US3841458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rental locker system
Assignee: Glory Ltd
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Filing: 1973-02-23
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A rental locker system rendered lockable by dropping a required number of coins in the locker, comprises a slidable plate operated by the coins for unlocking the locker, a coin number setting plate which, upon unlocking, displaces the slidable plate to prevent the locker from being locked, and an operating lever engaged with the coin number setting plate at a predetermined engaging position, whereby the number of coins required for a rental period can be easily changed by changing the predetermined engaging position. The rental locker system may be further provided with an improved means for retaining coins temporarily for subsequently checking the correctness of the number.
Inventors
- 👤 Y Kinoshita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:18
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F5/00; G07F17/00; G07F17/10; G07F17/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A rental locker system of the type rendered lockable with a key by dropping a required number of coins into a coin inlet and later unlockable with the same key comprising: a lock mechanism adapted to be locked or unlocked by said key; indication means indicating the number of coins required for locking or unlocking said lock mechanism; coin detection means for detecting the coins actually dropped; control means for controlling the lock mechanism in locking or unlocking; a slidable plate operating through said control means when the coin detection means detects coins of a number indicated in said indication means to place the locking mechanism in a lockable state; an operating lever rotatable around a pivotal point in cooperation with said slidable plate; and a coin number setting plate engaging with said operating lever at a position selectively changeable, whereby when the coin number setting plate is operated by an unlocking action of the user, the operation is transmitted through said operating lever to said slidable plate, whereby the coin number required for a rental period can be changed by selectively changing the engaging position of said indicator operating lever and said coin number setting plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A rental locker system of the type rendered lockable with a key by dropping a required number of coins into a coin inlet and later unlockable with the same key comprising: a lock mechanism adapted to be locked or unlocked by said key; indication means indicating the number of coins required for locking or unlocking said lock mechanism; coin detection means for detecting the coins actually dropped; control means for controlling the lock mechanism in locking or unlocking; a slidable plate operating through said control means when the coin detection means detects coins of a number indicated in said indication means to place the locking mechanism in a lockable state; an operating lever rotatable around a pivotal point in cooperation with said slidable plate; and a coin number setting plate engaging with said operating lever at a position selectively changeable, whereby when the coin number setting plate is operated by an unlocking action of the user, the operation is transmitted through said operating lever to said slidable plate, whereby the coin number required for a rental period can be changed by selectively changing the engaging position of said indicator operating lever and said coin number setting plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said operating lever is further intercoupled with said indication means in a manner such that the number of coins required for locking or unlocking said locking mechanism is indicated in accordance with the actual position of said slidable plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said indication means includes an indicating plate bearing digits successively displayed through a window.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 1 wherein saiD locking mechanism comprises a cylinder lock having a latch member engageable with a slit in the door of the rental locker and a blocking lever for operating cooperatively with said control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means is a control lever rotatable about a pivotal point with one end thereof being detachably engaged with said slidable plate and other end thereof being engageable with a blocking lever of said locking mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slidable plate includes a toothed rack portion engaging with said coin detecting means, a portion allowing said control means to block the locking movement of said locking mechanism, and another portion defining the movement of said operating lever, whereby when the slidable plate is moved in correspondence with each detection of coins dropped into said coin inlet, said operating lever is rotated, and said coin number setting plate is caused to descend in correspondence with the detected number of coins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 1 wherein cam means rotated by driving means is further intercoupled with said coin number setting plate, and said driving means is so controlled that when the user of the locker unlocks the locking mechanism, the coin number setting plate is thereby elevated by one step, and the slidable plate is moved by a distance corresponding to the number of coins required for a rental period preset by said engaging position of said operating lever and said coin number setting plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slidable plate is caused to descend by a distance corresponding to a detected number of coins dropped into said coin inlet, and elevated by a distance corresponding to a preset number of coins required for a rental period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indication means is so interlinked with said slidable plate that when a number of coins corresponding to a number indicated by said indication means are dropped into said coin inlet, said slidable plate is caused to descend to its lowest position, and the control means thereby allows the locking movement of said locking mechanism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 1 wherein timer means is incorporated, and whenever the timer means operates, said coin number setting plate is elevated by one step, whereby the slidable plate is moved by a distance corresponding to the number of coins preset for a rental period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 1 wherein a coin retaining means is incorporated in connection with a coin passage downstream of said coin detecting means, and said coin retaining means is so constructed that coins passed through the coin detecting means are stacked in the coin thicknesswise direction in said coin retaining means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said coin retaining means comprises a coin retaining tube having a lower end opening and a horizontally swingable cover provided at said lower end opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A rental locker system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said horizontally swingable cover is opened in cooperation with said elevating movement of said coin number setting plate, whereby the coins stacked in the coin retaining tube are temporarily retained therein until the end cover is swung open.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |