| 摘要 |
1,072,575. Coin freed mechanisms. SODECO SOC. DES COMPTEURS DE GENEVE. April 21, 1964 [April 23, 1963; June 4, 1963], No. 16563/64. Heading G4V. [Also in Division H4] A queue of coins of mixed denomination is held in suspense on a shelf 10g visible through a window 10 of a telephone coin box, the coins being deposited one at a time when further credit is required for a call, the value of each coin being registered on a multistage binary counter stepped to zero by meter pulses from the exchange, and the state of the counter being indicated by a scale reading 16 or by a lamp, not shown, which lights to show a small residual credit in the counter and which only becomes visible when the last coin is encashed. The scale reading 16 may be provided by an ammeter or by a multi-cathode counting tube. Coins inserted at slot 5 are initially tested at 6 to ensure that the minimum deposit is made. This amount is registered in the counter which reverts to zero as soon as the first batch of meter pulses arrive. Reversion to zero causes the first coin to be cashed in from the suspense position, a solenoid 15 withdrawing a detent to allow the first coin to roll off the end of the rail 10g while the next coin is held by the insertion of a detent. The value of the first coin is determined in a testing station 13 and has deducted from it the value of basic charges contained in the first batch of meter pulses. The residue, if any, is registered in the counter which from this point on is debited direct by meter pulses and cashes in an additional coin whenever zero credit is reached. Zero credit also starts a delay relay which disconnects the call if further coins are not available. If, on the other hand, the handset is replaced while coins remain in queue, the shelf 10g is pivoted over by a solenoid to precipitate the coins to a refund shoot. The scale reading indicator 16 comprises an ammeter supplied with a current from each binary stage proportional to magnitude of the digit registered. Where a warning lamp is employed it is positioned behind the first coin in the queue so as to be revealed when no coins remain in suspense and signal the imminent expiry of credit. |
