Check-actuated control mechanisms – Including specific check passageway – And movable check diverter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-14
2001-02-13
Bartuska, F. J. (Department: 3652)
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Including specific check passageway
And movable check diverter
C232S057500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186310
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to a coin escrow apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved coin escrow apparatus for use in coin-operated telephones and the like, capable of handling a large number of coins and delivering these coins to either a coin return or a cash box.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Coin operated systems such as pay telephones typically include coin escrow devices which temporarily hold deposited coins until a determination is made as to whether the coins should be returned to the system user or collected in the systems coin box. A pay telephone, for example, releases coins to a coin box in the event that a call has been successfully placed or returns coins to the calling party in the event that a call is not successfully connected to a called party.
A primary requirement for a coin escrow device is reliability. A commercial coin escrow device must properly operate to discharge all escrowed coins to a coin box only when a transaction has been successfully completed and, conversely, must return all escrowed coins to the system user when a transaction has not been successfully completed or canceled. If a coin escrow device does not operate reliably, the vending system may be damaged by an irate user and revenue will be lost to the owner of the system.
Additionally, a coin escrow must be able to hold a large number of coins while resisting jamming and without causing erroneous discharge of the coins. The number of coins in a coin escrow can cause a significant variation in the amount of friction between bearing points of a coin escrow device. Some coin escrow devices, for example are required to hold a minimum of forty coins or more. A coin-operated system which is subject to jamming is likely to incur substantial down-time which results in dissatisfaction of users and requires costly additional maintenance.
A further requirement for many coin escrow devices is low power consumption. In certain applications, such as pay telephones, the drive power for the device is derived from a limited line power supply. Low cost is also an important requirement in most applications for which coin escrows are used.
PCT Application No. WO1997US13421 to Faes et al. discloses a coin escrow apparatus for pay telephones. The apparatus described in the Faes et al. application includes a housing defining a coin hopper, a coin acceptance chute, a coin return chute, and a door mounted within the housing for selective movement between an escrow position, an acceptance position and a return position. The apparatus also includes structures for selectively moving the door between its escrow, acceptance, and return positions. These structures include elements for guiding the door for pivotal movement, a pivotal support member element and an actuator for pivoting the pivotal support member element. The apparatus disclosed in Faes et al. uses friction points between the door and the pivotal support member element. This apparatus tends to suffer from the reliability problems discussed above and is susceptible to jamming. Accordingly, a longstanding need still remains for a coin escrow device which is reliable and resists jamming over a lengthy service life for the telephone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an improved coin escrow apparatus for use with a pay telephone. The coin escrow apparatus includes side members which partially define a coin hopper. The coin escrow apparatus also includes a door defining the floor of the coin hopper mounted between the side members for selective movement between a coin escrow position for supporting coins in the hopper, an acceptance position for releasing coins from the hopper in a first direction, and a return position for releasing coins from the hopper in a second direction. The door has first and second end portions and an underside portion. Attached to the door is one or more guides for selectively pivoting the door.
The apparatus also includes a support member pivotally positioned below the door and having an upper portion. The support member also includes one or more roller bearings associated with the upper portion thereof. Further, an actuator is provided for pivoting the support member. The side members and the door are preferably constructed to provide a coin hopper capable of holding a large volume of coins.
The foregoing advantages of the invention can readily be ascertained by reference to the following description and attached drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1098673 (1914-06-01), Lyng
patent: 4399902 (1983-08-01), Holland et al.
patent: 4782937 (1988-11-01), Chen et al.
patent: 5064116 (1991-11-01), McGough et al.
patent: WO 98/05156 (1998-02-01), None
Lehman David K.
Waldecker Manfred
Bartuska F. J.
Elcotel, Inc.
Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP
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