JP2604915B2 - Vending machine coin return slot structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine having a coin discharge passage for discharging and guiding coins paid out from a coin processing mechanism in the machine toward a coin return port formed in the outer surface of the machine. Coin return port structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a structure of a coin return port of a vending machine of this kind, as shown in FIG. 6, a funnel-shaped coin drop guide cylinder 51 communicating with a coin return port 50 protrudes outward from the body. At the lower end of the coin drop guide tube 51, a horizontally movable operable plate-shaped shutter member 52 for opening and closing the lower end opening of the coin drop guide tube 51 is provided, and a lower surface of the shutter member 52 is penetrated. A structure in which a cylindrical coin return cylinder 54 is continuously provided on the periphery of the hole 53 has been proposed (for example, JP-A-3-43890).

[0003]

In this case, although the returned coins dispensed from the coin processing mechanism can be easily received in a large space outside the machine, the coins falling through the coin return slot 50 can be easily received. Not only does the guide cylinder 51, the shutter member 52 and the coin return cylinder 54 protrude outside the machine, but also as the shutter member 52, a plate portion and a through hole 53 large enough to close the lower end opening of the coin return cylinder 54. It is necessary to have a plate part large enough to form
Regardless of whether the shutter member 52 is in the closed position or the open position, half of the longitudinal direction of the shutter member 52 projects laterally, and there is a disadvantage that the coin return port structure protruding outside the machine becomes large. . Moreover, when the shutter member 52 is switched from the closed position to the open position, the lower end opening of the coin return tube 54 is closed by a palm holding the lower end portion of the coin return tube 54, and then the shutter member 52 is moved to the closed position. Through-hole 53 is coin drop guide cylinder 5
Slide the coin to the position where it communicates with 1.
It is necessary to receive the coins falling from the coin return guide tube 54 through the coin return tube 54 while narrowing the palm holding the lower end of 4. As a result, since the shutter member 52 is moved in the horizontal direction while holding the lower end of the coin return cylinder 54, an upward component force is easily applied to the shutter member 52, and a gap between the shutter member 52 and the coin drop guide cylinder 51 is increased. The opening and closing operation of the shutter member 52 becomes awkward due to the instability. In addition, at the end of the moving operation of the shutter member 52, the hand holding the lower end of the coin return cylinder 54 must be gradually narrowed into a bowl shape suitable for receiving coins,
There was an inconvenience in taking out coins easily. The present invention
It was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the purpose is to make the coin return port structure protruding outside the aircraft compact and at the same time to quickly take out returned coins with one touch operation,
The point is that it can be easily performed.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, a coin return port structure of a vending machine according to the present invention comprises:
A coin return passage communicating with the coin return port is provided in a coin discharge path for guiding a coin paid out from a coin processing mechanism in the fuselage toward a coin return port formed on the outer surface of the fuselage. The coin return cylinder protrudes outward from the fuselage, and the coin return cylinder is shifted horizontally to a first state facing downward in a state close to the fuselage outer surface and a second state separated from the fuselage outer surface with respect to the first state. The coin return cylinder is configured to be swingably switchable about a substantially horizontal axis, and allows movement of coins from the coin discharge passage side to the coin return cylinder when the coin return cylinder is in the second state, and the coin return cylinder When in the first state, a coin blocking means for blocking movement of coins from the coin discharge passage to the coin return cylinder is provided in an internal space extending from the coin discharge passage to the inside of the coin return cylinder. And by that Use, the effect is as follows.

[0005]

When the coin return cylinder communicating with the coin return port is in the first state, coins dispensed from the coin processing mechanism in the machine through the coin discharge passage are blocked by the coin blocking means, and the coin discharge passage side is left as it is. Is stored in Next, a finger is applied to the back of the coin return cylinder on the machine side through the lower side of the coin return cylinder, and the coin return cylinder is switched from the first state to the second state while bending the finger in this state. Is released, and the coins stored in the coin discharge passage are discharged into the palm through the coin return cylinder. At this time, since the finger is in a bent state, the entire hand becomes bowl-shaped, and a posture suitable for receiving coins discharged from the coin return cylinder can be naturally exhibited.

[0006]

Therefore, the coin return cylinder is moved from the first state to the second state.
Not only can the switching to the state be performed smoothly with a small operating force utilizing the leverage principle, but also by simply swinging the coin return cylinder from the first state to the second state, the coin storage state can be changed from the coin storage state. You can switch to the coin ejection state,
Moreover, at the end of the switching operation, the hand can be naturally changed to a state most suitable for receiving the discharged coin,
It is possible to take out the returned coin quickly and easily by one-touch operation. In addition, since the coin blocking means is provided in the internal space extending from the coin discharge passage to the inside of the coin return cylinder, only the coin return cylinder protrudes outside the machine, compared to the conventional slide switching method. At the same time, the coin return port structure that protrudes outside the machine can be made more compact.

[0007]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] A vending machine shown in FIG. 4 has a main body A having a merchandise storage unit of a serpentine system, and a door body B which can swing open and close around a vertical axis for closing an opening of the main body A. It has. On the outer surface of the door B, a product selection button 2 is provided at a position below the sample shelf 1 for displaying a product sample.
A product outlet 3, a coin slot 4, a coin return slot 5, and a coin return button 6 are provided, and on the inner side of the door B,
As shown in FIG. 1, a coin processing mechanism having a well-known structure (generally a coin mech) that pays out coins corresponding to a change amount to a coin return port 5 in a predetermined order based on a change payout command from a control device (not shown). , A coin collection box 8 for collecting coins stored in the coin processing mechanism 7,
A passage switching member 9 is provided which is capable of switching between a state in which coins dispensed from the coin processing mechanism 7 are supplied toward the coin return slot 4 and a state in which coins are supplied toward the coin collection box 8. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the door B
A substantially rectangular annular frame 11 as viewed from the front is mounted on the outer surface of the peripheral portion of the coin return slot 5 of the outer panel 10 with screws, and on the inner surface side of the annular frame 11,
A coin discharge passage 12 for guiding the coins paid out from the coin processing mechanism 7 toward the coin return port 5 in a sliding state.
Is formed with screws. Further, the coin return cylinder 14 projecting outward from the coin return port 5 to the outside of the machine and having a substantially U-shape in side view is provided with the outer plate 10.
A first state facing downward in a state close to the outer surface of the
It is configured to be swingably switchable around a first horizontal axis (or substantially horizontal axis) X1 between a state and a second state which is more distant from the outer surface of the exterior plate 10 than the state. Specifically, a pair of left and right swing fulcrum projections 14a integrally formed on the upper portion of the coin return cylinder 14 are rotatably respectively inserted into a pair of left and right recesses 11a formed on the upper portion of the annular frame 11. At the same time, the case 13 is integrally formed with a projection 13a for preventing the swinging fulcrum projection 14a in the concave portion 11a from moving out, so that the coin return cylinder 14 is moved to the swing fulcrum projection 14a. It is configured to be swingable around a first horizontal axis X1 which is also a center axis. The coin return cylinder 14 is
It is made of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin, and is configured so that the coin dispensed from the coin processing mechanism 7 into the coin discharge passage 12 can be easily visually recognized from the outside. Further, in the internal space extending from the coin discharge passage 12 to the inside of the coin return tube 14, movement of coins from the coin discharge passage 12 to the coin return tube 14 is allowed when the coin return tube 14 is in the second state. In addition, there is provided a coin blocking means C for blocking movement of coins from the coin discharge passage 12 to the coin return cylinder 14 when the coin return cylinder 14 is in the first state. The specific structure of the coin blocking means C is as follows. That is, on the inner surface side of the lower portion of the annular frame 11,
A substantially L-shaped support plate 16 is attached by a screw when viewed from the side, and coins sliding down on the coin discharge guide surface 13b of the case 13 are mounted on a cylindrical portion 16a formed at the tip of the support plate 16. U-shaped return chute with cross section that can be received upward
7 is pivotably mounted on a pivot pin 18 around a second horizontal axis (or substantially horizontal axis) X2, and the return chute 17 is provided at the center of the pivot pin 18 in the longitudinal direction.
A torsion coil spring 19 for urging the coin to a horizontal or substantially horizontal coin receiving posture is attached. The return chute 17 is sized to be able to close the internal space from the coin discharge passage 12 to the inside of the coin return cylinder 14 in a crossed state when in the coin receiving posture. Further, a part 17b of the pair of left and right side plates 17a of the return chute 17 is bent outward, and a coin return cylinder 14 is provided on the inner surface of the coin return cylinder 14 facing the bent piece 17b. When the swing is switched from the first state to the second state around the axis X1, the bent piece 17 of the return chute 17 is rotated.
b, a pair of left and right pressing projections 14b for swinging the return chute 17 to a coin discharging position positioned lower around the second horizontal axis X2 toward the outside of the machine body against the elastic biasing force of the torsion coil spring 19b. Are connected in series. When the return chute 17 swings from the coin receiving position to a position flush with the coin discharge guide surface 13b of the case 13,
When the return chute 17 swings from the flush state to the coin discharge posture further, the first coin receiving plate portion 17c in an arc shape for blocking the coin discharge passage 12 and receiving a subsequent coin is received. An arc-shaped second coin receiving plate portion 17d that blocks the discharge passage 12 and receives a subsequent coin is provided continuously. In a state where the return chute 17 is switched to the coin discharging position, the second coin receiving plate 1
The subsequent coin received at 7d is slid down onto the return chute 17 when the return chute 17 returns from the coin discharge position to the coin receiving position by releasing the operation force of the coin return cylinder 14. Become. A lower portion 17e of the return chute 17 in the coin discharging direction is bent into a U-shape on the lower surface side of the return chute 17, and the bent portion 17e is connected to the coin return cylinder 14
Pivot pin 18 and torsion coil spring 19 through the opening of
Is also used as a protection plate for preventing mischief. In the coin return port structure configured as described above, the coin return cylinder 14 communicating with the coin return port 5 normally has a rear portion of the outer peripheral surface thereof in contact with a lower portion of the annular frame 11. In the first state, the return chute 17 is in a coin receiving posture, and all of them are held in posture by the elastic biasing force of the torsion coil spring 19. When coins for change are paid out from the coin processing mechanism 7 in this state, the coins are received and stored on the return chute 17 in the coin receiving position. At this time, since the pivot pin 18 is deviated to the outside of the fuselage from the coin receiving position, the load of the stored coin acts as a force for holding the return chute 17 in the coin receiving position. Become. Next, a finger is applied to the back of the coin return cylinder 14 on the machine side through the lower side of the coin return cylinder 14, and the coin return cylinder 14 is switched from the first state to the second state while bending the finger in this state. As the coin return cylinder 14 swings around the first horizontal axis X1, the return chute 17 in the coin receiving posture rotates around the second horizontal axis X2 against the elastic urging force of the torsion coil spring 19. The return chute 17 is switched from the coin receiving position to the coin discharging position. As a result, the return chute 17
The stored coins are discharged into the palm through the coin return cylinder 14. At this time, since the finger is in a bent state, the entire hand becomes bowl-shaped, and a posture suitable for receiving the coins discharged from the coin return cylinder 14 can naturally appear. As shown in FIG. 1, the passage switching member 9 includes a first guide portion 9A that guides coins dispensed from the coin processing mechanism 7 down to the coin discharge passage 12, and a coin dispensed from the coin processing mechanism 7. The coin collection box 8 is provided with a second guide portion 9 </ b> B for guiding the slide down, and is provided slidably on the upper part of the case 13. In addition, the passage switching member 9 is removed from the second guide portion 9B.
A stopper 20, which is prevented by contact with the case 13, is attached between the case 13 and the exterior plate 10 in a sandwiched state.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a coin return opening structure when the return chute 17 is constructed in a fixed manner.
In this embodiment, the swing axis of the coin return cylinder 14 is arranged at the middle of the lower surface of the return chute 17 in the coin sliding direction, and when the coin return cylinder 14 is in the first state, the coin return cylinder 14 The inner surface of the coin abuts against the tip of the return chute 17 to close the coin discharge passage 12. In other words, when the coin return cylinder 14 is in the second state, the movement of coins from the coin discharge passage 12 to the coin return cylinder 14 is allowed, and when the coin return cylinder 14 is in the first state. A coin blocking means C for blocking the movement of coins from the coin discharge passage 12 to the coin return cylinder 14 is constituted by both the coin return cylinder 14 and the return chute 17. [Other Embodiments] In the above-described first embodiment, the coin return cylinder 14 is made of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin.
The coin return cylinder 14 and the return chute 17 may both be manufactured from a transparent or translucent synthetic resin, and the coin return cylinder 14 may be manufactured from an opaque material. In short, the coin return cylinder 14 and the return chute 1
The material of each component such as 7 is not limited, and the material can be freely selected according to usability, manufacturing conditions, and the like. Also, the coin blocking means C also allows the movement of coins from the coin discharge passage 12 to the coin return cylinder 14 when the coin return cylinder 14 is in the second state, and the coin return cylinder 14 In the first state, a forced drive type using an actuator or the like may be used as long as the movement of coins from the coin discharge passage 12 to the coin return cylinder 14 is prevented. Further, the coin return cylinder 1 is provided in an internal space extending from the coin discharge passage 12 to the coin return cylinder 14.
An illumination means for automatically turning on the light in conjunction with the swing operation from the first state to the second state may be provided. In this case, there is an effect that the change can be easily received at night.

In the claims, reference numerals are provided for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the attached drawings.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a coin return opening structure showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view when removing a returned coin.

FIG. 3 is a sectional front view of a coin return opening structure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the entire vending machine.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of a coin return opening structure showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional coin return opening structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C Coin blocking means 5 Coin return port 7 Coin processing mechanism 12 Coin discharge passage 14 Coin return cylinder

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A coin return port (5) formed on the outer surface of a body of a coin paid out from a coin processing mechanism (7) in the body.
A coin return port structure of a vending machine in which a coin discharge passage (12) for guiding discharge toward the coin is formed, and a coin return cylinder (14) communicating with the coin return port (5) is provided outside the machine body. The coin return cylinder (14) is protruded, and the coin return cylinder (14) is placed in a first state facing downward in a state close to the outer surface of the body and in a second state separated from the outer surface of the body more than the first state. The coin return cylinder (14) is configured to be swingably switchable around the axis, and allows movement of coins from the coin discharge passage (12) to the coin return cylinder (14) when the coin return cylinder (14) is in the second state. And, when the coin return cylinder (14) is in the first state, the coin return cylinder (1) is moved from the coin discharge passage (12) side.
4) a coin blocking means (C) for blocking the movement of coins to
A coin return port structure of a vending machine provided in an internal space extending from the coin discharge passage (12) to the inside of a coin return cylinder (14).