GB2323202A

GB2323202A - Coin dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2323202A
Application number: GB9705085A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Reginald Hallas Bell
Original assignee: Coin Controls Ltd
Current assignee: Crane Payment Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 1997-03-12
Filing date: 1997-03-12
Publication date: 1998-09-16
Also published as: GB9705085D0

Abstract

A coin dispenser comprises a rotary member including a plurality of coin receptacles, a coin outlet 18, a motor for rotating the rotary member past the outlet, an abutment member 23 against which a coin in a receptacle intially engages, and coin driving means operative on rotation of the rotary member to store potential energy as the result of the engagement of the coin with the abutment member and to release the stored energy so as to accelerate the coin out through the outlet when the coin is no longer engaged with the abutment member. The rotary disc preferably rotates in a circular recess having a side wall 7 and the underside of the rotary disc may include a plurality of curved vanes 14a which together with the side wall 7 define the receptacles, each vane including driving means in the form of a member 16 and an integrally formed spring 17 which stores the potential energy. Alternatively, the potential energy may be stored in a body of elastomeric material (30, Figure 7) or in a resiliently deformable mounting (33, Figure 8). Outlet rollers 19,20 may be provided adjacent outlet 18, roller 19 being biassed to help with ejection once the coin has passed it.

Description

Coin Dispenser This invention relates to coin dispensing apparatus and has particular but not exclusive application to hoppers for use with coin operated machines in order to dispense change or to pay out a prize.

Coin dispensing hoppers are well known and an example is described in our EP-A-0 266 021. The apparatus consists of a hopper that receives coins, for example from a coin validator and a rotary member in the form of a disc, that includes a plurality of radially disposed receptacles, which passes through the hopper so that coins are received in the receptacles. The disc rotates through a coin ejection station, when rotated by drive means in the form of an electric motor. Coins are ejected from the receptacles through an outlet. As a coin in one of the receptacles approaches the outlet, it abuts a spring loaded ejector member in the coin path, which is moved away from the outlet by the rotation of the disc, so that potential energy becomes stored in the spring.

When the coin becomes aligned with the outlet, the spring is released so as to eject the coin through the outlet. A modification is described in EP-AO 461 889 (Asahi Seiko), in which the spring loaded ejector member is mounted in the coin path, outboard of the disc to move in a path concentric with the axis of rotation of the disc.

The present invention provides an alternative, simpler way of producing coin ejection, for reducing shock to the drive of the rotary member resulting from coin ejection.

In accordance with the invention there is provided coin dispensing apparatus comprising a rotary member including a plurality of receptacles to receive coins, a coin ejection station, rotary drive means for rotating the member through the ejection station such that coins in the receptacles are ejected, an abutment member, past which the rotary member rotates and against which a coin in a said receptacle initially engages so as thereafter to be ejected from the receptacle as a result of the rotation of the rotary member through the coin ejection station, and coin driving means operative, on rotation of the rotary member, temporarily to store potential energy as a result of the engagement of the coin with the abutment member, and to release the stored energy so as to accelerate the coin away from the ejection station when the coin no longer is engaged with the abutment member, wherein the coin driving means releases the stored energy onto the coin from the rotary member.

In one embodiment of the invention, the coin driving means is configured to rotate with the rotary member. The coin driving means may include a first means to be rotated by the rotary drive means, second means operative to move relative to the first means in response to the temporary engagement of the coin with the abutment member, and resiliently deformable means to store the energy, coupled between the first and second means.

The first means may form part of the rotary member adjacent the receptacle, with the second means comprising a coin driving member at the perimeter of the receptacle, for driving a coin therein against the abutment member, and the resiliently deformable means may comprise a spring coupling between the coin driving member and the first means. The first and second means may be integrally formed e.g. by moulding.

In another embodiment, the first means comprises a drive shaft coupled to the rotary drive means, the second means comprises said rotary member, and the resiliently deformable means comprises a resilient drive coupling between the drive shaft and the rotary member. The resilient drive coupling may comprise a body of elastomeric material.

In a further embodiment, the coin driving means may comprise a resiliently deformable mounting for the rotary drive means, that is deformed to store energy as a result of the engagement with the coin with the abutment member, and to provide thereafter a rotary acceleration force to the rotary drive means when the coin is no longer constrained from ejection by its engagement with the abutment member such that the rotary member is driven to accelerate the coin away from the ejection station.

The abutment member may be mounted for limited movement relative to the body member on which the rotary member is mounted, for example to permit clearance of a coin jam.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a coin dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention, partially broken away to show the interior motor configuration; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the rotary disc shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the disc taken along line A-A' shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates how, according to a first embodiment of the invention, coins are ejected, Figures Sa - 5f, illustrating successive stages in the ejection process as a coin is moved by clockwise rotation of the disc; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a vane on the disc, taken along the line C-C' shown in Figure Sa; Figure 7 illustrates how a coin is ejected in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, Figures 7a - 7c illustrating sequential steps in the ejection process; and Figure 8 is a view of the motor mounting, in the direction D-D' shown in Figure 1, in order to illustrate a third embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the coin dispensing apparatus comprises a coin hopper that may be used in an amusement machine to pay out a prize, a vending machine such as a ticket machine, in order to provide change, or other coin handling applications. Coins, e.g. from a coin validator (not shown) feed in the direction of arrow IN into a hopper 1 that acts as a coin source. A rotary member in the form of a disc 2 is rotated in a clockwise direction (Figure 2) in the direction of arrows X, by rotary drive means comprising a low voltage electric motor 3 which, through a reduction gearbox 4, rotates a drive shaft 5 coupled to the disc. As shown in Figure 4, the disc 2 is mounted for rotation in a circular recess 6 having a circular side wall 7 and a flat, generally circular base 8, the recess being formed in a body member 9 that has a front face 10 opening into the hopper 1.

The disc 2 is mounted for rotation by means of a bearing 11, so that it can be rotated by means of shaft 5.

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the rotary disc 2 includes a number of through-holes 12 which receive coins from the hopper, so that they pass through the disc and lie against the back face 8 of the recess 6. A coin 13 is shown having passed through one of the holes 12 to the back face 8. It will however be understood that columns of coins will build up in the holes as explained in more detail in our EP-A-O 266 021 supra. As shown in Figure 5a, the underside of the rotary disc 2 includes a number of curved vanes 14, which together with the side wall 7 and the rear surface 8 of the recess 6, define receptacles to receive coins that pass through the holes 12 from the hopper 1. Receptacle 15 is shown containing the coin 13.

Each of the vanes 14 includes coin driving means shown in more detail in Figure 6. The coin driving means includes a coin driving member 16 at the perimeter of the recess 15 and an integrally formed, resiliently deformable spring 17 that is coupled to the vane 14.

As shown in Figures 1 and 5a, the device includes an outlet 18 through which coins are ejected. Outlet guide rollers 19 and 20 are disposed at opposite side edges of the outlet. The roller 19 is mounted on a shaft 21 that is slidably received in a slot 22 in the body member 9, for movement in the direction of arrow 0 and is biassed by a spring (not shown) inwardly of the outlet.

An abutment member in the form of a pin 23 is provided for directing coins from the receptacles in the disc 2, towards the outlet 18. As shown in Figure 4, the pin 23 is mounted in a recess 24 in the body member 9. The pin 23 is biassed by a spring 25 to protrude through the surface 8 so as to engage the edges of coins as they are rotated by the disc 2, and direct them to the outlet 18. A circular groove 26 is provided on the underside of the disc 2 in order to allow the vanes 14 to pass over the pin 23 as the disc rotates. The axial spring loading of the pin 23 allows clearance of a coin jam against the pin. The pin 23 is then driven by the jammed coin against the force of the spring 25 to retract into the recess 24, beneath the level of the surface 8, to allow the jammed coin to be rotated past the outlet 18 whilst remaining in a receptacle i.e. without being ejected, in order to clear the jam.

The manner in which the coin 13 is ejected will now be considered with reference to Figures 5a - f, which illustrate successive stages in the ejection process. Referring to Figure 5a, as the disc 2 is rotated in the direction of arrow X, the vane 14a sweeps coin 13 in recess 15 towards the outlet 18.

Referring to Figure 5b, as the coin 13 moves towards the outlet 18, it comes into abutment with the pin 23.

As shown in Figure 5c, upon continued rotation of the disc 2, the coin driving member 16 is urged towards the vane 14a so as to compress spring 17.

As a result, potential energy becomes progressively stored in the spring 16.

Also, the coin starts turning in the direction of arrow Y, whilst engaging the pin 23. As a result, the coin moves to a position in which it is no longer constrained by the pin 23, as shown in Figure 5d. Then, the energy stored in the spring 16 is released so as to accelerate the coin away from the vane 14a, towards the outlet 18, and out of the receptacle 15.

Referring to Figure 5e, the coin then encounters the guide rollers 19, 20. The roller 19 is pushed by the coin 13 from the position shown in dotted outline, away from the roller 20, so as to move its shaft 21 along the slot 22 against the force of the spring (not shown), to allow the coin 13 to be ejected through the outlet 18. The roller 19 then returns to its original position, ensuring a positive ejection of the coin and preventing it from spuriously reentering the receptacle 15.

As shown in Figure 5f, the disc 2 continues to rotate and the process is repeated for the next receptacle that approaches the outlet 18, which will contain the next coin (not shown) to be ejected.

A second embodiment of the invention, which comprises a modification of the first embodiment, will now be described with reference to Figure 7. In this embodiment, the coin driving means is constituted by a resiliently deformable bushing 27 which connects the shaft 5 to the rotary disc 2. In this embodiment, the spring loaded coin driving member 16 is not utilised. The bushing 27 consists of a hexagonal opening 28 at the axis of rotation 29 of the disc 2. The opening 29 is filled by a generally hexagonal elastomeric block 30 that contains a cylindrical axial opening 31 to receive the shaft 5. A keying pin 32 passes through a diametric hole in the shaft 5 into the elastomeric block 30 in order to key the shaft 5 into place.

Figure 7a illustrates the situation where the coin 13 has been moved into engagement with the abutment pin 23 and generally corresponds to the situation shown in Figure Sb for the previous embodiment. As the drive motor continues to rotate the shaft 5 a moment x is applied to the elastomeric block 30, as shown in Figure 7b. Momentarily, the disc 2 remains stationary, due to the abutment of coin 13 against the pin 23. However, the shaft 5 continues to rotate, as it is driven by the motor 3 (Figure 1) and the shaft turns through an angle a as shown in Figure 7b. Consequently, potential energy becomes stored in the elastomeric block 30.

Then as previously described, the coin 13 moves in the direction of arrow turning about the pin 23 so as to become released from its engagement with the pin.

As a result, the coin is driven through the outlet 18 as shown in Figure 7c, as the coin moves free of the pin 23. An acceleration force is imparted to the coin 13, due to the release of the stored energy from the elastomeric block 30.

The disc 2 moves rapidly in the direction of arrow X, so as to reduce the angle a to zero, as a result of the release of the stored energy from the block 24. The roller 19 moves away from roller 20 to allow the coin to be positively ejected from the outlet 18, as described previously with reference to Figure 5e.

A third embodiment of the invention will now be described in which the coin driving means is formed in themounting for the motor 3. Referring to Figure 1 and 8, the motor 3 is mounted in an annular resilient mounting 33 in a complimentary recess 34 formed in the body member 9. The resilient mounting 33 is typically made of rubber. The motor 3 is provided on its exterior casing with radially outwardly extending splines 35 that are received in corresponding slots 36 in the mounting 33. Similarly, the recess 34 is formed with radially inwardly extending splines 37 that fit into corresponding slots 38 in the mounting.

In use, the motor 3 drives the shaft 5 in the direction X. As a result, the motor casing will be subjea to a moment in the direction of arrow Z due to the usual reaction force of the motor. When the coin 13 is constrained by the pin 23, for example as shown in Figure 5b, or 7a, the moment in the direction of arrow Z in Figure 8 momentarily increases which results in rotation of the motor casing in the direction of arrow Z so that potential energy 6ecomes stored in the resilient mounting 33. When the coin 13 clears the pin 23, for example as shown in Figure 5d and 7c, the potential energy in the rubber member 33 is rapidly released, producing an acceleration force on the coin through the rotary member; the coin 13 is accelerated by being pushed outwardly by vane 14a.

It will be understood that any one of the described three examples of coin drivng means may be used in combination with either or both of the others, or separately. Many other modifications and variations within the scope of the invention are possible. In the first embodiment, different forms of coin driving member and associated spring can be provided. For example, the driving member may comprise a metal clip which is attached to the vane, so as to provide a metal spring with an integral coin driving member. In the second embodiment, an alternative to the elastomeric block, is to make the shaft 5 resiliently deformable so that it twists resiliently in the manner of a torsion rod when the coin 13 abuts the pin 23.

Also, the roller 19 may be mounted for limited movement, for example to relieve a coin jam e.g. in the manner described in GOA-2 185 341.

Alternatively or additionally, the roller 19 or 20 can operate a coin counting device, in order to count coins as they are ejected through the outlet 18.

The disc 2 is tolerant of a wide range of coin denominations but if necessary the disc can be made interchangeable with different diameters of through-hole 12 to extend the range of coin diameter (and hence denomination with which the apparatus may be used.

Whilst the receptacles are shown to have curved edges, which has the effect of throwing the coins radially outwardly, they could have straight edges or edges of other shapes where they engage the coins. Also, the abutment member need not comprise the pin 23 but could be a plate or other device for abutting coins temporarily as they approach the outlet.

Claims

1. Coin dispensing apparatus comprising: a rotary member including a plurality of receptacles to receive coins, a coin ejection station, rotary drive means for rotating the member through the ejection station such that coins in the receptacles are ejected, an abutment member, past which the rotary member rotates and against which a coin in a said receptacle initially engages so as thereafter to be ejeaed from the receptacle as a result of the rotation of the rotary member through the coin ejection station, and coin driving means operative, on rotation of the rotary member, temporarily to store potential energy as a result of the engagement of the coin with the abutment member, and to release the stored energy so as to accelerate the coin away from the ejection station when the coin is no longer engaged with the abutment member, wherein the coin driving means releases the stored energy onto the coin from the rotary member.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coin driving means is configured to rotate with the rotary member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the coin driving means includes a first means to be rotated by the rotary drive means, second means operative to move relative to the first means in response to the temporary engagement of the coin with the abutment member and resiliently deformable means to store said energy, coupling the first and second means

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the first means form part of the rotary member adjacent the recess, the second means comprises a coin driving member at the perimeter of the receptacle, for driving a coin therein against the abutment member, and the resiliently deformable means comprises a spring coupling the coin driving member to said part of the rotary member.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the first and second means are integrally formed.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the rotary member is made of plastics material and the first, second and resiliently deformable means are integrally moulded with the rotary member.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the first means and the resiliently deformable means are integrally formed.

8. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the first means comprises a drive shaft coupled to the rotary drive means, said second means comprises said rotary member, and said resiliently deformable means comprises a resilient drive coupling between the drive shaft and the rotary member.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the resilient drive coupling comprises a body of elastomeric material.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the coin driving means comprises a resiliently deformable mounting for the rotary drive means, that is deformed to store said energy as a result of the engagement of the coin with the abutment member, and thereafter to provide a rotary acceleration force to the rotary drive means when the coin is no longer constrained from ejection by its engagement with the abutment member, such that the rotary member is driven to accelerate the coin away from the ejection station.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 induding a body member on which the rotary drive means is mounted by the resiliently deformable mounting.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding daim wherein the rotary member is rotatably mounted on a body member, and the abutment member is mounted for limited movement relative to the body member.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said limited movement permits clearance of a coin jam.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including an outlet and an outlet roller for guiding a coin moving from the receptacle to the outlet

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 including coin counting means responsive to limited movement of the outlet roller as the coin is ejected from the receptacle.

16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the abutment member comprises a guide pin.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the rotary member comprises a disc with through-holes to permit coins to enter the receptacles.

18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including a hopper for receiving coins to be supplied into the receptacles.

19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the receptacles include curved side edges for engaging a coin therein such as to move the coin into said engagement with the abutment member as the disc rotates.

20. Coin dispensing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.