CZ20001070A3 - Coin returning device for coin actuated machines - Google Patents

Abstract

The coin return device consists of an endless belt (1) provided with transverse driving lugs (5), the belt being (1) connects two locations located at different heights. At least the belt lift section (1) is surrounded by a grid defined by the front wall (7) and two side walls (8). This grid has a lower opening (9) for catching coins (10) one at a time in a parallel position with the belt (1), and one or more upper outlets (12) limited by a hatch (13) with an option interfering with the coin lift path (10).

Description

Coin-return devices for coin-operated apparatus

Technical field

The present invention relates to coin returning devices for coin operated devices, such as gaming machines and / or vending machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In devices of this type, coins are withdrawn or returned from one or more cartridges that deliver the desired coins according to the instructions received. Coins that exit from the coin return device fall by their own weight towards the return path or window. It is therefore necessary that the track or window be located lower than said coin-return device, which in turn must be lower than the selector.

All of this means that the coin removal area must be arranged on the bottom of the machine, so the user usually has to bend to remove the coins.

In addition, the required gravity for the passage of coins from one device to the expensive forces the minimum height of the machine frames.

To avoid these problems, coin return devices are known comprising a coin conveyor consisting of a vertical chute having a cross-section approximately the same as the coins in the magazine, with a lower inlet and an upper outlet located in the smaller walls. Through this lower entry, the coins are discharged from the coin magazine, and are driven by a pusher so that each coin is pushed by another coin along the channel through which it rises up until it reaches the exit.

These coin-return devices are limited in height due to the friction of the coins, which can also stop there when receiving coins of different sizes.

this · · · · ···

Also known from Japanese Patent Specification No. 5-20524 is a coin returning device which comprises an endless conveyor belt inclined upwardly, which directly points towards the exit of the coin returning device. This conveyor belt is provided with transverse ribs to facilitate the transport of coins. The coin magazine has a mechanism that carries the coins to the conveyor belt in a certain position. When the coins reach the upper end of the conveyor belt, they move to the second horizontal conveyor belt.

The problem posed by the coin return device described above is that the conveyor belt is inclined, and this creates a requirement for a large space which may be equal to or larger than the space required for the coin return device.

The available space within the gaming and vending machines (vending machines) is limited and the mechanisms should occupy as little space as possible.

In addition, the coin return device of the disclosed Japanese patent requires a special mechanism at the exit of the coin return device to bring such coins to the belt in the correct position.

Finally, this inclined belt of the described coin return device serves only as a coin conveyor belt, and such coins cannot be returned to the magazine once they are out of it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin return device, consisting of an endless belt that occupies a small space for conveying coins up to the exit of the coin return device. This coin-return device according to the invention also has the advantage that it can be used in the conventional design of coin-return devices or coin holders.

A further advantage of the coin-return device according to the invention is that the coins fed through the magazine can be returned to the magazine or delivered for another use.

-3 · · «« «« »» »» »

A further advantage of the coin-return device according to the invention is that it can comprise means for determining the value of the various coins that can be conveyed by said belt, as well as their positions, where the means can select the coins to be returned and the coins to be returned. must return to the stack so that it can be used on a stack that receives and stores coins of different values.

The coin return device according to the invention consists of an endless belt with transverse lugs, which belt connects two locations located at different heights, where the lower point corresponds to the exit from the coin return device and the higher point corresponds to the exit to the pickup drawer.

According to a first feature of the present invention, the belt has a lifting section surrounded by a grid consisting of a front wall, just adjacent the longitudinal free edge of the beads and side walls, just adjacent the adjacent edges of the belt. The grid is provided with a bottom opening and at least one or more homomore openings. The lower opening is located in one of the side walls, while the upper opening or holes can be located in the side walls or in the front wall.

The lower aperture is located opposite the exit of the coin retrieval device, one after the other, parallel to the belt. It will be provided with at least one outlet opening, in its upper part, opposite the take-up path. A coin cover extends into the coin lift path, aligned with the upper exit port, which redirects the coins to the exit port. The hatch is pulled off with the feet as they pass through.

Since the conveyor belt is positioned vertically, it occupies minimal space and can reach a height equal to the length of the belt. The grille that surrounds the belt lift section at the front and sides prevents the coins from falling out and ensures that they are conveyed from the inlet to the outlet. Thus, the belt can be positioned vertically, at least in its lifting section, which may even have a negative inclination, so that the space occupied by the belt is minimal and can reach a height equal to the length of the belt.

According to a further feature of the invention, the belt may comprise means for identifying the value of the coins carried by the feet as well as means for detecting the position

-4fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe fe These feet, so that the value of the coins in their different positions is identified at any time. In this way, when the coins reach the upper section of the belt, they are redirected to the withdrawal path, returned to the coin magazine, or sent for other use, depending on whether or not their value matches the value of the coins to be returned.

The grid will be provided with at least two upper holes, and the coins carried by the belt will be selectively redirected to one or the other of these holes.

Position inspection of the transport feet and coins can be achieved by using optical, magnetic, capacitive, etc. sensors. In addition, the belt drive motor may include a Gray code reader to control the speed of the motor.

The length of this belt will depend on the number of coins to be withdrawn and the height that must be achieved relative to the output of the coin return device.

The conveyor belt is capable of moving in both directions. By controlling the position of the coins and the engine, it will be known whether the system will need to be reversed in one direction or the other, so that the system delivers accurate coins that must be returned or paid to the user.

The coin return device will preferably have a coin detector at the inlet and the outlet. The coin return device stops when the coin detector counts a preset number of outputs at the exit.

Overview of the drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which: FIG. 1 shows a coin return device constructed in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 shows the coin return device in front view of FIG. 1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a coin return device having a coin identification element; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a coin return device having two upper outlets; Figure 5 shows a coin-return device

-50 * 0 0 · ···

000 00 000 in front view of FIG. 6 and 7 are similar views to FIG. 1 and 2 show an alternative design of the coin return device, in FIG. 8 and 9, the region A of FIG. 6, with the cover in the catching respectively. redirection position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The coin return device shown in FIG. 1 and 2 consists of an endless belt L attached between the drive roller 2 and the rollers 3 and 4 to change its direction. The endless belt 1 is provided on its conveying surface with transverse driving feet 5.

The endless belt 1, at least in its stroke section, is bounded by a grid consisting of a front wall 7 and side walls 8, which are disposed close to the free longitudinal edge and the longitudinal edge respectively. at the transverse edges of the transport feet 5.

The grille described is provided with a bottom opening located on one of the side walls facing the exit of the coin return device. The position of the lower inlet opening 9 is shown in FIG. 5, where the receipt of coins 10 from the coin magazine 11 is also shown.

The grille that surrounds the stroke section of the belt 1 is also provided with at least one run, an outlet opening 12. Immediately above this upper outlet opening 12 is a hatch 13 which can extend into the coin lifting path and can redirect them to the upper outlet opening. 12th lid 13 is retractable so that it can assume a position 13 ^f of Fig. 1, which will allow the free passage of traffic lugs fifth

The coins 10 of the described structure, coming from the coin magazine 11, reach the lower inlet opening 9, where each coin 10 is carried by the driving foot 5 in the lift section of the belt L until the upper outlet opening 12 is positioned opposite the chute or channel. which will lead the IP coin to the pickup path.

• ·· ·

-6 · ··········································

In this construction described, the lifting section 6 of the belt 1 can be arranged as a vertical section 14 as shown in FIG. 1, or even as a negative inclined section 15 shown in the same FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a structure similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, but provided with a coin identification element 16 as well as a pulse generator 17 in the drive roller 2 and a pulse sensor 18.

By means of the identification element 16, the value of the coin 10 carried by each driving foot 5 can be determined, while the position of the conveying feet 5 can be determined by means of a pulse generator 17 and a pulse sensor 18. The drive roller 2 is driven by a micromotor 19.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the grid surrounding the lift section 6 of the belt 1 preferably has two upper outlet openings 20 and 21, which are located at different heights in the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Directly above each of these upper outlet openings 20 and 21 are hatches 22 and 23, similar to the hatch 13 described in Figs. 1 and 2. These hatches 22 and 23 are also removable to allow free passage of the carrier feet 5. In addition, That is, the hatch 23 will be activated depending on the value of the coins 10 carried by the different feet 5.

When the coin return device is put into operation to return a given amount, the hatch 23 may or may not catch the coin 10 that reaches the upper exit port 20, depending on whether the coin has to be returned or not, as a function of information formed by the identification element 16 and the pulse generator 17 and the pulse sensor 18.

In the event that the coin 10 has to be paid out, it is captured by the hatch 23 and the coin 10 is redirected towards the upper outlet 20, which leads it to the take-off chute or deflection path. If the coin 10 which reaches the position of the upper orifice 20 cannot be paid out, the lid 23 is withdrawn and the coin 10 continues its journey, being discharged by the respective foot 5 until it reaches the lid 22 which redirects the coin 10 to the upper, exit port. · · · · · · ·

The opening 21, leading and returning the coin 10 back to the magazine 11. The coin can also be routed for other use.

In this way, the coins 10 carried by the feet 5 will be fed to the discharge outlet 20 or the return outlet 21, depending on their value.

With this construction, the coin return device can be installed in a magazine 11 containing coins of different values, wherein the coin return device identifies and selectively selects the coins to be redeemed.

In this construction, a belt 1 can be used which can move in both directions. By checking the coin positions with the pulse generator 17 and the pulse sensor 18 and determining the value of the coins using the identification element 16, this system will always know in which direction it should run so that the coins that must be returned or paid to the user are delivered to output 20.

The coin return device may also be provided with an coin inlet detector near the lower inlet port 9 and an output detector near the upper outlet port 20 so that the coin return device stops when the output detector counts a predetermined number of coins. , according to their value.

With this construction, a coin return device is provided by which the coins are removed from the output of the coin magazine 11 by an endless conveyor belt 1 occupying a vertical position so that the space inside the vending machine or slot machine is reduced.

Figures 6 to 9 show an alternative structure, with the lid 25 extending into the coin lift and being linearly displaced and controlled by an electromagnet 26. In Fig. 8, the lid 25 is shown in its retracted position, while in Figs. Fig. 9 shows the hatch 25 'as it extends into the coin path and redirects it towards the exit as shown in Fig. 7.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the heels 5 may have an inclined surface 5 for the coins placed thereon to facilitate their exit when the hatch 25 'reaches their path and secures the position of the coins allowing the detectors identifying them to be fixed. their value, for example as a function of their average. Otherwise, this embodiment is equivalent to that described in FIGS. 1 to 4.

Claims (3)

Coin-return device for coin-operated apparatus, comprising an endless belt (1) provided with transverse driving feet (5), which belt (1) connects two locations located at different heights, where the lower point corresponds to the exit of the return device and the higher point corresponds to the exit to the removal path, characterized in that said strip (1) is at least in its lifting section surrounded by a grid consisting of a front wall (7), close to the longitudinal free edge of the feet (5) and two side walls (8), close to adjacent edges of the belt (1), the grid having a bottom opening (9) formed in one of the side walls (8), in a position opposite the exit of the coin return device, 10), one after the other, parallel to the belt (1), and further provided with at least one upper outlet (12, 20) reaching a position opposite the outlet extending m the gripping strip which directly above the MMI is arranged a hood (13, 23) with the possibility of intervening in the lifting path of coins (10) and redirect them towards said outlet, while the cover is retractable at the passage of lugs (5). Coin-return device according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an identification means (16) for identifying the value of the coins (10) carried by the feet (5) and the means (18) for detecting the positions of these feet (5) and coins (10). The coin-return device of claim 1, wherein the grid has two upper outlets (20, 21), wherein one or more of the coins (10) are selectively directed along the feet (5), one of These outlets (20, 21) correspond to the outlet towards the take-off path, while the other returns the coin (10) back or sends it towards another use.