US3321058A

US3321058A - Change return apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3321058A
Application number: US461986A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert B Brooks
Original assignee: ADVANCE ENGINEERING Co
Current assignee: ADVANCE ENGINEERING Co
Priority date: 1965-06-07
Filing date: 1965-06-07
Publication date: 1967-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 1984-05-23

Description

y 23, 1967 R. B. BROOKS 3,321,058

CHANGE RETURN APPARATUS Filed June 7, 1965 CHANGE HANDLING APPARATUS ma ne qh INVENTOR.

\ ROBERT B. BROOKS TTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,321,058 CHANGE RETURN APPARATUS Robert B. Brooks, Golden Valley, Minn, assignor to Advance Engineering Company, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed June '7, 1965, der. No. 461,986 13 Claims. (Cl. 1942) My invention relates to change handling apparatus for vending machines and more particularly to an improved change return apparatus capable of handling units of change simultaneously in diiierent denominations.

With the increased merchandising of goods and services by vending machines a demand has arisen for improved apparatus for handling varieties of change, both coin and bills, to increase the versatility of vending machines. In apparatus of this type, it has been well recognized that change handling apparatus will accept greater than the amount of change required for a purchase, to vend an article or service, and to return to the customer the credit in the form of a payout in lower units of change. Recent advancements in change handling apparatus have permitted the acceptance of bills in addition to coin. In normal apparatus of this type, payout of return change is normally accomplished from a storage of return change which must be kept supplied with coins before the vending machine will operate properly. Recently the shortage of coin type currency has created a problem for the owners and operators of vending machines in that it is diificult to maintain an adequate supply of coin for payout purposes. A complicating factor is the necessity to return deposited coins at the customers request. This requires a holding device to return the same coins deposited to avoid use of the return feature as a means of obtaining change for large denomination of coin without making a purchase and thereby increasing the need for change storage in the machine. holding devices prevent effective use of the deposited coins for future payout as change, and thereby increase the need for change storage in the machine. This situation has also limited the flexibility in price change by the vending machine owner, and has resulted in lost sales.

The present invention is directed to an improved change payout apparatus which may be applied to vending machines to overcome the problem of the coin shortage and to increase the flexibility and applicability of the same. The improved change payout apparatus returns a total amount of return change in the smallest number of coins and does so from escrow type holding apparatus to thereby increase the use of the vending machine and reduce the maintenance of the same. The improved change return apparatus is applicable to coin of diiferent denominations, such as nickel, dime, quarter and half-dollar coins and may be used with bills in the same manner. Further, it may be applied in more simplified vending apparatus to coin denominations including pennies. This improved change return apparatus utilizes a logic type system which will insure return of the smallest possible number of coins to make up the total amount of change to be returned. The memory of the logic system is a selector switch which is connected to payout mechanisms associated with escrow holding units for various denomination coins of the vending machines. This system includes latching relays which selectively control the operation of the payout mechanisms depending upon the position of the selector switch. The customer deposited coins may enter directly into the escrow holding units and be used for future payout of change. In the event that return is requested, coins are dispensed out of these same holding units in the fewest number of largest denomination coin possible. This precludes use of the an- Practical 3,321,053 Patented May 23, 1967 paratus for a changer without purchase and yet does not require use of a holding device in order to return the same coins deposited. Also, since it economizes on number of coins dispensed, the machine requires less total coins held for payout, thereby reducing coin inventory, operator investment, and elfects of coin shortages. This improved change payout apparatus is particularly adaptable for vending machines which return change in total amounts between fifty cents and five cents or one dollar and five cents. As will be hereinafter noted, it is further applicable to various other units of change.

Therefore it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved change return apparatus particularly adapted for the handling of coin.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved coin change return apparatus capable of handling various denomination coin.

A further object of this invention is to provide in an improved change return apparatus an improved logic apparatus which will return the smallest number of coin or units of change making up the total amount of change to be returned.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved change return apparatus adapted to operate from escrow units to conserve on the coin required to operate the vending machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved change return apparatus which will prevent the use of the vending machine as a coin changer without purchasing an item from the machine.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in an apparatus of this type a simplified structure which is low in cost and readily maintainable.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached description to gether with the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the improved change return apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of the selector switch making up the logic portion of the change return apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a graphical presentation of the operation of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 for the change return apparatus; and

FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of improved change return apparatus applied to a larger number of coin denominations.

My invention in a change return apparatus is shown schematically in the drawings in connection with an overall change handling apparatus which for simplicity in disclosure is shown generally in block form. This change return apparatus is particularly adaptable for use in connection with coin and the disclosure herein shows several variations of the logic portion of the coin change return apparatus applied to various coin denominations, such as nickels, dimes, quarters, and fifty cent pieces. It will be understood, however, that the apparatu may be extended to incorporate the penny coin and may be ap plied to bills of various denominations or a combination of bills and coins. The improved change return apparatus or coin return apparatus is particularly advanta- FIGURE 1, the improved change return apparatus isshown connected to and associated with an overall change handling apparatus shown as a block at 10, having coin holding containers or escrow containers 12, 14 and 16 associated therewith which will represent escrow containers of various denominations of coins one container being required for each denomination. Each of these escrow containers has associated therewith a

coin release mechanism

18, and 22 which will eifect the release of a single coin or unit of change from the container upon a signal indicating a required operation of the same to release a coin from the container to a discharge chute 25 such that the coin may be returned to a payout station 28. The coin handling portion of the apparatus may take varying forms and as an example of this mechanism, reference is made to the patent of G. F. Erickson et al., No. 3,004,- 541, dated Oct. 17, 1961, and entitled, Change Ooin Delivery Mechanism. In apparatus of this type which may be applied to varying types of vending machines, coins or bills in excess of the desired amount of a purchase to be selected may be accepted by the change handling apparatus. Such change when properly received is credited against a future purchase. The coins or bills are held in an escrow chamber and after selection of an article to be purchased, the apparatus wi-ll debit the amount of purchase against the credit established and compute the total amount of change to be returned. Simultaneously with this operation, and apart from the change handling apparatus, suitable switching equipment will operate an associated vending machine to release the article purchased. The [original amount deposited in the vending machine for the change handling apparatus will be released from the escrow location and deposited in the

separate containers

18, 20, 22 or holding mechanisms for the various denomination coin and bills so that these coins and bills may be utilized for change return on future purchases.

In my invention, the escrow chamber is not required, as the coins may enter directly into the payout store. The total amount of change to be returned will be represented by an output shaft rotation such as is indicated by the dotted line in FIGURE 1. It will operate into a change return apparatus which in the present form provides an improved logic type system which will select from the coin handling apparatus various denomination coins or change to return the desired total in the smallest number and largest denomination of coins or bills. With the expected improvements in handling apparatus for paper type currency, this improved change return apparatus may also operate on bills as well as coin.

The change return system or coin return apparatus as shown in FIGURE 1 incorporates a multiple position switching means or rotary selector switch, indicated generally at 40, which forms the memory of the logic system for the coin return apparatus. Associated with the rotary switch means is a plurality of electromagnets or

solenoids

44, 45 and 46 which are adapted to be connected to and operate the

escrow holding means

18, 20 and 22 respectively, associated with the coin handling apparatus. The rotary switch means includes a rotatable contact 49 which is adapted to be rotated into contact with a plurality of stationary contact members 5059 to complete a plurality of switching circuits which are connected respectively and selectively to the coin release solenoids or electromagnetic means 44-46. Switoh position 60 is a final position in which no coin release circuit is made. The movable contact 49 of the selector switch is adapted to be moved by a stepping mechanism having a coil 62 and a switching contact 64 in serie therewith which controls the pulsed energization of the stepping coil to operate through a suitable rachet mechanism (not shown) to move the movable contact 49 in stepped rnovement between various switch positions represented by the stationary contacts of the selector switch. This drive is conventional and will be initiated or controlled through operation of the econd switch 65 in series therewith. The circuit for the stepping coil is energized through a conductor 66 leading to the energization circuit of the coin or change handling apparatus. Similarly the movable switch contact 4? is connected through a conductor 68 leading to the change handling apparatus. The return conductor of the energizing circuit for the stepping coil as indicated by the conductor 70 leads to the change handling apparatus to complete this energization circuit. As will be evidenced in FIGURE 1,

switch positions

50 and 55 are connected in common through a conductor '72 which leads to the payout solenoid or electromagnet 46. Switch positions 51, 53, 56 and 53 are similarly connected in common by a conductor leading to the payout solenoid or electromagnet 45. In addition, switch positions 52, 54, 57 and 59 are connected in common by the conductor 77 and lead to and connect with the payout solenoid or electromagnet 44. These

solenoids

44, 45 and 46 are connected in a common return conductor 78 leading back to the coin handling apparatus. In addition to the above, the logic system includes latching relays 82 and 84 having coils 85 and 86 which are connected in common at one extremity and t0 the return conductors 78 leading to the coin handling apparatus. The opposite extremities of the respective coils 85 and 86 are connected to the common conductors 72 and 75 respectively leading to the

payout solenoids

46, 45 respectively. Each of the latching relays has a control contact which is placed in the circuit for the next lower denomination payout solenoid. Thus the relay 82 with its energizing coil 85 has a switch contact 90 located in the common conductor 75 ahead of the energizing solenoid or payout solenoid 45. Similarly the relay 84 with its energizing coil 86 connected to the common conductor 75 has a switch contact 92 located in the common conductor 77 leading to the payout solenoid 44 for the lower denomination coin.

FIGURE 2 shows schematically the various positions of the selector switch of the logic circuit in terms of the respective coin denomination or unit of change with which it is normally associated. Thus, as will be seen in FIGURE 1, these various switch positions are connected to the respective payout solenoids 4 1-46, and it will be seen that the various switch positions in a descending order represent a decreasing total amount of change to be returned in a decreasing arithmetic progression of the lowest valued unit of change. In FIGURE 2 the various switch positions are shown as representing varying total amounts of change to be returned with these amounts noted in parentheses adjacent the switch position and the coin denomination circuits set out in dashes adjacent the switch positions. These respective switch positions are connected respectively to the coin payout solenoids which will represent the lowest unit of change or coin necessary to make up the total amount of change represented by the respective switch positions in the least number of coins. Thus for example, the switch position 50,'which is connected to the payout solenoid of the twenty-five cent or quarter denomination coin, represents a total of fifty cents to be paid out. Similarly the switch position 51 representing a total of forty-five cents to be returned is connected to the ten cent payout solenoid or electromagnet 45. The switch position 52 representing a total of forty cents to be returned is connected to the nickel or five cent payout solenoid. Similarly, the switch position 53 representing thirty-five cents to be returned is connected to the ten cent solenoid and the switch position 54 representing thirty cents to be returned is connected to the nickel solenoid. The switch position 55 representing twenty-five cents or a quarter to be returned is connected to the twenty-five solenoid and the switch position 56 representing twenty cents to be returned is connected to the dime or ten cent solenoid. In like manner, the switch positions 57, 58 and 59 representing respectively fifteen, ten and five cents to be returned are connected respectively to the nickel, dime and nickel payout electromagnets or solenoids. In each instance, the total amount of change to be returned will be paid out in accord with a sequence which starts with the smallest denomination of change or coin in the total followed by the next higher denomination of coin, if such is included in the total and so on to the largest denomination of coin if such is to be included in the total, so as to make up the smallest number of coins or units of change to be returned for the complete total amount of change to be returned. Thus in FIGURE 3, the various switch positions representing the various total amounts of change to be returned for a nickel, dime, quarter payout combination, in which a maximum of fifty cents is to be returned, is represented graphically with the conditions of payout or switch operation effective to operate one of the pay return solenoids being indicated for the various switch positions. For example, to return forty cents, the selector switch must start at position 52 and pay out one nickel at position 52, one dime at 53, and one quarter at position 55. It will be recognized that the movable switch contact .49 rotates clockwise as shown schematically in the drawings in a pulsed or stepped operation in accord with the operation of the stepping coil 62. Initially, the movable switch contact is positioned to a desired switch position representing a total amount of change to be returned through operation of the change handling aparatus and the rotative shaft included therein. This shaft will rotate the movable switch contact from a rest position to a desired switch position as dictated by the operation of the change handling apparatus which determines the total amount of change to be returned. During these conditions, the before mentioned circuits to the respective payout solenoids or electromagnets are not energized and no payout takes place. To indicate that this condition exists, the switch 65 is shown in the energizing conductor 68 leading to the change handling apparatus. It will be understood that during the initial setting operation of the logic system, the movable switch contact will not be con- .nected to an energizing source such as to operate any of the payout solenoids 44-46 or the latching relays .82, 84. When the logic system has been placed in a desired position to indicate a total amount of change to be returned, this circuit a switch 65 would be closed and the stepping coil 62 and contact 64 would be energized to move the wiper arm 49 in a clockwise direction in pulsed steps across the various stationary contacts representing the various switch positions in a descending order. It will be noted that whenever the movable contact or arm engages the switch positions 5% and 55 representing the quarter position or those positions which are connected to the quarter payout electromagnet 46, that the latching relay 82 will be energized. With such energization the associated contact or switch 9t) in the energizing Circuit of the dime payout relay or solenoid 45 will be broken preventing further operation of this payout solenoid. Similarly, whenever the ten cent or dime position is reached and its respective payout solenoid is energized, the latching relay 84 is also energized and its associated contact 92 in the energiza ion circuit for the payout electromagnet 44 or the nickel payout will be broken preventing energization of the same. These particular latching relays are of the type that when energized initially will open their respective switch contacts and these switch "contacts will remain in an open position until reset at the end of the payout cycle. This would be accomplished through reset coils 87, 88 for the latching relays which are energizing in the reset switch position of the stepping switch as indicated at 60, through

conductors

95, 96. Therefore, in the operation of the improved payout apparatus, the stepping switch of the logic circuit is set by the coin handling apparatus during a vend cycle in which various denomination coins generally in excess of the total amount of purchases are inserted into the coin handling apparatus and a selection of an item to be purchased from the vending machine is made, which selection will determine from the deposit credit a total amount of change to be returned. In the start of the payout cycle, the stepping relay will thus be positioned to any one of the various switch positions representing a desired total amount of change to be returned. Thereafter, and starting from any one of these numbered positions with the movable wiper contact 49 connected to an energizing circuit, the wiper moves clockwise in a stepped sequence in accord with the operation of the pulsing relay coil 62 and cont act as. Assuming that the movable contact has been positioned at the stationary switch position 50 indicating a total of fifty cents to be returned, the quarter payout solenoid or electromagnet 46 will be energized through the circuit which includes the conductor 72 and the return conductor 73. With the energization of this circuit, the latching relay 82 is also energized so that its coil 85 upon energization will operate the switch contact in the dime or ten cent payout solenoid circuit. Thus when the movable contact is stepped to the switch position 51 or the dime switch position, its energizing circuit to the payout solenoid 45 is open and .no payout will occur. However, the latching relay 84 will be energized and its coil will cause operation of the switch contact 92 in the nickel or five cent payout circuit. Further movement or stepping of the movable contact 49 through the next succeeding ten and five cent positions represented by stationary switch contacts 53, 54 will not cause energization of either of the nickel or dime payout solenoids. At the twenty-five cent position or switch contact 55, a second quarter will be paid out and from this point on, movement of the movable switch contact in pulsed steps through the succeeding switch positions connected to the nickel and dime payout solenoids will be ineifective to energize these devices because their energizing circuits have been opened by the latching relay contacts. Thus for the fifty cent position, two coins will be paid out and these will be quarters making up the least possible number of coins to represent the total amount to be paid out. It will also be recognized that the smallest denomination coin in the total will be paid out first and in this case will be the quarter coin. Similarly in the various switch positions representing various totals in descending arithmetic order the first switch position reached will effect a payout of the smallest coin making up the total of the amount to be returned. In each instance whenever the payout solenoid for the quarter is energized, the dime latching circuit will be thereafter latched out and whenever the dime payout solenoid is actuated the nickel payout solenoid will be deenergized and latched out. Therefore for totals in which the nickel is the smallest denomination, it will be first reached by the movable switch contact. Thus as will be seen from the various switch positions, the sequence of payout in which the maximum payout begins with a quarter will be followed by the sequence dime, nickel, dime, nickel, with the entire sequence being repeated for any desired number of times until the total of any desired amount is paid out. This is true Where only the nickel, dime and quarter coins are used. The system of payout may be used for any multiple of the total amount of payout which would be a quarter, thus it would be applicable for a quarter, fifty cents, seventy-five cents and a dol ar payout. Where only the dime and nickel coin is used, the total amount may similarly be positioned on a selector switch so that the smallest coin will be paid out first in a desired total sequence. This would also be true for any multiple from a nickel up to a dollar.

In FIGURE 4, another embodiment of a sequence using additional coins such as the half-dollar may be utilized for a vending machine which would accept any amount of coin or a dollar bill as a maximum credit. In this instance, as will be seen in FIGURE 4, the number of switch positions are 20 with the dollar position being a special energizing circuit which is connected to an escrow means for the original dollar bill to be returned. Thus, as will be seen in FIGURE 4, the maximum switch position as indicated at would be connected to a return solenoid 102. operating into an escrow holding device receiving the original dollar bill. If necessary, this station could be connected to the fifty cent payout solenoid which is eleven switch positions around the switch in the clockwise direction. Thus, as in the first mentioned embodiment or circuit configuration, the fifty cent payout solenoid as represented at 104 and switch position 1% could be connected in common with the switch position 1% to effect the same sequence or circuity as shown in the before mentioned embodiment with the addition of one larger denomination coin. In this sequence of switch positions, it will be noted that the dime-nickel, dimenickel sequence prevails with, the seventy-five cent location being connected to the quarter payout solenoid indicated at 110. The quarter payout solenoid is also connected to the fifth switch position as indicated at 115 with a common conductor 116 connecting these :points in a common energizing circuit with the quarter payout solenoid 110. Thus at the one dollar total position, either the dollar payout solenoid may be connected in circuit or the fifty cent solenoid be connected in circuit and at the seventy-five cent position, the quarter payout solenoid is connected in circuit as the smallest denomination of coin to be paid out in the seventy-five cent total return. Intermediate these positions the dime-nickel sequence prevails and at the fifty cent position, a fifty cent solenoid is connected. The remaining switch positions are connected respectively to the dime payout solenoid 118 and the nickel payout solenoid 120 respectively. In each of these energizing circuits, the latching relay, as defined in the before mentioned embodiment, is in conporated. Thus in the dollar payout solenoid, a latching relay 125 is connected to be energized with the one dollar payout solenoid and its associated

contacts

126, 127 and 12.8 appear in the fifty cent, twenty-five cent and ten cent payout solenoid energizing circuits. Similarly the fifty cent payout solenoid circuit includes a latching relay 130 which has movable switch contacts or latching

switch contacts

132 and 133 located respectively in the twenty-five cent and ten cent payout solenoid energizing circuits. The twenty-five cent payout solenoid energizing circuit includes a latching relay 140 whose switch contact 142 is included in the dime nickel payout solenoid energizing circuit 120. Although not shown, it will be understood that this logic switching means would also be connected to a coin handling apparatus such that the movable contact, indicated at 160, would move through operation of a rotating setting shaft 162 from the coin handling apparatus. Further the movable contact would be operated by stepping coil 163 and switch. contact 164 in series therewith to provide the pulse stepping operation in the same manner as the before mentioned embodiment. For simplicity, this interconnecting circuitry and the return circuitry in this embodiment is omitted since it will be understood that it will be connected in the same manner as that previously described. A rest position contact 170 on the switch would also be connected to reset

coils

173, 174, 175 and 176 of the respective latching coils 125, 130, 140 and 151) through a conductor 172 for resetting, as in the before mentioned embodiment.

Thus in the operation of this embodiment, the movable switch contact will be positioned to a desired payout total position any place betwen a nickel and a dollar and thereafter, the movable contact will be moved clockwise in a stepped sequence about the various switch positions. The lowest denomination coin for the lowest number of coins making up the total amount of change to be returned will be first contacted and as each of the higher denomination coins or units of solenoids are energized, a latching circuit is also energized to latch out the lower denomination of coin payout solenoids. The payout sequence, being the same as that previously described, will provide the correct amount of change for any amount from a dollar down to zero in nickel increments. It will be noted that the dollar position latches out all of the remaining payout devices except the nickel, and operation of the fifty cent position latches out the twenty-five cent and dime solenoids and operation of the dime position latches out the nickel solenoid. Thus the sequence of fifty cent, dime, nickel, dime, nickel, quarter, dime, nickel, dime, nickel, can be repeated for a dollar payout or may make up a fifty cent payout if desired.

This sequence of operation or logic circuit from a step switching and selector relay may also be applied to bills of the five and ten dollar denomination. Similarly, if it is desired to pay out coins in the denomination of a penny, the apparatus may be expanded to position four penny payout positions between each of the nickel switch increments so that these will be first contacted and contacted in the desired number of an odd cents payout and thereafter latched out by operation of any higher denomination or coin payout solenoids. From a practical standpoint, this significantly increases the number of switch positions so that it will delay the time required for payout of a total number of coins. However, it follows the same basic logic sequence and may be utilized for payout of any total amounts in penny increments if desired. In each instance, the lowest denomination coin making up the total number of coins will be paid out first.

While I have described the improved change payout apparatus in connection with a rotary switch in a logic system if may be recognized that this switching sequence may take varying forms and that the types of energizing circuits for the payout solenoids may vary. Therefore in considering this invention it should be remembered that the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative only and that variations may be made in the same. Therefore I wish to be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A- coin change return apparatus comprising, a rotary selector switch having a plurality of switch contacts defining a plurality of switch positions and a rotary wiper contact associated with the stationary contacts to complete a control circuit sequentially for each of the switch positions, said rotary switch contact being adapted to be connected to and initially positioned to various switch positions by a means which determine the total amount of change to be returned, motive means for moving the rotary switch contact in pulsed steps between the switch positions, a plurality of coin return solenoids each adapted to be connected to and operate a coin holding mechanism for a coin of diiferent denomination, a plurality of separate circuit means connecting respectively selected and different switch contacts representing the different switch positions to each of the coin return solenoids, a plurality of additional circuit means connected respectively to each of the separate circuit means, each of said additional circuit means including a relay having a controlling contact positioned in one of the separate circuit means of the next lower denomination coin return solenoids, each switch contact of the plurality of the switch positions representing the total amount of change to be returned being connected to the coin return solenoid representing the lowest denomination coin making up the total amount of the change to be returned.

2. A coin change return apparatus comprising, a rotary selector switch having a plurality of switch contacts defining a plurality of switch positions and a rotary wiper contact associated with the stationary contacts to complete a control circuit sequentially for each of the switch positions, said rotary switch contact being adapted to be connected to and initially positioned to various switch positions by a means which determine the total amount of change to be returned, motive means for moving the rotary switch contact in pulsed steps between the switch ly to each of the separate circuit means, each of said additional circuit means including a relay having a controlling contact positioned in one of the separate circuit means of the next lower denomination coin return solenoids, and said coin return apparatus operating to return the total amount of change indicated by the selected switch position in a sequence in which the lowest denomination coin for the total change to be returned is delivered first by operation of the respective coin return solenoid followed sequentially by the next higher denomination coin until the smallest possible number of coins making up the total amount of change has been delivered through operation of the respective coin return solenoids.

3. A change return apparatus comprising, a rotary selector switch having a plurality of switch contacts defining a plurality of switch positions and a rotary wiper contact associated with the stationary contacts to complete a control circuit sequentially for each of the switch positions, said rotary switch contact beind adapted to be connected to and initially positioned to various switch positions by a means which determine the total amount of change to be returned, motive means for moving the rotary switch contact between the switch positions, a plurality of change return solenoids each adapted to be connected and operate a change holding mechanism of a predetermined change denomination, a plurality of separate circuit means connecting respectively selected and difierent switch contacts representing the different switch positions to each of the change return solenoids, a plurality of additional circuit means connected respectively to each of the separate circuit means, each of said additional circuit means including a relay having a controlling contact positioned in one of the separate circuit means of the next lower denomination unit of change return solenoids, each switch contact of the plurality of the switch positions representing the total amount of change to be returned being connected to the change return solenoid representing the lowest unit of change making up the total amount of change to be returned in the fewest possible number of units.

4. The change return apparatus of claim 3 in which the number of switch positions is at least and no greater than 20.

5. The change return apparatus of claim 4 in which the ratio between the smallest and the largest unit of change is no greater than 10.

6. The coin change return apparatus of claim 2 in which the coin denominations are 5, 10 and 25 cents respectively.

7. The coin change return apparatus of claim 2 in which the coin denominations are 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents respectively.

8. A change return apparatus comprising, a payout selector switch means having a plurality of switch positions each indicative of a certain total amount of change to be returned with the switch positions being located in descending order and in accord with the descending arithmetic progression of the total units of change based on the lowest unit of change to be returned, logic circuit means included with the payout selector switch means, electromagnetic change release means for each of the units of change to be returned connected to and operable on a change holding means to release a unit of change, electromagnetic latching means connected to and energized with each of the change release means of each of the change holding means for each of the units of change and operated to render inoperative the change release means of the lower units of change, said logic circuit means having circuit connections between each of the various switch positions representing the total amount of change to be returned and the electromagnetic change release means for the lowest unit of change in said total, and means for moving said payout selector switch means between switch positions in a descending order from any initial condition in any of said switch positions to return the total amount of change in the smallest number of units of change.

9. The change return apparatus of claim 8 in which the payout selector switch means is adapted to be connected to and moved to an initial switch position through an auxiliary logic means which determines the total amount of change to be returned by the change return apparatus with the payout selector switch means: comprising a plurality of stationary switch contacts and a movable switch contact associated therewith and energized to pro vide pulsed outputs to the electromagnetic change release means and the electromagnetic latching means as the selector is moved to varying positions.

10. The change return apparatus of claim 8 in which the change to be returned is coins in the denomination of nickel, dime and quarter with the number of switch positions of the selector switch means being no greater than 10.

11. The change return apparatus of claim S in which the number of switch positions is at least 10 and no greater than 20 and the ratio between the smallest and largest unit of change is no greater than 10.

12. The change return apparatus of claim 8 in which the electromagnetic latching means includes a relay coil energized in circuit with the electromagnetic change release means for each of the units of change and having an associated operating contact positioned in energizing circuit with the change release means of the lower units of change.

13. A change return apparatus, comprising, a selector switch having a plurality of switch contacts defining a plurality of switch positions and a wiper contact associated with the stationary contacts to complete a control circuit sequentially for each of the switch positions, said switch contact being adapted to be connected to and initially positioned to various switch positions by a means which determine the total amount of change to be returned, motive means for moving the switch contact between the switch positions, a plurality of change return solenoids each adapted to be connected and operate a change holding mechanism of a predetermined change denomination, a plurality of separate circuit means connecting respectively selected and different switch contacts representing the difierent switch positions of the selector switch to each of the change return solenoids, a plurality of additional circuit means connected respectively to each of the separate circuit means, each of said additional circuit means including a relay having a controlling contact positioned in one of the separate circuit means of the next lower denomination unit of change return solenoids, each switch contact of the plurality of the switch positions for the selector switch representing the total amount of change to be returned being connected to the change return solenoid representing the lowest unit of change making up the total amount of change to be returned.

Claims

1. A COIN CHANGE RETURN APPARATUS COMPRISING, A ROTARY SELECTOR SWITCH HAVING A PLURALITY OF SWITCH CONTACTS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF SWITCH POSITIONS AND A ROTARY WIPER CONTACT ASSOCIATED WITH THE STATIONARY CONTACTS TO COMPLETE A CONTROL CIRCUIT SEQUENTIALLY FOR EACH OF THE SWITCH POSITIONS, SAID ROTARY SWITCH CONTACT BEING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO AND INITIALLY POSITIONED TO VARIOUS SWITCH POSITIONS BY A MEANS WHICH DETERMINE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CHANGE TO BE RETURNED, MOTIVE MEANS FOR MOVING THE ROTARY SWITCH CONTACT IN PULSED STEPS BETWEEN THE SWITCH POSITIONS, A PLURALITY OF COIN RETURN SOLENOIDS EACH ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO AND OPERATE A COIN HOLDING MECHANISM FOR A COIN OF DIFFERENT DENOMINATION, A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTING RESPECTIVELY SELECTED AND DIFFERENT SWITCH CONTACTS REPRESENTING THE DIFFERENT SWITCH POSITIONS TO EACH OF THE COIN RETURN SOLENOIDS, A PLURALITY OF ADDITIONAL CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTED RESPECTIVELY TO EACH OF THE SEPARATE CIRCUIT MEANS, EACH OF SAID ADDITIONAL CIRCUIT MEANS INCLUDING A RELAY HAVING A CONTROLLING CONTACT POSITIONED IN ONE OF THE SEPARATE CIRCUIT MEANS OF THE NEXT LOWER DENOMINATION COIN RETURN SOLENOIDS, EACH SWITCH CONTACT OF THE PLURALITY OF THE SWITCH POSITIONS REPRESENTING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CHANGE TO BE RETURNED BEING CONNECTED TO THE COIN RETURN SOLENOID REPRESENTING THE LOWEST DENOMINATION COIN MAKING UP THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CHANGE TO BE RETURNED.