Abstract: Symmetrical lock which can be operated by means of two coins, consisting of a casing with two slots for the insertion of respective coins and a tongue displaceable in a left/right direction. It is characterized in that: a) the casing has a longitudinal plane of symmetry; b) two tongue stops opposite the coins and a dog engaging with one or both tongue stops are provided, the three elements being arranged on the same pivoting axis; c) the tongue has an opening with a notch with which the ends of the dogs interfere when the tongue is displaced in the absence of coins, and with an end seat for said ends when the tongue is displaced in the presence of coins; d) below the opening and on each side of the tongue there are respective fixed stops and respective movable stops which are coupled together by means of a positioning lever driven by the tongue via a pin on which it is able to pivot.

Abstract: A vending machine comprises a plurality of receptacles mounted to a conveyor member, driven through a loop path by a drive shaft which engages the conveyor by gears, pulleys or other appropriate force transmitting devices, which driveshaft is connected to and advanced by a prime mover such as a hand pulled lever arm and which vending apparatus comprises control mechanisms which combine to control the frequency and degree of shaft rotation to assure that a customer pays for each object vended.

Abstract: Apparatus automatically feeds coins into a parking meter. The timing clock used in the parking meter operates an external coin feeding mechanism to feed a coin when the time on the parking meter is about to expire. The invention is applicable to parking meters of the type wherein the insertion of the coin rewinds the clock as well as of the type wherein a knob is turned to rewind the clock after the coin is inserted. With the latter form of parking meter a special battery powered circuit is employed to wind the clock in increments after a coin has been automatically inserted.

Abstract: In the stacking chamber (9) of a stacking box (50) for superimposed coins (2, 3), a stack carrier (11) supporting the stacked coins is arranged, the top surface (18) of which is inclined with respect to the horizontal (c). For the stacking of coins, the stack carrier (11) is lowered so that the uppermost (3) of the stacked coins (2, 3) is in each case closely below the upper stacking box rim (19). For issuing coins, the stack carrier (11) is lifted, during which step respectively the uppermost (3) of the coins (2, 3) stacked in an oblique position slides along the coin lying therebelow and downwards over the upper stacking box rim once this uppermost coin has been lifted above this rim.