Check-actuated control mechanisms – Including specific check passageway – And movable check diverter
Patent
1994-01-25
1995-02-07
Huppert, Michael S.
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Including specific check passageway
And movable check diverter
G07F 104
Patent
active
053869028
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to coin routing gates commonly used in coin handling apparatus for directing a coin to a selected one of two or more paths.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A number of different forms of gates are Known. Usually, the gates are operated by a solenoid which moves the gate between first and second positions upon actuation of the solenoid, the gate returning to its first position under the force of a spring when the solenoid is deactuated. The gate may for example be a pivoted flap which in one position is out of a coin path but which in the other position extends into the coin path to divert a coin in a direction perpendicular to its plane into another coin path. The gate may alternatively be movable linearly from a position out of a coin path to a position at which it blocks the coin path and thus forces coins to roll transversely into a different coin path. Examples of coin routing gates are shown in GB 1 582 691, EP-A-0 017 428 and GB-A-2 111 737.
In many circumstances it is desirable for the gate to consume only small amounts of power. Examples of arrangements which are designed to meet this requirement -are .disclosed in GB-A-2 133 601, EP-A-0 154 525 and EP-A-0 343 967.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a further arrangement intended to provide a gate which has low power requirements, and which is compact, inexpensive and capable of use in a variety of different configurations.
According to the present invention there is provided a coin routing gate comprising a solenoid having a member which is formed by or directly coupled to the solenoid armature and which is movable upon actuation and deactuation of the solenoid to reconfigure a coin path, characterized in that the member is flexible and is mounted so that actuation of the solenoid tends to flex the member as its moves, with an increasing angle of flexure along its length.
In the preferred embodiment, the flexible member has a coin-directing surface which in one position of the member is in the path of incoming coins so as to divert them to a selected route. The member is movable to a second position out of the coin path so that coins can travel without deflection into a second route. The flexible member is preferably made of plastics material, so that it is light and easy to move and therefore the solenoid requires little current despite the fact that the path of movement is large, due to the flexibility of the member. The armature may consist of a layer, e.g. of soft iron, laminated to the plastics member, or alternatively of discrete sections which are fixed to, and preferably embedded in, the member. The discrete sections may be so positioned that they do not interfere with the flexing of the member.
The flexible member preferably has one end which is fixed or substantially fixed, and a free end which moves upon actuation of the solenoid. Greater efficiency can be achieved by making the thickness of the member smaller towards the free end thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An arrangement embodying the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a coin routing gate according to the invention; and
FIGS. 2A and 2B show different versions of the flexible member of the gate of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a gate apparatus 2 is positioned at the junction between a first, entry coin path 4 and selectable exit coin paths 6 and 8. The gate apparatus 2 can be arranged to cause a coin such as that indicated at 10 to travel into a selected one of the exit paths 6 and 8. The gate apparatus 2 comprises a solenoid 12 which includes a yoke in the form of a U-section channel 14 of soft iron having a multi-turn coil schematically indicated at 16 wound around its base. An elongate flexible armature member 18 has a lower end 20 which extends across the open side of the channel 14, and an upper, free end 22. The flexible member 18 is resilient and is
REFERENCES:
patent: 1282275 (1918-10-01), Morris
patent: 3109528 (1963-11-01), Barnhart
patent: 3751001 (1973-08-01), Rayment
patent: 4534459 (1985-08-01), Plesko
patent: 4838406 (1989-06-01), Levasseur
patent: 5167314 (1992-12-01), Levasseur
M. Fiehl, "Pocket Selector for Short or Standard Cards," IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 2, No. 2, p. 1 (Aug. 1959).
Bointon Richard G.
Waite Timothy P.
Huppert Michael S.
Lowe Scott L.
Mars Incorporated
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