GB2214683A

GB2214683A - Apparatus for sorting coins

Info

Publication number: GB2214683A
Application number: GB8901623A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Anthony Lehmans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-01-27
Filing date: 1989-01-25
Publication date: 1989-09-06
Also published as: GB8901623D0; GB8801834D0

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for sorting coins, which apparatus (2) comprises a plurality of containers (4) and vibrator means (6), the containers (4) being arranged one on top of each other, the containers (4) above the lowermost container each being provided with a plurality of apertures (8) through which coins are able to drop, the apertures (8) in the containers (4) being progressively smaller from the uppermost container and the apparatus (2) being such that vibration of the containers (4) above the lowermost container causes the coins to drop through the containers (4) such that different containers (4) retain coins of different sizes. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR SORTING COINS This invention relates to apparatus for sorting coins.

There are many types of coin operated machines currently in use. For example, there are ticket machines, vending machines and amusement machines. These machines accept coins of various monetary denominations and the machines may have over 200 of mixed coins in their storage containers. The sorting of these coins can present something of a problem. Electronic coin sorters which operate using centrifugal force are known but these coin sorters are very expensive to produce.

These coin sorters are thus not in general use and, many branches of industry sort coins by hand. This is time consuming and expensive in terms of the personnel requir, to effect the sorting.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, this invention provides apparatus for sorting coins, which apparatus comprises a plurality of containers and vibrator means, the containers being arranged one on top of each other, the containers above the lowermost container each being provided with a plurality of apertures through which coins are able to drop, the apertures in the containers being progressively smaller from the uppermost container, and the apparatus being such that vibration of the container above the lowermost container causes the coins to drop through the containers such that different containers retain coins of different sizes.

The apparatus is thus able to operate using a simple combination of vibration and gravity. The apparatus can thus be easily and inexpensively produced. The vibration caused by the vibrator means vibrates the retained coins which would obstruct or block the apertures. The vibration moves these retained coins to allow the smaller coins simply and easily to fall under gravity through the apertures.

Usually, the vibrator means will be mounted such that all the containers are vibrated.

Usually, each container will have apertures of only one size.

The apertures in each container will usually be fractionally smaller than the size of the coins that are to be retained in that container.

The apparatus may be one in which the containers are mounted in a frame or a housing, and in which the containers are slideable in and out of the frame or the housing in order to facilitate emptying of the containers. Other means may be employed for emptying the containers, for example removing the containers one by one from the stack of the containers.

Preferably, the containers have gripper means for enabling the containers to be pushed, pulled or carried.

The gripper means may be a gripper lip formed in the containers. Alternatively, the gripper means may be a handle.

The containers are preferably in the form of trays.

Preferably, the containers are rectangular. Containers of other shapes such for example as circular containers may be employed. The rectangular containers generally give a greater area for the apertures. The greater the size of the containers and the greater the number of the aperture, then the faster the coins are sorted.

When the containers are in the form of trays, then tie trays may have a front chute portion for facilitating emptying of the coins.

Advantageously, the containers are such that an operator cannot place them in the wrong order. Thus the containers are preferably such that an operator is constrained to place the container with the largest apertures at the top and the subsequent containers in the correct order of descending aperture sizes.

Preferably, the vibrator means includes an electric motor.

The electric motor may drive a cam which operates on a motion transfer member to cause the containers to vibrate.

The motion transfer member may be a vertical rod. Such vibration caused by the cam will usually be an up and down vibratory motion.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be one in which the containers are mounted on resilient mounting means, and in which the electric motor drives at least one eccentric weight, whereby the containers are caused to be vibrated.

The resilient mounting means may be a rubber diaphragm.

Preferably, there are two of the eccentric weights.

The apparatus may be one in which the electric motor has a pair of aligned spindles, and in which one of the eccentric weights is mounted on each spindle.

Vibration of the containers using the eccentric weight or weights will usually be mainly side to side vibration.

Other types of vibrator means may be employed, foX example a hammer device. Generally, any type of vibration can be employed. Thus the vibration may be up and down and/or side to side. The amplitude and frequency of the vibration may be varied as desired to give optimum coin sorting.

If desired, a separate up and down movement may be employed to bounce the coins. This up and down movement may be done continuously or periodically. Bouncing of the coins, for example done as part of the normal vibration or as an assistance to the normal vibration, may be advantageous for shaking those coins which are overlying each other and/or are overlying the apertures. Such shaking or bouncing of the coins may help to keep the apertures clear.

The apparatus is preferably such that it is portable and/or desk top mountable. If desired however the apparatus may be produced to be larger so that it is a floor standing apparatus which may be fixed in position if desired.

For portable apparatus that is able to be desk mounted, them the containers may be in the form of trays which are 12-1LF inches long, 8-10 inches wide and 1 inch deep (30-36cm long, 20-26cm wide and 2.5cm deep).

The containers are preferably made of a plastics material. The plastics material may be a high quality moulded plastics material or it may be a cheaper vacuum moulded plastics material. The containers may alternatively be made of sheet metal. The frame or housing may be made of a plastics material or a metal as may be desired.

The containers may be employed in various numbers commensurate.with the number of different monetary value denomination coins that have to be sorted. In Great Britain, all coins are different with the largest coin being fifty pence and the smallest coin being one pence. To sort all the coins of the United Kingdom, seven containers will normally be required. This is becau-se although there is a two pound coin, this is not in general use. Vending machines and coin operated machines usually only operate on one pound, fifty pence, twenty pence and ten pence coins.

In this case, only four containers will be required. For sorting coins in foreign countries, more or less containers may be required depending upon the coins of the particular foreign country. If more coins are introduced in any country, then more containers can be employed. If the coil.

in any country are changed in shape or size, then the containers can be appropriately varied to have appropriate apertures for the coins.

If desired, the apparatus can also be used for courlti coins. Then some form of coin counting means will uuly be required in the apparatus.

In the cash handling industry, coin cash is often sorted and counted periodically throughout the day, and also generally at the close of business. The present apparatus is ideally suited for such short operation work.

For continuous sorting and counting of coin cash, then the apparatus of the invention may be produced larger and more robust.

The apertures will usually be in the bottom of the containers and, as indicated above, the containers will usually be trays. If desired, the containers may be connected to a storage facility, for example to separate storage containers.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of first apparatus for sorting coins; Figure 2 is a side view, partially in cross section, of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of second apparatus for sorting coins; Figure 4 is a side view, partially in cross section, of the apparatus shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a first type of container and which is of the type used in the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 shows a second type of container; Figure 7 is a plan view of a third type of container; Figure 8 is a cross section through a fourth type of container; Figure 9 shows an alternative means of mounting the containers to obtain vibration; and Figure 10 illustrates how the apparatus for sorting coins may be produced in the form of a cabinet.

In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown apparatus 2 for sorting coins. The apparatus 2 comprises a plurality of containers 4 and vibrator means 6. The containers 4 are arranged one on top of each other as shown. The containers 4 above the lowermost container 4 are each provided with a plurality of apertures 8 through which coins are able to drop. The apertures 8 in the containers 4 are progessively smaller from the uppermost container 4. The apparatus 2 is such that vibration of the containers 4 above the lowermost container 4 causes the coins to drop through the containers 4 such that different containers 4 retain coins of different sizes.

The vibrator means 6 is mounted underneath the stackec containers 4 and it thus vibrates all of the containers 4.

Each container 4 has apertures 8 of only one size. These apertures 8 are fractionally smaller than the size of the coins that are to be retained in that container 4.

The containers 4 are mounted in a frame 10 which comprises vertical posts 12 and horizontal extending arms 14.

The containers 4 are slideable in and out along the arms 14 in order to facilitate emptying of the containers 4.

The containers 4 have moulded lips 60 which form gripper means and which enables the containers 4 to be pushed, pulled or carried. The containers 4 are rectangular containers.

The vibrator means 6 includes an electric motor 18.

The electric motor 18 has a shaft 20 on which is mounted a cam 22. The motor 18 thus drives the cam 22. The cam 22 makes physical contact with the end of the post 12 which is on the far left hand side as viewed in Figure 2.

This post 12 is thus caused to vibrate up and down as indicated by the arrow 24. Since the post 12 is part of the frame 10, the frame 10 and therefore the containers 4 vibrate up and down.

The vibrator means 6 is housed in a housing 26 from which the posts 12 extend vertically. The housing 26 is provided with feet 28 for mounting the apparatus 2 on a desk top or other appropriate surface. The housing 26 may be provided with an ON/OFF button 30 and an indicator light 32, for example for indicating when the apparatus 2 is operating or when electric current is being passed to the electric motor 18.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown second apparatus 2 for sorting coins. For simplicity of comparison and understanding, similar parts as in Figures 1 and 2 have been given the same reference numerals and their precise construction and operation. will not again be given.

In Figures 3 and 4, the posts 12 are cranked as shown.

The arms 14 are angle members as shown whereas in Figures 1 and 2 the arms 14 are rods. As can be seen from Figure 4, the electric motor 18 has two shafts 20 and an eccentric weight 34 is mounted at the end of each shaft 20. The cam 22 is thus not employed. In the apparatus 2 shown in Figures 3 and 4, vibration is effected by the two eccentric weights 34. If desired, only one eccentric weight 34 need be employed. The vibration from the electric motor 18 and the two eccentric weights 34 is transmitted to a pair of mounting plates 36 > 38 which clamp between them resilient mounting means in the form of a rubber diaphragm 40. The diaphragm 40 is mounted as shown around its periphery to the housing 26.

Thus vibration of the electric motor 18 and the eccentric weights 34 is transmitted to the mounting plates 36,38 which is in turn transmitted to the diaphragm 40. The posts 12 are mounted to the diaphragm 40 as shown so tha' the posts 12 and therefore the entire frame 10 and the containers 4 vibrate. The diaphragm 40 advantageously Isolates the lower part of the housing 4 from the vibration so that the vibration is not transmitted to a desk top or other mounting surface for the apparatus 2.

Referring now to Figure 5, one of the containers 4 is shown in more detail. The apertures 8 can more clearly be seen. The apertures 8 are arranged in four triangular sets as shown, separated by crossbar portions 42.

The illustrated arrangement of the apertures 8 and the crossbar portions 42 facilitates effective and efficient coin sorting with the overlapping of coins being reduced.

As can be seen from Figure 5, the container 4 is in the form of a tray.

Referring now to Figure 6, it will be seen that there is shown another container 4 which is in the form of a tray and it is like the container 4 shown in Figure 5 except that in Figure 6 the container 4 is provided with a front chute portion 44 for facilitating emptying of the coins in the container 4. In Figure 6, the pattern of apertures in the base of the container 4 is basically the same as in Figure 5.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a container in the form of a circular tray. The pattern of the aperture 8 is as shown, the apertures 8 only being shown in one portion of the container 4 for ease of illustration. In Figure 7, all of the containers 4 are mounted on a central spindle 46. This spindle 46 may be vibrated by the vibration arrangement shown in either Figures 1 and 2 or in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 8 shows a container 4 which is like the container 4 shown in Figure 7. In Figure 8, the container 4 has an undulating base 48. The peaks and troughs of this base 48 may be effective to promote good coin sorting through the apertures 8.

Figure 9 illustrates a container 4 mounted on a central spigot 46. The container 4 may be rectangular or circular. The spigot 46 is mounted on a spring base 50. The spring base 50 is formed by a pair of mounting plates 36, 38 which are separated by a spring 52.

Figure 10 shows a plurality of the containers 4 arranged in a frame 10 such that the overall apparatus 2 gives the impression of a cabinet. The bottom part 54 of the apparatus 2 shown in Figure 10 may contain more of thc containers 4 or it may house vibrator means 6, for examp] in a housing 26. The containers 4 shown in Figure lO haz gripper means in the form of handles 56.

The apparatus 2 may be made from plastics and/or me;;.ls.

Various numbers of containers 4 may be employed depending upon the number of different denomination coins to be sorted. The vibration afforded by the vibrator means 6 enables the coins efficiently and easily to be sorted.

The apparatus may include coin counting means if desired. The base of the containers 4 may have a contour for allowing a small rise and fall of retained coins to flow outwards and inwards during the vibration or agitation.

The base of the containers 4 may thus be formed with a dip half way between the outer rim and the centre of the containers, to allow the coins to move and flow in a desired formation to assist and allow trapped smaller sized coins to fall through the apertures 8 to their appropriate containers 4. The containers 4 may be arranged to be interchangaole so that L-hey can be standardised.

The bottom rims and the top rims of the containers may press fit together. A universal clasp or catch may be fitted to secure the containers 4 to each other. Advantageously the containers 4 and/or the frame 10 are produced such that the containers 4 can always be fitted by personnel in the correct order, i.e. with the container having the largest aperture 8 at the top. Other types of vibrator means 6 may be emplozit- such for example as a hammer device. Separate bouncing means may be employed for shaking the coins. The apparatus 2 can be produced to be larger than shown, for example if it is desired to be mounted on a floor. The containers 4 can easily be replaced with containers 4 having different tes of apertures 8 if different shapes of currency are introduced.

The lowermost container 4 does not have any apertures 8.

The present invention also extends to the features described in my earlier patent application from which priority is claimed, these features being taken separately or in any combination.

Claims

1. Apparatus for sorting coins, which apparatus comprises a plurality of containers and vibrator means, the containers being arranged one on top of each other, the containers above the lowermost container each being provided with a plurality of apertures through which coins are able to drop, the apertures in the containers being progessively smaller from the uppermost container, and the apertures being such that vibration of the containers above the lowermost container causes the coins to drop through the containers such that different containers retain coins of different sizes.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the vibrator means is mounted such that all the containers are vibrated.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which each container has apertures of only one size.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the apertures in each container are fractionally smaller than the size of the coins that are to be retained in the container.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the containers are mounted in a frame or housing, and in which the containers are slideable in and out of the frame or the housing in order two facilitate emptying of the containers.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the containers have gripper means for enabling the containers to be pushed, pulled or carried.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the gripper means is a gripper lip formed in the containers or is a handle.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the containers are in the form of trays.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the trays slave a front chute portion for facilitating emptying of the coins.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the vibrator means includes an electric motor.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the electric motor drives a cam which operates on a motion transfer member to cause the containers to vibrate.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the container are mounted on resilient mounting means, and in which the electric motor drives at least one eccentric weight, whereby the containers are caused to be vibrated.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the resilient mounting means is a rubber diaphragm.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13 in which there are two of the eccentric weights.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 in which the electric motor has a pair of aligned spindles, and in which one of the eccentric weights is mounted on each spindle.

16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and which is portable/desk top mountable.

17. Apparatus for sorting coins, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings