole pieces to vary the reluctance between the pole pieces.

8.' In mechanism of the class described, the combination of an inclined coin chute, magnetic pole pieces projecting through the opposite side walls of said chute, a horizontally disposed horseshoe magnet embracing said chute and engaging the outer faces of said pole pieces, and a support for said magnet, said magnet being movable on its support while the normal relationship between the chute and the pole pieces is maintained to simultaneously and equally vary the magnetic effect of said pole pieces at opposite sides of the chute.

9. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute, magnetic devices comprising pole pieces projecting into the chute from opposite sides, and a two-part permanent magnet, one 'part fixedly related to said pole pieces and the other part adjustably related thereto to simultaneously and equally vary the magnetic effect of said pole pieces at opposite sides of the chute.

10. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute, magnetic devices comprising pole pieces projecting into the chute from opposite sides, and a two part horseshoe magnet cooperating with said pole pieces, the two parts of the magnet being relatively adjustable to-simultaneously and equally vary the magnetic effect of said pole pieces at opposite sides of the chute.

11. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute, a magnetic device comprising pole pieces projecting into the chute from opposite sides, and a two part horseshoe magnet cooperating with said pole pieces, the parts being capable of variable relationship, and means for maintaining the two parts in fixed positions after relative adjustment to simultaneously and equally vary the magnetic effect of said pole pieces at opposite sides of the chute.

12. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of an inclined coin chute the bot tom of which comprises at least three successive faces, each disposed at a different angle to the horizontal and a pivoted pendant member disposed so that its lower free end portion will operate substantially at the junction of the first and second faces of said chute, said pivoted pendant member cooperating with the upper advanced portion of a coin passing through the chute and forcing it to roll continuously over the second or intermediate face from one end to the other thereof. I

13. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of an inclined coin chute having an intermediate part of its bottom angularly disposed in relation to the preceding or forepart and the succeeding part of the bottom and at a substantially less angle of inclination than said forepart, a pivoted pendant member so mounted as that its free lower portion will cooperate with the upper portion of coins immediately after they leave the forepart of the bottom and through the effect of its weight will cause said coins to roll continuously over said intermediate portion of the bottom from one end to the other thereof, and coin controlling devices subsequently cooperating with such coins.

14. In mechanism of the class described, the

combination of a coin chute inclined at less thanan angle of 45 to the horizontal, a spring-pressed abutment pivotally mounted so as to" cooperate with coins below its pivotal axis if they have passed said chute, the pressure of said abutment being adjustable to control the extent of rebound of coacting coins and a plurality of passageways for receiving coins after they have contactively engaged with said abutment, one of said chutes being substantially vertical and said abutment being disposed at one side of said substantially vertical chute and in substantial alinement with one of the chute walls, the eflect of the action of the abutment being to select the passageways in which the coins are received.

15. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute, a magnetic device having a substantially unvarying magneto motive force and comprising pole pieces projecting into the chute from opposite sides, and means for at will varying the magnet reluctance between said pole pieces while maintaining a constant relationship between them. 16. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute, a magnetic device having a. substantially unvarying magneto-motive force and comprising pole pieces projecting into the chute from opposite sides, and means for at will varying the magnet reluctance between said pole pieces while maintaining a constant relationship between them, said means comprising devices for altering the relationship between the magnet proper and its pole pieces.

ALBERT H. STIILMAN.

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