Electrically operated coin box lock

Claim 2

An electrically actuated coin box locking device for locking a coin box in a vending machine, said locking device comprising: a solenoid coil positioned in the coin box; a plunger slidably coupled to the solenoid and positioned to extend therefrom and retract thereto; a staple coupled to the machine adjacent the coin box and positioned to enable the plunger to pass therethrough; means for actuating the solenoid enabling the plunger to retract thereto and extend therefrom; and an amplifier coupled between the solenoid and the means for actuating the solenoid, said amplifier being responsive only to a particular signal possessing a preselected characteristic.

Claim 3

An electrically actuated coin box locking device as defined in claim 1 whenever said amplifier comprises: switch means having at its input a control electrode and at its output two electrodes; a power supply coupled to the solenoid and the switch means; wherein the means for actuating the solenoid is coupled to the control electrode causing conduction between the output electrodes, enabling power to flow from the power supply to the solenoid.

Claim 4

An electrically actuated coin box locking device as defined in claim 2 wherein said amplifier further comprises: a capacitor coupled between the control electrode of the switch means and the means for actuating the solenoid, said capacitor having a value to enable the means for actuating the solenoid to pass therethrough.

Claim 5

An electrically actuated coin box locking device as defined in claim 3 wherein said amplifier further comprising: A transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein the secondary winding of the transformer is coupled to the control electrode of the switch means and the means for actuating the solenoid is coupled to the primary winding of the transformer.

Claim 6

An electrically actuated coin box locking device as defined in claim 4, said device further comprising: a spring positioned between the solenoid and the plunger enabling the plunger to remain in an extended position until retracted by the means for actuating the solenoid.

Claim 7

An electrically actuated coin box locking device as defined in claim 4 wherein said coin box has an aperture positioned thereon to enable the staple to pass therethrough, thereby enabling the coin box to be locked to the machine when the plunger is in the extended position.

Claim 8

An electrically actuated coin box locking device as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for actuating the solenoid coil comprises: an audio-frequency signal.

Claim 9

An electrically actuated coin box locking device as defined in claim 7 wherein said switch means is a thyristor.

Claim 10

An electrically actuated coin box locking device for locking a coin box in a vending machine, said locking device comprising: a solenoid coil positioned in the coin box, said coin box having an aperture thereon: a staple coupled to the machine adjacent the aperture of the coin box and suitable for passing therethrough; a plunger slidably coupled to the solenoid and positioned to extend therefrom and retract thereto; means for actuating the solenoid; and an amplifier coupled between the solenoid and the means for actuating the solenoid, said amplifier being responsive to a preselected signal; and wherein the plunger is extended through the staple locking the coin box to the machine, in the absence of said signal.

Claim 11

An electrically actuated coin box locking device for locking a coin box in a vending machine, said locking device comprising: a solenoid coil positioned in the coin box, said coin box having an aperture thereon: a staple coupled to the machine adjacent the aperture of the coin box and suitable for passing therethrough; a plunger slidably coupled to the solenoid and positioned to extend therefrom and retract thereto; means for actuating the solenoid; and an amplifier coupled between the solenoid and the means for actuating the solenoid, said amplifier being responsive to a preselected signal; and wherein the plunger is extended through the staple locking the coin box to the machine, in the absence of said signal.

Claim 12

An electrically actuated coin box locking device for locking a coin box in a vending machine, said locking device comprising: a solenoid coil positioned in the coin box having a pair of wires extending therefrom; a plunger slidably coupled to the solenoid and positioned to extend therefrom and retract thereto; a staple coupled to the machine adjacent the coin box and positioned to enable the plunger to pass therethrough; a remote source of excitation for actuating the solenoid, wherein said wires of said solenoid extend from the coin box and are connected to the remote source of excitation, and an amplifier coupled between the solenoid and the remote source of excitation for actuating the solenoid, said amplifier being responsive to a preselected signal.

Claim 13

An electrically actuated coin box locking device for locking a coin box in a vending machine, said locking device comprising: a solenoid coil positioned in the coin box having a pair of wires extending therefrom; a plunger slidably coupled to the solenoid and positioned to extend therefrom and retract thereto; a staple coupled to the machine adjacent the coin box and positioned to enable the plunger to pass therethrough; a remote source of excitation for actuating the solenoid, wherein said wires of said solenoid extend from the coin box and are connected to the remote source of excitation, and an amplifier coupled between the solenoid and the remote source of excitation for actuating the solenoid, said amplifier being responsive to a preselected signal.