US3889792A - Energy absorbing device for coin handling mechanisms and the like - Google Patents

Energy absorbing device for coin handling mechanisms and the like Download PDF

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Publication number
US3889792A
US3889792A US468205A US46820574A US3889792A US 3889792 A US3889792 A US 3889792A US 468205 A US468205 A US 468205A US 46820574 A US46820574 A US 46820574A US 3889792 A US3889792 A US 3889792A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
coin
strike plate
leg
cushion
path
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US468205A
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English (en)
Inventor
Frederick Gordon Willis
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Mars Inc
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Mars Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of US3889792A publication Critical patent/US3889792A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D5/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of coins, e.g. for segregating coins which are unacceptable or alien to a currency
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F1/00—Coin inlet arrangements; Coins specially adapted to operate coin-freed mechanisms
    • G07F1/04—Coin chutes
    • G07F1/048—Coin chutes with means for damping coin motion

Definitions

  • a coin handling mechanism in which a coin, token, or similar metal article (herein referred to as a coin) is guided through the mechanism rolling or sliding on its edge or sliding on i one of its faces.
  • a coin a coin, token, or similar metal article
  • the devices used in coin operated vending machines to identify and authenticate a coin deposited in the machine are the devices used in coin operated vending machines to identify and authenticate a coin deposited in the machine.
  • the path followed by the coin is quite serpentine, involving several abrupt changes of coin direction.
  • the coin may be subjected to tests (e.g., tests of coin genuineness) which depend on accurate positioning of the coin.
  • the coin may also be required to drop from one leg of the path to another and then continue along the second leg with a minimum of coin bouncing.
  • devices for absorbing the kinetic energy of a coin are required.
  • the efficiency of a coin handling mechanism depends on how rapidly coins can be processed by the mechanism. Thus it is desirable to be able to move coins through the mechanism at relatively high velocities. On the other hand, as the coin velocities involved are increased, the coins possess more kinetic energy and it becomes more difficult to change coin direction without vibration and bouncing.
  • Efficiency also dictates that an energy absorbing device for use in mechanisms of this type not unduly delay the progress of a coin through the mechanism. Even though the energy absorbing device may be required to bring a coin to a complete stop (e.g., in reversing coin direction), this stop should only be momentary.
  • coin handling mechanisms are required to handle several different coin denominations in a coin set, processing all of these coins at least partly along a common path.
  • the coins to be processed may vary considerably in diameter, thickness, mass, elasticity, etc.
  • the energy absorbing devices at least those along the portion of the path followed by all coins) must efficiently absorb the kinetic energy of all the coins to be processed.
  • an energy absorbing device comprising a coin strike plate of relatively hard, stiff, or rigid material mounted on a layer of relatively soft elastic material, which is mounted in turn on a second mem er of hard material coupled to a wall or frame of the coin handling mechanism by a second layer of relatively soft elastic material.
  • the second relatively stiff member is conveniently made in the form of an L-shaped bracket to fatcilitate mounting the energy absorbing device on a wall of the coin mechanism.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational view partly broken away of a coin handling mechanism in which energy absorbing devices constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention are employed:
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 showing in detail one of the energy absorbing devices constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention
  • FIG. 3 is a front view of the energy absorbing device of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an approximate dynamic mechanical equivalent of an energy absorbing device constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 1 showing a second energy absorbing device constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention
  • FIG. 6 is a front view of the energy absorbing device of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 1 showing a third energy absorbing device constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.
  • coin is intended to mean genuine coins, tokens, counterfeit coins, slugs, washers, and any other item which may be used by persons in an attempt to use coin-operated devices.
  • FIG. 1 shows part of a coin mechanism 10 for use in identifying and authenticating coins of any of several denominations in a coin set (e.g., the United States 5-. 10-, and 25-cent coins) as is required, for example, in a coin-operated vending machine.
  • a coin set e.g., the United States 5-. 10-, and 25-cent coins
  • a coin enters the mechanism through coin entry 12.
  • the coin drops onto coin track 14 between sidewalls l6 and I8 and rolls down the coin track on its edge under the influence of gravity.
  • Sidewalls l6 and 18 are parallel plates spaced apart by at least the thickness of the thickest coin to be processed by the apparatus (e.g., the United States 5- cent coin). If desired, sidewalls l6 and 18 may be tilted slightly from the vertical so that the face of a coin rolling down coin track 14 (and later coin track 22) bears on front sidewall 16.
  • the coin drops edge first Onto energy absorbing device 20 and then rolls down coin track 22 between sidewalls l6 and 18 past a pinrality of devices 24, 26, and 28 which test the coin to determine its authenticity and denomination [c.g, by electromagnetically sensing properties of the coin).
  • Energy absorbing device 20 is Constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention to absorb all or substantially all of the kinetic energy of any acceptable coin in the coin set (e.g., genuine and cent coins) which drops onto it from the end of coin track 14. In this way a coin is effectively brought to rest on the top surface of energy absorbing device 20 and then begins to roll down coin track 22 with little if any bouncing. Since the tests performed by sensors 24, 26, and 28 may be quite sensitive to the location of coins relative to the sensors, it is very important that the motion of a coin past the sensors be sliding or rolling mo tion rather than bouncing motion.
  • any acceptable coin in the coin set e.g., genuine and cent coins
  • energy absorbing device 20 includes a coin strike plate 30 of relatively hard or stiff material (eg, a thermoplastic polyester material such as glass fiber reinforced Valox 420 available from the General Electric Company) mounted on a cushion or pad 32 of relatively soft elastic material (eg, neoprene rubber having a durometer rating in the range from to 60.)
  • Pad 32 is mounted on one leg of L-shapcd bracket 34 of rela tively hard material such as Valox.
  • the other leg of bracket 34 is secured to sidewall 18 by a second cushion or pad 36 of soft elastic material such as neoprene rubber of the type described above.
  • the various ele ments of device 20 are held together and to sidewall 18 by any suitable adhesive material.
  • Plate 30, pad 32, and the associated leg of bracket 34 project through sidewall 18 at a somewhat enlarged aperture 38. Elements 30 and 32, and the associated leg of bracket 34 span the coin passageway between sidewalls l6 and 18 and fit loosely into slot 40 in sidewall 16. in this way energy absorbing device 20 is restrained only by pad 36 and is free to deflect when struck by a coin.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an approximate. lumped parameter dynamic mechanical equivalent of energy absorbing device 20, which is typical of energy absorbing devices constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.
  • Mass m represents the relatively small mass of strike plate 30.
  • Spring k and dashpot b represent the elastic and energy absorbing or en ergy dissipating properties of pad 32.
  • mass m represents the relatively large mass of bracket 34, and spring and dashpot b represents the elastic and energy absorbing properties of pad 36.
  • plate 30 and bracket 34 can be assumed to contribute relatively little to k 12,, k or b
  • plate 30 and bracket 34 are preferably a dead material, i.e., a material having heavy internal damping.
  • the glass fibers in glass fiber reinforced Valox 420 for example, provide such internal damping.
  • pads 32 and 36 can be assumed to contribute relatively little to m and
  • the model of FIG. 4 serves to illustrate that there are a fairly large number of parameters in the design of energy absorbing devices constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, and also that each element of an assembled energy absorbing device determines only one or at most two of these design parameters.
  • energy absorbing device 20 in the apparatus of FIG. 1 which is designed to absorb substantially all of the kinetic energy of United States 5-, lO, and 25 cent coins dropped from a height of approximately l /2 inches, elements of the materials mentioned above and having the following dimensions have been found satisfactory:
  • strike plate 30 and pad 32 appear to absorb most of the kinetic energy of the lO-cent coin, which has little effect on the larger, stiffer components beneath.
  • the larger 25-ccnt coin appears to be affected most by system components 34 and 36.
  • the intermediate S-cent coin displaces both parts of the system to some extent. In all cases, the damping is close to critical, that is, coins stop bouncing after just two or three short hops and well before they have rolled off strike plate 30.
  • device 46 absorbs most of the kinetic energy of the coin, allowing it to roll without bouncing down coin track 48.
  • coins may be physically separated by size as they roll down coin track 48 by having a series of progressively larger windows in one of the sidewalls along track 48.
  • Coins too large to enter any window enter chute 50 (parallel to and behind chute 54 as viewed in FIG. 1) leading to a coin box of the machine.
  • coin accept gate 44 is not retracted. Gate 44 therefore intercepts the coin dropping from energy absorbing device 42 and diverts it onto coin track 52. At the lower end of coin track 52, the rejected coin enters coin chute 54 leading to the coin return window of the machine.
  • devices 42 and 46 do differ from device in certain minor respects. As shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6, the strike plate 60 of energy absorbing device 42 is mounted on pad 62 on the inside of the shorter leg of bracket 64, primarily because of space limitations. In addition, bracket 64 is mounted using two small pads 66 instead of a single large pad as in the case of device 20. Finally, the various components of device 42 are differently proportioned. reflecting the different requirements for an energy absorbing device at this loca tion. The materials of device 42 are, however, entirely similar to the materials of the analogous components of device 20. Sizes of the various components of energy absorbing device 42 are as follows:
  • a device in a coin apparatus for abruptly stopping the motion ofa coin along its path of travel comprising a strike plate
  • a first cushion layer contiguous to and interposed between the strike plate and support to be compressed by and to yield under impact of the coin with the strike plate
  • a mounting for the support adapted to yield resiliently under the energy of impact transmitted to it by said support.
  • the strike plate as supported by the cushion layer, has a predetermined mass adapted to absorb the kinetic energy of a rela tivcly light coin while restraining bounce and the support has a predetermined mass greater than that of the strike plate which together with said mounting is adapted to absorb the kinetic energy of a relatively heavy coin while restraining bounce.
  • the mounting comprises a rigid frame member of the coin apparatus and a second cushion layer of soft elastic material interposed between and secured to the frame member and a surface of the backing plate opposite the surface to which the first cushion layer is contiguous.
  • the support is a bracket having legs substantially perpendicular to each other, the first leg is disposed substantially normal to the path of the coin and backs the first cushion layer and supports it against the thrust of the strike plate and cushion upon such impact. the second leg is disposed substantially parallel to the path of the coin.
  • the device of claim 5 wherein the mounting comprises a frame member ofthe coin apparatus and a second cushion interposed between the frame element and the second leg of the bracket.
  • the support is a bracket having legs substantially perpendicular to each other.
  • the first leg is disposed substantially normal to the path of the coin and backs the first cushion layer and supports it against the thrust of the strike plate and cushion upon such impact, the second leg is disposed substantially parallel to the path of the coin.
  • the mounting comprises a frame member of the coin apparatus and a second cushion interposed between the frame element and the second leg of the bracket.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
  • Vibration Dampers (AREA)
  • Testing Of Coins (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
US468205A 1973-05-18 1974-05-08 Energy absorbing device for coin handling mechanisms and the like Expired - Lifetime US3889792A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2388373A GB1468162A (en) 1973-05-18 1973-05-18 Coin handling apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3889792A true US3889792A (en) 1975-06-17

Family

ID=10202863

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US468205A Expired - Lifetime US3889792A (en) 1973-05-18 1974-05-08 Energy absorbing device for coin handling mechanisms and the like

Country Status (14)

Country Link
US (1) US3889792A (xx)
JP (1) JPS5743953B2 (xx)
BE (1) BE815179A (xx)
CA (1) CA1015239A (xx)
CH (1) CH574143A5 (xx)
DE (1) DE2424036A1 (xx)
FR (1) FR2230025A1 (xx)
GB (1) GB1468162A (xx)
HK (1) HK45082A (xx)
IE (1) IE39383B1 (xx)
IT (1) IT1012402B (xx)
LU (1) LU70117A1 (xx)
NL (1) NL7405954A (xx)
ZA (1) ZA743156B (xx)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4286703A (en) * 1979-05-11 1981-09-01 Umc Industries, Inc. Coin testing and sorting apparatus
EP0042662A1 (en) * 1980-05-16 1981-12-30 Plessey Overseas Limited Coin chute for use in payphone instruments
EP0052951A1 (en) * 1980-11-26 1982-06-02 Plessey Overseas Limited Coin operated equipment
DE3208872A1 (de) * 1981-06-01 1982-12-23 UMC Industries, Inc., 63115 St. Louis, Mo. Muenzpruef- und -handhabungsvorrichtung
EP0500366A2 (en) * 1991-02-20 1992-08-26 Telkor (Proprietary) Limited Token validation mechanism
ES2214951A1 (es) * 2002-11-04 2004-09-16 Ingerga, S.A. Perfeccionamientos en los dispositivos de entrada para maquinas con accionamiento mediante monedas o similares.

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1482417A (en) * 1973-11-22 1977-08-10 Mars Inc Coin handling mechanism including an energy dissipating device
JPS5475194U (xx) * 1977-11-07 1979-05-28
JPS55169773U (xx) * 1978-11-24 1980-12-05
JPS5940695Y2 (ja) * 1979-07-09 1984-11-19 松下電器産業株式会社 硬貨選別装置
JPS5612266U (xx) * 1979-07-09 1981-02-02
JPS56168872U (xx) * 1980-05-16 1981-12-14
JPS56168873U (xx) * 1980-05-19 1981-12-14
JPS6281182U (xx) * 1985-10-31 1987-05-23
GB2232286B (en) * 1989-04-14 1993-01-06 Mars Inc Coin handling apparatus
DE4205449C1 (en) * 1992-02-22 1993-06-17 National Rejectors, Inc. Gmbh, 2150 Buxtehude, De Coin testing device for coin-operated vending machine - has impact element with integral retaining element supported by coin chute carrier via spaced retaining surfaces
JP6357816B2 (ja) * 2014-03-14 2018-07-18 オムロン株式会社 メダル選別装置および遊技機

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2763356A (en) * 1954-07-15 1956-09-18 Seth B Atwood Coin testing device
US3266611A (en) * 1964-03-12 1966-08-16 Cornelius Co Coin classifying device
US3837454A (en) * 1971-11-04 1974-09-24 Nat Rejectors Gmbh Coin testing devices

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2763356A (en) * 1954-07-15 1956-09-18 Seth B Atwood Coin testing device
US3266611A (en) * 1964-03-12 1966-08-16 Cornelius Co Coin classifying device
US3837454A (en) * 1971-11-04 1974-09-24 Nat Rejectors Gmbh Coin testing devices

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4286703A (en) * 1979-05-11 1981-09-01 Umc Industries, Inc. Coin testing and sorting apparatus
EP0042662A1 (en) * 1980-05-16 1981-12-30 Plessey Overseas Limited Coin chute for use in payphone instruments
EP0052951A1 (en) * 1980-11-26 1982-06-02 Plessey Overseas Limited Coin operated equipment
DE3208872A1 (de) * 1981-06-01 1982-12-23 UMC Industries, Inc., 63115 St. Louis, Mo. Muenzpruef- und -handhabungsvorrichtung
US4410077A (en) * 1981-06-01 1983-10-18 Umc Industries, Inc. Coin handling apparatus with coin retardation feature
EP0500366A2 (en) * 1991-02-20 1992-08-26 Telkor (Proprietary) Limited Token validation mechanism
EP0500366A3 (en) * 1991-02-20 1992-10-21 Telkor (Proprietary) Limited Token validation mechanism
ES2214951A1 (es) * 2002-11-04 2004-09-16 Ingerga, S.A. Perfeccionamientos en los dispositivos de entrada para maquinas con accionamiento mediante monedas o similares.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5020796A (xx) 1975-03-05
FR2230025A1 (xx) 1974-12-13
GB1468162A (en) 1977-03-23
AU6910774A (en) 1975-11-20
JPS5743953B2 (xx) 1982-09-18
IE39383B1 (en) 1978-09-27
CA1015239A (en) 1977-08-09
HK45082A (en) 1982-11-05
LU70117A1 (xx) 1974-10-17
IT1012402B (it) 1977-03-10
ZA743156B (en) 1975-05-28
CH574143A5 (xx) 1976-03-31
BE815179A (fr) 1974-09-16
DE2424036A1 (de) 1974-12-05
NL7405954A (xx) 1974-11-20
IE39383L (en) 1974-11-18

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