EP0042662A1 - Coin chute for use in payphone instruments - Google Patents

Coin chute for use in payphone instruments Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0042662A1
EP0042662A1 EP81301411A EP81301411A EP0042662A1 EP 0042662 A1 EP0042662 A1 EP 0042662A1 EP 81301411 A EP81301411 A EP 81301411A EP 81301411 A EP81301411 A EP 81301411A EP 0042662 A1 EP0042662 A1 EP 0042662A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coin
runway
runways
coin chute
chute
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP81301411A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Charles Leonard Nye
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Plessey Overseas Ltd
Original Assignee
Plessey Overseas Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Plessey Overseas Ltd filed Critical Plessey Overseas Ltd
Publication of EP0042662A1 publication Critical patent/EP0042662A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F1/00Coin inlet arrangements; Coins specially adapted to operate coin-freed mechanisms
    • G07F1/04Coin chutes
    • G07F1/048Coin chutes with means for damping coin motion
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07DHANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D1/00Coin dispensers
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F1/00Coin inlet arrangements; Coins specially adapted to operate coin-freed mechanisms
    • G07F1/04Coin chutes
    • G07F1/046Coin chutes with means for dealing with jamming, e.g. by bent wires

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to coin-chutes particularly although not exclusively, for use in telephone coin-box instruments known also as payphones.
  • a major problem in such payphones is the efficient utilisation of the available space by the apparatus which is housed within the device.
  • a coin chute comprising first and second runways each adapted for the passage of coins by means of gravity in which the first runway is adapted to be connected at one of its ends to the second runway at one of its ends in such manner, whereby when a coin is placed in the first runway, it rolls freely along this runway in a first direction and upon reaching the point of connection of the two runways is adapted to enter the second runway whereupon it rolls freely along this runway in a second direction.
  • Fig. 1. which shows a typical coin-chute 1 located within a payphone.
  • the chute 1 has associated with it coin detection mechanisms such as coin reject 2, validator 3, flushing 4 and cash box/refund 5.
  • a coin store 6 and a refund draw ? are shown at the lower part of the instrument.
  • the chute comprises a first upper runway 8 and a second lower runway 9. Both runways are inclined to the horizontal by an angle ⁇ to enable coins 10 and 11 to pass along and down the runways under the action of gravity.
  • a coin 10 in the upper runway moves in a first direction of motion A, whereas a coin 11 in the lower runway moves in a second direction of motion B.
  • the coin travelling down the coin chute has a reversal in direction of motion.
  • the change in direction of motion has to be carefully controlled and is achieved at the junction of the upper and lower runway by means of a specially designed impact face 12 and a connecting surface 13 between both coin runways.
  • the material used at the impact face 12 must exhibit a high mechanical hysteresis and an example of such a material is Neoprene rubber. This can be bonded to a backing material which can be an integral part of the runway moulding. Alternatively a soft P.V.C. can be used, coated on Aluminium, or even a loose fitting insert of plastics or metal exhibiting pendulum damping, may be used.
  • the angle p that the chute takes up from the vertical is necessary to ensure that coins passing down the runways remain in abutment with one of the runway walls only. This is to enable correct detection of the passage of coins by coin detection mechanisms adjacent these walls.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chutes (AREA)
  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)

Abstract

To make the most efficient use of space, in for example, a telephone coin-box instrument, the coin runway requires to be folded back-upon itself. This requires that the direction of motion of the coin in the runway is reversed without creating a potential coin jamming situation. The coin runway consists of two sections (8,9) interconnected by the direction changing area. Under the action of gravity a coin (10) rolls down the upper coin runway (8) and strikes an impact face (12) in the direction changing area. The impact face (12) incorporates a material which has a low coefficient of restitution to restrict the coin rebound. The direction changing area also includes a downward inclined connecting surface (13), and as the coin rebounds, it slides down the connecting surface into the lower coin runway (9). In a modified version of the arrangement the step down area (15) is of sufficient size to be included as part of a coin store, and the floor of the arrangement is angled (16) to prevent coin blocking.

Description

  • The present invention relates to coin-chutes particularly although not exclusively, for use in telephone coin-box instruments known also as payphones.
  • A major problem in such payphones is the efficient utilisation of the available space by the apparatus which is housed within the device.
  • Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a coin chute which is adapted to make the most efficient use of space within the payphone while maintaining an efficient operation in the presence of coins.
  • According to the present invention, there is provided a coin chute comprising first and second runways each adapted for the passage of coins by means of gravity in which the first runway is adapted to be connected at one of its ends to the second runway at one of its ends in such manner, whereby when a coin is placed in the first runway, it rolls freely along this runway in a first direction and upon reaching the point of connection of the two runways is adapted to enter the second runway whereupon it rolls freely along this runway in a second direction.
  • The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of two exemplary embodiments which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:-
    • Fig. 1. Shows a view of part of a payphone, portions of which are cut away to illustrate the positioning of a typical coin chute within the payphone;
    • Fig. 2. shows the relevant portions of a coin-chute in accordance with the present invention with certain sections of the walls of the chute cut-away to enable the internal features to be observed;
    • Fig. 3. shows a section of the chute as shown in Fig. 2 as viewed in the direction of the arrows of section A - A; and,
    • Fig. 4. shows a further view of the coin-chute in accordance with this invention but with a modification to incorporate a coin store (the walls of the chute are cut-away to enable observation of the internal features).
  • Referring to Fig. 1. which shows a typical coin-chute 1 located within a payphone. The chute 1 has associated with it coin detection mechanisms such as coin reject 2, validator 3, flushing 4 and cash box/refund 5.
  • A coin store 6 and a refund draw ? are shown at the lower part of the instrument.
  • Referring now to Fig. 2. to Fig. 4. of the drawings, it will be seen that the chute comprises a first upper runway 8 and a second lower runway 9. Both runways are inclined to the horizontal by an angle α to enable coins 10 and 11 to pass along and down the runways under the action of gravity.
  • A coin 10 in the upper runway moves in a first direction of motion A, whereas a coin 11 in the lower runway moves in a second direction of motion B. In effect the coin travelling down the coin chute has a reversal in direction of motion.
  • The change in direction of motion has to be carefully controlled and is achieved at the junction of the upper and lower runway by means of a specially designed impact face 12 and a connecting surface 13 between both coin runways.
  • As explained, under the action of gravity a coin entering the upper runway 8, rolls down the runway and strikes the impact face 12. This impact face 12 has a low coefficient of restitution to restrict the coin rebound and accordingly as the coin's controlled rebound takes effect, the coin slides down an inclined connecting surface 13 into the lower runway 8. The coin now rolls down this runway also under the action of gravity.
  • The material used at the impact face 12 must exhibit a high mechanical hysteresis and an example of such a material is Neoprene rubber. This can be bonded to a backing material which can be an integral part of the runway moulding. Alternatively a soft P.V.C. can be used, coated on Aluminium, or even a loose fitting insert of plastics or metal exhibiting pendulum damping, may be used.
  • It is important to note that the rebound dimension x, between the impact face 12 and face 14 of the joining inside walls of the two runways,is defined by the following formula:-
    Figure imgb0001
    • where e - coefficient of restitution
    • µ = coefficient of friction
    • V = velocity of impact
    • g = acceleration due to gravity
    • α = runway angle
  • This formula is derived as follows:-
  • At the instant of rebound of the coin, it should be assumed that the velocity is equal to VI and that it reduces to zero through a rebound distance x.
  • Now, the retarding force of the coin = mass x acceleration. If also it is assumed that w is the weight of the coin perpendicularly downwards on the runway, which is inclined at an angle α to the horizontal, and µ is the coefficient of friction, then
    Figure imgb0002
    where g is the acceleration of the coin due to gravity ∴ acceleration = g (Sin α + µ Cos α) by substitution, V12 = g (Sin α + µ Cos α) 2x
    Figure imgb0003
  • If velocity = V and the coefficient of restitution of the impact face = e
    • then V = e V and
      Figure imgb0004
  • As previously stated.
  • The angle p that the chute takes up from the vertical, is necessary to ensure that coins passing down the runways remain in abutment with one of the runway walls only. This is to enable correct detection of the passage of coins by coin detection mechanisms adjacent these walls.
  • In the modified coin-shute shown in Fig. 4. there is provided a step-down area 15 of sufficient size to accommodate a certain number of coins to enable a degree of coin-storage. It will be seen that the floor of the lower runway 16 from the impact face 12 is a steeper angle than the lower runway itself. This is to prevent coin blockage.

Claims (10)

1. A coin chute comprising first and second runways each adapted for the passage of coins by means of gravity in which,the first runway is adapted to be connected at one of its ends to the second runway at one of its ends, in such manner, whereby when a coin is placed in the first runway, it rolls freely along this runway in a first direction and upon reaching the point of connection of the two runways is adapted to enter the second runway, whereupon it rolls freely along the runway in a second direction.
2. A coin chute as claimed in claim 1, in which at the point of connection of the first and second runways there is located a coin impact face which exhibits a high mechanical hyterisis and which controls the coin rebound by the material employed which has a low coefficient of restitution.
3. A coin chute as claimed in claim 2, in which the said material is NEOPRENE (Registered Trade Mark) which is bonded to a backing material and which forms an integral part of the coin chute runways.
4. A coin chute as claimed in claim 2, in which the said material is a loose fitting insert of plastics or metal exhibiting pendulum damping.
5. A coin chute as claimed in claim 2, in which said material is aluminium coated polyvinyl chlroride (P.V.C.).
6. A coin chute as claimed in claim 2, in which at the point of connection of the first and second runways, there is an inclined connecting surface down which the coin slides when moving from the first runway to the second runway.
7. A coin chute as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first and second runways are inclined to the horizontal by an acute angle α.
8. A coin chute as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the coin chute is inclined from the vertical by an acute angle β to ensure that coins moving down said first and second runways remain in abutment with one of the runway walls.
9. A telephone coin box instrument incorporating a coin chute as claimed in any preceding claim.
10. A coin chute as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 in which at the point of connection of the first and second runways and adjacent the inclined connecting surface there is provided a step-down area for coin storage.
EP81301411A 1980-05-16 1981-04-01 Coin chute for use in payphone instruments Withdrawn EP0042662A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8016294A GB2075960B (en) 1980-05-16 1980-05-16 Coin chute for use in telephone coin-box instruments
GB8016294 1980-05-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0042662A1 true EP0042662A1 (en) 1981-12-30

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81301411A Withdrawn EP0042662A1 (en) 1980-05-16 1981-04-01 Coin chute for use in payphone instruments

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0042662A1 (en)
AU (1) AU537123B2 (en)
GB (1) GB2075960B (en)
HK (1) HK78185A (en)
IE (1) IE51180B1 (en)
SG (1) SG29685G (en)
ZA (1) ZA812246B (en)
ZW (1) ZW7381A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0086583A2 (en) * 1982-02-15 1983-08-24 Plessey Overseas Limited Coin runway with sequencing facility
EP0173112A1 (en) * 1984-08-29 1986-03-05 Ascom Autelca Ag Coin chute
ES2112745A1 (en) * 1994-12-09 1998-04-01 Alcatel Standard Electrica Device for receiving coins
DE10027723A1 (en) * 2000-05-22 2001-12-06 Trenner D Wh Muenzpruefer Electronic coin-acceptor unit has inclined section whose inclination is changed by coin in chute
US7032735B2 (en) * 2003-03-21 2006-04-25 Walter Hanke - Mechanische Werkstatten GmbH & Co. KG Coin slot for a mechanical coin-acceptor unit and mechanical coin-acceptor unit having a coin slot
EP2525333A1 (en) * 2011-05-19 2012-11-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vending machine
JP2015173775A (en) * 2014-03-14 2015-10-05 オムロン株式会社 Token sorting device and game machine

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4911280A (en) * 1987-04-27 1990-03-27 Bruner Philemon L Method and apparatus for deflecting coins while maintaining an on-edge orientation
US4787873A (en) * 1987-12-17 1988-11-29 Borrmann Lela R Modular coin bank

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1945740A (en) * 1932-05-05 1934-02-06 Fairfield Specialties Corp Art of testing coins or other tokens for genuineness
FR790014A (en) * 1935-05-14 1935-11-12 Currency selector
US2050678A (en) * 1934-12-10 1936-08-11 Weber Christof Slug ejector for coin operated machines
US2151823A (en) * 1936-09-18 1939-03-28 Walter A Tratsch Coin chute
US2160751A (en) * 1937-10-01 1939-05-30 Mills Novelty Co Coin selector
US2343352A (en) * 1938-05-28 1944-03-07 Edward G Weiler Coin selector for coin controlled machines
US3889792A (en) * 1973-05-18 1975-06-17 Mars Inc Energy absorbing device for coin handling mechanisms and the like

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1945740A (en) * 1932-05-05 1934-02-06 Fairfield Specialties Corp Art of testing coins or other tokens for genuineness
US2050678A (en) * 1934-12-10 1936-08-11 Weber Christof Slug ejector for coin operated machines
FR790014A (en) * 1935-05-14 1935-11-12 Currency selector
US2151823A (en) * 1936-09-18 1939-03-28 Walter A Tratsch Coin chute
US2160751A (en) * 1937-10-01 1939-05-30 Mills Novelty Co Coin selector
US2343352A (en) * 1938-05-28 1944-03-07 Edward G Weiler Coin selector for coin controlled machines
US3889792A (en) * 1973-05-18 1975-06-17 Mars Inc Energy absorbing device for coin handling mechanisms and the like

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0086583A2 (en) * 1982-02-15 1983-08-24 Plessey Overseas Limited Coin runway with sequencing facility
EP0086583A3 (en) * 1982-02-15 1987-05-20 Plessey Overseas Limited Coin runway with sequencing facility
EP0173112A1 (en) * 1984-08-29 1986-03-05 Ascom Autelca Ag Coin chute
ES2112745A1 (en) * 1994-12-09 1998-04-01 Alcatel Standard Electrica Device for receiving coins
DE10027723A1 (en) * 2000-05-22 2001-12-06 Trenner D Wh Muenzpruefer Electronic coin-acceptor unit has inclined section whose inclination is changed by coin in chute
DE10027723B4 (en) * 2000-05-22 2006-01-05 Walter Hanke Mechanische Werkstätten GmbH & Co KG Electronic coin validator
US7032735B2 (en) * 2003-03-21 2006-04-25 Walter Hanke - Mechanische Werkstatten GmbH & Co. KG Coin slot for a mechanical coin-acceptor unit and mechanical coin-acceptor unit having a coin slot
EP2525333A1 (en) * 2011-05-19 2012-11-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vending machine
JP2015173775A (en) * 2014-03-14 2015-10-05 オムロン株式会社 Token sorting device and game machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU537123B2 (en) 1984-06-07
IE811088L (en) 1981-11-16
GB2075960B (en) 1984-07-25
HK78185A (en) 1985-10-18
GB2075960A (en) 1981-11-25
ZW7381A1 (en) 1981-07-01
SG29685G (en) 1985-11-15
AU6894081A (en) 1981-11-19
ZA812246B (en) 1982-04-28
IE51180B1 (en) 1986-10-29

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19820611

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19860702

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Effective date: 19860916

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R18D Application deemed to be withdrawn (corrected)

Effective date: 19861119

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Inventor name: NYE, CHARLES LEONARD