US2646055A - Coin box loader - Google Patents

Description

July 21, 1953 H. L. NEIILSEN COIN BOX LOADER 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7 Filed May 27, 1950 INVENTOI? ffilaaur 1;. Mealsen ATTORNEYS Patented July 21, 1953 COIN BOX LOADER Hildaur L. Neilsen, Metuchen, N. J assignor to Michael J. Feis, Metuchen, N. J.

Application May 27, 1950, Serial No. 164,705

(01. 1ss-s) Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for counting coins and more particularly to apparatus for determining the total amount of coins of different denominations in a coin box.

In department stores, and other organizations which employ a large sales force on the prem ises, every morning each salesclerk is iven a certain number of change-making coins of various denominations. At the end of the day, the money held by the salesclerk is counted, and should equal the dollar volume of his sales plus the dollar volume of his initial change.

vbe counted by visual. examination to determine the number of coins or each denomination in the box. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character which is simple and rugged in construction, efiicient and reliable in operation and easy to assemble and repair. A further object is to provide apparatus of the above character which will permit the coins to be counted without any necessity of personal handling. A still further object is to provide apparatus of the above character by which bent ordeformed coins may quickly be detected. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others, all as will beillustratively described herein, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawings wherein there is shown one embodiment of the invention:

Figure l is a perspective view showing the relative positions of the coin box, the counter and a loose coin storage tray during the counting operation, and further showing how the coins are subdivided by the counter into groups to facilitate counting;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the coin box shown in Figure 1, with the cover removed;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the counter shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the counter;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4; and,

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation taken along line 66 of Figure 4.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In co-pending application Serial No. 163,771, filed May 23, 1950, is disclosed a coin box adapted to hold a predetermined number of coins of different denominations, a separate compartment being provided for each size of coin. The capacity of each compartment is, of course, limited, and the box may be calibrated along the sides of each compartment to provide a rough gheck as to the exact number of coins in the In one embodiment of this invention, I cmploy a counter which permits a conclusive determination of the number of coins in the coin box merely by rotating a lever and making a visual examination of the coins contained therein. The counter operates on the principle of subdividing a plurality of coins in the coin box into' a number of smaller groups each of which comprises the same number of coins so that the number of groups may be determined at a glance. The counter has a number of tines which are projected through corresponding slots in the bottom of the coin box when a lever is rotated, thereby raising the groups of coins exposed by the slots and oiisetting them from adjacent groups, allowing the exact number of coins to be calculated by rapid visual inspection of the several groups.

In this the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the coin box, generally indicated at [0 (Fig. 1), has a number of compartments l2aP-l 211, each of which holds coins of a particular denomination, e. g., pennies in compartment l2a, nickels in compartment [2b, etc. The bottom of each compartment is provided with a series of slots l6 (Figure '2) which partially expose alternate groups of coins. The coin box In fits in a chamber l8 (Figure 3) of a counter, generally indicated at 20, and rests above a plate 22 having a plurality of tines 24. The tines correspond in general in length and position to the slots at the bottom of the coin box It] so that, as the plate is moved upwardly by a shaft 26, the tines enter the slots and raisealternate groups of coins above adjacent groups. As a result,

small groups of coins of predetermined number are displaced from each other to facilitate countmg.

More particularly, each coin box it includes a body member, generally indicated at 28 (Figures 1 and 2) and a cover 30 (Figure 1), both made from a transparent plastic material. The body member 28 has side walls 32 which are provided with flange portions 34 to grip inwardly disposed lip portions 36 (Figure 1) on the cover 30 as the cover is slid into position on the body member. The coin compartments (Figs. 1 and 2) extend between the side walls 32. Each compartment has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of a particular coin; thus, pennies fit snugly in compartment I2a, nickels in compartment [2b, dimes in compartment I20 and quarters in compartment l2d. A small compartment [26 is provided for a small indeterminate number of half dollars. If desired, fingers 38 may be added to extend into each compartment from one side wall 32 to limit the number of coins which may be stacked therein, e. g., 50 pennies in compartment 12a, 40 nickels in compartment l2b, etc. The bottoms of compartments I211, [2b, and 120 have a series of slots [6, each longer than the thickness of a stack of four coins in the compartment but less than the thickness of a stack of five coins. Five coins fit between adjacent slots. Thus, the coins exposed by the slots are raised from the other coins by the counter 26 to provide distinct groups of five coins, each group being displaced by five coins with respect to the adjacent group. Slot [6a in quarter compartment I2d is similarly designed to allow displacement of groups of four quarters, instead of five, so that the count will reveal the dollar value of the money contained therein. A slot l6b may be provided in half-dollar compartment l2e merely for easy removal of coins contained therein, because the capacity of this coinpartment is too small to require the aforementioned displacement principle for rapid counting.

The counter 28 is held by brackets 40 (Figure 1) mounted on a loose-coin storage container, generally indicated at 42, provided with separate compartments 42a for pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters respectively. These coins are manually transferred from the compartments 42a in the container to the appropriate compartments in the coin box H] to load the box.

The counter is enclosed by end walls 44 and side walls 46. The bottom edges 44a (Figures 3 and 6) of end walls 44 are oblique and thus tilt the counter forward when it is placed in brackets 40, thereby not only permitting the coins in coin box to be seen easily but also facilitating loading of the coins into the box. Then too, the angle at which the coin box rests causes the coins to settle at the lower ends of the several compartments thus automatically stacking the coins when the compartments are not completely full. This expedites the counting operation. Cross pieces 48 are attached to the walls 46 to provide ledges 480. (Fig. 6) for supporting the coin box in chamber IS. A plate 50 is fastened by screws 52 (Figures 3 and 4) to the tops of inner pieces 49, which are attached to the walls 46 above the cross pieces 48; the plate extends slightly beyond the inner pieces 49 to form flanges 50a (Fig. 6) and the right edge is curved to form flange 56b. Plate 50 is so located relative to ledges 4811 that when the coin box [0 is placed on the ledges, its cover right to the position shown in Fig. 1 with its lips 36 engaging under the edges of plate 50. Hence the lid is conveniently held by the plate while the coin box is being loaded and is prevented by flange 562) from being removed from the counter. After the box is loaded it is a simple matter to slide the lid to the left over coin box flanges 34 until the lid is properly positioned on the box.

A pivotable shaft 54 (Figure 5) is journaled in walls 46 and carries a block 56 which supports one end of plate 22. A plurality of L-shaped strips 58 (Figures 4 and 5) are fastened to the plate by screws 60, these strips having integral tines 24 which project upwardly therefrom at right angles. The tines have a width and spacing similar to the slots [6 in the coin box IE and accordingly enter the slots when the plate 22 is pivoted upwardly by shaft 26.

The shaft 26 (Figures 3 and 6) is journaled in walls 46 directly below plate 22. The working portion 26a of the leveris semi-circular in vertical cross section, with its fiat portion being horizontal when its operating lever 26b is in its'rest position. When lever 26b is rocked, shaft portion 26a tilts thereby to lift plate 22 and accordingly push tines 24 through the slots in the coin box Ill. A stop portion 26c and screw 26d confine the axial movement of shaft 26.

In operation coin box Ill is placed in the chamber [8 of the counter 20 and the coin box cover is slid onto lid 50 so that coins taken from container 42 may be stacked in the coin box. The coins do not have to be individually counted as they are placed in thecoin box because each compartment l2 holds only a predetermined number of coins and consequently the number of coins in each compartment can be closely approximated by the closeness with which they are stacked. This provides an initial check on the number of coins in each compartment.

To conclusively determine the amount of change in the box, lever 26!) is rotated in either direction from its rest position. This causes the plate 22 to be pivoted upwardly and the tines 24 to enter slots 16 in" the coin box and raise the coins exposed by the slots. These coins are displaced from the other coins and, as a result, alternate groups of raised and lowered coins are formed, with for example five coins in each group. The subdivision of the coins in each compartment into smaller groups permits the number of coins in each group to be determined at a glance and the total number of coins in the compartment to be quickly calculated therefrom. If the number of coins is different from that desired, it can be easily corrected to the desired value. After the counting operation, the raised coins are returned to their normal position by releasing lever 26b thus causing plate 22 to drop away from the coin box.

I While the coins are being stacked and counted. the cover 353 of the coin box is conveniently held by the flange portions 56a of the lid 50. As a result, the cover cannot be lost or misplaced. After the counting has been completed, the cover is slid from the lid 50 t0 the left in Figure 3 so as to fit on the body member 28 of the coin box. This prevents any coins from being lost through accidental tipping or jarring of the box as it is being removed from the counter.

The coin box is then ready for distribution to a clerk who can make an initial check as to the correct number of coins by observing how closely the coins are stacked. The'clerk is also able to make-further quick checks as described in cepending application-Serial No. 163,771, filed May 23, l950,without anyneed for additionalapparatus and without having to handle the coins. The clerk need only place the coin box in a cash re'gisterdrawer, as described in co-pending applicatiodserial No. 163,772, filed May 23, 1 950, and after opening the box, hemaydispense coins directly therefrom in making change on sales. At the end of the day, he closes the box, rapidly estimates its contents, and returns it with a cash slip to' the cashier so that the amount of change can be checked, if desired, in the same manner with a coin box to provide a quick and reliable check on the number of coins in the box.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features of the above invention, and since the art herein described may be varied in various parts, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a coin box subdivided into a plurality of'compartments each adapted to hold in horizontally disposed stacked relation coins of a particular denomination there being in the bottom of each compartment a number of slots which expose a predetermined number of coins, a coin counter having a chamber for holding said coin box, and a plate movably secured to said counter, said plate having a plurality of tines corresponding in width and position to slots in said coin box when said coin box is held in said'chamber, wherebyv exposed coins contained in said compartments may be lifted from the unexposed coins upon movement of said plate.

2. In apparatus for counting coins, a coin box having a plurality of compartments for holding coins of different denominations in axially aligned relationship, there being in each of said compartments a plurality of uniformly spaced slots for exposing alternate groups of coins, a counter having a chamber for holding said coin box, a plate mounted on said counter for movement toward said chamber, and tines on said plate being dimensioned and positioned similarly to said slots in said coin box, whereby when a coin box containing coins is held in said chamber and said plate is moved toward said chamber, said tines enter said slots and displace coins exposed by said slots.

3. In apparatus for counting coins, a coin box divided into a plurality of compartments, each compartment being adapted to hold in horizontally disposed stacked relationa predetermined number of coins of a particular denomination, there being a row of spaced apertures at the bottom of each of said compartments each of said apertures exposing a predetermined number of 6 coins and-each of the spaces'between said aper-itures covering a'predetermined number of coins, counting apparatus having achamber positioning saidcoin'box during the countingioperation, aplate positioned on said counter for move:- ment toward said chamber, anda plurality of tines corresponding in width and spacing to the apertures in said coin box-whereby when a coin box containing coins is positioned in said chamber and said plate is moved toward said chamber, said tines raise coins exposed-by said apertures to'for-m alternate groups of raised and lowered coins; S 1

l 4.. In apparatus for counting coins,:a coin box having a plurality of compartments for bolding coins of different sizes in horizontally disposed stacked relationship, there being a; series 7 of spaced slots'at the bottom of said compartments for exposing alternate groups of coins, a counter having a chamber forlholding said coin box during the counting operationQa rotatable -'lever mounted in said counter, a .plate adapted'to be moved upwardly toward said chamber by said lever, and tines on said plate corresponding to said slots and adapted when a coin box is held in said chamber to enter said slots upon the upward movement of said plate.

5. In apparatus for counting coins, a coin box having a body member and a cover, said body member having compartments adapted to hold coins of different sizes in horizontally disposed stacked relation, there being spaced apertures in the bottoms of said compartments which partially expose alternate groups of coins, and a counter, said counter defining a chamber for holding said coin box, a plate movable upwardly toward said chamber, tines projecting upwardly from said plate and corresponding in width and position to said apertures when said coin box is held in said chamber whereby said tines enter said apertures upon upward movement of said plate, and a lid attached to the top of said counter adjacent said chamber and adapted to hold said coin box cover in sliding relationship with said body member during the counting operation.

6. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a coin box adapted to hold coins in stacked relation and having openings exposing coins, a housing defining a chamber for holding said coin box, and a plate associated with said housing and having a plurality of tines extendable through said openings upon relative movement between said plate and said coin box toward one another when said coin box is disposed in said chamber, said tines having a width and spacing to cause alternate groups of coins contained in said coin box to be separated in a staggered arrangement when said tines extend through said openings.

'7. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a coin box adapted to hold coins in stacked relation in compartments having a series of spaced apertures exposing alternate groups of coins contained therein, a housing defining a chamber for holding said coin box, and a plate movably mounted on said housing and having a plurality of tines extendable through said apertures upon movement of said plate toward said coin box when said coin box is held in said chamber, said tines having a width and spacing to cause alternate groups of coins contained in said coin box to be separated in a staggered arrangement when said tines extend through said apertures.

8. In apparatus of the nature described, a housing defining a chamber for a coin box, a plate pivotally mounted at one end to said housing and having another end extending below said chamber, a plurality of tines fixedly mounted on said plate and extendable into said chamber, and an eccentric disposed below said plate and rotatable to pivot said plate about said mounted end and thereby elevate said plate to extend said tines into said chamber.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a coin box for holding coins in stacked relation and including aperture means to expose coins contained therein, a coin counter having a chamber for holding said coin box, and means including a plurality of tines associated with said chamber and extendable through said aperture :means whereby when said coin box containing coins is held in said chamber and said tines are extended through said aperture means into said 7 coin box, said tines engage and displace alternate '20 groups of coins.

10. In apparatus for counting coins, a coin box for'holding in horizontally disposed stacked relation coins of a particular denomination, said HILDAUR L. NEILSEN.

References Cited in the .file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,847,533 Lasker Mar. 1, 1932 2,302,861 Hinkel Nov. 24, 1942 V FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 218,062 Germany '1 Jan. '21, 1910

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