Coin storage and changing mechanism

Details Coin storage and changing mechanism Coin storage and changing mechanism

1999-09-14

2001-03-20

Bartuska, F. J. (Department: 3652)

Check-actuated control mechanisms

With specific cabinet structure

Reexamination Certificate

active

06202823

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to coin changers and, more particularly, those for use in connection with product vending machines.
Coin storage and changing mechanisms are utilized on a large variety of vending machines to facilitate purchase of items from the vending machines. Many of these modules are built into the vending machine cabinet and are accessed by opening the main service door for the entire vending machine. Others are add-on modules that can be bolted or otherwise secured to the side of a vending machine and interfaced with the electronics of the vending machine to allow vending of products. A common problem for all such modules is ease of programming the prices for given selections, the ability to make change for multiple customers who do not have exact change for a selection and sufficient storage space for coins received from customers such that the equipment does not have to be serviced inordinately frequently. Thus, space and ease of programming are two major problems associated with such equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-described difficulties and disadvantages associated with prior art coin changing and storage mechanisms, particularly those which are add-on modules, by providing such a system that is both easy to program and provides substantial coin storage space within a small cabinet. These advantages are achieved by providing a coin receiving and changing mechanism for use in a vending machine, comprising a cabinet, a slide out frame mounted for movement into and out of the cabinet, a coin mechanism mounted to the frame for movement into and out of the cabinet and adapted for receiving coins from a customer and providing change, a front panel mounted to the frame for movement towards and away from the cabinet for closing off the front of the cabinet and having a message screen thereon and a coin return tray, a coin mechanism programming control panel mounted to a side of the frame for movement therewith into and out of the cabinet and being interconnected to the message screen for showing programming action on the message screen, and the coin mechanism and front panel being mounted to the frame for pivotal movement from a position for storage in the cabinet to a position where the message screen is substantially parallel to the programming control panel for viewing during the operation of the control panel.
In a further aspect of the coin receiving and changing mechanism of the present invention it preferably includes a coin storage tray removably disposed below the coin mechanism within the cabinet for receiving and storing coins received therefrom. In a further aspect of the present invention, the storage tray is provided with a deflector plate at an end thereof where the coins are received from the coin mechanism such that the coins are received on an edge so as to cause the coins to roll towards an opposite end of the storage tray. Still further, the deflector plate preferably is generally arcuate in cross section and receives the coins on one end of the arch and deposits them from an opposite end of the arch onto an adjacent bottom of the storage tray.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.


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