Housing for coin operated constructions

Abstract

A coin handling construction including a housing provided with a cap for closing access to the interior of the construction. Locking means are provided for securing the cap in place on the housing. These locking means comprise a rotatable rod positioned within the housing. First locking elements are mounted on the cap, and second locking elements are mounted on the housing. The locking elements define a surface for inter-engagement of the elements which prevents separation of the cap and housing. The rod is rotatable between a first position for maintaining the locking element surfaces in the engaged condition, and a second position which frees the cap for separation from the housing.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a coin handling construction wherein a housing is provided with a cap for closing access to the interior of the construction, the improvement comprising locking means for securing said cap in place on said housing, said locking means including a rotatable rod positioned within said housing, first locking elements mounted on said cap, second locking elements mounted on said housing, each of said locking elements defining a surface for inter-engagement to thereby prevent separation of the cap and housing, and means defined by said rod for contact with said cap, said rod being rotatable between a first position in contact with said cap whereby said cap is maintained with said elements inter-engaged, and a second position whereat said cap is free for movement to disengage said elements. 
     
     
       2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said elements on said cap extend inwardly relative to said housing, inter-engagement of the cap and housing elements preventing separation in the direction of the inward extension, contact of said rod with said cap preventing shifting movement of the element in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of inward extension. 
     
     
       3. A construction in accordance with claim 1 including a lock for maintaining said rod in said first position. 
     
     
       4. A construction in accordance with claim 3 including a rotatable lock plug, said rod being connected as an extension of said lock plug. 
     
     
       5. A construction in accordance with claim 4 wherein said rod extends from said lock into contact with an opposite wall of said housing whereby said rod resists movement of said lock inwardly of said housing. 
     
     
       6. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rod defines an eccentric cross section, rotation of said rod operating to move rod engaging portions into contact with said cap. 
     
     
       7. A construction in accordance with claim 6 wherein said locking elements on said cap are engaged by said rod. 
     
     
       8. A construction in accordance with claim 7 including an enlarged rod portion for engagement with said housing, said rod portion limiting the extent of rotary movement of said rod. 
     
     
       9. A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said housing defines an opening for receiving said lock, and including a lock shield adapted to be secured at the outer extremity of said opening, and means for removing said lock shield for gaining access to said lock. 
     
     
       10. A construction in accordance with claim 9 wherein said lock shield defines a threaded central opening, insertion of a threaded tool in said central opening operating to drive said shield out of said opening. 
     
     
       11. A construction in accordance with claim 10 wherein said shield and said tool are provided with left-hand threads. 
     
     
       12. A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said locking rod assembly is received within an opening defined by said housing, said locking rod assembly including a lock plug and means for maintaining said plug against rotation within said housing opening. 
     
     
       13. A construction in accordance with claim 12 wherein said lock cylinder defines a flat, and a set screw engaging said flat whereby relative movement between the flat and set screw is prevented. 
     
     
       14. A construction in accordance with claim 13 wherein said set screw is located within said housing in a position covered by said cap when said cap is secured in place on said housing. .Iadd. 15. In a coin handling construction wherein a housing is provided with a cap for closing access to the interior of the construction, the improvement comprising locking means for securing said cap in place on said housing, said locking means including a rotatable rod positioned within said housing, first locking elements associated with said cap, second locking elements associated with said housing, each of said locking elements defining an end portion having a surface for inter-engagement with another end portion surface to thereby prevent separation of the cap and housing, and means defined by said rod for contact with said elements, said rod being rotatable between a first position in contact with said elements whereat said cap is maintained with said elements inter-engaged, and a second position whereat said cap is free for movement to disengage said elements, said elements on said cap extending inwardly relative to said housing, inter-engagement of the end portion surfaces of the cap and housing elements locking the cap against separation from the housing in the direction of inward extension of said elements, contact of said rod with said elements preventing shifting movement of the cap transversely of said direction. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. A construction in accordance with claim 15 including a lock for maintaining said rod in said first position. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. A construction in accordance with claim 16 including a rotatable lock plug, said rod being connected as an extension of said lock plug. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 18. A construction in accordance with claim 17 wherein said rod extends from said lock into contact with an opposite wall of said housing whereby said rod resists movement of said lock inwardly of said housing. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. A construction in accordance with claim 15 wherein said rod defines an eccentric cross section, rotation of said rod operating to move rod engaging portions into contact with said elements. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. A construction in accordance with claim 19 including an enlarged rod portion for engagement with said housing, said rod portion limiting the extent of rotary movement of said rod. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. A construction in accordance with claim 16 wherein said housing defines an opening for receiving said lock, and including a lock shield adapted to be secured at the outer extremity of said opening, and means for removing said lock shield for gaining access to said lock. .Iaddend..Iadd. 22. A construction in accordance with claim 21 wherein said lock shield defines a threaded central opening, insertion of a threaded tool in said central opening operating to drive said shield out of said opening. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. A construction in accordance with claim 22 wherein said shield and said tool are provided with left-hand threads. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 24. A construction in accordance with claim 23 wherein said lock and rod assembly is received within an opening defined by said housing, said lock and rod assembly including a lock plug and means for maintaining said plug against rotation within said housing opening. .Iaddend..Iadd. 25. A construction in accordance with claim 24 wherein said lock cylinder defines a flat, and a set screw engaging said flat whereby relative movement between the flat and set screw is prevented. .Iaddend..Iadd. 26. A construction in accordance with claim 25 wherein said set screw is located within said housing in a position covered by said cap when said cap is secured in place on said housing. .Iaddend.