Abstract: A secure storage device includes a container having a void for external access to the interior space. A closure lid, similarly dimensioned according to the void, may be joined to the container and can be manipulated between an open or closed state. An air evacuation system is also provided including a pressure release valve, a pressure indicator, and a pressure control system, such as a pump, for providing pressure to move air through a fluid communication channel from the interior space to the exterior of the container. A lock is fixed to the closure lid to conditionally restrict a change in state of the closure lid in response to an access control system. The access control system is configured to present an input, validate user input, and permit a state change of the lock.

Abstract: A sheet feeding cassette according to the present disclosure includes a storing region and a front surface portion. The storing region stores a sheet. The front surface portion is disposed on a downstream side of the storing region in a drawing direction and composes a portion of an outer surface of an image forming apparatus. The one side portion and other side portion of the front surface portion in a left-right direction are respectively provided with a first opening portion and a second opening portion where the storing region can be visually checked.

Abstract: A bicycle locking and parking device for parking a bicycle is provided. The bicycle locking and parking device comprises a parking seat, a control module, a locking unit, and a bicycle locking mechanism. The bicycle locking mechanism comprises a locking groove, a first locking member, a reciprocating displacement limiter, a second locking member, and a third locking member. Wherein, the control module drives the third locking member, and the control module cooperates with the second locking member to make the displacement path of the lock-in part being closed. The positioning convex is embedded to the positioning groove, and the locking unit is locked in the bicycle locking mechanism. The present disclosure can avoid the adverse effects or the trouble accident.

Abstract: A control assembly for controlling rotation of a turnstile, includes a torque-restoring mechanism (13) with springs (20), a motion converting transmission with a multiplying gearing (56, 57) converting a rotation of the turnstile over 120° into a rotation of the rotary shaft entering the hydraulic damper (26) over 180°. The hydraulic damper (26) has two pistons mounted onto a single piston rod. A cam or crank mechanism converts rotation of the rotary shaft into reciprocating motion of the two pistons. The first piston damps the rotary movement of the turnstile when moving in one direction while the other piston damps this movement when the pistons move in the other direction, therefore damping the turnstile in both directions. A motion converting transmission in combination with a double-piston mechanism avoids any loss of hydraulic fluid, while achieving a gradually increasing damping force to effectively stop the rotation of the turnstile.

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: Coin lock comprising a lock housing (1) with two coin openings (2, 3) for insertion of coins (A, B) which enable operation of the coin lock, a bolt piece (8) which is connected to a bolt (9) and is arranged in the lock housing and able to move between a forward and a rear position, and a first and a second coin sensing device, each of which comprises a first (31, 31?, 34-, 34?) and a second (32, 32?, 35; 35?) carrier device to carry a coin with a predetermined minimum diameter, inserted through one of the coin openings, and a hook (14, 15) which; in absence of a coin with the predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, and engaging with the bolt piece, prevents the bolt piece from being moved to the forward position, and which, in the presence of a coin with the predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, allows the bolt piece to be moved into the forward position.

Abstract: A coin drop mechanism comprises a support member movably connected to a channel member. A contoured channel configured to receive at least one coin is formed on at least one of the members and defines a coin slot when the members are in contact with each other. The channel is configured to guide the at least one coin to a desired location aligned with an actuator opening on the members. The mechanism further comprises an actuator. The actuator comprises a actuation member configured to travel through the actuator opening, engage the at least one coin against a surface of the channel member, and displace the channel member relative to the support member causing a selected product to be dispensed from a product receptacle.

Abstract: Coin-operated lock comprising a lock housing (1), a lock cylinder having a cylinder core (50), a bolt piece (3), and a follower (4), which is rotatable about a rotational axis and is coupled to the cylinder core and the bolt piece to allow operation of the bolt piece by means of a key inserted in the cylinder core. In the absence of a coin inserted in the lock housing, a blocking device (6, 7) prevents movement of the bolt piece. A decoupling device is designed to decouple the blocking device. The decoupling device comprises a driver (20) and a coupling member (30). The driver is arranged radially outside the follower (4), rotatably about the rotational axis of the follower, and comprises a decoupling member (21, 22) designed to decouple the blocking device. The coupling member (30) is arranged on the follower so that it is radially displaceable between an inner position and an outer position, and comprises an inner (35) and an outer (34) end.

Abstract: A bicycle rental system and automated station that may be integrated with an automobile parking payment and management system. Users may pay for parking and/or rent and pickup bicycles at the station. The station has a meter, bicycle docks, and power plant. Transaction formalities for parking payment and rental may be handled at the meter. The bicycle docks each are adapted to secure a bicycle. The power plant uses a solar panel to collect power and stores it in energy storage device. Low-power operation may be achieved by placing some electronics in a low-power mode. Each bicycle dock may have a trigger mechanism that when activated powers on associated electronics. The bicycle docks may be divided among a number of bicycle modules. The bicycle modules provide flexibility and modularity so that the number of bicycle docks at a station may be changed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shopping cart having a sliding handle, which has module-like functional elements, wherein the functional elements are substantially accommodated in a recess of the sliding handle and protrude so far out of the sliding handle that good usability of the functional elements is given.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article-dispensing machine. The inventive machine comprises: a structure (1), a removable container (2) for articles, and a dispensing mechanism on the base of the container (2), which is actuated by an actuation shaft that is coupled to the shaft of a coin or token selector (6) which is mounted in the structure (1) in order to dispense one or more articles from the container (2) through a delivery outlet (7) following the introduction of one or more coins or tokens. According to the invention, when the door (15) is in the closed position, a single closure device (55), which is associated with said door (15), can be used to lock the container (2), the coin selector (6) and a coin or token collection box (52) in the respective operating positions thereof. When the aforementioned door (15) is open, the container (2) can be refilled or removed, the coin selector (6) can be removed and the collection box (52) can be accessed without the use of tools.

Abstract: A container lock with a housing and, positioned in it, a bolt that can be displaced by actuating a handle, with an insertion shaft for inserting a coin, with a scanning device for scanning the diameter of the coin inserted into the insertion shaft as far as a scanning position, where the scanning device interacts with a blocking device in such a way that the bolt can be displaced only with a coin having a correct diameter. It is proposed that the scanning device should configure a fixing jaw, which securely grips the coin that is inserted in the insertion shaft so that it is partly accessible from outside in the scanning position with the bolt pre-locked to prevent its withdrawal.

Abstract: Semi-automatic dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a semi-automatic dispensing mechanism (1-50), defined by a box (2-51) having in its upper section a tubular drawer (4-43) for the accommodation of several common disposable cups (C), arranged as a stack with their mouths facing downwards, and further, each cup is expected to be dispensed in a bottom drawer (6-62).

Abstract: Coin lock comprising a lock housing, a coin opening part (1) with a coin opening having an oblong cross section perpendicular to the direction of inserting the coin, for introducing a coin into the lock housing, and a coin limiting arrangement which is designed to prevent a coin with a diameter bigger than a defined maximum diameter from being introduced into the lock housing through the coin opening. The coin limiting arrangement comprises a blocking element (5, 50, 51) which can be inserted from the outside into the coin opening and which comprises first engaging units which are designed, in engagement with second engaging units arranged at the coin opening part, to enable a detachable fixation of the blocking element in the coin opening at various positions along the lengthways direction of the coin opening's cross section.

Abstract: Coin lock comprising a lock housing (1) with two coin openings (2, 3) for insertion of coins (A, B) which enable operation of the coin lock, a bolt piece (8) which is connected to a bolt (9) and is arranged in the lock housing and able to move between a forward and a rear position, and a first and a second coin sensing device, each of which comprises a first (31, 31?, 34-, 34?) and a second (32, 32?, 35, 35?) carrier device to carry a coin with a predetermined minimum diameter, inserted through one of the coin openings, and a hook (14, 15) which; in absence of a coin with the predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, and engaging with the bolt piece, prevents the bolt piece from being moved to the forward position, and which, in the presence of a coin with the predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, allows the bolt piece to be moved into the forward position.

Abstract: A coin drop mechanism comprises a support member movably connected to a channel member. A contoured channel configured to receive at least one coin is formed on at least one of the members and defines a coin slot when the members are in contact with each other. The channel is configured to guide the at least one coin to a desired location aligned with an actuator opening on the members. The mechanism further comprises an actuator. The actuator comprises a actuation member configured to travel through the actuator opening, engage the at least one coin against a surface of the channel member, and displace the channel member relative to the support member causing a selected product to be dispensed from a product receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a coin operated device, whereby the articles inside the locker can still be taken out with the spare key of the locker provider without damaging the coin operated device when the key is lost. The coin operated device is installed in the door frame of a locker and comprises first and second lock cylinders respectively for the insertion of the spare key and the key. The second lock cylinder is used to lock or unlock the locker, wherein a coin is inserted into the coin operated device, and a coin triggered module lets the coin fall into a coin accommodation module; then, the key is turned to latch the lock tongue and lock the locker, and the coin accommodation module is simultaneously driven to let the coin stay in behind the coin return.

Abstract: A coin-operated locking device includes a locking unit, a retaining unit, a driving unit, a coin-actuated unit, a user input unit, and an actuating unit. The locking unit is movable between locking and unlocking positions. The retaining unit is movable between a retaining position, where the retaining unit prevents movement of the locking unit between the locking and unlocking positions, and a non-retaining position, where the retaining unit permits movement of the locking unit between the locking and unlocking positions. The driving unit drives movement of the retaining unit between the retaining and non-retaining positions when actuated. The actuating unit actuates the driving unit upon receipt of the coin-deposited signal from the coin-actuated unit and a user input signal from the user input unit.

Abstract: A coin drop mechanism comprises a support member movably connected to a channel member. A contoured channel configured to receive at least one coin is formed on at least one of the members and defines a coin slot when the members are in contact with each other. The channel is configured to guide the at least one coin to a desired location aligned with an actuator opening on the members. The mechanism further comprises an actuator. The actuator comprises a actuation member configured to travel through the actuator opening, engage the at least one coin against a surface of the channel member, and displace the channel member relative to the support member causing a selected product to be dispensed from a product receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article-dispensing machine. The inventive machine comprises: a structure (1), a removable container (2) for articles, and a dispensing mechanism on the base of the container (2), which is actuated by an actuation shaft that is coupled to the shaft of a coin or token selector (6) which is mounted in the structure (1) in order to dispense one or more articles from the container (2) through a delivery outlet (7) following the introduction of one or more coins or tokens. According to the invention, when the door (15) is in the closed position, a single closure device (55), which is associated with said door (15), can be used to lock the container (2), the coin selector (6) and a coin or token collection box (52) in the respective operating positions thereof. When the aforementioned door (15) is open, the container (2) can be refilled or removed, the coin selector (6) can be removed and the collection box (52) can be accessed without the use of tools.

Abstract: A device for utility outlet control is provided that includes means for selectively blocking access to a utility outlet by way of disengaging or engaging the outlet blocking means. The outlet is blocked from access when the outlet is not being used. A user may gain access to the outlet upon appropriate payment or by an authorized access key. Typical utility outlets controllable by the present invention include, but are not limited to electric utility outlets, telephone utility outlets, and Internet access utility outlets.

Abstract: A coin drop mechanism comprises a support member movably connected to a channel member. A contoured channel configured to receive at least one coin is formed on at least one of the members and defines a coin slot when the members are in contact with each other. The channel is configured to guide the at least one coin to a desired location aligned with an actuator opening on the members. The mechanism further comprises an actuator. The actuator comprises a actuation member configured to travel through the actuator opening, engage the at least one coin against a surface of the channel member, and displace the channel member relative to the support member causing a selected product to be dispensed from a product receptacle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a service and/or product dispensing apparatus comprising a coin-receiving device, a coin-storage box (5) and said chute (7) transferring coins from the receiving device to the box (5). The invention is characterised in that said chute (7) co-operates with a closing device (8) comprising a trap (82) mobile between a position closing and a position opening said chute (7), said device (8) co-operating with control means (40) adapted to trigger the displacement of the trap (82) into its closing position when at least part of the coin-receiving device (4) is being dismantled.

Abstract: A coin counting device which comprises: a coin temporary reserve member (3) for temporarily reserving coins therein in a standing condition, the coin temporary reserve member (3) being able to move reciprocally and laterally between a temporary reserve position and a transfer position; and an engaging member (32) which inhibits the coin temporary reserve member (3) to move from the temporary reserve position to the transfer position when the number of coins reserved in the temporary reserve member is smaller than a predetermined number, and which permits the temporary reserve member to move from the temporary reserve position to the transfer position when the number of coins reserved therein is equal to the predetermined number.

Abstract: An unattended bicycle rental and security system, utilizing bi-directional communications with data verification between the individual bicycles and the system is provided which is equipped with an alarm, and can individually identify a number of bicycles and attribute their rental with corresponding customers. The unattended bicycle rental and security system is able to identify if a rental bicycle has sustained an impact during a rental that is sufficient to damage it and identify the customer whose care the rental bicycle was in at the time. The system also allows the integration of several rental locations allowing a bicycle to be rented at one location and returned at another.

Abstract: An electronically actuated and monitorable bulk vending machine assembly for electronically actuated vending from a select one of a plurality of rack mounted of bulk vending including at least one electrically lockable, crank actuated vending machine linked to a microprocessor controlled, interrogatable central control and currency acceptor unit and methods of assembly and use associated therewith.

Abstract: An unattended, automated bicycle rental system utilizes a bicycle rental station having a locking bicycle rack and a control tower. The bicycle rack has an inventory of rental bicycles of non standard size as inventory and the bicycles are locked in place on the rack in distinct bicycle-receiving bays. The control tower incudes a credit card reader that unlocks a specific bicycle from its bay upon insertion of a bank or credit card and begins timing the period of time in which the bicycle is away from the rental station. When the bicycle is returned, it is placed into the bay and in contact with the rack so that an identification sensor can determine if it is a system bicycle and lock it in place in the rack and bill the credit card for the rental charge.

Abstract: A protective cover that a user may place over the earpiece or the mouthpiece of a telephone receiver to protect the user from unknown and potentially harmful substances which may have been left on the receiver by a previous user. The present invention also contemplates a method for providing such covers for use with public telephones and a coin-operated dispenser which is intended for placement adjacent to public telephones so that people using public telephones may have ready access to a means for sanitary use of the earpieces and mouthpieces of public telephone receivers.

Abstract: A coin-deposit lock to be placed on a trolley being part of a row of mutually connected e.g. shopping trolleys or baggage trolleys comprises a main slide being longitudinally slidable against the force from a spring and a measuring slide likewise longitudinally slidable against the force from a second spring. Each of the slides has a transverse central aperture, and when a coin of a certain value (diameter) has been inserted between the slides, the apertures are mutually aligned. Upon insertion of a key belonging to the lock in a first key opening in the lock, the slides can be moved to a position in which a latching finger on a pivotable release member engages in the mutually aligned apertures and retains the slides and the coin between them in a withdrawn position. At the same time, the release member pivots to a position, in which a second latching finger on it frees a second key associated with a previous trolley in the row thus freeing the trolley from the row.

Abstract: A coin transmission control mechanism for a pay phone, including a plurality of projecting rods and slots below the projecting rods, a control plate connected to the projecting rods and having an actuating strip extended out of the telephone body of the pay phone through a hole for guiding a coin during a call, a fixed element, a movable element positioned by a top spring on the fixed element and controlled by an induction coil, a return plate stopped at a sloping wall on the control plate, a control device having a stop bar disposed within the control plate to stop a coin from passing to the coin-box, the movable element being pulled downwards, when the induction coil is turned on, to move the stop bar away for letting a coin pass to the coin-box of the pay phone, the stop bar being forced back to its former position by the control plate through the return plate to stop a coin from passing to the coin-box.

Abstract: A storage locker apparatus includes a cylindrical structure with a plurality of angularly spaced-apart divider walls extending radially outwards. Each wall has an outer end and openings between adjacent outer ends of the walls. There are doors over each of the openings connected to the structure by hinges. Each door has a lock thereon. The lock may be coin operated.

Abstract: A device for retaining a body which may be a bicycle wheel includes an automatic locking mechanism normally disposed in inoperative position but moved to operative locking position when the body is moved into place. A manual release mechanism is provided to allow the body to be removed and a coin operated mechanism is also provided to retain the locking mechanism in operative position until a key allowed of removal by actuation of the coin operated mechanism is reinserted and turned. The actuation of the coin operated mechanism blocks operation of the manual release mechanism until the key is reinserted and turned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coin lock device having a housing, a protruding element extending from said housing and an aperture in the housing for the reception of a protruding element of an identical lock device.A key element is secured to one end of a slide piece which slides against the action of a spring, which slide piece is connected at the other end with a cylinder core having movable, transversely disposed tumblers. The cylinder core slides in an aperture in the housing and is movable under the action of the return spring of the slide piece to a rest position. In the rest position the tumblers engage apertures formed in the surface of the aperture receiving the cylinder core, out of which they can be pushed by the introduction of a key element of a second identical device into the cylinder core.

Abstract: A handle release mechanism for a poker machine (also known as a slot machine or a fruit machine) in which the pulling of the handle and thus operation of the machine under certain circumstances is prevented by means of a latch; instead of being controlled directly by a solenoid the freeing of the latch is controlled by means of a spring loaded cam, actuation of the solenoid permitting movement of the cam under the action of the spring thereby releasing the latch and allowing the machine to be played. This arrangement necessitates energization of the solenoid only for very short periods.