Coin switch apparatus

Claim 2

Coin switch apparatus comprising: a coin channel through which coins of a common value can pass in sequence; a disc mounted for rotation about an axis normal to the plane of the coin channel; a plurality of projections extending in an axial direction from one face of the disc, the projections spaced circumferentially around the disc and extending one by one into the coin channel, coins passing through the channel striking said projections sequentially to rotate said disc stepwise; and a switch actuated to a first condition on a first rotational stepwise movement of said disc and to a second condition on the next rotational step.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claims 1, including: a magnet mounted on said disc for rotation therewith; said switch a magnetically actuated switch positioned adjacent said disc, said first rotational movement of the disc actuating the switch by said magnet, the next rotational movement of the disc deactivating the switch.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, including a pawl; and a detent in said disc, said pawl engaging in said detent to retain said disc in the first movement step position.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, the disc freely rotatable, the magnet acting to rotate the disc to a position where said magnet is at the bottom of the disc and a further pawl positioned to engage said detent when the magnet is at the bottom to locate the disc, the pawl disengaged from the detent on rotation of the disc by a coin.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including an electromagnet engaging with said pawl, said electromagnet arranged to move the pawl out of engagement with the detent.

Claim 7

Coin switch apparatus for a prepay telephone, comprising: a plurality of coin channels in parallel side-by-side array, each channel adapted to the passage of coins of a common value, a plurality of switches, a switch related to each coin channel; an operating member extending across said channel, each operating member attached to the switch relating to the particular channel, the arrangement such that passage of a coin through a channel moves the related operating member to actuate the related switch; moveable means extending into the coin channel for the coins of the lowest value, said moveable means comprising a disc mounted for rotation about an axis normal to the planes of the coin channels, and a plurality of projections extending in an axial direction from one face of the disc, the projections spaced circumferentially around the disc and extending one by one into said coin channel for said coins of the lowest value, coins passing through the channel striking said projections sequentially to rotate said disc stepwise to a magnet mounted on said disc for rotation therewith; and a magnetically operated switch, said switch actuated by a first stepwise rotation of the disc, the next rotational movement step of said disc deactivating said switch.

Claim 8

Coin switch apparatus for a prepay telephone, comprising: a plurality of coin channels in parallel side-by-side array, each channel adapted to the passage of coins of a common value, a plurality of switches, a switch related to each coin channel; an operating member extending across said channel, each operating member attached to the switch relating to the particular channel, the arrangement such that passage of a coin through a channel moves the related operating member to actuate the related switch; moveable means extending into the coin channel for the coins of the lowest value, said moveable means comprising a disc mounted for rotation about an axis normal to the planes of the coin channels, and a plurality of projections extending in an axial direction from one face of the disc, the projections spaced circumferentially around the disc and extending one by one into said coin channel for said coins of the lowest value, coins passing through the channel striking said projections sequentially to rotate said disc stepwise to a magnet mounted on said disc for rotation therewith; and a magnetically operated switch, said switch actuated by a first stepwise rotation of the disc, the next rotational movement step of said disc deactivating said switch.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, including a pawl, and a detent in said disc, said pawl engaging in said detent to retain said disc in the first movement step position, and an electromagnet engaging with said pawl, said electromagnet arranged to move the pawl out of engagement with the detent.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, the disc freely rotatable, the magnet acting to rotate the disc to a position where said magnet is at the bottom of the disc and a further pawl positioned to engage said detent when the magnet is at the bottom to locate the disc, the pawl disengaged from the detent on rotation of the disc by a coin.