US3340981A

US3340981A - Money-handling devices

Info

Publication number: US3340981A
Application number: US611500A
Authority: US
Inventors: Okolischan Anton
Original assignee: National Rejectors Inc GmbH
Current assignee: Crane Payment Innovations GmbH
Priority date: 1966-12-05
Filing date: 1966-12-05
Publication date: 1967-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 1984-09-12

Description

p 12, 1967 A. O KOLlS CHAN 3,340,981

MONEY*HANDLING DEVI GES Filed Dec. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 1967 A. oKouscHAN 3,340,981

MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES Filed Dec. 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 5, 1966, Ser. No. 611,500 18 Claims. (Cl. 194-102) This is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 478,210 for Money-Handling Devices, which was filed Aug. 9, 1965, now abandoned.

This invention relates to improvements in moneyhandling devices. More particularly. this invention relates to improvements in coin-handling devices.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved coin-handling device.

In many coin-handling devices, coin-receiving cradles are provided to sense the diameters of inserted coins and slugs and thereby separate authentic coins of the desired denomination from undersize coins and slugs. Those cradles intercept authentic coins of the desired denomination and then respond to the weights of those coins to rotate and deliver those coins to runways which guide those coins away from the rejected coin chutes of the coin-handling devices. Many undersize coins and slugs are not supposed to be intercepted by the coin-receiving cradles; and, instead, are supposed to pass downwardly between the coin-receiving surfaces of those cradles, and thus :be guided away from the accepted chutes for authentic coins of the desired denomination. In some instances, however, such undersize coins and slugs can engage the lower coin-receiving surfaces of the cradles, can rotate those cradles, and can then ride the coinreceiving surfaces of those cradles. All such riding of the coin receiving surfaces of the cradles of coin-handling devices is objectionable, becauseit can guide the undersize coins and slugs away from the rejected coin chutes of those devices, and can thereby lead to the acceptance of such coins and slugs.

United States Patent In recognition of this fact, cradle latches have been provided to keep undersize coins and slugs from rotating the-cradles of the coin-testing devices, and then riding the lower coin-receiving surfaces of those cradles. Those cradle latches are normally in cradle-blocking position; and authentic coins of the desired denomination move those latches out of that position but undersize coins and slugs are not supposed to move those latches out of that position. However, the diameters of some undersize coins and slugs are so close to the diameters of authentic coins of the desired denomination that it is not commercially practical to make cradle latches which will move to cradle-freeing position whenever authenticcoins of the desired denomination are inserted but which will remain in cradle-latching position whenever undersize coins or slugs having diameters close to the diameter of an authenic coin of the proper denomination are inserted. Yet, it is important that such undersize coins or slugs be rejected. The present invention makes it possible to reject such undersize coins or slugs; and it does so by providing a cradle latch which is moved to cradle-releasing position by undersize coins or slugs which have diameters close to those of authentic coins of the desired denomination but which thereafter slows down or stops the rotation of the cradle before that cradle can reach its coin-releasing position. In doing so, that cradle latch keeps the undersize coins or slugs from reaching the accepted coin chute-by causing the cradle to hold those coins or slugs until they are scavenged and are thus caused to fall into the rejected coin chute. It it, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a latch for the cradle of a coin-testing device which can respond to an undersize coin or slug, having a diameter close to the diameter of authentic coins of a desired denomination, to free that cradle but which will subsequently slow down or stop that cradle before that cradle can reach its coin-releasing position.

Where coins have deep, sharply-defined milling at the peripheries thereof, that milling can tend to coact with the coin-receiving surfaces on the cradle of a coin-testing device to tend to cause those coins to hang within that cradle rather than to roll off of that cradle as that cradle reaches its coin-releasing position. Failure of any authentic coins of the desired denomination to roll off of the cradle would be objectionable because it could keep the possessors of such coins from obtaining the products or services which they desired. Further, any such failure of authentic coins of the desired denomination to roll off of the cradle would be objectionable because it would require the patrons to operate the scavenging systems of the coin-receiving machines in which the coin-testing devices are mounted. As a result, it would be desirable to provide a coin-testing device which would make certain that all authentic coins with deep, sharply-defined milling at the peripheries thereof rolled freely off of the cradle thereof. The present invention provides such a coin-testing device; and it does so by equipping that device with a member which will cam any coins, that tend to hang within the cradle of that device, away from the coinreceiving surfaces of that cradle as that cradle approaches its coin-releasing position. Instead of relying solely upon gravity to free authentic coins of the desired denomination from the cradle, the coin-testing device of the present invention cams any coins, which tend to hang within that cradle, away from the coin-receiving surfaces of that cradle. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coin-testing device with a member which can earn authentic coins of the desired denomination away from the coin-receiving cradle of that device as that cradle approaches its coin-releasing position.

The camming members of the preferred embodiments of coin-testing device provided by the present invention are the cradle latches of those devices. Such an arrangement avoids the need of additional components for those devices, and also avoids increases in the forces needed to rotate the cradles of those devices. As a result, the preferred embodiments of coin-testing device provided by the present invention are simple, and they readily respond to the coins inserted therein. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a latch for the cradle of a coin-testing device which can cam authentic coins of the desired denomination away from that cradle as that cradle approaches its coin-releasing position.

The cradle latch of the coin-testing device provided by the present invention has a coin-receiving surface and has a latching surface; and those surfaces are spaced different distances from the pivot for that latch. The coin-receiving surface on that cradle latch is spaced further from that pivot than is the latching surface; and hence the effective moment arm of that coin-receiving surface is greater than the effective moment arm of that latching surface. This is desirable; because it enables that cradle latch to be used with cradles for light-weight coins. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a cradle latch, for the cradle of a coin-testing device, which has a coin-receiving surface and a latching surface, and wherein the effective moment arm of the coin-receiving surface is greater than the effective moment arm of the latching surface.

The cradle latch provided by the present invention has a smooth, gently-rounded coin receiving surface and has an abrupt latching surface. The abrupt nature of the latching surface is important in preventing undesired and accidental freeing of the cradle whenever the cradle latch is supposed to prevent rotation of that cradle; and the smooth gently-rounded nature of the coin-receiving surface isimportant in facilitating the coin-induced rotation of the cradle latch. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a cradle latch which has an abrupt latching surface and has a smooth, gently-rounded coin-receiving surface.

In some instances, it is desirable to accept authentic coins of a desired denomination and to reject considerably undersized coins and slugs but to accept undersized coins with diameters that are close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination. For example, in those States of the United States which abut Canada, it is desirable to accept U.S. quarters and to reject U.S. nickels but to accept Canadian quarters. The present invention makes it possible to accept authentic coins of a desired denomination and to reject considerably undersized coins and slugs but to accept undersized coins with diameters that are close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination; and it does so by providing a latch for the cradle of a coin-handling device which will free that cradle whenever an authentic coin of the desired denomination is inserted and which will also free that cradle whenever an undersized coin having a diameter close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination is inserted but which will block rotation of that cradle whenever a considerably undersized coin or slug is inserted. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coin-handling device with a latch for the cradle thereof which will free that cradle whenever an authentic coin of the desired denomination is inserted and which will free that cradle whenever an undersized coin having a diameter close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination is inserted but which will block rotation of that cradle whenever a considerably undersized coin or slug is inserted.

To accept authentic coins of the desired denomination and to accept undersized coins having diameters close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination but to reject considerably undersized coins or slugs, the latch provided by the present invention must coact with the cradle to constitute an accurate coin-sizing gauge. The cradle will constitute an accurate coin-sizing gauge for authentic coins of the desired denomination, and the latch will coact with one of the coin-receiving surfaces on that cradle to constitute an accurate coin-sizing gauge for undersize coins having diameters close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination. The latch will respond to authentic coins of the desired denomination to move to cradle-freeing position and thus permit the cradle to gauge those coins, it will respond to undersize coins having diameters close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination to move to cradle-freeing position and will then coact with one of the coin-receiving surfaces on that cradle to gauge those coins, but'it will not move to cradle-freeing position when considerably undersized coins or slugs are inserted. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a latch which can coact with one of the coin-receiving surfaces of a cradle to constitute on accurate coin-sizing gauge for undersize coins having diameters close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description.

In the drawing and accompanying description several preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a broken, front elevational view of one preferred embodiment of coin-testing device that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the coin-testing 4 device of FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 22 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is another sectional view through the coin-testing device of FIG. 1, it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 33 in FIG. 2, and it shows how an authentic coin of the desired denomination moves the latch to cradle-releasing position,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view that is taken along the plane indicated by the line 33 in FIG. 2, and it shows the cradle in coin-releasing position,

FIG. 5 is a further sectional view that is taken along the plane indicated by the line 33 in FIG. 2, and it shows the latch in cradle-blocking position,

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cradle and latch of FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 is a still further sectional view that is taken along the plane indicated by the line 33 in FIG. 2, and it shows how an undersized coin having a diameter close to that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination moves the latch to cradle-releasing position,

FIG. 9 is yet another sectional view that is taken along the plane indicated by the line 33 in FIG. 2, and it shows the latch engaging, and being held against rotation by, an abutment on the coin-testing device,

FIG. 10 is another sectional view that is taken along the plane indicated by the line 22 in FIG. 1, and it shows a washer that limits rotation of the latch,

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the coin-testing device of FIG. 1 after it is equipped with the washer of FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 is a sectional view, taken along the plane indicated by the line 33 in FIG. 2, which shows the cradle of the washer-equipped device of FIGS. 10 and 11 in coin-releasing position,

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of part of another preferred embodiment of coin-testing device of the present invention,

FIG. 14 is a sectional rear view of the part of the cointesting device shown in FIG. 13, and it shows how an undersize coin having a diameter close to that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination moves the latch to cradle-freeing position,

FIG. 15 is another sectional rear view of the part of the coin-testing device shown in FIG. 13, and it shows the latch engaging, and being held against rotation by, an abutment on the coin-testing device,

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the part of the cointesting device shown in FIG. 13,

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of part of another preferred embodiment of coin-testing device of the present invention,

FIG. 18 is a sectional rear view of the part of the cointesting device shown in FIG. 17, and it shows how an authentic coin moves the latch to cradle-freeing position,

FIG. 19 is another sectional rear view of the part of the coin-testing device shown in FIG. 17, and it shows how an under-sized coin having a diameter close to that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination moves the latch from its normal cradle-locking position to a second cradle-locking position,

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of part of the scavenging plate of the coin-testing device,

11- 16. 21 is a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 17, an

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of part of a further preferred embodiment of coin-testing device of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9 in detail, the numeral 20 generally denotes a coin-testing device in which the present invention has been incorporated. That coin-testing device has a wall 22; and that wall has

bosses

24 and 26 extending forwardly from it. Those bosses are vertically directed, and they coact with that wall to define three sides of the coin entrance for the coin-testing device 20'. A shallow recess 28 is formed in the front face of the wall 22; and that recess is arcuate in configuration, as shown by FIG. 1. A further shallow recess 30 is formed in the front face of the wall 22; and that recess is arcuate in configuration, as shown by FIG. 1.

A pivot 32 is secured to the wall 22; and that pivot extends rearwardly from that wall, as shown by FIG. 2. A pendulum 34 has a hub which is telescoped over the. pivot 32, and that pendulum is disposed adjacent the rear face of the wall 22. A coin-receiving pin 36 is carried by the lower end of the pendulum 34, and that pin extends forwardly through an arcuate slot 38 in the wall 22. The pendulum 34 normally hangs in a vertical position; and the pin 36 normally is in position to be engaged by authentic coins of the desired denomination, as those coins move downwardly through the coin entrance of the cointesting device 20. That pendulum can respond to an authentic coin of the desired denomination to rotate far enough in the counter clockwise direction in FIG. 1 to permit that coin to move downwardly past the pin 36.

The numeral 40 denotes a further pivot which is secured to the wall 22; and that pivot extends forwardly from that wall. A scavenging lever 42 is rotatably mounted on the pivot 40; and that scavenging lever has a camming surface 44 thereon. That scavenging lever will be disposed adjacent a linkage, which extends to the exterior of the coin-receiving machine with which the coin-testing device 20 is used, so a patron can apply pressure to that linkage and thereby effect clockwise rotation of that scavenging lever. A wiper blade 43 is secured to and rotates with the scavenging lever 42.

The numeral 46 denotes a scavenging plate which is rotatably secured, at its right-hand edge in FIG. 1, to the wall 22 by a hinge pin, not shown. That scaveninging plate has a coin-guiding portion 48 which projects upwardly into position between the

bosses

24 and 26 on the wall 22. That coin-guiding portion constitutes the fourth side of the coin entrance for the coin-testing device 20; and the scavenging plate 46 and the wall 22 help define a passage way for coins and slugs moving downwardly through that coin entrance. A pivot 50 is secured to the scavenging plate 46; and that pivot extends forwardly from that scavenging plate, as shown particularly by FIG. 2. A slot 54 is provided in the scavenging plate 46, and the lower portion of that slot is arcuate while the upper portion of that slot is arcuate in part and is polygonal in part. The slot 54 is generally in register with the shallow recess 30 in the front face of the wall 22. A shallow groove 56 is provided in the rear face of the scavenging plate 46, and that groove extends to the upper portion of the slot 54. As shown particularly by FIGS. 3-5, that groove is arcuate; and it is in register with the pin 36 on the pendulum 34. A notch 58 is provided in the scavenging plate 46- immediately adjacent the bottom of the coin-guiding portion 48; and that notch is arcuate in configuration. A small abutment 62 is provided on the rear face of the scavenging plate 46- to the right of the slot 54, as that slot is viewed in FIGS. 3-5; and the leading edge of that abutment is chamfered.

A boss 64 is formed on the front face of the scavenging plate 46; and that boss is disposed below the slot 54, as that slot is viewed in FIG. 1. A groove in that slot accommodates a generally horizontally-directed portion of a washer-catching, wire-like element 66. A counterweight 68 is secured to the lower end of that wire-like element; and that counterweight urges the upper end of that wirelike element through the upper, polygonal portion of the slot 54 into the passageway between the wall 22 and the scavenging plate 46.

The numeral 70 generally denotes a diameter-testing cradle for coins and slugs; and that cradle has a hub 78 which is telescoped over the pivot 50. That cradle has an upper coin-receiving surface 74 and also has a lower coinreceiving surface 72. Those coin-receiving surfaces are spaced far enough apart to permit almost one-half of an 6 authentic coin of a desired denomination to pass between them, but they are close enough to each other to keep such a coin from passing all the way between them. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coinreceiving surfaces 72 and 74 on the cradle 70 are close enough to each other to enable them to intercept and hold a United States quarter but are spaced far enough apart to enable a nickel to pass freely between them, A C-washer 90 engages an annular groove in the pivot 50 to prevent accidental separation of the cradle 70 from that pivot.

The numeral 92 denotes a roller which is mounted on a vertically-directed pivot on the scavenging plate 46; and that roller is mounted in the path of the camming surface 44 on the scavenging lever 42. As a result, whenever that scavenging lever is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1, the camming surface 44 thereon will engage the roller 92 and force the scavenging plate 46 to move forwardly and away from the wall 22. Such movement of that scavenging plate will free any coins or slugs which are held between that scavenging plate and the wall 22.

The numeral 94 denotes a gate which is rotatably secured, at its right-hand edge in FIG. 1, to the wall 22 by the hinge pin, not shown, which secures the right-hand edge of the scavenging plate 46 to that wall. That gate coacts with the wall 22 to define further portions of the passageway between that wall and the scavenging plate 46; and it supports a housing 96 for a permanent magnet, not shown, and it also supports a housing 98 for a permanent magnet, not shown. The permanent magnet within the housing 96 is disposed adjacent a runway 100 which is formed on the scavenging plate 46 and which is in the passageway between that scavenging plate and the wall 22.

The hereinbefore-identified, numbered components of the coin-testing device 20 are of standard and usual construction and are not, per se, parts of the present invention. Those components and other components of that coin-testing device can be modified or varied without affecting the present invention.

The numeral 52 denotes a notch in the edge of the scavenging plate 46; and that notch is close to the pivot 50, as shown particularly by FIG. 6. The numeral denotes a pivot which is carried by the cradle 70; and that pivot rotatably secures a latch 82 to that cradle. A coin-receiving surface 84 is provided on the latch 82; and a web 87 spaces that coin-receiving surface rearwardly of the front surface of that latch to dispose that coinreceiving surface within the passageway between the wall 22 and the scavenging plate 46. As indicated particularly by FIG. 5, the coin-receiving surface84 is normally disposed below the level of, and generally in vertical alignment with, the coin-receiving surface 74 on the cradle 70. A latching surface 85 is provided on the latch 84; and that latching surface abuts the undersurface of the web 87, and extends forwardly from the coin-receiving surface 84 to normally lie within the notch 52 in the edge of the scavenging plate 46. As a result, that latching surface normally acts as a stop to block appreciable clockwise rotation of the cradle 70 in FIG. 1. An arm 86 is provided on the latch 82, and that arm underlies the hub 78 of the cradle 70. A C-Washer 88 engages an annular groove in the pivot 80 to prevent accidental separation of the latch 82 from the cradle 70.

When an authentic coin of the desired denomination is introduced into the coin entrance of the coin-testing device 22, the

bosses

24 and 26 will guide that coin downwardly toward the cradle 70. If that coin tends to pass to the left of that cradle, as that cradle is viewed in FIGS. 3-5, that coin will be intercepted by the pin 36 on the pendulum 34 and will be guided toward that cradle. The lower edge of that coin will pass between the coinreceiving surfaces 72 and 74 on that cradle, and the opposite sides of the periphery of that coin will move down toward those coin-receiving surfaces. Before those opposite sides of the periphery of that coin can engage and be intercepted by the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74, part of the lower portion of the periphery of that coin will engage the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 82. The weight of an authentic coin of the desired denomination will be great enough to force the latch 82 to rotate in the clockwise direction from the position in FIG. to the position in FIG. 3.

In the position shown by FIG. 1, the latching surface 85 on the latch 82 is disposed within the notch 52 in the edge of the scavenging plate 46, and that latching surface will prevent appreciable clockwise rotation of the cradle 70 in FIG. 1. However, when an authentic coin of the desired denomination rotates the latch 82 from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 3, the latching surface 85 will move out of the notch 52; and hence the latch 82 will not prevent appreciable clockwise rotation of the cradle 70 in FIG. 1. The weight of the authentic coin of desired denomination will cause the cradle 70 to rotate toward and into the position shown by FIG. 4. It will be noted that the distance between the pivot 50 and the upper edge of the web 87 of the latch 82 in FIG. 3 is greater than the distance between that pivot and the lower face of the boss 24. This is important because it causes the upper edge of the web 87 of the latch 82 to engage the lower face of the boss 24 as the cradle 70 approaches the coin-releasing position of FIG. 4; and that engagement earns the coin-receiving surface 84 of the latch 82 inwardly against the periphery of the coin held by the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74. That camming action is important; because it will force any coin, which fails to respond to gravity to roll off of the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74, to move away from those coin-receiving surfaces and onto the runway 100. That runway will guide that coin away from the rejected coin chute and toward further testing stations in the coin-testing device 20.

If a considerably undersized coin or slug is introduced into the coin entrance of the coin-testing device 20, that coin or slug will pass downwardly between the

bosses

24 and 26 and approach the cradle 70. That coin or slug may be large enough to engage the coin-receiving surface 72 on that cradle and the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 82 at the same time, and it may be large enough to move that latch to cradle-releasing position; but that coin or slug will not be able to cause appreciable rotation of that cradle. Specifically, that considerably undersized coin or slug-would apply forces to the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 82 which would bias the cradle 70 for rotation away from, rather than toward, the runway 100. As a result, that considerably undersized coin or slug would have enough time to move the coin-receiving surface 84 far enough to enable it to pass downwardly between that coin-receiving surface and the coin-receiving surface 72 on the cradle 70 without causing appreciable rotation of that cradle. Consequently, the latch 82 is able to keep a considerably undersized coin or slug from effecting appreciable rotation of the cradle 70.

If an undersize coin having a diameter close to that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination is introduced into the coin entrance of the coin-testing device 20 of FIGS. 1-9, that coin will pass downwardly between the

bosses

24 and 26 and approach the cradle 70. If that coin tends to pass to the left of that cradle, as that cradle is viewed in FIG. 8, that coin will be intercepted by the pin 36 on the pendulum 34 and will be guided toward that cradle. The diameter of that coin will be just slightly smaller than the distance between the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74 on that cradle, and hence that coin will be able to pass between those coin-receiving surfaces. However, the diameter of that coin is so close to the distance between the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74 that the coin will frequently engage the coin-receiving surface 72, start the cradle 70 rotating in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1, and then tend to ride that coin-receiving surface toward the runway 100. Any such riding of that coin-receiving surface would be objectionable, because it could move that coin away from the rejected coin chute and onto the runway 100.

The diameter of the undersize coin will not be large enough to enable that coin to simultaneously engage both of the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74 on the cradle 70; but that diameter will be large enough to cause that coin to simultaneously engage the coin-receiving surface 72 on that cradle and the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 82. Further, the weight of that coin will be great enough to enable it to rotate the latch 82 from the cradlelocking position of FIG. 5 to the cradle-releasing position of FIG. 8. In addition, the weight of that coin will be great enough to cause the cradle 70 to start rotating toward its coin-releasing position. Because the diameter of that coin is slightly smaller than the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination, that coin will move further down between the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74 of the cradle 70, and will thus rotate the latch 82 further outwardly, than an authentic coin of the desired denomination would rotate that latch. Specifically, as shown by FIG. 8, the latch 82 has been rotated further by an undersize coin 104 than the latch 82 was rotated in FIG. 3 by an authentic coin of the desired denomination. The additional rotation of the latch 82, provided by the undersize coin 104, is important; because it makes the distance between the outer surface of the web 87 of that latch and the pivot 50 for the cradle 70 greater than the distance between that pivot and the bottom surface of the boss 24. As a result, when the undersize coin 104 rotates the cradle 70 toward its coin-releasing position, the outer surface of the web 87 on the latch 82 will engage the boss 24 and block further rotation of the cradle 70 toward its coin-releasing position. Thus, as shown by FIG. 9, the outer surface of the web 87 of the latch 82 has engaged the boss 24 and kept the cradle 70 from reaching its coin-releasing position. The undersize coin 104 will usually slip downwardly between the coinreceiving surfaces 72 and 74, and thus be guided away from the runway 100. However, in the unusual event that the undersize coin 104 remains in engagement with the coin receiving surfaces 72 and 84, that coin can be freed from the cradle 70 and the latch 82 by actuation of the scavenging mechanism of the coin-testing device 20-to fall downwardly and away from the runway 100.

It will be noted that while the latch 82 responded to the undersize coin 104 to permit the cradle 70 to be rotated by that coin, that latch prevented rotation of that cradle to its coin-releasing position. Consequently, that coin was held away from the runway and the testing station, not shown, adjacent that runway. In this way, the present invention prevents the acceptance of undersize coins which have diameters that are close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination.

In those States of the United States which abut Canada, it is desirable to accept Canadian quarters as Well as US. quarters but to reject considerably undersized coins and slugs. The present invention makes it possible for the coin-testing device 20 of FIGS. 1-9 to accept Canadian quarters as well as US. quarters but to reject considerably undersized coins; and it does so by equipping that coin-testing device with a stop 110. That stop is shown as a washer; and, as indicated particularly by FIG. 10, that washer is telescoped over the front portion of the hub 78 of the cradle 70, and it is held in position adjacent that front portion of that hub by the C-washer 90. The washer acts as a stop for the arm 86 on the latch 82 and thereby limits the rotation of the coin-receiving surface 84 on that latch away from the coin-receiving surface 72 on the cradle 70. The washer 110 is dimensioned so the maximum spacing between the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 82 and the coin-receiving surface 72 on the cradle 70 is just small enough to intercept and hold an authentic but worn Canadian quarter. As a result, that spacing is large enough to permit considerably undersized coins and slugs to pass between the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 82 and the coinreceiving surface 72 on the cradle 70.

When an authentic Canadian quarter is introduced into the coin-entrance of the coin-testing device 20 of FIGS. -12, the

bosses

24 and 26 will guide that quarter downwardly toward the cradle 70. If that quarter tends to pas to the right of that cradle, as that cradle is viewed in FIG. 11, that quarter will be intercepted by the pin 36 on the pendulum 34 and will be guided toward that cradle. The lower edge of that quarter will pass between the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74 on that cradle, and the opposite sides of the periphery of that quarter will move down toward those coin-receiving surfaces. Before those opposite sides of the periphery of that quarter can engage and be intercepted by the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74, part of the lower portion of the periphery of that quarter will engage the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 82. The weight of that quarter will be great enough to force the latch 82 to rotate to the cradle-releasing position of FIG. 11.

In the position shown by FIG. 11, the Canadian quarter has rotated the latch 82 far enough in the counterclockwise direction to move the arm 86 on that latch into engagement with the stop 110. At such time, the latching surface 85 will be disposed outwardly of the notch 52, but the coin-receiving surface 84 on that latch will be closer to the coin-receiving surface 72 than is the coinreceiving surface 74. As a result, the coin-receiving surface 84 and the coin-receiving surface 72 will coact to constitute a sizing gauge for Canadian quarters. The dimensioning of the latch 82 and the dimensioning of the stop 110 are quite accurate; and hence the coin-receiving surface 84 and the coin-receiving surface 72 can provide accurate gauging of Canadian quarters.

The weight of the Canadian quarter will be great enough to rotate the cradle 70 from the position of FIG. 11 to the position shown in FIG. 12; and, as that cradle approaches the latter position, the outer surface of the web 87 on the latch 82 will engage the boss 24. That outer surface will be spaced from the pivot 50 a distance slightly greater than the distance between that pivot and the bottom of that boss; but the engagement between the stop 110 and the arm 86 of the latch 82 will hold the outer surface of the web 87 so close to the bottom of the boss 24 that the latch 82 and the cradle 70 will not be intercepted and stopped by that boss. Instead, the latch 82 will move inwardly as it engages the bottom of that boss, and will thus provide a camming action which is comparable to the camming action that is applied to a US. quarter when the web 87 of the latch 82 in FIG. 4 engages the boss 24. In this way, the latch 82 will keep a Canadian quarter from hanging within the cradle 70 of FIGS. 10-12.

If a considerably undersized coin or slug is introduced into the coin-testing device 20 of FIGS. 10-12, that coin or slug will pass downwardly between the .

bosses

24 and 26 and approach the cradle 70. That coin or slug may engage the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 82 at the same time it engages the coin-receiving surface 72 on the cradle 70, but that coin or slug will not be able to rotate the cradle 70 to its coin-releasing position. Thus, if that coin or slug engages the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch .82, it will apply forces to that coin-receiving surface which will bias the cradle 70 for rotation away from, rather than toward, the runway 100. That biasing of that cradle will give the coin or slug time enough to move that latch outwardly far enough to pass between the coin-receiving surface 84 on that latch and the coinreceiving surface 72 on the cradle 70. In this way, the considerably undersized coin or slug is able to pass downwardly between the coin-receiving

surfaces

84 and 72 without rotating the cradle 70 to its coin-releasing position. The overall result is that a considerably undersized coin or slug cannot ride the coin-receiving surface 72 on the cradle 70 and be transferred to the runway and, instead, will fall downwardly between the coin-receiving

surfaces

84 and 72.

FIGS. 13-16 disclose part of a coin-testing device 20 which is similar to the coin-testing devices of FIGS. 1-9 and 10-12. The coin-testing device 20 of FIGS. 13-16 differs from the coin-testing device of FIGS. 1-9 in having the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74 on the cradle 70 close enough to each other to intercept and hold an undersize coin which has a diameter close to that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination, in having a stop 128 formed in the upper edge of the slot 54 in the scavenging plate 46, and in having a latch which is somewhat different from the latch 82. The latch 130 has a coin-receiving surface 132 which can be identical to the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 82 and has a latching surface 134 which can be identical to the latching surface 85 on the latch 82. However, the latch 130 has an elongated arm 136 which is longer than the arm 86 on the latch 82; and the arm 136 has an ear 138 thereon which can engage and be held by the stop 128 in the upper edge of the slot 54.

The operation of the latch 130 in FIGS. 13-16 is very similar to the operation of the latch 82 in FIGS. 1-9 and to the operation of the latch 82 in FIGS. 10-12 whenever an authentic coin of the desired denomination is inserted. In fact, the principal difference between those operations of those latches is that an authentic coin of the desired denomination will not extend as far into the cradle 70 of FIGS. 13-16 as such a coin would extend into the cradles of FIGS. 1-9 and 10-12; and hence little or no camming action is needed to free an authentic coin of the desired denomination from the cradle 70 of FIGS. 13-16. The operation of the latch 130 is very similar to the operation of the latches 82 of FIGS. 1-9 and 10-12 whenever a considerably undersized coin or slug is introduced. However, whenever an undersize coin which has a diameter close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination is introduced into the coin-testing device 20 of FIGS. 13-16, the coinreceiving surfaces 72 and 74 on the cradle 70 of that coin-testing device will intercept and hold that coin. Specifically, when such an undersize coin is introduced into the coin-entrance of the coin-testing device 20 of FIGS. 13-16, the

bosses

24 and 26 will guide that coin downwardly toward the cradle 70. If that coin tends to pass to the right of that cradle, as that cradle is viewed in FIG. 13, that coin will be intercepted by the pin 36 on the pendulum 34 and will be guided toward that cradle. The lower edge of that coin will pass between the coinreceiving surfaces 72 and 74 on that cradle, and the opposite sides of the periphery of that coin will move down toward those coin-receiving surfaces. Before those opposite sides of the periphery of that coin can engage and be intercepted by the coin-receiving

surfaces

72 and 74, part of the lower portion of the periphery of that coin will engage the coin-receiving surface 132 on the latch 130. The weight of that coin will be great enough to force the latch 130 to rotate from the position of FIG. 13 to the position of FIG. 14.

In the position shown by FIG. 13, the latching surface 134 on the latch 130 is disposed within the notch 52 in the edge of the scavenging plate 46, and hence that latching surface will prevent appreciable clockwise rotation of the cradle 70. However, when an undersize coin having a diameter close to that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination rotates the latch 130 from the position of FIG. 13 to the position of FIG. 14, the latching surface 134 moves out of the notch 52; and hence the cradle 70 will be free to rotate an appreciable distance in the clockwise rotation in FIG. 13. Because the diameter of the undersize coin is smaller than the diameter of an authentic coinof the desired denomination, that undersize coin will move further down between the coinreceiving surfaces 72 and 74 on the cradle 70 than an authentic coin of the desired denomination could move; and that greater movement will force the latch 130 to rotate further outwardly from the pivot 50 for the cradle 70 than an authentic coin of the desired denomination could rotate that latch. That further rotation will move the car 138 into register with the stop 128 in the upper edge of the slot 54 in the scavenging plate 46; and, as the cradle 70 rotates in response tothe weight of the undersize coin, the car 138 will quickly engage the stop 128 and thereby prevent rotation of the cradle 70 to its coin-releasing position. That ear will then coact with that stop to hold that cradle against such rotation, and will thereby positively prevent transference of the undersize coin to the runway 100. That undersize coin can subsequently be freed from the cradle 70 and from the latch 130 by actuation of the scavenging mechanism of the coin-testing device 20.

FIGS. 17-21 disclose part of a coin-testing device 220 which is similar to the coin-testing device 20 of FIGS. 1-9. The coin-testing device 220 differs from the cointesting device 20 of FIGS. 1-9 in having a slightly different latch 282, in having a concave surface 225 which closely limits the extent to which the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 282 can move away from the coinreceiving surface 272 on the cradle 270, in having the coin-receiving

surfaces

272 and 274 somewhat closer to each other, in having the upper edge of the cradle 270 cut-away, in having a stop 228 formed in the upper edge of the slot 253 in the scavenging plate 246, and in the substitution of a boss 224 on the scavenging plate 246 for the boss 24 on the wall 22 of the coin-testing device 20. The coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 282 can be identical to the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 82; and the latching surface 234 on the latch 282 can be similar to the latching surface 85 on the latch 82. However, the latching surface 234 extends forwardly to the front face of the latch 282; and the upper edge of the cradle 270 is cut-away, as indicated by the numeral 285, to accommodate the forwardly-extending portion of the latching surface 234. As shown, the cut-away edge 285 of the cradle 270 and the bottom edge of the latch.- ing surface 234 are radially-directed relative to the pivot 80. The latch 282 does not have a web, such as the web 87 of the latch 82. In addition, the upper edge 283 of the latch 282 has been made abrupt to enable it to act as an abutting surface.

The operation of the latch 282 in FIGS. 17-21 is very similar to the operation of the latch 82 in FIGS. 19 whenever an authentic coin of the desired denomination is inserted. In fact, the principal difference between those operations of those latches is that an authentic coin of the desired denomination will not extend as far into the cradle 270 of FIGS. 17-21 as it would extend into the cradle 20 of FIGS. 1-9; and hence such a coin can freely fall away from the cradle 282 of FIGS. 17-21.

The operation of the latch 282 is very similar to the operation of the latch 82 of FIGS. 1-9 whenever a considerably undersized coin or slug is introduced. However, when an undersized coin or slug which has a diameter close to the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomination is introduced into the coin-testing device 220 of FIGS. 17-21, the coin-receiving

surfaces

272 and 274 on the cradle 270 of that coin-testing device will intercept and hold that coin or slug. Specifically, when such an undersized coin or slug is introduced into the coin entrance of the coin-testing device 220 of FIGS. 1721, the boss 26 on the wall 222 will coact with the boss 224 on the scavenging plate 246 to guide that coin or slug downwardly toward the cradle 270. If that coin or slug tends to pass to the right of that cradle, as that cradle is viewed in FIG. 17, that coin or slug willbe intercepted by the pin 36 on the pendulum 34 and will be guided toward that cradle. The lower edge of that coin or slug will pass between the coin-receiving

surfaces

272 and 274 on that cradle, and the opposite sides of the 12 a periphery of that coin or slug will move down toward those coin-receiving surfaces. Before those opposite sides of the periphery of that coin or slug can engage and be intercepted by the coin-receiving

surfaces

272 and 274, part of the lower portion of the periphery of that coin or slug will engage the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 282. The weight of that coin or slug will be great enough to force that latch to rotate from the position of FIG. 17 to the position of FIG. 18.

In the position shown by FIG. 17, the latching surface 234 on the latch 282 is disposed within the notch 52 in the lower edge of the slot 253 of the scavenging plate 246, and hence that latching surface can prevent appreciable clockwise rotation of the cradle 270. However, when an undersized coin or slug having a diameter close to that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination rotates the latch 282 from the position of FIG. 17 to the position of FIG. 18, the latching surface 234 moves out of notch 52; and hence the cradle 270 will be free to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 17. Because the diameter of the undersized coin or slug is smaller than the diameter of an authentic coin of the desired denomition, that undersized coin or slug will move further down between the coin-receiving surfaces 272 andl 274 on the cradle 270 than an authentic coin of the desired denomination could move; and that greater downward movement will force the latch 282 to rotate further outwardly from the pivot 50 for the cradle 270 than an authentic coin of the desired denomination could rotate that latch. T-hat further rotation will move the upper edge 283 of the latch 282 into register with the notch 228 in the slot 253 in the scavenging plate 246; and, as the cradle 270 rotates in response to the weight of the undersized coin or slug, that upper edge will promptly engage the notch 228 and thereby prevent rotation of the cradle 270 to its coin-releasing position. The coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 282 will coact with the coin-receiving surface 272 on the cradle 270' to continue to hold most undersized coins or slugs that have diameters close to that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination; and those undersized coins or slugs will continue to hold the upper edge 283 of the latch 282 in engagement with the notch 228thereby continuing to prevent rotation of that cradle to its coin-releasing position. Those undersized coins or slugs can be freed from the cradle 270, and caused to fall into the rejected coin chute, by actuation of the scavenging system of the coin-testing device. In the event an undersized coin or slug has too small a diameter to continue to be held by the coin-receiving surface 84 on the latch 282 and the coin-receiving surface 272 on the cradle 270, that undersized coin or slug will slip downwardly between the coin-receiving

surfaces

272 and 274 on the cradle 27 0 and will pass to the rejected coin chute of the coin-testing device.

The not-ch 228 acts as a movement-impeding surface, and it is located well short of the coin-releasing position the cradle 270. The notch 228 is located just a short angular distance beyond the stop 52; and hence Whenever an undesired undersized coin, which has a diameter close to that of an authentic coin, rotates the latch 282 and frees the cradle 270 for rotation toward its coinreleasing position, that latch will quickly engage the notch 228 and keep that cradle from rotating to its coin-releasing position.

It will be noted that the boss 224, with its arcuatesurface 225, the pivot 50, the cradle 270, and the latch 282 are all supported by the same plate, namely, the scavenging plate 246. This is desirable; because it fixes, within very close limits, the distance between the pivot 50 and the lower edge of the notch 228and thus fixes, within very close limits, the minimum diameter of coins that can cause the cradle 270 to rotate to coin-releasing position.

The :arcuate surface 225 on the boss 224 on the scavenging plate 246 will limit the extent to which the latch 282 can rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 17; and hence it will limit the extent to which the coin-receiving surface 84 on that latch can move away from the coin-receiving surface 272 on the cradle 270. This provides a closely-controlled dimensional distinction between the undersized coins or slugs that will be held by the coin-receiving

surfaces

84 and 272 until the scavenging system is operated and the undersized coins or slugs that will slip downwardly between those coin-receiving surfaces and pass to the rejected coin chute.

FIG. 22 discloses part of a coin-testing device 221 which is identical to the coin-testing device 220 of FIGS. 17-21, except for the orientations of the upper edges of the slots 253 in the scavenging plates 246 of those coin-testing devices. The upper edge of the slot 253 in the coin-testing device 220 of FIGS. 17-21 is concentric with the pivot 50, whereas the upper edge of the slot 253 in the cointesting device 221 of FIG. 22 is eccentric of that pivot. Specifically, the left-hand end of the upper edge of the slot 253 in the coin-testin g device 221 of FIG. 22 is several thousandths of an inch closer to the pivot 50 than is that portion of that upper edge which is located immediately to the left of the notch 228. The resulting eccentricity of the intervening portions of the upper edge of the slot 253 enables that intervening portion to receive the upper edge 283 of the latch 282, whenever an authentic coin of the desired denomination is bearing against the coin-receiving

surfaces

272 and 84, respectively, of the cradle 270 and the latch 82 and that cradle is approaching its coin-releasing position, and to cam that upper edge of that latch inwardly. The resulting application of force, by the coinreceiving surface 84, to that authentic coin will force that coin to move out of engagement with the cradle 270 as that cradle approaches its coin-releasing position.

The latches 82 of FIGS. 1-9 and -12, the'latch 130 of FIGS. 13-16, and the latch 282 of FIG. 22 are made so they are light in weight, and they are made from a material which has a smooth feel. One such material is a plastic material sold under the trademark Delrin. Because those latches are light in weight and because the surface of each of them has a smooth feel, those latches can provide a camming action for authentic coins without tending to jam in coin-releasing position.

It will be noted that the coin-receiving surfaces 84 on the

cradles

82 and 282 and the coin-receiving surface 132 on the cradle 130 are spaced further from the pivots 80 for those cradles than are the latching surfaces 85, 234 and 134 on those cradles. This is desirable, because it provides a larger effective moment arm for the coin-receiving

surfaces

84 and 132 than it provides for the latching surfaces 85, 234 and 134. As a result, the

latches

82, 282 and 130 can be easily moved by the weights of authentic coins of a desired denomination.

It should also be noted that the coin-receiving

surfaces

84 and 132 are smooth and gently-rounded, whereas the latching surfaces 85, 234 and 134 are abrupt. The abrupt natures of the latching surfaces 85, 234 and 134 are desirable because they keep persons from effecting undesired releasing of the

latches

82, 282 and 130 by the application of heavy blows to the coin-operated machines in which the coin-testing devices of the present invention are mounted. The smooth gently-rounded natures of the coin-receiving

surfaces

84 and 132 are desirable because they minimize the forces which authentic coins of the desired denomination must apply to the

latches

82, 282 and 130 to move them to cradle-releasing position.

Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and described several preferred embodiments of the present invention it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a coin-testing device which has spaced-apart walls to help define a coin-receiving passageway therebetween,

a pivot adjacent said passageway that extends transversely of said passageway, and a cradle that is rotatably mounted on said pivot and that has spaced-apart coin-receiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a second pivot that is mounted on and rotatable with said cradle,

(b) a latch that is mounted on and rotatable about said second pivot and is thus rotatable relative to said cradle,

(c) a stop that is on one of said Walls and is adjacent said latch,

(d) a surface on said latch that normally is in register with said stop on said one wall and that normally coacts with' said stop to block appreciable rotation of said cradle,

(e) said surface on said latch responding to outward rotation of said latch about said second pivot to move out of register with said stop on said one Wall, and thereby permit appreciable rotation of said cradle,

(f) a second surface on said latch that is disposed within said passageway and that can be engaged and moved by authentic coins of said desired denomination within said passageway,

(g) said second surface on said latch normally being spaced from one of said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle a distance less than the diameter of an authentic coin of said desired denomination,

(h) whereby an authentic coin of said desired denomination within said passageway can simultaneously engage said second surface on said latch and said coin-receiving surface on said cradle and can rotate said latch far enough outwardly about said second pivot to move the first said surface on said latch out of register with said stop on said one wall and thereby enable the weight of said coin to rotate said cradle toward coin-releasing position,

(i) the greatest portion of said latch being disposed outwardly of said passageway,

(j) said second surface on said latch being disposed above the level of said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle,

(k) a third surface on said latch that is movable outwardly about said second pivot far enough to move into register with a rotation-impeding surface on either of said walls whenever an undersized coin having a diameter close to, but smaller than, that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination engages said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and said second surface on said latch,

(1) whereby if said undersized coin is heavy enough to rotate said cradle toward its coin-releasing position it will cause said third surface on said latch to engage said rotation-impeding surface and thereby prevent rotation of said cradle to said coin-releasing position,

(111) said latch and said cradle coacting to permit said undersized coin to pass downwardly between said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle after said third surface on said latch has engaged said rotation-impeding surface,

(n) said third surface on said latch responding to the engagement of an authentic coin of the desired denomination with said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and said second surface on said latch to move outwardly about said second pivot far enough to engage said rotation-impeding surface, as said cradle approaches said coin-releasing position, but to be forced to move inwardly about said second pivot as it engages said rotation-impeding surface,

(0) said inward movement of said third surface on said latch causing said second surface on said latch to 1 ca-m an authentic coin of said desired denomination outwardly and away from said coin-receiving sur- 1 5 faces on said cradle as said cradle approaches said coin-releasing position,

(p) whereby even deeply milled authentic coins of said desired denomination can not hang on said coinreceiving surfaces of said cradle,

(q) said second surface on said latch being spaced from said second pivot a distance greater than the spacing between said pivot and the first said surface on said latch, whereby said second surface on said latch has a greater moment arm that the first said surface on said latch,

(r) thereby enabling said latch to be moved to cradlereleasing position by light-weight authentic coins of the desired denomination,

(s) said second surface on said latch being smooth and gently rounded,

(t) the first said surface on said latch being abrupt,

(u) the abrupt nature of the first said surface on said latch preventing undesired and accidental freeing of said cradle whenever said latch is supposed to prevent rotation of said cradle,

(v) said smooth, gently rounded second surface on said latch facilitating coin-induced rotation of said latch,

(w) said cradle having a hub thereon which telescopes over said second pivot,

(x) a second stop that is adjacent said latch, and

(y) an arm on said latch that can engage said second stop and thereby limit movement of said second surface on said latch away from said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle,

(z) said second stop and said arm on said latch being dimensioned to limit movement of said second surface on said latch so the maximum distance between said second surface on said latch and said one coinreceiving surface on said cradle is less than the distance between said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle,

(aa) said second stop and said latch coacting with said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle to constitute a coinsizing gauge for undersized coins having diameters close to the diameter of an authentic coin of said desired denomination,

(ab) said second stop being removable to permit authentic coins of said desired denominations to pass to and to be gauged by said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle,

(ac) said second pivot being spaced laterally in the same direction from both of said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle,

(ad) said second stop being a washer that is releasably mounted on the first said pivot,

(ae) said arm on said latch underlying, and being adapted to engage, the bottom of said second stop.

2. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(b) a latch that is mounted on and rotatable about said pivot and is thus rotatable relative to said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(d) a surface on said latch that normally is in register with said stop and that normally coacts with said stop to block appreciable movement of said cradle,

(c) said surface on said latch responding to rotation of said latch about said pivot to move out of register with said stop, and thereby permit appreciable move ment of said cradle,

(g) said second surface on said latch normally being spaced from one of said coin-receiving surfaces on said'cradle a distance less than the diameter of an authentic coin of said desired denomination,

(h) whereby an authentic coin of said desired denomination within said passageway can engage said second surface on said latch and said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and can rotate said latch far enough about said pivot to move the first said surface on said latch out of register with said stop and thereby enable the weight of said coin to move said cradle toward coin-releasing position, and

(i) a third surface on said latch that is movable about said pivot far enough to move into register with a movement'impeding surface adjacent said latch whenever an undersized coin having a diameter close to, but smaller than, that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination engages said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and said second surface on said latch,

(j) whereby if said undersized coin is heavy enough to move said cradle toward its coin-releasing position it will cause said third surface on said latch to engage said movement-impeding surface and thereby prevent movement of said cradle to said coin-releasing position.

(k) said latch and said cradle coacting to permit said undersized coin to pass downwardly between said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle after said third surface on said latch has engaged said movement-impeding surface,

(1) said third surface on said latch responding to the engagement of an authentic coin of the desired denomination with said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and said second surface on said latch to move about said pivot far enough in one direction to engage said movement-impeding surface, as said cradle approaches said coin-releasing position, but to be forced to move about said pivot in the opposite direction as it engages said movement-impeding surface,

(m) said movement of said third surface on said latch in said opposite direction causing said second surface on said latch to cam an authentic coin of said desired denomination away from said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle as said cradle approaches said coin-releasing position,

(n) whereby even deeply milled authentic coins of said desired denomination can not hang on said coinreceiving surfaces of said cradle,

(0) said second surface on said latch being spaced from said second pivot a distance greater than the spacing between said pivot and the first said surface on said latch, whereby said second surface On said latch has a greater moment arm than the first said surface on said latch,

'(p) thereby enabling said latch to be moved to cradlereleasing position 'by light-weight authentic coins of the desired denomination,

(q) said second surface on said latch being smooth and gently rounded,

(r) the first said surface on said latch being abrupt,

(s) the abrupt nature of the first said surface on said latch preventing undesired and accidental freeing of said cradle whenever said latch is supposed to prevent rotation of said cradle,

(t) said smooth, gently rounded second surface on said latch facilitating coin-induced rotation of said latch,

(u) said pivot being spaced laterally in the same direction from both of said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle.

3. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coin- 7 receiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

, (d) a surface on said latch that normally is in register with said stop and that normally coacts with said stop to block appreciable movement of said cradle,

(e) said surface on said latch responding to rotation of said latch about said pivot to move out of register with said stop, and thereby permit appreciable movement of said cradle,

(i) a third surface on said latch that is movable about said pivot far enough to move into register with a movement-impeding surface adjacent said latch whenever an undersized coin having a diameter close to, but smaller than, that of an authentic coin of the desired denomination engages said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and said second surface on said latch,

- (j) whereby if said undersized coin is heavy enough to move said cradle toward its coin-releasing position it will cause said third surface on said latch to engage said movement-impeding surface and thereby prevent movement of said cradle to said coin-releasing position,

(k) said third surface on said latch responding to the engagement of an authentic coin of the desired denomination with said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and said second surface on said latch to move about said pivot far enough in one direction to engage said movement-impeding surface, as said cradle approaches said coin-releasing position, but to be forced to move about said pivot in the opposite direction as it engages said movement-impeding surface,

(I) said movement of said third surface on said latch in said opposite direction causing said second surface on said latch to cam an authentic coin of said desired denomination away from said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle as said cradle approaches said coin-releasing position,

(m) whereby even deeply milled authentic coins of said desired denomination can not hang on said coin-receiving surfaces of said cradle,

(n) said second surface on said latch being smooth and gently rounded,

(o) the first said surface on said latch being abrupt,

(p) the abrupt nature of the first said surface on said latch preventing undesired and accidental freeing of said cradle whenever said latch is supposed to prevent rotation of said cradle,

(q) said smooth, gently rounded second surface on said latch facilitating coin-induced rotation of said latch.

4. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coin- 1% receiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(c) said surface on said latch responding to rotation of said latch about said pivot to move out of register with said stop, and thereby permit appreciable movement of said cradle,

(i) a third surface on said latch that is movable about said pivot far enough to move into register with a surface adjacent said latch,

(j) said third surface on said latch responding to the engagement of an authentic coin of the desired denomination with said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and said second surface on said latch to move about said pivot far enough in one direction to engage said surface adjacent said latch, as said cradle approaches said coin-releasing position, but to be forced to move about said pivot in the opposite direction as it engages said surface adjacent said I latch,

(k) said movement of said third surface on said latch in said opposite direction causing said second surface on said latch to cam an authentic coin of said desired denomination away from said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle as said cradle approaches said coin-releasing position.

5. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(d) a surface on said latch that can coact with said stop to block appreciable movement of said cradle,

(e) said surface on said latch being disposable out of register with said stop to permit appreciable movement of said cradle,

(h) whereby an authentic coin of said desired denomination within said passageway can engage said second surface on said latch and said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and can rotate said latch far enough about and pivot to move the first said surface on said latch out of register with said stop and thereby enable the weight of said coin to move said cradle toward coin-releasing position,

(j) whereby if said undersized coin is heavy enough to move said cradle toward its coin-releasing position it will cause said third surface on said latch to engage said movement-impeding surface and thereby prevent movement of said cradle to said coin-releasing position,

(k) said movement-impeding surface being spaced just a short angular distance beyond said stop,

(1) whereby said cradle will rotate just a short distance and will be stopped well short of said coin-releasing position if an undersized coin moves said latch far enough to move the first said surface thereof out of register with said stop and said third surface thereof into register with said motion-impeding surface,

(m) said pivot being spaced laterally in the same direction from both of said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle.

6. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving said movement-impeding surface and thereby prevent movement of said cradle to said coin-releasing position.

7. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving 5 passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle, (b) a latch that is mounted on and rotatable about said pivot and is thus rotatable relative to said cradle, (c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(h) whereby an authentic coin of said desired denomination within said passageway can engage said second surface on said latch and said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and can rotate said latch far enough about said pivot to move the first said surface on said latch out of register with said stop passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(h) whereby an authentic coin of said desired denomination within said passageway can engage said second surface on said latch and said one coin-receiving surface onsaid cradle and can rotate said latch far enough about said pivot to move the first said surface on said latch out of register with said stop and thereby enable the weight of said coin to move said cradle toward coin-releasing position,

(j) whereby if said undersized coin is heavy enough to move said cradle toward its coin-releasing position it will cause said third surface on said latch to engage and thereby enable the weight of said coin to move said cradle toward coin-releasing position,

(i) a third surface on said latch that is movable about said pivot and is thus movable relative to a camming surface,

(j) said third surface on said latch responding to the engagement of an authentic coin of the desired denomination with said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and said second surface on said latch to move about said pivot far enough in one direction to engage said camming surface as said cradle approaches said coin-releasing position and to be forced to move about said pivot in the opposite direction as it engages said camming surface,

(k) said movement of said third surface on said latch in said opposite direction causing said second surface on said latch to cam an authentic coin of said desired denomination away from said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle as said cradle approaches said coinreleasing position,

(1) whereby even deeply milled authentic coins of said desired denomination can not hang on said coinreceiving surfaces of said cradle.

8. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(h) whereby an authentic coin of said desired denomination within said passageway can engage said seccond surface on said latch and said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and can rotate said latch far enough about said pivot to move the first said surface on said latch out of register with said stop and thereby enable the weight of said coin to move said cradle toward coin-releasing position,

(i) said second surface on said latch being spaced from said pivot a distance greater than the spacing between said pivot and the first said surface On said latch, whereby said second surface on said latch has a greater moment arm than the first said surface on said latch,

(j) thereby enabling said latch to be moved to cradlereleasing position by light-weight authentic coins of the desired denomination,

(k) the first said and said second surfaces on said latch initially being disposed above the level of said pivot.

9. In a coin-testing'device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-part coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(d) a surface on said latch that can coact with said stop to block appreciable movement of said cradle, (e) said surface on said latch being disposable out of register with said stop to permit appreciable movement of said cradle,

(f) a second surface on said latch that is disposed within said passageway and that can be engaged and moved by authentic coins of said desired denomination within said passageway.

(h) whereby an authentic coin of said desired denomination within said passageway can engage said second surface on said latch and said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and can rotate said latch far enough about said pivot to move the first said surface on said latch out of register with said stop and thereby enable the weight of said coin to move said cradle toward coin-releasing position,

(i) a second stop that is adjacent said latch, and

(j) an arm on said latch that can engage said second stop and thereby limit movement of said second surface on said latch away from said one coin-receiving surface of said cradle,

(k) said second stop and said arm on said latch being dimensioned to limit movement of said second surface on said latch so the maximum distance between said second surface on said latch and said one coinreceiving surface on said cradle is less than the distance between said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle,

(1) said second stop and said latch coacting with said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle to constitute a coin-sizing gauge for undersized coins having diameters close to the diameter of an authentic coin of said desired denomination,

(in) said second stop being removable to permit authentic coins of said desired denomination to pass to and to be gauged by said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle,

(n) said second stop being a washer that is releasably mounted adjacent said cradle,

(0) said arm on said latch underlying, and being adapted to engage, the bottom of said second stop.

10. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-part coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(i) a second stop that is adjacent said latch, and

(j) an arm on said latch that can engage said second stop and thereby limit movement of said second surface on said latch away from said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle,

(1) said second stop and said latch coacting with said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle to constitute a coin-sizing gauge for undersized coins having diameters close to the diameter of an authentic'coin of said desired denomination,

(In) said second stop being removable to permit anthentic coins of said desired denomination to pass to and to be gauged by said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle.

11. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(b) a gauging member that is mounted on and rotatable about said pivot and is thus rotatable relative to said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said gauging member,

(d) a surface on said gauging member that can coact with said stop to limit rotation of said gauging member relative to said cradle,

(e) a second surface on said gauging member that is disposed within said passageway and that can be engaged and moved by authentic coins of said desired denomination and by undersized coins having diameters close to those of authentic coins of said desired demonination,

(f) said second surface on said gauging member normally being spaced from one of said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle a distance less than the diameter of an undersized coin having a diameter close to that of an authentic coin of said desired denomination,

(g) whereby an authentic coin of said desired denomination and an undersized coin having a diameter close to that of an authentic coin of said desired denomination can engage said'second surface on said gauging member and said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and can rotate said gauging member about said pivot.

(h) said stop and the first said surface on said gauging member being dimensioned to limit movement of said second surface on said gauging member away from said one-coin-receiving surface on said cradle so the maximum distance between said second surface on said gauging member and said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle is less than the distance between said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle,

(i) said stop and said gauging member coacting with said one coin-receving surface on said cradle to constitute a coin-sizing gauge for undersized coins having diameters close to the diameter of an authentic coin of said desired denomination,

(j) said stop being removable to permit authentic coins of said desired denomination to pass to and to be gauged by said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle,

(k) said stop normally being mounted immediately adjacent said cradle.

12. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spacedapart coin receiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said gauging member,

(e) a second surface on said gauging member that is disposed within said passageway and that can be engaged and moved by authentic coins of said desired denomination and by undersized coins having diameters close to those of authentic coins of said desired denomination,

(g) whereby an authentic coin of said desired denomination and an undersized coin having a diameter close to that of an authentic coin of said desired denomination can engage said second surface on said gauging member and said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and can rotate said gauging member about said pivot,

(h) said stop and the first said surface on said gauging member being dimensioned to limit movement of said second surface on said gauging member away from said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle so the maximum distance between said second surface on said gauging member and said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle is less than the distance between said coin-receiving surfaces on said cradle,

13. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(h) whereby an authentic coin of said desired denomination within said passageway can engage said second surface on said latch and said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle and can rotate said latch far enough about said pivot to move the first said surface on said latch out of register with said stop and thereby enable'the weight of said coin to move said cradle toward coin-releasing position,

(i) the first said and said second surfaces on said latch being spaced apart both axially and radially,

(j) said second surfaces on said latch being smooth and gently rounded,

(k) the first said surface on said latch being abrupt,

(l) the abrupt nature of the first said surface on said latch preventing undesired and accidental freeing of said cradle whenever said latch is supposed to prevent rotation of said cradle,

(In) said smooth, gently rounded second surface on said latch facilitating coin-induced rotation of said latch.

14. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a .pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(i) the first said surface on said latch being abrupt,

(j) the abrupt nature of the first said surface on said latch preventing undesired and accidental freeing of said cradle whenever said latch is supported to prevent rotation of said cradle,

(k) a motion-impeding surface adjacent said latch, and

(l) a portion of said latch that can respond to an undersized coin, resting upon said second surface on said latch and upon said one coin-receiving surface on said cradle, to move into register with said motion-impeding surface,

(m) s-aid motion-impeding surface coacting with said portion of said latch to halt movement of said cradle short of said coin-releasing position,

(n) whereby said latch will keep said cradle from moving said undersized coin to said coin-releasing position.

15. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(i) said second surface on said latch being smooth and gently rounded,

(j) said smooth, gently rounded second surface on said latch facilitating coin-induced rotation of said latch.

16. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle, (b) a latch that is mounted on and rotatable about 26 said pivot and is thus rotatable relative to said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(e) said surface on said latch being disposable out of register with said stop to permit appreciable move ment of said cradle,

(i) a third surface on said latch that is movable about said pivot and is thus movable relative to a movement-impeding surface,

(j) said latch being movable far enough, by an undersized coin having a diameter close to the diameter of an authentic coin of said desired denomination, to respond to movement of said cradle toward said coin releasing position to engage said movementimpeding surface and thereby keep said cradle from reaching its coin-releasing position,

(k) said movement-impeding surface being spaced angularly beyond said stop but being short of said coinreleasing position,

(1) whereby said cradle will be stopped short of said coin-releasing position if an undersized coin moves said latch far enough to move said third surface on said latch into register with said movement-impeding surface.

17. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(j) said latch being movable for enough, by an undersized coin having a diameter close to the diameter of an authentic coin of said desired denomination, to respond to movement of said cradle toward said coinreleasing position to engage said movement-impeding surface and thereby keep said cradle from reaching its coin-releasing position.

18. In a coin-testing device which has a coin-receiving passageway therein and a cradle that is movably mounted adjacent said passageway and that has spaced-apart coinreceiving surfaces thereon which normally extend into said passageway to intercept authentic coins of a desired denomination, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a pivot that is mounted on and movable with said cradle,

(c) a stop that is adjacent said latch,

(j) said latch being movable far enough, by an undersized coin having a diameter close to the diameter of an authentic coin of said desired denomination, to respond to movement of said cradle toward said coin-releasing position to engage said movementimpeding surface and thereby keep said cradle from reaching its coin-releasing position,

(k) said cradle and said movement-impeding surface being mounted on the same wall of said coin-receiving passageway to enable said latch and said movement-impeding surface to closely limit the minimum diameter of coins that can rotate said cradle to said coin-releasing position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 1918 Perrin 19448 8/1964 Simpson l94102 ROBERT E. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Examiner.

Claims

15. IN A COIN-TESTING DEVICE WHICH HAS A COIN-RECEIVING PASSAGEWAY THEREIN AND A CRADLE THAT IS MOVABLY MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID PASSAGEWAY AND THAT HAS SPACED-APART COINRECEIVING SURFACES THEREON WHICH NORMALLY EXTEND INTO SAID PASSAGEWAY TO INTERCEPT AUTHENTIC COINS OF A DESIRED DENOMINATION, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES: (A) A PIVOT THAT IS MOUNTED ON AND MOVABLE WITH SAID CRADLE, (B) A LATCH THAT IS MOUNTED ON AND ROTATABLE ABOUT SAID PIVOT AND IS THUS ROTATABLE RELATIVE TO SAID CRADLE, (C) A STOP THAT IS ADJACENT SAID LATCH, (D) A SURFACE ON SAID LATCH THAT CAN COACT WITH SAID STOP TO BLOCK APPRECIABLE MOVEMENT OF SAID CRADLE, (E) SAID SURFACE ON SAID LATCH BEING DISPOSABLE OUT OF REGISTER WITH SAID STOP TO PERMIT APPRECIABLE MOVEMENT OF SAID CRADLE, (F) A SECOND SURFACE ON SAID LATCH THAT IS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID PASSAGEWAY AND THAT CAN BE ENGAGED AND MOVED BY AUTHENTIC COINS OF SAID DESIRED DENOMINATION WITHIN SAID PASSAGEWAY, (G) SAID SECOND SURFACE ON SAID LATCH NORMALLY BEING SPACED FROM ONE OF SAID COIN-RECEIVING SURFACES ON SAID CRADLE A DISTANCE LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF AN AUTHENTIC COIN OF SAID DESIRED DENOMINATION, (H) WHEREBY AN AUTHENTIC COIN OF SAID DESIRED DENOMINATION WITHIN SAID PASSAGEWAY CAN ENGAGE SAID SECOND SURFACE ON SAID LATCH AND SAID COIN-RECEIVING SURFACE ON SAID CRADLE AND CAN ROTATE SAID LATCH FAR ENOUGH ABOUT SAID PIVOT TO MOVE THE FIRST SAID SURFACE ON SAID LATCH OUT OF REGISTER WITH SAID STOP AND THEREBY ENABLE THE WEIGHT OF SAID COIN TO MOVE SAID CRADLE TOWARD COIN-RELEASING POSITION, (I) SAID SECOND SURFACE ON SAID LATCH BEING SMOOTH AND GENTLY ROUNDED, (J) SAID SMOOTH, GENTLY ROUNDED SECOND SURFACE ON SAID LATCH FACILITATING COIN-INDUCED ROTATION OF SAID LATCH.