GB143609A - Improvements in or relating to coin sorting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

143,609. Purser, J. E. Feb. 24, 1919. Coins, separating and sorting.-Coins are fed into a hopper c formed at the upper part of au inclined plate f upon which are arranged a series of parallel inclined runways g<1> - - g<4> of a height equal to, or slightly less than, the thinnest coin to be employed. Thus if the coins enter the apparatus singly, they are arrested by the first runway ; but in the event of two or more coins resting on one another, the bottom coin is arrested by the first runway, while the other coin or coins shoot over into the next runway or runways. Each runway is provided with apertures i of successively increasing size corresponding to the various coins, and on a plate k arranged below the plate f is arranged a series of channels j, one for each set of similarly-sized apertures i, apertures of the same size being arranged in the same vertical plane. Each channel j ends in an inclined portion leading to an aperture j<1> below which is mounted a coin tube l into which the coin passes. Apertures j<2> are provided near the bottom of each channel j of a width slightly less than that of the coins normally sliding down the said channel, so that smaller coins which have accidentally passed into that channel may drop into a drawer m, whence they may be re-introduced into the hopper, or sorted by hand. Each coin tube is arranged so that the lowermost coin may be withdrawn through a slot l<4> by the finger. Each tube has a rectangular flange l<2> one side of which rests against the front wall of the apparatus. The tubes are held between the plate k and a flange n through which the lower ends of the tubes pass. The plate k, together with the plate f and a glazed covering-frame p, may be previously turned with their withdrawal slots facing the front wall of the apparatus to prevent abstraction of money while so locked. An extension k<2> of the plate k constitutes a tray for the reception of coins which shoot over the tops of the tubes when these are full. A rack o or a drawer may be provided in the body of the apparatus to receive the coin tubes when full and to hold spare tubes. Means may be provided to agitate the plates f, k. A stop r, or a ledge, on which the plates rest, prevents variation of the slope of the plates due to wear of the hinges on which the plates are mounted.