Coin receiving and dispensing device

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a coin receiving and dispensing device of a compact configuration which can be mounted, for example, in a vending machine or other device for receiving, storing, and dispensing coins, and more particularly includes a coin passageway unit with a removable cover member that expose a plurality of coin passageways for cleaning and servicing.

2. Description of Related Art

Various forms of coin receiving and dispensing devices, sometimes referred to as coin mechanical devices, are known in the prior art. Various forms of vending machines, money changing machines, and service devices are equipped with a coin processor which can verify inserted coins, sort the coins by denomination, store coins, return coins, and can pay out change of lesser denominations than the coin denomination inserted. An example of a coin processor can be seen in the Japanese laid-open publication No. 5-258155.

The high cost of labor has created opportunities for remote automatic coin receiving and dispensing devices which are frequently incorporated in kiosk stand-alone unit, such as a box-like structure that can be provided to monitor parking spots. Frequently, in such an environment, the received coins are at most two denominations and a return coin or change coin is generally of a one denomination value. For example, if a parking fee is 100 Yen per thirty minutes, the receiving coins can either be 100 Yen or 500 Yen denominations and the change dispensing coins will be only of 100 Yen denominations.

As can be appreciated during the service life of such a device, there can be an accumulation of debris, and dirt, particularly if the kiosk is positioned outside. As a result, coins can jam and it is necessary to periodically clean coin passageways to ensure proper operation.

There is still demand in this field to provide a relatively cost efficient and compact coin payment and change device that can incorporate a coin receiving and dispensing device that is easily serviced.

The present invention provides a coin receiving and dispensing device that can incorporate a coin selector unit with a coin entry for determining a type of coin and then appropriately directing a coin based on that determination. The determination can also determine or verify whether it is a legitimate coin and subsequently deal with the coin on the basis of that determination. A coin dispensing device for storing coins that can be dispensed as changed is also provided and a receiving groove extends from the coin selector unit to the coin dispensing device. A removable cover member that extends over the receiving groove and forms with the receiving groove a first coin passageway between the coin selecting unit and the coin dispensing device is provided and can be removed by a service technician to thereby provide easy access to the open coin passageway for cleaning.

A coin returning unit can also be operatively connected to the coin selector unit and can include a returning groove that will return rejected coins to an exit opening. The cover member also extends over the returning groove and forms with the returning groove a second coin passageway between the coin selector unit and the coin returning unit. A coin storage passageway for storing desired coins can also be provided with the coins being deposited in a coin storage safe. The movable cover member can also form a portion of the coin storing passageway. Thus, a coin passageway unit can be provided having one or more coin passageways wherein a removable cover member can provide a relatively inexpensive and efficient component that can be easily removed by a service technician. The coin receiving and dispensing device can be further mounted in a vending machine, money changer, etc. on a movable and lockable lid cover so that when the lid cover is pivoted, for example, about hinges, the coin receiving and dispensing device is rotated out of the housing for servicing by the technician. The coin dispensing device can further have a motor driven member which can be activated by sensors determining the presence of a particular coin denomination for causing the coin dispensing device to eject the appropriate change to the user.

The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a check-out device with a built-in receiving and dispensing device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the check-out device;

FIG. 3 is a exploded perspective view of the receiving and returning device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispensing device of the present invention.

The following description is provide to enable any person skilled in the coin vending art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a compact coin dispensing device with a passageway unit that can be easily serviced.

Now a check-out device 1 such as a parking lot automatic attendant is explained by referring to FIG. 1 . The check-out device 1 has an exterior box-like housing and includes a base-box 1 B and a front lid 1 F. It can be located at a parking lot for paying for a vehicle space. The lid or first cover member 1 F can pivot about the hinges 2 A, 2 B, 2 C, 2 D to provide access to the internal equipment and money contained therein.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the lid 1 F is locked to the base-box 1 B by a lock 3 . A receiving and dispensing device 10 is fixed in the box 1 B at the reverse side of the lid 1 F. When the lid 1 F is opened, the receiving and dispensing device 10 can be moved integrally as one unit for access.

As shown in FIG. 2 , a coin entry slot or coin receptor 4 is located at the upper section of the lid 1 F. A coin returning exit 5 and a change exit 6 are located at the lower section of the lid 1 F. The coin returning exit 5 connects to a coin returning passageway 5 A which also slants downward in the box 1 B. The change exit 6 connects to a change passageway 6 A which is also configured to slant downward.

The receiving and dispensing device 10 is further explained by referring to FIG. 3 . Frame 11 includes a base board 11 A, a side board 11 B and guide board 11 C and they are joined together in a rectangle configuration to provide a groove 11 D which is longer than it is wide and has a channel-like shape. The base board 11 A is fixed at the reverse side of the lid 1 F by screws, etc. Openings 14 A, 14 B, 14 C are located along the side board 11 B for visual observation by a service technician.

Coin selector unit 12 is in a box-like configuration and is detachably mounted to be hung on frame 11 . The coin selector unit 12 has two support pins, and the pins are located at a front wall (not shown) and at rear wall 12 W. Therefore the pins 12 A and 12 B of the front wall have contact with contacting grooves 13 A and 13 B which are L-shape and are located on the base-board 11 A. The pins 12 C and 12 D extending from the rear wall have contact with contacting grooves 13 C and 13 D which are L-shape and are located at the base board 11 A.

The coin selector unit 12 has a function of distinguishing or verifying the authenticity of the receiving coins and to accordingly dispense them to one of the receiving exit 12 F, the returning exit 12 G and the storing exit 12 H. The coin selector unit 12 can be either a mechanical type or an electrical type as known in the vending industry.

Receiving gutter 15 is fixed at the side board 11 B and is located below the coin selector unit 12 as shown in FIG. 3 . The receiving gutter 15 which is extended in the longitudinal direction is channel-like in shape and is structured by the side walls 15 A, 15 B and 15 C to form a receiving groove 15 D. Receiving groove 15 D is funnel-like in shape.

The upper end of the receiving groove 15 D is located under the receiving exit 12 F of coin selector unit 12 and the lower end is located over a storing pipe or tube 22 B which is cylindrical in shape, as shown in FIG. 4 . The opening 15 E of the receiving gutter 15 opens opposite to the side board 11 B. The side wall 15 A has contact with the guide board 11 C. Thus, coins that can be returned as change can be appropriately stored.

An auxiliary coin entry 17 is provided in the guide board 11 C and is located under the receiving exit 12 E and opens at the receiving groove 15 D. The side wall 15 A can be alternatively formed as part of the guide board 11 C as a modification.

The returning groove 17 D is fixed at the base board 11 A. The returning groove 17 D includes an attaching wall 17 A for connection to base board 11 A, side walls 17 B and 17 C. The cross section of groove 170 is crank-like in shape. As shown in FIG. 4 , the returning groove 17 D extends in a longitudinal direction and includes base board 11 A and side walls 17 B and 17 C. The upper end of the returning groove 17 D is located under the returning exit 12 G of coin selector unit 12 and the lower end is located over the coin returning passageway 5 A, whereby a rejected coin can be returned to the user. Opening 17 E opens opposite to the side board 11 B.

A second removable cover 1 8 is structured by a first cover side wall 18 A and second cover side wall 18 B to provide a cross section having an L-like shape as shown in FIG. 3 . Storing mouth or chute 20 is located above the middle of the first cover side wall 18 A. Handle 18 C is fixed at the surface of the second cover side wall 18 B to enable a service technician to remove the cover 18 when the first cover member 1 F of the check-out device 1 is opened. Storing gutter 19 is located behind the first cover wall 18 A and it's cross section is channel-like in shape.

The storing gutter 19 has a storing groove 19 D shown in FIG. 3 which extends in a longitudinal direction and is made up of the side walls 19 A, 19 B and 19 C. The lower end of the storing groove 19 D is closed by a bottom wall 19 E which slants in a direction opposite to the side board 11 B. Attaching wall 19 F of the storing gutter 19 is fixed directly on the rear surface of the first cover side wall 18 A.

Therefore a storing passageway 19 T is made up of the first cover side wall 18 A, and the side walls 19 A, 19 B, 19 C, and extends in longitudinal direction. The depth of the storing passageway 19 T is relatively shallow. The lower edge of the bottom wall 19 E is located adjacent to the lower edge of the storing mouth 20 which is operatively connected with the safe 23 shown in FIG. 1 .

First contacting groove 16 A extends in an up and down direction and is located at the upper end of base board 11 A. Second contacting groove 16 B has an opposite arranged L-shape and is located at the middle of the base board 11 A. Third contacting groove 16 C extends in both the up and down direction and is located at the upper end of guiding board 11 C.

First contacting projection 26 A protrudes in the lateral direction and is located at the upper end of the first cover side wall 18 A. Second contacting projection 26 B protrudes in the lateral direction from the middle of the first cover side wall 18 A. Third contacting projection 26 C protrudes in the lateral direction from the upper edge of the storing gutter 19 .

When the removable cover 18 is attached to the frame 11 , the second contacting projection 26 B has contact with the second contacting groove 16 B and is pushed to the side of the side board 11 B. Next, the first contacting projection 16 A has contact with the first contacting groove 16 A and the third contacting projection 26 C has contact with the third contacting groove 16 C, and is pushed down.

Therefore the cover 18 is held in a temporary fashion to the frame 11 . Next, the cover 18 is fixed at the frame by a fastening unit, for example, a butterfly screw 21 which can be easily operated by the service technician when the first cover lid 1 F is opened. The fastening unit could be changed to a known one-touch control member as an alternative embodiment.

In this situation, the second cover side wall 18 B is located under the guiding board 11 C as shown in FIG. 1 . The first cover side wall 18 A covers the returning groove 17 D. The upper edge 18 D of the cover 18 pushes the lower section of the coin selector 12 towards the side and the coin selector 12 is fixed at the frame 11 .

When cover 18 is attached at the frame 11 , the upper end of the storing groove 19 D is located under the storing exit 12 H. The first cover 18 A covers the opening 17 E of the returning groove 17 D and constitutes the returning passageway 17 T. The side wall 19 B of the storing gutter 19 closes the opening 1 5 E and constitutes the receiving passageway 15 T.

When the coin dispensing device 22 is fixed at the side board 11 B and includes the storing section 22 B which is fixed at the base 22 A and the dispensing device 22 C. The storing section 22 B is cylindrical and the axis is approximately vertical as shown in FIG. 5 . The coin dispensing device 22 is fixed at support 22 S which is fixed at the base 22 A. Storing hole 22 N is cylindrical and is located at the support 22 S which is located on the extending line of the storing pipe 22 B. The storing section 22 P includes the storing pipe 22 B and the storing hole 22 N. The upper end of the storing pipe 22 B is located under the receiving passageway 15 T.

The dispensing device 22 C includes a slider 22 D and a driver 22 E for the slider 22 D. The slider 22 D can slide to a slide base 22 F which is fixed at the base 22 A (in the left and right direction shown in FIG. 5 ). The slider 22 D is located under the storing section 22 P, and the end of slider 22 D is thinner than the coin's thickness.

The distance between the upper surface of the sliding base 22 F and the lower end of the storing section 22 P is larger than one coin's thickness and is smaller than two coins' thickness. Disposing passageway 22 R is located at the side of sliding base 22 F. Charging passageway 6 A is located under the dispensing passageway 22 R.

Driver 22 E includes crank 22 J which is fixed to the outputting shaft 22 H of motor 22 G with reducer unit. Pin 22 K which is the end of the crank 22 J is inserted into hole 22 M. The slider 22 D is reciprocated between, and under the storing section 22 P and the position which is out of the storing section 22 P by the crank 22 J. When the slider 22 D doesn't slide, it is located under the storing section 22 P.

The motor 22 G with a gear transmission reducer unit is controlled by a control device (not shown). Safe 23 which opens below the storing mouth 20 is fixed at the first cover side wall 18 A as shown in FIG. 1 . The coin entry 4 and the entry 12 E of the coin selector 12 are connected by a duct 24 , shown by a phantom line.

Next, the operation of this embodiment is explained with regards to loading coins for operation. For example, in the case where the parking fee is 300 Yen and the receiving coin from a user is 500 Yen.

Some receiving coins CR are preliminarily provided in the storing section 22 P. First, the lock 3 is unlocked, afterwards the lid 1 F is opened. When the lid 1 F is opened by 140 degrees, the auxiliary coin entry 17 is located at the right side and is opened by 180 degrees so that the auxiliary coin entry 17 is located at the front of the check-out device 1 . The lid 1 F is located at the most desirable position, and the 100 Yen coins can be charged into the auxiliary coin entry 17 , for example, it can be 10 total coins by an operator.

The 10 reserving coins CR are piled up in the storing section 22 P, and the lowest coin CR is located on the slider 22 D as shown in FIG. 5 . Therefore the storing pipe 22 B can't be drawn out, and the reserving coins can only be supplied into the storing section 22 B. The reserving coins CR are positioned for dispensing as change. Reserving coins CR can further cushion any shock from coins dropped by the storing section 22 P thus cushioning the shock of the falling coins as it contacts the stored coins. Therefore the coins are always piled up horizontally. Next, the lid 1 F is closed and is locked by the lock 3 , and the preparation for operation finishes.

When a 500 Yen coin is entered into the coin entry 4 , the coin C passes through the duct 24 and goes to the coin selector 12 to pass through the entry 12 E. The coin selector 12 distinguishes the received coin by referring to the dominations of the coins. Afterwards the coin C is distributed to the storing section based on the distinguished result.

When the coin C is a genuine 500 Yen coin, it is distributed to the storing exit 12 H. The coin C drops from the storing exit 12 H and is guided by the storing passageway 19 T, to drop on the bottom 19 E, and slides on the bottom 19 E, and passes to the safe 23 through the storing mouth 20 .

The control device (not shown) outputs an operating signal to the driver 22 E for dispensing 200 Yen in change. Therefore the motor 22 G rotates, and the crank is rotated by two rotations. The slider 22 D moves towards the left shown in FIG. 5 , and it goes away from under the storing section 22 P. Therefore the lowest coin CR is located on sliding base 22 F. Afterwards the slider 22 D moves towards the right and pushes out the lowest coin CR. Therefore the crank 22 J rotates in one rotation.

The pushed out coin CR drops to the changing passageway 6 A from the dispensing passageway 22 R. The coin CR slides on the changing passageway 6 A as it is slanted and goes to the changing exit 6 to provide change to the user. The motor 22 G rotates, and the crank 22 J rotates in more than one rotation. Therefore another coin CR is added so that the sum of 200 Yen is dispensed to the changing exit 6 . When another domination of coin C, which cannot be processed (other than a 500 Yen or 100 Yen coin) is inserted, the selector 12 guides the coin C to the returning exit 12 G. The coin C drops from the returning exit 12 G and drops to the returning passageway 5 A guiding the returning passageway 17 T. The coin C goes to the coin returning exit 5 and passes through the passageway 5 A. When the entered coin C is a 100 Yen coin, the coin selector 12 guides the coin to the receiving exit 12 F. The coin C drops from the receiving exit 12 F, and drops in the receiving passageway 15 T, and goes to the storing section 22 P from the upper opening of the storing pipe 22 B. The coin C drops on the reserving coins CR, and is stored in a horizontal arrangement.

When a sensor (not shown) detects that the storing section 22 P is full, the coin selector 12 guides an additional coin C to the storing unit 12 H based on a signal which is output from the control device. In this case, the coin C drops into the safe 23 from the storing mouth 20 and is stored.

A cleaning process for the receiving groove 15 D, the returning groove 17 D and the storing groove 19 D is explained. The lock 3 is unlocked by a service technician, and the lid 1 F can be opened. Next, the butterfly screw 21 is loosened, and the handle 18 C is grasped so that the cover 18 is lifted up. The first contacting projection 26 A, the second contacting projection 26 B and the third contacting projection 26 C are taken off from the first contacting groove 16 A, second contacting groove 16 B and third contacting groove 16 C.

Next, the cover 18 is moved in a lateral direction away from the side board 11 B, and the second contacting projection 26 B is taken off from the second contacting groove 16 B, and is removed from frame 11 . In this situation, the receiving groove 15 D and the returning groove 17 D are exposed; therefore they can be cleaned by the operator such as with brushes, cloths, and solvents. The opposed parts to the receiving groove 15 D and returning groove 17 D can be further cleaned. The storing passageway 19 T can also be cleaned by the cloths etc., because the passageway 19 T is shallow. Therefore the cleaning operation is easy to accomplish by the operator. When the cover 18 is taken off, the storing groove 19 D is further exposed. When the storing pipe 22 B is clear, the volume of coins in the storing section 22 B can be seen through the openings 14 A, 14 B and 14 C, and CR coins can be added if needed. Thus, a coin passageway unit for transporting coins is provided that can be easily cleaned.

A compact and efficient device that can be easily serviced is provided.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.