US2219257A - Wall box - Google Patents

Description

E. G. HENRY Oct. 22, 1940.

WALL BOX Filed Aug. 11. 1959 Patented Oct. 1940 UNITED y STATES WALL BOX Earle-G. Henry, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Buckley Music System, Inc., a corporation oflllinois Application August 11, 1939, Serial No. 289,615

Claims. (Cl. 4th-4M) The present invention relates to coin boxes employed in connection with selecting remote control for magazine-type phonographs or other mus sical instruments. These boxes must be opened frequently for the removal of coins and for the changing of the programs. The object of the present invention is to produce a simple and novel construction which will permit a box to be opened lo, and closed easily and the program to be changed readily, without disturbing any of the mechanism of the control system.

One of the features of the' invention has to do with the body of the box, the object being to produce a simple, rugged box which may stand upright on a counter or other horizontal support or be mounted on a Vertical wall and which shall make it possible quickly and easily to detach the part of the box carrying the program and which 2o shall be large enough to provide easy access to all of the devices housed within the box.

In carrying out my invention, I construct the box in two parts, one forming the back and the other the front, and provide interlocking means for hooking them together. Since the controlling handle or arm for theselective device is usually mounted on the front wall of the box while the selective device itself is mounted on the back member which remains stationary when the front member or'cover is removed, means must be pro' so vided for automatically connecting the controlling handle or arm to the selective devicerin the act of closing the box. Viewed in one of its aspects, the present invention may be said to have for its object to produce a simple and novel coupling for this purpose, which will insure proper coordination between the internal and external parts of the selective mechanism.

Further objects of the present invention are to produce a simple and novel program holder which can be quickly and easily placed in position or removed, and a simple and novel structural arrangement which serves both as a mounting for the holder and as a retainer for a pane of glass covering the window opening through which the program is viewed.

The various features of novelty whereby my invention is characterized will hereinafter be pointed out with particularity in the claims; but, for a full understanding of my invention and of its objects and advantages, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a box embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a central vertical section, on a larger scale, through the box, being a section taken approximately on the plane of line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section .n taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 2, showing only the divided shaft for the operating handle; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the part shown in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is perspective view of fragments of the program holder. y 5

In the drawing there is illustrated a box comprising two members. One of these members consists of a vertical back wall I having narrow, vertical, forwardly-facing flanges 2 along its side projecting ange 3 at the'bottom. The other lo member serves to form the front, side, and top walls of the box, together with a portion of the bottom wall. In the arrangement shown, this front or cover member comprises a vertical front wall 4, the upper part 5 of which slopes rearwardly, and there merges into a Vhoxiaontal section 6, the `rear marginal portion of which overlies the top flange 2 on the rear member when the box is closed. Integral with the front and top zo walls of the front member are side walls 'I which are wide enough to overlap the side flanges 2 and completely conceal the same. Extending rearwardly from the wall 4, and spanning the distance between the side walls, is a shelf-like bottom wall 8 that does not extend rearwardly quite 25 as far as do the side walls. The ange or wall 8 is located at some distance above the bottom edges of the front and side walls which form a base upon which the box may rest, with the bottom wall member or shelf 3 held above the sup- 30 porting surface. The wall 8 may rest upon or at least lie close to the wall or shelf 3 which it oyerlaps.

The top flange 2 is provided with a pair of holes 9 extending through the same, and the top wall 35 member 6 carries a pair of downwardly-extending pins I0 that are adapted to enter the holes 9 when the two parts of the box are assembled. Likewise, the wall or shelf 3 is provided with a hole I I into which a pin I2, projecting downwardly from 40 the bottom wall 8 extends when the two -box members are brought together. It will be seen that with the pins I0 and I2 positioned in their respective holes, the two members ofthe box are locked together against relative movements ex- 45 cept in the vertical direction; the opening of the box being accomplished by lifting the front member so as to carry the pins clear of their holes, and then moving it forwardly. 'I'he assembly of the two members is accomplished by reversing 5o these steps, thereby hooking, as it were, the front member upon the rear member.

The two members of the box may be locked together against relative vertical movements in any suitable way. In the arrangement shown, 'there 55 extends through and is fixed in the top wallv 6 a lock device I4 having on the under side a radially-projecting finger I5 which is adapted to be swung underneath a thickened part I6 of the top flange 2 to prevent the front box member from 60 Neither do I show the selective mechanism with which the present invention is not concerned, except a fragment in the form of a Adisk I3 rotatably mounted onl a suitable bracket 20 fixed to and extending forwardly from the upper partof the rear wall just behind the sloping front wall section 5; the member I9 being mounted on the rear end of any rotatable with a short shaft 2| whose axis is at right angles to the wall section 5. Extending through the wall 5 is an actuating shaft 22 having on its outer end a finger piece or handle 24 for turning the same, and having on its inner end a cup-shaped part 25 that surrounds the forward end of the shaft 2|, but is considerably larger in diameter than the latter. The shafts 2| and 22 are coaxial when the box is closed. In one side ofthe cup-shaped member 25 is a long slot 26 extending through the rear edge or rim'of the cup. Fixed to the forward end of the shaft 2| is a radial pin 21 long'er than the radius of the cup and sufiiciently small in diameter to permit it readily to enter the slot 26.

It will be seen that the pin 21 and the slotted cup form a coupling between the shafts 22 and 2|, by means of which the shafts are compelled h to turn in unison with each other when the finger piece 24 is turned. It will also be seen that by making the cup larger in diameter than the shaft 2|, the cup may be lifted with the front member or cover of the box far enough to unhook the latter from the rear member of the box; whereupon a forward movement of the box simply draws the cup 25 away from the pin 21. In closing the box, care must be taken that the finger piece 24 be turned into such a position that the slot 26 and the pin 21 lie in the same plane as the cover member of the box approaches the stationary member, so as to permit the pin to enter the slot. If the pin and slot do not register with each other, then the box cannot be closed. 'Ihe necessity for registration between pin and slot insures that the finger piece 24 will always point to that number on the dial 28 which corresponds to the angular position of the disk I9 of the selective mechanism.

The vertical portion of the front wall of the box is provided with a window opening 29 extending throughout almost the entire height and width thereof. This opening is preferably closed by a transparent window which may be a simple pane of glass 30. If the program from which selections are made by the customer, through the turning of the finger piece 24 and the depositing of coins, is placed behind the window, tampering with the program by unauthorized persons is avoided. On the other hand, in order to make a change in the program, the box must be opened. I have therefore provided not only a novel form of holder for program slips, but also a Isimple and novel mounting which permits the holder to be quickly and easily removed and replaced.

The program holder consists simply of a fiat metal plate 3|, somewhat longer and wider than the corresponding dimensions of the window opening; the plate being stiffened by being iianged rearwardly along its two side edges, as indicated at 32. The front side of the plate 3| has at the top one or more felt pads or cushions 33; the purpose of these cushions being to prevent the plate from coming m contact with small mim'A bulbs, not shown, that are usually placed in the upper part of the box to illuminate the program. 'Ihe actual program slips 34, which may be paper or other suitable material, are supported on the front side of the holder by means of little hooks. In the arrangement shown, there are two vertical rows of program slips, arranged side by side and, therefore, there are four rows of hooks, one near each side edge and two arranged near each other down the longitudinal center. These hooks may consist of little tongues 35 struck from the body of the holder and pressed forwardly so as to lie parallel to and spaced a little distance from the body of the holder; the free ends of the tongues being at the top and their base ends which still remain attached to the holder being at the bottom. Each program slip is adapted to' be supported by a pair of hooks, one of which is contained in one of the side rows, and the other of which is contained in the nearest of the two central rows.

The holder is supported in a somewhat inclined position, tilting rearwardly from the lower end toward the top, by securing it against three vertical metal strips fixed behind the window;' there being a strip 36 at each side of the window, and a central vertical strip 31. Each of the strips 36 lie in front of and conceals one of the side rows of hooks on the holder, while the strip 31 lies in front of and conceals the two central rows of hooks. The strips 36 may be provided with identifying characters, one for each program slip; these characters being reproduced in the dial 28. -In other words, when the finger piece 24 points to a number or other character on the dial,it sets the selecting apparatus to play the record identified by the corresponding character on one of the strips 36.

The strip 31 is simply a narrow at piece of sheet metal the lower end of which lies against and is secured to a stationary bar 38 extending along the lower edge of the window opening on the inner side of the box. The upper end of the strip is bent forwardly and then upwardly, as indicated at 39 in Fig. 2, to provide a foot piece bearing against a bar 40 similar to the bar 33 and serving to position the upper end of the body member of the strip at a substantial distance in rear of the bar. 'I'he strips 36 are similar to the strips 31 except that they are provided at their upper ends with extensions 4| that are bent rearwardly and formed into spring catches.

It will be seen that the front wall of the box has two rows of shallow bosses 42 projecting from the inner side, along the top and bottom of the window opening. The bars 3B and 40 rest against these bosses and they, together with the strips 36 and 31, are secured in place by means of screws. In the arrangement shown', there is a screw 44 extending through the lower end of each of the three strips, through the underlying bar 33 and into the bosses in front of this bar. Underneath the head of each of these screws is an enlargement which may be in the form of a neck of enlarged diameter, or a collar 45 slipped upon the body of the screw. At any rate, it is this enlargement, and not the actual head of each screw that serves to clamp the lower bar and the lower end of the strip against the front wall of the box. The projecting portions of these screws areutilized as elements of interlocks between the lower end of the holder and the box. As best shown in Fig. 6, the holder A3| has notches 46 cut into its lower edge. 'Ihese notches are so located that the enlargements underneath the heads of the screws 44 may be received therein when the holder is placed against the rear faces of the strips and lowered until stopped by the screws.

The notches are, of course, made narrower than the diameter of the screw heads, so that the holder can be detached only by lifting it up.

It will be seen that the bars 38 and 40 are sufficiently wide to overlap the pane of glass and hold it in place, so that these bars serve not only to support the strips, but also to secure the window pane. Each of these bars is shown as being faced on the under side, at least in part, with cushioning material 43 for contact with the glass, to avoid unnecessarily stressing the latter.

The upper ends of the three strips, and the bar 40 that underlies the same, are fastened to the bosses 42 in the same way as are the lower ends of the strips and the bar 38, except that the screws 41 are shorter than the screws 44, so that their heads bear directly against the strips.

The parts are so proportioned that when the holder is placed against the strips and inter locked at its lower endwlth the screws 44, the upper edge of the holder may be snapped past the latching portions 4i on the upper ends of the strips 36, as shown in Fig. 2; thereby causing the upper end of the holder to be yieldingly pressed forwardly and downwardly and thus securing the holder firmly to the front member of the box. After the box has been opened, it is only necessary to pull rearwardly on the upper end of the holder in order to release it from the latches and permit it to be lifted out.

The box may be mounted on a vertical wall by fastening the rear wall of the'box to the latter. On the other hand, the box may be set upright on a bar or counter, after first securing a thin board to the under side of the shelf or wall 3, so as to provide a support for the stationary member of the box when the cover member is removed. In order to conceal thecable that leads into the box, and which may pass through the wall behind the box when the latter is mounted on a vertical wall, it may be desirable to carry the cable up through the bar or counter and through the bottom wall of the box. In order to permit the cable to be brought in from below, without meeting interference on' the part of the flange or'wall 8 on the removable end of the box, I cut away the rear portion of this flange or wall for almost one-half the width and length of the latter to provide a large notch or bay 48 that leaves the underlying part of the shelf 3 exposed. A hole l 49 may be dri1ledthrough this exposed part of the shelf 3 and the cable be carried up through the same. Thus, while the cable may enter through the bottom of the box in front of the rearmost edge of the bottom wall 8, it in'no way interferes with the opening and closing of the box.

While I have illustrated and described with particularity only a single preferred form of my invention, I do not desire to be limited to the exact structural details thus illustrated and described; but intend to cover all forms and arrangements which come within the denitions of my invention constituting the', appended claims.

I claim: A 1. 'I'he combination with a wall box having a window, of a plurality ofnarrow, vertical, stationary strips arranged behind the window, a detachable holder for program slips resting against the rear faces of said strips, stops on the lower ends of said strips to interlock with the lower end of the holder and lock it against lateral movement, and spring clips at the upper ends of the strips to snap against the upper edge of the holder and into overlapping relation to the upper marginal portion of the holder and yieldingly hold it in engagement with said stops.

2. The combination with a wall box having a window, a plurality of stationary, narrow strips of spring metal arranged behind and extending from the top to the bottom of the window, the strips being inclined rearwardly from the lower ends upwardly and their upper ends having leg portions extending forwardly to said wall, a program holder resting loosely against the rear faces of said strips, stops on the .wall at the lower ends of the strips for interlocklng'engagement with the lower end of the holder, and the upper ends of some of the said strips being lformed into catches for engagement with the upper end of the holder.

3. The combination with a wall having a window opening and shallow bosses on opposite sides of the latter, a window resting against said wall between said bosses, two parallel bars each resting on the bosses on one side of the window opening and overlapping the adjacent margins of the window, strips spanning -the distance between and resting on said bars, screws each extending through one of the strips and the underlying bar and into a boss underneath that bar, to hold the strips and bars to the wall, and a program holder resting against the rear sides of said strips.

4. The combination with a wall having a window opening and shallow bosses on opposite sides of the latter, a window resting'against said wall between said bosses, two parallel bars each resting on the bosses on one side of the window opening and overlapping the adjacent margins of the window, strips spanning the distance between and resting on said bars, screws each extending through one of the strips and the underlying bar and into a boss underneath that bar, to hold the strips and bars to the wall, the screws along one side of the window opening having projecting headedp'ortions, aprogram holder resting against said strips and having in one edge notches in which the said projecting headed portions o the screws lie.

5. The combination with a wall having a window opening and shallow bosses on opposite sides between said bosses, two parallel bars each resting on the bosses on one side of the window open-ing and overlapping .the adjacent margins of the window, vstrips of spring metal spanning the distance between and resting on said bars, screws each extending through one of the strips and the underlying bar and into a boss underneath that bar, to hold the strips and bars to the wall, the screws along the side of the window opening having projecting headed portions, a program holder restingagainst said strips and having in one edge notches in which the said projecting headed portions of the screws lie, and certain of the strips having their ends adjacent to the edge 'of the holder opposite the notched edges formed into-spring catches engaged with holders.

EARLE G. HENRY.

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