US3175670A - Coin changing equipment having payback escapement mechanism - Google Patents

Description

March 30, 1965 a. B. OFFUTT ETAL COIN CHANGING EQUIPMENT HAVING PAYBACK ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2, 1962 INVENTORS. [/mer Brad/e y Offuff By Joseph fl//en Lofspeich Joseph F Lofspeic/i a- I 3, g@, g a 7 J ATTORNEYS.

March 30, 1965 QFFUTT r 3,175,670

COIN CHANGING EQUIPMENT HAVING PAYBACK ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM Filed July 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

3/4 26% [/mer Brad/2y Offu ff 272 y Joseph fill/en 0 fspeich Joseph E Lofspeich ATTORNL Y5.

3,175,670 CQEN (IHANGKNG EQUEMENT HAVING PAYBAQK ESCAPEMENT MEQHANISM Elmer Bradley Otlutt, Independence, Joseph Allen Lotspeich, Florissant, and .loseph h. Lotspeich, Ilennings, Mot, assignors of one-half to The Vendo Company, Kansas (lity, Min, and one-half to oin Acceptors, Inc, St. Louis, Mo., both corporations of Missouri Filed July 2, 1962, Ser. No. 206,950 4 filaims. (Cl. 194-10) This invention relates to coin handling equipment especially adapted for use in coin controlled vending machines, and particularly to apparatus capable of determining the denomination of coins inserted in the vending machine, effecting actuation of the product delivery structure of the machine, and returning proper change coins to the customer if the deposit in the machine exceeds the price of the article selected.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide coin changing equipment of the type wherein change coins are returned to the customer of a value equal to the difference between the total Value of coins inserted in the machine by the customer, and the price of the article purchased by the customer, and with novel escapement mechanism being employed to assure return of only the desired number of change coins to the customer to provide positive, maintenance-free operation of the unit.

Another significant object of the invention is to provide coin changing apparatus wherein a number of change coins are present in the unit and an electric motor driven change coin dispenser employed so that the number of change coins delivered from the machine during each cycle of operation of the coin changing apparatus, is directly dependent upon the time period of actuation of the motor in order that the number of change coins delivered may be readily varied by simply altering the period of operation of the change coin delivery motor.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide coin changing apparatus as referred to above wherein the employment of a motor for driving the change coin delivery mechanism permits the utilization of a coin sensing device to control operation of the motor so that the length of the period of actuation of the motor may be governed by the particular coins sensed by the coin sensing device. In this respect, another important object of the invention is to provide coin changing apparatus wherein the coin sensing device comprises a switch in series relationship in the motor circuit so that upon closing of the contacts of the switch by a coin passing through the apparatus, the motor is actuated to effect delivery of change coins from the apparatus, and with novel means being employed for maintaining the switch closed for a required period and under the control of the motor so that the switch is reopened as soon as a proper number of change coins have been delivered from the apparatus.

Other important objects and details of the construction of the present invention will become obvious or be explained in greater detail as the specification progresses.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, rear elevational view of the lower portion of coin changing apparatus embodying the preferred concepts of the present invention, and with the cover plate normally positioned thereover, being removed for purposes of showing the internal construction of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of FIG. 1 and looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view ite States atent taken on the irregular line 3--3 of FIG. 1 and also looking downwardly as shown by the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the coin changing apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the electrical components of the coin changing apparatus and the interrelationship of such components with a part of the electrically operated mechanism of a conventional vending machine.

The coin changing apparatus embodying the preferred concepts of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings and with the over-all apparatus being broadly designated by the numeral 10. Only the lower portion of apparatus it has been illustrated because the upper portion thereof forms no part of the present invention and serves only to mount a conventional coin accepting unit capable of separating authentic coins from spurious discs and separating coins into the various denominations thereof for ultimate gravitational into the lower, coin changing portion of the apparatus as shown in the drawings. It is to be understood further that the upper portion of the mechanism also includes electromagnet controlled blocking devices for preventing coins from passing into the changer portion of the apparatus under certain conditions as will be made clear hereinafter. It is particularly contemplated that apparatus 10 be adapted to handle quarters, nickels and dimes and therefore the electromagnet controlled blocking devices are adapted to extend into the proper coin paths of the coin accepting unit at the upper end of the changing mechanism, to preclude such coins from passing into the changer and directing the coins to the reject chute of the vending machine for return to the customer.

The main housing 12 of apparatus 10 includes a main bottom wall 14 integral with a rectangular flange 16 and joined to a centrally located, upright dividing wall 18 that is joined to the horizontal upper wall 20 which serves to separate the upper coin accepting unit portion of apparatus 10 from the lower changer section thereof as illustrated in FIG. 1. An upright side wall 22 extends upwardly from bottom wall 14 the full height of housing 12, While a relatively short, upright, interior Wall 24 is integral with and depends from upper wall 20 in spaced relationship to the margin 16a of flange 16. As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, wall 24 extends the full frontto-back dimension of housing 12 at the upper portion of the changer compartment of apparatus 10, but terminates at dividing wall 18 in spaced relationship to bottom wall 14 in the rear compartment of housing 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The rear compartment of housing 12 which is designated by the numeral 26, also is provided with an upright, relatively short, angular wall 28 which cooperates with dividing wall 13 and side wall 22 to present a coin chute 30 for directing coins through the bottom wall 14 to a coin collection box within the vending machine. A relatively long, upright wall 32 in the front compartment 34 of housing 12 and extending from the outer edge of interior wall 24 to the margin 16a of flange 16, serves as the inner wall of a coin return chute 36 having a plate 38 thereover and extending the full length of compartment 34.

A number of upright, removable plates are mounted on dividing wall 18 within compartment 34 to define individual coin channels for nickels, dimes and quarters gravitating from the coin accepting unit carried by the upper section of apparatus 10. The innermost plate 40 carried by dividing wall 18 cooperates with the latter to define a 25 chute 42 while a substantially wider plate 44 carried by plate 40 and wall 18 has an inner surface that defines a 10 chute 46 between plates 40 and 44. The outer plate 43 is not illustrated in full detail, since the latter does not Q) form a part of the present invention, but it is to be understood that such plate cooperates with plate 44 to present a pair of aligned nickel channels that also lead to the lower portion of compartment 34. The coin accepting unit within the upper section of apparatus 18 has a flipper element therein for causing nickels to move through alternate coin channels between plates 44 and 48, so that the nickels may be directed to a pair of coin storage tubes in compartment 34 as will be explained. Also, it is to be understood that the coin channels 42 and 46 as well as the nickel channels between plates 44 and 48, communicate with the upper end of coin chute for direction of the coins into the collection box of the vending machine.

A vend switch 50 is mounted on the face of dividing wall 18 defining a portion of compartment 26, and lo cated immediately below the upper wall 20 as shown in FIG. 1. Dividing wall 18 as well as the plates 40, 44 and 48 are provided with two series of aligned, arcuate slots 52 and 54 therein, for clearing the projections 56 and 58 of the vend switch actuating arm 60. Thus, passage of any coin down through the channels within compartment 34, will effect closing of vend switch 50 to deliver a product from the machine. Additional coin sensing mechanism in the nature of a switch 62 is mounted on wall 18 within compartment 26 below vend switch 50 and with the switch housing 64 of switch 62 being located in spaced relationship to wall 18 by elongated spacer ele-- ments 66 as shown in FIG. 2. The wall 18 as well as plates 40 and 44 are provided wit-h another series of arcuate slots 68 therein which serve to clear the extension 70 of coin sensing switch actuating arm 72. A generally L-shaped projection 74 of arm 72 extends to the right of housing 64 as shown in FIG. 1 for purposes to be hereinafter defined.

It is to be understood that compartment 34 of housing 12 is provided with a pair of side by-side, parallel, upright, cylindrical coin tubes for receiving a plurality of change coins in stacked relationship. In the changer illustrated herein, it is contemplated that the change coins be nickels and the tubes for receiving such change coins are located in overlying, aligned relationship to the coin clearing openings 76 and 78 (FIG. 3) in bottom wall 14 adjacent dividing wall 18 and interior wall 24. An irregularly configured, generally rectangular casting 80 secured to the underface of bottom wall 14 and as illustrated in FIG. 4, is provided with a pair of coin delivery openings 82 and 84 therein immediately below the coin storage tubes 86 and 87 and below openings '76 and 78. A pair of integral, generally arcuate channel members 88 and 90 depending from the main planar portion of casting 80, define a pair of arcuate coin tracks 92 which underlie tubes 86 and 87. The casting 80 also carries a pivot pin 94 which rotatably receives an irregular slide plate 96 located between bottom wall '14 and the upper face of casting 80. Plate 96 is provided with a pair of coin receiving openings 98 and 99 which are alternately aligna'ble with the openings 76 and 78 during oscillation of plate 96.

The mechanism for driving slide plate 96 includes an electric motor and gear unit 100 carried by interior wall 24 in the compartment defined by the latter and wall 32. The main output shaft 102 of motor and gear unit 100 and depending therefrom, mounts an eccentric block 104 which rotates with shaft 102. A link 106 pivotally coupled to block 104 in eccentric relationship to the axis of rotation of block 104, is also pivotally connected to an upstanding lug 108 projecting upwardly from slide plate 96. As best shown in FIG. 3, wall 14 is provided with an arcuate slot 110 therein for clearing lug 108 whereby rotation of shaft 102 by motor and gear unit 100 effects oscillation of plate 96 through linkage 106.

A switch 112 for sensing the level of coins in the tubes 86 and 87, is carried by the rear face of wall 18 adjacent chute 30, and is provided with a generally L-shaped actuating arm 114 thereon adapted to be engaged by the upstanding segments 116 of generally Z-shaped coin feelers 118 rotatably carried on pivot means 120 mounted on wall 18. Counter-weights 122 on each of the feelers 118 bias the coin feeling sections 124 thereof toward the coin tubes 86 and 87. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the tubes 86 and 87 is providen with an upright slot 126 therein for clearing respective sections 124 of feelers 118. The segments 116 of feelers 118 shift the contacts of switch .112 if the level of change coins in tubes 86 and 87 falls below a level determined by sections 124 of feelers 118.

Means for causing the motor and gear unit 100 to operate for a predetermined interval to effect delivery of change coins to a customer, includes an elongated lever broadly designated 128 and including a main upright section 130 pivotally mounted on horizontal pivot pin 132 carried by boss 134 projecting outwardly from dividing wall 18 into compartment 26. An arm section 136 projccting to the left of main section 180 of lever 128 as shown in FIG. 1, carries a counterweight 138 thereon for biasing lever 128 in a counterclockwise direction and into the normal position thereof illustrated in FIG. 1. The upper end of main section 130 of lever 128 is provided with a generally L-shaped support segment 140 positioned to engage the L-shaped projection 74 of switch actuating arm 72 when the latter is depressed by a coin passing downwardly through channels 42 or 46. The outer left-hand margin of segment 140 as shown in FIG. 1, is provided with an arcuate surface 142 that normally engages the outer extremity of projection 74 so that upon swinging of arm 72, the projection 74 rides along surface 142 onto the upper edge 144 of support segment 140. When the projection 74 clears surface 142, the counterweight 138 rotates lever 128 through an arc in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 1, to cause the projection 74 to come to rest on edge 144 of segment 140 and thereby retain arm 72 in a depressed condition.

Mechanism for returning lever 128 to the normal position thereof as shown in FIG. 1, includes a cam unit broadly designated 146 and mounted on the lower portion of motor and gear unit 100 in parallel relationship to shaft 102. The cam unit 146 is mounted on vertical shaft 148 for rotation about the axis thereof, and is provided with a gear section 150 on the upper portion thereof, in operable intermeshing relationship with a pinion 152 carried by shaft 102 and rotatable therewith. A main cam section 154 of cam unit 146 and rotatable about the axis of shaft 148, has three lobes 154a thereon projecting outwardly from the main surface of cam section 154 and located approximately 120 apart as indicated in FIG. 3. The lower end of main section 130 of lever 128 is provided with an extension 156 thereon located to be engaged by the lobes 154a of cam section 154 to effect swinging movement of lever 128 about the axis of pivot pin 132 as the cam section 154 is rotated to bring the lobes 154a into engagement with extension 156. The cam unit 146 is rotatable in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 3 to effect swinging movement of the lever 128 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The cam unit 146 is also provided with a second cam section 158 thereon having three lobes 158a which project outwardly from the inner surface of cam section 158. It is to be noted, as indicated in FIG. 3, that the effective cam surface of each of the lobes 158a is sub stantially greater than the effective area of lobes 154a, and that lobes 158a are also spaced approximately 120 apart but not in alignment with the lobes 154a. A motor carrier switch 160 mounted on interior wall 24 below motor and gear unit 100, has an actuating button 162 which is engaged by the swingable arm 164 rotatably carried by the support plates of switch 160. A roller 166 on the outer extremity of arm 164 is disposed to be engaged by the lobes 158a of cam section 158 and with spring means within switch 160 and biasing button 162 outwardly, serving to force roller 166 toward cam section 158 to cause the lobes 158a to change the contacts of switch 160 during counterclockwise rotation of cam unit 146 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

A quarter support member broadly designated 168 is also swingably mounted on the face of Wall 18 defining a portion of compartment 26, and as best shown in FIG. 1, member 168 is of generally J-shaped configuration and is provided with a central segment 170 pivotal about a pin 172 carried by dividing wall 18 immediately behind coin sensing switch 62. The right-hand, arcuate section 174 of member 168 viewing the rear of apparatus 10, is provided with a relatively large counterweight 176 thereon serving to bias member 168 in a clockwise direction but with the screw 178 on the dividing Wall 18 adjacent the slots 68 therein, serving to limit rotational movement of member 168 by virtue of engagement of the outer foot portion 180 of segment 170, with screw 178. An integral, generally horizontal, coin support extension 182 projecting through slots 68 from member 168, is located immediately below the extension 70 of arm 72 and is shiftable along the arcuate path defined by slots 68, during swinging movement of member 168. The lower, downwardly projecting segment 184 of member 168 is provided with a series of downwardly facing ratchet or escapementtceth 186 which are engaged by the spaced, inwardly extending projections 188 and 190 of a pawl 192 rotatably carried by a pivot pin 194 mounted on the face of dividing wall 18. An outwardly extending ledge 196 of arm section 136 of lever 128 is disposed to engage a roller 198 carried by the lower extremity of pawl 192 whereby swinging movement of lever 128 effects rocking motion of pawl 192.

A schematic diagram of a representative control circuit for apparatus 10 as well as the associated significant components of a vending machine is illustrated in FIG. 5. The power terminals are designated 208 and 202 with the terminal 200 being connected to the switch arm 204 of a cam controlled switch 206 associated with the vend motor 208 of the vending machine receiving apparatus 10, by a power line 210. The other power terminal 202 is joined to the field windings of vend motor 208 by a line 212. One contact 214 of switch 206 is joined by line 216 to a line 218 which leads from the field windings of vend motor 208 to the relay switch contact 220 of a credit relay broadly designated 222. The other contact 224 of switch 206 is coupled to the relay switch arm 226 of relay 222 by a line 228. It should be pointed out at this juncture that the vend motor 208 is pro- .vided with a cam thereon which controls movement of switch arm 204 between the contacts 214 and 224. The coil 230 of relay 222 is joined to line 212 by connecting line 232 and the opposite side of coil 230 is connected to a line 234 by line 236. The vend switch 50 has a movable switch arm 238 controlled by actuating arm 60, as well as a pair of contacts 240 and 242. The line 234 serves to join the contact 242 of vend switch 50 to the relay switch contact 244 associated with switch arm 226. Line 246 connects the other contact 240 of vend switch 50 to the relay switch arm 248 which is movable between the relay contact 220 and contact 250. Line 252 operably interconnects the switch arm 238 of vend switch 50 and the power line 210. The other contact 250 of relay 222 is joined to the coin return electromagnet 254 by line 256.

Line 258 connects the other side of the coil of electromagnet 254 to line 212, while line 260 connects the coil of the -25 coin return electromagnet 262 to the power line 256. A Use 5e, 10 or 25 lamp 264 is interposed in a line 266 leading from power line 210 to the other side of the coil of electromagnet 262. The line 268 joining power line 210 to the contact 270 of nickel level sensing switch 112 is provided with a Correct Change Only lamp 272 therein. The other contact 274 of switch 112 is joined to line 266 by a line 276.

The switch arm 278 of switch 112 and controlled by the actuating arm 114, is connected to the contact 280 of switch 62 by a line 282. The switch arm 284 of switch 62 and controlled by actuating arm 72, is connected to the contact 286 of motor carrier switch by line 288. The other contact 290 of switch 168 is joined to a line 282 interconnecting the field windings of motor 294 of unit 100, with the contact 296 of inventory switch 298, by a line 300. Line 382 couples the contact 304 of coin sensing switch 62 to the line 300. The manually shiftable switch arm 306 of inventory switch 298 is connected to power line 212 by line 308 while the line 310 joins switch arm 312 of carrier switch 160 to the line 308. It is to be understood that the switch arm 312 is controlled by the button 162. The line 314 serves to connect the field windings of changer motor 294 to the power line 210.

Operation In describing the operation of apparatus 10, it is assumed that the same is located in a vending apparatus and that suitable electrical connection is provided between the components of the vending mechanism illustrated in the right-hand portion of the schematic wiring diagram of FIG. 5, and the electrically operated com ponents of the changer as shown in the left-hand portion of the schematic diagram. It is also assumed that the coin tubes 86 and 87 contain suflicient change coins to maintain the fceler sections 124 out of respective tubes so that the switch arm 278 of switch 112 is in engagement with the contact 274. In this manner, the coin return electromagnets 254 and 262 are in an energized condition through a circuit that may be traced from power terminal 200 through line 210, line 252, switch arm 238 of vend switch 50, contact 240, line 246, switch arm 248 of relay 222, line 256, the coil of electromagnet 254, line 258, line 212 and power terminal 202. The electromagnet 262 is energized from line 256 through line 260, the coil of electromagnet 262, line 276, switch arm 278 of switch 112, line 282, contact 280, switch arm 284 of coin sensing switch 62, line 288, contact 286, switch arm 312 of motor carrier switch 160, line 310, line 308, line 212 and power terminal 202. With the elecrtomagnets 254 and 262 in an energized condition, the coin blocking devices connected thereto are maintained out of the coin channels of the coin accepting unit mounted in the upper portion of apparatus 10, and therefore the customer may deposit either nickles, dimes or quarters in the vending machine.

Assuming initially that the machine is set up for sale of products at a price of 5 and the customer deposits a nickel in the machine, the coin will gravitate downwardly through the coin acceptance chute into the en trance of the coin accepting unit mounted on the upper end of housing 12. The nickel will be subjected to various tests for physical condition and authenticity within the accepting unit, and then will be directed into the nickel channels of apparatus 10 defined by plates 44 and 48 mounted on dividing wall 18. Depending upon the initial location of the flipper in the coin accepting unit, the nickel will be directed either into the left or right channels of the coin accepting chute between plates 44 and 48, and will then gravitate downwardly toward the coin accepting chute 30. During downward movement of the nickel, the coin will strike either the projection 56 or projection 58 of vend switch actuating arm 60 to effect shifting of the switch arm 238 out of engagement with the contact 240 and into engagement with contact 242. Shifting of the switch arm 238 of vend switch 50 energizes relay 222, thus moving switch arm 248 away from contact 258 and breaking the circuit to electromagnets 254 and 262, precluding insertion of additional coins in the machine by the customer, until after the vend cycle has been concluded. Any coins deposited in apparatus 10 during operation of vend motor 208, will result in the coins engaging the blocking devices controlled by electromagnets 254 and 26?. whereby such coins are caused to gravitate into the coin return chute of the vending machine via chute 36.

Returning to the instant of the contact of the switch arm 238 of vend switch 50 with the contatct 242, the credit relay 222 is energized through a circuit from power terminal 200 including line 210, line 252, switch arm 238, contact 242, line 234, line 236, the coil of relay 222, line 232, line 212 and power terminal 202. Energization of the coil of relay 222 causes the switch arms 226 and 248 thereof to be moved into engaement with the contacts 244 and 220 whereby the vend motor is energized from the power lines through the lowermost switch of the relay 222 as shown in FIG. 5, and a holding circuit is established for the coil 230 through the uppermost switch of the relay from line 210 through the switch arm 204 of vend motor control switch 206, contact 224, line 228, switch arm 226, contact 244, line 234, line 236, coil 230, line 232 and power line 212 leading to terminal 202. It is to be appreciated that the coin which engages the projections 56 or 58 of vend switch actuating arm 60, continues to gravitate downwardly through the coin channel therefor, and therefore the switch arm 238 is in only momentary engagement with the contatct 242 to provide a pulse for the coil 230 of relay 222, whereupon the switch arm 238 returns to its normal position in engagement with contact 241 Thus, as soon as the switch arm 238 returns to the normal position thereof, the vend motor 208 is energized from line 210 through line 252, the switch arm 238 of vend switch 50, contact 240, line 246, relay switch arm 248, contact 220, line 218, the field windings of motor 208, and line 212 leading to terminal 202.

Upon actuation of the vend motor 208, the cam on the shaft thereof shifts the switch arm 204 into engagement with contact 214 whereby a holding circuit is established for the vend motor'until the cam again shifts the switch arm 204 back into engagement with contact 224. The holding circuit for vend motor 208 extends from power line 210 through the switch arm 204, contact 214, line 216, line 218, the field windings of motor 208 and line 212 leading to terminal 202. When the switch arm 204 under the control of the cam on motor 208, moves out of engagement with contact 224, the holding circuit for relay 222 is broken thereby returning the relay to a deenergized condition. Upon completion of the vend cycle, all of the components of apparatus 10 and the vending machine are returned to stand-by condition.

However, if the customer inserts a dime in the vending machine for purchase of a article, the dime gravitates downwardly through the coin accepting unit at the upper end of apparaus 10, and then is directed into the dime chute 46 for gravitation downwardly along the length of dividing wall 18. During initial downward movement, the dime contacts the projection 56 of vend switch actuating arm 60, whereby the vend cycle of the machine is actuated in accordance with the circuit previously traced. In conjunction with delivery of a product to the customer, the dime also actuates the change making portion of apparatus to effect return of one nickel to the customer along with the article delivered from the mechanism. The dime moves downwardly through the chute 46 and engages the extension 70 of arm 72 to force the latter to rotate in a counterclockwise direction viewing FIG. 1, whereby the projection 74 of arm 72 is shifted upwardly along surface 142 of support segment 140 and comes to rest on edge 144. The counterweight 138 swings lever 128 in a counterclockwise direction to cause the projection 74 to be retained on segment 140 and thereby maintaining the actuating arm 72 of coin sensing switch 62 in a depressed condition. Shifting of switch arm 284 into engagement with the contact 304 of switch 62, effects energization of motor 294 of unit 100 and maintenance of the electromagnet 262 in a (la-energized condition to preclude deposit of coins requiring change in the machine 202. The changer motor 294 will therefore be actuated.

for a time period at least as long as the engagement of the switch arm 284 with contact 304.

During operation of motor 294, the shaft 102 is rotated to effect revolution of block 104 through an arc to effect oscillation of shiftable plate 96 through an arc to deliver one change coin from one of the coin tubes 86 or 87.

In the instance of deposit of a dime in apparatus 10, during the rotation of shaft 102, the cam unit 146 is rotated therewith through pinion 152 and gear section 150, Whereby the came section 154 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction viewing FIG. 3 to bring one of the lobes 154a into engagement with the extension 156 to rotate lever. 128 in a clockwise direction through a sufficient arc to release the projection 74 of actuating arm 72 whereby the latter is returned to the normal position thereof as illustrated by the upper dotted line in FIG. 1, under the influence of the spring positioned internally of housing 64. Although the switch arm 284 of coinsensing switch 62 returns to the position thereof in engagement with contact 288, the motor 294 continues to run for a time period determined by the motor carrier switch 160. After the cam section 158 has been rotated through a sufficient arc to bring the outer surface of the next cam lobe 158a into engagement with roller 166, the actuating arm 164 is shifted in a direction to move button 162 and thereby force switch arm 312 into engagement with contact 290. In this manner, a holding circuit for motor 294 is established through switch and thereby maintains the change motor energized until the cam lobe 158a in engagement with roller 166, moves to a location permitting the arm 164 to return to the original location thereof as illustnated in FIG. 3. In this manner, delivery of a change coin from apparatus 10 is assured by providing for a positive time interval of operation of motor and gear unit 100.

When the customer inserts a quarter in the vending machine, the coin passes downwardly through the coin accepting unit and 1S introduced into the chute 42 for gravitation toward the coin chute 30. During downward movement of the quarter, the same initially engages the projection 56 of vend switch actuating arm 60 to initiate the vend cycle previously described, and with the quarter then engaging the extension 70 of coin sensing switch arm 72 to shift the latter downwardly into the dotted line position of the same as illustrated in FIG. 1. When the arm 72 has been moved to the dotted line position illustrated, the switch arm 284 is moved into engagement with contact 304 to energize motor 294 as previously described, but the quarter, which is illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 1, does not gravitate downwardly past the switch arm 72, because of the quarter engaging the extension 182 of support member 168. The pawl 192 prevents downward movement of the foot portion of member 168 because of the engagement of projection 188 with one of the teeth 186 of member 168. The projection 74 of arm 72 is also maintained above the edge 144 of segment 140 by the coin resting on the extension 70 of arm 72 as well as on the extension 182.

During rotation of cam unit 146 by the shaft 102, the cam section 154 thereof effects oscillation of lever 128 and each time the arm section 136 of lever 128 is moved upwardly during swinging movement of the lever, the escapement pawl 192 is rotated about the axis of pin 184 to permit the member 168 to rotate counterclockwise through an arc equivalent to one tooth on mem her 168. During movement of the projection 188 out of 9 engagement with a corresponding tooth 186, the projection 190 engages an adjacent tooth in conventional escapement manner, to preclude rotation of member 168 through more than one step.

Since the stop screw 178 initially locates the member 168 in a position so that projection 188 is in engagement with the third tooth 186 downwardly from the foot portion 180, it can be seen that the pawl 192 will prevent downward movement of the left-hand portion of member 168 viewing FIG. 1, until after the projection 188 has cleared all of the teeth 186 as lever 128 swings pawl 192. In this manner, three reciprocations of lever 128 are required in order to effect release of the quarter from are tension 182 so that the member 168 may return to the initial location thereof under the influence of counterweight 176.

However, upon release of the quarter from the member 168, the switch actuating arm 72 does not return to the original location thereof under the influence of the spring within housing 64, because of the fact that the projection 74 comes to rest on the edge 144 of support segment 140 of lever 128. Thus, one additional oscillation of lever 128 is required in order to release arm 72 so that the motor 294 will be deenergized upon movement of switch arm 284 into engagement with contact 280 and return of switch arm 312 to its position in engagement with contact 286. By virtue of the arrangement of the teeth 186 on member 168, and the required number of revolutions of shaft 102 to effect delivery of coins from the tubes 86 and 87, four change coins will be delivered by the slide plate 96 before the change motor 294 ceases operation.

By virtue of the construction set forth above, different numbers of change coins may be delivered from the mechanism depending upon the initial disposition of projection 188 of pawl 192 relative to the teeth 186 of member 168, and physical alteration of the mechanism to accomplish this function is not required. For example, the screw 178 can simply be shifted to another location as for example the dotted line opening shown immediately therebelow.

Apparatus 10 may also be readily adapted for vending at a 10 price rather than the price specified above, by the simple expedientts of using different switch actuating wires for the vend switch 50 and the coin sensing switch 62, and also by altering the cam 146 depending upon the type of wires used with the switches 50 and 62. Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1. In coin changing apparatus having structure for storing a plurality of change coins in stacked relationship, coin path defining means for receiving coins of a higher denomination inserted in the apparatus -and comprising a multiple of said change coins, and shiftable change coin discharge means associated with said structure, the combination with said coin discharge means of:

a prime mover operably coupled to said change coin discharge means for moving the latter to discharge a change coin from the structure during each cycle of operation of the prime mover;

first and second normally open switches for cycling the prime mover and including a swingable first switch actuator for the first switch and having a first projection thereon positioned to extend into said coin path defining means and be deflected by a coin of said higher denomination passing therethrough to eifect swinging of the first switch actuator through an arc to close said first switch and thereby initiate operation of said prime mover, said first switch actuator having a second projection thereon remote from said first projection;

lever means pivotally mounted adjacent said first switch and provided with an arcuate surface thereon normally engaging said second projection on the first switch actuator when the latter is in an unactuated position, said surface leading to a shoulder on the 10 lever means located to engage and support the sec.- ond projection of said first switch actuator thereon: when the first switch actuator has been deflected by; a higher value coin through said arc to close the first; switch, there being means operably associated with said lever means for biasing the portion having saidi surface thereon toward said second projection on the: first switch actuator, and the surface on said leverr means being configured to substantially conform to:-

the arcuate path of travel of the second projection to minimize interference to swinging movement of the first switch actuator by said lever means; cam means on the output shaft of said prime mover operable to close the second switch after closing 05 the first switch, to then pivot said lever means away from said second projection on the first switch actuator through an arc to release thesecond projection therefrom and permit return of the first switch actuator to the initial position thereof and thereby reopen the first switch, and finally to open said second switch to deactivate the prime mover after a preselectedriumbeI of change coins have been dispe se from said structure by said discharge means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein sald first and second projections on the first switch a'eiii are located on opposite sides of the axis of swinging mo e ment of said first switch actuator and said second projec' tion is positioned between the lever means and said axis,

3. Apparatus as claiinedin claim 1 wherein is provided shiftable, progressively withdrawable siippoft means adja-- cent said first switch actuator for ietaining' a" coin of an: other higher denomination on said first projectiori 6f Said first switch actuator after closing of said first switch,- means operably associated with said support means for controlling progressive withdrawal of the lattr from the initial position thereof in supporting relationship to a coin of said other denomination dufirig successive cycles of operation of said prime mover and the dispensing of a corresponding number of change coins before the support means is withdrawn whereby upon withdrawal of the support means from a coin retaining location, said other denomination coin is released from the first switch Q's-t l: ator and in successive order, the second projection on the first switch actuator shifts onto the shoulder of said lever means, said first switch actuator is released from the lever means, upon closing of the second switch, and finally the second switch is opened to deactivate the prime mover after dispensing of said preselected number of change coins.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means controlling withdrawal of the coin support means includes a ratchet connected to the support means and having a series of teeth thereon, escapement pawl means pivotally mounted adjacent the ratchet in disposition to engage the teeth thereof and control stepping of the 'PP means, and means on the lever means po'sitiond to errgage said pawl means to oscillate the latter in response to periodic swinging of the lever means by said cam means and corresponding in number to the successive cycles of operation of said prime mover References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,820,306 8/31 Ferguson.

2,273,948 2/42 Forslund et al 22175 2,581,502 1/52 Wallin 194l0 2,728,434 12/55 Fry 1941O 2,732,054 1/56 I-Iehn 19410 2,957,568 10/60 Gabrielsen 194.02 2,972,400 2/ 61 Gabrielsen 194-.02 76 2/61 Hatcher 194 ro 2,990,930 7/61 Melvin 1 94'-9 3,053,370 9/62 Schuller 1949-9 X RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner. KENNETH N. LEIMER, Examiner,

Claims (1)

1. IN A COIN CHANGING APPARATUS HAVING STRUCTURE FOR STORING A PLURALITY OF CHANGE COINS IN STACKED RELATIONSHIP, COIN PATH DEFINING MEANS FOR RECEIVING COIS OF A HIGHER DENOMINATION INSERTED IN THE APPARATUS AND COMPRISING A MULTIPLE OF SAID CHANGE COINS, AND SHIFTABLE CHANGE COIN DISCHARGE MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID STRUCTURE, THE COMBINATION WITH SAID COIN DISCHARGE MEANS OF: A PRIME MOVER OPERABLY COUPLED TO SAID CHANGE COIN DISCHARGE MEANS FOR MOVING THE LATTER TO DISCHARGE A CHANGE COIN FROM THE STRUCTURE DURING EACH CYCLE OF OPERATION OF THE PRIME MOVER; FIRST AND SECOND NORMALLY OPEN SWITCHES FOR CYCLING THE PRIME MOVER AND INCLUDING A SWINGABLE FIRST SWITCH ACTUATOR FOR THE FIRST SWITCH AND HAVING A FIRST PROJECTION THEREON POSITIONED TO EXTEND INTO SAID COIN PATH DEFINING MEANS AND BE DEFLECTED BY A COIN OF SAID HIGHER DENOMINATION PASSING THERETHROUGH TO EFFECT SWINGING OF THE FIRST SWITCH ACTUATOR THROUGH AN ARC TO CLOSE SAID FIRST SWITCH AND THEREBY INITIATE OPERATION OF SAID PRIME MOVER, SAID FIRST SWITCH ACTUATOR HAVING A SECOND PROJECTION THEREON REMOTE FROM SAID FIRST PROJECTION; LEVEL MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNT ADJACENT SAID FIRST SWITCH AND PROVIDED WITH AN ARCUATE SURFACE THEREON NORMALLY ENGAGING SAID SECOND PROJECTION ON THE FIRST SWITCH ACTUATOR WHEN THE LATTER IS IN AN UNACTUATED POSITION, SAID SURFACE LEADING TO A SHOULDER ON THE LEVER MEANS LOCATED TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT THE SECOND PROJECTION OF SAID FIRST SWITCH ACTUATOR THEREON WHEN THE FIRST SWITCH ACTUATOR HAS BEEN DEFLECTED BY A HIGHER VALUE COIN THROUGH SAID ARC TO CLOSE THE FIRST SWITCH, THERE BEING MEANS OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID LEVER MEANS FOR BIASING THE PORTION HAVING SAID SURFACE THEREON TOWARD SAID SECOND PROJECTION ON THE FIRST SWITCH ACTUATOR, AND THE SURFACE ON SAID LEVER MEANS BEING CONFIGURATED TO SUBSTANTIALLY CONFORM TO THE ARCUATE PATH OF TRAVEL OF THE SECOND PROJECTION TO MINIMIZE INTERFERENCE TO SWINGING MOVEMENT OF THE FIRST SWITCH ACTUATOR BY SAID LEVER MEANS; AND CAM MEANS ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF SAID PRIME MOVER OPERABLE TO CLOSE THE SECOND SWITCH AFTER CLOSING OF THE FIRST SWITCH, TO THEN PIVOT SAID LEVER MEANS AWAY FROM SAID SECOND PROJECTION ON THE FIRST SWITCH ACTUATOR THROUGH AN ARC TO RELEASE THE SECOND PROJECTION THEREFROM AND PERMIT RETURN OF THE FIRST SWITCH ACTUATOR TO THE INITIAL POSITION THEREOF AND THEREBY REOPEN THE FIRST SWITCH, AND FINALLY TO OPEN SAID SECOND SWITCH TO DEACTIVATE THE PRIME MOVER AFTER A PRESELECTED NUMBER OF CHANGE COINS HAVE BEEN DISPENSED FROM SAID STRUCTURE BY SAID DISCHARGE MEANS.

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