Coin handling – Assorter
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-09
2003-07-01
Walsh, Donald P. (Department: 3653)
Coin handling
Assorter
C453S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06585581
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coin sorting apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coin sorting apparatus that is motorized yet compact, and that utilizes a reciprocating coin pushing member to place individual coins from a hopper onto an upper end of a coin sorting ramp/slide. The present invention further relates to a coin sorting apparatus that supports a plurality of flexible coin wrappers on a base so that sorted coins are loaded directly into the appropriate one of the coin wrappers, and so that the base and wrappers are movable as a unit from its operative position, adjacent a main housing portion, to a convenient coin wrapper loading/unloading position wherein the base is moved away from the main housing portion to allow free access to the wrappers.
Coin sorting devices are generally known. A user places one or more coins into a hopper or similar coin receiving location. A motorized coin separating mechanism dispenses coins one at a time from the hopper to a location where they fall under the force of gravity into a coin sorting mechanism. The coin sorting mechanism classifies the coins according to their diameter. Coins of a particular diameter, and consequently of a particular denomination, are directed into the appropriate one of a plurality of sorted coin storage containers and/or wrappers.
One type of motorized coin sorter uses a coin separating plate/disc that is notched at its periphery and that rotates on an adjacent inclined backing plate. Upon rotation of the coin separating disc, individual coins are received in the notches and are moved slidably along the backing plate to an open portion thereof whereupon the coins fall through the open portion of the backing plate onto an upper end of a coin sorting ramp/slide. This type of coin sorting apparatus has been found to be highly effective and has enjoyed widespread commercial success. However, use of the rotating coin separating disc in this manner does impose some design limitations with respect to the size and shape of the housing of the coin sorting apparatus.
Certain prior coin sorting devices operate to deposit sorted coins directly into the appropriate one of a plurality of different flexible coin wrappers, without requiring use of a rigid tubular container to support each wrapper. These prior coin sorting devices have not provided optimal means for convenient loading and unloading of the wrappers. In particular, these prior coin sorting devices that have utilized the flexible wrappers only, without supporting tubes, have typically relied upon a fixed circular collar to support the upper end of each wrapper. These collars have been immovably connected to the coin sorter housing and have required that the coin wrapper be slid axially therethrough. This operation can be inconvenient and somewhat difficult, especially with a filled wrapper. None of these prior devices have included a base for supporting the flexible coin wrappers wherein the base cooperates with a main housing portion to define a collar for each flexible coin wrapper when the base is in an operative position, and wherein the base is movable away from the main housing portion to open each collar and to provide free, unobstructed access to the base for loading/unloading the wrappers.
Accordingly, it has been deemed desirable to develop a new and improved coin sorting apparatus that overcomes the foregoing deficiencies and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a new and improved coin sorting apparatus is provided.
In accordance with the present invention, a coin sorting apparatus includes a coin receiving area, a coin sorting ramp, and a coin stripper. The coin stripper includes an inlet and a backing plate located adjacent said inlet to support a stack of associated unsorted coins received from the inlet with a face of a lowermost coin of the stack abutting the backing plate. The coin stripper further includes a pushing member located adjacent said backing plate and adapted for reciprocal sliding movement relative to said backing plate between an extended position and a retracted position. The pushing member, when moving from the retracted position to the extended position, engages the lowermost coin of the stack and moves the lowermost coin onto the coin sorting ramp.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a coin stripping apparatus for moving individual coins from an unsorted coin receiving area to a coin sorting mechanism in a coin sorting apparatus includes an inlet for holding a stacked plurality of coins. A backing plate is located beneath the inlet to support the stacked coins. A planar pushing member is located above the backing plate and is adapted for reciprocating in relation to the backing plate between an extended position and a retracted position. The pushing member engages a lowermost coin of the stacked plurality of coins and moves the lowermost coin to the coin sorting mechanism when moving from the retracted to the extended position.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a coin sorting apparatus includes a housing, a coin sorting mechanism connected to the housing; and, a door assembly mounted on the housing. The door assembly includes a base with a plurality of supports for retaining a respective plurality of associated coin holders. The door assembly is selectively movable between a closed position, wherein the associated coin holders are operatively positioned to receive sorted coins from said coin sorting mechanism and the door assembly blocks user access to the associated coin holders, and an open position wherein the door assembly including the base is moved relative to the housing for access to the associated coin holders.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a coin sorting apparatus includes a housing, a coin receiving area located in the housing and adapted for receipt of a plurality of associated coins, a coin sorting ramp located in the housing, and a coin stripper located in the housing for moving individual coins from the coin receiving area onto the coin sorting ramp. The coin stripper includes an inlet in communication with the coin receiving area to receive unsorted coins therefrom. A backing plate is located adjacent the inlet and is adapted to support a stack of associated unsorted coins received from the inlet with a face of a lowermost coin of the stack abutting the backing plate. A pushing member is located adjacent the backing plate and is adapted for reciprocal sliding movement relative to the backing plate between an extended position and a retracted position. The pushing member, when moving from the retracted position to the extended position, engages the lowermost coin of the stack and moves it onto the coin sorting ramp. The apparatus further includes a door assembly having a door member, a base connected to the door member, and a plurality of pedestals projecting upwardly from the base and adapted for insertion in open lower ends of a respective plurality of associated coin holders whereby the holders are operatively supported on the base. The door assembly is movable relative to the housing between a closed, operative position wherein the associated holders supported on the base are positioned to receive sorted coins from the coin sorting ramp and wherein the door prevents user-access to the holders, and an opened position wherein the door assembly and associated holders supported on the base are spaced from the housing and accessible by a user of the coin sorting apparatus.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a coin stripping apparatus for moving individual coins from an unsorted coin receiving area to a coin sorting mechanism in a coin sorting apparatus includes an inlet for holding a stacked plurality of coins, a backing plate located beneath the inlet to support the stacked plurality of coins, and a planar pushing member located above the backing pl
Brown Patrick W.
Knox, Jr. William J.
Nottingham John R.
Spirk John W.
Beauchaine Mark J.
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
Mag-Nif Incorporated
Walsh Donald P.
LandOfFree
Coin sorting apparatus with reciprocating coin pushing member does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Coin sorting apparatus with reciprocating coin pushing member, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Coin sorting apparatus with reciprocating coin pushing member will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3070210