GB2515516A - A coin transport mechanism - Google Patents

A coin transport mechanism Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2515516A
GB2515516A GB1311322.0A GB201311322A GB2515516A GB 2515516 A GB2515516 A GB 2515516A GB 201311322 A GB201311322 A GB 201311322A GB 2515516 A GB2515516 A GB 2515516A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
coin
rotor
transport mechanism
path
hopper
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1311322.0A
Other versions
GB2515516B (en
GB201311322D0 (en
Inventor
Martin Sackfield
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Innovative Technology Ltd
Original Assignee
Innovative Technology Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Innovative Technology Ltd filed Critical Innovative Technology Ltd
Priority to GB1311322.0A priority Critical patent/GB2515516B/en
Publication of GB201311322D0 publication Critical patent/GB201311322D0/en
Priority to ES14167903T priority patent/ES2751666T3/en
Priority to EP14167903.5A priority patent/EP2819105B1/en
Priority to US14/277,353 priority patent/US9189906B2/en
Priority to CN201410293500.9A priority patent/CN104252729B/en
Publication of GB2515516A publication Critical patent/GB2515516A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2515516B publication Critical patent/GB2515516B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07DHANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D9/00Counting coins; Handling of coins not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G07D9/008Feeding coins from bulk
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07DHANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D3/00Sorting a mixed bulk of coins into denominations
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07DHANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D3/00Sorting a mixed bulk of coins into denominations
    • G07D3/14Apparatus driven under control of coin-sensing elements

Abstract

A coin transport mechanism comprises: a first coin rotor 2 including at least one coin receptacle 3 for receiving a coin and a second coin rotor 4 including at least one coin receptacle 5, the second coin rotor disposed proximal to the first coin rotor. The first coin rotor is non-coplanar with the second coin rotor and is associated with a gated coin aperture. The second coin rotor is adapted to transport coins from a coin hopper to the first coin rotor. The first coin rotor preferably also has radial arms 6 which serve to transport coins, which pass from the coin receptacles 3 through the gated coin aperture, along an outer circumferential coin path, past a coin sensor. If a coin is determined to be authentic, then it may be passed to coin storage via either a trapdoor or ejector 12. If a coin is not authentic, then it can be returned via return slot 11. Coins can also be fed from the hopper containing mixed coins via the second coin rotor to the first rotor. If the coin is required to be paid out, as determined using the sensor, then the coin can be transferred to the return slot.

Description

A Coin Transport Mechanism The present invention relates to a mechanism or apparatus for the transportation arid distribution of tokens or discoid objects. Specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a coin ftzmsport mechanism for a coin hopper or the like.
Various types of coin hopper are known in the art, and coin hoppers have many applications. Coin hoppers are often installed in gaming machines for the collection and holding of coins received from users of the machine. Generally, the bulk coins held in a coin hopper constitute a supply of coins for the purpose of payout.
Typically, the gaming machine coin insertion slot is positioned at eye-lev& and the coin hopper is disposed at a lower level within the gaming machine. Coins input via the insertion slot are gravity-fed to a receiving compartment where they are separated into individual coins and a determination of their authenticity is made using standard techniques.
Once a coin is determined to be authentic it is generally stored either in the coin hopper or within a larger storage container for future collection.
When a payout procedure is initiated, the requisite coins for payout need to be transferred from the hopper to a payout receptacle from where the coins can be collected by the payee. Conventionally, the payout receptacle is at a position lower than the coin hopper so that the action of payout is predominantly powered by gravity. However, this creates a problem in that the combination of the coin input channel and the coin output channel occupies a significant amount of the internal space of the gaming machine that could be belier utilised by other devices that add to the functionality, and hence attractiveness, of the gaming machine.
A conventional solution to the above mentioned problem is to locate the payout receptacle proximal to the coin insertion slot so that the amount of internal space occupied by coin conduits is minimised. However, this approach leads to an increase h-i the complexity arid cost of the gaming machine since it requires that a mechanical frarisport means is employed to fransport the coins against gravity from the coin hopper to the payout receptacle. Typical mechanical transport means include a conveyor belt system or paternoster-type device, but either of these conventional approaches does not minimise space usage since a significant volume of the infernal capacity of the gaming machine is still required to house the transport means.
The present invention arose from an attempt to address some or all of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a coin transport mechanism as defined in claim 1.
Preferably, the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor are mounted on a common inclined support structure with the first coin rotor positioned above the second coin rotor. Advantageously, this enables coins to be raised from the coin hopper by operation of two substantially identical rotors disposed proximal to one another.
Consequently, the volume of space required for the mechanism is minimised.
Preferably, the common support stmcture is integral to a base section of the coin hopper, and the first coin rotor is housed within a coin receiving compartment disposed within the coin hopper. The coin receiving compartment includes an aperture communicating with the second coin rotor.
Advantageously, the first coin rotor includes a plurality of radially projecting arm members which upon rotation of the first coin rotor ftaverse a substantially circular coin path disposed circumferentially of the first coin rotor. Consequently, a coin expelled from the gated coin aperture is urged to traverses the circular coin path by one of the plurality of radially projecting arm members.
In an alternative embodiment the circular coin path includes: a retractable coin ejector that is operable to eject passing coins out of the circJar coin path to fall under gravity into the coin hopper; a solenoid activated trap door communicating with a coin storage container; and at least one diverter member for guiding a coin from the substantially circular coin path to a coin output path.
Preferably, a section of the substantially circular coin path traverses a coin sensor module adapted to provide signals indicative of coin characteristics, and another section of the coin path is disposed beneath the second coin rotor.
Preferably, the substantially circular coin path and the coin output path are disposed beneath the common support structure, and a section of the coin path coincident with the retractable coin ejector is exposed through the common support structure.
In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the first coin rotor is substantially equal to the diameter of the second coin rotor, and both rotors include a plurality of coin receptacles and both are operably interconnected via a gearing train.
Advantageously, the gearing train is driven by a single motor, and the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor can be driven separately or together via operation of an adjustable gear wheel moveable between a first position in which only the first coin rotor rotates, a second position in which only the second coin rotor rotates, and a third position in which both the first and the second coin rotors rotate.
Preferably, both the first coin rotor arid the second coin rotor include coin diverter means comprising at least one projection adapted to urge a coin radially outward.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a coin transport method as defined in claim 26.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a coin transport mechanism of the present invenhon; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the first coin rotor with the top surface of the support sftucture removed; Figure 3 shows an elevation view of the first coin rotor of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in Figure 3; Figures 5A to 5C show the ejection of a coin from the ftarisport mechanism; Figure 6 shows a schematic partial view of the first and second coin rotors; Figure 7 shows a coin handling apparatus incorporating a coin transport mechanism of the present invention; Figure 8 shows an elevation view of a coin transport gear train; and Figure 9 shows a plan view of the gear train of Figure 8.
With reference to Figure 1, a coin transport mechanism 1 of the present invention comprises a first coin rotor 2 and a second coin rotor 4 mounted on a common support structure 45.
The first coin rotor 2 includes a plurality of coin receptacles 3 and, correspondingly, the second coin rotor 4 includes a plurality of coin receptacles 5. Both the first coin rotor 2 and the second coin rotor 4 are substantially the same as that which is described in WO-A-2006/079803, with the exception that the second coin rotor 4 does not include the singulator arrangement, whereas the first coin rotor 2 does include a gated singulator arrangement (not shown).
Disposed beneath the top surface 46 of the support structure 45, arid shown in broken line in Figure 1, are circular coin path 7, coin output path 11, and radially projecting arm members 6.
As shown in Figure 1 (see also Figures 5A to SC), a coin ejector 12 is positioned hi the circular coin path 7 at a position corresponding to an opening 47 in the top surface 46 of the support structure 45. Also shown is a deflection member 13 that protrudes from the top surface 46 of the support structure 45 in a direction that is out of the plane of the top surface 46.
The coin ejector 12 is actuated by a solenoid (not shown) in response to coin sensor signals.
With reference to Figure 2, removal of the top surface 46 of the support structure reveals the generally circular coin path 7 leading, in an anticlockwise direction, to a coin output path 11. Also shown is a plurality of arm members 6 projecting radially from the central hub of the first coin rotor 2.
The circular coin path 7 traverses a coin sensor unit 8, the coin ejector 12, and a solenoid actuated trap door 9 positioned before coin diverter 10 and the coin output path 11. The hap door 9 opens into a coin storage container 50 (see Figure 7), and the coin output path 11 leads to a coin output receptacle (not shown).
The coin diverter 10 comprises a plurality of rib portions forming an arcuate guide member for directing coins from the circular coin path 7 to the coin output path 11.
Figure 3 shows an elevation view of the first coin rotor 2 of Figure 2. As can be seen, the coin receptacles 3 extend from the top surface of the rotor to the underside surface such that more than one coin can be held within a receptacle at any given time. The radially projecting arm members 6 extend in the vertical direction a distance that is slightly greater than, or substantially equal to, the thickness of the largest coin the coin mechanism is adapted to accept. However, it should be noted that the mechanism can be adapted to accept a variety of coin types and denominations.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in Figure 3. As shown, the underside of each arm member 6 includes a plurality of rib portions 14 that extend radially between an edge proximal to a coin path inner wall 23 and an edge proximal to a coin path outer wall 22. The rib portions 14 depend from each arm member to form a crenelated structure adapted to cooperate with corresponding rib portions on the coin elector 12 and the coin diverter 10 respectively. In order that the first coin rotor 2 can freely rotate, there is a clearance gap between the rib portions 14 and portions of a base platform 24 that form the floor of the circular coin path between the inner wall 23 and the outer wall 22. Likewise, there is a clearance gap between the outer wall 22 and the circumferential edge of the arm members 6.
Figure 6 shows a partial, close-up schematic diagram of the coin mechanism coin rotors. As shown, the first coin rotor 2 is parallel to, but non-coplanar with, the second coin rotor. Both the first coin rotor 2 and the second coin rotor 4 are inclined with respect to the horizontal (see also Figure 7). The second coin rotor 4 includes a coin slot 15 that communicates with a coin receiving compartment 30 (shown in broken line). The coin receiving compartment 30 forms part of a housing that either encloses or sits directly above the first coin rotor 2.
Figure 7 illustrates a coin handling apparatus 100 including a coin transport mechanism of the present invention.
The coin handling mechanism 100 comprises a coin hopper 40 supported by and connected to a coin storage container 50. The coin hopper 40 houses the coin mechanism 1 and the coin receiving compartment 30, and in operation holds a bulk supply of coins 60.
As shown in Figure 7, a coin input conduit 20 for receiving coins, tokens or the like, communicates with the coin receiving compartment 30.
Figure 8 illustrates an example of a motor drive arid gear train 200 for operating the coin mechanism 1 of the present invention, arid Figure 9 shows a plan view of the gear bain 200 shown in Figure 8.
A motor 210 provides rotational motion to gear wheel 230 via motor drive gear wheel 220. Rotational motion is transmitted to gear wheel 260 via meshed gears 230, 240 and 250. Gear wheel 270 is connected to the first coin rotor 2, and gear wheel 260 is connected to the second coin rotor 4.
Gear wheel 250 is moveable hi axial direction by operation of lifting means 280 secured to the axle of gear wheel 250. Operation of lifting means 280 enables gear wheel 250 to be unmeshed from gear wheel 260 arid displaced until it meshes with gear wheel 270. Alternatively, lifting means 280 can be actuated such that gear wheel 250 remains meshed with gear wheel 260, but also meshed with gear wheel 270. In this way, the single motor 210 is able to drive the first coin rotor 2 solely, to drive the second coin rotor 4 solely, or drive both the first and the second coin rotors simultaneously.
Tn operation, and as shown in Figure 7, a coin or coins 16 are introduced into the coin input conduit 20 arid fall under gravity into the coin receiving compartment 30.
Coins collect in the coin receiving compartment 30 and are separated and introduced into the circular coin path 7 via operation of the first coin rotor 2 and the singulator (not shown) as described more fully in WO-A-2006/079803.
As shown in Figure 2, after being expelled from the first coin rotor 2, a coin 16 is propelled around the circular coin path 7 through contact with a radially projecting arm member 6 and by rotation of the first coin rotor 2. As the coin traverses the coin path 7 it passes a coin sensor 8 which detects various characteristics of the coin to establish its authenticity and denomination. The coin sensor 8 will typically comprise a selection of induction coils as is well known in the art. However, it is envisaged that other coin sensor arrangements can be deployed dependent upon the overall requirements of a given application.
As the coin 16 travels between the coin sensor 8 and the coin ejector 12 a remote processor (not shown) determines if the coin 16 is authentic and of the desired denomination based upon the sensed signals from coin sensor 8. If these criteria are met the processor determines if the coin is to be stored in the coin storage container or held in the coin hopper 40 for future payout.
If the processor determines tha[ the coin 16 is intended for the coin storage contafrier 50, then the coin 16 traverses the coin ejector 12, which is not activated, and the coin 16 continues to the bap door 7 which is biased in a closed position. At this juncture the processor actuates a solenoid which opens the trap door 9, and further rotation of the first coin rotor 2 pushes the coin 16 over the edge of the trap door 9 opening from where it falls as coin 21 into the coin storage container 50 under gravity (see Figure 7).
If the processor determines that the coin 16 is not authentic (or of the incorrect denomination) both the coin ejector 12 and the trap door 9 remain inactivated, and the coin 16 travels passed the closed trap door 9 to be diverted by the coin diverter into a coin output path 11 which ultimately leads to the coin output receptacle from where it can be collected by a user.
Alternatively, if the processor has determined that coin 16 is authentic and of the correct denomination, but it is required to be added to the bulk supply of coins 60 residing in the coin hopper 40, then the processor activates the coin ejector 12 by actuation of the coin ejector solenoid (not shown) before the coin 16 reaches the coin ejector 12.
With reference to Figures 5A to SG, the circular coin path 7 is enclosed by the top surface 46 of the support structure 45 arid the base platform 24. As the coin 16 approaches the activated coin elector 12, which now protrudes from the base platform 24 into the coin path, the radially projecting arm member 6 pushes the coin 16 up and outwards until it is deflected by deflection member 13 to fall under gravity as coin 19 into the coin hopper 40 to be added to the bulk coin supply 60 (see Figure 7).
As shown in Figure SC, the coin ejector 12 is resiliently biased when activated such that as the advancing arm member 6 passes over the coin ejector 12 it is urged downwards through engagement of the corresponding rib portions of both the coin ejector 12 and the underside of the arm member 6 (see Figures 2 arid 4).
COIN PAYOUT
When the processor determines that a payout condition has arisen, the second coin rotor 4 is actuated and coins from the bulk supply of coins 60 held in the coin receptacles 5 of the second coin rotor 4 are transported via rotation of the second coin rotor 4 upwards in an anticlockwise maimer towards the first coin rotor 2.
As shown in Figure 6, a coin 17 from the coin hopper 40 is transferred from the second coin rotor 4 frito the coin receiving compartment 30 from where it will descend into one of the coin receptacles 3 of the first coin rotor 2. Coin 17 will then be transferred to the circular coin path 7 in a similar manner to that which is described above.
The denomination of coin 17 will be determined on passing the coin sensor 8 and, if it is determined to be of the correct denomination, it will propelled around the coin path 7 by a radially projecting arm member 6 to be diverted into the coin output path 7 by the coin diverter 10. On the other hand, if the coin 17 is determined to be of the wrong denomination for payout it will be either ejected back into the coin hopper 40 by operation of the coin elector 12, or it will drop into the coin storage container 50 through the open trap door 9 if the processor has determined that there is a surplus number of coins of the determined denomination within the coin hopper 40.
Advantageously, the coin mechanism of the present invention cm perform both a validation and a payout operation without the need for a large and costly coin lifting mechanism. Furthermore, both operations can be performed via the same coin path with the need to only employ a single coin sensor unit and a single motor to operate both coin rotors.

Claims (26)

  1. CLAIMS1. A coin transport mechanism comprising: a first coin rotor including at least one coin receptacle for receiving a coin; a second coin rotor including at least one coin receptacle, the second coin rotor disposed proximal to the first coin rotor; wherein the first coin rotor is noncoplanar with the second coin rotor and includes a gated coin aperture, and wherein the second coin rotor is adapted to transport coins from a coin hopper to the first coin rotor.
  2. 2. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor are mounted on a common support structure.
  3. 3. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the common support structure is inclined and the first coin rotor is positioned above the second coin rotor.
  4. 4. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the common support structure is integral to a base section of the coin hopper.
  5. 5. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first coin rotor is housed within or positioned directly beneath a coin receiving compartment disposed within the coin hopper.
  6. 6. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the coin receiving compartment includes an aperture communicating with the second coin rotor.
  7. 7. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first coin rotor includes a plurality of radially projecting arm members which upon rotation of said first coin rotor traverse a substantially circular coin path disposed circumferentially of the first coin rotor.
  8. 8. A cob-i transport mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein a coin expelled from the gated coin aperture is urged to traverses the substantially circular cob-i path by one of the plurality of radially projecting arm members acting upon the coin under rotation of the first coin rotor.
  9. 9. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the substantially circular coin path includes a retractable coin ejector.
  10. 10. A coin transport mechEmism as claimed in claim 9, wherein operation of the retractable cofri ejector on a traversing cofri ejects said coin out of the substantially circular coin path frito the coin hopper.
  11. 11. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any of claim 7 to 10, wherein the substantially circular coin path includes a solenoid activated trap door communicating with a coin storage container.
  12. 12. A cofri transport mechanism as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherefri the substantially circular coin path includes at least one diverter member for guiding a coin from the substantially circular coin path to a coin output path.
  13. 13. A coin tnmsport mechanism as claimed in my of claims 7 to 12, wherefri a section of [lie substantially circular coin path traverses a coin sensor moduk adapted to provide signals indicative of coin characteristics.
  14. 14. A coin barisport mechanism as claimed in arty of claims 7 to 13, wherein a portion of the substantially circular coin path is disposed beneath the second coin rotor.
  15. 15. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any of claims 7 to 14, wherein the substantially circular coin path and the coin output path are disposed beneath the common support structure.
  16. 16. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein a section of the substantially circular coin path coincident with the retractable coin ejector is exposed through the common support structure.
  17. 17. A coin transport mechanism as claimed hi any preceding claim, wherein a diameter of the first coin rotor is substantially equal to a diameter of the second coin rotor.
  18. 18. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in my preceding claim, wherein the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor each include a plurality of coin receptades.
  19. 19. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor are operably interconnected via a gearing train.
  20. 20. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 19, wherein the gearing train is driven by a sing'e motor.
  21. 21. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor can be driven separately or together via operation of an adjustable gear wheel.
  22. 22. A coin transport mechanism as claimed hi claim 21, wherefri the adjustable gear wheel is moveable between a first position in which only the first coin rotor rotates, a second position hi which only the second coin rotor rotates, and a third position in which both the first and the second coin rotors rotate.
  23. 23. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein both the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor include coin diverter means comprising at least one projection adapted to urge a coin radially outward.
  24. 24. A coin transport mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  25. 25. A coin handling apparatus comprising: a coin hopper including a coin transport mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim; and a coin storage container attached to an in communication with said coin hopper.
  26. 26. A coin transport method comprising: a first coin rotor receiving a first coin in a coin receptacle; transporting the first coin by rotation of the first rotor to an outer circumferential coin path via a gated coin aperture; transporting the first coin along the outer circumferential coin path so as to traverse a coin sensor; determining if the first coin is authentic and, if said first coin is authentic, transporting said coin to either a coin hopper or a coin storage container; transporting a second coin from the coin hopper to the first coin rotor via a second coin rotor disposed proximal to the first coin rotor; transporting, by rotation of the first coin rotor, the second coin along the outer circumferential coin path so as to traverse the coin sensor; and determining if the second coin is of a desired denomination arid, if said first coin is of the desired denomination, anisporting said second coin to an output path.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSCLAIMS 17 1. A coin transport mechanism comprising: a first coin rotor including at least one coin receptacle for receiving a coin; a gated singulator device located at a coin outlet from the first coin rotor; a second coin rotor including at least one coin receptacle, the second coin rotor disposed proximal Lo Lhe IirsL coin rotor; a substantially circular coin path disposed circumferentially of the first coin rotor; and a coin sensor traversed by said substantially circular coin path; wherein the first coin rotor is noncoplanar with the second coin rotor and the second coin rotor is adapted to transport coins from a coin hopper to the first coin rotor; and wherein the first coin rotor includes a plurality of radially projecting arm members which upon rotation of said first coin rotor traverse the substantially o circular coin path such that, in use, a coin transported to the circular coin path by rotation of the first coin rotor is transported around the substantially circular coin path by operation of a projecting arm member on the coin under rotation of the first coin rotor so that said coin traverses the coin sensor to determine if the coin is authentic and/or of a desired denomination.2. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor are mounted on a common support structure.3. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the common support structure is inclined.4. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the common support structure is integral to a base section of the coin hopper.5. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first coin rotor is housed within a coin receiving compartment disposed within the coin hopper.6. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the Iirs coin robr is positioned directiy beneath a coin receiving comparmenI. disposed within the coin hopper.7. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the coin receiving compartment includes an aperture communicating with the second coin rotor.8. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a corn expelled from the gated coin aperture is urged to traverses the substantially o circular coin path by one of the plurality of radiafly projecting arm members acting upon the coin under rotation of the first coin rotor. r9. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the substantially circular coin path includes a retractable coin ejector.10. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in daim 9, wherein operation of the retractable coin ejector on a traversing coin ejects said coin out of the substantially circuthr coin path into the coin hopper.11. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the substantially circular coin path includes a solenoid activated trap door communicating with a coin storage container.12. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the substantially circular coin path includes at least one diverter member for guiding a coin from the substantially circular coin path to a coin output path.13. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12, wherein a section of the substantially circular coin path traverses a coin sensor module adapted o provide signals indicaUve of coin characerisUcs.14. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any of claims 7 to 13, wherein a portion of the substantially circular coin path is disposed beneath the second coin rotor.15. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any of claims 7 to 14, wherein the substantially circular coin path and the coin output path are disposed beneath the common support structure.CD16. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein a section of the substantiafly circular coin path coincident with the retractaHe coin ejector is exposed through the common support structure.17. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a diameter of the first coin rotor is substantially equal to a diameter of the second coin rotor.18. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor each include a plurality of coin receptacles.19. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor are operably interconnected via a gearing train.20. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 19, wherein the gearing train is driven by a sing'e motor.21. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor can be driven separately or together via operation of an adjustable gear wheel.22. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in claim 21, wherein the adjustable gear wheel is moveable between a first position in which only the first coin rotor rotates, a second position in which only the second coin rotor rotates, and a third position in which both the first and the second coin rotors rotate.CD23. A coin transport mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein both the first coin rotor and the second coin rotor include coin diverter means comprising at least one projection adapted to urge a coin radially outward.24. A coin transport mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.25. A coin handling apparatus comprising: a coin hopper including a coin transport mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim; and a coin storage container attached to an in communication with said coin hopper.26. A coin transport method comprising: a first coin rotor receiving a first coin in a coin receptacle; transporting the first coin by rotation of the first rotor to an outer circumferential coin path via a gated singulator device located at a coin outlet from the first coin rotor; transporting the first coin along the outer circumferentiafi coin path so as to ftaverse a coin sensor; determining if the first coin is authentic and, if said first coin is authentic, transporting said coin to either a coin hopper or a coin storage container; transporting a second coin from the coin hopper to the first coin rotor via a second coin rotor disposed proximal to the first coin rotor; transporting, by rotation of the first coin rotor, the second coin to the outer circumferential coin path via a gated singulator device located at a coin outlet from the first coin rotor; transporting the second corn along the outer circumferential coin path so as to (0 o traverse the coin sensor; and c determining if the second coin is of a desired denomination and, if said CJ second coin is of the desired denomination, transporting said second coin to an output path.
GB1311322.0A 2013-06-26 2013-06-26 A coin transport mechanism Active GB2515516B (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1311322.0A GB2515516B (en) 2013-06-26 2013-06-26 A coin transport mechanism
ES14167903T ES2751666T3 (en) 2013-06-26 2014-05-12 A coin transport mechanism
EP14167903.5A EP2819105B1 (en) 2013-06-26 2014-05-12 A coin transport mechanism
US14/277,353 US9189906B2 (en) 2013-06-26 2014-05-14 Coin transport mechanism
CN201410293500.9A CN104252729B (en) 2013-06-26 2014-06-26 Coin transport mechanism

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1311322.0A GB2515516B (en) 2013-06-26 2013-06-26 A coin transport mechanism

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201311322D0 GB201311322D0 (en) 2013-08-14
GB2515516A true GB2515516A (en) 2014-12-31
GB2515516B GB2515516B (en) 2017-10-11

Family

ID=48998957

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1311322.0A Active GB2515516B (en) 2013-06-26 2013-06-26 A coin transport mechanism

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US9189906B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2819105B1 (en)
CN (1) CN104252729B (en)
ES (1) ES2751666T3 (en)
GB (1) GB2515516B (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3293710A1 (en) * 2016-09-13 2018-03-14 NGZ Geldzählmaschinengesellschaft mbH & Co. KG Coin sorter with bypass path
JP7021480B2 (en) * 2017-09-12 2022-02-17 富士電機株式会社 Coin processing equipment
US10169947B1 (en) 2017-10-10 2019-01-01 Innovative Technology Limited Transaction device and a method of currency item replenishment in a transaction device
GB2593911B (en) * 2020-04-08 2022-05-04 Innovative Tech Ltd A coin apparatus

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4548220A (en) * 1983-03-09 1985-10-22 Compagnie De Signaux Et D'enterprises Electriques Device for checking metal pieces, more particularly coins
US5607351A (en) * 1994-11-10 1997-03-04 Automated Currency Instruments, Inc. Coin counting machine
EP0834842A1 (en) * 1996-10-01 1998-04-08 Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha Large-volume-shaped apparatus for ejecting disk bodies
US20020077056A1 (en) * 2000-10-06 2002-06-20 Hiroshi Abe Coin dispensing apparatus for circulating overflowing coins
WO2006079803A1 (en) * 2005-01-25 2006-08-03 Innovative Technology Ltd. Improvements relating to coin dispensing
EP2518698A1 (en) * 2011-04-28 2012-10-31 Azkoyen, S.A. Coin dispenser

Family Cites Families (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3174488A (en) * 1961-05-22 1965-03-23 Electronic Coin Proc Corp Coin separating machine
US3726378A (en) * 1971-06-09 1973-04-10 B Simons Coin handling apparatus
US4376442A (en) * 1977-11-30 1983-03-15 General Railway Signal Company Coin Assorter
US5240099A (en) * 1990-04-05 1993-08-31 Tst International Pty. Ltd. Coin receiving and validation apparatus
US5295899A (en) * 1992-03-03 1994-03-22 Adams Thomas P Two disc coin handling apparatus
US5232399A (en) * 1992-03-11 1993-08-03 Atoll Technology Devices for the separation of coins, token and the like
TW304608U (en) * 1995-02-23 1997-05-01 Asahi Seiko Co Ltd Coin conveying device
GB9515567D0 (en) * 1995-07-28 1995-09-27 Coin Control Limited Coin control mechanism
US5931731A (en) * 1997-04-17 1999-08-03 International Game Technology Enclosed rotary-optic coin counting system
US6139419A (en) * 1997-05-13 2000-10-31 Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd. High capacity dispenser for ejecting coins and tokens
US6193599B1 (en) * 1998-10-20 2001-02-27 Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd. Coin hopper device
DE60136948D1 (en) * 2000-09-05 2009-01-22 Talaris Inc METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RECOGNIZING COIN VALUES AND OTHER PARAMETERS
JP3556142B2 (en) * 2001-01-19 2004-08-18 ハイメックス株式会社 Coin sending device
JP3994131B2 (en) * 2001-12-28 2007-10-17 旭精工株式会社 Coin dispensing device
JP4780494B2 (en) * 2005-06-14 2011-09-28 旭精工株式会社 Coin denomination device
JP4844081B2 (en) * 2005-10-19 2011-12-21 旭精工株式会社 Coin feeding device
US20070212998A1 (en) * 2006-03-09 2007-09-13 String Gregory F High speed coin processing machine having multiple coin processing devices
US7926638B2 (en) * 2008-09-25 2011-04-19 Transtoll Pty Ltd Coin mechanism and validator improvements
EP2242029B1 (en) * 2009-04-17 2012-12-19 Crane Payment Solutions GmbH Device for singulating and testing coins
JP5716199B2 (en) * 2011-03-17 2015-05-13 旭精工株式会社 Coin separator / conveyor
US8967361B2 (en) * 2013-02-27 2015-03-03 Outerwall Inc. Coin counting and sorting machines

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4548220A (en) * 1983-03-09 1985-10-22 Compagnie De Signaux Et D'enterprises Electriques Device for checking metal pieces, more particularly coins
US5607351A (en) * 1994-11-10 1997-03-04 Automated Currency Instruments, Inc. Coin counting machine
EP0834842A1 (en) * 1996-10-01 1998-04-08 Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha Large-volume-shaped apparatus for ejecting disk bodies
US20020077056A1 (en) * 2000-10-06 2002-06-20 Hiroshi Abe Coin dispensing apparatus for circulating overflowing coins
WO2006079803A1 (en) * 2005-01-25 2006-08-03 Innovative Technology Ltd. Improvements relating to coin dispensing
EP2518698A1 (en) * 2011-04-28 2012-10-31 Azkoyen, S.A. Coin dispenser

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20150001236A1 (en) 2015-01-01
GB2515516B (en) 2017-10-11
EP2819105A1 (en) 2014-12-31
ES2751666T3 (en) 2020-04-01
CN104252729A (en) 2014-12-31
US9189906B2 (en) 2015-11-17
CN104252729B (en) 2018-02-09
GB201311322D0 (en) 2013-08-14
EP2819105B1 (en) 2019-10-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1805728B1 (en) Money item dispensing apparatus
TW574675B (en) Coin receiving and dispensing machine
US9189906B2 (en) Coin transport mechanism
US20100203817A1 (en) Machine for accepting and distributing coins and/or tokens
JP2007319429A (en) Token dispenser
JP5712878B2 (en) Coin processing equipment
JP4222971B2 (en) Slot machines, gaming machines, medal lending machines and gaming media lending machines
JP5210592B2 (en) Coin handling machine
JPS5852792A (en) Coin processor
JP6044296B2 (en) Coin processing equipment
EP1369831B1 (en) System for transporting and elevating coins in prize recreational machine
KR20060029014A (en) Coin sorter
JP2009043181A (en) Coin depositing and dispensing machine
JP2017091183A (en) Coin processor
JP2006280547A (en) Token transfer device for game token dispenser, and game token dispenser
JP2005270623A (en) Game medium lifting mechanism
JP5386296B2 (en) Coin deposit and withdrawal machine
JP4777784B2 (en) Game medal lending machine and game medal lending machine
JP2006000407A (en) Automatic medal feeder and token dispenser
JP2006280549A (en) Token transfer device for game token dispenser, and game token dispenser
JP2006280557A (en) Game token transfer device for game token dispenser, and game token dispenser
JP2010152824A (en) Coin dispensing device
JPH10326370A (en) Device and method for coin processing
JP2006296475A (en) Token transferring device and game token lending machine
JP2007319428A (en) Token dispenser