AU427689B2 - Improvements in and relating to coin sorting devices - Google Patents

Description

THIS i ENTIO reae oq 3or n sorting devices of the type which are used to sort a number of coins of varying denominations into their particular denominations and has for an object the provision of a coin sorting device which is of a cheap and simple construction and which is simple and easy to use and wherein when the coins have been sorted into their respective denominations the coins can be readily and conveniently discharged therefrom. According to one aspect of this invention the improved device for sorting coins comprises a plurality of trays each formed with an upwardly directed rim, the trays being arranged to nest one above the other with their surfaces spaced apart, the lowermost tray being arranged to collect the smallest diameter -coins and each of the trays thereabove having a plurality of apertures therein, the apertures in each particular tray being of a lesser diameter than the apertures in the tray immediately thereabove, whereby a plurality of unsorted coins may be placed in the uppermost tray and by agitating the trays- the coins may be caused to pass through the apertures that will permit their passage and thus be sorted into their respective trays, and characterized in that one or more of the trays above the lowermost tray is formed with a slot or slots in the rim thereof, the slot(s) being positioned so that when the trays are nested one above the other the slot or slots is/are covered by the rim of the tray therebeneath, whereby when the coins have been sorted and the trays separated the coins on each tray provided with a slot may be discharged therethrough. Other aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will be apparent from 4 2 76b9

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17,343/7o the following description, which is given by way of example, of a preferred form of the invention and in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:- Fig. is a plan view of a tray formed with apertures and a slot, Fig. 2 is a side view of the tray shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a side view of the trays arranged to nest one above the other.- In. a preferred form, the invention may comprise six trays'1. which may be formed by any suitable process such as moulding from a plastics material, metal or other suitable material. The trays 1 are formed with an upwardly directed rim 2 about the periphery thereof and preferably have a flat surface 3 encompassed by rim 2. Preferably the trays 1 are of a circular formation, the trays' preferably being of the same diameter and cross -section, the rims 2 thereof may be tapered :inwardly and downwardly as is common with articles formed by moulding, the taper also facilitating the nesting of the trays 1 one above the other.- The trays I are arranged to nest one above the other with their surfaces 3 spaced apart thus enabling coins to be stored therein and to move about between adjacent trays. Preferably each rim 2 is formed with an outwardly directed step 4 substantially midway up the rim 2, that is, the rim 2 firstly extends upwardly from the surface 3 of the tray 1 and then extends outwardly preferably horizontally to form the step 4, the rim 2 then extending upward]ly. to form the upper- part thereof, the upper edge preferably extending outwardly ______427689

17.343/o to form a projecting portion 5 to facilitata handling of the tray i. By providing the step 4 the trays 1 may be nested one above the other vith their surfaces 3 spaced apart, the uppermost tray I of an adjacent pair of trays 1 seating on the step 4 formed In the rim 2 of the lowermost' tray 1 of that pair. It will be seen that when the trays 1 are nested one above the other as described above, each tray I is separated from an adjacent tray 1 by a distance corresponding to the height of a step 4 above the tray surface 3, this height being suflicient to permit coins to be stored and to. move freely back and forth therebetween.

The trays 1, other than perhaps the lowermost tray la, are each formed with a plurality of apertures 6 therein, the apertures 6 in a particular tray I each being of the same diameter but the apertures 6 in a particular tray being of a different diameter to the apertures in another tray 1. That is, the trays 3 are Identical other than the diameter of the apertures 6 formed therein. The uppermost tray lb is formed with the largest diameter apertures 6 therein and the tray ic immediately therebeneath with the next to largest diameter apertures 6 therein and so on with the lowermost tray la preferably having an uninterrupted surface, that is, with no apertures 6 therein. The apertures 6 of a particular tray 1 are of a diameter which will retain some coins but will permit the passpge of other coins dependent upon their size in comparison to the aDertures 6. In-one example of~the- invention the uppermost tray lb is provided with apertures 6 which will, retain fifty cent coins but will permit lesser diameter coins

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17.34 3/70 to pass therethrough, the lesser diameter coins normally being twenty cent pieces and other smaller denomination coins. The tray ic directly beneath the uppermost tray lb Is provided with apertures 6 which will retain the next largest coins, normally a twenty cent coin but will permit the passage of the remaining coins of a diameter less thaa the twenty cent coin. As will be appreciated the trays 1 thereunder will each retain a particular denomination of coin and permit the passage -of the. others with the lowermost tray collecting the smallest diameter coin, normally a one cent coin. As indicated above, preferably the lowermost tray Ia, that is the one that collects the smallest diameter coins has no apertures therein. However apertures could be formed therein if required providing they did not permit the passage of the s mallest diameter coins. One or more of the trays 1 is formed with a slot 7 or slots In the lower portion 2a, that is beneath the step 4, of the rim 2 whereby the coins in that tray I may be readily discharged therefrom by tilting the tray 1 so that the coins slide through the slot 7 or slots formed in the rim 2. The slot or slots?7 is/are formed in the lower portion 2a of the rim 2, preferably in alignment with the upper face 3a of the tray surface 3 thus when the trays 1 are nested one above the other, the slots 7 are closed by the upper portion of the rim 2 of the tray 1 directly therebeneath thus preventing coins discharging during agitation. Preferably all the trays 1 other than the lowermost tray Ia are formed with the-slot- or slots 7 in the rim 2 thereof as it will be appreciated that a slot 7 provided in the lowermost tray la would not be closed by a tray therebeneath. How~ver, if desired, a dummy tray 4 27 6 89

17,34 3/7 could be provided beneath the lowermost tray la its object being to close a slot 7 provided in the lowermost tray la, that is the tray arranged to collect the smallest diameter coins.

Thus by this invention a plurality of coins may be placed in the uppermost tray lb with the other trays 1 nested in order therebeneath and the nested trays 1 agitated to cause the coins to pass downwardly through the aperture 6 in the trays as far as possible depending on their diameter, the coins of a particular denomination being retained in a tray 1 corresponding thereto and once the coins have been sorted the trays I may be separated and each tray 1 tilted to discharge the coins through the slot 7 formed in the rim 2 thereof thus providing a simple and ready means of sorting and counting the coins into their particular denominations.

It is to be understood that while this invention has been described by way of example of a preferred form modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

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Claims (3)

17.343 THE CLAINS DEFIT .G THE 1TSA2TIOfl ARE AS FOLLOVIS:

1. A device for sorting coins comprising a plurality of trays each formed with an upwardly directed rim, the trays being arranged to nest one above the other with their surfaces spaced apart, the lowermost tray being arranged to collect the smallest diameter coins and each of the trays thereabove having a plurality of apertures therein, the apertures in each particular tray being of a lesser diameter than the apertures in the tray immediately thereabove, whereby a plurality of unsorted coins-may be placed in the uppermost tray and by agitating the trays the coins may be caused to pass through the apertures that will permit their passage and thus be sobted into their respective trays, and char-acterized in that one or more of the trays above the lowermost tray is formed with a slot or slots in the rim thereof, the slot(s) being positioned so that vhen the trays are nested one above the other the slot or slots is/are covered by the rim of the tray_ therebeneath, whereby when the coins have been sorted and the trays separated the coins on each tray provided with a slot may be discharged therethrough.

2. A device for sorting coins as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the rim of- each tray is formed with an outwardly directed step substantially midway up the rim whereby the uppermost tray of an adjacent pair of trays seating on the step formed in the rim of the lowermost tray of that pair.

3. A device for sorting coins as claimed in Claim 1Lor as claimed in Claim 2 wherein all the trays other than the lowermost tray are formed with the slot or slots in the rimi thereof. 478

4. 17,343/70 A device for sorting coins as claimed in Claim 2

or as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the slot or slots are formed

in the lower portion of the rim beneath the step and in

alignment with the upper face of the tray surface.

A device for sorting coins as claimed in any of the

preceding claims wherein the uppermost tray is arranged to

collect fifty cent pieces, the trays therebeneath being arranged to collect twenty, ten, five, two and one cent pieces respectively.

6. A device for sorting coins as claimed in Claim 1

wherein all the trays are provided with a slot or slots in

the rim thereof and wherein an extra dummy tray is provided beneath the lowermost tray to close the slot or slots provided

in the lowermost tray.

7. A device for sorting coins substantially as described

herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DATED THIS 8TH DAY OF JULY, 1970. EASY-COUNT LIMITED By its Patent Attorneys:

CLEMENT HACK CO. Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia.

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