June 29, 1965
J. G. mew '
' 3,191,588
com GUIN
Filedv Oct . 1O ,, 1962
_
'
INVENTOR.
'Jo/m G. Theat
BY
.
,1
'
‘/ / 444A
Arrmvsy
United States Patent O ”
ice ~
3,l9l,588
Patented June ‘29, 1965
1
2
3,191,588
is to be understood, however, that such embodiment is
shown by way of illustration only, to make the principles
John G. Thew, Westport, Conn., assignor to
Raphael Lyman, Norwalk, Conn.
and practice of the invention more readily comprehensible,
and without any intent of limiting the invention to the
speci?c details therein shown.
In the drawings:
COIN GUN
Filed Oct. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 229,658
6 Claims. (Cl. 124-27)
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a coin
discharging gun of the present invention;
The present invention relates to a spring-loaded gun
'FIG. 2 is .a section taken on line 2—2 of FIG. 1, partly
and, more particularly, to a spring-loaded coin-ejecting
or discharging gun, of a type especially adapted for east 10 in elevation, showing details of shape and construction;
the gun being shown in uncocked position;
ing a coin into a toll basket at toll-paying stations on
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to that of FIG.
highways.
‘
2, showing the gun in cocked position;
On many of the toll highways throughout the United
FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the gun; and
States, special toll gates are provided for persons who
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, bottom plan view of the same
have the exact coin for the paymentof the toll due, in 15
illustrating one preferred form of trigger spring construc
order to facilitate toll payment and to save the cost of
tion.
.
an attendant at that gate. At such toll gates, baskets with
Generally stated, the gun of the invention is of the type
screen bottoms are provided into which the motorist
in which the coin or missile to be ?red forms part of the
throws the coin in payment of the toll, a procedure he
may carry out by merely ‘slowing down without stopping 20 cooking mechanism and in which the cocking is effected
from the front of the gun or, in other words, the ?ring
or waiting.
spring is tensed by means of a rod projecting from the
The ‘accurate throwing of the ,coin in payment of the
discharge or barrel end of the gun, so that the gun may be
toll, however, is di?‘icult for most people and frequently
cocked by a pressing action against the rod, rather than
results in the misdirection of the coin, so that it falls to
the conventional pulling action required by spring guns
the ground, requiring an embarrassing stop and delay to
of the prior art.
search for and pick up the coin and deposit it. This is
More speci?cally stated, and with reference to the em
due, mainly, to the fact that toll payments are generally
bodiment of the inventionlillustrated in the drawings, the
made to the left of the drivers, who are generally right
same comprises a preferably hollow handle or grip section,
handed and ?nd it difficult to throw accurately with their
left hand. Also, the left hand of a driver is generally 30 generally designated as 10, and prefer-ably formed of
two equal halves, preferably formed of lightweight metal
con?ned against the vehicle side and not convenient to
‘castings ,or stampings, as of aluminum, each designated
as 12. The grip 10 is ‘formed with a preferably integral
Further, the payment of tolls, in general, frequently
hollow, vertically-extending coin-holding cylinder '14, at
requires the fumbling and ?shing about in pocket or purse
its forward edge, half of which is supplied by each of the
for the accurate coin; a further delaying procedure.
grip halves 12. The grip 19 is formed at its top edge, to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a de
the rear of the coin cylinder 14, with flat, outwardly-ex
vice, in the form of a spring-loaded gun that will dis
tending ?anges .16, whose surface is normal to the axis
charge coins and facilitate their accurate direction into a
of the coin cylinder 14. The grip p‘ortionis formed at
toll basket even for a right-handed person.
It is another object of the present invention to provide 4.0 its forward end, forwardly of the coin cylinder 14, with a
flat platform'ls, extending laterally to each side of the
a coin-discharging gun, of the character described, which
cylinder and which is disposed at a level below the level
enables a person to discharge it with either his right or
of the ?anges 16 a distance equal approximately to the
left hand, to thereby further facilitate and make conven—
manage.
‘
‘
ient the accurate direction of the coin into the toll basket.
It is still another object of the present invention to pro
vide a coin-discharging gun, of the character described,
which may include a magazine for a great number of
thickness of a coin 20, or slightly greater.
The platform 1-8 is provided, immediately in front of
the cylinder 14, with an opening 22 through which pro
jects a reduced end portion 24- of a wider, preferablyar
cuate trigger or coin release member 26 which may be
formed with lateral extensions or ears 28 by which it is
in the pockets to locate the correct coin.
It is yet another object of the present invention to 50 pivoted on the outer edges of the platform 18. The pivots
30 are so arranged that when the trigger 26 is pressed
provide a coin-discharging gun, of the character described,
towards the cylinder ‘14, the end 24 thereof, projecting
that may be easily and conveniently cocked for coin-dis
through the opening 22, is retracted and lowered to a posi
charging and ?red with one and the same hand, without
tion where it is below the upper surface of the platform
the need for using the other hand, and, therefore, with
out the necessity for removing the driver’s both hands 55 18 and when the lowered end thereof is moved away from
the cylinder 14, the upper end of the trigger extension 24
from the steering wheel at any time.
projects above the upper surface of the platformv 18.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide
Spring means, preferably in the form of a suitably curved
a coin-discharging gun, of the character described, which
leaf-spring 52 secured in suitable position‘ on the coin cyl
is of neat and attractive appearance and of sturdy and dur
coins,.to thereby eliminate the need for fumbling about
able construction, and is compact and of light weight and 60 inder 14, are provided for normally maintaining the trig
convenient to carry in a pocket or purse, or store in a
glove compartment of a vehicle.
It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide a coin-discharging gun, of the character described,
ger 26 away from the coin cylinder and the end of its
upper projection 24 above the surface of the platform 18;
the plate v36 and platform 18 forming, respectively, the
top and bottom walls of the discharge nozzle 41.
The device of the invention further comprises a plate
which is formed of few, simple and rugged parts and will 65
36 overlying the grip 10 and the platform 18 and secured
not readily get out of order, so that it is sure and certain
thereon. .Rearwa-rdly of the coin cylinder 14, the plate
in its operation.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the
36 is ‘formed with a longitudinally-extending slot 38, and
forwardly of the slot 38 the plate 36 is formed with de
spring-loaded coin-discharging gun of the present inven
tion will become more readily apparent to those skill-ed in
the art from the embodiment thereof shown in the accom
panying drawings and from the description following. It
pending ?anges 40 that rest on the platform ‘18 and space
plate 36 ‘from it a distance equal approximately to the
thickness of a coin; the ?anges 40 being spaced from one
3,191,5sa
another a distance equal approximately to the diameter of
a coin. Thus, the platform 18, the forward portion of
plate 36, and its ?anges 40 de?ne :a coin discharge nozzle
' 41 into which the cylinder 14 opens.
.Secured to the upper surface ‘of the plate 36 at the
front end thereof is an upright lug 412 formed with an
opening 44 through which is guided a gun-cocking rod
46 preferably formed or provided with an enlargement
4
of the present invention. ‘It will be readily apparent that
such gun is compact and of relatively light weight and
formed without sharp corners that may snag against the
user’s clothing, so that it may be conveniently carried in
the pocket of a garment or kept in the glove compart
ment of a vehicle and easily and quickly removed there
from.
'
It will also be apparent that the gun of the present in
such as the ball 48, on the end thereof, that projects for
vention may be used to eject and throw a coin into a toll
wardly of the plate 36. The inner end of the rod 46 is 10 basket by the driver’s right hand across his body with
downwardly-offset, as at 49, and extends through the slot
great ease and convenience and with much greater accu
38 and has secured to its end projecting through the slot
racy than possible by throwing with the right or the left
38 and against the inner surface of the plate .36, a coin
hand. It will also be clear that the gun may be cocked
discharge element or plate 50. A' contraction spring 52
for ?ring with the same hand that holds it, by merely
is mounted over the rod 46 intermediate the lug 42 and 15 pressing the enlargement at theend of the rod against
the offset end 49 thereof; one end of the spring '52 being
any suitable surface. It will be further apparent that the
secured on the lug 42, as at 54, and the other one being
gun provides a convenient place for the storage of coins
Secured on the offset rod end 47, as at 56. The coin dis;
for the paying of tolls in position for quick and conven
charge plate 50 is arranged to extend and overlie, when
ient use.
in normal position, the substantially greater portion of the 20 It will be still further apparent that numerous modi?ca
coin cylinder.
tions and variations in the spring-loaded coin-discharge
A cover, generally designated as 58, having the domed
gun of the present invention may be made by anyone
skilled in the art, in accordance with the principles of
spring, is secured thereove-r, preferably by screws 62,
the invention hereinabove set forth, and without the exer
which preferably extend through plate 36 and are set into 25 cise of any inventive ingenuity. I desire, therefore, to be
the grip 10 to thereby also serve to secure the plate 36
protected for any and all such modi?cations and variations
in position on the grip.
~
that may be made within the spirit of the invention and
The coins 20 are held in the cylinder pressed against
scope of the claims hereto appended.
the coin-discharge plate 50 by the expansion spring 64
What I claim is:
which underlies them; the latter in turn being held in 30
ll. A coin discharge gun, comprising a grip section, a
place by the coin cylinder closure which may be in the
coin discharge nozzle at one end of said grip section, said
‘form of a plug 66 fitting into the end of the cylinder 14
nozzle including parallel top and bottom walls spaced
and which may be removably held in place by one or
a distance the thickness of a coin to be discharged there
more detent pins 68 which are‘ engageable in the bayonet
center portion .60 that overlies and covers the rod and
slot 70 formed in the marginal edge portion of the cylin 35 from, a coin cylinder disposed with its axis substantially
normal to the planes of said walls, a portion-of said top
der.
wall overlying said cylinder, said cylinder having a coin
The operation of the gun may now be described. To
passage opening at its inner end connecting with said dis
load the gun, the same is inverted with the cylinder open
charge nozzle, a coin ejector plate of a thickness substan
ing upwardly disposed. A number of coins 20, such as
quarters, are then inserted into the cylinder; the upper 40 tially equal to the thickness of a coin, means supporting
said coin ejector plate for reciprocal movement from a
most of them resting against the bottom of the coin-dis
?rst position overlying a portion of said cylinder at said
charge plate r50, which overlies the greater part of the top
opening of the coin cylinder 14 due to the pull of spring
inner end below said top wall to a second position exter
46. The spring 64 is then placed over the coins ‘20 and
nally of said cylinder remote from said coin passage
is pressed against them ‘by the plug 66 which is then
45 opening, a release trigger pivotally supported for move
turned to engage its detent pin 68 in the slots 70, as clear
ly shown in FIG. 2. To discharge a coin from the gun,
ment of one end thereof to close said coin passage open
the rod 46 is pushed inwardly to retract the coin~discharge
thereof, resilient means normally maintaining said trigger
plate 50 to a point where its forward end escapes the in- '
ing in one position and to open it in another position
in said one position thereof, a member connected to said
per-most of the coins 20 and brings the uppermost coin
ejector plate and projecting therefrom for engagement for
,20a'into alinement with the discharge nozzle 41. This 50 moving said ejector plate from one of its said .positions
operation may he performed without the assistance or use
to the other, and spring means connected to said member
of the‘other hand of the person who holds the gun, mere
ly by pressing the ball 48 against any convenient surface.
normally urging said member and said ejector plate into
Release of pressure on the rod 46 will cause spring 52
said ?rst position thereof.
2. The coin discharge gun of claim 1, wherein said coin
the coins 20a and move it toward nozzle dill until its for
cylinder is formed integrally with said grip.
to move the discharge plate 50 against the innermost of 55
3. The coin discharge gun of claim 1, wherein said
member connected to said coin ejector plate comprises a
rod slidably supported on said nozzle and engaging said
nermost one. The gun is now ready for discharging the 60 plate, said rod projecting forwardly of said nozzle.
4. vThe coin discharge gun of claim 1, wherein the top
coin ‘20a by pressing the lower portion of the trigger 26
wall of said nozzle extends beyond said coin cylinder on
towards the coin cylinder 14. This frees the innermost
coin 20a for ejection by the discharge plate 50 through
the side opposite said nozzle, said top Wall extension
the contracting action of the spring 52; the inner end of
65 formed with a slot; and wherein said membercomprises
guide slot 318 automatically limiting the movement of the
a rod slidably mounted on said top wall, said rod having
discharge plate 50 beyond the innermost of the coins re
an offset end portion extending through said slot and en
maining in the gun.
gaging said- coin ejector plate, said rod projecting beyond
To minimize the friction of the discharge plate 50
the discharge end of said nozzle, and said spring means
against the inner surface of the plate 36, a ‘longitudinally
normally maintains said rod in its projecting position.
extending recess 72 may be ‘formed in such inner surface,
5. The coin discharge gun of claim 4, wherein said rod
so that only the marginal edge portions of the discharge
is disposed above the top wall of said nozzle in substan~
plate are in frictional contact with the inner surface of the
tially parallel relation thereto and a cover is mounted on
plate.
said top wall over the portion of the rod lying above said
This completes the description of the coin-discharge gun 75 top nozzle wall.
‘
ward edge strikes against the trigger projection 24, as
clearly shown in FIG. .3. In this position the discharge
plate partly overlies the coin immediately below the in
3,191,588
6. The discharge
lug is supported on
end of said nozzle,
supporting said rod
gun of claim 4, wherein an upright
said top wall adjacent the discharge
said lug having an opening slidably
and said spring means comprises an
expansion spring mounted over said rod between said lug 5
and said offset end of said rod, one end of said spring
anchored on said o?set end and the other end of said
spring anchored on said lug.
References Cited by the Examiner
UNITED STATES PATENTS
107 442 9/70 Buckman et a1
124_52 X
2 4832/52 10/49 Bum __ __'
124_49
2:527:254 10/50 Hjelm':__:__:______: 124__27
_
_
RICHARD C- PINKHAM’ Pr‘ma'y Emmmer
LOUIS R. PRINCE, Examiner.