US3590833A - Coin-handling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Coin sorting and dispensing apparatus which includes a coin magazine having a plurality of coin storage tubes in which coins of different denominations are receivable, each tube having individual coin-dispensing means for moving coins from its lower end and electrically controlled means for individually controlling the operation of the dispensing means. A coin sorter is also mounted above the magazine into which a mixture of coins of different denominations may be deposited which then moves coins of predetermined denominations to the upper ends of appropriate tubes of the magazine.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Paul E. Walton Orlando, Fla. [21] Appl. No. 751,282 [22] Filed Aug. 8. 1968 [45] Patented July 6, 1971 [73] Assignee SWD Machines, Inc.

Dallas, Tex.

[54] COIN-HANDLING APPARATUS 29 Claims, 25 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 133/2, I 133/4 [51] Int. Cl G07d 1/06 [50] Field oISearch 133/3,4,5. 2; 221/237, 258, 259, 266, 277, 129; 194/10 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,348,936 5/1944 Sprenger 133/3 2.954.037 9/1960 Williams et al. 133/4 3,086,536 4/1963 Klopp 133/3 X 3,334,784 8/1967 Morrison 221/277 FOREIGN PATENTS 45,929 2/1889 Germany 133/3 276.015 11/1927 Great Britain..... 133/3 387,785 2/1933 Great Britain 133/3 Primary ExaminerSamuel F. Coleman Attorneys-E. Hastings Ackley and Walter J. Jagmin ABSTRACT: Coin sorting and dispensing apparatus which includes a coin magazine having a plurality of coin storage tubes in which coins of different denominations are receivable, each tube having individual coin-dispensing means for moving coins from its lower end and electrically controlled means for individually controlling the operation of the dispensing means. A coin sorter is also mounted above the magazine into which a mixture of coins of different denominations may be deposited which then moves coins of predetermined denominations to the upper ends of appropriate tubes of the magazine.

PATENIEUJUL sum 3,590,833

sum 010E 11 INVIiNTUR.

Paul E. Walton PATENTEDJUL 6 SHEET [32 0F 1N liNTOR.

- 0 Hon Egan PATENTEDJuL 619?! 3,590,833

sum 05 {1F 11 INVENITHL Poul E.W0lton HZ SmEYQ PATENTEDJUL 6 I97! SHEET 08 [1F INVIiNT()R. Paul E. Walton BY ATTORNEYS PATENTED JUL 51971" 3590833 U SHEET 07 0F 11 INVENTUR. Paul E. Walton PATENTEU JUL BIS?! 3,590,833

SHEET 08 [1F 11 @oul E. Walton Figll I M a AT'IORIWEKS' PATENT'EUJUL 6:971 3,590,833

sum USOF 11 iii INVENTOR.

Poul E.Wc1lfon $79 I M W W ATTORNEYS illhl' Ill" PATENTEUJUL s|97| 3 590 33SHEET mm 11 H-l VEHTOIL Paul E. Walton ATTORNEYS PATENTEU JUL 6 1971 SHEET 11 [1F INVENTOR. Paul E. WoHon ATTORNEYS Rm ummm 3 3m 6m BY/ Wm? R2 04 0: NE 4/ :& N new so an COIN-HANDLING APPARATUS This invention relates to coin-handling apparatus and more particularly to the coin apparatus for selectively dispensing coins to make change.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved coin-handling apparatus having a plurality of vertical coin storage tubes and electrically controlled means for selectively dispensing coins from the lower ends of preselected coin storage tubes.

Still another object is to provide a coin-handling apparatus whose operation is controlled by a small number of switches and which dispense coins in any sum from I cents to 99 cents by the operation of only a maximum of four switches.

Still another object is to provide a coin-handling apparatus which has means for sorting and delivering coins of appropriate denominations to the upper ends of the coin storage tubes.

A further object is to provide a coin-handling apparatus having a plurality of dispensing assemblies each operatively associated with a coin storage tube for selectively dispensing predetermined numbers of coins from preselected coin storage tubes.

A still further object is to provide a coin-handling apparatus of the type described wherein'the coin-dispensing assemblies are selectively connectable to a main rotatable shaft for opera tion thereby and which has electrically operable means for selectively connecting selected dispensing assemblies to the main shaft for operation thereby.

A still further object is to provide a coin-handlingapparatus having latch means for permitting only a single cycle operation of each coin-dispensing assembly upon the closure of its control switch.

Another object is to provide a coin-sorting apparatus having a chute provided with a coil delivery slot and a motor driven means for individually delivering coins of different denominations from a receptacle to the chute, the chute having a slot of varying configuration through which coins of different denominations fall at different locations therealong.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to 'the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin-handling apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another manner of mounting a control assembly of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an alternate means for mounting the coin delivery receptacle of the apparatus; 1

FIG. 4 is a front view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view, with some parts broken away, of the coin handling apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of a drop latch and latch lever of a dispensing assembly of the apparatus showing the latch lever being held in its lower inoperative position;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and showing the latch lever locked in its upper operative position by the drop latch;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a view, with some parts broken away, taken on line 12-12 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken online 14- 14-of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken on line 1515 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 16-16 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view ofa coin dispensing assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the latch lever and positioning lever assembly of a dispensing assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view ofa latch assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom plate on which the lower ends of the coin storage tubes rest;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a side view of the coin magazine of the apparatus;

FIG. 23 is a front view of a modified form of the coin magazine;

FIG. 24 is a top view of the coin magazine illustrated in FIG. 23; and,

FIG. 25 is a diagrammatical illustration of the electric control circuit of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, the coin-handling apparatus 30 embodying the invention includes acoin dispenser 31, acontrol assembly 32 secured to the coin dispenser at its front end having a plurality of operator or pushbuttons 33a-i of switches 340-1 whose actuation controls the selective dispensing of coins from acoin magazine 35, and acoin sorter 36 mounted on thecoin dispenser 31 into which a mixture of coins of various denomination, for example, pennies, nickles, dimes, quarters and half dollars may be deposited and which then sorts the coins and delivers them to the top ends of the appropriate coin storage tubes 37ai of the coin magazine.

The coin dispenser includes ahousing 38 having abottom wall 39, left andright sidewalls 40 and 41, and top orcover member 42. The sidewalls are secured to the bottom wall by means ofscrews 46 which extend into threaded bores of L-shaped brackets 47 secured, as by welding or the like, to the bottom plate orwall 39. The sidewalls are also secured toangle members 48 and 49 of alatch assembly 50 by means of screws 51 which extend into suitable internally threaded sleeves 52 whose inner ends are secured in any suitable manner, as by welding to the rearwardly extendingflanges 53 of the angle members 48'and 49. Theangle members 48 and 49 are secured to thesideplates 54 and 55 of thelatch assembly 50 bybolts 56. The sidewalls are also secured to the sideplates byscrews 57 which extend intosleeves 58 secured to the sideplates.

The cover member of the housing is secured to thesideplates 54 and 55 by screws 60 and L-shaped brackets 61, the brackets being secured to the sideplates byrivets 62.

The sideplates are rigidly secured to the bottom wall by means ofbrackets 67 whoselegs 68 are rigidly secured, as byscrews 69, to the bottom wall. The brackets are secured to the sideplates bybolts 690 which have suitable washers and nuts thereon.

The latch assembly includes amain drive shaft 70 whose opposite end portions are journaled by suitable bearings on thesideplates 54 and 55. Asprocket 71 is secured to the shaft by asetscrew 72 of thesprocket hub 73. The main drive shaft is rotated by anelectric motor 75 whose drive shaft is connected to a suitable speed-reducing transmission 76 whose output shaft 77 has asprocket 78 rigidly secured thereto by asetscrew 79. Abelt 80 having intemal teeth 81 extends about the sprockets.

The assembly of the electric motor and speed-reducing transmission is mounted on thesideplates 54 by means ofbolts 84. Theoutput shaft 78 of the speed-reducing transmission, of course, extends outwardly through a suitable aperture in theright side plate 54.

A plurality of coin dispensing assemblies a-i are mounted on the drive shaft below aslot plate 91 which is rigidly secured, as byscrews 92, to aU-shaped support member 93 which extends between the sideplates and is secured thereto by means of screws 94. Theslot plate 92 has a plurality of spaced slots 95ai whose lower ends are closed bystrips 96 of a resilient substance such as nylon, rubber, and the like, havingslits 97 at the locations of theslots 95. The strips prevent dirt or dust from falling into the housing through theslots 95.

Each of the dispenser assemblies 90a-i includes adisc 110 rotatably mounted on theenlarged portion 112 of themain shaft 70 by means of abushing 114 which extends inwardly into thebushing ring 115 whoseflange 116 is adapted to abut one side of thedisc 110 and be secured thereto by means ofpins 117 whose reduced inner ends extend through theapertures 118 of theflange 116 into the diametricallyopposed apertures 119 of the ring and may be press fitted therein. The bushing is provided with .an externalannular flange 121 which limits its inward movement in one direction relative to thedisc 110. Aclutch gear 124 has an internalannular recess 125 in which the outer end of the bushing and itsflange 121 are receivable and acentral aperture 126 of the same configuration as theenlarged portion 112 of the shaft so that the clutch gear rotates with the shaft due to the provision of the diametrically opposedflat surfaces 128 of the shaft and correspondingly shapedflat surfaces 129 of the clutch gear. It will be apparent, therefore, that while theshaft 70 may rotate relative to thedisc 110, it can not rotate relative to theclutch gear 124.

Thedisc 110 is caused to rotate with the shaft by the clutch lever orpawl 130 when it is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, FIG. 11, about the axis of its shaft 132 to the posi' tion wherein its tooth or lug 133 enters into a recess or slot between a pair of theteeth 134 of theclutch gear 124. The shaft 132, FIG. 17, has anouter flange 135 which abuts the outer surface of the clutch lever to limit outward movement of the lever and a reduced endportion 136 which may be press fitted or threaded in anaperture 138 of the disc. Awasher 139 is interposed between the lever and the disc.

The clutch lever is biased toward its operative position by a spring 141, one of whose hooked end portions is received in therecess 142 of the clutch lever and whose other hooked end portion is received in an external annular groove of a retainer pin 143 whose reduced end portion is press fitted in the aperture 144 of the disc. As will be explained in greater detail below, the clutch lever is held in its inoperative position, illustrated in FIG. 11, bylatch lever 150 when it is in its operative position illustrated in FIG. 11, wherein its inwardly extendinglug 151 is in engagement with theend surface 152 of the clutch lever.

Each of thediscs 110 of thedispenser assemblies 90 has at least oneejector assembly 155 mounted thereon, each ejector assembly including alever 156 in whose intermediate aperture 157 is received thereduced end portion 158ofa spacer 159. The lever is rotatable about the reducedportion 158. The spacer and the lever are secured to thedisc 110 by ascrew 160 which extends through thespacer 159 into a threadedaperture 162 of the disc. counterclockwise pivotal movement of thelever 156 is limited by astop pin 163. An ejector 164 is pivotably mounted on one end of thelever 156 by means of ascrew 165 which extends through an eccentric 166, thecentral aperture 168 of anylon ring 169 and anut 170 whose reduced cylindrical portion extends through the aperture of the ejector 164. The eccentric 166 has acylindrical portion 178 whose central axis is parallel to, but displaced from, the central axis of itsaperture 177 and which is received in theaperture 168 of thering 169. It will be apparent that the rotation and the degree to which the peripheral edge portion of thenylon ring 169 can extend outwardly of thedisc 110 will depend on its axial orientation relative to the eccentric 166.

The ejector 164 is biased in a clockwise direction, FIG. 10, about the axis of thescrew 165 by aspring 180 one of whose hooked end portions is received in anaperture 181 of thelever 156 and whose other hooked end portion is received in the recess or slot 182 of the ejector. Clockwise rotation of the ejector relative to the lever is limited by the engagement of itsstop lug 184 with theedge surface 185 of the lever. It will be apparent, therefore, that the ejector may pivot in a counterclockwise direction against the resistance of thespring 180 relative to thelever 156 should itsejector end portion 174 oncounter an obstacle during the clockwise rotation of thedisc 110, FIG. 10.

Thelever 156 itself is biased in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of thescrew 160 by aspring 187 one of whose hooked end portions is received in anaperture 188 of the lever and whose other hooked'end portion is received in an external annular slot of one of thepins 117 of the dispensing assembly.

The dispensing assemblies a iare held in properly spaced relationship on the main shaft in positions wherein their ejectors are properly vertically aligned with theslits 97 of thestrips 96 and the slots 'ofthe slot plate 90 byspacer collars 189, which maybe secured to the shaft by set screws.

The clutch levers of the dispensing assemblies 90ai are selectively held in and released from their operative and inoperative positions by the latch levers l50ai and lock assemblies 1900-1, respectively, which are operable by the armatures 191a-i of the solenoids 192a-i. Each of the lock assemblies includes alock bar 194 mounted on ahorizontal rod 195 which extends through the aligned apertures in itsparallel arms 196. Therod 195 extends through suitable apertures in thesideplates 55 and 54 and is held against displaccment by lock rings 196a received in appropriate annular recesses of the rod outwardly of the sideplates.

The lock assemblies ai are held in properly spaced relationship to each other and in operative relationship to their associated dispensing assemblies 90a-i, respectively, by means of spacer sleeves orcollars 198 mounted on therod 195. The top end surface 201 of the lock bar is adapted to engage an end portion 202 of the latch lever to hold the latch lever in its upper operative position illustrated in F IGS. 10 and 11.

The lock bars of each lock assembly is biased in a clockwise direction, FIG. 11, by aspring 204 whose upper hooked end portion is hooked about a rod 207 which extends between theend plates 54 and 55 and is held against lateral displacement by lock rings 208 which are received in suitable external annular recesses of the rod. The lower hooked end of thespring 204 is received in theaperture 210 of astrap 211 which is secured to a forwardly extendinglug 212 of thelock bar 194 and to thesolenoid armature 191 of its associatedsolenoid 192 by apin 213 which extends through theapertures 214 in thetop arms 215 of thearmature 191 of its associatedsolenoid 192, the aperture 216 of thestrap 211 and theslot 217 of thelug 212. The strap and the lug, of course, are received between thearms 215. The pin is held against displacement by alock ring 218 which is received in an external annular recess of thepin 213.

Each lock assembly 190 includes adrop latch 220 pivotally mounted on the rod between thearms 196 of the lock bar. Aspacer ring 221 is also disposed on the rod between the drop latch and one of thelock bar arms 296 to limit longitudinal movement of the drop latch between the arms. The drop latch is biased in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 11) on the rod and toward the lock bar by aspring 224 one of whose hooked ends extends through an aperture in alateral lug 226 of the drop latch and whose other end extends through an aperture of alateral lug 228 of the lock bar. Clockwise pivotal movement of the drop latch relative to the lock bar is limited by the engagement of the lateral stop lugs 229 and 230 of the drop latch and lock bar, respectively.

Assuming now, that thesolenoid 192, FIG. 11, is in its unenergized condition the armature is in its upper position by thespring 204 and theedge surface 232 of the drop latch is engaged by thelug 233 of its associatedlatch lever 150. Thelug 151 is now in position engaging the shoulder orsurface 152 of theclutch lever 130. If thesolenoid 192 is now energized, its armature is moved downwardly causing thelock bar 194 to be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction. The top end of the lock bar moves out of engagement with aforward end portion 234 of thelatch lever 150 permitting the latch l ver to be pulled downwardly by aspring 236 whose upper h okcd end portion extends through theaperture 237 of the la ch lever and whose other hooked end portion extends about a0d 249 mounted on thesideplates 54 and 55. The rod, of

course, extends through suitable aligned apertures in the sideplates.

As the lock bar thus pivots toward the position illustrated in FIG. 8 and the latch lever is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction about theshaft 249 on which it is mounted, itslug 151 moves out of engagement with theshoulder 152 of its as sociatedclutch lever 130 which is then pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, FIG. 11, by its spring 141 and its pawl 132 moves between a pair of theteeth 134 of the clutch gear. If the main shaft is now rotating in a counterclockwise direction thedisc 110 rotates with the shaft. As the disc rotates through substantially 180, acam 250 secured to thedisc 110 byrivets 251 moves to such position that itscam surface 252 engages thelug 151 of the latch lever and moves the latch lever upwardly against the resistance of thespring 236 to position wherein itslug 233 moves out of engagement with the drop latch. Once the cam moves out of engagement with thelug 151, the latch lever will again be pivoted in a clockwise direction about theshaft 249 but even if the solenoid is still held energized the latch lever cannot pivot to a position wherein itslug 151 will not be in position to engage theshoulder 152 of theclutch lever 130 since itslug 233 will now engage the top surface of the drop latch. As thedisc 110 completes a full 360 rotation with the main shaft and if the solenoid is deenergized, thelatch lever lug 151 will again engage theshoulder 152 of the clutch lever and the clutch lever will be pivoted in a clockwise direction so that its pawl 132 will disengage from theclutch gear 121 and will not again remain in operative position until the solenoid is again energized. When the solenoid is deenergized thespring 204 is effective to pull up the solenoid and rotate the lock bar back to the position illustrated in FIG. 11 against the resistance of thespring 236 of the latch lever until thelug 233 of the latch lever rides over the top edge surface of the drop latch and it is then pivoted downwardly relative to the latch bar to the latch bar to the position illustrated in FIG. 11 whereupon the engagement of theforward end portion 234 of the latch lever with the top edge of the lock bar prevents further downward movement of the latch lever.

It will be apparent therefore that even should the solenoid be held energized after the disc has rotated through a full 360, the drop latch will prevent operation of the clutch lever again until the solenoid is first deenergized.

Thedisc 110 of each dispensing assembly 90ai has operatively associated therewith abrake lever 260 which is also rotatably mounted on theshaft 249 and which is biased for clockwise pivotal movement about the shaft by aspring 261 whose upper hooked end portion is received in anaperture 262 of the brake lever and whose lower end portion extends about arod 264. Therod 264 is mounted on thesideplate 54 and abracket 266 whose bottom leg is secured to thebottom wall 39 of the housing bybolts 267. The latch lever and brake lever associated with eachdisc 110 are separated by awasher 269 and from latch and brake levers of adjacent dispensing assemblies byspacer sleeves 270 mounted on theshaft 249.

The brake lever is provided with alateral pin 272 which may be provided with aresilient ring 273 of nylon or similar substance which is adapted to enter into the peripheralarcuate recess 275 of its associateddisc 110. The pin is adapted to enter into the recess and brake any further rotation of thedisc 110 as the clutch lever disengages from the clutch ring of the disc upon the completion ofa 260 rotation of thedisc 110.

Abail 280 whoseend arms 281 are also pivotedly mounted on theshaft 249 extend above and rearwardly of the latch and brake levers of the dispensing assemblies 90a-i and is pivoted upwardly in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 11) about the axis of theshaft 249 by any one of the brake or latch levers when it is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 11) about about theshaft 249 from its position illustrated in FIG. 11. The bail has anarm 285 rigidly secured thereto which, when the bail is in its lowermost position illustrated in FIGS. and 11, presses thespring 286 of aswitch 287 to cause itsoperator button 288 to be depressed. The switch is a normally closed switch when itsbutton 288 is depressed, opens and when its button is free to move upwardly closes. Theswitch 287 controls the operation of themotor 75. Theswitch 287 may be mounted bysuitable studs 290 to thesideplate 55.

Referring now to FIG. 25, themotor 75 is connected across themain conductors 291 and 292 of an alternating-current input circuit 293 by means of aconductor 295, theswitch 287, theconductor 296, and aconductor 297. Themain conductor 291 may have a manual on and offswitch 298 and afuse 299 connected in series therein.

The normally open switches 34ai, which are closable when their pushbuttons 33a-i, respectively, are depressed, control the energization of the lock assemblies 190a-i which control the operation respectively of the dispensing assemblies a-i to permit the dispensing of any preselected combination of coins in any denominational sum between I and 99 cents.

The ejector disc of the dispensing assembly 900, whoseejector disc 110 is provided with a single ejector 164, dispenses a single IO-cent coin from thedime storage tube 37a during each cycle of its operation, the next coin-dispensing assembly 90b has two ejectors 164 and during each cycle of its operation dispenses two IO-cent coins from the dime coin storage tube 37b, the dispensing assembly 900 has a single ejector and dispenses a single penny from thepenny storage tube 37c, the dispensing assembly 90d has two ejectors and dispenses 2 cents from penny coin storage tube 370', the dispensing assembly 90a has two ejectors and dispenses 2 cents from thestorage tube 37c, the dispensing assembly 90] has a single ejector and dispenses a single nickel coin from the nickel coin storage tube 37f, the dispensing assembly 903 has a single ejector and dispenses a single quarter coin from the quarter storage tube 37g, the dispensingassembly 90h has two ejectors and dispenses two quarter coins from thecoin storage tube 37h, and finally, the coin dispensing assembly 901' has a single ejector and dispenses a single half-dollar coin from the coin storage tube 371'.

A switch 34a, each time it is closed, connects the solenoid 192a of the lock assembly a which controls the operation of the dispensing assembly 90a across the secondary winding 300 of atransformer 301, whose primary winding 302 is conneeted across themain conductors 291 and 292, by the conductors 305,306, 308, 309 and 310, to cause a single cycle of operation of the dispensing assembly 90a and the dispensing ofa single dime from thecoin storage tube 370.

Theswitch 34b, each time it is closed, connects the solenoid 192b of thelock assembly 1901; across the secondary winding through theconductors 305, 311, 312, 309 and 310, to similarly cause the dispensing of two dimes from the coin storage tube 37b by the dispensing assembly 90b.

The solenoid winding 192a of the lock assembly 1900 is connectable across the secondary winding by theconductors 305, 314, 315, either thesingle contact switch 340 or thecontact 316 of the double-contact switch 34e, and theconductor 310. The solenoid 1920 will be connected across the secondary winding when either theswitch 34c or the switch 34e is closed and the dispensing assembly 90c will, therefore, in either case dispense a single penny coin from thecoin storage tube 370.

The solenoid 192d of the lock assembly 190d is connectable across the secondary winding through theconductors 305, 318 and 319, theswitch 34d and theconductor 310, and also through theconductors 305, 318 and 319, the contact 320 of the two-contact switch 34f and theconductors 308, 309 and 310. The dispensing assembly 9011, therefore, will dispense 2 cents from the pennycoin storage tube 37d whenever either theswitch 34d or the switch 34fis closed.

The solenoid 192s of the lock assembly 190e is connectable across the secondary winding through theconductors 305, 322 and 323, theother contact 324 of the switch 34e and theconductor 310. It is also connectable across the secondary winding through theconductors 305, 322, 323 and 327, theother contact 328 of thedouble contact switch 34f and theconductors 308, 309, and 310. The dispensing assembly 902,

therefore, will dispense 2 cents from thecoin storage tube 37e whenever either the switch 34e or the switch 34fis closed.

The solenoid 192fof thelock assembly 190i is connectable across the secondary winding through theconductors 305, 331 and 332, the switch 34g and theconductors 308, 309 and 310 so that the dispensing assembly 90f will dispense a single nickel coin from the nickel coin storage tube 37f when the switch 34g is closed.

The solenoid 192g of the lock assembly 190g is connectable across the secondary winding through theconductors 305, 334 and 335, theswitch 34h and theconductors 309 and 310 and the dispensing assembly 90g will, therefore, dispense a single quarter coin from the quarter coin storage tube 37g each time theswitch 34h is closed.

The solenoid 19211 of the lock assembly 190k is connectable across the secondary winding through theconductors 305, 338 and 339, thecontact 340 of a two-contact switch 341 when it is in its upper position in contact with the stationary contact 342, theconductor 345, the switch 34i and theconductors 309 and 310. It will thus be apparent when theswitch 341 is in the position illustrated in FIG. and switch 341 is closed, thesolenoid 192h will be energized and the dispensingassembly 90h will dispense two quarter coins from the quartercoin storage tube 37h. When the switch, however, is moved to its opposite position wherein itscontact 340 is in its lower position engaging thestationary contact 346, closure of the switch 34i will not cause encrgization of the solenoid 192k and, therefore, operation of the dispensingassembly 90h.

Thesolenoid 1921 of thelock assembly 1901 is connectable across the secondary winding, when thecontact 340 of theswitch 341 is in its lower position engaging thestationary contact 346, by theconductors 305, 347, 348, and 345, the switch 341', and theconductors 309 and 310. It will thus be apparent I that, when thecontact 340 is engaged with thestationary contact 346, closure of the switch 341' will cause the dispensing assembly 901' to dispense a single half-dollar coin from the halfdollarcoin storage tube 341, When thecontact 340, however, is in its upper position illustrated in FIG. 25, closure of the switch 34i will not cause operation of the dispensing assembly 901.

It will thus be apparent that if no quarter coins are present in the quartercoin storage tube 37h and the half-dollars are present in the half-dollar coin storage tube 37i, theswitch 341 is moved to its lower position so that a half-dollar coin will be dispensed from the half-dollar coin storage tube 371' each time theswitch 341 is closed and, alternatively, if half-dollars are not present in the coin storage tube 371' and quarters are present in thestorage tube 37h, theswitch 341 is moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 25 and closure of theswitch 341 will then result in the dispensing of two quarters from thequarter storage tube 37h.

Since, as was explained above, the energization of the solenoid of any lock causes its associatedlatch lever 150 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction and thebail 280 also to be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction to permit the normallyopen motor switch 287 to close, any time any one of the switches 340-1' is closed, theswitch 287 will also close as a latch lever pivots in a counterclockwise direction, FIG. 11, and connects themotor 75 across themain conductors 291 and 292. Themotor 75 will thus start rotating themain shaft 70 and, as theclutch lever 130 of such dispensing assembly is also simultaneously released for movement in a clockwise direction about its shaft, FIG. 11, to engage its clutch gear, the disc of such dispensing assembly will then be caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, FIG. 11, with the shaft. This rotation of the disc immediately causes thebrake lever 260 of such dispensing assembly to also pivot in a counterclockwise direction as it is moved out of therecess 275 of thedisc 110 and the rear end of such brake lever will now hold thebail 280 in its upper position and prevent downward clockwise movement of thebail 280 so that theswitch 287 will stay in its closed position until thedisc 110 of such dispensing assembly has rotated through a full 360 and thepin 272 of its brake lever has again entered into theperipheral recess 275 allowing the bail to again move downwardly to its closed position.

It will thus be seen that even if the operator who has closed a particular switch 3411-1, by depressing its associated button 33a-i, releases the button and causes opening of such switch 34 before the disc has completed a full 360 rotation with theshaft 70, the motor will continue to be energized and thedisc 110 be held rigid with theshaft 70 until the disc has been rotated through a full 360 and the brake lever pin has again entered into theperipheral recess 275 of the disc thus causing the opening of theswitch 287. The weight of the bail is sufficient to overcome the resistance of thespring 286. If desired, of course, suitable spring means may be used to bias thebail 280 downwardly in a clockwise direction.

Thecoin magazine 35 includes abottom plate 400 which is adapted to rest on theslot plate 91 and which has aslot 401 at the lower end of eachtube 37 and above and aligned with theslots 95 of theplate 91,end plates 403 and 404 which are secured, as by welding, to the vertical upwardly extendingend flanges 406 and 407 of the bottom plate, as by welding, and abackplate 408 which extends between the end plates rearwardly thereof and is secured to their rear edges, as by welding. The backplate has outwardly extending flanges ortongues 411 and 412 which extend laterally outwardly of the end walls and which are slidably receivable in thelongitudinal slots 414 and 415, respectively, of themagazine retainer members 416 and 417, respectively, secured to theangle members 48 and 49 of thelatch assembly 50 byscrews 418. Theretainer members 416 and 417 are preferably formed of a suitable substance of a low coefficient of friction, such as nylon.Handles 422 and 423, respectively, are secured to theend plates 403 and 404, respectively, as by welding, so that the magazine may be easily mounted on thecoin dispenser 31 merely by moving the magazine downwardly after its tongues orflanges 411 and 412 have been positioned above the upper open ends of theslots 414 and 415, respectively, and is removed therefrom by merely lifting it upwardly.

Thecoin storage tubes 37 may have frontvertical slots 425 through which the coins in the storage tubes are visible and have forwardly and downwardly opening discharge recesses 426 of approximately 180 of angular width, through which the coins may be slid off the bottom plate and outwardly from the bottom end of each coin respectively, The bottom semicircular edge surfaces 427 of the tubes rearwardly of the tube discharge slots thereof rest upon the bottom plate of the magazine. The rear surfaces of the coin storage tubes which abut the front surface of thebackwall 408 of the coin magazine may be rigidly secured thereto, as by welding. In addition, aretainer bracket 429 has forwardly and downwardly extendinghook portions 430 which extend into each coin storage tube. Theretainer bracket 429 may, of course, be welded to the back plate if desired. The upper ends of the coin storage tubes have forwardly and upwardly openingrecesses 432 to facilitate the insertion of the coins into their upper ends.

Coin sensor levers 450a-i are pivotedly mounted on ashaft 451 which extends rearwardly of thebackplate 408 of the coin magazine. The opposite ends of the shaft are secured tosuitable brackets 452 which extend rearwardly from the rear wall and are secured thereto. The lower noses 453 of the sensor levers are adapted to extend into the lower ends of the coin storage tubes throughvertical slots 456 and 457 of the backplate and the tubes, respectively. The rear arms 460 of the levers extend rearwardly through theslots 461 of an L- shapedsupport plate 464 which extends between thesideplates 54 and 55 and is held against movement bybrackets 465 secured to the end sideplates 54 and 55. The bottom edge of the support plate may rest on the upper surface of the U- shapedbracket 93. The rear edges of the brackets rest on the upwardly and rearwardly inclined lower front surface of the support plate. The outer end of eachsensor lever 450 is provided with aweight 461 which tends to pivot it in a counterclockwise direction, FIG. 10. The sensor levers are held in appropriately spaced locations on theshaft 451 by suitable spacers or lock rings 467.

The coin sensor levers 450ai are adapted to close the switches 468ai respectively. Each of theswitches 468 is used to connect asignal lamp 470 across the secondary winding whenever coins in its associated tube drops below a predetermined number. The switch 468k will connect thelamp 470 across the secondary winding of the transformer only ifthe second contact 471 of theswitch 341 is in its upper position engaging thestationary contact 472 and theswitch 468i will cause connection of thelamp 470 across a secondary winding only if the contact 471 is in its lower position engaging the contact 473 in order that thelamp 470 not be lit in the event that 50 cents in change is being provided by two quarters if the half-dollar tube is empty (37i), or if 50 cents in change is being dispensed from the tube 371' if thestorage tube 37!: is empty.

Theswitches 468 are mounted on aswitchplate 478 which is pivotedly secured bybrackets 480 on ashaft 481 whose opposite ends are secured to thesideplates 54 and 55. Each of the switches includes amovable contact member 483 which is movable into engagement with astationary contact 484, if the movable contact is moved rearwardly relative to the stationary contact member.

Theswitchplate 478 is biased in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 11) about the axis of the shaft 487 by aspring 490 one of whose hooked ends is secured to a pin 49] secured to thesideplate 54 and whose other end is connected to alever 492 rigidly secured to the switchplate, as by screws and the like. The switchplate also has apivot lever 495 secured to the switchplate whose lower end 496 is engageable by a roller 497 mounted on alever 498. Thelever 498 is pivotedly mounted, as by apin 501, on abracket 502 secured, as byscrews 503, to a reinforcing andsupport channel member 505 whose opposite ends are secured bybolts 507 and endflanges 508 to thesideplates 54 and 55. Thelever 498 in turn is biased in a counterclockwise direction (FIG, by aspring 509 whose upper hooked end extends through a suitable aperture in the lever and whose lower end extends about therod 264.

Thelever 498 is pivotable in a clockwise direction, FIG. 10, about the axis of the pin501 by thebail 280 each time its rear end is raised upwardly by a latch lever I50 and then is held in such pivoted position by the bail until the dispensing operation of a dispensing assembly is completed. Each time alatch lever 150 is pivoted upon the energization of its associatedsolenoid 192, the clockwise pivotal motion of thelever 498 and the engagement of its roller 497 with thepivot lever 495 causes the switch plate to pivot in a counterclockwise manner and all the movable contact members of theswitches 468 move rearwardly of the rear ends of their sensor levers. The sensor levers are thus freed to pivot in a counterclockwise manner and their noses 453 to move into the lower ends of the storage tubes if the storage tubes do not have sufficient coins at the level of the location of the sensor lever noses 453. After the dispensing of a coin from a tube, if a number of coins to the level or above the level of the sensor lever nose 453 are still present in a sensor tube, counterclockwise pivotal movement of the sensor lever associated with the tube cannot take place and the rear ends of such sensor lever remains in the positions illustrated in the drawing. On the completion of a dispensing operation, therefore, thespring 490 will be effective to move the switchplate back to the position illustrated in FIG. 10, the upper end of thecontact member 483 of theswitch 468 associated with such sensor lever will not engage the upper end of the sensor lever and the switches will remain open. If, however, as the coin or coins are dispensed from such tube the level of the remaining coins drops below the level of the sensor lever nose 453, the sensor lever, due to itsweight 461, will pivot in a counterclockwise manner, FIG. 10, immediately upon the movement of the coins from the lower end of the storage tube, and, when the dispensing operation is finished and the switch plate again pivots in a clockwise direction, the engagement of theweight 461 with thecontact member 483 will cause its associatedswitch 468 to close and thelamp 470 to light Referring now to FIG. 25, if any one of the switches 468ag is in its closed position, it connects thelamp 470 across the secondary winding 300 through theconductors 305, 520, 521, and 310. If the contacts ofswitch 341 are in the position illustrated in FIG. 25, the closure of the switch 468k will connect thelamp 470 across the secondary winding through theconductors 305, 520 and 523, thecontacts 471 and 472, and theconductors 524, 521, 522 and 310. Closure of the switch 468]: when the lower contact is not in engagement with thecontact 472, will not result in the connection of thelamp 470 across the secondary winding through the switch 468k. If theswitch contact 371 is in its lowermost position, closure of theswitch 468i will connect thelamp 470 across the secondary winding through theconductors 305 and 528, the contacts 473 and 471 of theswitch 341, and theconductors 524, 521, 522 and 310.

Asecond signal lamp 530 connected across the secondary winding 300 by theconductors 531 and 532 lights whenever themain switch 298 is closed to show that the coin-handling apparatus is operable. t

Thesolenoids 192 are mounted in channel shapedmounts 540 which are secured by screws 541a to achannel member 541 which extends between thesideplates 54 and 55 and is secured thereto by means of bolts orscrews 542 which extend through apertures in its end flanges 543 which abut thesideplates 53 and 54. Aretainer plate 545 has a forward edge engaging the upper ends of the solenoids to hold them against rearward movement from their channel mounts also extends between thesideplates 54 and 55 and is secured thereto bybrackets 546 and bolts or screws 548.

Thecoin dispenser 31 also includes achute assembly 550 having inner andouter walls 551 and 552, respectively, between which is secured aplastic slide member 554 by means ofscrews 556. The outer wall hasside sections 558 which extend outwardly of thesideplates 54 and 55 and are secured thereto by means of screws or bolts 559. Theupper portion 560 of theinner chute wall 551 curves upwardly and terminates just below the front edge of the bottom plate of the coin magazine while theupper portion 561 of the outerchute plate wall 552 similarly curves upwardly but terminates short of the magazine. The top accuratelycurved surface 564 of the chute member slopes downwardly to theaperture 566 provided in thesidewall 557 and slides outwardly therefrom to an opentop delivery receptacle 566 securablc to thefront wall 552 in any suitable manner as byscrews 568 which may extend into suitable lugs of the front wall. Thewall 558 is also provided with an aperture 566a so that upon reversal of the position of thechute member 554 the dispensed coins may be caused to slide or roll to a receptacle 556a secured to the coin dispenser at its right side. The aperture 566a is closed bysuitable cover plate 570 if thereceptacle 556 is employed. Similarly a cover plate is used to cover theaperture 556 in the event the receptacle 566a is connected to the dispensingdevice 31.

Thecontrol assembly 32 in which the switches 34a-i, are mounted and which are operable by the pushbuttons 33a-i, may be secured to the coin dispenser by means of theangle bracket 575 whose bottom horizontal leg may be secured by screws to the bottom wall of the housing. Alternatively, the control assembly may be connected to thebracket 576 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 at a location spaced from the coin dispenser in which case itshorizontal leg 576 is connected to a support, such as a counter top 577, byscrews 578.

Assuming now that each of the coin storage tubes of themagazine 35 is filled to a substantial height with coins of appropriate denominations and that each of the sensor levers 450 is now in the position illustrated in FIGS. 10 and II wherein it does not hold theswitches 468 closed, and it is now desired to dispense or make change of one penny, the pushbutton 33c is depressed, the switch 34 is closed and causes energization of the solenoid [92c of the lock assembly 1900.

Energization of the solenoid 1920 causes the latch lever of the lock assembly 1900 to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, FIGS. 8, 9 and 11, from the position illustrated in FIG. 11 to the position illustrated in FIG. 8. The latch lever pivots thebail 280 upwardly and theswitch 287 closes causing themain shaft 70 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. During this counterclockwise pivotal movement of the latch lever, itslug 151 moves out of engagement with theclutch lever 130 and the force of its spring 131 causes the latch lever to pivot in a counterclockwise direction and itspawl 133 to move between a pair of the teeth of theclutch gear 124. Thedisc 110 of the dispensing assembly 900 then rotates with the shaft and since it has only one ejector 164 mounted thereon, theejector end portion 174 moves upwardly through theslit 97 of theresilient strip 96, theslot 95 of theslot plate 91, and the slot 427 of the bottom plate of the coin magazine into and upwardly and forwardly through the lower end of thestorage tube 37c. Thenylon ring 169 of this dispensing assembly 90c is so oriented on the eccentric 166 that theejector end portion 174 projects upwardly into the coin register a distance sufficient to engage the rear edge of only the bottommost penny in thestorage tube 37c. The engagement of the peripheral surface of the nylon ring with theresilient strip 96 or the bottom of the slot plate 9|, causes thelever 156 to pivot against the resistance of thespring 180 to permit the nylon ring to move past theslot plate 91 and then move forwardly and downwardly. The lowermost penny is thus moved forwardly through thedischarge slot 426 at the bottom end of thestorage tube 370 and is moved into the upper end of thechute assembly 550 and then rolls or slides down the arcuate surface of thechute member 554 to thereceptacle 556. During the rotation of thedisc 110 of the dispensing assembly 90c, thecam member 250 of the disc lifts the latch lever, as shown in FIG. 9, to its operative position wherein thelatch lever lug 151 will again be in position to engage the stop surface 132 of theclutch lever 130, as illustrated in FIG. 9, and thedrop latch 220 will then prevent counterclockwise movement of the latch lever from this operative position even if the operator holds the pushbutton 33c depressed, and the solenoid 1920 energized. Once the operator releases the pushbutton 330, theswitch 340 will close, solenoid 192C will become deenergized, and the latch lever will again assume the position illustrated in FIG. 10. Thebail 280, however, will remain held in its upper position until thebrake lever 260 of the locking assembly 190C pivots back to its normal locking position as itspin 272 enter theperipheral recess 275 of thedisc 110 of the dispensing assembly 90c. If no other clutch, latch lever, or brake lever is now being held in its actuated position due to the energization of someother solenoid 192, the motor will become deenergized as thedisc 110 completes its full revolution of 360 and its brake lever pivots again in a counterclockwise direction and opens theswitch 287.

If it is desired to dispense 2 cents in change thepushbutton 33d is depressed, theswitch 34d is closed and the solenoid 192d of the lock assembly 90d is energized causing rotation of thedisc 110 of the dispensing assembly 90d with theshaft 70, and since thedisc 110 of the lock assembly of the dispensing assembly 90d has two ejectors 164 mounted thereon, during the 360 rotation of thedisc 110 of the lock assembly 90d, first one penny and then another penny are moved forwardly through the discharge opening of thestorage tube 37d and into thechute assembly 550.

If 3 cents in change are to be dispensed or delivered, the pushbutton 33e is depressed, the two contacts of theswitch 34c are closed and the solenoid windings 192a and 19212 are energized so that the dispensing assemblies 90c and 90e are If a cent coin is to be dispensed, the pushbutton 33g is depressed thus closing the switch 34;; and causing energization of the solenoid winding 192f so that the dispensing assembly 90f moves the lowermost nickel from the coin storage tube 37fto the chute assembly.

. If a single -cent piece is to be dispensed, the operator pushes the button 33h, closes theswitch 34h, the solenoid winding 192;; is energized and the dispensing assembly 90g now dispenses a single quarter from the storage tube 37g.

If the two contacts of the switch 341arc in the upper positions illustrated in FIG. 25, and it is desired to dispense 50 cents in change, the pushbutton 331' is depressed closing the switch 34:, the solenoid winding 192k is energized and two quarters are dispensed from thetube 37h. If the contacts of theswitch 341 are in their lower positions, closure of the switch 341' and the energization of the solenoid 1921', thus causing the dispensing of a 50-cent piece from the storage tube 37: by the dispensing assembly 90i.

If the operator wishes to dispense a single dime, he presses pushbutton 33a, the switch 34a is closed, the solenoid 192a is energized and the dispensing assembly 9011 moves a single dime from thestorage tube 37a.

caused to operate through a full cycle with a single coin being dispensed from thestorage tube 37c and two pennies from thestorage tube 37e. lf four cents are to be dispensed, the pushbutton 33fis depressed, the two contacts of the switch 34/ are moved to their closed positions the solenoids 192d and 1922 are energized and during the cycles of operation of the dispensing assemblies 90:! and 900, the two pennies are disposed from each of thestorage tuhes 37d and 37e.

lf;2() cents in change are to be dispensed, the operator depresses the button 33h, theswitch 34b is closed, the solenoid winding 192!) is energized and the dispensing assembly 190!) moves two dimes from the storage tube 3712 into the chute.

It will be apparent, of course, that during each operation of any one of the dispensing assemblies, theswitch plate 478 is pivoted in a counterclockwise manner, FIG. 10, to allow allsensor levers 450 to be free to pivot in a counterclockwise direction, FIG. 10, to allow their lower noses 453 to enter into the tubes if the dispensing of the coin from any one of the storage tubes causes the top coin in such tube to be at such low level that the coins no longer prevent such counterclockwise pivotal movement of the sensor lever. When the dispensing operation is completed and the switchplate pivots back in a counterclockwise manner, of anysuch sensor lever associated with a tube in which the number of coins has dropped to such level the nose of its associated sensor lever enters into the tube, theweight 461 engages thecontact member 483 of theswitch 468 associated therewith thus causing thelamp 470 to light up and the operator will now perceive that a storage tube should be refilled with coins. The operator, of course, does not know merely from the lighting of thelamp 470 which storage tube needs to be refilled, but the operator can easily ascertain which tube it is by glancing at the vertical slots of the tubes.

The operator, of course, can make change in any manner, for example, if he wishes to make change of 73 cents he may push thebuttons 331', 33d, and 33a. If the pushbutton 331' is pushed first it will, of course, complete its cycle of operation before the dispensing assemblies d and 33e do so, but the motor will continue to be energized until the completion of the full cycle of operation of the dispensing assembly 90e since its cycle of operation was initiated last.

Thecoin sorter 36 includes abase plate 601 having an enlarged right-hand mount section 602 andelongate slot section 603 which extends downwardly and to the left and which also slopes downwardly and forwardly from the upper portion of the mount section, thedependent leg 604 which extends downwardly from the inner edge of the main portion and to which anangle bracket 605 is welded, and arearwardly extending flange 607 at the left end of theslide section 603 to which anangle bracket 608 is welded. Asupport bar 610 extends between thebrackets 605 and 608 and is welded to their horizontal flanges on which its opposite portions rest. The rear end portions of thebrackets 605 and 608 extend inwardly into the upper end of the housing throughslots 612 and 613 of the housing and are pivotedly mounted on arod 615 which extends through aligned apertures in thesideplates 54 and 55 and thebrackets 605 and 608. Therod 615 is retained in place by two pairs ofcollars 616 disposed on opposite sides of the sideplates and the brackets and rigidly secured to the shaft by setscrews.

Downward and forward pivotal movement of the coin sorter relative to the coin magazine is limited by the engagement of the edge surfaces 620 defining the inner ends of thelongitudinal slots 621 of thesupport bar 610, with the forward edges of the coinmagazine end plates 603 and 604 which are adapted to be received in theslot 621. The coin sorter is pivotable upwardly about the axis of theshaft 615 to a position where it is spaced rearwardly of the coin magazine to per' mit removal or installation of the coin magazine on the coin dispenser.

Theslide section 603 of thebase plate 602 has a topforwardly extending flange 624 integral therewith and aroll strip 625 is secured by screws 626 on the front surface of theslide section 603. Thetop surface 627 of the strip supports the coins as they roll downwardly therealong while the rear surfaces of the coins slide upon the downwardly and forwardly inclined front surface of theslide section 603. The slide sec tion has alongitudinal slot 628 therein whose lower end is defined by itsedge surface 629 which extends parallel to and is spaced above the top surface of the roll strip 625 a distance so short that the center of gravity of the coins rolling on the roll strip and sliding on the slide section will be above theedge surface 629. The extremeright end portion 630 of theslot 628 which is defined by thetop edge surface 630 is of narrowest width so that the upper edge of a dime coin rolling on theroll strip 625 will be located below thetop edge 629 and such dime will fall downwardly and rearwardly through the reduced portion as soon as its rear edge passes thearcuate surface 632 ofa slide section defining the right end of theslot 628.

Thenext portion 633 of the slot whose upper end is defined by the edge surface 634 is of such size that the upper edge ofa penny rolling along theroll strip 625 will be spaced below the edge 634 so that when the rear edge portion of the penny moves downwardly past the surface 636 which extends between thesurfaces 630 and 634, it will fall rearwardly and downwardly through theslot portion 633.

The next furtherenlarged portion 638 of the slot defined by theedge surface 639 is of such width that the upper edge of a nickel rolling on the roll strip will be located below theedge surface 639 so that the nickel will fall downwardly and rearwardly therethrough when the rear edge of the nickel moves past the surface 640 extending between the ends of thesurfaces 634 and 639.

The nextlower portion 642 of the slot defined by theedge surface 643 is of such width that the upper edge of a quarter rolling along theroll strip 625 will be spaced downwardly thereof so that when it passes theedge surface 644 extending between the adjacent ends of thesurfaces 639 and 643, it will fall downwardly and rearwardly through the slot.

Finally, thebottom portion 646 of the slot defined by the edge surface 647 is of such width that a half-dollar coin rolling along theroll strip 625 will have its upper edge spaced below the surface 647 and the half-dollar coin will fall downwardly through theportion 646 of the slot when the rear edge of the half-dollar move downwardly and to the left of the surface 648 extending between the adjacent ends of thesurfaces 643 and 647.

The dime coins falling rearwardly through the extreme right-hand portion 629 are directed selectively into the upper end of either thetube 37a or 37b by aguide 650 which includes a pair ofvertical plates 651 and 652 connected by a U- shaped bracket 563 to which the vertical plates are welded. The front portion of theplate 651 extends into an upwardly opening slot of theshaft 655 and is secured thereto by rivets or pins 656. The shaft extends downwardly through awasher 657 and abushing 658 disposed in a suitable aperture of thesupport bar 610 and has ahandle 659 secured to its lower end portion by asetscrew 660. Theguide 650 is releasably held in either the full line or the broken line positions illustrated in FIG. 12 by aball detent 662 biased upwardly in an upwardly opening bore 663 of thehandle 659 by aspring 664. The bottom surface is provided with a pair of downwardly opening recesses orindentations 666 in one ofwhich the upper portion of the ball detent is received when the guide is in the position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 12 and wherein the guide directs the dimes falling downwardly through theright end portion 629 of the slot into the upper end of thecoin storage tube 37a and is received in the other of these indentations when the guide is moved to the position in broken lines in FIG. 12 and wherein the guide directs the dimes falling through therighthand position 629 of the slot 27 into the upper end of the storage tube 37b.

The pennies falling downwardly and rearwardly through theportion 633 of the slot are selectively directed into the upper ends of thetubes 37 byrigid guide plate 669 secured to and extending between the support bar and theslide section 670 and a movable guide which includes asingle plate 671, mounted on ashaft 672 in the same manner as theplate 651 is mounted on ashaft 672 in the same manner as theplate 651 is mounted on theshaft 655, which is movable between three positions by ahandle 674 connected to the bottom of the shaft. Thehandle 674, of course, has a detent of the same type as thehandle 659 which is receivable in any one of three radially spaced downwardly opening recesses or indentations in thesupport bar 610. Theguide 670, when it is pivoted in a counterclockwise manner, FIG. 4, to its extreme forward position, directs the pennies falling through thesection 633 of the slot into the top end ofthestorage tube 370, when it is pivoted rearwardly to an intermediate position it directs the pennies into the upper end of the tube 37b, and when rotated to its extreme rearward position it directs the pennies to the top end of the tube 37s.

The nickels falling downwardly and rearwardly through thesection 638 of the slot are directed into the upper end of the tube 37f by therigid guide plates 675 and 676 which extend between thesupport bar 610, the slide section of the base plate and are rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by welding.

The quarters which fall rearwardly and downwardly through theportion 642 are directed to either thetube 37g or 37h by therigid guide 675 and guide 678 mounted on ashaft 679 whosehandle 680 is provided with a detent of the same type as thehandle 659 and which is received in two spaced indentations or recesses in the bottom surface of thesupport bar 610 to releasably hold the guide 678 in either a position where it directs the quarters falling through theportion 642 into the upper end of the tube 37g or in its other position into the top of thetube 37h.

Finally, half-dollars which fall downwardly and rearwardly through theportion 646 of the slideplate are directed into the top end of the tube 37i by the rearwardlycurved flange 607 of thebase plate 601 and the rigid guide which extends between the support bar and the slideplate. The sideplate may preferably also have a forwardly extendingstop flange 680.

A mixture of coins of various denominations which is to be sorted by the coin sorter and delivered to the top ends of appropriate coin storage tubes includes areceptacle 690 having asemicylindrical wall 691 whose inner edge abuts the top surface of thesection 602 of thebase plate 601 and which is secured thereto by means of one ormore brackets 692 welded to the semicylindrical wall whose leg abuts the top surface of thebase plate section 602 and is rigidly secured thereto by ascrew 693. Thereceptacle 690 also includes semicircular wall 695 which is secured to the semicylindrical wall by brackets 696 welded to the semicylindrical wall whose legs abut the semicircular wall and are secured thereto byscrews 697.

The coins to be sorted are deposited on a receptor plate 700 which has anouter stiffener flange 701, a downwardly and rearwardlysloping section 702, a central section 703, a downwardly and rearwardly extendingslide portion 704, and abottom presser portion 705. The receptor plate directs the coins deposited thereon downwardly into the rear end of thereceptacle 690 defined by the top surface of thebase plate section 602 in substantially vertical positions and its bottom presser portion biases them toward thesection 602 in position to be received in the recesses 708 of arotatable coin mover 707 defined by its fourarms 709. The recesses are of sufficient depth to receive therein the upper portion of a SO-cent coin whose edge is rolling along the inner surface of the semicylindrical wall.

The receptor plate 700 is pivotally mounted on alever 710, which includes a pair ofbars 711 connected intermediate their ends by abar 712, by means of ashaft 715 which extends through aligned apertures in the upper ends of thebars 711 and thedownturned arms 716 of abracket 718 welded or otherwise secured to the lower end of the section 703 of the receptor plate. Counterclockwise pivotal movement of the receptor plate about the axis of theshaft 715, FIG. 13, is limited by the engagement of the bottom surface of the receptor plate section 703 with the top portion 720 of a bar 721 whose lower end is rigidly secured, as by welding, to thebar 712 of thelever 710.

Thelever 710 is pivotally mounted on the upper ends of a pair ofbrackets 724, whose leg portions are secured to the semicylindrical wall bybolts 725, by means of ashaft 727 which extends through aligned apertures in the upper ends of thebracket 724 and thebars 711. Thelever 710 is biased in a clockwise direction, FIG. 13, about the axis of theshaft 727 by a pair ofsprings 730. Each of thesprings 730 has one end received in arecess 731 of anarm 711 and its other end bears against the rear surface of theadjacent bracket 724. Clockwise pivotal movement of thelever 710 is limited by the engagement of the lower rear surface of one of thebars 711 with a laterally projectinglug 732 of one of thebrackets 724.

The center of gravity of the receptor plate 700 is located forwardly or outwardly of the axis of theshaft 715 so that the receptor plate is biased by gravity in a counterclockwise direction about itsshaft 715 and held in the position illustrated in FIG. 13 by thestop 710.

Thecoin mover 707 is rigidly secured to theoutput shaft 740 of a speed reducing transmission 741, driven by anelectric motor 742, by means of itshub 743 which extends rearwardly through a suitable aperture of thebase plate section 602 into themotor housing 745. Themotor housing 745 includes an annular wall 746 to which acircular end wall 747 is secured bybrackets 748 and screws 749. The motor housing is secured to the rear of thebase plate section 602 by a pair ofposts 752 whose forward ends are rigidly secured, by any suitable means, to the base plate section and screws 753 which extend through suitable apertures in thewall 747 into threaded bores of the posts. The speed-reducing transmission and electric motor, which are available commercially as a unit, are securable to thebase plate section 602 byscrews 755 which extend through suitable apertures in thebase plate section 602 into threadedposts 756 rigid with the speed-reducing transmission and electric motor housing.

An electric cable having the electrical conductors for connecting the motor to a source of current extends into the housing through a suitable aperture in the annular wall 746 and agrommet 758. Theswitch 759 for controlling the operation ofelectric motor 742 is also mounted on the annular wall 746 and itsoperator handle 759 extends outwardly of the housing.

Themotor 742, FIG. 25, may be of any suitable single-phase self-starting motor, such as a capacitor start motor whose starter winding, not shown, is connected in series with a current-limitingresistance 761 and acapacitor 762 across themain conductors 291 and 292 by means of theconductors 295, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770 and 297. The running winding of themotor 742 is also connectable across themain conductors 291 and 292 by theconductors 295, 297, 772, 773, 768 and 769, theswitch 759, and theconductors 770 and 297. It will therefore be apparent that each time themain switch 298 is closed and theswitch 759 is closed, themotor 742 will be energized and will rotate thecoin mover 709.

A shield for the upper portion of the coin mover above thereceptacle 690 is provided by anextension 780 and thesemicylindrical wall 691 and aplate 782 secured to the upper portion of the extension by abracket 783. One ormore brackets 784 which are secured to thebase plate section 602 by screws 785 project forwardly therefrom and engage theextension 780 to help support the coin receptacle on thebase plate section 602.

When a number of coins of different denominations are to be sorted, the operator moves theguides 678, 670 and 650 as required to direct the quarters, pennies and dimes to ap' propriate tubes of the coin magazine which have the least number of such coins therein. Theswitches 298 and 759 are closed, themotor 742 is energized and rotates thecoin mover 709, and the coins are deposited on the receptor plate 700. Since theportions 703, 704 and 705 thereof are inclined downwardly at progressively greater angles, as the coins slide downwardly thereover they are moved into substantially vertical positions and then tilt rearwardly as their lower edges en- J gage the semicylindrical wall and move into parallel relationship against an arm of the coin mover on thebase plate section 602. The receptor plate pivots against the force of gravity in a clockwise direction about the axis of theshaft 715 as required by the number of coins. Thelever 710 itself may also pivot in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of theshaft 727 against the resistance of thesprings 730 depending on the number of coins which are deposited on the receptor plate. The coins are held in such positions parallel to thebase plate section 602 by thepressor portion 705.

As the coin mover rotates, a coin nearest thesection 602 moves into a recess 708 between a pair ofarms 709 and moves further rearwardly and into sliding contact with thebase plate section 602, and then is moved by the forwardly movingedge 790 of such arm upwardly towards thedischarge slot 792 of the annularsemicylindrical wall 691 which is in alignment with theroll strip 625. The coin, of course, slides on thesection 602 of the base plate and rolls along thesemicylindrical wall 691 until it is moved upwardly through thedischarge opening 792 and onto theroll strip 725. The arms are of sufficient radius that at the time of the movement of the smallest coin onto the upper end of the roll strip, the edge of the smallest coin, and therefore also the largest coin, is engaged by the arm at a location between its central axis' and the periphery thereof engaging theroll strip 625. As seen in FIG. 15, if the coin mover is rotated in a clockwise direction, the coins are moved upwardly and to the left along thesemicylindrical wall 691. If desired, the direction of rotation of the coin mover may be reversed and the coins would then be moved upwardly and to the right and would roll off the outer edges 794 of the arms as such edges move downwardly and incline towards theroll strip 625. If desired, such trailing edges of the arms may be given the configuration 794a to cause the coins to roll off the arms with greater velocity onto theroll strip 625. The thickness of the opposite edges of the arms of the coin mover which engage the edges of the coins, are equal to or less than the thickness of the smallest coin, in this case a dime, to be sorted in order that each arm move only a single coin. If the coin mover is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, there is less likelihood of a coin which may be struck to a second coin in a recess between the arms of the coin mover moving with such second coin and being discharged onto the roll strip since it is moved a greater distance therewith and subjected to greater gravitational forces.

Due to the mounting of the receptor plate 700 for movement about two different spaced axes, the position of the receptor plate will adjust to any reasonable number of coins which may be deposited thereon without causing any jamming thereof. Thecoin mover 707 thus moves the coins sequentially, one by one, from thereceptacle 690 onto the upper edge of theroll strip 625 and these coins then move down the strip and fall through the slot of the slide section into appropriate storage tubes.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 23 and 24 of the drawing, the coin magazine 350 may be used in place of thecoin magazine 35 and installations where it is not necessary to use a coin sorter as, for example, where the operator receives the coins to be dispensed in the usual paper rolls. The coin magazine 350 being similar to thecoin magazine 35, its elements have been provided with the same reference numerals,

Claims (29)

1. A coin-handling apparatus including: a plurality of coin storage tubes; stop means at the bottom ends of said tubes limiting downward movement of coins in said tubes, each of said coin storage tubes having a discharge aperture at its lower end above said stop means through which the lowermost coin in the tube may be ejected; a plurality of dispensing means each operatively associated with an associated tube and having means movable through the bottom end of a tube for individually and selectively engaging and ejecting the lowermost coin from the tube through said discharge opening; drive means for operating said dispensing means; and a plurality of lock means each operatively associated with an associated dispensing means for causing connection of its associated dispensing means selectively to said drive means and causing a single cycle of operation of its associated dispensing means on each actuation of said lock means, each of said lock means including latch means having electrically operable operator means and a plurality of switch means for selectively energizing said operator means, said drive means including a drive shaft, said dispensing means being mounted on said drive shaft and including clutch means for connecting said dispensing means to said drive shaft to cause rotation of said dispensing means with said drive shaft, each of said lock means including a latch lever for the clutch means of its associated dispensing means having operative position wherein it holds the clutch means of its associated dispensing means in inoperative position and latch means for holding said latch lever in its operative position.

2. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said operator means are operatively associated with said latch means and cause said latch means to free said latch lever for movement from its operative position upon energization of said operator means.

3. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said operator means comprises a solenoid.

4. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of said latch means includes means for preventing movement of its associated latch lever to its operative position until the associated solenoid has been deenergized.

5. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of said lock means includes means for moving said latch lever out of engagement with said latch means when said clutch lever is in its inoperative position and into operative position upon rotation of the dispensing means with said drive means through a predetermined angle.

6. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 5, wherein said drive means includes an electric motor for rotating said drive shaft, and motor switch means operatively associated with said dispensing means for energizing said motor whenever the latch lever of any one of said lock means is in its inoperative position and during a cycle of operation of any of said dispensing means.

7. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 6, and individual brake means cooperable with each of said dispensing means for stopping said dispensing means in predetermined position relative to said drive shaft upon completion of each cycle of operation of the dispensing means.

8. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 7, and means cooperable with said latch levers and brake means of said dispensing means and with said motor switch means for causing said switch means to connect said motor across an input circuit whenever any latch lever and brake means is in its inoperative position.

9. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of said dispensing means includes a main member rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and connectable to said drive shaft for rotation therewith by said clutch means; an ejector lever pivotally mounted on said lever; and an ejector pivotally mounted on said lever and having an ejector end portion extending outwardly of said main member; and individual means biasing said ejector lever and said ejector to position wherein said ejector will move into and through the bottom end of a tube when said rotatable member is rotated by said shaft.

10. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 9, wherein said coin storage tubes comprise a magazine removably positionable over said dispensing means.

11. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 10, and a coin sorter disposed over the top ends of said tubes and having an inclined chute means provided with a longitudinal slot of downwardly and incrementally increasing height through which coins of predetermined denominations moving on the chute means fall into predetermined tubes.

12. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 11, wherein said coin sorter includes a receptacle at the upper end of said chute means and coin moving means in said receptacle for moving coins individually from said receptacles to the upper ends of said chute means.

13. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 12, wherein said coin moving means comprises a rotatable member having a plurality of arms providing radially outwardly opening recesses in which the coins in the receptacle are receivable and engageable at their edges by said arms.

14. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 13, and a positioning plate in said receptacle on which coins are depositable and over which the coins slide toward said rotatable member and into substantially parallel relation therewith.

15. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 14, wherein said plate has portions of progressively greater angular inclination from the horizontal and towaRd said moving means.

16. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plate is biased toward said moving means.

17. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 16, and drive means for rotating said moving member.

18. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 1, and a coin sorter disposed over the top ends of said tubes and having an inclined chute means provided with a longitudinal slot of downwardly and incrementally increasing height through which coins of predetermined denominations moving on the chute means fall into predetermined tubes.

19. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 18, wherein said coin sorter includes a receptacle at the upper end of said chute means and coin-moving means in said receptacle for moving coins individually from said receptacles to the upper ends of said chute means.

20. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 19, wherein said coin-moving means comprises a rotatable member having a plurality of arms providing radially outwardly opening recesses in which the coins in the receptacle are receivable and engageable at their edges by said arms.

21. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 24, and a positioning plate in said receptacle on which coins are depositable and over which the coins slide toward said rotatable member and into substantially parallel relation therewith.

22. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 21, wherein said plate has portions of progressively greater angular inclination from the horizontal and toward said moving means.

23. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 22, wherein the plate is biased toward said moving means.

24. The coin-handling apparatus of claim 23, and drive means for rotating said moving member.

25. In a coin-handling apparatus, a dispensing means for ejecting the lowermost coin from a coin storage tube through a discharge aperture of said tube, said dispensing means including: a drive shaft; a base member rotatably mounted on said rotatable drive shaft; clutch means on said shaft and said base member for connecting said base member to said drive shaft for rotation therewith; and ejector means mounted on said base member and movable through the bottom end of a coin storage tube for engaging the lowermost coin in the tube and moving it out of the tube through said discharge aperture, said ejector means including a lever pivotally mounted on said base member; and an ejector pivotally mounted on said lever and having an end portion movable through the lower end of a coin storage tube.

26. The dispensing means of claim 25, and biasing means for biasing said lever relative to said base member in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said shaft, and means biasing said ejector relative to said lever in the direction of rotation of said shaft.

27. The dispensing apparatus of claim 26, wherein the axes of pivotal movement of said ejector and said lever are spaced from one another and parallel to the axis of rotation of said shaft.

28. The dispensing apparatus of claim 27, adjustably mounted on said lever for varying the length of said end portion extending outwardly of the periphery of said disc.

29. In a coin sorter: a receptacle positionable at the upper end of an inclined chute means to which coins from the receptacle are movable; coin-moving means in said receptacle for moving coins individually from said receptacle to the upper end of said chute means, said coin-moving means comprising a rotatable member having a plurality of arms providing outwardly opening recesses in which the coins in the receptacle are receivable and engageable at their edges by said arms; and a positioning plate in said receptacle on which coins are depositable and on which the coins slide toward said rotatable member and into substantially parallel relationship therewith, said plate having portions of progressively greater inclination from the horizontal and inclined toward said moving means, said plate having a lowermost portion extending at a slight angle relative to the plane of rOtation of said moving means, means biasing said plate to a position wherein said lowermost portion is near said moving means; and drive means for rotating said moving member.

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