AU1669201A - Coin rolling-type selector - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: IP Australia 9

(CD

Documents received on: 0 2 y JAN 2001 Batch No: Name of Applicant: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha Actual Inventor(s): Hiroshi Abe, YOSHINOBU TANAKA Address for Service: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: COIN ROLLING-TYPE SELECTOR Our Ref 626991 POF Code: 283238/450872 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): COIN ROLLING-TYPE SELECTOR Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a coin selector for sorting out whether a deposited coin is genuine or not by rolling thereof. This invention more particularly relates to a rolling style coin selector which is used for game machines such as slot machine, pachinko-slot machines and other devices. The terminology "coin" used in this specification should be interpreted to include coins of small disk shape including currency. The terminology "coin" should also be construed in this specification to include disk-like medals and tokens used in games, etc.

Summary and Objects of the Invention The invention is based on the observation that existing rolling style coin selectors are of an undesirably large size. In addition, there exists the problem that the existing roll style coin selectors are heavy, since most parts are metallic.

Goooel 20 Therefore it would be desirable to at least address the above-mentioned oooo• .problems.

It would also be desirable to decrease the size of existing selectors and to provide a selector that is lighter on the whole.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a coin selector for selecting rolling coins, the selector including: a base element including a generally square upstanding plate; a rail arranged on said base element, said rail for standing up and rolling a deposited coin; a roller with a groove, said roller being freely rotatable arranged above said rail, and guiding the upper edge of the rolling coin.

W\t onla\Davin\SpeCsCOIN SELECTORdoc The rail is preferably a slender metal and is detachably fixed on the base element. The roller is preferably a resin molded product and is detachably fixed on said base element.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a coin selector for selecting rolling coins, the selector including: a base element including a generally square upstanding plate; a rail arranged on said base element, said rail for standing up and rolling a deposited coin, said rail being removably connected to said base element; a resin molded product roller with a groove, said roller being freely rotatable arranged above said rail, and guiding the upper edge of the rolling coin.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings: Figure 1 is a summary perspective view in which an embodiment according to this invention is diagonally observed from the upper front face; Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a summary perspective view in which the practical example of Figure 1 is diagonally observed from the lower back; Figure 4 is a rear view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a summary perspective view showing the practical example of Figure 1 with a part removed; Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the part of the embodiment of Figure Figure 7 is a sectional view of the embodiment of 5, observed from the top; W:\toni.\Onvin\SpecCOIN SELECTOR.doc Figure 8 is also a sectional view in which of the embodiment of Figure 5 is observed from the top; Figure 9 is a front elevation view which summarily shows a second embodiment according to this invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view which shows of the embodiment of Figure 9 with parts removed; Figure 11 is a front elevation view which summarily shows a third practical example according to the invention; Figure 12 is a summary sectional view in which Figure 11 is observed to from the little lower of right side; Figure 13A is perspective view showing a main section of the third practical example according to the invention; Figure 13B is a front elevation view showing a main section of the third practical example according to the invention; DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 0 Referring to the drawings in particular, an embodiment according to this invention is shown of a roll style coin selector. The coin selector has a standing up shape of a flat box (refer Figure A generally pentagon-shaped cover body 50 is pivoted at 51 on the upper part of summarily square-shaped base element 20. The cover body 50 is a hollow synthetic resin molded product.

Figure 5 shows the cover body S0 removed. The coin is deposited through opening 21 which is formned at the upper comner of the selector. A guide piece 19 can be adjusted in proportion to the diameter of the coin is fixed near opening 21 by screw. The coin is deposited from opening 21 and is guided to an exit 24 by a rail 22 which is bent downward (refer Figure The coin which is put from the top comner of selector stands and rolls toward the bottom LO corner. When the rolling of the coin, which is deposited from the top corner of the selector is stopped, this coin falls at the nearest bottom corner. The coin, deposited through opening 2 1, stops its rolling and falls into a cancel path 28 of the bottom. Slender metalic rail 22 is detachably fixed on base element 20 which is a resin molded product. A narrow groove is downwardly bent from the top corner to the farthest bottom corner of the base element 20. The 22 is fitted to this groove, resisting the elastic force. On the base element 20 near opening 21, a window 23 with a generally sector-shaped dent is opened (refer to Figure 6).

Near the lower edge part of this window 23, a'generally cruciform cancel body 25 is pivoted at 26 (refer to Figure A crescent moon piece 25M which is a horizontal end part of the cancel body 25 is placed to open and close the window 23. The cancel body 25 is made as a resin molded article for detaching and canceling the coin which is stuffed in the equipment. At the tip of the L-shaped upper end part 25T of the cancel body 25, a protrusion 25P is formed (refer to Figure This protrusion 25P is used as an operation piece for opening and closing the cover body 50, resisting the spring. The upper end part 25T of the cancel body 25 is almost inserted into an angle case 25C with a groove on base element At the base element 20, which is the point position of sector-shaped window 23, a metallic projected shaft 31 is fixed toward the cover body 50. A generally L-forrned cancel lever 27 is shown properly arranged at the upper part of Figure 3. The cancel lever 27 is made as a resin-molded article. This cancel lever 27 is freely rotatably mounted on the outside end of projected shaft 3 1, When this cancel lever 27 is rotated around the projected shaft 3 1, cancel body 25 is rotated at the center line of pivot shaft 26. As a result of this, window 23 is opened .0 and closed by the crescent moon piece 25M of the cancel body 25. On the inner end part of projected shaft 3 1, a roller 32 formed as a resin mold article, is freely rotatable and detachably mounted. On the whole circumference at the outside end part of roller 32, a groove 33, which has a generally U-shape in cross section is formed (refer to Figure This groove 33 is for guiding the upper part of the circumnference edge of the standing coin which rolls down the rail 22. The outside top face of groove 33 is formed as a slope. The edge of coin would is due to be guided into the groove 33 of roller 32.

As described above, cover body 50 is formned as a hollow resin-molded article with a generally pentagon shape. The upper part of cover body 50 is installed to be freely openable at the upper part of base element 20, by means of pivot shaft 5 1 and spring. Further, a little small J-shaped pushing piece 53 is pivoted at 5 5 on the cover body 50, at each upper part thereof (refer to the right side of Figure Pushing piece 53, which is a resin molded article, is extended into cover body 50 in a freely swingable manner. This pushing piece 53 lightly presses the passing coin on the base element 20 to absorb the vibration of the coin. A small spring 56 is placed between cover body 50 and pushing piece 53 (refer to ]Figure On pivot shaft a s-shaped press piece 57 is freely swingably Miounted. This press piece 57 is a resin-molded article and presses roller 32 to base element 20 lightly, by the protrusion 54 thereof The roller 32 is accurately positioned by the protrusion 54 at the middle of press piece 57. Therefore, a small spring 58 is placed between press piece 57 and cover body 50 (refer to Figure The long press piece 57 becomes free from the cover body 50 by means of this spring 58. Even if cover body 50 is opened and closed upon canceling, etc., press piece 57 is resting. Thus, the LO coin is guided to the cancel road 28 by press piece 57, even if cover body 50 is opened and closed.

A small spherical body 59 is stationed at the center inside of cover body 50 (refer to Figure This spherical body 59 is arranged so as to be freely aproachable to base element Spherical body 59 is used in order to adjust the width of the coin passage in proportion to the genuine coin tickness. A small rectangular body which is shown at the lower left on Figure 3 is a solenoid 6 1. On the plunger of solenoid 6 1, a small elliptical link 62 is pivoted. Further, on this tip of link 62, a vertical shaft 63 is pivoted. At the lower end of vertical shaft 63, a generally F-shaped gate 65 is fixed. F-shaped gate 65 is a synthetic resin-molded product. The bottom base end of gate 65 is pivoted at 66 on base element 0.

.0 20 (refer to Figure This top tip 67 of gate 65 protrudes above the rail 22 freely (refer Figures 7 and On the pivot shaft 26, a generally bow-shaped sub gate 72 is also hinged (refer to Figure A small spring (not shown) is placed between sub gate 72 which is a resin molded article and the cancel body 25. The center piece of F-shaped gate 65 comes to freely contact the base end part 71 of sub gate 72. When solenoid 61 is energized on, the gate 65 is rotated around pivot shaft 66, resisting the spring. As a result, the top tip 67 of gate 65 leaves the higher place of rail 22 (refer to FigI]Ire Simultaneously, the center piece of gate contacts with the base end part 71 of sub gate 72, and moves this sub gate (refer to the chain line of Figure Thus, the deposited coin will1 pass through rail 22 without stopping by gates 72 and 67. That is to say, when solenoid 61 is energized on, the coin is rolling on rail 22 and guided to exit 24. The coin which is guided to exit 24 is stored for example in the cash safe box LO0 (not shown). When solenoid 61 is not energized or off, the spring works and gate 65 is rotated around pivot shaft 66. As a result, top tip 67 of gate 65 is located above the rail 22 (refer to Figure Simultaneously, center piece of gate 65 separates from base end 71 of sub gate 72.

Sub gate 72 becomes free and is located above rail 22, by the action of spring (not shown).

Thus, the coin which is deposited in opening 21. is guided to the cancel path 28, by sub gate 72 00 (refer to Figure Therefore, top tip 67 of gate 65 is not damaged by the coin. When the 0*e* deposited coin has passed the position of sub gate 72, this is a case in which this coin is canceled. Even in this case, the coin is surely guided to cancel path 28, by top tip 67 of gate That is to say, when the solenoid 61 is off, the genuine coin, which moves on rai 22, is also stopped and falls.

Near the lower end of rail 22, sensors S for counting coins are properly placed (refer to Figure These sensors S, for example, magnetically and optically detect the coin which passes the rail 22.

A rolling style selector of this practical example, which includes the above-mentioned constituents, is generally used with the solenoid 61 being ON. That is to say, top tip 67 of gate and sub gate 72 are removed from the higher place of rail 22, and the selector is used (refer to Figure In this condition, when the coin is deposited into opening 21, the coin stands up and rolls along rail 22. If this standing and rolling coin is genuine, the coin passes through rails 22. This now sorted-out coin has the lower edge of the rolling coin guided by rail 22 and the upper edge thereof is guided by groove 33 of roller 32 (refer to Figure In the case that coin is genuine, the coin passes rail 22 smoothly and further will roll downwardly. As the roller 32 L 0 freely rotates in this case, the genuine coin smoothly and swiftly passes the roller position. Each of springs 56 and 58 applies a weak resilient force (refer to Figure 2).

In the case that the coin which is put into opening 21 is not genuine and has a small :::.diameter, rail 22 is not passed. In this case, though the lower edge of the coin is guided by rail 22, the upper edge thereof is not guided. Therefore, the small diameter coin deviates from rail 22, and falls in cover body 50, namely to the cancel path 28. If the small coin vibrates (causing an apparent diameter increase) and as the coin reacts like a genuine coin, this vibration is absorbed by spring 56. With such a smaller coin diameter, the coin will be surely canceled, coming off from roller 32.

In the case that the coin deposited into opening 21 is not genuine and has a large diameter, long rail 22 is not passed. Although the lower edge of lare coin is guided by rail 22, the upper edge of this coin hits roller 33. As the diameter of the coin is great, the coin is blocked between rail 22 and roller 32 and does not roll. In this case, cancel body 25 is moved around pivot shaft 26. The coin falls into the cancel path 28. The crescent moon board is moved by the operation of cancel body 25. Simultaneously, by means of operation piece cover body 50 is opened and closed (refer to Figure 11). The guide slope of groove 33 on roller 32 is the single unit in this practical example (it is of course possible to provide two guide slopes). On the whole circumference at the outside end part of roller 32, the groove 33 is formed. The groove 33 is generally U-shaped in cross section (refer to Figure This groove 33 is for guiding the upper part of circumference edge of the standing coin, which rolls down the rail 22. The groove 33 may advantageously be formed in a generally V-shape in cross section. The groove 33 may also be formed to be generally L-shaped in cross section. The outside top face of groove 33 may be sloped. The edge of coin .is guided into the groove 3 3 of roller 3 2. The number ofguide slopes of groove 3 3 on roller 3 2 may be two.

When the coin to be selected is changed in this practical example, only roller 32 is changed. When the diameter of the coin to be selected is changed the replacement of roller 32 is all that is required. When the thickness of selection coin is changed the replacement of roller 32 is all that is required. Solenoid 61 is energized on in during such use and is not energized when trouble occurs. In which case, the coin is canceled, even if the coin which is put into opening 21 is genuine.

:In Figure 9 a front elevation view shpws a second embodiment according to this invention. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the Figure 9 embodiment, with some parts removed. Reference numbers in the drawings used in Figures I to 8 are again used to identify similar structure.

The second practical example is a generally fish-tail-shaped chute body 10. This chute body 10 is a synthetic resin-molded product with a little elasticity, and is freely installed on the base element 20. The chute body 10 is used in order to guide the coin which is discharged from the exit 24 of base element 20, for desired position. Chute body 10 has a base plate portion 9 and a guide board portion 7 which is integral and which stands up from this base plate portion 9. Slender base plate portion 9 is obliquely formed in order to be flushed to rail 22 at the exit 24 (refer to Figure A guide board portion 7 stands up integrally on one side of base plate 0 portion 9, and the-lower end part thereof is bent. On the upper end part of guide board portion 7, a pair of male portions 6 constitute coupler means. The mnale portions 6 are formed integrally of guide board portion 7.

:::.Each of male portions 6 has a pair of guide pieces 5 which roughly formn a hollow triangular cone shape, respectively. Further, each male portion 6 has a small L-formed hook piece 3 between paired guide pieces 5, respectively (refer to Figure 10). These guide pieces and hook pieces 3 respectively have elasticity. A pair of female portions which constitute the above-mentioned coupler means are formed near the exit 24 of base element 20, respectively.

Each female portion has a trapezoidal hole 12 for accepting paired guide pieces 5, respectively. Each femnale portion has a pair of taper walls 13 for guiding a pair of inserted- guide pieces 5, respectively. In addition, each female portion has a stopper wall for retaining male portion 6. Thus, when chute body 10 is installed on base element 20, each male portion 6 is inserted into each hole 12, first of all. Concretely, paired guide pieces which are generally a hollow cone shape, are inserted into one of trapezoidal holes 12, resisting the elasticity. Therefore, chute body 10 can be accurately installed on base element 20 without installation work at the inside and outside.

Next, pushing the chute body 10 to base element 20, the tip of hook piece 3 is pressed and put into hole 12. The chute body 10 is pushed and the tip of hook piece 3 is put into hole 12, resisting the elasticity. When the tip of hook piece 3 is inserted into hole 12, the whole of male portion 6 penetrates almost in hole 12. Thus, the hook piece 3 which is passed through hole 12 is caught on stopper wall 15, via the stabilizing force of the elasticity. That is to say, 0 hook piece 3 is entangled on stoppers wall 15, and chute body 10 is held tightly relative to the base element When chute body 10 is detached from base element 20, the tip of hook piece 3 is lowered by pressing resisting the elasticity. The tip of hook piece 3 is depressed to remove the chute body 10 from the stopper wall 15 as well as for inserting it into hole 12. When the tip of hook piece 3 is put into hole 12, male portion 6 is smoothly separated from the femnale portionthis result, chute body 10 is detached from base element 20 (refer to Figure Figure I11 shows a third practical example by this invention. Figure 12 generally shows the sectional view of the Figure I11 embodiment with Figure 13 showing the main section. Reference numbers in the drawings used in Figures I to 10 are again used to identify, .0 simnilar structure.

The third practical example uses a prism element with generally roof shape (refer to Figure 13). This prism element is a transparent synthetic resin molded product and has a mounting board portion PO which is a rectangle thin plate. At an end part of mounting board portion PO a generally right-angled-triangle shape is formed integrally. This has a primary reflection portion PI at an end face. Further, on the tip edge of primary reflection portion P1, a second reflection portion P2 is formed integrally. The end face of this becomes a generally right-angled-triangle. In other words, the roof-shaped second reflection portion P2 is located above the center part of rectangular mounting board portion PO. The roof-shaped second reflection portion P2 is located on mounting board portion PO, exteding a distance PS. The prism mounting board portion PO is installed on a substrate body CB for electronic circuits, 0 resisting the elastic force (refer to Figure 16). Substrate body CB exposes three light emitters LE and three photo-detectors RI, R2 and R3 on the surface thereof. These three light emitters LE radiate lights to primary reflection portion P1, respectively. The light which each light emitter radiates is, first of all, reflected by primary reflection portion PI, respectively. The light S which is reflected by primary reflection portion P1 is again reflected at second reflection portion P2. The light which is reflected by second reflection portion P2 passes through the path PS.

Such light that is passed through the path PS is detected at photo-detectors RI and R2 and R3.

The substrate body CB with prism is installed on base element 20 near roller 32, resisting the elastic force (refer to Figure 1I). When a standing up genuine coin rolls from the upper part of S rail 22, the upper edge thereof will pass through the path PS. When the genuine coin passes '0 the path PS, the coin passes through two photo-detectors RI and R2 for coin counting. The third photo-detector R3 is used for prevention of tampering by mischief, etc. For example, when this third photo-detector R3 detects something, the equipment (not shown) on which this selector is installed is stopped. A long Z-shaped member which is shown under the substrate body CB with a prism is a metal plate MT for preventing tampering. This metal plate MT is fixed so that the upper end thereof may form the prism path PS (refer to Figure 12). When cover body 50 is opened during cancel situations, etc., the metal plate MT prevents spacing near the path PS. In other words, by installing the metal piece MT, photo-detectors RI and R2 for coin counting are not tampered with from outside the arrangement.

As described above, this invention can miniaturize the size of a whole selector by combining simple constituents. This invention provides for a lightening of the whole selector, L0 by combining simple constituents. Also, in accordance with this invention, the size of a selected coin can be easily changed, only by changing the roller for a coin guide, Further, in accordance with this invention, the rail is freely detached so that the rail can be easily changed, such as if dirt is present.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise thout departing from such principles.

invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

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Claims (7)

1. A coin selector for selecting rolling coins, the selector including: a base element including a generally square upstanding plate; a rail arranged on said base element, said rail for standing up and rolling a deposited coin; a roller with a groove, said roller being freely rotatably arranged above said rail, and guiding the upper edge of the rolling coin.

2. A coin selector according to claim 1, wherein said rail is a slender metal piece and is detachably fixed on said base element.

3. A coin selector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said roller is a resin molded product and is detachably fixed on said base element. O A coin selector for selecting rolling coins, the selector including: a base element including a generally square upstanding plate; ~a rail arranged on said base element, said rail for standing up and rolling *oo 0 a deposited coin, said rail being removably connected to said base element; 20 a resin molded product roller with a groove, said roller being freely fee rotatably arranged above said rail, and guiding the upper edge of the rolling coin. .*fee: 0 0000 A coin selector according to claim 4, wherein said rail is a sheet metal S 25 piece.

6. A coin selector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said roller is detachably fixed on said base element.

7. A coin selector according to claim 4, 5 or 6 including: a chute body, said base element including a front face portion with a coin opening and having a chute connection opening adjacent to said coin opening, said chute body including a male portion with a guide piece, said chute W.\toniaDavin\SecACOIN SELECTORdoc connection opening accepting said guide piece for connecting said chute body to said base element.

8. A coin selector according to claim 7, wherein said male portion includes a tip of hook piece for fixing the chute body to the base element.

9. A coin selector according to any one of claims 4 to 8 further including: a prism shaped element formed of a transparent synthetic resin molded product with a mounting board portion and a primary reflection portion at an end face and a second reflection portion formed integrally. A coin selector according to claim 9, further including: light emitters and three photo-detectors on the surface of said prism shaped element. 15 11. A coin selector according to any one of the embodiments substantially as herein described and illustrated. DATED: 24th January, 2001 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: ASAHI SEIKO KABUSHIKI KAISHA S •5 oOO •O ab~a i oo• oOY o W lonia\Davin\Spec1CIN SELECTORdoc