Testo Reaction Meter

[fingermouse79]

Has anyone got any information about the TESTO?

[pennymachines]

I think most of it's already covered in this thread - except the manufacturer and exact period of production. Maybe someone will know.

The coin is returned if you stop within 21 feet. Get a friend to have a go and shout NOW! while they're waiting for the bell. Their reaction time will be destroyed for several minutes.

As someone commented - there seem to be lots for sale all of a sudden - two more in the Coventry sale. Possibly because the original owner placed them in dozens of pubs and they were all pulled out together when the concession ended. Good time to buy one.

[fingermouse79]

How excited am I??? I have just spent several hours finding information about Testo reaction machines. Finally I found the patent using http://v3.espacenet.com

The following is summary of the patent describing the mechanism and I have also attached a picture too.

Abstract of GB786414
786,414. Measuring physiological reaction time. YLINEN, K. J. Aug. 23, 1956 [Aug. 26, 1955], No. 25763/56. Class 81 (2). [Also in Group XVIII] A physiological reaction time meter comprises a channel for a falling body, a support for the body at the upper end of the channel, manually operable means for withdrawing the support, means for delaying the withdrawal of the support after the manually-operable means has been actuated, means for giving a signal when the support is withdrawn and the body starts falling and a braking member extending along the channel for operation by the user on reception of the signal in order to stop the fall of the body, the distance fallen giving a measure of the reaction time of the user. A coin 5 is inserted at the top of the channel 4 and is supported by a pin 18 carried on one end of a spring 19 which is fixed at the other end to a frame. On pressing a push-button 29 the pin 18 is withdrawn, a second pin 22 carried by an arm 23 is inserted in the channel 4 to support the coin 5 and the push-button 29 is retained in depressed position by engagement of a suction cup 30 on the push button 29 with a plate 32. Air slowly enters the suction cup 30 through the clearance between a screw 34 and the plate 32 to destroy the suction seal so that the push-button 29 is returned to its initial position by a spring 25. The arm 23 then moves so that pin 22 is withdrawn from the channel 4 and a hammer 37 carried by the arm 23 strikes a bell 38 or operates a visible signal (not shown) to indicate the start of the fall of the coin 5. A lever 12 pivoted about a fixed point 10 and secured at one end to a movable bar 3 forming one wall of the channel 4 is held against a spring 14 by a pin 39 so that the movable bar 3 permits the coin 5 to fall. On receiving the signal the operator presses a push-button 41 which releases the lever 12 from the pin 39 so that the lever 12 is actuated by the spring 14 to move the bar 3 inwardly of the channel 4 and stop the fall of the coin 5. The movable bar 3 may alternatively be operated electromagnetically. A scale 44 calibrated in hundredths of a second is marked on a glass plate arranged over the channel 4. If the coin 5 is stopped in the channel 4 adjacent an electric contact plate 45, it closes a circuit which includes the movable bar 3 and operates prize delivering mechanism. If the coin 5 is stopped adjacent a tube 51, the coin is returned to the operator.

I hope this helps someone else.

[margamatix]

THE TESTO REACTION METER HAS ARRIVED!!!!!

Initial reaction is that it is more compact than I had thought - I was imagining it would be allwin-sized, but in fact it is smaller, measuring 22" high, 12" wide and 3" deep. These smaller sizes are a good thing, as certain other people around the house do not share my enthusiasm for "old junk" (familiar picture anyone?)

The maker's mark, on the playfield glass reads "ABA" Arthur Brown Associated Companies, Llandudno GB.

An internet search found this reference re Llandudno:

What about Arthur Brown: Deganwy swimming pool, talent contests/water shows, zoo; Also Browns T.V.& radio/record shop in Mostyn St.; also into food vending. All in the "fifties"! What a businessman of his time!

Which would sound like a possible suspect.....

It works superbly, doing exactly what it is supposed to do and makes a lovely little addition to my modest collection. It appears to have been Ronsealed in the past, and this does not look original - could anyone suggest what the proper finish should be?

[fingermouse79]

My Testo looks to have been finished in a coat of clear varnish or lacquer.

[pennymachines]

Well done to you both.
Yippee! We now have the maker's name and the patent.
I'll put the patent on the Patents page and if one of you can supply a nice picture, I'll put it in the Museum.

[fingermouse79]

Are already added on page 1!

So far has proved a great talking point for friends and family.

I am collecting many 2Ps.

[margamatix]

A couple of quick queries now I have had a chance to look over the Testo...

Firstly, the machine came with one key, which opens the lock on the side of the cabinet. The cash box appears to require a different key, is that right? The main key will however turn the cashbox lock by one-quarter of a turn- I presume it should move by half a turn, and that the cashbox should then drop downwards. Is that correct, or is the cashbox door hinged?

Secondly, it is possible to push the red button in too far, in that it will come out of its sleeve at the end of its travel. It will be a simple matter to fabricate something which will prevent this happening, but what should be stopping the red button from travelling this far?

Agree that this is a lovely machine, and a real bargain at the price too. A lovely and inexpensive addition to my small collection.

[fingermouse79]

In answer to your questions:-

There are two keys. one for the cash box and one for the internal panel.

Cash box first - mine is a small Lowe and Fletcher key. Once inserted into the key box, it completes a 270 degree turn. The cash box lock is like a door latch and opens; the panel then pulls out, not hinged, but when you open it you will see it has a flap which sits in the wooden recess.

When you take the back panel off, you will note that there is a block of wood which sits on the wall mounting. This sits behind the red button (stopping it going too far), otherwise, yes - you could push it past the point and stretch the spring.

The block is 1 1/2 inches square and is attached with wood glue.

[margamatix]

Thanks - I have removed the interior shield and had a look at the back of the coinbox lock. I will pop to the locksmith tomorrow and see if he can sort me out a key.

I imagined that the button stop would be as you described, but on mine it is missing. I have now fabricated a wooden stop, and this is currently clamped in place while the glue dries.

I do not know what to do about the Ronseal finish. It truly is appalling, is obviously not original, and whoever did it, did not even bother to follow the grain of the wood, leading to circular muddy brown swirls all over the front of the machine. I will probably re-do it but will reflect on this first.

On the positive side, it does have the traditional "neglected whole fag" burns on the top, which adds a wonderful air of period authenticity!

[margamatix]

OK, just a brief update........

I had a new coinbox lock fitted as the locksmith couldn't match the key. He charged me £10.87 including fitting.

I decided I couldn't live with the Ronseal finish, so I stripped it off and rubbed down the cabinet very lightly, before applying two thin coats of clear varnish. I left the fag burns on the top as I think they give it a nice "pubby" atmosphere. All in all it looks a hundred times better.

I fitted a new battery and at first the illumination of the light was a bit erratic. This turned out to be because of dirt and some light oxidisation on the brass or copper plate fitted to the rear of the green button, so I cleaned it with a cotton bud and some WD40. Works perfectly now.

Then I gave the moving parts (very few) a very light oiling which has made a small improvement to the action.

And now I am on the look out for my next machine. I fancy a Bryan's Clock - for Gawd's sake don't anyone tell the Missus how much they are!

[steinslots]

I bought one of those reaction testers ages ago for £45! (mind you it was rough). They are a pain if you want to change the coinage though. Mine is on old 5p and I had to make a "cash door" for it, otherwise the coins fall out of the bottom!.

Have you ever had a coin jam inside (one behind the other) and tried to rescue it without taking all of the screws out?

I love it because they are British and kind of quaint. I had to get some more instruction labels made because the screen print had come off. I've still got some spares somewhere..........

[balcombeite]

I bought about 80 of these machines approx 20 years ago with many of them installed in pubs & fish & chip shops etc. - it was a bit of a part time job for the wife but she never got on with them and so I took them all out and have been storing them in my shed ever since. I have hundreds of spare parts, keys, glass fronts aluminium decals etc. and I've now had a look at them with a view to (maybe) restoring them or at least cleaning them up. I think that in the past the previous owner must of painted all the cases black but I believe the originals were in a natural wood finish ?? - Question, is it best to strip them down to bare wood and then varnish them or by doing so would I be doing exactly the wrong thing ???

[malcymal]

Could we have a photo so we can see what it is?

[terry]

I think I know the machines you mean. Wooden case with a glass front? You insert a penny and stop a dropping element in vertical columns by pressing a button to test your reaction? If so, wooden cases would be more desirable but they are not of any great value so would it be worth the trouble??

[balcombeite]

Here goes with attempt number 4 to upload a picture !!!!! - if it works you'll notice this unit has a handle as it was easier to carry it around to prospective sites, - made it a lot easier to carry !!!

From comments so far maybe its best to leave it painted black rather than all the trouble of stripping them all back to bare wood ???? - all comments certainly appreciated.

[terry]

no, still didn't work. Don't you just love computers?!!!

[balcombeite]

For some reason when I try to upload a .jpg file the computer just sits there for ages saying "uploading file" , - I did manage to upload a picture in Word format which you can access in the previous postm - click on testo.doc and a picture should open up !!! - hopefully.

[slotalot]

For some reason when I try to upload a .jpg file the computer just sits there for ages saying "uploading file"

Hi, welcome to the forum, think the problem could be that your jpg file is too big , Try it with a reduced file size and it should work OK,
Rgards Stuart.

[pennymachines]

Balcombeite - I've inserted your image. As Stuart said - the size of your original jpeg picture file needed reducing. See How to Upload Images

This thread is now merged to include details of the maker and patent.