Check-actuated control mechanisms – With additional – disparate means preventing fraudulent... – Means preventing use of tethered check
Patent
1997-03-05
1998-09-29
Bartuska, F. J.
Check-actuated control mechanisms
With additional, disparate means preventing fraudulent...
Means preventing use of tethered check
194346, G07F 104
Patent
active
058135090
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a coin gate suitable for use in a coin mechanism for, for example, a coin-operated vending machine or games machine. The term "coin" is employed to mean any coin (whether valid or counterfeit), token, slug, washer, or other metallic object or item, and especially any metallic object or item which could be utilised by an individual in an attempt to operate a coin-operated device or system. A "valid coin" is considered to be an authentic coin, token, or the like, and especially an authentic coin of a monetary system or systems in which or with which a coin-operated device or system is intended to operate and of a denomination which such coin-operated device or system is intended selectively to receive and to treat as an item of value.
A known problem for designers has been to provide satisfactory fraud-prevention against the use of so-called captive coins or tethered coins. Such coins have attached to them a fine thread or wire by means of which the coin can be manipulated in the coin mechanism to enable the coin to be extracted once the coin has been accepted and a credit issued. It can sometimes also be possible to trigger repeated operation of the coin mechanism by manipulating the tether, after which the coin can then be pulled out by its tether.
Coin gates are used to control to which of a plurality of paths a coin will be routed, or sometimes to selectively block passage of a coin through the gate. A particular example of an important coin gate so far as tethered coins are concerned is the coin acceptance gate. The gate determines whether the coin is accepted into a store and a credit issued, or whether the coin is directed to a reject coin chute.
When a coin is deemed acceptable, the gate is opened to allow the coin to pass to the store, and the gate is then closed. However, it can sometimes be possible to pull a tethered coin back through the gate by pulling on the thread sufficiently firmly to force the gate open. This can be a particular problem if the thread interferes with the normal operation of the gate to prevent it from closing fully in the first place. Unless such withdrawal of the coin is detected and preferably prevented, the mechanism will not be secure against the use of tethered coins, and such a tethered coin may be used again to trigger more coin credits.
Designs are known in the art for providing one-way-only gates and for detecting the presence of a thread or wire attached to a coin. Designs are also known for sensing the direction of travel of a coin so that fraudulent manipulation can be detected. However, such designs can be complicated and may not be suitable for inclusion in an existing mechanism without requiring substantial modification or redesign of the mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 4 327 824 discloses a coin testing apparatus in which a pivoting L-shaped member is positioned such that a coin entering a passageway pivots the member out of position before the coin travels along the passageway and operates an electrical switch. If an attempt is made to withdraw the coin by means of a tether, the member will have pivoted back into the passageway and prevents the coin from being withdrawn to a position at which the switch is de-actuated. The surface of the member which is engaged by the coin as it is withdrawn is provided with serrations, which aid in wedging the coin and preventing its withdrawal.
CH-A-680 399 discloses a coin gate in the form of a shutter which can be moved between a first position, in which a coin can travel through the shutter, and a second position in which a blocking portion of the shutter prevents the coin from moving past. The blocking portion is provided with openings which extend from the side of the blocking portion past which coins travel in the open position of the gate such that, when the gate is closed after a coin on a tether has moved past, the tether will be located within an opening. Upwardly projecting barbs adjacent the openings ensure that the tether is trapped. In this way, any attempt to
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Boxall Stephen Charles
Fletcher Paul Robert
Bartuska F. J.
Mars Incorporated
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