US 5,036,966 A · Newspaper vending rack coin box incorporating a retrofit electronic coin mechanism

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to a retrofit coin measuring apparatus installed in a newspaper vending rack, and more particularly a retrofit structure which is electronically actuated. It incorporates a switch which is operated by insertion of a coin into the coin chute, switching on electrical power which is otherwise switched off to preserve battery life. The coin measuring apparatus has a removable retrofit structure which is attached by a lock bar. Inside the coin measuring apparatus, there is a switch which initiates operation of the electronic circuitry to test for bogus coins, to measure the value of the coin, and sum the total value of coins inserted until a price has been paid and to thereafter operate a door mounted on a paper receiving cabinet. The door is provided with a door hook cooperative with a door hook closure device to close and latch after the sale of a paper. After each sale, the electronic circuitry is switched off and is in a dormant state until the next transaction. It has a circuit recording the time and day of the sale, and such information is held in memory subject to retrieval by an infrared coupling for transfer elsewhere for analysis.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An improved newspaper vending rack having a coin box installed with a rack which rack and coin box, after coin box installation, includes:

(a) a closed paper receiving cabinet;
(b) a hinged door on said cabinet;
(c) a protruding door hook for closing said door;
(d) a closed coin receiving housing supported by said cabinet;
(e) door hook closure means cooperatively latching said door hook on closure thereof;
and
(f) a retrofit, electrically powered coin measuring means mountable in said housing and wherein said coin measuring means operatively connects to said closure means releasable engaging said door hook to permit opening of said door and wherein said coin measuring means further includes:
(1) a coin receiving slot having the form of a slot enabling coin insertion;
(2) means located to detect a coin placed through said slot, and said detector means includes:
(i) lever means mounted to obstruct entry of a coin into said slot and wherein said lever means is movable for coin entry;
and
(ii) switch means connected to said lever means for switching on said coin measuring means for operation;
(3) an electrical power supply;
and
(4) wherein said coin detector means momentarily connects said power supply to said coin measuring means to provide power thereto for operation for an interval and said measuring means operates and thereafter shuts off electrical power.

12 more elements

A coin responsive newspaper vending rack wherein the rack includes:

(a) a closed paper receiving cabinet;
(b) a hinged door on said cabinet;
(c) a protruding door hook on said door;
(d) a closed coin receiving housing supported by said cabinet;
(e) door hook closure means cooperatively latching said door on closure thereof;
and
(f) coin measuring means having:
(1) coin insertion slot for coins up to a selected size;
(2) downwardly extending coin chute means;
(3) coin escrow means below said chute means to hold coins in escrow;
(4) pivotally mounted door means below escrowed coins for return of coins to an exposed chamber for easy retrieval;
(5) electrically powered, pivotally mounted second door means below escrowed coins for opening to drop escrowed coins into a vault means;
(6) means located to detect a coin placed through said slot, and said detector means includes;
(i) lever means mounted to obstruct entry of a coin into said slot and wherein said lever means is movable for coin entry;
and
(ii) switch means connected to said lever means for switching on said coin measuring means for operation;
(7) an electrical power supply;
and
(8) wherein said coin detector means momentarily connects said power supply to said coin measuring means to provide power thereto for operation for an interval and said measuring means operates and thereafter shuts off electrical power.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Newspaper vending rack coin box incorporating a retrofit electronic coin mechanism

Life of this patent

Newspaper vending rack coin box incorporating a retrofit electronic coin mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13