Coin vault door lock construction

Sept 30, 1969

L. MERCURIO

3,469,874

COIN VAULT DOOR LOCK CONSTRUCTION

Filed Jan. 29, 1968

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United States Patent Office

3,469,874

Patented Sept. 30, 1969

3,469,874

COIN VAULT DOOR LOCK CONSTRUCTION Leonard Mercurio, Plainview, N.Y., assignor to Appliance ,

Operating Corporation, Long Island City, N.Y.

Filed Jan. 29,1968, Ser. No. 701,275 5

Int. a. E05c 9/12, 7/00

U.S. Cl. 292—5 1 Claim

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of an embodiment of the invention in closed condition.

FIGURE 2 is a similar fragmentary view in elevation, showing the side opposite that seen in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view in elevation, corresponding to ' that seen in FIGURE 2, with certain of the component parts removed for purposes of clarity.

FIGURE 4 is a view in elevation corresponding to that seen in FIGURE 3, and showing certain of the component parts in altered relative position.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view thereof as seeen from the lower portion of FIGURE 1.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10 is illustrated in the drawing in installed condition (FIGURES 1 and 2) in a coin vault wall 11 defining a rectangularly shaped opening 12, the opening 12 including an upper edge 13, a lower edge 14 as well as side edges 15 and 16. The device 10 comprises broadly an outer wall member 17, 20 an inner wall member 18, a lock element 19, an upper locking member 20, a lower locking member 21 and a side locking member 22.

The outer wall member is of considerable thickness in order to accommodate the lock element 19, and is ²³ bounded by a generally frusto pyramidally shaped outer surface 25 having a substantially centrally disposed opening-26 in which the above mentioned lock element 19 is mounted. It is also bounded by an upper edge 27, a lower edge 28, as well as side edges 29 and 30 which ³⁰ are adapted to overlie the corresponding edges in the opening 12. The inner surface (FIGURE 2) is planar, and lies parallel to the plane of the inner wall member 18. Openings 32 are penetrated by screw means 33 to maintain the device in assembled condition.

The inner wall member 18 is bounded by first and second surfaces 36 and 37, respectively, an upper edge 38, a lower edge 39 and side edges 40 and 41. As best seen in FIGURE 5 in the drawing, the edge 41 is not symmetrically disposed with respect to the edge 40, but determines the limit of a curved lip 42 adapted to contact the inner surface of the wall 11 when the device is in closed position.

Positioned between the inner and outer walls, and maintained in congruent relation with respect to the inner wall by the screw means 33 is a fixed generally planar member 43 which serves as a guide for the locking members 20-22, inclusive.

The lock element 19 may be of any desired type, and preferably of a non-cylinder type commonly used with coin vault constructions, in which the key is adapted to serve as a knob, when engaged, or finger engaging means to shift locking members between engaged and disengaged condition. A socket-type key 46 selectively engages a motion output shaft 47, the shaft mounting a single lobe cam 48.

The upper locking member 20 and lower locking member 21 are substantially similar and symmetrical, and accordingly, a description of one of the locking members ₆₀ will serve to describe the other. Each locking member is mounted upon a hollow shaft 50 through which a screw means 33 passes, and is provided with a radially arranged gear segment 51. A locking lug portion 52 rotates about an axis through the shaft 50 from the dis_6g engaged position shown in FIGURE 4 to the engaged position shown in FIGURE 3, in the latter position, a lip 53 projecting outwardly of the member 43. This position is determined by contact with stop means 54 contacting a projection 55.

The side locking member 22, in contrast to the locking members 20 and 21, is arranged for rectilinear movement, rather than pivotal movement. It is generally

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 10

A coin vault door lock construction including first and second generally parallel wall members of rectagular configuration, and corresponding to a similarly shaped opening in a vault, one of said walls having a locking lip engageable with one edge of the opening, the other edge being provided with internally withdrawable locking members which are simultaneously extended to secure the remaining three edges of the door within the opening upon rotation of the lock element.

This invention relates generally to the field of coin vaults of a type used in conjunction with coin operated appliances, such as laundry machines, pin ball games and the like, and more particularly to an improved coin vault door lock construction. Devices of this type are known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details which permit the manufacture of a door lock construction of unusual strength at relatively low cost.

While the actual value of the coins normally contained within a coin vault at anyone time is of a relatively low order, devices of this type are continuously exposed to the possibility of rifling and vandalism owing ³³to the ready accessibility to unidentifiable persons, and the relative flimsiness of prior lock constructions. These constructions have usually included a door mounted on hinges, with a single locking lug operated by a key to be moved between open and closed positions. The exposed hinge, of course, is extremely vulnearable, because of ready access, and in most cases the mechanical strength of the lock has been quite limited.

It is, therefore, among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved coin vault door lock construction in which the presence of the hinge has been eliminated, and in which the door, which is of generally rectangular configuration, has been provided with means locking each edge of the same within the opening in the vault with which it is associated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved coin vault door lock construction which may be conveniently fabricated, for the most part, by use of metallic stampings and castings.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved coin vault door lock construction, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved lock construction of the class described which may comprise a minimum of moving parts consistent with superior locking protection afforded.

These objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

3,469,874 planar in configuration, and includes a locking lug portion 53, which in engaged condition projects outwardly of the planar member 43, and a cam engaging portion 60. The outwardly projecting edge 61 is rectilinear in configuration, while the side edges 62 and 63 are modified to gear rack configuration to engage the gear segments 51 for the transmission of motion therebetween. Notched recesses 64 and 65 accommodate the locking members 20 and 21, respectively when in withdrawn position as seen in FIGURE 4.

It will be observed from a consideration of the above construction, that when the device 10 is in engaged condition as seen in FIGURE 1, there are no exposed hinges providing a potential source of opportunity for tampering, and the outer wall member 17 completely overlies the opening 12. In such condition, the edges 13-16 are each engaged by locking means, and sidewise movement is prevented by the fact that the outer dimensions of the member 18 correspond to those of the opening 12. Upon rotation of the lock element 19, the locking members 20-22, inclusive, are simultaneously withdrawn to the position shown in FIGURE 4, permitting the device 10 to be pivoted about the lip 42 to completely disengaged condition, whereby ready access to the vault is obtained. By providing locking surfaces along all four edges of the opening, the possibility of jimmying the device independently of destroying the lock is minimized, and even drilling out the lock element does not afford means for withdrawing the locking members.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.