GB2029064A - Coin mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin sensing mechanism for use in a coin-operated vending or amusement machine consisting of a coin transfer passage in the form of an inclined runway 10 formed of electrically conducting material and a leaf spring 14 mounted at one end on the mechanism adjacent to the runway and electrically isolated therefrom with the free end of the leaf spring extending in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of a coin 12 down the runway so that an angled portion of the free end 16 of the leaf spring contacts the periphery of a coin rolling down the runway to make an electrical connection between the spring and the runway. This electrical connection energises a relay 22 which is held in its energised condition by a capacitor 24 and holding a contact 26 connected across the relay, to allow time for the coin to operate the vending or amusement machine whilst the relay is still in its energised state. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvement in or relating to coin sensing mechanisms This invention relates to coin sensing mechanisms and more particularly but not exclusively to coin sensing mechanisms for use in coin-operated vending or amusement machines.

In a coin-operated vending or amusement machine, a coin is inserted in a coin sensing mechanism and after the mechanism has carried out certain measuring operations to attempt to ensure that the correct coin has been inserted, the mechanism than transmits a signal to operate the vending or amusement machine.

It is usual for the coin sensing mechanism to carry out measuring operations on a coin inserted therein to ascertain whether, for example, (a) the diameter of the coin falls within predetermined limits, (b) the coin exceeds a predetermined weight, (c) the thickness of the coin falls within predetermined limits and (d) the coin is made of the correct material.

The measuring operation to attempt to ensure that the inserted coin is formed of the correct material may comprise allowing the coin to roll down a sloping runway so that the rolling coin passes through a magnetic field.

The speed of rolling of the coin is affected by the passage of the coin through the magnetic field and unless the speed of rolling of the coin falls within predetermined limits the coin is rejected.

Although the above measuring operations are normally sufficient to enable the usual type of coin sensing mechanism to reject a counterfeit coin and prevent the machine being operated thereby it has been found that certain modifications can be made to existing coins to enable an incorrect coin to pass through the coin sensing mechanism without being rejected thereby.

One particular modification is to wind adhesive tape formed of electrically non-conducting material around the periphery of, for example, a ten piece coin to increase the diameter thereof and enable a modified ten pence coin to operate a machine having a coin sensing mechanism which is adapted to only accept fifty pence coins.

The object of this invention is to provide a coin sensing mechanism which is capable of rejecting coins which have been modified in the manner described above.

According to this invention, a coin sensing mechanism for use in coin-operated vending or amusement machines comprises a coin transfer passage formed of electrically conducting material and an electrical contact arm mounted adjacent to, but insulated from, the coin transfer passage wherein the contact arm is adapted to contact the periphery of a coin passing down the transfer passage so that the coin forms an electrical connection therebetween.

Preferably, the contact arm comprises a leaf spring. Preferably, also, the leaf spring is secured at one end to a mechanism and extends therefrom in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the coin along the transfer passage. The free end of the leaf spring is, preferably, provided with an end portion which is adapted to contact the periphery of the coin at an acute angle.

Preferably, the contact arm is connected to one side of a relay coil, the opposite side of the relay coil is connected to one terminal of an electrical supply and the transfer passage is connected to the other terminal of the electrical supply so that when the coin forms the electrical connection therebetween the relay is energised. Preferably, also, a capacitor and a first normally open relay contact are connected in series across the coil of the relay so that when the relay is energised, the relay remains energised for a predetermined time which is sufficient for the coin to pass through the mechanism and actuate the machine.

A further electrical switch is, preferably, connected in series with a second normally open relay contact so that the machine is arranged to only operate when an electrical circuit is provided therethrough by the coin actuating the switch.

A preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of part of a coin sensing mechanism; and Figure 2 is an electrical circuit diagram of part of the coin sensing mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, a coin sensing mechanism for use in a coin-operated vending or amusement machine (not shown) includes a coin transfer passage comprising an inclined runway 10 formed of electrically conducting material. The runway 10 is inclined at an angle of approximately fifteen degrees to the horizontal so that when a coin 1 2 is placed on edge thereon, the coin 1 2 rolls down the runway 1 0.

An electrical contact arm in the form of a leaf spring 14 is mounted at one end on the mechanism adjacent to the runway 10 but is electically isolated from the runway 10. The leaf spring 14 extends in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the coin 1 2 down the runway 10 and the free end of the spring 1 4 has an angled end portion 1 6 which contacts the periphery of a coin 1 2 rolling down the runway 10 at an acute angle.

The passage of the coin 1 2 past the electrical contact arm only produces an electrical connection between the spring 1 2 and the runway 10 if the coin 10 is formed of electrically conducting material. If the periphery of the coin 10 has adhesive tape wound therearound to increase the diameter of the coin 10, then provided the adhesive tape is not capable of conducting electricity, no electrical connection is made between the spring 1 2 and the runway 1 0.

In addition, by providing the spring 14 with an angled end portion 1 6 which contacts the periphery of the coin 1 2 at an acute angle, the spring 14 can also be used to sense if the periphery of the coin 1 2 has a milled edge as the speed of rolling of the coin 1 2 down the runway 10 will be reduced by the spring 14 to a greater extent if the coin 1 2 has a milled edge than if the coin has a plane edge. This change of speed of the coin 1 2 can therefore also be utilised to identify acceptable coins.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the runway 10 is connected to a negative or earth terminal 1 8 of a direct current electrical supply and a positive terminal 20 thereof is connected to one side of a relay coil 22. The opposite side of the relay coil 22 is connected to the spring 14 so that the relay coil 22 is energised when the coin 1 2 rolling down the runway 10 makes an electrical connection with the spring 14.

A capacitor 24 is connected in series with a changeover contact 26 of the relay 22 across the coil thereof so that when the relay 22 is energised it is held energised for a period of time whilst the charge in the capacitor 24 discharges through the coil of the relay 22.

The normally closed contact of the changeover contact 26 is connected to a normally open switch 28 in a resistor 27. The switch 28 is mounted on the coin sensing mechanism at a point where the coin 1 2 can close the switch 28 after passing through the coin sensing mechanism. One side of the switch 28 is connected via a normally open contact 30 of the relay 22 to the negative or earth terminal 1 8 and the opposite side of the switch 28 is connected to a terminal 32 so that connection thereof to the terminal 1 8 causes operation of the machine.

The sizes of the capacitor 24 and the resistor 27 are arranged to ensure that the relay 22 remains energised for an adequate period of time to enable the coin 1 2 to move from the position where it contacts the spring 14 to the position where it actuates the switch 28 and operates the machine whilst the contact 30 of the relay 22 remains closed.

It will be appreciated that although the invention has been referred to above as a coin sensing mechanism, the mechanism is clearly suitable for use with not only coins but also tokens formed of electrically conducting material.

Claims (8)

1. A coin sensing mechanism for use in coin-operated vending or amusement machines comprising a coin transfer passage formed of electrically conducting material and an electrical contact arm mounted adjacent to, but insulated from, the coin transfer passage, wherein the contact arm is adapted to contact the periphery of a coin passing down the transfer passage so that the coin forms an electrical connection therebetween.

2. A coin sensing mechanism according to Claim 1, wherein the contact arm comprises a leaf spring.

3. A coin sensing mechanism according to Claim 2, wherein the leaf spring is secured at one end to the mechanism and extends therefrom in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the coin along the transfer passage.

4. A coin sensing mechanism according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the free end of the leaf spring is provided with an end portion which is adapted to contact the periphery of the coin at an acute angle.

5. A coin sensing mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact arm is connected to one side of a relay coil, the opposite side of the relay coil is connected to one terminal of an electrical supply and the transfer passage is connected to the other terminal of the electrical supply so that when the coin forms the electrical connection therebetween the relay is energised.

6. A coin sensing mechanism according to Claim 5, wherein a capacitor and a first normally open relay contact are connected in series across the coil of the relay so that when the relay is energised, the relay remains energised for a predetermined time which is sufficient for the coin to pass through the mechanism and actuate the machine.

7. A coin sensing mechanism according to Claim 6, wherein a further electrical switch is connected in series with a second normally open relay contact to that the machine is arranged to only operate when an electrical circuit is provided therethrough by the coin actuating the switch.

8. A coin sensing mechanism constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.