GB1297499A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1297499 Coin-freed apparatus COMPAGNIE INDUSTRIELLE DES TELECOMMUNICATIONS CIT-ALCATEL 22 Oct 1971 [23 Oct 1970] 49196/71 Heading G4V Coin-freed apparatus comprises a substantially horizontal turntable 1 from which inserted coins are centrifugally directed one at a time to a passage 15 leading to a coin path along which are situated respective coin validation devices for each type of coin, each device comprising a signal source and detector, for example 41, 42, and respective coin outlets 24, 25 and 26. In the embodiment described the signal source comprises an electromagnet 41 a coin being deemed authentic if its effect on the inductive coupling between the electromagnet and detector, a function if the diameter, thickness and material of the coin, lies within a certain range. The passage 15 is bounded by fixed inner and outer walls 13, 16 the inner wall having an opening 14 for passage of coins from the central coin receiving portion 12 to the peripheral passage 15. Coins received from the passage 15 are moved around the periphery of a stationary disc 2, past the validating devices, by means of a second turntable 3 rotating in the opposite sense to turntable 1 which has on elastic loop 32 on its underside for engaging the coins (see also Fig. 2, not shown). In a second embodiment (Fig. 5, not shown) the inner wall 13 is mounted eccentrically to the axis of the turntable, the opening 14 is adjacent the tangential portion 17 of the passage 15, photoelectric means (91), (92) are provided to sense overthick coins and actuate means for removing them, projections (93) are provided on the inner wall 13 to knock over any coins leaning against the wall and a brush (9) is provided to clean the first turntable's surface. Coins are directed from outlets 24 to 26 to respective temporary coin stores comprising pivoted plates (61), (62). The values of accepted coins are added in totalizer (55) and when the total reaches the amount set in element (56) a comparator (57) issues a signal to energize an electromagnet (72) which pivots plate (61) to direct the coins held in space (6) to the permanent coin store. If after the insertion of the final coin does not coincide with the required amount electromagnet (82) is energized to pivot plate (62) and return the inserted coins to the user. The apparatus is said to be particularly applicable to the collection of road tolls.