US3833104A

US3833104A - Vandal-proof central coin receptacle

Info

Publication number: US3833104A
Application number: US00387464A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Blum
Original assignee: COIN SECURITY CORP
Current assignee: COIN SECURITY CORP
Priority date: 1973-08-10
Filing date: 1973-08-10
Publication date: 1974-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-03

Abstract

A vandal-proof central coin receptacle for controlling more than one coin operated machine is provided which includes a receptacle or cabinet-like member housing means for controlling coin operated machines coins. The receptacle is provided with two doors which cover the front portion thereof, and are adapted, when in their closed position, to engage a rod-like member which is passed through the top of the receptacle, thereby locking the two doors in their closed position. The rod-like member is locked in place at the top of the receptacle by a lock which is adapted to be positioned in a housing which is connected to the top of the receptacle in a manner such that it is virtually impossible to break open the lock by means of a crow-bar, hammer or other devices usually employed by vandals. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the lock as well as the housing which surrounds the lock is completely enclosed in a safe-like member which is also provided with locking means.

Description

Blum

[ 1 VANDAL-PROOF CENTRALCOIN RECEPTACLE [75] Inventor: Robert Blum, Short Hills, NJ.

[73] Assignee: The Coin Security Corp., Hillside, N.J.

22 Filed: Aug. 10, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 387,464

52 US. 01. ..194/1 B, 232/15, 312/217 51 1111. C1. G07f 9/06 58 Field of Search 194/1 R, 1 B; 70/85, 86, 70/427; 312/1075, 216, 217; 109/56;

56 v References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1908 Leese 312/220 X 4/1959 Lorenzo 11/1973 Magnanelli 194/1R 145 Sept, 3, 1974 [57] 9 ABSTRACT A vandal-proof central coin receptacle for controlling more than one coin operated machine is provided which includes a receptacle or cabinet-like member a housing means for controlling coin operated machines coins. The receptacle is provided with two doors which cover the front portion thereof, and are adapted, when in their closed position, to engage a rod-like member which is passed through the top of the receptacle, thereby locking the two doors in their closed position. The rod-like memberv is locked in place at the top of the receptacle by a lock which is adapted to be positioned in a housing which is connected to the top of the receptacle in a manner such that it is virtually impossible to break open the lock by means of a crow-bar, hammer or other devices usually employed by vandals. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the lock' as well as the housing which surrounds the lock is completely enclosed in a safelike member which is also provided with locking means.

10 claims-,6 Drawing Figures PATENIEDSEP m 3;a,33;104

sum 1 or 3 VANDAL-PROOF CENTRAL COIN RECEPTACLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vandal-proof central coin receptacle for controlling more than one coin operated machine, such as washing machines and dry ers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION "Laundry facilities such as found in large apartment houses or in unattended stores, have long been the target of vandals. The machines which are found in such places normally are equipped with coin boxes for operating the machines. Unfortunately, these coin boxes may be easily broken into resulting in loss of revenue and sometimes even in damage to the machines themselves. In order to alleviate this problem, suchmachines have been equipped with central coin receptacles for controlling more than one coin-operated machine. These receptacles usually include controls for the various machines as well as compartments for collecting coins needed to'operate the machines. Such central coin receptacles have enjoyed much success; however, they are still subject to vandalism with resultant loss of revenues, although they have'alleviated the problem of damage to the machines themselves.

Such central coin receptacles usually are comprised of a cabinet which is completely enclosed on two sides and the back portion thereof. The front portion of the cabinet usually includes control mechanisms for controlling the machines as well as slots or other means for receiving coins to operate the machines, The front portion thereof is usually divided into three sections, namely, a front panel which closes off the lower part of the front portion of the cabinet, a first door which is pivotally hinged to the side wallsof the cabinet or to the front panel, which first door is adapted to open by rotating about a horizontal axis. Above the first door, there is disposed a second door which includes a pair of vertical parallel sides, one of such sides being hinged to one of the side walls of the cabinet, so that said second door rotates about a vertical axis as it is opened and closed. The front panel in conjunction with the first and second doors when in their closed position com.- pletely close off the front portion of the cabinet. The first and second doors are locked in their closed position by use of a rod which extends down through the top of the cabinet and is engaged by members connected to the first and second doors. The top of the rod is engaged in a housing attached to the top'portion of the cabinet) The housing includes two open sides and a sleeve through which the rod passes, said sleeve also including an opening through which alock can be passed tolock the .rod securely in place in the housing and in engagement with the first and-second doors.

Although such a security arrangement under normal circumstances is quite sufficient, it has been found that the ingenuityand imagination exercised by vandals and petty thieves has been more than equal to the protective measures employed in such central coin receptacles. In such receptacles, the U-shaped portion of the lock employed to retain the rod in its locked position extends out of the housing in which the lock is positioned and, thus, is an enticing target for a vandals crow-bar. Furthermore, the open sides of the housing in which the lock is positioned can also be pried open by diligent and persistent use of a crow-bar. Accordingly, such central coin receptacles with all of the protective and security features designed into its construction have been less than satisfactory in preventing entry to the contents thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION receptacles described above.

The central coin receptacle of the invention includes a security block in which the U-shaped portion of the lock, employed to engage the rod-like member, is embedded, said block closing off oneof the open' sides of the housing in which the locking member is disposed, when the lock is in its locked position. When the lock is in its closed position, the security block prevents the U-shaped portion of the locking member from being exposed and completely blocks off any access to said U-shaped portion. Thus, it is virtually impossible to pry open the locking member by use of a crow-bar or other insidious means. I Y

The locking member may be op'enedby inserting a l key through the other open side of the housing in which the locking member is disposed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking member is spring loaded so that when the lock is opened, the U-shaped member and associated security block springs out from the lock through the open side, which sideis closed off by the block when the lock is in its closed position.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, in

' order to. more fully protect the locking member and its associated housing from prospective vandals, the central coin receptacle is fashioned with a safe-like member or second housing which, is adapted to be positioned over the first housing in which the locking member is enclosed. The safe-like member is permanently secured to the top portion of the receptacle and is enclosed on all sides except thefront portion thereof, said front portion being fitted with a removable cover which includes a locking'meanssuch as a screw lock. The top portion of the safe-like,member includes an opening through which the rod-like member may move in and out depending upon whether the receptacle isto be opened or closed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. representsa view of a typical laundry room fa-i eility which includes a central coin receptacle for trolling the machines there shown.

FIGS. 2 and 2A are views of a portion of a central coin receptacle employed in accordance'with the present invention. 7

FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of a central coin receptacle in accordance with thepresent invention. v

. FIG. 4 is a view of a portion .of the locking; member embedded in a securityblock which is employed the con- 0 3 central coin receptacle shown in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 2 and 2A. Y

FIG. 5 is a view of a portion of a central coin receptacle in accordance with the invention which shows in detail the safe-like member, the interior of which is shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the accompanying Figures, wherein like parts are represented by like numerals inthe several views, in FIG. 1, there is shown a typical laundry room arrangement which includes a series of washing machines indicated by the numeral 10, a series of dryers indicated by the numeral 12 and a central coin receptacle indicated by the numeral 14. The central coin receptacle 14 is connected to a power source not shown and to each of the machines and 12 by means of electrical conduits l6 and 18. 1

In FIGS. 2, and 2A there is shown a portion of a central coin receptacle in accordance with the present invention. This receptacle generally comprises a cabinetlike member which includes a pair of

parallel side walls

22 and 24, a bottom portion not shown, said bottom portion completely closing off the bottom of the member 20, a back portion 26 completely closing off the back of the cabinet-like member 26, and a front portion which is comprised of a front panel 28 which extends up the

side walls

22 and 24 from the bottom portion and closes off a portion of the front of the cabinet-like member 20. A first door 30 is disposed above the front panel 28 and includes a bottom side 32 which is hinged to cabinet-like member 20, for example, to the top portion of front panel 28 or to the

side walls

22 and 24, so that door 30 rotates above a horizontal axis. A second door 34 which includes a pair of sides 36 and 39 is hinged via side 36 to a portion of the side wall 22 of the cabinet-like member 20, so that the second door 34 rotates about a vertical axis. The second door 34 will include slots, various control means for inserting a coin into the coin receptacle and for operating the machines. The first and

second doors

30 and 34, respectively, when in their closed position, in conjunction with front panel 28, completely close off the front portion of the cabinet-like member 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A the cabinet-like member includes a top portion 40 which closes off the top of the cabinet-like member 20. The'top portion 40 includes a rim 42 about the periphery thereof. In a front corner of the top portion 40 of the cabinet-like member 20 there is positioned a first housing referred to generally by the numeral 44 which includes a top portion 46 having an opening 48 therein and two open side portions, one of which is shown and identified bythe numeral 50. The other open side portion is located opposite the side 50. A sleeve 52 having an axial opening 51' (FIG. 4) andv an opening 54 is positioned within housing 44 and is connected to the top portion of the housing ,44 and to the top portion 40 of the cabinet-like member-.20 and is in alignment with the opening 48, in the top portion of the housing 44.

Secured to the housing 44 is a side blocking member or wall 46a, as shown, the purpose of whichis to pre-.

vent easy access to the lock disposed in housing 44and described hereinafter.

The housing 44 is usually welded to the top, and side portions of the cabinet-like member so that it is securely afiixed thereto. A second sleeve 56 is connected;

to the inside surface 58 of the second door 34 and runs substantially the length of said second door 34 as shown. The sleeve is positioned on the second door so that when the second door is in its closed position, the central opening in the sleeve is in alignment with the openings in the top portion 40, the axial opening in sleeve 52 and the top portion 46 of the housing 44.

The first door 30' includes a flange-like member 60 connected to an inside surface thereof 62. The flangelike member 60 includes an opening 64 which, when said first door 30 is in its closed position, is in alignment with the opening in sleeve 56 of the second door 34.

As shown, a shelf or partition 66 is positioned within and secured to the interior of the cabinet-like member 20 and includes an opening 68 which is in alignment with the opening 64 of the first door 30 and the sleeve 56 of the second door 34, when such doors are in their closed position.

In order tolock and secure the central coin receptacle shown in FIG. 2, the first and second doors are moved into their closed positions thereby closing off the front portion of the cabinet-like member 20. Thereafter, rod 70 is passed through opening 48 in the top of housing44 through the opening in the top portion 40 of the cabinet-like member 20 and is extended into the sleeve 56 of the first door, through the opening 64 in the second door 30 and thence, through the opening 68 in the partition 66.

The rod 70 includes an opening which extends through the diameter of the rodsuch'that when the rod is in its fully engaged position, vis-a-vis the two doors and the partition 66, the opening in the rod is in alignment with the opening 54in the sleeve 52. In order to secure the rod and prevent it from falling into the cabinet-like member 20, a lock 72 (shown in FIG. 4) which includes a body portion 74 and a U-shaped portion 76 is employed to lock the rod 70 in place. This is accomplished by passing one of the legs of. the U-shaped member through the opening 54 in the sleeve 52 and through the opening of the rod-like member. The U- shaped member is then engaged in the body portion of the lock 72. p I

As indicated hereinbefore, the U-shaped portion 76 v of the lock 72 unfortunately is somewhat exposed and can easily be broken off or pried open by use of a crow bar. Likewise, the open side 50 of the first housing 44 as well as the other open side thereof are also prone to attack by a prospective vandal.

Accordingly, the applicant has devised means for preventing the U-shaped'poition of the lock from being broken off or pried loose from the remainder of the lock by employing a security block shown in-FIGS. 3 and 4 and referred to'bythe numeral 80. The block 80 'may be formed of steel,:concrete or other hard and strong material. The U-shaped' portion (or shackle) 76 of the lock 72 (shown in FIG.2) is embedded in the block 80. The block 80 is adapted to fit in and comis opened by inserting a key through the open side of the housing 44 and into the lock, the U-shaped portion or shackle 76 can be removed carrying the block 80 v with it. This will enable movement of the rod 70 out of engagement with the first and second doors and the partition 66 so that the front portion of the cabinet-like member 20 may be opened. In one embodiment, the lock 72 will be of the spring-loaded type so that when the lock 72 is opened, the shackle 76 will spring out carrying the block 80 withit.

FIGS. 3 and 5 also illustrate a safe-like member or housing 82 which is positioned over the first housing 44 and is permanently connected to at least the top portion 40 of the cabinet-like member 20, such as, for example, by welding. The safe-like member or housing 82 comprises two

side walls

84 and 86, a top wall 88, a back wall which completely closes off the back of the housing 82 and an open front face identified by the numeral 90 in FIG. 3. The top wall 88 includes an opening 92 which is in alignment with the openings in the top portion 46 of the housing 44. A front cover 94 is adapted to close off the open face of the safe-like member 82. The front cover includes a locking member 96 which is preferably in the form of a screw lock and, as shown in FIG. 3, also includes a cooperating locking member 98 secured to an inside surface of the back wall 89 of the safe-like member which is adapted to engage the locking member 96 when the front cover 94 is in place and such locking member is in its closed position. The cooperating locking member 98 can take the form of any conventional means to which the lock 96 can be secured to retain the cover 94 and close off the front face of the safe-like member 82.

The safe-like member 82 is adapted to completely close off the housing 44 and the locking means retained therein as well as the rod 70. When it is desired to lock the front portion of the cabinet-like member 20,' the v rod 70 is lowered into the safe-like member 82 through the'opening 92 thereof and is extendeddown through the housing 40, sleeve 52, the opening in the top portion 40, through sleeve 56, through opening 64 of the first door 30 and finally through the opening 68 in the partition 66. When the rod is in its engaged position, the top portion of the rod is'preferably flush against the top portion 88 of the safe-like member 82. The openingin the rod 70 will at this time be in alignment'with the opening 54 in the sleeve 52 so that locking means 72 can be employed by passing one leg of the U-shaped portion 76 through the opening in the sleeve 54 and the rod 70 and into engagement with the body portion of the locking member 72. The front cover portion 94 can then be attached to the front cover during which the locking means 96 is engaged with the cooperating locking member 98 .to secure and retain the front cover 94 against the remainder of the safe-like member 82.

In order to gain access to the operating mechanism and/or the coins stored in the cabinet-like member 20, the front cover 94 is removed by unlocking lock .96. Thereafter, a key is inserted in the open side of the housing 44 and into the locking. means 72 so as to open the lock and cause disengagement of the- U-shaped member 76 and associated security block 80; At this time, the rod is free to move in the vertical position .ment with the

openings

68, 64, sleeve 56, and the openings in the top portion 40, sleeve 52 and top 46 of the housing 44. The first door 30 and second door 34 are now free to'move to their open positions.

The receptacle can be closed by merely closing

doors

30 and 34, inserting the rod 70 in place through the openings, sleeve 56 and openings 64 and 68-and passing one leg of the U-shaped member through the opening in the rod and the sleeve 52 and engaging both legs in the body portion of the locking means 72; The secu' rity block closes off one of the open sides of the housing 44. The front cover 94 of the safe-like member can now be locked in place.

It will also be noted that the coin receptacle of the invention can be further reinforced by employing one or two or more metal reinforcing members-30a welded to the receptacle below the

doors

30 and 34 as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, in use, the coin receptacle of the invention will preferably be bolted to the floor and/or walls.

What iscIaimed is:

1. A vandabproof coin receptacle for controlling more than one coin-operated machine, comprising in combination, a cabinet-like member comprising a pair of parallel side walls, a top portion, a bottom portion,

a back portion closing off the back of said cabinet-like member, and a front portion comprising a first doorincluding a bottom side which is hinged to said cabinetlike member so that said door rotates about a horizontal axis, a second door including a pair of parallel sides, one side of whichis hinged to one of said side walls of said cabinet-like member, so that said second door totates about a vertical axis, said first and second door including means for engaging a rod-like member extending from the said top portion of said cabinet-like member the top portion of said cabinet-like member including an opening in alignment with said means for engaging the-rod-like member of said first and second 1 doors when said doorsare in their closed position, a first housing connected to said top portion and positioned over said opening, said first housing including two closed sides and two open sides and a top member and a bottom member whichforms a part of said top portion of said cabinet-like member, said top and bottom members each including an opening in alignment with each other,

a rod-like member including a transverse bore therein, adapted to be positioned in and through the opening in said first housing, said top portion of said cabinet-like member, into'said means for engaging said rod-like member of said first and'sec- 0nd doors, whensaid doors are in their closed position; v locking member comprising a body portion including a lock mechanism, and Ya U-s'haped portion, adapted to extend through the bore in' said rod-like member and thereby lock said'rod-like member in place, a security block in which the U-shaped portion of said locking member is embedded, said block and locking member being positioned within said open sides of said first housing so that said block closes off oneof said open sides ,when said locking member is in its closed position, and access to said body portion of said. locking member is bad through said other open' side, so that when said locking member. is opened, the U-shaped portion and said block can be withdrawn through said one open side of said first housing, said cabinet-like I -member also comprising means for controlling said coin-operated machines and means for storing coins.

2. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said front portion of said cabinet-like member includes a panel which extends up said side walls from the bottom portion thereof below said first door and closes off a portion of said cabinet-like 'member.

3. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means of said second door for engaging said rodlike member comprises a vertically disposed sleeve connected to an inside surface thereof, and said means 'of said firstdoor for engaging said. rod-like member comprises a flange-like member connected to an inside surface of said front door, said flange-likemember including an opening in alignment with said sleeve of said second door when said first and second doors are in a closed position.

4. The receptacle in accordance with claim 3, wherein said cabinet-like member includes a horizontally disposed partition within said side walls and front U-shaped member of said locking member.

6. The receptacle in accordance with claim 4, including, in addition, a second housing adapted to fit over said first housing and be permanently connected to at least the top portion of said cabinet-like member, said second housing comprising two side walls, a back wall, a top wall and an open front face, said top wall including an opening in alignment with the opening in said top member of said first housing, and a front cover porand back portion, and below the flange-like member of said first door, said partition including an aperture which is in alignment with the opening in. said flangelike member of said first door when said front door is in its closed position, said rod-like member being adapted to extend through said aperture of said partition as well.

5. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1 including a'sleeve-member disposed in and connected to said first housing between said top and bottom members and having a longitudinal bore in alignment with the openings in said top and bottom members, and also having a transverse bore extending through the walls thereof and through said first bore and in alignment withthe transverse bore of said rod-like member when said rod-like member is in engagement with the first and second doors, andsaid transverse bore of said sleeve-member being adapted to receive one leg of said tion adapted to close off the open face of said second housing, a second locking member positioned in said cover portion, and a cooperating locking member connected to an interior surface of said back portion and adapted to engage said second locking member when in its closed position, a top portion of said rod -like member being disposed within said second housing and adapted to be pulled up through the opening in said top wall of said second housing in order to allow opening of said first and second doors.

7. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the open sides of said first housing faces the front face of said second housing and said block is adapted to be positioned in said open side facing said front face.

8. The receptacle in accordance ,with claim 7, wherein said second locking member when opened allows complete removal of said first cover of said second v wherein said locking member is of the spring-loaded type, so'that when the locking member is opened, the U-shaped portion and said block springs through. said one open side of said first housing. I

Claims

1. A vandal-proof coin receptacle for controlling more than one coin-operated machine, comprising in combination, a cabinet-like member comprising a pair of parallel side walls, a top portion, a bottom portion, a back portion closing off the back of said cabinet-like member, and a front portion comprising a first door including a bottom side which is hinged to said cabinet-like member so that said door rotates about a horizontal axis, a second door including a pair of parallel sides, one side of which is hinged to one of said side walls of said cabinet-like member, so that said second door rotates about a vertical axis, said first and second door incluDing means for engaging a rod-like member extending from the said top portion of said cabinet-like member the top portion of said cabinet-like member including an opening in alignment with said means for engaging the rod-like member of said first and second doors when said doors are in their closed position, a first housing connected to said top portion and positioned over said opening, said first housing including two closed sides and two open sides and a top member and a bottom member which forms a part of said top portion of said cabinet-like member, said top and bottom members each including an opening in alignment with each other, a rod-like member including a transverse bore therein, adapted to be positioned in and through the opening in said first housing, said top portion of said cabinet-like member, into said means for engaging said rod-like member of said first and second doors, when said doors are in their closed position; a locking member comprising a body portion including a lock mechanism, and a U-shaped portion, adapted to extend through the bore in said rod-like member and thereby lock said rod-like member in place, a security block in which the U-shaped portion of said locking member is embedded, said block and locking member being positioned within said open sides of said first housing so that said block closes off one of said open sides when said locking member is in its closed position, and access to said body portion of said locking member is had through said other open side, so that when said locking member is opened, the U-shaped portion and said block can be withdrawn through said one open side of said first housing, said cabinet-like member also comprising means for controlling said coin-operated machines and means for storing coins.

2. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said front portion of said cabinet-like member includes a panel which extends up said side walls from the bottom portion thereof below said first door and closes off a portion of said cabinet-like member.

3. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means of said second door for engaging said rod-like member comprises a vertically disposed sleeve connected to an inside surface thereof, and said means of said first door for engaging said rod-like member comprises a flange-like member connected to an inside surface of said front door, said flange-like member including an opening in alignment with said sleeve of said second door when said first and second doors are in a closed position.

4. The receptacle in accordance with claim 3, wherein said cabinet-like member includes a horizontally disposed partition within said side walls and front and back portion, and below the flange-like member of said first door, said partition including an aperture which is in alignment with the opening in said flange-like member of said first door when said front door is in its closed position, said rod-like member being adapted to extend through said aperture of said partition as well.

5. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1 including a sleeve-member disposed in and connected to said first housing between said top and bottom members and having a longitudinal bore in alignment with the openings in said top and bottom members, and also having a transverse bore extending through the walls thereof and through said first bore and in alignment with the transverse bore of said rod-like member when said rod-like member is in engagement with the first and second doors, and said transverse bore of said sleeve-member being adapted to receive one leg of said U-shaped member of said locking member.

6. The receptacle in accordance with claim 4, including, in addition, a second housing adapted to fit over said first housing and be permanently connected to at least the top portion of said cabinet-like member, said second housing comprising two side walls, a back wall, a top wall and an open front face, said top wall including an opening in alignment with thE opening in said top member of said first housing, and a front cover portion adapted to close off the open face of said second housing, a second locking member positioned in said cover portion, and a cooperating locking member connected to an interior surface of said back portion and adapted to engage said second locking member when in its closed position, a top portion of said rod-like member being disposed within said second housing and adapted to be pulled up through the opening in said top wall of said second housing in order to allow opening of said first and second doors.

8. The receptacle in accordance with claim 7, wherein said second locking member when opened allows complete removal of said first cover of said second housing.

9. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1, wherein both legs of said U-shaped portion of said locking member are adapted to be disconnected from said body portion upon opening of said locking member.

10. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said locking member is of the spring-loaded type, so that when the locking member is opened, the U-shaped portion and said block springs through said one open side of said first housing.