US3565086A

US3565086A - Coin sorting and counting machine

Info

Publication number: US3565086A
Application number: US770550A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gert Zimmermann
Original assignee: F Zimmermann GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: F Zimmermann GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1967-11-04
Filing date: 1968-10-25
Publication date: 1971-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 1988-02-23
Also published as: GB1200829A; FR1590337A

Abstract

A coin sorting and counting machine is formed by a housing having a cylindrical coin receptacle with a rotating disc defining the base of the receptacle. Extending angularly outwardly from the periphery of the disc is a sorting channel which is adjustable for counting coins of various diameters and thicknesses. An adjustable conveyor belt is superposed over the edge of the disc and extends into the channel for urging coins into the channel. Coins not of a proper size for passage through the channel are deflected by the conveyor belt into a drop out opening. Within the channel beyond the drop out opening a device is arranged for counting the coins passing through the channel.

Description

1,479,459 2,083,256 6/1937 Donnellan Gert Zimmermann Berlin, Germany 770,550

Oct. 25, 1968 Feb. 23, 1971 F. Zimmermann 8: Co. Berlin, Germany Nov. 4, 1967 Germany inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee Priority COIN SORTING AND COUNTING MACHINE 11 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

US. (I 133/8 Int. G07d 9/00 FieldofSearch l33/l,2,8

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/ 1924 Donnellan 2,378,828 6/1945 Buchholz et al. 133/8 3,396,737 8/1968 Picollo l33/8X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,199,528 8/1965 Germany 133/8 939,426 10/1963 Great Britain 133/8 Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Attorney- McGlew and Toren ABSTRACT: A coin sorting and counting machine is formed by a housing having a cylindrical coin receptacle with a rotating disc defining the base of the receptacle. Extending angularly outwardly from the periphery of the disc is a sorting channel which is adjustable for counting coins of various diameters and thicknesses. An adjustable conveyor belt is superposed over the edge of the disc and extends into the channel for urging coins into the channel. Coins not of a proper size for passage through the channel are deflected by the conveyor belt into a drop out opening. Within the channel beyond the drop out opening a device is arranged for counting the coins passing through the channel.

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HTTFMEJ COIN SORTING AND COUNTING MACHINE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a coin sorting and counting machine having a rotating disc forming the bottom of a coin receptacle with a sorting channel extending from the periphery of the disc, and more particularly, it is concerned with a sorting channel which is adjustable to the diameter and thickness of coins to be counted and also with a coin conveyor device for moving the coins from the disc into the sorting channel.

Coin counting machines have been known which are adjustable to various sizes of coins and which count only one type of coin at a time.

Coin sorting machines have also been known which separate the plurality of coinsinto separate types or sizes. In such a machine a coin sorting bar is provided, inclined downwardly and rearwardly relative to the vertical, and the coins slide along this bar standing on edge. Depending on the size of the coin they are tipped off the sorting bar and passed through cut outs in the rear wall of the machine which are graded with regard to the height of the coins. After passing through the cut outs the coins drop into collecting vessels. Moreover, it has also been known to count the sorted coins. In this arrangement the graded cut outs extend along the entire length of the sorting bar starting with the smallest and extending to the largest coin diameter. For purposes of feeding the coins through the sorting device feed rollers have been em.- ployed and for purposesof cleaning the coin sorting bar, the feed roller system can be removably arranged for access to the bar. 1

In counting coins and turnstile is generally used through which the coins pass. and for each passage of a coin the turnstile is rotated one step. The individual step movements of the turnstile are transmitted to a counter for registering thenumber of coins passing through it.

These coin sorting and counting machines, as known in the past, are relatively slow,since it takes a certain period of time for the coins to tip off the sorting bar under their own gravity. Further, in such an arrangement counting errors are possible, for example, if a small coin is carried over its corresponding cut out by mutual contact with adjacent coins. Another disadvantage in such coin sorting and counting machines is the extended length needed for the sorting bar which involves a complicated construction and requires considerable space for its installation.

To increase the counting capacity of a machine while-making it simpler to use, a single drop out opening has been provided in the bottom of a horizontal sorting channel with the size of the channel being varied to accept coins of different diameters and thicknesses. A rotating feed roller has been positioned above the drop out opening opposite the turnstile of the counter. The feed roller is supported on a vertically movable horizontal shaft. Due to its vertical adjustability the feed roller can be adapted to various thickness of coins passing through the sortingchannel. All coins which are not of a proper size to pass through the sorting channel are directed downwardly through the drop out channel by the feedrollen.

Coins are deposited within a receptacle the bottom of which is formed by a horizontal disc located on the same level as the. sorting channel. As the disc rotates the coins in mixed order pass through a locking plate into the sorting channel under the feed roller which conveys all coins of one type over the outlet opening through the turnstile for effecting the counting opera tion.

In all of the. known coin sorting and counting machines of this type, to which the present invention relates, the sorting channel is arranged centrally of the normally cylindrically shaped receptacle and extends radially outwardly from it. This arrangement results in a discontinuance in the coin sequence. The coins on the centrifugal disc are directed obliquely against a guide bar and as a result, change direction and a directing the coins into the sorting channel provides any accelerated movement of the coins. In this arrangement the centrifugal disc continues to force coins toward the channel while they are fed only one at a time by the feed roller, and as a result, jams occur which interfere with the effective operation of the machine. Though the counting capacity for a particular type or size of coin is considerably increased compared topreviously known machines, it is desirable to provide a further increase in the counting capacity while maintaining the simplified and compact design of this type of machine. In this arrangement the coins must be counted successively with respect to their size and coupled with the increase in its counting capacity, it is important that the machine can be quickly and simply adjusted to count different types of coins.

The primary object of the present invention is to increase the counting capacity of the machine and also to simplify the manner in which it is adjusted to receive different denominations or sizes of coins in the counting operation.

Moreover, another object of the invention is to provide a changeover to a different coin diameter and thickness which can be effected by a single adjustment of the machine.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable conveyor means for directing coins through the sorting channel into the counting device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compact drive arrangement for a rotating disc in the coin receptacle of the machine and for the conveyor means for the coins.

Yet another object of the invention is to mount the conveyor means on a pivotally arranged cover for displacement from its position above the disc and sorting channel for gaining access to both the conveyor means and the channel.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, the counting capacity of the machine is improved by providing an adjustable coin sorting channel extending angularly outwardly from a disc forming the base of a cylindrical shell for the coin receptacle. Defining the sides of the coin sorting channel are a stationary guide bar and a movably positionable guide bar. The stationary guide bar is disposed tangentially to the cylindrical shell of the receptacle for directing the coins riding on the outer edge of the disc into the channel. Located above the disc and the sorting channel is an endless conveyor belt which is adjustable relative to the disc for assisting in directing the coins from the disc into the sorting channel. Due to the tangential arrangement of the stationary guide bar of the sorting channel it is possible to use the conveyor belt as a coin feeding means which extends a considerable distance inwardly above the disc into the sorting channel. Because of this construction the coins are urged or directed from the disc into the sorting channel and are no longer permitted to accumulate in front of the sorting channel. As the disc rotates the coins are fed off in a tangential direction without any loss of velocity and pass into the sorting channel without any braking action where one size of coin is sorted and counted and the other sizes are directed into a collecting vessel. One particular advantage of this arrangement is the ability to adjust the conveyor belt relative to the disc so that it remains spaced above the disc but at a distance smaller than the thickness of the coin being counted. This spaced arrangement of the conveyor belt and the disc avoids any braking or abrasive action between the two elements when the machine is idling. Accordingly, when one size of coin has been counted it is not necessary to disconnect the machine and it is ready to count the next size merely by adjusting the width and thickness of the sorting channel for the next coin size.

Another feature of the invention is the arrangement of the conveyor belt on the underside of a hinged cover pivotally secured to the housing of the machine. The conveyor belt passes over spaced belt pulleys attached to the hinged cover. One of the belt pulleys on the cover is connected by a driving belt to a second belt pulley mounted within the housing.

Because of the hinged arrangement of the cover the conveyorbelt is easily positionable relative to the disc and the sorting braking action occurs. Only the action of the feed roller channel and the distances between the belt and the disc can be easily adjusted. To facilitate the adjustment of the distance between the conveyor belt and the disc an adjusting screw is incorporated into the hinged cover. Since the hinged cover can be easily displaced the conveyor belt can be checked at any time for abrasion and the tension of the conveyor belt can be corrected. Further, if necessary, a new conveyor belt can be easily installed.

Since the conveyor belt directs the coins through the sorting channel to the tumstile it also deflects coins not of the proper size for passage through the sorting channel into a drop out opening below the channel. To assist in directing coins into the drop out opening a spring loaded roller is provided in contact with the conveyor belt at a position above the drop out opening. For effecting the proper operation of the device the roller is supported on one leg of an angle lever and the other leg of the lever has a leaf spring which bears against the underside of the cover. Because of the spacing provided between the disc and the conveyor belt it is possible to operate the belt at a speed of about 1.3 to 1.5 times greater than the circumferential speed of the disc. Due to the differential speed provided the coins passing into the sorting channel are pulled apart or separated and, as a result, they do not obstruct one another when they pass through the drop out opening. This arrangement avoids any obstruction in the sorting operation and permits the counting and the sorting operation to be carried out at the same speed.

In counting different denominations or sizes of coins, coins of the largest diameter are sorted and counted first and then successively the next smaller coin is counted. To simplify and quickly carry out the adjustment of the machine for different sizes of coins a two-legged adjusting slide is arranged to vary the transverse dimension of the sorting channel. One leg of the slide extends in spaced parallel relationship with the stationary guide member of the channel. The other leg of the slide extends obliquely from the one leg and has a shifting drive and a control cam for the vertical adjustment of a unilaterally supported arm which bears on a control cam and extends from its free end into the receptacle. The distance from the disc to the slide is variable based on the displacement of the control cam corresponding to the coin thickness and is accomplished at the same time that the adjustment for the diameter of the coin is carried out. In the past two separate adjustment steps were necessary when a machine was converted to a coin of a different size, therefore with the new adjustment arrangement the operation of the machine can be speeded up and the counting capacity improved.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a feeler is mounted on one side of a vertically moving arm and can be adjusted in height by means of an adjusting screw. The feeler arm contacts the control cam whose normal position it thus adjustable. The other adjustments of the slide are made simultaneously with the adjustment of the sorting channel for the diameter of the coin to be counted.

Due to the manner in which it is arranged, the sorting and counting capacity of the machine is considerably improved over similar machines employed in the past. The machine works trouble-free even in continuous operation, and due to the arrangement of the locating disc and the conveyor belt the accumulation of coins at the inlet to the sorting channel is impossible.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin sorting and counting machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the machine disclosed in FIG. 1, with the housing cover of the machine removed and a pivotally supported cover containing a conveyor device displaced upwardly from the machine,

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the machine, similar to FIG. 2, but disclosing means for adjusting a sorting channel relative to the size of the coin being counted;

FIG. 4 is a side view, partly in section, taken in the direction of the arrow IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial top view of the machine shown in FIG. I with the pivotally mounted cover in position and with a portion of the cover removed;

FIG. 6 is a side view partly in section taken in the direction ofthe arrow VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial side view similar to that shown in FIG. 6, however, with the pivotal cover lifted upwardly from the machine;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a detail view of an arm for adjusting the dimensions of the sorting channel to the coin thickness, as indicated by the arrow IX shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the line X-X as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the adjustment slide and the control cam as shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 12 is a side view of the adjustment slide shown in FIG. 11 with the guide portion of the slide represented in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. I the coin sorting and counting machine is represented by a housing 1 having a cover plate 2 extending across its upper surface. A cylindrically shaped coin receptacle 3 extends downwardly from the cover plate and a centrifugal disc 4 defines the bottom of the receptacle. Pivotally secured to the housing is a cover 5 which contains a conveyor device, not shown in this FIG., whose vertical adjustment relative to the disc 4 is effected by the adjusting screw 6 in the cover. The cover can be pivoted upwardly from the housing I in the direction of the arrow 7. On one side of the housing a coin outlet 8 is provided for coins counted within the machine while on the adjacent side of the housing there is a drawer 9 for receiving sorted coins which are not counted. As shown in FIG. 1 the drawer 9 is represented as being half open.

In the cover plate 2 of the machine a window opening 10 is provided for viewing the register of the coin counter. Along side the window opening 10 is a knob 11 for the zero position of the counter. Another knob 12 extending through the cover plate serves to start and stop the motor 20, see FIG. 8, which operates the machine, and a signal lamp 13 is provided for indicating that the motor is operating. Also positioned on the cover plate 2 is a toggle knob 14 and a scale 15 which are employed to adjust the machine to the size of the coin to be counted. Another toggle knob 16 and scale 17 are positioned on the cover plate for setting the number of coins to be counted by the machine. The device actuated by the toggle knob 16 is known per se and does not require further description. As usual, when the set number of coins is reached, the coin counter operates a microswitch which stops the driving motor and blocks the coin track.

In FIG. 2 the cover plate 2 is removed from the housing 1 revealing a horizontally disposed base plate 18 which can be formed of cast aluminum and is arranged to receive all the other parts of the machine.

Extending upwardly from the base plate 18 is a vertical shaft 19 on which the disc 4 is mounted. The motor 20, see FIG. 8 positioned on the underside of the base plate drives the vertical shaft and, the disc by means of a reduction gear 21 which extends from one end of the motor 20 and includes a worm and worm gear. Secured to the underside of the disc 4 is a V- belt pulley 22. A V-belt 23 is fitted onto the pulley 22 and extends to a smaller belt pulley 24 which is rigidly connected to the shaft 25 on the underside of the base plate 18. On the opposite or top side of the base plate 18 a belt-pulley 26 is mounted on the shaft 25. A round belt 27 is trained about the pulley 26 and drives a conveyor device 28 secured to the underside of the cover 5.

The round belt'27 is made of an elastic rubber material and is guided laterally by a guide roller 29. The guide roller 29 is movably mounted on a stationary axle 30 secured to the cover plate 2 for both rotation and axial displacement. The cover 5 is pivotally attached to the housing by means of a pin 31 and a guide roller 29 protects the round belt 27 when the cover is opened and closed, that is, when it is pivoted relative to the housing cover 2. The arrangement and operation of the conveyor device mounted on the cover 5 will be described later.

As indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the coin receptacle 3 is laterally enclosed by a cylindrically-shaped shell 32 with a coin sorting channel 33 extending tangentially from the cylindrical shell. The sorting channel 33 is defined laterally by a stationary guide bar 34 and a movably positionable guide bar 35. The stationary guide bar extends tangentially from the cylindrical shell 32 and the movable guide bar 35 is disposed in spaced parallel relationship with the stationary guide bar. On the inner surface of the guide bar 34 is a contact edge 36 which extends tangentially outwardly from the inner edge of the shell 32. A center plane 37 passes through the axis of the shaft l9 and through the junction of the inner edge of the cylindrical shell 32 and the contact edge 36 of the stationary guide bar 34. The center plane 37 designates the beginning of the coin feed of the coins M into the sorting channel 33.

Immediately outwardly from the edge of the disc 4 within the sorting channel 33 is a drop out opening 38, see FIGS. 2 and 8, for receiving coins which are not of the proper size for passage through the sorting channel. On the side of the drop out channel fonned by the movably adjustable guide bar 35 a stepped edge 39 is provided while on the opposite side of the channel a support edge 40 is formed on-the stationary guide bar 34. As the coins pass from the disc 4 into the sorting channel 33 the coins to be counted rest on the opposite sides of the channel on the stepped edge 39 and the support edge 40. As mentioned, during operation of the machine progressively smaller coins are counted each time, accordingly, coins smaller than the ones being counted drop through the drop out opening 38 into the drawer 9 shown in FIG. 1. The coins to be counted continue on through the sorting channel 33 and eventually dropthrough the coin outlet 8, see FIG. 1, into a vessel arranged next to the machine, not shown. In the embodiment illustrated a mechanical counter 41 is disclosed. The counter has cipher rolls 42, see FIG. 2, which are actuated by a turnstile 43 positioned along the stationary guide bar 34 of the channel. The turnstile is mounted on an axle carrying a helical gear 44 which meshes with a pinion 45. The pinion 45 is positioned on a counter axle 46 which drives the cipher rolls .42 in a known manner over a pair of gears 47. The gears drive the first unit roll of the counter. As indicated in FIG. 2 the turnstile 43 has a plurality of projections which are arranged to extend inwardly into the sorting channel from the side containing the stationary guide bar 34. As the coins travel through the sorting channel 33 supported by the support edges 39 and 40 they pass the turnstile and cause it to be actuated.

The conveyor device 28 mounted on the cover 5 comprises an endless V-belt 50 extending between two belt pulleys 48, 49 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the sorting channel 33. In FIG. 2 as mentioned previously, the cover is lifted upwardly and the V-belt 50 is displaced from its operating position, however, in FIG. 5 the cover is shown in its operating position on the housing with one end of the V-belt 50 positioned over the radially outer part of the disc 4 and intersecting the center plane 37. In its operating position, the V belt between the

pulleys

48 and 49 in a plane disposed perpendicularly to the disc and the sorting channel 33. As can be seen from the combination of FIGS. 2 and 5 the V-belt extends from the disc, in generally parallel relationship with the inner edge 36 of the stationary guide bar, to a point adjacent the turnstile 43 within the sorting channel. The V-belt 50 travels about the belt pulleys 48, 49 in direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 with the lower run between the pulleys being positioned closely spaced above the disc 4 and the coin track within the sorting channel. The adjusting screw 6 located in the cover 5 regulates the distance a, see FIG. 6, between the lower surface of the V-belt 50, in its lower run between the pulleys, and the surface of the disc 4 and the coin track.

On the same shaft with the belt pulley 48 is a second belt pulley 48a located outwardly from the disc 4, see FIG. 5. The belt pulley 48 is driven by the round belt 27 which extends from the belt pulley 26 to the second belt pulley 48a coaxially mounted with the belt pulley 48. The V-belt is arranged to have a linear velocity of about 1.3 to 1.5 times higher than the circumferential velocity of the disc Due to this differential velocity of the disc and V-belt, both moving in the direction of the sorting channel 33, there is a tendancy to separate the coins as they are directed into the sorting channel.

The belt pulleys 48, 49, see FIG. 2, are positioned within the box shaped cover 5. A roller 52 is positioned between the belt pulleys 48, 49 in contact with the lower run of the V-belt 50 and is arranged to stress the V-belt at a position aligned above the drop out opening 38 within the sorting channel. The roller 52 is mounted on one leg of the angle lever 53 which extends in substantially parallel relationship with the conveyor belt while the other leg carries a leaf spring 51 which bears against the inside surface of the cover 5. The angle lever 53 can be turned about the set screw 54 and the spring 51 maintains the force of the roller 52 acting downwardly against the conveyor belt 50. In FIG. 2, the cover 5 is pivoted 90 from its normal operating position on top of the machine. In FIGS. 5 and 6 the cover is located in the operating position with the conveyor belt 50 aligned over the edge surface of the disc 4, with the axle 55 of the belt pulley 48 being located on the center plane 37. At the opposite end of the conveyor belt the axle 56 of the other belt pulley 49 is positioned above the turnstile 43. Accordingly, the conveyor belt in its operating position effects the feeding of the coins from the disc 4 extending from the center plane 37 into the sorting channel 33 up to the point which the coins are passed through the turnstile for actuating the counting device.

As mentioned previously, after the coins pass through the turnstile 43 they drop through the opening 8 into a separate vessel, not shown. For adjusting the transverse dimension of the sorting channel to the diameter of the coins to be counted the guide bar 35 is moved in parallel relationship with the stationary guide bar 34. The guide bar 35 is a part of a two legged angularly arranged adjustment slide 57 having a leg 58 which is disposed obliquely to the sorting channel and acts as a guide for the positioning of the guide bar 35 in-parallel relationship with the stationary guide bar 34. At its end spaced from the disc 4 the leg 58 contains a longitudinal gear 60 which is engaged by a pinion 61, see FIG. 2. The axle 62 of the pinion extends upwardly through the cover plate 2 of the housing and the toggle knob 14 is located on the upper end of the axle, see FIG. 3. A disc 63 has a plurality of V-shaped slots cut into its peripheral edge and a locking spring 65 is arranged to be selectively engaged into the V-shaped slots 64. The position of the slots 64 on the disc 63 conforms with the indications on the scale 15 and corresponds to the required adjustments in the movable guide bar 35 for the various coin denominations or sizes being processed through the machine.

As shown in FIG. 4, the axle 62 is mounted at its lower end in the base plate 18 and is secured at its upper end in a plate 67 fixed on the supports 66 which extend upwardly from the base plate. Also located in the plate 67 is a switch 68 for starting and stopping the motor 20 and actuating the signal lamp l3.

Near the end of the leg 58, adjacent the disc 4 and opposite the end carrying the gear 60, a control cam 69 is positioned containing height graduations 70, see FIG. 12. This control cam is provided for the vertical adjustment of an arm 73 which is supported along one edge in the housing, see FIG. 3, in bearing blocks 71 and an axle 72, which rests on the control cam 69, and extends at its free end into and across the receptacle 3. A feeler 74 is secured at one end on the arm 73, see FIG. 9, and can be adjusted in height by means of an adjusting screw 75, see FIG. 4. The feeler 74 can be positioned, at its end secured to the arm 73, by means of a set screw 76, At its end opposite the set screw 76 the feeler 74 has a rounded portion 77 as is best indicated in FIG. 4. In the range of the disc 4 the arm 73 has a concave curvature 78, see FIG. 3, and carries a blocking plate arranged perpendicularly to the disc whose bottom edge, disposed opposite the top side of the disc, can be adjusted to the coin thickness of the size of the coin being counted. The adjustment for the coin diameter and thickness is effected by a single adjustment of the toggle knob 14.

In the process of sorting and counting the coins after one size of coin has been counted the machine is adjusted by means of the toggle knob 14 for the next smaller coin diameter and the sorted coins which had been fed into the drawer 9 are again fed into the receptacle 3 and the sorting and counting operation continues in the same fashion for each size or denomination of coins. Due to the arrangement of this machine the counting of different sizes or denominations of coins is carried out at a rate and effectiveness which has not previously been achieved in such a simple and efficient device.

lclaim:

l. A coin sorting and counting machine comprising wall means for forming a housing, a cylindrically shaped shell positioned within said housing and forming an upwardly extending coin receptacle, a horizontally arranged rotatable disc mounted within said housing and forming the base of said coin receptacle, means fonning a horizontally extending sorting channel extending angularly outwardly from the periphery of said disc said shell having an opening therein for admitting coins from said disc to said sorting channel, said means forming said sorting channel including elongated side members defining the sides of said member and forming a coin track, said channel being adjustable to the diameter and thickness of the coin to be counted, a counting device mounted in said channel at a position spaced from said rotatable disc said means forming said sorting channel defining in the bottom of saidchannel a drop out opening located adjacent said disc upstream from said counting device for receiving coins of a size smaller than the adjusted lateral dimension of said channel, a cover pivotally secured to said housing for covering at least a longitudinally extending portion of said sorting channel and the periphery of said disc adjacent the entrance to said sorting channel, a conveyor means secured to the underside of said cover for pivotal movement therewith and positioned above said disc and sorting channel and extending in the axial direction of said channel and chordally of said disc for urging the coins from the periphery of said disc into and through said channel and past said counting device, means counted in said cover for adjusting the height of said conveying means above said disc and sorting channel to a distance which is less than the thickness dimension of the coin arranged to be passed through the coin track formed by said sorting channel to said counting device, means for driving said conveyor means comprising a drive member stationarily mounted in said housing, and a transmission member extending between said drive member at said conveyor means and movably displaceable with said conveyor means when said conveyor means is pivoted with said cover away from said disc and sorting channel so that in the operating position said conveyor means is protected by said cover and when said cover is pivoted upwardly away from said housing said conveyor means is still connected to its said drive means.

2. A coin sorting and counting machine, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said side members of said sorting channel comprise a stationary side member positioned tangentially to said cylindrically shaped shell and extending outwardly therefrom and defining one side of the opening in said shell for passing coins from the outer surface of said disc along said stationary side member into said sorting channel, and an adjustable side member being displaceable laterally relative to said stationary side member and disposed in parallel relationship therewith, a support ledge provided on each of said stationary side member and adjustable side member extending inwardly into said sorting channel above said drop out opening therefrom for supporting the coins to be counted as they pass through said channel across the drop out opening whereby coins of a smaller size than the spacing between said support ledges fall downwardly into said drop out opening.

3. A coin sorting and counting machine, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said adjustable side member comprises a first leg including said inwardly extending support ledge extending in parallel relationship with said stationary side member, and a second leg extending obliquely from said first leg at a point of juncture adjacent said cylindrically shaped receptacle and extending outwardly away from the periphery of said disc within said housing, and means mounted within said housing for displacing said second leg whereby said first leg is positioned laterally and in parallel relationship with said stationary side member for accommodating therebetween coins of a selected diametrical dimension.

4. A coin sorting and counting machine, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for conveying coins from said disc into said sorting channel comprises an endless conveyor belt extending in substantially parallel relationship with said stationary side member of said sorting channel and positioned closely spaced above said disc and extending chordally from said disc into said sorting channel for feeding coins from said disc through said sorting channel to said counting device within said sorting channel, in the operating position of said conveyor means with said cover pivoted downwardly on said housing and said conveyor means located above said sorting channel said conveyor means comprises a first pulley positioned in said cover above said disc and the axis thereof being disposed in a plane extending through the center of said disc and the point of junction between said stationary said member and said cylindrically shaped receptacle, a second pulley spaced longitudinally from said first pulley and located above said counting device in said sorting channel, said conveyor belt travels over said first and second pulleys having a lower run an upper run with the lower run thereof being closely spaced above said disc, means for adjusting the vertical spacing of said belt above said disc comprising an adjusting screw mounted in said cover and extending downwardly into contact with said housing for adjustably positioning said conveyor belt relative to said disc.

5. A coin sorting and counting machine, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said drive member and transmission member for driving said conveyor belt are arranged to move said conveyor belt over said disc at a speed of L3 to 1.5 times greater than the circumferential speed of said disc whereby the coins disposed between said disc and said conveyor belt are urged along in the direction of said sorting channel by said belt for effecting a separation of the coins as they enter said sorting channel for affording proper passage either into said drop out opening or through said sorting channel for movement passed said counting device.

6. A coin sorting and counting machine comprising wall means for forming a housing containing a generally vertically extending coin receptacle, a rotatable disc mounted within said housing and forming the base of said coin receptacle, means forming a horizontally extending sorting channel being arranged extending angularly outwardly from the periphery of said disc, said means forming said sorting channel including side members defining the sides of said channel and said channel being adjustable to the diameter and thickness of the coin to be counted, a counting device mounted in said channel at a position spaced from said rotatable disc said means forming the sorting channel forming a dropout opening from said sorting channel for receiving coins of a size not compatible with the lateral and height dimensions of the channel, and conveyor means positioned above said disc and sorting channel and extending in a direction of said channel for urging the coins from the periphery of said disc into said channel and past said counting device, means for adjusting the height of said conveying means above said disc to a distance above said disc which is less than the thickness dimension of the coin arranged to be passed through the sorting channel to said counting device, said side members of said sorting channel comprising a stationary side member, and an adjustable side member displaceable laterally relative to said stationary side member and being in parallel relationship therewith, said adjustable side member comprises a first leg extending in parallel relationship with said stationary side member and a second leg extending obliquely from said first leg at a point of juncture adjacent said cylindrical receptacle and extending outwardly away from said disc within said housing, and means mounted within said housing for displacing said second leg whereby said first leg is positioned laterally and in parallel relationship from said stationary guide member for accommodating therebetween coins of a selected diameter, said means for adjusting said adjustable side member comprises a longitudinally extending gear formed in said second leg at a position remote from said disc, a pinion mounted within said housing and arranged to displace said second leg and thereby said first leg, and a control cam positioned on the opposite end of said second leg for adjusting the thickness or height of said sorting channel corresponding to the diameter dimension of thercoin to be counted. 1

7. A coin sorting and counting machine, as set forth in claim 6, wherein an arm is mounted at one end within said housing and extends along the movable side member of said sorting channel and is positioned chordally across said receptacle at a spaced position above said disc said. arm being operatively engaged by said cam on said second leg of said adjustable side member for varying the spacing between said arm and said disc for accommodating coins of a particular thickness dimension therebetween.

8. A coin sorting and counting machine, as set forth in claim 6, wherein a disc member having slots formed in the periphery thereof is mounted on said pinion for positioning said second leg whereby said first leg is laterally displaced in parallel relationship relative to said stationary side member, and spring means mounted in said housing for engagement in said grooves in said disc for selectively positioning said disc and said pinion for determining the proper lateral spacing between said first leg and said stationary side member. t

9. A coin sorting and counting machine comprising wall means for forming a housing containing a generally vertically extending coin receptacle, a rotatable disc mounted within said housing and forming the base of said coin receptacle, means forming a horizontally extending sorting channel being arranged extending angularly outwardly from the periphery of said disc said means forming said sorting channel including side members defining the sides of said channel and said channel being adjustable to the diameter and thickness of the coin to be counted, a counting device mounted in said channel at a position spaced from said rotatable disc said means forming the sorting channel forming a drop out opening from said sorting channel for receiving coins of a size not compatible with the lateral and height dimensions of the channel, and conveyor means positioned above said disc and sorting channel and extending in a direction of said channel for urging the coins from the periphery of said disc into said channel and past said counting device, means for adjusting the height of said conveying means above said disc to a distance above said disc which is less than the thickness dimension of the coin arranged to be passed through the sorting channel to said counting device, said side members of said sorting channel comprising a stationary side member, and an adjustable side member displaceable laterally relative to said stationary side member and being in parallel relationship therewith, said coin receptacle has a cylindrical shell, said stationary side member being positioned tangentially to said cylindrical shell and extending outwardly therefrom and defining one side of an opening in said cylindrical shell for passing coins from the outer surface of said disc along said stationary side member into said sorting ...,lil

channel, a support ledge is provided on each of said stationary side member and adjustable side member extending inwardly into said sorting channel above said drop out opening for supporting and coins to be counted in the channel across the drop out opening whereby coins of a smaller diameter than the spacing between said supports fall downwardly into said drop out opening, said means for conveying coins from said disc into said sorting passage comprises an endless conveyor belt extending in substantially parallel relationship with said stationary side member of said sorting channel and positioned closely spaced above said disc and extending from said disc into said sorting channel for feeding coins from said disc through said sorting channel to said counting device within said sorting channel, a first pulley is positioned on said housing aligned above said disc and the axis thereof being disposed in a plane extending between the center of said'disc and the point of junction between said stationary side member and said cylindrical receptacle, a second pulley being spaced longitudinally from said first pulley and being located above the counting device in said sorting channel, and said conveyor belt traveling over said first and second pulleys having a lower run and an upper run with the lower run thereof being closely spaced above said disc and means for adjusting the vertical spacing of said belt above said disc a cover member is pivotally mounted on said housing, said first and second pulleys and said conveyor belt being fixed within said cover member and said cover member being arranged to be pivoted upwardly away from said housing for access to said conveyor belt and to said sorting passage, said adjusting means for said conveyor belt comprising an adjusting screw mounted in said cover and extending downwardly into contact with said housing for adjustably positioning said conveyor belt relative to said disc, a roller member is mounted within said cover and positioned in contact with the upper surface of said conveyor belt in its lower run over said pulleys, and means for urging said roller against said conveyor belt, said roller being positioned above the drop out opening from said sorting passage whereby the downward force provided by said roller against said conveyor belt acts to displace coins into said drop out opening which are not supported on the support ledges on said side members of said sorting passage.

10. A coin sorting and counting machine, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said means for adjusting said roller comprises a lever member comprising a pair of angularly disposed legs, one of said legs supporting said roller and a spring member being mounted on the other said leg and being disposed in contact with the adjacent surface of said cover, and means for positioning said lever for urging said roller in a downward direction above said drop out opening.

11. A coin sorting and counting machine comprising wall means for forming a housing containing a generally vertically extending coin receptacle, a rotatable disc mounted within said housing and forming the base of said coin receptacle, means forming a horizontally extending sorting channel being arranged extending angularly outwardly from the periphery oisaid disc, said means forming said sorting, channel including side members defining the sides of said channel and said channel being adjustable to the diameter and thickness of the coin to be counted, a counting device mounted in said channel at a position spaced from said rotatable disc said means forming the sorting channel forming a drop out opening from said sorting channel for receiving coins of a size not compatible with the lateral and height dimensions of the channel, and conveyor means positioned above said disc and sorting channel and extending in a direction of said channel for urging the coins from the periphery of said disc into said channel and past said counting device, means for adjusting the height of said conveying means above said disc to a distance above said disc which is less than the thickness dimension of the coin arranged to be passed through the sorting channel to said counting device, said side members of said sorting channel comprising a stationary side member, and an adjustable side member displaceable laterally relative to said stationary side member and being in parallel relationship therewith, said coin receptacle has a cylindrical shell, said stationary side member being positioned tangentially to said cylindrical shell and extending outwardly therefrom and defining one side of an opening in said cylindrical shell for passing coins from the outer surface of said disc along said stationary side member into said sorting channel, a support ledge is provided on each of said stationary side member and adjustable side member extending inwardly into said sorting channel above said drop out opening for supporting the coins to be counted in the channel across the drop out opening whereby coins of a smaller diameter than the spacing between said supports fall downwardly into said drop out opening, said means for conveying coins from said disc into said sorting passage comprises as endless conveyor belt extending in substantially parallel relationship with said stationary side member of said sorting channel and positioned closely spaced above said disc and extending from said disc into said sorting channel for feeding coins from said disc through said sorting channel to said counting device within said sorting channel, a first pulley is positioned on said housing aligned above said disc and the axis thereof being disposed in a plane extending between the center of said disc and the point of junction between said stationary side member and said cylindrical receptacle, a second pulley being spaced longitudinally from said first pulley and being located above the counting device in said sorting channel, and said conveyor belt traveling over said first and second pulleys having a lower run and an upper run with the lower run thereof being closely spaced above said disc, and means for adjusting the vertical spacing of said belt above said disc, a cover member is pivotally mounted on said housing, said first and second pulleys and said conveyor belt being fixed within said cover member and said cover member being arranged to be pivoted upwardly away from said housing for access to said conveyor belt and to said sorting passage, a third belt pulley is mounted in said housing, a fourth belt pulley arranged to be coaxially mounted with said first belt pulley in the plane extending from the center of said disc through the point of tangential junction between said stationary side member and said cylindrical receptacle, and a belt arranged to extend between said third belt pulley and said fourth belt pulley for driving said conveyor belt, a guide roller is mounted within said housing for rotation and for axial displacement in the vertical direction of said machine, said guide roller being in contact with said belt extending between said third pulley to said fourth pulley, whereby said guide roller protects said belt during the pivotal movement of said cover relative to said housing.

Claims

1. A coin sorting and counting machine comprising wall means for forming a housing, a cylindrically shaped shell positioned within said housing and forming an upwardly extending coin receptacle, a horizontally arranged rotatable disc mounted within said housing and forming the base of said coin receptacle, means forming a horizontally extending sorting channel extending angularly outwardly from the periphery of said disc said shell having an opening therein for admitting coins from said disc to said sorting channel, said means forming said sorting channel including elongated side members defining the sides of said member and forming a coin track, said channel being adjustable to the diameter and thickness of the coin to be counted, a counting device mounted in said channel at a position spaced from said rotatable disc said means forming said sorting channel defining in the bottom of said channel a drop out opening located adjacent said disc upstream from said counting device for receiving coins of a size smaller than the adjusted lateral dimension of said channel, a cover pivotally secured to said housing for covering at least a longitudinally extending portion of said sorting channel and the periphery of said disc adjacent the entrance to said sorting channel, a conveyor means secured to the underside of said cover for pivotal movement therewith and positioned above said disc and sorting channel and extending in the axial direction of said channel and chordally of said disc for urging the coins from the periphery of said disc into and through said channel and past said counting device, means counted in said cover for adjusting the height of said conveying means above said disc and sorting channel to a distance which is less than the thickness dimension of the coin arranged to be passed through the coin track formed by said sorting channel to said counting device, means for driving said conveyor means comprising a drive member stationarily mounted in said housing, and a transmission member extending between said drive member at said conveyor means and movably displaceable with said conveyor means when said conveyor means is pivoted with said cover away from said disc and sorting channel so that in the operating position said conveyor means is protected by said cover and when said cover is pivoted upwardly away from said housing said conveyor means is still connected to its said drive means.

5. A coin sorting and counting machine, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said drive member and transmission member for driving said conveyor belt are arranged to move said conveyor belt over said disc at a speed of 1.3 to 1.5 times greater than the circumferential speed of said disc whereby the coins disposed between said disc and said conveyor belt are urged along in the direction of said sorting channel by said belt for effecting a separation of the coins as they enter said sorting channel for affording proper passage either into said drop out opening or through said sorting channel for movement passed said counting device.

6. A coin sorting and counting machine comprising wall means for forming a housing containing a generally vertically extending coin receptacle, a rotatable disc mounted within said housing and forming the base of said coin receptacle, means forming a horizontally extending sorting channel being arranged extending angularly outwardly from the periphery of said disc, said means forming said sorting channel including side members defining the sides of said channel and said channel being adjustable to the diameter and thickness of the coin to be counted, a counting device mounted in said channel at a position spaced from said rotatable disc said means forming the sorting channel forming a dropout opening from said sorting channel for receiving coins of a size not compatible with the lateral and height dimensions of the channel, and conveyor means positioned above said disc and sorting channel and extending in a direction of said channel for urging the coins from the periphery of said disc into said channel and past said counting device, means for adjusting the height of said conveying means above said disc to a distance above said disc which is less than the thickness dimension of the coin arranged to be passed through the sorting channel to said counting device, said side members of said sorting channel comprising a stationary side member, and an adjustable side member displaceable laterally relative to said stationary side member and being in parallel relationship therewith, said adjustable side member comprises a first leg extending in parallel relationship with said stationary side member and a seconD leg extending obliquely from said first leg at a point of juncture adjacent said cylindrical receptacle and extending outwardly away from said disc within said housing, and means mounted within said housing for displacing said second leg whereby said first leg is positioned laterally and in parallel relationship from said stationary guide member for accommodating therebetween coins of a selected diameter, said means for adjusting said adjustable side member comprises a longitudinally extending gear formed in said second leg at a position remote from said disc, a pinion mounted within said housing and arranged to displace said second leg and thereby said first leg, and a control cam positioned on the opposite end of said second leg for adjusting the thickness or height of said sorting channel corresponding to the diameter dimension of the coin to be counted.

7. A coin sorting and counting machine, as set forth in claim 6, wherein an arm is mounted at one end within said housing and extends along the movable side member of said sorting channel and is positioned chordally across said receptacle at a spaced position above said disc said arm being operatively engaged by said cam on said second leg of said adjustable side member for varying the spacing between said arm and said disc for accommodating coins of a particular thickness dimension therebetween.

8. A coin sorting and counting machine, as set forth in claim 6, wherein a disc member having slots formed in the periphery thereof is mounted on said pinion for positioning said second leg whereby said first leg is laterally displaced in parallel relationship relative to said stationary side member, and spring means mounted in said housing for engagement in said grooves in said disc for selectively positioning said disc and said pinion for determining the proper lateral spacing between said first leg and said stationary side member.

9. A coin sorting and counting machine comprising wall means for forming a housing containing a generally vertically extending coin receptacle, a rotatable disc mounted within said housing and forming the base of said coin receptacle, means forming a horizontally extending sorting channel being arranged extending angularly outwardly from the periphery of said disc said means forming said sorting channel including side members defining the sides of said channel and said channel being adjustable to the diameter and thickness of the coin to be counted, a counting device mounted in said channel at a position spaced from said rotatable disc said means forming the sorting channel forming a drop out opening from said sorting channel for receiving coins of a size not compatible with the lateral and height dimensions of the channel, and conveyor means positioned above said disc and sorting channel and extending in a direction of said channel for urging the coins from the periphery of said disc into said channel and past said counting device, means for adjusting the height of said conveying means above said disc to a distance above said disc which is less than the thickness dimension of the coin arranged to be passed through the sorting channel to said counting device, said side members of said sorting channel comprising a stationary side member, and an adjustable side member displaceable laterally relative to said stationary side member and being in parallel relationship therewith, said coin receptacle has a cylindrical shell, said stationary side member being positioned tangentially to said cylindrical shell and extending outwardly therefrom and defining one side of an opening in said cylindrical shell for passing coins from the outer surface of said disc along said stationary side member into said sorting channel, a support ledge is provided on each of said stationary side member and adjustable side member extending inwardly into said sorting channel above said drop out opening for supporting and coins to be counted in the channel across the drop out opening whereby coins of a smaller diamEter than the spacing between said supports fall downwardly into said drop out opening, said means for conveying coins from said disc into said sorting passage comprises an endless conveyor belt extending in substantially parallel relationship with said stationary side member of said sorting channel and positioned closely spaced above said disc and extending from said disc into said sorting channel for feeding coins from said disc through said sorting channel to said counting device within said sorting channel, a first pulley is positioned on said housing aligned above said disc and the axis thereof being disposed in a plane extending between the center of said disc and the point of junction between said stationary side member and said cylindrical receptacle, a second pulley being spaced longitudinally from said first pulley and being located above the counting device in said sorting channel, and said conveyor belt traveling over said first and second pulleys having a lower run and an upper run with the lower run thereof being closely spaced above said disc and means for adjusting the vertical spacing of said belt above said disc a cover member is pivotally mounted on said housing, said first and second pulleys and said conveyor belt being fixed within said cover member and said cover member being arranged to be pivoted upwardly away from said housing for access to said conveyor belt and to said sorting passage, said adjusting means for said conveyor belt comprising an adjusting screw mounted in said cover and extending downwardly into contact with said housing for adjustably positioning said conveyor belt relative to said disc, a roller member is mounted within said cover and positioned in contact with the upper surface of said conveyor belt in its lower run over said pulleys, and means for urging said roller against said conveyor belt, said roller being positioned above the drop out opening from said sorting passage whereby the downward force provided by said roller against said conveyor belt acts to displace coins into said drop out opening which are not supported on the support ledges on said side members of said sorting passage.

11. A coin sorting and counting machine comprising wall means for forming a housing containing a generally vertically extending coin receptacle, a rotatable disc mounted within said housing and forming the base of said coin receptacle, means forming a horizontally extending sorting channel being arranged extending angularly outwardly from the periphery of said disc, said means forming said sorting channel including side members defining the sides of said channel and said channel being adjustable to the diameter and thickness of the coin to be counted, a counting device mounted in said channel at a position spaced from said rotatable disc said means forming the sorting channel forming a drop out opening from said sorting channel for receiving coins of a size not compatible with the lateral and height dimensions of the channel, and conveyor means positioned above said disc and sorting channel and extending in a direction of said channel for urging the coins from the periphery of said disc into said channel and past said counting device, means for adjusting the height of said conveying means above said disc to a distance above said disc which is less than the thickness dimension of the coin arranged to be passed through the sorting channel to said counting device, said side members of said sorting channel comprising a stationary side member, and an adjustable side member displaceablE laterally relative to said stationary side member and being in parallel relationship therewith, said coin receptacle has a cylindrical shell, said stationary side member being positioned tangentially to said cylindrical shell and extending outwardly therefrom and defining one side of an opening in said cylindrical shell for passing coins from the outer surface of said disc along said stationary side member into said sorting channel, a support ledge is provided on each of said stationary side member and adjustable side member extending inwardly into said sorting channel above said drop out opening for supporting the coins to be counted in the channel across the drop out opening whereby coins of a smaller diameter than the spacing between said supports fall downwardly into said drop out opening, said means for conveying coins from said disc into said sorting passage comprises as endless conveyor belt extending in substantially parallel relationship with said stationary side member of said sorting channel and positioned closely spaced above said disc and extending from said disc into said sorting channel for feeding coins from said disc through said sorting channel to said counting device within said sorting channel, a first pulley is positioned on said housing aligned above said disc and the axis thereof being disposed in a plane extending between the center of said disc and the point of junction between said stationary side member and said cylindrical receptacle, a second pulley being spaced longitudinally from said first pulley and being located above the counting device in said sorting channel, and said conveyor belt traveling over said first and second pulleys having a lower run and an upper run with the lower run thereof being closely spaced above said disc, and means for adjusting the vertical spacing of said belt above said disc, a cover member is pivotally mounted on said housing, said first and second pulleys and said conveyor belt being fixed within said cover member and said cover member being arranged to be pivoted upwardly away from said housing for access to said conveyor belt and to said sorting passage, a third belt pulley is mounted in said housing, a fourth belt pulley arranged to be coaxially mounted with said first belt pulley in the plane extending from the center of said disc through the point of tangential junction between said stationary side member and said cylindrical receptacle, and a belt arranged to extend between said third belt pulley and said fourth belt pulley for driving said conveyor belt, a guide roller is mounted within said housing for rotation and for axial displacement in the vertical direction of said machine, said guide roller being in contact with said belt extending between said third pulley to said fourth pulley, whereby said guide roller protects said belt during the pivotal movement of said cover relative to said housing.