Coin handling – Deliverer – Rotary
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-20
2001-02-27
Bartuska, F. J. (Department: 3652)
Coin handling
Deliverer
Rotary
C221S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193598
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to coin hopper equipment, i.e. a device storing a plurality of coins with a small disk shape and for sending out the coins and more particularly to coin hopper equipment to store a plurality of the same kind of coins with loose loading conditions and to release the coins one by one. Furthermore, this invention relates to a coin hopper equipment in which it is possible to change the size according to the kind of coin, e.g. according to the size of the coin. The terminology ‘coin’ which is used in this specification is intended to include small disks such as a coin which is coinage as well as a medal, a token or the like used for games.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of equipment to handle coins are known including devices which include a disk. For example, coin hopper equipment is known which accommodates coins of an identical kind with loose loading conditions, and turns a disk and compulsorily sends out the coin one by one. This type coin hopper is disclosed, for example, in the Japanese Patent Application 2-152852 assigned to the assignee of this invention (Japanese Patent Application 2-152852 has been designated Japanese Patent Application 6-44305 and also Japanese Patent Application 2-152852 corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,094).
FIGS. 9 and 10
and
11
roughly show generally features from the prior art. The operation of such coin hopper equipment is summarily explained here.
When an electric motor (not shown) in the hopper equipment is driven, a turn axis
12
at the center is rotated. When the turn axis
12
is rotated, a disk
2
for coin distribution (a deep plate shaped element) is turned to the clockwise direction. Further, the coin distributing disk
2
which is turned to the clockwise direction is rotated at the inside bottom of tank
1
with rough pan shape. By the turn of this disk
2
, coins in the dram-shaped disk
2
are agitated.
The coins are agitated by the protruding elements
6
, which are formed at the inside surrounding wall
4
of disk
2
. Thus, the coins in disk
2
fall into a plurality of holes
5
for coin receipt. These holes
5
are opened at the bottom of disk
2
and in the surrounding direction. The coin, which passed into this receiving hole
5
is moved in a sliding manner on the surface of a square support board
11
by the disk
2
. As a result, the lowest position coin which slides is compulsorily sent out to a vent
23
providing the coin outlet. This is shown at the left side of FIG.
9
.
The lowest position coin is moved by a coin sending nail (not shown) which is formed as a slender member and at the underside of disk
2
. The moved lowest position coin is guided, for example, firstly by a guiding board
15
on the surface of support board
11
. Then, for example, the coin is guided next by a flange surrounding wall
22
for installing the tank
1
and is slipped to the vent
23
. The coin which is moved by the sending nail
13
(See
FIG. 11
) is guided by the guiding board
15
and flange surrounding wall
22
of tank
1
.
The guided coin is further moved and is guided toward the coin vent
23
by the flange surrounding wall
22
and a vent guiding part
17
. Then, finally, the coin is guided by the vent guiding part
17
, a fixed side roller
24
and a mobile side roller
26
and is distributed out from the vent
23
.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of the invention to simplify the structure of a coin hopper and to facilitate the change of coin sizes and to avoid the problems of past equipment to send out only the same kind of coins without making it possible to change over to other kinds of coins in a simple manner.
It is a further object of the invention to simplify the structure of coin hopper equipment and to easily apply the equipment to various coin sizes by simple adjustments.
According to the invention a coin hopper is provided which involves simple structure that can provide a size change simply even if it changes the coin kind. The size change-able coin hopper includes a tank container for storing coins in a loose loading condition. A disk is arranged rotatably at the inside bottom of this tank and has a pierced hole for falling coins. An adjustment device is provided on this disk to open and close the pierced hole and, for forming an adjusting hole for coin size.
A size change-able coin hopper may also provided according to the invention wherein the adjustment device has a circular board or circular plate with generally a cogwheel shape.
Also, this invention provides a size change-able coin hopper, characterized in that each tooth part of the adjustment structure opens and closes the pierced hole and forms the adjustment hole.
The coin hopper equipment may include a base and a disk which is arranged rotatably above the base. A hole for a falling coin is provided on the base. A rotational element turns the disk. A drive is arranged under the rotational element. A gear train is provided at the base for connecting the drive to the rotational element.
The gear train may also include a box opposite to the base.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1369862 (1921-03-01), White
patent: 1979659 (1934-11-01), Zierick
patent: 5122094 (1992-06-01), Abe
patent: 5711704 (1998-01-01), Hughes et al.
patent: 5924919 (1999-07-01), Hirano
patent: 548216 (1958-01-01), None
patent: 6-44305 (1994-06-01), None
Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
Bartuska F. J.
McGlew and Tuttle , P.C.
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