GB2224150A - Coin selector with anti-fraud means - Google Patents

Description

1 2 2 2 4 1 15, 0 COIN SELECTOR This invention refers to a coin selector

for automatic machines such as coin-operated game and vending machines.

is Both automatic vending and game machines have a coin selector which performs two functions: to detect the value of the coin introduced so as to generate the correct operating order for the machine, and to detect whether the coin introduced is a counterfeit or does not have the correct value or values for which the machine was designed; in other words, to detect whether or not the coin is valid for the purpose.

To perform these two functions, coin selectors have a series of devices with which to detect the value of the coin inserted and attempt to prevent fraud by the introduction of invalid coins.

Such devices are generally electrically operated and both they and the rest of the electronic equipment in the machine are permanently connected to the power supply, so giving rise to a continuous consumption of electrical power even though the machine is only in intermittent use.

Because the path of the coins inside the selector runs downwards, there is no risk of their backward motion, and the selectors therefore have no means of preventing the coin from being pulled back.

However, a valid coin can be placed in a selector suspended on a strong, flexible wire, so enabling the machine to be operated and the coin to 1 be withdrawn by pulling on the wire.

To prevent this possibility of fraud, Spanish Utility Model No. 280.131 discloses an antifraud device located immediately ahead of the selector input opening, which comprises two walls hinged on parallel pivots and set at a converging angle so that they meet at the bottom. The lower edges of the walls rest against each other in a closed position in which they are held by springs. When a coin is inserted, the walls part but then at once return to their closed position as soon as the coin has passed through, so that the latter can no longer be withdrawn.

The subject of this invention is a coin selector with an antifraud device of simple design and operation which is at the same time provided with means for activating the machine's electronic equipment only when a coin enters the selector.

The invention provides a coin selector comprising a coin input means leading to a coin path, the input means including two walls, one of which is pivotally mounted, the walls converging with each other and resting against each other in a closed position, insertion of a coin between the walls forcing the walls apart whereafter they close again after the coin has passed, wherein two photodiodes are provided facing each other, an arm is fixed to the said one wall and extends between the photodiodes, the arm having an aperture in alignment with the photodiodes when the walls are in the closed position, the arm interrupting the beam when the said one wall pivots away from the other wall, the selector being activated each time the aperture of 1 4 the arm is aligned with the photodiodes following interruption of the beam by the arm.

The entrance of the selector is fitted with devices which are permanently in the closed-circuit standby mode while the remainder of the machine's electronic equipment is disconnected. When the aforementioned devices detect the insertion of a coin, power is automatically supplied to the selector validation unit and to the electronic equipment in general.

This construction has two advantages: first, a considerable saving of electrical power since the electronic equipment is activated only when a coin is inserted into the selector, and second, there is greater antifraud security since, if a coin suspended on a wire is introduced, the electronic equipment will not be activated as the thickness of the wire will prevent the said one wall from closing completely with the result that the required alignment between the photodiodes and the arm aperture is not achieved and the machine's electronic equipment is therefore not energized.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are a front, side and rear elevations of a coin selector; Figure 4 is a plan view of the selector shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a detail showing a cross-section of an antifraud device located in front of the selector input opening; and - 4 is Figure 6 is a detail similar to the one in Figure 5 with the coin reception hopper in the completely closed position.

Figures 1 to 4 show a coin selector including a housing 1 with an opening at the top 2 for the insertion of coins, while the bottom 3 has an outlet opening. Between these openings, though not shown in the drawings, is the path along which the coins must run in front of detection devices intended to detect the value of the coin and its validity. The selector has a door 4 on one of the larger surfaces hinged on pivot 5, which can be opened to remove coins in case of a blockage.

on the top 2 of the selector, and immediately above the input opening, is placed a hopper 6 for receiving coins which is formed by two longitudinal walls, one vertical 7 and the other inclined 8 and able to pivot, which, as can more clearly be seen in Figures 5 and 6, lies in a transversally inclined position so that it converges with and rests on the lower edge of the fixed wall 7. The movable wall 8 rests in the closed position shown in Figure 6 under its own weight.

The movable wall 8 can turn on a horizontal pivot 9 on which the door is mounted by side lugs 10.

When a coin 11 is introduced, (see Figure 5) the movable wall 8 turns on its pivot 9 and its lower edge moves away from the fixed wall 7 so that the coin can enter. As soon as the coin 11 leaves the hopper 6, the movable wall 8 returns to its closed position shown in Figure 6.

i The hopper 6 has two photodiodes 13 facing each other, which are mounted on supports 14 secured to the fixed wall 7. Between these two photodiodes is interposed a curved arm 15 which is attached to the movable wall 8. The arm 15 has an aperture 16 which is aligned with the photodiodes 13 when the movable wall 8 is in the closed position (shown in Figure 6). When the wall 8 pivots into its open position and the arm 15 moves, the aperture 16 shifts out of alignment with the photodiodes 13, cutting off the beam between them.

The set of photodiodes 13 is designed to activate the selector's electronic equipment, which remains off until a coin is inserted.

Whenever a coin is inserted in the hopper 6, the displacement of the movable wall 8 interrupts the beam between the photodiodes 13, which is then re-established once the coin has passed through and the movable wall occupies the closed position shown in Figure 6. This change of position activates the selector's electronic equipment, which cuts out again on the expiry of a preset time.

Should a coin 11 attached to a wire 12 be inserted, as shown in Figure 5, once the coin has passed through the hopper 6 the thickness of the wire 12 prevents the movable wall 8 from returning completely to its rest position against the fixed wall 7. This means that the aperture 16 in the arm 15 will not move back into line with the photodiodes 13, with the result that the beam between the photodiodes remains interrupted, the electronic equipment will not be switched on and the machine will remain out of action.

The selector therefore performs two functions:

i) it acts as an antifraud device preventing the machine from being operated by the insertion of the genuine coins hung on a wire or similar agent for their attempted withdrawal once the machine is in operation and ii) it acts as a device for switching on the electronic equipment, which stays on open circuit as long as the machine is not used with a consequent considerable saving of energy.

Once a coin has been inserted, the electronic equipment can be switched off by a microswitch or a timer in the event of a blockage, so that the system does not remain energized over a prolonged period.

The set of photodiodes 13 may be mounted at opposite-points on the passage or route through the interior of the selector along which the coins must run. Such photodiodes would be located at the start of this passage. The photodiode beam would be interrupted by the inserted coin itself and would be restored once this had passed. The electronic equipment would be activated each time a coin was inserted.

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Claims (3)

1. A coin selector comprising a coin input means leading to a coin path, the input means including two walls, one of which is pivotally mounted, the walls converging with each other and resting against each other in a closed position, insertion of a coin between the walls forcing the walls apart whereafter they close again after the coin has passed, wherein two photodiodes are provided facing each other, an arm is fixed to the said one wall and extends between the photodiodes, the arm having an aperture in alignment with the photodiodes when the walls are in the closed position, the arm interrupting the beam when the said one wall pivots away from the other wall, the selector being activated each time the aperture of the arm is aligned with the photodiodes following interruption of the beam by the arm.
2. 2. A coin selector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said other wall is fixed in an upstanding position and the said one wall is urged into the closed position under its own weight.
3. 3. A coin selector substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

   Published 1990atTliePatentoffice, State House,66171 High Holbor,.,, London WClR4TP. Further copies maybe obtainedfrom The PatentofrLce. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1/87