US3266611A

US3266611A - Coin classifying device

Info

Publication number: US3266611A
Application number: US351423A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kovar Henry Charles
Original assignee: Cornelius Co
Current assignee: Cornelius Co
Priority date: 1964-03-12
Filing date: 1964-03-12
Publication date: 1966-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 1983-08-16
Also published as: DE1449166A1

Description

Aug. 16, 1966 H. c. KOVAR COIN CLASSIFYING DEVICE Filed Maich 12, 1964 INVENTOR. Benz dfifar 4 3,266,611 1C Patented August 16, 1966 3,266,611 COIN CLASSIFYING DEVICE Henry Charles Kovar, Anoka, Minm, assignor to The Cornelius Company, Anoka, Minm, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Mar. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 351,423 13 Claims. (Cl. 194-103) This invention relates generally to coin classifying devices, and more specifically to a mechanism which may be employed to reject undersized coins.

Although the principles of the present invention may be included in various coin rejectors, a particularly useful application is made in a rejector that requires the sorting out of coins smaller than a predetermined size. By way of example, since l-cent pieces will pass through any slot receptive of S-cent pieces, this mechanism may be employed in conjunction with a S-cent coin slot to sort out or reject l-cent pieces.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a coin classifying device which is therefore operative to reject undersize coins, a preferred embodiment thereof therefore constituting a penny rejector.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coin classifying device which is capable of separating or sorting coins which are respectively smaller than and larger than'a predetermined size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an undersize coin rejector which is characterized by a simplicity of structure.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a coin classifying device which will separate pennies from nickels.

Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheet of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

On the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end view, with a cover broken away, of a coin classifying device provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line IIIIII of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line IVIV of FIG. 2.

As shown on the drawings:

The principles of this invention are particularly useful when embodied in a coin classifying device such as illustrated in FIG. 1, generally indicated by the numeral 111. The device also comprises an undersize coin rejector, and in this instance may also be termed a penny rejector.

The coin classifying device It includes a molded or die cast housing generally indicated at 11 which has an internal configuration which comprises a coin chute or path generally indicated at 12, one side of which is closed by a cover 13. The coin path 12 at its upper end has a coin slot 14 which has a length and width slightly larger than the largest coin to be received therein. By way of example, the slot 14 may be sized just slightly larger than a S-cent piece.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the path 12 continues in a downwardly direction so that a coin may move edgewise therethrough under the influence of gravity. At the lower end of the housing 11, the 'coin path 12 divides into a pair of outlets, one of which is generally indicated at 15, and theother of which is generally indicated at 16. The coin path 12 thus is generally of an inverted Y-shape.

' ably being concave.

At a point'along the path 12, located slightly upwardly from where a coin may move toward the one outlet 15 or the other outlet 16, there is provided a fixed gaging surface 17, the same being disposed along the path 12, defining a portion of the path 12, and being directed toward the edge of each coin that moves in the path 12. The fixed gaging surface 17 is of convex configuration.

Referring to FIG. 2, projecting from the near wall 18 of the housing 11, there is provided a stub shaft 19 which is integral therewith. Pivotally supported on the shaft 19, is a member generally indicated at 20 which has a hub portion which is rockable back and forth on the housing stub shaft 19. The member 20 comprises a lever of the first-class type, and to one end of such lever, there is secured a suitable weight or mass 21 which biases the member 20 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, to a normal position as drawn. The member 20 includes a further portion directed in a generally opposite direction which terminates in an arm or gaging member 22 which extends through a slot 23 in the wall 18 of the housing 11, across the path 12, and into a recess 24 in the opposite housing wall 25. The upper or closed end of the slot 23 determines the extent to which the member 20 may pivot in response to its angular bias.

Referring to FIG. 3, the arm or gaging member 22 has an upwardly directed gaging surface 26, the same prefer- The surface 26 comprises an arc which is concentric with the convex arcuate fixed gaging surface 17, and which is also con-centric with the pivotal axis of the member 20.

The clearance or space between the fixed gaging surface 17 and the upwardly directed movable gaging surface 26 comprises a gap of predetermined size. I have found that to sort pennies from nickels, it is necessary that the magnitude of the gap between the gaging surfaces 17 and 22 must be accurately controlled. U.S. pennies have a nominal new diameter of .750 inch. U.S. nickels have a nominal new diameter of .836 inch. For reliable operation, in sorting of such two coins, either new coins or those which have been worn considerably due to circulation, it is necessary that the clearance between the gaging surfaces 17 and 26 be maintained at 780:.015 inch.

When a penny or other undersize coin is inserted in the slot 14, it moves edgewise under the influence of gravity along the coin path 12, past the fixed gaging surface 17 and into engagement with the movable gaging surface 26. Thus, the arm or member 22 is engaged by the edge of each coin moving in the path 12. The upper end of the surface 26 is disposed at one side of the path of cointravel, and thereby engages the coin oif-center, causing it to rock toward the fixed gaging surface 17, which surface 17 is far enough away to enable the undersize coin to pass by. Owing to the fact that the surface 26 is canted or slopes toward the outlet 15, it acts to cam the coin to such outlet. Since the coin slides along the surface 26, or rolls along the same, and since the gap between the gaging surfaces is slightly larger, the coin freely passes this gap of predetermined size, and falls from the arm or member 22 onto a sloping deflection surface 27 (FIG. 4) which deflects the same into a hollow chute 28 shown in FIG. 1 which conducts the same to a coin box 29, or which may conduct the same to a suitable coin return opening. During this coin movement, even though there may be some slight angular movement of the gaging arm inherently produced by the kinetic impact of the coin, the arm or gaging member 22 blocks the other outlet 16 which communicates with an acceptor cam schematically indicated at 30, which, on operation in a known manner, may discharge coins received therein in the coin box 29. (If desired, other coin testing or rejection means may be provided between the outlet 16 and the acceptor cam 30 in a known manner.) In the event that the kinetic energy of the falling undersize coin, at the moment the coin engages the arm 22, should in whole or in part overcome the bias provided by the weight 21, and slightly move the arm 22, no malfunction would take place as the coin is initially engaged off center to direct it toward the surface 17, which being concentric with the surface 26, provides a constant non-wedging gap, even during any such transient or momentary displacement of the arm 22, while blocking the path to the outlet 16.

Although coins of a diametrial size less than the size of the gap between the gaging surfaces 17 and 22 pass to the outlet 15, since they pass freely through such gap, a larger coin will not pass therethrough. By way of example, if a US. S-cent piece moves through the path 12, it engages the arm or member 22 off center and is rocked against the fixed gaging surface 17, the gaging surfaces 26 and 17 jointly blocking passage of the larger coin therethrough. However, the mass or weight of such coin acts on the member 22, and is sufiicient to overcome the bias on the member 20, thereby enabling the member 22 to move or pivot from the position shown in the drawings, to a position where it blocks the passage to the outlet and unblocks the passage or path to the other outlet 16. Thus, the arm or member 22 momentarily supports coins having a diametral size greater than the gap defined by the surfaces 26 and 17 and moves to enable such coin to pass to the outlet 16. The arm or member 22 in moving from the illustrated position, momentarily thus moves to a further position where it blocks the outlet 15 and unblocks the outlet 16.

The transverse length of the arm 22 preferably is sufficient so as to extend across the path 12 and into the recess 24, as described above. This precludes any accidental wedging of a thin coin between the inner end of the arm 22 and the adjacent wall of the housing 11.

In the operation described, the movement of a relatively small coin on the gaging surface 26 comprises a movement about an axis external to the coin, the same comprising the center of curvature of the convex surface 17. Since this surface is concentric with the pivotal axis of the arm or gaging member 22, the movement of a larger coin while temporarily supported on the gaging member or arm 22 is likewise thus also about the same axis since the pivotal axis is concentric with the center of the surface 17. This latter pivoting or movement of each of the larger coins is therefore also about an axis exter nal to the coin.

Although various minor modifications might be supgested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such embodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A coin classifying device, comprising:

(a) means defining a coin chute having a path terminating in two outlets, in which path a coin may move under the influence of gravity, said means including a fixed gaging surface along said path and directed toward the edge of such coin; and

(b) a movable gaging member normally so disposed in said path as to be engaged by the edge of each coin moving in said path,

(1) said gaging member normally defining a gap of predetermined size with said fixed gaging surface through which gap each coin, which has a diametral size less than said predetermined gap size, may pass to one of said outlets, and

(2) said gaging member and said fixed gaging surface being jointly engaged in response to movement in one lateral direction by any falling coin which has a diametral size greater than said predetermined gap size, being jointly operative to support momentarily such coin, and said gaging member, in response to being engaged by such greater size coin, being returnably movable to a position enabling such coin to move off said gaging member by moving in an opposite lateral direction to pass to the other of said outlets.

2. A coin classifying device, comprising:

(a) means defining a coin chute having a path terminating in two outlets, in which path a coin may move under the influence of gravity, said means including a fixed smoothly converging convex gaging surface defining a portion of said path and directed toward the edge of such coin; and

(b) a movably supported gaging member having an upwardly directed concave gaging surface concentric with said convex gaging surface, said member being normally so disposed in said path as to be engaged at the upper end of said concave gaging surface by the edge of each coin falling in said path,

(1) said gaging surfaces normally defining a gap of predetermined size through which gap each coin, which has a diametral size less than said predetermined gap size, may pass to one of said outlets, and

(2) said gaging member and said fixed gaging surface being jointly operative to support momentarily each coin which has a diametral size greater than said predetermined gap size, and said gaging member, in response to being engaged by such greater size coin, being returnably movable to a position enabling such coin to pass to the other of said outlets.

3. A coin classifying device, comprising:

(b) a gaging member movably supported in said path, and so disposed as to be engaged by the edge of each coin moving in said path,

(1) said gaging member having a normal position defining with said fixed gaging surface a gap of predetermined size through which each coin, which has a diametral size less than said predetermined gap size, may pass to one of said outlets, said gaging member blocking the path to the other of said outlets in said normal position, and

(2) said gaging member, in response to being engaged with said fixed gaging surface by each coin having a diametral size greater than said predetermined gap size, being momentarily returnably movable to a further position in the path to said one of said outlets in which further position it unblocks the path to said other of said outlets.

4. A coin classifying device, comprising:

(a) means defining a coin chute having a path terminating in two outlets, in which path a coin may move under the influence of gravity, said means includiing a fixed convex gaging surface defining a portion of said path and directed toward the edge of such coin; and

(b) a gaging member having an upwardly directed concave gaging surface concentric with said fixed convex gaging surface, said member being returnably pivotally supported about an axis concentric with said fixed convex gaging surface, and said gaging memher having a portion so disposed in said path as to be engaged at the upper end of said concave gaging surface by the edge of each coin falling in said path,

(1) said gaging surfaces defining a gap of constant predetermined size, which gap is pivotable and retains its size during any pivoting, through which gap each coin, which has a diametral size less than said predetermined gap size, may pass to one of said outlets when said gaging member is in a position blocking the path to the other of said outlets, and

(2) said gaging member being pivotal to a further position in which it unblocks the path to said other of said outlets and moves toward said one of said outlets in response to being engaged 'with said fixed gaging surface by each coin having a diametral size greater than said predetermined gap size.

5. A coin classifying device, comprising:

(a) means defining a coin chute having a path terminating in two outlets, in which path a coin may move under the influence of gravity, said means including a fixed convex gaging surface defining a portion of said path and directed toward the edge of such coin; and

(b) a gaging member having an upwardly directed gaging surface, said member being returnably pivotally supported about an axis concentric with said fixed convex gaging surface, and said gaging member having a portion so disposed in said path as to be engaged by the edge of each coin falling in said path,

( 1) said gaging surfaces defining a gap of predetermined size, which gap is pivotable and retains its size during any pivoting, through which gap each coin, which has a diametral size less than said predetermined gap size, may pass to one of said outlets when said gaging member portion is in a position blocking the path to the other of said outlets, and

(2) said gaging member being pivotal to a further position in which it unblocks the path to said other of said outlets and moves toward said one of said outlets in response to being engaged with said fixed gaging surface by each coin having a diametral size greater than said predetermined gap size.

6. A coin classifying device, comprising:

(a) a housing having an internal configuration defining a coin path terminating in two outlets;

(b) a fixed gaging surface within said housing at one side of said coin path; and

(c) a member pivotally supported by said housing and disposed outside thereof, and having a coin engaging gaging arm extending through on opening in said housing into said path in such manner as to be engaged by the edge of each coin moving in said path,

( 1) said gaging arm normally defining a gap of predetermined size with said fixed gaging surface through which gap each coin, which has a diametral size less than said predetermined gap size, may pass to one of said outlets, and

(2) said gaging arm and said fixed gaging surface being jointly operative to support momentarily each coin which has a diametral size greater than said predetermined gap size, and said gaging member, in response to being engaged by such greater size coin, being returnably pivotable to a position enabling such coin to pass to the other of said outlets.

'7. A coin classifying device, comprising:

(b) a fixed gaging surface within said housing at one said of said coin path; and.

(c) a member pivotally supported by said housing and disposed outside thereof, and having a coin engaging gaging arm extending through an opening in one housing wall, across said path, and into a recess in an opposite housing wall at such a location as to be engaged by the edge of each coin moving in said path,

3. A coin classifying device for sorting out smoothedged U.S. l-cent pieces from smooth-edged U.S. S-cent pieces, comprising:

(b) a movable gaging member normally so disposed in said path as to be struck at the point of gaging by the edge of each coin as it falls in said path,

(1) said gaging member normally defining a gap of .780i.015 inch with said fixed gaging surface for passing l-cent pieces 'therethrough to one of said outlets, and disposed to block the other of said outlets, and

(2) said gaging member and said fixed gaging surface being jointly operative to support momentarily each S-cent piece, and said gaging member being returnably movable in response to such engagement to a position enabling such S-cent piece to pass to the other of said outlets.

9. A coin classifying device, comprising:

(a) a coin-chute housing having an internal configuration defining a coin path which terminates in two outlets, in which path a coin may move edgewise under the influence of gravity;

(b) a fixed convex gaging surface integral with said housing and defining a portion of said path directed toward an edge of such coin; and

(c) a member pivotally supported by said housing and substantially entirely disposed outside thereof,

(1) said member having a gaging arm with a gaging surface extending through an opening in one housing wall, across said path, and into a a recess in an opposite housing wall at such a location as to be engaged at its upper end by the edge of each coin falling in said path, said arm having an upwardly directed concave gaging surface concentric with said convex gaging surface and concentric with the pivotal axis of said member,

(2) said gaging surfaces defining a gap of constant predetermined size, which gap is pivotable and retains its size during any pivoting, through which gap each coin, which has a diametral size less than said predetermined gap size, may pass to one of said outlets when said arm is in a po- 'sition blocking the path to the other of said outlets, and

(3) said member being returnably pivotal to a further position in which said arm unblocks the path to said other of said outlets and moves toward said one of said outlets in response to being engaged with said fixed gaging surface by each coin having a diametral size greater than said predetermined gap size.

10. A coin classifying device, comprising:

(b) a movable gaging member normally so disposed in said path as to be engaged by the edge of each coin as it falls in said path,

(2) said gaging member and said fixed gaging surface being jointly engaged by any falling coin having a diametral size greater than said predetermined gap size, said gaging member being so moved by a coin falling into such en agement as to enable such coin to disengage directly from said gaging member without rolling on said gaging surface, and to pass to the other of said outlets.

11. A coin classifying device, comprising:

(1) said gaging member normally defining a gap of predetermined size with said fixed gaging surface through which gap each coin, which has a diametral size smaller than said predetermined gap size, may pass to one of said outlets, said gaging member being returnably movable, in response to any kinetic displacement thereof by such smaller coin to move said gap toward said one outlet by an amount wherein the path to the other outlet remains blocked by said gaging member, and

(2) said gaging member and said fixed gaging surface being jointly operative to support momentarily each coin which has a diametral size greater than said predetermined gap size, and said gaging member, in response to being engaged by such greater size coin, being returnably movable to a greater extent to a position enabling such coin to pass to the other of said outlets.

12. A coin-classifying device according to claim 11 in which said gaging member is pivotably supported and swings said gap angularly toward said one outlet.

13. A coin-classifying device, comprising:

(a) means defining a coin chute having a path terminating in two outlets, in which path a coin may move under the influence of gravity, said means including a fixed convex gaging surface defining a portion of said path and directed toward the edge of such coin;

(b) a gaging member having an upwardly directed concave gaging surface concentric with said fixed convex gaging surface, said member being returnably pivotally supported about an axis concentric with said fixed convex gaging surface, and said gaging member having a portion so disposed in said path as to be engaged at the upper end of said concave gaging surface by the edge of each coin falling in said path; and

(c) said gaging surfaces defining a gap of a predetermined size which size remains constant as said gaging member is either pivoted by the kinetic energy ofa coin passing therethrough to one of said outlets by an amount wherein the other of said outlets remains blocked by said gaging member, or pivoted further by a coin too large to pass therethrough to enable the coin to fall toward the other of said outlets.

Reterences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 985,789 3/1911 Denton 194-103 1,617,496 2/1927 Paulson 194-103 2,084,943 6/1937 Christopher 194103 2,339,681 1/1944 Casey 194103 X 2,580,906 1/1952 Frost 194103 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, Examiner.

45 S. H. TOLLBERG, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A COIN CLASSIFYING DEVICE, COMPRISING: (A) MEANS DEFINING A COIN CHUTE HAVING A PATH TERMINATING IN TWO OUTLETS, IN WHICH PATH A COIN MAY MOVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GRAVITY, SAID MEANS INCLUDING A FIXED GAGING SURFACE ALONG SAID PATH AND DIRECTF TOWARD THE EDGE OF SUCH COIN; AND (B) A MOVABLE GAGING MEMBER NORMALLY SO DISPOSED IN SAID PATH AS TO BE ENGAGED BY THE EDGE OF EACH COIN MOVING IN SAID PATH, (1) SAID GAGING MEMBER NORMALLY DEFINING A GAP OF PREDETERMINED SIZE WITH SAID FIXED GAGING SURFACE THROUGH WHICH GAP EACH COIN, WHICH HAS A DIAMETRAL SIZE LESS THAN SAID PREDETERMINED GAP SIZE, MAY PASS TO ONE OF THE OUTLETS, AND (2) SAID GAGING MEMBER AND SAID FIXED GAGING SURFACE BEING JOINTLY ENGAGED IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT IN ONE LATERAL DIRECTION BY ANY FALLING COIN WHICH HAS A DIAMETRAL SIZE GREATER THAN SAID PREDETERMINED GAP SIZE, BEING JOINTLY OPERATIVE TO SUPPORT MOMENTARILY SUCH COIN, AND SAID GAGING MEMBER, IN RESPONSE TO BEING ENGAGED BY SUCH GRATER SIZE COIN, BEING RETURNABLY MOVABLE TO A POSITION ENABLING SUCH COIN TO MOVE OFF SAID GAGING MEMBER BY MOVING IN AN OPPOSITE LATERAL DIRECTION TO PASS TO THE OTHER OF SAID OUTLETS.