US2719622A - Coin rejecting system for vending machine changers - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 4, 1955 c. F. ROGIER 2,719,522

COIN REJECTING SYSTEM FOR VENDING MACHINE CHANGERS Filed Jan. '7, 1950 i 3 Sheets- Sheet l CLARENCE F Romera JNVENToR.

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COIN REJECTING SYSTEM FOR VENDING MACHINE CHANGERS Filed Jan. 7, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent() COIN REJECTNG SYSTEM FOR VENDING MACHINE CHANGERS Clarence F. Rogier, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Johnson Fare Box Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application January 7, 1950, Serial No. 137,312 4 Claims. (Cl. 1942) This invention relates to a coin rejecting system for vending machine changers. More specifically, it relates to a coin rejection system for a vending machine capable of receiving any one of a number of coins of different denominations, some of which require the return of change coins.

It is an object of the invention to provide means operating on the usual slug rejecting mechanism for preventing the acceptance of coins when conditions exist which prevent the vending operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means operating on the usual slug rejecting mechanism which prevents the acceptance of coins requiring change when conditions prevail which make the return of the proper change impossible.

A further object of the invention is to provide indication to the potential customer of the condition of the machine or the denomination of the coin to be used.

Yet another object is to provide adequate means for returning coins which are not accepted.

Another object is to return all coins when the machine is empty of product or when the power is off.

These and other objects will become apparent from a study of this specification and the drawings which are attached hereto and are made a part hereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the slug rejector with the control mechanism applied.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism of Figure l with parts removed to show the control mechanisms in their power off or empty positions.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the parts in the positions which they occupy when the change coins are exhausted.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of Figure 1, showing the quarter and dime blocking means in inactive position by full lines and in active position by dashed lines.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of the rejecting system combined with a vending machine control system.

Slug rejector Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the numeral 1 represents the case of the changer in which is mounted by means of suitable pins 3 a slug rejector 5 whch comprises an inlet hopper 7 which conducts the coins inserted therein to the quarter, nickel and dirne cradles 9, 11 and 13 respectively.

The pins of the cradle 9 will engage the periphery of any quarter deposited in the funnel and will rotate about a center 15 to deect the coin into` a predetermined test path, not shown. If the coin is acceptable, it will pass from the rejector at a point where it will engage and actuate the delivery switch 17. If the coin is not acceptable, it will pass into the coin return funnel 19 which terminates in a chute 21, the end of Which isnot shown but which terminates in a coin return cup. f

The pins 12 of the nickel cradle 11 will engage the periphery of a nickel and will pivot on the center ,23 to' deect the coin into a test path. If the coin is accepted 2,719,622 Patented Oct. 4,- 1955 If the coin is accepted, it will pass and momentarily actuate the delivery switch 17; if it is` not accepted it is discharged into funnel 19.

Accepted dimes pass into a mechanism, not shown, which produces a single energization of a payout sole noid 27 which serves to eject a coin from the payout tube 29 (see Figure 5). Accepted quarters produce four energzations of the solenoid. The nickels do not require change to be issued and are therefore directed to` the payout tube and excess coins spill over into a safe,

not shown.

The coin return mechanism may be any one of a number of known mechanisms. Specifically, it may be that disclosed i-n my copending application, Serial No. 55,943, tiled October 22, 1948, for Multiple' Coin Operated Vendor, now Patent No. 2,685,951-,

It is to be noted that the cradles are returned to a normal coin receiving position by weights 31, 33 and 35 respectively as soon as a coin has been deflected into the test path.

The structure of the slug rejector per se described above is old in the art.

Power a or empty conditions In order to prevent the acceptance of any coins when the vending machine is empty or the power is otf, I have modied the slug rejector somewhat and provided additional mechanisms forproduci-ng these results.

To prevent the acceptance of any coin, I have provided a crank 37 which is mounted in bearings formed by clips 39 attached to the slug rejector 5. Thus the crank may be oscillated about a vertical axis. The crank has an arm 41 which is attened at the end and is adapted to bear on a projection 43 mounted on the clearing gate 44 of the rejector.

The other arm 45 of the lever extends away from the rejector into the path of a cam 47 which is carried by the armature 49 of a solenoid 51.

A lever 53 is pivotally mounted for rotation about a horizontal axisA on a pin 5,5. A tension spring 57 is fixed at one end to a pin 59 in the upper end of the lever and at the other end to a xed pin 61.

A transverse rod 63 is xed to the outer end of the armature 49 and carries at one end the cam 47 described above, and has a section 65 which bears in a notch 67 in the lower end of lever 53. A groove 69 is formed in the end of the rod land the actuator lever 71 of the empty switch 73 rides in th groove.

The switch, solenoid and other parts are suitably mounted on a plate 75 which is mounted on the inside of case 1.

It will be noted that the gate 44 is pivoted at one side 77 while a channel 79 is formed at the other side adjacent the cradles. The gate is continuously urged toward the plate 5- by a spring 8l, so that the channel will force the coins intocontact with the pins of the cradles. This is the position shown in Figure 3 and is maintained so long .as the solenoid 51 is energized.

Should the power supply fail or should the vendor be emptied, the solenoid will be deenergized and spring 57 acting on lever 53 will pull the armature into the Figure 2 position in which the empty switch 73- is closed to energize the empty lamp 74 and the' lever arm 4'5- is cammed down by cam 47. This in turn causes arm 41 to move projection 43- and open: gate 44 against the action of spring 81. The channel 79 is ,thus moved away from the cradle pins so that any coins inserted in hopper 7 returned to the customer.

Change coin rejection In order that coins requiring change may be rejected when the supply of change coins is exhausted without preventing the acceptance of the exact price ofthe product, I have further modiiied the slug rejector by adding a dirne and quarter reject magnet 83 which is mounted on a plate 85 supported on the case 1. The armature 87 of the magnet is pivoted for movement between the solid and dashed line positions of-Figure 4.

A spring 89 continuously urges the armature to the dashed line position while the magnet, when it is energized, holds it in the full line position.

Fixed to the armature are a long finger 91 and a short finger 93. The former has an end 95 bent to project toward and underlie the quarter cradle 9 while the latter has an end 97 bent so as to underlie the dime cradle 13 when the fingers are in the dotted line position.

A normally closed switch 99 is mounted above the magnet with its actuator 101 in position to be depressed by the fingers when they occupy the full line position. The switch is thus held open while the magnet 83 is energized, which is the case when the switch 103 of the nickel tube is held closed by a supply of nickels. When the level of nickels drops below that required to return change for the largest denomination coin used, switch 103 opens, magnet 83 is deenergized, fingers 91 and 93 are moved to the dashed line position to block the cradles 9 and 13 and switch 99 closes to light the nickel only lamp 105.

A double pole switch 106 is also mounted so that it will be actuated by the armature of the magnet 83. Two contacts formswitch 107 and two additional contacts 109 form a second switch. The former is closed and the latter open when the magnet is deenergized and the switches are reversed when the magnet is energized. Their functions will be described as the wiring diagram is discussed below.

Assuming that the fingers 91, 93 are in the dashed line position (Figure 4), a quarter or dime inserted in hopper '7 will be caught and held by the corresponding cradle. These coins can be returned to the depositer by actuating the usual coin return lever or button disposed on the exterior of the vending machine (not shown), which depresses the scavenging lever 111 (Figure i) which is pivoted at 113. The arcuate edge 115 of this lever contacts the projection 43 described above and opens the clearing gate 44. This moves channel 79 away from the cradle pins. The gate as it opens actuates a iever 115 which is pivoted at 117 and urged by spring 119 to retracted position, the lever carries coin ejecting arms 121', one for each coin cradle, and serves to eject the coins from the cradle pins when the gate is opened. The coins thus displaced are dropped into the coin return system.

Wiring diagram The rejecting system is shown in connection with a cup drink type of vendor although it is obvious to those skilled in the art that it may be used with a bottle, article or package vending machine just as well.

Most of the components of the circuits have already been described and the remainder will be described as they are reached.

Assuming that the machine is provided with product, in this case, a supply of cups to receive the product, and with a supply of nickels in payout tube 29, empty switch 121 and 5t? only switch 103 will be closed. The

payout solenoid will also be in non-energized condition so that the cut out switch 123 will be closed.

Nickel operation If a nickel is now deposited and accepted by the slug rejector, the nickel delivery switch will be closed momentarily to establish circuit A from main 125 through line 127, switch 25, line 129, delivery relay 131, line 133 to the other main 135. The relay closes switches 137 and 139. Switch 139 closes circuit B from mein 135, through line 133, relay 131, lines 129, 141, switch 139, line 143, shut oit' switch 145 (which is closed) and line 147 to main 125. The relay is thus held energized. Switch 137 closes circuit C from main 125, through line 149, switch 137, line 151, cup drop motor 153, line to main 135. This motor rotates cam 1.57 to open switch 145 breaking circuits A and B and closes switch 159 to make circuit D from main 125 through line 147, switch 159, lines 161, 151, motor 153 and line 155 to main 135. The motor will rotate the cam one revolution to open switch 159 and close 145. The motor 153 also controls the filling of the cup with liquid by means of suitable controls (not shown) which are known in the art.

The switch 145 when it is opened by the cup drop motor breaks the circuit E to deenergize coin return solenoid 51 as follows: main 135, line 163, solenoid 51, line 165, empty switch 121, line 143, switch 145, line 147 to main 125. The spring 57 therefore opens gate L24 so that all coins inserted in the rejector will be returned.

Should the magazine 169 be empty at any time, the switch 121 will be open and circuit E will be broken so that the gate will be opened as just described.

In addition, switch 1'71 will be closed to establish circuit F through the empty light 74 from main 135, vline 173, light 74, line 175, switch 171, lines 167, 143, switch 145, line 147 to main 125.

Dime and quarter operation The dime and quarter relay 83 is normally energized by circuit G from main 125 through line 147, switch 145, lines 143, 167, empty switch 121, lines 165, 183, relay magnet S3, line 185, nickel only switch 103, line 157, jam switch 123, lines 189 and 131 to main 135. This magnet, when thus energized, closes switch 109.

When the 10c and 25 delivery switch 17 is closed momentarily once by a dime or four times by the quarter, it closes circuit H frornmain 125 through line 127, switch 17, line 177, switch 109, lines 191, 129, delivery relay 131, line 133 to main 135 to energize the latter relay and circuits B and C described above.

Opening switch 145, as explained under circuit C, breaks circuit G and deenergizes relay 83 to open switch 109 and close 107. The coin return solenoid is also deenergized by the opening of switch 145 as before, to reject all coins.

Closure of switch 107 establishes circuit J from main 125 through line 127, switch 17, line 177, switch 107, line 179, payout solenoid 27, fused line 181 to main 135. Thus the payout mechanism is energized the same number of times as switch 17, that is once for a dime and four times for a quarter.

In the event the empty switch 121, the jam switch 123, or the nickel only switch 103 is open, circuit G will not be energized and the fingers 91 and 93 will position their projections 95, 97 under the cradles 9 and 13 so that the dime or quarter deposited will be held on the cradle until the coin scavenging mechanism is actuated, switches 73 and 99 will be closed and switch 73 is held closed while the solenoid 51 is energized.

The empty light will be energized by switch 171 (ciri cuit F) if the switch 121 is open and 171 closed.

If nickel only switch 103 or jam switch 123 is open, circuit K will be established from main 135, through line 163, switch 73, line 191, switch 99, line 193, nickel only light 105, lines and 147 to main 125.

The slide locking magnet 197 is in a constantly energized circuit L from main 135 through wire 199, relay 197, line 201 to main 125.

The magnet has an armature 2.03v which is pulledin by the magnet about pivot point .265i and is continuously urged outwardly by spring .2137. It'occupies the outward position when .the power is oif .for any reason and when it is inthis position, it engages hook 209 on the pay out slide and prevents the retraction ofthe slide by spring 211 to a point where another payout could occur. This structure and its function is fully set forth in my copending case, as is the operation of the magazine and magazine motor. Since these structures are not claimed, it is believed that further description thereof is unnecessary.

Summary of operation Under normal conditions, that is with an adequate supply of product in the magazine and of nickels in the payout tube, the power being on, the deposit of a nickel will cause the dispensing of one unit of the product.

When a dirne is deposited, one unit of the product will be dispensed and one nickel will be returned.

When a quarter is deposited, one unit of product and four nickels will be returned.

While the machine is operating, all deposited coins will be returned to the depositor due to the deenergization of the coin return solenoid 51.

Should the supply of product fail, the coins deposited will be returned because the coin return solenoid is deenergized and gate 44 is opened. Simultaneously the empty light 74 will be lighted.

lf the power supply fails, all coins deposited will be rejected because the coin return solenoid is deenergized and gate 44 is open.

In the event the supply of nickels in the payout tube is depleted below a level which will insure proper change being returned for the maximum value coin, the reject relay becomes deenergized and the cradles of the multiple value coins are locked in position by ngers 91, 93 to hold the coins thereon. The coins will be returned by the scavenging mechanism which is manually operated by the depositor.

Simultaneously the nickel only lamp is lighted.

Should the payout slide be locked or jammed so that change coins cannot be returned, the reject relay will be deenergized and the nickel only lamp will be lighted as just described.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structure and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, applicant does not desire to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed herein primarily for purposes of illustration; but instead, he desires protection 'falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

What l claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a coin rejection system for a vending machine changer having a slug rejector comprising a coin inlet, coin return means, means including a gate for defining a path between the inlet and return means, a series of movable deectors disposed in said path to selectively deflect different valued coins therefrom, means mounting said gate for movement to open position to establish a path for said coins between said inlet and return means which by-passes said deflectors, manual scavenging means for removing coins from the deectors, the improvement which comprises a mechanism movable between gate open and gate closed positions, means for continuously urging the mechanism to gate open position, rst electrical means for holding said mechanism in gate closed position, stop means movable to and from deector engaging positions to prevent the movement of said deectors for the higher valued coins from deflecting coins and second electrical means for holding said stop means out of engaging position, coin pay out means including an ejector movable between rest and ejecting positions, means operable by said ejector in the rest position for energizing said second electrical means.

2. In a coin rait-action :system for a vending machine changer having afslug rejector comprising a coin inlet, coin return meanmmeans including a gate for defining a path between the inlet and return means, a series of detectors disposed in said path to selectively deflect different valued coins therefrom, means mounting said gate for movement to open position to establish a path for said coins between said inlet and return means which bypasses saiddeflectors, manual scavenging means flor removing coins from thede'lectors, 'the improvement vwhich comprises a mechanism movable between gateopen and gate closed positions, means for continuously urging the mechanism to gate open position, rst electrical means for holding said mechanism in gate closed position, stop means movable to and from deector engaging positions to prevent the defiectors for the higher valued coins from detlecting coins and second electrical means for holding said stop means out of engaging position, a coin tube, an ejector therefor movable between rest and ejecting positions, a switch connected to be opened by said ejector when it is out of rest position, a switch, means responsive to a predetermined low level of coins in said tube for opening said last mentioned switch and means connecting said switches in series with said second electrical means.

3. In a coin rejection system for a vending machine changer having a slug rejector comprising a coin inlet, coin return means, means including a gate for defining a path between the inlet and return means, a series of deectors disposed in said path and operable to selectively deflect different valued coins therefrom, means mounting said gate for movement to open position to establish a path for said coins between said inlet and return means which by-passes said deectors, manual scavenging means for removing coins from the deectors, the improvement which comprises a mechanism movable between gate open and gate closed positions, means for continuously urging the mechanism to gate open position, rst electrical means for holding said mechanism in gate closed position, stop means movable to and from deector engaging positions to prevent the deflectors for the higher valued coins from detlecting coins and second electrical means for holding said stop means out of engaging position, coin pay out means including an ejector movable between rest and ejecting positions, means operable by said ejector in the rest position for energizing said second electrical means, a nickel only lamp, a switch means connected to be closed when said rst electrical means is energized, a second switch means connected to be closed when said second electrical means is deenergized and means connecting both said switch means in series with the lamp.

4. In a coin rejection system for a vending machine changer having a slug rejector comprising a coin inlet, coin return means, means including a gate for dening a path between the inlet and return means, a series of deectors disposed in said path to selectively deilect different valued coins therefrom, means mounting said gate for movement to open position to establish a path for said coins between said inlet and return means which by-passes said dcectors, manual scavenging means for removing coins from the deilectors, the improvement which comprises a mechanism movable between gate open and gate closed positions, means for continuously urging the mechanism to gate open position, first electrical means for holding said mechanism in gate closed position, stop means movable to and from deector engaging positions to prevent the deectors for the higher valued coins from operating and second electrical means for holding said stop means out of engaging position, a coin tube, an ejector therefor movable between rest and ejecting positions, a switch connected to be opened by said ejector when ,it is out of rest position, a second switch, means responsive to a predetermined low level of coins in said tube for opening said second switch and means connecting said switches in series with said second electrical means, a nickel only lamp, a switchrmeans connected to be closed when said rst electrical means is energized, a second switch means connected to be closed when said second electrical means is deenergzed and means connecting both said switch means in series with the lamp. 5

References Cited inthe lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Fry Aug. 11, 1942 Osborne Aug. 17, 1943 Weiler Aug. 1, 1944 Mihalek Dec. 20, 1949 Harris June 5, 1951 Donohue Ian. 22, 1952 ,dem fwn.,

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