EP0740817B1

EP0740817B1 - Payout apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP0740817B1
Application number: EP95906399A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Barry Allen Marchini; Robert Alan Holmes
Original assignee: Starpoint Electrics Ltd
Current assignee: Starpoint Electrics Ltd
Priority date: 1994-01-20
Filing date: 1995-01-20
Publication date: 1998-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2015-01-20
Also published as: GB9401040D0; AU1460095A; JPH09508225A; WO1995020201A1; EP0740817A1

Description

The present invention relates generally to payout apparatus and is more especially but not exclusively concerned with payout apparatus suitable for use with gaming machines sometimes referred to as fruit machines or amusement machines.

Typically, when the machine registers a win, a prize selected from a range of different prizes is awarded, the prizes often being different multiples of a particular coin or token.

The apparatus for controlling the payout of the prize has thus often included a pushing device located below a stack of similar coins or tokens and reciprocable to remove successive ones of the coins or tokens from the bottom of the stack. The pushing device may be driven by a motor which is operated by one or more solenoids. It has been found that, particularly if there is a large payout, the repeated removal of successive ones of the coins or tokens from the bottom of the stack by the pushing device is noisy, unreliable and slow.

These problems are compounded when the payout apparatus is duplicated, for example to allow the delivery of coins or tokens of different denominations, the duplication of the payout apparatus also leading to considerable expense.

It is known from GB-A-2003308 for a payout apparatus to comprise a plurality of supply means and a common delivery means. Different ones of its supply means are designed to hold different denominations of coins or tokens, and its supply means are formed as tubes arranged in a generally circular formation around a single central discharge. In use, a horizontal arm is not only rotated by a vertical shaft but is movable up and down the shaft whereby, in a lower position, it passes beneath coin or token supports associated with its supply means but, in an upper position, it passes above said supports to remove coins or tokens therefrom. It is also known from GB-A-1354635 for one or more supply means to be replaceable by different supply means, with each of the replaceable supply means having a releasable connection in the form of a snap-in fastener.

According to the present invention, however, a payout apparatus comprises a plurality of supply means and a common delivery means, characterised in that the delivery means includes a ratchet mechanism which, with movement towards and passed a supply means in one direction, does not cause a payout but, with movement towards and passed the supply means in the opposite direction, does cause a payout.

Each of the supply means may include a tube, or a hopper, or a tube fed from a hopper. There may be, for example, six of the supply means arranged in a generally circular formation, around a single discharge. Each of the supply means may be the same as the others, or one or more of the supply means may be different from the others.

Preferably, the levels of the coins or tokens in the supply means are monitored (hereinafter, for convenience, reference will be made just to coins).

It will be appreciated that different ones of the supply means may be designed to hold different denominations of coins. Indeed, the payout apparatus may be adaptable to different circumstances by allowing one or more of the supply means to be replaceable by different supply means. For example, the payout apparatus could be set up, at different times, so that all of the supply means deliver coins of the same denomination, or different ones of the supply means deliver coins of different denominations. Such a modular construction may be achieved by providing each of the replaceable supply means with a releasable connection such as a snap-in fastener or a simple telescopic fastener.

The delivery means may be fully rotatable or merely pivotable and the supply means may be stationary or vice versa.

The delivery means may include, or at least be connectible to, a drive mechanism which receives signals from a microprocessor or other command source for determining the direction of movement of the ratchet mechanism relatively to the supply means.

In one arrangement, the ratchet mechanism may be regarded as being operable in a horizontal plane with the payout being initially directed in a generally radial direction from the supply means with respect to the delivery means.

In another arrangement, the ratchet mechanism may be regarded as being operable in a vertical plane with the payout being initially directed in a generally tangential direction from the supply means with respect to the delivery means.

In the latter arrangement, the ratchet mechanism may include an arm which operates in a vertical plane and may further include a wheel which rolls along an annular support surface.

In both arrangements, it is desirable to be able to verify the payout from a supply means as well as to establish the position of the delivery means. These functions may be achievable through the use of microswitches or optic sensing devices but are preferably achievable through the use of piezoelectric means. For example, for each of the supply means, a first piezoelectric film may be provided in the path of movement of a delivered coin, and a second piezoelectric film may be provided in the path of movement of the ratchet mechanism. Flexing of the piezoelectric films may generate electric signals in a conventional manner and the electric signals may be transmitted to the above-noted microprocessor or other command source.

As already indicated, movement of the ratchet mechanism in one direction does not cause a payout whereas movement in the opposite direction does cause a payout.

Thus, it is possible for a clockwise movement to avoid a payout and an anti-clockwise movement to result in a payout. Alternatively, it is possible for an anti-clockwise movement to avoid a payout and a clockwise movement to result in a payout. However, if the supply means are arranged to deliver coins in different directions, rather than all of the coin deliveries being in the same direction, either a clockwise or an anti-clockwise movement would result in payout from some supply means and avoid payout from other supply means. In other words, it is possible for the supply means to be arranged to make payout deliveries in different directions so that, with movement of the ratchet mechanism in either of said one or said opposite directions, payout occurs but not from all of the supply means.

Again, as already indicated, the ratchet mechanism could be fully rotatable or merely pivotable, and in use might pivot back and forth past one or more selected supply means even if fully rotatable.

Examples of payout apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of payout apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of payout apparatus according to the present invention; and

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are schematic exploded perspective views showing, respectively, an upper part, a coin delivery part and a lower part of a third embodiment of payout apparatus according to the present invention.

For convenience, components which are functionally similar will be given the same references in all of the different embodiments.

In Figure 1, payout apparatus 10 is shown including a plurality of supply means 12 and a common delivery means 14.

Each of the supply means 12 includes a hollow tube 16 having a slot 18 for receiving a coin level detector. The lower end of the tube 16 opens to a cover 20 provided around part of its periphery with a flange 22. The lower edge of the flange 22 abuts a similar flange 24 provided around part of the periphery of a base 26, thereby forming an enclosure 28. A slide 30 is mounted for reciprocation within the enclosure 28, the slide 30 being provided with an opening 32 extending therethrough and a projection 34 extending therefrom.

As shown, a total of six of the tubes 16 may be located in a circle, with the covers 20 defining a central aperture 36 and the bases 26 defining another central aperture 38.

The common delivery means 14 includes a ratchet mechanism 40 which is rotatable, or at least pivotable, about a vertical axis under the control of a drive mechanism 42. The connection between the ratchet mechanism 40 and the drive mechanism 42 may be a stud 44 with transverse bars 46 on the drive mechanism 42 which are removably located in a space of complementary shape formed between opposed walls 48 on the ratchet mechanism 40. The connection between the ratchet mechanism 40 and each of the slides 30 may be an arm 50 on the ratchet mechanism 40 for co-operation in the required manner with the projections 34 on the slides 30.

The drive mechanism 42 may be a DC or stepper motor controlled by a conventional microprocessor.

As previously indicated, the intention is that with movement of the delivery means 14 in one direction relatively to a supply means 16 there will be no payout, whereas with movement of the delivery means 14 in the opposite direction relatively to the supply means 16 there will be a payout.

More particularly, with movement of the ratchet mechanism 40 in an anti-clockwise sense the arm 50 is allowed to pass the next projection 34 without payout of a coin from the associated tube 16, whereas with movement of the ratchet mechanism 40 in a clockwise sense the arm 50 is caused to co-operate with the next projection 34 and move the associated slide 30 a distance sufficient to allow a coin in the opening 32 to drop through the opening 38.

It may be that the arm 50 is formed integrally with the remainder of the ratchet mechanism 40. The slide 30 should then be sprung-loaded to a normal position in which the projection 34 lies in the path of movement of the arm 50. With anti-clockwise movement of the arm 50, the slide 30 is pushed generally radially outwards. With clockwise movement of the arm 50, however, the slide 30 is pulled generally radially inwards to deliver a coin, whereupon the projection 34 rides over a cammed portion of the arm 50. In either case, once the arm 50 is no longer in engagement with the projection 34, the slide 30 is returned to the above-noted normal position by a restoring force.

It may, alternatively, be that the arm 50 is pivotable relatively to the remainder of the ratchet mechanism 40 - the arm 50 being pushed inwardly during said anti-clockwise movement against a restoring force, and the arm 50 causing the slide 30 to be pulled inwardly during said clockwise movement against a restoring force.

If the tubes 16 are provided with or replaced by hoppers, the reciprocation of the slides 30 could be utilised to drive stirrers in the hoppers to avoid the formation of voids.

In Figure 2, another payout apparatus 10 is shown including a plurality of supply means 12 and a common delivery means 14.

However, instead of each of the tubes 16 being open at the bottom, it is partially closed by a bottom wall and is provided with an opening in its side wall. There are no slides 30. The ratchet mechanism 40 is supported by a wheel 60 rotatable around a support 62. The arm 50 is pivotable in a vertical plane and is sprung-loaded towards a vertical position. With clockwise movement of the ratchet mechanism 40, the arm 50 is deflected downwardly each time that it passes the next tube 16. However, with anti-clockwise movement of the ratchet mechanism 40, the arm 50 causes payout by pushing the lowest coin through the above-noted opening in the side wall of the next tube 16 into a chute 64 leading to the

openings

36 and 38.

In Figures 3, 4 and 5, another payout apparatus 10 is shown including a plurality of supply means 12 and a common delivery means 14.

However, instead of the drive mechanism 42 having a stud 44 with transverse bars 46 it has a drive shaft 66 of non-circular cross-section complementary to a drive socket 68 at one end of a bar 70. A grub screw 72 is operable to secure the drive shaft 66 within the drive socket 68. The other end of the bar 70 again has a sprung-loaded payout arm 50 for ejecting coins as well as a wheel 60 for rolling along an annular surface 74 of a support 62. In this case, the arm 50 is not pivotable but is displaceable vertically downwards against the spring loading.

Moreover, each of the tubes 16 is here formed as a plastics moulding with an integral side assembly 76 for supporting a conventional coin level detector 78. An upper end of the tube 16 is releasably securable to a standard feeder tube 80. A lower end of the tube 16 is releasably connectable to a separate payout disc 82 by means of a plurality of releasably deflectable clips 84. The payout disc 82 is also formed as an integral plastics moulding. The clips 84 snap-engage with slots 86 formed in a circular open-ended boss 88 extending upwardly from the payout disc 82. This resists but does not prevent upward movement of the tube 16. Downward movement is prevented by abutment of tongues 90 presented by the end of the tube 16 with an internal discontinuous shoulder 92 presented by the boss 88. Each of the tubes 16 is designed to hold a particular denomination of coin. The provision of the resiliently deflectable clips 84 thus allows any of the tubes 16 to be replaced by different tubes 16 designed to hold different denominations of coins.

Finally, means are provided to verify the payout from each of the supply means 12 as well as to establish the position of the delivery means 14.

Said means are in the form, for each of the supply means 12, of a first piezoelectric film 94 provided in the path of movement of a coin delivered from the tube 16, and a second piezoelectric film 96 provided in the path of movement of the bar 70 of the ratchet mechanism 40. The

piezoelectric films

94 and 96 are electrically and physically connected to a printed circuit board 98 whose side edges are slidably receivable in respective vertical grooves 100 presented by a retainer 102 extending upwardly from the payout disc 82. The retainer 102 extends around three sides of a hole 104 in the payout disc 82 and is provided with a steadying rod 106 which locates with the printed circuit board 98. The various printed circuit boards 98 are electrically connected to a common control microprocessor which detects which of the piezoelectric films 96 has been deflected by the bar 70 during rotation thereof in either direction.

As in the previous embodiment, with clockwise movement of the ratchet mechanism 40, the arm 50 is pushed downwardly each time that it passes the next tube 16 because the lowest coin cannot escape.

However, with anti-clockwise movement of the ratchet mechanism 40, the arm 50 causes payout by travelling through a curved slot 108 at the partially closed bottom of the next tube 16 to eject the lowest coin through an opening 110. Face 112 of the arm 50 which leads during clockwise movement is inclined to facilitate its downwards displacement upon contact with a coin, whereas face 114 of the arm 50 which leads during anti-clockwise movement is upright to facilitate coin delivery. If a tube 16 is to be replaced by another in which the opening 110 faces in the opposite direction, it is necessary for the slot 108 to curve in the opposite direction.

It is believed that, with all of the disclosed embodiments, but particularly the embodiments in which the ratchet mechanism is operable in a vertical plane, the jolt to the lowest coin in each stack of coins as the ratchet mechanism moves in the non-payout direction helps to ensure proper coin feeding by causing the stacks to lift and drop thereby clearing any coin jams in the stacks and avoiding any coin voids in hoppers leading to the stacks.

Naturally, the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiments which have been described hereinabove.

Claims

A payout apparatus (10) comprising a plurality of supply means (12) and a common delivery means (14), characterised in that the delivery means (14) includes a ratchet mechanism (40) which, with movement towards and passed a supply means (12) in one direction, does not cause a payout but, with movement towards and passed the supply means (12) in the opposite direction, does cause a payout.
A payout apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that means (94) is provided to verify the payout from a supply means (12).
A payout apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that said means is provided for each of the supply means in the form of a first piezoelectric film (94) provided in the path of movement of a coin or token to be delivered.
A payout apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that means (96) is provided to establish the position of the delivery means (14).
A payout apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that said means is provided for each of the supply means in the form of a second piezoelectric film (96) provided in the path of movement of the ratchet mechanism (40).
A payout apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the ratchet mechanism (40) includes an arm (50) which operates in a vertical plane.
A payout apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the arm (50) is not pivotable but is displaceable vertically downwards against spring loading.
A payout apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that the ratchet mechanism (40) includes a wheel (60) which rolls along an annular support surface (74).
A payout apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the supply means (12) are arranged to make payout deliveries in different directions so that, with movement of the ratchet mechanism (40) in either of said one or said opposite directions, payout occurs but not from all of the supply means (12).
A payout apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the supply means (12) are formed as tubes (16) arranged in a generally circular formation around a single central discharge (38), with one or more of the tubes (16) being replaceable as a result of the provision of respective releasable connections in the form of snap-in fasteners (84).